In May 2009, a new law, The Home Valuation Code of Conduct, or HVCC, became law. One of the main rules prohibits mortgage brokers from ordering appraisals directly from, or having any contact with, a licensed real estate appraiser.
Also, a lender cannot approach a an appraiser with relevant information, such as comparable sales. Lenders are forced to use third-party appraisal management companies who oversee all aspects of the appraisal process.
Valuation may come in low due to an out-of-area appraiser who is totally…to read the rest of my article, see OnlyKaty.com.
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Inflated appraisals, valuing homes far above their true market value, contributed greatly to the residential real estate collapse. In backlash, the pendulum has now swung in the opposite direction and it can be hard to get a Katy home to appraise for the sales contract price.
Standards are now so strict that the lender and appraiser are not supposed to communicate directly. Historically, appraisers used comparable…
Read my entire article at OnlyKaty.com.
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Katy neighbors: Shopping for a home? About to start house hunting? Now is better than later! Mortgage rates are destined to rise in the near future. Predictions are that rates may go up to 6% by April. While this sounds high, please remember it is still very low considering historical data. When I started selling Katy real estate in 1989, interest rates were barely below 20%!
Normally, I don’t write articles explaining why rates are fluctuating. If you are like me, you just want to know what the rate is today. However, a recent change will raise rates and we will also probably see them continue to increase in the future.
Read my entire article at OnlyKaty.com.
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
A short sale is a transaction in which the lender, or lenders, agree to accept less than the mortgage amount owed by the current homeowner.
Recently, I earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.
REALTORS® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.
“As leading advocates for homeownership, REALTORS® believe that any family that loses its Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Firethorne sold 238 new homes in 2009, achieving a record high for annual sales for the Katy/Fulshear residential development. Last year’s home sales represent a 16.6 percent increase over 2008 (204 homes). The previous record for the four-year-old development was 218 sales in 2007. The 1,400-acre master-designed community is located 15 miles west of Houston’s Energy Corridor.
“We’re very pleased with these figures,” noted Firethorne General Manager Wayne Meyer. According to Meyer, Firethorne has been holding its own thanks to continued growth in the Katy and Fulshear areas and for being part of one of the greatest school districts in the state. “BP America and Conoco/Phillips have relocated employees here, plus three major Houston hospitals are expanding in this area — two under construction and one on the drawing board,” he noted. Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Okay, we will have to suffer the nightmare of more construction on I-10 to enjoy the results.
I have a personal interest in the following story as the commute to my office, Keller Williams Realty Katy in the Villagio center, entails exiting I-10 West to enter the Grand Parkway S, SH 99. It’s a hassle on a non-congested day, always the most time consuming section of my journey. Lots of my Katy neighbors share my frustration as evidenced by the inevitable delay.
Andy Meyers, Fort Bend County Commissioner Precinct 3, announced that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will begin construction of ramps on and off I-10 at the intersection of the Grand Parkway. This should bring considerable relief to Katy commuters.
TxDOT received funding for two direct connectors (ramps) one going from SH 99 E onto I-10 Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
The 34th annual Cypress Creek Christmas Bird Count will be held on Friday, January 1st. Each year dozens of bird-watchers, both inexperienced and seasoned, venture out onto the area’s prairie remnants, farms, creeks, and wetlands to catalog the remarkable and dazzling bird life of the Katy Prairie.
Katy Prairie Conservancy will lead a group of Christmas Bird Count participants on an expedition to record birds on the area’s diverse preserves. Katy Prairie Conservancy anticipates that this year’s count will be as exciting as ever with opportunities to potentially see or hear Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Bobwhite Quail, waterfowl, and over one hundred other species.
If you’d like to assist with the count this year please contact Jaime Gonzalez at 281.660.6683 or by email at jaimegonzalez72@gmail.com.
Date: Friday, January 1, 2010 from 6:00 AM – Afternoon Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Santa has arrived at LaCenterra! Every Saturday and Sunday, through December 20th, Santa will be at Heritage Square from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Little ones: Bring your Christmas wish list! Mom and Dad: Bring your camera!
La Centerra is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard at the corner of Grand Parkway and Cinco Ranch Boulevard.
For information about Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
Allan A. Philiba, a local Katy award-winning location photographer, art director and graphic designer is the featured artist at Artists@Work Show and Sale which opens with a reception on October 10, 2009 from 7:00-9:00pm at the Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center (KVPAC).
Allan’s show will hang at KVPAC until November 11, 2009. His artwork is available for purchase.
KVPAC is located in the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, approximately 2.5 miles south of I-10 on Mason Road.
Born in Paris, Philiba studied art and design in New York City. An Army Corps Read the rest of this entry »
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
The Katy Family YMCA, a membership facility, is located at the southwest corner of Westheimer Pkwy and Peek Rd. It may be reached at 281-392-5055.
The YMCA has recently completed adding over 12,000 sq-ft of new space. This new space features:
- Indoor heated swimming pool
- Multi-purpose room to host a variety of classes
- Expanded child watch
- Outdoor playground for children
- Cardio room with cardio equipment
- Personal training studio
- Spinning room for cycling enthusiasts
For information about Katy area homes, you can search the entire Houston MLS from this blog. For questions or to tour any area homes, contact me directly at 713-818-2404. I offer financial incentives to my sellers/buyers. I have specialized in Katy real estate for over 20 years. Experience does count!
Spoken by Julie Q. Fuelling |
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