Beautiful home for rent in Bentwater!

Beautiful home for rent in Bentwater.  Contact Denise Frank with Hometown Realtors of Texas.  We are located at 2219 Sawdust Road in The Woodlands, TX.

List price is $2,385 per month.
302 Woodside, Montgomery, TX 77356

 APRIL FREE** Stunning 3,095 square foot home now available. This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home features a family room with fireplace, over sized windows and high ceilings, island kitchen with plenty of cabinet space, wet bar, and formal dining room and so much more! You'll fall in love as soon as you walk through the front door and step into that grand foyer. Owner is upgrading kitchen counters to granite. Will be complete before move-in. Call today to see for your self!

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Three Times You Can Kiss Your Earnest Money Goodbye

The earnest money deposit—the cash you offer to essentially call dibs on a house—is one of the most important and misunderstood parts of the home-buying process.

You can expect to put down anywhere from 1% to even 10% of the home’s purchase price as earnest money. (In some highly competitive markets, buyers are making even larger deposits in an effort to stand out.) An earnest money deposit tells a seller you are serious about closing. Without earnest money, you could theoretically make offers on multiple homes, essentially taking them off the market until you decide which one you like best.

Don’t worry—the seller isn’t going to run off to Aruba with your cash. It remains in an escrow account or with the title company until the sale closes. And, if everything goes off without a hitch, that earnest money is put toward your down payment and closing costs. So there’s nothing to lose, right?

Probably not, except these three scenarios where your earnest money could end up financing the seller’s trip to Aruba.

bye bye!

1. You waived your contingencies

In highly competitive markets, it’s becoming more common for buyers to waive contract contingencies regarding financing or an inspection. You might be tempted to do the same—it will make you a more attractive buyer. But it also comes with serious risks. You guessed it: You might lose your earnest money deposit.

The financing contingency guarantees that you’ll get your money back if for some reason your mortgage doesn’t go through and you’re unable to purchase the house. The inspection contingency allows you to renegotiate the price or demand repairs if serious defects are found during the inspection.

If your contract doesn’t have such buyer protections and you run into trouble with the inspection, you won’t be able to get your money back if you abandon the deal. Most experts recommend that you not waive the inspection contingency, unless you’re planning on tearing the property down.

As for the mortgage-financing contingency, waiving it may be the only way to compete with all-cash buyers. But you’ve got to be absolutely sure that you’ll be able to get approval from your bank.

2. You ignored the timeline outlined in the contract

Your contract usually sets out a specific time frame in which you’ll need to secure financing, get the home inspected, and be available for the closing. Generally speaking, as long as you’ve made a good-faith effort to adhere to the timeline, sellers will grant a reasonable extension if a lender drags his feet or there are other extenuating circumstances that delay things.

However, in some cases sellers may include a “time is of the essence” clause in the contract. Watch out for this phrase in your paperwork—it means the closing date for the sale is binding. If you can’t make it to close for any reason, you’ve breached the contract and could lose your deposit.

3. You get cold feet

If you have a change of heart about the home you’re buying—but there’s no problem with the property or the financing—you likely will not get your money back.

“If a buyer changes her mind and was able to request the down payment be returned without consequence then the whole idea of a contract would no longer be worth much. You just can't walk away on a whim.

The earnest money deposit serves a protection for the sellers when they take their home off the market. If late in the game you decide that you no longer want to make the purchase, they get to keep it as compensation for the time and money they have to spend on listing their home again and looking for another buyer.

When it comes to real estate, a case of buyer’s remorse could be even more painful than a lost deposit. To avoid both, really make sure the home you’re bidding on is “the one.”

6 Reasons You Should Never Buy or Sell a Home Without an Agent

It’s a slow Sunday morning. You’ve just brewed your espresso and popped open your laptop to check out the latest home listings before you hit the road for a day of open houses.

You’re DIYing this real estate thing, and you think you’re doing pretty well—after all, any info you might need is at your fingertips online, right? That and your own sterling judgment.

Oh, dear home buyer (or seller!)—we know you can do it on your own. But you really, really shouldn’t. This is likely the biggest financial decision of your entire life, and you need a Realtor® if you want to do it right. Here’s why.

1. We have loads of expertise

Want to check the MLS for a 4B/2B with an EIK and a W/D? Real estate has its own language, full of acronyms and semi-arcane jargon, and we are trained to speak that language fluently.

Plus, buying or selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. We have the expertise to help you prepare a killer deal—while avoiding delays or costly mistakes that can seriously mess you up.

2. We have turbocharged searching power

The Internet is awesome. You can find almost anything—anything! And with online real estate listing sites such as yours truly, you can find up-to-date home listings on your own, any time you want. But guess what? We have access to even more listings. Sometimes properties are available but not actively advertised. We can help you find those hidden gems.

3. We have bullish negotiating chops

Any time you buy or sell a home, you’re going to encounter negotiations—and as today’s housing market heats up, those negotiations are more likely than ever to get a little heated.

You can expect lots of competition, cutthroat tactics, all-cash offers, and bidding wars. Don’t you want a savvy and professional negotiator on your side to seal the best deal for you?

And it’s not just about how much money you end up spending or netting. As your realtor, we will help draw up a purchase agreement that allows enough time for inspections, contingencies, and anything else that’s crucial to your particular needs.

4. We’re connected to everyone

Realtors might not know everything, but we make it our mission to know just about everyone who can possibly help in the process of buying or selling a home. Mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, home inspectors, home stagers, interior designers—the list goes on—and they’re all in our network. Use them.

5. We adhere to a strict code of ethics

Not every real estate agent is a Realtor, who is a licensed real estate salesperson who belongs to the National Association of Realtors®, the largest trade group in the country.

What difference does it make? Realtors are held to a higher ethical standard than licensed agents and must adhere to a Code of Ethics.

6. We’re your sage parent/data analyst/therapist—all rolled into one

The thing about Realtors: We wear a lot of different hats. Sure, we’re salespeople, but we actually do a whole heck of a lot to earn our commission. We’re constantly driving around, checking out listings for you. We spend our own money on marketing your home (if you’re selling). We’re researching comps to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

And, of course, we’re working for you at nearly all hours of the day and night—whether you need more info on a home or just someone to talk to in order to feel at ease with the offer you just put in. This is the biggest financial (and possibly emotional) decision of your life, and guiding you through it isn’t a responsibility we Realtors take lightly.

The Numbers Are In: Yup, 2016 Is Off to a Good Start in Home Sales

We may be on the verge of spring, but housing and economic reports work on a bit of a lag time. We’ve only just gotten the major data reports for January, and it’s giving us a clear-eyed view of how the real estate market is measuring up this year.

And yeah, things are looking good.

Job creation—arguably the most important factor in housing demand—is moving apace. January saw 151,000 jobs created. That level of employment growth is below 2015’s monthly average, but unemployment is now near 10-year lows and is in line with the current macro forecast from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). This level of employment growth should translate into the 3% growth in housing sales we are expecting for the year.

Speaking of sales, January’s existing home sales report did not disappoint. Even though sales are taking longer to close, due to the implementation of new disclosure and closing forms and procedures, the pace grew 0.4% in January from December. Granted, that’s not a lot, but analysts had been expecting a decline. And from January 2015 to January 2016, existing home sales grew a solidly impressive 11%.

The increase in sales is resulting in continued tighter-than-tight supply—measured by NAR to be four months in January.  For you non-economists out there, that metric measures the number of months it would take to sell the current inventory of available homes, at the current pace. Got it? Six to seven months’ worth of homes on the market is considered normal; four months is cray-cray.

This is driving prices higher and encouraging consumers who hope to buy this year to get started as soon as possible

January’s new home sales and new home construction remained consistent with the pace of activity of the last several months. Still, the level of new construction still represents solid year-over-year growth, especially in single-family homes. The most encouraging sign: The median price of new homes is finally declining, as a result of the fact that builders are offering more affordable homes.

Finally, the most timely readings we can pass on come from our own observations at realtor.com that confirm that demand is growing rapidly at the start of the year, resulting in an acceleration in inventory movement that we typically do not see until March or April.

OK, not everything is rainbows and unicorns. The biggest negative trend impacting potential demand relates to the January and February declines in stock values, which have taken a toll on consumer confidence. But, even that negative trend has a silver lining: Mortgage rates are now substantially lower. The average 30-year conforming rate has stabilized at under 3.7%, giving buyers almost 5% more buying power than they had at the end of 2015, and strengthening their ability to meet the debt-to-income ratio requirement for a loan.

Net-net, pent-up demand appears stronger than any weakness caused by the financial markets. And the lower rates are encouraging would-be buyers to act sooner rather than later. With this strong start, 2016 should indeed see growth, but the biggest constraint will be the tight supply.

In the market to sell your home?  Give us a call!

Refinancing: The Right Move?

Refinancing: The Right Move?

The federal reserve recently raised interest rates, and if you have an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM), it may be a good time to consider refinancing your home. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether your should refinance, so here are a few of the main considerations.

How long does your introductory rate last? Most ARMs have a fixed rate for the beginning of the mortgage. This is an introductory period (usually 3-10 years) when your rate will remain constant before it can be adjusted. If you have several years left in your introductory period, you can monitor interest rates for a while before making a decision. But if the intro rate is ending soon, it’s a great time to explore refinancing at a fixed rate.

How long are you staying? If you plan to sell your home soon—especially if you’re still on a fixed introductory rate—there’s not much motivation to refinance. But if you’ll be at your home indefinitely, you should consider your refinancing options. You could eliminate the stress of not knowing what your future mortgage rate and payments will be.

What’s your loan balance? The change in your mortgage payment will of course be determined in part by your remaining balance. If you owe $100,000-$200,000, a new interest rate may not greatly affect your monthly payment. On the other hand, if you owe $500,000, a change in interest rate could lead to a much higher payment.

Other factors The previous items are just a few of the factors that should go into a decision about refinancing. Changes in income and your current credit score should also be considered, so be sure to weigh your options and make an educated decision.

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The Woodlands Real Estate Broker

WANTING TO BUY OR REFINANCE YOUR HOME?
We have partenered up with a perferred lender to make the buying process more affordable! Give our office a call today to be in touch with our preferred lender!

Five Maintenance Resolutions for your home

We may be a little removed from New Year’s Day, but it’s not too late to make some new resolutions for your home.

1. Start a home repair slush fund: Things in your home are going to break and need to fixed. It’s just a fact that comes with home ownership. Rather than letting expensive repairs take you by surprise, start planning for them. Set aside some money each month that you can eventually draw from when an appliance breaks or unexpected.
2. Inspect your fireplace: Even if you have a gas fireplace, you should still inspect the valves and ceramic logs yearly to ensure that everything is operating safely and correctly. If you have wood fireplace, hire a certified chimney sweep to do the job.
3. Maintain your garage door: Garage doors are big and heavy, and that puts a lot of stress on the hinges and tracks that are use to open and close the door several times a day. A regularly scheduled $50 inspection could save you hundreds or thousands in the long run.
4. Tune up your furnace: Regular furnace inspections will help identify minor problems before they turn into major ones. Also, set reminders to replace your furnace filter.
5. Clean your coils: The No. 1 refrigerator maintenance task should be cleaning the condenser coils. They can get clogged with hair and dust, reducing your fridge’s efficiency. Have you cleaned yours lately? You can hire a professional to do it, but it’s also an easy do-it-yourself job.

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The Woodlands Real Estate

If you're looking to prepare your home for sale and you live in the Greater Houston area, give our office a call today!  We can help you prepare your home to sell for maximum dollar.

Check out this Rug made of Rocks!

How would you like a rug like this?!  It's made of rocks!  The intricacy and design of this rug must have taken hours and I wish I knew who made these because I would get one for our house!

Denise

Check out this beautiful home for sale in High Meadow Ranch!



$ 1,395,000

424 High Meadow Ranch; Magnolia, TX 77355

4 Beds
3 Full Bath
2 Half Bath

7,173 Bldg Sqft
2.90 Lot Acres
Single Family

Wrought iron gate opens onto the circular drive which provides ample parking for friends and family

Inviting French doors open into the foyer of the elegant custom home.

View from the entry way into the formal living area currently used as a billiard room

Stunning custom 1 story beauty on almost 3 acres in the serene High Meadow Ranch located in Magnolia, TX The perfect balance of elegance combined with country living. Kitchen worthy of a chef features Viking stainless steel appliances & wine cooler. Pebble Tec pool w/ spa, summer kitchen including pizza oven is perfect for entertaining or simply relaxing with a view of the pond. Two Masters!! Interior vacuum. Recent upgrades include new roof, 3 new Trane AC units and generator for entire home. Spacious personal gym!

Visit our listing in HAR for more information on this beauty!

If you are in the market to sell your home in The Woodlands, Conroe, Spring, or Greater Houston area, give our real estate agents a call!  We are very knowledgeable of the market we're in.  You're home is probably not only the most valuable asset you have, but it's also a piece of who you are.  We understand that and treat you as a long-life partner, working towards a common goal.

Give us a call today!

Home staging: Does it make a difference?

It seems to be universally accepted that home staging will help your home sell faster or for the best price—it’s been the common practice in the real estate business for a long time, and on the surface it seems like a no-brainer. Of course potential buyers will be more interested if a home is properly decorated, right?

That’s not necessarily true, according to a recent academic study. The study surveyed 820 home buyers by showing them one of six virtual tours of the same property. In some instances the home was decorated with traditional furniture and color schemes, while in others more eccentric furniture and colors were used. In other tours there was no furniture at all, just empty rooms.

The overall results of the study were that staging is unlikely to increase a home’s sale price, and that staging isn’t quite as important as everyone believes.

Of course, real estate trends vary greatly from market to market. If you have questions about staging, give us a call!  Our team of trusted and talent real estate agents will consult with you and give you the best advice for selling your home for top dollar!!

The Woodlands Real Estate Broker

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Sneaky Renter Edits Lease, Requiring Landlord To Provide Something Very Important

And this is why NO ONE should ever do a contract in Word!

We’ve all heard the horror stories of being a landlord, but this one takes the cake (quite literally).

You see, a good rule of thumb is to always read a lease before signing it…

…and one landlord learned that the hard (and hilarious) way.

In this case, the landlord sent a lease to his tenant as a Word document, not a PDF, making the document editable.

D’oh!

That tenant (who goes by the screen name “Glorious Gherkins”on Reddit) was smart enough to catch his landlord’s mistake and capitalized on it by adding a “cake clause” to the lease.

This is a hard lesson in knowing the difference between a PDF and a word doc.

Now some will question the legality of adding a “cake clause” to your lease (or why you opted for cake instead of punch and pie), especially the landlord’s lawyers. Many Reddit users have already voiced their disdain for the legality of the tenant’s move, or are flat-out deriding them for adjusting the lease in the first place.

The tenant has said that he’ll hold his landlord to the adjusted lease. The landlord, we’re assuming, is making sure to get the chocolate cake with the whipped frosting trying to be a good sport. Let’s hope everyone in this situation plays nice. Let’s also hope the landlord sends all future communication in PDF format lest he be required to provide jugglers and a bouncy house for his tenant next year.

Denise Frank, Hometown Realtors of Texas

National Multiple Personality Day!

Did you know that today is multiple personality day?  So I did some research and came across some interesting facts about today:

After much research, we have found that it is looked at in two different ways:

Some people look at National Multiple Personality Day as a day to look at yourself and connect with who you are. It is a day for exploring your own  personality traits and examining the roots of those traits.  Each one of us shows a different side of our personalities at different times and in different places.  Sometimes our personalities appear to be altered, depending on whom we are with and what we are doing.  With these things in mind, National Multiple Personality Day is a day to focus your thoughts on yourself and your own personality.

The other set of people believe it may be that National Multiple Personality Day is a day to raise awareness for this disorder.  Multiple Personality Disorder, also known as Dissociative Identity Disorder, is a disorder characterized by at least two distinct and relatively enduring identities or dissociated personality states that alternately control a person’s behavior.   It is accompanied by memory impairment for important information not explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

You may know someone, maybe a friend or family member, who has been diagnosed with Multiple Personality Disorder.  If so, spend some extra time with them on National Multiple Personality Day.

Either way, it's a beautiful day in Conroe and with already one showing appointment down for a rental, it's time to get outside and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Denise -- Broker/Owner Hometown Realtors of Texas

Our sister site is up and running!

SPRING is the best time to sell your home. Find out what your home is worth with a FREE Home Value Report!

A home well listed is a home SOLD!

Hometown Realtors of Texas

My first blog post!

We just got a new listing today in Spring!

http://www.har.com/spring/realestate/for_sale?streetaddress=24819+Morningsong+Ct

I remember when this neighborhood was being built.  Sometime in mid-2000's, when my daughters were totting around.  There were fields where houses now stand.  Our friends and I would go 4-wheeling in the 'hood exploring everything the new neighborhood had to offer.  And as new families moved in, the neighborhood family started to grow.  Fast forward some 15 years later and the neighborhood kid that used to babysit is now grown up, out of college and teaches school!  Amazing how time flies and things change.  But memories are memories and they are to be cherished.  Makes me wonder who the next family to move here will be

Denise Frank is Owner/Broker of Hometown Realtors of Texas