I was not sure what to call this picture but I did take it on Halloween so Halloween moon seemed appropriate. I am very much a novice at moon pictures but I thought this one was very cool.
I had to take a lot of pictures to get the shot. At first I thought something was wrong with the camera as it would not take the picture. Then I remembered that my daughter had told me to point the camera towards a light hold the shutter down half way and then point towards what your target is and take your shot. You would not believe some of the pictures I came up with I had the moon shooting across the sky at one point. I'm glad I kept trying as I finally ended up with a unique moon picture.
If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332.
If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia. If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.
Below is a chart prepared by the National Association of REALTORS ® comparing the new changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit.
The biggest change is that current Homeowners are now eligible if they sell their current homes and then buy AFTER the date of enactment of this extension which is November 6th, 2009.
Because of widespread incidents of fraud, purchasers must now attach documentation proving they actually bought a qualifying home to qualify for the credit.
Additinally the income guidelines have been increased, now a single taxpayer can qualify if they earn up to $125,000 and up to $225,000 for married taxpayers.
The rationale for increasing the income limits and expanding the credit to existing homeowner is that it should encourage more higher priced home purchases. Currently the existing tax credit was driving mostly lower end purchases.
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As promised below is an overview and comparison between the present Tax Credit and the New. The information below was just given to us by Senator Dodd's Office.
Homebuyer Tax Credit Overview:
First‐time homebuyers (those who have not owned a principal residence in the three years prior to the purchase date of their subsequent home) are eligible for a refundable tax credit of 10 percent of the purchase price of a principal residence up to $8,000 for homes bought between January 1 and December 1, 2009.
If the home is sold within three years, the taxpayer must pay back the credit (called "recapture").
Income limits for the current credit are $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers, phasing out completely after $95,000 for individuals and $170,000 for couples. Income limits are based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).
Extended and Expanded Homebuyer Tax Credit:
Extends the availability of the $8,000 first‐time homebuyer credit to taxpayers who have a principal residence under a binding contract before April 30, 2010, allowing 60 days to close.
Creates a new $6,500 credit for move‐up buyers. Move up buyers are defined as people who haveLike the credit for first‐time buyers, lived in their current home for 5 or more consecutive years during the 8 year period ending on the date of purchase of the their subsequent principal residence. this credit is available to taxpayers who have principal residences under a binding contract before April 30, 2010, allowing 60 days to close.
Raises the income limits for both the first time and move‐up buyer to $125,000 for single filers, $225,000 for joint filers with a $20,000 phase‐out. The $20,000 phaseout means that no credit can be claimed by those with MAGI above $145,000 for single filers, $245,000 married joint filers.
Both the first‐time and move‐up credit are available for principal residences with a purchase price up to $800,000. Purchase price is defined as the adjusted basis of the principle residence on the datesuch residence is purchased.
Includes strong anti‐fraud provisions:
Gives the Internal Revenue Service math error authority which they have requested when processing IRS form 5405. This would allow the IRS to correct certain errors during credit processing, and avoid the need for a post‐refund, labor intensive audit.
Requires a copy of the settlement statement (HUD‐1) which would verify the date of purchase, the residence address, and the purchase price.
Introduces an explicit age limitation, allowing no one under 18 to claim the credit
Excludes individuals who are claimed as dependents and married individuals who purchase the home from the family of their spouse from claiming the credit
Eliminates the recapture requirement for military personnel and members of the Foreign Service and intelligence community who are forced to sell their homes within three years as a result of an official extended duty of service. In addition, these individuals have one additional year to qualify for the credit if they served for at least 90 days outside the U.S. in 2009 or 2010.
Purchases made in 2010 can be claimed on the 2009 tax return.
The score of $10.8 billion over 10 years is paid for by a seven year delay of the worldwide allocation of interest rule until 2017, not stimulus funds.
Effective after the date of enactment.
Homebuyers who were eligible for the first‐time homebuyer tax credit pre‐WHBAA will be able to continue to claim the credit. Homebuyers who qualify for the credit under the expanded terms will only be able to claim the credit if they close on their home purchase after the date of enactment of this bill (the binding contract can be signed before enactment).
Some of this, like any new Legislation, is going to take a few days to fully understand. As further clarification is made available I will try to provide it.
George Souto is a Loan Officer who can assist you with all your FHA, CHFA, and Conventional mortgage needs in Connecticut. George resides in Middlesex County which includes Middletown, Middlefield, Durham, Cromwell, Portland, Higganum, Haddam, East Haddam, Chester, Deep River, and Essex. George can be contacted at (860) 573-1308 or gsouto@mccuemortgage.com
The North Houston Tea Party movement continues. This tea party took place at Sam Houston Raceway Park the night before the 2009 elections. I knew there was a lot of people and have now heard between 10,000 to 15,000 people showed up.
The speakers were great. I think my favorite was Lord Christopher Monckton. He debunks Al Gore's "Inconvenient Truth" and all the global warming theories. This you tube video was taken in St. Paul Minnesota. He talks about the Copenhagen conference that is coming up and how important it is that our President does not sign. Should he sign it would make us a one world government. Please take the time to watch it.
Oppose the upcoming Treaty of Copenhagen - Visit http://www.webcommentary.com/signrep.php to read why and to sign a petition (Instrument of Repudiation) opposing the forthcoming Treaty!
I feel that I need to apologize for my pictures. Nightime pictures are not my forte and these pictures are not as crisp and clear as I usually put up but I decided that the content was so important that I put them up any way.
If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332.
If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia. If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.
I took this picture in Newport Rhode Island while we were on vacation. My sister has two Indian trees on her land in Colorado. I have written a post on one of her bent Indian trees. History has it that the trees were bent to mark trails through the forest. It is thought this would have been done 100 to 300 years ago. The Indians would twists the saplings by lashing their tops down with rawhide or vines, weighting them with rocks or soil, or pegging them down with stakes. I thought maybe this was an Indian Tree but contemplating it I have to wonder if nature didn't cause this tree to bend. What do you think?
If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332.
If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia. If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.
I rarely re-blog a post but this one is so important for Texas. Jeani has done a good job of presenting the propositions.
There has been an email going around that is giving misinformation. We have been needing appraisal reform for a long time. (This makes me wonder who is behind the misinformation.) I'm thankful that the Texas Association of REALTORS has been sending out information to keep us informed.
Ballot order set for constitutional amendments election in Texas.
In the wake of the Texas Legislatures 81st session there are several constitional amendments that will be up for public approval this November. Voter turnout is notoriously low for these type of elections but every citizen needs to appreciate their freedom to choose in this great nation and get out the vote on November 3, 2009!
Ballot order set for constitutional amendments election.
Texans will go to the polls on November 3 to approve or disapprove of proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution that were passed by legislators during the recent legislative session. Legislators must pass any proposal to amend the constitution by a two-thirds majority vote, but an amendment is not effective until a majority of voters pass the measure. Section 274.002, Election Code, requires that if "more than one proposed constitutional amendment is to be submitted in an election, the order of the propositions submitting the amendments shall be determined by a drawing" held by the Texas secretary of state.
Because there are 11 proposed amendments this year, Secretary of State Hope Andrade held the drawing in late July to determine their order on the ballot. Next month's Legislative Liaison will detail each proposal. You will notice that Propositions 2, 3, and 5 are appraisal-reform measures strongly supported by the Texas Association of REALTORS®.
Proposition 11, also supported by the association, is the eminent domain measure referenced above.
Proposition 1 - HJR 132 The constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation
Proposition 2 - HJR 36-1 The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property's value as a residence homestead.
Proposition 3 - HRJ 36-3 The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.
Proposition 4 - HJR 14-2 The constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund.
Proposition 5 - HJR 36-2 The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.
Proposition 6 - HJR 116 The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans' Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized.
Proposition 7 - HJR 127 The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices.
Proposition 8 - HJR 7 The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans hospitals in this state.
Proposition 9 - HJR 102 The constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico.
Proposition 10 - HJR 85 The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years.
Proposition 11 - HJR 14-1 The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature's authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.
I would like to thank the Texas Association of REALTORS for their dedication and vigilance in observing the political process in Texas and staying on top of the issues that affect our industry and the people we serve. For more information on private property rights and real estate in Texas, contact Jeani Thomas Richie, Broker of EXIT Hill Country Realty.
Shortly after moving to Spring TX we were introduced to the book Gulf Coast Gardening by Randy Lemmon. We have lived in 4 different states and one of the things we have learned along the way is to plant according to what plants are native to the area. We started listening to Randy Lemmon's garden-line Saturday mornings on 740AM and ended up purchasing his book Gulf Coast Gardening. His book is now tattered and dog eared but has helped us to find plants that are native to our area.
We have heard Randy Lemmon talk about raised bed gardening for years but kept putting it off. For our fall garden we finally started our raised beds. We intend to make 5 raised beds but to start off we made two. (We probably would have done all 5 but I wasn't ready to give up my okra). I figured two beds were enough for my winter garden.
We decided on a very simple process. We bought untreated wood and my husband put them together. On Randy Lemmon's advice we put layers of newspaper before we put our soil in the beds. I can attest to this helping with the weed problem. Randy recommended using two parts Rose soil and one part organic compost but we found that to be a bit expensive so we decided to use a garden mix.
I am AMAZED at the difference I am seeing between the plants in the raised beds and the plants that are not in raised beds. I found that I had more plants than I had room in the raised beds so I planted the same plants in the beds that were not raised. You can look and see the difference for yourself. We are already eating bib lettuce from the raised bed gardens but the bib lettuce in the regular garden isn't ready yet. I thinks sometimes a picture speaks louder than a thousand words and I'm now a big proponent of raised bed gardening.
Randy Lemmon was recently at our local Ace Hardware to answer questions and sign books. I wrote a post about it at The Woodlands Ace Hardware - Customer appreciation Day!! I had thought about thanking him for his raised bed gardening advice but the line to talk to him was long so this post will have to suffice as my thank you.
If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332.
If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia. If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.
Our daughter took this picture off the Amalfi Coast in Italy looking out over the Tyrrhenian Sea. She is a flight attendant for a company that has one of the contracts to move our troops so this would have been a layover for a troop flight out of Naples Italy. If you would like to see more Amalfi Coast pictures please visit her Flickr site; the Amalfi Coast.
If you are buying or relocating to Spring Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332.
If you would like information about Spring TX please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and the surrounding areas of Tomball, The Woodlands and Magnolia. If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.
Tomball Business & Professional Women 11th Annual"Fall Food Fest"
Held at Tomball United Methodist Church on Baker Street
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Tomball Business & Professional Women will host their 11th annual Fall Food Fest at Tomball United Methodist Church on Tuesday, October 20th from 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. This event serves as our organization's primary fund-raising effort to secure funds for scholarships for high school graduates in Tomball & Magnolia School Districts as well as a scholarship to someone attending Tomball College. Additionally our organization's fund-raising contributes to numerous community needs.
Local restaurants will be providing samples of their food. Pizza Cassaroles Blackened catfish Soups Mexican food Catfish CakesPies and More
Adult Plates are $7.00. Seniors 60 and over are $5.00 and children under 10 are $2.50. If you don't have time to stay To Go Plates are also available.
A raffle, along with a silent auction, is part of our fund-raising efforts for this event. Raffle tickets are presently
being sold with the winners of the raffle items announced at the Food Fest. Raffle tickets are $5.00 apiece or 5 for $20.
Last year we were able to give out 6 scholarships within our community. We are hoping to be able to do the same this year. Please come and support our scholarships for High School seniors and others in need.
We appreciate Tomball United Methodist Church on Baker Street allowing us to use their Church for our fundraiser. This is an easy location to get to. If you are coming from 2920 turn north on Baker and you will curve to the church on the left. If you are coming from SH 249 turn to the east on Baker and the Church will be on your right.
If you are buying or relocating to Tomball Texas and need help from a professional REALTOR®, Marchel can be reached at Marchel@AgentwithResults.com or by phone at 832-721-8332.
If you would like information about Tomball please visit my websites at http://agentwithresults.com and at http://www.resultsrealtytx.com/. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about the area. If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.
The Woodlands Ace Hardware is located at the corner of Kuykendahl and Woodlands Parkway. They have quickly become my favorite hardware store. This is the second time that I have written a post about The Woodlands Ace Hardware. You will find the first one at Ace Hardware in The Woodlands TX!!
We love our Woodlands Ace Hardware and they also love us. This last Saturday The Woodlands Ace Hardware had customer appreciation day. I had went in on Friday to buy a package of Tortilla soup (you heard me right Tortilla soup) and the friendly gal behind the counter let me know that the next day was customer appreciation day and Randy Lemmon from Garden Line would be there for a book signing and to answer our questions. She also told me a clown would be there for the children and the boy scouts would be cooking hot dogs.
I am a big fan of Randy Lemmon so I decided if I could go that I would. We already have an autographed copy of Randy Lemmon's book so I just went for the fun of it. If you have not listened to Garden Line you should check it out on Saturday and Sunday mornings. He is on AM 740 and is on until 10:00 AM. That is a time I am often out showing houses and I have learned so much listening to his program. I FINALLY decided to take his advice and do raised garden beds. We have finished two beds with three more in the planning stages. We used his recommendations from Gulf Coast gardening and the plants in the raised bed are twice the size of the same plants that are not in a raised beds. I was surprised to see him at my local The Woodlands Ace Hardware but found that very cool as I love that store. There was a line circling to the back of the store. It appeared he had sold out all the copies of his book but everyone was in line with their problem plants in hand.
The Woodlands Ace Hardware has something for everyone so in not leaving the children out; they also had a clown with her monkey friend Abby. I was TOTALLY enamored with Abby. I have never paid much attention to monkeys but according to her owner someone forgot to tell Abby that she was a monkey. Monkeys tend to have a reputation for being a little on the mean side but Abby is a jewel. Her owner the clown was blowing up balloons and entertaining everyone with Abby all at the same time. Abby's owner said she had 4 monkeys but the other three lived up to that mean reputation. We lost our sweet chocolate Labrador named Abby this last January and Abby the monkey lived up to Abby's sweet loveable personality. To see more pictures of sweet Abby please visit Speechless Sunday - Monkey See, Monkey Do!
It was a beautiful day and the boy scouts were set up outside with a hot dog stand and sodas. I love seeing the scouts involved in our community. There was also free popcorn on the inside as The Woodlands Ace Hardware has a pop corn machine for their customers.
I need to make a correction from my first post. I had said that I thought The Woodlands Ace Hardware was a franchise. I heard back from the owner and it is a coop. This means that each store is independently owned. The Ace Corporation is a privately held corporation which is actually owned by the store owners. There are 4900 Ace stores and 2800 stockholder. No matter how many stores you own you only get one vote.
I have been so pleased with our new The Woodlands Ace Hardware located just 5 minutes from where I live in Spring. I use to yawn when my husband said he needed to go the hardware store but now 9 times out of 10 I tell him I will go along. They are doing a great job of providing a wide assortment of items. My husband can find sprinkler accessories for our sprinkler system while I am shopping for exotic spices and soups. I just heard recently that most of their items are made in America. I don't know how true that is I guess I need to check that one out with the owner of The Woodlands Ace Hardware. That should be easy to do as I often see him in the store with a smile on his face servicing his customers. I think Ace is the helpful Hardware Store!!
If you would like information about Spring or The Woodlands please visit my websites at www.AgentwithResults.com and at www.ResultsRealtytx.com. The AgentwithResults site is rich in Content about Spring and The Woodlands. If you prefer pictures with your content then visit my ResultsRealtyTX site.
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The information below was just given to us by Senator Dodd's Office.
Ballot order set for constitutional amendments election in Texas.
Saturday mornings on 740AM and ended up purchasing his book Gulf Coast Gardening. His book is now tattered and dog eared but has helped us to find plants that are native to our area.
us community needs. 
s TX!!
twice the size of the same plants that are not in a raised beds. I was surprised to see him at my local The Woodlands Ace Hardware but found that very cool as I love that store. There was a line circling to the back of the store. It appeared he had sold out all the copies of his book but everyone was in line with their problem plants in hand.
It was a beautiful day and the boy scouts were set up outside with a hot dog stand and sodas. I love seeing the scouts involved in our community. There was also free popcorn on the inside as The Woodlands Ace Hardware has a pop corn machine for their customers.
;)
;)
