Register Real Estate Advisors

1. Homes are bought by comparison. I have a large inventory at my disposal through MLS while you have an inventory of one.
2. I am very familiar with competitive houses so I can help you position your home well.
3. It is hard negotiating for yourself. I have ltos of experience in writien contracts and can negotiate agressicely on your behalf.
4. Buyers are not always forthright about their financial situation. I insist on pre-qualifying before I even bring you an offer.
5. My lender contacts and mortgage experience help buyers get the financing they need.
6. Most buyers don’t want to tell the seller why they don’t make an offer. I can probe the buyer or his agent for that information.
7. Any follow up you do with a buyer can be seen as desperation I follow up as part of my job so that you are not perceived in a compromising light.
8. I can showcase your improvements better so that you don’t apprea like you are “selling.”
9. Most sellers who spend their time as a For Sale By Owner end up by listing in the end. A recent NAR survey found that only 11% of sellers nationally ended up selling by owner. Why spend your time and money if in the end you will hire a Realtor?
10. Unqualified buyers can tie up your home. I make sure that doesn’t happen.
11. Personality conflicts with a buyer can get in the way. I comne between the buyer and the seller so that personalities don’t enter it.
12. Most buyers use a Realtor, which increases the number of buyers who will see your home.
13. I can mobilize my company agents and other area Realtors on your behalf.
14. An NAR survey of recent closed sellers found that Relator-assisted sales brought in 20% more sales price than For Sale By Owner sales.
15. A FSBO sign makes you vulnerable for any curious seeker or unsavory character. When you list, only buyers accompanied by a Realtor will get into your home.
16. Being accessible to show your home limits your personal time and cuts down the available showing time. When you list, your property will be available during normal showing hours and the prostpect will always be accompanied by me or another Realtor.
17. Additional exposure through MLS and the Internet brings you a higher price.
18. I orchestrate the contract-to-closing process, including the appraisal, buyer-loan process, title, inspections, pest control, survey, etc., by taking this burden off of you.
19. I make sure that you are compliant with all laws relating to the sale of your home.
20. I only get paid when I get the job done.

I have access to this information and much more because I am a Realtor and I have obtained the GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) Designation. This information is from the Texas Association of Realtors Website.

When buying a home, how do you know what you’re getting? Most people probably only think of one or two questions to ask a home inspector: “How much is your fee?” and “When can you be there?” But these only scratch the surface.

Below is a list of suggested questions you might want to ask:

• What types of licenses do you hold
• What kind of training do you have
• Do you belong to a professional inspectors’ association
• How long have you been licenses in Texas
• Are you a full-time home inspector
• How much do you charge
• Do you also perform repairs? (If the answer is yes, that may indicate a conflict in interest)
• What will the inspection include? (Get specifics. It should include the electrical, heating, and central air-conditioning systems; interior plumbing; visible insulation; roof; walls; ceilings; floors; windows; doors; foundation; basement; and the visible structure of the house.)
• Do you inspect gas lines, swimming pools, spas, septic systems, and wells? Do you charge extra for these?
• Do you charge extra based on the size of the home? Multiple A/C units? Other items?
• How much would you charge if I ask for a reinspection after repairs are completed?
• Will you supply a written report? (Should!)
• Can I attend the inspection? (If the answer is no, find another inspector. This is the opportunity for you to learn about your new home.)
• Do you go up on the roof to inspect
• How long does a typical inspection take? (Should take atleast two hours.)
• Can I call you with questions that come up later?
• Can you give me names and phone numbers of three people for whom you’ve inspected homes recently

The inspector might not inspect swimming pools, wells, septic tanks, and other systems and items, and many inspectors will not conduct environmental tests or wood-destroying insect inspections. You will likely need to arrange for these inspections separately.

You can find a blank copy of the standard inspector report form at www.trec.state.tx.us to give you an idea of what may or may not be covered in the inspection.

Below are a few helpful tips for selling your home and how to make it more attractive to a potential buyer;
Reduce Clutter
• Clean out closets, pick up clutter, and pare down what’s inside. That does for those treasured family phtos and mementos, too. The reason? Besides adding a spacious feel to the home, pared-down surroundings can help potential buyers better envision themselves and their family photos in the house.
• Pack away items and special collections usually displayed in cabinets and hutches, and move a few peives of furniture out of the house. This will help buyers to better see where their furniture might go in the house.
• Don’t forget to keep the house clean every minute it’s on the market. This takes great effort, but the buyer may need to see it in the next five minutes, and you’ll need to be prepared.
Tone down your creativity
• So, you like your house to “say something” about your personality. Well, it’s time to tone it down. Go buy some plain-vanilla paint to cover those red-and-purple walls in your boudoir-it’ll make a difference when you’re trying to sell your home. Many uyers can’t see your Picasso genius (and just can’t get past the splatter-paint wall in the living room) to visualize colors they’re more comfortable with.
• If you’ve got an Italian fresco on a living room wall that stops people in their tracks, they may lose sight of the rest of the home’s wonderful features. If you’re resistant to do anything about it, ask someone you trust to give you an independent view of your home. Better uet, ask your Realtor or an appraiser if the house looks cluttered or if any colors are too bright. Some may see bright colors as gaudy. Listen to their answers and take their advice.
By “paring down,” organizing, and carefully sorting your possessions, you’re ensuring that your home will appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers. Remember to remove about half of the items stored in closets and cabinets and toss or give away things you odn’t use. Not only will de-cluttering and cleaning help you sell your house quickly, you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes to packing up and moving to your new location.

Copyright 2004 by the Texas Association of Realtors. All rights reserved.

As a Texas Realtor, I can assist you with this important decision.
Buying a house is a big step. The right time to take this leap depends on your financial and personal situation as well as your goals. If you are considering buying a house now, here are some strong reasons why the timing could be right:

• Housing prices in Texas have been steadily rising at a moderate pace for many years, even while other states have experienced wild price fluxuations.
• The tax credit still applies to some, inquire to find out more.
• Other Texas-specific programs can lower your interest rate or provide additional tax-credit incentives.
• Interest rates are at or near record lows. Even small reductions in the interest rate can significantly boost the purchase price you can afford whn buying a home.
• Texas has one of the most affordable housing markets compared to household income, according to the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.
• Our state’s economy is strong and diverse, and the population is expected to continue growing steadily. These factors all point to continued health in the housing market.

As a Texas Realtor, I can show you how our current housing-market conditions factor in to your goal of buying a home. You can count on me to put your interests first while I assist you during this exciting process. I can show you any house on the market!

This information and more can be found on the TexasRealEstate.com website.

By periodically checking your credit report, you can keep tabs on the factors that influence your credit score. Make sure you know where to get a copy of your reports and how to interpret them. You are entitled to one free credit report per year from all three credit reporting agencies – Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. For free reports, use the AnnualCreditReport.com site. It will not give you the FICO score, but you will be able to view your credit report. Your credit report will show your creditors and the status of each account, public records like judgements, the requests that have been made to view your credit history, and personal data like your name, address, and social security number. Any negative information, like a missed mortgage payment, will stay on your credit for about four years. If you find a mistake on your credit report, you should file a dispute in writing with the agency that provided the report. If you have old charges that need to be paid off and they have been on your credit for many years, do not pay them if you are trying to get a mortgage. When you pay them it shows activity on the account and will actually lower your credit score. If the mortgage company requires them to be paid in order to give you the loan, usually you can pay them at closing. If you suspect that someone is requesting credit under your name you should file a 90-day fraud alert on your credit file.

When you start looking for a home, you first need a pre-approval for a mortgage.  Below is a list of things your lender is going to need to process your loan.  They may ask for additional items, but this is a list to get you started.  Make sure you get these items to your lender in a timely manner your home purchase moving along.  This way, you will be able to close when you have planned to close on your new home.

10.  Previous addresses where you have lived over the past 5-7 years.

9.  Payments you are currently making; a list of current lenders and revolving creditors with account numbers.

8.  Credit card numbers with amounts you owe on each credit card.

7.  Verification of all income, including child support and part time jobs.

6.  Documentation on all retirement accounts, like a 401K.

5.  Asset list.  Things on this list would include boats, cars, collectibles, RV, etc.  Also include brokerage account statements for stocks and bonds.

4.  Two to three years of tax returns.

3.  Checking and savings account statements for banks and credit unions.

2.  Current pay stubs.

1.  W-2′s.

Check your home warranty policy to see which of the following items are covered. Also check to see if the policy covers the full replacement cost of an item.

• Plumbing
• Electrical Systems
• Water Heater
• Furnace
• Heating Ducts
• Water Pump
• Dishwasher
• Stove/Cooktop/Ovens
• Microwave
• Refrigerator
• Washer/Dryer
• Swimming Pool (optional)

Reprinted from REALTOR Magazine Online by permission of the National Association of Realtors, Copyriht 2005, All rights reserved.

Finding a new home can be exciting. But deciding what you truly want and need-and can afford-can be challenging. Making these decisions begins with setting priorities among many different preferences. Most homebuyers invariably face trade-offs. As your buyer’s representative, I can play a key role in helping you sort out your options. My team can also offer important insights specific to our local market. Here are many of the considerations you’ll want to discuss with me or my team members:

Basic Home Features

• Do you prefer a single-family detached home, townhome, condominium, or other type of property?
• Desired number of bedrooms and baths
• Preferences regarding kitchen, dining, family rooms, etc. and preferred home layout
• High-priority home features, such as kitchen appliances, fireplace, etc.
• Other types of rooms needed (e.g., a home office or a hobby space)
• Storage spaces (closets, basement, and outdoor shed, etc.)
• Need for a garage or parking space, and if so, for how many cars?

Other Home Preferences

• Ranch, two story, split level, etc.
• Age and style of home (Victorian, bungalow, modern, etc.)
• How important is energy efficiency or other green home features?

Neighborhoods/Location

• Commuting considerations (to work, shopping, etc.)
• Proximity to desirable features (such as a community center, exercise facility, school, hospital, etc.)
• Views – how important is to find your ideal view (overlooking a park, for example) or avoiding a bad one (busy highway)?

Lot Characteristics

• Size and Shape of yards
• Landscaping Considerations – need for privacy, play areas, decking, etc.
• Home orientation – is it important for your home to face a particular direction?

Life at Home

• If you’ll be sharing your home with kids, pets, or others, how does this impact your housing preferences?
• Proximity to neighbors

Related Costs

• HOA or Homeowner Association Fees
• Property Taxes

Trade-Offs

• How much do you want to invest in a home beyond the purchase price, either financially or in terms of sweat equity, if you can’t find exactly what you want?
• Are you willing to consider other neighborhoods that provide better affordability?
Resale
• How long do you plan to live in this home? How does this impact the type of home you will buy, how much you’ll spend, and your choice of location?

This information is reprinted from a www.REBAC.net publication.

HOUSTON (Houston Business Journal) – The Bayou City’s commercial property sales dropped 50 percent in the last 12 months, according to research firm LoopNet Inc.

Last year’s cycle, ending in March 2009, had sales totaling $4.7 billion while this year’s reached $2.36 billion. However, the price per sf of industrial property improved to $65 compared with $45 last year.

The price per sf of Houston’s office and retail markets this year dropped from $172 to $110 and $143 to $69, respectively.

The city’s multifamily market showed a $3 million difference in deals closed between the two cycles and an increase of purchase price from $42.2 million to $56.3 million.

HOUSTON (Houston Business Journal) – Sales on existing single-family homes in the Houston area totaled 5,321 last month — a 26.7 percent increase over the 4,199 homes sold in April 2009.

 The largest sales jump appeared in properties priced above $500,000.

 The average price of a single-family home appreciated to $206,414, up 6.8 percent from April 2009.

 This is the second month in a row for a rise in sales and the seventh consecutive month for an increase in home prices for the Houston area.