Pearland Real Estate Expert

head_left_image

HAR TOOLS Overview with Danny Frank

Do you want or need to learn about the FREE tools that HAR.com offers its members?  Danny Frank, Chairman-Elect HAR, will be giving a class on the tools of the trade and how to use them in your real estate business. The class will be held at the Keller Williams Realty office in Pearland from 10 to 11:30 on Friday, Jan 27, 2012. The class is free to Realtors. You can RSVP at: https://www.facebook.com/events/236531279760558/

Become part of something bigger
Keller Williams Realty is a company that changes lives. The culture is as diverse as the countless ways in which associates and market centers commit themselves to finding and serving the higher purpose of business, and is united by cohesive understanding of our Mission, Vision, Values, Beliefs and Perspectives.

During our first, annualRED Day, which is now a company wide tradition, 22,000 associates participated in a coordinated effort to give back with their local communities.
At the heart of Keller Williams culture in action is KW Cares, a public charity created to reach out and support each other during times of extreme and unexpected hardship.

Call Danny Frank, at 713-581-4702 to find out how you can become part of the fastest growing real estate company in the world.

*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources:http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at:http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is always looking to hire new and experienced real estate agents for the team at Keller Williams.  Are you ready to move to the next level in your career? Call me to join today.  You can see my entire blog at: http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

1 commentDanny Frank, The Real Estate Expert • January 26 2012 11:53PM

Danny Frank Joins the Keller Williams Clear Lake/NASA Office as Team leader

Danny Frank Joins the Keller Williams Clear Lake Office


Danny Frank has joined the Keller Williams Realty Team in Clear Lake/NASA area of Houston TX as the new Team Leader/General Manager. Danny is a well respect member of the Houston Association of Realtors and is the 2012 Chairman Elect and will be Chairman 2013. Danny also serves as a Regional Vice President to the Texas Association of Realtors and he also sits on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Realtors as well.

The office Danny is now leading is expanding and now houses 126 Realtors.  Danny hopes to have to office agent count up to 175 by the end of 2012. He is now interviewing both new and seasoned agents to help agents grow their profit share that Keller Williams gives back to it’s agents.

Danny Frank says “A commitment to training and coaching at every level is at the heart of what sets Keller Williams Realty apart. Keller Williams University provides an industry-leading curriculum addressing every aspect of success in real estate. Multimedia training is offered online, via KWConnect, the real estate industry's most innovative distance learning program. Among the industry’s top tier coaching programs,MAPS Coaching, led by Dianna Kokoszka, is having a profound impact on the careers of thousands of real estate professionals.”

Become part of something bigger
Keller Williams Realty is a company that changes lives. The culture is as diverse as the countless ways in which associates and market centers commit themselves to finding and serving the higher purpose of business, and is united by cohesive understanding of our Mission, Vision, Values, Beliefs and Perspectives.

During our first, annualRED Day, which is now a companywide tradition, 22,000 associates participated in a coordinated effort to give back with their local communities.
At the heart of Keller Williams culture in action is KW Cares, a public charity created to reach out and support each other during times of extreme and unexpected hardship.

Call Danny Frank, at 713-581-4702 to find out how you can become part of the fastest growing real estate company in the world.

*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources:http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit his site at:http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is always looking to hire new and experienced real estate agents for the team at Keller Williams Are you ready to move to the next level in your career? Call him to join today  You can see his entire blog at:  http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

0 commentsDanny Frank, The Real Estate Expert • November 17 2011 01:52PM

Key Decisions From Nov. 2011 Board of Directors Meeting - NAR

Directors Rescind Franchisor MLS IDX Display Policy

The NAR Board of Directors meeting at the end of the 2011 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Anaheim on Monday voted to rescind a Multiple Listing Service policy on the display of Internet Data Exchange (IDX) listings on franchisors' Web sites.
A work group has been tasked to broaden the policy to address listing displays over mobile devices and via social media (with a broker opt-out option). Listing data sent via RSS (Really Simple syndication) won't be included because of the difficulty in controlling access to RSS feeds.
In other changes to MLS policy, directors took the following actions:
  • Sales price information. Amended the Statement of MLS Policy and the implementing model MLS rules to allow MLSs to require reporting of sale prices by participants. In "non-disclosure states," if sale prices are provided by the MLS to government agencies and or third-party entities for uses other than those authorized in the amended Policy Statement, sellers may request that their sale price not be provided to such entities.
  • REOs. Gave MLSs discretionary authority to require listing participants to disclose whether listed property is a foreclosure, bank-owned, or real estate-owned (REO).
  • Lockboxes. Increased from $200 to $300 the maximum security deposit associations and MLSs can require for lockboxes.


At the meeting, the Directors took actions on other areas of association business:

Nominating Rules
  • Adopted a set of binding endorsement guidelines for members of the NAR Nominating Committee, alternates, and members of the Leadership Team to promote impartiality toward members running for association office
  • Required that regions appoint an alternate representative as a non-voting member of the Nominating Committee to help ensure continuity on the committee.
  • Established criteria for state or regional endorsements of candidates


Appraisal Policy
  • Sent a set of property valuation principles back to a workgroup to ensure they don't conflict with the NAR Code of Ethics. The principles would support independent valuations of real property. The Responsible Valuation Principles were developed by a workgroup of the Appraisal subcommittee and address the licensing of appraisers, coercion of appraisers to reach valuations, and compliance with the appraisal industry's Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
  • Changed the structure of the Appraisal Committee to be a broader based Real Property Valuation Committee. Members of the reconstituted committee, which came out of a valuation summit held earlier this year, will provide recommendations on valuation-related issues and will be composed of appraisers, brokers, and members engaged in other real estate disciplines.



Code of Ethics and Professional Standards:
  • The Delegate Body adopted language to implement discretionary authority for boards and associations to require their members mediate disputes that would be otherwise arbitrated.
  • The board also adopted a new Standard of Practice 3.9 to prohibit REALTORS® from accessing or using, or permitting or enabling others to access or use, listed or managed property on terms or conditions other than those authorized by the owner or seller.
  • In the Delegate Body meeting, delegates changed the word "competitors" to "other real estate professionals" in a provision in Article 15 of the Code that prohibits the making of false or misleading statements about others.


Federal Policy
  • The board adopted a policy to oppose any efforts in the federal government to consolidate the operations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Rural Housing Service. Under the policy, if the two agencies were consolidated, NAR would seek to ensure there's no diminishment or disruption in programs.
  • To help address what practitioners say is an increasing number of lawsuits against brokers alleging violation of Section 8 (anti-kickback) of the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), NAR will create a group to examine the legislative, regulatory, administrative, and judicial terrain of RESPA and identify recommendations for changes.


Internal Business
  • The board amended the association's investment statement for governing the management of its funds, including its new REALTOR® Party funds. Among other things, up to 50 percent of funds may be placed with an outside investment manager, up from 40 percent.
  • The board also authorized NAR to purchase a 2012 Master Policy for the Professional Liability Insurance Program for itself, its affiliates, and state and local associations and their wholly owned MLSs and affiliates. The $1.2 million premium is 14 percent lower than this year's premium.
  • The Delegate Body changed Article III, section 8, of the NAR Constitution to broaden the definition of an NAR international affiliate to "organization" from "association" to reflect that many international affiliates aren't structured as associations.


State and Local Political Activism
NAR will provide Issues Mobilization funding of $332,140 to the Oregon Association of REALTORS® for the next phase of their Coordinated Campaign to pass a Constitutional ballot measure in 2012 to permanently prohibit real estate transfer taxes in Oregon.

People
The Nominating Committee announced its NAR leadership slate for 2013: Gary Thomas of Alison Viejo, Calif., for president; Steve Brown of Dayton, Ohio, for president-elect; Chris Polychron of Hot Springs, Ark., for first vice president; and Bill Armstrong, Damascus, Maryland, for treasurer.
The Nominating Committee also announced that three NAR members have filed for office of first vice president: Bill Brown of Oakland, Calif.; James Helsel of Camp Hill, Pa.; and Thomas F. Salomone of Coral Springs, Fla., and for treasurer, Michael C. McGrew of Lawrence, Kan.
The Distinguished Service Award went to Adorna Carroll of Realty Three Inc., in Berlin, Conn., and PeggyAnn McConnochie of ACH Consulting in Juneau, Alaska. They're the 79th and 80th recipients of the DSA Award, respectively.
The William R Magel Award went to Gary Clayton, CEO of Illinois Association of REALTORS®.

REALTOR.com
REALTOR.com President Errol Samuelson gave a report on NAR's official consumer marketing site. The site now incorporates an international site on which U.S. property listings are made available to home buyers in other countries and automatically translated into 11 other languages. He also talked about changes to the site to bring listings and other information to consumers via mobile devices.
Past NAR President Cathy Whatley, who represents NAR on the board of REALTOR.com operator Move Inc., cautioned NAR members against surrendering too much of their data to data aggregators, such as Trulia and Zillow, that can't be counted on to protect their interests.

REALTOR® University
REALTOR® University Board of Regents Chairman Richard Rosenthal of Riverside, Calif., said the university is on track to receive accreditation by the State of Illinois and expects to roll out its first academic program in March 2012. Just under 300 people have submitted an expression of interest to begin studies at the university, far more than the 40 that NAR originally budgeted for. Rosenthal said the university is ready to handle 150 students.
The university's scholarship program has gotten off to a great start as well. State and local associations have pledged more than $250,000 to fund scholarships for students. NAR will be matching the money, bringing the total to more than $500,000. "This will ensure the brightest and best in the industry are encouraged to come to REALTOR® University," Rosenthal said.


Danny Frank
Team Leader
Keller Williams Realty
Office phone: (713)569-8102

*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources:http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at:http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is always looking to hire new and experienced real estate agents for the team at Keller Williams Are you ready to move to the next level in your career? Call me to join today  You can see my entire blog at:  http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

0 commentsDanny Frank, The Real Estate Expert • November 17 2011 12:44PM

Ensure Your Clients Have Access to Affordable Mortgages

As your constituent, and a REALTOR®, I urge you to act now to make the current loan limits for FHA, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae (the government sponsored enterprises, or GSEs) permanent. On October 1, 2011, the mortgage loan limits for FHA and the GSEs will decrease, lessening the availability of mortgage credit for hundreds of thousands of responsible and credit-worthy American families. What we need now is time for the real estate market and overall economy to heal, to self-correct, and stabilize. Reducing mortgage liquidity at this time will hurt our fragile economic recovery. H.R. 1754 has been introduced in the House by Reps. Miller (R-CA) and Sherman (D-CA) to make the current limits permanent. No similar bill has yet been introduced in the Senate.

In today's real estate market, lowering the loan limits will make mortgages more expensive for households nationwide. Private investors have not yet returned to housing markets, and FHA and GSE mortgages together continue to constitute the vast majority of home financing available today, which makes it particularly critical to extend the current limits.  Lowering the loan limits now will leave credit-worthy borrowers without access to affordable financing and will prolong our housing crisis.

Although many believe that lower rates will only affect a few high-cost markets. the new limits, published by HUD and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), show that more than 669 counties in 42 states and the territories would be negatively impacted by the loan limit change. The average decline in loan limits would be more than $68,000. Only eight states will see no decline. Every other state will see a drop in loan limits, and therefore a corresponding drop in the availability and affordability of mortgage credit. I urge you to pass legislation, like H.R. 1754 in the House, to make the current limits for FHA and the GSEs permanent, and preserve housing opportunities for American families.

Sincerely,

 

Danny Frank

REALTOR®




*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

CCA Texas Meeting TONIGHT - Bay Area Chapter

 

*



Just A Reminder for tonight

CCA Texas

Bay Area Chapter General Membership Meeting TONIGHT!

COME HEAR SHANE BONNOT FROM SEA CENTER TEXAS SPEAK TO OUR CHAPTER!!

Monday, June 20th at 7pm

Mario’s Pizza on Nasa Rd. 1

Ya’ll come on out and join the good time we will be having at Mario’s Pizza on June 20th.  We’ve got Shane Bonnot from Sea Center coming to talk to us about his flounder work and cool facts about Sea Center and how it impacts our Texas bays.  Sea Center Texas is a one-of-a-kind marine fish hatchery and Visitor’s Center located on 75 acres in Lake Jackson, Texas.

 

We will have pre-registering for our June 25th Bay Area fishing tournament the day of the meeting.  

There is an attachment on this email that is a memo about our fishing tournament, so take a look!

 

For more information please call Curtis Anderson at 832-435-0257 or Campbell Weber at 713-626-4222 or cweber@ccatexas.org


*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

To My Dad, Happy Fathers Day


Dad, thanks for being my Father, my guiding light...my Dad. Thanks for teaching me to fish, to be independent, to work on things that most would be afraid to touch. Thank you for all you have taught me about life.  Thanks for being there for me when I fell down and for always helping me back up. Thanks for everything you have ever done - just for always being there.  I know I have not told you enough how much I love you.

I am proud to call you my Dad...there are no sufficient words.

I love you Dad, Happy Fathers Day.

*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

LLano River Running No More - Dryed Up


The Llano river has run dry.  This seems to be the first time this has happened in more than 100 years.  I grew up playing in and around the Llano river and the low water crossing in Kingsland TX.  What fond memories I have of that time in my life.  

As of Wednesday, the Llano River, which normally courses through town at 158 cubic feet per second this time of year, was flowing at 3.8 cubic feet per second — the slowest since 1953, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The river is the city's sole source of drinking water.

Officials expect the river's flow to stop as soon as the end of this week, prompting bans on personal car washing, sprinkler use and pool filling.
The city has between 60 and 90 days of untreated water stored behind two dams. But with the water as low as it is, it might be too cloudy or contain too much algae to be treated.

When those stores are gone, the city may need to dig wells or truck in water as a last resort.

*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

CCA Texas Bay Area Chapter General Membership Meeting


CCA Texas

Bay Area Chapter General Membership Meeting NEXT MONDAY!

COME HEAR SHANE BONNOT FROM SEA CENTER TEXAS SPEAK TO OUR CHAPTER!!

Monday, June 20th at 7pm

Mario’s Pizza on Nasa Rd. 1

Ya’ll come on out and join the good time we will be having at Mario’s Pizza on June 20th.  We’ve got Shane Bonnot from Sea Center coming to talk to us about his flounder work and cool facts about Sea Center and how it impacts our Texas bays.  Sea Center Texas is a one-of-a-kind marine fish hatchery and Visitor’s Center located on 75 acres in Lake Jackson, Texas.

We will have pre-registering for our June 25th Bay Area fishing tournament the day of the meeting.

There is an attachment on this email that is a memo about our fishing tournament, so take a look!

For more information please call Curtis Anderson at 832-435-0257 or Campbell Weber at 713-626-4222 or cweber@ccatexas.org

*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

Large Home Loans May get Harder to Come by

If you were waiting until the perfect time to buy that $700,000 house, you may not want to wait any longer. By the time this summer ends, the federal government will no longer back jumbo loans of $700,000 and above, making such mortgages harder to obtain. For more about this looming change, read this article from CNBC.com.

*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

Did You Know You're required to Report Gifts of Real Estate?

When does a gift have potential tax implications?

If you give as a gift property that is valued at more than $13,000, you must file a gift tax return (Form 709) with the IRS, even if that gift is to a family member. The IRS is using state land-transfer records as evidence of noncompliance. Texas is among many of the states that have handed over information on gift transactions to the IRS. Keep in mind this filing requirement is different from the $5 million lifetime exemption amount that a person can give without having to pay gift taxes.

Read more at the Wall Street Journal.

*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

Who Really Owns That Property?

Banks across the country are facing foreclosure obstacles due to questionable ownership of loans. The cause of the problem lies in the document. Some cases reveal instances where banks have failed to properly assign ownership of mortgages, whereas others include documents that were backdated or fabricated. These assignment problems have proven difficult to cure since many of the lenders that originated the loans have gone out of business.

Read more at The Wall Street Journal.

*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

Technology and Ideas Worth Sharing

Dropbox Pic

Today, let’s talk about technology.  If you are using mobile computing or just multiple computers, you should look at something I use every day. It’s called Dropbox.  I have found that Dropbox is one of the tools I use the most.

Let me start off by telling you what I use and how it benefits me.  I use an Android phone, an iPad, a desktop PC, and a laptop PC.  I have downloaded Dropbox to everyone of these systems and they all sync to each other.  So my files I need are everywhere I am and if I don’t have access to on of my units, I can just go to Dropbox.com and get the file.

But you ask, how will it help me? Think about this, you can go paperless or you can have the file or picture or PowerPoint at your finger tips. One of the ways I use it is to put “Today's Showings” on Dropbox. So, I have the complete MLS printout with me while I’m showing properties and don’t have to worry about trying to log into the MLS or anything like that. Or I can share the file with my assistant or share the file with the escrow company and I can see when they get or open it. This way, we only have to worry about 1 file and it is always synced. I also have every active listing and buyers file stored on one spot.

Dropbox is free for the most part. You can upgrade your storage if needed, but for most of you, that will not be necessary to do.

To start your free Dropbox account just follow this link:
http://db.tt/3Z8wbMl

Just sign up and give it a try. It is free after all and I think you will find it to be a great asset you your business.
    *************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

Pearland TX to Hold Run-off Election for Council Position Three

PEARLAND, Texas -- All has not yet been decided for the Pearland City Council following its May election. The city will hold a run-off election June 25 to decide who will take Position Three.

After the election on May 14, Susan I. Sherrouse had the most votes for that position with 1,186. The second place candidate, Tammy Dexter, received 891 votes. The two will face off in the run-off election.

The run-off election will be held because the city of Pearland requires a candidate to receive more than 50 percent of the votes in order to win the election, said Sonia Webb, deputy city secretary.

At the time of the May 14 election, there were five candidates for Position Three. Herb Fain came in third with 817 votes, James Gregory Massey Meade received 423 votes, and Mitchell Sykes received 196.

For a complete list of precincts and polling places, visit the city’s website at the link below. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on election day.
    *************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

Pearland New School Board Trustees 2011

Pearland ISD

 

PEARLAND, Texas -- The Pearland ISD Board of Trustees recently welcomed two new members and selected new officers for the 2011-12 school year.

After taking the oath of office during the May 24 special meeting, newly-elected trustees Adele Brennan and Rusty DeBorde took their seats on the board.

Brennan, a former Pearland ISD school board member and an accountant for Lockheed Martin, occupies Position 1, formerly held by Secretary Dean Hamil.

DeBorde, president of Texas Signature Builders, fills Position 2, formerly held by President Dr. Glenn Garrison.

During closed session after swearing-in of new trustees, the board unanimously chose Virgil Gant as president, Andrew Solomon as vice president and Rebecca Decker as secretary.

Other trustees include Pam Boegler and Sam Gray.
    *************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

Pearland TX CITIZENS ASKED TO CONSERVE WATER

The City of Pearland is reporting that for three consecutive days (as of May 31), Pearland’s total daily water demands have exceeded 70% of the system’s available operating capacity.  Therefore, in accordance with the City’s Water Conservation Plan, and due to on-going drought conditions, the City is implementing the Plan’s “Stage One Drought Response”, effective June 2.  

Residents are asked to voluntarily practice water conservation by minimizing or discontinuing non-essential water use.  Ideally, outdoor watering should occur between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Also, odd-numbered addresses are requested to water on odd dates and even-numbered addresses are requested water on even dates.  For example, 3519 Liberty Drive can water on June 3, 5, 7, etc. since the address ends in an odd number.

Please be considerate of neighbors by reducing or eliminating landscape watering on the weekends, when water system demands are at their highest.  High water usage can result in low water pressure.   

For more information about the voluntary watering schedule or the Water Conservation Plan, please call the Public Works Department at (281) 652-1900. Additionally, visit www.cityofpearland.org or tune in to Pearland CityView cable channel 16 for the latest water information.

CONSERVATION TIPS
One of the most important ways to help meet water supply demands for today and tomorrow is through conservation, which is the efficient and effective use of water. Use these simple ways to conserve water and save on water bills:

INDOORS
     • Install low volume toilets and shower heads.
     • Find and repair leaky faucets, sinks, and toilets. An average leaky toilet wastes about 200 gallons of water per day.
     • Install faucet aerators to reduce this flow.
     • When replacing a clothes washer, consider a water-efficient model.
     • Change water use patterns
     • Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath.
     • Take shorter showers.
     • Don’t allow water to run when brushing teeth, shaving, or face washing.
     • Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily - dispose of tissues and other such waste in a trashcan rather than in the toilet.
     • Operate the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads.
     • Select the correct water level for the washing machine, if not a full load.
     • Use the shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled loads.
     • When washing dirty dishes, avoid letting the water run continuously.
     • Do not use running water to thaw frozen foods.  Instead, defrost overnight in the refrigerator or by using the microwave.
     • Fill sink halfway to rinse vegetables and fruit instead of rinsing one at a time under running water.
     • Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap water run waiting for cool water to flow.
     • Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or cleaning.

OUTDOORS
     • Water the lawn only when needed as dictated by rainfall.
     • Water lawns during early morning or evening hours. Lower temperatures and wind reduce evaporation loss.
     • When watering, water slowly and infrequently to promote good root growth and healthy plants.
     • Do not use sprinklers that produce a fine mist.
     • Plant drought-tolerant shrubs and trees.
     • Use mulch around trees and in flowerbeds. Mulch helps retain moisture and moderates temperature.
     • Pay attention to the garden hose. It can pour 600 gallons of water in an hour.
     • Outfit the hose with a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted so water flows only as needed.
     • Use drip irrigation for shrubs and flowerbeds.
     • Use a broom rather than the hose to clean leaves and other debris from sidewalks and driveways.
     • Use a bucket to wash vehicles.

INGROUND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
     • For efficient irrigation, zones are critical, and should be composed of the same kind of emitters throughout each zone.
     • Head types should not be mixed, but should instead deliver water at the same rate.     
• Check for and repair leaks.
     • Maintain sprinkler heads and valves.
     • Heads should be adjusted to prevent water from spraying onto streets, driveways, houses, or other obstructions.
     • Avoid oscillating sprinklers and sprinkler heads that produces mists or fine sprays, due to evaporation losses.
     • Adjust the irrigation controller at least once a month to account for weather changes.
     • Install a rain shut-off device, soil moisture sensor, or humidity sensor to help stop irrigation when it is not required.
     • Use the irrigation controller’s multiple-start-time feature if available, to reduce runoff and water losses.  
    *************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

Are you Doing Short Sales? Better Learn This First

 

MARS is circling YOU, if you perform Short Sale Services.

On January 31, 2011, the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) final rule went into effect.  The rule is primarily focused on companies who offer loan modifications to consumers, however the rule also impacts real estate licensees who represent clients involved in a short sale transaction.  You may have experienced some unscrupulous people in your area taking advantage of consumers in distress sale situations, this rule was designed to protect the consumer.

The rule requires three disclosures at various stages of the short sale process.  A disclosure is required if a real estate licensee is advertising as a short sale specialist or expert.  This disclosure is required for advertisement in any media--print, social, video, audio, signage, billboards, any media.  Another disclosure is required to the consumer before mortgage assistant services begin, for instance before a listing agent begins to assist a seller work with the seller's lender for a short sale, this disclosure would be given as soon as you are aware of the need for a short sale transaction.  A third disclosure is required at the time the licensee presents the client with the lender's short sale approval letter. All disclosures have specific language required, font size is also dictated in the rule. The notices generally inform consumers, licensees are not associated with the government or the lender, no upfront fees can be charged, the consumer does not have to use your services and we have to be honest in our dealings with the consumer, AND consumers should not stop paying their mortgage.

If you are referring business to a "short sale expert", you should make sure they are aware of the rule and the disclosures.  Referral arrangements may cause liability for non disclosure to pass also to the referring licensee.  Last but certainly not least in the rule there are recordkeeping and other compliance requirements.

The National Association of REALTORS has and continues to work with the Federal Trade Commission to have our industry exempt from the disclosure requirement, however, at this writing our industry is still a part of the rule.

If you, or your agents are offering short sale services, download the rule and read it.  You can find the rule on the Federal Trade Commission's website (http://www.ftc.gov) 16 CFR Part 322 Mortgage Assistance Relief Services; Final Rule.  You might also want to check with your state trade association, some states have created forms for their member's use, and certainly NAR has tools available.  As always, consult your attorney for advice in this matter.
*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

New Chair and Commissioners Appointed to the Texas Real Estate Commission

Governor Rick Perry has made four appointments to the Texas Real Estate Commission: Broker member Avis Wukasch, currently serving as a broker member of the commission with a term to expire January 31, 2013, was appointed to serve as the Chair. Governor Perry also newly appointed broker member Bill L. Jones and public member Weston Martinez, and reappointed broker member Troy Alley, all three with terms to expire January 31, 2017.

Avis Wukasch is a real estate broker and team leader with Keller Williams Realty in Round Rock. She earned a B.S. in political science from the University of Texas at Austin in 1975 and became a Texas real estate licensee in 1978. Ms. Wukasch served as a broker member of the Texas Real Estate Commission Broker Lawyer Committee (serving as co-chair in 2004 and 2005). Ms. Wukasch is certified to teach mandatory continuing education for Texas real estate licensees and pre-licensure classes on agency, marketing, law and contracts. She also served as the 2007 Chairman of the Board for the Texas Association of Realtors.

Bill L. Jones of Belton is a Century 21 broker/owner since 1976. Mr. Jones served as the 2010 Chairman of the Board for the Texas Association of Realtors. Jones is currently serving as a federal political coordinator for the National Association of Realtors and is a member of the Realtor Commercial Alliance and the Institute of Real Estate Managers. He is a founder and member of Friends Feeding Friends Food Drive benefitting the Capitol Area Food Bank and Belton/Temple Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Jones attended the University of North Texas.

Troy C. Alley, Jr. is the Executive Vice President of Con-Real, Inc., where he is responsible for brokerage, leasing, and other real estate services. He is a member of the Appraisal Institute, the Dallas Board of Realtors and the Texas Association of Realtors, and a guest lecturer at University of Texas at Arlington’s real estate program. Mr. Alley received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas, a master’s degree from Southern Methodist University and completed advanced work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in real estate development.
   
Weston Martinez has over 15 years of corporate business experience with AT&T and is also the President of Alamo Grass & Landscaping Services, LLC. Mr. Martinez formerly served as Vice-Chair for the Alamo Community Colleges Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. He is a member of the San Antonio Rotary Club, volunteer for the San Antonio Children’s Shelter and the AT&T Telephone Pioneers. Mr. Martinez is a Texas Certified Mediator who has a Bachelor’s Degree from Wayland Baptist University.
   
TREC Commissioners play a key role in protecting consumers of real estate related services in Texas. The agency welcomes the contributions of these new and reappointed volunteer members.

 *************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

Danny Frank's World Famous Rib Rub

If you  follow me a lot, you know I love to cook and try new things.  I have been working on my “World Famous” rib rub for many years.  I think I have finally come up with what I think is the best ever rib rub and I wanted to share it with you.

It is most important to rub the ribs and let them rest for a few hours before you cook them. And DON’T put the sauce on until the last 30 - 40 minutes and make sure you are cooking on low heat.

Danny’s Rib Rub

  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup paprika
  • 2 tablespoons Essence, recipe follows
  • 4 tablespoons Course Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper - Add more if wanted!!!


Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl, and stir to combine. Be sure to crumble any lumps that may form with the sugar or spices. Best to set for at least a day before use.

Danny’s Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cane syrup
  • 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely grated onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper


Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until thoroughly blended and smooth. Sauce may be made up to 1 week in advance and refrigerated in an airtight, non-reactive container. DO NOT USE NOT A METAL MIXING BOWL.

    *************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

Texas EXISTING APRIL HOME SALES DOWN 18 PERCENT

COLLEGE STATION (Real Estate Center) – Sales of existing single-family homes in Texas last month dropped 18 percent from a year ago, according to the most recent Multiple Listing Services (MLS) data compiled by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.

Just over 18,000 existing single-family homes were sold last month.
The median home price dipped 1 percent to $145,700, and the state's overall inventory was at 7.8 months.

April 2011 MLS data for many Texas cities are available on the Center's website. Here is a sampling (data current as of today):

Sales Change from
LastYear
Median
Price
Change from
Last Year
Months'
Inventory
Amarillo 226 down 23% $126,200 up 3% 7.1
Austin 1,851 down 17% $193,100 up 4% 6.9
Corpus
Christi
285 down 19% $133,600 down 3% not available
Dallas 3,809 down 20% $161,100 up 1% 7.2
El Paso 423 down 19% $133,300 up 1% 7.1
Fort Worth 763 down 16% $101,300 down 13% 7.3
Houston 5,099 down 14% $148,600 down 2% 8
Lubbock 233 down 27% $106,400 down 7% 8.1
Odessa 113 down 1% $136,300 up 16% 6.1
San Angelo 90 down 26% $115,400 down 3% 7.1
San Antonio 1,481 down 23% $147,900 up 4% 8.5
South Padre
Island
33 up 27% $182,000 down 19% 39.7
Temple-
Belton
132 down 31% $115,500 no change 9.3
Tyler 253 down 20% $135,100 up 1% 14.5
Wichita
Falls
111 down 34% $113,600 up 7% 8.7
Texas 18,027 down 18% $145,700 down 1% 7.8


If you would like to know how your area is doing, please call me or send me an email and I will be glad to do a CMA just for your little part of the world...
    *************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank

HORIZON CITY Near El Paso Land Scam - Beware

HORIZON CITY (El Paso Times) – Owners of desert land near El Paso have recently been the target of an advertising scam perpetrated by a Florida-based company.

According to the El Paso Times, investors purchased undeveloped tracts north of Horizon City between 1962 and 1975 for thousands of dollars apiece. The land was purchased from Horizon Corp., which promised buyers a quick return on their investments. The El Paso Central Appraisal District later determined the land was worth an average of $10 per acre.

Now, those landowners, many of whom would like to rid themselves of the land, are being contacted by American Land Liquidators of Largo, Fla. The company is promising quick sales and high profits in return for a $3,000 advertising fee.

"I got several calls from people that claimed to be interested in my land," said Chris Canter, who owns more than two acres in Horizon City Estates lots. "But so many people have posted forums online that say they pay the fee upfront and of course they never see the money back. I've been trying to get rid of the land myself, but I'm trying to do it by deeding back the land to the Horizon Communities Improvement Association."

Five complaints have been filed against the American Land Liquidators to the Texas attorney general. And lawsuit documents indicate that a similar company by the same name was operating out of Houston from 1992 to 1995.

*************************************************************

Whether you're interested in buying your first home, your next home, or just want to know more about home-ownership in general, I encourage you to check out a couple of great online resources: http://www.texasrealestate.com/ or http://www.har.com/. And for all of your Pearland, TX and Northern Brazoria and Galveston County real estate needs, please visit my site at: http://www.danfrankrealty.com. All of these sites offer tons of useful, real estate-related information geared specifically for Texans.


Remember, Danny Frank is a local Pearland, TX Real Estate expert! You can see my entire blog at:  
http://www.pearlandrealtyblog.com

 

Danny Frank

The Pearland Real Estate Expert

http://www.danfrankrealty.com

713-581-4702

Danny Frank