Real Estate LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2012
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Inside Real Estate:
Local Real Estate News - Page 3 WTHBA Featured Floorplan - Page 5
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On The Web:
Outdoor Decor Trends - Page 3 How Long Will It Last - Page 7
Keeli Wilson Why do you live in the Lubbock area? I was born and raised in Hobbs, New Mexico. I came to Lubbock in 1997 to attend Texas Tech University, met my husband, fell in love and never left. I am sure this gets said over and over but in Lubbock you CANNOT beat the people. Everyone is so friendly. I love driving down country roads and everyone waving at each other. I love walking into MarketStreet and people smiling and saying hello. I love when you drop something and three people bend down to help you pick it up. I love having my kids with me and people stopping to talk to them and make them smile. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? Being with friends and family. I have three children: Sawyer, 4, Sutton, 2, and Crawford, 10-months. My husband, Brad, and I love having friends over for cookouts, watching Tech games, or whatever reason we can think of. I love having a house full of laughter and fun. How long have you worked in real estate? And before that? I have been in real estate
AND last but not least, trust your agent – that’s our job, that’s what we do. What do you see in the future for real estate sales/ prices? Let me look into my crystal ball! Ha, ha! To be honest with you, I have no idea. It is a crazy market right now, just when I think things are picking up they slow down and vice versa.
for four years. Before that I was a teacher for LISD. I taught at Bozeman Elementary for four years, first grade for two and fourth grade for two. Teachers have one of the toughest jobs in the world. Be sure to thank your teachers because you have no idea how hard they work unless you have been one! What is your specialty? I would say that my specialty is residential and investment properties. That’s how I actually got started in real estate. My husband and I have investment properties; I got my license so we could buy our investment properties through me to save some money and it took off from there!
Why should someone choose you as their real estate agent? I am honest and genuine. I keep them informed and work hard. I’m patient, send them to lenders I trust and know will take care of them, and stay with them through the thick and the thin. When you call me, I answer and will be there. In other words, I treat others the way I want to be treated; I am not just chasing a commission.
What are the most challenging and gratifying aspects of what you do? Finding “the one.” It is very challenging to help my clients see beyond the decorations, wallpaper, paint colors, or flooring they do not like. I always try to help them focus on the “bones” and flow of the house. Wallpaper, paint, and flooring are things you can change to make it your own. The most gratifying thing is seeing them at closing getting the keys to their new
What is the most interesting place you have ever been? Brad and I honeymooned in Costa Rica. It was pretty cool zip lining through the rainforest and relaxing on their amazing beaches. A close second is running two marathons in Chicago and San Diego – probably one of my biggest accomplishments (besides bringing three children into this world.) It’s hard to beat that feeling of crossing that finish line!
Keeli Wilson, Kearney & Associates, REALTORS® Photo by Kenda Davies
house or stopping by after they have moved in to see what they have done to the place. What is one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home? To be realistic. Everyone
wants top dollar when selling their home, including myself, but you have to believe in and go with the comps. When buying, make the house work for you, don’t try to force it. When you walk in “the one” you will know. Trust me, I’ve seen it hundreds of times.
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Realtor Revealed Kearney & Associates, REALTORS® 806.789.7273 cell; 806.783.0020 office kwilson@lubbockhomemarket.com
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Local Real Estate News – Lubbock Association of Realtors
Why home inspections aren’t only for buyers
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BY Debora Perez Ruiz, President Lubbock Association of REALTORS®
Most people associate inspections with buying a house, but sellers can benefit from them, too. Why? Because a home inspection identifies deficiencies with your property, some of which you may not be aware of.
Ruiz Get There First An inspection will give you a better understanding of conditions that may be discovered by the buyer’s inspector. It gives you time to correct conditions
before a buyer even has a chance to ask for a concession. Eliminating problems ahead of time, even minor ones, also lets potential buyers focus on what’s right about the property instead of what needs repair.
Inspectors Are Neutral You can tell buyers that your home’s in good shape, or you can show them a report from a licensed inspector that tells them your home’s in good shape. Which source will they trust more?
Know Exactly What to Fix Inspection reports explain the nature of needed repairs, often with photographs that show the problem. If you decide to correct a condition, the detail found in the report can be of great assistance whether you’re fixing it yourself or explaining to the plumber what needs to be done.
Make Sure the Price is Right A thorough inspection and report regarding the condition of your home can help you and your Lubbock Realtor arrive at a fair asking price – and defend it.
“I Have Nothing to Hide” Providing potential buyers with a recent inspection of your home is a goodfaith gesture that shows forthrightness. Such a gesture might make buyers more comfortable submitting an offer, knowing their own inspection won’t likely discover hazards or major systems in need of immediate repair.
If You Decide to Get a Seller’s Inspection Here are some questions to ask before you hire an inspector: • Are you licensed in Texas? • What’s your fee? • What does your inspection include and exclude? • How long will the inspection take, and can I attend it? (Be wary of an inspector who doesn’t want you around.) • What will your report look like?
• How do you inspect the roof? • Do you have a list of references? • If I make repairs based on your report, is there a fee to re-inspect the house? Remember that an inspector’s job is to find problems, not fix them. If the inspector finds a problem with your house’s wiring, call an electrician. Watch out for any inspector who finds a plumbing problem and immediately tells you that he’s a plumber. Also, if you’re made aware of a defect in your home, make sure you identify that problem on your seller’s disclosure. Your Lubbock Realtor can explain how the disclosure works as well as provide advice on inspections and selling your home. I invite you to visit LubbockRealtors.com to find an inspector that is an affiliate member of the Lubbock Association of Realtors and to learn more about the selling process.
Bold, beautiful define season’s outdoor decor trends (ARA) – When warm weather arrives, Mother Nature becomes a shameless show-off. From clear, bright skies to lush green grass and vibrant blooms, the outdoors go bold and beautiful. So is it any surprise that this season’s outdoor decor is following suit? Bold is the watchword for beautiful outdoor decorating this year, and it’s easy to find items that play to this theme. “Bright colors, bold patterns and showpiece accessories are top trends in outdoor decor this year,” says Dani Nichols, a design-trends watcher for wallpaper purveyor Murals Your Way. “Whether your personal style is modern and chic or country and homey, you can find design elements that both fit your style and follow this trend.” If you’re looking to add pizzazz to your outdoor decor this year, here are some ideas for bringing the bold and beautiful trend to your patio, deck or backyard: Fire and Water Celebrating the elements is a recurring theme in decor, both indoor and outdoor. Where better to fete two of the most powerful ones – fire and water – than in your outdoor design? Color is an easy-to-change, lowcost way to incorporate the
appeal of these elements into decor. Adding a fire pit or a water feature such as a fountain, however, can be even more satisfying. Whether you opt for a large, copper fire pit on tall legs or a simple clay chiminea, incorporating fire into your outdoor living spaces boldly creates warmth, drama and ambiance. A water feature, whether a wall-mounted waterfall or a free-standing fountain, is also a powerful statement – one that can generate calm or mirth, depending on the style, setting and circumstances. Home improvement stores now carry a variety of fire pits, chimineas and water fountains to enhance outdoor environments. Wall Power In recent years, murals and wallpaper have been gaining popularity for outdoor spaces. Technology like Luxuriant Fabric-Backed Vinyl by Murals Your Way, makes it easy to decorate outdoors. The durable material goes on virtually any flat surface and can handle the elements when a layer or two of polyurethane is added on top of the outdoor mural. This season’s wallpapers feature bright, saturated colors and eye-popping patterns. Whether you’re looking for an intensely
In recent years, murals and wallpaper have been gaining popularity for outdoor spaces. This season’s wallpapers feature bright, saturated colors and eye-popping patterns.
Outdoor furniture is a great way to create a fashionable and relaxing backyard oasis. This year, bold hues are popping up in nearly every element of outdoor decor.
hued geometric pattern or a striking nature scene, you can find wallpaper options that mesh well with the bold design trend. Color And Customization Color sets the mood, and can act as a foundation or accent in virtually any design scheme. This year, bold hues are popping up in nearly every element of outdoor decor, from vivid metallics and exotic reds, to lush blues and boisterous yellows. Orange is particularly hot this season, with everyone from paint makers to furniture designers incorporating every shade of orange imaginable – from tangerine to pumpkin – in their designs. Color customization is another exciting aspect of the boldness trend. Homeowners wanting a profoundly personal outdoor environment can customize the interplay of color in their decor. Online, it’s easy to find companies that will create fabrics and upholstery from a color or pattern sample submitted by a homeowner. This season, if you’re seeking a look that’s both on trend and timeless, emulate Mother Nature and go bold. Your outdoor living space will be a celebration of nature, and the perfect stage for all your warmweather celebrations.
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Featured Floorplan – John Sweeney, McDougal Construction
5101 Jarvis – North Pointe
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his Featured Home was built by John Sweeney of McDougal Construction. It is located at 5101 Jarvis in the North Pointe subdivision (off North Slide and Erskine) near the Lubbock Heart Hospital, North Star and the Lubbock Wayland Baptist University campus. This Featured Home is sponsored by the West Texas Home Builders Association in cooperation with the Lubbock-Avalanche Journal. John Sweeney, Vice President and Residential Builder for McDougal Construction, has been building homes in Lubbock for more than 20 years. He is a past president of the West Texas Home Builders Association and can be reached at (806) 239-5916 or (806) 793-0703. John Sweeney would be very interested in visiting with you concerning your custom home needs regardless of location. This home, priced at $159,950, has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car rear entry garage all in approximately 1,835 square feet of living space. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac street, it is a great home for any family at any stage.
The entry, living room, kitchen and eating area are all open making it a great place to entertain. The kitchen includes a breakfast bar and all black appliances. The eating area is well lit with large windows allowing you to enjoy the view of the backyard. The front and back yards are prepped for landscaping. The master bedroom is isolated and incorporates a large bathroom with airflow bathtub, separate shower, and double marble sinks. Cabinets in the master bath (as well as the other bathroom and kitchen) are wood stained. The guest bedrooms on the other side of the home share a bathroom with a shower/bathtub combo and a marble sink. This Featured Home will be open Saturday, April 14, and Sunday, April 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. Please come by and view this beautiful home in North Pointe. This home is being marketed by Brian Aycock of McDougal Realtors. Please call (806) 778-5956 for your private showing. You can also view more photos at www. mcdougalrealtors.com.
How your credit score can impact the purchase of a home (ARA) – Purchasing a home can be the most rewarding – and also the most frustrating – financial transaction of your life. Especially today, when the news is filled with stories about the great market conditions for buyers. It’s true that interest rates are at historical lows. It’s also true that lenders have reduced the types of loans they offer, and simultaneously have become more stringent about who qualifies. A recent study by VantageScore Solutions shows that the rate of default for homeowners with good credit has decreased dramatically
since 2009. Also notable is the increase in the last two years of new loan applicants with a score of 700 or better (less than 40 percent in 2009; 90 percent in 2011). Before you begin looking at houses, getting your credit in good order is essential. A good credit score will help you qualify for the most favorable loan terms, and make buying a home a positive long-term experience. Here are a few tips: • Already paying your bills on time? That’s a great start. In addition, check your credit report to make sure it accurately reflects your credit history. You can obtain
one free copy of your credit report annually from each of the three national credit reporting companies www.annualcreditreport.com. If you do find discrepancies, take the steps necessary to get those issues corrected. The FTC website lays out a process for you to follow if you believe there are corrections needed to your report. Be sure to allow at least 30 days for your credit report to reflect any information that might have been updated or corrected. • As you prepare to apply for a loan, make sure you’re following other best practices that may
101 markets on improving list in April The list of housing markets showing measurable improvement expanded slightly to include 101 metropolitan areas in April, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI). Thirty-five states (including the District of Columbia) are now represented by at least one market on the list. The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months. The 101 markets on the April IMI represent a net gain of two from March, with 13 metros being added and 11 markets slipping from the list while 88 markets retained their places on it. Among the new entrants, areas as diverse as Rome, Ga.; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Greenville, N.C.; Brownsville, Texas; St. George, Utah; and Huntington, W.Va., are now represented on the IMI. “While housing markets across the country continue to struggle under the weight of overly tight lending conditions and other challenges, the April IMI indicates that at least 101 individual metros are showing measurable and consistent signs that they are headed in the right direction,” said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg. “A total of 35 states are now represented on the list.
This positive news is in line with what our builder members have observed regarding firming conditions and improved buyer interest in certain locations.” “After five consecutive months of gains, the IMI recently began to plateau, with many markets holding steady and a few experiencing the ups-and-downs that are typical in a choppy recovery,” observed NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “The IMI is designed to highlight markets that are showing consistent improvement, and those markets that have registered the smallest gains are more susceptible to dropping off the list due to a minor setback in prices, permits or employment,” he explained. At the same time, “as stronger markets approach stability, it will get harder for them to keep charting improvement, which will also limit the expansion of the IMI.” “The fact that the number and geographic distribution of improving housing markets continued to expand beyond the 100 mark in April bodes well for the start of the spring home buying season,” added Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company. A complete list of all 101 metropolitan areas currently on the IMI, and separate breakouts of metros newly added to or dropped from the list in April, is available at: www.nahb.org/imi.
help you improve your credit score. Experts recommend keeping your debt levels at less than 30 percent of the total credit available to you. You should also avoid applying for other types of new credit (credit cards, equity credit lines, etc.) before you apply for a home loan. • You may have heard that having your credit report requested frequently can harm your score, but do not let this keep you from shopping around for rates on a loan. A good rule of thumb is to gather research on mortgage providers over time, then tell the mortgage lenders to check your credit score
within a 14-day period . Most credit scoring models will recognize that you are shopping for a home loan, and it won’t significantly affect your score. • If your credit score is lower than you’d like, be patient. Rebuilding your credit takes time. While you might be anxious to purchase your home, waiting until your credit has rebounded can save you thousands of dollars in the long run if it means a lower interest rate. To learn more about what influences your credit score and what you can do to improve your credit, visit www.vantagescore.com.
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Local Real Estate News – Lubbock Association of Realtors
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How long will it last? From roof to paint, the life expectancy of your home’s components BY Trey Strong, President West Texas Home Builders Association
Just like the human body, your home is made of parts, all working in unison, many unseen and unthoughtof during the course of your daily life. From the roof to the foundation, and from the front door to the back, a Strong home consists of literally thousands of components. Ideally, these components might all have an unlimited life expectancy. But given the realities of day-to-day use, how long can a homeowner reasonably expect a home component such as a window or roof to last? A study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and sponsored by Bank of America Home Equity provides insight into the life expectancies of a number of products in the home. The study intentionally overlooked consumer preferences, acknowledging that if they were considered, kitchen counters would be replaced long before the end of their useful
life, and rooms may be repainted only once in 50 years. Other factors that can have a significant effect on life expectancy include maintenance, proper installation, the level of use and the quality of the materials. And some components, while remaining functional, become obsolete due to changing technology or improvements. Insulation According to the study, all types of insulation can be expected to last a lifetime if they are properly installed and are not punctured, cut, burned or exposed to ultraviolet rays and are kept dry. Proper installation not only extends the lifetime of your insulation, it also ensures that it will perform properly, resulting in reduced energy use and expenses, as well as increased home comfort. Windows Windows, because they can be exposed to extreme weather conditions, have a much shorter life expectancy. The study, which polled experts in the various fields, found that aluminum windows can reasonably be expected to last 15 to 20 years and wooden windows can last upwards of 30 years. An
important element of maintaining your windows is the window glazing — the putty that secures the glass to the sash. Over time, this glazing can crack, resulting in drafty and loose panes. Available at any hardware store, glazing can be replaced by simply chipping or scrapping off the old putty, cleaning the window thoroughly and installing new glazing with a putty knife or caulking gun. Some types of glazing require a coat of latex paint for weatherproofing. Roofs Like windows, the life expectancy of a roof depends on local weather conditions as well as appropriate maintenance and quality of the materials. Slate, copper and clay/ concrete roofs can be expected to last more than 50 years. Roofs made of asphalt shingles should last for about 20 years; fiber cement shingles should last about 25 years; and wood shakes for
Simple ways to soundproof Advancements in technology have made it easier for homeowners to create a mini movie theater in the comfort of their own homes. The affordability of home-theater systems and big-screen televisions has made it possible for everyone to enjoy theater-style entertainment at home. But one thing that can put a damper on those home-theater plans is external noise. Movie theaters are soundproof; private homes, however, are not so soundproof, so homeowners must take it upon themselves to create the ultimate home-theater experience. The following are some of the ways homeowners can do just that. • Add some layers of drywall. An extra layer
or two of drywall added to the existing wall will block sound coming from neighboring rooms. • Install double-paned windows. Such a job can be costly, so if it’s going to be a budgetbuster, then sound-deadening drapes are a cheaper alternative that can also be effective. • Decorate with sound-absorbent items. Furnishings with substantial cushioning, carpeting and fabric on the walls will each absorb sound, reducing the transfer of sound from room to room. Upstairs rooms should be carpeted to further reduce the transfer of sound. • Install soundproofing tile on ceilings. Soundproofing tile reduces the transference of sound from room to room.
about 30 years. In regards to roof maintenance, it’s important to be proactive to prevent emergency and expensive repairs. Look for damaged or loose shingles; gaps in the flashing where the roofing and siding meet vents and flues; and damaged mortar around the chimney (especially at the joints, caps and washes). If you see any signs of damage, call a professional to repair it. Paint Although some avid decorators may repaint every six months, homes usually need to be painted every five to 10 years depending on the content of the paint (its glossiness), its exposure to moisture and traffic. Quality paints
are expected to last upwards of 20 years. Exterior paint conditions should be regularly monitored in order to catch problems early on. Assessing paint for dirt, mold, cracking, peeling, fading and rusting — and repairing immediately, usually through simple cleaning methods such as scrubbing or power washing — can end up saving homeowners much more costly repainting jobs in the long term. Remember, these numbers are averages, with usage, weather, maintenance and a number of other factors influencing life expectancy. Chances are, changing trends will dictate a shorter life span, as homeowners update and remodel their homes.
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