5 Reasons You Need To Hire a Professional

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3:42 PM (20 hours ago) Buying or Selling a Home? 5 Reasons You Need To Hire a Professional 1. What do you do with all this paperwork? Each state has different regulations regarding the contracts required for a successful sale, and these regulations are constantly changing. A true Real Estate Professional is an expert in their market and can guide you through the stacks of paperwork necessary to make your dream a reality. 2. Ok, so you found your dream house, now what? According to the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, there are over 230 possible actions that need to take place during every successful real estate transaction. Don’t you want someone who has been there before, who knows what these actions are to make sure that you acquire your dream. 3. Are you a good negotiator? So maybe you’re not convinced that you need an agent to sell your home. However, after looking at the list of parties that you need to be prepared to negotiate with, you’ll realize the value in selecting a Real Estate Professional. From the buyer (who wants the best deal possible), to the home inspection companies, to the appraiser, there are at least 11 different people that you will have to be knowledgeable with and answer to, during the process. 4. What is the home you’re buying/selling really worth? It is important for your home to be priced correctly from the start to attract the right buyers and shorten the time that it’s on the market. You need someone who is not emotionally connected to your home to give you the truth as to your home’s value. According to the National Association of REALTORS, “the typical FSBO home sold for $210,000 compared to $245,000 among agent-assisted home sales.” 5. Do you know what’s really going on in the market? There is so much information out there on the news and the internet about home sales, prices, mortgage rates; how do you know what’s going on specifically in your area? Who do you turn to in order to competitively price your home correctly at the beginning of the selling process? How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much or offending the seller with a low-ball offer? Dave Ramsey, the financial guru advises: “When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.” Hiring an agent who has their finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying/selling experience an educated one. You need someone who is going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

Dallas Home Prices Now Almost 20% Higher Than Before Recession

Dallas-area home prices are at an all-time high and are now almost 20 percent higher than their prerecession peak.  Dallas-area prices were up 9.3 percent year-over-year in the latest Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller Home Price Index report.  There’s no sign of a Dallas home market cool down in the latest nationwide price report.  In factDallas-area home prices are at an all time high in the Case-Shiller report.  Local prices have jumped almost 40 percent since early 2012.

Case-Shiller’s study tracks over time the prices of specific single-family homes located in each metropolitan area. The index survey does not include condominiums and townhouses. It only covers pre-owned properties — not new construction.

-          Dallas Morning News, December 29, 2015

Dallas Home Prices Jump 14% in May

Dallas Home Prices Jump 14% in May

North Texas home prices jumped by 14 percent in May – one of the largest year-over-year gains ever for the area.  Median home sales prices hit a record $215,000 last month for preowned single-family homes sold by real estate agents.  Home sales were up 6 percent from May 2014 with 9,484 properties sold.  It was the largest one-month sales total ever for North Texas, according to data from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University and the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems.  With the strong sales, the number of homes listed with real estate agents in the area dropped 15 percent from this same time in 2014. There was a 2.4-month supply of homes in real estate agents’ multiple listing service, less than half of what is considered a normal inventory.  May’s strong home sales and price spike will put more pressure on the local housing market which is stretched with more buyers than sellers.  National surveys show that the Dallas-Fort Worth area is seeing the largest annual home price gains in the country. Prices here are rising at about three times the long-term average rate of residential appreciation for the area.

-         Dallas Morning News, June 9, 2015

North Texas Median Home Prices Soar Above $200,000

North Texas Median Home Prices Soar Above $200,000

This spring’s scorching home market has propelled median house sales prices in North Texas above $200,000 for the first time.  In April, home sales prices in the area were up 14 percent to a record $207,000.  With the latest gains, the median price of preowned single-family homes sold by real estate agents in North Texas is almost 60 percent higher than it was in January 2010, at the worst of the recession.   And home prices in the area are now more than a third ahead of where they were at the previous peak of the housing market in 2007.  “The average home listing price has also jumped up for homes coming on the market,” said Ted Wilson, a housing analyst with Dallas-based Residential Strategies Inc. “More people are motivated to put their houses on the market at these higher prices.”  The Dallas area now leads the country in year-over-year home price increases, according to the latest national comparison from CoreLogic Inc.  In April, median prices were rising at about three times the long-term average annual growth rate.   April’s substantial increase in home sales prices in North Texas comes as some analysts are warning that residential values in Texas’ major markets are overheating.  A new report by Wall Street analysts Fitch Ratings said that Texas and Dallas-area home prices are 11 percent overvalued.

-          Dallas Morning News, May 8, 2015

For 11th Straight Year Texas Ranks as Top State to do Business

For 11th Straight Year Texas Ranks as Top State to do Business

CEO Magazine’s 11th annual survey of the “Best States to do Business” was released Friday and Texas topped the rankings for the 11th year in a row.  The news had Texas Governor Greg Abbott on cloud nine, saying the state won’t stop at its top ranking.  “Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes our business climate,” Abbott said. “Despite being the number one state to do business for 11 consecutive years, Texas will do even more to empower businesses and increase economic expansion. That’s why I’m promoting policies to cut the business franchise tax, further rein in regulatory regimes and elevate our higher education system to bolster our workforce so that Texas keeps creating jobs and opportunity.”  In the rankings, Texas was ahead of Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia which rounded out the Top 5. California was once again the worst state for a second year.  The rankings takes into account state GDP, unemployment, domestic migration, state government and state-local tax burden.

-          Dallas Morning News, May 8, 2015

Top 5 Job Growth Cities in US

“Absolutely Phenomenal”

The Dallas-Fort Worth area added more jobs than any other metropolitan area in 2014, a feat it hadn’t achieved in at least two decades.  D-FW gained 136,900 jobs last year, followed by the New York area with 129,000 jobs, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Houston area was No. 3, with 120,600 jobs. The figures are not seasonally adjusted.  December was the first time that D-FW has ranked No. 1 in calendar-year net job growth since at least 1990, when the BLS began compiling comparable state and local records. Texas also led the nation in job creation last year, adding 457,900 jobs.  Bud Weinstein, an economist at Southern Methodist University, called D-FW’s 4.4 percent job growth rate last year “absolutely phenomenal.”   The 2014 job growth rates for both D-FW and Houston (4.2 percent) beat the state rate of 4 percent.- Dallas Morning News, February 4, 2015

Why Everybody Is Moving to Texas

Why Everybody Is Moving to Texas

Texas has become one of the hottest places to move to for both personal and business reasons over the past 5 years. In fact, over the past 5 years, more Americans—over 387,000 in 2013 alone—have chosen to move to Texas over any other state.

So what’s the big draw, y’all?

Best Reasons to Move to Texas

The number-one reason most people are relocating to other cities these days is their job situation—either they are looking to increase their earnings and career longevity or they have been unable to find a job in their current location and are moving for more opportunities.

The second most popular reason for relocating is housing affordability. For many people, these two reasons go hand in hand. Finding a place where they can secure a solid, good-paying job and purchase a home with increasing value in a nice neighborhood provides a great plan for long-term financial success and family security.

According to a recent study by Redfin, 9 of the top 10 fastest-growing U.S. metropolitan areas are those in which housing prices are the most affordable in the country. Of the top 20 fastest-growing cities, 5 belong to the Lone Star State: Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth.

Austin’s surge in population can easily be attributed to its consistently solid employment rate over the past 10 years. With an unemployment rate of just 4.6 percent and a projected growth rate of more than 4 percent by the end of 2015, Austin continues to have one of the strongest job markets in the state.

Another draw to the state is a low tax rate. This is especially important for many of the companies that are choosing to uproot themselves from the East and West Coasts and move inward to Texas. A lower tax rate and affordable real estate prices make it a no-brainer for larger companies wanting to save and smaller companies looking for a way to secure their financial future.

Dallas-Ft Worth’s Economic Growth Outpaces Texas

Dallas-Ft Worth’s Economic Growth Outpaces Texas

The Dallas-Fort Worth economy has grown faster than the state average and its employment has increased faster than any other Texas major metro area in the first half of the year, according to a report issued yesterday by the federal reserve Bank of Dallas.  DFW employment has grown 4.5 percent this year through June, compared with 3.5 percent growth with Texas.  Local job creation in the second quarter (5.5 percent or 42,600 jobs) outpaced first quarter growth (3.4 percent or 26,500 jobs).  Most of the region’s employment gains have come from fast growth of the Dallas economy, which has added jobs at a 5.4 percent pace in the first half of the year.  The professional and business service sector saw the most growth.  Manufacturing is the only local industry to lose jobs (-700) in the first six months of the year.

-          Dallas Business Journal, July 22, 2014

Dallas No Longer in Top 10 for Traffic Congestion

Dallas No Longer in Top 10 for Traffic Congestion

The nation's worst rush-hour traffic can be found, not surprisingly, in Los Angeles. But the No. 2 city is a surprise.   Each year, three organizations produce traffic congestion reports.   The reports estimate the “excess travel time” lost in traffic congestion during morning and evening weekday rush hours.     This excess time is relative to the travel time that would be expected if traffic were free-flowing and there was no congestion.   The Los Angeles metropolitan area notches the worst traffic congestion in all three reports — 44.4 percent excess travel time. The second worst congestion is in Austin, Texas, with 34.5 percent excess travel time.   San Francisco (34.4 percent) is No. 3 and New York (33.4 percent) is No. 4. Both cities have a high population density.   Seattle is No. 5 at 32.4 percent, due in part to the cancellation of some planned freeways.   Rounding out the worst 10 are San Jose, Calif. (32.2 percent); Washington, D.C. (31.3); Boston (29.7); Houston (28.3); and Portland, Ore. (28.2).

-          Newsmax, July 6, 2014

Next Portion of LBJ Freeway (I-635) Dallas, TX Expansion to Open July 12

Next Portion of LBJ Freeway Expansion to Open July 12

The second phase of LBJ Freeway’s massive, $2.7-billion expansion will open July 12, developers announced today. This is the portion that includes LBJ’s interchange with Interstate 35E. If you’ve driven 35E lately, you’ve seen the new lengthy bridges that will be tolled and will connect that thoroughfare with LBJ. The interchange will feature the dynamic toll pricing that goes into effect on LBJ at midnight tonight.

-          Dallas Morning News, June 11, 2014

Home Prices Rise by 10.5 Percent Year Over Year in April

CoreLogic Reports Home Prices Rise by 10.5 Percent Year Over Year in April

 

June 03, 2014, Irvine, Calif. –

—––CoreLogic HPI Forecast Indicates National Home Prices Are Expected to Rise by 6.3 Percent from April 2014 to April 2015—

CoreLogic^® (NYSE: CLGX), a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled services provider, today released its April CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI®) report. Home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased 10.5 percent in April 2014 compared to April 2013. This change represents 26 months of consecutive year-over-year increases in home prices nationally. On a month-over-month basis, home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased 2.1 percent in April 2014 compared to March 2014.*

At the state level, including distressed sales, no states posted depreciation in April 2014. Additionally, Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming all surpassed their previous home price peaks. In all, 23 states and the District of Columbia are at or within 10 percent of their peak home price appreciation.

Excluding distressed sales, home prices nationally increased 8.3 percent in April 2014 compared to April 2013 and 1.1 percent month over month compared to March 2014. Distressed sales include short sales and real estate owned (REO) transactions.

The CoreLogic HPI Forecast indicates that home prices, including distressed sales, are projected to increase 1.0 percent month over month from April 2014 to May 2014 and by 6.3 percent (+/- 1.5 percent)** from April 2014 to April 2015. Excluding distressed sales, home prices are expected to rise 0.8 percent month over month from 1.0 percent month over month from April 2014 to May 2014 and by 5.5 percent (+/- 1.5 percent)** from April 2014 to April 2015. The CoreLogic HPI Forecast is a monthly projection of home prices built on the CoreLogic HPI and other economic variables. Values are derived from state-level forecasts by weighting indices according to the number of owner-occupied households for each state.

“The weakness in home sales that began a few months ago is clearly signaling a slowdown in price appreciation,” said Sam Khater, deputy chief economist for CoreLogic. “The 10.5 percent increase in April, compared to a year earlier, was the slowest rate of appreciation in 14 months.”

“Home prices are continuing to rise as we head into the summer months,” said Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “The purchase market continues to suffer from a dearth of inventory which we expect will continue to drive prices up over the year.”

Highlights as of April 2014:

• Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: California (+15.6 percent), Nevada (+14.8 percent), Hawaii (+14.1 percent), Oregon (+11.8 percent) and Michigan (+11.3 percent).
• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were: Hawaii (+13.0 percent), California (+11.4 percent), Nevada (+11.1 percent), New York (+10.3 percent) and Florida (+10.2 percent).
• Including distressed transactions, the peak-to-current change in the national HPI (from April 2006 to April 2014) was -14.3 percent. Excluding distressed transactions, the peak-to-current change in the HPI for the same period was -10.8 percent.
• Excluding distressed sales, all 50 states and the District of Columbia showed year-over-year home price appreciation in April.
• Including distressed sales, the U.S. has experienced 26 consecutive months of year-over-year increases; however, this is the smallest year-over-year increase since February 2013.
• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were: Nevada (-38.6 percent), Florida (-34.5 percent), Arizona (-29.5 percent), Rhode Island (-28.8 percent) and West Virginia (-24.2 percent).
• Ninety-five of the top 100 Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) measured by population showed year-over-year increases in April 2014. The five CBSAs that did not show an increase were: Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, Conn.; Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wis.; Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, Ark.; Worcester, Mass.-Conn.; New Haven-Milford, Conn.

*March data was revised. Revisions with public records data are standard, and to ensure accuracy, CoreLogic incorporates the newly released public data to provide updated results.

** The forecast accuracy represents a 95-percent statistical confidence interval.

Wood Is Good: The Must–Have Material For Your Spring Home Spruce-Up

Wood Is Good: The Must–Have Material For Your Spring Home Spruce-Up

Thinking of sprucing up your home for spring? You're not alone; one in three homeowners say they'll take on at least one home improvement project in the first half of 2014, according to a recent survey by Burst Media. And it turns out, freshening your home for spring is a smart investment.

Home sales and prices are up, and mortgage rates are still considered low by historical standards. The combination is a recipe for a strong 2014 home remodeling forecast. Homeowners are regaining equity in their homes, and that confidence is expected to spur them to take on deferred projects for their own enjoyment, or upgrade their homes for sale.

In its annual survey, Remodeling Magazine reports that wood deck additions deliver the second highest return on investment of the home improvement projects surveyed. If you're looking for a way to make your spring spruce–up add value to your home, wood is a great option. Wood is known for its versatility, ease of use and natural beauty.

Whether you're looking to update your living space or transform your outdoor entertaining area, Mark and Theresa Clement, home improvement pros, offer simple, do–it–yourself tips for incorporating wood into your spring home improvement projects:

Prepping Decks for Spring Entertaining
"One of the best things you can do in the spring to spruce up your house is to clean and refinish your wood deck," Mark says. "The natural beauty of a well–maintained deck transforms a backyard into a gathering place."

After you've carefully cleaned the deck to remove dirt and debris, choose a finish. Both sealers and stains are designed to seal out elements. Clear sealers contain no pigment, allowing the natural beauty of the wood to show through. Stains may contain a little pigment (labeled as "tone" or "transparent"), be semi–transparent or come in solid colors. Avoid paint, which can form a film on top of the wood and bubble or flake.

Can't decide between a semi-transparent stain and a water–repellant sealer? Try using the sealer first. If you change your mind later, it's easy to switch to a semi-transparent stain when the deck needs to be refinished. If you do opt for a sealer, use one that contains ultraviolet light–blockers to protect against sun damage and mildewcides to inhibit the growth of mildew.

Add Crown Molding to a Room
Crown molding imparts an upscale, elegant air to any room — and you only need basic DIY tools to install it.

"Crown molding bridges the junction of walls and ceilings — a prominent visual location where an architectural accent can really shine," says Theresa. "While crown molding is a high–impact, higher–difficulty project, it's well within the abilities of most DIYers. Plus, you probably already have the tools you need in your toolbox — with a miter saw, nails and a hammer, you can transform your favorite room with a custom finish."

When choosing your molding, remember to keep a consistent scale from floor to ceiling.

You may be tempted to install a wide, impressive crown molding and skimp on the base or casings, but molding sizes need to be balanced throughout the room. Wherever possible, use corner pieces, plinth blocks and other transition pieces — they make installation simpler, minimize the need for miter cuts and help joints stay closed despite seasonal changes in humidity. Finally, don't paint your crown molding and trim. Instead, opt for a clear sealer and allow the natural texture of the wood to shine through, adding warmth, personalization and a natural touch to your interior decor.

Install Wainscoting
Wainscoting has long been a hallmark of fine construction and design. Wood paneling is applied to a lower section of wall — typically in dining rooms, but also in kitchens, hallways and even bedrooms. If you crave old–world elegance in your modern home, wainscoting is an easy, cost–effective way to achieve that look. Depending on the style you select and how you choose to finish your wainscoting, you can create whimsy or elegance, rustic appeal or modern sophistication.

If you choose to panel with wainscoting, it's important to ensure pieces are level. If yours will have a top cap, a router — a power tool used to bevel or round an edge on a square piece of wood — can provide nice detail at the top of panels. Finally, while wainscoting is frequently painted, there's no rule that says you must paint yours. Consider a simple clear sealer or semitransparent stain that will allow the natural beauty and character of the wood to shine through.

Energy Boom in Texas is Strong

Energy Boom in Texas is Strong

In Texas, oil and natural gas are synonymous with boom and bust.   A new field or a new technology brings a drilling rush and spectacular wealth.  Then just when nearly everyone has borrowed to the max, the bottom falls out.  Not this time, says John Auers, an oil analyst with Turner,  Mason & Co. engineering consultants in Dallas.   “This is a more sustainable and potentially longer-lasting boom,” he said.  “The early 80s were great times, but they became bad pretty quick.  That will not happen this time.”

-          Dallas Morning News. January 18, 2014

DFW Needs more homes NOW!

Construction Booms in Frisco

29 Showings in 3 Hours

One of our agents posted in Facebook that a hot new listing yesterday had 29 showings in three hours.   This unprecedented housing demand has never been seen in the DFW area before – few listings, so many buyers.

So Few Homes For Sale

In The Colony it is only 23 active pre-owned listings.    In Coppell, it is 51 active pre-owned listings, and in Flower Mound it is 118 active pre-owned listings.   Just name the market, and the inventory is LOW!   Ten years ago, Flower Mound averages 735 active listings in MLS, Coppell averaged 250 active MLS listings.  Projections for 2014 – a great time for sellers to make a move, the listing inventory will remain very, very low.

Home Prices Will Go Crazy

“Something is going to have to give (in the DFW market) or you are going to see prices go crazy,” said Mark Dotzour, chief economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M.  “Forget about the housing bubble issue – this is really about supply and demand in the DFW market.”  Supplies of both new and pre-owned homes in the DFW market are at the lowest level in decades because of lower construction levels and record demand for properties.  “You have a huge increase in demand because of the change in buyer psychology,” Dotzour said.  “The normal supply side is constrained because of credit and availability of labor.”

-          Dallas Morning News, January 18, 2014

DFW Needs More Housing Now!

Texas economic growth is the envy of the nation.  But a shortage of homes for sale and soaring housing prices could threaten the state’s continued economic welfare, notes Mark Dotzour, chief economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M.  “The number one economic challenge for Texas going forward is we don’t start building more homes and putting more subdivisions on the ground, the prices of housing will get so expensive that employers will no longer be able to attract workers.” 

-          Dallas Morning News, January 18, 2014

DFW Home Prices Escalating Rapidly

DFW area home prices are nearing ten percent over their peak in 2006, and continue to rapidly increase.  Ten years ago, nationwide pre-owned home prices were 30 percent higher than in the DFW area.  Now, national median home prices are less than 15 percent ahead of those in the DFW area, according to the National Association of Realtors.   And that margin continues to decrease monthly.   “When our housing isn’t cheap anymore, employers won’t be able to attract workers as easily,” notes Mark Dotzour, chief economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M.  “It’s an absolute disaster for economic development and the future of North Texas.”

-          Dallas Morning News, January 18, 2014

Tapering Signals Year-End Economic Strength Indicators Point to Greater Recovery for 2014

Tapering Signals Year-End Economic Strength Indicators Point to Greater Recovery for 2014 The big "will-they or won't they" ended last month with the Fed's mid-December announcement that it would begin tapering its economic stimulus efforts. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's decision to scale back on Bond and Treasury purchases by $10 billion signaled that the economy has showed sufficient ability to play on its own, albeit, on a kid leash. The Fed's ambivalence towards tapering dominated central banking discussions and created market volatility for most of 2013. Janet Yellen, the Fed's current vice chairman and President Barack Obama's nominee to succeed Bernanke, voted in favor of the policy action, which was bolstered by promising figures in the labor and housing markets. The Year in Housing Housing gained traction in 2013 amid job gains and rising stock values. Residential construction starts soared in November to a five-year high, explaining why builder optimism last month matched its highest level since 2005. Despite robust new construction, sales of previously-owned homes declined for the third consecutive month in November to the lowest level this year, as rising home loan rates and a limited supply of existing properties discouraged homebuyers. Rates could rise even further with Fed tapering. Purchases overall dropped 4.3 percent to a 4.9 million annual rate, in a mid-December report from the National Association of Realtors. The report also showed that the median price of an existing home rose 9.4 percent to $196,300 from $179,400 one year ago. The group still projects 2013 will be the best year for the industry in seven years, with an estimated 5.1 million properties sold. Rising prices and borrowing costs may have put homes out of reach for many first-time buyers and the partial federal government shutdown in October may have delayed some purchase decisions. The Year in Jobs A five-year low in unemployment and a boost in job hirings helped prompt Fed tapering. In what was largely typical year-end activity, applications for U.S. unemployment benefits rose in early December to an almost nine-month high, according to the Labor Department. Gains in payrolls on the other hand lifted consumer confidence and prospects for retailers during the holidays. The U.S. Automotive industry is also hiring, with sales at their best pace since 2007, according to data from Ward Automotive Group. All in all, home loan rates still remain attractive compared to historical levels. If you have any questions about your personal situation or would like to inquire about housing and home loans, please don't hesitate to contact me. I hope you enjoy this month's issue of YOU Magazine.

DFW Gains 96,100 Jobs in 12 Months; Gains Over 125,000 Net New Residents

DFW Gains 96,100 Jobs in 12 Months; Gains Over 125,000 Net New Residents

Dallas-Fort Worth appears to be leading the nation’s job growth, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.   For the year that ended Oct. 31, Dallas-Fort Worth recorded a job growth rate of 3.1 percent, tops among the 12 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. Houston was No. 2, with a rate was 2.9 percent.  Both D-FW and Houston beat the nation’s job growth of 1.7 percent.  “Dallas and Houston have ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for quite a while, and that’s partly due to the overall health of the state,” said Cheryl Abbot, a Dallas regional economist for the BLS.   Preliminarily, the Dallas-Ft Worth area is expected to once again have a net population growth of over 125,000 people.

-          Dallas Morning News, December 5, 2013

Nationally 6% Growth in Closings, RMDFW Sees 27% Growth

RE/MAX DFW Associates is expected to close approximately 4,700 units for 2013, up from 3,725 units in 2012.  This is over four times the national growth rate in closed sales.

Texas Market has Massive Influx of New Residents

Texas Market has Massive Influx of New Residents

The Texas housing market is reacting to the massive influx of new residents spurred to move to the Lone Star state in search of high-paying energy and professional service jobs, as well as low cost of living.  As more residents move to Texas from other states with higher median home prices, the housing markets in Dallas, Houston and Austin have been bolstered by rising home prices of double-digit year-over-year growth, according to technology-based real estate brokerage firm Redfin's latest report.  About 2.5 million people relocated to Texas between 2008 and 2012 in search of jobs from more costly regions of the nation, the report stated.  In Dallas, the median list price was $192,500 in October, compared with $389,450 on Long Island and $495,000 in Los Angeles, according to the data.

-          Dallas Business Journal, November 28, 2013

Texas Growth Accelerates

Texas Growth Accelerates

Texas, known for its open spaces and cheap property, is experiencing the types of real estate bidding frenzies seen in tightly built markets from New York to San Franciscoas job gains generate a suburban land rush.  Existing-home prices in Dallas and Houston are rising faster than at any time since the oil boom of the 1980s. Homebuilders, caught off guard by the ferocity of buyer demand, are exhausting construction-ready lots as they struggle to recruit workers to complete houses quickly.  Texas, which largely avoided the collapse, is benefiting from employment growth and an expanding population, the more traditional forces of housing demand.   The job market is driving demand. Texas had a 6.4 percent unemployment rate in August, almost a percentage point below the U.S. rate.  The pace of job growth in Dallas was the greatest of the 12 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, followed by Houston, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.   “A lot of good things happen when you have jobs,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics Inc.  “Hopefully what happens in Texas spreads to rest of the country, because it feels real good.”

- Bloomberg News, October 9, 2013

Who are the Middle Class?

Who are the Middle Class?

Many economists define the middle class as those adults whose annual household income is between two-thirds and twice the national median – today, that means roughly $40,000 to $120,000.   .  By this standard, according to the Pew Research center, the middle class is significantly smaller  than it was.   In 1971, America had the following make-up:

·         14% - Upper Class

·         61% - Middle Class

·         25% - Lower Class

Four decades later in 2011, the middle class share has declined, with the following results:

·         20% - Upper Class

·         51% - Middle Class

·         29% - Lower Class

-          Wall Street News, August 7, 2013

Cash Sales Over 40% in 10 Markets

Cash Sales Over 40% in 10 Markets

Home buyers who require financing for their home purchase can struggle to compete against buyers who have offers of all-cash.  Where are all-cash deals are the most prevalent? Cash deals represented 80 percent of home sales in June in Vermont; 58 percent in Nevada; 57 percent in Florida, and 51 percent in New York, according to RealtyTrac. Cash deals represent a very small percentage in Texas, Utah, and New Mexico.  The markets with the most all-cash transactions tend to have a high number of foreclosures and depressed home prices, which attracts investors and private equity firms, according to RealtyTrac.   The following 10 metros had 40 percent or more all-cash deals out of the total home sales in June, according to RealtyTrac:

·         Miami/Ft. Lauderdale: 64%

·         Las Vegas: 62%

·         Tampa, Fla.: 58%

·         Detroit: 56%

·         Orlando: 53%

·         New York: 49%

·         New Orleans: 43%

·         Memphis: 43%

·         Jacksonville, Fla.: 42%

·         Atlanta: 42%

-           CNNMoney, July 25, 2013