Here are some of the details about the $8,000 Tax Credit Extension for first time home buyers and details of the additional $6,500 for home buyers:

- First time home buyers (or anyone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years get up to $8,000.
- Home buyers who have owned their current homes at least 5 years are eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500.
- The home buyer tax credit is available for the purchase of "principal homes" costing $800,000 or less (vacation homes are ineligible).
- Individuals who make up to $125,000 and joint filers with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full credit. Individuals with incomes up to $145,000 and joint filers with incomes up to $245,000 qualify for reduced credits.
- The home buyer tax credit is extended for another year (until June 30, 2011 for members of the military serving outside the USA for at least 90 days.
- Ten percent of the purchase price of a primary residence, up to a maximum of $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for others.
- Purchase agreements must be signed by April 30 and closings must be final by June 30.
- The deadline is extended by a year for those who have served outside the United States for at least 90 days from Jan. 1, 2009, to May 1, 2010.

- HOW TO APPLY: Taxpayers can claim the credit on their federal tax returns. If the credit exceeds the tax bill, the government will issue a payment. Taxpayers who want immediate refunds can amend their 2008 returns.

By expanding and extending the home buyer tax credit, it is expected to cost the United States government more than $10.8 billion dollars of lost tax revenue. However, about 1.4 million first-time home buyers have already qualified for the tax credit for home buyers. The National Association of Realtors says that about 350,000 of them would not have purchased their homes without the credit, so it appears to be working.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is applauding Congress for passing this legislation that will extend and expand the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit, stating that "this will provide a much-needed boost to the fragile housing market and economy." The NAHB estimates that the extended and expanded home buyer tax credit will create 211,000 jobs and generate 180,000 additional home sales in the coming year. It is also expected to generate $9.6 billion in wage income and $6.9 billion in federal, state and local taxes.

1. Do your homework. Just like selling your car or selling your home, it is important to get a realistic idea of what your timeshare is worth. If you can, find out what similar timeshares have sold for recently. Get an appraisal or several different opinions on the value. Search using your favorite search engine for the location. Look for other similar timeshares that are being offered for sale in the area.

2. Make sure you understand what you are selling. Before you begin to market your timeshare, make sure that you have everything in order. Know exactly what you're selling, the dates (if applicable), and other important details. Do you own a Right To Use (RTU) the timeshare for a specified number of years or do you have deeded ownership in the property? Find out whether or not your timeshare is part of a chain. If it's part of a chain, consider the fact that this is more desirable for buyers: you may able to price the timeshare a bit higher.

3. Gather all of the paperwork together and review it. This could include tax records, maintenance details, the payments you've made, and any other related paperwork. Gather photos of the property. If at all possible, find or take recent photos or even a video of the property, inside and out of the location.

4. Consider using an agency to sell the timeshare, but be careful. There are many internet-based and even "offline" companies/agencies that will list your timeshare for sale. Some charge you a fee to list your timeshare and then they will charge you a commission when it sells. Other companies will work on commission only. The fees and the commissions that they charge vary, and they're traditionally much higher than what a real estate company would charge to sell your home. Make sure that you talk to several different timeshare resale companies and agencies before you agree to or sign anything. And make sure that you review the company's history.

Search Google for the company name. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Check with their State Attorney General's office to see if there are any complaints. Read and review the timeshare laws for the location of your timeshare; in some States, it's illegal to charge an upfront fee. Ask what organizations the company is a member of, like the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). The ARDA expects its members to abide by their ethical guidelines when selling timeshares. Ask the company how they are going to market your timeshare.

5. Consider listing your timeshare at an auction. You might consider an auction web site such as eBay.com. Make sure you set a reserve price, though, if you are expecting to sell the timeshare for a certain amount of money.

6. Consider listing your timeshare on the classified ad web sites. There are several web sites where you can list your timeshare for sale. Craigslist, American Classifieds and Backpage.com are just a few. Consider even the local newspapers, as well. If your timeshare is in a warm location like Florida, consider advertising in a local newspaper in one of the northern States such as in Chicago, Minneapolis, Buffalo, or even New York City or Boston.

7. Consider an exchange. Certainly exchanging your timeshare for another is not the best answer when if you really want to sell your timeshare, but it might give you other options of you need to change your dates or even change your location.

8. Consider other owners. There may be other timeshare owners who have a timeshare before or after you that might want to increase their time. See if you can contact them and ask if they're interested in your timeshare.

9. Consider trading your timeshare for something of value. Trade your timeshare for land. You can trade the timeshare equity you own for actual real estate and land. Bluegreen Communities has recently started a limited time promotion for timeshare owners that want to sell their timeshares. You can trade the equity of your timeshare for land. You can use the equity from your vacation ownership towards the purchase of some of the most beautiful, spacious land available in the country. It does not matter if you own a Hilton® timeshare, Disney® timeshare, Marriott® or Ramada® timeshare, or even Bluegreen, RCI® or Worldmark® timeshare. You can trade your timeshare for land. See TimeshareforLand.com for more details about this unique opportunity.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Whether you decide to sell or trade your timeshare for land, you need to realize that just about every industry, including the resort industry, has taken a hit in this uncertain economy. Even when the economy was better, it was difficult to sell a timeshare for the amount that you originally paid; the best option may just be trading your timeshare for land.

We're closing out of one our beautiful neighborhoods at Lake Ridge. Right now, you can save more than $45,000 on the final 10 homesites in this stunning neighborhood. We intend to close out these last wooded and view homesites by August 30. Therefore we're offering unprecedented deep discounts of up to 52 percent off from the 2008 pricing levels.

Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to acquire these properties at these deep discounts before we offer them to the general public beginning this weekend, August 8th and 9th.

Call Lake Ridge today as this is your last opportunity to take advantage of these prices, as the best ones will go first: 800-716-8442.

Click Here to view our current special offers.

Planning and developing an exceptional equestrian property takes a lot of thought and planning. In an overview of “equestrian communities” several things become obvious-many developments consider themselves “equestrian property” when in fact what that really means is you can have a horse on your property, build a barn, or just enjoy your horses as pasture ornaments. Frequently there are no ancillary amenities such as arenas, barns, trails. But several properties have it all. Here are the very best in Horseback’s vast circulation area.

In the same area north of Houston are two developments that offer equestrian
amenities. Spring Creek Ranch parcels are in that 5-12 acre range. It is gated; private, lovely homes have been built. There is a covered arena and two lakes The other development in the Magnolia area is Saddle Creek Forest. This is a Bluegreen Community development project. It is a master planned community with 1-5 acres heavily wooded parcels. There is a private lake and creek side home sites. There are 8 miles of riding trails, a stable, an arena, creeks and several small lakes.

King Oaks is a master planned community in Bryan College Station. They offer 1-4 acre home site parcels priced from $40,000-$120,000. These parcels are heavily wooded. Creeks and ponds are on the property. This is also a Bluegreen Community project. There is a 60 acre private nature preserve, family sports park with activity fields, plus 2-10 acre lakes throughout. They advertise to see the property on horseback.

As the Dallas North Tollway continues to expand north, Bluegreen Communities has already anticipated the growth and turned its famed property into a natural haven for owners. Once a private getaway for Dallas’ elite, Bluegreen’s The Bridges at Preston Crossings is attracting residents with its boundless lifestyle away from city noise and congestion. Built on the legendary Double M Ranch, The Bridges is poised in the heart of growth, between the Dallas North Tollway and U.S. 75 in Gunter, Texas.

The ranch, previously owned by Dallas socialite Myron Martin, holds a large piece of rich, North Texas history and gives a glimpse into why The Bridges is becoming so popular.

Double M Ranch has hosted many dignitaries and celebrities, including Larry Hagman, Brooks & Dunn and Prince Albert of Monaco, as well as two prestigious Dallas Cattle Baron’s Balls and polo matches attended by Dallas magnates and European royalty.

Martin purchased the ranch in 1983, then known as Clearfork Ranch, from Dallas oilman Bob Franklin and used it as a personal getaway. She noted that it was close enough to the Dallas area, but far enough to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

“I was looking for a place where I could go on the weekends. I had a friend in real estate and I told her I just want something north, but that’s close enough to Dallas where I could go up there for the day and come home. My friend found Bob Franklin’s property and I fell in love with it immediately,” she said. “I think [The Bridges] will really appeal to people as a home away from the city. That’s why I wanted it. I hear people are getting out of Frisco, McKinney and Plano because taxes are going so high and more and more people are moving north.”

As a Bluegreen Community, The Bridges takes a unique approach in transforming the 1,583-acre former horse ranch into a master-planned, custom home community with one-third to one-acre homesites.

“Bluegreen takes great pride in preserving the history and integrity of each property we develop,” Bluegreen Senior Vice President Stephen Davis said. “We make sure that each homesite retains its inherent beauty, whether that’s dozens of oak trees, a creek along the back or a view of the water or golf course. We work around the natural terrain of the property.”

The community boasts a semi-private Fred Couples’ Signature Golf Course, a 17-acre equestrian center with boarding stables, 11 miles of riding and walking trails, a 24-acre lake and seven community parks. The Bridges is also located near renowned fishing, boating and recreational sites, including Lake Ray Roberts and Lake Texoma.

“We wanted to design a community that really creates a lifestyle for family memories,” Davis said. “The Bridges is that place where you visited as a kid and never wanted to leave. You can fish, canoe, ride horses or golf – all in your backyard. It has something for everyone, so you can come home and just relax away from the world.”

Veteran golf manager Rocky Hambric recently moved into his home at The Bridges.

“We chose The Bridges because it provided the best combination of living in the country with all the amenities of living in the city,” he said.

With two young boys, Hambric and his wife were looking for a weekend home that provided “plenty of room to grow and give the boys room to run around and be boys,” away from the congestion in central Dallas.

“We were looking for something very specific,” Hambric said. “We wanted something with a grove of trees and preferably a creek. They took us out [to view various homesites], listened to what we were looking for and were very accommodating. It was a very easy transaction.”

That customer service, variety and flexibility are some of the biggest draws for The Bridges at Preston Crossings.

“The Bridges is a master-planned community, but it’s not the everyday community people are used to,” said Dennis Jones, The Bridges sales manager.

Homeowners have the flexibility to use any custom builder they choose and there is no timeframe to begin building.

“A large percentage of our land is bought during the pre-development stage to take advantage of our lowest prices,” Jones said. “That’s why now is the best time to purchase because you can buy land in our newest areas before the streets go in and you can build when you are ready.”

The Bridges’ homesites offer a variety of landscapes, ranging from heavily wooded, creek-front, golf views and water views. The community opened its newest neighborhood, Timber Creek, last week.

“We have a lot of variety right now, so if someone wants tons of trees, we have it. If they want to look out over the golf course or water, they can do that,” he said. “That’s the great thing about buying land - you have the freedom to cater the site how you want and really design the home of your dreams.”

Families at The Bridges also will be able to reap the benefits of Exemplary-rated Gunter ISD schools and the welcoming Gunter community.

Gunter Mayor Mark Millar is looking forward to seeing the positive growth to the city as more and more families make the move to The Bridges.

“The Bridges will bring a whole new dynamic to Gunter,” he said. “It will quadruple the number of homes in Gunter, which will help bring in more retail associated with family housing. And we hope that this will be the first step to more growth.”

Millar and Gunter city leaders are excited about the growth, knowing it will help further establish the town.

“The Bridges has a great golf club and golf course and is a great place to live. We hope people will make it a permanent home to help Gunter grow,” Millar said. “It’s proximity to the North Dallas corridor and Highway 75 and Preston Road makes Gunter far enough out in the country, but close enough to the city.”

Its convenient location, variety of amenities and friendly community makes The Bridges at Preston Crossings the ideal place for a permanent or weekend getaway.

“I loved that ranch for all those years. It’s just so peaceful there. You don’t know there’s anything going on in the world,” Martin said. “It was a true pleasure and I have friends that really miss it. So, I just tell them to go buy land at The Bridges now!”

For more information on The Bridges at Preston Crossings, call 1-800-956-4764 or visit www.bridgestexas.com

The Avid Golfer Classic kicks off with the Pro Am on Sunday at 2 p.m. and Round One of the Series begins Tuesday.

The Bridges Golf Club | Gunter, Texas

Spectators can walk the course, view players on the driving range or enjoy the bar and grill at the clubhouse while mingling with current and future PGA stars.

Each series spectator will receive a certificate for a golf round for the price of a cart.

“Only the best courses are selected for this honor,” Bridges Head Pro Patrick Chamberlain said. “We are excited to show off The Bridges to some of the best players in the country. (The tournament coordinators) said this course will be the toughest test the players will have all year.”

Chamberlain, along with Bridges’ course record holder Todd Mayfield (68), will compete in the series as well as former PGA players Jaxon Brigman and Brad Ott.

For more information on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series and the tournament schedule, visit www.adamsgolfprotourseries.com.

The Bridges Golf Club is located at 2400 Fred Couples Drive in Gunter, TX 75058.

While you're out on the course, come by and see our new Ranch House location just 3/4 mile east from the main community entrance. See you then!

Double M Ranch | Gunter, Texas

In 1983, Dallas socialite Myron K. Martin purchased 212 acres of the Double M Ranch including a house from Dallas oilman Bob Franklin.  Franklin had used the property as a weekend polo getaway for him and his friends including Prince Albert of Monaco, who scored his first goal at the ranch. At that time, the property was known as Clearfork Ranch.

“I was looking for a place where I could go on the weekends,” she said. “I had a friend in real estate and I told her I just want something north, but that’s close enough to Dallas where I could go up there for the day and come home. My friend found Bob Franklin’s property and it already had a house, two barns, a pool and tennis court. It basically had everything I wanted and I fell in love with it immediately.”

Polo fields at Double M Ranch

Myron proceed to buy the surrounding land around her including 1,300 acres from Nelson “Bunker” Hunt, which is the pasture area where houses are being built now. This large piece of property divided two other blocks of land she owned. She had her real estate agent approach Hunt about the purchase and he sold it to her mainly because it was the only land he owned east of Preston Road.

Myron used the ranch primarily for entertaining and to get away from the city, but she also raised horses, cattle, goats and birds there. Most of the ranch work was done by her ranch manager, who lived on-site with his wife. A total of 13 employees worked on the ranch, giving Myron the option to come and go as she pleased from her permanent home in Dallas.

“I did a lot of entertaining up there,” she said. “I always had friends with me and house guests staying the weekend. I used Eddie Deen’s catering a lot. It’s so wonderful and Eddie would come out to the Ranch. We just always had a lot of fun.”

Franklin’s original house, designed by Dallas architect Parker Folse, later burned down. Myron waited five years to make sure she really wanted the property and then had Dallas architect Frank Welch build the current ranch house, which now serves as The Bridges’ Information Center.

Stained Glass Horse

One of the only things that survived the fire is the stained glass horse, which is now in the entry door of the current stables.

In 1986, Double M Ranch hosted the Dallas Cattle Baron’s Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society. They had never had a rodeo at one of the balls before and really wanted to have one. Myron built the current equestrian arena and grandstands to accommodate the event.

“I must have had 3,000 people on the ranch for that event. It was so much fun,” she said.

Celebrities arrived by helicopter for the event including Larry Hagman. Hagman also attended the 1993 Cattle Baron’s Ball held again at Double M Ranch.

“Once Larry Hagman started coming to the Ranch, this rumor started that the house was owned by his mother Mary Martin who played Peter Pan,” Myron said. “Then later it was rumored that Disney was going to build a theme park on the property. I don’t know where in the world these things get started, but I had every real estate agent in McKinney calling me wanting to buy the land around the Ranch.”

Several celebrities including Hagman have visited the Ranch including Marilyn Quayle, wife of former Vice President Dan Quayle; Dallas restaurateur Gene Street who founded Black-Eyed Pea and Good Eats Cafe; Texas artist Bob “Daddy-O” Wade; and many others. Martin hosted a 100-person lunch just so her friends could meet Marilyn Quayle.

Double M Ranch House

Myron reminisces about her time on the ranch and loves sharing stories of all the fun times.

“We used to ride horses all over the property. We would even ride up to Dairy Queen and get a hamburger. It was so much fun! I had a speed boat and the young people just loved waterskiing. It’s a small lake so it doesn’t look like you can ski, but if you start at the boat house and make a big circle, they loved it!

“And everybody that came up had to go fishing. There are some huge bass in that lake! And the water is so pure, you could drink it.”

With her love of horses, Myron is excited that The Bridges owners will be able to take advantage of the equestrian facilities she had onsite.

“A lot of people really want horses but they have no room to keep them,” she said. “Having those facilities available for people at The Bridges is wonderful!”

One of the lasting memories of Double M Ranch is now located in McKinney. The large horse statue, which once sat in the roundabout of the Ranch House driveway, now resides at the McKinney SPCA on Stacy Road.

“I used to get so many comments about that horse and now that it is on the main road between Frisco and McKinney, people always say, ‘That’s the horse that used to be at Double M Ranch,’” Myron said.

Myron knows growth is headed toward the Gunter area especially when the Dallas Tollway reaches the city in a few years. The Tollway is already completed up to Hwy. 380.

“Things are really moving that way. I wish the Tollway had gone up as far it does years ago,” she said. “The growth will definitely go that way because (The Bridges) is in a prime location. When I told people my ranch was between Hwy. 75 and Preston Road, they went, ‘Wow, what a great location.’ And it really is. I could get up there in 45 minutes.”

Myron said it was the quiet, relaxing nature of the ranch that she enjoyed the most.

“I loved that ranch for all those years. … It’s just so peaceful there. You don’t know there’s anything going on in the world,” she said. “It was a true pleasure and I have friends that really miss it. So, I just tell them to go buy land at The Bridges now!”

The Bridges at Preston Crossings - Gunter, Texas