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.