Allow Me To Introduce Myself...

My name is Justin Huggins and I am the buyers agent for the Chris Arnold Premier Group at Keller Williams Realty in Grand Prairie. What exactly is a buyers agent? Well, just that. I work only with buyers. That doesn't mean we don't sell real estate, because we sell lots of it! We currently have over 30 homes in our inventory and we add to that each and every day.

What sets me apart from most other agents is my knowledge of homes. As a licensed real estate agent and a certified professional real estate inspector through AHIT, American Home Inspectors Training Institute, I am able to offer a deeper understanding of the buying aspects of real estate as well as the integrity of the property itself. It is that knowledge that allows me to capture many of the issues that may arise before a real estate transaction, not during or after. I have a regid schedule of training that place myself on that allows me to improve my communication and negotiation skills on a regular basis. It is those skills that are such a valuable tools for my clients.

Those who work with me know that I am always responsive to their needs. Routinely, my clients continue to refer their family, friends, and co-workers because they have seen firsthand the unparalleled way in which our team sells property and I expertly find just the right home for my buyers. I can save my clients money by using competitive lenders, knowing the aspects of an inpection and what repairs are vital, spot the rights details to make a good negotiation, and stand strong behind the desires of my clients.

Our clients know that there is no better metroplex Realtor group. Once the transaction is complete, I continue to be available to my clients for any needs or questions they have. Our group prides themselves on having clients for life and we would not have it any other way.

Visit our main website today to see what we can do for you. It doesn't matter if you're buying or selling, we offer the best in service. You'll find us at http://www.chrisarnoldpremier.com

Roses are red, Lumber is ...blue???

That's right! There is a new building material that is sure to have home owners and builders, seeing less red and more green. It's called BluWood and it is the creation of WoodSmart Solutions of Boca Raton, Florida.

What makes BluWood the next best thing? Well for one, the worst thing you can do to your home is add water. If that isn't enough, the second worst thing you can do to your home is add wood destroying insects. Those two combinations are a receipe for destruction on any home. BluWood helps to eliminate both!

BluWood works in two ways. First, using the technology of "Infusion-Film" to form a water-repellent semi vapor permeable film that strengthens the wood fibers to provide moisture absorption. BluWood is also formulated to resist mold growth on the cured surface of the film.

The second way BluWood works is through the use of "Perfect Barrier DOT Wood Preservative," a proven fungicide and insecticide that gives protection from rot fungi and wood ingesting insects, including termites.


"Mold requires three things to grow: organic matter (such as wood), mold spores and water. Mold is everywhere, it always has been . . . . In a new building, mold will start to show up within months."

Dr. Mani Skaria, Ph.D
Professor
Texas A&M University Kingsville Citrus Center

BluWood is an application to lumber being used. It is something to consider when building the the biggest investment of your life. Not to mention the added protection this product gives to your investment. Be sure to visit BluWood's website for more information.

*Source, Information from the BluWood website.

DIY-Staging Tips For Sellers

Do ...

Pick up recent home-decorating magazines. If you’re not up to speed on current decorating trends, magazines will help you familiarize yourself with the latest in interior design styles. Flag pages with low-cost ideas that will make homes look more in tune with today’s styles, and share these magazines and ideas with your sellers.

Give a second opinion. Explain to your seller how difficult it is for a homeowner to be objective. You can provide a second pair of eyes to help accent the best and edit the worst in the client’s home. But let the seller know to prepare for some constructive criticism. The point is to hear the shortcomings before putting the home on the market, not as feedback from prospective buyers who decide to look elsewhere. Go room-by-room with a worksheet and take notes. Depending on how much time is available for an update or a makeover, you can help the homeowner prioritize and figure out what will bring the biggest return. If possible, perform this review well before you put the house on the market.

Stage a home office if one doesn’t yet exist. They’re not a trend; they’re required for homebuyers these days. Many people now work from home part- or full-time or want a space where they can organize their life and park a computer. Find an extra bedroom, walk-in closet, or an unused corner and convert it into a home office. Make sure there are convenient connections for electricity, telephone, and cable.

Focus on living spaces. These areas are where the majority of homebuyers will spend their time. Reduce the amount of furniture and accessories in every room. Explain to sellers that less is more; buyers are looking to purchase real estate, not personal furniture and knickknacks. Place a side table and a floor lamp next to a comfortable chair as a reading corner. Move sofas and coffee tables away from walls for a designer look. Use area rugs to anchor furniture groupings on bare tile and wood floors.

Living spaces should have matching table lamps. Scale way back on family photos. Add green plants to the room. Place groupings of candles and clear glass bowls filled with natural potpourri on side and coffee tables. Substantial wicker baskets can organize magazines, remote controls, and toys.

Clean up the kitchen. The seller need not undergo a major kitchen remodel to make this room more appealing to buyers. Put away in a handy drawer all dish towels and rags. Create cleaner visual lines and open up counter space by removing recipe boxes and reducing caddies with cooking utensils, cooking machines, and cookbooks by two-thirds. For a quick update, put new hardware on cabinets. Clean off every magnet, schedule, and art project from the refrigerator. Remove throw rugs scattered around the kitchen. Clean off windowsills to open up exterior views.

Organize cabinets with clear containers. If you can’t see the back wall of a cabinet, buyers will think the kitchen doesn’t have enough storage space. (Ditto for closets.) Keep a variety of fresh fruit in a glass bowl on the counter. Edit family bulletin boards. Remove old curtains and install new wood blinds on windows.

Keep it coordinated in bedrooms and bathrooms. Often overlooked in the frenzy to get a home on the market, these spaces can make or break a home. A matching set with a bed skirt, bedspread, pillow covers, and blinds can make a big difference. So will a new shower curtain and separate liner. (The liner must be washed if mold develops.) Add complete sets of towels that coordinate with the new shower curtain. Clear all cosmetics off the vanity.

If the bathroom includes an over-the-toilet cabinet, the seller may want to consider removing it and placing a piece of artwork in its place. Stress with your sellers the importance of keeping items in the “too much information” category out of view.

A king-size bed in a small room makes the entire room seem small, so it’s best to switch it out for a smaller bed. Dressers should be cleared off. Make sure the bedroom receives the maximum natural light. Eliminate wall and door hooks for clothes, and install closet organizers in closets. Let your clients know that buyers might look under the bed, so no surprises please.

Make a great first impression. Paint the front door, polish the hardware, and illuminate the entry area and house numbers. A simple console table with a mirror over it makes a nice entranceway. Make sure this space is well-lit day or night. Place adhesive under rugs so buyers don’t trip or slide.

Don’t ...

Decorate with inexpensive silk flowers. Silk flowers that are past their time, inappropriate for the season, or inexpertly thrown together distract buyers. Throw them out.

Forget Fido’s bowl. An unhealthy-looking pet-food bowl, watering station, or litter box turns people off quickly. Plus, a message that the homeowner doesn’t take great care of his beloved pet suggests that he doesn’t look after his house, either.

Overlook window coverings. Buyers today think less is more in window fashion. They want the most light and the least embellishment on windows. That means no layered treatments with sheer panels.

Use low-wattage light bulbs. Dark, dim rooms are unappealing to homebuyers. They want to see what they might buy. Replace all burned-out bulbs and put in the highest manufacturer-recommended wattages in all fixtures.

Think that everyone loves wallpaper. Few people share the same taste in instant decorator finishes. If the wallpaper is more than three years old­, take it down and paint the walls a neutral color.

Paint with commitment colors. If you’ve determined the seller needs to paint (and the seller agrees), strongly discourage bold “commitment” colors. Commitment colors are those that people either love or hate. It can be difficult for buyers to imagine their style when all they see is a room overwhelmed by a color they can’t stand.

Confuse cleaning with staging. Cleaning is what you do before staging. Everything should shimmer and shine, and don’t forget the windows.

By knowing these basic strategies, you can help your sellers understand how to invest a little time and not too much money that will pay big dividends in the interest they generate for their home.

*Source: Texas Association of Realtors, August 2006.

Any Skeleton's In Your Credit Closet?

Entering into a real estate transaction can sometimes open a Pandora’s Box. This isn’t meant to scare you out of buying a piece of property. This is meant to give you information to better arm yourself against one of two possible situations that we hope never happen, but can. These two scenario’s have to do with your personal credit.

Let me play out the first scenario, it is more common than you might think. You’re shopping for a house, you find the perfect place and you’re ready to make your offer. You visit your bank to get pre-qualified and surprise, surprise you find a skeleton in your credit closet. Only this skeleton is not a phone bill that you forgot to pay when you were in college. This skeleton was created by someone else, someone you don’t even know and most likely, they don’t even know you-nor do they care. You have just found out that you have been a victim of identity theft and it’s keeping you from buying the house of your dreams.

The second scenario is common and typically our own fault, even if we weren’t aware it was our own doing. That is simply neglecting our own credit. Slow pays and no pays will adversely affect your credit and the worst part about it, you may no even be aware of the effects until years after the initial “oops!”

When considering the purchase of a new home save yourself and your Realtor a headache and run your own credit. Know for yourself what others will eventually learn about you. Doing this could also help you explain any items that might raise some concern with possible lenders, not to mention, you’ll know what your score is and won’t have to rely on someone else’s interpretation.

Visit the website of the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) for more information about your credit score. Also visit www.flippingfrenzy.com for information about mortgage fraud and how you can protect yourself from unscrupulous lenders.

Welcome!

Welcome to "Your KEY to Real Estate!"

The purspose of this blog is simple, to be a "KEY" for you in real estate. I want this blog to help answer questions about real estate transactions, whether they are commerical, residential, or investments. It is my vision to see "Your KEY to Real Estate" being used as a tool for those who are actively participating in the real estate market in Texas and elsewhere.

The real estate market is much like the stock market. Most of us wouldn't go buy stocks on a whim, why should real estate be any different? Real Estate in Texas is a highly regulated area of commerce, it's important to be informed with the changes in laws and regulations. Selling and/or buying property is tricky, it's important to know the trends that Realtors are using everyday. Last, since real estate changes almost as frequently as the Texas weather, it's important to know the lastest news.

As a visitor and hopefully a participant to this blog, you'll see items posted from such sources as the National Association of Realtors, the Texas Associations of Realtors, local boards, publications, my own experience as a Realtor in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. What you won't find a painfully annoying advertisments, marketing hooplah from every Realtor in the state, and listings. Yes, listings. If you want to see listings, find a local Realtor. If you like what you see hear and you'd be interested in my services, please contact me outside of this arena and I'd be more than happy to speak with you.

Thank you and enjoy!

Six things you didn’t know about residential service contracts

Residential service contracts—also called “home warranties”—have become a common part of many real estate transactions. Before you encourage your sellers to offer one as part of the sale or advise your buyers to purchase one, here are a few things you may not know about residential service contracts.

1. Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Residential service contracts don’t cover defects present at the time of the contract’s purchase. If your buyer’s inspector finds a leak in the roof, make sure you tell your client that the residential service contract included by the seller won’t pay to have it fixed.

2. Homeowners shouldn’t try to fix covered items. Most service companies won’t cover improperly modified or installed items or those that have been damaged by an attempted repair.

3. Residential service companies are regulated in Texas. Under Chapter 1303 of the Texas Occupations Code, the Texas Real Estate Commission licenses and regulates companies that offer residential service contracts in the state. A current list of companies licensed to do business in Texas may be found at www.trec.state.tx.us/licenses/rsc_licensed.asp. Home warranties on new construction, however, are usually handled by risk-retention groups and are not regulated by any state agency.

4. Residential service contracts are optional. A seller cannot
condition the sale of his property on the buyer’s purchase of a home warranty.

5. A homeowner can purchase a residential service contract at any time. Service companies prefer to sell their product to homebuyers at closing because most buyers have a home inspected prior to purchase—and pre-exisiting conditions are not covered under their contracts. However, if your buyers aren’t ready to purchase a warranty now, most companies will sell one to them a year or two down the road.

6. The home warranty’s terms must be clear. By law, the service contract must be understandable and free from misleading language. The systems and appliances covered and not covered, the length of the contract, and the charge for service visits should be spelled out clearly. Advise your clients to make sure they carefully read and understand a home warranty’s terms before they agree to it, so they aren’t surprised in two months when they learn that their broken hot tub isn’t covered.

*source Texas Association of Realtors, Texas Realtor-July 2006