Small Projects, Big Bang
Uncertainty and restraint is reflected in homeowners' ROI in remodeling projects, according to Realtors® in 80 metropolitan markets surveyed by Remodeling magazine for this year's Cost vs. Value Report.
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Fannie Mae Announces Deed for Lease
Fannie Mae is implementing the Deed for Lease Program under which qualifying homeowners can remain in their homes by signing a lease in connection with the voluntary transfer of the property deed.
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Make Taxes Less Taxing
While there is no escaping filing taxes, you can choose how you prepare your return. Hiring a tax professional to prepare your taxes could save you money in the long run on deductions you might have missed.
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A New Year. A New You.
January 1 - The new year is a natural time for you to take stock of your life and make a change for the better. Here are some suggestions to help you actually keep those resolutions.
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First Time Homebuyers Guide to Taxes
There's nothing quite like purchasing your first home. You're on your own. You have a substantial financial investment. And you now have some different tax considerations. You're probably well-aware that home ownership affords you several new ways to save on the annual Internal Revenue Service bill.
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11 Ways to Hurt Your Credit
Numbered lists tell us everything from how to lose weight to what not to do when planning a party. Many are fun and frivolous, but few lists are as important as one that tells you what not to do when it comes to your credit score. If you are applying for a loan, obtaining insurance or hoping for a new job or promotion, a good credit history makes a difference.
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Why You Need a Homestead Exemption
One of the greatest advantages of owning your own home is being able to take advantage of the tax deductions on your home. While taxes make up a large portion of your monthly note each month - there is a way to ease the burden. Enter Homestead Exemptions. Learn about what they are, how they can save you money, and how you can claim yours.
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"You have cancer". When Lionel Sleeper, 44 years of age and a resident of Austin, first heard these words he, quite naturally, was taken aback. But Lionel didn't waste time, for there was none to be wasted.

He contacted M.D. Anderson, the world-renowned cancer treatment center located in Houston, to schedule the surgery he needed to remove the cancerous growth. When a friend of his fiance's heard the news, she told him about a service being provided by a new organization in Katy.

Lionel immediately contacted the group, Cinco Charities®, and completed the application required to take advantage of their service. Cinco Charities® provides temporary housing, free of charge, for individuals (together with their families) who are hospitalized or receiving treatment for a serious medical condition in area hospitals.

Lionel was provided accommodations for a four night stay at the Marriott TownPlace Suites in Katy, with whom the charity has made arrangements for housing their guests. The facility provided a fully equipped suite with the amenities necessary to insure Lionel and his family a comfortable stay during this trying time in their lives.

Lionel is doing well today, and expressed his deep appreciation for the accommodations provided. "I'm very thankful. The front desk of the hotel was responsive to our needs, and the fully equipped kitchen meant that I wasn't left alone while someone went to get take-out food for our meals."

"Building a Community of Care and Support". That's the mission statement of Cinco Charities®, formed in 2005 by a group of real estate professionals working with Keller Williams Realty Katy @ Cinco Ranch.

With the recent completion of M.D. Anderson's Radiation Treatment Center adjacent to Christus Hospital and the forthcoming construction of new area facilities by Texas Children's, Methodist and St. Luke's hospitals, Katy will become the temporary home for numerous families in need of such care. It is the goal of Cinco Charities® to reach out to those families and give back a measure of the "Katy Spirit".

The charity's ultimate goal is to operate their own facility to accommodate multiple families at any one given time. Although still in the planning and fundraising stages, Cinco Charities® is anxious to begin meeting their vision and mission. "This is being accomplished through this pilot project with Marriott." explains Board Chair Chris Hiller. "We are now prepared to provide qualified guests with temporary housing in a local facility, free of charge." The charity will be hosting its second guest, beginning April 21st, while she is receiving daily radiation treatments in M.D. Anderson's Radiation Treatment Center in Katy.

The pilot program makes available to qualified families housing for a (maximum) stay of ten nights per month, subject to facility availability. The program is open to both patients and their families. To qualify for the program, an individual or a family member should be receiving treatment for a serious, life threatening medical condition in a local medical facility. Financial considerations are not a part of the approval process.

For more information or inquiries about the program, please visit the organization's web site at http://www.cincocharities.com.