first time home buyers: Dear Buyers, it is now a sprint not a marathon - 02/27/13 01:49 AM
To my wonderful buyers, Yes it is a new world. It is no longer the same world that it was six months ago. It is now a sprint and not a marathon. It is now a seller’s market and not a buyer’s market. I am sorry for you. However that is the new reality.
You ask now that it is a sprint and not a marathon what does that mean to you? Well here is my opinion of what it means:
It means that when I call or email you and tell you that you need to see this house it … (3 comments)

first time home buyers: Pets and home buyers......facts - 01/29/13 04:07 AM
My seller can't believe that the buyers looking at his home won't make an offer because of the "cat odor".  Here are a few facts I managed to dig up that I hope will convince him that somting has to be done about the "cat odor".
40% of home buyers do not own a pet 58% of home buyers do not own a dog 60% of home buyers do own a cat Please remember that not everyone loves pets!
As you probbly can tell from the pictures I am not a big cat lover. Sorry but my ex had one. Memories.
… (1 comments)

first time home buyers: Ten reasons to buy now...... - 10/19/10 05:13 AM
Are you still thinking that now is not a good time to buy a home? It may be time to revisit that thought. The Wall Street Journal just gave ten GREAT reasons to buy a home today. Here are the reasons:
 
 
1. You can get a good deal 2. Mortgages are cheap 3.You will save on taxes It will be yours You will get a better home It offers some inflation protection It's risk capital It is forced savings There is a lot to choose from Sooner or later the market will be clear Here is the link to … (2 comments)

first time home buyers: Lake Conroe Area Home Buyer Seminar - 10/15/10 06:15 AM
Are you considering buying a home? Would you like more information about the home buying process? Are you interested in what is going on in the local real estate market?
If you are call 936-525-3200 today and make a reservation for my free home buyer's seminar. The seminar is scheduled for Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 6:00PM. It will be held at Keller Williams, 2200 N. FM 3083 Rd. W., Conroe, Texas.
This approximately one hour seminar will provide you with a wealth of information about many aspects of the home buying process. The seminar will also provide you with an … (2 comments)

first time home buyers: Credit Repair Links!! - 08/15/08 06:53 AM
I have been asked by several people who have read some of my credit restoration blogs to provide some additional resources. This particular blog will take care of those requests.
Below you will find three links. The first link is to our short seven minute video on credit repair. The second link connects to our full thirty-three minute association benefits video. We offer over 20 benefits. The final link is to our association's website. Please take some time to review these links. I know you will find them of interest to you and your many credit challenged customers. I can help you the realtor sell more homes by assisting your clients in improving their … (2 comments)

first time home buyers: Mortgage Fees & Credit Scores - 08/13/08 10:33 AM
I was just reading a bulletin from Freddie Mac dated July 8, 2008 that described their new fee structure as it concerns conventional loans. This does not affect FHA/VA and certain other type special loans. For those of you who don’t know who Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae is they are the entities that buy a whole lot of mortgages on the secondary market.  What Freddie says goes. I think most loan officers will agree with that statement. In fact Fannie said today they are going along with the fee increases. Anyway these fees are based on a matrix that involves … (0 comments)

first time home buyers: Market Stats - Houston-Baytown-Sugarland MSA - 08/13/08 05:30 AM
Where does the Houston area real estate market currently stand and what does the future hold? Let's take a look at what PMI and its' Market Risk Index says at this time. All figures quoted are for the Houston-Baytown-Sugarland MSA.
The PMI Market Risk Index for our area is <1>That means that there is a less than 1% chance that home prices will be lower two years from now. I don't think you can beat that score. A great indication that now is the time to buy.         Our areas Volatility rating is 1.78. This means there is a very low risk … (0 comments)

first time home buyers: Interest rates - Texas Veterans - 08/11/08 02:27 PM
The new interest rates for loans through the Texas Veterans Land Board for housing and home improvement loans this week are as follows:
5.98% Base Rate applies to all loans with a term greater than 15 years.
Available Discounts to Base Rate* Discount for loans with a term of 15 years or less: -.25% Qualified Veterans with Disabilities Program Discount: -.35% Qualified Service Era Discount (Restricted Pool): -1.72% Land program rates are: 7.25% 
Not much change this week. Please email me if you have any questions and please call me so that I may help you look for a home. Have a … (1 comments)

first time home buyers: Listing Euphemisms & other lists - 08/11/08 06:51 AM
I am still laughing at what I just read. It is hilarious. It is a report put out by the NAEBA (National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents). The report is titled 2008 Report on Home Buying Euphemisms and Lingo. It is great. It is funny. You have to read the report. CLick on the report title for the link.
The report makes fun of many of the terms we agents use in our MLS listings. Of course after I finished laughing I went and checked all of my listings to make sure I hadn't used any of those terms. When I … (1 comments)

first time home buyers: I have become my client - 08/09/08 03:54 PM

I can't believe it. I have become like some of my clients. I didn't used to be this way. Is there a pill I can take to cure this? You have no idea what I am talking about do you? I'm sorry. At least I can cure that.
I'm moving. I am a renter. Yes a realtor renter. At least since my divorce I have been a renter. I have been in this same place for three years and it is time to go. I need a change. I had to give sixty days notice to my current landlord. I … (3 comments)

first time home buyers: Credit score cost - 08/05/08 09:23 AM
This is sort of an advertisement. I admit it. But it is an advertisement designed to help anyone thinking about buying a home in the next six months to a year. I was just talking with a loan officer who is working on a non-FHA loan for a client of mine. The client has to go with a conventional loan rather than an FHA loan. For various reasons not everyone can go with an FHA loan. Any way the loan officer just told me because my clients credit score is only slightly below 680 the rate would be 3/8 to 1/2 … (0 comments)

first time home buyers: First time home buyers - mistakes - 08/05/08 08:36 AM
First off I have to give credit to three sources for the basis of this blog. I have to be honest if nothing else. The sources for this blog are: 1 - usnews.com 2- realtor.com and finally realestatechecklists.com. Okay I was good.
First time home buyers make five major mistakes according to these sources. If I would add anything to what they said I would a sixth mistake which is buying too much home or not enough home. The too much home mistake is a financial one and the not enough home mistake is buying a home for only one child … (1 comments)