Thursday, December 8, 2011

Industry Home Price Reports Show Further Declines

Although these are national stats, it reflects on wall street and national home builders decisions

Industry Home Price Reports Show Further Declines

Treasury to Withhold Foreclosure Prevention Incentives from Two

Treasury to Withhold Foreclosure Prevention Incentives from Two

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

HOLIDAY GIFT OPEN HOUSE!

 COME JOIN US!
   Vendors include: Beckley Rose, Biltmore Inspirations, Cakeball Boutique, Elaborations Embroidery, From Clay to Z, Mia Bella Candles, Posh Designs, Simply Jayne Photos, Tastefully Simple, The Paisley Rabbit, and Thirty One Gifts.

    Thursday, December 8 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
    11703 Creek Point Dr Frisco, TX 75035

I will be sponsoring the event!

Fannie Mae: Market Will Take Five More Years to Adjust

Fannie Mae: Market Will Take Five More Years to Adjust

4 truths about home inspectors | Inman News

4 truths about home inspectors | Inman News

Monday, December 5, 2011

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This link is for a letter that I received over the weekend from Exide Technologies. A working plant in Frisco, TX that has had some previous environmental issues noted this past year. There were many concerned neighborhoods and many rumors spreading. This should help share some light.

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OCC Investigates Foreclosures of 5,000 Military Members

OCC Investigates Foreclosures of 5,000 Military Members

Friday, December 2, 2011

Don't know where the foreclosures are?

Massachusetts Sues Five Largest Servicers and MERS

If any investors are wondering where all the foreclosures are, well, read this article. Basically the top banks are under fire with several lawsuits claiming that many foreclosures were illegal. This has caused banks to halt and delay further foreclosures until the issue is cleared up. Although I have not seen TEXAS mentioned, I am sure most states are affected until their lawyers review and settlements are reached. It does not appear that deeds in lieu of foreclosures are affected, and obviously their are some REO properties trickling in to agents, but not many.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

All agents are not the same; most are.

I read a posting today by another agent stating: "Meet the new agent, Same as the old agent." And while many times this can be the case, it is not quite the truth. The article goes on to say that the agent cannot control what the sales price is going to be and the seller needs to listen to their agent, and so forth - we have all heard it. However here are my issues with this post:

There are so many Realtors, many being cookie cutters of the other that it many cases this article points out the truth. HOWEVER, what the article fails to point out that if the old agent is a cookie cutter and treats every property the same, same area comps, same staging, same advertizing, that there will be an impact in the listing should the new agent have an edge. That edge can come from many avenues, whether it be education, experience, desire, networks in place, and on and on.

What I am trying to say is not every broker is the same, and not every Realtor is the same. The market is flooded with cookie cutter agents that know basic knowledge to pass the test, however do not know the legal words of the contract and how they truly impact their client. Maybe they do not stay up to date within their city to determine that values are going up or down ever so slightly, or that the battery plant in the area is under litigation for contaminating surrounding subdivisions. It could be that one agent just does not have the resources or funds to educate themselves beyond the "basics" or to make the time to create a marketing plan that is diversified enough to reach the many. Maybe they stick to their "old school" ways that have always worked and are unwilling to adapt to the new technology.

In any case, my point is that as a seller or buyer, its not just enough to be friends first, or pick an agent based on who your neighbor used because your needs maybe different. Or who answers the phone when you call from a sign. Research your agents background; can you find any personal information on them? What is their past experiences with issues? Do they have a web presence? Are they easy to locate should you need them? Are they so far away that if someone calls last minute for a showing they would be unwilling to make that concession?

Food for thought. 

Realty Times - Strategic Defaulters Roll The Dice

Realty Times - Strategic Defaulters Roll The Dice