Regina Thompson

Woods Bros Realty would like to welcome Regina Thompson to the Lincolnshire Square office. Thompson has undergone extensive training and is well-qualified to help her clients in every aspect of real estate.

Woods Bros Realty, an affiliate of HomeServices of America, is a full-service company offering 120 years of expertise in real estate as well as experience in mortgage, title, closing, and insurance services. Providing an easier way to buy and sell, nearly 300 sales associates work with clients in Lincoln, Seward, Beatrice, York, Grand Island, and southeast and northeast Nebraska. For more information about Woods Bros Realty, visit www.WoodsBros.com.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Aggressive pricing
Record low interest rates
Your buying power will never be greater

As a long-term investment, homeownership is one of the best investments for individual households. All markets including the housing market have their ups and downs. The homeownership market has a track record that is unmatched by any other purchase in terms of its benefits.

If you have good credit, a job and steady income, there are plenty of mortgage lenders willing to underwrite a mortgage loan at good rates. Here is an example of why, dollar for dollar, homeownership is a stepping stone for a future of financial security and the single largest creator of wealth of many Americans.

Over the long-term, real estate has been consistently appreciating, even through periodic adjustments in local markets in response to economic conditions.

Let’s look at purchasing a $200,000 home with 10% down for an investment of $20,000. Consider that you might appreciate 5% per year, and that $200,000 home would be worth $10,000 more the first year of ownership. Earning $10,000 on an investment of $20,000 is an extraordinary 50 percent annual return.

In contrast, putting that $20,000 down payment into the stock market and getting a 5% gain would only yield a $1,000 profit.

DON”T MISS OUT ON THE BENEFITS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP!

 Posted by Ann E. Deck

For Make a Difference Day, Stan Johnson of the Woods Bros Lincolnshire Square office joined up with other members of the Cornhusker Fly Fishers club, to clear brush and small trees from the shore of Quest Lake at Mahoney State Park.

These trees had grown together so close that people fishing along that section of shore could not even get to the water. Armed with chainsaws and other hand pruners, the group spent several hours on the project.

“It’s amazing what 9 people working together can accomplish in one morning,” Johnson said.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

By MATT OLBERDING / Lincoln Journal Star

How big an effect has the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers had on the local real estate market?

Consider these numbers:

• Third-quarter sales of existing homes and homes overall were at their highest levels since 2005.
• Sales of new homes, though still at multi-year lows, were up more than 25 percent in the third quarter compared with the same quarter a year ago.
• September pending sales – home sales under contract but not yet finalized – were at their highest level ever for the month.
• In the $160,000-and- under category, which local Realtors consider to be the “starter home” market, sales are up 25 percent for the year.

“I think we’ve certainly seen the effect of (the tax credit), especially in the lower price ranges,” said Doug Rotthaus, executive vice president of the Realtors Association of Lincoln.

In a blog post last month at www.woodsbros.com, Gene Brake, CEO of HomeServices of Nebraska and Woods Bros Realty, said approximately one-third of recent home sales were to first-time buyers.

“… clearly the program has been wildly successful,” Brake said in his post.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, more than 1.5 million homebuyers have benefited from the tax credit. The National Association of Realtors estimates that 355,000 of those buyers — or nearly a quarter — would not have bought without the credit.

The Realtors Association on Friday cited the tax credit for spurring sales of existing homes nationally, which were up 9.4 percent in September.

But the wildly successful program will come to an end soon if the government doesn’t extend it.

The tax credit is scheduled to expire at the end of November, and buyers must close on their purchase by Nov. 30 to get the credit.

Since it typically takes a minimum of 30 days to close, time is running out.

Any hangup with loan approval or appraisals could extend that time, meaning for some buyers the window may have already closed.

But there is hope for those wanting to see the credit continue. Read the rest of this article from the Journal Star here.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

According to Midlands MLS residential statistics, more homes were placed under contract in September than any other time in history.

A total of 404 single-family residential listings were placed under contract, a 40 percent increase over the same time in 2008. Of those homes, 52 percent of them were priced $80,000 – $159,999, which could be a result of first-time home buyers trying to get their transactions closed in time to take advantage of the $8,000 tax stimulus.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

David Rutledge, a Woods Bros Realty sales professional, has been awarded the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.

Realtors who receive the CRS designation have completed advanced courses and have demonstrated professional expertise in the field of residential real estate. Fewer than 38,000 Realtors nationwide have earned the credential, which is 4 percent of all Realtors.

Home buyers and sellers can be assured that CRS designees subscribe to the strict Realtor code of ethics, have access to the latest technology and are specialists in helping clients maximize profits and minimize costs when buying or selling a home.

Rutledge works out of the Woods Bros Realty Country Club Plaza office in Lincoln. He is a member of the Realtors Association of Lincoln, the Nebraska Realtors Association and the National Association of Realtors. He has also earned the GRI (Graduate, Realtor Institute), the ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), and the SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) designations. He currently serves as a commissioner on the Nebraska Commission on Deaf and Hard of Hearing and is active in CI Sertoma. He is a retired Lincoln Public Schools principal. For more information, visit DaveRutledge.WoodsBros.com.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

RISMEDIA, October 20, 2009-The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) along with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) sent a letter to senior Obama Administration officials yesterday requesting their support for a 12-month extension of the first-time homebuyer tax credit.The letter, addressed to Treasury Secretary Geithner, HUD Secretary Donovan and National Economic Council Chair Summers, outlines why the three organizations believe that the tax credit has had a stimulative effect on not only the housing market, but on the U.S. economy as a whole.

A copy of the letter is below:

Read the rest of this entry »

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

The Realtors Association of Lincoln (RAL) recently named Judy Sasek 2009 Realtor of the Year.

The award is given to a full-time Lincoln Realtor in recognition of his or her professionalism and outstanding service. Selection is based on organized real estate activity; business conduct and experience; and civic and volunteer activity.

Sasek is the managing broker of the Woods Bros Realty SouthPointe office. She earned her real estate license in 1990 and her Broker’s license in 2000.”I am deeply touched and sincerely grateful that I have been chosen as the recipient of this most high honor by our Realtor community,” Sasek said.

She is a past president of the local chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors (WCR), and holds her Council of Real Estate Managers and Brokers (CRB) and Graduate, Realtors Institute (GRI) designations. She received the RAL Outstanding Service Award in 2004 and the President’s Achievement Award in 2003. She has served on numerous RAL committees and has volunteered her time with many community projects. She has been on the RAL Board of Directors for seven years and is the current President Elect for 2010. She is also active in the Nebraska Realtors Association serving on the Professional Standards Committee and the board of governors for GRI.

Woods Bros Realty, an affiliate of HomeServices of America, is a full-service company offering 120 years of expertise in real estate as well as experience in mortgage, title, closing, and insurance services. Providing an easier way to buy and sell, nearly 300 sales associates work with clients in Lincoln, Seward, Beatrice, York, Grand Island, and southeast and northeast Nebraska. For more information about Woods Bros Realty, visit www.WoodsBros.com.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

The Realtors Association of Lincoln (RAL) recently named Mary Poehlman Artz of Capitol Title 2009 Affiliate of the Year.

The award is given to an affiliate member of RAL in recognition of his or her professionalism and outstanding service. Selection is based on organized real estate activity; business conduct and experience; and civic and volunteer activity.Artz has been the Marketing Coordinator with Capitol Title for 11 years and has worked in the real estate industry in Lincoln for 25 years. She is involved in RAL, most recently chairing the Community Relations Committee, participating in Meals on Wheels, Make a Difference Day, the Lincoln Paint-a-Thon, and Salvation Army Bell Ringing as well as many other activities sponsored by the board. Artz also serves on a committee with the Nebraska Realtors Association and has been active in the Women’s Council of Realtors. Her personal interests include antiques, nature and outdoor activities.

Capitol Title is a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, the largest brokerage-owned settlement services (mortgage, title, escrow and insurance) provider in the United States. The company provides title insurance and escrow closing services to the areas of Lincoln, Beatrice, Seward and Wahoo. For more information, visit www.Capitol-Title.com.

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

Woods Bros Realty celebrated 120 years with a “Wild About Woods Bros” event for agents, staff and their families at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo last month. Families toured the zoo, enjoyed train and pony rides (courtesy of AHS Home Warranty and Amerispec), and danced to music by Woods Bros own Dory Marsh.

View the video to see what agents had to say about Woods Bros Realty, including a clip of Chairman Emertius F. Pace Woods II.

Video by John Morris of NewStream TV

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

There are less than 10 days left to make an offer on a home for the best chance of getting the $8,000 tax credit. Click on the link below to view a story featuring Pat Schmit of our Grand Island office:

http://www.khastv.com/videoplaylist.php?playid=18651

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty

I just passed the first year on the calendar with my new career in Real Estate. Real estate was something I have always had an interest in, and as a 52 year old empty nester, I thought it would be a great thing to do with the next chapter of
my life.

I have found that I like this even more than I thought I would. People think that we drive them around until they find the house they want to buy and we write up the paperwork. Wow, is there a lot more to it! There are so many details to cover with the inspection process, the lending process, the support for the emotions that will always emerge…I get called upon to use a lot of different energies and appreciate the way my life experiences have prepared me to help my clients.

How much I work and when I work is up to me…the independence in my schedule has allowed me to continue my personal travel for vacation and grandbabies. I keep up with my clients when I’m gone by taking my cell phone along and also having great backup from co-workers.

I was apprehensive about my technical skills and really appreciate the staff at Woods Bros – they help and teach me along the way and I’ve gotten up to speed very quickly. My coworkers welcome my questions and offer great encouragement. My broker takes my calls at all hours – always with a smile!

If you are considering a rewarding, flexible career, consider a career in real estate. Visit www.WoodsBros.com/Careers for more information.

• Authored By: Susan Ferris

 Posted by Woods Bros Realty