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Houston, TX

Gallantly Streaming

Sara Goss,   Realtor, Houston Bay Area, Texas: Real Estate Agent in League City, TX

old glory

Long may it wave, those broad stripes and bright stars.
Happy Fourth of July to you and yours.


©2009 Sara Goss All rights reserved


SARA GOSS, REALTOR®
HatmakerGroup.com GMAC Real Estate
www.har.com/saragoss

Proudly serving home buyers and home sellers in the Houston Bay Area of Texas.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

A Door with Some Weight to It

Sara Goss,   Realtor, Houston Bay Area, Texas: Real Estate Agent in League City, TX

older homesSometimes the best thing about selling real estate is looking at properties. Most of my buyers are looking for fairly new homes, or new construction. But recently, I have been showing a couple some older homes. They are are relocating from the east coast and want a home with a sense of history, a traditional home in their words.





I'm secretly jumping up and down because I love older homes. All those extra architectural details and built-ins are just plain cool.






In the greater bay area of Houston, Texas, we are still experiencing rapid growth, and that means there are dozens and dozens and dozens of fairly new homes and subdivisions. In all price ranges. I like scouting the new ones and staying aware of progress on existing communities. Close-Out! Now that's a happy word here if you are looking for a bargain in new construction.





Showing older homes is one of the ultimate experiences for me as a buyer's agent. Around every corner there may be more quirky built-in storage in the teeniest tiniest little section of wall. Or door hardware and fixtures that seem timeless and substantial, not aluminum and disposable and to-be-replaced in 5-10 years. Wide framing around a doorway says "permanence" and in a way references the stability of families, jobs and commitment to a place that have deteriorated in subsequent times. Admit it, it's just plain satisfying to swing open a door that has some weight to it.






Don't know what my buyers will ultimately choose, but glad we are of like minds when it comes to older homes. Not quite a fetish, just a strong fondness. Can't wait to view some more homes on their list!




©2009 Sara Goss All rights reserved


SARA GOSS, REALTOR®
HatmakerGroup.com GMAC Real Estate
Search Listings: www.har.com/saragoss

Serving the Houston Bay Area of Texas, helping families sell their houses and helping families find the home of their dreams, from new construction to historical homes.

Foto Friday: Fear?

Sara Goss,   Realtor, Houston Bay Area, Texas: Real Estate Agent in League City, TX




They are only learning opportunities.

Photo©2009 Sara Goss All rights reserved

Stay Cool!

SARA GOSS, REALTOR®
HatmakerGroup.com GMAC Real Estate
Search Listings: www.har.com/saragoss

Serving the Houston Bay Area of Texas, helping families sell their houses and helping families find the home of their dreams.

The HOA Has It ALL Wrong When It Comes To REAL ESTATE

Greg Nino Houston Texas: Real Estate Agent in Houston, TX

I have two condos for sale here in Houston. Both have the sign in the window. One of the many responsibilities that MOST, if not all Home Owners Associations have is to help preserve the value of the neighborhood. They do this be enforcing their "rules."

I think one of the rules some HOA's have is not only counter productive, but quite stupid.

12

RING-RING:

HOA REP: Hi Greg, this is XXX from ABC HOA. I need you to take your signs down.

GREG: Why?

HOA REP: A couple here & there wouldn't bother us, but too many make the neighborhood look trashy.

Real Estate signs do many things:

1. Advertise the property - Many buyers on their initial search not only use the MLS, but drive around with or without their agent to find the property. Sign calls as we Realtors call them are a very important ingredient in getting any home sold. Many buyers will see the sign & tell a friend, relative, co-worker or anyone in the area.

2. Realtors are not born, nor or they hardwired with an internal compass. Real Estate signs make it easier for the Realtor to actually find the property. A complex that has hundreds of units located on multiple floors with special parking can be quite cumbersome, confusing and frustrating.

3. My signs display my website. I get anywhere from 200-300 clicks a day on my website. According to my sites statistics, 84% of people who visit the site VIEW MY LISTINGS. One of my MANY responsibilities is to ADVERTISE my property.

What many HOA's don't understand is that if they get in the way of me selling my property, they are basically asking to ----> lower their property values. <-----

Here's why:

Homes that don't sell (especially in today's market) will ultimately foreclose or go into a short sale status. If this happens, it's likely the price will DRASTICALLY be reduced, thus attracting INVESTORS-RENTERS and other low ball offers.

The only thing TRASHY about a real estate sign is what it might financially do to a community if it is not allowed to exist.


--------------> No sign = less chance to sell. Less chance to sell = lower property values. <-----------------

So go ahead and complain about my sign. In the end you'll win battle, but you'll lose the war. I'll remove the sign. When YOU decide your neighborhood "has gone down hill" don't expect YOUR property to sell quickly.

PSSST... Same thing for Open Houses!


Katy Real Estate News - Crestwater home sales stay brisk

Timothy Sojka: Real Estate Brokerage in Katy, TX

Katy Real Estate News - Crestwater home sales stay brisk

Written By Timothy Sojka, Realtor ® / Broker

713-822-2152 - shop for a home on-line at www.search-katy-homes.com

(If you would like more information on Crestwater or to arrange a tour call Tim at 713-822-2152 or shop for a Katy or West Houston home online at www.Search-Katy-Homes.com)

Crestwater homes continue to sell briskly. The average days on the market is only 44 days. Crestwater real estate is healthy, 5 have sold between $150,000 and $300,000. Crestwater features beautiful waterfront homes in a gorgeous gated community

Great access to Westpark Tollway and the Beltway 8 make this neighborhood a haven for commuters.

For more information about Katy Texas, Crestwater or the beautiful homes within the confines contact Katy realtor Tim Sojka at 713-822-2152. To shop for a home online go to www.Search-Katy-Homes.com . To find out the value of your home go to www.seetimsell.com