Five Things Your Real Estate Agent May Ask You

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When you hire a real estate agent to help you find a home in the College Station, TX area, he or she will need to know certain things to help you get exactly what you want. Giving a clear, concise and honest answers to these questions will help the agent better serve you. Not only will you have a greater chance of finding a new home you love, but you will not waste anyone's time by viewing unsuitable open houses or driving around to properties that do not match your criteria.

What is your budget?

One of the most essential things to reveal to your real estate agent is how much money you want and are able to spend on a new College Station or Bryan home. A quality agent will show you properties in your price range and not attempt to push you to more expensive ones in order to gain commission. Be honest about how much you want to spend, how much you can afford and how much you can actually get an approved mortgage for.

Are you working only with real estate agent representation?

This question basically asks if you are looking at homes on your own as well as viewing the ones your real estate agent shows you. It is important for your agent to know so they do not overlap on viewed properties or offers made. For example, if you go to an open house on your own, that open house agent should respect the boundaries of the buyer's agent you are working with.

Do you have specific neighborhoods or areas in mind?

Many people moving to an area research the different neighborhoods, townships and school districts before looking for a home. Giving this information to your real estate agent will help them narrow down the potential properties the suit your needs. If you do not already have neighborhoods of interest, share the criteria for the neighborhood with the real estate agent: top schools, demographics crime statistics, etc.

What non-negotiable criteria does your future home require?

This covers the basics of what you and your family want to have in your home and yard. Specifics may include how many bedrooms, how many bathrooms, what size yard or property, whether there is a pool, a fence or outbuildings, how large a garage is needed, what type of utilities it uses and any other particulars that are non-negotiable.

When do you want to move to a new home and how long have you been looking?

A real estate agent needs to know how keen you are to make offers on the properties she shows you. There are many people who just like to look at different homes with no urgent intention to move or buy. Although a real estate agent is hired to serve you, and is not considerate or fair waste your time. The honest about when you would like to move and how long you have been looking so the agent can plan accordingly.

Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable sale of your home. Call Sarah Miller at 979-255-1904 for your real estate needs in Bryan-College Station and the entire Brazos Valley!

Texas Style Home Décor Options for Your New House

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Texas pride permeates every aspects of home ownership in the Lone Star State. When you move down to the College Station or Bryan, TX area and need to decorate your beautiful new house, you might want to adopt to Texas style home decor. This blends a Southwestern flavor with natural materials found in this region and Americana stars and old West style.

Before you move in the furniture or by knickknacks and wall art, you need to start by choosing the best materials for your floors and walls. Texas style means using the natural materials that are found in this region such as clay tiles, stone and Adobe or plaster.

Southwestern Flavor

Rough plaster walls and terra-cotta or clay tiles introduce the Spanish or Mexican influence into your home. These are often paired with rustic furniture, richly colored and patterned fabrics and native or Spanish style accents. Natural colors are mixed with warm reds, russet browns, golden yellow and turquoise.

Old West and Ranch Style

Texas has a long history of ranching, horses and cattle, especially the iconic Texas Longhorn cattle. This style from yesteryear can feature heavily in a home decor scheme. Exposed wooden beams and wood floors may be more popular in this style home. The furniture is rustic but comfortable and may feature leather cushions and accent or even cow prints. Accents that feature horses, horseshoes, cowboy hats, spurs or boots and cattle would be perfect for this style of Texas home.

Americana and Texas Icons

Some people say "Everything is bigger in Texas," and that includes Texas pride. Many homes include the five pointed "Lone Star" shape that symbolizes both the state itself and the USA in general. Everything from coffee cups to wall art to throw pillows to drawer hardware comes in the Texas Star shape. Red, white and blue are popular colors for home decor accents as well.

No matter what your personal style, introducing Texas decor into your new home will bring you closer to the culture rich communities surrounding you. Cultivate your Texas pride and enjoy all the style options available.

Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

 

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor Bryan-College Station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell of your home. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904

Family Day Trips from College Station, Texas

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After your College Station, Texas real estate agent finds the perfect home for your family and you settle in, chances are you will not be too keen to leave it anytime soon. However there are so many amazing things to see and do in the area that you will want to explore as soon as possible. Family-friendly day trips close by to College Station, TX include everything from exploration of history to magnificent natural wonders and fun excitement as well.

Experience History and Culture

George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond, Texas – Experience the true history of a Texas ranch on this 23,000 acre property. It includes historical buildings, costumed presenters and demonstrations of everything from outdoor cooking from the back of the chuck wagon to cowboys riding horses and roping cattle.

The Mountain Historic Village in Canton, Texas -- This wild West town features historical buildings that are mostly restaurants, taverns and inns and antique stores. More than just a shopping destination, however, The Mountain also offers artist demonstrations, historical reenactments, scavenger hunts and gunfights.

Explore Natural Wonders

Bastrop State Park in Bastrop, Texas – This picturesque park offers many attractions for people of all interests including a golf course, pool and extensive bike trails. If you decide to stay longer than a day, you can take advantage of their beautiful wooded campsites as well. This park is in the unique "Lost Pines" ecosystem which features sandy soil and drought-resistant loblolly pines. There is also a half acre lake for fishing.

John Bunker Sands Wetland Center in Seagoville, Texas – Learn all about the wetland ecosystems at this unique center, which features education about water conservation and the flora and fauna that relies on wetlands to survive. Plenty of opportunities to view many types of birdlife excess including the bald eagles that make the center their home.

Explode with Fun and Excitement

Fly Lake Austin in Austin, Texas -- Nothing beats the unique experience of flying above the lake propelled by nothing more than the force of the water itself. Teens and adults can enjoy riding either the Flyboard or Jetovader, which propels the rider up to 25 feet in the air using only air and water pressure. Easy to learn with all safety precautions in place, you can fly along and see the sights or try a freestyle trick or two.

Schlitterbahn Waterparks in Galveston, Texas – This massive waterpark is a great place to visit anytime of the year as a large part of it is heated and indoors. In the warmer months, you will have more options of slides, tubing rivers, lagoons and man-made beaches to enjoy. There is something for every age available here. Semi private or private cabanas are available for rental and unique events are scheduled throughout the year.

These are just a sampling of the amazing daytrips that can be taken from your home in the College Station, TX area. Each location is sure to elicit many an "Are we there yet?" from the kids in the back of the car, but each drive is short enough so "Yes!" will be your answer.

Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

 

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor Bryan-College Station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell of your home. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904

Top 10 Packing Tips for Moving to a New Home

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Packing of everything in your house in order to move it to a new home takes a lot of time, care and planning. It also takes a lot of deep breathing and counting to ten to alleviate the stress of feeling so overwhelmed by everything. The following ten packing tips will help make the process much smoother for the whole family.

1 – Free Boxes Work Great

Grab paper boxes at work, look behind the local grocer for their recycling or ask friends and family to save boxes for you in advance of your move. While there are companies who sell boxes, you really do not need pristine cardboard just to move your things. Just make sure the boxes you choose are sturdy. It will save you money and is also better for the environment.

2 – Twine, String or Rope

Some items, such as books, ship very nicely when the tied in stacks with twine or string. Sturdy twine or rope is also useful for attaching packages together and securing furniture. If you are packing anything in the trunk of your car or on the roof, you will need sturdy rope to secure those items.

3 – Use Packers' Wrap

Packers wrap is wide plastic wrap basically and it is very useful for wrapping furniture or soft goods to protect them and keep them together. If you pad a table for example with blankets or towels at the edges, packers' wrap can be used to keep them in place.

4 – Minimize the Need for Peanuts

Space should be used widely when packing everything to move to a new house. While packing peanuts, inflated bags and crumpled paper can protect your delicate items, there are other options that will not waste space or create a mess when you unpack at the end. Consider wrapping dishes or collectibles in towels, sheets or blankets or even sweaters and other clothing.

5 – Label Boxes Clearly

While packing the contents of the house into boxes may take months, families who move want to unpack as quickly as possible at the other end of their journey. Label the boxes with the room they should go in or with a list of contents of each box. This will make it easy for the moving company or your family to put the boxes where they go right away as they are carried into your new home.

6 – Pay Attention to Box Order

When packing the moving truck, pay attention to which boxes go in first and which go in last. Items of necessity, such as the coffee maker, clothing and school or business supplies should be in one of the last boxes loaded. This means you will have access to these things right away after the move.

7 – Research Moving Companies

Do not trust your belongings to just anyone. Get recommendations from friends and family and research reviews online or whatever moving company you decide to hire.

8 – Check Out Cheaper Options

Moving everything yourself is always a less expensive option. Consider rental trucks that you drive yourself if you do not have a very large amount of things or large furniture to load. Other options include Pods, which are freight trailers you load and unload yourself and are transported via truck.

9 – Take Essentials in the Car

Whatever is necessary immediately after the move should be transferred in your car. This includes a few changes of clothes, medications, pet supplies and a few choice toys for the kids. If the moving company is delayed for any reason, you will still have enough stuff to survive until they arrive.

10 – Take Your Time

To reduce stress of a move and make everything go more smoothly, start packing months in advance if possible. Anything that is currently stored in closets, the basement or attics can be packed and made ready to transfer. Doing everything at the last minute is difficult.

Featured Property for Sale in College Station, TX

 

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor Bryan-College Station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable and fast sell of your home. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes in College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904