Though Texas fares better than most U.S. states with regard to foreclosure rates, Texas homeowners are not immune to this life-changing event. For those living in fear of foreclosure, there is good news.

On February 18, 2009, President Obama announced his plan to help millions of families, neighborhoods and communities combat the threat and negative effects of foreclosure: the Making Home Affordable (MHA) program. This program is designed to help responsible homeowners get back on track by modifying or refinancing their mortgage loans.

Some homeowners who have remained current on payments but have experienced a loss of income, an increased interest rate, or a decreased property value may now be able to make the adjustments needed to continue making affordable payments toward their mortgage. If you think the MHA program could help you, look into its eligibility requirements today.

Above all, remember that foreclosure help is free—if anyone asks you to pay a fee in exchange for counseling service or modification of a delinquent loan, it’s most likely a scam. Beware of those rushing you to sign paperwork or pressuring you to sign over the deed to your property. Take a moment to read more about foreclosure rescue scams and learn about the free resources made available to you by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For more information, talk to your Central Texas REALTOR®.

You’ve probably heard the term “green” used to describe everything from grocery bags and cars to buildings and cities. But what does “green” mean for Austin, and what does it mean for you?

While “green” can refer to practices that promote healthy living and aid in resource conservation, it’s often used in reference to practices that reduce one’s carbon footprint, boost sustainability and increase energy efficiency.

Austin consistently ranks high on lists of America's greenest cities, largely in part to its Climate Protection Program, which puts Austin on track to become carbon neutral by 2020. Austin is also among cities leading the nation in the number of Energy Star qualified homes available to homebuyers. These homes meet strict energy efficient standards in regard to insulations systems, windows, construction and appliances.

Because Austin takes seriously its mission to "go green," Central Texans are buying more energy efficient homes, saving money through reduced energy costs and living in a city on track to become “the most livable city in the country.”

So, what does “green” mean for Austin homeowners? In short: lower energy costs, a more sustainable standard of living and, of course, bragging rights.

To learn more about Austin’s Climate Protection program and how it affects Austin homeowners, read our post on “Understanding’s Austin’s energy efficiency ordinance.”

If you’re debating whether to invest in home remodeling, consider this: On a national level, most remodeling projects that recouped the greatest percentage of cost in 2009 were exterior improvements that cost less than $15,000.

Results from the 2009 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report produced by Hanley Wood, LLC, show remodeling projects that boost curb appeal, increase energy efficiency and put the home in move-in condition have proved popular with buyers during trying economic times.

Nationwide the biggest returns were seen with the addition of a steel entry door (128.9 percent of costs recouped), upscale fiber-cement siding (83.6 percent of costs recouped) and a wooden deck (80.6 percent of costs recouped).

On a local level, Austin homeowners saw a return on their investments not only in smaller-scale exterior improvements, but in significant indoor renovations. What’s even better news for Central Texans is that Texas and other southwestern states outperform most of the nation in terms of remodeling costs recovered upon resale, according to the Cost vs. Value Report.

Below are some of the remodeling projects that yielded the biggest returns for Austin homeowners in 2009:

• Steel entry door replacement (120.7%)
• Attic bedroom remodel (97.4%)
• Basement remodel (92.0%)
• Vinyl window replacement (85.3%)
• Fiber-cement siding replacement (82.5%)
• Major kitchen remodel (81.3%)
• Grand Entrance (81.2%)
• Minor kitchen remodel (79.8%)
• Wood window replacement (79.3%)
• Foam-backed vinyl siding replacement (78.3%)

For more information on home remodeling, contact your Central Texas REALTOR®.