Good Monday morning to you!

Like I said last week, we are looking to add homes with pools to our inventory. If you or anyone you may know is looking to sell their home this summer (pool or no pool) please let us know. With 30 year fixed rate mortgages under 5%, this summer should be a great market!

I have also said that this is the best inventory of homes we've ever had-and the truth endures. See http://www.texomahomesource.com/Properties for every home we have available at this time.

And remember our sites for fast answers:

www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com - Info on any home for sale.

www.TexomaHomeValue.com - FREE Market Analysis on your home.

www.WichitaFallsShortSale.com - Mortgage Problems?

If we can do anything else to serve you or anyone you know this week, please let me know.

"He who sweats in peace, does not bleed in war." Doc Rivers

The Wichita Falls Museum of Art is proud to announce the  launch of Season 2 of the Live @ the Lake Outdoor Concert Series on Thursday, June 3 at 6 p.m. Performing will be the acoustic trio Exit Strategy.

The Live @ the Lake series will present 12 musical performances from a wide variety of artists, including Mike O'Neill, Black Magic, Falls Chamber Orchestra, Erick Palacios and Ryan Burch, A Formal Affair, Gary Hankins, Ashton Gustafson, Teresa Burney, A Band Called John, Kory & David, Ali Holder and Tom Hargrove.This free concert series is made possible through the support of MSU, Falls Distributing, The Spot and the Museum of Art.Shows will start at 6 p.m. on the lawn between the Museum and Sikes Lake.  Refreshments will be provided.  Just bring a blanket or a lawn chair -- and tell your friends to come join you every Thursday this summer...Live @ the Lake!

Good Monday morning to you!

This past week brought exciting news with Realtor Magazine selecting me into the 2010 Class of top 30 agents under 30 years of age in the nation. This award belongs to my family, friends, team members, and all of you that have supported me throughout the years. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2010/may/22/gustafson-among-top-30-young-agents-in-nation-27/

http://www.realtor.org/rmonews_and_commentary/30under30/30u30_2010/gustafson

Our market continues to stay positive with  high inventories of homes across the board. Aggressive pricing is leading to quick sales, and buyers are realizing that the interest rates are not going to hang where they are for long. Take a look @ some of these great properties - http://www.texomahomesource.com/Properties.

If we can serve you or anyone you may know this week, please let me know. Make it a great week!

"...all of us are living stories, and those stories teach other people to live stories. And what are stories are about matters, not just for us but for the world." Donald Miller

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2010/may/22/gustafson-among-top-30-young-agents-in-nation-27/?cid=Facebook

Saturday May 22, 2010 - Story by Lee Anderson

Gustafson among top 30 young agents in nation

Realtor Magazine selects 27-year-old for recognition

• TIMES RECORD NEWS
• Posted May 22, 2010 at 12:01 a.m.

Ashton Gustafson, a real estate agent with the Ann & Denny Bishop Realtor Group, has been selected by Realtor Magazine as one of the top 30 agents in the nation under the age of 30.

Each June, the magazine produces its “30 under 30” issue to recognize young talent. This is the 10th anniversary of the prestigious award.

“This is a huge honor and has been a goal of mine from the day I started in the business,” Gustafson said. “This honor belongs to all of the people that have supported me over the past few years.”

Gustafson and all the others in the class were invited to the magazine’s headquarters to see the operation and pose for the Class of 2010 issue.

Gustafson was the only agent from Texas selected for the award.

In an article in the magazine, Gustafson said he started out working in his grandparents (Ann and Denny Bishop) real estate business here for $10 an hour. He soon earned his real estate license “and hasn’t slept much since,” the article said.

Last year, Gustafson, 27, ranked second out of 300 agents — just behind his grandparents, who are now his partners. He now manages a team of five licensed sales professionals in the family business.

In the magazine article, Gustafson said he and his team closed 237 transactions last year and he personally anticipates closing 100 this year.

He said his long-term goal is to “reach every major market in Texas by 2020 and every state by 2030. In addition to using the web and social media to connect with clients, he also attempts to make 100 calls every day.

For more information, go online to www.realtor.org.

Ashton Gustafson has been named to the 2010 Class of Realtor Magazine's 30 under 30.

Article is below or in the following link: http://www.realtor.org/rmonews_and_commentary/30under30/30u30_2010/gustafson

Stephen "Ashton" Gustafson

Catching Up, Sprinting Ahead

Ashton Gustafson started his "career" working for $10 an hour at his grandparents' real estate business. The next thing he knew he had his license—and he hasn't slept much since. Last year, he ranked second out of 300 agents—just behind his grandparents, who are now his partners. Gustafson manages a team of five licensed sales professionals, who together closed 237 transactions in 2009. He expects to personally close 100 transactions this year, while opening up an office 60 miles down the road. His long-term goal: Reach every major market in Texas by 2020 and every state by 2030. Gustafson is actively involved in strategic planning and governance with his local association. Through his church, he helps at-risk youth get on track.

 A Sale Is a Sale

Whatever the sale price, Gustafson treats each deal the same. "They all count toward our goal," he says. "I'm here to serve, I'm looking to get you the best deal if you're selling or buying."

 Incorporate Old-School Techniques

Although he uses Web and social media to connect with clients, Gustafson says he also tries to makes 100 phone calls and write 20 handwritten notes every day. "I try to communicate with all my clients personally once a month," he says. "It has been such a huge benefit. They may not buy for another 20 years—or ever again—but if real estate comes up in a conversation, I'm probably in their mind."

 Age: 27 | Owner, team leader, e-PRO® |
Bishop Group, REALTORS® | Wichita Falls, Texas
2009 Sales Volume: $11.9 million | Sides: 78 | www.ashtongustafson.com

Good Monday morning to you!

In a world that is ever-changing, there's something to be said for consistency. It seems as though UPs and DOWNs have become the norm for numerous markets and agents across the country.

Fortunately, this has not been the case in North Texas or at the Bishop Realtor Group. Our market has stayed positive and as of Friday, the Bishop Office is involved in nearly 50% of the residential market pending contracts in Wichita Falls (according to Wichita Falls MLS).

If we can serve you or anyone you may know this week, please let me know. And remember our sites:

www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com - For Buyers
www.TexomaHomeValue.com - Thinking of selling?
www.talkrealty.com/ashtongustafson - Market update Podcast

Make it a great week.
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing." Abraham Lincoln

Ashton
Owner - Bishop Realtor Group                                                            

Ashton Gustafson is one of the youngest Stars in STAR POWER's 20-year history and one-third owner of Bishop Realtor Group in Wichita Falls, Texas. In 2010, Ashton has accelerated Bishop Realtor Group's market share to an unprecedented 30 percent. A fourth-generation real estate professional, he follows in the path of grandparents and STAR POWER Stars Denny and Ann Bishop.

Ashton describes himself as having a "sick" work ethic and drives himself to succeed by dreaming big. He credits his meteoric rise to success to his innovative use of technology, dynamic systems, and old-fashioned hard work. He is able to focus his talent through a set of core principles that keep the client at the center of all transactions.

Ashton writes up to 20 personal cards a day to his network, in addition to making guest appearances on local radio shows and maintaining a large Internet presence. Find out how one of the industry's brightest young Stars is launching his business into the future.

See link below.

https://www.starpower.com/star-of-the-month/may-2010/ashton-gustafson

What's happening in the housing market? What's being done about it? Learn about the government's new HAFA program, providing foreclosure avoidance options including short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. Here's the big picture, clearly explained. For more information see www.WichitaFallsShortSale.com .

Good Monday morning to you!

We now have 19 days left to capitalize on the federal tax credit for both first time and repeat buyers. If you have any questions on qualification or how this works, please let me know - ashton@bishoprealtors.com.

Our market continues to act as a "price war" and a "beauty contest". While we have seen record sales in the last 30 days, the inventory available is as high as we have ever seen. Nevertheless, mortgage rates remain at historical lows, and our market has successfully navigated through one of the toughest economic conditions ever - for that, we should have gratitude.

If you know someone that has fallen behind on their mortgage, please forward them to www.WichitaFallsShortSale.com. They can find great information on how to resolve their mortgage problems.

Also, if you or someone you know is looking to purchase in this market, forward the site www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com to them. This site has quickly become the most used site for buyers in the Greater Wichita Falls.

If we can serve you or anyone you may know this week, please let me know. Best of luck this week.

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ashton
Owner - Bishop Realtor Group                                         

Friends, family, and clients - would be honored to have your vote for Realtor Magazine's top 30 agents under the age of 30. See link below - voting ends March 29, 2009. Thanks again! Ashton

http://www.realtor.org/rmonews_and_commentary/30under30/2010/3030_2010_gustafson