Danny Frank

Real estate transactions can be stressful and are full of nuances, subtleties and loads of paperwork. Aside from that, every transaction is different because every single one involves the ultimate variable - people.

Well, here's a shock: real estate agents are people, too. I'm not trying to be funny - all I mean is that every agent is unique. We've all had different experiences and have various specializations and interests.

Looking for an agent can be tricky and confusing, too. Don't let that stop you-your needs are important and you should take time to assess your situation and find the right representation for you.

Who are you?

Are you a first-time homebuyer who needs a little extra attention? Many agents enjoy thorough involvement in the transaction and enthusiastically educate their clients about each step of the homebuying process.

Has it been a while since you bought or sold real estate? If you've got some experience but are unsettled about real estate in today's world, I can hardly blame you - there's so much information out there that it's easy to get overloaded. There's an agent for you.

Are you technologically adept and expecting to heavily rely on the Internet, Web-based tools and instant communications? You likely want someone who is equally adept and willing to communicate with you quickly, correct? When you're interviewing your agent, make sure she knows these considerations are of high importance to you.

Do you live out of town and need a local representative to completely handle the transaction? Some agents work mostly with people who relocate from out of town.

Maybe you're looking for the perfect commercial space to build your family business. You can hire someone who deals exclusively with commercial real estate. There are even sub-specialties within commercial real estate.

Perhaps a vacation home is in your plans. Guess what? There are agents who make this their niche.

What if you prefer to handle most of the legwork yourself, but need an agent to help with the marketing or contract negotiation? Rest assured - there's an agent for you.

A difference that matters

It's important for you to know that not every real estate broker or salesperson in Texas can call himself a Realtor. Only those agents who are members in the National Association of Realtors, the Texas Association of Realtors and one of the local associations around the state may use the term "Realtor" on their business cards and in their marketing materials.

Hiring a Realtor means you've retained someone who is committed to continuing education, professionalism and integrity. In addition, Realtors are sworn to uphold a strict code of ethics and to treat all parties fairly.

It's a difference that matters.

Specializations and professionalism

Many Realtors hold one or more certifications or designations, each one indicated by an acronym behind the agent's name. These letters signify that the holder has not only undergone advanced or specialized training in real estate, but is also committed to his own professional development.

Some of us specialize in residential listings, buyer representation or investment property. Others concentrate on international or commercial real estate.

Find your match

There are all kinds of real estate agents out there, and there's one for you, no matter what your situation or what level of service you seek. There are lots of ways to find agents these days - the Internet, print advertising and good old fashioned referrals, to name a few. Regardless of how you find your agent, though, if you're looking for a higher level of professionalism, I strongly recommend that you make sure whoever you hire is a Realtor.

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/ and for all of your Pearland TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.

Danny Frank is a local Pearland TX Real Estate expert

This column was published in the 11Jan09 edition of the Galveston County Daily News

Brazoria County seated two new State Legislators in Austin today. Randy Weber, R-Pearland and Joan Huffman, R-Southside Place, where among the many new attending the opening session today. The Texas session will last for 140 days.

Huffman, R-Southside Place, along with state Rep. Randy Weber, R-Pearland, joined for the first time with Brazoria County's two other legislators, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, and state Sen. Mike Jackson, R-Shoreacres, to kick off the 81st regular session of the Texas Legislature.

For the complete story please visit The Brazoria County Facts Newspaper at: http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=2672923e9d043579

For more information on buying or selling property in Texas, I invite you to visit http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/ and for all of your Pearland TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at http://www.danfrankrealty.com/. Danny Frank is a local Pearland Real Estate expert. I would love to help you sell your house and help you find your next home.

Please visit http://www.danfrankrealty.com/ or my blog at http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com/

The Pearland TX real estate market is doing OK. In looking at the real estate market in Pearland, one can see we are following the same trend as the last 2 years. The median price is up $4250.00 from this time 2 years ago... Look at that number again, our median home price is up $4250.00 from Dec of 06. Pearland's real estate market is doing fine. December tends to start slow and then before the 1st of the year, it will start the upswing in both pricing and the total number of housing units sold.

In looking at the next chart on the Pearland Real Estate Market, you can see the DOM or Days on Market are all over the chart. It took an average 95 to sell a house in Pearland in December. In December, Pearland had 5.5 months of inventory. Which is low for this time of the year. I think this will drive the value of real estate in the Pearland area upwards. You, as a home seller can affect this average by the price you set your house at. If you price your home on the high side of the average, it will take longer to sell and if you price you house one low side of the average, it will sell faster. So what does this mean for the average family selling a home in the Pearland area, price your house right and it will sell.

Now is a GREAT time to buy real estate in the Pearland area. There are a lot of very good DEALS on real estate in the Pearland TX area and I would love to help you become a home owner. Call me and I will send you a free book, " Your First Home, The proven Path to Home Ownership".

For more information on buying or selling property in Texas, I invite you to visit http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/ and for all of your Pearland TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at http://www.danfrankrealty.com/. Danny Frank is a local Pearland Real Estate expert. I would love to help you sell your house and help you find your next home.

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AUSTIN, TX - Joan Huffman, R-Southside Place, today will stand on the floor of the Texas Senate and officially receive the oath of office to represent Senate District 17. Huffman, a former judge and prosecutor, battled through a six-person special election before coming from behind in a runoff on December 16 to earn the honor to represent the sprawling senate district that stretches from West Houston to the Coast.

State law allows Huffman to take the oath of office as soon as practical after the vote is officially canvassed. Governor Rick Perry certified the vote Sunday, December 28.

The swearing-in ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the Texas Senate Chamber today. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott will administer the Oath of Office to Huffman. State Representative Dennis Bonnen, Chairman of the House Committee on Environmental Regulation, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

"The families of SD17 expect hard work and results which is why I am taking the oath of office as soon as possible. We will be prepared to work before the Legislature convenes," Huffman said. "I'm very thankful to everyone who helped make this day possible. My pledge is to be a representative for all SD17 families. Chief among our priorities will be helping families and businesses recover from Hurricane Ike and developing new tools for state and local law enforcement officials to secure the Texas/Mexico border."

Joan Huffman was previously elected twice in Harris County as a Criminal District Court Judge. Prior to her tenure on the bench, she was Chief Felony Prosecutor, Special Crimes Gang Prosecutor and Legal Counsel to the Organized Crime Narcotics Task Force under Harris County DA Johnny Holmes. She has also served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Children's Assessment Center Foundation of Harris County and as Co-Chairman of its Advocacy Committee. Huffman is a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and lives with her husband, Keith, and son, Luke, in Southside Place.