Thursday, March 26, 2009

Texas Still Most Popular "Moving-to" State



For the fourth straight year, Texas is the No. 1 state Americans are moving to, according to Allied Van Lines, which annually tracks U.S. migration patterns. Texas had the highest net relocation gain (inbound moves minus outbound moves performed by Allied Van Lines) of 1,903 in 2008. “With the continued job growth we’re seeing in major cities like Dallas and Houston, and very affordable home prices statewide, Texas is still the place to be,” says Brooke Hunt, 2009 chairman of the Texas Association of REALTORS®. Texas’ 9,879 total Allied shipments (inbound and outbound moves) in 2008 ranked second behind California, which had 11,400. But more people moved out of California last year, enabling Texas to retain its status as the No. 1 “moving-to” state in the country. In fact, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas gained more residents between July 2007 and July 2008 than any other state. Texas gained 484,000 residents during the 12-month period, followed by California (379,000), North Carolina (181,000), and Georgia (162,000).

If you’ve recently moved to Texas, or you’re thinking about it, check out the Moving to Texas section of TexasRealEstate.com.

Sources: Allied Van Lines, U.S. Census Bureau, Texas Association of REALTORS®

Monday, March 16, 2009

Foreclosure, Short Sale, Lease to Buy, House Values, Interest rates

What is it that everyone is talking about? What is really happening and can anyone really help?I have been doing real estate since 1992. I have been self employed for over 1/2 my life. Self employed for those who don't know what that means. Cindie's definition is unemployed with an attitude.That means if I don't show up and perform I don't get paid, in fact sometimes I show up and show up and still don't get paid. The difference is I still just show up anyway. If I was doing real estate to become rich I picked the wrong career. However, if I picked real estate because I genuinely like helping people find a great deal and a nice home to live in or help them sell the one they have then I picked the right career. If you are having trouble and can't seem to find someone that really cares then keep looking till you do. There are lots of people that play are real estate one deal at a time. I like to say I get to help someone one person at a time.

Real estate is normally the largest investment that anyone will make in their life time. So, it should not be handled by someone that just thinks your another deal. If you are facing foreclosure you need to talk to a Realtor who knows and understands the process in your area. There are several different options you can take to stop it long enough to see what options would be best for you. If you don't have the credit score you need to buy a home FHA just passed via the local banks here a minimum of a 620 FICA. FHA did not pass that the banks have taken that on themselves to do. They got the money to loan from the government but your not going to get it so easy. Maybe you need to sell but your home is not worth what you owe that would be a Short Sale. This is where your good Realtor can be worth their weight in gold to you. It is a transaction that your current lender will have the final say on what the terms, price etc will happen. This is a tough pile of paper work. It can be done. I was doing these in 2006 when things were going like gang busters. The biggest issue is getting someone on the lenders side to help your file over the pile they have on the desk. These employees are over worked and under paid in my opinion. If your credit is good and you have enough money to put at least 10% down it is time to buy. I have been telling people when rates were around the 5% mark buy.

The market here in the Dallas Fort Worth Texas area is really good. The kind of home you can owe for the rate of interest you can buy at is unbelieveable. I just got a deal accepted on a 550,000 home buyer is putting down 20% and the interest rate is fixed at 4.78%. Not to mention the deal on the home this would be a 780,000 home. Guys you can't buy the materials to build this home again at this price. Lease to Buy, boy the phones have been ringing off the hook on this deal. Here in Texas none of your monthly rental can be applied, your landlord must keep excellent records or you better make sure you have copies of all cleared checks to show you have been making your rent on time. Your deposit can be put into the pot to close the deal. You really are getting the first right to refusal or you agree to a prices at a much later closing date than normal and at that time you get a real loan and you will own the home after funding and no longer a tenant.

I have spent a lot of energy educating myself and my team on all these issues so we can better service you the clients. Interview and re-interview your Realtor. Make sure your a person with needs and the Realtor your hiring wants to really help you, not just put a sign in the yard and or your bottom in their car seat. Ask a Realtor for help or advise. Their service of talking to you on the phone is free to you. Most are very willing to answer any questions you might have.
--
Cindie Stewart
Broker/Owner
Texas Sold Team Realty,LLC
213 S. Elm Street
Keller TX 76248
Office: 817-337-5169
Mobile: 817-881-7653
Fax: 817-796-1242
WWW.SOLDTEAM.NET
Women's Council of Realtors
2009 VP of Membership of NE Tarrant
2008 President of NE Tarrant Co.
Chair for Technology for State of Texas Co-Chair Ways &Means for State of TX
www.wcrnetc.com
www.wcrtexas.org
www.techytalktuesdays.com
ePro, CLHMS, Realtor, CRS
This is a great day and there will not be another one just like it, enjoy fully it will be over soon good or bad

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Praise Dave Ramsey for he has spoken the Truth about Real Estate

Last night as I laid in bed watching a little TV prior to falling asleep, I was flipping channels and came across the Dave Ramsy program. He was talking about real estate so my ears perked up and listened. I was so very impressed since he is the only real person with exposure to the general public that was finally speaking the truth about this industry.

I have been so tired of the sky is falling attitude of the media. I totally get that bad news sells, but surely people must be getting tired of this. The truth that Dave Ramsey was saying was that most of the foreclosures are in 35 counties of which most of these are in the following: California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Michigan. There is a huge thread about these areas too not just in real estate but with social ideas as well. That I won't go into but the real estate is important. News you won't hear on the national media is that home sales in CA alone are up over 100 percent. WOOO HAAAA but not a word about it.
Second talking point that Dave Ramsey said was that we were going to see over 3 million in foreclosures this year alone. I have said this as well most of the ones that file won't get foreclosed on, their foreclosure will be cleared by a sale of the property, the home owner works something out or the sell with a short sale.

Third talking point that Dave Ramsey said was that according to the Reatlor.org site put out numbers for January 2009 in that month alone there were over 4 million homes sold.

Please not year and month it is important that you are in the know.

There are over 4 million out of work and funny apparently there is over 2 million jobs available. Sure might not be what you want or you might have to move to the job or whatever but there is work if you want to do what you want.

Ok, so if you have over 3 million in foreclosure in a year that is about 257,000 homes a month going into foreclosure.

Why is this news not getting on the national media----- It does not sell. Americans can't get enough of the Dirty Laundry. We wonder why there is so much anti depressant medication available. What we allow to be feed our brains.

I am not saying not be informed. Make sure the facts are true and look for the whole story. You can't get the whole story in a 30 second clip. Do your research.

I just want to thank Dave Ramsey for standing up to the BS that seems to be spread around on a well fertilized field ready to be planted.


--
Cindie Stewart
Broker/Owner
Texas Sold Team Realty,LLC
213 S. Elm Street
Keller TX 76248
Office: 817-337-5169
Mobile: 817-881-7653
Fax: 817-796-1242
WWW.SOLDTEAM.NET
Women's Council of Realtors
2009 VP of Membership of NE Tarrant
2008 President of NE Tarrant Co.
Chair for Technology for State of Texas Co-Chair Ways &Means for State of TX
www.wcrnetc.com
www.wcrtexas.org
www.techytalktuesdays.com
ePro, CLHMS, Realtor, CRS
This is a great day and there will not be another one just like it, enjoy fully it will be over soon good or bad.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

WINE & CHEESE OPEN HOUSE 8949 GLENDARA DR., NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS

Texas Sold Team Realty is hosting a Wine and Cheese Open House

Friday, March 13th from 3:00 - 6:00

Come see a beautiful custom built home by Independence Custom Homes, Inc.

Click on the link below for more information.

http://soldteam.net/files/533341/WINE&CHEESE-glendara.pdf