The Anne Lakusta Team Speaks!

2008-05-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

Art Under the Sunset by AWAKEN will be on SATURDAY, MAY 31st at Megan's Boutique in Parker Square in Flower Mound, 7:00pm - 10:00pm. There are 10 featured artists who will be displaying their talents, live music and a raffle...it should be a great way to spend an evening. All proceeds from the event benefit the Eyes on Africa Foundation! For more detailed info, call 972-899-4060.

2008-05-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

Thinking of selling? In today's market, buyers can be choosy, so try some of these easy, inexpensive ways to spruce up your home before listing:

*Paint, stain or orange oil your front door
*Put fresh mulch in front beds
*Put a new, larger mirror in baths
*Put fresh flowers and/or fresh fruit displays out in the kitchen
*De-clutter as much as possible

Homes in north Texas are selling every day, so be sure yours is ready to go and make the most of our dynamic economy!

2008-04-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Storms are rolling through North Texas regularly, so be sure to check your roof, gutters, air conditioners and landscaping for storm damage. Let us know if we can help you locate a reputable repair crew or someone to help you chop up that downed tree limb.....we work in this area daily, and are always happy to help. Stay safe & dry!

Anne, Daniel, Leslie, Carolyn & Rhonda

The Anne Lakusta Team

2008-04-01T16:14:00.000-07:00

Though today is April Fool's Day, there is no fooling around with credit scores and credit history in today's mortage market. A person typically has three different FICO scores - Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Here are a few important facts for you to know and understand:

** Paying bills on time is important but actually accounts for only about 35% of your overall FICO score. The FICO score has 4 other components: how much debt is owed (30%), the number of credit accounts recently opened (10%), the length of your credit history (15%) and the types of credit used (10%).
** Your FICO score does not take into account your income level or net worth. If you do not have a long term borrowing history, you may have a lower score, even if you pay for everything promptly.
** Checking your credit report does not affect your score, too many applications for credit can.

You can learn more about credit scoring by visiting MyFICO.com.

The mortgage market is changing and the headlines can make applying seem intimidating, but please don't hesitate to call us with any questions. It is more important now than ever to rely on industry professionals!

2008-03-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

Now that the official first day of spring has passed, many of us must turn our thoughts to income taxes. Here are a few tips for you to consider as you begin your plan for 2008:

1) The standard mileage deduction will increase to 50.5 cents per mile, so be sure to keep a good record.

2) You can contribute $5,000 to your IRA in 2008 - $6,000 if you are over 50.

3) The provision permitting tax payers to deduct state sales tax expired at the end of 2007. That's a big deal for those of us in states like Texas, with no state income tax to deduct.

4) The maximum amount of earnings that will be subject to Social Security taxes in 2008 increases to $102,000.

5) About 2/3 of taxpayers do not itemize their deductions and there's good news for you:

the standard deduction for a married couple filing jointly will increase to $10,900 and for a single it will be $5,450 in 2008.

Don't forget the many tax benefits to home ownership as you prepare your taxes and begin to plan for 2008!

2008-02-05T11:41:00.000-08:00

The Wall Street Journal looked at the basic indicators in 28 major real estate markets and then complied date for the overall strength of each metro area. Out of those 28 metro areas, the only two markets rated STRONG for 2008 were in Texas: Dallas and Houston. They predict no change in housing inventory, a strong employment outlook; only 4.53% on home loans now in overdue status.

Our own North Texas Real Estate Information System shows an increased average price and price per square foot in 2007 over 2006 in: Coppell, Frisco, Southlake, Flower Mound, Grapevine, Plano, Trophy Club. The entire north Texas area showed a 3% increase in price per square foot sold in 2007 over 2006, and 4% increase in average price.

Remember our favorite saying: REAL ESTATE IS LIKE THE WEATHER! The national average temperature doesn't matter at all to you when you wake up each day!

It's a great time to buy and sell in Texas!

2008-01-23T14:15:00.000-08:00

Finally the mortgage market is responding to interest rate cuts in other areas. Today the lowest rates we received notice of were 4.875% for 30 year fixed and 4.5% for 15 year fixed. What a great time to buy a home, move up to a larger home or consider purchasing a second home! On the evenings of February 19th and February 26th, we will be hosting a seminar entitled "Real Estate As A Wealth Building Tool." Today's interest rates make this an even more important piece of your investment strategy. E-mail us today at annel@rmdfw.com for specifics about the seminars!

2008-01-16T18:50:00.000-08:00

Many of you are turning your attention to property taxes as the deadline for payment approaches. If you would like to protest your value, you must file a written protest with your county’s central appraisal district (most counties have this form online). Here are some hints you may find helpful when protesting your appraisal:
*Check the appraisal to make sure the property description and measurements of your property are correct.
*If you have had “hidden defects” such as a foundation repair, unusable spaces due to needed repairs or serious plumbing issues, you can present receipts and/or photographs as evidence of things that may negatively impact the value of your home.
*Ask us, as licensed realtors, to provide you with data on comparable sales. We can almost always find low sales that you can use to make a case.
*The appraisal district must provide you with any information, formulas, schedules, etc. that they used to determine your value. The law requires the appraisal district to allow you the opportunity to inspect during the 14 days before your hearing.
*Look online at the taxing entity’ website for your address and then it’s neighbors. You can look for inconsistencies this way. We can help with this, too!
*If you purchased your home in the last year, the closing statement showing your purchase price, if it is lower than the appraised value, is usually sufficient evidence.
*Some counties in Texas allow you to protest online or in written form, so you may want to investigate your options. If you go in person, be sure you have 4 copies of all written evidence so that each panel member can review.
*Your first meeting is usually an informal meeting with a staff appraiser who is authorized to make changes if the evidence is substantive. If you need to continue the process to the more formal hearing, that will be scheduled at a different time. Be on time for all of your scheduled meetings as most appraisal districts are reluctant to reschedule without sufficient cause. They are not obligated to work with your schedule.

As licensed agents with many years of experience, we are always happy to help you in any way possible with your real estate needs. We do not want to just open a few doors for you, but instead want to provide a full range of professional real estate services to our clients and friends! Call us anytime.

2008-01-11T13:57:00.000-08:00

Planning on home maintenance and repair, along with updates, is an important part of your financial planning and budgeting for 2008. Your home will decrease in value if it becomes worn with inefficient appliances and systems. Protecting your home’s value and appearance can be both a chore and a joy, but is a financial necessity. In January, February and early March, plan on doing the jobs that can be done indoors: check for drafts and air leaks around windows and doors; check smoke detector batteries and efficiency; repair and patch any cracks or holes in walls or ceilings; have appliances serviced if needed including vacuuming refrigerator coils and clearing the dryer vents of accumulated lint; check your attic stairs and flooring for needed improvements. In March and April, examine your exterior for needed repairs: be sure your gutters and downspouts are clean, attached & painted appropriately assuring that each downspout has a splash block or drain that diverts water away from the house; check your siding and trim for needed replacement or repainting; consider your driveway and sidewalk – are they clear and accessible and do they need pressure washing or resurfacing. In April and May, plan for the heat and your family’s outside enjoyment: clean your air conditioner units both inside and outside; wash windows and repair any damaged screens; check your lawn equipment and lawn furniture; do any interior painting or refinishing since this is a great time to leave windows and doors open for ventilation. Before you go on any summer vacations: be sure to check all of the locks on your windows and doors, plan for yard maintenance, make sure outside lights and light timers are placed strategically and are in good working order; check outdoor play equipment to assure safety. The fall in Texas is a great time for pruning your trees and bushes; get your chimney cleaned and checked for nests; shop for bulbs that will dress up your spring landscape; clean and sharpen tools and lawn equipment before storing; get bids for home improvements as contractors are usually experiencing a lull following the spring/summer housing rush. If you follow simple steps and keep up with home maintenance/updates, when you are ready to sell, your home will be ready, too!

2008-01-04T11:00:00.001-08:00

As we begin 2008, let me give you a few thoughts for your consideration as your consider your financial strategies for the year. Over the next few days, I will offer thoughts gathered from many real estate publications that may help you decide which steps you can and should take regarding home ownership, security and investment potential. First, the beginning of the year is a good time to review your homeowner's insurance policy and your coverage - be sure you are adequately covered for full replacement cost in case of loss, but also be sure you are not including the price of the land in your coverage. Many find it beneficial to raise the amount of their deductible so that their premium is reduced, which means your homeowner's insurance acts more as a policy in case of catastrophic loss rather than coverage for a broken window, etc. You may also want to specifically discuss any high value items in your home with your agent. Sometimes they can recommend a policy for specific articles that is cheaper than just increasing the amount of your personal possession coverage in your homeowner's policy. This is also a good time to take current photos of your home and your possessions which you can then store in a safe deposit box or in your office. This removes any possibility of dissent over the condition of your home and contents should you experience loss. Protecting your home and belongings only makes sense, but you also do not want to be overinsured during this time of increased premiums.
Check back for tips on protesting your tax value!

2007-11-20T13:16:00.000-08:00

As we begin to focus on family for a few days, we send our thanks to all of you that have worked with us in the last year. We have truly been blessed. As you begin to make your plans for 2007, remember that interest rates are low and inventories are high - it's a great time to buy homes! Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS RARELY MAKES HEADLINES...so in addition to reminding you that new home sales across the US were up in September, I also wanted to copy the AP story about worker productivity and wage expectations. The U. S. is still going strong economically and is still the best place to pursue your dreams in the world. On a more local note, through October 2007, in my Flower Mound RE/MAX office, 25% of closings are showing the internet as their business source, which is an astonishing jump from one year ago at only 7%. The Anne Lakusta Team is working with a search engine optimization firm, subscribes to all of the enhanced features on realtor.com, creates single property websites where warranted and utilizes every feature of remax.com in order to assure that our listings are getting full and complete internet exposure. We're always looking for ways to reach the home shopping public!

Remember, interest rates are low, inventory is high, economy is strong - it's a great time to buy a home!

AP Wire Story from 11/07/07: "Worker productivity surged in the summer at the fastest pace in four years while wage pressures eased.

The Labor Department reported that productivity - the amount of output per hour of work - jumped at an annual rate of 4.9 percent in the July-September quarter. That was double the 2.2 percent rise in the second quarter and represented the fastest surge in worker efficiency since 2003.

At the same time, wage pressures eased with unit labor costs dropping at an annual rate of 0.2 percent, the best showing in more than a year.

Both outcomes were far better than had been expected and should relieve some of the concerns that a remarkable surge in productivity that began in the mid-1990s was in danger of being reversed."

2007-11-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to encourage everyone to vote either before the end of this week because Friday ends early voting or to remember to vote on November 6th! In Collin County there is a county bond election on the ballot; in Southlake there is is a revised city charter on the ballot; in Flower Mound and Coppell there are sales tax increases on the ballot. Several local intiatives that influence all of us as residents and homeowners! When you decide to sell your home and purchase another, tax rates, crime statistics, parks, etc. do influence your ability to sell, so do weigh your choices carefully. You can get detailed information on the web page of each city.

2007-10-26T10:48:00.001-07:00

Newswires reported today that sales of new homes in the U. S. posted an unexpected gain in September although that improvement followed after sales had fallen to a record slow pace. The Commerce Department reported yesterday that sales of new homes rose by 4.8 percent in September – good news for an industry that had been forecasting that sales would fall by another 2.5 percent. In fact, that means the new home market in September performed 7.3 percent better than expected! Let’s continue to hope that the media doesn’t talk us right into a recession that really isn’t happening. This is a great time to turn to your real estate professionals on The Anne Lakusta Team and find a great buy on your perfect home. And that’s a fact, not just a sales pitch!

2007-10-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

Comeback Cities: Top Places Ready for a Rebound

The following is a list of the 10 metro areas identified by Business 2.0 magazine,including their projected median sales prices for single-family homes and the percentage of growth expected in the next two years. While the numbers are moderate, they are a huge improvement over what's been happening in these cities and others.

1. Dallas-Ft. Worth
Q1 2008: $151,930
Q4 2009: $161,690
Growth Rate: 6.4%

2. Indianapolis
Growth rate: 6.3%

3. New Orleans
Growth rate: 5.7%

4. Atlanta
Growth rate: 5.6%

5. Montgomery, Ala
Growth rate: 5.5%

6. Memphis
Growth rate: 5%

7. Mobile, Ala
Growth rate: 4.7%

8. Austin, Tx
Growth rate: 4.7%

9. Houston, Tx
Growth rate: 4.6%

10. St. Louis, Mo
Growth rate: 4%

2007-08-16T17:27:00.000-07:00

The mortgage business continues to make headlines and many of you are asking if it makes any difference to you as a homeowner, landlord, tenant or investor. Many of us play multiple roles in our real estate business dealings - owning more than one home, leasing commercial space, looking for an investment opportunity. The truth as we see it, is that the mortgage meltdown is continuing. Countrywide is the nation's largest overall residential funder.....but is also the biggest subprime orignator as well. Today Countrywide borrowed $11.5 billion to fund operations - which just cannot be a good thing. Countrywide has had a large presence in north Texas due to strong local representatives, but very little subprime business in our communities.
Many financial analysts believe that the subprime squeeze, where some buyers may now be ineligible for a loan or for as large a loan, may cause some valuations to come down at a time when interest rates remain historically low - which creates the perfect set of circumstances for solid buyers! The Mortgage Banker's Association reports that buyers with credit scores above 620 and 10% down can still get a desirable loan, funded quickly. Less qualified borrowers can also find funding, but the interest rates have increased on those loans - which follows the solid economic principle of increased risk = increased return. Nothing unusual or notable in that formula. If we all step back and ignore the hysteria, there is some good resulting from the tightening of loan criteria for mortgages, and our wonderful north Texas communities will continue to be highly desirable places to live!

2007-07-06T10:49:00.000-07:00

As the 2nd quarter of the year ends, we are counting our many blessings for our dynamic DFW area economy! The Anne Lakusta Team closed almost $7,000,000 in real estate sales in the first half of the year. We have enjoyed a healthy balance of listings and buyers, just as the area marketplace has. We have seen investors make good purchases and other investors decide it was a good time to sell...and they all are happy with their decision to invest in real estate. The relocation market has been slower due to sluggish home sales on both the east and west coast, but companies continue to move employees and to make the necessary provisions to get their employees settled here. We have heard from many of you that successfully argued for a reduction in your appraised value, and we are always so happy to be of assistance to you in that process. We also are seeing our clients remodel, up date and add on to their homes and we have enjoyed sharing comparables and advice with them as well. Don't forget to call on us for all of your real estate needs!

2007-03-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

It is an exciting time for us as we continue to grow our knowledge base and our client base in 2007. We are continuing to work with investors as buying clients and are now working with corporate investors as potential listing clients as well. While we hear national news about the crash of the subprime mortage lenders, here in north Texas our real estate market continues to be active and strong. We are seeing the number of foreclosures rise, but with the lease market remaining viable, residential prices are not decreasing as might be expected. Foreclosure listings require patience, skill and expertise to walk away with a truly good buy, but we are seeing them in the north Texas market daily. Banks will entertain multiple offers on foreclosures, holding offers for as long as 60 days while they wait to receive others. Banks accept no contingencies, expect a timely close and charge penalties for any delays. However, an offer packaged correctly, including information about comparable properties and repairs needed to the subject property to bring it up to comparable condition, can be successful. As you analyze your investment options, remember that real estate can provide a reliable, desirable passive income stream with an annual increase in equity!

2007-02-22T11:38:00.000-08:00

For those of you dreaming of your relocation to Texas, let us tell you that today is 80 degrees and absolutely beautiful! And we know many of you are dreaming of a move to our beautiful north Texas area. As the real estate markets in other parts of the country struggle a bit, we hear from quite a few of our relocation customers that they are ready to move, but just can't get their home sold. The good news for those of you waiting on your home in another state to sell is that we are just coming into our busiest and best time of the year. There will be many lovely homes for you to choose from this spring in our area!. We are busy showing properties, doing market analysis for area homeowners and keeping current with inventory and expected selling periods - we'll be ready for you when you are ready to move! Whether you are considering just a move up/move down in our area or a big cross country move, we can't emphasize enough how important it is to go ahead and get in touch with us, so that we can begin to work with you in preparation. As the busy season approaches, an informed buyer, an informed seller and one of us as your well prepared agent can make any move smooth and stress free! Use our callonapro.com to search for properties in the north Texas area or visit remax.com to search for properties nationwide. Although it's only February, with a beautiful day like today, we all begin to have spring fever- so go ahead and call Anne, Daniel or Bobby today!

2007-01-29T15:37:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that the first month of 2007 is drawing to a close. We are so blessed to have our business off to a great start for the year. It is a special pleasure to be visiting with so many of our past clients as they consider the possibility of moving this spring. The forecast for the north Dallas suburban real estate market is a strong one. Our current listings are enjoying a steady stream of lookers and we continue to hear from potential sellers and buyers at a rapid pace! That is good news for us all. If you did not receive our e-mail newsletter, you missed several important articles about our real estate market. You also missed the opportunity to order a recent report specific to the Dallas area on remodel & home improvement projects: cost versus value. If you would like a copy of the report or to sign up to receive our newsletter, please send us an e-mail at annel@rmdfw.com.

2007-01-08T14:25:00.000-08:00

2007 is off to a busy and happy start for all of us here at The Anne Lakusta Team. Our newest member, Daniel Drews, is already busy with past clients and their referrals. Anne has listing appointments scheduled in Richardson, McKinney, Frisco, Plano, Flower Mound, Highland Village and Colleyville. Bobby is busy with repeat clients - which are always near & dear to our hearts! Listing coordinator, Carol Kyer, is busy creating new marketing tools for our listings and searching for upgrades to Anne's listing presentations & marketing analysis. Leslie Maddie, Administrative Assistant, has post cards ready to go out to our 2006 buyers reminding them to file for their homestead exemption and is hard at work preparing the January e-newsletter. ALL of us are committed to providing the best possible service in 2007 and are excited about the new technology that is available to assist us. January is a time for considering your options for the year, and we are always so honored to be asked to discuss move options. We can do a free market analysis anytime for you and are experienced in helping people either move up or move down - with the least stress possible! Call us today to schedule a "commitment-free" visit and we'll look forward to working with many of you this year!

2006-12-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

We want to say a big thank you to all of our clients, friends and family for a wonderful 2006 for The Anne Lakusta Team. This morning, 12/27/06, we had our final closing for the year and it is a great time for us to reflect on the many wonderful people that we have had the chance to work with this year. The many details in a transaction can be very labor intensive, but the warm and friendly people that we get to know make this the ideal career for people-friendly folks like us!
Thanks to all of you again and we look forward to a busy, happy 2007.

2006-12-13T16:14:00.000-08:00

12/13/06 We are very proud and excited to announce that Daniel Drews is the newest member of The Anne Lakusta Team. Daniel is a RE/MAX Hall of Fame realtor with many years of successful experience right here in our area. Daniel & his wife, Linda, moved out of the area a few years ago and now are pleased to be returning! Daniel can be reached at (972)355-3517 for all of your real estate needs or just to welcome them back to the community. Daniel is looking forward to joining our Team and will bring great ideas, a strong work ethic and his own high standards of integrity & excellence. Please be sure to visit this website at callonpro.com and e-mail us at annel@rmdfw.com to receive our e-mail newsletter for all of the latest info about our Team and the north Texas real estate market.

2006-12-04T09:13:00.000-08:00

Our new website is finally up and running! We at the Anne Lakusta team hope you enjoy our new site featuring improved MLS and map search capabilities!