Atlanta Home Buyers Workshops Scheduled - Register Today!

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers has scheduled two new seminars in its series of Home Buyer Workshops.

* Saturday, Jan. 30 -- 2:00pm-4:00pm
* Saturday, Feb. 27 -- 10:00am-12:00pm

Home buyers have already begun registering for this next opportunity, so prospective buyers are encouraged to sign up now before room runs out.

This will be a basic workshop and attendees will learn what to expect throughout the entire home buying process and how to get started. Topics will include:

* Getting the most out of working with your REALTOR®
* How much of a home can you afford to purchase
* Qualifying for the new $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers
* Fees, credit scores, budgeting and current market conditions
* Home owners insurance – what’s required to protect your investment
* The real estate closing process

To attend, please contact me today! Click Here.

Atlanta Home Buyers Take Advantage of $8,000 Tax Credit

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. It also authorized a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified repeat home buyers. To be eligible, you must have a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010 and a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010.

A tax credit of up to $8,000 is now available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the new credit does not have to be repaid.

Who is Eligible?
• The $8,000 tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only.
• The law defines a first-time home buyer as a buyer who has not owned a home during the past three years. If you've owned an investment property that was not your principle residence, you may still be eligible.
• All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.

Types of Homes That Qualify for the Tax Credit
• All homes within the United States, whether single-family, townhomes or condominiums will qualify.
• The home must be used as a principal residence.
• The tax credit includes newly-constructed homes.

Tax Credit Is Refundable
A refundable credit means that if you pay less than $8,000 in federal income taxes, then the government will send you a check for the difference.
• For example, if you owe $5,000 in federal income taxes, you would pay nothing to the IRS and receive a $3,000 payment from the government.
• If you are due to receive a $1,000 tax refund from the government, your refund would increase to $9,000 ($1,000 plus $8,000 from the homebuyer tax credit).

For more information, contact me TODAY!

2008 Homeownership Summit - Atlanta

The 2008 Homeownership Summit is scheduled for Saturday, June 28 from 9AM to 3PM. This event is FREE to all attendees.

It is a program being put on in partnership between HUD, FHA, PEMCO, DeKalb & Fulton County Governments, Atlanta Development Authority, Georgia DCA, City of Atlanta Bureau of Housing, and many other Non Profits & Housing Professionals

Attendees will become familiar with options and resources available to assist them in purchasing and sustaining a home. Most importantly, if attendees participate in all sessions, they will receive a certificate to be used when obtaining Down Payment Assistance from Government Agencies.

Each education break-out session only lasts 45 minutes and rotate for 5 hours.

Here are the topics of each session:

PURCHASING A HOME

• Basic Financial Education, Get the Facts: “Pros and Cons of Homeownership”
• Identifying the Industry Professionals – Realtors, Inspectors, Appraisers, Attorneys etc. “Understand Your Home buying Team”
• Credit & Budgeting, “How to Improve Your Credit Score”
• Qualifying for Your Mortgage/Down Payment Assistance – “How Much House Can I Afford”
• Mortgage Products and The Process: Fixed Products vs. ARMs; 15, 20 or 30 year Financing; Avoiding Predatory Lenders – “Why Borrow Trouble”
  

SUSTAINING YOUR HOME

• Post Purchase Concerns: “Maintaining Your Home & Managing Your Finances”
• Mortgage Default Counseling & Loss Mitigation Options – “Ways to Avoid Foreclosure”
• Refinancing & FHA Secure Loan Restructuring – “How to Get a Better Rate”
• Consumer Protection Rights & Awareness – “Beware of Rips Offs and Scams”
• Legal Aid & Assistance – “How to Seek Legal Advice”
  

For more information, contact me today.