Keller Williams MegaAgent Camp 2011...just Happened!!!

While my brain is still reeling............I am talking about what MegaAgent Camp offered the past 3 days in Austin, Texas at the Convention Center in downtown Austin, Texas.

The first half day was totally technology!  I found out about "apps" that I had no idea even existed!  One of the really neat ones was an app that lets you enter a Chat room with anyone in a city.  In my business I can ask for leads of sellers or buyers...or referrals from other agents.  This one only works in Austin, Tx and NYC right now, but will be coming to our cities soon. 

Another point that was driven home is that it is NOT cool to simply use your social networking apps for marketing....It is more about showing that you are a person who is interested in others too.  I like that...because I am a people person and I love knowing about them....and what they are doing, so long it is not just an "in my face" kind of thing.

Also...we learned that fewer photos work better when you are marketing on Craig's List....The opposite of our MLS system where more is better....craig's list is the opposite...you want them to act on finding out about the property..............

As I looked around the 10K Keller Williams agents in the huge room in the Austin Community Center, I was amazed at the number of agents who were from other real estate companies...Lots of Coldwell Banker, Ebby Halliday, and C21.............KW invites all to our events...we share our information and never try to hide what we are doing.  That must be why we are the fastest growing real estate brokerage world wide....and our agents truly like to help one another.

I will admit that Gary Keller, Chairman and Founder of KW really holds his agents accountable for what they are doing.  As the most rigid task master, by his own description, he doesn tend to make you...me...feel guilty and think that I am never doing enough.  On that note: what it means to me is that he expects KW agents to be excellent.  I agree............you probably do too....if you have ever had a transaction with an agent who really either doesn't have the information to be better.....or is not being held accountable for their actions.

More tidbits later in the next post

Fort Worth Real Estate Outlook.....Do you know???????????

Did you know that the real estate outlook here in the Fort Worth area which includes Tarrant Cty, Bedford, Hurst, North Richland Hills, Keller, Haslet, Colleyville, Saginaw, Southlake, Arlington, Mansfield, Grapevine, Euless, Eagle Mountain Lake, Aledo, ....and many other small communities..........

is ACTUALLY pretty good! 

After attending a Fall real estate forecast meeting on Wednesday, I felt like things are darn good here in our area....which reminds me that our Greater Fort Worth Board of Realtors adopted the saying;
"Thank God it's Fort Worth!".......and that has proven true.

Now...with that beginning, here is the situation.  While many states were increasing their values by 40 to 100 per cent annually.........Fort Worth and our "neck of the woods" was just clipping along at a snails pace.........never gaining too much, but also not falling too much....As as you may know by now, even within a city or county, there are places that do better than others....due to location, quaility, size of the properties, the schools, etc.

Yes, we have had a lot of foreclosures..........and again those have been more concentrated in specific areas.............and those areas were and are hit with lower valids...because a foreclosure does have an effect on the house next door and the area's comparables.

This new listing that I began marketing on Monday, Sept. 12 is a great family home. The area has has a few foreclosures and the values have been effected somewhat, but on this street...Long Rifle, there have been very few, and the homes are well maintained and there is a park at the end of the street.

With great schools nearby, this seller should have a successful sale in a short time.

The biggest thing to remember is to talk with a knowledgeable agent and discuss the outcome that you want.  Perhaps your home will bring a price that you want, or perhaps you will be able to get a really good buy on where you are moving.  There is more to real estate than the price!

Please call me to discuss your specific questions and any concerns that you may have about buying or selling in Tarrant County.

Fort Worth Real Estate: How's the market?.....Pay attention.

Everyday I visit with people in shops, having coffee, getting my hair done, or at actual buyer and seller appoinments and there is one major question that they have.  "What is the real estate market doing in our area?"

That question cannot be answered with a few words or a simple word. It requires discussion about the particular area that they are interested in knowing about.  More than even a general area, it requires discussing the description of the homes in an area and sometimes even more details to really know how to approach answering their question.

With 20% of our national economy in real estate, this is an important topic.  This question gets very personal and very local with each person.  In other words, it is not a "global" question.....it is a "local" down to the specifics of "my own neighborhood and my own home".  What is more important than your home to you....only one thing...your family....right?

Just yesterday I met with a lovely couple who are listing their home with me and also purchasing another one locally.  I have already supplied them with information about the market for their home and also information about the area where they want to purchase.  They asked a very good question:
"Why is the price per sq. ft. for the homes where we want to buy so much higher than the price per sq. foot of our home that we are selling?"  Great question.....and it illustrates exactly my point.


Homes are differenct depending on the age, area, size, neighborhood, and design................this home to the right, which is a newer home, would not be a good comparison to the older Vintage home below.

The homes they are considering to purchase are in an area with a little acerage, they construction is much higher quality, and there have been very few, if any foreclosures in that area.  The home they are selling is a nice starter home in a great neighborhood on a small lot, and with homes that are more the "tract home types" that first time owners are normally interested in buying.  While both where they are selling and where they want to buy are great areas...........they are just different.  Just like a 10 year old car in great condition, but still not a newer, more plush model.

This point is easily shown when I shar a market analysis with my clients.  I hope this is good information for you as well.  My next blog will talk about appraisals in our area.  I hope you will check back and sign up to be a follower.

Tarrant County Foreclosures...What to Do if YOU are in Trouble!!!

Fort Worth, Texas is one of the best places in the country to live and yet we have large numbers of people who either are in Foreclosure or will be in Foreclosure soon if they fail to act.  These are the facts...and this is very important information for you, Tarrant County, Fort Worth homeowner in Trouble!!!!

Note:  #1  YOU DO NOT WANT FORECLOSURE.  It has a longterm effect on your credit. It will always show up on your credit reports and it will be many, many years before you can purchase a home again.
Note: #2   YOU have a very good option at hand..........BUT, if you do not talk with an agent who really knows what to do...you may not be able to avoid FORECLOSURE.

SHORT SALE is the possible solution that will only "ding" your credit for a short time.  This is by far the best alternative.  Are there consequences?  Yes, but they are short term by comparison to Bankruptcy and/or Foreclosure.

This is a lovely home that is being sold as a Short Sale.
It is on an oversized lot and has over 2000 sq. ft....Very nice in a nice neighborhood.  The subdivision has had more short sales than regular sales due to the declining market and buyers that bought with $0 down payments and could not continue to make payments later. 

If you are in trouble and need information about a Tarrant County Short Sale.......Please contact me right away.  I am available for consultation by appointment at no obligation.  Call me to set a time. 817 920-7700/DiAnne Arnette Keller Williams Fort Worth

SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN FORT WORTH, TEXAS

Today, we know it is Spring in Fort Worth, Texas because it is a warm 80 degrees, a little windy, and we have a chance of thunderstorms for the late afternoon.  That is a description of what Spring in North Central Texas is like..........we all complain a bit about the wind, but we are happy that Spring has sprung.

http://tour.previsite.com/421C86EC-B0D9-656B-DD23-D15ED6D9AD0F  see the virtual tour for the home below.

 WE have beautiful homes on the market such as the one pictured and also with it's Virtual Tour.....I have lots of homes that most would love, giving the charm of Fort Worth and the arts district..........you can see any home and search the MLS from my website:
http://www.justlistedhousesinfortworth.com/

If the homes were not enough to encourage you to move to Fort Worth...........we have the Botanic Gardens which are so gorgeous at all times of the year.  Since I love to photograph, I am always dropping by the gardens and snapping a few photos to use in my blogs and in marketing homes and the area.

Who wouldn't enjoy a stroll through these gardens.......

There are many activities that teach children about plants and insects ..........I encourage you to bring your children here and let them begin to enjoy what nature has to offer.

Remember, if you are needing to buy or sell real estate.....Real Estate is my business and I love to meet and work with anyone who wants information about our market here in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth is listed as one of the top cities desired.
Call me and see for yourself.

DiAnne Arnette.......817 920-7700    Keller Williams Realty