The Short Sale -  It's funny, this term and process of selling property has been around for years, but not until the last few has it really become "household" lingo. I'm asked almost daily about how to go about the process by folks that are facing foreclosure.

So, for those interested, the process of a "short sale" basically goes like this: You list your home for sale. You eventually get an offer which is presented to the bank(s) which holds the current mortgage(s). Id the bank is willing to accept a lower amount than what is owed, this is considered selling "short" of the payoff, hence a Short Sale. In other words, they are being paid "short" of what is owed by you in order to transfer ownership to the buyer before the foreclosure process begins. 2nd liens (mortgages) can be a bit more tricky, especially if have 2 different banks (mortgages) involved.

banks in this country have faced an extremely high rate of foreclosures the last 24 months. They are not necessarily in the business of keeping real estate inventory unless someone is paying the mortgage on the property. Depending on the situation, most would rather take a little less than you owe than increasing their  via foreclosures.

Now every bank is different, so the process may vary slightly. Each has their own set of paperwork or Addendum's. From what I've experienced, banks can take from a few days up to 4-6 before they respond to an offer. Most want Earnest Money. Most will pay some type of closing costs. Most won't make ANY repairs. None of them have an emotional attachment to the property. Needless to say, buyers who are making an offer on property subject to "short sale" need to be patient. Furthermore, make sure your Realtor is familiar with the situation and process so there's no surprises later.

For those who want more information about the "short sale" process, I'm here to help. Thanks and good luck!

PROPERTY HAS BEEN LEASED!

A Wonderfully maintained 4.2.2 with split bedrooms and many updates. Sprinkler system, big backyard, mature shade trees. Lots of extras & very clean. Not your typical Rental House. This one won't last long!

• 1431 San Antone, Lewisville, TX 75067
• MLS #11263885 ~ Mapsco DA 650A ~ Built 1975
• Lewisville ISD ~ Valley Ridge ELem ~ Huffines MS ~ Lewisville HS
• 4/2/2 ~ 2253 square feet ~ big lot ~ Wood burning Fireplace
• Large Backyard ~ Mature Shade trees & landscaping
• Listed For Lease at $1425 a month.

PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD!

A wonderful, one story home located in the Fairview subdivision of Corinth, Texas that sits on a lot with established shade trees and landscaping. Pride of ownership is obvious from the time you drive up and throughout. Convenient to schools and shopping. Updates include new or recent Kitchen appliances (dishwasher, stove, microwave & disposal - all new since 2003), cabinets & counterops in Laundry, caprpet (2009), HVAC syste (2004), water heater (2003) ceramic tile in Master Bedroom Bath (2008) and ceiling fans throughout.

• 3504 Riverview Dr, Corinth, TX 76210
• MLS #11244461 ~ Mapsco FW 449Q ~ Built 1985
• Lake Dallas ISD ~ Corinth ELem ~ Lake Dallas MS ~ Lake Dallas HS
• 3/2/2 ~ 1251 square feet ~ big lot ~ Wood burning Fireplace
• Large Backyard ~ Storage Shed
• Listed For Sale at $117,000.

PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD!

A wonderful, one story home located in the Timberbrook subdivision of Lewsiville, Texas that sits on a corner lot with established shade trees and landscaping. Pride of ownership is obvious from the time you drive up and throughout. Convenient to schools and shopping. Other features include a family friendly floor plan with large rooms, jack and jill bath and walk in closets. Living Area is huge with wood burning fireplace and built in surround sound. Recent carpet and soothing colors throughout.

• 730 Sweet Gum Drive, Lewsiville, TX 76210
• MLS #11252796 ~ Mapsco DA 650R ~ Built 1978
• Lewsiville ISD ~ Creekside Elem ~ Hedrick MS ~ Lewsiville HS
• 3/2/2 ~ 2012 square feet ~ big lot ~ 2 living areas
• Denton County ~ Home Warranty included
• Covered Pation with surround sound speakers ~ Storage Shed ~ 8'fence
• Listed For Sale at $149,000.

Harvesting rainwater simply means finding a way to capture rainfall and runoff so that it can be recycled and used primarily for landscaping.

Rainwater catchment or rainwater harvesting (RWH) are catch-all terms for collecting, storing, and later using precipitation from roof run-off (or other sources, depending on your application). Across the globe, rainwater is used for many purposes, including drinking water, irrigation, aquaculture, air conditioning, groundwater recharge, and fire fighting. It has been utilized for many centuries.

Harvesting rainwater offers many advantages: it conserves municipal and well water; it is free; gravity fed systems conserve energy; it is low in salts and good for plants; and it can reduce flooding and erosion. Rainwater provides an excellent primary, supplementary, or alternative source of water. Rainwater can be used at multiple scales from residential to commercial and at the neighborhood or community level.

Rainwater tanks and barrels can be made or purchased and are relatively inexpensive. I personally have taken an interest in becoming more "green" and decided to contruct my own rain barrel. Now all-in-all, the materials cost about $100. Labor was of course, free! Below is a picture for reference. Now it may take some time to recoup my costs in water bill savings, but I have to believe the free, chemical-free water I'm using on my landscape has great benefit. 

Let's all "Go Green"!

This custom home is located in Derby, KS. Fall 2008 Parade of Homes Winner! Audio description available upon request. Please contact Kelly for more information regarding the purchase of this or other Internationally listed properties.

• MLS #11155324 ~ Built 2008
• 6/3.5/2 ~ 606 square feet ~ big lot ~ 2 living areas + Study
• Too many extras to list! 
• Listed at $545,900.00

PROPERTY HAS BEEN LEASED!

Magnificient Grand Home in peaceful Robinson Oaks subdivision has rich front elevation & covered porch. Real hardwood floors in Entry & Family Room. 4.3.2 +Study with French doors & loft upstairs. Beautiful wood cabinets & countertops in Kitchen. Wonderful spiral staircase. Original owner, gently lived in for less than 2 years. Lots of useable living space. Oversized patio out back with fruit trees & crape myrtles. Wood blinds throughout. Neighborhood offers pool & private 5 acre park and trails.

• MLS #11204463 ~ Mapsco FW 448B ~ Built 2006
• Denton ISD ~ LA Nelson Elem ~ Crownover Middle ~ Denton High
• 4/2.5/2 ~ 3405 square feet ~ big lot ~ 2 living areas + Study
• Denton County ~ Home Warranty included
• Listed For Sale at $229,900.00
• Listed For Lease at $1900/month

PROPERTY TEMPORARILY OFF THE MARKET!

Wonderful home in peaceful Eaglechase Estates community in Krum offers 2 story home on oversized lot. Kithcen is chef's delight with lots of counter and cabinet space, island and tile floors. Plenty of storage space. Juge backyard with children's playset included! Don't miss out on this great opportunity.

• MLS #11158797 ~ Mapsco FW 245A ~ Built 2002
• Krum ISD ~ Dyer Elem ~ Krum Middle ~ Krum High
• 4/2/2 ~ 2643 square feet ~ .233 acre lot ~ 3 living areas
• Denton County ~ Home Warranty included
• Listed at $174,900.00

LE MANOR 'LES HERARDS is situated 300km south of Paris, 7km from the city of Moulins. This beautiful estate dates from the 17th century and is part of the ancient Bourbon region called the Bourbonnais. The manor house was restored in 1855 with an independant staircase access from the 15th century and includes a main house of 450 m2. Located on 4.97 acres with guest house, vaulted caves that lead to the pool, a chapel, fruit storage & horse stable. Offered at $1,100.00.

Property SOLD!

1712 Ryanfeld Drive, Mansfield, TX. Offered at $124,500.

• Great Layout ~ Split Bedrooms ~ Open and Spacious
• 3.2.2 ~ 1639 Square Feet ~ Built 2000
• Ceramic Tile in Traffic Areas ~ Carpet in Rooms
• Two Dining Areas ~ Wood Burning Fireplace
• Big Front Yard ~ Meticulously Manicured Landscaping
• MLS #11035916 ~ Mapso FW 123F ~ Tarrant County
• Mansfield ISD ~ Worley Elem ~ Shepard MS ~ Summit HS

Don't miss out on the opportunity to make this wonderful home yours! Pride in ownership is apparent throughout this one owner home.