Real Estate Information Archive

910 E. Texas

A wonderfully well kept home for the money located in Iowa Park and just minutes to Wichita Falls or Sheppard AFB. With over 2,000 square feet and built in 2004 this home offers multiple amenities that include:spacious living area, 4 bedrooms, isolated master, over-sized utility room, fireplace, covered patio, privacy fence, sprinkler system, storage shed, and ample driveway parking. All appliances to remain including washer/dryer and refrigerator.

Additional Information:

• Over 2000 square feet.
• Built in 2004.
• Neutral colors and very well kept.
• Spacious living area.
• Isolated master bedroom.
• Master bath offers Jacuzzi tub, shower, and his/her closets.
• Beds 2, 3, and 4 share hall bath with tub/shower.
• Fireplace.
• Spacious kitchen.
• Over-sized utility room.
• Spacious garage.
• Covered patio.
• Privacy fence.
• Storage shed will remain.
• Ample driveway parking.
• Just minutes to Wichita Falls or Sheppard AFB.
• All appliances remain except deep freeze.

• Built by Ed Routon in 1998
• 5.67 Acres
• 4 bedrooms, 3 living areas, 3 car garage.
• Soaring ceilings and crown mouldings.
• Magnificent hardwood floors.
• Fireplace separates both living areas.
• Gourmet kitchen with worlds or storage within Red Oak cabinets.
• SubZero refrigerator and double oven in kitchen.
• Breakfast area off of kitchen.
• Formal dining and study space off of entry.
• Large master bedroom with fireplace and tall ceilings.
• Storm closet in master bathroom.
• Luxurious master bath with his/her space and closets.
• Workout room located off hallway from kitchen.
• Bedrooms 2, 3, and 4 are isolated off of second living area.
• All bedrooms offer wonderful closet/storage space.
• Cedar closet off of 2nd living area.
• Utility room with easy to use space.
• Cellulose foam insulation for the entire home. Very efficient and low utility bills.
• 45 ft X 30 ft shop with 2 levels, concrete floor, insulated walls, and 2-20 power.
• Garage door of shop is 12 ft x 12 ft.
• Dirtbike trail is already in place.
• Incredible gunite pool with electronic cover.
• Stamped concrete in backyard patio and surrounding the pool.
• Storage room and half bath located off of pool for outdoor use.
• Covered patio with speakers for entertaining.
• Control4 Sound System http://www.control4.com/residential/
• 2 water heaters.
• Propane heat.
• Alarm system.
• Holliday ISD.

Ashton Gustafson, a Wichita Falls realtor has been awarded the prestigious Certified Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.

14 Park Place Court - Wichita Falls, TX

Serious about selling your home? Before you sign anything, read about these common mistakes that home sellers make:

1.     Pricing Too High: It's no secret, price is everything. Overpricing does more to discourage buyers than any other single factor. When you overprice, you put your home in competition with homes that may be newer, larger or have more amenities than yours. You help your competition sell their home. This leads to long days on the market, and costs you, the seller, money in the long run. Make sure you get your pricing advice from a professional agent who knows the market.

2.     Poor Condition: A home that is in ill repair, or otherwise poor condition, does not excite buyers. A home like this is looked at by buyers as a work project and money pit. Having your home in good repair and great showing condition will significantly improve your chances for a sale at top dollar value. Having your home pre-inspected by a termite and dry rot inspector will also have a positive impact on buyers.

3.     Poor Curb Appeal: Most buyers today want to drive by. If your home is an attractive drive-by, it will gain more attention and certainly more showings. Doing the little things to help your home's curb appeal will make a huge difference.

4.     Dreary Dark Homes Don't Sell: Buyers like updated, light and bright homes. Dark carpets, paint, and curtains are often buyer turn-offs. Go through your home and remove clutter; touch up and update paint, counter tops, and carpets. Open your home up and make sure the sun shines in. Offensive odors from pets and smoking are also huge turn-offs to most buyers. Rid your home of offensive smells by burning scented candles and create a pleasant aroma. The most important rooms to concentrate on are the living room, family room, kitchen and master bedroom. Your entire home's atmosphere is set off by these rooms.

5.     Don't Over-improve: Get your home in good showing condition, but don't over do it. Huge projects such as complete remodels of kitchens, adding decks, and expanding room sizes may not pay back your investment. Before you jump into a huge improvement project, get some good advice.

6.     Be Financeable: Bad roofs, exterior paint, or structural problems may make your home un-financeable. The wider the scope of financing that your home can qualify for, the higher the overall market value. Remember -- government programs like VA and FHA will be the most picky.

7.     Get Good Advice and Good Market Exposure: Hiring a professional agent will help you get your home priced right, and will also get you started with the best fix ups. A strong agent will get your home exposed to the largest number of potential buyers. Paying the agent fee is often the least expensive part of selling your home. Trying to sell your home yourself can be costly. Most 'for sale by owner' homes close for less than comparable homes listed with an agent, and you have no representation.

8.     Don't Be Present During Showings: When your home is being shown, go for a drive or a walk. Take yourself, your family, and pets and let the agent and their clients have the freedom they need. An agent can always do their best job of showing your home when you are not underfoot. Buyers are more at ease and much more likely to spend time looking at your home's features and benefits.

9.     Let Your Agent Do the Negotiating: If there is ever a good reason to have a veteran agent working for you, it's during the negotiation of your home sale. A good negotiator can mean thousands of dollars to you, and will protect your interests. Don't let your emotions run wild during negotiations. Try to separate your emotions from your business side. Remain cool and calm during this time.

10.   Act Fast With Offers: When you do get an offer on your home, act quickly and decisively. Letting offers sit around without acting can be a huge mistake. Things can change quickly in the mind of a prospective buyer. Acting quickly while the excitement and interest level are at a high point can be very important. Typically, a buyer's motivation level decreases with time. Buyers' remorse can even set in. Acting in a timely manner is essential.

It is hard to believe, but 2012 has roared in and we are all moving forward into the New Year! I wish you a Happy and prosperous 2012!!!

2012 starts out with a bright spot in the Real Estate market and that is the continuation of historic low mortgage interest rates. 2011 saw rates hit record lows and hold that pattern throughout the year.

 In Freddie Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey®, the average fixed mortgage rates finishing the year near their all-time historic lows helping to keep homebuyer affordability high. Averaging 3.95 percent, the 30-year fixed has been at or below 4.00 percent for the past nine consecutive weeks and only twice in 2011 did it average above 5.00 percent. This has certainly helped the national Real Estate market by making home purchases affordable and helping to make loan qualification a possibility for many who otherwise would be out of the home purchase market.  

Will mortgage rates continue this low level during 2012?  Indications at this time point to a positive "YES"!  This should hold true for no less than the first half of 2012.  With the prediction that homes values will continue their decline in most national markets through 2012, the possibility on home ownership may become even more realistic for many.

This month's edition covers Greater Wichita Falls real estate market activity and then we'll discuss how recent market activity and low interest rates are bringing stability to one of the best real estate markets in recent history!                                                            

www.TheFallsPodCast.com