July Activities and Events in Bryan-College Station

Summer is in full swing in Bryan-College Station, and that means summer athletics, days at the pool, and summer festivals. With the sun shining brightly and exciting holidays like the 4th of July coming up, it’s a great time to get outdoors and enjoy your new community. Looking for something to do? Here are a few July activities and events in Bryan College Station that we’re looking forward to:

4th of July Events

Fireworks! Barbeque! Live music and waving American flags! 4th of July is an exciting time in Bryan-College Station and there are several events that you can enjoy here. At the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum on Texas A&M campus, there’s the “I Love America” celebration full of food truck vendors, rides and bounce houses for kids, and of course a grand fireworks show at the end of the night. If you’re an early riser, there’s also a 4th of July parade on Foxfire Drive beginning at 9am. At Century Square, you’ll find live music performances, or if you’re looking for something more traditional, you can head over to the Old Fashioned 4th of July in Heritage Park.

Music and Entertainment Events

Summer is the perfect time of year to enjoy an outdoor music event late into the night, and Bryan-College Station has plenty to offer. At Lake Walk Park in Bryan, there’s the Eats & Beats series, including food trucks for refreshments and musical performances from acts like David Michael George and Hayden Haddock. First Friday in Downtown Bryan also offers live music in addition to the late hours for several downtown restaurants and shops. Looking for something indoors? Check out Singer/Songwriter Night for local, budding musicians at The Village Cafe every Thursday in Bryan. Looking for something that will entertain the kids? Check out Free Film Friday at the Queen House in Bryan.

Sports Events

Football may be a few months away, but you can enjoy summer sports in the meantime. In the heat of July, swim competitions are understandably the most prominent sporting events. In the Texas A&M Natatorium on July 12th, you can enjoy the 2019 Northwest Circuit Invitational and a week later, you can come back for the 2019 US Masters Swimming South Central Zone Championships. When the swimming competitions put you in the mood to go swimming yourself, you can check out any of these places to go swimming in Bryan-College Station. From July 20-27 at the Brazos Valley Expo, you can also catch the Texas 4-H Horse Show.

If you’re new to Bryan-College Station, July is the perfect time to get out and experience all that the community has to offer. Still looking for your new home in Bryan-College Station? Talk to a College Station realtor today to find your dream home and expertise on getting the best value for it. And keep an eye on our blog to learn about more events that Bryan-College Station has coming up throughout the year.

4 Transportation Considerations For Your New Home

When most people are looking for a new home, they focus on things like price, home style and the type of home loan that they can get. While these are all very important considerations, it's also critical to take a close look at the location of the new home. Not only is it important to make sure that your new home is in a great neighborhood, it also needs to be in a good position in regards to transportation.

Whether you drive yourself to work or take public transportation, you need to be fully aware of the transportation options in a potential new home. You can ask your realtor in College Station, TX all about these considerations to get the answers that you need to make an informed purchase decision. Here are four of the things to ask your realtor if you're wondering about transportation at a new home.

1. What Is The Work Commute Like?

Let your realtor know where you work and what your schedule is like so that they can tell you about convenient routes to your workplace. Make sure to ask them about common traffic conditions and rush hour traffic if you will have to take a busy freeway or highway as part of your commute. You'll also want to know about the traffic conditions in your new neighborhood at the times you typically go to and come home from work.

If your realtor isn't sure about these traffic conditions, take a day off and drive through the neighborhood early in the morning and later in the evening to see what traffic is like at these times.

2. Is The Area Served By Public Transit?

If you regularly use public transportation, it's a good idea to ask your College Station realtor to find out if your new home will be conveniently located near public bus stops. Perhaps you are a one-car family but you are planning to look for a new job or have a child. If that's the case, then public transit can be a huge asset to you.

Even if you regularly drive, checking on public transportation is still a good idea. You never know when you might have a bout of car trouble and need to grab a public bus to make it to work on time.

3. Is The Home In A School Bus District?

If you have children or if you are planning to have them soon, you need to make sure that your new home is in the right school bus service area for the school district you want your child to attend. If you have your eye on a certain school district, the fact that your child can catch a bus to school is a big bonus for a particular address.

4. Is Walking Feasible?

Sometimes transportation isn't just about buses and cars. For example, you may want to know if your new neighborhood has light traffic to enable you to take a walk. You may also be interested to find out if the new home is within walking distance of useful places, such as parks or convenience stores.

Your realtor in College Station, TX can help you find out if a particular home will meet your transportation needs. 

Christmas Decorating Tips

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Here in Central Texas we do things big, and Christmas decorating is no exception. There’s no need to wait until after Thanksgiving, start after Halloween!  

There are some Christmas decorating tips, to ensure that you to will have a big Texas Christmas.

·         Add color to your front door. Rather than stick with a boring white front door, add a wreath with colorful accents and bows.

·         Use Christmas lanterns to add holiday cheer and light to your front walkway or porch.

·         Display an Advent wreath to countdown until Christmas.

·         Use lights and greenery to decorate staircases, railings and mantels.

·         Wrap indoor and outdoor columns with garlands and lights.

·         Use colors that match your décor. For example, if your living room is done in beiges and yellows, use gold and white to decorate your tree and living areas.

·         Put out holiday themed throw pillows and blankets.

·         Use cascading ribbons on your tree to create a unique, different tree design.

·         Use fruit and greenery to make table centerpieces.

·         Make your own stockings from burlap, fleece or other affordable textiles.

·         Wrap gifts in paper that matches your décor and color scheme.

·         Use extra ornaments to decorate. Put them in glass cylinders, bowls or arrange on mantel.

·         Use winter flowers to decorate your mantel, tables and entryway.

·         Stick with the same color theme throughout the house.

·         Use a different wrapping paper for every family member; this alleviates the need for gift tags.

Featured Homes for Sale Bryan,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.

Christmas Caroling in Texas

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Even though Bryan College Station isn’t known for it’s white Christmases, we still know how to celebrate as if we did. Gathering the family, friends and neighbors to go caroling can be a lot of fun. Take along thermoses filled with hot apple cider, have bags full of cookies and candy canes and take to the streets to sing songs of the season.

While Christmas caroling can be fun for all, it’s important to remember some important planning and safety tips. After all, it’s easier to have fun if everyone is safe and sound. Here are some tips to ensure that everyone has a fun time in your  neighborhood.

·         Make sure that at least some people in your group know a good selection of Christmas songs. Even though you can provide the words and music, it’s always a good idea to make sure that someone knows the tune and harmony well.

·         Make sure that everyone knows to bring hats, scarves and mittens to stay warm. It’s a bonus if you can coordinate colors, so as to look cohesive and festive.

·         Have your carolers hold candles or lanterns. This will help set the mood and also provide light so cars and bicyclists see the carolers.

·         Be sure that someone is in charge of warm drinks and snacks. Having a warm thermos of hot chocolate or cider will set the mood and keep people warm.

·         Only knock on home who have lights on and Christmas décor. People without lights on often don’t want to be bothered, and won’t appreciate the carols.

·         Be sure that if children are in the group to keep the distance short enough that they will not tire out. Grumpy, tired children are no fun to take Christmas caroling.

Whether you’re young or old, be sure to follow the above tips for a safe and fun caroling experience. You don’t need snow to have a festive holiday season. Get out there and sing your favorite holiday carol.

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.

Creating The Perfect Fall Outdoor Décor

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Fall is a time many people enjoy because it is a transition between hot weather and cold weather that can be very refreshing. Decorating the outside of one’s house, a backyard, porch or patio in fall décor can be a fun and relaxing thing to do. Here are some tips on how to create the perfect outdoor décor for the fall season.

When decorating outside for the fall you will want to think about the color and texture of the décor items you use. Keeping symmetry in mind will also help you create the perfect fall outdoor décor. Be mindful of how your décor will look both up close and at a distance. This way anyone who passes by your house will see your outdoor décor as well as you will see it from the comfort of your own home. One of the easiest things to do is choose a beautiful fall wreath to put on your front door. Hanging baskets hung on your porch can also make for lovely fall décor. You can even take potted flowers and use them as an outdoor centerpiece on a deck or patio. As long as you use some creativity and plants that bloom in the fall you will be able to create a beautiful style for the outside of your home.

Decorating for the fall is especially important if you have recently bought a new home in Bryan College Station, Texas or anywhere throughout Central Texas. 

Featured Homes for Sale in 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  BryanCollege Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs in Your New Home

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Bed bugs love to thrive in areas that are hot, so of course, Central Texas fits that description pretty well. However, they are ways to prevent bed bugs from entering the new home you just bought.

Bed bugs can be identified by their color and shape. They are reddish-brown in color and are flat and oval. The majority of the time, they hide close to the bed, but they have been known to spread to other areas of the room. It is important to note that some bugs found on beds are not bed bugs.

Bed bugs get into your home a number of different ways.  The most common way is through moving or from traveling. You can easily bring these critters into your home if you have been somewhere that had bed bugs. This means that you can get them if your belongings were stored somewhere that had beds bugs during your move. They bury inside your moving boxes and could take up residence in your new Bryan College Station dream home. 

To prevent these pesky bed bugs from entering your home, inspect all your items before putting them away. This is especially true with mattresses and furniture.  Check the crevices, behind molding, as well as other embellishments. 

If you bring in any used furniture into your home that you purchase after you move in, be sure that you inspect it carefully for signs of the bugs or its fecal matter. Also, if you go on vacation, be sure to inspect your accommodations before bringing in your luggage. Many people forget to do this in the excitement and the little hitchhikers make their way into your home.

You are settling into your new home and the last thing you want is unwanted critters in your bed. Following these few tips will ensure you and your new home stay bed bug free! 

Featured Homes For Sale Bryan, 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.

Great Tips on Meeting Your New Neighbors

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Moving in to a new neighborhood may be a bit stressful and intimidating for some.  However, if you have recently purchased a new home in Bryan College Station, you can easily meet your new neighbors with a few easy tips.

Many neighborhoods in the Central Texas area have groups or organizations where the people from the community get together and talk about things that are relevant in the neighborhood.

Even if you are having a housewarming party, consider also hosting a neighborhood cocktail party.  If you don’t have time to throw an entire party, consider a cocktail hour.  This can be something as simple as relaxing with your new neighbors on your front porch.  It is a great way to bond with your neighbors.

Central Texas has beautiful weather so why not head outside.  If you are outside doing yard work or landscaping, neighbors may walk over and introduce themselves.  Also, you can head out for a walk around your neighborhood.  On a nice day, you are sure to see people out and about. 

The front porch of your home is a great way to meet new folks in your area.  Set out some rocking chairs and sit out there with your coffee after breakfast on a weekend or a cocktail after dinner.  People are usually out walking their dogs or walking with their kids on weekends and in the evening enjoying the cool night air. 

Another great way to meet your neighbors is to go where the action is.  Whether your town has a community center or town pool, there are bound to be folks there. You love your dream home in your ideal neighborhood, why not make new friends and really settle into your new life. 

Featured Homes for Sale in Bryan, TX

Your local RE/Max realtor bryan-college station, Sarah Miller can help you discover a lot great tips for making a profitable and fast sell of your house.

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.

Finding A Qualified Home Inspector

As you should already know, a home inspection is a key part of the real estate process. Of course, your home inspection is only as good as your home inspector. 

Finding a Qualified Home Inspector

If you are considering buying a property, you absolutely must get a home inspection. What most people don’t realize, however, is it can also be valuable to retain one before you sell a property to identify any problems before your accept an offer. Fixing such problems before hand makes a lot more sense than panicking in the middle of escrow.

Regardless of your particular position in the real estate process, the home inspection is only as good as the inspector. Frankly, some inspectors are less than credible when it comes to qualifications and their background. To bypass these individuals, the following organizations should be used as a resource. 

The American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. is located in Des Plaines, Illinois. Known as ASHI, it was founded in 1976 to create a resource and quality control atmosphere for home inspections. You can get referrals to ASHI inspectors in your area by contacting the Society at 800-743-ASHI. In doing so, you will avoid hacks calling themselves inspectors. 

The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors is another credible organization. Located in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the Association maintains both a code of ethics and strict standards of practice for its members. With over 9,000 members in North America, you can find an inspector in your area by calling 1-877 FIND-INS.

Another organization that stands out in the home inspection industry is the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the organization also requires members to abide by strict practice standards and a code of ethics, which should be comforting to you. You can contact it to find a home inspector in your area by calling 800-448-3942.

The old cliché is garbage in, garbage out. By using a credible home inspector, you can put this cliché out of your mind.

Sarah Miller offers real estate services in Bryan-College Station Real Estate. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station realtors that has a long list of the finest real properties bryan tx, that any intending settler or buyer can choose from.

Concrete Homes - Your Fortress in a Natural Disaster

If the area you lived in was subject to earthquakes, insect infestation and wildfires, and you could live in a type of housing that could withstand all those perils, why wouldn't you? Concrete homes have an amazing resistance to all of the above and are commonly used in Florida and other hurricane ridden locations, but their popularity hasn't spread to the west coast. 

Due to their unique construction, a number of homes have survived the wildfires in California. Pat Callahan owns a concrete house outside Escondido that only suffered smoke damage during the October Witch Creek fire. Although the vinyl windows were melted, the house remained standing. 

Another success story was that of Lorraine Aledort and her 5,500 square-foot concrete house near Ramona. The upgrades in her home included:

Concrete roof tiles, glued-down to resist high winds.

Interior fire sprinklers (now a local building requirement).

Oversized wood beams to withstand exposure to heat longer than their smaller counterparts.

An emergency power generator.

A 10,000-gallon water tank to be used in a fire emergency. 

Commercial grade aluminum windows with extra thick tempered glass.

Exterior walls were one foot in thickness including reinforcing steel placed in the concrete forms for protection against earthquake damage. 

After spending 3 1/2 years building their home, Lorraine and her husband had only lived there a few weeks when the wildfires struck. The landscape was blackened, but the house withstood only minor smoke damage. The cost of building compared to a comparable wood home was about twenty percent higher; Lorraine considers this money well spent 

Structural engineer, George Easton describes concrete construction similar to assembling Lego blocks. "The “blocks” are polystyrene forms, called insulated concrete forms, into which the concrete is poured. The forms then are left in place to serve as insulation and the backing for stucco on the exterior or drywall on the interior."

The walls can provide up to an R-50 energy rating and require approximately 44 percent less energy to heat and 32 percent less energy to cool compared to a traditional wood home. 

If concrete houses are so effective against natural disasters, why aren't they widely used? Part of the problem is the lack of knowledge in the building industry regarding concrete construction. Even though concrete construction has national code approval, there are many inspectors with little knowledge of how to inspect the structures. 

Many builders feel that the future of widespread concrete housing requires a dominant player in the building industry to come forward and say "we can do this", and others will follow suit.

·         Sarah Miller offers real estate services in Bryan-College Station Real Estate. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station realtors that has a long list of the finest real properties bryan tx, that any intending settler or buyer can choose from.

 

How to Invest in Superior Condominiums

Condo or condominium is a housing option that looks like an apartment complex. Condo ownership lets the owner to own the condo only not the land. Condo owners have to pay monthly fee for maintaining common areas. 

Generally the association of property owners manages condominiums. Owners of condominium can do anything inside the their unit but not the outside. You’ve to clear all related points that what you can do or not inside the condominium at the time of signing the contract. You should check that whether it satisfies your requirements or not. 

Condominium buying is just like purchasing single-family homes. Condominium offers a joint ownership of real estate and partners can use common recreational areas. Condo buying is the cheaper option as compared to real estate market. It offers great living opportunity in United States. It is the great option for the people who travel a lot. Several owners of real property offer condos with kitchens and private bedroom that enables residents of condominium to cook their food. They can save money by cooking their meal own. 

Condo buying offers ownership without maintenance harassment, repairs and security concerns. Condos are usually luxurious and cheap housing options and you can spend your holidays at beautiful locations. Before any type of purchase check parking spaces, bathrooms, fireplace, condos’ area, amenities such as pool, health club etc, area costs, and security arrangement.

Condos’ buying is an important financial investment. Before purchasing unique condominium answer yourself for some general questions like:

Which area of the city is best suitable to your lifestyle?

What type of condo do you want? 

How much you can pay for it?

How do you make purchase of condominium?

You should research for the builders’ reputation on Internet or personally before any type of agreement. Read purchase and sale agreement carefully and check all terms and conditions that will apply on the transaction. Be sure about all details of condo homeowner association that includes costs of monthly maintenance fee. The decision of buying condo should be based on social, legal and financial understanding. You should check whether the property is right for you and your family for a long period. Important documents such as the declaration, operating budget, management agreement and regulatory agreement should be reviewed at the time of buying a condominium. 

Condo buying is not the best option for all. People who don’t want to share certain areas, like pool etc, with other condos owner should go for single home ownership instead of condominium. Sometimes total price of condo is lower than single-unit home. Condos’ residents should be aware of condominium settings. They can share their problems in monthly meeting with the association. It is compulsory to attend meetings and discussions. You should be active in community events while living in condominium. 

You can talk to several professionals online to get all useful information about a particular area. They will provide significant information to make an easy condo buying. You should make your condos buying with complete understanding and awareness.

·         Sarah Miller offers real estate services in Bryan-College Station Real Estate. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station realtors that has a long list of the finest real properties bryan tx, that any intending settler or buyer can choose from.

 

Creative Financing - Ten Ways

Do all the creative financing techniques you hear about really work? Yes, actually. They probably have all worked somewhere for someone at least once. The point isn't if they will all work for you. The point is to know what is possible, so you can find your own creative ways to invest in real estate. Here are ten methods to get you thinking.

 1. Hard money lenders. You can ask around or find these online. They specialize in short-term loans at high interest. You typically use this type of financing for a "fix and flip." You can often get the money fast, and if you make $30,000 on a project, who cares if you paid $10,000 interest in six months.

 2. No-doc and low-doc loans. No (or low) documentation of your income or credit required. Again, you can find banks that do these online now. The catch is that you will only be able to borrow up to 80% of the purchase price or property value. If you have 10% in cash, you might be able to borrow the other 10% from a friend or the seller.

 3. Seller-carried second mortgages. Sometimes a bank will loan you 90%, and allow the seller to take back a second mortgage from you for 5%, leaving you needing only 5% for a downpayment.

 4. Land contract. Called "contract for sale" or other names as well, this just means the seller lets you make payments, and delivers the title upon payment in full. I sold a rental this way for $1,000 down, because I wanted the 9% interest, and the higher price I got this way.

 5. Credit cards. If a seller will take $10,000 down on a fixer-upper that you expect to make $20,000 on, why not use credit cards? This is a true 0-down deal for you, and if you turn the project in six months, you will have paid $900 in interest on an 18% credit card. Don't let $900 get in the way of making $20,000.

 6. Retirement accounts. The laws get pretty complex in this area, but you can check with a tax attorney to see how you might borrow from your own retirement account to finance real estate investments.

 7. Friends and family. Keep it all business, if you use this source, but loaning you money at 7% isn't a gift if their money is getting 2% in the bank.

 8. Note buyers. The seller needs cash. He raises the price, and sells to you for $100,000 with no money down, taking back two mortgages from you for $90,000 and $10,000. He arranged (or you did) for a note buyer to pay him $80,000 cash for the first mortgage at closing, getting him the cash he wanted. You pay two payments now, one to each note holder.

 9. Get a loan on other property. Interestingly, if you take out a home equity loan for a vacation, and then forget to use it for that, you can use it for the downpayment on an investment  property, without violating the rules of the bank that gives you the primary mortgage. In other words, you got in with no cash of your own.

 10. Partnerships. For bigger projects, you could arrange for five investors to each put money into a partnership, with your share being the management responsibility instead of cash.

·         Sarah Miller offers real estate services in Bryan-College Station Real Estate. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station realtors that has a long list of the finest real properties bryan tx, that any intending settler or buyer can choose from.

Coinciding Settlements Clauses - Funding Issues

People who are selling their home in order to buy another frequently put a "coinciding settlements" clause into their contract offer on the new home. The purpose of this is usually twofold. In this article, we discuss the first purpose which is to use funds from the old home to pay for the new one. 

How Coinciding Settlements Work

A coinciding settlement clause usually says something along the lines of "settlement under this contract is contingent upon the settlement of the contract for the sale of the Purchaser's property located at 1234 Spring Valley Drive..." It typically goes on to state the maximum number of days this settlement can be delayed by delays on the other settlement. It also usually says what will happen if the other contract becomes void. (Usually "this" contracts becomes void, too, but that doesn't have to be the case if there's another source of funds.)

The settlements don't literally happen at the same time as the name implies. They can be back-to-back in the same office. They can be a day (or even days) apart in offices in different states. Very often it's necessary for the settlement agent for the first settlement to wire transfer funds directly to the banking account of the settlement agent for the second settlement. This is usually a smooth, seamless procedure. 

A Word to the Wise Seller

Coinciding settlements usually work well for the purpose of providing funds as outlined above. The one problem that crops up from time to time occurs when the first sale falls apart for some reason. The most frequent reason the first sale falls apart (when it does) is that the buyer is unable to get his loan. Because of this, some sellers insist that coinciding settlement clauses include language giving them permission to check with the lender for the first buyer. Making sure the first buyer is qualified for the necessary loan is good business. Don't feel awkward about it. 

Coinciding settlement is a common fact in the current real estate market. Use the above technique to avoid problems with your real estate transactions.

Sarah Miller offers real estate services in Bryan-College Station Real Estate. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station realtors that has a long list of the finest real properties bryan tx, that any intending settler or buyer can choose from.

Recession Real Estate Investing - The Short Sale

If you have been following the residential real estate market, you have probably already ascertained that the market has crashed.  Not  only crashed, but crashed and burned.  This is unfortunate for a lot of homeowners who can no longer afford to live in their homes.  Many are in the process of foreclosure because they cannot make the mortgage payments any longer. 

You can actually kill two birds with one stone by investing in these properties.  A home that is in foreclosure but not yet owned by the bank is called a short sale.  You can usually pick a home up like this for a fraction of the cost.  The owner, in most cases, just wants to be able to pay off the bank so that they do not have a foreclosure on their credit record.  A foreclosure can be devastating to credit and most people want to avoid this calamity. 

Finding short sale properties is not difficult in this economy.  You can either work with a real estate agent or you can do your own homework.  Foreclosures are a long process and is something that has to go through the court system.  A bank cannot just foreclose on an individual without getting a court order that gives them the title of the property.  Anything that goes through the court system is public record.  You can go up to your local county courthouse and find a list of properties that are in the process of foreclosure simply by looking on the court roll call.

Once you find a home in the process of foreclosure, you can then contact the owners and offer to buy the home.  You can find out how much the original mortgage was for the property through the county recorders office.  The mortgage and note are all recorded against the property.  This is a matter of public record.  If you have some knowledge of the real estate market as well and the current value of the properties in the area in which you are looking, you can find a real bargain.

You can find a home, for example, that is worth about $200,000 in which the owner is behind on a mortgage that is about $120,000.  You can offer to purchase the home for $130,000 and give the owner $10,000 in their pocket.  You can also offer to allow the original owner to stay in the house and rent it from you.  You will restructure the mortgage and make sure that you get a low rate.  You then have a home that is worth $200,000 for which you only owe a small portion and a renter who will, essentially, pay your mortgage. 

If the original owner buys the home back from you, they will have to do so under your terms.  You can then ask for the $200,000 when the market rebounds.  You have just made $70,000 profit in a few years, a much better yield than you can ever make in any other market investment. 

This may seem predatory, but you are really helping the original owner out.  If they are about to be evicted because they cannot pay their mortgage, you at the very least, buying them time and giving them a chance to get back on their feet.  If they cannot pay the rent to you, they will at least have had a bit more time to plan their move.  If they manage to buy the home back from you, it is a win win situation for everyone.

Sarah Miller offers real estate services in Bryan-College Station Real Estate. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station realtors that has a long list of the finest real properties bryan tx, that any intending settler or buyer can choose from.

 

Tips On Making Money In Real Estate Today

If you are looking to get rich quick in the real estate market today, you are headed for disappointment.  The real estate market took a nosedive last year and has reached rock bottom.  Residential foreclosures are at an all time high and continue to grow. 

This does not mean that real estate investing is a poor idea.  To the contrary, now is the perfect time to invest in real estate.  Although the market is bad for sellers, it is excellent for buyers.  On top of that, the mortgage interest rates are lower than ever.  It is hard to imagine a better time than now to invest in real estate. 

Some tips on investing in real estate in the market today and how to make money are as follows:

Look for the long term investment.  Be prepared to hold onto the property for a few years until the market rebounds.

Look into renting property.  People always need a place to live.  You can rent your property to those who need a home and make money when you sell after the market regains its strength. 

Think about investing in commercial real estate.  Although residential markets are bad, the commercial market has remained stable.  You can invest in property such as strip malls and office buildings and still make money. 

Consider investing in vacant land.  Look for property in areas that are undeveloped.  You may find in a 10 years that your property is worth 10 times more than what it is today.  Think of the people who owned farmland in Orlando.  The property is now worth thousands of times more than original asking price.

Do not panic. This should be rule number one.  If you own a home, do not panic and sell.  This is how you lose money in real estate.  Hold onto your property and ride out the storm.  The market always rebounds. 

Consider new construction.  If you are able to act as a general contractor and build a home, there is money to be made.  New construction is always desired by most people as they like to be the first to live in a home.  If you are in the trades, consider building your own home.

Buy foreclosures.  Look at foreclosures that are on the market and that are owned by banks and mortgage lenders.  Put in a bid and do not be afraid to bid low.  There are thousands of foreclosures across the market, even in upscale neighborhoods.  This is where you can make some serious money if you buy low, hold onto the property for a while, and sell high.

Buying low and selling high is how you make a profit in any business and is no different in the real estate market.  The current market, however, does not make it possible to sell high.  There are more homes on the market than there are buyers.  Many of the buyers that are out there are foreign investors who can spot the opportunity of purchasing property in the United States at bargain basement rates.  Although this is not the market to sell high, it is definitely the market to buy low. 

 

6 Reasons Why You Should Buy Real Estate In December

December and New Year's Day give you the perfect occasion to buy real estate. Not only can you pick up a bargain property from a motivated seller, you can save on your purchase expenses. 

1.  Home shoppers put off looking for a home because of holiday decorating, shopping, and parties. Plus, the cold weather makes home buyers prefer to stay home; they wait for warm weather to buy real estate. Get the edge with little competition from other buyers. 

2.  Home sellers who didn't sell during the recent buying frenzy are worried that their home will not sell. Any seller offering their home for sale during the holiday season is motivated. 

3.  Real estate agents need to keep their momentum going and can't afford to take too much time off. When the agents aren't as busy, you get better service. Plus, they're more likely to take low offers seriously. Agents love investors ready to buy real estate during December. 

4.  Interest rates continue to creep up. Who knows what the rates will rise to next year? 

5.  Lenders threaten to tighten up qualifications next year. Last summer, loan officers were able to get through almost any loan. Today is your best shot to buy real estate and get a great rate with the easiest qualifications. 

6.  Appraisers need work. Too many individuals became real estate appraisers when there was too much work. It used to take a week or more to schedule an appraisal. We just ordered an appraisal and the appraiser wanted to come out the same afternoon! Also, appraisal fees cost less today than last month. 

Clear some time from your busy holiday schedule and go find a bargain house. Make many offers. You won't get this break for another year.

 Sarah Miller offers real estate services in Bryan-College Station Real Estate. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station realtors that has a long list of the finest real properties bryan tx, that any intending settler or buyer can choose from.

5 Useful Tips In Buying A House

Buying a house is a very serious matter that comes in to people’s lives. It is very risky to invest your money in buying just any house you find. You must have some guidelines that can help you decide which house is the best for you. Here are some: 

1.         Determine your rights 

When you are ready to buy your own house, be sure you understand your rights as a homebuyer. Knowing the process of buying a house prevents you from getting scammed. You can personally do your home work or seek for a knowledgeable person like a real estate agent or a broker. Make sure that the agent you hire is licensed and have a wide knowledge regarding the area. 

2.         Make sure you can afford it 

Your budget is really a big deal in buying your own house. What you want is different from what you need, so be practical. You don’t really need a big house if you’re just one person that travels everyday, right? Make sure that you make the best for your money. Seek help or ask for suggestions especially for those who have knowledge in real estate prices. If you can’t stay for at least a year, buying a house is inappropriate for you. You may save a whole lot more of money if you sell it urgently. 

3.         Make sure it fits your lifestyle 

Make your house a home. Be sure it really fits your way of life and you are comfortable with it. A good example of this is if you’re working in an office, a good place to find is near or in the vicinity of your office. If you love nature, a good place to find is outside the city with clean air, near parks, has a mountain view or near at the beach. Your personality really matters in finding a good house. Make sure to look at its suburbs first and try to gather some information about the area and its surroundings. Try also to consider the kind of neighbors you will have. 

4.         Consider your future plan 

If you’re newly married, you might to consider how many kids you want to have. You can assume the number of rooms or the home space you need. If you can afford a house that is near to a good school, it is better. School districts are more important to home buyers, therefore, it will increase your property values. 

5.         Be organized 

It is very important to make your document files organized and safe. Because it will prove that you own the house. It will help you a lot especially when it comes in paying your house payments (taxes and amortization).

Sarah Miller offers real estate services in Bryan-College Station Real Estate. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station realtors that has a long list of the finest real properties bryan tx, that any intending settler or buyer can choose from.

5 Major Reasons Why You Should Buy A Home Instead Of Rent

There are times when it is better for a person to rent, but most often home ownership has many more benefits and advantages.  

About 10 years ago I had a retired aunt and uncle who rented a condo in Las Vegas. Uncle Jim (not his real name) was a retired minister. Throughout his career he and his wife lived in parsonages, which are homes furnished by the congregation while they ministered there.  

He and his wife told me that the biggest mistake they ever made was not to invest in buying a home.  In their retirement years, when their other retired friends were living in homes that were almost paid off and had appreciated greatly, Uncle Jim and his wife were using a huge portion of their limited retirement money to make expensive condo rent payments. They strongly cautioned me not to make the same mistake they had. 

Recent studies are showing that there are many benefits for both the owners and the community for owning your own home, including increased education for children, lower teen-age pregnancy rate and a higher lifetime annual income for children. Besides these, listed below are some of the primary advantages for owning your own house. 

1) More Stable Housing Costs

Rent payments can be unpredictable and typically rise each year, but most mortgage payments remain unchanged for the entire loan period. If the taxes go up, the increase is usually gradual. This stable housing cost especially important in times of inflation, when renters lose money and owners make money. 

2) Tax Savings

Homeowners can be eligible for significant tax savings because you can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes from your federal income tax, as well as many states' income taxes. This can be a considerable amount of money at first, because the first few years of mortgage payments are made up mostly of interest and taxes. 

3) Debt Consolidation

If you need to, you can refinance a mortgage loan to consolidate other debts (an opportunity you don't have if you are renting.) And the interest on this is also tax deductable. 

4) Equity

Instead of payments disappearing into someone else’s pocket, home owners are building equity in their own home. This is often one of a person's biggest investment assets.  Each year that you own the home you pay more toward the principal, which is money you will get back when the home sells. It is like having a scheduled savings account that grows faster the longer you have it. If the property appreciates, and generally it does, it is like money in your pocket. And you are the one who gets to take advantage of that, not the landlord. You can then use this equity to plan for future goals like your child's education or your retirement. 

5) It is yours!

When you own a home you are in control. You the freedom to decorate it and landscape it any way you wish. You can have a pet or two. No one can pop in and inspect your home and threaten to evict you. 

Even young people, like college students out on their own, can often benefit from home ownership. It puts them ahead of other young people their age financially by helping with their credit and giving them what is often an excellent investment. Often a college student buying a home will rent the rooms out, and his or her roommates end up making the payments for the house. When the student is ready to move on, her or she can sell the home (hopefully making a profit) or keep it as an investment and continue to rent it. 

Buying a home is an important decision. It is often the largest purchase a person makes in his or her life. Home ownership also comes with some increased responsibilities, and isn't for everyone. There are some disadvantages to homeownership that you should take into account. 

1) Increased Expenses

Your monthly expenses may increase, depending on your situation. Even if the monthly payments are the same, home owners still have to pay property taxes, all the utilities, and all the maintenance and upkeep costs for the home.  Often you need to supply appliances that were furnished with a rental. 

2) Decreased Freedom of Mobility

Homeowners can't move as easily as a renter who just has to give notice to the landlord. Selling a house can be a complex and time consuming process.  

3) Risk of Depreciation

In some areas with overinflated prices, there may be a risk that the house will depreciate instead of increase in value, if the prices go down. If you then sell the house, you may not get enough money from the home to pay back your mortgage, and you will still owe the mortgage company money. 

4) Possibility of Foreclosure

If for some reason you are unable to make your payments, you risk having the lender foreclose on your property. This can result in the loss of your home, any equity you have earned, and the loss of your good credit rating. 

When considering home ownership, you need to weight the advantages and disadvantages for yourself.  If you are like most people, you will find that homeownership is worth the risks and disadvantages.

Sarah Miller offers real estate services in Bryan-College Station Real Estate. She is one of the RE/MAX Bryan-College Station realtors that has a long list of the finest real properties bryan tx, that any intending settler or buyer can choose from.