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Among some of the January 1, 2012 changes to state law that affects real estate are paperless property-tax bills and appealing property appraisals without going to court.

Beginning January 1, local tax offices can offer an electronic tax bill.  If you are interested, you will need to check with your local tax office to see you can begin receiving your tax bill via e-mail. 

Also new as of January 1, if you want to appeal your property appraisal and you own property in Collin, Denton, Fort Bend, or Montgomery county and the property is worth more than one million, you can appeal the property appraisal through the State Office of Administrative Hearings rather than the district court.  Property owners in Bexar, Cameron, El Paso, Harris, Tarrant, and…

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Several changes to the Texas laws that affect real estate went into effect January 1, 2012.  The changes affected the HOA resale certificate, owner's and lender's title policies, disclosure for private transfer fees, HOA guidelines for foreclosures, access to association records, and conducting open meetings, as well as paperless property-tax bills, appealing property appraisals without going to court (only in some counties), and tenants right to appeal eviction regardless of the ability to pay court costs.

The changes to the owner's and lender's title policies are minimal.  Prior to January 1, 2012, title companies could always exclude coverage of the ownership of minerals, and would give the buyer a 2% credit.  Now, the title companies are not…

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A state law that went into effect the 3rd quarter of 2011 changed proof of residency requirements for homeowners applying for the homestead exemption as well as those applying for the over 65, disability, disabled veterans, homeowner's surviving spouse, and manufactured home exemptions.  This new law did not change the requirements for those who already have homestead exemptions.

The new law requires applicants to provide a copy of their Texas driver's license or state ID card and vehicle registration receipt.  The documents must have the same address as the property for which the exemption is requested.

If the applicant does not own a vehicle, he/she must produce an affidavit stating that he/she does not own a vehicle and also provide a copy of a…

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changes to texas real estate law, effective jan 1, 2012

The Texas legislature has made several changes specific to real estate that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2012.  One of those changes effects the HOA Resale Certificate.

Beginning January 1, home buyers purchasing property in a subdivision will be able to request a resale certificate directly from the homeowners association.  On all contracts entered into on or after January 1, buyer will be required to pay the fee for the resale certificate unless the buyer and seller have agreed otherwise in the sales contract.

Our current TREC addendum provides options for delivery of the resale certificate and states that the seller will have to pay for it.  This addendum will change early in 2012.

What Does this Mean for Home Buyers?

The HOA may require…

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If you're thinking about putting your home on the market in the next few months, there are a few things that you'll need to do to achieve positive results.  It's important to plan ahead.  Planning and doing the prep work to get your home ready for sale will help make the sale of your home successful.

home_for_sale_400First of all, decide what your priority is.  Do you have to sell or need to sell your home quickly or by a certain date?  Or, is your goal to sell your home at the best possible price, no matter what?  If you know your ultimate goal, you will make the right decisions along the way and stay on track. 

Setting your goals early on will make it easier to decide which if any home improvement projects to start or complete, as well as deciding how you'll…

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One of the hardest things that some people may have to experience is losing the home that they've worked so hard for.  This is actually a problem that many homeowners are experiencing not because they were approved for a home they simply couldn't afford but because of any number of things - a change in employment, medical needs, divorce, or job transfer or termination. The possibility of facing foreclosure or bankruptcy not only strips you of your home ownership, it also damages your credit score, and in some cases can permanently prevent you from obtaining certain government jobs. 

mp9001783781_400Unfortunately, many people think foreclosure or bankruptcy is the only solution to get out of the situation they're in.  But actually, there are much better alternatives. …

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christmas"Where The Holidays Begin"

 

The Annual Christmas in Historic Montgomery will be held on Saturday, December 10, from 9am to 8pm.  Fun and festive activities are planned throughout the day.  Be sure to come early and stay late to take advantage of all that Montgomery has to offer - boutiques, antiques shops, wineries, restaurants, and more...

 

 Schedule of Activities

  

Holiday Market Place - Arts and Crafts at the Community Center  9am-5pm

 

An Old Fashioned Hometown Christmas Parade  11am

 

20th Annual Cookie Walk at the Community Center 12pm-5pm

 

34th Annual Candlelight Home Tour  4pm-8pm                    Adults $15, Children/Students $5

 

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swimming_bassThe Toyota Bass Classic, the world championship of professional bass fishing, will be held on Lake Conroe October 28-30.  This three day event combines the top Professional Anglers Association from the WalMart FLW Tour, Bassmasters Elite Series and Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series.  50 Anglers will compete for the unified World Championship.

Among the anglers participating are Brian Snowden, the 2010 defending TTBC  champion, and the top 15 anglers from the 2011 WalMart FLW Tour Anglers of the Year standings, the top 15 anglers form the 2011 Bassmasters Elite Series Toyota Tundra of the Year standings, and the top 15 from the 2011 Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series Angler of the Year standings.  There are also four selected tournament exemptions: …

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pumpkins_400Pumpkins are a fruit, native to North America, and originated in Central America.  They are high in fiber and low in calories, fat, and sodium, and are a good source of vitamin A & B, potassium, protein, and iron.  They are 90% water.

Chris Stevens of New Richmond, WI, holds the current world record (2011) for growing the largest pumpkin ever.  It weighs in at a whopping 1810.5 pounds!

If you've ever wondered what to do with those seeds you have left over from carving your pumpkin, you may want to try roasting them.  Here's how:

Separate the seeds from the flesh and strings and wash them.  The easiest way to wash them is to put them in a large bowl of water and rub them between your hands.  Once you've washed them. put them in a strainer for about…

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