Replacing things like windows, major appliances, or roofing can get expensive. It's important to know approximately how long you have before the water heater goes out or the roof springs a leak. This is important information for both Buyers and Sellers. Buyers may want to factor in replacement costs to their purchase offer price if there are aging components that will soon require replacement. The flip side of that concept is that Sellers should consider these factors before placing their home on the market as well. Sellers should consider whether or not it would be to their benefit to replace the aging components prior to having the components become a point of negotiation with the Buyers.
A recent study by the National Association of Home Builders provides some insight that should help you estimate the average useful lilfe of more than 100 household appliances and building materials. Of course, the true longevity of any household material depends on maintenance, quality of installation, use, and climate conditions. So, use the averages only as a general guide.
To see the full (pdf) report click on the following link:
New Restaurant: Soon to be opened, Little Gretel, where the former El Rio & the Argentine restaurant were once located on River Road. Let's hope this one has a better track record. Nothing on it's web site www.littlegretel.com yet but Craig's List shows they were looking for a Czech chef. I know many of you have been looking for a German restaurant in the German town of Boerne. I was hoping this would be it. We'll see.
Shop Closings: Katmandu, a cute little gift & accessory store on Main St. is going out of business. Too bad. It's having some great sales, however.
The Word on The Street: The city has received $18 million from Esperanza to upgrade their sewer system. This is $18 million the citizens of Boerne will not have to pay for a badly needed, larger capacity system. That is $2250 per household.
Before putting your house on the market for sale, you need to take some time "pretending to be a potential buyer." Get in your car and drive up and down the street in front of your house (don't worry about what the neighbors think...they'd do the same thing!) and imagine that you are seeing your home for the very first time. What could you improve?
The photos that your agent will take are equally important. Most buyers use these photos to help determine if they even want to visit the house. If the home isn't properly staged for the photos, you could lose some potential buyers.
The most common needs are small changes, like new door hardware and a fresh coat of paint on the front door, a new porch light and house numbers, or trimming back shrubs. Look closely-a potential buyer certainly will! Remove any dead or dying plants or trees, fertilize the lawn, put fresh mulch in the flower beds and hide the trash can. Adding a pot of brightly colored flowers near the front door or on the front steps can help, too.
By the time you're finished and ready for your agent to take photos, your home should be calling out "Come in! You want to see me!"
If you're thinking about selling, visit our website: www.taylorhometeam.com for a wealth of useful information for the selling process.
Bob Gardner (CEO of Legacy Mutual Mortgage) on the local Market: The number of sales is down 18% ytd compared to 2007. The number of homes sold under $199K is down 29%, homes sold between $200K and $500K is down 36% from 2007. Inventory is not growing, "With sales going down, so is the number of listings." The number of days the listings are on the market has increased, and more so if located outside and north of Loop 1604. Foreclosures are up 23%, but this is the amount of postings and not actual foreclosures. Prices are stable and expect to continue to hold steady in 2009. Price stability will vary by price range and location. Prices per square foot have increased in some subdivisions and decreased in others. It's hard to predict what will happen in '09, but overall the market is better than we think it is.
Dr. Mark Dotzour (Chief Economist, Research Director, Texas Real Estate Research Center) on the Texas Market: Our state market is one of the better ones with 8.4% past due and 1.4% in foreclosure. The houseing affordability is improving making it the best time to buy a house. Overall our housing market will help the economy out of a recession. As a state we are growing very fast. The growth of TX has increased from 1997 to 2006 by 38.3% We produced 126,487 jobs in 2008. In regards to the interest rates if Prime is at 2.2% and the Index at 1.5%, then our rates should be at 3.7% and not at 4.75%. "The new home market will bottom out in 2009." The house price appreciation is 4% higher than it was last year, which puts us in one of the better states in the country. Our median price has increased from $65,500 in 1990 to $140,600 in 2008. Another factor is that government intervention is quickly becoming a problem and not a solution. In a nutshell, "Thousands of families will buy homes in 2009."
Housing Starts Drop: New home starts in San Antonio dropped 32% in 2008 and could drop another 20% in 2009, according to the housing research firm Metrostudy.
Visit our website: www.taylorhometeam.com to search for homes, land, or invesment property in San Antonio or The Texas Hill Country!
Fabulous property with over 600 feet of Cibolo Creek frontage!! Close to Main Street, but just outside the City Limits in Boerne ETJ...
You won't want to miss seeing this one.....it is unrestricted, loaded with mature trees in a fabulous location! Lots of wildlife including axis, whitetail, foxes, squirrels and fishing. Offerred for $699,000.
For more wonderful photos and info go to www.taylorhometeam.com now or call us at 830-816-5310 now!
Build your dream home on this 4.99+/- acre corner lot in North Barcroft Estates. Good views & some nice hardwoods - you just need to clear a few cedar. Easy commute to SA. Quiet & peaceful. Offered below appraised value. Listed for $75,000. Go to www.taylorhometeam.com for more information and photos of this great property.
Did you know that Keller Williams has approx. 15% of the market in San Antonio and surrounding areas according to the SABOR MLS? The second place occupant is Coldwell Banker with about 2%. You might know that Realogy (www.realogy.com) is the parent company of Coldwell Banker, Century 21, ERA, & Sotheby's among a few others. Did you know that Realogy has about $6 billion worth of debt....and Keller Williams has $0 debt? In fact, Keller Williams has about $1 billion in the bank. Who would you trust with your real estate investments?
Good business models and systems work. Put them to work for you the next time you are thinking about buying or selling real estate. Visit our website @ www.taylorhometeam.com and let us know how we can help you.
A BRILLIANT 3BR/2.5BA HILL COUNTRY CUSTOM HOME SPARKLING LIKE A GEM IN TAPATIO SPRINGS.
THE GOURMET KITCHEN BOASTS CUSTOM CABINETS WITH GRANITE COUNTERS & STAINLESS BOSCH APPLIANCES. THE PRIVATE MASTER SUITE HAS A GARDEN WHIRLPOOL TUB, DOUBLE VANITY AND WALK-IN CLOSET. THE BRIGHT AND OPEN GATHERING AREAS INCLUDE A WARM FIREPLACE, SPACIOUS DINING ROOM, BREAKFAST AREA, & COVERED PATIO TUCKED AWAY BEHIND THE 5TH TEE BOX ON THE GOLF COURSE. GOLF, TENNIS & POOL AVAIL. W/MEMBERSHIP. LG BONUS RM & STUDY, TOO! Priced to sell at $499,000. Go to www.taylorhometeam.com for more info and photos of this fabulous home.
Potential clients and first time buyers usually ask this question. It's not one of the easiest answers to give. Most of the time a mortgage is required, so the lender requires a title policy. In some types of ownership transfers, title insurance is not required, or necessary. A good title company can help you determine your needs.
Listed below are a few of the hidden risks that are covered under an owner's policy:
Documents executed under false, revoked or expired powers of attorney;
False impersonations of the true property owner;
Undisclosed heirs;
Improperly recorded legal documents;
Prescriptive rights in another not appearing of record and not disclosed by survey;
Defective acknowledgments due to improper or expired notarization;
Corporate franchise taxes as liens on corporate real estate assets;
Gaps in the chain of title;
Mistakes and omissions resulting in improper abstracting;
Forged deeds, mortgages, wills, releases of mortgages and other instruments;
Deeds by minors;
Deeds which appear absolute, but which are held to be equitable mortgages;
Inadequate legal descriptions;
Errors in tax records;
And many more.
Owners Policy-Homeowner
Just as lenders want security with their loan policy, you should want to protect your investment with an owner's title policy. For a low, one-time premium you can receive an owner's title insurance policy to protect your property against hidden risks or undiscovered interests.
The Owner's Policy Provides:
Protection From Financial Loss due to covered claims that may be asserted against the title to your property, up to the face amount of the title policy.
Payment Of Legal Cost if the title insurer has to defend your title against a covered claim.
Payment Of Successful Claims against the title to your property covered by the policy, up to the face amount of the policy.
Peace Of Mind
Title insurance adds security and peace of mind to your ownership. Remember that a policy issued by Kendall County Abstract Company can help you prevent the potential loss of your property due to these causes as well as many others. If you have any questions about title insurance, call your local title compnay. They will be happy to answer your questions.
Owning real estate is one of the most precious values of freedom enjoyed in this country. When you decide to buy any type of real property, you want to be sure the property will be yours and that no one else will have any liens, claims or encumbrances against your property other than those disclosed to you or arranged by you (such as a mortgage).
If you are buying or selling real property, having a title policy protect the transaction gives everyone involved peace of mind.
If you are considering buying or selling real estate in the Texas Hill Country, check out our website: www.taylorhometeam.com
The past few weeks we've experienced a significant rise in activity in the Real Estate market here in the Texas Hill Country. This is very good news for sellers. However, sellers must keep in mind that most of the qualified buyers that are out there shopping are looking for a bargain. And, consequently we are having to remind our buyers that although sellers are more willing to negotiate these days, they are not going to just "give it away." A new catch phrase we've found ourselves repeating to potential sellers is that they must have "the best house for the best price" meaning they need to study the competition in the market....of course, we help them with that....and make sure their property is positioned to stand up to the competition when the buyers come. If they have "the best house for the best price" it's likely that they will "win the buyer."
Visit our website at www.taylorhometeam.com for property listings, to search mls listings, or for many useful buying and selling tips. While your there, check out our testimonials!!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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