Real Estate LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
SATURDAY AUGUST 4, 2012
Black Yellow Magenta Cyan
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012 A1
Inside Real Estate:
lubbockonline.com
The South Plain’s #1 Real Estate Source ● Visit our mobile site @ m.homes.lubbockonline.com
Local Real Estate News - Page 3 Home Showcase - Page 3
On The Web:
Pending Sales Index - Page 5 WTHBA Featured Floorplan - Page 7
homes.lubbockonline.com
Produced By Advertising Editorial Staff
Follow us on Facebook & Twitter View Full MLS Listings & Open House List
Realtor Revealed Jeff Sellers
Broker/Realtor
The Sellers Realty 806-778-6699 jeff@thesellersrealty.com How long have you worked in real estate? 6 years What did you do before that? My education and background is in ministry. After serving in ministry full-time for a few years, I began working in various sales and management positions. Why should someone choose you as their real estate agent? People should choose me as their real estate agent because of my honesty, experience and strong work ethic. I strive to treat my clients the way I would want to be treated in a real estate transaction. This has helped me to consistently finish in the top 3 percent of the closed sales volume annually in Lubbock. What is your specialty? Residential Real Estate. I work with buyers and sellers in all price ranges all over Lubbock and the surrounding area. I especially enjoy selling homes in northwest Lubbock and near Lubbock Christian University. I also represent Edge Homes, who currently builds in the Day Estates, Enclave, Kelsey Park and Timber Ridge neighbor-
many other places do. What local organizations and charities are you involved in? Currently I serve on the Board of Directors for the Lubbock Association of Realtors. I also serve on the Board of Directors for Camp of The Hills near Marble Falls, TX. This camp reaches out to inner-city kids and serves at-risk youth. I am very active with the missions, outreach and benevolence ministries at our church.
hoods in South Lubbock. What designations do you have and what does that mean for the people you work with? I have obtained my Broker’s license, which is the most important designation. It is the designation that requires the most amount of education and experience in real estate. Each Real Estate office must have a licensed broker in order to practice real estate.
Where did you grow up? We moved around quite a bit, but over half of my childhood was spent in the Houston area. I have also lived in Abilene, TX; Clinton, IA; Hobbs, NM; Fort Worth, TX; and Big Spring, TX.
What are the most gratifying and most challenging aspects of what you do? The most challenging aspect of what I do is trying to ensure that closings happen on schedule. With all the changes in mortgage lending and appraisals, transactions are increasingly difficult to close. What tips do you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home? Please do NOT go at it alone! Have a Licensed Realtor represent you. There are way too many liabilities that can get you in deep trouble in a real estate transaction. Besides that, statistics have shown that homes sold by Realtors sell for more money
Jeff Sellers, The Sellers Realty
than For Sale By Owners do. When buying a home, you can obtain the services of a Buyer’s Representative usually at no cost! What do you see in the future for real estate sales? Fortunately the Lubbock
Photo by Misty Setzler
real estate market has a history of great stability. I see home prices in Lubbock continuing to appreciate between 2 and 3 percent per year. Lubbock is a very safe place to purchase real estate because we do not experience the highs and lows that
Why do you live in the Lubbock area? What do you like most about it? I live in the Lubbock area because I believe it is a fantastic place to live and raise a family. I love the people, the size of the city, the cool evenings, the beautiful sunsets and the fact that there is virtually no traffic. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? I enjoy spending time with my church family, playing golf, going to our kids’ athletic events, traveling, and spending time with family.
SCAN ME!
m. homes. lubbock online .com Check out our mobile site to search thousands of local homes and land for sale, homes to rent and an open house map every weekend.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 A2
2
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Real Estate
lubbockonline.com
homes.lubbockonline.com
Real Estate
Black Yellow Magenta Cyan
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 A3
Local Real Estate News – Lubbock Association of Realtors
Four ways to make home buying process easier BY Debora Perez Ruiz, President Lubbock Association of REALTORS®
Buying a home is a time-consuming, yet exciting, journey. From approvals to finding the home you want to buy, your Lubbock Realtor can help you at every step along the way. You can count on your Lubbock Realtor to advise you on everything from scheduling showings to handling contracts, and that’s a smart decision. Advice from LOPEZ your Lubbock Realtor will help you out in the long run. There’s a lot you can do to make the process go smoothly. Here’s how to get started. Get Pre-Approved by Your Lender This is an important step. When you get pre-approved for a loan, you will save time because you’ll know exactly what homes are in your budget. A bonus of pre-approval is that you give the sellers a greater degree of confidence that you’re a serious buyer. You’ll also have a better idea of how much you might expect to pay in closing costs and can start preparing. Decide What You Really Want It’s hard to find the perfect home, but if you’re realistic about your expectations, you won’t be disappointed. Be prepared to adjust your expectations if you can’t find the property you want in your price range. If you’re looking
for a particular location, you may have to give up some of your desired amenities. Or, if you like the idea of a brandnew home, you should be prepared for the possibility that you won’t get the heavily-treed backyard you’ve always wanted. Spend time creating your list of priorities and then share that information with your Lubbock Realtor. As he or she gains an understanding of your needs and wants, he’ll be able to show you properties that fit your situation. Keeping an Eye Out For You Your Lubbock Realtor is plugged into your local housing market and is always on the lookout for homes on your behalf. They have access to tools like the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and may also hear about new listings before they are publicly posted. If you Realtor wants to show you a home that seems different from what you are looking for, keep an open mind. They likely have advice on ways to make the property fit your needs. Don’t Waste Time If you’ve discovered your dream home, take action. Real estate is tricky, and timing can be everything. Even a verbal acceptance of a contract means nothing unless there’s a signature, so be available and act quickly. Follow these steps and play an active role in your house-hunting adventure. In the end, you’ll be an informed and happy homeowner. For more advice about buying and selling real estate, visit LubbockRealtors.com and TexasRealEstate.com.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
3
Remodeling marketing index adjusts downward, future market activity steady The second quarter results of the Remodeling Market Index (RMI) slipped under pressure from a softening labor market, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), dropping two points to 45. The downward adjustment comes after the RMI reached 48 twice in 2011, the highest reading since 2006. The RMI is based on a quarterly survey of NAHB remodelers that asks them to rate current remodeling activity along with indicators of future activity, like calls for bids. An RMI below 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is lower (compared to the prior quarter) than report it is higher. In the second quarter, the RMI component measuring current market conditions dropped to 46 from 49 in the
previous quarter. The RMI component measuring future indicators of remodeling business remained unchanged at 44. In the South, the RMI rose by one point to 47, while in the West it was flat at 47. The RMI for the Northeast and Midwest regions fell by six points and four points, down to 42 and 46, respectively. Among the detailed RMI components, two important indicators of future activity increased in the second quarter: backlog of jobs to 46 (from 43) and amount of work committed for the next three months to 43 (from 42). All indicators of current market conditions fell: major additions and alterations to 42 (from 44), minor additions and alterations to 47 (from 52) and maintenance and repairs to 50 (from 51).
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 A4
4
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Real Estate
lubbockonline.com
Real Estate
homes.lubbockonline.com
Donna Dubose joins Kearney & Associates Realtors Kearney & Associates Realtors are proud to announce Donna Dubose has joined their team. Donna has all the qualities of a Realtor. She’s honest, hardworking and always positive. She’s a great negotiator and can be both aggressive and flexible. She’s a member of the Lubbock Association of Realtors, National Association DUBOSE of Realtors, and the Texas Association of Realtors. Donna has served as chair of the Program Committee, Education Committee and Community Service Committee with
the Lubbock Association of Realtors. She is presently serving on the MLS Committee and is also a CASA volunteer. Donna is a Lubbock native, working in the medical field for 17 years before becoming a real estate agent/broker over 18 years ago. Donna has an enthusiastic attitude and is determined in helping you achieve a successful real estate transaction. When it comes to real estate in the Lubbock area, she really knows what she’s talking about. Donna has experience with loan modifications and short sales. She is the Realtor who simply can’t be stopped and the one you want on your side when it’s time to buy or sell. Donna has earned her CRS and GRI designations, along with her Broker License. Give Donna t call at (806) 535-1920 or (806) 783-0020.
Pending home sales slip in June, remain above a year ago WASHINGTON – Pending home sales declined in June but marked 14 consecutive months of yearover-year gains, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, slipped 1.4 percent to 99.3 in June from a downwardly revised 100.7 in May but is 9.5 percent higher than June 2011 when it was 90.7. The data reflect contracts but not closings. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said inventory shortages are a factor. “Buyer interest remains strong but fewer home listings mean fewer contract signing opportunities,” Yun said. “We’ve been seeing a steady decline in the level of housing inventory, which is most pronounced in the lower price ranges popular with first-time buyers and investors.” According to the Realtors® Confidence Index, the buyer traffic index stood at
60 in June while the seller index was 41, which shows a large imbalance between buyer and seller interest. A value of 50 implies neutral market conditions; the disparity between buyers and sellers began to grow in early spring and has been in a particularly large imbalance for the past two months. “Any bank-owned properties that have been held back in markets with inventory shortages should be released expeditiously to help meet market demand,” Yun said. “Housing starts will likely need to double over the next two years to satisfy the pent-up demand for both rentals and ownership.” The PHSI in the Northeast fell 7.6 percent to 76.6 in June but is 12.2 percent higher than a year ago. In the Midwest the index slipped 0.4 percent to 94.4 in June but is 17.3 percent above June 2011. Pending home sales in the South declined 2.0 percent to an index of 106.2 in June but
are 8.8 percent above a year earlier. In the West the index rose 2.6 percent in June to 111.5 and is 3.0 percent higher than June 2011. Yun said there also have been delays in the closing process. “With record low mortgage interest rates, there has been a surge of refinancing on top of a higher level of home purchases, which has been creating delays recently in the closing process,” he said. “In addition, there have been some delays with recent foreclosure sales as banks take steps to ensure there are no paperwork problems. This is causing an uneven performance in sales closings, which is likely to continue, but we also see notably higher levels of sales activity compared with a relatively flat performance in the preceding four years,” Yun said. The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1 million members.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
5
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 A6
6
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Real Estate
lubbockonline.com
Real Estate
homes.lubbockonline.com
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Featured Floorplan – Edge Concepts
2503 CR 7540 – Timber Ridge This Edge Concepts home, sponsored by the West Texas Home Builders Association in cooperation with the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, is a beautiful and stylish creation! At 2,639 square feet built on a one-acre home site, this quality-assured home is spacious and sophisticated. Built with a sense of commitment, honor and pride, the home offers style and elegance at the affordable price of $260,785. When entering this four bedroom home, you are welcomed with a beautiful, open living room and formal dining area. The brick and stone accented fireplace creates a warm and cozy feeling while overlooking a sizeable backyard and covered patio. Separated by an archway is the gourmet kitchen with features including: stainless steel appliances, custom built cabinets, granite counter tops, tumbled stone backsplash, builtin microwave, double ovens, and a large kitchen snack bar. Located on the other side of the Featured Home is a beautiful master suite and luxurious master bathroom filled with features designed to provide a sense of peace and relaxation. The features in the master bathroom include a walk-in shower with dual shower heads and jetted tub, dual walk-in closets, and two separate vanities. Additionally, this amazing home also offers a secluded guest suite with private bath, as well as a two-car, side-entry garage. This Featured Home is located at 2503 County Road 7540 in the Cooper Independent School District. This school district
7
Don’t drench home sale by ignoring plumbing issues BY Gayle Ninemire Prudential Anderson Properties
is the most popular and highly accredited school district in the United States. The home is also accessible to all major streets, including Interstate 27. It is also close to shopping, restaurants, indoor soccer, and an indoor party house with inflatable jumpers and slides. There is even a public golf course just up the road!
The value that is built into every Edge home is incomparable and the company understands that purchasing a new home is one of the biggest investments that anyone will make in their lifetime. “We are confident this home, along with any other Edge home, will be an outstanding investment.” This Featured Home will be
open for viewing every Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and every Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. until it is sold. Please contact Flo Nimry at 806-308-6309 or by cell at 806-786-1060. You can also stop by the Edge Homes Timber Ridge Model Home at 3314 County Road 7520 for more information.
A plumbing checkup should be among your top priorities when preparing your home for sale. Your buying prospects might flush toilets, turns on faucets and inspect the showerheads, while more seasoned “experts” will look under the cabinets for leaks and check for water spots around key areas. The last thing you want is to drench a buyer’s enthusiasm because you didn’t fix a simple plumbing issue. Major plumbing renovations may be huge selling points, but many homeowners can get as much credit by simply fixing leaks and changing out a few faucets. If you can’t make repairs yourself invest in a reputable plumber. Before allowing prospective buyers into your home, make sure you have strong water pressure and that there are no stains on any of the porcelain. Hire a local housecleaning company to remove difficult stains. If you do nothing else, take care of any leaks in your plumbing system, as these will be instant deterrents for buyers. Check as much of your plumbing as possible for corrosion or rust. If your house has more than one story, a smart buyer will look at ceilings for water stains from leaking pipes. Make sure to paint the ceiling following repairs. Prospective homeowners tend to focus on places where they can use their hands, so make sure that all the hot and cold water knobs are easy to turn and faucets do not leak. Also ensure that sinks and tubs drain easily. Finally, updated fixtures catch the eye of prospective buyers. A relatively small investment for new faucets can pay off when prospects walk through. No buyer wants problems. Take care of simple plumbing issues and keep your sale from going down the drain.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 A8
8
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Real Estate
lubbockonline.com