Can I Trim That Tree?

2023-03-21T01:30:15-05:00

If your neighbor’s tree encroaches on the property you are renting, do you have the legal right to trim the branches? According to Texas law, overhanging branches may be removed up to the property line; however, that doesn’t mean you should immediately get your saw. First, speak with your landlord. The landlord may attempt to negotiate an agreement with the neighbor regarding tree trimming, or such an agreement may already exist. Next, check your lease to see whether the landlord or the tenant has the responsibility for maintaining the yard, which includes tree trimming. Last, visit the Texas State Law Library to learn more about local codes and ordinances. If the tree is damaged or a local ordinance is violated, you could be liable for damages or fines.

Can I Trim That Tree?2023-03-21T01:30:15-05:00

Location is More Than a Neighborhood

2022-12-20T01:28:05-06:00

You know the right location is key to making a good real estate decision. But there’s more to it than simply selecting a neighborhood where you want to live or locate your business. Here are some factors to consider. Small Distances Can Mean Big Differences Two homes only steps away from each other could belong to different school districts. Property taxes on one side of a street may be higher than the other side. You may also find differences in views, homeowners associations, noise, zoning, traffic, and other factors that will affect your enjoyment of your property. These differences not only affect whether the property is a good choice; they may also affect the purchase price or ongoing costs. Conveniences and Amenities Matter, Too While you must narrow your choices by price and general location, don’t forget to consider other characteristics of an area. How convenient is it to get from your home to stores, schools, work, entertainment, and recreation? For a commercial property, what will traffic be like for customers or employees? Each Property Is Unique Even condos in the same complex that seem similar may have differences, like which side of the building they are on, the condition they are in, or the finishes and customizations previous owners made. These distinctions can affect value and your enjoyment of a property Your REALTOR® can guide you through your real estate transaction and help you achieve your goals, in whatever location you choose.

Location is More Than a Neighborhood2022-12-20T01:28:05-06:00

How to Avoid Fake Rental Listings

2022-11-08T01:15:21-06:00

Looking for a rental home? Beware of real estate scams. Here are four tips to avoid being a victim. Google the Landlord or Property Manager If you contacted the owner of the property, check to see if that person’s name is on the county tax records. If you spoke with a property manager or real estate agent, Google the name to see if that person shows up on a company’s website. Search the Address Scammers often skim legitimate listings and post them on a site they control. If you’re looking at a place for rent and see it listed for sale, that could be a sign of a scam. If you search for the address and find it listed on other real estate sites, see if the person you talked to is listed anywhere.   See it Yourself Ask to meet the person you’re talking to at the property and see it in person. Even a scammer who is bold enough to appear in person won’t have access to the property.  Take Your Time Don’t let anyone pressure you to pay a deposit or do anything else until you’re sure that the listing is real. You risk losing a legitimately popular rental, but you avoid losing money or being a victim of identity theft. The rental market can be competitive, but that doesn’t mean you take unnecessary risks. A member of Texas REALTORS® can help you find a place to rent.

How to Avoid Fake Rental Listings2022-11-08T01:15:21-06:00

What Are Those Letters After an Agent’s Name?

2022-09-27T05:15:40-05:00

Finding the right REALTOR® for your needs is an important part of a successful real estate transaction. Some REALTORS® earn designations or certifications that show they’ve had additional training with certain types of clients or transactions. Those certifications or designations are indicated by letters after an agent’s name, and you can see a list of the ones available in Texas.  But those letters are only one of many ways to determine if a REALTOR® is right for you. Consider how much experience someone has, where the REALTOR® works, what types of transactions the REALTOR® usually handles, and any testimonials from past clients. Find a REALTOR® whose background and expertise match your needs with the REALTOR® search at texasrealestate.com.

What Are Those Letters After an Agent’s Name?2022-09-27T05:15:40-05:00

There’s More Than One Way to Move

2022-09-13T01:14:15-05:00

Moving doesn’t always mean that you have to hire your own truck or movers. There are other options to relocate your possessions.  Share a Truck You may not need a moving truck all to yourself. If you aren’t moving a great deal of possessions, you might be able to share a moving truck with another moving company customer. Ask about this option for interstate moves. Ship By Freight FedEx says that any shipment over 150 pounds is considered freight. You can ship items in bulk by land, air, or sea or some combination. It could be cost effective depending on the circumstances of your move. Portable Storage Containers With portable storage containers, a company drops off a container at your current home. You fill it with your possessions. The company picks it up and ships it to your new home. Remember to ask if portable storage containers are allowed on the property or street of your current and future homes.  Replace It Not everything you own is a treasure. Ask yourself if it is worth the cost and effort to move an item. If it isn’t, donate, sell, or dispose of the item and buy another one when you reach your destination. Anything you don’t have to take with you makes the move a little easier and more affordable. 

There’s More Than One Way to Move2022-09-13T01:14:15-05:00

Tenants: 4 Energy-Saving Tips For Your Rental

2022-08-16T01:21:27-05:00

Whether you want to save energy to lower your carbon footprint or reduce your bills—or both—here are four things you can do as a tenant.  Make it Darker One reason that tinted windows in cars are popular is that they help keep a car’s interior cool. You can benefit from tinted windows in your rental property, too. They offer a lower cost alternative to installing energy-efficient windows and can cut your air conditioner use. Unplug Devices Standby power, also known as phantom load and vampire power, refers to energy used by appliances and electronics that are plugged in but turned off or in standby mode. TVs, computers, and gaming consoles are prime examples of devices that continue to use power when not in use and can be unplugged without significant consequence, unlike a refrigerator. Consider plugging these into a power strip that you can switch on and off as needed.    Change Bulbs LED light bulbs use significantly less electricity and last much longer than incandescent blubs. However, those improvements come at a higher cost per bulb. Depending on who pays for the bulbs and how long you intend to stay in the rental, it might make sense to swap out the existing bulbs. You can always purchase and install your own LED bulbs, save the existing bulbs, and reinstall the incandescent ones when your lease is done.  Help the Dryer If don’t have a high-efficiency clothes washer, running a quick extra spin cycle cuts down on drying time. Keeping the lint trap clean can also make your dryer work fastest and use less energy.

Tenants: 4 Energy-Saving Tips For Your Rental2022-08-16T01:21:27-05:00

Find the REALTOR® Who Matches Your Needs

2022-06-21T08:25:54-05:00

Your real estate transaction isn’t the same as anyone else’s, and your REALTOR®’s services should match what you need. Lucky for you, REALTORS® offer many types of business models to guide you through your transaction. Here are three common examples. Traditional Brokerage With a traditional brokerage model, brokers and agents provide a full range of services in exchange for a commission. The commission is negotiable and covers the REALTOR®’s time and efforts on your behalf, whether it’s marketing your home for sale, finding a great space for your business, or locating the perfect home for you and your family. Flat-Fee Brokerage A flat-fee brokerage provides all the services of a traditional brokerage, such as advice on pricing, help with negotiation, and market analysis. But instead of charging a fee equal to a percentage of the sales price, the brokerage charges a negotiable flat fee for its help. A La Carte Brokerage With the a la carte model, clients choose what services they want the brokerage to provide—and only pay for those. For example, a seller may want a REALTOR® to include the home in the multiple listing service and to coordinate showings. However, the seller will handle contracts and negotiations on her own. While these examples are popular business models, they are far from the only ones. No matter what type of model your REALTOR® uses, you will get a professional who follows a strict Code of Ethics to achieve your real estate goals

Find the REALTOR® Who Matches Your Needs2022-06-21T08:25:54-05:00

How to Protect Your Home While You’re Away

2021-12-07T15:16:23-06:00

It’s the holiday season, which for many means vacationing and traveling. However, traveling can leave your home vulnerable to burglaries. Here are some ways to protect your home while you’re gone. Securely Lock Everything You know to lock the doors, but it’s also important to secure the windows, garage, and sheds or other structures. Many burglaries occur because these things are unlocked or poorly secured, so this simple step can go a long way in protecting your home. Ask the Neighbors Another way to protect your home is to have a trusted neighbor pick up your mail and packages while you’re gone. They can also put out and retrieve trash barrels and check the inside of the house. It will appear like your family is home—or at least that someone is watching. Remove the Spare Key It’s convenient to stash a spare key or garage door opener outside. But those fake rocks and similar hiding places won’t fool criminals. Instead, install an exterior door lock or garage door opener with a keypad entry. Don’t Post Although you want to document your vacation by posting photos on social media, it is safer to wait until you return home to post. Posting that you’re away alerts potential burglars that your home is empty and a good target for a robbery. Install Smart Home Devices Everything from HVAC systems to lights to music can be controlled remotely. Whether according to a schedule or via your phone, you can make it look and sound as if you’re home. You don’t even have to make a big investment—a few old-school timers can create similar effects.

How to Protect Your Home While You’re Away2021-12-07T15:16:23-06:00

Why You Should Use a REALTOR®

2021-10-12T00:46:28-05:00

Although there are online options to utilize when buying and selling properties, REALTORS® offer services that you can’t get from a website. Human Connection REALTORS® offer a genuine, in-person connection. They will guide you through the process of buying, selling, or renting all manner of properties and be there for any questions or concerns you may have along the way.  Expert Guide Most people don’t buy or sell property often. The process comes with numerous financial and legal documents that can be hard to understand and frequent changes. REALTORS® have the experience and up-to-date knowledge to steer you clear of mistakes and avoid delays. Online platforms can’t always provide that type of help. Ethical Advocate REALTORS® follow a code of ethics that mandates professionalism and puts the clients’ interests first. They want to help you succeed in your real estate transaction and will work to the best of their abilities to make sure you’re satisfied with your experience and result of the transaction. Websites can be a useful tool for real estate, but they are no match for the level of service a REALTOR® can offer. Find your REALTOR® at texasrealestate.com.

Why You Should Use a REALTOR®2021-10-12T00:46:28-05:00

3 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership While Renting

2021-09-14T01:18:13-05:00

You may not be ready to buy your first home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare now. Here are three actions you can do while renting that will put you in a better position when you’re ready to buy. Test the Budget  While you can’t predict all homeownership costs to the last penny, you can come up with a rough estimate of how owning a home will affect your budget. A REALTOR® can help you figure out how much you can afford, the potential mortgage payment you’d make, your local property taxes, and repair costs you might want to consider as a homeowner. Check your Credit Before you apply for a loan, request a free credit report to find out what a lender would see. If your report has errors, you can correct them before they affect your ability to qualify for a mortgage loan. And you might be able to take steps to improve your credit before purchasing a property.  Create a Wish List There’s probably not a home that will offer every single amenity you desire, but you should have a general idea of what you’re looking for. So while a home with fewer than two bathrooms may be non-negotiable, perhaps you’d see the potential in one with a smaller kitchen or a not-so-appealing exterior paint job. It’s never too early to talk to a REALTOR® when you know you’re going to buy a home. A REALTOR® can answer your questions about the homebuying process and help you avoid surprises along the way.

3 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership While Renting2021-09-14T01:18:13-05:00
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