Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned veteran, the negotiation part of the transaction can be a little daunting and stressful. However, it is necessary to ensure you are getting the best possible deal for your money. So, what should you negotiate when buying a home? Closing costs. Your closing costs are determinedContinue reading “WHAT TO NEGOTIATE WHEN BUYING A HOUSE”
Tag Archives: first-time home buyers
MUST-HAVE TOOLS FOR HOMEOWNERS
When you own your home, things are going to break and, unless you want to spend your money on visits from a neighborhood handyman, you’re going to need to fix them yourself. Luckily, you don’t need an arsenal of tools to handle most home maintenance fixes. These five tools will cover most of your basicContinue reading “MUST-HAVE TOOLS FOR HOMEOWNERS”
Phrases home buyers should avoid when touring a home with the listing agent or owner present
Phrases home buyers should avoid when touring a home with the listing agent or owner present
A House is Like a Box of Cereal
A FACEBOOK FRIEND BRINGS UP A GREAT “LISTING” QUESTION. When preparing a house for sale: “Extreme Makeover. Is that the direction of today’s real estate market?” I enjoy interacting with customers, clients and friends on my Facebook page (Val-A-Homes.com on Facebook). This week, I had a potential seller post a web page showing some beforeContinue reading “A House is Like a Box of Cereal”
TO CLOSE OR NOT TO CLOSE
“RETAINING WALL REQUIRED… but let’s close anyway!”~Builder (will remain unnamed) THIS IS A TRUE STORY. I share it only to educate the next buyer who wishes to build their next home. The buyers of this property (right of the fence) are my clients. They live so close to this subdivision, that they drive by theirContinue reading “TO CLOSE OR NOT TO CLOSE”
The Mortgage Murder
“You did WHAT before closing day?!?” Here’s a list of things that can KILL YOUR MORTGAGE LOAN APPROVAL: 1) Car shopping- “BIG NO-NO!” Once you have a mortgage pre-approval, it’s not a good idea to shop for a sports car. The credit check alone can “ding” your credit score. Let’s say you need a 620 FICOContinue reading “The Mortgage Murder”
HOUSE-HUNTERS
HGTV is my MTV and “House-Hunters” is one of my favorite “music videos!” HGTV has been airing “House-Hunters” over and over and over again. The scenarios with each couple are also repetitive. On each episode, there are two people buying a home for the first time. They have THREE categories to seriously consider… 1. Price 2.Continue reading “HOUSE-HUNTERS”
Can You Trust a REALTOR®?
When a new client chooses to work with me, I am presented with a new challenge. Whether they are friends, family or complete strangers, I have a goal to earn their total trust and loyalty. I know I have a level of trust and loyalty with friends and family, but when they are first-time homeContinue reading “Can You Trust a REALTOR®?”
LOCAL REAL ESTATE NEWS: A Bigger, Better Deal
[SUNDAY NEWS- San Antonio Real Estate as seen by Val J Aranda, REALTOR® – Metro Realty] REAL ESTATE HIGHLIGHT: I had a pretty interesting encounter with a Builder this past week. For the first time, in a long time, a Builder’s Sales Counselor could not wave enough “incentives” in front of my client to entice himContinue reading “LOCAL REAL ESTATE NEWS: A Bigger, Better Deal”
LOCAL REAL ESTATE NEWS (Builder-Owned Homes)
[Express News, San Antonio, TX – SUNDAY, 04 March 2012 edition – referenced article; “Just Closed. Builder-owned home a perfect fit”] REAL ESTATE HIGHLIGHT: Going through the Sunday paper (a day late), I read an article and thought it was a good topic for first-time home buyers. In the article, we learn about a buyerContinue reading “LOCAL REAL ESTATE NEWS (Builder-Owned Homes)”
Own a Piece of Texas 