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Posted on Oct 29, 2009 | Tagged in: Specials & Offers , Realtors , economy
The Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended. Senators agreed to extend the tax credit which provides up to $8,000 to first-time buyers to April 30, 2010.
The program was initially set to expire November 30, and is credited for stimulating the nation’s housing industry. However, the Commerce Department reports that after seeing a decline in new-home sales, some industry experts blamed consumer uncertainty about the tax credit.
Senators agreed to extend the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years. The tax credits will be available to home buyers who sign sales agreements by the end of April. They would have 60 days or until June 30 to close on their new homes, according to a summary of the legislation being circulated among lawmakers.
Posted on Oct 26, 2009 | Tagged in: community
Giant globes line Discovery Green Park in Houston, giving individuals a chance to discover ways they can conserve energy and fight global warming. “You have to start somewhere,” one onlooker said, and a walk through the park is a perfect place to start.
Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet is a traveling art exhibit with informational messages to help people understand steps they can take in their own lives to live “greener.” “It’s not about everyone doing everything. It’s about everyone doing something.” This quote graces the Cool Globes website and expresses the heart of the project. The project started in Chicago in 2007 by Cool Globes, Inc., a non-profit organization that seeks to raise awareness of global warming and inspire individuals to embrace solutions.
Fifty super-sized globes will be on display October 8, 2009 – December 31, 2009 at Discovery Green Park, 1500 McKinney St. Houston, TX. Though the globes came to this location by coincidence, Discovery Green Park is the perfect place to host these “green” globes as it is the first LEED Gold Certified park project downtown, utilizing high-energy glass and solar panels. These 5x7 foot globes were created by national and international artists and have traveled the U.S. before they make their way to Europe. The Houston exhibit will feature globes by five local artists as well, from inspirational to informational, it is a great opportunity for Houston residents to enjoy a walk in the park and see what steps they can take in their own lives to move towards a better environment.
For cool tips, more information on Cool Globes or the Houston exhibit, please visit www.coolglobes.com
Posted on Oct 24, 2009 | Tagged in: Realtors , economy
Year-over-year single-family home sales soar 32 percent and median price edges up further
Hurricane Ike sidelined Houston’s real estate business for several weeks after tearing through the region in September 2008, so it comes as no surprise that property sales one year later surged into positive territory. According to the latest monthly data compiled by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR), September volume of single-family home sales across the greater Houston area rose 32.0 percent compared to September 2008. Total property sales climbed 30.4 percent in September on a year-over-year basis. The increases come on the heels of gradual improvements to the local housing market resulting from an influx of first-time home buyers who have taken advantage of the federal government’s $8,000 tax credit that expires at midnight on November 30.
At $156,200, the September single-family home median price—the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less—edged up 0.2 percent from one year earlier, representing the fifth straight monthly increase in median price. The average price of a single-family home in Houston dipped 1.6 percent last month to $205,925 compared to September 2008.
Foreclosure property sales continued to slow in September, making up 18.6 percent of all single-family home sales in the Houston area compared to 19.3 percent in September 2008 and the 12-month peak of 34.0 percent in January of this year. The median price of September foreclosure sales reported in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) declined 1.0 percent from $88,950 to $88,000 on a year-over-year basis.
Posted on Oct 20, 2009 | Tagged in: Untagged
For years many Houston area Social Service agencies have helped Houston residents stay afloat and prevent homelessness, but recently there has been a drop in private donor giving, paired with a rise in need for assistance. Memorial Assistance Ministries saw a 30% decline in giving, and SEARCH Homeless Services had an increase of people in need rise from 1,400 to 2,200 people over the year.
For some these figures may sound bleak, but thankfully for Houston residents it looks like there is still hope in sight for those in need.
About $17 million in federal stimulus money will go to Houston area social service agencies to help prevent homelessness. Local agencies have seen a rise in needs as they are seeing more people homeless for the first time. This is where Charlene Pettway finds herself – the single mother of a 14 year old son, she had worked three jobs to make ends meet, but when she lost all of them within a five month period she came to Houston to look for a better life.
“People don’t realize it’s the people you to go church with and the people you go to work with. It doesn’t matter how well you plan. Things happen,” Pettway shared. This is true as more people are on the verge of homelessness with fewer dollars. Normally agencies provide rent and utility assistance for one month, but there is an increase as more people need assistance for 3-5 months. But the stimulus will help fill the gap and get help to those in need.
Posted on Oct 19, 2009 | Tagged in: Realtors , Houston , economy , community
Early Voting begins, TODAY, Monday, October 19 in the Texas Constitutional Amendments Election. Several measures have been endorsed by the Texas Association of REALTORS which represent significant appraisal reform and protection of private property rights.
The Houston Association of Realtors asks that you please cast your vote FOR Propositions 2, 3, 5, 9 and 11. Early voting begins October 19 and ends October 30. Election day is November 3. Contact your county voter registrar’s office for early Voting locations in your community.
Propositions 2, 3, and 5 have fallen victim to a malicious and deliberate misinformation campaign which is meant to prey on the fears of uninformed voters in hopes that they will not actually read the proposals. Here is what they do:
Posted on Oct 16, 2009 | Tagged in: Untagged
The final days of the Win Big Live Big Sweepstakes are upon us. Lennar and Village Builders, a part of one of the nation’s leading home builders, is offering the chance to win the biggest jackpot in its history with a grand prize package worth $500,000.
The Sweepstakes, in partnership with Houston Premium Outlets and Land Rover Houston North, will provide 100 randomly drawn finalists the chance to roll the dice at a grand prize event happening on Saturday, October 24th at Houston Premium Outlets. At the event, if a finalist rolls the dice and spells W-I-N-B-I-G they win a prize package worth half-a-million dollars.
Now through Wednesday October 21st visit any of the 63 Lennar and Village Builders communities to register to win. Lennar and/or Village Builders model homes and sales offices are located in every Friendswood Development Company community including Fairfield in Cypress, West Ranch in the City of Friendswood, Graystone Hills in Conroe, Lakes of Savannah in the Pearland area, Lakemont in west Houston and Oakhurst at Kingwood.
“We are seeing an increase in activity in the new home market as more home buyers in the Houston area are realizing now is the time to buy a brand new home,” said Rick Perry, President Lennar/Village Builders Houston division. “We wanted to do something fun and the Win Big! Live Big! Sweepstakes gives prospective homebuyers another reason to come to one of our communities and tour a new home. We are offering a chance to win a new home, a new Landrover, a home full of furniture, a $10,000 shopping spree, and $70,000 cash. What more could you ask for?”
For a complete list of Lennar and Village Builders Communities throughout the Houston area, and to print out an official registration form visit WinBigHouston.com. Welcome Home Centers open daily.
Posted on Oct 13, 2009 | Tagged in: economy , community
A growing economy, affordable workers and a solid housing market have all contributed to Houston’s latest ranking as one of the county’s top large metropolitan areas to start a small business.
In a recently release article in Fortune Small Business, Houston was ranked No. 4 in the top 50 metro areas that are considered the “top cities to launch a small business” and are described as having “all of the features entrepreneurs need to thrive.”
In fact, Texas is the only state to have two cities listed in the top 10 of the 50 rankings – Austin came in at No. 8.
Fortune credits Houston’s low taxes, dominant oil industry and its evolution over the past decade. The city’s government is regarded for its aggressiveness in curbing pollution and diversifying the economy and its commitment to improving public transportation. Fortune also notes The Texas Emerging Technology Fund, an early-stage venture fund created by the Texas legislature, which allocated $180 million for research grants in the last two years, targeting the energy industry as well as the fast-growing aerospace, information technology, nanotechnology, biotech and medical sectors.
Houston was again recognized as having the world’s largest medical center and the nation’s top rated cancer hospital and heralded for its achieving the status of becoming the largest municipal purchasing green power in the country, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Houston continues to be recognized for its stability and strength, having added 500,000 new jobs over the past five years. Houston was also acknowledged in the recent Fortune article for its ability to endure the national recession. The future remains bright for Houston, with the Greater Houston Partnership forecasting an additional 600,000 jobs by the end of 2015.
Posted on Oct 13, 2009 | Tagged in: Untagged
Posted on Oct 10, 2009 | Tagged in: events , community
Greater Houston Upcoming Festivals and Events
Get ready for fall as we welcome in Festival Season – that time just between Hurricane Season and Holiday Season. A time to just relax, and enjoy the Houston Community during their numerous events!
Some upcoming Events to enjoy:
2009 Fire Fest
When: October 10, 2009. From 10am-5pm
Where: Houston Fire Department’s Val Jahnke Training Facility
Info: HYPERLINK "http://www.houstonfiremuseum.org" www.houstonfiremuseum.org
Cost: Free
This one day annual festival, benefitting the Fire Museum, is a family friendly event. You can peruse vendor booths, get t-shirts, patches and memorabilia, eat some funnel cake and decide which ribs you like best from the barbeque cook-offs. There will be live firefighting demonstrations, and live music, as well as pony rides and inflatable slides for kids. This is educational fun for the whole family.
Posted on Oct 9, 2009 | Tagged in: healthcare
In May, we offered our communities local county resources to battle the potentially impending spread of the H1N1 virus, or "Swine Flu." Since that time, there have been several cases in the Houston area, and people are at risk if they do not take certain precautions. With that in mind, the best remedy is to stay calm and have a calculated response, as health officials agree that only rarely would a case of H1N1 need extensive or immediate medical attention.
Some preventative measures include:
- Frequent hand-washing.
- Refraining from putting your hands near your face.
- To be extra-cautious, you can gargle salt water or mouth wash, which works to clear pathogens out of your throat.
- Consider using a neti-pot or swabbing your nostrils with warm salt water
- Ingest plenty of Vitamin C. If you take supplements, make sure they have Zinc to boost absorption.
- Drink warm liquids often.
- Do not share food, drink, or utensils.
- Avoid contact with others who have contracted the virus.
A combination of these symptoms may indicate you have H1N1:
- Fever over 100
- Body aches
- Upper respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny nose)
If you do believe you have the H1N1, in most cases staying at home and taking fever-reducing treatments will work to eventually get you fever-free. If you are pregnant or have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, cancer, asthma, heart, or lung problems, or a weakened immune system, consult with your physician and a treatment with Tamiflu/Relenza may be in order.
Generally, Tamiflu and Relenza are prescribed for individuals with flu who are either hospitalized, have a chronic medical condition, or have a suppressed immune system. Tamiflu/Relenza for influenza is not a cure, and only reduces symptoms and decreases length of recovery time by about 24 hours.
While we hope no one new contracts the virus, we encourage you to help make that happen by staying preventative and safe!
HAR Election Information - Get Out the Realtor Vote