Real Estate Central

Housing Trends January Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:01:00 +0000

JANUARY 2012 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter

Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.

The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau and Realtor.org reports, videos, key market indicators and real estate sales statistics, a video message by a nationally recognized economist, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, plus local neighborhood information and more.

Please click here to view the JANUARY 2012 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter.

If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the Home Evaluator link for a free evaluation report.

Should you buy in 2012?

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:30:00 +0000

Housing Trends eNewsletter- Joseph Chapa

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:37:00 +0000

Housing Trends eNewsletter- Joseph Chapa

Flooded home for sale?

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:31:00 +0000

Proving House Value

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:22:00 +0000

Living room updates for under $500

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:35:00 +0000

Creating a new look in your living room doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. If you’re selling your home, or just itching for an update, there is plenty to you can do for $500 or less.

Reuse and recycle. Before you head out to buy something new for your living room, see what is in your home that can work in the space. Rearrange furniture and art, and re-purpose items.

1. $50 and up: Slipcover your furniture. Rather than recover the chintz couch, pick up an affordable slip cover in a neutral color. A slip cover will cost a fraction of a new couch and many of them are designed to fit snugly over a variety of furniture styles.

2. $50 to $150: Paint. If you do it yourself, a new coat of paint in a room is an affordable transformation. Even painting an accent wall or trim can drastically update the space. You can also repaint furniture, shelves or picture frames for a similar update or pop of color.

3. $20 – $150: Lighting. Whether you pick up a floor lamp or pair of table lamps, lighting can say a lot about a room’s aesthetic. Check out brass or bronze lamps for a classic look, or aluminum for a modern feel.

4. $50 and up: Drapes: Keep the room warmer by insulating the windows and add a finishing touch to the room with curtains in a variety of fabrics and styles. Make a small or short room expand by hanging a curtain rod with long drapes above the window.

5. $15 to 75: Accessories: New throw pillows and blankets, a fun new piece of art or potted plant can also make a living room seem a little more put together. With the growing popularity of DIY magazines and television, it’s easier than ever to find affordable decor.

Real hope for homeowners?

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:53:00 +0000

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Bank of America tears down some of their foreclosure homes

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:38:00 +0000

Offended by a low ball offer?

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:56:00 +0000

Offended by a low ball offer? Really?
October 20, 2011|Scott Van Voorhis, Globe Staff

Sorry, but if you get offended because a buyer tries to strike a hard bargain, please don't come crying to me.

You may not like the offer, but to take it as a personal affront?

We are living in 2011, not 1811.

Frankly, here's where I think some sellers desperately need a reality check.

First off, to get any offer is a good thing in this depressed market. And while you may not like the number that is on the table, you can always counter.

OK, maybe your house is truly worth more than what Mr. Overeager Lowballer is offering for it. But it may also be a warning sign the price you have set your heart on is dangerously out of touch with the current market reality.

Be nice and thank your would-be buyer for the offer - it may be the last one you'll see until you've lowered your price four or five times.

The home you raised your children in or spent countless dollars renovating may be your baby, but to buyers, it's just another house.

Get over it and start thinking like potential buyer.

Check out this story, offered up by Bynxers the other day, of yet another case of sellers offended by an offer they deemed too low.

"I have a friend who was looking at a home. The asking price was rather high. He made his offer based off of a subtraction of the asking price, minus the cost of what it would take to bring the home to 2011- including updating the heating, treating the home for mold, and updating the kitchen (not luxury).

The owners- an elderly couple laughed apparently and said they were offended by the offer.... He countered that he was offended that they would expect a 300% profit from the time they bought it without putting in proper maintenance.

As a serviceman, he knows how to weed out BS miles away- and he said there's sure a lot of it to go around these parts."

Granted- it was a relatively desirable community, however my friend noted to me that the oil heating system was in terrible shape when he looked at it, let alone an inspector. Additionally- the basement and back of the house had been dealing with mold issues, it appeared, for years and finally- the kitchen was in horrible shape. The linolium flooring was buckling, the fridge and stove were both still from the 60's and in poor condition...

All of this and the asking price was still very much above the assessed value by the town.

This, my friends- is ridiculous. And the stubbornness of the sellers, I would surmise only means that the house will get sold as part of the estate sale when the elderly seller pass on.

Postcard marketing. Does it work?

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:15:00 +0000

Of course it works. If it didn't I wouldn't invest up to $500 on each listing I take on producing this for my sellers. In our current real estate market, it is important that your agent utilize EVERY resource to find that ONE buyer that you need for your home.

What is the purpose of postcards going out to your neighborhood? Who better to help market your home. Your neighbor four streets over (who never drives down your street) may have a friend or family member that wants to move into the area. This is one of the upfront expenditures that I provide to my sellers and I have had great success getting my listings sold with these postcards. I also incorporate QR Code technology, your homes own domain name, text message servicing point a potential buyer directly to your virtual tour and 800 call caputer technology. This is how real estate should be done.

Win a hot air baloon ride for two

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:19:00 +0000

Everyone that likes my business facebook page will be entered into a drawing for a hot air ballon ride that will be held in Anna, Texas on October 29, 2011 that I have sponsored.

If this isn't your thing (or you aren't going to be around Anna on that date) let me know so I can pull your name from the drawing. I will have the drawing on October 26, 2011 and will post the video here for everyone to see who wins. Thanks for liking my business page and letting me be your "go to" guy when it comes to your real estate and insurance needs.

Click here to visit my business facebook page

FrontDoor's Top 10 Unique Selling Tactics

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:57:00 +0000

By FrontDoor.com | Published: 7/08/2008
Say goodbye to the days when baking a batch of cookies and putting out fresh flowers before an open house would be enough to sell your home. In today's real estate market, it takes more than that to attract buyers, and frustrated home sellers are resorting to some unusual methods to get their homes noticed. From clever to downright bizarre, here are our top 10 unique home-selling tactics.

1.Hold an open house party.
Open houses are the norm when selling a home, but some sellers are upping the ante on the open house by offering wine, catered food, live music and prizes. A fancy shindig could start a buzz on your property and make your home memorable.

2.Take home staging to the extreme.
It's well known that staging your home can help it sell faster, but some sellers are taking staging a step further with an ancient Chinese philosophy. Feng shui stagers rearrange the elements of a home to improve its chi, or energy. Good chi makes potential buyers feel more welcome.

3.Help serious buyers with financing.
Many people who want to buy a home can't qualify for a standard mortgage right now, so sellers are offering a helping hand. Sellers have a few options when it comes to assisting buyers with financing, including offering lease-to-own deals, offering financing themselves, paying for closing costs or paying for points to lower the interest rate.

4.Have a little faith.
Burying statues or medals of St. Joseph in the earth is a tradition that dates back hundreds of years. Most recently, home sellers have been burying the patron saint of family and household needs in their yards to help their homes sell faster. Thousands of sellers swear that a little divine intervention helped them get a sale.

5.Throw in some extravagant extras.
In the past, a free big-screen TV was enough of an incentive to get your home noticed. Times have changed, and incentives are becoming more and more substantial. Sellers are throwing in all kinds of goodies, like free cars, vacations, pricey home upgrades and monetary incentives like a year's mortgage or a furniture stipend. One woman in Florida is even offering herself as an incentive -- she hopes to marry the man who buys her home.

6.Make your home a grand prize.
After conventional methods fall short, some sellers are holding raffles and essay contests and giving their homes to the winners. This method is sure to draw attention, but beware: Home lotteries are illegal in many states, so find out your state's regulations.

7.Get Web savvy.
If the traditional method of selling your home through a real estate agent doesn't appeal to you, you may find an alternative process for selling your home on the internet. Some sellers are auctioning off their homes on eBay, while others are swapping properties through sites like Pad4Pad.com and DomuSwap.com.

8.Let your house do the talking.
After taking the traditional route of putting a For Sale sign in your front yard and placing an ad in the newspaper, try some hi-tech advertising. Some sellers and agents are using the Talking House radio transmitter, which allows you to record a customized message about the features of your home. Potential home buyers can tune into a radio station to hear this message as they drive by your house.

9.Put your house on the auction block.
Auctions are no longer just for foreclosed homes. Sellers looking to sell their homes quickly are choosing the auction route. Keep in mind that the total costs of auctioning off a home yourself are often the same or more than the costs of selling a home through an agent.

10.Let buyers sleep on it.
For serious potential buyers who are on the fence about buying your home, let them sleep on it -- literally. By letting buyers spend the night in your home, you're allowing them to get the full experience of living there. A trial run could be just what they need to sign on the dotted line. Be sure to consult with your real estate agent or attorney first.

http://www.frontdoor.com/sell/frontdoors-top-10-unique-selling-tactics/2095?oc=fb_frontdoors-top-10-unique-selling-tactics

This month in real estate

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:48:00 +0000

2011 2nd Quarter Dallas Area Home Sales

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:44:00 +0000

Click on this link to be taken to the Dallas Morning News interactive map showing Dallas Area Home Sales. See how your area is performing.

3000 Gentry, Amazing with Pool

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:26:00 +0000

Realty Times - Real Estate Outlook: Stalled Markets Becoming Trend

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 17:21:00 +0000

Realty Times - Real Estate Outlook: Stalled Markets Becoming Trend

Obama's housing scorecard

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:13:00 +0000

Obama's housing scorecard

Pre Owned Home Prices Keep Falling In Dallas

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:06:00 +0000

Pre Owned Home Prices Keep Falling In Dallas Homes in outlying areas prices continue to fall. Melissa, Texas. Anna, Texas.

417 Creekside Anna, Texas

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:15:00 +0000

This month in real estate

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:09:00 +0000

Paypal link for lease payments

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:07:00 +0000

Presentation for Central Elementary

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Fri, 20 May 2011 03:25:00 +0000

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'Uneven' housing recovery continues

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:57:00 +0000

'Uneven' housing recovery continues

1439 Snowberry, Allen, Texas

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:45:00 +0000

Call me today for your private viewing of this home. Priced to sell quickly! 972-254-2011

New home builder update

noreply@blogger.com (J.J. Chapa) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:53:00 +0000

Home construction in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has dropped more than 70 percent in the last four years.

But some nimble builders have not only hung on in this dire market but also have increased their market share.

A look at the top 20 North Texas builders shows that First Texas Homes was one of the big winners in 2010.

The Dallas-based company grew its starts more than 55 percent last year, thanks to a combination of smart lot buys and access to construction capital.

“We added probably six neighborhoods in 2010,” said First Texas CEO Randall Van Wolfswinkel.

“Right now, it’s very hard to get great lots in good locations.”
First Texas and its sister company, Gallery Custom Homes, started almost 900 houses in 2010 and hope to do about 20 percent more this year.
“We use our own money, so that gives us the ability to build as many speculative homes as we want,” Van Wolfswinkel said. “That makes it easier to put houses on the ground.”

The independent firm now ranks third locally behind nationwide industry leaders D.R. Horton , based in Fort Worth, and PulteGroup, which acquired Dallas-based Centex Homes in 2009.

First Texas wasn’t the only company to see growth last year.
Addison-based Grand Homes increased its starts about 30 percent to just over 400 homes.
“We should do about 500 starts this year,” said Grand CEO Steve Brooks, whose company is building less than half of the houses it did at the market’s peak in 2006.
Brooks said the national recession and housing industry woes put the brakes on his business.

“At the end of 2008, we had two sales in four months — the world stopped,” he said. “We just rolled up our sleeves and went to work.”
Grand Homes cut its staff by almost a third and went through its construction process looking for cost savings.

“In the good times, we had gotten sloppy and wasteful,” Brooks said. “We were able to cut about $8,000 a house in hard costs.”
The company also moved quickly in 2009 to buy lots at distressed prices so it would have locations when the market rebounds.
Customers ‘hesitant’
This year should see a modest increase in home starts in North Texas, said Ted Wilson of Residential Strategies.

“We think the market has bottomed,” Wilson said. “We are forecasting a start increase this year of 2,000 or 3,000 units.”
That would still be nowhere close to the almost 50,000 annual home starts in the D-FW area at the peak of the market.
Since then, more than 30 builders in the area have gone broke or moved away.
And the companies that remain are working hard for every sale.

“The No. 1 issue is still the lack of traffic out there,” Wilson said. “There are an awful lot of potential customers who are hesitant.”
The large number of pre-owned homes on the market — including bargain-priced foreclosures — is also taking business from the new-home market.
Builders continue to have problems obtaining financing for home construction, and tough appraisals are killing a large number of their deals, industry reports say.

“We’ve seen a lot of weeding out of the players,” Wilson said.
Some push ahead

The 20 largest builders in Dallas-Fort Worth now account for about 70 percent of the annual starts, Residential Strategies research shows.
D.R. Horton — for many years the largest production builder in North Texas — grew its market share to almost 15 percent in 2010. That’s nearly three times the market share of No. 2 builder PulteGroup.

Horton’s starts here are still down about 50 percent from the peak of the market in 2006.

Horton officials did not respond to a request to talk about their company’s growth in the area.

Pulte, which acquired Dallas-based Centex Homes in 2009, is building almost 80 percent fewer houses than it did four years ago, according to Residential Strategies data.

Some builders are actually doing more than before the downturn.
Southlake-based Bloomfield Homes started business in 2004 and has moved up in the rankings.

The company last year built about 85 percent more houses than before the market downturn.
CEO Don Dykstra, who formerly headed Pulte’s operations here, hopes to start 350 to 400 houses in 2011.

“Developers and other builders who knew us from our Pulte days have generously invited us into some very nice D-FW communities,” Dykstra said.
The company now builds in almost 20 North Texas locations.
“Many of our employees are former middle managers who are back selling and building and rediscovering the joy of homebuilding,” Dykstra said. “For some of them, it had been more than a decade since they were in the field.
“We get the benefit of all the experience and have high-performance and low-maintenance people to work with.”
The right lots
Access to affordable, well-located lots is the biggest problem the industry faces, Wilson said.

“There is a lot of scrambling right now by builders who are hunting locations,” he said.

John Landon, who started Landon Homes at the end of 2008, was able to grow his business to a top 20 firm last year by purchasing lots from lenders who had foreclosed on the property.
But that’s pretty much over, Landon said.

“Most of the good, well-located lots that went back to the banks have been sold,” he said. “They still own some land that can be developed, and that’s what builders are looking at.”

Landon hopes to build between 275 and 325 homes this year.
“We have been focused on the north Dallas suburbs,” he said.

Top Dallas-Fort Worth homebuilders
D.R. Horton last year had almost a 15 percent market share in North Texas. (Numbers based on 2010 home starts.)
1. D.R. Horton 2,225
2. Pulte-Centex 898
3. First Texas-Gallery 894
4. Highland-Horizon-Huntington 855
5. Meritage-Monterey Homes 637
6. Lennar Homes 473
7. K Hovnanian 404
8. Grand Homes 401
9. History Maker Homes 349
10. David Weekley 344
11. Bloomfield Homes 313
12. Drees Homes 301
13. MHI-Pioneer-Plantation 289
14. Gehan Homes 282
15. Cheldan Homes 268
16. Ashton Woods Homes 258
17. American Legend-Belclaire 241
18. KB Home 233
19. Beazer Homes 217
20. Landon Homes 216

Link to Article:
http://www.dallasnews.com/business/headlines/20110217-some-winners-emerge-in-dallas-fort-worth-area-homebuilding-business.ece?action=reregister