Real Estate Buying Tips

This page includes a lot of Sugar Land real estate buying tips, but my best tip is: Get the best real estate agent! I would love to help you buy a great home! I specialize in getting home buyers the RIGHT home in the RIGHT neighborhood at the RIGHT price. My clients love me (read testimonials) because they know I’ve got their back! I watch out for defective homes, over-priced homes, and homes that may be difficult to re-sell when the time comes. I focus on getting you a home that meets your current needs but also is (hopefully) a good long-term investment. I have received the Five-Star Real Estate Agent award for the past FOURTEEN years because of my client satisfaction ratings. Less than 1 percent of all the agents in the Houston-metro area receive this honor! (see details)

List of My Value-Added Services for VIP Home Buyers

My job isn’t “just” helping you find a house to buy…I’m helping you through the entire 2-4 month process of buying a home. There are over 100 tasks that I perform during the purchasing process. I’m looking out for you every step of the way and keeping my eye on the listing agent, the seller, the builder (if applicable), the lender, the inspector, appraiser, HOA, and the title company. I’m on YOUR side because I’m YOUR agent.

I help with price analysis, contract negotiations, legal paperwork, inspections, appraisal issues, repair negotiations, home warranties, HOA compliance inspections, hazard insurance, surveys, title commitment, home warranties, and more. I have the expertise to help solve complicated problems that often occur in the process and I work to make sure that you don’t lose your earnest money or worse.

Real estate is a huge financial and legal commitment. Don’t you deserve to have a Five-Star real estate agent on your side? 

Here’s How I Add Value to Your Home Buying Process:

1. Premium, customized home search (based on my knowledge of the area school ratings and flood zones) to filter out homes that don’t meet your criteria. You can’t get this level of a home search on your own!
2. Online home review BEFORE you tour a house, to look for potential defects such as high-risk flood zone, high-voltage power lines, MUD tanks, previous flooding, and other issues…so you don’t waste time touring undesirable homes.
3. Detailed home tours (in-person or via VIDEO* for out-of-town clients), where I help identify the features and benefits of each home and neighborhood as well as any potential home defects (so you don’t end up with a “money pit”).
   

   *I’ve sold many homes “sight unseen” to out-of-state an out-of-country clients, via my HD video walkthroughs (view sample). I will even video the inspector summary and final walkthrough for you. 

4. Hyperlocal knowledge and expertise so I can point out the amenities, PROs and CONs, and HOA details of most neighborhoods in this area.
5. My “Ultimate Home Buyer Guide” for THIS AREA (not generic) that includes helpful info about the INs and OUTs of the home buying process here in Texas. Remember that real estate laws are different from state to state.
6. Detailed pricing data and expert Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) on the house you select to purchase, so you can make a good decision regarding the price. Pricing homes is my superpower! 😊
7. Expert contract creation and negotiations to help you get the house you want…even in multi-offer situations.
8. Assistance with hiring home inspectors, reviewing inspection reports, and guiding you on necessary repairs/costs so you make the wisest decision in your home purchase.
9. Floorplans! I can create a floorplan of any home you purchase, whether provided by the home seller or not.
10. Project management of all the legal deadlines and requirements throughout the transaction. You’ve got enough to deal with the packing, moving, and job/school relocation activities!
11. Assistance in managing the title commitment/insurance process and working with the title company (to make sure there are no liens on the property).
12. Assistance with home surveys and their impact on your transaction.
13. Assistance with appraisals and their impact on your transaction. I know how to protect you if the appraisal “comes in low” (which can happen in super-hot seller markets like ours).
14. Assistance with HOA compliance documents, fees, and procedures.
15. Help with obtaining home owner’s insurance and flood insurance.
16. Guidance with choosing a home warranty as needed.
17. Helpful information regarding all the utilities (MUD info) applicable to the home you purchase.
18. Helpful “Planning the Move” information and “Info About New Home” that will help make your transition easier.
19. “Moving Survival Kit” provided as my Closing gift. This contains the things you will need on your moving day (but are usually packed) such as: soap, trash bags, paper plates, cups, toilet paper, snacks, box cutter, etc.
20. Guidance on your homestead tax exemption and how to apply for it in a timely manner to reduce your property taxes.
21. Helpful monthly home maintenance reminders, to take care of your investment!

Whew! That’s way more than “just” showing houses. 😄

Here are some other articles about “buyer representation”…

• Should You Use a Buyer’s Agent?
• What is a buyer’s agent, and do I need one?
• How a Buyer’s Agent Can Help Your Home Search
• Do I need a Realtor to buy a house?

Buying a Home From Out-of-State

I have helped many home buyers purchase a home here while living out-of-state and out-of-country. Here’s how it works:

1. You get home alerts from my Premium Customized Home Search.
2. When you see a house you are interested in buying, you contact me to go tour it. I will obtain permission from the home seller to tour the home.
3. I video-record a very thorough walk-through of the home in High Definition (including pantry, closets, garage, front and back yards, street view, laundry room…everything!) and upload it privately to YouTube (see sample).
4. You can view the video and even stop and rewind as needed.
5. You tell me to write an offer.
6. I put your offer together and send to you for e-signatures.
7. We go through the negotiation process.
8. If the seller accepts your offer, then you hire an inspector and pay by credit card (I can provide a helpful list of inspectors or you can hire someone else).
9. I will attend the last 30 minutes of the inspection to get an in-person summary and I will video it for you, if the inspector allows it. You will also get a detailed inspection report with photos.
10. We will work together to ensure you want to move forward with the transaction after the inspection.
11. If you move forward, then I will manage other aspects of the buying process (see list above).
12. You can choose to do a remote Closing (where you are) or you can fly in to do the Closing here. Sometimes only one spouse flies in and signs for the other spouse at Closing (but this requires special approval by your lender, well in advance). 
13. I will video-record the final walk-through (if you are not able to be here) to ensure the home is still in good shape before you sign the Closing paperwork.
14. If you Close remotely, then I can get your house keys and hold them for you until you arrive.

The one thing I am not allowed to do for you is any property management after the Closing. It is against my brokerage rules because it requires a special kind of insurance (and more) that most real estate agents do not have. However, I can refer you to a property management company.

Also, most home owner’s insurance will not allow a home to be vacant for more than two months. Make sure you find out about that during the process.

Here’s what some of my remote home buyers have said about the process…

View My Videos About Home Buying

When You Are Ready to Tour Homes

When you are ready to tour some homes, then call/text me at 832-779-2890 so we can get you on the calendar and discuss exactly what will be the perfect home for you. As a Sugar Land real estate agent (an expert!) I can narrow your focus and help you find the perfect neighborhood.

Or you can send me your perfect home criteria here: https://www.sugarlandtxhome.com/index/sugar-land-reports-guides/sugarland-homes

Once I set up your custom search, then you will start getting home listings via email and you can mark them with Hearts to mark your favorites. A couple of days before our scheduled tour, I make appointments for your Favorite homes and print out the maps, home data, etc. for our tour. On the day of our tour we will meet at my office and then drive the area together so I can tell you about the area and point out various features while also touring homes. This is a great way to find your perfect home!

Helpful Articles About Home Buying

Are you ready for home ownership?

Home readiness survey YES NO Do you have enough cash to make the down payment and cover the other costs of buying a home?   Does your monthly budget have room to afford the mortgage payment? Do you have a burning desire to own your own home? Is your job/business/income relatively stable? Do you expect to live in the home for at least three years? Is your credit rating good enough to allow you to obtain a home loan? Do ...

Benefits of Home Ownership

It’s the American dream…to own your own home. But have you considered the specific benefits of home ownership? Studies show the following benefits for home owners: Improved tax advantages…thereby lowering your overall tax burden. Forced savings program (in the amount of principal paid each month on the mortgage)…especially if the home is appreciating in value (which over the long run, they generally do). Stability in house payment each month (whereas rent payments increase over time). Freedom! (ability to do with ...

Do I Need a Real Estate Agent? Maybe I Can Do This Myself

 "That's what I used to think! In fact, before I became a licensed real estate agent, I did several FSBO (For Sale By Owner) sales and THOUGHT I knew what I was doing. But if I had known then what I know now...I never would have risked it. Here's what I've learned..." --Sheila Cox Yes...You Need a Partner During the Home Buying Process! Your home is probably your largest single financial investment. Most homes in my area (Katy and Sugar ...

Texas Laws on Brokerage Services & Dual Agency

Does My Real Estate Agent Represent Me or the Seller? When I bought my first house in the mid 1990s, Texas was kind of a "Buyer Beware" state. In fact, a home Buyer could spend weeks looking for a home with a real estate agent, telling her secret information (like how much you were willing to pay for a house), not knowing that everything you told that real estate agent would be told to the Seller because the real estate ...

Buyer Representation in Texas

The Agent Showing You Houses May Not Be Your Agent Many people think that if a real estate agent is showing them houses, that means the agent is their agent and looking out for their best interests. This is not the case in Texas, which is why the Texas Real Estate Commission  requires that real estate agents go over the Information About Brokerage Services  before they start showing you houses. That document explains that there is a difference between the ...

Texas Home Buying Process

Preliminary Phase: Can You Afford a Home? If you are buying a home in Texas, then you need to learn about the home buying process, which may be different than other states. One thing to consider is that before you even begin the process of searching for a home, you must: Determine how much house you can afford. A lender is the best place to get that information...it is part of the pre-qualification process. Determine if you will actually qualify ...

What To Look for In a Texas Real Estate Agent

"If you're not sure whether you need a real estate agent or not, please take a look at Do I Need a Real Estate Agent to help you decide."   Many of these items are specific to Texas agents. ___ Did your agent give you the "Information About Brokerage Services" notice that is legally required by the Texas Real Estate Commission before showing you houses? Can your agent effectively explain it? ___ Did your agent provide all the other necessary disclosures, notices, and the Buyer's Representation Agreement to ...

Texas Real Estate Commissions

Who Pays the Real Estate Commission in Texas? One of the questions that I'm frequently asked is, "Who pays the sales commission in a real estate transaction?" That's a good question! Here's the answer... Typically, real estate sales commissions are paid at the closing table by the home owner (or builder). The title company disburses two checks out of the Seller's proceeds from the sale: one to the Listing broker (such as a RE/MAX or Coldwell Banker) and one to the ...

Applying for a Home Loan in Texas

Items Needed To Apply for a Home Loan Applying for a home loan these days is not for the "weak at heart"! It is a pain-in-the-neck process no matter how much money you have or which lender you choose. So mentally prepare yourself for a hassle, and you won't be disappointed. ;-D NOTE: Read The Perfect Loan File on Forbes for details. There is a lot of paperwork required in order to obtain a home loan. Plus, you will have ...

Costs To Buy a Home in Texas

Do You Know What It Costs To Buy a Home in Texas? It’s one thing to want to own your own home…it’s another to be able to afford one. Here is a run-down of estimated costs to buy a home in Texas you must consider...  NOTE Please note these are estimates only and will change based on the area where your home is located, price of home, lender requirements, negotiated terms on sales contract, etc. Item Cost* Application fee ...

Option Period and Fees in Texas Real Estate

We handle inspections in a very unique way in Texas. When you write a contract to purchase a home in in Texas, you can buy an "option period" (usually 7-10 days, negotiable) from the seller for $200-$400 (negotiable) that gives you the irrevocable privilege to back out of the sales contract for any reason, and still receive your 1 percent earnest money back. (During this time, the Seller cannot back out of the contract…only the Buyer has that  right.)   NOTE: ...

Beware of Internet Real Estate Statistics

The bottom line: No one knows an area better than a local, experienced real estate agent. Don't gamble your biggest investment on automated Internet data. It's Not All About the ZIP Code...Or Shouldn't Be I love the Internet and I'm an information junkie, but I am constantly amazed at how WRONG the real estate info presented on the internet is for my area: Sugar Land TX. Sugar Land is a large city (population 85,000+) located in in Fort Bend County, just ...

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REALTORS DON’T “JUST” SELL HOUSES Real estate agents don’t “just” sell houses; we sell a SERVICE to guide home buyers and sellers through the entire real estate transaction, which usually takes several months. We are more like real estate consultants than we are salespeople. That’s probably why 86 percent of all home buyers and sellers choose to hire a real estate agent when buying or selling a home! Buying or selling a home is not like buying or selling a TV, a computer, or a car. You can’t buy/sell a home in one day…even if the buyer is paying cash. There are MANY legal aspects, deadlines, and requirements that most people are not trained to handle. What’s more…mistakes along the way can cost you thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. The financial risk is much greater than just about anything else you may buy. That’s why you need your own dedicated, experienced real estate agent looking out for YOUR best interests. Please read the list of my value-added services for home buyers

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FREE GUIDES & REPORTS

Click Image Below to Download a Guide or Report

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View Helpful Videos on My YouTube Channel

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Why You Should Hire Me

Candid Advice—I promise to give you candid advice on all homes and areas so you can make the best decisions. I won’t ignore potential defects that can cost you money, or effect your resale value, in the future…I point them out to you! My job is to protect you from defective homes as much as possible while helping you make a sound financial investment. (Read client testimonials)

Local Area Expertise—This isn’t just my business…it’s where I work and live (for 20 years) so I really know the area. I will help you narrow your options and find the best neighborhood for you based on your specifications. For long-term resale value, the neighborhood you choose is just as important as the home you buy. (Download my Ultimate Sugar Land Guide)

Great Pricing Data—I will give you the most in-depth data you have ever seen…to help you make the wisest decisions. This includes a professional CMA when you are ready to purchase a specific home…so you don’t pay too much. (Also see Pricing a Home Correctly)

Premium Customized Home Searches—Yes, you can search on your own, but no other home search available can filter down to the school level…and filter out the subdivisions that may be known to flood. Tell me exactly what you want, and I can narrow down your options better than any search you have access to. (Request a Premium Customized Home Search)

Video Walkthroughs—If you or your spouse lives out of the state or country, then you will enjoy my detailed video walkthroughs. I have sold multiple homes to out-of-area clients “sight unseen” by providing High Definition video walkthroughs of potential homes. My videos show front and back yards, closets, pantries, laundry rooms, and the garage…as well as the entire home. This gives you a complete picture of the house (unlike those silly Matterports). I also point out any potential defects or deferred maintenance that I see. (view sample video walkthrough)

Easier Process—Moving your family (and possibly changing jobs) is stressful enough. I’m your transaction manager and will guide you, step-by-step, through the process so you never miss an important deadline. I assist with inspections, repair negotiations, home warranties, HOA compliance inspections, hazard insurance, surveys, appraisals, title commitment, home warranties, title company, and more. (Get Details of My Value-Added Services)

 

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Client Reviews