Fort Bend County, TX Real Estate News

By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Balancing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer This Spring Though there are more homes for sale now than there were at this time last year, there's still an undersupply with fewer houses available than in more normal, pre-pandemic years. The Monthly Housing Market Trends Report from realtor.com puts it this way: While the number of homes for sale is increasing, it is still 43.2% lower than it was before the pandemic in 2017 to 2019. This means that there are still fewer homes available to buy on a typical day than there were a few years ago.The current housing shortage has an impact on how you search for a home this spring. With limited options on the market, buyers who consider what's a necessity versus what's a nice-to-have will be more successful in their home search.The first step? G...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
What Buyer Activity Tells Us About the Housing MarketThough the housing market is no longer experiencing the frenzy of a year ago, buyers are showing their interest in purchasing a home. According to U.S. News: Housing markets have cooled slightly, but demand hasn't disappeared, and in many places remains strong largely due to the shortage of homes on the market. That activity can be seen in the latest ShowingTime Showing Index, which is a measure of buyers actively touring available homes (see graph below):The 62% jump in showings from December to January is one of the largest on record. There were also more showings in January than in any other month since last May. As you can see in the graph, its normal for showings to increase early in the year, but the jump this January was larger...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Foundation CracksDue to shifting soil, water issues, and normal settlement, most foundations will crack. There are different kinds of foundational cracks and varying causes. Once you understand the type of cracks you have and the underlying cause, you’ll be better able to repair them to protect your home.There are two basic types of foundational cracks. They are horizontal and vertical cracks that differ in causes and severity.Vertical Cracks—These run up and down your foundation. An example of one is a hairline crack. Vertical cracks are often small and don’t require professional help. If there are only a few cracks and they don’t get longer or wider over time, they can be patched to reduce the potential for moisture or infestation.Horizontal Cracks—Unlike vertical cracks, horizontal c...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Is It Really Better To Rent Than To Own a Home Right Now?You may have seen reports in the news recently saying its better to rent right now than it is to own your home. But before you let that impact your decisions, you should understand what these claims are based on. A lot of the time, these reports are assuming things that arent realistic for the average household. For example, the methodology behind one of those reports says that renting is the smarter financial option because of the opportunity to invest money elsewhere. It assumes renters take the money theyd spend on costs tied to buying a home and put it in an investment portfolio. But heres the thing most people who rent arent making those investments. Ken Johnson, Co-Author of the BH&J National Price-to-Rent Index, explains:On...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Could a Multigenerational Home Be the Right Fit for You?During the pandemic, many of us reexamined the meaning of home for ourselves and our loved ones. Today, that can be seen in the recent rise in multigenerational households. According to Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Economic Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR): Multi-generational buying may be a home where families live in the same home with elderly parents, children who have boomeranged back home, or other extended family members. While this is not a new concept of living, it is one which has gained recent popularity. And citing data from Pew Research Center, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says:. . . multigenerational living has made a comeback in recent years, particularly after the...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
2 Things Sellers Need To Know This SpringA lot has changed over the past year, and you might be wondering what's in store for the spring housing market. If youre planning to sell your house this season, here's what real estate experts are saying you should keep in mind.1. Houses That Are Priced Right Are Still SellingHouses that are updated and priced at their current market value are still selling. Jeff Tucker, Senior Economist at Zillow, says:. . . sellers who price and market their home competitively shouldn't have a problem finding a buyer.The need to price your house right is so important today because the market has changed so much over the past year. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, explains:With a smaller pool of buyers today and more competition from other homes o...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
4 Tips for Making Your Best Offer on a HomeAre you planning to buy a home this spring? Though things are more balanced than they were at the height of the pandemic, its still a sellers market. So, when you find the home you want to buy, remember these four tips to make your best offer.1. Lean on a Real Estate ProfessionalRely on an agent who can support your goals. As Bankrate notes:. . . select the best real estate agent for your needs. They will be a critical part of your home buying process.Agents are local market experts. They know whats worked for other buyers in your area and what sellers may be looking for in an offer. It may seem simple, but catering to what a seller needs can help your offer stand out.2. Know Your BudgetUnderstanding your budget is especially important right no...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Easy Instructions for Kitchen Cabinet PaintingNow that it is nearing spring, you may be considering refreshing the look of your kitchen. Your cabinets tend to get shabby, worn, and stained from constant cooking splatter and food odors. For a new look, you can replace them, but in considering cost, painting them is a cheaper option to add new life to your cabinetry while getting creative at the same time. It will depend on your kitchen size, but the paint and supplies cost usually averages about $200. If this is your first time painting your cabinets, here are some steps to consider before tackling this project.Check that your cabinets are paintable—Wood, wood laminate, and metal usually can be repainted, but plastic laminate may require a special paint. Check with a paint dealer by brin...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Exclusions – when in doubt for Non-Realty Item!Full Disclosure, Seller Disclosure and Exclusion FormThe Frig Is it convey with the property or not? Had an issue many years ago and a hard lesson learned. Where there was a refrigerator that LOOKED built-in yet it was removeable. We never inquired to the frig, even when we asked about any item on the property that will need to be excluded. In most cases in reference to frigs the frig never is convey with property.In most of Real Estate Transaction rather it be a house For Sale or Lease, the Frig is NOT provided with the property. But after this lesson I have learned not to ASSUME and we all know the meaning of assuming. For those that cannot recall the meaning, here it is “Ass-U-Me” and it is NOT going to be me aver again - LOL!Well about ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
One Major Benefit of Investing in a Home One of the many reasons to buy a home is that its a major way to build wealth and gain financial stability. According to Freddie Mac:Building equity through your monthly principal payments and appreciation is a critical part of homeownership that can help you create financial stability.With spring approaching, now's a great time to consider if buying a home makes sense for you. The best way to figure that out is to talk with a trusted real estate professional.The Largest Part of Most Homeowners Net Worth Is Their EquityYou may be surprised to learn just how much of a homeowners net worth actually comes from owning their home. The National Association of Realtors (NAR)shares:Homeownership is the largest source of wealth among families, with the me...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
What You Should Know About Rising Mortgage Rates After steadily falling over the winter, mortgage rates have started to rise in recent weeks. This is concerning to some potential homebuyers as the combination of higher mortgage rates and higher prices have made homes less affordable. So, if you're planning to purchase a home this year, you too may be wondering if now's the right time to buy or if you should hold off on your search until rates come back down. The recent uptick in rates has been driven by what's happening with inflation. Joel Kan, Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), explains: Mortgage rates increased across the board last week, pushed higher by market expectations that inflation will persist, thus requiring the Federal Rese...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
An Expert Makes All the Difference When You Sell Your HouseIf you're thinking of selling your house, its important to work with someone who understands how the market is changing and what it means for you. Here are five reasons working with a professional can ensure you'll get the most out of your sale.1. They're Experts on Market TrendsWith todays housing market defined by change, its critical to work with someone who knows the latest information and how it impacts your goals. An expert real estate advisor knows about national trends and your local area too. More importantly, they'll give insight to what all of this means for you, so they'll be able to help you make a decision based on trustworthy, data-bound information.2. A Local Professional Knows How To Set the Right Price for Your...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Are You Thinking About Selling Your House Soon for 2023? It's difficult to know when is the best time to sell, or how to get the most money for your house, but you don't need to go through the process alone.You may be wondering if prices are projected to rise or fall…or how much competition you may be facing in your market. The free eGuide below will answer many of your questions and likely bring up a few things you haven't even thought about yet.Simply fill out the form below to receive your copy of the eGuide, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.CLICK HERE to download or Copy & Paste link below!11https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/sellers/?a=469632-10c341f1e77f0d393e3ecf7b138a3f2b      
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Equity Gains for Today's HomeownersToday's homeowners are sitting on significant equity, even as home price appreciation has eased recently. If you're a homeowner, your net worth got a boost over the past few years thanks to rising home prices. Here's what it means for you, even as the market moderates.How Equity Has Grown in Recent YearsBecause of the imbalance between how many homes were for sale and the number of homebuyers in the market over the past few years, home prices appreciated substantially. And while price appreciation has slowed this year, that doesn't mean you've lost all the equity in your home. In fact, the latest Homeowner Equity Insights report from CoreLogic finds the average homeowners equity has grown by $34,300 over the past year alone. And if you've been in your ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Roof Exposure and why it mattersThe direction the front of your home faces will determine the amount of sunlight it receives which has an impact on many elements of your home. There are four types of exposures: Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Western. One is not necessarily better than the other but there are advantages and disadvantages to all.Southern exposure—When your home faces south, you will experience direct sunlight throughout the day. For sun lovers and green thumbs, this is the most favored because you get the most natural light during the day, and with extra warmth, you can save on your heating bills in the winter. However, concentrated sunlight can damage siding, roofing, furniture, fabrics, and flooring. You will need to pay closer attention to regular maintenance such as...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Where Will You Go After You Sell Your House? Some Highlights If you're thinking of selling your house, be sure to explore all the options you have for your next home. Both newly built homes and existing homes offer plenty of unique benefits. If you have questions about the options in our area, lets discuss what's available and what's right for you.     
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Spring into Action: Boost Your Homes Curb Appeal with Expert GuidanceTo sell your home this spring, it may need more preparation than it would have a year or two ago. Todays housing market has a different feel. There are more homes for sale than there were at this time last year, but inventory is still historically low. So, if a house has been sitting on the market for a while, that's a sign it may not be hitting the mark for potential buyers. But here's the thing. Right now, homes that are updated and priced at market value are still selling fast. Today, homes with curb appeal that are presented well are still selling quickly, and sometimes over asking price. According to Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com:In a market where costs are still high and buyers can be a little cho...
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