Straight Talk About DFW Real Estate

Real Estate Statistics for Cedar Hill, TX – March 2009

2009-04-09T09:37:00.001-07:00

Not all is bad, in fact, real estate is still selling in Cedar Hill as evidenced by the most recent numbers posted by the Texas Real Estate Center at the University of A&M. In March 2009 closed sales were up 12% from a year ago in addition, the Median Price was up 5% from a year ago and Average Days on Market were down 19% to 67 days. This means that homes that sold in March 2009 did so in an average of 67 days. For the year, the average price is up to $151,743 which is a 3% increase over 2008.

Here is some area of opportunity for all of us. In Cedar Hill, New Listings in March were down by 21% and for the year Listings are down by 32%. There is only a 5.1 month supply of inventory which is excellent. So where is the opportunity – if you have been sitting on the fence waiting for the market "to get better" – now is the time to get off of it. There is simply not enough inventory of homes for sale in Cedar Hill and this means if you have a salable home (condition and price) now is the time to sell it. Homes that are priced correctly are selling – isn't it time to take advantage of the market and sell your current home and move into the home you really wanted to buy in the first place?

For a more indepth look at your home, please contact The Bill & Ann Team at 972.723.3822 or AnnWeaver@JudgeFite.com.

Without You We Could Not Have Done It

2009-03-18T13:44:00.001-07:00

We wanted to take a minute and thank each and every one of our clients for helping us achieve the Judge B. Fite Award for the Top Team in Adjusted Gross Closed Commission and Closed Units for CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company in 2008. The Judge B. Fite award is named after the founder of CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company - Judge B. Fite, who with his lovely wife Dene Fite, founded our company in 1937 with a single office in Oak Cliff. The company is now run by Jim Fite and Jan Fite Miller, Judge and Dene's son and daughter, and our friends. Because of the strong foundation Judge and Dene provided, Jim and Jan have grown our company to 21 offices and over 750 agents and associates.

Without your trust and support we could have never achieved such a high honor. Our promise is to always focus on you and your needs and to assist in any way we can. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any of your real estate needs. Also, remember we can assist any of your friends and family with their real estate needs anywhere in the world due to CENTURY 21 Judge Fite's affiliation with CARTUS - the nation's premier relocation company.

Again, thank you for your support - because without you and your referrals we could have never achieved this.

Real Estate Market Update – Cedar Hill, Texas

2009-03-14T10:23:00.001-07:00

The following information is taken from the North Texas Real Estate Information System (NTREIS) quarterly reports and monthly statistical updates. All too often all we hear from the National Media is the absolute worse news available. Here are the facts as they pertain to the local real estate market in Cedar Hill, Texas. And there is plenty of positives to take away.

Average home values have increased 19.66% between Q1 2003 and Q4 2008. The average home sale in Q1 2003 was $120,500 and the average home sale in Q4 2009 was $144,200. So if you have lived in your home for five years you almost certainly have seen a great return on your investment.
Homes in Cedar Hill, Texas now take 87 days on average to sell and sell for 85.2% of the list price. In Q1 2003 homes took 74 days to sell and sold for 95.6% of the list price. This means it takes slightly longer to sell your home than it did five years earlier. It also means unless you price your home correctly you will almost certainly get less money than if you price your home correctly to begin with.
In February 2009 there were only 75 new listings put on the market or 43% less than a year ago. For the year – there are 33% fewer homes for sale than there were one year ago. This indicates to me that the foreclosures have or are selling and that individual home owners are being cautious before making a sell decision. Right now there is only a 5.3 month supply of listings on the market.

In summary, if you have owned your home since 2003 and live in Cedar Hill, Texas – you NEED to list your home today. There is a shortage of inventory. Based on NTREIS trends your house has risen in value by almost 20%. This should allow you to sell your current house and buy the home you meant to buy back in 2003. Interest rates are at all times low.

Call the Bill & Ann Team today for a specific review of your home's value and an action plan to get you in the home of your dreams.

Real Estate Statistics – Midlothian, Texas

2009-03-13T13:58:00.001-07:00

The real estate market in Midlothian is solid. Perhaps you have spent some time listening to the news media and heard all of the doom and gloom. Well, let's take a look at what is happening in Midlothian and highlight just a few sub-divisions:

Home Prices in Midlothian have increased on average 35% from the Q1 2003 to the Q4 2008. Average prices in Q1 2003 were $144,900 and in Q4 2008 they were $196,000.
Average days on market have increased just over 25% in Midlothian over the same time frame – from 63 days in Q1 2003 to 79 days in Q4 2008.
On March 13, 2009 there were only 271 homes for sale in Midlothian with the median asking price of $256,000.
Sellers in Midlothian are getting 91.9% of their asking price based on sales through the Q4 of 2008. If you look at all of Ellis County, sellers are getting 95% of their asking price.

Let's look at a couple sub-divisions in the city in terms of listings and see what is happening in those:

Park Place currently has 8 homes for sale priced between $97,500 and $157,500. In the last 6 months, 9 homes have sold with an average sales price of $109,361. The homes that sold, sold for 99% of the listing price and took on average 50 days to sell.
Overlook Estates currently has 12 homes for sale priced between $85,500 to $146,950. In the last 6 months, 14 homes have sold with an average sales price of $108,903 and took on average 92 days to sell. The homes that sold, sold on average for 98% of their asking price.
Longbranch currently has 6 homes for sale priced between $117,000 and $199,900. In the last 6 months, 3 homes have sold. These homes took on average 169 days to sell and sold for 97% of their list price. (These numbers are not that unusual for a newer sub-division.)

So, what do these numbers tell me and more importantly you? First, if you purchased your home 5 years or more ago – it has probably appreciated a huge amount – on average 35%. That is certainly a lot more than the media would have you believe. Secondly, if you price your home correctly in Midlothian – it will sell and do so relatively quickly, in just about 2 and a half months. Third, we need more inventory – especially on the lower end. Now is the time to get your home on the market.

If you would like specific numbers for your sub-division, send us an e-mail or give us a call and we'll get them to you.

Preventing Foreclosures

2009-03-05T06:30:00.001-08:00

As many of you may be aware, President Obama's Foreclosure Prevention Program took effect yesterday. One of the keys to resolving the current housing crisis is to reduce the number of foreclosures. To help explain the the plan - we have copied an article directly from today's RISMEDIA Report. Please fell free to call us with any questions. We never want to see a family loose thier home to foreclosure.

How to Help Homeowners Understand Obama’s Foreclosure Plan
Posted By Paige On March 4, 2009 @ 5:11 pm In Best Practices, Today's Marketplace, Today's Top Story, Top 5 Comments Disabled

[1]RISMEDIA, March 5, 2009-If your housing market is anything like my housing market, you are probably fielding plenty of questions about President Obama’s $75 billion foreclosure plan. Most homeowners want to know what it means for them, whether they are likely to qualify, and what they need to do to obtain relief. Although the eligibility requirements and other details are likely to become clearer in the next few weeks, you can glean some information from the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan. Here, I highlight some of the key points mentioned in the plan.

The plan’s executive summary clearly states the problems that the Obama administration foreclosure plan is designed to address:

- Due to falling property values, many homeowners cannot refinance into mortgages with lower interest rates.
- Nearly six million homeowners are facing foreclosure, primarily due to the current recession.- The foreclosure epidemic is further depressing property values, with each foreclosure reducing nearby property values up to an estimated 9%.
- The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is designed to help nearly 9 million households restructure or refinance their mortgages to avoid foreclosure. The plan has three key components:
o Provide access to low-cost refinancing options for responsible homeowners suffering from falling home prices.
o A $75 Billion Homeowner Stability Initiative for at-risk homeowners.
o Supporting low mortgage rates by strengthening confidence in Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Low-Cost Refinancing

The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan recognizes that many homeowners cannot take advantage of historically low interest rates, because their loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are too high for them to qualify for a refinance loan. Most lenders want to see an LTV of 80% or lower before they will consider approving a refinance loan; that is, homeowners must owe no more than 80% of the current value of their property (for example $80,000 or less on a $100,000 home).
Given the fact that property values have dropped as much as 25% or more in some areas of the U.S., many homeowners have seen their LTV’s rise above the 80% cut off. Obama’s foreclosure plan is designed to “help as many as 5 million responsible homeowners who took out conforming loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac refinance through those two institutions.”

By refinancing into a loan with a lower interest rate, homeowners can save hundreds of dollars per month and thousands per year - perhaps enough to protect their homes from foreclosure. On a $200,000 30-year mortgage, a reduction from 8% to 6% drops the monthly payment $268.43 - an annual savings of $3,221.16.

$75 Billion Homeowner Stability Initiative

The $75 billion homeowner stability initiative targets at-risk homeowners, many of whom are stuck in adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) and have seen their house payments rise to 40 or even 50% of their monthly income. The program offers cash incentives to lenders and borrowers for working out loan modification agreements that result in reasonable, affordable monthly mortgage payments and enable the homeowners to keep their homes. Following are some key points about this component of the plan:

- The primary goal of the initiative is to reduce homeowners’ monthly payments to sustainable, affordable levels.
- Real estate investors need not apply. This initiative is available exclusively to help homeowners retain possession of their primary residence.
- The plan covers households “at risk of imminent default despite being current on their mortgage payments.” In other words, you can qualify even if you haven’t yet missed a house payment.

Under the initiative, the lender is responsible to lower the interest rate so that the homeowners’ monthly mortgage payment is no higher than 38% of their monthly gross income. If the payment is still not affordable at that level, the initiative matches “further reductions in interest payments dollar-for-dollar with the lender to bring that ratio down to 31%.” Lenders will also be able to bring down monthly payments by reducing the principal owed on the mortgage, with Treasury sharing in the costs.

The lower interest rate must remain in place for five years, at which time it can gradually be stepped up to the conforming loan rate in place at the time of the loan modification.
Servicers receive an up-front incentive of $1,000 for “each eligible modification meeting guidelines established under this initiative” plus a monthly incentive up to $1,000 per year for three years as long as the borrower remains current on the loan.

Borrowers receive an incentive of up to $1,000 per year for five years, as long as they stay current on their loan. The money is applied to pay down the balance on their loan; it is not given directly to the homeowners to spend as they wish.

Servicers receive a $500 incentive, and mortgage holders receive a $1,500 incentive for modifying at-risk loans before the borrowers fall behind. This is intended to provide early assistance to borrowers - before they default on their loans.

Mortgage holders receive an additional insurance payment, linked to declines in the home price index, on each modified loan. This is designed to discourage mortgage holders from foreclosing now out of fear that property values will fall even further if they wait to foreclose.

As part of the plan, the Treasury will develop uniform guidelines for loan modifications across the mortgage industry. All financial institutions that receive Financial Stability Plan financial assistance will be required to adhere to the guidelines.

Strong government oversight will be in place to monitor performance and ensure compliance with the plan’s guidelines.

The plan allocates $1.5 Billion in relocation and other forms of assistance to renters displaced by foreclosure and $2 billion in neighborhood stabilization funds.
Low Mortgage Rates

The third major component of the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is to “support low mortgage rates by strengthening confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.” To accomplish this goal, the plan calls for the following:

- Increasing the Treasury Department’s funding commitment to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ensure security of the mortgage market. Treasury is increasing its Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements to $200 billion each from their original level of $100 billion each.
- To promote stability and liquidity, the Treasury Department will continue to purchase Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities.
- Treasury will increase the size of the GSEs’ (Government Sponsored Enterprises’) retained mortgage portfolios by $50 billion to $900 billion along with corresponding increases in allowable debt, so Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can facilitate financing for the mortgage industry.
- The administration will work with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to support the efforts of state housing finance agencies in serving homeowners.

For additional details, check out the “Help for homeowners” Q&A post on the White House Blog.
Ralph R. Roberts is a consumer advocate, spokesperson for Federal Loan Modification Law Center, host of KeepMyHouse.com, and author of numerous books, including Foreclosure Self-Defense For Dummies and Loan Modification For Dummies (Summer, 2009). Ralph is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan and can be reached at RalphRoberts@RalphRoberts.com [2].
RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com [3].
Related headlines on RISMedia.com:
Today’s Marketplace - The ‘Good’ News, The ‘Bad’ News [4]
Straight Talking to Distressed Homeowners [5]
We’re All in This Together - What’s Good for Homeowners Is Good for America [6]

Facts About the First Time Homebuyer Credit

2009-02-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

Now is the Time to Buy! If you are a First Time Homebuyer or Haven't Owned a Home in Three Years - Huge Benefit for You. Call Us Today!

What Are You Waiting For? The Time Too Sell is NOW!

2009-02-17T08:26:00.001-08:00

Wow! Hasn't the National Media done a great job of scaring the daylights out of us. I mean just yesterday they were trying to tell us the sky is falling, the sky is falling! Turns out it wasn't then and it isn't today – especially as it pertains to real estate in North Texas. In fact, they have done such a GREAT job of scaring us in to thinking real estate is bad that I almost fell out of my chair this morning when I sat down to review the numbers for our area. Let me share the REAL NORTH TEXAS Numbers with you – these are taken directly from the Texas A&M Real Estate Center Statistics for our area. I believe you are going to find them surprising.

City	New Listings	% of Change	Active Listings	% of Change	Months Inventory	% of Change
Cedar Hill	99	-32%	324	-31%	5.5	-9%
DeSoto	137	-19%	411	-28%	5.1	-27%
Lancaster	62	-23%	223	-34%	5.1	-12%
Duncanville	83	-42%	332	-31%	5.8	-21%
Ellis County	212	-34%	871	-22%	7.1	-11%

Let's look at a three other reasons why this is such a GREAT time to put your home on the market: 1) The next home you buy will be with a very low interest rate (probably less than 5%). Why – interest rates are at all time lows and should stay between 4.5% and slightly over 5% for the next several months. 2) The next home will be priced right and not over priced and will be in great condition. Sellers who are serious, are pricing their homes to sell – they aren't giving them away, but no longer do they have unrealistic expectations on what they should get for a sales price. 3) Lastly, sellers who are serious have taken the time to ensure their house is in perfect condition and is properly staged. Now – if their home is overpriced and or not conditioned right – it will NOT sell. But trust me – the ones priced right and conditioned right are moving quickly.

If you are thinking about selling – the time for action is now. Call us and we will show you how to put the power of CENTURY 21 Judge Fite and The Bill & Ann Team behind you!

2009-02-09T07:02:00.000-08:00

Beautiful acreage located in heart the of the city! Remodeled and updated home features oversized kitchen with island, convection oven, Jennaire stove and breakfast bar. Loads of windows. Formal living with wood burning fireplace. Inground gunite pool. Wood deck and hot tub. Storage building. Sprinkler, Security, plus so much more.

Click on the following link to take a Virtual tour of this property.

http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?T=1794181

New Listing - 111 Nob Hill Lane, Ovilla, TX 75154 - $349,900

2009-02-05T10:25:00.000-08:00

Simply Elegant! Custom home with all the bells and whistles! 2 huge master bedrooms. Both master baths have separate shower and Jacuzzi tubs. All bedrooms have walk in closets. Spilt bedroom floor plan. Gorgeous kitchen features loads of 42 inch cabinets, island, breakfast bar, granite, double oven and tile floors. The huge living area has wood floors and gas log fireplace. Formal living and dining rooms. A great covered patio for relaxing. A must see – call to make your appointment today!

Click on this link to see a virtual tour of the listing. http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?T=1791854

NEW LISTING - 2641 McAlpin Rd, Midlothian, TX 76065

2009-02-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

This is a perfect home for you. It has been immaculately maintained and is the nicest house in town! Wonderful kitchen has island, walk in pantry, 42 inch cabinets and plenty of built ins. The formal living room has hardwood floors and loads of room. Beautiful master bedroom with sitting area. The master bath features dual sinks, oversized shower with seat, jetted tub and much more! All bedrooms have walk-in closets. The in ground gunite pool with slide is perfect for fun and entertaining. Storage building and a sprinkler throughout the entire yard. Call Bill & Ann today for your private showing or for additional information. Click on the ling for additional pictures and information.

http://www.billandann.com/our-homes-for-sale.asp?listing_id=1106472615

So You Are About to Get an Offer on Your House – Some Important Reminders/Tips

2009-01-31T07:13:00.001-08:00

Congratulations! We have or will soon be receiving an offer on your house. We wanted to take a few moments of your time to go over some very important items that could affect the offer and keeping the potential buyer engaged in the process:

Time is of the Essence! At no other time in the entire selling process are accurate and fast responses required as they will be now. This is a buyer's market and as such, the buyer may very well have two or three offers out on other properties in addition to yours. If we take our time in responding, we take a very real risk of losing the potential buyer.
The buyer is probably going to ask for Closing Costs or reduce their offer by the amount of Closing Costs. What you did when you purchased your home is not relevant in 2009. The unfortunate reality is, most buyers today are asking the seller to cover their closing costs. Please expect up to 6% in closing costs to be reflected in the offer.
Responses must be in writing! While it is legal to negotiate verbally, a verbal response is NOT binding. Let's take the time to make the changes, initial and sign if you have the ability. We understand travel sometimes makes that difficult, if not impossible and for those times we'll gladly negotiate verbally. Just realize – nothing is binding until it is in writing.
Just because it is a Buyer's Market does not mean we need to give your house away. We'll be sure to include an update Market Analysis with the offer. We want you to make the most money possible.
Focus on the Bottom Line! Please do not pay too much attention to the offer amount or the amount of closing costs. Focus on the Bottom Line – the amount you will be netting in this sale. After all, isn't that what is most important! If during the time you owned this property you refinanced your property and took cash out – you will need to keep that in mind when looking at your bottom line. You may have already received your profits.
Lastly, be glad we have received or are about to receive an offer. It is a starting point that many sellers don't even see in today's market.

We are on your side but wanted you to remind you of some very real truths. Please do not hesitate to ask questions, etc. as we go through this process. By working together, we can make this a very smooth transaction.

A Few Home Buying Offer Tips

2009-01-28T08:42:00.001-08:00

Congratulations! We are preparing to write an offer on a piece of property that you have found and want. We feel it is important to go over some "Offer Basics" to make the entire buying process go smoother.

Yes, we are in a Buyer's Market! That does not mean the seller needs to reduce the price of your home. The truth is a good agent will already have the home priced appropriately. We will share a Market Analysis with you of the neighborhood and help you determine a fair asking price.
If the House is priced correctly – Closing costs will need to be added to the asking price. Let us give you an example, let's say we are purchasing a $150,000 home and you need 3% assistance from the seller in closing costs. The market analysis shows the home should be priced around $160,000 – but the seller has reduced it to $150,000. They $4,500 in closing costs that you need will have to be added to an offer making your offer $154,500.
Sellers do NOT have to do repairs. Your home inspection is not to obtain a repair list for the seller. It is used to ensure you know what you are buying. If you have offered the seller full price for your new home, then it is possible they might be willing to do a few repairs. If you got the seller to reduce their home by thousands of dollars – you pretty well need to assume you just bought the home "as is"!
Offers and Counters - Time is Off the Essence. We might be in a buyer's market, but the good homes get multiple offers and sell quickly. You do not have days to make a decision. You literally have a few minutes or hours to decide what you are going to do. We can't tell you the number of times we have seen a buyer delay making a decision only to learn someone else bought the home.
There is no such thing as First In - First Out! While that concept applies with inventory in a warehouse – it does NOT apply to offers in the housing market. Until the contract is fully executed (meaning all parties have signed and initialed all changed and the last broker to handle has dated the contract) ANYONE can buy the home. You can have a verbal agreement to buy the home at $110,000 and find out the seller executed a contract at $111,000. Remember, Time really is of the Essence!

We are here to guide and help you. There are no dumb questions and by following our advice you will get the home you want to buy.

New Listing - 1019 Sherman, Cedar Hill, TX - $299,900

2009-01-16T09:18:00.000-08:00

Country living in the city! Located close to freeway, Elementary School and shopping*Custom home with huge formal living area with fireplace* Formal dining room*Kitchen has built in hutch, lots of cabinets, breakfast bar built in microwave*Game room with fireplace*Study/hobby room, plus a bonus room that could be used as another bedroom/hobby/study* Barn with 2 stalls, tack room and hay storage, plus separate building for saddle storage*Pipe rail fencing*3 car garage, plus a garage for boat storage* Security*Sprinkler*Circle drive* Backyard with a screened gazebo* Lots of storage and more!

Click on link for additional information, pictures and virtual tours.

http://http://www.billandann.com/our-homes-for-sale.asp?listing_id=1106066496

Don't Let This Pass You By!

2009-01-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to say there has never been a better time to buy a house than right now! You are probably saying, "you guys have lost your mind", but the fact of the matter is, this is the best time to purchase a home in history. Here are some reasons why:

1. Interest Rates are at Historic Lows. On Monday of this week buyers were able to lock in their mortgages at 4.5% on a 30 year fixed rate loan.

2. Houses for Sale are Priced Right. Yes, occasionally a seller will have their home priced higher than market - and truthfully - IT WILL NOT SELL. However, there are plenty of well priced homes on the market today.

3. Tax Credits and more Tax Credits. For the next 60 days buyers have access to two types of tax credits - one provides up to a $7,500 Tax Credit and another is an annual Tax Credit of up to $2,000 for the life of the loan. Of course there are stipulations on each of these, but over 75% of the buyers will qualify for one or the other.

We felt this was important enough to send to everyone in our database and to post on our blog. In fact, if you have done business with us before you know we strive to do the very best by our clients. We know many of you are not in the market, however you may know friends and relatives who are in the market or who are renting. One of the greatest gifts that you can provide them is starting them on the road to home ownership. You can help them start that process by encouraging them to sit down with Ann or Bill to discuss their housing situation. This conversation could earn them thousands of dollars on this years tax return (yes the one they will get in the next month or two) and save them literally a hundred thousand dollars or more over the life of their loan.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and to pass it on, if approproate. We are never too busy to help you, your family and friends with your real estate needs. Please don't hesitate to call or email us if we can be of service.

Professionalism – What Should Your REALTOR Do?

2008-12-26T06:11:00.001-08:00

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:

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.
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.
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.
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

2008-12-24T05:56:00.001-08:00

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!

2008-12-22T06:06:00.001-08:00

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:

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.
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.
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

2008-11-10T11:43:00.001-08:00

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!

2008-11-04T08:07:00.001-08:00

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?

2008-10-20T07:43:00.001-07:00

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??

2008-10-16T07:54:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-14T08:41:00.001-07:00

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:

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.
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.
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??

2008-10-13T08:02:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-12T14:42:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-12T04:40:00.001-07:00

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.