Professionalism – What Should Your REALTOR Do?

Well, Christmas has passed and now is the to get busy with putting your house on the market and hunting for the new one. Yes, you usually do that during the spring and summer months, but with the election and the economy and all, you just didn't get around to it. That is exactly the sediment of many sellers who will start to get their homes on the market and it can't happen a day too soon.

So, since you are going to be in the market for a REALTOR, we thought we would spend a few minutes and discuss one of the key things you need to look for - Professionalism! Opps- we're not going to make to many friends with some in my profession - oh well. Yes, marketing is important, but in our opinion it all starts with Professionalism. As you begin your search, let's look at a few key ingredients to help you make you decision:

1. Dress: Coats and ties are not necessary and we understand that pantyhose are over rated. However, your REALTOR should dress professionally. Blue jeans and shorts are great for around the house - they are totally inappropriate for your REALTOR to be wearing when they meet you or any potential seller or buyer.
   
2. Work Hours: In our opinion this is a huge one. No one needs to be in the office 80 hours a week - but you want to hire a full-time professional REALTOR. Not someone who plays at real estate kind of like they do with their golf game. Truthfully, if they have another job outside of the real estate professional that "they earn their living at" then they are truly just playing with real estate. You need a professional - not someone who doesn't believe enough in their own real estate skills to support their family.
   
3. Communication: Wow! This is a huge issue with many clients I speak to. It always goes something like this - when they came out to interview for the job (the listing presentation) they seemed so put together. But once I hired them I never, ever heard from them again. And if I wanted to talk to the agent, I called their office and all I could ever get was an assistant. If the agent can't guarantee you that you can talk to them the same day - and not one of their assistants - then DO NOT hire them.
   
4. Monday we will look at some basics for Marketing that you need to ensure your REALTOR can do - until then, good luck and happy selling!
   

The Bill & Ann Team Christmas Letter

During this last year Ann and Bill have been extremely blessed by our Friends, Family, Clients and Customers.  We were able to help over 95 families achieve their buying and selling goals.  Reflecting on the year, a lot has happened and we could not be happier. 

 
 

Our daughter LeAnne is now a senior at Midlothian High School.  She is heavily involved in the Music Department and sings in several choirs including the Show Choir – Almost Broadway.  LeAnne has had a GREAT year.  This year, she did something different – she took part of her summer and went to Japan on a Mission Trip with Super Summer Global.  Many people in our church donated money so that LeAnne could attend and LeAnne did several things to raise money.  Ann and I were quite proud of our daughter for wanting to go on this trip and we have seen her grow significantly in all areas of her life since coming back from the trip.  Other highlights of her year was the decision to attend University of North Texas for college, making the Show Choir, singing in numerous concerts throughout Midlothian and even one at UTA.  We are truly blessed and are very proud parents.

 
 

Personally, we have continued to grow our Adult Bible Fellowship at FBC Midlothian where we attend church.  We have a GREAT group of folks who make up our class.  Ann grew one of the biggest gardens in the State of Texas and then canned literally hundreds of jars of vegetables.  By the way, if you want some of the best pickles in the world simply let us know and we'll send you a jar – they are very, very good.  Bill still managed to get in several rounds of golf and has actually had time to work on improving his game.  He'll never make it on the professional tour, but he does enjoy chasing that ball around.

 
 

Business wise, Ann has continued to excel in her Real Estate career.  Early in the year she was recognized on stage at the CENTURY 21 International Convention in Orlando, Florida for being one of the Top Agents in the CENTURY 21 System for her customer service.  Shortly after, she earned all Top Producer and Agent awards for her office performance in 2007 and because of her performance, she also earned an All-Expense paid trip through CENTURY 21 Judge Fite.  We were able to take that trip with over 50 other agents from our company in April.  A week long cruise that was absolutely wonderful (they are much nicer when you don't have to pay for them.)

 
 

April saw many changes in our life.  For years, Bill has been managing offices for CENTURY 21 Judge Fite and for the last five years had managed their largest office and the Number 21 Office in the World for Closed Unit Production in the CENTURY 21 System.  While that was challenging and exciting, we always wanted to sell together again.  So, in April Bill resigned his position and joined Ann again in sales as The Bill & Ann Team.  We have had a ton of fun selling together again.  Yes, some people might question our wisdom at going back into sales during the worse real estate market in years.  However, we simply stayed focused and have had a great year. 

 
 

No one knows for sure what 2009 will bring, but our goal is to build relationships with our friends and customers and continue to help 100s of families achieve their real estate goals. 

 
 

In closing, Ann, Bill and LeAnne wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year. 

 
 

God Bless.

Now is the Time!

As 2008 rapidly and thankfully comes to an end, we welcome in 2009. If the last three weeks are any indication, we can expect a huge jump in Real Estate activity in 2009 in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Yes, it is true, 2008 was a very slow year compared to some of our most recent years of activity – however, we still helped over 90 families achieve their real estate goals of selling their houses and buying new homes.

If you were considering placing your home on the market in 2008 but were afraid to do so because of all of the bad press – now is the time to get it done. Let me explain a few reasons why:

1. 
   There is a lot of penned up demand for homes. Buyers have been holding off on making new purchases, in part because of the media, in part because of the economy and in part because 2008 was an election year. We have seen an increase in buyer activity recently in our area and we know of several buyers who are now or will be making offers. You don't want to miss this opportunity.
   
2. Interest Rates are at all time lows. Believe it or not, interest rates can be found for 30 year fixed, FHA loans for under 4.5%. Buyers know they will not go lower – I mean, how much lower can the Fed Rate go – zero is zero right? Buyers are buying.
   
3. Incentives Abound. First time home buyers can receive a Tax Credit of up to $7,500, but the Tax Credit is only good for the next three months. How does it work, a first time home buyer or a person who has not owned a home in three years can purchase a home and receive a credit of up to $7,500 on their taxes. This amounts to a check in the amount of $7,500 added to their tax refund for the buyer. Yes, they have to pay it back - $500.00 a year – but it is interest free. There is also talk in Congress of removing the payback requirement. Buyers know about the credit and they know it disappears in three months.
   

So what does this mean to you? Iit means you need to get your home on the market today in order to be there for the buyers who are going to buy. The Bill & Ann Team believe 2009 will be a GREAT year for everyone who decides to sell and buy real estate!

New Listing – 2949 Sonterra Drive, Cedar Hill - $699,900

Magnificent three-story custom home with circular drive on cul-de-sac overlooking Joe Pool Lake on two acres in prestigious Lake Ridge. Great floor plan with oversized rooms featuring gorgeous hardwood floors with custom medallions and exotic wood inlays, extensive millwork, plantation shutters and lots of custom built-ins. Extremely energy-efficient home built with ICF (insulating concrete forms) walls, SIP (structured insulated panels) roof decking, low-E windows and tankless water heaters. Ask to see incredibly low electric bills averaging less than $270.00 a month. Spacious kitchen is great for entertaining with hidden TV above fridge. Fabulous master suite with big bathroom and walk-in closet. Great executive office for working from home with custom mesquite hardwood floors, trowel finished walls, built-in bookcases and rope lighting. Lower-level features 9 foot ceilings with huge game room, a pre-wired media room, nanny or in-law suite, craft room and laundry room. Incredible views from two-story covered patio with Trex decking up and custom tile below. Three large bedrooms on top floor with vaulted ceilings. Too many extras to list – must come see!

Click Here to Take a Virtual Tour.

Today is the Day!

We are privileged to live in a country where we each get a chance to vote for our elected officials. Today is the day for you to make your vote count. Ann and I encourage everyone to get out and vote and be heard. We will be a better nation because of it!

What do you have to be Thankful For?

Occasionally it is very important for all of us to ground ourselves in what is really important. If we listen to the politicians and the media, we would assume the world is going to end tomorrow and that it is time to bury our heads in the sand and just wait for it all to end. Two weeks ago, my preacher, Dr. Bruce Prindle a wonderful man and a good friend, preached a special sermon on today's problems. His scripture reference was Roman's chapter 8, starting in versus 18. It starts out "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us……."

Ann and I know you hear a lot about what is wrong with America, with the current government, with our economic system, etc. But here is reality – if you are reading this today – have you missed a meal lately? Did you wake up this morning after spending the night under a bridge because you are homeless? Did you have to beg on the street corner today to get money to feed your family? Are you filling the wheel barrow out back with cash to go and buy a loaf of bread at the grocery store? Are you using candles to light your house because the power company shut off your lights? Were you unable to watch the cowboy game yesterday because you had to pawn your television set? Of course not! Silly questions right? Then why are so many people focusing on what is wrong? I don't have the answer for that, but we sure have a suggestion to get focused and put in perspective what we really have.

We challenge you to read Romans 8 and then start making a list of all the things you have to be thankful for. I did this the Saturday after Bruce's message. I was driving to Oklahoma and had about two hours to kill. From the time I left my garage in Midlothian until I arrive at my destination in Oklahoma I listed everything I had to be thankful for. You know, I was still making my list when I arrived. Sure, there are problems in America – but what makes us great is our ability to come together and fix them. You have a decision today – the decision is to get down in the mud and find everything that is wrong or to actually start focusing on what you have to be thankful for. I bet you will be happier if your focus is on what you have versus on what's wrong.

Maybe this was a little bit of an odd post on a Real Estate Blog. But I felt it was important!

Can They Really Be Serious??

Last night during the presidential debates and on the news we heard the news anchors and candidates say again that people can't get loans right now. This is simply not true. This morning a person contacted us and wanted to buy a home, but the first thing out of their mouth was that they had heard loans were not available. After some calming discussion, we convinced the person to apply for their first home loan and they are now well on the path to home ownership. We all owe it to each other to provide straight, honest talk about what is actually happening in the real estate market. Yes, times are slower today than they were a year ago – but homes are still selling and families are still obtaining the American Dream – homeownership. Please know, home loans are still available and people are still buying homes and our listings are selling. Can we help you buy or sell today?

Now is the Time to Buy

You might be saying to yourself, sure Bill, you and Ann have a vested interest in seeing people buy and sell real estate. You are right – we do. However, there are several factors that have lined up to help the first time home buyer get in a home. Let's look at a few of them:

1. Between now and July 1, 2009, First Time Home Buyers and individuals who have NOT owned a home for the last three years, receive a credit on their income tax of up to $7,500 or 10% of the purchase price. What does that mean to you? If you purchase an average priced home in our area you will receive a direct tax credit of $7,500 back on your taxes. In other words, if you were expecting a tax return of $1,000, you will now get $8,500 back. Not bad. This credit will have to be repaid over a 15 year period in simple, no interest annual payments of $500 on your taxes.
   
2. Second, during the last month we have closed several buyers with interest rates between 5.75% and 6.25%. Let's put this in simple terms. You purchase a house priced at $130,000, which is an extremely reasonable price in our market. Assuming you have an FHA loan with a fixed rate for 30 years at 6% interest with 3% of the purchase price as a down payment, your monthly Principle and Interest payment would only be $756.03. In almost ALL cases that is cheaper than rent and allows you to begin building equity in your home and securing your future.
   
3. Lastly, sellers in our area are pricing their homes for what they are worth. Bill and Ann have over 30 well priced homes for sale today and have access to literally hundreds of homes in the Ellis and Southern Dallas County area for you.
   

Don't you owe it to yourself to quit listening to the media and make the best decision possible for you and your family's future? We look forward to hearing from you. You may also access all of the listings in the metro-plex through our personal website, www.BillAndAnn.com.

Is This Really a Bad Market??

We hear from the media about how bad Real Estate and the economy really is. If you listen to the media you would believe that no one can borrow money to buy a car, a house or to run their business. We know that is simply NOT true. In an effort to let you know what is actually happening in our local Real Estate market, Bill and Ann want to take a few minutes every now and then, to let you know what is actually happening. This isn't to brag – far from it. But we feel it is essential for you to know what is actually happening.

During the month of September, Bill and Ann sold 15 individual houses for sellers and no, these were not foreclosures or banks. We also listed 9 homes for sale for people who want to sell their homes and buy other houses. Just this last week we closed two houses, listed three and put two under contract. We tell you this not to say, wow look at us and what we are doing, but to provide proof that the DFW Real Estate market is still a very active market.

If you are considering buying or selling in the near future, call Bill or Ann for advice today on how to get the job done! We can show you how to stage and price your home to get the best possible dollar out of it. If you are buying, we will provide advice and guidance as well as lenders to help you get in your new home by the holidays. We look forward to hearing from you.

New Listing - 456 Maplegrove Road, Cedar Hill

Mrs. Clean lives here! Imagine sitting in your landscaped and treed backyard relaxing after a hard day at the office on your patio. Entertaining has never been easier in your formal dining room. Loads of room to serve your family and all your guests the holiday dinner you prepared in the well appointed kitchen. Your meal will be prepared in your all electric kitchen with built in microwave and loads of counter space including an island. The very large living area has loads of windows plus corner wood burning fireplace for relaxing and entertaining. The master bath has his and her sinks, a separate shower and garden tub for relaxing and pampering yourself in after a long day. You are almost within walking distance of the new Uptown Village in Cedar Hill with a huge variety of shopping, dining and entertainment.

Now for the best part, all of this for only $124,900. With 30 fixed rate FHA financing, you could be in your new home for only $3,747 down and a monthly principle and interest payment of 726.37. (This assumes a 6% interest rate – very reasonable in today's market.)

Call The Bill & Ann Team of CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company today for your private VIP showing at 972-723-3822. For mortgage information, call Debbie Khadivi of CENTURION Mortgage at 972.460.5208 or 469.939.3982. You have lots of time to be in this home by the holidays.

Real Estate Builds Wealth

When it comes to acquiring wealth, achieving financial independence is a key component. How do you achieve financial independence? We all probably have a different definition or dream in our heads, but to keep it simple, it's when your passive income and your income from your portfolio, or investments, are greater than your expenses. The key to reaching this point is to start investing wisely and there is no better investment than real estate.

Many people choose to invest their money in the stock market. And while stocks can be a lucrative way to improving your financial situation, there is a better method. Stability is key, and stocks just can't hang with real estate. When you purchase real estate as an investment you can easily get more for your money.

One of the best reasons to invest in real estate is leverage. With stocks, $200,000 will buy you exactly $200,000 worth of stocks, no more, no less. However with real estate, that same $200,000 can easily buy you as much as $1,000,000 worth of property, leveraged and putting 20% down. If both of these investments increase in value by 10% you will have only a 10% return on your stock money and a 50% return on the money you invested in real estate!

How to build wealth in two easy steps:

Step 1 – Spend less than you make

 

Step 2 – Invest the difference of what you earn and spend

 

Set a goal of buying 1 investment property per year – then do it!  Imagine owning 30 rental homes in 30 years worth millions of dollars!  This is the way you build wealth.  Let the tenants buy your real estate for you!

 

Note:  When investing in Real Estate, always keep a supply of cash available for those rainy days.

 

To learn more about how you can start building wealth with real estate, contact The Bill & Ann Team today!

Call 972.723.3822, or email BillSteddum@JudgeFite.com or AnnWeaver@JudgeFite.com.