While the highest volume of home sales happens in the summer, every season is a great time to buy and sell a house.  This year has brought in a new group of motivated buyers in the middle of winter.  These buyers are different than the young family with a goal to move during the kids summer vacation.  As a home seller, it’s important you understand why they are in the market to buy right now.

First-Time Homebuyer

When someone is buying their first home it usually comes with a bit of procrastination.  Today’s buyers may spend months (some even years) studying listings on the internet. They are knowledgeable about communities, prices and feel confident about what is available.  Still, many have not been able to “pull the trigger” and seriously look for a home.

Since the election, interest rates have trended upward.  Since each uptick in mortgage interest means a higher monthly payment, many will be prompted to stop thinki. ...

Out-of-Town Home Buyers are Shocked by These Local Real Estate Practices
In the Houston area, real estate is developed differently than other places.  As a consequence, when people move from other areas of the country, they are often shocked by the effects of unregulated construction. 
To be a smart buyer in Montgomery County, just north of Houston, you need to become familiar with a few terms and the way they affect your purchase.
Glossary of Terms:


Unrestricted Property:  Many newcomers get excited about escaping the regulations of their old hometown.  The idea of having virtually complete control over how they use their property sounds exciting freedom.  What they must keep in mind is all the people surrounding you have the same freedoms.  You may not like how your neighbor maintains or decorates their property.
 
Although a property is without restrictions, there are still regulations set out by the county that include water wells, sept. ...

Get Top Dollar for Your Home in 3 Steps


You have always cared what people think of your home.  After all, it is the place where you have your most intimate moments and it reflects your personality.  When it comes time to open your home to prospective buyers, you will need to take it up a notch.


You Probably Need a Face Lift


Approach your home like a cosmetic surgeon of interior design.  You want it to look younger, newer and more attractive. 


Make your home more attractive by getting rid of any strong colors unless you want to cross people who don’t like the color off your list of prospects.  Sure, the vibrant violet color you chose is invigorating and you love it.  To attract the largest number of prospective buyers any painted walls need to be brought to a neutral color of beige.  You may find it boring.  Buyers can envision their own favorite color on a neutral “canvas” of your walls.


The k ...

8 Reasons Why to Buy a House with Selling in Mind


Shopping for your dream home does not naturally include thinking about selling it later.  However, you will hear professional investors say, “You will make your profit when you buy right.”


You may think the future home will be perfect for the rest of your life.  In most cases, life doesn’t turn out that way.  Below is a list of things to consider when purchasing that will affect your future resale profit:




Good Location:  The old adage about location, location, location being the three most important factors in real estate value is still true.  Perhaps even more true than in the past with buyers empowered with data about every single factor affecting price.


School Quality:  Of all the location factors, schools lead in the importance to market value.  Even if you have no children or they are already out of the house, the quality of schools affects the val ...

Top 3 Things Experienced Home Buyers Already Know
Buying a home is a major undertaking.  When the process is totally unfamiliar, the tasks can be daunting.  Even experienced home buyers may get surprised by new developments in the current home buying process. 
However, there are a few things that never change.  Two major things are making a good selection about which real estate agent will represent you and the absolute necessity of a good inspector.  Other pitfalls will snag you if you aren’t careful.  They fall into three different categories
Crystal Ball about Future
Experienced home buyers know your home purchase is not limited to the walls surrounding the home.  A savvy buyer looks outside the immediate community to examine the future traffic patterns, population trends and homeownership rates.  For example, when a community is trending toward investors purchasing homes for lease, a declining value can be expected.
 Another . ...