Looking to list your house and wondering who might do the job well? There are things that you can do to ensure that your listing agent will be doing more than playing golf and hoping that your house sells.
1). Do your homework first. 86% or more of homebuyers are starting out on the internet. Do Google searches and Yahoo searches to see who is showing up on-line. Not necessarily at the very, very top because those are sponsored searches that agents are paying up to $5.00 per click for... Agents that do well with their websites show up high in natural searches because their website content is good, drawing more buyers.
2). Interview a few agents. Don't just settle for the neighbor, or your coworkers spouse. Schedule interviews with several agents and plan on having them look at your home, give you an estimate of sales price and tell you about their marketing.
3). While the agent is out at the interview have them sit down with you on the computer and show you where they are advertising their other listings. Do they have extensive web exposure? Do they advertise on Craigs List and V-flyer? Do they have virtual tours too?
4). Have the agent pull up the MLS and show you their current listings. Do they have as many pictures as possible? Are the descriptions for the property good?
These steps can ensure that you get a great agent that will work hard for you. Don't just choose the first name you run across, choose the best!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
6 Ways to Find Great Bryan College Station real estate
How do you get the lowest price and the best resale on your new home in Bryan or College Station? Here is the "recipe for success" when looking for a great Bryan or College Station home for sale.
1. Don't start looking too early, or too late. Most Bryan or College Station sellers are expecting to get an offer that will close approximately 1 month from the date the offer comes through. Unless the seller has a certain time frame, like wanting to move at the end of a semester, it usually means that you will not acheive the best price if you're not ready to move. This is particularly important if the house is vacant. Give yourself, ideally, no more than two months before your move date to get serious about looking.
2. Get preapproval. Many times we find the right home on the weekend, when many mortgage professionals aren't as readily available. Before you even go out and look talk to a mortgage professional and find out how much you can afford and what factors might hinder getting the best interest rate. If you need a good lender reference don't hesitate to call me!
3. Use an in-town lender or a nationally known company for your loan. Internet lenders and out of town lenders often don't realize the importance of closing on time (to both the seller and the buyer). Our negotiations, many times, are more successful if the lender is a known lender. Many people were caught up in unsuccessful closings within the last six months as lenders went out of business or underwriting requirements changed quickly.
4. Talk to a few Bryan and College Station real estate agents. Ensure that you find a buyers agent that is ready and willing to help you. Though you don't need to look at 50 houses to make a decision, think twice if your agent pressures you to choose after only seeing a couple of homes. Make sure the agent is giving you information and pointing out the ever present negatives in homes, as well as the positives. There is no such thing as a perfect home. A good agent will educate you about resale issues that might cause problems down the line.
5. Be realist about your objectives. If you want a great house, you most likely won't find it at a bargain basement price. Even foreclosures, which I do around 6 or 7 of a year tend to go for about 90% or more of value. If the deal looks too good to be true...it is!
6. Don't look at houses more than 5% above what you can afford to pay. Ideally use the limit that you are looking for to establish the highest price. It's very easy to fall in love with a more expensive home. Going up in price by 10K will typically give you a higher quality home.
To Be Continued with more great tips!!!!
1. Don't start looking too early, or too late. Most Bryan or College Station sellers are expecting to get an offer that will close approximately 1 month from the date the offer comes through. Unless the seller has a certain time frame, like wanting to move at the end of a semester, it usually means that you will not acheive the best price if you're not ready to move. This is particularly important if the house is vacant. Give yourself, ideally, no more than two months before your move date to get serious about looking.
2. Get preapproval. Many times we find the right home on the weekend, when many mortgage professionals aren't as readily available. Before you even go out and look talk to a mortgage professional and find out how much you can afford and what factors might hinder getting the best interest rate. If you need a good lender reference don't hesitate to call me!
3. Use an in-town lender or a nationally known company for your loan. Internet lenders and out of town lenders often don't realize the importance of closing on time (to both the seller and the buyer). Our negotiations, many times, are more successful if the lender is a known lender. Many people were caught up in unsuccessful closings within the last six months as lenders went out of business or underwriting requirements changed quickly.
4. Talk to a few Bryan and College Station real estate agents. Ensure that you find a buyers agent that is ready and willing to help you. Though you don't need to look at 50 houses to make a decision, think twice if your agent pressures you to choose after only seeing a couple of homes. Make sure the agent is giving you information and pointing out the ever present negatives in homes, as well as the positives. There is no such thing as a perfect home. A good agent will educate you about resale issues that might cause problems down the line.
5. Be realist about your objectives. If you want a great house, you most likely won't find it at a bargain basement price. Even foreclosures, which I do around 6 or 7 of a year tend to go for about 90% or more of value. If the deal looks too good to be true...it is!
6. Don't look at houses more than 5% above what you can afford to pay. Ideally use the limit that you are looking for to establish the highest price. It's very easy to fall in love with a more expensive home. Going up in price by 10K will typically give you a higher quality home.
To Be Continued with more great tips!!!!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
College Station First Time Homebuyers
College Station offers a variety of different neighborhoods to suit your needs. Single family housing can be found in price ranges from the low 100K's up to over a million dollars. Your housing dollars stretch far here and you will enjoy a low cost of living. Condominiums and townhomes can be an excellent option for both students and older adults. We have neighborhoods that fits their varying needs.
College Station Entry Level Plus Neighborhoods
College Hills smaller homes can be had in this trendy neighborhood right off Texas Avenue and across from campus. These homes were primarily built in the 50's and 60's and are reminiscent of the "front porch neighborhoods" around the country. Clapboard homes, some of them restored beautifully, can be had, but the pickings are slim. Expect to wait a while for the right house to be available.
Southwood Valley close in to the University you will find Southwood Valley. This is a neighborhood that features mature trees and wide streets. Southwood Valley is in the area of Deacon and Texas Avenue and stretches to Wellborn. The homes range in size from around 1,200 square feet on up to over 3,000 square feet with an average size of somewhere around 1,500 square feet. These homes, for the most part, were built in the late 70's and 80's with a few areas being added in the 90's. Close to shopping, Wings N' More (and other restaurants) and shuttle route this neighborhood remains very popular with it's great housing values. Houses here tend to start at around 120K and go on up, with an average home being somewhere around 140K.
Raintree is a wonderful neighborhood located off Southwest Parkway and Highway 6. This neighborhood features it's own park and is heavily wooded. Homes can be had from the 130's and are large with generous lot sizes. This neighborhood is right off Highway 6 and is easily accessible for those with long commutes. The homes tend to have been built in the mid to later 80's.
Westfield is a newer area located off Graham Road and close to Victoria in South College Station. Close to schools and shopping this neighborhood is situated very near Rock Prairie Road, widely considered the center of College Station. Homes here range from being built in the late 90's to current and offer a wide variety of styles. Housing prices tend to be at around the 120's and up, and most of the building has been done by Stylecraft and Main Street Homes.
Shenandoah, nested deep in College Station is this subdivision off Barron Road and Highway 6. This subdivision features a pool, a park, tennis courts and a small clubhouse. Despite the amenities homeowner dues is a low $120 year. This subdivision feaures Froehling homes built anywhere from the 80's to currently. Prices start in the low 130's and this subdivision is zoned to the newest elementary school, Forest Ridge.
Alexandria, a subdivison virtually connected with Shenandoah, this newer area is right down the street off Barron Road. It doesn't have the benefit of the pool, and the homes tend to be larger, and priced accordingly. Prices here begin in the high 130's.
Springbrook-Cypress is a wonderful neighborhood off Highway 6 and Barron across from Shenandoah. This is a rental restricted neighborhood and gives you a chance to have pride of ownership show everywhere, while keeping the prices down to a minimum as well. Houses here start in the 140's with some going up to the 200's.
Camelot the area near South Knoll Elementary off Southwest Parkway features older homes with mature landscaping. Housing here starts at the 130's and is very affordable.
Westfield Village, off Barron Road and Victoria Stylecraft is building it's signature Neo-Traditional style homes. These homes feature Hardiplank siding and trim reminiscenct of the 50's and 60's in these newly built homes. Excellent floorplans meld with front porches and granite countertops in many homes. These homes start in the high 120's.
For more information, or to set up a search, call or email me today!
Chris Tesch (979)574-1084
Sonya Johnson (979)575-4565
College Station Entry Level Plus Neighborhoods
College Hills smaller homes can be had in this trendy neighborhood right off Texas Avenue and across from campus. These homes were primarily built in the 50's and 60's and are reminiscent of the "front porch neighborhoods" around the country. Clapboard homes, some of them restored beautifully, can be had, but the pickings are slim. Expect to wait a while for the right house to be available.
Southwood Valley close in to the University you will find Southwood Valley. This is a neighborhood that features mature trees and wide streets. Southwood Valley is in the area of Deacon and Texas Avenue and stretches to Wellborn. The homes range in size from around 1,200 square feet on up to over 3,000 square feet with an average size of somewhere around 1,500 square feet. These homes, for the most part, were built in the late 70's and 80's with a few areas being added in the 90's. Close to shopping, Wings N' More (and other restaurants) and shuttle route this neighborhood remains very popular with it's great housing values. Houses here tend to start at around 120K and go on up, with an average home being somewhere around 140K.
Raintree is a wonderful neighborhood located off Southwest Parkway and Highway 6. This neighborhood features it's own park and is heavily wooded. Homes can be had from the 130's and are large with generous lot sizes. This neighborhood is right off Highway 6 and is easily accessible for those with long commutes. The homes tend to have been built in the mid to later 80's.
Westfield is a newer area located off Graham Road and close to Victoria in South College Station. Close to schools and shopping this neighborhood is situated very near Rock Prairie Road, widely considered the center of College Station. Homes here range from being built in the late 90's to current and offer a wide variety of styles. Housing prices tend to be at around the 120's and up, and most of the building has been done by Stylecraft and Main Street Homes.
Shenandoah, nested deep in College Station is this subdivision off Barron Road and Highway 6. This subdivision features a pool, a park, tennis courts and a small clubhouse. Despite the amenities homeowner dues is a low $120 year. This subdivision feaures Froehling homes built anywhere from the 80's to currently. Prices start in the low 130's and this subdivision is zoned to the newest elementary school, Forest Ridge.
Alexandria, a subdivison virtually connected with Shenandoah, this newer area is right down the street off Barron Road. It doesn't have the benefit of the pool, and the homes tend to be larger, and priced accordingly. Prices here begin in the high 130's.
Springbrook-Cypress is a wonderful neighborhood off Highway 6 and Barron across from Shenandoah. This is a rental restricted neighborhood and gives you a chance to have pride of ownership show everywhere, while keeping the prices down to a minimum as well. Houses here start in the 140's with some going up to the 200's.
Camelot the area near South Knoll Elementary off Southwest Parkway features older homes with mature landscaping. Housing here starts at the 130's and is very affordable.
Westfield Village, off Barron Road and Victoria Stylecraft is building it's signature Neo-Traditional style homes. These homes feature Hardiplank siding and trim reminiscenct of the 50's and 60's in these newly built homes. Excellent floorplans meld with front porches and granite countertops in many homes. These homes start in the high 120's.
For more information, or to set up a search, call or email me today!
Chris Tesch (979)574-1084
Sonya Johnson (979)575-4565
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Luxury College Station Home on One Acre
Who doesn't love the new subdivision Williams Creek? What could be better but a luxurious home on one acre in William's Creek? This Rike built home is 3,440 square feet and offers four bedrooms and three baths. A commercial cooktop graces this gourmet kitchen with it's huge island and hand scraped wood floors. A nice sitting area adjoins the master bedroom. Call today for your private showing!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
College Station real estate reduced!
1513 Jasmine Court is reduced to $129,900 for quick sale! This beautiful three bedroom/two bath home features stained concrete floors in entry and living room and a picturesque back yard that features a storage shed and garden area. This awesome house is located in Shenanddoah subdivision with it's pool, tennis courts and green space.
Was $137,500. Foundation repair with lifetime warranty and 2005 roof.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Southwood Forest Luxury Home
Aggieland Luxury Home!
Looking for a large home in a excellent area that's affordable? Here is a must see! This beautiful home was built by one of the areas best builders, Ralph Morgan. Great attention to detail was given to this home. The Southwood Forest area is within walking distance to schools, parks and the hospital making this an extreme bargain! Recently lowered to $359,900 this stately home won't last long! A true opportunity for a bargain Aggieland luxury home!
One half an acre of manicured grounds surround this beauty. The house is a four bedroom/3.5 bath built in 1987. A unique opportunity to be in this spectacular subdivision at a bargain price.
Call today for your private showing
Monday, August 20, 2007
College Station Condos
College Station Condos (also known as kiddie condos)can be an affordable solution for your Texas A and M students living while in Aggieland. The purchase of one of these condos can bring you appreciation and a lower cost of living for your student.
Depending on your circumstances and the amount you can put down, you might even be able to pay for your students living expenses and a large portion of their tuition with your College Station Condo
There are several condo complexes that are excellent around town. One of my favorites is Deacon Row Condos.
These three bedroom, two bath condos are well built and right on the shuttle route. Less than three miles from Kyle Field it's a breeze to get whereever your student needs to go.
Built in 2001, these are still relatively new and the complex lacks a pool, which greatly cuts down on your HOA dues per month.
Currently running around 125K with a monthly fee of $80, these College Condos are affordable and efficient. These mean never having to tell your son or daughter to mow the lawn. This might minimize your frustration!
Call today for information about available units!
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