Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker get top marks in J.D. Power homebuyer survey

Two residential sales firms with broad operations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area ranked tops in a new comparison.

Keller Williams rated highest in homebuyer survey released Thursday by consumer research firm J.D. Power and Associates.

Coldwell Banker placed second in buyer satisfaction but was highest rated by home sellers quizzed for the annual report.

The study rates national brand residential sales firms based on overall satisfaction with the agent, the office and additional services.

Re/Max and Century 21 also performed above average, according to buyers.

J.D. Power said that both buyers and sellers indicated that while the performance of the agent is the most important factor in their overall satisfaction, the importance of additional marketing services has grown in the last year.

The study also found that the number of first-time buyers in the housing market grew this year to 56 percent from 44 percent in 2008.

“The presence of more first-time buyers is encouraging, as it indicates that the real estate market is returning to more normal activity, with fewer speculators," Jim Howland, senior director of the real estate and construction practice at J.D. Power and Associates, said in the report. "However, real estate companies and agents must carefully manage first-time buyer expectations.”

J.D. Power also found that agents are holding fewer open houses to sell properties, but the number of sellers using the Internet to market their properties is at a record 64 percent.

The Power survey did not rank local and regional residential sales firms, which dominate the business in some markets.

By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News

Oklahoma City Market for February 2009

Oklahoma City Recognition

• The metro area’s average sales price for 2008 was $151,700, an
increase of 0.84% compared with 2007. Statewide, the average sales
price for the year was $149,482, an increase of 0.52% compared with
2007 (The Oklahoman, 02/21/2009)
• Oklahoma home builders are bracing for a rush of buyers now through
November 30 when the first time home buyer credit expires.
Oklahoma’s market, because it’s relatively strong, could respond to
the stimulus faster than areas where housing values have plummeted,
said Steven R. Plaisance, president of the Oklahoma Mortgage Bankers
Association and executive vice president of secondary marketing for
Arvest Mortgage Company in Tulsa. “Our affordable home prices and
the historically great mortgage rates make this a good deal for
Oklahomans,” he said. (www.NewsOK.com, 02/18/2009)
• Oklahoma State University’s School of Architecture has earned a
place among the top 20 in a nationwide survey of architectural
undergraduate programs. (The Oklahoman, 02/07/2009)
• Oklahoma’s two largest counties both had above-average employment
and wage growth in the second quarter of 2008. Among 334 large
counties in the U.S., Oklahoma County ranked ninth in rate wage
growth with an over-the-year increase of 6% to $777 a week. Wages in
Tulsa County rose 3.2% to $766, also above the 2.6% national
average. (www.NewsOK.com, 02/03/2009)
• Oklahoma City based Paycom, an online payroll processor, grew its
revenues 89% in 2008 despite a slumping economy. (The Oklahoman,
02/24/2009). Courtesy of Opubco.

www.WyattPoindexter.com

Great News for Oklahoma Real Estate!!!!

The 291-city report finds widespread declines, but the worst pain is found in California, where homes on average lost 6.7% of their value over the year; Florida, where homes prices declined 4.7%; and the desert Southwest, where overbuilt Arizona and Nevada continue to writhe.
Despite the drama in those places, though, prices in most of the rest of the country held up relatively well, losing less than 2% or even, in a few places, growing. The stability is found in the middle of the country, which never saw the stunning boom-year price increases that now are unraveling in former boom markets like Florida, California, Arizona and Nevada.
In eight states, house prices rose year over year: Utah, 9.3%; Wyoming, 8.3%; North Dakota, 7.8%; Montana, 6.9%; Texas, 6.2%; New Mexico, 5.4%; Washington, 5.4%; and Oklahoma, 5.1%.

Courtesy of: MSN.com and www.WyattPoindexter.com

Wyatt Poindexter
Keller Williams Realty
405-417-5466
wyatt@wyattpoindexter.com

The Keller Williams Difference

At Keller Williams Realty, we like to think we stand out from other real estate firms in many ways, but these areas in particular define Keller Williams Realty as an industry innovator and leader: Culture, Education, Profit Share, and Technology.

We are a company built and shaped by talented, driven real estate professionals who know the value of having a great career, accomplished colleagues, work-life balance, and a reputation for being the best in the business.

We focus on helping associates realize their fullest potential. You will find opportunities for growth, support for achieving your objectives and a true sense of family and belonging.

Your success is our goal.... Make today the day you begin the next fulfilling chapter in your life and career.

Courtesy of : www.KW.com and www.WyattPoindexter.com