Preparing to Sell Your Home

Is it time to move on from your current home and sell?  If so, here are some things that will make the selling process go a lot smoother.

Are you ready?

Before you make any big decisions, make sure you and your family are really ready to sell.

·       Determine if selling is a good financial move by looking at your equity and current home value.

·        Think about the condition of your house. Do you need to make repairs before the house goes on the market?

·        Look at the local real estate market.  Are houses selling quickly in your neighborhood?

The cost of moving and your new home need to be considered before you make a final decision. 

Also, if you got all of the repairs done that the house needs, would you want to stay there?  Fixing up your house for potential buyers may make you remember why you bought the house in the first place.

If comparable houses in your neighborhood are selling quickly, then you could have a good chance at selling your house.

Getting started

Now that you’ve decided to sell you have some decisions to make. At Mariott Real Estate, we’re ready to help you sell your home in Bryan/College Station.

·        Find an experienced local realtor

·        Take care of needed repairs

·        Store items you don’t need offsite

·        Consider having professionals do a major cleaning.

Pack up as much as you can live without and put it in storage. This means cleaning out closets. Pack up your family photos and small decorative items that look like clutter. Make your house and especially closets feel spacious.

Fill holes in the walls and then make sure your interior is painted in neutral colors. If not, paint is cheap.

Hiring a professional cleaning service may be a good idea. They can give your house an extra polished look before buyers show up.

Check out this HGTV guide to home staging.

It’s time for the sign

This is where your realtor will really help. Determining the fair market value (FMV) of your house can be a little complicated. Your realtor can also list your home on multiple websites.

·        Determine the FMV of your home and your asking price.

·        Your realtor will put your home on the market (sign in front, listings on realty websites)

When you have a buyer

Your realtor can help you navigate contracts and will stay with you right up until the keys are handed over. Your house will likely be inspected and additional repairs may have to be made. One way to avoid unpleasant surprises from an inspection is if you get your own inspection before you put your home on the market.  However, since you know a buyer will likely be getting the house inspected at their own expense, there is an advantage in waiting.

Whether or not you negotiate with the buyer on price depends on the value of your home, the local housing market, and how much you want to get from the sale. Your realtor can give you an idea of what the real estate market is like, but the big decisions are all up to you. Hire a great realtor to stand by you.

Checklist for Homebuyers

If you’re in the market for a new home, here are some things you’ll have to consider before you buy.

Are you ready?

Before you being to search for a home in earnest, you need to make sure you are financially and mentally prepared.

·        Clearly answer the question: Why are you buying a home?

·        Figure out your budget

·        Gather financial records like recent tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements.

First steps

Mariott Real Estate can help you find a new home in Bryan/College Station. Why do you need a realtor? Buying real estate is a complicated process that realtors in Texas are licensed and trained to handle.

·        Find a realtor

·        Shop for a home loan and get pre-approved

It may be tempting to run with the first company that may want to qualify you for a loan, but you have options. Look around and find one that’s right for you.

Getting pre-approved for a loan will help you determine what houses you can afford and what it out of your range.

Find your new home

Look back at why you want a new house and look at your new budget with the pre-approval. Find a house that will give you what you want in a house within your budget. If you wanted a house because you need more space, you obviously wouldn’t settle for a house that is smaller than what you have. Find a house that really fits your needs with help from your realtor.

·        Research neighborhoods

·        Come up with a list of things you would like to have in your house based on why you’re buying

·        Fall in love with the right house that is within your budget

The offer

With the help of your realtor, you can make an offer and negotiate with the seller. This is also the time when a lot of legal documents start to appear. It’s a great time to have a realtor on your side.

·        Get an inspection

·        Make an offer on the house

·        Negotiate with the seller

Get financed

If you followed your bank’s conditions on your pre-approval, this part should be easy. Hopefully, you found the best lender when you were looking for pre-approval. Now you just need to fill out the paperwork and finalize the details.

·        Contact your lender and fill out all of the paperwork

Closing

Your realtor will help you through the closing process.  This includes a title search and going to a legal office to fill out your paperwork on closing day. You realtor will be able to answer any questions you have. Realtors are trained professionals that understand real estate law and contracts.

The most important part of this process is having a professional by your side who can help you navigate the complicated process of buying real estate. A licensed real estate agent in the state of Texas is educated on the topic of legal forms and contracts.  Your realtor also knows the area where you’re wanting to buy a home. Take advantage of having a licensed real estate professional by your side.

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.

3 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying A Home

Photo by ddpavumba

If you're planning to buy a home in the near future, you may be about to make one of the biggest decisions of your life. From a financial perspective and from a personal standpoint, the act of purchasing a home requires a significant investment of time, energy and money. You need to be sure that you are ready for this decision before you finalize your choice for a new home.

One of the best ways to prepare for this process is to honestly ask yourself some questions. There are just three important questions that you need to answer to know if you are ready for a home purchase. Answering these questions and consulting with your local College Station realtor can provide you with a wealth of knowledge as you move through this process.

1. Are You Financially Ready?

While there are many factors that go into a buying a home, it's no secret that your finances are one of the biggest pieces of the equation. You need to make sure that you have enough money on hand to cover a down payment, as well as a home loan from a reputable lender.

The time to start working on your finances is as soon as possible. Set up a strict budget and start saving months or even years before you are planning to look for a home. The more time that you give yourself to prepare, the more robust your savings will be.

Taking your time can pay off in other ways. If you spend a year or two in an apartment or a rent house, you can get used to the experience of paying rent and taking care of bills while on a budget. This is great practice for the responsibility of owning a home. Make sure that you talk with several lenders to find out what your options are for obtaining a home loan. Not all loans are the same and some might not be right for your needs and goals.

2. Are You Mentally Ready?

Buying a home can be extremely stressful. The process of finding a home, making a successful bid, competing with other potential buyers and setting up your finances can be tough on your mental and emotional health. You need to be sure that you are prepared for this stress before you get started.

You can get yourself ready for this experience by talking to other homeowners and your College Station realtor. Ask them honest questions about what the home buying experience is like and ask for any advice that they can offer.

3. Do You Have Support?

One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to hire an experienced realtor in College Station, TX. Your realtor will be able to give you practical and experienced advice about any issues that pop up during the home buying process. Trying to go through this process alone is a recipe for stress and confusion. Hire the right help to learn all you can.

4 Questions To Ask Your College Station Realtor

Whether you are selling a home or looking for a new house in the College Station/Bryan area, your College Station realtor is one of your most valuable resources. These real estate agents have the experience and the training to be able to help you navigate the home purchase process. When you are looking for a new home, you will likely have a lot of questions about the experience.

Your realtor can help you find the answers that you need to make the process as stress-free as possible. You should find a realtor with whom you feel comfortable and approach them about any issue which needs clarification. If you aren't sure where to start, here are four questions that you definitely need to ask your realtor.

1. How Is The Local Market?

One of the most important things that you need to know to buy a house is whether or not it's a good time to buy. Housing markets fluctuate and the current state of the market can have a big impact on the kind of deals that you can find. Your realtor pays close attention to the local market and will be able to clue you in.

Photo by ddpavumba

When you first meet with your realtor in College Station, TX, make sure to ask them how the market is doing. If the time is right to start house shopping, make your move but if things are uncertain, you might want to wait for a change.

2. How Much House Can I Afford?

There's now way around it: before you can buy a home, you need to have a budget. You should take as much time as necessary to write up a thorough and detailed budget to find out exactly how much you can spend. Of course, you want to get the best house available but don't make the mistake of overspending.

Feel free to discuss your budget with your realtor. They will understand that cost is an important factor and they can help you narrow down your search to homes that are within your price range.

3. Where Can I Find What I Need?

We all have a list of “must haves” that we are looking for in a new home. Think carefully about the things that you absolutely want in your ideal home. For example, maybe you want a large, well-appointed kitchen or a study for your home business. Make a list of these things and discuss them with your realtor. They will help you locate homes that are a good fit for these needs.

4. What Is The Neighborhood Like?

When you have a few houses in mind, ask your realtor for their opinion of the local neighborhood. Ask about the location of the home in regards to schools, shopping and entertainment. Remember, the perfect home won't be so perfect if you can't get to the places that you want to go easily.

When you ask your College Station realtor these important questions, you'll be one step closer to finding the home of your dreams. 

What Not To Do When Shopping For A New Home

Shopping for a new home in College Station can be a very busy time in your life. Applying for a mortgage, hiring a moving service and packing up your belongings can be very time-consuming. However, even when you are busy, it's important to keep a few things in mind as you shop for a new home.

There are some common mistakes that many people make when they are shopping for a new home. Making these mistakes is understandable because the moving process is so busy and stressful. However, a bit of careful planning and attention can keep you from making these common errors.

As you look for a new home with the help of your College Station realtor, watch out for these things that you shouldn't do during the home shopping process.

Rushing Into A Deal

As time goes on during the home shopping process, many homeowners will want to close a deal quickly. After all, it can take months or even longer to be approved for a home loan and to sort out all the small details that a move entails.

This timeframe might lead some homeowners to be tempted to rush into a deal for the first house that looks like a good choice. However, rushing this step of the process can get you into a difficult situation. Take a deep breath and try to stay as patient as possible as you talk with your College Station realtor about finding a home that meets your needs and is within your budget range. A little patience goes a long way and a better choice might be right around the corner.

Too Much Negotiation

A bit of negotiation is par for the course when you're shopping for a home. Most homeowners and realtors will want to come to an agreement on a home price that is agreeable for the seller. You might also have to negotiate about things like home inspections, renovations and repairs. Whether you love the negotiation process or dread it, make sure you aren't wasting your time.

Simply put, some home sellers will just be too hard to please. If you are spending weeks and weeks negotiating over the final cost and details of a home sale, remember that you have the ability to move on. If it seems like a home seller won't budge, it might be time to start looking at other properties. Remember, the more time that you spend in negotiations, the less likely you may be to find a great deal in the same area on a similar home.

Overspending

We all want to live in the perfect home but the search for that home might get us to spend beyond our means. Before you begin shopping for a home, write up a detailed budget with the help of your College Station realtor so that you can pinpoint exactly how much you can spend. Don't forget to factor in the costs of hiring a moving company, a home inspector and a rental at a storage facility.

Decide on what is absolutely essential for your to have in your new home. Extravagant features and lavish decorations are great but they aren't necessary for you to find the right home for your needs. Keep your budget firmly in mind and communicate with your realtor to find a home that is affordable for you.

If you pay careful attention to these common errors when shopping for a new home, you can improve your chances of finding a property that will be right for you for many years to come.