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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/</link>
        <description></description>
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            <guid>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/looking-for-a-date-own-a-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/looking-for-a-date-own-a-home.html</link>
            <author>janetsoldit@gmail.com (Janet Owens)</author>
            <title>Looking For A  Date?  Own A Home!</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
According to CNNMoney, if you want to date, own a home.  Evidently it's the ultimate aphrodisiac.  Now this is the news I've been waiting to hear!  


1,000 single people were surveyed and it was found that more than 1/3 of the women and 18% of the men said they would rather date a homeowner than someone who rents. On the flip side, just 2% of the women and 3% of the men surveyed said they would prefer to date someone who rents over someone who owns a home.  62% of both men and women surveyed said that they would prefer to date singles who live alone.  Dah!


If you're back home living with your parent or parents, you're just out of luck.  Less than 5% of the singles surveyed said they would even date someone living at home with mom and dad.


So what are these people looking for in a home/date?  When asked what the biggest turn-ons are, 64% of men and 75% of women surveyed said.....The Master Bath!  Walk-in closets got 55% of the male vote and 72% of the female vote, followed closely by gourmet kitchens which received 51% of the male vote and 62% of the female vote.


So, check out our great listings at The Property Source, www.thepropertysource.com    You'll find homes with fabulous master baths, huge walk-in closets and of course, gourmet kitchens.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:30:29 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/retreat-hill-cellars-in-montgomery-tx.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/retreat-hill-cellars-in-montgomery-tx.html</link>
            <author>janetsoldit@gmail.com (Janet Owens)</author>
            <title>Retreat Hill Cellars in Montgomery TX</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ One of three wineries in Montgomery, TX. located in the old First State Bank building in historic Montgomery at 211 Liberty Street.  Open Wed - Sat 11am to 7pm and Sun noon to 6pm.  Stop in, check out the award winning wines, and enjoy a glass!

 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:52:22 -0600</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/fun-hair-salon-in-montgomery-texas-beyond-fringe.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/fun-hair-salon-in-montgomery-texas-beyond-fringe.html</link>
            <author>janetsoldit@gmail.com (Janet Owens)</author>
            <title>Fun Hair Salon in Montgomery, Texas - Beyond Fringe</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ I've been going to this great Paul Mitchell hair salon for a few years now and want to introduce you to it.  If you live in the area, I hope you'll try it out. 

 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:39:11 -0600</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/live-where-you-play-play-where-you-work.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/live-where-you-play-play-where-you-work.html</link>
            <author>janetsoldit@gmail.com (Janet Owens)</author>
            <title>Live Where You Play, Play Where You Work</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ This beautiful home located at 134 Waterfront in the gated community of Walden Estates is currently available.  The 4695 square foot one story home is situated on 1.5 acres.  Call today for your private showing:  281.844.6584 

 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:47:54 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/houston-home-prices-are-doing-much-better-than-rest-of-nation.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/houston-home-prices-are-doing-much-better-than-rest-of-nation.html</link>
            <author>janetsoldit@gmail.com (Janet Owens)</author>
            <title>Houston Home Prices Are Doing Much Better Than Rest of Nation</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
According to Clear Capital, which services mortgage and lending industries, the Texas housing markets are doing much better than the rest of the nation.  


The average Houston home prices dropped .8 percent in 2011 compared to a 2.1 percent nationally.  Houston's home prices increased by 1.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared with a national decrease 4 percent.


Clear Capital is further expecting Houston home prices to increase by 3 percent this year while expecting to see only a 2 percent rise nationally.


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:22:06 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/changes-for-homeowners-associations-effective-january-1-2012.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/changes-for-homeowners-associations-effective-january-1-2012.html</link>
            <author>janetsoldit@gmail.com (Janet Owens)</author>
            <title>Changes for Homeowners Associations Effective January 1, 2012</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Homeowners associations have new guidelines for maintaining their association documents, providing access to the association records, and conducting open meetings.  Also effective January 1, a homeowners association is required to use an "expedited foreclosure" process before foreclosing against a property owner, unless the property owner gives a written waiver.  The process includes obtaining a court order by the association against the property owner.


HOAs are now prohibited from foreclosing a debt that consists solely of fees charged to obtain copies of HOA records.  They are also now required to apply owner's payments in the following order:  first to delinquent assessments,  then current assessments, and finally attorney's fees and fines.  This affects the HOA's ability to foreclose.  The HOA is further required to give notice to the property owner before the HOA can take certain actions against the owner, including foreclosure proceedings, that informs the owner that he/she may have special rights or relief if the owner is on active military duty.


And finally, property owners can now vote to add or remove an HOAs foreclosure power, with a two-thirds vote by the association members.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:46:16 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/excellent-opportunity-to-buy-lake-conroe-waterfronts.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/excellent-opportunity-to-buy-lake-conroe-waterfronts.html</link>
            <author>janetsoldit@gmail.com (Janet Owens)</author>
            <title>Excellent Opportunity to Buy Lake Conroe Waterfronts</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you live in the Lake Conroe area, you're well aware of the devastating drought we've had and the toll it's taken on Lake Conroe.  The lake is down a whopping 8 feet!  Although there are a few public boat launches open, just about all of the waterfront properties are dry docked.


Waterfront home prices are falling, making it an excellent time to purchase waterfront property.  If you're looking for an investment, now is the time.  Of course, buying waterfront property when there is little water is not for the feint of heart.  No, it's for the serious investor or homeowner with a vision and an understanding that Lake Conroe was created as a water supply reservior and the lake level will come back once this historic Texas drought has passed.


This fabulous 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home was originally listed for $364,900 - with water in the lake.  It's now just $315,000 without water.  Take a look...



 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 09:31:59 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/2012-changes-to-texas-laws-paperless-property-tax-bills-appealing-property-appraisals.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/2012-changes-to-texas-laws-paperless-property-tax-bills-appealing-property-appraisals.html</link>
            <author>janetsoldit@gmail.com (Janet Owens)</author>
            <title>2012 Changes to Texas Laws  *Paperless Property-Tax Bills &amp; Appealing Property Appraisals*</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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 Travis counties have had the option for the past two years.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:00:46 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/2012-changes-to-texas-real-estate-laws-title-policies.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/2012-changes-to-texas-real-estate-laws-title-policies.html</link>
            <author>janetsoldit@gmail.com (Janet Owens)</author>
            <title>2012 Changes to Texas Real Estate Laws     *Title Policies*</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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 required to provide a 2% credit on the cost of the owner's policy for the exclusion.


Also now, title companies are not required to insure loss from damage to property resulting from the use of the surface of the land to extract minerals.  Previously, if a title company excluded minerals from coverage, they would have to insure against damage, if the buyer requested, by issuing an endorsement to the owner's policy, which cost $50.00.  This endorsement is still available for the lender's policy at no charge to the lender's policy.  However, the endorsement for the owner's policy will still cost $50.00.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:41:06 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/texas-property-homestead-exemption-2012.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.thepropertysource.com/blog/texas-property-homestead-exemption-2012.html</link>
            <author>janetsoldit@gmail.com (Janet Owens)</author>
            <title>Texas Property Homestead Exemption 2012</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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 utiltiy bill with the correct address.


If you have not already filed for the exemption, you will need to do so between January 1 and April 30.  You have up to one year to do so if you have already paid your taxes but didn't file.  If you turn 65 or become disabled during the year, you must file for the over 65 or disabled exemption.  You have up to one year from the date of qualification.


What does the homestead exemption do?  It removes part of your home's value for taxation by $15,000.  For example, let's say your home is appraised at $100,000.  With a homestead exemption, you will only be taxed on $85,000.  If you're over 65 or disabled, you will see a further $10,000 reduction in the home's taxable value.


Homestead Exemption forms for Montgomery County Texas:  http://www.mcad-tx.org/html/forms.html


Homestead Exemption forms for Harris County Texas:  http://www.hcad.org/pdf/forms/fill/11-13_fill.pdf  
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:10:31 -0600</pubDate>
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