Real Estate Market Update – December 2012

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We have exciting news to report about the first three quarters of 2012! In all areas, we have had a very good year, particularly considering some of the tough times Central Texas has faced (like much of the nation) since the housing market crashed in 2007.

Significant Market-Wide Jump in Sales, Year Over Year

This year, we reported a 17% market-wide increase in sales in 2012 versus the same time last year! That is a significant jump! The numbers are even higher in each of Harker Heights and Killeen. A thirty-six percent jump in sales in 2012 versus 2011 in Harker Heights marks good things for this area. Killeen saw a very sizable increase in sales of 21% this year.
The biggest news, however, is the Shine Team’s sales numbers. We are reporting a very significant and equally as exciting jump in sales of 150% this October as opposed to October 2011.

Ideal Market Conditions for Buyers and Sellers

Across the board, everyone is saying that this is a great time to sell. Why? Because inventory levels are lower than they have been in a long while. Interest rates continue to be at phenomenal lows and buyers are still out there eager to buy. Our market is moving – at times faster than others but the activity is strong despite the holiday season.

A down market usually means opportunity for investors and today’s market is ideal for investors plus trade-up homeowners, first-time buyers or those looking to find their dream home. But if you have a home you need to sell, consider that the average number of days on market to sell a home these days is about four months. Starting now, homeowners should look ahead to next spring as a viable time of sale.

Time is of the Essence; Act Now for Strong Results Later

So if you are targeting next spring or summer as a potential move date, we strongly advise you start the process now. Look into the things you may need to do to prepare your home for sale. Investigate your home’s value with a custom home value analysis done by our experienced team of REALTORS®. The key to our homes selling faster than those in the rest of our market is that we work very hard to competitively price our listings. In fact, those homes that are in great condition and priced right are the very homes to sell quickly these days.  

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To learn more, contact us today. We’ll send you our exclusive Central Texas Market Report, used by area media for their real estate market statistics, and you can have your very own access to the latest market resources that will help you make informed decisions.

jean@shineteam.com
254-690-4321

The Friends of the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery Annual Wreaths for Veterans Project

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The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery opened in 2006 after more than a decade of work and planning. It now serves as the honorable resting place for more than 3,000 veterans and family members.

In support of this tremendous asset, a group of citizens has organized the Friends of the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery to support projects at the cemetery beginning with laying a holiday wreath at each grave each year. Wreaths will be laid on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 10 a.m., and we hope you will join us.

The Friends of the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery are seeking monetary donations to purchase wreaths and volunteers to prepare, lay, and pick up wreaths.

Laying holiday wreaths actually began six years ago when the Wreaths Across America organization sent six wreaths to our cemetery and every other veterans cemetery in the United States to be laid in honor of each military service branch and POW/MIA. Jean Shine believed that there should be a wreath laid at each grave and within three days, she had gathered enough wreaths and volunteers to make it happen.

Last year, there were about 3,300 graves, and this year there are more than 4,000. We expect about 800 new graves each year, so we need your support to continue this meaningful project in this and future years.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please click here.

If you would like to volunteer to prepare, lay, or pick up wreaths, please e-mail wreaths@wreathsforvets.org or call (254) 690-4321.

Thank you for supporting this project and more importantly our veterans and their families.

(Text taken from: http://www.wreathsforvets.org/)