Possible Tax Hikes on the way for Peachtree City?

Hey Peachtree City…..facing a projected shortfall of $757,128 for fiscal year 2010-2011 and a projected $621,674 shortfall in the current year’s budget…..Peachtree City Council is looking at making some tough decisions.  Officials are not only contemplating using reserve funds but also projecting tax increases.  City staffers are projecting a .269 mill property tax hike for fiscal year 2010-2011 which begins on October 1st.  This increase would be equivalent to a $26.90 property tax increase for homes with a fair market value of $250,000.

Next Biggest Breakthrough for Clean Energy….Bloom Box?

Hey Peachtree City…..did you watch 60 Minutes?  Well maybe you aren’t an Andy Rooney loyalist but just in case you missed it, there was an interesting interview by Leslie Stahl on a fuel cell start up company called “Bloom Energy.”  In fact the San Jose-based company is having a launch party on Wednesday.  There has been quite a bit of stealth around this company but for some reason they decided to unveil and reveal its secret on 60 Minutes.

Mediterranean Villa Offered for Sale at 310 Watermark Drive, Peachtree City, Georgia 30269

Hey Peachtree City….Can you feel it????  Ahhhh yeah, love is in the air! As Valentines Day approaches many of us are still in the hunt…..searching for something uniquely different to surprise that special loved one this year. 

So what could be the most awe-inspired gift that would restore your appropriate title of King or Queen of Hearts and place your special someone on that well deserved proverbial pedestal?  Maybe a 2nd honeymoon adventure or a romantic island rendezvous?  How about something rare and exotic?  Okay….all of the above but maybe a bit more intimate this year you think?  I know, you have finally made that decision to step up and DREAM a little bit bigger this year….right? 

State of Housing in the US….Addressed!

Hey Peachtree City!  After listening to the President’s State of the Union address, I sat down and pondered about the actual state of the nation’s housing situation….or at least how I saw things from my porch.  Come on folks, is it just me or are there a number of other like-minded individuals that are of the opinion now that if Washington sneezes we are all going to catch a cold?  Alright, at least a sniffle.  I just did not seem to hear anything specifically related to doing something substantial that would give the housing & mortgage industries some much needed traction.   

It’s Almost That Time of the Year Again & New Changes for Tax Preparers!

Hey Peachtree City….welcome to 2010!  Sounds kinda funny saying 2010 but anyway there are some major changes already on the horizon and I thought I’d continue to feature them on my blog.  Some of these changes have been the result of a downturn in our economy and their direct correlation to its impact on the real estate market.  This tax year will be pivital in efforts to jump-start the economy with various initiative that were put in place for taxpayers like the 1st time home-buyers program or more sophisticated ones like the Workers, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009.   

New RESPA Reglatory Changes go into effect January 1, 2010!

Happy New Year Peachtree City!  As we welcomed in the official beginning of the new millennium and a new decade the government also introduced some sweeping new regulatory reform changes that will pose a significant impact on the mortgage industry and everyone in the real estate profession. 

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)went into effect on January 1st.  I would be remiss if I did not also state that HUD will overseeing enforcement of these new rules and is stated to say that they will “exercise restraint in enforcement” giving lenders an opportunity to make a good faith effort to comply with the new regulations.

NCR Corporation Officially Opens New Facility in Peachtree City!

Greetings Peachtree City!  Well it is official….NCR Corp has opened its global service and parts headquarters in Peachtree City, Ga. on November 30th. The new $15 million dollar Services Center which will also house the Customer Care and Training Center is expected boost the Georgia job market by employing more than 900 people.

NCR’s manufacturing plant officially opened in Duluth, Georgia in October. NCR officials have stated that the plan is to complete all headquarters relocations by the end of 2010. NCR’s Executive Vice President John Bruno states, “…..co-locating strategic elements of our Global Services Parts headquarters, Americas Customer Care Center and NCR University, will enable NCR to deliver superior service to our customers, supporting about 20,000 service requests in the Americas region every day.” 

Georgia Property Taxes Increase Due to Loss of The Homeowners Tax Relief Grant!

Hey Peachtree City have you taken the opportunity to open your tax bill yet!  Well if you haven’t you are probably one of those homeowners that will be filing late as typically taxes in Fayette County are due on November 15th.  By the way, if you plan on writing off those taxes for 2009, I hope that you get them paid before December 31st.

First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit Extended!!

Hello again Peachtree City!!  As the dust finally settles….the Senate finally decided not only to extend the tax credit but to expand it as well!  

Yes, you can exhale now, especially all you folks that waited until the last minute to take advantage of the credit.  Legislation passed on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 which will  extend the much debated $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit.  Also included in the Bill was the establishment of a new $6,500 tax credit for “move-up” buyers!  

Note from Sen. Johnny Isakson: Support of Extension of 1st Time Home-Buyers Tax Program!

Hello again Peachtree City!  You probably didn’t know this but I have been a proponent for gaining the support from our elected officials related to getting an extension of the 1st Time Home-Buyers program.  My efforts went so far as to send personal letters to both Senators Saxby Chamblis and Johnny Isakson asking for their positions on pending issues and continued support on others. 

Folks, I would be remiss if I first didn’t state that I received responses from both Senators.  I thought I’d share the response I receive from Sen. Johnny Isakson which acknowledged his efforts as co-sponsor of the Bill to extend the tax credit to 2010.  What you may not have known is that he also fully supports a Bill that would also create a $15,000 tax credit for all home buyers. 

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