Real Estate Information Archive

Good Monday morning to you!

Right now everyone benefits from the infusion of investment dollars into the real estate market. Investors are finding great deals on properties and are building wealth one property at a time. Simply put, Real Estate is a great avenue to add to your investment portfolio and give you the diversification we all look for.

As a Certified Investor Agent Specialist™ (CIAS), I am specifically trained to find, create and close with residential real estate investors. Through comprehensive education and experience, I have gained the knowledge and tools to streamline the process of real estate investment and help increase returns for investor clients.

I can help Real Estate Investors Navigate:

• Investment Strategies
• Self-directed IRAs
• 1031 Exchange
• Leverage Options
• Key Calculations
• Return-on-Investment
• Capitalization Rate
• Average Returns
• Cash Flow
• And much more!

To get a jump on properties before anyone else sees them, be sure you've subscribed @ www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com.

If you have not seen our current inventory of homes, you must see http://www.texomahomesource.com/Properties. This is the best line up of available homes I've seen in a long time.

Also, the December Pod Cast is up @ www.TheFallsPodCast.com.

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

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self confidence is preparation." Eric Hoffer

Good Monday morning to you!

Its hard to believe that 2010 is just about over! We saw rates begin to tick up a bit this last week, as the country continued to show signs of recovery. We have always said that you can never predict these rates, but TODAY they are very attractive. To see how much securing a rate today will save you in the future, see www.ImAHappyBuyer.com.

Also, we have started to track our metrics for our buyers and our sellers. What we are finding is that when our systems connect with a market priced property, the results are stunning. And, when our buying systems connect with a prequalified buyer, the time it takes to find the home they are looking for is nearly cut in half from conventional viewing appointments.

Thinking of selling? www.TexomaHomeValue.com

Thinking of buying? www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com

Let our systems start working on your behalf today, and please let me know if I can serve you or anyone you may know.

Make it a great week!

Good morning and happy Cyber Monday!

The Market

You know there is a great parallel between Black Friday and the Real Estate market. Actually, the parallel goes with any market where goods are bought and sold...not just Real Estate. To read my latest blog entry on this, see http://www.texomahomesource.com/Blog/Black-Friday-and-the-Real-Estate-Market.

The Opportunity

Nearly 2 years ago, I launched my first buyers only site @ www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com. Within weeks this site became our areas #1 resource for information on the available properties within the Greater Wichita Falls Area. The beauty of this site is that buyer can select how it would like to be updated on the market and create a favorites list of the homes you want to see. House hunting has never been this easy. With interest rates this low, this site can unlock great opportunity.

The Prairie Open House

Remember this is the first of two weekends that The Prairie will be available for viewing. Come and see our area's first Sustainable/Green project. For information on the available lots, see www.ThePrairieWF.com.

Make it a great week!

"As life is action and passion, it is required of a man that he should share the passion and action of his time, at the peril of being not to have lived."                  Oliver Wendell Holmes

Good Monday morning to you and Happy Thanksgiving!

At the Bishop Realtor Group we are thankful for so much this Thanksgiving week. Because of you, our clients, we have had the best year in our company's history. Thank you for entrusting your business to us and sending us your referrals. May God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving Season.

Affordability

Did you know that there is a $140 difference in monthly payments from where rates were 2 years ago on a $100,000 loan? That's nearly $1500 of savings in a year and over $50,000 in savings over the life of the loan!

These record rates make our current market a wonderful opportunity to look at acquisition and building wealth in Real Estate. If you would like to discuss your options, please call me anytime @ 940.691.7355 or preview the market @ www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com.

Podcast

This month's edition covers the Greater Wichita Falls real estate market activity and then we'll detail the “Top Four Selling Tips” for getting your home sold in a competitive market! See www.TheFallsPodCast.com.

The Prairie Open House and Tour

Come tour The Prairie and one of our areas 1st Green/Renewable Energy homes for two weekends: December 4th-5th & December 11th-12th. For more information on The Prairie available lots, see www.ThePrairieWF.com. And for information on the home available for touring, see http://www.connollyhousetexas.com/.

Make it a great week!

If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness.  It will change your life mightily.  ~Gerald Good

Good Monday morning to you!

Market Snapshot

There are currently 62 residential properties IN-CONTRACT at this time in the Wichita Falls MLS. Only 4 (6%) are listed over $300,000. While many people thought the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit expiration would pull young buyers out of the market, the low interest rates have kept them hanging around...and rightfully so. If one is currently spending $800/month in rent, they can easily afford a mortgage at or near $100,000. Maybe that's why 84% of the current IN-CONTRACTS are under $200,000.

The market as a whole this year has roughly been flat. And judging by what the media reports on other markets and the nation as a whole, we are very fortunate. As the tortoise taught us, "slow and steady (growth) wins every time." For more information on what is available @ this time, see www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com.

Looking To Invest?

Have you ever thought about investing in Real Estate? Many people believe this is a very difficult and risky way to invest one's money. In reality, it may be one of the safest avenues available. As a Certified Investor Agent Specialist, I would be glad to meet with you and discuss your options and opportunities that are available. With interest rates at historical lows, now is the perfect time to enter the market. See www.ImAHappyBuyer.com.

Come View The Prairie

You may have heard about a new project in Archer County called The Prairie that I have been honored to be associated with. The Prairie is a residential green development located  just 10 minutes from Wichita Falls, Texas off of FM 1954 on Decker Road. It consists of 200+ acres with 28 available home sites made up of five to seven acres each.

December 4-5 and 11-12, we will be holding an open house to come and view The Prairie as well as the first finished home in the development. See http://www.connollyhousetexas.com/ for details, directions, and information.

Quote of the Week

"It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it." W. Somerset Maugham

Ashton Gustafson, owner of the Bishop Realtor Group, is proud to bring you the November Real Estate Report for Wichita Falls and North Texas.

This month's edition covers Greater Wichita Falls real estate market activity and then we'll detail the “Top Four Selling Tips” for getting your home sold in a competitive market!

See link below for information.

http://www.talkrealty.com/ashtongustafson - Pod Cast

Good Monday morning to you!

News in The Falls!

You may have heard that Wichita Falls was selected as one of the top 10 most affordable places to live in the U.S. The city was ranked No. 6 by the C2ER-Council for Community and Research in its third quarter ACCRA cost of living index. For more information see, http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2010/oct/28/wf-named-top-10-least-expensive-places-live-us/

Ashton Becomes North Texas' 1st CIAS

Also, I had the privilege this week to attend a class to to receive my CIAS certification. As a Certified Investor Agent Specialist™ (CIAS), I am specifically trained to find, create and close with residential real estate investors. Through comprehensive education and experience, I  have gained the knowledge and tools to streamline the process of real estate investment and help increase returns for investor clients.

Where can I Help Real Estate Investors Navigate?

• Investment Strategies
• Self-directed IRAs
• 1031 Exchange
• Leverage Options
• Key Calculations
• Return-on-Investment
• Capitalization Rate
• Average Returns
• Cash Flow
• And much more!

I am developing a new site at this time for local investors, but remember www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com to preview what is available in the market at this time.

Best of luck this week, and cheer on the Rangers!

“Some men see things as they are and say, ‘Why?’ I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’ George Bernard Shaw

Good Monday morning to you!

How bout those Rangers!!! Hopefully we can see them come back our way soon from New York and be ahead in the series.

Time to Buy

One of our VALUES is Rapid Response. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing enough people respond rapidly to the opportunity that this market has brought us. With interest rates at historic lows and inventory at an all time high, there is great opportunity.

Everyone is also looking for diversification too...right? Americans have traditionally chosen the stock market for additional income and retirement funds; however, real estate—especially today—can provide cash flow, more stability and better tax incentives than investing in stocks. In fact, when properly managed, leveraged equity in real estate can far outpace stock appreciation over time.

Below you will see that over the past 10 years, the S&P 500 has lost value, while the average home price has appreciated, even when taking into account the recent national housing crisis.

Graph Source: www.CIAS.com

New Listings

For more information, see http://www.texomahomesource.com/Properties.

Useful Websites

www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com - Every home available for sale in MLS.

www.TexomaHomeSource.com - Wondering what your home is worth?

www.ImAHappyBuyer.com - What's up with interest rates?

Best of luck in the week ahead, and please let me know if I can serve you or anyone you know this week.

In times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. Eric Hoffer

Good Monday morning to you!

I believe in Real Estate. I believe that it is the fastest way to build wealth and financial stability with the least amount of risk. Naturally, I am a bit biased, but no one has to be a genius to understand the principles of buying, selling, owning, renting, and speculating with Real Estate. At some point, every tenant needs a new place to sleep, work, or recreate - and you the INVESTOR get to play the role as provider for that need. It is really that simple.

In watching the market for some time now, I've seen 5 factors that effect the market: Iventory, Interest Rates, Mortgage Availability, Consumer Confidence, and Unemployment.

Here's a reality check for us all....

Inventory) - We're at an all time high. This means choice.

Interest Rates - We're at an all time low. This means affordability.

Mortgage Availability) - At least 90% of the people that I send to lenders get qualified. If you want a loan, chances are I can get you one.

Consumer Confidence) - We just had the most sales for August in our company history. The consumer is quite confident.

Unemployment) - The entire country wishes things were different, but we've seen "blue skies" here in North Texas.

No matter if its a $20,000 home or a multi-million dollar project, they all count. I would love to help you build wealth for yourself and future generations. Register @ www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com to keep your thumb on the market.

"The truly great tragedy is the destruction of our human resources by our failure to fully utilize our abilities, which means that most men and women go to their graves with their music still in them.” Oliver Wendell Holmes

Make it a great week.

Good Monday morning to you!

As Ranch Round Up moves on to another year, we now welcome the Hotter'n Hell 100 this weekend. If you or someone you know is looking to register, see http://www.hh100.org/.   The Hotter 'N Hell 100 is one of the oldest and largest cycling events in the nation. Fitness oriented riders and bicycle racers will come to Wichita Falls, Texas, from virtually every state and several foreign countries. 

August? Slow? No.

At the Bishop Realtor Group, we seek to break the mold. This month alone, we have sold a property every day. With school starting, vacations ending, and the HEAT, August tends to be one of the slower months. The hard works of our team has not allowed this to be the case, and we look to get over 30 properties in contract this month. If you have interest in selling, click www.TexomaHomeValue.com.

365 Wichita Falls

I have decided to put together a list, one a day for the next year, to give myself and others ideas to get out and see the city as they have not seen it before. We will take 365 Days of things to do, places to see, eating establishments, and events to go to in Wichita Falls. Enjoy and feel free to contact me with any comments or suggestions. Subscribe @ www.365WichitaFalls.com.

And don't forget the AG Referral Program. To see what you and your friends can received for referring your friends and family, see www.DinnerIsOnAshton.com.

Best of luck this week!

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