The New Credit-Card Rules: What to Expect by Aleksandra TodorovaTuesday, February 16, 2010 provided by Unexpected rate hikes. Over-limit fees. Double-cycle billing. Those are just a few of the credit-card practices that have trapped millions of consumers into a life of constant worry over mounting debt. In less than a week, these practices will be history.  On Feb. 22, 2010, the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act) takes effect. It puts forth new rules for credit-card issuers that are arguably the most consumer-protective in the history of credit cards. If you're the type of person who reads every piece of mail sent by your credit-card companies, then chances are you already have a fair idea of the changes coming. (Credit issuers have been mailing out ... 02/23/2010

  $6,500 Tax Credit -- Beat the Deadline!  Do You Qualify for the $6,500 Tax Credit? Current home owners --  Don't miss out on the $6,500 Tax Credit of up to 10% of the purchase price of a new or resale home up to $6,500.  This money does not need to be repaid.          Requirements to be eligible: Must have lived in the principal residence for at least 5 consecutive years of the last 8 years. Make less than $125,000 yearly for a single tax payer or $225,000 for married filing jointly. Home purchased must be less than $800,000. Enter into a contract to buy or build a house on or before April 30th, 2010, and close by June 30, 2010. If you meet these requirements and are ready to buy or build, call me or email me today!  I am a Century 21 Agent and also a new home consultant for TexStar H... 02/22/2010

First time home buyers don't miss out on the $8,000 Tax Credit!! First-time home buyers -- 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000.  This money does not need to be repaid.          Requirements to be eligible: Must not have owned a principal residence in the last three years. Make less than $125,000 yearly for a single tax payer or $225,000 for married filing jointly. Home must be less than $800,000. Enter into a contract to buy or build a house on or before April 30th, 2010. If you meet these requirements and are ready to buy or build, call me or email me today!  I am a Century 21 agent and I am also a new home consultant for TexStar Homes.  We build within 75 miles of Tomball.  Come on by and let me show you the model homes in Tomball.  You can see floor plans and pictures of completed... 02/22/2010

First time home buyers don't miss out on the $8,000 Tax Credit!! First-time home buyers -- 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000.  This money does not need to be repaid.          Requirements to be eligible: Must not have owned a principal residence in the last three years. Make less than $125,000 yearly for a single tax payer or $225,000 for married filing jointly. Home must be less than $800,000. Enter into a contract to buy or build a house on or before April 30th, 2010. If you meet these requirements and are ready to buy or build, call me or email me today!  I am a Century 21 agent and I am also a new home consultant for TexStar Homes.  We build within 75 miles of Tomball.  Come on by and let me show you the model homes in Tomball.  You can see floor plans and pictures of completed... 02/21/2010

Come visit the Chick-fil-A in Tomball Friday Feb 19th and see the Black Light Puppet Show!  Come see Swimmy & the Lion & the Mouse.  The show starts at 6:30pm. Every child will receive a FREE Glow in the Dark Necklace while supplies last!  This is a Live Marionette Playhouse Show.  Jean Kuecher will be performing a special Black Light Puppet SHow.  Come dine at Chick-fil-A and enjoy the show! The address for Chick-fil-A is: 14314 FM 2920 RoadTomball, TX 77377(281) 516-7373 Hope you enjoy the show! 02/19/2010

Do You Qualify for the $6,500 Tax Credit? Current home owners --  Don't miss out on the $6,500 Tax Credit of up to 10% of the purchase price up to $6,500.  This money does not need to be repaid.          Requirements to be eligible: Must have lived in the principal residence for at least 5 consecutive years of the last 8 years. Make less than $125,000 yearly for a single tax payer or $225,000 for married filing jointly. Home purchased must be less than $800,000. Enter into a contract to buy or build a house on or before April 30th, 2010, and close by June 30, 2010. If you meet these requirements and are ready to buy or build, call me or email me today!  I am a Century 21 Agent and also a new home consultant for TexStar Homes.  We build within 75 miles of Tomball.  Here are some pictures... 02/19/2010

First time home buyers don't miss out on the $8,000 Tax Credit!! First-time home buyers -- 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000.  This money does not need to be repaid.          Requirements to be eligible: Must not have owned a principal residence in the last three years. Make less than $125,000 yearly for a single tax payer or $225,000 for married filing jointly. Home must be less than $800,000. Enter into a contract to buy or build a house on or before April 30th, 2010. If you meet these requirements and are ready to buy or build, call me or email me today!  I am a Century 21 agent and I am also a new home consultant for TexStar Homes.  We build within 75 miles of Tomball.  Come on by and let me show you the model homes in Tomball sometime.   02/19/2010

 Current home owners --  Don't miss out on the $6,500 Tax Credit!! Current home owners -- 10% of the purchase price up to $6,500.  This money does not need to be repaid.            Requirements to be eligible: Must have lived in the principal residence for at least 5 consecutive years of the last 8 years. Make less than $125,000 yearly for a single tax payer or $225,000 for married filing jointly. Home purchased must be less than $800,000. Enter into a contract to buy or build a house on or before April 30th, 2010, and close by June 30, 2010. If you meet these requirements and are ready to buy or build, call me or email me today!   02/18/2010

24623 Okehampton Dr is a great home in a great neighborhood! welcoming 3 bedroom 2 bath home features, 18'' ceramic tile in kitchen, fresh neutral paint colors, open family room with gas fireplace and high ceiling, dining room looks out at the huge backyard with playscape already in place and nice shade trees, masterbath has his and her sinks, whirlpool tub, and separate shower, home is wired for a whole house generator which is available for separate purchase. This property is listed at $132,900. For more information click on the Address/Picture or contact Brenda King. Lake Conroe Real Estate 02/17/2010

The following events will be held at Lonestar College - Tomball Community Library, located at 30555 Tomball Parkway, Tomball, TX  77375.  832-559-4200.  Click the website for more information. February 16th - 25th, 2010 Tuesday Feb. 16th 2 - 4 pm Nonfiction Book Discussion 10:30am - 12 pm  ESL Wednesday Feb. 17th 10:30am - 12 pm  ESL 2 - 4 pm  Workforce Seminar Thursday Feb. 18th 10am - 12pm  Sit & Stitch Saturday Feb. 20th 1:00pm FREE Genealogy Workshop 3:00 pm  Postcard Collecting Monday Feb. 22nd 10:30am - 12 pm  ESL 7pm After Austen Book Club Tuesday Feb. 23rd 10:30am - 12 pm  ESL   Wednesday Feb. 24th  10:30am - 12pm  ESL Thursday Feb. 25th 10am - 12pm  Sit & Stitch 1 pm Mystery Book Discussion   I hope you can attend some of these sessions and benefit from the information. 02/16/2010

The following events will be held at Lonestar College - Tomball Community Library, located at 30555 Tomball Parkway, Tomball, TX  77375.  832-559-4200.  Click the website for more information. February 16th - 25th, 2010 Tuesday Feb. 16th 2 - 4 pm Nonfiction Book Discussion 10:30am - 12 pm  ESL Wednesday Feb. 17th 10:30am - 12 pm  ESL 2 - 4 pm  Workforce Seminar Thursday Feb. 18th 10am - 12pm  Sit & Stitch Saturday Feb. 20th 1:00pm FREE Genealogy Workshop 3:00 pm  Postcard Collecting Monday Feb. 22nd 10:30am - 12 pm  ESL 7pm After Austen Book Club Tuesday Feb. 23rd 10:30am - 12 pm  ESL   Wednesday Feb. 24th  10:30am - 12pm  ESL Thursday Feb. 25th 10am - 12pm  Sit & Stitch 1 pm Mystery Book Discussion   I hope you can attend some of these sessions and benefit from the information. 02/16/2010

 Come visit the Chick-fil-A this February 13th, 2010 for a special valentines breakfast.  The Chick-fil-A has always done such a marvelous job of having parties just about every Friday night for families (clowns, pirates, battle of the bands and other things).  Now they are having a Sweetheart Breakfast on Saturday February 13th from 8am to 10am.  As you can see from the poster, they will be serving people at tables and giving a flower to each lady.  A valentine gift will be given for each registration.  They decorated the tables with lots of balloons, flowers and curling ribbon.  It should be very nice.  Hope you can attend. This is the front of the Tomball Chick-fil-A at FM 2920 near FM 249.  For more information click www.chick-fil-a.com14314 FM 2920 RoadTomball, TX 77377(281) 516-7373 02/09/2010

4 Facts you Need to know about Stroke Prevention 80% of stroke victims had no apparent warning signs. Ultrasound screening can help you avoid a stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of death and permaent disability. Screening are fast, painless, affordable and convenient. Lifeline Screening is coming to your neighborhood! Where:  Tomball Heritage Retirement Community Sponsored By: Tomball Regional Medical Center When: Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 from 8:00AM to 4:00PM Pre-registration is required.  Call: 1-800-779-6353 4 test for only $139 - Add an Osteoporosis screening for $10 more. Stoke/Carotid Artery Screening Heart Rhtyth Screening (Atrial Fibrillation) Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Peripheral Arterial Screening Osteoporosis Screening Please watch the short video. Jackie the d... 02/05/2010

This morning I went to a training that Charter Title offered on the new RESPA rules and how they are going to affect our Spring-Tomball buyers and sellers.  Chuck Jacobus SVP of Charter Title and a real estate attorney with law offices in Bellaire was the guest speaker. RESPA came in to affect in 1973 and to begin with Chuck said the restrictions were difficult to comply with. According to Chuck it is déjà vu 1973. We are going through the adaptation phase of the new RESPA rules and most don't understand them (which includes title companies, lenders etc.). LONG story short both the seller and the buyer are going to have to be patient while we go through the process.  He felt that the days of having a loan done in 30 days or shorter are gone.  He recommended allowing 60 days for the loan... 02/04/2010

Wow, when I did my first blog in August of 2009, I never thought I see the day when I made it to my 100th blog.  It is definitely exciting to a newbie like me to have made it to 100 blogs.  For you people with over 300,000 points and over 1,000 blogs my excitement may not seem warranted, but I am proud.   What a milestone to accomplish.  I actually have some new listings to publish next week.  Who do you know who would like to buy a lot in Crown Oaks (Gated Community) or a house in Creekside Place? I do want to thank all my new Active Rain friends for all your help.  Let's make 2010 a great year!! Buyers and sellers, please email me with any questions I can answer for you.  Do you qualify for the $8,000 tax credit for first time buyers?  Email or call me today! 01/20/2010

Tomball Duck Pond -- January 20, 2010.  Today at lunch I decided to go see the ducks.  It is always so soothing to go over to the duck pond and see what the ducks are up to.  This pond is located behind an office building off of business 249.  These ducks are very social.  As soon as I got out of the car and started walking toward the fence they all (except for the white one below) started coming over to where I was standing by the fence.       Here they are all coming to greet me.  One was swimming over from the other side of the lake.           Today is the first day I had seen a snowy white egret at the pond.  It actually is a juvenile bird.  It was skittish, flying over to the other side of the pond when I got somewhat close. The white streak to the left is the egret flying to the o... 01/20/2010

Adult Events at Lone Star College -- Tomball Community Library January 20 - 28th, 2010 January 20th Tomball Library Birthday Celebration January 21st 10am - 12pm  Sit & Stitch  January 25th 10:30am - 12pm  ESL 7pm After Austen Book Club January 26th 6:30pm - 8:30pm  Sit & Stitch January 27th 10:30am - 12pm  ESL January 28th 10am - 12pm  Sit & Stitch 1 pm Mystery Book Discussion   01/20/2010

Happy New Year! Here is your opportunity to serve and give back...Hope to see you there! Trecia Cooke, Realtor - The Momentum Team - Texas, Exit Realty Group Real estate agents and franchisees from from across North America are registering now for EXIT Realty's 12th corporately sponsored Habitat for Humanity homebuild, this one in Austin TX.  EXIT Realty work blitz days are scheduled for January 15-17, 2010. Mirna Santana and her son will be the recipient family for this home.  Here's their story: Mirna Santana and her 15-year-old son have lived in the same, run-down apartment for 9 years. They have no control over the temperature in the apartment, there is mold from leaks in the pipes, there has been a horrible smell coming from the bathroom since the day they moved in, but it is Sect... 01/08/2010

Avatar, what a movie.  After seeing the previews for Avatar I thought I would be watcing a smurf movie, but James Cameron has a good story line to this movie.  The tall blue creatures had elf like ears and enormous and beautiful golden cat eyes, and they hiss like cats when they are mad.  They all had pony tails with antennea so they could connect with the horses and taradactal size birds.  Also, the incandescent forest floor, mosses and plants were magnificent (they might get an award for special effects -- or at least a nomination).  Don't forget to look for the float in the air, but resembled jellyfish in the way they moved and propelled themselves.   Another memorable animal was the one that resembled a rhinoceros, but had a hammerhead shark protrusion. Aside from the plants and ani... 12/19/2009

Avatar -- a movie review.  When I saw the trailer for this movie with all the tall blue characters, I thought the movie might be a little strange, but Cameron pulled it out.  There was actually a story line and quite a few unique things, like quirky plants and animals.  The incandescent forest floor, mosses and plants were magnificent (they might get an award for special effects).  There was also the cutest little animals that floated in the air, but resembled jellyfish in the way they moved and propelled themselves.   Also had some large animals that resembled a rhinoceros with a hammerhead shark protrusion. Aside from the plants and animals being futuristic, the technology that was employed by the military included a hovercraft with 4 horizontal fan blades.  They also had robots that ... 12/18/2009