Mark Wingert Northern Texas Realtor at Weichert Realtors

05/25/2026

04/21/2026

Sharing my friend Montie's article

TEXAS TERRORISTS

MONTIE’S SAGEING CCCL###V

Today’s Forgotten New Mexico Tale occurred at New Mexico’s favorite cave. It is second only to White Sands National Monument in annual tourist attendance. Carlsbad Caverns National Park was established in 1930. Its history goes back much much further as the slow dripping of water was forming the many stalactites and stalactites that grace the rooms of the Caverns. Its modern history begins with a young cowboy by the name of James Larkin White. His attention was drawn to the caverns opening when he observed upwards to 500,000 bats exiting its natural opening. His reasoning was that if there were that many bats nesting in the caverns there must be a huge cave beneath his feet. His first witnessing of the bats exiting from the Caverns raised questions, was it volcanic activity or a whirlwind he was witnessing? After tying his horse to a nearby mesquite bush, he went exploring. In his own words he describes what he found as “I found myself gazing into the biggest and blackest hole I had ever seen, out of which the bats seemed to boil.” He had discovered the natural opening to the Carlsbad Caverns. Years later an inscription was found on a wall deep in the Caverns which read “J White 1898”

As a teenager he could not resist the urge to explore that deep dark hole. After fastening a wire ladder from ranch barbed wire and gathering a supply of pine knots to burn for lighting he was on his way down. His discoveries were many during his numerous descents into the cavern. Tons of bat guano littered the floors, often several feet deep. This would later develop into a profitable enterprise for White as he harvested the guano to be sold for fertilizer. Early cave visitors were lowered into the caverns in one of White’s guano barrels. Many cave rooms were discovered and White gave them all names which continue to be used today. They include Big Room, Bat Cave, Green Lake Room, Hall of the White Giant, King’s Palace, Queen’s Room and the New Mexico Room. There are many more.

The deepest portion of the caves explored thus far is believed to be over 1600’ below ground level. The deepest show cave is at 1027’. The majority of the tour is about 750’ down. The lunch room and the bottom to the elevators is at 754’. In 1932 two elevations were put into service along with a new visitor’s center. Prior to the coming of the elevators, access was to walk in and walk out on a somewhat improved switchback walkway that descends 750’. My preference has always been walk down, ride up.

We catch up with the Texas Terrorist on July 10, 1979. After an entire night of exuberant and excessive drinking Dennis Mark, David, Kuezynski, Eugene Hiram Meroney. and William Charles Lovejoy were properly prepared and fortified to present their grievances and demands to the world. All Texans, three from Odessa and the fourth from Riesel, Texas, they were prepared to publicly tell anyone and everyone how Mexicans were coming in and taking their jobs. No not just Mexicans, but all aliens. They were troubled by $20 B of taxpayer dollars that was going to them. “They need to be kicked out of the country.” Two of the terrorists were Native American

who felt their people were being oppressed. And to round out their complaints they addressed gas prices and OPEC.

A demonstration was in order. After considerable discussion it was decided to take hostages in the Carlsbad National Caverns and make their demands publicly known. After still further drunken discussion their demands were boiled down to three simple dictates. Number one, one million dollars, two a plane to Brazil, and three a news reporter to report their grievances to the world. Properly lubricated by mid afternoon they were on the road to the Caverns. Arriving at about 3pm were four drunken men with several weapons and each carrying a fifth of whiskey. During their 750’ elevator ride to the bottom they took Celia Valdez the elevator operator hostage. A second employee hostage was Linda Philllips. Both were forced off the elevator at gun point. In the lunchroom there were a number of tourists who quickly scattered upon seeing the armed terrorists. To accent their demands, they would occasionally fire a few rounds into Park equipment. Unbeknown to the terrorists there were over 100 tourists in the close by Big Room who became silent hostages in the 56 degree room for over 5 hours.

A local reporter agreed to enter the fire zone and tell their story. Ned Cantwell, editor and publisher of the local Carlsbad Current-Argus arrived about 5pm. Efforts to cover the story from the top of the elevator failed as the terrorists would not talk to him, so with a reluctant OK from the FBI he descended. Their third demand had been granted.

Topside was swarming with law enforcement, Including hostage negotiators. a SWAT team was on the way from El Paso. Bottom side the talking and reporting began. Whiskey bottles were emptied and thrown aside. When the terrorist ran out of drink there was an offer to trade Cantwell for a fresh supply. Graciously declined. The terrorist advised that they did not expect to reach the surface alive and were prepared to die. They emphatically refused any jail time dis-cussions and expressed a preference of shooting it out. After considerable discussions among themselves they agreed to release Cantwell and Phillips who took the next car up.

Negotiations between the terrorists and the FBI continued with the FBI offering to reduce the charges to misdemeanors with only 6 months of jail time. At 8:47 PM the terrorists surrendered and were taken to the surface and jail. A $250,000 bond for each kept them in jail. Then began the haggling between County, State and Federal authorities as to had jurisdiction and whether the misdemeanor charges would stand. On August 2, 1979 all four terrorists plead guilty to misdemeanor charges of false imprisonment and destruction of government property. They were sentenced to one year and in August of 1980 they walked free with the notoriety of being

04/17/2026

Big news! I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve joined Weichert Realtors Property Partners — a progressive, fast‑growing company that aligns perfectly with my commitment to exceptional client service. Having the right partner matters, and I know Weichert will help me deliver even more value to the people I serve. I’ll be proud to assist clients from McKinney to Fort Worth and everywhere in between. Excited for this next chapter and the opportunity to serve North Texas with excellence.

04/17/2026

In Today's Business News
Netflix plummets after co-founder announces his exit

Edited by Megan McDonough, Editor at LinkedIn News
Despite strong first-quarter results, Netflix shares dropped more than 10% Friday following co-founder and chairman Reed Hastings' announcement that he was exiting the streaming giant. Hastings, who served as CEO for 25 years until 2023, plans to step down in June to focus on philanthropy and other pursuits. Meanwhile, the streaming giant's earnings Thursday exceeded analyst expectations, bolstered by a termination fee tied to its collapsed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.

04/16/2026

This could help Texas! Last week I had a meeting with a large builder in Fort Worth. They told me that in one community, 60 homes are waiting for permits. If the process were quicker, this could help with the affordability and house shortages.

NAR Responds to Executive Orders Aimed at Home Affordability, Mortgage Lending
March 16, 2026Mortgages & Home Financing

President Trump signed two executive orders late Friday affecting the real estate industry.
The White House
President Donald Trump on Friday signed two executive orders aimed at improving housing affordability and speeding up construction. The orders direct multiple government agencies to simplify processes and cut regulations surrounding home building.

Shannon McGahn, executive vice president and chief advocacy officer of the National Association of REALTORS®, issued the following statements.

Mortgage Lending
“The National Association of REALTORS® welcomes efforts to expand access to mortgage credit and ensure that qualified homebuyers are not unnecessarily shut out of the market. Today’s executive action by President Trump highlights the importance of reviewing regulatory barriers that can increase costs for borrowers and limit lenders' ability to serve their local markets. We look forward to reviewing the executive order in more detail.

“REALTORS® know that access to affordable and responsible mortgage financing is essential to expanding homeownership and strengthening communities. As policymakers consider changes to the regulatory framework governing mortgage lending, reforms both must protect consumers and ensure that creditworthy buyers—particularly first-time buyers—have a clear path to homeownership.

“NAR looks forward to reviewing the proposals and to working with the Administration, Congress, and regulators to ensure that efforts to expand access to credit prove beneficial to consumers and are paired with policies that address the nation’s housing supply challenges. Together, such efforts will help more Americans achieve the dream of homeownership.”

Regulatory Barriers
“America’s housing affordability crisis is fundamentally a supply problem, and solving it requires removing the barriers that make it harder and more expensive to build homes. REALTORS® strongly support efforts to streamline regulations, modernize permitting processes, and reduce unnecessary mandates that slow construction and drive up costs for homebuyers.

“Today’s executive action by President Trump to remove regulatory barriers to affordable home construction is an important step toward making it easier for communities to build the homes Americans need. By directing federal agencies to review and reform rules that delay development—from environmental permitting to housing finance and energy standards—the administration is helping address the regulatory bottlenecks that have contributed to the nation’s housing shortage. NAR looks forward to reviewing the details of the executive order as they emerge and working with policymakers to ensure any changes support responsible development, protect consumers, and expand access to safe, affordable homeownership opportunities.

“With members in every zip code, REALTORS® see firsthand how the lack of housing supply affects families, workers, and local economies. We look forward to working with policymakers at every level of government to ensure these reforms translate into more housing opportunities, stronger communities, and a more attainable path to homeownership for the next generation of Americans.”

04/07/2026

Don’t let market "noise" keep you from your dream home! 🏠✨

Current rates are looking much better than the rumors suggest:
✅ 6% Conventional
✅ 5.625% FHA & VA
🔥 4.99% through specific builder partnerships!

If the down payment or closing costs are what's holding you back, let’s talk. There are incredible assistance programs available right now to help bridge that gap.

Give me a call today and let’s see what you qualify for!
📞 Mark Wingert: 505-715-7641

03/25/2026

You are invited! Programs with low or no down or closing costs.

03/25/2026

YOU ARE INVITED!

Open House this Saturday, March 28, from 1–3 PM!
14625 Viking Lane, Haslet, Texas • Sendera Ranch
3 bedrooms • 2 baths • 1,874 sq ft • $325,000

If you’ve been wondering what it takes to get into a home, stop by and let’s talk through some options that may fit your situation.
A great chance to tour the home and explore what’s possible.
Mark Wingert
505-715-7641
[email protected]
COLDWELL BANKER REALTY

03/20/2026

For higher home prices, lower competition and a faster sale, be ready to list during mid-April, according to a newly released report from realtor.com®.
A flowering pink cherry blossom tree in the foreground with a stately Virginia home in the background
© krblokhin / iStock / Getty Images Plus
For home sellers hoping to “time” the market, April 12-18 may offer the best opportunity in 2026, according to a newly released report by realtor.com®. Based on an analysis of housing trends from 2018 to 2025, researchers identified this mid-April window as a “Goldilocks” moment—when prices, demand and competition align in sellers’ favor.

Sellers who list during this week could net about $26,000 more than at the start of the year, the report finds.

“After years of being squeezed by limited inventory and high rates, the 2026 housing market is starting to feel more approachable for those who have been sidelined,” says Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com®. “For sellers, the mid-April window represents an opportunity to enter a market that feels more within reach for buyers while benefiting from a seasonal advantage in terms of pricing and competition.”

Still, the report emphasizes that timing can vary greatly by market. (See the full metro list.)

What’s So Special About April 12-18?
Across most markets analyzed, researchers found mid-April to stand out for several reasons:

Stronger home prices: Homes listed during this window tend to command prices about 1.3% higher than the average week, which could translate into about $5,300 above annual median list prices and $26,000 more than in January.
Faster sales: In 2025, homes listed during this week spent about 50 days on the market—10 days less than the yearly average.
Less competition: While housing inventories have improved, the number of for-sale signs remains about 17% below pre-pandemic norms. Listing in mid-April could allow sellers to get ahead of the late-spring surge in new listings, the report notes.
Fewer price cuts: About 19% fewer homes see price reductions during this week, based on historical trends. Strong buyer demand appearing in the early spring season could help support better asking prices, the report notes.
Challenges Remain
Housing affordability is improving, with moderating home prices and lower mortgage rates. But despite encouraging signs—like a recent uptick in pending home sales last month—economists urge caution. “These conditions could reverse if higher oil prices lead to an uptick in mortgage rates,” Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®, said earlier this week in the association’s latest housing report.

The recent conflict with Iran has added to uncertainty, pushing up oil prices and raising concerns about inflation and borrowing costs.

However, economists remain hopeful for a “rebalance” in the housing market this spring, following recent years where home sales have mostly been stuck in near three-decade lows. Realtor.com®’s report notes an easing “lock-in effect” as more homeowners list and higher mortgage rates—in the 6% range—now become the norm. That could help loosen inventory constraints.

The fundamentals of the housing market remain stable heading into spring, the report states. “The housing market remains undersupplied, especially in the Northeast and Midwest, meaning sellers of well-priced, move-in ready homes are likely to find success,” says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at realtor.com®.

“However, in the South and West, where inventory is more abundant, sellers face softer conditions. In those metros, optimizing timing to this early spring window is even more critical to differentiate a property from the growing competition,” Jones says.

Melissa Dittman Tracey
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Melissa Dittmann Tracey is a contributing editor for REALTOR® Magazine and editor of the Styled, Staged & Sold blog.

03/19/2026

We’re hosting an Open House this Saturday, March 21, from 1:00–3:00 PM! 1809 Vista Royal Ct, Fort Worth, Texas.
If you’ve been thinking about buying a home but feel unsure about the upfront costs, stop by and let’s talk through your options.
You might be surprised at what’s possible.
A great chance to tour the home, ask questions, and explore the next steps toward your new place.