There are many decisions that must be made before purchasing a home. In fact, it may seem downright overwhelming to think of all the decisions that must be made. However, simply by answering a number of questions you can develop the strategies you need to move forward with your Spring Branch home purchase:

• Am I able to move/Do I really want to move? Before you actually make the decision to buy, it is always best to decide if moving is actually the right decision for you. Are you in a good financial position to buy?  Is it feasible to buy at this time?  Have you talked with your family to make sure everyone is on the same page? Asking yourself whether you are realistically able to move or ready to move may seem like a no-brainer, but it pays to take a moment or two and really decide why you want to move and if it is a realistic endeavor at this time.
• Do I plan on staying in the same place for the next, few years? Buying a Spring Branch property only makes financial sense if you plan on staying put for at least the next five years because the financial benefits you will get from owning a home will not outweigh the cost of moving and purchasing a new home. Therefore, it is best to ask yourself whether you plan on switching jobs or relocating, or whether you have an interest in living in another area or city. If you feel you and your family are settled and you are looking to spend the upcoming years in the same area, then it probably makes good, financial sense to purchase a home.
• How do I feel about home improvements and maintenance? One of the biggest questions many first-time home buyers ask themselves is: Am I prepared to take on maintaining a home? Unlike an apartment, a homeowner is responsible for all maintenance and upkeep which, for many, is simply not something they want to take on. Also keep in mind that maintaining, repairing and updating a home can cost quite a bit of money – money that would come out of your household budget, so it pays to consider these added expenses.

If you are interested in building an Alamo Heights custom home, there are a number of things to consider. Because the home is custom, it is up to you, the homeowner, to make most of the decisions about the home; everything from the home’s structure to the kitchen faucet. Unlike builders who build a specific model home and leave little up to the home buyer as far as decisions go, a custom home is a creation that will most clearly reflect you. It will be a direct reflection of your tastes, your needs, your desires and, ultimately, your budget.

Although each home builder will have its own set of options regarding your Alamo Heights custom home, the following list details custom home features that are often offered by a number of Alamo Heights custom home builders:

• Ceiling height – Although a standard ceiling height is typically eight feet, many of today’s new Alamo Heights’ homes feature nine, and even ten, foot ceilings. You may have the option of choosing the ceiling height for your custom home. In addition, you may want to have vaulted ceilings in certain rooms of your custom homes, which will further add to your home’s price.
• Exterior building materials – As a custom home, you will generally be given liberty to choose your home’s exterior, although it’s important to know that your choice can greatly affect your overall budget. One of the most economical building materials for your home’s exterior is vinyl siding, although many homeowners choose a combination of vinyl siding and brick or stone, for example, to keep costs down. An all-brick or all-stone exterior, of course, will cost the most money and the price variants between brick and stone choices will vary greatly, depending on availability and difficulty of installation.
• Interior building materials – Often times, it is your home’s interior building materials that can put the largest dent in your budget. From hardwood floors to granite countertops, your choices for the interior of your home should be based on your budget and the durability of materials, as well as its look, of course. Some of your interior choices will be: cabinetry, flooring, lighting fixtures, moldings, faucets and other plumbing fixtures.

You’ve painted the walls, laid down new carpeting, and updated the foyer light fixture. But unless you’ve addressed the outside of your home, you’re not quite done preparing your home to sell. In short, curb appeal is a very important part of selling your Fort Sam Houston home – one that you cannot afford to overlook.

Luckily, however, there are a number of things you can tackle in a weekend that will improve your home’s curb appeal so it will stand out among the crowd of other houses for sale:

1. Cut back overgrown plants and trees – One of the easiest ways to spruce up your landscaping is to cut back any overgrown trees and shrubs. Make sure the path to your house is cleared of any shrubbery or low-hanging branches, and make sure the façade of your home isn’t blocked by any trees. Although tackling overgrown greenery can be done by most homeowners, if you have large trees that need to be pruned, it is best to call in the help of a professional.
2. Update outdoor lighting – From pathway lighting to the light beside your front door, lighting can add depth, dimension and interest to your Fort Sam Houston home, both during the daytime and nighttime hours. It is therefore best to switch out your dated lighting with more contemporary fixtures. Outdoor light fixtures are typically quite cost effective, yet they can instantly update the exterior of a home. You may also want to consider adding solar path lights; buyers will appreciate this touch and they are super-easy to install because there are no wires!
3. Spruce up your front door – Your front door is the entrance to your home and a sign of things to come. So if it’s seen its better day, now is a good time to give it some TLC. A fresh coat of paint always does the trick, and switching out dated hardware for something more attractive is a smart move. Finally, add a seasonal wreath to create an air of warmth and you’re ready to go!
4. Don’t forget the details – Often times, a few punches of color will give your home’s exterior an instant facelift. Consider adding pots of colorful annuals near your front door.

A condo is a great purchase for many people who want to own a home, but don’t want the hassles, upkeep and maintenance that go along with owning a single-family home.

When shopping for an Adkins condo, it is important, because they are quite different from a single-family home, to consider a number of things:

• HOA Fees – When purchasing a condo, you will likely pay HOA (homeowners association) fees. These fees, which are usually paid on a monthly or quarterly basis, are fees paid for maintaining and updating the property in which the condo is located and for amenities and services offered by the building. HOA fees may cover everything from landscaping and building repair to the cost of hiring security, valet staff or pool cleaners. When purchasing a condo, ask to see the history of HOA fees so you can determine how often they are raised.
• Location – Most condo homebuyers choose condos because of their urban location. In fact, you will find that most condo buildings are either located close to the city or near public transportation or a major roadway to help individuals get in and out of the city. Therefore, it is important to consider the location of the condo and the distance from locations most important to you, such as your work, the grocery store or your children’s school.
• Privacy – One of the downsides of purchasing a condo is the lack of privacy. However, today’s condos are often built and designed with privacy in mind, so pay close attention to the location of the condo and the noise you can hear when inside the home. In addition, it may also be a good idea to ask neighbors if they experience any noise problems.
• Amenities/Features – Sometimes the best part of living in a condo are the amenities and services that come along with it. Although you will certainly pay more in HOA fees according to the amenities and services offered, many condo owners are more than willing to pay the price for these key features, which may include: a swimming pool; valet parking; courier services; business centers; and party rooms, just to name a few.

Even in a down market, real estate will move, provided it meets certain criteria. In other words, if you address all aspects of preparing and marketing your home, you can realistically expect your Fort Sam Houston home to sell. However, if you fail to do so, you could be faced with an expired listing.

If you don’t want to be another casualty of the shaky real estate market, you must take care of three, key issues, which include:

• The condition of your home – You simply can’t expect buyers to want to purchase your Fort Sam Houston home if the home is in poor condition. Because today’s real estate market is still a decidedly buyer’s market, buyers are looking to purchase homes that they can move into; not homes that need a considerable amount of work. Although you may want to think twice before embarking on any major renovations, you will need to address other things, such as repairs and updates. In other words, don’t put your home on the market without taking care of basic maintenance issues, such as leaky faucets and torn carpeting. Get your home clean and organized, and take care of basic maintenance issues, such as painting the walls and updating light fixtures.
• The price of your home – Sellers who are looking to get a few more bucks could be sabotaging their chances of selling their home. It is important, especially in today’s real estate market, to price your home to sell. If you don’t have any time frame for moving, then you can price your home according to what you want for it; otherwise, make sure to price it aggressively so you can sell it and move on.
• The marketing of your home – Although it may seem like a good idea to sell your home on your own, without the help of a realtor, the reality is that realtors simply have more resources to sell your home in a shorter amount of time. A qualified realtor can get the word out about your home through a number of outlets, thereby helping you sell your home quickly and for close to the asking price.

In addition to providing you with a break on your income taxes, through your mortgage interest and your property taxes, and providing you with a steady housing payment for the next 20 or 30 years, owning a home has other financial incentives – incentives you may have not considered!

• Owning a home allows you to build equity for future use!

Building equity in your Terrell Hills home is one of the biggest reasons people choose buying over renting. Even if you do very little to improve your home, it will likely increase in value over the years based on market conditions. The equity in your home is like a savings account that builds up without you even adding anything to it! In other words, the equity in your home is like your own personal savings account; an account where you can withdraw money for any number of reasons.

You can access the equity in your home, without selling it, by simply taking out either a home equity line of credit or a home equity loan. Many people take out home equity loans or lines of credit to: repair, update or renovate their home; to pay off high-interest rate debts; to send their children to college; to purchase a vehicle; or to simply take a nice vacation! The truth is that home equity is an important tool for homeowners that can even be used to get themselves out of financial trouble or get them through financial hardships. Whatever you choose to do with the equity in your home is your choice, thereby making the process of building equity one of the most important aspects of owning a home.

• Owning a home keeps your money where it belongs – in your pocket!

You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: passing rent along to a landlord is like throwing your hard-earned money down the drain. There are, of course, people who benefit from renting, such as those who move often or are not financially secure; but for most individuals, it just pays to keep money where it belongs: in their pocket! Although you pay mortgage to a lender, you are building equity at the same time, thereby putting money back into your investment.

Although a home’s structure is a very important part of purchasing a home, there are other factors beyond the home’s four walls that also play an important part when deciding whether a New Braunfels property is right for you:

• Yard – Even if a yard isn’t a very big deal to you in terms of your next home purchase, you will want to examine it to make sure it provides you with adequate privacy and personal space. For example, a home on a corner lot may seem like a great idea until you realize that your backyard is very small and is up against the neighbor’s backyard, thereby providing you with very little privacy. If you have small children, consider whether the yard’s location is safe and secured, and whether it is near a busy street or intersection.
• Location – The location of the home is another important consideration, as you will want to be in a home that is close to the things that are most important to you. Therefore, you may want to consider whether the home is close to your place of employment, your children’s school, the grocery store, public transportation, or even the shopping mall. In addition, consider how easy (or hard) it is to make your way out of your neighborhood and through your town.
• Neighborhood – Before considering a home in a particular neighborhood, it is important to consider the neighborhood itself. If you have children, you will want to pay close attention to the schools and amenities, such as playgrounds, in the neighborhood. You will also want to check on home values and whether they have increased or decreased in the last five years. Remember that location is crucial when purchasing a home, as it could determine the overall success of your investment.
• Amenities – Consider the amenities offered by the neighborhood. Do they have a neighborhood watch? A neighborhood swimming pool? A community park or playground? Are the streets lined with sidewalks? Do they have a strong police force? Paying close attention to the community and the services and amenities it provides its residents is an important factor when deciding if it is a neighborhood that will grow and flourish in the upcoming years or lose its luster and experience falling home values.

Before you begin looking at homes in your neighborhood or dreaming about the lovely Cape Cod on the corner, you must first find out whether owning a home is realistic at this point in your life. And to do this, you need to talk to a professional and get yourself preapproved for a home loan.

A mortgage preapproval, which is done through a lender, is like a green light for buying your first home. It will determine whether your credit and income are sufficient for obtaining a home loan, and it will provide you with an accurate amount for which you can spend on a home. In short, a mortgage preapproval will arm you with the information you need to purchase a home.

A mortgage preapproval, in addition to providing you with the information necessary for purchasing a Cordillera Ranch property, is important for a number of other reasons:

• Many real estate agents will only work with buyers who are preapproved for a mortgage because, in simplest terms, they don’t want to waste their time showing a buyer a home, only to find out they can’t get approved for a loan of that size, or they cannot get approved for a loan at all. Therefore, one of the first things a realtor will ask you before working with you is if you have been preapproved for a mortgage.
• Many sellers and seller’s agents do not want to show homes to buyers who have not been preapproved for a mortgage – Again, sellers and seller’s agents only want to spend time with buyers who are capable of buying their home.
• A mortgage preapproval shows everyone you are a serious buyer – If you submit an offer on a home without a mortgage preapproval, chances are it will be declined. Sellers want to see that you’ve already done your homework and that you’re ready to come to the table with a serious offer; and a mortgage preapproval shows you’re serious.
• A mortgage preapproval may give you more bargaining and negotiating power – If you put in an offer on a Cordillera Ranch home with a mortgage preapproval, and another buyer, without a mortgage preapproval, puts in an offer, it is more like the seller will entertain and accept your offer over the buyer without the preapproval. This is because your offer comes with an insurance policy that says the seller can comfortably accept your offer without fear of the sale not going through.

Your Bandera County home is likely a reflection of you. It is the place where you raise your family and spend time together. As such, your home likely has numerous personal effects. However, it is these personal touches that could turn buyers off or distract them from your home. Here’s how to de-personalize your home before selling:

• Take down the family photos that line the wall – Your family photo wall is your pride and joy, but to buyers it does little more than distract them. It is best to take down personal photographs and replace them with inexpensive mirrors or artwork, as this will allows buyers to imagine themselves in your home; not remind them that the home belongs to you.
• Remove your collections – Your doll collection lining the living room mantel or your collection of spoons along the kitchen wall are very important to you, but not to buyers. When selling your Bandera County home, part of depersonalizing it means removing personal effects like collections. Collections of anything in your home clutter rooms and may distract buyers from noticing the room’s many features. In other words, how can you expect buyers to appreciate the beautiful living room fireplace if your dolls are blocking it?
• Put away mail and other personal information – Before showing your home make sure all personal information about you and your family is safely tucked away. From the mail on the kitchen table to your checkbook and last week’s paystub, it is important to never give buyers access to your personal or financial information. If you have a locked desk or drawer, use it, and always make sure money and credit cards are also under lock and key.
• Remove hobbies or other personal effects – Because it is unlikely that buyers will have an appreciation for your hobbies or other personal interests, it is best to put away things such as mounted deer heads, gun displays, craft supplies and your stack of DVDs. Keep in mind, also, that it is possible that some buyers may be offended by certain personal items, so it is always a good idea to make your home as neutral and de-personalized as possible before the first buyer walks through the door.

Although the real estate market has experienced its share of difficulties and struggles over the past, three years, it is still important to realize that owning a Dominion property still continues to be a smart investment.

Here are the top reasons why buying a home is still a great investment:

1. You pay less income tax – Because your home payments go directly to your lender for your mortgage (instead of to your landlord for rent payments), you can save thousands of dollars in income tax each year. This is because homeowners can deduct the interest of their mortgage payments, as well as their property taxes, when they file their federal income tax return each year. In addition to a single-family home, consider that purchasing a condo or even a mobile home affords you the same tax breaks each year.
2. Your investment will increase in value over time – Although the housing bubble across the country burst (and in a big way) a few years ago, history shows that, over time, homes increase steadily in value, making them an excellent investment. Keep in mind, however, that the ultimate determination of your home’s ability to increase in value is the location of the home, so do your homework and pay attention to property values.
3. The money you make on your investment is tax-free – Now, what other investment can offer you that? Consider you bought a home ten years ago for $200,000 and you sold it last week for $300,000; you just cleared $100,000, tax free! Federal law states that homeowners can make up to a $250,000 profit on their home, tax-free (couples who file jointly can make up to a $500,000 profit).
4. Your home loan payment for your Dominion property is something that will never increase – Provided you have taken out a fixed home loan, you can expect your home payment to be the same in 30 years as it is today. This allows homeowners to be able to budget their household, both now and in the future. Consider rent payments, on the other hand: You certainly cannot depend on them staying the same!