Monday, December 27, 2010

Dr. Doom, Mr. Bear and Real Estate

Dr. Doom, Mr. Bear and Real Estate

HUD foreclosure inventory rises in the past month for Tarrant County

@MattKonlande tweeted today that  a month ago there were 25 active HUD owned foreclosures in Tarrant County. Today there are 187.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Realtors-where do you stand on providing showing feedback to listing agents?

I truly appreciate the local agents that take the time to provide feedback-it is very useful to my clients and myself. I know it can be time consuming when you have shown 20 houses and your inbox is flooded with feedback requests! For a different opinion, read this post from a San Antonio agent...

http://www.rerockstar.com/2010/buyers/showing-feedback-client-listing/#axzz13lFTVVHR

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Friday, October 22, 2010

Great Post I found for new Real Estate Agents-how to hit the ground running...



85 pages of outstanding information if you are just getting started in the Real  Estate business-posted by Ken Brand-one of the top producers in the Woodlands, Texas.

http://www.brandcandid.com/2010/10/23/im-a-new-real-estate-agent-how-do-i-hit-the-ground-running-and-swimming/

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Next time you order new business cards....

The Real Estate Business Card Blunder  http://goo.gl/QzBT… via @techsavvyagent

Friday, October 15, 2010

Mortgage rates ease again-30-year fixed rate at 60-year low!

Less than 4% for a 30 year loan? Why aren't more people buying? It will be one of those decisions they pat themselves on the back for 5 years from now. Search every home for sale in the MLS at.....

 http://www.tarrantcountylistings.com/

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Decline in DFW foreclosure filings not due to moratorium

Decline in DFW foreclosure filings not due to moratorium

Outstanding post that every Realtor should read

http://goo.gl/mqmv 

Tons of information on Social Media and best practices for Facebook, Twitter, and Blogging

Outstanding notes by Michael McClure (@professionalone) on an interview with Chris Smith (@techsavvyagent)

Every agent should be following these guys!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

New Amazon shopping tool should come in handy for those of us that like to get the best deal














While you are out shopping, use your iPhone to scan the barcode of whatever you are thinking of buying, and Amazon will give you their price on the item. You can download it in the App store. 

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Texas Attorney General's Office halts foreclosure sales from 30 lenders

The Texas Attorney General's office has called for a halt on all foreclosures, all sales of properties previously foreclosed upon and all evictions of persons residing in previously foreclosed upon properties, until companies have completed a review of their processes, including whether employees or agents "robosigned” affidavits and other documents which were recorded in the State of Texas. The suspension notices were sent to 30 loan servicers doing business in Texas in an effort to determine the full harm Texas homeowners may have suffered or could suffer as a result of these business practices.

Here is a list of the mortgage companies that were sent demand letters....


American Home Mortgage Servicing, Inc.

American General Finance, Inc.

AmTrust Mortgage Corporation

Aurora Loan Servicec, Inc.

Bank of America

Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC

Cenlar, FSB

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

CitiMortgage, Inc.

EMC Mortgage Corporation

First Horizon National Corp.

Ally Financial, Inc./GMAC

Home Loan Services

HomEq Servicing, Inc.

HSBC North America Holdings, Inc.

Litton Loan Servicing, Inc.

MGC Mortgage, Inc.

Midland Mortgage Company

MorEquity, Inc.

National City Mortgage c/o PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

Nationstar Mortgage Company

Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC

OneWest Bank Group LLC

PHH Mortgage Services Corporation

Saxon Mortgage Services, Inc.

Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc.

Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc.

Washington Mutual

Wells Fargo & Company

Wilshire Credit Corporation

Friday, October 01, 2010

Interesting look at what the future of real estate might look like

hope the consumer will still need us in 3 years!

http://www.1000wattconsulting.com/blog/2010/10/the-rise-of-me-economics-and-what-it-means-for-real-estate-search.html

2 sites to check out for outsourcing some of your admin work at $6 to $8 an hour!










Plus you don't have the burden of employer social security taxes, FICA taxes, worker's compensation insurance, and unemployment taxes.

odesk.com

myoutdesk.com


Some of the tasks that can be done virtually include...


1.  REO tasks
2. Top Producer, Database Management, online management portals

3. Craigslist postings

4.  Website management / maintenance

5. Social Media

6. Basic SEO

7. Phone receptionist

8. Manage Emails /Phone Calls from Buyers Agents and Potential Buyers

Give me your feedback if you have done this before-would love to get feedback...

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

What do you think of when you see this short video?


the real estate business?, short sales?, multitasking?, parenting?

Friday, August 20, 2010

Thursday, August 19, 2010

GE Security - GE Security

Supra eKEY for iPhone is here! Looks like I need a new toy!

http://www.supraekey.com

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Deed for Lease Option-1 way to avoid foreclosure

Originally tweeted from @ResideCharlotte, this is a program from Fannie Mae that could allow you to stay in your home. Here is a link to more information....

http://www.knowyouroptions.com/options-to-stay-in-your-home/deed-for-lease-option

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Does Brand Matter to the Consumer? | 2.0

Interesting opinions on what consumers think of the real estate industry...

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Got this as an email the other day and thought I would share...

Think about this:



1. Cows

2. The Constitution

3. The Ten Commandments



--------------------------------------------------------------



COWS

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.



--------------------------------------------------------------

THE CONSTITUTION

They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq ... Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.



--------------------------------------------------------------



THE 10 COMMANDMENTS



The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a government building is this --you cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of politicians .... it creates a hostile work environment.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Monday, July 12, 2010

Be the 1st to know about this new listing in Kennedale's Shady Creek East

4 bedroom, 3 1/2 baths, 3 car garage & 2 year old salt water swimming pool. Extensive remodeling includes wood flooring, granite countertops, new stainless steel appliances, new bronze plumbing fixtures, new light fixtures, fresh paint. Will be the lowest price in the subdivison. Coming on the market in the next 2 weeks. Let me know if you would like to be the first to see it or get all the info when it comes on the market. don@donlawyer.com or cell is 817-657-9159

Thursday, July 01, 2010

From the National Association of Realtors-Tax Credit Deadline Officially extended for closings

NAR Update: Tax Credit Deadline Extended; Flood Insurance Program Reinstated

I am happy to report that Congress has passed a bill extending the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline to September 30, 2010. This is a huge win for REALTORS® and homebuyers, and NAR worked closely with members of Congress to make it happen.

The extension applies only to transactions that had ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, and have not yet closed. There will be no gap between June 30 and the date the President signs the bill into law.

Additionally, Congress has extended the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through September 30th. The bill is retroactive and will cover the lapse period from June 1, 2010, to the date the law is enacted.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

My blog is being used as an example in a GRI class-pretty cool!

except that I hadn't updated it since May 20th :)

http://donlawyer.blogspot.com/

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Interesting blog post about the impact Realtors have on the economy

Thanks to Mike Bowler for this post...

REALTORS that sell homes are great contributors to the overall  economic conditions. Check out the list
http://www.mikebowler.net/?p=912

Sunday, May 02, 2010

New foreclosure listing of the day

Each week, I am going to highlight a foreclosure listing that just came on the market. For more info or to make an appointment to see any of these listings, just email me at don@donlawyer.com.




Today's house is a 2 year old Manfield home with a pool. A gourmet island kitchen features granite counters and master bathroom showcases a bathtub with jets & roman columns. 3363 sq. ft. and listed for $310,000

To search EVERY foreclosure listed in the MLS, go to

http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_reports/listed_after_midnight.htm

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Real Estate on Steroids

The Arlington Keller Williams office had a record month in March. We set records in all categories. We took 163 listings, 230 homes went under contract, & we closed 203 homes AND gave back almost $32,000 in Profit Sharing to our agents! Very proud to be in business with talented people!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Keller Williams-Arlington shares over $224,000 in profit with their agents in 2009!

In a challenging year in the real estate community, the agents in the Arlington Keller Williams office received over $224,000 in profit share for 2009! Outside of Keller Williams, it is unheard of for the broker to share any of the profit with the agents (who are the heart and soul of the company). It is truly rewarding to work as a partner in a company where everyone is rewarded for success. Agents-How much did your broker share with you last year?

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Save $6500 to $8000 on your next home



Congress has extended the existing $8000 tax credit for 1st time homebuyers until May 1,2010.

A new $6500 tax credit will be available for repeat buyers who purchase before May 1, 2010.

To qualify, buyers must have used their home as their principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years. Income limits are $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return.

For more info, go to...


Call us at 817-635-1015 to take advantage of this rare opportunity for tax savings, historically low interest rates, & outstanding prices right now!