"It would be to the benefit of anyone purchasing a home to stop by or call our office to find out the various benefits. We will be glad to mail information to anyone who calls," said Tax Commissioner George Wingo.

Georgia law requires that a tax return be filed on house and land in the first full year of ownership. The tax return must be filed between January 1 and April 1 and is only required when changes in the property occur. You can get a regular homestead exemption by filing for it if you reside in the county and own and occupy your home on January 1. You may claim exemption from taxation on the first $2,000 of the assessed value on State and School and $5,000 on the County and Fire portion.

If you are 65 or older and can meet certain income requirements you can get a $4,000 (double) exemption. You may also qualify for a 50 percent school exemption. If you are 65 or older and your taxable income is below $15,000 you qualify for a 100 percent school exemption. Age requirements are based on age as of January 1.

To find out if you are eligible for any of the exemptions noted above, stop by the Tax office at 140 Stonewall Avenue West, Fayetteville or call 770-461-3611.

Other suggested research sites are included below.

The government offers numerous publications to help homeowners. These are free or loc-cost booklets which can be ordered at the following web page: http://www.gsa.gov/staff/pa/cic/housing.htm

Some of the books include:

Buying Your Home: Settlement Costs and Helpful Information, (1997. HUD) 121F. $1.75;

A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Lock-Ins, (1995. FRB) 336F. 50.

How to Buy a Home With a Low Down Payment, (1995. USDA) 572F. Free.

Twelve Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs, (1995. OCA) 339F. 50.

The Crestar Mortgage web site (http://www.crestarmortgage.com/experienced_nbrhd.stm) allows you to run an amortization schedule, watch rates and much more. Sign up for a monthly newsletter, also.

Looking for the best place to retire in Georgia? Check out "GEORGIA'S BEST" at http://www.georgiasbest.com/retirement.htm

This is "An On-Line Guide For All Seasons Retirement." They provide basic information plus links to other sites. They also suggest a visit to any Georgia Welcome Center or SouthTrust Bank to pick up a copy of Georgia's Best Vacation, Relocation and Retirement Places.

New Lifestyles offers an index of retirement options by area (retirement communities, assisted living, etc.); tips, information http://www.newlifestyles.com/

Yahoo has a "Senior Information Page" which includes "Great Places to Live Retired," travel tips, "Over the Hill Gang," bingo, crossword puzzles and much more. http://seniors.yahoo.com/

LivOn bills itself as "the world's largest, interactive, resident referral network" They claim to be able to connect you to over 60,000 housing and care facilities throughout the United States. Go through their "interactive health checklist" to help identify your particular needs. http://www.livon.com/

The "New Home Journal" is a television program aired on many local stations. The program is "designed to educate and entertain the home buying public." It highlights builders within varous regions and explains construction techniques. Also, industry experts and professionals discuss building codes, specifications pertaining to the local market and more. The New Home Journal is also on the Internet. The web page provides information on remodeling expenditures, housing affordability, interest rates, existing and new home prices, what our assets are worth and more.

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