How to Save For Your Upcoming Move

There’s no question that moving is expensive. Between buying a new house, paying for the movers, and any new furniture or appliances, and potential HOA fees, there’s almost no way to move without having to budget and save first. Keep in mind you will have a mortgage loan to help with the costs, as well as profits from the sale of your previous home if you currently own a home, but that ultimately won’t mean that you shouldn’t plan your budget months or even a year in advance.

Put 20% Aside for Your Down Payment

Consider your budget for your new home, taking into account that you will almost certainly be applying for a mortgage loan. In most cases, you’ll pay somewhere between 10 and 20% for your down payment, so for the sake of being prepared, it’s best to set aside about 20%. This can also help you get an idea of what your budget is for the house overall. A good rule of thumb is to pay no more than 25% of your monthly take home pay for your down payment. Calculate that number times 5 (if 20%) or 10 (if 10%) and you’ll have a realistic budget for your house.

Consider The Costs Beyond the House

The biggest expense when moving will, of course, be buying the house. However, you’ll have to budget for much more than the down payment of the house. Consider the cost of the moving company, packing supplies, HOA fees, home insurance, and any other fees that might occur. If you’re moving long distance, you should even budget for the cost of the gas for your own car as you drive from one location to the other. Keep in mind, too, that movers are often tipped, and you’ll want to take the gratuity into consideration as well.

Start Looking for Savings

Of course, there are ways to save money on your move. Ask if there are any empty boxes at work that you can use for packing, or check with local stores that often have used boxes piled up in storage. If your budget is a little too tight for a moving company, find friends who will help you move or consider renting a van. Need new furniture? Consider looking at thrift stores or discount furniture stores rather than name brands. Set out a clear idea of the things you want in your new home and the things you absolutely need so your realtor can help you find something that fits your needs and your budget.

Get Pre-Qualified and Pre-Approved

Time to search for mortgage loans? Many homeowners get pre-approved before they make an offer on a house, but not pre-approved. Pre-qualification tells you the kind of loans you’re eligible for and might have a rough idea of the kind of support that loan will offer. Pre-approval offers a much clearer picture. Pre-approval also instills confidence in the seller, so when you do put in an offer on your dream home, it will look that much better.

Worried about staying on budget for your upcoming move? Work with a College Station realtor. They can help you search for a new home with your budget in mind and support you during the offer process to get the best deal for you.

4 Things to Watch Out For When Viewing a House

Sometimes, you just fall in love with a house at first sight. As soon as you step through the door, you can see yourself living there and you don’t care about any of its little quirks and blemishes. In fact, you might not even notice them. However, after the rose colored tint fades, you’ll have to live with all of those imperfections and you might feel less than sentimental about them.

There’s nothing wrong with buying a house that needs a little work, as long as you’re prepared for that work. However, it’s best to notice these warning signs before you make an offer on the home. Your home inspection will point out much of what you’re getting into, but there are a few things you can notice all on your own, if you know what to look for.

Roof

Before you go inside, check out the house’s roof. If it’s a shingled or tiled roof, do you notice shingles that are curling back or broken tiles? Dark or discolored spots could speak to water damage, potential leaks or rotting. These are all issues you’ll have to take care of sooner or later, and they can potentially drive up the homeowner’s insurance. A new roof will lower homeowner’s insurance, but boost the home’s value.

Scent

Sometimes, filling the room with a pleasant scent or air freshener is part of staging the home. Even if there’s nothing wrong with a home’s natural smell or air quality, the gentle aroma of cinnamon or fresh pine can be very inviting. But if that scent overpowers the room as soon as you step inside, there’s a chance the seller is trying to mask something less pleasant. How do you know when the air fresheners are masking less than fresh air? Look at the ceilings and walls for water damage, the floors and furniture for pet dander, and the bathroom tiles for mildew.

Floors

The floor can also tell you a little about the house. Sagging floors can speak to structural problems in the home. If the floor seems to dip down near the bathroom, that could be an issue with the plumbing. Old hardwood floors might sometimes have a slight crack between boards that herald wearing down, and if you can see a gap between the trim and the floor, the home probably isn’t very well insulated.

Windows

Finally, there’s the windows of the home. Certain issues with windows will be immediately obvious. For instance, windows that look grimy could be the result of gas-fillings and broken seals. Fortunately, the gas fillings used to keep windows insulated are non-toxic, but it can be an unattractive look. If it’s later in the year — fall and winter — you may also be able to notice drafts near the window if it’s not properly sealed and letting too much air through.

If you’re aware of the potential problems the house might have before the house inspection, you’ll be better able to decide whether it’s worth the work you would need to put into it. You can also discuss your viewing with your College Station realtor to possibly negotiate a lower price for the home.

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

What Does Home Safety Look Like?

Your home, more than anywhere else, should be a safe place for you and your family. That’s why it’s so important to have a home inspection before buying a house, or before selling your home to another family. A home inspector will be able to point out any flaws in the structure or operation of the home that might affect the price of the home. But what exactly does home safety look like? Here are some factors you want to consider beyond what the home inspector might review.

Child Proofing

Not everyone has small children, but for those that do, child proofing is a must. Things that might seem harmless to you can be a serious threat for an infant. For instance, loose window cords could strangle a baby and stairs could spell disaster. Babies are curious and might think it looks fun to stick their fingers in a power outlet. Safety gates, outlet covers, and cordless blinds are good ideas to have when you have a small child. Any hazardous materials should be kept on a high shelf out of their reach, and cabinets should have childproof locks on them.

Fire Proofing

There should be smoke alarms in working order on every floor of the house as well as outside of bedrooms. Once a month, make sure these smoke alarms are in working order. It’s also important for you to know your escape route in the event that a fire does happen. What’s the safest exit? Where should you meet once everyone is out? Go over this plan at least twice a year, practicing it so you can visualize the practicality. If you live in a two-story home, you’ll also want to have a rescue ladder or fire escape, so those who are trapped upstairs and blocked off can still get out. Always use caution with space heaters, be on the lookout for frayed wires and other hazards to avoid fires in the first place.

Burglar Proofing

A home security system is a great way to keep out burglars. Many alarm systems will also alert the police that someone tried to break into your home, but the sound of the alarm itself is enough to deter most home invasions. Because noise can throw off any burglar, a dog might also be a good investment. Make sure your windows and doors are locked at the end of the night, and keep trees and bushes trimmed so that your yard is more visible and intruders have fewer places to hide. Motion sensor lights or timed lights for your home’s exterior can also help to burglar proof the home.

All of these tips don’t replace the usefulness of a home inspection but should supplement your findings from that home inspection. Once you find your dream home, after all, you want to make sure it’s protected, along with everyone who lives there. Talk to an experienced realtor in College Station today about scheduling a home inspection and other things you can do to ensure the home stays safe.

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

Moving With a Spouse or Partner

You have your idea of your perfect dream home. The love of your life has a different idea. You love your spouse or partner, and that’s why you’re moving with them, but different visions are bound to cause friction. You may see couples squabble all the time on reality TV house hunting shows, but there is a grain of truth to those hyped up conflicts. You’ll probably find yourselves disagreeing over location, must-haves, and even budget.

Here are a few ways to endure those disagreements without biting each other’s heads off and find a new home that works for both of you.

Communicate Your Visions

Before you start looking for houses, sit down at the kitchen table with a notepad and a couple glasses of wine. Each of you take turns writing down everything you want from this move. What do you want in a location? What do you want in our home? Underline or put a star beside the things that are most important to you. What do you have in mind for budget? Discuss each point as you go. Maybe your spouse likes the idea of living in the quiet outskirts, but your point about saving gas on the ride to work changes their perspective. Just make sure your mind is open to a changed perspective as well.

Once you’ve discussed, write down a new list of all the things you agree on. This is what you should prioritize when you talk to your real estate agent. You may still disagree on some points after you’ve talked, but laying it all out in the open will help to keep those disagreements peaceful.

Create a Grading Scale

What happens when you fall in love with one house that your spouse hates and they fall in love with another house that you’re not too keen on? In that case, a little objectivity is needed. Create a grading scale based on the things that are most important to both of you: let’s say budget, certain amenities, or impact on your lifestyle. After each house, you and your partner can grade each home in order to determine what really is the best fit for you. It can be hard to put your heart aside for the moment, but using this objective scale may help you to look at a house that didn’t make a stellar first impression in a new way.

Be Willing to Compromise

They like to have open space. You like to be right in the heart of the city. They want character, you want new appliances. Chances are, someone is going to have to compromise more than once, so you should prepare yourself for not getting everything you want exactly as you imagine it now. Be fair about compromise. If they gave up their perfect location for you, be willing to allow a little bit of character for them. No one should have to give up their vision completely, but you’ll each have to bend somewhat.

Talk to a Realtor

A realtor is a must even if you’re moving by yourself. However, when faced with the tricky navigation of finding the best home for both you and your partner, you want an expert. Your real estate agent has probably seen this before and knows how to help you come to a compromise that works for everyone.

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

Homes with Haunted History

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According to Texas law, a home can be known as a Notorious House which means that either someone died in the home or the house is known to have ghost sightings.  If a Notorious House is up for sale, this fact must be disclosed to potential buyers. 

There is an exception to this rule and that is that if someone died in the home from either a suicide or of natural causes or from an accident which had nothing to do with home’s condition then no disclosure of the death has to be made. 

Many times a real estate agent may not have any knowledge of whether or not a death occurred inside a home but through neighbors they often find out if a home has a reputation for being haunted. 

Many times you can find out the history of a home in College Station by entering the property address into a search engine online.  If there is anything noteworthy about the home, it will appear online. 

There are several places in College Station that are public though which have a reputation of being haunted.  The A&M Consolidated High School has been rumored to have a metaphysical presence that floats in the wing that houses career technology. 

The College Station Plantation House is said to have doors that slam shut in the middle of the night as well as footsteps in the attic.

The Schulman Theater in College Station has an upstairs portion that is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young man. 

Living in a home that has a history of being haunted may appeal to some homeowners.  If you find yourself purchasing a home with ghostly presences, you will definitely have your share of exciting stories to tell the grandkids.

Featured Homes for Sale in College Station, TX

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

Pool Maintenance in College Station

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If you are looking to buy a home in Bryan College Station, you are more than likely going to want a home with a swimming pool. Summers are HOT HOT HOT in Texas.  A pool is a great respite from the heat.  However, before you take a dive into those crystal blue waters, there is some maintenance that you will need to do first.

You will need to first skim the surface of the pool to get rid of floating debris.  Be sure that when you empty the skimmer basket, you discard the waste away from the pool so that the wind wont blow it back into the pool.  To lessen the debris floating in the pool, think about trimming nearby tress or bushes.  These are well known for shedding leaves, pollen and blossoms into the water. Vacuuming the pool requires about half an hour.  This is needed to get all of the gunk and debris from the bottom and the sides of the pool. 

Each week, you will need to test and adjust the chemical levels in the pool.  Start with the pH first.  If it is over 7.6 adjust with muriatic acid and use a soda ash product if it is below 7.4.  You will need to shock the water if your chlorine levels are under 1 part per million or if the alkalinity is under 90 ppm.  To shock the water, dissolve chlorine and baking soda in a pail and empty it into the pool. Other maintenance steps include cleaning out the pump filter and adding chlorine to the system. 

College Station may be a hot place in the summer, but you can certainly spend your days lounging in the cool pool.  Just a few maintenance tasks and you will be well on your way to a crystal clear and clean pool.

Featured Homes for Sale in Bryan-College Station

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

Lawn and Plant Care

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The summer months in College Station can be down right hot.  This hot climate takes a bit of effort to keep your lawn and plants looking great.  The afternoon temperatures can get pretty high and this in turn causes your lawn, as well as your plants, to be deprived of the right amount of water they need to survive and look amazing.

The first thing that is important is to recognize what lawn and plant damage looks like.  Lawns that are heat stressed as simple to recognize.  If you step on your lawn and the footprint is noticeable, this is one warning sign. 

Another way to look is to dig under the grass and look at the soil.  The soil should be moist and not hard or crusty.  Plants will have leaves that are wilted or crinkling.  The leave color will also begin to turn brown.

It is important that you know when and how much water is needed to properly maintain your lawn and plants.  If you have sandy soil, you will need to water more often then clay soil. 

The best time to water your lawn and plants is very early in the morning or in the latter part of the afternoon.  These are the two times of day when the temperatures are the lowest and the movement of the wind is also the lowest.  Cooler temps and less wind means a reduction in the amount of evaporation.

Plants needed to be watered so the water seeps down deep.  This is ideal for plant growth because they will get the proper moisture, nutrients and minerals for survival. 

If you own a home in of College Station or anywhere in Central Texas, it may take some effort to keep your lawn and your plants healthy, but that is only because of the Texas heat.  With a little work, your lawn will be a pretty shade of green with colorful plants as part of your landscape and curb appeal.

Featured Homes in College Station,Texas

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

Curb Appeal Tips : Improving Your Front Lawn

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Home of the Aggies of Texas A & M, Bryan College Station is not only a fun place to live, it offers residents great opportunities for work and family activities. With homes selling at a decent rate in this growing area, it is good to know a few tips to make your homes stand out above the rest when showing them to potential buyers. Here’s how you can use curb appeal to make not only a great first impression on your buyers, you can even get the best price possible if they like what they see.

One of the best ways to achieve great curb appeal is through the front lawn. A well manicured lawn speaks volumes about the home and gives a clean look to potential buyers. Make sure that not only is the lawn well taken care of, you also want clean lines between the lawn and any concrete surfaces. This can be taken care of with a good edger and adds the finishing touch to a well manicured surface.

Any shrubs around the home may also need trimmed as to avoid obscuring any view of the windows. Giving shrubs a good trimming gives a clean look to any landscaping already in place and gives potential homeowners a great first impression of the house.

Taking care to make sure any concrete surfaces are power washed is also a great way to give a home decent curb appeal. That oil stain on the driveway often gives potential buyers an impression of work that will need done before they even enter the house and that will turn off many buyers before they even get the chance to see the inside.

Featured Homes for Sale in College Station,Texas

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

Decorating Tips for Your Home

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Modern and contemporary styles are the in thing to do inside your home. The chief complaint that most homeowners have is that there is a lack of storage within the home. There are many simple solutions to add storage, seating and decor all at once. Don't be afraid to shop at flea markets, thrift stores and yard sales for items. Re-purposing items and refinishing with a coat of paint, new fabric or new stain helps them to match the rest of the room. Not only does shopping this way save you money, it gives you unique pieces that tell a story.

If storage is the issue, pick furniture items that can double as seating such as benches where the tops lift up, ottoman and storage bins that have lids that can be used as side tables. Storage can also be added in window seats. The tops could easily be upholstered and removable so that items can be stored inside the empty space.

To achieve a modern or contemporary design in your home, use warm colors. Try not to use shades of paint that are too dark, unless it is for a single accent wall. Color is in, beige and neutral is out. Warm tones are colors such as grays, browns, and earth tones such as warm green tones.

Use texture to bring dimension to small spaces. Another trick for small rooms is to put a mirror that matches your decor on a wall that is opposite a window. It will help natural light to dance around the room and make it seem a little bitter. To add pops of color, do so by using accent pillows, a floor rug and colored accent pieces.

Featured Homes in College Station

Visit my homepage for more listings in the Bryan-College Station Area

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