Inside Houston Real Estate

Many putting up their home for sale on the Houston market don’t have a lot of available cash to spruce it up. While staging houses is a definite plus, it costs, as does many of the other suggested “to-dos." Here are a few cheap, easy ways to make your home look more inviting to buyers:

1. Put up your personal stuff

Not every buyer looking at a home for sale in Houston appreciates the fact that someone still lives there. Putting away the following things can help the buyers’ see themselves in the home:

• your pet’s things (toys, litter box, bowls)
• your medications, toothbrushes and toilet accessories
• any toys
• knick-knacks and personal pictures

2. Create more space

Small, closed in spaces are major turnoffs for buyers. Create the illusion of more space by:

• putting up out-of-season clothes or clothes you don’t wear very often to make your closets look bigger
• taking one piece of furniture out of your bedroom
• packing up the small appliances in your kitchen
• taking out all but four chairs in your dining room, as well as extra table leaves

3. Touch on the trends

Chances are that some of the buyers are paying attention to celebrity trends. Feng shui is a big one, and you can do your part with just a few touches:

• add a fresh bowl of fruit to the kitchen
• put a comfortable couch or chair on the east side of your living room or den
• put a green welcome mat on your porch to symbolize opportunity
• get rid of reds

Whether you see or feel a difference doesn’t matter. Keep in mind that you’re trying to appeal to potential buyers of your home for sale in Houston, not make the home more livable for you. If it helps, pretend that you’re the buyer, seeing the house for the first time.

If you’re trying to get your home ready to sell, I can help. Call me at 713-623-5195 or email me at chempel@securemortgagecompany.com for more information.

Links:

1. Staging houses

http://www.homestaging.com/house-staging.html

2. Create the illusion of more space

http://www.lvrj.com/furniture_and_design/47993006.html

3. feng shui

Trying to get buyers to come see your high dollar home? Not having any luck. When it comes to high end homes buyers are a little different than the norm. Here are some ideas on how to change your high dollar home from no one showing up to people are flying in the door.

Stage a Benefit

No open house for high-end buyers. Host an event instead – maybe even a benefit dinner for a worthy charity. Let people come and view the property, but give them an avenue to mix and mingle as well. In addition, they get to see how the house handles a bunch of guests.

Showcase a Chef

If you have a gourmet kitchen (or two), check with chefs that would like to showcase their cooking abilities. This creates an entire “house-buying” experience for your guests. Again, they see what that featured kitchen can handles as well as being able to enjoy the culinary arts of a professional chef.

Host a Private Tour

If your home for sale has beautiful gardens and a large landscape, add a private concert or tour of the gardens. A wine cellar and large sitting rooms can turn the event into a stylish wine tasting event.

The biggest trick in attracting high-end buyers is showing off the house’s best features. If the event is hosted at night, you can show how attractive the home is with an overall “candlelight” appearance. You might even go so far as to set the time for when the sky is at its best and frames the home just right.

First impressions are everything, so pull out all the stops. Don’t let any great feature go undiscovered, from indoor swimming pools to music rooms and manly dens. Let your home for sale shine!

If you are looking to buy or need any questions answered. Call me at 713-623-5195 or www.securemtgonline.com/homepage.

Links:

1. Benefit dinner

http://www.ehow.com/how_5095147_put-benefit-dinner-together.html

2. Culinary arts of a professional chef

http://www.chef2chef.net/

3. Wine tasting event

http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/how-to-host-a-wine-tasting

Being eco-friendly nersis an important issue to most people today. Making your home as energy efficient as possible makes sense on many levels, but do you know it makes sense when it comes to federal tax credits too? They're not small incentives either. These tax credits are another major reason to be serious about going green in your  home.

Tax Credits for Existing Homes

Making your home energy efficient will benefit you whether you are planning to stay in your home for years to come or you are considering selling in the near future. Prospective buyers will react favorably to eco-friendly installations. It will also help move your home faster and get a better price.

In 2009 and 2010, you could get major tax incentives for going green too. When you purchase certain energy efficient items, you may get as much as 30% (up to $1,500) of the cost of the item returned to you as a tax credit. These items include:

· Energy efficient windows and doors

· Energy efficient insulation (primary use must be for insulation. Items such as insulated siding are not included)

· New Roofs created with Energy Star materials

· Most HVAC products including: central air units, air pumps, furnace for natural gas, propane, or oil, water heaters, main unit circulation fans.

· Geothermal Heat Systems

· Solar Energy

· Biomass Stove

· Wind Turbine System

· Residential Fuel Cells and other Microturbine Energy systems

· Hybrid Cars (hybrid gas, electric, diesel, battery, alternative and fuel cell) May have a much higher tax value between $2,500 and $7,500 based on several criteria

Tax Credits for Construction and New Homes

There are also excellent tax credits for consumers building a new home. These credits are up to 30% of cost on acceptable items with NO limit. These items include:

· Geothermal Heat Pumps

· Solar Panels

· Solar Water Heaters

· Wind Turbines

· Fuel Cells

Protecting your home, making it more energy efficient, and saving money has always been important, but there has never been a better time to get started.

LINKS:

1. Federal tax credits: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?

There’s a lot of competition in the current market for Houston homes for sale. If you’re thinking about adding your home to the list, this checklist is for you.

#1. Set your goals. What do you expect from your sale? Do you just want to get rid of the home, or do you want the highest price possible? Will you be ready if a buyer wants to close quickly? The answers to these questions factor into how much time it takes for a house to come off the market.

#2. Decide whether to use an agent or not. Although many Houston homes for sale go faster and at better prices with a real estate agent, it’s still possible to get a decent price doing it yourself. If you decide to use an agent, interview them and talk to their past clients to make sure you feel confident in their services.

#3. Set your home price. This is tricky, because if you don’t set the right price, your house can sit on the market for a long time and sell for much less than it’s worth. If you hire an agent, they’ll analyze comparable homes and find a good price. If you don’t hire an agent, make sure you look at recent sales on comparable homes, as well as neighborhood demographics to find the right price.

#4. Find the problems and get serious issues fixed. Although you aren’t obligated to hire a home inspector, a professional home inspection can help head off serious issues that can delay the sale. If you can fix the serious issues, do so. If you can’t, you can still sell the house “as is,” as a fixer-upper. Keep records of everything you do fix.

#5. Consider staging your home. From curb appeal to inside style, home stagers can help your house look its best. Studies show that, in general, staged homes sell faster and for better prices than those that haven’t been staged.

Adding your house to the list of Houston homes for sale will be an exercise in patience, but following this checklist can help make the exercise a much shorter one.

Links:

1. Real estate agent

http://homebuying.about.com/od/realestateagents/tp/findagent.htm

2. Find the right price

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13108482

3. Home stagers - if you offer home staging services, or recommend a home stager, link to your page about that service. Otherwise, link to this:

http://www.iahsp.com/

4. If you are thinking of buying another home after you sell yours.

Want to go green but afraid it won’t work for condos in Houston? Get rid of your worries, because it’s definitely possible. It just takes a little thought!

1. Go Energy Star – Anytime you get a chance, use Energy Star appliances, lighting, heating and cooling equipment. When it’s time to replace something, look for the Energy Star option.

2. Use a power strip – Many people have a slew of chargers and electronics. Instead of plugging them directly into an outlet, use a power strip and then turn the power strip off when the electronics aren’t in use.

3. Get an energy audit – If you get an energy audit you can find out how your insulation and heating and cooling equipment is working compared to the condos in [your city]. If it’s not up to par, you can find out where you need to start.

4. Check your seals – If you have windows and doors with poor seals, air can leak out, wasting the energy to heat or cool your condo.

5. Recycle – It’s cheaper than trash collection and helps the environment.

6. Rain catchers – Many condos have balconies with flowerpots and small beds. As well, many owners use potted plants inside as accents. If you’re one of them, use rain catchers on your balcony to reduce water usage instead of watering each plant with fresh water.

7. Low flow toilets and leaks - If your association allows it, install a low flow toilet in your unit to help conserve water. As well, check the toilet for leaks by putting food coloring in the tank and see if it moves to the bowel without flushing. If it does, you have a leak.

If you’re looking for a condo that’s already green, I can help. Call me at 713-623-5195 or email me at chempel@securemortgagecompany.com for more information.

Links:

1. Energy Star

http://www.energystar.gov/

2. Get an energy audit

www.engerysavers.gov

3. Low flow toilet

Cash in your pocket and equity in your Houston home? If you’ve been thinking about making changes to your house but thought you couldn’t afford a remodel, it’s time to rethink the possibilities. The payback on renovations in cost versus higher home value, should you decide to sell your house later, can be better than you thought.

Reason #1: Lower bids from the contractors. The home renovation business is falling with the current housing market, leading to lower bids for the homeowner’s remodeling project. In addition, most contractors are willing to negotiate with you for a better price, leaving you with a beautiful remodel for an excellent price.

Reason #2: Higher number of contractors to choose from. Although homeowners are still making repairs and working on their houses, the number of bigger additions and fancy remodels is going down. More contractors are competing against each other for your project.

Reason #3: Lower financing costs. If you have good credit and a steady economic foundation, you can get lower financing costs. This, in turn, makes the project that much more affordable.

Reason #4: Lower cost of materials. Because the number of major remodels is dropping, the demand for materials (and thus the cost) is also dropping.

Reason #5: Less waiting time for a top-rated remodeling contractor. With a lower number of people wanting to remodel their home, even top-rated professionals have a shorter waiting list.

Reason #6: Better service. With more competition, contractors are definitely giving “service with a smile.” Calls are being returned faster; jobs are starting on time (or before!).

If you looked into remodeling your Houston home more than a year ago, now is definitely the time to do something about it. However, even in this sweet time for remodeling, be aware of shady companies and shoddy work. Do your research before accepting any contractor.

Want more tips like this? Subscribe to my blog at www.securemtgonline.com  It's easy, fast and free.

Links:

1. Payback on renovations

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/renovation/renovation.html

2. Home renovation

http://homerenovations.about.com/

3. Top-rated remodeling contractor: if you have a contractor to recommend link to that page on your site or to their website, otherwise, link to:

http://www.bestcontractors.com/

Selling a home isn’t easy, especially now. Yet some homeowners believe they can stick a “for sale” sign in the ground and have the house off the market within a few days.

While FSBO (For Sale By Owner) sales do occur, four out of five homeowners still use a Houston real estate agent. Why? Because selling your home on your own is hard work, and even more importantly, statistics prove that real estate agents get homes sold faster and for more money than FSBOs.

If you’re not sure what you should do, here are a few things to think about:

FSBO

Sometimes, for sale by owner purchases are a good deal for the homeowner. That doesn’t mean you should just jump in, however. FSBO might be a good thing for you if:

1. It’s a seller’s market
2. You don’t care how long it takes
3. You are unwilling to pay the typical real estate agent commission
4. You have a good attorney who can keep you protected for the legal aspects
5. You have the time to learn how to do it, answer the phone and provide open houses
6. You’re comfortable negotiating
7. You’re confident you can price your home correctly

Real Estate Agent

Although you will have to pay your agent a commission, there are some definite benefits to hiring one:

1. A good agent can help you price your home correctly.
2. They have an abundance of resources to help find buyers, get the best price and get your home sold.
3. They make sure the potential buyer can actually afford it.
4. They’re good at negotiating and aren’t emotionally invested in the sale.
5. If for no other reason, they’re interested in getting the highest price possible because of their commission.
6. They put in several hours a day, that you may not have available, to get your home sold.
7. They have advertising resources, such as real estate magazines, that you may not be able to touch (or afford).

A Houston real estate agent may not be the best way to go for you. On the other hand, you may not have the necessary information and time required for FSBO. Before going one way or the other, take the time to really look at both sides and decide which works well with what you expect from the sale of your home.

If you've tried to go the FSBO route, and it didn't work out, or if you know FSBO isn't for you, I can help. Call me at 713-623-5195 or email me at chempel@securemortgagecompany.com for more information.

Links:

1. Seller’s market

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-sellers-market.htm

2. Good agent

http://www.ftc.gov/bc/edu/pubs/consumer/homes/zrea01.shtm

3. Real estate magazines

http://www.world-newspapers.com/real-estate.html

If you’re buying Houston real estate, you might start worrying about your credit score. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about that score, and many individuals actually end up making things worse by following them.

Read this list of common credit score myths and be in the know before talking to a lender:

1. Close out your credit cards. This is a big no-no, especially when you want to buy Houston real estate. Closing out your older credit cards, especially, can actually make your credit score drop.

2. Lower your credit limits. Lowering your credit limits can hurt your credit score. Part of your credit score is based on how much credit you have available.

3. Get good credit by paying all your cards in full. If you’re buying a home, part, if not most of the cost will be credited. What lenders want to see is that you know how to handle credit, not that you don’t have any debt. Instead, use 10% to 20% of your available credit and pay your bills on time.

4. Comparison shopping for the best credit rates is a no-no. Not true. However, if you’re comparison shopping, do so in a short period of time. That way, all queries hit around the same time and get lumped into one “hard” inquiry.

5. Checking your score can hurt you. You’re entitled to one free credit inquiry from each of the three top credit agencies per year. Just make sure you're the one who asks for your credit scores instead of having a friend at a financial institution do it for you.

6. The more you make, the better your score. This is only true if you use the extra income to pay off your debts. Making more money, by itself, will not increase your credit score.

Of course, you want to make sure you have the best credit score you can if you’re buying Houston real estate. However, before you listen to the hype and myths, make sure you know the facts!

If you’re looking for a new home, I can help. Call me at 713-623-5195 or chempel@securemortgagecompany.com me at for more information.

Links:

1. Make your credit score drop

http://www.homebuyinginstitute.com/help/2009/05/why-did-my-credit-score-drop-off.html

2. Three top credit agencies

http://www.fdic.gov/CONSUMERS/CONSUMER/news/cnwin0203/three.html

Some buyers would much rather have a brand spankin’ new home – fresh, clean and untouched. Does this describe you? Then read on and learn some of the guidelines for getting the best deal on your dream home.

Be on the lookout for disreputable builders…

Reputation is everything for a builder. Ask for recommendations from people you know, but also do your research. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Talk to people in the same development about their experiences with the builder. Look over the homes in the early construction phase to see what type of materials and quality of workmanship they provide in areas such as the foundation and plumbing.

Use your own agent…

Although a builder might offer the use of an agent, keep in mind that the agent is with the builder. They aren’t looking out for your best interests. Hiring a buyer’s agent will give you someone who represents you and your best interests.

Research the location…

When it comes to new Houston home construction, you may very well be looking at a development on the outskirts of town. It may seem quaint and quiet. However, if there’s a lot of space around, you could unknowingly settle into a place that will quickly become a bustling metropolis.

Check with the local town or city-zoning board to find out the types of zoning that surround the land. See if development plans have been submitted. Will the surrounding land have a strip mall or apartment complex that depreciates the value of your home, or high-end houses that raise it?

Check the weather…

Before you sign that contract, visit the area during or after a heaving rainstorm. You’ll want to look for signs of bad soil drainage, which can affect your new Houston home and the surrounding property. Otherwise, you might have to build an ark to get to work.

If you’re looking at new construction and need someone on your side, I can help. Call me now at 713-623-5195 or email me at chempel@securemortgagecompany.com for more information.

Links:

1. Better Business Bureau

http://www.bbb.org/us/

2. types of zoning

http://realestate.findlaw.com/zoning/types-of-zoning.html

Are you looking to buy new construction? Many people are, but just as many aren’t aware that their newly built Houston real estate comes with options and add-ons. In addition, they see a handsome price on new construction and think they’ve stepped into an unbelievable deal, not understanding that the price they’re looking at is for “bare bones.”

Here are just a few of the options and upgrades you might want to have your real estate agent talk about with your chosen builder:

• Flooring – The “standard” for flooring is cheap carpet and thin padding. If you’re going for hardwood floors, you also may not get what you envision. An important thing to keep in mind is that most builders make their money on the upgrades and options. While they may offer upgrades for high quality flooring, it may actually be cheaper for you to buy it yourself and not through the builder. Do your research and either have your real estate agent try to negotiate down to a price closer to what it would cost you, or have the builder use the cheapest material possible and ask them not to glue or tack it down.
• Plumbing and fixtures – Whether you want improvements or additional plumbing and fixtures (such as for a wet bar or a different location for the washer and dryer), these are easier to do before the Houston real estate is finished.
• Appliances – Check to see what brand and model the builder expects to use for your appliances. Most times, your real estate agent can at least negotiate a better model, if not your preferred brand.
• Doors – Doors, especially interior doors, are usually thin, non-insulated and easily damaged. Although this may be fine in some areas, other areas may need better quality doors. This is a definite place for your real estate agent and builder to negotiate.

Make sure you understand your options, upgrade packages and deals for the new Houston real estate before signing the contract!

If you're thinking of buying new construction, let me negotiate the best price, and all the details, for you. Call me before you start shopping for your new construction at 713-623-5195 or email me at chempel@securemortgagecompany.com for more information.

Links:

1. Options and upgrades

http://www.isnare.com/?aid=219903&ca=Real+Estate

2. High quality flooring

http://www.consumersearch.com/flooring

3. Interior doors

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Interior_Door_Basics-Interior-A1785.html

If you’re looking to get a good deal by buying one of the Houston foreclosures, keep in mind that many of the homeowners not only didn’t have money for the mortgage, they probably didn’t have money for the upkeep of the house either. If you’ve found a home you’re interested in, here’s a short checklist to follow even before you decide to contact a home inspector.

Structure

For some Houston foreclosures, structure is a definite issue. Pay close attention to the following, as they may indicate more severe problems:

• Are the interior walls in good condition? Any cracks and stains?
• Are the floors in good condition? What are they made of? Some floors are made of substandard materials, unsafe for more than casual use.
• Is the roof in good repair or are there missing/curled up shingles?
• Are the gutters, downspouts and flashing in good condition?
• Do the doors and windows stick or glide freely? When closed, do they block out weather or is there a draft?

Water

• Is there mold and mildew on the basement walls or a dark, scaly surface? This can indicate too much moisture, and can mean a leak in the foundation.
• Is the ceiling bubbling, have brown spots, patches or new paint? New paint might be a sign of covering up stains from water leaks.
• Are there drainpipes around the foundation? Do they lead away from the foundation? Are there cracks or a lot of weeds around the area?

Inside Hazards

Many older houses haven’t been updated or may not be up to code. Here are some of the more common issues:

• Is there asbestos around exposed pipes for the furnace, heating system or water heater?
• Can you see any signs of vermin or insects? Mice, termites, cockroaches and bats all leave signs of habitation behind.

If everything else is good, have the house tested for radon, carbon monoxide and lead-based paint.

Although there are many other things to consider when looking to purchase Houston foreclosures, these three are essential to a healthy living environment. Most importantly, make sure you’re an informed buyer.

If you’re looking to buy a foreclosed home, I can help. Call me today at 713-623-5195 or email me at chempel@securemortgagecomapny.com for more information.

Links:

1. Home inspector

http://www.ashi.org/

2. Mold and mildew

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-identify-mold-in-your-home-and-methods-to-get-rid-of-it

3. Asbestos

http://hubpages.com/hub/What-Does-Asbestos-Look-like