The Houston Real Estate Alphabet Soup:MLS for FSBOs

If you’re planning to sell your home “For Sale By Owner” (best known as “FSBO”) in Houston, it will be vital that you give some serious thought to the MLS. “MLS” (Multiple Listing Service) is the database used and updated by real estate professionals and trade associations. It’s used to organize and publicize available listings for everyone interested in buying a house. Access to any MLS system is restricted to agents and brokers, since they are licensed, insured, and have been trained in correct use of the technically-complex system.

In today’s digital age, FSBO sellers who chose to just put up a lawn sign and advertise in local newspapers put themselves at a daunting disadvantage. Yet if you try to sell your house yourself as an Houston FSBO, there are ways you can get your property included in the Multiple Listing Service.

One way to get a listing in MLS systems is by registering on one of the FSBO websites, like ForSalebyOwner.com (which includes a “Find a Pro” tab on its home page!). Such sites usually sell several different packages, including various uses of MLS, with up-charges for things like additional photos or unlimited listing times.

When preparing your listing, you’ll want attractive, professional-quality photos; a clear, concise selling description; and accurate metrics including your address, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square feet, lot size, etc. Accuracy here is vital – lawsuits have been successfully pursued against sellers who provide inaccurate square footage or other metrics. (Stymied already? Your tax records usually contain the needed information).

 You will also need all the lawfully required disclosures – and, of course – an asking price supportable by recent and accurate comps.

In case that sounds like a lot — just to deal with the listing, much less the whole selling process — you’re not alone. If you’d rather worry less about getting your home sold and focus more on finding your next one, hiring an agent is always an option. If you’re preparing to sell your home in Houston– FSBO or not – I welcome your questions anytime!

	Diego E. Jaramillo Broker Associate, CIPS, ABR diego@houstonheritage.com	Jair A. Jaramillo Real Estate Consultant jair@houstonheritage.com
	Houston Heritage Group Keller Williams Realty - The Metropolitan Office: 713-980-5115 Fax: 832-603-4304 Website: www.HoustonHeritage.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/HoustonHeritageGroup Twitter: www.twitter.com/HoustonDiego Blog: www.TheHoustonBlog.com

Find The Best Rated Schools in Houston

Houston's rating is based on its public schools' test results; 10 is best.

 

Priced Reduced House in Houston

When you're looking for a partner to help you negotiate the complexities of selling a home in the Greater Houston area, the Houston Heritage Group with Keller Williams Realty is your local partner! The experience, dedication and strong communication you'll receive here will help ensure the successful and profitable sale of your home:

1. The Local Advantage - Take advantage of a broad spectrum of technologies and tools to support the sale of your home from start to close.

2. Internet Advertising - Since the lion's share of home buyers starts their search on the internet, top placement on search engines is essential. You'll gain access to placement on Google, MSNBC, and other websites. This will maximize your exposure and bring a large number of potential buyers to view information about your home.

3. Email Campaigns - It's important to "work the network." We can work together to identify the right people to target your home-and get in touch with them by email to drive excitement and interest.

4. Personal Touch - Of course, technology alone won't sell your home. Face-to-face interaction provides the advantage to sell your home-and you won't have to worry about a thing. The details will be handled with care and constant communication, to ensure the marketing and sale of your home go smoothly.

To find out more about selling your home, click here

Basics of Buying Foreclosed Homes in Houston

         You may have seen the reports — and they are correct — that the number of new foreclosures has dropped almost everywhere throughout the country. Although the Mortgage Bankers Association’s report about the drop in non-seasonally adjusted foreclosure starts might indicate otherwise, this fall, sharp-eyed buyers can still find any number of foreclosed homes in Houston. For those whose goal is to find an appreciably nicer home at a lower-than-average price, a few basics shed light on the process.

Short sales differ from foreclosures. Although the sale price may be a good deal less than what is still owed on a loan, it may be more or less than the actual value of the home. A foreclosed home is one that is actually owned by the bank holding the underlying loan — with the previous homeowners already having moved on.

Success in the foreclosure realm means saving money by buying Houston foreclosed homes — and it means being aware of the motives of the lender. First, any bank will typically offer foreclosed homes on an as-is basis. To keep losses in check, no repairs will have been made on the property. Some homes may be in fine condition, but others will not. That’s why it’s so essential to be willing to pay for an inspection on the property: it’s the only way to know exactly what you are getting into before you sign on the dotted line.

Unless you have prior success in buying Houston foreclosed homes, it is universally recommended that you enlist a buyers agent to help throughout this process. An agent can advise you whether or not the property value is in line with the market for comparable properties in comparable condition. While you can work with the bank on your own, it is advantageous to have an experience professional to assist at the bargaining table.

If you are interested in buying foreclosed homes in town this fall, why not contact me today to discuss your search parameters? The values really are out there to reward the patient — and anyone willing to put in a dollop of elbow grease!

Foreclosure Homes in Houston 

	Diego E. Jaramillo Broker Associate, CIPS, ABR diego@houstonheritage.com	Jair A. Jaramillo Real Estate Consultant jair@houstonheritage.com
	Houston Heritage Group Keller Williams Realty - The Metropolitan Office: 713-980-5115 Fax: 832-603-4304 Website: www.HoustonHeritage.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/HoustonHeritageGroup Twitter: www.twitter.com/HoustonDiego Blog: www.TheHoustonBlog.com

Getting the Right Houston Mortgage for Now and for the Future!

A vital part of buying a home is getting a mortgage. But not all mortgages are the same. There are two general classes of mortgages; fixed rate mortgages keep the same interest rate for the full duration of the debt. The interest rates for adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) change every year after an initial period expires. You also choose the duration of the loan. 
 

That’s the easy part. When it comes to choosing those details, coming up with the right option for your family can be a brain-twister (especially when you realize how big a difference different future scenarios might present). When you go about getting a mortgage, you need to account consider the major factors - 

• Affordability. Your budget for month-to-month payments is the largest single element to gauge when getting a mortgage in Houston. If you want to ensure lower monthly payments and minimize the risk of increases, tilt toward a longer-term fixed rate mortgage. If you can afford to risk a higher interest rate, a short-term ARM might be best.   

• Future Rates. This can be a key issue when choosing between a fixed-rate mortgage and an ARM. If you suspect interest rates will decrease over time, you might tilt toward the ARM, since those mortgage payments will eventually decrease along with interest rates. If interest rates are headed up over the long haul, a fixed rate lets you to lock in today’s lower rates.

• Permanence. If you plan to live in your new home for just a short period, your choice for getting a mortgage may be less complicated. ARMs usually start out at a lower rate than do fixed-interest mortgages, and if you move before the adjustment period begins, you can take advantage of the lower initial rate and avoid the future possible payment increase.

Like all financial decisions, getting a mortgage in Houston should be carefully undertaken: always keeping in mind your long-term financial goals. I’m here to help clarify the many issues that enable my clients’ success: call me today if you are thinking about a move this year!

	Diego E. Jaramillo Broker Associate, CIPS, ABR diego@houstonheritage.com	Jair A. Jaramillo Real Estate Consultant jair@houstonheritage.com
	Houston Heritage Group Keller Williams Realty - The Metropolitan Office: 713-980-5115 Fax: 832-603-4304 Website: www.HoustonHeritage.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/HoustonHeritageGroup Twitter: www.twitter.com/HoustonDiego Blog: www.TheHoustonBlog.com