Julie Johnson

Dallas Area Still Near the Top

Julie — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:12:26 +0000

The Dallas area is a great place to live!

Housing Boom in Frisco

Julie — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:41:36 +0000

City leaders are considering a plan to add more than a thousand new homes to Eastern Frisco. The 500 acres on the 121 corridor will be called Richwoods and will be near the Rolater/Independence area. Plano based Landon Homes purchased the tract and hopes to build 1,600 new homes. Although nowhere near the boom levels of five years ago when 50,000 new homes were being built in North Texas, analysts see this as another sign that the North Texas housing market is coming back to life and Western Frisco is leading the way.

Elegant 1 Story on Large Lot in West Frisco

Scott — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:48:08 +0000

2747 Izabella Court

Update: SOLD!

RISMedia Features Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

Julie — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:55:46 +0000

Here is a great article about our brand. I am so excited to be a part of it.
http://rismedia.com/2011-02-27/real-estate-3-0-the-evolution…

MLS Search Change

Julie — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:55:33 +0000

I just wanted to let everyone know I am changing my MLS search. My new home search will give you more details and show your more than just 10 pictures. I hope everyone likes it. It will be coming soon.

Update: The new search is live. Give it a try and send me your feedback.

FHA Raising Monthly Mortgage Insurance

Julie — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:10:02 +0000

HUD recently announced that they will be increasing monthly M.I. M.I. is the fee HUD charges monthly with your payment. Currently the M.I. fee is .90% of the loan amount, but this monthly fee will increase to 1.15%. That is a .25% increase. Don’t get (M.I.P) Mortgage Insurance Premium. and M.I.(Mortgage Insurance) confused, they are different fees for FHA loans. MIP is a one time upfront fee that is charged and rolled into the note. The current M.I.P. fee is 1% of the loan amount.This is a effort by HUD to strengthen their role in providing financing for consumers. HUD claims the average home buyer will see a $35 dollar a month increase in their monthly payment.

Example:
Sales Price: $150,000
Loan Amount: $144,750
3.5% Down Payment: $5250
M.I.P.: $1,447.50
Current M.I. @ .90% = $108.56
New M.I. @ 1.15% = $138.72

There would be a difference of $30.16 a month in the payment with the change. To some this is not big deal and to others it may be.

Loosening of Lending Belts

Julie — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 06:50:13 +0000

For the past couple of years, getting a home loan has been getting harder and harder. Finally, there is some good news. Both Wells Fargo and Quicken Loans have decided to lower the accepted FICO score for an FHA loan to 580. Previously, all FICO scores had to be over 620.
This is great news as an estimated 1/3 of Americans have credit scores below 620. Now, more buyers will qualify for a mortgage to help them buy a home, and the housing market will continue to recover with even more vigor.

Look who is a Rainmaker!

Julie — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 03:18:55 +0000

I was just recently interviewed for Frogpond.com. Check it out and let me know what you think.
http://frogpond.com/Julie-Johnson-FP7-80

TheAgent.tv

Julie — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:52:56 +0000

TheAgent.tv was picked up by RISMedia’s digital version with a great article about the new comedy series. The story was sent out in RISMedia’s daily email. Here is a link to that article: http://rismedia.com/2011-01-26/dallas-broker-turns-heads-with-new-web-comedy-series-the-agent/

Technology Won’t Replace Good Realtors

Julie — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:27:32 +0000

By the time potential home buyers contact a Realtor, most have already spent hours mulling over the dozens of listings they’ve found online. Does this mean that Realtors will become obsolete? Not the good ones.
Modern realtors have adapted to technology but the basics haven’t really changed. We are still their consultant and the professional they will look to learn all of the options available and to help them decide which strategies will be the best for them. The client depends on their agent to learn the effects of each decision made. The best agents will develop an excellent working relationship with clients and learn their individual needs. Using technology will only enhance the buying or selling experience for the client, such as making sure they know which websites have the most accurate information and the best photos.
Technology can make a Realtors day to day job easier, but making buying or selling a home a positive experience is the best marketing tool a Realtor has.