Georgetown, TX

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The House today and the Senate yesterday passed legislation to extend the $8,000 home buyer tax credit to May 1, 2010, for first-time buyers and add a $6,500 tax credit for repeat buyers if they've lived in their home for five of the past eight years. Home prices are capped at $800,000.

The legislation in both houses was included in a bill to extend unemployment benefits and is expected to be signed by President Obama shortly.

"REALTORS® appreciate the swift action by Congress to extend the home buyer tax credit and expand it to some current homeowners," says NAR President Charles McMillan. "As the leading advocate of housing and real estate issues, we urge President Obama to sign this legislation into law quickly to keep the momentum going in the fragile recovery of the nation's housing market."

Under the bill, income limits are expanded to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for joint filers. Individuals with incomes up to $145,000 and joint filers with incomes up to $245,000 qualify for reduced credits.

Households who have binding contracts in place by April 30 will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete their transaction. The deadline for members of the military serving out the U.S. for at least 90 days between Jan. 1, 2009, and May 1, 2010, has been extended one year.

Taxpayers can claim the credit on their federal income tax returns. If the credit exceeds their tax bill, the government will issue a check. Taxpayers will be able to claim the credit on their 2009 income tax return for purchases made in 2010.

For more information visit www.RomeoM.com

The fall weather has Wiley and I out exploring the great parks that Georgetown Texas offers. One of the most visible is Blue Hole park within a couple of blocks of downtown. The park lies along the north San Gabriel River and has been a popular swimming hole for generations.

There is a wooded picnic area on the south side and dramatic bluffs on the north. There is a beautiful waterfall over and around the low dam that forms the swimming hole.

The hiking trail connects under the Austin Ave bridge to San Gabriel Park. There are picnic tables and a nice wooded area above the river on the south side.

The main swimming area is upstream from the low damn and is about 6 ft deep. The water is clear and clean. Perfect for swimmingThere are some good fishing spots upriver and you can catch perch, bass, and catfish. Or so I'm told, with Wiley the RealDog splashing around I've never had any luck fishing. But this guy was catching em.

Blue Hole Park on the San Gabriel River is one of Georgetown's most beautiful places!

To explore Georgetown more please visit my website Sparks-Realty and also check out my other blog posts that feature stories and pictures about Georgetown Texas and the surrounding area. Also, feel free to browse available real estate listings for the Georgetown, Round Rock and greater Austin Area on my free search website. Search for Homes. Thanks for visiting.

It's a perfect fall day here in Central Texas. Crisp cool air, sunny, nothing better that putting the top down on the convertible and taking a drive. What better place on Halloween than to go visit the departed neigbors in the historic Oakwood Cemetery in Austin Texas. The Oakwood Cemetery association was giving tours of the famous and infamous residents. Here are a few pictures we took.

Our companions, it's Austin, home of the Weird!

Some of the residents had busted out

The Angel will protect us

Celtic Cross with beautiful carving

The sun hit the cross and the carved inscription glowed.."I am the Resurrection..."

This cozy crypt creeped us out.

A fun day, but as the sun was setting we headed home to welcome the trick or treaters. Happy Halloween!