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Reasons to Smile: Keller Williams Ranked #1 Happiest Place to Work

by Christie Cannon

Reasons to Smile: Keller Williams Ranked #1 Happiest Place to Work

Ask most business leaders and they’ll tell you that success starts with smart hiring & satisfied workers.  Keller Williams is undoubtedly following this key business guideline and giving its employees plenty of reasons to smile these days. According to career site CareerBliss, Keller Williams is ranked the number one happiest company in America to work for in 2018. The rankings recognize businesses that are dedicated to to creating a happier work environment for their employees.  Each company’s BlissScore includes factors such as company culture, leadership, overall work atmosphere, and one’s relationship with coworkers. Keller Williams tops this list because it prides itself on a unique, agent-centric culture that focuses on cutting edge technology, education & services.

The Christie Cannon Team is proud to be partnered with Keller Williams Realty and look forward to passing on its high level of professionalism & expertise to our clients. You can view the full list of Happiest Places to Work in 2018 here.

 

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
469-951-9588
www.ChristieCannon.com

 

How Many Hours to Pay Your Mortgage

by Christie Cannon

Many people understand & believe that home ownership is key to fulfilling the American Dream.  In a world where affordability varies so widely and is affected by so many factors, the folks over at HowMuch.net created an amazing visual aid to offer an easy apple-to-apples comparison.  Using US Census Data  to determine median incomes v/s media sale prices, these experts broke down each cities respective housing costs to the number of hours required to cover an average mortgage.  While Memphis, TN can be home by Wednesday, New York, NY will be putting away some late night hours.

 

Want to see how your individual city faired, be sure to check out the source data found here: https://howmuch.net/sources/hours-work-afford-home

Christie Cannon | REALTOR
The Christie Cannon Team
Keller Williams Realty Frisco
469-951-9588
www.ChristieCannon.com
 

 

 

Mortgages Getting Easy Again? North Dallas Real Estate

by Christie Cannon

Too Easy to Get a Mortgage?  Is This the Start of a New Bubble?

Bubble Alert! Is it Getting Too Easy to Get a Mortgage? | MyKCM

There is little doubt that it is easier to get a home mortgage today than it was last year. The Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), published by the Mortgage Bankers Association, shows that mortgage credit has become more available in each of the last several years. In fact, in just the last year:

  • More buyers are putting less than 20% down to purchase a home
  • The average credit score on closed mortgages is lower
  • More low-down-payment programs have been introduced

This has some people worrying that we are returning to the lax lending standards which led to the boom and bust that real estate experienced ten years ago. Let’s alleviate some of that concern.

The graph below shows the MCAI going back to the boom years of 2004-2005. The higher the graph line, the easier it was to get a mortgage.

Bubble Alert! Is it Getting Too Easy to Get a Mortgage? | MyKCM

As you can see, lending standards were much more lenient from 2004 to 2007. Though it has gradually become easier to get a mortgage since 2011, we are nowhere near the lenient standards during the boom.

The Urban Institute also publishes a Home Credit Availability Index (HCAI). According to the Institute, the HCAI:

“Measures the percentage of home purchase loans that are likely to default—that is, go unpaid for more than 90 days past their due date. A lower HCAI indicates that lenders are unwilling to tolerate defaults and are imposing tighter lending standards, making it harder to get a loan. A higher HCAI indicates … it is easier to get a loan.”

Here is a graph showing their findings:

Bubble Alert! Is it Getting Too Easy to Get a Mortgage? | MyKCM

Again, today’s lending standards are nowhere near the levels of the boom years. As a matter of fact, they are more stringent than they were even before the boom.

Bottom Line

It is getting easier to gain financing for a home purchase. However, we are not seeing the irresponsible lending that caused the housing crisis.

1468 Echols Dr Frisco TX | Just Reduced!

by Christie Cannon

Exceptional custom-built Toll Brothers dream home in sought after Phillips Creek Ranch! Luxurious upgrades throughout! Rich handscraped hardwoods, elegant lighting, dramatic architecture & grand entry designed to impress. Formal dining & executive study. Chef’s Dream massive island kitchen boasts professional grade appliances, stone counters, double ovens & wine fridge. Family great room with surround sound & towering windows. Private master suite & stunning spa bath. 2nd floor enjoys game room & huge media with 7.1 surround sound. 5th bedroom with ensuite bath or second master. Relax on the pergola covered patio overlooking the oversized backyard-perfect for future pool, pets & play! Amazing location & neighborhood amenities! Nestled on a gorgeous oversized lot in the award winning community of Phillips Creek Ranch, featuring more than 100 acres of green space, lakes, an extensive creek system, trails, parks and premier amenities, you will find this stunning 5-bedroom home. Enjoy relaxing evenings on the pergola covered patio overlooking the oversized backyard-perfect for future pool, pets & play! Located in highly desired West Frisco, with easy access to award winning schools, shopping, dining & entertainment.

"Shift Happens"

by Christie Cannon
September 26, 2017
 
In real estate, like life, change is the only constant. The first thing I want you to be aware of is that “shift happens.”  Shift isn’t a bad word. It is simply a change in the trends we are seeing the market.  Reviewing these changes helps us determine reasonable expectations & where to focus effort to best assist you with the sale of your home.
 
This year we believe that we are seeing the market shifting beyond the seasonal fall/winter cycle.  We, like many industry experts, believe we are seeing a return to greater balance in the real estate market.  It's still a Seller's market though - the graph below shows where the sellers market, neutral market and buyers market begin to change.  A seller market means we will still see some appreciation in our home prices.
 
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What trends are we are seeing in the market today:
 
1.  Again, the sky isn’t falling.  We are discussing a slight change, not a panic.  That means a little longer time on market and we need to pay more attention to ensuring your home is priced right and not too high as the consumer will not react as favorably to the higher prices when there's more to choose from.
a.  TX economics remain strong & the “attractiveness” of our cities remains high.
 
b.  Corporate relocations continue to be drawn to our area.
2.  Prices remain stable. 
a.  Prices in most market areas are still seeing slight increases; however, the pace of increase has slowed dramatically &/or stabilized in almost every area. 
 
b.  For many months, sellers have been able to “ratchet” up their listing price as each home in the community has sold.  This strategy has proven to reach a limit.  We are now seeing large amounts of price reductions daily.  Likewise, there are an increasing number of homes that are having appraisal issues, where a lender’s independent valuation of a home is coming in less than the contracted sales price. 
 
c.  A strong pricing strategy remains among the most critical aspects of selling a home. 
3.  Inventory is increasing & in some areas increasing quickly.
a.  One of the primary drivers that have fueled real estate’s strong numbers over the past few years has been a low inventory environment.  The inventory in almost all price points and cities is on the rise.
 
We measure inventory in both total number & “month supply”.  Month supply is simply the time it would take to sell the existing inventory if new listings ceased coming on the market.
 
 I'll use Frisco as an example of this increase in inventory.  Frisco’s housing supply has increased every month since December 2016.  In fact, August 2017’s inventory was just under double from December 2016.  This is reflected in August as 1,094 homes listed with 320 homes selling for a 3.8 month supply.  This holds true for most of the surrounding cities as well. 
4.  Days on market are increasing, and houses are still selling.
a.  As you can envision, when inventory increases, days on market also rise.  The increase of days on market often slightly lags the changes to “month supply”.
 
b.  It may be surprising, but the average days on market are as high as 90+ days in some price ranges, even in the most popular markets.
5.  Buyers have more choices.  This is a critical take away! 
a.  When buyers have more choice, Price, Condition, & Location become key!
 How do we prepare for this “shift”?
 
1.  Strong pricing strategy remains among the most critical aspects of selling a home in an environment where buyers have choice.
a.  Our listings that elect to utilize a smart pricing strategy often still see multiple offers & shorter days on market.  There is always a balance between Days on Market & Price.
b.  Expect to see elevated levels of price competition. Timely price adjustments increase timely closing probability & reduces time on market.
c.  Simply imagine you are purchase a new car.  There are 3x dealerships offering the model & features you want. 1x of the 3 dealerships is offering theirs’ for $5k less.  Most buyer’s are not going to make an offer or negotiate with the 2x at higher prices to see if they can make it work; they will simply go the lowest price dealership first & attempt to negotiate.  Should that fail buyers will move to the higher prices to negotiate.
2.  Pay attention to changes in Showing Traffic relative to competition.
a.  Higher relative seller/buyer ratios (month’s supply) reflect a more competitive market for sellers.
b.  Having a large number of showings relative to other similar properties without an offer (or with a lot of low offers) is a strong indication of overpricing.  The image below provides an overview of how showings, or lack thereof, can be viewed in terms of pricing strategies:
Related image
 
 
What are some of the things The Christie Cannon Team of KW Frisco has done to be ahead of these challenges?
 
1.  Expanded our marketing team to include an in-house designer to ensure your home is well prepared & properly marketed.  If you think you need a refresher at this time, let us know and we will gladly arrange a time with our designer to come visit with you at your convenience. She is also reviewing your listing photos, marketing campaigns and sites to help improve wherever we can to gain more buyer interest. 
 2.  Conduct more frequent digital marketing reviews for your home, to ensure our listings continue to capture a larger share of interest from buyers.
3.  Expanded our Inside Sales Agent team to increase our ability to directly call agents & prospective buyers who have expressed interest in your home or previously toured your home.
4.  Increased our digital marketing campaigns to include banner ads& more direct to consumer marketing and re-targeting branding with your home. 
5.  Reverse prospecting (where we contact the agents that have clients searching for your “type” home.)
6.  Increase agent & broker tours and direct agent to agent marketing to better introduce and keep your home in front of the market.
7.  The introduction of Special Financing options available exclusively to our KW clients & our KW listings to assist with incentives to buyers and help you stand out!
 
My goal is to arm you with the best information so you can be prepared to make informed decisions about getting your home sold.
Looking for more info?  We are always happy to help.  Remember, we review each any every home we have on the market regularly & consistently to help you get SOLD!!  
 
Written by Christie and Kevin Cannon / Keller Williams Realty / no unauthorized use or copy permitted. www.christiecannon.com | 972.215.7747
 
The Christie Cannon Team | Keller Williams Frisco TX | 4783 Preston Rd #300

Hurricane Harvey Donation Collection

by Christie Cannon

 

The Christie Cannon Team | Keller Williams Frisco TX | www.christiecannon.com

4783 Preston Rd #300 Frisco TX

We are BEYOND thankful for all of our clients! We would not be here where we are without you.

As Featured on the KW.com Blog:

Relationships have formed the foundation for successful businesses for centuries, but how those relationships can benefit a business has evolved over time. Today, client relationships that result in referrals can fuel your growth and success both online and off.

Christie Cannon, a Keller Williams Luxury Homes International agent who specializes in Frisco and its surrounding communities north of Dallas, has put those referrals to work for her in a Texas-sized way.

Christie Cannon Keller Williams OutFront

“More than half of our business comes from referrals,” Cannon says. Through sourcing her business, Cannon finds that many new clients heard about her from a previous client.

Cannon’s results speak for themselves. Her team closed $112 million in sales in 2016, a 28 percent increase from the previous year. The results are particularly remarkable given the unexpected challenge they were presented.  

Cannon’s husband and team member, Kevin Cannon, was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. He began aggressive chemotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy and 30 radiation treatments.  

“It was heartbreaking for us. We were unsure where the situation would take us,” says Christie. “Thankfully, Kevin is now fully recovered and back to working full time. The challenge really brought to light how strong our team is. Everyone rallied together to create the best year yet.” 

Upward momentum continues for Cannon and her team.  They currently have 65 active listings and 50 pending transactions, not to mention plans for a 20 percent increase in production this year. This projected growth undoubtedly will be aided by her strong referral program.

 

Cannon builds a strong referral program

“Reaching out to current, past and future clients is so important because they all have a referral to give,” she says. “The most important part of building a referral-based business is building strong business relationships with your clients along the way.”

In order to build those relationships, Cannon and her team have created a solid referral protocol for each and every one of her customers and clients. “Every person in our database is on an action plan of some kind. Each action plan is set up to cater to the specific needs of each contact. The activities in our action plans will vary, but they all include offering something of value to each person. Our contacts are the heart of our company, and we treat them as such.”

When the team receives a referral, the client is sent a handwritten thank-you card as well as a small gift. That strategy has paid dividends dating back to Cannon’s very first client in 2003.

“Ironically enough, one of my very first transactions was a small $48,000 home, and to this date, that client has completed five other transactions with me and is still referring business to me,” she says. “I started getting my systems in place early on, and the systems are what helped me get organized and get in touch to grow and foster relationships with my clients. They have helped us maintain a consistent year-over-year growth pattern and get to where we are now.”

The value of referrals

Now that Cannon and her team are part of KW Luxury International, she has discovered that those referrals are even more valuable to her success.

“Luxury home buyers and sellers are very seasoned,” Cannon says. “They rely heavily upon advice from people they trust. Keeping your name in front of the luxury market is important in maintaining a strong referral base.”

While clients are the first ones that referral strategies are typically aimed at, Cannon also works hard to earn referrals from her local real estate colleagues and peers. To that end, she is committed to participating in networking events with other agents in and around her area. The best method she has found for earning those referrals is an unyielding dedication to professionalism.

“We have had agents – even within our own area – refer business to us,” she says. “It is such an honor to get a referral from another colleague. It’s important to maintain a professional relationship with not only your clients but also with your colleagues, as you may work with them multiple times over.”

Keep clients first

For agents who are working to assemble a solid referral strategy, Cannon suggests keeping the client as your central focus.

“A big mistake I see in a lot of agents is making this business all about them,” she says. “While we want to brand ourselves and relate to our clients, it’s not about you. This business is about catering to the needs of our clients and offering them a service and skill they can’t get anywhere else.”

Lead generate, lead generate, lead generate

In order to increase the amount of referrals you receive, Cannon suggests going back to the basics. “The models and systems are there, so don’t skimp on your lead generation,” she says. “As part of your lead generation, you should be reaching out to your sphere and past clients every day. Put everyone you know into your CRM and get them set up on some type of action plan. Reach out to your contacts on a regular basis by sending handwritten notes, making phone calls and sending items of value to them. This is all part of an action plan.”

Cannon stresses that an action plan only works if you keep your clients’ needs in mind.

“If you’re sending something of value to your contacts, they have a reason to continue to receive information from you,” she says.

At the end of the day, Cannon credits the Keller Williams models and systems for her team’s impressive growth.

“It took me trying to invent my own models and systems several times over and failing before I realized how much Keller Williams has to offer,” she says. “We will continue to improve and streamline our systems as we grow and plan on attending Family Reunion and Mega Camp each year. The best is yet to come!”

Cannon’s story illustrates how past clients are one of the most reliable sources for leads, but it takes consistent follow-up with your database to ensure that you remain top-of-mind.

The Christie Cannon Team | Keller Williams Frisco TX | www.christiecannon.com

4783 Preston Rd #300 Frisco TX

The Christie Cannon Team was Named to the 2017 REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Agents List

The Christie Cannon Team was named one of America’s most productive sales teams as a part of  REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Agents, the newly issued ranking report produced by REAL Trends and sponsored by Zillow Group

REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Agents ranks over 12,600 residential real estate professionals solely based on their excellence in real estate sales during calendar year 2016. All production numbers are independently verified by a third-party in order to ensure accuracy and report integrity. “This group of highly successful real estate sales agents represents less than 1 percent of all real estate practitioners in the United States,” says Steve Murray, publisher of REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Agents and president of REAL Trends.

To qualify for inclusion, an individual agent must have closed at least 50 transaction sides or $20 million in sales volume in 2016. For real estate agent teams, the minimum is 75 transaction sides or $30 million in closed sales volume. The individuals ranked in America’s Best Real Estate Agents had an average of 73 transaction sides and an average sales volume of almost $37 million. Teams ranked in America’s Best Real Estate Agents had an average of 144 sides and an average sales volume of almost $61 million. This ensures that only the best of the best are included on the prestigious list.

The average residential real estate agent in the United States closed 8.6 transaction in 2016 and had less than $1.3 million in sales,” said Murray. “To say that Christie Cannon is an exceptional sales professional is an understatement. To attain this level of sales is truly outstanding.”

“We are also pleased that two of the nation’s most prominent online real estate websites, Trulia® and Zillow®, have partnered with REAL Trends to bring a superior level of customer exposure of these sales agents’ performance,” Murray added.

Information on those receiving this recognition can be found online at http://www.americasbestre.com.

The Christie Cannon Team | Keller Williams Frisco TX | www.christiecannon.com

4783 Preston Rd #300 Frisco TX

DFW Real Estate Q1 Recap

by Christie Cannon

Brief:

  • Sales of existing single-family homes in Dallas–Fort Worth, TX, during Q1 were on pace to equal or surpass 2016's figures, according to the Dallas Business Journal, making it another record year.
  • Prices for those properties are also expected to keep climbing as supply there continues to contract. The market has a 2.2-month inventory of single-family homes, compared to the 6-month stock needed for equilibrium.
  • For the first time, the median home price in that market ($236,500 in Q1), was higher than the national median ($232,100 for the quarter) and represented one of the country's largest home-price increases for the period, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Insight:

One of the nation's fastest-growing cities, Dallas is a hotbed for new construction as companies relocate to the area motivated in part by its historically lower costs of doing business and, for employees, cost of living.

A host of projects catering to this uptick in demand are in the works. Earlier this month, Houston-based developer Hines announced plans for a 135-acre "live-work-play" mixed-use complex that will bring 3.5 million square feet of office, residential and retail space to one Dallas suburb. 

In April, developers broke ground on the 262-acre, $1 billion Bayside mixed-use project in Rowlett, TX, that will see an 8-acre lagoon and a 1,000 boat-marina added along Lake Ray Hubbard. The complex will also include 1.5 million square feet of commercial space, a 500-room resort and more than 2,500 condos, apartments, townhomes and single-family residences.

Along Frisco, TX's "$5 billion mile" is the $1.5 billion Frisco Station mixed-use development currently under construction. The 242-acre project will eventually feature 2,400 residential units, a 40-acre medical center, 650 hotel rooms and 300,000 square feet of dining, retail and entertainment space.

The rapid development in Dallas–Fort Worth has analysts worried the area could lose its status as a historically affordable market. As demand picks up and inventory lags, big builders are digging in. Taylor Morrison, for example, has said it intends to grow its presence there, announcing plans in October 2016 for two master-planned communities in the city's northern suburbs. 

Texas' housing boom drove the state to a 38% share of the MPC market in 2016 — the most of any state, and a 28-percentage-point increase in its share of all U.S. MPCs since the 1990s.

Recommended Reading:

 

The Christie Cannon Team | Keller Williams Frisco TX | www.christiecannon.com

4783 Preston Rd #300 Frisco TX

Getting to Know a Neighborhood

by Christie Cannon

How do I get really know a neighborhood when searching for a house?

DISCOVERING The NEIGHBORHOOD

There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you. Think about the location in terms of commute time to work, distance from leisure-time activities, and proximity to shopping, schools or any other places you frequent. You may think of others factors that are important to you. Please take some time to write them down and share them with us.  We are delighted to point in the direction of resource to help ensure that you are as well informed as possible before you consider your home purchase.

Scout out the Neighborhood!

  • It is important that you scout the neighborhood in person – everyone’s taste is unique.  Make sure the community matches your needs and lifestyle.
  • Talk to people who live there.  Ask us if we may have past clients in the area, often they are happy to share their knowledge and experience.
  • Drive through the entire area at different times of the day, during the week, and on weekends.
  • Look carefully at how well other homes in the area are being maintained—are they painted; are the yards well cared for; are parked cars in good condition?
  • Consider attending any upcoming community or HOA event!

Neighborhood Factors to Consider

  • Look for things such as access to major thoroughfares, highways, and shopping.
  • Consider recreating your work drive during similar commute times.
  • Listen for noise created by commerce, roads, railways, public areas, schools, etc.
  • Travel through the community on weekends and after school hours.
  • Check with local civic, police, fire, and school officials to find information about the area.  Police Public  Information Officers can be a great resource.
  • Research environmental topics such as soil and water quality, as well as floodplain implications.
  • Study traffic patterns around the area at different times of the day and measure drive time from the area to work.
  • Is the neighborhood near parks, places of religious worship, recreation centers, shopping, theaters, restaurants, public transportation, schools, etc.?  Consider where you spend your time, outside of your home.
  • Does the neighborhood have a Homeowner’s Association?  If so, how much is it and what does that add to my monthly payment.  
As always, please do not hesitate to let us know how we can assist!

 

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Christie Cannon
Keller Williams Realty
5933 Preston Road #300
Frisco TX 75034
972-215-7747
Fax: 972-215-7748
Keller Williams Frisco - The Christie Cannon Team - http://www.christiecannon.com