The Hill Country Blogger

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

Elsie Higdon — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:26:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Marble Falls Walkway of Lights

Elsie Higdon — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:28:00 GMT

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...

Elsie Higdon — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:23:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Bowling Anyone

Elsie Higdon — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:23:00 GMT

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

Elsie Higdon — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:33:00 GMT

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...(read more)

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

Elsie Higdon — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 18:32:00 GMT

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

Elsie Higdon — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 02:32:00 GMT

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

Elsie Higdon — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 20:14:00 GMT

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)