How to Make the Best Offer on a Corpus Christi Home

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Today I’m joined by Joaquin Granados, our lead home buyer specialist. We’re going to discuss this common question from our buyers: “How much should I offer on that home?”

There are many different variables for you to consider before you make an offer on a property. First of all, you have to consider supply and demand. How many buyers are looking for homes in the same price point as you are? The foot traffic for the neighborhood in that price point is going to be a determining factor for how much you should offer.

The condition of the property is also important. Does the home need upgrades? Does it need repairs to major structural components of the property? Pay special attention to the roof and the foundation, as any issues there could cost you a lot of money down the road.
 

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FIND OUT HOW LONG THE HOME HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET BEFORE MAKING AN OFFER.

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You should also consider the size of the property. Is it the biggest home on the block? Is there enough functional square footage for you and your family?

Days on market is another important variable. Has the property been on the market for days, weeks, months, a year, or more? The buyer should know this information before making an offer.

Closing cost concessions are also important. Do you want the best price on the home or the best terms? If price is especially important to you, past sales are a great indicator of how much the property is worth. Looking at past sales ensures that you are not overpaying for the property.

As you can see, making an offer is a lot more difficult than just throwing out a number. There are many variables for you and your agent to go over. If you have any questions for us, give us a call or send us an email. Joaquin and I would be happy to help you!

Stop Struggling with Bad Credit in Corpus Christi

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I’m here with David Clifton, and he’s my expert in credit restoration. He’ll be sharing tips with us on how to improve your credit score. It’s not as difficult as some people may have you believe.

First, you need a copy of your report and you need to check the personal information section. Make a note of all the incorrect information you might find in there, because it all counts against you.

Another good move is to check all of your credit cards. Check your balance to limit ratio, because a ratio of more than 20% will begin to drag your credit score down. If you can keep it under 19%, your score will begin to rise back up.

These are only a few of the things that you can do to improve your credit, but you can also look at David’s blog or contact me to get in touch with him.

I would be happy to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance. This is going to be a great year to buy a home, so get your finances in order now before interest rates rise too high!

How Can You Increase Your Corpus Christi Home’s Value?

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If you’ve been thinking of selling your Corpus Christi home, you’ll want to make sure you do all you can to maximize your final sale price. Today we are excited to share five different things you can do to help your home sell this spring. These tips can dramatically increase the perceived value of your home, which will also push the final sale price up. Here they are:

1.  Declutter or remove unused items around your home
This will increase your home’s value while at the same time making it more appealing to buyers.

2. Upgrades and updates
Take some time to walk around your home like a buyer would. Notice things like countertops, lighting and plumbing fixtures, and carpets. Replacing one or all of these items could dramatically increase your perceived value.

3. Painting touch-ups
It’s important to walk around your home and touch up areas like baseboards or walls. A coat of paint can really go a long way and give the home a nice, fresh feel.

4. Deteriorated wood
Note the areas that should be replaced, such as garage and door frames, and window areas.

5. Curb appeal
Here’s another nugget. This is absolutely important when your home goes on the market. Most buyers start their search online. Cut your grass, trim your trees, plant some fresh plants around the front door area. These things can definitely increase your showings as well as your perceived value.

In the end, you’re trading nickels and dimes for dollars. Investing in this process can dramatically increase your net proceeds. Think about what the buyer is going to see. For a complete list, give us a call or send us an email. If you have any other questions or suggestions for another topic, let us know about those as well. We look forward to hearing from you!

What Do Home Warranties Actually Cover?

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Today we are going to talk about and debunk some of the myths surrounding home warranties. To help us, we’ve invited Chase McRoberts of First American Home Warranty to explain to us exactly what home warranties are, and what they cover.

He often gets people calling him asking questions about what is and what is not covered under a home warranty. The myth that everything in the home is covered by a home warranty is simply not true. 
 

With a home warranty, you are covered for all the major mechanical systems in your home. Things like the AC, electrical, plumbing, gas, hot water. Things that come with every single home. Things like the washer/dryer, fridge, and stove are not covered by a standard home warranty, but can be added to your coverage. The rule of thumb for what’s covered under a standard home warranty is anything that would not fall out of the house if you were to pick it up and shake it.

We encourage you to read the fine print and check your policy to make sure you know exactly what your warranty covers. Not all home warranties are created equal. If you have any questions for us about home warranties or about real estate in general, give us a call or send us an email. We can’t wait to hear from you!

One Simple Way to Protect Your Budget When Buying a Home

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Today I'm going to be explaining why you need a home warranty, as it protects all the important mechanical parts of your home. I'm with Chase McRoberts, the South Texas Area Manager of First American Home Warranty.

So, what are the benefits of someone purchasing a home warranty?

Typically, the purchase of a warranty is negotiated through the transaction, and oftentimes a seller will pay for it. Sellers will sometimes purchase a warranty outright in order to entice buyers to purchase the home. It's comforting to know that all the major mechanical systems in your home will be covered in case of failure due to wear and tear. 

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Home warranties protect your budget and your peace of mind.

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So, if you get into your home and the AC fails, you would be covered. All you have to do is pay a minimal service fee. Home warranties usually cover systems such as AC, plumbing, electricity, security systems, etc.

A warranty is a great benefit for both buyers and sellers. They are inexpensive and they also act as budget-protectors, all while giving you peace of mind that if something breaks, it can be repaired.

We recommend that all of our clients get a home warranty. If you'd like more information, please don't hesitate to reach out to me!

The Difference Between Homeowners Insurance and a Home Warranty?

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There's a big difference between homeowners insurance and a home warranty. They cover different things, and you probably need both of them for different reasons. Today I have Chase McRoberts who is the South Texas Area Manager for First American home warranty.

So what is the difference between a homeowner's policy and a home warranty?

The difference is that homeowners insurance covers catastrophic events, and usually covers the exterior components of the home. For example, if your roof was destroyed during a hail storm, you'd be covered by your homeowner's insurance.
 

Home warranties cover the major mechanical components inside the home, and it covers repairs for the regular wear and tear of those systems. You pay a minimal service fee for people to come out and repair the broken appliance.

Home warranties are great products to have whether you're buying or selling. As a seller, buyers always appreciate a free year under a home warranty. And even if you're not planning on buying or selling your home it's a good thing to have just to secure your peace of mind.

If you have any questions about this topic, or if you'd like to get in touch with Chase, please don't hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you!

Three New Construction Mistakes to Avoid in Corpus Christi

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Today, we'll discuss three mistakes to avoid when building a new construction home.

The first mistake is not hiring the right real estate agent. You want an agent who is good at interviewing and negotiating with builders. Don't work with the builder's salesperson. They are working the company's interest and not yours. They will just tell you what you want to hear rather than what you need to know. You need a real estate agent who will look out for your best interests.

Another mistake is not doing the right research. Take the time to know the area, the lot, and the builders you plan on interviewing. Not researching could leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table.

The third mistake is not reading the fine print. You need to be familiar with the contract. You don't want any problems to crop up down the road. Builders cut costs in three ways: quality of material, quality of labor, and the size of the home. Pay attention to these things in the contract, and determine which of those is the most important to you.

Even though there are many great builders here in Corpus Christi, please take your time, do your research, and hire a great real estate agent. If you have any questions on today's video, give me a call or send me an email. I'd be happy to help you!

How to Make an Offer on Your Corpus Christi Property

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Today I'll discuss how to make an offer on a property. Making an offer on a home is very exciting, especially if it's your first time. Before we begin, make sure that your loan is secure.

Before you make an offer, make sure your loan is secure. Talk to your loan officer about any fees associated with the loan, like closing costs.

When you make an offer, make sure you're not overpaying for the property. It's very important that you take some time to review any past sales that are available, tax records, inspection reports, etc. This information will help you make a better offer from the very beginning.

All offers should be formal, meaning in writing. That way, you ensure that the terms of the offer will not be overlooked or misunderstood.

Be sure to review the contract, as well as any addendums that may be associated with the property you're interested in. Make sure that the agent you're working with is an expert in those addendums.

Complete the offer that best fits your needs in price, terms, closing costs, and contingencies. Attach a pre-approval letter, and wait for a response. You could hear back as early as six hours later, but you might be waiting 24 hours for a response.

If you have questions about this process, don't hesitate to reach out to us!

What's the Secret to Finding the Corpus Christi Home of Your Dreams?

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Today, our lead home buyer specialist joins us to answer some very common real estate questions. Stay tuned to learn some insider tips and information!

Where do you start the home buying process? Most buyers think the process starts online or by driving around different neighborhoods. Truthfully, this is not the way to begin a home search. Every home buyer should have a smart home buying strategy, which takes time and preparation.

We have a smart home buying strategy that is designed to save you thousands of dollars on unnecessary expenses and give you leverage over sellers and other buyers. Buying a home is a process, not an event, and it takes time to get a home at the right price, at the right time, and for the right reasons. 

For more information about our smart home buyers strategy, or if you need real estate assistance of any kind, give us call or shoot us an email. We would love to give you a hand!

What Buyers Should Really Be Considering About Homes

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Today I'm with Mark Garza, the president of Kingdom Builders here in Corpus Christi. He's going to be speaking with us about why energy efficient homes are important, and why energy education is also important. Mark says that many people think about the cost of homes in terms of mortgage payments, interest rates, and insurance costs.

However, not a lot of people consider the cost of a home in terms of its efficiency. What I'm talking about is similar to the MPG that a car gets. For example, 50% of the electricity bill in a home goes towards the costs of heating and cooling. For this reason alone, it may be a good idea to invest in a home with a better heating and cooling system. 

Another good idea to reduce energy costs is to install a tank-less water heater. The light bulbs that you use can also have an impact. LED lights versus incandescent lights can make a big impact when going to pay your energy bills. 

You're either going to pay for energy efficiency, or energy deficiency. One way or another the money will be spent, so why not use a more efficient system to conserve your money? Energy efficient systems can save you thousands and thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your loan. 

If you have any questions for me or for Mark, please don't hesitate to contact me. As always, please refer to me for any of your buying or selling needs in Corpus Christi!

Four Ways to Get a Good Deal on a Home

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My clients always tell me that they want a good deal on a home. But how do you know if you're getting one? Today I'll be discussing the four most important factors in getting a good deal on a home.
 

1. Price: Although this is important, it should not be the only factor in deciding whether or not you buy a home. 
2. Condition: You need to ensure that the home you're buying is in decent condition. This may seem pretty basic, but not a lot of home buyers know a lot about construction. This is why it's important to get a home inspection done before you purchase. You could cost yourself thousands of dollars if you fail to inspect a home before you purchase it.
3. Location: This is important because this is the one thing that you'll never be able to change about your home. Make sure you're in a quality neighborhood and a good school district. 
4. The rates and terms of your loan: This factor is often overlooked. The rates and terms of a good deal should be beneficial to you, and this is really your opportunity to get a good deal on a home. It helps to have an experienced real estate agent who knows how to fight for your best interests during the negotiation process. 

These four factors are essential when you're looking for a good deal on a home in Corpus Christi. If you need any assistance buying or selling a home this spring, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm always willing to help you!

Where Should You Begin the Home Buying Process?

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Most people believe that a good home search begins with physically looking for homes that are for sale. However, this is not a good way to begin looking for a home. You'll be looking at homes that you might not be able to afford, or ones that just don't suit your needs. Most of all, you will be spending your precious time searching for homes that you will likely not be buying.

Our team makes sure that everyone has a smart home buying strategy. We will consult with you to find your wants, needs, must-have features, and your ideal location. When you know what you're looking for, your home search becomes much narrower. 

The more you know about what you want, the easier it is to find a perfect home.

If you are interested in purchasing a home in Corpus Christi, please don't hesitate to contact me. I would love to consult with you to help you find a home that fits your needs.

How to Buy and Sell at the Same Time

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A lot of my clients have been asking me whether they should buy a home first or sell a home first. This is a catch-22 in the real estate business, but we always recommend the same thing to our clients. 

We always recommend to our clients that they put their homes on the market before they start looking to purchase. Once your home is on the market, then you can start your search, because the rubber will already be on the road by that point. 

If you find a home that you like before you find someone to purchase yours, then make sure that you write in contingencies into your offer so that you have a buyer for your home when you go to purchase another. If you have a good real estate agent, they can ensure that you secure terms that are advantageous to you. 

Usually my team and I can get your home sold at the same time that you purchase another one. We've dealt with transactions like this before, and it just takes some planning and organization. If you're in need of a capable agent in Corpus Christi, please don't hesitate to contact me!