02/09/2011

Let's begin this month's report by looking at an over view of the last three years. In January 2009 there were 100 homes sold with an average list price of $118, 653, an average sold price of $111,385 and an average of 162 days on the market. In January 2010 there were 122 homes sold with an average list price of $143,102, an average sold price of $132,570 and an average of 130 days on the market. In January of 2011 there were 115 homes sold with an average of $132,605, an average of $127,307 and an average of 157 days on the market. There are currently 239 pending home sales on the Waco Multiple Listing Service. So our market took a step backward, probably due to the end of the Homebuyer's Tax Credit which was getting buyers out last Winter and Spring . The strongest sales continue to ... 02/04/2011

02/02/2011

Waco civic leaders hired an economists to give a monthy report on how the city is doing. Here is his latest report. Waco's economic index takes hit from recession By Mike CopelandTribune-Herald staff writer Thursday January 27, 2011       Email    Print          Waco continued to grapple with recession- related problems throughout 2010, with construction, unemployment and spending on taxable items showing weaknesses compared with the previous year. The Greater Waco Economic Index ended the year with a decline, dipping to 103.0 in December from 103.4 in November. It also was down from the 104.0 in December of last year. "After a brief recovery in early 2010, during which the GWEI reached 105.0 following the recession of 2009, the index has now declined for seven straight months as aggreg... 01/29/2011

Front view   Breakfast area Guest bath kitchen back patio 01/08/2011

            Another weigh-in and measurement day falls a bit short but...             So here we are at the start of a brand New Year.  Also time for my monthly weigh-in and measurements.  I wasn't too excited about that, because I knew I hadn't lost and even gained a little during the Christmas Holiday.               Prior to December I was averaging about 8-9 pounds lost per month. And was on target to reach my goal by January.              BUT...I did hit a bit of a road block as I indulged a little too much in food and drink (Dr. Pepper mainly) over the holidays. So I hit a plateau that really was of my own making.              I weighed-in yesterday at a whole pound less than last month!  Better than gaining I guess.  The good news is that I still lost about 3 inches total in place... 01/05/2011

After an increase in October and November, sales prices in Waco and McLennan County slipped back to 2009 prices this month. In December of 2009 there were 167 residential properties sold. They had an average list price of $142,920 and an average sold price of $135,680 and an average of 163 days on the market. In December of 2010 there were 143 homes sold with an average list price of $142,939 and an average sales price of $135,743, with an average of 122 days on the market. Here is a breakdown by price range: 0-$50,000 = 19 $50- $100,000 = 43 $100-$150,000 = 36 $150- $200,000 = 27 $200- $250,000 = 8 $250- $300,000 = 7 $300-$400,000 = 4 $400,000 and up = 3   There were eight pieces of land, two commercial properties, two multi-family properties and eight farm and ranch properties sold in... 01/04/2011

Here are a few of the new years events in Waco Texas: Attend the LULAC (League of Latin American Citizens) Black and White Scholarship Ball Friday night from 8 pm to 1am at the Waco Convention Center. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at door and proceeds go to their scholarship fund. Call 235-8664.   St. John Catholic Knights of Peter Claver is sponsoring a New Year's Eve dance from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday at Red Men Hall, 4521 Speight Ave.Music will be provided by the Full Flavor Band.Cost is $30 for singles and $50 for couples....To purchase tickets, call 754-8409, 495-5292 or 752-1792. The MuddCatts (Beatles Tribute artists) are doing a New Years Eve show at the VFW in Hewitt. I think it is $40 per person, you get a spaghetti dinner, champagne and party favors along with a show from ... 12/28/2010

The monthly economic index report was released today. Home sales, home construction permits and car sales were all down. Unemployement was up. But there was some good news. Read to see what it was. http://www.wacotrib.com/news/Housing-sector-auto-spending-declines-fuel-drop-in-Wacos-economic-index.html 12/23/2010

The number of homes sold in Waco and McLennan County in November was down from the same month last year, but the sales prices were up. In 2009, there were 162 homes sold with an average list price of $124,638 and an average sales price of $118,672 with an average of 136 days on the market. Other than residential there were17 properties sold ( commercial, farm & ranch, land and multi-family). In November 2010, there were145 homes sold in Waco and McLennan County , with an average list price of $149,967 and an average sales price of $142,763 and 152 days on the market. That is a 20% increase when most parts of the country are seeing as much as a 50% drop. There were 22 "other" properties sold. Here is a breakdown of prices: 0-$50,000 = 15 $50-$100,000 = 33 $100-$150,000 = 49 $150-$200,000... 12/02/2010

     I had a very Good reason for getting into real estate. Make that two Good reasons. Fran and Bob Good, Realtors with Coldwell Banker Jim Stewart, Realtors in Waco Texas. Better known as The Good Team.      You see, when my husband Larry and I bought our house in June of 2003, Fran was our agent. We went to her office on Saturday, she pulled up 32 houses that fit what we wanted, narrowed that to 19, then we drove by to look at them on our own on Sunday and narrowed that to 11. By the time we met with her on Wednesday to go look, 5 were sold and one we decided to mark of the list because it didn't have central air. In Texas, you can't live without central air.      So we looked at 5 and called her the next day to say we wanted to make an offer on the second one. But the sellers refuse... 12/01/2010

What does THAT have to do with Real Estate Wendy? I've been writing regularly about my ventures in fitness and health. What does this have to do with real estate? Nothing really. It's just me writing and sharing. But let's think about that a little more. Really my getting healthy journey can probably somehow relate to real estate or anything else for that matter. Each task met head on with great forethought, education, and determination will probably end up in a well-completed task. Just how well the task is completed will depend on how much is invested in the task. I am not sure if this is really making any sense, but let's think about 2 different real estate agents that want to help you sell your home.   Agent #1 thoroughly researches the market, explains the process, and utilizes mar... 11/13/2010

In October 2009, there were 180 homes sold. They had an average list price of $130,500 and an average sold price of $124,620, with an average of 138 days on the market. Although fewer homes were sold in October 2010, the sales price was slightly up. This year there were 146 homes sold in October. They had an average list price of $152,306 and an average sold price of $144,280 and average days on the market were 159. The main reason for the increase is that more homes in the upper price ranges sold last month. For instance, last month only 6 homes over $300,000 sold. This month that number is almost double. Here is a breakdown of prices. 0- $50,000 = 22 $50-$100,000 = 34 $100- $150,000 = 40 $150-$200,000 = 26 $200-$250,000 = 13 $250-$300,000 = 4 $300-$400,000 = 6 $400,000 and up =5 In ot... 11/02/2010

If I decided to sell my own house. I would practice what I preach. First of all, that's a big IF since I am so planted in my house, I really have no intention of moving now or anytime soon. But...I do think about it sometimes. I mean how can I not, I deal with this type of thing every day. But to get to the point... If I was going to put my OWN house on the market, I would practice what I preach.  You can bet that I would have, and keep my house as close to perfection as possible and price it where I knew it would sell. I would thoroughly clean, replace carpet, de-clutter, stage, and do anything and everything to make my home look picture perfect.  I would work to ensure all things were repaired. Even have a home inspector come in to help me through. Not only that, I would pay very clos... 10/29/2010

The monthly Greater Waco Economic Index Report released September figures yesterday. This months report showed employement was up, but new home construction was down. Existing home sales were down, but the sale price were holding steady. Read the full report. http://www.wacotrib.com/news/Greater-Waco-economic-index-edges-downward.html 10/28/2010

Waco Tx is located almost at the halfway point between the Dallas/ Ft Worth metroplex and Austin. As well as having almost direct and certainly easy access to Houston, San Antonio and many other points of commerce.Waco has become a unique and appealing place to live and do business due to its diversity, natural resources, convenient location and numerous amenities such as symphony, movies and theater for entertainment, shopping for nearly anything from cars to clothing , a great and diverse selection of restaurants and more. We have big city advantages without the big city hassles. You won't find traffic jams, long commutes, extremely long lines, or a high cost of living. You can live in the country but have quick, easy access to downtown, I-35 and other major highways. We are known as ... 10/26/2010

I just wanted to blog and let everyone know what an amazing time I had at the Orientation for Women's Council of Realtors.   When I first joined the group, I joined mainly for the educational offerings that they provided and thought that was all that I was really going to get out of it.  I was DEAD wrong. The three day orientation held in Conroe, TX was one of the most wonderful things that I have ever done.  When we arrived we were all greeted with open arms, hearts and minds.  Not only were these professionals, kind, warm hearted and loving, but they were passionate about this organziation and it showed.  Women's Council of Realtors is a network of successful REALTORS® empowering women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders.  As leaders WCR encourages their... 10/15/2010

It's the beginning of a new month and time to review the September real estate market in Waco and Mclennan County. There are currently 1,433 active listings and 283 pending ( homes under contract waiting to close). That means we have approximately a 7 ½ supply of inventory, a buyers market. Last month there were 143 homes sold with an average list price of $125,446 and an average sold price of $121,208 and 128 days on the market. Here's how the different prices breakdown: 0-$50,000 = 17 $50- $100,000 = 53 $100- $150,000 = 32 $150-$200,000 = 23 $200-$250,000 = 14 $250- $300,000 = 5 $300-$400,000 = 0 $400 and up = 1 Sales of upper range homes where down from August. In other types of property there were 19 pieces of land sold, 5 commercial properties, also 5 multi-family properties and 10... 10/05/2010

McCulloch House (Historic Waco Foundation)-365 Things to do in Waco, Texas This past Tuesday Ann Cordes and I were both invited to tour the beautiful McCulloch House Museum. Our gracious hostess, Holly Browning, Curator of Collections and Interpretation, Historic Waco Foundation met us for a special tour of this historic treasure. I was fascinated with the history and the contents of this home and was intrigued greatly by the crooked staircase that was damaged during the 1953 Tornado that ravaged Downtown. But there were other fine treasures to be found in this house like the circa 1827 portrait of the Cunningham family, and the story behind it with its Mt Vernon connection. Ann and I want to extend a huge thank you to Holly Browning for inviting us on this tour and also for providing w... 08/12/2010

08/11/2010