How to Live in a Show-Ready House

2021-05-04T09:16:21-05:00

Your house looks beautiful. You’ve cleaned, decluttered, cleaned more, and followed the advice of a professional stager. How can your family continue to live there without ruining it?  Use Containers You need a place to put your keys, the mail, the TV remote control, toothpaste, makeup, and countless other items that usually litter horizontal surfaces in the house. Put a basket or Tupperware container in places where clutter could re-emerge. When you leave the house, stash the containers in a cabinet or take them with you.  Pick a Room  Have kids? Pets? Designate a room that will be lived in normally. It’s where the kids can dump the Legos on the floor and you can put the cat’s litter box. When it’s time for a showing, the mess will be in one place instead of throughout the house.  Create a Checklist “Make the beds. Put out the good towels. Empty the litter box. Put the containers in the closet.” Write down what needs to happen every morning before you leave the house to bring the property back to show-ready condition.  Your REALTOR® has experience listing houses for sale, so ask him or her for other suggestions to help your property keep looking its best. 

How to Live in a Show-Ready House2021-05-04T09:16:21-05:00

Consider All of the Costs of Buying a Home

2021-05-04T09:16:27-05:00

Purchase price is important, but it is not the only factor when buying a home. Consider the following “costs” when choosing a place to live. Cost of Travel Your home is your starting point for everywhere you go. How much time does it take to get to work? Where is the nearest grocery store? How long does it take you to reach other places you want and need to go? If you drive, add fuel costs and travel time to your considerations. Are public transit options nearby? Can you walk or bike to your destination? Cost of Insurance Insurance helps protect your property when something bad happens. Homeowners insurance is a good start: It typically covers certain types of damage to your home, your belongings, liability, and expenses if displaced. Consider additional policies based on where you live. Do you need flood or earthquake insurance? Cost of Living There The expenses don’t end after you move in. Some properties may have more costly utilities and upkeep. If your property is part of a homeowners association, factor in its dues. And don’t forget property taxes. Cost of Repairs and Maintenance Landscaping and yard maintenance costs can add up. So can repairs and replacement of items like roofs and AC units. Your REALTOR® is an excellent source of information who can guide you through these considerations and help you find the home of your dreams.

Consider All of the Costs of Buying a Home2021-05-04T09:16:27-05:00

Steps to Boost Your Credit Score

2021-05-04T09:16:32-05:00

There aren’t shortcuts to improving your credit score. You’ll need to make sound financial decisions for at least several months to offset previous damage you’ve done to your credit record. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Here are four steps to improve your score and increase the chances you’ll qualify for a favorable mortgage loan. Check Your Credit Report Verify that the items listed on your report—especially the negative ones—are correct. If there are mistakes, correcting them is an easy way to help your score. You can order free copies of your credit report at annualcreditreport.com. Pay Overdue Accounts Past-due balances are very damaging to your score. Pay off the debt or at least negotiate a plan to get those accounts current. Once current, those accounts will stop adding negative information to your credit report and can generate positive credit-score movement. Use Less of Your Available Credit Carrying a $2,000 balance on a Visa card with a $3,000 limit isn’t going to help your credit profile. Try to pay down those balances, if possible, to less than 50% of your available credit. Another option is to ask for a higher limit. If Visa raises the limit on that card to $6,000, your balance looks better—as long as you resist the urge to add to the balance on that card. Don’t Close Accounts This one is counterintuitive, but closing a credit card account lowers your available credit. Keep that card active and set it up to autopay one or two small, recurring bills, such as your Netflix membership. When you’re ready to start looking for a home, talk to a Texas REALTOR®. He or she can help you understand the many aspects of the homebuying process.

Steps to Boost Your Credit Score2021-05-04T09:16:32-05:00

Thinking of Remodeling? Take Into Account the Effect on Your Insurance

2021-05-04T09:16:38-05:00

Remodeling your home can affect your homeowners insurance in several ways, and it may be helpful to talk with your insurance agent before the project begins.  Will Your Home Be Covered During the Remodel? Homeowners insurance policies may have limitations on whether dwellings under construction or vacant more than a set number of days are covered. Check with your insurance agent about the details of your policy, and see what supplemental coverage may be available to make sure your home is protected during the process of being remodeled. How Will the Improvements Affect Your Coverage Limit? Additions, improvements, and extra features that make your home move enjoyable likely also increase the cost to rebuild, which is reflected in your policy coverage limits. Talk with your insurance agent to make sure your policy limits are adequate to cover damages for any increase in rebuild costs caused by the remodel.

Thinking of Remodeling? Take Into Account the Effect on Your Insurance2021-05-04T09:16:38-05:00

REALTORS® Will Always Be There For You

2021-05-04T09:16:44-05:00

A century ago, real estate leaders from across Texas formed an association dedicated to professionalism. They wanted to drive unscrupulous operators from the business. These pioneers of the industry pledged to put the interests of homebuyers, sellers, and property owners first. Though the times have changed, the organization’s goals have not. Pushing For Higher Standards and Working to Protect Your Interests You recognize that a REALTOR® is the professional best equipped to help you achieve your real estate dreams, but REALTORS® also work together to make your life better in myriad ways: REALTORS® were the driving force to require licensing and regulation of agents and brokers. Over the years, REALTORS® have fought for educational standards and minimum-service requirements. REALTORS® pledge to abide by a Code of Ethics that goes beyond what Texas law requires. REALTORS® have stopped countless efforts to tax real estate transactions and create real estate transfer fees and taxes. REALTORS® get involved in issues that matter to you, like ensuring local ordinances aren’t overly burdensome to property owners, buyers, sellers, renters, and landlords. REALTORS® pool resources to provide the best tools to real estate clients, such as contracts that improve real estate transactions and the best market data available. REALTORS® volunteer in local communities to make your area a better place to call home. Looking to the Future  Members of Texas REALTORS® celebrated the association’s 100th anniversary in 2020 and are as dedicated as ever to serving you and shaping Texas for another century and beyond. Your REALTOR® Can Help You Achieve Your Real Estate Dreams. REALTORS® also work collectively to make transactions, property ownership, and life in your community better for you.

REALTORS® Will Always Be There For You2021-05-04T09:16:44-05:00

REALTORS® Give Back to Their Communities

2021-05-04T09:16:52-05:00

REALTORS® work in your area every day, helping you and others achieve real estate goals. Whether the transaction involves residential property, land, commercial property, or rental property, REALTORS® are trusted professionals you can count on. But REALTOR® associations, brokerages, and individual agents also work in your community to make positive change. Volunteering More Than Money REALTORS® know that making a difference sometimes takes more than writing a check. That’s why they not only donate money but also their time to countless initiatives, such as: Habitat for Humanity builds Blood drives for area hospitals Food drives for food pantries Disaster relief during hurricanes and floods Meal delivery for first responders during the pandemic Backpacks and supplies for low-income students Clothing drives for homeless and women’s shelters Toy drives during the winter holidays. These are only a few examples of how REALTORS® are improving the city you live in. 100 Years of Positive Change During its centennial festivities, Texas REALTORS® celebrated hundreds of members across Texas who give back to their communities in myriad ways. See all the winners of the Acts of Kindness Award at texasrealestate.com/100. Your REALTOR® helps you achieve your real estate dreams and makes your community a better place.

REALTORS® Give Back to Their Communities2021-05-04T09:16:52-05:00
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