A Tour of East Cobb’s Best Swim/Tennis Communities!
Posted: Friday, February 29th, 2008, 6:56 pm EST
Category: Marietta Real Estate
If you are in the market to relocate to Georgia or make a move to a different community in the northwest metro Atlanta area, you may want to consider moving to East Cobb County.
East Cobber.com lists some great information and ststistics about East Cobb County and the residents that currently reside in East Cobb. It is states that East Cobb is defined as those residents who live in the following zip code areas: 30062, 30066, 30067, 30068, and 30075. There are about 80,000 households and 200,000+ people residing in East Cobb.
If you want to reside in an affluent, family-oriented, and growing community here are some facts about East Cobb.
• East Cobb residents are well-educated and have the highest median household income in Cobb County.
• East Cobb has the largest population age 17 and under in Cobb County. (family friendly!)
• East Cobb has experienced the highest percentage of growth in Cobb County–and is still a popular place to relocate!
As a resident of East Cobb County, I personally think that East Cobb is a great place to live and work. East Cobb is known for having great schools and being a very family- oriented community. The Cobb County School District website has a great tool for you to explore! The School and Bus Locator and the Map of All Schools will be essential when choosing the right East Cobb Community to live in.
Besides having great schools, East Cobb has great shopping and dining and is only about 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta.
Their are many different types of communities in East Cobb County. I have decided to focus on some of the great swim/ tennis communities located in East Cobb. I will be showcasing some of these swim/ tennis communities, set in a variety of different price ranges, in a series of blogs to come. With spring and summer just around the corner, I thought that this would be a great place to focus on.
If you live in a swim/ tennis community located in East Cobb County and would like me to write a spotlight blog on your community, please contact me! I would love to hear about your community and why it is a great place to live!
Stay tuned… The first "East Cobb Spotlight" is soon to come!
Property Taxes are Changing in Georgia
Posted: Wednesday, February 27th, 2008, 12:25 pm EST
Category: Georgia Real Estate
Property Tax Assessment Freeze Passes 48-7
A proposed Constitutional Amendment by Senator Chip Rogers which would freeze property tax assessments statewide passed the full Senate on Tuesday. Senate Resolution 796 received bi-partisan approval and passed by a vote of 48-7.
"This legislation will bring desperately needed predictability to the property tax system. Currently Georgia property owners are subject to drastic increases in property taxes based upon the actions of their neighbors. Such a tax system is inherently unfair and demands change" said Senator Chip Rogers.
Senate Resolution 796 would freeze all property values at the 2008 assessed amount and allow for annual increases not to exceed 2% for residential property and 3% for non-residential property. The measure will require a super-majority 2/3 vote in the House. It would then be placed on the ballot in November for voter approval.
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$95 Million Property Tax Cut Measure Wins Senate Approval
The Georgia Senate has passed, by a vote of 49-4, a Constitutional Amendment (SR 859) from Senator Chip Rogers which would eliminate the state portion of the Property Tax.
Currently the state collects a one quarter mill ad valorem tax on most property in Georgia. If passed by voters in November, the tax would be eliminated saving Georgians about $95 Million in property taxes during 2010 and increasing yearly after that.
"The state of Georgia really has no business taxing property. Once a person has purchased property the state should have no claim to it." said Senator Chip Rogers, the sponsor of the bill. "This measure will also mean that hard-working Georgians get to keep more of the money they earn. I am certain that those who earned the money will know far better how to spend it than the government."
SR 859
Transparency in Government Act passes Senate
Posted: Monday, February 25th, 2008, 12:16 pm EST
Category: Georgia Real Estate
The Georgia Senate has unanimously passed a measure authored by Senator Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) that will require all state spending be available on a searchable Web site.
Known as the Transparency in Government Act, Senate Bill 300 will allow anyone the opportunity to see where state taxpayer dollars are being spent.
"This legislation is simply good government. The taxpayers ought to have easy access to data showing where every dollar in state government is spent," said Sen. Rogers. "Public scrutiny of government spending is not only the right thing to do, but it is necessary for true fiscal discipline."
According to the Comptroller of the State of Texas, a similar transparency bill in that state saved Texas taxpayers more than $2.3 million last year alone.
The Georgia web site will be created by the Department of Audits and Accounts and must be operational by January 1, 2010.
Will you still love me? Will you still tax me? When I’m 62.
Posted: Saturday, February 16th, 2008, 10:08 am EST
Category: Real Estate News
If you live in Cobb County or Cherokee County, the answers are Yes and No. Cobb and Cherokee have lots of love for citizens over 62 years old in the form of No School Tax.
If you are 62 years old or over, you can have your school taxes removed from your yearly tax bill in Cobb County and Cherokee County by applying for the school tax exemption.
In Cobb County, the school tax represents approximately two-thirds of your property tax bill, which would afford you a huge tax savings every year. In Cherokee County, it is approximately three-fourths of the property taxes. This tax reduction is on top of the reduction for your Homestead Exemption. This tax exemption makes too much sense for most politicians to approve (it’s unlikely citizens over 62 have any school age children), kudos to Cobb and Cherokee for getting it right!
Every year there are some changes, so please confirm this information with the respective tax offices.
Here is the general program:
The home you claim for an exemption must be your primary residence. The taxes are based on your status as of January 1st of each year. If you were to turn 62 this year, you would be eligible to receive the senior exemption next year.
In Cherokee County, you will be exempted from school taxes for the appraised value of your home up to $320,625.00 fair market value; $128,250.00 of assessed value. After that amount, your school taxes would be included in your tax bill.
In Cobb County, you are exempted from school taxes for the entire appraised value of your home, no matter how much your home is worth.
Both counties also permit you to have the customary Homestead Exemption, which is the exemption allowed because this is your primary residence.
Tax exemptions in both counties are filed between January 1st and June 30th of the year after you are eligible. So, for instance, if you are 62 this year and you move into a new home on May 8th, you will be able to file for your exemptions beginning the following January for the next year’s taxes.
You can find information on Cobb County Property Taxes by calling 770-528-8600. You may call Cherokee County at 770-479-0433. In either county just ask about their senior tax exemptions.
As a retiree or senior, you’ve worked hard all your life and have goals and dreams that are not the same as a first-time home buyer. Make sure you choose a Realtor who understands these differences and can work with you to match your goals with real estate advice to maximize your home-buying experience!
Check out the video here: YouTube
Woodstock: Main Street Sessions at Dean’s Store
Posted: Wednesday, February 13th, 2008, 4:15 pm EST
Category: Woodstock Real Estate
The Main Street Sessions is a monthly series in 2008 that will feature prominent local authors. Every month on the third Saturday at 1pm people will have the chance to hear presentations from the individuals that have helped shape the culture of the area in the unique setting of Historic Dean’s Store. This is the second year of the series.
The February 16th program is Heartworks Art Studio. Heartworks Art Studio is located in downtown Woodstock at 114 Towne Lake Parkway. Heartworks is a working studio, as well as offering art instruction classes and special workshops. Promoting local artists is a very important part of Heartworks’ mission. Heartworks holds open studio nights on the first Friday of each month, where they feature the works of a local artist, enjoy live music and refreshments. These events are free of charge and open to all. Deborah Tidwell is the founder of Heartworks Art Studio. She teaches oil painting classes, and paints commissioned portraits and fine art. Deborah was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She is the mother of three, Paul, Drew and Joy. Paul, her eldest, is currently serving our country in Iraq. Resident Artist, Amber Klippel, specializes in oil paintings, outdoor art and furniture as well as pyrography. A portion of the proceeds of her popular Goddess Series goes to various charitable organizations to benefit women. Amber was born in Atlanta Georgia, and is mother of one teenage son, Myke.
For more information go to www.oldetownewoodstock.com or call 770-924-0406
