Pictures Can Make The Sale

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Nothing is more true if you are talking about real estate.  More buyers are influenced by the pictures found online than anything else in a listing profile.  Properties have been bought sight-unseen just because of the pictures.  They really can make the sale.

If you are considering listing your home, ask all potential agents that you interview if you can see pictures from their previous listings.  Make it a requirement prior to giving the listing agent your business. 

There’s also the question about the timing of posting the pictures to the MLS.  You really do get just one chance to make a good first impression.  The minute your listing goes live, the pictures of your home should be available for potential buyers to see.   Pictures should be professionally done and have proper, detailed descriptions so that buyers know what they are viewing.

While Realtors should make every effort to present a property in it’s best light, Photoshopping is a real no-no.  Erasing power lines, adding grass, and other enhancements are not going to help in the long run.  And it could get a seller in real trouble if the property is intentionally misrepresented.

Bottom line….make sure your home is marketed at it’s best.  Don’t be afraid to ask potential listing agents the tough questions.  And hold your agent to his or her promises.  That way we all win.

Hurricane Preparedness

The weather is starting to heat up and with that comes tropical storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes.  It’s part of life when you live as close to the Gulf coast as we do here in Houston.  It’s time to begin preparing so that we aren’t caught off guard.  And the last thing you want to do is stand in line down at Home Depot or Walmart stocking up on the supplies that you wish was already sitting in the garage or pantry.

So let’s talk about what we need to be doing now. 

1.      Have several locations to choose from in the event of an evacuation.  Keep a list of hotel phone numbers and addresses for cities away from the coast.  Many Houstonians choose to evacuate to Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas.  But hotels fill up fast so have a reservation before you leave home.  Staying with relatives or friends is also a good alternative.  If evacuating to another location is not feasible, know where the local Red Cross shelters are located.

2.     Put together a supplies kit now.  There are exhaustive lists found online but here is a short list:

a.       One gallon of water per person per day.  (Minimum of 3 day supply.)

b.      Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and juices.  Have a non-electric can opener in your kit.  High-energy foods like peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, and trail mix.  Paper plates, napkins, and cups.

c.       Prescription and non-prescription medications.  Band-aids, gauze and tape, and antiseptic sprays or creams.

d.      Battery-operated radio with extra batteries, flashlights, cash, matches, fully charged cell phone, toilet paper, towelettes, soap, blankets, extra change of clothes, sturdy shoes, rain gear, and toiletries. 

e.      For babies:  formula, diapers, bottles, powdered milk, and baby food.

f.        Keep the following in a water-proof bag or container:  Will, insurance policies, passports, immunization records, bank account information, credit card numbers, inventory of valuable items, and important phone numbers.

3.     Plan for your pet(s).  After Hurricane Katrina, a lot of changes were made to care for pets during natural disasters.  A lot of people will not leave behind a four-legged family member, as evidenced by the large number of people sitting on roof tops with their beloved dog or cat.  But most shelters do not allow pets.  So contact your local vet, SPCA, or Humane Society now.  Have a crate on hand, along with extra food for Fido and Kitty.

4.      Have a designated meeting place for all family members.  Let everyone know now where to meet in the event of a natural disaster.

5.      Have your car’s gas tank at least 75% full during these spring and summer months.  When the electricity goes off, gas pumps go off too.  And when they are working, the lines can be so long that the stations run out of fuel.  Have a full tank when you get on the road in the event of an evacuation.  You don’t want to get stranded on the highway with a storm moving in.

6.      Before the storm, board up windows or use storm shutters, clear the yard of lawn furniture, trash cans, toys, and other loose items.  These items can turn into projectiles with a high wind.

7.      Leave swimming pools filled, super-chlorinate the water, and cover pump and filtration systems and intakes.

8.      Know where the shut-offs are for your water, electricity, and gas.

For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit the American Red Cross site at www.RedCross.org/prepare/disaster.

To learn more about our real estate services, visit our site at www.MayWallTeam.com.

Importance Of The Seller's Disclosure Notice

One of the most difficult tasks we have as real estate agents, whether working with buyers or sellers, is getting a complete and accurate Seller's Disclosure Notice.  For those of you who are not familiar with this document, it's a form that home sellers fill out when they list a home that provides information about the house they are selling.  In Texas, the form is only 5 pages long and most of it is just checking boxes and filling in blanks.  It really isn't a difficult form to complete.

But in our experience, most of the time the form is incomplete, late to arrive, and generally sloppy.  Really, how hard is it to fill in the name and phone number of your utility providers?  That's a required field on our form.  Do you know whether your heating system is electric or gas?  You should.

What most sellers don't realize is that an inaccurate or incomplete Seller's Disclosure Notice is one of the biggest causes of lawsuits after the sale of a home.  It's serious business.  If you have experienced a previous fire in the home, you better disclose it when you list the house for sale.  Most buyers don't have a problem with even serious issues as long as they know about it going into the sales transaction.

So sellers, do your agent and your future buyers a favor.  Take 20-30 minutes and fill out the form with due diligence and care.  It's the best half hour you will invest in the sale of your home.

Building A Custom Home? What To Look For In A Home Site

One of the first things to do when building a custom home is to find a place to build it.  Now that might sound simple.  But in reality it can be quite complex.  There are so many things to consider that may not even cross your mind.

So here are just a few things to consider when looking for your perfect lot (if there is such a thing).

1.  If you are going to build in an established subdivision, you want to look closely at deed restrictions.  There could be limitations on things like minimum or maximum square footage; architectural design parameters; maximum number of stories for the home; and the list goes on.  Some subdivisions will even limit the number of pets you can have.  Better make sure that Fido gets to move in with you.

2.  Public or private streets need investigation.  Determine who owns and maintains the street leading into your property.  Is it maintained by the city or county?  Or is it maintained by the homeowners living on that street?  Who maintains it is going to foot the bill.  Just know if that is going to be you.

3.  Is the lot in a flood plain?  Now don't rule out a piece of property if you find out that it's in a flood plain.  But do your homework.  It may be necessary to bring in extra dirt to raise the house above the flood plain.  And that can be costly.  But raising the foundation of the house above the flood plain will ensure that you can get the proper flood insurance without paying extravagant premiums. Visit the lot after a heavy rain to see if there is standing water.  That's actually a good idea even if the lot isn't located in a flood plain.  Find out if there is proper drainage.


4.  Find out what utilities are already in place.  If the lot is in the city limits of a town, you will likely already have access to electricity, water and sewer, and gas connections.  But rural property is a whole different story.  It is almost certain that it will be necessary to have a well dug and put a septic system in place.  And here's an interesting thing to think about.  Water wells have to be a certain distance away from other wells.  So if you have a neighbor on each side of your property, and their existing wells are close to your property line, you may not be able to dig your well.  So know where thy neighbor's wells are.

5.  There are costs associated with preparing a lot for build.  Soil testing, clearing of trees and brush, leveling the site, and adding drainage systems are going to factor in with the process of getting the lot ready.  Don't underestimate these costs.  Talk with your builder so that you can keep these costs in your budget as you move forward.

These are only a few of the items you want to keep in mind as you look at potential sites for your ultimate dream home.  Do your homework and you will be better prepared to take the plunge when the right property hits the market.

For more information about The May-Wall Team please visit our web site at www.MayWallTeam.com.

Hooked on Houzz

Awhile back I was introduced to a web site called Houzz.com and I have to say I'm hooked. The site is a collection of almost 2,000,000 photos of houses, gardens, specific rooms, pools, furniture, and the list goes on and on. In my opinion, the best option for viewing Houzz is through their mobile app on the iPad.

So here's how it works. You can scroll through the pictures and if you see something you like, just click on the picture to enlarge it. When you click on the picture, there is a "More Info" button that will give you ..... well, more info. Ask a question and many times the designer will send an answer. On many of the pictures you will find a dangling green tag. Click on the tag and product information will come up telling you where you can purchase the item.

Another great feature to the site is that you can create your own idea books. Just save the pictures to your idea book for future reference. You can even share your idea books with friends who have profiles on Houzz.

Need a decorating idea? Just go to the "Ask the Community" tab and submit your decorating dilemma to the Houzz community and you will get tips and solutions from other people. Looking for a specific product? Just click on the "Products" tab to find exactly what you are looking for, where to buy it, and what it costs.

What I like most about Houzz is that it shows you the possibilities for decorating your own home, condo, or apartment. Sometimes the "wow" is in the details. And Houzz gives you ideas for creating the "wow" factor in your own residence.

Experience it for yourself by going to www.Houzz.com and start creating your own idea books. But be prepared to stay for awhile. I'm sure you will be hooked as well.


For more information about the current real estate market, visit our web site at www.MayWallTeam.com.

Is Your Garden Really Green? Creating an Eco-Friendly Landscape Design

You may have the greenest lawn on the block, but is your garden really "green," meaning ecologically friendly? Often the answer is a resounding "NO."

Just the fact that you have a lawn at all can be an indicator that your landscape is not as green as it could be. Lawns generally need more water and fertilizers than other plantings. Plus, they need to be mowed approximately once per week in the summertime, and if you don't have an electric or reel mower, you're burning fossil fuels every time you mow.

What are some ways you can create a garden that is really green? How can you create an eco-friendly landscape design?

Be Water-Wise

When it comes to an eco-friendly landscape, being water-wise means not only reducing the amount of water you use, but also managing stormwater - water that falls during a rainstorm, on site. Stormwater often gets directed to a pipe as soon as possible and then directed to a river, pond, or sewer. But, it is possible to capture it, store it, and redistribute it to be used again. For example, direct the downspout from your rain gutters to a rain barrel and then use the captured water to irrigate your landscape.

Reduce Impervious Surfaces

Another way to create an eco-friendly landscape design is to reduce the amount of impervious surfaces on your property. Impervious surfaces are areas like concrete, asphalt, and stone pavers where water cannot penetrate the surface. The water that used to soak into the soil has to go somewhere. When water can't infiltrate the soil surface, it causes problems downstream and has detrimental effects on rivers and streams. Pervious concrete and asphalt have come on the market and offer an alternative to impervious surfaces.

Use Drought-Tolerant Plants

This tip is related to being water-wise. If you want to create an eco-friendly landscape design, use drought tolerant plants.

Go Native

Native plants are well-adapted to live in the area in which you live. Plus, they typically will provide a food source or some sort of ecological input that supports local insect and animal species.

Build and Protect the Soil

In most suburban and urban areas, the soil is terribly depleted of minerals and nutrients. By amending the soil with organic fertilizers, cover crops, and compost, you can support an eco-friendly landscape design and help protect the soil structure. This creates a more nutrient-rich soil in which your plants can grow.

Grow Your Own Food

From farming methods to transporting food, we rely on fossil fuels to feed everyone in the United States. You can do your part to reduce the use of fossil fuels, reduce food miles, and provide nutrient-rich vegetables to your family by growing your own food. You can grow a surprising amount of food in a small space, and wouldn't it be nice if you could simply walk out your back door and harvest some lettuce for dinner?

Get to Know Beneficial Insects

Many gardeners mistakenly think all insects are bad. If they don't recognize a particular insect, they go get the sprayer and shoot the insect with a chemical pesticide until it dies. This is one of the worst things you can do. Why? There are many insects in the garden that help keep the "bad bugs" in check.

Have you ever noticed a rose bush covered in ladybugs? They're probably there because they're eating the aphids. If you look closely you'll see them. However, if you see the ladybugs, mistakenly think they are hurting your roses, and decide to kill them with pesticides, you're actually creating more work for yourself. The next time the aphids come, and they will, there will not be ladybugs there to defend your roses. You have just inherited the ladybugs' job. To create an eco-friendly landscape design, you must understand your ecosystem. That means getting to know the beneficial insects in your garden and learning how to support them in their work of defending your garden.

These are just a few of the many ways in which you can create an eco-friendly landscape design. The bottom line is that you must work with nature, not against it.

Information provided by Market Leader

Buying Land: 5 Things To Consider

Whether you're building a residence, need extra storage, or are purchasing as an investment or farm property, the time to buy land has never been better.

It's still a buyer's market in many areas, yet many sources claim the housing market is turning a corner.  In fact, due to the election year and historically low interest rates, many areas are experiencing bidding wars that have not been seen since before the economic recession. Combined with an aging existing home inventory, this new flurry of activity has prompted many homebuyers to consider land for their next purchase.

While the decision to buy land may be easy, the process is certainly not. Here are five tips for buyers interested in purchasing land:

1. Walk the property line. Request a plot plan of the property and walk the entire border line. Make sure your agent and the seller are clear with you about where the property begins and ends and where the site setbacks are. Many first-time land buyers are not familiar with judging acreage and may not always immediately know what land is included in the listing. Alleviate any confusion from the beginning by having the seller or agent walk the property line with you.

2. Research the neighborhood. Get to know the surrounding neighborhood. What does the property line border? Another lot, a farm, a subdivision? What is the nearby land being used for? If you're planning to build a home on the property, be sure to check the surrounding properties for potential noise or construction. If you plan to purchase farm or horse land, you'll want to be sure you don't have any ground contamination or runoff issues from surrounding properties that could impact your future crop or livestock.

3. Check for utilities. Does the property have any utilities set up? Was there any soil or percolation testing done for sewer or any cost estimates for installation of utilities? Is the property zoned for horses, and do you need any permits? In most instances, your real estate agent will be familiar with these issues and will ask the seller on your behalf. However, the buyer should be aware of them and any possible costs that may arise after the sale so he or she can work them into the offer price.

4. Ask about taxes, HOAs and assessments. Do you know how much the property taxes are? Are there any existing assessments on the land? Does the lot or land reside in a common interest community with a homeowners association? All of these factors should be considered when buying property and should determine your price when making an offer.

5. Get the right help. Use an experienced real estate agent and lender. Land sales are different than home sales, and agents who primarily sell land are more difficult to come by. An experienced agent will know the right questions to ask and can help narrow your search significantly. You may also find that your loan options are more limited than if you were buying an existing home. If you're planning to build, you may want to consider a lender who specializes in construction loans and can finance the entire project. Be advised, though, that many lenders shy away from offering full financing for undeveloped land or unfinished construction. In these cases, because there is no collateral and greater risk to the lender, you may find you need a larger down payment or have to settle for a higher interest rate on your loan.

With the right amount of research, preparation and support, buyers should have no difficulty finding the property of their dreams at a reasonable price.

Information provided by Market Leader.