Real Estate Information Archive

Good Monday morning to you!

Its hard to believe we are already 1/3 of the way through 2010. I mentioned last week that our inventory of great homes is a good as its ever been. www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com . If anyone you may know is in the market place, please forward them this email.

Market Statistics: Average Days on Market for SOLDS

$350,000 and up........408 days

$250,000 - $350,000........92 days

$200,000 - $250,000........81 days

$150,000 - $200,000..........117 days

$100,000 - $150,000..........72 days

These are very interesting figures. The Sheppard Air Force Base market has been very active from $225,000 - $275,000, and numerous first time home buyers took advantage of the credit from $100,000 - $150,000...therefore, we can see why these two parameters shared the lowest days on market. For more information on this, please let me know.

Hope all is well, and make it a great week.

"Wisdom is supreme; therefore make a full effort to get wisdom. Esteem her and she will exalt you; embrace her and she will honor you." Proverbs 4:7-8

Good Monday morning to you!

We're now into the final days of the 1st Time Home Buyer and repeat buyer Federal Tax Credit. 1st Time Buyers qualify for up to and $8000.00 and repeat buyers can qualify for up to $6500.00 Tax Credit. For more information on this, please call us @ 940.691.7355

Remember our sites:
www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com - For Buyers
www.TexomaHomeValue.com - Looking to sell?
www.TalkRealty.com/AshtonGustafson - Market update

I have never seen a better inventory of GREAT properties on the market. www.TexomaHomeSource.com

Make it a great week!

"Success demands singleness of purpose. " Vince Lombardi

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 .

Reserved seats selling fast for South Central Regional

WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Reserved seat tickets are selling briskly for the NCAA Division II South Central Regional hosted by Midwestern State University.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, only a limited number of reserved seats were available for immediate purchase.

Those do not include tickets that MSU season ticket holders have reserved until noon on Wednesday.

“With a limited number of reserved tickets available, we can’t stress the urgency to purchase them,” stated MSU Athletic Director Charlie Carr.

“We’re looking forward to having a crowd and atmosphere befitting a 28-2 team.”

Only all-session tickets are being sold at this point.  Reserved seats for the four session (seven total games) are $36 for sideline views and $28 for endzone views.

General admission all-session tickets are $20, with a $12 ticket for students (PK-12 and participating college students with ID) and senior citizens (65-plus).

Reserved seats are being sold at the MSU Athletic Office in Ligon Coliseum from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.  General admission tickets are available at the Clark Student Center, Jerry’s Sporting Goods and the MPEC Box Office.

MSU Students may obtain a free ticket, courtesy of University Advancement and Student Affairs, from the Clark Student Center Information Desk.

Also, fans are reminded that regular season passes, including parking passes, will not be honored for the NCAA Tournament.

IEBC CODE REVITALIZATION/PRESERVATION WORKSHOP TO BE PRESENTED:
 
-REMINDER-
 
 
Area residents with interest in adaptive reuse of current inventory of buildings and commercial properties are invited to a Revitalization/Preservation workshop on Friday, February 26 at the Wichita Theatre, 925 Indiana.  (9:00am-1:00pm) Sponsored by Downtown Wichita Falls Development and the Small Business Development Center, presenters will be Kate Singleton and Tony Eeds, principals of CRS (Community Revitalization Strategies) Group of Dallas Texas. 
 
This workshop will be of special interest to architects, real estate professionals, investors, developers, City/County government officials and property owners.  Potential investors in historic buildings are urged to attend. 
 
Ms. Singleton consults in economic and business development, financial incentives, community development, municipal planning and planning and zoning.  She has thorough knowledge of development finance tools to provide funding for projects including various HUD programs, CRA, TIFs, PIDs, tax abatements, low-income tax credits and Federal Investment Tax credit for historic buildings. 
 
She has consulted on over $150 million in Federal Investment Tax Credit projects, including the award-winning Southside on Lamar/Sears Project in Dallas.  Ms. Singleton served as Chair of the Building Code Committee for the City of Dallas.  In this capacity, she co-authored the historic preservation amendments to the building code.  The amendments were passed unanimously by the Dallas City Council. 
 
Mr. Eeds has 30 years of experience in architecture, construction and development specializing in downtown revitalization, downtown economic development, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and community consensus building. 
 
As an architect, Mr. Eeds has completed restoration and adaptive reuse of National Historic Register properties ranging in size from exhibit facilities at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas to a 17 story high rise hotel in Abilene, Texas.  He has offered professional consulting services in the areas of program and project development, coordination and management of construction activities, economic development, financial incentives, strategic planning, community development, historic preservation, as well as project design and implementation.
 
Some of their projects include:  Downtown and Economic Development Consulting for Alice, Beaumont, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Odessa, and Plano, Texas; Haviland and Concordia in Kansas; Historic preservation for Southside on Lamar in Dallas, Sanger Building in Fort Worth, Windsor and Wooten Hotels Abilene, Hotel Beaumont, and Federal Tax Credit Projects.  They also wrote the ordinance and design guidelines for Weatherford, Dallas and Bryan Texas. 
 
Cost for the workshop is $35 with a discount for current DWFD members.  For more information or to make reservations, requested by Tuesday, February 23, please call Kelly Atkins, executive assistant, Downtown Wichita Falls Development, 322-4525.
 
 
 
 
Cynthia Laney, Executive Director      
DWFD, Inc
719 Scott Street, Ste 418
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
940-322-4525
940-733-4382

Good Monday morning to you!

Hopefully some Spring sunshine is in our very near future - I hear more snow is one the way tomorrow...what a Winter its been!

As we approach this Spring and Summer, our best sales seasons, you may be thinking of moving or know someone that is too.
We have created www.TexomaHomeValue.com for those of you that are looking to sell and wondering what the market around you has done in the last few months. Simply enter your home's information and your contact information, and we'll have a market analysis to you within 24 hours.

January 2010 for us was up over 2009 and we already have 16 new pending for February. Its looking like this will be another GREAT year for the Bishop/Gustafson Team.

This week's Myth Buster:

Myth: "If I price my house high in the beginning, that will give me more negotiating room and the buyer will feel like they're getting a deal."
Fact: This simply is not true - you cannot fool buyers in this market.
The only home that sold over $300,000 in Wichita Falls for the month of January was originally on the market at $875,000 - and it sold for $425,000 908 days later. Pricing high caused this home to be on the market almost 3 years! Had they priced aggressively in the beginning, they probably would have netted more money, and saved almost 3 years in taxes, utility bills, and lawn care.

Please call me this week if I can serve you or anyone you may know.

Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it. David Jordan

Ashton

Owner - Bishop Realtor Group                                                             

Rates have trended up this week with reaction to the Fed’s announcement that the discount rate was increasing from .5% to .75%. This is the rate banks lend to each other.  The 10 year treasury is now above 3.8% and has taken mortgage rates to a slightly higher level.  Rates as of today are………
 
Conventional
30 year fixed                      5.125% 0+0         (740 FICO, $120,000 maximum loan amount)
15 year fixed                      4.500% 0+0         (740 FICO, $120,000 maximum loan amount)
 
FHA
30 year fixed                      5.250%  0+0         (660 FICO, $120,000 maximum loan amount)
15 year fixed                      4.500%  0+0         (660 FICO, $120,000 maximum loan amount)
 
Jeff McClatchy
VP, Mortgage Manager
Fidelity Bank
940-720-5425 direct
940-564-6650 cell
jmcclatchy@fidelitybankwf.com

It’s frustrating: homeowners facing tough

mortgage situations are finding it difficult to get

sound advice at a time when they need it most.

That’s why I’m providing an easy-to-understand

comparison of foreclosures and short sales, just

for you at: www.WichitaFallsShortSale.com

This free report will provide you with more

information abot your options in these

challenging times. As CDPE, I am trained

to help homeowners evaluate their

options and come up with a plan. I offer

solutions.

Visit my site and explore what’s

available. It’s time for a new

financial future.

I’m here to help.

Ashton Gustafson - Certified Distressed Property Expert

Bishop Realtor Group - Owner

Wichita Falls, Texas – February 10, 2010 – The annual St. Patrick’s Downtown Street Festival will be taking place Saturday, March 13th (600 block of 8th). Gates will open at 5:30pm and the event will last until 11pm.
 
This event has been taking place over a decade and is designed to bring awareness to historic downtown Wichita Falls and also serves as a small fundraiser for Downtown Wichita Falls Development. Highlights include live music from a variety of bands including native Irish music; a variety of food and specialty vendors; and lots of green to be seen!
 
Ireland ’s Call will be returning direct from Ireland to play a fusion of classic Irish tunes and rock. This year’s addition to the line-up is a band called the Killdare’s out of Dallas , TX . They are known for their brand of hard driving, alternative Celtic rock. The band uses unconventional pairings of screaming, fire-driven fiddle and bagpipes with the wail of electric guitar, bass and drums to create brilliant arrangements. The band’s incredible stage presence is nothing short of awesome.
 
Band line-up includes:
Outside Stage- Direct from Ireland , “ Ireland ’s Call” and special guest from Dallas , TX “the Killdares”.
Inside Stage- “Mike O’Neil & Daddy-O” plus “AA Bottom”
 
Families are welcome and highly encouraged to come. There will be activities for children. People are encouraged to buy tickets in advance to benefit from the discounted prices. Ticket Outlets: United Market Street , SAFB ITT Ticket Office, Iron Horse Pub and DWFD. Ticket Prices:   $9 advance w/ military or student ID, $10 advance for general public, $15.00 at the gate, 12 & under FREE (must be accompanied by an adult).
                              
DWFD is a project of North Texas Visions and is a 501(c)3 organization. DWFD has established a partnership between the public and private sectors that is dedicated to the revitalization and economic development of historic downtown Wichita Falls . DWFD believes a healthy vibrant downtown is the heart of the city. Please visit our web page: www.downtownproud.com,  the DWFD Facebook page or www.myspace.com/wichitafallsshamrockfest
 
719 Scott Street, Suite 418 * Wichita Falls , TX 76301 * 940-322-4525 * 940-322-4526 Fax

5110 Lake Wellington - $315,000 - 3 beds - office - 2 baths - 3 car garage

Wichita Falls, TX - Lake Wellington

Built by RJ Wachsman, this stunning home found in Lake Wellington is in mint condition and move in ready. It has everything one could look for: open floor plan, hardwoods and tile throughout, office space, sewing closet, 3 car garage, granite countertops, huge master closet, isolated master bedroom, fabulous kitchen...and the list goes on.

For more information call Ashton Gustafson @ 940.224.0881.