1) Save BIG by refinancing your mortgage (even with high-interest rates): Drop your house payment by increasing the length of your loan Decrease the length of your loan to pay off your mortgage faster Skip up to two house payments Use proceeds to consolidate and pay off credit card debt, student loan debt, and other loans Use proceeds to install energy-efficient features Believe it or not, some people can still reduce their interest rate Apply here: www.chandlercrouch.com/refi 2) Reduce Your House Payment by Easily Restructuring Your Escrow Shortage: The most common reason for an increased house payment is caused by an escrow shortage Escrow shortages are caused by rising property taxes and insurance rates By default, lenders automatically assign escrow shortages a 12-month payment plan which causes your house payment to skyrocket To reduce your payment, simply call your mortgage company and ask them to extend the escrow shortage payment plan for over 24 months. Most mortgage companies will grant this extension without the borrower having to fill out an application or prove a hardship — simply by request 3) Remove Costly PMI You Might Not Even Realize You Are Paying: If you purchased your house in the last 5 years with less than 20% down payment, there's a good chance your mortgage company still bundles private mortgage insurance (PMI) into your house payment As home prices increase, you gain equity, which means you might be entitled to cancel your PMI Depending on your situation, removing PMI may be as simple as submitting a request Reach out to your lender and ask what documentation they require to request the removal of PMI, potentially saving you a significant amount each month. It might be as simple as filling out a form. 4) Slash Your Electricity Costs: Chandler says Energy Ogre has saved him well over $1000 per year Get an unfair advantage by letting Energy Ogre's algorithm cut through all teaser rates and match your unique electricity usage with the plan that will save you the most money for only $10/month Get a 10% discount when you sign up through our link here Also, they donate $2/month to support our free tax protest service when you sign up through our link

Your monthly electricity bill is often the second-largest expense after your mortgage. Making some simple changes around your home could add up to big savings.  Here are 27 tips to cut energy costs    1. Shop for better electricity rates I saved a TON of money with Energy Ogre, so I welcomed the company as a sponsor. Average savings is $558/year. Take 2 minutes to see how much they can save you. When you sign up, the company contributes to our mission to fight the property tax system. I feel the love. It’s beautiful. Take 2 minutes to get a free quote-click here 2. Cut Out Phantom Energy Your TV, computer, Internet router, and kitchen appliances are making your electric bill higher. This is because they are continually working even while off.  Use power strips and turn them off when electronics are not in use. 3. Use Dimmer Switches Dimmer switches restart every 120 seconds, and the restart isn’t noticeable to the human eye. This essentially modulates how much energy is needed, saving energy and money! 4. Line Dry Laundry Dryers are energy hogs, and cutting them out of your home routine can save you quite a bit of money. 5. Keep Your Fridge and Freezer Full The food and drinks act as insulation, keeping your refrigerator from working so hard to cool things off. Energy saved! 6. Keep Refrigerator Coils Clean Dirty coils make your fridge work harder. Check them every three months and keep them clean to save electricity and lengthen the life of your refrigerator. 7. Use Ceiling Fans Ceiling fans help circulate air throughout your home and ease the job of your air conditioner. 8. Get an Attic Ceiling Fan You may notice how hot it gets in the attic or on the top floor of your home in the summer. Having an attic ceiling fan can reduce hot air and allow your home to be cooled faster. 9. Keep the Sun Out Direct sunlight can quickly crank up the energy consumption of your air conditioner. Close blinds and curtains on the sunny side of your home. 10. Get Annual HVAC Maintenance To ensure your HVAC is operating efficiently, get annual maintenance done on it. The inspection can identify any wear and tear that could be causing your HVAC system to be working harder than needed. 11. Clean HVAC Filters Cleaning your HVAC filter also promotes efficiency. Cleaning or changing your HVAC filter every 30 days can help you cut electricity costs. The added bonus is that your home will also have cleaner air flowing through it. This is a definite bonus during allergy season! 12. Turn Off Your Stove This is an easy tip to implement to help cut electricity costs. When you use your electric stovetop or oven, turn it off a few minutes before your food is done. The heat built up can continue to cook your food while you cook off a few dollars a year from your electric bill. 13. Use LED Lighting LED lights can reduce your lighting energy consumption by 90 percent. This can save you quite a bit of money long term! 14. Wash and Dry Dishes by Hand Limiting any appliance use in the kitchen, including your dishwasher, will ultimately save you money. 15. Turn Off Dishwasher Heat Dry If you can’t ditch the dishwasher, or if washing dishes by hand is not as cost-effective as your dishwasher,  turn off the heat dry selection on your dishwasher. 16. Insulate Electrical Outlets Install electrical outlet sealers behind outlets and switches to stop hot and cold air leaks. Want to go the extra mile? Place child-safety plugs into outlets after insulation is installed. 17. Install Storm Doors Storm doors can save you a little bit on your electric bill. Installing them also makes you eligible for a $500 tax credit. The average storm door costs around $200, but if you only need two or three of them, the tax credit alone makes it worth it. 18. Do Energy Saving Landscaping Planting trees to shade your home and your air conditioning unit can help naturally insulate your home, thus saving energy on heating and cooling. Decreasing the amount of rock and cement is also another great way to combine landscaping with energy efficiency. 19. Use Cold Water for Laundry Do you do your laundry using hot water? This is not uncommon, but it is also a cause for higher electric bills. Your washer’s energy consumption can be 90 percent less if you use cold water instead of hot. This is due to the decreased cost in heating the water. A cost saving method to definitely consider! 20. Go Low-Flow During Showers Less water flow during showers means less water to heat. This makes installing low-flow shower heads an easy way to start cutting your electric bill in half. 21. Buy Some Dryer Balls It’s no surprise that running your dryer less will help you cut electricity costs. Dryer balls are great for cutting drying times. In fact, dryer balls can cut drying time by 25 percent. If line drying your clothes is not possible, dryer balls are a great energy saving alternative. 22. Install Motion Sensors Lighting can drain energy fast, and it can be annoying to keep turning lights on and off as you move around your home. Installing light motion sensors can help.  23. Stop Preheating Your Oven Contrary to many recipes, food that requires a lengthy cook time doesn’t actually need or benefit from a preheated oven.  24. Get More Use Out of Your Microwave Microwaves use less electricity than your oven. And they also do not heat up your home, which is good if you are trying to reduce cooling costs in the summer. 25. Turn Your Lights Off This is a must if you want to cut electricity costs. Turning off your lights will reduce energy consumption related to lighting, as well as energy consumption used to cool your home. This is because most light bulbs produce heat, even CFL bulbs. 26. Maintain Ducts and Vents Yearly checks on your ducts and vents will help you identify any leaks and fix them. This can help you save big on your electric bill. 27. Turn Off Your Refrigerator Ice Maker Did you know that you could decrease your refrigerator’s energy consumption by turning off its ice maker? That’s right. By eliminating the ice maker you can decrease your fridge’s energy use by as much as 20 percent.   Thanks to Discover HomeSelfe and Real Simple Energy for many of these great tips   

  Take 5 minutes to call your lender… no really, it's easy. If your monthly mortgage payment has increased in the past year or so, it’s likely because your taxes and/or insurance have gone up. Your mortgage company likely uses a 12-month payment plan by default to pay off your escrow shortage, but they usually don't tell you that you have additional options. To help lower your payment, call your mortgage company and simply ask them if you can pay out the escrow shortage over 2-3 years. Most of the time they just say yes without any issue or pushback. A 10-minute phone call could drop your payment by hundreds.    Ask the Tax Assessor’s Office to split your tax payment throughout the year. The first installment must be paid on or before Nov. 30. The second installment must be paid on or before June 30. Those who qualify for the over 65 or disability exemptions may pay quarterly: Jan. 31, March 31, May 31 and July 31. Taxes not paid by Jan. 31 will incur penalties and interest unless the half payment or a quarterly installment is applied to the account. Contact the tax assessor before Nov. 30.    Triple check to make sure your exemptions are in place. The appraisal district can actually cancel your exemptions anytime without a great reason, such as, if mail they send you is returned undeliverable. This video shows how to verify your homestead exemption is in place in Tarrant County.  If you find out you need to file, this video provides the application link and, step by step instructions. Refinance your mortgage. Money is on sale! Interests rates are low and even lower. Get free quotes from your bank, an online company, and an independent lender. Then you can confidently choose who will meet the needs of your unique situation. We always recommend and trust Alex Varela, a branch manager for   Prime Lending. He's innovative and magical to get you into your dream home. Fill out this form if you would like more information.   Ask us for a free insurance quote. Your house payment includes taxes, insurance, principle, and mortgage interest. If your payment has increased, there is a good chance your insurance rates have increased. Many people are significantly overpaying. Talk with one of our expert insurance agents on staff to get you a free quote for home and auto. We shop A-rated insurance carriers to get the best coverage for best rate. Fill out this form .   Reduce your utility costs. Chandler saved a bunch of money with Energy Ogre, so he partnered with them to offer the same service to you.    Reduce your utility consumption. Your monthly electricity bill is often the second-largest expense after your mortgage. Making some simple changes around your home could add up to big savings. We have 27 tips to cut energy costs here.    

  Scroll down to see a video overview of this info  Step 1 Send an email and call Morgan Meyer, the chairperson for the Ways and Means Committee (contact info below). Say this: Please schedule a hearing on House Bill 2403 and House Bill 2311.  HB 2403 What it does: Eliminates loophole used to rig elections for the appraisal district board of directors election HB 2311 What it does: Creates a better homestead exemption so values can only be increased by 5%   Morgan Meyer morgan.meyer@house.texas.gov   morgan@morganmeyerfortexas.com Ph 1: (512) 463-0367 Ph 1: 469-554-0428 3131 McKinney Avenue #649, Dallas, TX 75204   Step 2 Send an email and call Harold Dutton, the chairperson for the Education Committee (contact info below). Say this: Please schedule a hearing on House Bill 2944 HB 2944 What it does: Curtails State pressure on appraisal districts to artificially inflate values   Harold Dutton Jr harold.dutton@house.texas.gov Ph 1: (512) 463-0510 Ph 2: (713) 692-9192 8799 N. Loop East, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77029  

Property appraisal notices usually sent to owners on or around April 1, will be delayed this year because of closures caused by COVID-19. Tarrant Appraisal District The Tarrant Appraisal District just announced that they are delaying sending out property tax value notices until May 1, 2020. Jeff Law, chief appraiser for the Tarrant Appraisal District, states that TAD will honor protest filings up to June 1, 2020. The appraisals will be based on local market data as of January 1, 2020. But if the local market data presented to TAD that indicates the current health crisis has impacted your market value as of January 1, that information may be taken into consideration. TAD encourages people to file their protests online at tad.org because that would be the safest and healthiest approach for everyone. On a side note, taxing entities are also asking to delay the implementation of Senate Bill 2 rate caps. The Senate Bill 2 provision  attempts to constrain school district property taxes. In the meantime, it is still up in the air until the stay at home orders are lifted. Dallas Central Appraisal District  The Dallas Central Appraisal District is planning to mail Real Property Appraisal Notices on May 15, with a June 15 protest deadline date assuming the Shelter In Place Declaration is not extended. The earliest the protest deadline will be for properties in Dallas County is June 15 (not May 15). While DCAD’s physical office is closed until April 30 due to the Shelter In Place Declaration, DCAD is still conducting business remotely. For 2020, it’s highly likely that there will be no face-to-face informals, so everyone is encouraged to use their online programs to conduct business remotely. Tax consultants will be advised in early May on how the exchange of information will be handled during the 2020 ARB Process. Please note that before DCAD will engage in any remote value discussions with agents or owners, they will first need to file a protest for 2020. DCAD encourage everyone who intends to file a 2020 protest to file the protest as soon as possible so that we can begin the process of value settlement discussions.  With regard to the BPP Rendition deadline, which has been extended to May 15 for all, DCAD suggest to use the Online BPP Rendition system or send your BPP renditions electronically as opposed to sending them via the US Mail. Also, please file sooner than later so they have ample time to review and process them. If you have already mailed them through the US mail, then if possible please e-mail a PDF of your filings so they can process them electronically and the staff can review them remotely. The BPP e-mail address is bppcs@dcad.org. Denton County Appraisal District The Denton County Appraisal District will start mailing out the notices in the last week of April. They are encouraging online or by-phone appeal process.  Collin County Appraisal District Collin County also has no set dates in mailing out value notices. What to Expect The protest process may look completely different this year. The appraisal districts are still trying to figure out how they can legally reorganize the entire system to allow avenues to protest and come to an agreement of a fair value without having to appear in person. Since the proposed values are going to be the values based on the local market data as of January 1, 2020, more people may want to protest a higher value this year to keep their taxes from increasing significantly. The appraisal districts are making health their primary concern. They want to do what they can to avoid in-person protests as much as possible. They are going to be as generous as they can justify. Tax Protest Advice It is highly encouraged to use the downtime to start collecting estimates from contractors about repairs that may need to be done. You should take photos and become well-acquainted with the condition of your house so you are ready when it is time to protest. If the appraisal districts are willing to settle and it is fair or close to fair, please accept it. Remember that you owe it to you and your family to make sure the value is reasonable.

In case of emergency, you have to consider what you would eat. Now, you go to Walmart and you cannot see anything anymore but some canned meat product. If you are gonna prepare, you need to make sure that what you are gonna buy has long shelf life and most importantly, you need to make sure that your kids will love them. Find out what canned meat these kids would eat in case of emergency. Choices of Potted Meat The Verdict

Everyone is compelled to stay at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. With classes being suspended, we have realized that transitioning from the public school setting is not a walk in the park. It is even way different than homeschooling. And we, as parents are trying to figure this out. Children are accustomed to being in public school. Now coming home, the whole world has changed. And now, parents need to embrace this totally new concept. Maintaining Emotional Stability Know that your reactions are going to feed your child's reactions.  So if you're freaking out, they freak out too because they feel it. Cut yourself a break from social media. It only shows picture perfect moments that make you doubt yourself. Find success in the day. Celebrate small wins with your spouse or kids and know that you are doing the best you can. Give grace. Give yourself grace, give the teachers grace, give the kids grace. Focus on the fact that this is an incredible time to spend with your family. Give up control and let them lead. Change their perspective by being creative. Establish a schedule or routine but do not engage with power struggle. Walk away until your kids are ready to move forward. Use technology to your advantage to save your sanity. Homeschooling Different Children Children have varied learning styles. They can learn at different settings-- at home, at school or even while playing. Do not put so much stress on yourself about trying to make sure that your kids learn everything they're supposed to learn and do everything they are supposed to do. They will learn just by being around you. Come up with general school hours that would work for them.  If you're an early morning family, do early mornings. If you're if you're a night owl. Push it a little bit later. Give the first hour and a half to one kid in the next hour and half to a different kid. Offer them a list to be done for the day and let them choose. Allow them to choose their environment. Some kids need a desk and a quiet space, others learn better by moving. You do not need to be the teacher always. You don't have to teach everything. There are lots of people who have great content online. Challenges in Transitioning to Public School at Home Setting Kids who thrive off a structured environment can easily be bored when they get interrupted. Some kids may feel like they need to sit at home on their computers. Have them lay in a chair with a tablet versus the desk or them eat whenever they want. Parents say that the syllabus content is way too much to accomplish in a day, others say it is just enough. Teaching kids in different age groups with different learning styles is different from teaching kids in the same age group at school.  Technological challenges like: Internet connection issues Having trouble with logging into online classes Having several kids at home but they only have one computer or laptop to share with. Screen time versus online learning. Screen time is for leisure. It is the eyes looking at a screen. However, virtual learning is just like learning in the classroom. They do their lesson, generalize then take a break. Takeaways The secret is figuring out what is best for you.  There are a lot of answers, but you just have to pick one and roll with it. Enjoy your time, make memories every day, start a little family journal. Parents should be patient, kind and courteous to our teachers. They are working around the clock to make sure that lessons run as easily and smoothly as possible. Resources Speakers: Mindy Williams (Pro Mom & Realtor) Brooke DeLuna MS, LPC (Professional Coumselor) Amanda Hopper (Homeschool Mom) Websites: For counseling - https://brighterpossibilitiesfc.com/ Children books: Epic reading www.getepic.com Scholastic (not usually free) - https://www.scholastic.com/home/ ABCmouse - https://www.ageoflearning.com/8a08850bc2=T1290355973.1585148191.6738 Khan Academy for math- www.khanacademy.org Prodigy for math - play.prodigygame.com Cool math games  - https://www.coolmathgames.com Neok12 for math, reading, science, social studies - https://www.neok12.com/ Squiggle park for reading - www.squigglepark.com Storyline for reading - https://www.storyline.net/ wordville for reading - https://wordville.com/readingcomp/ K12 reader for reading and writing - https://www.k12reader.com/grade-level/grades-k-12/ Mystery Doug for science - mysterydoug.com National Geographic - kids.nationalgeographic.com History for kids for social studies - www.historyforkids.net Typing club for writing - www.typingclub.com Mad libs for kids - https://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/writingcorner/storybuilder/ English worksheets land - https://www.englishworksheetsland.com/ E- learning for kids - https://en.e-learningforkids.org/ PBS learning media - https://klrn.pbslearningmedia.org Highlights kids - https://www.highlightkids.com/activities Fun brain - https://www.funbrain.com Smithsonian online exhibits - https://www.si.edu/exhibitions/online Smithsonian education - http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/students/index.html Audible is doing free kids books - https://www.audible.com/ The Academy of active Learning Arts and Sciences - http://aalasinternational.org/rtol/ Achieve3000  -  https://achieve3000.com/community-resources/remote-learning-2020/ Adobe - https://helpx.adobe.com/enterprise/kb/covid-19-education-labs.html Amazon - https://edhesive.com/amazon/free_access American Museum of Natural History - https://www.amnh.org/explore Babbel - https://welcome.babbel.com/en/student-discount/ offering 3 free months of language High school SAT prep Google Earth Lunch doodles with Mo Willems - https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems?fbclid=IwAR2I2cft3pn3zaEPUhD1PtoNYeLKTiDoHya8zsIhgFSlexurriGLDNIJSlg 

Tangible and practical ways to make money at home.  Nobody wants to believe this, but this is actually the easiest part of the whole process. Most people get stuck here though because fear and panic has already set in. This does not mean you are incapable of coming up with good ideas. You absolutely are, but there is a fundamental principle that I have seen true in my life and there’s a good chance it's pretty universal. When fear sets in or you get filled with emotion, creativity evaporates and you become less resourceful.  Being in a playful, non-serious mentality allows creativity to flourish which creates resourcefulness. Pray, meditate, read the bible, watch some motivational videos, go outside, take a nap, then reset. Begin a brainstorming session. Consider all ideas, even bad ones and just let the ideas flow. Realize that business only exists to solve problems.  Let problems be your signposts. Another way to say this is, where is the demand? Find problems and ask yourself if there is an opportunity to serve. It is not a sin to look for opportunity in despair. Quite the contrary, imagine how many opportunities there are to share the gospel in a time like this. Look to solve problems and to serve. The question of how much to charge needs to be secondary. Forget about money making, forget about practicality, forget about restrictions.  Your full-time job now becomes trying to create income. Start with the obvious ones like Amazon, Kroger,  Costco, or any kind of delivery service. Where do you see problems? Focus on how you can serve others.  What are people already doing virtually at home that you can do? Now that everybody is at home, what new problems or opportunities to serve exist now? Do a singing telegram Scavenger hunt Organize parades Assist seniors with grocery buying etc. Business exists because problems exist and people come up with solutions that have value. You have to focus on the problems. You can literally drive around and look for problems and look for areas to serve. Look on Facebook and look at posts and realize the areas that people are complaining about and once in a while you will find a gold nugget. Think about all the things you used to do and realize that people must now come up with creative ways to do the same things that we used to do. What areas are we limited in now, then brainstorm on each one of those areas. Find businesses that have been successful moving virtually. Analyze how they do it and then go find businesses in the same sector that have not been successful and teach them how to do it. Look for needs. What problems do we have and what creative solutions can you come up with? Make a TV show or other entertainment thing Don’t like being online, but know someone zany that lives it. Chances are the zany type is not organized and may not be technical. Maybe you could edit video that the person produces and keep the ship steered straight. Tutor online Gardening, building things in people‘s backyards, fences All of construction is opened for business Bring people's trash cans up to their house Chalk art on sidewalks. Ask for a donation - serve, if they donate, great! Sanitizing services - what can you sanitize - cars, houses, offices, sanitize on a different level in a different way, sanitize things other people are not sanitizing. At night nobody is out Ice cream truck Making calls  Sales calls - for what industries Customer service calls - what companies can uniquely use this? Wellness checks  Writing articles Go to Fiverr and Upwork. See what services they are doing. Do not try to play the same game. Tweak it… Are they doing anything to the masses that you could offer locally and monopolize a niche market Make crafts What can you sew Make surgical masks Make food Cut hair Clean cars What creative dishes can you construct out of the food people don’t usually want to eat in their pantry. Find out what’s not selling at the grocery store and figure out how to make something out of it. A craft, a recipe. Entertainment - See Neil Diamond’s new remake of “Sweet Caroline” What can you remake Ask people that are working right now what they need.  Offer counseling or companionship - no solutions, only a listening ear What issues are rich people grappling with right now Search indeed to see what jobs employers are looking to hire for. Can you do any of these things except do them better by doing them locally The businesses that are hiring are maxed out. Can you try to help be the connector that takes applications, screens, then offers up ready-to-go employees Mow lawns Disinfect trash cans Knock, Seek While we are in the midst of terror and trepidation, I feel that it is just fitting to share these very timely Bible verses: Do Not Worry (Matthew 6:25-34) 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. A Friend Comes at Midnight (Luke 11:5-8) 5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Luke 11:9-13) 9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for [e]bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Essential Businesses Below are the business that still operate in times of crisis: Grocery stores Stores that sell essential household goods Convenience stores Liquor stores Pharmacies and drug stores Day care facilities Medical facilities Non-profit service providers Homeless and emergency shelters Office buildings Essential government buildings Airports and transit buildings Transportation systems Residential buildings and hotels Manufacturing and distribution facilities Landscaping and lawn care businesses Construction and renovation businesses

This past year, we protested on over 16,800 properties. We helped draft and pass a property tax reform bill with State Representative Matt Krause and we played an integral part in the Tarrant Apprisal District (TAD) Board of Directors Election - all for free. None of these accomplishments would have been possible if it weren't for the clients that chose our team of expert realtors to help them buy or sell their property. We all owe these clients and all our incredible team a debt of gratitude. In this video: 1:27 How to prepare for your tax protest 2:30 Update on TAD election results 6:42 Real Estate Market Update - Past 8:40 Real Estate Market Update - Present 9:37 Real Estate Market Update - Future How to prepare for your tax protest The first step to prepare is to wait until your property tax value notice is received which will happen sometime within the first 2 weeks of April. If we are registered to protest for you this year, it will take us until mid-April to deliver your value notice because we need to digitize them and send them to you through email. If you are not currently registered with us, you may sign up for free at freetaxprotest.com. Update on TAD election results A couple months ago TAD had their Board of Directors Elections and we saw a few issues with the election process. There was a big push to renominate and reelect the current board of directors. There would have been no change over the next two years if this happens. We are thankful that we got involved and we asked for your help. The results were mind-blowing. With your help, 3 new members were elected: Kathryn Wilemon, Rich DeOtte and Gary Losada. We have been to every board meeting since they got elected and they are doing a great job asking tough questions, identifying the truth in every issue, and innovating ways on how to improve the system. Real estate market update If you are waiting for a good time to buy a house because you want real estate prices to fall, historically, we have not seen them fall, even through the worst of times. Interest rates and our strong housing market are keeping our inventory levels low. Inventory levels could be heading even lower. The lower the number gets, the stronger the real estate market is.   Once again, our appreciation would never be enough to repay you for all your support. If you know anybody thinking of buying or selling a house, please send them our way. It is how we fund everything that we do. You can absolutely count on us, it will be an honor to serve you.          

Ask Your Mortgage Lender These Five Questions Before You Refinance With mortgage rates at a relative low, more homeowners than ever are looking for a solution to save on their significantly higher home payments. For many, this means turning to home mortgage refinancing. However, refinancing isn’t for everyone, and may even wind up costing you more in the future if you fail to consider some crucial details. How can you find out if a refi makes financial sense for you? Consult Your Mortgage Lender The financial sense of a mortgage refi depends much more on your personal situation and your mortgage terms than on current mortgage rates. For that reason, it’s essential to discuss all aspects of a potential refi with your mortgage lender before making your decision. Here are some key questions to ask during the discussion: 1.Can I Qualify? A mortgage refinancing application should be prefaced by what is potentially the most important part of any conversation with your mortgage lender — do you have what it takes to qualify? Walk into the discussion with a knowledge of your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and the loan-to-value ratio of the home. These three aspects of your financial health are the three most important parts of any application for a mortgage backed by agencies like Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. If your credit isn’t stellar or you’ve accumulated a great deal of other debt since the purchase of your home, you’re not necessarily disqualified from refinancing. However, your refi rates may not be low enough to justify the process. Alternatively, you may wind up needing to refi for a longer term than you’d like to offset a lower rate. Related: How to Get a Free Credit Report 2. Do I have the equity to refinance? Equity is the difference between the current value of your home and the amount you owe on the mortgage. Mortgage lenders prefer to see that you’ve built up equity in your home to refinance it, and the more equity you’ve accumulated, the better. With home values in general on the rise, chances are you have at least some equity to work with.  In order to qualify for a new mortgage refi loan and avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI), you’ll need to have at least 20% equity. If you don’t, the cost of PMI can negate any potential interest savings you’d see with a new refi loan. For those without enough equity to warrant a traditional refinance, a cash-in refi where you pay down your mortgage at closing and reduce your balance while capturing a lower rate may be an option. 3. What are the terms of my quote? If you’ve qualified and have plenty of equity available for a new refi mortgage, it’s crucial to request a quote and study its terms. After all, a refi is a brand-new loan with a different rate than your previous mortgage, and it comes with new terms and amortization schedule in the process. As with any new loan, your interest rate and the term length of the loan work in conjunction to determine how much you’ll pay over its life.  If your goal is to reduce your monthly payment, you’ll want to ensure you have the lowest rate possible spread out over a longer period — consider a 30-year loan to minimize your payment. However, the longer you pay on a loan, the more you’ll pay in interest, even if your rate is relatively low. If you’re interested in reducing your total costs over the term of your loan, look for a low interest rate over a shorter term; this practice results in higher monthly payments but avoids extra years of interest payments. Related: Is a Bigger House Within Your Budget? 4. What does my quote include? Aside from interest rates and mortgage term, your mortgage lender's quote should include a breakdown of all other related costs. Typically, a more detailed quote will list the amount of your monthly payment that goes toward the principal, what's paid toward interest, and any monthly payment that's reserved for other expenses. Specifically, ask your lender if your quote includes taxes and insurance.  5. What are my costs? Refinancing a loan usually comes at a cost — on average, expect to pay two to three percent of the loan amount. When you’re working with a loan of $200,000, those percentages can add up to $4,000 to $6,000 depending on your home cost and your area. Closing costs often include bank fees, appraisals, attorney fees, and other expenses you may not have anticipated.  Ask your lender what funds you need to bring to closing. If you’re looking to save money month to month and have the cash on hand, consider paying closing costs outright. However, if you’re not comfortable paying costs at closing, you can roll them into your loan. Unfortunately, this increases your principal and has the potential to raise your payments. Refinancing is an attractive option for many homeowners looking to take advantage of currently low interest rates. However, it’s important to ask your mortgage lender the right questions to make sure it’s a smart financial move for you. If you follow the above list and add in questions unique to your financial situation, you’re off to a solid start.   Sources: Forbes Realtor.com Bankrate.com Investopedia.com Destinpropertyexpert.com Nichemarket.co.za Merrimackvalleymarealestate.com Moneylend.net

Here are the updated tax rates in Tarrant County for 2019-2020 as approved by the tax entities.  

Here are the updated tax rates in Denton County for 2019-2020 as approved by the tax entities.    

When you begin your search for a real estate agent in Fort Worth, Texas, you are on the hunt for the best. There are a number of qualities that make up a great realtor, from friendliness to professionalism. Narrowing down your search with what feels like endless options can be daunting. However, putting in a bit of work now to ensure you find a Fort Worth agent that best suits you and your needs will pay off in the long run. Buying or selling a property is arguably the largest transaction most people make, so you will want to make sure to find the best real estate agent in Fort Worth. Here are a few things to look out for on your quest to find the best realtor in Fort Worth. Quick Jump To Links Are they familiar with Fort Worth? | Are they experienced? | How are their reviews? | Check out their listings | Are they using up to date technology? | Are they easily accessible? | Meet with prospective realtors in person Are they familiar with Fort Worth? Fort Worth is a thriving and diverse city filled with great neighborhoods, schools and amenities. Each area of Fort Worth offers unique benefits and advantages to its residents. Finding a real estate agent that is well versed in all Fort Worth has to offer will make matching you and your next home a breeze. Interested in a specific location, want to be near well rated schools, parks and greenspace? Hiring a Fort Worth realtor that can easily identify the best areas of the city that align with your lifestyle will save time when narrowing down your home search. >>" href="https://www.chandlercrouch.com/member/contact/">Click Here to Contact a Real Estate Agent in Fort Worth, Texas > > > Are they experienced? When working with an agent in Fort Worth, experience is key! Familiarity with the city, connections with other industry professionals as well as potential buyers or sellers along with experience in negotiations and contracts are all things to consider. An agent in Fort Worth who is experienced and confident when acting on behalf of your purchase or sale - or both - will only serve to benefit you. Knowing the market, current home values, and things to be aware of on the purchase or sale end will put you in the best possible position when negotiating contracts. This all being said, everyone has to start somewhere, and working with a newer agent can offer a fresh take on the real estate industry. However, many new agents will have mentors that are available to assist in transactions. Ensuring that your realtor has access to a seasoned veteran will give you - and them - confidence and peace of mind. How are their reviews? Doing a bit of leg work before hiring a Fort Worth real estate agent will pay off big time and is a crucial step to finding the best realtor available. A little work now can mean fewer problems later! These days, the internet is a valuable and easily accessible resource for researching real estate agents. Many clients, whether good or bad, leave reviews about their experience with a particular agent. Take a few moments to read through these reviews, noting any common concerns or themes. Keep in mind, each experience is completely individual and may not be indicative of what your transaction will be like, however, if you notice repeating issues, it would be safe to assume you will be dealing with the same. Beyond searching for reviews online, talking directly with trusted family, friends and co-workers about their experience with certain agents is sure to give you an accurate picture of a potential realtor. Personal interactions will give you an honest and clear opinion, as well as give you a chance to ask questions of your own. Related: Top 4 Reasons to Hire a Realtor Check out their listings and open houses: Now that you have thinned out the list of potential real estate agents in Fort Worth to work with, a great next step would be to take a look at their listings. How are they advertising? Are their pictures professional and listings well written? Do they provide accurate and up to date information? Perusing through a potential realtors listings will show you first hand what you can expect for your own upcoming listing. A picture is worth a thousand words - or in real estate, a thousand views. Well lit, professional pictures will capture the attention of buyers, leading to more interest and showings for your sale. Ready to take it one step further? Go to an open house that a real estate agent that you are interested in working with is hosting. How do they present themselves? Are they warm and welcoming? Do they offer helpful information and facts about the home? A quick visit can be full of extremely valuable information. Are they using up to date technology? With the business of today’s buyers, the internet is typically the first stop when starting to look for a new property. The first impression many will have of your home will be the one your Fort Worth real estate agent puts online. Are they using the best platforms to promote your sale? Are their ads professional? These questions will be vital to ensuring you have the most successful sale possible. Along with their online postings of sales, how they promote themselves and their business will also shed light on their ability to utilize the online marketplace to its greatest potential. Do they have a business website? Is it well set up and easy to use? Do they actively promote themselves and their business? An agent that is up with the times will know the value in their online presence and it will be evident in their social media accounts and websites. Aside from the internet, there is a handful of technology that can make real estate transactions happen smoothly and efficiently. Gone are the days of having to meet and sign all documents in person. With the introduction of programs that allow for electronic signatures, agents and clients have the ability to remotely sign documents without having to interrupt their busy lifestyles. Is your potential agent utilizing this technology? New programs are available that allow for digital walkthroughs of properties without ever having to leave your home. Think Google Earth for the inside of a potential purchase. These programs will save you - and your agent - time by quickly weeding out homes that do not meet your needs. This is also a great program for your agent to use when promoting the sale of your home as it allows more parties to view all areas of your house virtually, saving you time and energy as only truly interested buyers will proceed to physically coming to your property. >>" href="https://www.chandlercrouch.com/member/contact/">Click Here to Contact a Real Estate Agent in Fort Worth, Texas > > > Are they easily accessible? Not all Fort Worth realtors are full time agents. While breaking into the market and building clientele, some newer agents will have other part time or even full time jobs. If this is the case, making sure your schedules align will save a lot of frustration in the future. Having an agent that is not available during traditional working hours will prove to be difficult, especially when coordinating with other industry professionals such as mortgage brokers, lenders, insurance agents and lawyers, who are generally only available during these times. Conversely, an agent who is unavailable from Friday - Monday can also pose a problem as many potential buyers will venture out on their home search during the weekends. Finding a Fort Worth agent that is readily available at all times is ideal. With today’s technology, even a quick response via text message is generally sufficient in most cases. Ensuring your agent is clear about their schedules and ability to be available is an important part of finding the best Fort Worth realtor for you! Meet with prospective realtors in person: At this point in your search for the best real estate agent in Fort Worth, you should be ready to meet with your short list of agents in person. Don’t underestimate the value of a sit down meeting with a prospective agent. Online profiles, listings and technology are all important aspects of a great agent, however, how they interact with you on a personal level will be the true tell of a successful working relationship. Are they happily willing to meet with you in person? An agent that understands how important this decision is will be more than willing to sit down and work hard to answer your questions and put your mind at ease. This meeting will be a direct reflection on what type of interaction and service you can expect in the future. Friendliness, attention and knowledge will become evident when speaking with an agent one on one. Have a list of questions ready and make notes of their answers. Are they willing to give references? Do they have a list of reviews available? How many clients are they currently working with? These are just a few of the questions you can consider asking. Remember to trust your intuition. If you leave your meeting feeling uneasy or unsure of a particular Fort Worth agent, chances are it won’t improve in the future. The best  Fort Worth real estate agent should put your mind at ease and make you feel comfortable and confident about hiring them for your purchase, sale or both! >>" href="https://www.chandlercrouch.com/member/contact/">Click Here to Contact a Real Estate Agent in Fort Worth, Texas > > >

Considering a move to Fort Worth, Texas? This guide aims to assist those looking for information on the area, while highlighting all the reasons so many are choosing to call Fort Worth home. Whether your move is from another state, country or continent, Living in Fort Worth, Texas: The Definitive Guide aims to provide you with all you’ll need to know about life in Fort Worth! Being the 5th largest city in Texas and the 13th largest city in the United States, Fort Worth has so much to offer. Beautiful neighborhoods, thriving economy, excellent education and an entertainment scene that offers something new every day of the year have people flocking to Fort Worth, Texas.  Quick Jump To Links General Overview | Origins | Business & Jobs | Education | Where To Live | Transporation | Restaurants | Events General Overview of Fort Worth Texas Where is Fort Worth, Texas Located? Fort Worth is located in North Texas, set roughly 36 miles to the west of Dallas. Covering a total of 350 square miles, the city of Fort Worth is the county seat for Tarrant County. However, it encompasses 3 additional county’s, Denton, Parker and Wise. Fort Worth is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan area which is the 4th most populous metropolitan area in the United States.  Why do people move to Fort Worth, Texas? Fort Worth, Texas offers its residents an abundance of amenities and activities all while maintaining a small town feel. A strong sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere have people eagerly considering Fort Worth as their next home. In Fort Worth, homes can often sell before purchase, so many home buyers find ways to store their belongings while they continue their house hunt. Fort Worth’s proximity to Dallas makes it an ideal location for commuters. According to https://www.bestplaces.net, Fort Worth has a lower cost of living than its counterpart, however, due to its location residents can still enjoy all the benefits of Dallas. View all home for sale in Fort Worth, Texas >>> What are Fort Worth’s origins? The city of Fort Worth was named after Major General William Jenkins Worth, who was the commander of the Department of Texas in 1849. Along with 6 other forts, Fort Worth was established as an army post to protect settlers during the Mexican War. The post was later abandoned in 1853.  Redevelopment of the town happened years later as Fort Worth was a stop along the legendary Chisholm Trail. Fort Worth was stimulated by the millions of heads of cattle that were driven through town, eventually being nicknamed “Cow Town”. The town took another hit during the Civil War as it experienced mass shortages of food, money and supplies, seeing the population drop to a mere 175 people.  Recovery came in the form of the opening of general stores and Tidball, Van Zandt, and Company, which became Fort Worth National Bank in 1884. Over the next century Fort Worth experienced growth and development with help from the oil gushing in West Texas. During this time Fort Worth was in the middle of the action.  During the period between 2000-2006 Fort Worth was the fastest growing city in the United States and was voted one of “America’s most livable cities”.  Business and Jobs in Fort Worth Fort Worth has a stable economy that is predicted to experience significant growth in the near future according to bestplaces.net. Over the last year there was an increase of 2.7% with future growth over the next decade expected to reach 41.5%. This is significantly higher than the national average which is only anticipated to reach 33.5%.  Residents of Fort Worth also enjoy a lower than average unemployment rate of 3.6% vs. the national average of 3.9%. Industries in Fort Worth are rather diverse, seeing an evenly mixed job force. Some notable sectors are: Health Care - 12.4%Manufacturing - 11.5%Retail Trade - 11.2%Construction - 7.3%Educational Services - 8.5% Other sectors include dining and hospitality, finance and insurance and arts and entertainment.  Notable companies with their headquarters in Fort Worth are American Airlines Group, John Peter Smith Hospital, Pier 1 Imports, RadioShack, Cash America International and GM Financial. In addition, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Lockheed Martin, GE Transportation and telecommunication giant AT&T, all have a heavy presence in Fort Worth, Texas.  What can you expect to be paid in Fort Worth? The average salary in Fort Worth, Texas is approximately $63,000 according to payscale.com. Keep in mind this amount heavily depends on the job, experience and education. For those part of a double salary home, this is over $100,000 per year! The highest paid industries in Fort Worth are Mining, Quarrying and Oil & Gas Extraction at $77,098, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting and Mining at $76,892 and Management of Companies and Enterprises at $73,870.00. Other well paying jobs are Software Engineers being paid close to $75,000 or jobs in Operations Management which pay around $65,000. Education in Fort Worth The majority of schools in Fort Worth are serviced by the Fort Worth Independent School District. Within the FWISD there are 83 Elementary Schools, 29 middle Schools, 21 High Schools and 16 special campuses.  There are 15 other school districts around the city of Fort Worth that have schools within the city boundaries. Regardless of the district that provides education, you can be sure to find caring staff and welcoming teachers at any of the educational institutes within Fort Worth.  Alternative Education options: There are a wide array of alternative education options within Fort Worth, Texas for those interested in a different path. They come in both religious and non-religious forms as well as 3 state charter schools. The majority of these private schools provide education from kindergarten through to grade 12 at the same institution. Post-Secondary Education: Fort Worth is home to 15 institutes of higher education. Some Universities, Colleges and Schools include: Texas Christian UniversityUniversity of Texas at Arlington (downtown Fort Worth campus)Texas A&M University School of LawTarrant County CollegeUniversity of North Texas Health Science CenterThe Art Institute of Fort WorthFisher More CollegeThe Culinary School of Fort Worth These, among other establishments of higher learning have been drawing students to Fort Worth from all over the country and the world.  Where to live in Fort Worth? Central Meadowbrook Meadowbrook is a larger neighborhood located in the eastside of Fort Worth. Residents of this area would then further narrow down the neighborhood into west Meadowbrook and central Meadowbrook. The eastern portion is just referred to as Meadowbrook.  Central Meadowbrook offers a wide array of real estate types from comfortable bungalows to large estates. There are a number of homes in the neighborhood that have some historical significance as the earliest builds were done at the turn of the century.  The majority of the houses in Central Meadowbrook were constructed post WWII and continued through the 70’s and 80’s with a handful of new homes popping up on available lots. Home prices are as diverse as property types. Listings can be found starting at $115,000 for a bungalow and climbing to just under $1 million for a larger estate style. The area is popular for many due to its ideal location which is close to downtown Fort Worth as well as the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Central Meadowbrook is home to the Meadowbrook golf course as well as Oakland Park, Gateway Park and nearby Quanah Parker Park which connects to the network of paths in Trinity Trails. >>" href="https://www.chandlercrouch.com/meadowbrook-fort-worth/">View all home for sale in Meadowbrook, Fort Worth >>> Arlington Heights Located between Interstate 30W and Camp Bowie Road is the well sought after neighborhood of Arlington Heights. This well maintained, family-friendly area was mainly developed during the 1920’s. The majority of homes are bungalow or tudor style properties set on generous lots with mature trees. Arlington Heights is just outside of the cultural district of Fort Worth and lays next to some of the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods. Due to this fact, the area has become increasingly popular and property values have been on the rise. Generally, homes range between $250,000 and $650,000, however it is not uncommon to find a million dollar property within in the mix. Developers have caught wind of the area and its ideal location and have constructed a number of townhome complexes and condo communities along the outer edges of the neighborhood. View homes for sale in Arlington Heights >>> Rivercrest One of Fort Worth’s most prestigious neighborhoods is Rivercrest. Full of greenspace and mainly surrounded by the Rivercrest Country Club, this area is home to a mix of real estate types. Mainly found within the area are large mansions with some tudor style and bungalows throughout. Many of the older homes have been replaced by new construction. Homes in the Rivercrest neighborhood are listed between 3.4 million and 5.5 million making it one of Fort Worth’s most expensive neighborhoods. >>" href="%20https://www.chandlercrouch.com/rivercrest-fort-worth/">View all home for sale in Rivercrest, Fort Worth >>> Overton Park Located south west of downtown Fort Worth, Overton Park is nestled just south of the Clear Fork Branch of Trinity River. Overton Park consists of approximately 1,000 traditional Texas style single family homes. The neighborhood is popular for residents as it is well established, featuring mature trees and close proximity to major roadways and highways. Residents of the neighborhood enjoy access to Overton Park as well as the Trinity trail system that winds through the area. Homes in Overton Park range greatly seeing listings as low as $400,000 that then climb upwards of $1 million dollars. View homes for sale in Overton Park >>> Crawford Farms The award-winning neighborhood of Crawford Farms is located in the north end of Fort Worth.  Developed between the years of 2001 and 2009, Crawford Farms is home to 1,072 properties.  When purchasing a property in Crawford Farms, residents become part of an active homeowners association that is constantly working to maintain and improve the standard of living. The association fees are allocated to care for common areas, the community pool and more. Homes in Crawford Farms are extremely affordable, ranging between $200,000 and $400,000, making it an ideal location for first time home buyers, young families and retirees. View homes for sale in Crawford Farms >>> View all home for sale in Fort Worth, Texas >>> Transportation In Fort Worth The most popular public transit system for travelling around Fort Worth is the bus system, Trinity Metro. Operating 46 bus routes around Fort Worth and surrounding suburbs, Trinity Metro connects riders with all areas of town.  Fort Worth is home to two commuter rail lines. TEXRail which connects passengers to the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and the Trinity Railway Express. TRE is a joint endeavor with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) providing rail service from downtown Fort Worth to downtown Dallas.  A carpool/van service is available for groups of at least 7 individuals that are headed to the same area. This “pay for what you use” service collects passengers from a specific location and brings them to a common drop off.  For residents requiring assistance while using public transit, the Trinity Metro Access system is available offering door-to-door service within the areas of Forest Hill, Fort Worth, Blue Mound and River Oaks.  Destinations nearby: Distance to major cities and airports from Fort Worth: Dallas, Texas - 32.4 milesDallas Fort Worth International Airport - 22.6 milesAustin, Texas - 180 milesSan Antonio, Texas - 260 milesHouston, Texas - 261 miles Restaurants in Fort Worth Fort Worth is full of flavor and culture when it comes to restaurant options. Regardless of your mood, there is something for every palate in Fort Worth’s dining scene. Some of the best restaurants in Fort Worth: The Capital Grille Located in the heart of Fort Worth, The Capital Grille serves up warm and welcoming elegance, along with their mouth watering steaks. One visit and you will soon understand why they were the recipient of the American Culinary Federation’s “Achievement of Excellence Award”. Texas de Brazil A unique blend of southern comfort food with the worldly flair of Brazilian fare. Texas de Brazil serves up traditional steakhouse style meals, or try it all with the churrascaria option. Vegetarians need not dismay! Texas de Brazil features an extensive salad bar with over 50 items and hand crafted dressing.  Istanbul Grill The 2019 recipient of the Certificate of Excellence Award, Istanbul Grill invites you to take a trip to the Mediterranean via your taste buds. Traditional plates made with fresh, top quality ingredients will have you enjoying every bite of their impressive menu.  What to do in Fort Worth Fort Worth is a city where something is always happening! Here are a few of the annual events, arts and culture, outdoor activities and beautiful parks you can enjoy while living in Fort Worth, Texas.  Stock Show and Rodeo Running from mid-January to early February, the Stock Show and Rodeo is an action packed event featuring horse shows, rodeo action and numerous family-friendly activities. Live entertainment, a carnival experience and downtown parade are just some of the things to take in. Food trucks and nearly four acres of shopping will have everyone busy at this annual event.  National Day of the American Cowboy Hosted in the Stockyards National Historic District, this tribute to the American Cowboy and Wild West has been named the “Best Cowboy Tribute” by the Western lifestyle magazine. With activities and entertainment for the whole family, this is one event you won’t want to miss. Texas Motor Speedway While races happen throughout the year, two weekends are set aside to play host to the stars of NASCAR and INDYCAR racing. The only stop in the Lone Star State, this event will have racing enthusiasts flocking to the Texas Motor Speedway. Enjoy the thrill and excitement in March and October! Along with these great events, the city of Fort Worth routinely has festivals, activities and entertainment happening on any given day. Celebrating all major holidays such as Easter, Fourth of July and Christmas, there is no shortage of things to do in Fort Worth.  Lone Star International Film Festival Held in Sundance Square, the Lone Star International Film Festival is the highlight of the Lone Star Film Society. This annually anticipated event features upcoming films, meet and greets and Q and A’s with directors and stars.  Main St. Fort Worth’s Art Festival Truly a place to enjoy and celebrate art in all forms, the Main St. Art Festival features more than 300 live performances and 200 juried artists. Take in the sights and sounds from musicians, sculptures and crafters from all over during this highly attended four day event.  Fort Worth is home to a plethora of art galleries, museums and cultural centers. The world renown Cultural District is situated just a mile from downtown and celebrates all types of art and science.  Check out these great establishments, among others: Bass Performance Hall Jubilee Theater Fort Worth Opera Texas Ballet Theater Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Fort Worth Stockyards Museum  Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame Fort Worth Water Garden Dubbed a “cooling oasis in the concrete jungle”, the Fort Worth Water Garden is an urban park containing 3 pools of water. Spend the afternoon strolling through the spectacular greenspace or taking in the scenery on one of the benches situated throughout. Heritage Park Plaza This modern park consists of interconnecting rooms constructed out of concrete which come alive by flowing water walls, channels and pools. A sight to be seen! ZBONZ & Fort Woof Dog Parks These off leash dog parks will give your furry friends a place to burn off energy and socialize. Fort Woof, an award winning dog park, features an agility course, water fountains and shelters.  Trinity Trail With more than 70 miles of scenic trail networks, the Trinity Trail system branches out to all areas of Fort Worth. Whether walking, running, biking or horseback, this trail system will offer a chance to enjoy being outdoors and active.  Following along the Trinity River, the trails run through a number of area parks, which are the perfect place to stop and picnic. Stop at Airfield Falls, the areas longest natural waterfall, or take your rods to Marines Creek for a relaxing day of fishing.  Could Fort Worth be the next place you call home? We hope this guide was able to give you a glimpse into all Fort Worth, Texas has to offer! From welcoming neighborhoods, exceptional schools, dining and activities, there truly is something for everyone in Fort Worth! View all home for sale in Fort Worth, Texas >>>

  If you’re looking to boost the resale value of your home, landscaping is a good place to start. While it’s hard to pin down an exact number, studies estimate that landscaping upgrades can increase your home’s value from 5.5 to 12.7%. So what’s hot on the Fort Worth outdoor design scene? Here are a few of the latest trends appearing in backyards near you. Outdoor Living Spaces Outdoor areas for relaxing with family and friends are still hugely popular. Homeowners see these as an outdoor oasis and an extension of their home. The yard can include everything from patios and decks to outdoor kitchens, televisions, and audio systems. Retractable screens and shades are an emerging trend. The screens add privacy and help keep out bugs and summer heat. Fire Pits     These remain a top trend because they add warmth and ambiance to any outdoor space. They also extend the use of your yard through fall and winter. Fire pits are usually less expensive than fireplaces, and they can be built-in or portable. Integrated technology Younger home buyers, in particular, are attracted to “smart landscaping”. A few examples are cell phone-controlled pools, robotic lawn mowers, and apps that control lighting and sprinkler systems remotely. Pergolas     Pergolas are decorative garden structures made of vertical beams and cross beams. They provide shade and protection from the elements. Adding drapes, latticework or screens adds privacy. They’re also affordable and add beauty to your outdoor space. Metals Metals are making a significant mark in landscape design. Iron and steel are especially prominent in water features, furniture, and accessories. While metal will rust, it can be easily painted and restored. Water Features     You can bring a touch of serenity and natural beauty to your yard by adding a water feature. It’ll attract birds and animals, and the sound of flowing water is soothing to the soul. Popular choices are fountains, small brooks or burbling ceramic pots. Low-maintenance Landscapes     Homeowners and homebuyers of all ages don’t have a lot of time to care for their yards. That’s why low maintenance landscaping is a big trend. Replace grass with mulch or stones, use native/drought resistant plants, or consider a hardscape design. Outdoor Lighting     The biggest trends in outdoor lighting involve technology and LED lights. More homeowners are going with lighting systems controlled by smartphone apps (no more timers!). These smart controls allow you to dim or brighten your lights and change the lighting schedule. Outdoor lights make your home safer for nighttime guests, and they tend to discourage intruders. You can even set up distinct lighting areas with individual settings. LED lights are smaller and more energy efficient and have come a long way in the past few years. Even more exciting? They can change colors, which is a fun option for prominent features like fountains or statues. A Well-maintained Lawn No matter how intricate or beautiful your landscaping installations are, they won’t matter if the lawn surrounding them is not lush and green.  A well maintained lawn is not something that happens overnight; rather it takes years of following proper lawn maintenance routine that includes regular mowing of the grass, annual lawn aeration, and regular fertilization.  If you’re short on time and your lawn isn’t quite up to snuff, sod installation is another option, which will yield faster results but will cost a few thousand dollars for most lawns.   Landscaping investments like these are a good bet for upping your home’s resale value. You may like the upgrades so much, you decide to keep the home and enjoy them yourself.   Kath Meryl Johnson is a landscaper and freelance writer who enjoys working on handy projects around the house. She and her children recently helped build a neighborhood gazebo next to the community pool.

Let's start the year (Well, I said "start" since we are still in the first quarter, right?) with a few pep talks-- on broken New Year's resolution, homestead exemptions, market update and property tax protest.  I have made timestamps so you can skip directly to the exact topic of your interest: 0:00 Intro 0:32 Broken New Year's Resolution 3:32 Homestead Exemption 4:19 January Market Update 4:26 Sales Prices 5:15 A look at supply 5:40 Accuracy of sales numbers 8:54 Property Tax Protest Broken New Year's Resolution I will bet to my last dollar, you have broken your New Year's resolution. But let me tell you something. I did some reflecting during our company Christmas party last year when we recognized our top-performing employees. It dawned on me that at the end of the year, what we really value are the positive things and we do not dwell so much on losses and negativity. Another thing, most people choose to not lose, but we need to get out of the comfort zone, do the things that we have never done before. Homestead Exemption People who bought the home last year didn't qualify for homestead exemption until January 1st of this year. They still have until the end of April to have it filed. You may check out our video about filing your homestead exemptions here. Market Update You can see a trend in sales price, however we also discussed how these numbers may not be accurate yet, and explain the reasons why such thing happens. Details with facts and figures are explained starting at 4:19 in the video above.

Home inspections by a licensed property inspector are well worth the money.  They have tools to test various components (eg hvac), and experience of seeing hundreds of houses. You can't replace an expert with a checklist.   You can, however, use a checklist like this to prepare your house for sale, eliminate issues to avoid an overly negative inspection report, and help to find issues for your property tax protest. Here is a link to the home inspection checklist.   

Click here to view your property tax bill online. Watch the video below to discover... How to reduce your monthly payment How to eliminate your tax burden completely      If you haven't received your property tax bill in the mail yet, you need to find out why. Taxes are due by Jan 31 whether you received your bill or not.  Call your mortgage company and see if they received your bill. Go online search and contact the tax assessor's office If your taxes are higher than you were expecting, it's likely because the appraisal district proposed a value significantly higher than last year. We may have protested to lower the value from what they proposed, but your taxes may still have gone up if the amount we reduced it to is still more than last year's tax value. Options if your tax burden is too high If your monthly payment went up, you likely have an escrow shortage. The mortgage company's default payment plan is 12 months. Call and ask if you can pay it out over a 2-3 year period of time. This is usually an easy 15-minute phone conversation. Prepare for your protest for next year. Take photos of issues. Get quotes. Save quotes / unpaid invoices to use as evidence in your protest. File them away to save them for your protest next May. We can help you eliminate your entire tax bill for good... By helping you sell your house. If you can't afford to live there, we want you to call us. Our goal will be to help you find a way to stay in your house, but if you have no other option and you've determined that you must move, we will help in 2 ways. 2 Ways We Can Help if You Must Move We will help you determine how much you can expect to sell it for. Often times it's more than you think. We will review 14 options that our team put together for you.  Call one of our team members today or contact our office directly at 817-381-3800 or hello@chandlercrouch.com

Register on FreeTaxProtest.com and let us do the rest, all for FREE!    There are 3 levels of protest Automated online protest through the Tarrant Appraisal District website Informal in-person protest (no appointment needed, just walk into TAD's office) Formal Appraisal Review Board (ARB) hearing (file a protest on the back of your blue value notice)   Go HERE to begin your Protest Since releasing the video, we have helped thousands of homeowners and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars... all for FREE! Not only that, we were able to figure out the formula that TAD is using. Now, we're helping people get, what we believe to be, is the lowest possible value.  Links and Resources in Video Will protesting hurt my resale value What is the difference between Market Value and Appraised Value Checklist to find and fix property condition issues Use this property tax calculator to see exactly how much the change in value affects your wallet Get our 10 minute $5 brick mortar crack repair secret 

How To Find Senior (or 55+) Housing Your first step will be to make a plan on what to do with your current house. We specialize in helping seniors. Contact us for a free home valuation and to map out the best strategic plan to maximize your return and have a smooth hassle free transition into housing that fits your needs 817-381-3800 hello@chandlercrouch.com The term "Senior Housing" is really too broad to accurately describe exactly what you're looking for. If you are uncertain about exactly what kind of housing you need, please scroll down to see "What is Senior Housing." However, when people ask me about Senior Housing, they are usually looking for a retirement community or housing that specifically caters to senior citizens offering additional amenities, socialization opportunities, and a cruise-like atmosphere. One of the best 55+ housing developments I've ever seen is Robson Ranch. This is a master-planned active adult community with clubs, classes, and social opportunities like no place I've ever seen. Villas of Stone Glen is another housing development in Keller Texas that is 55+ restricted. Developed by Epcon Communities, the neighborhood will host 115 single family homes from 1607-2000sqft. Amenities include a 3000sqft clubhouse with exercise room, multipurpose event room, media area, and kitchen. Year built construction dates range from 2013-Present and house prices range from the low $300's to mid $400's. If you would like a tour of the premesis or to view the interior of any homes, please give us a call at 817-381-3800. If you are more interested in leasing, take a look at this list of local apartments and additional housing options at a more affordable price: Heritage Senior Living 877-757-1003 701 Heritage Way, Hurst, TX 76053 http://www.seniorhousingnet.com/seniorliving-detail/heritage-senior-living-ltd_701-heritage-way_hurst_tx_76053-564346 Rent: $1389-$1689 Sqft: 810-1204 Services offered: 1 and 2 bedroom floor plans. Wait list for 1 bedrooms. Smoke-free. rent includes continental breakfast, coffee bar, membership to Hurst Senior Center (community shares parking lot), aerobic classes at pool, and discounted At&T package (resident pays $25 and community pays any additional. normal bill is $80), travel to Winstar for $10. pets are allowed for a small monthly fee. Residents pay for electric, water, trash Evergreen at Keller 817-741-6000 501 Bourland Rd, Keller, TX 76248 http://www.evergreenkeller.com/ Rent: $730-$882 Sqft: 700-925 Services offered: floor plans include 1 and 2 bedroom options. Only 2 rent rates. No wait list. Smoke Free. Rent includes bus to grocery store every Tuesday, computer room with printer, community organized activities including fitness 5 days a week, bingo, computer classes, library on site, games nights etc.   Conservatory at Keller Town Center 682-593-2742 200 Country Brook Dr, Keller, TX 76248 http://www.conservatoryseniorliving.com/ Rent: Waiting to confirm Sqft: 717-1110 Services offered: LM for sales team. Unable to get questions answered immediately. 1 and 2 bedroom floor plans. Kitchen in unit or full menu dining service. Professional team onsite 24 hours a day.   Silver Ridge Assisted Living (and Independent Living Cottages) 817-517-3826 5314 Bransford Rd, Colleyville, TX 76034 http://www.sedonavillageseniorliving.com/ Rent: $2,700-$3,500 Sqft: 500-700 (approx) Services offered: 6 month minimum lease which can be canceled if medical conditions change. 4 total units with no wait list studio or 1 bedroom only. Can participate in assisted living activities such as bingo, but nothing really set up for independent living people. Units include with rent all utilities, internet, phone, complimentary meals 3 times a day (kitchen is available in the unit), snacks and beverages, weekly housekeeping, weekly medication set up (such as pill boxes), bed linens laundered, and more.  Sedona Village 817-232-9300 2800 Sedona Ranch Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76131 http://www.sedonavillageseniorliving.com/ Rent: $600-$880 Sqft: 716-1007 Services offered: 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom floorplans. Tax based credit property for fixed income seniors. Rent rates vary depending on what you qualify for. Waitlist also varies. Can be added to waitlist from a short phone call. 2 person income cap to qualify is $33,480. ! person income cap is $29,280. Have activities every day that are mostly resident run. 3 waitlists for 30%, 50% and 60% reduction. 30% has a 3 yr wait-list, 60% has a 1-3 month waitlist. cost of 1 bedroom at 30% is 339/month, 50% 600/month, 60% 731/month. 2 bedrooms at 30% is 409/month, 50% 723/month and 60% is 880/month. No application fee, but $100 deposit for 1 bedroom or $200 deposit for 2 bedroom. Pets under 35 pounds are allowed for $250 deposit and $15/mo rent What is Senior Housing or 55+ Housing? The first step is to accurately define exactly what you're looking for. After you do this, the search gets easier. Obviously, some of these are housing situations you probably wouldn't choose for yourself (eg Alzheimer care). This information might be helpful for someone trying to care for an aging parent. If you are looking at this for personal needs, the more education we have about different types of living situations, the better we can accurately communicate our future wishes and desires to our loved ones that may be helping care for us in the future. Doing a little homework in advance is an incredibly loving and generous gift you can give to those that you may depend on at some point. Here is a list of different kinds of Senior Housing terms and what they mean: CCRC - Seniors buy-in for care for the rest of their lives. Includes all levels of care from independent living to skilled nursing care in one location. In Home Senior Care - This can include anything from scheduling entertainment to Hospice supervision in your own home. Lowest cost if only need for part of the day. Usually requires a family member / friend as the primary caregiver Retirement community - Own or rent in a community just for seniors. Access to social activities, valet services and often an emergency call system. Other terms that might be considered retirement communities are: Senior Co-op Congregational Active Senior Senior Apartments - Total freedom with access to other seniors Independent Living - Total freedom with access to other seniors, entertainment, and emergency help Respite Care - Includes a wide range of temporary care in a facility Assisted Living - Personal Care Homes (PCM's - unique to certain states) care including ADL's plus help with medication and finance (paying bills). Often includes more socialization Personal Care Home - Help with meals, hygiene, entertainment, and transportation Dementia / Alzheimer Care - Assisted living plus high level of daily supervision Nursing Home - Rehabilitation and 24 hr supervision by a skilled nurse Hospice Care - End-of-life support at home or at a special care facility   Call us today to get help on mapping out a plan on what to do with your current house. We specialise in helping seniors. Contact us for a free home valuation and to map out the best strategic plan to maximize your return and have a smooth hassle free transition into housing that fits your needs 817-381-3800 hello@chandlercrouch.com