Monday, January 26, 2009

Tips and Tools for Real Estate Professionals

I got this this morning in my email and it was just too good not to pass on or blog about... Thank you Jewel Harmon!

ABC's for Success

Avoid negative sources-people, places, habits
Believe in yourself
Consider things from all angles
Don't give up and don't give in
Enjoy life today, yesterday's gone and tomorrow may not come
Family & friends are hidden treasures
Give more than you planned to
Hang on to your dreams
Ignore those who try to discourage you
Just do it!
Keep on trying, no matter how hard, it will get easier
Love yourself first, and the most
Make it happen
Never lie, cheat or steal-always strike a fair deal
Open your eyes and see things for what they really are
Practice makes perfect
Quitters never win and winners never quit
Read, study and learn about everything important in your life
Stop procrastinating!
Take control of your destiny
Understand yourself in order to better understand others
Visualize it
Want it more than anything
Xcellerate your efforts
You are unique-there is only one YOU
Zero in on your target and go for it!

Sent by - Call her for your Home Warranty Needs!
Jewel Harmon
Senior Account Manager
Fidelity Home Warranty
(817) 501-6988
jewel.harmon@fnf.com

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Obama our 44th President

Well, change in theory is great. He is not God and his plate is a heavy one. I wish him and our government the best.
It is easy to look like a champ and end in a pile. Americans in general love a hero and will turn around and kick a singer off the "Idol".
Honestly, he looked a little scared today. I am sure the pressure of it all is weighing on him as it settles on his shoulder. That position looks great from where we sit.
Not sure why anyone would want the position in good or bad times. It really takes someone special to try and then to be the President of the United States of America.
I am just very happy to have been born here. There is no other place in the world that we as men and women could do and have what we have. (Including animals which we spend millions of dollars a year on.)
I know others will say sure there is. I travel way to much and I can tell you there is not!
I am blessed and so is Obama. He was born an American and that is how he was able to get where he is now.
In most African countries his odds of living past the age of 12 would be huge much less grow up to be a leader. Sad that not just in Africa, but many other countries this is the case.
Again, I wish them all the best!
God Bless America and Americans period!

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Now, what does the change of the year make a real difference or is it a state of mind? Something, about having a clean slate makes us feel more secure

Now, what does the change of the year make a real difference or is it a state of mind? Something, about having a clean slate makes us feel more secure or renewed. But, does it really happen or is it more of the same stuff different day covered up with new a new attitude?I am a weird fish and believe that a number makes a difference. The number 8 alone makes me feel like you chase your own tail and never get out of the loop. Just look at it and do you see what I mean. The number 9 looks like you revist some of the old stuff but you break free from the loop to maybe do something different or make changes that don't have you chasing your tail.

I suppose it is a silly thought, but I am hoping that the banking, insurance, government, real estate, the world for that matter loop around on the good stuff for a while and then break free and do something different and hopefully it will be better changes then we saw ourselves do last year.

Have a wonderful new and successful year.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Real Estate Outlook: Sales Picking Up Tempo

Here's a key question about the current market: Do you look at home prices to figure out where we are in the real estate recovery cycle, or do you focus on sales?

In an economy where an estimated 35 to 40 percent of all home transactions are foreclosures or short sales - distress situations in other words -- prices won't really guide you much beyond the conclusion that: We're still "correcting” the excesses of the boom years, still peeling back those wild and unsustainable hyperinflationary price run ups.

So it's no surprise that median prices are down, year to year, in a majority of large markets across the country.

Sales statistics, on the other hand, tell you how fast buyers are responding to those lower prices -- and greatly improved affordability.

Right now, in market after market, sales are picking up tempo -- especially in places where prices once spiraled out of control.

Third quarter sales of existing homes in the U.S. were up by 2.6 percent over second quarter 2008 levels, according to the National Association of Realtors' latest study.

That's not spectacular -- but let's face it: It's forward movement … and we're in a recession.
In the Western states, sales were up by 13.1 percent in the third quarter! In Florida, sales jumped by 5 percent from year earlier levels, while median selling prices were down by 20 percent.

In a majority of Florida's metropolitan markets, sales were up, year over year. For example, Orlando sales were 10 percent higher this October than the year before. Sales were up strongly as well in hard-hit Ft. Myers and much of the west coast of the state, and Fort Lauderdale, north of Miami.

Similar recent upturns in sales are occurring in many of the California markets where prices have plummeted during the past two years.

No question that a high proportion of these sales are distress situations.

But that's what the bottom of a real estate cycle looks like: Value-savvy buyers see the opportunities, move in and mop up the mess left over after the big party.

Happily, in this cycle, they're getting real help from the capital markets: Mortgage money is at historically-attractive low levels, and is readily available to anyone with a downpayment and reasonable credit.

Rates fell again last week to an average 6.16 percent for 30-year fixed loans, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, and to 5.87 percent on average for 15 year loans.
If you can spot the opportunities -- and have the resources -- it's not a bad time to be a buyer.

Written by Kenneth R. Harney


Call or email today! -- Whether buying or selling, our experience will help you get the bet deal!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Real Estate Financial News


We’ve reached a juncture in the credit markets where it really doesn’t matter how low interest rates go -- banks are refusing to lend and consumers either have no desire to borrow – or they are in such troubled financial straits they can’t meet the qualification criteria for a loan.

So what’s the Fed to do?

Many believe the Fed will announce in their post-meeting statement tomorrow afternoon (2:15 p.m. ET) that the answer to rekindling economy growth is actually quite simple – print money like crazy.

In a nutshell the idea here is that by flooding the economy with money – banks will ultimately find themselves bursting at the seams with capital – and they will essentially have no other option than to start lending.

As the short-term credit market swings back into action, business confidence will rise, employment will improve and the engines of commerce will roar back to life.

Silver Oak Mortgage
Lisa Warren
Branch Manager
751 E Southlake Blvd Ste 100
Southlake, TX 76092
office 817-410-2518
fax 817-410-2519

Feds Lower Rates again but what now?

We’ve reached a juncture in the credit markets where it really doesn’t matter how low interest rates go -- banks are refusing to lend and consumers either have no desire to borrow – or they are in such troubled financial straits they can’t meet the qualification criteria for a loan. So what’s the Fed to do? Many believe the Fed will announce in their post-meeting statement tomorrow afternoon (2:15 p.m. ET) that the answer to rekindling economy growth is actually quite simple – print money like crazy. In a nutshell the idea here is that by flooding the economy with money – banks will ultimately find themselves bursting at the seams with capital – and they will essentially have no other option than to start lending. As the short-term credit market swings back into action, business confidence will rise, employment will improve and the engines of commerce will roar back to life.
Lisa WarrenBranch Manager 751 E Southlake Blvd Ste 100Southlake, TX 76092

Friday, December 12, 2008

America's Most Affluent Neighborhoods

America's Most Affluent Neighborhoods

These towns have prospered in recent years--but some have tougher times ahead than others.
In an economy like this, even the richest communities across the country are feeling the pain.

Take Southlake, Texas. With an estimated median household income of $172,945, this Dallas suburb is the most affluent neighborhood in the country, mostly due to real estate growth. In 2005, the area doubled its town square shopping center, which bolstered the median household income by over $42,000 since the 2000 census. (Even accounting for inflation, that's still a big bump.)

Brian J.L. Berry, dean of the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas, says that what separates Southlake from its white-collar counterparts is undoubtedly its town square. "It is an upscale community with an expression of that status in its town square," says Berry. "If there is anything special about the suburb, it is that square."

The only problem is that there's not much room for Southlake to grow. Add to that the highest nationwide unemployment rate in 14 years and the second-lowest consumer confidence index in 34 years, and it's clear that even neighborhoods like Southlake have the potential to be affected by the recession in some way.

Behind the Numbers

To determine America's most affluent neighborhoods, we looked at average median household income estimates--in communities with populations between 20,000 and 64,999--from 2005 to 2007, provided in the U.S. Census' American Community Survey. On Dec. 9, the Census released data estimates on communities of this size for the first time. These include cities, towns, villages as well as census-designated places (CDP), a type of neighborhood that lacks a separate municipal government, but otherwise physically resembles one of these other places.

Topping the list is Southlake, followed by affluent New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., suburbs. But the list could see some shuffles in the months or year ahead.

The Tempe, Ariz.-based Institute for Supply Management's index of manufacturing activity--which the trade association releases each month--fell to 36.2 in November 2008 from 38.9 in October. (An index of 50 or lower indicates that an economy is contracting.) That's a 26-year low. To read more about this story.. visit http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/106273/America's-Most-Affluent-Neighborhoods

Forbes.com
by Lauren Sherman
Wednesday, December 10, 2008