Housing and Government

Good Morning,
Here is a article found on the AP this morning. They are really trying to get the mortgage crisis turned around out there. Although we may not be experiencing what many others around the country are dealing with it does indirectly affect us. If you are a seller out there right now you have a shrinking pool of buyers in certain price ranges.

We in Heritage Park, both Friendswood and Webster live in one of the most affordable areas. And as you have seen over the past few years by visiting the site that our numbers are usually holding steady or increasing each month from years past.

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is expected to announce Tuesday that it is expanding its plan to stem the housing crisis by offering mortgage lenders incentives to lower borrowers' bills on second mortgages.
During the housing boom, lenders readily gave out "piggyback" second loans that allowed consumers to make small down payments or avoid fees entirely. While home prices soared, such mortgages were even extended to borrowers with poor credit scores and people who didn't provide proof of their incomes.
But those loans, which are attached to about half of all troubled mortgages, have proved an obstacle to efforts to alleviate the housing crisis. That's because borrowers who are trying to get their primary mortgage modified at a lower monthly payment need the permission of the company holding the second mortgage.
The new plan aims to get rid of that roadblock, said two senior administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because the details were not yet public.
The administration initiative, funded out of $50 billion in financial rescue money, relies on a series of payments to mortgage companies as an incentive to modify second loans at lower interest rates. Mortgage companies would get $500 upfront for each modified loan, plus $250 a year for three years as long as the borrower doesn't default.
Similarly, borrowers would get up to $1,000 over five years applied to the principal balance of their primary mortgage, and the government would pick up part of investors' costs as well.
The administration also plans to give mortgage companies $2,500 payments to entice them to participate in the "Hope for Homeowners" program. It was launched by the government last fall but has so far fallen flat, proving unattractive to banks required to absorb large losses.
It was supposed to allow 400,000 troubled homeowners to swap risky loans for traditional 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with lower rates. Instead only a handful of borrowers have been able to qualify, and as of earlier this spring only one loan had completed the program.
Meanwhile, the faltering economy is causing the housing crisis to spread. Nationwide, nearly 804,000 homes received at least one foreclosure-related notice from January through March, up from about 650,000 in the same period a year earlier, according to RealtyTrac Inc., a foreclosure listing firm.
And another key piece of President Barack Obama's plan to keep borrowers from losing their homes is expected to be defeated this week in the Senate. Allowing people to seek mortgage relief in bankruptcy court is opposed by Republicans and enough Democrats to block the proposal. Last week, Democratic aides said the prospects of an agreement looked dim.
Many lawmakers remain worried that such legislation would unleash a torrent of loan defaults, ultimately driving up mortgage rates and introducing fresh uncertainty to an already ailing economy.
Congressional Democrats had championed the legislation, which passed the House in March. But the measure quickly stalled in the Senate amid a multimillion-dollar lobbying effort by banks and credit unions that said the forced easing, or "cram-down," of mortgage terms would impose steep and unpredictable costs.

Don't forget you can have the blog's posting delivered straight to your home page by subscribing to this site. It is free, just click on the RSS button to the left of this page.

What are you still waiting for? Let me get your home SOLD!!!

Want to get your property listed? Give me a call, e-mail me or click on the link to the left for a free market analysis.

So before you call other Friendswood Realtors or Webster Realtors give me a call and lets talk!

I look forward to exceeding your service expectations in 2009.

Your Neighbor,
Brian Taylor

Winner of Coldwell Banker Sterling Society Award
Winner of Coldwell Banker Diamond Society Award
Ranked in Top 100 Listing Agents CB United -Texas
Multi-Million Dollar Producer

(832) 722-1756
biggbee11@yahoo.com

JUST SOLD!!!

Hello Heritage Park!!!

I have JUST SOLD my listing located at 7000 Seawall Blvd.

So congratulations to Michael and Ann!!! I hope you enjoy many summer days by the pool or at the beach. Check back soon for new listings and a market update for April.

Don't forget you can have the blog's posting delivered straight to your home page by subscribing to this site. It is free, just click on the RSS button to the left of this page.

What are you still waiting for? Let me get your home SOLD!!!

Want to get your property listed? Give me a call, e-mail me or click on the link to the left for a free market analysis.

So before you call other Friendswood Realtors or Webster Realtors give me a call and lets talk!

I look forward to exceeding your service expectations in 2009.

Your Neighbor,

Brian Taylor

Winner of Coldwell Banker Sterling Society Award

Winner of Coldwell Banker Diamond Society Award

Ranked in Top 100 Listing Agents CB United -Texas

Multi-Million Dollar Producer

(832) 722-1756

biggbee11@yahoo.com

Important Reminder for May!!!!

Hello to all husbands, sons and daughters!!! Don't wait until the last minute start your search and get your reservations now. Don't be selfish if you know of others who need help or always procrastinate send them this webpage right now.


Mothers Day is May 10th 2009. It will be here before you know it so I am here to help you make it a great day and keep you out of the dog house. So I have posted some links below for you to use.

Day Spa:
www.beyondbeaute.com

Flowers:
www.ftd.com
http://www.cookiesbydesign.com/

Perfume:
www.ulta.com

Jewelry:
http://www.mylewisjewelers.com/
www.zales.com
www.jared.com

Restaurants:
Tony's (My recommendation)
3755 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77046

http://www.fogodechao.com/locations/houstonTX.htm (Great if you love meat)
www.lamadeleine.com/Location.aspx?CityID=2 (local and good)
www.vicandanthonys.com (Have not been there but heard good things)
www.perrysrestaurants.com (Local and very good)
www.pappasbros.com/main.html (Great wine choices)
www.texaslandandcattle.com ( Great value for good quality food)

Package deals:
www.starfleetyachts.com
www.trellisspa.com/

If you did not find the restaurant that you were looking for go to this link
http://houston.citysearch.com/search?cw4=2&flavor_id=2&constrained=1&started=1

Don't forget you can have the blog's posting delivered straight to your home page by subscribing to this site. It is free, just click on the RSS button to the left of this page.

What are you still waiting for? Let me get your home SOLD!!!

Want to get your property listed? Give me a call, e-mail me or click on the link to the left for a free market analysis.

So before you call other Friendswood Realtors or Webster Realtors give me a call and lets talk!

I look forward to exceeding your service expectations in 2009.

Your Neighbor,
Brian Taylor

Winner of Coldwell Banker Sterling Society Award
Winner of Coldwell Banker Diamond Society Award
Ranked in Top 100 Listing Agents CB United -Texas
Multi-Million Dollar Producer
(832) 722-1756
biggbee11@yahoo.com

Weekly Motivational

Good Morning Heritage Park.

I hope everyone survived this weekends rainstorms without any problems. Sorry that I was kinda busy yesterday and did not get a chance to post this one. So here is your weekly motivational, enjoy!

"The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers."

Martin Luther King Jr.(1929 - 1968), 'Strength to Love,' 1963


Don't forget you can have the blog's posting delivered straight to your home page by subscribing to this site. It is free, just click on the RSS button to the left of this page.

What are you still waiting for? Let me get your home SOLD!!!

Want to get your property listed? Give me a call, e-mail me or click on the link to the left for a free market analysis.

So before you call other Friendswood Realtors or Webster Realtors give me a call and lets talk!

I look forward to exceeding your service expectations in 2009.

Your Neighbor,
Brian Taylor

Winner of Coldwell Banker Sterling Society Award
Winner of Coldwell Banker Diamond Society Award
Ranked in Top 100 Listing Agents CB United -Texas
Multi-Million Dollar Producer
(832) 722-1756
biggbee11@yahoo.com

Heritage Park Easter Egg Hunt

HAPPY EASTER

to all of my friends family and Heritage Park neighbors.

Some of you might have been discouraged by the rain. Some might have been glued to the TV watching the very exciting The Master's golf event. So here are some pictures of the Heritage Park neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.

Don't forget you can have the blog's posting delivered straight to your home page by subscribing to this site. It is free, just click on the RSS button to the left of this page.

What are you still waiting for? Let me get your home SOLD!!!

Want to get your property listed? Give me a call, e-mail me or click on the link to the left for a free market analysis.

So before you call other Friendswood Realtors or Webster Realtors give me a call and lets talk!

I look forward to exceeding your service expectations in 2009.

Your Neighbor,

Brian Taylor

Winner of Coldwell Banker Sterling Society Award

Winner of Coldwell Banker Diamond Society Award

Ranked in Top 100 Listing Agents CB United -Texas

Multi-Million Dollar Producer

(832) 722-1756

biggbee11@yahoo.com

Weekly Motivational

Good Afternoon!

It is a beautiful day and I hope most of you will get outside later and enjoy it. Here is your motivational for the week.

"Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance but to do what lies clearly at hand."

Thomas Carlyle (1795 - 1881)


Don't forget you can have the blog's posting delivered straight to your home page by subscribing to this site. It is free, just click on the RSS button to the left of this page.

What are you still waiting for? Let me get your home SOLD!!!

Want to get your property listed? Give me a call, e-mail me or click on the link to the left for a free market analysis.

I look forward to exceeding your service expectations in 2009.

Your Neighbor,
Brian Taylor

Winner of Coldwell Banker Sterling Society Award
Winner of Coldwell Banker Diamond Society Award
Ranked in Top 100 Listing Agents CB United -Texas
Multi-Million Dollar Producer

(832) 722-1756
bmtaylor@cbunited.com

TAXES & HURRICANE IKE

Good Morning Heritage Park!

I sure some of you have already filed your taxes but for those who have not read this article. It has some information about Hurricane deductions and I found it on Chron.com and it was written by Shannon Buggs. If you had storm damage and insurance really did not help maybe this will help you.

Tax rules allow owners of damaged nonbusiness property to take an itemized deduction for losses caused by a casualty, the insurance term for a sudden, unexpected and unusual event.
Hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes qualify as casualties, as do theft, fire, ice storm and shipwreck, and other strange occurrences.

Casualty losses are subtracted from ordinary income, and, typically, the amount of the deduction is limited by a formula.

First, taxpayers subtract $100 from the total nonbusiness loss, then they subtract 10 percent of their adjustable gross income, the IRS term for taxable income. That calculation gets you to the allowable taxable deduction.

CCH, a tax consultancy based in suburban Chicago, shared this example:
A taxpayer has $50,000 taxable income and a single $25,000 casualty loss.
Ten percent of the taxable income is $5,000, so the taxpayer would subtract $5,100 from the $25,000 loss to arrive at an allowable deduction of $19,900.

The taxable income would be reduced by $19,900, taking it down to $30,100.
Then, to arrive at the tax bill, the appropriate tax bracket would be applied to the taxable income.
Because 88 counties, including Galveston, Brazoria, Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery have been declared disaster areas by President Bush, you get to choose which tax year you want to apply Hurricane Ike deductions.

By amending your 2007 tax return to add the Ike casualty losses, you don't have to wait several months to claim the deduction on your 2008 return, which is due April 15, 2009.
So now that you know how to take the deduction, you need to know how to calculate the casualty loss.

The IRS defines a personal casualty loss as the smaller of the cost of property (reduced by any insurance reimbursement) or the decline in fair-market value of the property as measured immediately before and after the casualty (reduced by any insurance reimbursement.)
Time for the calculatorLet's break that down.

The cost of the property is what you paid for the item plus any money spent on landscaping, renovations, repairs and other improvements. So the first amount you have to determine is the total amount you've spent on the property minus any insurance claim payment.
Fair-market value is the price the property would sell for to a willing buyer from a willing seller, neither of whom is required to buy or sell, when both know all the relevant facts about the property.

So the second amount you calculate is what you could have sold the property for before Hurricane Ike damaged it. "Whether it's the day before, the week before, the month before or even a year before, it's not too significant as long as there is some documentation of what the value was before the casualty event," said Mark Luscombe, CCH's principal federal tax analyst.

Third, you determine what the property would sell for after the storm. You may use the cost of repairs to the property as evidence of the loss of value if you prove the repairs are necessary, the cost of them is not excessive and the repairs don't cover more than the damage from the storm.

It's worth it Fourth, subtract the after-fair-market value from the before-fair-market value to get the amount of the decline. Then, reduce the fair-market value decline by the amount collected from insurance to cover the damage.

Finally, compare the first number you got — the total investment minus insurance reimbursement — to the last one — the fair market value decline minus insurance reimbursement.

Whichever is smaller is the amount you can claim as a casualty loss deduction.
I know that's a lot of work, but it's worth doing to get a tax refund as soon as possible. And because of the complexities, this is also a good time to hire a tax preparer to help you claim all the deductions you can.

Columnist Shannon Buggs has completed the personal finance planning certificate program at the University of Houston.

Don't forget you can have the blog's posting delivered straight to your home page by subscribing to this site. It is free, just click on the RSS button to the left of this page.

What are you still waiting for? Let me get your home SOLD!!!

Want to get your property listed? Give me a call, e-mail me or click on the link to the left for a free market analysis.

So before you call other Friendswood Realtors or Webster Realtors give me a call and lets talk!

I look forward to exceeding your service expectations in 2009.

Your Neighbor,

Brian Taylor

Winner of Coldwell Banker Sterling Society Award

Winner of Coldwell Banker Diamond Society Award

Ranked in Top 100 Listing Agents CB United -Texas

Multi-Million Dollar Producer

(832) 722-1756

biggbee11@yahoo.com

Remodeling, is it a good resale value?

Good Afternoon to all of my friends and neighbors.

I have found a article from Remodeling magazine's "Cost -vs- Value report". So before you start that new remodeling project make sure that it is worth the cost. Here are some projects you may be thinking about undertaking.

West South Central Region (Houston-Dallas)

Attic Bedroom Remodel
Job Cost - $40,123
Resale Value -$32,034
Cost Recouped -79.8%
$46,691- National Average Job Cost
$35,771- National Resale Value

Back-Up Power Generator
Job Cost -$12,052
Resale Value -$8,198
Cost Recouped -68%

$13,357- National Average Job Cost
$7,748 - National Resale Value

Bathroom Addition
Job Cost -$32,482
Resale Value -$24,558
Cost Recouped -75.6%
$37,202 -National Average Job Cost
$24,553 -National Resale Value

Bathroom Remodel
Job Cost - $14,044
Resale Value - $12,766
Cost Recouped - 90.9%
$15,789 - National Average Job Cost
$12,366 - National Resale Value

Deck Addition- Wood
Job Cost -$9,182
Resale Value -$7,859
Cost Recouped -85.6%
$10,347 -National Average Job Cost
$8,835 -National Resale Value

Family Room Addition
Job Cost -$70,029
Resale Value -$50,042
Cost Recouped -71.5%
$78,989 -National Average Job Cost
$54,148 -National Resale Value

I have given you just a handful of the projects and what they may add to value of your home. If you found this information helpful please let me know, click on the response tab or email me. If you are interested in learning more I will post more projects and there values by the end of the week. Thanks and have a great day!

Don't forget you can have the blog's posting delivered straight to your home page by subscribing to this site. It is free, just click on the RSS button to the left of this page.

What are you still waiting for? Let me get your home SOLD!!!

Want to get your property listed? Give me a call, e-mail me or click on the link to the left for a free market analysis.
I look forward to exceeding your service expectations in 2009.

Your Neighbor,
Brian Taylor

Winner of Coldwell Banker Sterling Society Award
Winner of Coldwell Banker Diamond Society Award
Ranked in Top 100 Listing Agents CB United -Texas
Multi-Million Dollar Producer

(832) 722-1756
bmtaylor@cbunited.com

8 No-Cost/Low-Cost Design Ideas

Good afternoon Heritage Park!

I have a article from Realtor magazine that could give you helpful ideas to spruce up your home to sell or to just make it better.

There are a few items that went out of style a decade ago, but they're so comfortable that it's impossible to see them go.

"We grow accustomed to our space, and we stop seeing it," says Melissa Birdsong, vice president of trend, design, and brand for Lowe's, the home improvement giant. "People tend to become blind to their own things."

But everything needs updating eventually. Birdsong suggests home owners cast a fresh eye on their living space, pretending that they've just moved in and are assessing the previous occupant's design choices.

Betsy Westman, a broker-owner with Westman Realty in Grand Rapids, Mich., says real estate professionals can have a big impact on updating a home's look by helping clients brainstorm new ideas and by being straightforward about outmoded design elements.

The following tips can help get a home up-to-date without breaking the bank.

1. Move it.
Simply rearranging the furniture can reenergize a room. Add and remove furniture, lamps, rugs, and accessories from other parts of the house to create a whole new look. Mirrors are particularly useful when it comes to updating a room. Try one out in different rooms to see where it fits best. Even just moving a mirror to a different wall can create a more welcoming feel.

2. Plant it.
Houseplants are a generally undervalued design component that can add texture, warmth, and color to any room. Just drop plants in their store containers into decorative planters. Small plants can be moved easily and regrouped to change a room's look, while larger ones make a statement on their own.
Group plants of differing heights, fullness, and color for the most dramatic effect. Jettison the scraggly specimens, Westman says. "It's important to have plants that are well maintained and in tip-top condition."

3. Paint it.
Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a substantial change. Use dramatic colors in powder rooms and dining rooms, and more neutral colors in living spaces. When selecting colors, "be sure to ask, 'What am I trying to do? How do I want this to feel?'" Birdsong says. "And always, always do a test before you paint the whole room."


4. Organize it.

"Clutter just happens," Birdsong says. "So neaten up!" She advocates a variety of organizing tools to make a space feel polished while maintaining utility. Hooks and shelves inside the door give people a place to hang coats and keys, while canvas bins or natural baskets help contain magazines and mail. "Just a row of hooks preattached on a board is so easy to install," she says. "And shelves are a great way to neatly display collectibles."

5. Hide it.
Have a banged-up wall? It may be easy to camouflage. Paintable wallpaper (available for as little as $16/roll from Creative Wallcovering) will smooth out an uneven wall or hide minor dents and dings. Adventurous home owners can even try a simple two-step painting process for a more complex finish. Birdsong suggests applying a solid base coat, then a glaze.
"These days, it's pretty user-friendly," she says. Caution: Your intent should never be to mislead buyers; be sure to disclose flaws that would affect home value.

6. Replace it.
Cabinet handles, switch plates, and other small pieces of housing hardware can update a home for just a few dollars a piece. Westman suggests scanning each room to see what looks worn or outdated and then replacing it. Inexpensive quick-connect faucets can make upgrading the look of your bathroom a snap. Just be sure to measure before you go to the hardware store. Some sinks are drilled for an eight-inch spread. Others require just four inches.
"And don't forget the toilet seat," adds Westman. "Fresh towels and a new toilet seat go a long way toward making a bathroom feel clean and new."

7. Light it.
Lighting can have a major impact on a home's look and feel. Whether a room seems dark or too bright and harsh, try "layering" the lighting by adding accent pendants and lamps. Make sure they have independent controls, so that you can turn them on and off at will.
"Light is such a mood setter," Westman says. "You can create a cozy feel just by turning down the lights." Add dimmers in the dining room, bathrooms, kitchen, and even the hallways for less than $4 each. Then adjust the lighting to create the mood you want.

8. Clean it.
Turn a critical eye to the flooring to make sure it's up to snuff. Scrub grout and seal natural stone. Rub out scratches and nicks on wood floors with scratch cover. "Get down on your hands and knees and detail the floors," Birdsong says. "It takes a little elbow grease, but the results are well worth it." Vinyl flooring is a bit harder to spruce up but usually can be replaced easily and inexpensively.

What are you still waiting for? Let me get your home SOLD!!!

Want to get your property listed? Give me a call, e-mail me or click on the link to the left for a free market analysis.

I look forward to exceeding your service expectations in 2009.

Your Neighbor,

Brian Taylor

Winner of Coldwell Banker Sterling Society Award

Winner of Coldwell Banker Diamond Society Award

Ranked in Top 100 Listing Agents CB United -Texas

Multi-Million Dollar Producer

(832) 722-1756

bmtaylor@cbunited.com

Heritage Park Home Sales- March

Hello Heritage Park!!!

I have the recent figures for home sales in Heritage Park. They will be as follows Friendswood Home Sales March 2009 followed by Webster Home Sales March 2009. If you have questions feel free to give me a call. If you would like information delivered to your desktop/laptop homepage sign up for the RSS(really simple syndication) it is easy and it is free! Just click the button on the left under the webpage title.

Friendswood Home Sales- March
# of Homes Sold -15
Avg. List Price - $146,346
Avg. Sales Price - $143,873
Avg Sq. Ft. - 2,000 Sq.Ft.
Avg. Lot - 7,564 Sq.Ft.
DOM - 69 days
$/Sq. Ft. - $67.61/Sq.Ft.

Avg. Adjusted Sales Price- $135,227

Webster Home Sales- March
# of Homes Sold - 0
Avg. List Price - $121,966
Avg. Sales Price - N/A
Avg. Sq. Ft - 1,447 Sq.Ft.
Avg.Lot - 8,464 Sq.Ft.
DOM -89 days
$/Sq. Ft. - N/A

Active Homes- 37(3 Active Webster)
Option Pending/Show- 14

What are you still waiting for? Let me get your home SOLD!!!

Want to get your property listed? Give me a call, e-mail me or click on the link to the left for a free market analysis.

I look forward to exceeding your service expectations in 2009.

Your Neighbor,
Brian Taylor

Coldwell Banker United Realtors
Winner of Coldwell Banker Sterling Society Award
Winner of Coldwell Banker Diamond Society Award
Ranked in Top 100 Listing Agents CB United -Texas
Multi-Million Dollar Producer

(832) 722-1756
bmtaylor@cbunited.com