Real Estate Information Archive

Good Monday morning to you and Happy Labor Day!

Its hard to believe that we are now 2/3 into 2009. 1st Time Home Buyers now have roughly 90 days to find a home and close before the Tax Credit expires. I saw rates this week hit 5.25% FIXED for 30 Years with local lenders this week - its time to capitalize on this opportunity.

And don't forget my Stimulus Package for buyers! I have negotiated discounts with numerous local vendors to make your next move affordable and stress free. Call or email me if you would like more details.

I hope you and yours have a great Labor Day Holiday - and if you're free this Thursday from 5:30 - 7:00, Kevin Rhine and I will be playing the Summer Music Series @ The Museum at Sikes Lake - should be a great time!

Need quick answers in regards to Real Estate? Remember these sites:

www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com - For Buyers

www.TexomaHomeValue.com - For Sellers

www.TexasBankOwned.com - Foreclosed Properties

www.talkrealty.com/AshtonGustafson - Market Update

"Never will I be of concern that my goals are too high, for it is it not better to aim my spear at the moon and strike only an eagle than to aim my spear at the eagle and strike only a rock?" Og Mandino

Good Monday morning to you!

This past week was favorable for rates as we saw many local lenders offer rates again below 5.375 on a 30 year fix.

I encourage you to listen to my Pod Cast this month to hear about many things affecting the Real Estate sector.
Here I discuss the 1st Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and other useful information.
Click www.TalkRealty.com/AshtonGustafson to listen.

Have you thought about investing? I've found many great buys lately that would make great rentals.
Click www.TexasBankOwned.com to have them sent to you each Wednesday.

Wondering about the homes for sale in your neighborhood? You can find them all at my buyer's only site.
Click www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com for every home for sale in the Greater Wichita Falls MLS.

If I can serve you or anyone you may know this week, please let me know - I'm here to help.

"Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance." Francis of Assisi

1509 Aldrich

3 beds - 2 baths - 2 car garage - covered patio - subject to a Short Sale.

Priced to sell @ $89,900

Call Ashton @ 940.224.0881 for an appt

5450 Carlson - Wichita Falls, TX 76302

Priced @ $143,000

Built in 2007, this 4 bedroom 2 bath home is in great condition and offers numerous amenities that include: crown molding, soaring ceilings, ceramic tile, isolated master, open floor plan, large lot, and privacy fenced backyard.

Call Ashton today @ 940.224.0881 for an appointment to preview this property.

August 7, 2009

The 10 yr bond which has influence on mortgage rates has been in a steady climb this week and we have seen rates follow.  Last week the 10 yr bond was in the 3.5% range and today it is currently trading around 3.85%.  Consequently, mortgage rates have climbed.  I don’t know where we are headed but the last time the 10 yr bond ran to the 4% range, 30 year mortgage rates went to 5.875%.  Fortunately, rates receded back into the 5.25% range, but have been on another climb since then.
 
Today’s rates:
30 yr conventional           5.625% 0+0  (740 FICO, loan amount >$125,000)
15 yr conventional           4.875% 0+0  (740 FICO, loan amount >$125,000)
 
FHA
30 yr                                      5.625% 0+0  (660 FICO, loan amount >$120,000)
15 yr                                      4.875% 0+0 (660 FICO, loan amount >$120,000)
 
Another option for a conventional product:
If you have a buyer that is only planning on living in the home for a few years (relocation, planned move up):
5/1 ARM with 30 yr amortization               4.625% 0+0         (740 FICO, loan amount >$125,000)

On September 12th from 4pm to 8pm we will host our 3rd Annual Shrimp, Wine & Art Celebration!
We are working with the Kemp Center for the Arts and the Arts Coalition to provide a perfect ending
for the collaborative “Stroll N’ Roll” museum day event on September 12th.
 
“Stroll N’ Roll” is an all day affair from 10am to 4pm, free to the public, to showcase all the different museums and
art institutions here in Wichita Falls. The historic Trolley’s will be providing free transportation from the
MPEC center to the downtown locations. Each museum will have special interest exhibits and display.
The Wichita Falls Museum Coalition is comprised of Kell House Museum; The Kemp Center for the Arts;
Wichita Falls Fire and Police Museum; Museum of North Texas History; Call Field Memorial Exhibit; Wichita
Falls Museum of Art at MSU; Sheppard AFB Heritage Center; River Bend Nature Center; and the Wichita Falls
Railroad Museum.  
 
The Shrimp, Wine & Art Celebration in the Sculpture Gardens at The Kemp Center for the Arts will conclude
the day’s activities.
 
Jon Reese, Wichita Fish Farms, will be cooking the shrimp; Local and area “Go Texan” wines will be featured;
art will be for sale from local and area professional artists on the grounds; and the Kemp Center
will be open for the attendees to view their current exhibits until the end of the event.
 Music will be emanating from the Gazebo performed by talented local bands while the
participants are enjoying the art displays, the delicious food and wine.   
 
We would like to offer you an opportunity to be one of the recognized sponsors for the 3rd Annual Shrimp Wine & Art
Celebration or to reserve a table. The cost of sponsorship tables and individual reserved tables are as follows:
 
 “Vineyard Table” (Sponsor)………………………………………………………$350.00/Table                                                   
Reserved Table for (10)
Includes: (1) admission, (1) dinner, (2) glasses of wine per person
Signage posted at table
Recognition as Sponsor in advertising and signage at event
Bottle of “Go Texan” wine & “Go Texan” wine glasses
 
“Master Vintner Table” (Sponsor)……………………………… …………...…$300.00/Table
Reserved Table for (8)
Includes: (1) admission, (1) dinner, (2) glasses of wine per person
Signage posted at table
Recognition as Sponsor in event advertising and signage at event
Bottle of “Go Texan” wine & “Go Texan” wine glasses
 
“Wine Connoisseur” (Individual).………..…………………………………..$250.00/Table
Reserved Table for (8)
Includes: (1) admission, (1) dinner, (2) glasses of wine per person
Bottle of “Go Texan” wine & “Go Texan” glasses
 
Individual Pre-sale Tickets are $25.00/person which includes dinner and 2 drink tickets (beer or wine).
 
 
 
We appreciate your consideration of this exciting downtown event.  If you have any questions,
or want more information,  please give us a call at the Downtown Wichita Falls Development office, 322-4525.
 
Thank you in advance for your interest and your time in support of downtown Wichita Falls. 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Cynthia Laney, Executive Director
DWFD, Inc
719 Scott Street, Ste 418
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
940-322-4525

It simply cannot get better than this! You name it, and it has been updated. Home updates include: gourmet kitchen with maple cabinets and granite counter tops, refurbished original hardwood floors, updated bathrooms, blown-in insulation, new HVAC - and the list goes on.

This home has 2 living areas and an upstairs bonus room.

Located on a corner lot, this home is just minutes from anywhere you need to be in Wichita Falls. There is a side carport with a new door opening system, and a 2 car carport in the backyard with rear access. The workshop in the back has power run to it and a floor drain system.

This is the perfect first time home for anyone in the market.

Act now, and this home can be yours. And if you're a first time home buyer, you would receive the $8,000 tax credit, but you have to close by December 1, 2009.

Call or email Ashton today for your private showing - 940.224.0881 or ashton@bishoprealtor.scom

The Original Texas Ranch Roundup began in 1981 and is held annually every August in Wichita Falls.  To be eligbile to participate in the TRR, a ranch must be selected by the Roundup Committee with consideration given to working ranch status, length of ownership or management and historical significance.  Contestants and alternates must be full time employees of their ranches, and they must have been employed a minimum of six months.  They ride their own horse or one belonging to the ranch.  What makes the Texas Ranch Roundup unique is that it incorporates the entire ranch family with a cookin' contest as well as a festival including photography, painting & drawing, furniture, crafts and western handiwork.  Winners of these events earn points that, combined with their points in the rodeo, make up the Ranch Roundup winner.

We are very excited to announce the opening of the new Bruce and Graciela Redwine Student Wellness Center.  The facility includes two indoor basketball courts, an indoor walking track, over 60 new cardiovascular machines including TRUE treadmills, ARC Trainers, Elliptical Machines - with a personal viewing monitor, and more than 30 new CYBEX weight machines.  We have also opened our group fitness rooms which accommodate all of our fitness classes, including indoor cycling, ZUMBA, TURBO, Pump It, PIYO, Circuit Training and more.  There are locker rooms and showers for use with daily lockers available.  We are very excited about the new center and invite you to utilize this state-of-the-art facility.  Please feel free to stop by between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to schedule a tour or to work out.

FREEDOM FEST SCHEDULE

Sheppard Air Force Base - Wichita Falls, TX July 4th, 2009

Gates open at 3 p.m. today for Freedom Fest on Sheppard Air Force Base (enter through the Hospital Gate)

3:30 p.m.: Sack race for those ages 5-10. Rock/funk band Miyagi will perform.

4 p.m.: Jalapeño-eating contest, balloon smash and a sack race for those ages 11-15

4:30 p.m.: Speed-toss for those ages 5-10

5 p.m.: Cookie-stacking contest; speed-toss for those 11-15. Honky-tonk band Cody Shaw and the Rhythm Boys on the main stage.

5:30 p.m.: Trash-can basketball and three-legged races for those ages 5-10 (parent and child).

6 p.m.: Kick-the-can game and a three-legged race for those ages 11-15

6:30 p.m.: Apple-eating contest and a cookie-eating contest for those 5-10. Rock band Twice Broken on the main stage.

7 p.m.: Mine field and a cookie-eating contest for those ages 11-15

7:30 p.m.: Multi-way tug-of-war

8 p.m.: Tops in Blue performing on the main stage

10 p.m.: Fireworks