Tips to Choose a Great Realtor

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Finding someone you trust to help you through the process of buying or selling a home is very important. Here are some qualities you’ll find in a great realtor in College Station, TX. 

Pick a Winner

A hard-working, go-getter of an agent is good, which is why it´s a great idea to meet realtors out in their working environment, and not in their offices. A good realtor doesn´t spend much time sitting behind a desk.

Select a Realtor with the Right Credentials

Local knowledge is particularly critical - especially in Brazos Valley, TX. A knowledgeable agent is one of the most important components when buying a home especially if it’s your first time. They should have experience and should be able to guide you through the complexities of the process including lender info that you will have to provide. The loan process has become much more demanding and complex in recent years.

While all realtors are versed in the law relating to real estate, not all of them communicate well. Find a realtor that will answer your questions and help you understand the process. A realtor that is aloof may not be a realtor for very long. Experienced realtors communicate well.

Make sure you work with a licensed realtor. All realtors have to go through extensive training and testing in order to work in their field. Other people may say they can help you through the process, but that doesn’t make them qualified.

Also, find a realtor that has experience in the kind of transaction you’re looking for. Whether it’s renting, buying, or selling, choosing an experienced realtor to help you is the best idea. Everyone has to start somewhere, but that doesn’t mean they have to start with your sale.

Do your Homework
Does your realtor have an online presence? Do they list houses online? If not, this might not be the best agent for you. In this computer age, home listings should be available electronically.

Take a Look at Current Listings

When listing in today's market, all listings from small to big should have professional looking photos - this is the first sign of a professional realtor who understands today's market. Nowadays almost all potential buyers begin the search for a new home online, typically at one of the major real estate websites like realtor.com, Zillow, and Trulia.

Market analysis has shown that the average user spends a total of 26 minutes browsing Realtor.com, with the majority of that time spent looking through listing photos. Such behavior has made it possible or a buyer to sift through tens, if not hundreds of listings each time they visit a site. Having that in mind, it should be obvious that a strong, professional photo presence draws more viewers, which in turn translates to more showings when compared to listings without professional photography.

An agent doesn´t have to be a photographer but should be able to know the difference between a good photo and a not so good (or downright bad) photo, avoiding using poor quality images in his/her listings.

9 Problem Areas Often Found in Home Inspections

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When you’re buying a new home, a home inspection is an important part of the process. Do your research to find a licensed home inspector.  You can also get some tips from your realtor. Your College Station realtor will be able to help you because her clients have worked with many local inspectors. 

No house is perfect. Some issues found during the inspection are no big deal, while others could cost a lot to fix. Knowing the difference is important. When an inspection turns up a problem, make sure to get as many details as possible. If necessary, you might want to get a repair estimate or two in order to make sure you know what you are getting into.  Some repairs can be delayed while others are more pressing concerns. 

These are some of the most common problem areas:

1. Roofing: issues with roofing may be caused by improper installation, age, and wear, or storm damage. These can range from a minor repair of a few shingles to needing a new roof. 

2. Water heater/Plumbing: Whether it’s a problem with the water heater itself, or the area it sits in not being up to code, this one can vary in how much time and money will be needed to fix it.  

3. HVAC: It could be air flow, simply needing a new air filter, code violations, combustion issues, as well as other issues may arise. Some are very cheap and easy to fix. 

4. Electrical: This can be anything from a single DIY outlet project a former owner has undertaken, or it can be a larger issue that should be given attention. Also, the circuit breaker panel may be out of date and not up to current code.  

5. Foundation: As with any other issue, you need to get as many details as possible. Your inspector may recommend that the foundations be evaluated by a professional. Repair costs can be anywhere from $500 to over $10,000. 

6. Appliances: It’s important that every appliance that is coming with the house be checked to make sure it’s in working order. It’s also a good idea to ask if they are under warranty.

7. Walls, floors, ceilings, and windows can have many minor defects that aren’t a big concern. But there are other issues that might warrant further investigation. Windows and doors should be checked for a good seal. It’s also important to look for signs of rotting wood and termite damage.

8. Environmental issues: Mold, lead-based paint, radon, and asbestos are all concerning, Your inspector may suggest that it be evaluated by a professional to see how extensive the problem, if any, really is. 

9. Drainage: You want to make sure that any property you purchase can handle a little rain. You might not see a problem yourself when you see the property during a hot Texas summer, but your inspector will. Water damage is expensive to repair, so having an inspector find signs of a potential problem could save you money in the future.

Buying a home may be the largest investment you ever make, so making sure you have all the facts ahead of time is vital. If you’re still concerned after the inspection that something may go wrong, you may be able to negotiate for a home warranty or buy one yourself. That way your real estate investment will have additional protection. 

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4303 Willowick Drive, Bryan, TX 77802

4303 Willowick Drive, Bryan, TX 77802

How Properties Are Valued

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Unlike most of the things we buy, the value of real estate is generally a long-term investment. It’s important to know the fundamentals of real estate economics when you begin your search. This will help you find exactly what you are looking for much faster than just diving in. This is also why it’s important to work with a local realtor in College Station who knows the market and the properties, and can help you with these fundamentals.
Because of the time scales involved, an estimate of a property's value must take into consideration any governmental controls on the property (historical sites, ecological and environmental considerations, zoning, etc.), economic trends, and social trends that influence the four elements of value:

• Demand: The number of buyers looking for property on the market.
• Utility: (Use): The suitability of the property for the buyer’s needs.
• Supply: The number of properties available on the market.
• Transferability: The speed and ease of transferring ownership.

Demand is fairly straightforward. When you are looking for property, you are part of the overall demand. If there are many buyers looking for the same kind of property in the same price range, the demand is high. If there are only a few people, or they are all looking for different kinds and price ranges, then demand is low. Your local realtor will be able to tell you more about the demand in the area.

Utility is also something your local realtor will speak with you about. Whether you are looking for a place to build your dream home, a starter home, or that perfect place you can really make your own, there are a lot of possibilities. Your realtor will make sure to get to know you and your needs so that you can find the best place for you.

Supply is in the same boat with demand. If there are a lot of sellers, but not many buyers, that can greatly affect price. The same is true for having many buyers, but few sellers. These things can fluctuate rapidly, so it is in your best interest to have someone who can keep an eye on all the variables that will affect your purchase. 

Your College Station realtor will be able to walk you through what is going on in the local market so that you can make an informed decision.

Transferability is also an extremely important aspect of the value of a property. Does the owner have the title free and clear? That is always a nice scenario. But there are issues that can arise if there are trusts or other restrictions on the property. It is vital to have someone knowledgeable at your side in order to make decisions about whether or not to make a bid on a property that may require jumping through a few hoops. 

Even if you are willing to jump through some hoops for the right property for you, you want to make sure that you see them all before you start jumping.

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17334 Sioux Springs Dr

What’s the difference between a short sale and a foreclosure?

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When you’re looking for a new home you might consider buying short-sales and foreclosures.  The process for buying these houses is a little different than the usual process, but your realtor can help you navigate the twists and turns. Here’s some information to help you understand these topics.

Short Sales

A short sale happens when the seller and the involved lien holders are willing to sell a property for less than is owed on the property. In other words, the amount received from the sale will fall short of covering the debts owed to the lien holders. This may happen if the property value has declined or if the seller has fallen on hard times financially.

If you’re wanting a speedy transaction, a short sale may not be for you. Your qualified College Station realtor can negotiate the price of the property with the seller, but all price changes are subject to approval from what could be multiple lien holders.

Purchasing a short sale will be easier if you’re the only buyer. With multiple buyers involved the process can be even slower. See if your realtor can negotiate with the seller’s agent to ensure that your offer is the only one they will be considering. With that out of the way, the process may move slightly faster.

Foreclosures

A foreclosure means that a homeowner defaulted on their loan and now a bank owns the property outright. Often, these properties may need some TLC.  Foreclosures often have some overdue home repairs that the previous owners could not afford to make. If you can afford to make these repairs and you have the time to do so, you can consider buying a foreclosure.

One benefit that short sales and foreclosures have is that they tend to be priced lower than similar houses in the area. You could end up getting a very good deal.  However, you need to look at what you’re paying for before you make a decision. Getting a home inspection will help you decide if you can afford to do all of the maintenance the house may need after prolonged neglect. Not all foreclosures or short sales are in poor condition, but it is something to be prepared for.

In the case of a short sale and a foreclosure, it’s important to have a realtor help you navigate the buying process. Negotiating with banks can be a daunting process if you’re trying to do it alone.  Hire an experienced realtor to help you so that you can be sure you get the best possible deal and that you’re aware of all of the possible problems.

While the prices of short sales and foreclosures are tempting, they aren’t for everyone. They’re time-consuming and there are likely costs to repair the property. If this bothers you, consider a traditional sale. You can still get a good deal when dealing with a homeowner that isn’t in financial trouble. What’s even better is that those properties are more likely to be well cared for.  

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17288 Indian Lakes Dr, College Station, TX

  17288 Indian Lakes Dr, College Station, TX