Cal Aycock & Dan Hair's Blog

What is our purpose?

Cal Aycock & Dan Hair (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:45:17 -0700

We as real estate agents should always have a clear understanding of why we should be hired and should always be able to share it with anyone at anytime. For sellers, our goal is to net them the most amount of money, in the shortest amount of time, with the least amount of problems. For buyers, our goal should be to find them the right home, at the best price, in the shortest amount of time, with the least amount of problems. We as realtors should understand that great service begins with a clear purpose for why someone should work with us.

Tips for selling your home

Cal Aycock & Dan Hair (Keller Williams Realty) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:44:45 -0700

Here's seven tips on how to sell your home in today's tougher market. The Wall Street Journal wrote this clever article titled, "How to sell a house, when you have to sell it now". The information is good. Even though our West Tennessee market is better than most other housing markets these are good tips to live by. No time to read the whole story. Here's the cliff notes.

Clean it up.
Hire a top REALTOR.
Price it Correctly. Aggressively for a fast sale.
Seller financing can help if you can offer it.
Take the offer. If it is reasonable take it.

If you live in the Memphis area consider yourself a lucky home owner. If you need to sell your home in Memphis area you are still one of the fortunate ones. Most of the country hasn't seen the housing-market this bad since Herbert Hoover was in the oval office. Be glad you are in the Memphis area.

If you need assistance selling your Memphis, TN area home call me.

Realtor.com

Cal Aycock & Dan Hair (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:12:26 -0700

consider the listing enhancement packages for you listings on Realtor.com. Enhanced listings can feature up to 100 MB of multimedia video files - in formats you can produce in-house with your digital camera or free programs like photostory. No need for extra storage or linking>

I have picked up several buyers and sellers because of this feature in the last several weeks.

The Window is open with Opportunities!

Cal Aycock & Dan Hair (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:55:32 -0700

The window is open refers to: The opportunity we all currently have! The decision to purchase real estate always depends on many factors. Location, style, amenities, price and financing terms, to name a few. I believe the current environment represents a great opportunity to consider purchasing real estate. Whether the purpose is for investment, primary residence or a second home. Why is this statement so compelling? Consider the following:

*Current average mortgage rates are slightly above the lows we achieved in 2003 which in turn represents rates we have not experienced since 1963-1965. Rates we have not seen in over 40+ years!

*The Memphis metro area is tied for 21st out of the 100 biggest growth markets for highest forecasted growth throuht April 2008.

*Memphis is ranked #1 in a survey of most affordable homes.

*Nationally, home prices have had the largest decrease in 37 years.

*Prices for new homes have remained relatively stagnant for much of 2007 and 1st part of 2008.

*Apartment rents are projected to rise about 4% in 2008 due to increase in demand from fewer borrowers being able to qualify for home mortgages and a shortfall in apartment construction.

*The income tax benefits of home ownership remain the greatest way to reduce taxable income.

Now let's all ask ourselves this question? How long will the window remain open? The answer is of course, no one knows exactly how long. If you also believe the window is open, then NOW is the time to take advantage of this opportunity before the window slams shut.

The opinion expressed in this article are those of Cal Aycock and do not necessarily represent the views and/or opinions of Keller Williams Realty.

Cal Aycock 2008

Winter is coming.... How to prepare your home!

Cal Aycock & Dan Hair (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:31:30 -0800

1) Furnace Inspection

Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts.
Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.
Consider switching out your thermostat for a programmable thermostat.
If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly and when water appears, close them.
Remove all flammable material from the area surrounding your furnace.

2) Get the Fireplace Ready

Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and birds.
If the chimney hasn't been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote.
Buy firewood or chop wood. Store it in a dry place away from the exterior of your home.
Inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing.
Check the mortar between bricks and tuckpoint, if necessary.

3) Check the Exterior, Doors and Windows

Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them.
Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows.
Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint exposed wood.
If your home has a basement, consider protecting its window wells by covering them with plastic shields.
Switch out summer screens with glass replacements from storage. If you have storm windows, install them.

4) Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts

If your weather temperature will fall below 32 degrees in the winter, adding extra insulation to the attic will prevent warm air from creeping to your roof and causing ice dams.
Check flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home.
Replace worn roof shingles or tiles.
Clean out the gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris.
Consider installing leaf guards on the gutters or extensions on the downspouts to direct water away from the home.

5) Service Weather-Specific Equipment

Drain gas from lawnmowers.
Service or tune-up snow blowers.
Replace worn rakes and snow shovels.
Clean, dry and store summer gardening equipment.
Sharpen ice choppers and buy bags of ice-melt / sand.

6) Check Foundations

Rake away all debris and edible vegetation from the foundation.
Seal up entry points to keep small animals from crawling under the house.
Tuckpoint or seal foundation cracks. Mice can slip through space as thin as a dime.
Inspect sill plates for dry rot or pest infestation.
Secure crawlspace entrances.

7) Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Some cities require a smoke detector in every room.
Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends.
Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and / or water heater.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work.
Buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.

8) Prevent Plumbing Freezes

Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
Drain all garden hoses.
Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.
If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.

9) Prepare Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces

Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
Ask a gardener when your trees should be pruned to prevent winter injury.
Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs that cannot winter over such as dahlias in areas where the ground freezes.
Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.
Don't automatically remove dead vegetation from gardens as some provide attractive scenery in an otherwise dreary, snow-drenched yard.
Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area.

10) Prepare an Emergency Kit

Buy indoor candles and matches / lighter for use during a power shortage.
Find the phone numbers for your utility companies and tape them near your phone or inside the phone book.
Buy a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment.
Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food, if you have a pet), blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location.
Prepare an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency.

Great Arlington Listing...

Cal Aycock & Dan Hair (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:20:49 -0700

6228 Ewing Blvd.

Arlington, TN 38002

$249,899 (Appraised @ $280,000!)

4 Bedroom 3 Bath

This home is price well below appraisal and is in one of Arlington's best neighborhoods. The open floor plan is great for entertaining. The home has special wiring upgrades with 8 CAT5E outlets. Complete with NEW wood fenced yard and storage building in the backyard along with a covered porch.

See the virtual tour @...

http://visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1141569

Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Bar Area

Breakfast Room

Back Porch

Backyard

NAR lets Buyers know its a great time to buy!

Cal Aycock & Dan Hair (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:02:30 -0700

Buyers now have an overwhelming advantage, given the wide selection of homes available in many markets, notes the National Association of REALTORS'®.

Reasons to be an optimistic Buyer...

1. A good inventory of homes is available

2. Prices have stabilized and are starting to rise

3. The future of the housing market and the economy is positive

4. Housing is a great investment, with average home valuations increasing 88 percent in the last 10 years

30 year fixed Mortgage rates are near 40 year lows and with the number of current listing stabalizing and market trends leading upward don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to find the home of your dreams!

Memphis Area Flooded with investment opportunities...

Cal Aycock & Dan Hair (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:49:24 -0700

Along with one of the nations most undervalued markets Memphis also has an incredible amount of great real estate buys on the market currently. With a typical area average of around 8,000 listings on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Memphis has ballooned to over 12,000 current home listings!

What does this mean??? With an increased amount of homes for sale you intern create longer listing periods. With longer listing periods you create anxious sellers. With anxious sellers comes a BUYERS MARKET!

From your typical home purchase to your Real Estate Investment buyers have an unprecedented amount of leverage. The key is to be able to recognize these opportunities and know how to capitalize on them quickly. Know your market and know your data. Find a Realtor that can provide you with a daily report of new listings and alert you of any deals that might be available on a day to day basis. Be prepared (Financially & Mentally) to act on an good investment when one arises.

Don't let the national news dictate what type of Real Estate Market we have. With low interest rates and low property values why would Real Estate be a "Bad Investment"?

The Answer....IT'S NOT!