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texas: Happy Juneteenth, Texas! - 06/19/09 09:22 PM
Today is June 19th which is Juneteenth Day in Texas.
What's that? I get asked this every year by people when I mention Juneteenth.
Juneteenth is one of those holidays you learn a lot about when you take 7th grade Texas History in Junior High.
June 19, 1865 is when the slaves in Texas heard the news that they were free. Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation back in 1963, but it took over 2 1/2 years for the news to get to Texas, and that day is forever called Juneteenth.
Juneteenth officially because a holiday in 1980. There are parties … (6 comments)
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texas: TEXAS REALTORS®, Brokers, and Licensees- License Renewal Changes Add for FEES! - 06/05/09 03:58 PM
This is going to effect all REALTORS®, Brokers, and Real estate Licensees in the state of Texas.
You know how we jumped through those hoops last year to get the fingerprinting done in time for our license renewals?? If that wasn't enough, now, for the next renewal, TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission) is going to charge an extra $19.25 for a new background check on each and every person!!
What did I tell ya, nickel and dime here, nickel and dime there...
They will make you inactive if you don't comply, so just bend over and send the money!
**Are You Packed Yet?**
… (12 comments)
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texas: Memorial Day Energy Star Tax Free Weekend - 05/22/09 08:18 AM
Usually "Tax Free Weekend" is in August, but this year, there's nothing new... Tax Free Appliance Weekend and it's this weekend!!
Memorial Day weekend, starting today, May 22, 2009 and going through Monday, there will be no taxes on Appliances. The catch? The appliances must be ENERGY STAR appliances!
The point? Helping people become more energy efficient within their homes and helping them save some money with the expense of upgrading their current appliances. Even ceiling fans are included.
If you've been wanting that new washer and dryer or that new refridgerator, now's the time to get out and get one!
… (6 comments)
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texas: Meet the New Acting Vice Chair of the Austin Grievance Committee - 04/23/09 11:12 AM
I've been in Austin all of negative 2 days, as I don't actually move there until Saturday, but I'm the Acting Vice Chair of the Austin Board of REALTORS® Grievance Committee.
I've been on the Professional Standards and Grievance Committee for the State of Texas for about 4 years now. With the move to Austin, I found out that the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) doesn't play together with the State of Texas' Committee, so I had to join theirs.
In March, I had to attend a 7 hour training class, which I already took for the 3 time in January … (11 comments)
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texas: Aggressive Seller with Machete - 01/02/09 10:13 AM
The ad was titled "Aggressive Seller w/ Machete". Does that grab your attention? What was your first thought when seeing it?
My initial thought was that there was another story about a seller going psycho because he couldn't sell his house and chopped up his family.
When you click into the story, it says:
Motivated individual with an attitude just whacked a million and some change off of this 6200 square foot Penthouse on east Superior. Panoramic views included.
Ahhh, I see. He used a Machete to drop his price. And as a seller, it looks like he's being reasonable … (38 comments)
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texas: Builder Incentives Cannot be Tied to Mortgage and Title Companies Anymore - 12/19/08 09:17 AM
My broker forwarded me an article this morning that talks about Builders and their affiliations with Mortgage Companies and Title Companies, and how those affiliations are set to change come January 16 and into 2010.
Currently, when buyers go to a Builder's community, the builder tries to say something along the lines of, "If you use my mortgage company and close at my title company, I'll give you $5000 for closing costs." The buyers always perk up.
I usually turn around and ask the builder to write into the contract that the builder's mortgage company must match or beat a good … (8 comments)
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texas: Texas Expected to have Record Voter Turnout - 11/03/08 02:36 PM
Texas is expected to have about 68% turnout for voting in this election. Since 1970, only once has the state of Texas exceeded 68% and that was when 2 Texas natives (GH Bush and Perot) were running and Clinton still won.
With the early voting over, Texas has already had 42% of registered voters vote in the top 15 counties in the state, which equates to 3.5 million people. In the 2004 election, only 2.4 million voted early.
To put things into further perspective, Dallas County had 508,000 people vote which is 158,000 more than 2004. People are definitely eager to get their … (14 comments)
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texas: Richardson TX Home for Sale- 609 Palomar Ln 75081 - 10/17/08 01:17 PM
What a Fabulous Updated & Meticulously maintained 4 bedroom home with 3 large living areas in a highly desired area of Richardson, College Park East!
Updates include Granite Counters, Fixtures, Faucets, Hardware, Hardwoods, Tile, Paint, Sprinklers, Garage Door & opener, Plantation Shutters, 2" blinds, & much more.
Features include Vaulted Ceilings, Brick Fireplace, Finished Sunroom, Skylights, Covered Patio, Mature Trees... Foundation work with warranty. Trip to Bahamas or Mexico included, ask for details.
You can view the Visual Tour here.
… (2 comments)
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texas: Should Six Flags Serve Alcohol? 12 year old girl says NO! - 10/15/08 02:32 PM
Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, TX applied for a permit to serve alcohol at their theme parks. At first, I thought "What's the big deal?" I mean, they serve alcohol at other "Family Friendly" venues like baseball games, basketball games, and football games.
Six Flags is just another Family Friendly event, right?
Well, there's this 12 year old girl, Christi Campbell, who got about 300 signatures to oppose selling alcohol at the park, and she made a point that made me rethink my thoughts.
She pointed out that if you have a bunch of adults drinking and then going on … (21 comments)
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texas: Texas has the Lowest Credit Score in the Country - 04/24/08 02:23 PM
On average, Texas has the lowest credit score in the country. The score is a whopping 651 while the country has an average score of 692. What does this mean for Texas buyers? This means you're a higher risk and loan programs in Texas are different from other states. Look at this pretty chart.
To put things into perspective, Texas ranks 41st out of 50 states in home ownership. This is because with lower scores, it's harder to obtain a mortgage. Before the subprime fiasco that we're currently going through, a buyer with a 550 credit score could probably obtain 100% … (9 comments)
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texas: Texas Rangers looking for Ball GIRLS - 03/10/08 12:59 PM
The Texas Rangers held tryouts for Ball GIRLS this weekend. Yes, I said Ball Girls, not Ball Boys or Bat Boys. This will be the second year they have decided to have Ball Girls represent them.
There were about 20 girls fighting for 6 positions. What's interesting is that these girls aren't there just to run after foul balls and throw them to the crowd. On the contrary. They are there to also help warm-up the players. They will field balls hit and thrown. They will also have to be able to throw that ball back, long and accurately.
In addition to their … (3 comments)
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texas: Filing Texas Homestead Exemptions- First Reminder - 02/21/08 10:33 AM
Here is your first reminder to file your Texas Homestead Exemption form if you closed on your home by December 31, 2007. I like to remind people towards the end of February because hopefully you're done with your Holiday bills, and worrying about your W2s (1099's) from your employer, and you're starting to get your tax information ready.
You have until the end of April to actually file, but why wait until the last minute. Also, if you closed in 2008, you CANNOT file for this year. You must wait until next year before the end of April to file your exemptions.
It's … (4 comments)
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texas: JJ Pearce Richardson TX to be on TV Land's High School Reunion March 5!! - 02/21/08 09:46 AM
This is so crazy!! Nothing ever really happens around here! I went to JJ Pearce High School in Richardson, TX. I was part of the graduating class of... hmmm, I know you guys think I'm young, but do you know how young? Age doesn't really matter when you've been in this industry for 8 years, so I can proudly say, I was part of the class of 1994- graduated with Advanced Honors which isn't too shabby if I do say so myself....
Anyway, premiering on March 5, 2008, they are putting a lot of alumni from JJ Pearce on a "sun- … (0 comments)
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texas: Jason Kidd is Officially a Dallas Maverick Again - 02/19/08 01:45 PM
Jason Kidd was previously with the Dallas Mavericks in 1994 where he played a couple of years before being traded to Phoenix. It seems like we trade everyone to Phoenix as that's also where Nash went.
There are many things involved with this trade, and I could possibly explain it all, but the main thing is that we get Kidd, Malik Allen, and Antoine Wright. We also gave up a couple of first round draft picks for next year.
Jason will be ready for today's 3pm practice and ready to start.
Read more details of this trade on Dallasnews.com.
… (4 comments)
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texas: Interview Didn't Make the Article - 02/19/08 12:18 PM
At the end of December, I was interviewed for an article in Texas REALTOR® for the January/February issue. I was excited for the opportunity as I've been contacted more and more about interviews for this and that. It makes me feel like all my hard work over the years is finally paying off.
What urks me is I did not end up in the article. I read it, and the main person interviewed was one of my friends and coleagues, and she's also a strong member of Active Rain. I chose not to mention who she is. I'm reading this article and … (5 comments)
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texas: Texas to Get New License Plates- Vote Here - 02/06/08 08:30 AM
Every few years, Texas gets a new license plate. Some look nice, and others are like, "Who designed this, and who approved it?" Well, this time around, everyone in Texas gets to vote. Here are your choices:
In my opinion, there is a clear winning with the above choices. First, you'll notice that Texas is going to a 7 digit plate from the traditional 6 digit plate. Second, you'll notice that option #5 is the same plate that we currently have, but showing us what it would look like with 7 digits in case people vote to keep what we have. It would … (8 comments)
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texas: NAR's Changes to Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice - 01/10/08 12:39 PM
I am on the Texas (TAR) Professional Standards Committee and I was just emailed the changes that were adopted for 2008 from NAR, and I kinda chuckled. I'm not sure if others have read the changes, but this really caught my eye.
Article 12 used to say, "REALTORS® shall be careful at all times to present a true picture in their advertising and representations to the public..."
The revised Article says, "REALTORS® shall be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and shall present a true picture in their advetising, marketing, and other representations..."
What caught your eye? What caught my eye is what should … (38 comments)
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texas: Richardson TX to redo FireStation #2 - 01/02/08 03:57 PM
As part of the 2006 Bond money that was voted on May 13, 2006, Firestation #2 is getting a face lift. Actually, an actual facelift cost more than tearing down the old building and rebuilding something new, so that's what is going to happen.
The demolition is going to start this month and the rebuilding will being in March. It is supposed to be complete by January 2009. Many changes are taking place. It will become a co-ed facility as it currently does not have seperate sections for men and women.
It will also become a Green facility which is LEED (Leadership … (4 comments)
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texas: Richardson TX Placed FIRST in the National Night Out Competition! - 10/31/07 08:04 AM
Richardson TX, once again, won the top spot for the National Night Out Competition for the national city with a population of 50,000-99,999. Texas tied with Minnesota at the top for the State winner.
Each area who enters the competition submits whatever they want to show how they participated. The video that Richardson submitted was mostly my neighborhood, The Woods of SpringCreek! Since I'm on the Social Committee for the event, this was a great honor to be recognized for all the hard work we put into everything!
National Night Out will be the first Tuesday in August again for 2008, HOWEVER, they … (0 comments)
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texas: Frisco TX Initiates Teen Curfew - 09/19/07 06:25 PM
The city of Frisco, TX has noticed more and more crime these days. Their solution? Get the teens off the streets and see if that helps.
The curfew is for anyone under 17 years of age, Sunday through Thursday at 11pm with Friday and Saturday going until 12 midnight. What about those high school kids who are 18? They're considered adults, but yet, they're still in school. Maybe it should be extended to also include 18 year olds who are still in high school?
There are a couple of other cities that already have curfews, and I don't recall ever seeing any results … (3 comments)
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Donna Harris, REALTOR®, CDPE & ASP - Hill Country Austin Lakeway Homes
Austin,
TX
More about me…
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
Address: 4611 Bee Caves Rd #200, Austin, TX, 78746
Office Phone: (512) 592-7127
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