So you want to buy a home? Call me!

A FEW TIPS FOR HOME BUYERS 

1. Don't buy if you can't stay put.

If you can't commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner - even in a rising market. When prices are falling, it's an even worse proposition.

2. Start by cleaning up your credit.

Since you most likely will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover.

3. Aim for a home you can really afford.

The rule of thumb is that you can buy housing that runs about two-and-one-half times your annual salary. But you'll do better to use one of many calculators available online to get a better handle on how your income, debts, and expenses affect what you can afford. Just because a lender says you will qualify for a larger mortgage doesn't mean it is a good idea.  Take into consideration your future financial goals and expenses you may have.

4. If you can't put down the usual 20 percent, you may still qualify for a loan.

There are a variety of public and private lenders who, if you qualify, offer low-interest mortgages that require a small down payment.

5. Buy in a district with good schools.

In most areas, this advice applies even if you don't have school-age children. Reason: When it comes time to sell, you'll learn that strong school districts are a top priority for many home buyers, thus helping to boost property values. Location, location, location.....

6. Get professional help.  

Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, buyers are better off enlisting a REALTOR . Look for an Accredited Buyer's Agent who knows the market and will have your interests at heart to help you with strategies during the bidding process.

7. Choose carefully between points and rate.

When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points -- a portion of the interest that you pay at closing -- in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you stay in the house for a long time -- say three to five years or more -- it's usually a better deal to take the points. The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run.

8. Before house hunting, get pre-approved.

Getting pre-approved will you save yourself the grief of looking at houses you can't afford and put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house. Not to be confused with pre-qualification, which is based on a cursory review of your finances, pre-approval from a lender is based on your actual income, debt and credit history. Most sellers will request a copy of a pre-approval letter from your lender prior to considering your offer to purchase their property.

9. Do your homework before bidding.

Your opening bid should be based on the sales trend of similar homes in the neighborhood. Your buyer's agent will provide you with Comparative Market Analysis of the neighborhood.  Before making an offer, consider the sales price per square foot of comparable homes that have sold in the last 6 months.

10. Hire a licensed home inspector.

Sure, your lender will require a home appraisal anyway. But that's just the bank's way of determining whether the house is worth the price you've agreed to pay. Separately, you should hire your own home inspector, preferably an engineer with experience in doing home inspections in the area where you are buying. His or her job will be to find items in need of repair or replacement, and point out potential problems that could require costly repairs down the road. Also it is wise to have a WDI (Wood Destroying Insect) inspection done by a pest control specialist.

Houses are my passion! (Shoes are a close second)



My dream playhouse when I was 8

(or how I remember it)

It's true...Houses are my passion!  As a young child playing on my family's property in the piney woods of East Texas, I spent hours designing  "houses" by gathering pine straw and forming it into large pine straw floor plans. My pine straw dream houses had a living room, bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, AND the all important 1960's "rumpus room" which my family did not have in real life, but that I had seen on television.

My family moved to Shreveport, Louisiana when I was 8, and that is where I became friends with Marcy Hays. I LOVED playing at  Marcy's house because she was a fun girl, had her own cotton candy machine, a cat clock in the kitchen with eyes and a tail that moved from side to side when it ticked, and a mother who believed in letting her children try all kinds of stuff my mother would never approve of.  But the main reason I loved to go to Marcy's house was  because she had an awesome playhouse in her back yard.

Marcy wasn't a girl who enjoyed playing "house", and she had little interest in her playhouse, which in my eyes, was a total DREAM house.  The playhouse  was crammed with a jumble of child sized furniture, tea sets, dolls, leaves, balls, and miscellaneous junk.  All I wanted to do (after we'd made a batch of cotton candy, of course) was organize and decorate that play house.  Poor Marcy was constantly trying to get me to do something else with her....climb a tree, ride bikes, bake cookies....ANYTHING but decorate the play house! I was never ready to go home when my mother came to pick me up....maybe my love for decorating and selling houses stems from always having to go home before my decorating job in the play house was finished.

1982 in the throne chair from Pier One
My pride and joy...a dashing husband,
an adorable baby boy

During the early years of my marriage, my husband was in law school, we had two babies, and we were living on little money and a lot of love. I decorated our tiny apartment with painted garage sale furniture, walls covered with "flair squares"(temporary wallpaper from the 80's), a country print camel back sofa we charged on a credit card, and a big wicker throne chair from Pier One...I thought it was sooo trendy! Our dining room table and chairs  changed colors on a monthly basis. These years of penny pinching and challenging decorating conditions caused me to develop an addiction to the feeling I get when I succeed in inexpensively transforming a plain and unimaginative space into an inviting place with personality and style. I'm constantly trying to think of ways to make something look better...I even give my poor husband a makeover now and then.

With the exception of one house we built, every house we've bought has been an ugly fixer upper. Every time I view a home, I see it not only as it is at the moment, but I also imagine it as it could be. If you are willing to make a few updates and repairs, you can make some great deals on homes that have sat on the market month after month because of their lack of appeal to the majority of buyers.

My passion for houses is just part of who I am.  If I had to choose between eating and decorating/selling houses, I would choose the activity that involves houses. (I'm okay as long as I have a box of Cheese Nips and a bottle of water in my car!)  My family is used to my chronic decorating, and my oldest daughter, either by genetics or exposure, has developed into a talented artist/decorator/designer with a unique flair.  I find her talent and creativity to be a great resource, and recently we had the fun experience of partnering together to accessorize a new home for one of my clients.

I am an ASP  (Accredited Home Stager), an ABR  (Accredited Buyers Agent), and a Realtor and Associate- Broker with almost 13 years of experience selling real estate in the Tyler, Texas area.  I love houses. They are my business, my hobby, and a passion of mine........I couldn't be happier just doing my job and helping the "Marcys" of the world find a home that even they can be excited about!

Making dream homes a reality since age 8!
I  can help you find your dream home too!



Snap to it! What to do to get your home ready to show and SELL!

Take a critical look at your house 
When selling a home, you need to look at it from the perspective of a potential buyer. Are there obvious flaws that need to be fixed? Problems that you have grown accustomed to will leap out at potential buyers. Fix everything prior to listing. If you’re worried about possible repairs for larger problems such as an old roof or a broken heating and cooling system, it can pay to get a home inspection so you know what needs work. Taking care of those larger issues yourself before putting your home on the market can mean more offers and less negotiating later. 

What about the appearance of your home? Does the décor need an update? Consider painting or making minor changes to update problem areas. Rearranging the furniture or buying new furniture or slipcovers can quickly change a room. Even if you don’t need updating, a fresh coat of paint helps both the inside and outside of your house look better and cleaner. Just be sure to choose neutral colors that will appeal to many buyers. The updates you make should be relatively cheap or should be able to travel with you to your new home. 

Give it curb appeal 
Starting at the curb, is your home welcoming? Check the landscaping and lawn. Trim your hedges, edge your loan, pull weeds, pressure wash the driveway and front walk. Plant flowers either in bed or pots around the front door. Keep your front porch swept and clear of any outside clutter. Replace a worn-out welcome mat. Paint the front door. If you have a storm door, clean the glass. Check to make sure all outdoor lights are working, especially the porch and walkway light. 

In your backyard, put all your tools and work equipment out of site. If you have power tools or lawn equipment you don’t use frequently, put it in storage or at a friend’s house. Make sure any swing sets and outdoor furniture are clean and in good repair. That goes for the deck as well – repair any rotted wood, especially on steps. 

Clean and de-clutter the inside 
One of the most important things that you should do when selling a home is to clean and de-clutter inside. Home selling requires a thorough spring cleaning – the baseboards, blinds, furniture, floors, carpets, everywhere. You want your home to shine. You may even consider hiring a cleaning service to do this if you are short on time. And remember, once your home is clean, keep it that way. When your home is on the market, make sure you vacuum, mop and clean your kitchen and bathrooms every few days. 

You also want your home to be free of clutter when selling it. Go through each room and pinpoint the piles of clutter that have built up, and be ruthless. In your living areas, get organized by storing what needs to be stored and throwing away the rest. If your rooms are furniture-heavy, store what you don’t need or take it to a friend’s house. Go through your bedrooms and put away personal items. Get a head start on packing by thinning out your closets with out-of-season clothing. Pare down your outwear, especially if you have a coat rack near an entrance. Pack away extra coats, shoes, umbrellas and other outdoor gear you won’t need while you’re selling. 

Problem areas 
In the kitchen, clear off the counters and organize your cabinets (they will be opened!). Pack away kitchen items you can do without – the piles of storage containers, party serving dishes, and specialty pots and tools you rarely use. The extra room will make your kitchen feel more spacious. 

In the bathroom, move toothpaste, makeup and other items from the counter to a drawer or cabinet (neatly though, don’t just toss everything in the drawer). Put out a new bar of soap on a sparkling clean soap dish (if you can’t get all the dried-up soap off, buy an inexpensive new one.) Pack away medicine for ailments people don’t care to think about – laxatives, athlete’s foot, etc. Don’t leave your toilet bowl brush or plunger next to the toilet – a better place for those items is your utility closet. 

Scrub your tub or shower stall until it looks new, and clean it every day to keep soap scum and mildew away (that includes fishing hair from the drain). Replace your shower curtain liner. Limit yourself to one shampoo bottle and one bar of soap or one bottle of shower gel. Use a wash cloth daily? Dried up, dirty wash clothes are a turn off. Toss it into the laundry and replace it after one use. Inspect your towels – only display clean, hole-free towels. If the edges on all your towels are frayed, pick up new, inexpensive ones to display. 

Utility areas 
Mudrooms, basements and laundry rooms can be the toughest areas to deal with when selling. Don’t let the project overwhelm you. First, throw away the junk. Then pack items you need but use rarely into storage bins or boxes and neatly stack them on shelves. Having the area clean and freshly painted is important. If you have pets, make sure food, litter boxes, pet toys and grooming tools are not in high-traffic areas. 

After you’ve prepared your home inside and out, have a friend or neighbor walk through and tell you what should be changed. You need to choose someone who is not afraid to be honest to do this. The feedback can really help in the first step of the home selling process.

Summertime....And the Living is Easy in Country Place Subdivision

A buyer called me a couple of months ago and described what he and his wife were looking for.  He wanted a home in a neighborhood with lots of trees on an acre or two, close to a lake, but not too far from Tyler, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, around 3,000 square feet, Whitehouse schools....I immediately thought "COUNTRY PLACE"!

Country Place, which is located off of FM 346 between Hwy 69 and Paluxy Drive,  is the epitomy of East Texas living with rolling hills, trees, lakes,  and  lot sizes of a couple of acres or more.  Just a few short miles from Tyler, Country place affords its residents the privilege of  experiencing a peaceful, quiet, laid back country lifestyle without feeling deprived of all Tyler has to offer.
For more information about the wonderful Country Place community, here's a link: http://www.countryplacetyler.com/html/about.html

I've sold several Country Place homes over the last 10 years, including this wonderfully rustic family home located at 19361 Lakeshore Drive.  The young family that purchased it back in 2008 are moving to Oklahoma for job related reasons.  With two young sons, this home was a perfect fit for their family.  They love their neighborhood with its many trees, lakes, and peaceful natural setting where their boys can play and explore, and where deer can often be spotted. This great home is now once again for sale and  is ready to welcome a new family to Country Place.
For a virtual tour of this home click here:


http://vt.realbiz360.com/Listing-688674.html

19361 Lakeshore Drive  $299,900

This 2994 sq. ft. 4 bedroom home features a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, gas range, 2 ovens, hammered copper sink, and custom cabinets, living room with adjoining sunroom, gorgeous hardwood floors and stained concrete. Master suite is downstairs and features an adjoining library with a cozy fireplace, beautiful bath, large closet, and hardwood flooring. There is a guest bath downstairs, as well as a formal dining room.  Upstairs features 3 bedrooms and a bath. There is large space in the unfinished area above garage that could be made into additional living space.  For more information click this link to my website listing of this property


http://www.bettysellstyler.com/listing-19361%2Blakeshore%2Bdrive-14098.html

Fish, read a book, or just sit and think...This beautiful setting allows you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life with it's stress and trouble!








So, what did my shoes look like today?  I wore my camo sandals....you never know when you will need to camoflage yourself to spy on one of those Country Place deer!

Where did this REALTOR'S shoes go today? Hollytree Country Club Development

There is just something about Hollytree that makes me feel like I am on vacation as soon as I pass through the main entrance off of Grande Blvd. People are playng golf on the lush green course, joggers in color coordinated jogging attire smile and wave as I pass, and the tennis courts are full of people who are serious about tennis or at least are wearing outfits to look the part. It seems as if the air is fresher, the colors of the expertly manicured landscape are more vivid, the birds sing sweeter, and the sun shines brighter in this idyllic neighborhood. It is such a wonderful and relaxing feeling! But then I come to my senses and realize.....I'm not on vacation, and I don't even live here.....I'm working today!

There are currently 42 homes listed in Hollytree with prices ranging from $250,000 for a garden home in Hollytree Place to a magnificent 5300 sq. ft.  Mediteranean showplace situated on over 1.4 acres on Royal Oak Drive, and priced at $1,495,000. There are homes built in the 80's, and new homes as well. There are a few smaller homes under 2600 square feet, but most of the homes are much larger than that. If you want to live the good life in Hollytree, it is very possible that there is a home there that would work for your lifestyle and budget.  Golf, Tennis, Swimming, and Social memberships are available if homeowners desire them, but they are not required. Here is a link for more information:

http://www.hollytreeclub.com/view.asp?id=156&page=2447

My reason for being in Hollytree today was to show some buyer clients of mine 6802 La Costa, which is priced at $307,000, and features 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 2 living areas.  The kitchen has gorgeous granite counter tops, marble backsplashes, an island, and stainless appliances.  Everything you would expect in an upscale neighborhood, but at such an affordable price.  The home showed well as it always does, and there have been 3 other showings just in the past 2 days.  I don't expect to have this listing much longer because it will be SOLD!  See the virtual tour: http://vt.realbiz360.com/MLS-611693.html

If you want to view all the homes listed in Hollytree, visit my webite http://www.bettysellstyler.com/ click on "Tyler Neighborhoods" and then select Hollytree from the drop down list.  Call me if you are interested...I can show you any of the homes listed.

These are the shoes this REALTOR wore today.  It's time to take them off now, put on my sparkly house shoes and watch Glee.

Just like picking money up off the ground?

HOW HARD CAN IT BE TO SELL A HOUSE? A few years ago, some clients of mine who had listed their home with me, received a contract to purchase it in a matter of days As we were sitting at the kitchen table while they signed the contract, the husband looked at me and said "This is just like picking money up off the ground for you, isn't it?" Although he was smiling, I could tell that he really felt that way. After all, it appeared as if all I had really done was write the listing agreement, take some pictures, upload everything to MLS, put a sign in the yard, and a lockbox on the door, and Bam! A buyer's agent brings me a contract and I'm due a fat commission ... "just like picking money up off the ground!"

My husband and I sold four homes before I got my real estate license in 2001. Each time, we listed the house for sale with a REALTOR. Our homes always sold rather quickly. It seemed that the REALTOR didn't really have to do much work since the house seemed to sell itself. I remember looking at the settlement statement while sitting at the closing table and thinking "Wow….what exactly did the REALTOR do to earn this much money?”

So, what makes using a REALTOR to sell your house worth that seemingly big fee and why should you use one? About 80 percent of homes are sold with the help of a real estate agent, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Here are a few reasons it pays to list your home with a REALTOR:

Setting the right price. One of the first things I present to a seller is a comparative market analysis which is based on recent sales in a given area and is the basis for my recommended list price. Setting the right price is crucial in home sales, because an inflated asking price can turn away buyers. An accurate assessment of the market is essential to price a home correctly. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, sellers who use a real estate agent receive on average 20 percent more for their homes than those who sell their own homes.

Marketing expertise. I will devise and implement a marketing plan to sell your home. This may include coordinating open houses, advertising via newspaper and magazines, printing and distributing brochures, producing virtual tours for Internet use, and showing your house to potential buyers. This involves time, money, creativity, and expertise. I have a website which includes my listings as well as a search feature for the entire MLS system in the greater Tyler area. A strong Internet presence is a MUST since most buyers today go to the Internet first to search for a home. My website BettySellsTyler.com is my biggest source for connecting with buyers. I use pay per click advertising and attract hundreds of buyers to my website each week. My listings can also be found on realtor.com, remax.com, and countless other real estate websites via Internet Data Exchange.

The MLS and the REALTOR'S contacts. The multiple listing service, or MLS, is a database of all the homes for sale by real estate agents in a particular region. Once a home is listed, information about it can be accessed by all the agents in the area and matched to buyers: in effect, your home is being sold by not one person, but by hundreds. If your home is not listed with a REALTOR, it is not listed on MLS.ve exclusive

Objectivity. When selling, a real estate agent can provide an unemotional view of the home and what needs to be added or subtracted to make it more appealing to buyers. I try to see the home through "Buyer's eyes", and address deterrents to presenting the home as an appealing place to live. I am an ASP, or Accredited Staging Professional, and have had extensive training on how to make your home attractive to buyers.

Drafting skills. As a REALTOR, I draft contracts, know the information that must be included in the documents, and can also advise you about what stipulations you should make in the contract. Real estate contracts in Texas are 8 pages long and soon will be even longer. Having someone help you understand what each paragraph of the contract means is a necessity these days.

Negotiation and closing assistance. A real estate agent can provide advice to sellers when deciding whether to accept or modify an offer or counter-offer. Once an offer has been accepted, I will assist the Seller with going over inspection reports, help with repair negotiations, and ensure that all stipulations in the contract are complete. I will keep a finger on the pulse of the transaction until the sale is completed.

Here is the bottom line. As a full time REALTOR, I am involved in the business of real estate and handle real estate transactions EVERY DAY. I KNOW real estate, not only from the required education I received in order to take the real estate exam and maintain my real estate license, but also from my 10 years of practical experience actually selling real estate. I can help you avoid common pitfalls and maneuver the real estate "jungle" successfully with fewer headaches, less stress, less time wasted, and more money in your pocket.

Is selling real estate like picking up money off the ground?.....well, not exactly!