DALLAS (Dallas Business Journal) – The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is offering $45 million to consumers through its first-time homebuyer program.
“Despite all the negatives we hear from other states, the fact is that the Texas economy — and the demand for homeownership — both remain quite healthy,” said Michael Gerber, executive director of the state agency. “Many families want and are ready to take that exciting step toward homeownership, and TDHCA wants to help them achieve their dreams through safe, reliable lending products offered through the state, coupled with responsible homebuyer education."
The Texas Mortgage Credit Program will help reduce borrowers' tax liability by offering a credit in exchange for taking a certified homebuyer education class. Homebuyers could save up to $2,000 in annual taxes.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
EVERYTHING BIGGER IN TEXAS, INCLUDING BUSINESS
TEXAS (CNBC) – Texas has reclaimed the top spot from Virginia as CNBC’s number one state for business.
The news source's study measures states on 40 different metrics in ten key categories including cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life, economy, transportation and infrastructure, and technology and innovation.
According to government figures, the Texas economy is the 15th largest in the world in addition to being home to 64 Fortune 500 companies — more than any other state.
Although the state ranked high overall, it did fall short in the "cost of doing business" category, where it came in at number 30.
The news source's study measures states on 40 different metrics in ten key categories including cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life, economy, transportation and infrastructure, and technology and innovation.
According to government figures, the Texas economy is the 15th largest in the world in addition to being home to 64 Fortune 500 companies — more than any other state.
Although the state ranked high overall, it did fall short in the "cost of doing business" category, where it came in at number 30.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Try a tankless water heater for energy efficiency
Looking for another way to increase energy efficiency in your home? Tankless water heaters, also called instantaneous or demand water heaters, provide hot water only as it is needed. Traditional storage water heaters produce standby energy losses that cost you money. We do not leave our homes heated while vacationing. We only heat our homes when there is a demand for heat. In the same way, a tankless water heater is used only when there is a demand for hot water.
Tankless water heaters heat water directly without the use of a storage tank. Therefore, they avoid the standby heat losses associated with storage water heaters. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit. In an electric tankless water heater an electric element heats the water. In a gas-fired tankless water heater a gas burner heats the water. As a result, tankless water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water. You don't need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with enough hot water.
For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, tankless water heaters can be 24% - 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. They can be 8% - 14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water, around 86 gallons per day. You can achieve an even greater energy savings of 27% - 50% if you install a tankless water heater at each hot water outlet.
Tankless water heaters heat water directly without the use of a storage tank. Therefore, they avoid the standby heat losses associated with storage water heaters. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit. In an electric tankless water heater an electric element heats the water. In a gas-fired tankless water heater a gas burner heats the water. As a result, tankless water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water. You don't need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with enough hot water.
For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, tankless water heaters can be 24% - 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. They can be 8% - 14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water, around 86 gallons per day. You can achieve an even greater energy savings of 27% - 50% if you install a tankless water heater at each hot water outlet.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
BEST CITIES FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) – Texas cities were prominent in a new listing done by Forbes.com on the best cities for young professionals.
Houston ranked first with Dallas ranking sixth and Austin not far behind, ranking tenth.
The list was determined by factoring in unemployment rate, average wage, affordability and public company presence. Only cities with populations greater than one million were included.
Houston ranked first with Dallas ranking sixth and Austin not far behind, ranking tenth.
The list was determined by factoring in unemployment rate, average wage, affordability and public company presence. Only cities with populations greater than one million were included.
TEXAS RANKS HIGH WITH FASTEST GROWING CITIES
TEXAS (USA Today) – According to Census population estimates, Texas is still highly regarded, having four of the ten fastest-growing cities in the country among cities with populations greater than 100,000.
From 2008 to 2009, 11 of the nation’s 25 fastest-growing cities with a population size greater than 100,000 people were in Texas.
Frisco was ranked number one while Austin, Dallas suburbs such as McKinney, Carrollton and Lewisville, and oil centers Odessa and Midland ranked high on the list.
From 2008 to 2009, 11 of the nation’s 25 fastest-growing cities with a population size greater than 100,000 people were in Texas.
Frisco was ranked number one while Austin, Dallas suburbs such as McKinney, Carrollton and Lewisville, and oil centers Odessa and Midland ranked high on the list.
Monday, June 21, 2010
TAX CREDIT CLOSING DEADLINE EXTENDED
WASHINGTON, D.C. (InmanNews.com) – The Senate approved an amendment to the recent tax credit bill in which homebuyers who were under contract by April 30 will receive an additional three months to finish closing and claim the homebuyer tax credit.
Extending the deadline from June 30 to September 30 will allow lenders to clear the backlog of 180,000 homebuyers nationwide who qualified for the tax credit.
The amendment does not extend the deadline for homebuyers who do not have a contract in place.
Extending the deadline from June 30 to September 30 will allow lenders to clear the backlog of 180,000 homebuyers nationwide who qualified for the tax credit.
The amendment does not extend the deadline for homebuyers who do not have a contract in place.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
EXPANDING JOBS IN AUSTIN, ROUND ROCK
AUSTIN (Austin American-Statesman) – Three companies in the Austin-Round Rock area may receive tax rebates for their expansion projects, increasing the number of employment opportunities in the area.
St. David South Austin Medical Center at 901 W. Ben White Blvd. proposed a $72 million expansion that will add more than 100,000 sf and retain 1,157 jobs.
Bazaarvoice’s $5 million expansion expects to add approximately 100 employees to its headquarters at 3900 N. Capital of Texas Highway.
The Sears Customer Care call center, at 1300 Louis Henna Blvd. proposed a $5 million expansion and plant improvement.
Both Austin and Round Rock city councils have given preliminary approval to all three projects, but final approval must come from the state comptroller’s office.
St. David South Austin Medical Center at 901 W. Ben White Blvd. proposed a $72 million expansion that will add more than 100,000 sf and retain 1,157 jobs.
Bazaarvoice’s $5 million expansion expects to add approximately 100 employees to its headquarters at 3900 N. Capital of Texas Highway.
The Sears Customer Care call center, at 1300 Louis Henna Blvd. proposed a $5 million expansion and plant improvement.
Both Austin and Round Rock city councils have given preliminary approval to all three projects, but final approval must come from the state comptroller’s office.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Celebrate Perennial Gardening Month
June is a perfect month to plant new perennials that will flower in June and beyond into summer and fall. At one time gardeners did most or even all of their perennial planting in the early spring season. Summer environmental conditions were considered too harsh for new plantings. This is not true any more! June is a time to discover new perennials at your local botanical garden, arboretum, or the display gardens at your favorite garden center. It is also time to participate in a neighborhood or city wide garden tour to study perennials and garden design.
Garden centers carry a wide selection of perennials that may be planted in June. It is a good time for the gardener to find more mature specimens of favorite summer bloomers at the garden center. It is also a good time to plan and plant a sequential summer perennial display of old-favorites and new cultivars. There are many spectacular flowering performers for the sultry summer season.
For full article and planting and maintenance tips, visit: http://www.perennialplant.org/
Garden centers carry a wide selection of perennials that may be planted in June. It is a good time for the gardener to find more mature specimens of favorite summer bloomers at the garden center. It is also a good time to plan and plant a sequential summer perennial display of old-favorites and new cultivars. There are many spectacular flowering performers for the sultry summer season.
For full article and planting and maintenance tips, visit: http://www.perennialplant.org/
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
MAY BRINGS 2010'S LOWEST MORTGAGE RATES
McLEAN, Va. (The Wall Street Journal) – Home mortgage rates reached their lowest level of the year, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of mortgage rates.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.93 percent, down from 5 percent a week ago.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell from 4.36 percent to 4.3 percent while the five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage showed to be 3.95 percent.
One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs averaged 4.02 percent.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.93 percent, down from 5 percent a week ago.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell from 4.36 percent to 4.3 percent while the five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage showed to be 3.95 percent.
One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs averaged 4.02 percent.
Monday, May 17, 2010
ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING, TEXAS MSAS RANK HIGH
PALM CITY, Fla. (Policom Corporation) – Houston, Dallas and Austin are among the 20 strongest metropolitan areas in the nation, according to POLICOM Corporation’s annual economic strength rankings.
“The top-rated areas have had rapid, consistent growth in both size and quality for an extended period of time,” said William H. Fruth, president of POLICOM. “The rankings do not reflect the latest ‘hotspot’ or boom town, but the areas which have the best economic foundation.”
Of 366 metro areas nationwide, Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown ranked fourth, Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington ranked tenth and Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos ranked 12th.
POLICOM specializes in analyzing local and state economies.
“The top-rated areas have had rapid, consistent growth in both size and quality for an extended period of time,” said William H. Fruth, president of POLICOM. “The rankings do not reflect the latest ‘hotspot’ or boom town, but the areas which have the best economic foundation.”
Of 366 metro areas nationwide, Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown ranked fourth, Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington ranked tenth and Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos ranked 12th.
POLICOM specializes in analyzing local and state economies.
Friday, May 14, 2010
ACC BRANCHES OUT
LEANDER (Austin American-Statesman) – Austin Community College (ACC) has purchased 100 acres from the RB 270 Partnership. The land at US 183A and CR 269 will eventually be home to a new campus.
“Leander is a growing area, and our master plan calls for a campus in that community at some point in the future,” said Ben Ferrell, ACC’s executive vice president of finance and administration.
“Leander is a growing area, and our master plan calls for a campus in that community at some point in the future,” said Ben Ferrell, ACC’s executive vice president of finance and administration.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A FEW POINTS ABOUT INTEREST RATES!!
Less is more
If you're new to investing or real estate and don't know the first
thing about interest rates, here's a good tip: the higher the interest
rate, the more expensive it's going to be. High interest rates mean
you will have to pay back more on the money you borrow. Another good
rule of thumb is that affordability increases if you use an
adjustable rate mortgage (it's easier to qualify this way). Of
course, there will be a wide range of prices that you can choose
from, depending on what kind of financing you choose.
Not even the Fed knows for sure
The Fed holds a considerable amount of power, but they can't control
everything. Mortgage interest rates are affected by many unpredictable
political, economic and social events. So there is no guarantee what
direction interest rates will go, despite the forecasts of the
experts. Therefore, make your financial decision based on where
things are today including your budget, your needs and your future
plans.
Locking in rates assures your lowest interest
If you do decide you want to lock in at a certain interest rate, you
will need to complete a loan application and send it to your lender as
soon as possible. This must be done so that your commitment doesn't
run out before your loan is approved. Follow up and be se sure that
the lender is receiving all of the necessary documentation. Get a
property appraisal, which usually costs about $300, through your loan
agent as soon as possible.
Don't obsess and miss a good real estate deal
Although rising interest rates can create more problems for home
buyers, waiting and hoping for low rates is not necessarily a smart
move. You may end up paying a higher price. Also, refinancing is
always an option in the event that interest rates come down.
Visit again soon! I have more information that you will need!
If you're new to investing or real estate and don't know the first
thing about interest rates, here's a good tip: the higher the interest
rate, the more expensive it's going to be. High interest rates mean
you will have to pay back more on the money you borrow. Another good
rule of thumb is that affordability increases if you use an
adjustable rate mortgage (it's easier to qualify this way). Of
course, there will be a wide range of prices that you can choose
from, depending on what kind of financing you choose.
Not even the Fed knows for sure
The Fed holds a considerable amount of power, but they can't control
everything. Mortgage interest rates are affected by many unpredictable
political, economic and social events. So there is no guarantee what
direction interest rates will go, despite the forecasts of the
experts. Therefore, make your financial decision based on where
things are today including your budget, your needs and your future
plans.
Locking in rates assures your lowest interest
If you do decide you want to lock in at a certain interest rate, you
will need to complete a loan application and send it to your lender as
soon as possible. This must be done so that your commitment doesn't
run out before your loan is approved. Follow up and be se sure that
the lender is receiving all of the necessary documentation. Get a
property appraisal, which usually costs about $300, through your loan
agent as soon as possible.
Don't obsess and miss a good real estate deal
Although rising interest rates can create more problems for home
buyers, waiting and hoping for low rates is not necessarily a smart
move. You may end up paying a higher price. Also, refinancing is
always an option in the event that interest rates come down.
Visit again soon! I have more information that you will need!
Friday, April 30, 2010
TEXAS CITIES BEST PLACES FOR JOBS
FORT WORTH (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) – For the second year in a row, Texas cities took half of the top ten spots in Newgeography.com's annual ranking of the best cities in the nation in which to find a job.
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos ranked first, San Antonio–New Braunfels second, Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown third, Dallas-Plano-Irving fifth and Fort Worth–Arlington seventh.
Among the medium-sized cities that Newgeography.com ranked, El Paso was fifth, McAllen-Mission-Edinburg was sixth and Corpus Christi was seventh.
College Station–Bryan was the third best smallest city in which to find a job. Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood was fourth.
The rankings are based on three-month rolling averages of monthly employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from November 1999 to January 2010.
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos ranked first, San Antonio–New Braunfels second, Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown third, Dallas-Plano-Irving fifth and Fort Worth–Arlington seventh.
Among the medium-sized cities that Newgeography.com ranked, El Paso was fifth, McAllen-Mission-Edinburg was sixth and Corpus Christi was seventh.
College Station–Bryan was the third best smallest city in which to find a job. Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood was fourth.
The rankings are based on three-month rolling averages of monthly employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from November 1999 to January 2010.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Time to heat up the grill!
With the official start of summer right around the corner, the aroma of grilled foods will again become a regular part of the evening. Whether you are a beginner or a master of the grilling arts, here are a few tips to help your grilling this season.
First, make sure the grill grate is clean. A stiff wire grill brush is ideal for this task, but a crumpled ball of aluminum foil will work too. Once the debris has been removed from the grate, it should be lubricated to minimize food sticking. If you can remove the grate from the grill, cooking spray can be used. But do not use cooking spray over a lit grill! Another method is to fold a paper towel into a small square, dip it in vegetable oil, and use tongs to rub it over the grill grate.
With the grill preparation out of the way, it's time to start cooking. When grilling, it is best to minimize the times the food is turned over. The more often food is turned, the longer it will take to cook, which often leads to food that is tough and dry. Don't use a fork for turning, as a fork will puncture the meat causing juices to be lost. If a sugary sauce, like barbeque sauce, is going to be applied to the food, it should be applied at the end of the cooking time because these sauces will burn if applied too early.
First, make sure the grill grate is clean. A stiff wire grill brush is ideal for this task, but a crumpled ball of aluminum foil will work too. Once the debris has been removed from the grate, it should be lubricated to minimize food sticking. If you can remove the grate from the grill, cooking spray can be used. But do not use cooking spray over a lit grill! Another method is to fold a paper towel into a small square, dip it in vegetable oil, and use tongs to rub it over the grill grate.
With the grill preparation out of the way, it's time to start cooking. When grilling, it is best to minimize the times the food is turned over. The more often food is turned, the longer it will take to cook, which often leads to food that is tough and dry. Don't use a fork for turning, as a fork will puncture the meat causing juices to be lost. If a sugary sauce, like barbeque sauce, is going to be applied to the food, it should be applied at the end of the cooking time because these sauces will burn if applied too early.
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