WATER-WISE Denton County Master Gardener Association

2013 Fall Garden Fest - Saturday, October 5, 2013, 9 AM - 3 PM

Located at the Denton Bible Church Campus, 2300 East University Drive, Denton TX

Learn about water-wise landscape practices while touring booths filled with local crafts and gardening information.   Activities especially for children include a petting zoo and face painting.   Adults can enjoy presentations on water conservation, landscaping and home and garden decorating and listen to live music by local choral groups.   Food and drinks are available at the 4H concession stand.   Admission is free.

Learn more at:
http://dcmga.com/

Signs of Progress

Flower Mound – Highland Village - Double Oak - Copper Canyon Area

 

South East Corner of Chinn Chapel and 407, Justin Road will be home to Academy Sports and some of your favorite restaurants. Academy is slated to open in November of 2013, just in time for holiday shopping.

Hermansen Land Development, Inc. spoke at a joint economic development meeting of The Town Flower Mound and Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce, about his new project. He also spoke about how he likes working with our new Mayor, City Manager, Economic Director, Council Members, Town Engineer, and PD Zoning. We should be seeing Smashburger, Jerry Mike's Sub, Modmarket - Fresh Eateriers and some other great businesses.

What You Should Know About Property Taxes

What You Need to Know About Property Taxes   Texas - Need to update    Property Taxes: Question & Answer   How do property taxes work? Answer: Property taxes are what most homeowners in the United States pay for the privilege of owning a piece of real estate, on average 1.5 percent of the property's current market value. These annual local assessments by county or local authorities help pay for public services and are calculated using a variety of formulas.   Where can I learn more about appealing my property taxes? Contact your local tax assessor's office to see what procedures to follow to appeal your property tax assessment. You may be able to appeal your assessment informally. Mostly likely, however, you will have to go through a formal tax-appeal process, which begins with an appeal filed with the appropriate assessment appeals board.   How is a home's value determined?   You have several ways to determine the value of a home. An appraisal is a professional estimate of a property's market value, based on recent sales of comparable properties, location, square footage and construction quality. This service varies in cost depending on the price of the home. On average, an appraisal costs about $300 for a $250,000 house. A comparative market analysis is an informal estimate of market value performed by a real estate agent based on similar sales and property attributes. Most agents offer free analyses in the hopes of winning your business.
You also can get a comparable sales report for a fee from private companies that specialize in real estate data. You also can find comparable sales information available on various real estate Internet sites.   Are property taxes deductible? Property taxes on all real estate, including those levied by state and local governments and school districts are usually fully deductible against current income taxes. Check with your tax professional.  

Are taxes on second homes deductible? Interest and property taxes may be deductible on a second home if you itemize. Check with your accountant or tax adviser for specifics.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - National Real Estate Post

Watch dog needs watching! CFPB, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - Our mission is to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans — whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products.  http://www.consumerfinance.gov/the-bureau/

Your thoughts!

Did You Know Texas is a Homestead State?

What does that mean to you?

 

A homestead is generally the house and land used as the owner’s principal residence on January 1 of the tax year. Homestead exemptions reduce the appraised value of your home and, as a result, lower your property taxes. To apply for an exemption on your residence homestead, contact your Appraisal District.

Purpose Of The Texas Homestead Law:  Created for the primary purpose of securing for a family or a single adult person, not otherwise entitled to a homestead, a place for home, shelter and the earning of a livelihood from the claims of all creditors Except The Holders of Liens For Purchase Money, Taxes and Home Improvement Loans.*

 

Declaring Your Homestead:

Upon the purchase of a new home, you must contact the Appraisal District of the County in which you reside.

Dallas County Appraisal District, http://www.dallascad.org/
Address: 2949 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75247

Phone:(214) 631-0910

Hours:

 Monday thru Thursday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm,

Friday

7:30 am – 5:00 pm

Wednesday hours 7:30 am–5:30 pm  -  See all

Tarrant County Appraisal District  817-284-4063

Denton County Appraisal District, http://www.dentoncad.com/
Address: 3911 Morse Street

Denton, TX 76208

Get directions

‎

 

Phone:  (940) 349-3800 or metro 972-434-2602

 

Business Hours:  Monday thru Friday  8am to 5pm

Collin County Appraisal District  972-578-5200

As of September 1, 2011, applicants are required to include a copy of their Texas driver’s license or

state id & a vehicle registration receipt according to Texas Property Tax Code 11.43. The addresses

shown on all documents must match the address for which the exemption is sought. Failure to send

the required documents will result in the exemption being denied. 
*This bog is for informational purposes only. Contact your appropriate County Clerk's office. This is not deemed a legal document.

New Small Grocery Stores vs. Big Chains

Flower Mound a suburb of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denton Texas

When you think about picking up a gallon of milk or some bread where do you go to pick up the groceries?

The big chains - Wal-Mart, Kroger and Tom Thumb is what you used to think of, but now we have more choices. Super Target, Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market and those Buy in Bulk Membership Clubs - Costco and Sam's are available. I have storage problems with buying in bulk, but the prices are great if you do not mind packages of 3-5.

Braum's has the best choices of ice cream flavors and a surprising selection of produce for that got to pick up quick items. Albertson is in Lewisville, for those items only they have.

Sprouts has become my Wednesday double ads day place for fresh produce and meats. Newly opened Aldi has great prices, but limited selection and coming soon specialty retailers Market Street, opening Fall 2013 and Whole Foods Market, opening 2014, The Shops of Highland Village, will be in the area choice list. We used to have to drive to Colleyville and Plano. Both stores come with some great pre-made specialty foods.

Even with all these new choices I still go to Southlake's Central Market for the best soups, breads and fresh meat. Central Market has wonderful chef cooking classes. Friends and relatives still are talking about Trader Joe's which just in 2012 came to the Metroplex. "You have got to go there ..." they say. It is still on my list.

Kroger is still my go to place for when I need to buy the weekly groceries and pick up something fast. Best selection and good prices. Tom Thumb's $5 Friday is my husbands favorite!

Very Good Question to Ask!

Where did the 1.5 Billion go?

I have been working with buyers wanting to buy short sales or foreclosed homes. Because of working with the buyers we get to know the sellers of these homes.

It is becoming harder and harder to understand the banks and the government. Common sense is not very common.

The money needs to already be in the hands of those that where affected by the Banks. Who is really looking out for them?

Commentary with Frank Garay and Brian Stevens at the National Real Estate Post!
http://www.viddler.com/v/a65f6f84

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FHA Changes That Will Effect Buyers

April 1st 2013 FHA Changes
FHA customers it is time to buy your home prior to April.

The new FHA monthly (annual) MIP effective for FHA case numbers assigned on April 1^st and beyond is much more expensive than before.

The date of the FHA case number is determined by an executed contract sent to the buyer’s lender, who then requests the case number from FHA. Be sure to instruct any lender that you are using to immediately pull the FHA case number for your contract so that you the buyer can avoid the increased charges. (Note: This change does not apply to streamline refinance transactions of existing FHA loans that were endorsed on or before May 31, 2009)

The monthly cost is going up AND the required duration that the fees must be paid (regardless of home value/LTV) is increasing BIG.
This will push many people (if they have a choice) to VA, USDA and Conventional financing in the future.

**Important!- Get the FHA case number requests in early. Please try not to request the FHA case numbers in the immediate days preceding the change. If this is the case, you may still have to pay the higher fees if another lender holds that case number (from a previously failed FHA transaction) and cannot transfer it in time.

Prudential Texas Properties In House Lender can help Cell: 214-668-9486

Aspire Lending

Mortgage Consultant

NMLS # 176459
Full details on this change can be seen on HUD’s Mortgagee Letter 2013-04.