Be Ready to Buy
Be ready to buy If you find what you're looking for in a home, you should be prepared to make an offer quickly. Even if homes are staying on the market a little longer in your neck of the woods, it only takes one other interested buyer to snatch the home or create a bidding war. You can help the offer process by being ready. In addition to being pre-approved for a loan before you begin looking at properties, it's wise to be honest with yourself. You know exactly what you want in a home and how much you can actually afford. Make sure to take into account utilities and other monthly expenses associated with homeownership. Be advised, though, that a quick offer doesn't necessarily mean a quick end to the transaction. There are myriad potential postponements in a real estate transaction. There may be contingencies, repairs, lender delays, or any number of other issues.On the market? Keep your house pristine
On the market? Keep your house pristine Aside from the necessary intrusions, the most inconvenient aspect of having your house on the market may well be keeping the house in showing condition. Making a good impression on buyers is very important. It's not a huge leap for a potential buyer to equate a cluttered or dirty house with poor maintenance of the overall structure, systems, and appliances. Whether accurate or not, this can or result in a lower offer than the home might otherwise bring … or worse, discourage an offer altogether.Read all of On the market? Keep your house pristine
Selling in a Down Market
Selling in a down market Based on statistics released by all major metro markets in Texas in mid and late September, the national downturn in real estate and the slowing of sales is now affecting Texas, also. For months on end, the strength of Texas' job markets, and its history of slow, sustained growth had insulated Texas homeowners from the effects felt elsewhere in the United States. While values are holding strong, real estate markets are cooling to some degree. Damages and slow-downs caused by hurricane Ike may impact this trend further. This does not mean that property owners with . . .Read all of Selling in a Down Market
5 Things to do before listing your home for sale
1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you'll be able to make repairs before open houses begin. 2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter . . .Read all of 5 Things to do before listing your home for sale
Average Home Price Strong in Houston
Declining property sales tempered by strong single-family home average and median pricing prevailed across the greater Houston area for the eleventh consecutive month in July, according to statistics released mid-August by the Houston Association of Realtors. Sales of single-family homes slid 12.0 percent on a year over year basis – a smaller decline than the market has experienced in the past two months.Read all of Average Home Price Strong in Houston
Most Expensive Home on The Market in Houston is $16,500,000!
Russian billionaire’s purchase of French villa sets new world record for most expensive home -- $750 million! Most expensive home on the market in Houston, Texas -- $16,500,000.00 August 11, 2008 -- The market for the average priced U.S. residence may be soft, but the über rich (especially the Russians) continue to drive prices up at the very top of the world’s luxury market. Case in point -- Villa Léopolda, one of the most historic estates on the French Côte d'Azur, is now under contract by an anonymous Russian billionaire for $750 million (€500m). This three-quarters-of-a-billion dollar sales price sets a new record for the most expensive home sale in the world. The previous record was set earlier this year by Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, with the reported purchase of a London home for his son for an estimated $236 million. “While the French Villa is a fabulous property, this sale does put into perspective the value U.S. properties represent,” said Mark Fuller, a luxury home expert with Keller Williams Realty in the Houston Memorial area. “The most expensive residence on the market locally is listed for just $ 16,500,000. This European inspired mansion has over 21,000 square feet of living area and is situated on a very secluded acre sized lot in Piney Point Village.Read all of Most Expensive Home on The Market in Houston is $16,500,000!
My Story
Well, I guess this is where I go on and on about all the wonderful attributes I so proudly posses while leaving out all the goofy mistakes I've made along the way. Hmmm. I've always been a bit uncomfortable writing these kind of things. I'm leary that the reader might be a tad bit less impressed by my accomplishments than I, and that would be a major turnoff. Leaving out the mistakes would be omitting a huge part of my personal learning experiences that have molded and shaped who I am.Frequently Asked Questions - - Home Buying in Houston
Q. What is the smartest thing to do first when Buying a home. A. This may sound self indulgent, but it's the honest truth. You should actually locate a top realtor professional in the area you are considering. Do this by asking friends and other professionals you trust and interview the candidates. The reason you should do this first? . . .Read all of Frequently Asked Questions - - Home Buying in Houston
Should your real estate professional lower his commission?
If the commission is the most important issue for you then perhaps you should consider a discount broker who will put your home in the MLS for a flat rate. If the going gets tough, however, (70% of the time it does) don't expect the discount broker to bail you out. A top professional can actually help you net more in your pocket than the incremental cost of serviceRead all of Should your real estate professional lower his commission?
Avoid Over Improving Your Property
With news of slow-downs in the national market, some homeowners may be quick to assume that major improvements to their homes today will result in faster and more profitable sales of those homes in future. Before you go adding that swimming pool, marble countertop or bathroom remodel, be sure to talk to your local real estate expert about your particular property, and which improvements might fall within the standard of your particular neighborhood's general expectations.Read all of Avoid Over Improving Your Property
