If I Would Have Bought Back Then in the Houston Area

Dad Said It…

“I Remember when I could have bought a home in Houston, Texas, right there on that exact corner!  If I would only have done it then I would be better off now!”  That is the message that I hear often from my dad when I was growing up.  Now it seems as if I will hear the same type of comment very soon from people all around the Greater Houston, Texas, area.  Maybe you are wondering why I would say that.

The simple reason is this: In talking with many clients about making an offer on a property, they do not want to get off of the fence and actually buy the home.   They do like the home and would like for it to be their new home address.  They could and do qualify for a loan!  So, what is keeping them from taking the step to move forward and actually sign the offer? Are there steps of the buying process that need clarifying?  Exactly what is causing the delay?

Despite the fact that many homes are being offered at a phenomenally, historically, all time low prices- plus the fact that there are incredibly low financing rates available, some clients still want to “hold out” for a better deal.  After all, it surely must be just around the corner. There are a lot of homes on the market to choose from at this time and I want the best for the lowest price possible.  Have I hear you?  I think so and I do not blame you for one minute.  I, too, want great deals.   

What is Wrong With That Thinking

Let’s use an old saying or two to help answer the question.  “A watch pot never boils!”   “You snooze you loose!” The same is true for real estate in today market.  It is a better financial deal for you to be in the home of your dreams with the current interest rate,even if they dip down a fraction more than the present level, than to have remained on the fence during this remarkable time and watch home prices and home loan rates drift higher.  Inevitably,home prices will rise and rates will go up and you as a client will have missed the opportunity of a lifetime.  Will you be the next one to learn from my dad’s ringing comment?  “I remember when…and I wish I would have…”? Keep that from happening to you and your family.  You can then say to your children, “I am glad that I bought my home in the Greater Houston, Texas, Area when I did!”  Go ahead and “Seal Your Real Estate Deal With A Smile.  Call Kay!  

A Look At The Overall Houston Single Family Home Market

To receive weekly automatic updates for specific zip codes in the Greater Houston, TX Area- Clear LakeCity and League City, TX ,  contact The Kay Horacefield Team or simply fill out the form on the right hand side bar of this blog.

Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this Month

Houston Clear Lake and League City residents protect your cell phone numbers from telemarketing companies.  Cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. 

You will be charged for these calls!

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:  888-382-1222.  This is a National DO NOT CALL list.  It will only take a minute of your time.  It blocks your number for five (5) years.  You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked.  You cannot call from a different phone number.  If you have any difficulty you can go their web site.

You, like me, know how much this could save you in money and inconvenience.  Without a doubt, passing along this information to Houston Clear Lake and League City, TX residents, you can see how much the Kay Horacefield Team cares for  you.  Make the call today!

Until next time,

Kay Horacefield

If you are like most home buyers in the Houston Texas, Clear Lake City and League City, Texas area, you begin your new home search process on line.  Isn’ t that a comfortable and fast way to find a home?  You can even do it from your favorite recliner in front of your TV with nobody asking you any questions.   I agree, that you can and will get a vast amount of information rather quickly.  You can find a multitude of resources.  The real question is.. “Are you definately finding someone who can almost magically understand your wants and needs? (more…)

Myths can keep you from securing Home Ownership in Clear Lake and League City, Texas. Overcome the myths and be on your way to your new dream home!

Myths about Mortgages:

Mortgage Myth #1:  I had some debt when I was young and I ruined my credit.  I’ll never get a mortgage.

• You don’t know what your credit history shows until you look.  And if you do have blemished from the past, lenders will show you how to improve your credit and restore good credit practices on your part.

Mortgage Myth #2:  I heard that you need to put 25% down to buy a home.  But my friend says that you can get a mortgage with no down-payment at all!

• Both scenarios are uncommon.  Although there are a variety of financing programs available, most require you to put at least 3.5-10% down, but rarely would you need 25%.

   Myths about Agents

Agent Myth #1: If I have several agents looking for homes on my behalf, I’ll find a house more quickly.

• Like most relationships, this one thrives on communication, loyalty and trust.  By working exclusively with one agent you will improve both the process and the results.

Agent Myth#2:  If I want an agent to represent me as a buyer, I’ll have to pay them myself.

• Buyer representation means that the REALTOR you select works with your best interest in mind.  In most cases, however, they receive a portion of the commission paid by he seller.

Myths about Buying:

Buying Myth #1:  I should find a new home first before I sell the one I now own.

• If you find a buyer for your home first, you’ll have more negotiating power in both the sale of your current home and the purchase of a new one. 

Buying Myth #2:  I just made an offer on a house I love.  But so did several other people.  I’m worried that someone else will out bid me and get it.

• Different sellers are motivated by different things.  In addition to price, a seller will look at the other terms of the offer–contingencies, closing date, required repairs, etc.  Many times a “clean” offer from a pre-approved buyer will be more attractive, even if the price is slightly lower.

The last of 4 letters “W” is twice as critical to first time home buyers.

W= When do you want to move in and Who can you depend on to help you with your Clear Lake and League City,  Texas move?

WHEN do you want to move in and WHO can you depend on to help you are two critical points that bring the K.N.O.W.  full circle for first time home buyers. 

Knowing the date that you would like to move into your Clear Lake and League City home will determine how far in advance you need to actually begin viewing the homes in person.  It will set you game plan into action at just the right time.  Starting too early can cause unnecessary delays and concerns.  Starting too late could actually prohibit the event from taking place to fit within a family plan.

• As a general rule here in the Clear Lake and League City Area from the time that you actually go under contract to buy a particular home it takes approximately thirty days to close if you have followed quality guidance in having all of the proper steps taken care through the K.N.O.W.

• Let’s review: K.N.O.W.

• K: Know you buying power and price point for a home

• N: Narrow the area you are considering living

• O: Organize your home buying wants and needs

• W: When do you want to move and Who to call for your Clear Lake and League City move.

• Visit with Kay Horacefield, REALTOR, to help you take your first K.N.O.W. step to home ownership.  You will be glad you did, just like Ben was.

• Client says: ”Working with the clearly defined steps that Kay suggested, we saved time, money amd made wise decisions.  She hepled us find the house that had our must haves and many of our would likes, plus other features that we never dreamed that we could have in our first home purchase in just the right location.”

• Let’s plan your journey to home ownership in Clear Lake and League City, Texas.  This simple word “K.N.O.W.” hooked with Kay Horacefield will give you the overall view.  You may send me an email or simply call.  Either way you choose, knowing that your speed is my speed, I’m sure this is comforting and relieves your fears knowing that you are in control of your time and amount of assistance you recieve.

K.N.O.W. is Critical for First Time Home Buyers in Clear Lake and League City, Tx.

The very simple word KNOW  is helpful to first time home buyers.  Use this four letter word as a reminder of critical and time and money saving techniques to put into action when buying your first home in Clear Lake and League City.  Each individual letter opens up vital information that that will make you an informed consumer.

• We have focused on the letter “K” to remind you to know your buying power and price point.
• The letter “N” reminded us to narrow the area in which you want to live.
• Today’s post will focus on the letter “O”.

O=Organize your wants and needs by separating and prioritizing into two categories:

Separate and prioritize your wants and needs in home requirements into two categories will help you in two ways.  It will help you know what you want and need as well as help you communicate effectively with your REALTOR to fine tune your home requirements.  Taking the time to think through these two points will focus your thoughts.  It will help pin point just exactly what you are looking for and in turn help your REALTOR know how to work in your best interest. 

1. Wants- What are the wants that you  would like for your new home to have.  Make a list of these things that you would like to have in the home.  For example:  Large kitchen with granite counters; game room upstairs; three car detached garage.
2. Needs - What are the absolute must that your new Clear Lake or League City home must have.  These are the things that would you would not give up on and would not buy the house unless there were present.  Examples could be: four bedrooms; master down stairs; home office area.

Simple, yes!  Critical, yes!

• “K”: Know your buying power
• “N”: Narrow your area for searching
• “O”: Organize your thoughts into two categories/ wants and needs

Look for the next post about the letter “W”.

In the mean time, if you are ready to start your home buying process, please contact me right away at 281-282-9524 and we will help you accomplish the first three steps of the work, K.N.O.W. This will automatically put you in position for the fourth action which will be: “W”.

http://clearlakeandleaguecityrealty.com

Bringing you home to “Celebrate the Moment”

K.N.O.W. is Critical for First Time Home Buyers in Clear Lake and League City, Texas

Simple and critical at the same time!  Remembering this one simple word or four letter are instrumental in helping  first time  home buyers in Clear Lake and League City, Texas , save money and make wise decisions in their home buying process.

• We learned in a prior blog post that the letter “K” reminds you to know your buying power and price point. 
• Today, we will be visiting about the second powerful letter, “N”.

N=  Narrow the Clear Lake and League City area in which you are considering living:

Defining the area you want to live in Clear Lake or League City goes beyond just knowing the city you choose.  Narrowing your search to a specific area or neighborhood helps you and your REALTOR clearly focus on your wants, needs, and expectations.  It will not only save you time,  it could also help you not miss out on the perfect home that is was there waiting on you and you missed it  because you  did not get to explore the area enough since you were scattered looking in other areas that were not a fit for you and your family.  There are some important basic points to explore with links to assist you with your decision.

1. Consider your job location
2. School attendance zones
3. Shopping
4. Recreation possibilities
5. Medical center
6. Subdivisions
7. Homeowner Association
8. Churches
9. Metro Transportation
10. Never forget your price point

K.N.O.W. is Critical for First Time Home Buyers in Clear Lake and League City, Texas

• “K”: Know your buying power
• “N”: Narrow your area for searching

Stay tuned and read the next post  about the letter “O” . 

In the mean, if you are ready to start your home buying process, please contact me right away at 281-282-9524  and we will help you accomplish the first two steps of the word,  K.N.O.W.  This will automatically put you in position for the third action which will be: “O”.

http://clearlakeandleaguecityrealty.com/

Bringing you home to ”Celebrate the Moment”! 

It is vital for first time home buyers in the Clear Lake and League City, Texas, area to know how much house payment you can afford. It is even more critical to determine the amount of house payment you can comfortably spend each month for three very specific reasons.

(more…)

Relaxing on Clear Lake

I want to write a blog. What will I blog about? What will I say and how will I say it? Thinking back about what I would tell my student when they were asked to write in their journals, reminds myself to put to use the things I taught them. I can hear my words flowing through the class room and see the students’ faces as my words hit their faces and some how found their way into the ear canals and up to their bright brains.

• “Just put your words on paper. Go ahead and talk on paper.” I would encourage them to write about what they knew.
• I went a little further to remind them that they had experience and those experiences were their experiences so not to worry because there was no way that that could be wrong. 
•  Individualy, they were the experts because they had lived what they were talking about.

With thouse thought to get me rolling,I know what I want to blog about…living in the Clear Lake and League City, Texas area. I can  speak as an expert because I have lived in Clear Lake for the past 13 years. My eyes has seen, my hands have touched, my ears have heard and my mouth has tasted and my nose has smelled the life in and around Clear Lake and League City, Texas. 

Yes, I will write about what I know, living in Clear Lake and helping clients buy and sell real estate in Clear Lake and League City.  My expertise does not stop with just those two cities.  I know the Greater Houston well, because I am a life long resident of this area.  My passion is helping people and bring value to each day.  Therefore, I  hope you will enjoy reading my blogs and become a frequent visitor as I share information about the real estate in and around Clear Lake and League City.  I will be throwing in real life experiences!  Remember I encouraged my students to write about what they knew so, I will be using the techniques I shared with my students.  www.clearlakeandleaguecityrealty.com