All Entries For August, 2009
This Saturday, August 14, 2009 is the 9th Annual Decatur Barbeque Blues & Bluegrass Festival in Harmony Park of Oakhurst. Come out to this yearly festival to enjoy BBQ from local vendors and listen to Blues and Bluegrass music. This year’s vendors will feature: Five Star Barbecue with pulled pork and chicken, O.B’s with BBQ ribs and sweet tea and Black Tie Barbecue with more BBQ choices you may be interested in. This year’s music headliner is nationally recognized Michelle Malone who is known for her unique bluesy music style. This festival is brought to you by three non-profit groups: the Community Center of South Decatur, the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association and the Decatur Recreation Department. All proceeds of the festival will be invested directly into the Decatur community.
Well, after months of searching, we made an offer on our first home this past Saturday. We definitely offered very low, but figured with a market like today’s, let’s give it a shot. The house had been on the market for over a year, and the seller had slowly lowered the price. We ended up getting the home for $90,000 off the original list price, so feel we are getting a great value for our money! In the contract, the seller agreed to leave all appliances and window treatments. Also, they will be paying $5,000 in closing costs and up to $2,000 in FHA needed repairs. It took about 3 rounds of offers, but we are officially under contract! Read More→
Although Congress has addressed the possibility of reauthorizing the First Time homebuyer Tax Credit, it is not certain that anything will be done before prior to its expiration on December 1, 2009. This gives potential homebuyers approximately 4 months to choose the perfect home and close by November 30, 2009. Otherwise, the $8,000 tax credit may not apply.
Do you still have questions about the Federal Tax Credit? The Atlanta Board of Realtors offer a free brochure full of information regarding the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit details published by the National Association of REALTORS®. Click here for a printable PDF.
Living at Talley Street Lofts in Historic Decatur provides easy access and central location to everything Decatur and Atlanta have to offer. The City of Decatur has designed walking tours around Decatur for fun! Choose from six different routes with different key points of interest to familiarize yourself with local vendors and historical points of interest. The tours vary in length and level of intensity: Level 1: “Stretch Your Legs”; Level 2: “Quicken Your Pulse”; and Level 3: “Challenge Yourself.” The information for the tours is free and is available by brochure at the Decatur Recreation Center, Downtown Developement Authority office and local shops such as One Step at a Time in Oakhurst. You may also view them online and print them out yourselves from the convienence of your computer.
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The City of Duluth, Georgia is hosting their Flicks on the Bricks this Saturday, August 8, 2009. Located on Main Street, this month’s movie is Tale of Despereaux. This event is free to attend and the movie begins at dusk. No alcohol is allowed at this event.
One thing that I have had to keep in mind while house hunting is the cost of a homeowners association (or HOA). Luckily, the majority of the neighborhoods I have look in have an HOA, but do not have too high annual dues.
I feel that having a homeowners association is important. A lot of times, the HOA fees will cover amenities such as a pool, tennis courts, sidewalks, playground, etc. But always, HOA dues will cover the upkeep of the front of the neighborhood (the entrance sign, plus cutting the grass, planting flowers–keeping it looking nice).
