Buying and Selling Tips...
Tips for Buying...  
Home buyers usually follow their hearts, but when it's house-touring
time, it's important to put your emotions aside and replace them with a
clear mind and a critical eye.  
  • A new roof can cost between $5,000 and $15,000 depending on the type of roof.  
    Look in the attic for signs of leaks or sunlight shining through.
  • Be cautious of V-shaped cracks around the perimeter of the house, cracks in
    interior walls near doors or windows, leaks and cracks around fireplace, and
    obvious cracks in brick and mortar.
  • Replacing piping can cost $5,000 or more, call a plumber if you have specific
    questions about the age of the plumbing.
  • Check to see if the home is in a flood zone and possibly flooding has occurred.
  • Certain improvements should have been done with permits, you may check with
    the local building department.
A home inspection is well worth the cost.
  • You may want to hire an inspector that is licensed with the state of Texas and
    possible belonging to a professional inspector's association.
  • Ask the inspector how much he charges and what will he charge to come back
    and re inspect after the repairs are completed.
  • Ask the inspector if you can call him with questions after you receive the written
    report.
A few ways to improve bad credit.
  • Stop all credit transactions now and manage your inflow and outflow of cash.
  • Contact your creditors and try to get a lower interest payment plan.
  • Consolidate your debt if you have more than one loan or credit card
  • Pay all bills on time, this will avoid lowering your credit score.
Important topics you should discuss with your lender.
  • Ask your lender about his loan fees and closing cost fees.  He can provide you
    with a good-faith estimate worksheet.
  • Ask your lender what the interest rates are and how to lock in your rate.
  • If you are putting less than 20% down, ask your lender about private mortgage
    insurance.
  • Ask your lender what documentations you need to provide and how long will it
    take for loan qualification.
Homeowners insurance is an important aspect of purchasing a home.
  • Shop around early on, you can check rates with several different insurance
    agencies.
  • Ask your insurance company to inspect the property and roof for insurability.
  • Sometimes buying your auto and home insurance can save you money.
How much does that home really cost?
  • Consider the added expense of a home with a pool or hot tub, the extra water
    usage, electricity, and added maintenance fees.
  • Ask yourself if you can maintain the size of yard yourself or will you need to
    budget for yard service.
  • Ask the current owner for utility bills ahead of time.
  • Think of the costs to repaint, carpet, appliances, roof, etc. if needed.
Please contact Maria Crow today for a complete buyers guide, with more
great home buying tips and sample contracts.


Tips for Selling...
Making your home more marketable.
  • Walk into your home as you have never seen it before, make the entryway
    desirable.  First impression is an important key to selling your home.
  • Prune dead limbs from trees, trim shrubs, clean out flower beds, keep yard mowed
    and edged.
  • Paint or touch up exterior and interior, and repair windows and screens.
  • Clean your windows inside and out, and keep your home neat and tidy.
  • Remove excess furniture, making your rooms appear larger, and clean out  your
    closets and cabinets.
  • Repair leaky faucets, toilets, faulty lights, wall cracks, re-caulk bathrooms and
    kitchens.
  • If you have a pool, make it sparkling!
  • Consider repainting rooms with bright or unusual colors, neutrals are more
    appealing to the average buyer.
  • Pack up personal items such as photos, magnets on the refrigerator, and your
    collectibles, this will keep the buyers' eyes on your home.
A few reasons why your home hasn't sold and remedies.
  • Overpriced:  the market changes daily, ask for a new market analysis and lower
    the price of your house.
  • New competition since property listed:  ask for a new market analysis, lower price,
    and or offer incentives.
  • Difficult to show, not readily accessible:  use lock-box and readjust showing hours
    if necessary.
  • Condition (major or maintenance problems):  rehab as necessary  -  new carpet,
    paint, or freshen up and review other ways to improve.
  • Location not desirable:  compensate with price adjustment.
  • Property showcased poorly:  hire staging professional or ask Maria Crow for
    suggestions
  • Pets (odor, soil, & intimidation):  deodorize carpet, cage pets when not home.
Carpet in need of help?
  • To get your carpet really clean, sweep with a broom.  The nap will stand up and
    loosen embedded dirt.  Next, vacuum the carpet.
  • If you have pets, mix on cup Borax with two cups cornmeal.  Sprinkle the carpet
    with this mixture, let stand one hour, then vacuum.
  • To freshen, mix three-quarter cup baking soda, two tablespoons cornstarch, and
    one-quarter cup perfumed talcum powder.  Sprinkle the carpet, let stand 5 to 15
    minutes, then vacuum.
  • Spot-clean stains with clean white towel and mild carpet cleaner.
Why to hire a licensed Realtor.
  • Homes are bought by comparison.  I have a large inventory at my disposal
    through the MLS.
  • I am very familiar with competitive houses so I can help you position our home well.
  • I have lots of experience in writing contracts and can negotiate aggressively on
    your behalf.
  • Buyers are not always forthright about their financial situations.  I insist on a pre-
    qualification letter from their lender before I even bring you an offer.
  • Most sellers who spend their time as a For Sale By Owner end up by listing in the
    end.  A recent NAR survey found that only 11% of sellers nationally ended up
    selling by owner.  Why spend your time and money if in the end you will hire a
    professional?
  • Most buyers us a Realtor, which increases the number of buyers who will see your
    home.
  • Being accessible to show your home limits personal time and cuts down the
    available showing time.  When you list, your property will be available during
    normal showing hours and the prospect will always be accompanied by me or
    another Realtor.
  • Additional exposure through MLS and the Internet brings you a higher price.
  • I orchestrate the contract to closing process, including the appraisal, buyer-loan
    process, title, inspections, pest control, survey, etc., taking this burden off of you.
  • I only get paid when I get the job done.
Please contact Maria Mallory today for a complete sellers guide, with
more great home selling tips and sample contracts.
Maria Mallory
Realtor, ABR, ASR
Legacy Real Estate
Darling 3 Bdrm. $94,500
2 bdrm, 2 bath $69,900
© Maria Mallory 2007
3 Bedrooms $138,000
"Maria is very professional and knows her business well.  We have recommended
her to many people.  She is an excellent Realtor, we will continue to use her
services in the future."                                                                    -Trey & Jana