The Hill Country Blogger

100% financing is not dead in the Texas Hill Country – (or other rural areas)

2009-01-04T21:26:00Z

Guaranteed Rural Housing loans may be the best financing option for low and moderate-income families. A USDA guaranteed loan out shines FHA loan, and may be the perfect fit for you. 100% financing is allowed 2% one time guarantee fee (no monthly mortgage insurance payments required!). Fixed rate No limit on seller contributions. Income limitations are based on family size, and area – go to http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/incomeEligibilityAction.do Reasonable underwriting and...(read more)

Marble Falls Walkway of Lights

2008-12-16T14:28:00Z

This is just one example of the Christmas Spirit you can enjoy in the Texas Hill Country - http://www.keyeproductions.com/WOL2008/ Visit www.highlandlakeshappenings.com for a schedule of events in the Highland Lakes Area of the Texas Hill Country....(read more)

Buying Real Estate and the internet...

2008-11-16T22:23:00Z

Most buyers start their search for a home on the internet – “remax” the number 2 search term form consumers looking for real estate!! While the word "remax" has long ranked as the No. 2 search term for consumers seeking real estate information online, another phrase - "remax.com homes for sale" gave the network a second spot in the Top 10 for September. According to the September rankings by Internet traffic analysts Hitwise, "remax" trailed only "realtor.com"...(read more)

Bowling Anyone

2008-07-25T16:23:00Z

L A K E C O U N T R Y L A N E S in Marble Falls is now forming Fall Leagues – Smoke Free!! Call – 830-693-4311, or stop by 112 Northridge Drive, Marble Falls....(read more)

Christmas in the Texas Hill Country 2008

2007-10-28T18:33:00Z

Celebrating Christmas in the Texas Hill Country is truly an enchanting experience. From the Marble Fall's Walkway of Lights, to Burnet's Main Street Bethlehem, there is always an event, display, or performance to enjoy. Christmas Light-up Parade November 21 : Marble Falls, Texas Main Street A parade that is sure to get the entire family in the Christmas Spirit! Parade is held in conjunction with the initial illumination of Walkway of Lights. Marble Falls Walkway of Lights November 21, 2008...(read more)

Don't just look at property tax rates when deciding where to retire or relocate.

2007-06-23T18:32:00Z

When deciding where to retire or relocate it is important to look at other tax and living costs.

Property taxes are not the only local tax burden, there are income taxes (Texas does not have one), sales taxes, tax exemptions, and various other taxes. The Tax Foundation’s (a non-partisan research tax group located in Washington D. C., and founded in 1937). Their latest figures on local and state tax burden ranked Texas as the 43^rd lowest with a local and state tax burden of 9.3%.

This is a great link for information on the real tax burden.

http://taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/336.html

I live in Texas.

Here are some Texas Tax facts.

· Texas is in the midst of a two stage process to lower the school portion of the property taxes. The first phase lowered the rates for 2006, and when the rates are published in the fall there will be an additional reduction.

· Current property owners over 65 did not reap the benefits of last years adjustment to the school tax rates, so legislation has been passed that will give them some tax relief.

· If you are 65 or older in the state of Texas there is a tax ceiling put on the school tax rates, by the way this is the lions share of our property taxes ($14.70 per $1000.00 of my $18.70 2006 tax rate,)

· Let’s say you are 70, and decide you want to downsize to a smaller home…and the tax ceiling on your existing home leaves you paying 70% of the current school taxes, you can transfer that ceiling to your new home. Even if you move to a different school district, you will only pay the percentage of the school tax rate you were paying before.

· The Texas property tax code allows for a partial exemption for a homestead, if you are disabled and an additional exemption for disabled veterans.

Country Cuzzins Square Dance Club

2007-03-21T02:32:00Z

Kingsland Community Center -Every Monday evening the Country Cuzzins Square Dance club meets for square dancing from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the Center’s large hall. For more information, contact their Presidents, Jim or Mary Alice Acklen at 325-379-3242 or Gary and Beverly Shipley at 325-379-1448. If interested in round dancing, contact Gary Shipley

http://countrycuzzins.weebly.com/

The Lakes Photography Club

2007-02-24T20:14:00Z

The Club meets the 1st Thursday of every month at the Marble Falls Library at 7:00 p.m. The library is located at 101 Main St., Marble Falls TX. For more information - http://www.tlpc.us/...(read more)