My cooking experiences~ Stuffed Peppers!

My friend and I made some amazing Stuffed Peppers last night. We had an idea of what to do but for the most part....we kind of winged it!

We went and got our ingredients from Central Market, and they were so fresh. The Ingredients we got at the store were 2 green peppers, 1 yellow pepper, 1 red pepper, whole grain rice, season chicken, ground beef, spinach & chicken sausage link, spaghetti sauce, garlic powder, and an onion.

We put the rice on the stove to cook while prepping the other food. Next thing we did was cut the middle out of the Peppers and remove all seeds. After running warm water in the middle of the pepper making sure the seeds are out, place the peppers in boiling water and leave for 20-30 minutes. Then, cut the onions up and sauteed them in a different pan with the ground beef and sausage. The chicken we did separately because it was already seasoned and didn't want to mix flavors. Warm the spaghetti sauce up (we used a mushroomed based sauced to give it more flavor), and poor in rice (once drained). Sprinkle the garlic powder (a few dashes) over the rice and spaghetti sauce. Do the same with the salt. The amount of sauce depends on your preference! Ones the rice and meat are done, remove the peppers from the water and fill each proportionately with each mixture. Put each pepper in aluminum foil and place on baking pan. Bake on 350 for 40 minutes and remove...put cheese on top! YUM

We filled each of the peppers with something different (chicken mixture in one, ground beef in one, and sausage in the other). If I had to choose my favorite of the three...it would be between the sausage or chicken mixture. I loved it so much I had the left overs for lunch the next day.

Give it a try, and let me know your thoughts on this recipe! We really did not measure anything other than the rice....just guesstimated! :)

We cook at least once a week, so I will be updating you on our cooking adventours, and what we decide to make each week! :)

~Dallas College Students and Dallas Off Campus Housing~

I've been working on different marketing materials for my Dallas real estate business, and I have decided to market Dallas colleges. As a recent college graduate myself, I know how dorm life feels and how old listening to your RA and having to follow all of their rules gets after Freshman year. My Sophmore year I rented an apartment with 3 of my best friends, and we loved it. It was close to campus, and I was able to walk to my classes (allowing me to sleep in till the last second, of course)! Once it was Junior year, we all decided we were tired of climbing 3 stories everyday and having to share so much space with each other. One of my roommates dad's decided he was going to purchase us a 3 bedroom house that was close to campus. We paid him rent...which paid their mortgage on the house. It was awesome living in a house during college. I actually had a place to call home...that was a home! My house was always the gathering place for my friends and I because they loved coming over since we had so much space.. We took advantage of our house by cooking a lot, having get togethers, using our backyard to layout...plus, it was so quite compared to an apt or dorm, so you could get more studying done without having to go to the library (which I really liked)!

I want to put that idea in the minds of other college students and grad students that don't like their living situation now. If they have roommates already...why not be a Dallas Off Campus College Student, and either purchase a Dallas house (or have their parents purchase it for them, for credit sake,) and let their roommates pay the mortgage with their rent. You can find great priced Dallas Condos, Townhomes, and houses really close to any Dallas campus.

If you know of any Dallas college students (even if they don't live in Dallas...I can still help them) that are looking for Dallas Off campus housing, send them my way, and we can find a place for them to either lease or buy that is close to their Dallas campus!

sarah.halbrook@kw.com

214-763-5115

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit~

The home buyer tax credit, which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is a federal program designed to encourage Americans to purchase their first home.

This program, which continues until December 1, 2009, can make a big difference for many Dallas first-time home buyers. Imagine what $8,000 can do for you! This dollar-for-dollar tax credit is an incentive designed to encourage the rebound of the economy, and it may very well be the incentive you need to purchase your first Dallas home!


Like any other federal tax incentive, however, there are a few terms and conditions of this new home buyer tax credit:


The tax credit is only for first-time home buyers. However, the IRS recognizes anyone that has not owned a primary residence over the last three years to be a first-time homebuyer.
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price. However, the maximum dollar amount given through this program is $8,000.


Only those single taxpayers making less than $75,000 and those married taxpayers making less than $150,000 qualify for the tax credit. There is a reduced tax credit available for individuals who do not meet this income requirement; however, those single taxpayers that make more than $95,000 and those married taxpayers that make more than $170,000 are not eligible to receive any money through this incentive program.


The closing date on your Dallas home must be on or before December 1, 2009 to be eligible for the full tax credit. Unlike the tax credit enacted by Congress in 2008, the $8,000 tax credit does not have to be repaid.


To apply for your $8,000 tax credit, simply claim it on your year-end federal income tax return.
Only Dallas homes that are used for a primary residence are eligible under this tax credit incentive program.

Your Real Estate Resource

~If you know of anyone looking to buy or sell a house, I would love to help them. I may not live in the same state, but I can find you the best Realtor in your area. I have many connections in different states through Keller Williams. I would love the opportunity to help find you a Realtor in your area who will take excellent care of you. If you ever have a Real Estate question; please don’t hesitate to shoot me an e-mail of give me a call! I’d love to help in anyway I can~

Making the Right Decision – Is it Time to Buy your First Home?

The news is enough to scare anyone these days. We all hear the doom and gloom terms: recession, credit crisis, market free-fall. But what does it all mean and should it have an impact on whether we purchase our first Dallas home?

The answer is decidedly both yes and no. If you have been impacted directly by the ailing economy and your job is at risk, for example, you may want to think twice before diving into a major purchase such as a home. However, if you are fortunate enough to have a steady job, a nice nest egg and excellent credit then it may be time to consider purchasing your first Dallas home.


Low Interest Rates
There’s no doubt about it. Lenders have tightened their belts and only those individuals with the best of credit have a shot at getting approved for a mortgage. However, if you’ve paid your dues and have a sparkling credit history, then you are one of the lucky few whom can take advantage of the near-historic low interest rates.

Nice Inventory of Homes
The sour housing market may also be in your favor, as there is a nice inventory of Dallas homes on the market with reasonable price tags. We are definitely still in the middle of a buyer’s market, which means that there is likely a nice supply of homeowners looking to unload their Dallas properties.


Down Payment Concerns
Finally, it may be the right time to purchase your first Dallas home if you have saved a considerable amount of money for a down payment. Most lenders require at least 20 percent down, so if you haven’t secured that much money, then it may not be the time to dive into your first Dallas home purchase.


Buying your first Dallas home is a very personal decision. You must take your own, individual circumstances into consideration before making this major purchase. There are many incentives for new Dallas homeowners these days, such as low interest rates and tax rebates, so it pays to educate yourself on both the positive and negative aspects about purchasing your first Dallas home.

~The Top Five Home Improvement Projects to Take on Before you Sell~

So, you are ready to sell your Lewisville home and you desperately want a quick sale. What home improvement projects should you take on and which ones should you abandon?
We all want top dollar for our Lewisville homes, but we also don’t want to make home improvements that will not produce a healthy return on our investment. Although the area in which you live will likely dictate which home improvements are well worth your time and investment, there are five home improvements that are sure to benefit sellers everywhere:

1. Paint your walls. There is absolutely, positively no better way to increase the value of your Lewisville home than with a coat of paint. And luckily, there are few home improvement projects that are as inexpensive. A fresh coat of paint throughout your Lewisville home will make it appear fresh, clean and inviting.

2. Replace your carpeting. If your carpeting is worn, stained or has simply seen its better day, then you may want to consider installing new carpeting. An attractive, neutral carpet will do wonders for your Lewisville home’s appearance. Plus, you will likely see a 100 percent return on your investment.

3. Update your lighting fixtures. Nothing outdates a home like old light fixtures. Luckily, most lighting fixtures are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

4. Purchase new kitchen appliances. Buyers love new appliances, so there is simply no better way to lure them in than with new, shiny appliances. Plus, new appliances can be used as a bargaining tool during the negotiation process.

5. Improve your home’s curb appeal. Cut back any overgrown trees, trim your hedges, remove weeds from your plant beds and plant colorful annuals. Your Lewisville home may look amazing on the inside, but if the outside looks less than stellar, you may lose many, potential buyers before they even walk through the door.

Are you Ready to Purchase your First Home?

Purchasing your first home can be an exciting time in your life, filled with excitement, gratification and satisfaction. Although you’ve probably heard people telling you that renting is like throwing your money away, for many individuals renting is an ideal situation.

The bottom line is that, although owning your own home is incredibly beneficial in many ways, it is not for everyone. So, before you dive head first into your first home purchase, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Are you credit-worthy? Being in a positive credit situation means that you have an excellent credit history and that your credit score is at least above 700. Lenders are much stricter than they were a few years ago regarding who they will approve for home loans, so it is important to ensure that your credit is spotless before applying for a mortgage. Order copies of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies and review them carefully, looking for any errors. If your FICO score is struggling, then it is probably best to take care of your credit problems and work to raise your FICO score before considering a home purchase.

Are you financially prepared? Being financially prepared means that you have saved at least 20 percent of the purchase price of a home for a down payment, and that you have also set aside at least six months worth of your salary for an emergency fund. If you fall short in either of these areas, it is probably best to wait until you have saved more before purchasing a new home.
Are you ready to pay taxes? Many renters fail to realize, when figuring the cost of a mortgage, the taxes that they’ll need to pay. And for many, taxes can add a few hundred dollars every month to their mortgage payment. The Internet is a great source for tax information, as is a real estate agent. Before you make the decision to purchase a home, you’ll want to factor the cost of school and property taxes into your budget.

Are you ready to tackle home improvement projects (or pay someone else to do them)? A home is a work in progress, and home improvement and repair projects are an integral part of maintaining your home and increasing its value. If you are unable to complete basic home repair and improvement projects, or if you don’t have the time or the desire, you will want to factor in the cost of hiring someone else to do this work for you. You should also factor in the cost of the repairs and improvements themselves into your monthly budget.

Are you ready to settle in? Purchasing a home usually means that you intend on staying put in one place for at least a few years. If you enjoy moving around, or if you anticipate a job move in the next couple years, then owning a home probably isn’t right for you, as you will not likely see a return on your investment.