house: Mortgage Trouble? Get Help Fast! - 01/15/10 02:44 PM
It's very scary trying to figure out what to do if you miss a mortgage payment. Keep in mind that each state has different laws directing the mortgage companies as to what the time frame is that they can start the foreclosure process. This means that if you live in Texas, the law allows mortgage companies to foreclose on a house in 60 days. If you wait 30 days after missing a payment, you only have 30 more days before the mortgage company can foreclose on your house.
What this means for you is... Get Help Fast! As … (0 comments)
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house: Consumer Reports - Reducing Commission - 10/04/08 02:32 PM
By David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com
According to an article in the September 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, the percentages are too close to call. They surveyed the differences among the major real estate companies for overall performance and success in attracting buyers. They did find a difference between the companies when it comes to the willingness to negotiate the agents commission. Here are the results from most willing to negotiate commissions to the least willing:
77% RE/MAX 76% Independent Agents 70% Other companies 67% Keller Williams 67% Century 21 67% Prudential 64% Coldwell Banker
… (14 comments)
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house: Is the Sky Falling? - 09/22/08 04:54 PM
With all of the government bailouts going on, some may be wondering if the sky is falling. As far as I can see, the only thing that is falling is the money out of our pockets so the government can keep the market from crashing. Some people are saying that the government is trying to slowly let us know how bad things really are and we are just seeing the beginning of the bailouts. What I don't understand is where is all of this bailout money going to come from?
All of us in the real … (23 comments)
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house: The Fort Bend County Fair is Here! - 09/09/08 04:41 PM
by David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.FortBendHomeFinder.com www.SellMyHouseDave.com
September 26 - October 4
2008 Fort Bend County Fair is the 72nd year of the fair. Visit www.fbcfa.org to get the information you need. There will be top entertainers and tons of activities for everyone including the popular carnival. Here is the opening day schedule:
Opening Day - Friday, September 26th FREE Admission to ALL School Kids 'til 7PM
9 a.m. PARADE 10 a.m. - Midnight: Carnival Midway 1-9 p.m.: Ag'Tivity Barn - where agriculture comes alive! 2-4 p.m.: Student Fun Day Activities - Old Fashioned Fun & Games, Sack Races, Egg Toss … (1 comments)
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house: Does Coaching Work? - 09/03/08 10:42 AM
I have been thinking of taking my business to the next level and I don't know if coaching is the way to go. I know that any system or program must be followed and coaching provides the accountability that's needed to stay on track. You can have the best plan in the world but it is worthless if you don't follow it. This is true for anything including weight loss, real estate, etc.
If you have or are involved with or are being coached... DOES IT WORK?
David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com
… (13 comments)
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house: Holiday Gifts - 08/28/08 06:19 PM
By David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
It is coming close to the time to start thinking about what gifts you want to give your past clients for the holidays. I have given different presents throughout the years. Here is a list of some ideas for presents, some I have given and some I haven't.
Entertainment Book ( I gave this last year since everyone loves saving money ) Gift Cards ( Just don't look cheap with the amount ) Holiday Welcome Mat for the front door Personalized items (for example: ornaments, door knocker, photo box, etc.) Send them a smoked … (10 comments)
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house: Do You Know Why? - 08/19/08 11:43 AM
By David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.FortBendHomeFinder.com www.SellMyHouseDave.com
Do you know why popcorn pops? Here's why. Popcorn is actually a kind of corn called flint corn and it contains a minor amount ot starch. Each kernel contains a layer called the endosperm and it resists the build up of steam pressure when heated. When the temperature reach around 400 degrees Fahrenheit the kernel expands up to 30 times its original size and the endosperm violently explodes and you have a single piece of poppedcorn or popcorn.
Popcorn is not the widely familiar sweet corn we like to eat in … (3 comments)
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house: A Must Do For Sellers! - 08/18/08 04:17 PM
By David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
There are so many things a seller must do to get a house sold and there are so many things a real estate agent must do to get a house sold. Why would a seller go through the cleaning, landscaping, power washing, staging, etc., etc., etc. and when an offer comes in... you want full price?
In this market, it is imperitive that a seller is willing to negotiate. I know some sellers can't afford to negotiate much then those people probably shouldn't be selling unless they are behind on … (1 comments)
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house: What is Your Major Purpose? - 08/14/08 09:43 AM
By: David N. Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
Today's thought for the day from the Napoleon Hill Foundation was very insightful and made me think, "What is your major purpose?"
LIVING WITHOUT A DEFINITE MAJOR PURPOSE PROMISES NOTHING BUT A SCANT LIVING.
We can just get by in life without a Definite Major Purpose, but we can't get ahead in life without one. Where do you want to be? Do you just want to get by or do you want to get ahead and be successful? I don't want to just sell houses to people... … (4 comments)
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house: What Kind of Seller Are You? - 08/11/08 02:39 PM
By: David N. Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
When thinking about selling your house, you'll need to ask yourself what kind of seller are you? Are you a wishful thinker? A realist? Or are you a member of the anxious and desperate?
I always tell my clients in the Katy real estate market that there are three prices to every house. 1. The price the seller WISHES to sell the house for... 2. The price the buyer WISHES they could by the house for... 3. Then there's reality or the price the house actually sells for.
… (2 comments)
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house: Your Safety & The Lockbox! - 08/06/08 08:22 PM
By: David N. Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
Lock boxes have become the standard for easy access to a house. Many agents use the combination lock boxes and the Supra lock boxes. You can decide not to have a lock box on your home but you or your agent will need to be there to give access to the potential buyer and their agent. Without a lock box, this method will become a hassle very quickly. The easiest method of access to a home is with the use of a lock box.
The … (4 comments)
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house: Is the Commission Negotiable? - 08/05/08 01:38 PM
By: David N. Slavin, ABR,SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
In recent years, discounting real estate agents have come into the picture. This has made people question if the commissions on selling a house are negotiable. The answer is yes. The next question should be, "At what cost?" This means that if you ask someone to work for less, will they be able to provide you with the same kind and quality of service that you would be receiving at the original commission? Many times the answer to this is a resounding NO.
You'll be able to find numerous agents that … (14 comments)
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house: Do You Need A Realtor To Sell A House? - 08/04/08 08:28 PM
By: David N. Slavin, ABR,SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
The short answer is NO. You do not need a Realtor to sell real estate. If you decide to sell your house on your own, it is called a FSBO (For Sale By Owner - pronounced Fizbo). There isn't any law that says you have to use an agent to sell.
With that said, you need to understand and be willing to perform the tasks that an agent would be doing for you. Many people think that all they have to do is put a sign in the … (7 comments)
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house: Is It Difficult to Sell a Vacant Home? - 08/04/08 05:52 PM
By: David N. Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
When a buyer goes into a vacant home, it is difficult for them to picture how the house will look with furniture. Most people are visual and it is easier for them to get a feel for the flow of a house if there is furniture in it. This is only if the furniture is updated, not over-sized for the rooms, and not too much of it. The possitive aspect about a vacant home is if the buyer uses their imagination to mentally place their furniture in the … (11 comments)
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house: Questions to Answer BEFORE Selling! - 08/04/08 05:27 PM
By: David Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
When you are thinking about selling your house you need to think about what you need to do to get it ready BEFORE the sign goes in the yard. There are many things you can do that are relatively inexpensive but will have a huge impact on getting your house sold or preventing it from getting sold. To identify what items you need to give some potential fix-up projects, ask yourself the following questions.
What color are the walls and carpet? What condition are they in? Are there signs of damage … (0 comments)
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house: What is a Prelisting Inspection? And Should I Have One? - 08/03/08 03:10 PM
By David N. Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com
This is a simple question to answer. A prelisting inspection is the same as a regular house inspection but the difference is you are getting it on your own house BEFORE your buyer does. Should you have one? YES!!!
The reason for this is so you can make the necessary repairs BEFORE your house goes on the market. This inspection will cost you the same as the inspection you would get if you were the buyer of your house. When you make the needed repairs, your Realtor will be … (11 comments)
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house: The Advice of a Professional! - 08/03/08 02:43 PM
by David N. Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
There are so many times I ask myself, "WHY? Why do people hire a real estate agent?" The answer is simple... For their professional expertise. Then why won't sellers take the advice of the professional they hired? If an agent recommends using a home stager then make the investment and make your house the most desirable house on the market. Yes this will require an investment on your part. It will be a minor investment compared to your house sitting on the market month after month after month. If you make the … (0 comments)
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house: The Kitchen Mini Makeover! - 08/02/08 10:48 PM
By David N. Slavin, ABR, SRES www.SellMyHouseDave.com www.FortBendHomeFinder.com
Many people think that you have to remodel the entire kitchen at the same time. This just simply isn't true. Think about doing a Mini Makeover. If you have the money to do a major kitchen makeover... Go for it! Not everyone has the resources to accomplish this at one time. It may make more sense for you to do one of these mini makeovers. Here is a list of mini makeovers.
Refinish the back splash. Add or update an island. Upgrade the appliances. Revamp the cabinets. Upgrade … (2 comments)
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house: What Would You Do in this Room? - 08/02/08 12:33 AM
View from the Entry hall
View From the Kitchen
Please help me stage this room for the sellers. It's a large family room (15X20) and I think it could look even larger and more appealing to potential buyers. I had a couple of comments from an open house that said to move the second couch to the TV wall so you don't see the back of it when you walk into the room. If we do this where do we put the TV and the chair to the left of the TV? What are your suggestions?
Thanks, David Slavin, ABR, … (23 comments)
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house: Selling a Forclosure = Nightmare! - 07/26/08 05:35 PM
From the time I submitted the offer till even after the closing, my frustration level was just like this picture. I'm shocked I still have hair. I could never make phone contact with the agent or his team throughout the process.
The title company had some many people with their hands in the file and they kept passing the file from one person to another to start again from square one. It was like pulling teeth to get things done with them. And the lender... Don't even get me started.
It was … (13 comments)
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