News and issues affecting you, 2012
May 11, 2012
Attorney general rules that military ID doesn’t meet homestead-exemption requirementRecently, the Texas attorney general issued a legal opinion that could cost some homeowners extra time and expense when applying for a homestead exemption. Read more.
May 8, 2012
Suddenly, it’s a seller’s market in Texas? What happened?Texas weathered the national recession better than most states. Affordable home prices, continued job growth, and Texans’ can-do attitude have all helped. But has the pendulum already swung back to a seller’s market in the Lone Star State, with home prices creeping up again and buyers potentially facing bidding wars? Read more.
May 7, 2012
How to assess and reduce your wildfire riskWith drought conditions intensifying in parts of Texas and the memory of fires destroying nearly four million acres across the state not yet faded, wildfire is once again a concern. Read more.
Apr. 27, 2012
Who says I can’t put a well there?Groundwater conservation districts (GCDs) cover about 70% of Texas and have strict control over property owners’ water wells … yet most people have no idea they exist. Read more.
Apr. 23, 2012
Mortgage difficulties for properties with oil and gas leases?The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently stated that USDA mortgage loans made to property owners with oil and gas leases may violate federal law. Many of the properties with these loans are in energy-rich states such as Texas. Read more.
Apr. 13, 2012
Attention seniors and disabled Texans – You’re not going to lose your homestead exemptionEvery time an election approaches, some version of this email pops up … it claims seniors and disabled Texans will lose their homestead exemption if they don’t vote to keep it. Read more.
Apr. 13, 2012
Act of God prompts Texas Supremes to rule on property rightsIn the insurance and legal world, hurricanes are deemed “acts of God” because of their sudden nature and the disastrous effects on personal and real property. Also, no one can be held responsible for the damage they cause … they just happen. Read more.
Apr. 5, 2012
Why Texas fared better than mostReal estate markets in Texas and other so-called “spine” states – those running through the middle of the country – fared better than most through the national recession. Read more.
Feb. 24, 2012
Texas real estate strong and stable heading into 2012The Texas real estate market continues to show remarkable strength and stability, with a 6% increase in the number of homes sold in fourth quarter 2011 compared to the same time the year before. Read more.
Feb. 10, 2012
Settlement provides $287 million in mortgage relief to TexansAs part of a settlement between 49 states and five of the nation’s largest banks, some struggling Texas homeowners will receive restructured loans with lower mortgage payments. Others who already went through foreclosures may get $2,000 checks. Read more.
Jan. 27, 2012
State of the Union address includes refinancing planIf Congress approves a plan President Obama outlined in his State of the Union Address, many troubled Texas homeowners will save thousands of dollars annually. Read more.
Jan. 6, 2012
Fed echoes REALTOR® recommendations to improve economyA strong housing market is essential to continued economic recovery. That's what REALTOR® groups have been saying for some time, and a recently published Federal Reserve Board white paper agrees. Read more.
Residential listings from Texas REALTORS® across the state.
