Homebuyer's Survey Results 2010

CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company, the #1 Century 21 Franchise in Texas, announced the results of the First-Time Home Buyers and Sellers Survey recently conducted by Century 21 Real Estate, LLC, which captured and compared the opinions of prospective home buyers and sellers who either purchased or sold their first home within the past year or are planning to buy or sell their first home within the next year.

More than 80 percent of first-time homebuyers and sellers feel the current housing market is more affordable today than this time last year, despite the fact that 40 percent of all respondents are more worried about the economy compared to this time last year.

While the attractive combination of home prices, mortgage rates and tax credits appeal to both buyers and sellers, market conditions continue to favor buyers. However, first-time homebuyers anticipate home prices will soon begin to rise and in fact, about half of first-time buyers (48 percent) expect an increase by this time next year, thereby reestablishing the balance between buyers and sellers.

“Today’s market presents a generational opportunity for home buyers and current home owners looking to leverage their market position,” said Rick Davidson, president and CEO, Century 21 Real Estate LLC. “If you are considering buying or selling a home, talk to a real estate professional who can help you to navigate the specifics of your local market.”

Sixty (60) percent of first-time home buyers do not feel they have a good handle on the real estate process. Given the complexity and opportunity of today’s real estate market, 85 percent of both first-time buyers and sellers feel that using a real estate professional is important. The top three skills valued in realtors by both buyers and sellers are knowledge of the area, trustworthiness and responsiveness.

“Buying a home, while an emotional process, is the single greatest financial decision that most people will make in their lifetime,” counsels Davidson. “By providing real-time, ‘feet on the street’ local market intelligence, CENTURY 21 agents take the guesswork out of the process and provide the expertise necessary to help home buyers and sellers make smart decisions.”

The majority of the CENTURY 21 survey respondents have moved or intend to move more than 10 miles but less than 50 miles from their previous location, indicating current market conditions may be a catalyst for buying or selling homes, as opposed to a desire to dramatically change geographic location or relocate for a job.

Home Price Effects on First-Time Buyers and Sellers

• More than 80 percent of buyers believe now is a good time to buy a home.
• First-time home buyers rated the three most influential factors in their decision to enter the market and buy a home as current housing prices (66 percent), followed closely by both the home buyer tax credit (63 percent) and low interest rates (60 percent).
• Finding a home within a buyer’s price range is extremely important (95 percent), as is a neighborhood’s safety (90 percent).
• The top two factors influencing the first-timers’ decision to sell their homes were personal/family reasons and current housing prices – both of which were cited as motivating factors by 48 percent of first-time sellers.
• Most likely due to their experience, approximately half of first-time sellers (54 percent) think home prices are more affordable now than compared to this time last year.
• In fact, the current home prices have influenced 50 percent of sellers to “move up” and 37 percent to change neighborhoods.
• Sellers are mainly concerned about losing money on the sale of their home and receiving offers near their asking price.
• Approximately half of all first-time home buyers (48 percent) and sellers (53 percent) anticipate housing prices will increase over the next year.
  

Low Mortgage Rates But How Accessible Are They?

• The majority of first-time buyers (79 percent) and sellers (86 percent) believe mortgage rates are either somewhat or very affordable right now. Again, due to their experience, sellers are more likely than buyers to find the current rates very affordable (35 percent of sellers vs. 21 percent of buyers).
• The low interest rates have influenced 46 percent of owners to sell their home for “move up” reasons and another 43 percent to change neighborhoods.
• Most respondents feel that getting a mortgage today is either somewhat difficult or very difficult (87 percent of first-time buyers and 82 percent of first-time sellers). Because many may be going through the process currently, buyers were significantly more likely than sellers to find the process very difficult vs. not difficult at all.

Tax Credit Awareness and Eligibility

• Eighty-four (84) percent of first-time buyers are aware of the first-time home buyer tax credit and 64 percent of those who state they are in the market for their first home say they qualify for this credit.
• On the first-time seller side, an equal 84 percent are aware of the move-up/repeat home buyer tax credit yet only 33 percent say they qualify for this credit.

Methodology

MarketTools, Inc. conducted a quantitative survey on behalf of Century 21 Real Estate LLC with 708 prospective home buyers and sellers who either purchased or sold their first home within the past year or are planning to buy or sell their first home within the next year. The quantitative study yielded results from 353 first-time home buyers and 355 first-time home sellers in the form of an online survey fielded from March 12 to 16. The margin of error for this study is 3.7 percent.

About CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company:

Located at 1140 Empire Central, Suite 520 in Dallas and in 21 other convenient locations across the Metroplex, CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company is a full service brokerage specializing in residential, commercial, recreational, investment and luxury properties. CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company celebrates over 70 years of real estate service and has been named one of the “Best” Companies to work for in the state by Texas Monthly Magazine. To learn more about CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company, log on to www.CENTURY21JudgeFite.com. To contact a real estate professional call 800-451-8055.

About Century 21 Real Estate LLC:
Century 21 Real Estate LLC (century21.com) is the franchisor of the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization, providing comprehensive training, management, administrative and marketing support for the CENTURY 21 System. The System is comprised of more than 7,700 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices and 117,000 sales associates in 67 countries and territories worldwide. Century 21 Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services.

SaleabilityRisk

RISK REDUCTION 411:

Saleability – what makes a home sell?

The risks that I see in this subject are the WHAT IFs.

• What if the house doesn’t sell?
• What if the Seller doesn’t choose me?
• What if they won’t do the repairs needed?
• What if no one will look at it?
• What if we can’t overcome the next door neighbor?
• What if I can’t make my house payment this month?

Let’s see, the client has not been served and will be unhappy so no more future business in referrals. Neither Seller, nor I, end up with any money, so how do I make my own car payment? Only hindrance to my unsullied reputation!!

We MUST make these properties SALEABLE! You know the routine: condition, price, market trend, competition. How do we WIN in every situation? ATTITUDE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE. We have to know what is going on in the market place that is the Metroplex, but it is also much more specifically the neighborhood. What else is on the market? How many homes in the same basic age and size, within the subdivision as well as within the city or suburb? Then we move on to condition. How does this house compare to the 10 others in the same subdivision listed for approximately the same price? Which ones will sell before this one if the Seller doesn’t listen to you? I think we need to learn to prove our case, like a lawyer, beyond a reasonable doubt, that WE ARE THE BEST AGENT, COMPANY, BRAND to sell their home for them at the best price with the fewest problems and in the least amount of time.

I repeat that SALEABILITY depends on ATTITUDE, SKILL and KNOWLEDGE—those traits are all controlled by YOU. Never stop practicing. Never stop learning. Never let your attitude fall below a 10 for more than 20 minutes.

YOU CAN and YOU MUST WIN! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

Jan Fite Miller, EVP

214-446-2626

JanFiteMiller@judgefite.com

Saleability-Marketing

MARKETING 411: Creating your own saleability

7 ways to create my own saleability or demand

One thing is for certain in today’s business climate, when there is no demand for your services, there is no business. Creating the need then becomes one of the primary focuses for any real estate agent looking for a new listing or buyer, or a loan officer needing to close a refi or mortgage deal. You simply must have a steady influx of leads and prospects. In the old days we were taught that you had to make X number of calls to have X number of appointments to make X number of dollars. Somewhat true today. But thank goodness we now have access to other methods than the telephone and are connected to the entire world through the web and social networking – our sphere has just been enlarged!

Creating a demand for your services requires a steady, clear, concise and consistent marketing plan. People are just not going to wake up one morning with the desire to call you to buy a home. There has to be a need first. Then they have to know about you, and maybe then, they will call you. Here are a few tried and true marketing pointers that if implemented and carried out will help create a demand for your services and keep your phone ringing for business…

1. Know your product(s). Your product is real estate. How can you market yourself if you don’t know what you are selling? What are the key selling points of your farm area, community, or types of homes you are selling? What competitive advantage do you offer that is superior to your competitor’s? Tell “them” something about it. Educate!

2. Target your market. What market are you going after? Who is your customer? Decide SPECIFICALLY who your target audience is, what they look like, how much money they make, where they live, what car they drive, etc. Once you know your audience then you are ready to proceed to the next step.

3. Create your database. Now that you know your product and “who” your market is, how are you going to get your message to them? Build a database of the individuals/businesses that you intend to market to. Have on-hand and access to their names, contact information. Keep this info updated and accurate. Add to it daily.

4. Create your message. Now, what are you going to say? What message are you going to give them? Who are YOU? Get organized with your marketing materials. Create a professional “identity” that will be carried across all marketing lines. Tailor your message to you, your company, and your audience.

5. Establish your budget. Not just your financial budget, but also your time budget and imagination budget. How much money can you spend and how much time can you allocate to your marketing and how much imagination do you have to put into it? Decide, create, implement and stick to it.

6. Market consistently. Go for it! Carry out your marketing plan religiously, and passionately. Don’t expect a return right away. Look at it like you are teaching a class to a remote audience, a passing parade. Keep sending out your message, educating your markets on the importance of your services and creating a demand for what you do. This is how you become “visible” in your market.

7. Diversify! If you are not diversifying your marketing, you are missing business. Don’t get stuck in one form of advertising or marketing. Hit them all!

· Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Bebo, and other social networking sites

· Your website

· Blogging

· Direct Mail

· Telephone

· Email

· One-on-one

· Sponsorships

· Industry Associations

· Presentations

· Seminars

· Master Mind calls

Marketing yourself and creating a demand for your services requires a commitment. Recognize that your goal in marketing is to simply tell people what you are doing in your business. Your growth will be in direct association with your commitment and focus on aggressive marketing strategies.

Happy Selling!

Sandy Wright, Director of Marketing

214-446-2646

SandyWright@judgefite.com

For more on real estate marketing visit the www.sandywright.wordpress.com

SaleabilityCommercial

Real Estate 411: Saleability means SOLD in Commercial

In Commercial we are just as concerned as you are in “getting your house ready to sell” to make sure our commercial properties are “ready to sell”.

We are still very much in a “Buyer’s” market in Commercial and it is our responsibility as agents for our clients to make sure their properties are “ready to sell” in order to maximize the price that they can achieve for the property.

Curb appeal is just as important in selling a Commercial property as it is in selling a house. We try to make sure that all properties that we have listed to sell have landscaping carefully manicured, the buildings painted if need be, and make sure the parking lots are picked up with no trash blowing around the grounds. While emotion does not play as big a part in the purchase of a commercial property, the initial reaction to a property that is well maintained certainly is a plus.

A successful sale requires that we concentrate on six considerations (yes the same six as residential):

1. The listing price – The values of most commercial properties are not what they were 2 – 3 years ago. So while the Seller’s may want to “achieve” the price their property was once worth, it is our job to help list the property at a current market price – other wise it will be more difficult to sell the property.

2. The terms of the sale – we have found that many of our clients are more flexible now on how they will sell a property. Some will take back seller financing. Others will give more feasibility time and/or closing time. We try to approach each one with creative ideas that fit their situation best.

3. Condition of the Property – going back to what I mentioned earlier, if the property appears to be well maintained vs. the opposite, the buyers will not worry as much about “hidden” items that have not been taken care of by the current owner.

4. Location of the property – while it may not be as important as a home buyer “wanting to be only in a certain neighborhood”, some buyers do prefer to be in “certain” parts of the Metroplex for a number of reasons.

5. Accessibility – very important factor in selling a commercial property. If access into and out of a shopping center is not good, then it will definitely make it more difficult to sell the property because it is probably harder to keep tenants – if customers have trouble getting in and out of the property.

6. Marketing exposure – We are able to give all of our commercial properties exposure through a large number of commercial listings services and email systems that allow us to constantly keep it in front of other brokers in the Metroplex.

Please keep your Commercial Department in mind for your Commercial referrals. They can come from a number of sources that you may deal with daily. Neighbors, church members, family members, anyone that you know that owns a business. We work in all areas of Commercial and will work all of your referrals to the best of our ability.

Thank you for all of the referrals some of you are already giving us. We enjoy giving you the “referral” check when we complete the transaction and we have had an increasing number of those this year.

Call me with any questions you might have and let us know how we can help you with your commercial referrals.

Larry Harbour, Manager, Commercial Division

214-446-2575

LarryHarbour@judgefite.com

Understanding the new FHA Loan changes

FHA Loan Changes - NOTE: NOW is the time to ACT on buying and/or selling real property!

In an effort to shore up its flailing balance sheet and dwindling capital reserves, the Federal Housing Authority is rolling out sweeping financial changes. FHA borrowers have to look better on paper and be better credit risks.

Mortgage insurance premiums are rising, too.

FHA Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premiums have increased from 1.75% to 2.25%. This translates to .50% added to the borrower’s loan amount. This change goes into effect for FHA Case Numbers ordered on or after 4/5/2010. FHA Case Numbers are ordered once the borrower has an executed Sales Contract and are ready to move forward w/the appraisal order. To put this into perspective, the increase shouldn’t affect a borrowers payment too much since it’s financed over 30 years like the following possible scenarios.

Assuming a $150,000 sales price
Old UFMIP 2533
after April 5th 3256
Difference $4/month

Assuming a $250,000 sales price
Old UFMIP 4221
after April 5th 5428
Difference $7/month

*assumption (5.25% rate, rounded #’s for simplicity, 3.5% down payment)

In its official announcement, the FHA said its trying to better position itself to "manage its risk while continuing to support the nation’s housing market".

The changes are effective with case numbers assigned starting April 5, 2010.

To find out how these changes may affect your real estate purchase or sell, contact a CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company real estate professional today - 800-451-8055 or email 411@judgefite.com.

Are you Ready to get off the Fence?

TaxCreditFacts

The Homebuyer's extended tax credit is about to come to an end - are you ready to get off the fence?

There hasn't been a time like this to buy a home in 40 years.

Interest rates are at historic lows but cyclical trends suggest they will soon rise. Home buyers may never see such a chance again

If you want to buy a house, now is the time, and if you don't act soon, you will regret it. Here's why: historically low interest rates!

The average 30-year fixed-rate loan with no points or fees is around 5.5%. That is the lowest the rate has been in nearly 40 years. In fact, rates are so well below historic averages that it should make all current and prospective homeowners take notice of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

You can see how the trend upward began in the 70’s and peaked in the eighties. There has been a slow downward trend and we are now at the bottom. Experts agree that rates will begin to climb back up in the very near future.

What I'm trying to impress upon everyone is that if you are planning on being a homeowner now and/or in the foreseeable future, or if you are looking to move your family into a bigger home, then pay more attention to the interest rates than the price of the home. If you have a steady job, good credit, and the down payment, then you really are being offered the gift of a lifetime.

There is still time to get in on the Extended Homebuyer’s Tax Credit.

Now is the perfect time to revisit the extended and expanded Home Buyer's Tax Credit.

Why? Because now, as you calculate your tax bill or your tax refund, you can finally see in real terms just how beneficial a tax credit of up to $8,000 can be to your bottom line.

Here's the basics:

Qualified 2009 and 2010 first-time home buyers can get up to 10% of the home's purchase price or a maximum of $8,000. In November 2009, legislation extended a tax credit of up to $6,500 (or up 10% of the home's purchase price) to long-time residents of the same primary residence if they purchase a new main home. To qualify, eligible taxpayers must show that they lived in their previous homes for a five-consecutive-year period during the eight-year period ending on the closing date of the new home.

Important details to remember:

1) You don't have to pay it back (as long as you stay in your qualified home for at least 36 months).

2) If you qualify for the credit, you can still apply it to this year's taxes, even if you've already filed your returns, or save it for your 2010 returns.

3) This is a true tax credit, not a deduction. If you qualify for the full credit, there will be an actual dollar-for-dollar reduction of up to $8,000 (or up to $6,500 for qualified repeat buyers) on your tax bill now or in 2010.

4) New income qualification limits have been put in place that expanded the pool of qualified buyers.

5) If you purchased a qualified home or plan to after reading this article, you must have a contract in place by April 30, 2010 (with closing to take place by June 30, 2010), so don't wait!

There are, of course, other details and qualification requirements and restrictions that you'll need to consider – so please contact one of our real estate professionals or one of our in-house Loan Officers to find out if you are ready to get off the fence! Call 800-451-8055 or email 411@judgefite.com.

Century 21 Presents: The Path Home

SHORT SALE - you're hearing it a lot but what is it?

Real Estate 411 – What is a Short Sale?

What you need to know about a Short Sale

#1 A short sale is a sale of real estate in which the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property's loan. It often occurs when a borrower cannot pay the mortgage loan on their property, but the lender decides that selling the property at a moderate loss is better than pressing the current debtor. Both parties consent to the short sale process, because it allows them to avoid foreclosure, which involves hefty fees for the bank and poorer credit report outcomes for the borrowers.

#2 Before you eagerly climb aboard the short sale bandwagon, consider these four statements that determine whether you may qualify for a short sale. If you cannot answer TRUE to all four statements, you may not qualify for a short sale.

· The home’s market value has dropped.

· The mortgage is in or near default status.

· The seller has fallen on hard times.

· The seller has no assets.

#3 The seller must submit a letter of hardship that explains why the seller can not pay the difference due upon sale, including why the seller has or will stop making the monthly payments. Examples of hardship are: unemployment, divorce, medical emergency / sudden illness, bankruptcy, and death

The hardship letter is the beginning of the financial documents process in a short sale package. The items you attach to that letter will ultimately have a great deal of influence on the decision of the lender about whether to approve a short sale or not, and for the amount of the offer they'll accept.

Whether you're the borrower, a real estate agent, or an investor trying to purchase the home in a short sale, everyone involved should be concerned about providing all the documentation that will sway the decision of the lender.

· Financial statements

· Pay stubs

· Bank statements

· Hospital bills

· Divorce decrees

· Credit reports

· Tax returns

It's a game of adding up numbers to show that the borrower is in an impossible situation leading to foreclosure or bankruptcy. It's the opposite of the process to get a loan. Then you're trying to prove you don't need it and that you're prosperous. Now the goal is to prove a hopeless payment situation.

#4 A short sale is dependent on a buyer making an offer to purchase. If you do not receive an offer, you will not qualify for a short sale. So even if you meet all the other criteria, it is possible that no one will buy the short sale. It is also dependent on the lender accepting the buyer's offer. If the lender rejects the offer, a short sale will not take place.

#5 There are tax consequences to a Short Sale. If the lender agrees to the short sale, the lender may possess the right to issue you a 1099 for the shorted difference, due to a provision in the IRS code about debt forgiveness. Many situations are exempt from debt forgiveness, according to the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007. You should speak to a real estate lawyer and a tax accountant to determine the amount of short sale tax consequences, and whether you can afford to pay those taxes, if any.

Contact your CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Real Estate Associate to get started with your real estate transaction.

Call 800-451-8055, or email 411@judgfite.com.

Real Estate 411 Video: What is a Short Sale?

Jim Fite, President of CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company in Dallas, Texas talks about the "Short Sale" - what it is and what it means to the homeowner. For more information on buying and selling real estate visit www.CENTURY21JudgeFite.com, or call 800-451-8055.

CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company Presents Legal and Ethics MCE Classes

CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company is pleased to be providing FREE Legal Update and Ethics classes to C21JFC agents in 2010 through our Real Estate Career Training Division.

Details:
- Classes have limited seating. Please RSVP to reserve your seat.
- Classes may be made available as a cost of $25 per class to agents outside of CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company.
- The morning class will be the Legal Update and begins promptly at 9 a.m. and continues until 12 p.m.
- The afternoon class will be the Ethics class and begins promptly at 1 p.m. and continues until 4 p.m.

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Upcoming Classes:

February 5, 2010: Gerald Crow, Instructor
CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company, Frisco at The Shops at Starwood
6959 Lebanon Road, Suite 201, Frisco, TX 75045
972-596-5574

February 18, 2010: Pete Geisler, Instructor
CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company, Mesquite
2601 Gus Thomasson, Suite 300, Mesquite, TX 75150
972-270-2100

March 4, 2010: Richard Long, Instructor
CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company, Weatherford
1105 Santa Fe Drive, Suite 107, Weatherford, TX 76086
817-596-9446

March 26, 2010: Jan Fite Miller, Instructor
CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company, Waxahachie
507 North Highway 77, Suite 210, Waxahachie, TX 75165
972-938-3636

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Questions?
Contact Bill Steddum
817-842-1243
BillSteddum@JudgeFite.com

Sign Up Now via email at Training@JudgeFite.com

Real Estate 411: Why buy or sell real estate NOW?

These 3 Market Conditions make this a successful environment to buy or sell real estate NOW:

#1 The Extended Homebuyer’s Tax Credit is available for first-time homebuyers (up to $8,000) as well as existing homeowners (up to $6,500). The tax credit expires on June 30, 2010, so NOW is the time to find your dream home and get it under contract (by April 30, 2010).

#2 Mortgage rates are at an all time low, but they won’t stay that way long. Since the Wall Street financial panic, mortgage rates have stayed low, but Freddie Mac announced recently that they will go up. It could cost you if you wait, nail down your financing NOW while rates are still low.

#3 Home prices are up nationwide by six tenths of a percent. Experts predict continued growth so NOW is the time to take advantage of the lower prices.

Contact your CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Real Estate Associate to get started with your real estate transaction. Call 800-451-8055, or email 411@judgfite.com.

A Legacy of Service

When real estate pioneer Judge B. Fite founded his real estate, mortgage and insurance company in 1937, he launched a tradition that spans over 73 years of service and commitment to the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. Throughout its rich history of growth, expansion, mergers and acquisitions, the Judge Fite Company has remained consistently true to its founding ideals. Today, at the helm of the company are Judge Fite’s children, Jim Fite, President, and Jan Fite Miller, Executive Vice President, both who are equally committed to the legacy of service and integrity that was established 73 years ago by Dene and Judge Fite.

Jan Fite Miller has been compelled to leave her mark on the industry and to support and encourage higher ethical standards in every real estate transaction since she first joined the company in 1969. From the marketing of the property to closing the loan, Jan will insist on the proper handling of every aspect of the real estate transaction from the company’s many associates as well as its partners. This is part of the edge that CENTURY 21 Judge Fite offers its clients and the communities it serves. “We train our associates to carefully perform their duties being fair and honest with all parties, giving full disclosure of all pertinent facts, and strict adherence to agency guidelines. It is in this manner that I work to maintain a continual improvement of professional standards in the real estate industry.”

Serving as the spokesperson for CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company since 1977, Jim Fite has seen his father’s company grow from one office with eight associates to a diversified firm of 21 offices and more than 800 associates and staff. Like his sister, Jim Fite is passionate about his responsibility to not only his clients, but the real estate industry as a whole. His high profile in professional leadership through the years has held his company in good standing by providing
an opportunity to develop leaders and successful systems during some of real estate’s toughest times. Still, his motivation comes from serving people.

“What wakes me up every morning and gets me going is the responsibility to the thousands of people who depend on us to provide an environment for them to flourish and succeed”, states Fite. “And not just the people who are part of our organization, but the individuals in our industry – from the buyer’s agent to the escrow officer; the appraiser to the mortgage counselor, I want to make a difference. Judge Fite has the opportunity to be a catalyst for success at the center of every real estate transaction we are a part of, and I don’t take that lightly.”

With an unparalleled commitment to heart-driven service, this first family of DFW real estate has continued to thrive and expand when many others failed, and continued in its tireless dedication to serve the Metroplex real estate market with new products, technology, and services. The success attitude of its leadership, shored up by unmatched business acumen, has propelled CENTURY 21 Judge Fite to continue broadening its horizons, both geographically and with the kinds of products and services it incorporates to meet the needs of a continually changing marketplace.

http://www.century21judgefite.com/

Working with Mobile Real Estate Technology

Going online for real estate information is a fun and new way to go house hunting and locate information about neighborhoods, school, parks, communities…and more! Just imagine putting that information into the palm of your hands via your BlackBerry, iPhone or other “smart” phone? It’s possible now with the new mobile technologies that are available in the real estate market.

The purpose of all these gadgets, when it comes to real estate, is to provide the customer with streamlined information so that you can make a more informed decision. It also enables your real estate agent to provide you with almost immediate service and answers to questions, before and throughout the transaction. Here are a few helpful hints to get you started using mobile technology.

• Buy the perfect phone – choose the phone that has all the options you want and more
• Get connected – make sure your mobile service has a broad network with GPS
• Learn to text – subscribe to a generous “texting” package with your mobile network provider
• Visit iTunes.com to browse, purchase and download real estate applications from the “Apps” store
• Set up accounts for your real estate apps so you can easily log in, browse homes, save them, and make notations
• Trulia’s iPhone app is a great real estate application where you will quickly learn how to “house hunt” using your iPhone

When you are ready to buy or sell your property, engage a mobile real estate agent who is connected through a lead router service and will be able to receive your online inquiries and emails instantly and respond with the answers you need!

How do I use the new real estate mobile apps?

Real Estate 411 – The MOBILE Real Estate Agent

Mobile technology enters the real estate market to make house hunting convenient and put the information in the palm of your hand!

With the rise of the second smartphone generation (iPhone, Android, and BB touch screen), people are using their mobile phones in completely new ways. The most significant trend is the usage of mobile applications or “apps”, led by the game changing iTunes App Store. Applications are easy to find and download to mobile device, making the user experience both rewarding and entertaining. With the availability of real estate apps, consumers now have access to property information in the palm of their hand and know where to find homes in an area they want to be in.

Fact: With GPS available on your cell phone, you can navigate applications to search for a home in your location, view photos and details of the property, and contact an agent or an office.

Fact: Through mobile lead routing technology, the mobile real estate agent can receive your inquiry about a property within minutes and respond. You will soon be touring the home of your dreams. Mobile real estate technology also has the power to push your listings out across multiple mobile apps to be seen by thousands of potential homebuyers.

Fact: Using a mobile application is better than browsing the mobile web. It is much faster! It takes only one second to launch a mobile application versus up to several minutes for a mobile web in a bad reception area. Your smartphone goes with you wherever you go and can get reception where your mobile web cannot. You can even house-hunt when you are sitting at a football game!

Contact your CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company MOBILE real estate agent today! Call 800-451-8055, or email 411@judgfite.com.

Insurance and the Internet

We hear the statistics all the time. “9 out of 10 homebuyers start on the Internet.” “75% of Americans use the Internet.” While these statistics are true, a vast majority of these “internet shoppers” end up working with a licensed real estate agent at some point during the process, either to show them homes, help them negotiate, assist with the paperwork, or just be there to guide them. Most people recognize that when it comes to making one of the most important financial decisions of their life, they need an expert who can offer advice and keep the process moving along to the closing table.

When it comes to purchasing insurance for your home, auto or business, the same concept applies. Insurance is a very complicated business, just like real estate. Each person, family and business has different exposures and therefore has different needs when it comes to insurance. Carriers offer so many different options to meet people’s individual needs. When a person buys their insurance from a website, there is no way to know for sure that all of their exposures are covered. More often than not, policies that are purchased online by consumers are stripped down, have limited coverage, or are underinsuring the risk. While the premium might be attractive (which is the primary selling point of these online offerings), coverage can suffer tremendously. When a claim occurs, there can be severe consequences in terms of limited or no coverage or a reduced payment on the claim. Most Internet insurance shoppers don’t realize this at the time they purchase the policy.

The best solution, both in terms of having adequate coverage and peace of mind, is to use a licensed insurance agent. A good insurance agent can never be replaced by a website, just like a good real estate agent can never be replaced by a website. Your agent knows the right questions to ask to identify your risks. He or she can answer your questions with knowledge and expertise. When you have a problem, he or she is there for you, to assist you and stand up for you, if need be. They are there to look at your exposures and suggest solutions that fit your needs. Your agent is there to make sure you are not underinsured. As long as your agent is an independent agent, he or she is there to look across the rates of several carriers to make sure you are getting the best rate available. Your agent is there at renewal time to shop your policy, ensuring you get the best rate every year. Show me a website that can do all of that.

The bottom line is this: Even though they usually start on the Internet, consumers hire a real estate agent to assist them through the process of buying or selling real property because of the agent’s expertise and skill. When it comes to protecting that real property or other assets from unforeseen events, consumers should work with a licensed insurance agent, preferably an independent agent, so that they have peace of mind in knowing that their assets are properly insured.

For more information about insurance for your home, investments, vehicles, or business, contact Judge Fite Insurance today at insurance@judgefite.com or 214-446-2571. We are here to serve you!