WHY MOVING TO AGGIELAND IS THE RIGHT CHOICE

If you’re considering a move to Central Texas, Bryan/College Station has some unique things to offer homebuyers. You’ll find small town Texas charm with all of the amenities you would expect to find in a big city. Let me tell you a little bit about Aggieland.

What types of amenities do we have in the Bryan/College Station metro area? If you’re looking for culture you should look at our museums.  We have the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, the Brazos Valley African American Museum, the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, and the Children’s Museum.

If you want to know about restaurants, we have plenty. We have Texas BBQ and fine dining.  Whatever your taste, you won’t be disappointed.   Here in Bryan/College Station, we know food.

College Station is the proud home of Texas A&M University, the very first public university to open its doors in Texas. Even if you’re not a student there, you can benefit from its presence in the community. For example, the school donated funds so College Station could modernize its traffic system. Now, even when the Aggies are playing a big game, the traffic flows a lot easier through College Station.

You may be wondering why Bryan and College Station are always linked.  Here in the heart of Brazos County, Texas our twin cities are so close together that they form a single metro area.  If you work in one, you may be able to live in the other. Talk to Mariott Real Estate about keeping your commute time low when you’re looking for your new house in Bryan/College Station and we can recommend the best locations for you.

There’s also the matter our lovely weather. Central Texas has hot summers and mild winters. Temperatures can get down to freezing, but not for long. The winters are very nice and you might find yourself wearing short sleeves and shorts if you’re from the north.  Here, we wear sweaters when it’s 65 outside just so we get a chance to wear them. Do you hate scraping ice off your windshield in the morning before you drive to work?  It’s very unlikely to happen here.

Realtors can’t be sure exactly which part of town our clients will fall in love with, but if you give us some information we can get a good idea.  There’s a lot to love here. I haven’t even told you about the events we have on holidays. A move to Central Texas is the right move and the Bryan/College Station area is a great place to invest in your future.

If you’re thinking about buying a home here, talk to a local. Working with a local realtor means you have someone on your side who can find homes that are affordable for your budget, close to where you work, or convenient for shopping. Just give us a call and we can help you find a place to call home here in our big city with a small-town feel. Welcome to Aggieland!

  

Home Inspections – They Can Save You Money

You’ve found a beautiful home and you’re ready to dive right in. Is it worth it to get it inspected?  It’s worth considering. Your home is one of the largest investments you’ll ever make. You want to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.  Home inspections aren’t just for buyers. Some sellers choose to get their homes inspected as well. Here are some of the basics about home inspection.

How much do home inspections cost?  Do I need one for a newer home?

A typical home inspection will likely cost you less than $500 here in Bryan/College Station but it depends on the square footage and the inspector. The buyer normally pays for the inspection. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) even suggests getting a brand-new home inspected before buying.

What is the benefit of an inspection?

The inspector will look at the central heat and air and the condition of the structure including the roof and foundation. The inspector will also check things like the insulation, electrical panels, and plumbing. By finding any flaws in the house now, you could be saving yourself trouble later. It’s always better to know what you’re getting into.

If the inspector finds problems, should I look for a different house?

The ASHI says there is no perfect house. You just have a list of issues that the inspector found. The seller may be willing to fix some of the problems or negotiate a lower price. Other problems are minor enough that they may not need to be fixed right away. It’s good to have the list and be aware of the issues when you move in so that you can fix them when you get around to it.

If you’re looking for move-in ready and there are serious problems discovered by the inspector, you may want to walk away. It just depends on if the seller can get it fixed in a reasonable amount of time. If the seller won’t fix the problems, moving on is an option.

The house was in good condition, didn’t I waste my money?

Now you know the house is in good condition because a professional gave you that assurance. A purchase as large as a house isn’t something you want to gamble on. You may have been able to see signs that it was a well-built house, but professional inspectors know what to look for to be sure. 

Are home inspections only for buyers?

Most sellers don’t get their homes inspected, but there are benefits if you decide you want to try it. Home inspections are a good idea if you are about to put your home on the market and don’t want any unpleasant surprises.  You can find out if you need to fix any problems before the “For Sale” sign goes up.  This will give you a strong position with buyers and give you confidence when their inspectors come around.

There are some amazing home inspectors in the Bryan/College Station area. Having a realtor can help you navigate the entire buying and selling process. That includes finding a great inspector. If you need help buying or selling a home in Aggieland, give us a call.