Resurfacing Countertops: An IntroductionA nice countertop can really make your kitchen stand out. Unfortunately, your counters tend to get a lot of use over their lifetime and can really start to show that wear as they age. Conventional wisdom often suggests that when your counters start to stand out because of their stains or damage then it’s likely time to start thinking about new countertops. That can be a really big expense, though… which is why you might be better off considering resurfacing your countertops first.As the name suggests, resurfacing your countertops provides a new top surface for the countertop that can provide it with a new lease on life. Depending on your reasoning for redoing your countertops and the condition they’re in, there are a few different ways that you ca... 05/29/2022

Do I Need Flood Insurance?Insurance is a great thing to have when the unexpected occurs. Unfortunately, it’s very rare to find a policy that covers every possible thing that might happen to your home; some incidents such as natural disasters typically require separate policies that cover the specific damages that can occur when these sorts of things happen. A good example of this is flood insurance, which isn’t included in most homeowners’ policies, but is still a popular coverage option.When looking at insurance options, you may find yourself asking whether or not you need flood insurance. It’s one of those policies where if you really do need it then it’s practically a must-have, but if you’re unlikely to ever actually use it then it is somewhat of an unnecessary expense. To help you ... 05/08/2022

Special Government Home Renovation Loan Program using Katy Texas FHA 203k Mortgage Loans. Many are not aware of a special government loan program that is actually a part of FHA (Federal Housing Administration- a department within HUD). Existing home owners or potential home buyers can remodel and update their homes without having a higher cost second lien because of this FHA loan program.  "Luxury items" like a hot tub and a swimming pool are not allowed by this FHA loan program. Repaint, remodel cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms, add wallpaper, replace appliances and flooring and even a add a room to an existing structure (which will increase the value of the homes square footage).  One of the biggest advantages to this government loan program is you have all of your acquisition or r... 03/01/2022

The #1 Reason To Sell Your House TodayAlmost every industry is currently struggling with supply chain disruptions. This also applies to the current U.S. housing market, where buyer demand far exceeds housing supply.Purchaser demand is very strong right now. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just released their latest Existing Home Sales Report which reveals that sales surged in January. Existing home sales rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.5 million an increase of 6.7% from the prior month, with sales up in all regions. However, there's one big challenge.Inventory Is at an All-Time LowBecause purchaser demand is so high, the market is running out of available homes for sale. The above-mentioned report states that the current months supply of inventory of homes for ... 02/28/2022

Don't Let Student Loans Delay Your Homeownership DreamsIf you're looking to buy a home, you may be wondering how your student loan debt could impact those plans. Do you have to wait until you've paid off your student loans before you can buy your first home? Or could you qualify for a home loan with that debt?To give you the answers you're searching for, lets take a look at what recent data shows. That way, you know what to expect and what to do next to achieve your dream of becoming a homeowner. While everyone's situation is unique, your goal may be more within your reach than you realize.Do you have to delay your plans because of student loans?If youre worried your student loans mean you have to put your homeownership goals on hold, you're not alone. In fact, many first-time buyers be... 02/15/2022

Why a Move Could Bring You More Happiness This YearOver the past two years, we've lived through one of the most stressful periods in recent history. Because of the health crisis, many of us have spent more time at home and that's led us to re-evaluate both what we need in a house and how much we appreciate having a safe space. If you've found your current home isn't filling all your needs, you may be wondering if its time to find a new one.There's reason to believe a change of scenery could boost your happiness. Catherine Hartley, an Assistant Professor at New York University's Department of Psychology and co-author of a study on how new experiences impact happiness, says:Our results suggest that people feel happier when they have more variety in their daily routines when they go to nov... 02/08/2022

There's no denying the financial benefits of homeownership, but what's often overlooked are the feelings of gratitude, security, pride, and comfort we get from owning a home. This year, those emotions are stronger than ever. Weve lived through a time that has truly changed our needs and who we are, and as a result, homeownership has a whole new meaning for many of us.According to the 2021 State of the American Homeowner report by Unison:Last year, staying home became a necessity and that caused many homeowners to have renewed gratitude for the roof over their head.As a nation, we continue to work through the challenges of a pandemic that's pushed us all to new limits. Over the past year and a half, we've spent more time than ever at home: working, eating, schooling, exercising, and more... 12/10/2021

Becoming financially secure is an important goal for many people today, but some don't realize just how much homeownership can help them achieve that dream. A recent report, The Journey Toward Financial Freedom, surveys Americans about their perspective on financial wellness and their goals. It shows there may be a significant misconception about the role owning a home plays in building wealth:Home ownership is one of the indicators Americans say is least connected to financial health.”Two major personal wealth goals homeownership and net worth work hand-in-hand. Below are just a few reasons why, if you're looking for financial security, homeownership should be a top priority.Homeownership Is an Important Cornerstone of Building WealthEvery three years, the Federal Reserve releases the ... 09/10/2021

If you're thinking of buying a home, there really is no time like the present. With todays low mortgage rates, you have a great opportunity to get more home for your money. The challenge is inventory. Like you, many buyers want to capitalize on these market conditions, and its leading to more buyer competition and bidding wars.If you're having a hard time finding a home to buy, it may be time to talk to your trusted real estate advisor about a newly built home. Early indicators show new-home construction is beginning to ramp up. While new homes alone wont be able to fix all of the inventory challenges, this does mean you'll soon have more options as you search for a home. As a buyer, a newly built home may be exactly what you're looking for its brand new, and with builder customization ... 07/16/2021

In todays real estate market, low inventory and high demand are driving up home prices. As many as 54% of homes are getting offers over the listing price, based on the latest Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Shawn Telford, Chief Appraiser at CoreLogic, elaborates:The frequency of buyers being willing to pay more than the market data supports is increasing.While this is great news for todays sellers, it can be tricky to navigate if the price of your contract doesn't match up with the appraisal for the house. Its called an appraisal gap, and its happening more in todays market than the norm.According to recent data from CoreLogic, 19% of homes had their appraised value come in below the contract price in April of this year. That's more than double... 07/05/2021

The pandemic created a tremendous interest in vacation homes across the country. Throughout the last year, many people purchased second homes as a safe getaway from the challenges of the health crisis. With many professionals working from home and many students taking classes remotely, it made sense to see a migration away from cities and into counties with more vacation destinations.The 2021 Vacation Home Counties Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that this increase in vacation home sales continues in 2021. The report examines sales in counties where vacant seasonal, occasional, or recreational use housing account for at least 20% of the housing stock and compares that data to the overall residential market.Their findings show: Vacation home sales rose by 16.... 06/28/2021

 Some Highlights Todays sellers market provides unique challenges and benefits for buyers. Current low interest rates wont last forever, and home prices are forecast to rise. If you're a homebuyer, hang in there. Homeownership improves your quality of life, and the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term challenges.   06/25/2021

The laundry room can be one of the busiest rooms in the house. The problem with this is that many laundry rooms aren’t actually designed with all of the functions of a laundry room in mind. In many homes, the room is just the place where clothes are cleaned, and various detergents and other laundry aids are stored. Your laundry room can be so much more, though!One great way to take an ordinary laundry room and make it serve a greater purpose is to install custom cabinets. This won’t just help you to keep all your laundry supplies organized, either. Custom cabinets can add more functions to the room, completely changing up the way you do the laundry. Here are a few ideas that can help. Hanging and Folding For many people, doing the laundry involves bringing clothes into the laundry room,... 06/19/2021

Some Highlights When you rent, you build your landlords wealth, your monthly payment depends on ever-rising rents, and you don't benefit from home price appreciation. On the other hand, when you own your home, you build your own wealth, your monthly payment is locked in, and you benefit directly from home price appreciation. If you're feeling the challenges of a competitive market, remember that homeownership is a long-term game. Persevering today will lead to financial rewards in the future.    06/18/2021

Paint, paint, glorious paint! It’s one of the least expensive materials you can buy for your house that delivers one of the biggest visual punches. It also fixes a myriad of problems. Got a tired exterior? Paint. The interior of your home feels like it’s closing in on you? Paint. Bought a couch that you love, but clashes with everything else? PAINT.In all seriousness, paint is a great way to brighten, enliven, and give your home a serious face lift – inside and out. But once you’ve picked a color, what comes next? How do you choose the right paint and actually buy the right amount for your project?Choosing Your Perfect Paint Choosing paint can be overwhelming. There are always a variety of grades and characteristics to choose among, leaving a lot of people very confused and frustrated. ... 06/09/2021

The benefits of a preapproval (not prequalification) for Mortgages in Katy Texas. Many consumers are not informed on the proper way for buying a home. No question, this is a big decision, and one that can be either immensely stressful- or immensely enjoyable- depending on how you go about the home buying process of Mortgages in Katy Texas and the surrounding areas. The key is to take the proper steps to educate yourself on your buying power, initial investment, and taking some time to think about your lifestyle choices. This article will cover all of these.   Education    The steps necessary to purchasing a home in Katy, Texas starts with getting pre-approved for your home loan. Notice we did not say get prequalified- in today’s world a prequalification is not meaningful. You should cho... 04/15/2021

Being a Katy Texas First Time Homebuyer makes you have to consider your options before you buy. The first thing you will need to consider is what your long-term goals are with being a home owner and how your goals fit in with that plan. One goal could be to stop paying rent that just increases after every lease you renew.Buying your own home first is one of the happiest times of your life! However, a lot of paperwork and time goes into it and finding a lender with great reviews will ease much of the stress. But, the satisfaction you get from your first home closing is something you will never forget! The benefits of being a Katy Texas First Time Homebuyer greatly outweighs renting for the following reasons:          Greater privacy.          Homes typically increase in value the older t... 04/13/2021

We are excited to let you know that we have invested in a new technology called Homebot to be your free personal guide through your home-buying journey.Homebot is a monthly financial dashboard that enables you to maximize the most of your home-buying search.When you sign up you will receive a regular email called the “Homebot Market Report”- a customized interactive guide with critical information to help you buy smart. Homebot offers buyers the ability to search for homes in your area at no cost to you.What will the Homebot Market Report do for you? Explore neighborhoods and cities nationwide to find the best market to match your goals Use current market temperatures to guide your buying strategy Estimate how much home you can afford at today's interest rates See how much your new home... 03/16/2021

Veterans now have access to a new VA renovation loan to refurbish or remodel their homes.  This loan program is available for new home purchases as well as for remodeling homes currently owned by the veteran.  It is estimated that over 50% of homes nationally are 40 years or older, and in the current housing market many homes are in need of updating, addressing deferred maintenance, or improving the energy efficiency of homes to lower utility costs.VA loan benefits include the following unique advantages:  a.  up to 100% financing, b.  no mortgage insurance, c.  up to $ 35,000 in renovation funds escrowed, d.  all renovations must be completed within 60 days of closing, e.  you can close on a purchase or refinance in the “as is” condition, f. you can borrow against the future value of t... 03/12/2021

The benefits of a preapproval (not prequalification) for Mortgage Loans in Katy Texas. Many consumers are not informed on the proper way for buying a home. No question, this is a big decision, and one that can be either immensely stressful- or immensely enjoyable- depending on how you go about the home buying process of Mortgage Loans in Katy Texas and the surrounding areas. The key is to take the proper steps to educate yourself on your buying power, initial investment, and taking some time to think about your lifestyle choices. This article will cover all of these.   Education    The steps necessary to purchasing a home in Katy, Texas starts with getting pre-approved for your home loan. Notice we did not say get prequalified- in today’s world a prequalification is not meaningful. You ... 02/22/2021