eBook. Chap 1.Buying Your Katy-Cinco Ranch-Richmond Home for the Best Price. Chaper 1.

Buying your Katy-Cinco Ranch-Richmond area home for the BEST Price: Why write it? Chapter 1, part 1.


Fred Miller, Re/Max Plantation, www.RichmondKatyHomes.com fredmiller9@gmail.com , Cell Phone 281/924-2531 

There is a need among today's home buyers for straight talk and sound advice about buying and selling. Buying a home is most people's single biggest expenditure of money. Also, whether or not--and when--to buy a home is a hugh decision for most people.

After all, a home is not just a shelter, or even another investment; it's the place where we bring our dreams to life, in gardens and family rooms, back yard Bar-B-Ques and Sunday dinners. It's the place where we raise our children and the nest we nudge them out of--and welcome them back to--in some cases many times. It's even become our place of business for some of us. Thanks to technological advances such as computers and the internet many of us can live the dream of not going out to the office each day.

It's easy to see why buying a home is often an emotionally charged and potentially overwhelming process. Helping people through this process is what we are all about. That's why we devote so much time and effort to staying in touch with the needs and concerns of our existing and future clients.

Naturally, we have learned a great deal from the many families that we have helped over the years. Clients have told us about their dreams and fears, and their joys and frustrations--and we have listened carefully.

This eBook is the result of extensive research to find out what today's buyers expect from a Realtor. And what kind of help they really want and need. It is based on the questions that we hear most frequently--questions that come from people just like you who have concerns and desires many times like yours. And it offers you straight answers, with inside tips and "plain talk" explanations to help you feel more confident about your home-buying process.

When you are ready to buy your home and you want professional help, or when you simply want some information about the entire home buying process, we hope that you will remember to contact Fred Miller.

Why Should I Use A Real Estate Agent?

and other questions answered

What are the advantages of using a real estate agent to help me buy a home?

Buying a home is certainly one of the most rewarding experiences most of us will ever have; it is also one of the most challenging. If you are buying for the first time, the process may seem overwhelming. And even if you've bought several homes, every move is different and presents new challenges--times do change.

One clear advantage of having an agent is simply that you don't have to "go it alone". A good agent has the training, the know-how and the experience to help you through each step of the process and to make the process of finding, buying and moving into your home as smooth, quick and enjoyable as possible.

Another advantage is that an agent has valuable sources of information about market trends, neighborhoods and information about the homes for sale throughout the areas that appeal to you. If you look and can't find what you want right away, an agent can deliver up to the minute information of homes like you might want when they comes on the market.

A final advantage is that all of these services come to you free of charge and without obligation.

In the past Realtors always worked for the seller of the home. In recent years the State of Texas passed legislation allowing you to engage a Realtor to work for you exclusively, even though he is paid from proceeds of the sale. He is called a Buyer's Agent. There is no direct cost to the buyer to hire a Buyer's Agent. This allows you operate on an equal footing with The Seller who has his own agent working for him, or if he is selling it himself he is not looking after your interests.


Fred Miller, Re/Max Plantation, www.RichmondKatyHomes.com fredmiller9@gmail.com , Cell Phone 281/924-2531 



eBook Chapter 1, part 2

Buying your Katy-Cinco Ranch-Richmond area home for the BEST Price: Where do I begin the process of looking for a home?

The first thing you should do is to begin focusing on what you are looking for in a home. You can start by establishing priorities in the following three areas:

Location

Are you relocating to a new city or area because of a new job, or to be closer to your current job? How will the location of schools, shops and transportation or freeways affect your choice of neighborhood? Have you thought about what type of neighborhood you would like? If you are local we can give you a list of houses in your price range in various neighborhoods under consideration and you can drive by and analyze. Consider traffic and drive time to work. If you or your wife has a job that they like, consider locating within a thirty minute drive from work. We know many of the neighborhoods and can help, but no one knows everything about all of them.

Personal Taste and Needs

Condo, townhouse, patio home, single family residence? How large? What style? Yard size? Large trees? Three bedrooms? Recreational room? Particular room sizes? Look closely and talk to friends about some features you are in doubt about. Believe it or not this is the most difficult process--finding out and defining exactly what is important to you. Many times the first time home buyer can't have it all, so there will be trade-offs.

Budget

How much home, is it wise for you to own (sounds like a rap song) or how much are you willing to spend on a monthly basis (mortgage-taxes-utilities-maintenance-remodeling). Remember, you do not want to eat cheap TV dinners every night just so you can make your house payment. ( I see some people in $250,000 new houses that can not afford drapes.)

How do I find the right agent to work with?

The key word is work. While there is no shortage of nice and "fun to work with" agents to choose from, it is important that you find one who can fully understand your wants, needs and individual tastes. At the same time, you will want to be able to respect his or her personal and professional judgment.

Below are a few guidelines. Above all, look for someone that you are comfortable with and that you can trust.

1) Choose an agent with whom you feel at ease, and with the skills you need: a good listener, long-time experience, and one who isn't in the business just for this one transaction--but will treat you as a "Client for Life".

2) Find an agent who really understands the benefits and advantages to you of representing you as an exclusive Buyer's Agent.

3) Pick an agent who has strong negotiating skills--once you find your "dream home" and it is time to make an offer, you want someone who will be a strong advocate for you when negotiating the offer! The right negotiator can save you literally thousands of dollars at the negotiating table. On the other hand he has a feel for the market and knows how much to push and when to act in order to get the house you want.

4) Select a realtor who will be around after the offer is accepted. Acceptance of the offer by all parties does not mean that it is all over. At least half of the work to be done in a transaction is after acceptance of the offer by both parties. Many agents are too busy, or don't give a high priority to handling this phase properly.

eBook Chapter 1 part 3.
Buying your Katy-Cinco Ranch-Richmond area home for the BEST Price:  How do I know for sure how much I can afford?

Fred Miller, Re/Max Plantation, www.RichmondKatyHomes.com fredmiller9@gmail.com , Cell Phone 281/924-2531

We have found that affordability is probably the single biggest concern of today's first time home buyers. Our advice is: Don't sell yourself short! Talk to us as real estate consultants. We are committed to honestly and responsibly working with you to determine your affordable price range. There are many financing options available today and some include very low down payments. Our team will find the option that best fits your budget. You may be surprised at just how much home you can afford!

How does buying compare to renting?

Renting offers a lifestyle that's nearly maintenance free. That may appeal to you, but consider that renting offers you no equity building, no tax benefit and no protection against regular rent increases. If your rent has averaged $1000 per month for the last ten years, you have spent $120,000 with nothing to show for it. Meanwhile you have helped your landlord pay his mortgage with your rental payments. Isn't it time that you invested in yourself instead of your landlord????

Several financing options are advantageous for first-time home buyers or families with limited cash. FHA and VA mortgages, as well as, many conventional mortgages offer you very low down payments. You may also consider borrowing cash for a down payment from life insurance, a retirement plan or your parents.

Today's mortgage rates make home buying as affordable as renting, especially considering current high rental rates. Let's assume that you would like to buy a home that costs $150,000. After putting down a say a 5% down payment you would owe $142,500. If you get a mortgage at 4% for 30 years the monthly payment would be $680 for principal and interest. Of course you would have taxes, insurance and mortgage insurance which could run another $400 per month. If you are buying an older home you should put aside a reasonable amount for maintenance each month.

You will also realize a tax deduction for interest paid each year. This may help you to qualify for additional deductions that you were not eligible for before owning a home.

Best of all you will be on your way to owning your piece of the AMERICAN DREAM.

What should I consider when choosing a community to live in?

Well kept houses and strong home owners associations protect your property values as well as making a neighborhood more pleasant to live in. Proximity to parks, schools, playgrounds, and shopping are important to some people. The traffic pattern between your home and your job at the time you go to work is important. (This changes rapidly over time and should be checked out before you buy.)

Your agent should be able to help you with many questions. Also ask as many friends and relatives as possible.

Where can I get information about local schools?

Again a good real estate agent should be able to help you. All of the schools now have web sites.  If you live in the area now find some people with children in those schools and ask about their experiences. Schools are ever changing and require investigation. You can't know everything from reading their web site!

How can I find how much my taxes will be?

Taxes are due annually and are very significant in Texas. We can provide you with the amount of taxes that were paid or are due. (Taxes are due January 1 of each year, so if you buy in December the estimate is for the previous year.) Consider that the amount of property taxes will probably go up even more. The amount of tax varies with the value of the house and the taxing bodies that levy a tax against it. It varies from around a thousand dollars for cheaper homes to several thousand dollars per year  for more upscale homes.

I am moving from the Houston area. Is there any way I can screen homes before I go to the new city?

Yes. We can put you in touch with a reputable agent within the vicinity of your move. The agent should be able to send you by mail, fax, E-mail information on homes. Also Multiple Listing Services in many areas are on the internet. If the MLS is not on-line real estate agents will have web sites displaying their listings.

The information contained in this site is the opinion of Fred Miller and does express any policy or opinion of Re/Max International, Rd/Max of Texas or Remax Plantation.                                                                                               3 12 3

Fred Miller, Re/Max Plantation, www.RichmondKatyHomes.com fredmiller9@gmail.com , Cell Phone 281/924-2531