Don Lawyer's Blog

Comparing the North Texas real estate market-2010 vs. 2011

2012-01-06T14:45:00.000-06:00

Year-on-year Statistics

Nov-11 Nov-10 % Chg
# Sold 4,780 4,643 3.0%
# For Sale 35,756 45,664 -21.7%

Median Price (Sold) $142,000 $141,000 +0.7%
Median Price (For Sale) $179,900 $165,000 +9.0%
Price per Sq Ft $85 $88 -3.4%

Sold Price to Original Price 91% 90% +1.1%
Average DOM 89 87 +2.3%
Months Supply 7.5 9.8 -23.9%

Mortgages Are Readily Available

2011-12-29T12:11:00.000-06:00

Home loan options abound, despite lack of info about availability - latimes.com

Fear and Finance in Real Estate

2011-12-16T16:45:00.002-06:00

Mortgage Scammers Using Search Engines To Target Homeowners

2011-12-12T12:05:00.000-06:00

Mortgage Scammers Using Search Engines To Target Homeowners

New Foreclosure Halt Announced!

2011-12-05T11:43:00.000-06:00

New Foreclosure Halt Announced! | FortuneBuilders

What is the best day of the week to list a home?

2011-10-20T15:45:00.000-05:00

What is the best day of the week to list a home?

House Prices: Where They Will Be in the Spring

2011-10-19T14:53:00.000-05:00

House Prices: Where They Will Be in the Spring

Upside: It's Time to Buy That House

2011-10-17T09:42:00.000-05:00

Upside: It's Time to Buy That House - WSJ.com

Reverse Mortgages: The Basics

2011-10-06T11:13:00.000-05:00

Reverse Mortgages: The Basics - SecondAct.com

Loved the Headline of this post....Sorry if I offend you..but your house stinks.

2011-09-30T10:06:00.000-05:00

Sorry if I offend you..but your house stinks.

Twelve percent of Fort Worth-Arlington home mortgages under water, report says

2011-09-14T11:33:00.000-05:00

Twelve percent of Fort Worth-Arlington home mortgages under water, report says - Tarrant Business

HUD Extends Unemployed Mortgage Relief Program

2011-08-31T10:26:00.000-05:00

HUD Extends Unemployed Mortgage Relief Program | Realtor Magazine

Time for more housing stimulus??

2011-08-22T15:10:00.000-05:00

http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2011/08/22/time-for-more-housing-stimulus/?mod=WSJBlog

The 2011 Great Debate — Rent vs. Buy

2011-08-21T21:00:00.000-05:00

The 2011 Great Debate — Rent vs. Buy

All our Facebook & Blog Updates in 1 place

2011-08-20T13:22:00.000-05:00

Is the Federal Government About To Make It Harder to Buy a Home?

2011-08-06T15:40:00.000-05:00

Is Federal Goverment About To Make It Harder to Buy a Home? - ABC News

Keller Williams Realty dominates the 2011 REALTOR Magazine Franchise Report

2011-07-29T10:09:00.000-05:00

Keller Williams Realty DOMINATES the 2011 REALTOR Magazine Franchise Report! | Keller Williams North Idaho

Major Lenders Offering Perks on Short Sales

2011-07-29T10:08:00.000-05:00

Major Lenders Offering Perks on Short Sales

Delinquency, foreclosure rates down in Fort Worth-Arlington

2011-07-28T16:09:00.000-05:00

Delinquency, foreclosure rates down in Fort Worth-Arlington | Business | Dallas Business...

Mortgage applications fall 5% as interest rates rise

2011-07-27T07:29:00.000-05:00

Mortgage applications fall 5% as interest rates rise

Ocwen unveils new principal reduction program

2011-07-27T07:28:00.000-05:00

Ocwen unveils new principal reduction program

Dallas-Fort Worth again leads nation in job growth

2011-06-02T11:27:00.000-05:00

Dallas-Fort Worth again leads nation in job growth | Business | Dallas Business, Texas B...

Realtors work hard for less money-averaging 260 hours per transaction

2011-06-01T09:44:00.000-05:00

http://agentgenius.com/real-estate-news-events/realtors-work-harder-for-less-money-averaging-260-hours-per-transaction/

Mortgage rates slide for 5th week in a row | Inman News

2011-05-20T09:32:00.000-05:00

Mortgage rates slide for 5th week in a row | Inman News

Arlington's Eastern Star Home is posted for foreclosure

2011-05-20T09:30:00.001-05:00

Arlington's Eastern Star Home is posted for foreclosure | Business | Dallas Business, Te...

Mortgage delinquencies improving. - May. 19, 2011

2011-05-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

Mortgage delinquencies improving. - May. 19, 2011

Arlington's Candlelite Inn up for auction

2011-05-20T09:29:00.000-05:00

Arlington's Candlelite Inn up for auction | Business | Dallas Business, Texas Business, ...

Tax fraud in America surpasses half a billion dollars

2011-04-18T09:28:00.000-05:00

Tax fraud in America surpasses half a billion dollars | AgentGenius

Worried about the new 3.8% tax coming?

2011-04-13T13:14:00.000-05:00

Worried about the new 3.8% tax coming?

Curious request in deed-in-lieu of foreclosure

2011-04-06T07:43:00.000-05:00

Curious request in deed-in-lieu of foreclosure | Inman News

Keller Williams-Arlington is celebrating again

2011-04-01T17:31:00.001-05:00

Keller Williams Realty | Arlington | Homes stories | Star-Telegram.com

Don’t Believe Everything You Read-the real estate market is better than what you hear the media reporting

2011-04-01T14:21:00.001-05:00

Don’t Believe Everything You Read

Credit Scores and What They Mean for Mortgage Payments

2011-03-30T12:54:00.000-05:00

Credit Scores and What They Mean for Mortgage Payments | Credit Sesame

When is a listing sold?

2011-03-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

When is a listing sold? | Inman News

New Tax Credit program from the City of Arlington

2011-03-18T12:00:00.000-05:00

YouTube - City of Arlington Homebuyer Tax Credit Program

A good sign!-Mortgage applications at highest level in three months

2011-03-09T16:04:00.000-06:00

Mortgage applications at highest level in three months

Arlington OKs bonds to fund buyouts of homes & condos that were flooded in S.W. Arlington

2011-03-02T15:28:00.000-06:00

Arlington OKs bonds to fund buyouts of homes & condos that were flooded in S.W. Arlington

Gas well leak in July didn't contaminate Lake Arlington

2011-03-02T15:25:00.000-06:00

Gas well leak in July didn't contaminate Lake Arlington, city says | Arlington | News fr...

How long does it take to find the perfect house?

2011-02-23T13:55:00.000-06:00

Average buyer looks for 12 weeks before buying a home. Thinking about selling this spring? Get it on the market now!

Arlington offers rebates for home improvements

2011-02-02T06:50:00.000-06:00

Arlington offers rebates for home improvements

FICOs and FHA: 2 big lenders loosen up

2011-01-31T17:27:00.000-06:00

FICOs and FHA: 2 big lenders loosen up | Inman News

Keller Williams Realty Signs Deal with CitiMortgage to Provide Unique Money-Saving Benefits to Consumers

2011-01-28T15:50:00.000-06:00

Press Release - Keller Williams Realty Signs Deal with CitiMortgage to Provide Unique Money-Saving Benefits to Consumers

New-Home Sales Rise Sharply in December 2010 | RISMedia

2011-01-28T15:49:00.000-06:00

New-Home Sales Rise Sharply in December 2010 | RISMedia

YouTube - Why Some Houses Sit While Other Houses Sell

2011-01-20T17:07:00.000-06:00

YouTube - Why Some Houses Sit While Other Houses Sell

Builders Expect Home Sizes to Keep Shrinking

2011-01-18T16:40:00.000-06:00

Builders Expect Home Sizes to Keep Shrinking | RISMedia

Foreclosures in 2011 to break last year's record: RealtyTrac � HousingWire

2011-01-13T17:49:00.000-06:00

Foreclosures in 2011 to break last year's record: RealtyTrac � HousingWire

20 ways to take your office mobile

2011-01-13T17:46:00.001-06:00

20 ways to take your office mobile

How Not To Draft Your Short Sale Hardship Letter

2011-01-08T18:06:00.000-06:00

How Not To Draft Your Short Sale Hardship Letter | The Scottsdale Property Shop | Scottsdale Real Estate & Homes

Mortgage rates climb into New Year

2010-12-30T20:38:00.000-06:00

Mortgage rates climb into New Year | Inman News

Government Agencies Hold 46% of REO Inventory...and More Is Coming

2010-12-28T15:57:00.000-06:00

Government Agencies Hold 46% of REO Inventory...and More Is Coming

Dr. Doom, Mr. Bear and Real Estate

2010-12-27T17:17:00.000-06:00

Dr. Doom, Mr. Bear and Real Estate

HUD foreclosure inventory rises in the past month for Tarrant County

2010-12-27T17:12:00.002-06:00

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

So Now Everyone Knows I Got Foreclosed On-Google Maps now show Foreclosures

2010-12-21T13:25:00.000-06:00

So Now Everyone Knows I Got Foreclosed On | Tech Savvy Agent

Mortgage Rates Jump. Will House Prices Fall?

2010-12-20T12:22:00.001-06:00

Mortgage Rates Jump. Will House Prices Fall? - SmartMoney.com

Magazine-Daily News-Rising Rates Could Get Buyers Moving

2010-12-17T11:29:00.000-06:00

REALTOR� Magazine-Daily News-Rising Rates Could Get Buyers Moving

D-FW foreclosure postings decline 6% � HousingWire

2010-12-16T19:07:00.000-06:00

D-FW foreclosure postings decline 6% � HousingWire

Why does someone choose you to sell ther house?

2010-12-15T09:01:00.000-06:00

YouTube - Does Brand Matter? Part 2

20 predictions for the real estate and technology spaces in 2011

2010-12-14T11:26:00.000-06:00

20 predictions for the real estate and technology spaces in 2011

List Your House Now or Wait Until Spring? | REALTOR.com� Blogs

2010-12-13T11:25:00.000-06:00

List Your House Now or Wait Until Spring?

How Rising Interest Rates Will Impact Affordability

2010-12-10T11:48:00.001-06:00

How Rising Interest Rates Will Impact Affordability

FHA lenders accused of snubbing subprime borrowers | Inman News

2010-12-08T19:50:00.000-06:00

FHA lenders accused of snubbing subprime borrowers | Inman News

great video for Realtors on how to use today's technology-via@techsavvyagent

2010-12-03T15:02:00.000-06:00

How to use Mozy, Dropbox, and Google Docs in your real estate business...

http://goo.gl/vPNte

Good news about keeping the mortgage interest rate deduction!

2010-12-03T14:52:00.001-06:00

http://goo.gl/fZEAQ

That 3.8% tax enacted as part of health reform is not a real estate transfer tax. Here's how it works. http://tinyurl.com/33axmr2

2010-11-24T14:20:00.002-06:00

http://speakingofrealestate.blogs.realtor.org/2010/11/24/the-3-8-tax-is-not-a-real-estate-transfer-tax/

Price Reductions in Dallas-Fort Worth are on the rise

2010-11-24T10:41:00.002-06:00

http://blog.altosresearch.com/chart-of-the-day-price-reductions-in-texas/

Fort Worth-Arlington's shadow inventory of distressed properties is among nation's lowest | ...

2010-11-23T10:57:00.001-06:00

Fort Worth-Arlington's shadow inventory of distressed properties is among nation's lowest | ...

Mortgages to Skyrocket??

2010-11-22T10:50:00.000-06:00

http://agentgenius.com/real-estate-mortgage-economy/fed-to-price-fix-mortgages-to-skyrocket/

My favorite articles this week from twitter-online newspaper style...

2010-11-21T17:26:00.000-06:00

http://paper.li/donlawyer

Loved the 1st version of this video-much more current now-Social Media Revolution 2

2010-11-15T17:15:00.000-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFZ0z5Fm-Ng&feature=related

Check out my favorite stories & links for the past week-in newspaper format

2010-11-09T10:47:00.002-06:00

http://goo.gl/xn6OR

D-FW commercial foreclosure postings up 39% in a year

2010-11-02T10:24:00.000-05:00

D-FW commercial foreclosure postings up 39% in a year

Everything you wanted to know about Tarrant County Tax Rates, but were afraid to ask

2010-11-01T09:30:00.000-05:00

Click on the image to enlarge

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

2010-10-29T10:20:00.001-05:00

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

Mortgage interest rates-putting the current #'s in perspective

2010-10-28T14:42:00.000-05:00

Should I take my home off the market for the holidays?

2010-10-27T14:34:00.000-05:00

Great list of reasons to keep your home on the market during fall and winter...

http://realtrends.com/blog/why-listing-during-the-holidays-is-an-advantage

Existing home sales rose 10% in September

2010-10-25T10:55:00.000-05:00

http://money.cnn.com/2010/10/25/news/economy/existing_home_sales/index.htm

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

2010-10-22T15:51:00.000-05:00

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/

Next time you order new business cards....

2010-10-21T09:55:00.000-05:00

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

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

2010-10-15T09:50:00.001-05:00

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/

Decline in DFW foreclosure filings not due to moratorium

2010-10-14T19:04:00.000-05:00

Decline in DFW foreclosure filings not due to moratorium

Outstanding post that every Realtor should read

2010-10-14T14:55:00.000-05:00

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!

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

2010-10-13T11:31:00.001-05:00

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.

My favorite birthday card so far!

2010-10-08T09:48:00.002-05:00

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/LkaSgGU1cfcDmLeJ

Outstanding post for Realtors from Ken Brand-Why Secret Agents Will Starve and You Won't

2010-10-07T20:58:00.000-05:00

http://www.slideshare.net/kenbrand/why-secret-agents-starve-and-you-wont

Mortgage rates resume their record-setting ways | Inman News

2010-10-07T16:01:00.000-05:00

Mortgage rates resume their record-setting ways Inman News

Use your phone as a fax machine?

2010-10-07T10:28:00.001-05:00

Has anyone used Mobile Phax? It turns your Iphone or Blackberry into a fax machine. Looks interesting...

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

2010-10-06T12:39:00.000-05:00

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

Search every waterfront home in Tarrant County

2010-10-05T16:11:00.000-05:00

http://goo.gl/vSnQ

New service that Google provides-here is a link to good blog post about it....

2010-10-05T12:25:00.000-05:00

http://210consulting.com/2010/10/02/goo-gl-changes-link-shortening/

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

2010-10-01T14:24:00.000-05:00

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!

2010-10-01T11:14:00.000-05:00

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...

The Problem with Re/Max-don't let the title deceive you!

2010-09-05T15:59:00.000-05:00

you will love this or hate it...

The Problem with Re/Max

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

2010-09-01T09:56:00.000-05:00

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

For my Realtor friends-Here is a great company I use to keep in touch with my past clients and database

2010-08-31T16:45:00.001-05:00

Sendsations.com. Here is a link to check them out...

http://donlawyer.sendsations.com/

Tax Free Weekend-no sales tax if you buy any of my listings this weekend :)

2010-08-20T10:18:00.000-05:00

You can see all the homes that qualify for this weekend's savings at....

http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_reports/home1.htm

GE Security - GE Security

2010-08-19T11:26:00.000-05:00

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

http://www.supraekey.com

Deed for Lease Option-1 way to avoid foreclosure

2010-08-10T13:52:00.000-05:00

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

Does Brand Matter to the Consumer? | 2.0

2010-08-01T08:06:00.000-05:00

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

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

2010-07-29T19:31:00.002-05:00

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.

Short Sale Hell-Hilarious video

2010-07-24T10:52:00.001-05:00

http://fb.me/vZmaBvaW Originally posted by @nathanbangs