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Well the day that many first-time homebuyers have been waiting for is here: April 30, 2010. If you fit the bill for the first-time homebuyer's tax credit, you must have a property under contract my midnight tonight to qualify.

Separately, if you live in Houston and purchased a home in 2009, today is also the last day for you to file your homestead exemption for 2010. You may only have one homestead and you must have lived in the property on January 1. It's easy to fill out this form online.

And while homeowners still have through June 1 to file a protest on their property taxes, you might as well do it while you are on the Harris County Appraisal District website. It's simple to use the district's online iFile and iSettle systems. Here's a video to show you how. According to the district, 70% of homes were worth the same on January 1 of this year that they were last year, 30% declined and only 1% increased in value. Because not as many homeowners will protest this year, my guess is that those who do are more likely to be called in for a formal hearing, even if using iSettle. That's what has happened with my protest, but let me know how it goes for you!

Spring Squeaky Clean

We've been experiencing some glorious days here in Houston this spring, including today. I don't even have to set my alarm clock this time of year because there is a bird's nest positioned just outside my bedroom window, and the little chicks alert me with their tweets each morning to the new day. This gentle reminder of spring also reminds me of the things that need to be attended to around the house aside from switching out my winter coats and boots for tank tops and sandals. Below are 5 simple steps to take around your home this spring:

1. Have your A/C coils cleaned and your freon levels checked by a certified HVAC technician.

2. Clean out your gutters so they will flow during those spring and summer showers.

3. Check for wood rot and repair it so it doesn't get worse with rain.

4. Remove firewood stored near your home.

5. Powerwash your sidewalk and driveway.

My driveway getting a good spring cleaning from Jarrin's Pressure Washing Service.

Most importantly, don't forget to stop and smell the honeysuckle!