4 Steps to Changing Your Address When You Move

Moving is an involved process, and it seems like there are dozens of minor details that have to be juggled in the process. Among all the other elements, the idea of having to change your address can seem frustrating. It’s even more frustrating considering the amount of bills you receive regularly, checks from work, and other relevant pieces of mail. Where do you start, and how can you be sure that you caught everything? That’s why we’ve provided a step-by-step process to make sure your change of address goes as smoothly as you hope the move itself will.

Start Early

As soon as you know your move-in date, start planning your change of address. Make a list of everyone you’ll need to notify: the post office, tax agencies, employers, banks, social security if it applies. Of course, if you still have a month or so to go before the move, you don’t want to change your address too soon — otherwise your bills will reach the new address before you do. However, knowing how long you have will offer you the exact timeline in which to change your address.

Change Online Profiles

Changing your address is easier now than ever. We live so much of our lives online, and even when you have paper billing, many organizations such as banks or utility companies, have websites on which you probably have an account. Your address is stored in these online accounts often, and you can easily go in and edit it. No need to leave your house and it takes only moments. If you’re unable to edit your profile, you can always call the company and have them edit your address from their end.

Notify the Post Office

If you’re worried about missing anything, this is one of the most important steps. If you fill out a change of address with the post office, anything billed to your old address will be forwarded to your new address for the first twelve months. By then, all of your mail should have settled into your new address and you’ll know if anyone is still mistakenly sending mail to your old address. Again, it’s better to do this early, though not too early. 1-2 weeks before moving is your best bet to make sure you catch all your mail.

Tell Friends and Family

In the social media age, it’s likely that your friends and family will know that you’re planning to move. However, they might not know how soon or your exact address. Make sure you let everyone know your new address — at least everyone that you want to keep in touch with. You don’t want to miss wedding invitations or even an old fashioned letter if your friends are so inclined.

Want to make sure you didn’t miss anything when changing your address? Go over your process with your experienced College Station realtor. They’ve been through this all before and can help you ensure that you’re good to go before your move.

3 Things to Consider Before Finding Your Dream Home in College Station

Even though the process of moving can be, at times, overwhelming, the moment when you decide to move can be exciting. You feel motivated and hopeful about starting the next chapter of your life, sometimes in a new city with new friends and opportunities. However, don’t neglect the smaller details in your excitement. Take some time to consider exactly the kind of home you want, and where you’d be willing to compromise, before you start your house search.

Wants and Needs

One of the first things your College Station realtor might ask is what you need in your dream home and what you’d like. These are two separate lists. Needs are usually essentials: how many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need for your family to live comfortably? What kind of appliances do you need for your lifestyle? Any particular locations or accessibility issues? Your wish list should be the things you want, but can do without if absolutely necessary. Maybe you’d love to have a fireplace, or you’ve dreamed of having a gas stove, but you can live with an electric stove if you find a place that has everything else. Make sure you prioritize strategically and understand the difference between your wants and needs.

Location

If you’re new to the area, it’s a good idea to do a little research on local neighborhoods, but your realtor will also be able to provide you with plenty of information there. Your location can be incredibly important, both to the kinds of homes you’ll be looking at as well as your current situation in life. For instance, if you have young kids, you may want to be close to local schools. If you work downtown, you might want to cut down on your commute. If you’re a retiree, maybe you want to live in a quieter part of town or somewhere close to a golf course or other leisure activities. Are you looking for a family home or an apartment? Your location will factor into the kinds of homes you find as well.

Realtors

Finally, don’t forget to consider what you want in a realtor. While it’s legally possible to buy a new home without a realtor, it’s really not advisable, as your realtor is your agent to ensure that you get a fair deal and find the home that works best for you. The ideal realtor should be local to the area in which you’re searching for a home, with plenty of experience there so that they have personal knowledge of neighborhoods, schools, and the local housing market. You want someone with experience and a great reputation, so that you know they have your back throughout the buying process. Whatever other considerations you might have before your big move, your realtor will be able to help you with them.

Moving to College Station is exciting, but it’s also a major decision. Talk to yourrealtor about any questions you might have today.

4 Reasons Buying is Cheaper than Renting in the Long Run

Often, when it comes down to the choice of renting or buying a home, people opt to rent. It’s simply “cheaper,” at least in the short term. And while certainly there are people who might struggle to be able to afford buying a hoe, the truth is that renting is only cheaper in the short term. In fact, a recent report from Trulia showed that buying a home is 26.3% cheaper than renting in 98 out of 100 metro areas in the United States. In certain areas of Texas, it’s actually 30% cheaper to buy your home than it is to rent.

Mortgage Payments vs. Monthly Rent

In both the cases of renting and buying, you will have to make monthly payments. However, monthly mortgage payments are finite and cover the cost of the house which you already own. Even if you rent the same home for over 30 years, you will still have to pay rent — monthly rent is infinite so long as you live in the house. Additionally, your mortgage loan is based on the lender’s review of your credit and finances, and there’s a little room for flexibility. In the case of rent, on the other hand, it’s difficult to choose an “income-based” plan. What you see is what you get, and in some cases, the landlord may even be able to raise the rent.

Buying Offers More Stability

One of the downsides to renting is that you’re essentially at the mercy of your landlord. If you don’t pay on time, they can legally evict you. However, even if you make every payment on time, ultimately you’re living in a property that someone else owns. They might decide to sell it or to move into it themselves. Going back to the point about renting the same home for 30 years, the reason that’s such an unheard of number is because of the natural instability of renting a home. So chances are, if you rent, you’ll have to move around and the cost of moving itself can be quite expensive. On the other hand, when you buy a home, it’s yours — unless you fall so far behind on mortgage payment that it would be seized by the bank. You can stay there for as long as you choose.

Buying Offers a Bigger ROI

When you rent a home and decide to move, you may be able to get your deposit back, but that’s about the only return on investment you’ll find. You don’t get to enjoy any increased home value, though your landlord might. However, when you buy a home, that’s an investment. You can upgrade it and boost your home value, so that when you move, you’re able to sell it for more money than you originally bought it. Keep an eye on the changing housing market, however, especially the appreciation and depreciation of the value of homes in your neighborhood.

Buying Offers Tax Benefits

Buying a home means you’re subject to property taxes, but mortgage debt and other property taxes can be itemized as tax deductions to help you save come tax time. In many areas, making energy efficient upgrades will also allow you some tax benefit. Again, when you rent a home, that’s all out of your hands.

See the big picture when it comes to buying your home? Next, talk to a College Stationrealtor about finding the perfect home both for now and for an investment in the long-term.

Top 4 Bryan-College Station Breweries

If you want a good idea of the local flavor of your new home, one place to look is local breweries. Bryan-College Station locals take pride in their breweries. Often, it’s more than simply the place where the beer is made. It’s a place to gather with friends or family over a burger and a unique draft beer. Beer enthusiasts may even be able to take a tour to see what goes into the brewing process. There are several breweries in BCS, but if you’re interested in exploring them, here’s where we think you should start.

New Republic Brewing

If you want to start a tour of College Station’s breweries, this is the best place to start. It’s the oldest brewery in town, going back to 2010. You may have already seen some of their brews in local stores. They have quirky, characteristic names like Dammit Jim, a hoppy amber ale, and Whipsaw Double IPA. The friendly owner, Dean, is usually available when you visit this brewery and willing to give a tour of the brewery.

Blackwater Draw Brewing

This charming microbrewery and brewpub can be found in downtown Bryan, though it’s a little further away from the crowd. It’s worth the search, however. They don’t have a large selection of beers, but the selection they have is all refreshing and delightfully crafted. With finished wood tables and counters, ambient lighting, and even barrels positioned as seats, this brewery isn’t just a good place to get a drink — it’s a place to hang out.

Brazos Valley Brewery

This brewery is a little bit out of the way, in the same county as Bryan-College Station, but actually located in the town of Brenham. However, Brazos Valley Brewery oozes local flavor, and their beer selection is worth the visit. They’re the creators of the 7 Spanish Angels Coffee Ale, a collaboration with Independence Coffee Company, as well as the Aggieland football inspired brew, 13th Can. They have a patio open on weekend afternoons and evenings where you can enjoy a brew on tap with friends. You can also take a tour upon request.

Hullabaloo Brew Co.

Hullabaloo started incredibly local, just a small family brewery in College Station. Since 2011, they’ve established retail locations in College Station, Brenham, Wellborn, and Bryan. In College Station, you can enjoy dinner and a good brew at Hullabaloo Diner. They serve both beer and wine and even present a live music festival in the autumn to complement their fantastic flavors. This brewery and its retail locations have just about everything a College Station beer enthusiast or foodie could hope for.

These are just a few of the breweries that College Station has to offer, and the breweries in College Station are just a tip of the iceberg of our local gastronomy. The best way to get to know the food and drink scene in College Station is to head out and explore it for yourself. Talk to your College Station realtor about more local breweries and restaurants around your dream home.