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Glimpses of Heaven Found in Texas Hill Country
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/08/14
Title:
Glimpses of Heaven Found in Texas Hill Country
Word Count:
557
Summary:
Texas hill country is a region in central Texas comprised of more than 14.000 square miles of majestic beauty spread out across more than 50 cities/areas such as Fredericksburg, and Llano. With picturesque landscapes that can only be describes as, ìInspired by Heaven.î
Keywords:
#Texas, Fredericksburg, Llano, rv parks, Fort Martin Scott, vineyard, vacation, getaway, #DFW, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Appraisals
Article Body:
Article written and provided by Dallas Appraiser
Texas hill country is a region in central Texas comprised of more than 14.000 square miles of majestic beauty spread out across more than 50 cities/areas such as Fredericksburg, and Llano. With picturesque landscapes that can only be describes as, ìInspired by Heaven.î
Great hills made of limestone stand tall, reaching upwards to meet the horizon. Wildflowers with the most brilliant colors blanket the fields. Crystal-clear streams (running cool and fast), abundant wildlife roaming about free: all make for some breathtaking sight-seeing and award-winning photo opportunities.
The city of Fredericksburg is at the heart of central Texas and its hill country. Fredericksburg rests near Enchanted Rock State Park, a 1,643 acre park which has the 2nd largest granite outcrop in the United States. You can take a leisurely nature walk, or hike up one of the many hills. For the truly adventurous you can rock climb and repel. Have a family picnic or camp out in the park. Take a tour of some of the homes and buildings located in the historical district of Fredericksburg. You can see 18th and 19th century-era homes that remain today as testaments to the influences that German immigrants had on the area. Some of these historical homes and buildings have been turned into quaint bed and breakfast Inns to welcome guests. You will also find well-known shops, restaurants and beer gardens this Texas hill country town.
Other sites of interest to visitors to Texas hill country include:
The historical Fort Martin Scott, a pre-civil war military outpost which was the 1st. frontier post in Texas.
The Old West Museum: which depicts the lives of early settlers, and the Indians that populated the area in the 1800’s and beyond?
The Rope and Herd Ranch: Learn how to rope and herd longhorns here at this western ranch
Are you looking for a special get away for just you and your sweetheart or considering buying a home with land for the family? Consider the Texas Hill country. Try taking a romantic driving tour through the hill country’s many vineyards, with colorful grapes on the vine, ready for harvest and you just may be sold. The town of Fredericksburg has 4 wineries in the area. Stop off at any of these wineries along the way for some wine-tasting, or to attend one of the special events held by these wineries throughout the year for visitors. You can find more than 15 different vineyards and wineries throughout Texas hill country. Touring a winery or vineyard is wonderful for couples, the wine connoisseur or anyone who enjoys tasting new wines.
RV parks are popular throughout Texas and especially in hill country as camping offers you the chance to get closer to nature. Some of the most spectacular RV Parks rest among the rolling hills and wooded areas of the Texas Hill Country. The Spring-fed waters of the Llano River make for a perfect RV camping opportunity.
For a relaxing atmosphere that is just minutes from nearby attractions take your next vacation in the Texas Hill Country and stay with us. The Texas Llano River RV Park is located on US highway 87, 30 miles north of Fredericksburg, Texas. The RV Park has 700 feet of river access and is located at the deepest part of the Llano River. Each one of their 46 RV camping sites has a view of the pristine Llano River. If you are not interested in camping, but you are interested in owning real estate; the Texas Hill country provides stunning views. Many ranches, cabins, and homes with acreage line the Texas hillside. Land is also still moderately priced in areas that surround the Hill country; so come brave the wilderness. Do not be afraid to contact a professional like a realtor or home appraiser before you consider buying real estate in the Texas Hill Country.
Dallas Appraiser LLC
Going Green in Your Home
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/07/14
Title:
Going Green in Your Home
Word Count:
443
Summary:
Texas builders going green, read the headline, and it got me thinking about the cost of not just building 'green', but of converting to green in our existing homes. Being able to list your house as a 'green' home must still be a novelty these days. One reason is that it can be expensive to switch to green, but there are reasonable contributions that the average family can easily make toward green living.
Keywords:
green homes, green homes DFW, green home improvements, remodeling, home remodeling
Article Body:
Texas builders going green, read the headline, and it got me thinking about the cost of not just building 'green', but of converting to green in our existing homes. Being able to list your house as a 'green' home must still be a novelty these days. One reason is that it can be expensive to switch to green, but there are reasonable contributions that the average family can easily make toward green living.
Of course, people go green for different reasons; for some of them it is just a common sense solution to allergies suffered in the family. But why do other people choose to put themselves through this hassle. It is not money, we know that much; going green usually costs more, not less.
Many people seem to object to the idea that their home contains more chemicals than homes used to. What is more, we are paying for that privilege! It is strange to think that Vinyl linoleum gives off toxic gasses, but it is a fact. True linoleum does not, although it can be more difficult to find. (It is often a fact that the newer replacement product also brought with it toxicity.)
Another way of helping the environment is to follow your municipalities outline for re-cycling. Private re-cycle depots in your area will often pick up where the government leaves off. The trick is to get it organized at the home base with different containers that are easily accessed.
When you decorate the home, if you want to think green, use paint that has either no, or low, VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). Also if you plan on re-sealing sealing wood doors or floors etc, latex has no pollution factor to worry about.
If you decide to remodel, you will find many appliances on the market that will help you to go green. Most appliance companies now offer at least one green choice. Both washing machines and dish washers offer cycles which operate with less water. There are also toilets with the same feature, and all of these options will give you cheaper bills to pay, both on hydro and on water consumption.
If your remodeling or green choices are extending into your kitchen then when choosing a new stove or other kitchen appliance, look for the Energy Star rating. Many of these appliances are designed with a healthy environment in mind, and the stainless steel look of them will bring your kitchen up to the minute!
Switching into a green frame of mind can sometimes have a gradual escalation. Soon you may find yourself buying environment friendly soap powders and cleaners and then you can feel even more virtuous!
What Makes A "Green" Home?
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/07/14
Title:
What Makes A "Green" Home?
Word Count:
606
Summary:
While "green" has become quite the buzzword when it comes to home building and design, what exactly it means isn't always clear. There are a few standards for eco-friendly homes, but the term "green" doesn't have a universal definition beyond being a color made by mixing yellow and blue. So how does a consumer know when a home the builder is calling "green" is actually built with an ecological focus, or at least enough of one to justify its price?
Keywords:
Eco-friendly Homes, Eco-Friendly, Home Improvement, Cork Flooring, Xeriscaping, #DFW, #Arlington, #Fort_Worth, #Burleson, #Mansfield, #Waxahachie, #Johnson_county, #Appraiser, #Appraisal, #home_appraiser, #home_Appraisal, #Texas, #Appraisals
Article Body:
While "green" has become quite the buzzword when it comes to home building and design, what exactly it means isn't always clear. There are a few standards for eco-friendly homes, but the term "green" doesn't have a universal definition beyond being a color made by mixing yellow and blue. So how does a consumer know when a home the builder is calling "green" is actually built with an ecological focus, or at least enough of one to justify its price?
Some of the standards for ecologically minded homes include increased insulation. To be really energy efficient, a home should be insulated beyond the minimum local requirements. This includes floor insulation, which in some cases is built right in to the concrete foundation. In addition to the walls, floors and ceilings, windows should also be insulating. Therefore, double paned and/or vinyl windows are becoming the "green" standard.
Energy efficiency should be continued throughout the home. Low water use toilets are a must, and those that have different flush options are extra eco-concious. These options allow you to have a more efficient flush for solid waste, while liquid waste just gets much more conservative flush. Shower heads, washing machines, faucets and dishwashers can also be equipped to limit the water used without compromising function. Air conditioners, refrigerators, heaters and all other appliances within the home should be of the highest standard of energy efficiency. In addition, compact fluorescent lights should be used throughout the home, or replaced by LED lights wherever those are suitable.
Beyond energy efficiency, use of non-toxic, ar at least less-toxic, materials is important in "green" homes. Look for a home with low VOC paints. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, which are toxins that gas-off from conventional paint. Remember the lighter the pigment, the lower the VOC's, so white or off-white walls are healthier than some of the bolder, trendy colors. This is because it is the paint base that is quality controlled, but it is impossible to take the VOC's out of some pigments.
Another finishing detail that is popular for eco-friendly homes is bamboo or cork flooring. Bamboo is popular because it grows so quickly. It takes about five years to grow bamboo to the right size to make flooring. It is versatile and comes in a variety of styles and colors. Cork is an option because it is sustainable to harvest - removing cork does not damage the cork tree, as it replenishes its cork bark every year anyway. Cork makes a lovely, soft and springy floor surface that is also naturally warmer than many other flooring options.
For our final indoor consideration, eco-friendly homes will use more natural fabrics such as wool and cotton for carpets and window dressings.
Outside the home leaves plenty of room for "green" considerations, too. Xeriscaping is a popular means of landscaping utilizing plants native to the area being built in. These plants are naturally drought-resistant because they are acclimatized to the local environment, needing less watering and maintenance than lawns or beds full of foreign flowers.
Another "green" outdoor trend is utilizing permeable paving stones. These actually absorb water, which then is naturally filtered through the earth and goes back into the ground-water supply. These avoid the toxic run-off that can be caused by water rushing over cement and into drains, carrying oil and exhaust residue straight into the drainage system, which ultimately ends up being a nearby body of water.
If a home you are looking at is being promoted as being "green", don't hesitate to ask the builder about some of these features. If they don't measure up, don't buy it.
Zero Down Real Estate Investing
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/07/14
Title:
Zero Down Real Estate Investing
Word Count:
549
Summary:
Can you really get into a new home or investment with zero down? Yes, and there are many ways to do it.
Keywords:
zero down, real estate investing, real estate
Article Body:
Zero down? Why would a seller want to walk away from closing with nothing? Well, they wouldn't, and that brings up the most important point about real estate investing with no downpayment: The seller almost always needs cash at closing, but it doesn't have to be YOUR cash.
A Zero Down Example
I'm selling a small rental property right now, with payments of $400/month. The buyer has a good credit report, and the $5,000 downpayment covers closing costs and even a foreclosure, if necessary. So at this point, I don't care where he gets the downpayment. A $6000 cash advance on a low-interest credit card for example, would cost him about $135 per month, and give him enough for the downpayment and his closing costs.
In this case, with rent around $600 per month, he would be okay. In some cases, however, that extra $135 might cause negative cash-flow. So be sure that however you do it, the numbers work. By the way, I would have set the payments at $350, if he had asked, because it's the price and the interest rate that are important to me.
Other Zero Downpayment Methods
While there are sellers (like myself) that are able to offer terms and low downpayments, usually you have to find a way to get at least 70% of the price to them in cash. Think in terms of how to get a primary loan, then how to raise the money for the remainder. A couple examples follow.
Some banks still do "no doc" loans, meaning they don't require verification of income, source of downpayment, etc. They generally loan only 70% to 80% of the property value, but if the seller is willing to take a second mortgage from you for the other 20% to 30%, you are in with no money down. The seller gets 70% or 80% in cash, plus payments for years to come. You'll have two payments, of course, so be sure the numbers work.
You can borrow against your home or other property to come up with downpayment money. If you borrow for a "vacation," and leave whatever you don't spend in your checking account for a while, you can use it without violating bankers rules about borrowing for a downpayment.
Even if you live in a small town, there are usually a few "note buyers." These are investors that buy land contracts, mortgage loans and other "notes" at a discount. If a seller takes a purchase money mortgage from you for $100,000, for example, a note buyer might pay him $85,000 for it. So how does that help you or him?
An example: A seller prices his property at $195,000, and expects to sell it for $180,000. You offer $205,000 in the form of a mortgage for $160,000, and another for $50,000. You have arranged for the sale of the first mortgage at closing for $136,000 to a note buyer. The seller gets that cash now, plus payments from you on the second loan for $50,000. Notice that this adds up to $186,000, which is more than he expected to get out of the deal.
These are just some of the ways you can buy with zero down. Real estate investing is about making the deal work for all parties. Find a way to get what you want, and get the seller what he wants. That is more important than having big cash on hand.
Texas Real Estate - Property in the Big State
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/06/14
Title:
Texas Real Estate - Property in the Big State
Word Count:
478
Summary:
Everything in Texas is big, including real estate options. If you are considering a move to Texas, here is a primer on the state.
Keywords:
texas, real estate, dallas, san antonio, austin, houston, homes, texas real estate, texas property, #DFW, #appraisal, #appraiser, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal
Article Body:
Everything in Texas is big, including real estate options. If you are considering a move to Texas, here is a primer on the state.
Dallas/ Fort Worth / Arlington
Dallas is a big city with a definite oil influence. There is a certain over the top feeling about Dallas, but people are pleasant and the city has first-rate services. Make no mistake, living in Dallas is living in a big city. It comes with all the negatives of a big city such as traffic, but all the positives such as professional sports teams and so on. If you prefer living in a big city, Dallas may be a good choice as real estate is surprisingly cheap. Fort Worth was the end point for the popularized American cattle drive, and this country feel dominates the cities vibe. Arlington houses the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys, and the caters entertainment to entire DFW area with Six flags and Hurricane Harbor.
Austin
Austin is the home of the University of Texas and one of my favorite cities. With a definite college town attitude, one can experience an odd mix of the Wild West with the liberal attitudes of college students. The town boasts famous music festivals and, of course, an avid group of college football fans. Austin is currently on of the nations fastest growing cites, and the builders are planting housing starts here at a rapid rate.
Houston
Constantly in a friendly competition with Dallas, Houston is a city that stands on its own merits. Those merits, however, are based on the boom or bust nature of the oil industry. When things are going well, Houston is abuzz and grows in leaps and bounds. When things are going bad, the economy suffers and so do the people living there. This boom or bust scenario has led to overbuilding and the city has an organized feel to it. All and all, not a personal favorite, but to each there own.
San Antonio
San Antonio is the big city with the little town feel. Unlike Houston, it is not dependent upon the oil business, which has resulted in some careful urban planning. Now the eighth biggest city in the United States, San Antonio is an up and coming city. Of the big cities in Texas, I would consider San Antonio the best overall.
Texas Real Estate
Overall, the good news is Texas real estate is very reasonably priced. The average home price in Dallas is $260,000, while Austin comes in around $200,000. A single family home in Houston will set you back $150,000 on average, while $220,000 will do the job in San Antonio.
The bad news with Texas real estate involves appreciation. Texas has the lowest real estate appreciation rate from September 2004 to October 2005. With an appreciation rate of a little over 5 percent, not everything is big in Texas. Still, this may be an opportunity to get in on the ground floor, particularly for a great town like Austin.
One would think Texas is a take it or leave it state, but it simply is not true. The cities are all unique and a lack of a state income tax makes the low real estate appreciation rates easier to swallow.
Selling Your Investment Property In A Slow Market
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/05/14
Title:
Selling Your Investment Property In A Slow Market
Word Count:
425
Summary:
If the market is slow, you can still sell your property if you make your listings and signs professional and appealing. Make sure that your flyer is intriguing and well put together as well.
Keywords:
#Appraisal, #appraiser, #DFW, #Arlington, #Texas, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, real estate, investment property, investment properties, real estate properties, real estate property, real estate investor, real estate investors, real estate market, real estate investing, real estate investment ,real estate investments, real estate value, home real estate, property flipping, real estate flipping, real estate flipping business,real estate flipping properties, real estate flipping tips, real estate investing flipping, Flipping real estate property.
Article Body:
If the market is slow, you can still sell your property if you make your listings and signs professional and appealing. Make sure that your flyer is intriguing and well put together as well.
Even when the housing is market is slow, you can still be selling your investment property quickly, if you follow a few basic steps:
1) Make sure your listings look great. It's amazing how many listings have fuzzy photographs, unattractive pictures, or little or no description. Make sure that your MLS listings are interesting and really outline the benefits and the attractions of the house. Make sure that the pictures are crisp and reveal the best possible colors and angles. Use Photoshop on your pictures to remove any garbage from the front of the home, any fallen leaves, or any gray skies that happened to be there when you are taking your photo.
2. Make good use of directional signs. If you're having an open house, use directional signs on a main street. If your investment property is a little out of the way, you'll have to use dozens of signs in order to lead people from the nearest main road all the way to the open house. Consider tying balloons to the sign on the road, or use bright colors or large font to make sure that drivers see your sign.
3. Use professional signs. Every hardware store sells pre-made “for sale” signs that allow you to simply write in a phone number. Avoid using these signs. They look cheap and unprofessional. Instead, have your signs professionally made, and make sure that you get a solid metal framed sign that comes with a flyer holder. This allows you to put a small flyer for the property right in the sign. Even when you're not there having an open house, people can drop by and take out a flyer to take home with them.
4. Make your flyer outstanding. Make sure that your flyer is full-color and includes high-resolution photos of the interior of the property. If you want your investment property to sell, make sure that the copy is very interesting and outlines all the benefits of the home. Allow your tenants or potential buyers to really imagine themselves living in the property. Don't be afraid to use adjectives or to invite people to imagine yourself sitting on the deck of this wonderful Victorian homeÖ.î that is the sort of writing and the sort of description that will get people interested. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through when writing your brochure.
Opportunities Flooding US Real Estate - Where Are You?
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/05/14
Title:
Opportunities Flooding US Real Estate - Where Are You?
Word Count:
576
Summary:
Researches conducted nationwide have proofed that every year over two millions of people in the United States come under real estate foreclosure threats and most of them have no choice but succumb to the situation, thereby losing home.
Keywords:
short sale, short sale assistance, short sale help, short sale experts, short sale information, foreclosure, foreclosure help
Article Body:
Researches conducted nationwide have proofed that every year over two millions of people in the United States come under real estate foreclosure threats and most of them have no choice but succumb to the situation, thereby losing home. Most of the times, the homeowners owe more to the bank or the concerned mortgage company more than the actual worth or value of the property, on which the loan is secured. However, the homeowners have found their way out of this situation! By short selling their property right away, they are able to avoid threats of property foreclosure, thereby paying the bank or the mortgage company off their debts and avoid foreclosure.
In most cases, the concerned bank or the mortgage company is equally a party to this dealing, which settles on a lesser amount of money than what the mortgagee owes it or less than the loan balance. Apparently a misleading conception, the bank or the concerned lender organization is in actuality benefited from this although they receive less than the due debt. However, the otherwise hassles related to a property foreclosure, like carrying out legal procedures, possessing the property, refurbishing it, preparing it for sale, auctioning it, looking for investors, etc, are what they save by agreeing to property short sale. With the lenderís approval, the homeowners are getting more and more encouraged to avail this option of short sale, contributing to the massive upsurge in the real estate industry of the United States.
Since the property availed by short sale is priced quite low than its actual evaluation, an investor can reap the maximum benefit out of it by buying it promptly and reselling it at a later point in time. Also because there is hardly any option for the homeowners facing foreclosure to sell off their property traditionally, the upsurge is gaining on even more momentum, whereby most homeowners are willing to short sale their homes instead of giving it up to some other authority. These homes sell at remarkably down to earth prices, thereby generating enormous profits for an investor who knows the market and is also aware of what sells when.
There are several short sale experts in the industry today, offering you their most valuable services in the domain of short sale foreclosures. These companies will provide you with all the short sale related information relevant to you and you can avail their services to make your real estate investment a lot easier. By simply outsourcing your efforts towards closing a successful deal to these agencies, you can ascertain that you only get sky-high benefits from this most magnificently promising industry. The short sale experts will negotiate on your part with the bank or the concerned lender authority and the homeowners to fetch you the best deals possible.
Best among these short sale agencies also ensure that you pioneer as a name in the foreclosure and pre-foreclosure market, whereby you can gain more momentum in terms of recognition and validation, while the real task is being conduced by these agencies. You do not even need to register with these agencies to avail their services! The best agencies like eshortsale.com offer you foreclosure information and foreclosure help in any state you need. Whether you need assistance with foreclosure in California or want to avail short sale in Los Angeles - agencies like eshortsale.com offer you free foreclosure assistance just anywhere in loss mitigation negotiating and short sale negotiating service!
New Kitchen For Added Sales Punch
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/05/14
Title:
New Kitchen For Added Sales Punch
Word Count:
315
Summary:
If you are going to list your home for sale and want to give it that added punch, why not consider a new kitchen? Kitchens are a great place to start renovating as they are easily the most social room of a home and they also have a great amount of diversity for an expression of style.
Keywords:
home improvements, improving the value of your home, home renovations, #DFW, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, #Arlington, #Appraisal, #Appraiser
Article Body:
If you are going to list your home for sale and want to give it that added punch, why not consider a new kitchen? Kitchens are a great place to start renovating as they are easily the most social room of a home and they also have a great amount of diversity for an expression of style. In addition, this room contains more appliances and counter space than any other room. These appliances can get run down, counter tops can get damaged and stained over the years, the kitchen simply makes sense as a main area to reinvent.
The essence of any new kitchen will likely be the replacement of the major appliances. The stove or range top, dishwasher, sinks, fridge and fixtures. These are the things that you will want to theme your kitchen around. The color of the appliances should of course match, stainless steel is the current favorite. Next try to match your new counter top up with the color of the appliances. Perhaps the most desirable surface being used for counter tops these days in natural granite. However, solid counter tops can get quite expensive. There are more moderately priced options that mimic the look of granite at a fraction of the cost.
While you are at it, you might want to consider redoing the floors too. The most traditional style of flooring for kitchens is a linoleum or vinyl, but these surfaces have lost their dominance of the market in favor of more stylish surfaces like tile or laminate. Tile is a great surface for kitchens as it is highly resistant to wear and is completely waterproof. Also there is a stunning variety of styles and colors to choose from so you can create any look for the kitchen that you can imagine. One simple fact is true, good kitchens sell homes. So don't cut corners when restyling your kitchen.
Remember; do not be afraid to consult a professional like a realtor or home appraiser before you decide to sell your house.
How Much Will You Make on The Sale of Your Property?
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/04/14
Title:
How Much Will You Make on The Sale of Your Property?
Word Count:
443
Summary:
Most people look to comps in their area to come up with the listing price for their property. This is logical, but you also have to focus on the bottom line.
Keywords:
real estate, property, house, home, sell, profits, cash, equity, costs, expenses, commissions, #DFW, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, #appraiser, #appraisal, #Arlington
Article Body:
Most people look to comps in their area to come up with the listing price for their property. This is logical, but you also have to focus on the bottom line.
How Much Will You Make on The Sale of Your Property?
It happens more often than you might imagine. A homeowner decides to sell and goes about figuring the best price to sell. They may set a price off of the cuff or do research to ascertain the best price that will result in a sale within a specific time period. What many do not take into account, however, is the ultimate amount the will get from the property. This can lead to brutal surprises when the ultimate amount is much less than expected ñ a concept known as seller’s remorse.
In reality, the decision to sell your property should only be made after determining what you can objectively get out of it. Most people, however, tend to eyeball this amount. If you have a lot of equity in the property, it really is not an issue. If you do not, you better start calculating or you could be in for a bad shock.
The first place to start is the estimated price you will sell for minus the outstanding balance on your mortgage. This gives you a rough estimate of your equity, but should not be relied upon as the final cash out figure. Instead, you have to sit down and start calculating the other costs such as:
1. Mortgage pre-payment penalties,
2. Property taxes for the portion of the relevant year in which you are selling.
3. Any costs associated with repairs to the property to get it in shape to sell.
4. Attorney’s fees if a lawyer is required to be part of the process in your state.
5. Incidental costs associated with the sale as agreed to in the purchase agreement with the buyer. Items can include title insurance premiums, recording fees, inspection fees, warranty insurance, escrow fees and so on.
One area people completely forget to factor in is, ironically, the biggest expense. If you use a real estate agent, you are going to pay a significant commission. A typical 6 percent commission on the sale of a $300,000 home is $18,000. More and more sellers are bypassing this by selling their properties without agents, which makes sense given the money involved. Regardless, you need to ascertain how you will sell the home and the relevant cost of doing so as part of your overall calculation.
Making the decision to sell is an emotional one. It should, however, also include a hard, cold look at the financials involved and whether doing so makes sense. Do not be afraid to consult a professional such as a realtor or home appraiser before making a decision.
How I Made $20,000 With Curb Appeal Alone
by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 05/03/14
Title:
How I Made $20,000 With Curb Appeal Alone
Word Count:
566
Summary:
Most people agree that curb appeal can make or break a home when trying to make your home stand out from the rest. Especially, when trying to sell your home, curb appeal can enhance the exterior of your home so much that someone who might not have stopped and gone inside will because of how much they like the outside of the home. When adding merely curb appeal to a home brings in a selling profit of $20,000, this is really something to write about. Here is how it happened.
Keywords:
curb appeal, DFW golf courses, DFW real estate, Arlington real estate, buying homes in Texas, flipping properties, #Appraiser, #appraisal, #DFW_appraisal,
Article Body:
Most people agree that curb appeal can make or break a home when trying to make your home stand out from the rest. Especially, when trying to sell your home, curb appeal can enhance the exterior of your home so much that someone who might not have stopped and gone inside will because of how much they like the outside of the home. When adding merely curb appeal to a home brings in a selling profit of $20,000, this is really something to write about. Here is how it happened.
One of the benefits of being an agent or working with a real estate agent is that we as agents can set up an email flash in the MLS to send us listings as soon as they go on the market. Good deals on homes or fixer uppers go quickly these days with all the handymen and do it yourselfers out there. I sell real estate in the Tampa Bay area full time, but as a hobby my wife and I like to buy and sell houses that are in minor need of repair.
This particular home in Tarrant County, Texas went on the market at 2:00 pm and by 4:00 pm we had already viewed the property and offered a full price offer for it which was immediately accepted. The reason we offered full price was because we saw the potential in this home for some reasonable profit and did not want to take a chance at losing it. The home was on the market after just being purchased 8 weeks prior by a contractor who completely gutted the home and remodeled it. He must have spent close to $35,000 on new air conditioning, new roofing, new windows, complete new kitchen, new bathroom, new garage door opener, fresh paint inside and out, new carpeting and new tile. The asking price was fair and I am sure he made a substantial profit too.
So what potential did we see? The exterior was painted all white, including the front door. There were no colorful shutters around the windows. The mail box was leaning over and so was the fence. The grass was full of weeds, the plants and trees overgrown, and there was no sprinkler system. For such a beautiful home inside, the curb appeal was atrocious.
So we dug right in. Most of the work we did ourselves and this is the key to maximizing your profit with any fixer upper. It is not always possible though, we did have to hire someone to remove the big overgrown trees and stumps. We installed shutters and painted them and the front door a high gloss sage green color to accent the home. With the help of the local home improvement store and a lot of trial and error, I installed my first sprinkler system. We fixed the fence and installed a new mailbox. We killed off the old grass and removed all the old landscaping. We then laid new sod and planted new plants and colorful flowers. Since this is a hobby and not a job for us, we took our time with the project and only worked on it in our spare time.
Once the home went on the market, it sold in less than seven days to the first person who looked at it. Our net profit was roughly $20,000.00. When it is done right, curb appeal can really pay off.
