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WHAT TO ASK BEFORE BUYING AT A FORECLOSURE AUCTION

No Author — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:09:00 EST

By Bill Lasar, Champions Real Estate Group

Although foreclosed properties can be good deals, the process of buying is rife with pitfalls. Here is what you must know:

1. Have you done your research?
A foreclosed property may have all sorts of clouds on its title, from multiple bank loans to tax and contractor's liens. Once you buy, you're responsible for all such balances. Be especially wary of the situation where one bank forecloses, but another still demands to be paid.

TOP THREE WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME'S RESALE VALUE

No Author — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:14:00 EST

By Bill Lasar
Champions Real Estate Group

Improving your home's resale value not only puts more money in your pocket when it's time to sell, but it also enhances your quality of life in the moment. Here are the top three ways to improve your home and add value.

1. Add Square Footage
Square footage is one of the first things an appraiser looks at when determining the value of your home. If your home is noticeably smaller than others in the neighborhood, you should definitely consider adding square footage. Just be sure that you conduct any remodeling according to local building codes and permits.

FIVE TIPS THAT PREPARE YOU TO SELL

No Author — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:05:00 EST

By Bill Lasar, Champions Real Estate Group

In a buyer's market, pricing your home correctly is all-important. Price too low and you'll leave money behind. Price too high and you won't sell at all. Here is what you should know:

1. Your home is worth what a buyer is willing to pay.
Sellers may think they can dictate to the market. And in a period of rapidly rising prices, they might even get away with it. In a down market, however, it's counterproductive to think 'I have to get what I paid.'

2. Work closely with your real estate agent to price correctly.
Don't ignore valuable advice from someone who knows local market conditions. An experienced real estate agent knows what other homes have sold for and can give you a comparative market analysis to show you the reasoning behind a recommendation.

TIPS FOR BUYING OR SELLING A HOME OVER THE HOLIDAYS

No Author — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:49:00 EST

By Bill Lasar, Champions Real Estate Group

People don't generally think of year-end as the ideal time to buy or sell properties. Yet, that may be precisely the reason why the winter holidays can be a great time to do either!

Since springtime is a popular time to list homes for sale, there tends to be a glut of properties on the market during those months. While nice for buyers, this isn't so good for sellers. Because there's considerably less competition in the cool winter months, properties listed over the holidays will enjoy a greater significance within the pool of existing inventory.

THE HOUSING MARKET - UP, DOWN OR SIDEWAYS?

No Author — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 05:00:00 EST

THE FACTS - at the end of 2010 the overall national real estate picture was pretty grim:
� 10.7 million homes with mortgages were �under water� � that is, their mortgages exceeded the value of their homes (source: First American CoreLogic);
� Another 2.3 million homes were approaching negative equity (same source);
� Government programs designed to help homeowners stay out of foreclosure failed to help many do so and half of those who were helped went back into default;

HOW THE DODD-FRANK FINANCE RECOVERY ACT WILL IMPACT MORTGAGE BROKERS AND BANKERS

No Author — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:16:00 EST

I apologize for beginning this new year with negative news, but mortgage lending will change after April 1st, 2011. Within the next 3 months, most mortgage companies (brokers & bankers), will reduce their loan originating staff by 40%. The Financial Reform Bill does not allow an originator to be compensated for a closed loan. (brilliant, huh?). All loan originators will be salaried employees. Like those highly accessible loan officers at Bank of America!

Mortgage brokers and bankers are currently in the process of evaluating their originator's production levels. Say goodbye to part-time or low-volume mortgage originators. I estimate about 30%-40% of mortgage originators will be seeking new employment within the next 30 days, as each Mortgage Broker or Banker net-branch will be operated as a retail business. Low producers will be viewed as dead weight.

EXPENSIVE UPDATES THAT MAY NOT INCREASE YOUR HOME'S VALUE

No Author — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:56:00 EST

By Jane Dee

If you're considering renovating your home to maximize sale profit, be aware that some renovations may not yield the returns you expect. The following five renovations are all projects that shouldn't be undertaken merely for resale profit.

HOW TO APPEAL YOUR PROPERTY TAXES AND WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IT EVERY TIME

No Author — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:08:00 EST

While housing prices in many communities have fallen, many local governments have failed to adjust their property tax valuations, meaning that many taxpayers still have homes with assessments based on the market�s peak in 2005 and 2006. Add that to the continued financial threat from a slow job market and stagnant pay raises, and expensive tax bills can put a considerable crimp in your financial picture.

THE REAL STORY ON SHORT SALES

No Author — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 06:19:00 EST

By Patrick Esposito 

In today�s real estate market, many homeowners, as well as investors, are going down roads and using various tools that they would not have considered previously. When things are going well and the real estate market is hot, most people would believe that the good times are here to stay. Unfortunately, good times were at the peak of the roller coaster, and the market came down twice as fast as it went up. In many areas, prices fell back to where they were eight years ago, before the real estate frenzy started. When times are going well, we all know how to act. �Yippee, hurray, woopdedo, woopdedo!� When times get tough, that is when the real investor shows his true moxie.

GETTING THE BEST PRICE FOR YOUR HOME INCLUDES LANDSCAPING FOR CURB APPEAL

No Author — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:27:00 EST

by Michael J. McGroarty

If you own a home, then sooner or later you are going to be ready to sell that home. Maybe you've already sold a home or two. People tend to move more often than our parents did.

There are a lot of things that go into getting the best possible price for
your home, but the very first thing your home needs is curb appeal. When a prospective buyer, or a realtor for that matter, pulls up in front of your home, they immediately form an opinion about your house. Fair or not, that's what people do. You can have the most beautiful home in the city, but if prospective buyers don't get a super positive feeling about your house the minute they lay eyes on it, they are going to enter and view the rest of your house with a negative impression.

DESIGN TIP: STAGING TO SELL Q&A

Pamela O'Brien — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:05:00 EST

Q: How important is staging a home to sell?

A: Staging can really make a big difference. In selling your home, your main goal should be to get it sold as quickly as possible and for the best price. Staging goes a long way in helping your home in both of those areas.

BUILDING DESIGNER OR ARCHITECT. WHO DO YOU CHOOSE?

No Author — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:26:00 EST

By: O. Newell Cheatheam, CPBD, AIBD,TIBD, RID

President - Newell's Designs, www.newellsdesigns.com,

www.linkedin.com/in/newellcheatheam

PO Box 5254, Katy, Tx 77491.5254

281.392.3034

Thinking of having a custom home or commercial project designed? Will you use a building designer or an architect?

Both are involved in the design of custom homes and commercial buildings. But what's the difference?

THE CYPRESS MILL SUBDIVISION - A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME

No Author — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:40:00 EST

By Sonja Patterson

In addition to having good schools, affordable homes, and a wonderful location, the Cypress Mill subdivision has GREAT amenities. Come take a look at what Cypress Mill has to offer you and your family. You won't be disappointed!

WHY A CRS?

No Author — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:00:00 EST

by Paulette Blackwood Tate

My customers ask me why I am continually going to school and I tell them I attend the CRS classes because they are top notch courses and I really learn valuable information to pass along to my customers and it makes me a better Realtor. Most Realtors in this marketplace have 5 years or less experience and have never experienced the market we are having today. 

THE CHANCE IN A GENERATION TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE; STOP WAITING FOR YOUR BEST OPPORTUNITY�IT'S NOW!

No Author — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:00:00 EST

By Mark Maniha

For everyone waiting for the market to hit �bottom� and the opportunity to buy homes at their cheapest prices, the time has arrived!

THREE REASONS TO BUY NOW!!

No Author — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:22:00 EST

by Rod Hale

For those of you who have been on the fence about purchasing a new home, now is the time to jump off and take advantage of this market. Right now the builders have a lot of inventory, or what we as realtors call 'spec' homes. The builders need to sell these homes and they are willing to sell these homes for a substantially less amount than they initially wanted. The $8000 tax credit is ending on November the 30th; you can also take advantage of this in more ways than one.

HOW TO CHOOSE A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WITHIN YOUR PRICE RANGE

No Author — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:23:00 EST

by Sonja Patterson

Everyone has different wants, needs and desires when looking for that PERFECT-FOR-ME home. There are some common items I advise my clients to look for when purchasing a home.

BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL ON YOUR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS? CALL A REALTOR

No Author — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:00:00 EST

By Sonja Patterson

With many employers cutting back on their staff in the Houston-area, there are many Cypress, TX households 'in distress' as we call it in the real estate world. A property is 'in distress' when one or more payments has been missed. You may wonder, 'Should I talk to my lender/mortgage company about this? Would they be able to help?' 'Should I consider moving?' 'If I put my home on the market, will the mortgage company try to foreclose on me earlier?'

5 WAYS TO GIVE YOUR HOME EXPENSES A �BAIL OUT�

Christine Holloway — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:17:00 EST

If you�re like me, these uncertain financial times may have you rethinking your spending, saving, and entire budget in general. With that in mind, you may want to find ways to start saving money without having to change too much of your lifestyle. If you look into your home spending, you�ll see there are plenty of ways to do it.

DEED RESTRICTIONS... WHO NEEDS THE AGGRAVATION?

Sherry Ottewell — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:25:00 EST

It�s inevitable � if you live in a deed restricted subdivision long enough � you�ll at some point receive a love letter from the management company. And opening your mailbox only to find a deed violation letter can be aggravating to say the least.

CREATE AN ACTION PLAN FOR AN EASY MOVE

John Barba — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:50:00 EST

The key to an easy move is careful planning. There are many action items that need to be taken prior to the move all the way up to the actual day the first box is loaded on the moving truck. Take time to write down and organize the decisions and activities that will need to be accomplished prior to the move such as securing a mover and changing your address. Ideally, you should try to break up the tasks over a two-month period. By doing so, you won�t overload your schedule, plus it can save you time and money. To get you started, consider using the checklist below as a guide.

WHAT DOES EARNEST MONEY MEAN?

No Author — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:38:00 EST

by Rob Kosberg

When a purchase agreement is signed between a buyer and a seller, the buyer is asked for some amount of money to be paid up front. This amount will be placed in a trust account. This deposit is known as �earnest money.�

SO WHAT IS A SHORT SALE ANYWAY?

Christine Holloway — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 05:23:00 EST

While perusing the MLS, you often see home listed as �Short Sale Approved.� One buyer asked me �Does this mean we could close quickly? You know� Short time to close?� I said� �Unfortunately, No.� In fact, Short Sales take 60 - 90 days on average to close, but in the end, can be beneficial for both the buyer and seller involved. So, what is a Short Sale, you ask? Read on�

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR A DISASTER

Christine Holloway — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:20:00 EST

With all the imminent storms in the Atlantic and the anniversary of the 9/11 approaching, I though this would be a timely topic to discuss. Unfortunately, natural and manmade disasters like hurricanes, floods, and terrorist attacks can turn your world upside-down in an instant. However, there are steps you can take now to prepare yourself and your home.