Cutting taxes by raising them

Obama to cut taxes by raising them

The Obama administration is about to unveil reforms to the nation's international tax code designed to close loopholes for overseas tax havens and end tax incentives for creating jobs overseas. The White House plans to raise $103.1 billion dollars by targeting companies that use loopholes in the law allowing them to legally avoid paying billions in taxes by removing tax advantages for investing overseas. It also hopes to raise $95.2 billion dollars from wealthy individuals by cracking down on overseas tax havens. The money will be used to help make a tax credit permanent, the officials said.

The administration expects these initiatives to raise at least $210 billion over the next 10 years "to cut taxes for American families, increase incentives for businesses to create jobs in America, and reduce the deficit." Notice how every new tax coming down the pipeline is described as being good for us? The trouble is that it all sounds excellent until the companies being taxed decide to either pass on the tax to us, or pick up their marbles and move overseas themselves. And frankly, when we're told that new taxes are to help us pay fewer taxes, we know we must be through the looking glass.

www.TexasHomesAndLoans.com and www.RealEstateMagician.net

Carlos Salinas
"Real Estate Magician"

Pending Home Sales Index rises

Pending Home Sales Index rises

The Pending Home Sales Index from the National Association of Realtors rose in March for the second consecutive month and is up 1.6% higher than a year ago, with a 3.2% gain to 84.6 from February, when it was 82. According to Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist, it may still take a while before the market gains enough momentum to firmly state that the downturn has been reversed, because the upturn may have been boosted by the first-time homebuyers tax credit, a temporary measure that will lapse in December.

As usual, the consensus forecast of industry experts polled by Briefing.com was wrong - they had predicted no increase in the index. The economists at Briefing.com aren't doing too well in the predicting department these days, are they? It seems like every other day I'm digging up news of how this or that expectation was off by a mile.

www.TexasHomesAndLoans.com and www.RealEstateMagician.net

Carlos Salinas
"Real Estate Magician"

TALF goes commercial & additional Mortgage loans

TALF goes commercial

The Federal Reserve announced on Friday that commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) and securities backed by insurance premium finance loans as of June are eligible collateral for TALF participation. The additions are aimed at stimulating lending in the commercial real estate and small business sector by allowing private investors to purchase securities with a matching government investment. "The CMBS market came to a standstill in mid-2008," Fed officials said in a media statement. "The inclusion of CMBS as eligible collateral for TALF loans will help prevent defaults on economically viable commercial properties, increase the capacity of current holders of maturing mortgages to make additional loans, and facilitate the sale of distressed properties."

www.TexasHomesAndLoans.com and www.RealEstateMagician.net

Carlos Salinas
"Real Estate Magician"

Inflation cometh

Inflation cometh

On Saturday morning at the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Warren Buffett warned that the purchasing power of the dollar may fall as policymakers stretch to finance expensive rescue plans. He warned that efforts such as the Treasury's $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program and the $787 billion fiscal stimulus plan passed this year by Congress will have to be paid for, one way or another.

While this may seem obvious to most of us, it's not the problem of the moment so the media hasn't bothered talking about it much. As Buffett says, with political leaders showing little inclination to raise taxes, one sure way to pay for excess spending is to inflate the value of the currency. The biggest losers in a surge of inflation, he added, would include holders of bonds and other fixed-income assets. "I haven't had my taxes raised; my guess is the ultimate price will be paid by a shrinkage of the value of the dollar."

And the saga continues, is the end anywhere in sight?

Despite all this Right now is the best time to BUY and or Invest in Real Estate. Texas is one of the nation's strongest markets.

www.TexasHomesAndLoans.com and www.RealEstateMagician.net

Carlos Salinas
"Real Estate Magician"

Finding the Best Home for Maximum Profit PART 2

Posting Continued....

3. Shop for a well-maintained home in a well-maintained neighborhood.

When you’re looking for a good home to retain resale value and realize a profit if you sale, you need to find a well-maintained home in a well-maintained neighborhood. Property values are dependent upon homes being well-cared-for, with modern amenities and a well-maintained structure and lot.

However, if you have an immaculate house surrounded by a bunch of slobs, your property values may actually decline because the neighborhood is in poor repair. Look for a well-maintained property in a well-maintained neighborhood to maximize your investment.

4. Look out for busy streets.

While being near transportation is valuable, being located directly on a busy street can actually hurt your property values and resale possibilities of your home. People with children or pets are less likely to buy homes directly on busy streets. Even people who value peace and quiet, or don’t want to have to fight to pull out of the driveway, avoid buying on busy streets. Therefore, if you want to maximize your resale possibilities – avoid busy streets.

One very real downside of living in a busy street is the potential for development. If a developer decides your location is desirable for a store or shop, it might buy out your neighbors. If you refuse to sell, you could end up living next to a convenience store; a proposition which could hurt your property values even further. You could also fall victim to a road expansion eating away at your lot size. Avoid buying homes directly on busy roads to avoid a potential decline in property values.

5. Consider the ready availability of homes in the area.

If you want to buy a home and maximize your profits, avoid buying in an area that is undergoing heavy residential development. The ready availability of homes in the area can actually hurt property values; especially for existing homes; due to the simple laws of supply and demand.

If a home buyer could buy a new home for the same price or less than an existing home, many home buyers would opt for the new home. Avoid buying in an area that is undergoing heavy residential development, unless commercial development is also likely to occur and render the location more desirable.

Put your new found knowledge into practice and find the perfect home to invest in your future! Contact Texas Homes and Loans to get an opportunity to get not only your dream home, but a home that could provide for your kids’ college educations, the upgrades you want to make to the home in ten years or even your retirement!

Visit out website for ALL your real estate needs at Texas Homes and Loans.

Carlos Salinas
Real Estate Magician

How to Find the Best Home for Maximum Profit PART 1

Most people don’t have a lot of requirements for finding a good home. They want a nice place, with the amenities and the space that they need, for a price they can afford. Ideally, this place will be reasonably located near work, or shopping, or other popular destinations.

There’s no reason you can’t get all that, and still find a home that will give you the maximum profit in the long run.

Buying a home is an investment. If you invest wisely, you get a good return on investment, because your home will appreciate in value. The more your home value appreciates, the more you earn on your investment if you ever sell your home, and the more flexible you can be in terms of getting home equity loans and refinancing. So how can you get the best home for maximum profit?

1. Buy a home near planned amenities.

Anyone can buy a home near shopping, and pay a high price because it’s a desirable location. However, if you keep an eye out for planned amenities, by searching for areas on the verge of development, you can realize a huge profit between buying the home and selling a few years later when the development is complete.

Before development occurs, home prices are typically affordable and even inexpensive. After development begins, though, prices increase. When an area is fully developed, property values can soar. The key is to get a home near planned amenities, but not too near – no-one wants to live next to a parking lot, but five minutes away can be a great location.

2. Find a home with easy access to highways or interstates.

Many people commute between 30-90 minutes every day between home and work. Living in the city isn’t always a desirable option; especially for families raising children; so many people choose to live in the suburbs and commute back and forth to work. If you find a home with easy access to highways or interstates, your property values will be higher than if the home is in the middle of nowhere, and people have to drive 40 minutes to the highway.

TOBE CONTINUED....

Come back or subscribe for Part 2 of this post.

Visit out website for ALL your realestate needs at Texas Homes and Loans.

Carlos Salinas
Real Estate Magician

Green Your Home I

Green Your Home I

With the emphasis on renewable energy, Green driving and travel and general Green living, many people are finding that having Green homes is a great selling tool. While some Green energy techniques require expensive upgrades, some simple tips can help make your home more Green and actually save you money, too! Part One of this series on Greening Your Home focuses on one of the easiest and most useful ways you can Green your home: switch to energy efficient appliances.

Switch to Energy Efficient Appliances

Energy efficient appliances run the gamut from slightly cost-saving to truly green. You may find energy efficient air conditions that require less electricity to run than regular power-guzzling models. Energy Star ratings can give you an idea of how much electricity your appliances will use, and help you find the most energy-efficient appliance for your needs.

Finding the most energy efficient appliances is a win-win situation. Not only can energy efficient appliances help you along the path toward creating a Green home, but they save you money every month on your utility bills. Energy efficient appliances help the environment AND they save you money; they’re a logical upgrade when the time comes to replace your appliances. Practically any appliance can be energy efficient; from a dishwasher to a furnace to an air conditioner, and even your lighting fixtures. Energy efficient appliances can even help you qualify for an energy efficiency tax credit!

However, energy efficiency is only one aspect of Green appliances. For maximum impact, you can also switch to low-flow appliances that don’t waste a lot of water. Low-flow washers and dishwashers use drastically less water than traditional models; up to 15 gallons less per load of laundry in the case of a low-flow clothes washer. You can also purchase low-flow showerheads, sink fixtures and toilets to maximize water conservation and make your home more environmentally-friendly.


Your local REALTOR at Texas Homes and Loans.com can help you find a Green Home near you.


Carlos Salinas
Real Estate Magician

Recession Tip 101: Don't Waste Money on Entertainment - See Free Stuff

Recession Tip 101: Don't Waste Money on Entertainment - See Free Stuff

With the recession causing people to pinch pennies in every way they can, the entertainment budget is often one of the most expendable ways to cut costs. However, going without entertainment altogether is a bad idea; people are more likely to splurge if they feel they’ve been deprived, and this can lead to even more expenses. Therefore, one of the best ways you can cut your entertainment budget and still be happy is to look for free stuff to see in your local area!

Most big cities constantly have free stuff going on. You can attend guest signings at local bookstores. Academic institutions often host free lectures on interesting subjects. Many organizations hold free outdoor concerts in the summer. You might even join a local church or look for a local community center to discover and help plan free events.

One of the best ways to find free stuff is to check your local newspaper. The arts and entertainment section, or the lifestyle section, often contains information about local events, including free stuff. You can also sign up for mailing lists at your local bookstores and libraries. Many organizations are happy to notify you of upcoming events if you sign up for a mailing list.

Finally, the Internet is a great source for free stuff. Websites like Going.com and Yelp.com include event listings for many local events, including free events. Even Craigslist.org has an event listing section. There are plenty of free events out there to keep you entertained; all you have to do is be a little resourceful in finding these events.

Don’t waste a lot of money on your entertainment budget, but don’t deprive yourself, either. Use this recession to learn how to find free events, and expand your horizons for the type of events you’ll attend. You can learn a lot attending a lecture, and may discover a passion for a new and interesting hobby. You can also meet great people in your area by attending local events; it’s a win-win proposition!

Carlos Salinas

Real Estate Magician

Buy Your New Home Now Before Prices Go Up

While grim economic news has been at the forefront of everyone’s mind for the past several months, economic indicators seem to show that the economy is improving. Retail sales in March weren’t as slow as economists had predicted. Job losses are slowing. Some retail chains are even ramping up for expansion again.

All of this means one thing: the downward slide is slowing, even stopping.

That means that an upward trend is just around the corner.

Historically speaking, employment indexes lag other economic indicators in predicting an economic downturn or expansion. Because job indexes are beginning to show signs of improvement, in the form of slowing losses, the economy may actually already be on the upswing again.

When the economy improves, home values improve. Higher demand equals an increase in property values, and as people loosen the purse strings, demand goes up. By the time you actually feel an economic upswing, it’s already too late to get the best deals. When the economy is improving, prices are already rising, so the best deals have already passed with the lowest prices.

Don’t wait until the recession is officially declared to be over to buy your dream home. It takes over 18 months to declare a recession; if you wait until it’s declared over, you’re likely to have missed out on six months – or more – of prime buying time. That translates to tons of missed opportunities, and actual dollar cost in your pocket.

Buy your new home now, and get in on the next new housing boom. Don’t wait until the boom is in full swing and you’ll have to pay $30,000 more for the house you want;buy today contact Carlos Salinas, Real Estate Magician to take advantage of great prices before the economy drives them up again. Fill out one of our Requests and let us help you get your dream home now, so you can get ahead of the next housing boom and turn a profit on your home!

Carlos Salinas

Real Estate Magician

Affordable Mortgage Solutions for a changing Market

TEXAS - As credit standards tighten and financial markets struggle to find the bottom, home buyers' ability to get an affordable mortgage has never been a more critical component in the real estate transaction. With consumer confidence at an all-time low it's become vital that Realtor's stay apprised as to what lending options are still available for their clients.

Let's face it, unless your buyers can get financing, you waste your time and theirs in helping them find the perfect home.

As a listing salesperson, you lose valuable selling time on the market while a buyer negotiates with a lender, only to have the loan fall through.

Though the entire mortgage landscape has changed, there are still many options to help consumers purchase a new home. To learn about mortgage products, just click Texas Realty Mortgages.


Carlos Salinas
"Real Estate Magician"

Leading Cause of Financial Crisis for an American family

Do you know what the leading cause of financial crisis for an American family are? It could that one event in their lives derails them ie. A loss of a job, an illness etc, or it could be a series of events.

According to the Debt Solutions of American average client profile, the cause of financial problems are broken down accordingly:

Excessive use of credit / Over Obligation: 39%

Reduced Income / Unemployment: 24%

Poor Money Management : 15%

Divorce / Separation: 8%

Other: 14%

Carlos Salinas
"Real Estate Magician"