Killeen Texas Real Estate – Brrrrr!!

The weather is chilly today in Killeen Texas – we can definitely feel fall in the air now! The holidays are just around the corner – are you thinking of a big Thanksgiving dinner yet? It always amazes me that just when I think the market would slow down for the holiday season – people get busy looking at homes! I love it! It’s always a race to get buyer’s closed in time to bake the turkey for Thanksgiving or put up the tree for Christmas – but we do what we can to make it happen! How exciting it must be to celebrate in a new home with your family and friends during this time of year.

How can I help you with your home buying dreams in the Fort Hood area this season? Killeen Texas Homes for Sale are abundant right now – and buyers are getting great deals and incentives when they negotiate with the help of an experienced Killeen Area Realtor !! Send me your Dream Home Finder  and let’s see how many Fort Hood Homes for Sale match your needs! It’s not too late to move in this month!

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Killeen Texas Homes – FREE Market Analysis

Curious to know what your Fort Hood / Killeen area home is worth? Let me check it out for you! The market is ever-changing and it’s always good to stay informed – especially about what is likely to be your largest investment. Killeen Texas homes tend to have a steady value – but don’t you want to know for sure? Even if you are not interested in selling right now – it’s a great idea to have your Killeen Texas home valuated once a year.  You will receive a FREE market analysis when you submit your home’s information through this link – AND everyone who submits a completed form will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate -winner’s choice! Drawing …will be held November 8, 2010 — GOOD LUCK!

http://www.paulasoldit.com/sellers/fort-hood-home-value.htm

FEAR…don’t let it keep you from owning a home!

Say NO to fear

 

Fear… just a word- but for some of us- it can be our worst enemy too. Fear keeps people from attempting to achieve their dreams, and I have found this to be true when that dream involves checking into purchasing a new home too. In order to make such a large purchase, most people will need to obtain a mortgage loan- which means a phone call (in most cases) to speak with a mortgage consultant about the details. I can’t tell you how many people will call me to schedule a showing on one or more homes- and when I inquire about whether or not they have spoken to a mortgage company about their home loan- they freeze up. Most experienced Realtors – the kind you want to have represent  you in a transaction- will require that you be prequalified before they show any homes to you. I am one of those Reatlors.

What most buyers don’t understand in the beginning is that this very important step is in their best interest as well. Buyers should want to shop in a price range that is comfortable for their budget- and speaking to a mortgage consultant gives them the opportunity to say what monthly payment they would like- and then have a price range calculated for them based on that payment. Or, what if there was some little blemish- or even an error on the buyer’s credit report that could easily be cleared up? A mortgage consultant can assist with these issues as well.  It seems so simple, but some buyers will not take this first step- in fear of rejection.

I say- STAND DOWN YOUR FEARS!!! My most memorable sales -were with buyers who found the courage to call or email me- even starting out by saying “I know I can’t buy a home…. but can you help me?” Some of them- were just wrong and were signing closing papers within the month on their new home! Some started working with a mortgage consultant and within 6-12 months were moving furniture into their own American Dream! When you ask yourself “What’s the WORST thing that could happen if I make this call?” – The reality is that you will find out this; “You can buy a home NOW.” or “You can buy a home in the near future -if you do these things.”  No one is ever told “You will NEVER be able to buy a home.” Why? Because it’s just not true,  anyone who wants to own a home- can do it if they are willing to face their fears.

Owning a home in Killeen Texas is a real possibility for you! Especially if you are in the military and can apply for a VA guaranteed loan. Soldiers stationed at Fort Hood can begin the process of becoming prequalified TODAY by contacting me at (254) 291-6826 or through my website at www.PaulaSOLDit.com

I will put you in contact with a local mortgage consultant who specializes in first time buyers and credit improvement plans so that hopefully sooner than later – you can become a home owner in the Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Nolanville areas surrounding Fort Hood Texas. Homes for sale in the Killeen Texas area are some of the most affordable homes in the Nation – and with buyer incentives here, your out-of-pocket expenses can be as little as $0.

Please shop for all area homes at www.PaulaSOLDit.com and let me know how I can help make your dreams come true.

Are you a busy Mom?

 

 I have many friends in Killeen Texas Real Estate just like me – always running around trying to take care of business and balance a healthy family too.

I do a lot of shopping online for my family and myself – its just so much easier than trying to find time to run to a bunch of different stores for 100 different things! I love it when my packages show up – its like a little present every time!

I found this GREAT website for kids clothing and accessories – and I get their updates via Facebook. They post pictures of the stuff on sale- and I have to say – its surely not what you will find in Wal-Mart – although its very affordable. I tend to want to purchase unusual and unique items for my kids – and me too!. I found a lot of that here!

Check it out and happy shopping!!

http://www.zulily.com/referafriend/?342516

You Don’t Have to Pay Me!

Did you know that when you work with a buyer’s agent you don’t pay them a penny? That’s right. You didn’t read that wrong. You see, in the land of real estate, all commissions are paid by the seller. In no other path in life do you get a fully trained professional to assist you free of charge, or at least free to you.

You will find that in no other endeavor in life, certainly not one as important as this, will you have someone else footing the bill. So make sure you choose an agent that will work diligently for you. You need an agent that will go over all the documents for the transaction with you and explain them. The best agent for you will be easily accessible, be knowledgeable regarding the steps you must take to complete the purchase, be someone you are comfortable spending time with, and always guide you in what the best course of action is. When you work with a professional buyers agent buying your new home can be a true pleasure.

Why Realtors will switch Brokers….right or wrong

When Realtors Make A Move: Understanding the Triggers

 

I found this blog entry pretty accurate! When I made my move- I actually started my own company…its been great. But as I have always said- if you are unproductive at one company- you will be unproductive anywhere- same goes for success. The change should come because of how much of your money you are able to retain- by negotiating a fair split with your Broker. You have to be willing to find your own business if you are to be successful in Real Estate…you can not just sit back and wait on company leads… thats my opinion and its how I have made it in this business. I am responsible for my business- not my Broker 🙂

Via Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors):

Most experienced agents have gotten the call.  You know.  The one from a broker from another firm calling or emailing you to come over and check out how green their grass is – much greener than where you are now.

Sometimes the grass is greener.  Just as often, it probably isn’t.

To stay in business and thrive, a brokerage has to be able to attract new agents, and it’s usually more profitable to try to hire good agents from a competitor than to grow your own. 

It may be flattering to know that you are wanted, but it’s not a reason to make a move.

There are some triggers that make agents stop and ask themselves if their current office is and will continue to be the best place for them to work:

• Their productivity takes a plunge
• They have a row with their broker or a colleague in the office
• Rich guys in New Jersey buy the company
• The owner of the company fires their manager
• The brokerage is family owned and the owners become embroiled in a family feud
• The firm fails financially
• The owner gets sent to jail
• Some sweet-talking competing broker does a full court press drive to lure you to his office

 

Before you start packing up your desk, keep in mind that you need to be making a business decision here.  And unless your broker goes to jail or the company goes bankrupt, the other triggers are not necessarily a good reason to move.  Well, maybe the family feud qualifies as a reason to split.  Happened to me once.

If your productivity has tanked you need to look in a mirror before you search out a new company.  Sometimes a move can give you a boost, but you need to be sure the slowdown isn’t because you have a slothful work ethic.  And patching up a misunderstanding is a lot easier than disrupting your business – unless maybe it’s about your slothful work ethic combined with your disagreeable personality. 

Now, the rich guys from New Jersey just might give your brokerage a shot in the arm.  Or it could be a really awful corporate marriage.  Still, I’d suggest that you give the new owners a chance before you run across town, or even across the street. 

Switching brokerages is a serious step.  Even if you are diligent about contacting your center of influence, you are likely to lose some business.  Moving is distracting and disruptive.

And, yes.  Sometimes it’s really necessary and the best thing for your business.

Selling a home today means much more than sticking a sign in your yard. It means pricing the home at a price that will cause it to sell. You may think your home is better than the 3 bedroom house down the street because your carpet is nicer or you have a concrete drive and they have black top. Maybe your bedrooms are each 6 inches bigger, and yes, people really do say things like that. The truth is that regardless of what your perspective is, it is the buyer’s opinion that matters and no longer yours.

Buyers today are knowledgeable about what is on the market and what the current prices are. They are looking at homes every day and they not only know what they are looking for, but what to expect at a certain price point. They also lack the emotional attachment that you have to your home. If you are serious about selling your home, and not just listing it, look at the list below for a few pointers.

• Take down the family photos. You want the buyer to picture their belongings in your home and not have to battle with your personal memories for a place there.
• De-clutter your closets. When shopping for a home buyers want to be able to imagine all their possessions will fit nicely, and if yours don’t the assumption will be that theirs won’t either.
• Make the yard as appealing as possible. I’m not suggesting you hire a landscaper, but make sure the leaves are raked, the trim is nice, and you have trimmed the shrubbery. Statistics have proven that if the buyer likes the outside then they have a very good chance of liking the inside as well.
• If an agent calls to show your home you need to leave. When sellers are present they feel as if they are intruding and need to rush out. If you want them to buy your home you need to make it as available as possible.
• Don’t require your agent to be there for all showings. This limits the time that your home is open to other agents because your agent is working with other clients too. If you require your agent to be present you may be setting yourself up to losing the perfect buyer for your home. (This does not apply to extenuating circumstances.)

If you now feel you are ready to sell your home, and not just list it, begin the process of looking for the right agent to get the job done! Of course, you are welcome to call me so I can show you just how hard I will work to sell your home!

How Serious Are You?

You just found THE perfect house. It has exactly what you have been looking for and is in the neighborhood you have always wanted to live in.

You call the agent and she asks you to make an offer and wants to know how much money you can put down on the property. You have already told her you have $10,000 set aside to cover the down payment and closing costs. Now is the time to decide just how serious you are about buying this home.

You tell the agent you want to offer X number of dollars for the home and that you want to put down $500. She tells you that you should put more money down on the home if you are serious.

Here’s why more money down is better:

1. You are showing the seller that you are ready right now to buy the home.
2. More money down with a lower offer is many times more acceptable to agents and sellers because it lets them know you mean business.
3. It shows you in a more favorable financial light. What this means is that if you have more money down people will assume you have a better chance of your loan going to closing than the other person’s loan.
4. If the seller gets the same offer with less money down they will probably accept your offer first.
5. It’s completely refundable if your offer isn’t the accepted offer, so you lose nothing.

So what kind of deposit should you put down? Everyone you know told you $500 was acceptable. In today’s real estate market it’s really not. You should consider putting $5000 down on the home you want. If you need any more reason, just consider how you’ll feel if someone else gets THE home.

Choosing the Right Buyers Agent

You got your loan pre-approved and you’ve been window shopping for weeks before you had it. The houses that interest you the most are still on the market, and all the agents you called to get the information from have all been sending you emails about the homes on the market in your price range.

No one has told you anything about choosing an agent or how to deal with the 20 agents that call and email you daily. What next? Now you have to decide which agent will be the best for you. Here are some things to consider when choosing your agent.

Do you feel comfortable with this agent? You have to be comfortable when working with someone as you will be discussing your finances to a certain extent and will be resistant to that if you are not comfortable.

• Has this agent been sending you properties that you feel will truly fit what you are looking for, or do you feel they are always targeting a higher price range than you specified?
• Is it easy to reach this agent? You need to be able to get in contact with your agent. Good communication is urgent for a smooth closing when you decide on a home to purchase.
• Do you feel the agent is knowledgeable in the area you are going to buy a home in?
• Is this someone you like or just someone that was recommended? The right agent for your parents or best friend may be great for them, but not so much for you.

Choosing the right agent now will save you many headaches and heart breaks when looking for your new home. When you choose the right agent for you, you have already put yourself one step closer to finding the home of your dreams.

Killeen Texas First Time Home Buyers!

So happy to report that I was able to help a first time home buyer couple- with their first purchase! They had lost hope- after having a tough time getting prequalified- and finding the right house in their price range. We were able to find them a lender who works with a local Killeen Texas bond program for down payment assistance- and then a seller who was willing to pay all their closing costs, upfront inspection AND appraisal! Because of the affordable market in the Killeen – Fort Hood area – they are buying a 3 bedroom 2 bath house WITH a pool for $76,000!! I am so happy for them!!

It was meant to be! They are so happy- and these are the deals that make me feel like a good Realtor. Even though I make the least money on them- at the end of the day- these are my favorite ones.

Congratulations to the Moore Family!! You will be HOME SWEET HOME very soon!!

Thinking of moving to  or investing in the Killeen Texas real estate market? Great homes for sale here in this Fort Hood area – let me know how I can help you! www.PaulaSOLDit.com Texas Heritage Real Estate