How to stop foreclosure

How to stop foreclosure.

Flickr Creative Commons Uploaded on May 31, 2008 by respres

There are basically 3 ways to stop a foreclosure. I am writing this from my perspective as an agent here in Georgia. Foreclosure laws vary from state to state so there will be some differences in process but I think the basic ideas will apply anywhere in the U.S.

Pay the money owed. This sounds sort of obvious but it is one way to stop the foreclosure process. This does not mean that the loan needs to be paid in full. In fact it does not necessarily even mean that you will need to make up all of the back payments! of course if you can find a way to do either of those then all the better. Communicate with your bank. They do not want the house back. In loss mitigation work for banks I have direct contact with many home owners who have fallen behind. In many cases the banks are very anxious to work something out with the home owner. Just about 2 weeks ago I met with a home owner who had a first and second mortgage with the same bank. The bank agreed to completely forego any payments on the second mortgage for 4 months and cut the payment on the first mortgage in half for 6 months. This will allow the home owner some time to find a new job and get back on their feet. The big thing is that if you are behind you need to communicate with your mortgage holder!
File Bankruptcy. Filing bankruptcy will stop the foreclosure dead in its tracks. It will buy you some time but be carefull. Think carefully about whether or not it it will solve a problem or are you just buying time to avoid making a tougher decision? The payments will still need to be made or the mortgage holder will appeal to the bankruptcy court to have the home released from bankruptcy protection and then the foreclosure will proceed at that time. About 70-80% of chapter 13 (repayment,reorginization) bankruptcies go in to default. That is the debtor can't make the repayment to the court and defaults. The house ends up getting foreclosed and the home owner ends up with a bankruptcy AND foreclosure on their credit. Again, bankruptcy can be an option, but use it wisely. It is a drastic measure.
Sell the house. I know this is an emotional and tough decision. It's your home. It's where you want to raise your family. You love your neighbors. Listen, it is better to sell and leave with dignity than get foreclosed and thrown out. Period. I think that no matter where you live, your home is worth less now than tit was a few years ago. Selling can be difficult. If you have any equity after the sale the cash is yours to keep (or pay other bills). Maybe you'll just break even on the sale. Sell the house and walk away. However the more common situation today is that you owe more than the home is worth. If this is the case then the mortgage holder will need to agree to a short sale. That is they will agree to accept a payoff for less than what is owed. Why would they do that? It's better to do that than foreclose. It keeps them from owning the house and bearing all the expenses of the foreclosure and resale. It can be a sound but difficult decision for the bank to do this. Again, communicate with the mortgage holder! If your foreclosure is scheduled for next Tuesday then it is too late to work on a short sale today!

Remember that whatever you are facing today is temporary. You can and probably will be a homeowner again. If you can avoid foreclosure or bankruptcy, maintain 2 year of good payment history on your rent and other bills, and can show stable income, you can buy in as soon as 2 years!

I you are here in the metro Atlanta area and behind on your payments, give me a call. I will only list our home if that is the best option for you. I will be glad to discuss your options to help make the plans for your situation. I build my business on repeat and referral clients. I want to be the agent that helps you solve your problem today, earn your referrals, and help you buy your next home in 2 years or whenever the time is right for you.

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Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

0 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • July 03 2009 01:49PM

When in the course of human events.....why we celebrate

......And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

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IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

hen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

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Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

2 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • July 03 2009 11:26AM

Only In America

On my IGoogle home page, one of my features is the joke of the day from Comedy Central.. Honestly most of them are sort of lame. However this one was on there today and I thought it was pretty funny. Since tommorow is 4th of July I thought it might be nice to share a few things that makes America unique.

Enjoy!
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1. Only in America......can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.
2. Only in America......are there handicap parking places in front of a skating rink.
3. Only in America......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.
4. Only in America......do people order double cheese burgers, large fries, and a diet Coke.
5. Only in America......do banks leave both doors to the vault open and then chain the pens to the counters.
6. Only in America......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.
7. Only in America......do we use answering machines to screen calls and then have call waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want to talk to in the first place.
8. Only in America......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.
9. Only in America......do we use the word 'politics' to describe the process so well: Poli' in Latin meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures'.
10. Only in America......do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.

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Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

5 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • July 03 2009 11:10AM

I'm the king of this castle..when you're not home

I'm the king of this castle....when your not home

Ok, I WAS going to write a thoughtful blog about the important aspects of home ownership. You know things like like raising your family, pride of ownership, a place where memories are made, etc. I might still write that one but I did get distracted. I heard this song years ago and thought it was just too funny!

Check out The Man Song

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

6 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • July 02 2009 01:35PM

A couple of great grilling recipes and help my friend...

Help my friend ...and get some great 4th of July Grilling recipes! (check out yummy the pictures)

I have blogged previously about my friend and neighbor,Chef Rian MacDonald. He is a fanatastic young chef that already has published his own cookbook, he is a recruiter and instructor at La Cordon Bleu, and I wouldn't be suprised if he ends up as a famous chef with his own tv show or chain of restraunts!

So check out these great recipes and impress the heck out of your friends at your July 4th cookout!

I also want to ask for your HELP.

To vote for your favorite, you must follow the "click here to read or post comments" link on the individual recipe page, and then add your rating in stars and your comments.
Please ReBlog or repost this information
Twitter it
Facebook it
etc...

Help get the word out and lets get a bunch of votes for Chef Rians recipes! Thanks for your help.

Have a safe, happy, and delicious 4th of July!

************

Here are the recipes and details

Chef Rian Macdonald has entered the OUTDOOR COOKING's SECOND BBQ RECIPE contest!

Grilled Georgia Peach with Blueberry Crumb Cake Filling and Cranberry Sauce

by Rian Macdonald
(Powder Springs, GA)

Grilled Georgia Peach with Blueberry Crumb Cake Filling and Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients
6 Peaches
3 pint Blueberries
½ cup Granulated White Sugar
½ cup Light Brown Sugar
5 tablespoons Butter, softened
¼ cup cinnamon
10 whole Graham Crackers, crushed
Whipped Cream
12 sprigs of mint

For Sauce:
1 cup Cranberries
2 tablespoons Honey
1/8 cup Granulated White Sugar
Zest from 1 lemon
¼ cup Riesling wine
¼ cup Cranberry Juice

Procedure:
1. Cut peaches in half and twist to separate the halves, much like an avocado. With a spoon, remove the pit and fibrous center of the peach to form a pocket.
2. Drizzle olive oil over the flesh of the peach halves and slightly sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. Reserve in refrigerator until ready to use.
3. Place a sheet of foil, shiny side up, on flat surface and put a coffee mug in the middle. Fold the sides of foil up around the mug forming a cup shape with the foil. Then remove the mug. Repeat this to form 4 foil cups.
4. Wash the blueberries. Separate evenly into the foil shaped cups.
5. In a separate bowl, combine butter, 1 tablespoon of honey, granulated white sugar, graham crackers, and ¼ cup of brown sugar, cinnamon and mix with a fork. Mixture should be clumpy, like coffee cake topping.
6. Evenly spoon sugar mixture into each foil cup, reserving ¼ of the mixture for later use. Pinch edges together tightly to close.
7. Put blueberry foil filled cups on the grill and cook covered for 5 minutes.
8. Lightly grease grill, put peach halves skin side up to grill-mark the flesh of the peach. This should take about 2 minutes in one direction, than 2 minutes in the opposite direction.
9. Remove peaches and foil cups filled with blueberries. Let rest for 5 minutes.
10. To make the cranberry sauce, combine all listed sauce ingredients in a food processor, and mix until smooth.
11. Transfer sauce from food processor to sauce pot and let cook over medium-high heat until the sauce reduces by half
Assembly:
1. On the bottom of the skin side of the peach, slice off a sliver, so the peach sits flat on a plate.
2. Add the blueberry mixture to the formed pocket in the center of the peach. Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture on top of each blueberry mixture.
3. Pipe out some whipped cream on top of the blueberry mixture and garnish with a sprig of mint.
4. Drizzle Cranberry Sauce to the side of the peach, and then serve.

Makes 12 servings

VOTE-Click here to read or post comments.

To vote for your favorite, you must follow the "click here to read or post comments" link on the individual recipe page, and then add your rating in stars and your comments.

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Fire Roasted Pork Loin Tower with Mango Salsa and Cranberry Infused Rice

by Rian Macdonald
(Powder Springs, GA)

Fire Roasted Pork Loin Tower with Mango Salsa and Cranberry Infused Rice

Ingredients:

2 whole Pork loins, trussed

For Marinade:
1 cup Cranberries
1/8 cup Rice Vinegar
½ Cranberry Juice
1/8 cup Riesling wine
Olive Oil
Zest from 1 Lemon

For Rice:
2 cups White Rice
2 cups Water
2 cups Cranberry Juice

For Mango Salsa:
2 ripe Mango, small diced
1 medium sized Cucumber, seeded, small diced
4 tablespoons Cilantro, chopped
1 medium White Onion, small diced

For Cranberry Sauce:
1 cup Cranberries
1 tablespoon Honey
1/8 cup Granulated White Sugar
¼ cup Riesling Wine
¼ cup Cranberry Juice
Zest of 1 lemon

Parsley

Procedure:

For Cranberry Marinade:
1. In a food processor combine 1 cup of Cranberries, rice vinegar, lemon zest, and olive oil. Put combined marinade in plastic bag and add pork loin. Let marinade for 2 hours.

For Rice:
1. In a medium saucepot, add 2 cups water and 2 cups Cranberry Juice, and bring to a boil. Once at a boil, add rice and cover. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the rice is al dente, this should take about 30 minutes.

For Mango Salsa:
1. In a small mixing bowl, add ingredients for mango salsa and combine. Keep in the refrigerator to keep cool.

For Preparation:
1. Place the pork tenderloins on a hot grill, and sear all sides of the loin until a nice crust has formed.
2. Lower the heat of the grill and continue to baste the pork tenderloins with marinade every 5 minutes.
3. Pork tenderloin is done cooking when the juice run clear or the internal temperature is 155 degrees.
4. When pork tenderloins are done cooking, remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
5. Remove butcher?s twine.

For Cranberry Sauce:
1. In a food processor add all ingredients from sauce list and mix well until smooth.
2. Transfer ingredients from food processor to a medium saucepot.
3. On high heat reduce cranberry sauce by ½, then let cool.

Assembly:
1. With a pastry mold, put rice on inside the mold, about ½ of the way to the top, and then top off with the mango salsa. Push ingredients down while removing the mold.
2. Slice pork tenderloins into ¼-inch medallions. Put 1 medallion on top of the rice and salsa mixture.
3. Garnish with cranberry sauce, and a fresh cranberry.

Makes 12 servings

VOTE-Click here to read or post comments.

To vote for your favorite, you must follow the "click here to read or post comments" link on the individual recipe page, and then add your rating in stars and your comments.

Thank you for your support!
Chef Rian Macdonald
ChefMac, LLC
President/Author
Cell:770.883.6666
E-Mail: chefmac@gmail.com
www.chefrianstastebuds.com
www.authorhouse.com

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Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

3 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • July 02 2009 11:43AM

Kennesaw Ga. Home Search

Are you searching for a home in Kennesaw, Ga.?

Here is the only Kennesaw Home Search you will ever need!

Marietta, Ga , Home of the Big Chicken!

Kennesaw Mtn Battlefiled

Photo: from Flickr creative commons by terra2055

Create and Save Your Own Custom Search

Foreclosure listings - See all Kennesaw bank owned homes

Search Kennesaw Homes by Price Range

Kennesaw homes up to $100,000 Kennesaw Homes $100,001-$150,000

Kennesaw Homes $150,001-$200,000 Kennesaw Homes$200,001-$250,000

Kennesaw Homes $250,001-$300,000 Kennesaw Homes $300,001-$350,000

Kennesaw Homes $350,001-$400,000 Kennesaw Homes $400,001-$500,000

Kennesaw Homes over $500,000

Search by school, zip code, property type, number of beds or baths,...

Create Your Own Custom Search

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Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

0 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • July 02 2009 11:08AM

Marietta Ga. - The only home search you'll ever need

Are you searching for a home in Marietta, Ga.?

Here is the only Marietta Home Search you will ever need!

Marietta, Ga , Home of the Big Chicken!

Photo: from Flickr creative commons by tanjila

Create and Save Your Own Custom Search

Foreclosure listings - See all Marietta bank owned homes

Search Marietta Homes by Price Range

Marietta homes up to $100,000 Marietta Homes $100,001-$150,000

Marietta Homes $150,001-$200,000 Marietta Homes$200,001-$250,000

Marietta Homes $250,001-$300,000 Marietta Homes $300,001-$350,000

Marietta Homes $350,001-$400,000 Marietta Homes $400,001-$500,000

Marietta Homes over $500,000

Create Your Own Custom Search

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Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

0 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • June 25 2009 02:48PM

Are you searching for a home in Powder Springs Ga.?

Are you searching for a home in Powder Springs, Ga. 30127?

Here is Your Powder Springs Home Search

Create and Save Your Own Custom Search

Foreclosure listings - See all Powder Springs bank owned homes

Search for Powder Springs homes by subdivision

(If your subdivision isn't here just send an email. We'll be glad to add it to the list)

Aikens Mill Amberton Asbury AshleyWoods Bannister Broadlands Browns Farm

Chaseway Circle Country Walk Darby Place Defoor's Farm Devonhurst DoeRunEstates

Echo Mill Elliott Place Estates at Warren Farm Estates at West Cobb Evans Forest

Forest Glen Garett Springs Harrington Place Hopeland Park Jones Reserve Lancer Lavender Farms

Lost Mountain Lakes Lost Mountain Manor Lost Mountain Township Lost Mountain Estates

Macland Meadows Macland Woods Macland Forest Mann Manor McEachern Woods

McEachern Cove McEachern Park Meadows Lake Mill Chase Millers Creek Morningside

Oakleigh Oxford Glen Paddocks Park at Lost Mountain Parsons Greene Peach Plantation Pine Bluff

Registry at Old Lost Mountain Riverwalk Rolling Hill Saint George Terrace Scott Farm

Sheffield Farms Springville Steeplechase Stonemill Creek Sweetwater Landing Wasilla Estates

Westerling Place Westridge Wildhorse Hills Worthington Oaks

Create Your Own Custom Search

Search Powder Springs by Price Range

Powder Springs homes up to $100,000 Powder Springs Homes $100,001-$150,000

Powder Springs Homes $150,001-$200,000 Powder Springs Homes$200,001-$250,000

Powder Springs Homes $250,001-$300,000 Powder Springs Homes $300,001-$350,000

Powder Springs Homes $350,001-$400,000 Powder Springs Homes $400,001-$500,000

Powder Springs Homes over $500,000

Create Your Own Custom Search

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Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

0 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • June 25 2009 01:33PM

Dear Congress, Please Vote yes to raise my energy bill!

To my representative in Congress,

      I am writing or calling you today to encourage you to vote for HR 2454, the Waxman- Markey energy bill. With an average cost per household of only $1500 per year this legislation is a real bargain. In these booming economic times I'm sure that every one of your constituents will be glad to pay alittle bit extra for a tank of gas and their monthly electric or gas bill. Of course every thing that we purchase that uses electricity from light bulbs to lawnmowers to automobiles will cost a little extra as well. And let's not forget that if by any product that uses energy to be produced (basically everything) will be just a little more expensive.

electric meter posted on Flickr Creative Commons by "Beige Alert"

        We know just from last summers spike in gas prices, that an increase in energy costs might cause a few of your constituents to lose their job. With the job market as strong as it is, these folks should have no problem at finding a new job. Heck, they'll probably appreciate having some time off to relax. Of course paying for a tank of gas or keeping the lights turned will be easy to pay on those big unemployment checks!

        Let's not forget the long term economic benefits of this wonderful legislation. I can't believe that the Congressional Budget Office didn't even factor in the decrease in GDP. According to the CBO "The resource cost does not indicate the potential decrease in gross domestic produce (GDP) that could result from the cap." If we are all making less money then we pay less in taxes ... right? So in way this isn't really a tax increase. We make less, we pay less, I'm sure that somehow Congress can make that a tax cut!

        Since the government is now competing against private enterprise in the automotive industry, I sincerely hope that Government Motors General Motors will be given some sort leeway on meeting the requirements imposed by the legislation. This will will give them a great advantge over those other evil private companies. Those folks who work in manufacturing plants or dealerships for other manufacturers better get on the ball if they want to compete! Right? Even if GM doesn't have any special advantage, those folks better shape up or prepare a resume! I'm sure the economies of Ohio, Michigan, and other auto producing states will be be ble to provide plenty of good paying jobs for those lid off workers.

    Sincerely,
    A Concerned Voter

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I am aware that this blog might be read by zillions of people all over the Internet - Take Action!

If you want to see your cost of energy and cost of living go up contact your Congressional representative today! The vote is scheduled for Friday June 26!
Ok... I suppose that there may be a few of you out there who may be opposed to this legislation. I guess you could let your representative know about that as well.

Contact your Congress representative so they can raise your energy bills!

If you live here in Cobb County Georgia, here is the contact info for our representatives.

Phil Gingrey
District Office Phone: 770-429-1776

Tom Price
District Office Phone: 770-565-4990

David Scott
ph: (770) 432-5405

For more information on HR 2454 there is a well written article in today's Wall Street Journal. Check it out!

***********

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

11 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • June 25 2009 01:12PM

An interview with Teleprompter 1

Does the President really use the teleprompter too much?

Check out this entertaining look at "Teleprompter 1" from none other than MSNBC!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

***********

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

8 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • June 11 2009 12:55PM

Young Local Chef Already Cooks Up Big Things!

Powder Springs , ga. : A local Powder Springs chef has been cooking up big things! Rian MacDonald has already published his first cookbook. I first met Rian and his wife Lauren (for more about Lauren, see my recent post "Is there Hope For Public Education") at a chili cookoff here in our neighborhood and we have become great friends since that time.

Do you know what's the best part of knowing a chef who is writing a cookbook? He cooks the food to take pictures and somebody has to eat it! I have tasted most of the recipes in the book and every one of them is totally awesome!

If you are going to be in the area this Saturday, stop by the Book Worm and get some food samples and an autographed copy. If you can't make just go online and check out "Taste Buds" you can order your very own copy from the website.

*****

You are invited to a cooking demo and signing event with Chef Rian Macdonald, author of Taste Buds, on June 13th!.

The fun goes on from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 13^th. I will be doing cooking demos for my local foodies as well as signing my cookbook Taste Buds. Come into the store, participate in the demo and enjoy dishes out of my cookbook such as Tomato-Corn Salsa, Asian Pot Stickers and Mandarin Chicken Explosion. Not only do you get to enjoy fantastic food but you get to learn how all the magic is put together!

Chef Rian MacDonald

Come, relax and bring your appetites because I am going to excite your taste buds on

Saturday June 13^th from 1 to 4 p.m.

the Book Worm located at 4451 Marietta Street Powder Springs, Georgia 30127.

In case you get lost the number to the store is (770) 439-2029.

The Book Worm Bookstore has thousands of books, movies, cds and accessories (calendars, journals, bookmarks, book bags and book lights, just to name a few) to accommodate everyone's taste. While most items are gently used, they also carry a large amount of NEW items as well ranging at 50% publishers price and sometimes even more!

They are always happy to see you and help you when you need to find that rare out of print book or hard to find book that are on a reading list and the big box stores are out of them.

I look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Chef Rian Macdonald

--
Chef Rian Macdonald
ChefMac, LLC
President/Author
E-Mail: chefmac@gmail.com
www.chefrianstastebuds.com
www.authorhouse.com

***********

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

0 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • June 10 2009 12:31PM

We check the tenants credit.. What about the landlord?

We check the tenants credit.. How about the landlord?

More and more often I am getting calls from people who are renting their homes, paying the rent on time, and then find out that the landlord has not been making the mortgage payments. The situation is even worse if the caller was in a lease purchase arrangement and put up $thousands$ for the chance to buy the home.

In almost every situation the caller/tenant has no choice but to move. If they have put up extra money toward a lease purchase they will lose it. Their security deposit is gone. Oh sure they could sue the landlord and win. But so what. The landlord has no money and then the tenant has to try to collect. Maybe if the landlord has a job they can get a garnishment. That is if the landlord doesn't go bankrupt.

I do a little tenant representation but I wouldn't consider myself an expert in this area of real estate. But what can tenants or prospective tenants do to protect themselves? My basic proposal would be for the landlord to provide a copy of each months mortgage statement to the tenant showing that the payments are current. The landlord can blackout some of account numbers and personal information. Just leave enough so that the resident knows it is the statement for the home they are living in. This would create a more equilateral relationship between the tenant and landlord. The landlord recieves the rent each onth so they know the tenant is current. The tenant recives a mortgage statement each month so they know the landlord is current.

For the agents out there reading this, what would you do to protect a tenant? Are there any clauses in your leases or any special stips that you have seen?

How about suggestions for tenants that find themselves in this situation?

************

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

58 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • June 07 2009 02:14PM

Is there hope for public education?

Can we re invent public education?

Many people, including myself, have been quite willing to criticize the failings of public education. While there are many downfalls, there are also some bright spots.

I am proud to say that one of those bright spots is my friend and neighbor, Powder Springs resident, Lauren MacDonald. Check out this great article from today's "Parade" Magazine!

Great job Lauren.. Keep it up!

*****************

REINVENTING AMERICA

Coaching Students To Stay In School

by Peg Tyre

published: 06/07/2009

The South Atlanta Educational Complex is a vast brick-and-glass building housing 1000 or so 9th- through 12th-graders. While its students look like those from any big-city school district, administrators estimate that about 85% come from families whose income is below the federal poverty line. In addition to getting an education, many of these teens are supporting a child or younger siblings or caring for an elderly relative or sick parent. Some are in foster care, and some are homeless. Others are children of recent immigrants who work long hours and don't know how to help them thrive academically.

Read the entire article: http://www.parade.com/news/2009/06/coaching-students-to-stay-in-school.html

************

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

3 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • June 07 2009 11:45AM

What do clients expect?

So just what is that customers wants from their vendors and suppliers?

I think this video "hits the nail on the head". The video deals with all vendor/client relationships but as you'll see, it will be very familiar stuff for those of us in the real estate industry :-)

Enjoy!

Vendor/Client Video

************

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

2 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • June 05 2009 07:52AM

179 Bookout Way, Powder Springs, Ga 30127

Hi Everybody, Check out this great new listing in Powder Springs, Ga. ***************************under contract

Bob Southard | Solid Source Realty | 770-656-9134

179 Bookout Way, Powder Springs, GA

This beautiful, bargain priced, house is just waiting for you to
call it home!

4BR/3BA Single Family House

offered at $157,500

Year Built	2001
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Cozy Up

For a romantic meal in the breakfast area of this beautiful stone and frame home in Bookout Square. Great features include 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, dining room, master suite with separate shower, garden tub for tired bones, casual living room with real wood floors and fireplace.

Don’t bother looking at junky bank owned homes to get a great deal. Paulding county tax value on this home is $178,470 and the last sale price in 2003 was $161,800 .

You can buy this home for thousands less than that and you get a beautiful home with full sellers disclosure!

Now only $157,500

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor	Family room
Bonus/Rec room	Dining room	Breakfast nook
Dishwasher	Refrigerator	Stove/Oven
Basement	Laundry area - inside	Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5

Contact info:

Bob Southard

Solid Source Realty

770-656-9134

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: May 21, 2009, 9:17am PDT

1 comment • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • May 21 2009 12:40PM

At the speed of light .... with the windows down!

Are you smarter than a fifth grader? ... I want to give full credit that the inspiration for his came from my 11 year old son.

We were riding in the car the other day and Ryan asked me

Q: "What is the speed of light?"
I could tell that he knew the answer and was going somewhere with the question.... I think it's 186,000 per second, I answered. Correct!

Q: "So how far is a light year?"

Again I could tell that he knew the answer so I said "That is the distance that light will travel in one year".

Well my answer was technically correct but he was looking for the actual number in terms of how many miles would be traveled in one light year.

He told me the answer and went on to make a point .... but, before I share the wisdom of an 11 year old let me illustrate

**************************************
Imagine with me that have your very own spaceship parked in the driveway and that you can actually travel at the speed of light!

Flickr creative commons by Brent and MariLynn

photo:Flickr Creative Commons by Brent and MariLynn

Ok now here is where you really have to use your imagination. :-) .... You and Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and a few of your rich friends decide that it would be cool to ride around with the windows down and throw dollar bills out in to space. $1 for every mile travelled! I know that your arms will be spinning and you'll get tired real fast throwing all that money in to outer space but like I said ... just imagine it.

So here is how it will work.

In the just about the blink of an eye you'll be to the moon and only out of pocket just a little over $200,000. That's just pocket change and your arms are doing just fine.

In about 5 minutes or so you are going to pass the planet Mars and be out about $60 Million. Ok, now it is starting to seem like it's real money. This is getting serious.

In another half hour or so you pass Jupiter and in about an hour you pass Saturn. At his point you are out about $750 million.

In a couple of more hours you have left our solar system and you're heading out in the reaches of the Milky Way. Bill and Warren are still there, but man they are really sweating it now!

After a couple of days Bill and Warren are homeless and broke while you are still "boldly going where no man has gone before" ... still with the windows down and at $186,000 per second.

And your journey continues for 1 entire year! You now have traveled the distance of 1 light year! Our sun will still be quite visible since the next closest star is still another 3 light years away, but it will look more like a really bright star and you certainly won't see any of the planets.
*********************
Back to the point my son was making:

Q: So how far is a light year? In miles?
I don't know I can't do the math in my head on that one!

A: About 6 Trillion miles

And then my 11 year old told me this.....

Did you know that if you traveled at the speed of light and spent $1 every mile for an entire light year you still would have spent less than the national debt.

Hold that thought son because I'm sorry to say that most of that debt will fall on your shoulders.

The national debt is about 11.3 Trillion right now. By most estimates it is going to reach $12 trillion by the end of this year.

I guess that we need to make that space trip a round trip if you want to catch up with congress!

How about it Congress? Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

************

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

5 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • May 14 2009 03:40PM

My Most Recent Newsletter

I just did my most recent ";Service or Life"; newsletter by email instead of in print. There are still a few hundred in my outbox, so if you haven't received it yet, I hope you do get it in the next few hours :-).

If you would like to add yourself to the email list just let me know. I'll be sure that you get next months issue and all the valuable real estate news that you can use!

For my fellow agents out there who are reading this ... MS Outlook email merge is pretty easy to use. It eliminates bouncebacks from folks whose isp won't allow emails that are cc'd to large groups. Each email goes out one at a time. Since they are sent one at a time, don't do as I did. Send it at night when it won't matter if your email send/receive is plugged up :-). Other than that Outlook email merge is a great tool for keeping in touch with your database.

****************

How To Avoid Dangerous Health Risks

On Your Next Airline Flight…

April 2009

Dear <;<;name>;>;,

I hope that you are doing well. In order to save paper, I have included a link to this month’s issue of my Service For Life® free consumer newsletter. It’s loaded with useful consumer and health tips, trivia, funny jokes, entertainment, quotes, and more. I think that you’ll really enjoy it. It’s in adobe acrobat (.pdf) format which almost every computer has installed.

This Month's ";Service For Life!";(R)

If the link is broken just copy and paste this address into your browser http://issue5.agentbobsells.com

Between jetlag, backaches and sore muscles to getting downright ill, traveling by air can be risky business. That’s why I’ve highlighted a number of proven tips for staying healthy when flying your favorite airline. It’s all detailed right here in my latest Service For Life! ^® Free consumer newsletter. But before you dig into this issue…

Here’s what’s new in the world of real estate: Is it a good time to buy or sell? No doubt that the real estate market has been in the news a lot lately. There is a lot of fear being created by the news media. But what is the real answer? Well the best answer that I can give is maybe! For some people it is a very good time to buy OR sell.

It is a great market for buyers. Prices are down and interest rates are unbelievably low. For 1^st time buyers who are ready to accept the responsibility and rewards of home ownership the timing is excellent!

The same factors can really benefit sellers who are moving to a similar or higher priced home. How? In a “better” market you buy and sell for retail. Your current $200,000 home sells for $200,000 and you move on up to your $300,000 home. You pay $100,000 price difference.

But today’s market won’t bring retail on either home. Just picking some numbers, lets say you have to sell your current home for 5% less than it would have brought last year, or $190,000. But by the same token your new home also sells for 5% less than last year, or $185,000. Your net difference on the purchase is $95,000 and you just saved $5000! Plus you get to take advantage of today’s low, low interest rates. With a good agent (like me J) these numbers are very real and may even be conservative.

You can read more of my real estate newsletters, commentaries and miscellaneous ramblings on my website.

Agent Bob's Newsletters and Blogs

Also, I’d like to say a few special words about my client and friends, Lamar and Lorra Harden. I have known Lamar for over 20 years. I’ve know is wife Lorra for almost as long. In just the last year, Lamar has blessed me with 5 great listings totaling $900,000! Lamar and Lorra also provided their home for my surprise 50^th birthday party! Thank you Lorra and Lamar for your friendship and for your business.

Finally, I want you to know, <;<;name>;>;, that you may call me for any reason. And please let me know if a friend, family member or neighbor, need a caring, competent real estate professional to help in buying or selling.

I truly appreciate your friendship and referrals. Enjoy your issue!

This Month's ";Service For Life!";(R)

Warmest regards,

Bob Southard

REALTOR®,E-Pro®,CREO®

Solid Source Realty

770-656-9134

www.AgentBobSells.com

Read Bobs Blog

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

P.S. Do you suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Go to page 3 right now for quick-tips to ease the pain…

AgentBob Bus. Card

2 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • April 27 2009 12:42PM

2915 Barrett Ct. , Cobb Bargain - Brick Ranch + Full Bsmt. only $60,000

3/2 Brick Ranch - Handy Man Special

Location: JENNINGS ESTATE

Spacious Starter Get more for your money in this brick ranch home close to McEachern High. Offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, open kitchen, sun room. Fixer- Upper all brick ranch style PLUS full basement -*Varner Elementary *Tapp Middle *McEachern High

Information

Contact Information

Bob Southard

770-656-9134

Contact Reply Form

Forward to a Friend

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Pricing

Price: $60,000

Additional Pricing Information: PRICED FOR VERY QUICK SALE

Property Location

2915 BARRETT CT
POWDER SPRINGS, GA 30127
View Map

Links

SEE 100'S OF POWDER SPRINGS HOMES FOR SALE

Features

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Parking Spaces: 3

Year Built: 1974

Subdivision: Jennings Estate

Lot Size: .22

Garage Size: 2 CAR CARPORT

School District: COBB COUNTY

Square Footage: 0000

Agent Name: Bob Southard

Broker: Solid Source Realty, INC

MLS #: 3890805

Attributes

Interior Amenities

Basement

Exterior Amenities

Grass Lawn

Photo Gallery

View as Slideshow View Photo Gallery (6 Photos)

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

VFLYER ID: 2436906

****************

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

2 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • April 17 2009 08:47PM

So, How much did you pay today?.. Boiling Frogs

Yes, I am about to speak out once again against our current system of taxation, but before I do lets remember what is truly important.

20:Then he asked them, "Whose face and name is this?"
21: They said to him, "Caesar's." So he said to them, "Then give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

Mathew 20-21

**************************

So do you know how much you gave back today? I was listening to Neil Boortz this morning and he had Sean Hannity on as a guest. They were talking about all of the Tea Party rallies being held around the country today (including a big one here in Atlanta) and the Fair Tax.

The idea came up to ask people today how much they paid. It's seems like a simple question but you likely will get several different answers..

I didn't pay anything ... I got money back! Wrong! You made an interest free loan to the government out of each weeks paycheck and then they mailed some of your money back.
I only had to pay a little ... I had to write a check for a few hundred dollars. Wrong again! See the above answer and then add a few dollars to keep them from coming after you.
Those S.O.B.S I had to write a check for $$$$ (some large dollar amount) This will be the rarest answer and the most correct but still not 100% correct.

The truth is that nobody will know the exact answer. The government likes it that way so they can tax the life out of us and we'll never realize. Kind of like putting a frog in a pot of cold water and then turning on the heat. He'll never know to jump out and just gets boiled up for frog legs.

You think you got money back? HAH! Even if you got a refund equal to what you paid in, your employer still paid a payroll tax on your behalf just for the opportunity to create a job for you. Your boss gets taxed not just on his/her profits but on the amount they pay you. Wake up! that's money they could use to give you a raise or expand their business.

Did you stop at Dunkin' Donuts for some calories and caffeine today? Sure you paid a little sales tax and you were aware of that. The donut man has to pay tax on his payroll and profits, the truck driver that brought the dough and coffee beans pays taxes, his employer pays payroll and income tax, the farmer that grew the grain that made the dough, the importer who got the delicious beans, the manufacturer who made the coffee cups and the donut box, the electric company, and every other vendor or service provider that was used to get you coffee and a donut was taxed. All of those costs of doing business are embedded in to the cost of the coffee and donut! When you buy the coffee and donut you are paying all of those taxes because they were hidden in the cost. Businesses don't pay taxes. Taxes are built in to the cost of good or service that you purchase, the business collects the tax and forwards it on the the government.

What if .... we just took all those taxes away and just paid one time at the end of the line?
There is proposal before congress to do just that! It is called the Fair Tax. It creates one simple tax at the end of the line and eliminates all the hidden taxes and stupid loopholes. The first $30,000 or so of your income will be exempt based on your family size.

Most CPA's favor the fair tax because it will allow them to actually counsel their clients in making sound business decisions instead of making decisions based on tax consequences. Most congressmen hate it because it will make the people aware of how much they are paying. Remember the frog in the boiling water?

Here are just a few of the up sides:

You keep 100% of your paycheck + your boss is not taxed on how much they pay you
People who right now do not file or hide income instantly become taxpayers! Illegal immigrants, drug dealers, cash incomes earners like bartenders, all become taxpayers!
Foreign visitors pay tax
America becomes THE place to locate a new business. With no corporate income taxes business from all over the world will locate here. Wow! Talk about creating more jobs!
WE the people will see what we are being charged and can hold our gov't accountable.

****************

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

7 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • April 15 2009 12:16PM

My big day in court ...

My big day in Cobb State Court....

Back on Feb. 11, I was pulled over for an expired tag on my car. I had just taken my daughter to the Doctors office at West Cobb Pediatrics and we were heading for the big McDonalds there at Lost Mountain Road and Dallas Hwy. The officer was actually quite polite but he did give me a ticket. No slack for a broke Realtor who just had to take his kid to the Doctor. A few days later I finally got the Jag to pass the Georgia emissions test so that I could buy my updated tags.

A few weeks later I got a letter informing me to show up April 15, 8:30 am,at the Cobb State Court building at 12 East Park Square in Marietta. The Honorable Judge Nancy Campbell would be the judge for my case. The letter also told me that I could pay $169 bond and then forfeit the bond instead of showing up. They could just take that for my fine and we would be even.

Cobb State Court, 12 East Park Square, Marietta

$169!!!
Like I said, I'm just a poor broke Realtor. Somebody told me that if I went to court and proved that I now had tags I might be able to get out of it. I'm no lawyer but I've seen them on TV so I figured... what the heck, worst case scenario is that it still costs me $169. My list of excuses defenses was growing. I mean, really, I already bought the tag and paid the county it's tag tax and late fees, I know my tag was expired so I rarely never drove the car, I was taking my daughter to the doctor (I even have a copy of the receipt with time of day on it!).

Side note: Saying I've seen lawyers on tv is sort like saying, I have watched "Flip This House" I don't need an agent. If this had been a serious event there is no way I would have gone without a lawyer. Like I said, my maximum risk was $169.

So today was the big day. I left home early and it was a good thing. The traffic at Macland and Powder Springs was terrible but I made it to the Marietta Square by about 8:10 and was in the courtroom by 8:20. I signed in and the prosecutors were already calling names of folks who were there. By about 8:25 one of the prosecutors called my name. OK, this is it, now I can tell my story...

The prosecutor asked me if I had tags now, so I gave him a copy of my tag receipt. He then informed me that I had 2 choices. I could plead guilty, have my fine reduced to $86, appear before Judge Campbell, and get out of there ... or plead not guilty and they would schedule a new court date with my choice of a Judge or Jury trial. About 1 millisecond later I told him I can pay the fine today if that's ok :-).

At almost exactly 8:30 court was called in to session, I appeared before the judge, the bailiff took me upstairs to pay my fine and I was in my car driving home by 9am. The downside to the whole story is that I did get a ticket and a fine. But all in all my entire experience with the Cobb County government was a good one. The police officer was friendly, the court was extremely well run, and all of the officers of the court were quite nice. I hope that any of you reading this never have to do business with Cobb State Court, but I want to say that if you do, it's not so bad.

***********************

Bob Southard, e-Pro, Realtor ®, Solid Source Realty, Inc. Buy a home, Sell a home, in Powder Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Dallas, Hiram,and Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, North Fulton, South Cherokee, County, Ga. Call me for all of your real estate needs.

Visit my website

Call me for all of your Real Estate needs

770-656-9134

Follow Bob on Twitter , FaceBook, and LinkedIn

3 comments • Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate • April 15 2009 09:56AM

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How to stop foreclosure

When in the course of human events.....why we celebrate

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I'm the king of this castle..when you're not home

A couple of great grilling recipes and help my friend...

Grilled Georgia Peach with Blueberry Crumb Cake Filling and Cranberry Sauce

Fire Roasted Pork Loin Tower with Mango Salsa and Cranberry Infused Rice

Kennesaw Ga. Home Search

Marietta Ga. - The only home search you'll ever need

Are you searching for a home in Powder Springs Ga.?

Dear Congress, Please Vote yes to raise my energy bill!

An interview with Teleprompter 1

Young Local Chef Already Cooks Up Big Things!

Do you know what's the best part of knowing a chef who is writing a cookbook? He cooks the food to take pictures and somebody has to eat it! I have tasted most of the recipes in the book and every one of them is totally awesome!

If you are going to be in the area this Saturday, stop by the Book Worm and get some food samples and an autographed copy. If you can't make just go online and check out "Taste Buds" you can order your very own copy from the website.

*****

You are invited to a cooking demo and signing event with Chef Rian Macdonald, author of Taste Buds, on June 13th!.

We check the tenants credit.. What about the landlord?

Is there hope for public education?

Coaching Students To Stay In School

What do clients expect?

179 Bookout Way, Powder Springs, Ga 30127

At the speed of light .... with the windows down!

My Most Recent Newsletter

2915 Barrett Ct. , Cobb Bargain - Brick Ranch + Full Bsmt. only $60,000

So, How much did you pay today?.. Boiling Frogs

My big day in court ...