Now is the time to buy a home, if you are thinking about buying a home, don’t let this opportunity pass you up! Currently interest rates are low and there is lots of inventory which means you have plenty of choices and should have room to negotiate. Before you find the dream home you have been looking for make sure to get pre approved and the average closing is taking between 30-45 days. Don’t know where to start try looking at LendingTree Mortgage Loans

Texas is getting a big break by Countrywide Financial, who is trying to resolve lawsuits filed against them.  They have started the largest program ever to help homeowners in Texas and ten other states.

A total of $8.7 billion from the lender, who was recently taken over by Bank of America, will go to the borrowers with $8.4 billion going for relief through direct loans.  This is going to affect approximately 400,000 people.  Countrywide has also agreed to waive over $135 million in penalty and fees and to stop foreclosures on the riskiest loans for delinquent buyers.

Countrywide created a $150 million foreclosure relief fund to help those who have already been foreclosed on or those who are four or five months behind in payments.  There is also $70 million to help troubled borrowers relocate to rental housing.

To qualify for reduced principle balances or cut interest rates the borrower must be able to pay the new adjusted monthly payment, the loan balance must be 75% of the value of the home and the first payment of the loan must have been due between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2007.  This is a great opportunity for Texas.

According to RECON (Real Estate Center Online News) multifamily housing is surging throughout Texas, in spite of economic problems in the country.  Currently there are 55,516 units under construction in North Texas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin.

Dallas/Fort Worth is seeing its highest building level since 1999.  Those 55,516 units under construction add to the existing inventory of 13,582 more or less.

Construction will begin in the spring of 2009 on a 188 unit of assisted living and independent living apartments for senior citizens.  Bridgewood Property Co. bought up almost 3 acres to develop The Village of The Woodlands which will overlook the Woodlands Waterway.

The Galveston Housing Authority has said it will reimburse September rent upon request to low income public housing residents.  Anyone who paid more than $100 towards their September rent will get the full amount refunded.  Less than $100 will be credited with the housing authority.  Requests for compensation should be made at Galveston Housing Authority, according to RECON.

A $350 million cancer outpatient center at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas will break ground at the end of this year and will be completed in 2011.  There will also
be a cancer hospital scheduled to break ground in 2010 and completed in 2013.  This will be the largest cancer center in the state.  It will include physician’s offices, radiation treatment, chemotherapy treatment, pain management, and medications.  Research will be done with clinical trials on new medications.

More that $20 million in federal grant money and local matching funds will be used to purchase flood prone homes.  Appraisals could begin in as much as 60 days for 130 homes that will be purchased including those that were flooded by Hurricane Ike.

According to RECON living in Harris and Galveston County and your home was damaged by Hurricane Ike, you just might qualify for a property tax payment plan authorized under the Texas Property Tax Code.  With this plan taxes for 2008 can be paid in January, March, May and July of 2009 without interest or penalty. 

Qualifying for this program and the installment plan homeowners must provide evidence of damage to their home along with a request to their tax office in writing by January 31, 2009.  The evidence of the damage can include pictures, insurance claims or repair bills.
Texas is doing well with financial help with damage from Hurricane Ike.

More jobs are created in Texas by the Texas economy than in the nation’s labor market making the states oil based economy doing better than average and demand for real estate remaining at a good average.  Using June of 2008 as one of the months that Texas had more jobs created than lost and compared to the rest of the country unemployment fell sharply.  This is a good sign that the local economy will also reflect on the real estate market.

Texas is divided into four guide parts which include East, West, Central and South.

East, which totals almost 40,000 square miles and a population of almost 6 million and all of East Texas lies within the Gulf Coastal Plain and includes all or part of 49 counties. 

West, makes you think of many a classic westerns with  the name El Paso or Rio Grande which are both found in West Texas, which is sparsely populated and has unpolluted land in its vast openness and is a destination for those looking to find the open range life. 

Central Texas is great for recreational properties for those who like to hunt and fish and the beauty of the rolling hills and the extensive forests with the clear rivers and creeks.

North Texas is known for its climate which is humid subtropical with hot summers and the weather and wide open spaces make it perfect for ranches, recreational wide open spaces and anything else that can be thought of for property use.

According to RECON (Real Estate Center Online News) there will be a West Texas Real Estate Summit held in Lubbock in February of 2009 and registration is now taking place at $30 now through January 18th and then the fee will be $40.  The half day summit will be held February 4, 2009 at Texas Tech’s Market Alumni Center.  Discussing the economic outlook for 2009 and trends for Texas population, housing and land and wind leasing will be the Real Estate Center’s researchers.

RECON said that during the last year downtown Dallas has been a Mecca with approximate 40 companies moving there with 6,000 jobs and net office leasing to nearly 1.5 million square feet.  Relocations are not only coming from out of the area but in Dallas with Capital One Bank being the latest announcement saying their new regional office will be in the Plaza of the Americas and AT&T’s head office will move from San Antonio to Dallas.

Along with the rest of the country it was expected that Texas real estate would suffer a meltdown, but instead Texas Real Estate had a shake-out according to the Texas Real Estate Magazine and that the real estate market in Texas shows an underlying strength in the amount of cash available to invest and real values in terms of realistic prices and quality properties.

Out of state sales has a slight move as real estate investors wanting to purchase recreational property, a second home or a lakeside home look to Texas as a stable market with values that climb upward.  This insurgence into Texas takes the Lone out of the Lone Star State.

Yahoo had 10 (more) Reasons You’re Not Rich and there is one reason for sure in there I thought I needed to point out that is a common mistake most people make. I also fell into this problem as many other have and that is “Your house is too big”. My wife and I had a 3,000 square foot home with 5 bedrooms, Game Room and a Study it was a massive home for just my wife and I. I just recently sold our house and moved into an apartment, with the market being as bad as it is I decided we needed to completely sell our home and then take our time looking for our next home. We signed a 6 month term with an apartment complex right next to both of our jobs while we searched for our next home.

When you buy a house bigger then what you need or can afford, you end up spending more money then you need to every month. If I would have bought a 3 bedroom home in the same area we would have saved at least $500 a month that is a extra $6,000 a month and we were there for 4 years so we could have saved $24,000 during that time frame. Some people say well we can just be house poor for a while, the problem with being house poor is from time to time you start charging a little more to your credit cards and then an emergency comes up and you charge it to your credit card(s) and before you know it you are in debt.

Some people will also say well a house is the best and biggest investment you can do. Well… yes it is most likely your biggest investment and it can be a great investment but, if it causes you to go into debt and the equity you get from the house goes to paying off your debt at the end then it is not a good investment. Most people will ether break even or you end up with a loss.

Keep that in mind if you are looking for a new home or if you see yourself in this situation already, it may be time to down grade before it is too late. Here are the other 9 reasons you are not rich on Yahoo

I wrote this to help individuals who do not have credit. In today’s world it is hard to operate from day to day without a credit card.  Just one or two small credit problems can make it nearly impossible to be approved for a credit card. You can go from having terrible debit and bad credit to instantly a Visa card and at the same time jump on the road to being debt-free.

Here is the quick breakdown for anyone in a hurry. I found a credit card company who claimed they did not run a credit checks and guaranty approvals. I could not believe the benefits of the card but see for yourself what all you get when you sign up:

• Your own personal Visa card

• FREE direct deposit (you can deposit your paycheck, government check, etc.. no more check cashing fees or weighting in line to deposit your checks)

• FREE online bill paying

• FREE account alerts

• Access to millions of ATMs

• Instant approval!

The best part?  Your credit does not matter! Finally someone who understands how hard it is to live a life in debt.

I signed up went for it and got the Vision Premier Prepaid Visa Card and it has literally changed my life.  After spending just a few seconds and filling out the application I was approved immediately and my card was in the mail.

Before you sign you, read about how this card saved me:

No one wants to be in debt it can be embarrassing thing to admit, but over 40 million Americans suffer from it.  It can happen to anyone.  The way it happened to me was simple: during the holiday season.  You always want your family to have everything they wanted.  I spent and spent, and suddenly I wasn’t able to pay off my bills. I kept telling myself just $20 here and there, no problem right… I can pay it off when my bonus comes in or within a short period after the holidays. Well after the holidays are over and the bill comes in your jaw just drops, that $20 here and there adds up quick. No problem, my bonus is just around the corner, well guess what the economy is bad the company did not meets it numbers no bonus this year. Well I just entered the world of debt.

I was embarrassed to tell anyone or say anything to my family. I assumed I was going to be OK I just needed some time to pay it off. The interest rate on my card was extremely high and I couldn’t apply for any more credit cards, I would always get denied.  I was having trouble just paying for the interest and the days I would pay a little extra something would happen and I would have to charge more on the card.  I told myself that I would figure it out - that everything would be OK.  Eventually after carrying this debt for a number of months things started to get better.  My debt was getting paid off, things were getting easier.  But I was still being denied credit cards and I was afraid to use my current card due to the high interest rates. Shopping online was impossible I found a great deal but the fear of using my card again was hard to get over, I knew how hard it was to pay off the first time. Then I found the solution!

I came across an offer on the internet who stated they did not do credit checks, and they had a guaranteed approval rate.  At first I was thinking yeah right I have heard that in the past and at the end I was denied but this company was actually going to approve anyone that signs up.  After reading through their website though, I started to come around.  I finally filled out an application because:

• There is no minimum balance

• No overdraft fees

• Global ATM access

• Free online bill paying

• Free paycheck direct deposit

• AND NO CREDIT CHECK

Not doing a credit check is what did it for me, it meant I had nothing to lose, because every credit card I applied to and was dined my credit just became worse.  I knew if they didn’t check my credit then of course I was going to be approved and if I did not get approved then it did not hurt my credit anyway. I honesty did not know what to expect I felt like I had heard this story from time to time with the same ending, but when I click on submit for the application I noticed it said: “You’ve been approved.” I was amazed it was true, it worked.

So why was this the answer to all my problem do you say? Why was I so happy that I now had my own Visa card?  Well, it was a prepaid card that would allow me to deposit my check automatically into the card. Just for that alone I would have signed up for the card, it meant no more check cashing fee’s or weighting in lines to deposit my check. Shortly after I realized all of the other great benefits, I could pay my bills online for FREE it was simple to setup and made my life so much easier. If I ever needed cash it was not a problem I could go to ATM’s and get it when I needed it. It was just like having a bank in my pocket. By having a prepaid card it was like using a debit card, I only spent the money I had and now I could shop securely how they have fraud protection and instant account alerts!  I’ve changed my spending habits and am now very close to being debt free.  So if you have bad credit and want a credit card you should definitely check them out.

Click Here to Apply Now!

If you apply for one or already have one let me know how things worked out for you by leaving a comment below.

Can't buy must rent
Having trouble getting a loan? Have Bad credit? There are many reasons why you may not be able to buy a home today or maybe you just want to save some money or payoff some bills. Well some people think finding a place to rent is just as bad as looking for a new job. It can be if you don’t have a plan.

List your must haves
What do you have to have to consider the rental property (Washer & Dryer, Pool, Buss Stop Close by. Etc.)
Location
What part of town do you want to live in?
See an ad call then
There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect place and when you call you hear “Sorry I just rented it out”, don’t procrastinate… Some landlords have dedicated lines and instead of deleting a for rent post they may let it expire and not answer the phone. Call twice leave messages both times and then move on.
Looks can be deceiving
I’m sure you have heard the saying don’t judge a book by its cover, the same thing goes with properties.
Get organized
There are things you will just need to rent a property here are some of them try to have them printed out and ready to go (Credit Report the landlord will most likely run their own but it is good to have, references, pet shots documentation, resume and a copy of bank statements or paycheck stubs).
Ask questions
There are things you will want to know: Average Electric bill cost? Is it hard to get a parking spot late at night? Is it safe to walk your dog at 2 AM? How long did the last tenet stay and if it was a short period why did he leave?
Be ready to sign
If everything seems good don’t keep thinking there must be something wrong and propone signing you could possibly lose the property.

The $700 billion dollar bailout by the government was denied by congress and now the country is wondering what to do next.  But, holding strong in real estate is the state of Texas.  Texas is still considered one of the fastest growing states in the country.  Real estate appreciation is being driven by population growth.  A projected growth in Texas population from 2005 – 2030 is 43.5%. 

Houston is the fourth largest city in the country.  Rapid economic and population expansion is anticipated and more than 1.2 million jobs will be added by 2025.  Houston ranks #1 in the nation for job growth; for lowest cost of living; number of overall business permits; number of single unit building permits; best hospitals for cancer care with the Texas Medical Center being the largest in the world covering over 700 acres and ranks #2 in the nation for Fortune 500 Headquarters.  Generates over $3.5 billion dollars in tax revenue from being the sixth largest port in the world.  (Information from)

Real estate professionals must be legally qualified to offer brokerage services to consumers.  They must be licensed by TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission).  TREC advises consumers to check on a number of things before establishing a relationship with a broker.

Who does the broker or salesperson represent in the real estate transaction?  Written consent must be given by the buyer and seller for the broker to represent both parties.

Is the Consumer Information Form 1-1 displayed in the broker’s office or branch office?  Contact TREC if not.

Is there a record of disciplinary actions against the broker or salesperson from previous business dealings?  Contact TREC and they will be able to tell you.

Is your broker or salesperson knowledgeable in real estate transactions and will they follow the law?  Ask them questions until you feel secure with them.  If you can’t feel secure then go to another broker or salesperson.

Are you going to give the broker or salesperson earnest money?  Make sure they put it in a separate trust account so that it doesn’t get mixed up with other monies.

If you’re buying a home, it can be really time consuming.  Making a decision can be a slow ordeal and a disadvantage to someone selling their home that needs money in a hurry.  The buyer may lose a good deal when the seller accepts an offer from someone else.

There is what is known as the “option fee” clause found in all residential contract forms.  This allows the buyer and seller a set amount of time for the buyer to go over the property and decide if they want it or not.  For this right, the buyer pays the seller an “option fee” which is nonrefundable.

There are over 150,000 Texas real estate licensees and very few complaints are received.  When TREC receives complaints they will investigate to make sure the letter of the law has been followed.

There will always be a need for housing in Texas with the population growth and immigration and there is always room for the growth.

Real estate in the state of Texas is quite confusing.  At times it’s good and other times it’s not so good.  In places it’s good and other places it’s not so good.  A good example is across Central Texas where foreclosures are on the rise by 57% for October.  Approximately 113 properties in McLennan County have been put on the auction block for October after being foreclosed on.  This is in the Waco, Texas area.

The tide lines along a great amount of the Texas coast may have been changed by an act of nature.  Hurricane Ike came through Galveston and not only changed the housing but the land.  Had it not been for Ike destroying homes on the beach, a little known of law that was written back in 1959 would have come to light.  It is called the “Texas Open Beaches Act of 1959 that says the strip of beach between the average high-tide line and the average low-tide line is considered public property, making it illegal to build there.”  There were a lot less homes there in 1959.

Hundreds of people will be kept from returning to that area and rebuilding and any houses still standing may never be occupied again.  The question is how were permit’s issued for building without knowing of this law.  Lawsuits may come out against the Lone Star State over this.

Flying over the area this past week, Texas General Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said he saw hundreds of homes that were built on the beach unlawfully.  He said it will take at least a year watching the shifting boundaries of the beach before making a decision for the homeowners.  During this time the homeowners will have to find other places to live and because of this law may be buying new real estate. 

The 99 Cents Only stores in Texas will be closing at the end of the year.  There are 48 stores through out the state of Texas.  According to a press release from the California based company, the Texas stores are doing only half the business of stores in the chain’s California, Arizona and Nevada stores.  This is another down for the state.

Real estate agents and mortgage brokers were a task force assigned to make existing Austin homes more energy efficient.  Their proposal required energy audits and incentives.  City boards and commissions will get the final report before it goes to the city council for decision.

Although all of these things are happening in Texas, it is still a very good state for commercial building and businesses.  Construction is still going on strong in Texas.  Apartment buildings, grocery stores, motels and medical centers are a few of the construction projects now going on in Texas.  Although the cost of projects is down from last year the projects are still going on.  This is employment for contractors and construction workers.

Above all of the other states in the nation, Texas continues to build and continues to draw the large companies to the state.

Construction goes on in the state of Texas and so do construction jobs.  Not as many as before this financial problem hit the country, but they are still there.  That is more than some states have.
 
Construction of a three story, 65 room Sleep Inn Motel with the value of $4 million dollars, is underway on Interstate 40 in Amarillo, Texas.

Midland Texas took first place in the nation among 124 small metro divisions.  It was a Texas winning for several of the small metro divisions and the large metro areas.

Based on the growth economically the Milken Institute has an annual ranking of cities that are doing the best, and Texas had an excellent showing.  Out of the 200 large metros, six Texas metros took 25 of the top spots.  Included in these are Austin-Round Rock, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, San Antonio, Houston-Sugar Land- Baytown, and Dallas-Plano-Irving. 

Looking to have a $1 billion impact over the next 10 years on Mesquite, a $52 million dollar, 60 acre Peachtree Towne Centre has started construction.  Planned are a hotel, medical facility and conference center.  First phase is mainly roads and a bridge.  It is expected to take five years for completion.

McGraw Hill Construction Company said the value of permits issued last month totaled $775 million, with residential at $531 million and nonresidential at $245. The total permits for the first seven months of the year were $8.2 billion dollars.  There has to be something said for all these permits for construction in Texas even though cost was down from previous years.

As Jackie Gleason use to say, “And away we go.” He would say this at the start of his shows.  You knew when he said it, a new show was starting.  Texas real estate is the same way.  Texas can say, “And away we go,” with all the new construction and growth there is in the state.  It may be below last year’s growth, but it is still moving at a great rate.

Construction means contractor jobs and that means jobs for the subcontractors and for the laborers.  This keeps the unemployment down to some extent, and it means a new home, shopping center, medical facility and other commercial businesses.  Houston, Texas is a great place for commercial businesses.  Texas is growing, although it may be slower than normal, it is growing.

Selling outdoor furniture, electronics, and other things beside groceries will be the new Kroger Marketplace at Brazos Town Center.  Square feet of the store will be 123,000. 

Square feet of 300,000 is planned for the medical office space, two restaurants, long term care facility, urgent care center and a hospital.  60,000 square feet will be Phase 1 of the construction, which is planned to start this fall.

In the Sugar Land Town Square ground has been broken for an eight story building.  The 185,000 square feet will be for offices with retail space taking up 15,000 square feet.

Not only is there a lot of construction going on in Texas, but there is a lot of selling and buying of commercial property and apartment buildings.

As Jackie Gleason would say, “And away we go.”

Moving Real Estate in Texas

Hurricane Ike blew some of Texas Real Estate around and into other states, but the real estate in Texas is still steadily selling.
           
Price Change
Listing Type            Number             Median Price      From Aug.   

Homes For Sale     157,122              $169,900           +0.8%
New Homes               2.121              $283,000           +0.6%
Foreclosures            38,728              $100,629           -1.4%

It is said that when you’re looking at Texas property time is against you.  Supply and demand have hardly faltered with this robust Texas market.  Get as many listings as you can and take some serious time at looking at the properties.  Miss losing properties that have sold fast and miss opportunities at great bargains.  You have to be fast, and realize that this is stressful when looking for a home in Texas.

On the selling side of property with a home the first impression is very important.  Some noticeable points in making impressions are to hire a professional to come in and clean the carpet, if you don’t have time.  Also get someone to paint to brighten areas.  New wallpaper will help.  Look at faucets and lights.  Be sure to stop leaks and clean them off for a nice clean looking appearance.  Fixing the closet, by straightening it up and make it look roomier.

The bathroom should be sparkling looking and the bedroom should be adorable.  Kitchen should be at its best so anyone would want to cook in it.  All cabinet doors should open and close easily and dishes placed as they should be.

Let your curtains be pulled back so the sunshine can come in and show even more of the home.  This makes the home cheery.   At night, turn on all your lights, inside and out.  This is a warmth and cozy seen for the prospect buyer.

Keep the number of people at one time down to a minimum.  Potential buyers can feel out-of-place in the crowd.

Keep your pets from getting under peoples feet.  Someone falling in a house they are looking at to buy can be hurt and end up with the house without buying it.
 
Keep the radio and TV turned down as a favor to everyone. Never apologize to anyone for anything, even if the Texas Realtor is at fault.

Let the Realtor handle the prospective buyer.  Stay back out of the way and let them look at the house.

There are Texas opportunities if you’re willing to do a lot of leg work and find those places that you can afford.  Month to month the economy actually grew compared to 2007 number of people in employment in Texas.

Statewide property owners can be facing higher premiums for wind coverage.  For those who couldn’t find insurance to protect themselves against hurricanes, the Texas State Legislature formed The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.  The TWIA only has $2.1 billion available for claims, but $4.2 is needed for the claims from Ike.  2300 claims have been made at this point.

Is it the state’s property or is it yours?  That’s the question that has come up on beach front property where homes were destroyed by Hurricane Ike.   The state claims that after there is no longer a home on the property it is state property.  This will be interesting to watch and see what happens.  Texas may have another “Land War” at this rate.

The mission of the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is to assist and protect consumers of real estate services, thereby fostering economic growth within the state.

The requirements for a real estate salesperson license in Texas include completing the required real estate education courses.  All applicants must pass the real estate examinations and apply for their license within six months.  All salesperson applicants must be sponsored by an active Texas Real Estate Broker.  An inactive license will be issued until the applicant obtains a sponsor.

The requirements for a real estate broker license in Texas include having at least two years of active experience as a licensed real estate salesperson or broker during the preceding 96 months.  Or, if licensed as a broker in another state, the applicant needs to have not less than two years of active experience as a salesperson or broker during the 36 month period immediately preceding of filing the application.  Broker applicants need to have successfully completed 270 classroom hours of approved core real estate courses, and an addition 630 classroom hours in acceptable related courses.  All broker applicants must pass the real estate examinations and apply for their license within six months of passing the exams.

Real estate is strengthened by memberships in the many organizations that provide services for the professional agents.  Organizations like the Texas Association of Realtors and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) assist many in locating real estate jobs within the industry.

It is important to know what it takes to be in the real estate business.  It’s an important education and you have to go through it to get a license.
(Information above is from Texas Real Estate License, Education, Exams and Forms)

Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is a small state agency, about 100 employees for the state.  They have implemented many changes with promising results.  Their challenge is to maintain the positive momentum in a period where Texas state agencies are asked to do more with less.

A nine member board of commissioners governs TREC, which is composed of six people from the real estate industry and three public members.  Members are appointed by the Governor, confirmed by the Texas Senate, and serve staggered six year terms.  The agency has two advisory committees that provide expertise and guidance to the Commission; the Broker-Lawyer Committee and Texas Real Estate Inspection Committee.

It appears that Texas is going to be a ‘Hot Spot’ when it comes to buying a home.  There is a real estate boom going on in Texas due to the prices of real estate.  With a little help with a low unemployment rate, increases in personal income, and overall low interest rates Texas still provides a hearty housing economy.

Across the nation, cities such as Killeen, Texas (rated fifth least expensive) have been mentioned in housing market reports alerting the public that Texas is indeed a hotbed for residential advancements.

Four major Texas cities made the Forbes Top 10.  This included San Antonio; Austin; Houston and Dallas.  Houston has become the nation’s biggest point of commercial businesses.  Commercial property is a big real estate selling point, as Texas has the largest amount of commercial property and the best prices.

Texas has a great upside to investing in that state.  The top three cities in Texas, right now, to invest in are Dallas, Houston and Austin.  Sharing several things in common make them great investments.  They are in the middle of a population growth.  When it comes to jobs, the market is growing.  The demand for quality rental housing is increasing by companies moving to Texas and featuring high paying jobs.  The real estate opportunities are numerous in those three cities.

Many companies are moving their offices and manufacturing plants to Texas because the standard of living is so low.  The more businesses move to Dallas, Houston and Austin the more jobs are created making room for more housing.

Texas real estate didn’t appreciate like most other places in the country, so current real estate prices are on sale or priced under market value.  Now that Texas real estate is appreciating it’s important to get into the market as soon as possible.

Florida and California are the fastest growing states where recent, homeowners with a mortgage were either behind in their payments or in foreclosure, as damage from the housing crisis continues to mount.  Florida and California are the worst states for risky real estate lending practices.  The national numbers are driven by the two largest states with the outstanding home loans.

Population growth is the driving factor behind real estate appreciation.  Texas population is projected to grow from 23 million to 33 million in 2030, a 43.5% increase.  With the current immigration patterns as well as the population growth, there will be a continual need for housing in Texas.

The fourth largest metro area in the country is Houston, Texas.  There are only two Fortune 500 companies in the United States that are not in Houston, Texas.  Houston has more 500 Fortune Company Headquarters than any other cities in the United States except the two that are listed as not being in Houston.  It is expected to continue experiencing rapid growth and population expansion adding more than 1.2 million new jobs by 2025.

Interesting facts about Houston.

Ranks #1 in the nation for job growth
Ranks #1 in the nation for lowest costs of living and least expensive housing among metro areas with populations over a million
Ranks #1 in the nation for number of overall building permits
Ranks #1 in the nation for number of single unit building permits
Ranks #1 in the nation for the best hospitals for Cancer Care – The Texas Medical Center is the largest in the world covering more than 700 acres
Ranks #2 in the nation for Fortune 500 Headquarters
Houston has the 6th largest port in the world – It generates over $3.5 billion dollars in tax revenue alone
Fourth largest city in the United States

As a first time buyer or experienced investor you need to know about choosing the property that is right for you, make an offer, negotiate, finance, moving and other information necessary for making an informed real estate decision.

When selling your home, you will find another involved process that affects your family and your future.  You will want to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information before you begin this process.  Questions to ask yourself include When should I sell?  How do I get the best price? And what kind of renovations should I make prior to the sale?  Each decision usually involves money.  When you consider all that money represents, you’ll want to ensure that you don’t spend too much, either in buying or selling.

The Houston and Dallas areas have more than 5 million people.  What other metro area that has over 1 million people still has a brand new 4 bedroom home for $160,000?

The Lone Star State where population is growing, businesses are moving into the state which brings jobs to the state which brings a need for housing to the state is the answer.

Sales by homeowners in July increased to an annual movement of 5 million up from the June reading of 4.85 million, according to The National Association of Realtors.

Michael Larson, an analyst with Weiss Research said, “Sales volume is starting to increase because prices are starting to collapse.”  He went on to say, “When lenders are aggressive enough on pricing, especially in certain markets, it’s enough to attract buying interest.”

Due to fears that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may need to raise more capital by turning to the Treasury Department have caused shares to fall in the last few weeks. 

A problem for several banks, who own an estimated $36 billion in preferred shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, could occur by stocks losing most or all of their value by becoming nationalized.

The mortgage finance giants are expected to be able to weather the storm without the rescue by the federal government.  They climbed for a second day with Fannie’s shares rising .43 cents or 8.3 percent.  Freddie rose .57 cents or 17.3 percent.

The chief of Fannie, Dan Mudd, promoted three top executives and three others left.  Those leaving Fannie include finance chief Stephen Swad.  Another one leaving Fannie is the risk chief, Enrico Dallavecchia.  In order to implement a plan that was announced earlier this month to better manage its capital and reduce credit loses the shakeup at Fannie was necessary.  The housing bubble is deflating as credit losses hit an all time high.

A quick fix was passed into law by Congress in February.  This allowed the limits to be raised on the size of home loans that Fannie and Freddie could guarantee.  It went from $417,000 to $729,750.  It was hoped that this would bring down mortgage rates on the large loans and help raise sales in cities across the country, mostly on both the East and West coasts.

Not much help was in the cards for homeowners.  A $500,000, 30 year fixed mortgage was 6.73% six months ago.  There is only a slightly lower rate of 6.69% today.

Banks would have had more cash to lend to consumers for mortgage loans and Fannie and Freddie could play their important role in the mortgage market to buy the loans from the banks and securitizing them and then selling the securities to investors.  Even if their borrowing rates come down soon, which is highly unlikely, the savings will not pass on to the borrower as Fannie and Freddie needs to build their capital back up and make as much money as possible.

 A few steps that can be taken to lower borrowing costs include:  Check out smaller banks as they can offer the best deal right now.

Try for a home equity line of credit, although they are hard to find right now, they are cheaper than doing a complete refinance.  Reverse mortgages are like home equity loans, but only people age 62 and older can obtain a reverse mortgage.  The amount you can borrow depends on your age, value of your home and interest rates.  If you qualify for a home equity loan and can make the monthly payments, it is the better of the two options.

Improve your credit score from a 620 or higher that qualified for a Fannie or Freddie best rates.  On October 1, 2008 you will need at least a 720 credit score and even more rate breaks are possible with higher credit scores.

Spend more time shopping around for a mortgage.  Mortgage interest rates are going to vary more from bank to bank.

In June over 400 mortgage brokers, lenders, appraisers and other industry insiders were arrested by the FBI’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force for over more than $1 billion in losses.
Employment history and income were the most common type of frauds and most frauds involved average home buyers where the lending officers felt it was necessary to glorify their applications.  The industry’s structure has not changed and there are the same pressures to get things done.  Mortgage brokers are paid on commission and loan officers are rewarded for volume.

According to Mortgage Asset Research Institute (MARI), “Loan application misrepresentation continues to plaque the industry.”  The group continued to say in a press statement, “Mortgage fraud will not disappear; in fact, it is expected to significantly grow, evolve and penetrate new areas within the industry.”

As in the old west, Texas is being discovered again by the rest of the country.  This is due to greater employment opportunities, appealing lifestyle, affordable housing, lower cost of living and cost of business.  Between 2005 and 2030 events and circumstances point toward a Texas sized boom.

With population and economy, along with housing and commercial real estate markets make it poised to explode in volume and prices.

Despite periods of accelerated growth (the oil boom) and decline (the oil bust), the Texas housing market has maintained a relative balance of supply and demand.

In Houston a propane dehydrogenation plant is scheduled for completion in 2010.  It will be located near the Houston Ship Channel and will be the largest of its kind in the world.  PL Propylene LLC of Houston is building the 1.2 billion pound capacity plant and will produce both chemical grade and polymer grades of propylene.  This will provide more jobs.

Texas coastline growth continues with plans for a condominium project that could bring 94 more home sites.  “The Palmilla at Port Arkansas,” as it’s called, is located on Mustang Island, will cover 30 acres and include one mile of bulkhead walkway with floating hardwood boat docks.  These units will range from 1,600 to 3,000 square feet with prices starting in the $400,000’s.  Construction is slated to start next spring and finish in about 15 months.

Mariners are buying bigger yachts, but a problem arises when trying to find large boat slips.  Robin Paisley, the president of Endeavour Holdings, Inc., plans to develop a Galveston marina capable of accommodating the biggest yachts, possibly as large as 250 feet long.  Paisley said, “We’re building a marina that will be one of the first destinations for mega-yachts in Texas, because they have no place to go.”

Plans for the $110 million project include retail space and condo units.  Endeavour’s Island project will include 176 condominiums, 30,000 square feet of retail space and the marina with 240 boat slips.  The 8.3 acre land development tract is on Offatts Bayou, and should take approximately one year to complete.  The condominiums will range in size from 800 to 3,000 square feet.  Units are expected to cost $400 to $500 per square foot.

Texas should be stronger than most areas in the country in the housing market.  Texas housing market for the rest of the decade will be influenced by four major conditions.

Employment and income trends in Texas support housing demand according to general economic conditions.

Mortgage credit for qualified buyers is available at attractive interest rates.  No more easy credit, easy terms for those who don’t qualify.

Growth over the next several decades will help the states housing market move forward despite short term disruptions.  The nation continues to be lead by Texas in numerical population growth and in-migration.

Texas is the most affordable high growth state in the country.  One of the strongest magnets for population and business growth in the state in the next 25 to 30 years is the price of real estate and housing.

Texas is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other state due to low taxes, affordable land and a large labor force.

Irving based Exxon Mobil Corp. remained the biggest company with headquarters in Texas by 2007 revenue and four of the largest six companies in Texas were oil companies.

Texas technology companies were also on the list of the magazine.  Dell Inc., three of the nation’s largest airlines, two of the biggest homebuilders, an insurer, a hospital company and the largest garbage hauler known.

Texas is much stronger than other areas in the country.  The Lone Star State will derive its future prosperity from more people, more jobs and expanded personal income.  Extending the long term trend in personal income since 1969 suggest that the state’s total personal income could increase by $1 trillion by 2030.  It keeps looking better and better for Texas.

When getting your Texas home ready to sell, don’t forget about the garage. Many homeowners placing their home on the market go to great lengths to grab attention through curb appeal, better known as landscaping efforts and cleanup of the yard. Another area that is seldom overlooked is the interior of the home. Decorations are put out and cleaning is done to a degree that would make a colonel in the army proud. Never have some houses seen such pristine walls and floors.

Garages, though, are different. Often, all of those items that were taken out of the yard and a lifetime of collecting from inside the house, find a hiding place during the sale of a home in the garage. Even more common is the arrangement of such items. Cluttered and scattered from wall to wall, the garage becomes the closet in which to pack it all in during the selling process.

Many homebuyers, though, feel differently than the one selling the house when it comes to the garage. There are dreams of seeing their car inside, projects and mechanic work that will be completed inside their new home, the location of the washer and dryer and perhaps a freezer as well as a place to store those Christmas decorations. If the garage the buyer sees is an exercise in chaotic disorganization, then those dreams might not be so easily seen. This can create a small problem, as a garage is a desired amenity.

When preparing your home to sell, organize your garage neatly. Pack items in boxes that are clearly marked and stack them in an orderly fashion in one corner of the garage. Not only will this improve the look of your garage, but it will also make your moving day easier.

Next, take a good look at the floor of the garage. Are there oil stains? Chipped paint? Other unsightly markings? If so, try to remove the oil stains or finish the garage floor with the paint and sand mixture that many mechanics have in their shops. Not only does it eliminate the unsightly stains, but it also adds traction for working on cars and acts as a safety precaution when the weather is wet, preventing slips and falls. This can be used as a selling point of the home and listed as an advantage to owning the home.

Also look around your walls in your garage. Do they need a new coat of paint? Are items hung neatly and easily obtainable within reach? These small fixes can give a potential buyer a much better idea of what they can do with the garage and may make the difference between the sale of your home and one down the street.

By not overlooking one of the most commonly forgotten rooms of your home, you can increase your chances of seeing a SOLD sign in your front yard.

In August 2007 President Bush launched a new initiative at HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) called FHASecure to help hundreds of thousands of struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure.  This expanded FHA’s ability to offer refinancing to homeowners who have good credit histories but cannot afford their mortgage payments after their teaser rates reset.

The first part of 2008 President Bush requested $65 million for housing counseling in his Fiscal Year 2009 budget request.   As part of the bipartisan economic growth package, in March 2008, FHA temporarily increased its loan limits until the end of the year, helping hundreds of thousands of more families to purchase or refinance their homes at an affordable price.

In July 2008 President Bush signed into law a plan for FHA to continue providing targeted mortgage assistance to homeowners.  The Hope for Homeowners program will allow certain borrowers to be eligible to refinance into FHA insured mortgages they can afford.  The program will be implemented on October 1, 2008.

To be eligible for Hope for Homeowners using FHA’s long standing requirements, a new loan is based on a family’s long term ability to repay the mortgage.  Only owner occupants are eligible for FHA insured mortgages.  Other eligible requirements are their original mortgage must have originated on or before January 1, 2008.  The mortgage debt-to-income must be at least 31 percent.  They cannot afford their current loan.  They didn’t intentionally miss mortgage payments and they do not own a second home.  Families should not wait to seek mortgage relief.  They can determine if they are eligible for assistance, now.  They should contact a local HUD approved housing counseling agency at HUD.gov.

FHA insured loans under the new program include a 30 year fixed mortgage.  A maximum of a 90 percent loan to value ratio.  No prepayment penalties.  A $550,440 maximum mortgage amount.  Extinguishment of any subordinate liens and new home appraisal from FHA approved appraisers.

FHA will insure up to $300 billion in new loans.  Borrowers have to pay an upfront premium of 3 percent of the original mortgage amount and an annual premium of 1.5 percent of the outstanding mortgage amount.  Any additional costs incurred by FHA will be reimbursed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

By slowing the rate of foreclosures, this will support FHA’s effort to stabilize local housing markets.  FHA has guaranteed more than $93 billion of mortgage capital from September 2007 to June 2008.

This program will last from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2011.  More than 290,000 families have obtained affordable mortgages since September 2007 through FHASecure.    If things stay on track, they will help 500,000 by the end of the year.

If you’re looking to make a hassle free move into your new Texas home, then you may not want to overlook your utilities. While this may seem a small consideration during a move, it is one that most put off and then deal with longer wait times on refunds or settling bills from your previous address.

If your move is within the state of Texas in which both homes are within the state’s boundaries, changing your utilities may be as simple as transferring from one address to another. In this case, there won’t be any disruption of service as one house can be scheduled to be turned off and the new house turned on according to the date you give the utility companies. However, if your move involves moving to Texas from another state, then you may want to start a little early since you may have deposits that will be refunded to you upon termination of service.

If this is the case, then there are steps that you should take to make your move to Texas as easy as possible:
• Arrange to have a final reading on your meters for gas, electric, and water services. Remember to cancel your trash services as this is sometimes not coupled with other utilities depending on your particular location.

• Make sure you give the companies your forwarding address. This eliminates the possibility of unpaid bills or undeliverable deposits once service is terminated.

• If you have overdue bills, now is the time to settle them. Also remember to request your refunds on deposits made to the company during initial service requests. Your deposits may serve to be quite a large chunk of change and could help as you move into your new Texas home.

• Be sure to save numbers of your utility companies as well as copies of your last bill since you may find need of this important information later. It is easier to keep a record than rely on memory when dealing with numbers you may not use daily.

• Locate the companies for utilities in your new neighborhood and arrange for services to be turned on with a specific date. This will keep you from having an overlay in services in your new home.

• If there are any new deposits to make, satisfy those prior to your move in order to get services turned on in your new home.

These simple steps can help your move go without a hitch on moving day and leave you with less to worry about in the midst of packing. They may seem simple, but they can bring a large amount of peace of mind.

If you’re thinking of landscaping your Texas home, there are a few things you may want to consider. Texas landscaping pose some unique questions in the planning phase, but the results can be amazing if a little time and care are incorporated into the potential layout. The main considerations should be the climate, any particular local landscaping laws, and the ease of maintenance once you have your property all spruced up.

The normal progression of the seasons includes Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Depending upon your location in Texas, you may not experience all of the seasons each year. This has a definite impact on what plants and lawn décor will look like at varying months. For this reason, it is better to choose landscaping options that match the climate of the area that your Texas home is located. For instance, if you live in North Texas, you will experience spring, summer, spring, and a very short interlude of winter. (Two to six weeks in some parts). Your landscaping needs to be able to withstand extreme heat and still look good. With this in mind, you probably shouldn’t choose plants that require median temperatures of about 80 degrees, but go for those that can love temperatures in the 90’s or above. Tropical plants work well in the region, but plants such as Boston ferns may have some difficulty in surviving.

Next, you need to decide how much color your yard will have. By choosing plants that bloom at varying times of the year, you can expect to see splashes of color throughout the year. Also consider the durability of your plants and the amount of care that they will need. Choosing types of multicolored and beautifully shaped cacti for your lawn may be just the ticket as they don’t require large amounts of water. Many Texas cities will have periods in the summer where water conservation laws and restrictions are put into place.

If you don’t like to weed a flower garden, consider using crab or monkey grass, gravel, or pine shavings to add a nice, low maintenance floor to your décor. A few solar lights placed along walkways and the edges of the flower beds may also add beauty to your landscaping creation.

If you’ve chosen flowers such as roses, be aware of which ones require pruning and how often they should be pruned. Some flowers need no assistance to stimulate fuller growth, but others do. Also consider any laws on landscaping your city may have. A bamboo jungle theme may look gorgeous, but it might also interfere with your local laws on the height requirements of your residential property.

Landscaping can add beauty and value to your home, and it is often a consideration when selling your home. However, before you landscape understand the maintenance required and how the plants react to the regional climate. It is better to forego landscaping than to plant scenery that cannot survive in Texas.

With the economy struggling, including the mega giant government backed mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, many are concerned about the direction of the real estate sector. On the flip side, opportunists are viewing the current mortgage crisis as a huge opportunity to buy properties at below their present market values.

The current mortgage rates for the week ending August 8th according to BankRate are:
30 Year Fixed                        6.43%
15 Year Fixed                        5.95%
30 Year Fixed Jumbo             7.51%
5/1 ARM                               5.87%
5/1 Jumbo ARM                    6.40%

A great deal of the mortgage market is driven by daily decisions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, government backed mortgage agencies. With the recent financial trouble of these mortgage giants, many lenders have become more strict with their lending requirements, making it challenging for some to gain access to first time home loans or to refinance their current rates.

With recent financial trouble, Fannie Mae announced several changes that they plan to change that will impact the rest of the nation’s mortgage economy. Some of the most significant changes that were announced this week are that they will be increasing their lending fees, they will reduce the quantity of high risk loans that are funded and they will be charging hefty fees for any loans purchased from the struggling market. All of these decisions are an attempt to begin recovering their recently announced $2.3 billion loss.

What does this mean for the average home buyer?

One of the most substantial impacts will be on the new home buyer. Most new home buyers are struggling financially to get into their new home, and these added fees will make that step even harder. In an attempt to help the situation, the government announced last week plans to give a tax break for first time home buyers. This bill was passed by Congress last week, and this portion of the bill was intended to encourage first time home buying as it can enable a boost to the real estate market nationwide if taken advantage of.

The Fannie Mae news is both good and bad. The agency is an important fixture for the nation’s real estate market, so attempts to improve its financial health will be beneficial for not only the real estate market, but the economy as a whole. The bad news is that lending will be tighter for average home buyers, those who are looking for 2nd homes and first time home buyers. Although this news does affect certain groups in the real estate market, it will not have as dramatic of an impact on the real estate investor, especially those with strong financial health and experience.

In fact, it just may provide another incentive for individuals to invest into the depressed market with a goal to capitalize on the market rebound.

The State of Texas today covers approximately 268,601 square miles.  261,914 miles are land areas and 6,687 are square miles of water area.  Texas joined the Union in 1845, and the vast territory of the republic was mostly unsettled and considered public land.  Texas didn’t turn over the public lands to federal government upon joining the union.  Instead, the peculiar shape of Texas today was determined as part of the 1850 compromise.  Texas sold 98,300 miles of public lands to the United States for $10 million.  These lands included parts of New Mexico, Kansas, Wyoming, Colorado and Oklahoma.  Texas does not hurt for real estate and people to buy or sell it.

According to Amy Lemen, Consumer Columnist, it’s hot; so that must mean it’s time to buy or sell a house.  Summer has traditionally been the time to buy or sell real estate.  What family wouldn’t like to move before school starts again?

One of the experts at the Texas Real Estate Center, David Jones, said that Texas Real Estate markets never caught the housing bug that spread across the United States like the flu.

In the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Inc., there are listings for 40,588 houses in the Dallas and surrounding areas.  In the same areas there are 15,628 listings for land.  The housing starts at $65,500,000 and below and the land starting at $17,750,000.  Dallas and surrounding areas can be overwhelming for purchasing a house.  This is the reason to have a Realtor®.  As a group, Texas Realtors® uphold the strict Code of Ethics and fight for consumers rights.  Not every real estate broker or salesperson is a Realtor®.  In Texas, membership in the National Association of Realtors®, the Texas Association of Realtors® and more than one of more than 89 local associations or boards entitles real estate licensees to use the term “Realtors®” in their marketing materials and business cards.

When thinking about buying a home or land, be sure and familiarize yourself with loans and how they would work for you.  A fixed-rate mortgage is where the loan’s interest rate is the same for the life of the loan.  An adjustable rate mortgage, ARM, is a loan where interest rates will change over the life of the loan, depending on fluctuations in the market.

According to the Dallas Morning News, August 11, 2008, the Federal Reserve Banks are getting stricter with loan requirements.  Banks are tightening lending standards on home mortgages and other consumer and business loans, as a deepening credit crisis exerts a heavier toll on the economy.  There are many moveable parts to be settled.  Suggestion is to check your credit score and get some credit management tips.

When Forbes published a list of best cities to buy a home, Texas took four of the top six spots.  Houston and Austin ranked first and second.  Dallas and San Antonio placed fifth and sixth.  The rankings were compiled based on statistics that point to strong real estate markets in Texas.  The article mentioned Texas’s positive business climate as a major factor in creating such favorable real estate conditions.

Is there a real estate crisis in this country?  Few challenge that assumption or even look at the underlying facts to determine if a crisis exists.  There is no crisis in Texas real estate.  Forbes published a recent look at the 40 largest best cities to buy a home.  Houston and Austin ranked first and second, with Dallas and San Antonio coming in fifth and sixth.

Another hot market in Texas is San Angelo, which represents itself as stable and growing with approximately 85,000 residents.  According to Eppraisal.com, a price trend evaluation web site, a single family home runs in the neighborhood of $110,000.  This is approximately half of the national average, but appreciating at 6 percent for the same type home a year ago.

San Angelo, a Texas frontier town, cites affordable housing as a reason to move there.  New homes and lots sell for $85 to $100 per square foot.  Two bedroom unfurnished apartments rent for approximately $430 to $680.  San Angelo’s market has remained strong even with the drop in home sales across the country.

With almost 15,000 active duty personnel, dependents, retirees and civilians, Goodfellow Air Force Base contributes, with a $66 million budget, to the local economy.

Verizon and Angelo State University are two of the largest employers using approximately 1300 employees each. 

Other popular cities include Houston; Katy; College Station; Frisco; Dallas; The Woodlands; Round Rock; San Antonio; Fort Worth; Spring; McKinney; Galveston; League City and Corpus Christi.  One city not on the popular cities list, but should be, is Tyler, Texas.

Inside and outside the city limits, Tyler homes, ranging in styles, sizes, ages and conditions appeals to a wide range of incomes.  And Tyler real estate values continue to rise year after year.

Finding the right property is not always easy, and you ask yourself, “How will I know when it’s the right house for me?”  Most Realtors® tell their clients to follow their heart.  That something will speak to them and tell them that they are home.  Never just jump into a transaction of buying.  Always make sure it’s the right home/property for you.

It’s true that people tend to fall into four basic behavioral types, although every one is different and unique, when it comes to buying a product or service.  These types include, The Donald Trump – Direct Type; Richard Simmons – Interpersonal Buyer; “Aunt Bee” – Status Quo or Safety; and Albert Einstein – Contemplative Buyer.  This applies to buyers and sellers both.

Although the economy has most everyone in a state of turmoil, it’s still a great time to buy a home.  The real estate market isn’t tied into the stock market and homes aren’t feeling the effect, according to Frank Bailey, an expert in first time home buying.  Bailey also says that extreme markets shown by the media isn’t the standard in the U.S.  Now is the time to buy, even if your credit isn’t the best, get in touch with a Realtor®, who will get you in touch with a loan officer, and in a year, you can possibly become a home or property owner.

Another great real estate market is Bryan, Texas.  According to Susan Hilton, College Station Bryan Real Estate, real estate home sales are still going great.  Stats furnished by Randy French at Stylecraft Homes;

 July 2008 was the highest number of homes sold for any month in any year in their MLS history.

Year to Date sales for 2008 is 2 percent above the highest sales year on record (2007)

Days-On-Market is at 107 (anything below 120 is considered a Sellers Market)

Average sales price has steadily increased

So, according to all the information coming from Texas on Texas Real Estate, the market is excellent for buying and selling homes and property.  Being the largest usable land coverage state, there is still a lot of land to buy, as well as homes. 

If you’re planning to invest in Texas real estate, whether residential or commercial, you should familiarize yourself with a few bits of information. Many Texas homebuyers buy for their families, but some purchase Texas homes for the purpose of investment in which a profit can be made on the initial capital seen through gain and an increase in property value through improvements.

Before you consider investing, consider the type of property that you are seeking-residential or commercial-and the upkeep that may be necessary as the primary owner of a property that will be used to generate a profit. If you purchase a home that is in pristine condition for this purpose, your maintenance cost may be low, but your investment cost may be high. If the Texas home you choose needs a little work, you may pay some in maintenance costs but save on the initial cost of the house through the primary investment.

Consider the location of your property and the general state of the real estate market in the immediate area. If the area you choose is not one that has high rent returns or jobs available nearby, you may not be able to lease or make a profit off of your investment as well. Consider the growth rate of the area, attractiveness and appeal that your property would have on a potential tenant, and the basic demographics of the area in question.

Price is also a consideration. If you purchase a property that is out of your budget or unfairly priced due to market inflation, then you could find yourself in a pickle of a situation. Before you buy, check the market. Make sure the home you wish to invest in is fairly priced and within your budget. Then consider the reasonable amount of return on rents that you can get based on the median income level of the area in which your property is located.

Finally, watch the market and learn when to sell your newly purchased property. If you have had the luck of very good, long term tenants at the time you wish to sell, you may also have already located your buyers. Often, people renting a house will purchase that house from the landlord as long as relations are good between the two parties.

If you live or are planning to live in Texas, then there is one thing that you should know. Texas is hot. Especially during the summer months of July and August, temperatures can consistently reach into the triple digits. With this heat, there is a decrease of rainfall. Can you figure out what this typically spells for Texas residents?

Yep, you guessed it. Drought-like conditions are possible in the midst of summer. With this in mind, homeowners are urged to use caution with anything that creates sparks. Smoking materials such as those created in brush piles meant to get rid of old tree limbs, trash burning, and even the careless toss of a cigarette butt can spell disaster.

 However, Texas homeowners shouldn’t go into a panic yet. With a little care and precaution, you Texas home will not be one of the few that are lost every year to summer heat related fires. If you have brush to burn, consider the option of having it turned into mulch instead. Not only does this create a decrease in the risk of fires, but it also adds beauty to your landscape while protecting and nourishing your yard. Trash can be compacted and sent to dumps after recycling, which will result in lower bulk trash to send out as much of what we throw away can be recycled.  And, if you’re a smoker, you should know what an ashtray is. If you put your cigarettes out in approved containers or douse the butt with water prior to disposing of it, there is no need to worry about fires from carelessness.

While Texas is known as much for its summer temperatures as for the steers and open landscapes that made it famous, there are several things that Texas homeowners can do to protect their home during the heat spike.
 
If air conditioning and energy costs have you worried about Texas properties, consider that many homes are now so energy efficient that the increase in cost for energy during summer months is often nominal. You can also lower your cooling costs by installing insulated windows, Simply put, Texas homeowners can rest assured that even through the heat of summer, their homes can be safe and cool without worrying about the temperatures outside. Texas homes and residents are Texas tough, after all.

If you are looking to sell your home in this economy, you will want to implement as many strategies as possible for a quick sale close to your asking price. Consider the following 7 strategies to maximize the sales price for your home:

1. Paint Your Front Door- Your front door is often the first thing that potential home buyers will see when they walk into your home for the first time. Make sure that your front door is freshly painted, and consider bright and bold colors such as red to make a great first impression.

2. Organize- Do you have areas in your home that are cluttered and disorganized? If so, these are some of the first things that people will notice when they are walking through your house. Remove as much clutter as possible from around your home. People walking through your home need to be able to invision themselves living there and that is challenging when all of your personal items are around the home.

3. De-Clutter the Living Room- If you have a family, you likely have a cluttered living room. Toys, magazines, books and miscellaneous items may be cluttering your living room. Remove anything that is not necessary for your daily living as it will allow your living room to show well.

4. Define Spaces- In some homes, there are spaces that are not clearly defined. When potential home buyers walk through spaces, they will want to see precisely what the rooms are to be used for. Clearly define living, dining and bedroom spaces by placing the appropriate furniture and accessories into each room.

5. Create a Clean and Minimal Kitchen Area- The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home when you are trying to sell it. The kitchen needs to have minimal items out on the counter space. Remove appliances and clutter that you may have around the kitchen to increase your chances of a quick sale near your asking price.

6. Clean- This may seem like common sense, although many people fail to properly clean their homes when showing them. Ensure that every area of the home is clean, including the small nooks and crannies when listing your home for sale.

7. Garage or Storage Areas- If you have a great deal of clutter in these areas, the potential home buyer may believe that your house does not have enough storage. And, this is considered to be a negative factor too many potential home buyers. If possible, reduce your storage clutter or even consider removing it to an offsite storage facility.

As the economy still remains weakened and with a foreclosure crisis looming for many Americans, the Senate passed a landmark housing bill on August 5th that will offer nearly $300 billion in loans for troubled homeowners. The bill will work to establish a government rescue plan for 2 of the mortgage giants that have been experiencing significant financial hardships, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

This legislation is one of the first and most far reaching attempts to address the nation’s troubled housing market. The legislation is surely not going to fix and address all of the housing troubles, but is a positive first step at addressing them. Some of its outlined goals include offering affordable government backed mortgages to homeowners who are at the greatest risk of foreclosure, and providing financial support to the mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

The Role of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

The FHA will be permitted to insure up to the $300 billion mark in new, 30 year fixed mortgaged for borrowers as long as the current lenders are willing to reduce the loan balances to 90% of the current home’s appraised value. The reduction in value will offer some security to the new lenders in the event of a home default, but requiring the current lenders to comply in order for the trade of debt to occur. While there has been over $300 billion in loan funding allocated, it is estimated that only $60-80 billion in funds will be utilized. This $60-80 billion in funding is estimated to assist over 325,000 households from foreclosing on their homes.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

One of the provisions of this new bill also placed funding limitations onto Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, limiting the sizes of the mortgages that they will be permitted to offer and fund to $625,000, up from $417,000. This will allow more borrowers to gain access to funding and will encourage refinancing for many families who see the value of the current low interest rates.

Home Buyer Credit

The bill will also allow a tax credit for first time home buyers of 10% of the purchase price, but no more than $7,500. This is an attempt to stimulate the nation’s real estate market and the economy as a whole.

While the bill certainly was not supported by all of the politicians, it received an overwhelming voice of support. The President is expected to sign it later Tuesday.

As the economy continues to remain sluggish, many are concerned with the direction of home prices. For many, the value of their home is their single largest investment, causing serious financial concerns for those who currently own real estate.

Real estate prices fell 7.7% during the first quarter, which is the single largest decline in over a year. The median sales prices for homes also fell 4.8% to $196,300 in comparison to last year’s prices. While there has been a slow down over all, between 20-30% of areas have shown gains in their real estate markets.

Current Home Sales

The National Association of Realtors released data in July suggesting that national home sales were at a 10 year all time low, down nearly 10% over the prior year. "The factors that are weighing on the housing market remain in place - weak consumer confidence, a weak labor market and rising mortgage rates - so there are some strong fundamental headwinds still weighing on the market," said Robert Dye, senior economist at PNC Financial Services Group. With inventory on the rise and falling prices, many experts are concerned about when the real estate market will rebound.

While first time home buyers have generally been a stable fixture in the real estate market, many are uneasy about the current conditions, opting for a more stable time to enter the market for their first time. Another factor that is contributing to the stagnation of the market is mortgage rates. While interest rates are low, the pressure on the current mortgage rates has caused that market to stand still and in some cases to decline, increasing the interest rates offered to home buyers.

Where are Prices Headed?

Most experts agree that the prices in 75 of the 100 largest real estate markets will fall over the next 12 months. And, in most markets, the real estate prices are expected to continue to fall.
There are a variety of contributing factors to the fall in real estate, including job decline due to the rising unemployment rates, challenges with variable rate mortgages and rising consumer costs of living. While there are efforts being made by the government to address these concerns, many are concerned about losing their homes. Foreclosure rates rose nearly 112% during the first quarter of 2008 alone.

When homes foreclose, not only will this displace families, but it will put a tremendous strain on the real estate market. As buyers maintain consistent number or even decline in some areas along side a rise in inventory, the real estate market will become a buyer’s market, ultimately driving down the prices and market value of real estate.

With a sluggish US economy, many markets are feeling the effects in their local real estate. With concerns about the rising unemployment rate, there has been some stagnation of movement in the real estate market. However, locations such as Ft. Worth have been seeing positive changes, largely driven by the job growth in their local economy.

Ft. Worth is known for providing the feel of the old west along with the modern amenities that residents would expect of today. One of the most attractive characteristics of the Ft. Worth area has been the continued revitalization of the downtown area. Nightlife, culture, shopping and new urban living spaces have caused a flurry of people to move into the area. Also, Ft. Worth offers a variety of suburban areas, attractive to both individuals and families who are looking for planned communities near a city that offers its residents all of the amenities that the larger nearby city of Dallas offers.

Some of the local attractions that bring new residents to the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex area include:
• Sundance Square
• Ft. Worth Stockyards
• National Cowgirl Hall of Fame
• Thistle Hill Mansion
• Eddleman- McFarland House

Here are some important real estate trends and facts with regards to the Ft. Worth Market for the Summer of 2008:
• There are currently more buyers than sellers.
• The average time that a home has been on the market is between 60-90 days.
• The overall market trend is positive.
• There is a good supply of real estate available on the market.
• The average home price is $175,000.
• Houses are selling for between 95-100% of the listed asking price.
• Job growth in the area is the largest contributing factor to the steady real estate market.

While the national real estate economy remains sluggish, the job market in Ft. Worth is helping to sustain market values in the area, beneficial for buyers and sellers alike.

The real estate market is in a slump, albeit almost unnoticeable in Texas. With this in mind, it is even more important to get your home seen on the market if you are planning on selling. One way of doing this is to spruce up your place to be that special place that a prospective buyer just can’t live without. The trick is to do it without straining your pocketbook and without raising the price of the house far above market value.

By refreshing your landscape and lining your walkways with solar powered lights, you can attract more buyers with little cost to your wallet while increasing the chances of selling your Texas home. Taking some time to give a face lift to your outdoor space may be just the ticket a homebuyer is searching for when making their decision on a new Texas home.

Trimming hedges attractively and weeding flower gardens can make your home more appealing to viewers. Take care of any overhanging branches in the trees in your lawn. Use an edger when you mow your property even if you don’t normally do so. The few extra minutes spent will make a huge difference in the appearance of your home.

If you have pets, you may want to consider making sure to pick up after them, even in your own yard. Not only will it improve the looks of your yard and signify to a potential buyer that you care about your property, it will avoid any unpleasant odors that may deter potential buyers.
Clean up any unsightly messes or disorganized yard equipment, as well. A little bit of effort can make your yard seem like a paradise for a buyer’s future barbeques.

With a simple and inexpensive face lift to your landscaping, your home could stand out on the market and be the next home in the neighborhood to sport a sold sign instead of a for sale sign.

Texas hasn’t suffered as much from the lending crisis, but it hasn’t escaped untouched by it, either. Then again, there isn’t anywhere that the lending crisis hasn’t touched in some way or another. Part of the reason that Texas real estate hasn’t been affected as much is the fact that Texas has not experienced the exaggerated appreciations of other U.S. markets such as California.

Texas also has an ace up its sleeve that helps in keeping investors and homebuyers happy and buying. Rural land in East Texas has risen from $600 to $2200 an acre from 1993 to present. Texas land doesn’t experience huge gains quickly, but it is the steady market and another slight raise in gain expectations this year that have the land in the eye of those looking to buy whether for investment purposes or for making their home in rural Texas.

Cropland has been the hottest type of land to be sold in Texas as of late followed closely by land intended for oil development. Long-term gain expectations are highest for East Texas.

If you list your house for sale on the Texas real estate market, can you change your mind? Sometimes, circumstances change before the sale of the property you had originally wanted to sell. It is important to understand what can happen if you find yourself in this situation.

You can and should remove your Texas home from the market if you change your mind. Many realtors, if you chose to go that route, may have provisions in their contract that have guidelines for reimbursement in this case for their expenses. If this is the case, you will have to pay the fees. However, most do not include this provision and instead simply list that they are paid IF your agent was able to secure a willing and able buyer for your property at its listing price.

Be wary when your agent informs you that you will still owe them even if you have changed your mind. Read your contract thoroughly and make sure that no provisions were included that would have made you responsible for fees upon termination of the listing.

If you are finding your agent a little pushy after changing your mind and removing your home from the Texas market, file a complaint with the Texas Real Estate Commission. At this point, as long as your contract with the agent did not list additional fees for removing your home from the market, extortion is being attempted.

The main thing to remember is that you as a homeowner have the right to change your mind and to do so without penalty. It is your home until it is sold and you have the final say.

Throughout the years, Texas—and Austin in particular—has managed to stay relatively untouched by changes in the real estate market.  Yet despite this fact and the consistent growth in both population and the local economy, the Austin MLS reports that inventory has increased since the beginning of 2008.

The consensus among real estate professionals seems to be that the economic conditions around the country are affecting the mood of prospective buyers who have become much more cautious, especially with large purchases such as real estate.  Some of these customers are holding out to see if the market will go any lower, because despite the state of the national economy, property values are still holding steady.  Others are simply afraid of making a financial commitment when things seem so uncertain socially, politically and economically.  Fair enough.

Since 1997 Austin and its major suburb Round Rock has increased in population size by 43%; and there seems to be no slowing down with projected growth continuing well into the next decade.   Downtown Austin has seen an incredible growth in development, especially in the past five years, with almost 20 new condo projects including the stunning The Austonian  and  The Shore, two stunning high rises that bring a real sex appeal to the traditionally laid back and crunchy city.  Major developments such as the new Long Center, The Domain, and the metro railway are proof that Austin is ramping up for even more expansion.  Also, investors are buying up both residential and commercial property, although it’s being done quietly and methodically.

All this means that the real estate buyers’ apprehension is based entirely on rumor, and the media has had a field day with their gloom and doom reports, doing their part to increase paranoia.  That’s not to say that American buyers need to bury their heads in the sand.  Let’s face it, the mortgage crisis is a hard lesson learned.  But for individuals who have a strong financial foothold and excellent credit, there’s no reason to delay buying even right now.

Many families buying a new home in Texas choose to move over the summer before school starts to avoid having to move their children out of schools during the school year. However, there are other reasons you may want to move in the summer if you have children and steps you should take to make their adjustment easier.

Not all children will react to a move in the same way. Small children should be allowed to pack their own toys and decide what’s special enough to ride out of a box (within reason) on the way to your new Texas home. You may have to answer questions and reassure a small child that she won’t be forgotten during the move, but simply telling this age group that there will be lots of room to play and describing their new room is often enough.

Tweens need a little more. You should expect them to pack their clothes, toys, and books but they will need more assurance that their new home has friends they can meet. Consider that this age group is just beginning to form longer friendships and will have questions concerning other age mates in their new neighborhood. Sometimes, they will ask why you have to move at all or why you would want to move. Instead of focusing on the things they can do, give them some real answers. Maybe it’s because Mom’s job or Dad’s job is transferring them. Perhaps it’s a change of familial living arrangements due to divorce. Whatever the reason, a skimmed down version of the truth is good for this age. They don’t like to be placated and will become upset if they feel they are being patronized.

Teens will need an opportunity to say goodbye to their friends and collect email addresses and phone numbers. This age group has formed long term friendships and worry about belonging. They will need to know that they can continue to have contact with their friends. It is also important to find your teens a way to meet other teens in their new neighborhood outside of school and preferably before the first day of school. If they can begin to form friendships at their new home, then the first day in a new school won’t be so tough.

If your teen rebels over the move, don’t try to coddle them. Instead, tell them the truth. It’s better to explain to your teen than to build the stress and resentment over the move. Most of their questions will have to do with reasons the move is happening and should be answered as fully as possible while stressing the importance of their help during the adjustment period. Make them feel a part of moving and it will make all the difference. If possible, let them in on the plans before you decide to move and get their opinion. For teens, it’s all about belonging.

While most would not argue that portions of the Austin real estate market have slowed, the overall view of the market is still positive for 2008. Many consider Austin to be among the best cities in the US to work and live in, accounting for some of the continued strength in the real estate market there.

One of the most attractive features of the Austin real estate market is the affordability when compared to the rest of the nation. In 2007 according to the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, the median home price in Austin was $184,200, while compared to a median home price within Texas of $147,200 and to the nation at $217,800. The ability for citizens across the nation to move to this top rated city for a lower housing price is appealing, contributing in part to the continued population growth. According to the US Census Bureau in 2007, Austin’s population has grown from 1,073,037 in 1996 to 1,598,161 in 2002. And, approximately 21% of this total population is over the age of 50.

While the number of people moving into the city as a whole is on the incline within Austin, one of the largest growing demographics of Austin is that of the Baby Boomer. The Baby Boomer generation is the largest within the US, comprising approximately 29% of the population. A Baby Boomer by definition is anyone who was born between 1946 and 1964.

Money Magazine listed Austin as one of the best cities in the US for retirees in 2007, demonstrating one of the reasons as to why this market segment is on the incline for the area. While many would assume that retirees would choose to retire on Lake Austin or in a single family home within one of the organized communities, many are in fact choosing to life in condominiums within the city center.

One of the reasons for the increase in residents within the downtown area of Austin is due to the new way of retirement lifestyle that the Baby Boomer is seeking. Many Baby Boomers are not selecting the more traditional notion of retirement, including life in their single family dwelling until they may need medical assistance. Instead, these retirees are looking for a lifestyle that supports their desire for lower maintenance living, high luxury living and even easy of living. So, the downtown townhome and in particular condo is very appealing to many Baby Boomers.

Why is the luxury, high rise so appealing to so many?? High rise living offers many amenities to their residents, often including valet parking, organized social activities, 24 hour concierge and bellman service, 24 hour security, fitness centers, pools and elegant common areas. So, for those who are seeking independent living while in their unit combined with social elements and staff support, a luxury condominium may be the most ideal option.

While the real estate market in Austin as a whole is on an incline, there has been steady movement within the higher end, luxury condo market providing favorable buying opportunities for those who are seeking this type of lifestyle.

When deciding your move to Texas, there are many things to consider. Not only must you find the perfect home, you also have to get the kids in school and find a job if you’re previous means of employment can’t do a transfer to your new area. If you are one of many who move to Texas whose previous company didn’t transfer you, then you will be pleasantly surprised to find that Texas has a steady and strong job market with some of the lowest unemployment statistics in the country.
 
Houston and Dallas have the second and third highest gross metropolitan product gains in the nation in 2008 according to U.S Metro Economies report. Besides having these prestigious cities within its boundaries, Texas is also home to El Paso and Odessa, listed among the fastest growing U. S. metros.

In their June review of the Texas Economy, the Real Estate Center at A&M reported Texas employment figures in a positive light based on comparisons with national averages and population densities. Overall, it means that those moving to Texas will have no problem joining the workforce and enjoying the most their new home has to offer. There report outlines the jobs in Texas and their rate of growth with ranking information that shows the industries of Texas. The following Table is taken from a part of their report and is courtesy of Texas Workforce Commission and Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.  This chart is only the top ranking from their report, which includes much more information on jobs and employment.

Rank	Industry	June 2008	June 2007	Absolute change	Percentage of change
1	Natural Resources and Mining	220,000	206,700	13,300	6.4
2	Professional and Business Services	1,365,800	1,294,000	71,800	5.5
3	Leisure and Hospitality	1,048,100	1,012,300	35,800	3.5
4	Construction	673,000	653,600	19,600	3.0
4	Education and Health Services	1,288,300	1,250,400	37,900	3.0
6	Trade	1,708,500	1,667,400	41,100	2.5

If you’re getting ready to sell your Texas home, then you may want to learn a few magic tricks. If agents are showing your home, learn the art of disappearing on a flexible schedule. There are reasons that it is better you aren’t around when your home is shown that can be a benefit to you.

Buyers will generally talk more freely and ask more relevant questions about your home if they don’t feel pressed to watch their manners around you. Many times, questions and comments by buyers that could have been addressed but weren’t because the sellers were present make a difference in the sale of your home. It’s similar to what your teens will do. If your teen is talking to their best friend and you walk in the room, immediate silence is quick in coming. There is an uncomfortable feeling to having a parent listen in on a complaining session about parents. Buyers find it uncomfortable to ask specific relevant questions when the seller is standing in the kitchen or watching a football game on television.

For this reason, it is a good idea to have a magical act to fall back on when showing times come around. Consider a jar for such excursions on short notice. Drop all your change in the jar and wait for a showing to be scheduled. By the time it is, you will have the funds to go to the ice cream shop or get a snow cone in the park while your home is being shown. The kids won’t have a ton of questions about why someone is looking at all your rooms and you won’t feel like jumping in to help your agent sell your home.

Another plan to consider is one that includes your pets since Fido may not like strangers in his domain. To save you the hassle of an upset pets as well as questioning kids, plan to use showing times to take a walk, enjoy the scenery, or visit the lake. None of these take an extreme amount of money and they can all help you and your family sell your home without undue stress.

When deciding to sell your Texas home, there are many things to consider. These range from preparing your home to sell to methods of selling your home. Add in the need to advertise that your home is for sale, and it can get a little daunting for most home owners.

Methods for selling your home include using an agent and selling on your own. If you choose to sell your house yourself, then you will have to consider a few more things that those using an agent can skip. One of the most important considerations is how to make your home visible on the market.

Some common things include listing your home in local newspapers and placing a for sale sign in your yard. You can also inform real estate agencies that your home is on the market and offer them a 3% fee for including your Texas home on those that they are willing to show. While many home owners who sell their homes on their own do so to avoid any agent fees, offering a token for showing your For Sale by Owner home to real estate agents in the event of the actual sale of your home can be in your best interest as it gets your home seen. The more visible you can make your home to potential buyers, the more likely you are to receive an offer for your home.

Don’t forget to list your home in nonconventional places as well. Many apartment finder publications also list homes. Sometimes, patrons of these publications are simply looking for a temporary stay until they find a home in Texas to purchase. This is especially true for those who are moving to Texas from other states.

Letting coworkers, family, and friends know that your home is for sale can also help as they may have relatives or friends of their own looking to buy a home in Texas. Remember, in the process of getting your home seen on the market, there is no such thing as too small an avenue.

While the rest of the nation is wading its way through a real estate crisis, Texas Gulf Coast Online is jubilantly writing about how hot the market is.  Texas on the whole tends to stay pretty steady through the ups and downs of real estate market changes through the years, but most Texas Realtors wouldn’t go so far as to say their market is “hot” right now.  Treading water is more like it.

Nevertheless, TGCO bases its claims in the article on the evidence from some of the most successful investors and economists.  With a steady population growth, strong economy, increasing employment opportunities, and affordable oceanfront property, it is easy to see how the market is able to thrive despite poor economic conditions in the rest of the country.

Donald Trump is one of the investors quoted in the article.  He says, "As to my own investment objectives, I look for at least four good sources of return: (1) cash flows, (2) appreciation, (3) added value, and (4) amortization. In my view, many Texas and non-coastal Florida properties, commercial and residential, offer promise."

The picture gets rosier when you consider what is in the works.  Trillions of investment dollars are pouring in to the state for big projects including the Wind Farm planned by oil billionaire T. Boone Pickens, a Texas crude oil refinery, new nuclear plants, and the NAFTA super highway.

Looking at the market from the viewpoint of an investor helps avoid the panic that inevitably washes over the nation during low economic periods.  Whether you’re buying or selling real estate, don’t let the general public’s fears get the best of you.  Look to the long term, and prepare for future profits.

Many new Texas homeowners aren’t traveling alone to their new homes. Along with the kids, there are pets in tow that need a little extra care during a move to a new place and a new neighborhood. Since animals tend to use scent to determine the route to take to reach home, it is important to keep them safe while they learn about and adjust to your new Texas home. As moving into a new home anywhere requires that doors be open often and limited vision as you move boxes and furniture around, pets are often in danger even indoors unless you take a few precautions to safeguard your four legged, scaled, or winged family members.

All pets feel stress much like we do. They may require a little extra attention from you and some leniency in the house rules. Sometimes, even the best trained pet has an accident or experiences stomach upset because of the stress caused by a move. In these cases, make sure you provide a few extra petting and playing sessions as well as a comforting voice to help your pets relax.
Cats do best in a move when they are placed in a room with familiar items. This room should be one that will not be entered often. It is also a good idea to hang a sign on the door that warns anyone helping you move into your new home that pets are inside. If your cat gets outside during this time, chances are your furry friend will not return. In new neighborhoods, there are dangers that may not have been present at your previous address as well as the possibility of your cat becoming lost in new surroundings.

Keeping in mind that cats are territorial brings a whole new line of worry since your cat could be hurt in a fight. Traffic may be different in your new neighborhood and your cat could accidentally be hit by a vehicle. With these dangerous situations lurking and your cat already unsure of where he is and what to do, it is best to keep him confined in a room with a securely closing door than take unnecessary risks.

Consider placing your dog in a kennel until after moving day. Out of fear, the most docile of dogs can become aggressive. Your dog will do best if introduced to his new home with the comforts of familiar furniture and items already in place. Unlike cats, dogs have a sense of belonging not just because of the family they adore, but also because of the things that tell them this is their domain to protect because you and their things are there for them to see and smell. Your dog will need extra attention and may get confused on where to go to tell you that a trip outside is needed.

Instead of scolding, show your dog where outside is at your new home and take him on a few extra trips just to help him learn where he is to go. Scolding will only create confusion and stress in your dog, creating more occurrences of accidents.

For birds, reptiles, and other caged pets, place them in a quiet room away from your dogs or cats if present. Make sure it is not a room that will be used often during the move and one that will allow them to remain until their new place is ready. These animals need a little understanding since the elements that they had grown used to have changed. Consider scheduling some time to spend with your pets that can be devoted completely to them a couple times a day for the first few days. Once the place where their cage is to be is ready, introduce them to their new place in your new home. Try to choose locations that are similar to those at your previous home.

It is a good idea to look at your new home from the eyes of your pets. Knowing that they will be upset, confused, and stressed, see what areas of escape you may find on their level. These are the ones that they will undoubtedly try to use in order to return to their former home.  Remember, too, that they will be curious about their new surroundings and keep any cleaning supplies or dangerous liquids out of their reach.

With a few precautionary steps, your pets will adjust to their new home and life will return to normal.

If you’re thinking of selling your home in Texas, whether or not you plan to use a realtor, there are some things you will need to do before you can accurately value your property and before listing your property on the market. Most of these are easily overlooked as homeowners looking to sell their Texas homes are swamped with information that must be known before the sale of the house. These include the value of your property, whether or not to buy first then sell or vice versa, and the monumental task of packing up years of belongings to name a few. With the vast amount of work already in store for you as you sell your home, a checklist of things to do can be a lifesaver. Making sure that each item on the list has been completed can help you get the most from your home when the final sale is completed.

Let’s begin with the outside of your house. This is the first thing that potential buyers will see; and we all know that first impressions do matter. Many buyers have said that a house “calls” to them when they’ve found the perfect home to buy. Therefore, anything you can do to make your house their dream home will benefit you.

• Clean driveways –oil stains and dirt can give the wrong impression even when the reason may well be those of normal wear and tear. If you can make it look brand new with a power washer.

• Check the condition of the paint, shudders, and other attachments to your house. Does it need a touch up? A new coat of paint? Replace any that show obvious weather damage and brighten the natural fade of the sun with a freshening up of any areas that look a little less than brand new.
 
• Take a look at your windows and doors. Are any cracked? Are screens missing or torn? Do the windows need a once-over with a little vinegar and water to look their best? While window washing may not be a regular activity for you, it does make a difference in how prospective buyers see your home.

• Test your love of heights by getting up on the roof. If there are missing or damaged shingles or any other problems with the roof, make repairs. Check gutters and chimneys if you have them as well. If they aren’t clean or are clogged, remedy the problem to ensure a higher selling price.

• Next, let’s move on to the lawn. If there are weeds, you may want to pull them. Consider mowing the grass and using an edger to give it a crisp, clean look. Spruce up any flower beds and prune any trees that are a bit wild in appearance. Remove any piles of unsightly junk that may have been accumulated over the years. Also make sure that any hoses or other tools used often in lawn care are put away or organized attractively.

Now that the outside of your house is pristine and inviting to prospective buyers, let’s move on into the inside of your home. For this area of preparations, your grandparent’s fabled spring cleaning is the look you’re going for to attract prospective buyers and make them think your home is the one for them.

After you’ve cleaned your house seven ways to Sunday, here’s a list of tips that will give your home an edge on the market:

• Pack any valuables, trinkets, or clothing as well as all items you can live without while selling your home and buying a new one. This eliminates any cluttered look that you home may have and allows prospective buyers to “see” their own belongings in the open space.

• Check all appliances to make sure they operate properly and replace any light bulb that have burned out and wall fixtures that look older.

• Repair any chips or cracks in countertops, clean any grout on tile floors, and repair any cracks in the walls. Consider applying a fresh coat of paint to those items that need it. Don’t forget to apply varnish to any scarred cabinetry or wooden banisters that may have a few scratches or other battle scars from daily living.

• Clean your carpets if it’s in good condition. Re-tack or stretch carpet that may have loosened up a bit, and replace carpet that shows threadbare wear and tear.

• Don’t forget the WD-40 to ensure there aren’t any squeaky doors and hinges. Re-hang doors that are crooked or don’t close correctly, and consider replacing doors that have holes or other damage to them.

Once the entire checklist is done, then you can add a few plants (fake or real) to add a splash of color and appeal for potential buyers. At last, knowing your home is set to make a great first impression, you can take a deep breath and tackle the other responsibilities of selling your home and acquiring a new home.

The debate over whether or not property values are altered in Texas for tax purposes has been stirred up again. This battle applies mainly to commercial property and there is no indication that residential properties are currently involved in this debate since the undervaluing of property in the commercial zone would benefit business owners when tax liability is examined. The importance of uncovering the truth of the matter is evident, however, when one considers that commercial property that is undervalued creates an increase in the amount of taxes that the residential home owners must pay since the businesses have found a way to sidestep the responsibility.

While the debate is centered on the state of Texas, Dallas has found itself as one of the major cities where the issue has taken a stand. With the potential tax revenue loss in the tens of millions in Dallas, there is concern that homeowners and the community are getting the raw end of the deal. If property is being undervalued, then there are several avenues of community improvements that are being missed because of it. These potential tax dollars could fund new services, counties, and schools within the local area and decrease the homeowner’s tax responsibilities by spreading the taxes more evenly between the commercial and residential land owners.

While appraisers and real estate professionals deny any intentional altering of property value, they do admit that there could be a problem. The main concern inside the profession is that there is no law which requires public disclosure of real estate prices. This can impede the ability to accurately appraise commercial property since there isn’t a known average value within any vicinity. In fact, because there is no disclosure law in Texas, the appraisers and real estate professionals have to base their estimated property value on less than reliable means. This could create an inadvertent shift of the tax burden to home owners if the commercial property has accidently been valued too low for the market.

At the same time, it is surprising to realize that the strongest opposition to the creation of a disclosure law is the same professionals who state it as necessary to fairly and accurately appraise commercial property. While it is admitted by professionals and the public alike that many other factors besides the price tag is considered when doing an appraisal, the development of such a disclosure law would eliminate the practice of commercial property buyers who consistently hide the price information in order to gain more tax benefits.

An example of this practice can be seen in a recent purchase of property by the city of Dallas for the purpose of a publically owned convention hotel. The land for this purpose was purchased at roughly $40 million dollars for the 8 acre tract. The DCAD priced the land much lower as this figure was about five times more than the initial value placed on the land. The tax assessed value was boosted upon the disclosure of sales data and city acquired appraisals.

Some of the things that are looked at when appraising commercial property differ from those of residential property appraisal guidelines. For commercial property, value is based on income produced, occupancy rates, expenses and other business related factors. The inclusion of price could benefit appraisers by giving them an even more complete picture of the true value of the property. At the same time, this information could end the practice of cloaking those aspects of price that can alter the end result of the appraised value and lower taxes unfairly and unnecessarily.

Currently, this issue is still being debated with meetings and other agenda for improvement still developing. It is promising to be one of the most important real estate debates for Texas cities this year as the impact on tax dollars is astounding when the potential loss is calculated. Such tax dollars could improve the school systems and the community. If the decision to implement a disclosure law is made, then the question of properly appraised commercial property value can be at long last put to rest as this is not the first time the subject has made waves for the real estate communities in Texas.

If you’re thinking of selling your home in Texas, then one of the most important aspects of deciding how to go about it is knowing what your home is worth. Without a clear understanding of the value of your property, you may find it harder to settle on a price that is both fair and to your expectations. With the idea behind selling usually tied to making a profit or purchasing a new home for various reasons, the need to market your house fairly is important. Before you can calculate your home’s worth, however, you need to know what is examined when setting the value.

Current market rates have an impact on the value of your Texas home. It is always better to sell your house when the market is on the rise since your price will be able to increase. The rates at which a buyer is willing to purchase a home vary according to the time of year, the location, the neighborhood, and other demographic information that create a demand in the area that your home is built. If the neighborhood is well kept with low crime, then your property value may be higher than a home that has a less desirable location and demographic combination.

The school district in which your home’s address is located also affects property value. Families often look for homes in districts with high performances or with multiple activities available for their younger members.

Another aspect of the value of your home is the condition that the home is in. This is one of the most important factors for determining property value of your home. If there are repairs needed, consider fixing the problems before having your home assessed and setting a price. A home without major problems is a plus. Renovations made to your home from the original condition of the home when you purchased it also increases value. Renovations include items such as the installation of central heat and air, remodeling projects that enhanced the beauty of your home, or landscaping improvements in the yard. These are not all inclusive, of course, but they will give you an idea of what you can include when evaluating the value of your home.

Also consider the amount that is still owed on the home, if any. If you still have a mortgage on the home, you don’t want to price your home too low to be able to satisfy that mortgage. Doing so will create a situation in which you would still be responsible for the remaining amount. Just as you wouldn’t charge $50 for something you owe $100 on, you shouldn’t value your home below its current mortgage.

Consider the cost of closing and the cost of showing your home in your price. While everyone remembers the closing cost, the amount of money spent in cleaning and accessorizing the home to be its most attractive is often forgotten when figuring the amount to include in the price of your home.

Consider having your home evaluated for value prior to placing your home on the market. This can give you an accurate figure to work from when making the final decision on your asking price. Remember to add in 3-6% for realtors as this can get your For Sale By Owner home viewed. It is a small price to pay to sell your home without having to have a realtor put the sign in your yard for you. Consider the cost of advertising and the cost of maintaining your home during the selling process.

Once you have all of the figures added up, list your home on the market. This can be as simple as placing an ad in the newspaper and contacting realtors to inform them of a new home on the market. Be ready to negotiate as the asking price is often more than the price actually obtained in the final sale of your home. However, don’t accept an offer of sale if the price suggested does not cover your expenses or is ridiculously low. Accept an offer that is fair, close to the expected price before you added a little extra to account for negations, and that will leave you feeling good about the decision to sell your home in Texas.

Thinking of buying a home in Texas this summer? If so, you aren’t alone. Of all the seasons, summer has always been the hottest time to buy property in the state that boasts of being bigger and better than the rest. Summer offers the perfect time to move to a new location and doesn’t interfere with school or jobs as most vacation periods also occur in the summer months.

May 2008 statistics from A&M University indicates that while Texas follows the national trend of better deals and more moves in the summer months, Texas does not share the obstacles that most states incur for the time period. One such difficulty is a flooding of the market in available homes for sale in regards to the ratio of home buyers scouring the market. The variety of homes in Texas sees a steady ratio of buyers to sellers that create a more stable environment for real estate without large differences in property values based on an unequal supply and demand.

The ratio of available homes is also not located in one area. Texas sees a nice balance of homes in most major cities as well as surrounding communities. The buyer looking for a Texas home can find one in their desired location and at competitive rates. Dallas, Houston, and Austin are popular choices for home buyers with a wide range of homes available for any budget.

If buying a home is on your summer agenda, and you want to get moved before school starts so little Johnny can complete the school year in the same district that he began the school year, there are some things you can do that will make your decision for home ownership in Texas easier. Most pre-buying activities are common sense, but they can be overlooked in the excitement of purchasing a home that will be used for years. Prepare for buying by getting your finances in order and make sure that you are able to buy a home by becoming pre-approved before your purchase. Try to remedy any marks upon your credit record that could stand in your way.  Sometimes, this is as easy as paying off any negative credit on your report and stabilizing your credit standing. Becoming pre-approved will assist in getting your home loans in order for your new purchase and make buying a home less stressful. This should be an exciting time, not one in which you suddenly experience migraines.

Don’t forget that family and friends can be valuable sources of information, especially if they live in the area   of Texas in which your new home is located. Ask for recommendations for Realtors if anyone you know has moved recently as well. Finding the right agent will make a huge difference in your satisfaction during the home buying process. When you find the perfect realtor for you, talk to your agent about what you expect in a new home. Let your agent know if you require two bathrooms, an island kitchen, and four bedrooms so that the homes you are shown match your criteria. Your agent can only help you if you have clear ideas of what your home should be.  When you do find the perfect home for you in Texas, begin the buying process with your agent and begin to prepare for your upcoming move.

Most of all, enjoy the process of becoming a home owner in Texas. This is your home; make it all it can be.

Differentiate or Die: Selling Your Home in a Buyer’s Market

The “art” of selling a home has changed considerably.  Unlike just a few years ago, the housing market is now tilted towards the buyer.  Sellers must market their homes according, taking every opportunity to differentiate their property from others on the market.  A home not “seen” will obviously have a much harder time selling.  Just as a website benefits from the “hits” it receives, the more people who “hit” your home, the faster it will sell and the more likely the odds you will get your full asking price.

Here are a few tips to help you differentiate and sell your home:

Price your home correctly – the first time! For obvious reasons, lower prices sell more quickly than higher ones. If you find you cannot sell at a lower price than comparable homes, do your best to at least make sure you are not at the highest price point.

Take time to properly market your home – a seller must sell their property.  Buyers need to see all of the great features your home boasts in your listing.  For example "Spacious kitchen with granite counter tops; Open floor plan; Large master suite with bay windows; Dual sinks plus shower and Jacuzzi tub in master bathroom; Two cozy working fireplaces; Abundant views from living area; Relaxing pool and entertaining pool area; etc."

Another way to differentiate is to offer a home warranty and mention it in your listing. Home warranties can be purchased at closing and are an inexpensive way to provide the buyer with “purchase peace of mind.”

Adding in some “freebies” doesn’t hurt either.  If you plan to leave the appliances with the home, market it in your listing.  You may also consider offering to pay the buyer’s first payment if you are not willing to drop the asking price of you house, or if you are having trouble selling. These additions will help make your listing, and as such your home, stand out.

Find a Home Direct is a rapidly growing real estate company in Texas.  We serve as a seller’s advocate in the sale of their home.  Anyone can list a home using our simple process.  As advocates, we accept no commissions, so there is minimum cost to you as a seller. Find a Home Direct collaborates with you to better market your home by creating and promoting an internet search engine friendly listing through multiple online channels. Our advocacy allows you to concentrate on staging your home without the worry of getting people to walk through the door.

Register on-line and list your home today.

WASHINGTON, DC For the nine Census Divisions, seasonally-adjusted monthly price changes from March to April ranged from -2.0 percent in the Pacific Census Division (which includes Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon and California) to 0.9 percent in the East South Central Division (which includes Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama).

“Due to the broader geographic reach and narrower range of financing types than other house price indexes, the HPI’s fall has been comparatively muted,” said OFHEO Director James B. Lockhart. “However, on a 12-month basis, there have been large geographic differences, from -15.0 percent in the Pacific to small increases in the West South Central (1.9 percent) and East South Central (0.1 percent). House prices on a nationwide basis have retreated to their December 2005 levels.”

The OFHEO monthly index is calculated using purchase prices of houses backing mortgages that have been sold to or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The index, introduced in OFHEO’s fourth quarter 2007 House Price Index (HPI) report, provides a timely indicator of house price conditions for the nation and each of the nine Census Divisions.

Monthly index values and appreciation rate estimates are provided in the table and graphs on the following pages. All estimates are seasonally adjusted and, as with OFHEO’s quarterly HPI, will be revised in later releases. Monthly seasonally-adjusted and unadjusted index data for periods extending back to January 1991 can be downloaded at

For detailed information concerning the new monthly HPI, please see the HPI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), at

– U.S. home prices fell 0.8 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from March to April, according to OFHEO’s monthly House Price Index. For the 12 months ending in April, U.S. prices fell 4.6 percent. As April 2007 was the peak of the monthly HPI, 4.6 percent is also the total fall from the peak.http://www.ofheo.gov/hpi_download.aspx. http://www.ofheo.gov/hpi.aspx?Nav=60. A full list of the states in each Census Division can be found at the end of this release. The next release of monthly index data will be on July 22, 2008. The next quarterly index will be released on August 26 and will include estimates for the second quarter of 2008. Please e-mail ofheoinquiries@ofheo.gov for a printed copy of this report.

Deven Trabosh is a single 42 year-old mother who has tried online dating for some time and has tried to sell her four bedroom home in Palm Beach, Florida for about a year now. After some though, Deven decided to try to accomplish both at the same time. She listed her home on eBay for $340,000 and added $500,000 to the shipping fee for her self.

 

eBay removed her listing due to prohibiting the listing of services policy which states relationships and or human body parts are not allowed to be sold on eBay.

 

After her listing was removed from eBay Deven decided to list her home and herself on Craigslist with the listing more focused on herself instead of her house. Wile Deven has not had any serious offers on her house she has meet someone named Claudio who she is scheduled to meet in Miami Florida soon.

 

Wile we believe you should find a way to make you home stick out as much as possible this is not the route we would have recommended but I image has put a spotlight on her home.

Newmark Homes is celebrating there 25 year anniversary this month and are giving away $25,000 for $25 towards any of the following:

• Design Center Options
• Structural Options
• Elevation Premiums

On all Built to Order Homes June 2nd - 30th
Some restrictions apply see you’re a sales professional for details.

To find a neighborhoods where Newmark Homes is building in see there website: http://www.newmarkhomes.com

Msnbc.com took a stab at America’s top 10 metros, in there top 10 there were 3 from Texas. In at No. 8 was Austin, Texas as the capital of Texas and the nation’s 16^th largest city. This Year Austin also was ranked No. 2 from Money in 2006. Austin has a strong economy and a growing population with a natural beauty that helps justify staying outdoors.

 

One notch ahead of Austin comes San Antonio, Texas in at No. 7 rated as the 10^th “largest city and one of the states largest tourism draw”, noted by Relocate-America. Was listed as the No. 2 spot in its current best pleases list and was listed as Money’s No. 8 ranked big city in 2007.

 

The third listed Texas City was Houston, Texas in at No. 4 as the energy capital of the U.S. and added aerospace, technology and medical companies to the mix. Houston is generating more then 100,000 jobs in 2007 and has been listed as the No. 1 best place to live. This year Forbes’ listed Houston as No. 40 and Money’s listing was No.3 in 2007.

 

To see the full Msnbc.com Top 10 best places to live click the link below:

Msnbc.com - Top 10 best places to live in the U.S.

On June 1, 2008 The New York Times released an article showing the top 31 places to go this summer. The locations could possibly be closer then you expected saving you some cash on expensive flights or gas. At the top of there list they have the Taxes Hill Country located west of Austin and North of San Antonio. Weather you like to shop, a wine enthusiast or just want to relax this will make a great vacation close to home.

 

There are some great small towns in the Texas Hill Country area like the German Town Fredericksburg where you can enjoy shopping and taking in the great food and small town atmosphere.

 

For all you wine enthusiast you may be surprised to know there are 22 wineries where you can go and try some of the best Texas wine available. The Texas Hill Country is said to have the best wine tours only second to California’s Napa Valley. For more details about the Texas wineries visit www.TexasWineTrail.com

 

If you are looking to relax and enjoy the views consider a bed in breakfast or maybe drifting down the Guadalupe River. To see the full list of 31 Places the New York Times recommends visit the following URL: New York Times Article

What is Building Green?  Green means that we run our business in a manner that makes us a environmentally responsible new home builder. We have committed ourselves to helping our customers save money, not only on the initial purchase price, but also throughout the life of their new William Ryan home. The changes we have made will help create a sustainable future for our planet while giving our buyers more affordable monthly utility bills and providing a safer and healthier home through improved indoor air quality.

How Much Does a GREEN Home Really SAVE? Appliances: Using Energy-Star appliances can literally save you hundreds on your utility bills. The operating cost of each appliance can be cut drastically. Here are some examples of averages energy savings: Refrigerator – 15%, Dishwasher – 41%, Front Load Washer – 42%

High Efficiency Lennox Air Conditioning: Upgrading to a 14 SEER air conditioning unit, which is included in all of William Ryan’s new homes, can cut your operating cost by 28%

Honeywell Energy-Star Programmable Thermostat: with Humidity Control, allows you to program temperature settings by day and time to save energy on heating and cooling cost.

Tech-Shield Radiant Barrier: Blocks 97% of radiant heat from transferring into your home lowering your cooling cost.

GE Tankless Water Heater: Operating a GE whole home thankless gas water heater rather than a standard 40 gallon gas thank could help you save up to 25% in water heating cost on your energy bill annually, based on 2007 fuel cost. (Testing conducted by the Department of Energy.)

Fresh Air Exchange: Provides a constant source of fresh, filtered air to flow through your new home. It moves stale, contaminated, warm air from inside the home to the outdoors. At the same time it draws fresh oxygen-laden air from outside and distributes it throughout your home. Stale, polluted air is constantly being replaced by an equal quantity of fresh clean air.

Range Vented to the Outside: Removes smoke, vapors and humidity from your cooking source to the outside keeping your home air cleaner and healthier.

R-38 Blown Ceiling Insulation: In the summer it reduces the heat transferees from the attic to the inside of your home, and in the winter keeps more warmth inside your home reducing energy cost year round.

MERV 16 Air Filter: Surpassing hospital standards of MERV 14 for surgery level filtration, removing 95% of particles ranging in size down to 0.3 micron.

Sealed Ductwork: A simple seal of all duct joints results in more air getting to where it belongs, and in turn lowers your heating and cooling cost.

Alenco Vinyl Double Pane Windows: Vinyl framed Low-E2 windows deflect much more of the Texas sun. Resisting condensation and humidity, and do not radiate heat like aluminum windows.

Low Flow Toilet and Faucets: Saves on daily water consumption.

Dual Force High Efficiency Toilets: Giving you the choice of a normal 1.6 gallon flush, or a 0.8 gallon flush when less is required. This small change will save you hundreds of gallons if water a year.

See what all William Ryan Homes has to offer visit there website for more information at www.WilliamRyanHomes.com

Release date: 05/22/2008

Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

Texas Municipal Power Agency to complete project as part of settlement with EPA

(Dallas, Texas – May 22, 2008) Texas Municipal Power Agency (TMPA) will pay a $26,250 penalty and issue $78,750 in vouchers for electric lawn mowers to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

The violations involve operations at the power provider’s Gibbons Creek Steam Electric Station in Grimes County. TMPA has since corrected the infractions and is in compliance with the Clean Air Act.

“It is imperative that business and industry do their part to help protect human health and the environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “EPA will continue to ensure that companies make every effort to follow environmental laws, so that our communities have cleaner, healthier air to breathe.”

TMPA is a municipal power company serving the cities of Bryan, Denton, Garland and Greenville. The company violated the Clean Air Act by exceeding opacity emissions limits at its facility, failing to report in writing that its continuous opacity monitoring system was out of service for 397 hours, and not submitting required emissions reports to EPA.

Under a settlement with EPA, the company will pay a civil penalty and complete a supplemental environmental project that involves issuing vouchers worth $150.00 each to designated retailers in its service area. TMPA customers and city residents can use the vouchers to purchase electric lawn mowers.

The project is aimed at helping reduce air pollution in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which currently does not meet federal requirements for ozone. Ground-level ozone, or smog, is created when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides react with sunlight. Traditional lawn mowers emit carbon monoxide, VOCs and nitrogen oxides, while electric lawn mowers produce essentially no pollution.

The TMPA vouchers are expected to help replace 525 gasoline-powered lawn mowers, which has the potential to reduce 37 tons of greenhouse gases and other pollutants per year, or the equivalent emissions of more than 22,500 new cars, each being driven 12,000 miles.

To learn more about enforcement activities in EPA Region 6, please visit http://www.epa.gov/region6/.

Money Magazine 1 Year Real Estate Prediction

Wonder what Real Estate will look like one year from now? Money Magazine has made there predictions on what they think Real Estate will look like one year from now. The S&P Case/Shiller Home Price Index, which tracks 20 of the largest housing markets, believes prices will plummet by 12.7% in the next 12 months and foreclosures increasing.

Metro Area	Home Price (median)	Price Change (5 year)	May '09 Forecast	foreclosure rate change (1 year)
McAllen, TX	$109,000	23.3%	4.0%	23%
Rochester, NY	$121,000	20.1%	2.7%	5%
Birmingham	$156,000	29.4%	2.7%	20%
Syracuse	$126,000	29.5%	2.6%	27%
Buffalo/Niagara Falls	$105,000	24.5%	2.4%	14%
New Orleans	$158,000	43.7%	2.2%	49%
Scranton	$128,000	41.1%	2.2%	8%
Baton Rouge	$170,000	38.3%	1.9%	14%
Grand Rapids	$124,000	8.3%	1.9%	37%
El Paso	$134,000	51.9%	1.8%	32%
Wichita	$114,000	17.8%	1.5%	9%
Tulsa	$128,000	18.8%	1.4%	5%
Fort Worth/Arlington	$134,000	17.4%	1.4%	16%
Indianapolis	$114,000	12.0%	1.3%	11%
Houston	$150,000	25.1%	1.2%	11%
Dallas	$161,000	15.8%	1.2%	14%
Gary, IN	$125,000	25.6%	1.1%	12%
Albany, NY	$200,000	64.1%	0.9%	10%
San Antonio	$152,000	39.6%	0.8%	22%
Greensboro, NC	$151,000	17.8%	0.6%	256%
Omaha	$136,000	17.7%	0.6%	71%
Little Rock	$128,000	28.4%	0.5%	405%
Louisville	$133,000	20.7%	0.5%	17%
Columbia, SC	$145,000	28.1%	0.3%	16%
Oklahoma City	$134,000	29.8%	0.3%	16%
Austin	$186,000	28.9%	-0.1%	-6%
Raleigh/Cary, NC	$236,000	26.4%	-0.2%	62%
Charlotte, NC	$205,000	27.8%	-0.5%	15%
Kansas City	$148,000	19.4%	-0.6%	22%
St. Louis	$134,000	31.7%	-0.8%	22%
Lake County, IL	$260,000	30.4%	-0.8%	N.A.
Pittsburgh	$144,000	18.1%	-1.3%	1%
Memphis	$124,000	8.7%	-1.5%	28%
Richmond	$226,000	61.4%	-1.8%	72%
Milwaukee	$220,000	35.7%	-1.8%	53%
Atlanta	$205,000	16.0%	-2.3%	52%
Youngstown, OH	$87,000	2.8%	-3.0%	3%
Nashville	$154,000	34.8%	-3.3%	28%
Allentown, PA	$247,000	58.9%	-3.3%	52%
Akron	$143,000	5.2%	-3.8%	15%
Toledo	$122,000	1.9%	-4.0%	12%
Cincinnati	$166,000	7.4%	-4.2%	9%
Cleveland	$145,000	1.2%	-4.3%	11%
Columbus, OH	$155,000	5.7%	-4.4%	17%
Dayton	$125,000	7.7%	-4.4%	10%
Knoxville	$144,000	35.6%	-5.2%	39%
Minneapolis/St. Paul	$235,000	15.9%	-5.6%	71%
Farmington Hills, MI	$175,000	-7.5%	-5.9%	N.A.
Poughkeepsie, NY	$260,000	50.8%	-6.8%	35%
Chicago	$279,000	29.2%	-6.8%	9%
Virginia Beach	$236,000	90.1%	-7.1%	33%
Cambridge, MA	$417,000	10.7%	-8.5%	57%
Detroit	$120,000	-6.3%	-8.6%	41%
Peabody, MA	$365,000	10.4%	-8.8%	9%
Sacramento	$330,000	23.3%	-8.9%	210%
Seattle	$430,000	61.9%	-9.0%	58%
Worcester, MA	$257,000	13.5%	-9.2%	102%
Springfield, MA	$195,000	33.6%	-9.5%	241%
Jacksonville	$197,000	47.7%	-9.6%	130%
San Diego	$522,000	31.3%	-9.7%	175%
Salt Lake City	$229,000	59.9%	-9.8%	18%
San Francisco	$840,000	40.7%	-10.1%	175%
Wilmington, DE	$259,000	50.9%	-10.3%	145%
Boston	$363,000	13.4%	-10.5%	57%
Albuquerque	$174,000	50.7%	-10.5%	23%
Denver	$254,000	4.5%	-10.8%	23%
Philadelphia	$200,000	50.0%	-11.1%	29%
Providence	$275,000	32.0%	-11.6%	107%
Oakland	$595,000	27.7%	-11.7%	266%
Baltimore	$264,000	64.7%	-12.5%	92%
San Jose	$750,000	38.7%	-12.5%	347%
Hartford, CT	$249,000	29.1%	-12.6%	51%
Bethesda, MD	$460,000	54.9%	-12.9%	118%
Ventura County, CA	$577,000	42.7%	-13.1%	240%
Tacoma	$283,000	64.3%	-13.2%	68%
Washington, DC	$408,000	49.2%	-13.2%	42%
New York City	$471,000	43.5%	-13.2%	3%
Bakersfield, CA	$255,000	73.0%	-13.6%	391%
Stamford, CT	$562,000	32.8%	-13.9%	66%
New Haven	$260,000	36.3%	-14.2%	83%
Fresno	$276,000	62.1%	-14.3%	285%
Nassau/Suffolk, NY	$465,000	40.2%	-14.4%	N.A.
Portland, OR	$306,000	62.3%	-14.7%	100%
Camden, NJ	$220,000	50.9%	-14.9%	11%
Santa Ana, CA	$669,000	52.4%	-15.2%	290%
Newark	$419,000	38.1%	-15.4%	-5%
Sarasota	$230,000	38.0%	-15.5%	458%
Edison, NJ	$358,000	36.0%	-15.8%	0%
Honolulu	$625,000	95.3%	-16.2%	129%
Los Angeles	$528,000	67.7%	-16.8%	261%
Stockton, CA	$341,000	17.8%	-16.8%	379%
Tucson	$217,000	54.5%	-16.9%	14%
Riverside, CA	$340,000	49.9%	-16.9%	299%
Tampa	$200,000	52.1%	-17.1%	281%
West Palm Beach, FL	$305,000	46.1%	-17.6%	435%
Las Vegas	$277,000	60.8%	-18.3%	2%
Phoenix	$237,000	60.9%	-18.3%	9%
Orlando	$245,000	62.5%	-21.0%	399%
Fort Lauderdale	$309,000	56.1%	-22.2%	450%
Miami	$329,000	94.8%	-24.9%	370%
USA	$206,000	32.7%	-9.7%	65%

All over the United States we are seeing large declines in house prices with states like California , Nevada and Florida seeing the largest drops. On May 22, 2008 the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) released there report for the first quarter showing a over all prices falling 1.7 percent lower then any of the quarters in 2007. Over the last year prices have fallen 3.1 percent comparing the 2007 first quarter with the 2008 first quarter. This is the largest reported decline in 17 year history.

There are currently too many homes on the market with prices too high for the market, buyer are asking for anywhere from 10 – 20 percent below asking price. Sellers are declining low offers in hope of the market picking up but, with more and more homes coming on the market each day sellers will be forced to accept a lower offer or take there home off the market. The average seller who holds a home which no one is live in will loosing more money by holding the home then they would by taking a lower offer upfront.

Not all markets are loosing money. Some markets are just not appreciating as strong as they were. The West South Central Division is showing the highest appreciation in the last year. The Texas Real Estate market was rated number 4 in the US below you can see Texas House Price Changes as of March 31st:

Time Frame	Price Change
1-Yr.	+ 4.91
Qtr.	+ 0.71
5-Yr.	+ 25.43
Since 1980	+130.58

Out of the Top 20 Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Divisions with Highest Rates of House Price Appreciation there are 3 Texas cities:
No.04 - Austin-Round Rock , TX
No.12 - El Paso, TX
No.13 - Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX

The OFHEO also reported the states with the greatest price appreciation and top largest drops for single family homes. Results were measured by comparing the 2007 1stQ and the 2008 1stQ. Some of the strongest appreciations were: Wyoming (6.3%), Utah (5.6%), Montana (4.9%), Texas (4.7%), and Alabama (4.5%). The states with the largest drop in price were: California (-10.6%), Nevada (-10.3%), Florida (-8.1%), Arizona (-5.5%) and Michigan (-3.1%).

Texas Ranked and Unranked Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Divisions

MSA	National Rank	1-YR.	Qtr.	5-Yr.
Abilene, TX		2.79		34.69
Amarillo, TX	29	4.93	0.75	24.21
Austin, TX Round Rock, TX	4	7.74	2.33	31.89
Beaumont, TX Port Arthur, TX	13	6.29	0.49	31.84
Brownsville, TX Harlingen, TX		5.69		18.94
College Station, TX Bryan, TX		4.22		23.05
Corpus Christi, TX	111	2.36	-0.36	32.59
Dallas, TX Plano, TX Irving, TX	63	3.76	0.98	16.54
El Paso, TX	12	6.29	1.62	51.79
Forth Worth, TX Arlington, TX	103	2.59	-0.22	16.39
Houston, TX Sugar Land, TX Baytown, TX	45	4.38	1.24	26.13
Killeen, TX Temple, TX Fort Hood, TX		1.52		23.58
Laredo, TX		4.35		32.08
Longview , TX		2.92		39.88
Lubbock, TX	39	4.56	2.71	20.28
McAllen, TX Edinburg, TX Mission, TX		1.83		22.75
Midland, TX		11.40		72.78
Odessa, TX		13.04		75.35
San Angelo, TX		6.38		38.85
San Antonio, TX	73	3.47	-0.86	37.05
Sherman, TX Denison, TX		0.19		18.36
Texarkana, TX		4.13		21.05
Tyler, TX		7.36		28.42
Victoria, TX		8.92		31.64
Waco, TX		2.43		23.71
Wichita Falls, TX		3.07		26.75

OFHEO House Price Index (HPI)

Year	Qtr.	HPI	Year	Qtr.	HPI
2008	1	230.58	2007	1	220.25
			2007	2	224.56
			2007	3	226.51
			2007	4	228.96

Year	Qtr.	HPI	Year	Qtr.	HPI
2006	1	206.22	2005	1	194.80
2006	2	209.80	2005	2	197.97
2006	3	213.34	2005	3	201.04
2006	4	217.02	2005	4	203.35

Year	Qtr.	HPI	Year	Qtr.	HPI
2004	1	187.78	2003	1	183.83
2004	2	189.72	2003	2	185.01
2004	3	191.23	2003	3	185.60
2004	4	193.51	2003	4	186.83

All report data was provided by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO)

It is once again time for the annual Home Builder Association (HBA) of Greater Austin Parade of Homes. HBA has presented the Parade of Homes for the last 55 years now. The tour allows individuals to see the later homes designs, interior decocting, landscapes and even pool deigns. All benefits going to the Make a Wish foundation.

The Parade of Homes starts on May 17th ends June 1st 2008 and is open from Thursday – Monday from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm. The Parade is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday and will also be closed for bad weather. The community hosting the event is Waters Edge at Rough Hollow, Lakeway Texas. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for cash (No Credit Cards) for $12 per adults, $10 for senior and children under 17. Children under 3 are free.

Builders involved in the Parade of Homes:
• Copperleaf Property Group LLC
• Jenkins Custom Homes, Inc.
• New AustinHomes
• McCullogh Gray
• Sterling Custom Homes, Inc.
• VII Custom Homes

To view more details over the event  or to contact them for more information visit the HBA site:
http://www.austinhomebuilders.com/

Family Fun Day! Presented my Highland Homes. To celebrate the Pre-Grand Opening of Sterling Ridge, Highland Homes has Balloon Artist, Face Painter, Bounce House and Music. Come out during May 17th & 18th as well as May 24th & 25th to enjoy Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and Sodas.

Also wile enjoying your self register to win a Hitachi – Ultravision 50” Plasma. One Lucky Winner each weekend. Entries valid from May 17th – 25th

To see what Highland Homes has to offer and to see full details on there event and promotion visit there site at:
http://www.highlandhomes.com/website.nsf/HI/Houston.html

The Aliana™ Master-Planned Community spans nearly 2,000 acres, and located in Fort Bend County, just west of Sugar Land at the east side of the Grand Parkway and west side of FM 1464. With homes ranging from the $200’s - $750’s and builders including Mercedes Homes, Coventry Homes, Meritage Homes, J.Patrick Homes, Newmark Homes and Perry Homes.

Amenities:
• 1,000 trees included in the first phase alone
• Running streams through parks
• Miles of hike and bike trails
• Highest water treatments standards in Texas
• 300 gallon resort-style pool including splash park and junior Olympic pool
• Two professional polo fields

The community is located between two of the finest golf courses in the region — the Houstonian Golf & Country Club and Shadow Hawk Golf Club. Designed by the legendary Rees Jones, these two private courses offer you exceptional championship golf in an exquisite environment.

The Aliana™ Master-Planned Community is in the Fort Bend ISD’s school district which has experienced an explosive growth which is fueled by a solid reputation for educational excellence, and Fort Bend is planning for the future with eight more campuses over the next three years.

With easy access to the Grand Parkway, Westpark Tollway, Highway 90A and Highway 6, the community is only minutes from the sophisticated retailers and restaurants at Sugar Land Town Square and an easy 20-minute drive to the exclusive shops of the Galleria in southwest Houston.

To learn more about the Aliana™ Master-Planned Community visit there site:
http://www.alianahouston.com

For the weekend only May 16-18, 2008 Lennar Homes and UAMC announce a one in a lifetime finace plane so you can buy a new home now.

2.88% Fixed for the first year, 3.88% fixed for the second year and 4.88%-5.38% for life! **

In addition Lennar will is offering “The Drive is on the house!” Visit a Lannar Community this Saturday and receive $20 gas voucher when you Pre-qualify.*** Ask about what additional incentives they are offering in your area.**

To see a list of home offered in you area and view the full details of there current promotions visit the Lennar’s website:

http://www.lennar.com/tx

The Houston real estate market is seeing an increased activity this year. There are many properties available for sale in the city of Houston in Texas. If you have plans of purchasing properties in Houston, this is the ripe time to invest your hard-earned money in real estate in Texas and watch it grow.

Property prices in Houston in Texas were never better than now. The property market is slow and the prices prove to be the most apt for buyers interested in buying real estate property in Texas. You can locate some very good deals in the Texas real estate market in the present conditions. It is best to buy real estate in Houston now.

While analyzing real estate property available for sale in Houston, weigh few options carefully before taking any concrete decision of purchasing real estate in Texas. Real estate properties could be single-family homes, apartments, patio homes, town homes, or others. Some of the homes could require repairs like flooring, landscaping, or upgrading of certain amenities.

Before buying real estate property in Houston, look into the costs involved and strike deals accordingly. This can help you secure real estate in Texas at the most attractive prices. Further, the current trend of real estate in Houston indicates a buyer’s market. This is therefore the most conducive for a lifetime investment. 

Houston ranks among the most popular cities in the United States. Investing in real estate property in Houston now can be a good lifetime decision. The areas around the Inner Loop of Houston ranks among the most sought after districts for purchase of real estate property in Houston. The area is well maintained, conveniently located, and offers easy access to shopping and dining possibilities.

Choosing townhomes across real estate properties available for sale in Houston in Texas is a popular option and in sync with the current trend. Townhomes offer high degree of security and the maintenance costs are very low. You can experience the benefits of purchasing a real estate property in Texas. Further, purchasing a townhome at a low-cost could turn into a long–term investment option.

Cordova Bend Exclusive Lakeside Community is now promoting there Phase II Grand Opening. The Cordova Bend master planned community is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country and extends for over six miles along the shores of Canyon Lake and the Guadalupe River.

The Cordova Bend is a gated community and consist of 131 acres of home sites ranging from 1.5 acres to 30 acres. The home sites offer everything from waterfront views of Canyon Lakes and the Guadalupe River and also provided hill top views.

Wile there are some restrictions in place to protect your investment. Wile there is no time limit to build on your home site once started you have 9 months to complete the exterior. There are also some nice amenities as well like Private Gated Entrance, Underground Utilities, City Water, Private Lake Park, Jogging and Biking Lanes. If you are looking to do some fishing and catch some white bass on the Guadalupe River, sail the waters of the Canyon Lake, or relax wile looking into the great views under the canopy of ancient oak and elm trees come see the Phase II of Cordova Bend.

Cordova Bend master planned community is located twenty four miles north of San Antonio and eleven miles from Bulverde.
http://www.cordovabend.com

While the rest of the country seems to be worried about the worsening housing market, El Paso is going through a bit of a renewal on many fronts. Property sales are actually on the increase, both commercially and privately. Although actual dollar figures seem to have frozen from their previous upward trend, sales are continuing to rise, fueling hope that the city will be able to weather any coming housing changes without any problems.

On the commercial front, many new businesses are purchasing property and the downtown area is undergoing quite a change. The Plaza Hotel which sat vacant for years was recently purchased by Paul Foster, and the El Paso Electric Company purchased the Station Tower a few days later. Many are a bit puzzled by the sudden interest in the Downtown area, but for now, no one is knocking the renewal.

Several real estate investment trust firms are also getting involved in property in this area. Kathy Dodson, El Paso’s Economic Development Director stated, "The way the investment is taking place in the Downtown core -- with the International Hotel, Mills, the Chase Bank building and all the upgrading -- is not following the pattern, at least not yet," she said. "We need to recreate the market down here. In Santa Monica, you'll have national retailers right next to a local shop, a Cheesecake Factory next to a local eatery. You create an atmosphere where there's something for everyone."

On the private home front, prices have stalled out from their previous increases, settling in at a 3.4% jump from the previous year. Home sales are still strong though, with the median price coming it at $131,900 for an average home. "We should be cheering that our prices are still moving (up), and we're not seeing the declines" of many other markets, said Dan Olivas, president of the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors. "We still have a very vibrant market."

According to analysts, the slow down is actually still in step with the annual rates of appreciation, which range from 2 to 4%. Although rates have gone much higher in the past few years, they seem to be settling down back towards the norm. However, prices may take a jump later this year thanks to some new developments that are scheduled to begin as well as the planned expansion of Fort Bliss.

In addition to these developments, a planned land swap could be very good for the city. The section of land in question is located on Loop 375 and Montana, and is currently owned by the US Government. However, plans are in place to swap the land for rangeland elsewhere in the state, opening up the area for developers. New homes and businesses are currently being planned for this area. Tanny Berg, a local developer stated, "It has always been envisioned as being the premier intersection," particularly since the city began expanding eastward. Berg concluded that the new developments could bring "A whole different face of this community, and a whole new personality."

The real estate market in the Houston metro area is experiencing a number of shifts and trend changes that are shaking up the way business is being conducted. Although the real estate experienced a significant decline in recent months, this decline in home sales began to slow in October, and prices began to hold up from that point on. The Houston Metro area is planned to experience a significant amount of relief as new figures for future months continue to reflect a much healthier housing environment on a local level when compared to the rest of the United States. The performance of sales and pricing today are still outpacing what happened in 2005.

Although the real estate market in the Houston Metropolitan area has been having a lot of trouble over the past year or so, things appear to be finally turning around for the industry as real estate rates continue to drop consistently. The number of homes available in the Houston metropolitan area as far as active listings are concerned is increasing steadily at about 14.4 percent per year. October 2007 saw the first decline in active listings since December 2006, but the active listings count is on the rise again.

Recent months have seen a sharp decrease in interest rates, which in turn leads to a steady increase in the number of real estate sales that occur during those months. Several sharp decreases in real estate rates have shaken up the real estate industry in the Houston Metropolitan area, making the home buying process significantly easier for individuals who could not afford the process only months earlier.

The overall median prices for single-family homes are also decreasing, though only by a small percent. The average single-family home in the Houston Metropolitan area costs around $145,390, which is a 0.5 percent drop compared to late 2006. This figure, however, represented a total of a 3.1 percent drop over the span of the last six months or so, which is an indicator that the median price for home sales will continue to drop slowly over time, making it possible for more real estate to sell in the coming months than was originally anticipated.

The median price in the townhouse and condominium segment in the Metropolitan area of Houston on the other hand had increased significantly in the past couple of months, from $125,000 to $132,000, reflecting the popularity trend in condominiums and townhouses as they become viable and affordable options for individuals looking to flip real estate, and for families looking to settle down.

What does this mean for the real estate market? Obviously things are being shaken up, as interest rates and home prices rise and fall, and trends in the real estate market shift from certain types of real estate to others. So if the real estate market is unfavorable today, it may be favorable again as quickly as next month.

Houston, Texas is known as one of the best cities to live in whether you’re a young professional, family or couple. You are able to choose from either urban dwelling to the traditional suburban lifestyle. When you’re considering relocating to Houston you will want to become familiarized with the surrounding communities. Since Houston has a culturally diverse population there are hundreds of different housing options.

In the 1960s housing developers created the "master-planned community." Homes within these communities come with enforced regulations and restrictions; however, there are many amenities you are able to enjoy. With tree-crowded neighborhoods, educational facilities and community centers within these master-planned communities there are many reasons to relocate to this type of living arrangement.

Carefully built communities can be found scattered throughout many Houston suburbs including, Ford Bend County, Jersey Village, League City, Katy, Friendswood as well as The Woodlands. These communities are surrounded by modern conveniences, such as shopping centers and notable eateries, as well as wooded areas and bodies of water. While living in an urban area is possible, many Houstonians choose to settle in wooded neighborhoods.

Unlike the common misconception that Houston is a dry and brown city, the wildlife in Houston is vibrant. As Houston began to develop, the city expanded into rural areas, which now provides a unique mingling of diverse neighborhoods. Historical homes in Houston provide a cultural backbone to the city. In South Main, Third Ward, Denver Harbor, Houston Heights and Acres Homes, among others, feature neighborhoods full of old-world character and historical homes.

The River Oaks area is known as having large oak trees and even larger homes. While finding a new construction home is difficult in this area, existing homes are excellent renovation projects. If living within suburbia does not sound appealing, Houston has many booming urban neighborhoods, which offer eclectic surroundings and beautiful homes. In downtown Houston you are able to enjoy the Theater District, Minute Maid Park and Major League Baseball.

Loft living is very popular in the Midtown section of Houston, and with numerous new-construction high-rise apartments, there are many choices made available. Since many home-buyers are seeking living quarters with character and vibrancy, many historical buildings have been renovated into spacious lofts. In Midtown Houston you will find townhomes instead of single-family homes. These townhomes will provide you with privacy, without having to leave the confines of the city.

Traveling throughout downtown Houston is made easy through the METRORail transportation service. This rail line weaves its way throughout the entire downtown area of Houston, as well as to the northern side of downtown. With stops that include the Museum District, Reliant Park and Rice University, the METRORail is very popular among downtown inhabitants.

In the early 1900s The Heights was a budding neighborhood and throughout the decades this small suburb has turned into one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Houston. With massive Victorian homes lining the tree-lined streets, you are able to feel as if you’ve escaped the hustle-and-bustle of the city, which is way so many families and young professionals are relocating to this location. With an average home sale price of $270,000 this neighborhood is designed for financially established buyers.

The Woodlands is a neighborhood that has been expanding ever since its establishment in 1974. Throughout the years, this community has developed into a haven for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts. The Woodlands has six world-class golf courses, ninety parks, 124 miles of bike and hike paths as well as twelve community swimming pools. Due to the wide variety of homes, schools, recreation options and amenities The Woodlands has earned the title of #1 community in the state of Texas since 1990.

With a home averaging a sales price of $287,496 The Woodlands is decently priced for the community it is known for. Since this community is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in Houston, home values are only expected to rise. Making a home purchase in The Woodlands a financially wise decision, and many families are purchasing homes here as investment opportunities. This community has been recognized as one of the nation’s top master-planned communities, and being located only 30 miles north of downtown Houston; you are able to enjoy wooded areas as well as sprawling urban districts.

Real estate around the country is beginning to dwindle, and in many cities buying and selling can be a definite headache. However, Houston’s current market is resting above the national average for home sales. If you have good credit and are able to afford a 20% down payment, the Houston market can be very reasonable. New home communities are constantly popping up around Houston, many of which are being sold for under market value.

Because of the massive amount of growth in recent years, and in years to come, real estate in Houston is truly a buyers market. Since there are many homes being built and sold within any given moment, buyers are able to have a wide selection, allowing negotiations to be in hand of the buyer. It will be very easy to have two to three homes to compare before deciding on making an offer.

The median home price in Houston is $150,500 and there is at least 20,000 homes for sale within any given moment buying a house is easy within Houston. While this is great news for buyers, sellers are having a slightly harder time getting rid of their home. Since competition is so rough within this market, there are more sellers than buyers, thus leaving some homes to go unsold for month’s on-end.

Since Houston’s median price for a home is nearly 32.8% cheaper than the national median, which is $223,900 many individuals are beginning to relocate to this city. With the best of urban and wooded lifestyles, Houston has the ability to satisfy the living requirements for many types of individuals. Remember, if you are unfamiliar with the neighborhoods ask your real estate agent to recommend suburbs and always choose at least two houses to compare before making a final offer.

Hi, I am the owner of Find a Home Direct a Texas based For Sale by Owner web site.

With the market weak and two other people I know looking to sell there house as well this summer we decided to run test. The other two individuals were going to use Realtors and I was going to sell my home FSBO (For Sale by Owner) and see who sells there home first as well as who gets closer to there goal selling price. One of the individuals has a house in the same neighborhood as I with almost the same square feet. We all got together and discussed what our plans were and our goals.

We all put our homes on the market at the same time May 25th, as of today I have a contract on my house which I should be closing on Sep. 28th. I sold my house for $3,000.00 under my goal price due to a roof issue I was unaware of. It was brought to my attention during the inspection, I brought in a second opinion and it was in fact a problem. As of this point the two individuals I was competing with have all lowered there price to there goal price or below with no serious offers pending.

By all mean I know there are a lot of factors in place that could affect a home sale and if we ran the test again with 3 other homes with the same setup I’m sure the results could be very. Ether way I new I did not want to pay a realtor 3% for putting up a For Sale sign on my yard, add flyers to my sign and doing a couple open house. That to me was not worth 3%.

I keep stating 3% because I factored in my goal price that I would possibly have to pay 3% to the buyer’s agent. If you don’t offer a percent to the buyer’s agent, then no Realtors will be willing to bring any of there clients by to see your home. I think this is a key peace that most FSBO do not see or consider. Wile I know the whole point of selling your home FSBO is to avoid agent fees, you have to keep in mind that most buyer’s use Realtors to help them find a home because ether the buyer feels safer using a Realtor, they do not want to look for the homes them self, they do not know where to look for the homes or possibly do not have time in there busy schedule. How the Realtors fees are not taken from the buyer they do not have a reason not to use a Realtor. So wile you are selling your home FSBO make sure to factor in a 3% for the buyers agent to your goal price.

Houston is on the brink of adopting an ordinance that would ban new concrete crushing sites within 1500 feet of mostly residential neighborhoods and, among other places, within 1500 feet of hospitals, nursing homes, schools, churches.

Currently when dust from the concrete crushing plants settles on nearby homes and businesses the city government can write citations, but it seldom does.

Plans are in place by the environmental officials to possibly hire some new enforcement officers to help keep the concrete dust out of Houston neighborhoods

Alex. Brown Realty Inc. and Presidian Cos. have joined to develop a Hilton Garden Inn in the retail portion of the Telfair master-planned community in Sugar Land.

The 203-room hotel will be developed as part of the planned Crossing at Telfair, a 110-acre, mixed-use project at State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A, one mile north of Sugar Land Town Center. Crossing at Telfair will feature 500,000 square feet of office, medical, retail and restaurant space in an urban-pedestrian atmosphere.

ABR Chesapeake Fund III, a real estate investment fund sponsored by Baltimore-based ABR, a privately held real estate investment manager, provided an equity investment of more than $3.6 milion to the venture.

Gary Dunkum of Houston-based Live Oak Capital arranged for equity capital, the construction loan and permanent debt.

Construction is slated to begin in May with an opening in late 2008.

The hotel will also include 7,000 square feet of meeting space, an outdoor pool, fitness center, restaurant and bar.

Presidian Cos. is a commercial real estate investment, development and management firm based in San Antonio.

Source

Perry Homes has a $10,000 Buyers Bonus on select inventory homes, offers expires 04/30/07 act quickly.

League City will be growing by over 10,000 homes! League City has approved 10,000 new homes to be built between 517 and 518. This will mean great things for League City Real Estate. 
 
Date Released: 04/08/2007
 League City TX Real Estate League City will be growing by over 10,000 homes! League City has approved 10,000 new homes to be built between 517 and 518. This will mean great things for League City Real Estate. The new developments will help raise the prices of older neighborhoods, and they will offer variety for buyers.
 

Source

Metro put the word out last week that it's looking for a developer to collaborate with on a transit-oriented development, which is a project mixing residential and commercial uses near a rail stop.

Metro wants this project built within the next two years at the Texas Medical Center Transit Center on nearly five acres at Fannin and Pressler.

The property would be built atop the existing transit center, which was constructed to accommodate vertical development.

Metro hopes to establish a short list of four to six developers capable of building this sort of project.

It says the development would increase ridership on the transit system, generate economic development through new jobs and support the growth of the Medical Center.

As part owner, it could also provide Metro with a profit.

Source

In 1987, brothers Bill, Bob and Steve Darling joined forces to build homes in the new master-planned Stonebridge Ranch development in McKinney, Texas, a northern suburb of Dallas. Their goal was to establish a legacy of a quality company providing unsurpassed customer service.

20 years later, Darling Homes has grown into one of the premier builders in Dallas and Houston with product lines that range from thoughtfully designed homes to high-end luxury models priced upwards of $1 million. The original four-person company now employs 220 people and just completed a record year generating $264 million in revenues and some 709 houses sold.

“What I’m most proud of is that with my two brothers we’ve not only built a successful business but we’re also closer than ever,” said Bill Darling, president and CEO. “We’re incredibly humbled by our success. When we started the company back in the 1980s we wanted to build houses that would be good enough to share our family name.”

The Darling brothers were raised in the homebuilding business, but each took a different path early in their careers. As a custom homebuilder, Bob developed a unique eye for detail, Steve gained an understanding of how to blend custom-home features with the need for volume, and Bill provided business instincts and leadership skills to establish the vision for the company.

“Each of us has a specialty that complements each another, so it has made us the perfect team,” said Bob Darling. “The fact that Steve and I are able to combine our expertise in custom and production homes has allowed us to create a unique style. Then Bill adds the marketing expertise, and it has all worked beautifully.”

“We’ve significantly exceeded our own expectations for the company,” added Steve. “We all do what we love and make a difference in the community. We feel good about what we’ve created.”

For the Darlings, the harmony of their unique disciplines has brought a sense of balance to the company and ultimately led to its continued success.

In 1998, after establishing itself as one of the premier builders in North Texas, Darling Homes seized an opportunity to expand in another significant marketplace in Texas. The company was approached by developers of The Woodlands, an upscale master-planned community just north of Houston, and since that day, Darling has expanded into more than 20 communities throughout the area.

This year, Darling Homes will undertake the development of an entire community when it begins construction on Newman Village in Frisco, Texas. Designed to meet the needs of the selective homebuyer, Newman Village will combine a sense of community with nature, community activities and the arts.

“We’re looking forward to the new adventure of Newman Village, and we plan to apply our homebuilding philosophy to creating a community unlike any other,” said Bill Darling.

The company, however, is not just about building homes. The Darling brothers and their company are driven by a strong commitment to dedicate time and resources to help each community that Darling Homes touches and to positively impact the lives of neighbors. The company is heavily involved with Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center, Children’s Medical Center Legacy, The Boys and Girls Club and other community initiatives.

“Together we share a passion for building people’s dreams,” said Bill. “This can be a difficult, competitive business. But when we see the joy of each family that moves into a Darling home that is what continues to make this so gratifying.”

Source

A bill that enables The Woodlands to pursue its own form of governance was unanimously passed by the Texas Senate on Wednesday.

The legislation moves the master-planned community of more than 85,000 residents closer to its goal of becoming a city.

Senate Bill 1012 amends the Texas Governance Code to allow cities and communities to enter regional partnership agreements like the one reached in December by Houston Mayor Bill White and Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands.

Under the agreement, Houston would forgo annexing The Woodlands, and in return the community would share the cost of regional improvements, including parks and roads. The Woodlands would contribute $16 million up front and $45 million over 30 years using sales tax money.

A companion House bill filed by Rep. Ron Eissler, R-The Woodlands, was passed by the Land and Resource Management Committee Tuesday night, and is expected to go the full House this week or next week.

Williams and Eissler each plan to file a second bill next week that enables The Woodlands to expand the boundaries of its existing special tax district. The expanded district would be a transitional form of governance until the community could incorporate.

If passed, the community would vote in November to approve the new special district.

Source

U-Haul has released their annual survey of one way truck deliveries for  2006 which provides a picture of where people are moving themselves to. Los Angeles took the lead followed by Houston and Atlanta.

The Top 10 UHAUL Destinations for 2006

1. Los Angeles
2. Houston
3. Atlanta
4. Chicago
5. Sacramento
6. Orlando
7. Phoenix
8. Dallas
9. Baltimore
10. Tampa

Source

It's happened in two Clay County subdivisions. People who thought they were leasing homes with an option to buy are instead being evicted, and the homes are being sold on the steps of the courthouse.

It turns out the homes had been bought by several "straw buyers," which means they buy up multiple mortgages all at once, pretending each is their home. However, the straw buyers eventually went broke.

Most people only sell a small number of homes in their lifetime. With such limited experience, how do you expect to be capable of maximizing your profits from your home sale? Many sellers make the mistake of assuming that all real estate agents are the same and list with the first agent who comes along. Not taking the time to research the agent who will list your house could cost you thousands of dollars.

Start the process by doing a bit of legwork. Ask your friends, relatives, and co-workers for referrals to good agents. Also, drive around town and look for agents with the most signs posted, ads, and marketing material in the market. Interview two or three agents to find out which one is right for you.

1. Ask prospective agents to send some information about themselves. You can often get a good idea about which agents are the most professional by looking at their personal marketing material. If they don’t have professional marketing material, how will they market your home? Track how long each agent takes to respond to your request. If they don’t respond quickly and efficiently, assume that this is also how they will handle the listing of your home.

2. A good listing agent will have experience at listing, marketing and selling homes. Ask how many homes they have listed and sold in the past six months. Look for an agent with not just experience, but the track record that reflects that experience. Many agents boast that they have been in the industry for a long time, but may only have five or six sales a year. Your agent should have not just a good record of listing homes, but actually selling them. That is your ultimate goal.

3. Ask how long it takes for the agent to sell a home on average compared to other agents in your area. Just because an agent sells homes quickly doesn’t necessarily mean they are selling them for top dollar. Look at what the asking price of the houses they have sold was as compared to the actual sales price. Ideally, your agent should sell homes quickly at or close to the asking price.

4. Ask how long the agent has been selling real estate and what professional organizations he or she belongs to. As mentioned previously, the length of time an agent has been in the industry is not a sure-fire sign that they are a quality agent. An agent with two years of experience may be a top producer while an agent who has been in the business for more than a decade may only sell real estate part time. Also, take into account what professional organizations your potential agent belongs to. At a minimum, they should be a licensed real estate agent that belongs to the local real estate board and multiple listing service as well as the state and National Association of Realtors. Additionally, look for agents who belong to local community groups and associations such as the chamber of commerce; they will have better networking abilities and can find more potential buyers for your home.

5. Ask what type of supporting staff the agent employs. By employing an assistant or staff to handle the details of their business, the agent can spend more time servicing your needs and showing your house to buyers. Make sure you know how much time the assistant will spend handling the sale of your home. It is fine if the assistant handles the legwork and paperwork as long as the agent is there at the most critical times of the transaction.

6. Ask what type of schedule the agent has planned for open houses. If the agent is merely putting a sign up on your lawn and holding open houses every Sunday, it will do little to sell your home. Look for an agent who has a developed marketing strategy to attract the best potential buyers to your open house. The open house should be just one part of a complete marketing system.

7. Review with your agent the comparable sold prices in your neighborhood to establish your asking price. Pricing is one, if not the most critical, aspect of selling your home. Take great care in choosing an agent that understands proper pricing strategies. The selling price should attract potential buyers to your home, net you the most profit, and reflect the current market conditions and the overall condition of your home. Be realistic and avoid agents who will overprice just to get the listing. Some agents will suggest a high dollar amount just to get you to list, while others will under price a home just so it will sell quickly.

8. Ask what the listing agreement entails, when the listing starts and ends, and what the fees are that you will have to pay. Have your agent go over every detail in the listing agreement with you until you understand it completely. Be certain the beginning and expiration dates are on the agreement; a standard length of a listing can last three to six months depending on the market. Know exactly what fees you will pay and consider that cheaper is not always better. If the agent stands to make very little commission, you can be certain that he/she will not do the best to market your property effectively. Be careful of agents who offer to list for a lower commission; they will usually spend very little money or time marketing your home.
Fact: Many agents in the area will most likely not show and sell your house.
Fact: When many agents see that the commission has been reduced many will refuse to show your house.
Fact: What drives up the price buyers will pay for your house is for every potential buyer to see your house.
Fact: Houses listed by discount brokers generally stay on the market longer and sell at a lower price! Offering a full commission is part of selling your house for top dollar.

9. Ask about which disclosure laws will apply to you. Your agent should help you with locating professional inspectors for the various mandatory home inspections required in your area. Create a home marketing file including a property fact sheet, a property transfer disclosure statement, pest control report, applicable study zone report, structural engineering report, property profile from the title company, plans for alterations or additions, and special equipment report for pools, spas, sprinklers and alarm systems. Your agent should handle all of these for you. Your agent should recommend getting all of this completed up front before your buyer steps into the picture. Not having these done in advance will only complicate the sale.

10. Ask what things separate your agent from the competition. Does your agent have a written 30-day marketing plan? Your agent should have effective advertising including 24/7-hour advertisement capability. Agents who have innovative marketing strategies will always outperform agents who rely on outdated techniques. Merely putting an ad in the newspaper no longer gets the job done. There are numerous ways to make your home available to the buying public. Be sure the agent uses every one of them to attract the largest pool of buyers.

Choose your agent wisely. Choose your agent by asking questions of him or her. Find out how knowledgeable they are about houses currently for sale in your price range and also of houses that have recently sold. Can your agent recommend a good lender that has the reputation of excellent customer service and low rates to assist your new buyer with financing? A good listing agent can get your house sold quickly at top dollar and help you find a new home.

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Celebrating there newest model in the new section of Lakes of Highland Glen Newmark Homes has decided to go with an Easter themed grand opening on Saturday April 7^th from 11:00am till 2:00pm. Radio Station KRBE will be present and giving away 104 prices such as bikes, DVDs, and MP3 players.

Children will be able to hunt for Easter Eggs, have there faces painted and burn off energy jumping in a moonwalk. Food also will be served.

Newmark builds in three sections of Lakes of Highland Glen in Pearland near Beltway 8 and Hobby Airport. With many designs available and with prices staring in the $160,000s through the $370,000s and up to 4,572 square feet you will have plenty of options to choose from.

Now Open LaCenterra Phase 1, a town center-style shopping and entertainment with tenants including Ann Taylor Loft, Coldwater Creek, Eddie Bauer and Starbucks. Located off of Grand Parkway and Cinco Ranch Boulevard.

http://www.lacenterra.com/

 

Offering a variety of homes for buyers, Perry Homes in Shadow Creek Ranch expands into Fort Bend County opening two new sections and three model homes. Currently offering one and two story homes, priced from the $180,000s through the $400,000s.

Perry Homes is currently offering bonuses from $5,000 to $10,000 on all sales in the community.

Houston -

First segment.

 

Phil Obgurn, UBuildIt Remodeling

 

1)  I want to focus on the economics, in terms of return, on certain projects:

 

·        Kitchen

·        Bathroom

·        Media room

 

2)  What projects tend not to be as profitable?

 

3)  I’ve seen homes that have had enormous changes, both interior and exterior, but the value didn’t seem to make sense in light of the neighborhood. Are there times where it may make more sense to look to build a new home in such situations?

 

4)  What are some new technologies or products that people are really interested in pursuing in changing their homes or will be once they become better known.

 

Second segment

 

Phil Ogburn, Talking about Green Building

 

1)  Green building is one of the hot topics in Real Estate today, when did you notice this trend begin to happen?

 

2)  What do you attribute the drive towards Green?  I would think concern about the environment is only one reason, maybe not even the main reason.

 

3)  For remodeling, what are the most popular Green changes people make?

 

4)  For building a new home, rank the most common areas, discuss the areas people are slow about pursuing, and tell us why?

 

5)  What do you see in the future when it comes to Green building?

 

Third segment

 

The UBuildIt Process and the upcoming UBuildIt New Home Seminar.  March 15^th.

The right phrasing in real estate listings can speed a sale and even boost the final price, a Canadian study says. And here's a tip: If you must sell, don't put "must sell" in your ad.

By Marilyn Lewis

RISMEDIA, Feb. 9, 2007-In real estate listings, what's the difference between describing your home as "beautiful" versus "move-in condition"? About $12,500 on a $250,000 home.

Professor Paul Anglin, a real estate economist in Guelph, Ontario, says that homes described as "beautiful" in real estate listings sell for 5% more while "move-in condition" has no effect on sale price.

Anglin and his colleagues from the University of Windsor and researchers from Canada Mortgage and Housing examined about 20,000 real estate listings and sales data in Windsor and Essex counties, Ontario, from between 1997 and early 2000. Among other things, they studied how listings' phrasing affected sale prices and the length of time it took for the listings to close.

When speed is of the essence
Listings with the words "beautiful" or "gorgeous" sold 15% faster. "Landscaping" in a listing hastened a sale by 20%. Describing a property as in "move-in condition" quickened the sale by 12%. Calling a home a "handyman special" cut sale time by half (researchers excluded listings that used the term to describe a workshop or hobby area).

Other familiar jargon, such as "must see" or "vacant," or including the information that a seller was moving, had virtually no effect on the time before a sale. The kiss of death appears to be language that reeks of desperation-words such as "motivated" and "must sell." These slowed sales by 30%. The term "ranch" house slowed sales by 10%. Properties described as rentals (income producing) took 60% longer to sell. Though Anglin assumes the basic effects he identified are universal, the size of their impact will vary by locale, he says.

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Perry Homes opens new Fort Bend community in Creekmont with two model homes near completion.  Off Texas 6 one and a half miles East of Fort Bend Parkway, great access to the Galleria, Texas Medical center area, Downtown and airport.

Creekmont has a recreation area planed for the first phase that will included a swimming pool, children’s pool and play area.

A balloon mortgage is a loan that is provided for a short period of time for a set amount of money. Balloon mortgages will often involve periodic payments that are made at a fixed interest rate. During this period, the loan may not be amortized. The balance of the loan has to be paid in full at a specific time.

Another feature of balloon mortgages is that they will combine many of the features seen in adjustable rate mortgages and fixed mortgages. The interest rate will remain fixed for a certain period of time, which may be from 5 to 7 years. The payments will be based on an amortization cycle that lasts 30 years. If homeowners can't pay the balance by the end of the term, the lender will decide how the payments will be made. The sum is usually converted into a fixed rate mortgage.

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Thanks to the hard work of local Habitat for Humanity volunteers, 18 low-income families in Fort Bend County will be able to own their own home in the coming new year.

Construction on the Habitat Village in Rosenberg is already well underway, and if all goes as planned the selected families will be ready move into their new homes sometime in February.

A total of 18 houses are being built down the future Habitat Lane, which will be located on a 3.5-acre tract of land that sits between Old Richmond Road, Avenue F, Jeanetta and Damon streets in Rosenberg.

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Did you know that you can avoid paying taxes on $250,000 of capital gains when you sell your house?

It's true -- you just have to meet a few requirements. Anyone planning to sell a primary residence in the near future should read up on the exciting new home-sale exclusion rules. You used to be able to exclude up to $125,000 of gain just once in your life, but you can now exclude up to a whopping $250,000 every few years.

If that isn't tantalizing enough, consider that married couples can exclude up to half a million dollars.

Here are some of the requirements:

You, the seller, must have owned and lived in the home as your principal residence for at least two of the five years preceding the date of sale. The two years don't have to be consecutive, though.
In most cases, you can take advantage of this home-sale exclusion only once during any two-year period.
A married couple may exclude up to $500,000 of their home-sale gain if all of the following apply:
They file a joint return for the year of the home sale.
Either spouse owned the home for at least two years in the five-year period ending on the sale date.
Both spouses used the home as a principal residence for at least two years in the five-year period ending on the sale date.
Neither spouse had used the new exclusion on the sale of another residence within the two-year period ending on the date of the current home's sale.

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In today's mobile society, most people buy and sell homes many times over their lifetime. The marketability and ease with which a home is likely to sell is an important consideration when purchasing real estate. This article briefly reviews some common structural and maintenance features of a home or condo that could adversely impact the owner's ability to sell the home.

Problems with the Lot or Site

1. Limited Or No Yard Space. Buyers may avoid homes or condos that have limited or no yard space, especially if comparable homes in the community have this feature.

2. Unappealing Views. Homes or condos with no views or unappealing views are less desirable than properties with appealing views.

3. Flag Lots. Flag lots do not meet minimum frontage requirements, and access to the street is limited and often through a private right-of-way or driveway. Some buyers may find flag lots undesirable.

4. High-Tension Electrical Lines. The presence of high-tension electrical lines near a home or condo may dissuade some buyers from purchasing a property.

5. Street Problems. Buyers may avoid homes or condos that have very steep driveways or are situated on busy or noisy streets.

6. Water Drainage. Properties situated on lots that may flood or lack proper drainage are likely to have resale problems.

Neighborhood Problems

7. Unsafe Neighborhoods. Buyers may avoid homes and condos in communities that they perceive as unsafe.

Market Concerns

8. Limited Population for Re-sale. Buyers may avoid homes or condos in communities that will not appeal to a broad range of prospective buyers in the future. For example, some vacation communities or rural towns only appeal to a limited segment of buyers. Therefore, an owner's ability to re-sell the property in the future may also be limited.

9. No Other Similar Properties Nearby. The market price of most residential properties is set by the sale value of similar nearby properties. Homes that do not have comparable sales could face a potential resale problem.

Unusual Style

10. Similar Features. The absence of typical amenities may pose a problem when selling a home or condo. For example, when all the houses in a neighborhood have garages, buyers may overlook homes that do not offer this feature.

11. Unusual Architectural Design. Homes that have a popular local style will sell faster and attract more buyers than homes that do not fit the community's aesthetics.

Environmental Concerns

12. Environmental Factors. Properties located near facilities that have hazardous or toxic substances may be less desirable to prospective home buyers.

Home Improvement Problems

13. Unnecessary Improvements. Homes or condos with improvements that do not impact the property's market value may actually diminish the marketability of a property. Owners should carefully consider how a proposed improvement would impact the future resale potential of the property.

Maintenance or Repair Problems

14. Disrepair and Maintenance. Home or condos that are lacking proper maintenance may be less desirable than homes in pristine condition. However, this could work the other way also as some buyers seek out "fixer uppers" and are willing to pay a reduced price for these types of properties. Examples of maintenance problems include a leaky roof, pealing paint, worn out or dirty carpet or flooring, structural defects, etc.

Insurance Claim Problems

15. Insurance Claims Against a Property. Homes or condos that have several insurance claims may be less appealing to prospective buyers. For example, some homebuyers may perceive a property with a repeated history of flooding or fires as undesirable.

Closing Thoughts

There are many factors that impact a home's marketability. Since most home owners buy and sell properties many times over a lifetime, a property's resale potential should be an important consideration when purchasing a home or condo. Those interested in selling a home should review the above comments and determine if there are areas that may be addressed to improve the home's marketability.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Real Living Inc., the nation's fourth-largest residential real estate firm in the United States, announced the opening of six new franchises in Miami, Fla., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Jeffersonville, Ind., Mount Vernon, Ohio, Nashville, Tenn. and Houston, Texas.
ADVERTISEMENT

"This has been a record year in franchise growth for us," said Harley E. Rouda Jr., CEO and managing partner of Real Living Inc. "We've more than doubled our previous best year and expanded into six new states."

New offices include:

Real Living Properties, which is managed by broker/owners Thomas Grimshaw and Jennifer McCloskey. The office is located at 3143 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134, and serves Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Downtown/Brickell, High Pines, Key Biscayne, Miami Beach, Pinecrest and Ponce Davis.

Real Living Results is owned and operated by broker Elainea Saleem. Her office is located at 7310 W. McNab Rd. #106, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33321, and serves southeast Florida, in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

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Gehan Homes Virtual Tours of New Model Homes in Houston, Texas. Take a 360 virtual tour of the. Home > Virtual Tours Houston > Virtual Tours of New Model Homes In Houston, Texas.

Click here to see there tours

Cityhomes has hammered out deals for two plots of land that will become the Centex company's first townhome developments in the Houston area.

"It's a two-tiered approach," said Don Barrineau, head of CityHomes in Houston. "It's an in-town true urban-type product and then it's a lifestyle town center play."

The sites include a city block just east of downtown and a tract in the Vintage master-planned development near Hewlett-Packard's campus in northwest Harris County.

"We've done a lot of digging in the last 12 months on who the consumer is that buys these," Barrineau said. "They have one thing big in common, which is no kids."

The builder is targeting both young affluent single couples and empty nesters who lead active lifestyles.

"There are a lot of similarities," Barrineau said. "There's just a divergence in their age makeup."

CityHomes will introduce three-story, walk-up townhomes with an urban or contemporary flair at the project near downtown. The first homes will be available around October and will be in the $250,000 to $290,000 range.

The builder purchased 1.48 acres on the block bounded by Polk, Paige, Clay and Delano from a family trust. It is in an active area for townhome development as higher land costs in Midtown have pushed developers east.

The project will consist of 32 townhomes, with an interior park for the community and heavy landscaping throughout. The builder will also integrate parallel parking with pavers for guests to give it a finished look.

Kelley Parker of Cushman & Wakefield brokered the land for the seller. The site was formerly an old bus barn.

In northwest Harris County, CityHomes will build 115 three-story Mediterranean-style units on a 10.2-acre site. It is part of the Vintage, a heavily wooded community being developed by a joint venture of Kickerillo Cos. and Mischer Investments on former Hewlett-Packard land near Texas 249 and Louetta Road.

The townhomes will feature elevations with stucco and stone and roofs with high-end materials and metal accents. Inside, granite counters and hardwood floors will be standard. Sizes are planned from 2,000 square feet to 2,900 square feet, with prices in the high $200,000s to low $400,000s.

Emphasis will be placed on landscaping and trails. Driveways will be made of fashionable paving stones. The townhomes will feature outdoor living spaces for cooking and relaxing. CityHomes plans to break ground in the gated community around May after site preparations.

The site is next to Vintage Park, a European lifestyle shopping center being developed by an Interfin Cos. partnership. The company, headed by Giorgio Borlenghi, also created Uptown Park near the Galleria. It is also next to HP's new data center complex, which is under construction.

CityHomes is bringing an element to the Vintage that's been popular in The Woodlands and Sugar Land town center developments. The 640-acre community also includes Vintage Lakes, with luxury homes starting near $500,000, and Vintage Royale, a townhome and patio home development, along with upscale apartments and a nature preserve.

CityHomes is a division of Dallas-based Centex, which is on target to build about 950 single-family homes in Houston this year. The builder is looking to expand its townhome developments in other areas of Houston.

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Q: Do you support buying real estate, beyond your home, for investment purposes? If so, what type of property should we invest in?

A: I do support investing in real estate, so long as you know what you're getting yourself into in terms of the responsibilities of being a landlord.

Your best bet for real estate investing is to purchase residential property. Residential housing is easier to understand, purchase and manage than most other types of property, such as office and retail property. As a homeowner, you already have experience with locating, purchasing and keeping up residential property.

The common residential-housing options are single-family homes, condominiums and townhouses. There are also multiunit buildings that you can purchase...

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Selling a house can be a bit like raising a child - everyone gives you advice that may or may not be true for you. Here are ten myths uncovered: 1. Myth: You should always price your home high and gradually lower it if it doesn’t sell.
Truth: Pricing too high can be as bad as pricing too low.

You may think by listing high you can always accept a lower offer, but if you do, you’ll miss the buyers looking in the price range where your home should be. Offers may not even come in, because interested buyers are scared off by the price and won’t bother to look. By the time the listing price is corrected, you will have lost a large group of potential buyers. Your real estate agent will offer you a comparable market analysis. This is a document that compares your home to other similar homes in your area, with the goal of helping you to accurately assess your home’s true market value.

2. Myth: Minor repairs can wait until later. There are more important things to be done.
Truth: Minor repairs make your house more marketable, allowing you to maximize your return (or minimize loss) on the sale.

By and large, buyers are looking for an inviting home in move-in condition. Buyers who are willing to tackle the repairs after moving in automatically subtract the cost of needed fix-ups from the price they offer. You save nothing by putting off these items, and you may likely slow the sale of your home.

3. Myth: Once potential buyers see the inside of your home, curb appeal won’t matter.
Truth: Buyers probably won’t make it to the inside of the home if the outside of your home does not appeal to them.

Many buyers drive by a home before deciding whether or not to look inside. Your home’s exterior will have less than a minute to make a good first impression. Spruce up the lawn, trim shrubs and trees, and weed the garden. Clear the walkways and driveways of leaves and other debris. Repair gutters and eaves, touch up the exterior paint and repair or resurface cracked driveways and sidewalks. Place potted flowers out front, hang a wreath on the door and put out a pleasing welcome mat for added curb appeal.

4. Myth: Once potential buyers fall in love with the exterior look of your home, you put interior improvements on the back burner.
Truth: Buyers have no qualms about walking right out the front door within 60 seconds if the house doesn’t look like it could be theirs.

Remember that most buyers are looking for an inviting home in move-in condition. Spending a few thousand dollars for the right work on your home before you sell it, usually translates into a higher selling price and shorter marketing time. Your real estate agent will consult with you about the repairs and replacements that will benefit you most.

5. Myth: Your home must be every homebuyer’s dream home.
Truth: If you get carried away with repairs and replacements to your home, you may end up over-improving the house.

At some point, improvements that you make to your home can exceed what is customary for comparable homes in your area. For instance, there may not be another swimming pool in your entire subdivision. After spending $20,000 to install an in-ground swimming pool that you hope will lure buyers, you may find that it only raises the market value of your home by $10,000 because there are no other comparable properties to support the market value of the pool. As a rule of thumb, if your improvements push your home’s value higher than 20% above average neighboring home values, don’t expect to recoup the entire amount of improvements. Your real estate agent can advise you as to the scope of projects you might consider in preparing your house for sale.

6. Myth: Buyers are never swayed by sellers that offer creative financing options.
Truth: By offering flexibility in financing options, you may lure more prospective buyers.

You might consider offering seller financing, paying some of the buyer’s closing costs, including a one-year home warranty, or other buyer incentives. Your real estate agent, who has professional knowledge of local market activity, can help you decide what incentives, if any, to offer.

7. Myth: You are better off selling your home on your own, thus saving the commission you would have paid to a real estate agent.
Truth: Statistically, many sellers who attempt to sell their homes on their own cannot complete the sale without the service of a professional real estate agent.

Sellers who sell their home without a real estate agent often net less from the sale than sellers who use one. You visit a doctor when you’re sick and take your car to a mechanic when it needs repairs. It makes sense to contact a real estate professional when you are preparing to sell your biggest asset!

8. Myth: Good sellers should be available to guide prospective buyers through the home, giving the whole process a more personal touch.
Truth: Prospective buyers will feel more like the house could be theirs if the current owners are not there.

The presence of homeowners during a viewing can make buyers feel like they are intruding. They need to be able to visualize your house as their home, which can be difficult to do when they are acutely aware that it is still your home. Your real estate agent will be happy to look out for your home during open houses or showings.

9. Myth: Successful sellers insist that the terms of the sale happen their way or no way.
Truth: If you approach the sale of your home as the buyer’s adversary, you risk losing a perfectly solid buyer for no good reason.

Both you and the buyer have the same goal: for you to sell your home and for the buyer to buy it. Work with your real estate agent to approach negotiations positively and with a win-win frame of mind.

10. Myth: When you receive an offer, you should make the buyer wait. This gives you a better negotiating position.
Truth: You should reply immediately to an offer!

When a buyer makes an offer, that buyer is, at that moment in time, ready to buy your home. Moods can change, and you don’t want to lose the sale because you stalled in replying.

Article Source, click here

For homeowners looking to sell their house before the end of the year, Coldwell Banker Barbara Sue Seal Properties provides tips for success.  According to the RMLS, 8,720 homes were sold between November 2005 and January 2006 in the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area, dispelling the myth of a slowdown in home sales during the holiday season.  These three months can be especially crucial for transferees, many of whom need to be in new homes at the start of the new year.

The real estate professionals at Coldwell Banker Barbara Sue Seal Properties offer the following tips to help sellers maximize their home’s charm and allure during the holidays:
 
Increase Curb Appeal: First impressions are critical. Remove any late fall leaves, and ensure the path to the stairs is free of ice. Put up a few exterior holiday lights and decorations to display seasonal tidings and pride in ownership. Do not overdo the lighting. Keep it tasteful and consistent with the rest of the neighborhood. A holiday welcome mat outside the front door is also a nice touch. 

Keep the House Warm and Welcoming: December and January can be very cold, so make sure the home is warm and cozy.  If the house has a fireplace, light a fire to bring the room to life and enhance the ambience.  Bake holiday cookies and treats to give the home an enticing aroma.

Decorate the Interior:  It is important not to overwhelm home shoppers with dramatic displays of holiday cheer, so be conservative with holiday decorations.  Decorate to accentuate the house, not to eclipse it.  Tasteful decorations will help connect buyers to the home, remind them of pleasant memories and help them imagine their own holiday celebrations there.

About Coldwell Banker Barbara Sue Seal Properties
Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been the premier provider of full service real estate. The Coldwell Banker system has more than 4,000 residential and commercial real estate offices with more than 127,700 sales associates globally. The company is an industry leader in residential real estate, new homes and luxury properties. For the past 20 years, this legacy of success has been carried on in the Northwest by Coldwell Banker Barbara Sue Seal Properties. With locations throughout the Portland/Vancouver and Seattle metropolitan areas, Coldwell Banker Barbara Sue Seal Properties had the highest productivity of any Coldwell Banker affiliate for three years running. The company consistently ranks among the Top 25 Real Estate Companies in the nation as cited by Realtor Magazine and National Relocation & Real Estate Magazine.

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After being in storage since 2004 waiting for operating funding, the propane-powered trolleys are expected to be operational in The Woodlands Town Center by Easter as a result of a federal matching grant for a three year period.

The four trolleys are described as being 30 foot in length, air-conditioned, wheelchair lifts, and seating for 19 to 23 passengers. With the addition of four 29-passenger open air trailers, the total capacity is 52 passengers.

Circulation is focused on The Woodlands Mall, Market Street, The Woodlands Waterway, and other key locations in Town Center.

Article Source, click here

I think this is some great advice for people in any market that need to sell their homes.  Particularly I like his #2, Price it below market, to compete with your neighbors who have already lowered $50k.

Of course here in SoCal - to be competitive you’ll likely need to lower your prices over $100k, and come closer to a $200k reduction - which is what many are doing now to sell.

The $10k or $20k reductions are ridiculously insulting if you thing they’re going to make us jump.  No matter how good of a deal you think your home is - buyers will ultimately determine that for you.  Chances are, we don’t think it’s nearly as nice or worth what you’re asking.

Here’s a summary of the list.  I don’t agree with his #4, Bonuses and higher commissions.  Let agents actually work for their already unearned 7%, and if anything - the trend is to negotiate this percentage lower.  I encourage you to read the article, because any way you look at it - it’s great news for us buyers.

1. Fix up the place
2. Price it below market
3. Market the deal as much as the house
4. Bonuses and higher commissions
5. Offer other non-real estate incentives to the buyer

Check it out…

Here’s a short note from a seller in Florida that could easily be any seller in North America in our current market place…

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If it's time to buy a new home and you already decided to sell your house, wait a bit before you turn to a real estate agency.

Maybe this is your first time home selling, and you think it would be better to entrust the whole stuff to a professional. But what makes you think you can't do it on your own?

FSBO means 'For Sale By Owner' and it is used to describe home owners who sell their homes themselves and don't use a real estate company when they sell their homes and land.

Believe it or not, with the proper knowledge and the right help just about anyone can successfully sell (or buy) without using a real estate agency. Sometimes an owner can even do a better job than many real estate agents.

FSBO makes selling a home on your own easy. A growing percentage of homeowners are realizing how easy and economical it is to sell your own home without using real estate agents and agencies. You can save a lot on real estate commissions every time you sell your house. It is very important that your home's selling price is determined by you, not a real estate broker who takes a x% fee for selling your home.

It is recommended to get information about prices from as many sources as possible, for instance with the help of Real Estate Websites.

An agent may tell you that the main reason to use them rather than FSBO is that they can place your home in the Multiple Listing Service, and you can not. They may imply that your chances of selling without being in the MLS are next to nothing. Don't believe it. The truth is that up to one in 3 homes sell by owner and very few, if any, of those were MLS listed.

Usually buyers look at For Sale By Owners as well as listed homes. They don't only browse ads that are in the MLS, though realtors dreaming of that.

Honestly, you don't need a real estate agent to sell or purchase property - that's clear. Keep your money for something else and give a trial to rely on your own skills.

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Lennar Homes is introducing a new product in Burberry Park - Stone Twin Villas. The Stone Twin Villas will feature stone exteriors, black appliances, maple cabinets, 18-inch tile, mahogany front door, ceiling fans and more. Prices will start in the low $140’s.

New single-family homes are also available in the neighborhood of Spindle Tree in the Village of Sterling Ridge . These homes range in size from approximately 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, priced from the $170’s to the $200’s. The standard features include Silestone countertops with tile backsplash, 42-inch cabinets, 18-inch tile in all wet areas, two-inch mini-blinds, fireplace, and more.

LAKE JACKSON — Vibrant lantern lighting and brick columns with lustrous stained glass, part of the design for lighting and seating areas along Oak Drive, should be a sign of things to come to the rest of downtown Lake Jackson as officials move forward with plans they hope will draw more people into the area.

City Council last week approved a conceptual design of the project, slated to begin in about 60 days, which will stretch along Oak Drive from Highway 332 to Oyster Creek Drive.

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Want to sell your home fast and at top dollar? Try enhancing the garage! Garage? Before you think I have completely lost my mind, let me explain. Women love kitchens, men love garages. Yet, most people completely ignore and destroy their garages to the point that they can't even get one car in there. I can never understand that. There is so much value to having a clean, organized garage whether your home is on the market or you plan on staying there until the kids grow up.

When people plan to put their home on the market their thoughts sometimes turn to "What can I do to make my home wow someone on a limited budget?" Renovating the kitchen or the bathroom can cost upwards of $15,000. Cleaning, organizing and making over the garage could cost under $3,000 and can provide a huge bang for the buck especially if you are trying to sell your home in a competitive market. Every family has one neat freak and sometimes it's the man of the house. And, remember what I said earlier - men love garages. Many times when I am showing homes, the women migrate to the kitchen and the men go right for the garage.

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THE WOODLANDS — Residents in this master-planned community can expect to see more patrols in their neighborhoods when a new Woodlands law enforcement division opens with 30 officers next year.

The move comes nearly a week after Houston struck a deal to allow The Woodlands residents to choose their own form of governance, removing the cloud of annexation.

With a $2.4 million contract with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, The Woodlands will begin what could be the first stages of its independence by creating its own law enforcement force.

The new division will be fully operational by March and will have officers patrolling in five geographical zones.

The community association boards and commercial association board approved the contract Monday after hiring a consultant earlier this year to study ways to improve law enforcement in The Woodlands.

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At the Furniture Bank in Houston a good haul translates into a very good day for people like Devandria Williams who recently moved here from Minnesota. “It means a lot, because I have four children. To have a newborn on the floor, it means a lot to have programs like this. Families donate their things, and think it’s going to go in the trash and it’s not.”

In this case, one person’s trash may be Devandria’s treasure.

But on a bright sunny day it is raining in the warehouse.

Water trapped on the roof from a down pour earlier in the week, seeping through the ceiling.

 
KHOU - TV

Rain threatens to dampen hopes of a new home for dozens of families in need.
“For the last three years, four years we’ve been struggling with this, but increasingly it’s getting worse and worse,” said Oli Mohammed the program's executive director.

Isaac Chuca is the program’s operations manager. “We had about 25 new leaks spring up that we weren’t aware of.”

Half of the warehouse was soaked.

In 14 years, the charity has helped 15,000 families and it’s always scrambling for more furniture.

But if it’s only going to get wet what’s the point?

“No point at all, if it’s going to get damaged and I can’t get it to any of the families in need of it,” said Chuca.

“What would be your holiday wish for this place? Well, if somebody showed up and Santa had the roof on his list. That would be the greatest thing. We would be so proud of it,” said Mohammed.

In the meantime, when it rains at the furniture bank, it continues to pour long after the fact.

If you'd like to help the furniture bank, call 713 842-9771.

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HomeVestors of America Inc. has named Houston the 10th-best market for real estate investing in 2006.

The Dallas-based company, famous for its "We Buy Ugly Houses" billboards, based the findings on the top home buyers in the franchise network for 2006.

The Fort Worth market ranked second, with Dallas fifth and San Antonio eighth.

Gary, Ind. was chosen as the top city for real estate investing.

Founded in 1989 and franchising since 1986, Dallas-based Homevestors of America has more than 250 franchises throughout the U.S.

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Six Flags Inc. is considering the sale of its Splashtown water park in Houston as part of a plan to deal away nine theme parks to reduce costs and focus on parks that are better-performing.

Officials with the New York-based company expect to make a decision in the coming weeks on several parks that were put up for sale earlier this year.

 
The proposed sale of Splashtown would be the second local park Six Flags (NYSE: SIX) put on the sales block.

In June, the company completed the sale of its AstroWorld theme park in Houston for $77 million to Conroe-based real estate developer Angel/McIver Interests LP. The 104 prime acres of land where AstroWorld used to operate is located on the 610 South Loop near Reliant Stadium.

The AstroWorld property -- which Six Flags opted to close in October 2005 -- was marketed by Cushman & Wakefield of Texas Inc. and The Staubach Co. International Bank of Commerce-Houston was Angel/McIver's banker on the land transaction.

Splashtown is located in Spring near Interstate 45 North and Louetta Road.

"Whether we continue to own these parks or sell them, all nine parks under consideration will be open for business in 2007 and beyond," said Mark Shapiro, Six Flags president and CEO.

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Galveston Island is looking for a new way to market itself.

The city's tourism officials recently paid $76,000 for suggestions, and what it got was a list of about 50 ideas, including changing the name of the city and creating a new slogan.

Normally, what another city wants to do about tourism is its own business. But when it comes to Galveston, it's different. We all have a stake in the outcome. Galveston is the national beach of Texas.

It is true, as the report points out, that Galveston doesn't have the prettiest beaches on the Texas Gulf Coast. It has some neighborhoods that might cause visitors to become uneasy.

But for years, Galveston has been the closest thing Texans had to South Beach or Malibu. It is the nearest beach to most of the state's major metropolitan areas. Generations of older Texans remember going to Galveston for spring break, though most of them probably don't remember everything that happened while they were there.

It is where we have our Mardi Gras, our yearly ocean vacation, our Christmas on the Strand.

Yes, the city has aged, but haven't we all?

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I have seen it once, I will surely see it more than a dozen times - the real estate market flaring up and coming back down from its self-puffed high again, only to puffer up once more eventually and deflate once again afterwards! It never ceases to amaze me what people attach unrealistic value to; and the mere discrepancy between actual city appraisal and realtors' and/or home owners' attributed value of any given piece of real estate is a gem in itself too...

Real estate though is a vulnerable industry, prone to dip down at any given time for any number of reasons, chief among those if there were tons of offer and no demand whatsoever - even the most self-assured, devilish/rakish realtor could not do squat with conditions like that! For these parasites to feed off innocent people's dreams properly, there has to be some sort of equilibruum out there... And the setting must be "just right" too! A realtor's dream is to nab a few properties on land that is in close proximity to "something big" that is about to "come to town"... Opening soon: a casino! Or - the subway, finally coming to your locality! (Why be a pedestrian when you can be a subterranean - right? But I digress...)

Hence, virtually any conceivable reason on God's green earth can serve as ammo to a realtor to boost both the price *and* his commission - of course! Homes that were worth 20,000$ in the sixties are now worth 200,000$ - which can make sense... However, homes that went for 200,000$ just a few years ago now being appraised as being worth 500,000$ - now THAT is a tad too much, don't you think? And let's just not delve into the soaring prices of "brand sparkling new" condominiums that go for 500,000$ as well -or more- if they are to be found "near everything" in some relatively big town somewhere... A condo costs more than a bungalow - that, in itself, is an aberration. Just think about it; condos do *not* come with backyards or front lawns, you know...! But, yet again, I digress...

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A Texas real estate agent looking to add more bang to her business is offering clients in law enforcement a free Glock pistol if they buy a home from her.

Julie Upton, a Houston-area real estate agent, spurned traditional buyer incentives like free gasoline cards or home improvement store gift certificates.

Instead, she placed an advertisement offering a pistol with the purchase of any home worth at least $150,000 in the city police department's monthly publication, "Badge & Gun."

The free guns are only for those in law enforcement, said Upton, who is married to a police officer.

"We thought it would be a good way to entice other police officers," Upton said. "And whether people want the gun or not, it has stirred up a lot of attention."

Upton has given away two pistols to police officers who purchased homes from her. The guns cost about $500.

And so far the advertisement has not generated negative attention from the anti-gun lobby, she said.

In Texas, no license is required to own a rifle, shotgun or handgun, but a permit is needed to carry a concealed weapon, according to the National Rifle Association.

Everyone can now tour Bridgeland’s 13 model homes by 11 of Houston builders. For limited time builders are offering grand opening incentives.

• David Weekly is offering 10 percent off of showcase homes that close by the end of the year.

• Partners in Building is offering $10,000 towards upgrades on homes that can close by Nov. 15

• Darling Homes offers $10,000 in options and upgrades for homes that close by the end of the year.

• Trendmaker Homes is offering $10,000 in builder incentives for new construction or a free HDTV package and special on inventory homes that close before Dec. 22

• Highland Homes has movie-in specials for all inventory homes that close before the holidays.

• Hallmark Design is featuring up to $8,000 in free upgrades through the end of the year.

• Wilshire Homes is offering $15,000 off inventory homes or $10,000 off homes sold by the end of the year.

Buyer can enjoy pre-construction prices at Northside Augusta Pines community as Ashton Woods begins sales in the community. With more then 100 homes and 10 floor plans to choose from with sizes range from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet and prices starting in the $200,000s.

 

Ashton Woods has two model homes under construction and with Augusta Pines Golf Club and lots of mature trees surrounding the neighborhood in which Ashton Woods is building.

Lakeshore’s location on the west bank of Lake Houston is drawing home buyers to Coventry Homes, Perry Homes, Pioneer Homes and Plantation Homes who are looking for lakeside living in Houston.

 

Homes at Lakeshore are priced from the $120s through the $500s and range from 1,200 square feet through 7,200 square feet. Lakeshore is located off of

West Lake Houston Parkway, between Beltway 8 and FM 1960

 

The community’s new recreation center is scheduled to open in the fall and will be surrounded by a Pool, Splash Park, two Tennis Courts and a Play Ground. Currently there are 10 new model homes located at Lakeshore come and see them.

Summerwood is hosting the “Life is Good Pumpkin Festival” on Saturday, Oct. 21^st from 2 pm to dusk. Admission is free; donations will be accepted to help send kids to Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life threatening illnesses.

Perry Homes in the community Pelican Harbour at Texas City has inventory homes ready to go. Buyers can also view the fully furnished model and learn more about there limited time offer of $6,000 off bonus.

David Weekly Homes is building in the new section in Forth Bends community Grand Mission. The new 75 foot section called Lakes of Sierra features lake-view with one or two story option starting from the $250s.

Buy a home, that can close by Octber 30th, 2006 and receive a SPECIAL 5.625% on a 30 year mortgage.

Newmark Homes Flyer

Purchase any new K. Hovnanian home from available inventory in selected communities and get a FREE washer, FREE dryer, FREE refrigerator and FREE windows blinds! Just purchase, fund and close your new K. Hovnanian home from available inventory before October 27^th