Real Estate Information Archive

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.

Thinking of Selling in 2012?

Can you believe..... Thanksgiving is in 16 days? Christmas is in 47 days? New Year's day is in 53 days! 

It will be 2012 before you know it and many of you may be looking to sell your home or know someone looking to sell in the 1st quarter of the year. If so, a great place to start iswww.TexomaHomeValue.com. Here, I will provide information for you to see what the market has done in your neighborhood lately.

We encourage all of our future sellers to start planning the repairs and maintenance that will be needed to market your home in this particular market.

Thinking of Buying in 2012?

If so, check out www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com. I assure you, there is no greater site for buyers in the Wichita Falls area. Create a favorite's list, view GoogleEarth images, and even set up an appointment to preview the homes you would like to see. Check it out today!

Ashton's New Blog

If you enjoy random business thoughts and encouragement throughout the week, I encourage you to preview www.LTMPblog.com. Be sure to subscribe with your email address at the bottom if you would like an updates of the postings. This is the precursor to my book I'm looking to release in 2012.

This Week

If there is ANYTHING we an do, answer, or help you with this week, please let me know. I hope to hear from you soon.

Good Monday morning to you!

What If?

What if you had the opportunity to purchase a home on a 15 year mortgage, allow us to find you a renter, 15 years from now own the home free and clear, and in 18 years sell the home and have most (if not all) of your child or grandchild's college tuition paid for?

What if you COULD sell your home for what you paid for it (despite what CNN says) and buy another home that is worth 12-18% more than the one you have owned - with the SAME or LESS MONEY PER month?

What if you could take the $1000 per month you are currently spending on rent, and pay less than that each month with an FHA/VA loan on a home worth $130,000?

This is opportunity that lies before all of us. For more details on what is available, check out www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com.

Make it a great week!

Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. Leo Buscaglia

Thinking About Investing for College?

It is no secret that college cost are only going one way...up! I can show you how $7,000 invested today in a rent house, can turn into $109,000 15 years from now. I'm currently building a portfolio to ease the burden of college expenses when my children leave for school, and I can help you do this too. Of course it all starts at www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com. Start looking around at the available homes on the market, and when you are ready - we will be there to serve you.

Listen the the Wichita Falls Market Update

www.TheFallsPodCast.com. This month's edition covers Greater Wichita Falls real estate market activity and then we'll talk about the top transaction strategies for fall 2011.

Supply and Demand

Our inventory of homes is high and we need more buyers! The buyers that we do have our loving this buying opportunity. Interest rates have never been this low, so it is a great time to capitalize on the market's affordability. Check out www.ImAhappyBuyer.com.

Good Monday Morning to you.

The Market

As we enter these Summer months, there's no doubt things feel different than they did a year ago. Last year we had one of the biggest June's on record - this of course was a byproduct of the 1st Time and Repeat Buyer tax stimulus for home buyers. Washington said, "buy a home - get $8000"....and EVERYBODY took them up on it.

This summer, we've seen available inventory in the 1st Time Home Buyer range grow to record levels. Essentially, the market borrowed buyers from the future last Summer. People that would have purchased in '11 and '12, took advantage of the tax credit, low rates, and made a great decision doing so. Which is why there are so many homes available in the under $100,000 range. The buyers for this Summer, purchased last Summer.

Last Summer's market was not real. We cannot compare last year's stats to this year and ask, "what are we doing wrong?" So please, don't Judge the market by its Government Stimulus Package.

The Opportunity

Average days on market for homes that SOLD in May was 82. Average day on market for homes that RENTED was 52. Rentals entered and left the market 37% faster than did homes that sold. If you are cash positioned to take advantage of this opportunity to invest, call me ASAP. Don't let this be the Summer that got away. With our current inventory, these investments are making wonderful returns for our clients. Visit www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com.

Other Sites

www.AshtonIsMyHomeBoy.com

www.TheFallsPodCast.com

www.TexomaHomeValue.com

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

Go Mavs.

American National Bank of Wichita Falls, TX has officially released what it calls the "Easy Fix" Mortgage.

This loan program features:

• Combination purchase, refinance and repair loan for repairs or improvements up to $35,000.00.
• One-time closings.
• Allows purchase of a home in "as-is" condition based on "as improved value"

If you have questions about this loan program of looking to buy a "fixer-upper" in Wichita Falls, contact Ashton Gustafson at 940.691.7355.

For every home available for sale in Wichita Falls, see www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com.

13 Lackland Circle - Wichita Falls, TX

$115,900 - 3 beds, 2 baths, 2 car garage, with pool.

Located minutes from Sheppard Air Force Base this 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage home with pool features numerous updates. Backyard has room for RV parking, storage building, and covered patio. This home has numerouse updates includings: new laminate floors in living room, tile in bathrooms, updated fireplace, stainless appliances in kitchen, all windows replaced, recent roof, hvac...the list goes on!

See link below for more information.

http://www.texomahomesource.com/property/13-Lackland-Circle-Wichita-Falls-Texas

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

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

Rates have increased due to concerns over government spending and inflation concerns.   If trends continue rates will continue to rise with periods of stable rates that staircase upward.
 

If you are looking for a home, you must see www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com . This site is the 1 stop shop for everyone looking for a home.