texas: Top Ten Things You Need to Know About the 3.8% Investment Tax on Home Sales
- 01/15/13 12:24 AM
This article was published today in the Houston Association of REALTORS weekly newsletter. Just thought everyone might be interested to know what's in store for the 3.8% investement (including real estate) tax for 2013: "Top Ten Things You Need to Know About the 3.8% Investment Tax on Home Sales David Mendel, January 14, 2013 Almost immediately following passage of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 and Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010, a series of emails began circulating around the Internet, most with a kernel of truth but largely made up of misinformation. A new round … (2 comments)
texas: 6 Unexpected Advantages of Having the Right Agent
- 11/23/12 04:40 AM
I once worked with a buyer who had to fly to the other end of the world within a couple of days after we placed her offer. Needless to say, she was agitated and anxious about the prospect of being so far away during inspections and contingency removals, especially since I’d earlier stressed how important it was for her to be present. Rolling with the punches and poor timing, we sat down just before she left and talked through the timeline, including which events would take place on every day of her absence - including some harmless glitches that commonly arise … (0 comments)
texas: The 5 Most Expensive Ways Buyers & Sellers Sabotage Themselves
- 11/15/12 05:32 AM
It’s easy to see the experience of buying or selling a home as an adversarial one: you vs. the people on the other side of the bargaining table, with one chess move by your opponent potentially costing you thousands of dollars. In my experience, though, the average real estate consumer’s biggest potential enemy is him or herself. Buyers and sellers routinely take approaches, make moves and make omissions that cost themselves much more than anything the other side could ever do. The first step of any cure is diagnosis. Here are some clues to detecting the costliest cases of real estate … (0 comments)
If you're selling your house, it's what's outside that counts. Prospective buyers can’t immediately see what's inside, but one thing they will notice right away is your landscape. That same landscape can ultimately spark a buyer's interest or send them running in the opposite direction. The good news is that many landscape renovations are affordable and far from impossible. Not only will they enhance your selling opportunities, but they can also provide a significant investment return.
As your property value increases, so does the return on your renovation investments. For landscape renovations, payback … (1 comments)
texas: How to Find an Agent You Love
- 03/15/12 02:35 AM
Re-blogged from Tara-Nicole Nelson, Trulia "My adventures in business of late have caused me to believe that, contrary to popular opinion, many entrepreneurs and companies are inspired to do what they do out of a passion for their customers. I'm also aware that the feeling is not always, or even often, mutual. In a recent survey, only 20 percent of Americans said they trusted real estate agents as a profession. But here's the good news, for buyers, sellers and agents: though people seem to distrust agents as a group,nearly 90 percent of buyers and sellers liked their individual real estate agent … (2 comments)
texas: Short-sale Help for First Time Homebuyers
- 03/06/12 05:44 AM
Many people in the market today are first-time home buyers who would not have been able to buy when home prices were higher. Enticed both by lower prices and bank promotions, these eager hopefuls are have taken the signs of deals as the best chance to make their first real estate move . While all home buyers need help with the short sale process, it’s especially challenging to address the needs and concerns of a first-time home buyer who has decided a short sale is the home for them. Here’s how to get answers to first-time home buyers’ top three … (0 comments)
texas: 4 Insider Secrets for Avoiding Surprises at the Closing Table
- 08/04/11 09:23 AM
I used to pass a mortgage company billboard on the freeway every day that read: “Surprises are for birthday parties.” (Implied: surprises are usually unpleasant when they arise in the context of real estate transactions.) The worst case scenario that looms large in the minds of buyers, refinancers and sellers alike is that they’ll get to the close of escrow and some big glitch will arise, coming between you and your home – or your cash. Here are 4 key need-to-knows to help you avoid getting a nasty surprise at the closing table. Read my lips: no new bills (or other … (0 comments)
texas: Four Steps toward Preparing Your Home for a Hurricane
- 07/22/10 09:21 AM
4 Steps toward Preparing Your Home for a Hurricane By Stephanie AndreRISMEDIA, July 22, 2010--It's hard to believe that it's already been five years since Hurricane Katrina devoured the Gulf Coast. While hurricanes are not preventable, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your property should disaster strike. Here are four important steps to consider, according to the Insurance Information Institute: STEP #1: Review Your Insurance CoverageBe sure you have the right kind and amount of insurance, enough to rebuild your home and replace your belongings. Ask about flood insurance, which is not covered under a standard homeowners … (1 comments)
This article was published today in the Houston Association of REALTORS weekly newsletter. Just thought everyone might be interested to know what's in store for the 3.8% investement (including real estate) tax for 2013:
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