home buying: How Much Money Will I Have to Come Up With When Buying a Home? - 03/06/17 12:31 PM

Setting back enough money is a crucial part of buying a new home. Below is a summation of the costs associated with closing a deal.
Earnest Money DepositEarnest money deposits are used to ensure the seller that the prospective homebuyer is serious about their offer. The deposit amounts vary, but are usually around 1-3% of the home’s purchase price. If the sale goes through, the deposit is added toward your downpayment. In the case that you back out unexpectedly, the money is lost to the seller.
Down PaymentDown payments are the most expensive up front costs when buying a home. Some lenders will … (1 comments)

home buying: The Difference between Home Improvement vs. Remodeling - 03/24/16 12:12 AM
If you’re like many homeowners, there will undoubtedly come a time when you’re ready to upgrade that old paint job or add a half-bath to your game room. Whether you’re staging the house for a potential buyer or simply in need of a change in aesthetics, remodeling and home improvements can seem like daunting tasks.
These tips (and differentiations between the two) may help you prep for your next project.
Home ImprovementHome improvements are usually simpler and less time-consuming endeavors and most of the time won’t involve a contractor or architect. From a new coat of paint in a bedroom to refinishing hardwood floors, these … (17 comments)

home buying: What should I expect on closing day? - 07/07/15 11:58 PM

 
What should I expect on closing day?
 
           Selling or buying a home can be stressful. Closing day can be overwhelming and confusing for new home owners. We are here to help answer any questions regarding closing day!
 
What exactly does closing mean?
 
The term closing refers to when both the seller and the buy of the house commit and fulfill all duties agreed to in the sales contract.  More or less, it is the actual transfer of ownership of the house to the buyer. As the seller, you are required to make all changes or repair any damages made … (0 comments)

home buying: Benefits of Working With an Agent When Selling a Home - 04/21/15 01:11 AM
 
 Even though you may not think you need a real estate agent, there are quite a few ways that they can help you when you are trying to sell your home. If you don’t use a real estate agent, you will probably have to list your home as, “For Sale By Owner,” which can sometimes backfire if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Here are some ways that using a real estate agent can help you when you’re trying to sell your home.
 
Help Determine the Home Market 
Real estate agents have a huge knowledge and wide network of connections with the current market … (0 comments)

home buying: Featured Listing of the Week: 3754 Essen Loop - 04/16/15 01:17 AM

  This house is a lovingly maintained family home closely located to everything you might want!  The College Station Med Center, the new Scott and White, and not to mention a choice between Tower Point shopping or the Kroger center are all a few minutes away!     The kitchen is well laid out with a convenient island, and opens to the living area and dining area, for easy interaction with family or guests. There is no carpet in the house, making for easy cleaning of the open and spacious rooms!  A number of parks are located around to walk the dogs and let the kids play,as … (1 comments)

home buying: Pros and Cons: Build a New Home or Buy Existing - 04/10/15 05:14 AM

A home is probably the single largest investment you will make in your life and most people will spend a great deal of time and energy searching for or designing the perfect home. One of the first decisions you’ll have to make though, is whether to buy an existing home or build a new one. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of both.
 
Buying an Existing Home 
Advantages: 2 main advantages of buying an existing home is convenience and cost. Also having a qualified real estate agent to guide you through the process is a huge advantage. The convenience of being able to move right away … (0 comments)

home buying: Featured Listing of the Week: 2909 Agee Court - 04/09/15 01:15 AM
  Immaculate 4 bedroom, 2 bath home in a great neighborhood! Cul-de-sac street, near shopping & schools. Luxury built home with high-end finishes.Great backyard & neighbors!Don't miss out on this beautiful house!  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ For more information on this great listing - click here.  … (1 comments)

home buying: 10 Things That Every Millennial Needs To Know Before Buying Their First Home - 04/07/15 12:58 AM
Buying your first home is exciting yet nerve wracking time because there is so much to think about and be aware of. The things you need to take into consideration when buying your first home should be the same things you consider before buying any home. Do your research and rely on a real estate agent for trusted guidance. Your first home purchase shouldn’t be a negative one.
 
Let us help you make the process less stressful and more successful! Consider the following tips before your buy your first home:
 
Look realistically at your budget
Looking realistically at your budget should be the … (1 comments)

home buying: Begin Your Property Search - 02/03/15 10:57 PM

Are you looking to upgrade your home? Downgrade? A new neighborhood?
Back in the day, searching for new homes in person was the only available route. Nowadays, the Internet allows you to see homes that are available in your area and go on virtual tours. While you're online, you can also look up the price value of the surrounding homes. 
Many websites, like cortiersrealestate.com, has tools for you to narrow your online search. On Cortiers website you can:
search for homes register for the home finder get tips for first-time buyers learn about the community use the mortgage calculator connect with a professional … (0 comments)

home buying: Develop Your Personal Checklist - 01/25/15 11:00 PM
Are you and your family looking to buy a new home?  Before any action is taken, you must begin taking inventory of the needs for you and your family in making your next home choice. Being specific with your desires is a must. Preparing a checklist for yourself is always a great start.

Some things you need to be weary of when listing out what you want in a house are:
Location
Size of the home
School district
Price range
Personal or Community pool
Gated community
Gated yard
Distance from school
Yard size
Double or single front door
Square footage
 
It’s … (0 comments)

home buying: Planning to Buy a House? Here's How to Get Started - 10/29/14 11:43 PM
So you've decided to make the transition from renter to homeowner and are looking to purchase your first home. You aren't alone—according to the 2013 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 38 percent of last year's home purchasers were first time buyers. Before you start the often lengthy process of buying a home, it is important to know what you are in for. Here is a brief guide to the steps you will need to take as you set out to purchase your first home:
Start Saving It may seem obvious, but if you are looking to purchase … (1 comments)

home buying: Buying a New Home? What to focus on when starting the search - 10/19/14 11:39 PM
When looking for a new home, there is a plethora of factors that need to be taken into account. Where is the home located? What does it look like?How big is it? These are all very important questions to be aware of when you start the search for a new home. For simplicity’s sake, we have compiled a list of the most important aspects to look for when the time comes for you to purchase a new home.
 The perfect size. If Goldilocks has taught us anything, it’s that it can take a little while to find the perfect fit for you (and your family). … (1 comments)

home buying: Featured Listing of the Week: 9989 S State Hwy 6 - 10/15/14 11:45 PM

  A great house on over 9 acres. This house is built to last! Relax and enjoy your morning and evenings on the covered front porch. The home sits back on the property, away from the main road, which provides you plenty of privacy. Recent updates in 2014 include: new roof, water filtration system, hard wood floors, fully remolded kitchen, and new chicken house. The property uses fresh well water and the utilities are from Navasota Electric. In the hot months, the bill is around $180. The Property taxes are as low as $2315. On the property, you will find a 6ft slab with … (1 comments)

home buying: Tips for Moving with Kids - 10/10/14 12:03 AM
 #109350689 / gettyimages.com
Moving to a new home involves many big changes that can be tough on you and your kids.A smooth transition is essential for achieving your home sweet home.
These quick tips will help your family move with ease.
Call a family meeting. Bring your family together around the dinner table and simply have a conversation with your kids. Explain the benefits of the move and the reasoning behind it. Ask for your kids’ feedback and feelings. And don’t forget to share your excitement. Get their input. As you are narrowing down your home options, get help from another set of eyes. … (1 comments)

home buying: Featured Listing of the Week 6395 Steep Hollow - 10/08/14 11:40 PM

Custom built brick home on 2 acres in quiet, established neighborhood! The kitchen features beautiful custom cabinets. The home includes three walk-in closets, and four extra closets for linens, coats - perfect for extra storage! Huge utility room optimal for crafting or an office area. Enjoy your mornings and evenings in your large enclosed sun room. Hold your get togethers or BBQ on your brick patio covered by a LARGE solid cedar pergola. PLUS a separate 462 sq ft.workshop and 462 sq ft. apartment with kitchen area, bedroom and full bath with walk-in closet. The apartment area is perfect for family, guests, or even to rent … (0 comments)

home buying: New Homeowner 101 - 07/28/14 12:09 AM
"How do I buy a house?" The answer is not nearly as simple as the question. When you're ready to purchase your first home, it can feel overwhelming. Luckily, the Texas housing market has remained relatively stable through the past few years and it’s a perfect time for first-time homebuyers. As you prepare for your house hunt, follow some basic steps to make sure you get the right house at the right price.
First Things First In an article for MSN Real Estate, real estate broker Jim Stacey said there are three stages new homebuyers go through:contemplation, comparison and commitment. When … (0 comments)

home buying: Questions to Ask When Purchasing a Home - 07/09/14 01:20 AM
When purchasing a home, it is necessary to ask all the right questions. You need to be informed about the home you are potentially buying, as well as other factors in the home-buying process. It is never wise to be ignorant when buying a home!

Questions to Ask:
How much did the seller pay?This question is important because it gives you an overall idea of the value of the house, and whether it has risen or fallen over the course of their ownership.

How much have houses in the neighborhood been selling for? The price of similar homes in the … (1 comments)

home buying: Featured Listing of the Week: 10306 Timberidge - 06/26/14 12:08 AM

Come sit on the park benches under the shade trees late in the evening and listen to the birds and enjoy!
Complete remodel with new granite, all stainless appliances, carpet, tile, paint inside and out.
New garage doors with openers, hot water heater, and exceptional landscaping!
This home comes complete with spacious bedrooms and a HUGE backyard!
Come check out this one-of-a-kind home!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information on this listing, click here.
For a virtual tour of this listing, click here.
 
(1 comments)

home buying: Why you should know difference between Pre-Approved vs. Pre-Qualified - 06/24/14 12:01 AM
Perhaps the most critical element in the home-buying process is getting approved for a mortgage. Although the process of mortgage approval might seem fairly straightforward, there are a lot of misconceptions held by first-time home buyers. Many of these fallacies center around the concepts of being pre-approved versus being pre-qualified. It is important to learn the difference between the two so there is not any confusion when purchasing your first home.
Pre-qualified.  This is the preliminary step in the mortgage process. You meet with a bank and provide them with an overall idea of your financial situation. They will delve into your financial past, including debt, income, and assets, and from … (0 comments)

home buying: How Big Should a Down Payment on a Home Be? Here's Help - 06/11/14 11:41 PM
The average down payment on a new home was 16 percent in May 2013, a 9.4 percent drop from two years prior, according to LendingTree.com. These figures are contrary to what conventional wisdom has always dictated, that homebuyers put down 20 percent or more on a new home. The down payment amount depends solely on your financial situation and the terms your financial institution makes available to you. The downward trend for these deposits is likely to continue, however, due to market conditions and creative mortgage products.
Less Is More A 20 percent down payment on a $250,000 home amounts to … (1 comments)

 
James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com (Cortiers Real Estate)

James Murr

www.cortiersrealestate.com

College Station, TX

More about me…

Cortiers Real Estate

Address: 809 University Drive East, Suite 101A, College Station, TX, 77840

Office: (979) 985-5610

Mobile: (979) 739-7237

About Bryan College Station real estate, the local market, buying and selling homes, etc. College Station Homes for sale and other College Station Real Estate. We are an advanced web marketing firm and work with a lot of buyers and sellers across Texas.


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