This partnership has produced the absolute best portfolio of Class A Student rental housing in Aggieland (College Station TX) AND some of the Best Real Estate investment opportunities on the planet!

Aggies, Check out www.aggieleasing.com

Investors, Check out some of these cash flow scenarios: http://www.barrackstownhomes.com/ownership-scenarios.html

Call us anytime on our new hotline at 888-567-5757 or Text us at 313-Gig-Em-Ag

Thanks & Gig-Em’

Being involved in dance and music is a great way for children to learn skills such as coordination, music reading, and rhythm. It’s also a great way for children to advance in their social skills and provide a fun environment to keep them active!

Expressions Dance and Music, located on Wellborn Road near Rock Prairie in College Station, Texas, is the perfect place to get your kiddos moving to the beat! Expressions Dance and Music offers tons of options – from drum to voice to violin and everything in between. They also have classes for almost every kind of dance you can imagine including the more traditional ballet and tap to hip hop, drill team, pom, and contemporary.

 Expressions Dance and Music has a class for just about every age  starting at 3 years.  They also have competition teams that are divided by age and are known for having great showmanship and being quite entertaining!

Two of my own children attend Expressions Dance and Music, and off all the activities we do, they both agree their time at Expressions is their favorite!

Raylene Lewis — Century 21′s #1 Realtor and College Station Expert

979-218-2235

www.buyincollegestation.com

Have you decided to move to College Station, Texas but are unsure of what neighborhood you want? Do you want to live in a subdivision that is nice, highly sought after, and has great parks and schools in close proximity? If so, Pebble Creek might be the perfect fit for you. Located in South College Station, Pebble Creek is a 1,348 acre master planned community with Country Club.

The Development of Pebble Creek features many desirable attributes that make it a top notch subdivision many home buyers are looking for. Prices for the homes in Pebble Creek start around $250,000.00, but the average home in the neighborhood is between $350,ooo.00 – $450,000.00.  The subdivision is highly deed restricted to help ensure that the homes provide a clean and pretty exterior appearance and to make sure Pebble Creek stays subdivision that retains its value.   There are also minimum   requirements — usually starting with at least 2500 sqft.

  The HOA (Home Owner’s Association) in Pebble Creek is very active and excels at taking care of the community areas at a reasonable price.  They also make sure every home owner is following the deed restrictions that come with living in a golf-course community. Their objective is to provide the highest quality of life for the families that live in the subdivision.

Two of my favorite things about Pebble Creek are the well maintained park and highly recognized Elementary school — both of which are located in the subdivision.  Pebble Creek is also known for its pool, 7 well-lit tennis courts and of course 18 hole championship golf course.  The pool is open from Mid May through labor day, has a lifeguard and wadding area for little ones.

If you are interested in learning more about the Pebble Creek subdivision in College Station, just give me a call! 979-218-2235

Raylene Lewis — College Station Expert and Professional Real Estate Agent!

www.buyincollegestation.com

979-218-2235

• Team Bryan

• Team College Station

I am sure they will come up with clever team names shortly to make it even more fun!

Each team was asked to declare 10 landmarks for their area – Bryan or College Station. After declaring their landmarks the teams are to take photographs of their landmarks and take photos of themselves at the landmarks.

Below is the list of Bryan and College Station landmarks chosen. Watch for photos as they complete this challenge.  There are several more challenges to come!

Team Bryan

• Brazos County Courthouse
• Children’s Museum
• Carnegie Library
• LaSalle Hotel
• Palace Theater
• Messina Hof
• Blinn Jr. College
• St Joseph’s Hospital
• Bombers Park
• Texas Hall of Fame

Team College Station

• George Bush Library
• Veterans Park
• Dixie Chicken
• Santa’s Wonderland
• Century 21 Beal
• Kyle Field
• Bonfire Memorial
• The Clock Tower
• Post Oak Mall
• Wolf Pen Creek and Amphitheater

Susan Hilton

Century 21 Beal

979-764-2100

• College Station Homes

• Bryan Homes

• College Station Foreclosurers

• Bryan Foreclosurers

• 5 Star Top Rated Real Estate Agents

Are you ready for the City of College Station to tell you what trees you can cut down?

The City of College Station City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance Purpose states:

• The purpose and intent of this Section is to promote the preservation of trees and tree stands during construction to facilitate site design and construction that contributes to the long-term viability of existing trees and to develop a process to control the removal of trees. It is further the purpose of this ordinance to prevent the untimely and indiscriminate removal or destruction of trees, maintain and enhance a positive image of the City and to protect trees and promote the ecological, environmental and aesthetic values of the City.

Are you ready to have to get a permit to cut a tree? Are you ready to APPLY for a permit to grade your property if there is a tree larger than 8 inches in diameter?

If you are outside the City Limits think you don’t have to worry? Sorry – right now the draft says -

• Tree protection requirements will apply to all property in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) in conjunction with development and subdivision plats.

Yes, there are some exemptions. Yes this is only a draft. BUT, will this become law for the City of College Station? Do we need more regulation to limit real estate development? Do we need more governmental interference?

Remember in 2009 the College Station City Council has landlords registering their properties if they are renting –  with a fee of course. This College Station Tree Ordinance is just ONE MORE…..

Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal

Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!

View Susan Hilton’s profile

Selling a home in Bryan or College Station, Texas or other location in the Brazos Valley is heavily dependant on pricing your home properly and picking an agent that will create an “online market presence” for your home. As a home seller, you need to be aware that the market in Bryan College Station and many other Texas communities has changed over the last three and a half years. We are no longer in a strong seller’s market. 

 When selling a home in Bryan College Station, Tx, it pays to have a pro in your corner representing you.  It pays to hire a well educated, top professional at Century 21 Beal.

** 85% of all buyers are finding their homes on the Internet. Is your Bryan College Station home being advertised on the web?

Typically, “extras” are added features or upgrades to a property. Extras can also be things that are on your “Buyer’s Wish List.”  You should ask your Realtor to help you keep track of the extras and point out the upgrades in each property as you are viewing the home. 

It is also important to ask your Realtor to help you identify potential problems and maintenance issues. Although your Realtor is NOT an inspector and can not advise you on what is wrong with the property, they can point out the current appearance of things that will require ongoing maintenance; for example: paint, appliances, windows and carpet. 

If you are a very detailed and organized person, it can be helpful to make a list of questions you have about a property ahead of time to help you keep your information and your thoughts organized.

Here is a list of additional things to consider:

• Does this home have the amount of space you are looking for and need? (Both for now and in the next 3 or so years)
• Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms to suit your family’s needs?
• Does the home appear to be structurally sound?
• Are there immediate upkeep and /or repairs that need to be done?
• Does the Floor Plan fit your lifestyle?
• Is the yard the appropriate size?
• Will the furniture you currently have fit in the space that this property offers? 
• Is there enough storage space? (Always pay attention to the number of closets and storage cabinets.)
• Is there anything that the Seller is currently offering to repair or replace?
• Does the property appear to be situated on the lot in a way that water is designed to run around and away from the home? (vs. in the garage or towards the back patio) Is the grading and drainage on and around the home adequate?
• What exterior maintenance will be required on this home?
• Does the home have a sprinkler system and how much landscaping has been done?
• Is the home wired for or does the home have a security system?
• What upgrades have been added to this home?
• How well does it appear the home has been taken care of?

Your Realtor should also be able to provide you with a Seller’s Disclosure of the home you are interested in.  The Sellers Disclosure is the document that the Seller fills out that states what the seller”knows of” that is wrong with the property.  This will help you to identify if something needs to be replaced and provide good insight to the amount of existing life the major things like HV/AC Unit, Hot Water Heater, and Roof have left.    

Your Realtor should also point out the pros and cons of each home you view from a professional standpoint.  As a Housing professional, your Realtor’s responses should be clear and complete.  Remember, it never hurts to ask questions, so continue to ask until you have a clear understanding of all the information you are given, and never hesitate to view a property multiple times.

Happy Home Buying!

www.buyincollegestation.com

More Articles on Home Buying

www.professionalhousehunters.com

The questions will likely start with a qualifying nature to determine your timeline in selling. Common questions Realtors ask are:

• When are You Thinking of Placing Your Home on the Market?
• Have You Interviewed Other Agents?
• How Fast do You Need to be Out of Your Current Property?
• Do You Know what Price You Want for Your Home?
• What Are Your Goals?

You want to be honest about what you are looking for and where you are in the selling process. If you are looking to stay in the area, see if the realtor has any suggestions of homes currently on the market or responds with news of interest from the area you are wanting to live in. This indicates the realtor is knowledgeable about the market and what is going on in the area. You also want to be ready with a few basic questions, yourself:

• How do You Plan to Market My Home?
• How Will We Communicate and How Frequently?
• How do You Come Up with a Market Price?
• May I see a List of Your Awards and References?

A good Realtor will meet you at the door with a business card and notebook in hand. When they enter your home, no matter what the flooring or condition, they will remove their shoes to show respect for your property. You don’t want a Realtor who is going to give you an instant evaluation of what your home is worth.

It is impossible to correctly evaluate the value a property without looking at all its details and special characteristics first. Give special bonus points to agents who write down notes as they go from room to room and point out special selling features of your home as they are viewing it.

You also want a Realtor who has already done their homework before coming to your home. This means they will have brought with them a CMA or Comparative Market Analysis. A Realtor who has a CMA to view with you has already scoped out your competition (other homes).

This is extremely important because this type of agent: is better prepared to answer objections, more likely to arrive at the correct asking price for your home, has the data that shows what has to be done to get the home sold, and is ready to help you meet your desired goals. You should also ask the agent for a written copy of their marketing plan. A professional agent will also have marketing examples at the listing appointment for you to review as well.

At the end of your visit, a good Realtor will ask for your business and will ask you to sign a listing agreement. The length of the agreement should reflect the time it takes to sell a home in your area. A listing that lasts between 3 and 6 months is not unusual. Remember, any reputable agent will allow you out of your contractual listing agreement with them, at any time and at no cost to you, if you are truly unhappy with his/her service or if your plans should change.

Feel free to call or email me with any questions you may have. Happy Selling!

www.ahouse-soldname.com

Related Articles

Although almost any agent you interview will tell you they can market your home effectively, there are several key questions that you need to ask to make sure you are choosing the best agent for the job.

Your Realtor needs to be someone extremely familiar with your neighborhood, who can provide you with a long list of recently satisfied customers, and be a current and regular user of the Internet, email, and a variety of Internet marketing tools and techniques. Clearly, most home buyer’s when beginning their search for a property begin with the Internet.

 A Realtor who embraces the Internet as a powerful marketing tool will aggressively market your home online to buyers.

The Following is a short list of questions you should ask the Realtor you are interviewing to sell your home.

• How Long Have You Been Selling Homes In My Area & How Many Listings Do You Currently Have? (You want to make sure they have extensive experience and that they do not have a lot of active inventory in your area. A good Realtor will already be getting results and have a list of properties under contract.)

• Do You Sell Houses as your Full-Time Job? (You do not want a part-time Realtor, unless you are alright with part-time service.)

• Do You Work Evenings, after 5:00pm. and on Weekends? What Times Do You Take off work and Who Covers for You Then?

• How Do You Plan to Market My Home & May I see a Copy of your Written Marketing Plan?

• How Will We Communicate and How Frequently Will I Hear From You?

• How Will I See the Results of the Internet Marketing & Do You Have Examples to show me Now?

• How Will You Arrive at a Selling Price for My Home?

• How Many Days Will It Take You to Sell My Home?

• Do You Have Any Office Assistants and How does Your Office Run?

• Who Takes a Buyer’s Call when you are Unavailable or with Clients?

Feel Free to call or email me with any additional questions you may have. Thanks & Happy Selling!

www.ahouse-soldname.com

Related Articles

When I show property to a prospective buyer, I always tell them to compare the 1st house they see to the second and then do their best to rank the two and, if possible, eliminate one. Thus, when they are finished, they clearly have one or two homes that stand out above the rest.

Below, I have made a list of 10 things you can do to help your home be one that stands out in a postive light in the minds of perspective buyers who view it. If your home remains memorable, and positively appealing, it is likely to sell quicker than its competition.

1. Keep all blinds at the back of the home open to let in as much natural light as possible
2. Have all lights in the home turned on
3. Keep all countertops and dressers clean and neat
4. Make sure all toilet lids are down, and there is no visible trash in the trash can
5. Keep your yard well manicured. Make sure your flower beds have mulch and are weed free. Add fresh flowers to the exterior front of the home and cut flowers to the kitchen and bathrooms
6. Make sure there is no dust on your base boards, return air vent, blinds or ceiling fans. Have the carpet professionally cleaned and keep as many things off the floor as possible
7. Keep the tempature of the home to a comfortable level: In the summer around 74 and in the winter around 78
8. Have the Master Bedroom Closet as organized as possible
9. Have the same soft music playing in the kitchen, living area, and master bedroom. If you do not have surround sound or speakers in the home, just have the radio on or a CD playing in the CD player
10. Provide Bottled Water and cookies to guests who view the property. Leave the bottles in a large bowl filled with ice on the kitchen counter and the cookies on a plate with a note that states: “Please Help yourself”

Happy Selling!

www.ahouse-soldname.com

More Articles on Home Buying and Selling

www.professionalhousehunters.com

Largely because of Texas A&M University, and because our home prices have never been grossly inflated from their true value, the market in College Station has remained strong.

The problems that I have seen with getting a home sold are predominately 1) the current buyer can not purchase the home they want because they have to sell their out-of-area home first or 2) the current buyer can no longer get approved for the amount they wanted to spend on a home, thus they are not upgrading to a nicer property, and hence no sale.

I have always believed that it is important to price homes in 5′s and 0′s and I think that is especially true now. My experience has been:

1. That a number ending in 5 or 0 is usually the ending approval amount a lender gives to a buyer

2. a number ending in 5 or 0 is the way a buyer usually thinks when searching for a home. An example of this would be, “You are approved for up to 120,000,” or “We are looking to purchase a home under 255,000″. This is also how most searches are done for homes for sale on the internet. Using basic random prices as examples: People rarely search for “a home under 143,000.” They either search for “up t0 140,000 or up to 145,000.” In my professional opinion, it is human nature to like the home that is more expensive, because that particualr property has just a few nicer things/upgrades about it. Therefore, if you are needing to sell your home in the next 30 to 60 days, and to save you an unnecessary house payment or 2 which could cost you more, I think it is important to keep you home priced so that your property is the nicest in the price range. This means, that if your property is worth X dollars per square foot when you multiply that times Y square feet, and you come up with a number like 93,000 it is better to advertise the home at 94,900 or 95,000. While, if your end result is 92,000 it is probably better to price your home at 90,000 or 89,900. This way, you are not competing with homes that buyer can afford that are nicer than your own.

Happy Selling!

www.ahouse-soldname.com