Tag: #ilovehappyclients

Don’t spend $1.00 on this before you list your home…

Don’t do any home improvements. Don’t renovate. Don’t spend one cent on improving your home before you list your house for sale…

…at least not until you speak with me.

Too often, homeowners feel compelled to spruce up their home before putting it on the market. At face value, that makes sense. You want it to show as nicely as possible. And, it seems to make sense that if you improve the home, it will also improve the value.

However, many of the things homeowners spend money on do not raise the value as much as the cost of the project they completed.

The way I see it, my job is to make sure my clients net as much money as possible on the sale of their home.

And while that certainly entails getting a buyer to pay as much as we can for it, my job begins well before that…

Netting as much as possible is as much about not losing or wasting money, as it is getting as much money for your house as possible.

For instance, if someone spends even $1,000 on a renovation or improvement, and it doesn’t increase the value more than $1,000…it was probably a waste of time and money. Which means they didn’t net as much as possible.

There are exceptions, of course. If something needs fixing, and it will get in the way of the home selling at all…well, then it will make sense to spend the money even if it doesn’t actually raise the value.

There’s no one answer. Every home and situation is different. It takes analysis and thought before I can say whether it’s worth doing something or not.

So I recommend, and offer, to come by and assess whatever project you may be considering, before you just go ahead and do it. (As always…no obligation, and completely free.) It’s my pleasure. And, the way I see it, it’s my duty.

Give me a call and we can schedule a time for me to swing by and take a look.

Getting and keeping the highest price for your home

Pricing your home appropriately is super importance.

If you ask, almost every real estate agent will say that the most important thing in getting a home sold is “price”. And, that is true…

But, price alone doesn’t get a house sold for top dollar. And, even if you get the best offer possible, that doesn’t mean the deal won’t fall apart before you ever get to the closing table.

Many deals fall apart before closing. Especially if you have gotten the absolute highest price for your house. This is due to “buyer’s remorse”.

Buyers often regret buying almost anything, but especially something as expensive as a house. And, even more so if they feel they’re paying top dollar for the house. So, buyers often look for and find ways to back out of deals.

It takes experience, skill, and an understanding of how buyers think, act, and react to keep a deal together.

It also helps if your agent understands how the agent representing the buyer thinks, acts, and reacts.

Oh, and how the appraiser will think, and being ready and able to defend and justify the value the house is selling for.

That’s just to name a few of the moving parts that can squash a deal and put you back on the market…which should be avoided if at all possible. (It’s always hard to explain away why your deal fell apart. Buyers and agents notice when this happens, and it often leads to getting less for your house than you did in the first place.)

That’s why it is so important to not only get the highest amount possible for your house, but to also keep the deal together.

Much like pricing a home, doing all of this is as much an art, as it is a science.

It’s so important not to hire any old real estate agent. Hire one who knows the ins and outs of how all of the people involved in the sale tend to think and act.

Negotiating isn’t just one moment. It isn’t just about getting the buyer to pay the highest price possible. It’s about keeping the buyer in check throughout the process, as well as everyone else who has a say in whether the deal moves forward or not.

It’s pretty easy to get a real estate license. And, unfortunately that tends to make the public see all real estate agents as a dime a dozen. But it takes more than just having your license to get your clients the highest possible price AND keep it together all the way to the closing table.

When it comes time to list your home, I assure you, I am not a “dime a dozen” real estate agent. And, I am worth every penny…

Do you want to sell your home for top dollar?

That seems like a ridiculous question, doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t say yes?

But yet, so many people make one huge mistake that stops them from getting top dollar for their home.

What’s weird is that the reason they make the mistake in the first place, is because they think doing so will get them top dollar for their home. But it doesn’t. In fact, it typically causes them to get less than they should…

That mistake is overpricing their home.

The hazards of overpricing are too numerous, and detailed to get into in this email. (But if you’re interested, just let me know and I’m glad to chat with you at length about them.)

Sadly, it happens more often than not.

How and why???

Here are 3 main reasons:

  • Because it’s natural for a homeowner to believe their home is worth more than an agent suggests.
  • Because many agents aren’t very good at explaining the data to clients, or illustrating how much damage overpricing can do.
  • Because many agents will agree to list someone’s home for too much, simply in order to avoid a tough conversation…or to get the business, and convince the owner to reduce the price over time.

So, it leads to many people selling for less than they should, and taking a longer time to get it sold.

Now, this isn’t to suggest that you should price your home too low, or “give your house away”. You need to price it perfectly. And that can be a fine line.

Pricing is as much an art, as it is a science. And, I take great pride in making sure I help my clients find the perfect pricing and positioning within the market in order for them to achieve the highest market value.

As experts in your neighborhood, my team and I have the knowledge and experience to choose the best list price for your property. Our goal is to maximize your proceeds while minimizing the time it takes to sell your property.

Thinking about selling?

So you are thinking about selling a home? The truth is that most home owner move every 5-8 years.

Here are the top reasons why people sell and move:

  1. Home is too small. Home owners often outgrow their first home. Increased family size is the main reason home owners say they need a larger home.
  2. Upgrade. People often seek new and energy efficient homes. Or they simply want what they don’t have and long for a bigger, more expensive and grander, upscale home.
  3. Fix. Owners might believe they made a mistake in purchasing their present home. Maybe they thought they could get by without a back yard but now want a garden or a pool. At times the small things that bothered you from the beginning, become a bigger issue later.
  4. Job transfer. Relocation makes it necessary for many to pull up roots and move. If the commuting distance exceeds an hour, most people would prefer not to spend two hours in traffic every day.
  5. Bring on the new. Sometimes you just need a change
  6. Personal Relationships. Marriage can mean one of the parties will need to sell, especially if both owned homes prior to the commitment. On the other hand, break-ups/divorce cause owners to sell as well. Death in the family will also cause financial issues that might cause the family to sell.
  7.  Neighborhood changes. The neighborhood might have changed for the worse, economically, socially or physically.
  8. Neighbors. Unfortunately you won’t always click with people and sometimes these are your neighbors.
  9. Health problems. Physical ailments in aging might make it difficult to climb stairs in a two-story, so a one-story home may be more practical. At times home owner will need to transition to an assistance living facility.
  10. Climate. Sometimes seller simply seek warmer or cooler temperatures.
  11. Empty nest. The kids have grown up and moved out. The owners want a smaller home. The older you get, the harder it is to keep a big house clean.
  12. Deferred maintenance. Some people don’t want to put on a new roof, replace the siding or buy a new furnace, so it’s easier to buy a newer home.
  13. Closer or further from family. Home owner at times would like to spent more or less time with family members.
  14. Schools. Changed in school can cause home owner to move. Maybe they’d like to be zone to a particular school or they no longer feel safe in their current school zoning?
  15. Retirement. Active-adult communities are attracting many buyers over the age of 55. These planned communities have golf courses, club houses, workout facilities, week-end social gatherings, back-yard barbecue parties and more, all designed for people over 55.
  16. Home improvement perfection. A small segment enjoys fixing up and selling, spending time, money and effort on remodeling, and once the work is completed, these people become restless because there is nothing left to do.
  17. Cash in equity. Some home owners can’t stand the fact their home is worth all that money because that money is not in their pocket.
  18. Lifestyle change. Others are simply tired of owning a home and would prefer to travel, pursue a hobby or be less responsible. The goal is to sell the home and travel the world.
  19. Cost of running a house. Changes in job or position can cause financial strain and the home is no longer affordable.
  20. Moving to study. Academic goal will sometime force a seller to sell sooner than expected. Proximity to the school might be a consideration.

What ever the reason, we are here to help when you are ready.

 

We are hiring smiling faces

 

Are you looking for change? Are you a new agent that would like to be part of a group that supports and helps each other prosper?

We are a group of agents that strive to share knowledge and help each other grow. Education is key.

We are seeking like minded agents that would like to be part of our team.

For more information contact Ali Palacios, Broker/Owner at ali@happyclientsrealtygroup.com, 832-418-0670.

Our  VISION

At Happy Clients Realty Group our goal is to serve each client with utmost professionalism, integrity, and outstanding customer service. Our fiduciary relationship with our clients is the highest priority. We work diligently to help them achieve their dreams. We educate and simplify the many challenges of buying and/or selling a home. We provide consistent communication and prompt follow-thru from the beginning of the transaction to the end, and beyond. We utilize our outstanding negotiating skills and vast knowledge of the Houston metro area to the benefit of our clients. We are a team of talented professionals devoted to clients.

Thinking about purchasing a home?

Are you ready to buy a home but don’t know where to start? I know it can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to get you started.

  1. Let’s chat. The best way to help you through the process is to talk about your goals and timing. Let’s meet and discuss your goals and plans. It’s never to early to start this process. In fact, it’s better to start up to a year before you’d actually like to move. This will allow you time to make corrections and get financially prepared for the move.
  2. How much can you afford? There is no point going to go see homes without knowing your budget. Take some time to review your income vs. debt and come up with a comfortable number. Keep in mind that most lender prefer that you payment amount to no more than 30% of your income.
  3. Get pre-qualified. This is the most important step. Speak to a lender about qualifying. The lender will review your finances and credit to determine your ideal sales price. The lender will also review loan options and interest rates. Don’t forget to ask about down payment assistance programs. If you’d like a referral I’d be happy to provide a list of great lenders.
  4. Let’s go home shopping! Once you are pre-qualified we can go look for a home. No home is perfect but typically if it meets 80% of your wants, you’re on a good track.
  5. Make an Offer. Once we have found the right home I will run numbers for the area and we will come up with an offer together. The offer encompasses several factors. We will go through them one by one. It’s important you feel comfortable with the offer presented.
  6. Once you offer is accepted I will them guide you through the rest of the sales process; which includes inspections, negotiating repairs or credits, appraisals, financing, final walk through, closing, etc.

The overall process can take a few months and as your agents I’d be with you during the entire process.If you have any questions please feel free to contact me anytime.

 

 

 

Have you ever thought about a career in real estate?

Have you ever thought about a career in real estate? Would you like to chat about the possibility?

I won’t say it’s easy but it will give you work/life balance if done right…”

“The greatest thing about being in real estate is that you decide when, and how much, you work…”

How many times have you heard someone in this business say that you should have, or can have, a nice balance between work and life in this business?! It’s almost like a joke…if only it were actually funny.

I set out to do something about it for myself and other agents. I’d love for you to be one of those agents.

If you’re struggling to find the “life” in work / life balance, I’d love to help you find it.

Can you spare some time soon?

Assistance Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Question: A tenant requested that he be allowed to have an assistance animal in the rental property as a reasonable accommodation because he has a disability. The property owner normally requires a pet deposit. Can the property owner require that the tenant pay a pet deposit as a condition for allowing the assistance animal in the rental property?

No. A property owner cannot require a tenant to pay a pet deposit or any other additional deposit as a condition for allowing an assistance animal in a rental property. However, a tenant with an assistance animal will still be considered legally responsible for any damage caused by that animal.

Source: texasrealestate.com

What’s Included in the Sales of a House?

Did you ever wonder is that beautiful chandelier in the foyer is included in the sale of the property? What about the beautiful potted plants that accent the garden?

Contracts commonly used in Texas home sales state that the house, fixtures, improvements, and accessories are part of the sale. Here are examples of what stays and goes

Vocabulary: Agency & Agency Relationships

The term “agency” is used in real estate to help determine what legal responsibilities your real estate professional owes to you and other parties in the transaction.

The seller’s representative (also known as a listing agent or seller’s agent) is hired by and represents the seller. All fiduciary duties are owed to the seller, meaning this person’s job is to get the best price and terms for the seller. The agency relationship usually is created by a signed listing contract.

The buyer’s representative (also known as a buyer’s agent) is hired by prospective buyers to and works in the buyer’s best interest throughout the transaction. The buyer can pay the agent directly through a negotiated fee, or the buyer’s rep may be paid by the seller or through a commission split with the seller’s agent.

A subagent owes the same fiduciary duties to the agent’s customer as the agent does. Subagency usually arises when a cooperating sales associate from another brokerage, who is not the buyer’s agent, shows property to a buyer. The subagent works with the buyer to show the property but owes fiduciary duties to the listing broker and the seller. Although a subagent cannot assist the buyer in any way that would be detrimental to the seller, a buyer customer can expect to be treated honestly by the subagent.

A disclosed dual agent represents both the buyer and the seller in the same real estate transaction. In such relationships, dual agents owe limited fiduciary duties to both buyer and seller clients. Because of the potential for conflicts of interest in a dual-agency relationship, all parties must give their informed consent. Disclosed dual agency is legal in most states, but often requires written consent from all parties.

Designated agents (also called appointed agents) are chosen by a managing broker to act as an exclusive agent of the seller or buyer. This allows the brokerage to avoid problems arising from dual-agency relationships for licensees at the brokerage. The designated agents give their clients full representation, with all of the attendant fiduciary duties.

A transaction broker (sometimes referred to as a facilitator) is permitted in states where nonagency relationships are allowed. These relationships vary considerably from state to state. Generally, the duties owed to the consumer in a nonagency relationship are less than the complete, traditional fiduciary duties of an agency relationship.

Source: Realtor.com

Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice