Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Bryan's New High School Drawing New Homes!
Bryans new high school is coming along nicely! As fast as the high school is going up, the community is seeing new homes pop up in Austin's Colony. Austin's Colony is strategically placed with easy access to not only the new high school, but some fantastic shopping and the new Premier Cinema. Imperial Homes, New Vision, and several other builders are seeing the potential and responding to the demand. Blessed with Harvey Mitchell Elementary and close in to town this subdivision is poised for much more growth and it's become one of our most sought after subdivisions in Bryan.
FHA Loans Making a Comeback in College Station
We've recently seen a resurgence in our first time buyers using FHA financing. FHA doesn't have as many issues as in years past when they mandated "non-allowable" expenses for the buyer. Around 1.5 years ago FHA had a wake-up call and realized that most FHA contracts were going through at higher than average sales prices, which meant, in effect that the buyers WERE paying these fees. FHA still has issues. It is tough to get an older home through the FHA inspection process and the appraiser has to be knowledgable in the rules and regulations. A good look has to be taken of the property before the inspections so that the buyer isn't wasting their money on properties that won't meet the stringent requirements of FHA. Using a real estate agent that is familiar with FHA guidelines is important!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
College Station Luxury Homes Making a Comeback
After months of lagging sales in College Station luxury homes we're seeing a resurgence of this market. Showing on our homes above 500K are booming and many have gone under contract after being on the market formerly for many months. The luxury market never has been tied to the school year like so many of our moderate priced listings, however many College Station real estate agents are talking about the phenominon. I've seen it personally as well with my higher priced listings. It's a great time to sell your College Station luxury home!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Three Secrets to Successfully Buying A Student Condo in College Station
Buying a student condo can be a great investment in College Station. Among the benefits are the increase in equity during the time your student lives there and the learning experience for your student. Watching you complete the purchase can teach them valuable information about real estate transactions.
How do you ensure a successful purchase, one in which the student is happy, you are happy and you are enroute to a gain during the years you own the property?
The first secret is to find an agent VERY familiar with all the condo and townhome projects around town and will familiarize you. All of them have their upsides and downsides and you need an agent that will discuss the pros and cons of each complex and educate you to what is available, and what has traditionally made good equity leaps. There are many choices in our town, and it is a huge mistake to make a decision without seeing what other complexes are available. Many people go for the latest development because of a nice brochure only to find out that their resale value isn't as high as their mortgage.
The second secret is to match the condominium with your students (and their friends) personalities. A more outgoing student sometimes will not be happy in one of our more sedate complexes just like a quiet student won't be happy in party central.
The third secret is to choose roomates very carefully. Sometimes long time friends make the worst roommates. Family, at times, makes the best roommates you can get. If cousins are attending together, and get along well together it can be beneficial. Good friends have often left their college condos never talking to each other again. Family is always family!
Chosen carefully a college condo can be an excellent investment and an asset to your investment portfolio. Call me to schedule a time to look at all your options!
How do you ensure a successful purchase, one in which the student is happy, you are happy and you are enroute to a gain during the years you own the property?
The first secret is to find an agent VERY familiar with all the condo and townhome projects around town and will familiarize you. All of them have their upsides and downsides and you need an agent that will discuss the pros and cons of each complex and educate you to what is available, and what has traditionally made good equity leaps. There are many choices in our town, and it is a huge mistake to make a decision without seeing what other complexes are available. Many people go for the latest development because of a nice brochure only to find out that their resale value isn't as high as their mortgage.
The second secret is to match the condominium with your students (and their friends) personalities. A more outgoing student sometimes will not be happy in one of our more sedate complexes just like a quiet student won't be happy in party central.
The third secret is to choose roomates very carefully. Sometimes long time friends make the worst roommates. Family, at times, makes the best roommates you can get. If cousins are attending together, and get along well together it can be beneficial. Good friends have often left their college condos never talking to each other again. Family is always family!
Chosen carefully a college condo can be an excellent investment and an asset to your investment portfolio. Call me to schedule a time to look at all your options!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Four Great Ways to Check Out Your Listing Agent
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!
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!
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
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