Homestead Exemption Information

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 at 2:01pm. 483 Views, 0 Comments.

What is Homestead Exemption, and How Can I Apply For It? 

Any new homeowner needs to remember to file for a Homestead Exemption in your county.  It is so important to remember this as it can save you thousands of dollars in property taxes. However, not only will this save you money, the Homestead Exemption laws are designed to protect you as a homeowner.

They serve three primary features:  they prevent the forced sale of a home to meet the demands of creditors;  they provide surviving spouse with shelter;  and they provide an exemption from property taxes which can be applied to a home.

To qualify you must own and occupy the property as your legal residence as of January 1st of the current tax year.  There is no deadline to apply;  however, to receive…

Atlanta MLS Map Search Makes Browsing Homes Easy!

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 at 8:05am. 455 Views, 0 Comments.

You are in the market to buy a new home, and we have harnessed the power of the latest internet technology to give you the edge in your home search. Our Atlanta MLS search is updated every day with the latest and greatest homes for sale. We have developed Atlanta's most powerful Map Search. To use the map search, follow these simple steps: 1. Use your mouse to click on the map and drag the map to the location that you are interested in. 2. Enter your search criteria such as price, number of beds and baths, etc. 3. Click the "Update Map" button and watch as the map is populated with small icons, which indicate homes that match your criteria. Click on any of these icons to see more information on that home. To get started with your very own…

Atlanta Mortgage Interest Rates Drop to 4.75%

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 at 7:53am. 428 Views, 0 Comments.

Mortgage interest rates in Atlanta have dropped again recently! This is good news for buyers looking to lock in a 30-year rate and for sellers who benefit from motivated buyers. In fact, Atlanta has some of the lowest average interest rates in the country! (Rates do vary by region)

The chart below shows interest rates for those with a credit score of 740 or above. Rates will go up marginally for every 20 points of decrease in your credit score. To see exactly how much home you would qualify for and how much it would cost, just fill out the simple mortgage application form on my website and one of my preferred lenders will give you all of the information that you need! Click Here

What is My Atlanta Home Worth? Find Out Here....

Friday, February 20th, 2009 at 1:42pm. 445 Views, 0 Comments.

Question: What Is My Atlanta Home Worth? 

 Answer:

I thought that it would be interesting to show a market value analysis that was completed some time ago for one of my out-of-state clients who was selling a family home in Alpharetta.

Many people who need to sell a home in Atlanta are worried about how the process of finding the true market value of their home works, so hopefully this will shed some light on it.

If you need to sell your Atlanta area home, then visit our seller page and fill out the form at the lower part of the page: http://www.benhirsh.com/selling.php

Do not miss the commentary below the report....

Comparative Market Analysis

Prepared Especially for: (Client Name Removed) 170 Chessington Drive

$8000 for buying an Atlanta home?

Thursday, February 19th, 2009 at 2:46pm. 436 Views, 1 Comments.

Well yes, if you meet certain conditions, then you will be eligible to recieve up to an $8000 tax credit as a result of the stimulus package that was recently signed into law. In order to qualify for this tax credit you must not have owned a home in the past 24 months.

- This applies to personal residences purchased between 1/1/09 and 12/1/09

- This credit can be claimed on your 2008 tax refund

- The tax credit is available to single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000

- The tax credit is yours to keep...unless you sell your home within three years. In that case, you would have to pay it back.

Atlanta Real Estate focus on foreclosures

Monday, October 6th, 2008 at 1:02pm. 758 Views, 0 Comments.

No matter what you're looking to buy in real estate, Atlanta foreclosures are the best way to ensure you get a great deal and a cheap price on the property you want. Atlanta foreclosures offer great investing opportunities for an incredibly low price. Best of all, anyone can easily buy Atlanta foreclosures, even if you've never considered buying foreclosures.

The recent growth in foreclosures has increased the number of opportunities available to home buyers and investors, and lenders have become more lenient.

How is buying a pending foreclosure different than buying a regular home for sale?

Besides the time span, buying a foreclosure is no different than any other real estate transaction. The owners of foreclosure properties have the right to…

Atlanta Real Estate

Monday, October 6th, 2008 at 12:10pm. 621 Views, 0 Comments.

In Atlanta real estate, the serious consideration of a multi million dollar home used to be a pipe dream!  The Market for luxury homes has now moved to the $2 million range and up in Atlanta real estate today, ensuring the value of property in this area is worth the investment.

The Ben Hirsh Real Estate Group has found there is more activity at the higher priced end of the market in Atlanta real estate.

There are over 100 family homes for sale above $2 million, and a few are priced between $10 million - $20 million.

The demand over a 3 year period is suffcient which means the same pressures are on as in the lower priced end of the Atlanta real estate market. 

Buyers of these luxury homes are usually cash customers looking for extra security,…

Atlanta Real Estate

Saturday, October 4th, 2008 at 7:54am. 637 Views, 0 Comments.

For about three months now, resale prices of family homes in Atlanta Real Estate covering the Metro area have been creeping up, according to new data.

Showing improvements were Atlanta, Dallas, Minneapolis and Tampa in their annual and monthly returns, but figures are still close to their recent lows.

Prices in the metro Atlanta area are down 8.2 percent over the past year, much less than the 20-city composite average of 16.3 percent.

Records show an annual decline, and the monthly record has slowed. From May to June home prices fell 2.2 percent, whereas from February to April the pace reached 6 percent.

The rates are slowing down across the metro areas, but still no evidence of a bottom fallout.

Atlanta Real Estate prices have…

Keep Atlanta Beautiful

Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 11:27am. 714 Views, 0 Comments.

Keeping Atlanta Beautiful:
The City of Atlanta in partnership with Keep Atlanta Beautiful and Atlanta Public Schools has entered the Cans for Cash: City Recycling Challenge, encouraging residents and public and private facilities to participate in the challenge by collecting aluminum cans during the month of October.

The Cans for Cash: City Recycling Challenge is a national contest that encourages like-sized cities to compete against each other in aluminum can collection for monetary awards. It is sponsored by the United States Conference of Mayors, Novelis Corporation, and Keep America Beautiful, Inc. The Challenge will award $5,000 awards to participating municipalities and four $2,500 awards (totaling $70,000) to Keep America Beautiful affiliates…

The Buckhead Explosion

Thursday, September 25th, 2008 at 8:50am. 1041 Views, 0 Comments.

Soon an area of Fulton County GA will be filled with the designer branded bags of the high class catwalk labels. For in the later part of 2009 The Streets Buckhead will open its doors and with it a new unique shopping experience of vibrant dining and high class luxury boutiques will be available to Atlanta residents.

Once Fifth Avenue New york was synonymous with high class ritzy labels such as Hermes and Oscar de la Renta. Soon the Streets of Buckhead will be adorned with the top fashion stores of these design studios too.

The 500,000 suare feet development currently in construction is aimed at not only offering an exclusive and enjoyable shopping experiance but also, the inclusion of many top designer brands is expected to make the center a focal…