EVERYONE KEEPS ASKING IF LUBBOCK IS CURRENTLY A BUYER'S MARKET.  My response would be..."NOT EXACTLY or NOT REALLY."       There are currently only 1424 ACTIVE LISTINGS that are single family homes, condos, townhomes, mobile homes and HUD homes in the LUBBOCK AND SURROUNDING AREAS MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE.  That is NOT A LARGE AMOUNT OF INVENTORY ON THE GROUND, compared to the 1600-1700 that we typically see and the over 2000 that we've had during our "BUYER'S MARKET" days!!!  Our number of active listings has been between 1500-1600 for several months and has dropped down into the low 1400s in the last couple of weeks.      Buyers were not purchasing as many houses in the fall of 2008 as they normally due.  Consumer confidence was down with all the stock market woes, the distracti... 01/04/2009

One thing that bugs me more than just about anything else in the real estate profession is a LAZY REALTOR!  You might wonder what I mean by that.  Well, I have plenty of examples and reasons why LAZY REALTORS get on my nerves so badly.  For starters, they make the real estate profession look very unprofessional.  As realtors, we are assisting clients with their largest financial investments.  Our fellow realtors are counting on our professional cooperation.  Loan officers, appraisers, inspectors, title companies, buyers, sellers and so many others are depending on professional real estate services. Does it ever bother you when LAZY REALTORS don't bother to list which bedrooms are located upstairs and which ones are downstairs, ESPECIALLY on homes in higher price ranges!  You know, that ... 01/04/2009

Community Events Newsletter  Week of December 29th Lubbock, TX   Good Morning Active Rain!Here's this week's newsletter for Lubbock! It's your first stop to learn what's going on, happening and coming up around town. Remember, your group's activities, events and news can be part of it. Add an upcoming event to the Lubbock Calendar or an announcement to the Community Corner today! Real Estate Local Jobs Weather Local Food / Farmers' Markets Things to Do Maps and Directions Restaurants and more... Businesses: Make it easy for your Lubbock customers to find you. Be a part of the local Lubbock community site today! Lubbock Community Calendar 12/29 MHMR Board of Trustees Meeting 4:00pm 12/29 Texas Tech Red Raiders Womens Basketball 7:00pm 12/29 Winter Break - No School 12/30 Story Time 10:3... 12/30/2008

     Over 209,000 people call Lubbock their home!  The city of Lubbock,Texas is now 100 years old.  The cost of living in Lubbock compares more than favorably with other cities in Texas and across the nation.  In fact, Lubbock is the country's sixth-least-inexpensive city according to the ACCRA first quarter 2008 Cost of Living Index.  Lubbock has an index of 85.9-well below the average index of 100 for the nationwide sampling of 311 cities.      Lubbock also provides a quality lifestyle.  A search of Money Magazine"s 2007 online "Find Your Best Places" tool ranks Lubbock third in the U.S. based on criteria including the affordability of housing, plentitude of leisure activities, cultural options, commute times, job growth, health care and sunny weather!      Now, all you need is a REAL... 12/17/2008

DON'T TAKE IT FROM ME...CALL THE MORTGAGE LENDERS RIGHT AWAY!!!      They are informing us today (December 17th, 2008) that interest rates on FHA AND CONVENTIONAL DIPPED AS LOW AS  ..... FIVE PERCENT!!!!!   NO, THIS IS NOT A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR.  IT IS FIVE PERCENT!  So, if you are one of those buyers who has been undecided or on the fence, if this doesn't push you over on the other side then I don't know what will.  You can literally save hundreds of dollars a month and thousands a year on mortgage payments with these low rates.  Whether you are refinancing or purchasing a new home, NOW IS THE TIME  to get serious about looking into things!!!       If you have been considering SELLING YOUR CURRENT HOME, but too afraid that "the market is bad", then you might think twice.  WITH FIVE PER... 12/17/2008

If you are behind on your mortgage DO NOT DO A SHORT SALE. There are so many more steps you can take before a short sale should be considered.  If you need someone to guide you through this process then you have found me. You didn't think that I would leave you hanging?  Usually when you have fallen behind on your mortgage payment at least 2 months, it is then usually posted at the Courthouse and then short sale people start telling you to work with them on a short sale.  One thing they don't tell you is if you owe $100,000.00 on your home and you sell it for $75,000.00 you then owe the I.R.S. taxes the $25,000.00.  More details to come........ 12/15/2008

I don't exactly know where these low gas prices are coming from, but I'm not complaining!  Just about the time I think they are going to level off and start going back up, they drop another 10 cents or so.  All I can say is that it is about time.  I noticed them as low as $1.33 in Lubbock, Texas today. The following photo was taken yesterday, Monday, December 8th, 2008 on 19th Street in Lubbock. DRILL BABY DRILL! Now, let's drive around and find that perfect home to buy! www.thesellersrealty.com Jeff and Lisa Sellers, Realtors 12/09/2008

Let The Sellers Realty put you into your Lubbock Dream Home!  Jeff and Lisa Sellers are seasoned real estate professionals in the Lubbock, Texas real estate market.  Their job is to satisfy all your real estate needs.  Lubbock has so many Dream Homes.  The questions remains,"Which one is right for you?"  This is where The Sellers can help!  Visit www.thesellersrealty.com or call 806-445-3639 , 806-778-2486 , 806-778-6699. But just remember...Whether Buying or Selling...It's Always a SELLERS Market! The Sellers Realty Jeff and Lisa Sellers www.thesellersrealty.com The Sellers do not claim to have any of the houses featured above as currently or previously listed properties for sale. 12/07/2008

Looking for a home loan?  Needing to refinance?  Just want to know what your credit looks like and how much you qualify for?  What is the difference between FHA and Conventional?  Are interest rates dropping again?  Just how low of an interest rate can I really get? Are you looking for an honest mortgage lender to help you navigate through the winds of buying a property with little hassle? We have referred MANY clients to our good friends at MORTGAGE PARTNERS in Lubbock.  Mortgage Partners is the home lending side of SECURITY STATE BANK.  They are locally owned and operated.  They have branches in Lubbock and Littlefield and are extremely reputable in those communities. The owners of the bank are great servants and great folks!  The mortgage department handles all of their loan processi... 12/06/2008

Well, you have been thinking of moving to Lubbock.  What are you afraid of?  What have you heard?  Maybe you need some extra information and that little nudge! Lubbock officially turns 100 on March 16,2009!  Today Lubbock is a thriving city of more than 214,000 people.  Lubbock serves as the hub of the region's economy, education and health care.  It is the distribution and wholesale center of West Texas.  Since it houses major firms in every field of commerce, it earned the nickname the Hub City. Lubbock is the states tenth-largest city and hometown of rock 'n'roll legend Buddy Holly and singer/actor Mac Davis. West Texas sunsets are the most brilliant ones ever seen by mankind.  The sun shines an average of 263 days a year.  With a semi-arid climate, our nights are cool, days are warm... 12/05/2008

           LUBBOCK'S LARGE LUXURY HOMES!    Our price point is not as high as some other cities, but we definately have large homes!  We have many luxury custom built homes, both new and old.  Our new construction market has not suffered as much as some markets.  The large historic estate homes around 19th street, between Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University, continue to be very popular.  Some of the prestigious older neighborhoods include areas like Tanglewood, Bobalet Heights, Rushland Park and Tech Terrace.  Lakeridge Country Club and Kingsgate are two areas with fine homes built primarily around the 1980s.  Communities such as Renaissance Park, The Gables and Dunnhaven are newer luxury areas in North Lubbock while South Lubbock boasts newer neighborhoods like Laker... 12/02/2008

I showed two homes at Vintage Township today.  If you have ever wanted to see the community or tour  homes there I'd love to meet with you and show you around.  From now til the end of the year (and maybe beyond) I think they will be making some great deals.  They are getting ready for the Summer 2009 Parade of Homes! The home we toured today had also been staged by Michelle Snodgrass - kudos to Michelle because it looked gorgeous.  The address is 11505 Topeka and the price  is $459,000.00 for 3656 square feet of ahh-mazing house.  There is an efficiency above the garage that is mind boggling - this is just a HUGE bonus considering the home itself is incredibly spacious and attractive.  Vintage Township will have a Christmas Home Tour this year!  On December 13, from 2-5pm, several of t... 12/02/2008

407 TOPEKA is located in North Lubbock in the prestigious Renaissance Park addition.  It is very convenient to Texas Tech and Lubbock Christian Universities, Downtown, University Medical Center and Covenant Health Systems.  It is offered by The Sellers Realty at $375,000 and features too many amenities to list.  This one owner custom garden home is just what you have been looking for in Lubbock.  Luxury, style and class awaits you in this one of a kind Lubbock Garden Home.  Call The Sellers Realty @ 806-445-3639 or 806-778-2486.  12/01/2008

There are numerous ways you can have an effect on this season's environmental impact right in Lubbock, Texas. Basic goals in environmentally-friendly shopping can include buying locally-produced and grown food, purchasing locally created gifts and reducing consumption while recycling as much as possible.   Here are a few "green" suggestions for this holiday season: Buy locally grown and produced food for your holiday meals. Texas produces many fruits and vegetables year-round which are available at farmers markets and some grocers. Check packaging to see where the item was grown or produced. Support your local artisans and buy local arts and crafts as gifts to support your town's culture. Check the internet and newspaper for local arts and crafts shows. Give gift certificates to a local... 12/01/2008

Total property sales in Lubbock were down from 252 in October 2007 to 192 in October 2008, a -23.8% change.  Total Dollar Volume went from $33,996,167 to $27,328,527, a -19.6% change. Average Single Family Sales Price went from $134,905 up to $142,236 a +5.4% change. Median Single Family Sales Price went from $108,575 up to $115,475 a  +6.4% change. Total Active Listings went from 1,813 down to 1,529  a -15.7% change. Total Pending Sales dropped from 212 to 139, a -34.4% change. Months Inventory went down from 5.6 to 4.9, a -12.5% change. *months inventory estimates the number of months it will take to deplete current active listing inventory based on the prior 6 months sales activity. Did you happen to notice that the AVERAGE price and MEDIAN price has actually INCREASED!!! The number ... 11/25/2008

When you look at the wealthy people in our nation, the majority of them made their money in real estate. It always has been and always will be the most stable and profitable investment around. What makes it so good? There are two reasons. First, land is a finite asset. They aren't making any more of it, so it will always be a limited supply. Second, people will always need a place to live. During tough times folks may find a way to live without cell phones or a car, but they will always need a place to call home.There are many types of real estate to invest in and many ways to invest. Some people think buying a house and flipping it is investing. However, this is really more like generating income. True investment is long term and focuses on building equity. To be successful in real est... 11/25/2008

Today was a really cool day!  Yes, it was Sunday and I was able to worship God with my congregation, spend time with family,etc.  I also got to see Mike and Janet Huckabee in Lubbock, Texas!!!  Now, I don't know everything Mike believes or stands for, but I do have a lot of respect for the man.  Besides that, it isn't everyday when you get to see a former governor and recent presidential candidate. Two of my best real estate buddies had been telling me about his coming all week.  One of my buddies sent me a text message at 11:45 a.m. telling me that he was going up to Barnes and Noble to see "Huck" and that he was going to be 1st in line.  Huckabee did not arrive until the advertised time of 2p.m.  Well, my friend was 1st in line and was nice enough to get Mike Huckabee to sign a book f... 11/23/2008

Yes, I said INVESTING IN LUBBOCK!  Lubbock is a wonderful place to invest.  Our housing market has historically appreciated at a rate of about 3 percent per year for many years.  No one gets rich quick, but they don't lose everything either.  Lubbock is not like Las Vegas, or parts of California and Florida.  Lubbock is a conservative city.  Solid long term investing occurs here.  Land prices are on the rise, so you better buy before they get too high.  The city is growing.  Our hospitals are fabulous.  The universities are great!  Agriculture and area oil production is plentiful.  Lubbock has a lot to offer.  The climate is great and so is Red Raider football.  We have a very stable housing market and have for many years.  Whether you are buying or selling, you can achieve your needs a... 11/19/2008

Vintage Township is celebrating the Holiday Season in a big way and you are invited!    Vintage Township's Winter Wonderland begins December 5th and continues every Friday and Saturday evening through December 20th. The first annual Vintage Christmas Home Tour is December 13th from 2 - 5 pm. Join in a Winter Wonderland's holiday spirit at Vintage Township's Founder's Park.  Enjoy the beautiful decorations and Christmas scenes through out the park, take a ride on a "pony-drawn" carriage, sing Christmas Carols and, yes, enjoy a stroll in the snow!  Snow is guaranteed to fall every 20 minutes!   Santa will also be there and waiting to hear the children's Christmas requests and wishes. This is a magical experience you and your family won't want to miss! Hot Chocolate, cider and fresh basked... 11/19/2008

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!  I've been saying over and over again that after the election is over and the stock market starts to level off and gas prices come down a little, it will all pick back up.  Consumer confidence can be a funny thing.  Politics are funny.  It seems like the democrats are now thrilled to death over the presidential election outcome.  There consumer confidence is now on cloud nine.  Many republicans are scared to death of what might happen.  Therefore they are buying and selling just as quick as they can before January 20, 2009! The bottom line is people must move for various reasons.  People get laid off jobs in Lubbock and have to sell their homes.  Others get hired here and so they need to buy a home here.  Still others have growing families and need larger homes.  Peopl... 11/17/2008