The Woodlands New Homes

Purchasing New Homes

Purchasing a new home in the Woodlands can be a great investment for the prospective homebuyer. Property values in the Woodlands are on the rise and new homes are a great way to invest in that market. Also, the Woodlands is a fantastic area to live in. With a large selection of shopping and restaurants, life in the Woodlands is nothing short of glamorous. Also, when purchasing new homes in the Woodlands, buyers have the option to hand select every aspect of their dream home. This provides for the ultimate freedom in construction and allows the family to really personalize their new property. If you are thinking about purchasing new homes in the Woodlands, be sure to contact a realtor today who can let you know about all the fantastic up and coming developments in the area.

Great Surroundings

With its great surroundings, the Woodlands is a highly desirable area to live in. As such, new homes in the Woodlands have values that are on the rise. If you are concerned about whether or not your investment in a home will pay off in the long run, when it comes time to sell, look at new homes in the Woodlands. Purchasing new homes in the Woodlands allows the buyer to invest in something that they are confident will increase in value over the time period in which they own the home. No one wants to buy a home that will soon be worth half or less than half of what they originally paid for it. Buying new homes in the Woodlands can prevent this issue, as the buyer is putting money into an area that they are fairly certain will continue to grow in size and prosper.

Surrounding Area

The area surrounding new homes in the Woodlands is just as appealing as the homes themselves. A plethora of stores, restaurants and businesses is around every corner in the Woodlands, offering residents the upmost amount of convenience and luxury. If you are looking for an area that can offer you access to your favorite stores and your favorite foods, the Woodlands is definitely the place for you. New homes in the Woodlands are near to the entire fabulous infrastructure that the Woodlands has to offer. Ready to take advantage of that? Give your realtor a call today and discuss options for new homes in the Woodlands area.

Selecting Details

When purchasing new homes in the Woodlands, buyers have to option to select each and every detail of their home, tailoring it to their individual preferences. This is an infinite luxury, as buyers are given the opportunity to alter each and every aspect of their new homes. No one could ask for more than a home that has been specially built to satisfy their every desire. Want granite countertops and custom cabinetry? Look at new homes in the Woodlands that offer those fantastic upgrade features. The possibilities are endless when you are looking at new homes in the Woodlands. It is as if you are building the home yourself.

The Woodlands New Homes

New homes in the Woodlands have many great aspects that accompany them. Their property values are solid, if not climbing, they have a fantastic surrounding area that allows residents to truly embrace the sweet life and they offer many custom options during the building process that really personalize a property for the specific buyer. For those who are looking for a home that is a good investment with great amenities and unlimited choices in its construction, new homes in the Woodlands are the choice for them.

Why Homes in the Woodlands and Spring are a Match Made in Heaven

Not everybody knows how seasons can affect how well a home can get sold or bought. Well, spring would be the best season to do so in the Woodlands due to the weather and the changes that occur during the season. This is also why homes in the Woodlands and spring agree with one another, among other reasons.

First of all, without a doubt, everybody has more time during the spring because every other season is much busier; there are summer vacations, Thanksgiving holidays and Christmas holidays, after all. The best thing about the spring is the weather. because it is so warm, it would be much more convenient to take a look at different homes within the area. Plus, if you have children, spring break will give you the perfect opportunity to take a look at how homes in the Woodlands and spring go well together.

Another reason why it would be best to look at the Woodlands homes during the spring is because down payments won’t be as much trouble during this season compared to the busier months. This is also the time when house sales remain steady while other months usually see a drop in house sales.

When looking at buying homes in the Woodlands and spring, you might come to notice that many more choices will be available to you. However, you will also have to remember that the competition is sure to be higher, too, and so sellers will be much more strict with the prices, whereas other months might give you cheaper prices because of the lower demand. Now, if it is a mortgage you are looking for, off-peak months would also be the best time to look for great deals.

It would also be much easier to negotiate during the off-peak months because the offers will be less overall. This may results in less choices when it comes to the homes, but they won’t exactly be extremely limited. There will still be many homes available for you; don’t worry.

One buyer tip you should really know: when selling your old home to make way for a new one in the Woodlands, you should think ahead and sell before anything else. This will help get rid of any unnecessary selling stress that might come about when time starts closing in and money starts becoming a problem. Remember: you won’t be able to pay off two mortgages together, so do something about it before that happens.

When you should look into buying or selling homes should ultimately depend on your own circumstances, though. However, if you want it comes to the Woodlands, looking into homes in the Woodlands and spring would usually be best.

Jutta “Utah” Burden’s Market Update!

Jutta “Utah” Burden’s Market Update

Existing Home Sales Report

Existing-home sales increased in November and remained above the pace set last year, according to a recent report by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). Existing-home sales, which include recently purchased single family, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops were up 4 percent to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.42 million units expected to sell in 2011. This represents a 12.2 percent increase over the pace set last year at this time.

Existing Home Sales By Region

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, sees more buyers taking action. “Sales reached the highest mark in 10 months and are 34 percent above the cyclical low point in mid-2010 – a genuine sustained sales recovery appears to be developing,” he said. “We’ve seen healthy gains in contract activity, so it looks like more people are realizing the great opportunity that exists in today’s market for buyers with long-term plans.”

Total housing inventory fell 5.8 percent in November to 2.58 million existing homes available for sale, representing an 7 month supply of homes at today’s current sales pace. Inventories have been gradually shrinking from their record levels of 4.04 million set in July 2007.

Another Mortgage Rate Decrease

Freddie Mac reported that mortgage rates fell to new record lows in November 2011. The average commitment rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 3.99 percent, down from 4.07 percent from October, and 4.30 percent offered one year ago. NAR president Moe Veissi explains that housing affordability has hit a new high. “With record low mortgage interest rates and bargain home prices, NAR’s housing affordability index shows that a median-income family can easily afford a median-priced home,” he said.

Contact us for our preferred list of local mortgage planners and take advantage of today’s low interest rates!

Five Winter Staging Tips

When selling your home in the winter, the art of staging the inside becomes more important.  Here are five simple tips that can help you sell your home shine even when the outside landscaping has faded:

  • Keep your house warm.  In the winter people tend to turn the thermostat down to save money, however a warmer house is more welcoming to a potential buyer.
  • Clear your walkways and driveways of any snow or ice.  Make it easy for buyers to get to your home.
  • Clean the windows and blinds.  Letting in the natural light can brighten up a room and cheer up the home.  This also brings attention to the windows and blinds so make sure they are clean even during winter.  Dirty windows will make the home seem as those it’s not well maintained.
  • Background music played softly can completely change the atmosphere making the home seem cozy and keep potential buyers around longer.  Stick with classical music which can appeal to anyone.
  • Leave the light on.  Before showing a home, make sure it’s well lit.  A well lit home is more inviting.  If you’re not home, consider setting up timers.

Following these simple tips can give your house that added boost in today’s competitive market. For information on selling in our local market, please feel free to call and ask for a computer analysis of our recent market activity. We would be more than happy answer any questions you might have!

How to Eliminate Risk in Real Estate Investment!

Real estate investment has provided many investors with positive cash flow, tax benefits and the satisfaction of making an impact in others lives. However like any investment, real estate has intricate nuances and market trends that when ignored can cause an investor tremendous heartache.

Unbelievably, many first-time investors are willing to part with their hard-earned cash without taking the time to study their investment. They rely on traditional trends and gut feelings. Before you risk your investment, take the time to learn all you can about your market. By aligning yourself with the right professional, you can avoid these 12 common mistakes and you’ll ensure an excellent return on your investment.

1. Failure to Determine Your Time Need- Cash flow, capital appreciation, tax benefits, loss of management, equity pay-down and pride of ownership are just some of the         things that need to be addressed before you make that investment. A service-minded real       estate professional can be a tremendous asset by taking the time to evaluate your needs and making sure you’ve got all your bases covered,

2. Not Checking out the Seller or Seller’s Agent’s Numbers- Claims of extremely high rates of return run rampant in real estate investment. Don’t get caught up in the excitement – check everything: rents, payment history, taxes, expenses, deposits, future modifications… everything! Make sure you have the right agent. It’s like having a good insurance policy against overlooking all the seemingly insignificant but very important details.

3. Forgetting You’re Buying a Business- Owning investment property carries great potential for creating wealth and… some potentially difficult decisions. Evictions, re-investment into the property and time management all need careful consideration. Remember this is not a “hands-off’ business.

4. Avoid Negative Cash Flow- Property that eats cash every month can drain your working capital. This creates stress, frustration and can become quite painful. Predicting constant appreciation is extremely difficult if not impossible for the unseasoned investor. A strain on your cash flow may cause you to sell the investment before the benefits of ownership are ever realized.

5. Failure to do a Thorough Inspection- Look under every rock! Hire a professional inspector. Ask the tenants about pest problems, structural damage or recurring problems. Don’t overlook anything! A value-driven real estate professional will help you find the right inspector and can help you avoid costly mistakes. When investing your hard-earned money, be sure and use sound business judgment!

6. Be Columbo- Check out all your costs and expenses before you sign: utilities, taxes, insurance, maintenance and homeowner dues, if applicable. Make sure all utilities are on (gas, electricity, and water), so you can inspect everything in working order. Ask lots of questions and be very detail conscious.

7. Do a Final Walk-Through- Visit the property after all the furnishings have been moved out to be sure there are no surprises. Be absolutely positive the property was left exactly as you had agreed upon in the contract. Many times, things are unintentionally overlooked that could have been spotted in a final walk- through.

 

8. Plan For Flexibility- Closing dates are not written in stone. Allow for contingencies and have a back-up plan. If you or the sellers need a little more time to conclude the final arrangements, don’t let these delays upset or frustrate you. These types of circumstances are not uncommon in a real estate transaction.

9. If It’s Not In Writing, It Doesn’t Exist- All promises and discussions are to be in writing. Don’t make any assumptions or believe any assurances. Even the best intentions can be misinterpreted. Have your real estate professional keep an ongoing log (in writing) of all discussions, and get the seller’s written approval for all agreements.

10. Loyalty Breeds Loyalty- Be open, honest and up-front with your team. Hard feelings and disloyalty will cause headaches, delays or may even keep you from getting into the home you worked so hard to locate. Take the time to select the right team in the beginning and your first home purchase will be a simple, easy and profitable experience you’ll have fond memories of… for years to come.

My hope with this report has been to educate you and help you avoid the pitfalls many home buyers go through. I hope you found the ideas valuable and if there is ever any way I can be of service to you or anyone you care about, please contact my office. Your initial consultation is always completely free of charj and you’re under no obliRation of any kind We’ll sit down for 15-20 minutes… no high-pressure, just plain, honest talk about what it’s going to take to achieve your personal goals. Go ahead, pick up the phone and give me a call. I’d love to hear from you!

Jutta “Utah” Burden

www.TheWoodlandsRealEstateBlog.com

Magnolia Texas Real Estate

Real Estate Business

In the real estate business in Magnolia Texas, it can be difficult to navigate the relationships between the three primary actors in the real estate industry. Sellers are attempting to regain every last dollar that they have previously invested in their homes, and possibly make a little extra on the side. Buyers, on the other hand, are hoping to encounter that awesome real estate property for a steal of a price. The real estate agents in Magnolia Texas simply play the role of ambassador between these two groups, attempting to assure that they find the right buyer for the right home at the right price. The real estate industry is extremely complicated due to the varying and sometimes clashing interests of these three groups. It is very important that a prospective buyer contact a real estate professional immediately after they decide to begin shopping for a new home. The process of house hunting can be lengthy and complicated and is best begun as soon as possible. As a specialist in the field, real estate agents in Magnolia Texas can dexterously navigate the complex network of interests and relationships that is the real estate industry.

The Best Deal

In the Magnolia Texas real estate business, sellers are looking to leave their old real estate property with the best deal that they can score for themselves. When they bought the home, it is possible that it was worth more than it is now at the time of sale. In this instance, the seller in Magnolia Texas is going to try to list the home at the price that they paid for the home, even when it is really worth less in today’s market. Another interest of a sellers interests could be that the seller sunk a lot of money into the home upgrading appliances and interior aspects, and is now looking to make that money back, on top of the price they paid for the home, in the sale. It is also possible that the seller is attempting to escape a major repair to the home by cutting their losses and selling it, so that they do not have to be the ones to take the hit for the maintenance. No matter what the contrary interests of the seller, real estate specialists are expert in decoding the language of the sticker price of a home. They know what homes in the particular area in which a buyer is looking should be priced at and they can skillfully translate the seller’s intentions out of their deviation from this standard price level.

Real Estate Agents

Buyers in Magnolia Texas, on the other hand, are most of the time bargain shopping for the best home at the best price possible. Real estate agents can assist here as well; by making sure to show each homeowner to the real esate listings that they feel are genuinely good deals. Looking at a home in Magnolia Texas on a strict numerical price basis can be misleading to a prospective buyer. Real estate agents can assist the buyer in this circumstance, as they know where all of the “catches” can be in a real estate deal. It is absolutely necessary for every buyer in Magnolia Texas to consult an agent before they hop on a real estate deal that they think is red hot. Sometimes, these deals can simply mean that a homeowner is desperate to get rid of their home because there is some sort of structural fault that they hope remains hidden. Real estate agents can pick up on these vibes and help uncover hidden issues with a sale that they frequently see in the business. No one wants to get stuck with a home that has so many issues that it was not worth the investment. By throwing red flags where they usually see price issues, real estate agents can assist prospective homebuyers to avoid that nagging feeling of regret after a bad purchase. Do not get tied up in what you think is a real estate steal and then realize that the home truly was a pit for your money, as it needed half the closing price in repairs.

Magnolia Texas Real Estate

Real estate agents are the go betweens for the industry that attempt to create a space in which the real estate interests of the buyer and the seller meet. Buyers want to feel as if they are getting their money’s worth. Sellers want to feel that they have made the money back that they have put into their homes as an investment. Real estate agents play the tough, yet essential, role of assuring that both sides of the transaction receive exactly what they deserve and want.

Why is it Best to Buy Homes in Spring?

 A lot of people seem to be unaware that a lot of places in Texas are actually good places to buy homes to live in. Spring happens to one of the best of them as the weather there is warm most of the time. People will especially love to buy homes in Spring during the warmer seasons due to various reasons.

For one, people have a lot more time to waste during the warmer months compared to other busier seasons. Plus, because the weather is warmer overall, it would be much more convenient to move around in search of homes. Buyers would also prefer to move during spring break before school starts up again and this is probably one of the bigger reasons why more families move to new homes in Spring during that time.

The weather aside, people usually get tax returns early on, as well, making home down payments much easier to deal with compared to other months. In fact, overall, house sales in general remain steady in Spring during the warmer months and drop during the busier months of the year.

If you are a buyer, you are sure to have a much wider variety to choose from in Spring compared to other places in Texas, though the competition might be much higher, as well. This conversely translates to sellers keeping to their original asking prices. Now, if you want to find a mortgage in Spring, you will probably find much better deals if you apply in the off-peak seasons.

During off-peak seasons, sellers will more likely negotiate when it comes to price, as well, because not a lot of offers will be present then. So, although your choices of homes might not be huge, they still won’t be completely limited. A lot of homes in Spring will still be for sale this season.

As an extra tip: if you have plans of buying a brand new home and selling your home, you need to make sure you sell yours as early as possible, so you can alleviate some stress from selling your house because of financial pressure and time constraints. After all, you will now want to pay for two mortgages at the same time, right?

Now, the greatest homes to buy in Spring might still be relative to personal circumstances and preferences, though. So find out what would work best for you first, so you can put the seasons to your advantage and look into those homes in Spring that truly cater to your needs.

Texas economy still best; 2012 looks to mirror 2011

David S. Jones | columnist

Dec. 27, 2011

On New Year’s Eve, many bid farewell to the old year by singing “Auld Lang Syne” lyrics that include, “Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind.“

Apparently, it will be hard to forget 2011 because 2012 is expected to look pretty much like it.

If the experts are correct, however, Texans will again have more to sing about in the New Year than will their fellow Americans.

Texas: Slow but still leading

Real Estate Center Chief Economist Mark Dotzour, Ph.D., sees “modest, positive economic growth” for the nation in the next 12 months. Nationally, he expects 2012 to look something like 2003-06.

By comparison, Dotzour predicts a “much more robust economic outlook” for Texas in the coming year. He bases this on documented evidence that Texas dramatically outperformed the United States in 2011.

The state’s positive job growth came not only in the energy industry but also in construction, manufacturing, retail, transportation, professional business services, health care, and hospitality.

“Job growth is occurring in nearly all Texas metro areas and is likely to continue into 2012,” says Dotzour.

Wait-and-see election watch

Real Estate Center residential expert Jim Gaines, Ph.D., doesn’t expect major business and investment decisions until after the 2012 election. Even then, he predicts first quarter 2013 will be sluggish despite what should be low interest rates through 2013.

Gaines believes the U.S. housing market will remain steady with no major movement in 2012. He says Texas and local housing markets should show some modest improvement but no major upgrade.

“In general, Texas’s housing markets in 2012 are expected to show small, but nevertheless positive gains,” Gaines says. “The projected levels of home sales, prices, and new construction statewide for 2012 and into 2013 indicate gradual improvement. This gradual improvement should also prevail in most local markets, with some doing better than others based on local factors.”

Dotzour says buyers and sellers are aware there is a “shadow inventory” of between 4.5 million and 6 million homes that have delinquent loans and will soon need to be sold.

“It is unlikely that home sales volume will return until this overhang of distressed houses sells to investors,” he says. “Unfortunately, the foreclosure process is severely retarded from the normal pace.”

Distressed commercial sales going up

According to commercial real estate insiders, distressed sales are on the way up. Real Estate Center Research Economist Harold Hunt, Ph.D., talked with Texas commercial real estate professionals about the outlook for 2012.

Real Capital Analytics reports about $1.2 trillion in commercial real estate assets were traded nationally between 2005 and 2007.

“For the most part, these assets are still being held by those purchasers,” Russell Ingrum, managing director of investment sales in the CB Richard Ellis Houston office, recently told Hunt. “As a result, many of them will come up for sale in the next four years, depending on holding period, market conditions, and so on.”

These properties could represent $200 billion per year in transactions. Many of them will be in the distressed category because of when they were purchased.

“If you are a broker, you should consider focusing on what traded back then,” says Ingrum.

Stagnant land market

“The trouble is we have not dealt with the problems that caused 2008,” says Research Economist Charles Gilliland, Ph.D., the Center’s authority on rural land. “In the early 1980s, the Latin American sovereign debt defaults wrecked balance sheets.

“The solution was to pretend that nothing had really happened and let the economy come back to allow write offs of those bad debts. This time we are trying the same thing, but the recovery is not happening.

“Nobody knows how long it might be before a reckoning ensues. It would appear that an increasing number of observers are deciding that it is going to be a while. So, with that preamble, I’m thinking that the land market is likely to extend recent trends through 2012.

“Those are fewer sales than had been the norm. Smaller sales than had been the norm because larger properties still are not selling. Overall, it looks like a rather stagnant market.”

Oil shines bright in Texas

“The Texas story is brighter,” confirms Dotzour. “For the past 15 years, Texas seems to double the U.S. economy in terms of job growth. It will continue to do so in 2012.”

Dotzour sums up the Texas economic outlook heading into 2012 and beyond …

“The oil and gas industry is on fire,” he says. “We are experiencing job growth in all sectors except for government and information. Our population is expanding. People are migrating here from places like California and Illinois, where taxes are much higher and regulations more prohibitive. Businesses and investors are cautiously hopeful that the economic environment in America could become substantially more attractive in 2013.”

Magnolia Real Estate

Real Estate Property in Magnolia

Do you sink thousands of dollars each year into hotels in the area of your family’s favorite vacation spot? Do you wish that those thousands could have been invested in a piece of real estate in Magnolia that could possibly increase in its value in the years to come? You should contact your Magnolia real estate agent to discuss options in the market of Magnolia real estate. For the family that has already paid off their home and is now looking to vacation in order to spend their slush money, a vacation home is an absolutely brilliant real estate investment. Not only will your family enjoy the time that they spend at your new piece of Magnolia real estate and you enjoy the benefits of renting out your home during the off season, but also you will be able to sell the property at a higher price later on as the property values rise in your favorite vacation town. A vacation home is a healthy and fun way to invest your cash in the Magnolia real estate market.

Your Family

You love every moment that you spend with your family on vacation, don’t you? It is always so hard to leave and you almost always wish that you could go back on vacation the very next day, as you strut through the door of the office, sporting your new suntan. Investing in a piece of vacation real estate in Magnolia will allow you and your family to remain on vacation longer and return to vacation more frequently. A large portion of travel expenses goes to the hotel or condominium in which you are staying. Imagine, years from now, when you have completely paid off your vacation real estate. You can return to your hideaway for free. No more hotel fees for you. This will allow you ultimate freedom to vacation when you want in the place that you love so much.

Real Estate Rental

During the weeks that you are not in your beloved new real estate property, you can rent it out to tourists who are begging to experience the comfort of your real estate. This will allow you to pay off the real estate’s mortgage and, eventually, will allow you to make money off of owning your own real estate. It does not get much better than returning to your vacation real estate property each season, knowing that you have paid for it all simply by allowing other people to come and enjoy your property. Owning your own vacation real estate is fabulous in this way. You benefit financially as much as you do emotionally. So, sit back in that beach chair, sip on your fruity beverage and bask in the fact that you are making money doing so. That is truly the best job in the world.

Real Estate Property in Magnolia

Eventually, once your secret hideaway vacation spot becomes well known and flooded with tourists, your property will be worth more than ever. At this time you are met with an opportunity. Continue renting out the place and raking in the benefits, or cash out and begin all over again in a less known vacation area. You see, you have full control when you purchase a piece of vacation real estate. If you decide that you now wish to vacation on the other coast, just sell your vacation real estate, pack up all those hundred dollar bills and go reinvest in a vacation real estate property that is more suitable for your vacation desires. There is no loss in this scenario. Continue operating the home and become that hotel owner that you used to pay to visit your beloved vacation spot, or sell out and get yourself a fresh new perspective. It is entirely up to you.

Magnolia Real Estate

Once you have paid off your traditional home, you do not merely have to pull away from the real estate market. Put yourself dead in the middle of it by purchasing a vacation real estate property. Take in all the cash that you used to throw away to hotel operators and enjoy doing so. Who wouldn’t want to vacation more and eventually make money doing so?