While housing prices in many communities have fallen, many local governments have failed to adjust their property tax valuations, meaning that many taxpayers still have homes with assessments based on the market’s peak in 2005 and 2006. Add that to the continued financial threat from a slow job market and stagnant pay raises, and expensive tax bills can put a considerable crimp in your financial picture.

By Patrick Esposito 

In today’s real estate market, many homeowners, as well as investors, are going down roads and using various tools that they would not have considered previously. When things are going well and the real estate market is hot, most people would believe that the good times are here to stay. Unfortunately, good times were at the peak of the roller coaster, and the market came down twice as fast as it went up. In many areas, prices fell back to where they were eight years ago, before the real estate frenzy started. When times are going well, we all know how to act. “Yippee, hurray, woopdedo, woopdedo!” When times get tough, that is when the real investor shows his true moxie.

by Michael J. McGroarty

If you own a home, then sooner or later you are going to be ready to sell that home. Maybe you've already sold a home or two. People tend to move more often than our parents did.

There are a lot of things that go into getting the best possible price for
your home, but the very first thing your home needs is curb appeal. When a prospective buyer, or a realtor for that matter, pulls up in front of your home, they immediately form an opinion about your house. Fair or not, that's what people do. You can have the most beautiful home in the city, but if prospective buyers don't get a super positive feeling about your house the minute they lay eyes on it, they are going to enter and view the rest of your house with a negative impression.

I was chatting with a Realtor the other day about the changes in our industry. The change in the mortgage industry is stunning. Unfortunately, it's not changing for the better. The mortgage industry has redefined our constitutional right of assumed innocence. Loan originators submit files for underwriting consideration under the supposition of fraud. We chase our tail verifying verifications. Perhaps it would be easier to digest if recent reports reflected declining numbers of fraud. That's not the case. Mortgage fraud is still on the rise in California, Nevada, Florida, and Michigan. Those states led the mortgage implosion in foreclosures, too! Until real estate becomes regional, not national, more change is headed our way. Sadly, new laws will be imposed by politicians who are disconnected to our industry.

Please sit down before reading. It will shock you....The Fed changed course and decided to end it's investing in Mortgage Backed Securities. A policy change? Is this the first time that's ever happened on our history?

Three years ago, the mortgage industry imploded. Some blamed soft sub-prime lending rules. Some blamed Wall Street. Others blamed greedy loan officers who took advantage of unsuspecting victims. The truth is, I’m to blame! It’s entirely my fault. You may also blame me for global warming, the deterioration of the rain forest and the Colts losing the Super Bowl. And yes, in 1963, I was the one hiding in a grassy knoll in Dallas.

By Sonja Patterson

In addition to having good schools, affordable homes, and a wonderful location, the Cypress Mill subdivision has GREAT amenities. Come take a look at what Cypress Mill has to offer you and your family. You won't be disappointed!

By Mark Maniha

For everyone waiting for the market to hit “bottom” and the opportunity to buy homes at their cheapest prices, the time has arrived!

by Sonja Patterson

Everyone has different wants, needs and desires when looking for that PERFECT-FOR-ME home. There are some common items I advise my clients to look for when purchasing a home.

Q: How important is staging a home to sell?

A: Staging can really make a big difference. In selling your home, your main goal should be to get it sold as quickly as possible and for the best price. Staging goes a long way in helping your home in both of those areas.

Imagine going into a fine dining establishment with a friend. You receive excellent service and a wonderful meal; however, your friend only focuses on the silverware. The alloy of the fork wasn't up to his/her standards. He/she claims it's an unacceptable transitional metal. Your friend describes the entire meal as unacceptable. He/she pays no attention to the New York USDA Rib-Eye Steak, boneless, one-inch cut, aged 21 days -- cooked to perfection. The five-star meal is ruined because your friend can't get beyond something so insignificant.

I have a friend who is a psychotherapist. He used to have HUGE anger issues. Now he makes a living off angry people. A few years ago he wrote a book titled, Anger Busting 101. Good book, but telling people to stop doing things doesn't change human behavior. But it's a good start. Here are his tips about abstaining from certain behaviors when angry:

By: O. Newell Cheatheam, CPBD, AIBD,TIBD, RID

President - Newell's Designs, www.newellsdesigns.com,

www.linkedin.com/in /newellcheatheam

PO Box 5254, Katy, Tx 77491.5254

281.392.3034

Thinking of having a custom home or commercial project designed? Will you use a building designer or an architect?

Both are involved in the design of custom homes and commercial buildings. But what's the difference?

by Paulette Blackwood Tate

My customers ask me why I am continually going to school and I tell them I attend the CRS classes because they are top notch courses and I really learn valuable information to pass along to my customers and it makes me a better Realtor. Most Realtors in this marketplace have 5 years or less experience and have never experienced the market we are having today. 

by Rod Hale

For those of you who have been on the fence about purchasing a new home, now is the time to jump off and take advantage of this market. Right now the builders have a lot of inventory, or what we as realtors call "spec" homes. The builders need to sell these homes and they are willing to sell these homes for a substantially less amount than they initially wanted. The $8000 tax credit is ending on November the 30th; you can also take advantage of this in more ways than one.

By Sonja Patterson

With many employers cutting back on their staff in the Houston-area, there are many Cypress, TX households "in distress" as we call it in the real estate world. A property is "in distress" when one or more payments has been missed. You may wonder, "Should I talk to my lender/mortgage company about this? Would they be able to help?" "Should I consider moving?" "If I put my home on the market, will the mortgage company try to foreclose on me earlier?"