Real Estate LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
SATURDAY JANUARY 28, 2012
Black Yellow Magenta Cyan SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 A1
Inside Real Estate:
Garden Trends - Page 3 Home Showcase - Page 3
lubbockonline.com
On The Web:
Local Real Estate News - Page 5 WTHBA Featured Floorplan - Page 7
ABR, CNS & Broker Associate
RE/MAX LUBBOCK 806-787-1444 LannyHarris@RemaxLubbock.com Why do you live in the Lubbock area? What do you like most about it? I live in Lubbock, as I enjoy the friendliness of the people and all that the West Texas lifestyle has to offer. I love the fact that you can get to any point in Lubbock within 15 minutes or less and seldom, if ever, have a traffic jam. When a new out-of-town buyer starts looking for a home in Lubbock, I always remind them that we have many of the same brand name businesses that Dallas has – they’re just easier to get to! I have traveled all over the world and I still and always will call Lubbock home. How long have you worked in real estate? I have been a licensed Real Estate Broker since 1980 and have been a full-time Realtor since 2003. What did you do before that? After graduating from Texas Tech with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Finance, I owned and operated an insurance agency and added Real Estate to it in 1980. In 1994 I became a church administrator, and after serving in that position for 9 years, I decided to get back into the real estate busi-
why you need to find an agent with experience who can help you to avoid making mistakes such as choosing the wrong home or offering too much. Knowledge is power when it comes to negotiating!
ness and make it a full-time career.
What local organizations and charities are you involved in? We attend Lakeridge United Methodist Church and are involved with several missionaries and their projects around the globe. I am a Certified First Responder, and I remain available to participate anywhere in the world as part of an Incident Management Team. In 2010 I was asked to serve during the Gulf Oil Spill at the Command Center located in Mobile, AL, and later moved to the Command Center in New Orleans, LA.
What is your specialty? My specialty would primarily be residential properties, but I do a lot of farm and ranch sales as well. Growing up on a farm and ranch in North Texas has possibly given me a heads up on rural property. I also am available to work on commercial real estate transactions. Why should someone choose you as their real estate agent? The main reason someone should choose me is that my wife Vickie works with me and you would be getting two Realtors for the price of one. Also, I feel that my upbringing is still a huge part of who I am and why I work well with people. I never try to vary from what is right and wrong and I allow the client to decide when and if they are ready to buy or sell. If I treat people like I would like to be treated, they will use me again and again and refer me to their friends and family. What is the most unique property you’ve listed or sold? A few years ago we sold Gene and Carlene Messer a home and it was the perfect
Lanny Harris, RE/MAX Lubbock Photo by Misty Setzler
fit. It was almost like being at the Ford dealership, as Gene finally had ample room to park all of his antique automobiles. The best part was getting to know this most gracious and giving couple and being allowed to be a part of their lives for a short time. Instead of being a bless-
ing in their lives, the opposite happened for us, as they became a blessing to us. What tips do you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home? Being an informed individual in the buying or selling process is critical. That is
Produced By Advertising Editorial Staff
Follow us on Facebook & Twitter View Full MLS Listings & Open House List
Realtor Revealed Lanny Harris
homes.lubbockonline.com
What is the most interesting place you have ever been? I was blessed to go to Kiev, Ukraine and participate in a conference. The people were wonderful and it was hard to leave them when it came time. While crossing back to our side of the Iron Curtain, I was detained for quite some time. For the first time in my life I realized how blessed we are to be called Americans and that we should never take our freedom for granted. You can travel from Lubbock to New York with minimal hassles but that is not the case in a lot of countries!
Call us for all your Real Estate Advertising needs!
Josh Horsey 806-766-8653
Jason Whittle 806-766-2196
Kendall Krohn 806-766-8646
“THE NEIGHBORHOOD JUST GOT BETTER!” Build Your New Home or Garden Home in Cooper or Frenship ISD
SELECT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! TIMBER RIDGE ESTATES • DAY ESTATES THE ENCLAVE @ SUNCREST • KELSEY PARK
VISIT 6111 92nd or 150th & Indiana – or – CALL ROBBY 806-535-8376 • FLO 806-786-1060 WWW.EDGEHOMESONLINE.COM
C
Real Estate
homes.lubbockonline.com
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
3
Top 2012 garden and lifestyle trends
Black Yellow Magenta Cyan
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 A3
Cultivate the new good life with the power of plants (ARA) – In today’s world where news travels at the speed of now, people are searching for balance and purpose and are tapping into the power of plants to cultivate the ‘new good life’. “Plants are powerful,” says Eric Liskey, deputy garden editor for “Better Homes and Gardens” magazine. “Whether it’s enjoying garden-to-table meals or sharing great new plant finds, people are naturally drawn to plants.” Besides beautifying our homes and gardens, plants play a vital role in our health and well-being. They elicit powerful positive emotions, revive neighborhoods, and influence everything from what we eat to life’s milestones. “Plants are no longer a luxury, but a necessity for our lives,” says Susan McCoy, trendspotter and outdoor living expert. “Plants can live without us, but we can’t live without plants.” For a growing army of ecoconscious Gen X and Y’s, recycling, repurposing and upcycling is now a lifestyle. Dr. Charlie Hall, professor of horticulture at Texas A&M, says, “Gen Y’s are embracing a connection with plants based on economics, environmental impact, health and wellness.” Here’s what McCoy and her team of Garden Media Group trend spotters see for gardening in 2012: 1. Urban knights. A growing army of “urban knights” are creating oases wherever they can find a patch of earth. They’re planting shrubs, flowers, edibles and popup gardens on balconies, in alley ways, and on street parklets – even in abandoned buildings. 2. Eco-scaping. From rocks in the garden to rocks in the living room, nature’s influence can be found both indoors and out. “Borders are blurring between indoors and out as nature becomes more important in our lives,” says Bobbie Schwartz, president of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. “Many people want their gardens and their homes to be sanctuaries of tranquility, reflecting their ideal concept of nature.” Beauty and sustainability are key. Liskey says that people want the “beauty and romance” of a garden with less work. “Gardeners want easy, low-maintenance plants that give plenty of color.” One example is the new Bloomtastic! dwarf butterfly bush Lavender Veil from Hines Growers; it’s low maintenance and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with richly-colored abundant blooms. “Herbs are popular as cooking shows and healthy eating habits grow,” says Briscoe White, head
Plants like the new dwarf butterfly bush from Hines Growers attract wildlife to your backyard.
herb farmer at The Growers Exchange. “It’s easy to pot up herbs indoors and out for fresh ingredients year round.” He recommends planting containers of herbs de Provence for beauty and cooking or edging a landscape border with lavender. 3. Occupy local. People are “occupying” local farmers markets and joining CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) for fresh produce, plants and products. “Farmers markets are our new backyard veggie gardens and are becoming our local grocery store,” says McCoy. According to the U.S. Dept of
Edible landscapes create a mixture of beauty and function like this rosemary wall, pictured above, from The Growers Exchange. A walk through the garden, such as stroll down the lovely garden path pictured below, taps into your innate connection with nature. Use Tangerine Tango, the hot color for 2012, to turn your backyard into a paradise. Look for the Bloomtastic! Hibiscus from Hines Growers. Agriculture, sales of “locally produced food” reached $4.8 billion in 2008.They project that locally grown foods will generate $7 billion in sales dominated by fruit and veggies in 2011. 4. Conscious consumption. According to the 2010 Cone Survey, 83 percent of consumers still want to see more brands, products and companies that support worthy causes. American Beauties Native Plants’ partnership with the National Wildlife Federation is a great example of this mind shift. 5. Water watchers. “There is no single issue greater than water,” says Dr. Hall. Recent drought and regional water restrictions are causing us to grow plants, flowers and vegetables with less water. Soil amendments like the new SoilReef biochar are considered by many scientists to be the “black gold” for gardening. Its high carbon content and porous nature help soil retain water and nutrients, saving gardeners time and money. Hydroponic gardening is hot, as well, allowing plants to grow yearround in nutrient rich solutions that actually use less water. 6. In living color. Neon colors, pop art and color blocking are influencing fashion on the runways and fashion in the garden. From Tangerine Tango, the new Pantone color of the year, to deep purples and soothing greens, colors are all
over the landscape. Rich, gem colors create your own personal piece of paradise. Tropic Escape Hibiscus from Costa Farms produces huge flowers that last twice as long as regular hibiscus and are perfect for decorating patios and landscapes. Create a technicolor summer with new Bloomtastic! Bambino bougainvillea and multicolored bougainvillea patio trees. Hines’ new Patio Tropics Desert Rose, Adenium Kissable Pink adds intense tropical color to patios, balconies and poolside. 7. Inner gardening. Decorating our inner gardens with houseplants for better, healthier lives is now the norm. These natural oxygen machines clean indoor air while bringing life to any room. Whether you want ferns, peace lilies or palms, bring nature in and green up your spaces. To learn more about the benefits of indoor houseplants check out www.O2forYou.org. 8. Techno-gardening. With the rise of smartphone technology, consumers are able to go directly into the buying experience. According to TrendWatching, “dealer chic” is on the rise where securing the best deal is not just accepted it’s admired. And gardening is going digital with free e-zines. Costa Farms’ “GrowingStyle” magazine brings designer tips and the latest plant info from growers and designers in this free app. 9. Seedlings. From the White House to the neighborhood schools, kids are learning how to grow their own food and take care of the planet. McCoy says we’ve ignored two generations of gardeners and need to get kids back to having fun growing things. She says the popularity of fairy gardens is ideal for kids and the young at heart to share the world of plants and appreciate the joy of gardening. For a complete look at the Garden Media Group 2012 Garden Trends Report, visit www.gardenmediagroup.com.
Grow healthier plants using less water with SoilReef biochar. Its high carbon content and porous nature help soil retain water and nutrients, saving gardeners time and money.
Black Yellow Magenta Cyan
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 A4
4
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
homes.lubbockonline.com
Real Estate
homes.lubbockonline.com
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
5
Local Real Estate News – Lubbock Association of Realtors
Where to start when you’re going to market
Black Yellow Magenta Cyan
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 A5
BY Debora Lopez, President Lubbock Association of REALTORS®
So your family’s housing needs have changed and you’ve decided to put your home on the market. Now you need to find someone who can successfully market your property and get you the most exposure to attract offers… but where do you start? LOPEZ Use the Good Kind of Traffic The Internet has become the starting point for many homebuyers’ property searches, and online marketing efforts have grown to reflect that trend.
A 2011 survey of Texas homebuyers and sellers found that 89 percent of buyers used the Internet in their search, and 94 percent of sellers in Texas reported that their home was listed or advertised online. But Web-based marketing doesn’t just include the multiple listing service anymore. An increasing number of Realtors are using their own Web site or blog, their broker’s Web site, social media and social networking sites to promote their listings. The good thing about the Web is Realtors can provide visitors multimedia tools to market your home. Photos, slideshows, virtual tours and even diagrams of the home’s layout can all be used on websites. The Old Reliables Despite the increased atten-
tion paid to online marketing tools, there remains a lot of value in traditional marketing techniques. Yard signs, open houses, printed fliers and newspaper ads are still considered standard tools for promoting your home to a variety of audiences. In fact, 85 percent of Texas homebuyers said they find print newspaper ads very useful or somewhat useful in their home search in 2011. Your ideal Realtor should be familiar with the market, which publications reach the largest number of potential buyers and whether classified ads or display ads are appropriate. Holding open houses may also be included in your Lubbock Realtor’s marketing plan. But if not, or if you would prefer not to, you can always discuss these options with them and they will
be happy to accommodate your wishes. These are great conversations to have with your Realtor, whose goal is to help you get the most out of your investment. Asking for referrals is a great way to search for a Realtor. Ask your friends, family members or coworkers who they would recommend. A word-of-mouth referral is great starting point where you can get honest feedback. Find the Best Fit It’s ideal to work with a Lubbock Realtor who is familiar with your area because they will understand which marketing tools are most likely to succeed. Ask prospective Realtors about their current marketing and how they would market your property. Realtors have different strengths that may include the Internet, MLS, print ads,
open houses, staging, and other means. Make sure you’re comfortable with the marketing efforts planned for your property. In addition, you can search for Realtors on LubbockRealtors. com. You are free – and encouraged to – interview multiple Realtors to determine who can meet your expectations before deciding to enter into a contract with someone. In today’s real estate market, many agents launch an all-out multi-faceted marketing campaign. Sit down with your Realtor and discuss innovative ways to step up the marketing strategy. The more visibility your property has, the more likely you are to come across a qualified buyer. For more information on buying and selling real estate in Texas, visit TexasRealEstate. com and LubbockRealtors.com.
December existing-home sales show uptrend Existing-home sales continued on an uptrend in December, rising for three consecutive months and remaining above a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The latest monthly data shows total existing-home sales1 rose 5.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.61 million in December from a downwardly revised 4.39 million in November, and are 3.6 percent higher than the 4.45 million-unit level in December 2010. The estimates are based on completed transactions from multiple listing services that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said these are early signs of what may be a sustained recovery. “The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates
a market in recovery,” he said. “Record low mortgage interest rates, job growth and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market.” For all of 2011, existinghome sales rose 1.7 percent to 4.26 million from 4.19 million in 2010. According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to another record low of 3.96 percent in December from 3.99 percent in November; the rate was 4.71 percent in December 2010; recordkeeping began in 1971. NAR President Moe Veissi said more buyers are expected to take advantage of market conditions this year. “The American dream of homeownership is alive and well. We have a large pent-up demand,
Existing-home sales continued on an uptrend in December, rising for three consecutive months and remaining above a year ago. and household formation is likely to return to normal as the job market steadily improves. More buyers coming into the market mean additional benefits for the overall economy. When people buy homes, they stimulate a lot of related goods and services.”
Total housing inventory at the end of December dropped 9.2 percent to 2.38 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 6.2-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 7.2-month supply in November.
“The inventory supply suggests many markets will see prices stabilize or grow moderately in the near future,” Yun said. Foreclosures sold for an average discount of 22 percent in December, up from 20 percent a year ago, while short sales closed 13 percent below market value compared with a 16 percent discount in December 2010. The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $164,500 in December, which is 2.5 percent below December 2010. Distressed homes – foreclosures and short sales – accounted for 32 percent of sales in December (19 percent were foreclosures and 13 percent were short sales), up from 29 percent in November; they were 36 percent in December 2010. All-cash sales accounted
for 31 percent of purchases in December, up from 29 percent in December 2010. Investors account for the bulk of cash transactions. Investors purchased 21 percent of homes in December, up from 20 percent in December 2010. First-time buyers fell to 31 percent of transactions in December from 35 percent in November; they were 33 percent in December 2010. Contract failures were reported by 33 percent of NAR members in December, unchanged from November; they were 9 percent in December 2010. Although closed sales are holding up better than this finding would suggest, contract cancellations are caused largely by declined mortgage applications and failures in loan underwriting from appraised values coming in below the negotiated price.
ReAl Estate eSTATe Real
homes.lubbockonline.com homes.lubbockonline.com
SATURDAY, JANUARY JANUARY 28, 28, 2012 2012 LUBBOCK LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL AVALANCHE-JOURNAL SATURDAY,
77
Featured Floorplan – d onstruCtion Dan Hines Construction
Black Yellow Yellow Magenta Magenta Cyan Cyan Black
SATURDAY,JANUARY JANUARY28, 28,2012 2012A7 A7 SATURDAY,
4707 109th Street – Suncrest Addition Dan Dan Hines Hines Construction Construction proudly proudly offers offers this this beautiful beautiful four four bedroom, bedroom, three three bath, bath, two-car two-car garage garage home home in in SunSuncrest. crest. This This beautiful beautiful home, home, sponsored sponsored by by the the West West Texas Texas Home Home Builders Builders Association Association in in cooperation cooperation with with the the LubLubbock bock Avalanche-Journal, Avalanche-Journal, is is approximately approximately 2,478 2,478 square square feet feet and and is is located located at at 4707 4707 109th 109th Street Street in in the the very very
conveniently Suncrest conveniently located located Suncrest Addition. between Addition. Located Located between Quaker on 109th 109th Quaker and and Slide Slide on Street, is built built on on Street, this this home home is one lots one of of the the last last remaining remaining lots in in Suncrest. Suncrest. With entry and and With its its towering towering entry stone the front, front, stone band, band, across across the it’s the it’s hard hard not not to to notice notice the unique of this this unique front front elevation elevation of home. wide, this this home. Being Being 80 80 feet feet wide, home larger than than home looks looks much much larger
it really really is. is. Its Its two two large large brick brick it columns really really stand stand out. out. columns Though not not quite quite finished, finished, Though this home home will will come come with with this sprinkler system, system, yard, yard, and and sprinkler fence. fence. As you you enter enter the the double double As doors into into the the entry, entry, you you will will doors notice that that the the entry entry is is larger larger notice than normal normal with with columns columns than and arches arches that that connect connect it it to to and the formal formal dining. dining. Real Real hardhardthe wood floors floors set set off off this this entry entry wood and dining. dining. The The large large living living and
room has has aa massive massive stone stone room fireplace with with rough rough cedar cedar fireplace mantel and and aa cavernous cavernous 20’ 20’ mantel cathedral ceiling ceiling with with cedar cedar cathedral beams that that spans spans the the kitchen kitchen beams and living living room. room. The The kitchen kitchen and has lots lots of of cabinets, cabinets, stainless stainless has double oven, oven, commercial commercial dual dual double fuel range, range, and and island island with with fuel sitting space, space, making making it it the the sitting perfect kitchen kitchen for for large large famfamperfect ily gatherings. gatherings. Shut Shut the the door door ily to the the isolated isolated laundry laundry room room to and you you don’t don’t have have to to worry worry and
about the the mess. mess. about The bedrooms bedrooms of of this this home home The are large large and and convenient. convenient. The The are large isolated isolated master master has has aa large tall box box ceiling ceiling with with aa door door tall to the the private private porch. porch. Enter Enter to through double double doors doors to to the the through bath and and you’ll you’ll be be greeted greeted by by bath warm, elegant elegant master master bath bath aa warm, with claw claw foot foot tub, tub, framed framed with mirrors, and and decorative decorative tile. tile. mirrors, His and and her her vanities, vanities, sepasepaHis rate makeup makeup vanity, vanity, and and very very rate large closet closet make make it it wonderwonderlarge fully functional functional as as well well as as fully beautiful. beautiful. The other other three three bedrooms bedrooms The are located located on on the the other other are side of of the the home home with with two two side separate baths. baths. Each Each room room separate has good good sized sized closets closets with with has built-ins and and lots lots of of hanghangbuilt-ins ing space. space. Connecting Connecting the the ing three bedrooms bedrooms is is aa flex flex room room three which can can be be used used as as aa comcomwhich mon area area for for aa toy toy room room or or as as mon homework area. area. aa homework Other features features of of this this home home Other that come come standard standard with with that every Dan Dan Hines Hines ConstrucConstrucevery tion home home are are crown crown molding, molding, tion granite countertops countertops throughthroughgranite out, can can lighting, lighting, fiberglass fiberglass out, wall insulation, insulation, high high efficienefficienwall cy air air conditioning, conditioning, upgraded upgraded cy plumbing and and electrical electrical plumbing fixtures, and and recirculating recirculating hot hot fixtures, water. water. At $274,500, $274,500, this this home home will will At be ready ready for for your your family family in in aa be few weeks weeks and and is is available available for for few showing by by appointment; appointment; call call showing Dan Hines Hines at at 806-548-8047. 806-548-8047. Dan
Black Yellow Magenta Cyan
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 A8
8
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
homes.lubbockonline.com