Stories from my Frisco TX home front...

First Time Home Buyers Go Through a Stressful Time: Be Empathizing

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:29:38 -0600

Serving first time home buyers have been one of the highlights of my career. An agent who serves first time home buyers need to be able to fully grasp the emotional roller coaster our clients go through. We handle contracts everyday. We take clients from house-hunting through the closing table. We do this seamlessly and professionally but we forget that our first time home buyer clients take a huge emotional baggage with them. Most of all, we as professionals taken for granted many things we do everyday but our first time home buyer clients don't feel exactly the same way.

Did they do the right thing? What if there is a better house out there? What if this, What if that? That's the role real estate agents play in serving this particular segment of the population: First Time Home Buyers.

Well, if you have forgotten what it "feels" like to be a first time home buyer, please read my client's words below. Our first time home buyer clients are packed with all the emotions when buying a home.

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Recently, I was privileged to work with Tracie Gaston - a wonderful client who was very proactive in her quest to homeownership. I cannot find a better client. With Tracie's permission, she wrote:

Hi Loreena,

As you can see below, if you ask me to write something, it's kind of hard for me to make it brief. I know you asked me to give my testimony that was more directed towards my experience as a new homeowner and not necessarily about you. Well, I'm sorry, I have to share my experience with others. I was so lucky to have found you as a realtor. Otherwise, this experience could've been a very different one. Although this is very long, I really hope you have a place to post it because I really want other people to know what an awesome realtor you are!

At the age of 37, I finally decided to take the leap into home ownership. I had been thinking about purchasing a home for years, but always found a reason not to. I think my reasons or excuses for not purchasing a home stemmed from my fear of the unknown.

I was totally clueless about the home buying process, so I did what most first time home buyers do, I got qualified for my loan and started looking for homes via the internet. I found a house I wanted to see, so not knowing any better, I just contacted the agent who posted the listing. Boy was that a mistake. This particular agent did not listen to me when I explained to her what I was looking for in a home, so she basically wasted both my time and hers by showing me houses that I wasn’t interested in. Not only that, the agent wasn't even familiar with the area I was looking in!

At this point, I was very discouraged. I was searching for homes in the Plano/Frisco area. Almost every time I pulled up a listing, Loreena's name and website popped up (kudos to Loreena on her marketing efforts!). I clicked on Loreena's company website one day and started reading her blogs.

I couldn't believe how much valuable information was on her website. If Loreena had this much information on her website, I knew she'd be perfect for a clueless first time home buyer like myself.

I also appreciated that fact that Loreena was not afraid to mix her God First posts with her real estate posts. I contacted Loreena and set up an appointment to view some properties. When I met Loreena and we viewed houses together, I knew she had to be my agent!

I was impressed by Loreena's knowledge of the area and her sincere and honest approach to her job. I don't know how I knew, but somehow I just knew that she would not steer me wrong. I gave Loreena a list of my requirements for my home. One of which was that I did not want an East/West facing home due to the extreme heat from the Texas sun beaming through windows and the backyard.

To my surprise, the next time we toured homes, Loreena assured me that she had previewed the homes to verify that they were North/South facing since that was one of my requirements. I was so impressed and Loreena continued to impress me throughout my entire home buying experience.Loreena walked me through every step of the process and was in touch with me daily to give me updates.

A couple of my faults that I can admit to are that I'm impatient and I get stressed pretty easily. Loreena kept me grounded and stress free throughout the entire process. I think the thing that really made the experience so great is that I truly trusted Loreena. I felt like she always had my best interest in mind and not just her commission. It's so hard to find people you can trust these days and people who actually care about providing good customer service.

Loreena far exceeded my expectations by providing outstanding customer service. I trusted Loreena from the first day I met her and she proved that my gut feeling was correct. I'm also very happy to say that I not only met an awesome realtor but I gained a friend in the process. Thank you Loreena for making my first home buying experience a very pleasant one! After renting all of these years, I finally feel like I'm truly home.

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Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY)
First Time Home Buyers Go Through a Stressful Time: Be Empathizing

Real Estate Business is NOT for Broke People

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:12:32 -0600

I've said it like it is. Have I offended anyone yet? If I have, well - I would be lying if I said I didn't mean to hurt your feelings at least one bit, but I mean to say it just the way I think it will bring enough attention to at least forewarn you.

My dear friend Anna Banana of Phoenix Arizona brought awareness about the cost of getting into the Real Estate business. She listed all the initial costs of getting into the business as well as on-going costs to stay in business. It's not funny, people - when you start adding up.

Here's what I learnt about my tenure in real estate:

A large reserve prior to getting into the business

I started in the business part time because I didn't know if I would make it and whether it was for me. So, when I first became a Realtor(R), all my paycheck went into paying off my last consumer debts (my cars) and then, I built a large cash reserve for when I do get into the business full time.

I saved 12-months of monthly expenses and built a 12-month reserve before I felt comfortable to do this full time.
I kept my business expenses low, real LOW

When I first went into the business, I bought a laptop because it was easier to carry my "office" everywhere I went (I still had a full-time job at work but I didn't feel comfortable doing other work on my corporate computer. I worked on my real estate business at my lunch hour).
I already had a cell phone and I didn't increase my cell phone minutes.
I paid the dues I need to do and that was it.
I did business with my friends, family and referrals. My marketing dollars were ZERO for the first 3 years and it kept me fed. All my friends used me to purchase their first home.

My only marketing was my website, designed and hosted by LinkUSystems. It cost me $29.99 per month and $29.95 per month for my IDX solution from 1parkplace. My website has evolved to what it is today because I work on it everyday. It has been a consistent source of business for me.
I hired a coach when I went into the business full-time.

My coach was Ms. Jennifer Allan. I started the business with some bad habits to have to un-learn. Jennifer helped me do that.
I paid Jennifer through my transactions. It was not an upfront fee which I truly appreciate.
When I got paid, she got paid.
Then I joined Active Rain in November 2006.

Since I have been grandfathered, I do not pay for my Rainmaker membership. I paid for my outside blog though which costs $19 per month.
Thus far, it's the only marketing effort that has produce TREMENDOUS Rain POURING Effort for my business.

If you are a new member now, you have to pay $30 for a Rainmaker membership - and you do this because you want the public to be able to find you on Google. Otherwise, your posts are only made public. All your hyper-local posts will be wasted effort if you are not a Rainmaker.

Total $360 per year, paid monthly. Where can you up?
Click on this promotion code to start your Rainmaker membership at $5 the first month.

Try it for 6 months. If it doesn't work out after you tried everything about Blogging Active Rain, you only had $180 to lose.

If you do sign up, or are a new Rainmaker, read Your First Days on Active Rain.

Tip: I make my blog and website as a combined effort of my Internet marketing efforts. One is not complete without the other.
I signed up for Katerina Gasset's SEO to the TOP WEBINAR.

$300. One of the best education dollars I spent.
Read how I turned 400K points into $122K by simply tweaking what I already know with what Katerina Gasset taught in her classes.
I hired a NEW COACH

Many coaches constantly talk about Tiger Woods and how he's already an awesome golf player. But he still had a coach. Guess what? I do what EXCELLENT PEOPLE DO AT THEIR JOB. I mimic them. I hired a coach to keep in tact.

I recently signed up with a new coach to push me even further. Kathy Eppley. In just 4 weeks of coaching, it looks like I will end 2009 with a BANG and to raise the bar even higher for 2010.

I do have other expenses that I spend on. But these are the ones that I know made SIGNIFICANT enhancements for my business.

Now, are you convinced that the Real estate business is NOT for BROKE people?

Quote of the Day:
We are What we do repeatedly. Therefore EXCELLENCE is NOT an act but a Habit
by Aristotle.

What have you done to ensure your longevity for this business?

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended and Expanded to include Repeat Buyers

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:24:14 -0600

FEATURE	Jan 1 – November 30, 2009 Rules as enacted February 2009	December 1 – April 30, 2010 Rules as enacted November 2009
First-time Buyer – Amount of Credit	$8000 ($4000 married filing separate)	$8000 ($4000 married filing separate)
First-time Buyer – Definition for Eligibility	May not have had an interest in a principal residence for 3 years prior to purchase	-Same-
Current Homeowner – Amount of Credit	No Provision	$6500 ($3250 married filing separate)
Effective Date – Current Owner	No Provision	Date of Enactment
Current Homeowner – Definition for Eligibility	No Provision	Must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years
Current Homeowner – Home Purchase Price	N/A	There is no provision that the "repeat" homebuyer must purchase a property more expensive than the one sold. Only that the home purchase must be less than $800K.
Termination of Credit	Purchases after November 30, 2009.(Becomes April 30, 2010 on Date of Enactment.)	Purchases after April 30, 2010
Binding Contract Rule	None	Written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close
Income Limits	$75,000 – single, $150,000 – married, Additional $20,000 phase out	$125,000 – single, $225,000 – married, Additional $20,000 phase out
Limitation on Cost of Purchased Home	None	$800,000
Purchase by a Dependent	No Provision	Ineligible
Antifraud Rule	None	Purchaser must attach documentation of purchase to tax return

Purchase by a Dependent

There was no age limitation on the original bill and amended for the November Tax Credit. Taxpayer must be at least 18 years old to qualify for the credit. For married taxpayers, the taxpayer shall be treated as meeting the age requirement if the taxpayer or spouse meets the age requirement.

Repeat Buyers

There is no criteria that home buyers must "move up" in house. Only that they lived in the house for the past 5 out of 8 years as a primary residence. The new purchase price must not exceed $800,000.

Date of Enactment = November 6 2009.

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY)
Originally Posted on First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension & Expansion

Short Sale Done ABSOLUTELY Wrong

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:41:23 -0600

Well, after fighting and hanging on for over 9 months, it (Citibank) finally pulled the plug on a short sale listing I was involved in. This post is not a rant, rather a story to share with buyers and sellers that sometimes, no one wins when the property goes into foreclosure. Worse still, after having multiple offers as well as a very good solid offer waiting for 9 months.

Now that it's behind me, I'm going to take this opportunity to spill out the guts of this transaction. Very sad and most of all, I feel horrible for having a very disappointing client.

I represent the Buyer. We went into contract after the property was on the market for 6 months. When we submitted the offer, the listing agent advised us that her client has stopped making mortgage payments on the house that very month. This was February 2009. Okay, nothing alarming - in my opinion.

The owner of the property was deceased and her mother was the executor of the estate. The mother lives in Illinois while the property was located in Allen, TX. Just the perfect house for my client.

This was a regular sale when we went into contract. We inspected the home and my client worked on getting his loan. There were some property condition issues that came up that had to be a part of the loan approval process. This went on for almost 2 months. Something in my gut feeling told me to stop and wait for the seller's side to sign off on the repairs.

That was when we found out that the loan amount on the property now is more than the sales price. Very quickly, we found ourselves that we were in a "short sale" situation, but not by much.

Before you know it, 1 month has elapsed and the property was slapped on Forced insurance and attorney fees on Citibank's side because they were planning to take the property into foreclosure. This is probably our 3rd month into the transaction. It is mid-April by then.

The Seller's attorney demanded for payoff information - to which he has constantly been getting the run-around. No one at Citibank seems to have a clue who is the Asset Manager or who has authority over this property.

Every month then on, the property would be posted for foreclosure, but every month, the buyer and seller re-signed the amendment to show Citibank that there is a willing, ready and able buyer for this property - who has first not shorted in payoff by too much.

June, July, August, September and October passed. Every month, the same thing. The listing agent, bless her heart, worked so hard on this transaction because we are talking almost every other day. We are like sisters now.

I received a phone call from the Seller's attorney. He said, "Loreena, I'm sorry. The property was sold in foreclosure just this past Tuesday. I'm so sorry. I know how much your client wants this house. We fought so long and so hard but it still didn't work out".

You know, everyone in the transaction was doing the right thing especially for my buyer who patiently waited for 9 months. We knew that the Seller could just turn the keys in, wash her hands and walk away since it was her deceased daughter's estate. The mother made many months of mortgage payments until she decided

she couldn't do it anymore. She kept utilities on and did everything a proud mother would.

I had to be the deliverer of the bad news. I hate that. But my client is taking this news well. We know it happened for a reason.

I don't want to begin my posts on Short Sale in a negative tone. But it's been on my heart that I want to share it. I didn't like the fact that it didn't have to be this way for both the Buyer and Seller. My buyer waited 9 months for the property. The seller wanted to clear her daughter's estate with a good name even though there was no equity. Everyone was doing the right thing except - you guessed it. Citibank!

I believe big banks like Citibanks can be huge and very inefficient. And here we are wasting our tax dollars to fund stupidity and inefficiency that didn't need to happen. I'm sorry. I'm going to say it one time.

This is bull crap #$&*$$^&*TRR^*((**
BOO Citibank!

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Master Your Barrier to Entry in the World of Success with Blogging

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:06:50 -0600

This phenomenon has recently happened to me (more accurately - perhaps in the last year), hence I'd like to share that with you. Very appropriately, discussing it here on the ultimate real estate blogging platform as part of my effort to encourage you to take on Blogging For Business - if you like to see some successes in this area.

Why Blog? Why Write?

If someone were to ask me for ONE thing that I can point out about my recent real estate successes, it would be "blogging" ie writing. It's not so much that I am an awesome writer, but it's a skill that I didn't know I had when I first took on this challenge here over 3 years ago.

Blogging ie writing captures your thoughts, strategies and ideas. The discipline and endurance needed here (Blogging Active Rain) requires serious effort and commitment to put these ideas thoughtfully and methodically. As a result, it fulfilling and it leaves a legacy of what you are.

Although just a simple act, not everyone has the persistence to put forth one post after another. Hence, when someone tells me that Points don't matter to them. I said, Yeah right. Points matter when it shows commitment to the task you set before you.

If writing doesn't come naturally to you, learn it. Learn how to clearly and concisely put your thoughts into well-organized ideas. When you think you are not a good writer, then maybe you are. But it doesn't have to stay that way. You can learn. Learn from others. Learn to refine your style and find your voice.

Your collection of blogs say alot about you.

There is nothing like the power of the written word. It's affirmation that your thought-process is clear and your direction in your business is sound.

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY)
Master Your Barrier to Entry in the World of Success with Blogging

How to Be a Better Lender to Your Realtor(R)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:43:59 -0600

I've worked with many lenders over the years, serving my real estate clients. I thought I would share three simple tips on how to outperform your lender competitors out there just by doing these 3 things, and doing them well:

(1) Read the contract in its ENTIRETY

I am surprised MANY DON'T read the CONTRACTs. I am not sure what they do with them since they want a copy of the executed contract anyways. If it's in your hands, at least go through it once. Be proactive about your business. More often than not, I receive emails asking this, or that ..... and I realized that if they had just picked up the contract to read, they wouldn't have to ask. It's one thing to ask for confirmation, but it's another to ask as if you didn't know.

I don't know what is required of a Lender in Mortgage school here in Texas - if they are required to learn to read contracts or know what they mean. To outperform your Lender competitors, study that darn thing and learn it well. I, for one will be impressed because many don't.

Critical dates on contracts mean ALOT to the clients we serve. Our clients may not know a difference between 10 days of Buyer Third Party Addendum versus 30 days, but that's why they count on us.

Lenders can/ should take part in ensuring that we make note of critical dates (especially those concerning the Lending part of the transaction). Now, that's a real keeper if you are a Lender that can impress me with a Critical Date sheet you have set for yourself and share it with me. We can cross check ours.

If you are an out-of-state Lender but still want to do business in different states with different contracts, please learn ALL of them.

(2) Communicate often, better yet ... before Status Updates are expected

Most of the time, lenders that I built relationships with are usually quick to respond when I ask for a status update. If you want to know how to win a heart of a Type-A personality Realtor(R), learn to give updates before they are expected. Remember that Type-A personalities are already usually on top of things, but if you can impress your Realtor(R) by striking first, you are more a reason to be a "keeper". It shows that you are on top of things.

For whatever reason, lenders that I usually have not built a business relationship prior to a transaction with are usually not great in delivering quick and acceptable communication. There will be a week when time have passed and I have not heard from the Lender. And when I send an email for a quick update, it usually takes half a day for a response. Nope. Won't work for a Realtor(R).

Some Realtors(R) like me do NOT believe in the "No News is Good News" philosophy.

(3) Deliver a Smooth Closing

As much as a client may negotiate for less fees and lower interest rates, all they really want at the end is a SMOOTH closing. As a Realtor(R), I prepare my clients for stress, closing extensions, etc. to help curb the stressful and emotional situation. As a Lender, you can do that too. No one in the transaction knows it sooner than you (Lender) do, so be upfront and whenever possible, give ample warning.

It's easier to break it slowly and as you know it, rather than to have already known this problem for a week, and now just sharing the possibility of the loan not closing on target 2 days before it's suppose to happen. By then, no one is happy.

One thing I realize... if you have outperform expectations of your favorite Realtor(R), you don't need to ask for more business. It will naturally come to you because you earned the RIGHT for MORE BUSINESS. You've showed how you can perform and there is no reason NOT to use you again. We all want the same thing. As a Realtor(R), I want to set myself with a successful winning team. If you are the jewel Lender, of course you've booked your seat on the bus for the next ride.

But if you never communicated effectively, you need me to explain the contract to you and you fail to share information about closing not happening as intended, and the last sentence out of your mouth is for more business... Sure, just wait.

An awesome Lender is a true treasure in a successful real estate transaction. Be one!

Now, if you plan to do this well, you do not need other marketing plans to help grow your Realtor(R)s' businesses. You work well in yours, it naturally abundantly flows out to others.
PS: I've been offered by many lenders in the past to help me with marketing expenses, website domains, call captures, etc. All of that are fine and definitely very much appreciated in helping me offset my expenses, but if you cannot do your primary responsibilities well, I really cant help you much. In return, I can't accept your goodwill also.

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Homeownership is a Privilege

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:35:55 -0600

Homeownership is a privilege, not an entitlement simply because it's time to own rather than rent. While I know I will step on some toes, I want to fully disclose that I do know that bad things can happen to good, honest, hardworking people. I know that a lawsuit, a divorce, a job loss, a medical debt, a bankruptcy, a foreclosure can take down a financial empire. That's not what I mean. But I have also known people who has been irresponsible with finances. Those who simply want to walk away.

In my previous post, Renting feels like it's Borrowing, I shared a client's own words on how he felt about transitioning into homeownership and how much more he feels is enriched because he is in his own place now. When he was renting, it felt as if "he didn't belong there" and as if "he was only borrowing".

Renting is not a sin. Renting may be the answer for some people in some circumstances, whether it is a temporary place to figure out the next step, a temporary spot for financial clean up or even a season in life where you didn't want a homeownership commitment. All those reasons and more are absolutely totally acceptable so as long as renting is not the way of life on a long-term basis.

Homeownership should be rewarded for those who can show high financial responsibility. Hence, no late payments and no blemishes on credit worthiness. Homeownership should be treated as if it's a privilege - a special favor for those who are deserving.

When banks have to seize properties back in foreclosure, no one wins. The bank losses, the homeowner losses and even the neighbors hurt in property values when massive foreclosures occur in neighborhoods.

Related Articles:

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Renting Feels Like It's Borrowing

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:41:37 -0600

A home means different things to different people. For some, it's a symbol of status - "I have already arrived"... For others, it's a sanctuary. A place like no other.

As for one of my clients in his very own words ...

Having owned a home once before, over 15 years ago, it was in many ways nice to move into a rented townhome, free from the burdens of work associated with owning a home. But there was a price to that. Most of all, it's the feeling that you don't really belong there and you are just borrowing.

So, every couple of years, I would look for a home to purchase. However, I had such specific requirements that I never could find a place that can come close to meeting my desires. Also, I could not find a Realtor(R) that was patient enough to wait out the search process over a long period of time to allow the right house to come onto the market.

It was great to find a Realtor(R) with the insights to understand my desires, to not rush into just any house and have the patience to stick with the endeavor over the course.

That said, I am now happily in a home that met all of my requirements in some fashion. It's wonderful to be living in my OWN place, despite the extra work and expense of home ownership. In many ways, the home has exceeded expectations, especially due to the beautiful deck/creek view out back, which is a constant source of visual beauty. It's nice to finally be at home now!

A year and a puppy later, my client is exceptionally happy where he's at.

Related Articles:

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Be Blessed Where You're At

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:27:02 -0600

I've heard many comments from some of the nicest Christian friends I have. I don't do this or, that to be blessed, but I still don't understand why I have to go through this "trial"...

On this Sunday God First post, I want to take time to ponder how much we know all that are commented are so true. But how would we know that we are not already blessed to be where we are at???

Maybe it's a job loss, or a pending foreclosure or short sale... Maybe someone in the family is just diagnosed with a terminal disease... Maybe we are going through some relational strain with our spouse.

I just want to say, Maybe we are already blessed where we are at by not being in a worst position. After all, we wouldn't have known. We could be in one place at one time. Whatever it is, take the month of November to be thankful for what we have, be grateful for what's to come.

Scripture of the Week:

1 Corinthians 2:9

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him

I begin my week here on Active Rain with my God First posts, written every Sunday once a week. My promise to you is that the messages I share will be day-to-day related, often times related to real estate. If these topics are important to you also, I'd love for you to subscribe to my blog.

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Fabulous Fall Colors 2009 of Frisco TX

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:10:35 -0500

Our Fall Colors in Frisco TX are beautiful. The season is changing and it is feeling more like Fall weather every day. We also never had such a wet October like we did this year. Enjoy the Fall colors nature brought for us to enjoy.

Also, don't forget to set your clock 1 hour back on Saturday night before you go to bed. Now, that's an extra hour for you to do whatever you want with it. Don't say you don't have enough time in the day.

The photos are taken by Loreena Yeo of 3:16 team REALTY.
Please do not use without permission.

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Being a Mom lets me be a Realtor(R) too!

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:17:29 -0500

The power of being self-employed gave me the abundance of opportunity to take so much presence in my son's life. This morning, we have Halloween at school and I got to be there because I could determine my schedule.

Had I continue to work in my corporate job as Business Development/ Structural Engineer, I wouldn't be able to be there for my son. To watch him thrive and to celebrate how far he's come.

Every day, I take him to school at 9am and my life starts right after drop-off. I learnt to work very efficiently, making sure I take care of my clients' needs as well as marketing and growing my business. Time is very precious between those hours and work stops at 2pm when I pick him up at school. From 2:30pm until 6:30pm, our household is very busy; making sure we practise some writing, some reading and preparing for his dinner by 5pm.

I put my son to bed by 8pm and my 2nd half of my day begins at 8:30pm.

Being a mom definitely has challenges and sometimes it feels like trying to jump through hoops. But watching my son grow in every phase of his life is definitely something I want to be a big part of.

Being a realtor(R) gives me the opportunity to do that, as well as taking care of my clients' needs and I take growing my business as an awesome challenge to see how far I could go!

I just love what I do. Can you feel that?

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Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Bowen Family Homes did not honor its contract & did not live up to their part of the bargain

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:07:26 -0500

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post. We have tried everything we could to gain their attention, but every single time, it falls on deaf ears. Including going up to the top of the food chain. This post is a complaint about my clients' home buying experience with Bowen Family Homes.

Back on May 15 2009, my clients close on both their homes: the sale of their former home and the purchase of the home they reside in now. 30 days prior to that, my clients wrote a contract to purchase a Bowen Family Home in Prosper TX. In their contract, Bowen agreed to add some additional items to the list as part of the sale. During the final walk-through, more items were added. All of these items were supposed to be completed prior to closing.

It is 165 days later that by Bowen Family Homes did not honor their part of the contract.

During these 165 days, my clients made numerous attempts to get them to perform on their contract. Phone calls to the builder who was suppose to oversee this list completed always get pushed back. Next week, next week. But next week never came. Phone calls to the higher up that oversee the Texas division of the Bowen Family Homes always get pushed to this "builder". By then, it falls on deaf ears again. My clients have made several connection with the entire Bowen company - from their corporate office in Georgia to Texas and right down to the builder. Phone calls, certified mails, emails, etc. All lead to No progress.

Today, October 27 2009, my clients filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

We closed on the property on Friday (May 15) with the expectation that Bowen will fulfill their responsibilities the following Monday (May 18) as agreed with the Builder. Looks like it's still not May 18 yet on the Bowen's calendar.

Here's the painful lession my clients learnt: Do not close on the house until all the repair items promised to be fixed will be taken care of. In hind sight, we feel that should have happened, but in the end, this is where we are at.

My clients recently added a new addition to their family. Instead of completely enjoying their new home with their children, their days are spent trying to resolve this issue with a company that will not take responsibility to what they agree to. They also know that the value of the repairs are not substantial enough to hire a real estate attorney to fight this for them. It is with their permission that I tell this story so that others do not fall into the same pitfall like they did.

So, the next time you want to buy a new home, do make sure you have all the repair items completed to your satisfaction prior to closing.

Bowen Family Homes did not take responsibility to performing to their side of the contract. They were paid and went on the merry way. During the sale, they made it very clear to my clients, that all warranty issues and contract to-dos will be handled professionally. Now, they will receive this BAD report from my clients and I. Think twice about doing business with companies that cannot will not take personal accountability with the utmost respect.

Please share your thoughts. I really want Bowen to start holding some personal accountability. Please help my clients so they can help put this behind them.

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Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY)
Bowen Family Homes did not honor its contract & did not live up to their part of the bargain

Putting Your Life on Hold During Home Search

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:10:39 -0500

This statement may seem far fetch - putting the rest of your life on hold while you search for your home, but for those I have seen experienced, when they put their home search first priority above all else for a short period of time has always been the most successful and the least disappointed.

I know you have soccer practices to run to, you have social parties you have to attend, and you might have a meeting that has to be cut short, but if you are like most buyers in today's market, you want a good deal for your home. No one wants to pay more than they have to. Most good deals - move-in ready condition with great price do not stay on the market very long no matter the price range.

Put home buying a super high priority in your life. Be ready to write a good contract when you see one. Get your supporting documents ready for your lender. You might temporarily suspend your social life. Put home search very high on the list. I promise that you will not be disappointed with the outcome.

You are going to live in the house for a few years. Some early sacrifices and a small change in lifestyle are ways I see "investing" in the home that house your happy family. During this stressful period, making your home search a high priority will be worth while.

Related Articles:

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY)
Originally Posted on Putting Your Life on Hold During Your Home Search

Some Bold, Some Quiet But All Equally Valued

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:06:15 -0500

These days, I'm really starting to get to know myself better. These 32/33 years formed the person that I am. Some good qualities and then some, not so good. What I realized with the not-so-good are sometimes "excuses" or better yet, "stories" I have created to make believe is true for me.

Being the perfectionist that I am, I easily find flaws in myself. My upbringing taught me to always do better where I'm at, no matter how good I am. There's always room for improvement. What I heard was I'm never good enough.... Funny how one person says one thing, it gets translated, or worse yet, twisted in weird ways that last for years. With that thought, Always Room For Improvement, I strive to reach for "perfection" all my life.

As I get to know some of my friends here in the 'Rain, I became envious, wished I had qualities they carry so eloquently. For the longest time, I wish I was the People Magnet. But where would you find me? In the kitchen, helping clean up because I feel I'm never smart enough, bold enough to attract people.

In so many ways, I've enjoyed being the actual worker bee of the group. The silent one that holds things together yet never enough to take the credit for it. Yup, that's where I find significance in my life and in my work.

Being in the sales world, I doomed myself for mediocrity. Perhaps I've wrote myself off as Never good enough to immerse myself with the success I see others have. But I just keep putting forward my best foot forward each day to serve one client at a time with the best I've got from within me. Never too afraid for not claiming the best from within.

Slowly, I'm finding my voice and my place in the real estate world. More so here in the 'Rain. I've come to see value in the bold and the quiet. The biggest thing I've found is:

If we let our light shine, we unconsciously give others the permission to do the same. As we liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. Although I never want to admit and it took one real person who had the guts to tell it in my face, my biggest fear is not that I'm inadequate. My biggest fear is that I'm successful beyond measure in my quiet ways.

Thank you, God for telling me that I am your masterpiece. As I view my sweet boy as he sleeps tonight, although with the meltdowns and tantrums I endure today, I still love him from the bottom of my heart, from the tiniest strand in my hair and in every inch of my body. Still perfect in my eyes. I can't imagine how much more God smiles and yearns to look at me when I sleep.

When you don't view yourself as God's masterpiece, it hurts HIM more than it hurts you. When you feel you've let Him down, know that you've never let Him hold you up. Don't compare yourself to others. God never makes anything in vain. He has a plan to make you His Original Masterpiece.

Some bold. Some quiet. But all equally valued.

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Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Frisco TX 3rd Quarter 2009 Housing Market Report

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:32:10 -0500

Frisco TX reported 173 homes sold in September 2009. These numbers include single-family homes, condos, duplexes and townhomes. That makes Frisco TX sold a total of 621 homes in the 3rd Quarter, making it a total of 1,657 homes thus far for 2009.

January: 101 Frisco TX homes SOLD
February: 160 Frisco TX homes SOLD
March: 186 Frisco TX homes SOLD
April: 192 Frisco TX homes SOLD
May: 181 Frisco TX homes SOLD
June: 216 Frisco TX homes SOLD
July: 242 Frisco TX homes SOLD
August: 206 Frisco TX homes SOLD

3rd Quarter 2009 (July 1 - September 30):
181 Frisco TX sold homes
for $50,308,155

The lowest priced home sold for $116,500 (2-bedroom, 2-bathroom property, 1,472 square feet) in Stonebrook Frisco. It took 35 days to sell this house.

The most expensive priced home sold for $1.5 million (6-bedroom, 8 bathrooms, almost 8,500 square feet) at Stonebriar Country Club Frisco. It is an exquisite Mediterranean custom home built by Parthenon Home Builder based in Frisco TX. This home is under construction when it sold.

The average home in Frisco Texas is 4-bedroom, 3 bathrooms, just over 3,000 square feet and sold for $277,946 in 74 days on the market.

I think it's important to study the days on market for the homes sold. As a buyer, you will understand the "limits" of your negotiation power in general and as a seller, it is important to know the pricing correctly gives you the greatest chance to sell your home.

These numbers were generated from the Local MLS NTREIS board for September 2009:

	0-30 Days	31-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	120+ Days
No. of Listings	49	49	31	16	36
Breakdown %	27.07	27.07	17.13	8.84	19.89
Avg SP % LP	97.34	96.03	95.67	96.16	96.16

When compared to last year, Frisco TX sold 653 homes in the same period in 2008. The sales number are down 5% for 3rd Quarter comparisons. In 2008, 1,884 Frisco TX homes sold from January through September. The numbers are down 12% to date.

	Average Price per Square Feet	Average Days on Market
January	$87	87
February	$88	108
March	$87	96
April	$92	86
May	$91	78
June	$91	80
July	$91	78
August	$93	84
September	$89	74

Real Estate Commentaries based on the above market data:

The average price per square feet sold are lower in the less busy months and peak in August as our normal Frisco TX real estate trends indicate.

Currently, Frisco TX has 949 homes available for sale. The lowest priced property is a townhome off Hickory Street, priced at $47,700 (a 2-bedroom and 1 1/2 bathrooms). The most expensive home is a custom built home by Chapman Builders at Villages of Stonebriar Park for $5.4 Million (over 10,000 square feet). 245 homes are under contract.

The absorption rate (ie time it takes for all the current inventory to sell in its current rate) is approximately 23 weeks (almost 6 months). This means if there are no additional inventory that comes on the market, it takes approximately 23 weeks or 6 months to sell all of its current inventory.

Also, there is a possibility that you may be receiving differing numbers you found here and another site. Note that Frisco as recorded by the local MLS is tracked by Frisco school district (MLS 55). However, the information MLS 55 may include Plano and Little Elm. That is most likely the difference. The information within Frisco is deemed correct for single-family homes, condos, duplexes and townhomes.

Read comprehensive August 2009 Frisco TX Homes Market Report.
Read comprehensive July 2009 Frisco TX Homes Market Report.
Read comprehensive June 2009 Frisco TX Homes Market Report.
Read comprehensive May 2009 Frisco TX Homes Market Report.
Read comprehensive April 2009 Frisco TX Homes Market Report.
Read detailed 1st Quarter Frisco TX homes market report at 1st Quarter 2009 Frisco TX Homes Market Report.

View new Frisco TX homes now:

Search For Your Frisco TX Home now

Create a profile to receive property alerts, save searches and track your dream home as it comes on the market. Click on Get Listing Updates at the right corner above the map.

Related Articles:

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY)
Originally Posted on Frisco TX 3rd Quarter 2009 Housing Market Report

McKinney represents the Best 3rd Quarter 2009 Housing Report for the greater Dallas TX metroplex

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:28:25 -0500

McKinney TX sold 687 home sales in the 3rd Quarter 2009. These numbers include single-family homes, condos, duplexes and townhomes in McKinney TX (not only MLS 53 but including MLS 55 McKinney TX on the local MLS system). When the 3rd Quarter 2009 ended, McKinney TX sold 687 homes this quarter. When compared to the same time last year, McKinney TX sold 606 homes for the same period in 2008. The positive news is an astounding improvement of 11%. It is deserving of a victory when every city around it see a decline when comparing to the same time last year.

January: 100 McKinney TX homes SOLD
February: 128 McKinney TX homes SOLD
March: 185 McKinney TX homes SOLD
April: 175 McKinney TX homes SOLD
May: 191 McKinney TX homes SOLD
June: 225 McKinney TX homes SOLD
July: 260 McKinney TX homes SOLD
August: 241 McKinney TX homes SOLD
September: 186 McKinney TX homes SOLD

3rd Quarter 2009 (July 1 - September 30):
687 McKinney TX sold homes
for $148,166,696

In this 3rd Quarter,

The average home in McKinney Texas is 4-bedroom, 3 bathrooms, approximately 2,600 square feet and sold for $215,672 in 74 days on the market.

The lowest priced home sold for $34,900 (3-bedrooms, 1-bathroom property, 952 square feet) near Downtown McKinney TX 75069. It is bank-owned property, sold in 43 days. The buyer paid cash.

The most expensive priced home sold for $971,000 (5-bedrooms, 4 1/2-bathrooms, over 6,100 square feet) in Provine Farms McKinney TX 75070. It is a custom built English Tudor, with breathtaking views of the backyard with a swimming pool and spa on this property.

	0-30 Days	31-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	120+ Days
No. of Listings	271	125	88	72	131
Breakdown %	39.45	18.20	12.81	10.48	19.07
Avg Sales Price to Listing Price	97.6%	96.5%	97.4%	96.0%	96.0%

	Average Price per Square Feet	Average Days on Market
January	$77	82
February	$77	85
March	$79	89
April	$81	86
May	$83	87
June	$83	75
July	$82	70
August	$82	70
September	$82	78

Real Estate Commentaries based on the above market data:

McKinney TX continues to be very promising in delivering positive signs of real estate market recovery in the DFW metroplex. It is one of the few cities that continue to yield improvement numbers in the past few months. To date, McKinney TX sold 1,691 homes from January 1 through September 30. When compared to the same period last year, McKinney TX sold 1,788 homes.

There are 861 homes for sale in McKinney TX. 349 homes are currently under contract. Based on its current inventory level, it would take approximately 20 weeks (5 months) to sell based on its market pace, also known as Absorption Rate.

Read how McKinney TX homes stack up to other surrounding cities for home sales in the month of August:

View Just Listed McKinney TX homes for sale:

Create a profile to receive property alerts, save searches and track your dream home as it comes on the market. Click on Get Listing Updates at the right corner above the map.

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY).
Originally Posted on McKinney TX 3rd Quarter 2009 Housing Market Report

Before Active Rain & Now II - Wow, what a journey for me and others

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:16:43 -0500

In the right frame of mind, most people would only participate in a contest once. After all, trying to find time to do the first one is challenging in itself. As I continue to read stories of how people lived their lives before Active Rain & now, I smile only to remember what was I like just 3 years ago.

I started in this business with no intentions of becoming a real estate agent. So, my first few years, I did not do marketing and I served friends as clients. It worked well until something happened to me in Africa during my mission trip. I came home, turned in my resignation letter and never looked back.

Before Active Rain, I was a timid, young lady - looking for her place in this big real estate world. I saw many things with the wrong eye, wrong attitude and wrong mindset. That was my way of remaining down-to-earth and real.

As I find my mark here on Active Rain, I slowly began to see all the positive sides that I never thought I had. If you followed my blogs, you know I am transparent. I never claim to know the things I don't. But yet, I put myself out there. I continue to share my struggles, my triumphs and my victories because I used to think I was "the only one" who thought that way before Active Rain.

Some people stand up strong with successes and a few people, like me can remain strong with vulnerability & transparency and a huge willpower to be better. Before Active Rain, if people told me I was well-articulated, I'd just shrugged that aside. My friend, Jennifer Allan said that to me but I would never believed her. How can that be? English is my 2nd language. I could never stand up to other bloggers who speak English all their lives. Guess what? That was a story I made up to justify my insecurity of becoming successful beyond measure.

Before Active Rain, gifted writer (as described by my new coach, Kathy) is a term you dont put next to my name. After Active Rain, I found the gift of communication through writing. How empowering and liberating to know.

Marianne Williamson's quote asked, Who am I to be brilliant, fabulous, talented and gorgoeus? I asked, Whom am I NOT to be? - That's the new "me".

My journey here on Active Rain has been beyond incredible. I see my role here, as I tell my stories is to inspire you and empower you. It is to be real, sharing myself and my struggles with you. I'm not any more special than you are. Somehow, I know I shouldn't wait until I am somebody before I teach, inspire, empower and share myself with others. My God had told me that I am placed to shine.

I'm never afraid of learning but I decided, after Active Rain - I can help those like me to encourage them, to cheer them on no matter how insecure, how tiny they will ever feel. Use me as a tiny example. Remember that I'm not any more special than you are. We are all meant to shine, just as children do!

Dont wait for life to happen. Or to wait for success to come your way. Pick up where you are.

AFTER ACTIVE RAIN - That's how I find significance in my life - to know that I have made a difference. That's absolutely fulfilling and I know my Father will receive the glory.

Has the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Made a Difference in YOUR Housing Market?

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:38:04 -0500

The BIG, BIG, BIG Question: Has the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Made a Difference in YOUR Housing Market?

There are continued discussions about the extension of First Time Home Buyer $8,000 Tax Credit. This tax credit is offered by President Obama's job and recovery plan in hopes to stimulate the economy. The current plan is set to expire November 30 2009.

Although it is not certain that this bill will be extended, most Americans feel that in all likelihood, that it would. However, one should never take this as a certainty and get disappointed if it would not be extended.

The First Time Home Buyer $8,000 tax credit has been approved and extended for military personnel until November 30 2010 (1-year extension). Active military personnel (served on active duty for at least 90 days) qualifies for this Service Members Home Ownership Act of 2009.

As the dateline drawing near, Congress has submitted several proposals for extension.

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced S.1678 to extend the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit to June 1, 2010.

Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) introduces S.1230 to extend the tax credit until November 30, 2010 and expand the tax credit to $15,000 to include all home buyers.

Where all this would stand is still up for a debate.

Has the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Make a REAL Difference in the Housing Market?

The answer for me is Yes and No. The first time home buyer market has definitely soared because of the tax credit, especially for the Frisco TX housing market less than $300K. The $300K market and up continues to be stagnant. There was an initial intention for when first time home buyers enter the housing market, the Sellers of these homes would move up, and overall stimulate the overall housing market. Everyone wins! However, it is my opinion that this goal was not achieved, at least not in the greater Frisco TX area.

The Frisco TX market continues to flood with foreclosure and short sale inventories. The good thing is that these inventories are moving, hence the banks are not stuck with these portfolios. Many Sellers of these "first-time" homes are selling because they are in financial difficulties due to job loss, and those who do not need to sell now are not doing it for fear of near-future unemployment. The rental markets are not growing proportionally because many of these homeowners moved in with families, hence the rental market has not grown like it should.

My first time home buyers in and around the greater Frisco TX area are extremely grateful for the tax credit. I continually have lots of discussion with new clients about needing to purchase before November 30 dateline. Hence, if this credit is extended, many more will be able to enjoy this generous tax credit.

In the past, I was in favor for this tax credit extension. I still stand my ground. But if there is a better way, I will be open to look at my options. In the end, I want to put my American hat on to help overall "America" and not just my pocketbook. Somehow, the focus should be placed on Employment rather than the Housing market. When employment is stable, everyone buys anything. Not just houses.

Hey, but what do I know? I only know how to sell houses!

Has the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit helped your overall housing market? Share your thoughts so collectively, America can do what's best for her.

New Listings in Frisco, McKinney and Allen:

Related Articles:

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Your Ego is definitely Not Your Amigo! Views on Client Testimonials

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:46:41 -0500

Until I read Sabrina's post about her struggle with testimonials, I thought I was one of the few people who viewed testimonials as Tooting my own horn. But this week, in one of my coaching call, I have a renewed mindset about testimonials.

In the past, I never believed in publishing them although I do it because everyone else does. I had the wrong mindset to begin with. When I feel like "puffing" myself, I'd probably publish one or two out there to get my big head filled. You see, I began with the wrong mindset.

My new coach, Kathy Eppley spent over an hour with me this past Monday on just this issue. She went over to my website and asked me if I had testimonials. I said, Sure.... but she had to look read hard, among the hundreds of links I had on my website, there is only 1 tiny link on Client Testimonials. There's no way anyone could find it if I hadn't tell you where to find it on the page.

You see, I've viewed Testimonials as Tooting my Own Horn. Self-praise even though I didn't say them. As the engineer and analytical person that I am, and also confirming that with some of the previous agents I have associated with, some of the testimonials you see on websites are fabricated. Hence, I want no part of that.

I also told her that I love to me the small tiny person in a real estate transaction. I don't want a big part of it because I feel by being tiny, I was staying humble.

Here's what Kathy said to me:

Your ego is NOT your Amigo. But I said, ???? What do you mean by ego? I'm trying to stay small here. Certainly that's not an EGO issue. She brilliantly said that EGO doesn't always have to mean BIG. But it does mean it focuses on "You" ie me. For goodness sakes, get my ego out of it!

She asked if I believe in the things I do ie help people enrich their lives in putting them in homes they enjoy, if I feel I enrich their lives by helping them sell their house and move on to the next chapter in their lives. I said, ABSOLUTELY. That's me.

Then, she said, If my message is more important than me, that "I" ie my ego, should get out of the way. I have a calling and I have the very responsibility to answer my calling with my gifts and talents that He entrusted me with. Instead of focusing the issue on me, Ask - "How can I serve in a bigger way?"

My playing small doesn't serve me. I should raise the bar. When I publish Client Testimonials for others to read, I am helping them make a decision to select me. It's not there to toot my own horn! It's letting others set an expectation on what it is like to do business with me. It is sharing myself with others.

This will get a little too personal, but I want to go out all since I'm there. At the beginning of 2009, God had asked me to pray about Matthew 5:14-16. I said I would. But it's past middle of October and I still didn't feel the change or what God was trying to tell me until He had to use Kathy to say it in a way I could understand:

You are the Light of the World - a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and keeps it hidden. A lamp is placed on a stand to shine. Let your good deeds shine out for others to see so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.

God told me that I am His light. That's why I am getting all the successes that I am. In fact, I'm trying to get out of it because I feel the spotlight is placed on "me". Again, it's all about ME. Yet I thought being "small" and "hidden" was the way I remain humble. NOT!

Kathy ended our conversation with a quote by Marianne Williamson,

"Our deepest fear is NOT that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. I ask, Who are you to say you are brilliant, gorgeous, talented & fabulous? The real question is, Who are YOU not to be?

You are a Child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightening about shrinking so that others around you feel insecure. We are ALL meant to shine, just as children do. We were born to manifest the Glory of God that's within us. It's not just in some of us. It's in everyone.

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other's the permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates those around us".

Now, how powerful is that, just by having Testimonials on your website. To let those around you know whom you are?

I know this is a very long way to ask you to get it out there. But if you were like me who needed more convincing, there you have it. I hope you'll never look at Testimonials the same way again. Share yourself with others. That's what you are meant for.

Good day, my friends.

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Eventually, they'll find a way to get you!

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:25:33 -0500

I am an advocate for using cash and cutting up credit cards. Hence, when I read this news on USA Today about the Latest Bank Fees for being the good consumer that you are for paying your balance off every month, am I not surprise that I would see this day??? Yes, eventually, they are coming to get you. Yes, even for those who believes there is nothing wrong in using credit cards and paying them off monthly.

Bank of America and Citigroup - two large corporations whose business thrive on credit lending are planning to start trial versions of collecting Annual Fees for their good, always on-time paying customers. Eventually, they'd figured out that they are not making money on the new credit card rulings, hence, they put their brainstorming sessions together to start figuring out where are the additional ways to generate business revenues....

Hmmm... How about charging those good-paying customers? That's an oppotunity to make money.

To read what I read in its entirety, read the article here.

Hopefully there is more reasons to start encouraging you to use your own money, cash or debit card. It's hard to go wrong and it changes you when you see the cash laying on the check out counter. You might really think twice if you really want it.

When you stop using your credit card and instead start using cash, you spend 18-20% less.

Your credit card is not your security, not your emergency catch-all. Your bank account (ie savings) is. Think about it.

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

When There is No Value & All That's Left is PRICE

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:52:05 -0500

Well, I wasn't planning on putting this post up until I have too much time on my hands sitting in the Kroger's parking lot, with a stalled car and waiting for my Prince Charming to come rescue me. So, what would a dedicated blogger do at this time??? How about another post... Duh. What could you expect otherwise?

So right outside a grocery store and thinking about value and pricing, this topic seems fitting. What differentiates one real estate agent from another? It seems that every agent has a website, every agent has access to MLS, every agent is honest and a local "expert" and so they claimed. Then, why is it surprising to us when we attend a listing appointment that fees is always discussed? It is natural for a home seller to use "price" or "fees" as the differentiator when they feel that everything else is the same.

Classic story about price versus perceived value: Hiking down Mount Haleakala in Maui was one of the coolest thing I did. It was a 13-mile hike which takes about 6-7hours. About 4 1/2 hours into the hike, I would have paid anything to a pilot who would rescue me off the mountain instantly while just a few hours prior, a helicopter ride around the mountain for $300 may seem "expensive" in my mind. Again, price and perceived value can change in an instant.

The topic of reducing fees is constantly negotiated at the dining table especially when a Seller could not see the perceived value that an agent brings to the transaction. If that is the case, more likely than not, you have not communicated your value proposition effectively so that the PRICE is no longer an issue.

Home selling is emotionally driven, then logically supported with hard facts and data along with the selection of whom to use in the process. If you sell your service as a commodity, then the Seller is right. It boils down to the price as the differentiator.

Sales should be about perceived value - if that is your business model.

30-40% of people will select price as their determination factor no matter what you present. But better yet, the rest of 60-70% will select VALUE.

Adding Value can often be misunderstood in some sales professionals' minds, let alone providing it. Most think of Value as "something" to add. Additional service - tacked on to the original for a small fee or even for free. These are sales tools, not value.

Value is something done for the client, in favor of the client.

I do think it's important that you spend some quality time thinking about your VALUE PROPOSITION. It goes beyond just claiming that you are honest, experienced and a great negotiator on your website or your blog. Your VALUE PROPOSITION is your market differentiator. Otherwise, there is no difference between selecting you than that guy you went to real estate school with. Carefully examine what they are.

Then, you must know how to present your value proposition in a unique and compelling message like no other.

Isn't real estate much more flavorful if we each present ourselves in a unique and compelling message?

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

The Choice of WORDS is POWERFUL. It Can Make or Break You.

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:33:24 -0500

My dear friend, Barb Van Stensel inspired this Sunday God First post. I want to give her all the credit.

I believe the choice of WORDS is POWERFUL. You will get what you constantly remind yourself. It can MAKE or BREAK you in whatever you set yourself to do.

It's similar to how you remind your 2-year old child, Not to MOVE when he's getting his diaper changed. Not to run around in the store. Not to touch the hot stove. You are reinforcing the "Not to" and that's what a child hears - Move, Run, Touch etc.

The same with our adult lives.

If we say that we are struggling with this economy, if we are challenged by this transaction not coming to a closing like we want - guess what? You are constantly reminding yourself, and uttering the things you very well Do Not Want. Yet, it's the very thing that happens in our lives.

Instead, when you tell yourself that You have the very opportunity to grow in reaching out to people in phone conversations, You are learning how to bullet proof your transactions. Don't that change our attitude, change our mindset and perhaps change the vibrations along the way?

I'm not saying just blindly change your words. You have to believe it. You want to really, really want it. You have to reach out to make that change. Sometimes, it also means going out to do something about it. Your mindset will change your perspective. Then, it will change your attitude. Ultimately, change the things that you do and how you operate.

Mindset alone will not be enough. You must want it enough to do something about it.

The choice of WORDS you use can change the outcome of your life. Different perspectives creates different opportunities.

Missy Caulk helped summed up the Scripture of the Week:

Phillipians 4:8-9
"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Be Careful When You Asked for a New Earth Shattering Program to SOAR Your Business

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:20:19 -0500

Katerina Gasset introduced me to these 2 concepts since our friendship began: Law of Abundance and Law of Attraction. While I don't disagree with it, I have never practise it in my life. I've always wrote them away with "It's REALITY that I'm dealing with". Try telling a real estate agent who knows that there will always be 10% turnover in a neighborhood of 1000 homes. No matter what you do, there will always be 100 homes for sale in that neighborhood. Try convincing me whether another agent comes into the picture or not, there would still be 10% turnover - whether I believed in Law of Abundance or not.

Then, Katerina told me straight on that I believed in Scarcity more than I do Abundance. She told me that I have bad perception about Money, Wealth, Prosperity and Affluent people. I was like %^&*(Y^)(&^%!!! What do you mean by that? I've always managed money well, How dare you say I didn't have the right perception about Money???

In fact, Katerina was right. I just didn't want to admit it. I noticed that everything that comes out of my mouth does have NEGATIVITY tone in it. "I don't want to spend money I don't have". To me, that was good money managing skills that I've always pride myself on. [Now becareful about what I'm about to share with you. I'm only speaking from my experience. Yours may be entirely different.]

When October rolled around, I began planning for 2010. I will probably close out 2009 as the best year in my real estate career, but I'm already planning for 2010 to beat my 2009. I began researching and I prayed for a direction. I even contacted Katerina about some Expired Coaching. I found out that that's not the direction I needed to go.

What I needed to do was first to change my mindset about alot of things before I will have yet another spectacular year - 2010.

Kathy Eppley called me and we've had 4 very long and heart-to-heart conversations thus far. Kathy reintroduced to the Law of Abundance and Law of Attraction concepts. This time, since I looked for a change to be better, I decided to learn these new concepts. In only 2 weeks, I've already experienced the new ME with my new beliefs and new ENERGY.

Learning these new lessons do not come easy. But Kathy had told me that these new concepts will be learnt in a process (ie journey). Be prepared to hit a set back once a while. But each time I hit a set back, just shake myself off and stand up again. Set backs are very much a part of the PROCESS. I need to continue to remind myself of that. In these 2 weeks, as much as I have felt the renewed "Me", I've also hit 2 setbacks. But I rebuke each of them. You too should be prepared for the set backs to come your way, but it's just a part of the game.

Tony Robbins said this, In order to live an extraordinary life, you must have an extraordinary physcology. To have an extraordinary physcology, you have to live in an extraordinary state. To live in that extraordinary state, you must condition your mind to be the best.

I'm not sure if it makes sense to you but I prayed for an answer. I asked for wisdom and guidance. I was looking for a program that will take me soaring through the roof. Sometimes, life's too funny when you ask for A, you get B.

God asked me to change my mindset first. Believing in myself and the gifts, talents and skills He has entrusted me with. Once I do that, there would be no stopping me.

That's what I did. Instead of signing up for another seminar/ workshop, I signed up with a coach who will teach me about some renewed mindset I need to have.

It may come natural to you but it didn't too me. I grew up with a mindset I'm never going to be good enough. I have lots of limiting beliefs about myself. I am my biggest stumbling block. So these days, I'm spending my time in re-writing my own stories and my own beliefs about my own abilities.

I'm perfectly entitled to have a life full of abundance. And so are you.

You Asked for a New Earth Shattering Program to SOAR Your Business. But like me, you might need to change your attitude. As a result of my renewed beliefs, 2 more clients called me this week, my client who lost their buyer in the sale of their home received another contract. Not only are my clients able to move on, I am able to add another 5-figure income to my 2009 simply by applying the Law of Attraction and Law of Abundance in my life. Whether you want to believe it or not, it's entirely up to you.

”The belief that becomes truth for me…is that which allows me the best use of my strength ,the best means of putting my virtues into action." - ANDRE GIDE

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Let Da Party Begin in Big D! OU-TX 2009 Weekend Lives on...

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:43:47 -0500

It's big game in Dallas TX. The Red River Rivalry between the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns. Every year, this place is divided equally with Reds and Burnt Oranges. Anyone not wearing either of these colors should just get out of the way. We're serious when we talk about Da Game.

Once a year, on OU-TX weekend, the parties start on Friday. The West End Dallas area will probably be swamped with die-heart OU and TX fans from all over the country. Many more throw their very own OU-TX home parties. Yes, we take the day off and make it our own 3-day weekend here in town. The schools are officially off on the Friday before the game to give their students an opportunity to travel 200 miles south (for OU fans) and 200 miles north (UT fans) to meet in Dallas - the center of their meeting place. It is sports' greatest rivalry in a neutral zone.

The OU-TX game is held in conjunction with the Texas State Fair at the Cotton Bowl. Our first match at the Cotton Bowl began in 1929 when it only housed 16,000 fans. Tomorrow, it is estimated that we will have over 92,000 show up for just this game alone. It is always a SOLD-OUT event. It will be the 109th time these 2 teams played each other. Now, that's tradition worth living!

If you are an Oklahoma Sooner, it doesnt matter how your season looks like. It doesn't matter if we are headed to the National Championship. All that matters is that we WIN this game.

Oh by the way, I never work OU-TX weekend too. The game kicks off at 11am CST and I'll be on my front row seat rooting for my team from home.

BOOMER SOONER!!!!

I guess you know whom I'm rooting for.....

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Before Active Rain & Now - I couldn't have done it without YOU!

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:40:54 -0500

Before - I was BLIND. Now, I see. That pretty much sums up my time here in the 'Rain.

These days, I have been working on my limiting beliefs. I'm slowly coming out of it. Where I come from and how I was brought up has alot to do with whom I am today but they are just stories I crafted along the way. Every day can be a struggle if I do not choose to see my world in a positive light. Yet, I am ready to re-create my story each day.

I grew up in a Perfectionist household. If you cannot be the best, you shouldn't even try. My father stopped me from getting tennis lessons because he told me that there's only going to be one John McEnroe, one Boris Becker and one Steffi Graff in the world. If you can't be good like them, don't even waste your time. Growing up, I'm not the most intelligent in my class. In fact, I struggled with taking tests even though I feel I am fairly brilliant. I just sucked at exams. I "wrote myself off" as someone who's never good enough. Yet, I'm always out there to prove my own worthiness in everything I do. That's why when I decided to play in the 'Rain, I decided to become one of the world's top real estate bloggers.

Fast forward to my first few years in real estate. My limiting belief brought me to set up a buyer rebate policy because I didn't know any other way why a client would want to work with me. (Now, if this is your business policy, what I am about to share with you has nothing to do with you. All the thoughts are just mine. So, please do not take it personally.) That was the only way I saw myself as the VALUE PROPOSITION to my clients' transaction - was the added paycheck at the end of the transaction. I didn't know any better.

So, in November 2006, I found Active Rain. I played around here not knowing what would become of my blogging. My first coach was Jennifer Allan and she helped me get out of that. 3 years later in October 2009, I constantly receive emails and compliments about my writing. I never knew the writer in me. My new coach, Kathy Eppley even told me that I have a gift of writing. When she first said it, I thought she was joking or trying to be nice. But when I evaluated my time here on Active Rain, these three years have definitely been something. As I help her get up to speed with Active Rain, little did I know how much time I have invested in becoming the blogger, the encourager, the person that I am. Gone are the days would I make up excuses for myself - that I speak English as a 2nd language, that I come from a different country, hence I talk funny.

I really cant say because I would never know what it would be like if it was not for the time I paid here on Active Rain. A local realtor had just wrote me asking me if I'm willing to share how I become a prolific blogger. She hasnt gained the presence she liked and her blogging hasnt really paid off. I wrote her back to tell her that there are plenty of business for everyone. I'm never afraid of sharing with agents that work in my area. In fact, whenever we do work together, instead of being in adversary positions, if we were business partners, doesn't that make our transaction go so much smoother for our clients because our personal agenda is out of the picture?

I could tell you that had it not been with the people that changed my views on things, I would not have reacted in that manner. Although Katerina Gasset is awesome for her SEO, Katerina is first, my personal friend that we could talk about family and our faith. Katerina shared with me the Law of Abundance and helped me changed from the scarcity mindset. Ask Broker Bryant and Missy Caulk the times they picked up the phone to help me when they knew I needed it most. They helped me become the best listing agent in my area. Getting the appointments is what I'm working on these days, but with their help, I've nailed each and every one of the listing interviews but one in 3 years. Now, Active Rain did ALL that for me. Had it not been for AR, I'm still wondering what on earth I'm doing. One thing is for sure, there would not be a 3:16 team REALTY. I wouldn't have gone out on my own. Each and everyone of you had made my journey in becoming an awesome Realtor/ broker for my company so much easier and knowledgeable. Gary Woltal is my biggest supporter and he constantly encourage and believe in me. The thought of Sheldon Neal just encourages me to get out there more and share myself with others. Bill Gassett and Lenn Harley are people I can always count on to bounce ideas. And I have so many cheerleaders in my troop. All 657 of them that would be totally impossible to acknowledge each one. Susan Mangigian watched over me and I do business with John Cannata.

Your own journey on Active Rain is yours to craft. I could talk until I'm blue in the face about the changes made here, but if you didn't experience it on your own, it wouldn't mean a thing. Just remember, it's your choice to play here in the 'Rain. How you make of it depends on what you are willing to put in and get out.

The secret about gaining a presence here on Active Rain. It's all in your attitude. You could never possibly receive enough all that you have given out.

So, what are you waiting for????? Craft your own Before and After Active Rain story.

Celeste Sally Cheeseman said that I'm so positive, but I'm not always this way (smile)...

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All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Stories from my Frisco TX home front...

First Time Home Buyers Go Through a Stressful Time: Be Empathizing

Real Estate Business is NOT for Broke People

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended and Expanded to include Repeat Buyers

Short Sale Done ABSOLUTELY Wrong

Master Your Barrier to Entry in the World of Success with Blogging

Why Blog? Why Write?

How to Be a Better Lender to Your Realtor(R)

Homeownership is a Privilege

Renting Feels Like It's Borrowing

Be Blessed Where You're At

Fabulous Fall Colors 2009 of Frisco TX

Being a Mom lets me be a Realtor(R) too!

Bowen Family Homes did not honor its contract & did not live up to their part of the bargain

It is 165 days later that by Bowen Family Homes did not honor their part of the contract.

Putting Your Life on Hold During Home Search

Some Bold, Some Quiet But All Equally Valued

Frisco TX 3rd Quarter 2009 Housing Market Report

3rd Quarter 2009 (July 1 - September 30): 181 Frisco TX sold homes for $50,308,155

McKinney represents the Best 3rd Quarter 2009 Housing Report for the greater Dallas TX metroplex

3rd Quarter 2009 (July 1 - September 30): 687 McKinney TX sold homes for $148,166,696

Before Active Rain & Now II - Wow, what a journey for me and others

Has the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Made a Difference in YOUR Housing Market?

Your Ego is definitely Not Your Amigo! Views on Client Testimonials

Eventually, they'll find a way to get you!

When There is No Value & All That's Left is PRICE

The Choice of WORDS is POWERFUL. It Can Make or Break You.

Be Careful When You Asked for a New Earth Shattering Program to SOAR Your Business

Let Da Party Begin in Big D! OU-TX 2009 Weekend Lives on...

BOOMER SOONER!!!!

Before Active Rain & Now - I couldn't have done it without YOU!

3rd Quarter 2009 (July 1 - September 30):
181 Frisco TX sold homes
for $50,308,155

3rd Quarter 2009 (July 1 - September 30):
687 McKinney TX sold homes
for $148,166,696