The Bains

WATCH YOUR MOUTH!!

thebains — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:30:02 +0000

If you tell yourself to find something red & no red around, but during the day your brain works till you find something red & quickly. In fact it could be something almost red, but your brain is wired to find red. We need to wire our brain to think of the positive and uplifting events in ours lives. That is why bad news gets more press than good news. 100 top sales folks said the “ability to control or the ability to manage their own state of mind” is what makes them successful. So WATCH YOUR MOUTH and say only positive things about yourself and others. It makes a difference on your thought life!

STATE CLARIFIES NOTICE TO PROTEST APPRAISALS

thebains — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:49:41 +0000

The Tax Code states that notices of protest must be filed before May 1 or no later than the 30th day after notices of appraised value are delivered, but there is some flexibility. “If an owner of a single-family residence files a notice of protest after the deadline, but before June 1 and the ARB (Appraisal Review Board) has not approved the appraisal records, then the owner is entitled to a hearing and determination of the protest”. Homeowners who have questions can email PTAD or call 800-252-9121 (press “2″ for the menu, then “1″ to contact the information services team),

THIS MOVING SEASON, DON’T GET TAKEN FOR ARIDE

thebains — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:05:13 +0000

“Who am I letting into my home? Some guy who lives in a basement, has a criminal record, rents a moving truck to cart off everything you own, said Linda Darr, CEO of Virginia-based American Moving & Storage Association. You don’t want your personal belongings to take a permanent vacation. 60% of complaints received at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) deal with unlicensed movers. To operate legally, a moving company must display a valid TxDMV or United States Department of Transportation(USDOT) license number on the truck. Can check-out moving companies by going to the TxDMV website and go to Moving Companies to see the ones that are licensed in Texas. Free internet advertising sites can be helpful, according to John Trevino of the Houston Police Departments’s Special Investigation Command.

5 SHOCKINGLY SELFISH REASONS to GO GREEN at HOME

thebains — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:58:52 +0000

(1) GREEN home improvements lower utility bills as much as 20-30% & install a tankless water heater & weather-strip your doors and windows. (2) Green homes sell faster as buyers want to save money. (3) Buyers will usually pay more for an energy efficient home. The Appraisal Journal said each $1 green home improvements decreased the property’s annual energy bills, the home’s value increased by $10-$25. For a 3000 sf home this translates to an increase of $8,000 to $25,000. (4) Look better & live longer with a kitchen garden, walk places, attract wildlife & on & on. (5) Live more comfortably. Go back to #1 and add double paned windows. THE GREEN LIFE CAN ALSO BE THE GOOD LIFE.

FORECLOSURE SCAMS UP 60%

thebains — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:45:12 +0000

Struggling homeowners continue to be a favorite target for scammers. according to the National Association of Realtors. Scammers are passing themselves off as Homeownershio Preservation Foundation (HPF) counselors & using federal programs such as HARP & HAMP to trick homeowners. There are CLUES to watch for: (1) ask for a fee in advance to work with the homeowner’s lender to modify, refinance or reinstate a mortgage, (2) guarantees they can stop a foreclosure or get the loan modified, (3) advised the homeowner to stop paying the mortgage company & start paying them instead, (4) pressures the homeowner to sign over the title to their home. Call HPF directly at 888-995- HOPE to verify a trained counselor.

TEXAS UNEMPLOYMENT CONTINUES DECLINE

thebains — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:17:56 +0000

Unemployment continues its decline in Texas for the 6th month in a row, according to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Nearly 28,000 jobs were added in February, dropping the state’s umemployment rate to 7.1%. Unemployment was at 8% February 2011. Eight of the 11 major industries saw growth in February with local governments adding the most, according to SMU economist Bernard Weinstein. This is due to an increase in commercial and infrastructure work. The lowest unemployment numbers are in Midland and Odessa with 3.8 and 4.5, respectively. The highest in the Beaumont-Port Arthur area for unemployment at 10.9%.

TEXAS IS A “WELL-OILED REAL ESTATE MACHINE” according to ………

thebains — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:46:42 +0000

CNBC. Texas is benefiting from an economy driven by energy production and Economist Jim Gaines at the Real Estate Center at TAMU agrees. The middle of the country, the spine, has done much better than the 2 coasts. A common thread is energy, from Texas to the Dakotas – there has been a real boom time due to the exploration & drilling activity. This boom means more jobs. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show Texas ranks in the top ten in job growth for the past 10 years. Not only has this given Texas the ability to weather the national economic storm, but also the diversity of the Texas economy, which has helped drive job growth and demand for real estate, according to Texas Association of Realtors Chairman Joe Stewart.

Carolyn Bain is VERY MUCH ALIVE!!

thebains — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:10:30 +0000

Note as in the Friday, March 23 Tyler newspaper that a Carolyn Bain died. Actually the C. Bain has rental property and I talked to her years ago about buying rental property. At that time she told me of a 3rd gal of the same name, who was in trouble with the law. Sure enough, a few months later got a call from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office looking for me and told him NOT me. Such confusion makes life interesting. What confusion have you had in your life?

“PRODUCTIVITY APPRAISAL” MAY LOWER YOUR TAXES

thebains — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:54:12 +0000

By May 1, 2012, check with your Appraisal District to see if you as a farmer, rancher, wildlife manager and timber grower can adjust your property taxes based upon the productivity value of your land rather than on market value. This means qualified land is taxed on its ability to produce crops, livestock or timber – not on its value on the real estate market. Can mean a substantial property tax savings. Should not have to be done annually, but your county appraiser can let you know if they need look at it again. This is from the Smith County Appraisal District at 903-510-8600 or Texas Comptroller Susan Combs at 1-800-252-9121 and press “2″ then “1″.

WHAT IS S R E S?

thebains — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:50:24 +0000

It is a further real estate education designation that Realtors can earn to further their knowledge of helping SENIOR buyers and seller – it is the SENIORS REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST & recognized by National Association of Realtors and all real estate professionals. An (1) SREA understands that the decision to sell can be difficult, an (2) SRES can patiently support you thru each step, an (3) SRES will stick with you throughout the entire process, (4) an SREA can draw upon a network of other professionals focused on 50+ clients and (5) an SRES also has ties throughout the 50+ community. Just call us at Bain Real Estate at 903-561-4346 for information and help.