Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Find the "Right" Agent Before the "Right" Home

 

It’s a common practice for buyers to make a list of what they want in a home during the search process and to explain it to their agent. However, maybe the first list they should make would have the skills they want their agent to have.

The Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers identifies what buyers want most from their agents and as you’d expect, help with finding the right home was ranked highest most often. While it is important, it may not be the most unique of the desired area of expertise.

Equally essential to the success of the transaction are the combination of help with price and terms negotiations and assistance with the paperwork, comparable sales, qualifying and financing.

To summarize the responses in the survey, Buyers want help from their agents with two things: to find the right home and to get it at the right price and terms. Some agents are actually better equipped with tools and acquired knowledge to assist buyers with financial advice and negotiations.

Since an owner’s cost of housing is dependent on the price paid for the home and financing, a real estate professional skilled in these specialized areas can be invaluable in finding the “right” home. An agent’s experience and connections to allied professionals and service providers is irreplaceable.

Ask the agent representing you to specifically list the tools and talent they have to address these areas.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Home For Sale 3109 San Esteban Mission, TX 78572

 

 

Home For Sale 3109 San Esteban Mission, TX 78572

 

BEDROOMS: 3
BATHS: 2
1/2 BATHS: 0
YEAR BUILT: 2004
EST SQFT: 2288
# STORIES: 1
AREA: McAllen
SUBDIVISION: El Sendero
COUNTY: Hidalgo
SCHOOL DISTRICT: Sharyland
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Shimotsu
MIDDLE SCHOOL: B.L. Gray Jr. High
HIGH SCHOOL: Sharyland H.S.

Very nice DR Horton home located in Sharyland Plantation. Featuring 3/2/2 with 2 living areas and nice layout. Walking distance to school & park. Huge backyard!

 

List Price: $184,900

 

Visit our Website: www.mcallenhomeforsale.com

 

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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

A Home is More Than an Address!

A home is a place to call your own, raise your family, share with your friends and feel safe and secure. It is also one of the largest investments most people have.

Leverage is the ability to control a larger asset with a smaller amount of cash through the use of borrowed funds. It has been described as using other people’s money to increase your yield and it applies to homeowners and investors alike. Positive leverage causes the yield to increase as the loan-to-value increases.

Even a modest amount of appreciation combined with the amortization of a loan can cause a substantial rate of return on the down payment and closing costs.

Homes build equity as the price goes up due to appreciation and the unpaid balance goes down due to amortization.

The example above indicates the yield on a home considering 3% acquisition costs on the home with a 4.5% mortgage rate and the resulting equity at the end of five years. The different down payments will affect the yield based on the leverage effect.

Whether you rent or buy the home you live in, you pay for what you occupy. The question a person is faced with is whether they are going to buy it for themselves or their landlord. Take a look at the cost of Renting vs. Owning.

 

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Pets and Selling Your Home!

Puppy Love? Not For All Buyers

 

Cute puppy Our pets give us unconditional love, and for many of us we can't imagine our home without our pets. However, not all buyers feel the same way. In fact, some buyers put a "pet house" on their list of less desirable traits. Whether it is due to allergies, fur, cleanliness concerns, pet damage, or simply a fear of pets, it is important for home sellers to understand what they can and should do to address this concern.
Before any showings or open houses, have your sellers remove (or clean and hide):
  • Litter boxes or potty pads
  • Dog beds and crates
  • Pet toys
  • Cat scratchers
  • Water and food bowls
  • Any other clear signs that animals live in the home
When possible, animals should be removed from the house if the seller will not be present for the showing: Ask a friend or neighbor to pet sit or kennel their pets for the day. If that is not possible, have the animals properly secured in crates, runs, or secured rooms with signs on the door to let visitors know pets are inside so they will not be surprised (or worse yet scared) when entering that room or part of the yard. Not only does this ensure a smooth showing, it also keeps the pets safe and prevents them from escaping. Imagine how you would feel if your client's cat ran off during your watch?

It may seem like a "no brainer," but one of the most important tasks is to ask clients to thoroughly clean flooring and carpets to eliminate pet odors. To make sure the smell is completely eliminated, have them ask a friend or neighbor to do a "sniff test." Quite often, homeowners get used to the smells in their home and don't notice pet odors anymore. Suggest that they vacuum carpets and clean floors more frequently while their home is on the market. If they can't rid the home of pet smells and stains, they should replace the flooring.

The good news is, if your clients take extra care keeping the home visibly "pet free" during the listing period, they may sell it faster and at a higher price—less nickel-and-diming over cleaning or replacement costs!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Home For Sale 3315 Water Oak Drive Edinburg, TX 78542

 

 

Home For Sale 3315 Water Oak Drive Edinburg, TX 78542

 

BEDROOMS: 3
BATHS: 2
1/2 BATHS: 0
YEAR BUILT: 2005
EST SQFT: 1713
# STORIES: 1
AREA: Edinburg
SUBDIVISION: Oakland Village
COUNTY: Hidalgo
SCHOOL DISTRICT: Edinburg
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Escandon
MIDDLE SCHOOL: Barrientes
HIGH SCHOOL: Economedes H.S.

 

Beautiful 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 2 Car Garage Brick Home in Edinburg, Open concept and high vaulted ceiling with indirect lighting, Granite countertops, tile floors and carpet in bedrooms,

 

List Price: $149,000

 

Visit our Website: www.mcallenhomeforsale.com
 
 
 
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