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?“ Someone who want to help you know how to clearly and specifically voice your wants and needs.  Here is a helpful tip:  don’t be afraid of making a connection and building  a relationship with a REALTOR who skillfully knows how to communicate with you.  Remember the help is free, so step up to the plate and ask.   Read on to find out ‘the real key” to this well kept secret.

The Real Key

• First and foremost, really get to know each other.  Empowerment for each other will come by sharing information so that the REALTOR can show you how to use her skills and professional knowledge to your advantage.  Now, doesn’t that sound fantastic and refreshing? 
• Of course this will not come in one quick email or online inquiry.  It will be a continuous process with checks and balances for clear understanding for  both parties… you as client and the REALTOR.  There will be stops along the way to celebrate successes.  Plus, without a doubt there will be guaranteed fun along the way.   Follow along to see the well kept secrets of how this automatically works…just like magic!

The Well Kept Secret

Getting from Point A (The point you start) And Ending at Point B (The point you want to end up)

Point A: Techniques  you can use to get specific with your REALTOR

• Describe for your REALTOR…
• Tell your REALTOR about…
• Share your attitudes about …
• Share your feelings concerning…
• Share what your feeling would be if…

Modifiers to use for more clarification:  (These also help stimulate your thinking and that of your REALTOR to achieve even clearer understanding for both.)

• How
• What
• When
• Where
• Why

To further clarify what you are trying to communicate, use this tag line: 

 What _____ means to me is…….

At this point of your conversation your REALTOR Will Be Able to Summarize What You Have Said

• It appears that….
• So what you are telling me…
• If I understand you correctly…
• What I hear you saying is…
• So one of the things you are looking for is…..
• The thing that is most important……

Point B: Where you want to end up—Your Realtor Now Has Clear Understanding of Your Wants and Needs

She can now confidently say to you:

• So one of the things you are looking for is…..
• The thing that is most important…..

To Sum It Up

When I hear my potential buyers say, “Oh my, how did you know that?  Or, ”Nobody has listened to me like that before”, I know that I have been successful in three ways.

1. Helped them discover what they really wanted.
2. Helped them clearly articulate their real estate concerns.
3. Made it easy for their needs to be met without stress and confusion.
4. Help them in the most convenient and efficient way regarding their privacy and use of time.

To get your real estate convesation started right away, Call Kay! at 713-898-6954, email kay@callkay.com or visit http://www.ClearLakeAndLeagueCityRealty.com  With the current inventory high and the market giving the buyers a definite edge, now is the time to take advantage of the great opportunities to become a new home owner.  You will, without a doubt, want to take action right away.

Until Next Time,

Kay Horacefield

No doubt you’ve heard the news that the housing market has hit a rough road in the last few months.  Sale of single family existing homes have declined at a rate that have taken many by surprise.  This has caused a mind’s tailspin of wondering “what’s next”. 

The savvy buyers  are not missing a beat , they are seeing beyond the one dimensional view.  They are seeing the more favorable climate for buying a home in Clear Lake, League City, and Friendswood, Texas.  At today’s rock  bottom rates,  economist says that buyers stand to save $8,ooo many times over during the course of a  30-year  mortgage  even with another $8,000 tax credit now off of the table. 

Why Now is the Prime Time to Buy in Clear Lake, League City and Friendswood, Texas

• Home affordability is at an all-time high
• Mortgage rates are at rock bottom
• Home prices are trending to rise—Buy NOW
• Sellers are motivated
• Financing is readily available
• Owning vs. renting is increasingly favorable—average principle and interest payment has fallen below the average rental rates 
• Home ownership is still at the core of the American Dream!

For individual home buyers, there are only a few facts that really matter:

1. Can I afford this home?
2. Is it a good investment?
3. Does it meet my family’s needs?

To Sum It UP

Don’t let this prime time pass you buy, take action and BUY.  Years down the line you will be saying, “That was a very wise home purchase.  I am so glad that I took advantage of the buyer’s market !” I am glad that we did not get caught up in the “tail spin mind thinking” or we  would not have this great home in Clear Lake or League City or Friendswood, Texas.

First Time buyers, Move Up Buyers, and Investors Call Kay! right away to buy a home in Clear Lake, League City or Friendswood, Texas.  It is easy to do!  You will be glad you took action today. You, like me, can see the great opportunities to become the proud owner of a new home.  I’m sure you are saying the same thing.  I can see you head shaking, “YES.”

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.

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”! 

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