Alexander Chandler Realty's Fort Worth, TX Real Estate Blog

March 9,2010    10:00 AM

Good monrning everybody,

   It is an absolutlely gorgeous day in N. Texas. I have a busy day today but I wanted to say hello first.  I have decided to put a segment on my website called "A Week in the Life". I am going to document my activities, both fun and stressful, a few times a day as time allows. It will consist mainly of the ramblings of a seasoned Realtor but occasionally a little nugget of wisdom may pop up. You can follow the adventures by going to www.charlesbennettsells.com.

   Well lets get started. This morning I have answered all my emails and spoke with the ones that needed me. I am about to represent a buyers interests in the purchase of a beautiful townhome. This is a Freddie Mac property. If you are unfamiliar with the acronym Freddie Mac, give me a call and I will explain. Anyway, a purchase agreement is 12 pages in length. The addendum we received from the seller is 18 pages in length. I had to devour it a couple of times and digest it over night. After careful thought I reduced the offer price by $10,000 because of the concessions we make before the negotiation even begins. I think we have made a very strong offer. I visited with my client and answered every question to her satisfaction. Most of the time this business is fun.

   I have pulled the hotsheet which is an itemized print out of what happened in our housing market yesterday. I analyzed the data and as expected, it shows the spring buying season will soon be in full bloom. Savvy buyers are flooding the market. Why not? An eight grand tax credit is hard to pass up. Young families can buy a home and Uncle Sugar will furnish it for them.

   I have made showing arrangements for some buyer clients this afternoon. I am fixin' to  head out and do a little prospecting. I know the term fixin' to shows my redneckedness and irritates one of our northern brethren. If it didn't what would be the point? I'll holler at ya'll later.

4:45 PM

   Wow! Where has this day gone? I have had my shoulder to the grindstone since 7:30 this morning. I'not complaining. Like I said in my previous post, I am very thankful. Time flies when you're busy. I am tempted to move this enterprise to my home office. Looking at the storm, through the glass, I made a command decision.  I think I will wait it out so I am once again in front of my keyboard doing a little networking.

   Don't mistake that comment about the storm as being less than deferential. As a native Texan I have learned to give thanks for every drop of rain the Great Spirit gives us. Here's a little tidbit for yous guys out in the wilderness. Notice how I said "yous-guys"? We will talk about that in the next few paragraphs. Anyway, do you know how many natural lakes there are in Texas? Before you guess remember, we have so many lakes around here you can't travel more that a few miles without admiring one. Well, my readers in the northern territories, the answer is, one. And we have to share it with Louisiana.

    All our reservoirs are man made and we have a beautiful assortment. We have these because of the industry of our people. Don't think for one second that just because we ain't a bunch of chowder eatin' yankees that nothing gets done. We do have grit. The number one reason I love my fellow citizens down here is because they aren't rude enough to send me emails telling me I need to try harder to hide my "Redneckedness.".

    I am painfully aware of my limited command of the English language. If I could talk good inglish I'z be teaching compzition at TCU.  So, since some think the word "ya'll" is a display of "redneckedness", I have decided to be a little more nationalistic in my use of regional vernacular. I think I will start saying yous-guys instead. This way all us'n  down here get to share the enjoyment of this beautiful and lyrical dialect.

    Yankees! God bless um', they just can't help themselves can they?

    I just heard something very discouraging on the NBC nightly news. A family was burying their soldier son, who was killed because he stood between us and them. A group of protesters across the street were holding up signs saying God Bless IED"S.  I tell you one thing. They should be happy I wasn't there. If I had been, they would have witnessed firsthand the devastation an IED causes, because I would have exploded like one.

   I feel my blood rising so I will sign off before I become even more politically incorrect. I hope all yous guys have a great evening. I am here if you need me.

Happy Trails,

Charles

Sunday February 7, 2010:

      Good morning everybody. It is lightly raining and is expected to continue through evening. I love it. I was out surveying my yard, to find a place to start. Our spring season had already started. My early bloomers are showing signs of revival and some of my trees are beginning to sprout blossoms. I must work quickly to help it reach its full glory.

     The same can be said of the spring buying season. It has already started and like everything else in life there are many who are already to late. I, and most real estate professionals, have visceral feelings that this Real Estate season is going to show strong gains and will start the return to economic prosperity..

    There is still a misconception that money for a home is hard to get. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The mortgage lenders I use always followed sound business  and lending practices. As a result, we are still here. Have no doubt about it there are still plenty of unethical and predatory lenders hiding in the underbrush. Their untidy part in the money side of the real estate business has been badly wounded, and like all wounded animals, they are twice as dangerous.

    The best advice I can offer a home buyer? If you trust your Realtor enough to let them handle the marketing, you should trust them enough to heed their sound advise.

    I know you have heard several times about the First Time home Buyers Tax Credit. However, in my dealings with people, most know only the rudimentary elements. I going to give you the meat of this credit. If you are a first time home buyer, or haven't owned a home in three years and you purchase a primary residence, you are more likely than not to qualify for an $8,000 tax cut. Lets all slouch back in the chair and think about that a second------------------------------------------? In these brief seconds I realized how I wish I had this opportunity when I was starting out. We could have furnished our house and paid off the car. We could have put it in an IRA as a hedge against hard times. My mind is whirling at the things we could have used that money for. Don't get me wrong here. When we bought our first home in 1980, interest rates were running about 17% for a 30 year fixed rate loan. Since we qualified for the City of Fort Worth Bond program we were able to secure a 30 year fixed at 9.4%. I know now when someone mentions 9.4% everybody yells YIKES! But brothers and sisters, I gotta tell you, that was the difference in a young family getting a start in life.

    Do you have kids or grand kids that need to get started? Are you searching for someone to guide them and hold their hand through what is probably their biggest decision so far in life? Most First time buyers don't have a clue what is involved. If you think your kids have their own nomenclature try hangin' around a Real Estate, title company or mortgage office. I understand both. If you will let me help your kids I promise I will treat them like my own.

     In addition the tax credit has been expanded to include current home owners like me. If a home seller has owned a home for five of the last eight years they will qualify for a $6,500 tax credit when they purchase a new primary residence. I have pondered this many times. That is $14,500 Uncle Sugar is willing to kick into the deal for each home. Boys and girls, friends and neighbors, this is a deal that can't be beat with a stick! Of course there are some restrictions, such as, a limit on the amount of earned income and the price of the home but they are very liberal.

   I will have to close for now. I have to show homes in White Settlement and Columbus Heights. This family has been looking for several months and watched as home values have started to rise. They missed the best deal in Park Palisades and they realize it. I think they also realize there is danger of missing the Tax Credit money as well.

    Gotta to go sell something to keep this planet spinning. You know what they say, money makes the world go round.

Hidey Hi Friends and neighbors.

    Well, it looks like we are going to cheat death for one more week. I don't know about ya'll but I am pretty damn happy about that. In fact, I am practically giddy with relief.

 Yesterday, in reference to other real estate related site, I said I am sick of all the regurgitated blather. When I tell you what a beautiful day it is here in Fort Worth, I know it is beginning to sound like a mantra. I like to say, it is what it is! I spite of my efforts not to, I gotta tell you it is another glorious day in Fort Worth.  Am I being hypocritical? I hope not. I try not to be.

 I attended a Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce meeting yesterday at the Fort Worth club. There are two ways to make an entrance, like Marilyn Monroe or Robin Williams.Unfortunately mine was more of the Robin Williams genre. As the new members were introducing themselves, it was my turn. I stood up and with my public speaking voice told them who I am and that I represented Coldwell Banker. A poor choice of words since I proudly represent Alexander Chandler Realty, who was sponsoring the event. I realized this about a 10^th of a second after I said it. I worked for Coldwell Banker for almost 15 years. I have been with Alex for not quite a month.  I find we are all creatures of habit. Luckily I can think on my feet and I made a great recovery.  I left them laughing in a good way. Thank you Alex for your grace. I appreciate it. My horoscope in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram said:

Gemini; First impressions count more than you know. Line your pockets with gold by appearing to be the right person for the job.  Sometimes these horoscopes are just plain scary. I hope I impressed them by showing my humor trumps my lack of public speaking abilities and that I can think fast. Now I just hope the gold part is true.

   As we were networking I had several people confess that they had made similar faux pas. When you winnow the wheat from the chaff the event was at heart a networking gathering. I am pretty sure everyone there knows who I am. Mission accomplished!

   My friend and broker Alex, was sponsoring the event. He shared the good news about our company receiving the award for Small Business of the Year in the Emerging Business Category. He deserves it. He has provided us with a marketing program extraordinaire. I would welcome an opportunity to share it with you.

    Happy Trails.

Charles

Monday, March 1, 2010

Thought for the day:

    We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power.  Then will our world know the blessings of peace.  ~William Ewart Gladstone

    Hello friends and neighbors. Like Mr. Rogers used to say, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Won't you be my neighbor?" I know some of ya'll living in the area may disagree because it is drizzling rain and the high is only supposed to be the in the middle forty's.

    I love this kind of day because it is going to pay dividends when spring comes in a few weeks. I spend an inordinate amount of time in my yard. I have firsthand knowledge, and water bills, of what the drought has done to our yards.  The snows have brought plenty of nitrogen and the rains have made it easier for the flora to breakthrough.  My Day lilies, Jonquils and other bulbs are springing to life as I construct this blog. Soon we will be awash in color. I must tell you that spring in Fort Worth is hard to beat. In fact Texas in the spring is wonderful.

    Our state flower is the Blue Bonnet. They bloom all along our highways with Indian Paint Brushes, Butter Cups and several other species of wild flowers. Hopefully the rains have provided Mother Nature with a few more hues on her pallet with which to dazzle our senses. I love Fort Worth, can you tell?

    Our great city is the recipient of many blessings. First and foremost is the vision of past and present city leaders. We have beautiful parks, a safe and vibrant downtown, several world class museums and a wonderful climate. We have always been fortunate to have a string of powerful and wealthy benefactors in step with the local government. Fort Worth has too many blessings to list here but I have to give a nod to our Citizens. I show out of state buyers every week. Without exception they always comment on our friendliness and respect for others. Good manners ain't nothing special down here, that's just the way we were raised. Manna rains down on us every day and we are thankful.

   You are probably wondering why I am rambling about weather and flowers and other subjects instead of talking about Fort Worth Real Estate. Well, I figure you had to wade, waist deep in Realtor websites and blog's to get here. I am content to let them proselytize and tell you how smart they are, and boy, do they ever. I just want you to get a feel for who I am. I think my persona comes through clearly, be that good or bad. I have been marketing and promoting homes for almost 15 years. I know how. If you think I can help you, give me a call. I am always as close as your phone or keyboard.

Happy Trails,

Charles

   February 25, 2010

 I am honored to post this blog and announce that my broker, Alexander Chandler, and his Real Estate company, Alexander Chandler Realty, was the recipient of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce‘s Emerging Business Award.  The Award was presented by Mr. Wes Turner, Chairman of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief at the Tarrant County Convention Center.

    Sorry the photos are not separated, I'm still learning.

    Alex is not only my broker, he is a fine man and someone I am proud to call my friend. Our company's approach to marketing is exactly what our motto states: "Where Technology Meets Tradition." That is why he won the award and one reason I came on board a few weeks ago. We market our client's home as well as anyone, and better than most.

    After the award announcement and presentation we joined Mayor Moncrief, the City Counsel, the Superintendent of FWISD and many other dignitaries including Mayor Tom Leppert of Dallas for the annual State of the City Address.  I was born and raised here and have witnessed first hand the metamorphosis of this great city for a sleepy little town to a sleek and modern city that is the envy of many. And we haven't finished yet.

      The Trinity River project is going to be absolutely spectacular. It is such a huge undertaking it is hard to address here. However, if you go to my website www.charlesbennettsells.com and scroll down to the bottom and click on the link that says Trinity River project you can read all about it. It is amazing the vision our leaders, both past and present, have for Fort Worth.

 Not only do we have four world renowned museums, we are the only city in the Midwest where you can see a genuine Michelangelo. His earliest know painting "The Torment of Saint Anthony" is hanging on the wall at the Kimbell Art Museum. If you are interested in learning about it go to www.kimbellart.org.

     We also have a world class music and performing arts center, The Bass Hall, which can be enjoyed by every one of our citizens. My wife and I try to see everything that interests us. Without exception, every time someone plays this glorious place for the first time they always remark what a grand place it is. If you want to read more about this splendid hall click www.basshall.com. You will be glad you did.

     I guess I have rambled enough. Before I close I again want to congratulate Alex for his award. He deserves it. If you are thinking of buying or selling any Real Estate in Fort Worth or the surrounding communities give me a call or email me at charles@alexanderchandler.com. I will show you what it takes to win this coveted award.

    It is another glorious day in Fort Worth, a day full of hope and opportunity. It is a little on the cool side and snowing lightly. We have had record breaking snow fall here this year and it has been beautiful. As I was admiring Mother Nature's beauty last week it dawned on me that the snow was an analogy for the Real Estate Market. It reminded me of the Bette Midler song "The Rose". In the last stanza she sings: "Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows, lies the seed that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes the rose." In my opinion that speaks for our housing market here in Fort Worth Texas. There is no doubt that we have experienced an upheaval (bitter snows) but low interest rates and the home buyers tax credit (the sun's love) have begun to bring the market back in balance and in the spring it will again be a rose.

    If you have been hesitant to purchase a home because you feared losing value, well Buckaroo, that is no longer an issue. Your fear now should be missing an opportunity to catch the crest of the wave that is escalating home value. You need to take advantage of all the programs available. Your concern now should be finding the right home at the right price right now. Call me and I will make sure you do.

    Fort Worth and the surrounding communities have plenty of top of the market properties in every price strata. Also, there is an abundance of motivated sellers out there. When I was a child my daddy always said to "strike while the iron is hot."  It took some maturing on my part before I was fully able to grasp exactly what he meant. Let me save you that trouble, it means to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. Friends and neighbors, the iron is hot in Fort Worth Texas and the time to strike is now.

    Call me now. Operators are standing by. That may be hyperbole because it is only me answering the phone but when you call I will answer.

Thought for the day;

A stumble may prevent a fall----English Proverb