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

Best Places to Bike in Bryan-College Station

May is National Bike Month, as well as a beautiful, mild time of year for avid cyclists to break out their bicycles and and explore the community of Bryan-College Station from a new perspective. If you’re new to town, this is a great way for you to get to know your surroundings. Consider biking to work, or biking to the A&M campus if you’re a student, to save money on gas and lower your carbon footprint. Even if you’ve lived here for years, however, there may still be recreational bike trails that you haven’t tried out yet. Here are a few of our favorites.

Parks Loop

For a brisk bike ride that allows you to take in the beauty of College Station, try the Parks Loop. This route is only 6 miles, all told, but it takes you through various parks throughout College Station. It starts with Bee Creek Park, offering views of the eponymous creek, as well as smooth walking and biking paths and pavilions and greenery where you can rest. From there, you’ll head to Central Park, riding past the ponds and fountains that make this park stand out. Next, you’ll bike through Wolf Creek Park, a lakeside park perfect for camping or hiking various nature trails. On your way back to Bee Creek Park, you’ll also pass the Texas A&M Golf Club with beautifully kept greenery of its own.

Texas A&M

Whether you’re a student, a professor, or simply a local, you may have been taken by the beauty of the Texas A&M campus at some point or another. The 5,200 acres is full of classic architectural styles, beautifully old trees, and famed sports centers. Riding your bike around campus is a great way to get from one class to another easily while still taking in the scenery. However, even on the weekend, a loop around campus can be an invigorating and enjoyable workout. Even if you’re no longer a student, the size and scenery of the campus can offer a terrific guide when it comes to deciding where to bike on a sunny May morning.

Lake Bryan East Loop

This singletrack loop is an excellent option for more athletic cyclists. Scale hills and wild natural paths and get away from the day-to-day city life with the rugged Lake Bryan East Loop. However, because this is a pretty popular trail, you also don’t have to be a cycling expert to take it on. The paths are carefully maintained and well-loved, making it a good intermediate challenge. It contains twelve trails in total, from the twisty Octopus trail to Peaceful Woods. You can even bring a dog with you to run alongside your bike, as long as they’re kept on a leash.

Bryan-College Station is an excellent place to live for bike lovers, both during National Bike Month and throughout the year. Talk to a College Station realtor today about finding your dream home in the area and get started cycling.

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.

Making Friends In a New City

Moving to a new city can be exciting, an opportunity to start life fresh and meet new and interesting people. The problem is that meeting new people can sometimes prove a challenge. Without a social circle, new cities can feel isolating and small. Whether before you move or after, it’s good to look at the resources the city has available to you when it comes to making connections. This may vary from city to city, but here are a few standards to keep in mind.

Use Your Built In Connections

Rarely do people move to a new city on a whim. Maybe you have an aunt or uncle who lives in the area, or an old friend from college. Maybe you’re moving for work, and you’ll have a new circle of coworkers. Whatever the case may be, if you want to make friends in your new home, it’s best to start with the familiar and move outward. If a group of coworkers goes out for drinks after the day and invites you to go, go with them. Ask a friend or family member where they would recommend going to meet new people. Soon as you take in more experiences, you’ll be able to branch out more and more.

Play to Your Interests

Meetup is a website that allows you to search for groups in your area based on common interests. For instance, if you’re a book lover, you might be able to find a book club. If you’re more interested in gaming, you can find a group dedicated to board games or video games. You can find groups dedicated to sports or trivia or simply a mixer of people interested in meeting others in the city. After all, the point isn’t just to meet people in your city. It’s to form actual connections, and what better way to do that than find people who are interested in the same things you’re interested in?

Check Out Local Events

It can be tempting to stay home when you’re in a city where you don’t know anyone. After all, settling in with Netflix and a bowl of pasta is more or less free. But if you want to make friends in your city, you really have to be willing to leave your bubble. Fortunately, social media platforms like Facebook have features dedicated to showcasing local events. If you’re on a budget, you can find events that are cheap or free. You can even, like Meetup, search for a specific kind of event in your city. You may also be able to look into local newspapers or magazines, or even online articles that list potential activities to enjoy in your new city. This is not only a good way to make friends in your new city but to become better acquainted with your city.

When you move to College Station, you’ll find a friendly community with an active nightlife and weekend activities to suit anyone’s interests. Talk to your College Station realtor today about not only finding the best home for you but making yourself at home in your community.

Where To Have a First Date in Bryan-College Station

Getting to know someone you’re interested in can be an exciting time, but it can also be a nerve wracking time. This is doubly true if you’re still new to the area of Bryan-College Station. Of course, you can probably find a restaurant or go check out a movie wherever you are, but you want to make a good impression, which often means coming up with a more creative date. For that, you need to know the area a little better. Here’s your guide to great date ideas that are specific to Bryan-College Station.

First Friday

With friendly charm and a wide variety of shops and restaurants, downtown Bryan can make for an excellent date venue in general. However, if you want to really wow your date, check out First Friday. On the first Friday of each month around 5:30, downtown Bryan transforms. Street musicians start to play, artists show off their work, and local shops keep their doors open later. Around 8pm, the Palace Theatre has a live music show, so if your date is interested in art or music, this could be the perfect event for a date. You can do it all here, grabbing a bite to eat at a restaurant or from one of the street vendors, and then wandering around seeing the town. It can help you get to know both your date and the city of Bryan.

Picnic In the Park

A picnic in the park is a classic, and College Station has a number of parks to choose from. Central Park has both beautiful greenery and a tranquil pond that’s perfect for either fishing or simply enjoying the view. Around the holidays, Christmas lights go up, and it can be a nice stop after dinner to bring along a bottle of wine and dessert. Do you both have pets? Consider bringing your dogs with you to the University Dog Park. Lick Creek Park offers splendid views of nature, and you can get in some hiking while you’re there.

Take a Class

If you’re looking for a truly interesting first date that offers you a chance to get to know each other and to improve your own skills, think about taking a class together. You can learn to paint pottery at U-Paint-It or learn to cook together at Cook N Grow. Dance classes are always great for a budding romance, and you can find a number of different types of dance classes, from ballroom dancing to swing dance or even hip-hop. If you’re both health and fitness nuts, you could also consider taking a yoga class together.

College Station is a great place to find a fresh start, whether in your home, your community, or your love life. It starts, of course, with finding the right home.  For that, you need the help of an expert realtor who’s well-acquainted with the area and can help you find a home you can truly fall in love with.

How to Start Your Home Garden

A garden can be a great way to make a new house feel like home or breathe life back into an old home. They can be useful, giving you fresh vegetables and herbs for cooking, or purely aesthetic, full of colorful flowers and gentle scents. Gardens take meticulous care and planning, however. If you’ve never had a home garden before, there are certain things you’ll want to consider and steps you’ll want to take carefully for the best results.

Choose a Type of Garden

This is the first question you need to ask when starting a garden at home. There are various types of gardens that you could plant. If you’re looking for a way to boost your curb appeal, a flower bed could be perfect. If you want something that’s practical as well as aesthetically pleasing, you might prefer a vegetable garden or an herb garden. Succulent gardens have some of the aesthetic appeal but require less maintenance. Chances are, if you’re thinking of planting a garden, you already have a few ideas of what you’d like to do with it, but this is the time to solidify them.

Choose a Location

The next thing to decide is where to plant your garden. For instance, vegetables and flowers need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. In the case of a vegetable garden or flower bed, you’ll want to pick a particularly sunny area that’s not obstructed by shade. However, you may be able to find flowers or plants that thrive in shaded conditions. You’ll also want to consider what best suits your curb appeal. And don’t rule out a sunroom with an indoor garden, if that’s something that could appeal to you.

Plan the Time

You should also get an idea of when to start your garden. Because your plants are dependent on the elements, different seasons will yield different results. Your best bet is spring or autumn. Autumn is a good time of year to plant bulbs, trees, and perennials. Spring with its soft, fresh soil is perfect for digging and nurturing the garden, while summer is mostly spent waiting and pulling weeds to protect the garden. Winter with its snow and storms isn’t ideal for gardening, but with Texas’s warmer climate you may be able to start planting a little before spring actually arrives. You can also look into planting vegetables and plants that thrive in winter.

Get the Right Tools

Finally, for the upkeep of your garden, you want to make sure you have the right garden tools. It’s more than gloves and a good spade. You should also have pruners, possibly pots, and twine can’t hurt. You may not be able to think of all the garden tools you’ll ever need, but get them as needed and hold on to them. Your idea for your garden may change over time, and that will require new tools.

Starting a garden is a great way to put your own statement on your new home. But to find the right new home in the meantime, contact an experienced College Station realtor.

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

4 Ways to Cut Costs When Moving

It’s a hard fact to avoid: moving is expensive. Even if your realtor helps you get your new home for something below the asking price, even after you sell your old home, you still have movers to consider, as well as possibly remodeling, redecorating, or new furnishings. You have to think about finances carefully when moving, which is why so many homeowners look for ways to cut costs during their move.

Some have help, like a friend who owns a truck or a free couch from an aunt or uncle. Friends and family can be great resources, but what if you don’t have that? Here are a few other ways you can cut costs when moving.

Move in the Fall

...Or winter or early spring, for that matter. Peak moving season for most moving companies is May through August. Demand is high so scheduling can be tricky and costs tend to be high. Alternatively, moving in a time when demand is much lower will allow you more freedom of scheduling and the benefit of potential savings and sales. If you want to optimize your moving savings, you should try moving in the middle of the week, as well, and particularly in the middle of the month. It’s the least likely time to move, so you’re most likely to save.

Get Multiple Quotes

Some homeowners choose to simply go with the first mover that they get a quote from, but if you’re interested in saving money, don’t rush into a decision. It’s best to get multiple quotes from movers. Find out how much they’ll charge, and what else they offer. Take notes so you can compare the best value for the best cost. It can be easy to fall into the trap of hiring the cheapest mover, but the cheapest mover is not always the best, so make sure you’re looking at reviews and overall value.

Pack By Yourself And Hire a Driver

Most moving companies outsource drivers to transport your belongings from your old place to your new home. But you can save some of the costs by hiring a U-haul driver directly. Of course, you may lose out on some of the benefits that come with moving companies, particularly packing. Some moving companies provide packing boxes and even help you pack, but you pay for that. Instead, consider grabbing spare boxes from a local liquor store or from friends and coworkers. You can pack on your own for free and hire a driver to take you the rest of the way.

Save Your Receipts

Did you know you might be able to deduct moving expenses from your taxes? If you move because of a new job or a new location for your job, or any other work related expense, you can claim the cost of moving on your federal taxes. So it’s important to make sure you save your paperwork and present it to your accountant at the end of the year. You can learn more about moving deductions from TurboTax or by talking to your accountant.

Moving doesn’t have to be as stressful and expensive as it seams if you know the right resources. When buying or selling your home, an experienced College Station realtor can be an invaluable resource.

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

Shared Walls: Apartments, Condominiums, and Townhouses

For many homebuyers, a detached family home is the dream, which is why it’s often considered the default. However, others might prefer the convenience of attached housing or condominiums. If you don’t want or need the space of a detached home and yard, you can find a space of your own within a shared complex and less responsibility when it comes to yard work — if any responsibility at all. They also tend to be more affordable than detached family homes, and more available in urban areas for those who want to stay close to the heart of the city.

The question is, which kind of attached housing is right for you? The three most common types of living spaces like this are apartments, condominiums, and townhouses.

Apartments

Apartments tend to be most popular with single residents, a group of friends, or couples who haven’t started a family. However, there are still smaller families who make apartment living work and in fact prefer it to other kinds of housing. Apartment complexes are typically owned by a landlord and particular units are leased to individuals. This is the most affordable option, as well as the lowest maintenance option. You don’t have to worry about yard work, and typically maintenance is handled by the landlord at no extra cost to you. The downside is that you won’t have a yard of your own and any maintenance issues you might have are essentially at the whims of your landlord.

Condominiums

Condominiums, or condos, are very similar to apartments on a superficial level. They often look identical in some cases to apartments, but the experience of living in a condo is very different from the experience of living in an apartment. The primary difference is that while apartments are owned by a leasing company or landlord and rented to individuals, condominium units are typically individually owned, while the complex is grouped within a homeowners’ association. The lawn and all shared spaces are communally owned. Thus those who want to avoid an HOA fees or regulations may not be interested in condos, but ownership is an appealing feature to many, particularly single professionals and young families.

Townhouses

Townhouses or townhomes are individual, privately owned homes, but attached to neighboring houses by one or two shared walls. Though these types of homes tend to be more common in New England or on the coast, you can find townhouses in Bryan-College Station. Like condos, they tend to fall under an HOA. However, HOA fees for townhouses tend to be lower than HOA for condos. This is because maintenance for the exterior of the home, including the surrounding lawn, is the responsibility of the townhouse owner, while maintenance is covered under the HOA of condos. The design is also distinct, as townhouses tend to be uniquely vertical. Bedrooms are upstairs while living spaces are below. 

If you’re looking for something low maintenance, you might prefer condos or apartments. However, some homebuyers prefer the freedom of townhouses compared to the other two. A townhouse is essentially the closest you’ll find to a detached home without actually purchasing a detached home.

Apartments, condos, and townhouses are all valid alternatives to detached family homes. Deciding between them depends on budget, your wish list, and your particular needs. Need help choosing which makes the most sense for you? Talk to an experienced realtor for available options in Bryan-College Station.

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 Tips for a Front Lawn that Stands Out

Whether you’re settling into a new home or preparing to list your old home, you want your lawn to make a statement. If you’re moving in, a great lawn will help the place feel more like home and will create a more inviting first impression for visitors. It also helps to extend your living by creating an appealing outdoor space to enjoy with friends and family. If you’re moving out, your front lawn goes a long way to boosting your curb appeal and drawing the attention of homebuyers.

So how do you cultivate that perfect lawn for your home? Here are a few of our tips:

Water Before Dawn

The sweet spot when it comes to lawn irrigation is between 3 and 5am. Irrigate too early and your lawn could be too wet, causing mold, mushrooms, and fungus. Irrigate after dawn and the steam could damage your grass. Fortunately, with advancements in technology, you don’t have to wake up between 3 and 5am in order to water the lawn. Many sprinklers come with timers for just that purpose. Set your sprinkler to water the lawn before dawn, and you won’t even have to think about it.

Adjust the Soil

Before you start a garden or any elaborate landscaping, you’ll want to test the soil of your lawn. Get a soil kit and test the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. The neutral pH for your lawn is 7. If the number is less than 7, it’s too acidic, while a number greater than 7 is too alkaline. However, if you want to start a vegetable garden, you’ll want your lawn to be slightly on the acidic side, about 6.5. What can you do to get the pH level you want? Sulfur, iron sulfate, or organic materials such as peat moss, can lower high pH levels, while pulverized lime is often used on acidic soil. Fertilizing the soil in autumn will also help ensure that it stays prime for your landscaping plans.

Add Some Color

Some of the color of your curb appeal can be done through the front door or trim of the house, and that certainly makes a pleasing impression. However, you can also add color to your lawn. Plant a flower bed or a vegetable garden. Perennial flowers are the most popular choice here, so you can keep the color year round. Others prefer succulent gardens, which offer some color but also require much less maintenance. You can even paint the front door to match the color in your lawn for a more cohesive aesthetic. Man-made lawn decorations here and there can also enhance the color of your lawn.

While it’s a great idea to give the front lawn a makeover whether you’re moving in or moving out, keep in mind that you have different purposes for each case. If you’re moving in, you want to really make a stamp on your lawn. Make choices that suit your taste and make you happy. If you’re moving out, however, try to follow popular lawn trends and stay neutral so as to please the next owner of the house. And if you need more tips to stage your home before the big move, talk to a realtor.

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

Benefits of New Construction

There’s something appealing about buying an entirely new home. No one else has lived there before, which allows you and your family to put your own stamp on it. While a great existing home can be found if you don’t have time to wait for a new construction, sometimes the best way to find your dream home is to have it built for you and your family from the beginning. Here are just a few of the many benefits of moving into a new construction home.

Customization

Perhaps the favorite benefit for homeowners considering new construction is that you don’t have to worry about compromising with a new construction. The builder will take your specifications as to what the home should look like. That means all your kitchen and bathroom needs, your color palette, and any other customization options will be entirely up to you. When you walk into your new home for the first time, it should be everything you hoped because it was designed with you in mind.

Everything is Up to Date

Often when searching for existing homes, you’ll have to contend with out of date appliances or layouts. The house itself may be less expensive than a new construction, but you may need to pay for updates in order to make it comfortable for your family. New constructions, however, tend to use new appliances and open layouts that are much more on trend and easier to move around. New construction homes also tend to use more energy efficient technology, so you’ll be able to save on the cost of energy bills.

Warranty

All new homes come with a warranty, which allows you some peace of mind as to the construction of the home. This warranty may come through the builder or through an independent company that works for the builder. There are different types of warranties available, and before making your decision you should find out what kind of warranty is available to you in purchasing a particular new home.

Fire Safety

The more we learn and the more technology advances, the more fire safety features become available. Just like your new construction home is likely to be more energy efficient with up-to-date appliances, it’s also likely to be more fire safe. There may be fire retardant in the carpeting or insulation or hardwired smoke detectors with back-up batteries in case the power goes out as opposed to standard battery operated smoke detectors. The newer the home is, the more likely it will be to protect you and your family from fires.

There’s nothing a place feel quite like home as knowing that your family is the first to ever live there. New construction homes may not be an option for everyone depending on your budget and your timeframe, but if you have time for a new construction, it’s certainly worth the wait. If that sounds right for you, talk to an experienced realtor in Brazos Valley about new construction options and how to start the process of building your dream home.

Home 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

4th of July in Brazos Valley

Summer is here, and before you know it, 4rth of July will be here as well. That means it’s time for barbecue, hanging out on the lawn with friends and family, and of course, fireworks. Although residential fireworks aren’t legal within Bryan-College Station city limits, you can stop by the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum for the big firework show. And fireworks aren’t the only thing to enjoy on 4th of July in Brazos Valley. Here are a few of the events you can enjoy for the big day next month.

“I Love America” Celebration

Every July 4th at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, you can gather in the lawn for the 4th of July “I Love America.” Celebration Concert and firework show. Starting that morning, the museum opens with free admission. In the evening, concession stands gather and bounce houses and games show up for the kids’ amusement. At 8:35, the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra begins the concert, followed by a firework show at 9:30. Of all the firework events in College Station, this is the big one to see.

Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration

For over 30 years, the Brazos Heritage Society has put on a 4th of July celebration that evokes the past. There’s a flag raising, patriotic readings, a children’s parade, live music, and plenty of refreshments. It’s located right in the middle of the Eastside Historical District of Bryan, at 30th and Hutchins. This is a festival for early bird celebrators, and those who like to remember the history of their 4th of July celebrations.

Fireworks On the Brazos

Another fireworks festival occurs at Washington on the Brazos and runs from 10am to 10pm. There’s fireworks at 9:30pm, but it’s so much more than that. Throughout the day, you can enjoy free ice cream from Blue Bell, live music from country music artists, and enjoy plenty of food and craft vendors. There’s even a shuttle running starting in the afternoon to take people to and from the park.

Patriotic Picnic

Maybe for you, 4th of July is less about the fireworks and more about the fireworks and more about the food. If that’s the case, the patriotic picnic at First Baptist in Bryan might be for you. The picnic starts at 5:30pm and includes a concert for the community’s entertainment. Like the other events, this is free and open to the public.

If you’re new to Brazos Valley, attending one of the many 4th of July festivals throughout the area can be a great way to get to know the area. Even if you’re just visiting and looking for a place to possibly live later, celebrating the 4th of July with us will help you to see what this area truly has to offer. Here, you’ll find a friendly, enthusiastic community, great food and music, and a day of fun for the family. If you’re here looking for a new home, or just moving in, around 4th of July, ask your realtor what 4th of July celebrations are going on near you.

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

How to Save Energy And Add Value to Your Home

Boosting your home value is essential if you plan to sell your home at some point in the foreseeable future. Housing markets fluctuate and there’s a possibility that by the time you move, your house will be worth less than it was when you moved in. Even if that’s not the case, you want to make a return on investment, and that means adding value to your home.

You can do this by making improvements on the existing home, improvements that homebuyers will likely be willing to pay for when it comes time to list your home. This could be remodeling or updating the appliances. One sure way to add value to your home is by making energy efficient changes. Energy efficient changes not only add value to your home overall but reduce your energy bills in the meantime, and the eco-friendly appeal is not lost on many modern homebuyers. Here are a few ways to save energy and add value to your home:

Updating Appliances? Look for Energy Star

If you plan to remodel, make sure all your new appliances, windows, doors, etc. are Energy Star approved. Energy Star is a program started by the EPA that rates the energy performance of various home appliances. They have energy efficiency standards that have to be met in order to certify a product, and are generally held as the standard when it comes to energy efficiency. You can even use their website’s product finder in order to find the right products for whatever updating you plan to do. Want a new HVAC system? Energy Star can help with that. Redoing the kitchen? Find your new refrigerator from a list of Energy Star products. Even roof products and pool pumps are covered here.

Tighter Insulation

If your home’s insulation isn’t strong enough, excess cool air could be leaking into your home, or could be escaping out depending on the time of year. This quickly becomes a drain on your HVAC costs and your home’s energy performance. So if your HVAC bills have been particularly high, or you’re looking for a way to lower them before you move, new insulation might be the answer. Fiberglass insulation can have an R-value up to 25, making it a big hit with energy conscious homeowners...and homebuyers.

Have an Audit

If you’re unsure where to start with your energy efficient updates, have a home energy audit. A home energy audit, or home energy assessment, is a check-up by energy efficiency experts who measure how much energy your home is currently using and where and how you can save energy. If your windows need to be replaced, your insulation needs to be stronger, or your light fixtures need more efficient bulbs, a home energy audit can tell you all that and more, giving you the perfect roadmap for adding value to your home.

If you’ve recently made energy efficient updates to your home, make sure you let your realtor know. She can market your home as energy efficient, thus giving you an edge in the market and catching the eye of savvy homebuyers.

Home 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’s Negotiable? The Basics Of Real Estate Negotiation For Buyers And Sellers

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When it comes to buying or selling a home, there’s more to negotiate than just the selling price. Buyers and sellers need to be aware of their options. An experienced realtor can provide guidance, but the decisions are up to you.

What you can negotiate

Here are four areas other than price that allow for negotiation:

·        Closing costs

Because this process is expensive for everyone, the buyer may ask the seller to pay some of the closing costs depending on what their lender allows. This may increase the selling price so the seller doesn’t actually pay anything out of pocket.

·        Needed repairs

Unless the seller specifies that the home is being sold as-is, this is another are that leaves room for negotiation.

·        Home warranties

Even a home that looks good after an inspection can have some issues with the A/C or plumbing later on. Many buyers want a home warranty as an extra layer of protection after they buy. Some sellers offer home warranties, but it’s not unusual for a buyer to ask for one.

·        Appliances and Furniture

While dishwashers and stoves are normally part of the package, things like refrigerators, washers, and dryers are not. In fact, the buyer may even want to keep some furniture items.  This could increase the sale price, but it could also be a way for the seller to make concessions without having to lower their price.

The process of negotiating

Who has the advantage in the negotiations often depends on the market. In a seller’s market, the seller doesn’t have to do a lot of negotiating to get their house sold. They can go with whatever buyer gives them the best offer. In a buyer’s market, if a seller doesn’t give a little to the buyer’s demands, the buyer could just move on to another home.

The buyer and seller can both benefit by being represented by realtors. Their realtors will understand the contracts and negotiations.  Also, your realtor can let you know how friendly the market is to negotiating from your side. In Brazos Valley, you need a realtor that can tell you what the market is like by area. A house in Bryan and a house in College Station may look the same on a website, but a realtor can give you the full picture based on local markets.

A U.S. News & World Report article that gives negotiating tips for homebuyers is an enlightening read for both sides. One thing that stands out is the recommendation to have a real estate agent help you through the process. The article points out that just because it’s easy to find home listings online, that doesn’t mean you should go it alone. A realtor is an asset.

There is always a little room for negotiation on both sides. A local realtor can help you make an offer or decide if an offer is acceptable based on the market. Whether you’re buying or selling you can get through this process with expert help from a local realtor.