Buyer/Seller tips • May 4, 2023

Why work with a real estate agent?

by Kaitlyn Taylor

Buying or selling a property can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the real estate market. This is where a real estate agent can be an invaluable resource. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 86% of people buy through agents or brokers, while only 10% buy directly from a previous owner.

One of the primary benefits of working with a real estate agent is their expertise in handling deals, negotiating, and managing paperwork. Agents have the experience and knowledge necessary to navigate complex real estate transactions, ensuring that all legal and financial requirements are met.

Agents also have a keen understanding of the local market and can help you set the right price for your property by using comparative market analysis (CMA). This analysis takes into account factors like the condition of the property, its location, and recent sales in the area to determine the most accurate price.

Marketing is another key area where real estate agents can help you achieve your moving goals within your desired time frame. Agents have access to a wide range of marketing tools and techniques, including online listings, social media, and open houses, to get your property in front of the right buyers. They can also provide valuable insights and advice on how to stage your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers.

Finally, the NAR reports that for sale by owner (FSBO) homes typically sell for less than homes sold through an agent. This is likely due to the fact that agents have a network of contacts and resources at their disposal, which allows them to reach a wider pool of potential buyers and negotiate more effectively on your behalf.

In conclusion, working with a real estate agent can save you time, money, and stress when buying or selling a property. Their expertise in deal handling, negotiation, and paperwork management, along with their marketing skills and access to a wider pool of potential buyers, make them an invaluable resource for anyone looking to navigate the real estate market.

Resources: https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/highlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers

Agents • September 6, 2022

Becoming A Texas Real Estate Agent

by Kaitlyn Taylor

As of 2018 there were around 120,353 REALTORS® in the state of Texas. Texas has the highest membership number in the NAR. This business is ever-expanding for both consumers and real estate professionals.

Before you become a part of the one of the nations largest real estate markets, you should start with the why. Why do you want to become a real estate agent? Whether it’s for financial freedom, having a less restrictive schedule, or just simply wanting to help others, find your why. It could be anything but once you find what drives you. Why is this your passion? when you find your why you can move forward knowing you’re starting a business with purpose and reason.

There are a few main points to getting your license. Some of these actions could be done interchangeably and others have to be done in order. This is pretty much the exact route that I took when getting my license.

TREC (TEXAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION) is the governing agency that oversees real estate professionals in the state of Texas. They will have all the guidelines and specifications on their website. Look at TREC requirements under the “Become Licensed Tab”.

Search for qualifying education under the TREC website education tab. If you have taken some real estate courses in college it may count toward your education. You just need to submit a transcript to be sure.

File an application. This is recommended before you take your exam as the state of texas could take a while to process applications.

Texas requires a fingerprint background check must be preformed before you have an active license. Again this doesn’t have to be done in this order, but things could get backed up due to many applicants.

Once you have passed 180 hours of education you must submit it to the state

Take licensing exam the exam consists of two part the state and national exam. Find a local test administrator to take your exam.

Find a broker and brokerage research, research research before you join a brokerage. You may NOT perform any license activities without being active. An active broker must activate your license before you do anything.

Lastly your license should be active status now. If not contact TREC and your broker. It’s all easier said than done, but you are not alone in your journey. Remember everyone had to start somewhere.

Hidden costs to be aware of I was actually surprised by some of the costs in the process of getting my license. Make sure you have enough saved for all the fees such as the exam, new brokerage fees, class fees, background check fee, and if you join a board/MLS , you have to pay board dues. Becoming an agent is not cheap. Make sure to budget before you start your real estate journey.

Agents • September 6, 2022

Becoming A Texas Real Estate Agent

by Kaitlyn Taylor

File an application. This is recommended before you take your exam as the state of texas could take a while to process applications.

Once you have passed 180 hours of education you must submit it to the state

Take licensing exam the exam consists of two part the state and national exam. Find a local test administrator to take your exam.

Uncategorized • July 20, 2022

Creating a daily routine

by Kaitlyn Taylor

Ever wish you could become one of those rare morning people? The ones that wake with a start, feeling refreshed and energized. The ones that get in that morning workout or wrap up some work before many of us even hit the snooze button for the first time. Here are five tips to help you achieve that early bird status!

Create a morning schedule. Physically write down the things you’d like to complete in the morning and set a time for each. Then stick with it. Once you force yourself out of bed early one or two weeks consistently, you’ll find it gets easier and easier to do.
Let the light in. Whether natural or artificial, light tells your brain its time to get up and get going. If your room lacks large windows where you can open the blinds up, consider investing in a timed lamp or alarm clock with a light.
Prep and eat breakfast. Although there are many of us who chose the skip breakfast, it is key to perking up your energy in the morning. Try prepping protein-focused meals the night before or grab a yogurt or fruit and try to consume it right after you wake.
Get your body moving. Whether it’s a short walk around your neighborhood or a rigorous 5:30 am spin class, getting your blood pumping will help wake up your body and has a ton of other benefits, like stress and anxiety reduction.
Feed your mind. Stimulate your brain and do something you enjoy first thing in the morning. Try reading a favorite book, catching up on the news, doing daily meditation, or setting intentions.

Uncategorized • July 20, 2022

Creating a daily routine

by Kaitlyn Taylor

Create a morning schedule. Physically write down the things you’d like to complete in the morning and set a time for each. Then stick with it. Once you force yourself out of bed early one or two weeks consistently, you’ll find it gets easier and easier to do.
Let the light in. Whether natural or artificial, light tells your brain its time to get up and get going. If your room lacks large windows where you can open the blinds up, consider investing in a timed lamp or alarm clock with a light.
Prep and eat breakfast. Although there are many of us who chose the skip breakfast, it is key to perking up your energy in the morning. Try prepping protein-focused meals the night before or grab a yogurt or fruit and try to consume it right after you wake.
Get your body moving. Whether it’s a short walk around your neighborhood or a rigorous 5:30 am spin class, getting your blood pumping will help wake up your body and has a ton of other benefits, like stress and anxiety reduction.
Feed your mind. Stimulate your brain and do something you enjoy first thing in the morning. Try reading a favorite book, catching up on the news, doing daily meditation, or setting intentions.

Uncategorized • June 30, 2022

Create an evacuation plan for your pets

by Kaitlyn Taylor

If your home isn’t safe for you, it’s not safe for your pets!

An evacuation plan is a necessity for every home, especially if you live in an area where fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and other disasters are a possibility. Many homeowners create evacuation plans for their homes and practice them with their kids, but far fewer have considered one for their pets. Take these steps to add your pets to your evacuation plan.

Assign pet evacuation to an adult. Everyone should know how to act during an evacuation, and that includes assigning one parent or adult to the pets. This allows the other parent and the children to focus on their part of the evacuation plan, so there’s no confusion during a high-stress moment when time is of the essence.

Keep evacuation maps and pet carriers readily accessible. If you need to evacuate, you should know exactly where every important item is. If you pets require carriers, keep them in a place that you can access easily. Create a pet kit with all the essentials readily available.

Practice your plan. Include your pets in your home evacuation drills. It’ll help you see how they will respond and make changes to your plan if necessary. Getting your dog out of a window may not be as simple as you think!

Be prepared in case you get separated from your pets. No matter how much you drill your evacuation plan, it’s possible that a dog or cat will run off while you’re focusing on keeping your family safe. Take current up to date photos of your pets. A microchip or a GPS-compatible tag can help you find your pets once it’s safe to return to the area.

Below are some great hurricane preparedness resources.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane.html

https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

https://gov.texas.gov/hurricane

Uncategorized • June 30, 2022

Create an evacuation plan for your pets

by Kaitlyn Taylor

Below are some great hurricane preparedness resources.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane.html

https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

https://gov.texas.gov/hurricane

Buyers • April 8, 2022

Tips for online house hunting.

by Kaitlyn Taylor

Hunting for a new home online is a great place to start your search, but it should not be your end all be all. Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of the home, but keep in mind there may be more than meets the eye. To make the most of your time and efforts and gather a well-rounded picture of home listings online, keep the following three things in mind.

Stay up to date. When you start your search, make sure you find a site that pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing service (MLS) where real estate agents actively post their most current homes for sale. Many online resources update less often or fail to remove listings that are off the market, making it more difficult to sort through the clutter.
Pictures can be deceiving. Real estate photographers are experts at showing a home in the best possible light. Many use tools and strategies to boost appeal, such as a fisheye lens to make areas look larger and creative editing to make colors and textures really pop. But, often listings will not contain photos of unappealing parts of the home, like small closets or outdated bathrooms.
See it to believe it. Once you find what appears to be your dream home online, call up your real estate agent and schedule a showing. You want to take the opportunity to vet the home in person and explore every part of it before beginning the offer process. Your real estate agent will help you cover all your bases and will ask questions you may not have thought of.

Home

Properties

About Me

Blog

Neighborhood News

Texas information about Brokerage Services

©2022 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.