Jeff's Blog

Just wanted to Honor all the Veterans this Day

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:53:43 -0600

Just wanted to Honor and say Thank you to those who answered the call to service.
Wanted to thank you all for our freedom. I also wanted to thank you for defending and protecting our great country.
I am proud of all of you and hope you all have a wonderful veterans day.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

Thank you, Thank you,

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,

Jeff Kessler

www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

www.Rebateontexashomes.com

Future Homeowners new and move-up Homeowners get a tax credit.

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:45:25 -0600

Dear Future Homeowner,
Congress has just extended and enlarged the Homebuyer Tax Credit. Now, Now for the first time, the Tax Credit is now available to all move-up Homebuyers and first-time Homebuyers. This is a great incentives from Uncle Sam!!

A new $6,500 Tax Credit along with the $8,000 first-time Homebuyer Tax Credit will continue. The credit is now available to couples with an income up to $225,000. That is up nearly $55,000 from last time. Also, current move-up Homebuyers who have lived in their current residence for five of the prior eight years, get up to $6,500 credit.

This temporary Tax Credit is available for Homebuyers who purchase a home by April 30, 2010, and close on or before June 30, 2010.

If you've been thinking now is the time to buy, then you are correct.

Extend that with my commission rebate and you will save a TON of money.

For new home anywhere in Texas purchases please see http://www.RebateOnTexasHomes.com

For resale home purchases anywhere in Central Texas please see http://www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

Happy Halloween and turn back your clocks

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:00:56 -0500

Hi All,

Well it is that time of year and time to say Happy Halloween and turn back your clocks.

Boy has this been a fast year or what. Hopefully everyone has a safe Halloween.

Don't forget that November 1st 2009 at 2:00am you turn back your clock.

Fall back and Spring forward.

Hope everyone has a great holiday season.

Thank you,

Jeff

Buying a new home anywhere in Texas and would like to get up to 83% of my commission back?
www.RebateOnTexasHomes.com

Buying a Resale home in the Central Texas area and want to get up to 50% of my commission back?
www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

Represent Buyers? Have a hard time getting the Title Co you want?

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:55:36 -0500

I often have afavorite Title co. I like to work with as you probably do too. Sometime listing agents insist on using their Title Co., but you can let them know that the buyer has their choice, so be sure to fight for your buyers right.

Section 9: Seller required title insurance

Section 9 of RESPA prohibits a seller from requiring the home buyer to use a particular title insurance company, either directly or indirectly, as a condition of sale. Buyers may sue a seller who violates this provision for an amount equal to three times all charges made for the title insurance.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/ramh/res/respamor.cfm#HE2

Let me know what you think.

Have a great week

New Events from Master Gardeners Association of Travis County.

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:15:56 -0500

Redesigning Your Gardens
Saturday, September 12, 1-3 pm

Old Quarry Branch, Austin Public Library
7051 Village Center Dr. (off Far West Blvd.)
Austin, TX 78731
(512) 345-4435

This seminar will teach you how to create a landscape plan for the garden you've always wanted.

Do-It-Yourself Pond Building
Saturday, September 19, 2009, 10 am-Noon

American Botanical Council
6200 Manor Rd.
Austin, TX 78723

There is no charge for the seminar, but seating is limited so please call the Master Gardener desk at 854-9600 to reserve a space.

Propagation 101: Growing New Plants for Your Garden
Saturday, Sept, 26, 2009, 11 am-1 pm

Yarborough Branch, Austin Public Library
2200 Hancock Dr.
Austin, TX

Learn tips on transplanting and care for your new plants to get them off to a strong start when planted.

These seminars are free, open to the public and usually require no reservations. They are presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners Association, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County.

For more details on these seminars, visit www.tcmastergardeners.org or call the Travis County Master Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600.

2009 Inside Austin Garden Tour
Saturday, October 24, 2009 9 am - 4 pm

Various locations in Central Austin - contact for more information For more info: (512) 854-9600

www.insideaustingardens.org This 2009 Inside Austin Garden Tour features six central Austin gardens that are National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitats.

Buying a new home anywhere in Texas and would like to get up to 83% of my commission back?
www.RebateOnTexasHomes.com

Buying a Resale home in the Central Texas area and want to get up to 50% of my commission back?
www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

Kids Eat Free Austin Texas - Thursday and Friday locations

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:47:37 -0500

Thursday

Red Robin

13315 N. I-35 (off Parmer)

Kids eat free all day, every day thru 3/31/09 (some restrictions apply).

Friday

Red Robin - Anderson Arbor

13301 N. Hwy 183 (exit Anderson Mill Rd.)

Kids eat free all day every day (some restrictions apply).

Red Robin

13315 N. I-35 (off Parmer)

Kids eat free all day, every day (some restrictions apply).

Buying a new home anywhere in Texas and would like to get up to 83% of my commission back?
www.RebateOnTexasHomes.com

Buying a Resale home in the Central Texas area and want to get up to 50% of my commission back?
www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

Kids Eat Free on Saturdays.

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:31:05 -0500

Kids Eat Free on Saturdays.

Opal Divine's - The Freehouse

700 West 6th Street

Note: Kids 12 and younger eat free on Saturdays until 3PM (1 per adult entree). 3-10 PM, kids eat for 1/2 price.

Zen

3423 North Guadalupe

Kids Eat Free all weekend with purchase of an adult enlightened bowl. (under 12 yrs and dine in only)

Zen

1303 S Congress Ave

Kids Eat Free all weekend with purchase of an adult enlightened bowl. (under 12 yrs and dine in only)

Buying a new home anywhere in Texas and would like to get up to 83% of my commission back?
www.RebateOnTexasHomes.com

Buying a Resale home in the Central Texas area and want to get up to 50% of my commission back?
www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

Baylor Football Schedule 2009

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:28:51 -0500

Baylor Football Schedule 2009

9/5 Sat. Wake Forest Winston-Salem, NC 2:30p

9/19 Sat. Connecticut Waco, TX 4:00p

9/26 Sat. Northwestern State Waco, TX 6:00p

10/3 Sat. Kent State Waco, TX 6:00p

10/10 Sat. Oklahoma Norman, OK TBA

10/17 Sat. Iowa State Ames, IA TBA

10/24 Sat. Oklahoma State Waco, TX TBA

10/31 Sat. Nebraska Waco, TX TBA

11/07 Sat. Missouri Columbia, MO TBA

11/14 Sat. University of Texas Waco, TX TBA

11/21 Sat. Texas A&M College Station, TX TBA

11/28 Sat. Texas Tech Arlington, TX TBA

Buying a new home anywhere in Texas and would like to get up to 83% of my commission back?
www.RebateOnTexasHomes.com

Buying a Resale home in the Central Texas area and want to get up to 50% of my commission back?
www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

Texas Tech Football Schedule 2009

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:26:41 -0500

Texas Tech Football Schedule 2009

9/5 Sat. North Dakota Lubbock, TX 6:00p

9/12 Sat. Rice Lubbock, TX 6:00p

9/19 Sat. University of Texas Austin, TX 7:00p

9/26 Sat. Houston Houston, TX 8:15p

10/3 Sat. New Mexico Lubbock, TX 6:00p

10/10 Sat. Kansas State Lubbock, TX TBA

10/17 Sat. Nebraska Lincoln, NE TBA

10/24 Sat. Texas A&M Lubbock, TX TBA

10/31 Sat. Kansas Lubbock, TX TBA

11/14 Sat. Oklahoma State Stillwater, OK TBA

11/21 Sat. Oklahoma Lubbock, TX TBA

11/28 Sat. Baylor Arlington, TX TBA

Buying a new home anywhere in Texas and would like to get up to 83% of my commission back?
www.RebateOnTexasHomes.com

Buying a Resale home in the Central Texas area and want to get up to 50% of my commission back?
www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

Texas A&M Football Schedule 2009

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:24:08 -0500

Texas A&M Football Schedule 2009

9/5 Sat. New Mexico College Station, TX 6:00p

9/19 Sat. Utah State College Station, TX 6:00p

9/26 Sat. UAB College Station, TX 6:00p

10/3 Sat. Arkansas Arlington, TX TBA

10/10 Sat. Oklahoma State College Station, TX 2:30p

10/17 Sat. Kansas State Manhattan, KS TBA

10/24 Sat. Texas Tech Lubbock, TX TBA

10/31 Sat. Iowa State College Station, TX 2:30p

11/07 Sat. Colorado Boulder, CO TBA

11/14 Sat. Oklahoma Norman, OK TBA

11/21 Sat. Baylor College Station, TX 2:30p

11/26 Thur. University of Texas College Station, TX 7:00p

Buying a new home anywhere in Texas and would like to get up to 83% of my commission back?
www.RebateOnTexasHomes.com

Buying a Resale home in the Central Texas area and want to get up to 50% of my commission back?
www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

Texas LongHorn Football Schedule 2009

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:21:01 -0500

Texas LongHorn Football Schedule

9/5 Sat. Louisiana-Monroe Austin, TX 6:00p

9/12 Sat. Wyoming Laramie, WY 2:30p

9/19 Sat. Texas Tech Austin, TX 7:00p

9/26 Sat. UTEP Austin, TX 2:30p

10/10 Sat. Colorado Austin, TX TBA

10/17 Sat. Oklahoma Dallas, TX 11:00a

10/24 Sat. Missouri Columbia, MO TBA

10/31 Sat. Oklahoma State Stillwater, OK TBA

11/07 Sat. Central Florida Austin, TX TBA

11/14 Sat. Baylor Waco, TX TBA

11/21 Sat. Kansas Austin, TX TBA

11/26 Thur. Texas A&M College Station, TX 7:00p

Buying a new home anywhere in Texas and would like to get up to 83% of my commission back?
www.RebateOnTexasHomes.com

Buying a Resale home in the Central Texas area and want to get up to 50% of my commission back?
www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

August 24th, Water Restrictions start in Austin Texas

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:34:33 -0500

The City Manager has determined that Stage 2 Water Restrictions will go into effect on Monday, August 24, 2009. These restrictions will be in effect until further notice.

Stage 2 Water Use Restrictions

The City Manager has determined that Stage 2 Water Restrictions will go into effect on Monday, August 24, 2009. These restrictions will be in effect until further notice.

In Stage 2, the following additional restrictions apply to the use of potable water:

Outdoor irrigation is prohibited except on assigned days at designated times (see once-per-week schedule below)
Golf fairway irrigation is limited to assigned days before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
Golf tee and green irrigation is limited to every other day
Vehicle washing is limited to designated days and times, with a hand-held bucket or a positive shut-off nozzle on a hose*
A person may not conduct or participate in a charity car wash
The use of outdoor ornamental fountains is prohibited except to provide aeration for aquatic life
A person may not fill, refill, or add water to an indoor fountain
No automatic fill valves are allowed for pools or ponds
Washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, patios or other paved surfaces is prohibited*
A restaurant may not serve water to a customer unless requested by the customer

*Exceptions are made for washing necessary to protect public health, safety or welfare

Water waste is prohibited year-round.

Questions about the Stage 2 watering restrictions? Please read our FAQ (pdf).

Outdoor Water Use Days
Commercial, Multifamily odd-numbered addresses	Tuesday
Commercial, Multifamily even-numbered addresses	Friday
Residential odd-numbered address	Saturday
Residential even-numbered address	Sunday
Outdoor Watering Times
Automatic Systems:	Before 10 a.m.
Hose-end Sprinklers, Soaker Hoses:	Before 10 a.m. and/or after 7 p.m.
By Hand:	Any time on any day.

Watering restrictions help conserve our treated drinking water and preserve water supply in the Highland Lakes . The full water use management ordinance may be found in Chapter 6-4 of City Code. Violations are Class C misdemeanors, with each instance punishable by a fine of up to $500. To report violations, please use our online reporting form or call 311.

If you would like to save more that just water and would like to save money when buying a home please see my link.

www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

Thank you,

Kids going back to school in the Central Texas area. Here are some School Links

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 09:41:29 -0500

Looking to put your child in school for the first time. Maybe you are moving and need to know about a particular school.

Here are some calender links of what is happening with different schools in Cental Texas.

If you have other links please add them

Have a great and safe school year.

Austin ISD
Bastrop ISD
Del Valle ISD
Dripping Springs ISD
Eanes ISD
Georgetown ISD
Hays Consolidated ISD
Hutto ISD
Lago Vista ISD
Lake Travis ISD

Leander ISD
Liberty Hill ISD
Lockhart ISD
Luling ISD
Manor ISD
Marble Falls ISD
Pflugerville ISD
Round Rock ISD
San Marcos ISD
Taylor ISD
Wimberley ISD

Looking to save money and get the same service that other agent give. Then please contact me to find out more information

www. CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

Texas has a Sales Tax Holiday coming up Aug 21-23rd 2009

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:49:44 -0500

Sales Tax Holiday
Clothing Sales Tax Holiday
August 21-23, 2009

Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 21, 22 and 23 - the state's annual tax holiday. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.

As in previous years, the law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt. A backpack is a pack with straps one wears on the back. The exemption during the sales tax holiday includes backpacks with wheels, provided they can also be worn on the back like a traditional backpack, and messenger bags. The exemption does not include items that are reasonably defined as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags, purses or framed backpacks. Ten or fewer backpacks can be purchased tax-free at one time without providing an exemption certificate to the seller.
School Supplies - New in 2009!

The 81st Texas Legislature recently passed HB 1801 (2009) expanding the list of items qualifying for exemption from Texas state and local sales and use taxes during the annual sales tax holiday in August. Effective this year, in addition to clothes, footwear and some backpacks, Texas families also get a sales tax break on most school supplies priced at less than $100 purchased for use by a student in an elementary or secondary school.

The following is an all-inclusive list of qualifying school supplies
(if priced less than $100):

   1. Binders
   2. Book bags
   3. Calculators
   4. Cellophane tape
   5. Blackboard chalk
   6. Compasses
   7. Composition books
   8. Crayons
   9. Erasers
10. Folders; expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila
11. Glue, paste and paste sticks
12. Highlighters
13. Index cards
14. Index card boxes
15. Legal pads
16. Lunch boxes
17. Markers
18. Notebooks
19. Paper; loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper,
        tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and
        construction paper
20. Pencil boxes and other school supply boxes
21. Pencil sharpeners
22. Pencils
23. Pens
24. Protractors
25. Rulers
26. Scissors
27. Writing tablets

No exemption certificate is required - with one exception. If the purchaser is buying the supplies under a business account, the retailer must obtain an exemption certificate from the purchaser certifying that the items are purchased for use by an elementary or secondary school student. "Under a business account" means the purchaser is using a business credit card or business check rather than a personal credit card or personal check; being billed under a business account maintained at the retailer; or is using a business membership at a retailer that is membership based.

List of Clothing, Footwear and Backpacks,
and Their Exempton Status

TAX-FREE
    * Baby clothes
    * Backpacks for use by elementary and secondary students
    * Belts with attached buckles
    * Boots - cowboy, hiking
    * Caps/hats - baseball, fishing, golf, knitted
    * Coats and wraps
    * Diapers - adult and baby
    * Dresses
    * Gloves (generally)
    * Gym suits and uniforms
    * Hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts
    * Hosiery
    * Jackets
    * Jeans
    * Jerseys - baseball and football
    * Jogging apparel
    * Neckwear and ties
    * Pajamas
    * Pants and trousers
    * Raincoats and ponchos
    * Robes
    * Shirts
    * Shoes - sandals, slippers, sneakers, tennis, walking
    * Socks (including athletic)
    * Shorts
    * Suits, slacks, and jackets
    * Sweatshirts
    * Sweat suits
    * Sweaters
    * Swimsuits
    * Underclothes
    * Work clothes and uniforms

TAXED
    * Accessories (generally) - barrettes, elastic ponytail holders, wallets, watches
    * Backpacks - unless for use by elementary and secondary students
    * Baseball cleats and pants
    * Belt buckles (without belt)
    * Boots - climbing, fishing, rubber work boots, ski, waders
    * Buttons and zippers
    * Cloth and lace, knitting yarns, and other fabrics
    * Dry cleaning services
    * Football pants
    * Golf gloves
    * Handbags and purses
    * Handkerchiefs
    * Hard hats
    * Helmets - bike, baseball, football, hockey, motorcycle, sports
    * Ice skates
    * Jewelry
    * Laundering services
    * Leather goods - except belts with buckles and wearing apparel
    * Pads - football, hockey, soccer, elbow, knee, shoulder
    * Personal flotation devices
    * Rented clothing (including uniforms, formal wear, and costumes)
    * Roller blades and skates
    * Safety clothing, glasses
    * Shoes - bicycle (cleated), bowling, golf

For more information: click

Thanks to Kindra Zepeda for give me this info. She works at Indepence Title here in Austin. Please use call her for any Title needs.

If you are looking to buy a resale or new home please contact me.
I can help you save thousands of dollars.

Resale Homes in Central Texas

http://www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com

New Home Purchase anywhere in Texas

http://www.RebateOnTexasHomes.com

What home warranty company do you use?

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:31:19 -0500

Per the contract, the seller or the buyer will pay for a one-year subscription for a home warranty not to exceed a set amount. There are a few companies out there and I am asking which one do you prefer to work with.

I have included a few below, but if you have other or like others please let me know.

· American Home Shield

http://www.ahswarranty.com/home.jsp

· First American Home Buyer's Protection

http://homewarrantyfirstam.com/default.asp

· Old Republic Home Protection

http://www.orhp.com/

· Home Warranty of America

http://www.hwahomewarranty.com/index.jsp

· LandAmerica

http://www.landamwarranty.com

· BFS Home Warranty