$8,000 Tax Credit Extended for Southlake, TX Home Buyers

Southlake, TX home buyers, are you confused about all the things you have been hearing about the tax credit for new home buyers? It is no wonder with all the extensions, adjustments and debates that had been going on for the last three years over the credit. If you are a Southlake, TX home buyer who was waiting to hear if the tax credit extension was going to be passed, you are going to be pleased to know that it was and you now have an extra 90 days to close.

With the problems being faced across the country as home prices declined and the housing market was overflowing with vacant homes, the need for a solution was eminent. Southlake, TX home buyers are no exception. The problems faced in this area were similar to the ones the whole nation was facing.  Will the tax credit help the housing market recover for Southlake, TX home buyers and the rest of the country? Hopefully, this will make a difference and a repeat of the benefits realized during the 1970s housing crisis will help the market today.

If you are one of the homebuyers, there are a couple of things you will need to know about filing your income taxes. The IRS has three options for those who will be claiming the credit for a home purchased in 2010. The first hinges on whether you have filed your 2009 return. If not, this must be filed on Form 1040. The returns cannot be submitted electronically. They must be printed out and sent along with the verification documentation that is required.

The second option is for those who have already filed their 2009 return. They can file an amended return and the form they use must be Form 1040X. The third option is for either and includes waiting until next year to claim the credit and put it on a 2010 Form 1040. The third option just means you will wait a little longer for the credit. However, the bill that was just passed had provisions to stop the fraud that is occurring due to the tax credit and this could cause some delays in processing the credit.

There were many types of fraud occurring such as the $9.1 million that was processed and approved for prison inmates. In addition, the very same home was approved for more than one claimant. Then $17.6 million was sent to owners of homes who did not fall within the required dates for purchasing the home. Even the Internal Revenue Services’ own employees filed claims that were doubtful.

Following a report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, in which 1300 prison inmates had claimed the credit, the IRS is now allowed to disclose information about tax returns to administrators at prisons.

One way to ensure that your return most likely will not be delayed is to make certain you send all the required documents needed. Detailing all the aspects that are being checked for fraudulent claims, the IRS will not need to call and ask for more information to be sent. They can process the claim as soon as possible.

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Southlake Homes Area Event – July 4th 2010 Stars and Stripes!

The city of Southlake and the Southlake Town Square will present the Southlake homes area event, Stars and Stripes, beginning July 3rd at Town Square. The event will feature live entertainment, an interactive gaming area and activity booths. Parking and a shuttle service for the Southlake homes area event will be at White’s Chapel United Methodist Church starting at 4 p.m.

Residents who want to enjoy this Southlake homes area event are invited to come to Southlake Town Square by 6 p.m. on July 3, 2010 to join in the celebration of Independence Day. There will be a patriotic ceremony preceding the fireworks. The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. and will be released from Southlake Town Square’s West Garage rooftop.

Other area events will include:

Free Activities at Rustin Park

Candy Art
Face Painting
Patriotic Coloring Pages
Craft Booths – Cash Cube with prizes, ring toss
Craft Booths – Make your own fans and bracelets
Balloon Artist

Entertainment at Rustin Park

Kick Off – 6:00 p.m.
Swing Band – 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
SL Community Band – 8:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Patriotic Ceremony – 9:15 p.m.
Fireworks – 9:30 pm.

Entertainment at McPherson Park

Kick Off (Broadcast from Rustin Park) – 6:00 pm
Patriotic/Family Friendly Music by DJ – 6:15 pm – 9:15 pm
Patriotic Ceremony (Broadcast from Rustin Park) – 9:15 pm
Fireworks synchronized to music – 9:30 pm

Free Activities at Frank Cornish Park

Balloon Artist
Patriotic Coloring Pages
Candy Art
Face Painting
Craft Booths – Make Your Own Bracelets and Fans

Entertainment at Frank Cornish Park                                                                                            

Kick Off (Broadcast from Rustin Park) – 6:00 pm
Cammie Rogers – 6:15 pm – 7:30 pm
King Creole – 8:00 pm – 9:15 pm
Patriotic Ceremony (Broadcast from Rustin Park) – 9:15 pm
Fireworks synchronized to music – 9:30 pm
Domino Effect – 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm

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DFW and Area July 4th 2010 Events

Kicking off the DFW July 4th 2010 events for your enjoyment this Independence Day weekend will get started on the 3rd of July and celebrations will be held in several areas. There will be music, food, activities for the whole family and of course the spectacular fireworks at each event. Find the spot to join friends and family among the many DFW July 4th 2010 events and have a terrific 4th!

Here are some of the DFW July 4th 2010 events that you will have to choose from this year. Many start on Saturday evening with fireworks on both Saturday and Sunday nights. This will be a fabulous weekend and it is just around the corner so you better start thinking about where you will go to celebrate the DFW July 4th 2010 events.

Kaboom Town in Addison, TX will be celebrating their 25th anniversary along with the 4th of July. The fun starts on July 3rd at 5 p.m. at Addison Circle Park. There will be music, a free movie, giant slide, and kid’s activities including rock climbing and sand art and many more fun-filled adventures for the whole family. Fireworks will be at 9:30 p.m. and they are a spectacular display that is choreographed to music.

City of Bedford 4th Island Adventure begins Sunday at noon. The event will be at the Bedford Boys Ranch and includes many fun free activities for everyone. A concert, island adventure activities, food and an InflataFUN Zone. Don’t forget the fireworks display that will be held as well.

Flower Mounds Annual Independence Day Celebration will be held beginning at 7 p.m. at Bakersfield Park. There will be many activities including a bounce house for the kids, rock climbing wall and face painting. Concessions and live entertainment from the Walton Stout Band beginning at 8 p.m. will be part of the festivities. The fireworks extravaganza is scheduled to begin at 9:25 p.m.

Lake Grapevine’s 28th July 4th Extravaganza at Grapevine Lake will begin their fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Several areas along Lake Grapevine will be perfect for viewing. There are a few parks along the lake that may charge a small fee for admission to view the fireworks, but most spots will be free.

Farmers Branch Independence Day Celebration will begin on July 3rd 2010 and will be held at Historical Park. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with free admission and a whole host of activities for the kids. Face painting and a bounce house are a couple of the activities. There will be concessions available and a tour of historical buildings in the park will be given as well. Emerald City will be on stage at 8 p.m. for your musical entertainment and the fireworks will begin at 9:35 p.m.

Come join the fun at the Red, White & Lewisville Fireworks Display. Beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m. this extravaganza of fireworks can be viewed from the south side of Vista Ridge Mall as well as the area along the 121 Bypass.

A great place to celebrate is the 38th Annual 4th of July Fireworks sponsored by the Kiwanis Club in Denton. The admission is free and the fun starts at 5:30 p.m. on July 3rd. There will be bounce houses and concessions, live music and a great time to come visit with friends and neighbors as you celebrate Independence Day together. The fireworks will be held at dusk and this is guaranteed to be a celebration you will not want to miss.

Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks will feature two nights of choreographed fireworks. In addition there will be horse racing, pony rides for the kids, bounce houses, a petting zoo, many arts and crafts vendors and live entertainment. The celebration will be held at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie and will be on Saturday and Sunday.

Starting Friday night at 6 p.m. and continuing Saturday and Sunday at noon, the Rowlett Exchange Club will hold their Independence Day celebration. The festivities will be held at the Elgin B. Robertson Park on Lake Ray Hubbard. There will be a variety of activities, including carnival rides, live music, children’s area and barbecue. There will be fireworks each night. Join them all three nights – or just on the 4th.

A celebration in Arlington Highlands on July 3rd in honor of Independence Day will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The fun and festivities will be enjoyed by the whole family. Live entertainment and the terrific fireworks display, which will be held at 9 p.m. will be sure and make your 4th of July a great one this year.

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Westwyck Hills – Southlake TX homes for Sale

Westwyck Hills is a new subdivision that has opened for those looking for Southlake TX homes for sale. This impressive residential area is beautifully landscaped using the inspiration of the countryside. From the location of Westwyck that includes country roads with oak trees on each side to the walkways and paths that wind their way through both entrance areas, this is a stunning area. Southlake TX homes for sale here will certainly not last long.

With the location enhancing this Westwyck Hills subdivision – it is only a few minutes from the Alliance and the DFW Airport – this will be a sought after community. The business centers located in Fort Worth and Dallas and Grapevine Lake recreational amenities are nearby as well. In addition, schools, entertainment, shopping, churches and dining are all located within easy access of Westwyck Hills. When considering where your next residence will be, Southlake TX homes for sale is well worth a look.

Lots that range from 29,000 square feet to 72,500 square feet are still available. The area has a natural look and feel that is due in part to the many trees that were blended into the landscape. New home builders in the area include:

• Bruton Homes, Inc.

• Home Builder Alliance

• John Kelly Homes

• Simmons Estate Homes

• Tuscany American Homes

• Starwood Custom Homes

• Venetian Custom Homes

• Cary Hy Custom Homes

• V. Patrick Gray Homes

Residents have one of the best school systems in the country within the Carroll School District. The Carroll Independent School District is a public school system for grades kindergarten through 12th grade. The eleven schools located here have over 7,900 students and 1,000 employees. This district is the largest in Texas to receive the “Exemplary” rating from the Texas Education Agency. The district also met all the guidelines mandated by the federal government for the No Child Left Behind Act.

Southlake truly is one of the best places to live in the U.S. As the fifth largest city in the country at about 22 square miles, t he population in 2007 was 25,700 and the residential development was 85%. The area has almost 8,000 households and the medium value of the home in Southlake is more than $450,000. Add to all the attractive features of this beautiful new residential area, a crime rate of only 2.34% compared to the state of Texas which is more than 5% and you will see why Southlake TX is the dream destination for your home.

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Top Ten DFW Home Money Saving Tips

Everyone wants to save money whenever possible. DFW home owners are no exception. With the tough economic times we have been facing, it is essential to find the best ways to reduce the amount of money spent on everything – including necessities. Here are the top ten ways DFW home owners and others have found to cut costs to fight the sluggish economy.

1. Telephone Service – So many households today use cell phones that a home phone is not really necessary. The bundled services are really a waste of money. If you want to use a house phone for long distance calls, using one of the companies that provide long distance service for a couple of cents a minute. There are many that do not charge a monthly fee.

2. Food Savings – DFW home owners have found the best way to save money on their grocery bills is to use coupons. They can be found at a variety of places such as the Sunday newspaper, online and even at the grocery stores. Printing them from the Internet is an option and trading coupons with others who save them is another way of getting the ones you use.

3. Hot Water Heaters – This is a big energy user. The water is consistently being heated to maintain the temperature that is set on the water heater and this goes on 24/7 whether you are using hot water or not. The use of a timer to kick off the hot water heater when it is not being used will save a considerable amount of energy and money.

4. Heating – This is another of the areas in which you can conserve energy. The use of a digital thermostat keeps the temperature regulated more accurately and if you keep the temperature lower when you are not home during the day, the savings is greater. Making sure there are not drafts from the outside and that everything is insulated well will help keep heat from escaping into the outdoors where it is wasted.

5. Cooling – The same holds true for cooling your DFW home. The thermostat you use and the setting can make a huge difference. The use of a ceiling fan can help circulate the air as well. When you are not home, use a higher setting and once again, make sure your cool air is not escaping through cracks or around windows.

6. Insurance – DFW home owners should make sure they are getting the best rate for their homeowner insurance policy. Receiving discounts by having certain items in your home such as fire extinguishers and smoke detectors can help on the cost. Even the proximity to a fire hydrant can make a difference, so you might want to mention this if one is close by.

7. Internet – The cost of Internet is higher at some companies than other. The savings you may get should be researched. If there is a choice, find out which one has the bets deal and you can save here as well.

8. Plants – When planting flowers in the yard of you DFW home, plant the perennials. If you do this, once they die out for the year they will return the following year and you will not need to plant more.

9. Electricity – There are many ways DFW home owners can utilize to save on their electricity bills. Using energy saving lighting and timers on appliances as well as the lighting can mean a huge savings over a period of time.

10. Television – Since satellite and cable can be quite expensive, checking to see if Internet has the programming will allow you to get rid of this expense. There are many networks that use a website for offering programming online.

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Kellerfest 2010 – Come Join in on the Fun! May 28-30, 2010

Are you ready for Kellerfest 2010? A family festival of three days, Kellerfest 2010 is sponsored by the Greater Keller Chamber of Commerce in Keller, Texas. Every day of the festival is guaranteed to be a fun-filled day with games, carnival rides, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, food, live music and more.

There will be a special event featured every day of Kellerfest 2010. A Classic Car Show, Battle of the Bands, Christian Music Concert, Bike and Trike Show, Fireworks will all be featured on certain days during Kellerfest 2010. Make sure and look at the schedule so you will know what days each event is held.

The admission is very affordable. Only $1 for kids from 4 to 11, $2 for 12 to adult, $1 for seniors 62 and over and kids under 3 are free. Where else can you have this much fun for so little? This is going to be a great weekend, so make sure you are here!

The Battle of the Bands will be great entertainment as two divisions – 15 and under and 16 and over – take the stage for a chance at a three hour recording session. Local bands and vocal groups can vie for a chance to have their song recorded. The competition is going to be fierce, so get your spot early and see who wins! This will be on Saturday, May 29th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the 15 and under competitors and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the 16 and up competitors.

The Strut Your Mutt show will be on Saturday as well at 10 a.m. The prize categories are Scooby Doo (for personality), Bad to the Bone and Princess Pooch. The event is free and does not require you to register. There will be demonstrations and tips on training after the event.

The Bike and Trike Show will be on Saturday, May 29th. The trophies will be awarded in 6 categories and there will also be the Best in Show and People’s Choice. You must register to participate in this event. Registration is $10 and pre-registration is suggested. Sponsored by Coors Light, this is the 2nd annual Bike and Trike Show.

On Sunday May 30th the Classic Car Show will be in full swing. There will be 16 classes and a 1st and 2nd place in each of these classes. In addition, there will be Best Paint, People’s Choice and Best of Show awards given. The competition will be in the Tom Thumb parking lot on Keller Parkway and Rufe Snow Dr. This is also a $10 registration fee and pre-registration is suggested.

Also on Sunday, May 30th the Christian Music Festival will start at 1:30. The Jodie Washburn Band, We in Waiting, Clay Jarvis Band, City View Church Band and the Christian Performing Arts Center will perform. Come hear these wonderful bands and receive a special price for admission if you have your May 29th or 30th church bulletin.

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Southlake Summer Camps 2010

Are your kids looking forward to the Southlake Summer Camps 2010? Starting on June 15th Camp Summer Oaks will be in session at Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve. This is the 24th year for the camp and the theme that will be explored this year is “Our Wild Texas!” The kids from 3 years of age to 10 can spend their summer learning about where they live. The wide variety of animals and plants will provide a whole new learning experience for them.

Not only will they learn while they spend time at the Nature Center, but they will get to participate in games, discussions, art, play and observations. Southlake summer camps 2010 will provide your child with a whole host of activities to keep them busy while school is out and you will never hear them say, “I’m bored.”

Southlake is also the spot for the Little Gym camp. The choice of three camps, Spring into Summer Camp, Anytime Summertime Kids Camp and Winter Camp Extravaganza are all designed with your child in mind. The camps all have a theme that allows your child to interact and keep their imagination working. The Ice Cave Pirate Adventure allows them the chance to imagine they are anything they want to be. The Coastal Cowabunga is another theme that will delight your child.

Southlake summer camps 2010 offers the Little Gym camp as well as more specialty camps such as the Monart School of Art summer camps and weekly classes. A new program, the digital arts course, will be added this year and is for age 4 all the way up to adults.

Several drawing programs are available and include basic drawing, animation, photo shop, architectural and cartooning, just to name a few. If you want to learn to draw or you already do and it is something that you enjoy immensely this may be the camp you want to attend.

From an Amazon adventure where the kids will learn how to draw different aspects of life that exists in the Amazon to the Deadly Creatures theme that teaches about all the animals on earth that are considered deadly. Great white sharks, crocodile and grizzly bears are just a few your child will learn about. The Space Explorations theme allows learning about the universe around us and the fun they will have creating their own planets and spaceships.

The Southlake summer camps 2010 also include the Southlake Gymnastics Academy summer camps. This is a great ide a for beating the summer heat. The choice of one session or all day is open so they can spend as much time as they want. The camp starts June 14th and runs through August 20th. Obstacle courses, in-ground trampolines and foam pits they can jump into from a rope are just part of the activities they will enjoy. In addition there is Jump Zone and Kids Tag Fitness.

The choice of fun and exciting things to do while on summer vacation just got better. With Southlake summer camps 2010, your kids will love spending time with friends, making new ones and enjoying the huge number of activities just for them.

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