I get lots of calls about about doing repairs or upgrading your current home. If you do tile versus wood will you get more when you sell. If you add a covered patio will you get your money back? If you replace the A/c unit will you get more when you sell? These are all great concerns and all have different answers. Let's start with general maintenance of a home. Painting, replacing old or broken fixtures,replacing carpet,fixing things and doing general repairs all need to be done regardless if your selling or not. If it is broken then it needs to be fixed or replaced period. Trying to sell a home with any items that are in need of repair tells the potential buyer that you have not maintained this home and why is it broken and why did you not fix it. It will send the wrong signals and then the buyer is looking for more items that may be broken or getting ready to break because now they are worried this house was not maintained. Ok, now on the upgrades. Will you get your money back adding a covered patio? Yes/no. It depends on the quality of the patio and the cost. If you spent $30,000 for something that is over priced and too fancy then the buyer may not feel it was worht the money spent. It is like adding a pool, yes most people love a pool, but there is always a few that think they cost too much to maintain. Just remember the rule of thumb. If it is broker repair or replace it. It you want to update then update for your enjoyment it and don't bank on getting all you money back when you sell. It always depends on the each person's personal taste and what the market will bare. You can always contact me and I will be happy to assit and give more details on any questions about any of these things..

Posted at 10:33PM Aug 20, 2009 by Suzette Peoples in Real Estate | Comments[0]

Thursday Jun 04, 2009

Hurricanes & Flood Plains

I just got an e-mail from someone who lives in First Colony who was told the flood maps are being revised. He heard this from the Fort Bend Appraisal District (that I did not verified). So I went to the web site of www.fema.gov and then found the web site of www.floodsmart.gov Both are excellent sources of information. The first site will help you with all kinds of information about hurricane prepareness and what to do in emergency and all sorts of resources. The floodsmart site is interesting site about flood maps. If you put in your address you can see if your home is in a high risk flood zone. I was told that if your home is on a creek or levee be prepared you may be required to pay flood insurance in the future. I called an Insurance Sales Rep. and he said flood insurance is about $350 a year if your not required to have flood insurance. But if your property becomes a required area it can go as high as $1300. That is quite a jump. So check out and see if your at risk. Contact your Insurance agent for more information. Check out the web site for more facts too. I am just passing along what I was informed by a concern homeowner..Just wanting my clients to be AWARE! If anyone knows anything about this, please share..

Posted at 01:53AM Jun 04, 2009 by Suzette Peoples in Real Estate | Comments[1]

Tuesday May 05, 2009

Tax Appraisals

That time of year again! Tax appraisals are coming in. Time to decide to protest or not. The first thing you need to do is contact your favorite Realtor and ask for comparables. Then decide if the solds are there to justify lowering your value. If there are no solds low enough, then you may have to resort to hiring those companies that fight for you. They will take a percentage of the savings but it does not cost you to try if they don't win. Values should not be determined on what your home would sell for in a competitive market but based on what everyone else is paying in the neighborhood. Some neighborhoods are selling well and not going down in value. We all want our values to increase just not pay more taxes on that value.No one wants to pay more taxes then their neighbor does for the same home. Fair is fair. The best of luck and you never know unless you try.

Posted at 11:57AM May 05, 2009 by Suzette Peoples in Real Estate | Comments[0]

Thursday Apr 16, 2009

Energy Star Program

I just attended a class on the Energy Star Program. It was very informative class about new home construction and saving energy. I am amazed about how effiecient and energy savings that new home builders are building new homes. Please visit the web site http://www.energystar.gov/homes for great information on saving energy and saving money. For more information about which Builders build Energy Star Homes and more information contact me any time.

Posted at 10:33PM Apr 16, 2009 by Suzette Peoples in Real Estate | Comments[0]

Monday Feb 02, 2009

Hiring a Realtor to Represent you in Buying a home.

Feb

What should you know about before hiring a Realtor when they are representing your best interest.

So you have decided that you do need a Realtor to represent your best interest in purchasing your next home. First make sure the Realtor you decided on has years of experience, knows the market your searching in ,has the ABR(Accredited Buyers Rep.) designation, and is a full-time Realtor. You also want to make sure they are designated as a Realtor(member of National Assoc. of Realtors). The designations are important because they are licensed by the State and affiliated with a National organization. They are also required to continuous Education and a need a license to practice Real Estate. It does not mean they have to work for a National Franchise, they can be Independent Broker too. Make sure the Realtor gives you all the correct forms of representation, disclosures and all other important information you need to be aware of when buying your next home. There are disclosures about sex offenders, minerals rights, tax prorations, Title Insurance, annexation, environmental concerns,inspections,HOA’s, flood insurance, Home insurance(CLUE reports), home warranties and school boundaries just to name a few. Your Realtor should be educated in all these areas and or know the right sources to refer you to the answers to these concerns. They all can effect the value of the home you hope to purchase. You also want to make sure they know the market and the values on the neigborhood. See if they have sold homes in the area your looking for. Do they know builders and the different floors plans. Do they know about the amenities of the neighborhood, the market trends, the values increasing or decreasing, just to name a few. Do they know if the home your looking for is in the highest price or lowest price of the neighborhood? Do they know of future growth/developement in the neighborhood? What about financing? Do they have any expereince with Lenders? Do they have any training in the Lending process? The Realtor you want to represent you must know how to negotiate in your behalf. Make sure you understand their style as they are going to write the offer with your best interest in mind. Remember, they are the ones speaking/negotiating for your best deal. I always say you get what you pay for. Get the best Realtor who has the experience and the knowledge of the Real Estate market your looking to buy in. It can and does make a difference. No Realtors are not all the same. Hire the best and weed out the rest!

Posted at 09:51PM Feb 02, 2009 by Suzette Peoples in Real Estate | Comments[0]

Thursday Jan 29, 2009

20 years of experience

Let my Real Estate experience from Marketing/Selling all types of homes, from Foreclosures to new homes to resale. I can help you with all your Real Estate needs. There is no such thing as a dumb question. I am here to help educate the consumer and other Realtors so we can make Real Estate a more Professional environment for everyone’s benefit. I may not have all the answers but the experience I do have is 20 years worth as a successful Real Estate Professional. Ranked in the top 1% of all Re/Max Realtors Nationwide. Broker Designation, E-Pro, GRI, and ABR designations too. Living and working in the Fort Bend County area for over 25 years. I have sold homes in all over the neighborhoods of Fort Bend County. I know the area. I know the market. Look forward to sharing my experience with you. Thank you.

Posted at 01:06AM Jan 29, 2009 by Suzette Peoples in Real Estate | Comments[0]

Tuesday Dec 08, 2009

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FORMS

You do not have to pay anyone to file for your Homestead Exemption. It is a simple form you can get from your Local County and fill it out and fax it in. Please make sure when you get your statement from the County that it shows the Homestead Exemption status. Sometimes they do not receive your form. Also if your spouse dies or you get a divorce the Homestead may be removed and you have to re-file. Be aware of Homestead Exemptions and make sure this is done if you are claiming your current home as your Homestead. Remember, you have to have purchased and occupy your home as of Jan 1st of the year you are filing. Do not file sooner. So for all those that closed with me in 2009, I will be sending you the form for FREE and you just need to fill it out and fax it in after Jan 1st 2010. Happy New Year everyone!

Posted at 01:20AM Dec 08, 2009 by Suzette Peoples in Real Estate | Comments[0]

FEMA NEW Flood maps coming

FEMA Flood map changes

Monday, December 07, 2009

FYI, Fort Bend County Flood maps are changing. Please visit the web site of http://fbcmap.co.fort-bend.tx.us/floodplainmap/ and http://fbcmap.co.fort-bend.tx.us/floodmaptool/ City officials are encouraging residents to view these new maps. Maps will be released to public for 90-day comment period. The process could take 90 days to two years. Check with you local Insurance Company and see how this could effect your property too.

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