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  Positively Outrageous Service! Jean Shine is an award winning, multi-million dollar producing real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Richard Smith Realtors, in Killeen, Texas. She serves the following Central Texas communities: Belton, Copperas Cove, Fort Hood, Harker Heights, Killeen, Lampasas, Temple, and surrounding areas. Jean specializes in making your move pleasant and rewarding. Jean plays a very active role in her community. She believes in sharing her time and talents with the community she loves. Jean is a member or has been a member of the following: Killeen Independent School District Board of Trustees, Chamber of Commerce member in Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, and Belton, First United Methodist Church, Vive Les Arts Society, Board of Directors Jr. League, Founding member Jr. Review Federated Women's Club, American Cancer Society, Board of Directors United Way, Board of Directors PTA, Parent/Teacher Advisory Board, Adopt-A-School, Key Club sponsor, KISD Long Range Advisory Board, and many other boards and organizations. 
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First Time Buyers >Your Principal Residence
The Federal Tax Code allows married taxpayers to exclude from capital gains taxes up to $500,000 in profits from selling a home (singles can exclude $250,000). In order to qualify for this exemption, you must prove that that the home has been your principal residence for at least two out of the last five years. The establishment of the home as a principal residence depends on the facts of each homeowner's circumstance. Here are two cases to consider.
Homeowner A has lived at 25 Pine Drive for 12 years. Although he stays at his vacation cottage in another town for up to three months out of each year (sometimes more), 25 Pine Drive is his principal residence, where he lives most of the time. When he sells the home, Homeowner A (filing as a single individual) can keep up to $250,000 in tax-free profit.
Homeowner B buys 108 Maple Street, intending to live there. He rents it out while waiting to sell his current home, where he has lived for six years. His principal residence sells at the end of two years. Homeowner B moves into his new house, lives there for three months, and then decides to travel. After a six-month trip, he regrets buying 108 Maple Street and sells it. Even though he has owned the house on Maple Street for over two years, it won't qualify as "owner-occupied", because he only lived in it for a few months. Thus Homeowner B is not eligible to claim the tax exemption when he sells the house on Maple Street.
Consult your tax advisor for advice about your particular circumstance.
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| Q |
Where is the world's oldest castle located?
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| A |
The castle at Gomdan, Yemon, dating from before A.D. 100, is considered the oldest castle; it originally had 20 stories. |
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