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Real Estate News |
3 things that may be even more important than finding a buyer for your house
Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 CST
Great news if you're thinking of selling your home: Almost every area in Texas is a seller's market right now...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 14 May 2013 15:00:00 CST
How do I get my earnest money back?..[read more]
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The secret to online real estate information
Fri, 10 May 2013 16:00:00 CST
I added myself to a spammer's list yesterday. So annoying...[read more]
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The one person you need when selling your home
Fri, 3 May 2013 15:00:00 CST
A friend of mine is in the process of selling her first home and buying a new one. Lucky for her, she got an offer right away on her home that looks promising. But in reviewing some of the paperwork, she became concerned about what one of those docum..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Thu, 2 May 2013 09:00:00 CST
Do we have to pay the option fee in two days?..[read more]
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How much should you offer for that house you love?
Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:00:00 CST
You found the house of your dreams and everything feels just right. You want to ask your Texas REALTOR "Where do I sign?" But before you submit an offer to buy the property, you have to decide how much to offer...[read more]
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9 mistakes when pricing your home for sale
Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:00:00 CST
Picking the wrong asking price for your home can cost you a lot of money...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:00:00 CST
Does the buyer get his earnest money when he backs out of the contract?..[read more]
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What the Internet can't tell you
Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:00:00 CST
Yesterday, I found a video online that showed how to build a metal suit like the one worn by crime-fighter Iron Man. Was the video interesting? Sure. Useful? Not at all...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 9 Apr 2013 10:00:00 CST
Do I have to live in my home to claim a homestead exemption?..[read more]
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4 ways to stay safe as a new homeowner
Mon, 8 Apr 2013 09:00:00 CST
You do things to be safe every day, like fastening your seat belt, looking both ways before you cross the street, or locking your doors before you go to sleep at night...[read more]
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Why you should think about selling your home before you even buy it
Fri, 5 Apr 2013 11:00:00 CST
It's been less than a year since my husband and I bought our first house, but we already talk about putting it on the market one day. In fact, we actually discussed selling it before we even bought it because resale value was a factor we considered d..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 1 Apr 2013 15:00:00 CST
Should the school build me a wall?..[read more]
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Why you might need to move quickly to get the house you want (and how to do it)
Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:00:00 CST
You may have to act fast if you don't want to miss out on the best houses these days. Houston, Dallas, and Austin recently were ranked near the top of a list of cities where homes are being sold in less than a day. Most other Texas locales also have ..[read more]
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Make your house look bigger without using a sledgehammer
Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:00:00 CST
Instead of just asking me to help with his kitchen remodel, my friend made me an offer I couldn't refuse: Want to come over and knock down a wall?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:00:00 CST
Can my neighbor stop me from accessing my land?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Thu, 7 Mar 2013 11:00:00 CST
Who's responsible for that tree limb?..[read more]
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What not to do when you decide you want to buy your first home
Mon, 4 Feb 2013 10:00:00 CST
I have never purchased property. But I almost did. In fact, before my husband and I moved to Texas, we seriously considered buying a house where we used to live...[read more]
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Why photos may not tell the whole story during your house hunt
Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:00:00 CST
I must have looked through hundreds of listing photos during our search for a home last year. But the experience taught me that while a picture may be worth a thousand words, some of those words may not say enough ... and the best way to check out a ..[read more]
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Who's on your side?
Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:00:00 CST
My wife and I had just finished signing the papers to buy our first home. We were walking out of the office of the attorney who had handled the closing when he caught up to us with one more document to sign...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:00:00 CST
Can I invest without my husban's involvement?..[read more]
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Why a higher offer isn't always better
Mon, 18 Feb 2013 09:00:00 CST
If you received two offers on your house that were $5,000 apart, you should take the higher one, right? Not so fast...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:00:00 CST
Can I terminate a contract if the seller didn't report water damage?..[read more]
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Three ways to prepare for buying while renting
Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:00:00 CST
As a current renter, it would be easy for me to make my monthly rental payments and wait to research homebuying until I'm ready to buy. But I can be proactive about buying before I even start looking...[read more]
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Tax deductions are a new homeowner's best friend
Fri, 8 Feb 2013 11:00:00 CST
After my fiance and I bought our first house last year, there was a lot to be excited about updating the landscaping, picking out paint colors but there was one thing I was dreading...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Thu, 7 Feb 2013 12:00:00 CST
Do I need a license to owner-finance the sale of properties?..[read more]
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How long is the list of things you don't know about selling your home?
Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:00:00 CST
Selling a house on your own is like explaining the solar system to a child ... you think you can handle it, but as soon as a difficult question comes your way, you realize how much you don't know...[read more]
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What you need to know before you open your front door
Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:00:00 CST
Solicitors canvass my neighborhood once or twice a year, asking me to buy magazine subscriptions or donate to a charity. I'm sure most solicitors, even if they're lying, are harmless. But I don't like letting strangers into my house...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:00:00 CST
What happens when a seller signs contracts with two parties for one property?..[read more]
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Why I'm not buying a house ... yet
Wed, 9 Jan 2013 14:00:00 CST
As 2012 ended, my husband and I had to decide if we would renew our lease for our current rental, find a new property to rent, or start our long-anticipated search to buy our own home. It wasn't an easy decision, but after crunching the numbers we de..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 8 Jan 2013 10:00:00 CST
How can my father break the contract to sell his ranch?..[read more]
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Is living in an HOA the right choice for you?
Mon, 7 Jan 2013 15:00:00 CST
After we moved into our new house last year, my fiance had to put our lawn mower in the shop for a few weeks ... and it sure showed. A welcomed summer rain storm had the lawn tall enough to lose the cat in. I figured it was no big deal, but until the..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Thu, 3 Jan 2013 15:00:00 CST
Can my wife buy a house without my knowledge?..[read more]
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3 expenses besides the mortgage that you need to be able to afford
Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:00:00 CST
While your loan terms greatly affect how much you can spend on a house, the mortgage isn't the only cost you need to take into account when buying property...[read more]
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No automatic qualification for FHA loans after foreclosure
Wed, 26 Dec 2012 11:00:00 CST
The Federal Housing Administration wrote a letter recently that should provide some needed guidance to lenders and borrowers who may have had foreclosure trouble in the past...[read more]
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Why you may not notice some of the biggest buyer turnoffs in your house
Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:00:00 CST
It's human nature to look past things you encounter on a regular basis. It might be a wooden monkey, a cracked window, a dead tree, an unusual odor, or a slot-car racetrack you have to step over on your way through the living room...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:00:00 CST
Does that person really have the right to sell this house?..[read more]
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Ready to sell your home? Choose the right agent with this advice
Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:00:00 CST
Selling your home is a different experience than when you purchased your property. The first important step to put your house up for sale is finding a real estate agent who will be the best fit for your needs...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:00:00 CST
Do I have to disclose floor discoloration?..[read more]
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Homebuyers, are you making this classic mistake?
Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:00:00 CST
I now realize that I was guilty of making a classic first-time homebuyer mistake when searching for a house earlier this year: I let relatively small flaws or easily fixable things influence my decisions...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 3 Dec 2012 15:00:00 CST
What should I do if the square footage is wrong?..[read more]
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Why do so many people who sell their homes themselves decide not to do it again?
Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:00:00 CST
Have you ever taken on a project that looked easy until you actually did the work? It seems selling your home without a real estate agent fits that description...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:00:00 CST
Should I sue over undisclosed property defects?..[read more]
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Stop little things from becoming a big deal
Wed, 21 Nov 2012 11:00:00 CST
I found a great-looking used car online last week. When I saw it in person, though, I noticed some problems...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:00:00 CST
Where's my security deposit?..[read more]
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Four important questions buyers should ask when selecting an agent
Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:00:00 CST
Choosing a real estate agent to help you buy a home can be just as important as choosing the home itself. Before starting your home search, you'll need to make sure an agent will be good fit for your needs...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:00:00 CST
Is the seller entitled to $1,000 because my loan was approved late?..[read more]
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What happened to the fridge?
Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:00:00 CST
Have you heard about the case of the missing refrigerator? It's a scenario that pops up more frequently than you would think...[read more]
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The best way to save money, time, and stress when selling your home
Fri, 9 Nov 2012 14:00:00 CST
My fiance and I bought our first house earlier this year, and while we were very happy with the process, I'm not sure the seller would say the same thing. She was selling the home as a for-sale-by-owner, and let's just say there were a few challenges..[read more]
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The secret to knowing the perfect time to buy a home
Mon, 5 Nov 2012 11:00:00 CST
Experts often talk about the conditions that make it the right time to buy real estate .....[read more]
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Are you sure you want to determine your listing price from the Internet?
Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:00:00 CST
Do you know what your home is worth? If you're like most homeowners, you have an idea, but you need accurate market data to arrive at a listing price. Otherwise you risk giving away your house or watching it sit on the market for months...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:00:00 CST
What to do when an HOA's president spends funds irresponsibly..[read more]
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Four dos and don'ts for first-time homebuyers
Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:00:00 CST
Recently, I was talking with my older sister about being a first-time homebuyer. She and her husband bought their home 10 years ago, about the same time they were planning their wedding. As young newlyweds, they wanted a place of their own to start t..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:00:00 CST
If the seller doesn't cash my check for the option fee, do I have an option to terminate?..[read more]
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The five Ws of your first home inspection
Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:00:00 CST
I learned a lot about home inspections when we became first-time homebuyers this past summer. Here are a few Inspection 101 questions that my Texas REALTOR answered for me when it came time to kick the metaphorical tires on our first house...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 9 Oct 2012 10:00:00 CST
Can the builder put my mortgage underwater? Do I owe a commission if I end up in foreclosure?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 3 Oct 2012 13:00:00 CST
Is my listing agreement still valid? How can we get our security deposit back?..[read more]
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How to get your home to sit on the market for 1,805 days (and counting)
Mon, 1 Oct 2012 09:00:00 CST
There are two homes in my neighborhood that aren't officially on the market, but the owners are willing to sell. All you have to do is pay them way more than their real estate is worth...[read more]
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Guard against huge repair bills after you buy
Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:00:00 CST
Few things fill me with dread as much as warm, moist air pouring from my house's air vents in August. And that's exactly what faced me about six months after I bought my home...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:00:00 CST
How can I prove I own my house?..[read more]
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One surprising way a Texas REALTOR can help you with your move
Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:00:00 CST
Last December, my husband and I were visiting Texas and had no idea if we'd be living here in the new year. Outside of meeting with potential employers, we had only one other important meeting to attend before we left town: An afternoon out with a Te..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:00:00 CST
When can a seller cancel a contract?..[read more]
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How you can help the buying process go smoothly
Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:00:00 CST
After buying my first house earlier this year, it still amazes me how many people were involved in the process. However, I learned that even with a team of real estate professionals working on your behalf, there are some things you can do yourself to..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:00:00 CST
What instructions can agents follow?..[read more]
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You don't have to disclose this stuff, but here's why I would
Thu, 6 Sep 2012 11:00:00 CST
You're legally obligated to disclose certain things about the house you're selling ... like if it ever flooded or contains lead-based paint or if termites damaged it. Why not also reveal the things you really like about your home, too?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:00:00 CST
Can I break my lease because of a murder? How long does it take an estate to clear probate?..[read more]
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Advice from an experienced "new girl in town"
Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:00:00 CST
I've moved frequently. In fact, Texas is the 10th state that I have lived in, but it's already one of my favorites. Here are my tips to help you transition to a new place...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:00:00 CST
Who's in charge of HOAs?..[read more]
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When searching for your first home, nothing beats the in-person experience
Mon, 20 Aug 2012 10:00:00 CST
In many aspects of my life, the Internet is the first place I go for information. So it may come as no surprise that I started my search for our first home earlier this year online, too...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:00:00 CST
Can sellers conceal their sales price from appraisers?..[read more]
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The surprising reason you can buy a more expensive home this year
Thu, 9 Aug 2012 14:00:00 CST
How can the price of a house go up but actually cost less?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 6 Aug 2012 11:00:00 CST
Where can I find a service to show my home? What does appurtenance mean?..[read more]
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You won't get help if you don't ask
Fri, 3 Aug 2012 13:00:00 CST
You may think all the homebuyer-assistance programs vanished when lending standards tightened and you'd be wrong...[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Fri, 3 Aug 2012 09:00:00 CST
I am the proud aunt of 21 beautiful nieces and nephews, ages 15 to due-in-December, all of whom live in Katy, outside of Houston. Since we're the only members of our family who don't live within 15 minutes of each other, it's a pretty big deal for th..[read more]
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Texas home sales up, inventory down: What does it mean?
Wed, 1 Aug 2012 10:00:00 CST
The latest Texas Quarterly Housing Report, compiled by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M and issued by the Texas Association of REALTORS, paints a strikingly different picture from the same time a year ago...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 30 Jul 2012 12:00:00 CST
Can my ex-wife sell a house with my name on the deed? How long does my landlord have to fix the plumbing?..[read more]
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Love your neighbors (even renters), and they'll love your neighborhood
Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:00:00 CST
Being new to Texas, my husband and I wanted to rent a home first and learn about our new community before choosing a home to buy. With some advice from our Texas REALTOR, we were able to find a home in a neighborhood that has given us a great introdu..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:00:00 CST
As regular readers will know, my home is on a cul-de-sac just outside of Austin, which means there are only six houses within a stone's throw of ours. One of those houses changed owners this month, which is a first since we've been residents, so we h..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:00:00 CST
Am I paying more than the standard fee? What are my options with a tenant who has let family members move in?..[read more]
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3 things to love about owning your own home
Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:00:00 CST
My fiance and I bought our first house exactly one month ago. And after moving in during the first days of a Texas summer, we're settling in just fine...[read more]
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Selling your home? Little things make a big difference
Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:00:00 CST
You know you should keep your house clean if you're trying to sell it. Surely you know. Everyone knows that, right?..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Fri, 6 Jul 2012 10:00:00 CST
Since the age of three, when my family moved to the outskirts of Houston from Iowa, my two sisters and I piled into the family station wagon with my brave parents every summer for the 20-hour drive to visit family in Des Moines...[read more]
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How anti-social behavior can help your negotiations
Thu, 5 Jul 2012 10:00:00 CST
I've Googled the names of people who applied to babysit my kids or responded to ads I posted to sell items on Craigslist. You can learn a lot about a person with 30 seconds of Internet research...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 3 Jul 2012 11:00:00 CST
Do I have to disclose problems with a wall that's not on my property?..[read more]
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The most important advice from an experienced homeowner
Thu, 28 Jun 2012 13:00:00 CST
My parents have bought and sold their fair share of properties. And even though we moved a lot when I was younger, my parents have lived in their current home for 12 years (a record). They just sold that house and have purchased their sixth in anothe..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 27 Jun 2012 10:00:00 CST
Now that summer is officially underway, the Armijo family is hitting the road to a family reunion out of state. As we pack up the minivan, it seems like a good time to revisit tips for keeping your home safe while traveling for anyone else who may be..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:00:00 CST
Can my HOA make me plant flowers? Why am I not getting my rent back?..[read more]
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5 things I had to learn for myself while buying our first house
Thu, 21 Jun 2012 10:00:00 CST
I'm set to close on my first house this week after a six-month search. While the process proceeded relatively quickly once I found the right house, it hasn't been without a learning curve...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:00:00 CST
Do I have to replace my roof? Which listing agent gets the commission?..[read more]
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3 things to consider when buying a house in a seller's marker
Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:00:00 CST
The real estate market is tilting toward sellers in many parts of Texas. In my neighborhood, most homes are under contract within a week of being listed for sale ... many on the first day...[read more]
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Stop making it hard for people to buy your house
Fri, 8 Jun 2012 14:00:00 CST
Your house isn't that special. I'm sure it's a great place to live and you have fond memories and all that. But to buyers, it's just another house on their list...[read more]
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Vacation rental market heats up for second-home owners
Wed, 6 Jun 2012 10:00:00 CST
Not only is the number of vacation home sales on the uptick, but the percentage of those purchasers who intend to rent out that vacation home to friends, family, and travelers also is climbing like never before...[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Tue, 5 Jun 2012 10:00:00 CST
One of my co-workers is buying her first home. It's an exciting time and conversation around the office regularly drifts to mortgages, home inspections, and the many other topics that come up in the home-buying process...[read more]
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Are you ready to buy a foreclosure?
Fri, 1 Jun 2012 14:00:00 CST
We've all seen news stories about the large number of foreclosed homes for sale. More and more buyers today ask their REALTOR to limit their new-home shopping to only foreclosed homes. But is that the best strategy for finding your next home?..[read more]
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What it takes to really become a Texan
Wed, 30 May 2012 12:00:00 CST
Texas makes a big first impression. As soon as I drove over the state line, I was greeted with an extra-large lone star and a reminder to drive friendly - the Texas way. Still many hours away from my new home, I already felt like a Texan...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 29 May 2012 14:00:00 CST
Can the HOA evict my tenants?..[read more]
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Why your first home may not meet your expectations ... and that's OK
Fri, 25 May 2012 12:00:00 CST
If you watch TV shows about house hunting before buying your first home, you may think the process is exciting, goes smoothly, and wraps up in 30 minutes. I sure did...[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Thu, 24 May 2012 10:00:00 CST
My home is not brand new, which means the appliances in it are not the most energy efficient. I've often thought of replacing them, but the prospect of hassle and expense has kept me from taking action...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 CST
Do I owe rent even though I don't know when my lease ended?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 22 May 2012 13:00:00 CST
How did my house lose 622 square feet? Can I close on a refi without my husband?..[read more]
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Attorney general rules that military ID doesn't meet homestead-exemption requirement
Fri, 11 May 2012 13:00:00 CST
Recently, the Texas attorney general issued a legal opinion that could cost some homeowners extra time and expense when applying for a homestead exemption...[read more]
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A simple way to put yourself in a stronger negotiating position that's really hard to do
Thu, 10 May 2012 11:00:00 CST
There's a simple thing you can do to put yourself in a powerful negotiating position: If you want something, don't care about getting it...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 08 May 2012 10:00:00 CST
Can I void my contract without penalty? How about my lease?..[read more]
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5 tips for finding the right movers
Tue, 01 May 2012 14:00:00 CST
After my husband and I decided that we should hire professionals for our move, we searched for the best deal for our budget...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 01 May 2012 12:00:00 CST
What are my options if I can't pay for my timeshare?..[read more]
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What do they know?
Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:00:00 CST
When people hear that my fiance; and I are looking to buy our first house, they frequently offer lessons learned from their own experiences ... though they can sometimes contradict...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:00:00 CST
Was the seller required to disclose previous water damage?..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 CST
The other day, I opened my mailbox and there it was: my property tax appraisal. Just a standard size envelope like so many others, yet this one causes me a little trepidation...[read more]
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How I chose a home in about six minutes (and how you can, too)
Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:00:00 CST
I'm usually a deliberate decision-maker. So why did my wife and I make an offer on a home just a few minutes after first seeing it?..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:00:00 CST
I'm happy to report that the Easter Bunny brought something extra special to my family last weekend: a new niece! Not only was I thrilled to cuddle a newborn, it gave me an opportunity to test my home organization skills...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:00:00 CST
Does death terminate a contract? Can I sue the builder?..[read more]
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Myth about 3.8% tax on all home sales still false
Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00 CST
Homebuyers everywhere rejoiced this week as word spread that rumors of a 3.8% federal tax on all home sales were still false...[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:00:00 CST
Occasionally, my husband and I like to take a free weekend to go on home tours. Though we're not looking to buy a new house tomorrow, we expect to do so eventually and enjoy getting ideas. We did this recently on a lovely spring weekend and I was int..[read more]
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How I moved to Texas without breaking the bank ... or breaking down
Thu, 5 Apr 2012 10:00:00 CST
Before you pack those boxes, invest some time into making a plan and enjoy a smoother move...[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 4 Apr 2012 09:00:00 CST
Like many of you, we're knee-deep in tax preparation at our house. For me, tax time is a little like playing Wheel of Fortune ... I might "win" big money through a refund, but I'm just as likely to find myself tapping the savings account to pay Uncle..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 3 Apr 2012 14:00:00 CST
How long will it take to get my rental deposit back?..[read more]
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A first-time homebuyer's advantage
Mon, 2 Apr 2012 13:00:00 CST
My fiance and I decided to make the transition from renters to homeowners at the start of the new year. And, of course, the step between the two roles requires us to temporarily become house hunters...[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:00:00 CST
If you've driven on a Texas highway recently, you've likely seen one of the best features of spring in our state: the bluebonnets. I imagine I have the same reaction to my first bluebonnet sighting that our northern friends have to the season's first..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:00:00 CST
Who's entitled to see the appraisal report? How can I get out of my buyer's rep agreement?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:00:00 CST
Who can change the wording on a form?..[read more]
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Going green doesn't have to break the bank
Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:00:00 CST
If you're in the market for an existing home, you'll find all kinds of great properties that could use some updates. But what if you're looking beyond paint and curtains to more "green" improvements?..[read more]
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Two great reasons to do home repairs now
Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:00:00 CST
One of my neighbors has a dent in his garage door. A huge one. The kind of dent you get when you drive into your garage without first opening the garage door. It's been there five years now...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:00:00 CST
Can I avoid paying a listing broker? Can my neighbor make me move my 25-year-old fence?..[read more]
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Texas and national economies polar opposites
Wed, 7 Mar 2012 15:00:00 CST
The U.S. economy, very weak during the first three quarters of 2011, picked up to an annualized growth rate of 2.8% in the fourth quarter...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 6 Mar 2012 14:00:00 CST
What does it take to void my buyer-representation agreement?..[read more]
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Tax consequences of turning your longtime home into a rental
Mon, 5 Mar 2012 14:00:00 CST
Seniors are particularly careful about guarding their assets. With little monthly income, older people still living in their longtime primary residences need to make the most of an eventual home sale...[read more]
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It's 2012 ... time to get off the fence
Fri, 2 Mar 2012 15:00:00 CST
So far in 2012, newspaper columnists and television pundits seem to be preoccupied with presidential polls and contentious primary elections across the country...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Thu, 1 Mar 2012 15:00:00 CST
Can the HOA sue me if it doesn't exist?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST
What happens when my landlord can't pay his mortgage?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST
Whose duty is it to disclose a bug problem?..[read more]
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Do the math ... affordability of homes depends on many factors
Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:00:00 CST
I did some math this morning when I saw 30-year mortgage rates still under 4%. That's unbelievably low...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:00:00 CST
Should I buy a home with my boyfriend? Can I take over my neighbor's mortgage?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST
How can I get out of my listing agreement? Why has my bank cancelled my home's foreclosure?..[read more]
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Demystifying exchanged-property timelines
Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:00 CST
The start of 2012 has many investors looking for bargain properties, sometimes in bunches. The ways of funding the purchases also have become more creative as buyers rethink the role of real estate not only for their portfolios but also for their res..[read more]
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Selling this spring? Start cleaning now
Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:00:00 CST
Spring is the busiest time of the year for selling a home. The trees are budding, the grass is green, the songbirds return, and homebuyers feel the urge to begin their home-buying search...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:00:00 CST
Why do I need to fill out a form to see property? Can a seller accept another offer during our negotiations?..[read more]
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Don't take anyone's word for it
Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:00 CST
Negotiations were tense when I bought a used backyard play house for my two-year-old. The seller wanted $60. I countered with $50. We consulted our attorneys, faxed amended offers back and forth - include the plastic fireplace logs or no deal - but f..[read more]
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Tell it like it is ... or else
Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:00:00 CST
If you're selling your house, why would you tell potential buyers about the stuff that's wrong with it? Caveat emptor, right? Not so fast...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:00:00 CST
Can I evict my tenants?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 4 Jan 2012 14:00:00 CST
How many homestead exemptions can we claim?..[read more]
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Return of once-popular investor loan makes sense
Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:00:00 CST
Two years ago, the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), one of the largest professional membership associations in the world with more than a million members, floated its idea of a housing solution to attendees at its annual convention...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:00:00 CST
Doesn't water damage have to be disclosed? Why won't my lender call me back?..[read more]
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Texas economy still best; 2012 looks to mirror 2011
Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:00:00 CST
On New Year's Eve, many bid farewell to the old year by singing "Auld Lang Syne" lyrics that include, "Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind."..[read more]
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Got a complaint against a mortgage company?
Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:00:00 CST
As of Dec. 1, 2011, consumers can file complaints against mortgage companies with the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) through the agency's home page...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:00:00 CST
How do I gain access to my neighbor's townhouse? Can I run a business from my apartment?..[read more]
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Could you save more money when buying? It doesn't hurt to ask
Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:00:00 CST
I think I lost some money. How? My wife and I probably would have qualified for assistance when we bought our first home. I'm not positive about that since we didn't even explore the idea...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:00:00 CST
Does my significant other have to be on the deed?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:00:00 CST
Who certifies inspectors? How do I get a property's mineral rights?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:00:00 CST
Can the county make me pay taxes from before I owned a property? What constitutes normal wear and tear?..[read more]
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Why pricing your home from a Web site could cost you thousands of dollars
Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:00 CST
Home valuation Web sites are great ... except when they're wrong ... which is most of the time...[read more]
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New tools to help manage your vacation rentals
Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:00:00 CST
An old friend of mine who owns and operates a small development company showed up in town for a weekend event. We blocked out some time to revisit the old days and what's in store next. Like me, his four children had grown and gone...[read more]
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Opportunity's knocking ... answer the door, buy a home
Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:00:00 CST
The national media still reports on the collapse of the housing market and the downturn in the economy. While I agree unemployment is still too high and housing is not appreciating the way it did from 2000 to 2006, I believe opportunity's knocking. N..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:00:00 CST
If I die first, does my second husband get the house?..[read more]
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Why has this great house been on the market for so long?
Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:00:00 CST
If I told you a house had been on the market for the average amount of time for its neighborhood, would that affect your decision to make an offer? How about if I told you that it had been on the market for 13 months?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:00:00 CST
How long do I have to keep tenant records?..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:00:00 CST
Unfortunately, the drought in Texas continues and, according to most reports I read, it's not likely to let up for another year. For me, that means it's time to scale back on our lawn watering...[read more]
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Texas home sales up nearly 18% compared to Q3-2010
Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:00:00 CST
Texas homes continued to hold their value as sales jumped up sharply in the third quarter of 2011, according to the new Texas Quarterly Housing Report released by the Texas Association of REALTORS...[read more]
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What does buying a home have to do with a visa?
Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:00:00 CST
A recent bill introduced in the Senate would offer visas to foreigners who make a cash investment of at least $500,000 in residential real estate. Foreign investors could spend at least $500,000 on one residence or spend at least $250,000 on a reside..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:00:00 CST
In our first year as homeowners, I was excited about Halloween. Trick-or-treaters don't frequent many second-floor apartments, so for the first time, I would get to open my own door to a front porch full of giggling witches, ghosts, and princesses. S..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:00:00 CST
Should I tell buyers that the county has my house's square footage wrong? Why did that foreclosed house sell for less than my bid?..[read more]
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Voters can help solve Texas water problems
Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:00:00 CST
Like cowboys, oil derricks and football, droughts are native to Texas. Now an extraordinary drought has gripped our state, capturing national headlines as it decimates crops, kills trees and cracks home foundations...[read more]
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Let's do this the right way - support Proposition 2
Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:00:00 CST
I support Proposition 2 because I think the availability of a clean, reliable water source is one of the biggest long-term priorities facing this state ... on par with education and healthcare...[read more]
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Give your house that un-lived-in look
Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:00:00 CST
How many family photos are in your living room? Go ahead, count them. You need to know how big a box you'll need to pack them up...[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:00:00 CST
The Texas wildfires have really been on my mind lately. For some living in neighborhoods at risk, residents had as few as five minutes to evacuate their homes. That got me thinking ... am I prepared to evacuate my home in five minutes?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:00:00 CST
What does no smoking mean? Should the house be in both our names?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:00:00 CST
Should I let a builder use my property? Are bonuses to selling agents legal?..[read more]
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It's not going to fix itself ... really
Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:30:00 CST
About six months ago, I heard a knocking noise coming from a bedroom in my house. I discovered that it wasn't coming from the room, but outside it - a woodpecker was having quite a time on a trim board near the roof...[read more]
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Invited to the foreclosure table, finally ... investors
Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:00:00 CST
Lenders have always viewed real estate investors with a wary eye. It seems all investors are grouped into flip-and-run speculators with little skin in the game, no plan for maintenance and repair, yet huge expectations for short-term profits...[read more]
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Biggest expense? Not the price of the horse ... uh, house
Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:00:00 CST
Typically, when people decide to buy a home, they don't start their search with a certain-priced house in mind. They start with a list of features they want and need...[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:00:00 CST
If you live anywhere near Texas, you already know that devastating wildfires have been ravaging our state. In fact, an official of the American Red Cross recently told me that we've had a wildfire burning every day somewhere in Texas since December 2..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:00:00 CST
How can we terminate our listing agreement? Is my verbal lease enforceable?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:00:00 CST
Can I get my neighbors away from my bedroom window? Is it unethical for a real estate agent to serve on an HOA's board where she sells homes?..[read more]
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Affected by wildfires or want to help others who were?
Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:00:00 CST
For those of us who haven't been through it, it's hard to imagine what it's like to leave your house as a wildfire approaches. Many Texans have faced that situation this year. Thousands have returned to find their property and belongings damaged or d..[read more]
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An easy way to lower your property-tax bill
Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:00:00 CST
What has four pages and can knock $15,000 off the taxable value of the home you purchase? The application for a residence homestead exemption...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:00:00 CST
Can we change the contract at closing? Is my listing invalid? Can I cut tree roots?..[read more]
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Two ways to beat other buyers to the home of your dreams
Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:00:00 CST
Before you even find a house you'd like to buy, you may want to sit down with your Texas REALTOR and talk about the contract. That way, when you do come across your dream home, you'll be able to craft an offer that will leave other buyers shaking the..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:00:00 CST
What happens when three people own land and two of them want to sell it? Can my neighbor block my easement?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:00:00 CST
Who can make my neighbor move his fence off my property?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 8 Aug 2011 14:00:00 CST
How can I prevent my neighbor from planting on his side of my fence? Can potential buyers control how I use my air conditioner?..[read more]
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What will you do when your home purchase gets derailed?
Fri, 5 Aug 2011 14:00:00 CST
Something will go wrong when you try to buy a home. There are too many pieces ... too many people ... to expect a real estate deal to glide to a successful result without a single hitch...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 1 Aug 2011 15:00:00 CST
Where do I get my deed now that I've paid off my mortgage?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:00:00 CST
Who has to pay for a wheelchair ramp?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Thu, 7 Jul 2011 09:00:00 CST
Verbal offers, terminating listing agreements..[read more]
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Price fixes a lot of ugly
Fri, 1 Jul 2011 10:00:00 CST
One of the most discussed issues at our house is ... our house. Not the house we just bought, mind you, but the one my wife owned before we got married. We made the decision to hang on to it and give property management a shot...[read more]
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Second-home owners look to alternative financing
Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:00:00 CST
Many second-home owners, especially those in the full-time vacation rental business, are looking to purchase another property but are facing stringent financing guidelines...[read more]
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Should you hire an agent if you already found a buyer?
Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:00:00 CST
We could have sold our home without an agent...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:00:00 CST
Verbal offers, security deposits in foreclosure, and terminating listing agreements..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:00:00 CST
Any day now, something very exciting is going to happen in our house: our 13-month-old son will take his first steps. My husband and I have been eagerly anticipating the event, holding our breath each time we set him on his wobbly feet. We're ready f..[read more]
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Are you ready to buy?
Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:00:00 CST
As I was watching TV the other day, I saw a commercial that said, "It's a great time to buy a house."..[read more]
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Prevent your house from languishing on the market
Fri, 3 Jun 2011 14:00:00 CST
There's a house in my neighborhood that's been on the market since last year. It now has a "New price!"..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Thu, 2 Jun 2011 09:00:00 CST
Last week, a visit with my insurance agent prompted me to write a post on having the right insurance policy for your home. While I was updating my family's current policy, another question occurred to me - what about what's in my home? Am I certain I..[read more]
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Make a list, check it more than twice
Tue, 31 May 2011 14:00:00 CST
Have you made The List? You know ... that collection of must-haves, nice-to-haves, and better-not-haves for your new home. If you haven't made yours, you should...[read more]
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I think I'm going to renew
Tue, 24 May 2011 15:00:00 CST
As hard as it is for me to believe, my wife and I have been in our new house for six months already. Like many recent homebuyers, we were given a home warranty on our purchase...[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Tue, 17 May 2011 12:00:00 CST
For a household with two working parents, a one-year-old, and three pets, "busy" is hardly an adequate description of our lifestyle. While it has been a work in progress, I am proud that most days things don't completely fall apart, and every now and..[read more]
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Even the perfect house may have some problems
Thu, 12 May 2011 10:00:00 CST
You're not likely to find a perfect house. You might find the perfect house for you, but it almost certainly will have some flaws...[read more]
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Texas REALTORS ... Working for you!
Wed, 11 May 2011 09:00:00 CST
Usually, people only think of REALTORS when they are about to make a decision on buying or selling a home. But did you know that Texas REALTORS work for you all year long? Members of the Texas Association of REALTORS work with our local, county, and ..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 9 May 2011 14:00:00 CST
Can the seller just change his mind after we make an offer?..[read more]
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Before putting your home on the market, make it bigger
Fri, 6 May 2011 08:00:00 CST
Alright, I'm not really proposing that you put an addition on your house before you sell it. But I do recommend making the rooms in your home look bigger, because you'll never hear a buyer say, "I was really hoping for something more cramped."..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 4 May 2011 09:00:00 CST
Yep, we're those parents. The ones who jump up and down like fools when our son learns how to clap and who throw big parties for his first birthday. On our journey to becoming those parents, we discovered something handy: our neighborhood has a clubh..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 3 May 2011 08:00:00 CST
Can the neighbors make me move a fence that's been in place for 50 years?..[read more]
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Considering homeownership? Set goals first ... please.
Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:00:00 CST
I bought my first house in 2004 and, looking back, I realize how hard I made it on myself - and others in the transaction - because I wasn't working from a clearly defined plan. And that's really the first step...[read more]
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Why I think you need professional help
Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:00:00 CST
Why haven't real estate agents gone the way of travel agents? I've heard that question many times. To me, the answer is simple: Buying a house ... or commercial or investment property ... is nothing like booking a trip...[read more]
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What to ask the sellers after closing
Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:00:00 CST
I can't believe they left me a pile of trash, I thought. My wife and I had just closed on our first home and walked into our new kitchen to find papers, booklets, cans of paint, and other items stacked on the counter...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:00:00 CST
Can the buyer sue me even though he knew the house had termites?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:00:00 CST
Is my former listing agent entitled to a fee?..[read more]
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Pick the right projects - avoid diminishing returns
Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:00:00 CST
My wife and I sold our house in December of 2010 after about four months on the market - but the process started a long time before that...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:00:00 CST
Can we rent out of state and maintain a homestead exemption in Texas?..[read more]
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How I won't negotiate my next home purchase
Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:00:00 CST
Have you heard the term mental accounting? It's the notion that people make financial decisions based on perceptions and emotions rather than more-objective criteria...[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:00:00 CST
I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it: my husband and I are going on vacation!!! A real vacation! No sleeping on family members' fold-outs and no work. Just beaches, water views and food enough for an army for seven glorious days. I can smell the sea..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:00:00 CST
Does someone have to pay the rest of my dead brother's lease?..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:00:00 CST
My husband and I are fortunate to have a large, tight-knit family. Between us, we have 19 wonderful nieces and nephews who live just three hours away and this weekend, six of them came to visit...[read more]
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How splitting the difference can cost you
Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:00:00 CST
Let's say I want to buy your house. You're selling it for $200,000, but I offer $160,000. You're not selling it for that amount, so you counter with $190,000. I then propose that we split the difference, at $175,000. Do you think that's a fair price?..[read more]
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Legislature working to eliminate private-transfer-fee scam on Texas homebuyers
Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:00:00 CST
Lawmakers are considering legislation to prohibit private transfer fees on real estate transactions. These fees require a buyer to pay a percentage of the sales price of the home to a private entity each time the property is sold for a designated per..[read more]
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One rotten apple doesn't ruin whole market
Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:00:00 CST
If I buy a house today, will it be cheaper tomorrow? In other words, if I buy now, what is the likelihood my property's value will decline, and I won't be able to sell it for what I paid for it? Put yet another way, have we hit bottom on home prices?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:00:00 CST
Does the listing broker owe us money for the home inspection?..[read more]
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Please spend your money
Tue, 15 Mar 2011 09:00:00 CST
Like my colleague, I watch a lot of HGTV. Not only are they relevant to my profession, but having just remodeled one house and bought another one, I find the shows interesting...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:00:00 CST
Can separated spouses claim more than one homestead exemption?..[read more]
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How mortgage rates should affect your buying decision
Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:00:00 CST
If you're thinking of buying a home, you probably want to know what's going to happen with mortgage rates. I can help you with that...[read more]
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When house hunting, watch your Ls and Cs
Wed, 09 Mar 2011 09:00:00 CST
When buying a house, a good Texas REALTOR will assist you with the "Ps and Qs" of the contract, inspection, and closing process. They will help ensure the "Ts" are crossed and the "I's" are dotted...[read more]
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Think twice before restarting your mortgage clock
Tue, 08 Mar 2011 09:00:00 CST
There used to be a big push by lenders to secure "customers for life." Not only did banks promote attractive mortgage programs, but they also targeted the same customers for checking and savings accounts, individual retirement accounts, credit cards,..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:00:00 CST
Can a homeowners association sue me for a violation that occurred in 1976?..[read more]
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Don't let little flaws scare away buyers
Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:00:00 CST
I watch more Home and Garden TV than I care to admit, especially the show "House Hunters." On it, people looking to buy a home are paired with a local Realtor and shown three properties. At the end of the show, the homebuyers make an offer on one of ..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:00:00 CST
What's the seller's duty to disclose a roof leak?..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Thu, 17 Feb 2011 09:00:00 CST
If you've read my biography, you know that part of my day job is serving as Public Relations Counsel for the Texas Association of REALTORS. Normally, you won't find this blog crossing over with that role ... except when it does...[read more]
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Give yourself an option
Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:00:00 CST
Whoever invented the undo function in computer software is one of my heroes. Think about it: If something doesn't turn out the way you intended, hit Control + Z and - poof - it never happened. There aren't many places in life where you get to undo yo..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Wed, 09 Feb 2011 09:00:00 CST
"Winter" and "Texas" usually only go together when you're talking about Winter Texans - those smart folks who escape to our state to avoid frigid temperatures in hometowns of Chicago or Fargo. Last weekend, however, "winter" and "Texas" collided in a..[read more]
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How to choose your agent
Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:00:00 CST
My wife and I are not the FSBO type. She's too practical and I'm too worried about messing up some seemingly insignificant business detail, only to have it come back and bite me on the backside...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:00:00 CST
I'm about to buy a house.The seller states in the Special Provisions section of the contract that he's selling the house "as is."I have an inspection scheduled during my option period. If the inspector finds a major problem, can I still opt out of th..[read more]
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Sellers: Would you respond to an insult?
Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:00:00 CST
If a potential homebuyer made you a low offer ... and I mean really low ... would you be offended?..[read more]
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Lone Star Livin'
Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:00:00 CST
My husband came home with this adorable puppy. A mix of Labrador and hound, she was about five pounds with floppy ears and a sweet little face. Despite all that cuteness, I still had hesitations...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:00:00 CST
My father owns a condo that's been on the market for a year. He installed new carpet, repainted all the rooms, and updated all the light fixtures. The problem is the outside. We've gotten a lot of feedback from showings that the condo's exterior is s..[read more]
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A real (estate) enemy at the gates
Fri, 14 Jan 2011 09:00:00 CST
I have never been a fan of using a bogeyman to make a point. It takes away from intelligent and thoughtful discourse and often leaves a wake of irrational fear...[read more]
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You're buying the neighborhood, too
Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:00:00 CST
Just remember ... when you purchase a home, a neighborhood comes with it...[read more]
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Resolving to buy a home in 2011? Resolve now to do it right
Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:00:00 CST
Many people start the new year with resolutions about losing weight, starting a new physical fitness routine, or getting their financial house in order...[read more]
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Second homes under mortgage interest microscope
Fri, 07 Jan 2011 09:00:00 CST
The possibility of eliminating the mortgage interest deduction on primary residences continues to draw interest in the nation's capital...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 04 Jan 2011 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: My husband and I submitted a signed offer, earnest money, and option fee to a listing broker's "broker associate" for a piece of property...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: I need to lease a home where a man murdered his wife before committing suicide. I've know it's a good idea to disclose such an event to a potential buyer, but what about a potential tenant?..[read more]
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Employment growth helps Texas economy outpace nation's
Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:00:00 CST
Employment in the Texas private sector is keeping the state's job growth headed in the right direction...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 22 Nov 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: We gave three months' notice of our intent not to renew the lease of the single-family home we've been renting for two years...[read more]
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The forms, they are a changin'
Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:00:00 CST
The Texas Real Estate Commission has adopted a slew of changes to the contract used by the vast majority of homebuyers and sellers...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 16 Nov 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: My wife and I bought an incomplete home from a builder...[read more]
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Why I'm jealous of today's homebuyers
Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:00:00 CST
When I bought my current home, nobody was talking about real-estate-market woes or foreclosure troubles or a struggling national economy...[read more]
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Yes, it's still your house ... now get out!
Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:00:00 CST
You know you should make yourself scarce when prospective buyers look at your house, right?..[read more]
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What the foreclosure mess means for buyers
Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:00:00 CST
The foreclosure mess has certainly gotten messier. What does it all mean for buyers?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: We live in an apartment complex where I fear for my family's safety. There are large dogs with muzzles. My car has been broken into. Are these valid reasons to break my lease?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: My husband died. How do I put our house's title in my name?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 27 Sep 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: If I sell my home in a few years, do I have to disclose long-repaired pest damage?..[read more]
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Ready to jump into homeownership but need a little push?
Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:00:00 CST
Maybe you've been taking steps toward buying a home and now you're frozen...[read more]
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Inside Texas Real Estate - audio podcast
Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:00:00 CST
Analysis of the Texas Quarterly Housing Report; a new site for Texas homebuyers..[read more]
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Closing deadline extended for tax credit
Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:00:00 CST
Thousands of Texas homebuyers in jeopardy of losing their federal homebuyer tax credit have received a reprieve...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: What are some pitfalls to avoid with my short sale?..[read more]
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You might qualify for homebuyer assistance
Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:00:00 CST
I wish there had been a Web site like TxHomePrograms.org when I was buying my first house...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: Should I disclose that I'm selling a haunted house?..[read more]
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Rules of thumb for judging investment home, cash flow
Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:00:00 CST
If you bought an investment home now and rented out, is there any way of knowing if it will appreciate?..[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: I just found out that the seller "forgot" to disclose a water claim. What can I do?..[read more]
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Light rail ... urban transformers?
Thu, 27 May 2010 09:00:00 CST
Its worth considering that the benefits of light rail may go beyond how many vehicles it removes from the road...[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 24 May 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: How can I lend someone money and use his property as collateral?..[read more]
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Not quite an open and shut case
Tue, 18 May 2010 09:00:00 CST
If you're wondering whether you should you hold an open house.......[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 17 May 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: The contract to sell my house expires this week. How much longer am I obligated to my agent?.......[read more]
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Even past the deadline, homebuyer assistance is available
Tue, 04 May 2010 09:00:00 CST
The federal homebuyer tax credit has received a lot of coverage over the past several months, but one thing not widely publicized is that the April 30 deadline doesn't apply to everyone.......[read more]
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Texans pay less of our income on shelter
Tue, 27 Apr 2010 09:00:00 CST
Texas' lower-than-national-average housing cost is one reason for the state's higher-than-national-average growth rate.......[read more]
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I've heard of a Trojan horse, but a Trojan house?
Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:00:00 CST
How much do you know about private transfer fees in Texas? Gabe Lopez discusses a disturbing new trend.......[read more]
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Get moving to qualify for the federal homebuyer tax credit
Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:00:00 CST
It's coming down to the wire. You have only until the end of April to get a house under contract if you want to take advantage of the federal homebuyer tax credit.......[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: Does a seller have to provide a disclosure notice for a short sale?.......[read more]
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The best way to know what you're getting into
Tue, 06 Apr 2010 09:00:00 CST
If you're buying or selling real estate, I have a must-read for you .......[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: A seller accepted my offer via e-mail. Is that legally binding?.......[read more]
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How to know if estimated loan fees will stick
Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:00:00 CST
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has revised some home-loan rules that attempt to give us what we want........[read more]
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Using a real estate IRA to acquire property in Mexico
Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:00:00 CST
Like second-home sales in the U.S., the sales of Mexican homes have been limping along.......[read more]
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A tale of Texas taxes
Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:00:00 CST
Here is one assertion I bet all Texans will agree with - property taxes in our state have a peculiar way of increasing.......[read more]
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Prepare yourself for a good closing
Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:00:00 CST
Closing is a process that begins weeks before the actual closing date, and follows an outline dictated largely by the buyer's original offer.......[read more]
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Understanding the lingo - comps
Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:00:00 CST
So, you're selling your home and everyone you interviewed to list your home has mentioned "pulling comps"........[read more]
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Forget the forecast; look out the window
Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:00:00 CST
Hanging on through difficult economic times means different things to different people........[read more]
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Some luxury developers await quality investors, buyers
Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:00:00 CST
Hanging on through difficult economic times means different things to different people........[read more]
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All real estate is local
Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:00:00 CST
Is it a seller's market or a buyer's market? Be careful where you get your information........[read more]
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The secret's out
Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:00:00 CST
It's one of the worst-kept secrets out there: Texas is a great place to live........[read more]
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Keep copies
Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:00:00 CST
It's important to keep the paperwork.......[read more]
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Homestead exemption scams
Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:00:00 CST
You must apply for the exemption, but there is no fee associated with applying for a homestead exemption.......[read more]
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Some lenders too picky on foreclosure financing
Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:00:00 CST
Remember when lenders were content to sell foreclosed homes to any qualified buyer?.......[read more]
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If the last tree in the forest falls...
Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:00:00 CST
If governmental entities had full discretion on what was a public good, all private real property would be at risk of being appropriated for the public good.......[read more]
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Overpriced or under-analyzed?
Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:00:00 CST
A look at Forbes list of cities where homes are most overpriced........[read more]
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Buy a home, get a tax credit
Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:00:00 CST
If you were thinking of buying your first home but just couldn't get it together in time to take advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit, you have an extension. Congress gave you about five more months........[read more]
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Ask George and Chuck
Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:00:00 CST
Dear George: Where can I find someone who will insure my home?.......[read more]
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Letters of distinction
Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:00:00 CST
One certification, available only to Texas REALTORS, is called Texas Affordable Housing Specialist.......[read more]
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The tax credit isn't the only help for homebuyers
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 CST
It looks like Congress is going to extend the homebuyer tax credit........[read more]
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Why must they lie?
Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:00:00 CST
If you could hook up a lie detector to an e-mail, the needle would be jumping on this one.......[read more]
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Even wooly-headed profs have good ideas
Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:00:00 CST
A pair of researchers at CERGE-EI, a Czech university, examined evidence about the origins of the housing bubble and whether it ever existed at all.......[read more]
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No fun being number 1
Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:00:00 CST
Texas ranks 14th in the amount residents pay in property taxes. Our state is also first in how much we pay in property taxes. How can that be?.......[read more]
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Primary owners now in the seasonal rental game
Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:00:00 CST
Approximately 15% of vacation rental owners have rented their primary residence to travelers, and the practice is becoming more common.......[read more]
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Lost in translation
Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:00:00 CST
On Nov. 3, 2009, the voters of Texas will once again have an opportunity to take a stand against the burdensome and uneven taxation of residential property.......[read more]
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Expect the unexpected (and the expected)
Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:00:00 CST
The cost of home maintenance and repairs is usually one of the biggest surprises for new homeowners.......[read more]
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Time is ticking on $8,000 credit
Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:00:00 CST
I hope homebuyers understand the deadline for the $8,000 federal tax credit. Getting it wrong could cost someone a lot.......[read more]
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Pre-approval or pre-qualification?
Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:00:00 CST
While both may put you in a potentially stronger buying position, getting pre-approved by the lender carries a bit more weight.......[read more]
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Get your credit in shape first
Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:00:00 CST
If you are considering purchasing a home, you might want to begin by taking a look at your credit.......[read more]
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A $68,000 credit on a home? Seriously?
Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:00:00 CST
No, it's no joke. As a first-time homebuyer with a moderate income, you may be able to save $68,000 on a home. That's $8,000 on the purchase and $60,000 over the life of a 30-year loan.......[read more]
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Finding the right neighborhood
Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:22:00 CST
Picking a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle and desires is an important part of the homebuying process........[read more]
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Safety tips for home sellers
Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:00:00 CST
If you're selling your house, there are some safety tips you should be aware of to keep yourself and others safe during the process.......[read more]
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All real estate is local
Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:00:00 CST
Is it a seller's market or a buyer's market? Be careful where you get your information to answer that question .......[read more]
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Texas REALTORS push pro-homeowner agenda through 81st session
Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:00:00 CST
When the gavel fell June 1 on the 81st Texas Legislature, Texas homeowners were better off.......[read more]
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Landlord in the making?
Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:00 CST
Are you considering buying an investment home as a rental property? This may be a good time to start .......[read more]
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Truly affordable housing
Wed, 27 May 2009 08:00:00 CST
Many buyers make a common mistake when purchasing a home by trying to buy too much house.......[read more]
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Eight thousand reasons to buy your first home
Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:00:00 CST
If you've been paying attention to the recent "stimulus" activities in Washington, you already get the reference to 8,000 reasons in the headline above. It's really only one reason, but it could be worth $8,000 to you.......[read more]
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Twelve tips to sell your home
Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:00:00 CST
There are few things more frustrating to a seller than a home that sits on the market. It's stressful to keep a house in showing condition, and not selling can cost you lots of money.......[read more]
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Closing costs
Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:00:00 CST
Everyone knows that in most cases you'll need at least a small down payment to purchase a home.......[read more]
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Home warranties
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:00:00 CST
After you buy an existing home, let's face it - the last thing you want to worry about is a broken big-ticket item like the air conditioner or oven.......[read more]
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The next level of clean
Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:00:00 CST
Aside from the necessary intrusions, the most inconvenient aspect of having your house on the market may well be keeping the house in showing condition.......[read more]
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Be ready to buy
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:00:00 CST
If you find what you're looking for in a home, you should be prepared to make an offer quickly.......[read more]
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Can this be fixed?
Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:00:00 CST
You've heard it 1000 times; don't ever buy a home without getting a home inspection.......[read more]
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What does the recently passed housing bill mean for you?
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:00:00 CST
This month on our "Inside Texas Real Estate" podcast you can learn how the Housing and Economic Recovery Act helps first-time homebuyers and homeowners struggling to afford their mortgages.......[read more]
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Don't be deceived by numbers
Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:00:00 CST
There's a common statistic in the real estate world called Days on Market, or DOM. Some people believe a property that has been on the market for a while must have serious problems, but this is not necessarily the case.......[read more]
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Restricted access
Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:00:00 CST
If you're selling your home and you require advanced notice, ask your agent to put the restriction and reason in the private remarks section of MLS.......[read more]
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Disappear
Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:00:00 CST
When your house is on the market, it's important to be flexible with your showing times. Part of that flexibility is having the capacity to .......[read more]
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Understanding the lingo - points
Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:00:00 CST
Points is a common word you'll hear when you're in the process of buying a home or acquiring financing. But what does it mean? .......[read more]
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Don't outsmart yourself
Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:00:00 CST
Are you one of the people who is trying to "time the market" and wait for home prices to go down before you make a purchase? Doing so may not be as wise as you think........[read more]
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Any time's a good time
Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:00:00 CST
"Now's not the best time ... can we set something up for later?" These are words that a buyer and his agent do not want to hear when they're out looking for a property.......[read more]
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What not to do
Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:00:00 CST
You'll be given all kinds of advice and pointers about what you should do and how you should do it, but there are things you shouldn't do that are equally important........[read more]
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Selling a vacant house
Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:00:00 CST
So you've accepted your new job and have moved on to your new life in a different city.......[read more]
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Not just the house
Thu, 29 May 2008 08:00:00 CST
After you've made the decision to buy a home, it pays to prioritize your needs and wants.......[read more]
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Dealing with lowball offers
Wed, 21 May 2008 08:00:00 CST
When your home is on the market, a prospective buyer may come at you with a lowball offer.......[read more]
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Maximizing your exposure
Fri, 16 May 2008 08:00:00 CST
Exposure is the key to selling fast and getting top dollar. The more people who see your home, the sooner you will find a willing buyer.......[read more]
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Different kinds of real estate Web sites
Tue, 13 May 2008 08:00:00 CST
From the way consumers acquire information about properties and neighborhoods to the way agents market themselves and their listings, real estate, like so many other industries, has been fundamentally altered by the Internet........[read more]
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Como pagar su prstamo ms rpidamente
Thu, 08 May 2008 08:00:00 CST
Una respuesta inmediata seria reestructurar su prstamo de un plazo de 30 aos a uno de 15.......[read more]
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Internet presence
Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:00:00 CST
There's so much information on the Internet. Literally thousands of real estate sites are out there.......[read more]
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After the inspection
Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:00:00 CST
You're serious about buying this house; in fact, you've already put down earnest money, the option fee, and even gotten an inspection.......[read more]
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Think about the future
Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:00:00 CST
Is this a starter house or one that you plan to stay in.......[read more]
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Entice buyers with extras
Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:00:00 CST
If you're putting your home on the market, or if it has been on the market for a while without solid offers, you may consider including some appliances, furniture, or other extras in the asking price.......[read more]
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Final walk-through
Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:00:00 CST
Closing is just days away! You're about to make a huge investment and you've been running around town taking care of business........[read more]
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Protjase al vender su casa
Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:00:00 CST
A partir del primero de enero del 2008, toda persona interesada en solicitar una licencia de agente de bienes races en Texas, como vendedor o como corredor, ahora debe proveer sus huellas digitales para un chequeo del FBI sobre antecedentes criminale..[read more]
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El mes de la igualdad en la vivienda
Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:00:00 CST
Anualmente Texas se une a al resto de la nacin para celebrar el mes de la igualdad en la vivienda.......[read more]
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The tax factor
Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:00:00 CST
You might consider consulting with a tax adviser regarding the sale's impact on your federal tax return.......[read more]
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Landscaping counts
Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:00:00 CST
When you're selling your house, you obviously want it to stand out.......[read more]
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Coming to your senses
Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:00:00 CST
The more you do to prepare your home for market, the more money you can expect to pocket at the closing table.......[read more]
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Spend some time in your kitchen
Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:00:00 CST
The kitchen could be the most important room in a house........[read more]
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Moving out
Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:00:00 CST
If you are selling your home, create a moving checklist to ensure a smooth transition from one property to the next........[read more]
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From seller to buyer
Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:00:00 CST
Although your property could sell in a couple of days, the real dilemma you may face is finding your next home........[read more]
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Protect yourself
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:00:00 CST
While it's certainly not common, there are reports of sellers' possessions disappearing during a showing.......[read more]
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Take an impromptu visit
Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:00:00 CST
When you begin narrowing your selection or you find that you've fallen head-over-heels in love with a certain house.......[read more]
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