Amarillo Hometown by Christine Wyly

The Real Estate Market in Amarillo - Alive & Well

2011-05-22T15:57:00.002-05:00

The last several months have been so busy. I am actively working on finding buyers new homes. We just completed a transaction for a new Amarillo resident who we helped find a beautiful home in the Wolflin neighborhood. The beautifully maintained ranch style home was so delightful he and I fell in love with it immediately. It sits just outside of the Historic District and is typical of the mid-century construction in the central sections of Wolfin. The beauty of this lovely gem was that it had been wonderfully maintained and updated, yet preservation of mid-century charm kept it special.
We hope to close a transaction in Wolflin Historic District in a couple weeks on a 1927 home that has retained original woodwork, hardwood floors, and marble fireplaces. We also have another Wolflin home under contract just south of 34th Avenue. It has great curb appeal and has just gone through extensive renovation to bring it to a more modern appeal.
Another great development is the discovery of a really cute home in the Country Club Addition for a client who happens to be a friend also. We have the updated, charming house under contract and she is so excited to move in with her children and a new puppy because they will have a yard after several years of apartment living.
We still have a great listing in Lawndale that has lots of space for the price. The sellers want to move to the country so they would love for a potential buyer to give me a call so I can show it!
Our commercial listing out on Loop 335 would be a great place to start a new business or move a growing business into. It has nice offices, a big shop, lots of storage, and 15 acres! Call me if you know anyone who needs such a great place with so much potential.
Last but not least, I just put a beautiful home in the Greenways on the market this week. It was a Parade Home and has many nice features. It has an isolated master bedroom, a second master upstairs, and 2 other wonderful bedrooms with great dormer alcoves. The living areas are open and lovely. Give me a call and let's go take a look!
The real estate market in Amarillo, Texas is alive and well. I would love to show you around if you are a new resident or if you are thinking of moving to Amarillo. If you live in Amarillo and are in the market for a new home or need to sell the home you are living in, please call me. Please look at my website christinewyly.com - several of my past clients have offered testimonials as to the services I provided to them during their real estate transactions. I would love to visit with you.

Inner City Blight in Amarillo

2010-11-04T07:09:00.003-05:00

Lately, I have observed the exodus of businesses from the Olsen and Paramount area. Ruby T's and Michaels both have moved to other areas. Other businesses have closed and moved. More and more buildings and strip mall spaces are vacant along Olsen. As these businesses move out of the Olsen/Paramount area the same old thing is happening in Amarillo that city planners have struggled with for ages. This town is sprawling, sprawling, and sprawling with no fill in. People here want "new" and they replace with "new" leaving the old to rot. We have got to have some urban infill or we will end up a city that has at it's core, blighted areas for miles. Many of the core neighborhoods in Amarillo used to be lovely, family oriented, neat neighborhoods. I mean no disrespect to these areas at all, but the current shabbiness is sad and it has come about because neighborhood after neighborhood has been abandoned by those who are "moving up". This is what is happening to the Olsen/Paramount area. Frankly, I am getting tired of driving to the extreme southwest side of town for everything. I prefer Wolflin, Olsen, and Paramount because it is more central to Amarillo. I purposely look for businesses in the center of Amarillo to patronize. These businesses uproot and move to the edge of the sprawl to stay alive. If we patronize them, they can stay in business where they are and our city won't deteriorate at the core.

Amarillo's Historic Wolflin District

2010-11-02T10:43:00.000-05:00

Located in the center of the city of Amarillo is the Wolfin Historic District. The origin of the Wolflin Historic District was the purchase of a raw section of prairie in 1897 by Charles Oldham Wolflin and the subsequent development by his family. The dreams of his son Charles A. Wolflin during the years of the Great Depression and World War II came true when in 1991 the District was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The central location, historic qualities of the homes, and the beauty of the tree lined brick streets makes the Wolflin Historic District an attractive place to live. There are many styles of homes, but the flow of the neighborhood is not broken by the randomness of unique styles because brick streets and stately elm trees provide continuity throughout the subdivision. The shady avenues attract charitable walks in the warmer months. In the winter time the neighborhood has been a Christmas wonderland for many residents of Amarillo who visit in automobiles, wagons, and carriages. The magnificent Christmas lighting at many of the homes, and United States flags flying to commemorate the Fourth of July and Memorial Day are just some of the neighborhood displays of community involvement.Often, residents of the Wolfin Historic District have been the movers and shakers in Amarillo, bringing industry, fine arts, and capital to the city. The allure of the Wolflin Historic District is more than its charm and elegance. The spirit of the Wolflin Historic District is a reflection of the pioneer spirit of Amarillo. (Portions of the above were excerpted from the the newly published book "Amarillo's Historic Wolflin District" by Christine Wyly and the author’s previous blog “Amarillo Hometown” articles dated March 19, 2008 and June 18, 2008 at www.christinewyly.blogspot.com.)

"Amarillo's Historic Wolflin District" Book Release Date

2010-07-23T17:09:00.001-05:00

"Amarillo's Historic Wolflin District" will be available September 6, 2010. The book can be purchased at Arcadia Publishing's wesite, Amazon.com, and other venues. Please watch the news media for information about book signings.

Unkempt Highway Right-of-Ways

2010-07-08T15:58:00.000-05:00

I am disturbed by the appearance of Interstate 40 and other major highways and interstates in Amarillo. The shrubbery is not being maintained, plantings have died causing erosion of dirt onto the roadways, and the weeds and grass are knee-high in places. I had heard mowing and other maintenance was going to be scaled back due to lack of funding. However, isn't an unkempt appearance an incentive for travelers to just keep on traveling if our city has an untidy uninviting atmosphere? I would think, that is a loss of revenue for our city. Isn't lack of pride in our city's appearance self defeating?

New Book on the Wolflin Historic District

2010-06-02T16:35:00.000-05:00

I have authored the book "Amarillo's Historic Wolflin District." It tells the story of one of Amarillo's premier residential areas as well as the history of Amarillo, Texas. Release date by Arcadia Publishing is September 6, 2010. We will have further announcements with more details.

National Flood Insurance Program Expiration

2010-06-02T16:33:00.000-05:00

Congress let the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) expire. Until Congress extends it there can be no new or renewal flood policies issued. Thousands of residential & commercial transactions are on hold wiithout the flood insurance coverage provided by
NFIP. Many of the contracts for these properties were written by April 30, so buyers could get the homebuyer tax credit. If the transactions don't close by June 30, they will lose the credit. Please call your congressmen.

Helping Senior Citizens to Sell their Homes

2010-03-22T23:12:00.001-05:00

Working with a senior citizen who is selling their home can be a joyful, educational experience. It can also be heart rending. The most important thing to remember is to LISTEN to them during the listing appointment and throughout the transaction. Often, senior citizens are lonely and uncertain about the future but won't directly convey those emotions to their REALTOR. If we as real estate professionals really listen; we will hear such things as "I raised my children here", "my husband and I bought this home new", or "I have lived here forty years."
All of those statements and similar revelations are so important! They have much more meaning attached to them, such as "there are so many memories here", "this is a familiar, secure place for me", and "I don't know any other life." We must be sensitive to these feelings of our older clients and respond with compassion, reassurance, and understanding. By doing so we ease their paths into the new lives and homes they have chosen.

The Wolfin Historical District Amarillo, Texas

2010-01-19T20:52:00.000-06:00

My book entitled "The Wolflin Historical District Amarillo, Texas will be published in the fall of 2010. The book is to be published by Arcadia Publishing as part of the images of America series. I have taken a sabbatical from posting to my blog to be able to work on the book. If you find this blog and are interested in the history of Amarillo, please check back for information on the release date of the book.
Christine Wyly

New Information from National Assoc. of Realtors on Homebuyer Tax Credit

2009-11-09T09:29:00.000-06:00

The following is information from the National Association of Realtors on the New homebuyer tax credit legislation passed last week. I am passing it along -
NAR Frequently Asked Questions
Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes
National Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Division
500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20001
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on the changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit
Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house?
Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who
meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit.
Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a
new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and
am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If
President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for
the new $6500 tax credit?
Answer: Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for purchases after the date of enactment
(when the bill is signed). There is no reference to the date of contract for the new credit. The
provision looks solely to the date of purchase, which is generally the date of settlement.
Question: I am a firsttime
homebuyer but was not within the prior income limits at the time I
entered into my contract to purchase on October 30, 2009. I will be covered,
however, by the new income limits. If the new rules have been signed into law by the
time I go to settlement, will I be eligible for a credit?
Answer: Yes. The new income limitations go into effect as soon as the President has signed the bill.
The income limit and other eligibility rules will look to your status as of the date of purchase,
which is the settlement date. So if the new rules have been signed when you go to settlement,
you should be eligible for the credit (or a portion of the credit if you're within the phaseout
range).
Question: I am an eligible existing homeowner. I have a fair amount of equity in my home. I
have found a home with a nonnegotiable
price of $825,000. Will I be able to use any
of the $6500 tax credit?
Answer: No. The $800,000 cap on the cost of the purchased home is firm at $800,000. Any amount
above $800,000 makes the home ineligible for any portion of the credit. The $800,000 is an
absolute ceiling.
Question: I owned my home for 10 years, but sold it two years ago year and have been renting
since. If I purchase a home, will I be eligible for the $6500 tax credit if I meet all the
other eligibility tests?
Answer: Yes. Because you lived in the home for more than 5 consecutive years of the previous 8, you
will qualify for the $6500 credit. For example, Say John and his wife bought a home in 2000
and lived there until 2008 when he got a divorce. Whether John has been renting or bought in
the interim, he WOULD INDEED be eligible for the credit because he owned a home and
occupied it as his principal residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years. The
keyword here is "consecutive." As long as he lived in that house for 5 years straight what he
did since 3 years doesn't impact eligibility.
Question: I am an eligible firsttime
homebuyer. I entered into a contract to purchase on
November 1, 2009. Do I have to go to closing before December 1? How does the
extension date affect me?
Answer: You do not have to close before December 1. Once the legislation has been signed, it will be as
if the Nov 30 date had never existed. Therefore, so long as the contract settles before April 30
(or July 1, worst case), the purchaser will be eligible for the credit

Letter from President of the National Assoc. of Realtors regarding proposed mortgage interest deduction changes

2009-02-27T13:11:00.000-06:00

I claim no authorship or ownership of the following information. It is a letter from the President of the National Association of Realtors. I am posting it on my blog for informational purposes only.
Christine

Dear Fellow REALTOR®,
You may have seen news reports about President Obama’s budget proposal that was released today at 11:30 AM Eastern Time. A small section of the sweeping budget plan has the potential to become a major impediment to a recovery in real estate markets across the nation. NAR is 100% opposed to the provision that modifies the Mortgage Interest Deduction and is prepared to use its formidable array of resources against its enactment.
As currently drafted, the plan changes the Mortgage Interest Deduction by reducing the amount of mortgage deductibility on families earning over $250,000. This proposed change in the Mortgage Interest Deduction will result in further erosion of home prices and home values. If this proposal is enacted it will lead to a new round of price depreciation, will cause greater distress on the balance sheets of banks as the collateral value of mortgage backed securities declines. A second credit crisis could emerge before the first one is resolved.
As you read this NAR is launching a multiphase plan of action to eliminate this provision from the budget plan. In the next 24 hours, NAR will be expressing our concerns directly to President Obama, to all members of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, placing advertisements in the publications read by Washington, DC decision makers. Additionally, NAR will be forming a coalition with other groups affected by this proposal.
This communication is the first part of our response, we will continue to update you as the situation and events warrant.
Sincerely,Charles McMillan, CIPS, GRI
2009 NAR President

INFORMATION FROM THE TEXAS ASSOC. OF REALTORS®

2009-02-11T08:42:00.000-06:00

The following information is from the Texas Association of REALTORS® website intended to educate Texas consumers about the Texas real estate market. It is my intention to share this information with those of you who read my blog - I do not claim authorship or ownership of this material in any way; it was created and compiled by the Texas Association of REALTORS®

Quick facts for Texas REALTORS® to share with consumers

With so many misperceptions created by the national news about the real estate market, you can help Texas consumers understand what’s really going on in your market. Explaining that real estate is local and giving consumers facts about Texas and your area will help alleviate their concerns.

Why Texas is different

Strong, diverse economy:
Texas is strong in industries that are still growing (such as professional & business services, education & health services, government) and has the second largest economy in the nation by GDP according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Steady job growth:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Texas added 153,700 jobs (1.5% increase in employment) from December 2007 to December 2008, while during the same time the national unemployment rate rose 2.3%.

Top state to relocate:
According to Allied Van Lines’ 41st Annual Magnet States Report, Texas is the No. 1 destination state for residential relocations for the 4th year in a row. New data from the U.S. Census Bureau confirms that Texas gained more residents (484,000) between July 2007 and July 2008 than any other state.

Misperceptions created by national news

What they hear......Median sales prices are down as much as 41%
What they don't hear........That 41% number is from California (Nov. 2008 compared to Nov. 2007). Median sales price statewide is flat in Texas for the entire year 2008 compared to 2007*

Average sales prices dropped $115,000 in one year
That number is from Arizona. Average sales price in Texas is unchanged for the entire year 2008 compared to 2007*

Home prices are the lowest in six years and it takes three quarters of a year to sell a house (Reuters, Jan. 2009)
Over the last six years, home prices in Texas have increased 9% in value (median home prices from Dec. 2002 to Dec. 2008) and in that time have averaged less than 7 months, sometimes much less, to sell.

*Source for Texas numbers: Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University

Statewide facts

· Texas real estate remains a strong long-term investment. The average home sales price in Texas has increased $15,600 from December 2004 to December 2008; over the same four years, median sales prices (half of all homes sold are priced higher and half are prices lower) increased $8,600.

· Texas has steady home value appreciation. Sales prices in places like California, Florida, Nevada, and Arizona have had rapid rises and drops in values, while Texas prices have remained relatively steady.

· Texas homes are more affordable. Using a ratio of average family income compared to income required to qualify for a loan, the Housing Affordability Index indicates the proportion of the population that can afford to buy the average home sold during a certain time period. The higher the index, the more affordable the housing in that area.

· Most borrowers are approved. According to a report by the National Association of REALTORS®, 91% of buyers in Texas were NOT rejected by lenders last year.

· Great rates are available. Mortgage loan rates are the lowest they have been in decades.

· First time buyer incentives. First time home buyers can still qualify for a $7,500 tax credit.

New Articles about Amarillo, Texas Neighborhoods

2008-10-04T13:22:00.000-05:00

I am currently doing the research to do my next article on another interesting Amarillo, Texas neighborhood. I will be writing on another historic neighborhood and expect to have the article completed soon. Also, my interest has been revived by a chance meeting with a great older couple, to do an extensive article on Pleasant Valley soon. I have a great deal of research done on that older part of north Amarillo, but have been sidetracked working on articles about neighborhoods closer to the center of Amarillo. I continue to be drawn back toward recording the history of Pleasant Valley because of the wonderful stories I have been hearing from some of the folks whose parents settled the area and from older folks who have lived in Pleasant Valley since the 1940's and 1950's. Great stuff!!!! Those of you who read my articles here and in the Amarillo Uptown know I do not post daily or weekly but use this forum as an outlet for more detailed writings about the great neighborhoods in Amarillo. Thanks for reading my work and looking forward to new articles.
Best Regards,
Christine

Bivins Addition - Original Version by Christine Wyly

2008-08-04T09:23:00.000-05:00

The Bivins Addition subdivision is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Amarillo, Texas. One of the great joys of my real estate business is the privilege of visiting neighborhoods I love. The Bivins Addition is one of those neighborhoods. Its beauty and my love of the city’s history make trips to the Bivins area of Amarillo a delightful outing rather than a workday chore. The Amarillo Association of Realtors generally defines the “Bivins Area” as bounded by Georgia Street on the west, Interstate 40 on the South, S.W. 8th (or the old Rock Island Railroad tracks) on the north, and Washington (Adams) on the East. The area is actually made up of several additions according to plat maps and the Potter-Randall Appraisal District. Those additions include the original Bivins Addition which was amended and enlarged over the years and Bivins Estate. There are others on the east side of the development such as the John Dees Addition, the Madden Annex, and the Academy Courts Addition.The Bivins Addition was the first subdivision in Amarillo to extend toward the southwest, a trend that continues to the present. The Bivins Addition was platted in 1926. It was named after Texas Panhandle pioneer Lee Bivins who was a prominent area rancher and businessman at the time. Betty Teel Bivins Lovell who was the granddaughter-in-law of Lee Bivins still lived in the neighborhood in a stately home that was built in the early 1930’s until her death just recently. The area had previously been the home of Bivins Field, Amarillo’s first airport, where Amarillo’s first flying service owned by H. E. Fuqua and Lee Bivins was headquartered. The Bivins Field hangar had been located at 15th and Crockett and was moved when the airport was relocated to the northeast side of the city. The east and west runways became the east and west lanes of Julian Boulevard and the “Y” on Julian Boulevard is where the “Bivins” strip crossed. The tips of the “Y” that were the ends of the runway are the location of the historic gates at two entrances to the Bivins neighborhood. One of those gates is located at S.W. 10th and Travis St. and the other is located at S.W. 15th and Travis St.The Bivins neighborhood is anchored by St. Andrews Episcopal Church founded by Lee and Betty Bivins on the southwest of the addition and St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the northeast boundary. Julian Boulevard, named after the son of Lee and Mary E. Bivins runs through the heart of the Bivins Addition. The area is characterized by tree lined streets and a park-like atmosphere where the chimes from St. Andrews Episcopal Church and First Church of Christ, Scientist.can be heard. The architectural styles in the neighborhood vary from traditional, ranch, English Tudor, and cottage style. Those styles, along with the spacious townhomes at Bryan Place provide a delightful, eclectic mixture of residences that offer something for everyone. The upper end, higher priced homes tend to be located in the heart of Bivins on Julian Boulevard, on the streets adjacent to Julian Boulevard, and the north and south streets extending from Julian Boulevard toward Interstate 40. Homes in lower price ranges occupied by first time homebuyers and folks who rent or lease are generally located east of Travis St. and west of Washington St. The residences north of S.W. 10th St. and south of S.W. 8th St. also are somewhat smaller and are home to smaller families and first time homebuyers.Home prices tend to be lower for the traditional, square tract type houses, moderate for cottage and ranch style homes, and higher for the English Tudor and neoclassical style homes. For a better understanding of styles, a resource for residential styles can be accessed through the christinewyly.com website. According to the Amarillo Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, sales statistics for residences sold in the “Bivins Area” show the average sales price of residences in the last year to be $95,866 and the median sales price to be $84,850. The type of closed and active listings in the last 12 months since October 1, 2006 range from $25,000 to $30, 000 one bedroom traditional style fixer-uppers on the east side of the development to four to five bedroom upper end homes listed for $375,000 to $400,000 along Julian Boulevard. The majority of homes listed and sold in the neighborhood are those in the $95,000 to $135, 000 price range. First time homebuyers are finding that homes in that moderate price range are good bargains because some are charming older, roomy, well built homes that simply need updating.I love the Bivins Addition for it’s beauty, it’s charm, and it’s central location. The neighborhood is close to Wolflin Villlage shopping center, downtown Amarillo, Interstate 40, Interstate 27, restaurants, banks, and so much more. The history of the neighborhood intrigues me, speaks to my curiosity of how this city came to be and how it has survived. Its diversity tells the story of what makes Amarillo the city that it is.Please comment – post your thoughts about this great neighborhood or post comments regarding my observations. While researching for this essay, I found myself so immersed in the history of just this one Amarillo neighborhood, I am very much looking forward to continuing to the next neighborhood essay. In the mean time, let me hear from you.Sources for this article are the Amarillo Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, the National Association of Realtors, The Handbook of Texas Online, and the Amarillo Globe News.

Potential Real Estate Deed Scan Circulating in Amarillo, Texas

2008-07-17T10:01:00.000-05:00

The following is information received from Chip Staniswalis at Chicago Title in Amarillo, Texas. I am passing on this information with his written permission.
Best Regards,
Christine

A company named National Deed Service is (via the USPO) advising Amarillo residents to have an official or certified copy of the deed to their house on hand to verify the title to the property was transferred into their name. They will do this for the incredible price of $59.50.

You may remember a similar scam from a couple of years ago by a company who offered to file a homeowner's "Homestead" exemption with the Potter/Randall County Appraisal District for a similar fee. As you know, there is no charge for this homestead service by PRAD.

Anyway, after a property is "closed" with an Amarillo Title company, the deed is sent to the courthouse for recording with instructions to return the original deed to the owner. So, the owner should be in possession of the deed already.

In the event a homeowner needs a copy of the deed it can easily be obtained at the courthouse (by anyone, since it is a public document) for a nominal fee of $1.00 (in either Potter or Randall County). If you want a "certified" copy from the clerk (which is as good as the original), then there is an additional $5.00 charge.

Thought you might be interested in this confidence trick. If you have any questions, please call any Chicago Title office about how we can assist the public in obtaining deed information at little or no cost.

Thanks.

Chip Staniswalis
Chicago Title

Country & Horse Properties in Amarillo & Canyon Texas

2008-07-09T09:10:00.000-05:00

NEW LISTINGS IN THE COUNTRY!

THIS ONE IS SOLD, SOLD, SOLD, SOLD!!!!!!!!
6705 Susie Rd, Amarillo, Texas 79118
Kent Meyer and Christine Wyly just listed this EXCEPTIONAL HOME in the country south of Amarillo. It is a beautifully kept manufactured home with parklike grounds surrounding the house w/ Kentucky 31 fescue grass & mature trees. It sits on one acre, is totally fenced with an additional privacy fence at house. The house has upgraded tile, and marble countertops. It has new exterior paint as of 6/08 and well pump & motor as of 5/08. Additionally there is an insulated 24X40 shop with a 1 stall door & 2 stall door. The property is all electric; gas lines are present but not in use. The price on this wonderful country home is only $120,000!!

8000 Raburn Ln, Canyon, Texas 79015
Lots of room for the big house on the prairie! 1 acre - prime building site in new home construction area in Lake Ridge between Canyon, Texas and Amarillo, Texas. This 1 acre tract sits at the edge of a cul-de-sac - not much traffic! Please drive out and take a look, then give us a call; let's make a deal! Price - $22,500.

14601 Ortega Rd., Amarillo, TX 79118
Kent Meyer and Christine Wyly just listed a horse property south of Amarillo consisting of 5 acres & nice updated manufactured home that qualifies to go FHA. Outbuildings include horse stalls/tack room, fencing, mature trees & storm cellar. The home has hot water heater, dishwasher, stove, fridge, microwave all less than one year old - that all convey to the new owner with the sale of the property. The home has new carpet, tile, cabinets, countertops, & new inside components of htg-a/c unit. Also the home has a 20' X 30' deck with 8 person hot tub with 63 jets & a stereo system. House, outbuildings, and 5 acres all priced at just $120,000.

Bivins Addition - Amarillo, Texas Real Estate

2008-07-09T08:55:00.001-05:00

The Bivins Addition subdivision is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Amarillo, Texas. One of the great joys of my real estate business is the privilege of visiting neighborhoods I love. The Bivins Addition is one of those neighborhoods. Its beauty and my love of the city’s history make trips to the Bivins area of Amarillo a delightful outing rather than a workday chore. The Amarillo Association of Realtors generally defines the “Bivins Area” as bounded by Georgia Street on the west, Interstate 40 on the South, S.W. 8th (or the old Rock Island Railroad tracks) on the north, and Washington (Adams) on the East. The area is actually made up of several additions according to plat maps and the Potter-Randall Appraisal District. Those additions include the original Bivins Addition which was amended and enlarged over the years and Bivins Estate. There are others on the east side of the development such as the John Dees Addition, the Madden Annex, and the Academy Courts Addition.The Bivins Addition was the first subdivision in Amarillo to extend toward the southwest, a trend that continues to the present. The Bivins Addition was platted in 1926. It was named after Texas Panhandle pioneer Lee Bivins who was a prominent area rancher and businessman at the time. Betty Teel Bivins Lovell who was the granddaughter-in-law of Lee Bivins still lived in the neighborhood in a stately home that was built in the early 1930’s until her death just recently. The area had previously been the home of Bivins Field, Amarillo’s first airport, where Amarillo’s first flying service owned by H. E. Fuqua and Lee Bivins was headquartered. The Bivins Field hangar had been located at 15th and Crockett and was moved when the airport was relocated to the northeast side of the city. The east and west runways became the east and west lanes of Julian Boulevard and the “Y” on Julian Boulevard is where the “Bivins” strip crossed. The tips of the “Y” that were the ends of the runway are the location of the historic gates at two entrances to the Bivins neighborhood. One of those gates is located at S.W. 10th and Travis St. and the other is located at S.W. 15th and Travis St.The Bivins neighborhood is anchored by St. Andrews Episcopal Church founded by Lee and Betty Bivins on the southwest of the addition and St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the northeast boundary. Julian Boulevard, named after the son of Lee and Mary E. Bivins runs through the heart of the Bivins Addition. The area is characterized by tree lined streets and a park-like atmosphere where the chimes from St. Andrews Episcopal Church and First Church of Christ, Scientist.can be heard. The architectural styles in the neighborhood vary from traditional, ranch, English Tudor, and cottage style. Those styles, along with the spacious townhomes at Bryan Place provide a delightful, eclectic mixture of residences that offer something for everyone. The upper end, higher priced homes tend to be located in the heart of Bivins on Julian Boulevard, on the streets adjacent to Julian Boulevard, and the north and south streets extending from Julian Boulevard toward Interstate 40. Homes in lower price ranges occupied by first time homebuyers and folks who rent or lease are generally located east of Travis St. and west of Washington St. The residences north of S.W. 10th St. and south of S.W. 8th St. also are somewhat smaller and are home to smaller families and first time homebuyers.Home prices tend to be lower for the traditional, square tract type houses, moderate for cottage and ranch style homes, and higher for the English Tudor and neoclassical style homes. For a better understanding of styles, a resource for residential styles can be accessed through the christinewyly.com website. According to the Amarillo Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, sales statistics for residences sold in the “Bivins Area” show the average sales price of residences in the last year to be $95,866 and the median sales price to be $84,850. The type of closed and active listings in the last 12 months since October 1, 2006 range from $25,000 to $30, 000 one bedroom traditional style fixer-uppers on the east side of the development to four to five bedroom upper end homes listed for $375,000 to $400,000 along Julian Boulevard. The majority of homes listed and sold in the neighborhood are those in the $95,000 to $135, 000 price range. First time homebuyers are finding that homes in that moderate price range are good bargains because some are charming older, roomy, well built homes that simply need updating.I love the Bivins Addition for it’s beauty, it’s charm, and it’s central location. The neighborhood is close to Wolflin Villlage shopping center, downtown Amarillo, Interstate 40, Interstate 27, restaurants, banks, and so much more. The history of the neighborhood intrigues me, speaks to my curiosity of how this city came to be and how it has survived. Its diversity tells the story of what makes Amarillo the city that it is.Please comment – post your thoughts about this great neighborhood or post comments regarding my observations. While researching for this essay, I found myself so immersed in the history of just this one Amarillo neighborhood, I am very much looking forward to continuing to the next neighborhood essay. In the mean time, let me hear from you.

Sources for this article are the Amarillo Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, the National Association of Realtors, The Handbook of Texas Online, and the Amarillo Globe News.

The Wolflin Addition - Amarillo, Texas Real Estate

2008-06-18T11:55:00.000-05:00

In 1927 an oasis began to rise up in the middle of the Llano Estacado, the barren high plains of the Texas Panhandle. That oasis is what is now called the Wolflin Historic District of Amarillo, Texas. Variant names for this unique area in Amarillo are Wolflin Estates, Wolflin Place, the Wolflin Addition, and the northwest quadrant, Wolflin Terrace. The neighborhood is home to brick streets, huge elm trees, and stately homes with diverse architectural styles. The Wolflin Historic District, entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, is roughly bounded by Wolflin Ave., Washington St., SW 34th Ave., Parker St., SW 30th Ave., and Lipscomb St. The area deemed to be the Wolflin Historic District consists of Wolflin Place, which was actually platted in 1923 and expanded in 1926 and Wolflin Estates platted in 1927. The Wolflin Place platting was done in the gridiron plan common to most American cities laid out in the latter half of the nineteenth century, but the Woflin Estates section, which is known for it’s tree lined avenues and grand homes was platted with a radial plan which tended to make use of a circular core area, often park-like, with wide side avenues emanating from the center. The renowned architects and residential designers Hare and Hare, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, were hired to design the layout of the streets at and around the area of what is now known as Oldham Circle.

The Wolflin Addition was developed by the Wolflin family. Charles Oldham Wolflin was instrumental in opening the subdivision hence the street name of “Oldham Circle” at the heart of Wolflin Estates. Many of the streets in the addition are named after Texas Alamo heroes such as Fannin, Travis, Crockett, and Bowie. The Hughes, Ong, and Hayden Streets were named after early Amarillo law enforcement officers, one of which was J. E. Hughes who was the grandfather of Sybil Harrington. The Wolflin neighborhood has been home to early pioneer families such as the Wares, ranchers and farmers like the Millers, oil tycoons, bankers, and is now a popular area to live for more than a few physicians and other successful business owners. The addition seems to either cultivate or attract people who have served as mayor of Amarillo. In fact, the current mayor of Amarillo, Debra McCartt lives in the neighborhood.

The residential architectural styles in the Wolfin Addition are as varied as the people who live there. Generally, the architectural styles at the heart of Wolflin Estates are Mission, Craftsman, Bungalow, Classical Revival, and Spanish Revival. However, the Oldham Circle area is dotted with other styles such as Tudor Revival, Italian and Mediterranean Revival, Federal, and Colonial. There are many styles of homes, but the flow of the neighborhood is not broken by random unique styles such as the art deco home on Ong Street because of the continuity of the brick streets and stately elm trees throughout the subdivision. The western edge of the Wolflin area generally known as Wolfin Terrace tends to be populated with homes built in the mid-century or ranch style mode as they were built in the post World War II days, many in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

The building and expansion of the Wolflin Addition has ebbed and flowed with the fortunes of the Texas Panhandle. The 1920’s were the days of the oil boom that helped to lay the foundation for the area’s economy but the depression slowed Wolflin’s progress in the 1930’s. After World War II, the Wolflin Addition grew along with many subdivisions in other areas of the country. Today, the Wolfin area thrives. Not only is the area is an extremely desirable neighborhood to live in, but the Woflin Village/Wolflin Square shopping area to the west on Georgia Street is booming with increased traffic and business. Initially, the shopping center, once at the outskirts of town when it was built in the 1950’s, boomed. However, as Amarillo grew south and west the shopping area experienced a period of decline with the building of Westgate Mall and other shopping centers. Currently though, the Wolflin Village/Wolflin Square shopping area is experiencing a resurgence of business. The area has new banking centers, trendy shops, coffee stores, and restaurants. The re-emergence of a vital area of commerce adjacent to the Woflin Addition has contributed to the increased desirability of the neighborhood as a wonderful place to live. The convenience of the Wolflin Addition’s location is greatly enhanced by its proximity to downtown Amarillo and the interchange of two major interstate highways. Just a few blocks away, the beautiful campus of Amarillo College sits adjacent to Memorial Park.

Current real estate values in the Wolfin subdivisions have risen from an average of $135,027 at $67.12 per square ft. in 2001 to $183,763 at $89.98 per square ft. in 2007. The Wolfin Addition tends to have the most houses sold among the city’s subdivisions in recent years. The days a home in the Wolflin area sits on the market tends to be less than in other subdivisions in the city also. The location, historic qualities of the homes, and the beauty of the tree lined brick streets makes Woflin an attractive place to live. The shady avenues attract charitable endeavors such as the Multiple Sclerosis Walk in the warmer months. In the wintertime the neighborhood has been a Christmas wonderland for many residents of Amarillo who visit in automobiles, wagons, and carriages. The magnificent Christmas lighting at many of the homes and the flags flying to commemorate the Fourth of July and Memorial Day are just some of the neighborhood displays of sense of community. The allure of Woflin is more than it’s charm and elegance. The spirit of Wolflin is a reflection of the spirit of Amarillo, love of community, love of country, and love of Texas.

Sources for this article are the Amarillo Globe News, Amarillo Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, the National Association of Realtors, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Registration System, WHMC-KC University of Missouri, ASLA.org (American Association of Landscape Architects), and The Handbook of Texas Online,

Amarillo, TX Chamber of Commerce Business Connection

2008-04-29T16:40:00.000-05:00

Business Connection is almost here! The Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Business Connection will be at the Amarillo, Texas Civic Center downtown on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. It will be open to the general public from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Latham Hometown Realty will have the same booth as in previous years in the South Exhibit Hall. Please come see us! My associate, Kent Meyer and I will be there with information about the Amarillo, Texas real estate market. We will also have some giveaways too! Don't forget to stop at our table and sign up to win! Please come meet us; let us visit with you about your real estate needs. We look forward to seeing you.

Beautiful Home in Estacado Addition in Amarillo, Texas

2008-04-22T10:25:00.000-05:00

One of the new listings I and my associate Kent Meyer have recently put on the market is a great home in the Estacado Addition of Amarillo, Texas. The seller has updated wall texture and colors along with installing custom blinds. This house is light, bright, clean, and is move in ready. It is 1,679 square ft., has 10 ft. ceilings in the living room, has a security system, gutters, storage building. We would love to show it! Please contact us at 331-3737 for an appointment!

DON'T BELIEVE IT!

2008-03-25T15:27:00.000-05:00

Don't believe everything you see on the national news about the real estate market! Some parts of the country are having problems, but not in our area here in Amarillo, Texas. The Amarillo, Texas real estate market is one of the strongest in the country. 2006 was a record year and 2007 finished just 5% off that pace. Interest rates are good, inventory is good, and sales are strong. Rumor is that foreclosures are up. NOT HERE! Foreclosures in Amarillo, Texas are numbering either the same or less than this time last year. My associate, Kent Meyer and I are pleased to be able to help you participate in this great market. If you need to buy or sell real estate in Amarillo or Canyon, Texas. Please call us at (806)331-3737 or visit my website - christinewyly.com - We office in the Wolflin area to be close to the center of Amarillo. We love the Wolflin neighborhood and are looking forward to serving the Wolflin neighborhood as well as other folks in the Amarillo and Canyon area as the market heats up in the upcoming months!

Amarillo, Texas Yesterday, Today, and Tommorrow

2008-03-19T14:03:00.000-05:00

Amarillo, Texas was established by merchants in 1887 close to a large playa lake known as Amarillo or Wild Horse Lake. The name Amarillo came from the nearby lake and creek and means “yellow” in Spanish. On August 30, 1887 it was officially chosen to be the Potter County seat and became the region’s main trade center with the help of the building of the railroad. Today the city continues to grow and extends from Potter County south into Randall County. The railroad is still an important facet of Amarillo commerce in part because Amarillo has been one of the world’s busiest cattle shipping points since 1890. Amarillo industry and commerce has historically centered around ranching, farming, and oil and gas exploration and production. In recent years the diversification of industry has kept Amarillo alive and growing. Today, Amarillo is home to a Bell Helicopter assembly plant for the Osprey aircraft, the Amarillo Copper Refinery, a Tyson Fresh Meat plant, an Owens-Corning Fiberglass plant, the Pantex nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly plant, and has state of the art medical facilities that attract clientele from the surrounding rural Texas Panhandle, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas areas. The population of Amarillo according to the 2000 census was 173,000 and the city has expanded significantly since that time. Along with population and economic growth, Amarillo has seen the growth of the performing and visual arts. The Panhandle Plains Museum in nearby Canyon, Texas on the campus of West Texas A&M University is Texas’ largest history museum and Amarillo College hosts the Amarillo Museum of Arts. Residents of Amarillo also enjoy the Amarillo Symphony, the Amarillo Opera, the Lone Star Ballet, Amarillo Little Theatre, and the use of a beautiful new Amarillo Globe News Center for the Performing Arts for many cultural events. Nature supplies the most beauty for the area providing mostly sunny skies and making Amarillo home to stunning sunsets. Amarillo has a neighborly spirit and a pioneer attitude that has endured throughout its history. Amarillo’s western heritage compiled with a progressive mindset has kept it alive and growing regardless of dust storms, war, and economic depression and will continue to carry the city toward a positive future

Amarillo Texas Real Estate Amarillo, TX Real Estate

2008-02-20T14:05:00.000-06:00

Amarillo, Texas real estate prices are great, interest rates are down, and the inventory of available homes is diverse. It's a great time to buy a home. My associate at Latham Hometown Realty, Kent Meyer and I are in the process of forming a team to better serve our Amarillo, Texas real estate clients. In addition, Kent will be specializing in serving the folks in Canyon, Texas with their real estate needs. Look for more joint marketing projects from Kent and I announcing our upcoming plans to serve our clients better by teaming up! I invite you to visit my website - christinewyly.com to find more information about me. I enjoy working with buyers because I consider it a priviledge to help people find a new home. Please contact me and let me visit with you; I look forward to hearing from you.

Amarillo, Texas Wildires February 13, 2008

2008-02-19T07:24:00.000-06:00

I have lived in my home in the Hetrick Acres subdivision for almost 32 years. I never dreamed I would have a day like this past Wednesday; leaving that home amidst billowing smoke, not knowing if I would ever see it standing again. I am so grateful to the Amarillo Fire Department, Potter County Fire Department, and the countless firefighters we saw racing from other Panhandle towns to help us. I also appreciate the law enforcement officials who efficiently, kindly, and professionally handled the evacuation process. I am thankful to Mayor Debra McCartt and Judge Arthur Ware for signing the emergency orders promptly so as to expedite the process of handling the emergency. Most of all I want to express deep gratitude to all those who called, those who offered to help me evacuate, and the many people who prayed for my safety and for God to spare my home and my neighbors’ homes. I am greatly blessed to live in Amarillo, Texas.

Just a Tidbit

2007-11-14T08:59:00.000-06:00

My next essay will be a great one! I am working on the story of Pleasant Valley, a semi-rural area north of Amarillo, Texas. It's another historic, interesting neighborhood. One little tidbit about Pleasant Valley - It is the geographical point of the lowest elevation above sea level in Amarillo, Texas - at 3,450 feet.
The essay will contain some useless trivia, useful stats for Realtors, and some great history for the rest of you history nuts. I'm enjoying the research; I will be finished soon.
Till then,
Christine

Amarillo Texas Bivins Neighborhood -Original Article Authored by Christine Wyly

2007-10-24T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Bivins Addition subdivision is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Amarillo, Texas. One of the great joys of my real estate business is the privilege of visiting neighborhoods I love. The Bivins Addition is one of those neighborhoods. Its beauty and my love of the city’s history make trips to the Bivins area of Amarillo a delightful outing rather than a workday chore. The Amarillo Association of Realtors generally defines the “Bivins Area” as bounded by Georgia Street on the west, Interstate 40 on the South, S.W. 8th (or the old Rock Island Railroad tracks) on the north, and Washington (Adams) on the East. The area is actually made up of several additions according to plat maps and the Potter-Randall Appraisal District. Those additions include the original Bivins Addition which was amended and enlarged over the years and Bivins Estate. There are others on the east side of the development such as the John Dees Addition, the Madden Annex, and the Academy Courts Addition.

The Bivins Addition was the first subdivision in Amarillo to extend toward the southwest, a trend that continues to the present. The Bivins Addition was platted in 1926. It was named after Texas Panhandle pioneer Lee Bivins who was a prominent area rancher and businessman at the time. Betty Teel Bivins Lovell who was the granddaughter-in-law of Lee Bivins still lived in the neighborhood in a stately home that was built in the early 1930’s until her death just recently. The area had previously been the home of Bivins Field, Amarillo’s first airport, where Amarillo’s first flying service owned by H. E. Fuqua and Lee Bivins was headquartered. The Bivins Field hangar had been located at 15th and Crockett and was moved when the airport was relocated to the northeast side of the city. The east and west runways became the east and west lanes of Julian Boulevard and the “Y” on Julian Boulevard is where the “Bivins” strip crossed. The tips of the “Y” that were the ends of the runway are the location of the historic gates at two entrances to the Bivins neighborhood. One of those gates is located at S.W. 10th and Travis St. and the other is located at S.W. 15th and Travis St.

The Bivins neighborhood is anchored by St. Andrews Episcopal Church founded by Lee and Betty Bivins on the southwest of the addition and St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the northeast boundary. Julian Boulevard, named after the son of Lee and Mary E. Bivins runs through the heart of the Bivins Addition. The area is characterized by tree lined streets and a park-like atmosphere where the chimes from St. Andrews Episcopal Church and First Church of Christ, Scientist.can be heard. The architectural styles in the neighborhood vary from traditional, ranch, English Tudor, and cottage style. Those styles, along with the spacious townhomes at Bryan Place provide a delightful, eclectic mixture of residences that offer something for everyone. The upper end, higher priced homes tend to be located in the heart of Bivins on Julian Boulevard, on the streets adjacent to Julian Boulevard, and the north and south streets extending from Julian Boulevard toward Interstate 40. Homes in lower price ranges occupied by first time homebuyers and folks who rent or lease are generally located east of Travis St. and west of Washington St. The residences north of S.W. 10th St. and south of S.W. 8th St. also are somewhat smaller and are home to smaller families and first time homebuyers.

Home prices tend to be lower for the traditional, square tract type houses, moderate for cottage and ranch style homes, and higher for the English Tudor and neoclassical style homes. For a better understanding of styles, a resource for residential styles can be accessed through the christinewyly.com website. According to the Amarillo Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, sales statistics for residences sold in the “Bivins Area” show the average sales price of residences in the last year to be $95,866 and the median sales price to be $84,850. The type of closed and active listings in the last 12 months since October 1, 2006 range from $25,000 to $30, 000 one bedroom traditional style fixer-uppers on the east side of the development to four to five bedroom upper end homes listed for $375,000 to $400,000 along Julian Boulevard. The majority of homes listed and sold in the neighborhood are those in the $95,000 to $135, 000 price range. First time homebuyers are finding that homes in that moderate price range are good bargains because some are charming older, roomy, well built homes that simply need updating.

I love the Bivins Addition for it’s beauty, it’s charm, and it’s central location. The neighborhood is close to Wolflin Villlage shopping center, downtown Amarillo, Interstate 40, Interstate 27, restaurants, banks, and so much more. The history of the neighborhood intrigues me, speaks to my curiosity of how this city came to be and how it has survived. Its diversity tells the story of what makes Amarillo the city that it is.
Please comment – post your thoughts about this great neighborhood or post comments regarding my observations. While researching for this essay, I found myself so immersed in the history of just this one Amarillo neighborhood, I am very much looking forward to continuing to the next neighborhood essay. In the mean time, let me hear from you.

Sources for this article are the Amarillo Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, the National Association of Realtors, The Handbook of Texas Online, and the Amarillo Globe News.

Amarillo Neighborhoods

2007-10-14T17:07:00.000-05:00

Coming soon....
A series of essays that will give a comprehensive review of neighborhoods in Amarillo, Texas. I will endeavor to provide a resource for real estate professionals, lenders, city and civic leaders that will give background, understanding, and pertinent current information on all the neighborhoods in Amarillo. I will also comment periodically on issues that relate to current events that relate to the well being of Amarillo, the growth, potential for growth, and other subjects that effect the real estate market.
My particular interests tend to drift toward the older neighborhoods of Amarillo; its core, its heritage. I have a soft spot for downtown Amarillo, so I will endeavor to look at issues regarding potential growth and development in the center of the city. I plan, however, to critique all Amarillo neighborhoods eventually, so please join me each week and read, comment, learn, and enjoy!
Christine Wyly

Dumpster Etiquette

2007-09-20T16:10:00.000-05:00

You can tell what kind of people your neighbors are by their dumpster etiquette.