Real Estate LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
SATURDAY March 10, 2012
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On The Web:
Local Real Estate News - Page 5 Home Showcase - Page 3 Ground Cover for Landscapes - Page 3 WTHBA Featured Floorplan - Page 7
Why do you live in the Lubbock area? What do you like most about it? I went to college at Eastern New Mexico in Portales, and we would come to Lubbock for football games and just for the weekends. I always liked it. When I had a chance to move here to coach and teach, it seemed like a good idea. Then I met my future wife. I had no idea that Lubbock women were so attached to their hometown. I like everything about Lubbock; it is a great place to raise a family. The people are without a doubt the greatest assets and probably what I like most about Lubbock. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? I love to go to the gym and workout. I also enjoy reading, church activities and being with family. How long have you worked in real estate? I have just started my third year.
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Coldwell Banker Rick Canup Realtors, Inc. 806-544-8428 roy.phelps@coldwellbanker.com Where did you grow up? My father was in the Air Force and we moved around when I was young but most of my childhood was in Albuquerque.
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Realtor Revealed Roy Phelps
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to move to be close to family, then do what needs to be done to make it happen. What is the most unique home you’ve listed or sold? I recently was on the buyer’s side of a house that sold out on North Milwaukee, almost to the Clovis Highway. It was a great house with a huge kitchen, a video room, a shop and an efficiency apartment. It was a challenging deal, but it was perfect for the family. It was a one-of-a-kind house, and I knew we would have a hard time finding something comparable. The other agent and I really worked to get that one done.
Before that? For 29 years I taught school and coached football and track. I started in Bovina in 1980 and was blessed to spend my final 17 years at Monterey here in Lubbock. Why should someone choose you as their real estate agent? I have spent most of my adult live here in Lubbock. For almost 30 years people trusted me to treat their kids fairly. I never took that lightly; when people trust me to find or to sell their house, I take that responsibility seriously. Treating people the way I want to be treated is a big part of who I am. I do my best to carry this attitude over into real estate. I want the buyers and sellers I work with to know that they are important to me. I will not take a person’s trust for granted. What designations do you have? What does that mean for the people you work with? I have a GRI (Graduate Realtors Institute), a SFR (Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource), and a TAHS (Texas Affordable Housing Specialist). Clients know I take my job seriously and will
What do you see in the future for real estate sales? I get asked everyday how the housing market is in Lubbock, and I say “it is great.” We are very fortunate to live where we do. Our economy is diverse enough that our housing market can remain stable. What I see for the future is stability.
Roy Phelps, Coldwell Banker Rick Canup Realtors, Inc. Photo by Misty Setzler
commit the extra time to get the training I need to make myself a better agent. What tips do you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home? I would tell anyone that wants to buy or sell a home
to be sure of your motivation. Don’t lose sight of what you really want. If it is important to you then make it important; if it is not important, then don’t make it into a big deal. If getting a certain price is the motivation, then get that price. If you want
What is the most interesting place you have ever been? This past summer I had the opportunity to go to Thailand for two weeks to do some mission work. I am by nature a pretty restless person; I don’t sit still very well, so the 19-hour plane ride was a stretch for me. It was a great experience and I hope to do more in the future.
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The creeping cure for bare spots and landscaping challenges
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Ground Cover (ARA) – Nearly every lawn or garden has one – a bare, ugly spot where nothing seems to grow well. Maybe the spot gets too much sun, or too much shade. Perhaps the soil is too sandy, rocky or full of clay for most plants to survive in it. Maybe it’s on a hill or slope where exposure to wind and water runoff make it uninhabitable for average plant life. Whichever one (or more) of these challenges is the source of your problem spot, chances are the cure is pretty universal: cover it up ... quickly, inexpensively and permanently with flowering or lush, green ground cover. Hardy, easy to grow and aesthetically appealing ground cover fills vacant spaces, solves landscaping trouble spots and minimizes garden maintenance. Ground cover can transform a dull, sparse space into a rich tapestry of textures, shapes and continual color. These plants can spruce up challenging spots under trees, accent transitional areas along paths and foundations, and intensify interest in open spaces. Plus, they deliver a
stunning seasonal show of flowers and colors. Ground cover is a costeffective, fast way to deal with difficult trouble spots. It performs the job of mulch at a fraction of the cost, blocking weed growth, insulating soil, protecting more fragile plants and adding visual appeal. Some ground covers even bolster nutrients for companion plants with more demanding nutritional needs. Spring is the best time to plant ground covers, giving roots a chance to become established before conditions turn harsh. But before you decide on which varieties of these landscaping miraclemakers you’ll plant, here are some ground cover guidelines: • Don’t just plant the first ground cover that catches your eye. First, take stock of your problem area so you can select a ground cover that is appropriate for the spot. Some ground covers need sun, while others thrive only in shade. Some prefer dry locations. Others require moist soil. • Assess the soil at the site. Is it sandy and dry? A lovely loam? Or wet, soggy clay? There’s a ground cover
for every soil condition, but you’ll also need to test the acidity level of the soil. You may need to amend your soil to raise or lower its pH content, or add organic matter to modify its texture. • Hardy as they are, ground covers still require proper fertilizing, watering and weed control to maintain their attractiveness - just like any other plant. Newly planted areas will need special attention until they’re well established. • Seed is the least expensive way to start ground cover. And planting ground cover seeds is some of the easiest sowing you’ll ever do in your yard or garden. Ground cover seeds are typically much smaller and lighter than other plant seeds; often you’ll get as many as 175,000 seeds in just 1 ounce. One way to make sowing even easier is to use a pre-mix of seeds and lime, like those offered by Outsidepride.com. The mix comes in a shaker bottle and you simply sprinkle the seeds on the planting site. The lime in the mix improves the pH of acidic soils, adds valuable micronutrients and helps break down organic matter.
Iceplant and Sedum are examples of easy-to-grow plants that can cover your barren, weedy trouble spots with wondrous waves of flowers.
Tips when hiring a landscape architect A well-maintained landscape is important to many homeowners. In addition to adding to a home’s aesthetic appeal, a lush landscape can also help increase a home’s resale value. Oftentimes, homeowners without much experience tending to lawns and gardens hire a landscape architect to do the job for them. Homeowners on the lookout for a landscape architect should consider the following tips to make the most of that process. • Find a professional who will work with you. Though you might not plan to do any of the landscaping or gardening, that doesn’t mean you won’t have a vision of what you want the property to look like. A landscape architect should be receptive to your ideas and willing to work with your vision while keeping the channels of communication open throughout the project. • Look for a professional with some experience. A landscape architect should be ready and willing to discuss his or her previous work experience. Ask to see photos of previous work or even local addresses where work was done so you can see the finished product in person. Landscape architects without extensive work histories aren’t necessarily unqualified, but homeowners should weigh the projects such architects have completed considerably. • Discuss subcontractors. Some landscape
architects will handle the project entirely on their own, while others might subcontract part of the project. Determine who will be performing the project and how the hiring of subcontractors might affect the cost of the project. • Discuss fees and get a fee schedule. How the project will be paid for is an important thing to discuss when interviewing landscape architects. Each contractor might have a different fee structure, so you will want the one that’s best suited to you. If a series of payments will be made, get a fee schedule so there’s no confusion down the road. • Get references. A professional landscape architect should have a list of references at the ready for potential customers. When contacting references, be sure to ask how satisfied they are with the finished product and how the project went with regards to scheduling and fees. When talking to a previous customer, also ask how amenable the landscape architect was to their ideas and how much he or she involved the homeowner in the project. • Make sure the contractor is licensed. In many communities, landscape architects must be licensed. This information is public, so always verify if a landscape architect is licensed prior to making any final decisions or signing a contract.
Facts about earthworms Worms have been around for 120 million years. There are more than 2,700 different types of earthworms residing on the planet. In just one acre of soil, there may be a million or more earthworms turning over the soil and chewing on organic matter. Earthworms are often known to be workhorses in the garden, helping to aerate and fertilize the soil while filling it with nutrients. Earthworms recycle materials like dead leaves, decaying animals and feces so new plant seedlings can grow and have the process begin anew. Without earthworms, most plants would not thrive.
Earthworms have mucous covering their bodies in order to stay moist. This helps them to breathe through their skin. You may have noticed that after it rains worms appear on sidewalks and outside of their underground burrows. This is not because they are drowning underground, but because the environment is moist after it rains, making it more conducive for worms to breathe and move around to find mates. Normally the dry conditions above ground make them dry out and die. Contrary to popular belief, worms do have a mouth and an opposite end for waste removal that is not interchangeable.
Ground cover solves landscaping trouble spots and minimizes garden maintenance. The lime is also white, so it’s easy to tell where you’ve spread the seed. You can find a ground cover for virtually every soil situation – and to suit every landscaping preference. Outsidepride.com offers more than 50 different types of ground cover seed, from the luminous lavender and red of Magic Carpet
creeping thyme and the baby blue of Forget-Me-Not to the gorgeous greens of Irish Moss and Kenilworth Ivy. Best-sellers like creeping thyme offer homeowners a vibrant, versatile way to solve problems and accent their landscaping. Creeping thyme is a favorite for its tolerance of dry soil, low
maintenance needs and ability to self-seed season after season. To get ground covers started off on the right foot, plant them in spring so they have a chance to root well. Before long, your barren, weedy trouble spots will be gone, covered by wondrous waves of flowers and foliage.
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Local Realtors attend Texas Realtors® Winter Meeting 2012 in Austin and speakers, the Texas Association of Realtors® announced its top annual award recipients: Texas Realtor® of the Year Avis Wukash of Williamson County; Educator of the Year Candace Cooke of Buchanan Dam; Tom D. Morton Association Executive of the Year Amy DuBose of San Marcos; Texas Realtor® Hero Andrea Cooksey of Houston; William C. Jennings Commercial Transaction of the Year David Glasscock of Dallas; Omega Tau Rho designates from around the state; and Education Programs of the Year from local Realtor® associations in Austin, San Antonio, Houston and MetroTex (Dallas). Texas Association of Realtors® With more than 80,000 members, the Texas Association of Realtors® is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. The Texas Association of Realtors® advocates on behalf of Texas Realtors® and private-property owners to keep homeownership affordable, protect private-property rights, and promote public policies that benefit homeowners. Visit TexasRealEstate.com to learn more.
Housing Affordability Index hits record high Housing affordability conditions have reached the highest level since record keeping began in 1970, according to the National Association of Realtors®. NAR’s Housing Affordability Index rose to a record high 206.1 in January, based on the relationship between median home price, median family income and average mortgage interest rate. The higher the index, the greater the household purchasing power. An index of 100 is defined as the point where a median-income household has exactly enough income to qualify for the purchase of a median-priced existing single-family home, assuming a 20 percent down payment and 25 percent
of gross income devoted to mortgage principal and interest payments. For buyers making small down payments, the affordability levels are relatively lower. NAR President Moe Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., said this latest data underscores buyer opportunities in today’s market. “This is the first time the housing affordability index has broken the two hundred mark, meaning the typical family has roughly double the income needed to purchase a median-priced home,” he said. “For buyers who can qualify for a mortgage, now is a very good time to become a homeowner.” NAR projects the affordability index for all of 2012
will be at an annual high, with little movement in mortgage interest rates or home prices during the year. “Housing inventory levels have declined to a point where conditions are becoming much more balanced in much of the country,” Veissi said. “If access to credit improves, we could see a much more meaningful increase in home sales and broader stabilization in home prices with modest gains in areas with stronger job growth.” The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
How new home trends can apply to remodeling existing homes (ARA) – A significant shift in consumer preference in new home purchases is the latest by-product of the still-struggling economy. The residential construction market is shrinking and so are houses. Homebuilders expect newly constructed singlefamily homes to average just 2,150 square feet by 2015. That’s 10 percent smaller than previously, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). To maintain this compact size, luxuries will be out and practicality will be in. Formal living rooms are going by the wayside, NAHB says, making way for smarter, multi-function layouts. What we’ll see more of: eat-in kitchens that eliminate the need for a separate dining room; and great rooms that can accommodate entertainment as well as office space. Homeowners looking to remodel existing homes – that they will someday put up for sale – would be wise to pay attention to these new home construction trends, which signal what the competition will look like down the road. Choose the right improvements today, and you may be better positioned to sell your home when the economy picks up. Keep the following tips in mind if you’re thinking of
An extra bathroom is one remodel project guaranteed to improve comfort and convenience in the near-term, while delivering a strong return on investment when your home is sold.
investing in an addition or a significant remodel: • Choose your remodeler with care: Select a professional contractor with experience, knowledge of local codes and a good reputation for quality work, says the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. • Focus on tried-and-true performance: Remodel to your needs, of course. But before you finalize your decisions, research the improvements that will likely bring you the highest return on your investment. A minor kitchen remodel should return more than 70 percent of its cost at resale, according to the 2010-2011 Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report. Adding a bathroom pays back more than 53 percent. • Practicality makes perfect: During the latest housing boom, remodels were all about big and bold. Now there is less emphasis on luxury and appearancesfor-appearances-sake. Take advantage of that trend with a focus on practicality
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Renovating rental property
Local Real Estate News
Local members of Lubbock Association of Realtors were among more than 1,000 Texas Realtors® attending the Texas Association of Realtors® Winter Meeting, Feb. 24-28, at the Hyatt Regency Austin. Speakers during the five-day event included: Mark Dotzour, chief economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M; Jed Smith, Ph.D., Managing Director of Quantitative Research for the National Association of Realtors®; Douglas Foster, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending; Congressman Lloyd Doggett; State Representative Burt Solomons; and Joe Stewart, 2012 chairman of the Texas Association of Realtors®. Topics discussed during the Austin meeting included: new housing initiatives for Texas homeowners, economic outlook for the real estate industry, the latest technology and marketing tools for Texas Realtors®, the new Texas Realtors® Strategic Plan, as well as trends in commercial real estate, professional standards, technology, property management, risk reduction, member benefits and more. In addition to educational sessions
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in your remodeling project. You’ll make your home more competitive at resale, and your dollars will stretch a lot further. • Multi-function = broader appeal: For today’s busy families, efficiency is essential. Can you repurpose an existing room to make life easier? Add a laundry room to save going downstairs? Increase the size of your kitchen, so you can convert the dining room to a guest suite? If you’re thinking of creating a family room in the basement, complete the project with a convenient bathroom addition. • Never enough baths: If you’ve ever waited in frustration for your turn in the bathroom, you know that just about every home could use a spare bath. Macerating, or up-flush, plumbing gives you flexibility, because there is no need to break through the floors to install drainage piping, which adds substantial cost. Up-flush plumbing lets you create a bathroom anywhere you like.
When the economy struggles to the point of recession, few people benefit. However, there are some businesses that thrive during a recession. One such business is rental agencies or property management companies. Even landlords with a single investment property tend to do better during a recession, when individuals might be fearful of buying a home or simply unable to afford it. One of the best things a landlord can do during a recession is to pay more attention to their properties, ensuring things are in top shape so they can get the most out of each unit at a time when the rental market is most competitive. This might require some renovations, which landlords should be making periodically anyway, regardless of how strong or tenuous the economy might be. • Update the paint. Apartments are typically empty when shown to prospective renters, and any issues with the paint job are very noticeable during such showings. If the paint is outdated or there is any fading, update the walls with a fresh coat of paint. It’s ideal to do so whenever a tenant moves out. Choose a light, neutral color to give the property a fresh, inviting look. • Replace the carpeting. New carpeting is always attractive to potential tenants, and landlords won’t have to break the bank to replace the carpets when an existing tenant moves out. Instead of expensive carpeting, choose a medium grade carpet with a neutral color, ideally beige or light brown, which can hide spills or stains should the next tenant prove messy. Before laying carpet, don’t forget to lay down quality padding underneath. Such padding makes the carpet
Relatively minor renovations to rental properties can earn landlords substantially more money over the course of a typical lease.
feel softer and of higher quality. • Upgrade the appliances. Outdated appliances make renters speculate as to what else might be outdated and if the building is well taken care of. On the other hand, newer appliances, particularly stainless steel items, create a contemporary feel and give the impression, true or false, that a landlord won’t allow the building to grow dated or fall into disrepair. When shopping for appliances, choose ones that are more basic so any repairs won’t be too complicated or costly. Newer appliances enable landlords to charge more rent for a property, and many renters would agree that such properties are worth the extra money. • Install new windows. Older buildings tend to have creaky or drafty
windows, which not only makes the property colder during the winter months, but it also drives up utility costs as renters are forced to turn up the thermostat to combat drafts and cold air. New windows can eliminate such drafts and reduce utility costs, something landlords can use to their advantage when discussing the property with potential tenants. Landlords might even be able to earn tax breaks when installing new, energy-efficient windows. Discuss if any such breaks exist with the local municipality. When it comes to renovating a rental property, landlords can make a handful of small renovations that, while relatively inexpensive, enable them to earn substantially more money from each unit over the long haul.
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Featured Floorplan – Richard Webb Homes
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3902 109th Street – Orchard Park The Lubbock AvalancheJournal in cooperation with the West Texas Home Builders Association sponsors this week’s Featured Home built by Richard Webb Homes. This four bedroom, three and a half bath home, complete with study and media room, is located at 3902 109th Street. It is only appropriate that this home is showcased in Orchard Park, Lubbock’s most talked about subdivision. From the moment you come through the wood and iron front door you are welcomed by the flowing hand-scraped hardwood flooring which extends beyond the entry into the formal dining, formal living and grand study. The flooring is further complimented by the builtin stained oak bookcase nestled next to a seethrough stone fireplace, which offers the same rich tones as the wood floors. Not to go unnoticed is the abundant natural lighting this room offers due to the transom windows to the right of the fireplace, windows which also provide a view of the covered patio designed for an outdoor kitchen. In spite of the beautiful flooring and handcrafted woodwork, however, one’s attention cannot help but be drawn to the barrel ceiling in the formal dining. The faux finish creates the illusion of a gorgeous metal ceiling, where the rich colors only help to create an atmosphere of gracious living. Functionality integrated with daily routine was the idea surrounding the mas-
terfully designed kitchen. From the abundance of custom-built cabinetry, a walk-in pantry, and spice racks on each side of the cook-top, this kitchen is not only inviting to the owner but to any guests as well. This granite kitchen is complete with an oversized island offering plenty of workspace. Separating the kitchen from the adjoining family room is an eating bar, which affords extra seating while offering guests and family a relaxing space to share a meal. The latest in Whirlpool Stainless Steel appliances are the icing on the cake. The oversized master bedroom features yet another special ceiling treatment, as well as a private entrance to the patio area and backyard. The master bath will have you feeling as if you stepped into luxury, whether it’s the his and her footed vanities, a whirlpool tub featuring exquisite columns or the tile and glass block walk-in shower. The closet offered in this outstanding bath is not without its own uniqueness. The layout is one that offers extra shelving, storage and built-ins, including an island-type chest that makes packing for trips beyond convenient. The isolated master retreat definitely unites luxury and peacefulness, yet is practical is all aspects. The three-car garage leads to an oversized utility room which includes a mud area, abundant cabinets and an area that lends itself to multi-tasking by way of a desk area.
The home’s energy efficiency package includes two Rinnai tank-less water heaters equipped with recirculating hot water, foam wall insulation, and Pella insulated windows and doors. There are countless amenities in this home but
the most important features offered in this and all Richard Webb Homes is their reputation. Richard is known for personally overseeing each phase of the building process and takes great pride in the confidence that is entrusted in his care from all his
clients. The architectural distinction combined with his unsurpassed knowledge of constructions is sure to guarantee a truly custom built home. Please come by and meet Richard while previewing this exquisite 4,050 square foot home priced
at $639,000. Join him this Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. You will be glad you did! Feel free to contact the builder at (806) 789-8999 or pickybuilder@aol.com. Please visit them online anytime at www.richardwebbhomes.com.
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