Buyers and Sellers Blog – BHHS Premier Properties

Photo for How Staging Can Help Sell Your Home

Selling a home takes a lot more than just throwing up a sign on the lawn, listing it on the MLS and hosting an open house. Many homes need to be properly staged first so they can appeal to a wide range of buyers. Staging is the softer side of real estate. It’s an art form, really. A professional home stager has the design talent, knowledge of local trends, and resources to make sure all areas of your home are being presented in a way that showcases the greatest value and appeal.

Mortgage Forbearance In Difficult Times

If you are currently experiencing a short-term hardship and are having trouble meeting your monthly mortgage payments, forbearance can offer temporary payment relief in helping homeowners deal with job loss, disability, illness, divorce, a recent disaster, death of a wage earner or other unique circumstances, including COVID-19.

Home Sales Rebound After Pandemic

One would think a pandemic would bring the real estate industry to a grinding halt. But that does not appear to be the case. In fact, real estate in Houston is enjoying quite a boom right now. Existing home sales have rebounded quite strongly in June – up from pandemic-driven lows earlier in the year.

How Mortgage Interest Rates Impact Your Monthly Payment

It can be tough determining how much you’ll pay for your mortgage when buying a home. But your agent and lender should be able to tell you the basics so you don’t feel overwhelmed, especially if this is your first time.

Cost vs. Value on Home Improvements

Not all home improvements deliver the same value to homeowners. Some offer a better ROI than others. If you’re looking to sell your Houston home soon but want to make some improvements first, here are some of the best to consider.

Home Buyer’s Wish List

From dream kitchens and plenty of storage to extra rooms and dedicated laundry space, every home buyer has “the list” – things they really, really want to see in any new home they purchase. As a real estate company in business for many years, we have seen a lot of wish lists, and here are the most common among buyers. Sellers should pay attention!

Tips on Selling a Home Virtually

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact many facets of business, including real estate. If you are selling your home and don’t feel comfortable holding in-person open houses or showings, you still have options.

Tips on Buying a Home Virtually

While the home buying industry seems to be recovering quickly from the disruption caused by the coronavirus, it has changed the way people look for and buy homes. It’s time to get creative!

Which Mortgage is Right For You?

Shopping for a mortgage is an unavoidable part of buying a home. It can be confusing, though, especially if you’re doing this for the first time. That’s why you need a qualified real estate agent on your side to help you navigate. Here are some steps to take to find out which mortgage is right for you.

10 Steps to Get Your Home Ready for Sale

Enlisting the help of a qualified real estate agent is the first step in the process of getting your home ready to sell. There are many several steps involved in the process of prepping you home for sale. Here are some of the main ones:

First Time Home Buyer Problems to Avoid

Buying your first home can be both stressful and exciting, and it certainly comes with many major decisions. It’s easy to get carried away in the whirlwind of home shopping, which could allow you to make mistakes and leave you with buyer’s remorse. Here are some first-time homebuyer mistakes to avoid.

Assessed, Appraised and Market Value

If you’re in the market for buying or selling a home, you may frequently hear three key terms about home value. They are all different, but how? Your Berkshire Hathaway Premier Properties real estate agent will be able to tell you the differences, but here’s a brief outline of what each one means.

Why Some Homes Sell Faster Than Others

Have you ever wondered why there are some homes in your area that sell in a weekend, while others seem to be on the market forever? From curb appeal and quality photos to proper pricing and staging, there are many things that spur the quick sale of a home. Here are some of them.

Avoiding Buyer’s Remorse

Buyer’s remorse: That sinking, slowly encroaching feeling you get after making a purchase that makes you question your sanity. What was I thinking? Did I really think that through? Can I take it all back? Buyer’s remorse is common at the store.

How Much is Your Home REALLY Worth?

If you’re looking to sell your home, your first thought is probably: how much is my home really worth and what can I reasonably get for it? This isn’t always easy on first glance. It’s always best to hire a real estate professional to figure this out for you. They take into account local market conditions, sale prices from homes in your neighborhood, the age and condition of your home, its location, and much more.

Different Types of Mortgages

If you’re considering buying your first home, you may be wondering about all the mortgage options available to you. There are many types, and not every one will be right for you. Your real estate professional and lender will be able to guide you in this decision based on your credit history, budget and more. From FHA to conventional to VA, here we will go over the various mortgage types.

Why Hire a Property Manager For Your Rental Property?

If you've ever owned income property, you know that managing a rental can be financially rewarding but stressful at the same time, demanding a large commitment of time and effort. If you’re a handy person or live close to the property, you may consider taking the DIY approach when it comes to management.

Moving with Children

It can be very exciting to move to a brand new home and community, especially when you’re upgrading from your current living situation. But while you may look forward to this change, your children may feel the opposite way. The idea of uprooting and relocating to a new school far from their friends can bring on anxiety in kids and teens.

What a Seller Should Expect During an Open House

When selling your home, an open house is usually a typical part of the process. This is your chance to show off your home in its best light to as many people as possible within a short time frame. An open house usually occurs the weekend after listing your property, to generate interest right out of the gate.

A Quick Guide to the Home Buying Process

If you’re looking to buy a home in the near future, you may understandably feel overwhelmed by the process. But if you’re prepared and know what to expect, the process can be smooth and stress-free. Plus, it doesn’t hurt if you have experienced Realtors® on your side to talk you through everything!

What is PMI?

Generally, most lenders require PMI when it comes to conventional loans with a down payment less than 20 percent. Like anything else, though, there are exceptions to the rule. You’ll have to do your homework if you want to forgo paying PMI. Some banks out there offer low down-payment, PMI-free conventional loans. These providers will waive PMI for borrowers with less than 20 percent down, but you’ll pay a higher interest rate. Knowing when this option makes sense in the end is up to you – you’ll have to do the math on that.

Advantages of Working with a Realtor®

If you plan to buy or sell a home soon, you may be considering using a Realtor. This is a smart idea. A Realtor is a licensed real estate sales person belonging to the National Association of REALTORS®, the largest trade group in the nation. It’s important to note that every agent is not a Realtor but most are. They adhere to a higher ethical standard than licensed agents, following a strict Code of Ethics.

How to Work with a Buyer Agent

If you’re in the market to buy a property, you need a Buyer’s agent that will work for you with your best interests in mind. Your Buyer’s Agent is an Agent who represents you throughout all phases of the buying process, saving you time and money along away.

How to Look at Homes

Discovering the right home should be an exciting event. As a Berkshire Hathaway Home Services sales professional, my commitment is to make your home search as stress-free as possible.

Identifying Your Needs

Finding and buying the right home is a highly personalized process, and it all begins by identifying your needs.

Our Comprehensive Marketing Plan

Our marketing program for your home is built on three activities: Promote to Prospective Buyers, Market To Other Real Estate Professionals, Maintain Communication With You.

Setting Expectations for the Sale of Your Property

Let's review and prioritize the following topics to help us understand what's most important to you in the sale of your property.

Important Real Estate Terms You Should Know

It’s important to have a basic understanding of important real estate concepts before you begin the home buying process. Not only could this knowledge give you peace of mind, it can save you time, money and hassle. Get familiar with these key real estate terms you should know before hunting for a home.

Home Seller Checklist

Are you selling your home? It’s helpful to come up with a home seller checklist to help you keep track of the essential tasks that must be done before listing.