Who's afraid to sell their home?

Hey Wall Street! We're still selling houses over here!

Sure the economy is experiencing a time of big uncertainty. But people ARE still buying and selling homes. But many are not for one reason - FEAR.

Look around. The overall emotional attitude in our society right now is fear! So many people are fearful of losing their jobs. Others, who own businesses, are fearful of whether they will make it through this market transition. They walk around in a world of uncertainty, worry and doubt. And what does that do? It just feeds their fear.

FEAR is a thief. It takes and doesn't give. What it takes is your spirit and your faith in yourself. The companions to fear are doubt, worry and increased stress and fatigue. Fear will stay in our life as long as we allow it to. The longer we live in FEAR, the more it strengthens its presence and weakens us.

But this is no time to let fear control us or our economy. Rather than dwell on the negatives, we must look to a way to get through this challenge. And we must trust that there is an answer. There is ALWAYS an answer. But there are not always people seeking the answer.

And there is always more than a single option! Often the needed option is not the first one. It is sometimes the second or third choice. But if you stop before you get there, you won't find it. Look around; find those with clear direction and work with them.

I'm not afraid of this market. I see it as a challenge and an opportunity. Embrace it!

Got to go. I've got a few homes to sell.

[where: 75230]

Football Thought for the Day

Nobody in football should be called a genius.

A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.

- Joe Theismann

State Fair Time

Whoo Hoo! The State Fair of Texas starts today complete with Big Tex in a big ole yeller shirt.

I haven't missed the fair in at least 15 years. Probably because I've been judging the food competitions. Yes, one of my not-so-hidden talents is a discriminating palate and an eye for a good recipe.

Years ago I was a food writer and edited a couple of cookbooks - which got me an invite to judge the cooking competitions at the fair. I've judged salads (green salads, pasta salads, meat salads, jello salads, ...), ethnic foods, and a variety of competitions.

But my favorite contest for the past several years has been the homemade ice cream contest. Nothing beats spending the day eating ice cream. Oh sure, it sounds like fun, but this is a serious competition to a lot of folks. It takes some know-how to become an ice cream expert. The entry categories include:

• Chocolate (can you differentiate between Mexican Chocolate & German Chocolate?),
• Fruit (everything from banana to pineapple coconut to peaches & cream),
• Nuts (toasted pecans, yum),
• Vanilla (true vanilla bean is the best) and
• Miscellaneous ice cream (from green tea to caramel).

This week's fair tip:

• Cheapest day to enter the fair will be Wednesdays. Bring three cans for the North Texas Food Bank and get in for $1, courtesy of Kroger. Otherwise, admission is $14.
• On Tuesdays you can get in the fair for $3 with an empty Dr. Pepper can, and most rides are at reduced rates.
• On Thursdays you can bring a 20 oz Coke bottle and get in for $4.

photo from Frontburner [where: 75230]

Once the bandwagon has gone by ...

... it's too late to jump on. If you're one of those folks trying to 'time the market' and decide if this is a good time to buy real estate, then consider this a sign.

Yes, we are in a buyer's market. No, this market will not last.

Just to put things in perspective, in the Dallas 75230 zip code:

the average sales price has fluctuated between $820,000 and $880,000 over the past year. Monthly headlines shout about how prices are down 2% or up 4%. That isn't a huge amount. The big news is that they have dropped at all. We typically see a single digit rise in prices every year (3 to 8% depending on the exact neighborhood, age, ...). After this downturn, we may see period of double digit increases - especially if mortgage rates stay so low.

So if you're waiting ... don't wait too long. The good opportunities may be gone. [where: 75230]

Today's Inspiration

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...

It's about learning how to dance in the rain!

[where: 75230]

Bushes new home not so secret

Speculation continues to run rampant about where the President & First Lady will live come January 2009. The New York Times gossip column today says they'll live in Preston Hollow and their description of Preston Hollow (mountains & golf club views) is about as accurate as most of the speculation.

The agents really in the know aren't talking because the folks in black suits have said to keep quiet. Not a request, a requirement. And if you've met those guys, you know they're serious.

The only accurate information so far is that it will be Preston Hollow. We'll have to wait for the actual closing before the address is revealed. That should happen any day now.

[where: 75230]

Pricey Preston Royal

If you know anyone looking for a nice little piece of commercial property, there's one for sale at the southwest corner of Preston and Royal.
You could own all the way from the Pizza Hut to the old Shell Station for just $9,000,000. That's a lot of clams for about an acre or so of prime property. Maybe we'll get something other than a bank or another rug company in there.
[where: 75230]

Too Chicken To Make a Call?

Want to avoid an awkward conversation?

Find yourself too short on time for a long call?

Would you like to by-pass a conversation and simply leave a voice mail?

Voice mail can be more personal and detailed than a text yet not as time consuming as a conversation.

You're going to love this clever trick! This bit of deception connects you directly to someone's mobile voice mail without the recipient's phone even ringing. It works like a charm if you are calling from an unblocked line and it's all yours for free.

Just call SlyDial at 267-759-3425 (267-sly-dial).

The next time you need to pass on detailed information to someone quickly but you don't have time for the idle chit chat, give this a try. If you're worried about interupting someone in a meeting or if you're just to chicken to face some dreaded questions ...

This free service has you listen to a short advertisement, but it's worth it.

[where: 75230]

Dallas Real Estate Statistics for September 2008

When you were a kid on a Merry-Go-Round, did you like to ride on the bench or on the horse that goes up and down?

Real Estate is a lot like riding on the horse - it goes up and down and around and around. If you don't have a good grip, you'll get dizzy and fall off. Sometimes its more like a roller coaster and you want to throw up.

Well get a grip, because here's the ride so far this year:

August 2008 Year To Date Statistics

North Dallas (south of LBJ, between Midway & Central):

Number of Sales: 380 (down 28% from this time 2007)

Average Sales Price: $969,105 (up 4% from 2007)

Average Days on Market: 98 (up 44% from 2007)

Park Cities:

Number of Sales: 502 (down 16% from this time 2007)

Average Sales Price: $1,194,084 (down 2% from 2007)

Average Days on Market: 93 (up 41% from 2007)

Northeast Dallas (east of Central, south of LBJ):

Number of Sales: 436 (down 20% from 2007)

Average Sales Price: $247,075 (down 1% from 2007)

Average Days on Market: 57 (up 14% from 2007)

Northwest Dallas (west of Midway):

Number of Sales: 344 (down 34% from 2007)

Average Sales Price: $236,605 (down 5% from 2007)

Average Days on Market: 76 (up 31% from 2007)

Far North Dallas (LBJ to Plano from Central to Marsh):

Number of Sales: 671 (down 29% from 2007)

Average Sales Price: $339,750(down 1% from 2007)

Average Days on Market: 73 (up 35% from 2007)

[where: 75230]

Least Expensive Housing Markets are in Texas

Boy are we cheap! Or should I politely say, inexpensive? According to the Coldwell Banker Home Price Comparison Index, Texas has some of the least expensive housing markets, while California has the most expensive markets. No surprise there.

The study compares the average price of a 2,200 sq foot house with 4 bedrooms, 2 and 1/2 baths, 2 car garage plus a family room, in 315 U.S. markets. The average sales price of homes that met this criteria was $403,738.

The 10 least expensive markets were: Sioux City, Iowa; Jackson, Michigan; Akron, Ohio; Canton, Ohio; Garyling, Michigan; Minot, North Dakota; Arlington, Texas (where I have a home listed for sale); Muncie, Indiana; Killeen, Texas and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

While Texas is a bargain state, Dallas is recognized as the most expensive city in the state with an average sales price of $326,425. Of course, you can buy a home in parts of Dallas for $15,000 and in other parts, you can't even buy a vacant lot for under $1,500,000. [where: 75230]

Preston Hollow Agents are Hot

There's no Hysteria Lane in Preston Hollow!

My fellow agents and I were out in force today in our high heels. Droves of Realtors were lunching and touring (as we do every week) through several spectacular homes.

So why do agents host luncheons and parties for other agents? It's not just because we love to eat and socialize.

According to MLS statistics, almost 90% of home buyers in North Dallas have their own Realtor represent them when buying a home. When selling a home, it's wise to realize that another agent is probably going to bring you a buyer. For that reason, I want to attract as many agents as possible to the homes I have listed for sale.

And I do love to eat and socialize.

[where: 75230]

Here's the cheapest gas in Dallas

Just enter your zip code in the site below, and it tells you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the highest) on gas in your area. It's updated every evening.

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/GasStations.aspx?m=1&l=1&zip=75230&x=19&y=12

Be a good neighbor and pass this along.

Oh, and go get a hybrid.

[where: 75230]

It's the little things that matter

There is not much of a traffic jam in that extra mile.

Roger Staubach

[where: 75230]

Why now is a Great Time to Buy a Home

This Autumn is a particularly great time for first-time buyers or for those who have been out of the market for a while to jump in. Here are some reasons why:

• Prices are likely as low as they are going to get as the market stabilizes, thanks to the government takeover of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.
• Interest rates are likely to remain low as Freddie and Fannie get government help.
• The Federal Housing Administration recently raised its loan limits to $729,750 in some areas. It's going to take some of that back on January 1st, when the loan limit will shrink to $625,500.

Currently the FHA allows down payments of as little as 3%, but that will rise to 3.5% on October 1st. If you're scraping dollars together for a down payment, set your closing before the end of this month.

The tax credit from your home purchase will knock $7,500 off a first-time buyer’s tax bill on April 15. If you don't owe tax, as a buyer you will get the money as a refund. The government's current definition of a 'first-time buyer' is anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the last 3 years.

[where: 75230]

Morphing on the Internet

They should call this trick "Morphing Made Easy". This technique is easy and will astound you and your friends! Morphing is the process of creating a smooth animated transition from one picture into another. This site allows you to morph the images of one face into another. Now it's you - next it's someone else!

It's a startling effect and produces a great animation like those that are used in million-dollar movies. The big difference is that you don’t need to be a big time move producer and you don’t need a million dollars – this one is simple to use and it's on the house!

I've got several Plastic Surgeon friends who could probably rearrange the real estate on my face to morph into a movie star beauty. If only it were as easy as a couple of clicks of the mouse.

Click here to give it a try.

Now Thats Service!

Realtor Kyle Rovinsky

has gained an incredible reputation

in our industry for his

1. hard work & success
2. impeccable ethics
3. being a genuinely nice, fun guy

Even though he is the father of triplets and a very successful agent, he still has time to share his fantastic sense of humor. Don't miss his latest story of the escapades of being a Realtor called "Service Anyone?". Like Ike, it will blow you away!

[where: 75230]

Preston Royal Sidewalk Sale

I love a good old fashioned sale. Doughtery's Pharmacy at Preston Royal is setting up for their seasonal sidewalk sale. They haul their unsold stuff out and set it out for half price. They've got decorations for Christmas, Halloween, Fourth of July, etc.

Get on over there before its all picked over.

[where: 75230]

Turn Off The Sprinklers

Come on North Dallas neighbors. Turn off those sprinklers. You can pretty much count on Mother Nature (in the form of Hurricane Ike) to water your lawn and fill your pools this weekend.

Save yourself a few dollars and stop watering today.

[where: 75230]

Courage

"Courage is the most important of all the virtues,

because without courage

you can't practice any other virtue consistently.

You can practice any virtue erratically,

but nothing consistently without courage."

Maya Angelou

[where: 75230]

Homestrology - What's Your Sign?

So the next time you walk up to a gorgeous home, why not ask "Hey Baby, What's your sign?"

Because, depending on your sign, you could be a perfect match. If you're in to horoscopes, then you'll love this Homestrology site.

If not, it's kind of weird. This isn't about Feng Shui or design. Homestrology claims to match a person's astrological sign with what they want and need in a home. According to the stars, I should prefer earth tones and gardens and my hobbies should include knitting decorative items for my house. They got that one wrong.

Then there's the more accurate Housetrology quiz from Coldwell Banker. Take a look for fun, but please don't make a major financial decision based on your 'sign'.

Thief targeting Realtors & Homes For Sale

I hate thieves. And I really hate it when they get away with it. So just imagine how much I'm hating this guy...

An "all call' went out to area Realtors this morning alerting them to a man calling himself Dan or Stan Tucker. He allegedly is using agents to gain access to homes where he attempts to divert the agent in order to steal prescription drugs from the master bedroom and bathroom areas. He was described as a white male driving a small black Mercedes with USA on the license plate.

After Realtor Connie Weaver alerted agents with this announcement, Realtors started coming out of the woodwork. All describe the same man, though he uses different stories and sometimes wears a toupee. One of the agents that he targeted recently is a friend of mine.

As it turns out, Stan Tucker may have been stealing from Realtors (both their time and their money) and from innocent people who's homes are for sale for about 10 years (that we know of).

He was exposed on a Channel 11 story in February 2007 after allegedly ripping off many people. They aired his photo and even footage of him being confronted on his porch. They reported "Tucker has been convicted of theft twice -- once in 1998 for stealing from a Plano Tom Thumb and again in 2005 for stealing from a house for sale."

I remember hearing about this guy a couple of years ago. Being stunned that he was still using the same mode of operation, it got me digging a little.

A Realtor Safety Alert was sent out by Greater Lewisville Association of Realtors in June 2006. It describes him as "50 yrs, 5'11, 175 lbs, sandy haired, very freckled, says name is Stan Tucker". At that time he was driving a grey Expedition with an OSU decorative plate and a back plate personalized with USA. He was also described in a December 2006 blog warning as "man goes by the name Stan Tucker and is supposedly a cash buyer who drives a white Ford 4-door truck". This past summer he apparently targeted agents in the Rockwall area.

Imagine my shock when I uncovered this photos on the internet.

Here he is chatting it up at a Republican fundraiser with our local Rep. Dan Branch (a nice guy who wouldn't want to be associated with this criminal).

Apparently he still lives and 'works' in and around the Park Cities. But his 'work' takes him north all the way to Oklahoma. His act changes from a "Park Cities father" to an architect to a 'Hollywood' type.

Another agent said it best: "We need to stop allowing this guy to victimize people." Anyone out there with any suggestions on how to catch this thief?

[where: 75230]

No More Bad Real Estate Photos

If you've gotten a chuckle out of my posts of Bad Real Estate Photos, I'm sorry to say they have come to an end.

Its not that there aren't plenty of bad photos out there. But I been told that it isn't a good idea to publish them. Even though I haven't identified the location of these properties or the agents who published these photos, apparently they could still get me into trouble.

And since I prefer to spend my time selling homes and not in a courtroom, I'll be following the good advice.

With any job, you've got to have a little amusement - so I'm looking for something else to poke fun. Suggestions? [where: 75230]

Fingerprinted & Violated in Texas

I went to get fingerprinted for my real estate license yesterday. New 'security' laws require all licensed Realtors in Texas to be photographed and fingerprinted.

I feel absolutely violated. Maybe it's because I come from the old school that believes only criminals should be fingerprinted. Apparently because I work in a position of financial responsibility, the FBI needs to check me out. And I have to go to a hard-to-find, seedy office and pay $44 (checks only, no cash or credit cards) for the privilege.

So why doesn't every CPA, lawyer, banker and doctor in the state have to be fingerprinted too? There are plenty of folks in responsible positions to choose from. And if we're going to start fingerprinting every gainfully employed US citizen (for example, to renew your driver's license), why don't we just set up fingerprinting stations in convenience stores?

It adds insult to injury when I have to pay, make an appointment a week in advance and jeopardize my safety all to have my right to privacy violated. I grew up on Air Force bases and I'm as patriotic as the next American, but this isn't about patriotism. I can't sell homes if I don't go through this process.

Is it just me?

[where: 75230]

Quote for the Day

I'm never down;

I'm either up or getting up.

[where: 75230]

Five Factors That Determine Your Credit Score

Credit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The higher your credit score, the better terms you can negotiate on your mortgage (ie. the more money you can save).

These factors affect your score.

1. Your payment history. Whether you paid credit obligations on time.
2. How much you owe. Owing a great deal of money on several accounts can indicate that you are overextended.
3. The length of your credit history. The longer the better.
4. How much new credit you have. New credit is considered more risky, even if you pay promptly.
5. The types of credit you use. It's usually more desirable to have more than one type of credit - installment loans, credit cards, mortgage, etc.

For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, go to http://www.myfico.com/

[where: 75230]

Get a Crack-Proof Password

In my business, it's a good idea to change passwords rather frequently and I'm always looking for those that are easy for me to remember.

Do you tend to use easy to remember passwords that are ripe for the bad guys to crack? If so, here's a neat place to generate a strong password that’ll be easy for you to remember but tough to crack. This little on-line program generates random passwords from the information you provide. The result is a hard to crack phrase that is familiar and easy for you to remember.

And you can make the generated passwords even tougher by capitalizing the first letter that appears in the password produced. Good way to lock the door!

[where: 75230]