While we might not all agree on the best football team in the country, we can certainly all agree that you don’t want to miss filing for the Homestead Exemption!

If you are a Georgia resident who purchased a primary residence in 2022 (or made a prior owned property your primary residence as of December 31, 2022) and that property is located in Bryan, Bulloch, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh or Tattnall Counties, you should file for the Homestead Exemption now.  By filing for the Homestead Exemption, you will receive a reduction in your home’s assessed value.  You only file the Homestead Exemption one time.  Please click your county’s link below for specific information on filing the Homestead Exemption.

If you are a Georgia resident who purchased a primary residence in 2022 (or made a prior owned property your primary residence as of December 31, 2022) and that property is located in Chatham County, please click the Chatham County link below to determine whether it is the right time for you to file the Homestead Exemption.  You only file the Homestead Exemption one time.  Please understand that the following information is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation

Best Real Estate Attorney in Savannah – 2020 Savannah Morning News

I am excited to announce that I was selected as the Best Real Estate Attorney and Best Overall Attorney by the Savannah Morning News. This is the third year in a row that I have received this honor.

There are so many talented and well-respected lawyers in the Coastal Empire. I am just grateful to be a part of that incredible group of individuals.
As always, I must acknowledge the Realtors that I have the incredible privilege of working with every day. Thank you for allowing me to do what I love! I also want to thank all of the lenders, my clients, as well as Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP for their unwavering support.

Finally, I am so fortunate to have such an amazing team of paralegals. None of this would be possible without their genuine passion for the world of residential real estate and commitment to providing an awesome closing experience.

As always, if you need help with anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime at 912-484-1996 (even nights and weekends) or email me at jgerber@brannenlaw.com.

You can find Joel on Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram

Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP is looking to hire a well-qualified real estate paralegal to join the team.

The applicant must have a minimum of one year work experience as a residential real estate paralegal.

Equally as important, the applicant must have a wonderful rapport with real estate agents and lenders.

Below is an article that summarizes the attorney’s role in the closing process. Download a printable PDF version to share with your buyers to educate them on this aspect of the home-buying experience.

What is a closing and what does the closing attorney do?

What an exciting time! You are thinking about purchasing a home. Moving forward, you will be working closely with your Realtor, the lender, and closing attorney. While the roles of the Realtor and lender might be obvious, you may have no idea what the closing attorney does. In a nutshell, the closing attorney is the quarterback for the entire transaction. The closing attorney works with the buyer and seller, both Realtors, and the lender. Having a great closing attorney (who has an amazing team of paralegals) is critical to ensure a seamless transaction. Below is a brief outline of the role of the closing attorney throughout the closing process (and more specifically, it is the way my firm handles each and every transaction).

As we all know, certain things just take time. Finding a parking spot at the mall during the holidays, checking out at Walmart, and POA closings, just to name a few. Determining whether to file for the 2020 Homestead Exemption should not be one of them.

For those of you who are a Georgia resident, purchased a primary residence in 2019 (or have made a prior owned property your primary residence as of December 31, 2019) and that property is located in Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, Bulloch, Glynn, Long, Tattnall or McIntosh Counties, you should file for the Homestead Exemption now. By filing for the Homestead Exemption, you will receive a reduction of your home’s assessed value each year going forward as long as you reside in the home as your primary residence.

To file for the Homestead Exemption in these eight counties you will need to bring your driver’s license (showing the new property address) and 2019 utility bill to your respective county tax assessor’s office. The Homestead Exemption must be filed before April 1, 2020. You only need to file for the Homestead Exemption one time.