qwerty

The taxes due in January 2013 are for the valuation as of January 1st, 2012. Although the protest deadline was May 31st, you can still write a letter to your appraisal district and respectfully request that they consider a reduction of your value, pursuant to 25.25(h) of the Texas Property Tax Code. Attach plenty of evidence and an explanation.

I don't know whether 20% is too much. It depends on your evidence.

What kind of evidence is considered good evidence to bring down the value? Should I just take pictures of any cracks, blemishes, and things needing repair on my property?

Sorry for the bump,

But is it too late to file a property tax protest for the 2013 year?

I'd like to bring down my property value by 20%, is that too much? Is there a formula on how you would determine a fair assessment of your property value?

I think the color change in the seats you are seeing in the video is when the Rockets put free red T-shirts for the club seats during the playoffs. The free shirts are bright red while the seats are dark red.

yeah, 48 months seems the way to go after some more number crunching. 36 months is not going to help my monthly note objective.

I'll send a message to you with the link

thanks got it. Unfortunately my car is 2003, bumps it up 5.49 at a minimum.

Refinancing for 5 years is an even worse prospect than his current arrangement. As a former car salesman, I cringe when I hear this kind of thing.

Sure, re-financing at a lower rate is a good idea, but do 36 months, or 48 months tops. I mean hell, this car was already a used car in November of 2007! You'll probably still lower your payment.

Please tell me why it's worse to go 60 months if it substantially lowers my monthly and the interest rate difference between a 48 and 60 is minuscule. Plus if I come across bonus money in the future I can apply it to the principal and the maturity date lessens.

Let's say I was quoted 4.80% interest rate for 48 months, and was quoted 4.99% for 60 months. Is it worth it to go for the 48 months even though my monthly note will be lower with the 60 month? I know in the end I will ultimately pay more with the 60 month, but it seems negligible.

It depends on the months. If there isn't much of a rate difference from a 60 month or a 48 month, then I'm inclined to take the 60 month, knowing if I come across bonus money I could just use that towards the principal and that will shorten my maturity date.

that 3.99 sounds great, care to list the phone number of your credit union?

like I said, maybe I should have left the monthly note detail. I'll open up another thread on getting advice from others on what I can afford for another time, since it's a totally different topic from what I'm asking here.

In the mean time, anybody got leads on good interest rates around town?

hmmm, maybe I should have left out the monthly note detail. It's a porsche 911 turbo btw.

Ok, I really like the car and yes I can afford it. i just want to a) lower the monthly note cause I want more play money try to get a better interest rate if possible.

Just trying to find the best interest rate deal in town.

yes, I really want to lower that monthly note. It's too bad I waited this long, I should have done it last year.

Hi,

Looking to refinance my used car, bought in 11/2007. Right now my interest rate is 8.25 and my monthly is around $1300. Right now the loan is through the dealership, my mistake which I'm trying to move away from.

My credit is above 700 so credit is not a problem. I've already received a quote of 6.50% for 60 months from my credit union and found a 4.99% for 60 months online.

Just want to know if anyone one else knows of reputable credit union/banks offering better rates, or if there is a reliable search engine online to find good rates in the Houston area.

thx

Hi,

I just received my property tax bill in the mail. It was for a little above $3,000. I have a 2/2 condo in the Uptown/Galleria area.

I moved in this year in August and decided to not escrow my taxes.

My question is it possible for my property tax to be adjusted to the time I moved in? Cause it seems like I am being billed for the whole year.

tia

Ah, but if it truely is a room for rent, and not a roommate situation, then they won't have regular access to the kitchen or living room area as living space.

I'd say that if it is a roommate, go for 60/40. If it is just the room, 45/55.

Well, I guess my offer is for a roommate then. That's why I put in the total sq footage.

So 60/40 of my mortgage bill plus monthly HOA fee is fair? And if it's wise just to go with one lump fee that includes estimated electricity bill and internet?

thanks for the input.

I've been thinking about renting out the 2nd room in my Galleria area condo (near bering/san felipe), which I own. Wondered what is a fair price for it.

Here are the vital stats:

Condo sq footage: about 1200ft

room for rent footage: 12x12

will have own bathroom

HOA provides everything except electric and internet

has 2 car garage and will offer one space for renter

Any other stats that maybe important let me know.

So....what is a fair price for a room and setup like that? And also, should I just go with one lump price that will include electricity and internet that the renter will pay or is it better to evenly split the electricity and internet plus the rent?

TIA

This is a Nigerian Scam. They have people they are scamming send the packages to your address, you are the Mule. They send their own courier, and he/she may very well be dressed as a DHL/UPS guy. They come pick up the packages, and the paper trail leads to YOU.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true............it usually is !

So what are usually in the packages? Does the "Mule" get paid in most instances?

I was digging around in craigslist for a transportation or delivery job and inquired on a few listings. One of them replied with this. Anybody have any idea what I would be getting into on this? Sounds iffy but wanted some opinions.

Thanks for taking your time to respond, We need someone who will be our delivery person. You don't deliver to anywhere but our client will be delivering some office supplies in boxes to you. You don't need to drive to anywhere, all you need is stay at home and get the packages received on our behalf. We will always notify you when the packages will be coming as it wont be everyday but atleast once or twice a week.

The packages will be picked up from you the same day you receive the delivery via DHL/FedEx courier service.

What to do:

1 Receive packages from client which will be delivered to your house.

2. Print out labels which will be sent to you by me and attach to the boxes delivered.

Requirement

1. You must have a printer or know where you can print out labels which will be sent to you when the packages are delivered to you.

2. Must be able to chat on yahoo/hotmail messenger.

We will be paying you $2000 per month. You will get the first month pay at the end of the third week and after that we will be paying you weekly. We will be sending your money via western union or let us know what is your preferred method to receive your funds.

Please provide the following details.

Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Phone Number:

Age:

Sex:

Email:

We will wait in anticipation for your reply.

Yours Sincerely,

*Name Deleted*

Is there a type/style/shade of hardwood that is easy to maintain, scratch resistant, or hides scratches real well? I imagine if I lease it out, scratches will inevitably come from the initial moving and everyday walking on it.

Sorry guys, I didn't see the section about home improvements.

I would do hardwood in the living areas and bedroom. I would also do it in the kitchen, if that's an option. Tile in the bathroom.

Countertops in quartz (Silestone or similar) or granite. You can often find both for about the same price, so it's a personal preference.

These finishes should appeal to the masses and make it easier to sell/lease in the future.

Is there a type/style/shade of hardwood that is easy to maintain, scratch resistant, or hides scratches real well? I imagine if I lease it out, scratches will inevitably come from the initial moving and everyday walking on it.

Try doing it yourself if you've got the room and time. A lot of the car wash soaps are harsh and deteriorate your paint, the rags they use to dry the cars off leave swirlmarks and webbing on the clearcoat, and other things. If you have a few hours one saturday morning and the right materials, you can do a job that will beat the automatic car wash.

Ok, I'll admit, I'm a lazy mofo. But you have a point on the swirlmarks, I hate it when the sun shines on my car and I can see those swirlmarks.

I usually go to the Bubbles Car Wash on Westheimer Galleria area. But the last time they didn't do such a great job and wanted input of other locations, maybe some opinions on Mister Car Wash and which locations others go to. Or any other full service car wash places. Thanks.

Thanks for all the advices, Hudson Oaks is indeed a nice area but the ones that are still on the market are out of my price range. I decided to go with the Greenway Plaza condo unit. My plan is to upgrade the the amenities inside and live there a year or 2 then maybe lease it out since its in a central location.

Now this opens up whole other topic of upgrading the material inside.

First the floor. It's a 696 sqft unit and my friend says hardwood is a better option then ceramic tiles in the living room for a small area. Or is a nice carpet like berber or frieze a good idea for the living room? Should I stay with carpet or go with the same material in the bedroom as in the living room?

Kitchen and bathroom countertops. I'm leaning towards silestone but open to suggestion.

Anybody have any opinions about the area around Darrell Tully Stadium out on Dairy Ashford near I-10? Found some townhomes with 2 car garages in that area around 100k.

any opinions on my greenway plaza suggestion? I've talked to a couple of residents and they don't have problems yet with the underground garage.

Hey everybody,

Looking to move in the near future and one thing that will determine my decision is that I have a nice sports car that I want in a garage, preferably a private attached garage but was thinking an underground complex garage might suffice if in a nice complex. Rooms and sqft is no big deal cause I'm living by myself as long as its comparable and not outrageous. But am also on a budget and wanted to be around or below the $1000 monthly mortgage. Would love to live in the Uptown or Westside Innerloop area but price seems kinda high, for the criteria I'm looking for. Need opinion on some of my choices that I thought over.

1. Westchase area. Specifically the Tanglewilde area, south of Richmond, east of Gessner, west of Fondren, north of Westpark Tollway. This is further out then what I want and not exactly my idea of a bachelor pad, but the prices and amenities (attached garage) of the properties here have what I want. So the tradeoff is price/amenities over desired location. Any thoughts of this area? Safety? Concerns? Resale value of area?

2. Greenway plaza area. Specifically near the Edwards Cinema location, along Cummins St. Location is better, but garage is an underground type where everybody gets an assigned spot, just afraid of people dinging my car, also flooding, heard those underground parking garages are susceptible to flooding. Also, there is a fire station north of one of the complexes, how loud are those and will it hurt resale value of units right behind station? So I'm basically trading amenities (no private garage) for location.

3. Rent at apartment complexes where they have units with attached private garages. Is there any in the Uptown or West InnerLoop that has that but around $1000/mo?

Questions, thoughts, ideas, concerns are all welcome.