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College Station, TX Real Estate News

By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
Building a home can be exciting and overwhelming. You have big visions in your mind of what you want, but then you realize there is so much to do to make that dream a reality. You begin to wonder where should you even start! Here are a few things to start with when you are starting the home-building process.Get Connected with a Realtor:This step is here to ensure you make smart moves. When you get in touch with a realtor, they can help you compare floor plans, financial options, help explain contracts, and so much more. When it comes to the building process, they will make sure you are only putting in what you can get back in return for your area. They are your trusted source for real estate information, and you can be assured that they are devoted to you.Working with the Right Builder:...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
Event Name: Downtown Christmas Parade Date: December 9, 2016 Location: Downtown Bryan Time: 6:30 pm Details: The ONLY light parade in Bryan-College Station. Starting at 24th and Bryan street, floats, fire engines and vehicles covered in lights. A night full of fun. Santa is even rumored to be there after the parade is over.
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
 When designing, or redesigning a kitchen for your home it is important to have an idea of what kind of cabinets you will put in. Kitchen cabinets define a kitchen with design as well as accessibility, so it is key to have a set that can handle both aspects. It’s exciting and overwhelming to choose what kind of kitchen cabinets your future dream kitchen will have, so be sure to do your research for what will best suit your home. Here are the basics for kitchen cabinetry:Base Cabinets:Sometimes called lower cabinets, these are the sturdy cabinets that build the upper base of the kitchen, like counter tops and kitchen islands. This is where most your kitchen storage space will be, for items such as pots, pans, cleaning items, etc. Usually base cabinets will be atop a four-inch riser calle...
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By Sonja Patterson, Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou
(Keller Williams - BV)
FIVE homes SOLD in the Pebble Creek subdivision for the month of October 2016! Prices ranged from $296,000 for a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom patio home all the way up to $550,000 for a newer 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home with a lovely outdoor kitchen.     The average price/sq. ft. varied greatly based on floorplan, age, and condition of the homes.  The highest price/sq. ft. was $192/sq. ft. for a new construction home on Hawks' Ridge. So, how many days can sellers expect to wait before receiving an agreed-upon offer?  The average time on the market was 109 days or almost 4 months. So, if your home is currently on the market, and you are frustrated you have not received an offer in the first 2 months, don't despair!  The right buyer will come! I am new to Pebble Creek, but not new to real estate!  :...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
When putting your house on the market, there is a checklist of things to do in preparation. However, there are small things that people forget to do that can make or break a deal. Don't worry, we've got you covered with 4 tips and tricks that will help your home sell on the market.  Hide Wires in your Home: This simple fix will make your home look bigger and less cluttered. No buyer wants to see unsightly wires all over the place when they come to visit. Ways to do this: Use binder clips even paper towel rolls to keep cords together, then use a light adhesive to hide behind a desk or entertainment stand. Clean the small things: These are the things we see everyday and never notice are truly dirty. Baseboards,Windows and small appliances need to be cleaned so buyers will find your home ...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
Congratulations, you’ve made it all the way to the home inspection!It is important to note that a home inspection is completely optional to the buyer, but generally is a great idea. It’s very important to be aware of all your choices for home inspection. Below we will go over a few of the basics about home inspection and what you should expect.What is a Home Inspection?By definition, a home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. It includes an in-field, primarily visual evaluation and professional opinion of the performance of the readily accessible installed systems in a home. These evaluations should be performed by certified professional inspectors, so research into who you’re using is an important...
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By Sonja Patterson, Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou
(Keller Williams - BV)
Castle Rock is a cozy little subdivision located just west of the newer HEB (which is just west of Highway 6) and north of William D Fitch. During 2016, Castle Rock SOLDS have ranged from $217,550 up to $302,500! Current offerings range in price from $219,900 for a 3 bedroom 2 bath home up to $345,000 for a nice-sized 4 bedroom 3 bathroom home with a large gameroom!    Castle Rock ammenities include a beautiful pool, splashpad, playground area,  and soccer fields!  Castle Rock is also zoned to great CSISD schools (as of this writing, Spring Oak Elementary, College Station Middle School, Cypress Grove Intermediate, and CS High School)!!  To find out the current worth of your Castle Rock home, call me for a free comparative market analysis! SONJA PATTERSON with NextHome Realty Center, 128...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
Planning to relocate to Bryan-College Station? Not sure what is around town, or even how to get around? Wanting to move, but not sure which area is right for you or your family? Coming from a larger city to a smaller town can be stressful, but knowing what you are getting into beforehand  will be helpful and moving here will all be worth it. About Bryan-College StationHome of the Aggies, Bryan-College Station is a big tradition loving town. Located in the heart of central Texas, it is just hours away from all of the major cities. Being a very diverse town full of traditions, it has come home to over 227,843 and is still growing. Giving that small-town feel, with big-city features, it offers many attractions, services, and local events for the community.Attractions Visitor Center The Geo...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
Anyone who has thought about renovating a home, has also considered the hefty fees that could go along with the renovation process. Although renovating can be a financially stressful process, there are numerous ways to save money while you embark on your renovation journey. Here are some tips to save you money while still achieving all of your renovation goals. 1. Try your best not to move any plumbing appliances.Re-plumbing appliances such as a sink or toilet, can add a substantial amount to your renovating costs. If you can leave these appliances where they are, you will be able to put that saved money into an area that you will be able to actually see and enjoy. 2. Do your own demolition.Hiring someone to do you demolition can be very expensive, do it yourself and save big! Plus, wha...
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By Sonja Patterson, Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou
(Keller Williams - BV)
Located near the intersection of Highway 6 and Emerald Parkway is a charming subdivision known as Emerald Forest.  During the last 6 months, SEVENTEEN homes have sold ranging in price from $203,500 for an older, two-story fixer-upper up to $470,000 for a lovely, nearly 4000 sq. ft. 4-bedroom home on a .62 acre lot.     Emerald Forest subdivision offers wonderful ammenities for its residents including jogging trails, relaxing pool, private clubhouse, and shaded park!!     What a wonderful subdivision to call home!  SONJA PATTERSON with RE/MAX Realty Center 12810 Telge Rd. Cypress, TX 77429Cell: 713.303.9463               www.har.com/SPatterson             sonja.patterson@sbcglobal.net
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
 Many people believe they know everything they need to about buying a house. Unfortunately, there are a plethora of obstacles that you must overcome in order to purchase a home.Fortunately, you’re in LUCK! You have can have access to a buyer’s agent. No clue who that is or what it even means? That’s okay, we can help you out.A buyer's agent is someone who represents only the buyer in a real estate transaction. This person is there to only serve your best interest as a buyer. Your agent will negotiate for you, research the neighborhood or property, ensure the property is inspected, and do whatever is necessary in order to reach your goals.You need someone that will be honest with you, someone who knows really what they are doing, an agent is exactly what you need. Buying a home can get o...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
You can transform any home with good interior design. Bright and open houses are very popular recently, and they bring a positive vibe to the home. Here are some tips to make your home look and feel larger. Putting mirrors up in your home gives the illusion of a bigger room. It also reflects the natural and artificial light making an overall brighter environment. If you are wanting to make your ceilings look taller, hang long vertical mirrors that scale the walls. Using sheer curtains instead of heavy dark colors, will allow more light to come in and create a flowing environment. Splurge on some cute lamps while you are at it. If you do not have a single dark corner in the the room, it will look larger. Instead of a couch that has a skirt touching the floor, invest in a modern couch on ...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
Home automation isn’t exactly new — just think back to the first garage-door openers or the first home security systems. But today’s home automation is more innovative and practical than ever before. From thermostats to surveillance cameras, it’s all automated. Here are some products on the market sure to make your life a little easier.Smart ThermostatsNest is a smart thermostat that keeps your home cool or warm — but also keeps it safe, all while saving energy, too. As you use the system, the smart thermostat learns your preferences and programs itself according to your usage patterns. Say you like to turn down the thermostat at night. Nest will pick up on this habit and automatically turn down the air. And when it comes to saving energy, Nest does the job. The thermostat controls 50 p...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
     When you first drive by a home one of the first things you will notice is the landscape. It can either be an appealing pro or a deafening con for the home. That is why it is necessary to have an attractive looking landscape, because it helps develop that first impression a person places on a home. A study done by a horticulturalist at Virginia Tech, found that a “well-landscaped home” had an advantage of making between $16,500 - $38,100 in value on a $300,000 home compared to a home that had no landscaping. Avoid Having a Neglected LandscapeYou never want to be known as that home that has a jungle growing in their front yard or desert where tumbleweeds roll away from. If you think you're known as “that home” on your street then you should definitely do something about it pronto! H...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
If you’re not already familiar with the term home staging, it is the art of presentation when selling your home. Many wonder if it’s worth the extra time and effort to stage a home for sale and below we’ll discuss why it’s an important step in the home selling process.Goals:The goal for staging a home is to make it appealing to the highest number of buyers. This can be overlooked by the sellers and even some agents during the home selling process and greatly hurt the chances of receiving the offer a seller is searching for. First impressions begin to formulate when a potential buyer pulls up to the house; landscaping, house color and overall tidiness of a property’s exterior can be a turn off before a buyer even walks in the door. Home staging goes beyond the typical cleaning, declutter...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
With TV shows such as Flip or Flop, Love it or List it and many more, real estate shows have grown in popularity and so has real estate investing. Whether they are looking into buying a rental property or wanting to flip the home, there are several things investors look for before they take the plunge. Location, Location, Location!Real estate investors live by the rule: It’s all about location. They look for properties near good schools, in a stable job market area, and near public transit. These factors make properties more valuable and also more desirable. For example, if you are buying a property near a public university, you are more likely to more students wanting to rent from you. ConditionSome homes need only cosmetic repairs while others need an extreme home makeover. According ...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
Whether your home is 50 years old or 10 years old, there are always ways to spruce it up for the home market. By following these helpful tips, you can make your home appear newer and bigger with just a few simple changes.Put those family photos awayPotential buyers want to feel like your home could become theirs; however, when they see pictures of your family it can make that hard to imagine.Remove and hide excess cords or wiresDecluttering is the key word. By hiding little things such as wires or cords, it can make the room seem cleaner and more organized.Re-caulk the bathtubThis is the perfect tip for homes that might not have the newest tubs or showers. Having a re-caulked bathtub makes the bathroom appear as if it had a recent renovation.Use flowers and plants in the yardCurb appeal...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
Home insurance and mortgages are often topics many homeowners search endlessly for answers about. The benefits of obtaining home insurance in relation to a mortgage depend on your geographic location and other factors. Below we will look at the general benefits home insurance brings. What is home insurance?First off, home owner insurance is coverage for your home in case of damage by fire, theft, and other natural disasters. Depending on the area where you live, it may be necessary to get additional coverages such as flooding or earthquakes events. Home insurance also protects the home owner from liability if a guest is injured in the home. Homeowner pays a deductible usually between $500 - $1000 a year, and anything over that dollar amount is a damage cost and is then paid for by the i...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
After thinking about it for some time, you have made the decision to move to Texas. Whether you were approved for the job transfer you were hoping for or you were motivated to live closer to — or maybe further away from — family members, the Lone Star State is eagerly awaiting your arrival. While moving can be a stressful experience, there is so much to look forward to in your new home state.People are really niceHospitality and Texas go hand in hand. Drivers wave at each other, doors are opened for others and people smile and say hello to strangers. When you move into your new place, chances are your new neighbors will come by to say howdy and welcome you with open arms to the area. This marvelous sense of hospitality is both positive and reassuring, making it hard to be anxious about ...
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By James Murr, www.cortiersrealestate.com
(Cortiers Real Estate)
When selling your home, you look to appeal to the widest range of buyers possible and that can be hard when you have kids. Below we will go over some key points in staging your house with kids to maximize buyers interest and help sell your home faster. Neutralize the Kid’s RoomsAlthough you and your kids love the mural of the zoo animals or the pink princess walls, it might be hard for potential buyers to view themselves in that space if they don’t have little ones. It’s best to paint these walls in a neutral color scheme which is friendly to everyone.  Additionally, the mound of stuffed animals would be better kept in storage instead of in the room. This includes play rooms as well, it is best to convert this into an open space that potential buyers can fill in themselves. You’ll want ...
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