Super Bowl XLV Events - Dallas, Texas

As the Super Bowl comes to DFW, there are lots of events around the area for local residents to enjoy outside of the big game.

Get ready for a once in a lifetime event in your own backyard!

Super Bowl XLV Events - Dallas, Texas

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Home Mortgage Interest Tax Deductions

Now that the end of January is here, its time to start thinking about filing taxes.  For homeowners there is the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction.

This tax deduction gives you the ability to deduct interest paid in the year on your primary residence or a second home.  The qualifications for this deduction:

• The loan must be secured directly to the residence. Personal loans do not qualify.
• Interest on homes beyond your second home do not qualify.
• You must be personally obligated for repayment of the debt

 For more information from the IRS website:

IRS - Home Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

McKinney ISD Hosts Senior Adult Tour

McKinney ISD’s inaugural Senior Adult Tour was so successful that plans already are in the works to bring the program to three new campuses in 2012.

“I definitely want to make sure we do this on an annual basis in McKinney ISD,” said Superintendent J.D. Kennedy.

The event, which drew 60 seniors age 55 and older to three district campuses on Jan. 25, gave seniors in the community a closer look into a day in the life of a McKinney student. The tour’s purpose was to invite senior citizens to come inside district schools to see how students are learning.

The seniors saw students use personal cell phones to text answers to questions on a survey given by their teacher. The answers were tabulated automatically by a computer program and graphed on a chart for the entire class to view the outcome. 

“In addition, [seniors] saw how students are now learning by way of Smart Boards instead of the traditional chalkboards they were accustomed to growing up,” Kennedy said. “They also received a demonstration on how animation is produced and edited.”

Lila Krist and her husband Bob Krist attended the event, and came away informed and entertained.

“Everything was so interesting,” Lila Krist said. “The schools and students were so impressive.  “We feel much more informed as to what MISD is accomplishing.”

~From NeighborsGo

 

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Reasons to Refinance Your Home Mortgage

There are several reasons to consider refinancing your home mortgage other than lowering the monthly payment. Here are a few benefits:

• If you closed on your home several years ago when adjustable rates were popular, refinancing will give you an opportunity to lock in a fixed rate so you know what to expect every month.
• You are able to change the length of your mortgage. You can shorten the term to a 15 year (from the popular 30 year term) to decrease the amount of money you will be paying in total interest.
• If you have several mortgages, refinancing can give you the opportunity to consolidate and only have one monthly payment. Similar to consolidating student loans, by consolidating your mortgages you will have one monthly payment and one interest rate. 
  
  
  Janus Real Estate Group *    Heather Anderson *    972-765-3773
  

Get Healthy Texas - Frisco, Texas

Frisco will have a free family event this Saturday, January 22 at Fieldhouse USA.

Fun events include meeting the CBS 11/TXA 21 teams; learn tips to eating smart, starting a fitness regimen, as well as sports clinics on basketball, soccer, martial arts, tennis, and more.  

There will be a special appearance by Dr. Jim Sears of THE DOCTORS! 

There will be fun and games for all.  The CBS 11 and TXA 21 teams compete in volleyball, dodgeball, & basketball!! 

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Competitively Pricing Your Home For Sale

If you are ready to put your home on the market, your best source for determing the asking price is other homes that have sold in your neighborhood.  The ideal comparable sale would be the same model of your home on your street or in your neighborhood that has sold in the past month or two. 

However, if that is not an option for you there are a few things you can search for to come up with a competitve asking price.  Remember, the original asking price can make the difference in twenty showings in the first week of listing or your home being pushed to the bottom for being over priced.

• Home Type - Check for homes that are the same style as your home. This is a very important component.  Check for style, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot size, etc.
• Ammenities and upgrades - If you have a pool, take notice of sold homes with a pool.   Same goes for hardwood floors, built out attic, etc. 
• Date of Sale - To find the most comparable sale, use homes that were sold in the past 90 days. It will give you a stronger view of the market.

Take notice of foreclosure and short sales.  Foreclosure homes are frequently sold with a list of upgrades and maintenance needs.  Short sale homes can be discounted a large percentage to encourage quicker sale activity.  These home may or may not be a good comparable.  Check with your real estate agent for further advice.

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Texas Mortgage Credit Program

"The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs released $45 million to consumers through its first-time homebuyer program.

The Texas Mortgage Credit Program is meant to help reduce a borrower’s tax liability by offering a credit in exchange for taking a certified homebuyer education class. Homebuyers could save up to $2,000 in annual taxes, according to the state."

~From the Dallas Business Journal

For More Information:  

Texas Mortgage Credit Progam

 

Janus Real Estate Group *    Heather Anderson *    972-765-3773

 

Plano, Texas: A Top Ranking City

#5 – Cities with highest median household income and median resident age less than 35

#12 – Cities with newest houses

#28 – Cities with Highest median household income

#36- Cities with biggest houses

#41 – Best educated cities (highest percentage of bachelor degree holding residents)

#58 – Cities with lowest ratio of media house value to median household income

#70- Fastest growing cities from 2000-2008

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Dallas Low Temperatures: Picture Proof

The freezing temperatures in Dallas left a cool sight: see this picture of a  frozen water fountain!

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Purchasing an Overseas Home

A majority of us have dreamt of owning an overseas home at home point in time.  Owning a home overseas represents a different way of life, in a sun drenched tropical location that is teaming with activities and plenty of things to see.  

If you have been considering buying a home in a foreign land, there are some things you should be aware of.

Always keep in mind that real estate.  Not all countries have the same real estate economy, which makes it in your best interest to look into the economy before you buy a home.  

Legal systems are also something you should be aware of as well.  Different countries do things differently, which is why you will need to look into the different legal systems before you decide on a property. 

If you are buying your to use it as a vacation or holiday home, pay attention to the accessibility factor.  If your property is hard to reach by automobile or plane, it will decrease in value and popularity over time.  On the other hand, if your property is easy to access, it will be great for you and anyone else you decide to rent the property out to.

To ensure the process goes as smooth as possible, you can enlist the services of a real estate agent.  Even though you may be buying an overseas home, a real estate agent will know the area and can answer any questions you may have, or locate the answers for you.

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

Dallas Snow Day: School Closures

Allen ISD has said it will open at regular scheduled times tomorrow morning- Tuesday, January 11, 2011.

Safe travels to all.
  

Janus Real Estate Group    *    Heather Anderson     *    972-765-3773

New Years Resolution: Prepare Your Home

The holidays are over, but now we face cold mornings with icy windows. The winter season is here, and  with temperatures said to be in the 30s for the coming week you will want to make sure your house is prepared for the harsher temperatures.

1. Check all window and door seals. Make sure there is no air flow, letting the cold air in and warm air escape.  If there is a draft, the local hardware store sells seals for under $10 that you peel off and stick to the frame. A quick fix to save on your energy bill.

2. Make sure your fireplace is in working condition. Cleaned, free of debris, and wood ready to go. This will keep you from hustling around looking for cleaning tools and available wood in the bitter wind.

3. Protect your pipes. This is perhaps the most important and causes many headaches in winter months. Bursting pipes can leave flooding, water damage, hundreds of dollars and hours of frustrating.  When temperatures are approaching freezing, set all your faucets to a slow drip to let the water continue to flow through and prevent the pipes from bursting.

If you have any pipes that are exposed (this would typically be near a water hose spicet), add a insulating layer to them to protect them from the weather. These can be found for under $10 at the local hardware.

Protect yourself from frustrations in the new year!  Bundle up and enjoy the cold months. Sprint will be here before you know it.

Janus Real Estate Group *    Heather Anderson *    972-765-3773