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But I Saw That Clear Lake Home Online So It MUST Be For Sale
There’s hardly a week that goes by where I don’t receive a call on a Clear Lake home that is no longer for sale. When you understand what’s happening, it’s easy to see why.
Realtors love the power of the Internet. Hey, who doesn’t?! Here’s the problem though when it comes to homes for sale. Whenever an agent puts a listing into the MLS, that listing is syndicated out to the various websites. Tons of them. Great for Realtors- they get many opportunities for a potential buyer to find their listing and maybe buy it. Even better for home sellers as their home gets more exposure and along with that comes a better chance of someone finding it online and writing an offer. Buyers love it because no matter where they turn, they’re finding plenty of inventory.
So where’s the rub?
The challenge is this. These “portals,” like Google Base, Edgeo, Yahoo! and tons of others that you may have never even heard of, are quick to pick those listings up from the local MLS’s however, when the status of that listing changes meaning, it sells, is withdrawn from the market, becomes an expired listing, or for whatever reason, many times the portal does not pick the information up. Consequently, a home that was sold 3 months ago, may still be showing up on the website a homebuyer is looking on. I have literally heard of homeowners who’ve been living in their home for 3 or 4 months having a well intentioned homebuyer stop by their home to see it.
One way to find a real estate agent who is able to give you access to the public side of their MLS. This way, you’ll get your information straight from the proverbial horses mouth.
Search for your favorite Clear Lake home here. This site has a direct feed from the Houston MLS and is accurate!
Clear Lake Foreclosures – Is a Foreclosure Right For Me?
Today I previewed one of the Clear Lake foreclosures in the Meadowgreen subdivision. This home is listed for $145,000, is a little over 1,900 square feet and includes a pool. A lot of people are excited about the possiblity of buying a foreclosed home. Maybe you’re one of them. Everybody’s looking for the best deal, aren’t they?
One thing to keep in mind about a foreclosed home is, if the homeowner couldn’t make the payments, then they weren’t able to maintain the property either. Frankly, some deals are good. Some aren’t so hot. The one today? Well, it ain’t on top of my list for the Better Homes and Gardens Get it Sold show.
This one needs all flooring replaced, completely painted in and out, most of the siding on the garage needs to be replaced as well as the garage door. The pool pump and motor have seen their day and will likely have to be replaced too. In addition, the range top in the kitchen has been removed and the oven is original. The home has the original yukky wallpaper that was popular in those days. The roof has been replaced at some point, however it appears there may be some water stains on the ceiling in some areas.
Homes in Meadowgreen sell between $125,000 and $170,000. Recently one sold that was in excellent condition, included a pool and a roof that had been replaced just last year. It sold for $147,500. Again it was in move-in condition and even the flooring had been replaced this year.
Look at your budget. Is the purchase of a home draining your cash? If so, you might want to consider something that has all the work done so that you don’t have to spend your weekends running back and forth to Lowes. On the other hand, if you have the cash, it can be a great way to purchase a home and have it look like YOU want it to when you’re done.
Consider financing. In this new world of mortgage lending, getting a loan is tougher than ever. And it’s changing on a daily basis. For example, legislation has been introduced that would increase the current 3.5% down payment on FHA loans to 5%. Now that might not sound like much but on a $150,000 home, that’s an increase of $2,250 in upfront costs. This may come about as early as next month.
Search ALL Clear Lake Foreclosures
Raking, Redecorating and Clear Lake Real Estate Agents
Clear Lake real estate agents get a chance to see more of the city and surrounding areas than most of the people who live here. It’s a beautiful place to live, and I’m glad to be a part of it. As Thanksgiving nears, and the leaves change color and fall, I get to see a whole other side of this place – which has given me the inspiration for another blog:
Spruce Up Your Home for Fall!
Most, and probably all, Clear Lake real estate agents will tell you that good curb appeal can make a sale. What they may not realize is that using the seasons can help just as much. Truth be told, it didn’t click with me until I realized Thanksgiving is just around the corner and started thinking about the past.
This time of year always brings a nostalgic touch to the air for me, and many potential homebuyers feel the same way. The holidays have people thinking about hearth and home, family and friends. How can you use the season to sell your house?
Raking – Although many homeowners rake their yard, if your home is up for sale and sitting empty, you may not think about it. Yes, a colorful blanket of leaves on the ground can be beautiful, but to homebuyers it may come across as a lack of care on your part. If you don’t care about the home, why should they? If the home is empty, make sure to drop by and see if the leaves are piling up.
Redecorating – Most homeowners won’t take the time to decorate a home they’re selling, unless they’re still living in it. However, a little fall décor here and there can help bring out that nostalgic feeling in homebuyers. The key is to decorate just enough, and not so much that the homebuyers can’t see their own tastes.
Lastly, talk to us Clear Lake real estate agents to get other ideas of what you can do to get your home sold. We’ve sold a house or two and love sharing our knowledge. Just call us at 281-336-3175 or email at homes@searchclearlake.com. Happy holidays to you and yours!
Links:
Good curb appeal
http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/curb-appeal/ways-to-add-curb-appeal/
Rake their yard
http://www.homeownernet.com/lawn-care-how-to/leavescleanup.html
Fall décor
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/seasonal/autumn/inspired-fall-decorating-ideas/
Search Clear Lake Homes
Clear Lake Texas Houses- Waiting for Prices to Plummet on One May Be a Mistake
If you’re looking at Clear Lake Texas houses, want to buy a home and are waiting around for better prices, you might want to rethink your strategy.
If you’re a market watcher, soaking up the information overload across news media and Internet websites, you’re probably overwhelmed with confusion by now. Is the housing market getting better? Is it getting worse? Was there really, when it gets down to it, a housing bubble collapse? And, if so, who popped it?
First, the quick answers. Yes, the housing bubble collapsed, and everybody had a hand in popping it: the government, the lenders, the investors and the general public. Now the hard answers: it’s getting better – and worse.
The truth is that market predictors are all on the fence. With the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) giving first time homeowners some incentive to buy homes for sale [in city] and elsewhere, there has been a steady increase of sales. However, once the tax credit deadline hits at the end of this month, the numbers are once again expected to drop.
Again, though, it’s better and worse. While the housing market is still dropping in some areas, such as the southeast in Mississippi, Alabama and so forth, there are definitely some strong markets in the country. The Clear Lake area is one of them.
For instance, Boulder, Colorado holds 60% of the share of increasing home values. The average value is about $350,000, but there’s a limit in place on the amount of homes allowed in the area. In Binghamton, New York, the average value of a home is around $112,000. They also have a housing limit, which means a small supply, so prices probably aren’t going to plummet.
Just because this is a buyer’s market, doesn’t mean you’ll get the exact price you’re looking for. If you want to buy a home and you’re waiting around for the prices of homes to plummet into a “sweet deal,” make sure you don’t wait yourself into an expensive mistake.
Instead of checking market forecasts, potential homebuyers need to look at things the way we always should have. Do I want to buy a house? Can I afford one of the homes for sale [in city] the way things are now? By researching, crunching numbers and answering the important questions, you’ll find the sweetest deal you could ever have: a wonderful house you can afford.
If you’re looking for a place to call your own, I can help. Call me at 281-336-3175 or email me at homes@searchclearlake.com for more information.
Links:
ARRA
http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/home.aspx
Strong markets
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/08/0811_strongest_housing_markets/1.htm
Can I afford one of the homes
http://www.hsh.com/calc-howmuch.html
Search Clear Lake Texas Houses
5 Tips to a Smooth Home Buying Experience
1) Understand the local market. Ever heard the expression “don’t believe everything you hear”? The media’s not always right. The key to remember is all real estate is local. Be careful what you take away from aunt Mary who bought her home 30 years ago. Believe me, I know they mean well. Or what about your friend who says they bought a foreclosure for $20,000 less than the asking price? Small detail but they left out the part about having to replace the entire heating and air system and install a new roof. Educate yourself!
2) Who represents who? Okay, it’s not grammatically correct (my apologies to you English majors) but I have found that most people don’t really understand who a real estate agent represents. They search for homes online, then call the listing agent to show them the property. Guess what? The sellers agent has a duty to the seller to represent them and to get the most money possible for the sale of that home. It’s not wrong, it’s just the way it is.
3) How do Realtors get Paid? In our area, the seller (almost) always pays the buyers agent (unless the property is listed for sale by owner, and no compensation is offered). Again, it’s important to understand where the money goes and how your agent is paid. Be clear on this upfront.
4) Understand the process. Find an agent who can talk in human terms. Agents often assume that today’s homebuyers know what we’re talking about when we talk about “comps” for example. Huh? That’s short for “comparable sales” and usually used when we are talking about what other homes like the one you are (or may be) interested in have sold for. Spend time getting educated on the process before you actually attempt to buy a home. I promise you, this one tip will save you time, money and headaches.
5) Understand the Purpose of a Home Inspection. A home inspection is usually built in as a part of the real estate contract. You’re excited about your new purchase. It’s understandable. A home inspector represents a neutral set of eyes and can save you money. Most importantly, you’ll know what you’re getting into. Every home is going to have issues. Are they issues you can live with? The real importance of a home inspection is to find out what’s really a problem and what’s not. Most contracts have an “option period” built in so that you can opt out of the contract if the inspections reveal major problems. Sometimes, the seller may work with you to resolve problems.
Purchasing a home is a big investment. Do your homework.
Search Clear Lake homes for sale
$8,000 Tax Credit Extended – For Real This Time
The House of Representatives today joined the Senate in approving legislation that would expand and extend into next spring an $8000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers. President Obama should sign off in the next day or so.
The House passed the measure on a 403-12 vote. Yesterday, the Senate approved the homebuyer tax credit extension by a vote of 98-0.
Interestingly the income limits were increased from $75,000 for individuals to $125,000 and from $150,000 to $225,000 for couples. Read more .
Friendswood – A Great Place to Live by CNN’s Money Magazine
Once again, Friendswood was voted as one of the top 100 places to live in CNN’s Money magazine this month. I enjoy the community because of it’s small town feel. Yet, I can get to downtown Houston and Galveston in 30-40 minutes. Ok, not yesterday. My wife and I went to Galveston not realizing there was a big motorcycle rally and the group Lynyrd Skynyrd was appearing at Moody Gardens. Unfortunately we got caught behind a major accident that slowed our trip. The weather however was incredible.
Read the whole Friendswood article.
The $8,000 Tax Credit Extended (or maybe not)
I got an email from someone saying that the $8,000 tax credit had been extended. Well, that’s not completely true. It still has to be voted on.
WASHINGTON — Senators agreed Wednesday to extend a popular tax credit for first-time homebuyers and to offer a reduced credit to some repeat buyers.
The tax credit provides up to $8,000 to first-time homebuyers but is set to expire at the end of November. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that new home sales fell 3.6 percent in September, and some industry representatives blamed uncertainty about the tax credit.
Senators agreed to extend the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years, said Regan Lachapelle, a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. read more
I’m Your Captain – Caddo Lake August 19-20, 2009
My daughter caught a 5lb bass and made sure to let me know that between the two of us, it was the biggest fish caught. When I quizzed her about our trip, she raged about that fishing trip.
Brazos Bend State Park
Okay, I’ll admit it; I’m not a “real” outdoors person. It’s not that I don’t like it, I just never really got into it like some of my friends. Today however I decided that it was too pretty outside to pass it up so off to Brazos Bend State Park I went. I’m by myself as my wife had all kinds of things planned, most of which I didn’t want any part of including house cleaning, shopping and just being generally productive.
That didn’t sound like me!
It’s fairly quiet here today. I thought there’d be more families out having that last “hoo-rah” before school starts. There are a few families fishing in the lake which is rather low, while others are out riding their bikes. Temperatures today are actually in the low 90’s believe it or not and under this tree where I’ve planted myself, I can actually feel bursts of cool air whip through. Certainly not fall weather, but better than most days of August.
I believe this is the first place I have ever seen alligators other than the zoo. The first time was a few years ago when we came here with our church Awana program and camped overnight.
Oops. As I write this, one of those creatures popped up in front of me.
Earlier today I saw one in action as he chomped down on a bird right in front of me. Hungry I suppose. I also thought they took their prey and ate it on land and that they couldn’t eat it in the water but he seemed to devour his prize right there.
It is peaceful here and I’m sorry I haven’t made better use of the park. It’s also much bigger than I remembered . Located 28 miles southwest of Houston, it covers 5,000 acres. A day pass is $5.00
In addition, the park contains the The George Observatory, a satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The Observatory houses a Challenger Learning Center for Space Science Education, which takes participants on simulated space missions, complete with a mission control center and a spacecraft simulator. They start taking guests at 5pm in the evening and close at 10:00. Tickets are $5.00.
From Friendswood where I live, it’s less than an hour to the park. I will definately come again, maybe when it’s cooler next month. This time though, I’ll bring a camera to bring you close ups of my little friends.
