Fort Worth Real Estate Online

Today is my Father's Birthday.  Dad would have been 89 today.  Unfortunately my dad passed away in 1989... much too young a man to have died so soon.

I was sitting here at my computer thinking about him ... and wishing I could send him a birthday card.  And then the thought hit me.  I am on Active Rain.  So, I CAN send my Dad a birthday card... and this is it.

It is funny how, as I was growing up, the older I got, the smarter my Dad got.  Funny how that works.  As was I, my Dad was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.  It has been a long time now, and the older I get, the fuzzier my memories of him become.

Several months ago I wrote a post about him.  It told the story about how I got my driver's license, and how he delayed telling me he finally got word I was insured... until Christmas day when he was supposed to go pick up my Grandmother and bring her to our home for Christmas dinner.

                                     Karen Anne... Go Pick Up Your Grandmother

I remember another silly time when he was trying to fix a crooked sidewalk at the base of our driveway at home.   Then he got the bright idea of stringing a very heavy rope around the sidewalk to lift it, and then he strung the other end of the rope through the front windows of our 1954 Ford, and slowly tried to pull the car up the driveway away from the sidewalk, and tried to gently lift the sidewalk.  Ummm... not a good plan.  He almost ripped the center door pillars out of both sides of the car.

I remember him telling me he played fast-pitch baseball in a recreational league in Cleveland as a young man.  I probably heard him tell the story of how he hurt his arm when he pitched both ends of a Sunday double-header because his team was in a turnament.  His arm was never the same.  I heard that story so many times back then, I got tired of hearing about it.  How I wish I could hear him tell it again tonight.

I remember family picnics.  I remember going over to his home every weekend when he was older, and raking the leaves for him, or washing his car... but these memories are fading, too.

Dad, it has been nineteen years now since you passed.  Happy Birthday Dad !  I miss you...

Announcing that they were taking the extraordinary action of changing rates between their periodic Federal Open Market Committee meetings, The Fed early this morning dropped the Federal Funds rate by 75 basis points, or three-quarters of a point.

The size of the rate drop was significant, since a reduction of that magnitude had not taken place since 1990... eighteen years ago.

The last time the Federal Reserve Board announced a rate cut between their regularly scheduled meetings was in 2001... reflecting the severity of the market conditions which greatly contributed to the cut.

Taking the extremely unusual step, Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, held an emergency video conference overnight, and announced the rate change approximately thirty minutes before the New York Stock Exchange opened for business this morning.

The primary reason Bernanke gave for the change was an attempt to head off the growing concern that the weakness in the US economy was quickly translating into a downward spiral in foreign stockmarkets world-wide.

Many economists also thought there appeared to be a good chance that during the regularly scheduled FOMC meeting at the end of January... that further rate cuts may be announced.

In addition to cutting the Federal Funds rate, Bernanke also announced that the Fed was cutting its discount rate as well.  Many commercial banks throughout the US responded by making an equal reduction of 75 basis points in their "prime rate."

It remains unclear whether Bernanke's action in convening his overnight video conference was due to both the near panic in the overseas markets, and the intense criticism he and the Fed have come under for their apparent failure to respond more quickly to both US and world conditions.

Come See What's New at Karen Anne Stone's New Home Website.  New Home Hunters DFW has been where New Home buyers in Fort Worth, Texas have gone since 2005 to find new homes that may not be available anywhere else.

Being represented by a Realtor when purchasing does not cost you, the buyer, any additional costs whatsoever.  Each New Home Builder already has an overall marketing budget, so there is no charge to the Buyer.  And... when having Karen Anne represent you in your new home purchase, you have the added advantage of working with a Realtor who also has over ten years of experience previously working for new home builders.  Karen Anne knows the "inside scoop" which can save you thousands of dollars in your New Home Purchase.

Karen Anne constantly surveys all of Tarrant County for the latest New Homes, and shares the "cream of the crop" on her website.  Many homes have already been completed.  Karen Anne is ready to wrap up your favorite with a Big Red Bow... just for you.

                                                   http://www.NewHomeHuntersOfTarrantCounty.com

This is not just a website for one particular builder.  Karen Anne's "picks" for the prettiest, coolest, absolute best values available in Today's New Home Market from all the New Home Builders throughout Tarrant County.  Come see what the excitement is all about.

In Many Cases, new home financing is available for all types of buyers.  Even with the current mortgage situation, zero-down financing is still available, and with many of the mortgage financing plans, the Builder will pay most if not all of the Buyer's Closing Costs.

Even though each of the new homes pictured on Karen Anne's "New Home Hunters DFW" website is built in a specific area that is mentioned in the home information, many of the homes can be built "just for you" in many other areas throughout the Greater Fort Worth area... so if the area listed does not work for you, other areas are available.  Please call the New Homes Hotline at (817) 929-3400.

Seeing is Believing ! This Four Bedroom Brick and Stone Single Story Home is such an Incredible Home For The Money ! Four Bedrooms, Two Full Baths, Large Family Room, and a Gourmet Kitchen with Cabinets and Counter Tops on ALL FOUR SIDES.The Kitchen brings out the Gourmet in You !

What a Kitchen ! All Four Walls are lined with both Cabinets and Counter-tops. Can you imagine... moving in to your new home, unpacking and getting all your kitchen stuff pot away, and still having empty cupboards ? There is a Food-Prep Island with Breakfast/Serving Bar, space for Breakfast-Bar "High Chairs" and a Dishwasher, Oven and Range, and a Built-in Microwave.

The Kitchen and Serving Bar opens into the spacious Family Room. The Family Room, combined with the Oversized Dining Room... makes for Lots of Holiday Room for All the Family.

The Formal Dining Room Could Be Another Living Area. The Breakfast Room space next to the Family Room provides so much Room for casual breakfasts, lunches and dinners, and Holiday Dinners, that the Formal Dining room can easily be made into a Second Living Area.

Price-wise... it's hard to believe. This 2087 sq ft New Home is priced at $133,490. Now, in some parts of the country, home prices do NOT include the lot... but in Fort Worth, Texas... all new home pricing, including THIS one... includes the building lot.

From the Mid-Cities area,take the Airport Freeway, and then west on North Loop 820.  Turn north on I-35W, exit Heritage Trace Parkway.  Turn left (west), and the home will be on your right.  For your own personal showing, call Karen Anne Stone at (817) 929-3400.

I take great pleasure in introducing my Loan Officer for the past six years... Ms Rayne FitzMaurice.

With over ten years experience in the Mortgage Loan Industry, Rayne has been my Loan Officer of choice.  With Rayne's experience, combined with her extensive mortgage loan product line, have allowed her to help hundreds of home buyers fulfill their dreams of home ownership.

In addition to her mortgage loan experience, Rayne also has a background in the Title Industry.  When you are placing the success of your buyers in the hands of a loan officer, nothing succeeds quite like a background of success.

Rayne's market area includes all of the Greater Fort Worth area, all of Tarrant County including Keller, Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake to the north, the Mid-Cities of Hurst, Euless and Bedford. 

Rayne also covers the cities of Richland Hills and North Richland Hills, Haslet and Saginaw, Arlington and Mansfield. 

Unlike many loan officers, Rayne will gladly meet with your buyers and take their loan application on weekends, evenings, or whenever your buyers need to meet with her.

Although Rayne works with all types of buyers, both first time buyers, local move-up buyers, and buyers relocating from out of state, first time buyers are close to her heart.  

Her background allows her to take these buyers by the hand, and lead them through the maze that is required to find just the right mortgage financing to fit their needs.  If you are a Realtor who needs a Loan Officer who is also a "hand-holder"... Rayne is your girl !

Says Ms FitzMaurice: "There is nothing quite like the feeling I get when I see the smiles of my borrowers at the closing table.  As you can easily see, I really enjoy what I do."

Rayne has this really "odd" thing about her.  She actually returns my phone calls.  I find it very frustrating when I am trying to put together a transaction, and need an answer from my Loan Officer, to have to leave voice mail after voice mail with a lender... and not get a return phone call for days.  Not so with Rayne.  Rayne FitzMaurice actually returns phone calls.  What a concept ! 

To all you on Active Rain, please join with me in welcome Rayne Fitzmaurice of DHI Mortgage Fort Worth to the Active Rain Community.  Rayne, I know you will feel very much at home, here !

Karen Anne Stone

This Exquisite Brick and Stone Two Story just Takes Your Breath Away.Great-Room concept features Gourmet Kitchen with Island and Walk-in Pantry, Ooodles of Cabinets.

The breakfast Bar/Serving Bar overlooks both Breakfast Room and Family Room.  The Breakfast/Morning Room is airy and bright, and is large enough for just about any size breakfast table and chairs.  The Family room is over-sized, with a soaring vaulted ceiling, and will be great for watching the Mavericks in the playoffs.

Master-Suite Down has spacious walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms down are good-sized. Kitchen has nice-sized utility room and a bonus-room... a small private office room. Wrap-Around stairway from Foyer leads up to a Game Room, Fourth Bedroom, and a Third Full Bath.  What an Exciting Home to Come Home To !

The Marvelous 2510 sq ft home above is available in Midlothian, Texas for $196,990.  It can also be built as seen above in other areas of in DFW such as Burleson, Weatherford and North Fort Worth.  For your own personal tour, please call Karen Anne Stone at (817) 929-3400.

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For your own personal tour, please call Karen Anne Stone at (817) 929-3400.  To see more of the above home, and many other new homes, visit Karen Anne Stone's website at www.NewHomeHuntersOfTarrantCounty.com .  Karen Anne may also be reached at KarenAnneStone@gmail.com

In a recent post comment, I mentioned to Jan Evett that I could actually "hear" her pronouncing the word "Bee-You-Tee-Ful."  She also read a comment I made to Jennifer Bukaty, that I could actually "hear" her saying something. 

Jan said:  "Karen, you must tell me.   HOW you can hear the sound of everyone's voice on AR!  I CANNOT FIND that button!  You can hear Bukaty ... and now me!!!  I can't hear anyone's voice.  Now... back to that hearing the sound of her (my) voice thing... PLEEEZEEE tell me how you do it !" 

OK Jan:  Here it comes:

If you are familiar with a "personality inventory" called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, I usually test out as an INFP.  The I is for introvert, the N is for intuitive, the F is for feeling and the P is for perceptive. 

My Introvert-Extrovert usually ranges towards the middle... but usually more Introvert than Extrovert... although my introvert is natural, and much of my extrovert is learned or acquired. 

On the Intuitive-Sensing scale, I pretty much "pin" the meter on the intuitive side of the inventory.  Usually up around the 90 to 95% scale.  So... I have pretty good intuition. 

The next pair, the Feeling-Thinking scale, which has to do with how you make decisions, I again pretty much pin the meter on the feeling side... about 95% of the time. 

And last, on the Perceiving-Judging scale, I am somewhere in the middle, usually more on the perceiving side, and less on the judging side.  So, MBTI-wise... that makes me an INFP.

Are you sorry you asked yet ?  LOL.

So... with the I and the P so off the deep end so to speak, sometimes when I am reading something someone wrote, I can sometimes "hear" or "sense" or "feel" what they are saying... sometimes better than they can.  It is not something I do on purpose, or even try to do. 

Sometimes I try to get away from it, but I just cannot.  Bottom line... I just test out as being intuitive and perceptive.  They are not scientific qualities that one can measure, by any means.  And, sometimes when I think I am intuiting or perceiving something, I am all wet and off base.  So, I guess I really have no idea whatsoever what I am talking about... LOL.  But, that's the best I can do.

OK Jan... time for you to call the guys in the white coats to come and get me.  At least I'll have some peace and quiet, and will be able to take more naps.

I spent much of this past Saturday as I often do when I am not working with clients.  One of the things my buyers and sellers love about my service is being able to depend on my market knowledge.

To make that happen, every chance I get I am "out and about" discovering new homes, new builders, and new neighborhoods.  Saturday about 3:30pm... I found another "Gem !"  I was so excited, I could not wait to get back to my office and start calling my buyers.

This two story home features three bedrooms, two and one-half baths, and has great curb appear.  An angled front porch begins the charm and appeal of this home. 

The Spacious Foyer opens to the Formal Dining room, extended Entry to the Great Room and Study (optional fourth bedroom.)  The Great Room has a fireplace and wall flanked with gorgeous windows... adding the appeal of natural lighting.

The Gourmet Kitchen features a wrap-around serving and Breakfast Bar, an oversized walk-in pantry, and opens into the Great Room.

The Kitchen opens into the Breakfast Room with it's double box-window.  The Breakfast Room then opens to a Covered Patio, great for bar-be-ques all winter long.  If you like to barbeque year round, this is just perfect for it.

The Spacious Owner's Retreat is private... and included his and hers angled vanities with knee-space, a garden tub, and an oversized shower.  The walk-in closet is quite large.  You just might have to go shopping with all this space. 

The upstairs has an Oversized Game Room, and Two Spacious Bedrooms... each with it's own Walk-In Closet.  For your very own personal tour of this lovely home, call Karen Anne Stone at (817) 929-3400 today !  Start the New Year off Right.  Call Karen Anne today !

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To see more of Karen Anne's new homes, visit her website at www.NewHomeHuntersOfTarrantCounty.com .  Karen can also be emailed at KarenAnneStone@gmail.com .

Brand New and Ultra Plush Home with many custom touches in Sparkling New Neighborhood.  Gorgeous Four Bedroom (5th or 6th bedrooms optional) Four and one-half bath (optional Five and one-half or Six Baths) Children's Retreat, Formal Living and Dining, Study, optional Media Room, optional Outdoor Living Area, and so much more.

The Gourmet Kitchen has an Island, Exceptional Quality Cupboards, a Wrap-Around Breakfast/Serving Bar and Counter Area, and opens to the Sunroom and Morning Room.

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To see this home, and many others, please visit Karen Anne Stone's website at www.newhomehuntersdfw.com .  Karen Anne can also be reached at (817) 929-3400. Her email is KarenAnneStone@gmail.com .

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, Alan Greenspan's replacement, yesterday announced that the "Fed" is entering the New Year with plans to aggresively cut interest rates. 

Bernanke said that the Federal Reserve board has decided that avoiding a recession is a much greater worry that containing inflation.

Many Fed Watchers believe that at the next meeting of the FOMC... the Federal Open Market Committee... which meets about every six weeks... will drop interest rates by a full one-half percent instead of the "baby step" cuts of one-quarter percent that have been seen over the past fiscal quarter.

Many people who in the past criticized Alan Greenspan's approach to interest rates, have come full circle and have been coming down even harder on Bernanke.  As much as many wished that Greenspan would retire earlier than he did... many of those same "Fed watchers" have wished that Greenspan was still at the helm of the Federal Reserve Board.

In hoping to stimulate the economy, Bernanke uttered words in the usual "Fed-speak" language that "additional 'policy easing' may well be necessary."  What a comedian this Bernanke guy is !

The Fed has it's own language.  Instead of using the nasty R word... recession... the Fed and many economists prefer to use their own term. They would rather say that the economy has been experiencing a period of "negative growth."  Negative Growth ?  Uh huh.  Yes, Ben.  Yes Mr Bernanke.

Several economists have been grousing recently that the Fed needs to be more Pro-Active than the reactive mode they have been in.  With the recent news of higher unemployment, the chances of a rate drop has increased marketly.  Whenever the jobless rate rises, inflation worries usually lessen.

Steps are being taken to turn the economy around.  If my memory serves me right, the Government currently in power during an election year really does not want a recession economy.  As Bill Clinton said in past elections... "It's The Economy, Stupid."

So... take heart everyone... there just may be some relief coming a bit sooner than many of us had previously thought !  And for us... the sooner it happens... the better.

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For a quick look at homes currently on the market, and news of many new home builder bargains... please visit Karen Anne Stone's website at www.NewHomeHuntersOfTarrantCounty.com .  Karen Anne may also be reached at (817) 929-3400.