Friday, August 28, 2009

New TRAFFIC Laws for Texas!


Effective September 1st, Texas has some new laws! Here are just a few for drivers:

(1) ALL occupants of a passenger vehicle (designed to carry 15 or fewer passengers), no matter their age or where they are seated, are to be secured by a safety belt.

(2) Any child younger than 8 years of age (unless taller than 4 feet, 9 inches) must be restrained in an approved child passenger safety seat.

(3) Where posted, it is illegal to use a wireless communication device in a school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used.

There are many changes that affect motorcycles, driving, driver licenses, concealed handguns, etc. For more information and details, please go to http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/

Unfortunately, we might wish that ignorance is bliss, but tis NOT folly to be wise!!

Friday, August 14, 2009

When it rains, it pours .... Yellow-crowned Night Herons!!















Ah, sweet rain. Rain that pours water in ditches that suddenly erupt with the bleets of a million tiny frogs ...... and the strikingly handsome Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Yesterday (while other hikers passed by without a notice) I watched a family of three of these gorgeous birds in the nearby ditch, undoubtedly fishing for crayfish, minnows, perhaps a grasshopper or frog in the now-still waters. This may be called a "night" heron, but he forages for food both day and night. Even so, the bird's slow movement and shyness make it a difficult bird to spot.

This group of three (two mature birds and an immature in the middle) was undoubtedly a family unit (mom, pop and kiddo). Both the male and female build the nest, incubate the eggs, and care for and feed the chicks.

You can recognize the Yellow-crowned Night Heron by its very striking appearance. It's a stocky wadding bird, about 24 inches in length. It has a slate-gray body, a black head with a white streak on the side of the face, and a yellowish-white crown. In breeding season, you will see a yellow plume of feathers on its head. It has large red eyes, a black bill, yellow-to-orange legs. Males and females look alike. The immature bird is a mottled gray-brown.
Alas, it's sound is a loud harsh squawk. Like people, some birds are better off not saying a word!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit


One of the BEST things our government has done lately has been to create the $8000 tax credit for "first-time" homebuyers!! The rules are simple. If you have not owned a home for at least three years, you just might be eligible for this. You'll have to hurry, though. It won't last much longer (you must move into your new home by December 1st, 2009), and it means MONEY in your POCKET !!

Just click onto the link below (the information is almost shorter than the link!!), and tap the sidebar arrow to scroll down. Quick and easy! Then give us a call (281-467-8827). We've already saved money for several clients this year, and we can do it for you!!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Mortgage Payments & Taxes - Change is a-comin'!!


As The Woodlands strives toward becoming a city and starting this year, you will no longer receive a separate fee for the Homeowner's Association. When your tax bill for 2009 arrives in October, it will include the new Woodlands Township ad valorem property tax that will be used to fund the 2010 community services previously handled by the Community Associations of The Woodlands.

How will this affect your taxes?

If you have NOT been escrowing (for insurance, taxes and Association fees), then you will receive one less bill, and you will see that the Montgomery County tax statement includes this Woodlands Township ad valorem property tax.

If your mortgage company HAS been escrowing for your Association fee, they will no longer be receiving that as a separate bill, but will see it included in the county tax statement. There may be some adjustment in your monthly bill due to this.

BE AWARE, however, that if your mortgage company escrows for taxes and insurance but NOT Association fees (very common!), the fund may not have sufficient funds to pay all of the annual taxes now due. Your current escrow account will now have to pay The Woodlands ad valorem tax, but it did not previously cover Association fees, which the tax is replacing. In this case, the mortgage company will pay the amount due, but your escrow account may end up short at the end of the year. Please contact your mortgage company if you think that this may affect you!

The great news is that what used to be a non-tax-deductable fee has now become a tax - deductable on your income tax!