STEP 7. After Closing

MOVING CHECKLIST

FILING FOR HOMESTEAD

We all love savings, and filing for your homestead exemption after you close is one way you can save on property taxes. A homestead exemption is a legal provision that helps reduce the amount of property taxes owed on owner-occupied homes. Under Georgia law, you are entitled to a homestead exemption for property that you own and occupy as your primary residence as of January 1. The exemption is not automatic, however, and you have to properly file for the exemption to save on your taxes.

You will need to file the homestead exemption and submit all requisite information and documentation by April 1 in order to be granted the homestead exemption for this year. Once you have properly filed for the homestead exemption and it has been granted, the exemption will remain on your property until there is a change in ownership. You do NOT need to refile for the exemption every year. To complete the application, you will need the following information and documentation:

  • Georgia driver’s license or valid Georgia identification

  • Recorded deed for new owners

Your recorded deed should have been mailed to you by the closing attorney approximately 30-90 days after the closing. If you have not received your recorded deed, please contact the closing attorney.

To file for homestead exemption, bring your Georgia driver's license or valid Georgia identification, along with the deed to your home, to the courthouse of the county in which your home is located (select counties allow you to file online). The County Tax Commissioner's Office will be able to assist you with filing for homestead exemption.

  • File in person at the Tax Commissioner office located in the Clarke County courthouse

    325 E. Washington St. Suite 250 Athens, GA 30601

    M-F 8am-4:30pm

    (706) 613-3120

  • File in person at the Tax Commissioner office located in the Oconee County courthouse

    23 N. Main St. Watkinsville, GA 30677

    M-F 8:30am-12:30pm 2:45pm-4:15pm

    (706) 769-3964

  • File in person at the Tax Commissioner office is located in the historic courthouse

    30 N. Broad St. Winder, GA 30680

    M-F 8am-4:30pm

    (770) 307-3108

  • File in person at the Tax Commissioner office between January 1st - April 1st

    67 Athens St. Jefferson, GA 30549

    M-F 8am-5pm

    (706) 367-6325

  • File in person at the Tax Commissioner office located next to the tag office

    339 W. Main St. Lexington, GA 30648

    M-TH 8am-5pm F 8am-12pm & 1pm-5pm

    (706) 743-8422

RIP OFFS

After closing, your mailbox is going to be flooding with mailings. Companies get your information from scanning public records. Some of the information made public may surprise you. Companies are able to find your name, purchase price, your loan amount, lender, and property address. Many, if not most, of the mailings you will receive are legal, however it is wise to disregard them and not respond.

COPY OF YOUR DEED

One of the most common mailing you will received are companies trying to sell you a copy of your deed. In most cases, the request comes from a very official sounding companies that reflect either an attorney's office or government office. While the companies will send you a copy of your deed, they will also overcharging you. After the closing, your closing attorney will mail you the original deed for free. Because the deed has to be recorded before it's forwarded to you, it typically takes 30-60 days of to receive your deed. Additionally, if you ever need another copy of your deed you can request it from your Georgia Move Realty agent, which they happy e-mail you a copy for free. You can visit the Clerk of Courts office and they will print out a copy for you at fifty cents a page.

MORTGAGE INSURANCE

Another offering you will receive will be mortgage insurance, which shouldn’t be confused with title insurance. If you purchased title insurance, you will have a copy of that policy in the documents you received from the closing attorney at the time of closing. Mortgage insurance is an option service that your lender may offer you or other insurance companies. This insurance covers your mortgage payment if you were to pass prior to paying it off. While this is a legal insurance, it is usually much more expensive than purchasing a general term life insurance policy which your heirs can use not only to pay your mortgage but also pay other bills. Additionally, many of the mortgage insurance companies have a poor AM Best rating. Many of the mailings you receive offering mortgage insurance will list your mortgage company on them and may even appear to come from your lender when it's actually from an independent third party.

CONCLUSION

Always be skeptical of unsolicited mailings. If you ever are wondering if an offer is valid, a rip off, or scam, text a photo of it to your Georgia Move Realty agent. They are happy to help you well after your closing.