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Mitch Rainey
"Served our Country Now serving you" U.S. Army Veteran who has a passion for Fort Bend County. The opportunities for home ownership in this diverse growing county.
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Richmond, TX Real Estate News

By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
In todays real estate market, mortgage interest rates are near record lows. If you've been in your current home for several years and haven't refinanced lately, there's a good chance you have a mortgage with an interest rate higher than todays average. Here are some options you should consider if you want to take advantage of todays current low rates before they rise.Sell and Move Up (or Downsize)Many of todays homeowners are rethinking what they need in a home and redefining what their dream home means. For some, continued remote work is bringing about the need for additional space. For others, moving to a lower cost-of-living area or downsizing may be great options. If you're considering either of these, there may not be a better time to move. Here's why.The chart below shows average ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
In real estate, its normal to see ebbs and flows in the market. Typically, the summer months are slower-paced than the traditionally busy spring. But this isn't a typical summer. As the economy rebounds and life is returning to normal, the real estate market is expected to have an unusually strong summer season.Here's how this summer is stacking up against the norm and what it means for you.Inventory is increasing.According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), inventory levels have been rising since February of this year. Looking at the graph below, there's a clear upward trend, as shown in the green bars. Currently, there's roughly a 2.5 months supply of homes for sale. And while inventory is trending up as more houses are coming to ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
So-called “smart” devices are increasingly popular, adding new features and functionality to just about every room in your home. One room that you might not consider for a smart upgrade is the kitchen, but you should. There are a number of sensors and connected devices that can transform your kitchen into something special. One great option that’s often overlooked is the addition of a smart faucet to your sink.While smart faucets aren’t as well known (yet) as other smart home add-ons such as smart lighting and smart thermostats, they can have a significant impact on how you use your kitchen. Not only can you turn the faucets on and off in different ways, but you can also have your smart faucets automatically save you money on your water bill. If you’re wondering whether a smart faucet m...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
For some homeowners, trees are a major component of their landscaping. Trees can bring a lot of beauty to your yard while also providing shade and habitats for birds and other animals. Unfortunately, unkempt trees can be kind of ugly and in some cases may even be dangerous. If you’ve got trees on your property that are looking a bit shaggy or that have simply seen better days, here are a few things to consider when trying to decide if they need a trim.Cosmetic Issues When you’re trying to decide whether to trim your trees, the first thing that you should do is look at the general appearance of the tree. You can obviously trim off lone branches that stick out at odd angles, but there’s more to cosmetic considerations than just that. You should also look at whether there are many crisscro...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
There are a lot of tools in the world, and some of them have some very specialized uses. Sometimes these uses are pretty obvious; a hammer is used to hammer nails, and a wrench is used to tighten nuts. Even tools that you think you’re familiar with might surprise you, though; a hammer is a hammer, but do you know the difference between claw hammers and ball-peen hammers? What about all the different types of pliers that you might run across? Knowing exactly how specific tools are supposed to be used can help you to avoid errors and make finding the right tool for the job a lot easier.With that said, here are a few pretty common tools that you might not know enough about to use effectively. Learning a bit more about them will help to ensure that you always have the right tool for the job...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
 Some Highlights The amount of wealth Americans have stored in their homes has increased astronomically. On average, homeowners gained 33,400 in equity over the last 12 months, and the average equity on mortgaged homes is now 216,000. When its time to sell, your home equity can help accomplish your goals. Lets connect to discuss how you can take advantage of todays sellers market to get the most out of your home sale.   
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Whether it’s with knobs, pulls, handles, or some other hardware, you need to have some way to access your cabinets. If your cabinets are relatively new, that hardware is probably fairly modern. But for older cabinets, you may need to replace the hardware, and it might be kind of tricky to figure how to get it. This can make replacing old cabinet hardware stressful, especially if you’re not sure where to start. While your success will depend on the specific pieces that you’re looking for and how recently they were manufactured, here’s some info that will hopefully point you in the right direction if you find yourself on a hardware hunt.The Need to Match Hardware Why do you need to match old cabinet hardware, anyway? There are a few reasons. The most common is that handles and knobs somet...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
As we move into the latter half of the year, questions about what's to come are top of mind for buyers and sellers. Near record-low mortgage rates coupled with rising home price appreciation kicked off a robust housing market in the first half of 2021, but what does the forecast tell us about what's on the horizon?Mortgage Rates Will Likely Increase, but Remain LowMany experts are projecting a rise in interest rates. The latest Quarterly Forecast from Freddie Mac states:We forecast that mortgage rates will continue to rise through the end of next year. We estimate the 30-year fixed mortgage rate will average 3.4% in the fourth quarter of 2021, rising to 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2022.However, even as mortgage rates rise, the anticipated increase is expected to be modest at most, and...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
When it comes to buying a house, you're looking for the perfect place to call home. The problem is, in todays market there just aren't that many homes available to purchase. With inventory hovering near record lows and sky-high buyer demand, a multi-offer scenario is the new normal. Here are five things to keep in mind when you're ready to make an offer.1. Know Your NumbersHaving a complete understanding of your budget and how much house you can afford is essential. That's why you should connect with a lender to get pre-approved for a loan early in the homebuying process. Taking this step shows sellers you're a serious, qualified buyer and can give you a competitive edge in a bidding war.2. Brace for a Fast PaceTodays market is dynamic and fast-paced. According to the Realtors Confidenc...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Shayne Stone "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor" that helps Home Sellers make a Profit and Home Buyers Equity in Candela Richmond Texas 77406Find Your Home Value in CandelaHouses / Land / Lots / Single Family Homes / Acreage For Sale in CandelaHouses / Land / Lots / Single Family Homes / Acreage For Rent in CandelaForeclosure Houses / Land / Lots / Single Family Homes / Acreage in Candela  Can't FIND what you are looking for, ASK ME - I CAN HELP!  For more info on Candela of Richmond Texas or any of the other Communities within the Fort Bend County area CLICK HERE or Text / Call 832-449-6060 Your #LocalRealtor #ShayneStone of #ChampionsRealEstateGroup #HomeSelling #HomeBuying in #Candela of #RichmondTexas Builders in CandelaCoventry HomesPerry HomesWestin Homes 
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
You may have been told that its important to get pre-approved at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what does that really mean, and why is it so important? Especially in todays market, with rising home prices and high buyer competition, its crucial to have a clear understanding of your budget so you stand out to sellers as a serious homebuyer.Being intentional and competitive are musts when buying a home right now. Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan. Just as important, being able to present a pre-approval letter shows sellers you're a qualified buyer, something that can really help you land your dream home in an ultra-competitive market.With limited housing inventory, there are many more buye...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
New Subdivision; Mandola Farms Real Estate Homes For Sale, Rent Shayne Stone "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor" that helps Home Sellers make a Profit and Home Buyers Equity in Mandola Farms Richmond Texas 77406Find Your Home Value in Mandola FarmsHouses / Land / Lots / Single Family Homes / Acreage For Sale in Mandola FarmsHouses / Land / Lots / Single Family Homes / Acreage For Rent in Mandola FarmsForeclosure Houses / Land / Lots / Single Family Homes / Acreage in Mandola Farms Can't FIND what you are looking for, ASK ME - I CAN HELP!  For more info on Mandola Farms of Richmond Texas or any of the other Communities within the Fort Bend County area CLICK HERE or Text / Call 832-449-6060 Your #LocalRealtor #ShayneStone of #ChampionsRealEstateGroup #HomeSelling #HomeBuying in #Mandola Farm...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Building financial wealth and stability remains one of the top reasons Americans choose to own a home, and as a homeowner, your wealth often grows without you even realizing it. In a recent paper published by the Urban Institute, Home Ownership is Affordable Housing, author Mike Loftin illustrates how homeowners increase their equity and their wealth simply by making monthly mortgage payments:The principal portion that reduces the loan balance builds the homeowners equity. In doing so, the principal payments behave like an automatic savings account. The principal payment is not money going out; it is money staying in.But home equity the difference between the value of your home and what you currently owe isn't just built through your monthly principal payments. Home price appreciation p...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Were in the ultimate sellers market right now. If you're a homeowner thinking about selling, you have a huge advantage in todays housing market. High buyer demand paired with very few houses for sale makes this the optimal time to sell for those who are ready to do so. Whatever the move you want to make looks like, here's an overview of what's creating the prime opportunity to sell this summer.High Buyer DemandDemand is strong, and buyers are actively searching for homes to purchase. In the Realtors Confidence Index Survey published monthly by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyer traffic is considered very strong in almost every state. Homebuyers aren't just great in number right now they're also determined to find their dream home. NAR shows the average home for sale today...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
When stay-at-home mandates were enforced last year, many households realized their homes didn't really fulfill their new lifestyle needs. An office (in some cases two), a media room, space for children to learn, a gym, and a large yard are all examples of amenities that became highly desirable almost overnight.Zelman & Associates recently reported that sales of primary residences grew by 9% in 2020. That increase in demand was met by the lowest supply of homes for sale in history. High demand and low supply caused prices to skyrocket over the past twelve months. Here are three home price indexes released most recently that show how home values have risen: FHFA Agency House Price Index shows a 13.9% increase CoreLogic Home Price Insights Report shows an 11.3% increase S&P Case-Shiller U....
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
To get this out there, there’s very little chance that you don’t know what a bug zapper is. There’s also at least a chance that you’ve never actually used one in real life and have just seen them used in a cartoon, movie, or TV show. Bug zappers have all but become a part of pop culture, usually indicating that a character lives in a very rural setting and more often than not comes from the poorer side of the tracks. So let’s get rid of that mental image right off the bat, because bug zappers are actually very useful tools that can make your home and yard a bit more comfortable as bugs that bite are out looking for a nibble in the heat of summer. How Bug Zappers Work While the “zap” in the name gives away a large part of how bug zappers work, the system is a bit more complex than just t...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Many people like homes with high ceilings because of the spaciousness they convey and the vertical space they provide for hangings, artwork, and a variety of other items. There are a few drawbacks to high ceilings, though, and one significant one is how difficult they can make heating and cooling your home. If you aren’t careful, those high ceilings that look so nice can result in a significant increase in your heating and cooling costs when compared to similar homes with lower ceilings. This doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to spend a lot on heating and cooling, however; there are a few things that you can do to make your HVAC system more efficient in your home even if you do have high ceilings. Improve Air Circulation One big thing that you can do is to get the air in your home moving ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
With some credit report errors not getting fixed by either the credit reporting bureau or credit card companies, at least you have the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in your corner.When you find an error in your credit report and send the credit bureau proof that your creditor was wrong when it said you paid late, didnt pay at all, or, worse yet, are deceased, you expect the bureau and your creditor to do the right thing. Like acknowledge the error and correct your credit report to show you paid on time, paid off your debts, or are still alive.And yet, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently had to tell the credit bureaus (and the companies that report your payment record to the bureaus) to pay attention to your complaints and take more care investigating your dis...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Our homes are so much more than the houses we live in. For many, they've also become our workplaces, schools for our children, and safe harbors in which we've weathered the toughest moments of a global pandemic. Today, 65.6% of Americans call their homes their own, a rate that has risen to its highest point in 8 years.As National Homeownership Month kicks off this June, homeowners have every reason to celebrate. A survey by Gallup just ranked real estate as the best investment you can make for the eighth year in a row. However, unlike other investment options, the benefits of owning a home aren't purely financial. Here are the top ways Americans are winning by owning a home.Non-Financial Benefits:1. Civic Participation: Owning a home is owning a part of your neighborhood. Homeowners hav...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
The last year has put emphasis on the importance of ones home. As a result, some renters are making the jump into homeownership while some homeowners are re-evaluating their current house and considering a move to one that better fits their current lifestyle. Understanding how housing affordability works and the main market factors that impact it may help those who are ready to buy a home narrow down the optimal window of time in which to make a purchase.There are three main factors that go into determining how affordable homes are for buyers: Mortgage Rates Mortgage Payments as a Percentage of Income Home Prices The National Association of Realtors (NAR) produces a Housing Affordability Index. It takes these three factors into account and determines an overall affordability score for h...
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By The Legacy Group, The LegacyGroup of CrossCountry Mortgage
(CrossCountry Mortgage)
Being a First Time Homebuyer in Richmond Texas 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 First Time Homebuyer in Richmond Texas greatly outweighs renting for the following reasons:          Greater privacy.          Homes typically increase in val...
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