BATHROOM TRENDS FOR 2017

Staying on top of the latest trends in home decor isn’t for everyone, but even for traditionalists, it can be fun to incorporate some new ideas. Here are five bathroom decor trends that are appearing in 2017. Geometric Patterns: Many homeowners are selecting bold patterns in geometric shapes, like chevrons, triangles, or hexagons. These patternsContinue reading "BATHROOM TRENDS FOR 2017"

Five ways you can get earnest money back

EARNEST MONEY = "GOOD FAITH" DEPOSIT No matter how much time you spend on researching and educating yourself about your home purchase, it’s hard to cover every detail. Here are a few tips for avoiding rookie mistakes with your first home purchase. Earnest money is a deposit you pay when you make an offer onContinue reading "Five ways you can get earnest money back"

Budget friendly projects with a big Return of Investment (ROI)

Not all home improvement projects are created equal. Some renovations may cost a lot but not add significant value to your home. This list goes in the opposite direction: Here are some inexpensive home improvement projects that will not only increase your enjoyment of your home, but will also increase the home’s value. High qualityContinue reading "Budget friendly projects with a big Return of Investment (ROI)"

What to avoid before you buy a home

Even with the help of a trusted real estate professional, it’s easy to fall into some common traps when you’re buying a home. Here are some of the most common regrets from home buyers—make sure to consider them before you make similar decisions. Using all of your savingsIt can be tempting to throw all theContinue reading "What to avoid before you buy a home"

How Veterans and First-Time Home Buyers can find the best Home Loan in Texas

DID YOU KNOW you have options when applying for a home loan? DID YOU KNOW most big banks and credit unions DO NOT offer FHA, VA, Texas Vet and/or USDA loans? What are all those acronyms, you ask? They're your link to zero-down or low down payment loans for Veterans, First-Time Home Buyers, and/or Buyers whoContinue reading "How Veterans and First-Time Home Buyers can find the best Home Loan in Texas"

New Listings in Real-Time! It’s finally here in San Antonio, TX

HAS THIS HAPPENED TO YOU? You see a "New" listing you like and ask your REALTOR® to show it to you. After you walk through the home, you say, "let's make an offer!" Your REALTOR® gets in his/her car, calls the listing agent immediately and hears, "sorry, we JUST accepted an offer." It's happening OVER andContinue reading "New Listings in Real-Time! It’s finally here in San Antonio, TX"

WHICH WEBSITE IS THE BEST AND MOST ACCURATE FOR LOCAL HOME SEARCHES?

In short, there are NO PUBLIC SITES who can publish listings in real-time. Real-time listings are limited to REALTORS® who are members of their local Board and who are subscribed to the Board's Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The closest to "real-time" you can get today is from REALTOR.com. REALTOR.com updates every 15 minutes. All other public websitesContinue reading "WHICH WEBSITE IS THE BEST AND MOST ACCURATE FOR LOCAL HOME SEARCHES?"

The New and Improved Doorbell

You’re probably familiar with devices like Nest, which use smart technology to automate your thermostat and save you money. Think of Ring as the Nest of doorbells. It’s a product that replaces your standard doorbell with a device that connects to your home WiFi connection and sends video and audio of your doorstep to yourContinue reading "The New and Improved Doorbell"

When looking for a rental, should I hire a REALTOR or an Apartment Locator?

Published on Mar 31, 2016 Frequently Asked Question: "When looking for a rental, should I use a REALTOR® or an Apartment Locator? What's the difference?" THE SCOOP:I've been receiving a lot of rental referrals lately. One of the first questions I'm asked from renters is, "how does this work?" in regard to my service. TheContinue reading "When looking for a rental, should I hire a REALTOR or an Apartment Locator?"

Can I look at a new listing after I’ve submitted an offer on a home?

Advice from Val J Aranda, Metro Realty Every REALTOR® has a different perspective on ways to best serve our clients. Every piece of advice varies from client to client because everyone's needs vary. The advice and opinions offered on the video are the opinion of Agent Val in San Antonio. My advice is based onContinue reading "Can I look at a new listing after I’ve submitted an offer on a home?"