Springfield Missouri Real Estate by Fitzgerald First Realty: Blogs

Archive:

Fitzgerald First Blog

10 Reasons to Buy a Home

Posted on: Friday, January 20th, 2012

10 Reasons To Buy a Home

Enough with the doom and gloom about homeownership. As reported in the Wall Street Journal, here are 10 great reasons why it's a good time to buy a home.

1. You can get a good deal. This is a buyer's market.

2. Mortgages are cheap. You can get a 30-year loan for around 4.3% or less.

3. You'll save on taxes. You can deduct the mortgage interest from your income taxes.

4. It'll be yours. You'll feel better about your own place if you own it than if you rent.

5. You'll get a better home. If you want the best home in the best neighborhood, you're better off buying.

6. It offers some inflation protection. No, it's not perfect. But studies by Professor Karl "Chip" Case (of Case-Shiller), and others, suggest that over the long-term housing has tended to beat inflation by a couple of percentage points a year.

7. It's risk capital. When the economy surprises us all and starts booming, sooner or later real estate prices will head up again, too.

8. It's forced savings. Do the math. Part of your mortgage payment goes to principal so you are paying yourself first building your equity.

9. There is a lot to choose from. There is a flood of homes in most of the country. More will come onto the market in Spring. That means great choices, as well as great prices.

10. Sooner or later, the market will clear. Supply and demand will balance.

For the full article from the Wall Street Journal Click Here

Hiring a REALTOR vs. FSBO

Posted on: Monday, July 18th, 2011

Ever thought about selling your house For Sale By Owner (FSBO)? Studies show that FSBO's are quickly declining in this challenging market.

Sales might be down for many of you but so is the competition from FSBOs. An analysis of buyer and seller data that NAR collects annually shows a fairly dramatic drop in for-sale-by-owner transactions over the last two decades.

In 1991, 19 percent of sellers, or almost one in five, sold their home as a FSBO, and 77 percent retained the help of an agent. In 2010, fewer than 10 percent sold as a FSBO and 88 percent, or almost nine in 10 sellers, worked with an agent. That’s a 14 percent increase in favor of agents over that 19-year period.

One shift we’re seeing is that FSBOs are increasingly private transactions. In 2003, the first year NAR started looking at the question, a little more than a third of FSBOs, or 36 percent, knew who their buyers were upfront. By last year, that number had increased to 50 percent. That’s a 38 percent shift. That suggests FSBOs are increasingly hesitant to go it alone unless they have their buyer lined up before they take the plunge.

On prices, the data suggests deals involving agents fetch quite a bit more: $199,300 typically versus $140,000. That kind of differential has long been the case. But as with any statistic about pricing, deeper analyses are needed to know whether that differential is caused by agents’ ability to more accurately price listings or whether FSBOs tend to congregate at lower price points or in lower-cost markets. It could be a combination of these factors.

To read more about the vanishing FSBO click the link below.

http://speakingofrealestate.blogs.realtor.org/2011/01/06/the-vanishing-fsbo/

Step 6: Get Funding

Posted on: Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Often the cost of real estate financing is routinely greater than the original purchase price of a home (after including interest and closing costs). Because financing is so important, buyers should have as much information as possible regarding mortgage options and costs.

Realtor.com® provides consumers with extensive mortgage information as well as a variety of loan calculators. Local REALTORS® can provide mortgage information, discuss financing options and recommend loan sources. In addition, some REALTORS® also originate loans.

What kind of loan?
There are thousands of loans available out there from a variety of lenders, but in general, the mortgage you choose will likely be determined by at least several key factors:

How much down? Loans with 5 percent down or less are available -- in fact, loans from major lenders with no money down have appeared in recent years.
If you place less than 20 percent down, lenders will want the mortgage guaranteed by an outside third party such as the Veterans Administration (VA), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or a private mortgage insurer (PMI, or private mortgage insurance, is required by lender to protect against any mortgage defaults). Millions of VA, FHA and PMI loans are generated each year.
How's your credit? The best rates and terms are only available to those with solid credit. To get the best loans, make a point of paying credit cards, installment payments, rent and mortgage bills in full and on time.
Are you a first-time buyer? It might seem that "first-time buyer" means someone who has never owned property before, but under most state programs, the term refers to those who have not owned property within the past three years. State-backed first-timer programs often feature smaller downpayments and below-market interest rates. For details, speak with your local REALTOR®.

How do you get a loan?
To obtain a loan you must complete a written loan application and provide supporting documentation. Specific documents include recent pay stubs, rental checks and tax returns for the past two or three years if you are self-employed. During the prequalification procedure, the loan officer will describe the type of paperwork required.

Where do you get a loan?
Mortgage financing can be obtained from mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers, savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions, and insurance companies. A growing number of REALTORS® can also arrange financing.

Step 5: Choose a Home

Posted on: Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

There's no doubt that choosing a home is a big decision and you want to do it right.

As a buyer, here's what actually happens. A home has been placed on the market for which the seller has established an asking price as well as other terms. In effect, this is an offer. At this point, you have three choices: accept the seller's offer and create a contract; reject it and not make an offer; or suggest different terms and make a counter-offer. If you choose this last option, the seller may accept, reject or make a counter-offer.

No aspect of the home buying process is more complex, personal or variable than bargaining between buyers and sellers. This is the point where the value of an experienced REALTOR® is clearly evident because he or she knows the community, has seen numerous homes for sale, knows local values and has spent years negotiating realty transactions.

Is it THE house?
A house is shelter, but a home is far more. It's where you live, relax, entertain friends, raise families, and work. A home is where you spend much of your life, and so choosing a house is an enormous decision.

How do you know if a house is THE one? Probably the best approach is to look at as many homes as possible, something made easy by Realtor.com, where you can quickly and easily view huge numbers of homes, check prices, take video tours and view extensive neighborhood information. Once your choices have been narrowed, you can then contact a local REALTOR® to find specific information and options.

Can you really afford it?
Remember Step 2 - the pre-approval process? Getting pre-approved means you have a very good idea of how much you can borrow, what loan programs will most likely work best in your situation and how much home you can afford.

How reliable is a pre-approval? While pre-approval is not a loan commitment, it's still necessary for lenders to check such items as appraisals and the latest credit reports. Despite fluctuating interest rates, pre-approval nonetheless provides a reasoned, careful analysis of what you can afford. After all, loan officers are routinely paid only when loans are originated. It doesn't make much sense for loan officers to suggest high loan limits that later can't be delivered.

Step 4: Look at Homes

Posted on: Monday, March 28th, 2011

Millions of new and existing homes are sold each year. There's no shortage of housing options, but with so many choices the challenge becomes finding the property which best meets your needs.

The housing market is complicated because the stock of homes for sale is always in flux. If it were possible to have a complete list of every home for sale at this very moment in a given community, such a list would become obsolete within seconds as new homes become available and properties now for sale are put under contract.

In effect, buyers are looking at a moving target in a marketplace that is never static. Because of this, it is important to know as much as possible about the choices in preferred markets, and the way to do that is by working closely with a local REALTOR® who has a good lay of the land.

What are you looking for?
A home is more than just a collection of bedrooms and bathrooms. Several properties -- each with four bedrooms, three baths, and the same price -- may well represent radically different designs, commuting distances, lot sizes, tax costs, interior dimensions, and exterior finishes.

Each of us is different and so it's important to list the features and benefits you want in a home. Consider such things as pricing, location, size, amenities (extras such as a pool or extra-large kitchen) and design (one floor or two, colonial or modern, etc.).

Next, it's important to consider your priorities. If you can't get a home at your price with all the features you want, then what features are most important? For instance, would you trade fewer bedrooms for a larger kitchen? A longer commute for a bigger lot and lower cost?

Lastly, consider your needs in several years. If you'll need a larger home, maybe now is the time to buy a bigger house rather than moving or expanding in the future. If you expect your income to increase, perhaps you should consider a more expensive home financed with a loan program where monthly payments increase in the future.

Where should you look?
All neighborhoods and communities have a special nature that gives them identity and value. One community may be well known for historic homes while another offers both suburban living as well as easy access to downtown office areas.

REALTOR.com® offers millions of homes online. By any standard, it's the largest source for property information, online or off. You can look at homes to contact listing brokers, and you can also search Realtor.com® to find brokers who offer buyer representation services.

How do you find a house?
Some buyers like to search REALTOR.com® by looking at listings on the basis of location or price; others prefer to have local REALTORS® suggest properties; and many buyers prefer both approaches.

Regardless of your choice, it's important to target your search. By using basic measures such as general location and affordability, you can refine your search and focus on homes that offer the most desirable features.

As a guide, you should maintain a file with information on each of the homes you like. You can print out listing pages from REALTOR.com® and then make notes for each one -- what you like, questions, REALTOR® contact data, etc.

Step 3: Get Loan Approval

Posted on: Friday, March 25th, 2011

Few people can buy a home for cash. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), nearly nine out of 10 buyers finance their purchase, which means that virtually all buyers -- especially first-time purchasers -- required a loan.

The real issue with real estate financing is not getting a loan (virtually anyone willing to pay lofty interest rates can find a mortgage). Instead, the idea is to get the loan that's right for you -- the mortgage with the lowest cost and best terms.

REALTORS® routinely suggest that consumers start the mortgage process well before bidding on a home. Many lenders (the sources of money) and programs, for example, are available right here in the finance section of Realtor.com as well as through recommendations from local REALTORS®. By meeting with lenders -- either online or face to face -- and looking at loan options, you will find which programs best meet your needs and how much you can afford.

REALTORS® also recommend pre approvals for another reason: Purchase forms often require buyers to apply for financing within a given time period, in many cases, seven to 10 days. By meeting with loan officers in advance and identifying mortgage programs, it won't be necessary to quickly find a lender, check credit, and rush into a financing decision that may not be the best option.

What is it?
"Pre-approval" means you have met with a loan officer, your credit files have been reviewed and the loan officer believes you can readily qualify for a given loan amount with one or more specific mortgage programs. Based on this information, the lender will provide a pre approval letter, which shows your borrowing power. You can visit as many lenders as you like and get several pre-approvals, but keep in mind that each one carries with it a new credit check, which will show up on future credit reports.

Although not a final loan commitment, the pre approval letter can be shown to listing brokers when bidding on a home. It demonstrates your financial strength and shows that you have the ability to go through with a purchase. This information is important to owners since they do not want to accept an offer that is likely to fail because financing cannot be obtained.

How do you get pre-approval?

Real estate financing is available from numerous sources, including lenders here in the finance section of Realtor.com, mortgage companies that have worked with local REALTORS® and in some cases, individual REALTORS® themselves. Based on his or her experience, the REALTOR® may suggest one or more lenders with a history of offering competitive programs and delivering promised rates and terms.

The loan officer will carefully review your financial situation, including your credit report and other information. The lender will then suggest programs which most-closely meet your needs. For instance, a first-time buyer may qualify for state-backed mortgage programs with little money down and low interest rates, while a repeat purchaser (someone who has bought a home before) with more equity (money invested in the home) might want to get a 15-year loan and the lower overall interest costs it represents. Typically, first-time buyers opt for the traditional 30-year loan, with either a floating interest rate or a fixed rate of interest over the life of the loan.

Step 2: Get a REALTOR

Posted on: Thursday, March 24th, 2011

More than 2 million people in the United States have earned real estate licenses. However, real estate is a tough business with a steep dropout rate, and the result is that only a small percentage of those with licenses actively help buyers and sellers.

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) includes 1 million brokers and salespeople, individuals bound together with a strong Code of Ethics, extensive training opportunities and a wealth of community information. NAR members are routinely active in PTAs, local government committees and a variety of neighborhood organizations. Being actively involved in community affairs provides REALTORS® with a better understanding of the area in which they are selling.

Why?
Buying and selling real estate is a complex matter. At first it might seem that by checking local picture books or online sites you could quickly find the right home at the right price.

But a basic rule in real estate is that all properties are unique. No two properties -- even two identical models on the same street -- are precisely and exactly alike. Homes differ and so do contract terms, financing options, inspection requirements and closing costs. Also, no two transactions are alike.

In this maze of forms, financing, inspections, marketing, pricing and negotiating, it makes sense to work with professionals who know the community and much more. Those professionals are the local REALTORS® who serve your area.

How do you choose?
In every community you're likely to find a number of realty brokerages. Because there is heated competition, local REALTORS® must fight hard to succeed in your community.

The best place to find a local REALTOR® is from REALTOR.com's® extensive listing of community professionals and properties. Other sources include open houses, local advertising, Web sites, referrals from other REALTORS®, recommendations from neighbors and suggestions from lenders, attorneys, financial planners and CPAs. The experiences and recommendations of past clients can be invaluable.

In many cases buyers will interview several REALTORS® before selecting one professional with whom to work. These interviews represent a good opportunity to consider such issues as training, experience, representation and professional certifications.

What should you expect when you work with a REALTOR®?
Once you select a REALTOR® you will want to establish a proper business relationship. You likely know that some REALTORS® represent sellers while others represent buyers. Each REALTOR® will explain the options available, describe how he or she typically works with individuals and provide you with complete agency disclosures (the ins and outs of your relationship with the agent) as required in your state.

Once hired for the job, the REALTOR® will provide you with information detailing current market conditions, financing options and negotiating issues that might apply to a given situation. Remember: Because market conditions can change and the strategies that apply in one negotiation may be inappropriate in another, this information should not be set in stone. During your time in the marketplace REALTORS® will keep you updated and alert you to each step in the transaction process.

Are You Ready?

Posted on: Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

Knowledge and experience are the keys to successful real estate transactions. REALTOR.com® contains an enormous amount of valuable information, and such data -- combined with the expertise, experience and training of local REALTORS® -- can be the essential keys to your success.

One of the keys to making the home-buying process easier and more understandable is planning. In doing so, you'll be able to anticipate requests from lenders, lawyers and a host of other professionals. Furthermore, planning will help you discover valuable shortcuts in the home-buying process.

Do You Know What You Want?
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or entering the marketplace as a repeat buyer, you need to ask why you want to buy. Are you planning to move to a new community due to a lifestyle change or is buying an option and not a requirement? What would you like in terms of real estate that you do not now have? Do you have a purchasing timeframe?

Whatever your answers, the more you know about the real estate marketplace, the more likely you are to effectively define your goals. As an interesting exercise, it can be worthwhile to look at the questions above and to then discuss them in detail when meeting with local REALTORS®.

Do You Have The Money?
Homes and financing are closely intertwined. (Financing is the difference between the purchase price and the down payment, commonly referred to as debt or the mortgage.) The good news is that over the years new and innovative loan programs have evolved which require a 5 percent down payment or less. In fact, a number of programs now allow purchasers to buy real estate with nothing down.

In addition to a down payment, purchasers also need cash for closing costs (the final costs associated with closing the loan). Several newly emerging loan programs not only allow the purchase of a home with no money down, but also underwrite closing costs.

Not everyone, however, elects to purchase with little or no money down. Less money down means higher monthly mortgage payments, so most home buyers choose to buy with some cash up front.

As to closing costs, in markets where buyers have leverage, it may be possible to negotiate an offer for a home that requires the owner to pay some or all of your settlement expenses. Speak with local REALTORS® for details.

Is Your Financial House in Order?
Those great loans with little or nothing down are not available to everyone: You need good credit. For at least one year prior to purchasing a home, you should assure that every credit card bill, rent check, car payment and other debt is paid in full and on time.

Home Ownership Offers Plenty of Tax Benefits

Posted on: Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

While renting offers zero tax breaks, buying a home offers several tax benefits that can make homeownership more affordable. Real estate professionals need to be careful in providing detailed tax advice to clients to avoid lawsuits, but you can ensure clients have the information they need to understand the all of the tax benefits of home ownership.

The following is a few of the tax benefits to home ownership, according to Stephen Fishman, an author and lawyer who specializes in small business, tax and intellectual property law.

▪ Home mortgage interest deduction: Home owners can take an itemized deduction on interest paid on a mortgage or mortgages of up to $1 million for a principal residence and/or second home. This deduction could potentially reduce the cost of borrowing by one-third or more.
▪ Property tax deduction: Home owners can deduct from their federal income taxes the state and local property taxes that you pay on the home.
▪ Deductible home buying expenses: Several closing costs in a home purchase are also deductible, such as loan origination fees (points), prorated interest on a new loan, and prorated property taxes paid at settlement.
▪ $250,000/$500,000 home-sale exclusion: Home owners who have lived in their home for two of the prior five years prior to its sale do not have to pay income tax on the majority of their profit — $250,000 for single home owners and $500,000 for married homeowners who file jointly.
▪ 14 days of free rental income: Home owners can rent the home up to 14 days during the year and pay no tax at all on the rental income.

Source: “The Tax Benefits of Homeownership,” Inman News (Feb. 4, 2011) (log in required)

Why Use a REALTOR®

Posted on: Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Many consumers consider selling their home directly but eventually turn to REALTORS®. Smart home sellers realize they need the expertise in pricing their home, making connections with REALTORS® working with buyers, arranging and staffing open houses, and coordinating with other professionals in the sales process.

Only about half of all real estate agents are REALTORS® - the top half, in our not-so-humble opinion. REALTORS® work independently, for small agencies, or for large brokerages. They help people buy and sell residential or commercial properties, vacation homes, and land; they conduct appraisals; they operate in the United States and in other countries; some specialize in auctions; and others are buyer's representatives.

Move or Remodel
Are you considering a move? Check out HouseLogic, NAR's new consumer site, to analyze the pros and cons of moving or staying put, plus lots more information about owning a home.

REALTORS® Are Experts

Eighty-five percent of sellers were assisted by a real estate agent when selling their home, according to NAR Research, and 79 percent of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker.

Why Use a REALTOR®?
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Here are 12 ways a REALTOR® will make your home buying or selling experience better.

REALTORS® Are Part of the Community

REALTORS® Work to End Housing Discrimination - during April, which is Fair Housing Month, and all year long. REALTORS® are active members of their communities.

REALTORS® Protect You

Only REALTORS® Follow a Code of Ethics
To be a member of NAR and a REALTOR®, a real estate agent must abide by a set of professional principles and serve clients fairly.

Learn how the Code of Ethics affects everyday real estate practices

Specialty Mortgages: What Are the Risks and Advantages?
A growing number of home buyers are deciding to use one of several new types of specialty mortgages that let them "stretch" their income so they can qualify for a larger loan. Before you decide whether a specialty mortgage is for you, read this brochure.

'Secret' Way to Lower Mortgage Payments

Posted on: Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Home owners can trim their monthly mortgage payments by “recasting” or “re-amortizing” their loan, without having to refinance and face hefty closing cost fees, experts say.

When recasting, the borrower pays off a lump sum of the loan’s principal and then resets monthly payments at the loan’s original interest rate and terms.

Here’s one scenario: $230,449 is left on a 30-year fixed rate loan for a $300,000 mortgage taken out at 7.93 percent in 1995. The borrower pays $20,000 toward the principal and asks the lender to reamortize their payments over the remaining 15 years of the loan. The monthly payment then drops by $52, from $2,187 to $2,135 per month. ($100,000 toward the lump sum would save $730 a month.)

Since borrowers are not asking for a new loan, they will not have to pay closing costs or submit to another credit check. (Note: “Recasting” is often used in the mortgage industry to refer to interest rate resets on adjustable-rate mortgages. In this case, the interest rate and loan term remain the same. )

“People don’t really know about it, but it’s become more common recently,” Alan Rosenbaum, founder and chief executive of the Guardhill Financial Corporation in New York, said about recasting.

Borrowers who just make extra payments toward the loan’s principal but do not ask the bank to recast the loan will keep monthly payments the same and just shorten the overall time it takes to pay off the loan. Recasting, on the other hand, reduces the principal but then, in turn, lowers monthly payments and interest over the life of the loan.

Some recent buyers may find recasting a good option, particularly when it makes little financial sense to refinance so soon after purchasing a home but are expecting a large sum of money. For example, buyers who expect to receive a tax refund or other substantial money after closing on their property, such as proceeds from the sale of another property or stocks, may want to look into recasting to lower monthly payments, says Edward Ades, the owner of Universal Mortgage in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Source: “A Little-Known Strategy for Cutting Mortgage Payments,” New York Times (Dec. 30, 2010)

Crafty Ideas for Winter Curb Appeal

Posted on: Monday, December 6th, 2010

As the autumn chill turns to winter cold and the sun sets earlier in the day, it becomes more difficult to create that inviting exterior look that grabs buyers from the curb. Fortunately, it is possible to create winter curb appeal without expensive or complicated exterior changes.

Here are a few tips from the National Association of Realtors:

· Give it seasonal sparkle: Fill frost-resistant urns with twigs, winter greenery and sparkly baubles (sold at most craft stores).

· Light it bright: During the winter, it’s more likely that buyers will be viewing after sunset. Use clear flood spotlights to focus on the home’s architectural features. When snow covers the ground it is best to take photos of listings at night with all of the interior lights on—the light bounces off the white snow to create a warm, inviting glow.

· Create a photo display of sunnier days: Show buyers what the outside of the home looks like during other seasons by displaying some landscape photos in frames or using a digital photo frame with a slide show of images. This will give a sense of what the property looks like at other times of year.

· Don’t forget to clear a path. If the ground is covered in snow, the simplest and most important thing you can do is shovel the driveway and sidewalks and keep the home’s patios and decks as clear as possible so buyers can get a sense of their true size.

For more ideas and to read the full article, click here

Local Impact of Housing Market

Posted on: Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Bob Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald First Realty, LLC and co-developer of the Richmond subdivision in Nixa, was featured in a recent News-Leader article about the local impact of the housing market.

"If we can just get the consumer a little bit past that nervousness and make that decision to go ahead and move, it's amazing how many other people and industries that affects -- just one move," Fitzgerald said.

"Homeownership is the cornerstone of our economy. Homeownership and home purchasing is what's going to lead us out of this. Anything local government can do to make it less costly to build homes -- reduce permit fees or streamline zoning or application processes, for example -- would help make homes less costly and more affordable to people who might want to buy."

Click here to read the full article

What’s In with Home Design

Posted on: Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Coinciding with a sluggish housing market, home owners have changed their preferences about how space is used and designed in their homes. Function over extravagance has reigned in recent years, along with affordability, when it comes to home features, according to the latest American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey for the second quarter of 2010.

Here are a few highlights from the report:

WHAT’S IN

Home offices: More people are working out of their home or telecommuting, prompting more home owners to want a dedicated workspace in their homes.

Outdoor living areas: Home owners want to expand their living space into the outdoors and are seeking to incorporate more outdoor living elements into their lifestyles.

Mud rooms: The need for additional closets and other storage space, as well as the increasing informality of space in the home, is driving more home owners to want mud rooms.

Energy-saving features: Home owners are seeking energy efficient products and systems that will reduce their rising utility costs. Those energy efficient products and materials that have boasted the greatest increase in interest in recent months include items such as double and triple glazed windows, tankless water heaters, and low maintenance materials.

Fitzgerald First Realty teams with Bussell Building to bring you all of these features. We build energy efficient homes and we pride ourselves on the quality of our construction and value.

For more information you can visit: Latest Report: What’s In, What’s Out With Home Design

Vote YES on Amendment 3

Posted on: Friday, October 29th, 2010

Make sure to vote YES for Amendment 3 in the November 2^nd election!

Amendment 3 would amend the Missouri Constitution to prevent double taxation on homes and other properties by barring transfer taxes on real estate transactions. Transfer tax is a one-time tax paid at the closing of a property as well as any transfer of property. Like a sales tax, a transfer tax would charge every seller a percentage of the total sale price which can range as high as 4%. It’s a state or local government imposed tax that is collected when you transfer ownership of your home, land or commercial real estate. And typically, once the tax is initiated, the rate can be increased by the state, county or city at any time. A real estate transfer tax would be a form of double taxation because Missourians already pay property taxes on real estate. Imposing a double taxation would also lower many homeowners’ equity they have in the house. It would negatively impact the process of buying and selling a home and would unfairly target property owners and lower income residents alike.

Amendment 3 states, “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to prevent the state, counties, and other political subdivisions from imposing any new tax, including a sales tax, on the sale or transfer of homes or any other real estate?” Realtors strongly believe the answer to this question is YES and urge you to vote “yes” along with us to permanently prohibit real estate transfer taxes.

http://www.yestosavehomes.com/

New Construction Virtual Tour!

Posted on: Friday, October 22nd, 2010

There's no better time to build your dream home! Construction prices are affordable and interest rates are at historic lows. Building a new home should be fun, and it is with Fitzgerald First Realty and Bussell Building. We've found that buyers seek out a "Bussell Built" home because they are aware of the attention to detail that goes into every home. Check out our virtual tour to see why!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjS88Bx1Bbk

There’s no better time...

Posted on: Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

There is no better time to build your dream home. Construction prices are affordable and interest rates are at historic lows. If you look at the big picture, interest rates are even lower than they were at the beginning of 2010 and new home prices are a deal! If you have ever considered building your very own home, now is the time to do it!

Building a new home should be fun, and it is with Fitzgerald First Realty, LLC and Bussell Building. We’ve found that buyers seek out a “Bussell Built” home because they are aware of the attention to detail that goes into every home. Our homes are meticulous, and feature energy efficient HVAC units, hardwood floors, jetted tubs, fireplaces, formal dining rooms and granite counter tops.

Let’s discuss building YOU a new home!

Check out this video showing you just how easy it is!

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/New-houses-going-up-in-the-Ozarks-buck-national-trend-98981944.html

Springtime in the Ozarks..

Posted on: Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

We're just days away from the end of the amazing tax credits available to first time buyers($8,000) and repeat buyers($6,500). BUT, there's still time; you just have to have something under contrract by April 30! There are LOTS of homes to choose from, both existing and new construction; check out our new homes in Plainview Oaks, Indigo Ridge and Richmond/Nixa. You'll find our 3-4BR NEW homes are an awesome opportunity!

Call us today; we'd love to help you find your dream home!

Bob Fitzgerald/830.5770 or Kari Wyrsch/496.6073

New listings!

Posted on: Friday, March 12th, 2010

Spring is on the horizon and construction/selling activity is UP! First time homebuyer money and repeat buyers is still available with contracts signed by April 30, 2010. Don't miss out!

We have more new homes going up in three subdivisions: Indigo Ridge and Plainview Oaks in Springfield and Richmond in Nixa.

New listings include 190 acres with four ponds, an 1896 home and other outbuildings just minutes North of Springfield. It'll be a beautiful Spring there!

Call either Bob Fitzgerald, 830.5770 or Kari Wyrsch, 496.6073 to ask about or see any of our listings!

Time to pick colors...

Posted on: Thursday, February 18th, 2010

7 new homes are under construction in Richmond/Nixa, Indigo Ridge/Springfield and Plainview Oaks/Springfield with several just at the point you can pick your colors for carpet, tile, paint! Others are nearing completion. You will love the quality/amenities in these Bussell-built homes! Even more, you'll love what you can get for these prices! Like we said: "If you don't pick the colors, we will!"

Come out to see them soon! Or, call Bob Fitzgerald/830.5770-Kari Wyrsch/496.6073 to see them.

More, new homes

Posted on: Monday, February 8th, 2010

Many of you followed along as the home for Jason and Marissa was under construction by Kenny Bussell. They've now been enjoying their new home since before Thanksgiving.

More new homes under construction now are nearing stages for picking colors, etc. Not too late for you to enjoy the process and make your new home fit your needs! We have homes going up in 3 of our subdivisions: Richmond/Nixa, Indigo Ridge and Plainview Oaks in Springfield priced from $164,900 to $189,900.

Call Bob Fitzgerald/830.5770 today to find out more about these homes!

New Construction going on...

Posted on: Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Check out the new houses being built by Kenny Bussell in Indigo Ridge, Plainview Oaks and Richmond(Nixa)!

Recent cold weather has delayed some of it but many of these homes will be finished within the next 90 days or before!

Pricing ranges from $164,900-$189,900