Bill Kukla Realty Blog

Appraised property values in Dallas County rise 7%, the highest growth since the recession

Tue, 20 May 2014 10:24:04 0200

Article from Dallas Morning News on May 16th on property values in Dallas County

DFW Home Prices Outpace Nation in First Quarter Report

Wed, 14 May 2014 09:38:59 0200

Earlier this week, Steve Brown of the Dallas Morning News reported that home prices in DFW grew faster than the nationwide rate. Read the full article below.

Choosing the best house and neighborhood

Fri, 9 May 2014 10:07:38 0200

As you look to buy a home, think about what is important to you as far as the kind of house you want - single family, condo, town home, luxury home, etc. Once you have decided on the type of home you would like, you should consider what you are looking for in a community - reputable schools nearby, parks in walking distance, local community activities and community centers, flourishing economy, good transportation, etc.

Just a few things to get you thinking as you look to buy a home.

Hikes in Dallas home prices give fits to buyers, appraisers

Fri, 9 May 2014 10:03:39 0200

As reported yesterday by Steve Brown of the Dallas Morning News, the run-up in the Dallas-area of home prices shows no sign of slowing.

Economic News from the First Quarter of 2014

Wed, 7 May 2014 15:36:30 0200

Interested in how the US economy in the first quarter of 2014? Well it didn't meet the hopes that it would be a breakout year for the economy. However, many remain optimistic.

Make a Checklist

Wed, 7 May 2014 15:25:38 0200

Buying a home? Make a checklist - we will be your partner with the list.

Are you ready to purchase a home?

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 12:47:54 0200

Bill Kukla Realty is a great resource for you and your friends and colleagues as you look to purchase a home. We work with our clients to ensure they are prepared to make the purchase. We start with a list of questions (sample below): 1) Will you be financing the home or paying cash? 2) Do you have a house or condo to sell? 3) Have you narrowed down in your mind what you are looking for and what things you will trade-off for? 4) What is your timing for being in your new home? These are just a few of the questions we work with our clients on. Being ready to buy a home by working with our team will ensure the purchase is the best one for you. www.billkukla.com.

Many FHA Documents Can Now Be Signed Electronically

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 15:54:36 0200

E-signatures promise to simplify real estate transactions quite a bit, and the industry has worked for a number of years to create standards that everyone can agree to with the aim of making them more widely used than they are today.

The Federal Housing Administration gave this effort a big boost back in January when it released a policy that greatly expands what it will allow to be signed electronically. As a result, many of the documents that are part of the file for an FHA-backed loan can now be signed electronically.

More still needs to be done before the actual loan note can be signed electronically, though. “Given that it is the mortgage record that affects the securities and other uses of that document,” says Patricia McClung, FHA acting director of program development, “a little more time is needed.”

The goal is to make that document eligible for electronic signatures by January 2015. “It’ll follow behind by about a year, but we expect to support the e-note as well,” she says.

That will be a game-changer for borrowers applying for FHA-backed financing. But FHA’s policy is also of importance beyond its share of the loan market, because once the agency allows an electronically signed note, it will put in place standards that others in the industry can follow.

NAR met with FHA on its January policy change. In the four-minute video above, NAR Senior Policy Representative Bill Gilmartin talks with McClung.

Bill Kukla Realty supports Collin County Child Advocacy Center with donation of 2 Silent Auction Items

Wed, 9 Apr 2014 15:32:56 0200

Auction Donation

Name of Auction item or service: 3% of Sales Price ‘Realtor Credit’ when you buy a home.

Value: Up to $7,500

Description:

Looking to Buy a home? Use this certificate to purchase a home with BILL KUKLA Realty as your Buyer’s agent. Receive a 3% of Sales Price credit from BILL KUKLA Realty’s real estate commission at closing up to a maximum value of $7500. The actual value of the credit will be based on 3% of the contracted sales price.

Restrictions:

Good for up to 1 Year (4/12/2015). To be used on a completed (closed/funded) real estate sales transaction only. A signed Buyer’s Representation Agreement with BILL UKLA Realty is required.

Example: $250,000 Sales price@3% = $7500 Credit at closing.

Minimum Bid: $2000Auction Donation

Name of Auction item or service: 50% Reduction in Realtor Fees to sell your home.

Value: Up to $7,500

Description:

Looking to sell your home? Use this certificate and List your home with BILL KUKLA Realty for a 50% discount! Receive a 50% reduction of Listing Broker’s total real estate commission at closing with a maximum value of $7500. The actual value of the reduction will be based on the contracted sales price.

Restrictions:

Good for up to 1 Year (4/12/2015). To be used toward Realtor fee only on a completed (closed/funded) sales transaction. A signed List Agreement with BILL KUKLA Realty is required. Please note: Real Estate fees (3%) payable by Listing Broker to Buyer’s broker still apply.

Minimum Bid: $2000

Example: $250,000 Sales price@3% = $7500 Fee Reduction

Empty Nester's Guide to Downsizing

Tue, 8 Apr 2014 16:19:08 0200

Empty Nester’s Guide to Downsizing By Marcus McCue, Executive Vice President & Chief Business Development Officer, Guardian Mortgage Company, Inc. Now that the kids are out of the house and you’re starting to think about your retirement future, many empty nesters are ready to begin the process of downsizing. Whether you’re downsizing to a smaller home across town or a condo on the beach, a key step in the process is deciding what possessions are essential and what items you can comfortably do without in the future. Here are a few steps designed to help make the downsizing process a snap: •Create a list of all the items you love and simply cannot do without. Anything not on the list is up for tossing. Creating a list and sticking to it helps to take the emotional element out of the process. •Begin the process of downsizing three to six months before your actual move date. Giving yourself enough time to carefully move through everything in the house will allow you time to think through your decisions and prevent last-minute, impulsive actions you might regret down the road. •As you work your way through your home, separate your items into three categories: keep, sell and charity. Once you’ve made it all the way through the process, this will give you one final chance to adjust any decisions you’ve made and let you see just how much you’ve accomplished. •Compare the rooms of your current home to the number and size of the rooms in your future home. This comparison will give you a good guide for just how much space for furniture and storage you actually have to work with. •Once you understand how much can go into each room of your new home, create floor plans to prearrange the furniture that you plan on keeping. •A great place to start the elimination process is in areas of your house that don’t hold as much sentimental value, such as the kitchen, bathrooms and garage. You’ll find that it’s much easier to make decisions and part with the three extra mixing bowls, snow shovel and four ladders than it will be to part with the more meaningful items in some of the other rooms of the house. •If you just can’t decide, ask for a second opinion. Having someone else say “Oh please, you haven’t used that in years!” just might be the nudge you need to make your decision to let the item go. •To keep the “less-is-more” momentum going forward, organize as you unpack. You’ll start out using your space efficiently and hopefully set a precedent for the days and years ahead.