What Kind of Home Do You Need?

Are you a young professional or do you have a large family? Do you love to entertain or do you want your home to be an escape from the rat race of the city? Can you afford a house or is a two bedroom apartment with a roommate more within your budget? Any pets? Whatever your situation, Bryan-College Station has something for you. The college city has the amenities and conveniences of a city with the laid back, friendly feeling of a small town. You can even find a home in Brazos Valley outside of BCS for an even quieter atmosphere. It all comes down to the kind of home you need.

Apartment

Apartments are the cheapest option, and they’re convenient for young professionals: just enough room to live comfortably and save money while you’re at it. You’ll find more apartments closer to the city, typically, so if you’re a student or you work in downtown Bryan or College Station, but don’t want a long commute, an apartment might be the best choice for you. Apartments are especially convenient if you take public transportation. On the other hand, if you’re a young couple that wants to start a family, you may find that an apartment will quickly become crowded. This is also not the best option if your pets need space to run around, since you won’t have your own fenced in backyard. Even if you have an indoor pet, make sure you pay close attention to the building’s rules about pets. Some buildings only allow cats, while others allow cats and dogs but only dogs of a certain size.

Townhouse or Condo

A townhouse or condo is a perfect compromise for someone who needs more space than an apartment but can’t afford or doesn’t yet have the need for a family home. A townhouse is a single family home, usually two stories but sometimes three stories, attached by a common wall to another identical single family home. With a townhouse, you typically have your own yard and a bit more space to move around, but it’s still more affordable than buying a house. A condo, or condominium, is a living unit within a larger complex of living units all in the same structure. It’s similar to apartment living, but you have more space and own your own living space, which means you have more freedom when it comes to pets and decorating (although you will likely be part of an HOA). Condos include community amenities like gyms, pools, and roof access, while townhouses allow more independence. 

House

If you can afford a house, it’s the best option possible. A house allows you the freedom to have up to four pets (by city ordinance), to decorate or renovate as you please, and there’s plenty of room to entertain or have guests over. A house can be convenient for a young professional or family. Houses are the most expensive option, and the closer you are to city conveniences, the more a house will cost. If you work in Bryan-College Station, it may be helpful to find a home in Brazos Valley outside of the city limits to save on cash. Whatever your preference, it helps to talk to an experienced realtor who knows the area by heart. She can find you a home that suits your needs for your particular situation, and she can find you the best deals on the home you need.

There’s no doubt, Bryan-College Station has the home you need. Call your realtor today to find it. 

Home For Sale in College Station TX 

Sarah Miller, yor 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!

Is Now the Right Time to Buy A Home in Bryan-College Station?

There are several things to consider in finding a location for your new home, especially in this economy. It’s important to know not just the community and the types of homes available in the area, but the current housing market trends. Bryan-College Station is a wonderful community, with the conveniences of a college city and the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of a small town. But is the market a buyer’s market or a seller’s market? What kind of homes can you expect to find on your house hunt? Here, we’ll answer everything you need to know to decide if it’s the right time to move to Bryan-College Station.

The Market

The housing market in Bryan-College Station has gone through several changes just in the last decade. In 2008-2012, it was considered a buyer’s market, which means the number of homes for sale had increased to the advantage of people who wanted to move to Bryan-College Station. However, as Bryan-College Station became a more up-and-coming place to live and homes were snatched up, the number of available homes for sale decreased. In 2013-2014, the number of homes for sale decreased while the amount of units (apartments and condos) for sale increased. By 2015, Bryan-College Station was officially a seller’s market, with available homes for sale decreased to the advantage of the seller. In 2016, however, the market started to even out and that carried through to 2017, creating a market ripe for both buyers and sellers.

Types of Homes Available and Where to Find Them

           

Market studies show the sale of units is still down from previous years, although total sales are up. The cost of apartments may be more competitive, especially in College Station itself, but it could be a great time to find a house. The price of housing is still rather competitive the closer buyers are to College Station and downtown Bryan. The close proximity to Texas A&M and several good elementary, middle, and high schools make this area a coveted place to live. For this reason, buyers who want to save money might want to ask their realtor about the outer Brazos Valley, especially buyers who like to purchase land as well as homes.

The Community

Bryan-College Station is the perfect community for individuals or families who enjoy the conveniences of a city but prefer a more laid back, small town atmosphere to live. College Station is known as the home of Texas A&M University and, of course, Aggies sports. During football season, Aggies fans from all over the country will flock to Kyle Stadium, “Home of the 12th Man.” Bryan-College Station has excellent schools, beautiful parks, shops, restaurants, and activities for the whole family to enjoy. It’s a terrific choice for students moving out on their own for the first time, families, and young professionals. Ask your experienced Bryan-College Station realtor for the latest information about the housing market and the best times to find your home in Bryan-College Station. We look forward to having you here. 

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!

Finding the Perfect Home for Your Pet

Do you remember the story about the woman who called off her wedding because he told her she would have to give up her dog? It might seem silly to some, but not if you have a dog of your own. Our pets are precious to us. They’re part of the family. Pets are often a make-or-break factor when it comes to finding a new home. If the home isn’t right for your furry friend, it’s not right for you. Luckily, the right realtor can help you find a home that’s perfect for you and your pet.  Here are some things to keep in mind.

Is Your Pet an Indoor or Outdoor Pet?

This is the first question you should ask. Is your dog or cat used to spending more time outside or do they prefer the indoors? If you have an indoor pet, you only have to focus on the house itself. If your pet spends most of their time outdoors, or goes back and forth, however, you need to find a house that has a decent backyard and an enclosed fence. This raises more issues. If the house has a backyard, but not an enclosure, how much would it cost to put up a fence? How much maintenance will the yard require, and do you have time for that? What is the weather typically like in this area? These are all important to consider when searching for a home with a backyard for your dog.

What is Your Pet’s Energy Level?

Even if you have an indoor pet, consider their energy level. Are they more laid back, happy to just lie by the window or curl up for cuddles? Or do they like to run around and play? If you have a high energy pet, you’ll need to be able to give them enough exercise so they don’t take it out on your new home. If you have a cat, some toys or a scratch post may suffice. High energy dogs, however, require frequent walks. So, look at the neighborhood surrounding the house. Are there parks nearby where you can take the dog for a long romp? Do you have a sociable dog who loves to make friends with other dogs? Ask your realtor about the neighborhood and whether it’s a popular face for pets.

Will You Have an HOA?

An Homeowners Association can be appealing to homeowners who want to live in a certain type of neighborhood or have access to community amenities like pools and gyms. However, some HOAs have rules about pets. Some restrict the size or even breed of your dog. If you’re considering buying a property that comes with HOA fees, look carefully into any fees that might affect your pet. Have your realtor look into those policies as well, and discuss carefully whether you and your pet can live with those regulations.

The best way to find a home that suits both you and your pet is to find a realtor who knows the area by heart. She can tell you all the options for you and the furry members of your family, and show you the best homes and neighborhoods for your pet. Call your Bryan-College Station realtor today to the best move for you and your pet.

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!

Autumn in Brazos Valley, Texas

Brazos Valley is a beautiful area year round, from the Texas A&M college campus to any of our parks and tree-covered walking paths. In autumn, though, as the leaves change on the Texas red oaks and Chinese Pistachio trees, it’s a striking sight to behold. There are a number of festivals, sporting events, and reasons to get out and explore College Station and the surrounding area this fall. Here’s everything you can expect about Brazos Valley as fall nears

Weather

Summer might be ending, but this is still Texas. The warm weather takes a while to give way to true fall temperatures. Average highs in September are still in the 90s for the most part, dipping down to the low 80s towards the end of the month. Even night time temperatures are likely to stay in the high 70s for most of the month. It will be November before highs in the 70s and 60s will become the norm. Expect clear skies in September, though, and a break from the humidity. Through most of September, the leaves on the trees will remain green, but in October you can start to see the colorful beginnings of fall foliage.

Festivals and Events

As the heat starts to become less overbearing, residents of College Station and the surrounding Brazos Valley start finding more reasons for fun activities outdoors. September offers events for a variety of interests. There’s the Kolache Festival in Caldwell on September 9 for pastry lovers, including a Bake Show and Kolache Eating Contest. Market on the Green farmer’s market on the college green at Texas A&M is September 18 and the Brazos Bluebonnet Quilt Guild Annual Quilt Show is September 22-23. Perhaps most popular is the Texas Reds Steak & Grape festival in downtown Bryan, running from September 22-24. Over 40 wineries and breweries will be present this year, along with craft vendors, artists, and live music. This year, Grammy nominated Deana Carter will be there to play for festival attendants.

 School Year

September is a busy time for College Station, as school starts back up from the elementary schools to the popular Texas A&M. The return of out-of-state students means that the population swells in late August and September, but it also means the return of the much-loved Aggie sports teams. The first Aggies football game this year will be September 9 against Nicholls University at Clayton Williams, Jr. Alumni station. September is also a great time to refresh your kids’ book collection, and the Children’s Museum of Brazos Valley is happy to assist. They’ll hold a Book Swap on September 2nd. Bring your old books and go home with new books. What’s not to love about that?

Are you planning a move to Brazos Valley this fall? Your local experienced realtor is happy to help you settle in. She knows the area by heart and can tell you everything to expect about autumn in beautiful, lively central Texas. Contact her today, and you can make it out here before the leaves start to fall.

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!