THE INTERNET

This according to a state association of realtors economist:

Internet buyers vs. traditional buyers - 77% of buyers are using the internet. According to C.A.R they use the internet:
86% to find a specific agent
75% to identify a specific home they want their agent to show them
66% for financing information
62% neighborhood information
45% to find a real estate firm
70% expect 60 min. response time
21% want an instant response
Twice as many prefer email to telephone

Expect a response - get a response, FAST.

DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

After the festivities there's a corporate "sigh of relief" that's almost audible. "It's over! Let's get back to normal (whatever that is)." But everybody has awakened to the media pounding away at the mortgage crisis that seems to refuse to go away. It is causing ripples (tsunami waves?) all through the economy. The question is: "who caused this, anyway?"

Well, according to conservative economists it was caused by government intervention. I agree. When governments interfere in a free market economy, it's for the purpose of manipulation. The "poorer" among us have to be "equal" to the wealthier, it is said. So, governments devise plans in order for the poorer to be able to buy housing; and, in so doing, governments "guarantee" loans to the poor, thereby creating debt rather than creating wealth. And this has the effect of driving down values and erasing equity.

When equity is reduced or eliminated, folks have no reason to continue paying off their mortgages, so they default. When their homes have little worth, why spend hard-earned money on them? They just walk away. And the government, having insured the loans in the first place, have to foreclose (or the insured lender has to foreclose), and the near-worthless property deteriorates into nothing.

This is happening in a number of locations around the country - and around the world. And the central banks have to borrow from the fed. And the fed just manufactures more liquidity, which, in turn, drives down the value of the dollar world-wide. It's not a pretty picture. It looks as if we're going to have to bite the bullet and get back to free market economics.

Here at Tyler Texas real estate we still have value in real property. Prices are holding steady, and owners are happy with their equities. This is the place to buy and feel relatively safe with purchases of real estate. We may have some inflation coming ("may" is probably not strong enough), but folks might go ahead and take their losses elsewhere, and buy property in Tyler, Texas where equities are still building. Chances are you'll be fine should you take the advice.

Christmas Time

We love Christmas time at Tyler Texas real estate. Real estate slows down just a bit, and we can too! Gives us some time to shop, and some time to contemplate what we've been given in the birth of the King. I think what He wishes from us is worship, honor, gratefulness, obedience and faithfulness. "You are holding fast to My Name" is what He told the persecuted Church at Pergamum (Rev. 2:14). Anyway, we're enjoying the whole sense of it all.

TYLER TEXAS REAL ESTATE

Well, things are slowing here in Tyler Texas as folks are gearing up for the celebration of the birth of the Savior. Lots of shopping going on.....but not for houses and farms and land. So I've got some extra time for preparation for preaching on Sundays. I've also got some extra time for YOU, if you're of a mind to look at homes over the holidays! Call me at 903.530.3380.

OUTLOOK

It's Sunday morning, and I'm getting ready for Church; but I couldn't resist responding to the latest gloom and doom coming out of the media. But TV and the papers rarely say anything nice. After all, they have to sell papers and commercials! They just seem to "wish" for the economy to fail.

But we've never had it so good economically. Although peeps tend to follow what's being said in the media, they're still employed.....they're still spending money.....retail sales are up 8+ percentage points from last year.....etc.

The only thing wrong, it seems, is the number of foreclosures in certain parts of the country. And the lenders who fraudulently loaned money to risky buyers are now reaping what they've sowed. One of them has even taken money from a government sponsored fund from Abu Dhabi in an Islamic bailout!

Here in Tyler, Texas there are many buyers from all around the country that wish to own real estate here. We aren't hurting......except some risky borrowers can't find money to borrow - which is a good thing.

Chin up! Don't get soured by the media. Enjoy yourself, and give thanks for what you've been given.