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This one is a family favorite with a sweet and tangy flavor.  Best if grilled! Ingredients For the grilled chicken: 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs ¼ cup lime juice 3 Tbsp honey 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp salt ¼ tsp black pepper  For the honey-lime finishing sauce: 2 Tbsp lime juice 1 Tbsp honey 1 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro (I added Smoked Paprika to this sauce and we loved it)  Instructions Make the marinadeIn a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, minced garlic, olive oil, chopped cilantro, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper  Marinate the chickenAdd the chicken thighs and coat well with the marinade. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to...

If you own a home in Texas—or plan to—2025 is bringing some serious game-changer legislation that could impact your wallet, your HOA, and your long-term property strategy. Here’s a breakdown of the most important new laws you should know about (without the legal mumbo jumbo):  1. Bigger Property Tax Breaks Are Coming Thanks to Senate Bill 4, the standard homestead exemption is increasing from $100,000 to $140,000. For seniors and folks with disabilities, it could go up to $200,000. Why it matters:This translates into hundreds to over a thousand dollars in annual tax savings—real money back in your pocket. If you’ve got a homestead exemption filed, this could be your biggest win in 2025.  2. Solar Tile Protection: HOAs Can’t Block You Anymore With House...

How to Unlock Cash from Your Home Without Selling It  If you’ve owned your home for a while—especially here in Central Texas—there’s a good chance it has appreciated in value. Maybe you need extra funds for a renovation, college tuition, investing in another property, or just want a little financial breathing room. But what if you don’t want to sell your home (and let go of that sweet low interest rate you locked in a few years ago)? Here are smart ways to unlock your home’s equity without putting a “For Sale” sign in the yard: 🔁 1. Cash-Out Refinance This is a classic option. You refinance your mortgage for more than you owe and take the difference in cash. ✅ Pros: Potential to lower...

If you’ve spent any time around real estate investors, you’ve probably heard of the “7% rule.” But what exactly does it mean, and how does it apply to today’s market? Let’s break it down  What Is the 7% Rule? The 7% rule is a benchmark that helps investors quickly evaluate whether a rental property is likely to generate a solid return. It suggests your gross annual rent should equal at least 7% of the purchase price. Formula:Annual Rent ÷ Purchase Price = Rental Yield (%) Example: A $300,000 property should bring in $21,000/year (or about $1,750/month) to meet the 7% mark. The 7% rule is a starting point in how to analyze deals. In some markets—especially those with higher taxes, insurance, or interest rates—you will...

Here is another favorite that my family loves!! Ingredients: 1 lb Ground Chicken6 Cloves Garlic, minced (divided)1/2 C Grated Parmesan3/4 C Panko Bread Crumbs1-2 TBSP Lemon Zest2 TBSP Fresh Parsley, minced 1 tsp Salt1 tsp Black Pepper2 TBSP EVOO2 TBSP Butter1.5 tsp Flour1 C Chicken Broth1/2 Lemon, juiced2 TBSP Capers How To: 1) Combine ground chicken, half of the garlic, grated cheese, panko, parsley, lemon zest, salt & pepper. Combine. 2) Add extra virgin olive oil to a hot skillet and place mini meatballs. Rotate and cook until browned on all sides. Remove to a plate and set aside.3) Add butter and remaining garlic to the same skillet and sauté, being sure to scrape any bits off the bottom of the pot. 4) Whisk in...

🥔 Ingredients: 4 medium russet or Yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed clean 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon paprika (optional) ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil Chopped parsley or chives for garnish (optional) 📄 Instructions: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix together: Melted butter Parmesan cheese Garlic powder Paprika (if using) Salt & pepper Pour the butter-parmesan mixture directly onto the parchment paper and spread it out to match where your potato halves will lay. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and brush the cut side with olive oil. Place each potato half cut-side down onto the butter-parmesan mixture on...

As we get older, so do our parents and grandparents—and with that comes the reality that many of us will eventually be involved in settling their estates. In my work as a real estate broker, I’ve walked alongside many families who are dealing with the emotional and logistical challenges that come with selling a loved one’s home after they’ve passed. It’s never easy, but there are some key takeaways and insights that I’ve seen repeatedly that might help you prepare or support someone else through the process. 1. Wills vs. Trusts: What’s the Difference? Let’s start with the basics. If your loved one had a will, the estate typically goes through probate—a court-supervised process to validate the will, settle debts, and distribute assets. This can...

The May Central Texas Housing Report brought some intriguing shifts to the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos market—shifts that may hint at what’s ahead for both buyers and sellers. 🔹 Inventory is ClimbingNew listings jumped 8.9%, pushing inventory up to 5.0 months—the most we’ve seen in a while. That’s great news for buyers who’ve been stuck choosing from slim pickings for the past couple of years. 🔹 Sales Softened SlightlyClosed sales dipped 3.8%, and the median price came down to $449,900, a modest 1.6% drop from this time last year. For sellers, it’s still a competitive market—but price sensitivity is real. 🔹 Buyers Are Getting SeriousHere’s the most eye-opening stat: Pending sales surged 16.1%, the strongest showing so far this year. This is a strong indicator that...

This is one of my favorite weeknight recipes—crunchy, tender, and coated in a homemade hot honey glaze that hits the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Whether you’re cooking for the family or meal-prepping ahead, this dish is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. 🛒 Ingredients For the Chicken: ▢ 6 cups cornflakes (use gluten free, if needed) ▢ 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese ▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika ▢ 1/2 teaspoon onion powder ▢ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ▢ 2 large eggs, beaten ▢ 2 tablespoons hot sauce ▢ 2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins ▢ Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling For the Hot Honey: ▢ 1/2 cup honey ▢ 2–3 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to your heat preference) ▢ 1–3 teaspoons cayenne pepper (depending...

🏕️ Camps Offering Financial Assistance These camps provide scholarships or sliding-scale tuition based on financial need: Austin Parks & Recreation Camps Offers financial aid for youth programs. Application details available on their Financial Aid page.Austin Texas+3Austin Texas+3shalomaustin.org+3 Greater Austin YMCA Summer Day Camps Provides financial assistance based on a sliding fee scale. More information at YMCA Affordability.Greater Austin YMCA Thinkery Summer Camps Offers scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis. Details and application at Thinkery Camp Scholarships. Girlstart Summer Camps Provides full scholarships for families in need. Application information at Girlstart Scholarships.Girlstart Creative Action Camps Offers financial aid for summer camps. Application details at Creative Action Financial Aid.Creative Action Latinitas Summer Camps Provides financial-based assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. More information at Latinitas Summer Camps....