For investors looking at buying an REO (Real Estate Owned) property, please be on the lookout for one of the latest scams to hit the real estate market when investigating a potential investment. As a property goes into foreclosure and becomes empty, con artists are renting out the property to people for bargain, cash only rents to make a quick buck before the property is sold. Since the renter is unaware that this is a scam, they may become hostile when you try to check out the property before purchasing it. The scam artists get information on default loans and properties about to enter foreclosure through the same public records as potential investors. Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind when going to check out a bank owned property:
1. Check out possible neighborhood risks before heading out to a property. Always make sure someone else knows where you are going and which route you intend to take to get there and back as an extra security measure.
2. Scan the exterior of the property to see if there are any signs of forced entry (such as a broken window or back door) before entering the REO property. Always knock on the front door and verbally make your presence known BEFORE entering.
3. Always bring a heavy flashlight with you...even in broad daylight. A heavy flashlight is not only a good tool to view the inside of a home that has had the electricity turned off, but it can also be used as a defensive tool in case of an altercation.
Make sure to use common sense when investigating any property. No investment is worth getting hurt over.
Now that the election is over and the new administration has been chosen, what do we have to look forward to in the housing market? It is too early to determine exactly what will happen since President-Elect Obama will not be taking office until January 20th, but the Senate has been discussing pushing another economic stimulus plan in hopes of keeping financially-distressed homeowners from losing their homes to foreclosure and to help pump up home sales.
One of the items discussed as a priority for the new administration includes a 90 day suspension of foreclosures in an effort to get lenders to modify the terms of the home loans to prevent foreclosures. There is also talk of legislation that allows bankruptcy court judges to have the power to require lenders to either reduce the amount owed on a mortgage loan or reduce the interest rate of the loan. The banking and mortgage industry strongly disagrees with this legislation and will most likely put up a huge fight if this goes into play.
Other priorities for the new administration include passing laws against predatory lending, appraisal reform and strengthening the powers of the financial regulatory agencies that oversee the banking and mortgage industries. Until President-Elect Obama takes office in January, we will not know for sure what will and won't happen. If you have the money and the credit, now is still the best time to purchase real estate.
As you probably already know, today is voting day. To help you get out the vote, the following are the polling places by precinct in Amarillo today:
Precinct 110 - High Plains AG Park Nutri-Chem, 1219 E FM, 1151 Claude Hwy, Amarillo, TX 79118
Precinct 111 - Comanche Trail Church, 2700 E 34th St, Amarillo, TX 79103
Precinct 112 - Landergin Elementary, 3409 S Taylor St, Amarillo, TX 79110
Precinct 113 - Lamar Elementary, 3800 S Lipscomb St, Amarillo, TX 79110
Precinct 114 - South Lawn Elementary, 4719 Bowie St, Amarillo, TX 79110
Precinct 131 - Village of Lake Tanglewood Town Hall, #1 Tanglewood Dr, Amarillo, TX 79118
Precinct 208 - Falcon Club, 9001 Bridle Trails Dr, Amarillo, TX 79119
Precinct 219 - Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church, 7801 W 34th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79121
Precinct 220 - Ridgecrest Elementary, 5306 W 37th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79109
Precinct 222 - Puckett Elementary, 6700 Oakhurts Dr, Amarillo, TX 79109
Precinct 227 - Southwest Church of Christ, 4515 Cornell, Amarillo, TX 79109
Precinct 228 - Sleepy Hollow Elementary, 3501 Reeder Dr, Amarillo, TX 79121
Precinct 230 - Windsor Elementary, 6700 Hyde Parkway, Amarillo, TX 79109
Precinct 309 - Sundown Elementary, 4715 Sundown Lane, Amarillo, TX 79118
Precinct 324 - Arden Road Baptist Church, 6701 Arden Rd, Amarillo, TX 79109
Precinct 325 - Lakeview Elementary, 6407 Lair Rd, Amarillo, TX 79118
Precinct 332 - Randall County Fire & Rescue Station #2, 9451 FM 2186 (Hollywood Rd), Amarillo, TX 79119
Precinct 415 - South Georgia Elementary, 5019 Susan, Amarillo, TX 79110
Precinct 416 - Coronado Elementary, 3210 Wimberly Rd, Amarillo, TX 79109
Precinct 417 - Crockett Middle School, 4720 Floyd Ave, Amarillo, TX 79106
Precinct 418 - Paramount Terrace Elementary, 3906 W 40th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79109
Precinct 421 - Western Plateau Elementary, 4927 Shawnee Trail, Amarillo, TX 79109
Precinct 426 - Gene Howe Elementary, 5108 Pico Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79110
Precinct 429 - Randall County Annex, 4111 S Georgia St
No matter how you feel about each of the politicians or the issues, please exercise your Constitutional right to vote. If you don't vote, you can't change a thing.
You will definitely want to be in Amarillo this weekend. Every Friday, the Amarillo Activity Youth Center hosts a Teen Scene from 8am-Midnight. This is a great, safe place for Amarillo teens to hang out and have fun with a basketball court, dance floor, arcade and lots of other fun things to do. For more info on this great program, call 373-2292.
Also this weekend, from Friday through Sunday (October 24-26), the Amarillo Invitational Balloon Rally will be held at Tradewind Airport. It is completely free for visitors. All are welcome. On Friday, watch the Amarillo Glows at sundown. There will be a morning flight (7am) and afternoon flight (4pm) on Saturday, concluding with a Sunday morning flight at 7am. For more info, please call 806-367-8311.
For a splash of Native American culture, visit the Kwahadi Kiva Indian Museum on Friday and Saturday (October 24th & 25th) to watch the colorful dance styles of the world famous Kwahadi Dancers. This is a 2-hour performance (starting at 7:30pm) following an enchildad dinner (6:30pm). Dinner is $7.50 and tickets for the performance range from $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for students and children sitting in laps are free. For more info, please email Charles Ritchie at charles.ritchie@amaisd.org.
On Saturday and Sunday, October 25th & 26th, the Amarillo College Fencing Association will host the 9th Annual Amarillo Open Fencing Tournament all day long at the Amarillo College East Campus Activity Center (1401 J Avenue, Building 3501). The Amarillo College Fencing Association is the largest fencing club in the Texas panhandle. This is a Plains Texas-New Mexico Cup tournament. For more info, please email Chuck Slaughter at chuck@acfencers.com or Richard Howard at richard@acfenders.com.
According to the National Association of Realtors' most recent report, pending home sales were up 7.4% in the month of August across the country, even though they had expected a 1.5% decline. They credit this increase primarily to the rock-bottom prices and low interest rates that the housing market has experienced over the last few months. Conventional home mortgage applications experienced a 3% jump in just the last week and new FHA applications were up nearly 10%. 30-year fixed rates dropped to 5.9% and 15-year fixed rates dropped to 5.7%. Unlike the quick drop that Wall Street has experienced over the last week, the real estate market has been correcting its pricing and underwriting practices over the last 2-3 years. This has allowed the real estate market to start to stabilize while Wall Street has experienced its financial bumps and bruises. As long as you have a decent credit score and money to put down, you can take advantage of the low prices in former boom markets and buy a home today.
When you are making your largest investment, you deserve a full time professional that specializes in Residential and country homes in Amarillo, Canyon and Bushland, Potter and Randall Counties Texas
Click on any of the photos above to learn more.
"By listening closely to people's needs, I can help them by finding the right opportunities for them to succeed. More importantly, I can make a positive difference in their lives."
Tom Kile has been helping families throughout Amarillo make sound decisions for their futures for over 27 years. He knows that sound decisions come when he listens to his clients needs-really hears, what their goals are. That way, Tom can set out to help them achieve their dreams. The thanks and praise he receives from clients and friends for his diligent help and careful guidance, well, that's simply music to his ears.
If you ask local businessman Tom Kile where he believes his success comes from, you might be surprised that he'll point to his ear. "Listening makes all the difference," he says. And if you ask Tom's clients what they think abut that, they'll agree it makes all the difference in the world.
Sound Working Environment
Tom draws a lot of parallels from his hobby as a sound engineer to his role as one of Amarillo's leading real estate professionals. To most, the two endeavors may seem worlds apart, but Tom will be the first to admit they really go hand in hand. "Both require intent listening to ensure everything goes as planned," he explains. Behind the scenes, Tom is intent on getting results. Personally and professionally, he realizes it's his ability to listen and focus that has given those he works with success.
Tom started volunteering as a sound engineer for his church, running audio and technical operations for small church performances. But like just abut everything he delves into, Tom was quick to perfect his "hobby" and even began working sound for major performances and events throughout the Amarillo area. From a Garth Brooks appearance to the annual church Christmas pageant at the Civic Center, Tom's passion affords him a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective he wouldn't trade for the world.
Sound Values
A true family man, listening has always been an integral part of Tom's life. His four children now grown, he enjoys every opportunity to spend time with his wife and best friend, Sue, and their 10 grandchildren. "Growing up here myself," he says, "I'm proud that some of my grandchildren will have the same opportunities I did growing up in this community." For Tom, there's no place he would rather call home.
Sound Futures
Tom's ability to listen closely and his results-oriented approach are skills that are helpful in every aspect of his life: as an involved member of the community, as a dedicated family man and especially as one of Amarillo's leading real estate professionals. In fact, it's Tom's focus on results which enables his clients to make sound decisions for their futures.
Sound Choices
From beginning to end, Tom strives to understand your specific needs and address your every concern-sometimes before you even know they exist. It's his uncanny ability to read between the lines and anticipate direction that make him the sound choice when you're on the move. Tom's first priority is to make sure your transition is as hassle free as possible.
Whether you're buying your first home or selling your family's longtime residence, trust the Realtor who listens to your needs to help you reach your goals with ease. Call Tom today - Your Sound Choice in Real Estate. You'll be glad you did.
Knowledge is power and that is what you get when you work with Tom. He Teaches part time at Amarillo College and is Director of carrier development at Keller Williams Amarillo office. As a full time professional REALTOR, Tom has worked to reach the highest level of knowledge about buying and selling homes. Tom is a member of the Council of Residential Specialist (CRS), Graduate of Realtor Institute, (GRI), Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Member of the Real Estate Cyber Society (RECS) and a Texas Broker.
He was there when we need him and went the extra mile to help!
Mark & Cynthia Waters
Listened to what we needed in a home; was readily available. Clone him. ☺
Shane & Mikki Hart
Tom is friendly without being pushy or overselling like so many agents. His business is a perfect 10.
Tom Hubble & Randy Ham
He did everything well. Don't change anything in your business.
Jarrod & Stephanie Bentley
He helped keep us focused and helped us realistically compare the houses he showed us. He always asked the right questions to help us reflect on things about each house. Tom doesn't need to change anything in his business. He went above and beyond what we expected.
Danny & Peggy Mize
He did everything right. I can't think of anything in his business that needs changing.
Jonathan & Rebecca Pate
The best thing he did was communicate!
Robert & Ruthie Graham
Tom, You did everything well. You were a real pleasure to do business with and always went above and beyond. Keeping us informed on the building progress was really important. You were our eyes and ears in our absence. You were always available to us and we both appreciated that. Also, you always know the market and what is happening in the city. Your knowledge of the business can't be surpassed.
Dennis & Glenna Doose
He did a wonderful job steering me into a nice area of town and kept me out of the wrong areas. I was very happy working with him and I look forward to working with Tom again.
Russell Kollaja
Through talking with us, Tom had an idea of what we wanted and would not settle for less and would not get us in over our heads.
Abel & Laura Johnson
We will use him again and will recommend him to others.
Terry, Deana, Terryn & Terra Moon
He excels at listening and providing requested information.
Paul Dees
Tom listened and showed us everything available that fit our wants and needs
Alan & Jane Duncan
"He listened to me. This was my first house and when I had questions he would explain and answer them. Thank you! I wouldn't change anything about his business."
Dustin Breland
"He listened to me. I will use him again and recommend him to others."
Patricia Peacock
"Tom was extremely helpful and a great listener. He showed us multiple houses in our price range with the specifications we asked for. He was always available to show us anything and answer our questions.
Jhony & Dahlia Lopez
Very pleasant, answered any questions, returned calls.
Joni Bomar
Justin and I just wanted to let you know that we appreciate all you have done for us in selling our home!
Justin & Susan Bentley
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