Posts Tagged ‘seguin homes for sale’

How to Recognize A Good Homebuyer Website

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

Do you know the old saying “everything on the Internet is completely true”?

Yeah, me neither. If you’ve been looking for properties or buying advice, you know there are plenty of real estate websites. So when it comes to your home search, it makes sense to approach the Internet with a discerning eye. But how do you know which websites you can trust? The best indicator is if they’re affiliated with Texas Realtors®. Here’s what else you should consider when turning to the web for homebuying advice.

Would you like advice from consumers or experts?
Lots of real estate websites offer advice from other consumers—people who don’t know any more about real estate than you do. This is similar to getting advice on homebuying from your well-meaning coworker, your nosy mother-in-law, or your kid’s little league coach. You need guidance from a Texas Realtor®, someone who’s professionally trained to assist buyers and does it every day.

Texas isn’t the same as Florida, California, Colorado, New York …
You’re buying in Texas, so you need advice and information specific to your area. Texas Realtors® are local experts and will ensure you know the ever-changing conditions in your market. Accurate information like this helps you make the right offer and negotiate from a position of strength.

Are you guessing a property’s value?
If you want a computer algorithm to “guesstimate” what a property is worth, there are plenty of sites you can turn to. If you want to know what properties in your part of Texas are selling for, ask a Texas Realtor®. They know the actual sales prices for properties—not some vague approximation—which will help you know what the house you’re thinking about buying is worth.

Here’s where to start
There’s plenty of good real estate information on the Internet, if you can tell which websites to trust. Look for sites by Texas Realtors®; they’re the experts at advice, pricing and negotiating in your area. If you’re not sure how to find a Texas Realtor®, visit TexasRealEstate.com and use the Find a Texas Realtor® search.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Real Estate Info | Comments Off

Tax Incentives For Homeowners Sweeten The Deal For Buyers

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013

Of the many advantages granted to homeowners, one of the most popular is the list of tax breaks they receive. As a new homeowner, you may be able to deduct some of the costs related to your purchase if you itemize your deductions rather than use the standard deduction when filing your taxes. These costs can include mortgage interest, real estate taxes, and private mortgage insurance premiums you’ve paid.

While the IRS can best explain what you can and cannot deduct, your Texas Realtor can answer your initial questions about tax incentives during your homebuying process. Here’s a closer look at some of the deductions that might apply to your situation.

Mortgage-interest deductionIf you took out a loan to purchase your home, you may be able to deduct from your taxable income the amount you paid in interest on your mortgage. This mortgage-interest deduction is especially valuable for new homeowners since the majority of your monthly mortgage payment will go toward paying the interest on your loan for the first few years. Your lender will send you a Form 1098 that lists how much you paid in interest.

Real estate taxesIf you paid real estate taxes assessed on your property to a local or state taxing authority such as a water district, city, county or school district, you may be able to deduct this cost. This information will also be on the Form 1098 from your lender.

Private mortgage insuranceIf you made a down payment of less than 20% of the purchase price on your home, you are probably paying private mortgage insurance. But you may be able to deduct some of the money you paid for these PMI premiums, if you meet certain qualifications. This amount will be listed on the Form 1098 from your lender.

Let the record showKeeping accurate records is important for properly reporting your deductions as a homeowner. The IRS recommends keeping your purchase contract and settlement papers and any paperwork such as receipts or canceled checks. Staying organized will save time when you sit down to file your taxes, and it’s good to keep your paperwork handy in case you’re audited.

Just remember that everyone’s situation is different, so the best way to determine what will apply to you is by consulting a tax professional who can help you find out what items are deductible.
To learn more about buying or selling homes in Texas, visit TexasRealEstate.com.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Real Estate Info | Comments Off

Make Your Offer Stand Out

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

You found a house you love in the neighborhood you want. It’s in your price range. Time to celebrate, right? Not quite. The way you draw up your offer will determine whether you and the seller agree on a deal and move toward closing the transaction.

Is the price right?
You’ll have to decide on an offer amount. Is the home worth the asking price? You might choose to make a full-price offer, or you can offer a lower amount if you think there’s some bargaining room.

You’ll also want to consider whether we’re in a buyer’s or seller’s market. In hot seller’s markets, bidding wars and offers above asking price are not uncommon. Finally, factor in how willing you will feel if your offer isn’t accepted. There’s always another home, but if you have your heart set on this one, you may not want to haggle over what will amount to a few dollars a month on your mortgage payment.

Show them you can get the loan
Certainly, the bottom line plays a huge role in the seller’s decision to accept, counter, reject, or ignore the offer. But you also want the seller to know you’re actually qualified to purchase their home at that price. Even before you start looking at homes, it’s a good idea to secure a letter of prequalification from a lender—or better yet, a pre-approval letter.

How earnest are you?
Earnest money is an amount you put towards the sale in advance of the closing to show you are entering into this transaction in good faith. The earnest money check is applied toward the downpayment if the transaction closes. If the transaction does not close, in certain circumstances, the seller keeps the earnest money. In other scenarios, the earnest money is returned to the buyer. (Your Texas Realtor® can discuss more details about how earnest money works when a transaction does not close.) The higher the amount of the earnest money, the more serious—and attractive—your contract offer.

Timing plays a role
The time frame for closing the transaction can make or break an offer. Or the closing date may be fine but the date of possession of the property poses a problem. If you have constraints related to selling your existing home, your offer will not be as enticing as someone who does not. The more flexible you are, the more the seller will be inclined to accept your offer.

Look at your options
Most buyers include a provision in the contract to purchase an option to cancel the contract before a specified date. This gives you a chance to have the property inspected, which may influence you to exercise the option to cancel the contract. But inspections are not the only reason you can pull out during the option period. In fact, you can walk away for any reason whatsoever.

You want an option period long enough to make good decisions about the home. Keep in mind, though, that longer the option period, the less favorable it is to the seller.

Weigh the pros and cons
You can see there’s much more to an offer than purchase price. Other factors could include items that convey with the property or items you’d like repaired by the seller. Your Texas Realtor® can help you sort through all these variables and devise the best strategy for making an attractive offer. For more information about buying, selling, and leasing real estate in Texas, I invite you to visit TexasRealEstate.com.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Real Estate Info | Comments Off

How To Prepare Your Kids For Moving

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

If you feel stressed about moving, imagine what it’s like for your kids. You have a say in the decisions that dictate the how, when and where of your move. Your kids probably don’t.

Children are creatures of habit. Any disturbance in the routine will prompt a reaction, whether it’s a teenager rebelling or a four-year old pitching a fit. It’s normal for them to feel apprehensive and anxious – make sure they know that.

Be honest
Talk to children about what to expect, answer questions, share your feelings and encourage them to share theirs. Make sure they know they can come to you at any time. The prospect of being uprooted from school, sports teams, friends and a familiar house can be traumatic, and the longer your children have been building relationships, the more upset they will likely be. Let them know that you can and will help them through the transition. Every child is different, but overall, kids are pretty resilient; they just need time to warm up to new ideas and get adjusted to major changes in their lives. Let them know why the family is moving and put the date of your move on the family calendar for all to see.

All is not lost
Remind them that moving doesn’t mean they’re going to lose touch with their friends. They can still keep in contact via e-mail, text message and social networks. You may also want to arrange a visit where your children’s friends come to the new house after you’ve settled in a bit.

Be a role model
Kids pick up on their parents’ emotion and state of mind. If you’re frantic and nervous about the move, they will be too. If you keep it together and express confidence, your kids will likely follow your lead. Concentrate on all the opportunities and emphasize all new experiences that lie ahead. This is an exciting time.

Let them help
If it’s practical, let the kids participate during the home search. Encourage them to ask questions – sometimes kids ask the most insightful questions. Look at the house through their eyes and try to think of their concerns. Take extra time to show them where their room will be, and ask them to think about where they want their furniture.

Pick it up, pack it in
Packing is never fun, nor is it tremendously exciting. Younger kids in particular may need a little help understanding the concept. Let them know you’re not throwing away toys; you’re just making sure that they’re packed safely away and that they’ll be available when you get to the new place. Let them write their names on the boxes with colorful magic markers or crayons.

One tip that can really help, no matter the age, is to have a box with just their “important” stuff. This box may contain music, pictures, a favorite book, a stuffed animal or any other valued item. If possible, it should stay with the family during the move. If it must go with the movers, unpack it first to create a level of comfort and familiarity on the first night in the new house.

What’s it like?
If you’re moving to a new city or state, show them where you’re going to live on a map. Also, use the Internet to find kid-friendly attractions and other information about your new town. Allow them to get excited, as this may help counteract some of their nerves. It also helps to get your family back into a comfortable routine as quickly as possible.

We can do it
Moving can be a stressful experience for kids, but as a parent, you can alleviate some of the anxiety by being honest, answering questions and involving them in the process.

Ask your Texas Realtor® for advice or resources that can help ease the transition to your new community. As an expert in the real estate industry, your Realtor® likely helped another family through a similar situation.

For more information about moving or to find a Texas Realtor®, visit TexasRealEstate.com.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Personal, Real Estate Info | Comments Off

Why A Signed Contract Isnt the End of the Sale

Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

Whew. The buyer and seller both signed the contract, so that’s it, right? The house is sold, and everyone moves on. Not so fast. There’s still a long way to go.

Unfortunately, sometimes real estate transactions that start out fine unravel for any number of reasons. But when you’re aware of problems that can occur, you may be able to avoid them. Here are a few to watch for and, if possible, avoid.

The buyer changes his mindThe residential contract includes a termination option, which allows a buyer to get out of the contract for a certain number of days. The buyer pays for this option, and the amount paid as well as the number of days are negotiated by parties to the contract. During the option period, the buyer can terminate the contract for any reason – or for no reason at all. He may get cold feet, change his mind, find a property he likes better, or learn something about the property that he didn’t know when he negotiated the contract.

An inspection reveals bad thingsSpeaking of learning additional information about a property, most buyers hire a professional inspector to examine the home and identify problems. Most of the time, this inspection occurs during the option period. If an inspection turns up something significant, the buyer may decide to exercise his option or he may decide that he still wants to proceed. He also may attempt to amend the contract, either by changing the price or by getting the seller to make repairs at the seller’s expense. Obviously, this introduces elements that can disrupt the transaction or end it altogether.

Financing isn’t available to the buyerIt’s not enough for a buyer to tell the seller how much he will pay for the home. The buyer must prove that he’s able to pay that much. If the purchaser isn’t paying cash for the property, he’ll need a mortgage. And if he can’t get that financing, that’s a deal killer. What happens when a buyer cannot secure a loan depends on how the contract was filled out. In some instances, the buyer may be on the hook for the earnest money – sort of a good-faith deposit – he paid. In other cases, the buyer will receive a refund of his earnest money.

The home isn’t worth the purchase priceEven if a buyer can qualify for the loan amount, the property may not. That is, most lenders require an appraisal of a home prior to making a loan. The lender wants to know that the collateral for the loan – the property itself – is actually worth the purchase price.

Title problems derail the processSome homes have title problems that can grind a transaction to a halt. Perhaps there’s a lien on the property or an easement that affects the quality of life of the property owners. There may even be a claim that the person selling the home isn’t the true owner after all.

And another thing …As you can see, there are many ways a promising real estate deal can crash and burn. Add the following to the list above: agreed-to repairs that the buyer deems unsatisfactory or incomplete; a surprise during the final walk-through of the home, such as an item that was supposed to convey that is no longer in the home; a sudden request right before or at closing; and plain-old default.

Whether you’re a buyer or seller, your Texas Realtor® can help you avoid these scenarios and give you good advice when a potential deal-killer does arise. Sometimes, she may suggest you turn to a lawyer, inspector, engineer, or other professional for assistance; other times, she may be able to put things back on track with a phone call or two. Either way, it’s nice to have someone on your side to help you achieve your goal of buying or selling a home.

For more information, I invite you to visit the redesigned TexasRealEstate.com.

# # #

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Real Estate Info | Comments Off

Real Estate Loan Pre Approval

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

Pre-approval in Texas real estate market means a written commitment made by the lender to offer you a loan. It is subject to some conditions and an acceptable appraisal. It is based on a critical analysis of your economic conditions. If you want to buy property in Texas, having a letter of pre approval shows that you mean business. It appeals to the sellers and they value you more. So if you want to buy your dream house in Central Texas and you want to beat the competition, make sure you have a letter of pre approval. Having pre approval does not mean that it is mandatory for you to take a loan. Instead, it shows the sellers in Texas that you are capable to buy the house you’re interested in. Do not confuse it with the term pre qualification. While pre approval is reported by a lender, the pre qualification is self reported, and is far less weighted than pre approval. Though pre approval is important, it is not the only component of a real estate proposal. Other important components are contingency clauses and earnest money. Before you find your dream house, make sure you get a Texas Realtor and get to know more about the contract. This way, when you find the perfect house, you can make offer that the seller can’t resist.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Real Estate Info | Comments Off

Seguin Real Estate

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

Looking for Seguin Homes for sale or other Real Estate in Seguin, San Marcos, New Braunfels, or any where in Central Texas? Then check out our home and property listings.

Corner Post Real Estate is locally owned and operated near San Marcos, Seguin, and New Braunfels TX, and services all of Central Texas. We can serve all of your real estate needs.

Curious about what to do in Central Texas? Then look at our local area information.Are you looking for water front homes?  Then come on in the water is fine.  With Lake McQueeney, Canyon Lake, the Guadalupe, buyer representationComal, and San Marcos rivers, all which run through the New Braunfels, San Marcos, and Seguin real estate areas. There are always plenty of water front homes and water front properties available.

In need of farm or ranch land? Corner Post Real Estate has strong expertise in agricultural requirements. The real estate around Seguin, San Marcos, and New Braunfels areas is full of small, medium, and large acreage property. Whether it’s raw land, or a home with acreage, we would love to help you find the perfect property.

Maybe you want to know what a home or property is worth or interested in mortgage rates and loan calculations? Then check out the realty tools designed for you.

Whether you are looking for seller representation and would like to list your house and/or property, or you are looking for buyer representation to purchase your dream home or land, we look forward to serving you with a down home family friendly style.

Be it commercial property or a residential home, if you are looking for a great investment opportunity, we are here to serve you! All of our listings are in three powerful MLS systems; Central Texas, Austin, and San Antonio MLS to maximize advertising, and match up buyers and sellers.

We look forward to serving all your realty needs!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Real Estate Info | Comments Off

Texas outperforms the rest of the country

Friday, May 20th, 2011

There continues to be a shining light in the Lone Star State.  According to information obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Texas Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, Texas continues to outperform the rest of the country in job growth.  Texas has increased over 230,000 jobs during the last 12 months.  The posted an annual employment growth rate in Texas is 2.5 percent which is 66 percent better than the Nation’s grown rate.  At the same time the State’s unemployment rate dropped from 8.2 to 8.1 percent while the nation’s unemployment rate rose from 8.8 to 9.0 percent.  All Texas industries except financial activities and information industries had more jobs, and all Texas metro areas had more jobs.  According to the latest data compiled by the Real Estate Center just over 18,000 homes were sold last month in Texas, and the average home sales price is up 5% from the same time last year.  It’s a good time to invest in Real Estate in Texas.

Tags: ,
Posted in Economic Development | Comments Off

New Real Estate Listings Search

Sunday, February 27th, 2011

We have published a new Listings Search, please take a look and let us know what you think. The new search has a more fluid feel, but still has all the great features to find Real Estate in Seguin, San Marcos, New Braunfels and all of Central Texas. There are several new improvements, even a map search to allow you to see homes for sale by area.  If you had saved listings on the previous page don’t fear the old search is still available.  Go to the bottom of the new search page and look for the link or click here.  We also have an mobile phone formatted real estate site we are working on, it is not complete but feel free to look at http://www.cornerpostrealestate.com/mobile from your mobile device.  We look forward to your feedback.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Real Estate Info | Comments Off