Army housing boom in El Paso TX, Fort Bliss, and Biggs

Army housing boom in El Paso TX, Fort Bliss, and Biggs

The expansion of the Fort Bliss Army base under BRAC (Base Closure and Realignment program) in El Paso,Texas has sparked a local building boom and kept the town from feeling the impact of the recession. While the rest of the country has seen home prices fall an average of 20 percent since the hight of the housing boom in 2005-2006, prices in the El Paso and Fort Bliss Texas area have held steady.

The government's 2005 BRAC program, while it hurt some communities, went a long way to breath new life into others. The transfer of thousands of military personnel to Fort Bliss from Germany and Iraq is expected to spark millions of dollars in new construction spending, according to an Army study released last spring. With this run-up in construction, El Paso is also experiencing a huge expansion to it’s infrastructure. The city anticipated this growth and commission a 2 year economic impact study through the local university which predicted a population growth of 16%  by year end 2012. To learn more contact Yvonne Russell, (915) 873-8646

When these soldiers return to the US, those returning military personnel can take advantage of the homebuyer tax credit, which, while it has expired for the most Americans, is still available to active-duty military personnel returning from overseas. (Also see "VA Loans: Homebuying Help for Veterans")

See homes for sale in El Paso, TX at Re/max Real Estate.
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First-TimeHomebuyer's Guide

·         How to Shop for Your First Home 

·         How to Price a Home to Sell Fast

How to Get a Low VA Mortgage Rate

What happens after the offer

More on RE/MAX Real Estate:
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A few reasons to use a local lender or mortgage broker over a National bank

Finding a mortgage is more complicated today. Like many things in contemporary life, El Paso Home buyers have many more loan options and this can make buying a home more difficult than it should be.  This is why home buyers need the help of an experienced and competent Realtor and Mortgage Broker.
Mortgage brokers are professionals who are paid a fee to bring together lenders and borrowers. They know how to match a borrow with the right loan product. They will evaluate a home buyer’s credit situation to determine which lender is the best fit for him.
National banks are not as  familiar with local market conditions in your town. Why does this lack of knowledge matter to you? For many reasons including loan approval, appraisal values, and higher lending fees to mention a few. To learn more call (888)845-2408 to speak to a professional.

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Filing for Homestead exemption in El Paso, Horizon City, Canutillo, Texas

Read about new property tax law that took effect September 2, 2011.


What is a homestead?

A homestead can be a separate structure, condominium or a manufactured home located on owned or leased land, as long as the individual living in the home owns it. A homestead can include up to 20 acres, if the land is owned by the homeowner and used for a purpose related to the residential use of the homestead.

What is the Homestead Exemption?

Homestead laws were developed to grant a surviving spouse, minor children, and/or unmarried children of a deceased homeowner the right of occupancy, to afford a reduction on property tax, and also to protect a home from creditors.

Homestead exemptions reduce taxable value by removing part of your home's value from taxation. If you want to receive a homestead exemption for the taxes on your home, the home must first qualify as a residence homestead on January 1 of the year in which you are applying. There are two requirements:

1.    You must own your home on January 1. (If you are over 65,and/or disabled the January 1 ownership and residency are not required.)

2.    You must use the home as your principal residence on January

Click here to see other exemptions you may qualify for.

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Zillow Realtor Reviews El Paso Realtor

Zillow is a free online real estate site where you can search for homes for sale, find home prices, see home values, find local top producing realtors and exclusive buyer’s agents in every US market,

view recently sold homes, and check mortgage rates. Get started by finding real estate in top states and real estate in top cities. 

Yvonne A. Russell,  REALTOR® 
RE/MAX Buyer’s Agent
10940 Ben Crenshaw, Suite C
El Paso, Texas  79935
CELL (915) 873-8646 | (888) 845-2408 | FAX (915) 594-9253
Connect with Russell-Realtor on Youtube, Zillow, Remax,  Active Rain, El Paso Preferred Lenders, MLS Access, JD Power Survey-”Top Rate Real Estate Agent”, Zillow Reviews, Community Involvement

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El Paso and Fort Bliss Texas real estate

El Paso is a safe but huge and spread-out city spanning to the east, west and northeast. There are many

great schools that are top ranks throughout El Paso. Since Ft Bliss/Biggs is centrally located in El Paso, everything is generally 10 -15 minutes from base except for Horizon City.  For information about mortgage loans read  more at El Paso local VA lender.

The El Paso Texas rental market is very tight which means there are very few properties available and prices are high.

Yvonne A. Russell,  REALTOR® 
RE/MAX Buyer’s Agent
10940 Ben Crenshaw, Suite C
El Paso, Texas  79935
CELL (915) 873-8646 | (888) 845-2408 | FAX (915) 594-9253
Russell-Realtor
El Paso Preferred Lenders
MLS Access
JD Power Survey-”Top Rate Real Estate Agent”

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Mistakes Buyer's make when buying a home

If you talk to a dissatisfied El Paso/Fort Bliss homebuyer today he/she will probably tell you  they paid too much or they were pressured into buying the wrong house by the real estate agent.  Why does this happen? More often than not these buyers were not represented by a buyer’s agent. What home buyers don’t know is that the real estate industry underwent a dramatic change in the 1990s due to “disclosure of agency” laws that required agents to disclose to a potential buyer that they work for the Seller. Prior to this time 3 out of 4 buyers believed the agent they worked with was representing their interest.  Even today less than half of home buyers understand that they are entitled to be represented by a buyer’s agent. Buyer’s routinely search for a home on-line, find the home they like, call the agent listing the home and never seek the help of a buyer’s agent.  The current law states that at the point of the first substantive communication with a home buyer, the real estate agent listing the home is SUPPOSED to disclose that he/she is working for the seller.
When you have a home buying plan before you shop, you’ll be sure to avoid these costly errors. Here are some tips for making the most of your home purchase:
Find a El Paso Buyer’s Agent
An exclusive buyer’s agent has no conflict of interest as he/she does not list any property for sale. These agents are trained to work only for the home buyer and are paid out of the proceeds of the sale at closing.*  Buyer’s agents provide real estate tools to search for homes in their market, they provide mortgage information, they inform and educate the buyer about  the home buying process and provide current home buying programs.
Get pre-approved before house hunting
Because of the current economic climate a seller will consider an offer from a pre-approved buyer above other offers because the seller only wants buyers that are financially able to support an offer. When a buyer is unrepresented, he/she may not know where to apply for a mortgage and may not even know what their credit picture looks like.
Making the offer
What price do you offer a seller?. Before you make that offer, be sure your agent has researched the market. A professional buyer’s agent can offer an unbiased opinion on the value of a home, based on market conditions, condition of the home and neighborhood. Without knowledge of the market, your offer could be too high.
BUYER BEWARE when buying from FSBO
Many home buyers believe that buying a home from a homeowner without involving a real estate agent will save them big money.  FSBOs do not reduce the price just because you don’t have an agent. In fact, most FSBOs price above the market. There are too many pitfalls when dealing with FSBO to innumerate here.  Read more..
Home repairs
Your home will be one of your greatest assets and you need to know what the condition of the home is before your buy it. A buyer’s agent will require the homeowner to make repairs or price concessions in lieu of repairs.
*pertains to El Paso County Texas

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Should you rent or buy?

Because local lenders are offering such low interest rates, your monthly mortgage payment with a local El Paso Mortgage company could be lower than your rent. Here is a schedule of suggested mortgage amounts and estimated monthly payments:
                                                                               

Loan Amount	FHA	VA	USDA
$140,000	$1,150	$1,050	$1,090
$160,000	$1,300	$1,200	$1,245
$180,000	$1,480	$1,350	$1,400
$200,000	$1,650	$1,500	$1,550
$220,000	$1,800	$1,650	$1,710
$240,000	$1,975	$1,800	$1,868

4% Rate 4.339% APR.. Includes taxes and ins. o.a.c.

Yvonne A. Russell,  REALTOR® 
RE/MAX Buyer’s Agent
10940 Ben Crenshaw, Suite C
El Paso, Texas  79935
CELL (915) 873-8646 | (888) 845-2408 | FAX (915) 594-9253
Russell-Realtor
MLS Access
JD Power Survey-”Top Rate Real Estate Agent”

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Fort Bliss Military homes in Paso El Paso, Tx

Homes For Sale in El Paso tx. El Paso Real Estate  & El Paso Homes For Sale. Fort Bliss military homes for sale. Search El Paso texas Homes for sale, El Paso real estate, Fort Bliss military homes for sale, recently sold El Paso real estate and foreclosures, El Paso new homes, school information and much more. El Paso Real Estate Agents and Las Cruces Real Estate Agents are among the best professionals in their field, and Russell Realty recognizes that listing your home with El Paso Real Estate Agent is a strong viable course to sell your home and achieve desirable results, but it comes at significant cost to you. 

Russell Realty is El Paso real estate company, Fort Bliss military housing and Las Cruces premier real estate for sale local community company, which provides Ft. Bliss, El Paso Texas and Las Cruces New Mexico home owners with the most exposure necessary to accelerate the sale of their real estate without overpaying exorbitant commissions. We provide an efficient resource to find el paso homes for sale in El Paso Texas. Search El Paso homes for sale and new homes for sale in el paso tx 79912, 79901, 79911, 7332, 79911, 79902, 79922, 79934, 79924, 79904, 79930, 79903, 79905, 79915, 79907, 79927, 79934, 79938, 79936, 79935, 79925, 79927, 79928, 79835. We connect you with El Paso texas real estate agent and local el paso builders to bring new homes information directly to you. Serving El Paso Homes, Fort Bliss military Homes for sale, elpaso texas Homes for sale and surrounding areas. El Paso Real Estate services include: El Paso Central appraisal, El Paso tx home appraisal, El Paso tx new homes and builders, El Paso Real Estate home inspection. We offer an unparalleled opportunity to speak directly with top local experts and receive extremely valuable information all in one place. Every aspect of the home is addressed, including New homes from multiple top home builders in El Paso paso, existing homes for sale in El Paso, Home improvement vendors, El Paso Lenders to help you with El Paso home mortgages, and much more. 

Yvonne A. Russell,  REALTOR® 
RE/MAX Buyer’s Agent
10940 Ben Crenshaw, Suite C
El Paso, Texas  79935
CELL (915) 873-8646 | (888) 845-2408 | FAX (915) 594-9253
Russell-Realtor
El Paso Preferred Lenders
MLS Access
JD Power Survey-”Top Rate Real Estate Agent”

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Online guide to buying your first home

Are you wondering if owning a home or renting one is a good decision. Here are a few things you might want to consider before making a decision. First, how do you feel about living in the same location for a long time.  When you own a home you are committing to one location for a up to 30 years.  This could eliminate some of the stresses involved with needing to move as a renter every 6-12 months not to mention increasing rental prices.

But if you rent, it’s usually easier to move on a short notice particularly if you are in the military as most lease agreements have a “military clause” if you have to relocate. Moving around will definitely give you exposure to new neighborhoods, cities and cultures. You will also have the flexibility to move without having to sell or lease out you home. How important is it to you to be able to customize your home? Owning your own home gives you the luxury of making improvements to your home to suit your tastes and preferences. However, it doesn’t require big changes to make any place a home including rentals.  Are you prepared to spend the time and money on unexpected repairs? As a homeowner you are responsible for your home’s maintenance and repair expenses. You will need to set aside money to budget  these cost. If you rent your landlord should pay for such repairs.  Are you looking into buying a home as a financial investment. When you own a home you will be able to build equity over the long term. In an normal economy buying a home is  usually an appreciating asset. If you rent, you could put  money in a different asset such as a savings account but according to an article in Money Rates, Americans have one of the worst  savings rates in the western hemisphere which is about 2.83%. Lastly, homeowners are eligible for tax benefits like deductions on mortgage interest paid and property taxes. As a renter, you forego such tax benefits in lieu of making mortgage payments for 30 years. To learn more call a real estate professional in your area.  To find a new home in El Paso or Horizon City Texas visit a RE/MAX.

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Energy Star Homes in Horizon City and East El Paso Tx

VA Loan - Sales Price starting at $115,950 -$169,950 - 4.5% APR - Zero Down, Zero Closing Cost = Monthly Payment approximately from $822 - $1,273 (PITI) (First Time VA Loan on Approved Credit). You may also qualify for the US Military tax credit if you are under contract to purchase a home by April 30, 2011.

With complete Energy Star Homes in Horizon & East El Paso I will negotiate a Kitchen Appliance Package (including Clothe Washer and Dryer),  granite kitchen counter top, refrigerated air and much more.


Yvonne A. Russell,  REALTOR® 
RE/MAX Buyer’s Agent
10940 Ben Crenshaw, Suite C
El Paso, Texas  79935
CELL (915) 873-8646
FAX (915) 594-9253

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Texas Vet Mortgage Brokers

Military Homebuyers

Qualified military homebuyers are running out of time to claim you Federal Tax Credit of up to $8000. Unless you are under contract, which means your realtor has negotiated a purchase contract and it has be fully executed by all parties and made effective, by April 30, 2011 you will not qualify for this valuble benefit that you deserve for your admireable service to our nation.

Certified Texas Vet Mortgage Brokers

Ask about using the Texas Vet Loan to reduce your mortgage interest rate. Additional discount is offered to disabled vets.

Texas Vet Land Board	Austin	800-252-8387
Bank of the West	El Paso	915-532-1000
First Community Mortgage	El Paso	915-238-4590
First Light Federal Credit	El Paso	915-562-1172
Prime Lending	San Antonio	210-483-4900
Hometown Mortgage	El Paso	915-833-2355
JNC Mortgage	El Paso	915-855-2111
Mortgage Services Unlimited	El Paso	915-774-5411
Mt. Franklin Mortgage	El Paso	915-833-8296
North American Mortgage Corp	El Paso	915-585-1994
Patriot Mortgage Corp	El Paso	915-757-9500
Pioneer Savings Bank	El Paso	915-778-4100
Premier Nationwide Lending	El Paso	915-581-0182
Rocky Mountain	El Paso	915-587-7930
Sierra Mortgage Corp.	El Paso	915-584-1448
State National Mortgage	El Paso	915-485-9248
Sunshine Mortgage Corp	El Paso	915-585-2323
Superior Lending Mortgage	El Paso	915-613-1260
The Mortgage Firm	El Paso	915-845-4177
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage	El Paso	915-546-4326
Disabled Veterans loans	El Paso	915-751-0067
First National Bank	El Paso	915-779-1633
First Continental Mortgage	El Paso	915-771-7162