Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Step by Step…The Buying Process

The First Step
In the home buying process, the first step is to find an experienced Realtor that you can trust. A Realtor’s first obligation is to see that you are professionally represented throughout the entire process of buying your home.

The Next Step
Learn first about the areas in which you might want to live and look at homes that meet your criteria.

The Big Step
When you find your home, present a competitive offer immediately. Your Realtor has extensive experience in contract negotiations. She or he will ensure your requests are documented and the contract reflects your choices.

We’re Starting to Jog Now
When the seller accepts your offer, your Realtor will advise you on the steps to take as you arrange for financing, insurance and inspections.

You’re in the “HOME” Stretch
Inspections are performed to ensure that you understand as much as possible about the condition of the property you are buying. Repair details may be further negotiated, and we head to closing!

The Next Step Will Be Into Your New Home
Be prepared to bring a certified check to the closing procedure. After signing all the paperwork and funding of the loan, the next steps you take could be over the threshold of your new home!


Interest rates are on the rise. Are you or someone you know ready to purchase a new home? Contact us directly, (817) 337-0000 or find us online, www.groveteam.com

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence. ~Erma Bombeck

May your table be bountiful with all that is warm and full of love.

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at the Grove Team

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Keller Williams - Southlake DFW Thanksgiving Luncheon

What an awesome way to celebrate the season! The Grove Team is proud to be affiliated with a wonderful Keller Williams Southlake Market Center.


Collectively this year, our office has raised more than $5,800 for KW Cares, $15,000 for local charities, built a home for Habitat for Humanity, and assisted three local disabled veterans during our Red Out day.


What a great feeling to know we are associated with such a fantastic company.


Are you or someone you know considering buying or selling real estate? Contact us directly, (817) 337-0000 or find us online, www.groveteam.com.

Cathy Jo, Mahannah, Angie, Lynn and Diane - dropping off donations for the canned food drive.


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

How to increase your chances for a sale

Here are a few simple reminders of how you can increase your chances of success when showing your home.

Prepare for Showings

• Expect short notice. Maintain your home in ready-to-show condition. Please use our “Getting ready for pictures” page as a guide.

• Increase buyer’s comfort level by giving them privacy. Take the opportunity to run a few errands or see a movie. If it is impossible for you to leave, step outside and remember - silence is golden.

• Showcase your home as if you were receiving guests. Put out fresh flowers, guest towels, and be aware of any unusual odors.

• Put away medications and valuables.

Maximize Curb Appeal - especially coming into these winter months

• Implement a seasonal grounds cleanup.

• Use color - plant flowers or decorate for a holiday.

• Repaint any faded or peeling exterior paint.

• Trim shrubs or trees that hang over walk ways.

Remember, Light Sells Houses

• Clean light fixtures and windows and install maximum wattage bulbs recommended by the manufacturer.


• Open drapes and blinds.

• Leave lights on as much as possible during the day. Lamps, niche lighting and spotlights give your home a cozy feel.

Spruce Up the Interior

• Touch up interior paint.


• Clean carpets to remove stains and odors. Repair and re-stretch if necessary.

• Re-caulk bathroom tubs and showers.

• Make sure all doors, including closet doors, open freely and latch securely.

• Maximize kitchen and bathroom counter space. Clear off counter tops as much as possible.

• Keep interior holiday decorations to a minimum.


Are you considering buying or selling a home? Give the Grove Team a call today, (817) 337-0000. Our team is here for you every step of the way!

Find us online - www.groveteam.com

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

5 Reasons you should hire a Real Estate Professional

Should you spend the money on a real estate commission or save that money by selling your home by yourself? That is a question many home sellers ask themselves. Today, we want to discuss why it is crucial to have a true professional guiding you through the minefield of challenges that exist in the current real estate market.

The housing market today is more challenging than it has ever been and seems to be becoming more difficult each day. What impact will foreclosures have on prices? Which loan products that were available just last month are no longer available? How do you convince perspective purchasers to pull the trigger on an offer when everyone is telling them that they should see another 100 houses before they make a decision? These are tough questions for a trained, experienced professional. The lay person would find it almost impossible to keep abreast of this rapidly evolving industry.

Here are five important reasons to use a real estate professional:

1. Pricing Is Difficult
Just a few years ago, you didn’t have to worry about overpricing your home. If it was too high, all you needed to do was wait as historic appreciation was taking place. The situation is quite different today. With experts calling for another drop in home values, overpricing your property will cost you time. In this market, time costs you money. A professional real estate agent will discuss how increasing inventory could dramatically impact the value of your property in the months to come. They will help you set the right price in today’s market.

2. Negotiating Ability Is Crucial
Buyers today have an almost unlimited supply of homes from which to choose. They realize that puts them in a great negotiating position. Most buyers are now being represented by an agent. Sellers need to also be represented by a professional expert trained to negotiate real estate contracts.

3. Mortgaging Is Key to the Deal
The biggest impact of the housing market collapse is that lending standards are much stricter today than they were a few short years ago. Rules are constantly changing. Even FHA has gone through a guidelines overhaul in the last several months. You need a real estate expert who has teamed up with a knowledgeable mortgage professional to make sure that the buyer in the deal is in fact capable of obtaining a mortgage. Losing time with an unqualified buyer costs you money in a market where prices are falling.

4. Your Family’s Safety
We have always found it puzzling that the same person that will lock every door and window and set the alarm today will then allow total strangers into their house tomorrow. The real estate industry trains its practitioners to take steps to protect themselves and their clients. Take advantage of putting a person between you and the person calling on an ad or yard sign.

5. You Probably Have More Important Things to Do
Selling a home could turn into a full time job. Learning the necessary disclosures, coordinating the dates of your closings, dealing with a challenge regarding your appraisal and re-negotiating the offer after an engineer’s report are just a few of the concerns you may face. You would probably be better of spending that time with the items important to you and your family and leaving the challenges to your agent.

Bottom Line...

To make sure the sale of your home is handled professionally – hire trained professionals, like the Grove Team. In the long run, you will wind-up with more money in your pocket and have less challenges with the move.

Contact us directly (817) 337-0000
info@groveteam.com

www.groveteam.com

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Local Market Activity - October

The October numbers are in...see the table below for updates on your area.


AREA # OF SALES% CHANGE

VS. 2009
AVERAGE

SALE PRICE
% CHANGE

VS. 2009
AVG PRICE

PER SQ. FT
% CHANGE

VS. 2009
AVG.DAYS

ON MARKET
% CHANGE

VS. 2009
BEDFORD
323
-13%
$168,584
-2%
$84
-1%
53
0%
COLLEYVILLE
271
12%
$479,263
‐5%
$127
‐3%
92
6%
EULESS
351
0%
$157,017
‐3%
$82
‐3%
52
‐16%
FW ‐ HALTOM CITY
234
‐9%
$67,512
‐6%
$49
‐5%
57
‐12%
FW ‐ NORTH • SAGINAW
1,056
‐2%
$141,061
0%
$66
‐1%
75
‐1%
GRAPEVINE
355
6%
$253,244
‐1%
$106
‐3%
63
13%
HURST
363
‐12%
$146,906
5%
$77
1%
68
17%
KELLER
544
‐4%
$318,700
3%
$103
1%
81
‐4%
N RICHLAND HILLS
555
‐3%
$154,066
‐3%
$75
‐2%
65
‐7%
ROANOKE
115
‐21%
$175,069
8%
$75
3%
72
‐4%
SOUTHLAKE
368
7%
$605,743
1%
$141
‐2%
95
‐6%
TROPHY CLUB/

WEST LAKE
190
27%
$415,587
‐10%
$121
‐11%
101
3%
WATAUGA
222
‐20%
$98,950
‐2%
$66
0%
51
‐9%


Thinking of buying or selling? Contact us direct, (817) 337-0000 - our team is ready and available to assist you with all of your real estate needs!


The Grove Team
Keller Williams Realty




(817) 337-0000
www.groveteam.com

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Congratulations Sandy Horton!


Sandy Horton, Coldwell Banker Residential showed a Grove Team listing during our TV Giveaway and was the recipient of a brand new flat screen!

Thank you to everyone who showed a Grove Team listing and provided feedback during the promotion.

Are you thinking about buying or selling? Call the Grove Team - our innovative marketing and team dynamic allow us to be your real estate professionals in Northeast Tarrant County.

Direct (817) 337-0000
info@groveteam.com

Visit us online www.groveteam.com