Lubbock AJ Real Estate Section 2012-09-01 by Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Real Estate LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

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Inside Real Estate:

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Affordable Decor - Page 3 Local Real Estate News - Page 4

Create an Outdoor Retreat - Page 5 WTHBA Featured Floorplan - Page 7

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Kent Hebison Where did you grow up? I grew up in Lovington, New Mexico. Why do you live in the Lubbock area? What do you like most about it? I wanted to go to law school when I was in the military and wanted to attend Texas Tech when I returned from Iraq in 2006. What I enjoy the most are the people. It is a bigger town with that small town good country feel of honesty and integrity. How long have you worked in real estate? I have been in real estate now for about 5 years and enjoy the challenges and the opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives with my profession. What is your specialty? My specialty is residential real estate and I really enjoy working with first-time home buyers because of the excitement and energy they have about finding their first home. The smiles on their face when we find the right one are priceless. What is the most challenging/gratifying aspect of what you do? The most challenging

ture for real estate sales? The market is a constantly changing machine. We have had consistently good sales this year and I believe it will continue. There are some factors that could come into play in the future that may cause an increase in price, but as for an exact time frame, that is too unpredictable. I don’t believe interest rates will stay this way for a lot longer.

aspect in real estate is dealing with some of the more challenging situations where someone might be upside down and just needs the best possible price to get out of a bind. Or, sometimes the sentimental value that plays a factor for the owner. The most gratifying part is knowing that I am able to help even through the challenging situations, knowing that I do my best to help each person sell or buy a home so that they can be happy. What is the most unique property you’ve listed or sold? Well, I am helping a family friend right now who is wanting to sell his home. It is a redwood home with 9-foot brick fence in back and just a really unique layout. It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, 3,200 square feet, a wet bar, and brick floors. It’s really pretty neat and close to the medical district. What is one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home? You have to feel that connection. If you can’t look into the person’s eyes when they shake your hand and know that they are there to help you and look out for you, then

Why should someone choose you as their real estate agent? The reason someone should choose me as their agent is because I am with a company that is constantly growing and advancing in marketing, technology, and training. Most important is the integrity and honesty. I am going to tell you the truth; it might not be exactly what you want to hear and it might even make you a little uncomfortable sometimes, and that is how you know I am telling you the truth, not just what you want to hear.

Kent Hebison, Keller Williams Realty

Photo by Owens Photography

you haven’t found the right agent for you. Honesty and integrity will go further than a smooth talker. As Realtors with Keller Williams, we pride ourselves on coming from contribution. That means we want to help you get the best results for you

and your family even if that may mean taking a different approach. We give to our community to keep those values in Lubbock strong and to do for others as we would want done for us. What do you see in the fu-

Produced By Advertising Editorial Staff

Realtor Revealed Keller Williams Realty 806-577-3811 khebison@gmail.com

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What local organizations and charities are you involved in? Keller Williams is involved in what we call Agents in Action. We constantly do fund raisers for families in need, troops, and those who have gone through something traumatic. Personally I want to create an organization that can make a difference for our homeless veterans.

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Create different patterns on your walls (left) with textured rollers to achieve an artistic design. Painting stripes in your room (right) is a refreshing way to update your current color scheme.

Affordable decorating tips to take your home from ho-hum to high style (ARA) – Feeling uninspired in your space? Updating the decor in your home is an easy way to add more color, style and personality to rejuvenate your residence. With a few simple tips, you can up the design ante in your home without breaking the bank. Decorative painting Painting can consist of much more than simple strokes of one color. Take things to the next level with decorative painting. Create different patterns on your walls with textured rollers to achieve an artistic design. Sponge and fabric paint rollers provide unique patterns to give your walls a one-of-a-kind look. Low in price and high in design, using textured rollers is a great option for redecorating on a budget. Painting stripes in your room is a refreshing way to update your current color scheme. A sequence of wide and narrow stripes in complementing colors is a stylish option. To achieve crisp, clean lines between each stripe, use quality painter’s tape. The tape helps prevent paint bleed, leaving precise lines and keeping the transition between your colors looking sharp. Perk-up hallways with runners; rooms with rugs Add a pick-me-up to your walkway by hanging portraits with funky frames along the walls. Add a runner along the length

of the floor for a touch of pizzazz. Runners come in a multitude of lengths, patterns and colors – not to mention price ranges. Updating the flooring will keep your feet cozy and help to diminish the sound of footsteps. If the color in a room is dull, a rug can add visual interest and a pop of color, serving as an aesthetically pleasing addition. Area rugs also help to break up the space of a larger room and can add grandeur to a small space. A new rug will also protect your pre-existing carpet, vinyl and hardwood floors, keeping them looking newer, longer. Opt for accents as design No home redecorating project is complete without a few perfectly placed accents. These interesting items stand out from your primary colors and furniture pieces, offering a fresh look to any space. Accent pieces – like chairs, frames or vases – will spice up a monotonous color scheme, while harmonizing with everything else you may already have in a room. Consider a bright beanbag chair for your child’s bedroom, a bold lawn chair on your patio or a lamp base in a complementary color on your console. Keep in mind accents are meant to speak for themselves; so there’s no need to have another elaborate piece in the room to pair with an accent piece. Just one affordable piece is all it takes.

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Local Real Estate News – Lubbock Association of Realtors

Know the difference: loan pre-qualification versus loan pre-approval BY Debora Perez Ruiz, President Lubbock Association of REALTORS®

If you’re planning to buy a home, you likely have a long to-do list. One item that should take priority is obtaining pre-approval or prequalification for a mortgage loan. Either scenario puts you in a stronger position as a buyer, but they mean different things. Your Lubbock REALTOR® along with your Lubbock Lender can help you figure out what RUIZ will work best for your situation. Are You Qualified? To get pre-qualified for a home loan, you must provide a lender approximate income, current debts and any important details from your credit history. The lender uses these figures to calculate how much money you may be eligible to borrow. You may receive a Conditional Qualification Letter, which determines your likelihood of obtaining a loan. However, all information submitted during pre-qualification is subject to verification at the time your actual loan application is submitted. Because your financial situation has yet to be verified, there is no guarantee of a home loan. Stamp of Approval Typically, pre-approval means that your financial situation has been verified by the lender. When you get pre-approved, you fill out a mortgage loan application and may have to pay an application fee. After an extensive examination of your financial situation, your lender will commit in writing to fund your loan, pending a successful

appraisal of the home and a few other conditions. Just because you’re pre-approved for a mortgage loan doesn’t mean you have to borrow the money. However, the lender must stand behind its written loan commitment unless something changes with your situation. Think how attractive you’ll be as a buyer when your offer for a house comes with a letter pre-approving you for the necessary mortgage loan. Why Would The Lender Change His Mind? There are some reasons that could cause a lender to withdraw from providing a loan after a pre-approval letter is issued. If your credit situation changes between your pre-approval and the loan’s funding, the lender could change your interest rate or even deny the loan application. So, while you’re in the home buying process, it’s best not to apply for credit cards, car loans, or other any other type of loan. Dig Into Your Financial History Don’t go into the pre-approval and pre-qualification process without getting a copy of your credit report, which lists your financial history, including total debt and whether you pay bills on time. Checking your credit report regularly is the best way to spot identity theft, credit-report errors or other financial missteps that very well could affect your ability to buy a home. You’re entitled to one free credit report from each of the three credit-reporting bureaus every year. Find out how to obtain your free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Be smart, take steps to secure your finances, and get pre-approved for a home loan. Soon you’ll be in the home you’ve always dreamed about. For more advice about buying and selling real estate, visit LubbockRealtors.com and TexasRealEstate.com.

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Kearney & Associates, REALTORS welcomes Patricia Reynolds Kearney & Associates, REALTORS is pleased to announce that Patricia Reynolds has joined the firm. Patricia graduated from Spur High School, then from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught Reynolds school for 35 years, retiring in 2007, before beginning her career in real estate. Patricia is an active member of Wolfforth United Methodist Church,

a member of the South Plains Retired Teachers Association, and currently serves on the Lubbock Association of Realtors “Walk with Pride” committee helping underprivileged children get a new pair of school shoes. She is married to Jerry Reynolds, a coach and teacher in Frenship ISD. The couple have one son, Chad, who also is a coach at Frenship. He and his wife, Heather, have two children – Weston, 6, and Halley, 4. For all your real estate needs, please contact Patricia Reynolds at Kearney & Associates, REALTORS. You can reach her at 4202 98th St., telephone (806) 783-0020.

July pending home sales rebound Pending home sales rose in July to the highest level in over two years and remain well above year-ago levels, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 2.4 percent to 101.7 in July from 99.3 in June and is 12.4 percent above July 2011 when it was 90.5. The data reflect contracts but not closings. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said

the index is at the highest level since April 2010, which was shortly before the closing deadline for the home buyer tax credit. “While the month-to-month movement has been uneven, we now have 15 consecutive months of year-over-year gains in activity.” Existing-home sales are projected to rise 8 to 9 percent in 2012, followed by another 7 to 8 percent gain in 2013. Home prices are expected to increase 10 percent cumulatively over the next two years.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

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How to create the perfect outdoor retreat in your yard (ARA) – Backyards have always been places where families can get away without actually going away. Outdoor areas connect people with their favorite natural treasures while providing a place to relax. Whether it’s adding an outdoor kitchen and replacing your old picnic table with a truly impressive dining set, or outfitting your patio with a desk space so you can bring your work outside, you can expand your living area by focusing on what’s outside the home. Realizing the value of spending time outside in a comfortable and attractive setting – and that money spent on an outdoor space can go even further as opposed to a new addition to your home – many homeowners are choosing to focus on improving their outdoor spaces. According to a recent survey by HGTV and Casual Living magazine, 87 percent of the roughly 5,000 Americans interviewed said an outdoor room in their homes was “important or very important,” and more than half had one. Derek Stearns, a craftsman with Derek & Dean, Inc. and co-host of DIY Network’s “Indoors Out,” believes this interest is as much sentimental as it is value-driven. “An outdoor space is really all about relationships – it’s about creating memories with your family and nature,” Stearns says. Stearns and Kerry Burt, a Dallas-based landscape architect and winner of HGTV’s Landscapers’ Challenge, offer a little inspiration to create your perfect outdoor retreat: • Plan with a purpose Before you determine the layout, consider how you will use the space to create memories. Do you like to cook and entertain friends? Are you seeking a private escape to spend more time with family? Or do you

Before you determine the layout for a new patio or deck, consider how you will use the space. Do you like to cook outdoors or entertain groups of friends? Are you seeking a private escape to spend more time with family? Plan your new outdoor retreat to accommodate your needs for the space.

desire a backyard office space? Stearns recommends focusing on your wish list without budget constraints. “Stress comes from thinking you have to edit your plans, so start with the top item on your wish list,” Stearns says. “You can edit later within the budget.” Use this focus to establish a focal point – an organic garden or gorgeous view – and create a plan to design around it. To maintain the flow from indoors out, use natural materials for deck or patio space that complement the outdoors. Try durable woods, like Western Red Cedar, that instantly brings an exceptional aroma and beauty to outdoor living spaces. • Add backyard flavor Heat up your backyard retreat by adding a kitchen to create tasty family dinners outside, a popular

request for Burt. Depending on the size of your space, a kitchen may include a variety of appliances and offer seating options ranging from vintage tables to sofas. “With the economy people want to spend money on something they can use over and over, a purchase aside from a vacation,” says Burt. • Create privacy and shade To create the most comfortable space on hot summer days, Burt recommends pergolas and arbors to provide shade. The structures will also create privacy for quiet conversations and can easily offer pops of color when decorated with bright flowers. As more homeowners are looking for low-maintenance products, build with natural materials that are easy to use and can stand the test of time.

To maintain the flow from indoors out, opt for natural materials that complement the outdoors. For decks and patios, try durable woods, like Western Red Cedar, that instantly brings an exceptional aroma and beauty to outdoor living spaces.

Materials like Western red cedar contain natural preservatives that resist moisture, decay and insect damage, and can save you money over time. You can instantly warm up the space with these materials by adding a stain for rich tones. • Bring indoors out Add the finishing touches to your outdoor retreat by truly bringing the indoors outside. Stearns recommends bringing indoor rugs outside and adding a clock in the kitchen to give the space a more intimate feel. For a simple touch, buy three different size pots in the same style and plant a

mix of flowers in each. “What’s really hot right now is outdoor lighting – not just wrapping lights around trees – but hanging a chandelier over a dining table,” suggests Stearns. Social media sites like the Real Cedar Facebook page can be a great place to find ideas – and offer a chance to win prizes to stretch your resources. Finally, remember time spent in your outdoor space can leave a lasting impression. “Having a well-maintained outdoor living space and garden shows confidence to potential buyers,” explains Burt. “It shows the homeowners care.”

Five reasons why buying a home is still a good idea (ARA) – A still murky economy and uncertain real estate market may have you wondering if buying a home is a good idea. You may find it comforting to know there are still plenty of good reasons for financially stable people to buy: • Homeownership can help make good credit even better. If you have good credit, live within your means, and consistently make good financial decisions, a mortgage can be the kind of “good debt” that helps your overall financial health. Making regular payments on a mortgage shows potential lenders that you’re a less risky candidate for a home loan. • A mortgage can function like an automatic savings plan. Every year you pay on your fixed-rate mortgage, is a year of building equity, and equity is like money in the bank. When it’s time to sell, you should be able to sell your house for more than you owe. • Homeownership comes with plenty of financial perks, including an income tax credit for property taxes. Buying a home also affords you the opportunity to halt your housing costs. Rent will always go up from year to year, but if you have a fixed-rate mortgage your housing costs will be locked-in. • Mortgage interest is a good deal when stacked up against other types of interest. Mortgage rates are low right now, meaning you can pay less over the life of a loan than at practically any other time in recent history. Plus, it’s the only kind of interest that you can deduct from your taxes.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Featured Floorplan – Edge Homes

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4202 134th St. – Kelsey Park Edge Homes is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of their newest model and Featured Home located in Kelsey Park. Kelsey Park is a new masterplanned community between Indiana Avenue and Quaker Avenue, just south of 130th Street. Located in the highlyacclaimed Lubbock-Cooper School District, Kelsey Park was designed with family in mind, not only offering great schools, but also many amenities, including a 45-acre memorial park and lake, office parks and shopping. Edge Homes is one of only two builders in Kelsey Park offering many spacious floor plans. Homes range from 1,900 to 3,000 square feet and start in the $180’s. Edge Homes also gives their home buyers the opportunity to

customize their home to fit their needs and lifestyle. This week’s Featured Home, sponsored by The West Texas Home Builders Association in cooperation with the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, is priced in the low $200’s. This open floor plan is 2,325 square feet with four bedrooms and three full bathrooms, including a large master bedroom with private patio, guest suite with bath, custom cabinets and formal dining area. This home is just one example of the many excellent floor plans and quality construction offered by Edge Homes. Every Edge Home includes many custom features: brick with stone accented exteriors, 10’ ceilings, custom cabinetry, granite counter tops with tile back splashes, 18’x18’ tile, front and rear sod with sprinklers, enclosed back yards, lighted ceiling fans in all bedrooms, and a one-of-a-kind automation package, to name just a few. The value that is

built into every Edge Home is incomparable. They are continuously finding new ways to enhance family lifestyles by building in the most desirable communities that Lubbock has to offer. Welcome home to Kelsey Park! For more information on this Featured Home, please call Jeanna Treider at (806) 781-1076 or stop by the model home/sales office at 4202 134th St.

Considering air duct cleaning? What you need to know first (ARA) – Imagine 40 pounds of dust spread throughout your home, pushed into the air for you and your family to breathe up to seven times a day, via your heating and cooling system. Pretty gross thought, right? Well, unfortunately there is a high possibility that this is the exact situation in your house right now. Through normal occupation in a home, a sizeable amount of contaminants, such as dander, dust and chemicals, are generated. In a typical six-room home, up to 40 pounds of dust is created annually through everyday living, according to NADCA: The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated five to seven times per day, on average. The heating and cooling system can be considered the lungs of your home, taking in air and breathing it out. Generally, the cleaner the lungs, the cleaner the air. That’s why it’s important to get a quality HVAC cleaning done on a regular basis. But beware, not everyone claiming to be an HVAC cleaning professional can do the job the right way. There are some important things you need to consider so you avoid companies with unethical business practices or bad cleaning techniques: • Beware of fly-by-night companies who use scare tactics. Instead of actually cleaning a customer’s HVAC system, these scam companies squeeze money out of clients by causing them anxiety and worry. Homeowners are told they have mold and other toxic substances in their system – claims which are most likely false and used to extort money. • Watch for bait-and-switch coupons. Ads for rock bottom prices on “whole house air duct cleaning” arrive in the mail daily for some households. These companies might come to your home for a very reasonable price, but once they are in, either do a subpar job, or switch to much higher costing cleaning services that often are not to industry standards. • Look for a professional who is a member of NADCA. Members include HVAC industry professionals, including air systems cleaning specialists, mold remediators and HVAC inspectors who follow strict industry standards. All members must have a certified Air System Cleaning Specialists (ASCS) on staff. Visit www.nadca.com to find a member company near you. • Remember, not every house needs an HVAC cleaning. A quality company will do an inspection first and recommend a complete cleaning only if necessary. They should be able to point out debris buildup that is visible to the human eye, such as by removing a floor register and taking a picture with a digital camera. • A proper cleaning should not only involve a big hose stuck in your home’s ductwork, but actual cleaning of the HVAC components as well. Homeowners should run through a checklist with the duct cleaner they hire to ensure everything is done properly. You can find a thorough checklist on www.nadca.com. Cleaning your HVAC system can have many potential benefits. In addition to reducing contaminants and providing your home with better indoor air quality, you may enjoy energy savings as well. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. A clean HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature, and therefore, less energy is used, helping you save money on your utility bill.

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