Quick update on the November market in our area

Northwest Arlington up 12% in # of sales for November 2009
Kennedale up 19% in # of sales for November 2009
Southwest Fort Worth up 11% in # of sales for November 2009
Watagua up 3% in # of sales for November 2009

Everywhere else in Tarrant County was down on average 10-15% in # of sales for November

Just Released-Keller Williams tops the list of Most Recognizable Brands for 2009!

390,000 votes were cast to select the top 10...

The Top 10 real estate franchises, most recognized by the real estate industry as quality national brands are:




1.Keller Williams Realty

2.Coldwell Banker Real Estate

3.RE/MAX International

4.Century 21 Real Estate

5.Prudential Real Estate

6.Sotheby’s International Realty

7.EXIT Realty

8.ERA Real Estate

9.Weichert Real Estate Affiliates

10.Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate


The franchises that made it to the Top 5 were to be expected and are also the five largest real estate franchises in the country. The Top 5 also comfortably attracted more votes than the second five on the list, strongly pointing to the industry’s own internal belief that these are the top five franchise brands that agents would like to work for.

Keller Williams Realty’s surprising #1 ranking was most likely due to the strong, above average online and social media presence of their agents and the fact that during 2009 KW surpassed RE/MAX in agent count according to a widely published REAL Trends survey..

Secret weapon for success with short sales

New tool to see brand new listings after midnight

Check it out...

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

Handy tool for figuring out lot size

This online tool will let you quickly determine the size of a lot using a point and click Google Maps interface. Go to http://www.findlotsize.com

If you are thinking of selling your home in the near future...

In North Texas, there are less homes on the market (less competition) than at anytime this year. Supply and demand is in your favor. The inventory of available homes peaked in June and has been going down ever since.

Houses are about to get at least $6500 cheaper!

The U.S. Senate & the House of Representatives have 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 between Dec. 1, 2009 and 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.

More info on the Tax Credit extension-interesting change proposed

The $8000 tax credit looks like it will be extended for a while, but possibly buyers who have owned their current home for 5 years would be able to get a $6500 tax credit. Will keep you posted...

New virus puts thousands of Realtors across the country at risk

Check out the symptoms later in this post and see if you have potential to be infected....

http://blog.kw.com/2009/10/26/local-real-estate-board-overrun-by-lg1z1-virus/

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit to be Phased Out

The Reid/Baucus proposal is to extend the tax credit and phase it out over 2010. The credit would be $8,000 through the end of the 1st quarter of 2010, and decline $2,000 per quarter after that ... ($6,000 in Quarter 2, $4,000 in Quarter 3, $2,000 in Quarter 4 2010)

What part of the Arlington/Mansfield area has the most sales this year?

S. E. Arlington (south of I-20) is #1 with 797 sales this year

Mansfield is #2 with 659

S.W. Arlington (south of I-20) is #3 with 435

S.W. Arlington (north of I-20) is #4 with 360

South Grand Prairie is #5 with 322

North Central Arlington is #6 with 254

Noth Arlington (n. of Randol Mill) is #7 with 169

click on the image to see in full size

What is going on with the Dallas-Fort Worth real estate market?

click on the image to see full size

Just discovered RunPee.com

Next time you are at the movies, use this service to tell you the best time to go to the restroom!

http://runpee.com/#app=5c9d&e1bd-RunPeeID=0.0.0&d22f-selectedIndex=0

Info on a common illness that affects real estate agents

The great part is that the side effects are much better than Viagra-not that I would know :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_gFam4_8gA

Just had to re-post this video about the housing crisis

it cracks me up every time I watch it. Comedy Central video...

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-july-29-2009/home-crisis-investigation

Great video that demonstrates what I do each day

to sell lots of houses...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XksdkTf2HJ8

I love this video about the Social Media Revolution

Things are changing exponentially.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8

Hilarious video about the truth of the housing crisis

This was presented at Keller Williams Mega Camp and I just had to share!

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-july-29-2009/home-crisis-investigation

New video just posted of our team in "action"

Zillow estimates are off by 34% for Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington homes

They are within 5% of the actual sales price 15% of the time, within 10% of the actual sales price 27% of the time, and within 20% of the actual sales price 39% of the time. Good to know you still need a competent Realtor to find out what your home is really worth...

Here is a link to the page on Zillow...

http://www.zillow.com/howto/DataCoverageZestimateAccuracy.htm

Absolutely hilarious real estate video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgFVppU7_Mc

Dallas-Fort Worth real estate sales statistics have just been released

How is your city doing? Click on the image to see full size.

If you have an extra hour to kill...

Learn how to have a profitable RE/MAX office http://zannee.wordpress.com/2009/08/07/become-a-profitable-remax-notes/

New research explains recent appraisal problems

Recent upheavals in the appraisals arena and the new Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) are contributing to too many sales falling through the cracks.

According to National Association of REALTOR’s® (NAR) Appraisal Survey in June 2009, 37 percent of home buyers and sellers have experienced at least one lost sale as a result of the new HVCC. The report also pointed to:

•Higher Fees
•Lower Quality
•Longer Wait

See the full report at http://www.realtor.org/wps/wcm/connect/b83165804ef0b3338f18af2db4a1e62f/government_affairs_hvcc_research_results.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=b83165804ef0b3338f18af2db4a1e62f

$90 pizzas at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/The-new-Dallas-Cowboys-Stadium-will-offer-90-pi?urn=nfl,180810

Sign up to see the most recent sales in your neighborhood

at http://tarrantcountyhomevalues.com/


Active listings, homes under contract & recent sales will be emailed to you within 10 minutes. You will also receive a monthly update on your area!

With MLS listings available everywhere on the internet, why do you need a buyer's agent?

Borrowed with permission from http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com....


Here’s an intriguing question: Given that it’s so easy to search for homes on the internet, why do you need a buyer’s agent?

Face it, if you use the MLS search tool on my web site, (http://www.tarrantcountylistings.com) you’re seeing exactly the same listings I see. And you know better than I ever could what you like and what you don’t like.

By now, the home search process is at best a partnership between the agent and the buyer. In some cases the buyer and I will work together to perfect our search criteria. But many buyers simply search the available inventory on their own, emailing me the MLS numbers of the homes they want to see.

So why do those buyers need a buyer’s agent?

Realtors hoarded the MLS data for so long that even they came to believe it was the source of their value to buyers. But this is very far from the truth.

You don’t need me to search for listings, although I’m happy to do that. And you don’t need me to open lock-boxes. You need a buyer’s agent to guide you through what is in fact an arcane and perilous process — potentially a financial disaster. You might not need me to find your next home, but you need me to make sure that you get it — or that you pass on it, if that is what is truly in your best interests.

A skilled buyer’s agent will write the kind of purchase contract that will prove surprising to you at every turn, with every term and condition tailored to achieve your best advantage. Your agent will supervise the inspection process and negotiate the optimal solution to the repair issues. Your agent will be prepared for every pitfall in the escrow process.

If you bought and sold houses every day, you could do all these things yourself. It’s because you don’t — and because the seller and the listing agent are looking to take advantage of your naivete at every turn — that you need a skilled buyer’s agent as your steadfast champion in the home-buying process.

Dallas-Fort Worth Sales Statistics just released for the first half of 2009

How did your area do? Click on image to enlarge.

Something non-real estate for a change :)

MLS activity sees a spike in the last 24 hours

In the last 24 hours in our local MLS, there have been 51 new listings and 75 went under contract or sold. That is the best ratio I have seen all year. Generally there have been more new listings than homes sold each day. A good sign!

Real Estate sales activity numbers have just been released-how did your area do?

Click on image to see full size

New Walkthrough Video of this North Arlington Home

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnrWGJBtdRo

More good news for 1st time homebuyers!

First-time homebuyers will be able to get short-term loans so they can quickly make use of a new $8,000 tax credit to pay for some of the costs of buying a home purchase. FHA just released details of a plan in which borrowers who use FHA loans can get advances from lenders that let them effectively receive the credit in advance, so they don't have to wait to get the money from the IRS.

Most borrowers will still have to come up with the FHA's required 3.5 percent down payment, unless they work through a state or local housing agency or an approved nonprofit. But there are many other potential uses, such as for closing costs and fees, or to beef up the down payment beyond the minimum level.

Any buyer who has not owned a home in the past three years is considered a first-time buyer and eligible for the program. Borrowers can claim the credit by filing an amended 2008 tax return or can wait for their 2009 return.

The tax credit was included in the economic stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama in February. It is not available to individuals with incomes above $95,000 or couples with incomes above $170,000 and expires Nov. 30.

Existing homes sales rose in April

Existing-home sales rose in April with strong buyer activity in lower price ranges, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-05-28/strong-buyer-activity-in-lower-price-ranges-allows-existing-home-sales-to-rise-in-april/#ixzz0GuYGGaVD&B

“Most of the sales are taking place in lower price ranges and activity is beginning to pick up in the midprice ranges, but high-end home sales remain sluggish,” he said. “The Federal Reserve needs to help restore liquidity for the jumbo mortgage market by buying these loans under the TALF program.”Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-05-28/strong-buyer-activity-in-lower-price-ranges-allows-existing-home-sales-to-rise-in-april/#ixzz0GuYNtcaQ&B

I am definitely seeing tons of activity on my listings priced $150,000 and under. As these homes sell, we should start to see the move up market of $250,000 and up start to pick up.

New Listing with pool in S.W. Arlington-$155,000

Beautiful setting for this 4 bedroom home with diving pool & rock waterfall. Near Gunn Jr. High-quiet cul de sac lot & awesome curb appeal. 2 living & 2 dining areas, bay windows in breakfast area & formal living & built-in hutch in formal dining. Windows replaced & vinyl siding installed 2003. Seller providing $3,500 carpet allowance for new buyer! Outside AC just replaced & wood entry installed. Garage floor & all ceilings in the house just painted.


go to http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/83956.htm for more info and virtual tour

Keller Williams Realty Brokerages Dominate Annual Industry Surveys

3rd largest company in U.S. the only major franchise to show growth

According to two of the industry’s most comprehensive annual surveys, Keller Williams Realty brokerages continue to defy the pervasive downturn in the industry by growing and expanding.

RISMedia’s Power Broker Report and REAL Trends’ REAL Trends 500 rank the largest residential real estate brokerages in the U.S. based on transaction sides and sales volume. This year, Keller Williams Realty had more brokerages on both lists than any other real estate brand.

In the REAL Trends 500 report, Keller Williams Realty dominated, with its offices comprising more than a quarter of the entire list. Of all the major brands represented in the report, Keller Williams was the only company to boast growth in both number of agents added to its ranks and in total transactions closed.

Within RISMedia’s Power Broker Report, Keller Williams Realty again had the largest majority on the list – accounting for 35 percent of all the brokerages listed. The report also ranked Keller Williams Realty #1 in number of agents and total closed transactions.

“These results prove what we already knew – Keller Williams Realty is experiencing the next phase of our growth during this shift,” said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty, Inc. “Our agents and offices are capitalizing on the opportunities presented in today’s market and powering forward.”

“Two years ago, when the market began to shift, we mobilized to make sure our people would have the training, support and technology to tackle the market and they have truly blown us away with their accomplishments,” he added.

“When we do what we do best – coach and train our associates to higher levels of personal productivity and profitability – growth takes care of itself,” said Mary Tennant, president and COO of Keller Williams Realty, Inc. “Keller Williams Realty, the franchise company, didn’t rank on these lists – our people did.”

“We’re confident we’re in businesses with some of the most talented and focused individuals in the industry and we are so proud of all they’ve achieved,” added Willis.

How many homes sold in your area?

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New Listing in master planned community

Immaculate barely lived in 3-2-2 in desirable Southwind. Beautiful French doors open to study. Kitchen has walk-in pantry & breakfast bar. Spacious master boasts French doors that open to luxury bath. Gas heat, cooktop & fireplace starter. Open floorplan with arches and art niches. Gorgeous large oaks surround the hiking trails, community pool & parks.

For virtual tour, visit http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/83777.htm

New Listing in Mansfield

What a surprise inside! Extensive remodeling including stunning kitchen-stone arch & backsplashes, granite, stainless steel appliances & under cabinet lighting. Check out the room sizes-35x16 living room with stone fireplace, 29x13 upstairs gameroom or 2nd master with full bath. Master bath has jetted tub, new tile in shower & skylight. Gameroom with tile floors, wetbar & wood ceiling. Don't miss the walk-in storm shelter under the stairs!

For virtual tour, visit http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/83749.htm

Internet Traffic is Up for Real Estate Searches

Real estate websites see increased traffic Alexa.com, a site owned and operated by Amazon.com, allows you to track and compare website traffic. When you examine the statistics for several major real estate portals for the last 6 months, the numbers show that more people are visiting these sites. Specifically, if you compare the numbers for major real estate search sites such as Realtor.com, Trulia, & Zillow, there is a clear pattern in terms of web views.

The web visitor statistics hit bottom in November& December of 2008. They then began to increase in January. There was a dip during the middle of March followed by a major spike in activity for all three sites in April.

NAR statistics show that over 90 percent of all buyers today go online as part of their search process. This increase in the number of people searching on major real estate swebsites bodes well for more sales later this year.

This Month in Real Estate Video

Information on the $8000 Tax Credit, housing affordability, and opinions on pricing your home for sale. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA4zE2vUK-U&feature=related

Observation on the real estate market

Observation on the real estate market-In the last 24 hours, 33 homes have sold in the MLS. Looks like activity is picking up!

New Listing in South Arlington

Immaculate South Arlington home has lots of style! Great design with knockout kitchen with huge skylight as the focal point. Extensive upgrades include extensive wood laminate flooring & tile, upgraded light fixtures, plant ledges, window seats & extended patio. 2 living room and 2 dining areas, split bedrooms, study, security and sprinkler systems. HOA offers cabana, pool & playground! Must see!

For more info and virtual tour, visit http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/83364.htm

New Listing in Mansfield

4 year old home in Mansfield is perfect for your large family. 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths & 3 living areas. Beautiful laminate wood flooring, open floorplan with lots of windows, jetted tub in master bath & large gameroom upstairs. 5th bedroom is downstairs & makes a great office. Over 3,100 Sq Ft!






For more info and virtual tour, go to http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/83356.htm

New Map Based MLS Search

New Map Based MLS Search at http://htxt.it/am8z Search every home for sale & have new listings emailed to you daily!

New Listing in S.W. Arlington

S.W. Arlington custom home in Mansfield ISD & Charlotte Anderson Elementary. Recent updates include carpet throughout, wallpaper removed & walls hand textured. Huge living room with a wall of built-in shelves & wetbar, skylight in master bath & 4th bedroom could be used as a mother-in-law suite or gameroom. Great location at the end of quiet cul de sac. Large workshop with electricity, AC & heat.





For more pictures and virtual tour, go to
http://www.arlingtontexashomes.com/MyHomeDtl.asp?lstPages=3&HomeID=878376

2 offers came on on

2 offers came in on my listings yesterday-1 was at full price-had a flashback to 2005!

A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it. ~ Bob Hope

New Listing near Lake Arlington

Remodeled 4 bedroom home in Shorewood Estates. New carpet, tile floors in kitchen, breakfast area & both bathrooms. New kitchen countertops and fresh paint inside and out. Large living room with vaulted ceiling and skylight. Jetted tub in master bath. Quick possession available. Miller, Young & Martin schools!

More more info and virtual tour, go to http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/83176.htm

Real Estate Statistics are in for March-how is your area doing?

Click on image to see full size

S.W. Arlington home near the lake to be part of auction!

Open Houses are scheduled for Saturday, April 18th from 12-6 and Saturday, April 25th from 12-6 for you to preview the property. The auction will be on April 26th at Great Wolf Lodge.

Liquidation Priced! Owner has slashed price on this knockout home in the heart of prestigious Bay Club Arlington. Sprawling home with over 5,500 sq ft with no expense spared in the remodeling. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, Travertine, beveled glass windows & soaring ceilings. Exercise room, sunroom, game & media room, abundant storage & outdoor staircase to balcony overlooking pool & spa. Price reduced over $240,000!

For more info and walk through video, go to http://www.arlingtontexashomes.com/MyHomeDtl.asp?lstPages=1&HomeID=864223

New Listing in Mansfield with Pool

This home in Mansfield has it all! 5 bedrooms, study, gameroom, media room & swimming pool! Over 3,700 sq ft & 4 years old. Gorgeous island kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances & gas cooktop. Fireplace in master suite & jetted tub in master bath. Community pool & playground area. Great location near Broad and 360.

For more pictures and virtual tour, visit http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/83145.htm

New Listing in south Arlington

This spectacular home located on a wonderful cul-de-sac in a quiet neighborhood has excellent landscaping and plantation shutters. The kitchen is equipped with granite countertops, tile backsplash, undercabinet lighting and built-in stainless appliances. This immaculate home has built in ceiling surround speakers, large master and master bath with corner jetted tub with large tiled shower. Must see!

For more information and vitual tour, visit http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/83169.htm

New Listing in S.W. Arlington

SW Arlington home is ready to move into! Great location near Fielder & Arkansas. Fresh paint, & wall texture. Updated appliances and hardware. Huge living room with 2 skylights & vaulted ceilings. Corner lot with side entry garage and large storage building with electricity. Can be used as a workshop. Quick possession available. Short, Gunn and Arlington schools.






For more info & virtual tour, go tohttp://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/83016.htm

New Listing near Fossil Creek Golf Course

Knockout home in the Estates and Villas at Fossil Creek. Keller ISD! Stunning home in golf course community & in a cul de sac. 3 car tandem garage & extensive upgrades including light fixtures throughout, framed mirrors in bathrooms, faux painting & new faucets & hardware. Large island kitchen with breakfast bar, soaring ceiling in living room & walls of windows. Large pebblerock patio overlooking gorgeous yard that is large enough for a pool.




For more info & vitual tour, go to
http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/83015.htm

New Listing in Mansfield, TX with pool & spa $320,000

Immaculate home in Mansfield looks like a model! Gorgeous pool & spa, knockout island kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances & built-in desk. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, study & 3 car garage! Downstairs gameroom & media room. Upgrades include dramatic staircase, sprinkler, central vacuum. Master planned community has pool, playground & clubhouse. Projection set in media room to stay. For more info and virtual tour, go to http://www.agentpanelgold2.com/agents/dldonlaw/custompages_propdetail.php?id=82915

North Texas Real Estate Sales Statistics are in For February 2009

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How to capitalize on this real estate market-March 2009 Report

Yesterday, the Fed put into action a plan to lower mortgages rates. The Fed will spend up to $300 billion to buy long-term government bonds and an additional $750 billion in mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This pushed the interest rates on mortgages down 1/2 % in 1 day! Currently, you can get a 30 year loan at 4.625% and 15 year loan at 4.375%. Let me know if you need a good mortgage company to talk to-I have 2 that are extremely competitive on interest rates & fees.

If you are a seller, the current real estate market is very strong in the $100,000 to $150,000 price range. With the new $8000 Tax Credit that is part of the Stimulus Plan, it is a fantastic time to buy your first house and take advantage of the prices, low borrowing costs, and Tax incentives. I think that as homes in the $100,000 to $150,000 range continue to sell that many people will start to move up into the $200,000 to $250,000 range and that market will start to see increased activity.

Also, total inventory of homes for sale is the lowest it has been in many years, so you have much less competition if you are planning on selling.

If you are a buyer, the Tax Credit applies to anyone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years-not just a program for 1st time homebuyers. If you are planning on staying in your next home for at least 3 years, I think you will be rewarded by appreciation in the future and you will have bought near the bottom-at an incredible interest rate.

Let me know if I can help you in any way regarding real estate. You can search every home for sale in North Texas at www.tarrantcountylistings.com. You can do a cool Map Search, save favorites and be notified immediately when new listings come on the market.

How to improve your FICO score in 2 months

As it gets more difficult to get a mortgage lately, I wanted to pass on some tips to improve your FICO score so you will be able to get the best possible interest rate when you buy a home.

35% of your score is based on your ability to pay your bills on time. If you have late payments that you believe are inaccurate-get them updated or removed. The next step is to pay down the balances on your account. 30% of your credit score is determined by your debt to available credit limits. The lower the better! If you have a $5000 credit limit on your credit card, don't carry more than a $1500 balance on the card.

Lastly, you can go to www.optoutprescreen.com and Opt Out from companies that buy lists from credit bureaus. I am not sure exactly how this works, but I assume the scoring model sees that you do not get the "approved offers" in the mail and are less likely to get new credit cards.

Most Foreclosures in U.S. are in a few counties

More than 1/2 of the nation's foreclosures were in just 35 counties-here is a map...

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-03-05-foreclosure_N.htm

4632 Wild Turkey Trail Arlington, TX 76016

Stunning Quail Hollow garden home! Recent architectual updating, wall texturing, kitchen & bath updates. Gorgeous marble & tile floors & extensive granite countertops. Gourmet kitchen with subzero, triple Jenn-air & brick alcove. Former builder's personal home-wine closet, wet bar with fridge & icemaker, cedar closet & library with wood floors & floor to ceiling shelves. Downstairs master has 2 baths! Upstairs has 2 bedrooms & baths & hobby room.

For more info, pictures, and virtual tour, go to http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/82194.htm

Price Reduction in Mansfield, TX

$50,000 less than the seller paid 3 years ago! Knockout Mansfield home in upscale Hunter Oaks. 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 baths, study, gameroom & 3 car garage. Hardy plank wood & slate flooring, Anderson casement windows, beautiful dry stacked fireplace, built-ins everywhere & faux paint. Gourmet island kitchen with granite, upgraded appliances & built-in work station. Fantastic master bath with double head shower & corner jetted tub. Lowest price in the subdivision! Outstanding value for this quality.

For more info, pictures, and virtual tour, go to http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/81937.htm

7148 Hinton Dr. Mansfield TX 76063

Go Green this time! Built by certified Green Builder and is Energy Star Certified. 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4 car garage & 1 acre lot! All bedrooms on 1st floor along with study. Upstairs has gameroom, wetbar & pre-wired media room. Island kitchen with granite countertops, lots of cabinet space & double oven. Secluded master suite with knockout bath. Oversized 4 car garage. Owner has never had an electric bill over $300!

For more info, pictures, and virtual tour, go to http://www.donlawyer.com/custompages_propdetail/82195.htm

Weekend update

A busy weekend with 3 of my listings receiving contracts. Maybe the
new tax credit that is part if the stimulus plan is getting buyers to
write contracts again. The homes that sold were in Southwest
Arlington, Northwest Arlington, and East Fort Worth. Price ranges of
$94,900 to $169,900.

Don Lawyer
Keller Williams Realty

(817) 657-9159

www.donlawyer.com

January 2009 Real Estate Statistics for our area

Click on image to enlarge....

New Mobile Search Tool for Real Estate

You can now search the entire MLS from your cell phone with a new application you can download to your cell phone! Check it out at....

http://www.smarteragent.com/keller_williams/donlawyer/index.html

You can be in any neighborhood and view detailed home information on almost any property for sale in that market at the touch of a button – including sales price, square footage, tax information, beds/baths, interior and exterior features – even pictures!

Home Buyer Tax Credit-update

Details...

The tax credit is 10% of the purchase price up to $15,000.The tax credit is for one year (from date of enactment).The credit is available for both new and existing home purchases.

This is for primary residences only, and the home must be owner occupied for two years after purchase.

There is no income cap (the $7,500 tax credit had an income cap of $150,000 per year).Unlike the $7,500 tax credit, the new credit does not have to be repaid over time.The credit is limited each year to the amount of taxes paid in any one year (with the $7,500 tax credit, buyers received the entire credit and a refund if the $7,500 was greater than taxes for the year)Buyers can split the $15,000 into two separate tax credits to be taken in successive years.

$15,000 Tax Break For Homebuyers

The Senate voted Wednesday night to give a tax break of up to $15,000 to homebuyers in hopes of revitalizing the housing industry. The tax break was adopted without dissent.

Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., who advanced the homebuyers tax break, said it was intended to help revive the housing industry, which has virtually collapsed in the wake of a credit crisis that began last fall.

The proposal would allow a tax credit of 10 percent of the value of new or existing residences, up to a $15,000 limit. Current law provides for a $7,500 tax break for the purchase of new homes only.

I will keep you posted as I hear more....

Current Market Observations!

The below $150,000 market has been steadily picking up steam, with interest rates falling to the 4.5% range. I believe this time will be viewed in the future as a time where people who took a chance on the market, and bought, got an incredible bargain with incredible financing rates.

I realize that selling a home right now is challenging, but if your goal is to get another home locally, you can make it up with what you purchase. Remember, Dallas-Fort Worth is still one of the strongest markets in the U.S.

MLS Activity Report For all of 2008 just released

Click on picture to see full size picture...

Thought this was probably accurate...