4 Tips to Make Staging A Success

Essentially, staging is fashioning it to look as though it’s no longer your home so potential buyers can start to see it as their home. It can be challenging to step back and look at your home from someone else’s perspective, but if you stage your home effectively, it will go a long way towards selling your home. Your realtor can help with tips for reaching a broader market or covering staging costs. Here are a few tips to make sure your staging is a hit and helps potential buyers fall in love with your home:

Start Outside

When people think of staging, they often think of the living room, entryway, or maybe the kitchen and dining area. But the first thing potential buyers will see is your curb, so you want to work on curb appeal first.

Keep your siding and walkways clean and neat, power washing if you need to. If you have a flowerbed, make sure it’s neatly trimmed and cared for. If not, consider planting a few flowers to stand out. Mow the lawn and repaint if your paint is starting to fade a bit. Add friendly, welcoming elements like potted plants or a welcome mat to your porch. Perhaps most importantly, take a look at your house numbers. Are they easy to read from the street? If not, fix that right away. Buyers need to be able to find your home in order to consider it.

Clean House

Before you give the interior of your home a makeover, you want to clean. Wipe down all surfaces, pick up any toys, put any dishes in the sink or dry rack back where they belong, and make sure every bed is made. And keep the house clean throughout the selling process. This is also a good time to remove any personal items like family photos or make any cosmetic repairs that you might have let slide while you lived in the house.

Opt for Lighter Colors

When you’re designing the room for yourself, it’s only your personal taste that matters. If you like deep burgundy walls or darker curtains, suit yourself. When staging, however, you have to think of the wider audience. Lighter colors typically go over more successfully because they help the room to look lighter, airier, even larger. If you have dark curtains, you especially want to make sure to replace them with lighter curtains to let in as much sunlight as possible.

Keep It Uncluttered

Every room in your home should have clear walkways for potential buyers as they tour, and it should feel spacious enough for them to move through comfortably. Removing personal elements like family photos and toys will go a long way. So will removing any unnecessary furniture. Your realtor may pay for new furniture to be brought in for staging and for old furniture to be removed. You may not need to go with a fully minimalist look, but the more space, the better. It will not only make buyers more comfortable but make your home appear more spacious.

Your best resource when staging your home is your realtor. Contact a College Station Realtor today to get started on the process of making your home ready for its new owners and making you ready for a successful sale.

Places to Go Swimming in Bryan-College Station With the Kids This Summer

Summer is here, and the kids are out of school. It can be a blessing as well as a challenge. It’s a great opportunity to spend quality time in your new home and community with your family, but you also want to make sure that your kids stay entertained so that they’re not going stircrazy at home. Swimming is a perfect summer activity that the whole family can enjoy, both at a pool or at a lake surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. Bryan-College Station has several options to choose from, but here are a few of our favorites:

Lake Bryan

Lake Bryan is surrounded by a 125-acre park, so if you’re looking for a calm day to enjoy the flora and fauna of nature, this is the perfect place to go for a swim. It’s perfect for the whole family. Kids can go swimming or play on the beach, and adults who want to can take a boat out or jetski for something a little more exciting. You can even enjoy RV camping here with a reservation, so you can make a few days of fun in the sun and the water out of it. Of course, if you live locally, you can take a day trip whenever the weather and your summer schedule permits. You can also grab a meal at the Lakeside Icehouse nearby.

Bryan Aquatic Center

But if you’re looking for something a little more controlled and structured, check out Bryan Aquatic Center. The pool is heated year round so even in winter, you can still visit this spot, but it’s busiest in summer of course. There’s something for everyone here: an Olympic-sized pool, a massive swirling water slide, a kiddie pool, lap swimming, and two diving boards. It’s a popular spot during the summer, so this is also a great place for your kids to make friends — and maybe you’ll even be able to make friends with other parents yourself.

Adamson Lagoon

Can’t afford a tropical vacation this year? Stop by the tropical-themed Adamson Lagoon Pool, a mini-water park that might just have everything you need to cool down. Here you’ll find another Olympic-sized pool, water slides, “lily pads” and rafts for kids to play on, and a baby pool for the littlest ones. As a water park, they’re also fully equipped with a bathhouse where you can change and shower as well as concession stands to keep you refreshed.

Cindy Hallaran Pool

This College Station pool is smaller than the others, but an excellent option for new swimmers. 25 yards in length, this pool has a gentle decline of depth that, at the deepest, is just 4 feet. However, there’s a water slide, poolside amenities, and they even include a “Doggie Day” in August, where you can take even the furry members of your family to check out the pool.

Looking for a dream home in Bryan-College Station close to places where you can take the family swimming? Talk to a College Station realtor today about the perfect place for your moving wish list.

Are You Ready For Your Open House

Open houses aren’t for every home seller, but if you have the right location and a housing market that works in your favor, it can be a great advantage when it comes to selling your house. Talk to a College Station realtor about whether or not an open house is the right choice for your listing. If so, however, it’s not a process you want to rush. How can you be sure that you’re ready for your open house? Follow these tips before you start to promote the big day.

Is Your Home Upgraded?

Before you even start listing your home, you should make sure you’ve repaired everything that needs to be repaired and made upgrades that will give you an edge in the market. Swap out your outdated kitchen and bathroom appliances for more modern ones. Invest in energy efficient windows and doors. Is your exterior paint fading? Time to repaint for a fresh look. Keep your lawn in trim shape and maybe add a few attractive features to boost your curb appeal.

Have You Staged Your Home?

Staging is an important step whether you plan open house or private viewings. It can also be a painful process for homeowners. Essentially, you have to remove the personal elements that made your house your own from view so that prospective buyers can see it not as your home but, hopefully, as their future home. Photos, toys and trinkets, and anything personal to your family should be removed. You may also have to rearrange your furniture to create a layout that appeals to more people, and may even need to remove some of your furniture for the time. If you have pets, you’ll want to keep them with friends or at a kennel for the day, and make sure to clean up any dander. Your realtor can help you determine what needs to stay and go when staging your home.

Have You Picked the Best Time?

Timing is everything when it comes to planning your open house. If potential buyers have to even consider taking time off work to view your house, there’s a good chance they’ll decide to skip it. The timing should be convenient to the most potential buyers. Sunday afternoon for about 2-4 hours is usually the most popular time. You also want to keep an eye on the weather. If it’s rainy or there’s some other adverse weather, you might have a smaller showing than you’d like. Better to have to reschedule for a fairer weather day than to stick to the original date and expect potential buyers to brave cold or stormy weather.

Once your house is staged and upgraded and the date is set, time to start printing out flyers with pictures of your house, posting social media events, and spreading the news. Of course, your realtor will be your best resource when it comes to marketing your open house and the listing in general. Talk to a College Station realtor today to get ready for your open house.

How to Know When It’s Time to Sell Your Home

It can be hard to know when you’re ready to sell your home. Maybe you’re eager to move and find a change of scenery. On the other hand, maybe you’ve lived in your home for years or decades and it’s hard to objectively tell when it’s the right time to let go. However, timing when it comes to selling your home is as important as timing in buying a home. If the housing market is wrong when you list your home, it may be on the market for months. If your finances aren’t ready, you could easily find yourself overwhelmed. Here are a few ways to know that it’s time to sell your home.

You Have Positive Equity

Don’t even consider selling your home without first figuring out how much equity you have. Equity is your home value less the amount of money that you owe on the home. In a housing crisis, many homeowners have negative equity, which means that paying off their mortgage would cost more than they would be able to get for the home. This is obviously not ideal unless you’re simply desperate to move. Ask a real estate agent to come up with an estimate for your home’s market value and compare that with the amount you still owe on your mortgage. Are you in the black? Then you’re probably safe to sell your home.

You’re Prepared For Obstacles

Everyone would love their home sale to go off without a hitch. They find the right real estate agent, list their home, and find the perfect buyer who makes a fair offer almost right away. However, it’s most likely that you’ll run into one problem or another when trying to sell your home. Maybe you struggle to find the right buyer. Maybe you need to make major renovations before you can list the home. Or maybe you receive an offer that seems perfect right away or multiple offers at the same time, but you want to ensure that you don’t rush into things. Do you know how you’ll respond to these obstacles? Discuss with your realtor common problems that might come up when selling your home and how to approach them.

You’re Emotionally Ready

Your feelings do matter when it comes to selling your home. After all, selling can be a stressful process, as well as a draining one. Your home is full of memories, and sometimes it can be hard to let go of those memories, even when you have to. Take some time to make sure you’re emotionally ready to let go of the home. If you live there with your family, sit everyone down and discuss the move so that you can know how everyone feels. You can discuss where to go in the next chapter of your life together, and you may find yourself excited about what comes next. Selling your home may not ever be easy, but you can be sure that you’re ready to move on before you do.

So is it the right time to sell your home? Talk to a College Station realtor today about how to ensure you’re ready and the steps to take to ensure a successful sale. How to Know When It’s Time to Sell Your Home

3 Reasons Your Home Isn’t Selling

Home sellers are often so anxious to close on the house so they can continue with their move that any amount of time on the market can feel like too long. However, if your home has been listed for longer than 30 days and you still haven’t found a buyer, there could be an actual problem with your listing. Whether it’s the house or the list price, it’s something you’ll want to take care of as soon as possible. The longer your house is on the market, the harder time you’ll have finding interested buyers. Can’t put your finger on why your home isn’t selling? Here are a few common reasons.

Your Online Listing

As we move further and further into the age of social media, online listings that are easy to find are essential to selling your home. A 2017 survey by the National Association of Realtors® found that 44% of buyers look at online properties first to narrow down their list. Additionally, your listing photos should be high quality. 89% relied on listing photos. If your listing photos don’t grab the attention of buyers from the moment they find your listing online, they may never bother to see your house in person.

Your List Price

Can’t find anything wrong with the staging of your home? Maybe you’re scratching your head because you’ve made all the necessary upgrades and repairs and your curb appeal is neat and eye-grabbing, but your house still won’t sell. If you can’t find anything wrong with the property itself, chances are your list price is too high. Talk to your realtor about what’s realistic for your property and lower it accordingly. If you don’t think the price needs to be lowered, consider changing your marketing strategy to attract buyers who will see the value in the home.

The Time of Year

There are no strict seasons when it comes to buying and selling homes. You can choose to list your home at any time of year, and there will be people who choose to move at any time of year. However, there are times when it will be easier to sell your home than others. In College Station, late spring/early summer is the time when people are most likely to move, especially for family homes. It allows kids in school to finish out the year in one place and start the year fresh in the next place. College students at Texas A&M will also be more likely to move around that time. You’ll have the best luck selling your home when you plan it according to market trends throughout the year.

Selling your home can be a tricky process, with so many variables that are important to your success. It helps to have a professional on your side to guide you through the process and negotiate with your best interests in mind. Contact your experienced College Station realtor today for more information about how to get your home off the market sooner.

4 Things to Consider When Estimating Moving Costs

No one planning to move thinks that the cost will be easy. It’s one of the most dreaded aspects of moving, and the reason that moving can take months or years to plan. But when you’re planning to move, it’s best to have as clear an idea as possible of what the move will cost so you can budget accordingly. In fact, if your estimate has to skew one way or the other, it’s better to assume moving will cost more than it actually will. That said, the cost of your move varies based on a few different factors. Here are a few things to consider that will have an effect on your particular moving costs:

Distance and Location

One of the factors that will most impact the cost of actually moving is the distance. If you’re moving to a new neighborhood within your city, the mileage for the moving company will be reasonably low. If you’re moving across the country, on the other hand, your moving costs will be significant purely on the basis of traveling from point A to point B. Consider, also, the actual neighborhood into which you move. If you’re moving into the heart of the city, you’re more likely to have an expensive move, whereas affordable neighborhoods on the outskirts will allow you to save a little more.

Home Value

If you own a home already, chances are you’ll sell it before you move. The price you receive for selling that home will impact what you can spend on your new home, so your home value can be an important factor when it comes to your moving costs. This is why many homeowners planning to sell their home will take steps to update their home, boost their curb appeal, or stage it in an appealing way before moving, in hopes of receiving a greater ROI.

Size of the New Home

Are you moving into a studio apartment or a 3-story family home? This will make a difference not just in the cost of buying the home, but the cost to furnish and, to an extension, the cost of the movers. If you’re moving into a family home, for example, you’ll probably have more furniture and belongings that will need to be loaded into the moving truck, whereas a studio apartment is a smaller space and calls for more minimal living.

Moving Method

Many homeowners prefer to hire a moving company, and there are good reasons for this. It can take much of the stress off of the homeowner in terms of packing and moving. However, if you’re moving on a budget, know that hiring a moving company isn’t the only answer. You may be able to avoid the costs of a moving company if you have a friend who has a truck, but the further away you plan to move, the trickier it might be to arrange a ride for free. You can also consider renting a truck yourself, which will cost but not as much as hiring a moving company.

When trying to estimate your moving costs and develop a realistic budget, it helps to talk to someone who’s an expert in the area of buying and selling homes and can ensure that you get the best deal for your budget. Talk to an experienced, College Station realtor about what to expect from your moving costs today.

How to Find the Best Moving Company for Your Move

Anyone who’s moved before will tell you it’s a hassle. The boxes, the loading, the unloading, all of it is very stressful. One way to take some of the load off yourself during the process is to hire a professional moving company. With professional movers, all you have to worry about is the packing and unpacking. That sounds a lot less stressful than doing everything yourself, doesn’t it? Before hiring a moving company, it’s important to know what to look for, and what to run from. Here are a few tips to help you make sure the moving company you choose is the best one for the job.

Experience is Key

When you’re hiring someone to move all of your things, you need to be able to trust their ability to do the job. Ask about the experience level of the company and the movers they employ. Don’t be afraid to call references and check reviews online before hiring a company. You need to be able to trust the company you hire and that means hiring someone with plenty of experience.

What if Something Goes Wrong? 

Before hiring a company, take a look at what type of liability coverage they offer you in case of a mistake or accident that results in your property being damaged. Accidents and damage to property shouldn’t happen, but it could, you need to know you’re covered if it does. Some companies will cover the full cost of a damaged item during a move, while others may only cover part of the cost. Finding a company that offers the best coverage possible will put your mind at ease on the big moving day.

Think About What You’re Moving

Before hiring a company, ask them if there’s any items they don’t move. Some companies may not carry TV’s or other specialty items and if that’s the case you’ll need to plan accordingly. If you find a company you like, but they don’t move certain items, decide if that’s something you can handle moving yourself.

If you’re moving into an area with steep stairs or tight spaces be sure to tell the company that upfront so they can be prepared. There should be no surprises or miscommunication on the moving day so make sure they know and understand what you’re moving and where you’re moving it.

Talk to the Competition

Although the first company you talk to might seem like the perfect one, take some time to keep looking before you hire them. Talking to the competition and other moving companies in the area will give you a better idea of pricing, liability coverage, and time frames to be expected before settling on any one company. While the first company you talked to may end up being the best choice, at least you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you checked all the options. A great company should be able to tell you what sets them apart from the competition. 

Home Buying With Student Loan Debt: What You Need to Know

It’s an issue that haunts millennials and often keeps them from buying homes of their own. Between the mortgage application, credit checks, and the sheer cost of the new home, is it possible to buy a new home while you’re still paying off student loans? The truth is, of the more than 44 million student loan borrowers in this country, most under the age of 40, many managed to buy houses of their own even with their student loan. Student loans do present a challenge, but not an insurmountable challenge. Here’s what you need to know about buying a home with student loan debt and how to make it work for you:

Yes, You Can Get a Mortgage

The biggest concern is mortgage loans. There’s a popular misconception that those with student loan debts won’t be able to get approved for a mortgage loan, and that leads to many with student loan debts settling to rent a home instead of buying. However, the truth is that people with student loan debts get mortgage loans all the time. Mortgage lenders look at monthly debt commitments to see if you can afford to take on another monthly payment. The overall size of your debt is less likely to be taken into account.

Get Rid of Other Debts Where You Can

It is possible to get a mortgage while you have student loan debts, but you may want to cut back on other debts. For instance, if you can pay off your hospital bills or car payments before applying for your mortgage, that will only help you to look better to the lender. One of the biggest offenders when it comes to unnecessary debts is a credit card. It might seem convenient in the moment, but often it can become more expensive than it’s worth. If you want to really get yourself in financial shape before applying for your mortgage, pay off your credit card debts and then cancel it.

It’s About Timely Payments

Sometimes it’s not the size of your debt that stands out to mortgage lenders, but rather how often you make payments on time. After all, in today’s economy, almost everyone is in debt in some way or another. What’s important is how you handle that debt. If you pay your student loans on time every month, that tells mortgage lenders that you’re more likely to make your mortgage payments online. Making payments on time boosts your credit score, and that looks great to potential mortgage lenders.

Consider Adjusting Your Payments

If you’re struggling to make timely student loan payments, or you think adding monthly mortgage payments to the mix will tip you over, you’re probably paying too much per month for your student loans. Consider contacting your federal student lender about switching to an income driven repayment plan. These repayment plans are adjusted every year, based on the previous year’s taxes. They allow you to pay a manageable amount based on your income, so you have more room for, say, a mortgage.

Your College Station realtor can discuss different options with you when it comes to buying a home while paying off your student loans. The prospect might seem daunting, but with the right financial choices and timely payments, you can find a great starter home, even with student debt.

House For Sale in College Station

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! Sarah Miller, Associate RE/MAX BRYAN COLLEGE STATION 3030 University Dr East Ste 100, College Station, TX 77845 License #: 500065

3 Ways to Avoid Buyer’s Remorse

When homebuyers go on the house hunt for the first time without knowing what to expect, they may find that a year or so later they’re left to face their buyer remorse. Often, first time homebuyers are eager to find the perfect home, the one they have in their heads, and when they find it, they’ll bend over backwards to secure it. When you do so, you may find that you end up paying more than you can afford or missing glaring issues with the home. This buyer’s remorse can be avoided, however, if you’re careful to know what to expect and what’s important beforehand.

Make a Wants and Needs List

When you’re searching for your first home, there’s probably a whole host of things you would love to have in your home. But chances are, there’s a much smaller list of things you need in your first home. Do you need that fireplace, or do you need an extra bedroom for a growing family? Do you need a gas stove or do you need a laundry hook-up? There’s nothing wrong with seeking out your wants, but make sure your needs take priority and that you don’t settle for a home that has plenty of wants — but few of your needs.

Be Prepared to Wait

The housing market is always precarious and competitive. If you have a picture in your head of starting your house hunt and closing on the home of your dream within a week or two, you’re going to have to adjust your expectations. It’s great to see a house and click with it, but be prepared that you may have to take part in a bidding war — or even multiple bidding wars — before you finally find a home you can close on. And even when your offer is accepted, then you have to wait on the bank.That doesn’t mean your dream home isn’t out there or that you can’t close on it, but it’s always better to be prepared for the long haul.

Hire a Realtor

As you’re starting out on the house hunt, you may be tempted to skip hiring a realtor. You may have heard misconceptions from friends and family about realtors that paint them as someone only out for a commission, trying to get you to pay as much as you can for a home. In reality, realtors are very careful to represent their clients well, because word-of-mouth greatly impacts their livelihood. In actuality, not having a realtor can put you at a disadvantage when it comes to knowing the community and negotiating the price. Without a realtor, it’s easy to be taken advantage of.

That doesn’t mean you should hire just any realtor. Make sure you interview more than one. You want someone experienced, with a successful track record, as well as someone who knows and loves the area of Bryan-College Station.

If you have more questions about avoiding buyer’s remorse, talk to your College Station realtor. They can make sure you buy a home that you don’t just love now, but continue to love as time goes on.

House For Sale In College Station

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! Sarah Miller, Associate RE/MAX BRYAN COLLEGE STATION 3030 University Dr East Ste 100, College Station, TX 77845 License #: 500065

How to Close on a Home Quickly

Closing on your dream home can be one of the most stressful parts of the process. After all, if you’re looking for a new home, chances are you need to move — sooner, rather than later. In some cases, there’s even a timeline. So it can be nerve wracking to have to volley offers back and forth, unable to be completely certain that the house you want is the house you’ll end up with.

An experienced realtor can help make the process smoother and more efficient, so you can stress less. Here are a few other steps to help the closing process along:

Get a Pre-Approval Letter

Many homebuyers get pre-qualified and later qualified for a loan from a mortgage lender, but assume they’ll need to worry about approval after the closing. As we’ve discussed before, that’s not always the case. Sometimes the loans you qualify for and the loan for which you’re approved are very different, so it’s better to get the pre-approval letter early in order to have a better sense of your budget. It also helps the seller to feel more confident in your offer, seeing that the bank has always approved it. And the better the seller feels about your offer, the faster you’ll be able to close.

Check With the Lender

So the seller approved your offer. That’s a big relief, but it isn’t the same as closing. Next, you’ll need to go to the mortgage lender and turn that pre-approval into an approval. Go to the lender and tell them that the offer was accepted. Ask if they need any additional financial documents from you before approving the loan. It helps to have all of your financial documents organized and ready in case they do need it. If not, it’s a matter of the mortgage closing on the loan so you can close on your home.

Do What You Can

There are some parts of home closing that are simply out of your control. The time it takes the homeowner to accept your offer, the time it takes the bank to approve your loan, all of these elements are in someone else’s court and sitting around waiting for them will only make you more anxious. Instead, focus on what you can do to help the process along. Home inspections should be scheduled the first week the offer is accepted by the seller. Home appraisals take about 1-2 weeks, so order the appraisal as soon as possible. While you’re waiting on those things, you can take care of selling your own home or preparing for the big move.

Let Your Realtor Do What They Do Best

Closing on a home can be stressful, but that’s why you have a real estate agent. They’re ready and qualified to help, whether it’s negotiating with the seller to make sure you get the best deal, offer guidance about appraisal and mortgages, and finding ways to help speed up the closing so you can move into your new home as soon as possible. So don’t sweat. If you have any questions, just ask your expert College Station realtor.

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! Sarah Miller, Associate RE/MAX BRYAN COLLEGE STATION 3030 University Dr East Ste 100, College Station, TX 77845 License #: 500065

Kitchen Trends of 2018

One of the first ways to make your new house feel like home is to put your stamp on the kitchen. On the other hand, updating your kitchen before you sell your home can be an excellent way to add value to it. But to do so successfully in either case, you’ll want to look at the trends of the year. You might only find a handful of trends you enjoy, or you might remember trends of the past that you liked better, but it’s always good to have a frame of reference.

Granite is Gone

Once upon a time, this was on the wish list of every new homebuyer. Granite countertops were as trendy as it got, and no one seemed interested in accepting any substitutes. This trend would last for several years, but it seems it’s finally on its way out. Instead, homeowners tend to look towards marble — and even better, quartz. Both are higher end counter surfaces, but quartz is significantly lower maintenance than granite and marble and it lasts longer, so in the end, it’s worth a better value.

Two-Tone Color Schemes

Similarly, until recently all-white kitchens were very much in vogue. All-white kitchens gave the room a cleaner, airier look, and held more of the natural sunlight from the window. However, it can be tricky to make all the whites in the room match, and all-white kitchens require more cleaning. They can also look, well, a little dull. So instead, two-toned kitchens are becoming more popular, usually incorporating a deeper, darker color against white. Black and white, navy and white, or deep green and white kitchens are a massive trend of 2018.

Kitchen Islands That Do More

Kitchen islands have long been the focal point of kitchens. Sometimes, with the help of surrounding stools, they can even serve as your dining table. But homebuyers now are looking for kitchen islands that serve as more than just a place to gather. Because kitchen storage has long been a problem that has plagued home cooks, kitchen islands have started to offer more storage options. Some kitchen islands even have an oven attached. The more function, the better — and the more value for your home, of course.

Flooring

Common sense dictates that a kitchen should have a smooth floor. It’s easier move around and much easier to clean. (Can you imagine the nightmare that might exist with a kitchen over carpet?) Hardwood floors are usually the favorite, but ceramic tile is gaining in popularity. Both are low maintenance options, and these days, ceramic tile can even be made to look like wood. But for those looking for a budget option, linoleum is probably still the way to go, and good linoleum can be made to look like either wood or tile.

A new kitchen can give your entire home a new feel, whether you plan to live in it for years or put it on the market next month. In the latter case, trust a local real estate agent to help you stage your home and get the most out of your sale.

House for Sale in College Station 

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! Sarah Miller, Associate RE/MAX BRYAN COLLEGE STATION 3030 University Dr East Ste 100, College Station, TX 77845 License #: 500065

5 Hidden Gems of Bryan-College Station

Some of the best parts of Bryan-College Station are fairly obvious. Downtown Bryan has historic charm and plenty of quirky shops and restaurants. The college, the sports arenas, and city hall are all easy to find. But look a little deeper and you’ll find even more BCS gems, even if they’re not at the top of the “things to do” list. Here are some local favorites:

Amico Nave

Amico Nave is a local restaurant that’s a little hidden away from the center of everything, but locals who know of it swear by it. In fact, lifestyle blogger Payton Sartain says, “You MUST try Amico Nave if you live here.” Amico Nave is a Sicilian restaurant, but it’s not bound to traditional Sicilian recipes. Here you can try their pesto chicken or vodka sauce pizza, lasagna Tony Salvaggio or Norwegian salmon. They also have a delicious plate of shrimp and grits.

Old Bryan Marketplace

Downtown and historic Bryan are famous spots for shopping, but Old Bryan Marketplace is a little more lowkey. However, if you’re looking for something quirky and offbeat, this is the place to go. This marketplace has a little of everything: furniture, baby clothes, stationery, and eclectic fashion. Even the building itself has character, a 22,000 square-foot structure originally built in 1908 with pine hardwood floors, bricked archways and fireplaces.

Tower Point

Most who are new to College Station expect to find all the action around the college, but if you’re looking for a real local experience, it’s Tower Point. Here you can find H-E-B, Chick-Fil-A, office buildings and an abundance of other beloved shops and restaurants. You may be able to find some great homes and apartments in this area, as well.

Rooftop Garden

This hidden gem, on the other hand, is located on the college campus. At the top of the George P. Mitchell Physics Building, you can find the only rooftop garden on campus, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Garden. Not only is this a serene place to get away, study, or hang out with friends, but it showcases a number of native Texas plants. You may even spy some butterflies while you’re up there.

Wednesday Farmers Market at Lake Walk

Looking for some local produce, culture, and maybe live music? Then check out the farmers market at Lake Walk Pavilion and Plaza in Bryan on Wednesday nights. It’s not the only farmers market in Bryan-College Station, but  because it takes place on Wednesday nights, it can be overlooked. If you can make it out, you can find food from Napa Flats and anything from eggs to jams and jellies to candles.

Bryan-College Station is a community with a lot of local flavor. Even if you’ve lived here for a few years, you may still be able to find new gems that surprise you. And if you’re new to the community, there’s that much more to explore. Ask your local realtor about the best hidden gems in the city, and the best homes you can find close by.

House for Sale in College Station

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! Sarah Miller, Associate RE/MAX BRYAN COLLEGE STATION 3030 University Dr East Ste 100, College Station, TX 77845 License #: 500065

9 Problem Areas Often Found in Home Inspections

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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. 

Featured Homes for Sale in Bryan, TX

4303 Willowick Drive, Bryan, TX 77802

4303 Willowick Drive, Bryan, TX 77802

4 Common Real Estate Myths

4303 Willowick Dr

Every trade has its own myths surrounding it, but in real estate, myths can cost you money. Here are some ideas you may have come across or believed yourself. Take a look at these myths and see how believing them could be detrimental to your next real estate transaction. 

Myth #1: Selling a home without the help of an agent will save you money.

“For Sale By Owner” properties can actually lose money. The reason is that the owners selling the property are not often well versed in real estate transactions. With the help of a realtor a lot of costly mistakes could be avoided. For example, you may not know how to negotiate the best price fro your home. Simply overpricing it to allow room for negotiation could leave your house sitting on the market for months longer than you can afford. 

Myth #2: Price your property above its value to leave room for negotiation.

It seems logical that since real estate transactions often involve negotiations, you should price your property in anticipation of a buyer asking you to lower the price. The problem with this is that buyers are cautious with their money. When they see several internet listings of properly priced homes, they might not even bother to look at your home to begin negotiations. 
Pricing your house correctly will make the buyers more likely to show up and take an interest. 

Myth #3: Find the perfect house and then get pre-approved for a loan

One of the first steps in the search for a new home is getting a pre-approval for a loan. Why?  Because you need to know exactly how much you’ll be able to spend on your new home. It would be terrible to fall in love with a home only to find out you can’t buy it. Sure, you can have a house in mind and ask the bank if you can have a loan for a house in that price range, but don’t wait until you’ve made your mind up to buy a certain house. You may end up heartbroken. 

Myth #4: Realtors will say anything to get a sale.

Realtors have to follow strict rules and regulations in order to keep their license. Before becoming a licensed realtor, every realtor has to learn ethics and the rules and regulations that dictate real estate transactions and their behavior. 

Also, realtors get much of their business by word of mouth. If they go around making people angry, they won’t stay in business for long. So, they have every reason to be honest and straightforward with you.  That way you can tell your friends and family all about your wonderful realtor whenever one of them wants to buy or sell a home. 

Who You Hire Matters

To the untrained eye, it may be difficult to tell the difference between a qualified realtor and someone else. It’s like that financial planning commercial where they dressed up a DJ in a suit and taught him a few financial buzzwords and people were willing to let him handle their money. Someone that says a few of the right things at first and looks the part may seem like the right fit for you. A home is the biggest investment and source of wealth that most families will ever have. Why not have a qualified realtor help you buy it?

Realtors are trained

Did you know that in the state of Texas there are minimum requirements for the amount of education a realtor has to have before they get a license?  They also have to be tested. Real estate isn’t just about showing people houses, there are legal aspects that only a licensed professional should handle.

While realtors aren’t lawyers, they do understand the contracts their clients will be signing.  What are the chances you’re going to read all of those contracts?  Having a professional with you that knows what real estate contracts mean and what sort of contracts you should be asking for is a real advantage.

Realtors know the neighborhoods

If there’s one thing that realtors know about it’s the areas where they’ve been helping people buy and sell houses. They know the property values and they have a good idea why the property values are what they are.  They know where the good schools are and where the good HOAs are. To pass up that level of knowledge for something else is a mistake.

Realtors will help you through the whole process

While your realtor isn’t your lender, she knows about lenders. She knows what standards apply if you have an FHA loan. Your realtor knows people in the business that can help you. From start to finish she will know what you need and help you out where she can.

If you’re selling, your realtor knows what houses in your area are worth. When you include the legal documents, the real estate websites your realtor can list your home on, and everything else it’s not worth it to go on your own or with some other person. You need a licensed realtor.

Smart and Capable Isn’t Good Enough

Other people that know a bit about real estate might want to help you out, but unless they have their real estate license, they don’t have the training. Realtors know real estate. Choosing an experienced realtor that knows and loves the area where you’re moving is even better. She can help you find what you’re looking for because she wants you to be as happy in her city as she is.

The Brazos Valley is a great place to invest in real estate and your future home. Realtors are the right people to help you find that home. If you need help finding a home in Bryan-College Station or anywhere in the Brazos Valley, call Sarah the Realtor. 

How to Know When You've Found the Perfect Home

Photo by Feelart

People move into new homes for many different reasons. They may be looking for a change of scenery, or they may be moving to be closer to family and friends. No matter why someone wants to move into a new home, there is one thing that they all have in common.

They want to find a home that is right for their needs, their lifestyle and their future. A home is more than just a place to live. A new house represents a big change and a new start. You can think of your new home as the centre of your life in a new area or a new neighbourhood.

How do you know when you've found the perfect home? Consider this list of points to help you reach this decision with the help of your realtor in College Station, TX.

A Home That You Can Afford

Money may not be everything, but it is certainly a very important factor when you're looking for the perfect home. When you are house shopping, your budget will help you determine the best place for you to live. Don't think of your budget as a limit. Instead, look at it to find out all the options that are available to you.

Before you start shopping for a home, come up with a detailed budget. This will be the plan that helps you narrow down your options. A home that you can afford is not just a property that you have enough money to purchase. To be affordable, a home needs to be close to your place of work. It also needs to be energy efficient enough to have reasonable utility bills. Large homes in well-developed neighbourhoods are very appealing, but you need to make sure that you aren't overspending yourself into a financial bind.

A Home That Meets Your Needs

Once you have determined your budget, you can start making a list of all the things that you need in your new home. Make a list of “must haves,” a series of qualities that you absolutely need in your new home. For example, if you have children or are planning to have children, you will need extra space for your growing family. If you're passionate about gardening, you'll want to find a home that has room for planting and exercising your green thumb.

If you love to dine out or see live entertainment, you'll want to find a property that is reasonably close to venues and restaurants that provide these options. These may sound like luxuries, but if you can pursue your favourite activities, that new home may not be so perfect after all.

A Home That Has Room for Your Future

Are you planning to stay in your new home for many years or are you looking for a starter home? Will you be moving to an area for a new job or looking for a career change several years down the line?

Try to anticipate any big changes that you might have in store for the next several years. If you have some major changes coming up soon, you don't want to tie yourself down to an area or living situation. Of course, it's impossible to predict everything that will happen shortly but taking the time to plan out your future carefully is always a good strategy.

Once you have considered these factors, talk to your College Station realtor to come up with a list of items that are essential for your new home. Once you find a house that matches up with your needs and your goals, you'll know that you have finally found the perfect home.

10 Tips to Spruce Up an Old Wooden Deck

Image credit: freedigitalphotos.net

Your College Station realtor may find you the ultimate dream house with a great location and fabulous interior. It has great curb appeal and everything you ever wanted, but when you walk to the backyard, you find that the previous owners did not maintain the deck very well. Do not pass the house up when you can spruce up the old wooden deck in an affordable fashion.

Affordable Construction Projects to Improve an Old Deck

1 – Refinish the Wood

The largest and possibly most expensive way to update the deck is hiring a professional to sand it down and refinish it completely. This process can make an old deck look completely new so it might be worth the cost.

2 – Remove or Replace Railings
Many older decks had heavy railings all the way around even when they weren't needed. Consider removing railings on low decks and extending the stairs. New, more stylish railing may be a great idea too.

3 – Replace Damaged or Rotting Boards

For appearance and safety's sake, all deck boards that are squishy, warped or broken should be removed and replaced.

4 – Extend the Deck

If the old deck is too small for your purposes or does not match the house's size, hire a professional deck builder to extend it so the newer deck part integrates well with the old.

5 – Add a Gazebo or Pergola

For entertaining or just relaxing in the warm Texas summers, a gazebo or pergola offers shade and a spark of interest for an older deck.


Do-It-Yourself or Hire a Professional Deck Projects

5 – Power Washing

Homeowners can rent a power-washing machine and, with proper regard to safety, clean all the debris, moss and even some stains off the old deck boards. This should be done before applying and waterproofing or other treatments.

6 – Get a Moss and Mildew Treatment

Kill off any mildew and prevent the growth of more with a chemical treatment that can be brushed on with a sponge mop or similar. This will do more to prevent future damage than other options.

7 – Add Lattice or Built-In Decorations

Some small construction projects are perfect for fans of do-it-yourself. Adding lattice under the deck railings only takes proper measuring, cutting and a few nails. Building a sturdy rectangular box shape can create a built-in planter or a bench to sit on.


Decorator Accents to Bring New Life to an Old Deck

8 – Improve Seating Areas

Worn out patio furniture on an old deck will not encourage people to enjoy the backyard. Invest in new furniture or at least new cushions. Include just enough seating to handle everyone without making the deck look crowded.

9 – Add Planters and Flower Pots

Bring the garden closer by making container gardens for the corners of the deck, putting pots of fragrant herbs on the edges of the stairs, climbing vines up the pergola or hanging colorful flowering plants from the house overhang.

10 – Create Shade With Umbrellas or Awnings

Install a large roller awning to your house that can be stretched across the width of the deck to provide shade. This not only makes the deck more useful in the summer heat, it also makes any unattractive characteristics of the deck less noticeable.

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!