Being a Richardson Texas First Time Homebuyer makes you have to consider your options before you buy. The first thing you will need to consider is what your long-term goals are with being a home owner and how your goals fit in with that plan. One goal could be to stop paying rent that just increases after every lease you renew.Buying your own home first is one of the happiest times of your life! However, a lot of paperwork and time goes into it and finding a lender with great reviews will ease much of the stress. But, the satisfaction you get from your first home closing is something you will never forget! The benefits of being a Richardson Texas First Time Homebuyer greatly outweighs renting for the following reasons:          Greater privacy.          Homes typically increase in value... 06/04/2020

Special Government Home Renovation Loan Program using Richardson TX FHA 203k Renovation Loans.Many people are not aware of a special government loan program that is part of the Federal Housing Administration or FHA (a department within HUD). A buyer or existing home owner can do meaningful amounts of remodeling or updates to their existing home without having a higher cost second lien thanks to this special FHA loan program.However, this loan program doesn't allow for "luxury items" in your home such as a swimming pool, hot tub, or other accessories. Although, you can repaint, replace flooring and appliances, add a room to an existing structure (which can add to value tremendously as you increase the square feet of your home) as well as remodel cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms.This l... 03/04/2020

There are many benefits to a VA home loan. It’s important to know how these loans can help you. First, thank you for your service to our country. According to the Mortgage reports, VA loans stand apart for its combination of low rates, lenient underwriting, and secondary benefits. These are 10 Richardson TX VA loan benefits in 2020. These are:        No down payment on a VA loan        No mortgage insurance        VA loans have a government guarantee        Your ability to shop and compare VA loans        VA loans don’t allow a prepayment penalty        They come in many varieties        It’s easier to qualify for a VA loan        VA loan closing costs are lower        The VA loan offers funding fee flexibility    VA loans are assumable Backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,... 03/02/2020

The Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) is a very powerful tool of the IRS.  When taxpayers have tax debt, one of the most common reasons they come to our Richardson, TX tax office is due to a tax lien. I will often be asked if I can contact the IRS and have the lien removed. As a general rule, the answer is no. The IRS files liens only after sending several notices and the taxpayer has often not dealt timely with the debt. The main reason that the IRS Files liens are because its effective. It can impact a taxpayer’s ability to sell or buy a home, get new financing, and in general has a stigma that taxpayer’s do not want. There are some ways to deal with a lien that has already been filed that we’ll discuss below.  What a Taxpayer Can Do One an IRS Lien is Filed (NFTL)?Here are a few ways... 03/01/2020

There are many benefits to a VA home loan. It’s important to know how these loans can help you. First, thank you for your service to our country. According to the Mortgage reports, VA loans stand apart for its combination of low rates, lenient underwriting, and secondary benefits. These are 10 Richardson TX VA loan benefits in 2020. These are:        No down payment on a VA loan        No mortgage insurance        VA loans have a government guarantee        Your ability to shop and compare VA loans        VA loans don’t allow a prepayment penalty        They come in many varieties        It’s easier to qualify for a VA loan        VA loan closing costs are lower        The VA loan offers funding fee flexibility    VA loans are assumable Backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs... 02/14/2020

If you’ve owed the IRS over the past 10 years, while you may not have been lucky to have an IRS problem, in general, we've seen a much less aggressive IRS in collecting tax debt.  As an Advocate for Taxpayers with IRS problems, I have found the IRS to be less likely to take agressive enforcement action and easier to work with to resolve my client's tax problems.  This decrease in enforcement has been primarily due to reduced funding for the department, resulting in an a shortage of experienced staff.  Over this time, we’ve seen decreases in audits, levies and liens and overall less effective tax collections for the government.  What Does the Future Look Like?We may be seeing this come to an end. The IRS received a 2.6% increase in its base budget for 2020.  While most of this is allocat... 02/10/2020

Many of the Taxpayer’s coming into our Richardson, TX tax office with IRS Debt have a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) or are under threat of an NFTL. As you’ve learned over the past few weeks, the Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) is a powerful tool of the IRS and having an NFTL filed can wreak havoc over your finances and your life. Today we’ll cover the forms to have an IRS Tax Lien Withdrawn or Released.   Withdrawal of an IRS Tax LienOne of the biggest benefits to Taxpayer’s of the 2012 Fresh Start Initiative, was that the IRS created an exception that permits a Taxpayer to request a withdrawal of the NFTL if the taxpayer who owes the IRS $25,000 or less and they enter into a Direct Debit Installment. Once the Taxpayer has made three consecutive monthly payments, they can request ... 02/07/2020

  Address SqFt Total Beds Total Full Baths Half Baths Pool Current Price 421 Frances Way 1,071 2 2   No $210,000 536 Rorary Drive 1,234 3 1 1 No $220,000 1215 Danville Drive 1,270 3 1 1 No $234,900 1501 Baltimore Drive 1,622 3 2   Yes $238,000 421 Grace Drive 1,215 3 2   No $243,000 1126 Larkspur Drive 1,304 4 2   No $250,000 610 Ridgedale Drive 1,280 3 1 1 No $253,000 1221 Dearborn Drive 2,012 4 2   No $254,900 314 Oxford Drive 1,400 3 2   No $257,000 1310 Dunbarton Drive 2,174 3 2   No $260,000 2732 Pinery 1,752 2 2   No $269,000 820 Wisteria Way 1,868 4 3   No $270,000 212 S Grove Road 1,865 4 2   Yes $279,000 906 Dunbarton Drive 1,969 3 2   No $280,000 420 Rorary Drive 1,733 3 2   No $280,000 3808 Aberdeen Court 2,068 3 3   No $281,900 510 Malden Drive 1,855 4 2   No $284,000 426 Be... 02/05/2020

There are many benefits to a VA home loan. It’s important to know how these loans can help you. First, thank you for your service to our country. According to the Mortgage reports, VA loans stand apart for its combination of low rates, lenient underwriting, and secondary benefits. These are 10 VA loan benefits in Richardson TX in 2019. These are:        No down payment on a VA loan        No mortgage insurance        VA loans have a government guarantee        Your ability to shop and compare VA loans        VA loans don’t allow a prepayment penalty        They come in many varieties        It’s easier to qualify for a VA loan        VA loan closing costs are lower        The VA loan offers funding fee flexibility    VA loans are assumable Backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affai... 02/03/2020

Veterans now have access to a new VA renovation loan to refurbish or remodel their homes.  This loan program is available for new home purchases as well as for remodeling homes currently owned by the veteran.  It is estimated that over 50% of homes nationally are 40 years or older, and in the current housing market many homes are in need of updating, addressing deferred maintenance, or improving the energy efficiency of homes to lower utility costs.VA loan benefits include the following unique advantages:  a.  up to 100% financing, b.  no mortgage insurance, c.  up to $ 35,000 in renovation funds escrowed, d.  all renovations must be completed within 60 days of closing, e.  you can close on a purchase or refinance in the “as is” condition, f. you can borrow against the future value of t... 01/21/2020

When taxpayer’s have IRS Debt, the IRS has a number of tools to use to collect the debt. Those include levies, liens, and can also include revoking the taxpayer’s passport. For some taxpayers, this is not a major threat. For others, there can be a substantial impact including harming a taxpayer’s ability to earn a living and visit loved ones and can be a major reason for dealing quickly and effectively effectively with tax debts. Who Should Be Concerned?If you owe a seriously delinquent tax debt, which is currently $52,000 or more, the IRS will notify the State Department and the taxpayer does not have an active installment agreement with the IRS nor there is a hold on Collection, under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation ACT (FAST ACT), the IRS is to notify the State Department... 01/17/2020

Special Government Home Renovation Loan Program using FHA 203k Renovation Loans in Richardson TX.Many people are not aware of a special government loan program that is part of the Federal Housing Administration or FHA (a department within HUD). A buyer or existing home owner can do meaningful amounts of remodeling or updates to their existing home without having a higher cost second lien thanks to this special FHA loan program.However, this loan program doesn't allow for "luxury items" in your home such as a swimming pool, hot tub, or other accessories. Although, you can repaint, replace flooring and appliances, add a room to an existing structure (which can add to value tremendously as you increase the square feet of your home) as well as remodel cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms.Thi... 01/15/2020

  Address SqFt Total Beds Total Full Baths Half Baths Pool Current Price 421 Frances Way 1,071 2 2   No $210,000 831 Brentwood Lane 1,178 3 1 1 No $224,900 1215 Danville Drive 1,270 3 1 1 No $234,900 637 Scottsdale Drive 1,265 3 1 1 No $235,000 101 E Dogwood Drive 1,674 3 2   No $238,000 1501 Baltimore Drive 1,622 3 2   Yes $240,000 1801 RAINBOW Ridge 1,522 3 2   No $240,000 1106 Morningstar Trail 2,566 4 2 1 No $249,900 1126 Larkspur Drive 1,304 4 2   No $250,000 1328 Belaire Drive 1,714 4 2   No $251,750 811 Wateka Way 1,296 3 2   No $255,000 1803 Provincetown Lane 1,357 3 2   No $259,000 1221 Dearborn Drive 2,012 4 2   No $264,900 1911 Campbell Court 1,662 3 2   No $264,900 314 Oxford Drive 1,400 3 2   No $264,999 2732 Pinery 1,752 2 2   No $269,000 1117 Pacific Drive 1,614 3 2   No ... 01/03/2020

Veterans now have access to a new VA renovation loan to refurbish or remodel their homes.  This loan program is available for new home purchases as well as for remodeling homes currently owned by the veteran.  It is estimated that over 50% of homes nationally are 40 years or older, and in the current housing market many homes are in need of updating, addressing deferred maintenance, or improving the energy efficiency of homes to lower utility costs.VA loan benefits include the following unique advantages:  a.  up to 100% financing, b.  no mortgage insurance, c.  up to $ 35,000 in renovation funds escrowed, d.  all renovations must be completed within 60 days of closing, e.  you can close on a purchase or refinance in the “as is” condition, f. you can borrow against the future value of t... 12/28/2019

There are many benefits to a VA home loan. It’s important to know how these loans can help you. First, thank you for your service to our country. According to the Mortgage reports, VA loans stand apart for its combination of low rates, lenient underwriting, and secondary benefits. These are 10 Richardson TX VA loan benefits in 2019. These are:        No down payment on a VA loan        No mortgage insurance        VA loans have a government guarantee        Your ability to shop and compare VA loans        VA loans don’t allow a prepayment penalty        They come in many varieties        It’s easier to qualify for a VA loan        VA loan closing costs are lower        The VA loan offers funding fee flexibility    VA loans are assumable Backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,... 12/26/2019

Many of our clients in our Richardson, TX tax office are families with children in college or have children who may be attending college in the future and are planning for that cost. What’s on your tax return plays a big role in determining how much financial aid a college offers to students. To get the most financial aid possible, you need to plan out any tax moves several years before applying. Today I want to cover 7 Tax Strategies for Maximizing Student Financial Aid. Colleges look at the income and assets of the parents and the student when calculating the “expected family contribution,” which in turn is used to calculate a student’s need for financial aid. But schools don’t look at last year’s income. Instead they look at income reported two years before the start of the school ye... 12/26/2019

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is and independent organization within the IRS that was set up for the purpose to act as a voice for taxpayers.   While the existence of the TAS is not known by most taxpayers, it can be effective means of helping both businesses and individuals with issues with the IRS causing financial hardship to them.   When and Why a Taxpayer Should Contact the Taxpayers Advocate ServicesTAS is not meant to circumvent the normal IRS channels. Before contacting TAS, taxpayers should attempt to go through the proper channels within the IRS including working with collections, the Group Manager, and in some cases Appeals.  Where the Taxpayer Advocate Services is especially effective when the IRS is unfairly threatening a taxpayer with time sensitive adverse action or... 12/12/2019

There are many benefits to a VA home loan. It’s important to know how these loans can help you. First, thank you for your service to our country. According to the Mortgage reports, VA loans stand apart for its combination of low rates, lenient underwriting, and secondary benefits. These are 10 Richardson TX VA loan benefits in 2019. These are:        No down payment on a VA loan        No mortgage insurance        VA loans have a government guarantee        Your ability to shop and compare VA loans        VA loans don’t allow a prepayment penalty        They come in many varieties        It’s easier to qualify for a VA loan        VA loan closing costs are lower        The VA loan offers funding fee flexibility    VA loans are assumable Backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,... 12/02/2019

Special Government Home Renovation Loan Program using Richardson Texas FHA 203k Renovation Loans.Many people are not aware of a special government loan program that is part of the Federal Housing Administration or FHA (a department within HUD). A buyer or existing home owner can do meaningful amounts of remodeling or updates to their existing home without having a higher cost second lien thanks to this special FHA loan program.However, this loan program doesn't allow for "luxury items" in your home such as a swimming pool, hot tub, or other accessories. Although, you can repaint, replace flooring and appliances, add a room to an existing structure (which can add to value tremendously as you increase the square feet of your home) as well as remodel cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms.Thi... 11/01/2019

   Address SqFt Total Beds Total Full Baths Half Bath Pool Current Price 2102 Meredith Lane 1,641 3 2   No $250,000 315 Brookwood Drive 1,345 3 2   No $250,000 2108 Blossom Lane 1,694 4 2   No $255,000 1801 RAINBOW Ridge 1,522 3 2   No $256,000 720 Scottsdale Drive 1,335 3 2   No $259,000 421 Grace Drive 1,215 3 2   No $259,000 423 Marilu Street 1,259 3 2   No $259,900 811 Wateka Way 1,296 3 2   No $260,000 1614 Blake Drive 1,970 3 2   Yes $265,000 1128 Pacific Drive 1,359 3 2   Yes $267,000 1228 Ridgeway Drive 1,472 4 2   No $269,500 639 W Belt Line Road 1,348 3 2   No $269,500 322 Brookwood Drive 1,304 3 2   No $269,500 1907 Blake Drive 1,660 3 2   No $269,900 631 E Tyler Street 1,469 4 2 1 No $269,900 724 Terryland Drive 1,376 3 2   Yes $269,900 637 Scottsdale Drive 1,265 3 1 1 No $2... 10/23/2019