WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has begun to transfer economic stimulus payments to millions of Americans, some of whom will see payments in their bank accounts as early as today.

The IRS will issue payments of up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples) plus $300 for eligible children younger than 17, throughout the spring and summer. The first wave of payments will go to people who opted for direct deposit on their 2007 income tax returns.

“People who chose direct deposit will receive their economic stimulus payments the quickest,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “We know there are many people who are eligible for an economic stimulus payment who have not filed a tax return. If you think you may be eligible, even if you don’t normally file a tax return, please check it out. And, use direct deposit to get your payment faster.”

 According to a recent report from Borrell Associates, the real estate industry spent more than $7 billion on Web site design and maintenance, an expenditure that is anticipated to grow to more than $11 billion in the next three years.

The web has revolutionized how Americans buy homes. The number of homebuyers using the Web has risen steadily, climbing to 84 percent of all buyers in 2007 (up from 80 percent in 2006), according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR); Supplemental studies reveal that nearly 75 percent of Internet homebuyers drive by a home based on their Web visit. Nearly one out of every three homebuyers first learned online about the home they eventually purchased.

It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that to do well in the real estate business may require that one has a satisfactory online presence – most preferable, their own website. However, having your own website is not enough because most web searchers only search through the first 10 listing in Google. This means that to get noticed your website must show up in Google for the frequently search real estate keywords in your area; for example, Huntsville Alabama real estate, if you live in Huntsville Alabama .

I think that most people will agree that it is important that one understands the car buying process and how credit rating affects interest rates and the overall car buying experience before one goes to the dealership.

First, the car buyer should know that banks, lenders, insurers and car dealerships regard a credit rating or credit score as a reasonably accurate indicator of future consumption behavior. While insurance companies relate credit scores to the probability of claims being filed, lenders, on the other hand, use the rating as an indicator of potential defaults.

Low credit ratings, therefore, translate to tougher loan terms and higher insurance premiums. That is why it is recommended that car buyers check their credit report for discrepancies in their credit history. They can find out by contacting any one of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.

As many of you know I work at WJAB 90.9FM and coming up THIS SATURDAY is our annual fundraiser.

Every year we need voulnteers to come up and answer phones/take pledges. its easy, fun and you get fed.

SOOOOOOO  can you, your group, your organization, posse etc come and help us out for a few hours???

Please email me back ot call Ms Artis at 372-8790.

If you likeJazzzzz show your support. Give WJAB a call.

This post is bought to your by HUNTSVILLE PR

The recent financial trends have not been encouraging for those who have bad credit or little credit. The rise in foreclosures, the steady climb in inflation that outstrip the rise in wages, the astronomical increase in gas prices all combine to make several of us think of our financial situation and our credit rating. 

A slight move in your credit score can make a world of a difference when it comes to the interest rate you will pay for loans such as auto and mortgage loans. Here are five things that affect your credit rating negatively. 

#1 The biggest factor affecting your FICO score is your payment history: How promptly you pay and how often you've been delinquent on monthly payments. If you are late on your bill payments, event a 30 day late on credit cards or regular bills such as utilities, phone or house payments and your FICO score will begin to decrease dramatically for each late payment. So it is very important that you pay your bills on time. There is no room for procrastination when it comes to your credit. 

Taxpayers who have filed their federal income tax returns and are expecting their refunds can use the Internal Revenue Service’s online tool, “Where’s My Refund?,” to check on the status of their refunds.

“Where’s My Refund?” is fast, easy, safe and convenient.  Nearly 9.7 million taxpayers have checked the status of their 2007 federal income tax refunds online, up about 18 percent over the same time period last year.

To get to personalized refund information, taxpayers should be ready to enter their:

• Social Security Number (or Taxpayer Identification Number),
• Filing status (Single, Married Filing Joint Return, Married Filing Separate Return, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)),
• Exact refund amount shown on their tax returns.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and O&S Holdings, LLC are pleased to announce the highly anticipated opening of The Westin Huntsville on Saturday, April 12, 2008.  The 11-story hotel features 210 beautifully appointed guest rooms and 74 residential condominiums on the top six floors.  Guests are invited to refresh and rejuvenate at this elegant new property with the help of the Westin brand’s signature services and amenities. 

Overlooking a scenic, ten-acre lake, The Westin Huntsville is the newest addition to the Bridge Street Town Centre, a premier mixed-use lifestyle center within Huntsville's Cummings Research Park, the hub of North Alabama’s space and defense industry and the second largest technology park in the United States.  The offices of Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin are all close by. Guests will also enjoy proximity to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, the Huntsville Botanical Gardens and several area golf courses.

Monday

Realty World South will host a free "Lease to Own" seminar at 1874 Slaughter Road in Madison at 6 p.m. Learn how to improve your credit score and become a homeowner. This seminar is conducted each Monday. Call 325-8500 for reservations.

Tuesday 

Weichert, Realtors - The Executive Group will host a free real estate career seminar each Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the company's office at 2304 S. Memorial Parkway. Call 533-7210.

Thursday 

Huntsville/Madison County Homeownership Alliance will hold a free First Time Homebuyer Fair at the Richard Showers Center, 4600 Blue Spring Road, from 3 to 7 p.m. Learn about down-payment assistance and other financial assistance, and how to obtain a low-cost mortgage. For more info, call 551-1610.

Friday

Madison County Real Estate Investors Association will host two sessions of the new Millionaire Maker Board Game. Have fun and learn how to build wealth. This event will be offered at Crestwood Medical Center's Women's Center, 185 Chateau Drive, on Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and again Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Cost is $10 per person or $15 for two. Participants must be at least 15. To register, visit www.MadisonCountyREIA.com or call 829-2304.

This post is brought to you by HUNTSVILLE PR - Huntsville Alabama Real estate Media

The price of gas may be climbing to epic heights, but your car insurance doesn't have to, especially if you use the aptly named CheapAutosInsurance.com as your source for auto insurance quotes online.

The site is refreshingly different from most web pages hawking insurance quotes. For one thing, it's free of external advertising, and for another, it offers real information on how you can save money, right on the first page, in the form of a list of tips that you can apply to a new policy, or use to improve the premium on one you already have in force. "Just as having your auto and home policies with one company can save you money, so, too, can having both your cars on the same policy," reads the beginning of one of the snippets of advice. It goes on to suggest combining your home and auto insurance policies so that one company handles both, which generally nets you a significant discount.

CheapAutosInsurance doesn't just offer quick fixes for your insurance rates, however, it also has a collection of articles about each facet of auto insurance. Need to know the difference between comprehensive and collision coverages, or exactly what sr22 insurance refers to? This website has an article about that.

In addition to static articles, CheapAutosInsurance.com also offers insurance industry news, which their staff writes weekly after scouring various sources for relevant information. You won't read about the latest celebrity DUI here, but you will learn about the recent increase in minimum liability requirements in Texas.

Information is all very well and good, of course, but CheapAutosInsurance.com also offers free auto insurance quotes. The link for the simple input form is found on every page, and the information required is fairly basic. All data is transferred securely, and there is no obligation to purchase anything.

Information, advice, and fast free quotes all make CheapAutosInsurance.com an excellent resource for your auto insurance needs.

1. Madison County Commission Chairman - $83,977.95, plus car, plus other benefits
2. District Commissioners 1 through 6 - $60,322.50, plus car, plus other benefits
3. Madison County Tax Assessor - $69,800.85, plus car, plus other benefits
4. Madison County Tax Collector - $69,800.85, plus car, plus other benefits
5. Madison County License Director - $69,800.85, plus car, plus other benefits