7500 Katie Joyce, Fort Worth TX - 10/31/09 02:42 PM
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Realtors: How has your life changed because of this Market? - 10/29/09 12:20 PM

Via Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection:

How has your job changed in the past couple of years?   My business card says Realtor Broker, but my job entails so much more nowadays: I am a social worker, general contractor, psychologist, loss mitigator, asset preservation specialist, credit counselor, short sale specialist, reo specialist, foreclosure counselor.  My days are spent solving problems.  That’s really what should be written on my card:
 
Mirela Monte, Problem Solver
 
Do I sell Real Estate anymore?  Yeah, and lots of it, but the quality of my life has deteriorated immensely.  I work 80 … (0 comments)

Tips for Trick or Treater's in your Farm Area - 10/29/09 12:14 PM

Here's some valuable tips you may want to pass on to your neighborhood or your real estate farm area.  Statistics show that children (especially teenagers) are more likely to engage in risky behavior on Halloween.  Why?  Between haunted houses, scary costumes, the bit of freedom they might have on that night and the parties, the possibilities are endless. 
1.  Know where your children are at all times.  Have them check in regularly.
2.  Make sure they stay with a crowd and don't wonder off alone.  Do not allow them to go inside anyone's house during trick or treating (of course … (3 comments)

Senate Vote Coming Soon to Extend Tax Credit..Call Today to Support!!! - 10/26/09 02:54 PM

The news is trickling out now and as I had suspected, there are several bills up for review and vote in the senate regarding extending and modifying the currently November 1st deadline on the $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit.  Senate vote on the tax credit is expected this week, possibly as early as tomorrow.
If you support this extension (if you are a real estate professional or anyone in fact involved in the real estate process), you should support this!  Our industry needs all the breaks it can get!
Below is a link to a pre-written letter from www.fixhousingfirst.com … (3 comments)

Buyers...Make Your Decision...NOW!!!! - 10/21/09 09:42 AM
This might be a repeated view of this youtube video, but thought it is a good one. As a real estate agent, don't you just feel like this sometimes especially with buyers who can't make a decision! … (3 comments)

Looks Like Lots of Sales in North Texas, Looks are Deceiving - 10/11/09 07:08 PM
Most Recent Sales Totals Per City, N. TX(totals Year to Date through Sept. 30, 2009) Sales numbers derived from NTREIS.com Information deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED
 
 
Bottom line, sales are way, way down.  Time for the economy to recover now!
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Not All Contractors Are Created Equal - 10/11/09 07:05 PM
If you've ever turned on your television to the HGTV cable channel, you may have run into a show called "Holmes on Homes". His book is very informative, by the way.

Just watch one episode and you'll get an idea of some of the work  insulation, and lack of obtaining permits are just a few of the dilemmas faced in our society of capitalism.
Buyer beware, a term used in the real estate market can be used in every type of purchase consumers make. Unfortunately, the US is full of 'expert' contractors who fall short of promises and have cost … (1 comments)

Foundation Issues in Texas-Not the End-All to Buyers - 10/11/09 07:00 PM
Foundation issues are more common than you think in N. Texas.
North Texas soil is mostly clay which means moisture causes, sometimes severe changes in the expansion and contraction of the soil beneath our homes.  In times of heavy or sustained, consistent rain, the clay expands, acting as a sponge, then contracts when releasing the moisture such as in times of a drought or prolonged lack of rain.
Imagine the movement under your foundation.  That's what we have in North Texas and those changes not only causes stress to your structure, but to the homeowner.  I know because i'm one of … (1 comments)

Very Discriminating Buyers Today Looking for Immaculate homes - 10/10/09 03:33 PM
Buyers have the advantage and leverage today in this buyer's market to be very discriminating.  Showing 3 houses with the same exact floorplan, neutral colors, and in the same neighborhood don't all show the same. 
Sellers -- Clean every inch of your house!  I always advise this, but really...Sellers clean every inch.  The difference between these houses?  One out of three was immaculate in every way..closets organized, garage not cluttered, no dust on furniture or dishes in the sink.
Sounds crazy that we have to tell people the difference between clean and immaculate, but in this market....has to be immaculate and … (2 comments)

33% Existing Home Sales -- Short Sales or Foreclosures?! - 10/09/09 10:08 AM
According to the National Association of Realtors® data, almost one third of existing home sales are short sales or foreclosures, nationwide. 
It's a sad day to hear that a third of homeowners in America, who had the dream of homeownership, lost the dream in our country today.
What in the world is it going to take to revive America?  What is it going to take for us to stand up to the fact that we have millions, I say millions of people in our country who are ILLEGALLY here, making use of OUR tax dollars & OUR country?
Are there any … (0 comments)

New Housing Bill Will Force Loan Modification - 10/07/09 08:40 AM
Glad to see there might be some assistance to distressed homeowners!
Via Claudette Millette - Metrowest Mass Exclusive Buyer Broker (The Buyers' Counsel):
Four senators are putting their muscle behind a new housing bill intended to prohibit lenders operating in the U.S. from foreclosing on home owners without first having discussed reasonable modification options with the borrowers. 
The bill, called the Preserving Homes and Communities Act is being sponsored by Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.   
Under this bill, lenders will be forced to the negotiating table under the threat … (0 comments)