Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Holidays...To Sell Or Not To Sell?

I had a client not too long ago ask me if he should try to sell his Houston home during the holidays?
I believe it is a great idea to sell your home during the holidays season and here is why:
  • People who are looking at houses during this period are more serious buyers.
  • Most home sellers take their homes off the market thinking that people are spending their money elsewhere which means there is less competition for the sellers and fewer homes for the buyer to choose from. In turn, higher chances to get a good offer on your house.
  • After the holidays, many home sellers will put their houses back on the market and the inventory of homes will increase which means buyers will have more homes to choose from and most probably you might get less money for your house because you might need to drop the price to compete with the other houses in the market.
  • People take lots of days off during the holidays and serious home buyers have more time to look at houses.
  • Houses always feel more warm and show good with the Christmas decorations.
  • Many people have their lease over by the end of the year and would like to move and spend the Christmas in their new home.
These are just some of the reasons I believe it is a good idea to sell your house during the holidays.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Welcome to Houston! Check out this awesome video!




Houston is such an amazing city! So much to do...so much to see! For those of you moving to Houston, check out this video! 

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Houston Home Buying Process Made Simple in 7 Steps



Moving to Houston or living in Houston and thinking of purchasing a home? Here is the Houston home buying process made simple in 7 steps...

Step 1: Make sure that you can qualify for a loan. 
This step is very important for couple of reasons;
First, you will know if you can get a loan (pre-qualify or pre-approval) and for how much and if not qualified, at least you will know what you need to work on to be qualified in a few months.
The second reason, most Houston home sellers require that the buyer sends the pre-approval letter with the offer, otherwise, they are not going to consider the offer.
Third reason, so that you can have some expectations on how much down payment you will need to pay and closing costs, so you can plan accordingly.
I can’t tell you how many times people went out for months looking for a house and then they found out that they are not qualified when they wanted to submit an offer; I also can’t tell you how many times people lost a great deal because their offer was not considered without the pre-approval letter and other buyers got the house. You must have a pre-approval letter if you are serious about purchasing a home and most Houston Realtors, myself included, will not proceed with the process until the client has one.
You can contact a Houston mortgage lender for pre-approval or contact me for a list of lenders in the Houston Area. I have lenders I highly trust and recommend.

Step 2: Start looking for houses. I will set up a page based on what you are looking for as far as how many bedrooms, bathrooms, price range, location, size, school district, etc and you will receive alerts on all the houses that meet your searching criteria for you to look over and review. After reviewing them thoroughly you can then decide which ones to delete or to save as "possibilities." I highly suggest and my clients actually do this, is to take a day to drive around and look at the homes on your list and take that time to check out the neighborhoods, etc. By doing this you are able to eliminate or keep many of the homes you have on your "possibility" list and this is a great time saver when it comes to the actual day to look. Once you are ready we can go view the houses you like on the list.

I will not talk in details here about the remaining steps as I will be working with you and guiding you through the whole process step by step but here they are:

Step 3: Making an offer
Step 4: Have inspection
Step 5: Remove contingencies, if any
Step 6: The loan process
Step 7: Closing & Key for your new house

If you have any questions please call me at 281-326-HOME and please visit us at www.davidthelocator.com I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

DavidTheLocator: Picking The Right Houston Neighborhood

DavidTheLocator: Picking The Right Houston Neighborhood: Picking a Houston neighborhood that fits your lifestyle and desires is an important part of the homebuying process. It can be challengi...

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Picking The Right Houston Neighborhood



Picking a Houston neighborhood that fits your lifestyle and desires is an important part of the homebuying process. It can be challenging, though … there are so many things to consider.
For a lot of people, quality schools top the list of desirable neighborhood amenities. It may surprise you that being in an area with good schools is important even for people without children because good schools mean a higher resale value.
As unpleasant as it may be, the Houston crime statistics or crime statistics of any area are important, too. Take your time and do your research on this one … there are plenty of resources out there, including local law enforcement resources, Web sites, even neighborhood Internet groups.
You may also want to consider transportation issues, such as how living in an area is going to affect your day-to-day errands, your commute, and the ease of access to public transportation and major thoroughfares.
Some people want to be in close proximity to healthcare facilities. Others find that having quick access to shopping centers or their favorite grocery store or restaurants is a top priority. Still others may value features such as public pools and parks, access to bike routes and jogging and walking trails.
The point is that everyone's list will be different. The key is to find a neighborhood that scores well in areas you deem important. That's a good place to focus your search efforts.
If you're able to find everything you're looking for in a neighborhood, good for you! However, if you're like many people, you may have to make some sacrifices. A neighborhood you're considering may score well on most of your checklist but not meet every single one of your criteria. That's when you have to decide if one missing attribute can be offset by the presence of another.

 For more information please visit our website at www.davidthelocator.com. We look forward to assisting you in anyway we can!


DavidTheLocator: Buying Your First Home? 10 Things To Consider.

DavidTheLocator: Buying Your First Home? 10 Things To Consider.: 10 Things To Consider When Buying Your First  Houston Home! We all know that buying a Houston home is a big and exciting time and a g...

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Buying Your First Home? 10 Things To Consider.

10 Things To Consider When Buying Your First Houston Home!

We all know that buying a Houston home is a big and exciting time and a graduation from Renter to Home Owner. But what would it be worth to have a list of 10 Things To Consider When buying Your First Home? It could be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. Here are some things to consider:

# 1What will your cash flow be, after you purchase the home and paid all the monthly bills. Are you going to have extra cash still left over or will you be house poor?

#2 - What school district will your home be in and what schools will your kids attend. Make sure to do your homework about school districts, school rankings, sex offenders & local police reports just to name a few. 

#3  -What home repairs will the house need, after the purchase and how soon do they need to be addressed. You should have a home repair budget if you intend to stay onto of home repairs.

#4The size of the lot and vegetation will be a factor in what it cost to maintain the property, the size of lawn mover, show blowers, plows and yard and pruning equipment. 

#5- What time of year your considering your move. If you have kids you may want to consider moving in the summer time, when the kids are out of school. Do you have a vacation planned? Maybe you can only make the move during your vacation time and need to work things out with your boss. You may also want to consider that during the Spring time homes go for a bit more than what they would in the summer, fall and winter. There is less competition on the market in the Spring time and home owners typically get more for their homes, statistically.

#6- Do you have money saved for a down payment. Currently, FHA requires that a buyer must put down 3.5 percent of the sale price of a home to get a mortgage. By putting this money down up front will reduce the amount of the mortgage and lower your monthly payment, but will deplete your saved cash. Keep in mind that there are First Time Home Buyer Programs at will assist with a down payment, with having the buyer put as little as $1000.00 into obtaining a loan.

#7After you obtain a loan from a Houston lender there is what is called the "Closing Cost", which is the money needed to close a loan on a home. 

#8 - Home warranties are a great insurance policy toward protecting yourself against future unknown home repair Expenses. Home warranties cover heating systems, water heaters, plumbing systems, Clogged drains, electrical , garage door openers, Air conditioners, Refrigerators, garbage disposals, sump pumps and more. We have recommendations on companies we have used. Let us know if you need one or click on the link on Home Warranties.

#9- Utility Expenses. Make sure you contact the local Houston utility company and ask what the average utility expenses have been over the last 12 months. The age of a home and the amount of insulation or energy efficient appliances and windows and drastically affect utility cost. The enclosed link will help you get all set up with your utilities!

#10 - Driving distance from your new home to local schools, shopping, hospitals and your place of work need to be taken into consideration, before making a purchase. This will also affect the monthly fuel budget.

If you're ready to buy your new home we are here to assist you with many years of experience and expertise. Call us at 281-235-7811 Thanks and hope this was helpful!

Friday, September 28, 2012


Storing Seasonal Clothes: Summer


Storing Seasonal Clothes: Summer
    There is a joke... there are only two seasons in Houston...hot and hotter! Nut no... we do have seasons here as well. Here are just a few tips for storing some of your seasonal clothes...
    Make room for bulkier fall and winter clothing with our tips for storing summer garments properly and efficiently. So, when summer comes next year, your items can be unpacked in great condition.

Tips for Storing Summer Clothes


  • Wash summer clothing before placing in storage since stains become harder to remove over time, plus they can attract insects.

Tip: Refrain from using starch before packing clothing—insects are drawn to it.

  • Choose a location that is cool, dark, well ventilated and clean. Always, keep packed clothing out of damp basements, attics or garages.
  • Avoid plastic bags or airtight containers where clothing can’t breathe. Use trunks or vented clothing bags, and place in closets with good ventilation.

Tip: Tie pieces of chalk together and hang them in storage areas to help reduce moisture. If using mothballs, place them in a sock to minimize direct contact with fabrics.

  • Instead of using hangers, fold and stack materials like silk and rayon to avoid misshapen fabric. And roll clothing made of linen to prevent creases.

Tip: While packing up your clothes, consider donating items you no longer wear, or host a garage sale.

  • Line plastic or wood containers with acid-free shelf paper or wallpaper to protect delicate clothing.
  • Stack clothing in a storage bin with the lightest fabrics on top and heaviest on bottom.

  • Tip: Repurpose old T-shirts into unique accessories like scarves, headbands, bracelets and more.

    If you have any additional tips please be sure to share! 

Friday, August 24, 2012

WELCOME TO HOUSTON!



                           WELCOME TO HOUSTON! WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR HOME!
                                                             
 
Hi, I'm David J. Moore  ABR, GRI also known as DAVIDTHELOCATOR.  I am a Realtor (not just a real estate agent) and Apartment Locator & we specialize in relocations.  If you or anyone you know needs an apartment, condo or house please visit our website at:
www.davidthelocator.com  and/or call us Today !!

It is our
teams sincere desire is to inform, educate and represent you as our client so that you will experience complete satisfaction and assurance in your decision to purchase or sell your next Houston home or lease your next apartment or house.  As your Realtor and relocation specialist, you can expect fairness, integrity, extensive knowledge and professional service from my team and I and we are certain that with your input and our knowledge, we will provide you with top-notch service, guidance and advice you deserve. We listen to our clients and most of all we care about where you live. We have been assisting clients like you for more than 15 years and look forward to the opportunity to help you in the next stage of your life!
We look forward to meeting and working with you! Please call us at 281-326-HOME or email me at david@davidthelocator.com !

David J. Moore’s credentials:
Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation
Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation
VP of Membership for the Texas Apartment Locators Association (2012-2013)

Member: National Association of Realtors (NAR) 
Member: Texas Association of Realtors (TAR)
Member: Houston Association of Realtors (HAR)
Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC)
 
 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Mosquitos eating you for dinner?

Aerial spraying begins tonight in the Houston areas, August 22, 2013, to try to cut down on the mosquito problem due to this terrible West Nile virus affecting us. When buying a mosquito repellent spray make sure to look for the following recommended ingredients in the spray you are buying and apply it 15 minutes before going outside. Do not use on children under the age of 2:

DEET,  PICARION, OIL OF LEMON EUCALYPTUS & IR3535                          
Does anyone have any "organic" remedies they'd like to share?

Monday, July 9, 2012



Why You Should Buy A Houston Home Right Now.

Whether you desire to lease a Houston apartment or lease a Houston home, or buy or sell a house here in the Houston metropolitan area, we will provide the information and expertise to help you make a sound decision. As your Houston Realtor and Houston relocation specialist, you can expect integrity, fairness, extensive knowledge and professional service from my team and I. We are certain that with your input and our knowledge, we will locate the right home for you. We listen to our clients and most of all we care about you and where you live. Please know that we offer a FREE Houston Apartment Locating service to you as well!

You have probably heard it all over media outlets. "Affordability is at an all-time high. Interest rates are excellent! The question remains, however, why buy a Houston home? What do these proclamations actually mean for you?


Let’s look at these claims. Affordability is at an all-time high. This is calculated by a ratio of median household income to median home prices for any given area.


According to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) this record level is around 73 percent of all new and existing homes. To put this number into perspective, before recent years’ developments it was rare to see the HOI go above 60 percent.


What does this mean for you, the buyer? It means that If you're here in Houston, I can assist you by letting you know what home prices are like in the area you're looking for and compare those to your own family income. Are you in the position to buy a larger home or move up thanks to low rates and low prices? I can help you determine that.


The market is the perfect climate today for buyers with cash for downpayments, steady incomes, and good credit scores. Buying today is full of opportunity. You can buy more home for less money and pay less interest over the life of the loan thanks to incredibly low interest rates.


Rates have never been this low and even lower for buyers with good credit (think credit scores at least 720). Even if you don’t have an excellent credit score you may still be eligible for other good rates or deals. Now is the time to find out!


There are fewer buyers on the market, which means you have more leverage at the negotiating tables. Sellers are willing to make more concessions and many are motivated to sell, especially if their home has been lingering on the market.


Why should you buy a Houston home right now? You’re going to find better deals, lower prices, and the best rates in history for buying a home. That sounds like an ideal time to enter the market!

Please take a moment to visit our website at www.DavidTheLocator.com or call us direct at 281-326-HOME! We look forward to hearing from you!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Hurricane Preparedness- Be Ready


Hurricane Preparedness - Be Ready


Two keys to weather safety are to prepare for the risks and to act on those preparations when alerted by emergency officials. These are essential pieces to the Weather-Ready Nation.
Refer to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) ready.gov/hurricanes for comprehensive information on hurricane preparedness at home and in your community.
Highlights on how to prepare and take action are available below:

Gather Information

Know if you live in an evacuation area. Assess your risks and know your home's vulnerability to storm surge,flooding and wind. Understand National Weather Service forecast products and especially the meaning of NWSwatches and warnings.
Contact your local National Weather Service office and local government/emergency management office. Find out what type of emergencies could occur and how you should respond.

Contacts

Keep a list of contact information for reference.
Image of Preparedness Checklist
  • Local Emergency Management Office
  • County Law Enforcement
  • County Public Safety Fire/Rescue
  • State, County and City/Town Government
  • Local Hospitals
  • Local Utilities
  • Local American Red Cross
  • Local TV Stations
  • Local Radio Stations
  • Your Property Insurance Agent

Risk Analysis

Online hazard and vulnerability assessment tools are available to gather information about your risks.
Image of an Example Disaster Supply Kit

Plan & Take Action

Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected. Your friends and family may not be together when disaster strikes. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children or parents are safe? You may have to evacuate or be confined to your home. What will you do if water, gas, electricity or phone services are shut off?

Supplies Kit

Put together a basic disaster supplies kit and consider storage locations for different situations. Help community members do the same.

Emergency Plans

Develop and document plans for your specific risks.

Health & Environment

Follow guidelines to guard your community's health and protect the environment during and after the storm.

Evacuation

Image of Interstate Traffic in an Evacuation
  • Review the FEMA Evacuation Guidelines to allow for enough time to pack and inform friends and family if you need to leave your home. FOLLOW instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered!
  • Consider your protection options to decide whether to stay or evacuate your home if you are not ordered to evacuate.
When waiting out a storm be careful, the danger may not be over yet...
Be alert for:
  • Tornadoes – they are often spawned by hurricanes.
  • The calm "eye" of the storm – it may seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force.

Recover

  • Wait until an area is declared safe before returning home.
  • Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.

Resources


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Tired of Searching fora Place to Live? Search No More! Let David Moore Search For You!



                     
Tired of searching for a place to live? Finding a Houston home or Houston Apartment that is ideal for your needs may take you a lot of time and money, not to mention stress. Hi, my name is David J. Moore, ABR.GRI. I have lived in the Houston area for over 46 years and my  team and I at  DavidTheLocator specialize in re-locations in Houston and its suburbs. 

We are unique in that we are full service Real Estate and Apartment Locating company. Whether you have just moved to Houston or you are just looking for a new house or apartment, we will help you find the place that you will truly love and be comfortable with. We will provide you with the best Houston Apartments that meet all of your needs and criteria because we take pride in our work and care about where you live!
Be cautious when looking for a place to live via the internet as many companies post what's called "bait ads" that really don't exist or have already been leased just to get your business. We are about honesty and integrity. We would never recommend a place that we know to be unsafe and that we would not personally send our own family members to. We are experts in the Apartment Locating business and we know which apartments are well taken care of not just cosmetically but most importantly by the management company....the people that in the end will be taking care of your needs. With us you will have the place that you want in no time because we have years of experience in helping people find the apartment (or house) that is right for them.
At DavidTheLocator you will definitely get the personalized service that you require. Paying the rent that you can afford is very important so we make sure that we find you a place in the right price range. We offer you advice that you can use to get the home that is right for you. You don't have to do a thing... we do all of the work for you. We will personalize a list of apartments from our own database, call for specials and availabilities and schedule a time for you to visit them. Best of all (I know you won't believe this) our service is completely FREE... no strings attached because we get credit from wherever YOU choose to live. I know there are a lot of "rebate" offers out there...some legit...some not, we will match any rebate offered to you as well.  
So first of all... visit our website at www.davidthelocator.com and get to know us and please call us direct at 281-326-HOME at any time. 
We look forward to hearing from you! Remember...moving is stressful enough...let US do the hard part for you! 



Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Protect Your Health While Flying.



My wife Marisoland I have the priveldege of flying just about  anywhere and often. And just In case you haven't already noticed, the airplane is a germ infested capsule filled with unseen critters just waiting to latch on to you from the moment you walk in! And it never fails, wherever we are seated, we have the snotty baby to the right, the coughing teenager in front of us and just for fun the kicking toddler behind us! After years of flying for Continental Airlines, my wife swears her body holds the key to many cures not yet discovered by science simply from having been exposed to these germs for so long. In fact, she happens to get sick less often than most and I believe it has to do with some type of resistance to these germs that her body has developed! Hmmmm...  But why learn the hard way right? Who looks forward to going on vacation only to return with a bug? Below are just a few, easy and valuable tips to take with you on your next journey... and there are no extra charges for these extra tips! Enjoy!
Last month, a female passenger who had just returned from a visit to Africa had broken out in hives and the condition had gotten progressively worse since leaving the nation of Ghana.  By the time the regional jet had arrived at Midway airport, the local airport fire department had surrounded the plane and the Centers for Disease Control had been notified of the possible contagion situation.  The plane was placed in quarantine as a result, forcing everyone on board to remain until the passenger’s condition had been monitored by medical experts.  There were unconfirmed reports that the affected passenger might have contracted Monkey Pox.
After being observed by the crew and photos of the skin rash reviewed by CDC officials, the crew and passengers were allowed to deplane.  Passengers who experienced the quarantine reported high levels of stress, worry and anxiety about their personal health and safety, but were relieved that the passenger had been cleared and that the authorities had taken the situation serious enough to verify that every person involved were safe.  It appeared that the passenger was reacting to exposure to bed bugs while in Africa.
This entire incident brings up a very interesting topic…one that is rarely discussed: contagion by airline traveler.
Watching movies like “Contagion” or “Outbreak” tend to add to the anxiety one feels when informed that exposure to a possible bacteria or virus.  While there are strains of these diseases that are extremely dangerous and virulent, luckily they are rare and authorities are usually on top of these strains with advisories and advice to protect oneself from contamination.
Still, it gives one pause to be extra vigilant when it comes to one’s personal health, especially when traveling.  There are resources available for any traveler to take advantage of, especially when traveling abroad.
The CDC has an excellent traveler’s advisory website for almost every country you might want to inquire about.  This resource can be found athttp://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.htm .
It’s also a good idea to schedule a visit to your personal physician to get needed or recommended vaccinations/boosters when traveling abroad, particularly to third world countries, where infection and disease control is minimal or non-existent.  Be mindful that some of these vaccines have short shelf lives and many clinics and medical offices must special order them in advance and may not be readily available on demand.  Check with your state’s health department for further information.
There are other things one can do to reduce your exposure on an airplane.  The most important (and sadly one that is continuously omitted by airline passengers) is washing your hands, especially after using the lavatory facilities.   I don’t recommend using hand sanitizer all the time, but having some with you while traveling has many benefits, especially when access to soap and water is not immediately available.
Another easily available resource is saline mist.  This offers two things to airline travelers.  First, airplane cabins are extremely dry as the air is processed and filtered in the ventilation systems.  Using this product will keep your nasal passages moist and allow your body’s own natural defenses to work more efficiently.  Second, saline solutions allow you to rinse your nasal passages from allergens and other nasty “bugs” that you may have inhaled.  It may sound overly simple, but studies have shown that they are quite beneficial, even on a daily basis.
As a travel professional, I never recommend airline travel if you are under-the-weather.  Airlines do reserve the right to determine whether travelers are “fit-to-fly” and if you are exhibiting signs of illness, they have the right to refuse you access to the cabin.  This policy is not often executed, but be aware that it does exist.  If you must travel and are ill, please do your fellow travelers a huge favor and take along a “surgical mask” – they are easy to obtain at most drug stores.  This will help keep your illness contained and will help lessen others’ anxiety about germs spreading to them.

                                        
                            You don't have to end your                                  
                                   vacation like this!
                                        
                             End your vacation like THIS!!!

                Or take it to the next level .. end it like THIS!!!



Before leaving on your next journey beyond the borders of the U.S., check out these other online resources for other information regarding current outbreaks, tracking of infections, and preventative measures:



Monday, April 30, 2012

Has The Housing Market Hit Bottom?


Mortgage rates moved very little last week, even with the release of the first quarter’s GDP and a
meeting of the Federal Reserve. As expected, the rate of economic growth in the US slowed during
the first quarter to 2.2%. While this rate is often considered a healthy rate, it is nowhere near high
enough to help reduce the nation’s employment issues. On a positive note, however, a sub-indicator
in the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index revealed that consumers believe jobs are
getting easier to find. The Fed’s policy announcement provided little new insight to the Fed’s thinking or future policy, but as is always the case, it left itself open to act when and if needed.
This week is a busy week for financial markets. Dominating the week’s data will be the ISM reports
and the monthly employment report. With signs that manufacturing is beginning to slow, a dip in the
ISM reports will help hold mortgage rates low. If more than 200K jobs were created last month, we
could see rates moving upward. Otherwise, rates may remain stable again for the week.

The Housing Market Has Hit Bottom?

"The crash is over," stated Mark Zandi, respected chief
economist for Moody's Analytics in an interview with
Bloomberg last week. While definitions of what characterize
the end of the housing market crisis vary widely, more and
more economists are predicting that we have finally reached
the bottom. While many are expecting sales volumes to pick
up, and inventories to dwindle, very few experts are
expecting prices to move significantly higher for many years.

If you are in the market to buy or sell your Houston Home please give us a call at 281-326-HOME or visit our website at www.davidthelocator.com. Have a great day and we look forward to assisting you with your purchasing and selling goals!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Moving to Texas? Requirements From The Texas Dept. Of Motor Vehicles:


If you are moving to Texas, chances are you will be driving, Here are the requirements for your vehicle & Texas drivers license as stated by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles:

New residents are required to do the following within 30 days of moving to Texas:
New residents must have their vehicles pass inspection before having it registered and titled. After having it inspected, owners should take the following to their county tax office:
  • inspection certification,
  • proof of liability insurance,
  • the vehicle's odometer reading if it is less than 10 years old,
  • ownership document, which may be:
    • an original out-of-state title,
    • proof of registration (for non-title state),
    • current foreign/military ownership document, or
    • foreign evidence of ownership
  • completed Form 130-U (if applying for registration only, without a Texas title, please attach a completed Form VTR-272), and
  • the following fees:
    • registration fee,
    • title application fee of $28 or $33, depending on the county, and
    • new resident tax of $90 or proof of sales tax payment
Additional fees may also be due at the time of registration. For more information, contact your county tax office. For information about the new resident tax, contact the Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces and non-resident, full-time students attending a Texas college or university are not required to title or register their vehicles in Texas.
Driver License
New residents are required to get a Texas driver license within 90 days of moving to Texas.
For more information, read our FAQs or Put Texas in your corner®.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Relocating To The Houston Area? Let DavidTheLocator Help You!

Are you thinking of relocating to the Houston area? Hi, my name is David J. Moore. Houston is a bustling city filled with many treasures. Spend a day in the Museum District and be inspired. From ballet, theatre and symphony companies to some of the world's finest restaurants, Houston is truly a cultural paradise. We have top of the line schools, one of the best Medical Centers in the world and we have our Houston Astros, Houston Rockets & Houston Texans. Want to go to the beach? Galveston is just a short drive away but we also enjoy Clear Lake & the Kemah Boardwalk with all of its attractions. Houston has many enjoyable qualities, which would make your relocation here the perfect place for anyone to call home. There is nothing that any person could want to do, that they could not find in Houston. 

The housing options in the Houston area are virtually limitless. Whatever your needs are my team and I are able to assist you with your relocation. We are experts in the relocation field and have been helping our valued clients for over 14 years with their relocation needs. Choices include, single-family homes, various apartments, town homes and condominiums, skyscraping high rises, to luxury homes located on some of Houston premier Golf Courses.

Alive with energy and rich in diversity, Houston texas relocation is a dynamic mix of imagination, talent and first-class attractions that makes it a world-class city. Houston is a popular international relocation destination. If you are considering moving here, or would like more information, please feel free to contact us. Visit our website at www.DavidTheLocator.com.   Or call us direct at 281-326-HOME.
We look forward to helping and working with you!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

If You Have Pets, Make Sure They're Not Keeping Your Houston Home From Selling.


                                                                  


My wife and I love our two furry family members! They bring such love, joy and amusement to our home.  When people ask how many kids we have we say four... two with fur and two human! However, as a Houston Realtor that's showing property day in and day out, I can honestly tell you that with all that love also comes some issues for Houston home sellers. If you have pets, make sure they're not keeping your Houston home from selling.

Having a home in Houston (or anywhere else) with animals brings up a a series of issues that a homeowner must address carefully if they want to sell quickly and for the most money possible. Remember this, we grow used to the scent of our pets, but a home buyer will not only notice it quickly but be turned off by it as well and you want to do all you can to avoid this!!! 

With this being said, take a look at a few tips to help you take care of this potential problem easily and get your Houston home in top seller shape!
1. If it smells, it won't sell. Your pet may have the perfect manners, but that doesn't mean your home is odor-free.  Ask a friend to take the "sniff" test... but don't get offended if you don't pass. Most pet odor comes from fur and dander. Pets mark their territory by rubbing their fur on objects carpet and even your ankles and legs. Minimize pet odors by not allowing your pets to sleep on couches and carpets. Provide them with a cuddly bed of their own and reward them lavishly whenever they use it. Deodorize often, there are many products available for this at most grocery store shelves and definitely pet stores. Keep pets bathed and groomed more often than usual, so as not to add to existing pet odor.
2. Stains don't have to be permanent. There are many good products to clean pet stains. Just visit your local pet store. Pet stores sell many different great products which work beautifully. Hospital supply companies are also a great source for heavy duty stain and odor control products.

3. Vacuum daily. While your home is being marketed, vacuum the carpets daily with an odor deodorizer. You can find them in the cleaning supplies section of the grocery store. Remember to change bags more frequently than usual. Treat your home to a professional carpet cleaning. Also, open the windows and let some fresh air in. Pull back the drapes. Open vents. A closed in home will hold more odor than it should.

4.Keep pets from showings. Many buyers are suggestible. If they don't see a pet, they'll look at the home more objectively. If they spot your dog or cat, they will be alerted to look for stains and odors. Arrange to have your pet off the property for showings, and put their food dishes and toys out of sight, too. Keep cat boxes and backyard doggie loos scooped daily. If you have to board your pet to it from doing further damage or soiling new replacement fixtures, do so. You will be rewarded with a higher selling price for your home. When you are in your new home, you can welcome your pet back from its "holiday" with a favorite treat and lots of snuggles.

5.Stains and odors may have to be disclosed. In many states, stains and odors that can't be removed must be disclosed to the buyer or you may be held liable. That will automatically put you in a poor bargaining position with the buyer. If you aren't sure what the extent of your pet's damage is, you can purchase, rent or borrow a hand-held black light to shine on carpets and other fixtures. Some carpet cleaning kits include a black light for this purpose. Viewing your carpet this way will help you decide whether to clean or replace the carpet. Your agent will most likely advise you to replace the carpet. It will cost you much less money than a buyer's discount.

6. Perception is everything. If your home doesn't pass the sniff or stain test, it will adversely affect the way other agents and their buyers perceive your home. Your agent is depending upon other Realtors to show your home to their buyers. Many Realtors insist on showing only pristine homes to their clients. Once word gets around, you may find yourself with few showings which will cause the value of your home to drop.

7. Be realistic about your home's value. A home is only really worth what a buyer is willing to pay. If your home has suffered damage due to your pets, it may be devalued in the marketplace. The only cure is taking action to eliminate the problem before your home goes on the market. Listen to your Realtor and follow his/her advice about the most cost-effective ways to manage your pet's damage to the home. She or he will have suggestions and solutions that will put you right back on the marketing track.

For more information please visit us at www.DavidTheLocator.com! We are here to assist you with all of your relocation needs!