Texas Real Estate Podcast with Renae Gibson

Red Relief—Helping Those Impacted by Harvey and Irma

cassidy@getvyral.com (Renae Gibson) — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 07:56:00 -0700

The Red Relief program by Keller Williams is dedicated to providing disaster relief to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and Irma. Find out how you can help today.

Keller Williams is here to help those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.

When it comes to Keller Williams, family is everything.

Our Red Relief program is dedicated to providing disaster relief to every family impacted by these storms.

Hundreds of Keller Williams agents have gone to Texas to help those in Corpus Christi, Houston, Beaumont, and more. More agents are on their way to help families in the path of Hurricane Irma in Florida.

"Help us provide disaster relief to those impacted by Irma and Harvey."

So far, we have seen a tremendous outpouring of love from our volunteers and donors. Rebuilding these areas is going to take more than a couple of weeks, so it’s important that we keep the energy going in the coming months as we help people get back to their normal lives.

As we work to rebuild these areas, we could use your help.

Please consider donating to our Red Relief program. Your contributions will help us supply food, water, clothing, and building supplies to these communities.

If you have any questions about KW Cares, the Red Relief program, and our ongoing disaster relief efforts, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We appreciate your support as we work to help others through this difficult time.

Top Tips for Hurricane Preparedness for Houston Homeowners

cassidy@getvyral.com (Renae Gibson) — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 09:23:00 -0700

We wanted to talk about hurricane preparedness today.

We wanted to talk about hurricane preparedness today. Hurricane season is upon so we wanted to offer some reminders to keep you ready for anything Mother Nature might throw at us.

Stay tuned to the local weather station. They well keep you updated on critical info from the National Weather Service.

Check your disaster supply. Your supply kit should be ready to go with a gallon of water per person, non-perishable food for three days, flashlights, batteries, and candles.

Tie down things in the yard. Make sure things like patio furniture are stowed away or secured so they can't blow away in the wind.

Inventory of the property. We don't have a ton of hurricanes here in Houston, but we are susceptible to flooding. Take pictures and do a walk-through, and write down everything. That way, if you ever have a flood insurance claim to make, you have something to fall back on.

Turn the fridge and freezer all the way down. Setting the fridge and freezer to the coldest setting will help you keep it cool if the power goes out, and your food will stay fresh longer. Keep the doors closed as long as possible if you lose power.

Turn off the gas. If you have propane or other small appliances, make sure they're turned off.

Keep your gas tank full. If there's flooding and you need to get out of town, be prepared with a full tank.

Have an evacuation plan in place. This way everyone in your family will know what to do and you won't be scrambling at the last minute.

As always, if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us. If you're thinking about buying or selling a home, we'd love to work with you!

The Perfect Storm for Home Sellers Is on the Horizon

cassidy@getvyral.com (Renae Gibson) — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 10:25:00 -0700

This summer is shaping up to be the perfect storm for home sellers in our market. However, you need to act fast.

If you’ve been considering selling your home, now is the time to do it. This summer is shaping up to be one of the most favorable seasons in recent years to sell your home quickly and for top dollar.

However, this moment won’t last forever.

Mortgage rates are still very low. Right now, the 30-year mortgage rate has dipped to 3.9%, which is far from the 4.5% experts predicted for 2017. These continuing low mortgage rates translate into more affordable homes and eager buyers looking to lock in these low rates while they last.

We’ve seen this eagerness in action lately. Demand is so strong that home sales actually increased in both April and May, despite the fact that the supply of homes on the market is currently at a seven-year low. As a result of strong demand and tight inventory, home prices reached a record high this May, rising 6% compared to May 2016. It was the 63rd straight month of year-over-year gains.

"If you’re thinking of selling your home, the time to do so is now."

What does this mean for you?

These conditions make it very easy for you to sell your home right away for a very favorable price, but they also point to a correction which might appear soon in our market. For example, the increase in sales numbers is likely to push up mortgage rates, making it less affordable for buyers to buy. The ongoing Federal Reserve rate hike might contribute to this as well.

Furthermore, the continuing demand and high home prices will eventually spur construction of new homes. The record-high confidence levels reported recently the National Association of Homebuilders support this. All this new construction will certainly impact the growth of home prices, and might even drive them down.

So, again, if you’re thinking of selling your home, the time to do so is now.

If you have any questions about our current market or need help getting started on selling your home quickly and for top dollar, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to help.

3 Things Every First-Time Homebuyer Should Know

cassidy@getvyral.com (Renae Gibson) — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 12:29:00 -0700

Today I want to share my three top tips to help first-time homebuyers protect themselves during this crucial period.

Buying your first home can be an incredibly exciting time. However, it requires a huge commitment and a sizable investment. That’s why I want to share my three top tips to help first-time homebuyers protect themselves during this crucial period:

1. Know what you can afford

Your mortgage is only a part of what you will need to pay when you buy a home. Homeownership comes with plenty of other expenses, including closing costs, taxes, property insurance, maintenance costs, and homeowner association fees.

Once you have a clear idea of how much all of these items will cost, you can compare it to your current monthly expenses. Then you can figure out the kind of home you can honestly afford without getting carried away and without getting bogged down in debt.

2. Choose your lender wisely

Choosing a lender is not something you should base only on the lowest rate. A competent and trustworthy lender will offer you advice on how to improve your credit and also help you take advantage of special homebuyer programs that might benefit you.

But how do you find the right lender specifically for you? It's often best to get recommendations from friends who have already worked with a lender or from a real estate agent you trust.

3. Don't overlook the details

There are many details that go into buying a home, and missing any of them can be a costly mistake. I always advise buyers to get a professional inspection done on their home, separate from the appraisal. An inspection will set you back about $500, but it can save you thousands of dollars down the line, and it can even prevent you from making a decision to buy a home that you would later regret.

"An inspection will cost about $500, but it can save you thousands."

A second example is understanding the fine print in the various contracts you will be signing. If there's anything that isn't clear to you, talk to your real estate agent and have it spelled out.

The process of buying a home can be intimidating, and that's why professional real estate agents are there to help. These three quick tips are only the start of the things you need to watch out for when buying your first home.

If you need more advice or you are ready to start looking for a home, get in touch with me. I love working with first-time homebuyers, and I can help you get your perfect new home with minimum hassle.

6 Tips for Home Sellers With Pets

cassidy@getvyral.com (Renae Gibson) — Thu, 18 May 2017 12:58:00 -0700

If you own any pets, there are six additional steps that you need to take in order to have a successful home sale.

There are many steps involved in the home selling process. If you own pets, there are a few additional steps you should take in order to have a successful home sale:

1. Check your insurance. Although you know that your pets would never hurt anyone, they could mistake a potential buyer for an intruder and scratch or bite the buyer. You would be held liable for any harm that your pet causes, so make sure that your homeowners insurance protects you.

2. Prepare your yard. Buyers will walk through your yard, and that stroll will be ruined if they step in a mess or roll their ankle where your dog likes to dig. Make sure that you double bag the waste before disposing so that your garbage cans don’t smell when buyers walk past. Fill all of the holes in the backyard and sprinkle grass seed on top.

Before you put your house on the market, make sure that your yard is a green oasis. Pet waste can create brown or yellow spots in your lawn. Aerate the lawn, seed worn spots, or replace ugly patches with new sod. Then, train your pet to use a different spot or take them for long walks.

3. Remove odors. This is one of the biggest challenges for pet owners. It is easy to clean the cat’s litter box and put it away, but it’s harder to erase years of piddle from rugs and hardwood floors. If a bacteria-eating pet odor remover doesn’t quite work, you may need to hire a professional to clean your carpets. In extreme cases, you may even need to replace those carpets. You should also clean turtle, hamster, or guinea pig cages before showings, and make those fish tanks sparkle.

4. Clean up the hair. Not only does a layer of pet hair on the floor make your house look messy, it can also trigger allergies and send buyers sneezing out the door. Before each showing, vacuum and dust to remove settled hair and dander. If your pet sheds, brush them outside so you don’t have hair flying around the house. Regularly grooming your pet helps reduce shedding, too.

5. Hide the evidence. When you have a pet, you tend to accumulate a lot of stuff: sweaters, toys, leashes, food, and more. No matter how adorable you think everything is, buyers will only see clutter. Stow your pets’ items in a closet or cupboard, put dry food bins in the laundry room, and wash pet beds to remove odors.

"Set up a play date for your pet during home showings."

6. Say goodbye to your pets, just for a while. If you decide to leave them at home during showings, crate your pets or confine them to a special area of the house. Make sure the agent knows where they are! Keep your pets busy with long-lasting treats or interactive toys. However, it is best for everyone if you make a play date for your pet or send them to grandma’s house during the showing.

If you have any other questions about the home selling process, just give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

Why Should You Get Pre-Qualified?

cassidy@getvyral.com (Renae Gibson) — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 13:05:00 -0700

Jeff Pope from AmCap Mortgage joins me today to explain why it’s important for homebuyers to get pre-qualified.

Today I’m here with Jeff Pope of AmCap Mortgage to discuss the importance of getting pre-qualified before you start looking for homes.

The pre-qualification letter is a big piece of the home buying puzzle. Going into your home search without a pre-qualification letter is like being at the top of a mountain and speeding down it with no brakes. You might end up OK, but you never know what will happen.

You need to start the home buying process by getting pre-qualified.

Getting a pre-qualification letter will get you off to the right start. You will know how much you can afford and we can get you into the right house.

In order to get pre-qualified, you need your tax returns, W2s, and paystubs. Good lenders like Jeff will use secure services so that your information will be protected throughout the pre-qualification process.

If you have any other questions about the pre-qualification process, you can reach Jeff at 713-502-9355 or jpope@myamcap.com. As always, if you have any other real estate questions, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

What Does It Really Cost to Buy a Home?

cassidy@getvyral.com (Renae Gibson) — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 09:10:00 -0800

What is the true cost of buying a home? In addition to the sales price, there are many other costs and fees that you need to be aware of before you make your purchase.

When you purchase a home, the sales price is not necessarily the total price of the home. In reality, there are a few extra costs and fees that you need to consider. 1. How much are your property taxes? The amount can fluctuate, but knowing this number will better prepare you. Property taxes have the largest impact on your monthly mortgage payment. 2. What are your utility costs? Gas and electric bills can drastically alter your expenses depending on the season, so make sure you take them into account. 3. What is the cost of furnishing the home? Set aside some extra cash for new furniture or appliances without having to run up your credit. Remember, don’t purchase anything while you are under contract; wait until after you close on the home to get your new furniture.

Don’t buy any furniture until after the close of escrow.

4. How much will your home insurance cost? Home insurance costs vary from agency to agency and will affect your monthly mortgage payment. Make sure that you get a policy with excellent coverage. If you aren’t sure where to get home insurance or you need help furnishing your home, let us know.

We can refer you to vendors to help you with these different services. Of course, if you have any other real estate questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to help you!

Don't Step in These Pitfalls When Selling Your Home

cassidy@getvyral.com (Renae Gibson) — Tue, 7 Feb 2017 08:50:00 -0800

When you sell your home, there are some common pitfalls you’ll want to avoid. Falling into any of these traps can severely hurt your bottom line.

When you sell your home, there are some common pitfalls that you need to look out for.

The way you price your home can make a major difference in the type of traffic your home generates, as well as the types of offers you will receive. If you price too high, you may overprice your home out of the market. Homebuyers typically search for homes within specific price ranges, so if you’re outside their range, they might not even know your home is listed at all.

You also want to avoid letting your home sit on the market because homes that sit on the market do not look good to buyers. They see the cumulative number of days your home has been on the market and wonder what’s wrong with it, which affects your bottom line.

An appraisal will reveal the home’s true market value by determining what homes are selling for in your area. If your home is overpriced, your home will reflect that and you might have to go back to the drawing board to re-negotiate your price.

An appraisal will reveal your home’s true market value.

Overpriced homes also take a long time to sell, and if you’re looking to move on in your life, this could delay your progress. When you price your home, you want to sit down with your Realtor to come up with a price together that reflects exactly what the market tells you.

If you have any questions for us or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to help you!

Merry Christmas from The Gibson Realty Group

cassidy@getvyral.com (Renae Gibson) — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 15:00:00 -0800

We have put together a very special holiday message for you!

With the holidays drawing near, we wanted to put together something special for you and wish you a Merry Christmas!

We help people buy and sell homes all year long, but if all you want for Christmas is your dream home, we’ll put Santa out of a job for you. With us steering the sleigh, you’ll get the best deal on your new home. Although we can’t beat Santa’s speed, if you are looking to sell your home, we’ll sell it in the shortest amount of time and for the highest price.

For all your real estate needs, reach out to us with a phone call or a quick email. We’ll help make sure you have a very happy holiday.

Merry Christmas!

What All Goes Into a Home Appraisal?

cassidy@getvyral.com (Renae Gibson) — Tue, 8 Nov 2016 13:08:00 -0800

We’re breaking down the appraisal process step by step so homeowners know exactly what to expect and how to handle a low appraisal.

A good appraisal is one of the most important parts of getting a mortgage. Ultimately, it decides just how much a bank is willing to lend you. A bad appraisal can kill your plan for a new home faster than a bad credit score could. The appraisal is a way of ensuring the asset that the bank is loaning money for will earn their money back in case of a default. It’s also a way for you as a buyer to ensure you’re not overpaying for a house.

So what do appraisers look for? An appraisal usually starts with an inspection of the home and then compares sales prices of comparable properties in the area. The appraiser will prepare a report for the lender, which shows how they determined the value, considering things like the size and condition of the house. They will also consider improvements made to the house. Structural issues like a cracked foundation will also be included.

There will also be an evaluation of recent market trends in the area that may affect the value, as well as a comparative market analysis that supports the appraisal, along with maps, photos, and sketches. It’s important to remember that an appraisal is not a home inspection. It will note obvious issues, but will not inspect them to see whether they’re up to code. You’ll need to hire an actual inspector for that; this will help you avoid costly nightmares down the road in the event that something is wrong with the house.

So what happens if the appraisal comes in low? Is it time to throw in the towel? You need to find out why the appraisal was low. It could be something that the homeowner could correct, or the home could simply be overpriced. If it is overpriced, see if the homeowner will come down on their price. If you want, you can order another appraisal, but if you do, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for it and the previous appraisal will be on record.

If the appraisal is low, you need to find out why.

If you’re the seller and your appraisal comes in low, what can you do to make up for it? First, find out why it came in low. It could be because of maintenance issues or repairs needed, and if this is the case, you can have these items fixed and then order another appraisal. You could also increase the appraised price by focusing on cosmetics, especially in older homes. New paint, appliances, carpet, and windows always add value to your home.

Hopefully, you found this information helpful as a homeowner. If you have any questions about appraisals or you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Houston, give us a call or send us an email. We’d love to help you!

4 Biggest Mistakes Sellers Make When Listing Their Home

cassidy@getvyral.com (Renae Gibson) — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 14:11:00 -0700

When potential buyers drive up to your home, they are full of hope. They imagine themselves baking in the kitchen or watching their kids play in the yard. They are truly excited to find a home!

Then they take a closer look and see the mess in the driveway or the peeling paint on the roofline. They quickly decide to keep driving because the exterior of your home tells them that there may be even more issues inside.

Is your house warm, inviting, and pleasing to the eye?

These buyers have already researched your neighborhood and know your asking price; when they drive past your home, they are looking to see whether your property has the “it factor” or the “ick factor.”

So where do most sellers go wrong? Here are the four main mistakes that sellers make when selling their homes:

1. They ignore curb appeal. How your home appears from the curb is extremely important. If your home looks inviting from the outside, it will make a good first impression on potential buyers. If your yard is maintained, your garden is manicured, and the paint is fresh, potential buyers will take an interest in your home. If not, they may think that the interior of your home is unkempt, too, and decide to move on.

2. They crowd the buyer. Don’t stick around for home showings — leave. Take yourself out of the picture. You need to give the buyers a chance to picture themselves in your home. Give them space to discuss your home and make a decision. Buyers get extremely uncomfortable when they arrive at a home showing to discover the homeowner still lurking about.

3. They don’t clean up. You need to declutter your home. Prospective buyers don’t like the lived-in look. Clutter is distracting and makes it difficult for buyers to picture themselves in your home. A mess can often hide certain aspects of your home that would entice someone to buy it. When you sell your home, you need to keep it tidy. Tuck away all of your family photos and knick-knacks. Clear off the countertops and tables. Try to create as many open clear spaces as you can. Ask yourself, “Is my home warm and inviting? Is it pleasing to the eye?”

4. They let odors linger. If you smoke or have a pet in your home, there are definitely odors in your home. You might be used to the smell, but others will definitely notice any scents left by your pet or cigarette odors. If your dog has had an accident (or two) in your house, you may need to use special cleaning solutions or a steam cleaner to clean your floors. Rugs and carpets might just need to be replaced. Vinegar will work as a cleanser on most floor surfaces.

If you smoke, make sure you smoke outside or near doors and windows as much as possible. Nonsmokers are extremely sensitive to the smell of smoke. If there is a heavy smell in your home due to years of smoking, you may need to contact a professional cleaning company that specializes in removing those types of odors. Don’t forget your curtains and shades; those fabrics will collect the tar and resin from the smoke.

Fortunately, these four common mistakes are easy to avoid. If you have any other questions for us about preparing your home for the market, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!