Register Real Estate Advisors

Buying a home may be the largest and most complex financial transaction you ever undertake. If you’re ready to buy a home, wouldn’t you prefer to work with the most qualified real estate professional you can find?
An Accredited Buyer’s Representative stands out in the crowd. If your Realtor holds the ABR designation, you can trust that they have the extra edge when it comes to KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE.
Why?
The ABR designation is only awarded to licensed real estate professionals who complete specialized training that gives them the edge in Understanding a buyer’s perspective and protecting and promoting their buyer-client’s interests. Before earning the ABR designation, buyer’s reps must also demonstrate proven experience in representing buyers. Further, they are committed to maintaining their professional edge by staying current on the latest issues and trends in buyer representation.
When you work with an ABR, you’ll be served, not sold. Your interests become their interests. They’ll make your home buying experience go as smoothly and successfully as possible.

You can expect your ABR to:
• Understand your specific needs and wants, and locate appropriate properties
• Assist you in determining how much you can afford (pre-qualify your mortgage)
• Preview and/or accompany you in viewing properties
• Advise you in formulating your offer
• Help you develop your negotiating strategy
• Provide a list of qualified vendors (inspectors, attorneys, lenders, etc.) for other services you may need
• Keep track of every detail throughout the transaction-to closing and beyond

Not all buyers’ representatives are equal. Only a buyer’s rep who has earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation has made the extra effort to raise the bar, with additional training and experience. If you work with an ABR, you can feel confident that you’ll receive the highest level of buyer-representation services.
The ABR designation is awarded by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and this information was obtained through the REBAC website.
I have earned the distinguished ABR designation because it is important to me that I educate buyers and help them get the most house for their money and help them to make the best financial decision when purchasing a home.

Every experienced broker knows that neglected projects in the home will cost the seller enormously – perhaps even the sale.  That is why I write this blog, to try to educate homeowners.

If you will live in your home in a preventative maintenance mode, then, hopefully, when it’s time to sell, your home will be in “selling condition.”  Most homeowners don’t think about how their home should look to prospective buyers until it’s time to sell, but it’s never too early to think about preventative maintenance.  Keep things in working order so that it’s easy to list the home at anytime.  This will pay bigger dividends on the sale of the home at a future date. 

The exterior of the home:

Extensive tree coverage can create more problems for homeowners as time goes on.  A canopy of greenery will shade the home in the summer and it will also keep the sun from having a chance to dry the area.  If there’s evidence of mildew then it is time to trim some of the trees, but there’s no need to cut the entire tree.  Get a free estimate from a professional. 

Often times, if the exterior of the home isn’t maintained, it can move to the interior of the home.  For example, there could be a missing gutter spout.  By replacing the spout the rain run-off will be positioned appropriately to avoid water buildup around the foundation which could cause water leakage into the basement.  It’s easier to fix a small problem before it becomes a “bigger problem.”

Driveways and walkways should be maintained for safety.  Any pavers should be flush and level to avoid accidents.

The interior of the home:

Evaluate the condition of the kitchen and bathrooms before listing your home for sale.  If these rooms have not been updated, then it’s essential that they gleam with cleanliness.  It’s a good idea to replace toilets and sinks in bathrooms for a quick make-over.  It’s also a good idea to have the tub refinished if it needs an overhaul.  I  always disclose all of these updates to the prospective buyer in marketing materials when I list homes for sale.  This will not only appeal to buyers, but make the home move-in ready. 

These suggestions are not expensive and are projects that can be done quickly.  Even an old kitchen can be a clean kitchen. 

Rotten windows and window sills in older homes are always a major problem.  The one way to avoid this problem is to pull down the storm windows in the winter and also keep the storm windows down in the summer, especially if the home has central air conditioning.  It helps keep the sills dry. 

If you de-clutter daily, it doesn’t pile up on you.  Buyers do not like cluttered homes. 

If you live in your home in a preventative maintenance condition, it will be ready to sell on a moment’s notice.  In these trying economic times, you never know when a job change or financial hardship will cause you to sell quickly.  Keep your home well maintained and you won’t be stuck with the expense of fixing it up to sell it.

I got this information from an article that was first written by Charlene Geary for The Real Estate Professional November/December issue compliments of REBAC.  I receive that publication because of my Accredited Buyer’s Representative Training.  These are some of the things I help my buyers look at when they are looking at a potential home.

I am working hard to take my business to a new level.  With that said, it has been far too long since I posted to my blog.  I have been busy attaining my ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Rep.) Designation.  Then I got my certificate so I am a New Home Sales Representative.  Next Monday I will begin my ePRO Designation.  I feel the best way I can represent my clients needs will be through more education.  Just when I think I know it all…I learn something new.  Plus, things are changing.  If you don’t believe me, just look around.  Watch the National News.  Things have to change and I want to change with it.  I am prepared to meet the needs of my buyers and sellers in the future.  Many people in Real Estate are getting out because times are tough, but I am here to stay.  It’s a buyer’s market, but it won’t be forever.  Houston is still the most stable place in the country to buy a home, sell a home, and maintain employment.  I am a full service full time Realtor and I want to help you with all of your Real Estate needs.