I received the following tidbit from a vendor this morning and found it very interesting...if not downright amusing, based upon those commercials on TV about selling your own home without a REALTOR and saving thousands!!
The founder of a popular for-sale by owner Web site used a real estate broker to help sell his 2,000-square-foot, two-bedroom New York apartment after it lingered on the market for six months. Colby Sambrotto, the founder and former chief operating officer of ForSalebyOwner.com, tried to sell the property himself by listing it online and through classified ads, but after six months of it sitting on the market, he sought the help of a real estate broker.
Broker Jesse Buckler told Sambrotto the condo was priced too low and wasn’t attracting the right buyer for the condo.
"At first he wouldn't let me increase the price," Buckler said. "I told him I know what I am doing—the market is picking up."
The condo soon attracted multiple offers and ended up closing recently for $150,000 more than the original asking price.
Burden of Proof and Valuation
Some Legislative changes to the Texas Tax Code bode well for those trying to fight tax valuation increases:
"The chief appraiser may not increase the appraised value of a property in the tax year following a successful tax protest on that property unless the increase is supported by substantial evidence (all reliable and probated evidence is considered as a whole).
The burden of proof is on the chief appraiser to support an increase in the appraised value (Tax Code, §23.01). In considering comparable sales, the sale is not considered a comparable sale unless it occurred within the last 24 months. Whether or not a property is comparable is based on similarities with regard to location, square footage of the lot and improvements, property age, property condition, property access, amenities, views, income, operating expenses, occupancy, existence of easements, deed restrictions, or other legal improvements (Tax Code, §23.013).
In determining the value of a residential homestead, the chief appraiser may not exclude from consideration the value of other residential property in the same neighborhood, because it was sold at a foreclosure sale conducted within three years of the preceding tax year, or the market value has declined because of the declining economy.
This clearly allows that the lower, appraised foreclosed values plus the value of the foreclosed property must be considered by the chief appraiser, rather than just relying on the higher property values."
If you feel that your home valuation has increased unfairly, you should familiarize yourself with the tax code to make sure that you are taking advantage of every opportunity to reduce your assessed value. Please let me know if I can help!
Springtime is the time to refresh and renew! So how about those floors?
If you are considering selling and want a look that will have buyer appeal, or are just wanting to update to give your home a new look, it appears that choosing a wood product may be the way to go.
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has some interesting statistics to share: "Residential real estate agents say homes with wood floors sell faster and fetch higher prices, according to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by the NWFA. By a four-to-one margin, real estate agents said that a house with wood floors would sell faster than a house without wood floors. Some 90 percent said a house with wood floors would bring a higher price."
Many people think wood is a maintenance nightmare, or is only to be installed in seldom used spaces, but think about the fact that wood is the choice for gymnasiums. According to NWFA, wood floors are softer and more supple than other surfaces, providing greater resilience, improved shock absorption and increased energy return.
As if comfort and durability weren't enough, check out the environmental facts about wood floors:
Choose the right species so that the performance will meet your expectations, especially if installing in baths and kitchens, or directly on the slab. It is important to research your options so you will get the most for your money; and it is equally important to find a professional for the installation, as no product will perform optimally if installed incorrectly. There is no end to the choice of colors, styles, and designs out there, and at every price point, for every room in the house!
Don't you just feel more relaxed when you walk into a space, whether it is a restaurant, patio, or whatever, and there is an abundance of green, living plants? I know I certainly do. But I forget about the positive difference they can make in our air quality when they are indoors, and especially this time of year when we don't open the windows and stay inside a lot more.
I started thinking about this when I had a little hacking cough occasionally during the night, which I frequently do. No, I am not sick, but there must be something in the room that causes a slight allergy. Could it be my dog? Or the millions of dust mites those mattress guys try to scare us to death over, and into buying a new mattress? Or is it the carpeting? The list is endless, but most of those things are not going to be changing, and most definitely, not my dog's sleeping quarters.
What can I do? PLANTS! Doing just a little research, I found that plants can remove up to 87 percent of VOCs from the air, according to NASA research. A little more research delivered the names of plants and the VOCs that each one filters out of the air (o2foryou.org). I think I will be paying a visit to pick up a couple of easy-to-grow plants for my bedroom... and an added benefit is that it will look more peaceful and relaxing.
I popped in to check out the new location of Gayla Wigs yesterday and was really impressed with her new store. The selection of wigs in the large showroom is extensive and there is a delightful energy in the place. Gayle has a "player" piano tapping out relaxing music, and there are several large private rooms for personalized fittings.
Gayle started her business years ago by servicing those undergoing 
chemo therapy, hormone replacement therapy, alopecia and thinning hair. She also catered to ladies wanting a fresh, new look or, as in my case, something cute to wear when my real hair was looking far from cute!
You can check out the website at www.GaylaWigs.com. Click the Contact button for hours, map, or to set an appointment or call Gayle Stan at 281-782-1555.
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The Perfect Move begins with the Perfect Partner...Texas style!! in The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, Montgomery County, and anywhere else in the whole Houston area where my clients want to buy or sell!
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