By Tom Branch, on November 13th, 2010 The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a Fraud Alert titled, “The Verdict: Hang Up – Don’t Fall for Jury Duty Scam” on the FBI website.
 Licensed from iStockPhoto According to the Fraud Alert, “The scam’s bold simplicity may be what makes it so effective. Facing the unexpected threat of arrest, victims are caught off guard and may be quick to part with some information to defuse the situation.”
The scam starts with a phone call claiming there is a warrant out for your arrest. The caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. Give out any of this information and bingo; your identity was just stolen.
The fraud has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma , Illinois , and Colorado . This scam is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they are with the court system.
The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.
Source: FBI Website
By Tom Branch, on November 11th, 2010 I was reading the news this morning and came upon an article titled, “Commission Offers Controversial Solutions to Axe Deficit — Members Balk” on the FoxNews website. The “Deficit Commission” appointed by President Obama is working on a plan to reduce the nation’s deficit.
 Licensed from iStockPhoto One of the commission’s suggestions is to eliminate the Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction in favor of a lower tax rate for all. Personally, I think this plan will have a huge negative impact on the housing market and our economy in general.
Let’s look at a $250k, 5 percent mortgage. The homeowner pays $12,500 in interest per year and likely itemizes deductions of about $18k. If we remove the Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction, the same homeowner now uses the standard deduction and pays taxes on an additional $7500. If the homeowner is in the 25 percent tax bracket, the loss of the deduction adds $1875 to their tax bill. It gets worse with larger mortgages and higher tax brackets.
Basically, they would eliminate the Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction and lower the tax rates across the board at the same time. It appears that this plan will “spread the wealth” increasing taxes on homeowners and reducing taxes for all.
With so many homeowners in distress, they simply cannot absorb any increases in costs and stay in their homes. Combine this idea with the various new taxes beginning in 2011 along with rapidly increasing energy/food costs and we have all the right conditions for another economic collapse.
As a nation, we have to focus on reducing costs and creating jobs in order to get out of this mess. Taxing the middle class will only make it worse.
By Tom Branch, on November 11th, 2010 The Branch Team | Real Estate Broker 0547597 | RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs
 Copyright 2010 - Imaged2Sell 4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 3126 SF/Building Plan
Plano TX Homes For Sale – Luxury new construction in Frisco ISD with hand scraped hardwood floors. Country French kitchen with custom cabinets has granite counters, double ovens, breakfast bar, and under cab lighting. Designer touches include iron balusters, bull nose corners, art niches, granite in all baths, and upgraded front door with iron. Game and media great for entertaining. Enjoy the community pool, park and playground. Easy access to Hwy 121 and the Tollway.
Click here for current status, pricing, photos, and a virtual tour.
Source: NTREIS
By Tom Branch, on November 11th, 2010 The Branch Team | Real Estate Broker 0547597 | RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs
 Copyright 2010 - Imaged2Sell 3 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 2546 SF/Building Plan
Plano TX Homes For Sale – Beautiful new construction in Frisco ISD. 1.5-story plan with game room and full bath up. Gourmet kitchen has huge island, granite counters, under cabinet lighting, brkfst bar, and stainless appliances. French doors lead to office rotunda. Designer touches include art niches, iron balusters, archways, bull nose corners, and upgraded fixtures. Enjoy the community pool, park and playground. Easy access to Hwy 121 and the Tollway. Ready November.
Click here for current status, pricing, photos, and a virtual tour.
Source: NTREIS
By Tom Branch, on November 10th, 2010 I was talking with my spouse last week and she related that someone she knows has been diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and likely has less than a year to live.
 Licensed from iStockPhoto She’s a younger woman, in her mid to late 40’s, and while the cancer may be treatable, she has decided not to undergo treatment. While this surprised me, what came next left me speechless.
Not only has she decided not to seek treatment, but she has decided not to tell her long-term partner or her family. Having been at my spouse’s side while she fought Stage III cancer, I can’t imagine turning down treatment and I would fight it with all I had in me. I also can’t imagine trying to do it alone.
This revelation really got me thinking though. If I was terminal with no chance for recovery, would I want to burden my spouse and family with it? Would it be fair not to tell them only to have them find out later? Would not telling them make it any easier in the short- or long-term? A week later I’m still pondering these questions.
What would you do?
By Tom Branch, on November 10th, 2010 The Branch Team | Real Estate Broker 0547597 | RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs
 Copyright 2010 - Imaged2Sell 2 Bedrooms | 2.1 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 1633 SF/Building Plan
Plano TX Townhomes For Sale – Beautiful new construction on premium lot with stone elevation. Well-appointed kitchen with upgraded granite, maple glazed cabinets, and stainless appliances. Designer touches include art niche, bull nose corners, and iron balusters. Enclosed patio with gas for BBQ. Energy Star certified. Low maintenance lifestyle with full service HOA. Enjoy community pool, parks, and playground. Easy access to Dallas North Tollway and 121. Ready in December.
Click here for current status, pricing, photos, and a virtual tour.
Source: NTREIS
By Tom Branch, on November 10th, 2010 The Branch Team | Real Estate Broker 0547597 | RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs
 Copyright 2010 - Imaged2Sell 3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 2097 SF/Tax
Frisco, TX Homes For Sale – Wonderful KB home located in the Heart of Frisco. Single-level open floor plan with split bedrooms and study. Second living area can be formal dining. Large island kitchen with lots of storage space, Corian counters, and a gas cook top. Family room with fireplace overlooks the generous covered patio and landscaped back yard. Master bath has separate shower and garden tub. Designer colors and plantation shutters. Walk to local Frisco ISD schools.
Click here for current status, pricing, photos, and a virtual tour.
Source: NTREIS
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