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

Best Parks and Playgrounds in Bryan-College Station

As temperatures begin to drop and the leaves on the trees start to change colors and fall, it’s the perfect time of year to visit the parks of Bryan-College Station. Whether you like to go to the park yourself to read a book or feed the birds or whether you prefer to take the whole family, there are beautiful parks to choose from. These parks can be ideal for weekend plans or even a place to stop after school.

Bee Creek Park

Bee Creek Park is great for any age. If you’re a single professional and you like a place to jog or hike, Bee Creek Park has paved walking paths as well as more natural trails following a peaceful stream. There’s a playground for kids, as well as a water fountain that runs during the summer. Here you can bike or sit on a bench and catch up on homework. You may even spy rabbits and birds while you’re there. Bee Creek Park is easy to reach, and their walking trails stretch all the way to Lemontree Park.

Veterans Park and Athletic Complex

Looking for something a little more athletic? At Veterans Park, you’ll find a baseball or softball field as well as a soccer field. It’s a great place to watch amateur soccer or find a little league team for your kid. There are also walking trails for those who like to get in their workout while exploring nature. But that’s not all Veterans Park has to offer. There’s also a pavilion to stop and eat lunch and a playground for the kids. As the name indicates, you’ll find many veteran memorials scattered throughout the park, including World War II memorials and Vietnam War memorials.

Lemontree Park

Lemontree park is an ideal friendly, neighborhood sort of park. It’s calm and quiet, full of greenery, and connects easily to Bee Creek Park. However, you can be sure the kids won’t be bored, either. There’s a baseball diamond and a basketball court for sports enthusiasts young and old. There’s a small playground for little ones, as well. With so much nature around, Lemontree Park looks especially beautiful as the leaves start to change in the fall.

Lick Creek Park

This park is a jogger’s ideal. There are over 4.5 miles of trails, going through wooded areas and over bridges as well as through the main green of the park. You’ll get a mixture of elevation changes, hills and valleys, running through Lick Creek Park, as well as passing by quiet neighborhoods in College Station. You can also see wildlife like rabbits, birds, deer, and even frogs. Birders in particular love this park because of the wide variety of species that gather here.

These are just a few of the parks that Bryan-College Station has to offer. If you’re moving here for the first time, talk to your College Station realtor about neighborhoods and homes close to the right parks, whether for the family or simply for a morning run.

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 Things to Watch Out For When Viewing a House

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

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

Roof

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

Scent

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

Floors

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

Windows

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

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

House for Sale in College Station

Sarah Miller, your RE/MAX realtor bryan-college station can help you discover a lot of great tips for making a profitable sale of your home. Call Sarah Miller at 979-255-1904 for your real estate needs in Bryan-College Station and the entire Brazos Valley! Sarah Miller, Associate RE/MAX BRYAN COLLEGE STATION 3030 University Dr East Ste 100, College Station, TX 77845 License #: 500065

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

Preparing For A Home Inspection as a Seller

If you’re planning to sell your home, at some point a home inspection is likely to happen. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; in fact, if your home is in good shape, a home inspection will only inspire confidence in the buyers. But it can be nerve wracking for sellers to have their home under so much scrutiny.

You may have had a home inspection in the past as a buyer, but it can be a different experience when you’re preparing to leave the house than when you’re planning to move in. At the very least, your mentality towards your home inspection is different. Here’s how you can prepare for the big day.

Clean Up

You know that all-too-common worry about needing to “get in shape” before hitting the gym? It might not make much sense when it comes to gym membership, but in the case of home inspections, there is some merit. In the years that you’ve lived in your home, you’ve probably become immune to all its little quirks. Your home inspector hasn’t, and they’re going to go over your entire home in as much detail as possible. As a buyer, your priority wasn’t to get a good home inspection necessarily so much as an honest one. As a seller, you want to pass this inspection with flying colors, so do your best to get the house in the best shape possible before the home inspector shows up.

Be On Time

We all have lives, and you might not be at home the whole day on the day the home inspection is scheduled. However, you want to make sure you’re ready on time — or ideally, early. Home inspectors have busy schedules and don’t like to waste time, so they may even show up early if they’re able. The inspection will start on the outside of the home so if you’ve just woken up, you can take that time for a quick shower or to make your morning coffee. Just make sure the shades are down until everyone’s decent.

Organize Your Paperwork

So you’re ready for your home inspection and even have a little time to kill before it starts. Do you have all your paperwork together? When we say “all your paperwork,” we really do mean all. Any maintenance or repairs you’ve had done on the house since you’ve lived there, any insurance claims, any paperwork relevant to your house should be kept together in a neat folder that you can present when necessary.

Consider a Pre-Inspection

Remember taking ACT or SAT prep tests in high school? It took a little bit of the edge off taking the actual test, because you knew what to expect and knew what your strengths and weaknesses were. A pre-inspection does the same thing. If you’re worried you might be shocked by some surprises in your home, you can hire an inspector yourself to go over the home before the buyer’s home inspector comes into play. If they notice something less than appealing, you may have time to fix it before the official home inspection.

Have any more questions about what to expect from a home inspection as a seller? Ask an experienced realtor who can offer insights as well as tips for acing your home inspection.

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 Places To Volunteer in Bryan-College Station

Volunteering is more than just a way to give back, although that’s an excellent reason to volunteer. It’s also a way to get involved in your community. If you’re new to Bryan-College Station, volunteering can help you become more familiar with the culture, the people, and the city in general.

So for residents new and old looking for ways to volunteer, here are some of our favorite organizations.

Bryan Animal Center

This is both an adoption facility and an animal center that aims to reunite runaway pets with their owners. Besides the need for volunteers to keep the shelter clean, they also host events throughout the area which require volunteers.  It’s hard to volunteer at this shelter and resist the urge to adopt every furry little friend you see, but if you can resist, Bryan Animal Center is a great place to start. To volunteer, you can fill out a volunteer form at the City of Bryan’s website.

Brazos Valley Food Bank

When we think of volunteering, we often think — and rightly so — of lending a hand to those less fortunate. If that’s your aim, Brazos Valley Food Bank may be the place to go. They work to end hunger in Brazos Valley through mobile food banks, senior outreach, nutrition education, and children’s programs. As a nonprofit, many of their helpers are volunteers, everyday residents like you. Check out their website to get involved.

BCS Habitat for Humanity

Let’s say you just found and moved into your dream home. Maybe you just fixed it up. While the momentum is rolling, why not volunteer with Bryan-College Station’s Habitat for Humanity? Habitat for Humanity is well known nationally — even internationally — for building homes for those in need. However, if you’re not much of a builder, there are other ways to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity. They can also use clerks at their ReStore, committee members, and translators. Visit their website to learn more about volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.

Experience Bryan-College Station

Have you really fallen in love with Aggieland since you moved here? Share that love with others! Experience Bryan-College Station knows that BCS has so much to offer as a destination, and they’re dedicated to showing off our over 30 attractions, like the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the Brazos Valley African American Museum. Because football is such a major draw for Bryan-College Station, often Experience BCS volunteers get exclusive access to major sporting events. Apply to be a volunteer at Experience BCS’s website.

Bryan-College Station has a thriving, giving community, and there’s no better way to fall in love with it than to volunteer with these or other organizations in the area. Of course, the first step to getting involved in this community is to find your perfect Bryan-College Station home. For that, you need an experienced realtor who knows and loves this region. She can help you find the right home. How you choose to get involved in the community after that is up to 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

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