Visit www.activerain.com for all the latest news and reviews on Lubbock, Texas real estate.  Here you will find interesting articles from seasoned real estate professionals on market trends, interest rates, buyer and seller advice, home staging, tips for selling property and so much more. WHETHER BUYING OR SELLING....ITS ALWAYS A SELLERS MARKET.... contact Jeff and Lisa Sellers at www.thesellersrealty.com   806-445-3639 806-778-6699 806-778-2486   11/16/2007

What's all the fuss really about???  Are you still believing all the negative media???   Come on!Yes, Lubbock has only reported 3,464 homes sold so far this year to 3,713 at this time last year.  OK we're down, but is it really all that bad, or did we just see some people trying to ride the wave of the sellers market and leave their overpriced listings on the market???Average sold price in Lubbock last year was over $123,000.Guess What???  This year it was UP to OVER $128,000.Please ignore the hype of the media and give us a call.  We're here to help!Jeff and Lisa Sellerswww.exitlubbock.comthesellers@exitlubbock.com806-778-6699       11/16/2007

Has 2007 been a buyers market?  Yes, probably so, but that doesn't mean it has been an EXTREME BUYERS MARKET.  We have just had more homes on the market, many expiring and not selling(mostly the ones that are not clean and are OVERPRICED)!  Buyers are not necessarily saving THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS!  They are just getting good deals and are able to be pretty picky.  There is a lot to choose from.  However, we were around 2000 homes on the market in Lubbock and now we are closer to that 1750 market.  It is starting to balance out.  Interest rates are still great.  The smart sellers are still updating, cleaning and pricing well and making it possible for buyers to have a great experience.  The stubborn sellers are not cleaning their homes, not doing any staging, overpricing and hoping for ... 11/16/2007

We typically see the very serious buyers come out this time of year from Thanksgiving through the New Year.  These buyers are making end of the year decisions, moving in between school semesters, taking advantage of tax write offs, making new years resolutions,etc.  Home sales are not reserved for Spring and Summer alone.  Are you kidding me?  December is one of the busiest months for Realtors who choose to work in December.  Homes are often bought at a good price this time of year.  December buyers are not typically the tire kickers that start coming out in March and April.  We love this time of year and would love to assist you in buying or selling at this time or any other.p.s. Many sellers take their homes off the market through the holidays.  This can be a big mistake! The ones tha... 11/16/2007

Is Lubbock Texas a Sellers Market or Buyers Market?  Well, it depends who you talk to and what part of Lubbock.  Which neighborhood?  Which school district?  What price range?  What age range?  These are all questions to ask.  One neighborhood may be a big buyers market while the next neighborhood a strong Sellers market.  For the most part Lubbock leaned towards a buyers market in 2007, with 6-8 months of inventory on the ground.  Average days on market have been longer than usual, with really only the best overall homes and the best priced homes selling.  Not the kind of market where the realtor just slaps a sign in the yard, places it in MLS and it is SOLD!         .......HOWEVER........WE ARE NOT seeing the extremes that other parts of the country are seeing.  I recently got an offe... 11/16/2007

Despite what the media has to say.....West Texas and the Keller Williams Lubbock Market Center has great news to share.  Here are the real estate numbers of 2007 volume vs. 2006 volume as reported in our MLS:January 1, 2006 thru November 13, 2006 there were a total of 3713 closed properties for a total sales volume of $457,265,496.  The average sales price was $123,219 with an average of 107 days on the market to closing.January 1, 2007 thru November 13, 2007 there have been a total of 3464 closed properties for a total sales volume of $443,514,983 with an average sales price of $128,072 at an average of 110 days on the market prior to closing.   These figures show the average sales price is up 4.25% though total sales volume is down by 3.125% from the same time frame last year.Keller W... 11/13/2007

Lubbock has scored big for homeowners. A national real estate franchise has conducted their third annual study ranking college football cities with Bowl Subdivision (1-A) programs.  They are ranked as the top 10 in affordability and the top 10 most expensive.  These rankings are based on the cost of 2,220 square foot 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath homes with garages.  The current average cost of this home in Lubbock is $163,250 though the local appraisal district quotes the average home price as $99,370.Lubbock is known for a slow and steady real estate market.  Over the past 20 years home appreciation has averaged 3.33% per year.  Lubbock's diverse economy has helped in keeping this a steady trend.  Our excellent school system, weather, and health care all assist our area in remaining desirable... 11/08/2007

We are so excited about the direction the market seems to be going!  About 3 weeks ago our phones started ringing again and now it seems like buyers are really starting to come back!  We are fortunate to be in an area that seems to have been sheltered somewhat from all of the mortagage mess.  Thankfully, interest rates are still good and there are programs available for first time homebuyers and buyers that still need down payment and closing cost assistance.  In Lubbock we still have an inventory that allows the buyer to have a good choice.  It is important the homes are priced well and in good condition.  Staging really helps the seller with a faster sell. We work closely with our sellers on the presentation of their homes.  We believe that it can make all of the difference.  We are a... 11/08/2007

Ok so as I promised.  Here is the picture of the College Station KW throwing their GUNS UP for losing their wager to the Lubbock KW.  Just in case you missed the game..... here is the FINAL SCORE. (Just in case you cannot read that it says 35-7)    Now for the best part.  Please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM5Xofxsok0 to see the video response from Lubbock KW to the College Station KW.   I tried to find the video from Matt with the initial challenge, but he has already removed it.  All together both KW companies raised approx. $820 for KW Cares/Agents in Action...... how awesome is that!!It was a friendly competition that raised money for an excellent cause.  Thanks College Station KW Market Center.    10/17/2007

So the wager that some are very eager to hear about goes like this. The Aggie KW challenged the TTU KW to a little football fun.  Both offices places bets on a football pool with numbers for the final score.  The winning agent at each office will receive a prize, however the winning office receives something so much more. The prize...... The winning KW team would be awarded all the money that was "donated" from the football pool to be used for KW Cares, and the losing team would take a picture during Tuesday's sales meeting holding the winning teams victory sign to be hung in the winning teams office until next years game.  HAHAHAHAHAH VICTORY IS SWEET. We are going to be making a YouTube Video to send to the College Station KW and as soon as that is up I will post a link so you can see... 10/15/2007

Today's Texas Tech Football game was AMAZING. Although it was VERY hot outside. To read about today's game you can go here.  If you didn't watch it.......TECH WON 35-7, just as I knew they would.  Sorry to the College Station Keller Williams Market Center to losing to the Lubbock Keller Williams Market Center. Keep an eye out this week for information on the wager between the two KW offices.  I am so excited about today's win.  The tailgating and the game were very fun.  I am looking forward to the rest of the season!!   10/13/2007

As most of you know..... or maybe you don't, tomorrow is the Texas Tech vs. A&M game. The Lubbock Keller Williams and the College Station Keller Williams have a little challenge going on between our offices. Stay tuned and I will tell you more about this once we have WON the challenge.  I would just like for all of you out there to know that TTU is going to be VICTORIOUS tomorrow.   GO RED RAIDERS  Texas Tech Fight Song Fight, Raiders, Fight! Fight, Raiders, Fight! Fight for the school we love so dearly. We'll hit'em high, we'll hit'em low. We'll push the ball across the goal, Tech, Fight! Fight! We'll praise your name, boost you to fame. Fight for the Scarlet and Black We will hit'em, we will wreck'em. Hit'em! Wreck'em, Texas Tech! And the Victory Bells will ring out.   WOOOOOOOOOHOOOO... 10/12/2007

Today we had a luncheon at the Vintage Township Addition here in Lubbock.  I learned quite a bit of information that I did not know earlier.  This subdivision has really taken off and they have plans to continue for many years to come.  I am very excited to see this development really grow.  For more information about Vintage Township click here. (The following information came from a Vintage Township handbook that was handed out during a Tuesday Morning Sales meeting) Vintage Value:At Vintage, we are not selling just a home but rather a lifestyle!  The Township offers and environment where people can life their life better.  Here, you find quality, diversity, opportunity and community. Architectural Styles: The following styles are allowed at Vintage:Classical ColonialColonial Farmhous... 10/12/2007

Yesterday, October 10th, I went to a seminar here in Lubbock with some others from my office about Wealth Building.  I have heard this information from years from my parents and my grandparents, but it is always so nice to hear it from someone else.  Some of the things that Mike said that I remembered to write down from yesterday include:Wealth = when passive income equals or exceeds earned income."If you want to manage the future..... create it" ~Peter DruckerRich people save first and spend whats left....... poor people spend first and save whats left. The Rich Invest in assets ...... the poor pay debts.Broke is temporary..... poor is forever. Broke is a state of account..... poor is a state of mind. Budget......Save.....Invest.Failure is an event, not a person. No matter how far you ... 10/11/2007

OK so I am pretty new to this whole blogging business..... interesting huh?  Here I am at 22 and new to this.  I started my career in Real Estate when I was only 17 years old, I was still in high school and I was working at a Property Management Company here in Lubbock.  I have always had an interest in Real Estate even as a small child, but I won't bore you with this information..... you can read it on my profile.  Here I am at 22, working for an amazing company, sharing my days with fantastic people and loving every minute of it.  I always have a good time and I love to make people laugh.  I started at Keller Williams Lubbock Market Center in June of 2007..... not too long ago, but just in that small amount of time I have really seen how GREAT this company really is.  My mom joined th... 10/10/2007

Lubbock is such an affordable value, that parents have the ability to purchase a single family home rather than  pay rent while their student goes to college.  Typically, this is done on FHA financing utilizing the parents credit and income with the student as co-borrower.  This is acceptable to FHA, as the student is the owner occupant.  Students do not have to be employed nor do they need established credit; they just can't have a negative credit report.  With an FHA loan, the parent & student have the ability to make a lower down payment than would be necessary on a conventional investment non-owner occupant loan which will also carry a higher interest rate.A few words of caution:Lubbock has an ordinance known as Section 29-7 of the Lubbock City Code and Section 29-3, No. 45 of the L... 10/09/2007

With all the bad press about foreclosures and crashing real estate markets, I thought you might want to see how the Lubbock and surrounding area real estate market is fairing. First, let's look at the residential market in Lubbock. These statistics are derived from the Lubbock MLS and are accurate except for some new construction that is not listed on the MLS.   Following is a chart showing available data on current active listings on the MLS: Age                     # of homes                   Avg price/ sq ft                 Avg DOM 2002-2007             440                                   93.63                                 891997-2001             178                                   81.02                                 1041987-1996             144                             ... 10/08/2007

As of the first of September there are several changes in my office I wanted let you in on.  Trena Ward, who had been a residential specialist with me, has decided to take a position with another company in a roll that is more structured time wise as well as monetarily.  Trena has school aged children and the unpredictable time demands were very difficult to manage.  I will miss her being on my team but wish her much success in all she does.  Annette Chavez, who was my assistant and office manager, has also seized an opportunity that allows her to focus more on her individual talents.  She too will be missed and I wish her much success.  As you can see the months of July and August were difficult and the search for replacements has been ongoing.As of the second week in September, Tara J... 10/08/2007

There is a total current inventory of 1,890 active residential listings.  The average list price is $167,456 with an average active days on market of 91.Currently there are 182 residential properties under contract with an average list price of $138,818 with a market time of 76 days.  As in years past, September sales suffered from the traditional start of school/county fair syndrome.There are 254 residential listings that closed in the month of September.  The average time on market was 109 days. More importantly there have been 2,884 total MLS residential listings that have closed 2007 year to date as of 10/3/2007.  Average days on market has been 111 for an average sales price of $131,208.  The closed to list price ratio has been a very healthy 97.06%.  Total volume of closed residen... 10/05/2007

In 1987 when my family and I moved to Lubbock from Anchorage, I was a much younger but experienced Realtor.  I remember my first tour of homes with my fellow associates being quite an education.  It was a rainy February day and I was immediately confused why the agents were not removing their shoes prior to entering the homes we were viewing.  My confusion was compounded by the fact that I was the only agent wanting to view the garage.  Was there a unit heater, a work bench, other cool stuff?  After all, I'd moved from a state with lots of dark long winters and the garage was an important feature to my gentlemen buyers.  Next on the list of properties was a home that I saw as being in immaculate care.  I overheard one of my peers profess that it would never sell as it had green shag car... 10/05/2007