City of Irving Works for The Residents

The City of Irving spreads wide and covers many socioeconomic areas. The City is developing new parks, etc. to make living in Irving better for everyone. Watch this clip to see what they have done recently.

Again, thanks for keeping Irving alive!

Irving Neighborhood Improvements

Turn Out The Lights!

What is Earth Hour? Earth Hour is 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm (local time) Saturday, March 28, 2009. During this hour, people around the globe will turn out their non-essential lighting in what will be the largest climate event in history. From Amman to Warsaw, city skylines will go dark for one hour as individuals, businesses, government buildings, schools and major landmarks turn out the lights.

Spring Is Here!

Spring has found Dallas. I love this time of year. The weather is perfect~~not to hot~~to sit outside and watch the dogs play though mine really wants to be in the house for some reason.

Spring is also the time we start thinking about cleaning, reviewing, and rethinking everything we are doing.

Spring is a great time to review things like insurance policies. Are you getting the best rate you can? Has your lifestyle changed in any way that would require more or less homeowners insurance?

What about home improvements and energy usage reviews? With summer coming on have you thought about the amount of insulation in your attic? What about weatherstripping your doors? Valuable cool air escapes so easily into the hot Texas summer.

Have you thought about the size of your home? Is it too big or too small for you now? Have you thought about putting your house on the market and moving up to another?

Spring gets us thinking about renewal. Make sure you are effecient this spring.

A New Contract

Just want to put it out there...

I am writing a contract tonight.

The property is a foreclosure in Farmers Branch. We looked at it some time ago but felt the price was too high for the condition. Today the price was lowered and the contract is being submitted.

The lesson is sometimes property is priced too high for the market and the condition. Patience can will out.

Hey, first-time homebuyer: How does $8,000 from your Uncle Sam sound?

Want an extra $8,000? If you’re a first-time homebuyer then we have a nice surprise for you.

Last fall, the Federal Government introduced a financial incentive to prospective first-time homebuyers — an income tax credit of up to $7,500. The rules were simple: you must have been a first-time homebuyer (as defined by not owning a home in the previous three years) and you met certain income restrictions.

The new $8,000 tax credit is available to those who buy between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009. It’s not a deduction, it’s an actual credit. Unlike the $7,500 first-time homebuyer tax credit introduced last summer; this does not need to be repaid.

First timers who qualify can make no more than $75,000 in adjusted gross income if they’re single or $150,000 if filing jointly. The maximum tax credit is $8,000 or 10 percent of the sales price of the home, whichever is less. Three years residence in the property are required. As always, check with your accountant for details and be sure to submit IRS form 5405 when you file your taxes.

This Month in Real Estate; March 2009

Texas Is Different. It is a Texaplex

Valley Ranch and the Irving Flood Control District III

Irving Flood Control District III (IFCD3)was created by the Texas State Legislature for the purpose of providing and maintaining flood control and drainage facilities in the Valley Ranch area of Irving, Texas.

IFCD3 meetings are held monthly and are open to the public. The minutes of the monthly meetings as well as all completed and upcoming projects are available at www.ifcd3.org, the District's web site.

Some of the upcoming projects IFCD3 will be focusing on include:

• Stabilizing the Ledbetter sump area waterway adjacent to the Champions apartment community.
• Begin erosion repairs to waterway slope and shoreline along Valley Ranch Pkwy. next to Lakeside Village subdivision.
  
• Implement functional fencing program between IFCD3 Levee, waterways and property adjacent to residential areas.

If you notice any areas in need of attention or repair, the District asks that you bring this to their attention by calling 972-869-0827.

Irving Area Happenings

Even in these economic times the City of Irving is continuing to create economic development strategy to provide jobs and expand the city's tax base. Among these projects are:

As reported in CitySpectrum, the official publication of the city, 5 new projects are either on the plan or already underway.

The Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas is under construction. The building will be the only convention center in the nation that is LEED certified to meet strict environmental standards. A Webcam has been installed where progress can be viewed at The Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Texas Stadium site is a location for redevelopment. It will lease the land for $15.4 million to the Texas Department of Transportation for use as a construction staging area for up to 10 years. Phase one of the reconstruction of State Highway 114 and Loop 12 will provide for the elevation of Loop 12 in time for the construction of the DART Orange Line.

DART Orange Line is under construction. The steel is in for the Orange Line which will run through Irving to DFW International Airport. City leaders are promoting the creation of mixed-use development within a quarter mile of each of Irving's eight DART transit stations.

To view a video on the city's economic development projects visit The City of Irving and select Economic Development under the key focus areas on the home page.

Dealing With Life....

· Accept that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue.

· Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

· Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

· Drive Carefully. It’s not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

· If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

· If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

· It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

· Never buy a car you can’t push.

· Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won’t have a leg to stand on.

· Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.

· Since it the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

· The second mouse gets the cheese.

· When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.

· Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

· You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

· Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

Austin!

I am in Austin this weekend and enjoying every minute of it. I am meeting with another Keller Williams agent to set up some referral business and taking some time for me and Chris while we are here. I am also going to get familiar with the real estate down here. It is much different than Dallas.

I think we are going to encourage our daughter to consider Texas for school. I think she would like it here.

Technology and Social Networking

While I am not a novice to the internet and the networking sites...it is something I am having to get used to. There is a time commitment required to hit all of the required spots to make sure you are updated and on target.

Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, LinkedIn...there are so many an they are all important. The real estate business, and so many other business today, are relationship based. We are all so busy with our jobs, kids, hobbies, etc that keeping up our relationships becomes challenging to say the least.

I mean really, when you have to schedule dinner with you best friend 3 weeks out to make sure you can schedule her in...really.

So in comes Social Networking. The new technology in business building. I have been found by people I haven't seen since high school or college. All this is great unless you don't want to be found of course.

In any event, here I am at 45 years old trying to keep up with my step-daughter (age 13) in the text/networking age. I will do my best to keep up.

Help me won't you?

Robin

Make Sense of the Federal Housing Tax Credit

So much is being said and debated on the Housing Tax Credit that was signed by President Obama as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

There are many questions and situations that exist out there and trying to determine if you qualify for the credit can be challenging. Here is a link that provides point by point analysis and easy to understand answers to help unravel the rhetoric.

Understanding the Federal Housing Tax Credit.

Robin

Open House Today!

I am holding an open house today in North Oak Cliff from 2pm-4pm. The address is 1943 Marydale.

Built in 1957 this is a rare, Mid-Century Modern home in Stevens Park Estates. It is still owned by the original family and is in vintage condition.

3 bedrooms and 2 baths this is a must see!

Look forward to seeing you!
Robin

Welcome

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you will subscribe to the blog and continue to receive information not only on Irving/Valley Ranch Real Estate, but knowledge of the market as a whole.

My hope to give everyone the tools they need to make sense of the insanity of what is happening in our country, state, and towns today. When I learn anything from my folks I will forward it on to you. Knowledge is power and the more we know the better we are.

My philosophy in life is "Don't ask/Don't get" so I'm asking you to be involved. Comment with your questions, ideas, opinions and feelings.

Thanks again and make sure you check out my website at www.robinmccoyrealty.com

Robin