The following links are to sites that I have found especially helpful and believe that you will as well. I've organized them in categories and have also set up a category for links pertaining to subjects covered in my Added Value newsletter.

The contact information for most of your Federal, State, and local officials are listed below in the Government section. If you don't see a link to a particular government entity, please E-mail me so I can try to add it.

Characteristics of Older Adults in the Atlanta Region Since 2000, metro Atlanta has been the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country. Those 55 and over are growing faster than the population as a whole, with most older adults planning to "age in place," meaning - contrary to poular belief - that the majority of older adults now living here plan to stay here. This month's Regional Snapshot examines "aging in place" and other findings from a recent scientific survey of the older adult population in the Atlanta region. The Carl Vinson Institute of the University of Georgia conducted the survey.

Georgia Wind Activities This Web page summarizes completed/implemented Wind Powering America activities in Georgia, which include a wind working group, anemometer loan program, wind maps, a small wind consumer's guide, and state workshops. This page also highlights other wind activities for the state.

Solar Electric Power Association The Solar Electric Power Association is a nonprofit organization with 125 utility, electric service provider, manufacturer, installer, government, and research members. SEPA's mission is to facilitate the use and integration of solar electric power by utilities, electric service providers, and their customers.

www.gnps.org - the Georgia Native Plant Society

www.caes.uga.edu/topics/disasters/drought - This is the University of Georgia College of Environmental Science

www.walterreeves.com - this is the site for gardener Walter Reeves

www.dot.state.ga.us - the website for the Georgia Department of Transportation

www.bls.gov - the website for the Bureau of Labor Statistics

www.library.gsu.edu/research - the website for the Georgia State University Library

www.selig.uga.edu/forecast/GBEC/gbec.htm - this is the website for the center that studies Georgia business and economic conditions

Regional Snapshot - This Regional Snapshot explores ARC’s recently-released employment estimates for 2008. The added value of ARC’s employment estimates is the geographic detail provided not only for total jobs, but also for the type of job in small areas.

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American Society of Home Inspectors The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), founded in 1976, is North America 's oldest and largest professional society of home inspectors.

Appraisal Institute The Appraisal Institute is an international membership association of professional real estate appraisers, with more than 21,000 members and 99 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.

Bankrate.com: If you are looking to refinance or find a new credit card, this site is a wonderful way to compare your choices.

Consumer Product Safety Commission The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.

Cool Communities: This is Georgia Cool Communities web site which tells you how to use vegetation, reflective roofing, and paving alternatives to mitigate hear and improve air and water quality.

EIFS Facts Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems/Synthetic Stucco.

Georgia Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. The only Inspector organization in Georgia that requires it's members to be CABO certified.

National Association of Home Inspectors The National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI) was established in 1987 as a nonprofit association to promote and develop certified and licensed home inspectors in the professional home inspection industry.

National Association of the Remodeling Industry Information about lead-based paint.

Polybutylene Plumbing Comprehensive information on polybutylene re-piping for homeowners, real-estate professionals, home inspectors and property managers.

US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Great source for information on product recalls and safety warnings.

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Improvenet: A referral service for sub-contractors.

Timber Buyers: The list of timber buyers from the Georgia Forestry Department for the area of the state between Atlanta and Macon.

Schoolmatch Nationwide information service on any school in the U.S.

Clayton County Public Schools: The official website of the Clayton County Public School System.

Dekalb County Public Schools: The official website of the Dekalb County Public School System.

Henry County Public Schools: The official website of the Henry County Public School System.

Lamar County Public Schools: The official website of the Lamar County Public School System.

Rockdale County Public Schools: The official website of the Rockdale County Public School system.

Upson Public Schools: The official website for the Upson County Public School System.

Eminent Domain: This is a link to the actual case decision allowing government to take private property for development by private developers.

Georgia Eminent Domain: The Georgia Association of Realtors is providing this website in order to promote a bill in the Georgia Legislature to protect private property rights.

News Article: November 13, 2005, Gwinnett Daily Post.

News Article: November 4, 2005, Washington Post on US House Bill.

News Article: October 14, 2005, Atlanta Journal Constitution on Stockbridge plan.

Aborist Society: The International Society of Arborists website.

Bugs: The top 50 insects important to Georgia agriculture

Burpee Seed: A lot of good gardening tips as well as a great source for plants and seeds. The garden wizard and the nutrition guide are well worth the time.

Extension Service: The official University of Georgia Extension Service website.

Georgia Environmental Conditions: University of Georgia Extention Site that features great information for growers and gardeners. You can find the official weather station closest to you and get a real time read on weather conditions.

Georgia Forestry Commission: The definitive source for information on timber and forestry issues for the small land owner as well as the commercial timber industry.

HGTV: Yeah, I know. This should be under Media, but it fits this category better.

Native Plant Society: Great organization for promoting the use of native Georgia plants in our landscape.

Organic Gardening: For natural solutions to gardening, this is the best site I've found.

Ortho: Information on yard pests, weeds, and chemical solutions to gardening problems.

Pest Control: This link is to the online edition of the Official University of Georgia Pest Management Handbook. The Bible for all Georgia Extension Agents. The most up to date, tested information for controlling everything from weeds to insects and more.

Pesticides: The EPA Office of Pesticide Programs homepage.

Walter Reeves: If you can't listen to his Saturday morning show on WSB-AM 750, or read his column in the Friday AJC, or watch his "Gardening in Georgia" show on Georgia Public Television, you are missing a treat and a home grown source of tested gardening knowledge.

Weeds: University of Georgia Weed Science homepage.

Atlanta: The official City of Atlanta website.

Atlanta Planning and Community Development: The City's Department of Planning and Community Development has a comprehensive website which includes city contact information, Affordable Workforce Housing recommendations, a "Developers Day" video and more.

Barnesville: The official website of the City of Barnesville, county seat of Lamar County. 

Butts County: The official Butts County website.

Butts County Water Authority: The website for the Butts Water Authority

Clayton County: The official Clayton County website.

Clayton County SPLOST: This page offers continuing updates to the state of all SPLOST projects in the county.

Cobb County: The official Cobb County website.

College Park: The official City of College Park website.

Dekalb County: The official Dekalb County website.

Department of Labor US Department of Labor

Environmental Protection Agency The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment.

Fannie Mae Our public mission, and our defining goal, is to help more families achieve the American Dream of homeownership.

Fayette County: The official Fayette County website.

Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident.

Flovilla: The city website for Flovilla in Butts County.

Freddie Mac It is a unique mortgage finance system that makes homeownership a reality for more of America 's families.

Fulton County: The official Fulton County website.

Georgia: The main site for the State of Georgia on the web.

Georgia Department of Driver Services: The official site of the GA DMVS. Find where to get or renew your drivers license.

Georgia Department of Revenue: Specifically the part of the site to find out about your Ad Valorem taxes.

Georgia Department of Transportation: The official site of the Georgia DOT. Just about everything you want to know on transportation and construction projects in the whole state.

Georgia General Assembly: The way to track bills before the General Assembly and how to contact your representative.

Georgia Forestry: Georgia Forestry Commission home page.

Georgia Land Conservation Program: A component of the State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the GLAC is a new program of benefit to land owners.

Georgia Land Trust:

Georgia Secretary of State: The official site of the Georgia Secretary of State. Award winning site for finding out about businesses registered to business in Georgia.

Georgia Tax Assessors: Assessment, tax, parcel, & GIS data for all Georgia counties.

Ginnie Mae At Ginnie Mae, we help make affordable housing a reality for millions of low- and moderate-income households across America by channeling global capital into the nation's housing markets.

Gwinnett County : The official Gwinnett County website.

Gwinnett Planning and Zoning: The site for information on development in Gwinnett County.

Henry County: The official Henry County website.

Henry County SPLOST: This page offers continuing updates to the state of all SPLOST projects in the county.

HUD'S Home Page HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.

Jackson: The official website of the City of Jackson, county seat of Butts County.

John's Creek : Temporary headquarters for City Hall are located at 9810-A Medlock Bridge Road. The main phone is 678.512.3200.  

Liens Research: A comprehensive listing of all liens on Georgia Property.

Milton: Temporary headquarters for City Hall are located at 115 Perimeter Center Pl., NE, Suite 785, Atlanta. The main phone is 770.730.6383.  

Real Estate Index: This index contains property transactions from all counties since January 1, 1999, including the name of the seller and buyer, location of the property, any liens on the property, and the book and page where the actual deed is filed in the county. Searches can be performed by name, property (subdivision, unit, block and lot) or instrument type, and can be done by county, region (i.e. a county plus all counties that border it) or statewide. Six years of historical data (real estate records from 1993 through 1998) are currently being added to the system and additional historical data will be added in the near future. Additionally, images of the corresponding real estate instruments (from participating counties) are currently being added to the on-line system.

Sandy Springs: The official website of the city of Sandy Springs

Spalding County: The official Spalding County website.

Stockbridge: The official City of Stockbridge website.

U.S. Bureau of the Census The Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy. We honor privacy, protect confidentiality, share our expertise globally, and conduct our work openly.

US House of Representatives: Official site for the lower house of Congress.

US Senate: Official site for the upper house of Congress.

Veteran's Administration Home Loan Program Our goal is to provide excellence in patient care, veterans' benefits and customer satisfaction.

Marcus & Millichap recently published its 5 th annual investor survey for 2008, conducted in partnership with National Real Estate Investor .  Last week, CNBC's program SQUAWK ON THE STREET invited Harvey Green, Marcus & Millichap President and CEO, to comment on the survey's findings and offer his perspective on the outlook. 

See the video: http://www.marcusmillichap.com/video/flv/squawk_121007.asp  

Summary:

• The survey was conducted in the third quarter of 2007 amid the capital markets turmoil and included over 1,000 private and institutional investors.
• 62% of the participants plan to increase their real estate allocation in 2008 - slightly higher than last year.
• 80% expect rents to be the same or higher next year with apartments expected to lead. 
• The pace of rent growth is expected to slow in 2008 across the board.
• Most investors expect price adjustments to be moderate - buyer demand and pricing trends will vary by property quality with top-tier, class A properties experiencing the most strength as many investors move toward "safety".  
• The majority of investors clearly expect the economy to be slower in 2008.
• The major driver of healthy conditions in commercial real estate is the lack of overbuilding in most product types and markets.  This is what bifurcates macro trends in commercial from residential real estate.

Atlanta Regional Commission: The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency for the 10-county metropolitan area. For 60 years, ARC has helped to focus the region's leadership, attention and resources on key issues of regional consequence.

Georgia Pines Library System: A large number of Georgia counties participate in this inter-library loan system.

Homefair Crime stats, cost of living (salary) comparison and more

Inman News Real estate news service.

Joint Center for Housing Studies: A collaboration between Harvard University and the National Association of Realtors, this think tank projects future growth rates for the national and individual markets including Atlanta.

Maintenance Plan for the Maderley Dam (Henry County) Engineerying plan for the dam maintenance.

MapBlast! Microsoft Internet map service.

Mold Control Lighting: No kidding? We've checked on Better Business Bureau, and his seems to be a real control for black mold spores. It's worth a try.

MuniCode.com: Information on the Municipal Codes of most cities and counties in the US. Somewhat hard to navigate, but lots easier than having to drive down to the local county courthouse.

National Association of Home Builders This site is designed for those interested in home building and the industry - it contains  resources for both members and consumers .

Nature Conservancy: Georgia Nature Conservancy.

1911 Encyclopedia: The last real, comprehensive encyclopedia ever published has been digitized and put on the Internet.

Powerlines: This is an interesting study of the perceived impact of powerlines on residential home sales. It obviously impacts the value of land that is potentially going to be developed for residential use.

Real Estate Broker's Insider Newsletter service for the real estate industry for over 30 years.

Realty Times News of the real estate industry.

Texas Real Estate Center: While I can't stand their head football coach, Texas A&M is without doubt one of the premier agricultural schools in the nation. This website contains over 26,000 pages of periodicals, news, data, and links to additional sites pertaining to all phases of real estate. You have to sign up, but it's well worth it.

Weather: The Georgia Weather website.

WebMD: I don't understand how they make money, but I've yet to look up a medical condition without finding a treasure trove of knowledge on each subject.

Atlanta Regional Planing Commission: This autority is working to see how to fit six million more people into the Metro Atlanta area within the next twenty-five years. They have one particular TV program available on their website, called "The Shape of Things to Come" that is especially enlightening.

Georgia Quality Growth: The website for the Georgia Quality Growth Partnership.

Tall Timbers Research Station: A non-profit organization founded to study the use of precription burning as a forest management tool, Tall Timbers has become a leader in a number of other conservation fields including conservation subdivision development.

First, pay the taxes. The top end Federal rate is 28%, and the top end Georgia rate is 4%. That could take up to 32% of your land investment gain after costs and basis are accounted for.

Second, if you have lived on the property for two out of the last five years as your residence, and your gain is under $500,000, you owe no taxes!! Here are some links to explain how that works:

Insight Magazine: Here's a description of how the exemption works.

Third, use the provisions of the Federal IRS Code 1031, commonly referred to as the "Starker Exchange" or "Tax Free Exchange" process. Here are some links that explain how this works:

Realty Exchangers: A good summary of the provisions of the 1031 process.

Fourth, if any part of your property is being considered by an authority with eminent domain powers (A government entity or a utility company such as Georgia Transmission), the IRS considers that your "quiet enjoyment" of your property has been disturbed. Therefore, your sale is not considered to be a voluntary sale and they relax their rules to allow you more time to find a replacement property. This is covered under the provisions of the Federal IRS Code 1033. Here are some links to explain how this works:

Diversified Exchange: Here's the actual IRS code section.

Georgia Department of Transportation: The official Georgia DOT main page. Lots of information on Traffic Counts, road budgets and projects, and virtually everything else pertaining to getting around Georgia.