January 2010 compared to January 2009 is only up 2% in sales.  Being up 2% in sales is great, but remember we are comparing it to a year where we were down 24% from the previous year.  Thankfully, we have all learned to cut back on our expenses and have learned to live “within our means” and “within our market”. January 2010 was not a record month but we are also thankful we didn’t have another “Down” month. We started off the year POSITIVE! 

When 2009 started we had less inventory – properties available to sell. We started the year off 4.6% less than 2008. Starting 2010 we are way up. We have 17% more inventory this January than we did in 2009, but there were fewer new homes put on the market this January than in 2008 or 2009. So, there are more homes on the market available but fewer new ones on the market… so more homes are staying on the market longer. There are over 100 more houses available to choose from than in 2009 so if someone is looking – NOW IS THE TIME!

Note that the information above is the Bryan College Station total market – it is NOT what is happening at Century 21 Beal. Century 21 Beal has increased market share in both sales and new listings compared to 2009 and we are off to a GREAT year!  Want to see our Bryan College Station Real Estate Market Share numbers and what other companies around town are doing? Click on the link!

Susan

Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

Bryan/College Station Real Estate

Market Statistics

2009 was quite a year!   We started off 2009 with January about 24% behind the previous year. We were all concerned that Bryan/College Station might follow the rest of the nation into the recession. Then February came and we were even further behind. We didn’t know what to expect the rest of the year but it sure didn’t look good.

The first quarter was really poor and then April and May turned into months 20% & 27% behind 2008.

Then we started seeing the turn. June was only 2% behind. We were SO happy that we were seeing less of a loss. Compared to the rest of the world a little loss was a good thing. When October and November rolled around we were SOOOOO excited! We actually saw increases over the prior year.

Yes, 2009 ended 12% below 2008, but compared to the rest of the nation, we did just fine. We sold fewer homes, but we did not see a significant decline in sales prices – just fewer people moving. I’m still SO glad we live in Bryan/College Station!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Are you thinking about selling in 2010? It may take a little longer to sell depending on the market segment you are in, but we need to look at it earlier than normal. Call me and we can review a Market Timing Analysis so you know when you need to start the selling process and what you might want to do to make your home more saleable.

I have been very surprised that so few people know about the $6,500 tax credit. In the past the tax credits have been for First Time Home Buyers only, but now the Federal Government has expanded the tax credits to Repeat Home Buyers, too. Last month I sent out this recent article entitled If You Don’t Buy a House Now, You’re Stupid or Broke from Business Week but it was too good not to send it again. Yes, this title is a bit harsh, but hopefully it will cause us to stop and think. Mortgage rates are holding around 5%, which is one of the lowest rates in the last 40 years!  Not only do we have great low 30 year fixed interest rates, we have a possible $6,500 – $8,000 tax credit. What more do we need?

Have you ever been driving around a neighborhood and wanted to know how much a house is selling for but you didn’t want to “bother” the agent or they weren’t there when you called? WE HAVE THE ANSWER!!!   Call 979-764-2121 and enter the street number and you can HEAR information about that house.

Be sure to forward this email on to others you know and care about.

Share the knowledge that Bryan/College Station is NOT participating in a real estate recession!

And, we need your help – we need your referrals. CALL ME!

Susan Hilton

CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc.

http://susanhilton.com

404 H University Drive East w College Station, Tx 77840
Phone: 979-764-2100 w Fax:815-328-0575

January – June 2009

How is the real estate market changing in Bryan College Station? June was great again this year!  Considering what has been going on in the rest of the country we had a remarkable number of sales in June!  Hope you were one of the MANY to take advantage of the slower real estate market and the $8,000 tax rebate this month.

Click here to view the embedded video.
 

Have you tried the new 979-764-2121 Instant Info Line?  Remember to store the number in your phone so anytime you are out driving you can hear information about ANY home for sale ANY TIME.

Is it time for YOU to take advantage of the real estate market? Is it time to move your retirement money from the uncertainty of stocks to the more stable real estate market in Bryan/College Station? Call me and I’ll tell you how you CAN use retirement money to purchase rental real estate NOW!

For more information on Superior Structures, The Barracks Townhomes, or any other College Station Real Estate, Please Contact Jeffrey Leatherwood at Leatherwood@century21.com Jeff@superiorstructuresbcs.com or vist www.BuyAggieland.com

To see a unit or to have any other questions answered, please contact Jeff Leatherwood at (979)255-2788 Leatherwood@Century21.com  Jeff@Barrackstownhomes.com or vist www.BuyAggieland.com

Click here to see floorplan.

Click here to see floorplan.

Property Tax Assessment

you do? Make sure that your tax value is decreasing, as well. Brazos County mails out estimates for the year 2009 in June. That’s four months away, you exclaim. Yes, plenty of time to investigate your property’s current market value and to prepare your tax appeal, I say.

Your case for a request to lower the property’s value is not simply based on your feelings about higher taxes. You’ve heard Benjamin Franklin say it – in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes. So don’t be shocked to find yourself in a recession and asked to pay higher property taxes this year.

There are several options when appealing your tax value. One is to hire representation. You could pay a licensed property tax consultant to analyze the tax records, perform an appraisal of your property, and represent you before the county appraisal district review board.

Another option is for you to do the research yourself and represent yourself at the hearing. As a property owner, you will still need an appraisal from an expert to enter evidence in your hearing. Kelly Seaton with Verdad Valuation Services
can provide you with that appraisal.

You may view your county tax information at the appraisal district, 1673 Briarcrest Drive. Request to see your complete record. Note the comparable properties on the record card. See why the tax district thinks your property is worth more.

When you file for your appeal, pay attention to the deadlines and remember to show up for your hearing! Take all of your documentation from the appraisal and your notes. You may want to practice your testimony ahead of the scheduled hearing. The burden of proof is on the property owner – you have to give facts as to why your property is not worth the assessed amount. Facts, not feelings.

If at any point in the process you have questions call your REALTOR for advice and information. Hopefully a bit of research and persistence will decrease your property tax value and possibly your monthly mortgage.

Kind regards,

Cindy Seaton, REALTOR

P.S. Some lenders may only credit your tax escrow for future increases(reserves the bank holds to pay your annual tax bill) and keep your monthly payments the same. Reserve the celebration until you know all the deets from your mortgage company.

In the market for quality new builder construction in College Station at affordable and competitive prices?

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New Vision can also build any quality new builder construction custom anywhere in College station or surrounding areas!!! Call Jeffrey Leatherwood today at 979-255-2788 for details.

All over the news the economy is devastating and home prices are “Tanking”.

Not here in Bryan College Station, or the entire Brazos Valley for that matter. In a recent local market assessment we were able to determine at least moderate appreciation in every price range available here in BCS for the past two decades!

Numbers aren’t out yet but this summer seems to forecast exceptionally strong sales. Just this past week I personally entered into 3 separate “Multiple Full Price Offer” scenarios on 3 separate houses, in 3 separate price ranges, with 3 separate clients!!!

Why are we so strong??? Along with the economic fortitude of Texas A&M University and our growing Local Technology industry, we are strengthened by out of area investors. Everything from investors from Oman to Aggie parents buying houses for kids. System, as he stepped out of my car after purchasing his second College Station investment Property. John is part of a growing number of parents who start looking to our market to buy a property for their Aggie and end up with a few!!! Yvonne and Mike who are also on their third property are loving every minute of the landlord lifestyle. They are absolutely tickled by the fact they have still not found a property for their son because every property bought so far has had good cash-flowing tenants that want to stay. “Why kick them out? Let them renew we’ll just buy another property…” said Yvonne after learning the tenants in a home she intended for her son to occupy wanted to renew their lease.

Forbes /Magazine has ranked us the #1 city in the Nation for undervalued real estate for the past few years!!! Are we still??? I’m of the belief that everything is worth what someone is willing to pay. Turmoil and negative news affects peoples willingness to pay but it doesn’t affect their need for a home, and in many cases tax shelter and investment. If you would like information about investing in College Station or Bryan please call me at 979-255-2788, or check out www.BuyAggieland.com

Late next month the City of College Station is set to take up the issue of whether to pass a city ordinance restricting the number of unrelated people living in a single family dwelling. Student interest groups are already rallying against this action, even going so far as to create an online interest group boasting “BTHO Housing Ordinance — GIG THE VOTE!…”

THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE!!! In fact a very similar ordinance has already passed in neighboring Bryan.

In Bryan a specific neighborhood can pass a petition and with a 2/3 vote can elect to be a member of the “Neighborhood Conservation Act”. However, if a property’s primary use by it’s owner at the time the act is passed is as a student rental, occupying tenants from multiple family’s, then the act could not change that, and the home could continue to be rented and even sold and continued to be used as a rental until it’s primary use changed.

However, with the unlikelihood that student prominent areas will be able to get a 2/3 vote, coupled with the “Grandfather Clause” make this much less intense of an issue for students. Rest easy students… Be sure to check with you Century 21 Beal, Inc. agent about your neighborhood, or inquire at www.BuyAggieland.com