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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.

 

 

More information on this product is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/common/indiv_intro.htm

 

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.

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" in usage. The phrase "remax.com homes for sale" finished at No. 10.

In the latest October search-term report, "remax.com homes for sale" fell just short of the Top 10, while "remax" remained at No. 2.

In a separate Hitwise study for October, remax.com continues to rank among the industry's Top 10 Web sites in terms of traffic

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.

 

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 to January 3, 2009 - 6:00pm to 10:00pm

Enjoy a self-guided tour through a winter wonderland, surrounded by over a million twinkling lights on over 130 sculptures reflected on the beautiful waters of Lake Marble Falls.

This event is kicked off on November 16 with the Christmas Light up Parade which proceeds down Main Street Marble Falls to Lakeside Park where the initial lighting of the Walkway of Lights takes place.

Burnet - Main Street Bethlehem

Dec 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, & 14 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Walk the streets of the ancient town of Bethlehem.  Step back in time and witness townspeople baking bread, bartering at the market, while live camels, donkeys and other animals add to the authenticity of this experience.

Near the exit you will experience the true meaning of Christmas.

Llano - Starry, Starry Nights at the Llano River

November 23, 2008 to December 31, 2008, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

The entire city of Llano is filled with lights, and holiday cheer.  Stroll through historic Llano, and along the Llano River through the lighted Christmas Park.  Animated displays, and a 55 foot Christmas tree would even make Scrooge feel the Christmas Spirit. Friday and Saturday nights feature live entertainment, and Santa and Mrs. Clause.

If you have any pictures of Texas Hill Country Events that you would like to share, I would love to post them on this blog and my websites!!

Share your Texas Hill Country Christmas experiences with other people on this blog.

 

 

 

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 43rd 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.

 

 

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 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/