TEXAS (Austin Business Journal) – Texas stands out as the top state for business, according to Directorship magazine.
Texas "has a pro-business tax climate that ranks third, a low cost of living, a relatively solid economy and a litigation environment that ranks tenth on our list," the magazine reported. "Texas also ranks first in the number of Fortune 500 companies located there."
Major corporate relocations and expansions such as Comerica's move to Dallas and Caterpillar's new plant in Seguin were highlighted as reasons for Texas' ranking.
Directorship evaluated states' overall economies, tax climates, cost of living and education to determine rankings
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Home Maintenance Tip -
Your washer and dryer are designed to be simple to maintain, and there are a few things you can do that will prolong the life of the machines and reduce service calls.
Avoid overloading the washer - an overloaded washer strains the motor and transmission, shortening their lives.
Once a month, remove and clean intake screens where water-supply hoses enter the washing machine, and check water-supply hoses for splits, cracks, or bulges.
Once a year, disconnect your dryer from the vent hose and wall, and thoroughly vacuum and clean the lint pipe to improve your drying efficiency and remove potentially flammable lint buildup.
Once a year disconnect the washer and dryer to clean underneath and check for any small leaks or hidden maintenance problems.
Avoid overloading the washer - an overloaded washer strains the motor and transmission, shortening their lives.
Once a month, remove and clean intake screens where water-supply hoses enter the washing machine, and check water-supply hoses for splits, cracks, or bulges.
Once a year, disconnect your dryer from the vent hose and wall, and thoroughly vacuum and clean the lint pipe to improve your drying efficiency and remove potentially flammable lint buildup.
Once a year disconnect the washer and dryer to clean underneath and check for any small leaks or hidden maintenance problems.
Monday, June 22, 2009
TEXAS STILL BUYER'S MARKET
TEXAS (Real Estate Center, The Herald-Zeitung) – Despite rising foreclosure rates in the United States (now nearly 32 percent), the rate in Texas is down 14 percent since last year.
Jim Gaines, research economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, said the Texas housing market is doing very well compared with the rest of the nation.
"We're being compared to large, high-growth states like Florida, New York, California and Illinois, and our housing market is in much better shape. This is partly because about four or five years ago, we didn't have the big run-up in prices that many of those states had," Gaines said.
Texas also benefits from a lack of overbuilding, which often creates an excess of inventory to drive down home prices.
Affordable homes, low mortgage and interest rates, and first-time homebuyer tax credits also make this an ideal time to buy a home, according to Gaines.
Jim Gaines, research economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, said the Texas housing market is doing very well compared with the rest of the nation.
"We're being compared to large, high-growth states like Florida, New York, California and Illinois, and our housing market is in much better shape. This is partly because about four or five years ago, we didn't have the big run-up in prices that many of those states had," Gaines said.
Texas also benefits from a lack of overbuilding, which often creates an excess of inventory to drive down home prices.
Affordable homes, low mortgage and interest rates, and first-time homebuyer tax credits also make this an ideal time to buy a home, according to Gaines.
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