Meet Team Member Laura Van Meter

Continuing with our series to highlight the team members of the Brandee Kelley Group, today we are re-introducing Laura Van Meter, a Buyer’s Specialist.

Laura hosts many of our Open Houses because she enjoys personal interaction with the public. If you’ve met Laura, you know that she is soft-spoken, easy to talk to, and VERY knowledgeable about the Arlington and DFW real estate market. If you want to purchase a new home, Laura makes the entire process an enjoyable one and helps you navigate the overwhelming options that make your home search so time-consuming and stressful.  Laura will carefully identifying your wishes and housing needs and zero in on presenting you only with the available homes that are perfect for you.

In Laura’s own words, “Having grown up in the DFW area, I have a great deal of knowledge about the local market that can help you best meet your real estate goals. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, I can provide you with guidance and information that will help take the stress out of the transaction.

Previously a teacher in the area, I enjoy educating clients about the process of buying or selling, step by step. This is probably the biggest transaction you will ever make! It’s critical to choose a Realtor who communicates well, answers your questions and looks out for your best interests! I can get the job done!”

Totally invested in the Arlington area and committed to excellence in representing her real estate clients, Laura also has strong family values. She recently welcomed her first grandchild and proudly presented this photo of precious Claire Elizabeth! 

If you’re considering buying a new home, contact Laura today at 682-551-0336 or email lauravanmeter1@gmail.com

The Brandee Kelley Group’s team approach means you receive expert representation throughout every step of the real estate transaction. Our team provides our clients with the BEST customer service in the real estate industry.

Meet Team Member Georgann Puddy!

The Brandee Kelley Group is a highly skilled team of experienced real estate experts. The Group works together to provide our clients with the BEST possible real estate experience. Each team member plays an important role in the process and each member of our group specializes in different facets of that process. What this means to you, our clients, is expert representation to insure that each transaction is smooth, stress free and SUCCESSFUL.

We would like to re-introduce each team member of the Brandee Kelley Group, and highlight their special skills. Today, we’re featuring Georgann Puddy, a Buyer Specialist.

Georgann states, “The decision to buy or sell real estate is one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime.

My goal is to provide you with professional advice and guidance, so that you can make the most informed decisions about your real estate transactions. Growing up in Ft. Worth, living in Arlington for many years and now residing in Southlake, I have extensive knowledge of the real estate market and neighborhoods in the metroplex.

With my background in business management, I am able to move transactions forward and am skilled at writing and negotiating contracts with my client’s best interests in mind. Whether you are buying or selling a home, my promise is that I will work hard for you!”

If you’re ready to buy a new home, or considering it, call Georgann at 817-908-7929 or email at gapuddy@yahoo.com. You will find her personable, very easy to talk to, and she has in-depth knowledge of the entire Arlington-area real estate market!

Since mortgage finance considerations are so important in any real estate decision, our preferred lender is Don Kelly at Affiliated Bank. Don and his team are professional, and deliver exceptional service to their clients. If you have questions about mortgages, rates, prequalifications, give Don a call!

What Do Americans Want In Their Homes?

According to a recent survey of homebuilders conducted by the Home Builder’s Association, the following features are cited as necessities by today’s home buyers.

How does this translate to your current home? A picture is worth a 1,000 words, and if you have these features, your home will appeal to almost every buyer!

High—or “volume”—ceilings.

Open floorplans, making entertaining easy and increasing family livability.

Hard surface flooring—everywhere!

Closets. Lots of them, and the bigger the better!

Garage storage.

Granite countertops in the kitchen and an island breakfast bar.

A game room, or flex space.

A functional and spacious laundry room.

Outdoor living space, with attractive lighting.

Beautifully landscaped backyard that is designed for easy-care, with or without a pool.

The Brandee Kelley Group is working with buyers RIGHT NOW who are looking for homes with these features. If your home shares some or all of them, we will bring you a buyer!

If you don’t have these features in your current home, maybe it’s time you found a new home that better suits your needs. Call us today at 817-635-1141 and we’ll help you find a new home that you can fall in love with!

If you have questions about how much mortgage you will qualify for, contact Don Kelly at Affiliated Bank. Don will answer your questions and work with you to purchase the home of your dreams!

5 Quick Tips to Sell Your Home!

1. Clean! Everything! And then clean again! From top to bottom, make your home SHINE!

2. Declutter! You’re going to be moving soon, so get a head start on packing. Think of a model home—that’s the look you want to achieve, as best you can considering that you live in your home. Remove furniture from crowded rooms, clear clutter from bookcases and shelves, your pantry, linen closet, kitchen cabinets. And don’t forget the garage. Rent a storage unit if you need to, but clear out clutter!

3. Minor Repairs. Fix all those little things that detract from the beauty of your home. Small flaws jump out at prospective buyers, so repair that cracked window pane. That kitchen drawer that’s a little wonky. Broken doorknob, a hole in the drywall, peeling fixtures in the bath or kitchen, burned out light bulbs—you get the idea!

4. Curb Appeal. Make that first impression COUNT! Tend to the front plantings and flower beds. Rake the lawn. Store any gardening equipment that’s in the backyard. Replace or repair any cracked or missing decking or sidewalk bricks and tiles. And don’t forget the front door—give it a fresh coat of paint and include some pots of flowers or a pretty wreath.

5. Finally, call the Brandee Kelley Group! We’ll list your home, market it, and sell it. We’ll be with you every step of the way and provide the very best customer service in the real estate industry!

8 Things Americans Want In Their Homes

What do Americans want in their homes?

We all want our homes to be convenient and comfortable to live in. But we also want more than that, and we thought you would enjoy reading about 8 additional “wants” that most people desire in their homes. These may be on your list of “must haves” too!

1. Energy efficiency
The desire to save money on rising energy costs. Average household spending on electricity has grown by more than 50% since the year 2000, making energy efficiency one of the most in-demand features.

2. A renovated/updated home
Purchasing a new home that requires little or no renovations or improvements is the ideal. An established home with fresh paint, newer flooring, updated kitchens and baths and newer windows and doors are frequently at the top of prospective buyer’s “must have” lists.

3. Age-in-place features
Between now and 2020, the number of households headed by a person 65 and older is expected to grow 10 times faster than other households. Home design that can accommodate lifestyle changes for seniors is becoming more desirable to move-up buyers, especially empty-nesters.

4. Safe communities, good schools
Living in a safe neighborhood with low crime rates is becoming increasingly important to home owners. For active families, a good school system and being close to parks and family-oriented entertainment facilities is desirable.

5. Affordability
All home buyers want a home that fits their needs AND their budgets without sacrificing lifestyle dreams and goals.

6. Privacy
A home that offers privacy from their neighbors is also a desirable feature. Whether privacy is ensured by large lots, expert buffer landscaping or fencing, homeowners want to be able to enjoy their homes inside and out with a good degree of privacy.

7. More space
We all have a lot of stuff, and our homes need ample space to store it. Storage space is a hot button for buyers, as well as a home that accommodates 2 or more refrigerators, 3 or more TVs, computers, sporting equipment, hobby and crafting areas, etc.

8. A good investment
Homeowners want to enjoy the amenities and conveniences of their home, but they also want to insure their home purchase will be a good long-term investment. Home ownership is the primary factor in building wealth for most Americans. Many factors dictate a home’s appreciation, including location, neighborhood, size and number of bedrooms, square footage and a flowing floorplan and these must be taken into consideration when looking for a new home.

If your home is not meeting your needs, call the Brandee Kelley Group at 817-635-1141. We will help you find a home that you love and offers the utmost in livability to match your lifestyle.

2014 – Record Number of Home Sales

According to the latest data from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University and the North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, North Texas Real Estate agents sold a record number of homes in 2014. They report that more than 90,000 preowned single-family homes changed hands last year through the Realtors’ multiple listing service.

Home purchases in December 2014 were particularly robust – 12% higher than December 2013. And local sales prices were 11% ahead of December 2013, with a median sales price of $193,940.

Housing analysts and real estate agents say that recent declines in home finance costs helped boost sales in the final months of 2014.

“The mortgage rates have really come down again, below 4%,” said Dr. James Gaines, an economist with the Real Estate Center. “Buyers for existing homes are jumping on board, especially if they think rates will start going back up in the coming months.”

What does this mean to you? If you are thinking of selling your current home and buying new, the time is NOW! Take advantage of the current low interest rates, and get top dollar for your existing home. Low rates mean you can get more house, more amenities and more square feet for the same monthly payment than you could with a higher interest rate loan.

The Brandee Kelley Group has the inside track on the housing market, and we will assist you in finding the perfect home to meet your changing needs. And we will position your current home in the market to insure a successful sale at the best possible price.

Your first step is to find out what your home’s worth, and you can do that easily on the Brandee Kelley website. Just follow this link and learn the value of your home instantly: http://brandeekelleygroup.kwrealty.com/sell/

For up-to-date mortgage finance information, please visit Don Kelly’s website. Don and his team of mortgage professionals at Affiliated Bank will provide you with accurate mortgage information and consultation on the best finance program available to meet your needs.

http://donkelly.com/

The Luxury Home Market in DFW Is SOARING!

Luxury housing sales are soaring in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

According to a new report by the Texas Association of Realtors, North Texas had the second-highest luxury home sales increase in Texas, with San Antonio holding the #1 spot.

2011 Shadow Ridge Drive, Arlington

“The overall economic growth and prosperity in Texas have contributed heavily to the luxury market, making it one of the strongest segments of housing in Texas in 2014,” Jim Gaines, an economist at the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, said in the new report

Through November 2014, 926 North Texas homes priced at $1 million or more were sold by real estate agents through their multiple listing service.

5 Santa Fe Circle, Dalworthington Gardens

About 880 homes listed for sale with agents in the DFW area are priced at $1 million and up. That’s only about a 10-month supply, according to the Realtors.

“We’re seeing more demand for luxury properties from Texans whose incomes are increasing, enabling them to move up, and from those moving to our state from elsewhere in the country,” Scott Kesner, chairman of the Texas Association of Realtors, said in the report.

Keller Williams Realty strives to lead the luxury market through their KW Luxury Homes International division. This is an exclusive, elite and sophisticated group of real estate consultants who raise the bar for service in the upper-tier home market.

2401 Panorama Court, Arlington

Brandee Kelley has completed the specialized training through the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing and achieved the KW Luxury Home Consultant designation. Marketing within the luxury home market requires special skills and knowledge, and Brandee offers affluent buyers and sellers the highest level of expertise, connections and marketing resources.

3800 Sunset Lane, Dalworthington Gardens

The Brandee Kelley Group invites you to visit the KW Luxury Homes International website by clicking on this link: http://brandeekelleygroup.kwrealty.com/cp/luxury-homes/ You may search for Brandee’s membership within the Agents tab.

Mortgage financing for luxury homes requires specialized knowledge, as well. Don Kelly at Affiliated Bank is experienced in discussing financing options and providing guidance on high-end mortgage loans.