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Ashton Gustafson selected to "20 Under 40"

by Ashton Gustafson

Ashton Gustafson, Owner @ Bishop Realtor Group, was named today by the Times Record News and Biz to Biz as one of Wichita Falls', TX top "20 under 40".

This is the first time the award has been given in Wichita Falls.

For more information on Ashton see www.AshtonGustafson.com and www.SeeWhatTheyAreSaying.com. 

Ashton was also selected by Realtor Magazine in 2010 as one of the top 30 agents under 30 in the US.

Ashton on front page of TRN!!!

by Ashton Gustafson

http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2010/may/22/gustafson-among-top-30-young-agents-in-nation-27/?cid=Facebook

Saturday May 22, 2010 - Story by Lee Anderson

Gustafson among top 30 young agents in nation

Realtor Magazine selects 27-year-old for recognition

Ashton Gustafson, a real estate agent with the Ann & Denny Bishop Realtor Group, has been selected by Realtor Magazine as one of the top 30 agents in the nation under the age of 30.

Each June, the magazine produces its “30 under 30” issue to recognize young talent. This is the 10th anniversary of the prestigious award.

“This is a huge honor and has been a goal of mine from the day I started in the business,” Gustafson said. “This honor belongs to all of the people that have supported me over the past few years.”

Gustafson and all the others in the class were invited to the magazine’s headquarters to see the operation and pose for the Class of 2010 issue.

Gustafson was the only agent from Texas selected for the award.

In an article in the magazine, Gustafson said he started out working in his grandparents (Ann and Denny Bishop) real estate business here for $10 an hour. He soon earned his real estate license “and hasn’t slept much since,” the article said.

Last year, Gustafson, 27, ranked second out of 300 agents — just behind his grandparents, who are now his partners. He now manages a team of five licensed sales professionals in the family business.

In the magazine article, Gustafson said he and his team closed 237 transactions last year and he personally anticipates closing 100 this year.

He said his long-term goal is to “reach every major market in Texas by 2020 and every state by 2030. In addition to using the web and social media to connect with clients, he also attempts to make 100 calls every day.

For more information, go online to www.realtor.org.

Wichita Falls #5 Most Affordable Housing Market in the South!!!

by Ashton Gustafson

TIMES RECORD NEWS
Local market ranks in nation's top
By Lee Anderson
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

There's no doubt that local housing experts hit the nail on the head month after month last year when they insisted the marketplace in Wichita Falls is stable and a prime place to live.

The National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Housing recently released data showing that five Texas markets - including Wichita Falls - were among the 10 most affordable housing markets in the South during the last quarter of 2008.

The housing opportunity index reported that Wichita Falls ranked fifth at 82.6 percent of new and existing homes sold during the quarter to middle-income earners.

Sherman-Denison hit the 87 percent mark, ranking the city third in the region. San Angelo was seventh at 79.8 percent, Fort Worth-Arlington was eighth at 79 percent, and Beaumont-Port Arthur rounded out the top nine at 77.5 percent.
Nationally, 62.4 percent of all new and existing homes were affordable to families earning the national median income ($61,500), which was an increase from the previous quarter, which was 56.1 percent, and 46.6 percent in the last quarter of 2007.

After examining information from the Real Estate Center Online News (RECON), broker Danny Steed remarked, "The housing affordability index recently published by the National Association of Home Builders just confirms what we have been saying about Wichita Falls area real estate for quite some time. Our local market is holding up very well in comparison to housing markets across the country, especially California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada. Although our home prices have continued to increase moderately, our market remains very stable and balanced."
Ditto from realtor John Wilson.

"I see this as continued evidence that Wichita Falls has always been an affordable community in which to live. New home prices are reasonable compared to other parts of the state and nation. We continue to see a gradual increase in property values as opposed to the unrealistic and dangerous rise and fall of values in other parts of the country," he pointed out. "We experienced the sudden rise in property prices after April 10, 1979 (tornado), and many people suffered for years after that.

"Our present trend of slow but steady growth has allowed us to escape the horrors of California, Florida and Nevada."

Garnel Construction owner Jose Garcia, who moved to building more homes in the $100,000 range about three years ago, agreed.

"I am not surprised," Garcia, said, referring to the city's ranking. "I know we are not overpriced, and neither is the state as a whole.

"I saw it coming about three years ago. There were a lot of people that needed a home but couldn't afford $200,000 and $300,000 homes, but could afford $100,000."

A story on the National Association of Home Builders Web site quoted NAHB chairman as saying, "Falling home prices and very favorable mortgage rates both contributed to the housing affordability gains we saw in the fourth quarter of 2008."

The Wichita Falls Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service reported that in December, 13 homes were sold in the $100,000 to $120,000 bracket, followed by 10 each in the $70,000 to $80,000 and $120,000 to $140,000 range. Seven sold in the $160,000 to $180,000 category. The average sales price in December was $102,484. The numbers were similar last month, and the average sales price was $104,502.

All three local housing experts stressed that now is an extremely good time to buy a home or other real estate.  "I believe investing in a home or other real estate venture in Wichita Falls or North Texas is still a great move; and with interest rates at an all-time low, the timing could not be better," Wilson said.  Steed echoed the comments.

He said, "With mortgage interest rates declining to their lowest levels in decades, and with prices holding the line, homeownership is within the reach of more and more people. Although the national media will lead you to believe that loans are hard to get, local mortgage lenders are making extremely affordable loans every day, and still with relatively small outlays of cash.
"None of us know what the near-term financial condition of our economy truly is or will be for many months to come. But, for folks who are wanting to and can afford to make a home purchase for the long-term, this could be the best opportunity we've seen in a long time."

© 2009 The E.W. Scripps Co.

Save Thousands - Wichita Falls Home Buyers

by Ashton Gustaphson

Purchasing a home can save you money very quickly. FIRST, you'll save on taxes because the interest on your home mortgage is tax deductible. If you rent, your landlord gets the break.

SECOND, you'll save on interest payments while keeping the great tax advantage.

Image: What Ever Home Buyer Should Know

For example if you are paying $900 per month in rent, you are paying a portion of this towards your landlord's property taxes and mortgage loan interest. Your landlord can write this amount off. You derive absolutely no tax break. When you own a home, you now reduce your taxes for the mortgage interest and for your property taxes. Your interest is always the highest during the early years of your loan, so your overall write-off is largest during these early years.

Paying rent is like throwing your money out the car window each month. You pay it out and never see it again. With home ownership you receive loan interest write-off, and gain money over the years from the increased value of your home. Over a ten year period, on an initial purchase price of $100,000, you could gain over $100,000 in tax advantages and appreciation based on an 8% mortgage interest rate and 5% per year increase in home values.

On both the 15 year and 30 year loans, your interest deduction is highest in the first few years of the loan, so your tax deduction is highest then, too. Remember, if you plan to move or refinance after 5 years, you will maximize your tax deductions. Keep in mind that as you pre-pay part of your loan to reduce the interest expense, you also reduce your tax deduction. How long you plan to keep your current mortgage loan can help determine which type of loan, and which payment strategy, is ideal for you.

Have questions? Give me a call. I am happy to help.

Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4

Contact Information

Photo of Ashton Gustafson Real Estate
Ashton Gustafson
The Bishop Realtor Group
1916 N. Elmwood Ave.
Wichita Falls TX 76308
Office: 940-691-7355
Fax: 940-691-7363