RealtorsR Say Mortgage Interest Deduction Vital to Home Ownership, Economy

Washington, December 01, 2010

The following is a statement by National Association of Realtors® President Ron Phipps.

“As the leading advocate for housing and home ownership issues, NAR firmly believes that the mortgage interest deduction (MID) is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy.

“The MID must not be targeted for change. NAR is actively engaged on behalf of the nation’s 75 million home owners and 1.1 million Realtors® to ensure that the current deduction is not modified as was recommended in the Deficit Reduction Commission report released today.

“The tax deductibility of interest paid on mortgages is a powerful incentive for home ownership and has been one of the simplest provisions in the federal tax code for more than 80 years. In a new survey commissioned by NAR and conducted online in October 2010 by Harris Interactive of nearly 3,000 homeowners and renters, nearly three-fourths of homeowners and two-thirds of renters said the mortgage interest deduction was extremely or very important to them.

“Recent progress has been made in bringing stability to the housing market and any changes to the MID now or in the future could critically erode home prices and the value of homes by as much as 15 percent, according to our research. This would negatively impact home ownership for millions of Americans, including those who own their homes outright and have no mortgage.

“Any further downward pressure on home prices will hamper the economic recovery, raise foreclosures and hurt banks’ abilities to lend and likely tip the economy into another recession resulting in further job losses for the country. It will effectively close the door on the American dream.

“NAR will remain vigilant in opposing any plan that modifies or excludes the deductibility of mortgage interest.”

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. This and other news releases are posted in the News Media section.

Please make a quick call to your House of Representative & Senator's office today to ask him or her to defend the MID from any cuts or reduction as outlined in the Deficit Commission Report released last week.

 

 

 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Add Some Holiday Charm to Your Listings

Who said all the holiday decorations have to go when you're trying to sell a house? Bring some holiday cheer to your listings this season

 

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Nobody wants to be the Grinch who stole Christmas but when you’re trying to sell a home, too much holiday spirit can turnoff some potential buyers. Buyers are there to look at the house and all of its wonderful features, not tippy-toe over the giant blow-up Santa impeding the front door or squint to see the roof over the nine reindeer poised upon it.

But before you stick a needle in your seller’s inflatable Santa, some real estate and staging professionals say home owners can still add a few decorations for the holidays when selling a home and don’t assume buyers won’t appreciate it too. Holiday decor can lighten moods and warm up interiors, so you don’t have to swear it off completely because you’re afraid of offending those who don’t celebrate, they say.

Betty Cunningham with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Schaumburg, Ill., says showing homes in the Midwest during the winter can be challenging enough, so to spice things up during the winter months she encourages her clients to decorate for the holidays. She’ll even provide guidance on how. “Isn’t it nice to open the front door and see lights and the Christmas music playing with some cinnamon smells welcoming you? It just says ‘welcome, come in and stay awhile,’” Cunningham says.

6 Principles to Holiday Staging

The key to holiday decorating is to keep the decor high quality and color-coordinated, says June Lizotte with June Lizotte Real Estate in Milwaukie, Ore.If you plan on staging a home for the holidays, here are some important things to keep in mind.

1. Don’t overdo the holiday cheer.

When Santa's start to outnumber the rooms in the house, you may want to start being more selective in what you display.“If it is ‘cute,’ it stays packed,” says Joanne O’Donnell, president and CEO of Chic Home Interiors, who offers holiday staging services. “Cute is not a universal concept and the surest way to avoid trouble is to keep it simple and elegant.” The same staging principles apply during the holidays: Don’t overwhelm the space with clutter. “For every holiday decor item put on display, temporarily pack something you keep out all the time. That way you can avoid over-decorating,” says staging and real estate pro Tori Lynn Wallitsch with Alliance Real Estate and Ross Designs LLC in Omaha, Neb.

Instead of a large Christmas tree dominating the living room, you might opt to have a smaller tree display on a table top -- particularly if the space is small, suggests Lizotte. Your decor doesn’t have to be super-sized or scattered everywhere: Mix in small centerpieces on dining room tables, bookcases, bathroom sinks or end tables -- simple touches such as pine cones or ornaments in a glass bowl. (See 11 Inexpensive, Simple Holiday Decor Ideas).

You also might want to have home owners rethink hanging those Christmas stockings from the fireplace too. “Whatever the season, when you are selling a home, you want buyers to notice and appreciate the permanent features of the home and if your fireplace is almost impossible to see because your highly personalized stockings are blocking the view, then buyers will not appreciate this focal point for what it is,” Wallitsch says. Instead, ask your sellers to hang the stockings on Christmas eve and remove them Christmas day.

2. Add splashes of holiday colors.

How about some holiday red? Psychology research on color responses has shown that warm colors, such as red, can increase excitement and energy in those viewing it. Pops of seasonal colors -- such as red or green -- add festive cheer to a home too and can be as simple as just adding a red everyday throw to the sofa or adding poinsettias throughout the home. It doesn’t have to be bold holiday statements: Add greenery to fireplace mantels or as a base for the dining room table centerpieces, O’Donnell says. Or another holiday favorite: Bows and ribbons can add splashes of color -- tie them around candles, wreaths, and basket handles throughout the house for extra pops of color. Don’t underestimate the power of neutral palettes too in your holiday decor, such as silvers and classic whites. Try repeating colors from room to room and using similar ribbons, ornaments, patterns or decorative items that can add to the consistency of your holiday look, according to holiday decorating tips by WorldofChristmas.net. But when bringing in holiday colors, be careful not to clash with your home’s current color scheme, O’Donnell says. For example, if turquoise is the room’s dominant color, you might want to hold off on adding bold holiday reds; try silver instead.

3. Stage for the senses.

Get buyers in the mood with some holiday music and the smell of Christmas filling the home. Christmas music -- mixed with holiday scents -- has been shown to boost people’s attitudes in retail stores and increase their likelihood of wanting to visit them, according to research conducted in 2005 by Eric R. Spangenberg, Blanca Grohmann and David E. Sprott Journal of Business Research (Vol. 58, Issue 11). Cunningham usually gives a holiday CD to her clients to use for showings -- it features mostly instrumental and soft holiday music. For scents, O’Donnell recommends adding a pot of mulling spices or cider. The Smell of Christmas by Aromatique (candles, potpourri or oil) is a favorite of Cunningham’s or candles that smell like pine or fresh-baked cookies can create holiday season scents too, adds Valerie Torelli with Torelli Realty in Costa Mesa, Ca. But if you’re going to include a holiday scent just don’t forget the music. The 2005 study showed that the presence of Christmas scent (Enchanted Christmas by Greenleaf in this case) with non-Christmas music lowered buyers’ perceptions of the store and its merchandise. But when the Enchanted Christmas scent filled the air with Amy Grant’s “Home for Christmas” music playing in the background, participants had a favorable response and were more eager to buy.

4. Keep the tree simple, yet elegant.

The Christmas tree will likely be your biggest decor piece so it needs to make a statement. Use a string of 100 lights for every foot of tree, suggests Cunningham. In other words, if you have a 7-foot tree, use at least 700 lights (she prefers the white twinkling ones).

Other tips:

If your tree is larger than six feet, consider removing a piece or two of furniture so the space doesn’t feel crowded, Wallitsch says.

Use ornaments all in one basic color palette with “show piece” ornaments mixed in that add extra style, O’Donnell says. As a general rule of thumb, use about 20 filler ornaments (such as one or two tone bulb ornaments) for every two feet of Christmas tree and then mix in those special “show piece” ornaments between the filler ornaments, using about 10 for every two feet of tree, according to interior design writer Coral Nafie who wrote about holiday decorating tips at About.com.

Hang ornaments on the tips of branches as well as inside the tree to add depth, and mix in various size of ornaments.

Make sure ornaments that are overly personal -- such as those marking milestones like “Our First Christmas” or “Baby’s First Christmas” -- are not in prominent locations on the tree or keep them packed up for next year, Wallitsch suggests.

5. Give a holiday impression from the curb.

You needn’t be able to view your outdoor holiday lights from space, Clark Griswold, to show your holiday spirit. Twinkling clear, white lights (preferably non-blinking) tend to be the favorite among staging and real estate professionals for classy holiday curb appeal that adds a glow to your listings at night. “The winter months are usually less than attractive outdoors and some well-placed and tasteful holiday lights or yard ornaments can go a long way to adding a festive and welcoming touch,” Wallitsch says. “Just remember that many potential buyers may either cruise by your home for sale during the day or schedule a showing during the day when outdoor lights are more likely to be an unsightly bunch of wires (such as icicle lights) rather than a cheerful display of color or white lights. Do your best to make your home show its best during the day and night.”

Here some holiday curb appeal tips:

Add poinsettias: Plant several poinsettias in groups of three or five close together in the garden. “They really set off the first impression,” says Torelli.

Hang a wreath on the front door (and make sure it’s clean!), suggests Cunningham.

Have battery-operated candle lamps in each of the windows for extra glow and to show off all of those windows at night.

Make the deck sparkle. For example, a weather-proof, tip-proof tree with lights or a simple strings of lights along the deck’s railing can go a long way in adding charm to your showings after dark, says Judy Jensen, Edina Realty in Eagan, Minn.

Then, consider adding the holidays to your marketing: Take a photo of the home at night as it twinkles from the holiday lights and create a special holiday flyer with information about the house.

“This is a great marketing tool we often use in the months of November and December to help sell the home,” adds Torelli with Torelli Realty in Costa Mesa, Calif.

6. Remove decor after the holidays.

Jolenta Averill, broker-owner of Lake & City Homes in Madison, Wis., once showed a home in the middle of summer that still had a huge Santa Claus on its front porch and a Christmas tree lit in the living room. But Christmas in July isn’t for everyone, so in general, wait to decorate for the holidays until after Thanksgiving and be sure your home owners remove all holiday decor promptly by New Year’s. As Wallitsch tells her clients: “If you are feeling a little cheated this holiday season by not putting all of your beloved holiday treasures around your house, focus on the reason that you placed your home on the market and keep your eyes on that goal. Next year when you are comfortably settled into your new home, you can go all out with the holiday cheer.”

Happy Holidays Everyone!!
 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

What the foreclosure mess means for buyers

 

Marty Kramer | Consumer columnist

Oct. 28, 2010

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Uncle Joe's BBQ- OMG!

The fun with BBQ sauce starts here!

Most Texans that love grilling will tell you that they make the best BBQ sauce in the world. But, some of us need a place to start. That is exactly where Uncle Joe’s BBQ “Sauce-in-a-Bag” comes in pretty handy.

Uncle Joe’s BBQ “Sauce-in-a-Bag” is ready for you to start your own family recipe. Each package is perfectly portioned for you to just add ketchup and water… that is all it takes for perfect BBQ sauce in four minutes.

Of course, you can add your own touch to it if you want to have some fun. Maybe add a little molasses to make it sweeter, a little cayenne pepper to make it spicier, or even for a richer flavor add some beef bouillon granules. It is all up to you and how you like it. Even adding more or less ketchup and water changes the flavor. Go ahead, experiment and make it your own.

Uncle Joe’s BBQ “Sauce-in-a-Bag” is sweet yet spicy, and it comes in three great blends:

Original • Chipotle • Habanero

Our unique spice blend for BBQ sauce came from the idea of us wanting to create our own great BBQ sauce. Why bottle it up when you can mix it up fresh with Uncle Joe’s BBQ “Sauce-in-a-Bag” in four minutes!

So, when your friends say they would love to have your recipe, you can say it is your family secret with a little help from Uncle Joe’s BBQ “Sauce-in-a-Bag”.

 

Normally when we go to a Home Show you don't find great BBQ Sauce, but I am here to tell you, " You've got To Try Uncle Joe's"

 

The favor is great!

 

Just Try It!!!!!!
 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

America's Best Housing Markets For Investors

Francesca Levy, 09.10.10, 07:30 PM EDT

Why some cities, like Austin and Raleigh, look like great buys right now.

Home buyers and sellers can take heart: Companies of all stripes are investing in real estate again. While the actions of big Wall Street funds and global corporations might seem to matter little to families choosing cities and towns in which to live, consumers can learn a lot by following which investing markets heavy hitters are focusing on--and which ones they're avoiding.

The housing health of a city is affected by a lot of factors including the jobs picture and the rate of vacancies and foreclosures. But some cities where home prices have been battered look like great buys for investors, a good sign that in spite of deep declines, they might turn around dramatically.

Two years ago the idea of putting money behind real estate ventures seemed too risky for even the most reckless of capitalists. But investor skittishness about the real estate market is slipping away, and speculators are seeing value in distressed markets.

Article Controls

But in a housing market this volatile, it can be hard to tell when low sales prices on property indicate a market that has bottomed or one with little hope of a turnaround any time soon. We asked Cary, N.C.-based Local Market Monitor (LMM), a real estate research firm, to identify the markets that were the best bet for residential real estate investing.

In Pictures: America's Best Housing Markets For Investors

Raleigh, N.C.; McAllen, Texas; and Austin led the list. These cities didn't see the same dramatic run-ups in prices as many Sand State cities did between 2001 and 2006. As a result, they were spared a corresponding bust. They are also buoyed by a mix of jobs that's weighted toward growth industries like government and education.

"Markets with a high percentage of jobs in those categories tend to be more or less stable markets," says LMM president Ingo Wizner. "Then there are the categories you want to stay away from, like construction and finance."

 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

FHA CHANGES OCT 4th 2010

FHA Mortgage Insurance fees changing Oct 4th

If you're in the market to purchase and considering or relying on FHA backed mortgage loan, keep in mind, the mortgage insurance premium fees will be changing effective October 4, 2010.

The upfront mortgage insurance fee is being reduced from 2.25% to 1.0%, while the monthly fee will increase from 0.55% to 0.90%.

That means buyers using FHA, will as of Oct 4th, have a smaller loan value amount (due to the reduced upfront mortgage fee) but higher monthly payments (due to the increased monthly fee). According to mortgage brokers, this may negatively affect purchasing power by about $10,000. Not a tremendous amount, but something to keep in mind.

For all loan amounts, the impact of the increase in the Mortgage Insurance Premium is equal to between a .375% to .500% increase in interest rate. The effect on annual payments for loan amounts in all ranges can be seen in the graph above.

It is important to understand that if you are in the market to purchase a home or refinance, you have until October 4 to identify a property and order a case number before these new rates take effect.

 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Alamo Staining- Preferred Vendor

We are pleased to announce our new Preferred Vendor Alamo Staining.
Specializing in Deck, Fence, and Concrete Staining.

For more information please contact us at 877-877-0380
or go  our Website. www.TexasHomesDuo.com look under helpful info Business Directory

Please look them up on facebook to view some of their projects.

 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Saturday only Yard Sale July 10th from 9am - 3:pm

Starts at 9:00am, (no early birds)- Tools, Camping items, Auto Supplies, Children's Books, Learning Materials, Furniture (Dresser w/ Mirrors & matching Desk, Mable/Rod Iron Table, Kitchen Table with 4 Chairs, Recliner), Cowboys Boots (size 12), Men Clothing (Suits, Ties, etc..), Rugs, 1982 Dodge 150 Truck, to much to mention.

Cash only

IH 10 to Wurzbach north to Tioga, turn right, house on right side (10223 Tioga)

 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Yard Sale July 9 & 10 San Antonio, TX

  

Moving/Yard Sale

Date: 07/09/10—07/11/10

Time: 8:00—4:00 p.m.

6302 Handsome Lake, San Antonio, TX

Off Seneca

Antiques, collectables, furniture, pictures, household items, yard/patio items, weight bench, plants in pots



Antiques



Furniture



Plants
 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Teen at home when thief kicks down door

 

SAN ANTONIO -- Every week, the News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooters track the crimes that happen in your neighborhood. This week, we're looking at home burglaries and what you can do to make your home more secure.

Ben Cantu was still a bit shaken up when he spoke to News 4 WOAI about the call he got from his 14-year-old grandson around 9:00 a.m. Monday as someone tried to break into the teen's home on the South Side.
.
"What happened was the car apparently drove into the driveway, parked right here, and the individual started beating on the front door. As he was walking to the back, he heard him start beating on the back door, " explained Cantu. ""When he couldn't open it, he started kicking it. And, at that time, my grandson went into the bathroom and shut the door."

He called 911, just as the guy kicked down the door.

"He had completely busted the door," Cantu added. "We had to replace the whole frame."

The burglar ended up getting away with a laptop computer.

His grandson wasn't hurt, but it hit way too close to home for Ben.

"This was terrifying for me," Cantu told News 4 WOAI.

 

 

What you can do to secure your home

News 4 WOAI's crime prevention expert, Gilbert de la Portilla says there are things we can do to make it very hard for burglars to get in.

Windows. Gilbert says you should make sure your windows are locked. If possible, replace older, single-pane windows with double-pane windows. It will take more than a tap to break them.

Bushes. Gilbert also recommends you trim down the bushes next to the windows. Don't give a crook a place to hide while they try to break into your home.

Lighting. Adding outside lighting is also a good idea. Thieves don't want to be in the 'spotlight' when they are trying to steal your belongings.

Locks. Gilbert says you should use deadbolt locks on your doors with strong strike plates. He recommends you take out short screws and install 2.5 inch to 3 inch wood screws.

Peepholes. It's best if you can look before you unlock. If you can't see who is at your door from a window, then install a door viewer. Gilbert recommends you get one that has really wide view, such as

Door Scope.

 

Reported by:

Delaine Mathieu
Email: DelaineMathieu@woaitv.com
Last Update: 10:56 am
 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

carol_exit@yahoo.com has shared: How to keep thieves out of your home

How to keep thieves out of your home Source: woai.com

carol_exit@yahoo.com sent this using ShareThis.

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Sales up; prices aren't

*This article can also be accessed if you copy and paste the entire address below into your web browser.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/local/home_sales_up_but_prices_fall_9642...

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Angel Nails- Best in Texas

Talk about having a Pedicure ! We found a place in Kerrville that for $25 you have the regular pedicure things done but the they do a sea salt rub, hot towels, paraffin wax drip and hot stone massage.. By the time they are done you can walk a mile and are ready to conquer the whole. We give Angel's Nails 5 star and well worth $25.00.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Untitled

Are you looking to secure your home? Get an ADT® Security System
Installed for Only $99* We are please to announce our affiliation with
ADT- Casey Danahey. Please check out the link, just click on the ADT or call us 877-877-0380

 

 

   

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Long- and Short-Term Mortgage Rates Fall Again This Week

WOW!

McLean, VA – Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.84 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending May 20, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.93 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.82 percent. Once again, the 30-year FRM has not been lower since the week ending December 10, 2009, when it averaged 4.81 percent.

 

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 4.24 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.30 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.50 percent. The 15-year FRM has not been lower since Freddie Mac started tracking the 15-year FRM in August of 1991.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.91 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.95 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 4.79 percent. This breaks last week's record and, again, the 5-year ARM has not been lower since Freddie Mac started tracking the 5-year ARM in January of 2005.

The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 4.00 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.02 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 4.82 percent. The 1-year ARM has not been lower since the week ending October 28, 2004 when it averaged 3.96 percent.

"Mortgage rates eased back once again this week to the lowest level of the year," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. "Low mortgage rates, coupled with the homebuyer tax credit, helped strengthen the housing market in the first four months of the year. New construction on one-family homes rose for the fourth consecutive month in April to an annualized rate of nearly 0.6 million units and represented the strongest pace since August 2008. Three of the four Census regions showed increases, led by a 14.8 percent jump in the South.

"Moreover, homebuilder confidence rose for the second straight month in May to the highest level since August 2007, according the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index .

Published: May 21, 2010

 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Facebook | Carol J Higdon-Woodward

Facebook | Carol J Higdon-Woodward

Allstate Center Brings Jobs in May

SAN ANTONIO (San Antonio Express-News) – Insurer Allstate Corp. will begin operating a 75,000-sf customer information center in May on the northwest side that will create 600 jobs.

The $11.6 million facility at The Oaks at University Business Park at 12238 Silicon Dr. will handle direct sales of insurance products and provide after-hours support for Allstate agencies in Texas and across the country.

The new jobs will pay approximately $13 to $15 per hour, or $27,000 to $31,200 annually. The average wage in San Antonio is $39,000.

The city offered Allstate a six-year, 65 percent property tax abatement worth $232,787, and the city's Economic Development Incentive Fund will provide up to $30,000 in grants to offset permitting and development fees. The company will also receive $1.1 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund.

Additionally, the county has proposed a 40 percent property tax abatement for six years.

Allstate has been nominated for a state enterprise project designation, which will allow the insurer to receive states sales tax refunds valued at $1.25 million over five years for construction and equipment purchases.

 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Alamo City goes Green!

SAN ANTONIO (San Antonio Express-News) – As part of the Mission Verde initiative, the city has five projects in design to be San Antonio’s first LEED-certified city buildings.

The new LEED buildings will include the Parman Branch Library in Stone Oak, fire stations near The Dominion and the Toyota plant, the police and fire headquarters planned for the site of an old downtown Kmart and a new emergency call center at Brooks City-Base.

Each will be designed for silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

The city is also conducting energy audits of 108 municipal buildings to determine which upgrades will have the biggest energy impact.

Mission Verde's goal is to have carbon-neutral homes by 2030.

 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Housing is a Great Long Term Investment!-It's Up 46% since 2000!

Click Here!

 

 

Posted via email from TexasHomesDuo's Exit Realty NW San Antonio posterous

Top Listing Agents of 2009

We just want to Thank Each and Everyone of you that was involved this past year with helping us become the "Top Listing Agents in 2009". We know that your referrals are the reason we reached the top. Thanks again!!

Housing Market Trends 2010

by Jennifer Hiller-Express News

House hunters watch new listing come onto the market the way the paparazzi watch Britney Spears.

What do real estate professionals keep their eyes on?

This year, they're looking at three things that could have a big impact on the San Antonio housing market: the federal tax credit for home buyers, any movement in mortgage interest rates and local job market.

Click here to read the full story!

Top 10 Metropolitan Areas!

See why Texas is such a great place to live! How do we rank?

Click Here!