Marietta on Today Show!

The Today Show named Marietta one of the top 4 places to buy a house in America! Check it out: http://www.mariettaga.gov/news/readarticle.aspx?id=1122#

Cobb Marietta Office Blog

Our marketing dude, Ben, is working on a blog for our office. Since he so graciously promoted my blog on the his, I want to promote his on mine.

Go check out: http://hnrcm.blogspot.com/

He just created it yesterday, but it already looks great!

$8,000 Tax Credit Ends November 30th

The $8,000 Federal Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers will expire at midnight on November 30th. Historically it has taken 30-45 days to close a loan, but with new appraisal and disclosure requirements that have recently taken effect closings have taken a little longer to complete. To ensure you are able to take advantage of the tax credit you should start the mortage loan application porcess today!

Contact Cheri Costello with Home Services Lending at 770-795-0353

New Web Site!

Hi Everyone,

We - along with the help of our fabulous new marketing coordinator, June - have been working hard on our new team web site. It is nowhere close to being complete, but please take a look at it and tell us what you think!

www.conynghamandwernz.harrynorman.com

First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit

Right now, an $8,000 tax credit is being offered by the government to enable aspiring homeowners to buy their first home.1 If you are eligible, the tax credit can help ease the financial transition from renting to owning. It can assist with buying furniture and home-décor; making home improvements – like remodeling, landscaping and painting; or paying down debt as you adjust to new monthly expenses. Homes purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009 are eligible.

The tax credit is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law on February 17, 2009, and enacted to help stabilize the housing market and strengthen our overall economy.

Are you eligible for the tax credit?
The tax credit is designated for first-time home buyers.2 A first-time home buyer is defined as a buyer who has not owned a home in the last three years. The tax credit is equal to ten percent of the home purchase price, which is capped at $8,000. Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit. Single taxpayers with incomes between $75,000 and $95,000, and married couples with incomes between $150,000 and $170,000 qualify for partial credit.

All homes purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009, including single-family, townhomes, or condominiums, will qualify for the tax credit, provided that the home is used as the principal residence. This also includes new construction homes if occupied by December 1, 2009.

To learn more about obtaining the tax credit and repayment, visit the Frequently Asked Questions.

For further information about eligibility requirements and limitations, visit www.irs.gov.

This information is subject to change without notice.

1. Consult a tax advisor regarding your individual situation. This information is not intended to provide legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, or investment advice, nor should it be relied on for legal advice. Please seek the advice of your own legal counsel.
2. Not available for those who qualify for a similar tax credit in the District of Columbia, or for those who finance their home purchase under a mortgage revenue bond program.

Mortgage Market Update From Cheri Costello

Here is the latest Mortgage Market Update from Cheri Costello of HomeServices Lending:

"IT REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF BOLDNESS AND A GREAT DEAL OF CAUTION TO MAKE A GREAT FORTUNE." Ralph Waldo Emerson.

And last week's headlines contained a mix of items to inspire both boldness and caution. Here are the highlights:

Friday's news showed that consumers are being understandably cautious with their finances, as the Personal Savings rate remained above 4% once again in February and among the highest savings levels seen in a decade. It wasn't that long ago - mid 2005 - that the US had a negative savings rate - that's right, as a nation, we regularly spent more than we made.

Meanwhile, the government continues to make bold moves to help our economy. On Monday, Treasury Secretary Geithner unveiled a plan to remove toxic assets from financial institutions by using money from the $700 Billion TARP fund. The government will help mitigate the risk by offering private investors Billions of dollars in low-interest loans to help finance the purchases. Indeed, it's a bold strategy - let's see if it pays off!

And...there's room for cautious optimism on the economy, as good news was noted on several fronts last week. The housing market received good news when both Existing Home Sales and New Home Sales came in stronger than expected. Additionally, Durable Goods Orders for February came in better than expected, showing the first increase in six months, and the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure Index (Core PCE) showed inflation is presently at tolerable levels. Plus, the US Dollar received a boost when China said it will continue to purchase US Treasuries.

Bonds were jostled around mid-week, but home loan rates ultimately ended the week very close to where they began...near historic lows. Give me a call or email me if you want to discuss whether now may be the perfect time for you to add a bit to your own fortune through a smart purchase or refi.

Cheri Costello
Direct: 770-795-0353
Cell: 541-908-1017
cheri.costello@hsl-ga.com

RATE ALERT!!

30 Year Fixed Conforming Loan - 5.375%!!!!

30 Year Fixed FHA Loan - 5.5%!!!!

WHAT GREAT RATES - NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!!

New Listing: Stunning Home on Acerage at Foot of Kennesaw Mountain

Mom, Linda Milligan and I are so honored and thrilled to have this fabulous new listing! The house is on Old Mountain Road in Greymont Subdivision. It is a beautiful Nantucket-style house with Grey shingles. Mom and Linda represented the Sellers of the house three years ago and the Buyers thought they did such a great job that they called them to come list it last week! It is listed at $2,299,000. Here are the details:

• The house was built in 1995 by Spitzmiller-Norris Architects and is a classic Nantucket design


• There are 4 Bedrooms, 4 Full Baths and 2 Half Baths


• The gourmet Kitchen has painted pine paneling walls and features an Island that seats 5, Breakfast Area, Double Ovens, Solid Surface Countertops, Walk-in Pantry, Adjacent Laundry Room with second Dishwasher, and offers a view of the Den.


• The sun light filled Den features a stacked stone Fireplace surrounded by built-in shelves. The Den also has a wall of windows overlooking the backyard and pool.


• There is an elegant banquet sized Dining Room with lovely mouldings and a 10' trey ceiling


• The oversized screen porch expands your living area outside! It overlooks the pool and features a stone floor, vaulted ceiling, ceiling fan, and front and rear french door access.


• The stunning Terrace Level features a second Kitchen that is open to the Rec Room - has a private club atmosphere. Also on the terrace level is a full gym, full bath, massage room, wine cellar and tons of storage!


• The luxurious Salt Water Heated Gunite Pool has a cascading Waterfall from the Hot Tub! Hot Tub is planked by two raised patios. The large patio around the pool is perfect for entertaining! The pool comes complete with it's own remote control!


• The house sits on a heavily wooded lot of 2+ acres at the foot of Kennesaw Mountain


• The yard is professionally landscaped and maintained

New Listing: Spacious Townhouse close to Vinings and 285!

We just listed this fabulous townhouse off the East-West Connector on the Smyrna/Vinings end of the Connector. It has 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, and a wonderfully spacious floor plan. The Kitchen has tons of builder upgrades - including an upgraded rustic tile back splash and upgraded stained cabinets. There is an island and breakfast area in the kitchen, as well as a bay window for extra square footage. The formal Dining Area is between the Kitchen and the Great Room, and has a Butler's Pantry for extra storage - also an upgrade. The large Great Room has a gas log fireplace and french door access to the back deck. There are hardwoods floors throughout the main level. The Master Suite has a trey ceiling, sitting area, and a luxurious master bath with double vanities, separate jacuzzi tub and shower, upgraded tile and a huge master closet! The third bedroom and bath is in the finished basement. There is also a large bonus room in the basement, and access to the back patio and yard. You can walk to the Silver Comet Trail from the townhouse, and there is easy access to 285 and Vinings! $289,900

Huge Yard Sale Tomorrow!

We are having a huge yard sale in the Harry Norman parking lot tomorrow - Saturday, November 7th - from 8am-4pm to benefit out Partners in Education and Cobb County DFACS. We have sold 20 booths - so it will be like having 20 yard sales in one place! Please try to come out and support our charities!

The Cobb Marietta Harry Norman office is located at the intersection of Whitlock Avenue and Mountain View roads.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! We had a costume contest in our office today. Everyone looked so great! Here are some pictures of the fun:

Everyone all dressed up!

Suzie dressed as Sarah Palin - she looked just like her!

Our fabulous lenders dressed as the Dynamic Duo

Gloria and Patty as ABBA

Melinda, the native Texan, as a Cowgirl, Sarah Palin, Me and Paula the Cavewoman

Paula's costume was great!

Melinda and our office manager Doris

Now Is The Time to Buy!

We had a great presentation in our sales meeting this morning about the benefits of buying a house now - as opposed to when the market bottoms and starts rising. Many people are waiting to purchase a property once the market hits the bottom. The problem is, when will we know when it hits the bottom? The bottom of any market is not an absolute position, but a relative position to a rising market. Because of this relative nature, the bottom of a market can only be determined in hindsight. Therefore, one cannot knowingly purchase at the bottom. So then the obvious questions is "Should I buy before or after the bottom?" Purchasing after the bottom carries the benefit of immediate appreciation, but it also brings the risk of higher interest rates, fewer homes available and multiple offer competition.

Here are the key benefits to buying before the market bottoms:

1. Lower Interest Rates - They will rise when the market starts rising
2. More Inventory - In a rising market you choices are fewer
3. Relaxed Pace - A rising market brings buyer competition and multiple offers
4. Time in Home - By buying NOW you can ENJOY the home

"Scary-etta" Trolley Tour

This past Friday night we went on the Scary-etta Trolley Tour. The tour is a combination of the Ghosts of Marietta walking tour and the Historic Marietta Trolley Company. The 90 minute tour left from the Trolley Company's office on Church Street, and included stops in front of the Marietta Museum of History, the Glover House on Whitlock, the Confederate Cemetery, the National Cemetery, the Root House and many other haunted places. We did not manage to see any ghosts, but we had a ton of fun! The Scary-etta Trolley Tour is happening nightly through November 1st, after that you can catch it the first Friday of the month. The Ghosts of Marietta walking tours are nightly year round. Visit www.ghostsofmarietta.com for more details.

Me, Hillary and Rachel partaking in some fun while waiting for the tour to start.

Waiting to board the Trolley - Me, Hillary, Melissa, Skully, Becky and Courtney

Harry Norman's President to be on WSB-TV Tonight!

Martha Hayhurst, President of Homeservices of Georgia (which owns Harry Norman and Jenny Pruitt), was interviewed today on WSB-TV Channel 2. Her interview, which will focus on the housing market, will air during their 5pm and 6pm news cast this evening. Please be sure to check it out!

Welcome to Our Real Estate Blog!

Welcome to our Real Estate blog! The purpose of this blog is to keep you informed of what's going on in the ever changing real estate market, to let you know about events in and around the City of Marietta, and, most importantly, to let you know that our real estate business is still going STRONG and that we are here to serve you and your real estate needs!

Joanna is originally from Marietta, Ga and has lived in the area almost her whole life, with the exception of her college years in Athens. Carson was born and raised in Marietta and has also lived in the City most of her life, with the exception of her college years which were split between Tuscaloosa, AL and downtown Atlanta.

Joanna has been in the real estate industry for over 16 years. She has been in Harry Norman's Cobb Marietta office her entire career. About 2.5 years ago, Carson left her Account Executive position with an advertising agency to join Joanna in real estate and has never looked back. Joanna's prolonged knowledge of personal real estate and the market, and Carson's advertising, marketing and technology skills make for one great real estate team! Despite the current market, we still love what we do and are very passionate about real estate and helping people meet their real estate goals.

Please do not hesitate to contact one of us with your real estate questions. We hope you enjoy our blog and check it frequently. Please leave us a comment too - we would love to hear from you!