Jim Chapman, President of Jim Chapman Communities, Inc., personally received his Residential – Basic Contractor License in June 2008 from the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors. Having operated as a residential contractor in Georgia since July 1996 Mr. Chapman was able to apply for his license under the exam exemption privilege. He applied prior to the original application deadline of December 31, 2006. After requests for further information last fall the license was finally issued to Mr. Chapman in June. This license enables Mr. Chapman to act as the Qualifying Agent for Jim Chapman Communities, Inc. and any of its current active adult projects. “Effective July 1, 2008 the State of Georgia has required that all residential building permittees be licensed. Georgia is one of the last southern states to require that its residential contractors be licensed. This is a step in the right direction for the State of Georgia as it will help us better maintain the quality of our contractor’s work and the ethics behind their business practices,” said Mr. Chapman.

Jim Chapman, President of Jim Chapman Communities, Inc., personally received his Residential – Basic Contractor License in June 2008 from the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors. Having operated as a residential contractor in Georgia since July 1996 Mr. Chapman was able to apply for his license under the exam exemption privilege. He applied prior to the original application deadline of December 31, 2006. After requests for further information last fall the license was finally issued to Mr. Chapman in June. This license enables Mr. Chapman to act as the Qualifying Agent for Jim Chapman Communities, Inc. and any of its current active adult projects. “Effective July 1, 2008 the State of Georgia has required that all residential building permittees be licensed. Georgia is one of the last southern states to require that its residential contractors be licensed. This is a step in the right direction for the State of Georgia as it will help us better maintain the quality of our contractor’s work and the ethics behind their business practices,” said Mr. Chapman.

When President Bush signed the housing stimulus package to create the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, he instated a temporary tax credit of $7,500 for first-time homebuyers. This tax credit is the big hope for the real estate market, as it will, ideally, put more buyers in the housing market and give the economy a boost. To help give consumers a better understanding of the tax credit and everything it entails, the National Association of Home Builders has launched a new Web site, www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.

If, as a home shopper of active adult communities, you think this first-time homebuyer tax credit does not apply to you, you may be mistaken. The criteria for being considered a first-time homebuyer is just that you’ve not had a mortgage payment in the past 3 years. So, if you’ve been renting your home for at least three years, you’re eligible for the tax credit. Of course, visit the Web site for detailed information and regulations, but do look for a brighter future in the real estate market.