Your Moxie Realtors are pleased to provide the latest market information and some helpful information and tips, as well as some ways to enjoy Central Texas in the waning days of summer. We hope you enjoy this info.
Don’t Miss Out on the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit!!! UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU – to buy a house!
If you are planning to take advantage of the federal tax credit, you must close no later than December 1, 2009. To assure that your closing takes place by that date, we recommend that you have a property under contract by October 26, 2009, to allow ample time for your appraisal and lending to be completed (if you’re paying cash, lucky you; you can wait longer). But, even better – the State of Texas will lend you a portion of your credit up front to use as the down payment! The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs recently announced the 90-Day Down Payment Assistance Program. Through this program, TDHCA has made available $5 million in down payment assistance to be used in conjunction with first mortgages originated at a participating, approved lender. What does this mean to you? Instead of waiting to get your tax refund, you can borrow a portion of your credit, interest free, for 90 days from the state of Texas. You can then amend your 2008 taxes, receive your credit and refund, and pay off your loan. 90 days provides a generous time frame to get your paperwork completed. If you want more info on either of these programs, please contact us!
Recovery – how is Austin doing? Three news stories. Any real estate professional will tell you one thing: all real estate is local. So, even though national trends might influence our Central Texas market, unique factors – including location, economy, and how the market was before the mortgage crisis – all make our market unique. There are signs that we’re doing pretty well here in Central Texas. As the articles below explain in detail, we’ve had some strong signs of recovery. First, sales of existing homes hit their highest level in a year in July 2007. Second, tax foreclosures have declined to their lowest level in five months. Finally, analysts believe that many Texas cities, such as Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and McAllen, are poised for swift recovery – not only because they did not see the massive real estate bubble that formed in states like California, Nevada, and Florida, but also because Texas’s economy is diverse, with heavy growth coming from education and health care in recent years. Austin home sales hit highest level in a yearForeclosure listings fall to 5-month low in Central Texas
Cool Summer Day Trips Krause Springs is a privately owned tropical oasis just west of town. Swim in the spring fed COLD pool or down below under the water fall. http://www.krausesprings.net. After you’ve soaked up the atmosphere, head to nearby Opies BBQ, a carnivore's dream. The spicy ribs are to die for and don’t miss the tater tot casserole! Your "plate" is a square of butcher paper and the seating is family-style. http://www.opiesbarbecue.nv.switchboard.com/ Landa Park in New Braunfels has a spring fed swimming pool similar to Barton Springs, but with rope swing, huge slide, and kids play area. A Smith family favorite! http://www.nbtexas.org/index.aspx?nid=156. After a day at Landa, hit the Clear Springs Café, which features family style picnic table seating in this historic building. Voted best catfish in Texas, servings are generous and inexpensive. http://www.clearspringsrestaurant.com/locations/newbraunfels.html For something a little closer, try McKinney Falls State Park. You’ll never believe what an “away” feeling you’ll get without a long drive. McKinney Falls offers several swimming areas, camping, and has barbecue and picnic areas available onsite. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mckinney_falls. Bring your own charcoal and grill up favorites from the Sunset Valley Farmer’s Market. http://www.sunsetvalleyfarmersmarket.org/
Tip of the month: Although it still feels like the sweltering days of summer, this is the time to begin planting your fall garden. According to the Travis County Agricultural Extension Agent, August 1-15 is prime time to plant lima beans, snap beans, broccoli (and broccoli rabe!), carrots, cauliflower, chard, chinese cabbage, sweet corn, cucumbers, fennel, garlic, kale, okra, black-eyed peas, potatoes, rutabaga, shallots, New Zealand spinach, summer squash, and winter squash. Check out more gardening information for our area here: http://www.co.travis.tx.us/agext/garden/veggies/planting/
HUD’s Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure Are you having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments? Have you received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them? The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gives this important advice:
If you are unable to make your mortgage payment: 7. Prioritize your spending. After healthcare, keeping your house should be your first priority. Review your finances and see where you can cut spending in order to make your mortgage payment. Look for optional expenses – cable TV, memberships, entertainment – that you can eliminate. Delay payments on credit cards and other "unsecured" debt until you have paid your mortgage. Around Austin in August Here are some fun -- and mostly free -- only in Austin events to take advantage of next month: 1st - Randy Weeks at Wyldwood gates at 7PM music starts at 8PM Thursdays through Sunday through August 15th - Zilker Theater Productions presents its summer musical - The Music Man http://www.zilker.org/ 9th - Bob Schneider at Live at the Lake ($5) http://www.kgsr.com/latl/ 12th - Papa Mali at the last Blues on the Green of the 2009 season http://www.kgsr.com/Other/blues/ 13th - Bruce Robison at Unplugged at the Grove http://www.kgsr.com/unplugged/index.aspx 22nd, 29th - Fall Creek Vineyards 20th Annual Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival - Event website 30th - Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival (free with 3 canned food items for the Capital Area Food Bank): http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Market/HotSauce Moxie Realty Group |
Moxie Realty Group
Real estate with, well, Moxie!
Real estate with, well, Moxie!
As you may know, first time homebuyers (including people who have not held an interest in real property in three years) may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $8,000 on homes purchased by December 1, 2009. This is an unprecedented opportunity to get something for free from the federal government and we don’t want you to miss out!
