Arlington, Texas Real Estate Arlington, TX is a large city, boasting a population of 365,000 and is conveniently located in the center of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex. Within a 25-mile radius of the center of Arlington is a workforce of over 2 million people. Arlington has 82 public parks including River Legacy Parks, a 1,300 acre oasis on the Trinity River in the heart of north Arlington. The Parks currently offer more than eight miles of paved trails winding through thick forest and expansive greenbelts. In Arlington, housing is affordable, streets are clean, and neighborhoods are safe.   Search listings in Arlington TX 05/31/2008

By rarely, I mean extremely rarely! My Texas Rangers are on a hot streak right now! I'm going to bask in it until the All-Star break when they usually fall apart. But right now..Josh Hamilton is tearing it up! He's made watching Ranger baseball fun again. Last night Josh went 5 for 5 and scored a career high 5 runs! Lights out! He's incredible to watch. We've kind of had a little streak going as well. In our last 10 games we were 8 and 2 and for Texas fans that's a miracle! Yes, I do realize we're still number 3 in the West and a game under 500, but at the beginning of the season we were the worst team in ALL of the major leagues. They couldn't even find a category for us we were so bad! So...thank you for letting me brag a little bit. I probably won't be able to after the All-Star brea... 05/17/2008

Well, there are many differing opinions to this in the Real Estate business however there is really only one. The competitve market analysis, while being a usefull sales tool for an approximation of house value is not accurate to say the very least in determining your appraised current market value to the lender. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/for more information.An appraisal takes into account many more variables than a CMA and does so because it is a necessary measurement to determine actual market value. While there will always be Real Estate professionals that will tell you that your market value is X, the appraised value will be different 99% of the time.Why are competent Real Estate agents not accurate on value? The reason is very simple. The Real Estate agent of today is not a... 05/04/2008

Remember, as a general rule, weaker than expected economic data is good for rates, while positive data causes rates to rise. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/for more information.Economic Calendar for the Week of May 05 - May 09Date ET Economic Report For Estimate Actual Prior Impact Mon. May 05 10:00 ISM Services Index Apr 49.5 49.6 Moderate Wed. May 07 10:30 Crude Inventories 5/03 NA 3848K Moderate Thu. May 08 08:30 Jobless Claims (Initial) 5/03 370K 380K Moderate Fri. May 09 08:30 Balance of Trade Mar -$61.3B -$62.3B Moderate 05/04/2008

DON'T OVERPAY... FILE A PROPERTY TAX APPEALProperty taxes seem to jump up year after year. Unfortunately, we've become so accustomed to rising taxes that it's no longer a surprise. But here's something that may surprise you. Did you know that over the last eight years, property taxes have actually outpaced even inflation? Those rising taxes - combined with the recent plateau in home values in some areas - mean you may be paying more than your fair share.In fact, the National Taxpayers Union estimated that as many as 60% of home values were assessed too high, resulting in an incorrectly larger property tax bill. Based on recent market activity and the rising property taxes across the country, there's a chance you may be in the group of people paying too much. In fact, homeowners in decli... 05/04/2008

Last week's full economic news calendar led to some wild days, especially on Friday, as you can see in the chart below. But this week's economic calendar is significantly calmer, with only a few low to mid-impact reports in store, including the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) Report on Monday, Pending Home Sales on Wednesday, and Initial Jobless Claims on Thursday. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/for more information.If the news of the week tends toward being negative for the economy, Stock prices may suffer in response, and money could flow right into Bonds, which would cause home loan rates to improve. Additionally, Stocks have been in rally mode lately, and might be due to take a breather. While the coming week's economic reports aren't expected to be movers and shakers like th... 05/04/2008

"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER." It's a phrase used by many, and last week was an important one to be in the know, as Bonds and home loan rates were affected by many big newsmakers and market shakers. Bonds and home loan rates found some improvement in the early part of the week, leading into the Fed's big announcement on Wednesday of another .25% cut to the Fed Funds Rate. Typically, Bonds and home loan rates react poorly to Fed cuts, due to the increase in economic activity that lower Fed rates can cause, which turns into higher inflation. However, the Fed's Policy Statement hinted that the present rate-cutting cycle may be nearing an end. As a result, Bonds and home loan rates reacted favorably to the Fed's action. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/ for more information.However, speaking of infl... 05/04/2008

After last week's relatively slow economic news calendar, things will heat up this week with several events that have the potential to move the market. On Wednesday, the Fed will announce their interest rate decision...and then the very next day, the Fed's most favored gauge of inflation will be released, the Personal Consumption Expenditure Index (PCE). It will be interesting to play armchair quarterback to the Fed's decision, and watch what the inflation numbers reveal! And let's not forget, on Friday we will see the important Jobs Report, where early estimates are for a net loss of 80,000 jobs. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/for more information. 04/28/2008

"IN THE SPRING, I HAVE COUNTED 136 DIFFERENT KINDS OF WEATHER. AND THAT WAS JUST INSIDE OF 24 HOURS." Mark Twain. And Bonds have certainly weathered all kinds of days this spring, with this past week being no exception. Bonds did enjoy some high times starting with Monday's move to the upside after National City Corporation announced they would be receiving a $7 Billion cash infusion. This move suggests that investors are seeing value in the battered financial sector, and perhaps are feeling that there is a bottom being reached in the credit crunch.In other headlines, Existing Home Sales met expectations, but New Home Sales numbers for March were worse than expected, possibly due to the large increase in the costs for materials needed to construct a home. But then there was a change in ... 04/28/2008

 ...and that means it's time to wash away those winter blues! In fact, according to the Soap and Detergent Association - did you even know there was such a thing? - three-quarters of Americans engage in spring-cleaning. In fact, their surveys indicated that more than 80 percent of people who spring clean agree that it helps them save time throughout the year, and 96 percent of people donate or discard items during their spring-cleaning. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/for more information.But the advantages can go much further than that. Check out these top ten spring-cleaning activities, compiled by www.medicinenet.com, that can help make your home healthier and safer:Thoroughly dust your home. Also clean any air conditioning and heating filters, ducts, and vents to minimize pollens a... 04/28/2008

Starting May 12th, it'll cost you one extra little penny to mail someone your thoughts. That's right...the US Postal Service is getting ready to make some price changes, and the biggest change for most consumers will be a price increase for First Class stamps from 41c to 42c. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/ for more information.The news isn't all bad, though. That's because for the first time in the history of the US Postal Service, the new pricing structure will include online price reductions, rebates, commercial volume and contract prices, as well as several other new incentives. The heat must be on the USPS to be competitive in pricing, as according to Postmaster General John Potter: "These innovative pricing incentives will make our products more attractive to all shippers, espec... 04/24/2008

After last week's barrage of economic news, the calendar will quiet down this coming week. However, we will get a good look at the housing market via the Existing Home Sales Report on Wednesday, and the New Home Sales Report on Thursday - as well as a read on Durable Goods Orders.What are those "durable goods" anyways? Simply put, they are items that are durable, or made to last longer than three years, such as cars, furniture, electronics, appliances, business equipment, games, cameras, etc. This report shows a good measure of consumer and business consumption and buying behavior, and depending on the health of the report, could bring some activity to the volatile financial markets. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/ for more information.As you can see, Bond prices ended the week with a... 04/24/2008

 "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CHANGE, AS LONG AS IT IS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION." ~ Winston Churchill. And there were some big changes indeed for Bonds and home loan rates last week - but not necessarily all in the "right direction". For most of the week, Bond prices were pummeled lower, causing home loan rates to rise - and even after a Friday afternoon rally, home loan rates worsened by about .25% for the week overall.One silver lining...some of the abuse that Bonds took was at the hands of somewhat positive economic news. Remember that positive or strong economic news tends to benefit Stocks, which in turn can pull money out of Bonds - which causes Bond prices to worsen and home loan rates to rise. So when news hit of a far better than forecast Retail Sales Report and much better than ... 04/24/2008

The funny thing about house values is that if you ask 8 out of 10 potential buyers for Real Estate in Fort Worth, Arlington or Mansfield you will get a pretty consistent opinion on value. Due to the national stats potential buyers are swayed to an opinion that their potential house purchase will actually lose value. The ironic part of this opinion is that they are misled by the media. Due to the influx of new jobs to the DFW area house values will hold their own and in some areas this year will go up. Every market will have some declining neighborhoods or areas but as I have constantly said before "We live in a fishbowl in the eye of a hurricane in our area due to the economic forecast and job growth in DFW area homes" Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/ for more information. 04/17/2008

 TAX TIME IS HERE AGAIN..."I shall never use profanity...except in discussing house rent and taxes." ~Mark Twain. April 15 is just a few days away...and hopefully this year's tax season hasn't caused too much profanity in your household. Of course it's always wise to be careful about criticizing the IRS, but no matter what you feel like saying about them at the moment, they have compiled these helpful tips for last-minute filers:Go electronic. The biggest advice the IRS has for last-minute filers is to file an e-return rather than a paper tax form. The IRS considers this the best step for ensuring that your return is complete and accurate. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/ for more information.Check it carefully - then check it again. If you choose to file a paper return, make sure you ... 04/17/2008

And with the word "caution" in mind...there are several reports due this week which could impact the markets and home loan rates. Monday's Retail Sales Report will kick-off the week with some potential for volatility, and Wednesday will bring the inflation measuring Consumer Price Index, as well as a read on the housing market via the Housing Starts and Building Permits Report. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/ for more information.Bonds continue to bounce around in a wide range - and remember, when Bond prices move higher, home loan rates move lower...and vice versa. The chart below shows how Bond prices are recently moving between a floor of support at the 50-day Moving Average, and an overhead ceiling representing 04/17/2008

 "IT REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF BOLDNESS AND A GREAT DEAL OF CAUTION TO MAKE A GREAT FORTUNE." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson. And a great deal of caution was definitely important last week, as "earnings season" began on Wall Street. First quarter earnings for Stocks got off to a bit of a rough start, with disappointing news from aluminum company Alcoa - always the first in line to report. And General Electric surprised to the downside on Friday, with worse than expected earnings and comments on future earnings, cautioning they'd likely be lower than previously thought. The Stock market didn't like the negative tone and lost some ground, while Bonds moved both up and down during the week - hurt by some inflationary fears, but helped by cash coming over from Stocks. For the week overall, home loan ... 04/17/2008

I have always believed that in the end everything balances in an equation or you have no equation at all. I have been taking potential buyers out to look at houses recently and I have found an interesting shift in what they are looking for. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/for more information.Today's buyer wants and should expect from their buyers agent the very best possible deal that they can get. The interesting part of the equation is that while that is not new, the perception of the best deal they can get has changed. The press has inundated all of us with lowering home values and slow credit markets. While to a certain extent that is true depending upon your location it does not change the fact that the seller has only so much leverage in their transaction to where the equation d... 04/07/2008

TAKING AN INTEREST IN YOUR CREDIT CARD RATE...Credit cards are one of the most pervasive forms of your financial picture. On a daily basis, they provide the flexibility and freedom to reserve a hotel room, travel without carrying cash, and purchase just about anything at anytime.As such, your credit cards can have a major impact on your financial wellbeing and even your credit score. But did you know that your credit score can also impact your credit cards...specifically your interest rates? Although some companies have abandoned the practice, many won't hesitate to raise your interest rate if your credit score declines - even if you are paying them on time! By following these tips, you can help avoid inflated interest rates on your credit cards...and perhaps even enjoy more trips to th... 04/07/2008

Another classic Yogi Berra-ism is, "I never said most of the things I said." Luckily, the Fed can't make the same claim. This coming Tuesday, the "Meeting Minutes" or open commentary of the Fed's last monetary policy meeting will be released to the public. If there are inflammatory comments, the market could respond quickly. Go to http://www.tombrewerjr.com/for more information.Remember, when Bond prices move higher, home loan rates move lower. And as you can see in the chart below, Bonds have rebounded higher off of their key 50-day moving average support level, and are moving back toward the upper portion of their current trading range. This means if Bond prices continue to move toward the upper boundary of the range, we could see home loan rates improve slightly. 04/07/2008