Question I would like to find a fairly cheap house to fix up must be a three bedroom, since finding a house to rent in Odessa seems to be harder than it looks we are trying this option? You are not alone. Many people find it difficult to find a house to rent in Odessa TX. If you can buy a home, now is the time. Interest rates are low and home prices are stable. The first key thing is do you qualify for a loan. Unless you have enough savings to pay cash (most people do not) than you will first want to know if you can qualify for a loan and how much they will lend you based on your current debt and income. Second, buying a fixer upper in Odessa TX is a great way to get into a home with the lowest amount of upfront investment. It is called "sweat equity" because you can build equity in yo... 02/16/2011

BUYER QUESTION: Does the bond program for 4 percent work with the government 8000 credit together. ANSWER: They are separate programs.    My understanding is that you can do both and that they have no connection with each other except you have to purchase a home to receive them.   The bond program is for home buyers who may not otherwise have the initial funds to purchase a home but otherwise are financially able to purchase.  It provides additional financial assistance in exchange for a second lien on the property and is subject to the requirements set forth by the entity in charge of issuing the bond money.    The tax credit also has (seperate) requirements to qualify and issued through the IRS.  The purpose of this is to stimulate the economy by encoraging non-homeowners to purchase ... 09/04/2009

In my previous blog I wrote regarding Hot Water Heaters.  Let's now look at: Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights -  They must have U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coeffiecient (SHGC) less than or equal to 0.30.  You can find the U-factor and SHGC on the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label. Only some Energy Star equipment will qualify.   Roofing- Metal and Asphalt Roofs All Energy Star labeled metal and asphalt roofs qualify for the tax credit.  Must be expected to last 5 years or have a 2 year warranty. Insulation- Must meet IECC & Amendments for insulation to qualify, its primary purpose must be to insulate (example: vapor retarders are covered,, insulated siding does not qualify) must be expected to last 5 years or have a 2 year warranty required insulation levels will ve... 08/31/2009

By adding some energy efficient home improvements you can get a tax credit from the IRS on your 2009 tax return. You can get a 30 percent tax break of up to $1,500 by adding insulation, ENERGY EFFICIENT exterior windows doors skylights heating and cooling systems This all adds up; so you could receive the tax break for the first $5,000 worth of features. For an additional tax break you can get 30 percent tax break with no dollar limit for alternative energy equipment such as  solar water heaters geothermal heat pumps small wind turbines. If you are not sure what is considered as energy efficient, just look for the Energy Star label.  08/26/2009

06/27/2009

If you are in the Market to Buy or Sell I can help. If you have questions? I got answers! If I don't know then I will do my best to find out! If you want you can check out my listings on Zillow.com or Trulia.com just click on one of the links. Happy House Hunting!! 06/25/2009

THIS WILL ONLY WORK AS AN FHA LOAN    Minimum Credit Score is 620 and loan must be Approve/Eligible   This is not a quick turnaround loan you can expect 30 to 45 day to close this (TDHCA (The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs)  has to prepare the Documents for the 2nd lien and they want an Approved underwritten loan and 10 days to prepare their portion of the loan)   There is $5 million dollars in this fund and it is reserved on a first come first serve basis   The 2nd Lien is provided by TDHCA.  This is a 90 day 0% interest loan.  After 90 days the loan will become a 2 year note with 10% interest.  (it is strongly recommended that the borrower be prepared to file an amendment right after closing) (I have the forms required to file)   This is a NON-FORGIVABLE LOAN IT MUS... 06/25/2009

WOW $86.81 a Sq Ft for New Construction. You have to check this one out. It is a nice home, Open floor plan ready for your special touches. 3 Bedrooms - 2 Bath - 1 Living Area - 1554 Sq Ft - 2 Car Garage - All Electric - Utility Closet - Dining Area - Breakfast Bar - If you want new construction without breaking your budget, Then you have to look at this one! Fence will be included at this price! 06/22/2009

For the May 2009 Expert Interview Podcast, Flower De Raadt interviews Heather Jumah, Founder and CEO of WealthSuccessAndWomen.com. Flower De Raadt is a member of this community of women entrepreneurs that meet both online and offline at regional gatherings. She invited Heather to speak for the May podcast as a way to empower women listening and in celebration of Mother's Day this month. Heather encourages women to live the "millionaire lifestyle" and she is bringing the Millionaire Lifestyle to women throughout the world through her multi-media company Wealth, Success and Women. Heather is a serial entrepreneur and small business consultant specializing in working with women that are dedicated to creating six-figure incomes working from the comfort of their homes. She is the expert wome... 05/29/2009

Great pictures of a home are a must. you are not doing your clients justice to their home without good photographs of their home. That is one of the first things potential buyers are going to see after price and stats of the home. I have had clients not even want to look at a home because there is no good or if there are just a few pictures of the home. So please use good photographs to help your clients visualize the home to get them to want to set up a showing. Good Luck! 05/15/2009

Contract Of Attitude     I Joe Garcia agree that each day when I wake that I can Choose My Attitude.   I can choose to be angry, disinterested, bitter, sad, or frustrated about life. Instead,   I Joe Garcia, choose to have an attitude that is caring, energetic, important, supportive, creative, and overall smiling about life.              I know that:           There is always a Choice about the way I do my work, even if there is not a           choice about the work itself. (Fish Book)    I CHOOSE to make today a great day!   I Choose to PLAY; be serious about my work without taking myself too seriously at work.   I Choose to BE PRESENT; not to let distractions destroy the quality which is present in each of life's moments.   I Choose to find someone who needs a helping hand, a word of ... 05/07/2009

     With the summer months approaching and vacation travel plans in the making, I want to give you a great resource for find a bargin at the pump.       You can have updated information on the price of gas at various local gas stations.       GasBuddy.com has information that is provided to inform consumers on Gas Prices in partipating areas. Gas Prices for Texas Includes Odessa, Midland, and other Texas towns USA & Canada   Good luck and happy  traveling... 05/07/2009

I have been reading lots of articles referring to the Swine Flu.  Most everyone said that those greatest at risk had traveled to Mexico or come in contact with someone already infected.  Also that it was advisable for those near known cases to take precautions. Known cases... Where are the known cases? I live in West Texas several hours away from the Mexican border.  Many people in our area travel back and forth from Mexico for trips or to visit familiy members.  So I am somewhat concerned to see where these known cases are.  I found a cool map tracking the Swine Flu.  I love cool tools so I thought I would share it with all of you. Track Swine Flue Here is the what the markers on the map indicate. Pink markers are suspect Purple markers are confirmed or probable Deaths lack a dot in ma... 04/28/2009

I read a blog the other day that said "why do I bother having an open house" I'm getting ready for one and find myself getting excited for the opportunity to meet some new people and the potential of helping someone else get into a new home and in the process be able to provide for my family!!! It's a WIN WIN!! 04/25/2009

Some 2008 homebuyers are eligible for a tax break, essentially an interest-free loan worth as much as $7,500, under The Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008. Known as the first-time homebuyer credit, the tax break is available if you purchase a home on or after April 9, 2008 and before Jan.1, 2009, and meet certain income and other requirements. The credit is equal to 10 percent of the home purchase price, up to a limit of $7,500. Unlike other tax credits, this one must be paid back to the government, over a 15-year period.   Under recovery bill, greater benefits for 2009 buyers NOTE: If you plan to claim the credit for a home you bought in 2009, wait until the IRS form is updated in mid-March before you file, or before you amend a return you have already filed. The new law increases the ... 04/13/2009

Imagine a buyer is driving around and sees an available property.  They want more information now while sitting in front of the property.  It's easy with text messaging.  They can receive information on their cell phones that they carry with them at all times. It's instant and doesn't require them to go to a computer.  They simply send a text message from their cell phone to the number on the sign and then immediately (24hr/7days) receive a text message back with the information they are looking for.  The information can be a simple text message sent to standard cell phones to a virtual tour sent to the most smartphones. Advanced marketing is my specialty and I am always adding new features such as mobile listing technology to enhance and expand exposure.  That is why I have began to ut... 04/13/2009