You have just negotiated a deal with a buyer and managed to sign the sales contract.  The good news is that you’re almost there.  The bad news is that you’re not quite there.  Even though the buyer has signed the sales contract, there’s still room for the deal to fall through.  Two big parts of the for sale by owner housing transaction still lay in the balance – the inspection and the buyer’s mortgage. Housing Inspections With most standard sales contracts, the buyer has the right to have the  property inspected.  If these inspections aren’t satisfactory to the buyer, the deal could end up turning bad.  There are three major types of inspections that the buyer can have completed. Termite Inspection.  Depending on your state’s laws either you or the buyer could be responsible for the ter... 07/13/2012

Presenting a beautiful and immaculate home for sale is not all that is involved in selling your home. Once a potential buyer has seen your home and is interested, it is now time for the most difficult (for some) part of the process: the dreaded for sale by owner negotiation process.  Truthfully, negotiating with a buyer is not all that different from the everyday for sale by owner negotiations you may go through with family members and co-workers. It can seem intimidating in a situation such as this simply because of the high stress level associated with the sale of your own home.  In the process of for sale by owner negotiation, emotions can easily destroy a good deal. It is characteristic of people to walk away if their offer is insulted in any way. It is a deal killer also if a poten... 07/13/2012

   When you decide it is time to sell your home, it is imperative that you cover all bases adequately. Your home should be in excellent condition and ready to be shown to potential buyers. It is not difficult to prepare your  home for show but it does require proper planning and a little bit of work on your part to ensure success.  The outside of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see so it is very important to make sure it is clean and attractive. “Curb appeal,” or the way your home looks from the outside, is what attracts potential buyers so if you spruce it up a bit, they will want to view the inside of home.  A neatly manicured and well-kept lawn implicitly signifies a well maintained home. You should make a weekly habit of cutting your lawn while your home is on dis... 07/13/2012

  There seems to come a point in almost every marriage where things just are not working out any more. As tragic as it may be, one out of every 2 marriages have ended in divorce. In today’s age of quick marriage and “easy do-it-yourself divorce” it is not as big of a deal as it once was to say, “I do” and then decide that you don’t… In some cases, things can get rather messy. It is at times in the best interest of both parties to enlist the aid of an experienced attorney to better carry out the particulars of dividing property and assets, but sometimes this is not necessary. There have been cases, although rare, where the individual parties can sit and discuss the property and asset division and come to some sort of mutual agreement as to who gets what, but most of the time this is not ... 07/13/2012

  In today’s age of information and high speed internet service, the world wide web is the perfect tool to advertise and to reach millions of potential buyers. Specific websites dedicated to the sale of homes are numerous and are widely utilized by independent sellers because of the capability of reaching so many would-be home buyers.  Utilizing an internet home listing service is a worthwhile opportunity for those who do not wish to rely solely on the newspaper for advertisement. It meshes nicely in conjunction with the more traditional methods such as flyer advertisement, placing a sign in the front yard, and the tried and true advertisement in the newspaper or other listing publication. There can never be too many methods of advertisement when trying to make your for sale by owner ho... 07/13/2012

  Negotiating Tips for Buyers Even with the help of an experienced real estate agent, the negotiating process can be frustrating and confusing. Many of us aren't involved in high-level business negotiations in our day-to-day lives, and even buyers who are savvy businesspersons aren't used to having a personal stake in the outcome. Good negotiating in real estate isn't about coming out victorious over the other side, it's about understanding the seller's motivations and striking a deal that satisfies all parties as much as possible. The following tips can help you survive the negotiation of a real estate purchase: Don't focus on price only Many buyers make the mistake of thinking that price is the only point up for negotiation. Buyers can often negotiate quite a bit of value into a contr... 07/13/2012

When I first heard about Memorial Day 15 years ago, I asked a co-worker what it was. She told me that it was a long weekend off and most people had back yard barbecues and celebrated the coming of summer with family and friends. Also, neighborhood pools opened for the season and that it was okay to wear white. Very confused but liking the idea that we would be off for the day just so that we could celebrate wearing white and take a dip in the now open local pool, I asked her why it was called Memorial Day. She told me it was a day we thought about and celebrated the lives of dead family members.   Images flashed through my mind of wailing women and parades of people dressed all in black, chanting the rosary while blessing gravestones in the local graveyards, made be wonder if this was r... 05/25/2012

Early last month, I wrote about registration for the Bryan Family Camp Out.  Even though it takes place this weekend, beginning 3pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012, it isn't too late to sign your family up.  Bring your family down to Austin's Colony Park, located behind Harvey Mitchell Elementary School (2500 Austin's Colony Parkway, Bryan) for an evening of movies, games, food and fun.  Hot dogs will be roasted, games will be played, campfire stories will be told, crafts will be made, s'mores will be eaten and the family-friendly Yogi Bear movie will be shown throughout the course of the evening. The Bryan Family Camp Out will conclude on Sunday morning.  Everyone will be packing up around 9am, after a nice hot breakfast (with coffee for the adults) is served.  If you register before Frida... 04/17/2012

If you want to vote in this year's May primary, which helps determine who will be running for President in November, you need to hurry.  The voter registration deadline is quickly approaching, Bryan-College Station citizens!  If you are not currently registered but are living in Bryan-College Station, you must be registered by April 12, 2012 to cast your vote in the May primary. To be eligible to vote here in Brazos County, you must be a US citizen, be at least 18 years old on election day (in this case, May 29, 2012), reside in Brazos County, be registered by election day, have not been convicted of a felony (unless all time served, including probation and any parole, has been completed) or have been declared by a court of law to be mentally incompetent.  Luckily, you don't have to phy... 04/03/2012

We're almost through with the basketball frenzy that is March Madness.  Bryan's answer to March Madness is Animal Adoption Madness.  The City of Bryan's Animal Center (located at 2207 Finfeather Rd) will be offering special discounts when you adopt a dog or cat through its Adoption Madness event going on now through April 3, 2012 (when the women's national championship game takes place). The normally $75 adoption fee has been drastically reduced to $12 (in honor of the Big 12 Conference and Texas A&M's final athletic season).  For your $12 fee, your adopted animal will receive all its first round of shots for puppies and kittens under the age of four months or a Bordatella shot for dogs over four months old.  Additionally, you will receive a certificate to get your new family friend spa... 03/27/2012

Do you need a job? The Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce will be holding a job fair on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the College Station Hilton.  The job fair is free for all job seekers.  You are encouraged to bring your resume and dress professionally.    Here’s a list of companies who will be participating in the job fair:   Allen Academy Area-Wide Phonebook AT&T B/CS Chamber of Commerce BMI Defense Systems Inc. Brazos Valley Community Action Agency Bway Corporation City of Bryan City of College Station Clear Channel Radio Edward Jones Equity Real Estate First Convenience Bank G-Con Biotherapeutics Hilton Home Instead Senior Care Infinity Pro Sports International Schools with Blinn ITT/OI Analytical KBTX Media Key Marketing Solutions KTEX maurices Miles ... 03/13/2012

The Parks and Recreation Department is now holding registration for its Spring activities in Bryan.  From swim classes to tennis, soccer to family campouts, the Bryan Parks and Recs Department offers something for everyone.  As of yesterday, March 5, 2012, you can register for any of the following classes: SWIMMINGBryan Barracudas - Cost: $95 (discounts available for more than one participating child per household).  This recreational swim team is made up of both boys and girls ages 4-18.  Practice sessions will be held Monday through Friday from April 16th to May 27th.  Two practice sessions are available: 5:30pm to 6:45pm or 6:45pm to 8pm. Spring Swim Lessons - Cost: $35 for residents, $45 for non-residents.  Open to anyone ages 3 to adult.  Classes will be held at the Bryan Aquatic C... 03/06/2012

This Saturday, March 3, 2012, Saint Andrews Episcopal Church (217 W 26th St), in partnership with Keep Brazos Beautiful, will be holding an eco-friendly Spring Festival in Bryan, TX.  The Spring Festival will take place in the Saint Andrews parking lot.  Everyone is welcome and admission is free. Included in the day's events are: Free eco-friendly kids games and activities Farmer's market Arts and crafts fair Information booths, including insect information from members of Texas A&M's Entomology Department, gardening information from Brazos County Master Gardeners and information on local outreach programs/organizations Free snacks for kids under 12 (limited supplies) Environmentally-friendly giveaways Local street mobile food favorites Madden's Street Cuisine, Chef Tai Mobile Gourmet a... 02/28/2012

Nothing helps kids learn teamwork and good sportsmanship like being involved in sports.  Kids ages 3-5 are welcome to join up with the City of Bryan's Parks & Rec Department for their public baseball program.  Open registration for Smart Start Baseball in Bryan, TX has begun.  The Smart Start Baseball program is meant to get Bryan kids ready for tee ball...sort of a pre-school for organized baseball programs.  They will learn the basic fundamentals of the game without the pressure of competing with other teams.  This helps kids foster a healthy attitude and excitement to get involved in the sport of baseball while keeping their bodies active.  Franklin Sports and Hasbro have provided age-appropriate equipment for the kids to use.  Some of the skills the kids will learn include how to th... 02/07/2012

2011 was a great year for home sales in Copperfield, Bryan according to the Bryan - College Station, multiple listing service. 24 homes sold in the subdivision ranging in price from $250,000 to $104,900 and they sold on average within 93 days. Copperfield Road runs through Boonville road between Miramont, Tiffany Park and Park Hudson. It is a premier subdivison in Bryan, Texas with an active Homeowners Association, park and pool. As of todays date there are currently 13 houses for sale in Copperfield. For a complete current list of houses for sale in Copperfield as well as detailed information on each home, please click on the following link. Copperfield, Bryan Houses for Sale. Copperfield, Bryan, Texas is the home of award winning Sam Houston Elementary School and is in the center of ... 01/06/2012

In 2011, 18 homes sold in Autumn Lake, Bryan Texas according to the Bryan - College Station Multiple Listing Service. These Stylecraft built homes, built between 2008 and 2011 sold for between $185,034 and $130,000. Located on Villa Maria Road, Autumn Lake currently has 8 homes for sale. These beautifully crafted homes range in price from $159,880 to $138,900 and are listed for $108.49 per square foot on average. Click here for a complete list of Homes for Sale in Autumn Lake, Bryan, Texas For information on any of the homes available for sale in Autumn Lake or for any of the other Stylecraft built homes, please contact us. 01/03/2012

With so many great places to go tonight to ring in the new year, we finally settled on 2 Bryan hot spots. This will be first time I've gone out to ring in the new year with my 17 year old daughter. She's also my designated driver!!! First we are going to The LaSalle Hotel in Downtown Bryan around 9:00 pm to listen to Razz Band and do a little dancing. They are expecting a large crowd and from what I hear there will be food and champagne!  We are then going to Lakeside Icehouse at Lake Bryan to listen to some more music and enjoy the beautiful December/January evening. It will be a great place to be with fantastic company and a beautiful view of the lake to ring in the new year! Bryan - College Station offers all types of New Years events. So get dressed up, get out and enjoy this wonder... 12/31/2011

Austins Colony, Bryan Texas 2011 Home Sales and Houses for Sale. According to the Bryan - College Station, Multiple Listing Service, Austins Colony had 31 homes sell during 2011. Currently there are 16 homes available for sale in Austins Colony, Bryan Texas. Austin's Colony is one of the newer subdivisions in Bryan, Texas, located off Hwy 6 and Boonville Road (FM 158). Austin's Colony Parkway runs from Boonville Road all the way through to Old Reliance Road and supports two great Bryan schools, Harvey Mitchell Elementary and the new Bryan secondary school James Earl Rudder High School. Austin's Colony subdivision is still expanding and is surrounded by many great stores and restaurants. Bryan, Texas only cinema, Aggieland Premiere Cinema, is conveniently located nearby as are many stor... 12/31/2011

As many of you know Maggie the Pig is no longer living with us but she now has an amazing wonderful new home. Thanks to the fantastic people at Brazos Animal Shelter and the hard work of the guys at Still Creek Ranch, Maggie (now known as Maxwell, since she's really a he) is living the in lap of pig luxury at the shelter.  She gets to be the star at birthday parties and shelter events and she's loving her new home, mud and all.  Thank you so much to the Brazos Animal Shelter and the boys at Still Creek Ranch for giving Maggie (er Maxwell) everything we couldn't.  If your ever at the shelter please give Maggie a hug from us and a good ole belly scratch would be much appreciated.          12/18/2011

Very often when a potential buyer calls our office looking for more information on a particular property they are interested in, I find that they don’t always fully understand what the role of a REALTOR® is when it comes time for them to buy a home. The following are some of the more frequently asked questions by buyers: How much will it cost me to use a REALTOR® to help me buy a house? Typically, a buyer does not pay any out of pocket expenses to use a REALTOR® to help them buy a house. Normally a REALTOR® is paid from the sellers proceeds and the agreement for the amount to be paid is pre-determined when the house is initially put on the market. There are exceptions to this but you should always make sure that your agent informs you of any expenses that you may ultimately incur prior ... 12/13/2011