A Guide to Increasing Curb Appeal: Getting a Better Price for Your Home In College Station, TX

It is true what they say, first impressions are everything.  They can help us decide where we want to go on vacation, who we spend the rest of our lives with, and even where we live.  A positive first impression can mean the difference between a great job and unemployment.  And, when it comes to selling homes in College Station, TX, it can mean the difference between a great asking price and no offers.

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When it comes to first impressions and the home you hope to put on the market, there are a few key places where you can focus.  With a little bit of effort and thought, you can increase the number of bids you get on your home, as well as the final asking price.  What it all comes down to is what a prospective buyer sees the moment they arrive.  If you can wow them the second they lay eyes on your property, then you are off to a great start.  Below is a guide highlighting some of the areas you can focus on.

Small Things

Just as a great painting is composed of a thousand brushstrokes, so too is a house made great when everything comes together.  Take a look at the front of your house and touch up all chipped siding.  Re-paint areas of the house that need it.  Through fixing a dozen small problems unique to your home, you can create a better picture.

Bigger projects

There are two big projects that do not require a lot of time but can have a positive impact on those who visit.  The first is the front door.  By adding a nice brass knocker, and even replacing the front door with one of better quality, you make the first part of your house seen by outsiders impressive.  The second project is edging your driveway.  Proper stone edging can go a long way to make even drab driveways look elegant and inviting.

What to do the Day Of

Some things can really be put to the last moment.  The morning before you know someone is going to look at the house, mow the lawn and wash off the driveway.  This helps create a clean and uniform picture for anyone checking out the property.   With any luck, this quick guide will get you well on your way to selling your College Station property.  Until then, good luck

Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

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

Making Smart Choices for Your Greatest Investment

It is part of the American dream to own your own home.  It is a sign of success, of having made it in the world.  Real Estate is big business and finding that perfect home can be a challenge.  In College Station, TX, this can be made more challenging with students from A&M constantly moving in and out.  From rental properties to homes of all sizes, finding the right place is tricky.

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If owning a home is a part of the American dream, then finding the perfect home may be a part of an American nightmare.  To make the process more simple, a number of tips are included below.  Consider these things before buying your new home, and you can save a great deal of stress further in your future.

Research the History of Where Your Home Is Located

Many residential neighborhoods have histories that could impact the quality of life when you live there.  In addition, a history of poor waste management, disaster proneness, or a myriad of other reasons may explain why the house is inexpensive.

Hire a Home Inspection

Almost every home has a problem.  By hiring a home inspector to check out the future property, you can get a very good idea about what may need to be done with the place.  From checking radon levels, to removing asbestos and lead, a home inspector will also point out weak elements of the home that may need to be replaced.

Check with the Local Government

Oddly enough, there may be restrictions on the land you buy that both you and the previous tenant know nothing about.  This includes archaic laws and restrictions written a century earlier that have long since fallen out of practical use or importance.  However, they can still make doing simple things, like building a patio or fixing your home, very difficult.

Check out the surrounding area

When it comes to amenities, your surrounding area, within a two-mile walking distance, should be considered.  Is your neighborhood nice to walk around in?  Can you get to places without a car that are relaxing?  How many parks are near by? 

Reconsider

The hardest thing to do is to reconsider, especially if you have already settled on a property.  Take everything into consideration, and do not settle for less then you want.  Until that time, good luck with your search.

Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

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

The Stress And Strain of Moving: Making A Hectic Day Easier

Moving can be as exciting as it is stressful.  As College Station continues to grow, and college students come for an education every semester, the moving never seems to stop.  If you are moving for college or for work, there are a number of things you can do to make the move easier.  Let’s focus on some of the less common moving suggestions, to give you a more in depth guide to moving in style.

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 The Moving Bag

The moving bag is a simple concept that many people forget in the hustle and bustle of moving.  The moving bag should contain everything you need to stay sane for the next few days of packing, moving, and unpacking.  It should contain basic toiletries, a few sets of cloths, and things you just cannot live without.  By throwing in a bottle of water and snacks, you can help keep your cool and even relax during what would otherwise be a stressful time.

Photos

When everything is packed and your old and new homes are bare and clean, take pictures!  Pictures are you insurance against all accusations made concerning the quality and condition of the house.  By taking photos of your old house, you have proof that you complied with the new owner’s requests as specified in the purchasing agreement.  In addition, you have proof that you left the residence clean and ready to move into.  By taking photos of your new residence, you can mark where trouble spots are.  If you are renting, then this is insurance against the landlord charging you for pre-existing conditions.

Moving Help

What is the worst part about owning a truck?  Everyone you know will ask your help to move things.  This is very true in American culture, especially in College Station, TX.  If your friends are helping you move, then remember to thank them!  A meal out and drinks on you is normal.  In addition, give all people who help free dibs on furniture you no longer need.

Address

The last thing to consider is a change of address.  This usually requires a few hours to change your address for all-important things.  In addition, by setting up mail-forwarding with the United States Postal Service, you can keep getting any mail sent to the old address for an extended period of time.

Moving is time intensive, but it doesn't have to be stressful.  By making the right preparations, you can sail through moving with a minimum of problems.

Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

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

Tips for Moving Out

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When moving to your new home in Bryan College Station there are some things you can do to make a smooth transition from your old home to your new one. Moving is stressful, so it is good to try to make it a little better by being prepared. The following tips will help your move go a lot smoother for you.

·    Plot out a strategy ahead of time for how you will move things.

·     Make plans for the bigger objects to make them easier to move.

·     Choose the right type of car to make sure you are making the most of your trips.

·     Talk to your moving company to establish a game plan for moving day.

·     Start organizing way ahead of time to make sure you don't save anything until the last minute and aren't running around stressed the day of.

·     Go to your new place to plot out where you will put things so you aren’t flying blind when you get there.

If you are moving from one place in Central Texas to another you might not need a large moving vehicle, but if you are leaving the state then you may want to rent one. When packing you should try and pack like objects in the same boxes so they can easily be put up when you get there. If you want to be more organized you can use a color coded system for the boxes. It's really all about what makes it easier for you.

Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

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

Relocating with Ease

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Relocating can be scary. That's why when you are moving into your new house in Bryan CollegeStation you should scope out as much of Central Texas as you can first. Whether you are being transferred in because of your job or have been planning to relocate for a while, it is a good idea to know the area a head of time.

You can find information on the internet, through the real estate office, and through people who live there. Being able to learn information about the place you are moving to will help make it a lot easier on you. You will already know a little about where you are going and what you will be doing when you get there. 

• Check the web for nearby schools and colleges, such as A&M in Bryan College Station, where you are moving

• Check the crime rate of the neighborhoods in the area

• Look up information about the activities available

• Fine a real estate agent, relocating on your own can be very stressful 

• Gather information about the weather in the area

• Check out the prices of houses in different areas to figure out where the best place for is for you and your family

• Look for blogs in the area you are moving, to see what the people like about it

      Having peace of mind about moving some place safe with a lot to offer your family is worth doing the research and learning as much as possible. Once you know you can choose the best neighborhood, you will have feelings that are more positive about your relocation to a new home in Central Texas.

                                                    
                                             Featured Home for Sale in College Station, TX

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

Pet Proofing Your Yard

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Just a fair warning when buying your new home in Bryan College Station it is important to pet proof your yard, and make sure they will be safe outdoors. Remember some plants can be dangerous to your pets. Foxtail grass is a weed that can get into your dog's eyes and cause him to become sick. Some other plants that are bad for your animals are Norfolk pine, and even Ivy. Make sure these plants aren’t growing in your yard.

If your beautiful Central Texas lawn has been treated recently for pests, then make sure you keep your pets off of them for at least a day so they do not get into the poisonous treatment. You might not think about it, but pets can also choke on small stones or small things in the yard so make sure you try to keep the small things out of the yard.

Lastly, remember that you need to install a sturdy fence that your pet cannot dig under or jump over. Pets get bored in the yard and sometimes try to find their way out. In addition, they could get easily lost due to moving to a new home. Also, be mindful if you have a backyard pool or pond, because it can be difficult for little animals to get out if they slip in.

If you remember to do these things before you turn your pet loose in their new back yard, you will avoid many preventable accidents and save a lot of money on vet bills. Remember your new house needs to be prepared for your family and your pets.

Featured Home for Sale in Franklin, TX

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station 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 Realtor that has a long list of the finest homes for sale in Bryan/College Station, Call her today at 979-255-1904.

Curb Appeal Made Simple

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When moving to a new home in Bryan College Station you want to immediately put your touch on it. This is why curb appeal is so rewarding and lets you take pride in your new home and the way it looks from the road. There are several ways you can add to the curb appeal when you move to Central Texas. The following are just a few of the simple ways you can dress up the outside of your new home and really make it appealing.

·         Decorate the front door by painting it or just changing out the fixtures
·         Install outdoor lighting
·         Add a colorful flower bed or several
·         Tub gardens can instantly add appeal
·         Stone walkways and stepping stones
·         Add arbors and fence panels
·         Shutters and exterior trim
·         Renew the painting and the trim for a fresh look
·         Tile your porch
·         Make your driveway designer
·         Apply a stone veneer to the outside of your home or the patio

You can add art to your yard in the way of statues and bird baths (with the heat in Central Texas, the birds with be sure to pay your home a visit). The way you like to decorate can be applied to the outside of your home. Some people like to have a theme that ties everything together, and some people like to place things that will make them happy when they look at them, like a special tree or flowers from their grandparents’ garden. Just remember adding to the curb appeal will make your new place feel more like home. 

Featured Homes for Sale in Bryan, TX

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