Communities in between, such as Flint and Whitehouse have seen lots of activity.   Residential sales in ZIP codes 75701, 75703 and 75762 have been most active as well as 75757.    In 2016 the 249 home sales through the MLS were a 25% jump over 2015.  Second quarter 2017 is showing the same growth.  MORE TO COME

Tyler has been a busy area for real estate development in recent years.  South on Broadway Ave. there is plenty of new commercial development.  Formerly wooded areas are new major shopping venues and the housing market is booming with single and multifamily permits on the rise.  Much of the housing activity has been in the south half of Smith County between SH 31, which splits Tyler nor and south to the county line at Bullard.  MORE TO COME

Lower-than-national-average mortgage costs enabled Texas households to allocate smaller shares of their incomes for housing costs.  On average, Texas households with a mortgage allocated 22.6% of their income for housing costs compared with a national average of 24.1% for the U. S. from 2005 to 2015.  WE ARE IN A RARE STATE – TX – TO ACCOMPLISH ALL THIS!!

58% of Texas owner-occupied housing have a mortgage loan, compared to 63.3% nationwide.  This is due to state’s lower-than-national home prices that enable 42% of Texas households either to pay cash or repay the mortgage sooner.  Since 1978, the price of a Texas home purchased with a mortgage averaged $161,000 or 82% of the national average price of  $196,300.  MORE TO COME!

Texans typically have lower mortgage debt compared with the rest of the U.S.  They have to set aside less for housing expenses, and they pay lower initial costs and fees for mortgages, although that wasn’t always the case.  MORTGAGE LOANS BECOME A MAIN DRIVER OF THE MARKET.  Texas loans are secured by real estate using a deed of trust rather than a mortgage instrument.  MORE TO COME

(7)  The bottom of a dining-room chandler should be 36 inches above the table.  (8)  Install light switches 36 inches above the floor & 1.5 to 2 inches to side of door trim.  (9)  For a standard 84-inch sofa with exposed legs & a tight back, you’ll need 14 yards of  54- inch- wide fabric + 2 yards for a skirt.  (10)  From classical times to today, the golden ration has always been the perfect proportion:  1 to 1.62.  TRUST THESE 3 E-MAILS HAVE BEEN HELPFUL — BAIN REAL ESTATE, DAVE & CAROLYN AT 903-571-2191

(4)  Mount curtains as high as possible to give the room more height & let them break 1.5 inches on the floor.  (5)  A kitchen island should be about 38 inches high or just taller than the countertops for comfortable prep.   (6)   A curtain should be 2.5 or 3 times the width of the window.  Buy  a rod that 20 inches wider than your window so it extends 10 inches on either side.  Your window will seem wider than it is.  MORE TO COME!

(1)  A 36 inch wide rectangular table is perfect for conversation.  A round table with a diameter of 48 inches seats 6;  a 60 inch round table handles 8-10 chairs.  (2)  How big should an overhead light fixture be?  Just add the length & width of the room in feet & whatever number you come up with is, in inches, your guide for the fixture’s diameter.  A 15 by 20 ft room will need a 35 inch wide chandelier.  (3)  One gallon of paint will cover about 400 square feet of wall.  MORE COMING!

(3)  THE MOVE.  Professional movers can charge a few thousand dollars, but are bonded.  Need to get several quotes.  There are several local TYLER movers you can check if not moving far away.  Referral from a friend can be helpful.  (4)  IMMEDIATE COSTS such as changing locks, turning on utilities,  maintenance costs ( a home warranty usually paid by the seller is a good idea).  You need to set up a 6 month emergency fund for expenses & NOT turn to credit cards.  JUST PLAN AHEAD AND KNOW YOU WILL NEED EXTRA MONEY TO MOVE!!

1/2 of homebuyers did not figure an extra $2,000 to $5,000 to buy their home.  (1)  THE INSPECTION:  to pay the inspector & maybe more inspectors, such as structural issues, & asbestos.  It’s money well spent, but after inspections the buyer can decide to not buy the house.  (2)  BRINGING CASH TO THE CLOSING TABLE:  buyers should know that ahead of time, but still can be a shock & needs to be planned for.  Could be thousands of dollars.  MORE TO COME!