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Leeza Morris, REALTOR® Denton TX (940)391-5080

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Gmail: Consider 2-step verification for extra protection!

11-03-11
Leeza Morris, REALTOR® Denton TX (940)391-5080

I have just set up 2-step verification for my gmail account. I truly believe it is worth the extra trouble! With the amount of private information that is been emailed back and forth between us, realtors, a one time hijacking of an account can be a tremendous threat! Here is the video from google. Note: while it is extra trouble to verify and reset accounts on your mobile devices and multiple computers - it takes minutes to do it!

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I earned Certified Distressed Property Expert Designation (CDPE)

10-29-11
Leeza Morris, REALTOR® Denton TX (940)391-5080

Leeza Morris, Broker/Owner of Mi Real Estate Cloud, Inc. Denton, TX independent innovative real estate brokerage

Earns Prestigious Designation to Help Homeowners

in Danger of Foreclosure


Denton, TX – October 26, 2011–Leeza Morris of Mi Real Estate Cloud, Inc. has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance, with a particular emphasis on short sales. At a time when millions of homeowners are struggling with the possibility of foreclosure, the skills and education accumulated by Leeza will help benefit North Texas area residents and communities.

Short sales allow the distressed homeowner to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even if it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

Today, more than 13 percent of homeowners are delinquent on their mortgage or in the foreclosure process. This is occurring across all price ranges, and the fastest-growing category of homes in foreclosure is the luxury home market.

“The CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with homeowners and lenders on complicated short sales,” said Leeza Morris “It is so rewarding to be able to help families save their homes from foreclosure.”

Alex Charfen, co-founder and CEO of the Distressed Property Institute in Austin, Texas, said that agents such as Leeza with the CDPE Designation have valuable perspective on the market, and training in short sales that can offer homeowners real alternatives to foreclosure, which can be devastating to credit ratings.
“These experts better understand market conditions than the average agent, and can help sellers through the complications of foreclosure avoidance,” he said.

The Distressed Property Institute provides live and online courses to train real estate professionals how to help homeowners in distress, with a particular emphasis on handling short sales.
“Our goal is to help as many homeowners as possible, by educating as many real estate professionals as possible,” Charfen said. “Leeza has demonstrated a commitment to the struggling homeowners, and will provide much-needed assistance in stabilizing the community.”
For more information about CDPE Designation, visit www.cdpe.com.
To learn more about CDPE and alternatives to foreclosure go to http://www.mirealestatecloud.com/distressed-property

Contact: Leeza Morris (940) 391-5080 leezamorris@gmail.com
www.MiRealEstateCloud.com
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Unofficial guide to buying a HUD home in Texas: Part one - PRE BIDDING

08-22-11
Leeza Morris, REALTOR® Denton TX (940)391-5080

Here is my unofficial guide to buying a HUD home in Texas (specifically in Denton, Collin, Dallas and Tarrant Counties). Other counties and states may be able to apply these points to the process as well.

PRE BID

  1. Check your levels of patience and ability to be persistent and detail oriented. If your levels for these qualities are low - prepare for a tough week/weeks/months. If high - enjoy the process.
  2. Educate your Investor or Home owner occupant buyer about HUD home purchase and inform them that there are strict rules and deadlines that needs to be followed.
  3. Rules change, so be vigilant.
  4. Specifically make sure they have proof of funds (cash buyers) or pre-approval letter ready.
  5. (Ignore your local MLS) and go directly to www.hudhomestore.com to search for properties. Local MLS will be handy if you need to know room measurements or whether property has HOA or not later on.
  6. Get a NAID number from your broker. If your broker is not registered you might ask permission to use NAID of another broker for a referral fee. Subject to TREC rules, talk to your broker.
  7. Register yourself, so that you have your own username and password at www.hudhomestore.com - only then you are able to bid.
  8. Make appointments and show HUD homes. You might need several keys (HUD listing brokers sell them), or/and most properties have lock boxes on.
  9. Pay attention to all details in the property and point out them to your clients (HUD homes sold AS IS! no exceptions!). TIP: I take notes, videos and photos.
  10. Pay attention what bidding period the property is in: home owner occupant, investors, local government, etc. I am not going into details on this - this is another check list:-) TIP: sometimes I show property that is in home owner only bidding stage to investor if it is close to the end of that period (currently 30 days with some exceptions)
  11. Pay attenction to ADDENDA for each listing on HUDhomestore.com. This includes ESCROW amount, types of repairs estimated by HUD, property condition report and more. MAKE SURE YOUR CLIENT READS those and understands what it means.
  12. Pay attention to what type of code the property has: I - insured by FHA, IE - insured with escrow, UI - uninsured, Lottery.
  13. Do all other normal COMPS research and market analysis of the property value, neighborhood, etc.

COMING NEXT:

BID

WINNING A BID

INSPECTION

CLOSING

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FAREWELL TRADITIONAL REAL ESTATE; HELLO CLIENT CENTERED REAL ESTATE SERVICE

08-01-11
Leeza Morris, REALTOR® Denton TX (940)391-5080

The following article is my personal opinion based on 4 years of research, readings, experience in dozens of real estate transactions in Denton, Dallas and Collin Counties. The experience let me to envision a new company. I become a broker, opened my own corporation and launched a cloud based real estate brokerage with client centered approach: Mi Real Estate Cloud, Inc. For more information please visit www.MiRealEstateCloud.com. To inquire about joining click on CAREER link and fill in the form JOIN. Leeza Morris, broker/owner.

What is the difference in income of traditional agent vs traditional plus internet agent: about $63,300 annually.According to a California Association of Realtors® study, traditional agents earn $36,700 annually. Internet agents earn more than $100,000. Where is this real estate gold? Mostly, it’s online. The percentage of home buyers who begin their search online is north of 85 percent and climbing, while sellers begin researching listings, neighborhood information, home prices and more long before contacting a real estate agent. (information is quoted from Prospect where is a GOLD – Internet, by Charles Warnock of e-Neighborhoods)

Why? Access to Internet, as a global infinite mastermind.

Today the real estate industry is in the midst of complete transformation. Clients are now often possess more information, granted not always accurate and more often irrelevant, than the agent and the type of services and skills required to succeed have changed. It used to be that finding a property and knowing city and neighborhoods’ market were the key factors in real estate agent’ success. Not any more. Those times are gone.

Today this job is done by clients themselves. So, what do clients need from an agent?

The first is trust and ability to empathize with the client’s needs and situation. The next is attitude! Attitude that things will be accomplished. Then majority need a set of skills relevant to completing a particular transaction successfully such as customer service, negotiation skills, analytical pricing research converted to simple understandable statements, managing high tension emotional situations, knowledge of intricate details of foreclosure and HUD home bidding, for example. Other personal character skills are – getting things done whatever it takes, truly listening and understanding clients needs and situation, ability to save clients time by providing e-signatures, secure and instant access to transaction information, establishing timelines and following up.

The great news that that many good traditional agents already have majority of those skills. The task is to reveal the skills to potential clients. The key between successful agent and struggling agent is ability to recognize what to FOCUS their efforts on, learn KEY RELEVANT technologies, FOCUS on specific USE of INTERNET, keep an open mind to innovation, create and follow business systems, and apply tenacity to achieve results.

Having said this, I admit that having a successful career is not an easy task in real estate industry. However, having a definite plan, vision, desire, work ethics and, of course, the right attitude – REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY today is FULL of opportunities for old, new and future agents!

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Frisco, Texas

07-04-11
Leeza Morris, REALTOR® Denton TX (940)391-5080

Frisco, Texas


is one of the most prestigious cities to choose if you are looking to settle down in the DFW Metroplex. In fact, Money Magazine has named it one of the top 100 cities to live in the United States! For those looking to relocate, keep in mind that Frisco, Texas was named one of the top TEN cities to relocate to by Forbes.com. With such a fast-growning pace, Frisco is sure to fit the many different lifestyles of potential homebuyers.

For those looking to live an active lifestyle, you will be pleased and excited to know that the city of Frisco has over 56 miles of hiking and biking trails throughout. There are also three major golf courses to plan a tee-time with friends or colleagues. Professionals will be proud to see that 54% of the population over the age of 25 holds a Bachelor's degree. The Frisco workforce holds strong with many major companies and corporations housing their corporate offices.

Leisure activities in the Frisco area include shopping and entertainment at the Stonebriar Centre - which includes 1.6 million square feet of shopping venues, an ice-skating rink, a movie theatre, and eateries like the California Pizza Kitchen and Dave & Busters. Of course, you don't want to miss out on the many unique shops on the square in Frisco either! An Ikea retailer is also in Frisco (go try the Sweedish Meatballs and pick up some new-home furnishings!).

Frisco, Texas

offers residents a rich history along with museums and art galleries to visit. About 83% of housing in Frisco, Texas are single-family dwellings. The median home value in Frisco as of January 1, 2011 is $238,600. Frisco ISD offers students a student-centered education with the motto: "Where we look at education a different way....Through the eyes of children." The district offers many extra-curricular activities for students and has above-average testing scores.

This could be the atmosphere for you! Take a day-trip and come visit the fast-growing, progressive town of Frisco, TX. We know you will love it! As always, don't hesitate to contact and have a wonderful day!

Sources: Frisco ISD, Frisco Economic Development and Frisco Convention and Visitor's Bureau


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