Real Estate Information Archive

The puck drops tonight at the KYC @ 7:00 for the Wichita Falls Wildcats! If you're looking for something to do, this is a great family outing. See http://www.wfwildcatshockey.com/ for all details.

I had the priviledge to attend this last weekend's Wine and Shrimp Festival in downtown Wichita Falls. The weather was wonderful, the music was great, the art inspiring, and the shrimp and wine was more than satisfying. Executive Director of Downtown Wichita Falls Devlopment, Inc., Cynthia Laney, did an outstanding job orchestrating the event and it looks like she will continue to bring great things to our downtown area.

For questions about downtown development see www.WichitaFallsDowntownProud.com

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2008/oct/17/festival-barbie/ - News Article

The quotes below were sent from Ralph Dunkelberg - Fidelity Bank - Wichita Falls

Rates fell again today...Conv 30 year 6.375%
 
FHA 30 year 6.500%

See www.TexomaListings.com to have every home in Wichita Falls or Burkburnett emailed to you as soon as it hits the market. For anything else Real Estate related, see www.TexomaHomesource.com .

ashton@bishoprealtors.com - 940.224.0881 cell

www.TexomaListings.com

Because you have better things to do.

Fast - Free - Automated

Searches the Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, and Sheppard Air Force Base MLS every day and emails you homes as they come available. Numerous people have this site useful and have simply woken up and found their dream home emailed to them.

The results are in and once again, the Wichita Falls MLS was up compared to a year ago. September 2007 showed the Wichita Falls MLS to have $17,967,225 in total sales....September 2008 showed the Wichita Falls MLS to have $19,208,138 in total sales. These numbers are great when your compare other similar economies across the the country.

Note: Ashton Gustafson has quickly risen to be one the most successful agents in the Wichita Falls area. For any questions you would like answered about these statistics, please email him at ashton@bishoprealtors.com .

Wichita Falls Realtor Participates in University-Level Course Teaching Specialized Methods for Helping Sellers Get Greater Value in Real Estate Sales
 
Atlanta, Georgia - Ashton Gustafson of Ann and Denny Bishop Realtor Group in Wichita Falls participated in an intensive, two day Listing Specialization course here, learning with a select group of Realtors how to dramatically improve the services they render to real estate sellers, thereby enabling sellers to obtain the home value they're looking for in less time and with fewer hassles.
 
Ashton, who already ranks substantially above the average real estate agent, has currently helped over 60 home owners move this year. The typical agent in the United States averages less than 12 transactions, buyers and sellers, per year.
 
According to Gustafson, "The practice of listing specialization has created an opportunity for sellers to receive an unmatched level of professional service, and I've made a commitment to serve my selling clients this way."
 
Gustafson learned principles, strategies, systems, and techniques for enhancing a powerful, effective, home selling side of the business, focused on helping sellers obtain the maximum value the market will bear for their home faster. Program content also emphasized helping sellers enjoy a smooth, hassle-free and money saving transaction.
 
The program was presented as part of Howard Brinton STAR POWER Systems' STAR POWER University, the real estate industry's only University-level series of intensive, comprehensive training programs. There are many current events that address a broad spectrum of issues, but only STAR POWER offers a series of sharply-focused, two day programs for specific aspects of the business, from team building and systems implementation to buyer specialization and business operations.
 
The course was taught by STAR POWER's cadre of STARS - all are top producers, whose annual production averages $43 million and 200 families helped each year.
 
According to Howard Brinton, founder and CEO of STAR POWER Systems, participants in these events are part of an elite group of agents. "The quality of the learning experience and depth of the practical knowledge and skills acquired by participants is unparalleled.
 
Brinton claims it is rare in any industry, and certainly in real estate, to find this level of commitment to clients and employees. "Ashton has demonstrated a deep commitment to better serve his clients. His dedication is evidenced in his investment in this course, and the substantial expenses involved to be here. Ashton and his peers are something special, and the clients and employees who are served by them are fortunate indeed," he said.

I had the chance to speak with Ralph Dunkelberg of Fidelity Bank this morning about the currently financial situation that we are all facing. He explained that rates are STILL historically low and very available to those with good credit. As of this morning, a 30 year FHA Loan was at 6.5% and a conventional was at 6.375%.

Ralph can be contacted at rdunkelberg@fidelitybankwf.com or 940.763.2100.

Remember to see our other new sites at www.TexomaListings.com or www.TexomaHomeValues.com - All have been very useful to our clients that are in the market to purchase Wichita Falls Real Estate.

1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.

2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.

3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.

4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.

5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your fixed-mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will increase.

6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.

7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.

Online resources: To calculate whether buying is the best financial option for you, use the “Buy vs. Rent” calculator at www.GinnieMae.gov.