James Murr

The government has opened a whole new door to existing home owners to take advantage of the tax credit, it is a little lower $6,500 and has some special requirements, see them here Home Buyer Tax Credit

The Real Estate center published the most recent statistics regarding national appreciation/depreciation averages in metropolitan areas. Is anyone surprised that not only is the Texas real estate market remaining strong, but is also forecast to have the best real estate market in the years to come. The real estate center used a variety of factors to calculate each metropolitan area's risk of depreciation. Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio have the least likelihood of depreciation in the whole country, all have a risk index of less than one. College Station, along with three other Texas cities, claimed spots in the top ten appreciation rates for 2008. Among the top ten cities with the highest risk for depreciation, California claims two, Arizona claims one, and Florida claims the other seven. Although California has seen some of the greatest depreciation so far, their depreciation is speculated to level off in comparison to other areas. Texas remains relatively good amidst national speculation of continued depreciation. It is inevitable that the national market will rebound and all metropolitan areas will see consistent appreciation again, but for the time being, Texas seems to be the most stable real estate market in the country.

If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Bryan College Station, contact Cortiers Luxury Realty by clicking the following link, Bryan College Station Real Estate, or call the office at 979-985-5610.

A few hints today on tax initiatives and real estate stability. Let's start with taxes. New "green tax" initiatives are underway, and we are already in a position to benefit. The Texas property tax code allows an exemption of the amount of the appraised property value that arises from the installation or construction of a solar or wind-powered energy device that is primarily for the production and distribution of thermal, mechanical, or electrical energy for on-site use, or devices used to store that energy. So if you are ambitious enough to build a wind farm in your back yard, you could see significant tax advantages from your eco-friendly construction. Wind farms are not the only source of renewable energy, solar panels are also a viable solution for alternative energy and potential tax cuts. These tax cuts don't just apply to the home owner. Corporations are looking at a similar policy if they choose to invest in energy. Texas allows a corporation to deduct the cost of a solar energy device from the franchise tax in one of two ways: (1) the total cost of the system may be deducted from the company's taxable capital; or, (2) 10% of the system's cost may be deducted from the company's income. I am sure incentives like these will give corporations something to think about as they go into a new year and a new administration.

If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Bryan College Station contact Cortiers Luxury Realty by clicking the following link, Bryan College Station Real Estate, or call the office at 979-985-5610.

The changing economy has had varied effects on the real estate market. Understanding these changes is the key to making the most of them. I have a done a little research on recent changes to the economy that we might be able to take advantage of. There are a slew of new policies brought on by the relief programs, funded by federal bailout money. The Obama Stimulus Package proposes that the 7,500 dollar tax credit for first time home buyers become non-repayable. This means that if you are a first time home buyer, not only do you get to take advantage of the traditional $7,500 tax credit, but now you don't have to pay it back. The theory is that this incentive will create more purchases and decrease the supply of homes on the market. Of course this stimulus is only beneficial for first time home buyers, so Investors are pushing the Obama administration to make the stimulus package apply to all home purchasers, not just first time home buyers. According to economist this stimulus package could create 500,000 extra home purchases (and give us the opportunity to make some extra money on real estate investments). First time home buyers are certainly receiving an abundance of blessings from the government. I encourage all first time home buyers to inquire about down payment assistance and all other first time buyer programs. People are figuring it out. FHA loan applications jumped 19.2% last week, and if these incentives go through I am sure they will continue to climb. Take advantage of the programs available. Tomorrow I will let you in on more secrets to surviving market change.

If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Bryan College Station contact Cortiers Luxury Realty by clicking the following link, Bryan College Station Real Estate, or call the office at 979-985-5610.

Some of us may not have voted for the 44^th president. We may not align with his politics or his policies, but we might as well embrace the change and be riveted by the presidential rhetoric. The following is a collection of observations and encouragements from the presidential inauguration.

"Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age...

Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land...

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord...

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom...

They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions...

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished...

it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies...

What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task..."

Regardless of our political disposition or our occupation, we can all embrace values like responsibility, determination and hard work.

If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Bryan College Station contact Cortiers Luxury Realty by clicking the following link, Bryan College Station Real Estate, or call the office at 979-985-5610.