cash incentives: Facts I find interesting about Texas - 12/17/08 08:16 AM
Facts I find interesting about Texas (edit/delete)
Texas is popularly known as The Lone Star State. The population of Texas is 22 million, not including the 16 million cattle.The armadillo is the official state mammal.   70% of the population of Texas lives within 200 miles of Austin. The state was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845.  Texas possesses three of the Top Ten most populous cities in the U.S. - Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. Texas comes from the Hasinai Indian word tejas meaning friends or allies. Texas' most populous county is Harris county with 3.4 million residents in … (2 comments)

cash incentives: Downtown Austin Condominiums - 12/07/08 12:19 PM
Downtown Austin Emerging Projects
Downtown Austin,Texas is really changing its look and is becoming a interesting place to live.
If you are looking to move downtown Austin please consider hiring me as your agent.
I give you full service at a reduced price. 
 
Remember if you are buying a Home or Condo anywhere in Central Texas you can receive up to 50% of of my commission back to you at closing.
http://www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com
… (0 comments)

cash incentives: A few more tips on lower your energy bills. - 12/07/08 12:11 PM
Install thermostats that allow you to heat or cool specific areas of your home.  This can help you to save money if you need to heat an up stairs during nighttime hours. Think about getting a dual thermostat systems that allow you to set different temperatures for different parts of your home.
Insulate your water heater and turn the thermostat down to 120 degrees. When buying a new water heater, pay attention to the energy consumption information included.
Insulate all pipes that are exposed to the cold. This will help keep them from freezing even when you turn the thermostat down at night.Install energy-efficient door … (0 comments)

cash incentives: Helping to lower your carbon footprint - 11/10/08 02:20 PM
If you are trying to lower your carbon footprint on the world check out this group http://www.greendimes.com/  They have some interesting ways to stay green and help our children's children inherit a better world. 
They have a great article from "Business Week: Reducing Junk Mail (BusinessWeek)"  and  "Go Green From Cradle to Grave" (Oakland Tribune)Let me know of your favorite green website.
Have a great day,
J.
Here is another way to save money.  If you are buying a new home in Texas you can get up to 5% cash back at closing.  http://www.rebateontexashomes.com 
… (0 comments)

cash incentives: Why shoud I use an energy saving light bulb - 06/21/08 03:24 AM
An energy saving light bulb that uses 16 watts of energy replaces an standard bulb utilizing 60 watts of energy. This eliminates the emission of 1300 pounds of carbon dioxide and 26 pounds of sulfur dioxide from a coal fired plant-producing electricity. Usaually they say to just change one bulb. 
But, what if you changed them all? If you have about 30 light bulbs in your house, replacing them with energy efficient light bulbs will save you trips to the store to replace burned out lights, and about $900 over the life of the light bulbs. Right now almost every place … (11 comments)

cash incentives: How to save money when getting a mortgage - 03/19/08 01:22 AM
How to save money when getting a mortgage
First Mortgage Loans
Although your monthly payment may be higher, you can save tens of thousands of dollars in interest charges by shopping for the shortest-term mortgage you can afford. On a $100,000 fixed-rate loan at 7% annual percentage rate (APR), for example, you will pay over $75,000 less in interest on a 15-year mortgage than on a 30-year mortgage. You can save thousands of dollars in interest charges by shopping for the lowest-rate mortgage with the fewest points. On a 15-year $100,000 fixed-rate mortgage, just lowering the APR from 7% to 6.5% can save … (4 comments)

cash incentives: Why you shouldn't buy a new car if you are looking to buy a home - 03/01/08 06:48 AM
Many people have come to me to buy a new home. In the beginning I lost a deal, because they bought a new car.  So I tell all my buyers to not buy a new car when looking for a home. 
When you get a raise or accumulate some money most people like to spend it.  Some decide to buy a home. some a car then there are the people who like to buy both.  They have a desire to spend money.
Buying a home is sometimes a long and laborious ordeal, but an adventurous one at that.  So in saying this, don't make it harder on yourself.
If … (18 comments)

cash incentives: Get up to 5% cash back on a new home purchase in Galveston - 02/29/08 02:54 AM
Real Estate Agents in Texas can REBATE their commissions to their clients. To read more please see The Texas Real Estate Commission's webiteI follow the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice's, http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/07/recompetition.shtm. Today, people like you are using the internet to search for a new home. However, very few of them know that they can save thousands of dollars by using a Real Estate Agent such as myself, in conjunction with their internet search. Please visit http://www.rebateontexahomes.com for more information. Thank you, Jeff
… (0 comments)

cash incentives: Looking to Get a Rebate On a New Home In Abilene? Get up to 5% cash back. - 02/24/08 11:39 PM
http://www.rebateontexashomes.comI find this to be on of the most exciting offers in the Abilene Area. Send me an email and let me know what you think,How does this program work? Almost all Home builders in Texas will pay a Real Estate commission to a licensed real estate broker.
As a Texas Real Estate Agent in I can share this commission with you, the buyer, and give this to you as a Cash Refund. Most people don't understand that the price of a house is the same regardless of whether you have an agent or not.
This is how I can offer you … (0 comments)

cash incentives: Dinosaur Valley State Park - 02/19/08 01:15 AM
If you or your children love to explore new places, this is it. 
The State Park is located in Somervell County Texas, Close to the town of Glen Rose. The Park is over 1500 acres and in 1969, was designated a National Natural Landmark.   This is a great place to view the fossilized dinosaur footprints.
                                                           
You can also hike, camp, picnic, fish, and swim.  The area is full of beautiful scenery and wildlife. The coolest thing I think is the dinosaur tracks.   They near a part of the Brazos River called the Paluxy. The park is open year round, but late summer is the best time to visit for viewing the tracks, make sure you … (4 comments)

cash incentives: Realtors® Designations and what that means to you, the client. - 02/18/08 08:10 AM
Sometimes you will see an agents name with a designation or two at the end of their name.  i.e.  Jeff Kessler ABR,GRI
These designation show the dedication the agent has to his or her real estate profession.  I personally got my designations in my first year.  I wanted to learn as much as I could.  This is a very difficult profession as most agents will fail within their first 5 years.  I have been around 10 years and going strong.  This is what my two designations mean to you.
Accredited Buyer RepresentativeThe Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. … (8 comments)

cash incentives: Things To Do When You are Moving Into A New Home - 02/17/08 06:02 AM
So you have bought a home and are going to be moving in soon.  Here are a few ideas for you. If you have any more please leave a comment with your idea,
J.
Get your address changed Go to you old post office before you move and fill out the correct form.  You could also go to http://www.usps.com/ and get all the info you need from there. You should also contact the companies that bill you as well as any magazines that you subscribe to directly.  That way you will still get your bills on time and keep the magazines a coming.
Before you go to closing When you … (2 comments)

cash incentives: Tips on Buying a New Home in Texas - 02/08/08 03:27 AM
 
By Jeff Kessler
©2008 all rights reserved
Buying a new home can be daunting experience to say the least, especially if you are going to relocate to a new city or state. I have been selling homes for 10 years and I still have a lot to learn. I have helped close over 1200 homes and I learn something new every time. I have put some tips together that have worked for myself and my clients.
HIRE A Real Estate Agent for your new home purchase and when you do I would use common sense to pick one. Most people don't understand that … (5 comments)

cash incentives: Real Estate Newsletter - 09/17/07 04:02 AM
Here is a link to my weekly "REAL ESTATE NEWS CHANNEL":Click Here This week's segments are full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.Some of the topics covered this week are:Real Estate Outlook - Real Estate is all about seeing opportunities-whether in "up" markets or "down" markets-and making the most of them.Mortgage Moment - Jan Demas discusses "Toxic Loans".Market Conditions - Tampa Bay, FL.; Austin, TX.; Sacramento, CA. & Detroit, MI.Ask the Expert - "Will you please share information about short sales?" Video of the Week - This … (0 comments)

cash incentives: ABOR Watch newsletter - 09/11/07 11:46 AM
Here is a follow up from the Chairman of the Board of ABOR and what he wrote about ABOR Watch Newsletter.
… (0 comments)

cash incentives: 9/11 was 6 years ago - 09/11/07 02:29 AM
Wow, six years ago today, America experienced a tragedy of immense proportions: a malicious attack on the United States soil that cost us thousands of innocent lives.  As Americans, we struggled with the horror and senselessness of that attack. The days and weeks that passed we comforted ourselves in the Flag, Old Glory and Patriotism through that difficult time.    This is something we will always remember and always will.  If you can please take a moment to think of those who died on September 11, 2001, and remember the freedom that our soldiers are still protecting today.
Thank you America,
 
J.
… (0 comments)

cash incentives: ABOR Newsletter - 09/11/07 01:49 AM
I want to know more about ABOR  watch newsletter that I started getting and what other agents in the Central Texas area think.  They are not supported by ABOR.  I have been getting a lot of emails from them and would like to learn more.  If you have more info please post it here.  I hope that they will hear us agents and work with us.  It looks like they want to stir things up and I believe that could be a good thing.  I look forward to hear from you soon,
Jeff Kessler, ABR,GRI
ABOR ="Austin Board of Realtors"
… (3 comments)

cash incentives: Weekly Real Estate Newsletter for the week of 9/10/07 - 09/11/07 01:32 AM
Here is a link to my weekly "REAL ESTATE NEWS CHANNEL":Click Here This week's segments are full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.Some of the topics covered this week are:Real Estate Outlook - You might have been just a little puzzled by some of the contradictory reports about real estate that came out recently.Mortgage Moment - Jan Demas discusses "If Paying Off Your Remaining Mortgage is the Right Financial Move". Market Conditions - Myrtle Beach, SC.; Alexandria, VA.; Beverly Hills, CA. & Albuquerque, NM.Ask the Expert - … (0 comments)

cash incentives: Talking Smoke Alarms and Other Tips to Protect Kids from Fire - 09/07/07 02:18 AM
Talking Smoke Alarms and Other Tips to Protect Kids from Fire.  I just was reading some different things on the net and I discovered the Talking Smoke Alarms.  I find these very interesting.  You program your voice to wake them up when a fire starts and you can also put directions on the alarm to tell them how to get out.  This is very cool.
Here is a website that tells more about it.  http://www.doityourself.com/stry/ara_talkingsmokealar
If you have any new ideas that you have heard of to help save a life please post it here,
Thank you,
 
 
Remember if you are buying a new home … (3 comments)

cash incentives: My weekly Real estate Newletter - 09/04/07 07:59 AM
Here is a link to my weekly "REAL ESTATE NEWS CHANNEL":Click Here This week's segments are full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.Some of the topics covered this week are:Real Estate Outlook - Despite a steady stream of negative headlines about real estate and mortgages, the latest economic reports are mainly upbeat.Mortgage Moment - Jan Demas discusses "Negative Ammortization".Market Conditions - Lithonia, GA.; Millard, NE.; Santa Fe, NM. & Chandler, AZ.Ask the Expert - "Is it possible to exchange stock options for real estate with a 1031 … (6 comments)