Your Top 5 Home Buying Criteria

Deciding to buy a home is a big decision!  Whether it’s your first home or your tenth home it’s a big decision.   

The National Association of Realtors survey of home buyers shows that one of the main things home buyers want from their Realtor is help finding the perfect home.  That’s why when I first begin working with any home buyer the first thing I do is discuss with them what they are looking for in their Houston real estate home purchase.  The answer I get is usually something like 3 bedrooms, 2 and half baths and a 3 car garage with granite countertops and wood floors.   Ok that’s about ONE million homes in West Houston alone!  

So what more should you think about when you start your home search ?    Think about how you plan to live in your home, what are the most important rooms, where will you spend most of your time, what are the activities you need room for, what does the outdoor area look like ? 

 Buying a home is not only a very big financial decision is also a very personal decision - this will be your home for many years to come.  So sit down and really think about the top 5 most important things you want in your home and then share them with your Realtor.   If you do this your search will much more pleasant and you will find your perfect home!

If you need a good Houston Real Estate agent that will sit down and take the time to discuss with you the home buying process and finding your perfect home please call me – Connie Vallone 713 249 4177  my email is connie@knowsrealestate.com  You can check out what past clients have to say on my Linkedin Profile or my Houston Association of Realtors client experience rating.

www.vallonehomes.com

Does Moving up make sense in our Current Real Estate Market?

 

Does moving up make sense in our current Houston real estate market?

Yes! If you are thinking that you have grown out of your current Houston home and you plan to move up in the next 2 or 3 years but are waiting to sell until the market improves – You need to – Think AGAIN!

The percentage in gain you may get from your current lower priced home in the next few years will be outpaced by any gain you will enjoy in your new higher priced home. If the market only increase 3-4% in the next year or two and your current home is worth $250,000 you will earn much less than if you buy that new home you want for $300,000. 4% of $250k is $10,000. 4% of $350K $14,000.

Right now is the time to find good deals in the Houston real estate market and while you might be thinking you need to wait for prices to come back before you sell don’t forget the house you want to move up to is also going to be higher in price.

For first time home buyers and those looking to move up now is the time to take advantage of a great market.

For more information about buying or selling your Houston home contact

Connie Vallone – Broker Associate First Market Realty    713 249 4177 or connie@knowsrealestate.com

http://members.har.com/Realtor-Agent-Rating/process/dispagentrating.cfm?member_number=579645  or http://www.houstonenergycorridorhomes.com

Why Your Real Estate Agent Should Know Mortgage Finance

 

If you are in the market to buy a home make no mistake a real estate professional that understands mortgage finance can save you from making costly mistakes.  Additionally they can help you find the right mortgage professional to help you with financing by referring good loan officers.  It’s risky shopping for a mortgage loan on the internet.  I have seen a lot of baiting and switching from internet lenders.  Make sure you are using a trustworthy mortgage professional.

After spending 20 plus years in mortgage finance in the Houston Real Estate market one of the first things I do with any new clients is to determine a few basic things they will need to qualify for a mortgage loan and then immediately refer them to a seasoned mortgage professional.    By immediately determining how much you qualify to purchase there is no wasted time looking for homes the you can not qualify to buy.  

This also saves you from potential heart-break of finding your “dream home” only to find out you don’t qualify to buy it.   By finding out before you begin your search how much you qualify to purchase you can set your upper limit before you ever go out to look.   If you start looking at $400,000. homes and then find out you qualify up to $200,000. that $200,000 home is going look like any ugly duckling compared to the more expensive homes.  

So when you decide to purchase a home and start interviewing Houston Real Estate agents find out if they can help you in determining how much you can afford and refer you to a good reputable mortgage professional. 

Connie Vallone  - Broker Associate First Market Realty  member of Houston Association of Realtors , Texas Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors

713 249 4177  or connie@knowsrealestate.com

www.vallonehomes.com or  www.houstonenergycorridorhomes.com  

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Save the Forest in Terry Hershey Park !

The City of Houston and Harris County are planning to BULLDOZE the forest around Terry Hershey Park !!! This beautiful natural home to many of our cities resident squirrels, snakes,rabbits, possums and many more plus all the beautiful trees have to be saved.  There are alternatives to destroying this beautiful park !!!!!

Please visit http://www.briarforestsn.org/main.cfm?link=182 -save our forest for more information and to sign a petition.

City of Houston Public Works & Engineering (PWE) plans to rip out the forest and build six detention basins along the southern banks of Buffalo Bayou.

The project is fully funded by the City of Houston and will move forward when approved by Harris County.

Learn about PWE, its plans, the interrelationship with Harris County, why it is doing what it is doing to our forest, why what it is doing is not necessary, and find out what you can do about it.

Connie Vallone , First Market Realty www.houstonenergycorridorhomes.com  or http://www.vallonehomes.com

Forest around Terry Hershey Park

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NEW LEASE LISTING! 14630 Wind Hollow Circle, Houston, TX 77040 – MLS# 47732764

NEW LEASE LISTING! 14630 Wind Hollow Circle, Houston, TX 77040 – MLS# 47732764

Step into this beautiful home featuring-upgraded tile flooring in entry and kitchen with laminate wood dining area. Kitchen flows to dining area and into your huge living area with French doors and views of your very own private oasis featuring a big sparkling pool with still plenty of play room. Stay cool under the big mature oak trees. Highly sought after Jersey Village schools. Cul-de-sac lot. New roof, exterior paint, hardiplank and carpet. Landlord will pay for pool maintenance.

Follow this link for more information:

http://search.har.com/engine/14630-Wind-Hollow-Circle-Houston-TX-77040_HAR47732764.htm  or contact Connie Vallone with First Market Realty at 713-249-4177 or connie@knowsrealestate.com