Wow, what an experience that was! Arriving on the location for the makeover was really neat-you were bused from a church parking lot to the location so there would not be so many cars in the way. Everywhere there were security guards to keep the traffic moving and spectators in one direction and volunteers in the other direction.
Being a volunteer to serve food for the people that were actually doing all the work was one of the hardest things that I have done in awhile. I have a new found respect for all the people that work in restaurants or anywhere serving the public. I got on site around 3PM even though my shift did not start till 6PM. I was very anxious to see what was going on.
I went up to the house to peek( I had a hard hat so I could go into the home) and as soon as my group and I got there they put us to work sweeping and mopping the new tile floors to keep dust to a minimum. It was amazing to see how so many workers could all work together and get the project done in 4 days.
My husband was a team leader for Sat the 17th and our job was to find restaurants that would donate enough food to feed approx. 700 people from 6PM-6AM. I was amazed at the generosity of the restaurants and they really did not get much in return other than knowing that they were willing to help to get a new home built for a family that really deserved the award.
Be sure to watch ABC on March 15, 2009 for the El Paso Extreme Home Makeover Show.
Active Rain Real Estate Network
You can find great local El Paso, Texas real estate information on Localism.com Patti Olivas is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free online community to help real estate professionals grow their business.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire (the movie)
This is a must see for anyone. It was one of the best movies that I have seen in a long time and just made you feel good when it was over. It today's real estate economy anything that makes you feel good is an improvement!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Extreme Home Makeover is in El Paso
All this week ABC's Extreme Home Makeover is in our hometown of El Paso, TX and it is really excited to be involved with the show.
The makeover went to a very deserving family that helps out with the orphanage in Juarez, Mexico and other families in need.
According to what I have seen on TV and read in the papers her home was in dire need of repair and will be the nicest ones in the area(as are all the homes that they fix up).
Seeing the outpouring of donations of workers, volunteers, and supplies has really made me even more proud of El Paso. I still can't believe that you can build a home in 4 days but it really is being done and the show should air on March 15, 2009 on ABC.
I am going to the site tomorrow with fellow Realtors in El Paso to serve meals to the volunteer workers and I am really looking forward to giving back to the community and especially the family that won.
The makeover went to a very deserving family that helps out with the orphanage in Juarez, Mexico and other families in need.
According to what I have seen on TV and read in the papers her home was in dire need of repair and will be the nicest ones in the area(as are all the homes that they fix up).
Seeing the outpouring of donations of workers, volunteers, and supplies has really made me even more proud of El Paso. I still can't believe that you can build a home in 4 days but it really is being done and the show should air on March 15, 2009 on ABC.
I am going to the site tomorrow with fellow Realtors in El Paso to serve meals to the volunteer workers and I am really looking forward to giving back to the community and especially the family that won.
Monday, December 15, 2008
We have alot to be thankful for
It is almost Christmas and I think I have a lot to be thankful for this year.
While it has not been the best year in real estate it has not been the worst. It actually takes me back to when I first got in the business in 1986 when people had to have a good job, good credit, and money for a down payment.
Lenders are still lending money, but you have to be credit worthy, have a down payment (unless you are a Veteran) and be able close. So what is so hard about that?
I think that buyers still feel that things will get alot worse and they will get a "better deal" on a home if they wait. They may but what about the time they waste paying rent and not owning and not getting that write off on your taxes.
I think we are at the bottom and there is only one way for prices to go and that is BACK UP!
El Paso real estate is not that bad right now, I have been busier this month than I have in the last couple of months and I think that buyers are starting to feel a little more confident. Interest rates are very low and home prices in El Paso are holding steady and sellers are giving alot of concessions to make their homes more marketable.
Now is the time for investors to get back on line again and start looking at El Paso and all that is going to happen here- we are way short the number of rentals that the military soldiers will need so where are you?
Don't wait too long or you will be sorry.
While it has not been the best year in real estate it has not been the worst. It actually takes me back to when I first got in the business in 1986 when people had to have a good job, good credit, and money for a down payment.
Lenders are still lending money, but you have to be credit worthy, have a down payment (unless you are a Veteran) and be able close. So what is so hard about that?
I think that buyers still feel that things will get alot worse and they will get a "better deal" on a home if they wait. They may but what about the time they waste paying rent and not owning and not getting that write off on your taxes.
I think we are at the bottom and there is only one way for prices to go and that is BACK UP!
El Paso real estate is not that bad right now, I have been busier this month than I have in the last couple of months and I think that buyers are starting to feel a little more confident. Interest rates are very low and home prices in El Paso are holding steady and sellers are giving alot of concessions to make their homes more marketable.
Now is the time for investors to get back on line again and start looking at El Paso and all that is going to happen here- we are way short the number of rentals that the military soldiers will need so where are you?
Don't wait too long or you will be sorry.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Realtor of the Year
I was awarded Realtor of the Year for 2009 by the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors at their annual Installation Banquet on Dec. 21, 2008.
I was totally surprised when I found out I had won, but deeply honored.
Now I feel that it is my job to get out there and make things happen from this day forward in the El Paso, Texas real estate market.
Interest rates are dropping and now is an excellent time to buy. Don't wait for rates and prices to go up.
I was totally surprised when I found out I had won, but deeply honored.
Now I feel that it is my job to get out there and make things happen from this day forward in the El Paso, Texas real estate market.
Interest rates are dropping and now is an excellent time to buy. Don't wait for rates and prices to go up.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Vets help home prices stay steady
MILITARY PROTECTS HOME PRICES
This article came from Recon Center about San Antonio market but will probably apply to most cities that have a military base.
SAN ANTONIO (Associated Press) – While home prices and sales are generally down nationwide, large military bases have buoyed their surrounding communities.
The Associated Press found that communities surrounding big bases fared better than national averages because of steady wartime employment, more moderate value increases and less reckless lending than in many other boom areas. Some communities have even seen a rise in home prices.
Higher home values also pool around high veteran populations.
Veterans receive loans more easily because of their guaranteed mortgage benefits through the Veterans Affairs Department and lower-than-average interest rates through the Texas Veterans Land Board. Their ability to secure a home keeps the housing demand higher, which allows the home prices around them to stay afloat.
For the 12 months ending in September, the average monthly median price in San Antonio was $151,500, up 1 percent from the same period in 2007, compared with a 9 percent decline nationwide for that period.
San Antonio is home to Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base.
Texas veterans also are more likely to pay their mortgages on time.
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, of Texas homes purchased with VA-insured loans, 0.8 percent went into foreclosure in second quarter 2008. That is about half the 1.44 percent overall statewide foreclosure rate and less than one-third of the 2.75 percent national foreclosure rate.
This article came from Recon Center about San Antonio market but will probably apply to most cities that have a military base.
SAN ANTONIO (Associated Press) – While home prices and sales are generally down nationwide, large military bases have buoyed their surrounding communities.
The Associated Press found that communities surrounding big bases fared better than national averages because of steady wartime employment, more moderate value increases and less reckless lending than in many other boom areas. Some communities have even seen a rise in home prices.
Higher home values also pool around high veteran populations.
Veterans receive loans more easily because of their guaranteed mortgage benefits through the Veterans Affairs Department and lower-than-average interest rates through the Texas Veterans Land Board. Their ability to secure a home keeps the housing demand higher, which allows the home prices around them to stay afloat.
For the 12 months ending in September, the average monthly median price in San Antonio was $151,500, up 1 percent from the same period in 2007, compared with a 9 percent decline nationwide for that period.
San Antonio is home to Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base.
Texas veterans also are more likely to pay their mortgages on time.
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, of Texas homes purchased with VA-insured loans, 0.8 percent went into foreclosure in second quarter 2008. That is about half the 1.44 percent overall statewide foreclosure rate and less than one-third of the 2.75 percent national foreclosure rate.
Monday, November 17, 2008
What is Happening to our Ecomony
Buyers and Sellers are scared-what more can I say? We are all hoping that the end of the year also bring an end to our economy woes and everyone thinking "the end is near".
Luckily in El Paso and in the rest of Texas we are not feeling the crunch as badly as other areas.
I just got back from the Nation Association of Realtors convention in Orlando, and so many of the conversations were about short sales. We do not have many short sales in the El Paso, Texas real estate market ! Thank goodness.
Lenders are lending and we were told at the convention that for those that are waiting for the bottom to get there that WAKE UP we are at the bottom and when you are at the bottom, you can only go one way and that is BACK UP. If you are waiting you may wait to long. Homes are priced better than they ever have been and sellers and builders are giving lots of concessions. What if you wait for prices to go down and maybe they will some more, but what if interest rates go up, then the savings you thought you were making is now lost in a higher interest rate.
If you are going to buy, buy now. Nothing stimulates the economy like home sales. Look what happened to the stock market and that happens more often then reduction in equity in homes. Like I said above, there is only one way home prices can go now and that is back up again.
Get pre approved for a loan with a good reputable company and save up for a down payment. You can still go FHA with 3% down payment (I heard it may be going up to 3.5%after the first of the year) and with the sellers helping maybe you can get a seller to help buy down the interest rate and make your payments lower.
Luckily in El Paso and in the rest of Texas we are not feeling the crunch as badly as other areas.
I just got back from the Nation Association of Realtors convention in Orlando, and so many of the conversations were about short sales. We do not have many short sales in the El Paso, Texas real estate market ! Thank goodness.
Lenders are lending and we were told at the convention that for those that are waiting for the bottom to get there that WAKE UP we are at the bottom and when you are at the bottom, you can only go one way and that is BACK UP. If you are waiting you may wait to long. Homes are priced better than they ever have been and sellers and builders are giving lots of concessions. What if you wait for prices to go down and maybe they will some more, but what if interest rates go up, then the savings you thought you were making is now lost in a higher interest rate.
If you are going to buy, buy now. Nothing stimulates the economy like home sales. Look what happened to the stock market and that happens more often then reduction in equity in homes. Like I said above, there is only one way home prices can go now and that is back up again.
Get pre approved for a loan with a good reputable company and save up for a down payment. You can still go FHA with 3% down payment (I heard it may be going up to 3.5%after the first of the year) and with the sellers helping maybe you can get a seller to help buy down the interest rate and make your payments lower.
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