Willingham 5 Star Properties, Keller Williams Realty

08/28/2026

Here’s just one way we get your property in front of other great clients. Participating in the realtors tour of homes gets YOU front and center to the market.

Let us help you find the buyer looking for your home!

Joe 254-413-0698
Terri 817-366-3394
Cole 254-413-3572

08/27/2026

🏡 Cole’s Corner 🏡
What Is DTI (Debt-to-Income Ratio) and Why Does It Matter?

Ever heard a lender mention your “DTI” and wonder what on earth that means? Let’s break it down! 👇

1️⃣ What it is: DTI compares how much you owe each month to how much you earn. Lenders add up your monthly debts (car payment, student loans, credit cards, etc.) and divide that by your gross monthly income.

2️⃣ Why lenders care: It’s one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle when it comes to figuring out how much home you can comfortably afford — not just what you qualify for on paper. 📊

3️⃣ The magic number: Most loan programs like to see a DTI at or below 43%, though some go higher depending on the loan type. Lower DTI = more wiggle room in your budget (and often better loan terms!). ✅

4️⃣ Myth to bust: A high DTI doesn’t mean “game over.” Paying down a credit card, waiting to finance that new car, or adding a co-borrower can all shift your number in the right direction. 💪

5️⃣ Quick tip: Want a rough idea of where you stand? Add up your monthly debt payments, divide by your gross monthly income, and multiply by 100. That’s your DTI!

Curious what your DTI might mean for your homebuying goals? Drop a comment or send us a DM — we’d love to help you map it out! 💬🔑

— Terri, Joe & Cole | Willingham 5 Star Properties

08/20/2026

765kV Transmission Lines Update:

By Dave Clark | Friends Of The San Saba on Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Landowner Rally on
The PUC Commissioners held their Open Meeting to discuss the 765kV transmission line CCN applications on Friday morning. Chairman Gleeson issued a memorandum on Thursday, August 6th, saying he requested this open meeting '...because I want to discuss policy issues with my fellow Commissioners and ERCOT related to the development and implementation of the Permian Basin Reliability Plan, including the three 765-kilovolt (kV) import paths required under that plan.

There was no discussion about 765kV policy issues between the Commissioners during this open meeting. Rather, the Commissioners confirmed the status of the five 765kV CCN applications and said they will proceed with their meetings to discuss and act on each of these applications. Chairman Gleeson said a lot of '...resources and time, particularly from landowners and intervenors, has been put into these dockets and so we will run through each of these and give them the due attention that they require as they come before us.'

The PUC Open Meeting started with 80 minutes of Public Comments. Senator Kevin Sparks (Midland), Representative Brad Buckley (Salado) and Representative Shelby Slawson (Granbury & Erath County) each provided the first public comments. All three legislators have called on the PUC to deny all five of the 765kV transmission lines and they criticized the CCN application process and determination of need for 765kV transmission lines. After the legislators, over 20 landowners provided public comments about their concerns with the 765kV transmission lines and CCN application process.

Following the public comments, the PUC Commissioners received an update about the status of the five CCN applications. The SOAH administrative law judges (ALJ) have issued their proposal for decision (PFD) on four of the five CCN applications. Bell County East to Big Hill is the only CCN application that is waiting for the SOAH ALJ's PFD, which is expected to be issued next Tuesday, August 18th. The discussion about the status of the five CCN applications lasted only 8 minutes and there was no discussion between the Commissioners. No discussion about any 765kV policy issues or about anything else.

On Friday morning, the PUC posted an Agenda for their meeting next Friday, August 21st to discuss and take possible action on the Dinosaur to Longshore and Longshore to Drill Hole CCN applications (the north Permian Basin 765kV transmission line). The final topic on the Commissioners' Agenda was a discussion with ERCOT senior management about their plan to audit all the proposed Data Centers as requested by Governor Abbott in his letter dated August 3rd to the PUC and ERCOT.

South Steps of the

Capitol

Hill Country Preservation Coalition (HCPC) is the lead landowner advocacy group fighting the Howard to Solstice 765kV transmission line (San Antonio to Ft Stockton).

HCPC will host a rally sponsored by Rep Wes Virdell called Press Pause on 765kV transmission lines and Data Centers on the south steps of the Capitol from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19th, before the House State Affairs Committee 765kV Hearing starts at 2 p.m.

Speakers include Amy Nelson, who is Willie Nelson's daughter, and Sid Miller, the Texas Agriculture Commissioner. Dave Clark will speak at the rally on behalf of Friends of the San Saba (FOSS).

Important Austin

Meetings this Week

Landowners are disappointed the Commissioners did not discuss 765kV transmission line policy issues at the PUC open meeting on August 14th. Chairman Gleeson said the Commissioners will move forward with meetings to review, discuss and decide each of the five 765kV CCN applications.

Oncor's public relations coalition issued a post on Wednesday, August 12th, that aggressively argues 765kV transmission lines are needed now to prevent severe power shortages in the Permian Basin and to maintain reliability of the Texas Electric Grid. Oncor and its 765kV Advocates are arguing for approval of all the 765kV CCN applications now.

Landowners are expected to show up in force at the House State Affairs Committee Hearing on Wednesday, August 19th. The PUC Hearing on Friday, August 21st, will be the first time the PUC Commissioners discuss and decide one of the 765kV transmission line applications. This PUC meeting will likely reveal how the Commissioners could decide the other 765kV CCN applications.

08/18/2026

🎓 COLE’S CORNER: How Student Loans Affect Your Mortgage Qualification 🏡

“I have student loan debt, so I probably can’t buy a house yet.” — Something we hear ALL the time, and it’s usually not true! Let’s break down what lenders actually look at 👇

1️⃣ It’s about your payment, not your total balance

Lenders don’t care that you owe $40,000 in student loans. They care about your monthly payment and how it fits into your debt-to-income ratio. A manageable $200/month payment looks very different than a $600/month one, even if the total debt is similar.

2️⃣ Income-driven repayment plans count differently

If you’re on an income-driven plan, lenders may use that lower reported payment (not a hypothetical “what if you paid it off fast” number) when calculating your qualification. This can open more doors than people expect.

3️⃣ $0 payments aren’t automatically ignored

If your loans are in deferment or forbearance with a $0 payment, some loan programs still require an estimated payment to be counted. This varies by loan type, so it’s worth asking your lender exactly how they’ll calculate it for you.

4️⃣ Your credit score matters more than the debt itself

On-time student loan payments actually help build your credit history. It’s missed or late payments that hurt you — not the existence of the loan.

5️⃣ Debt-to-income ratio is the real gatekeeper

Most lenders want your total monthly debts (student loans, car payment, credit cards, plus your future mortgage) to stay under a certain percentage of your income. Student loans are just one piece of that puzzle, not a dealbreaker on their own.

💬 The bottom line: Student loan debt doesn’t disqualify you from homeownership — it just means your numbers need a closer look. If you’re wondering where you stand, drop a comment or send us a message. We’ll run the numbers with you, no pressure, no judgment. 🏡✨

— Terri, Joe & Cole

08/14/2026

Joe Willingham
Keller Williams Brazos West
New listing for $285,000 on 1348 Inglewood Drive, Stephenville, TX 76401 (MLS #: 21347432)

MLS #: 21347432. Discover this charming three bedroom, two bath home nestled in the heart of Stephenville in a sought after neighborhood on the west side of town. Nice open layout with fresh paint and flooring just waiting for you to improve it for more equity or to just rent it out as is if you're....

08/14/2026

New on the Market

08/13/2026

Listing 21231715's price changed from $599,000 to $581,555

MLS #: 21231715. Looking for a spectacular lake front home extremely well maintained and updated with lots of space and an amazing amount of water frontage? This might be the one! 3BR 2BA on 4+ acres on beautiful Lake Palo Pinto. Private Fishing off your own peninsula. Co-op water and pump house. A....

08/13/2026

PRICE REDUCED! Spectacular home with lots of space and water frontage!

-- Beautiful home on 4+ acres
-- 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in main residence
-- Water frontage on Lake Palo Pinto
-- Separate guest house/mother-in-law suite
-- $581,555

251 Dunn Drive | Palo Pinto, Tx

See more here: https://bit.ly/4qjCBdJ
Call or text: (254) 413-0698
Joe Willingham

08/12/2026

Coming soon! Charming home in the heart of Stephenville.

- Sought after neighborhood
- Close to schools and shopping
- 3 bedroom/2 bathrooms
- $300,000
- 1348 Inglewood Drive | Stephenville

Call or text for more info: 254-413-0698
Joe Willingham

08/11/2026

Cole’s Corner: First-Time Buyer Loan Programs You Probably Don’t Know About 🏡

Think you need 20% down and perfect credit to buy a home? Nope. There are loan programs built specifically to help first-time buyers get in the door — here are a few you might not know about:

1️⃣ FHA Loans — Down payments as low as 3.5%, and more flexible credit requirements than a conventional loan.

2️⃣ USDA Loans — 0% down for homes in eligible rural and suburban areas. Yes, zero.

3️⃣ VA Loans — For veterans and active military, 0% down with no PMI required.

4️⃣ State & Local First-Time Buyer Programs — Many states offer down payment assistance or grants you don’t have to pay back.

5️⃣ Good Neighbor Next Door — Teachers, firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement can get up to 50% off the home price in certain areas.

The right program depends on your situation — that’s where we come in. 💬 Drop a comment or send us a DM and we’ll help you figure out which one fits you best!

— Cole 🔑