Register Real Estate Advisors

Moving to the Houston area?  I would like to be the first to welcome you and assist you with all of your real estate needs whether you are moving to Houston, The Woodlands, or Spring, Texas.  As a relocation specialist, I can help you sell your current property anywhere in the world and find a new one in this area.  As a RE/MAX agent, I help relocate families all over the globe.  Please call me today and I will be happy to send you a copy of the Houston Newcomer Guide.  It will help you narrow your search area and give you a lot of helpful information about the communities in the surrounding area.  I would like to help you with all of your relocation needs and my website offers a wealth of information.  You can search the entire Houston MLS database on my website and see my featured listings, too.  You can read my award winning blog and catch up on all the latest housing news.  Please call me today so we can get started.  When you talk to your human resources coordinator, please ask for me by name!  Shannon Register 832.628.SELL

The first step in getting yourself in financial shape to buy a home is to know what you make and what you spend now. Make a list of your expenses and your income using the information below as a guide.

Income:

Take-Home Pay for all family members
Child Support/Alimony
Pension/Social Security
Disability/Other Insurance
Interest/Dividends

Add up your total income to see what you have available to spend every month.

Expenses:

Rent/Mortgage
Life Insurance
Health/Disabilitiy Insurance
Vehicle Insurance
Homeowners or other Insurance
Car Payments
Other Loan Payments
Savings/Pension Contribution
Utilities
Credit Card Payments
Car Upkeep
Clothing
Personal Care Products
Groceries
Restaurant/Food Prepared Outside the Home
Medical/Dental/Prescriptions
Household Goods
Recreation/Entertainment
Child Care
Education
Charitable Donations
Miscellaneous

Add up your total expenses to see how much excess income you have left over every month.

This information is reprinted from Realtor Magazine Online by permission of the National Association of Realtors. Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

Moving to the Houston area?  I would like to be the first to welcome you and assist you with all of your real estate needs whether you are moving to Houston, The Woodlands, or Spring, Texas.  As a relocation specialist, I can help you sell your current property anywhere in the world and find a new one in this area.  I help relocate families all over the globe.  Please call me today and I will be happy to send you a copy of the Houston Newcomer Guide.  It will help you narrow your search area and give you a lot of helpful information about the communities in the surrounding area.  I would like to help you with all of your relocation needs and my website offers a wealth of information.  You can search the entire Houston MLS database on my website and see my featured listings, too.  You can read my award winning blog and catch up on all the latest housing news.  Please call me today so we can get started.  When you talk to your human resources coordinator, please ask for me by name!  Shannon Register 832.628.SELL

WACO (Waco Tribune) – According to research from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, Texas’ rural land values dropped almost 7 percent last year statewide. However, several Central Texas counties had a 6 percent increase in land values.
The area made up of McLennan, Bosque, Hill, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Limestone and Navarro counties had a median price per acre of $3,029 compared with the state median of $2,086.
Trey Hallmark, a broker for DuPerier Texas Landman, said the increase in land values in the northern sections of Central Texas were because of drilling deals in the Barnett Shale.
The Center also found that agricultural land, which is a separate category from rural land, has held or increased in value statewide.

1. Raise your deductible – if you can afford to pay more toward a loss that occurs, your premiums will be lower.
2. Buy your homeowners and auto policies from the same company – you’ll usually qualify for a discount. But make sure that the savings really yields the lowest price.
3. Make your home less susceptible to damage – keep roofs and drains in good repair. Retrofir your house to prtect against natural disasters common to your area.
4. Keep your home safer – install smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and dead-bolt locks. All of these will usually qualify for a discount.
5. Be sure you insure your house for the correct amount – remember, you’re covering replacement, not market value.
6. Ask about other discounts – for example, retirees who are home more than working people may qualify for a discount on theft insurance.
7. Stay with the same insurer – especially in today’s tight insurance market, your current vendor is more likely to give you a good price.
8. See if you belong to any groups – associations, alumni groups – that offer lower insurance rates.
9. Review your policy limits and the value of your home and possessions annually – some items depreciate and may not need as much coverage.
10. See if there’s a government-backed insurance plan – in some high-risk areas, such as the coasts, federal or state governments may back plans to lower rates. Ask your agent.

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

Moving to the Houston area?  I would like to be the first to welcome you and assist you with all of your real estate needs whether you are moving to Houston, The Woodlands, or Spring, Texas.  As a relocation specialist, I can help you sell your current property anywhere in the world and find a new one in this area.  As a RE/MAX agent, I help relocate families all over the globe.  Please call me today and I will be happy to send you a copy of the Houston Newcomer Guide.  It will help you narrow your search area and give you a lot of helpful information about the communities in the surrounding area.  I would like to help you with all of your relocation needs and my website offers a wealth of information.  You can search the entire Houston MLS database on my website and see my featured listings, too.  You can read my award winning blog and catch up on all the latest housing news.  Please call me today so we can get started.  When you talk to your human resources coordinator, please ask for me by name!  Shannon Register 832.628.SELL

As a seller, what you want to know is what you will net at the closing table when you sell your home. To find out how much money you’ll net from your house, add up your closing costs and subtract them from the sale price of the house.
Possible Closing Costs for Sellers:

• Mortgage Payoff & Outstanding Interest
• Prorations for Real Estate Taxes
• Prorations for Utility Bills, Condo Dues, & other items paid in arrears
• Closing Fees Charged by Closing Specialist
• Home Inspections
• Attorney’s Fees
• Title Policy Fees
• Survey Charge
• Transfer Tax or other Government Registration Fees
• Brokerage Commission (Realtor Fees)
• Home Warranty for the Buyers

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

1. An Agent You can Count On
Your home may be your biggest personal investment. One of the most important decisions you’ll make when selling your home is who you will trust to assist you. You should put the sale of your home in the hands of an experienced agent who’ll produce results for you. RE/MAX Sales Associates will put their experience to work for you to improve your odds of getting your home sold for the best price in the shortest time. This requires specialized skills and knowledge:
Knowing the market
Pricing your home correctly
Staging your home, inside and out, for maximum impact
Marketing to deliver maximum exposure of your home
Negotiating the offer to deliver the best deal
Navigating inspections, appraisals and the details
Successfully closing the deals

2. An Expert at Your Side
RE/MAX Sales Associates are professionals who are committed to you and possess the knowledge and experience to help you navigate today’s complex real estate market.
RE/MAX Sales Associates lead the industry in professional designations, which means they have expertise in specialized areas, including foreclosures, short sales, the luxury real estate market, working with Seniors and many others. With access to online, on-demand training in every facet of real estate, they are up to date on emerging trends and issues.

3. Marketing for Maximum Exposure
Looking for more potential buyers to find your property? A RE/MAX Sales Associate can help your home stand out in a very competitive marketplace through trust-generating yard signs, local and national advertising, and Internet and compelling marketing materials.

4. It’s All in the Details
Pricing, staging, and marketing are the first steps in successfully selling your home, but closing the deal requires in-depth knowledge and experience. Once you’ve accepted an offer, a lot of details remain before you get to the closing table. A RE/MAX Sales Associate will help you understand the process, navigate the details and keep the transaction on track.

5. Involved Community Citizens
RE/MAX Sales Associates are well-known locally and nationally for their involvement in many community programs. When you use a RE/MAX Sales Associate to sell your home, you contribute to the well-being of your community. RE/MAX is a national sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network, which aids sick children, and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. Concerned about the environment? So is RE/MAX. Together, you and your agent can take steps to ensure a better environment for future generations.

RE/MAX International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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.