Texas Real Estate
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Ask George and Chuck
Dear George: Do I have legal claim to part of my neighbor's property?
Ready to jump into homeownership but need a little push?
Maybe you've been taking steps toward buying a home and now you're frozen.
Inside Texas Real Estate - audio podcast
Analysis of the Texas Quarterly Housing Report; a new site for Texas homebuyers
Ask George and Chuck
Dear George: Should I notify anyone when I pay off my mortgage?
Closing deadline extended for tax credit
Thousands of Texas homebuyers in jeopardy of losing their federal homebuyer tax credit have received a reprieve.
Ask George and Chuck
Dear George: What are some pitfalls to avoid with my short sale?
You might qualify for homebuyer assistance
I wish there had been a Web site like TxHomePrograms.org when I was buying my first house.
Ask George and Chuck
Dear George: Should I disclose that I'm selling a haunted house?
Rules of thumb for judging investment home, cash flow
If you bought an investment home now and rented out, is there any way of knowing if it will appreciate?
Was the homebuyer tax credit a bad deal? Hardly
Things are often more complicated than they seem.
Ask George and Chuck
Dear George: I just found out that the seller "forgot" to disclose a water claim. What can I do?
Light rail ... urban transformers?
Its worth considering that the benefits of light rail may go beyond how many vehicles it removes from the road.
Ask George and Chuck
Dear George: How can I lend someone money and use his property as collateral?
Not quite an open and shut case
If you're wondering whether you should you hold an open house.....
Ask George and Chuck
Dear George: The contract to sell my house expires this week. How much longer am I obligated to my agent?.....
Even past the deadline, homebuyer assistance is available
The federal homebuyer tax credit has received a lot of coverage over the past several months, but one thing not widely publicized is that the April 30 deadline doesn't apply to everyone.....
Texans pay less of our income on shelter
Texas' lower-than-national-average housing cost is one reason for the state's higher-than-national-average growth rate.....
I've heard of a Trojan horse, but a Trojan house?
How much do you know about private transfer fees in Texas? Gabe Lopez discusses a disturbing new trend.....
Get moving to qualify for the federal homebuyer tax credit
It's coming down to the wire. You have only until the end of April to get a house under contract if you want to take advantage of the federal homebuyer tax credit.....
Ask George and Chuck
Dear George: Does a seller have to provide a disclosure notice for a short sale?.....
The best way to know what you're getting into
If you're buying or selling real estate, I have a must-read for you .....
Ask George and Chuck
Dear George: A seller accepted my offer via e-mail. Is that legally binding?.....
How to know if estimated loan fees will stick
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has revised some home-loan rules that attempt to give us what we want......
Using a real estate IRA to acquire property in Mexico
Like second-home sales in the U.S., the sales of Mexican homes have been limping along.....
A tale of Texas taxes
Here is one assertion I bet all Texans will agree with - property taxes in our state have a peculiar way of increasing.....
Prepare yourself for a good closing
Closing is a process that begins weeks before the actual closing date, and follows an outline dictated largely by the buyer's original offer.....
Understanding the lingo - comps
So, you're selling your home and everyone you interviewed to list your home has mentioned "pulling comps"......
Forget the forecast; look out the window
Hanging on through difficult economic times means different things to different people......
Some luxury developers await quality investors, buyers
Hanging on through difficult economic times means different things to different people......
All real estate is local
Is it a seller's market or a buyer's market? Be careful where you get your information......
The secret's out
It's one of the worst-kept secrets out there: Texas is a great place to live......
Keep copies
It's important to keep the paperwork.....
Homestead exemption scams
You must apply for the exemption, but there is no fee associated with applying for a homestead exemption.....
Some lenders too picky on foreclosure financing
Remember when lenders were content to sell foreclosed homes to any qualified buyer?.....
If the last tree in the forest falls...
If governmental entities had full discretion on what was a public good, all private real property would be at risk of being appropriated for the public good.....
Overpriced or under-analyzed?
A look at Forbes list of cities where homes are most overpriced......
Buy a home, get a tax credit
If you were thinking of buying your first home but just couldn't get it together in time to take advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit, you have an extension. Congress gave you about five more months......
Ask George and Chuck
Dear George: Where can I find someone who will insure my home?.....
Letters of distinction
One certification, available only to Texas REALTORS, is called Texas Affordable Housing Specialist.....
The tax credit isn't the only help for homebuyers
It looks like Congress is going to extend the homebuyer tax credit......
Why must they lie?
If you could hook up a lie detector to an e-mail, the needle would be jumping on this one.....
Even wooly-headed profs have good ideas
A pair of researchers at CERGE-EI, a Czech university, examined evidence about the origins of the housing bubble and whether it ever existed at all.....
No fun being number 1
Texas ranks 14th in the amount residents pay in property taxes. Our state is also first in how much we pay in property taxes. How can that be?.....
Primary owners now in the seasonal rental game
Approximately 15% of vacation rental owners have rented their primary residence to travelers, and the practice is becoming more common.....
Lost in translation
On Nov. 3, 2009, the voters of Texas will once again have an opportunity to take a stand against the burdensome and uneven taxation of residential property.....
Expect the unexpected (and the expected)
The cost of home maintenance and repairs is usually one of the biggest surprises for new homeowners.....
Time is ticking on $8,000 credit
I hope homebuyers understand the deadline for the $8,000 federal tax credit. Getting it wrong could cost someone a lot.....
Market versus appraised value
Don't confuse the appraisal with market value. The appraised value is a certified appraiser's opinion of the worth of a home at a given point in time......
Pre-approval or pre-qualification?
While both may put you in a potentially stronger buying position, getting pre-approved by the lender carries a bit more weight.....
My house won't sell
There are a variety of factors that contribute to a home languishing on the market, including price, condition, and location.....
Get your credit in shape first
If you are considering purchasing a home, you might want to begin by taking a look at your credit.....
A $68,000 credit on a home? Seriously?
No, it's no joke. As a first-time homebuyer with a moderate income, you may be able to save $68,000 on a home. That's $8,000 on the purchase and $60,000 over the life of a 30-year loan.....
Finding the right neighborhood
Picking a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle and desires is an important part of the homebuying process......
Safety tips for home sellers
If you're selling your house, there are some safety tips you should be aware of to keep yourself and others safe during the process.....
All real estate is local
Is it a seller's market or a buyer's market? Be careful where you get your information to answer that question .....
Texas has 5 of country's top 10 metros
Five of the nation's top 10 metropolitan areas are in Texas.....
Economic press bullish on Lone Star State
Forbes named Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and McAllen in its Best 10 Cities for Economic Recovery......
Texas REALTORS push pro-homeowner agenda through 81st session
When the gavel fell June 1 on the 81st Texas Legislature, Texas homeowners were better off.....
Landlord in the making?
Are you considering buying an investment home as a rental property? This may be a good time to start .....
You can help market your home
Most REALTORS will tell you that marketing is one of the keys to a successful home sale. .....
Truly affordable housing
Many buyers make a common mistake when purchasing a home by trying to buy too much house.....
Eight thousand reasons to buy your first home
If you've been paying attention to the recent "stimulus" activities in Washington, you already get the reference to 8,000 reasons in the headline above. It's really only one reason, but it could be worth $8,000 to you.....
Twelve tips to sell your home
There are few things more frustrating to a seller than a home that sits on the market. It's stressful to keep a house in showing condition, and not selling can cost you lots of money.....
Closing costs
Everyone knows that in most cases you'll need at least a small down payment to purchase a home.....
Home warranties
After you buy an existing home, let's face it - the last thing you want to worry about is a broken big-ticket item like the air conditioner or oven.....
The next level of clean
Aside from the necessary intrusions, the most inconvenient aspect of having your house on the market may well be keeping the house in showing condition.....
Be ready to buy
If you find what you're looking for in a home, you should be prepared to make an offer quickly.....
Can this be fixed?
You've heard it 1000 times; don't ever buy a home without getting a home inspection.....
What does the recently passed housing bill mean for you?
This month on our "Inside Texas Real Estate" podcast you can learn how the Housing and Economic Recovery Act helps first-time homebuyers and homeowners struggling to afford their mortgages.....
Don't be deceived by numbers
There's a common statistic in the real estate world called Days on Market, or DOM. Some people believe a property that has been on the market for a while must have serious problems, but this is not necessarily the case.....
Restricted access
If you're selling your home and you require advanced notice, ask your agent to put the restriction and reason in the private remarks section of MLS.....
Disappear
When your house is on the market, it's important to be flexible with your showing times. Part of that flexibility is having the capacity to .....
Understanding the lingo - points
Points is a common word you'll hear when you're in the process of buying a home or acquiring financing. But what does it mean? .....
Don't outsmart yourself
Are you one of the people who is trying to "time the market" and wait for home prices to go down before you make a purchase? Doing so may not be as wise as you think......
Any time's a good time
"Now's not the best time ... can we set something up for later?" These are words that a buyer and his agent do not want to hear when they're out looking for a property.....
What not to do
You'll be given all kinds of advice and pointers about what you should do and how you should do it, but there are things you shouldn't do that are equally important......
Selling a vacant house
So you've accepted your new job and have moved on to your new life in a different city.....
Not just the house
After you've made the decision to buy a home, it pays to prioritize your needs and wants.....
Dealing with lowball offers
When your home is on the market, a prospective buyer may come at you with a lowball offer.....
Maximizing your exposure
Exposure is the key to selling fast and getting top dollar. The more people who see your home, the sooner you will find a willing buyer.....
Different kinds of real estate Web sites
From the way consumers acquire information about properties and neighborhoods to the way agents market themselves and their listings, real estate, like so many other industries, has been fundamentally altered by the Internet......
Como pagar su préstamo más rápidamente
Una respuesta inmediata seria reestructurar su préstamo de un plazo de 30 años a uno de 15.....
Fresh paint can make a difference
There are many factors that can affect the sale of your home. Many of these, like interest rates, number of buyers, and amount of competing inventory, are simply out of your control. There are, however, things that you.....
After the inspection
You're serious about buying this house; in fact, you've already put down earnest money, the option fee, and even gotten an inspection.....
Think about the future
Is this a starter house or one that you plan to stay in.....
Internet presence
There's so much information on the Internet. Literally thousands of real estate sites are out there.....
Beware of informed buyers
If you are looking to sell your home, it is not in your best interest to pick a price slightly higher than your house is worth.....
Final walk-through
Closing is just days away! You're about to make a huge investment and you've been running around town taking care of business......
Casa o Apartamento. ¿Qué es mejor para usted?
Muchas personas cuando deciden comprar una vivienda, la primera imagen que les viene a la mente es una casa, con un bello jardín, tal vez bordeado de una linda cerca de madera y con un bonito patio.....
Protéjase al vender su casa
A partir del primero de enero del 2008, toda persona interesada en solicitar una licencia de agente de bienes raíces en Texas, como vendedor o como corredor, ahora debe proveer sus huellas digitales para un chequeo del FBI sobre antecedentes criminales.....
Myths about homeownership
Many consumers believe that they can't qualify for a home loan because of a variety of reasons, including spotty credit and no money for a downpayment.....
Entice buyers with extras
If you're putting your home on the market, or if it has been on the market for a while without solid offers, you may consider including some appliances, furniture, or other extras in the asking price.....
El mes de la igualdad en la vivienda
Anualmente Texas se une a al resto de la nación para celebrar el mes de la igualdad en la vivienda.....
Don't forget the trees
It's common to consider the kitchen, bathroom, living space, and other indoor amenities, but don't forget the outside, especially the trees.....
The tax factor
You might consider consulting with a tax adviser regarding the sale's impact on your federal tax return.....
Are discount points right for me?
Many decisions go into that final mortgage contract, and one involves purchasing discount points.....
Landscaping counts
When you're selling your house, you obviously want it to stand out.....
Understanding the lingo - option fee and option period
Many times, when an offer is made on a residential property in Texas, the prospective buyer will cut two checks: one for the option fee, another for the earnest money.....
Coming to your senses
The more you do to prepare your home for market, the more money you can expect to pocket at the closing table.....
Get your free credit report
If you are thinking about buying a home, it is a good idea to find out what your credit report says before applying for the loan.....
Spend some time in your kitchen
The kitchen could be the most important room in a house......
Learn about loans
There are many kinds of loans; the one that makes the most sense for you depends on your current situation and your plans for the future.....
Moving out
If you are selling your home, create a moving checklist to ensure a smooth transition from one property to the next......
You may need to stay put
Changing jobs in the midst of the process may not have a significant affect on your ability to qualify for a mortgage loan.....
From seller to buyer
Although your property could sell in a couple of days, the real dilemma you may face is finding your next home......
Understanding the lingo - escrow
During the process of buying your home, you'll hear the word escrow thrown around. It's easy to get confused because the term can refer to different things that occur at different times.....
Protect yourself
While it's certainly not common, there are reports of sellers' possessions disappearing during a showing.....
Take an impromptu visit
When you begin narrowing your selection or you find that you've fallen head-over-heels in love with a certain house.....
