Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

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  • Family Friendly Communities with Southern Hospitality

    Those who are thinking about settling down in one of the many available homes in Houston will find plenty of reasons to make the move into this southern metropolis. As the fourth largest city in the country, Houston offers tons of attractions, including numerous museums, parks, gardens and more. Houston is also known for being a sprawling city with a variety of different neighborhoods, making it a challenge for new homebuyers to find the right place to live. However, you can simplify your search by specifically looking for a home in Houston that is located within a family friendly neighborhood.  Here are a few options to help you narrow down your search:

    The Woodlands

    The Woodlands, a thoughtfully planned community located north of Houston, is known for its beautiful homes set among lush forestry, parks, lakes and nature trails. While the area provides close access to all the excitement of Downtown Houston, the community itself is pleasantly peaceful and has, within its own borders, plenty of activities for families to enjoy. With a focus on creating a strong sense of community, the area is home to several public schools and private schools, shopping centers, YMCAs, a recreation center, playgrounds, and more. The Woodlands features a range of home styles with different types of architecture, including lofts, brown stones, traditional single-family homes and private luxury estates.

    Houston Heights

    Situated in northwest Houston, Houston Heights (or “The Heights”) is within close reach of the downtown area. This charming area is home to many tree-lined streets with older estates, giving it more of a small-town feel compared to many other areas of Houston. Additionally, homebuyers will find a strong sense of community in The Heights, making it a great place to raise a family. You will also notice that there are several public schools here, along with two charter schools and three private schools – including the innovative Houston Outdoor Learning Academy. Another feature of The Heights that makes it ideal for those looking for a family-friendly place to live is its community events that are fun for all ages. One of the most popular events in The Heights is probably Lights in the Heights, a holiday street party with breathtaking holiday light displays, live musical acts and a variety of holiday cookies. Homebuyers who are looking through Houston real estate listings in this area can expect to find elegant historic homes, a strong sense of community and a variety of hip, laid back shopping and eating venues.

    River Oaks

    Just southwest of downtown Houston, River Oaks is one of the most desirable areas to buy a home, and it is also recognized as one of the best places in Houston to raise a family. The neighborhood houses some of the best private and public schools in the city, including River Oaks Elementary School, Lanier Middle School, Lamar High School, St. John’s School and St. Anne Catholic School. The area also has plenty of activities for children of all ages, including several parks with playgrounds. The River Oaks Park is a favorite location for children, as it offers a summer enrichment program that provides a variety of sports and other activities for youngsters. For older family members, River Oaks also has high-end shopping venues as well as a popular art-house theatre that shows independent films.

    Families who are searching for homes in Houston can find plenty of options whether they’re looking for an upscale neighborhood near downtown, a charming area with a small-town feel, or a home nestled among acres of greenery. If you’re looking for the best family friendly area, consider purchasing a house in any one of these communities: River Oaks, The Woodlands, or The Heights.

  • Living Large With Tiny Boston Condos

    Not everyone in Boston is looking for an enormous mansion on a multi-acre lot. Some of the hottest types of Boston real estate are actually small condos, which can be as small as 300 square feet in size. These tiny Boston condos give homeowners the option of moving into the more desirable areas within the city without having to break the bank. If you’re looking for Boston real estate and are considering buying a smaller unit, take a look at the following tips on how you can create a beautiful, livable home with a limited amount of space.

    Create a Floor Plan in Advance
    Planning out your home decor is one of the most important steps in creating a functional living area especially for smaller spaces. If you go the route of buying a couch or a bed that appeals to your sense of style without considering its size, you are likely to end up with a piece of furniture that’s much too large for the amount of space you have to work with.

    Not only will you need to think about whether a new furniture piece will actually fit in your prospective home, you’ll also want to make sure it works with other furniture pieces as well. The best way to do this is by obtaining or creating a floor plan of your home and making note of the measurements for the furniture pieces you’re considering, ensuring that there’s still plenty of space even after you fill your home with furniture. A home decorating tool by Better Homes and Gardens allows you to do just that! You can use this tool to create a floor plan of your home and arrange your future furniture pieces however you want before you even start shopping.

    Use Color and Light to Your Advantage
    Certain visual elements can open up your home and make it appear much more spacious. An easy way to create this visual effect in a small home is by painting and decorating with lighter colors. You can also use window dressings that allow plenty of light to come into your home and give it a larger appearance.

    Establish a De-cluttering Routine
    Clutter can ruin the ambience of any home regardless of its size, and it can make a small space nearly unlivable. Once your home is decorated, create a regular routine for clearing away any of the excess clutter that may have built up. Make it a habit of donating or throwing out items you no longer use. If you find that you are accumulating more items than you can put away, look into creative storage solutions like hanging wall shelves or purchasing furniture pieces with storage compartments.

    Where to find Small Home in Boston
    Small homes shouldn’t be overlooked. They can definitely be a great solution for buyers who want a prime location as well as affordability when searching for a home in Boston.  There are plenty of small Boston condos that give more homeowners the ability to enjoy the perks of property ownership in desirable areas. Micro-condos also give many first time homebuyers the opportunity to purchase property that they may not have otherwise been able to afford.

    A popular example of a micro-condo is a unit located on 141 Arlington Street, which contains a modest 330 sq. ft. of space, which includes one bedroom and one bathroom. This property valued to be a little less than $300,000. A similar unit on 8 Brimmer St in the Beacon Hill area is at about 360 sq. ft.

    Purchasing a small home can be a great decision for people who are looking to own Boston real estate but who may not be able to afford a traditional house. With the right decoration and planning, these tiny Boston condos can be inviting, efficient and comfortable.

  • 6 Tips for Water-Efficient Landscaping

    Most people dream of a lush backyard oasis but don’t know how to turn it into a reality. We’re here to help! Here are six ways to show your neighborhood that the right landscaping can be both eco-friendly and stunningly beautiful!

    6 Tips for Water-Efficient Landscaping - bhgrelife.com

    1. Group Thirsty Plants Together

    Some plants won’t need more water than nature provides. However, if you’ve become enchanted with a few finicky plants that will need some extra help, place those plants together. That way you’ll be able to give them the extra attention they need without watering the whole yard.

     

  • Buy a Home in Charlestown and Immerse Yourself in U.S. History

    If you are in the market in search of historic homes for sale in Boston, Massachusetts; it does not get any more historic than the Charlestown neighborhood. Charlestown is the oldest neighborhood in Boston having been planned out as far back as the year 1629. Located on a peninsula north of the Charles River and across from what is now downtown Boston, Charlestown was originally a separate town from Boston. Charlestown was also the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay colony, and officially became part of Boston in 1874 when it was annexed. This city has always maintained a very strong Irish-American population. Along with being the oldest neighborhood in Boston, Charlestown is also home to numerous historical landmarks such as the U. S. S. Constitution, the Navy Yard, and the Bunker Hill Monument.

    Those who are looking for homes in Boston will find an interesting mix in the Charlestown area. Historic Boston Row homes listed on the National Registry of Historic Places can be found in the Charlestown area along with a selection of modern, completely-renovated condominiums. For those who are not familiar with Boston architecture, the row homes that Boston is so famous for tend to be attached single-family homes that are narrow and multilevel. Most Boston row homes have beautiful brick façades with many also retaining the historic character of the home by including wrought iron accents. Although you can find modern condominiums in the Charlestown area that are the result of commercial space that has been converted to loft-style condominiums, the majority of the homes for sale in Boston that are located in the Charlestown area will be historic row homes. Finding a detached single-family home in Charlestown is almost impossible.

    Both Charlestown’s proximity to downtown Boston and its historic nature mean that homes for sale in Boston located in Charlestown tend to bring premium prices. As of August 2013, you can expect to pay between $500,000 and $1 million for two bedroom two bath homes in Boston that are located in the the Charlestown area. Keep in mind that many of the homes for sale in Boston that are located in Charlestown are historic homes and as such are subject to numerous rules and regulations that a potential buyer should be aware of prior to making an offer on the home. Often, for instance, when a home is officially registered as a historic landmark, the owner cannot make changes to the home that would take away from the original character of the property. This frequently means that any renovation you wish to make to the home must first to be approved by the city and then must be done using original materials so that the home retains its original character. This also means that a renovation to a Charlestown row home will be more expensive than its counterpart in another area. Be sure to consult with your real estate agent prior to making an offer on a home that is a historic landmark of Charlestown. You might want to be sure that you understand what that means from the perspective of a homeowner prior to purchasing a home that is a designated landmark.

    Of course if you are up to the challenge, there is nothing like living in a piece of American history.

  • Safest Cities in Texas

    Buying a Texas home offers a home buyer some of the most diverse options in the country given the sheer size of the state. Whether it’s a sprawling ranch far from civilization or a high tech modern condo in a big city that you are looking for, Texas homebuyers will likely find it in the Lone Star State. If safety is among your top considerations when choosing where to live, there are a number of Texas cities that you may wish to consider such as Plano, Frisco, and McKinney as well as Pearland and Allen. One city, however, continues to rank at the top of the list for Texas homebuyers who are looking for a safe place to live – Sugar Land.

    If you are in the market  to buy a Texas home in Houston or near Houston, and a safe city is at the top of your “must have” list; then Sugar Land, Texas may be a great location to begin your search. Sugar Land has come in as number three on CNN Money and Money magazine’s list of the best cities to live in throughout the entire United States.  This hidden gem also has the distinction of being the fastest growing city in the Houston metro area. Located just 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston in Fort Bend County, Sugar Land grew 158 percent over the last decade, according to U.S. census figures which brings its population to just fewer than 85,000 residents as of 2011.

    Sugar Land is predominately considered an affluent suburb of Houston. Forbes magazine named Sugar Land one of three “Top Suburbs to Live Well” in the Houston area in 2008. As of 2011, the median family income was $113,261 according to the U.S. census. As a largely planned city, Texas homebuyers will find a number of communities that boast golf courses, country clubs and other luxury amenities. Along with these community amenities, buying a Texas home in Sugar Land offers residents shopping opportunities at First Colony Mall as well as entertainment and dining at Sugar Land Town Square. In addition, Clements High School in Sugar Land has been ranked in the top ten high schools in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine.

    Currently, both residents and commercial enterprises are centered in the south and southeast areas of Sugar Land; however, planned communities are growing rapidly throughout all of Sugar Land. In the south east of Sugar Land is where you will find First Colony, the largest and oldest of the planned communities. Average home prices in Sugar Land are over $300,000, although you can find condos or townhomes for less than that. Custom built homes in some of the more affluent communities, such as Riverstone, can easily run over $1 million. Buying a Texas home in Sugar Land will likely mean purchasing a relatively new home; however, your new home will be in a setting with lush landscaping and lots of green space. With plenty of community activities, Sugar Land is a great location for families. Best of all, your home will be in one of the safest cities in Texas!

  • Choosing a Homeowners Warranty

    When homebuyers are going through the home closing process, they’ll typically come across what is called a homeowner’s warranty. This warranty is a protection plan that covers a significant portion of the costs if certain appliances malfunction or stop working completely. Having a homeowner’s warranty can certainly be beneficial for new homebuyers, but it can also help home sellers add value to their homes. Find out what a homeowner’s warranty entails and how it can benefit multiple parties during a home closing.

    What is Covered in a Homeowner’s Warranty?

    Typically, a homeowner’s warranty will cover the repair or replacement of the major systems and appliances in your home. This often includes items like the water heater, garbage disposal, plumbing system, refrigerator, washer and dryer, air conditioning unit and other similar systems. If one of the covered systems or appliances breaks, the warranty covers repairs from a contracted local technician or a complete replacement of the item or system. In some cases, you may have to pay a small fee to carry out the repair or replacement, but the fee is typically much less than the total cost would otherwise be.

    Your individual homeowner’s warranty may vary slightly from other warranties, so it’s always important to read through your warranty plan carefully and ask about any extra services you’d like to have included.

    Homebuyers should also understand that warranties are not substitutes for home insurance. Furthermore, not all warranties cover repairs or replacements for appliances that simply haven’t been properly maintained over the years. That’s why it’s also a good idea to get a thorough home inspection from a trusted professional.

    How Can Homebuyers Benefit?

    After paying all the costs associated with the home closing process, nobody wants to be caught off guard by a malfunctioning heating system that will cost several thousand dollars to repair. Having a homeowner’s warranty gives new homeowners the peace of mind of knowing that they can quickly and inexpensively have those issues resolved.

    This type of warranty can be especially beneficial for first-time homeowners who aren’t particularly handy or who have limited knowledge about what types of major malfunctions can occur in a home.

    How Can Home Sellers Benefit?

    If home sellers are working within a buyer’s market or if they are looking for ways to make their home more marketable, offering a home warranty with the house can be a great added incentive to encourage wavering homebuyers.

    While this offer will add value for homebuyers, fortunately, it isn’t too costly for home sellers. Home warranties typically costs between $200 and $500, making them a relatively small investment for those who are looking to sell their homes.

    Whether you’re a homebuyer looking for peace of mind after closing or a home seller interested in presenting a more attractive overall package to potential buyers, a homeowner’s warranty can make a great addition to your home closing process.

  • Common Home Offer Contingencies

    Once you reach the point of making an offer on the home, there are a number of very important factors to consider, including whether or not to make the offer contingent on one or more conditions. In fact, contingency clauses are very common when making an offer on a home. While a buyer may include almost anything in a contingency clause, there are some contingencies that are more frequently included than others. Here are a few common contingencies you may want to consider when making your offer to purchase a home:

    Financing Contingency

    A home buyer will often include a financing contingency in an offer to ensure that the he or she is able to secure a mortgage before the closing day in order to cover the cost of the purchase. Although a buyer may have been pre-qualified for a mortgage loan, something could still come up that prevents the financing from actually going through when the time comes to finalize the loan. Unless a buyer is paying cash for the purchase, he or she is depending on financing and, therefore, will not want to be legally obligated to purchase a home if he/she does not have the means to do so. While a financing contingency clearly protects the buyer, the seller can also include provisions in the contingency clause that protect his or her rights as well. For example, the seller might require the financing to be secured within a specific time period or may even reserve the right to secure the financing on behalf of the buyer in order to ensure that the purchase goes through.

    Inspection/Appraisal Contingency

    These are actually two separate contingency clauses; however, they are both commonly included by a buyer when making a home offer. An inspection contingency conditions the purchase on a satisfactory inspection of the property by a certified inspector. An appraisal contingency conditions the purchase on an appraisal that is high enough to secure the financing needed to complete the purchase. From a seller’s standpoint, an inspection contingency means that any potential defects or problems in the home that were previously unknown will be noted before the home sale is complete. Because the majority of buyers will not accept a home with serious defects, it is best for the seller to know about them and have the opportunity to repair or fix the problem early on. Typically, an inspection contingency gives the buyer the option to accept the home as is, require the seller to repair a problem, or be released from the contract if the inspector finds a problem or defect. On the other hand, an appraisal contingency lets both the seller and the buyer know if the home is priced significantly higher than the market will support. A lender will only loan a borrower a percentage of the home’s value in the current market. If the parties have agreed to a sales price that is higher than what the home appraises for then the buyer can back out of the deal and the seller now knows that the price likely needs to be reduced because prospective buyers will be unable to obtain financing at the current list price.

    Title Contingency

    Producing a clear title is one of the most common contingencies a buyer includes when making an offer on a home. “Title” refers to legal ownership of the property. Numerous problems can arise when a title search on a property is completed – problems that will result in a seller not being able to produce a clear title. An unpaid judgment against the seller, for instance, can result in a lien against the property. An easement recorded by the city or county could also prevent clear title. As a buyer, you want to be sure that you know exactly what you’re in for when buying a home. There are cases where the seller is unaware of these obstacles to clear title, which is why a title contingency is beneficial to both parties.

    Although a buyer is usually the party who includes the contingency clause when making an offer on a home, some of the more common contingency clauses actually protect both the buyer and the seller from unanticipated obstacles that could interfere with the sale of the property. For more detailed information about making a home offer, you can reach out to a Better Homes and Gardens real estate agent in your neighborhood!

  • Buying a Home in a Seller’s Market

    For most people, a home purchase is the single most expensive purchase they make during their lifetime. For this reason, it is a good idea to understand the ins and outs of buying real estate as well as your current market conditions before you begin your search for a new home. Toward that goal, the first thing that a prospective buyer should consider is whether the market is a seller’s market or a buyer’s market at the time he or she wishes to make a home purchase. If you are that buyer, and you are searching during a seller’s market, your search may be a bit more difficult; however, with an experienced real estate agent assisting you, and a basic understanding of the market you will be living in your dream home in no time.

    To give a simplified explanation, the real estate market is for the most part a perfect example of the economic principals of supply and demand. When there is an abundance of supply, and little demand, it is a buyer’s market. On the other hand, when supply (in this case the inventory of homes) is low but demand for homes is high, we have a seller’s market. Buying real estate during a seller’s market is by no means impossible; however, you need to understand the challenges and obstacles you may face in order to make the most of your home purchase in a seller’s market.

    Inventory

    The first challenge you will likely face in a seller’s market is a low inventory of available homes. This is where working with an experienced and knowledgeable real estate agent becomes essential. Your agent has tools that allow him or her to know the moment a property comes on the market. Sometimes, your agent may even know before the home is officially listed on the market for sale. This saves time while increasing your options in a market where options are limited.

    Price

    In a seller’s market, home prices go up because sellers know they can get more for their property due to the limited supply. This, however, does not mean that you should overpay for your home purchase. The real estate market is notoriously fickle. A seller’s market today can be a buyer’s market tomorrow. As such, the market value of a property can change significantly in a relatively short period of time. By working with your real estate agent, you can use “comparables”, or similar homes in the area that have recently sold or that are on the market, to determine the true value of a home you wish to purchase.

    Negotiating

    Negotiating is frequently the key to buying real estate in a seller’s market. Bidding wars are common in this type of market, meaning that you need to be prepared to win the war if you want the home. One advantage you can give yourself is to get pre-approved for a mortgage by a lender. By doing this, the seller will be reassured that the deal will not fall through because of your inability to obtain financing. You may also need to be more flexible when buying real estate in a seller’s market. For example, you may need to be prepared to offer a larger earnest money deposit, move up or back the date of closing, waive contingencies, or offer to pay some of the closing costs in order to close the deal. Because your real estate agent knows the market, and how to negotiate a deal, it is crucial that you depend on your agent to guide you during the negotiation process.

    Though a seller’s market may make the home purchase process a bit more challenging, an experienced real estate agent can help you level the playing field to ensure that you find and purchase your dream home.

  • Where to Find the Right Information When Moving Out of State

    Relocating to a new state can be an exciting and complicated process. Whether you are moving out of state because of a job transfer or for personal reasons, locating vital information and finding resources that will help you with your move is essential. While each move is unique, and each location may have different resources that can help you, there are some common places to look for information.

    Buyer’s Agents – If you are planning to purchase a home in your new location, contacting a buyer’s agent is your best bet to assist you with your search. A buyer’s agent is a real estate agent who specializes in representing buyers who are looking for a home. Not only can a buyer’s agent help you locate the perfect home for you and your family, but he or she will likely be a veritable wealth of information about the neighborhoods, schools, employment options, and attractions that are within your new location.

    Government Website – By doing a simple internet search for the city, town or county government where you plan to move to, you will likely find numerous relevant links to sites that can help make your transition easier. In fact, most cities have a website devoted entirely to people who are relocating to their state in order to provide them with local information including everything from how to connect utilities to how to register to vote. Links to all state government websites, and many county websites within each state, can be found by clicking here.

    Chamber of Commerce – Another helpful resource is a local chamber of commerce. Just as many local government websites dedicate a page to those who are moving out of state, so do most chamber of commerce websites. Often, the local chamber of commerce goes one step further and offers a “new resident” package that can be mailed out to you. Typically, the packet includes information about the area, instructions for registering children for school, contact information for utilities, and other useful information for new residents.

    Transferring Driver’s License and Mailing Address – After ensuring that your utilities are connected, transferring your driver’s license and changing your mailing address are likely the next two most important tasks when relocating to a new state. Your change of address can be completed online through the United States Postal Service website.

    By making use of some, or all, of these resources, you should find that moving to a new state is not as stressful as you thought it might be. In fact, it should turn out to be just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your life!

  • You just got a mortgage preapproval. Now what?

    If you are in the market for a new home, getting pre-approved for your mortgage is one of the first steps you must take. In fact, a mortgage pre-approval should be obtained even before you start your home search.

    What Pre-Approval Means

    A pre-approval is not the same as getting pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. Pre-approval involves approaching a mortgage lender and asking for approval to obtain a mortgage in the future. The mortgage lender will look at your credit score, employment history and current financial situation and use that information to determine the amount you can borrow for your home purchase. If you are approved, you will receive a pre-approval letter that can be used as a bargaining chip when you buy your home. Sellers love to see a buyer who has been pre-approved already, as it shows that the buyer is serious and has come prepared with financing to buy the home.

    What to Do After Receiving a Mortgage Preapproval

    Once you receive your mortgage pre-approval letter, it’s time to start shopping. You can begin browsing for homes online to see what type of property will fit your pre-approved budget as well as your needs.

    With a mortgage pre-approval letter in your back pocket, you now know what you can afford to spend, how aggressive of an offer to make and how stable your financial situation is for a home purchase. Now that you’ve narrowed down your options, you can have a better idea of which homes to look at. To get an even clearer understanding of what homes are available to you, reach out to a Better Homes and Gardens real estate agent who has both the experience and the market knowledge to help you find the home of your dreams.

    When you find a home you like, you can use the mortgage pre-approval letter as a bargaining tool. When you decide to make an offer on a home, make sure the seller knows that it is an offer with a preapproved loan behind it. This will increase the chances that the offer will be accepted. In fact, some sellers will accept a lower bid from someone with a pre-approval letter over a higher bid from someone without one.

    Does a Pre-Approval Letter Last Forever?

    Pre-approval for home loans is not an infinite tool. Lenders are well aware of the fact that your financial situation can and will change with time. Check the letter to see how long the pre-approval will last.

    Also, remember that a pre-approval is not a guarantee of the loan. It means that you are approved to get a loan, unless something changes. The lender will ask more questions when you are ready to actually buy a home, and many factors, including the appraised value of the home, any title problems on the property and any changes to your financial situation, will be considered before you are actually granted the loan. With that said, unless your circumstances are unique, most pre-approvals turn into loans once your offer is accepted.

    For more information about the home buying process, reach out to a Better Homes and Gardens real estate agent. Our real estate professionals would be more than happy to help you better understand the real estate process.