Buying In BCS » Home Buying Tools http://buyinginbcs.com I AM THE PATH TO YOUR NEW HOME Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:17:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 New Year, New Market, and New LAWS!!! http://buyinginbcs.com/2009/12/31/new-year-new-market-and-new-laws/ http://buyinginbcs.com/2009/12/31/new-year-new-market-and-new-laws/#comments Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:03:57 +0000 Sam Affanhe, REALTOR® http://buyinginbcs.com/?p=361 new laws

Here in the College Station, TX real estate market we are fortunate that our market was not as effected by the national downturn of the real estate markets, however YOUR College Station real estate is still subject to the new federal and state regulations that have been enacted recently.  One of those most pertinent in the Texas real estate market pertains to appraisals and was addressed by Governor Rick Perry recently.

Governor Perry highlighted several new laws that take effect Jan. 1, 2010, which institute important reforms to the appraisal process which in turn will help property taxpayers, to read the full article click here.

Getting an accurate appraisal on your home can be tricky these days. Prices are fluctuating in many markets, and with fewer sales taking place, appraisers are having a difficult time finding recent comparables to value homes. But getting an accurate appraisal could mean the difference between selling your home and watching it languish on the market.

There are things you can do, however, to help ensure that your home is appraised fairly. Here are some tips:

  • Consider getting an appraisal before you list your home. The listing agent can use the information it contains to help set a realistic listing price.
  • Make sure you and your agent are present when the appraiser comes. Follow him around the property, and make sure he doesn’t miss anything important that may affect the home’s value.
  • Provide information to the appraiser to help him determine the property’s value. A current survey, tax bill, list of personal property being sold with the home, title insurance policy, and proposed improvements can be helpful. Consider preparing a “brag sheet” that lists major home improvements and upgrades, the date of their installation, and cost.
  • Take a look at the houses that the appraiser is using as comparables, and don’t be afraid to let the appraiser know if your property is worth more.and why.
  • Make sure all areas of the home are accessible.

For a consultation regarding how these new changes may affect you and YOUR College Station real estate give me a call today!

]]> http://buyinginbcs.com/2009/12/31/new-year-new-market-and-new-laws/feed/ 1 2009 January-July Market Statistics http://buyinginbcs.com/2009/08/14/2009-january-july-market-statistics/ http://buyinginbcs.com/2009/08/14/2009-january-july-market-statistics/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:28:12 +0000 Sam Affanhe, REALTOR® http://samaffanhe.thecenturytreereader.com/?p=27

2009

Bryan/College Station

Real Estate Market Statistics

January – JuLY

WOW what a summer we have had!  Sales are still off a bit from last year but compared to the rest of the country, Bryan/College Station is doing great. We missed some of the TAMU parent investors this year. I think this is partly due to the fear in the economy and also the tightening of the available “little money down” mortgage programs. As usual, when a problem arises regulations tend to swing from one extreme to the other. In the past there has been too little mortgage and appraisal regulation – now we have too much.

So – what does this mean to you? It means that when you are ready to buy or sell it is VERY important to work with an agent that KNOWS the market. You want one that knows the market statistics and changes. You probably should work with the agent who provides you with these numbers each month!

SALES 2008        2009 CHANGE

January            115            87         -28        -24.3%

February           132            91         -41        -31.1%

March               177          151         -26        -14.7%

April                 253          183         -70        -27.7%

May                  333          266         -67         -20.1%

June                 308          300         -8           -2.6%

July                  358          304         -54         -15.1

Year to Date 1676       1382        -294        -17.5%

AVAILABLE PROPERTIES AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE IN OUR MLS

Available 2008          2009 CHANGE

January             1165         1111         -54         -4.6%

February           1351         1188         -163        -12.1%

March               1407         1265         -142        -10.1%

April                 1355         1272         -83          -6.1%

May                  1333         1254         -79          -5.9%

June                 1181         1253          +72        +6.1%

July                  1218         1233          +15        +1.2%

Have you tried the new 979-764-2121 Instant Info Line?  Remember to store the number in your phone so anytime you are out driving you can hear information about ANY home for sale ANY TIME.

Is it time for YOU to take advantage of the real estate market? Is it time to move your retirement money from the uncertainty of stocks to the more stable real estate market in Bryan/College Station? Call me and I’ll tell you how you CAN use retirement money to purchase rental real estate NOW!

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