This video was produced by the Houston Association of Realtors and it explains the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to consumers. From my website, consumers can view all of the listings in the MLS. You can look for homes based on your search criteria.

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This week Governor Rick Perry appointed two new public members to the Texas
Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (TALCB); Mr. Malachi O. Boyuls of
Dallas and Ms. Sheryl Swift of Galveston. Mr. Robert D. Davis, Jr., currently a
public member on the Board, has been reappointed with a new term expiration of
January 31, 2012.
Mr. Boyuls is an associate in the Dallas office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP,
where he currently practices in the firm’s Litigation Department. Mr. Boyuls
received his law degree from New York University in 2006 and his undergraduate
degree in Religion and Philosophy from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in
2002, where he was a member of the Crusader football team. Mr. Boyuls’ term
expires January 31, 2012 and he replaces Bill Schneider of Austin.
Ms. Swift is a Registered Texas Assessor Collector and is the Chief Deputy of
Operations with the Galveston County Tax Office, where she supervises all fund
related operations within the main and branch offices. In addition, Ms. Swift is
responsible for training all management staff on the Operations team. She has been
with Galveston County since December 2000. Ms. Swift’s term expires January 31,
2011, and she replaces Danny Perkins of Houston.
“I am very happy to welcome Mr. Boyuls and Ms. Swift to the Board and look
forward to working with them on the many challenges facing the appraiser
profession in Texas,” commented TALCB Chairman, James “Jaime” Ratliff. “At
the same time, while we are sorry that Mr. Schneider and Mr. Perkins are leaving,
we sincerely thank them for their many years of dedication and service.”
Also new to the agency is Mr. Steven Leipsner of Lakeway who has been appointed
as the sole public member to the statutory TREC Broker-Lawyer Committee. His
term ends in 2015.
The agency welcomes these new appointees!

If the latest technology and entertainment options are important in your new home, add the following questions to your buyer’s checklist.  This is interesting information I got from the REALTOR Magazine Online and reprinted with permission of the National Association of REALTORS.  Visit the Consumer Electronics Association ( http://www.ce.org/techhomerating ) for a complete Tech Home Rating Checklist.

1.  Are there enough jacks in every room for cable TV and high-speed Internet hookups?  Does it include U-Verse if that’s important to your family?

2.  Are there enough telephone extensions or jacks?  Most people use their cell phones these days, but some still want a phone in every room, including the bathrooms.

3.  Is the home prewired for a home theater or multi-room audio and video?

4.  Does the home have a local area network for linking computers?

5.  Does the home already have wiring for DSL or other high-speed Internet connection?

6.  Does the home have multi-room lighting controls, window-covering controls, or other home automation features?

7.  Does the home have multi-room lighting controls, window-covering controls, or other home automation features?

8.  Is the home wired with multi-purpose in-wall wiring that allows for reconfigurations to update services as technology changes?

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Credit Problems can seem like an insurmountable barrier to getting a home loan. It’s not an easy task, but with patience and some insight you can turn things around. Here are four ways you can get on the road to credit repair – and put yourself in a better position for homeownership.

1. Develop a budget
Stop all credit transactions right now. It might sound harsh, but you should hide or destroy all of your cards if necessary! Now you can manage your inflow of cash and, more importantly, your outflow – money in and money out.
Develop a flexible budget. Consider all necessary expenses such as housing, food, and healthcare. Then, eliminate expenses that can be trimmed such as entertainment and dining out. For more help, contact a nonprofit credit counseling agency, such as the TCA at 866/528-0588 or http://www.takechargeamerica.org .

2. Contact your creditors
If you aren’t making timely payments, don’t wait for your account to be turned over to collections. Your creditors may be able to help you get on a lower-interest payment plan or agree to a settlement.
A helpful tip: If your balance is unmanageable, offer a 30% settlement payment first. Some creditors will take payments of 30-40% off rather than have you default. Make sure to get the agreement in writing. Once you’ve paid in full, send the settlement letter to each of the credit bureaus (Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian/TRW) for reference so they will update your credit report.

3. Consolidate your debt
Another approach to consider is acquiring a debt consolidation loan. This type of loan will allow you to pay off your outstanding balances with one, lower-interest monthly payment. A home equity loan for debt consolidation could allow the interest you pay to become tax-deductable.

4. Avoid Bankruptcy
A last resort is bankruptcy because of tis long-lasting effects. Bankruptcy can make it difficult to attain future credit, life insurance, and sometimes even a job. It does, however, offer a new start. The primary types of personal bankruptcy are Chapter 13 and Chapter 7. Chapter 13 allows you to keep property that you would otherwise lose, but payoff a default amount during a three to five year period. Chapter 7 (straight bankruptcy) liquidates all of your assets that are not exempt. Property is turned over to creditors or sold by a court-appointed official.

Help for Homeownership is out there…

There are lots of programs to help first-time and low-income homeowners, and even those with spotty credit histories who want to realize the American dream of homeownership. One is the Texas First Time Homebuyer Program. For more information, visit http://MyFirstTexasHome.org or call me today at 832.628.7355.

Texas Association of Realtors, All rights reserved.

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Look for my article in the June 2010 Houston Realtor Magazine published by HAR.com.  The article addresses blogging and how it has been a benefit to my business.  People often ask me how blogging has helped with my success.  I hope you enjoy the article that addresses not only blogging, but all types of social media.