Innocent Victims of Foreclosure

I I have a soft heart for dogs.  It saddens me when I see a lost dog on the street and if I have the time, I try to help find the owner.  I recently did that with "Twinkle" who was wandering the streets of my neighborhood.  Luckily, Twinkle hadn't wandered too far from home and she was reunited after an hour or so.

I recently read an article in the Dallas Morning News that made me want to jump in the car and rescue more than one dog.   As families can't afford to stay in their homes, many are forced to give up their companions.  Operation Kindness is a no-kill shelter in Carrollton that has seen a large increase in animals being dropped off and a quarter of them are due to foreclosure and eviction. 

Many North Texas shelters are also seeing a decrease in animal adoptions, partially due to rising costs of everything and maybe pets are considered a luxury.  Overcrowding at shelters, in general, is nothing new.  There was a feature on Oprah several months ago about the Fort Worth Animal Shelter and it mentioned that anywhere between 20-40 animals were euthanized A DAY!

I remember feeling so sad about all of the pets that were lost, abandoned or found dead after Hurricane Katrina.  Animals are almost defenseless and can't do much in these types of situations.  We can help ourselves,but what about our pets?

My husband and I rescued our lab-mutt, Peanut, from the SPCA five years ago.  Peanut is the one on the right. Bailey, also a rescue pup, is her good friend.  They are both absolute sweethearts and when we decide to get another dog, it will be from a shelter.  If you are looking for a pet to love, check out your local animal shelter before anything else!  We may not be able to help all families save their home, but maybe we can save Fido!

Wow! One Story Home in Lewisville with Amazing Pool!

This new listing came about because of ActiveRain!  Thanks Jean Hanley in Temecula for trusting me with selling your family's home!

Charming, one story in the heart of Lewisville with quick and easy access to the airport, shopping and highways is the one you've been waiting for! If you are looking for a pristine heated pool with attached spa, private backyard with mature landscaping to go along with a great home, this will be a perfect fit!

This three bedroom, two bathroom home has a large open living room with fireplace and pleasant dining room. The large kitchen overlooks the pool and has an abundance of countertop and cabinet space. Natural light graces this workspace as does a nice size breakfast nook with built in window seats. The master bathroom has dual vanities, large shower and huge closet with seasonal storage. The back patio is cool and covered on the back and the side offering a sanctuary with an eight foot fence and lush trees and plants. List price-$165,000 

Awesome new listing in Highland Village, TX

Wow! This is a gorgeous new listing of mine in Highland Village. This one is what you've been looking for! This home has been completely renovated! Handscraped hardwood and travertine flooring, brand new carpet, paint, light fixtures, faucets and fixtures, toilets, electrical, plumbing...whew, I can go on and on!

If cooking and entertaining are important, this is an ideal home for you. The kitchen has been updated with 3 cm granite, stainless appliances including double ovens, unique stone backsplash and newly painted cabinets. The breakfast bar and nook are nice sizes for family gatherings. The Coronado dry-stacked stone fireplace is a beautiful focal point in this spacious living room.

Downstairs, there is a study, formal dining room, large family room with a half bath and a guest suite with full bath and access to the private backyard.

The master bedroom is a sanctuary all of its own. It's spacious and features a stacked stone fireplace and private balcony to enjoy the gorgeous backyard. The bathroom is right out of a catalog! Glass tiles surround the relaxing bathtub and the delicate glass chandelier makes for a perfect getaway! Two bowl sinks, picture frame mirrors and modern faucets complete the look. The closet is enormous and the secondary bedrooms upstairs are spacious. The gameroom also has a wet bar and overlooks the backyard.

Located in the safest city in North Texas, 2706 Queens Court is a heavily treed lot on a quiet cul-de-sac. You don't want to miss this one!  To recap: Four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, study, formal dining and gameroom.  Private and shaded backyard!  You can't get much better than this for $315,000!

For more pictures, visit http://www.nreds.com/rl/20121991983

Have You Ever Done Canton?

So, last week was my first-ever trip to Canton, TX.  You know, the open air market that sane women go crazy for and the men that love them, love them a little less?  We have been doing a little decorating at the Hoffmann household and after always hearing about how great Canton is, decided to make a trip with my good friend, Liz.  We set out early and happened to get a call from my mom while we were stuck in traffic, for no apparent reason.  She said she heard of a tornado that just touched down in a town near Tyler that had an open air market.  Surely that wasn't the same place we were going.  It was 9 am!  Sure enough...tornado in Canton!
We decided to continue on our trek and am glad we did.  There are quite a few of the same shops of dried flowers, adorable kid's stuff, sassy t-shirts and just general home decor.  I didn't realize it was also like going to the State Fair.  How can you pass up a funnel cake and turkey leg at 10 am?!
I ended up with a beautiful oil tapestry, which was the main reason I went.  A few other decor items and the best deal going-cabinet hardware.  I picked some up for a friend who just moved into a new home.  At a buck a piece for knobs and 2.25 for pulls, that is a steal!  Those will run anywhere from $3-6 each if you are lucky at a local store.
So, the bottom line is, if you are going to do some decorating, head to Canton.  Take some comfortable shoes, cooler of food and an open mind.  Oh, and don't forget cash and checks because many places don't accept plastic.  Have a good one!

Have you changed your driving habits?

I haven't gotten to the point where I am changing my driving habits yet due to higher gas prices.  Have you? 

What are you doing as a real estate agent to cut down on trips to show one house that your clients are interested in?  Are you laying down the law and putting restrictions on clients?  What about people that just call on one of your listings that don't have an agent?

Before gas prices jumped to $3.50 a gallon, I wouldn't think twice about jumping in my SUV and driving to show a house or two on a Tuesday night.  But, I think it's going to be time to start having that conversation with my clients. 

It is my opinion that my vehicle is a necessary evil in this industry.  I have clients offer to compensate me for gas but I feel it's part of cost of my job to accomodate them and not collect gas money like I am a teenager in high school!  Let me know your thoughts!

FREE GAS CARD!

Maybe some of you have already done or thought of this, but with gas costing more than a Grande Espresso from Starbucks per gallon, I thought it was time to act!

I am considering having a month-long referral contest with clients.  For every lead they send me (that ACTUALLY closes!), they will receive a $50 gas card!  I thought that this is a great excuse to keep me in touch with my past and current clients and keep me on the tip of their tongue when they hear someone needing a real estate agent.

After the designated time ends, the winner will get the gas card(s) and even a dinner out with yours truly.  Let me know what you think and what things I should think about or include during this contest.  Have a good one!

Hand-Held Cell Phones Banned

In the neighboring town of Flower Mound, there is a new city ordinance.  Don't even think about using your hand-held cell phone in a school zone!

I think this is the way most cities will start to go.  Although there have been no accidents reported citing a cell phone as a cause, crossing guards are seeing more and more drivers on the phone during school zone hours. 

This follows a similar ban on hand-held phones in Highland Park, Texas. 

The fine will be $75 to start and may jump to $200 for repeat offenders.  This ban also incorporates text messaging.  I think that is way more of a danger than being on a cell phone but all of them are distractions, even using a hands-free device. 

I have to admit that I am frequently on the phone with my own daughter in the car because it's convenient to make calls while driving.  I just have to remind myself that no deal, phone call or transcription of a number is more important than my life, that of my daughter, or a complete stranger's!  What do you think?  Are you seeing similar bans in your city?

Just Approved in this Suburb!

Out here in Suburbia Central, a major step has been taken to focus on all different types of home dwellers. 

In my opinion, townhomes are for a variety of homeowners.  Even though there are many complexes that may target "empty nesters" or "young executives", these types of homes can be an attractive choice for anyone from 18-85 and beyond. 

Recently, the city of Highland Village, where I happily call home, approved its' first town home and mixed-use development.  The development will include 77 luxury town homes featuring six floor plans ranging from 1550-2500 square feet, with first floor master bedrooms and rear entry two car garages.  Prices will start from the low to mid $200,000's.  The District of Highland Villagewill also include retail shops, professional office space and restaurants.  Construction on Phase 1 is expected to begin shortly (spring of 2008).

I imagine that as land becomes more of a premium and low-maintenance living becomes more poplular, townhomes and condos will be more and more desireable.  While a small, nicely finished out unit may not be for a young family with two kids, it is ideal for that couple who married off their kids and are looking for something nice and new to enjoy retirement in.  No yard to mow?  Awesome!  Just a concrete patio and some flower beds?  I'm in.  Master is on the ground floor?  Woo Hoo! 

As the Baby Boomers start to downsize and leave work behind, it's going to be a necessary adjustment the market will have to continue to make.  Active adult communities like Del Webb's and Robson Ranch are resort-style living with activities and amenties that a semi-or retired person can enjoy.  The new townhome development in Highland Village provides everything one could want or need.  Shopping, doctors (I would imagine in the office space), restaurants and all within walking distance to grocery stores.  Who could ask for more!?

Where to draw the line?

How many of you, as a listing agent, put a "Preferred Title Company" in one of your listings?  Here in Texas, usually the seller pays title policy and chooses the closing title company.  As a buyer's agent, I comply with the wishes of the seller to close at their preferred location and company.

I got a contract tonight on a listing of mine and the agent chose his own title company.  I made a few changes to the contract and changed the title company.  I then get a fax that has a large box and star by RESPA Section 9 stating that:

"Section 9 of RESPA prohibits a seller from requiring the home buyer to use a particular title insurance company, either directly or indirectly, as a condition of a sale.  Buyers may sue a seller who violates this provision for an amount equal to three times all charges made for the title insurance".

Are you serious?  Why are we getting all Larry Lawyer over a title company closing a deal?  I am being silly or ignorant in thinking this is a bit of a joke?  I like my transactions to be first-name basis, let's go out for a drink when this is all done.  Everyone should be looking to keep the peace.  Why can't we all just get along?

This is almost like Carrie from Sex and The City getting dumped on a Post-It.  What exactly do you say to something like that?

Conflict of Interest?

I am at the end of my rope here folks!  The question of the night is how do you feel about a real estate agent also acting as the loan officer?  I was not aware she was the loan officer until there were problems. 
It's my opinion that there is enough to do in a real estate transaction that you shouldn't muddy the waters by trying to be a lender too.  This is an affiliate office of a major player in the real estate world.  We have four families that can't close because this one agent can't keep her files straight and get the job done.  My clients, as well as her client, are going to file a complaint with our real estate commission.
So, what are your thoughts on being the lender and the real estate agent in the same transaction?  Maybe it's not as bad as I think it is but it seems like a bit of a conflict of interest.  Please share your knowledge and experiences!