The Perfect Storm for the Ft Worth Home Buyer

The Perfect Storm for the home buyer who feels like they have a stable job, good credit, a little money, you will owner occupy and don't think you will be leaving or wanting to move for 10 years and you want to live in these areas. Boy, do we have a deal for you! City of Fort Worth will launch its program March 2009 to give you the home buyer $25,000.00 yes you heard me right $25,000.00 big ones.

Of course you have to want to live in the following zip codes 76131, 76137, 76133, 76123, 76179, 76112,76248 with the city of Fort Worth as your address (some of these might be Keller, Haslet etc zip codes as well if they are not really city of Fort Worth they do not qualify.)

You can't make to much money either 1 person can't make more than $54,250 a year it goes up the more people in your family.

You have to purchase a lender-foreclosed home as well. That should not be to much of a problem since most of the foreclosures are in theses areas.

My whole team has been trained for this program and we have talked with Emily Weathers at Innovative Mortgages who is an approved lender and knows how to get this loan done.

Add some BAM to your deal if you are a first time home buyer on top of that your friendly Federal Government is giving you another $8,000.00 tax credit if you buy prior to December 2009.

That is a great deal combined with the current cost of homes as well as the current interest rate. What are you thinking if you don't at least look into this deal?

Seriously, this is just to good to be true but it is the truth. Yes, there are some conditions that if you don't follow it is not a great deal so you must completely understand the transaction.

You need to find someone that won't take you down the wrong path with a home with major issues, not a good buy and that you are not fully aware of all the terms in which you must live by to do these programs.

Dude, you can put down any where between 10-20k down on the principle of the loan and you don't have to pay it back if you stay for 10 years. This is simple math my friends simple math.


http://www.fortworthgov.org/ecd/info/default.aspx?id=61060

Keller Family's 'Extreme Makeover' Home to Air March 1 on ABC

BY BETTY DILLARD
February 26, 2009

The newly rebuilt home of the Augustin family in Keller will be unveiled March 1 during an episode of the Emmy Award-winning television series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

The program will air locally at 7 p.m. on Channel 8 WFAA.

Amber and Peter Augustin, a March of Dimes volunteer family, received a new home built and donated by Wall Homes of Arlington in less than a week’s time during the taping of the program in December 2008. Since that time Wall Homes has filed for bankruptcy.

The show is a highlight of the program’s “Heroes in the Community” series.

The Augustins were selected because they are dedicated to helping families with premature babies and because of their active participation with the March of Dimes.

The couple’s son, Lane, was born prematurely in 2004, and spent a month hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit at Baylor Healthcare Systems. He underwent countless surgeries before he was a year old and today still has some on-going health challenges.

Two years after Lane’s birth, a flood destroyed the Augustins’ house along with Amber’s photography studio.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” said Amber Augustin. “Losing our home was a nightmare, but the silver lining is the support we’ve seen from our community and our family at the March of Dimes.”

The Augustins have raised thousands of dollars to support March of Dimes research and other programs to help prevent and treat premature death.

“My dream is to raise national awareness that premature birth is a serious and growing problem,” said Peter Augustin. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition not only gave us a new home, but is helping more moms have healthy, full-term babies by highlighting the March for Babies this year.”

Donations can be made to the Augustins’ team, Lane’s Light, or a family can create its own team by visiting marchforbabies.org

Farmers Insurance, a national sponsor of the March for Babies, provided insurance for the new home for one year at no cost to the family.

bdillard@bizpress.net

Good Guys Do Still Exist!!

My husband was given a beautiful stainless steel, 3 burner, bells and whistles grill
last year. It was approximately 1 year old when he got it and this brand carries a 10year warranty. Come to find out Lowes is the only distributor for this brand grill so you have to get all replacement parts and warranty issues done through them.

We cookout 2-3 times a week minimum, year round no matter what the weather. 2 of the 3 burners quit working and when we went on line to Lowes to order replacement parts we were told they were on backorder. Lee decided to go to the Lowes by our home and see if they could help him with replacement parts. Being the rebel that he is he walked into the garden section wearing his Home Depot hat! Tell me that didn't get some attention real quick. He explained his dilema to the department manager and she sent a guy to the back to rob parts off another grill. Lee was thrilled to death! He was going to get to cook last night on all 3 burners!

After trying to install the new burners he discovered that they were too long. So back to Lowes he went. It's a good thing they are close. Come to find out the grill we have is no longer made and the company has merged with someone else and yada, yada, yada. They asked him to load up the old grill and bring it to the store. Good thing the strong neighbor was home to help load this huge, heavy thing into the back of the truck. Back to Lowes he went and they informed him that they were going to swap out the old grill for a new one. This is a $600 grill! When he left there he not only had a new grill with a new warranty but he had a new blue Lowes hat to replace his Home Depot one and he was a very happy camper!! He was cookin on it when I got home last night just smiling from ear to ear!

The art of good customer service still exist! The customer is still #1 and a flailing home repair store has gained a new customer. The customer is still important regardless of what business it is.

The Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009 (TEXAS IS IN THE TOP 5)

From: BUILDER 2009
Posted on: February 17, 2009 11:02:00 AM
2009's Healthiest Housing Markets

The Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009

Builder, in conjunction with Hanley Wood Market Intelligence, debuts its metric for determining markets with the best and least potential.

With most economists and builders expecting a national market decline this year, this may not seem like the best time to be selecting the "healthiest" markets in the country. Virtually every market was down last year. But a close look at the numbers reveals that some markets have way outperformed others during the last four years and are likely to continue to do so this year.

When the housing market stages its official recovery, the markets listed on the following pages are likely to lead the parade. It may take a year or more for the weakest markets--where burgeoning foreclosure sales are still pounding new home values, making building and selling new homes an exercise in futility-- to finally stage a turnaround. We'll present that list next week.

The healthiest markets have many things in common. Most of them are great places to live, either close to the ocean, mountains, or major universities. Most of them didn't have a huge run-up in prices during the boom and aren't experiencing rampant deflation during the bust.

To compile these lists, we analyzed the top 75 housing markets in the country. We ranked them based on population trends and job growth, perennial drivers of housing demand. We also examined what's happened with home prices; many of the healthiest markets have managed to hold the line on home values. And finally, we considered the rate building permits, which may be the single best ongoing indicator of builder confidence in a market. We combined all these metrics to produce a score for each market.

Here are the top 15, in reverse order.

The Healthiest Markets for 2009

15. Myrtle Beach, S.C.
2008 total building permits: 3,211
Though permit activity dropped sharply last year, Myrtle Beach remains one of the hottest markets in the country, especially when you analyze the number of permits pulled per resident. Only 263,287 people live in the Myrtle Beach metro area, which until recently had been growing its population by nearly 5 percent a year. That means builders pulled one permit for every 82 residents. A steady influx of people, many of them retirees, are drawn by close proximity to the ocean and 117 golf courses at last count. That has helped keep home prices steady; they fell only 10 percent last year to a very affordable $174,800. Most of the home building is split between Brunswick and New Hanover counties. Jobs are dependent on the tourist industry, though, and the metro area was rocked last year when a $400 million rock-and-roll themed amusement part, Hard Rock Park, opened and then filed for bankruptcy. Myrtle Beach added jobs last year, but as of December employment was decreasing at a 4.2 percent rate compared to a year earlier.
Busiest builders: Centex Homes, D.R. Horton, Beazer Homes, Bill Clark Homes, Pasquinelli/Portrait Homes

14. Wilmington, N.C.
2008 total building permits: 3,551
Wilmington has the second highest ratio of permits pulled per resident, behind only Myrtle Beach. The population here, 352,919 by Census estimates, has been growing at a 4 percent annual rate for the last five years, well above the national average. Primary residents are drawn by a four-season climate, close proximity to Atlantic beaches, and affordable housing. Median home prices, at $198,700, are just about the national average. The area gave back 1,000 jobs last year, after gaining 19,000 the previous three years. Wilmington has had a 60 percent decline in permit activity since 2005, around the national average, but its track record for population growth helps it make this list.

13. Charlotte, N.C.
2008 total building permits: 12,231
People and businesses must love Charlotte, because they are moving there at a high rate. The metro area of 1.74 million has grown its residents by 4 percent annually over the last five years, one of the highest rates in the country. They are drawn by relatively affordable housing for the east coast—median home prices are only $210,900, and they've only "corrected" downward by only 4.2 percent in the last year. A strong fourth quarter helped Charlotte record 12,231 permits last year, only a 44 percent decline since 2005. Charlotte's strength relative to other markets led the investment banking firm UBS to predict last year that it would be one of the first markets to recover from the housing downturn. Charlotte is still a single-family market, with 62 percent of the residential activity in stand-alone homes. The job market in this banking hub contracted last year, after growing 3 to 5 percent annually the previous three years.
Busiest builders: C.P. Morgan, NVR/Ryan Homes, Pulte Homes, Centex Homes, KB Home

12. Denver, Col.
2008 total building permits: 8,800
Denver has been all over the home building news of late, with Beazer and Centex leaving town, then Village Homes of Colorado declaring bankruptcy. But the market hasn't been hit as hard by the home building recession as other Western markets, in part because it didn't experience rampant price appreciation during the boom. That's partly because there's lots of land available to develop in Denver. The median price of an existing home here was still an affordable $225,100 in the third quarter of last year, down only 11.4 percent in the last year (through 3Q 08). Denver enjoys one of the highest population growth rates in the country--2 percent annually for each of the last five years. Builders pulled 8,800 permits in Denver last year, down from 20,864 in 2005, a percentage decline that's close to the national average. Denver is buoyed by a strong commercial real estate market.
Busiest builders: D.R. Horton, Richmond American Homes, Standard Pacific Homes, Shea Homes, Engle Homes. Courtesy: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

11. Nashville, Tenn.
2008 total building permits: 8,142
Nashville, the 20th largest home building market, operated under the radar of the national housing boom. It didn't ramp up wildly during the boom years, and it's not contracting viciously during the bust. Median home prices remain an affordable $152,100, propped up by a growing job base. Eighty percent of the residential construction is single-family. Some of the market's resilience stems from above-average population growth of about 2.3 percent a year. Back in the day, 2005, Nashville accounted for 16,654 permits; it now runs at about half that level. But that's a better performance than most major markets.
Busiest builders: Ole South Properties, Beazer Homes, Centex Homes, The Jones Company of Tennessee, Technical Olympic USA. Courtesy: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

10. Washington DC
2008 total building permits: 11,693
Washington D.C. showed signs last summer that it might be emerging from the downturn, then it turned south again. Even so, the area produces a ton of jobs—an estimated 35,000 in the last year—that fuel a vibrant housing market, the 11th largest in the country. Many of the jobs stem from contracts with the federal government. Washington D.C. remains a relatively unaffordable place to live, with a median home price of $332,700 in the third quarter of last year. But values have fallen only 24 percent in the last year in part because the population continues to grow—an average of 1 percent annually over the last five years. Home building patterns have changed dramatically in the nation's capital with builders mothballing subdivisions well beyond the beltway and focusing on infill opportunities. The region remains one of the worst in the nation for commuters.
Busiest builders: Ryan Homes, K. Hovnanian Homes, Centex Homes, NV Homes, and Stanley Martin Companies. Courtesy: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

9. Fayetteville, Ark.
2008 total building permits: 2,989
Fayetteville has made some important lists in recent years. Located in the foothills of the Ozarks and within an easy drive of Wal-Mart's corporate headquarters, it has recently been named one of the best places to live (by Kiplinger) and to do business (by Inc.). Employment, which had been strongly positive since 2005, dropped somewhat in the fourth quarter of last year. Recent layoffs at Wal-Mart's corporate office sent tremors through the market. But several Fortune 500 companies that sell products to Wal-Mart have established offices here, and they have helped Fayetteville achieve one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, 4.1 percent in the fourth quarter. The University of Arkansas is also located in Fayetteville, and it has helped attract start-up businesses. Residents are drawn by an affordable housing stock; median prices average only $139,400, below the national average, and they've lost only 2.4 percent of their value in the last year. Builders pulled only 2,989 residential permits last year, down from 7, 449 in 2005.

8. Indianapolis, Ind.
2008 total building permits: 7,004
Builders are still pulling permits at a relatively healthy rate in Indianapolis, despite a virtually flat job market. Unlike other major markets that have become multifamily-oriented, single family still accounts for two-thirds of home building activity. Ultra-affordable housing accounts for some of the activity—the median price of a home here is only $117,900, making it one of the most affordable markets in the country. As a result, home prices have declined only 4.5 percent in the last year. At the top of the market in 2005, builders in Indianapolis took down 15,619 permits, so activity is down 55 percent, slightly better than the national average. Unfortunately, the relative health of the market wasn't enough to keep Davis Homes, one of the area's largest private builders, from going out of business last year.
Busiest builders: C.P. Morgan, Beazer Homes USA/Trinity Homes, Centex Homes, American West Development/Arbor Homes, The Ryland Group. Courtesy: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

7. Seattle, Wash.
2008 total building permits: 13,021
Seattle, a city of 3.4 million people, last year weighed in as the eighth largest home building market. Residential construction activity here, as measured by permits, is off only 50 percent since 2005, much better than most markets. Seattle has steadily transitioned during the last 10 years from an affordable to an upscale housing market, with the median price of an existing home reaching above $350,000. Even so, existing home prices fell only 11 percent in the last year. One of the secrets to Seattle's success is that it has added lots of jobs in recent years; and held on to them last year. Some builders there have even stepped up their land buying in anticipation of a market recovery. As the city has become more urban, the share of single family to multifamily permits has reversed; multifamily now accounts for 58 percent of activity.
Busiest builders: Quadrant Homes, Centex Homes, Murray Franklyn, Camwest Development, Polygon Northwest. Courtesy: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

6. Raleigh, N.C.
2008 total building permits: 11,386
Another state capital with multiple universities, Raleigh was still adding jobs at a 1.9 percent annual rate though the third quarter of last year. With a population of more than 1 million, it also has one of the highest rates of population growth of any top metro market in the country over the last five years: nearly 5 percent annually. Though the price of a median home here, $221,900, is above the national average, it is well below other cities in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The metro area has added roughly 68,000 jobs since 2005, and employment held steady last year. With a glut of national builders in the market, locals such as Dixon Kirby have experimented with different looks and styles to keep sales alive.
Busiest builders: Centex Homes, KB Home, Pulte Homes, Hovnanian Enterprises, Atreus Homes & Communities. Courtesy: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

5. Dallas, Texas
2008 total building permits: 26,145
In a year when permits declined 35 percent nationally, Dallas only experienced a 9 percent fall-off. With a population of 4.2 million, Dallas was the third largest home building market last year, as measured in permits pulled. Employers in Dallas, a popular place for corporate relocation and expansion, added 42,000 jobs last year, a growth rate of 2 percent. Existing home prices have held steady, falling a paltry 2.3 percent in the last year, Interestingly, the face of residential construction has changed dramatically in Dallas in recent years; 58 percent of the activity last year was in multifamily, compared to a five-year average of 23 percent. The relative stability of the market, though, wasn't enough to prevent Wall Homes from filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. On the other hand, former Meritage co-CEO John Landon recently started a new Dallas-based home building company.
Busiest builders: D.R. Horton, Highland Homes, David Weekely Homes, K.Hovnanian Homes, Drees Custom Homes. Courtesy: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

4. San Antonio, Texas
2008 total building permits: 10,261
San Antonio is another Texas market that is still adding jobs, about 15,000 last year. A city of more than 2 million people now, its population is also growing, at a 2.8 percent annual clip through the third quarter of last year. Existing home prices are barely declining in San Antonio, down only 1.8 percent in the last year, leaving the median price of an existing single-family home at an affordable $154,400, 25 percent below the national average of $200,500, according to the National Association of Realtors. The upper end of the housing market was hurt recently when AT&T announced it would be moving its corporate headquarters to Dallas.
Busiest builders: D.R. Horton, K.B. Home, Centex Homes, Pulte Homes, Fieldstone Communities. Courtesy: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

3. Fort Worth, Texas
2008 Total Building Permits: 10,388
Fort Worth, always operating in the shadow of higher profile Dallas, nevertheless can currently claim to have a slightly healthier housing market, based on its employment growth, relatively strong permit activity, and inexpensive housing. Now the 14th largest home building market in the country, Ft. Worth's builders pulled 10,388 permits last year, roughly two-thirds of them single-family. That may be half as many as 2005, but many other major markets showed much sharper drop-offs. The relative strength of the Fort Worth market in recent years stems from its ties to the oil and gas industries, which has fueled above-average job growth. The metro area added 17,300 jobs last year.
Busiest builders: D.R. Horton, Choice Homes, History Maker Homes, Meritage Homes, Centex Homes. Courtesy: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

2. Austin, Texas
2008 Total Building Permits: 14,250
Nine years ago, during the tech bust, some builders felt that Austin was too crowded and left. The bloom is back on Austin's yellow rose now; it moved up the leader board to become the sixth largest home building market last year. Job creation explains the move. While other markets lost employment, Austin added 17,400 jobs last year, 2.31 percent growth rate. It helps that Austin is home to both a major university, The University of Texas, and the state capital. Existing homes cost a little bit more in Austin than other Texas markets, roughly $190,900, but that's still below the national average. Also, Austin is one of the few metro areas in the country where median prices actually rose in 2008--1.4 percent through the first three quarters of the year. Amazingly, Austin now generates more home building activity than Chicago, which has six times more people.
Busiest builders: D.R. Horton, Lennar, KB Home, Centex Homes, Meritage Homes. Courtesy: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

1. Houston, Texas
2008 Total Building Permits: 42,697
They like to do things big in Houston. Now the metro area, home to nearly 5.8 million people, can lay claim to being the largest home building market in the country, with 42,697 building permits. The market is still benefiting from an influx of population and jobs and rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Employment rose 2.2 percent last year, representing the addition of an incredible 57,000 jobs. Home building activity in Houston has only fallen 31 percent since 2005. Also, existing home prices actually rose in Houston last year, 2.8 percent, to $160,200, still a very affordable level. Roughly one third of the home building action is in Harris County, followed by Houston proper and Fort Bend County. One of Houston's largest builders, Royce Homes, shut down last year, and Kimball Hill, one of the biggest builders in Texas, closed its doors this year after it failed to find a buyer.
Busiest builders: Lennar, Perry Homes, David Weekley Homes, MHI/McGuyer Homebuilders, and KB Home. Courtesy: Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

OPEN HOUSE IN Keller, Texas - 1613 Overlook Terr., Keller, Texas

OPEN HOUSE IN Keller, Texas - 1613 Overlook Terr., Keller, Texas

Open House: Satuday, Feb. 21st - 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm


Park it here.... Park it Here There's an over-sized garage for your vehicle and place to park RV or boat in back at this 3625-SF home on.264 acres in North Richland Hills in Thornbridge South Addition. You'll enjoy 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, private study, master suite with dual sinks, separate shower, jetted tub, tons of cabinets, walk-in closet, elegant dining room with carpeting, inviting family room with fireplace, convenient kitchen with breakfast area, microwave, walk-in pantry, gas cooktop, electric oven, granite countertops, work island for added workspace, dishwasher, upstairs game room with built in entertainment center and wet bar, and a manicured lawn. Former model home! Upgrades galore! A MUST see! Easy access to highways and shopping!

OPEN HOUSE IN NORTH RICHLAND HILLS - 8925 STRATFORD DR.

OPEN HOUSE IN NORTH RICHLAND HILLS - 8925 STRATFORD DR.

Open House: Satuday, Feb. 21st - 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Open House: Sunday Feb. 22nd - 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Park it here.... Park it Here There's an over-sized garage for your vehicle and place to park RV or boat in back at this 3625-SF home on.264 acres in North Richland Hills in Thornbridge South Addition. You'll enjoy 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, private study, master suite with dual sinks, separate shower, jetted tub, tons of cabinets, walk-in closet, elegant dining room with carpeting, inviting family room with fireplace, convenient kitchen with breakfast area, microwave, walk-in pantry, gas cooktop, electric oven, granite countertops, work island for added workspace, dishwasher, upstairs game room with built in entertainment center and wet bar, and a manicured lawn. Former model home! Upgrades galore! A MUST see! Easy access to highways and shopping! Please call Cindie at 817-881-7653 for more information OR visit http://www.soldteam.net/content/featuredprop.html/82816983?proppos=9&ag_id=1229224&featuredproperty=1&startpos=1&endpos=10&ids=82639010,73535094,73535095,79291685,81392406,79327002,79441929,83534119,82816983,79441924&propertyCount=27

Open House - 8109 Belmont Court, North Richland Hills, Texas --- Come and join me

Open House - 8109 Belmont Court, North Richland Hills, Texas --- Come and join me

Open House: Satuday, Feb. 21st - 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Open House: Sunday, Feb. 22nd - 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Come Get The Keys!

Everything is new and ready at this traditional 4-bedroom/3.5-bath home, gameroom and only an easy drive to Northeast Mall and Southlake Town Square. Guaranteed to average less than $199 per month to heat and cool! BISD

Can't make the open house this weekend - no problem call me and I will set up a personal showing

Joana Sweney
817-501-7309

Open House - 8949 Glendara Court, North Richland HIls

Open House - 8949 Glendara Court, North Richland Hils, Texas - Come and see this great house this weekend with me!
Open House: Satuday, Feb. 21st - 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Open House: Sunday, Feb. 22nd - 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Won't Last Long

Act quickly and check out this new 4-bedroom/3.5-bath 4143-SF home, gameroom and only a short drive to Southlake Town Square and Northeaast Mall. Offers a formal living room with hardwood floors, distinguished family room with gas fireplace. Guaranteed to average $199 or less per month to heat and cool this gorgeous home. BISD.

Don't have time to come this weekend, no problem call me and we can set up a personal showing!

Joana Sweney
817-501-7309

Texas Fun Facts

Have you ever wondered why so many people love Texas, want to live here and are the way we are? Well, here are a few facts that I bet most native Texans don't even know!

Here are some interesting things about Texas

Here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about folks from Texas ...

1. If someone in a Lowe's store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you may live in Texas ;
2. If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Texas ;
3. If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Texas ;
4. If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of Dallas for the weekend, you may live in Texas ;
5. If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas ;
6. If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Texas ;
7. If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked, you may live in Texas ;
8. If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Texas ;
9. If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and everybody's passing you, you may live in Texas ;
10. If you find 60 degrees 'a little chilly,' you may live in Texas ;
11. If you actually understand these jokes, and share them with all your Texas friends, you definitely live in Texas .

Need to be cheered up?

Happy, Texas 79042
Pep, Texas 79353
Smiley, Texas 78159
Paradise, Texas 76073
Rainbow, Texas 76077
Sweet Home, Texas 77987
Comfort, Texas 78013
Friendship, Texas 76530

Love the Sun?

Sun City , Texas 78628
Sunrise, Texas 76661
Sunset, Texas 76270
Sundown, Texas 79372
Sunray, Texas 79086
Sunny Side , Texas 77423

Want something to eat?

Bacon, Texas 76301
Noodle, Texas 79536
Oatmeal, Texas 78605
Turkey , Texas 79261
Trout , Texas 75789
Sugar Land, Texas 77479
Salty, Texas 76567
Rice, Texas 75155
And top it off with:
Sweetwater, Texas 79556

Why travel to other cities? Texas has them all!

Detroit , Texas 75436
Colorado City, Texas 79512
Denver City, Texas 79323
Klondike, Texas 75448
Nevada , Texas 75173
Memphis , Texas 79245
Miami , Texas 79059
Boston , Texas 75570
Santa Fe , Texas 77517
Tennessee Colony, Texas 75861
Reno , Texas 75462

Feel like traveling outside the country? Don't bother buying a plane ticket!

Athens , Texas 75751
Canadian, Texas 79014
China , Texas 77613
Egypt, Texas 77436
Ireland, Texas 76538
Turkey, Texas 79261
London, Texas 76854
New London, Texas 75682
Paris, Texas 75460

No need to travel to Washington D.C. Whitehouse , Texas 75791

We even have a city named after the planet! Earth , Texas 79031

And a City named after our state. Texas City , Texas 77590

Exhausted? Energy , Texas 76452

Cold?

Blanket , Texas 76432
Winters, Texas

Like to read about History?

Santa Anna , Texas
Goliad , Texas
Alamo , Texas
Gun Barrel City, Texas
Robert lee, Texas
Need Office Supplies?
Staples, Texas 78670

Men are from Mars, women are from -
Venus , Texas 76084

You guessed it..it's on the state line.. Texline , Texas 79087

For the kids...

Kermit, Texas 79745
Elmo, Texas 75118
Nemo, Texas 76070
Tarzan, Texas 79783
Winnie , Texas 77665
Sylvester, Texas 79560

Other city names in Texas , to make you smile.....

Frognot, Texas 75424
Bigfoot, Texas 78005
Hogeye, Texas 75423
Cactus, Texas 79013
Notrees, Texas 79759
Best, Texas 76932
Veribest, Texas 76886
Kickapoo, Texas 75763
Dime Box, Texas 77853
Old Dime Box, Texas 77853
Telephone, Texas 75488
Telegraph, Texas 76883
Whiteface, Texas 79379
Twitty, Texas 79079

And last but not least, the Anti-Al Gore City

Kilgore, Texas 75662

And our favorites...

Cut n Shoot, Texas
Gun Barrell City, Texas
Hoop And Holler, Texas
Ding Dong, Texas and, of course,
Muleshoe , Texas

Here are some little known, very interesting facts about Texas.

1. Beaumont to El Paso : 742 miles

2. Beaumont to Chicago : 770 miles

3. El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas

4. World's first rodeo was in Pecos, July 4, 1883.

5. The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built over water. [I thought it might not be there anymore, but I checked, and it is still there! - Evonne]

6. The Heisman Trophy was named after John William Heisman who was the first full-time coach at Rice University in Houston .

7. Brazoria County has more species of birds than any other area in North America .

8. Aransas Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North America 's only remaining flock of whooping cranes.

9. Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson in 1978.

10. The worst natural disaster in U.S . history was in 1900, caused by a hurricane, in which over 8,000 lives were lost on Galveston Island .

11. The first word spoken from the moon, July 20, 1969, was ' Houston .'

12. King Ranch in South Texas is larger than Rhode Island .

13. Tropical Storm Claudette brought a U.S. rainfall record of 43' in 24 hours in and around Alvin in July of 1979.

14. Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by TREATY, (known as the Constitution of 1845 by the Republic of Texas to enter the Union ) instead of by annexation. This allows the Texas Flag to fly at the same height as the U.S. Flag, and may divide into 5 states.

15. A Live Oak tree near Fulton is estimated to be 1500 years old.

16. Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in the state.

17. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. There is no period in Dr Pepper.

18. Texas has had six capital cities: Washington -on- the Brazos, Harrisburg , Galveston , Velasco, West Columbia and Austin ...

19. The Capitol Dome in Austin is the only dome in the U.S. which is taller than the Capitol Building in Washington DC (by 7 feet).

20. The name ' Texas ' comes from the Hasini Indian word 'tejas' meaning friends. Tejas is not Spanish for Texas .

21. The State Mascot is the Armadillo (an interesting bit of trivia about the armadillo is they always have four babies. They have one egg, which splits into four, and they either have four males or four females.).

22. The first domed stadium in the U.S. was the Astrodome in Houston .

Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie , Texas :

(1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin'.
(8) Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff


Now that's kinda plain an' simple don'tcha think?

Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers

"GOOD COMMUNICATION IS AS STIMULATING AS BLACK COFFEE...AND JUST AS HARD TO SLEEP AFTER." Anne Morrow Lindbergh And communication on the new $789 Billion Stimulus Plan has been flying fierce over the past week, resulting in late nights for Congress and probably more than a few cups of coffee. President Obama is certainly hoping the new plan will wake up the struggling economy, and breathe some life back into the housing market as well.
The tax credit in the Stimulus Bill has been scaled down to $8,000 from its previous level of $15,000, or 10% of the value of the home for any first time homebuyers who purchase homes from the start of the year until the end of November. It starts phasing out for couples with incomes above $150,000 and single filers with incomes above $75,000, and buyers will have to repay the credit if they sell their homes within three years.
In addition, there's news that the Obama administration is trying to hammer out a new program to subsidize mortgages to fight the credit crisis. The plan would seek to help homeowners before they fall into arrears on their loans, whereas current programs only assist borrowers that are already delinquent. There are no details yet on this plan, but I will be monitoring this news closely in the weeks ahead.

6 Ingredients of Strong Housing Markets

By Luke Mullins, US News
Feb 6th, 2009

Community elements essential to supporting favorable home prices over the long haul
With lower home prices and attractive mortgage rates, 2009 will present plenty of bargains for real estate shoppers. But as the historic bust continues, Americans everywhere are learning a painful lesson about home buying: property values don't always increase. As such, anyone looking to purchase a home this year should make sure they're buying into a community that can support long-term value. With the help of housing experts, U.S. News compiled a list of the top 6 ingredients of strong housing markets:

Please note that although the following factors will help support a home's value over the long term, they can't prevent short-term declines in a given market—especially in light of the ongoing real estate crash. "These would be forces that are going to impact [your home] over the next five to ten years, as opposed to next year," says Mike Larson of Weiss Research.



1. A well-groomed neighborhood: Well-maintained homes and landscaping have a positive effect on property values in that community, says Joshua Dorkin, founder and CEO of BiggerPockets.com, a real estate networking and information site. By caring for the appearance of their homes, residents help to create a more aesthetically-pleasing environment that future real-estate hunters will want to buy into. So when you're eyeing a home, make sure to take a drive through the entire neighborhood. Take note of how the neighbors care for their homes, lawns and gardens. "Run-down houses and abandoned cars are big red flags," Dorkin says.

2. Good schools: Given the importance of education, communities located within strong school districts tend to support higher home prices. Parents, after all, will want to move into the communities with the best educational opportunities. "The school district is important in terms of increasing demand for that particular area," says Richard Moody, chief economist at Mission Residential. Would-be home buyers can determine the strength of a local school system by accessing online information from local governments or community websites, Moody says.

3. Low Crime: Low crime rates also support strong home values. Since nobody wants to live in a neighborhood where they feel unsafe, crime limits housing demand in a given community. As a result, it's important to obtain crime statistics for the neighborhood you're considering moving into. The best way to do that, says Steve Dexter, a foreclosure expert and author of the book Beat the Banks, is to contact the local police department. "The police department is a public utility," Dexter says. "Most medium- to large-sized [communities] have a public information [officer] that is dedicated to interacting with the public." By contacting this office, home shoppers can get their hands on all the information they'll need to determine a community's level of safety.

4. Close to public transportation: Proximity to public transportation or commuter rails can also help boost home values, says Ron Phipps, a broker with Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. He argues that Americans are increasingly willing to pay a premium for properties that allow them to be less dependent on cars. "Access to bus lines and commuter rail lines is of huge value," Phipps says. "The price of fuel is going to go up again and a lot of my clients are saying, 'O.K., how do we position ourselves to minimize that impact?'" Phipps says.

5. Favorable population trends: It's also important to look at the population trends in the city you're considering moving to, Moody says. "You want to see a track record of steady population growth, which supports growing demand for housing, which will in turn support rising home values," Moody says. Such data can be found online at the U.S. Census Bureau, or though local county or township web sites, he says.

6. Healthy employment landscape: Employment plays a key role in population trends, as workers migrate to locations where they can find jobs. Thus, a healthy employment outlook is a key component of a strong housing market. "If you are in one of these upper Midwest cities and you've got layoffs, especially in a sector like automotives where the jobs are disappearing and they are not coming back, that is a huge problem," Larson says. Home shoppers can obtain economic data from the local government or chamber of commerce, Larson says. Pay special attention to the unemployment trends and find out if any new companies are slated to move into—or out of—the area. "A lot of communities have been trying to attract the sort of economically insensitive industries like biotech and [pharmaceutical companies]," Larson says. "If you've got an area where that kind of business is being brought in—through tax incentives or other efforts—that would be a positive for your local area."

OPEN HOUSE IN NORTH RICHLAND HILLS - 8925 STRATFORD DR.

OPEN HOUSE #2
Open House: Satuday, Feb. 14th - 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Park it here.... Park it Here There's an over-sized garage for your vehicle and place to park RV or boat in back at this 3625-SF home on.264 acres in North Richland Hills in Thornbridge South Addition. You'll enjoy 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, private study, master suite with dual sinks, separate shower, jetted tub, tons of cabinets, walk-in closet, elegant dining room with carpeting, inviting family room with fireplace, convenient kitchen with breakfast area, microwave, walk-in pantry, gas cooktop, electric oven, granite countertops, work island for added workspace, dishwasher, upstairs game room with built in entertainment center and wet bar, and a manicured lawn. Former model home! Upgrades galore! A MUST see! Easy access to highways and shopping! Please call Cindie at 817-881-7653 for more information OR visit http://www.soldteam.net/content/featuredprop.html/82816983?proppos=9&ag_id=1229224&featuredproperty=1&startpos=1&endpos=10&ids=82639010,73535094,73535095,79291685,81392406,79327002,79441929,83534119,82816983,79441924&propertyCount=27

OPEN HOUSE IN KELLER, TEXAS!!! 1613 OVERLOOK TERR., KELLER, TEXAS

OPEN HOUSE #1
1613 Overlook Terr., Keller, Texas - $709,000
Open House: Saturday, Feb. 14th - 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Open House: Sunday, Feb. 15th - 2:00 - 4:00 pm

This home is a Perfect 10! Encounter luxury and spaciousness in this 5-bedroom/5.5-bath 5147-SF home on 1.11 acres. Features include a comfortable family room with wet bar, entertainment center, master suite with sitting room, separate shower, dual sinks, walk-in closet to quickly find your clothes, classic dining room, grand formal living room with wood floors, fireplace for winter days, cook-friendly kitchen with gas range, pantry, garbage disposal, work island for cleaning veggies, granite countertops, custom cabinets, breakfast area, double ovens, microwave, dishwasher, large laundry, game room, study, home office, home theater for the movie buff, exercise room for shedding pounds. Backyard features a wonderful fireplace for enjoying those chilly days outside. The City of Keller has planned for a 43 acre park that will back to this great home! Please call Cindie Stewart for more information or visit http://www.soldteam.net/content/featuredprop.html/82639010?proppos=1&ag_id=1229224&featuredproperty=1&startpos=1&endpos=10&ids=82639010,73535094,73535095,79291685,81392406,79327002,79441929,83534119,82816983,79441924&propertyCount=27

FHA Loan Incentive. Did you know there where Incentives?

FHA has a 203KS loan that will give a buyer money added to the mortgage to repair and or update a home being purchased, that is in need of some TLC.
Here is some information on what qualifies under this loan.
For help finding a home that will qualify give me a call.

What improvements are eligible under the new Streamlined (k) program?

The Streamlined (k) program is intended to facilitate uncomplicated rehabilitation and/or improvements to a home for which plans, consultants, engineers and/or architects are not required. The Streamlined (k) program includes the discretionary improvements and/or repairs shown below:

• Repair/Replacement of roofs, gutters and downspouts
• Repair/Replacement/upgrade of existing HVAC systems
• Repair/Replacement/upgrade of plumbing and electrical systems
• Repair/Replacement of flooring
• Minor remodeling, such as kitchens, which does not involve structural repairs
• Painting, both exterior and interior
• Weatherization, including storm windows and doors, insulation, weather stripping, etc.
• Purchase and installation of appliances, including free-standing ranges, refrigerators, washers/dryers, dishwashers and microwave ovens
• Accessibility improvements for persons with disabilities
• Lead-based paint stabilization or abatement of lead-based paint hazards
• Repair/replace/add exterior decks, patios, porches
• Basement finishing and remodeling, which does not involve structural repairs
• Basement waterproofing
• Window and door replacements and exterior wall re-siding
• Septic system and/or well repair or replacement

What are the minimum and maximum amounts for repair costs under this program?

Given the need for homeowners to make minor repairs without exhausting personal savings, and in consideration of the increasing cost of materials, the minimum repair cost of $5,000 is eliminated and the ceiling is now raised to $35,000. This revised maximum repair/rehabilitation amount recognizes the cost of making older homes more energy efficient. Note that as described below, when the repairs exceed $15,000, the mortgagee must perform or obtain an inspection to determine that all listed repairs were completed.

Can this program be used for repairs and improvements on purchases of HUD Homes?

Like the regular Section 203(k) program, Streamlined (k) may be used for single-family housing sold by HUD. REO properties that have been designated by FHA’s Management and Marketing contractor (M&M) as “insurable” with repair escrow ($5,000 or less in required repairs) or “uninsurable” (with more than $5,000 but no more than $35,000 in required repairs) are eligible for the Streamlined (k) program provided that the repairs qualify as eligible work items outlined in this Mortgagee Letter.

For questions give me a call or send an e mail. I will be happy to help you find a home, or help you find a great lender.

Have a great week,
Cindie Stewart
817-881-7653

Valentines Day At Chef Point Cafe!

Valentines Day
There is no remedy for love but to love more...


Enjoy candlelight dinner, fresh flowers and chocolate kisses for your special date.

Experience your romantic day Saturday and Sunday.


Featured Dinner Special

Duck a'Lorange
Half duck slowly roasted and cooked to perfection, served with angel hair pasta and topped with the Chefs special orange sauce!


Valentine's Day Menu
Escargot

Duck Breast

Romaine Heart Salad

Rack of Lamb

Fresh Sea Bass

Prime Rib

Steak & Lobster Tail

Duck a'Lorange

Chocolate Mouse

Bread Pudding

and more....


If you haven't enjoyed the fabulous menu at Chef Point Cafe, you don't know what you're missing. Grab your favorite Valentine and enjoy a meal you won't forget.

Franson & Paula Nwaeze
Chef Point Cafe
5901 Watauga Rd
Watauga Tx 76148
817-656-0080