Nearly a Quarter of Americans Have Never Checked Their Credit Report, Says New FindLaw.com Survey

EAGAN, Minn., April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite its importance in everything from obtaining a credit card or mortgage to employment background checks, nearly a quarter of Americans have never checked their credit report, according to a new survey by FindLaw.com, the most popular legal information website.

Twenty-two percent of Americans have never checked their credit report to verify the accuracy of the information, even though by law, credit reporting agencies are required to provide free copies upon request.

Women are more likely than men to check their credit reports. Twenty-five percent of men have never checked their credit reports, compared with only 18 percent of women.

People with more income are somewhat more likely to check their reports. However, a significant percentage of people even at the highest income levels say they have never checked their credit reports, including 14 percent of people with household incomes of $75,000 a year or more.

A credit report is an overview of how much debt a person currently has, as well as whether he or she has a history of making debt payments on time. It also contains personal information such as recent home addresses, employers, and bankruptcies and court judgments.

Credit reports are used by lending institutions, such as mortgage and credit card companies, as part of their decision-making on whether to grant credit. In addition, in most states, credit reports can be used as part of employment background checks. Credit reports are different from credit scores, which are numerical values applied by the credit reporting agencies as a measure of credit risk.

Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, all Americans are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies once every 12 months. Federal law also sets requirements for resolving disputes involving the accuracy of information in a person's credit report.

"The accuracy of your credit report can have a major impact on your finances, and even your chances of obtaining a job," saidStephanie Rahlfs , an attorney and editor with FindLaw.com. "Inaccuracies in information such as late payments or defaults could play a major role in whether you can obtain a home mortgage, credit card, car loan and other types of debt, and how favorable your terms will be, such as interest rates. Credit reports are increasingly used in background checks, and could determine whether you are offered a job or rental housing."

Free, helpful information on credit reports and other aspects of consumer credit can be found online, including at FindLaw.com's Financial Consumer Protection site: http://consumer.findlaw.com/credit-banking-finance/

10945 Hawks Landing, Fort Worth MLS# 11933209

Some homes just say, “Wow! I can picture myself living here!” 10945 Hawks Landing, in Fort Worth/Haslet is one such home. This property is an immaculately maintained three-bedroom, two and half bath, two-car garage located in D.R. Horton’s Dorado Ranch neighborhood.

This home is wonderfully appointed with all sorts of designer touches for a custom feel – from the custom colors to the hardwood floors to the architectural design. This distinctive floor plan by DR Horton is no longer available in this neighborhood, making it stand out even more unique.

When you first drive up, you’ll be greeted by the beautiful, lush landscaping. Beyond that, you’ll notice the large covered porch at the home’s entry and the balcony equally large balcony on the second floor. I was also struck by the unusual siding and by how the garage door is covered.  

Step inside, and you’ll immediate see how special this home is. Tile and hardwood flooring in the living and dining/kitchen areas mean easy care and durable beauty.

The generously sized family room includes a decorative, electric fireplace that offers the ambience of a fire year round. The space above the mantel is already wired for flat screen television. The TV and surround system go with the seller, but the wall mount does stay.

The family room opens to a spacious eat-in kitchen, which features an island/breakfast bar. The kitchen features generous cabinet and counter space. There’s lots of storage and lots of room for multiple cooks to work without getting in each other’s way.

The master suite is tucked in behind the living area, offering a quiet retreat from the two secondary bedrooms upstairs. The master bedroom easily fits a king size bed with room to spare. An oversized frosted window in the master bath makes this room bright and airy. The master bath also features dual vanities and a separate shower and soaker tub.

The stairs lead up to a game room, large enough to accommodate a pool table. You’ll also find the door leading to front balcony. The game room-balcony combination makes a fabulous space to entertain family and guests. If you prefer, this room would make a wonderful secondary living space, and office or a media room. Two oversized secondary bedrooms and a full-size bathroom are also located upstairs.

Out back, you’ll find a covered patio and a yard that’s adjacent to a greenbelt. The covered patio, which has a ceiling fan and light kit, is big enough to create an outdoor living or dining space The back fence is rod iron with a gate, offering a nice view of the area. The side fences are pine-stained with kick boards and metal posts. They were installed Summer 2012.

The Dorado Ranch neighborhood has a swimming pool, greenbelts, walking trails, and playground. It is located in the Northwest Independent School District.

This home is minutes away from Alliance Airport, The Texas Motor Speedway as well as numerous employment centers. It also has easy access to I35-W, I-820 and Highway 287. Shopping at Shops at Heritage and Northeast Mall is just minutes away. Eagle Mountain Lake, just a short drive to the west, offers tons of recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, camping and picnicking.

Click here for a video tour of this fabulous home! 

Sound inviting? Give us a shout! We would love to show you this fabulous home!

The Windle Group

ColdWell Banker Apex, Realtors
7290 Virginia Parkway #2400
McKinney, Texas 75071
Cell: 972.814.1689
Cell: 214.394.8349
Office: 972.562.5400

1410 Stoneway Drive, Ponder, Texas MLS #11933074

If you’ve been looking for a quiet escape to the county, but don’t want to be too far away from city conveniences, then check out our listing at 1410 Stoneway Drive in Ponder.

Located just south of Highway 380, this five-bedroom, three-bath home on one acre offers all the amenities of rural living. Located on a corner lot, this home features a unique teardrop-shaped driveway, giving you plenty of parking space and a spacious, lush front yard. The property line extends beyond the fenced huge backyard.

Step inside, and you’ll be impressed by the cavernous living space. About 28 feet from front door to back wall and about 16 feet wide, you have plenty of room to create a living space that suits your needs. The back wall is fire rated so that you can install an aftermarket fireplace if you wish.

The master suite is just off of the living room, and away from the other bedrooms, ensuring plenty of privacy. The master bedroom is easily big enough for a king-size bed and large dressers. The ensuite bathroom features dual vanities, an inviting, spa-like garden tub, a separate shower and a cleverly placed plant shelf. The room also includes a tower cabinet and a set of built-in drawers. The master suite also features a large walk through closet that runs the length of the master suite.

On the other side of the family room, you’ll find the spacious eat-in kitchen, perfect for multiple cooks! Lots of counter space on both sides of the room along with an island mean lots of work space. And of course, there’s lots of cabinet space to go with it. The owners also are leaving a large pantry cabinet. The kitchen opens to a deck out back, which is perfect for outdoor grilling. The window above the country-style sink overlooks the fenced backyard. Just off of the kitchen, you’ll find the first of the four secondary bedrooms. This room could easily double as a study, a hobby room or office.

Just behind the kitchen is the laundry room. This oversize laundry room easily fits a full size washer and dryer with enough room left for extra storage – or even an upright freezer or another refrigerator. Another door in this utility room leads to an outside porch, meaning this room could double as a mudroom as well. Beyond the laundry are the remaining three generously-sized bedrooms and two full-size bathrooms. This area would make a great a secondary suite for relatives, roommates or guests.

Located outside the city limits in Denton County, this could be the perfect place to plant a garden, raise chickens or any number of other backyard hobbies.

The residence is located in the Krum ISD.

This home is in a great location, with easy access to major employment centers in Denton, Tarrant and Wise counties. Denton and I-35 are only about 10 minutes away to east down Highway 380, while Decatur is only 15 minutes to the west. Alliance Airport and The Texas Motor Speedway both are within an easy 30 minute drive down I-35-W, a little longer if you want to take the scenic back roads – a drive I personally enjoy.

If you want to head down I35-E toward Dallas, but don’t want to drive, catch the A-Trainin Denton. The train stops in Lewisville and connects with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Carrollton, giving you easy access to the American Airlines Center, Downtown Dallas and beyond.

The homeowners have taken great care ensuring it will be a wonderful home for its next owners. Click here for a video tour.

This home qualifies for FHA, VA & Conventional funding. It's also eligible for the USDA NO MONEY DOWN loan.

Want to see this gem for yourself? Give us a shout!

The Windle Group

ColdWell Banker Apex, Realtors
7290 Virginia Parkway #2400
McKinney, Texas 75071
Cell: 972.814.1689
Cell: 214.394.8349
Office: 972.562.5400

Is it a buyers’ market or a sellers’ market?

While working phones in our busy real estate office, I received an interesting call.

“Is it a buyers’ market or a sellers’ market,” the caller blurted out.

I was a little taken back by the bluntness of the question. I’m accustomed to a little bit of conversational foreplay before being asked that question.

“Weeelllll,” I drew out.

I could have responded with the technical definition. A six month supply of homes is a balanced market. More than a six month supply of homes on the market means a buyer’s market. Less means a seller’s market. But that’s a really an over simplified response.

“It depends,” said.

The caller didn’t want to go there, and repeated her question.

“Look,” I said, “The answer isn’t one or the other. The answer really is, ‘It depends.”

“Buyers ARE enthusiastic. They are out looking, and they are buying. Sellers are getting better prices than in years’ past, and it’s not unheard of that correctly-priced homes in exceptional condition are getting multiple offers. But is it a sellers’ market? It depends.”

Click.

I guess that was all she wanted to hear, but that’s not the entire answer.

There is a difference from previous “hot” real estate markets. Buyers are different today than in “hot” real estate markets of the past. 

Buyers are far more discriminate. They are willing to pay market value. They’re even willing to pay a little over market value for a home they really want, but they’re not willing fork over exorbitant prices for properties that won’t appraise. They’re looking to live “within their means.” And we’ve even worked with several buyer s searching for properties in price ranges below what they’re qualified for.

In normal conversation, the next question is, “Should I sell my house?”

The answer is… “Yes… provided you have reasonable goals and expectations for selling your home.”

What’s reasonable in this market? Homes in great shape and priced at the market value of a given neighborhood are getting offers surprisingly quick – often multiple offers within hours of the sign going into the yard. If your home is priced above market value, the sales process is likely to be longer. If your home needs work, the sales process is likely to be longer and/or you’ll get some offers below asking price – even if it is correctly priced for the neighborhood.

The next question usually is, “now what?”

Now you call us so we can get the ball rolling! Give us a call at direct at 972-814-1689 or at the office 972-562-5400

U.S. Home Value Appreciation Rate Slows in First Quarter, But Values in Some Local Markets Remain at a Boil

SEATTLE, April 25, 2013 -- The national housing market showed signs of moderation in the first quarter after months of robust and largely unsustainable annual home value appreciation. The Zillow® Home Value Index (ZHVI)[i] rose to$157,600 as of the end of the first quarter, up 5.1 percent year-over-year and 0.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2012, according to the first quarter Zillow Real Estate Market Reports[ii].

In March, U.S. home values rose for the 16th consecutive month, though last month represented the second straight month of slowing annual appreciation. Underscoring this slowdown, home value appreciation in the first quarter was 0.5 percent compared to 2.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Historically, housing markets can expect annual home value appreciation of roughly 3 percent, according to Zillow research. Looking ahead, the Zillow Home Value Forecast[iii] shows national home values increasing by 3.2 percent through March 2014, an annual appreciation rate more in line with historic norms.

But in some local markets, home values continue to rise at a breakneck pace. Five metros covered by Zillow experienced year-over-year appreciation of more than 20 percent: Phoenix (up 24 percent), Las Vegas (up 22.3 percent), San Jose (up 22.1 percent), San Francisco (up 21.4 percent) and Sacramento (up 20.1 percent).

"The national housing market has rebounded strongly over the past year. But the sometimes dramatic home value run-ups experienced during these months were never expected to be sustainable, and recent slowdowns are indicative of a market that is slowly finding its natural level," said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries. "Looking forward, we expect annual home value appreciation to continue to slow, as more inventory comes up for sale. But pockets of very rapid appreciation will remain, a troubling sign of volatility and a potential future headache as affordability is compromised and homes begin to look much more expensive to average buyers. This affordability issue may become acute in many markets in a couple years once mortgage rates begin to return again to normal levels."

Further underscoring the unevenness of the recovery, seven of the top 30 metro markets covered by Zillow saw a decline in home values in the first quarter. The New York metro saw a decline of 0.3% in home values after three consecutive quarters of positive appreciation, the first quarterly decline in that metro since the first quarter of 2012. Chicago saw the greatest home value depreciation, with values falling 1.4% in the quarter after a flat fourth quarter of 2012.

Foreclosure rates rose in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter, likely because of a seasonal acceleration after the traditionally slow holiday period. A total of 5.11 out of every 10,000 homes were foreclosed upon in the first quarter, down 1.3 homes per 10,000 from the fourth quarter, and down 2.4 homes per 10,000 year-over-year.

In the rental market, national rents rose 0.9 percent in the first quarter compared with the fourth quarter, and were up 4.9 percent over the first quarter of 2012. The Zillow Rent Index (ZRI)[iv] stood at $1,290 at the end of March.

Metropolitan Areas	Zillow Home Value Index			Zillow Home Value Forecast
	Q1 2013	Q-Over-Q Change	Yr-Over-Yr Change	Bottom in Home Values	Change in ZHVI, Q1 2013- Q1 2014
United States	$157,600	0.5%	5.1%	2011 Q4	3.2
New York	$343,700	-0.3%	1.2%	No Bottom	-1.2
Los Angeles	$439,400	5.5%	14.9%	2012 Q1	11.1
Chicago	$159,800	-1.4%	-0.2%	2013 Q3	-1.5
Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas	$132,700	1.2%	5.7%	2011 Q4	3.5
Philadelphia	$186,900	-0.6%	0.3%	2013 Q3	0.2
Washington DC	$328,400	1.2%	6.6%	2011 Q1	1.2
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla.	$159,000	4.1%	12.1%	2011 Q4	4.9
Atlanta	$117,000	2.3%	3.5%	2012 Q3	1.7
Boston	$321,700	0.8%	4.9%	2011 Q4	0.7
San Francisco	$563,200	6.4%	21.4%	2012 Q1	10.5
Detroit	$84,700	4.1%	13.1%	2011 Q3	4.4
Riverside, Calif.	$210,100	6.0%	16.3%	2012 Q1	17.2
Phoenix	$165,600	4.7%	24.0%	2011 Q3	10.6
Seattle	$280,100	3.5%	10.1%	2012 Q1	7.8
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.	$180,500	3.1%	10.6%	2012 Q1	3.6
San Diego	$396,800	5.5%	17.1%	2012 Q1	8.8
St. Louis	$126,200	-1.2%	1.0%	2011 Q4	-0.3
Tampa, Fla.	$117,600	3.4%	9.9%	2011 Q4	3.7
Baltimore	$222,200	0.0%	3.0%	2012 Q1	0.2
Denver	$234,200	2.5%	13.1%	2011 Q2	3.1
Pittsburgh	$111,700	-0.2%	2.1%	2008 Q4	0.9
Portland, Ore.	$237,100	2.8%	10.4%	2012 Q1	4.0
Sacramento, Calif.	$241,600	7.1%	20.1%	2012 Q1	15.6
Orlando, Fla.	$130,800	3.8%	10.8%	2012 Q1	5.3
Cincinnati, Oh	$122,100	-0.3%	0.0%	2013 Q2	1.1
Cleveland	$110,900	1.0%	2.0%	2012 Q1	0.9
Las Vegas	$138,800	7.1%	22.3%	2012 Q1	7.5
San Jose	$676,100	6.8%	22.1%	2009 Q2	9.7
Columbus	$127,500	0.6%	3.4%	2012 Q1	1.3
Charlotte	$136,800	-0.7%	2.0%	2011 Q2	-0.6