HGTV is All the Rage! April 8, 2008
Posted by ScottAlexander in : Home Improvement, Real Estate , add a comment
One of the things that I have discovered since I became a Realtor is that everyone wants to talk about real estate. The general populace wants to talk about 3 things: how much their house is worth, what they can do to update their houses and make them more valuable, and home improvement shows. I’ve got to admit these things fascinate me as well. Like many homeowners, I lie awake at night hoping that property values go up—and that the tax appraiser doesn’t notice. Before remodeling our kitchen (which my wife can take the credit for) we thought about how the things we were doing affected our value. I’ll blog about that at a later date. But who would have thought that everyone would watch HGTV??? Not me.
Boy, was I wrong. I can tell when people are going to remodel, update, sell or contemplate doing any of the above when they mention HGTV. The shows are cool, lively, entertaining and informative. In addition to the TV program, the website is an incredible source of information. Not only can you read about the national mania, housing, but you can also read blogs about kitchens, bathrooms, fabric, and the like. As a “guy” I admit to being challenged in this area. But I’m learning. Click on the link below to see more of this incredible site. See you in the blogosphere.
Scott Alexander
(325) 450-5099
scott.alexander1@coldwellbanker.com
http://www.scottalexanderhomes.com
Going Green! April 8, 2008
Posted by ScottAlexander in : Real Estate , add a commentWhatever you believe about Global Warming, “going green” is going to save you money. That’s something that we can all relate to. Here are some thoughts about saving money by saving energy. Whether you do this to “reduce your carbon footprint” or to save money for that new Ping driver, the impact of these cost-saving choices is “green.”
1) Dim those lights. Use the new bulbs or use dimmers, which reduce the amount of energy used and doubles the life of an incandescent bulb.
2) Turn off that computer. Even in “sleep mode” it’s using power.
3) Put timer switches on your dishwasher . That way it goes on late at night when energy use is down.
4) Put insulation in the attic. Get an R-38 rating.
5) Buy a house with trees. Shade in the summer = cooler. The leaves go away in the winter= more sunlight and warmer.
6) Recycle.
7) Lucky # 7. If you aren’t using it, turn it off.
Scott Alexander
(325) 450-5099
scott.alexander1@coldwellbanker.com
http://www.scottalexanderhomes.com
Special Agent Man April 8, 2008
Posted by ScottAlexander in : Real Estate , add a commentRealtors are “special agents” who are employed by people to assist them in buying or selling of a home. Perhaps I’ve watched too many James Bond movies and the “special agent” tag appeals to me, but I have lost track of the number of times that I have run into buyers and sellers who do not understand the relationship between them and the real estate agent.
Let’s be candid. Realtors are employees of either sellers or purchasers of homes. Their duty is to get the best price, terms, and conditions for their client. It is easy for people to understand the agency relationship between the listing agent and the seller. After all, the seller is paying a commission to the agent if and when the house sells. So if you are a buyer and you call the agent listed on the sign (me included), remember that he/she works for the seller. The agent’s duty is to be fair and honest, but his interests must lie with the seller.
So what’s a buyer to do? Find an agent to represent you!! Employ someone to be your buyer’s agent. You are the personnel director of “Me, Inc.” and your job is to find someone who has your interests in mind. Interview agents. Find someone you are comfortable with and you trust. Sign a buyer’s representation agreement with him. Then put him to work. If it doesn’t work out, remember you are the boss. Give him the pink slip and find another.
Why do you need an agent? Because they know more than you do about real estate. If your agent doesn’t, you have hired badly. I did 61 transactions last year. I hope that I learned something.
Scott Alexander
(325) 450-5099
scott.alexander1@coldwellbanker.com
http://www.scottalexanderhomes.com
From Funeral To Foreclosure? April 7, 2008
Posted by CalebConner in : Insurance, Real Estate , add a comment
When you think of the word home, not house, but home, what do you feel? Comfort, safety, sanctuary and protection may come to mind. There are many emotional ties that people hold to their homes, and rightly so. It’s probably the largest purchase you will ever make, so it’s important that it be protected. Most people are aware they need homeowners insurance when they buy a house, and they may even call around to see if they can find the best deal.
For the most part, insurance is not complicated, but serves as a financial tool designed to transfer the risk of personal, bankrupt able catastrophes over to larger companies who have pooled insurer’s assets in order to pay claims. It’s a smart decision to have home insurance (just ask your lender). Here is a fun fact that you might not be aware of: statistically only 1 out of 100 homes will result in a total loss due to a fire. That is tragic, but not as tragic as the number of homes lost due to the death of a spouse.
Every year, 15 out of 100 homes are lost due to the death of a spouse. Gasp!!! This occurs, primarily, because the remaining spouse will not be able to pay the mortgage without the other spouse’s income. Life insurance is a simple solution for this problem and is one of the most overlooked areas of financial planning. Twenty or thirty year level term insurance is a critical component in any individual’s well-prepared financial plan and can be derived using a simple formula. Level term insurance is designed to replace lost income due to the death of a spouse, which for most people is around 10 times their income.
For example, suppose someone earns $40,000 per year and their spouse earns $35,000 a year. Their spouse will need $350,000 in life insurance and they will need $400,000 in life insurance. Not having level term insurance in place is frankly irresponsible and can leave your family in dire straits. It is important to talk with a trusted insurance agent and financial advisor to make sure that you have the coverage you and your family needs.
Death is inevitable, but steps can be taken now so that the loss of a loved one is the only loss suffered. Consult with your insurance and financial advisor today!
Caleb Conner
Farmers Insurance
325-227-9841
http://www.farmersagent.com/cconner1/index.htm
March Madness! Real Estate Air Ball or Bouncing Back? March 28, 2008
Posted by AndrewK in : Market Reports, Real Estate , add a comment
Last year was a not so good year for real estate and existing home sales in most areas of the country. However, 2008 has yet to reveal its place in history. We all hope that foreclosures and defaults will fall while home sales and prices will rise again (sustainably that is). Well we may just see a better year for real estate sales in the United States. According to Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors:
The National Association of Realtors® said that sales of existing homes rose by 2.9 percent in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.03 million units. It was the biggest increase in a year and caught economists by surprise.We’re not expecting a notable gain in existing-home sales until the second half of this year, but the (February) improvement is another sign that the market is stabilizing.”
This shows the cyclical nature of the real estate market and free market economies in general. They bounce back. Sometimes on their own and sometimes with the assistance of government. In any case our human nature requires us to seek shelter and therefore makes real estate a necessity, much like increased demand for gasoline in the face of rising prices. I am confident that the national real estate market, with the help of government, will stabilize and become even stronger in years to come.
What You Need to Know about Real Estate Agents March 28, 2008
Posted by admin in : Real Estate, Videos , add a commentRemodeling Parties - Tom Sawyer was Right! March 26, 2008
Posted by ScottAlexander in : Real Estate , add a comment
We all remember when we had to read “Tom Sawyer,” and of course we remember how Tom conned others into painting the fence for him. I thought it was a great idea and spent much of my childhood trying to trick my friends into doing things for me. Let’s just say Tom was more gifted at this than I was.
Well, meet the Tom Sawyers of the 21st century. Homeowners everywhere have hit on a new formula for acquiring that “grunt” labor needed to start a home renovation: HAVE A PARTY! Basically, it’s a cocktail party with power tools. After reading about some of the missteps of some of the contractors/party hosts have had to endure ( cut electrical lines, crooked tile, load-bearing walls knocked down, etc.), I’m not certain that it is a great idea. It’s seems to me that a chain saw and 3 martinis are not a good combination.
But, it could work. What I would suggest is hiring a contractor to supervise for the evening/afternoon. Your free labor would require direction and some perhaps some guidance from you as well. Knowing when you push one of your friends away from the tools and over to a permanent place at the “tap” would be an important task.
Give it a try and let me know how it comes out.
Scott Alexander
(325) 450-5099
scott.alexander1@coldwellbanker.com
http://www.scottalexanderhomes.com
Marriage is What Brings Us Together… March 20, 2008
Posted by AndrewK in : Real Estate , add a commentWhat a beautiful day for a wedding! Spring is (almost) here and the weather is getting better. Wedding bells are ringing for many in San Angelo. This a great time to get out of that stuffy apartment and find a nice home for you and your family. Tired of that pesky neighbor upstairs that seems to always wear combat boots and dance to hardcore music? Sick of not having your landlord make repairs when you ask?
Getting married requires many things. Patience, commitment, passion, and foresight. These are also characteristics of someone buying a home for the first time:
Be patient. You may not find the right home right away. Many people look at over 10 homes before finding the one they will eventually buy. Stick with your agent and trust that the home you want is out there, it just might take a little patience.
When it’s time…Commit! When you find that home that speaks to you and says “Buy me!” don’t let it slip away for fear of buyer’s remorse. Trust your instinct. When the time is right to buy your home, you will know it.
Find what sparks your passion. Are you a car lover and can’t live without that 5 car garage? Gardening is your thing? Take into account your hobbies and pastimes when looking for a new home. This is where you will live.
Look into the future. Are there children in your future? A dog or cat? Whatever you have planned for make sure that you can accommodate your future goals and dreams in the home that you choose. Also, imagine yourself with a nice big check when you sell your home after a few years.
Buying a home is a big step. But it is not as challenging as you think. If it is your first time you have many options. For most the biggest issue is getting a loan or financing. Credit issues being the main culprit here. The Federal Housing Administration or FHA has first time home buyer programs to get you into that first house without weighing your college credit card indiscretions too heavily. Also, VA loans for current or former military personnel are a great way to get into a new home with very little money down.
So You Wanna Be a Real Estate Agent? March 16, 2008
Posted by LarryP in : Real Estate Sales Career Information , add a commentIs a Real Estate sales career really for me?
No matter your stage of life, deciding on a career is one of your most important decisions. You need the most objective information about real estate brokerage available as you consider this professional sales career.
From years of research and experience, we recognize the following as answers to key questions asked to begin the process of looking into a Real Estate sales career:
What is the nature of the job?
Contrary to what most would assume, the job is really not to sell real estate, but to offer a service to help buyers and sellers . A real estate agent has to contact large numbers of people, network and market themselves. Constantly seeking new clients is the core of the job. It is a true sales career.
Along with the sales activities, comes counseling with clients, marketing, showing properties, mortgage finance, scheduling, training, meetings, presentations, closings, negotiating, and more.
More to come….
Insurance Protects Your Home From Disasters March 3, 2008
Posted by AndrewK in : Real Estate , add a commentWildfires ravaged over 200 square miles near Robert Lee last month and many homes were damaged. Did these people have insurance? Do you have insurance? How much coverage do you have? I ask these questions because insurance on your home is very important. According to CNN Real Estate:
” Nearly 60% of homes nationwide don’t carry enough insurance coverage to be fully rebuilt.”
This is a startling piece of information and deserves a deeper look. Insurance not only covers fires, but many other disasters that can destroy your house. San Angelo has many insurance agents that you can consult about these and any other questions you have about insurance and coverage. As a Realtor, I always encourage home-owners to carry the maximum insurance your budget can afford.
Having so many different types of insurance (life, health, home, car) can be very expensive. Most insurance companies offer discounts for combining all of your insurance to one bill. Ask your agent about these discounts.
Posted by AndrewK in : Home Improvement, Real Estate