Community .... Calling all Texas Rangers Fans....

WANTED: 4,000 Rangers Fans for History-Making Event

Must love glow sticks. Spelling skills required.

The City of Arlington and the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau are calling all true blue Texas Rangers fans to participate in this Friday’s “Let’s GLO Rangers Rally”, a celebration of the team’s 40^Th’s anniversary in Arlington.

The first 4,000 fans on site will get blue glow sticks to spell out R-A-N-G-E-R-S in giant illuminated letters. Aerial photographers will capture the event for a Let’s GLO Rangers video set to premiere on the Rangers Ballpark Jumbotron on Opening Day, April 6 when the team faces Chicago.

The fan rally is poised to make history in several ways. In addition to celebrating the Rangers’ 1972 debut at Arlington Stadium, the event will also attempt entry into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest number of people ever gathered to spell out a team name with glow sticks.

Admission is free and there are no age restrictions for participation. Fans are asked to wear Rangers red or blue.

For more fan participation tips, please visit:

http://myarlingtontx.com/ai1ec_event/lets-glo-rangers-make-history/?instance_id=10732

Details:

Friday, March 30, Rangers Ballpark, Lot B

Check-in begins at 6 p.m., Event is rain or shine

Housing Trends Newsletter by David Hart March 2012

Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general. Please click on this link to view the Housing Trends MARCH-2012 Newsletterhttp://dharthomes.housingtrendsenewsletter.com The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources. Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by MLSs and the National Association of Realtors, U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consumer videos, blogs, real estate glossary, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, and REALTOR.com local community reports. If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the “Home Evaluator” link for a free evaluation report: http://dharthomes.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/dispContent.cfm?loadid=2&loadtype=0 Sound decisions can only be made with accurate and reliable information, and I am happy to be a trusted resource for you. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this monthly eNewsletter, and I look forward to answering any questions you may have and to the opportunity to be your REALTOR® in the future. Sincerely yours, David Hart                        Buy Sell Invest with Hart

Don't Miss the Recall

Occasionally, you hear about an important recall on a product you have and you take care of it immediately. However, if you were to miss such a notice, it could put you or your family in jeopardy.
You can subscribe to the U.S. government's service to notify the public when recalls are made on vehicles, tires and child restraints through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on their site called SaferCar.gov.
You'll receive a notification by email when there is a new recall based on the type you selected. You can change your selections or unsubscribe at any time by going back to their website in the "Manage Your Notifications" section.
We're committed to helping you be a better homeowner by providing information on items that can protect your home's value, reduce expenses, improve maintenance and increase the enjoyment of your home. Buy Sell Invest with Hart

Community… Arts Festivals...

Community… Arts Festivals:

Arlington:            March 23,24, 25… read more about it at www.Artonthegreene.com

Kennedale:         March 30, 31 April1… read more about it at www.kennedaleartsfestival.com

SWAPO 2011 News...Natural Gas prices...

Natural Gas prices hit lows of $2.30/mmbtu and there doesn’t look to be anything coming in the next several months that should change the current outlook.

Read more at MineralWeb.com

SWAPO 2011 News...The University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute Study: “No evidence of groundwater contamination from hydraulic fracturing”.

The Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin recently conducted a study entitled "Fact-Based Regulation for Environmental Protection in Shale Gas Development." Dr. Charles Groat, the lead author of the study, communicated the following study conclusion as part of the information release: "We found no direct evidence that hydraulic fracturing itself—the practice of fracturing the rocks—had contaminated shallow groundwater."

Click link below to read more:

http://www.bseec.org/content/energy-institute-university-texas-austin-study-reviewing-groundwater-contamination-claims-fi

SOS Save our Schools Rally...

STS Rally This Saturday!
Click Here for More Information!
Today, the Texas Public Policy Foundation announced that it will pressure legislators for more deep cuts to education in 2013. We need you in Austin on March 24 to stop this assault on our children! Last March, over 13,000 parents, students, teachers and community members gathered in Austin to say "NO!" to more testing and less funding. The legislature didn't listen, and today we are seeing larger classes, fewer programs and supports, higher college tuition and MORE TESTING! Let's stand up once more and speak to the candidates running for election and re-election that "We're Watching, We Remember, and We Vote!"  We can fight the forces that want to destroy public education if we stand united. Make plans now to come back to Austin and TAKE BACK TEXAS EDUCATION!

When Mortgage Debt is Cancelled

The Mortgage Forgiveness Relief Act of 2007 was passed by Congress to avoid additional financial hardship that some homeowners might experience due to a foreclosure or short sale. The law affects mortgage relief that occurs from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2012.
Normally, IRS considers partial or total debt forgiven by a lender to be treated as ordinary income. This not only affects foreclosures but even short sales where only part of the debt is forgiven would trigger additional taxes for the homeowner. There are exceptions that apply such as bankruptcy and insolvency.
The forgiveness is only applicable to taxpayers' principal residence and only acquisition debt used to buy, build or improve the home. The additional cash taken out when refinancing a home will not be eligible for the relief unless it is used for capital improvements.
The lender is required to submit a 1099 form to IRS and provide the homeowner a copy who will file the forgiven amount on Form 982 as part of their 1040 tax return. How this affects your individual situation may differ due to other circumstances and advice from a tax professional is recommended.
Buy Sell Invest with Hart

Community News....City Council and Arlington ISD...

Young Men of Arlington are hosting a Candidate Forum March 21 Wednesday at the Community Room of the Arlington Library located at 101 E Abram St. The Arlington ISD and City Council candidates will discuss in a formal debate the various issues that concern our schools and city. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided. The elections will be May 12^th and May 29^th.

The Next Forum will be Thursday, March 22nd, at the Arlington Republican Club, Rolling Hill Country Club, 401 E Lamar, 7:00pm.

The City Election is Saturday May 12^th and the State / Federal Election is Tuesday May 29^th.

Another Indication

The Housing Affordability Index was developed over thirty years ago to help consumers determine when it is a good time to buy a home. It's considered advantageous to the buyer when the index is over 100 because a median income family can qualify for a median price home.
Recent figures released by the National Association of REALTORS' economic department show that the 2011 index of 184.5 is the highest annual average since it has been calculated. The most recent month released, December 2011, was 194.9. The index is also broken down into four regions of the country.
The two major components that contribute to the index are home prices and mortgage interest rates which are lower than they've been in the last five years which account for the dramatic rise in the index since 2006.
The Housing Affordability Index is another indication that this is a good time to buy a home for people who have good credit, a down payment and want a home. It may be the best time we'll see in our lifetimes.
Buy Sell Invest with Hart

SOS - Save our Schools Rally in Austin....3/24/12...

STS Rally-2 Weeks Away
Click Here for More Information!
We need you in Austin on March 24! Last March, over 13,000 parents, students, teachers and community members gathered in Austin to say "NO!" to more testing and less funding. The legislature didn't listen, and today we are seeing larger classes, fewer programs and supports, higher college tuition and MORE TESTING! Let's stand up once more and speak to the candidates running for election and re-election that "We're Watching, We Remember, and We Vote!"  We can fight the forces that want to destroy public education if we stand united. Make plans now to come back to Austin and TAKE BACK TEXAS EDUCATION!

Great Big Texas Home Show...this weekend...

... at Dallas Cowboy Stadium March 9th, 10th, and 11th. Featuring gardens and outdoor living, and of course new homes! Click link below to purchase tickets, see you there!

http://houstoneflyer.com/Archives3/10188c-MH/                     Buy Sell Invest with Hart

SWAPO 2011 News...City Council OKs fee on gas wells...

The $2,397 annual fee will fund an emergency preparedness and response program for the Arlington Fire Dept.
Read the entire article in the Star-Telegram by clicking the link below:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/03/06/3789975/arlington-approves-fee-on-natural.html

FHA Fees Going Up April 1st

FHA has raised the annual Mortgage Insurance Premium to 1.25% beginning April 1st.  MIP is required on all FHA loans and used to fund losses by lenders for borrowers who default on their mortgages.  As of June 1st, FHA loans in excess of the standard maximum of $625,500, in high-cost areas, will have a premium of 1.5% of the loan amount.

In addition to the increase in the annual MIP, FHA also announced it plans to raise the fee on the up-front MIP from 1.00% to 1.75%.  No date was reported for its implementation.

The bottom line will result in a borrower’s payments going up.  However, it might not be restricted to the MIP.  Freddie Mac’sPrimary Mortgage Market Survey showed that both 30 year and 15 year mortgages have gone up too.

One way to avoid the increase is to have a completed sales contract and have your lender order the FHA commitment prior to April 1, 2012.  If you plan on buying a home this spring, there is a reason to do it earlier rather than later.                       Buy Sell Invest with Hart

SOS News...2012 Statewide March & Rally at the Capitol March 24!

Last March, over 13,000 parents, students, teachers and community members gathered in Austin to say "NO!" to more testing and less funding. The legislature didn't listen, and today we are seeing larger classes, fewer programs and supports, higher college tuition and MORE TESTING! Let's stand up once more and speak to the candidates running for election and re-election that "We're Watching, We Remember, and We Vote!"  We can fight the forces that want to destroy public education if we stand united. Make plans now to come back to Austin and TAKE BACK TEXAS EDUCATION!

Click Here for More Information!

Community... Outdoor warning sirens...

Outdoor warning sirens are a key part of public safety. There are activation guidelines that cities use, but when severe weather occurs often all bets are off.

With tornado season bearing down on North Texas and the news of several twisters tearing apart towns in the Midwest, the question has come up. When do the sirens go off? And does everyone know what they mean?

There are four basic guidelines area cities use to activate outdoor sirens: a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning with winds over 70 miles per hour, reports of a tornado from a trained storm spotter, 1.25 inch hail or other emergencies like a wildfire or chemical spill.

But each city also has unique circumstances for activating outdoor sirens. For example, Arlington will activate sirens if a thunderstorm is barreling towards one of its stadiums. Dallas could hit the button on one of its 150 plus sirens if the Trinity River begins overflowing, putting homes and lives in danger.

“If we sound the sirens, there’s a reason for it,” said Kevin Oden, a Dallas Emergency Management specialist.

Oden said the sirens are designed to tell people who are outside to get inside, and then figure out why the sirens are going off.

“There has to be judgment in there, but there also has to be discretion,” he said. “The variables part of it, there’s always a human element. And there’s always a tough decision that has to be made.”

Read more on myFOXdfw.com: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/weather/why-are-the-tornado-sirens-sounding%3F-030112

Texas Independence Day Parade! in Kennedale TX...

Come join the Kennedale Chamber of Commerce for the annual Texas Independence Day Parade! The parade will begin at 1:00 PM and vendors and events will be held in... (click link)

http://www.cityofkennedale.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=1187 

College Town UTA news...... The Big Event....... Saturday April 27, 2012...

Promoting community, volunteerism, and the power of service... click link below to find out...
http://www.uta.edu/studentaffairs/stuact/volunteers/the-big-event/