Welcome to the New Year! Filling out forms probably wasn't part of your New Years resolutions, but the time has come to file your Homestead Exemption forms.

The homestead exemption lowers your property taxes, by subtracting a portion of your property value from the taxation. These amounts vary based on circumstance and county taxes, but can add up to as much as $25,000.

However, there are a few conditions:

• You must be a surviving spouse
• You must own and occupy the property
• The home must have been purchased prior to January 1
• Applications must be filed between Jan. 1 - Apr. 30 of the tax year

If you meet the above requirements, we strongly encourage you to apply. For those who qualify, it's a great perk of owning a homestead and

The start of a new year is the perfect time to start fresh and make plans for the months above. Whether you're looking to sell, or simply want to maintain your home to its best potential, you'll want to check out our 6 real estate resolutions for 2016!

6. Skip Money Sucking Renovations

Here's an easy resolution to start off with, because it requires no effort: don't renovate your home (with bad investments.) The truth is that most renovations will never recover their full value, which means you're actually losing money on them. Unless it's for your own personal happiness, skip these classic money sinks: swimming pools, stainless steel appliances, brand new carpets, elaborate landscaping and luxury fixtures or upgrades. Buyers certainly may

Byron "Buddy" Schilling, president of JBGoodwin REALTORS®, was featured in the Statesman giving his approval for the new home closing procedures.

The initial changes were met with concern for many agents throughout the industry, but JBGoodwin saw the opportunity for what it was: good for the people.

A big difference in the new process, which launched October 3, is an improved closing disclosure form.

“The closing disclosure goes through, in great detail and in simple English, what it is that the buyer and seller are actually closing, and what the buyer is getting in terms of a loan,” Schilling said, to the Statesman. “It's a beautiful thing due to the simplicity of it.”

This simplicity is exactly the intention behind the changes, which seek to

Are you ready to build your dream home in Austin or San Antonio but you're not sure which builder to choose? If you're looking for an experienced builder that will really listen to you and not go over your budget, you should consider CalAtlantic Homes.

A recent merger between Ryland and Standard Pacific has brought over 100 years of combined experience to create CalAtlantic Homes. The new company uses their shared expertise to build properties in 17 different states. Innovation, unwavering commitment and quality homes are only some of the ideals that CalAtlantic prides itself on when taking on a project. Providing the highest personalized service, CalAtlantic enjoys getting to know their clients and delivering what is important to them.

Don't just

Investing in Real Estate

Spend money to make money. If you find yourself with some extra money in the bank, you might be wondering what the best course of action is: should I save it or invest? Purchasing real estate has long been considered one of the best ways to not only own more assets but to also return a profit from them too. Flipping houses or purchasing homes for renting are the two primary ways to return a profit from real estate. Here’s some important things to consider to help you choose which path is best for your home:

Buy The Right House

It’s critical that you buy a house that's both daffordable for you and in a desirable location for the future renter or owner. Watch out for homes that are exceptionally cheap as they may just be

Building a home in Austin, TX? Once the lot has been purchased, the next step is finding a builder. With so many Austin custom builders to choose from, it's one of the toughest decisions. You may not know who to trust or if they'll really give you what you want. It's a lot of money that you're investing, so you'll want to make sure it's done right, and that you're really getting what you want. It can be difficult finding a builder that you trust and that will listen to your every request, no matter how trivial they think it is. With KB Home, you don't have to worry about not being heard. After all, it's a lot of time and money going into the project, and KB Home understands this more than anyone.

With offices all over the country, KB Home is a premier

Are you ready to buy a second home in Austin ? Be it a vacation home, an investment property, or a new house, buying a second home can be difficult to finance. Lenders see a second home mortgage as a higher risk and they may be more wary about approving a loan. Many buyers shy away from investing in a new home in fear that they won't be able to get a mortgage on a second property. Don't worry, with this guide, finding and financing your property can be a smooth process.

Control Your Debt

One of the most important things you can do when buying a second home is to make sure your debt is controlled. Your lender should have a detailed report of all loans, mortgages and monthly bills that take away from your monthly income. Seeing an outlined copy of

The basics you need to buy the right house, make renovations, and turn a profit.

The entrepreneurial spirit certainly comes alive in the industry of flipping Austin homes. It tends to attract keen investors, savvy real estate enthusiasts, and handy contractors. Interested in jumping into the business? Check out our tips to see if you’d pass muster, and let us know if you’d like to dive in!

Building Business Savvy

Your biggest asset before you start flipping homes is your expertise. You’ll need to study up on the Austin real estate market, not to mention the essentials of flipping. Your business savvy will help set you apart in the eyes of the experienced pros.

• Look for your niche: What kind of homes do you want to flip, and where are they