It is hard to believe, but 2012 has roared in and we are all moving forward into the New Year! I wish you a Happy and prosperous 2012!!!

2012 starts out with a bright spot in the Real Estate market and that is the continuation of historic low mortgage interest rates. 2011 saw rates hit record lows and hold that pattern throughout the year.

 In Freddie Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey®, the average fixed mortgage rates finishing the year near their all-time historic lows helping to keep homebuyer affordability high. Averaging 3.95 percent, the 30-year fixed has been at or below 4.00 percent for the past nine consecutive weeks and only twice in 2011 did it average above 5.00 percent. This has certainly helped the national Real Estate market by making home purchases affordable and helping to make loan qualification a possibility for many who otherwise would be out of the home purchase market.  

Will mortgage rates continue this low level during 2012?  Indications at this time point to a positive "YES"!  This should hold true for no less than the first half of 2012.  With the prediction that homes values will continue their decline in most national markets through 2012, the possibility on home ownership may become even more realistic for many.

Good Monday morning to you!

Market Update

For a full market update, check in at www.TheFallsPodCast.com. This month's edition covers the Greater Wichita Falls real estate market and then we share tips to prepare your home for winter and protect against factors that cause mold.

Wichita Falls and Surrounding Area Home Finder

www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com has become our areas #1 site that buyers are choosing to find their next home. Here you can set up a time to preview, create a favorites list, qualify for financing, and view GoogleEarth photos. Check it out today!

Thinking of Selling in 2012?

Go to www.WichitaFallsHomeValues.com. Complete the required information on your home and you will receive a complimentary Computer Analysis, indicating your home's approximate present value on the market today. It is simple and dependable.

If I can answer any questions for you or anyone you may know about our real estate, I would be glad to. Call me anytime at 940.691.7355.

This month's edition covers Greater Wichita Falls real estate market activity and then we'll share tips to prepare your home for winter and protect against factors that cause mold.
 

www.TheFallsPodCast.com
 

Thinking of Selling in 2012?

Can you believe..... Thanksgiving is in 16 days? Christmas is in 47 days? New Year's day is in 53 days! 

It will be 2012 before you know it and many of you may be looking to sell your home or know someone looking to sell in the 1st quarter of the year. If so, a great place to start iswww.TexomaHomeValue.com. Here, I will provide information for you to see what the market has done in your neighborhood lately.

We encourage all of our future sellers to start planning the repairs and maintenance that will be needed to market your home in this particular market.

Thinking of Buying in 2012?

If so, check out www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com. I assure you, there is no greater site for buyers in the Wichita Falls area. Create a favorite's list, view GoogleEarth images, and even set up an appointment to preview the homes you would like to see. Check it out today!

Ashton's New Blog

If you enjoy random business thoughts and encouragement throughout the week, I encourage you to preview www.LTMPblog.com. Be sure to subscribe with your email address at the bottom if you would like an updates of the postings. This is the precursor to my book I'm looking to release in 2012.

This Week

If there is ANYTHING we an do, answer, or help you with this week, please let me know. I hope to hear from you soon.

We are seeing a challenging market in North Texas at this time. YTD our residential market sales are down approximately 20%. With a challenge, we also see opportunity. The current interest rates are still as low as we have ever seen them, which means the buyer today has more power than he ever has. Should one be looking to buy and hold, we see this as a great investment opportunity. All in all, this is a market we have described as a "Price War and Beauty Contest"....To hear a recording of my view on the market at this time, see www.TheFallsPodCast.com.

Websites for Fast Answers

www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com - Every home available for sale.

www.TexomaHomeValue.com - Looking to sell? Get a FREE market analysis.

www.ImAhappyBuyer.com - The truth on today's interest rates.

We would love to discuss with you any questions you may have in the market today! Call me anytime at 940.691.7355.

3424 Stirling - Lake Wellington Estates - Wichita Falls, TX

Welcome to a beautifully built and landscaped Wachsman home in Lake Wellington Estates. From start to finish, this home is perfect in every way. Interior updates and amenities include: gorgeous hardwood floors, spacious kitchen with bar space and ample storage, gas fireplace, isolated master bedroom, over sized walk in closet in master, spacious bedroom dimensions, pantry space, storm shelter (in garage) and utility area. Here you can enjoy just a short walk to West Foundation Elementary playground or Lake Wellington.

Call us at 940.691.7355 to preview this wonderful property today!

 The City of Wichita Falls will be selling, at auction, a home and 18.5 acres of land, appraised at $111,195.00, on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 10:am at 4927 West Highway 258 (the location of the home and property). The minimum bid for the home and land is $70,000.00. The City reserves the right to reject any or all bids. The successful bidder must tender a cashier's check for 10% of the bid by 1:pm Friday, November 4th and tender payment in full by cash, cashier's check or certified funds no later than 1:pm, Monday, November 14th, 2011, pending City Council approval.

  The home and property will be open for inspection, Friday, October 21st from 1:pm to 6:pm. For complete details including the property description and photographs go to www.wichitafallstx.gov and click on the article on the homepage under News and Announcements.

  For more information please contact the City of Wichita Falls Property Management Division at 940-761-8816. Use this URL address for a map of the location http://maps.yahoo.com/embed#q=TX-258%2C+Wichita+Falls%2C+TX++76310&start=1&lat=33.86029528778681&lon=-98.58221054077148&zoom=13&mvt=m&trf=0

James Foster custom built contemporary 2 story, 4 bedroom + office, 3 full baths, 2 half baths, 3 car garage home with gorgeous covered patio and an in-ground gunite diving pool! 2 living areas + upstairs game room, soaring ceilings, stained & scored concrete floors, Lincoln windows, 3 fireplaces (2 inside) 1outside, gourmet kitchen, fabulous isolated master suite. Incredible property!

Virtual Tour- http://www.visualtour.com/applets/flashviewer2/viewer.asp?t=2616564&sk=200

Contact us at 940.691.7355 to set up an appointment to preview.

Looks like autumn is on its way this week! Remember to place your firewood order early. If you need someone to call, check out the classifieds in the paper. There are tons of vendors ready to deliver.

No matter when you are looking to participate in our local Real Estate market, we have numerous sites to keep you in touch with what's going on. There is no other company with access to this information.

House Hunters

www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com - Every home available for sale.

www.LuxuryHomesWF.com - Daily list of new luxury properties.

www.TexasBankOwned.com - Invest in today's foreclosure market.

Future Home Sellers

www.TexomaHomeValue.com - A FREE analysis of your property within 48 hours.

Monthly Market Update

www.TheFallsPodCast.com

Our Current Listing Inventory

www.TexomaHomeSource.com/properties

If we can serve you or anyone you know this week, please let me know.

Built by Harmon and Holcomb Homes

3 Beds plus office

Virtual Tour: http://www.visualtour.com/showvt.asp?t=2613996&prt=10003

Situated on a quiet cul de sac lot,
this home offers a 3-2-2 floor plan with 2100 square feet of living area.
Masterful brick and stonework grace the exterior of this house.  The stone
entryway opens into a spacious living area, highlighted by a beautiful
fireplace with both hearth and mantel crafted from knotty alder wood and
finished with inlaid granite.  The open kitchen is accented with granite
counters, a granite sink, and an ornate tiled backsplash.  Special features
of the kitchen also include custom cabinets, a pantry, and a decorative
vent-a-hood.  Stainless steel Whirlpool appliances are included.  The
enormous utility room features granite counters and a sink.  The luxurious
master suite comes with rope lighting, tray ceilings, and crown molding.
Distinctive features, such as a built-in safe and a built-in mirrored
jewelry cabinet, accent the master bathroom.  A whirlpool tub is centrally
located within a enormous wrap-around closet.  The backyard is sure to be a
haven in itself, with a spacious covered patio, outdoor fans, and sprinkler
system.  The front beds showcase unique landscaping specifically designed
with North Texas' summer droughts in mind.  Also featured throughout this
home are knotty alder wooden cabinets and doors, crown molding, and
decorative tile work.  With the advanced energy package included with this
house, customers will see tremendous savings on their utilities.

Contact Ashton Gustafson today at 940.691.7355 for a private showing of this wonderful home.

This month's edition covers Greater Wichita Falls real estate market activity and then and we'll discuss the latest staging tips for buying or selling in this upcoming fall market. Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning. Check out www.TheFallsPodCast.com.

Now Is The Time

Rates have NEVER been this low, and inventory has never been this high. Don't let this opportunity pass you by.

http://www.texomahomesource.com/properties - See our listings!

www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com - Every home for sale.

www.LuxuryHomesWF.com - Daily updates on the luxury market.

www.TexasBankOwned.com - Looking to invest? Start here.

Thinking of Selling?

We all want to know what our home is worth in today's economy. See www.TexomaHomeValue.com. Within 24 hours we will get you an updated market analysis for your area.

Make it a great week, and let us know how we may serve you or anyone you may know.

Interest Rates and the Dallas Cowboys

What do interest rates and the Dallas Cowboys have in common? Predictability. You never know what they're going to do! We are seeing interest rates bounce between 3.75% and 4.75% on Conventional/FHA/VA 30 year fixed loans. And each day its a new story.

We've shown you this before, but check out my blog entry at www.ImAhappyBuyer.com. Rates are even better than when this blog was written, which means we even a better opportunity right now.

For everything else, see www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com.

Inventory

Be sure to check out http://www.texomahomesource.com/Properties to see all our current listings. There are so many GREAT homes available at this time and we would love to show them to you or anyone you may know.

TV Show

Be sure to tune into our TV show on Time Warner Cable-Channel 15 this week. Denny and I will discuss current market trends and walk your through many of our current listings.

What If?

What if you had the opportunity to purchase a home on a 15 year mortgage, allow us to find you a renter, 15 years from now own the home free and clear, and in 18 years sell the home and have most (if not all) of your child or grandchild's college tuition paid for?

What if you COULD sell your home for what you paid for it (despite what CNN says) and buy another home that is worth 12-18% more than the one you have owned - with the SAME or LESS MONEY PER month?

What if you could take the $1000 per month you are currently spending on rent, and pay less than that each month with an FHA/VA loan on a home worth $130,000?

This is opportunity that lies before all of us. For more details on what is available, check out www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com.

Make it a great week!

Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. Leo Buscaglia

It is no secret that college cost are only going one way...up! I can show you how $7,000 invested today in a rent house, can turn into $109,000 15 years from now. I'm currently building a portfolio to ease the burden of college expenses when my children leave for school, and I can help you do this too. Of course it all starts at www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com. Start looking around at the available homes on the market, and when you are ready - we will be there to serve you.

Listen the the Wichita Falls Market Update

www.TheFallsPodCast.com. This month's edition covers Greater Wichita Falls real estate market activity and then we'll talk about the top transaction strategies for fall 2011.

Supply and Demand

Our inventory of homes is high and we need more buyers! The buyers that we do have our loving this buying opportunity. Interest rates have never been this low, so it is a great time to capitalize on the market's affordability. Check out www.ImAhappyBuyer.com.

Distressed property expert’s online report updates homeowners who are struggling with mortgage payments in North Texas on solutions to avoid foreclosure.

Wichita Falls, – September 13, 2011 – “Nationwide, one in seven mortgages are headed for foreclosure,” noted Ashton Gustafson of Bishop Realtor Group.  While the statistics in the surrounding Wichita Falls areas are not nearly that high, Gustafson has developed an online report that reviews the increasing priority that major banks and the federal government have placed on giving homeowners viable options to foreclosure.

“Helping to keep homeowners out of foreclosure has become a national priority,” Gustafson says, adding, “it’s important for homeowners who are underwater on their mortgage or overstressed financially to know that none of the parties involved want to see a foreclosure happen. Banks were blindsided by the foreclosure crisis of the past few years, and too many homes have been lost to foreclosure, but the landscape has significantly changed. ”

Several entities within the Federal Government, along with major lenders, have retooled and restaffed in order to more effectively help homeowners to avoid foreclosure.

“Among the most troubling statistics,” Gustafson pointed out, “is the fact that the majority of homeowners who end up in foreclosure never seek the services of a real estate agent or attempt a short sale.”

A short sale occurs when a lender allows a homeowner to sell a property for less than the current mortgage amount owed.

Real estate agents who have received the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation have proactively sought out the most up-to-date expertise and insights to serve clients within the complicated and highly charged distressed property arena. CDPE agents are required to complete several days of intensive training and are held to a high standard of expertise, efficiency and ethics.

“My recent report titled Is Your Mortgage Payment Dragging You Down, provides information every homeowner should know if they are about to or have already missed mortgage payments.” This community resource is available at www.WichitaFallsShortSale.com.

What In The World Is Going On?

I don't have the answers for what's going on in the world, but I can help you better understand the local market. For three years we have called the market we are in a "price war and a beauty contest." The truth endures.

Our prices have also remained fairly stable. If you purchased a home for $200,000 five years ago, chances are we can sell it for that today. And this is GREAT news when compared to the rest of country.

For more information on our market, please tune into our show on Time Warner, Channel 15 (Monday, Thursday, Saturday). You can also listen to www.TheFallsPodCast.com.

I'm Ready to Buy!

If you are ready to buy today, you must check out www.TheFallsHomeFinder.com. See why over 3,000 local buyers have made this their main site for buying in our local market. Here you will fine GoogleEarth aerial images, virtual tours, and you can create your very own favorites list. Click the request a showing button, and we will meet you there at the time that works for you!

Reputation for Results

In this market, you need a professional. One who knows the market, and how to maneuver through it. If you are looking to buy or sell in the near future, please see www.SeeWhatTheyAreSaying.com. We look forward to working with you one day!

"The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want right now". Zig Ziglar

Don't be! Check out my site at www.ImAHappyBuyer.com to see why the interest rates we are seeing today are far more valuable than a tax credit of $8000 last year. We have never seen rates this low. If you or someone you know would like more information or a lender to speak to, please contact me.

Let's Connect

I recently launched www.FollowAshton.com. If you utilize the media of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or LinkedIn please take a minute to check out this site.

What's Going On In My Neck of the Woods?

Have you thought about selling lately, but wondering what the market in your neighborhood looks like? Check out www.TexomaHomeValue.com. We will provide you with a market analysis within 48 hours of your submission.

Reality Check

With the stock market losing or gaining 200 points every other day, hurricanes, elections, and foreign turmoil - it can be hard to sift through everything and get the real story of what is going on. For us, we have sold a home nearly every day this month. While the markets can be difficult to navigate these days, we are still making it happen day in and day out. If we can serve you in the days ahead, please let me know. We look forward to that opportunity.

"To succeed...you must be a fugitive from the Law of Averages." Unknown

Good Monday morning to you!

It is hard to believe today is the first day back to school for teachers and students in the Greater Wichita Falls area. I hope you all have had a wonderful Summer - now let's pray for some rain!

Thinking of Selling?

Now that school is in session, you may have selling your home on your radar. If so, check out www.TexomaHomeValue.com.  We will provide you with an analysis of what has gone on in your area and get back to you within 48 hours. Check it out!

I'm Ready to Buy

If you are ready to buy, you must check outwww.TheFallsHomeFinder.com. This has become the fastest growing Real Estate website in our area for buyer. Here you will find Google Earth images, maps, virtual tours, and more! Check it out today!

Behind On Your Mortgage?

I have recently released  a report called "10 solutions for alleviating the stress of an unaffordable mortgage”. This community resource is available atwww.WichitaFallsShortSale.com. In addition to providing more information about the alternatives to foreclosure, the report explains ten foreclosure alternatives that a homeowner can take advantage of like a loan modification or short sale.

Times Like These

In times like these, you do not need an amateur, you need an expert. Our site, www.SeeWhatTheyAreSaying.com showcases all of our happy customers. We hope to serve you with our expertise soon!

“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up." John Maxwell

LSC Football Festival - September 17

at Cowboys Stadium

 MSU Mustangs

vs.

Texas A&M Commerce

Game Time - 12 noon

Tailgating begins 10:30 a.m. – Lot 10

Tickets for the festival are available in the MSU Athletics office and cost $25 for adults and $10 for students with identification. Parking passes are also available for $10.  Game tickets are good for each of the three games of the tripleheader, which also features Abilene Christian against North Alabama at 4 p.m. and West Texas A&M vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville at 8 p.m. 

For more information call the Athletics Office at (940)397-4779.

Your Midwestern State University Alumni Association is playing host to a pregame event that will excite sports enthusiasts and spectators alike. The football team, band, and cheerleaders will all be in attendance. Take this opportunity to get connected with other MSU alumni or just huddle up to the dessert stations – you won’t want to miss a single play!

Alumni Association Pregame Mixer

Friday, September 16, 2011

7-9 p.m. Mediterranean Villa

1111 Wet -N- Wild Way, Arlington, Texas  76011

Directly across from Cowboys Stadium

MSU attire requested.  Be Proud. Wear Maroon. Support Your Mustangs.

Your MSU Bookstore will be set up with all the latest hats, shirts, hoodies & more!

 RSVP by 5 p.m. on September 13 - alumrel@mwsu.edu or (940) 397-4121