Spring is in the air as the trees green up and the flowers begin to blossom. For many home buyers Spring is the time they begin to drive their favorite neighborhoods, visit open houses and get serious about searching for a home online. If this describes you, well you better hold on tight because you are about to take a wild ride.

Housing inventory throughout much of the DFW Metroplex is very low and as all the Springtime buyers come into the market chasing this dwindling supply of home more and more home buyers will find themselves face-to-face in all out bidding wars. Dallas foreclosures, HUD and VA foreclosures and regular homes are being snapped up almost as fast as they are hitting the market. This type of activity will surely drive up housing prices and make it difficult for buyers to get their offers accepted. What can you do to give you the best chance of suuccess in buying a home? Heed these tips.

• First and foremost, get a professional buyers agent on your side. They will scan the market daily, represent your interest and help ensure a smooth closing. Best of all their services cost you noting out of pocket, the seller pays their commission!
• When you agent finds a house that meets your criteria you must drop everything you are doing and go look at the house immediately.
• If you like the house have your agent write up an offer, attach your mortgage pre-approval letter to it and get it to the sellers agent right-a-way.
•  Make your highest and best offer the first time. Don’t assume the sellers are going to counter your offer especially if there are multiple offers on the table.

Doing all of these things will give you the best chance of owning the home. If another offer is accepted over yours get right back out there and find another home!

If you are thinking about selling your DFW home this spring, the #1 question I get asked is what should I do to get my home ready to sell. Many questions like, “should I redo the kitchen or should I replace the carpet”. There are many factors when deciding on what to do to your home before putting in on the market. The first thing as a seller is to spruce up your home’s curb appeal. Is the landscape done? Is the garden nicely groomed? Are the trees and bushes trimmed?

The outside of your home will determine if a potential buyer will want to see the inside. If a homeowner misses this vital curb appeal step they my find themselves forced to sell to one of those homebuyers companies or find their home listed on a foreclosures list.

If you have a limited budget, start with general repairs. Make sure everything works and the household is clean. Depending on the condition of your house, decide right away if you are going to fix things or list the home at a lesser price to allow the buyer to do their own home improvements.
Often, if you can do a few repairs yourself or pay a handyman to do them and you would be surprised at how much more money you will get for the sale of your home. The next cheapest and easiest thing to do is paint. You can really change the appearance of a room with fresh coat of paint.

Another thing you can do is  to de-clutter your home and put away all your personal effects like family photos and personal items. Once your home is clean and de-cluttered, you will notice immediately that the home feels bigger and it did not cost much to do. If you find you have a larger budget, the next place to spend money would be on the kitchen and bathrooms. Once your home is on the market, remember that the home is no longer yours, it is just a house that you are trying to sell. When you change your thinking from home to house it is easier for you to know what changes need to be made.

It doesn’t matter if the real estate market is good or bad these tips to sell your DFW home apply.

DFW Real Estate

Hire an experienced aggressive Realtor:  Listing agents aren’t created equal.  To find the agent that will get you the highest amount of money in the shortest amount of time research the market and get referrals from neighbors before making a hiring decision.

Price your home aggressively from the very start: This is the single most important decision you will make when it comes to selling any DFW real estate. List too high you risk turning off every buyer and agent in your marketplace. List too low and you may leave money on the table.  You only have of having the excitement of being a new listing. Don’t waste this opportunity.

Get good curb appeal and stage your home: To get potential buyers emotionally invested in your home you have to make it look and feel like it can be their home.  Do all the things to the home that you know you need to do before you put it on the market. You don’t want your home to look like one of the many Dallas foreclosures.

Offer home buyer incentives: To encourage buyers to make an offer give them an incentive like buying down their interest rate, paying for some of their closing cost or provide a credit for upgrades. You can also offer them prepaid incentives like covering their internet, security, HOA fees or yard maintenance for a year.

Almost everyone has noticed the almost daily spike in gas prices over the last few weeks. Some say this is due the supply and demand of oil, some say inflation and some say politics. The reason isn’t important since we don’t have control over the price of gas. We all feel the pinch of higher gas prices in our daily lives, in our daily commutes, in the prices of the clothing and food we buy, just about everything in our lives. Will all of this cause a spike in Dallas foreclosures? The answer may surprise you.

Generally speaking the rise in consumer prices will cause a short term spike in foreclosures but this will be the case for homeowner who were most likely already having trouble making their mortgage payments.  The DFW real estate market is one of the most resilient in the country, has a strong jobs market and is growing at a fast rate. In the long run we will see less and less foreclosed homes on the market and an acceleration of  appreciation.  If gas prices continue to rise we will see people spending less on discretionary items. With interest rates still at historic lows people are beginning to realize that owning their own home is not only security but it is also and investment in their future.

The real estate market in Dallas is being anticipated to witness some changes in 2013. The house prices may again increase across the state of Texas and this will definitely affect the Dallas real estate market. Market experts are also expecting changes in the mortgage sector. The real estate market prices of Dallas were a stable gainer in the previous years. The increase in value was almost 9% to 10%. This steady rise in housing prices is expected to continue even in this new year.

The increasing demand and the changing economic condition are reigning over the state at this time and this according to experts is the key reason behind this price hike. The Dallas-area enlargement may also get a bit of higher. All these events may leave an impact on mortgage market too. The opportunities of mortgage modification may get adjusted.

The rise in interest rates may slow down the mortgage business. The refinance activity may also get the hit. Records show that the local house inventory levels are very low since 2000. This inclination may continue in 2013 also as the price range in the north Texas could grow more. According to the eminent economist Dr. James Gaines, if the inventory shows no sign of improvement, then the price hike may touch unbelievable heights. So, definitely this may turn out to be the most profitable time for them who desire to sell their houses.

If the supply of homes remains tight in the market, then the price may rise even higher. Quite obviously, this will affect the mortgage market too. The mortgage rates are also anticipated to maintain a low key during the first half of 2013. As reported by Freddie Mac, the second half of this year may see slight increase in the rates. The increase will not be that much effective though.

There is still hope according to market analysts. Continued construction works, the growth in home value and increased home sales may herald some changes in the mortgage market. The housing prices are expected to grow up by 3% and consequently the property values will be strengthened. With the increase of households, the statistic is also expected to be modified to 1.25 million.

As per the real estate agents, the one reason for which the potential home sellers of North Texas including Dallas may prepare to take the initial step is the availability of little properties. According to the investors the laws of supply and demand may be applied here, but many experts even deny this. Chuck Dannis, the famous Dallas real estate appraiser claims that these issues are directly influenced by inflation, rather than the laws of supply and demand.

According to Dannis, home appraisers may not like to sign off on huge increase of price unless it’s supported with dependable data from the closed home sales. Well, lenders are very much conservative about the appraisals and this may leave some impact. The increased home prices can be cushioned by considerably low mortgage rates. Mortgage modification will also be affected due to lower mortgage rates.

The real estate market trends are changeable and the trends that are experienced today can be changed any moment in near future. This is just the beginning of 2013 and a lot of facts are yet to be covered. There are full chances of various changes in the real estate and mortgage market in next few months. When mortgage interest rates are not expected to jump up more than 6%, there is still a chance of recovery. So, it’s better to keep a vigilant check on the fast changing trends and consider investment accordingly.

Rikk is a Community Member of mortgagefit.com and has been contributing his suggestions to the Community since 2011. He has also made notable contributions through various articles written on different subjects related to the mortgage
industry.

About 1 in 6 Americans move each year according to the US Census Bureau. There are several reasons, but primarily it’s for a job.  Can you remember why you chose the location you live in now?

Would you want to stay nearby?  How do you decide? The DFW real estate market area is such a big area and it’s very easy to expand your search while looking online.  But, have you stopped to consider how long it will take you to commute to work? DFW made the top 10 list for worst traffic.

When you start your home search, factor in places you like to frequent. Is the neighborhood you are looking have easy access to main roads and freeways? Nothing is worse than having to drive in traffic and then sit through several red lights to get home. The Plano real estate market gives easy access to commuter routes and because of this home prices here are generally higher.

The 3 things to consider when purchasing in DFW is location, utilities, and city ordinances. Location is the most important decision you have to make when purchasing. Secondly, what utility services are offered at the home? Don’t assume! Do you telecommute to work? Wouldn’t it be a bummer if you found out the only internet connection you can get is dialup? True story, our friends bought a beautiful house and as they were connecting their services they found out there was no internet or cable TV. Lastly, are their restrictions in your city when it comes to rentals? Make sure you are not buying in a city that tax landlords.

Don’t get caught up in price and amenities of a house without making sure you consider location, utilities, and city ordinances. Your dream home may not be so desirable without cable tv or internet.

The DFW real estate market has start off the year with a bang and the real estate market is a buzz. Here are some trends to keep an eye on in 2013.

• Stylish Bathrooms and Kitchens:  This has always be a stable in the DFW real estate market but in 2013 but we will see a middle ground between traditional and contemporary.
• Water and Energy Efficiency: Many people these days not only want to save money on their utility cost they are conscious of their environment.
• Outdoor Living: This is a trend that started a few years ago and is inspiring many to think beyond their terraces and decks.  These spaces feel more like and function like and indoor room.
• Frenzy With Media: Still reeling from the sting of the great recession and a glut of Dallas foreclosures many remain home for “staycations”. Rooms are devoted to big screen TV’s and other multimedia entertaining.
• Smarter and Less Costly Controls: As life gets busier and busier and the cost of automation comes down many are opting for home controls like temperature, electronics, security, lighting and more.

Reggardless of what the real estate market is doing the best advice for home owners is to make their design decisions based on their wallets and hearts rather than the hype of keeping up with the Jones’s.

We Buy Houses

Even with the DFW real estate market performing in the top regions in the county there are a ton of home owners who are either “upside down” on their mortgages, meaning, they owe more on their homes than they are worth. And there are many more that have little or no equity in their homes prohibiting them selling by traditional means. This is because they don’t have the money to bring to closing to pay standard closing cost and commissions.

These home owners only have a few options. They can stay in their home, if possible.  They can rent their home to tenants and join the wonderful world of landholding. They can walk away from their home or they can sell to a We Buy Houses companies. These types of companies are generally known for buying ugly house for cash, repairing them and selling them for a profit.

In these days of little or no equity these companies have stepped up to help these home owners by giving them some cash to help them move and giving them debt relief. There are some inherent risk in these types of transactions but for many the benefits out weigh the risk.

VIP Realty Platinum along with several sponsors and volunteers, staged a blowout Fourth Annual Thanksgiving Brigade! On Thanksgiving eve, more than 15 volunteers produced 110 care packages for the unfortunate homeless in Dallas. The care packages included full meals and several personal items such as tooth brushes, hand sanitizers, lotion, flashlights etc. This year the Brigade also gave out several dozen jackets and coats just before the winter weather was set to move in.

This year’s Brigade was meticulously planned and organized by Mike and Mary Colvin and was destine to succeed with them at the helm. The Brigade team worked in unison to prepare the meals and assemble the care packages. Late afternoon, volunteers in a delivery van full of care packages and coats went into the streets of Dallas. It didn’t take long for them to empty their van and in doing so they met many very grateful people many of whom were in desperate need of the things we take for granted. Our experiences and feelings will not soon be forgotten they will motivate us to do more and give more not just on the holidays but year-round.

Each care package contained a note:

Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit. Edison failed 10,000 times before he made the electric light. Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times.
- Napoleon Hill

Sponsors & Volunteers                Corporate Sponsors

Mike & Mary Colvin                         Aslam Group LLC
Chris & Edith Aslam                        Hosse Financial Services
Javed Aslam                                   Allison Garner/Farmers
Whitney Colvin                                VIP Realty Platinum
Jose & Norma Diaz
Michael Petri
Morgan Petri
Daisy Valerio
Diego Enriquez
Stephen & Frances Deschaine
Doug & Rose Lowry
Barbara T.
Susan K.
Harry & Rachel Ridge

So you want to sell your house at the highest possible price for the most amount of money but it’s not working out that way.  They challenge may not have anything to do with the economy or the real estate market but it may be what you’re doing or not doing.  Are you making any of the following mistakes.

Bad Ad Text: The ad text that is used in listing and marketing Collin County homes is of major importance and some creativity is necessary.  Stay away from cliché and exaggerated claims. How can you prove that your house is “the best house on the market.” Is your house really “the perfect hose for your family”?  You can for certain that the neighborhood is well suited for children or executives? Your text space is limited so make sure it counts.

No or Bad Photos: It is paramount that you include great photos when listing Tarrant County homes and a lot of them. Make sure that you show off your home in a way that will catch a potential buyer’s eye. If you have a higher quality smart phone, that will work just fine. Look at other people’s listings and see what types of photos catch your eye and take similar photos of your home. Take a lot of photos and place the best ones at the beginning of the listing site.

No or Bad Curb Appeal: If Denton County homes don’t look good from the curb your exterior drive bys will barely slow down the car to look let alone schedule and appointment to see the inside.  You could have a totally renovated kitchen and bathrooms and no one will ever know about it if you don’t have curb appeal.  Be sure to trim your trees and bushes, replace aging and rusted exterior lights and spruce up the landscaping. You only have one chance to impress them with the outside before they will ever have a chance to impress them with the inside.

Price Too Low. Really?: Every one knows that pricing a home too high won’t facilitate an offer, but what happens if the home is priced too low? Once you set the listing price it’s difficult to raise it because it may attract a bunch of bargain hunters looking to steal your home. Or you could attract and unqualified buyer who could take your home off the market for several weeks. A unqualified buyer can result in it taking much longer to sell your home than if you priced it correctly from the beginning.

You’re Home for the Showing: This is one of the most serious error home sellers make.  There’s nothing more awkward than walking into somebody’s home with your agent only to find the homeowner is still there. This potential buyer can’t speak openly to your agent and, most importantly, when the owners are there with their pets and children they can’t picture the home as their own. When a showing is scheduled, clean your house and take the family and pets out for a walk.

You can’t control the economy, the real estate market or the quality of your neighbors, but there are parts of the marketing and selling process you can control. For a home to sell in today’s housing market, make your home look as beautiful as possible and don’t make any of the above mistakes.