Now is the time to file for property exemptions with your County or Regional Appraisal Districts. 

If you bought property, especially a home or acreage within the last year or so, make sure you have a current exemption on file with the appraisal district. 

Sometimes people who buy a home assume the form is signed and filed when they closed on the property.  Then, when they received their tax bill, they realized too late, they were unable to get their homestead exemption because the filing date had passed. 

As property owners, it is our responsibility to ensure everything is correct and up to date in order to  take full advantage of the available exemptions.  If you are new to this process, I have created a series of videos you can watch to help you understand the basics.  

Here is a link to my YouTube Channel with all of the videos: (16) Real Estate - YouTube .

Soon you will receive a notice of the tax value from your Appraisal District.  This form will also contain a homestead exemption form, as well as a protest form.  If you have a mortgage or loan and your taxes are paid out of an escrow account, the mortgage company will receive a copy as well.  

However, they do not review it for proper exemptions.

Review your statement closely to see if your exemptions appear.  If the exemptions do not appear, you will need to file the exemption by April 30th.  However, please check your Appraisal District Website, or contact them directly to be sure. As well, many of the forms you need may be available on the website, or at the appraisal district office. 

For your convenience, here are links to appraisal district sites that are in my area:
      Wise County Appraisal District— www.wise-cad.com  
    Montague County--www.co.montague.tx.us (go to Tax Assessor/Collector, then click on Appraisal District)
       Tarrant County--www.tad.org
       Parker County--www.parkercountytx.com (click on Tax Assessor-Collector)
       Clay County--www.claycad.org
       Cooke County--www.cookecad.org

While I may not be able to do much regarding your taxes, I am always here to connect you with the knowledge you need to enjoy your property to the fullest.  Please let me know if I can help in any way.

(20+) WC Chamber February Luncheon | Facebook
WC Chamber February Luncheon
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2022 AT 11:45 AM – 1 PM
​Decatur Conference Center
Come network with other business leaders from throughout Wise County!
Topic: State of the County: Wise County in 2022
Speaker: J.D. Clark, Wise County Judge
Sponsor: Mann Refrigeration, Inc.
Location: Decatur Conference Center, 2010 W US 380, Decatur, Texas
Tickets are $15 per person or $20 including $5 in raffle tickets. Purchase tickets below.
https://wisecountychamber.com/event-tickets/
Tickets MUST be purchased online prior to the event. Tickets will not be sold at the door. We are required to give a firm headcount for preparation of food and seating.
If your business would like to sponsor a luncheon this year, please call Mende at 682-433-8223.

(20+) Citizen Police Academy #16 | Facebook
Citizen Police Academy #16
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022 AT 6:30 PM

​The Citizens Police Academy is designed to introduce the citizens of Decatur with educational information and experiences about the structure and activities of their police department. The CPA class is an exciting opportunity to gather information, gain behind-the-scenes, hands-on experience of the various functions within the Decatur Police Department.
The Citizens Police Academy is a free 13 week program that will begin on February 15, 2022 and end with a graduation ceremony on May 10, 2022. Classes will be held weekly at the Decatur Police Department located at 1601 S. State Decatur, TX from 6:30 pm to 9:30pm each Tuesday night. Contact Royce Gastineau for additional information at rgastineau@decaturpd.net
Required forms are available at http://www.decaturtx.org/236/Citizens-Police-Academy

When ending one year and looking toward the next, I usually contemplate, reflect and set goals for the things I want to accomplish through the coming months.  However, this year is different.  

If you know me at all, you know I am a woman of strong faith, so I don't do the end of year analysis without a lot of prayer and Bible Study.   As I sat down the other day to just reflect, I prayed and felt very strongly that this year should be about Vision over Goals.  That took me a bit by surprise.

I understand the difference between the two and, to put it simply, a vision is more of a big picture idea whereas goals are an individual aim or item to accomplish.  But why do I need to focus on Vision over goals this year?  

Upon further reflection, it became clear that my path can be hindered by getting caught up in the 'minutia' of accomplishing goals, feeling defeated when specific goals aren't met.  Now, shifting perspectives and focusing a bit more on where I want my life to be at the end of 2022 is going to be the direction I take, although it may seem a bit more ambiguous or unclear.

How does this apply to Real Estate? 

Are you thinking about buying, selling or making a change in the coming year, or even the following year?  

Too often we get stuck in the details and don't take time to examine the big picture behind why we want to make the change.  We start moving forward, checklist in hand, then a whirlwind of events happen.  Information is thrown at us and we easily get overwhelmed with all of the decisions, choices, costs, possibilities, problems, etc., I could go on, but you get the picture.

If you are contemplating selling your home, take time to really deep dive into why.  Obviously, life circumstances often precipitate the need to buy or sell, but many people have less determined reasons to sell.   A long-felt desire to move to the country, to advance to the next size up or down, or to get out from under the burden and not own a home at all, are all reasons that may drive you to sell your home or property. 

Taking time to seriously think through the pros and cons of your why, will give you some much needed perspective on the decision.   Then dream about what you want the end result to be, what you want your life to look like at the other end of the decision.   This isn't a psychological magic pill, but it does help set the stage mentally for the direction you are going and it gives you a focus to keep you on track throughout the process.

I often meet people who have a beautiful home with all the accoutrements of a fine lifestyle.  The garage is full of all the toys, they have the pool, the land, the outdoor kitchen, it is a dream home.  But their life is so busy they either cannot enjoy it, or the debt and maintenance is so burdensome, they spend all their time working to pay for it and keep it maintained.  They don't own their home, their home owns them.  

Sellers can easily get lost in the finances of their perceived, current market situation, believing their property is worth more than the market will bear, then become disappointed because of what it actually takes to sell their home.  Yes, it takes money to sell your home, cash on hand and in the bank during the process, even before you get to the closing table.  You will need to make repairs so the lender will finance the home, the buyer may want you to make repairs, after all, they don't want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home that is 'broken.'  Even though we have been in a 'Sellers Market,' many sellers get lost in the sales price and the associated cost and end up becoming frustrated and angry because of the process, especially when the market doesn't support the price they expected to get for their home.​

What about buying?  Why are you buying?  Imagine yourself at the end of the journey and what you want your life to be.

I have helped so many who want land, raw land.  They have good credit and some savings, so they want to move to the country and build their dream farm.  They have imagery in their head of what it will look like or what they will have, but little reality as to the truth of it. 

Very few realize the cost associated with the things not included in a home build.  A builder will build a house and put in the utilities, sometimes a driveway, but it depends on how far back you want the home.  They may even add a little landscaping around the house.  But most do not fence the entire piece of property, oh and the shop you dreamed of, that is a huge expense.  You don't want a workshop or barn without electricity and possibly water.  Back to fencing, we fenced 3 sides of a 4 acre tract with a gate and solar gate opener for almost $9,000.00.  Keep in mind, fencing is expensive and even if you do it yourself, the supplies can be cost prohibitive, and it takes a lot of time to build it.  Many young families become so burdened by their 'dream' that they cannot enjoy their life.  

While all of these things may be part of your dream, many young families find themselves in a mess with half finished projects, and incomplete dreams.  They get frustrated, life happens and the money is gone so they have to sell.  Properties that have incomplete projects take a hit financially.  Very few people want to finish someone else's dream home.  If they do take it on, it is only because they got it at a great price, which means the seller took a loss financially.

Before you even go down that rabbit trail, take time to really examine what you want your life to be like and let the place you buy fit into that life, not the other way around.  Many times, people get into these situations because they focused on the goal of buying and what they wanted, not being realistic about what it would take to make it happen, or how much the upkeep and maintenance would be.  They look at the size, style, etc.  They don't think about what the experience of living in that home will actually be like.  

,So how do you focus on vision rather than goals?  

If you are selling, focus on the end goal of signing on the dotted line and moving on.  The process of selling is extremely stressful and can sometimes seem never ending.  Listen to your realtor and don't ignore the warnings of potential costs and issues.  Most realtors want the best for you and to get the most out of your sale, however having an inflated or over expectant idea of what you will get out with, or what will or should happen, only adds to the stress for all involved.  

Also, keep in mind, it can take a month or more to complete everything, so just sit back and relax.  Jumping the gun on your dream could only end in disaster if something happens during the process.  Until the money is in your account, it ain't over.    Funding the loan doesn't take place when you sign the paperwork, it takes place after everyone has signed and the lender has approved all of the documents.  Then the title company can release the funds and you can celebrate.

Making plans for your new life too soon, could cause a lot of problems if the loan falls apart.  People have gotten laid off 2 days before signing on their dream home, leaving the seller to deal with the unsold property.  Or one of the buyers passes away, or an illness hits their home.  The lender rejects the loan because of something weird showing up on their credit report at the last minute.  Too many things can happen, so just hang on for the ride and keep looking at the Big Picture.

What is your life like?  Do you travel a lot or are you a homebody?  Do you have a large family, or is it just you and your cat?  Are you athletic and a health fanatic, or more of a laid back, "enjoy life" kind of soul?   Do you have a large friend group, or do you like to work on projects?  

Whatever brings joy into your life, incorporate that into the vision for your life, make room for it and make your future living accommodations work around those things.  When you look at your future place of living and see it through the lense of what makes you happy, your choices become more flexible and finding the place that works for you may be easier than you think.

What about travel?  Do you or your family like to travel?  Then downsize in size and financially to ensure you can afford the trips and have less to maintain while you are gone.  

The lifestyle you want at the end of the journey is the 'vision'.   Work toward that vision, then you can achieve the goal of a happier, more enjoyable life.  

(20+) First Friday Bridgeport | Facebook

FRIDAY Jan 7 AT 11 AM – 9 PMFirst Friday Bridgeport
​Halsell St, Bridgeport, TX
First Friday Bridgeport -
Join us the First Friday of the month in our revitalized and Open Consumption historic downtown district!
Shop, dine, drink, craft, paint, get pampered, buy local art!
Purchase your favorite beverage at one of our participating establishments and enjoy as you sip and shop downtown!
** Sales, specials, etc... will be posted directly into the event by businesses on Halsell Street. Check the event discussions to view the First Friday specials! #SHOPLOCAL #shopsmall #supportlocalbusiness during #FirstFridayBridgeport
See you there!

(20+) Karaoke Night at RB Golf Club & Resort! | Facebook

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2022 AT 5 PM – 9 PM
​Karaoke Night at RB Golf Club & Resort!
Get your practice pants on and get ready to sing your heart out because KARAOKE NIGHT IS BACK!!
We are beyond excited to announce that 2022 is the year to pull the mic back out and let your voice be heard! We have a full calendar of Karaoke Nights so as long as you like and follow this event, you won't miss a beat!
In this event we will share flyers and details regarding each Karaoke event, THEME NIGHTS (yes, please!), featured food & drinks for the night and so much more!
You can also check out any of the events happening here at RB Golf Club & Resort on our website by going to www.rbgolf.com/events.