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.

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. 

3 Essential Home Items For Green Living

It's never been a better time to go green. If you're environmentally conscious and you are looking for a new home in the College Station area, there are a few essential items that you'll want to keep an eye out for.

Your College Station realtor can help you find the perfect eco-friendly home that is right for your needs as well as your budget. When you are touring homes in the area, be sure to ask your realtor and the homeowners questions to find out if a property can help you achieve your goal of a green lifestyle. Most importantly, look for these three essential items that can keep your home comfortably green.

1. Energy Efficient Appliances

More than ever before, many homes on the market come with energy efficient appliances available as part of the asking price. Things like efficient refrigerators and washing machines can help you reduce the amount of energy that you consume. Not only is this good for the environment, it can also help you save a bundle on your monthly and annual utility costs.

When you are touring a property, ask your College Station realtor or the homeowner about the appliances in the kitchen, bathroom and living areas. A home with efficient appliances included in the price might cost a bit more, but you will recover these costs with the savings on your utility bills. Also, you'll be able to feel good about doing your part to help the environment.

2. Proper Insulation

Energy efficient appliances are very helpful for reducing energy usage and costs but those costs can be offset in a home that has poor insulation. Improperly installed or old insulation will let warm and cool air escape from your home, causing your HVAC system to work overtime to keep up with the demands of your thermostat.

This is especially important in Texas, when summer temperatures can easily climb over a hundred degrees for weeks at a time. Ask your realtor about a home inspection that can determine if that property that you have your eye on has insulation that is up to code and properly installed.

3. Curbside Recycling Services

Recycling is one of the best things that you can do to add more “green” to your lifestyle at home. Curbside recycling services make it fast and easy to separate reusable items from the trash that you throw away each day. However, these services are not available in all areas.

If recycling is already a part of your green lifestyle, or if you would like to become more eco-friendly, do some research online or ask your realtor in College Station, TX if curbside recycling services are available at particular location.

Going green is very important but it doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. If you can find a home that has these essential eco-friendly items, you'll be well on your way to a more environmentally conscious style of living in your brand new home.

Jaw dropping ranch just a short drive from B/CS

Jaw dropping ranch just a short drive from B/CS. This 45 acre property has everything you could dream of for your family (& extended family!). The main home boasts its custom features from the ground up. The interior rock work, the theatre room, cathedral ceilings and exposed beams, and the large wrap around porch are sure to wow (just to name a few!). Lets not forget the customized Rainbow Playsystems playground salt water swimming pool with rock inclosed water slide & beach area. The nearly 1200 sq. ft. guest home has 2 bedrooms with J&J bathroom, full kitchen with an open layout to breakfast room and large living room. There is a 1000 sq ft custom built apartment down by the barn with all the same fabulous features you have come to expect from this property: granite countertops, wood flooring, 9" crown molding. I have been saving the best for last: 1400 sq ft. cabin overlooking the 2.5 acre pond. 2 bedrooms, 1 VERY large bathroom with an open kitchen to breakfast room and living room. And with a view like that you will appreciate the 855 sq ft deck. And did I mention there is a custom built Rockin J barn equipped with a utility room and bathroom! 10 acre coastal hay pasture. 800 square bales per cutting average; three cuttings per year. This property is sure to meet every need! There are many more pictures to see, please email me if you would see more.

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 3.5

Square Ft: 4,565

County Name: Robertson