open-house-questionsOpen houses can be a great way to jump start your home search. Many homebuyers however, fail to capitalize on the opportunity. Savvy homebuyers know to come armed with a number of open house questions to ask the sellerā€™s agent. By being proactive, you can identify potential issues early on, and make an educated decision on your home purchase without wasting your precious time on a dud. Find out if a potential home is right for you by getting the answers to these important open house questions.

How many offers are on the table?

The number of bids on a home can give you insight into the desirability of a home. If the home has lots of bids, you may have to rethink your bidding strategy. If the home isn't getting any offers, it's worth it to know the…

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new-water-heater-regulationsOn April 16th, 2015 homebuyers could be paying more to heat their homes. That's because new water heater regulations set forth by the Department of Energy will require many existing models to be replaced or swapped out for larger more energy efficient ones. Not sure if you'll be impacted by the rule change? Read on.

New water heater regulations in 2015

After the April deadline, all new natural gas and electric powered tank-style hot water heaters will undergo design changes to meet the new requirements. Based on the new rules, all electric powered water heaters over 55 gallons will require the Hybrid Electric Heat Pump water design. On the other hand, all natural gas models over 55 gallons must use a Condensing Water Heater design.Ā  In other words,…

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One of the dreaded tasks of any landlord is finding a great tenant for your rental property. Tenant screening is a critical process, and when done correctly can eliminate the majority of common bad tenant issues. Add these helpful tips to your tenant screening checklist, and find the properly qualified tenant of your dreams.

Screen over the phone

What many landlords fail to realize is that the tenant screening process starts at first contact, which is typically by phone or e-mail. Before you proceed to a showing, screen for potential red flags by getting answers to the following questions:

  • Name
  • Contact info
  • Reason for moving
  • Intended rental term
  • Total number of people renting, and their relationship to the potential renter (family…

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first-time-homebuyer-incentivesDue to recent policy changes affecting government-backed loans which focus on the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and secondary mortgage market giants Fannie Mae (The Federal National Mortgage Association) and Freddie Mac (The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation), first-time home buyers could find it less costly to come up with a down payment or to afford private mortgage insurance (PMI).Ā  This is a result of the current administration lowering the premium that borrowers with an FHA-backed home loan must pay for mortgage insurance.Ā  This has been lowered from 1.35% to 0.85%.Ā 

The average home buyer is estimated to save up to $900 a year.Ā  The move will help save homeowners that want to refinance their mortgage as well.

Purchase a Home With 3%…

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home-selling-mistakesSo you've decided to sell your home. Whether you've loved your home for years or looking to move up, your house will always need some sprucing up before it hits the market. Get your home sold more quickly, and for more money by avoiding these common home selling mistakes.

Not doing a home inspection before putting your home up for sale

Avoid having to negotiate with the buyer on repairs by doing the major repairs on your own time and budget before listing your home. It is also beneficial to have the inspection report available for potential buyers.

Withholding information from buyers

Always disclose all the problems or issues you know about. For example, if a faucet leaks, or you know the basement or home floods in a heavy rain this must be…

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bathroom-trends-2015Designers are moving away from cottage inspired bathrooms and are opting for a more contemporary look in 2015. Expect an increase in popularity in zen-like bathrooms, which offer a spa-like retreat for homeowners. Think clean lines and minimalist design. Not sure where to begin? We pick our favorite bathroom trends for 2015 guaranteed to up your home's appeal.

Freestanding Bathtubs

Contemporary basins are reigning supreme with high-end bathroom remodels. Enclosed bathtubs are declining in popularity and making way for freestanding bathtubs in 2015. They offer lots of visual appeal and help set the mood for a self-indulgent soak. The curved lines of freestanding bathtubs also help to soften the overall look of the room.

Gray Tones

Beige is out…

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negotiating-a-commercial-leaseNegotiating that first commercial lease agreement is one of the most important steps in starting your new commercial enterprise. When it comes time to renew a commercial lease, your negotiating power will depend on how well you negotiated their first lease.

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That being said signing the perfect lease takes time, and the right attitude. Here are some key things to consider when negotiating for your perfect space.

Do: Hire a Professional (Not the Listing Agent)

While this may seem obvious, hiring a commercial real estate broker has its benefits. They know the market, and can help you find the right property for your business. Hiring a professional also gives you greater leverage during negotiations. Never have the listing agent or property…

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home-inspection-tipsBefore you sign the contract and settle into your new home, you should always consider a home inspection by a certified professional. One big thing that these inspectors do is find problems with the home prior to purchase. That being said, some major problems outside the inspector's scope may go unnoticed.

Here are five overlooked areas to add to your home inspection checklist which can be missed, or may not be covered in your overall home inspection. Get the most out of your home inspection by knowing what is and isn't covered by your company. If you're proactive from the start, you can avoid more headaches and costly repairs in the future.

Electrical Problems

Home inspections are visual, which means the inspector can only detect a problem he…

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investment propertiesInvestment properties can intimidating to the first-time investor. When done right however, real estate investment can be very rewarding, and a great source of income. There are several things to consider before purchasing your first investment property. The road to real estate riches is paved with obstacles which can affect your bottom line. Here are some of the things you should and should not do when it comes to purchasing investment properties for the future.

Do: Create a Plan for Your Investment Property

Are you ready to make the investment? In other words, do you have a well thought out plan in front of you? Creating a plan for your investment property can give you more of an idea on what needs to be done. Youā€™re also able to learn whether or…

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austin-rental-guideAustin rentals are on the rise, but that doesn't make the process any easier. So you've found the perfect rental online, but haven't yet sealed the deal. We provide the essential information to help you have a seamless transition into your new home. Here are a few tips for first-time tenants to help you avoid the common headaches that come with renting.

Rental 101

Get everything in writing

Avoid headaches by getting your rental agreement in writing, making sure that you read over it in detail before signing off. In addition, keep a printed version of all the correspondence between you and your landlord, and always follow up oral agreements with a written request. For example if you talked to your landlord about a leaky faucet and he agrees to fix it…

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