Postive Spin
January 5th, 2009 categories: Buying Real Estate, Commercial real estate, Foreclosures, Investment Property, Land & Rural, Market Trends, Real Estate News, Selling Real Estate
BRYAN, TX — Gosh, ever since the election, the media seem happier about the war on terror in Iraq, the outlook of our economy, and spending of consumers. Is it all based on the results of the election? Or is it a figment of our imagination? See how saavy you are on the economy in our neck of the woods, based on an article from Texas Realtor Magazine, October 2008:
1. What percentage of all Texas homes are financed by subprime loans?
a. 1% b. 8% c. 17% d. 33%
2. True or False? Average interest rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage are about what they were 5 years ago.
3. T or F? In 2007, homes priced $500k+ represented a higher percentage of the total homes sold in Texas than any previous year.
4. Of 44 Texas markets, how many had lower median sales prices from January-June 2008 compared to the same period in 2007?
a. none b. 11 c. 22 d. 33
5. How many Texas markets had more home sales in June 2008 than June 2007?
a. 22 b. 9 c. 3 d. none
6. In CNBC’s 2008 ranking of state economies, Texas came in:
a. 1st b. 5th c. 9th d. last
7. T or F? The statewide average sales price in June 2008 was lower than in June 2007 and June 2006.
8. Home many Texas properties had a foreclosure filing in July 2008?
a. 1 in every 252 properties b. 1 in 388 c. 1 in 519 d. 1 in 891 Read the rest of this entry »
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College Station Real Estate or Night Sky….
December 31st, 2008 categories: Community Events
Mother Nature’s New Year’s Eve Celebration above the College Station sky…
In addition to fireworks displays around the country, many will want to check out the light show occurring on the western horizon this evening. Instead of at midnight however, it will take place just after sunset.
I am talking about the celestial alignment of the thin crescent moon and the planets Venus, Jupiter and Mercury. Venus, the brightest planet in the night sky, will be visible just as the sun sets (assuming a cloud-free sky of course!), followed shortly by Jupiter, which is also easily spotted, and Mercury, which is generally faint and harder to locate.
Since all 8 planets (sorry, Pluto!), as well as the sun and moon, travel across the sky on a corresponding elliptical plane, there is a simple trick for spotting all three planets. At sunset, first locate Venus. It is just below the moon- you really can’t miss it! Then draw and imaginary line down from there to where the sun has set. Jupiter and Mercury are close together and lie along the line between Venus and the sun.
With clear skies and an unobstructed view of the horizon, one should be able to spot this spectacular planetary anomaly!
Happy 2009!!!
Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal
Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!
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NAR in Rose Bowl Parade!
December 14th, 2008 categories: Community Events
PASADENA, CA — How groovy is this? Weekly webisodes capture “behind-the-scenes” footage of the parade float’s design, construction, and participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade. There’s a new webisode each week, through January.
Swiss Family Robinson Float
One of America’s greatest New Year’s Day traditions, the Tournament of Roses Parade is seen by one out of every four U.S. households, and in more than 150 international territories. This coming year, viewers will enjoy a float sponsored by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, wrapping up the association’s Centennial year of celebrations in style and reinforcing positive messages about REALTORS® and housing.
The inspiration for the NAR float is the Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. As the story goes, the family is shipwrecked on a deserted island. Rather than give up, they pull together to build a unique home among the trees. The home becomes their strength and solace.
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College Station Coffee with the Mayor - Lets Talk College Station Real Estate!
December 12th, 2008 categories: Community Events
How about Coffee with College Station Mayor Ben White?
Mayor White is looking for an honest and open dialogue with the residents of College Station. The mayor takes a few minutes to share his thoughts on many different community issues. Join him at the College Station Conference Center from 8-9am on these dates -
- December 19th
A few of the topics covered in the past were - students as neighbors, neighborhood issues, development issues, community seniors, etc.
If you have topics you would like to discuss, please notify Mayor White at <a …
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What’s Your Appraisal Worth?
December 10th, 2008 categories: Buying Real Estate, Home Improvement & Design, Investment Property, Land & Rural, Market Trends, Mortgage Help, Real Estate News, Selling Real Estate
Bryan, TX — In a slower real estate season, what good is your appraisal? Verdad Valuation Services owner
Kelly Seaton
Kelly Seaton says plenty. It’s still a reliable tool to know when a buyer presents the seller with a low-ball offer or when it’s a good deal.
“In June and July when business is booming, sales data was plentiful. Last months sales were a good indicator of a property’s present value,” Seaton said. “When there is a sudden shift in market, this is not necessarily the case. More research needs to done to quantify the stability of an area’s market.”
Who should use an appraiser? Usually, Verdad Valuation sees banks and lenders as their client. Seaton also sees home owners as clients, who just want to get an idea of value on their home pre-sales, before they even become a seller. Or an independent FSBO may try to protect himself from a bad deal, seeking the opinion of an independent third party.
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Is Bryan Flooding? Flood Zone Determination Is Easy!
December 8th, 2008 categories: Buying Real Estate
Need to know a particular property’s relation to the floodplain in Bryan? Need to know if your future property is in the flood plain? If the property in question is located within the city limits of Bryan, you’re in luck! The City of Bryan provides, free of charge, the location of a property with respect to FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) as well as the 100-year floodplain.
“Flood Zone Determination for Bryan, Texas” inquiries can be directed by phone to 979.209.5030 or by fax, letter or email. All you need to do is provide them with the street address and legal description of the property. For any determinations needed outside of the Bryan city limits, or to dispute a determination, a Flood Determination Company, Professional Engineer or Registered Professional Land Surveyor should be contacted.
For additional info, as well as other related, helpful links, visit Bryan’s City Website and click on the “Floodplain Information” link at the bottom of the page.
Susan Hilton - Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal
Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!
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