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Inside Real Estate:
Local Real Estate News - Page 5 2012 Home Design Trends - Page 5
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On The Web:
WTHBA Featured Floorplan - Page 7 Easy Home Fixes - Page 7
Why do you live in the Lubbock area? What do you like most about it? It’s always been home. We love to travel but this is where I belong. How long have you worked in Real Estate? As of this July, 20 years. What is your specialty? Listening. Clients want to know I’m engaged so I can guide them through the variables that will impact their decisions. What designations do you have and what does that mean for the people you work with? Designations are indications of the commitment, expertise and tenure I’ve earned in my efforts to serve my clients. There is always more to learn. The most notable are: Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI), Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Certified New Home Specialist (CNHS), and Certified Home Marketing Specialist (CHMS). There
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ABR, CRS, GRI, CNHS, CHMS
Coldwell Banker Rick Canup, REALTORS 806-793-0677 Office; 806-441-4120 Cell clay@coldwellbanker.com Where did you grow up? Shallowater. The family farm is where I learned my work ethic.
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Realtor Revealed Clay Enger
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increases which have driven up new home prices. Existing home prices have lagged somewhat but will inevitably follow, but by no extreme amount. I expect Lubbock prices to follow gentle rates of appreciation we’ve become accustomed to. Lubbock’s continued job and population growth are key factors.
a number of other Coldwell Banker-specific and relocation company designations. What is the most challenging/gratifying aspect of what you do? Most challenging: I’m a professional problem solver. I expect challenges while helping clients sort through the emotional and financial variables that are muddling their path. Most gratifying: I really enjoy a simple, sincere “thank you” and smiles of satisfaction when we’ve made it through a challenge, knowing I helped my clients achieve what they wanted. I really enjoy thank you notes, too. What tip do you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home? Pick, Prepare, and Position. First, pick a real estate company with the best marketing and tract record of success. Then choose a proven, experience agent. Their experience will help to prepare and position your home best within the market. What do you see in the future for real estate sales? I fully expect 2012 to be a year that many reflect on and say, “Why, oh why, didn’t I sell
Clay Enger, Coldwell Banker Rick Canup, REALTORS Photo by Misty Setzler
and buy then... prices were good... rates were crazy low?!” Many bemoaned the historically high interest rates of the late ‘80s – as high as 18 percent. In a similar way, we’ll one day reflect on these historic lows. We’ve started off at a great pace. I expect
for sales volume to be a step above our previous two years. Anyone that isn’t totally content with their current home for the next 3-4 years should move up their time table. For a number of years, our local home builders have been wrestling with material cost
Why should someone choose you as their real estate agent? Choosing an agent is often overemphasized, and the choice of representation made too quickly for such a major investment. The track record and marketing of the company is most important – good teams and marketing plans make good agents. By all means, make sure you are only considering agents fully committed to the industry as their full-time career. Do your research and make sure your perception of the major players in the market is accurate. Recommendations from friends, as well as taking time to interview your favorites, should bring an extra measure of confidence. If I make it through that vetting process, I’m your man. What is the most interesting place you have ever been? My wife and I enjoyed a trip to Italy, especially Rome with all its history. St. Peter’s Basilica is absolutely amazing.
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Local Real Estate News – Lubbock Association of Realtors
Play fair when selling your home
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BY Debora Perez Ruiz, President Lubbock Association of REALTORS®
When you’re planning to sell your home, you most likely want it sold at the best price and as quickly as possible. But if you inadvertently discriminate against potential buyers, not only do you run the potential risk of missing out on a great offer, you may risk violating the law. Ruiz Protected Classes The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or financing of a property based on
race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. Be sure to also check local ordinances that may cover additional protected classes. These laws were put in place to ensure equal housing opportunities for all Americans. But many people don’t understand exactly what “fair housing” means, and that’s not surprising. Although the concept seems simple, there are situations where it gets a little complicated and harder to discern. Here are a few examples of
potential violations: • Refusing to sell your home to a single woman with several children • Advertising that you’d prefer to sell your home to a Christian family • Falsely denying that your property is for sale because the person who’s asking doesn’t share the same ethnic background as your neighbors Is that ad a good idea? You may think targeted marketing is a good way to promote your home, but be careful. Advertising your home only in a geographic area populated by a certain ethnic group or promoting your listing in media that only serve a
particular religious audience can violate fair-housing laws. Go ahead and advertise your home in your church’s newsletter –just make sure that’s not the only place you advertise it. Your Lubbock Realtor can help ensure you comply with these rules. Let someone else be helpful
While buyers are looking, they may have questions about the neighborhood, such as the nearest grocery store or traffic concerns. But be careful how you respond if a buyer asks about things like the neighborhood’s racial, ethnic or religious demographics. It’s best to direct
Creativity and cost-savings measures reflected in top new home design trends The home building industry celebrates New Homes Month in April by sharing the hottest design trends that will be seen in new homes in 2012. New home buyers will be able to take advantage of emerging market trends that incorporate creative use of materials, layouts and features that provide maximum utility and beauty while being cost-conscious at the same time. “Despite the ongoing challenging economy, home builders are still delivering new homes with exceptional design elements that serve the current financial and functional needs of customers,” said Barry Ruttenberg, NAHB chairman. Here are just a few of the new home design trends shared by the industry’s leading home builders and architects at the International Builders’ Show: • Reworked Spaces: New homes are being designed to allow plenty of space for family interaction in high-traffic areas
such as the kitchen, and to eliminate rooms such as formal dens and home offices that aren’t frequently used. Small spaces devoted to home management, also known as “pocket offices,” are being included in large pantries or spaces nearby the kitchen or family great room. Window seats and alcoves are being used to provide an area for private time, without taking up a lot of space. A popular and efficient location for laundry facilities is now added onto the master bedroom’s walk-in closet. • Expanded Amenities: Multifamily development designs are increasing the number of resident amenities in order to compensate for smaller unit sizes. Gyms and media rooms have been common for years, but facilities such as libraries and lounges with individual workspaces are now being offered as well. • Multigenerational Living: Many families are all living under one roof due to increasing
cultural diversity and the state of the economy. New singlefamily home designs reflect this with “shadow” units that are built alongside a home, or separate living units that access the main floorplan through a door, or homes with at least two master suites—often with one located on the ground floor to be more accessible for elderly occupants. • More Impact, Less Cost: Rectangular home designs are more cost effective, so new homes no longer have the formerly-popular feature of multiple roof lines or the resulting unnecessary interior volumes they created. But home designs now include innovative modifications that are still visually stimulating, such as using two windows in a corner with mitered glass to allow unobstructed views and maximum light to come in. Another example is using a mix of materials in the home’s façade such as metal, wood and stone to give the home a modern look.
Paving stones are one option for homeowners looking to transform areas of their landscapes.
Paving stones versus concrete Homeowners have a variety of needs around the landscape that call for pavers or concrete, including driveways, patios and walkways. Deciding on a material means assessing needs and desired features as well as the cost of the project. In general, pavers are interlocking tiles of stone, brick or molded concrete. Concrete is poured in large, solid blocks with flexible spacers to allow for contraction and expansion depending on the weather. Pavers Pavers allow flexibility in color and pattern. They can also be dug up and moved around at a later time. Different types of blocks can be interwoven to create a unique pattern. Because pavers are individual pieces, homeowners may find that installation is a do-it-yourself project. There are many different price ranges for pavers, depending on the size and material. Some range from a few dollars a block to much more than that. Many home-improvement stores sell an array of pavers, or homeowners can order from a specialty retailer. Pavers are often individually set with sand and leveling gravel. This means that over time they can settle and become uneven. Furthermore, because there is only sand in between, weeds may grow through the pavers over time, requiring added maintenance. Concrete Poured concrete is a permanent addition to the landscape. It cannot be poured and then reconfigured without major demolition. Also, because concrete requires precision
and mastery, it is not something easily done by a do-it-yourselfer. This means that a hired mason will have to be called to pour concrete features. This may make concrete a more expensive purchase than individual pavers. Concrete is a continuous, poured substance. This means that weeds will not grow through so there is less maintenance involved. But it’s important to know that even concrete that has been properly laid may shift or crack over time from the settling of the ground. Thanks to innovations in concrete, homeowners who like the look of pavers without the work can investigate stamped concrete options, where a pattern is embossed into the concrete before it dries. Colors, stains and etching procedures are also available. There are a few other distinctions between these two materials that may also influence a homeowner’s decision. Pavers provide immediate gratification in that they can be enjoyed shortly after installation. Concrete, on the other hand, will require days to dry and cure. Some town codes require a permit for pouring concrete because it is a permanent change to the home. Pavers may not require a permit because they are not permanent and can be removed. When choosing among pavers or concrete around a pool or water source, it is important to select a texture that will not be slippery when wet. Otherwise accidents may occur. The choice between concrete and pavers is largely one of personal preference. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages to consider.
buyers to sources of that information like the Census Bureau, rather than answer yourself. Better yet, refer these questions to your Lubbock Realtor. Also, if you ask your Realtor to eliminate or include certain buyers based on any of the protected classes, she legally cannot follow your instructions. Don’t be offended or angry. No matter how benign the request may seem, it would be a violation of fair housing laws and she would be risking a hefty fine, her reputation and her career. Work with a professional Lubbock Realtors adhere to a strict Code of Eth-
ics that holds them to an even higher professional standard than what state and federal laws require. Realtors also participate in education and outreach programs to promote fair housing to the public. The home you live in plays such an important part in your life. When buying or renting a home, everyone – no matter their race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin – deserves the right to be treated fairly. For more information about buying and selling a home in Lubbock, visit LubbockRealtors.com and for information on Texas, visit TexasRealEstate.com.
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Anderson Properties announces national award winners Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Anderson Properties announces Phyliss Lutrick and Matt Murray have won national awards based on their sales performance in 2011. Phyliss received the Individual Performance Award, while Lutrick Matt received the Individual Masters Award. According to Mike Huff, Owner/Broker of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Anderson Properties, Murray “We are very excited to have two such award winners here in Lubbock. These awards were based on their level
of production compared to agents across the country. To have two such award winners here speaks volumes to their professionalism and dedication to hard work.” Sherry Chris, President and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, adds “Phyliss and Matt have realized an achievement that does not come easy and that they are setting a high standard among agents throughout our network and across the industry. We are fortunate to have such talented contributors and leaders on our team.” Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Anderson Properties is a full service real estate agency with over 250 agents. The Company currently has 11 offices around Texas including Houston, Riverside, Trinity, Galveston, Austin and Lubbock. These offices serve customers throughout the State of Texas. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
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Fix common household eyesores
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Featured Floorplan – Tim Roten Homes
6205-92nd Street – Day Estates Tim Roten Homes is honored to be able to bring you this Featured Home, which is sponsored by the West Texas Home Builders Association in cooperation with the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Tim Roten Homes is one of Lubbock’s longest running home builders. Tim has been building stunning homes in the Lubbock area since 1984 and has earned a reputation of bringing stylish, affordable and the best quality homes to the marketplace. This beautiful Tim Roten home can be found at 6205-92nd Street, which is in the highly attractive Day Estates community. This community is located right off Milwaukee and 92nd Street, just seconds from shopping, food and the Marsha Sharp Freeway. This lends to getting anywhere in Lubbock in just a matter of minutes. It is also located in the award-winning Frenship school district. Then, right across the street is a very appealing park fit for the whole family to have fun. The home is 2,640 square feet and is comprised of four bedrooms, three baths, and a rear entry three-car garage. Along with the master bedroom, there is another isolated bedroom for either a guest bedroom or a mother-in-law. Between the children’s rooms is an exquisite Jack-and-Jill bath. The master bathroom is very luxurious with a 5’ jet tub and a walk-in tiled shower outfitted with a granite bench and two shower heads. The home has a formal dining area that comes with a built-in custom china hutch. Also, in the formal dining is beautiful hand distressed maple wood flooring. The kitchen is a chef’s dream. It is very spacious with
a gas cook-top, a microwave/oven combo and stainless steel appliances. The kitchen countertops and bar tops are natural granite stone paired with 18” ceramic tiled floors. The
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bathrooms throughout the home include the same natural granite countertops. The master is very airy with plenty of room to fit a king size bed and much more. The family room contains a beautiful stained oak mantel with custom built-in cabinets. The home has plenty of natural light because of the oversized 7’ windows, instead of the normal 5’ windows. Throughout the entire home you will find that every ceiling is 10’ in height. This home is fully landscaped with sod, sprinkler, two large red oaks, and large flower beds adorned with gorgeous flowers and shrubs. Please come by and see this beautiful Tim Roten home Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. (except Sunday, April 8, as the model will be closed in observance of Easter). If that is not possible, you can call the model at 806-745-2873 or visit www.timrotenhomes.com. This home has everything a potential home buyer would want with a price tag of only $277,000. Don’t miss out on your chance to walk through a brand new Tim Roten Home.
Every home has them – little eyesores that go unfixed. These may include anything from loose knobs to scuffed floors. Although it may take a little work, it’s generally easy to eradicate common blemishes. Bathroom – A home’s bathroom or bathrooms get more than their fair share of use. As a result, everything from stains to grout to rings around the toilet are common in the bathroom. Vinegar and baking soda can be handy tools in the bathroom. Pour vinegar into the toilet and add some baking soda to create a foaming action. Use a toilet brush to scrub the inside of the bowl. Then allow the solution to sit for an hour before flushing away. The same combination can be used to scrub down soap scum that accumulates inside the bath tub. Soak a cotton ball in vinegar and place on surfaces where hard water stains have accumulated. The vinegar will dissolve the scale and make it easy to wipe away. Kitchen – No matter how many times you wash a tiled floor, grout has a funny way of never quite coming clean. Purchase a groutcleaning product and use a stiffbristled brush or a toothbrush to get into the grout lines. Consider using a grout stain and sealer to prevent future discoloration. Windows – Few things around the house are as unsightly as torn window screens. Torn screens tell visitors that you don’t care very much about the appearance of your home. But repairing window screens is a relatively easy task. There are screen replacement kits that take you through the process step-by-step if you plan to replace the entire screen. For very small tears, you may be able to patch the damage. There are self-stick patches for screens, but often the glue draws attention to the repair. Rather, get a small piece of new screen material and use an upholstery needle and invisible finishing thread to attach the patch. Furniture – Remedy nicks with furniture markers that can blend into the wood grain or other surface materials and mask the dings and dents.
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