Good morning to you!

We  wanted to remind those of you looking to buy or sell Real Estate in the Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Iowa Park, and Sheppard Air Force Areas about the sites we've created just for you.

www.TexomaHomeValue.com - For Sellers - 

Complete the required information on your home and you will receive a complimentary Computer Analysis, indicating your home's approximate present value on the market today. You will receive this information quickly, by email, and without having to speak with an agent!

www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com - For Buyers -

www.TexasBankOwned.com - 

NORTEX HFC 1ST TIME HOME BUYERS LOAN PROGRAM

Wichita Falls, TX - Real Estate Info You Should Know

Effective January 4th American National Bank will begin accepting loan applications for the above new 1st Time Home Buyers Loan Program.  The rate will be 4.75% with no down payment assistance (DPA) and 5.25% with 3% DPA.  The loan will have a 1% origination fee with standard closing costs.  The program is available under FHA, VA , or RHS (USDA Rural Housing) loans with standard qualifications. Veterans do not have to be first time home buyers to qualify for the program.  Loans may not close until January 18th, 2010 and the origination period is until December 24, 2010.

American National is very proud to be the lead lender in this program with $10MM dollars in funds available and is very happy that they were able to be instrumental in providing assistance to the HFC to insure that there was up to $450,000 in Down Payment Assistance for the program.  We will be providing additional information as it becomes available but please give any of us a call with questions or for application for you under this important program for our community.

Good Monday morning to you!

What an eventful few days we've had here in The Falls...10 inches of snow and it stuck!!! This has definitely been a week I will never forget, and may never see again.

But here we are. In a few short days, 2009 will be over...and what a year it has been. We've seen the stock market rally back to near all time highs, numerous decisions being made in D.C. that will affect all industries, unemployment near all time highs - every day a new surprise on the front page of all our papers. It has surely been a up and down, "yen and yang" year.
 
I saw most of this coming in October '08. I made the decision January 1 to work harder than ever, get to work an hour early and stay an hour late, and do whatever it took to insure successful Real Estate endeavors for my clients in 2009. And that we did - up over 20% from the year prior.

So how do you measure a year? Click here to see how I have.

How do you measure a year? from Ashton Gustafson on Vimeo.

Happy New Year and thank you, thank you, thank you.

God Bless,

Ashton

Good Monday morning to you!

Who says December isn't busy???? Its looking like we could be having one of our best December's ever - and, with most of this activity looking to close in January and February, 2010 is already posting sales on the board!

This market, however, continues to be a price war. We are coaching our sellers to be as aggressive as they can in their pricing - the inventory of homes grows each day, and buyers are very price sensitive. But think of it this way - 2 years ago a buyer could purchase a $150,0000 home @ 6.5% for 30 years with a monthly principal and interest payment of $948 - today, the same buyer can purchase a home for $180,000 @ 4.75% for $938/month.

I says this to encourage both buyers and sellers...Sellers, this is a 20% increase in affordability...sell your home today, and move up - you'll be glad you did in the years to come. Buyers, with rates at a 38 year low and below 5% this an incredible time move from your apartment or rental.

Remember, our sites:

www.TexomaHomeValue.com - Thinking of Selling?

www.TexomaHomeValue.com- Looking to Buy?

www.TexasBankOwned.com - Thinking of investing?

www.TexomaForeclosure.com - Problems with your mortgage?

I want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. May you rest and relax well this week.

^"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us..." John 1:14

See video below for an update on the Wichita Falls MLS Statistics for October 2009.

83% of the market sold was under $180,000 in the month of October for the Greater Wichita Falls area. There was a total of 118 sales, 67 of which were between $70,000 and $180,000. We can see that the 1st Time Home Buyer market is staying fairly strong and will probably continue to do so into 2010.

Upper end homes continue to be sluggish, offering great opportunities for buyers.

Interest rates also hit the lowest we've seen in a long time - 4.25% fixed for 15 years with a FICO score of over 740. These rates will not stay here long-term.

For more information or to have questions answered, email Ashton @ ashton@bishoprealtors.com.

Good Monday Morning to you!

The Autumn weather the last few days has been beautiful, and it looks like this week will offer the same.

See link below for this week's video update.

Remember these sites:

www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com - For Buyers

www.TexomaHomeValue.com - For Sellers

www.TalkRealty.com/AshtonGustafson - Market Update

If I can serve you or anyone you may know this week, please let me know.

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." Thomas Edison

Rates have risen slightly in the past week along with the stock market. You will see the current rate chart from a local lender today. The ten year Treasury is now trading just below 3.5%, up from the 3.2 % range last week which has caused rates to move upward.  It seems that when news about the current economy is positive, rates move upward.  They are still near all time lows as you will see on one of the charts I have attached.  As the economist have said, “don’t let interest rates stand in the way of purchasing a home”.
 
Have a good weekend. Let me know if I can serve or answer any questions.
 

Rates as of 10-16-09
Conventional
30 yr fixed  4.875%     .75 + 0   (740 fico, >$125,000 loan amount)
                5.000%     .25 + 0   (740 fico, >$125,000 loan amount)
                5.125%         1 + 0  (740 fico, >$125,000 loan amount)
 
15 yr fixed       4.500%      0 + 0   (740 fico, >$125,000 loan amount)
 
FHA                5.250%       0+0    (640 fico, >$120,000 loan amount)
 

Ashton Gustafson

www.TexomaHomeSource.com - Info

www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com - For Buyers

www.TexomaHomeValue.com - For Sellers

Great news was released today for Wichita Falls and Sheppard Air Force Base - congress moved today to give American service members another 12 months to claim the popular 1st Time Home Buyer Tax incentive. Still has to pass Senate and be passed by Obama - but a great opportunity for buyers moving our way.

See link for article. http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-home-front/2009/10/8/house-votes-to-extend-first-time-home-buyer-tax-credit-for-service-members.html

Good Monday morning to you!

Looks like Fall is starting to creep its way into Texoma this morning. The weather forecast also anticipates much needed rain - we can never say no to the rain here in North Texas.

What about the Real Estate forecast???? Many of you have called and emailed me with questions in regards to where the market is headed. While I do not have a Real Estate "radar", I do know where the market is today - and that answer is good.

The first time home buyer tax credit is set to expire on November 30. If you are looking to get this tax credit, we need to be looking asap. See www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com to make a "favorites" list and let me know when a good time for you to look is. The market is already getting tough in the ranges where these buyers are looking.

Also, interest rates are at historical lows. This is very important to remember, and often overlooked. The reality is, each time the rates increase, your purchasing power decreases - so today, you can afford more than you can tomorrow. The chart below will show you just how attractive these rates are - historically speaking.

We have also seen great results lately on the selling side here at the Bishop Group. There's no doubt its tough out there, but in this down market we are ahead of where we were a year ago.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you or anyone you may know this week...I'm here to help.

Make it a great week.

"You will find the key to success under the alarm clock." Ben Franklin

Good Monday morning to you!

Interest rates had a favorable decline this week, which continues to make this a great time to be in the market. I saw numerous local lenders with 30 and 15 year FIXED rates at below 5% - these figures are historically low, and will not last forever.

Have you ever thought about investing in Real Estate? In an area where Real Estate is so affordable, you can purchase a small home, rent it out, and own it free and clear faster than you may realize. If this is something that you would like to discuss, please call me to set up a consultation appointment. Get a jump on the market now @ www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com.

Thinking of selling and wondering what your home would bring in today's economic climate? Remember, www.TexomaHomeValue.com. Here we'll provide you with a market analysis within 24-48 hours of you submitting your request.
If I can serve you or anyone you may know this week, please let me know - I'm here to help.