The Gibbs Team

512-431-2403

2015 Real Estate

By

Texans for Prop 1: The Homeowner Tax Relief Proposition

Prop 1

As a Texas REALTOR®, I want to tell you about an important measure on the ballot this November—it’s called Proposition 1 and it will directly benefit you as a Texas homeowner.

First, let’s look at the official language:

Proposition 1

“The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000, providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for those purposes on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, authorizing the legislature to prohibit subdivision that has adopted an optional residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation from reducing the amount of or repealing the exemption, and prohibiting the enactment of a law that imposes a transfer tax on a transaction that conveys fee simple title to real property”

I understand how this language might be scary and confusing, but here’s the breakdown of what this proposed amendment actually does.

1)     Lowers property taxes by increasing the state-mandated homestead exemption, which saves you money … every year

2)     Provides tax relief to seniors and disabled Texans by extending the full benefit of the new homestead exemption, which protects some of our most vulnerable homeowners

3)     Prevents local governments from “undoing” the property tax relief the state is offering, which ensures you keep more of your hard-earned money

4)     Prohibits state and local governments from slapping a sales tax on real estate transactions in Texas, which stops a tax that burdens consumers in 36 other states!

And … despite what you may have heard, Prop 1 does all this without harming our local school districts.

I hope you’ll head to the polls and Vote For Proposition 1—the Homeowner Tax Relief Proposition.

Election Day is November 3 and early voting runs from Oct. 19-30.

Dates to remember

Please let me know if you have any questions …

Please visit TexansForProp1.com for more information!

By

Goals and Objectives

930A5923_4_5_fused (1)The first week of 2015 has flown by and that means if we haven’t already mapped out our goals and objectives for this New Year, we’d better get to it.

However, as I’ve been thinking of my own aspirations for 2015, it occurred to me that many people have dreams and goals, but have no idea of how to achieve them.

I’d like to help!

As a Realtor® I can help in four obvious ways: buying, selling, investing and leasing.

Some not-so-obvious ways that I can help include: service provider referrals, area information, up-to-date local news and happenings in my weekly blog, local and national information provided daily on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+, real estate market information, home market analysis, relocation information, and much, much more!

I grew up in the Oak Hill area and have called Lakeway home for more than 30 years, so I have a vast knowledge of the neighborhoods, culture and continued change our unique city of Austin is going through.

Additionally, I diligently stay current on our economy, market and industry – all of which are ever-changing and none have a crystal ball to tell us what to expect.

It’s no surprise that Austin is a bit different than most places in the country. The biggest difference I see is that Austin was not hit as hard economically as most areas back in 2008 and it is likely because after the fall of the Dotcoms in 2001 – Austin worked hard to bring in diverse industries. Therefore, our city has continued to bring new people, jobs and growth over the past several years.

Having said all this, economic indicators do show that mortgage rates may potentially go UP in 2015, which means it will be more expensive to buy a home. AND housing prices MAY be the highest they will be in our area for the short term.

Both of these indicators bode well for selling and buying real estate, of which I can definitely help with!

Please call me at 512.431.2403 or email me at austinluxurybroker@gmail.com if you have any questions. I would love to discuss your goals and help you in any way that I can. There is absolutely no obligation if you call me! I’m here to help!

Let me assist you with your 2015 real estate goals and objectives! It would be an honor to earn your business!