Hire a Professional

5 Reasons to Resolve to Hire a Real Estate Professional [INFOGRAPHIC]. Well, that is my job so I am going to say that. But, the truth is that I did not become a real estate professional until 2005 and before that, when I was doing a real estate sale or purchased - I hired a professional. The point it, I practice what I preach. It took many hours for me to earn the title "professional" or "REALTOR" to be more accurate. There was much to learn and we still have to earn additional credit hours to maintain a license - like lots of professionals. Checkout today's report

Move up, move down - move around

Start 2017 Off Right… List Your House for Sale! If you have any thought on moving in the next year or two, then early 2017 is a great time to list your home and move on. Why? I am still convinced interest rates are headed up. As mentioned in some of the previous articles, rates go up and buying power goes down. Locking in a rate on a long term note is a good strategy to get the best value now! That decision is yours. If you would like to find out what your home is worth, with no strings attached - let's talk or meet. Meanwhile, checkout today's article for more ideas on why the time is right

Where do you stand?

You Need an Agent Who Will Put You First! It is our job to place the client first. We work to help you achieve your goal whether buying the first time or selling the last time - or anything along the way. Where ever you are on the journey, your needs are our top priority. We never try to up-sell when buying and we do everything we possibly can to help you realize the most money when you are selling. It's simply good business - and the right ethics. And, that is why we recommend using a licensed real estate professional. If you are not in our area and you need help finding someone, call us - we will help you find someone locally. You can read more in today's article

THE most important post of the year!

Homeowner’s Net Worth Is 45x Greater Than A Renter’s - let's do that again - Homeowner’s Net Worth Is 45x Greater Than A Renter’s. That is all I am going to say on the subject other than - read more about it

FSBO - not!

Top 5 Reasons You Should Not For Sale By Owner. There are a few success stories out there - very few. DIY is good for some things, but real estate transactions is not up there on the list. Doing it wrong can cost you a lot of money. Statistics supplied by the experts say that about 90% of those who give it a try eventually come to a real estate professional to handle the transaction. You can read the reasons in today's article - but seriously consider that the buyer who comes to the seller doing a FSBO figures you are saving the commission - and they want a price reduction because of it. It can get dicey. Check out today's article for more on the five

Rising Interest Rates

The Fed Raised Rates: What Does that Mean for Housing? Well, if the experts are correct and rates remain below 5% for 2017, then that is a good thing and will help housing recover. But two things to remember - no guaranty that rates will stay that low and, even marginal increases impact the amount of house you can buy. Those incremental increases plus rising home prices affect your buying power! The sooner you can make the move to becoming a home owner or move up to another home, the sooner you can lock in the 30 year fixed payment. Read more about it

Not enough homes to go around

Existing Home Sales Surge Through The Holidays [INFOGRAPHIC] - sales up, inventory down, what's next! The experts seem mostly on the side of a good 2017 market and that means higher prices along with higher interest rates. Are we thinking buy now rather than later? YES! New government administration taking hold soon and that could impact the market either way. But, bottom line - you need somewhere to live and that home is best when it is your own. Be sure to check out today's article.

About Student Loans

Student Loans = Higher Credit Scores... Well folks, this one surprised me - until I started thinking about it. According to the experts and their studies, those with student loans tend to have higher credit scores than those who do not. Perhaps the better education helps. The downside is that those folks having student debt may put off the home buying decision. Read more details in today's article

Winter Rerun

Sure, we have shared this before, but it is important and some of you may have not seen it the last two times:-) Whether You Rent or Buy: Either Way You’re Paying a Mortgage. At the end of 30 years you could have a paid up mortgage and a great investment or you could have a stack of receipts and a payment due for next months rent. Why not avoid rent and enjoy a 30 year fixed rate payment? It is fixed with the exception of property tax and insurance but renters insurance will go up too! Your living cost can be an expense - or an investment. Your landlord chose investment. You are making the payments. If something does go wrong along the way, you can sell the home. You cannot sell the rent receipts. That is a cold hard reality. Folks, owning your own home is a way to increase your wealth. Check this out

2 Tips to Get the Most Money

2 Tips to Ensure You Get the Most Money When Selling Your House. Both of these tips seem counter productive to getting the most money - but the bottom line is how quickly you want to move and how aggressive you want to be. If you are ready to explore the possibilities, call and let's have the discussion. Read more

No Secret - It's Buy Now

The Impact Your Interest Rate Has on Your Buying Power [INFOGRAPHIC]. Folks, if you follow me regularly, it is not secret that I am an advocate of BUY NOW. And, a strong believer that rates will go UP - and they have! Now, perhaps more than at any other time in recent years, I think rates will be going up. How high no one knows. But remember, each incremental move up is less buying power on the amount borrowed. An opportunity not to be missed. More in today's article

Don't Do It

Why You Shouldn’t Take Your House Off the Market During the Holidays. Seriously folks. If you are selling right now - you have the home advantage! It is just more about the law of supply and demand and the state of the market right now. If you are listed, best to stay listed. If you are not listed, now would be a great time to jump in. For a greater explanation, read today's article

Sell Now… Not Spring

The #1 Reason to Sell Now… Not Next Spring... is all about supply and demand. Right now, supply at this time of year is less than typically on the market in spring (when way more folks list their home for sale). Buyers that are looking now - are typically very serious buyers. So folks - now is a great time to list your home for sale! Checkout today's article

The NEXT 5 years

Building Your Family’s Wealth Over the Next 5 Years. Wouldn't it be great if we could know where housing will be 5 years from now. For that matter, it would be great to know where the stock market might be - and many other things too. Can't do that. But the bottom line is when it comes to housing, you either pay rent or you own and 5 years from now you will have nothing more than receipts if you rent - and a pretty good chance that you will have increased wealth by investing in your own home. If you are ready to take that bold step and to begin to increase your wealth - with no hype - reach out to me and let's talk about your future. More in today's article

5 Years Forecast

Home Prices: Where Will They Be in 5 Years? If we only knew! There are bulls and bears looking forward. But, the experts who take many things into consideration are looking to a bright future for home prices. Lower but steady growth means less chance if a bubble. It makes for a more solid America. It gives more confidence to homeowners. Read more on the look forward 5 years

Where are Americans moving

Americans Are on The Move [INFOGRAPHIC] Checkout today's report - people are on the move. If you are ready to relocate to San Antonio, we are ready to help you. Call us and find out more!

Mortgage Rates - Home Prices

Will Increasing Mortgage Rates Impact Home Prices? History says probably not. What higher rates will do is to reduce the amount of house you get for your money. When the rates move up, the monthly payment moves up if everything stays the same. But, in order to keep your payment where it would have been you either need more money down or buy a lower priced home. No one knows what will happen. No matter what, it is informed speculation. If you are thinking of buying, and you agree that rates are likely to move up, then this is a good time to buy! Read more in today's article

Serious Buyers

Selling in the Winter Attracts Serious Buyers. That's a given. The cold weather is less likely to attract browsers and tire kickers. This is especially true during the holiday season when there is so much more to do. If there is a need to move - whatever it may be- then folks are out there and looking! If you are a seller never hesitate to list your home at this time of year. Many folks do not list so you have reduced competition and a better opportunity. If you would like to discuss it, please call - there is never an obligation. Meanwhile, here is today's article on the subject

Rent or Buy? Why?

When Is a Good Time to Rent? Not Now! IMO - almost never! Take a look at today's report. In simple terms, if you get a 30 year mortgage with a fixed rate, your payment is fixed (with the exception of taxes and insurance). Your monthly expense (rent) becomes an investment (Ownership). If you rent, your monthly payment will likely rise and you will pay the landlord's mortgage and get to do that month after month. So - the answer is - BUY!

4 Reasons to Buy

to Buy Your Dream Home This Winter... It is an opportunity that we may not see again for some time. We all know what happens once rates start to climb so now is the time to lock in that 30 year low interest rate mortgage. Prices are good and buying power is strong. Have a look at today's article - and then call me!

Brown Sugar Bacon

Well, this post is a far departure from the usual here - but something I want to share with you. Yesterday, Perry Homes at the Ranches at Creekside hosted a special luncheon for REALTORS. As usual, Perry Homes did a fantastic job and the catered food was delicious. On this occasion there was a special treat and my first time with brown sugar bacon, and I understand it is sometimes called Christmas bacon. As I was looking around for a recipe to share with you, I also found chocolate dipped bacon (and it looks pretty good too!). Here is a picture from yesterday and a couple links. Enjoy

New Home Sales

New Home Sales Race to Keep Up with Demand [INFOGRAPHIC]. Have you ever purchased a brand new home? It is an exciting experience and an adventure. You get to make choices from colors, to fixtures, to doors, to windows, carpet, tile and the list goes on. It is also your home where no one has lived before. Age does not matter. I helped a retired couple who relocated here in San Antonio and had a paid off older home where they moved from. They never thought "new construction" but I was able to show them how - and the advantages for them. I have gone the new home route and have earned the credentials of Residential Construction Specialist - because I believe in the advantages of "new". Either way, when you are my client, whether we look at new or preexisting, it's up to you! Read more on the subject

Homeownership = Investment

5 Reasons Why Homeownership Is a Good Financial Investment. The best reason is "it's yours". 30 years seems like a long time but there is one thing hugely different between paying the mortgage for 30 years and paying the rent for 30 years. Pay off the mortgage and "it's yours". You can live there, you can borrow on it, you can sell it, you can leave it to someone. Then, 30 years of paying rent means - you keep on paying rent. Your landlord loves that. You paid the landlord's mortgage. Which do you prefer? Read more