June 2011 Lubbock Connection

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The Diamond Group

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Lubbock Connection

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‘A Cut Above The Rest’

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The Diamond Group @ Keller Williams Realty

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4747 S. Loop 289 Suite 110 Lubbock, Texas 79424

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Total Market Overview Residential and Single Family with Acreage Year to Date as of May 31, 2011 Numbers pulled from Navica 6/6/2011 Lubbock Association of REALTORS

thediamondgroup@kw.com elizabetha@kw.com Standard Mail U.S. Postage Paid PERMIT NO. 10 Wolfforth, TX

The Diamond Group Keller Williams Realty 4747 S. Loop 289 Suite 110 Lubbock, Texas 79424

806.771.HOME (4663) thediamondgroup@kw.com www.ringthediamonds.com

www.ringthediamonds.com A Note from Elizabeth Welcome to the wonderful world of houses, where your agent does matter. When you are ready to buy or sell a home it is important that you work with someone that has extensive market knowledge, knows the numbers and excels in customer service. Exciting news! Interest rates are still under 5%.........can’t think of a better time to buy or sell! Ready to downsize, Ready to upscale.......Call me.........I Care!

Remember, I can’t help you with what you think I might do; call me and let’s discuss your situation, I do care and I can help!

Call today: (806) 771-HOME (4663) Elizabeth

Dear Reader, There are many reasons to choose Keller Williams Realty, and especially The Diamond Group; whether you need to buy, sell, or invest in Real Estate. We have a wonderful residential department and also KW commercial to serve all of your Real Estate needs.

We are very proud to be with Keller Williams Realty and want you to know we are here to serve your Real Estate needs. In a Real Estate climate that is often negative, we at Keller Williams still strive to be positive and serve our clients. We believe that the glass is half full and not half empty.

While other agencies are losing market share, Keller Williams is taking leadership and market dominance to a new level!

Remember that Actions lead to RESULTS! Best Regards Elizabeth The below information is taken directly from the Lubbock Multiple Listing Service for the month ending May 31, 2011.

$13.29 Million DOM Average – 109 Units Sold in May – 88 Units Sold YTD – 291 Agents Producing – 34

$13.10 Million DOM Average – 106 Units Sold in May – 89 Units Sold YTD – 302 Agents Producing – 29

$12.78 Million DOM Average – 127 Units Sold in May – 63 Units Sold YTD – 264 Agents Producing – 27

$7.11 Million Connect with The Diamond Group online @ Active Rain, FaceBook & Twitter

DOM Average – 107 Units Sold in May – 55 Units Sold YTD – 228 Agents Producing – 24

May 2011 Numbers – Source: Navica MLS Lubbock

N/A

10

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June 2011

The Diamond Group Current Listings Listen to recorded property information by calling 1.888.295.9686 & enter property code #

Sold in 2011!

1604 78th Street Lubbock, Texas 79423 4/2/2 Approx. 2077 Sq. Ft.

$139,500 Property Code # 6302

2503 43rd Street Lubbock, Texas 79413 2/2/2-carport Getting Measured.

$49,500 Property Code # 687

4720 22nd Street Lubbock, Texas 79407 4/4.4/3 Approx. 4334 Sq. Ft.

$625,000 Property Code # 6308

806.771.HOME (4663)

8513 Kenosha Ave 2418 32nd Street 6202 101 Place 2111 23rd Street 6336 10th Street 4414 10th Street 2512 Loyola Ave 8707 10th Street 6508 87th Street 8423 CR 6430 3706 37th Street 3415 68th Drive 2809 78th Street Wrap it up and call it SOLD with The Diamond Group!!

List your home today !!

We can make things happen when selling your home too.

OR IF YOU KNOW someone that needs to sell or buy, have them call me today and I will be glad to do a Market Analysis for them and give them the right information and do the right marketing to sell their house!

Call Elizabeth 806-771-HOME(4663)

5422 32nd Street Lubbock, Texas 79424 3/2/2 Approx. 1603 Sq. Ft.

$99,500 Property Code # 6100

Keep Your Home Safe While You’re on Summer Vacation

4637 Itasca Street Lubbock, Texas 79416 3/2/2 Approx. 1394 Sq. Ft.

$87,500 4014 38th Street Lubbock, Texas 79413 3/2/1 Approx. 1131 Sq. Ft.

$69,000 Property Code # 6312

4806 17th Street

Property Code # 6126

Call The Diamond Group today and list your home!

806-771-HOME (4663) UNDER CONTRACT

Lubbock, Texas 79416 3/2/2 Approx. 2400 Sq. Ft.

$185,000

To help your house sitter or the person checking on your home, make a list of things about your home, such as where the power boxes are, where the water lines are and other important details. You could also make a list of other people that would be able to help with the house sitting, just in case one person can’t cover all the responsibilities, like feeding pets and watering plants.

Alarm System: An alarm system for your home is an excellent deterrent to prevent a robbery. Studies have even shown that inactive security cameras that are visible to prowlers will deter a break-in. If you set an alarm before going on vacation, inform anyone who has access to your home you don’t want it accidentally going off!

Mail and Newspaper: Remember to call your newspaper service to put your newspapers on hold until you return. Most newspaper services will happily oblige. Also, contact the post RIÀFH WR SXW \RXU PDLO RQ KROG 0DLO FDQ XVXDOO\ EH SXW RQ KROG IRU XS WR WKLUW\ GD\V DQG FDQ be setup two weeks before the date you want it to start. An alternative is to have a friend collect the papers and mail each day.

Property Code # 6327

2030 63rd Street Lubbock, Texas 79412 3/2/Carport Approx. 1374 Sq. Ft.

$64,900 Property Code # 6187

Since summer time is popular for family vacations, many burglars take advantage of this time to scope out and break into homes that are unoccupied. Here are a few things you can do to protect your home while you are on vacation.

House Sitter: A house sitter is one of the best protections against break-ins. This person should be a trusted neighbor, relative or friend of the family who can call the police if something happens.

www.ringthediamonds.com

Other Precautions: According to experts, the best measure of protection is making it look as if you are still at home. Some simple solutions are to put a motion detector on the outdoor lights and a timer on the TV and indoor lights, turning them on during evening hours and making your home look occupied.

(Taken from City Bank Mortgage News)

The Diamond Group: Preferred Vendors Service Title Company 4101 B 84th Street Lubbock, Texas 79423 806.794.9966

My Promise to You. Inspected once, Inspected RIGHT.

Ground-UP Inspections

TREC # 7046

Vendor Spotlight of the month

Sandra Scott 6HQLRU /RDQ 2IĂ€FHU Cell: 806.790.4759 sscott@hometrust.com

Call them today for superior service Sandra Scott 6HQLRU /RDQ 2IĂ€FHU Cell: 806.790.4759 sscott@hometrust.com

Hometrust Mortgage Service * Integrity * Trust 2IĂ€FH www.hubcityhomeloans.com

S.W.A.T Pest Control Todd & Heather Vaughn

806.438.5974

2IĂ€FH

jrobnett@tx.nachi.org 24 hr. 7 day service

Cell: 806.441.0302 Fax: 806.748.8002

Great Service for more than 50 years

MGS Mobile Wash 806.778.2602 Special! Special! $15.00 Wash w/ Tire Shine $25.00 Wash ‘N’ Vacuum $30.00 Detail See ad for more details!!

Design By Roo designbyroo@gmail.com www.designbyroo.com

Western Title Company Hello, This is an amazing time to buy Real Estate.

Rates are at historical lows and prices are as well.

Although no one can tell you when the "bottom" is until it starts going up, all of the economic indicators are suggesting that the economy is on the upswing. Whether you are wanting to purchase a primary residence, second home or investment property, now is the time to do it. Please call me for a free Mortgage 5HYLHZ WR VHH LI D UHĂ€QDQFH ZRXOG EHQHĂ€W \RX RU LI \RX are looking to move up or downsize or buy investment or a second home property.

Thanks, Sandra Scott

Hometrust Mortgage

How are you reaching people?

Want to be in the Lubbock Connection, on countless websites viewed by Realtors and consumers as well as be the main reference point for all our business? Call Elizabeth for more information: 806.535.3377

Service * Integrity * Trust 2IĂ€FH www.hubcityhomeloans.com Oh by the way... If you know of someone who would appreciate my services, call me with their name and number, and I will be happy to help them.

4202 84th Street Lubbock, Texas 79424

806.793.0704 Fax: 806.795.9143

Michael Berg Farmer’s Insurance 5811 64th ST Unit A Lubbock, Texas 79424 2IÀFH Cell: 806-777-0811 mberg1@farmersagent.com www.farmersagent.com/berg1

Simply Clean 806.577.1198 *References Available Specializing in move-in/out

Mortgage Insurance Cancellation: The Myths and Realities

By Brien McMahon rismedia.com RISMedia, June 3, 2011—When it comes to private mortgage insurance (MI), there are several myths that exist that make buyers reluctant to consider a conventional loan with MI as an option when purchasing a home. One of the PRUH FRPPRQ PLVFRQFHSWLRQV LV WKDW FDQFHOOLQJ 0, LV D GLIÀFXOW³QRW WR PHQtion time-consuming—process.

The irony is that the majority of buyers don’t harbor those same beliefs or reservations about an FHA insured loan when, in reality, FHA coverage may be less easily cancelled, or take longer to cancel, than MI. HPA Makes Cancellation Clearer When it went into effect as a new federal law, the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA) of 1998—which applies to both FHA and MI insured loans—required lenders and servicers to provide disclosures regarding MI for residential loans obtained on or after July 29, 1999. Prior to this, consumers were responsible for requesting MI cancellation if they met two factors: one, their loan balance was paid down to 80 percent of the property; and two, they had a good payment history.

While many lenders obliged consumer requests to drop MI coverage, consumers had sole responsibility for keeping track of their loan balance.

The HPA established three different times when a lender or servicer must notify consumers of their rights.

At loan closing, lenders must disclose: ‡ 7KH ULJKW WR UHTXHVW 0, FDQFHOODWLRQ DQG WKH GDWH RQ ZKLFK WKH UHTXHVW can be made ‡ 7KH UHTXLUHPHQW WKDW 0, EH DXWRPDWLFDOO\ WHUPLQDWHG DQG WKH GDWH RQ which this will occur ‡ $Q\ H[HPSWLRQV WR WKH ULJKW WR FDQFHOODWLRQ RU DXWRPDWLF WHUPLQDWLRQ ‡ $ ZULWWHQ LQLWLDO DPRUWL]DWLRQ VFKHGXOH IRU À[HG UDWH ORDQV RQO\ Each year, loan servicers must send borrowers a written statement that discloses: ‡ 7KH ULJKW WR FDQFHO RU WHUPLQDWH 0, ‡ $Q DGGUHVV DQG WHOHSKRQH QXPEHU WR FRQWDFW WKH ORDQ VHUYLFHU IRU GHtermining when MI may be cancelled :KHQ 0, FRYHUDJH LV FDQFHOOHG RU WHUPLQDWHG OHQGHUV PXVW VHQG D QRWLÀFDWLRQ to borrowers stating: ‡ 0, KDV EHHQ WHUPLQDWHG DQG WKH ERUURZHU QR ORQJHU KDV 0, FRYHUDJH ‡ 1R IXUWKHU 0, SUHPLXPV DUH GXH Termination of Coverage Under the terms of the HPA, mortgage lenders or servicers must automatically cancel borrower-paid MI coverage when the mortgage has amortized to 78 percent of the original property value, with all unearned premiums returned to the borrower within 45 days of the cancellation or termination date. This provision also requires that the borrower be current on mortgage payments required by the terms of the loan, and if the loan is delinquent on the date of automatic termination, a lender must terminate the coverage as soon as the loan becomes current.

Mortgage Insurance Cancellation: The Myths and Realities continued...

Cancellation of Coverage Also under the HPA, a homeowner has the right to request MI cancellation when the mortgage balance reaches 80 percent of the original property value.

All payments must be current, meaning a homeowner must not be 30 days late on a mortgage payment within one year of their request, or 60 days late within two years.

However, a borrower can only initiate a cancellation request for FHA based on their prepayment of the loan, and even then, it can only be requested beJLQQLQJ ÀYH \HDUV DIWHU WKH ORDQ RULJLQDWLRQ GDWH With MI, homeowners can request cancellation based on prepayment of the loan, as well as an appraisal. Despite falling property values, it’s possible for homeowners to gain enough equity in their home to request cancellation in OHVV WKDQ ÀYH \HDUV EDVHG RQ D KRPH DSSUDLVDO Why This Matters to Agents By understanding these rules and what they mean for homeowners, real estate agents can educate their buyers to help them better evaluate all of their KRPH ÀQDQFLQJ RSWLRQV EDVHG RQ IDFWV UDWKHU WKDQ P\WKV This is even more important considering the FHA’s recent price increase, which has reduced buyers’ purchasing power and increased monthly mortgage payments.

What's New in Kitchen Design?

Kitchen renovations are costly. If you're undertaking a kitchen remodel, make sure you spend your money wisely. The National Kitchen & Bath Association surveyed 100 designers to discover the top kitchen design trends of 2011.

Here's a guideline of where to splurge and where to save.

Chill: French door fridges are more popular now than ever before; NKBA designers installed them in 78 percent of their kitchen renovations. Freezertop fridges are all but extinct; if French door fridges don't work in your space, freezer-bottom and side-by-side units are better options. Wine fridges, meanwhile, are losing popularity. Instead of spending your budget on a wine fridge, incorporate simple wine racks into your cabinets.

Cook: Space is valuable, even when it comes to ovens. The demand for double-wall ovens rose, while the demand for single-wall ovens dropped.

Gas cooktops still reign supreme in the kitchen, but electric and induction are increasing in popularity. Ranges, meanwhile, seem to be falling out of favor, VSHFLÀHG E\ RQO\ SHUFHQW RI GHVLJQHUV GRZQ IURP SHUFHQW D \HDU DJR Cabinets: Traditional-style cabinetry is timeless, explaining its appeal. And while it remains the most popular door style, some designers are turning to more modern styles, like Shaker and contemporary. As for colors, dark cabinetry is a designer favorite. Medium-natural, glazed, and white-painted ÀQLVKHV DUH DQ H[FHOOHQW DOWHUQDWLYH IRU NLWFKHQV ODFNLQJ LQ QDWXUDO GD\OLJKW %XW VWD\ DZD\ IURP GLVWUHVVHG ÀQLVKHV RQO\ VSHFLÀHG E\ ÀYH SHUFHQW RI GHVLJQHUV WKLV ÀQLVK PD\ VRRQ ORRN RXWGDWHG (Taken from City Bank Mortgage News)

Meet The Diamond Group Elizabeth loves her career! She has consistently been a multi- million dollar producer and looks forward to working with you whether you have a small or unlimited budget. It’s your hard earned money, and we need to spend it well. She is an active member of the National Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, and Lubbock Association of Realtors. She has sat on many committees and especially enjoys teaching and learning about new and innovative methods to be a better businesswoman. She is committed to keeping herself fully educated on top of the line technology for her profession. Her designations place her within a small percentage of REALTORSŽ nationwide.

Elizabeth is married to Roger and has a wonderful son, Alain.

Alain is an engineering student at Texas Tech University and is a proud Red Raider. In her spare time, Elizabeth likes to read and study Genealogy. You FDQ ÀQG KHU ZRUNLQJ RQ SLFWXUHV DQG IDPLO\ KLVWRU\ LQ KHU VSDUH WLPH

(OL]DEHWK LV YHU\ DFWLYH LQ RXU FRPPXQLW\ DQG ÀUPO\ EHOLHYHV VKH owes her community a payback for allowing her to be a successful businesswoman. She is a member of The West Texas Museum Association and enjoys helping children achieve through the arts and sciences.

Elizabeth is a self-starter, trustworthy, results-oriented, optimistic, competitive and innovative. She is a negotiator, problem solver, dedicated, sociable respected and says: “I want to be YOUR REALTORŽ “.

If you know of someone who would appreciate my services, please call me with their name and number and I will be happy to help them!

Meet Amy! Amy has worked as The Diamond Group’s committed Marketing & Administrative Assistant for almost 2 years. Amy enjoys gaining experience and working for the best in the Real Estate Industry! Amy’s enthusiasm and energy in life carry over into the workplace. Amy loves people and is eager to serve the needs of potential clients. She knows the value of teamwork and shared ideas.

Amy is hard-working and passionate about her work and her relationships with people. Spending time with her family and friends and learning new things are what she likes to do in her spare time. In addition to being active in her church, Amy is pursuing a degree in Design Communications with an Art Specialization at South Plains College.

www.ringthediamonds.com 806.771.HOME (4663)