Tips for San Antonio Homeowners to Avoid Home Improvement Scams
April 9, 2008
May is National Home Improvement Month. During times of a softer economy paired with the approach of warmer weather, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) wants to remind San Antonio homeowners to beware of unscrupulous people posing as remodelers.
One common issue exploited homeowners have run into is having to pay both the contractor and the subcontractors. The homeowner’s financial obligations should only be to the contractor. Some dishonorable contractors are collecting large, upfront payments from residents. When the work has been completed, instead of paying the subcontractors, the dishonest business owner instead pays the interest on properties they have already purchased and can only re-sell below cost. This predictably leaves subcontractors without paychecks and forces them to establish mechanics’ or materialmens’ liens on their customers’ properties.
Kitchens and Baths Continue as Focus of Design Activity in Homes
February 29, 2008
Renewable materials and energy-efficient products for kitchens and baths have risen in popularity, while economic concerns among homeowners has resulted in a decline in demand for high-end appliances and features. To accommodate an aging and less mobile population, there is also a greater emphasis on accessibility and adaptability throughout the home. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey focused specifically on kitchen and bathrooms in the fourth quarter of 2007. Residential architects have reported the weakest business conditions in the three-year history of this survey, indicating that the housing market is not poised for a recovery in the near term.
Click here for link to the full report
Don’t Skip On Title Insurance
February 24, 2008
TYPICAL TITLE PROBLEMS
To close on a house, the buyer usually must have title insurance guaranteeing that he or she will be the sole owner.
Insurance companies refuse to provide that insurance in some cases. Here are common examples of why title insurance would be denied:
•Grandparents die without leaving wills, and one child keeps the home without proper legal documents. It’s not found until two generations later.
•The property description differs from the sales contract.
•The previous owner forged mortgage documents to show that he or she had paid off a previous mortgage. But the former mortgage company still owns the property.
Source: Alamo Title Co.
Home Staging Could Be The Difference Between Sold or Still On The Market
February 16, 2008
What is Staging?
- Home staging is anything that helps a home seller make a home more attractive and appealing to potential buyers.
- Typically, a home stager brings in furniture, artwork, plants, rugs and accessories to make a house look its best while on the market.
- Some stagers also offer contractor-consulting services, which may include choosing paints, tiles, carpets and working with contractors to get the house ready.
- When sellers want to use their own furnishings, the stager can consult with them on how to reduce clutter and to open up rooms.
Natural Look Is In For Home Decor
February 12, 2008
By JESSIE MILLIGAN
FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
What’s in store for home decor in 2008? Expect to see a lot of anything that looks “natural.” Slubby undyed linen upholstery. Neutral-colored natural-fiber rugs. Tables made to look like logs.
“Anything that looks like something that helps save the environment will be big,” says Amy Larrabee, spokeswoman for the Color Marketing Group in Annapolis, Md. “It does not necessarily have to be better for the environment, but it will look that way.”
We’ll see textured neutral backdrops-sofas and tables-punctuated with bright and bold color-saturated accessories, the non-profit color-marketing group predicts.
What Should I Do With My Pets?
February 2, 2008
If you own a pet, remember that not every potential buyer is familiar or comfortable with all types of pets. Buyers can be frightened or turned off when viewing a home where a pet is present if you don’t take certain steps.
A barking dog may sound bigger than it really is, so it makes more sense to prepare a prospective buyer than to scare him. In order to make the showing agent and his client aware of the animal’s existence, the agent can list the information in the local MLS agent remarks and also with the showing service. State where the animal is located and whether it is okay to enter that area. Additionally, make a note and place it on the door of the area where the animal is kept.
Remodeling That Pays You Back
February 1, 2008
Upgrading your home is always appealing, but which enhancements really get you a good return for your money when it’s time to sell? The 2007 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling magazine and REALTOR® Magazine has the answer. San Antonio numbers are listed below.
| Project | Project Job Cost: | Resale Value: | Cost Recouped: |
| Siding Replacement | $12,926 | $14,472 | 112.0% |
| Deck Addition (Wood) | $9,048 | $9,362 | 103.5% |
| Window Replacement | $10,172 | $9,851 | 96.8% |
| Kitchen Remodel | $20,121 | $19,128 | 95.1% |
Visit CostvsValue.com for more information.
Technorati Tags: Remodeling, Home Project, Real Estate, San Antonio Real Estate
7 Tips to Make Sure the Price is Right
January 20, 2008
It’s tough being the seller in a buyer’s market. But your clients can improve their odds with the right research. And you can be the knight in shining armor who provides it.
In many cases, making a smart deal and getting the best price comes down to studying your market and being an educated seller.
“You’ve got to know more than you would have if you’d sold a year ago,” says William Poorvu, professor emeritus at Harvard Business School and author of the upcoming book “Creating and Growing Real Estate Wealth.” “If you want to protect yourself, you have to become knowledgeable.”
17 Ways to Get Buyers Inside Your Home
January 16, 2008
Here are some easy, inexpensive fixes that will help create that outside appeal and get you one, giant step further to a sale.
1. Paint or stain the front and garage doors, especially if they show any weathering. These are the first visuals where a potential buyer focuses. If garage doors are metal and dented, they may need to be replaced.
2. Any old, basically abandoned sheds or small structures, must be removed, the area graded and the grass replaced.
3. Change any dated, outside light fixtures.
The Selling Process
January 7, 2008
Step 1: Choosing a REALTOR®
Selling a home is one of the largest decisions of your life. The first thing to do is to find a Texas REALTOR® you trust.
Ask your friends and relatives who have sold homes recently for their recommendations. Or, you can use the find-a-REALTOR® search to locate one in your area.
Before working with a Texas REALTOR®, you should know that their duties depend on whom they represent.
The REALTOR® who lists the property for sale represents the owner. Your REALTOR®’s sole duty is to ensure that your home sells quickly, easily, and at a suitable price.
