Cedar Creek Lake Fishing Report for June

I hope you enjoy this fishing report for Cedar Creek Lake for June, 2009!

Water is lightly stained; 78-83 degrees; .2 ft low. Black Bass are fair on topwaters early, midday switching to Carolina Rigs, jigs and chatterbaits. White bass are good on slabs over humps and on topwater when surface schooling is occurring. Hybrid striper are good on Sassy shad. Crappie are good on jigs around boathouses and over brush piles. Catfish are good on cut shad and chicken liver drifted over points.

A Fishing Joke from Cedar Creek Lake

Go Fishing

A young guy from Texas moves to California and goes to one of those big "everything under one roof" stores looking for a job. The manager asked, "Do you have any sales experience?" The kid said, "Sure, I was a salesman back home in Texas." The boss liked the kid so he gave him the job. "You start tomorrow. I?ll come down after we close and see how you did." His first day on the job was rough but he got through it. After the store was locked up, the boss came down to see how things went. "How many sales did you make today?" The young man replied without hesitating, "One." The boss said, "Just one? Our sales people average 20 or 30 sales a day. How much was the sale for?" The kid said, "$101,237.64." The boss said, "$101,237.64?! What the hell did you sell?!" The kid said, "First I sold him a small fish hook. Then I sold him a medium fish hook. Then I sold him a larger fish hook. Then I sold him a new fishing rod. Then I asked him where he was going fishing and he said down at the coast, so I told him he was gonna need a boat, so we went down to the boat department and I sold him that twin-engine Chris Craft. Then he said he didn?t think his Honda Civic would pull it, so I took him down to the automotive department and sold him that 4x4 Blazer." Amazed, the boss said, "A guy came in here to buy a fish hook and you sold him a boat and a truck?" "No, he came here to buy a box of tampons for his wife and I said, 'Well, your weekend's shot, you might as well go fishing.'"

edar Creek Lake Fishing Report for May 2009

I hope you enjoy the Cedar Creek Lake fishing report!
Water lightly stained; 69-75 degrees, .13 foot high. Black Bass are fair on red Rat-L-Traps, jigs, and drop shot rigs-pre-spawn are around the first drop-off. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Hybrid Striper are fair on live shad and slabs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair drift fishing with cut shad.

Choosing your Agent

Once you have made the decision to purchase or sell a home, the next step is to find a real estate agent who will best represent you and your housing needs.
There are three types of real estate agencies: the Buyer’s Agent, the Seller’s Agent, and the Intermediary Agent.
These are the three typical Agent/Client relationships that may occur. The terms of these relationships may vary from state to state, so please verify the terms of these Agency Agreements in your local area before signing any agreements.

The Buyer’s Agent
Many prospective home buyers do not feel it is necessary to contract the services of a real estate agent. They feel that the listing agent will represent them fairly during the buying process. However, what many buyers do not know is that the listing agent, or Seller’s Agency, works solely on behalf of, and in the best interest of the home seller. Therefore, it is essential that the buyer seek out and find a Buyer’s Agent that will best meet their needs.
A Buyer’s Agency works solely on behalf of the buyer. The buyer’s agent will assist their client in the negotiation of the terms of a contract. In addition, they will gather information on zoning issues, past tax data, schools and community services, and any other information deemed necessary by the buyer before making the decision to extend an offer on a home.
Many prospective home buyers have the misconception that once they begin working with an agent, he/she represents the buyer. However, this is not always the case. Unless there is a signed Buyer’s Agency Agreement, the agent that is working with the buyer still represents the seller’s interests in the transaction. Without the agreement, there is certain information that the agent cannot disclose to the prospective buyer:
· The reason that the owner is selling the property.
· Any concessions that the seller is willing to negotiate.
· Any conversations between the seller and the agent.
· Any disclosed information that would harm the seller and/or give the buyer an advantage in the contract negotiations.
Normally, there are no extra costs associated with signing a Buyer's Agency Agreement. Any commissions paid to agents in a sales transaction are usually paid at closing by the seller.

The Seller’s Agent
This agent solely represents the seller. If there is an agent involved in a sales transaction, by default, that agent will represent the home seller unless there is a signed Buyer’s Agency Agreement with the buyer.
When looking for an agent to work with, it is best to interview a minimum of 2 to 3 real estate agents before making your final decision. Ask friends and relatives for names that they would recommend.
Below is a list of questions that may help you in deciding on which agent will best meet your needs:
· How long have you been in the Real Estate Business?
· How familiar are you with the area? How long have you lived in the area? How long have you sold houses in this area?
· How many clients are you currently working with?
· Do you work with more sellers or buyers?
· How many homes did you sell last year?
· What is your typical commission?
· How do you plan on marketing or promoting my home?
· Can you provide me with names and phone numbers of some of your most recent clients who would be willing to give me a reference (if this agent has not already been referred to you by a friend or family member)?
When selecting a real estate agent to represent your interests, it is important to find an agent that you trust and feel comfortable with. Remember, this is probably the biggest sales transaction you will have in your life, so it is important to work with someone that you are sure will get you the best offer!

What to Look for in an Agent
In addition to finding a real estate agent that you feel comfortable with and whom you trust, make sure that he/she is a dedicated professional who will work with you until your goals have been met.
They should be familiar with the area. Not only should they be familiar with the housing market, but also with area churches, schools, clubs, and parks.
Also, look for an agent that is a licensed REALTOR®. REALTORS® are individuals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), and must adhere to its strict code of ethics.

By following these guidelines, your home buying or selling experience should be a pleasant one!

Avoid Mistakes of Beginning Investors!

Investing in real estate provides many owners with positive cash flow, tax benefits and the satisfaction of making an impact in others’ lives. Like any investment, real estate has market trends that, if ignored, can cause an investor tremendous headaches.

Many first-time investors part with their hard-earned money without taking the time to study their investment. They rely on traditional trends and gut feeling. Before you risk your money, take the time to learn all you can about your market. By aligning yourself with the right professional, you can avoid these twelve common mistakes and ensure an excellent return on your money.

1. Failure to determine your time needs. Money, capital appreciation, tax benefits, loss of management, equity pay down and simple pride of ownership are a few of the things that must be addressed before you make that first investment. A service-minded real estate professional can be a tremendous asset by taking the time to evaluate your needs and make sure you’ve got all your bases covered.

2. Not checking out the seller or seller’s agent’s numbers. Claims of extremely high rates of return run rampant in real estate investment. Don’t get caught up in a wave of excitement regarding a property. Check every detail - rents, payment history, taxes, expenses, deposits, future modifications - everything regarding the finances of a potential investment. Be certain you are working with a good agent - it’s like an insurance policy against overlooking all the seemingly insignificant but very important details.

3. Don’t get emotionally attached, it’s just business. Owning investment property carries with it a great potential for creating and holding wealth, but you may also be forced to make potentially difficult decisions. Evictions, re-investment into the property, and time management all need careful consideration. Real estate investment is not a “hand’s off” type of business - it will require your vigilance.


4. Avoid negative cash flow. Property that eats cash every month can drain your working capital rapidly. This can create stress, frustration and become painful over a period of time. Expecting constant appreciation and positive cash flow may be unrealistic for a novice investor. A strain on your bank account may cause you to sell the investment before the benefits of ownership are ever fully realized.

5. Failure to do a thorough inspection. Look everywhere! Hire a professional inspector. Ask the tenants about pest problems, structural damage or recurring problems and don’t overlook anything. A value-driven real estate professional will help you find the right inspector and can help you avoid costly mistakes.

6. Failing to have adequate insurance. Investment properties bring liabilities such as tenants, cars, parking lots, cleaning facilities, property liability - the list can be both extensive and daunting. Adequate insurance coverage is an absolute must. Be sure to consult with an insurance professional to protect your assets.

7. Inspect, approve, and confirm all documents. The list of documents that need to be proofed can be overwhelming to the first-time investor. Building permits, zoning laws, rental and lease applications, health licenses, inspection reports, title policies - the list is long and you can’t risk oversights on any of these. The right real estate professional will work with you to make sure nothing gets overlooked.

8. Get a bill of sale for all personal property involved. Many types of personal property (appliances, furniture, draperies, fixtures, etc.) can be involved with an investment sale. Be very detailed and know who owns what.

9. Charge fair rents. Vacancies, turnovers and lease terminators are your biggest expenses. Charge fair rent, treat your tenants with respect and respond quickly to their needs. It’s a lot less costly in the long run to take care of the little problems while they are still little rather than waiting. A vacant property doesn’t make you money.

10. Select qualified, good tenants from the start. You must take the time to check references. Previous landlords, employers, financial references, credit and judgments are all vitally important. If there are any questions, do a thorough investigation. Drive by their previous residence. A little work up front can save you all sorts of problems later on.
11. Make sure you get estoppel letters. Get letters from the tenants confirming the status of tenancy. Make sure their version of the rental agreement or lease corresponds with the seller’s interpretation.

12. Don’t spend positive cash flow. Most successful investors have free and clear properties. Be sure to re-invest your positive cash flow back into the property payment and speed up the amortization schedule. This decreases your debt load and increases your equity, which in turn increases your net worth.

Investment property can be one of the most rewarding aspects of your financial portfolio. Be sure to be as knowledgeable as possible before risking your money. Do your homework! Consult with a professional real estate agent and protect yourself from the hidden troubles that can plague first-time investors.

13. Choose your agent wisely. Working with a full-time professional real estate agent is a must. Choose your agent by asking questions of him or her. Find out how knowledgeable they are about houses currently for sale in your price range and also of houses that have recently sold. Does your agent work with a good lender that has the reputation of excellent service and low rates to assist you in obtaining financing? Does your agent ask questions of you in order to have a full understanding of what you are looking for and to help you to find the best property for you?

For prompt, courteous, professional service, call Robin Moon:
Office: (903) 887-7055
Cell: (903) 880-5351

Visit my web site at: www.robinmoon.com
E-mail: robin@robinmoon.com
Have questions, need advice you can count on or just want to discuss this further?
Don’t waste any more time; pick up the phone and call me now! I’m here to help!

I appreciate you as a client and a friend. I appreciate your business, your loyalty, trust and your referrals. It is my goal to provide the very best counsel, advice and service possible for your real estate needs. If I may ever be of assistance to you, a relative, friend or co-worker please don’t hesitate to call me. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.™