Don’t forget - once a month we offer a 3-hour MCE class on HUD at our Grapevine location. Call Jesse Garza at (817) 994-9601 for times and dates. Come join us!
CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc.
www.c21bowman.com
Serving Dallas-Fort Worth and the surrounding cities (DFW metroplex) since 1971
CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. along with the Dallas Mavs Foundation and the Jason Terry Foundation have partnered up to give out six Mavs Scholarships to high school students who are in financial need. This year, high school seniors have the opportunity to apply for one of six scholarships: two $5,000, two $2,500, and two $1,800.
“Becoming a successful businessman in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex during the past forty years has allowed me to give back to the community and our local area youth”, said Mike Bowman, President of CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc.
“In the future, this great country will be in the hands of today’s youth and I’d like to see them all have the same opportunities for success that I have had. It gives me great pleasure to be able to partner with the Dallas Mavericks in sponsoring this scholarship program.”
To qualify, high school seniors must attend a high school within 75-miles of American Airlines Center, attend a two- or four-year college or university in the fall of 2010, need financial assistance, be in good academic standing, a legal US resident and complete an essay answering one of the following questions: (1) What does attending college mean to you? (2) What is the most important lesson you have learned up to this point and how will you apply that lesson moving forward?
“I’m happy to be participating in this scholarship program,” said Mavs guard Jason Terry. “I feel fortunate that I’m in a position to help students achieve their dreams.”
Applications are available at mavs.com and are due into the Mavs offices by February 24, 2012. The scholarship winners will be recognized at the Mavs vs. Spurs game on March 21, 2012.
As wonderful as the holiday season is, you’ll have to cut way back on seasonal decorating if your home is listed on the real estate market. You’re not selling Christmas, you’re selling a home and your listing must always look current in the photos being used to market it. The fundamentals of decorating a home to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers still apply at this time of year.
Curb appeal is critical. This is the potential buyer’s first impression of your property. If you’ve overwhelmed them with too much “Christmas cheer” they can’t really appreciate the architecture or see your property’s natural features. If the buyer happens to have six other homes to see that day, they may very well decide to skip the showing and drive on, without even going inside.
Keep your front yard neat and tidy and free of blow up reindeer. You’ll want to ensure that walkways are always shoveled and free of ice. Draw attention to the front door with planted urns and a modest wreath. If your decorations aren’t too Christmas oriented this will also ensure your MLS photos don’t look dated in case you’re still on the market in January.
Inside your home, Christmas trees, stockings and greeting cards can make a room feel crowded and cluttered unless the house is especially large. Here too, less is more because you don’t want the potential buyer to be distracted by too many “props.” Each room needs a focal point, but when it’s your Christmas tree instead of the fireplace, this won’t help potential buyers imagine what it will be like living there year round.
If your goal is to sell your home as soon as possible, some of your usual holiday traditions may have to take a back seat this year. While there may be fewer potential buyers actively looking in December and January than in the spring, serious buyers are out there searching no matter the season!
When your home is always showing-ready and you allow appointments at this time of year, you’ll be at a distinct advantage over your competition. While the other home sellers in your neighborhood may be focused on the holidays, think how sweet it will be to celebrate the new year with a SOLD sign on your front lawn!
Internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould is President of Six Elements Inc. and creator of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. An entrepreneur for almost 25 years and author of several guides, Debra has staged millions of dollars worth of real estate and uses her expertise to train others worldwide.
Gradual improvement in the housing market is expected next year, with existing-home sales edging up 4% to 5% and new home sales getting an even bigger boost off this year’s record lows, the chief economist of the nation’s largest real estate group said Friday.
“Tight mortgage credit conditions have been holding back homebuyers all year, and consumer confidence has been shaky recently,” Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, said. “Nonetheless, there is a sizeable pent-up demand based on population growth, employment levels and a doubling-up phenomenon that can’t continue indefinitely.”
Yun, who made his comments during the annual NAR conference for real estate agents under way in Anaheim, Calif., projected gross domestic product growth of 1.8% for 2011, rising to 2.2% in 2012 with the unemployment rate declining to 8.7% by the second half of 2012.
Mortgage interest rates, he predicted, would gradually rise from record 2011 lows to 4.5% by the middle of 2012.
Read full story on HousingWire
There are things most homeowners miss when preparing to sell a home. They are simple things. They are easy things. They are things our System members wish every homeowner did.
1. Paint the front door
You only have one chance to make a first impression (so the saying goes). With that in mind, ask your sellers to paint the front door so the first thing the potential buyer sees, the door, is in perfect condition. Victoria Jacobs, www.century21.ca/bjrothrealty
2. Actually clean your house
Hire professional cleaners to come and make the home sparkle from top to bottom. Encourage the sellers to spend some time decluttering counter tops (especially the kitchen and the bathrooms), cabinets, closets and storage areas to help the space appear larger. If you were selling a car, you would have it detailed and take your stuff out of it, do the same for your house! Brandi Nelson, www.c21sre.com
3. Get rid of people and animal smells
As potential buyers tour a home, they want to imagine themselves living there, not smell remnants of the wear and tear from the previous owners. Suggest to the sellers that they have the carpets shampooed to remove any dirt, pet odor and/or cigarette smoke. Gillian Weir-Fall, www.c21smokymountain.com
4. Wash the windows
Ensuring potential buyers have a beautiful, clear, unobstructed view out each and every windows is a must. Shiny, dust-free, streak-free windows make the decision to write an offer a crystal clear one. Johanna Daye, www.century21huntoon.com
5. Up the curb appeal
What do a potential buyers see when they approach the seller’s home? The exterior! Cut the lawn, trim the bushes, plant some nice smelling flowers, power wash the entrance walkway, and lay down some fresh stone or wood chips. If the home’s exterior needs a coat of paint, touch it up. Scott Faletti, www.c21pride.com
6. Say cheese! Take great photographs
The seller’s home should be showcased as a merchandised product. In order to sell in today’s highly competitive market, a home has to be shown at its best. Stellar photos allow you to capture greater interest online and through marketing materials. Angela Batchelor, www.sellingyournest.com
Post Author: Molly from @c21social media
CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. is excited to announce that we have teamed up with BidSelect to offer the opportunity for online bidding on seller properties through their real estate agents. Sandlin Custom Homes is the first builder to take advantage of this opportunity through CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman. For more information, contact us at (817) 328-2303.
CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. was a drop-off location for Phillip’s Wish, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the homeless population in Tarrant County. For more information about Phillip’s Wish, visit their website at: www.phillipswish.com
CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman partners with Real Estate Talk with William Lambright every Tuesday morning on KVCE 1160 AM compliments of our sponsor, Supreme Lending.
Willie did a live remote at the CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman office and interviewed several of our agents in regards to the latest update on the real estate market in the DFW metroplex. Agents featured included Sharon Hodnett of Team Hodnett, Mary Ellen and Joel Getz of the Getz Team, Bunny Eklund, Dawn Torres, Ray Cross, and Dave Edstrom.
Don’t let the thought of selling your home during the winter months dampen your holiday spirit. Create a festive, buyer-friendly environment with these seven seasonal staging tips.
Holiday Decor
The less-is-more mantra of home staging may tempt you to forgo holiday cheer this year. But a few subtle touches like a pinecone centerpiece, an evergreen wreath or a pot of cider simmering on the stove can create a warm and festive feeling in your home. Avoid overtly religious flourishes, which may be off-putting to some buyers.
Lights
Make sure your holiday collection matches your current decor. Use simple string lighting to play up your home’s architecture or draw attention to the gorgeous fir tree in your front yard.
Accentuate the Positive
Too many trimmings may distract buyers, but the right accessories can draw attention to your home’s best features.
Mind the Tree
A tall Christmas tree can help you show off your two-story great room, but make sure the wide base won’t overwhelm the floor space. If your living area is on the small side, save space with a skinny tree. Swap the gaudy heirloom ornaments and trim your tree in a cohesive theme such as all red and gold ornaments, or icicle lights and silver tinsel.
By HGTV FrontDoor
Keller Real Estate: Award-winning real estate company launches real estate website exclusively for Keller, TX homes for sale.
Welcome to Keller, Texas. With a small town civic atmosphere, highly rated Keller ISD school system, affordable living, and central location, Keller is a much sought-after area to live in North Texas.
Keller Homes for Sale
Keller Texas Homes for Sale
Keller Homes for Rent
Keller Lease Properties
Keller Zip Codes:
76244 Real Estate
76248 Real Estate
Links & Resources
City of Keller
Keller ISD
Private Schools
Keller Property Tax
Keller City Parks and Recreation
Keller News
Keller Pointe
Keller Police Department
Keller Chamber of Commerce
New Service Connections and Links
For details, visit www.iwantaKellerhome.com
