To listen to the nightly news, our country’s in a recession and everyone’s losing their home! Then why in East Texas do Realtor signs read “Congratulations-Our market is booming” and my latest Property Owner letter from the county appraisal district says Texas has not shown the volatility being experienced elsewhere in our nation? Is it perhaps people are coming home, and they’ve discovered it’s here…in East Texas?

Let me share more from my East Texas county appraisal district letter dated April 2008: “…property values …have in some instances shown appreciable growth over the past few years. Land values in particular are on the rise. For this reason, there will be upward adjustments for some of the properties….Though there is speculation as to the future direction of our real estate market, we have not seen or been able to measure any significant decline in value at this time.”

Why East Texas though? Because it’s the best bargain in the nation right now. And it’s a great place to call home. And it’s a fantastic place for a 2nd home (cabin in the woods anyone?) if you’re still stuck in the city but need a close escape within 75 miles to get away from it all. And it’s an excellent place for real estate investment now to justify that cabin in the woods!. And it’s even more fun with 21st century conveniences like a top five regional airport and high speed internet available and some of the finest and most advanced medical facilities anywhere. And because there are excellent schools both public and private, and some universities too. Have you tried Tyler Airport? You can eat off the floor it’s so clean. I find this home town wholesomeness refreshing since it’s now the rare aberration, not the norm.

Restaurants and Fine Dining? I challenge anybody to find a better pastry case than I’ve personally tested too many times than the one at Edom Grill. Edom does the food at Tyler Airport as well. French food? Can anyone say Currents in Tyler? And if you’re on a budget and need the kids eat free night, Luby’s in Tyler has more than one location and the kids get that free meal with an adult meal more than 1 night a week. If you’re flush with capital, Rick’s on the Square, Dakota’s and Bernard’s are in Tyler and Kiepersol Estates is just down the road. Homemade custard anyone? Andy’s on Broadway cannot be beat. C’est c’est bon appetite pardner, boy howdy all the way around. You can fine dine til the cows come home and there are plenty of gyms, parks and golf courses to work off the calories.

But you don’t have an ocean. You don’t have mountains. You’re right-and we don’t have the transient traffic that chokes these areas either. When you look out your kitchen window in the morning sippin your coffee, you see the same neighbor you saw yesterday afternoon, not today’s tourist. After living in high profile resort areas such as beach and mountain locales, my hard won opinion is it’s best to be the tourist at these spots, then head home where it’s comfy, cozy and off the fast track of vacationeers. I can hop a plane at Tyler Regional Airport to Houston, and be eating lunch in Cozumel ready for an afternoon dive that day. There’s my ocean and the water’s warm. Same with skiing. Then I get to come home where my heart is and the traffic’s not that crazy and the folks are neighbors with real names and faces and that coziness we relish as in “we’re home” now. And street worthy pajamas – my neighbor and I were discussing where to get these as this is what we’ve discovered we’re being caught in outside more and more.

The air’s still fine, the water’s still flowing, and it’s not so populated out here as to choke your lifestyle or your lungs. We have happy seniors retiring here as well as seniors from high schools all over relocating to East Texas to take advantage of the economics (ie, you can still afford it!) of such fine institutions as Tyler Junior College, University of Texas at Tyler and Trinity Valley at Athens. There are more golf courses per capita than anywhere and you don’t go bankrupt playing often. You can get a large bucket of golf balls and drive to your heart’s delight for an hour or more at Peachtree Golf Club for five dollars. A large bucket and that’s without a membership people. Lakes? We’ve got many. State park? Yup. Camping, hiking, biking and more. Cool weekend destinations? Edom for art and fine dining and how ‘bout that little Rusk to Palestine, Palestine to Rusk day trip on the old fashioned steam train? And so many more wacky fun things to do!

If you’re tired of the rat race, looking to get to a place with all of the modern conveniences but with the elbow room to have a garden home or a big ranch, or anything in between, check out East Texas. If you need a job, we have plenty. If you need to learn skills, we have schools that won’t bankrupt you to get these skills. We have the jobs and need people to fill them! People are still friendly here, the cost of living is better than average, and looking over the past 25 years of steady remarkable growth in value with a pretty solid base, backsliding doesn’t appear to be looming on the horizon. Guess that old county appraisal district is right. C’mon out for a visit, the door’s open.

California is, no doubt, the jewel on the Pacific coast of USA. It has enchanting natural beauty and abundant resources that have attracted thousands in search of a better life. California real estate investing, therefore, is the ideal way to capitalize on the great opportunities available in the state.

California has all the ingredients that make it attractive to those who wish to move in there. It offers a sophisticated urban lifestyle, great educational opportunities from kindergarten through university, good business environment, recreational facilities and artistic avenues. From the sun-kissed beaches of San Diego to the studios of Hollywood and the digital revolution spurred on in the Silicon Valley, all represent a fine blend of natural endowment and human ingenuity. The state’s population is multi-ethnic and the humming cultural scene reflects this trend.

Whether you wish to make California your home or earn returns that are inflation-proof, California real estate investing is one decision you would never regret.

The instant image that strikes one when discussing real estate in California is of the multimillion-dollar mansions of the rich and famous. Majestic in size and design and lavish in detailing, these homes represent the ultimate in luxury that money could buy. Does that mean a small investor can never buy property in California?

The answer is an emphatic no. Here are a few things one should keep in mind while scouting for California real estate investing opportunities.

• Localize your search and narrow down your criteria in specific terms, as it would make you focus only on those properties that meet your budgetary and other constraints. Not doing so would mean getting lost in the plethora of tempting properties that are well, not affordable by you.

• California has a well-regulated real estate industry. The real estate agents and brokers work under license from the state administration. Tie up with an experienced agent who has a large number of property listings to offer you.

• Look for properties in locations with good growth potential. They would be cheaper to buy but would show considerable appreciation later on. Inspect several housing options like single homes, condos, units and apartments. For commercial property, think of the business potential in the area. Arrange for an objective inspection to bring out the negative aspects, if any, in the property. In short, do thorough research before choosing the property.

• Familiarize yourself with the regulations governing real estate transactions. These formalities are meant to remove misconceptions and provide transparency in dealings. Never attempt to bypass any regulation for the sake of convenience.

Copyright © 2006 Joel Teo. All rights reserved.

Decide to Sell

Deciding to sell your home is a big decision. The first step in this process should be to understand your motivations, expectations, financial considerations, goals and what you plan to do upon the sale of your home. Many people begin the sale process with unrealistic expectations or unclear goals. It then becomes difficult to meet their goals because these goals have never been clearly defined. You must begin to view your house, no longer as your home, but as an investment property that you want to market.

Setting the Price

Of course one of your most difficult questions is the listing price of your house. What price should you ask? This is an important part of the sales process. If you set the asking price too high, you may scare away buyers. Agents who feel that your house would not be a good investment may not even show the house. After the house sits on the market for a while, people begin to feel that there is something wrong with it because it hasn’t sold. Even if you could sell your house for an inflated price, many times a lender won’t approve a loan on a house that doesn’t appraise for that amount and the sale might fall through at the last minute. If you under price the home, you won’t realize the maximum potential of your investment.

Marketing Plan

Decide on incentives that to be offered to buyers, determine the best places to advertise, and determine how to show the home. Remember that that goal is to sell the home for the highest price, in the least time, with the fewest hassles.

Prepare the Home for Showing

There are two important ways that you can have an impact in making your house attractive to buyers: property condition and listing price. After deciding on a listing price, setup an appointment with a decorating company. They will give you some suggestions for making your house look its best. This process is called “staging.” The suggestions might be simple such as clearing cluttered counter tops. Or they might be more involved such as painting front doors or repairing obvious defects.

The staging company will look at your house from room to room and will offer advice on how to make each room show great. They will also look at the exterior street appeal, backyard and garage. They have a lot of tips that can make your house shine. After this meeting, you will have a list of what you should do to prepare your house for sale. Following these suggestions in a timely manner will ensure your home shows at its best.

Remember that “staging” addresses the appearance of the house and not necessarily other problems, which might become evident during an inspection. An inspection will uncover most defects that eventually may have to be repaired. In this way you can have the repairs done before a potential buyer’s inspection uncovers a defect that might cause a buyer to either change his mind or to want a substantial repair allowance deducted from the price. It is a signal to buyers that you are a responsible, reputable seller. It also allows you to have plenty of time to schedule any work that might need to be done.

Offer a residential service contract to buyers. This guarantees the major appliances in your home as well as other systems and structures. You can also include coverage for your house while it is on the market so you don’t have to pay for any unexpected repairs.

Marketing the Home

Now the fun begins. Here are some ideas that can be used to promote your home.

It is important for you to keep your house in perfect condition everyday because buyers or agents might come by at any time. Keep the kitchen clean, make your bed every morning and keep clutter out of sight. It is especially important to keep pets and pet odors under control. Some wonderful added touches are fresh flowers and potpourri or freshly baked cookies.

As agents and potential buyers begin visiting your home either virtually on the Internet or in person, try to obtain feedback from the buyers. Make changes to the showing state, condition, and price as feedback deems necessary.

The Offer and Negotiation

You have an offer, now what? Sometimes the buyer will offer you the asking price and have no special requests. In this case, you sign that you accept the offer. Sometimes, the buyer’s offer is a lower price and might have other requests. You should consider what is best for you and make a counter offer. Consider carefully your response because if you counter offer, there is no guarantee that the buyer will respond again. Also remember that, once agreed upon and signed by all parties, an offer becomes a legally binding contract. Never get involved in oral offers and negotiation. If you verbally accept an offer, a buyer has no legal obligation to buy the house and may want to continue to bargain with you to see how low a price you will accept.

No matter how well you have prepared your house and how fairly you have priced it, there is always the possibility of receiving a low offer. It could be a limit to the buyer’s ability to purchase. Don’t take it personally and react angrily. This is business, it’s not personal. You can either reject the offer or make a counter-offer. Try to find out as much as you can as to why the offer was low. Certainly if other offers come in very low or if your home is not being shown or not receiving any offers consider adjusting the pricing.

Once the buyer and seller agree on the terms, the buyer will have the home inspected. If there are any problems that are found during this time period then the buyer can withdraw from the contract. The buyer might request that you complete certain repairs before closing or that you contribute a certain sum of money at closing to cover these repairs. If this happens, try not to let contract fall through. After the limited time period is up, the buyer is legally bound to buy your house unless they are denied financing. In the event of cancellation, the buyer would lose any earnest money. One exception to this is in the case of the buyer not receiving funding from the lenders. In that case then the buyer is not held responsible. For this reason, always ask the buyer’s agent for a letter showing that the potential buyer has been prequalified for a loan and, once a contract is signed, ask the buyer’s agent to keep you informed of the buyer’s loan application progress.

Closing

The exciting day is finally here! Verify in advance that all of the paperwork is in order. Request a copy of the HUD1 statement sheet so that you can read over it before closing. Feel free to ask any questions either before the closing or during the closing itself. Typically this is when you relinquish possession of the house so take the keys to give to the new owner.

It would seem to most people that there would be few opportunities for California real estate investing.

The state has one of the highest costs of living of all the states in the country. While this increase in cost of living keeps many Americans from moving out West, there are still some people who make the state their permanent residence.

There is constantly an influx of people moving into the state of California creating a constant demand for real estate. This demand is what keeps California real estate investing an opportunity for real estate investors.

For success in California real estate investing, investors much keep a consistent watch on the real estate trends. While there are some cities in the state that will always be popular, those cities that present the biggest opportunity for investing are always changing. Investors must pay close attention to market trends in these cities.

In California real estate investing, there are some key factors to pay attention to. One of these factors is the average days on the market for homes. This number lets investors know how long they can expect for a home to stay on the market before it is sold. If the number decreases over a period of time then the market is speeding up and it is a good time to invest.

On the other hand if the average days on hand is increasing, the market is slowing. Investors that currently hold properties should sell to keep from losing money in California real estate investing. In the case that time on the market is increasing, investors in California real estate might need to adjust the price of their homes to make sure they are selling.

Sacramento and San Diego are two key markets that are slowing. California real estate investing in either of these markets is not advised. Investors that already have these markets’ real estate in their portfolio should divest the properties quickly. The exception is if the properties are rentals rather than homes for sale. However, if the homes are intended to be sold, the best time to do so is now. Waiting to sell the properties could result in losses.

Condominiums are one type of property that never seem to lose steam in California. In most cities, even those that overall home sales are declining, purchase of condos are still on the rise. The California real estate investing market is safe for condos.

Oakland, San Francisco, and Riverside are a few cities that are safe for California real estate investing. Despite the decline in many other California cities, these continue to display signs of growth. In the past, California real estate has proven to be trendy. Residents do not remain interested in one place for an extended period of time. While investors will be able to make a profit in these areas for the time being, they should not expect for these markets to be profitable for long.

For the best opportunity for success in California real estate investing, investors should study the markets for a period of time prior to making any transactions.

Take advantage of these tips and you are sure to make good profits in California

For many years now, Baja California has been known as a party and vacation spot for many people all over the world. From couples seeking an intimate getaway to college students looking for a place to get in some much needed partying over spring break, Baja California presents an ideal destination where you can go to leave the worries of the real world behind.

What a growing number of people are realizing however is that aside from providing a temporary haven for rest and recreation, Baja California can in fact be a place where you can spend considerably longer periods of time in and perhaps even live out your retirement years. And why not, after all? In addition to the many stunning natural features of the area, there is a wealth of both personal and business opportunities to be had for the few souls brave enough to make the move. If you need any more convincing there is the world famous warmth and friendliness of the local residents, the excellent standard of living–particularly if you measure your income in dollars–and the near perfect weather all year round. And let’s not forget that Baja California is only 30 to 40 minutes from the U.S. border. In fact Baja California is probably the only place in the world where beachfront property and near-perfect southern Californian weather can still be had in abundance.

By all indications, the real estate market in the U.S. has all but dried up. Investors are now looking for the next big thing and many experts agree that Baja California is it. As you read this article, a number of factors are coming together, the combined effects of which will ultimately result in the next big property boom occurring in this area. For one thing, the Mexican government has implemented a number of changes in the country’s real estate laws that now make it legal for foreigners to purchase property in Mexico–even in areas that were formerly off limits to foreign buyers. By securing a bank trust or a Fideicomiso, the process of buying land in Baja California–or most any other place in Mexico for that matter–is now simpler and safer than ever.

Even U.S. banks and lending institutions are getting in on the act, with many lenders now offering mortgage financing as well as title insurance for foreign-owned property in Mexico.

Finally, your dollars can be stretched a lot further in Baja California. You probably know by now how hard it is to find available beachfront property in Southern California. Well, not only is it available in Baja California, but the prices are up to 4 or 5 times cheaper than similar property in the U.S. That in itself is a good enough reason to buy but when you realize that current property appreciation is measured at 30%, it almost makes no sense not to buy!

Clearly the market in Baja California real estate is on the rise. The time to act is now if you want to get some of the action!

Before I go into helping you to find your dream Dublin California real estate house, there’s some common home buyers mistakes I want to address. Don’t always think that if you are buying a house you can be protected by just using a “Buyer’s Agent”, or a mortgage broker who will “find them the best mortgage”. It’s totally wrong. Both the seller’s and buyer’s agents will benefit from more commissions off a higher selling price of the house either way.

Another common mistake home buyers make is thinking the price in writing is set in stone, especially if you are going to be excited about getting your dream Dublin California real estate house in the very next moment. Don’t give the seller that advantage. Just remember this one important rule: Seller do not set the price, it’s the buyers!

So right now, you will discover the very 5 tips that can help you find your dream Dublin California real estate house and even better at a bargain and these apply to all properties.

1. Get your financial house in order first!

I can’t stress this enough–it will save you an enormous amount of time, aggravation and heartache. Determine what your realistic budget is and stick to it. Don’t overspend. Get preapproved for a mortgage. This will not only give you a clear idea of how much a lender will approve for you, it will make your homebuying process a great deal easier (and save a lot of time later).

2. The best time to buy a used house is…

Winter time when demand for the houses are low. Most people buy a house in the summer time as it is the best time to sell off the old house and into a new one before their children’s school season starts. I’m sure you’ll get some really good deals around Christmas time, because no one is looking at houses then.

3. Try to find out how long the house has been on the market

There must be a reason why the house has not sold if it’s longer than 6 months when you are not in a bear market. Be persistent and ask why. Use that reason to your advantage.

4. Foreclosures might save you some money

Sure you can get discounts off from foreclosures. But be real careful with them because you don’t know what the previous owner has done to the house. You absolutely must have an inspection firm check out the house first. Just remember any foreclosure that is a good deal, is already gone before you get to it. Savvy agents and investors circle like vultures and snap these listings right up.

5. Professional real estate agents or DIY?

The agent will help you navigate the complicated waters of home ownership and will work to match your needs with your budget. Be sure to be upfront and honest with them though. But do-it-yourself is the most cost-effective option. There are now enough specialized services to accomodoate the do-it-yourself home buyer. The Multiple Listing Service is now available through several internet companies, which gives the buyer access to the greatest number of for sale homes. If you don’t want to pay the fee, you can still search the local newspaper’s website as well the company intranet.

Sure you might want to get a professional to help you out but if you are afraid of their always hyping you up just for that commission they’ll make, I’ll just say do-it-yourself. DIY is so much better as it is cheaper with your own freedom and no one to circle around you and rush you into a buying or selling spree that may eventually cause you more money. So there you have it, my 5 tips on finding your dream Dublin California real estate house at a bargain.

These days, the internet offers a much broader range of shopping than many people realize. Sure, it’s easier to find that perfect dress or a rare collectible that nobody else seems to have, but what about buying real estate? Is it really possible to purchase raw land without having to go through the hassle of finding a bank that offers land loans? Absolutely and, best of all, you can learn what other customers are saying about their land transactions with a particular seller if you purchase through online auctions. Many skeptics would urge consumers to avoid shopping for California real estate online but if you are familiar with some of the most basic principles, buying real estate online or in person should be a breeze.

If you are in the market for California real estate, you will need to consider whether you are purchasing for investment or residential purposes. If you are looking at land as an investment, you will need to check out the fastest growing areas in the state. If you are looking for the best place to build your dream house, the location choice will be more about personal taste than area growth. One of the most popular places to purchase California real estate via the world wide web is via an online auction. Internet auction leaders, such as eBay, Yahoo, Overstock, Bid4Assets and Bidz have a special category dedicated to the purchase of real estate. Some auctions are set up as a straight cash sale, while others are asking for a bid on the down payment with the remaining balance to be owner financed. The terms of an auction will be listed in the auction description. With this type of scenario, most sellers will extend financing to any customer who can provide the down payment without a credit check or verification of income and/or employment.

When shopping for California real estate online, along with any other purchase, you will need to be familiar with the different types of deeds and what they mean. First and foremost, you will want to purchase real estate from a seller than promises to convey a warranty deed. Avoid purchasing from anyone who offers a special or limited warranty deed unless you know exactly why they chose this wording as opposed to a full warranty deed. This type of transfer guarantees that the property is free and clear of any liens and that the seller owns the property in it’s entirety with the right to resale. Some sellers also offer a quit claim deed, which can be questionable because this type of deed transfers only the seller’s interest in the property and does not guarantee that he/she owns it fully. A quit claim deed simply transfers the seller’s interest, if any, in the property.

Whether you purchase real estate online or in person, you must conduct due diligence on the property to ensure that there are no liens, outstanding taxes and/or is buildable for the purpose that you desire.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional legal advice regarding the sell or purchase of real estate. If you are considering a California real estate purchase, you should consult an attorney to discuss your legal rights and best options for buying or selling real property.

 

Zip code 78749 in Southwest Austin is one of the few places in the United States where the real estate market is robust and booming. Recently ranked second in a Business Week magazine study on the fastest selling US zip codes, homes in this high-end neighborhood were second to only Sunnyvale, California.

Austin real estate brokers are positive about the implications such market behavior will have on Austin, TX real estate, especially for sellers. Interviewed by Business Week magazine Jay Carter, a veteran realtor with Living in Austin says, “This truly is one area of the Austin Real Estate market where sellers are still in control.”

Real estate in Texas has definitely been looking up as zip codes like Houston, Plano and economically forward areas like Portland and Oregon have been drawing homebuyers and sellers in numbers. Nonetheless, Austin real estate agents have revealed that the 78749 zip code is as exclusive as it can get in terms of prime real estate in Texas.

Where prices are concerned, the superior condition of the homes in such an elegant neighborhood commands enormous potential for profit for the seller. The high standard of the homes in this locality speak for themselves and realtors like Jay Carter cannot be any happier.

Similarly, for a buyer interested in prime Real Estate in Austin, Jay thinks the location is ideal. A recognized realtor in the Austin real estate business, Jay explains, “It’s a high-end neighborhood surrounded by scenic hills, but it’s just a 5- or 10-minute drive to downtown.” The price you pay for real estate in Austin is the price you pay for exclusivity, convenience and aesthetically pleasing environs.

Unlike other Austin, Texas real estate brokers, Jay Carter, realtor and co-owner of Living in Austin walks the talk. His views are featured regularly in magazines like the Personal Real Estate Investor and Business Week.



The Living in Austin team has established a name for themselves as one of the best firms to approach for real estate in Texas. Jay Carter is an established authority on the Austin, Texas real estate market and along with his extremely resourceful team works towards educating and enriching the Austin community and culture about smart real estate choices.



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If you wish to know more about buying and selling homes in Austin, Texas, you can visit the Living in Austin website www.livinginaustin.com or call Michelle Kim Carter at 512-997-7653.

 

In April 47,250 new and resale houses and condos were sold in the state of California. That’s down from 54,500 in March which is a drop of 13.3%. April of 2005 was one of the strongest months for real estate in California’s history. What a difference a year makes. Sales were down 21% from last April. Even though sales were down, prices were not.

In April of 2006, prices were up 10.2% from the same period a year ago. The average price of a home in California now is $562,380. Nearly 85% of the cities in California have shown an increase in prices since the same period last year. Since California trends are so important to the Real Estate market, the Real Estate market there is being watched very closely.

One market that is watched closely is the luxury home market. The feeling is in a market downturn, the luxury market will be one of the first markets to suffer. So what is happening in the luxury market in California? Lets take a look at these markets in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

In Los Angeles values rose 0.1 percent from the previous quarter and 12.4 percent from a year ago. In Los Angeles the average luxury home was priced at $2.29 million.

In San Diego prices rose 0.9 percent from the previous quarter and 6.8 percent from a year earlier. The average luxury home in San Diego priced at $2.1 million. San Diego as a whole has been one of the most overheated markets in California, so the fact that luxury home prices continue to hold up there may be good news for the rest of the homeowners in San Diego for now.

In San Francisco prices were up 1.6 percent from the previous quarter and up 8.6 percent from the same period of time last year. The average price of a luxury home in San Francisco is $2.92 million.

So what direction is the California Market moving? There are investors cashing in on their profits and getting out, however most homeowners are not investors. Investors poured into lower priced markets during the recent boom and areas in Florida and Arizona have many residential investors. The market has started to reflect this. In Phoenix the real estate market is pulling back due to rising inventory from investors trying to cash in, however at this point you couldn’t call this a bust. In other areas of the country prices are still inching up.

In California the market is returning to normal conditions. It will take longer to sell a home and prices may stay flat or increase slowly.

So far the signs of market stress that would indicate a bust are not there. Down payments remain stable and speculation buying is moderate. The default rates are up, however these rates are still low.

When buying a house in Garland, Texas, realtors can help you make the smartest possible choices. There are many important decisions to make, and you may be surprised to learn that the sales price of the house may be the least important element in the long run.

You may think you’re getting a great price, yet you could pay an equivalent amount in mortgage payments and still be literally years away from paying off the loan. So when you are buying a house, it’s a good idea to be extremely cautious because you want to make all the right choices. By making just a few changes when purchasing a home, you could save (or lose) extra hundreds or thousands of dollars over the long haul. The amount of your monthly payment might not be affected, but don’t let this fool you. The best decision you will ever make is to involve a professional Garland, Texas realtor during the entire process. When you combine your research into the market with the realtor’s previous home-buying experience, you will save a huge amount of money—not just in terms of paying back mortgage debt, but in getting the best price for the property and especially in acquiring a mortgage with low interest rates.

Of course, not all Garland TX realtors are created equal. Most are terrific, but there are a few “bad apples”—and those are the ones you want to avoid at all costs! So before you choose a Garland, Texas realtor, ask around. Talk with everyone you know locally, ask whom they have dealt with, and what their experience was like. You’ll discover which are best to avoid, and which ones have only happy clients. There are also Garland, Texas real estate agencies known for their teams of experienced agents. Many have national connections—or are firms with long-standing good reputations. This is another good option, if you hear about a particular firm that has had many satisfied customers. So ask around as much as possible before you actually decide on a Garland, Texas realtor. If you pick a realtor based on the property they offer, you might end up with an unpleasant experience you could have avoided by exploring all of your alternatives.

Naturally, you will encounter Garland, Texas realtors when you look at one of their currently listed properties. Usually the larger agencies store an entire web database online, showing every property they have available. Each listing includes not only pictures of the property, but every imaginable detail. Therefore, when considering using the services of a particular Garland, Texas realtor you can first search their web site using very specific criteria, and see what they have to offer. After you’ve found a property (or even several properties) that look promising, get in touch with the realtors and arrange tours. After you’ve seen the properties with your own eyes (and not just through the possibly selective pictures shown on the web site), and sized up the realtor, you can decide whether or not to do business with them.

If you have friends who are Garland, TX realtors, you are in luck. If you have friends who have had experience with Garland, Texas realtors, you shouldn’t have any problems. But if you must choose blindly, you may have a tougher time. So do your homework and exercise caution when choosing someone to handle your transactions, and your chances of locating a trustworthy realtor are very good.

The California Real Estate market is one of the fastest paced and vibrant in the world. Nowhere else is property traded so fiercely and competitively and at such high stakes as in this state.

A recent report on the number of house sales in California, which was released in December of 2007, showed that more than 25,000 condo units and houses–both brand new and resale–changed hands in that month. As impressive as that figure is, it was in fact virtually unchanged from the house sales figure in November, and is actually down more than 40% from November of 2006, when house sales registered at 43,400. Records show that there has been a steady decline in house sales over the past 27 months, and that December’s sales were the lowest for that particular month ever since records were first kept in 1988.

Median prices for houses also went down almost 3%–or to just over $400,000 in December–from about $412,000 in November. This price represents an almost 15% decline from December of 2006, when the median price of houses was about $472,000. The peak in median house prices was reached in the period of March to May last year, when the price of houses averaged around $484,000.

This drop in median house prices can be explained mostly by the slow sales of high priced properties, which in itself is the direct result of instability in the credit industry. 17,500 homes purchased in California in December 2007 were bought with conforming loans amounting to $417,000, which is a huge decline of almost 30% from December of 2006, when the number of houses bought with the same loan amounted to almost 25,000. With regard to jumbo loans, 4,600 houses in California were purchased for more than $417,000 in this manner, which is a decline of a whopping 70% from December 2006, when houses purchased number more than 15,000.

Other signs show that the real estate market in the state continues to move in different directions. Property foreclosures are at an all time high (we will discuss this in further detail later on in this article), and both adjustable-rate mortgage and multiple mortgage financing has declined drastically. At the same time, down payment values as well as flipping rates have remained fairly constant, and buying activity by owners who do not occupy the properties in question is on the rise.

In Southern California, the extremely low level of house sales in December 2007 has caused many in the real estate industry–sellers, buyers, and lending institutions included–to watch the market closely. While the number of new houses sold in Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino, Orange County and Ventura went up .5% from the previous month–about 13,200 from slightly more than 13,100 in November–this still represented a steep 45% decline from the same period the previous year, when houses sold numbered slightly more than 24,200.

One real estate industry analyst has declined to make any forecasts or predications about which way the market will go in the next few months, saying that the present instable condition of the market has made it impossible to predict which way things will go. Many experts agree however that the real estate market will stabilize soon and that a clearer picture will emerge. Until then both buyers and sellers are keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings.

We mentioned earlier that foreclosure activity is on the rise, and indeed during the last quarter of 2007, mortgage default notices were at its highest level in 15 years. Much of this increase in foreclosed properties goes hand in hand with depreciation of home values. Many homeowners have suddenly found themselves in a position wherein they owe more on the mortgage than what the property is actually worth on the market. A large number of those who have been forced into foreclosure may have felt the pressure of high mortgage rates, the loss of income or even the need to move to another state.

One factor that can explain this phenomenon is the decline in median house prices from a high of $484,000 in March of 2007 to just slightly above $400,000 in the latter part of the year. Although this decline was perhaps partially caused by the shift in the type of houses that were sold, this would have undoubtedly still had a significant role to play in the increase of the number of homeowners who were forced to default on their mortgage loans.

After a rather neutral start in 2008, the real estate market for residential homes in Austin has increased its inventory of homes for sale, according to statistics from the Austin MLS. This is happening despite a continuation of one of the highest metropolitan growth rates in the country and a strong and growing local economy.

According to different Austin real estate agents, bad economic news from other parts of the country are causing prospective buyers to hold off as they wait and see what the economy might do. Some of them may be hoping that prices will fall even more before they buy, even though buying prospects are strong right now. Current mortgage rates are the lowest they have been in 35 years. The last time rates were this low during a buyer’s market was in 1973.

This wait-and-see approach has caused a slight drop in prices in some areas, but most area properties are holding steady in value. The market is slow right now, but is not depressed like it is in some other areas of the country.

Statistics from the U.S. Census bureau and compiled by the Texas A&M Real Estate Center and published on July 3 this year in the Texas Real Estate Market Reports show that the population in the Austin/Round Rock metropolitan area has increased by about 43% since 1997. Almost 1,600,000 people now live in the area. The city of Austin expects this growth trend to continue as far ahead as 2020, according to the report.

Experts also expect an increase in jobs and a low unemployment rate to continue during the next ten years. Austin and the Texas Hill Country will continue to be one of the fastest growing areas of the nation and is expected to enjoy one of the healthiest economies as well.

Some experts have pointed out that the rise in real estate values in Austin has remained steady over the years. The area has not seen increases in property value of 200% to 2000% as has been seen in some areas of California and Florida, for example. This, coupled with an equally consistent growth in jobs and a high rate of population increase, has worked to protect real estate from attaining overly inflated values which make it vulnerable to bubble bursting in times of economic difficulty.

The Texas Real Estate Market Report shows that Austin/Round Rock led the state in population growth between 1997 and 2007. The area consistently ranks in national top 10 lists for growth. For example, from July 1, 2006 to July 1, 2007, Austin was the 5th fastest growing metropolitan area in the US, according to Census Bureau population estimates.

All these new people moving into the city and its outlying areas(more than 65,000 of them from 2006 to 2007) need a place to live. Many will buy homes. It is this kind of growth that is helping to keep Austin real estate values from falling as much as they are in other parts of the country.

However, ironically, it may be that Austin’s tech recession in the early 2000′s that is helping to bolster the market today. According to a report published by the demographics department of the city of Austin, “We never had a housing bubble here because of the lingering effects of the tech recession, and ironically it was the depth of our local recession that then gave us protection from the ruinous fallout from a bursting bubble in residential real estate that has dramatically altered the economic landscapes of Florida, California, Arizona, New England and the Midwest.”

One thing seems certain; the Austin real estate market remains one of the surest and safest in any of the metropolitan areas in the country. That coupled with the nationally recognized quality of life that the city offers makes Austin one of the “sexiest” urban areas in the country.