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!

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!

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is almost here!

Just a reminder...the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a charity which benefits the youth of Texas, is scheduled to kick off at Reliant Stadium on February 28th. Some of the main performers will include Alabama, Kid Rock & Lady Antebellum. Is anybody going and who do you want to see?

Having An Up-To-Date Kitchen Sells A Home!

                                                                         

As your Houston realtor I know the importance of a kitchen. If you are in the process or even thinking about, selling your Houston home, this is something for you to think about. It's a tool used by house flippers all across the nation. Stagers know its power.  What is this not-so-well-kept secret of real estate? Kitchens of course! They aren't just for eating...In fact, having an up-to-date kitchen can make the difference between your home selling...or not.  

Just think about it. When your family and friends come over, seriously, where does everyone end up spending the majority of the time? The kitchen! (Yes, the family or living rooms too but definitely the kitchen!) A kitchen is the heart of a home. This is true all across the globe. The old saying that the "stomach is the way to the heart" carries a lot of truth. Kitchens are where we spend much of our time and most of that is with our families. It's the room where we nourish our bodies and our spirits.

Because of the fact that kitchens are such an integral part of entertaining, they play an integral role in the Houston buying and selling process as well. This one room is the showpiece of the house. You'll see it every day and your guests will see it during most visits. This means Houston buyers want homes with up-to-date kitchens.

However... it's not just a new layer of paint. Kitchens can be one of the most expensive rooms to renovate. These projects can also be the most labor and time intensive of all home renovations.
Instead you find a complicated array of flooring, tiling, cabinets, and counters. This means Houston buyers may want a home with an up-to-date kitchen but they aren't willing to tackle this problem themselves. Most buyers want a kitchen that is ready to use the day they move in.

What do buyers look for in up-to-date kitchens? A lot of this depends on what price range your home is in.

One thing to remember as a seller is to not price yourself out of your market. If homes in your neighborhood are selling for $100,000 with tidy, but not luxury kitchens, then this is no time to upgrade to granite, travertine, and marble at the price tag of $40,000+. You simply won't find a buyer.

Scope out the competition. Use open houses in your area or MLS listings to find out what your competitions' kitchens look like. Do area homes have new solid wood cabinets and granite counters in today's designer colors? You'll be wise to consider making the same move. Are they including new stainless steel appliances and add-ons like dishwashers, wine-coolers, and trash compactors?

Or are you in a higher-end neighborhood? If you are then It's time to think high-end. Your older home may have a highly functional kitchen, but a buyer will take one look at your formica counters and white appliances and become lost in the stress of how much money and time it would take to remodel. If you don't want to put in the time yourself to make upgrades then you'll have to make concessions in the price.

Don't become overwhelmed, though. Sometimes a kitchen update can mean doing just a few minor changes. Change the paint color to a warm, neutral tone. Get rid of any clutter. Update your appliances, paint your cabinets, change the pulls, or get a high-end looking counter for a fraction of the cost (faux-granite or lower end granite). You might even save a bundle by doing much of the work yourself.

The bottom line is a kitchen can sell a home. Do a little research and find out what your kitchen needs to make it competitive with area listings.

If you need any referrals please call me, I do have several trusted people I can refer to you for ideas and assistance in things ranging from staging your kitchen to doing a complete remodel!
As always, we invite you to visit our website at www.DavidTheLocator.com and call us at 281-326-HOME! Good luck and have a great day!

4 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Foreclosure:

Houston Foreclosures can offer big bargains, but Houston buyers need to be careful that they don't get over their heads in purchasing a home that may need more repairs than they bargained for. Foreclosures are usually sold as-is, and homes that are left vacant standing too long can have a lot of maintenance problems.  As a Houston real estate expert I suggest buyers consider the following 4 questions to ask before buying a Houston foreclosure: 1. How long has the home been vacant? Be cautious of a foreclosed home that has stood vacant for more than a few weeks or had its utilities shut off a long time. A home can deteriorate quickly when heating, cooling, electricity, and running water have been turned off for awhile.  2. How old is the home? Homes that are more than 50 years old may have a failing plumbing system or inadequate electrical wiring.  3. How does the home look? Are there broken windows, gutters hanging down, or damaged siding? Trust your instincts. If the house looks bad from the outside, it's probably worse than you think.  4. Is there anything missing? Sometimes former owners remove anything of value from the home, such as built-in light fixtures, bathroom tile, water heaters, air-conditioning units, and hardwoods. Housing experts encourage buyers to get a home inspector to look at the property, even if it is sold as-is, so that home buyers know any repairs needed and cost estimates before they purchase the home. "Buying a bank-owned home gives you the opportunity to enter the market at a very low price level," says Dorcas Helfant, a past president of the National Association of REALTORS®. "You can find terrific values among foreclosures, especially if they're not in too bad shape. But, remember, these houses are discounted for a reason." As always, please visit our website at www.DavidTheLocator.com for more information.