In Houston’s luxury real estate market, Bonnie Laughlin, a Realtor in Houston, is renowned for her knowledge of the local area. Backed by an incredible team; having lived in Houston for many years; and being a leader in the community, she is well-connected and provides excellent insight into the Houston area.
Because the real estate industry is becoming more sophisticated and challenging every day, buyers and sellers need a professional who knows the real estate market.
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BUYING A HOME IN HOUSTON
Buying a house in Houston can be exhilarating and daunting at the same time. For most people, their home is their largest investment. We understand how important it is to choose the right home to meet your needs. Your Houston Realtor has many resources to assist you in your home search.
There are two questions you’ll want answered before you make the purchase. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
Your Houston Realtor will provide objective information about your new home including local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, historical sales information on the property, as well as comparable properties available in the area.
Negotiating the Price for Your New Home
Your Realtor in Houston can help you negotiate the terms of the purchase or sales agreement. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment.
Home Inspections
The purchase agreement should provide a specific period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your real estate agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
Financing Your New House
Your Houston Real Estate Agent can assist you in understanding different financing options and help you identify qualified lenders.
Closing on Your New Home
A qualified realtor in Houston can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything comes together smoothly. There is quite a lot of paperwork that is required when there is a transfer of real estate ownership, but we know what is required and will provide assistance through the home buying process.
If there is real estate terminology you are not familiar with – just ask or check out our mortgage dictionary. If you are relocating to Houston, we can help you learn the ins and outs.
SELLING YOUR HOME IN HOUSTON
When selling your home, your real estate agent can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
Marketing and Advertising Your Home for Sale
Your Houston Realtor markets your property to other real estate agents and to the public. In general, over 50% of the homes sold are sold thru cooperative sales with real estate agents on both sides of the transaction. This means there are 2 different realtors representing the buyer and the seller. Your real estate agent acts as the marketing director, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service, other cooperative marketing networks, open houses and via print and online advertising, targeted directly to potential buyers.
We run advertising in The Wall Street Journal, Houston Chronicle, Houston Business Journal and many other print mediums, as well as online via large real estate advertising networks like Har.com, Trulia.com, and more. However, The National Association of Realtors® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. This is one reason it is so important to have a realtor with good experience selling your house.
Staging Your House for Sale
Your real estate agent may recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the saleability of your property at a low-cost. There are simple things that can be done like fresh paint and new carpet which will enhance the value of your home for sale.
The most important rooms ranked in order of importance are: living room, kitchen, master bedroom, dining room, bathroom, children’s bedroom, and guest bedroom.
Removal of personal items, such as photos and collectibles, can also help in expediting the sale of your home. Your realtor will make recommendations, if necessary.
Home Appraisals and Inspections
Your realtor in Houston will provide assistance at every step of the way. We work with home appraisers and house inspectors and will submit to you a list of providers from which to choose. We are happy to come to the property and meet them, if the property seller wishes us to do so.
Evaluation of Home Buyers Proposals
Your realtor in Houston can help you objectively evaluate every buyer’s proposal without compromising your marketing position. Your Houston real estate agent will help you provide a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
Closing on the Sale of Your Home
Your real estate agent will help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone can be overwhelming for most sellers. Your Realtor in Houston is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).