Christmas Parade at Cedar Creek Lake in Gun Barrel City!

IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR! CHRISTMAS TIME! LOTS OF THINGS GOING ON. DECEMBER 1 IS THE GUN BARREL CITY CHRISTMAS PARADE! COME AND WATCH THE PARADE ON MAIN ST. AFTER THE PARADE VISIT THE GUN BARREL FIRE STATION FOR SOME FIREWORKS. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

CHRISTMAS PARADE AND FIREWORKS TO MUSIC

THEME:  Angels Among Us

 December 01, 2018—6:00PM
Starts at the Gun Barrel City Park, west to Bealls and back east returning to the park.
Fireworks to Christmas Music
Starts 30 minutes after the parade is complete at the Gun Barrel City Park.

Understanding Loans

Getting a better understanding of all your home loan options can help you make the best financial decision.

Let’s take a closer look at the four major types of home loans.

VA loans

• Who can use it: Eligible veterans, active-duty military members, and qualified surviving spouses. The VA doesn't set a credit score benchmark, but most lenders will have one. A 620 FICO score is a common minimum.
• What its all about: VA home loans are backed by the government but issued by private lenders. VA loans offer no down payment requirement, no mortgage insurance, and looser credit requirements. VA loan guidelines account for borrowers whose finances may have been affected by their service. Credit score requirements are typically lower than those for conventional loans, and the program allows for more wiggle room when it comes to debt-to-income ratios, credit scores, and assets. They also tend to have lower average interest rates than other loan types.
• What to watch out for: The VA loan program is designed to help veterans and military members purchase safe, structurally sound homes they'll occupy as their primary residence. VA loans are not available for investment properties or vacation homes. A funding fee of no more than 3.3% of the loan amount helps keep the program going and can be paid upfront or rolled into your loan amount. Buyers who receive compensation for a service-connected disability dont have to pay this fee.

FHA loans

• Who can use it: Anyone with at least a 580 FICO score (or lower in special cases), adequate income, and at least 3.5% down may be eligible to use an FHA loan.
• What its all about: Much like the VA program, the FHA program helps increase access to homeownership through lower down payment options, competitive interest rates, and less rigorous underwriting guidelines. FHA loans also tend to have the lowest minimum credit score requirements of all the loan types. Depending on their individual approval guidelines, some lenders will even allow for exceptions to the minimum credit requirement. The FHAs 203(k) program allows borrowers to purchase and repair fixer-uppers, lending based on a homes projected value after rehab work is completed.
• What to watch out for: FHA buyers pay both an upfront funding fee (called a mortgage insurance premium) as well as an annual mortgage insurance charge. The latter can easily add $150 or more to your monthly mortgage payment, and its a cost FHA buyers now pay for the life of their loan, regardless of their equity status.

USDA loans

• Who can use it: Buyers looking to settle in an approved rural area who have adequate (but not excessive) income and an acceptable credit score can use the USDA loan program. USDA lenders often look for at least a 640 FICO score.
• What its all about: Much like the VA loan, the USDA program allows qualified buyers to purchase a primary residence with no money down. USDA-eligible homes are located in what the agency deems qualified rural areas. Buyers need to verify that a property is located in one of these eligible areas. Along with no down payment, another big benefit of USDA loans is that buyers can finance their closing costs.
• What to watch out for: USDA puts a cap on income for eligible borrowers. These limits vary by region and family size and can change annually. Like FHA loans, USDA loans come with both an upfront mortgage insurance premium and an annual mortgage insurance fee.

Conventional loans

• Who can use it: Anyone with qualifying credit (in the ballpark of a 660 FICO or higher), adequate income, and a 5% down payment in most cases. Some lenders may offer conventional financing with just 3% down.
• What its all about: In terms of credit scores and debt-to-income ratios, these loans have higher barriers to entry than the government-backed options. Conventional lenders are looking for borrowers who have well-established credit, solid assets, and steady income. The upside is that when it comes to the kind of property you can purchase, you'll have more freedom with conventional financing. That means you can use this type of loan to buy a second home or an investment property.
• What to watch out for: Buyers putting less than 20% down will pay PMI, or private mortgage insurance, until they build sufficient equity in the property. These fees can easily add $100 or more to your payment every month. Unless you have excellent credit think 740 or above a conventional loan may come with higher rates and fees.
• This article written by Chris Birk, director of education at Veterans United Home Loans 

Ten Commandments for a Mortgage from your Cedar Creek Lake Area Realtor

Thought I would give some advice to those applying for mortgages! Hope it Helps!

The Ten Commandments When Applying for a Mortgage (Pass It On)

1. Thou shalt not change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job

2. Thou shalt not buy or lease a car, truck or van (or you may be living in it)

3. Thou shalt not use credit cards excessively or let current accounts fall behind

4. Thou shalt not spend money you have set aside for closing

5. Thou shalt not omit debts or liabilities from your loan application

6. Thou shalt not buy furniture or any larger purchase

7. Thou shalt not originate any inquiries into your credit

8. Thou shalt not make large and/or cash deposits without checking with your loan officer

9. Thou shalt not change bank accounts

10. Thou shalt not co-sign a loan for anyone

Cedar Creek Lake Happenings Week of July 4th!

Great Information!

July 3rd-2018 Summer Celebration 7pm-11pm at The Texan-A landmark Venue in Athens

July 4th - Independence Day! Firework Shows going on around the lake! Most starting at dusk

July 5th - The Pipdillys 11am-12:30pm at Henderson county Clint W Murchison Memorial Library in Athens

July 6th - The 90th Annual Aley Picnic - 7pm at King Cemetary, Kemp

July 6th &7th- The Gun Barrel City July Fest  7am-5pm at Gun Barrel City Park

July 11th  - Adult Mosiac Glass Class - 3pm at Henderson County Clint W Murchison Memorial Library in Athens

July 14th - Teague Chevrolet Midsummer bash starting at 9am at Teague Chevrolet in Mabank

July 16-20 - Heart Camp - 5 days of events - 11am-12pm at Tri-County Library in Mabank

July 21st - 3rd Annual Underground arts fair 5pm at Trace Bar in Athens

July 21st - The Texas 2018 Summer Concert - starts at 6pm in Athens at the Texan A Landmark Venue

July 21st Ranch of Dreams Tour - 1pm-10pm - Scheduled tours,at Cleveland Armory Black Beauty Ranch 12526 CR 3806, Murchison

July 27 th - Cedar Creek Brewery presents Cody Daniel -6:30pm at the Brewery in Seven Points

July 28th - Ansteorra Middle Eastern Culture Symposium - 8am-11pm at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center 5550 FM 2495, Athens

July 28th - Insulin for Life Benefit Band Bash- 12pm-8pm at Whiskey River Bar and Grill in Bun Barrel City

Your Cedar Creek Lake Senior resource

 

Reviewing Your Current Situation

50+ HOUSING

Nearly everyone wishes to age in place as they grow older. But often, the spacious family house becomes too burdensome, financially and physically, to maintain for individuals over 50.

Trying to determine your next step?

It can entail a complex set of decisions relating to finances, ideal over 50 housing locations and property types, as well as anticipating future needs as you or your loved ones age.

SRES® designees can consult with you to review your current housing situation and outline the topics to weigh as you consider your next move. They will provide pertinent information on 50+ housing trends, financing and market conditions.

They can also develop a team of experts and advisors to help you with every step while you're exploring your options and determining the very best place to call home.

Please visit www.SRES.org for more information on your resources as a Senior.

Robin Moon

SRES®            

your Senior Real Estate Specialist

I service the Hendersoon, Kaufman and Van Zandt counties of Texas 

Your Cedar Creek Lake REALTOR® / Tips if Thinking of Selling

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE SALE OF A HOUSE?
If you’re uncertain about an item, ask your REALTOR®.
SELLERS:
If you want to exclude items from the sale—a dining room chandelier, for example—the contract includes
a place for that. Have your Texas REALTOR® help you properly document your intent.
BUYERS:
You can request items that aren’t included in the contract stay behind. Do you want the patio furniture?
Your REALTOR® will use a different form, Non-Realty Items Addendum, to put your request in writing.
*There may be exceptions:
Certain items stay or go depending on whether they’re permanently installed and built-in.
Freestanding clothes washers and dryers go with the seller, but built-in units would likely stay. A
grill on wheels on the patio leaves, but one that’s encased in stone as part of outdoor kitchen stays
put. Three factors determine if something is permanently installed and built-in:
• How is the item attached? Will the property be damaged by its removal?
• Is the item customized or standard for the property?
• Was the installation intended to be permanent or temporary?

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT MIGHT STAY AND WHAT MIGHT GO

STAYS WITH THE PROPERTY:                                   
Stove                                                                                     
Wall-to-wall carpeting
Ceiling fan
Television wall mount
Chandelier
Window shutters
Smoke detectors
Curtains/drapes and rods
Blinds and window shades
Garage door opener
Shrubbery and landscaping
Window airconditioning
unit
GOES WITH THE SELLER:
 Table lamp
Television
Potted plant
Bed
Couch
Dining room table
Area rug
Lawn mower
Hammock
Patio grill*
Bookcase*
Washer and dryer*
Paintings and decorations

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME! 903-880-5351 OR robin@robinmoon.com

Western Week In Mabank and the Cedar Creek Lake Area

Come visit us and enjoy the lake and the Rodeo!

Mabank Rodeo - 6/20-6/23

We are less than 2 weeks away from the kick off of the best rodeo ever. Make your plans now to attend!!

Rodeo games and bed races Weds the 20th
Slack on Thurs the 21st
Rodeo Fri the 22nd & Sat the 23rd
Parade Sat the 23rd before the rodeo
Then finishing off with a dance at the Pavilion after the rodeo Sat night.

Great family fun and entertainment. Come out and watch some of the best cowboys and cowgirls do what they love, while supporting the Mabank Fire Department!!

I love Moving houses at Cedar Creek Lake!

Moving houses is what we at Coldwell Banker American Dream Realty are all about.  Moving them on the market, that is!  When you are ready to sell your home, the one thing you don’t want is to see it sit on the market for months on end.  You want that house to move—in the shortest amount of time and at the best price you can get—right?  That’s what I do best.

There’s a right way and a wrong way to put a house on the market.  In this case, what you don’t know can hurt you.  When I market your house I follow a proven plan that involves much research and even more work—and moves your house quickly!  That’s why my best advertisements are client referrals.

Before you choose a Realtor®, talk to the people who really know—the people who’ve used their services.  I would be happy to provide you with references from my clients.  And why not let me offer you a free comparative market analysis (CMA) on your home?  A CMA can be a very accurate indicator of what buyers would be willing to pay for your home in today’s market.

Robin Moon
Coldwell Banker American Dream Realty
600 W Main St, Gun Barrel City, TX 75156
903-880-5351
robin@robinmoon.com

Have you been considering selling your Cedar Creek Lake property?

Have you considered selling your lake house?

Now is an excellent time to sell a house at Cedar Creek Lake.   Though lake houses sell throughout the year, the next several months are prime for buyers who are looking for lake property.

As you may know, Coldwell Banker American Dream Realty is one of the few national real estate firms serving the Cedar Creek Lake area and offers many services that others just do not;  Including a full Property Management/Leasing Division, Concierge Program, and our exclusive Real Estate Buyer’s Guide.

I can perform a current market analysis on your home to assist in showing you what the approximate market value is and what it should sell for at no charge to you.

If you cannot decide now whether you want to sell, you might consider leasing your property through our Property Management/Leasing Department.  We handle everything for you and you can get income on what could otherwise be a dormant property.

My services include marketing your home in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), local real estate brochures, my website, the Coldwell Banker website among many others too numerous to list.

I am always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Thanks So Much! Robin

Your Cedar Creek Lake REALTOR® - An Accepted Contract is just the Beginning!

An Accepted Contract is Just The Beginning!

March 19, 2018 | TAR Staff

As a homebuyer or seller, an accepted contract is exciting. But hang on … the deal’s not done. Thankfully, if you’re working with a REALTOR®, he can guide you through all the potential twists and turns on the way to closing.

An option to back out

For starters, most purchase contracts include a termination option. The buyer pays the seller a fee for a specified period of time during which the buyer can cancel the contract. The buyer can exercise this option for any reason. In fact, he doesn’t even have to explain why.

A closer look at the property

Buyers usually hire inspectors during the termination-option period. Inspections that reveal items in need of repair may prompt a buyer to ask for a price reduction or repairs prior to closing. Or the buyer may simply choose to cancel the deal.

Financing considerations

Transactions sometimes unravel when a buyer cannot obtain the financing specified in the contract or the property does not meet the lender’s requirements. For example, appraisals can come in lower than the purchase price, or there may be issues with obtaining insurance for the home.

The list goes on

Option periods, inspections, and financing are three common trouble spots for transactions, but there are many others. Problems with title insurance or the survey, disagreements about items that convey, issues related to homeowners associations, or damage to the property after acceptance of the contract but before closing are a few examples of issues that can arise.

You have a valuable resource

Communicating with your REALTOR® about each stage of the transaction will minimize surprises and increase the chances that your transaction will proceed smoothly.  

Call me for all your real estate needs! 903-880-5351

Its Spring at Cedar Creek Lake!

Hello all,

Well Spring has sprung! We are anticipating a pretty weekend at Cedar Creek Lake! Come visit soon!

Cedar Creek Lake Event 1/27/18

MABANK FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL CHILI SUPPER!

COME SUPPORT THE MABANK FIRE DEPT THIS WEEKEND BY ATTENDING THE ANNUAL CHILI SUPPER BEGINNING AT 4PM! SEE YA THERE!

It is Janaury and the cold weather has finally come to the Cedar Creek Lake area of Texas! Hope everyone stays warm on these cold nights.





We are required to provide the following forms:

Texas Real Estate Commission Information about Brokerage Services

Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice