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Fort Bend County, TX Real Estate News

By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Choosing a Loan That’s Right for YouFinding the right loan to meet your needs can be one of the hardest parts of buying a new home. There are a number of mortgage options out there, and if you choose one that isn’t really ideal for your situation, then you might end up paying a lot more for it in the long run. With so many options, though, how do you know that you’re getting the best loan to match your situation?It might take a little bit of homework, but there are actually a few different ways to sort through potential loans to find the best one for you. A lot of things can affect the loans that are available to you, including where you live, what your credit history looks like, and even the state of the economy. With that said, here are a few things that you should keep in mind when s...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Things That Could Help You Win a Bidding War on a HomeWith a limited number of homes for sale today and so many buyers looking to make a purchase before mortgage rates rise further, bidding wars are common. According to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), nationwide, homes are getting an average of 4.8 offers per sale. Heres a look at how that breaks down state-by-state (see map below):The same report from NAR shows the average buyer made two offers before getting their third offer accepted. In this type of competitive housing market, its important to know what levers you can pull to help you beat the competition. While a real estate professional is your ultimate guide to presenting a strong offer, here are a few things you could consider.Offering over Ask...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Does My Heat Pump or A/C Need Replacing?Summer is just around the corner, and for a lot of homeowners, that means having to run the air conditioner or heat pump around the clock just to keep ahead of climbing temperatures. These tools are amazing for keeping things cool, but after a while, they too can get worn out and need replacing. Do you know how to tell if it’s time to retire your current unit?Efficiency Is Everything Many people believe that if their unit is still working, it’s still doing its job, but with HVAC systems this isn’t always true. Efficiency is really everything, and an air conditioner or heat pump that’s slipping in this department may be on its way out the door. Older units may still cool just as well as they always did, and regular maintenance can ensure they live ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Three Tips for First-Time HomebuyersBuying your first home is a major decision and an exciting milestone. Even though it can feel daunting at times, it has the power to change your life for the better. If you’re looking to purchase your first home, you may be wondering what’s happening in the housing market today, how much you need to save, and where to start.Here are three things that can help give you the information you need to confidently pursue your dream of homeownership.1. Consider All Options When the Number of Homes for Sale Is LowToday, there are far more buyers in the market than there are homes available for sale. When that happens, its a good idea to do what you can to increase your pool of options. That could mean expanding your search to include additional housing types. ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Todays Home Price Appreciation Is Great News for Existing HomeownersIf you're planning to sell your home this season, rising prices are great news for you. But its important to understand why prices are rising to begin with. One major factor is supply and demand.In any industry, when there are more buyers for an item than there are of that item available, prices naturally rise. In those situations, buyers are willing to pay more to get the product or service they're looking for when options are scarce. And that's exactly what's happening in the current real estate market.Selma Hepp, Executive, Research & Insights and Deputy Chief Economist at CoreLogic, puts it like this:With so few homes, buyers are once again left with fierce competition that's driving the share of homes that sold ove...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Your House Could Be Closer to List-Ready Than You Think One of the biggest concerns for a homeowner looking to sell is the time they'll have to put in before listing their house. If that's the case for you, you should know your home might be closer to list-ready than you think in todays housing market. A survey of recent sellers from realtor.com finds that many were able to get their house ready in less than a month. It says:With many homeowners expecting a quick sale, and in many cases a lack of contingencies, the preparation process took less than a month for over 50% of home sellers this past year, with 20% completing it in less than two weeks.Those sellers expecting to sell quickly are following recent buyer trends. With mortgage rates and home prices rising, buyers in todays market...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
2022 Housing Market Forecast  Some Highlights What does the rest of the year hold for the housing market? Here's what experts have to say about what lies ahead. Home prices are projected to rise and so are mortgage rates. Experts are also forecasting another strong year for home sales as people move to meet their changing needs. Lets connect so you can make your best move this year.   
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Do I Need Flood Insurance?Insurance is a great thing to have when the unexpected occurs. Unfortunately, it’s very rare to find a policy that covers every possible thing that might happen to your home; some incidents such as natural disasters typically require separate policies that cover the specific damages that can occur when these sorts of things happen. A good example of this is flood insurance, which isn’t included in most homeowners’ policies, but is still a popular coverage option.When looking at insurance options, you may find yourself asking whether or not you need flood insurance. It’s one of those policies where if you really do need it then it’s practically a must-have, but if you’re unlikely to ever actually use it then it is somewhat of an unnecessary expense. To help you ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Is It Enough To Offer Asking Price in Todays Housing Market?If you're planning to buy a home this season, you're probably thinking about what you'll need to do to get your offer accepted. In previous years, it was common for buyers to try and determine how much less than the asking price they could offer to still get the home. The buyer and seller would then negotiate and typically agree on a revised price that was somewhere between the buyers bid and the homes initial asking price.In todays real estate market, buyers shouldn't shop for a home with the same expectations.Things Are Different TodayTodays housing market is anything but normal. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average home that's sold today: Receives 4.8 offers Sells in just 17 days Homes selling...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Growing Up: Getting Your Vertical Garden Ready for SpringWhen you don’t have a lot of space or open ground around your home, planting a garden might seem impossible. After all, plants need room to grow and soil to grow in, don’t they? While this is true, there is more than one way to get a garden growing. If you have limited outdoor space or don’t have room for a large garden plot, one option is to set up a vertical garden instead.While not every garden plant is feasible for a vertical garden, you might be surprised at all of the things that you can grow vertically. Of course, you’ll first have to get your vertical garden set up and ready for spring planting. You have a lot of options with how you do this, so let’s take a moment to cover the essentials of what your vertical garden shoul...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
How Homeownership Can Help Shield You from InflationIf you're following along with the news today, you've likely heard about rising inflation. You're also likely feeling the impact in your day-to-day life as prices go up for gas, groceries, and more. These rising consumer costs can put a pinch on your wallet and make you re-evaluate any big purchases you have planned to ensure they're still worthwhile.If you've been thinking about purchasing a home this year, you're probably wondering if you should continue down that path or if it makes more sense to wait. While the answer depends on your situation, here's how homeownership can help you combat the rising costs that come with inflation.Homeownership Offers Stability and SecurityInvestopedia explains that during a period of high inflation...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
The Dream of Homeownership Is Worth the EffortIf you're in the market to buy a home this season, stick with it. Homebuyers face challenges in any market, and todays is no exception. But if you persevere, your decision to purchase a home will be worth the effort in the end. In fact, a recent survey from Bankrate shows homeownership is so powerful that:Nearly three in four homeowners say they would still buy their current home if they had it to do [sic] all over again. That means the results owning a home and the benefits that come with it outweigh the effort needed to achieve their goal. If you're a homebuyer, let that provide you with the confidence to know the work you're putting in today will pay off for years to come. Here are a few reasons to stick with your search and focus on the ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
What You Need To Know About Selling in a Sellers MarketWhat Does This Mean for You When You Sell?When the supply of houses for sale is as low as it is right now, its much harder for buyers to find homes to purchase. That creates increased competition among purchasers which can lead to more bidding wars. And if buyers know they may be entering a bidding war, they're going to do their best to submit a very attractive offer upfront. This could drive the final price of your house up.And because mortgage rates and home prices are climbing, serious buyers are motivated to make their purchase soon, before those two things rise further. That means, if you put your house on the market while supply is still low, it will likely get a lot of attention from competitive buyers.Bottom LineThe current ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Should I Skip a Home Inspection?When buying a new home, there’s a lot more that goes into the process than just signing some forms and picking up the keys. One of the big steps that you’ll typically take is getting a home inspection to identify any potential issues with the property. While this is common, most of the time it’s not actually required; while lenders will generally insist on an appraisal of the home, this isn’t a full inspection. So does that mean you can skip getting an actual home inspection as a part of the home-buying process?Technically, yes. Unless you live in an area where home inspections are legally required, you don’t have to get a home inspection before purchase. Should you skip a home inspection? Absolutely not. Having your home inspected serves a much greater p...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Give Your Curb Appeal a Boost Before You Sell Some Highlights If you're thinking about selling your house this season, focusing on a few quick and easy updates outside can help your home look its best. 78% of real estate agents polled say poor landscaping affects property values. As a seller, that means your yard could impact your bottom line. When getting your house ready to sell, lets connect to discuss what you should do to make sure your house shows well and catches the eyes of more potential buyers.    
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
What’s a Mesh Network?Chances are, you use the internet for a number of different things during the course of your day. The internet plays a key role in everything from gaming and entertainment to social interaction and even work these days, so it’s important that you have a reliable internet connection. Depending on the layout and even the materials used in your house, though, it isn’t always easy to stay connected everywhere within the home.If your Wi-Fi coverage isn’t quite what you wish it was, replacing your existing setup with a mesh network might be the answer. Mesh networks have become increasingly popular in recent years due to how easily they solve some connection and coverage problems. If you’re curious as to whether your home would benefit from a mesh network, here’s what yo...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Is It Time To Buy a Smaller Home?Life events can have a major impact on what you need from your home, and retirement is one of the biggest changes many of us face. This period of your life can mean doing more of the things you enjoy, like traveling, visiting with loved ones, or taking on new hobbies. But what does that mean for your home?If you're looking for ways to focus more on the important things in your life, the answer could be downsizing. A recent article from The Balance talks about why it could be a great option, saying:There are many reasons to buy a smaller home or to downsize from your present home but sometimes, the idea that “less is more” is what propels homeowners to buy a smaller home.You Can Find the Right Home for Your NeedsThe 2022 Home Buyers and Sellers Generation...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Why Pre-Approval Is an Important Step for Todays HomebuyersBeing intentional and competitive are musts when buying a home this season. Thats why pre-approval is so important today. Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan. Peter Warden, Editor of The Mortgage Reports, explains:The lender will check out your personal finances and issue you a letter confirming the amount you're eligible to borrow. This not only gives you a firm budget for house hunting, but also lets sellers know you're qualified to make an offer.Why does that matter so much today? There are many more buyers looking for homes today than there are homes available for sale, and that's creating some serious competition. According to the National ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
 How to Create a Property Alert System@ FtBendHomeSearch Visit www.FtBendHomeSearch.com and y’all will have the ability to create a Property Alert System to notify you when a property that matches your criteria hits the MLS Market. Y’all can search for Single Family Homes, Country Homes, Foreclosures, Auctions, Lots, Land and Acreage! 1.      Go to www.FtBendHomeSearch.com In the lower middle part of the Screen type in the city y'all are Searching in the system will display a list and then select the collect one!  (example; Rosenberg)   2.      The next screen will display a Map and List of Homes on the MLS Market.  3.      If searching for Rentals, change the Button called "For Sale" to "For Rent" and the Screen will Automatically change to Display All Rentals for the City y'all select...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
How To Approach Rising Mortgage Rates as a BuyerIn the last few weeks, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac inched up to 5%. While that news may have you questioning the timing of your home search, the truth is, timing has never been more important. Even though you may be tempted to put your plans on hold in hopes that rates will fall, waiting will only cost you more. Mortgage rates are forecast to continue rising in the year ahead.If you're thinking of buying a home, here are a few things to keep in mind so you can succeed even as mortgage rates rise. How Rising Mortgage Rates Impact YouMortgage rates play a significant role in your home search. As rates go up, they impact how much you'll pay in your monthly mortgage payment, which directly affects how much you can ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Why This Housing Market Is Not a Bubble Ready To PopHomeownership has become a major element in achieving the American Dream. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) finds that over 86% of buyers agree homeownership is still the American Dream.Prior to the 1950s, less than half of the country owned their own home. However, after World War II, many returning veterans used the benefits afforded by the GI Bill to purchase a home. Since then, the percentage of homeowners throughout the country has increased to the current rate of 65.5%. That strong desire for homeownership has kept home values appreciating ever since. The graph below tracks home price appreciation since the end of World War II:The graph shows the only time home values dropped significantly was during...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
What to Consider When Adding OnAdditions can be a good way to get more functionality out of your home. Your addition might be an extra bedroom for your expanding family, a home office to provide you with a space to work from home, or even a sunroom or hobby area. Your add-on might even be a way to add more space to existing rooms, removing or extending walls to let your current kitchen, bedroom, or other area flow seamlessly into your new addition. There are just so many possibilities.Regardless of what you plan to use the room for, though, adding on to your house is a big undertaking and may be kind of a big investment as well. Even relatively small additions can be a big project, so it’s important that you know exactly what your plans will entail before you start work on expanding you...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Myths About Todays Housing Market Some Highlights If you're planning to buy or sell a home today, its important to be aware of common misconceptions. Whether its timing your purchase as a buyer based on home prices and mortgage rates or knowing what to upgrade or repair before listing your house as a seller, it takes a professional to guide you through those decisions. Lets connect so you have an expert to help separate fact from fiction in todays housing market.    
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Using Your Tax Refund To Achieve Your Homeownership Goals This YearIf you're buying or selling a home this year, you're likely saving up for a variety of expenses. For buyers, that might include things like your down payment and closing costs. And for sellers, you're probably working on a bit of spring cleaning and maintenance to spruce up your house before you list it.Either way, any money you get back from your taxes can help you achieve your goals. Using a tax refund is a common tactic for buyers and sellers. SmartAsset estimates the average American will receive a 2,897 tax refund this year. The map below provides a more detailed estimate by state:If youre getting a refund this year, here are a few tips to help with your home purchase or sale this season.How Buyers Can Use Their Tax...
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