A Special Government Home Renovation Loan Program with College Station TX FHA 203k Loans.   Many people are not aware of a special government loan program that is part of the Federal Housing Administration or FHA(a department within HUD). Existing home owners or potential home buyers can remodel and update their homes without having a higher cost second lien because of this FHA loan program.     The loan program does not allow for “luxury items” which are defined as items like a swimming pool or hot tub, etc. But you can repaint, replace flooring, remodel cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms, add wallpaper, replace appliances – even add a room to an existing structure (which can significantly add to value as you increase the square footage of your home).     Many advantages exist with th... 07/17/2017

  The 2017 Pebble Creek 4th of July Parade will begin at 9 a.m. this coming Tuesday, July 4 at the Pebble Creek Country Club parking lot! Decorate your golf carts, bikes, wagons, strollers, yourselves, your children and pets, and come out for an old-fashioned 4th of July parade with your family, neighbors and friends!! Prizes for “most patriotic” will be presented in several categories. For those wishing to enter the decorating contest, please arrive early as registration begins at 8am. Enjoy delicious breakfast items generously donated by area businesses! Your little ones will relish riding Paw Paw’s Train, and two bounce houses will provide plenty of opportunity to get the wiggles out! Hope to see you there!! I will be helping "Paw Paw" by the train. For any additional information, te... 06/30/2017

TEN homes SOLD in the lovely Pebble Creek subdivision during the first quarter 2017. Prices ranged from $290,000 for a 4-bedroom one-story on a cul-de-sac all the way up to $1,180,000 for a 5-bedroom, 5 bathroom home on the golf course.   Highest price per sq. ft. = $206.19.  As of this writing, 4/17/17, SIXTEEN homes have a "pending" status. So, I predict it will be a very busy summer real-estate-wise in PEBBLE CREEK! If you plan to sell your Pebble Creek home in the near future, call me!  I'm in the neighborhood and would love to provide you with a free comparative market analysis! Sonja PattersonExecutive Real Estate Services 750 William D Fitch Suite 430Cell: 713.303.9463 sonja.patterson@sbcglobal.netwww.har.com/SPatterson       04/17/2017

Our firm BCR Realtors is please to announce that we now have two memeber REALTORS who are also licensed Auctioneers by the state of Texas. There is and alwasy has been a need for real estate auctions. The reasons are varied as to why some folks choose to go to auction, but there is no doubt it is a very viable method of getting a property sold. Frequently auctions are able to muster a higher than normal selling price which should be pleaseing to any seller. Additionally a buyers' premium is often required which can save a seller thousands when it is all said and done. And auctions can result in a faster sale!So if you have clients who are interested in a proven alternative to other methods, an auction may be the answer they are seeking. 03/28/2017

I have some buyers relocating to College Station this summer, and they have two elementary-aged children. So, of course, school ratings are important!!   EVERY school has its pros and cons, so in order to make the best decision for your children, I highly recommend visiting the schools under consideration talking with the principal in charge, and observing a classroom at work. As of March 2017, these are the current ratings obtained from www.greatschools.org ! Only the highest-rated elementary schools were included Elementary Schools (Kinder- 4th) Forest Ridge               10Pebble Creek              10Rock Prairie               10Greens Prairie           9Southwood Valley     9Spring Creek              **  Intermediate Schools (5th and 6th) Cypress Grove           7Oakwood            ... 03/22/2017

According to a recent LinkedIn report, there are many new job opportunities in the Brazos Valley!The top 5 actively hiring companies are (drum roll please!) 1. Texas A&M University System 2. Dollar General3. Baylor Scott & White Health4. TMC Transportation5. CRST Logistics College Station and Bryan are wonderful towns in which to raise a family, and many families choose to relocate here to have city conveniences along with a small-town feel.  So, if you are thinking of a career change--think of coming to Bryan-College Station! Sonja PattersonExecutive Real Estate Services 750 William D Fitch Suite 430Cell: 713.303.9463 sonja.patterson@sbcglobal.netwww.har.com/SPatterson   03/22/2017

Setting back enough money is a crucial part of buying a new home. Below is a summation of the costs associated with closing a deal.Earnest Money DepositEarnest money deposits are used to ensure the seller that the prospective homebuyer is serious about their offer. The deposit amounts vary, but are usually around 1-3% of the home’s purchase price. If the sale goes through, the deposit is added toward your downpayment. In the case that you back out unexpectedly, the money is lost to the seller.Down PaymentDown payments are the most expensive up front costs when buying a home. Some lenders will allow you to go as low as 5 or 3.5% on your down payment, but the ideal rate is around 10-20%. The higher your downpayment, the lower your future mortgage payments, so putting down as much as you c... 03/06/2017

 So you decided to hire an agent to list your home, what next? Often sellers are unsure of their role in this process and don’t know what to expect in regards to their responsibilities. Below, we’ll discuss what you should expect your role to be as the client.Preparing Your HomeEven though your realtor can provide you with tips to better the appearance of your home, it is ultimately your responsibility to make sure it is in top condition. This includes making sure all areas of the home are thoroughly cleaned and decluttered, even your junk closet! It is also your responsibility as the client to keep the home odor-free, and remove any personal items to allow buyers to envision themselves in the space. Keeping it AvailableIt is your agent's job to show your home to potential buyers, but i... 03/01/2017

Are you wanting to build your next home, but don’t really know where to start? It seems like there a millions things to consider before you can make any progress. Don’t stress, here are some tips to help you start! Look at various floor plans  Are you wanting a one story or two story? How many bedrooms? Open kitchen? Homes nowadays consist of lavish floor plans which you may not even thought of! It is important to choose a floor plan that will work best for you.Find an experienced agent.It is important to connect with an agent that has experience with home builders. An agent will be crucial in teaching you how to structure your offer to a home builder. They will have the experience to know what will be the best incentives to the builder while also keeping your best interests in mind.Do ... 02/27/2017

The Legacy Group is HAPPY to announce a new mobile app that allows home buyers to search for real, up to the minute, live MLS listings. The app is called “Home Scouting” and is aFREE home finding service provided directly to consumers by Home Buyers Marketing II, Inc, a licensed brokerage services company. Whether you’re ready to buy a home or just browsing, you’ll want to take advantage of the free Home Scouting app. This convenient app makes finding your dream home fast and easy. Home Scouting provides you with 100% of theACTIVE MLS listings, unlike some other public home search websites and apps. You receive the most accurate informationAVAILABLE and with Home Scouting you can:   View every MLS listing·       Schedule a home showing  View sold home information  See detailedSCHOOL dis... 02/22/2017

2017 could be a great year for selling a home. 2016 was the best existing-home sales year since 2006, with 5.45 million sales, the National Association of Realtors reported in January. This growing demand was coupled with record-low supply, pushing home values up to a median of $232,200 in December, an increase of four percent since December 2015.If you’re looking to capitalize on these trends in 2017, you may be considering home renovations. Renovations can sometimes add value to your home, but before you invest in them, here are some things you should know about the dos and don’ts of pre-sale renovations.Do: Insulate Your Attic with FiberglassEach year, Remodeling publishes a cost vs. value guide ranking which home renovations add the most return on investment per dollar spent. In 201... 02/17/2017

For those of you not fluent in real estate lingo, curb appeal refers to the attractiveness of your house from the outside. Curb appeal can greatly hinder or help you when try to sell your home!Why is curb appeal important? All our lives we have been told how important first impressions are, especially when it comes to professional events and meeting new people. First impressions give others a taste of what you are like without getting into too much detail and can greatly influence how you are thought of and treated. First impressions of houses are no different - that is why curb appeal is so important.Curb appeal sets the tone for your entire home because many people associate the condition of the exterior of a house and its landscaping with the interior. While what’s on the inside may ... 02/15/2017

  Laminate flooring is a multi-layer, synthetic flooring product that simulates wood. Although there are many pros to having laminate flooring, there are several common problems that can come along with it.Laminate Problems and How to Fix Them:1.PeakingPeaking is an expansion problem. Floors and walls expand and contract based on the weather, humidity and other things. When flooring expands against doorways, molding, or walls, it can buckle. This can be fixed by taking out the molding to let the floor expand and even out.2. Water/Moisture-induced warping/bucklingDampness, either from humidity or water, can cause laminate flooring to buckle or warp. A balancing layer can help to even out the flooring3. Mildew, mold, and other infestationsMildew, mold, fungus, and other things are not a s... 02/13/2017

The winter season is a time where you and your family can cozy up in your home and enjoy the indoor warmth of the season. Keep winter a pleasant time in your home — take care of any fixtures or systems within your house that could be damaged in the cold weather. Keep your home well maintained through examination and repair of potential plumbing, critter, caulking and heating problems. Here is a comprehensive checklist of what should be maintained in your home during the winter months:Frozen PipesChanging temperatures can make your water pipes expand and contract, stressing the metal and causing ruptures. Make sure your pipes are well insulated so you don’t encounter frozen pipe damage. One method of prevention is to insulate your pipes well with a foam-based therma-shield. If you aren’t... 02/10/2017

Veterans Loans in College Station Texas is the best loan program in Texas!  VA loans offer a special opportunity for our Veterans to become homeowners or refinance their existing VA guaranteed mortgage. VA Loans have more lenient underwriting criteria than other loan programs and offer lower interest rates than conventional loans. Plus, no down payment is required for Veterans Loans in College Station TX. This step by step guide is intended to give you all the quick answers you need to get started with the VA program, explain all the benefits of a VA Loans, and help you navigate through the loan process as an informed Veteran. Some of the information we will be discussing are:• What are VA Loans?• Interest Rates• How you can apply for a VA Loan?• Obtaining your Certificate of Eligibilit... 01/27/2017

4 homes SOLD in the CASTLE ROCK subdivision between October 1 and December 31, 2016.  Prices ranged from $272,900 for a 5-bedroom, 3-bath new construction home up to $302,500 for a 3-bedroom, 2 bathroom home with a pool on a cul-de-sac street. Average price/sq. ft. was $138.33 while the highest price/sq. ft. equaled $150.87!! To find out the expected future sales price on your Castle Rock home, call me!  I would be happy to provide a complimentary CMA (comparative market analysis) today! SONJA PATTERSON with Executive Real Estate Services   713.303.9463sonja.patterson@sbcglobal.net         www.har.com/SPatterson     01/06/2017

Though the weather outside is frightful, the market is still delightful! Even during the "slower" winter months, buyers are looking in Pebble Creek for their dream home!  Perhaps YOUR home is the perfect home for their family! For the month of December 2016, four homes SOLD in the Pebble Creek subdivision.  Prices ranged from $349,000 for a 2-story, mid-sized home built in 1993 up to $650,000 for a very spacious 1999 Mariott-built, one-story (nearly 5000 sq. ft) with a pool on a beautiful .6 acre lot. Highest price/sq. ft. = $153.06 Thinking of listing YOUR Pebble Creek home?  Call me, I am in the neighborhood!  Let me put my many years of real estate experience to work for you!  SONJA PATTERSON with Executive Real Estate Services   713.303.9463sonja.patterson@sbcglobal.net        www.h... 01/06/2017

College Station TX FHA Streamline RefinanceLOANS are as special mortgage product, reserved for homeowners with existingFHA mortgages. FHA  Streamline refinancesare the fastest, simplest way for FHA-insured homeowners to refinance their respective mortgage into today’s lowMORTGAGE RATES Below are some of the requirements for an FHA streamline:           You must be current on YOUR existing LOAN WITH all MORTGAGE PAYMENTS made on time for the last year.          You must own the original property and have made at least six MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS before you can qualify for REFINANCING.          To REFINANCE, you’ll need an FHA-approved LENDER. If you don’t want to use yourcurrent LENDER, any MORTGAGE LENDER YOU CHOOSE must be FHA approved.           FHAStreamline LOANS do not require an... 01/03/2017

FOUR homes SOLD in the Pebble Creek subdivision during the month of November 2016! Prices ranged from $349,000 for a one-story, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home up to $420,000 for a 4-bedroom, 3.5 bath 2-story .   Average price/sq. ft. equaled $136 with little variation amongst the four solds.  Highest price/sq. ft. was $138. Interested in what you could expect to receive for YOUR Pebble Creek home?  Call me!  I would love to put my 9 years of real estate experience to work for you, and I'm in the neighborhood! SONJA PATTERSON with Executive Real Estate Services   713.303.9463sonja.patterson@sbcglobal.net        www.har.com/SPatterson     12/19/2016

 Looking for an affordable neighborhood with 2001 or newer homes and great schools? Woodland Hills in College Station, TX may be just the subdivision for you! Prices for 2016 ranged from $231,000 up to $310,000!  Located slightly northeast of Highway 6 and William D. Fitch, Woodland Hills is zoned to Pebble Creek Elementary School and has a lovely community park! Lovely covered picnic area across from the playground!  Playground 2Want to know what your Woodland Hills home is worth in today's market?  Give me a call!  I would love to provide you with a free, comparative market analysis! SONJA PATTERSON with NextHome Realty Centerwww.har.com/SPatterson                    sonja.patterson@sbcglobal.net                    713.303.9463 12/02/2016