Carrasco Real Estate Co.

Want to be on TV?

2011-09-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

I have been presented an exciting opportunity! Just last week, I was contacted by HGTV to flim a My First Place episode here in Dallas. They are looking for fun, high-energy people in and around the Dallas-Ft. Worth area who are buying their first place! Singles, couples and families are all invited to apply.

My First Place is returning for its 11th season, and will again focus on the trials and tribulations of looking for, bidding on, and buying your first place – whether it's a single-family house, townhouse or condo. They looking for fun and interesting Real Estate Brokers and people who are willing to share their personal and financial struggles during the home-buying process.

In addition to the once-in-a-lifetime experience, upon airing of our episode, you’ll also receive a DVD copy of our show—giving you a lasting memory of your first time buying a home to cherish for all time!

If this sounds like an exciting, fun experience to you (we think it is!) and you are or know of someone planning on buying their first place in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, please call me today. They are encouraging us to get our buyers applications in ASAP. If selected, I will contact you about the next step in the process!

*Candidates who complete taping will receive a monetary gift as part of the show.

Rafael's Infiniti Commercial

2011-05-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

The commercial is airing on Time Warner Cable: ESPN, DISCOVERY, TNT, USA, & CNN.

It's a "Sellabration"! Join us & the University of Houston in recognizing Rafael as the 2011 #1 SEI Alumni!

2011-05-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

We are excited around here to share with all of you some of the recognition your hard working & friendly local real estate broker, Rafael Carrasco has been awarded!

Rafael has always enjoyed selling homes & even more so helping his clients wade through the recently "murky" waters of real estate. It is rewarding to hear that his honest commitment to his clients & hard work is being recognized by his Alma Mater. He desire's to continue offering his clients the same honesty, integrity & hard work that has been making their home buying experience easy for the past 12 years. Ringing true to Rafael's motto, "Home Buying The Easy Way".

Please watch the video & read the article published below by The University Of Houston to see & hear what they have to say about Rafael.

SEI Announces Top 15 Alumni At Anniversary Celebration

Published on May 5, 2011

Inductees into Hall of Honor Include Top Producers in Sales for Leading Companies

The Sales Excellence Institute at the University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business kicked off a week of “sellebration” on May 3 to mark its 15^th anniversary, with an event to announce the Top 15 Distinguished Alumni.

The group is the first to be inducted into the SEI Alumni Hall of Honor and was selected by a committee based on sales performance, public service in the community and involvement with the program.

“We’re excited to honor so many terrific alumni and show what a fantastic group of people and a fantastic family we’ve developed here over the past 15 years.,” said Michael Ahearne, executive director of SEI.

Please, join Carrasco Real Estate Co. & The University of Houston in "Sellebrating" our very own Rafael Carrasco.

The University of Houston has voted Rafael the very 1st into & ranked #1 by the University's Distinguished Alumni Club of the Sales Excellence Institute at the University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business.

Although, Rafael has moved on from Sales Manager at Pulte Homes to establish our thriving real estate company, Carrasco Real Estate Co. He still has strong connections with the current company's managemnt & all of the wonderful men & women who worked with him during his time of employment.

SEI Top 15 Distinguished Alumni:

Rafael Carrasco
Class of 1999
Broker/Owner, Carrasco Real Estate Co.

Travis Bruns
Class of 2000
Sales Manager, Crown Lift Trucks

Chad Dziedzic
Class of 2000
Regional Vice President, BlackRock

Kevin Laudadio
Class of 2000
Account Executive, BMC Software, Inc.

Gersson Rosas
Class of 2000
Houston Rockets, Vice President of Player Personnel

Marcus Smith
Class of 2004
Founder, President & Senior Agent, Boss Alliance Financial Group

Alim Hirani
Class of 2004
Director of Finance, Hilti

Markus Tolson
Class of 2005
Agent, State Farm

Tatiana Chavanelle
Class of 2001
Senior Manager- Treasury, KBR

Christin Taschery
Class of 2004
Senior Sales Professional – Metabolism Division, Sanofi Aventis, U.S.

Steven Chiara
Class of 2007
Sales Representative – OEM Markets, 3M

Edith Botello
Class of 2008
Store Manager, Mattress Firm

Marek Crabbs
Class of 2009
Sales Manager, Waste Management

Mary Yu
Class of 2006
Sales Consultant, Pulte Group

Marie Huynh
Class of 2009
Corporate Account Manager, EMC

FHA and Fannie Mae offer loans for home energy improvements

2011-05-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

The FHA's PowerSaver program allows eligible owners to borrow up to $25,000 at fixed rates for as long as 20 years to finance energy-conservation retrofits. Fannie Mae has an energy-improvement mortgage add-on program.

If you've been looking for a way to pay for energy improvements to your house, two little-publicized new mortgage programs could provide the cash you need.

Both the Federal Housing Administration and mortgage investor Fannie Mae recently have launched options in the energy conservation arena. Here's a quick overview, with some pros and cons:

The FHA's PowerSaver program allows eligible owners to borrow up to $25,000 at fixed rates between 5% and 7% for as long as 20 years to finance high-efficiency windows and doors, heating and ventilating systems, solar panels, geothermal systems, insulation and duct sealing, among other retrofits.

Although PowerSaver is officially a pilot program, Shaun Donovan, secretary of Housing and Urban Development, estimates that 30,000 such loans will be closed in the next two years. It eventually could become a major national program for residential energy upgrades, with total loans extending into the millions, he said.

One important element in the program is energy audits. Although they won't be mandatory, most participating lenders are expected to encourage owners to sign up for an energy efficiency analysis by a certified specialist. The audit should pinpoint where your house is leaky or otherwise inefficient in energy use, and should recommend the specific types of upgrades or additions that could help cut your bills and reduce greenhouse emissions.

The FHA will insure loans to cover the improvements up to the $25,000 maximum under the following guidelines:

•The house must be your principal residence, detached and single-family only. No rentals, no investor homes, no second homes.

•You'll need to demonstrate that you are a solid credit risk. Minimum FICO credit scores of 660 are required, plus your total household monthly debt-to-income ratio cannot exceed 45%.

•Houses with negative equity will not qualify. You'll need some level of equity in the property; there is no mandatory minimum stake, but the combined primary mortgage debt plus the PowerSaver second lien cannot exceed 100% of the appraised market value of the house. You could, for example, have a 10% equity position in a $200,000 home, and still qualify for up to $20,000 in a PowerSaver.

•Lenders are likely to take an extra hard look at all your income and asset documentation because, unlike other FHA-insured mortgages, PowerSaver will cover only 90% of the lender's loss or insurance claim in the event of a default.

Eighteen lenders around the country have signed up so far to participate, including giant Quicken Loans — a Top 10 national mortgage originator — and local players such as California-based Sun West Mortgage, Seattle's HomeStreet Bank, the Bank of Colorado, Stonegate Mortgage in the Midwest, Pennsylvania-based AFC First Financial Corp. and the University of Virginia Community Credit Union. A spokesman for Quicken Loans said the company hoped to offer PowerSaver in as many as 34 states during the pilot period.

Some pros and cons of PowerSaver: The biggest plus is its low fixed interest rate and long term — especially in comparison with most homeowners' alternative options such as bank home equity loans and lines of credit, which typically cost more and may have less favorable payback terms.

The main potential drawbacks center on the program permitting total household mortgage debt loads of up to 100% of market value. Some borrowers could encounter payment problems if they experience even slight income declines. If property values in the area decrease, the loans could put owners into negative equity territory.

Fannie Mae's "energy improvement" mortgage add-on program is significantly different from the FHA's. Rather than a separate loan to finance the energy retrofits, Fannie folds the cost of the improvements — capped at up to 10% of the estimated market value of the home following the energy-efficiency enhancements — into the mortgage amount itself.

In effect, Fannie's program, which is available through participating lenders nationwide, allows you to buy an existing house and improve its energy usage significantly with one mortgage at current market rates. Most single-family properties are eligible for the program, except for manufactured houses and cooperative units.

Be aware that Fannie requires an audit by a certified Home Energy Rating Systems expert upfront to justify the proposed modifications to the house as truly cost-efficient. The audit must be paid for by the borrower, but Fannie will credit an extra $250 through the lenders to partially defray this expense.

Article By Kenneth R. Harney

kenharney@earthlink.net

Distributed by Washington Post Writers Group.

2011-04-22T10:28:00.000-07:00

Don't Forget To Spring Forward!

2011-03-10T12:15:00.000-08:00

URGENT - Interest Rates & Monthly Payments going UP!

2011-03-02T10:14:00.001-08:00

February 2011 Sales Promotion

2011-02-07T13:34:00.000-08:00

February 2011 Sales Promotion

2011-02-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

Our new mobile app!

2011-02-04T09:15:00.000-08:00

Stay up to date on the newest homes to it the market anytime via our new mobile app. Just type in the following address into your browser.

http://wbxapp.com/dfw-real-estate

Or scan this barcode with your smartphone. If your smartphone is able to read QR codes, you can use this barcode to go to our mobile app. More about QR codes

New Facebook Page

2011-02-04T08:34:00.001-08:00

Keep up to date with the latest homes for sale & real estate information at

facebook.com/CarrascoRealEstate

Making Your Home Picture Perfect

2011-02-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, in real estate, that picture's worth translates to dollars and then, if it's an excellent picture, you can add another zero to that number. That's why helping us get the right photos of your home are critical.

Before having Carrasco Real Estate photograph or, in some cases, videotaped, your home you'll want to make sure that it's in the best possible shape. But what exactly does that mean?

Getting your home ready for a photo shoot is not quite the same as getting it ready to have dinner guests. Yes, there's the same cleaning rituals such as dusting, and picking up items lying around the house. But making a home picture perfect is about creating an atmosphere that's welcoming, interesting, and even beckoning viewers and then allowing us to capture it with our lens.

How is that done? For starters we'll use the right equipment to get the job done. Wide angle lens to make the home look larger and show off adjacent rooms in a single photo are one good method. Early morning and late afternoon photo shoots make use of the best lighting times in the day.

Before the shoot you'll want to add some props and take away the clutter. These should be your top priorities.

Let's start with empty rooms. Showing an empty house isn't ideal for in-person visits or pictures. Why? You can't get a feel for how to use the space and when you see an empty room in a picture and it's hard to grasp its size. The Wall Street Journal suggests bringing in props such as furniture (even just a chair and small table) that will help give the viewer a sense of scale.

If at all possible, rent, borrow some furniture to have at least a few objects in the room. You don't need as many pieces of furniture as you would have if you're living in the home, just some nice tables, lamps, and chairs to create a homey mood.

Kitchen comfort. Here's where you get to have some fun. Think of yourself as a set designer. Your job is to look closely at your kitchen and tuck away all the unnecessary objects. If you leave out an appliance (maybe a good-looking stainless steel one) hide the cord. The appliance isn't there for use–it's just a prop.

Now, add some other props–a basket of colorful fruit in a clear glass bowl (nothing too distracting). A plate of cheese and bread with a wine bottle nearby helps set a scene to make the viewer feel welcome.

When it comes to the exterior of your home, put away those unsightly garbage cans, the seasonal decorations, and those "no soliciting" signs.

Remember, you're making your home not only picture-perfect but model-home perfect too... and that could just be priceless.

Best Black Friday Deals? A New Home...

2010-11-26T11:16:00.000-08:00

With all the deals going on we didn't want you to miss out on local home builders & their Black Friday Deals. It is usually big retailers offering flat-screen TV's and high-tech appliances that consumers covet. But this year local new home builders are getting in on the Black Friday action!

Search the MLS or Local Builder Inventory Now.

This holiday season is also the perfect time to start house-hunting. With the winter selling lull just around the corner, now is the perfect time to consider buying a home. Homes are much less expensive this time of year.

Contact us to learn more about the 3 BEST FREE BLACK FRIDAY INCENTIVES offered from local home builders & why buying real estate might be the best investment for you and your family this holiday season.

*Only 1 Incentive Coupon applicable per home. Incentives are not available with any other incentives or offers

Energy Effcient Homes?

2010-09-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

Poll: Nine in 10 U.S. Homeowners Concerned About Home Energy Efficiency

Home energy efficiency is valued by the vast majority of American homeowners, with 89 percent of national survey respondents indicating that making their home more energy efficient is important to them personally.

Key findings from the September 2010 national survey include:

* Less than one in three homeowners believe their homes are "very" energy efficient
* While the majority reported knowing "a lot" about how to make their homes energy efficient, they mistakenly identified "older windows" as the top energy-loss culprit
* 90% said it is important to have a professional energy auditor who is "certified by an independent national organization"

"These findings are a call to action to the industry to help consumers tap into the true value of an independent energy audit," said Steve Baden, executive director, RESNET. "While the benefits of window replacement are obvious, it is often a less visible and less expensive repair – for example, sealing cracks around air conditioning and heating ducts – that can significantly improve a home's energy efficiency and cut homeowners' utility bills."

D.C.-based Clarus Research Group, a Qorvis company, conducted a market survey of 800 U.S. homeowners(1) on behalf of RESNET, an industry leader in the energy efficiency marketplace. The sample was defined as adults over 21 years of age who currently own a home or plan to purchase one within the next year. The survey was conducted by Ron Faucheux, Ph.D., president of Clarus and a nationally recognized research and polling expert.

Key among other survey findings:

* 86% of homeowners would trust an energy audit performed by someone who was "certified by an independent national organization" over someone who was not
* 80% of those surveyed said that if they were in the market to buy a home, an energy audit conducted by an "unbiased professional" would be important to them

Poll from RISMEDIA

If your on the buying fence now's the time get off...

2010-09-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

FHA Gives Home Buyers One-Month Window

September 1, 2010--The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is giving homeowners and buyers until October 4 to lock in a low monthly insurance premium, according to Gibran Nicholas, chairman of the CMPS Institute, an organization that trains and certifies mortgage bankers and brokers. “After October 4, the monthly insurance premiums on FHA loans will increase by over 63%.”

What does this mean for home buyers?
A home buyer purchasing a $200,000 home using a $193,000 FHA mortgage before October 4 would pay an insurance premium of $88.46 per month. If the same home buyer waits until after October 4, the insurance premium would jump to $148.01.

“In this example, the home buyer would lose $59.55 per month, or $7,146 over a 10-year timeframe,” Nicholas said. “Although the upfront mortgage insurance premium is going down after October 4, the real impact to the home buyer is actually a net increase in their out of pocket costs because the monthly premium is going up by 63%. Remember, sellers can pay the upfront premium or it can be financed into the loan amount, so homebuyers rarely pay the upfront premium out of pocket. On the other hand, the increase in the monthly premiums will be paid right out of the home buyer’s pocket with their mortgage payment each month.”

Ironically, home buyers who plan to be in the mortgage for less than three years and decide to pay the upfront fee themselves (instead of having the seller pay it for them), may actually save money by waiting until after October 4 to apply for an FHA loan.

“Home buyers with a short term time horizon may actually benefit from this change because the upfront premium will be reduced to 1% from 2.25%,” Nicholas said. This change will impact over 30% of the home buyers in today’s market who use FHA-insured financing. Home buyers considering an FHA loan should find and contact a CMPS professional in their area to discuss their options and what this means for their situation.

from: RISmedia

Top reasons you still need a real estate agent

2010-08-31T08:30:00.000-07:00

You might think buying or selling on your own will save money, but it could be more costly in the long run.

The abundance of services that help home buyers and sellers complete their own real-estate transactions is relatively recent, and may have you wondering whether using a real-estate agent is becoming a relic of a bygone era. While doing the work yourself can save you the significant commissions that many real-estate agents command, for many, flying solo may not be the way to go — and could end up being more costly than a commission in the long run. Buying or selling a home is a major financial and emotional undertaking. Find out why you shouldn't discard the notion of hiring an agent just yet.

1. Better access/more convenience
A real-estate agent's full-time job is to act as a liaison between buyers and sellers. This means that he or she will have easy access to all other properties listed by other agents and will know what needs to be done to get a deal together. For example, if you are looking to buy a home, a real-estate agent will track down homes that meet your criteria, get in touch with sellers' agents and make appointments for you to view the homes. If you are buying on your own, you will have to play this telephone tag yourself. This may be especially difficult if you're shopping for homes that are for sale by owner

Similarly, if you are looking to sell your home yourself, you will have to solicit calls from interested parties, answer questions and make appointments. Keep in mind that potential buyers are likely to move on if you tend to be busy or don't respond quickly enough. Alternatively, you may find yourself making an appointment and rushing home, only to find that no one shows up.

2. Negotiating is tricky business
Many people don't like the idea of doing a real-estate deal through an agent and think that direct negotiation between buyers and sellers is more transparent and allows the parties to look after their own interests better. This is probably true — assuming that both the buyer and seller are reasonable people who are able to get along. Unfortunately, this isn't always an easy relationship.

What if you, as a buyer, like a home but despise its wood-paneled walls, shag carpet and lurid orange kitchen? If you are working with an agent, you can express your contempt for the current owner's decorating skills and rant about how much it'll cost you to upgrade the home without insulting the owner. For all you know, the owner's late mother may have lovingly chosen the décor. Your real-estate agent can convey your concerns to the seller’s agent. Acting as a messenger, the agent may be in a better position to negotiate a discount without ruffling the homeowner's feathers.

A real-estate agent can also play the “bad guy” in a transaction, preventing the bad blood between a buyer and seller that can kill a deal. Keep in mind that sellers can reject a potential buyer's offer for any reason — including just because they hate his or her guts. An agent can help by speaking for you in tough transactions and smoothing things over to keep them from getting too personal. This can put you in a better position to get the house you want. The same is true for the seller, who can benefit from a hard-nosed real-estate agent who will represent his or her interests without turning off potential buyers who want to niggle about the price.

3. Contracts can be hard to handle
If you decide to buy or sell a home, the offer-to-purchase contract is there to protect you and ensure that you are able to back out of the deal if certain conditions aren't met. For example, if you plan to buy a home with a mortgage but you fail to make financing one of the conditions of the sale — and you aren't approved for the mortgage — you can lose your deposit on the home and could even be sued by the seller for failing to fulfill your end of the contract. (Keep in mind that the details of any contract may vary based on state law.)

An experienced real-estate agent deals with the same contracts and conditions on a regular basis and is familiar with which conditions should be used, when they can be removed safely and how to use the contract to protect you, whether you're buying or selling your home.

4. Real-estate agents can't lie
Well, OK, actually they can. But because they are licensed professionals, there are more repercussions if they do than for a private buyer or seller. If you are working with a licensed real-estate agent under an agency agreement, such as a conventional, full-service commission agreement in which the agent agrees to represent you, your agent will be bound by law to a fiduciary relationship. In other words, the agent is bound by law to act in his clients' best interest, not his own.

In addition, most real-estate agents rely on referrals and repeat business to build the kind of client base they'll need to survive in the business. This means that doing what's best for their clients should be as important to them as any individual sale.

Finally, if you do find that your agent has gotten away with lying to you, you will have more avenues for recourse, such as through your agent's broker or professional association or possibly even in court if you can prove that your agent has failed to uphold his fiduciary duties.

When a buyer and seller work together directly, they can — and should — seek legal counsel, but because each is expected to act in his or her best interest, there isn't much you can do if you find out later that you've been duped about multiple offers or the home's condition. And having a lawyer on retainer any time you want to talk about potentially buying or selling a house could cost far more than an agent's commissions by the time the transaction is complete.

5. Not everyone can save money
Many people eschew using a real-estate agent in order to save money, but keep in mind that it is unlikely that both the buyer and seller will reap the benefits of not having to pay commissions. For example, if you are selling your home on your own, you will price it based on the sale prices of other comparable properties in your area. Many of these properties will be sold with the help of an agent. This means that the seller gets to keep the percentage of the home's sale price that might otherwise be paid to the real-estate agent.

However, buyers who are looking to purchase a home sold by owners may also believe they can save some money on the home by not having an agent involved. They might even expect it and make an offer accordingly. However, unless buyer and seller agree to split the savings, they can't both save the commission.

The bottom line
While there are certainly people who are qualified to sell their own homes, taking a quick look at the long list of frequently asked questions on most “for sale by owner” websites suggests the process isn't as simple as many people assume. And when you get into a difficult situation, it can really pay to have a professional on your side.

Improve Your Credit Score

2010-08-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

Good credit scores have never been more important. As banks tighten their lending standards, it's important to have your score as high as possible.

A FICO score is a number, in general from 300 to 850, that is formulated from your payment history, including such things as amounts of money owed, length of your credit history, new credit accounts open, and how you have used your credit. Age, salary, race, education, and religion do not affect your score. You can't buy a good score; you can only build one over time by demonstrating that you are a responsible borrower.

To improve your credit score, start with these steps.

1. Pay your bills on time. This seems like a simple enough feat, but in hard economic times, more and more borrowers are finding themselves hard-pressed with the decision of what bill to pay. If you find yourself having a hard time paying bills, be sure to talk with the lender or company you owe. They may have programs or suggestions that will help you avoid having your bill sent to collections.

2. Don't let items go to collections. Once an item is sent to collections, your credit report will suffer. This ding will stay on your report for seven years.

3. Don't open other new credit lines when applying for a home loan. You may want the new car or living room set, but the home buying process is not the time to open multiple new accounts. This is a sure-fire way to temporarily reduce your credit score. If you do this before finalizing your mortgage, you many find yourself stuck with a higher interest rate.

4. Monitor your report on a regular basis for errors and cases of identity theft. Errors do happen. To get them corrected quickly, be sure to contact both the organization that provided the erroneous information, as well as the credit bureau. Identity theft happens. And it is your responsibility to identify it and address it!

5. Pay down credit cards. Carrying high balances on credit cards can severely affect your credit score. Think of it this way. If you have a grand total of $10,000 worth of credit limits available, but you owe $5,000 on all of your cards put together, you are using half of your available credit!

The best loans and mortgages are available to borrowers with FICO scores 700 and above. Experian, one of the major credit reporting agencies, reports that the average credit score is 693.

For a look at your credit report, visit the government sponsored site, annualcreditreport.com. You may access your report three times a year free of charge.

Avoid Foreclosure! Get the help you need with a new website.

2010-08-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

If you are struggling with your mortgage payments or facing foreclosure, you may feel overwhelmed and frustrated.

Many homeowners simply don’t know what to do or where to go for assistance, and they feel too helpless to take action. Fannie Mae has launched a borrower-friendly outreach site designed to educate distressed homeowners on potential retention strategies and foreclosure alternatives.
They understand at Fannie Mae. They have created KnowYourOptions.com to help homeowners just like you. They have made it easy to find the information you need, so you can get help before it’s too late.

The online education resource — available in both English and Spanish — offers calculators to demonstrate to borrowers the mechanics of refinance, repayment, forbearance and modification options. It also offers information on Fannie's Deed-For-Lease program, which allows borrowers to become renters in the same property after pursing deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.

The site, also provides next steps and forms including a financial checklist and a contact log to aid borrowers in contacting their servicers.

You can watch a video here

Thankfully, there are options in this sluggish economy.

Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions and we will help direct you.

10 Low-Cost Tips to Improve Your Home's Resale Appeal

2010-08-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

When selling your home, the goal is to sell it quickly for the highest price while investing as little as possible in renovations. With a limited budget and a little effort, you can greatly increase your home's appeal by focusing on what prospective buyers can see on their first visit. The experts at BuyOwner.com offer the following recommendations for preparing a house for sale and staging it for showings.

Tip #1: Refresh the exterior
First impressions count when it comes to selling a home. Most buyers won’t even leave their car if they don’t find the exterior appealing. The best ways to improve your home’s exterior include:
-Repairing and/or replacing trims, shutters, gutters, shingles, mailboxes, window screens, walkways and the driveway.
-Painting siding, trim and shutters and lamp and mailbox posts.
-Pressure washing vinyl siding, roofs, walkways and the driveway.
-Washing windows.

Tip #2: Spruce up the lawn and landscape
Home buyers associate the condition of your lawn and landscaping with the condition of your home’s interior. By improving the outside, you affect buyers’ impression of the entire property. The best ways to enhance the yard include:
-Mowing and edging the lawn.
-Seeding, fertilizing and weeding the lawn.
-Keeping up with regular lawn maintenance by frequent watering.
-Trimming and/or removing overgrown trees, shrubs and hedges.
-Weeding and mulching plant beds.
-Planting colorful seasonal flowers in existing plant beds.
-Removing trash, especially along fences and underneath hedges.
-Sweeping and weeding the street curb along your property.

Tip #3: Create an inviting entrance
The front door to your home should invite buyers to enter. The best ways to improve your entry include:
-Painting the front door in a glossy, cheerful color that complements the exterior.
-Cleaning, polishing and/or replacing the door knocker, locks and handles.
-Repairing and/or replacing the screen door, the doorbell, porch lights and house numbers.
-Placing a new welcome mat and a group of seasonal potted plants and flowers by the entry.

Tip #4: Reduce clutter and furniture
A buyer cannot envision living in your home without seeing it. A home filled with clutter or even too much furniture distracts buyers from seeing how they can utilize the space your home offers. If you have limited storage space, you may want to consider renting a temporary storage unit to place items you wish to keep. The best ways to declutter your home include:
-Holding a garage sale to prepare for your move, getting rid of unnecessary items.
-Removing clutter such as books, magazines, toys, tools, supplies and unused items from counter tops, open shelves, storage closets, the garage and basements.
-Storing out-of-season clothing and shoes out of sight to make bedroom closets seem roomier.
-Removing any visibly damaged furniture.
-Organizing bookshelves, closets, cabinets and pantries. Buyers will inspect everything.
-Putting away your personal photographs, unless they showcase the home. Let buyers see themselves in your home.
-De-personalize rooms as much as you can.

Tip #5: Clean, clean, clean
The cleanliness of your home also influences a buyer's perception of its condition. The appearance of the kitchen and bathrooms will play a considerable role in a buyer's decision process, so pay particular attention to these areas. The best ways to improve these areas include:
-Cleaning windows, fixtures, hardware, ceiling fans, vent covers and appliances.
-Cleaning carpets, area rugs and draperies.
-Cleaning inside the refrigerator, the stove and all cabinets.
-Removing stains from carpets, floors, counters, sinks, baths, tile, walls and grout.
-Eliminating house odors, especially if you have pets.
-Considering air fresheners or potpourri.

Tip #6: Make minor repairs
The small stuff does count, especially with first-time home buyers. Without dismissing the importance of repairing major items such as a leaky roof or plumbing, you do not need to spend money on replacing these items. Instead, focus on the minor repairs that will make your home visually appealing. The best ways to improve your home include:
-Repairing ceilings and wall cracks.
-Repairing faucets, banisters, handrails, cabinets, drawers, doors, floors and tile.
-Caulking and grouting tubs, showers, sinks and tile.
-Adding fresh paint to ceilings, walls, trim, doors and cabinets.
-Tightening door handles, drawer pulls, light switches and electrical plates.
-Lubricating door hinges and locks.

Tip #7: Showcase the kitchen
The heart of any home is the kitchen. If you are going to spend any money on renovations, this is the one area where you will see the greatest return. Even with a modest budget, focusing on a few key areas can make a great difference in getting the asking price for your property. The best ways to showcase the kitchen include:
-Replacing cabinet doors and hardware.
-Installing under-cabinet lighting.
-Replacing light fixtures.
-Replacing outdated shelving with pantry and cabinet organizers to maximize space.
-Baking cookies or cupcakes for a showing, to create a homey smell.

Tip #8: Stage furniture
Furniture placement can enhance the space of your home while giving buyers an idea of how to best utilize the space with their own belongings. Take some time to rethink how different areas in your house could be used. Some ideas to think about include:
-Moving couches and chairs away from walls in your sitting and family rooms to create cozy conversational groups.
-Creating a reading corner in the master bedroom.
-Clearing an empty room to set up a reading space.
-Turning an awkward space into a home office.
-Setting the dining room table with your best china.
-Set wine glasses in front of the fireplace or next to a Jacuzzi tub.

Tip #9: Light up the house
Create a sense of openness and cheerfulness in your home through its lighting. To improve the lighting try:
-Opening shades and drapes to let the sunshine warm and brighten rooms.
-Installing brighter light bulbs in rooms that tend to be dark.
-Adding additional lamps for ambient lighting.
-Turning on all the lights for a showing.

Tip #10: Add fresh touches
You can easily add color and style to your home by adding fresh touches throughout. Some ideas to consider include:
-Placing fresh floral arrangements in the entry and master bedroom.
-Placing bowls of bright-colored fruit in the family room and the kitchen.
-Filling an empty corner with a potted leafy plant.
-Setting new hand soap in the bathrooms.
-Displaying fresh towels near sinks.

Screaming Home Sale

2010-07-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

A Top National Home Builder is offering an amazing sale this weekend:

July 31st - Aug 2nd

Call me TODAY to find out what all the fuss is about! 469.774.2703

Contact me TODAY to receive an additional $500 towards Closing Costs!

Wondering how much re-fianancing your home will save you?

2010-07-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

You can calculate your savings here

30-Year & 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates at Record Lows!

2010-07-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

Freddie Mac has released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), with the 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages reaching record lows for this survey. (The 30-year fixed-rate survey began in 1971, and the 15-year began in 1991.)

30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.56 percent. At this time last year the 30-year FRM averaged 5.20 percent.

15-year FRM this week averaged a record low of 4.03 percent. At this time last year the 15-year FRM averaged 4.68 percent.

5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.79 percent. At this time last year the 5-year ARM averaged 4.74 percent.

1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 3.70 percent this week. At this time last year the 1-year ARM averaged 4.77 percent.

"The decline in mortgages rates over the past few weeks echoes the recent signs of weakening confidence in the strength of the economy, particularly the housing and consumer sectors. For example, homebuilder confidence declined in July to lows not seen since April 2009, as measured by the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, following the large drop in housing starts reported for June. Similarly, July's consumer confidence dropped to the lowest level since August 2009, based on the Reuters/University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment index. We see these as part of the normal pattern of ebbs and flows in recovery and believe that there is sufficient momentum to carry the U.S. economy forward, albeit moderately."

-Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac

Just a sampling of the homes we have listed...

2010-07-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

Map these properties Powered by RealBird.com

Is the local real estate market looking up?

2010-07-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

New home construction starts in DFW are up more than 50 percent this year from the first 6 months of 2009.

The number of new homes sold in the area is rising for the first time in four years, according to a second-quarter report from Metrostudy Inc. However, analysts caution that the rebound is likely to slow now that federal buying incentives are running out.

June pre-owned home sales figures, which were also released Wednesday, were down 3 percent, ending a three-month run of double-digit year-over-year sales gains.

The recent gains in new-home sales and starts have been welcome in a market that suffered through more than two years of declining construction and sales.

"This is the second quarter in a row that new-home starts in Dallas-Fort Worth jumped significantly compared to the prior year," said Metrostudy director David Brown. "Homebuilders increased starts during the first half of the year in reaction to the increased demand from the homebuyer tax credit and reduced inventory."

New Home Builders started more than 4,600 houses, the most since 2008's third quarter.

Even so, the number of new homes for sale in North Texas is at its lowest level in 13 years and is 64 percent less than its peak in 2006.

"The fact is that the inventory is gone," Brown said. "When builders sell a house, they have to start one."

At the end of June, about 4,477 finished new homes were on the market in the D-FW area – a steep decline from more than 12,000 four years ago.

North Texas builders sold 4,733 new homes during the second quarter, almost 8 percent more than in the same period last year.

The biggest jump in new-home sales this year – 24 percent – is in properties priced at less than $200,000, which go mostly to first-time buyers, Metrostudy found.

Northern suburbs have accounted for the greatest spikes in building, with a 145 percent year-over-year increase in starts in Frisco. McKinney, North Fort Worth and Little Elm also had large second-quarter gains.

But most analysts expect housing purchases to slow. "We've seen a fairly significant fall-off in sales reported by the builders in virtually every market," Brown said. "Clearly, the second half of the year is not going to be as robust."

Pre-owned home sales in North Texas are already declining. The 3 percent decline for June compared with year-earlier figures was widely anticipated. "Yes, I would have guessed a bigger drop-off," said Dr. James Gaines, an economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.

The median price for area pre-owned homes last month was unchanged from a year ago at $155,000.

Housing economists had expected the market to retrench when the federal homebuying incentives were withdrawn. To qualify for up to $8,000 in tax credits, buyers had to have a home under contract by the end of April. "The tax credit pushed ahead a lot of buying decisions," Brown said. "But with the job growth numbers we are hearing about and stronger apartment leasing, we will start to see household formation grow. Next year we should see sales start to build back up."

Pre-owned home sales for the first six months of the year increased the most in higher-priced neighborhoods, including the Park Cities, which were up 66 percent, and North Dallas, up 44 percent.

Through the first half of 2010, the number of pre-owned single-family homes sold by real estate agents through the Multiple Listing Service rose 9 percent from a year earlier, according to statistics released Wednesday by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University and North Texas Real Estate Information Systems.

Median prices have inched up 2 percent so far this year.

At the end of June, 41,339 homes were listed for sale in the area. That's up 11 percent from June 2009 and the first annual increase in inventory in more than a year.

There is a 6.9-month supply of homes on the market.

With pending sales down 23 percent, year-over-year purchases are likely to drop again in July.

Thank you Hot On! Homes & DR Horton for the recognition!

2010-05-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

As the Economy Recovers, Steer clear of falling back into debt...

2010-04-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

With recent economic trends of higher consumer spending and healthier stock markets, many Americans are pointing to evidence that we are out of the recession. Looking back, the recession did change some people’s financial habits, but the resurgence in the economy unfortunately means most people are returning to their old ways of saving and spending, which aren’t always wise.

With the stock market higher, more people are returning to investing. That’s good news to the market but not to personal returns. Many people rejected investments during the recession, which created the best investment opportunity in many of our lifetimes. Investing now that the market is higher only means the returns will be smaller as there is less room to grow.

The same thing with spending is resulting. We may be spending more, however prices are not as low as they once were in many cases. Stores have stopped discounting heavily because shoppers are returning.

Still, the recession has changed some of our habits. Many of us are now valuing frugality as a permanent part of life versus just resorting to at times. Like in the 1930s, Americans became scared after all the suffering and were permanently changed to keep as much as they can for fear they will lose it again.

The ones who remain frugal are the minority, according to market research firm Decitica. It found 20% of Americans remain frugal after a recession. Meanwhile, 30% return to their previous spending levels. The other half don’t change at all, either because they can’t (they don’t have enough money) or they don’t need to (they have enough much money).

This research indicates that most Americans don’t change much after a recession and are likely to end up where they once were. In other words, many of us don’t plan for recessions; we just ride along with them.

Putting together a recession plan is a neglected strategy in financial planning. Budgeting and coming up with a plan of action when money is tight is a valuable practice to get in the habit of doing. This would include building and maintaining an emergency fund to cover expenses during a financial disaster such as a job loss. Another wise move would be to have saved money for purchases when the stock market and prices go down. A good financial planner will present these different scenarios to help draw up a disaster plan.

With what many Americans have just gone through, knowing what to plan for is a lot easier.

From RIS MEDIA Written by Dan Serra

Dallas Ranks #9 in Forbes' Top Ten Best Housing Markets...

2010-04-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Dallas has been able to stay on top despite the market down turn.

Things are looking up, Forbes.com released their list of Top 10 Best Housing Markets based primarily on the stability of each metro area as measured by affordability rankings and foreclosure rates as an indicator of a lack of excess inventory, making the top cities what they call the best opportunities for home shoppers. Lists are a dime a dozen, but Forbes is pretty reliable with their data analysis and take a big picture view of the market.

Here are the top ten best housing markets:

Pittsburgh, PA
Louisville, KY
Houston, TX
Minneapolis, MN
Indianapolis, IA
Memphis, TN
Columbus, OH
St. Louis, MO
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
Austin, TX

Interest rates rising in March 2010...

2010-03-01T11:40:00.000-08:00

When will interest rates rise?

Interest rates have a direct impact on everyone's finances. Forecasts for the first rate rise range between April to mid-2011. The next monthly rates decision is due on Thursday 4 March 2010, at 12pm.

Calculators:

We've just revamped, updated and expanded our calculators, many of which are exclusive to BuyAllenHomes.com. Compound interest, the impact of rate changes on your savings and mortgage payments, how big a mortgage you can afford:

Stop waiting to buy your new home...

2010-02-22T12:31:00.000-08:00

Dallas-Ft Worth homes prices creep higher this month

North Texas home prices have inched higher in January 2010.

Also Online

Search Free MLS

New Home Search

Map: Dallas-area new & pre-owned homes

Mortgage Calculators

Website

Median pre-owned home prices were up 1 percent last month from a year earlier.

But the number of pre-owned homes sold in the area fell by 6 percent, the second consecutive decline in the monthly sales figures.

A real estate agent is your best resource to sort through all the pricing confusion. .

About 33,500 homes were listed for sale in North Texas last month.

I can help you find the perfect home at the best price don't hesitate any longer. The market is changing quickly!

D-FW AREA HOME RESALES UPDATE

Comparisons of January pre-owned home sales and prices in North Texas with year-earlier statistics:
Single-family home resales	3,330	-6 percent
Median price	$130,000	1 percent
Average days on market	84	-2 percent
Pending sales	4,369	No change
Listed for sale	33,569	-10 percent
Condo-townhome resales	172	2 percent
Median price	$127,520	6 percent
Average days on market	96	-16 percent
Pending sales	235	3 percent
Listed for sale	3,556	-6 percent
SOURCES: Texas A&M University Real Estate Center, North Texas Real Estate Information System Inc.

2009 was a long, strange trip in the Dallas-area home market | Dallas Real Estate News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News

2010-01-25T08:45:00.001-08:00

2009 was a long, strange trip in the Dallas-area home market | Dallas Real Estate News |
News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News

Posted using ShareThis

D-FW new home construction surges in 4th quarter

2010-01-14T06:22:00.000-08:00

Home construction rose in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the first time in more than three years during the fourth quarter.
The almost 10 percent jump in home starts came as the inventory of new houses on the market fell to low levels, housing analyst Residential Strategies Inc. said Thursday.
The increase in the final three months of 2009 “marks the first uptick in the annual start rate since second quarter 2006,” Residential Strategies’ Ted Wilson said. “This is a significant event signaling that the housing market is in the bottoming process.”
Builders started 3,615 homes in the fourth quarter, up from 3,200 in the same period of 2008.
The biggest increase in starts was for homes priced between $150,000 and $200,000, Wilson said.
“Some of the larger builders are flexing their muscles and trying to pick up market share,” he said. “The strategy appears to be to have some spec homes ready for move-in this spring.”
For all of 2009, new home starts in the D-FW area totaled 13,499 units – the lowest construction volume since 1991.
While home construction is picking up, the number of new homes sold in the fourth quarter continued to lag.
Builders closed 4,710 home sales – down about 15 percent from fourth quarter 2008. Still, sales in the just completed quarter were the strongest in all of 2009.
“The fourth quarter typically is a slower period for new home sales,” Wilson said.
The increase in homebuilding activity in the D-FW area comes after more than two years of annual declines.
“Home starts were generally up fourth quarter nationally, but that the level is still way below where it was several years ago,” said Dr. James Gaines, an economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.
Builders in North Texas have fewer homes left to peddle than their counterparts in other parts of the country. There is almost an 8-month supply nationwide.
At the end of December there were less than 2,700 new vacant homes on the market in the D-FW area.
“Overall the supply of housing inventory is in excellent shape,” Wilson said. “Total new home inventory is at a 6.5-month supply.”
A six to 6.5-month supply of new homes is considered market equilibrium, he said.
Wilson said the new home market won’t have a real turnaround until the underlying economy rebounds.
“Consumers need jobs if they are going to feel confident about making new home purchase decisions,” he said.

7:33 AM CST on Friday, January 8, 2010By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning Newsstevebrown@dallasnews.com

Don't forget to file your Home Stead Exemption...

2010-01-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

A Quick Reminder for Homeowners:

File your home stead exemption form after January 1, 2010 (you only have to do this once)
Click on your county below for the form:
http://www.collincad.org/download_forms.html
http://www.dallascad.org/Forms/
http://www.rockwallcad.com/forms.htm
http://www.dentoncad.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=134&Itemid=37

As always, call or email me with any questions. Happy New Year.

A Free Site for Smart Homeowners - House Logic by NAR

2009-11-30T14:46:00.000-08:00

Hi, I want to let all of you know about HouseLogic, a site for smart homeowners. It's full of great content and tools to help owners make informed decisions about improving, protecting, and maintaining their home. House Logic

The HouseLogic Story

What is HouseLogic.com?
HouseLogic is a free source of information and tools—from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®—that can help you make smart and timely decisions about your home.

What can HouseLogic do for me?
With content covering home improvement, maintenance, taxes, finance, insurance, and even ways you can get involved in and enrich your community, HouseLogic can help you increase and protect the value of your home by helping you make confident decisions.

Why did NAR create HouseLogic?
NAR has been a champion of homeownership rights and opportunities for more than a century. Helping consumers become more informed, responsible homeowners is important to the stability and value of the housing market – and your overall enjoyment of your home.

From time to time, NAR may ask you to partner on issues or legislation that may impact you as a homeowner. It’s up to you whether to participate in these causes.

Will my information be shared? I can't stand junk mail, spam, and dinnertime phone calls.
We're with you. We’ll NEVER share or sell your email address or other personal information you may provide us with anyone without your explicit consent.

What can HouseLogic do for me?
Here's a quick guide to using the HouseLogic site. You're free to explore all you want. When you're ready to go, just dig in. The more you use the site, the more you'll get accomplished, so remember to come back often.

STEP 1: FILL YOUR BINDER
•Search for a specific type of project or create one using your own parameters
•Add projects or articles while you're browsing—just click and drag the title
•Assign priorities and due dates so you can focus on timely and impactful projects
.
STEP 2: START ACCUMULATING POINTS & BADGES
•Read an article, then take a quiz to put your new knowledge to the test
•Complete a project, then mark it off your to-do list and record your progress
•Watch your progress meters shift in response
.
STEP 3: TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
•Reach a certain number or milestone, and you’ll receive points and/or badges
•Earn badges in different areas, such as saving money and outdoor maintenance
•Visit your binder regularly to view these lasting reminders of your progress

Our Newest Listings!

2009-11-25T08:27:00.001-08:00

Mike Genstil, CEO of eRealInvestor, details why it's critical that investors have access to complete info to make more informed purchase decision

2009-10-27T22:03:00.000-07:00

GBNT and Energy Star certified Megatel Home CRC097

2009-10-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

Click here for more info

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Brand new custom home w/ hardwood floors & more! CRC096

2009-10-27T21:42:00.000-07:00

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PRESTIGIOUS HM W/ ENCHANTING CASTLE TURRET STONE & BRICK CRC095

2009-10-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Custom Home 1 story, 2 car garage. Master planned community with playground areas, splash pond, pool. CRC094

2009-10-27T21:25:00.000-07:00

Fabulous new custom home ready to move into now! CRC093

2009-10-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

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Spacious home has all the elements of style and functionality your family deserves. CRC092

2009-10-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

Ready now! 5 bedroom home with gameroom and media room plus study. Tons of upgrades. CRC091

2009-10-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

THIS HOME HAS IT ALL. HUGE FAMILY ROOM & KITCHEN WITH A WALL OF WINDOWS LOOKING OUT ONTO THE COVERED PATIO #CRC090

2009-10-27T19:53:00.000-07:00

Ready now! Ready to move in! One of our most popular floor plans! CRC089

2009-10-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

Beautiful new construction. New Townhome community. $0 Move In Avail! CRC088

2009-10-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

$330,900 Ready now! PRICE REDUCED! Beautiful floor plan in Fairview! CRC087

2009-10-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

$315,990 Ready now! PRICE REDUCED! CRC086

2009-10-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

$309,000 Beautiful home with many custom features CRC085

2009-10-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

Brand new construction in nice area of established Downtown McKinney! CRC084

2009-10-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

For more info click here

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Brand New 3/2/1, Allen ISD! There s Still Time For 8K Tax Credit! CRC140

2009-10-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

End unit in new phase with Back Yard. Home is loaded with wood flooring, Iron Stair Railing, Cherry Cabinets and more. #CRC123

2009-10-08T15:44:00.000-07:00

Beautiful home built by award winning Custom Builder CRC127

2009-10-08T15:42:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Custom home with a great floor plan. CRC#126

2009-10-08T15:41:00.001-07:00

Ready now! Beautiful home in sought after West Allen neighborhood. #CRC125

2009-10-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

Quiet community and low maintenance lifestyle with urban appeal. CRC124

2009-10-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

Ready now! This beautiful new home features stainless steel appliances! CRC128

2009-10-08T15:35:00.000-07:00

CRC121 Townhome-style condominium homes nestled quietly near downtown Allen

2009-10-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

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CRC122 Beautiful upgrades in this new Twin Creeks Townhome

2009-10-05T14:25:00.001-07:00

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CRC#123 End unit in new phase with Back Yard. Home is loaded with wood flooring, Iron Stair Railing, Cherry Cabinets and so much more.

2009-10-05T14:17:00.000-07:00

More Details

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CRC120 Brand New 3/2/2 + Study, Allen ISD! Still Time For 8K Tax Credit

2009-09-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

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Great homes in DFW!

2009-09-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

Map these properties Powered by RealBird.com

CRC116 $179,990 NO PAYMENTS FOR 60 DAYS + 8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit!

2009-06-16T15:25:00.000-07:00