Amarillo, TX – Just hang your hat and call it home!

Wide, Open Spaces

If you’re not from here, thoughts of Amarillo conjure up images of the infamous Cadillac Ranch and the Big Texan restaurant as the lyrics from George Strait’s “Amarillo by Morning” linger in your mind. For the rest of us, Amarillo is God’s country.

With a mild climate providing four distinct seasons, some folks say it’s the weather that makes Amarillo great — especially if you enjoy the constant breeze offered up by the vast, open countryside. Perhaps the best part, though, is the lack of much humidity.

One thing Amarillo doesn’t lack is diversity. The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, located just 20 minutes south of Amarillo in Canyon, is the largest history museum in Texas. It has one of the country’s best collections of Western art and artifacts. And speaking of canyons, the Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers more than 25,000 magical acres in the country’s second-largest canyons.

At the canyon park, you can enjoy one of the nation’s best outdoor productions — “TEXAS” — or you can take your entertainment to the skies at the Don Harrington Discovery Center, which now features a Digital Space Theater. Plus, Amarillo plays host to America’s favorite road, historic Route 66 — with quaint antique shops and unique dining experiences.

And it’s not all cowboys and ropin’ cattle in the Panhandle, either. Amarillo is now home to the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, where locals and tourists alike can enjoy ballet, opera and symphony (though they might come decked out in their fanciest Western wear.) Did I mention intriguing art museums and delightful botanical gardens?

Wait, there is a lot of cowboys and ropin’ and stuff like that. How about the American Quarter Horse Association’s museum, which is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation? Plus, the Amarillo Civic Center and Amarillo National Center support conventions, sports shows, entertainment and semi-pro sports as well as world and national rodeos.

Then there’s the economy. The health-care industry represents 25 percent of the local economy and accounts for about 6,000 jobs. Plus, the Panhandle is the largest cattle-feeding region in America and annually markets more than 7 million fed cattle — 30 percent of the nation’s fed-cattle production, making it a significant part of the region’s economy. Gas, petroleum and agriculture are the other principal sources of business.

All of the history, the sightseeing, the shopping, the dining are wonderful, but do you really want to know what makes Amarillo great? I’m here to tell you it’s the people. You won’t find friendlier faces anywhere, guaranteed.

This information is presented by:

Connie Taylor
Keller Williams
ConnieTaylor@KW.com
www.SoldByConnieTaylor.com

Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.

Dr. Mark Dotzour is coming to Amarillo!

The only thing we have to fear is… misinformation, but that’s about to change!

On June 23^rd, Amarillo Association of REALTORS (AAOR) is hosting Dr. Mark Dotzour – Chief Economist, Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University – to come talk about the Amarillo real estate market.

I’ve hear Dr. Dotzour speak before and he is a fabulous speaker.  We as a community are EXTREMELY lucky to have Dr. Dotzour come talk to us about the ups and downs of the current economy and how it is affecting the real estate market.  If you can make the time to come, it will be well worth it to everyone to come hear him speak.

The seminar will start at 3 PM at the Heritage Room of the Amarillo Civic Center.  Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the AAOR at 358-7736 (or email Denise@AmarilloRealtors.org) to receive your FREE ticket or more information.

That’s right, I said FREE ticket.  Thanks to the support of many businesses in the local Amarillo area, the cost to attend is NOTHING.  Just be sure to get a ticket before they are gone!

Here is the flyer for the event for your printing/informational needs:

AAOR Dotzour Flyer

This information is presented by:

Connie Taylor

Keller Williams

ConnieTaylor@KW.com

www.SoldByConnieTaylor.com 

Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit seminar

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit seminar

With the passing of the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, a lot of confusion has surfaced amongst everyone connected to real estate – buyers, sellers, and yes, even the lenders, title companies and your local real estate agents.

Well, to help teach the whats, whos, and hows of the new tax credit, Keller Williams agents Karen Corbin and Shirley Perry will be hosting the first in hopefully many informal seminars to examine how the tax credit affects everyone.

To be there to offer their expertise on the tax credit will be accountant Brenda Gladney of Tax Services Unlimited, Penny Cunningham of State Farm Insurance, and a representative from Amarillo National Bank.

The seminar starts at 11 AM at the new Keller Williams office at 7304 SW 34^th Ave, Space 1 (where Judy’s use to be) in the training room, with sandwiches being offered during the discussions.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email either Shirley Perry at 674-1134 or Karen Corbin at 680-3456.

 

This information is presented by:

Connie Taylor

Keller Williams

ConnieTaylor@KW.com

www.SoldByConnieTaylor.com

Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed.

Useful contact information in Amarillo, TX

Useful contact information in Amarillo, TX

If you are thinking about buying or selling your home in Amarillo, TX I thought I would provide you with some information that I thought might help you out.

UTILITIES

Electric Services
Xcel Energy XcelEnergy.com 800-895-4999

Gas Service
Atmos Energy 1-888-363-7427

Water and Sewer Service
City of Amarillo 509 E. 7th 806-378-3078
City of Canyon 301 16th St. 806-655-5003

TELEPHONE (Residential)
Alltel 7203 W Interstate 40 Ste M 806-336-0328
AMA TechTel Communications 4909 Canyon Drive 806-322-2222
AT&T 800-222-0300
NTS Communications 801 S. Filmore, Suite 130 806-376-7747
Sprint 800-877-7746

CABLE TELEVISION
SuddenLink Amarillo 5800 W. 45th Ave. 806-358-4801
Canyon 2201 8th Ave. 806-655-2114

NEWSPAPER
Amarillo Globe News 900 S. Harrison 806-376-4488

DRIVER’S LICENSE
Department of Public Safety 4200 Canyon Drive 806-468-1 400

VEHICLE REGISTRATION

Potter County Tax Office 900 S. Polk, Suite 1 06 806-342-2630
Randall County Tax Office-Annex 4111 S. Georgia 806-468-5654
or Canyon Office 400 16th St, Canyon 806-468-5540
FOR EMERGENCIES CALL 911

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

AISD 7200 1-40 West 806-354-4200
Bushland ISD 3rd and Wells, Bushland 806-359-6683
CISD 508 16th St, Canyon 806-677-2600
Highland Park HPISD 1800 Ave F 806-335-2823
River Road RRISD 9500 US 287 North 806-381 -7800

Homeowner’s Insurance – Do You Have Enough of It?

A homeowner’s insurance policy can get quite complicated, as many factors figure into a home insurance policy.  Many homeowners don’t realize that their homeowner’s coverage could change due to home upgrades or rising building costs, which can leave them under-insured in the event of a disaster.  Those homeowners out there who have actually faced disaster will tell you first-hand just how important homeowner’s insurance is.  It is a necessity to have homeowner’s insurance now and almost all mortgage companies will not finance real estate without proof of homeowner’s coverage for the fair value of the property.

Homeowners who live near earthquake fault lines, flood areas or high drought areas can expect to pay more for homeowner’s insurance.  These areas are also known as “major waterways”.  However, no matter what the price you have to pay, it is best to have a homeowner’s insurance policy for optimal protection.  Therefore, I want to give homeowners some helpful advice to make sure their homeowner’s insurance is sufficient to meet their needs.

Listed below are some great ways to make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your home:

·         Raise Your Deductible – A homeowner’s insurance deductible is similar to car and health insurance.  The higher the deductible, the lower the annual premiums you will pay.  However, small problems such as leaky pipes, broken windows or damaged sheetrock that adds up to only a few hundred dollars to fix will be coming out of the homeowner’s pocket.

·         Check for Multiple Policy Discounts – Most insurance companies offer a 10% discount to customers who have a combination of two or more policies such as home, auto or health insurance.  So, shop for the best quotes.  You can save even more by shopping around.

·         Review and Compare Your Policy Regularly – At least once a year, compare your insurance policy to other insurance policies.  If you find a cheaper policy, go with it.

·         Plan Ahead for Construction – If you’re planning for a home addition or any another addition to the property, take into consideration the cost of materials.  Typically, these materials will cost more than when the original home was built, which will cost more to insure.  A quick phone call to your insurance company will add the extra insurance you need for your home’s addition.

·         Maintain Smoke and Security Alarms – Having these two items will save you on your homeowner’s insurance.  Smoke alarms will usually save 10% on annual premiums and are very important in case of fire.  Security systems can save 5% on annual premiums.  You will also need to provide proof of your monitoring system with a bill or contract to the insurance company.

To help avoid delays in getting your insurance money in the event of a disaster, make sure you document everything.  Videotape and photograph the entire contents of your home and the home itself.  Purchase a fireproof box to store these photos and videos in.  You should also consider storing copies at a relative’s house or a safe deposit box.

No matter where you get your homeowners’ insurance from, you should make sure you have the proper coverage.  No skimping.  This insurance is a necessity.

Realtor® Connie Taylor  ~  Amarillo, Texas Real Estate

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Experiencing Downtown Amarillo

Many people travel through downtown Amarillo daily and don’t realize how much history they are missing.  However, with a handy guide and a careful eye, everyone can enjoy a stroll through downtown Amarillo and see that the city contains more than just tall buildings.

When one sets out on foot through the streets of downtown Amarillo, you see it and experience it very differently.  All you have to do is slow down and take the time to pay attention to the details.

Polk Street alone contains nine sites of history.  Therefore, I am taking advantage of my blog to list some of these sites as a guide for anyone interested in discovering Amarillo’s downtown history for themselves.

High Plains Public Radio is located at 500 S. Polk St.  It was built in 1902 by Stafford Lightburne.  This is the oldest commercial building still standing in downtown Amarillo.

The Fisk Medical Arts Building is located at 724 S. Polk St.  It was built in 1927 by Guy Carlander.  This brick building features beautiful terra cotta ornamental trim.  Don’t forget to look for the blue statues that are on top of the building.

White and Kirk Building is located at 516 S. Polk St.  It was built in 1938 by Guy Carlander.  The style of this building is based on the Art Deco movement in the Pueblo Deco style.

The Santa Fe Building is located at 900 S. Polk St.  It was built somewhere between 1928 and 1930 by E.A. Harrison.  This building is a 14-story skyscraper that features a great mix of modern and Gothic ornamentation.  Check out the lobby.  It features marble and bronze.

The Kress Building is located at 702 S. Polk St.  It was built in 1932 by R.R. Rowe.  Like several other Kress retail stores of this time, the building features high-end architectural details.  This building also represents the Pueblo Deco movement.

The Barfield Building is located at 602 S. Polk St.  It was built in 1927 by Wyatt Hedrick.  This building is a 10-story structure that was once home to a bank and other offices.  It now stands vacant; however, it will soon be converted into apartments.

Polk Street United Methodist Church is located at 1401 S. Polk St.  It was built in 1928 by J. Roy Smith and R. H. Hunt and Co.  The main complex of the church features a Gothic style design and the adjoining parsonage features an English Tudor style.  Look for the Good Shepherd in the stained-glass windows.

Acapulco’s is located at 727 S. Polk St.  It was built in 1972 by an unknown person.  This particular building features some of the most elaborate artistic architectural work that can be found in downtown Amarillo.  There are also beautiful flower details around the top of the building.

The Paramount Theater is located at 817 S. Polk St.  It was built somewhere between 1928 and 1930 by E.A. Harrison.  This building was once Amarillo’s finest movie theater before it was converted into office space in 1969.  There is a 33.5-foot neon sign that was restored in 2006.

I hope this guide helps make the most of your experience the next time you are in downtown Amarillo.

Realtor® Connie Taylor  ~  Amarillo, Texas Real Estate

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Cleaning Your Home’s Windows

Spring is now in full swing, making it the perfect time of year to let the sunshine in your beautiful home and brighten things up a bit.  Is the sun getting through your windows or are they too grimy?

Here are some tips to get your windows sparkling clean.  These tips are especially great for homeowners who are putting their home on the market to sell.

1.    Vacuum the windowsills, frames, weatherstripping and screens to remove dirt and dust build up.  Vacuuming these features keep them dry so you don’t have to worry about water damage.

2.    Clean your windows with a mixture of vinegar and water for a streak-free shine or buy an environmental-friendly window cleaning product to clean them.  Also, old cotton socks work very well for cleaning in place of paper towels.

3.    Remove stains such as ink, oil or tar from vinyl window frames with Fantastik, Soft Scrub or Lestoil.  Each one is great at removing tough stains.

4.    Polish your brass hardware (if you have any) on wood frame windows with a soft, dry cloth.  If the brass is tarnished, you can use a fine steel wool soaked in a light oil and scrub to a new finish.  Apply many coatings of a good quality automobile wax for protection.

Never use a high-pressure spray to clean windows, as this can cause cracks or breaks in the glass or caulking around the glass.  It pays to take the time to clean each individual window.  And never use any abrasive cleaners because they cause tiny scratches and, over time, these scratches will cause the window to look hazy.

If you have wood window frames and it’s in your budget, replace them with vinyl windows with a tilt-in feature.  This makes it easier to clean.

I hope these tips help brighten your home this beautiful spring season.

Realtor® Connie Taylor  ~  Amarillo Texas Real Estate

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Homes are More Affordable Than Ever

Home buyers are finally returning to the market, thanks to a combination of record low mortgage rates and extremely low home prices.  According to the new figures released by the National Association of Home Builders, almost half of American households can now afford today’s median home price of $200,000.  That’s a big increase of nearly 17 million households from just two years ago, not to mention the most affordable housing we’ve seen in several years.

Affordable housing usually means a sign of buyers on the market once again.  This is so true lately, with interest rates going so low.  Families can now buy homes with $20,000 less in household income than what they could have just two years ago. 

Even home builders are beginning to see more foot traffic in new homes.  This is a good sign that the housing market may have finally reached the bottom and is beginning to rise from the rubble. 

First-time buyers have the best incentives to buy right now.  Combine low interest rates, low housing prices and the $8,000 buyer tax credit from the new economic stimulus package and you’ve got the best deal of all.  Just be sure to buy your home before December 1, 2009 or you’ll have missed out on that credit.

For many families, this is a one-time opportunity that you just can’t miss out on.  Therefore, don’t let this moment pass you by.

Realtor® Connie Taylor – Amarillo, Texas Real Estate

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Mortgage Rates Remain Low for Two Straight Weeks

As 30-year fixed mortgage rates remain low for two straight weeks, I thought I would take the opportunity to blog about just how low these rates are.  In the last week of March, the weekly average rate borrowers were quoted for a 30-year fixed mortgage rate around the nation remained steady at 5.09%, while 15-year fixed mortgages were 4.80%.  However, each state quotes different mortgage rates.

Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates vary by each state.  This week’s interest national interest rate rests at 4.78%. Texas mortgage rates were the lowest in the country, while Ohio mortgage rates were the highest.

This week’s mortgage rates:

Arizona: 5.08%  5.06% 

California: 5.08%  5.02%

Colorado: 5.09%  5.05%

Florida: 5.06%  5.04%

Georgia: 4.99%  4.92%

Maryland: 5.14%  5.11%

Massachusetts: 5.08%  5.07%

Michigan: 5.09%  5.09%

New Jersey: 5.12%  5.05%

New York: 5.15%  5.11%

North Carolina: 5.10%  5.09%

Ohio: 5.24%  5.20%

Oregon: 5.12% 5.10%

Pennsylvania: 5.09%  5.02%

Texas: 4.92%  4.90%

Virginia: 5.09%  5.02%

Washington: 5.11%  5.06%

With interest rates and home prices so low, there’s really no excuse not to go out and buy your dream home today.  These mortgage interest rates won’t stay this low for long.  So if you’ve been thinking of purchasing a new home, don’t delay.

Realtor® Connie Taylor – Amarillo, Texas Real Estate

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Spring into a Savings Plan for a New Home

For several years now, the American government has calculated that we have a savings rate close to a big fat 0.  However, as our nation stands on the brink of one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression, we find ourselves taking a step back and looking at what we are spending on our daily activities, traveling, vacations and more that we once took for granted.  And as a result, the savings rate for Americans has changed from 0.1% to almost 5%.  And this big increase in savings can be attributed to our reduction in our spending habits.

This recession may not be such a bad thing for many people seeking to buy a home.  Over time, a recession can actually teach people how to save what money they have and how to spend it on what’s important.  Here are some simple tips that can help you assess your spending habits and save you money:

·         Pass up the prepackaged foods.  Prepackaged foods or ready-to-eat meals and snacks are actually more expensive than buying individual ingredients in large bags or bulk.  It may cost more in the beginning, but it spreads out much further so you get more for your money when you prepare it yourself.

·         Forgo packaged drinks.  Soft drinks and bottled water really begin to add up and can so easily be substituted.  Individual cups of coffee at coffee shops and even gas stations begin to rack up the dollars.  Brew your coffee at home to save hundreds a year.

·         Car repairs can be one of the most expensive fixes our wallets see.  Therefore, shop around for independent shops and ask for references from family or friends.  Avoid car dealer repair shops since they cost the most.

·         Credit cards are very important to pay on time to maintain good credit.  Always pay your minimum balance or above to avoid extra or unnecessary charges. 

·         Ask your bank for a free checking account.  If they don’t offer one, move your money to one that does.  And be sure to set up overdraft protection.  This will help you avoid hefty fees when you have bounced checks.  Also, use your own bank’s ATM to avoid fees.

·         Forget extended warranties.  You most likely won’t need long-term protection for your new product.  Usually technology will replace what you just bought or the item will break within the first year while it’s still under its one year warranty.

·         Avoid fax and copy centers.  If you need something like a document or resume faxed, try using an online service that allows you to scan the document into your computer and send it safely online.  Copy centers can charge up to $2 a page.

·         Stop buying magazines and newspapers.  Most, if not all, magazines and newspapers are now online.  If there is no need for you to carry a print version around, stop buying it.  Just go online and do your reading for free.  You’re already paying for the internet; use it.

Small things like these will definitely and effectively change the way you shop and how you save.  It will also help you save for your dream home through these tough economic times.

Realtor® Connie Taylor – Amarillo, Texas Real Estate

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