RealEstateLady's Blog

The real estate market in the Dallas/Fort Worth  Texas area has taken a hit.

On a positive Note! DFW real estate market compared to most parts of the US is holding steady.

Steady is Good in these rough,tight, and tough economic times.

Renting? Why?  Buy a home! Take advantage of Home Ownership! Start house hunting if you have a down payment  saved of 3-3.5% you are in a great market to start house hunting. Rates are great and sellers are motivated.

Loan preapproval is a  must! Both the buyers and sellers benefit from Buyer loan preapproval.

Imagine buying a  house like playing cards!

If you are a Buyers and you have been preapproved  for a loan, you can close quickly, you have saved your down payment, you are holding a strong hand

 If you are a seller. Have your property clean inside and out. Great Curb appeal, Update items that many first time home buyers look for flooring,bathrooms,kitchen,fixtures. Clutter free.

Selling your home during the holiday's? Keep Holiday Decor simple.

Happy Holidays to ALL who are reading this!!!

May God Bless You and Your family!

Free is Good!

Tips to assist your productivity in the workplace or at home!

Microsoft Windows shortcut keys I use and would like to pass on !  

Example, if it says Alt + F, you would hold down the Alt key and strike the F key, then release both keys at the same time.  

Shortcut Keys  

Description  

Alt + Tab  

Switch between open applications.  

Alt + Shift + Tab  

Switch backwards between open applications.  

Alt + double-click 

Display the properties of the object you double-click on. For example, doing this on a file would display its properties.  

Ctrl + Tab  

Switches between program groups or document windows in applications that support this feature.  

Ctrl + Shift + Tab  

Same as above but backwards.  

Alt + Print Screen  

Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in.  

Ctrl + Alt + Del  

Reboot the computer and/or bring up the Windows task manager.  

Ctrl + Esc  

Bring up the Windows Start menu. In Windows 3.x this would bring up the Task Manager.  

Alt + Esc  

Switch Between open applications on taskbar.  

F1  

Activates help for current open application.  

F2  

Renames selected Icon.  

F3  

Starts find from desktop.  

F4  

Opens the drive selection when browsing.  

F5  

Refresh Contents.  

F10  

Activates menu bar.  

Shift + F10  

Simulates right-click on selected item.  

F4  

Select a different location to browse in the Windows Explorer toolbar.  

Alt + F4  

Closes Current open program.  

Ctrl + F4  

Closes Window in Program.  

F6  

Move cursor to different Windows Explorer pane.  

Ctrl + Space bar  

Drops down the window control menu.  

Ctrl + (the '+' key on the keypad)  

Automatically adjust the widths of all the columns in Windows explorer  

Alt + Enter  

Opens properties window of selected icon or program.  

Shift + Del  

Delete programs/files without throwing them into the recycle bin.  

Holding Shift  

Boot Safe Mode or by pass system files as the computer is booting. 

Holding Shift  

When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing.  

Enter  

Activates the highlighted program. 

Alt + Down arrow  

Display all available options on drop down menu. 

* (on the keypad)  

Expands all folders on the currently selected folder or drive in Windows Explorer. 

+ (on the keypad)  

Expands only the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.  

- (on the keypad) 

Collapses the currently selected folder in Windows Explorer.  

Windows key keyboard shortcuts  

Below is a listing of Windows keys that can be used on computers running a Microsoft Windows operating system and using a keyboard with a Windows (Start) key. In the below list of shortcuts, the Windows/Start key is represented by "WINKEY". 

Shortcut Keys  

Description  

WINKEY (Start Key) or  

Pressing the Windows key alone will open Start. 

WINKEY + F1 

Opens the Microsoft Windows help and support center. 

WINKEY + F3 

Opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook. 

WINKEY + D  

Brings the desktop to the top of all other windows. 

WINKEY + M 

Minimizes all windows. 

WINKEY + SHIFT + M 

Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M and WINKEY + D. 

WINKEY + E 

Open Microsoft Explorer. 

WINKEY + Tab 

Cycle through open programs through the taskbar. 

WINKEY + F 

Display the Windows Search / Find feature. 

WINKEY + CTRL + F  

Display the search for computers window. 

WINKEY + F1 

Display the Microsoft Windows help.  

WINKEY + R 

Open the run window. 

WINKEY + Pause / Break key  

Open the system properties window. 

WINKEY + U 

Open Utility Manager. 

WINKEY + L 

Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).  

FHA changes down payment requirements 1-1-2009. 

As many of you know, HR 3221 has been signed into effect by President Bush this week. I will keep this really short and to the point, because the document is 786 pages long and has left quite a bit for interpretation.

Basics are much of the bill has to do with loan bailout but this blog today is about FHA seller down payment assistance programs going away.

FHA seller down payment assistance has been eliminated effective 9-30-2008.

Very unfortunate for homeowners, lenders and agents that played by the rules. You can thank much of the abuse to seller owned mortgage companies (yes this means Builder owned mortgage companies,

If you are a buyer in prequalification stage get going and find your home asap.

You may have heard about the tax credit for first time home buyers which will be eligible from 4-9-2008 to 6-30-2009.

This is really great news. However it is not a tax deduction.

It is a credit. Up to $7,500.00!!

Essentially this is a loan accruing at 0% interest which will be paid back by the buyers over the next 15 years.

If the property sells, you pay whatever is remaining unless your equity is less than what is owed or you meet your maker.

Who is eligible? First time homebuyers (those who have not owned a home or real estate within the past 3 years) if single and make under $75,000 and if married make under $150,000.00 will qualify for the max credit.

There is a tiered qualification for the credit as well where there is a benefit for first time homebuyers up to $95,000.00 if single and $175,000.00 if married.

How can the credit be allocated? Up for interpretation as this is so new.

Expertise in Flower Mound, Highland Village, Keller, Lewisville, Coppell, Colleyville, Southlake and surrounding areas? Covering Copper Canyon, Double Oak, Corinth, Denton, Westlake, Grapevine, Argyle, Lantana, Castle hills, Robinson Ranch, The tribute, Wellington, Bridlewood, Point Noble, The Landing and all surrounding areas. Flower Mound Real Estate, Keller Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Homes, flower mound homes for sale, Lewisville Texas Homes, Lewisville Texas Homes for Sale, Flower Mound TX Homes for Sale, Denton Texas Homes, Highland Shores Real Estate, Highland Village TX, Lantana Texas Homes, Double Oak Texas Realtor, Copper Canyon TX Homes, Argyle Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Texas Homes

RE/MAX DFW IV Flower Mound  will be hosting "In Memory of" Car Wash

Kwik Kar Car Wash in Flower Mound at the corner of 2499/3040 will donate $5 to the American Cancer Society for every car wash!

Raffle tickets for great items will be Sold to support the American Cancer Society!

Items for Raffle will be displayed in Kwik Kar the August 9th 2008!    

Come out and Wash your car and help us raise money for a great Cause!

FREE DRINKS!

My Blogging regarding my opinion!

Inflation Newsmaker last week, it appears that  news coming in the next week will be focused on the housing market, as both New and Existing Home Sales Reports will be released. I don't exspect to see much change in the continued sluggishness in the nation's overall real estate housing market.

Stats coming out regarding Durable Goods Orders, which is a measure of how many "durable" or non-disposable goods have been purchased during the previous month or month's.
Products which are expected to last longer than three years, such as TV'S, Furniture,Office equipment, and Cars.

Consumables like food and energy are taking such a toll on consumers pocket books.

How are consumers feeling? Positive - or not - about their current and future economic conditions.

Keep in mind that its my understanding when Bond prices move higher, home loan rates move lower...and vice versa.

This week, Bond prices took a  steep dive,  causing home loan rates to worsen. 

Is this weeks  Bond market going to be  friendly? Bond prices could continue  lower, and cause home loan rates to worsen ...but negative economic news could pull money out of Stocks and into Bonds, give Bonds an upward  boost , and help home loan rates .

This information is not to be taken as Advice these are only my opinions!   

Expertise in Flower Mound, Highland Village, Keller, Lewisville, Coppell, Colleyville, Southlake and surrounding areas? Covering Copper Canyon, Double Oak, Corinth, Denton, Westlake, Grapevine, Argyle, Lantana, Castle hills, Robinson Ranch, The tribute, Wellington, Bridlewood, Point Noble, The Landing and all surrounding areas. Flower Mound Real Estate, Keller Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Homes, flower mound homes for sale, Lewisville Texas Homes, Lewisville Texas Homes for Sale, Flower Mound TX Homes for Sale, Denton Texas Homes, Highland Shores Real Estate, Highland Village TX, Lantana Texas Homes, Double Oak Texas Realtor, Copper Canyon TX Homes, Argyle Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Texas Homes

It is my understanding that through our own property! It is easy to find the history of your land and mineral rights if you have the time.

Go to the Denton County Clerk's office and in less than two hours we knew our history-who owned our property and when. 

We wanted to see in writing what our mineral rights were, and not take anyone's word for what we owned. The county's land records go back to the 1850's and are also accessible on the Internet. 

At the county clerk's office there are helpful research ladies and the copies are 25 cents per page.  If you work from your home the copies are $1.00 per page. 

The web site is www.co.denton.tx.us/dept/main.asp?Dept=17. 

Look in the left hand margin and click on "real property records search".  Then click on the free search at the top of the page. 

You are searching for warranty deeds, and when you find the one that pertains to your land, you can purchase a copy with your credit card and print it out. 

They will give you several options when purchasing, I just did pay-per access user option. 

In our personal search We did not go back any further than the Catholic Church ownership because they owned so much land it would have taken a lot more time researching. 

So in our personal situation we are not 100% sure that the owners before the church did not retain any mineral rights. 

After you have most of your information it will save time and money if you chose to  consult a real estate attorney " Oil and Gas" and find out positively what you own!

- Flower Mound, Keller, Coppell, Southlake, Colleyville, Highland Village - Suzy Britz and Associates - Real Estate Agent - Homes For Sale new construction, pre-owned and luxury homes.  Work with our buyers agents to help find the perfect house for sale for your family. Expertise in Flower Mound, Highland Village, Keller, Lewisville, Coppell, Colleyville, Southlake and surrounding areas? Covering Copper Canyon, Double Oak, Corinth, Denton, Westlake, Grapevine, Argyle, Lantana, Castle hills, Robinson Ranch, The tribute, Wellington, Bridlewood, Point Noble, The Landing and all surrounding areas. Flower Mound Real Estate, Keller Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Homes, flower mound homes for sale, Lewisville Texas Homes, Lewisville Texas Homes for Sale, Flower Mound TX Homes for Sale, Denton Texas Homes, Highland Shores Real Estate, Highland Village TX, Lantana Texas Homes, Double Oak Texas Realtor, Copper Canyon TX Homes, Argyle Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Texas Homes

Another Lender Change!!!!!!

NEW form from a major lender will cause home owners Mineral Rights to bring Home Equity to Home Owners! Not immediate Cash!

Buyers Watch for a Mineral Rights Form you may be signing at the closing table.

A  Major Bank /Lender recently added a form which gives lein holder control of applying your  properties Mineral right Bonus checks and Royalities to the balance owed on mortgage loan until note is paid in full.

It is my understanding  the doc says is that if you are finiancing a home the money from mineral rights will be applied to your loan balance. Which means you must send the Bonus checks and royalities to your lender/lein holder.

Sharing communication happening in my neighborhood I hope you find helpful!

I am not giving advice or recommendations of any kind only an attorney can do that!This is for informational and learning purposes only!

Incorporating a game plan for issues to address:

We have formed a 

Many people first ask about receiving or being offered a certain amount as a bonus. 

If you are one of those "someones," please obtain a copy of the actual lease and provide it to a committee you may want to form as soon as possible for review.

This review will provide us with written documentation of bonus amounts to support a higher bonus than the Company may offer.

This also may allow time to compare the terms in the lease to those we are being offered to ensure you are comparing apples to apples.  The bonus amounts are going to differ based on the length of the lease, the costs deducted, any surface use, and many other details.  You can throw out all the numbers , but without documentation to back it up, it will just be our word against theirs.

Seriously consider hiring an attorney that specializes in local gas leases. 

Based on information from a friend, a good attorney drafting a document will save you lots of money and litigation later.  Many times people go into court and represent themselves.

Sometimes it works out, but most of the time, they end up with a poor result. 

The old adage is true: the attorney that chooses to represent himself has a fool for a client.

The role of the attorney in this process would be to provide valuable insight and information as well as legal expertise in this area of law, to act as a sounding board for our questions and concerns, to suggest alternative methods of addressing specific concerns, to advise us on what is or is not "market" in our area, and ultimately to prepare the documentation.  Anticipate that the significant portion of the negotiations will remain in the hands of the committee.  The attorney will in no way be able to guarantee a specified contract amount (either signing bonus or royalty) or a specified outcome.

Whatever attorney you hire should probably get a flat fee.  A group of 50 lots or so a reasonable rate should be between $100 - $200 per lot.

Individually, this is not a lot of money based on the return that we will receive.  Some may argue that we will not get much representation for that amount.  However, the attorney will be basically only drafting one set of terms for the entire group.  Therefore, since we have over 50 lots, it will be a nice little fee.

.- Flower Mound, Keller, Coppell, Southlake, Colleyville, Highland Village - Suzy Britz and Associates - Real Estate Agent - Homes For Sale new construction, pre-owned and luxury homes.  Work with our buyers agents to help find the perfect house for sale for your family. Expertise in Flower Mound, Highland Village, Keller, Lewisville, Coppell, Colleyville, Southlake and surrounding areas? Covering Copper Canyon, Double Oak, Corinth, Denton, Westlake, Grapevine, Argyle, Lantana, Castle hills, Robinson Ranch, The tribute, Wellington, Bridlewood, Point Noble, The Landing and all surrounding areas. Flower Mound Real Estate, Keller Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Homes, flower mound homes for sale, Lewisville Texas Homes, Lewisville Texas Homes for Sale, Flower Mound TX Homes for Sale, Denton Texas Homes, Highland Shores Real Estate, Highland Village TX, Lantana Texas Homes, Double Oak Texas Realtor, Copper Canyon TX Homes, Argyle Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Texas Homes

It is my understanding that through our own property!

It is easy to find the history of your land and mineral rights if you have the time.

Go to the Denton County Clerk's office and in less than two hours we knew our history-who owned our property and when. 

We wanted to see in writing what our mineral rights were, and not take anyone's word for what we owned. The county's land records go back to the 1850's and are also accessible on the Internet. 

At the county clerk's office there are helpful research ladies and the copies are 25 cents per page.  If you work from your home the copies are $1.00 per page. 

The web site is www.co.denton.tx.us/dept/main.asp?Dept=17. 

Look in the left hand margin and click on "real property records search".  Then click on the free search at the top of the page. 

You are searching for warranty deeds, and when you find the one that pertains to your land, you can purchase a copy with your credit card and print it out. 

They will give you several options when purchasing, I just did pay-per access user option. 

In our personal search We did not go back any further than the Catholic Church ownership because they owned so much land it would have taken a lot more time researching. 

So in our personal situation we are not 100% sure that the owners before the church did not retain any mineral rights. 

After you have most of your information it will save time and money if you chose to  consult a real estate attorney " Oil and Gas" and find out positively what you own!

- Flower Mound, Keller, Coppell, Southlake, Colleyville, Highland Village - Suzy Britz and Associates - Real Estate Agent - Homes For Sale new construction, pre-owned and luxury homes.  Work with our buyers agents to help find the perfect house for sale for your family. Expertise in Flower Mound, Highland Village, Keller, Lewisville, Coppell, Colleyville, Southlake and surrounding areas? Covering Copper Canyon, Double Oak, Corinth, Denton, Westlake, Grapevine, Argyle, Lantana, Castle hills, Robinson Ranch, The tribute, Wellington, Bridlewood, Point Noble, The Landing and all surrounding areas. Flower Mound Real Estate, Keller Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Homes, flower mound homes for sale, Lewisville Texas Homes, Lewisville Texas Homes for Sale, Flower Mound TX Homes for Sale, Denton Texas Homes, Highland Shores Real Estate, Highland Village TX, Lantana Texas Homes, Double Oak Texas Realtor, Copper Canyon TX Homes, Argyle Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Texas Homes

Attach is an information link to a 138 page presentation.

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When sellers are signing are they considering every well is frac'd with about 150,000 bbls of water (1 bbl = 42 gallons).  If they start producing the well, about 50% of that water comes back in the first 7 to 10 days.  

Since a water truck will only hold 150 bbls at the most, you'll would have 500 trucks per well hauling water during that 7 to 10 day period.  So, you get the excitement of having the drilling (think 30 days per well), then you get to endure the water hauling activity tearing up your roads.  But wait, there's more - you'll have a pipeline laid somewhere through your golf course to get the gas to market.  

It's funny how nobody ever talks about the pipelines or the water trucks when they're telling you how getting $50/month is a great deal for your 1/4 acre.

Would you BUY a house by a well or pipeline?  

Can you imagine selling a home while a WELL is being DRILLED?

Don't rush to sign anything.

What issues might Homeowners associations face?

• Access
• Pipeline easements
• Environmentally sensitive/ floodplain areas
• Proximity to occupied residences
• The financial ramifications of drilling on site if surrounding neighborhoods don't sign leases

Is Cherokee Horn is most likely going to "flip" the site and will not actually do the drilling? Will there be a 3rd party involved?

Have any of the three leases applied for a permit from the town or city?

Will Drilling a well take approximately 30 days or more and what are the costs?

Will each site  have multiple wells? (How many?).  

Doe Flower Mound's ordinances regarding gas drilling?

What happens if the owner signed a contract?

Financial rewards ? Taxes?

• Leases can also be negotiated that can include quality of life and environmental controls and provisions.
• Surface use provisions

Mortgage company requirements, Owners may need to notify lenders and could be charged fees if applicable. 

The competitive nature of the gas leasing industry

Verification of who owns the mineral rights and what percentage?

Provide assistance and direction to HOA's to organize a community wide evaluation and response to current and future lease offers, including assistance with the performance of pertinent research on issues. 

Attend meetings of organizational groups and coordinate presentations to home owner groups and town officials as required. 

Advise and assist with education and understanding of gas leasing issues and leasing and drilling activity. 

Review and advise on relevant background, history and experience of drilling companies involved. 

Assist with negotiations with driller(s) and/or landmen in gas leasing matters. 

Review proposed lease forms and advise on suggested changes. 

Prepare lease addendum to address needed changes in terms and provisions in lease. 

Assist in organization of neighborhood lease signings.

Flower Mound Community Against Urban Drilling (FMCAUD)

This group is in the process of forming.  To learn more about this group see their webpage at http://stopthedrilling.blogspot.com/    

Many Home Owner Assocations are banning together to make decisions on Bonus signing amounts negocating higher upfront signing bonus and long term royalities!

Why would a realtor ® hang up their Broker hat in Chicago to move to Dallas Texas as a real estate agent? Money our houses are selling!

Dfw Texas Realtors®  are closing Deal! Sellers are able to Sell for fair prices!   

DFW Realtor®  The membership numbers
January 2006- 14,061
January 2007- 12,101
January 2008- 13,299   + 9.9% Change over 2007 

Collin County Association of Realtors®  went from 4191 members in 2007 to 4280 members in 2008.+2.1% increase over last year's membership.  

Membership of the National Association of Realtors®  has plunged! Realtors are getting out of the real estate business.  National news makes real estate sound so like it has gone down the tubes all over the USA.

NEWS! The Dallas/Fort Worth  Texas real estate market is Strong compared to most National real estate news. MetroTex Association of Realtors®  is the largest covering most of the  Dallas Texas and Fort Worth Texas area. Take a look at the below STATS!

Has real estate gone down the Toilet? Not is Most Major Cities in Dallas! Why do most of us believe the voices that keep saying our local real estate market is in a slump? Look at the numbers! local numbers, not National numbers.

Realtors®  Selling homes and properties shows the TEXAS REAL ESTATE Trend shows that the REALTORS® in the Dallas Texas area are not giving up their license and heading back to corporate world, but they're here ready for a Great 2008!

Realtors®  are in full force with the count including smaller associations, we probably have about 30,000 Realtors®  in the Dallas/Fort Worth Texas area. 

 - Flower Mound, Keller, Coppell, Southlake, Colleyville, Highland Village - Suzy Britz and Associates - Real Estate Agent - Homes For Sale new construction, pre-owned and luxury homes.  Work with our buyers agents to help find the perfect house for sale for your family. Expertise in Flower Mound, Highland Village, Keller, Lewisville, Coppell, Colleyville, Southlake and surrounding areas? Covering Copper Canyon, Double Oak, Corinth, Denton, Westlake, Grapevine, Argyle, Lantana, Castle hills, Robinson Ranch, The tribute, Wellington, Bridlewood, Point Noble, The Landing and all surrounding areas. Flower Mound Real Estate, Keller Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Homes, flower mound homes for sale, Lewisville Texas Homes, Lewisville Texas Homes for Sale, Flower Mound TX Homes for Sale, Denton Texas Homes, Highland Shores Real Estate, Highland Village TX, Lantana Texas Homes, Double Oak Texas Realtor, Copper Canyon TX Homes, Argyle Texas Real Estate, Flower Mound Texas Homes"