Homes for Sale: 2744 Clay Street, Houston, TX 77003

Welcome home to 2744 Clay Street. Enjoy the downtown view from the rooftop deck of this street-facing townhome with fenced front yard large enough to exercise your green thumb. This three-bedroom home is bathed in natural light throughout.

The second-floor open plan with kitchen, dining and living rooms is accented by high ceilings and gleaming wood floors. The island kitchen with breakfast bar features granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, abundant cabinet storage and a large pantry.

The master suite and second bedroom are on the third floor and the third bedroom is on the first floor. A landing on the fourth floor leading to the rooftop deck would be a great place for a beverage refrigerator. You’ll want to host the July 4th party next year just to see the fireworks display. The attached 2-car garage is off a driveway with gated access and street curb parking is available for guests.

Just blocks from rail, downtown, sports and entertainment venues. Convenient to 59/69, 288, I-10 and I45!

 

For more information on EaDo real estate, or any other home in the Greater Houston area, reach out now!

Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® – Metropolitan
Katie Day, REALTOR®
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046

Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

Buyer Tips: MLS Statuses on HAR

If you’re looking to rent or purchase a home in the Greater Houston area and are using HAR (Download our Premium app here), you need to pay attention to the different status in MLS.  Check out our video below, and let us know when you’re ready to start your search!

Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® – Metropolitan
Katie Day, REALTOR®
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046

Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

The TRUTH About Viewing Homes Online

It’s so easy to get sucked into looking at home listing after home listing online, drawn to the stunningly filtered photos of manicured lawns, sharp-looking kitchens, and giant bedrooms. Although this is a great place to begin, it’s important to keep in mind that all may not be as it seems.

Here are our top tips to avoid getting duped by listings online.

  • Photos don’t always capture the full picture. Real estate photographers are very good at highlighting the best features of the home and often use wide angle lenses to make spaces appear larger than they really are. But, be aware that there may be less photo-worthy features they aren’t displaying. Don’t forget to look at the property features listed below to gather a better idea of what the home has to offer.
  • Ensure you are looking at current listings. Nothing is worse than falling in love with the perfect home, only to check out the listing date to find it was posted two years ago. Make sure you use websites that are pulling information daily from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and have your real estate agent verify it is available.

One GREAT feature we’re able to provide for you is our exclusive HAR.com App, where you can view Premium Content not normally accessible on the HAR.com, such as Sale Prices on nearby listings, and Property History Reports.

Use your real estate agent as a resource. If you find a seemingly great listing online, always run it by your agent to confirm you aren’t missing something important. They can also provide neighborhood details, price comparisons for similar properties just sold in the area, additional listings that match your criteria, and more.

Once you a find a home you’re ready to view, make sure you bring them with you to answer questions and be an extra set of eyes.

If you’re in the market for a new rental or want to buy a house, reach out today! We’ve got a team of agents, ready to work for you.

Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® – Metropolitan
Katie Day, REALTOR®
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046

Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

Buyer Tips: 5 Things to Know about Home Inspections

Home inspection is an important part of the home sale process, both for buyers and sellers. When it’s time for you to hire an inspector, here are five things you should be thinking about:

1. It’s your choice: You are not bound or obligated to use any particular inspector. Your real estate professional may have some recommendations, but it’s ultimately up to you. Ask around and choose wisely—better to pay a little more now for a highly-respected inspector than to be surprised by a problem that the inspection didn’t reveal.

2. Looking for big problems: The inspector will be focused on the integrity of the home—safety, electrical work, foundation, load-bearing walls, etc. The inspector is not there to point out problems with ugly paint colors or light fixtures.

3. The report: There are hundreds of items to inspect in a home, so the inspector’s report will focus on the basics: What’s damaged, what needs repaired, etc. The report should be easy to read and understand.

4. Code of ethics: Though the inspector is working for the party that pays the inspector’s fee, the inspector will not deliver a report that intentionally hides or omits damaging information about the home. The report is private between you and the inspector, but if you’re the seller, you’re required to disclose any problems that the inspection reveals.

5. The inspector is not liable: Even the best inspectors can’t find every single problem in a home. They can’t see inside the walls or through the floors, so there could still be problems lurking. If a problem is revealed down the road, the inspector can’t be held responsible.

Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® – Metropolitan
Katie Day, REALTOR®
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046

Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

 

Buyer Tips: Five Negotiating Tactics that could Kill a Sale

Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly.

Here are some negotiation tactics buyers (and real estate professionals) should avoid:

 1. Lowball offers: Going far below market value when you make an offer damages your credibility as a buyer and can be insulting to the seller. The seller has a range in mind that they’ll accept, and if you’re not even approaching the low end of that range, they won’t even consider the offer.

 2. Incremental negotiations: Don’t continue to go back to the seller with small increases in your offer ($1,000 or less). The constant back-and-forth can grow tiresome and lead the seller to consider other opportunities.

 3. “Take it or leave it”: Try not to draw a line in the sand with your initial offer. The seller can get defensive and consider other offers if you immediately show that you’re unwilling to budge. Even if it’s true, don’t make a show of it.

 4. Nitpicking after inspection: Obviously if inspection reveals a major issue, it should be factored into the final sale price. But insisting on a lower price for every minor repair can put negotiations in a stalemate.

 5. Asking for more, more, more: Some buyers will request that the sellers throw in add-ons like furniture or appliances that weren’t included in the listing. Try to avoid giving the seller a reason to build up resentment and think that you’re being greedy.

Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® – Metropolitan
Katie Day, REALTOR®
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046

Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

Submitting Creative Bids During the Spring Market Frenzy

 

It’s that time of year again. The spring market is in full swing and crowds of buyers are fighting over their dream house—or at least the closest thing to it, considering this year’s nationwide inventory shortage isn’t leaving many options. So, what does that mean? For the most part, higher prices, more competition and a whole lot of bids.

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Listings in good condition tend to get multiple offers this time of year, and buyers are putting forth their strongest submissions—cash offers, over-asking, fast closings, no contingencies, etc. But creativity is the name of the game in this year’s competitive market. Buyers are inspired to win over the seller’s emotional side. Here are the latest home-buying trends for beating out the competition in a swarming spring market:

Love Letters
While they’ve been around for a while, they’re getting a lot more popular, being used by buyers as a last-ditch effort to win via the seller’s emotional attachment to the home. Most letters talk about favorite design choices the seller incorporated, plans to raise the family and proclamations that the home is “the one” after a long and tough home search.

Letters usually tell the seller that the buyer is serious and willing to take care of the home. But some sellers may only focus on the numbers and terms. It’s a toss-up, but it doesn’t hurt to try.

Buyer-Crafted Videos
These are a little newer, emerging after YouTube’s digital push into vlogging, or video blogging. While they can come off as cheesy, they are a little more personal than handwritten letters, because sellers will feel like the potential buyer is talking directly to them.

According to REALTOR® Magazine, a couple recently won a bid on their dream home by making a music video to “Our House,” which just so happened to be the song the sellers sang to each other when they first lit the fireplace in their home. The connection instantly won the sellers over, beating out another offer that was $20,000 over the buyers’ submission.

If you’re considering making a move and purchasing your first home, check out our video on YouTube for more details on how to get started, then give us a call!

Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
MOVEMETOTX – Katie Day Team
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046
Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

 

Should I list my home NOW, or wait?

Happy Tuesday!!  Can you believe there are only 34 more days left in 2017!?  I’ve spoken with a lot of people lately on the right timing for listing their home for sale.  While your personal situation my vary (job transfer, holiday travel, moving across the country, new home under contract, moving across town…), I’d like to touch on FIVE items to consider when debating on when to list your home.

  1. Buyers are still out there.
  2. Winter buyers are serious.
  3. Buyers want to buy!
  4. You’re in control.
  5. Inventory will increase.

For a more in-depth look into these items, check out our video below:

 

Home sales generally drop slightly in January & February (when everyone else is listing their homes), but December is historically still a busy month!!

Historic Listings by Year

If you’re thinking about selling, let’s chat! I’d love to share a customized marketing strategy to market your home to sell for the highest possible dollar in the shortest amount of time!

Coldwell Banker United, Realtors – Greenway Plaza
MOVEMETOTX – Katie Day Team
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046
Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

Friday Feature: 3347 Kilgore

We were out in the TMC area this week and checked out 3347 Kilgore.  This newly built 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom town home is gorgeous!

This three-story home sits inside a gated community in a prime location, just off of 288.  You’re minutes from the Medical Center and about 10-15 minutes from Downtown.  The  living-dining-kitchen area flow well together, and are perfect for entertaining!  There’s also a patio off of the living area.

If you’re ready to tour, reach out today! We’d love to assist you in finding your new home.

Coldwell Banker United, Realtors – Greenway Plaza
MOVEMETOTX – Katie Day Team
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046
Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com

Friday Feature: 1422 Corral Dr, Houston, TX 77090

Welcome home to 1422 Corral Dr, a gorgeous 2-story Ponderosa Forest 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home. The first floor comprises the common living spaces and includes a bar, brick fireplace, family room and sun room. Your updated eat-in kitchen features lovely granite counters and tile back splash.  Entertain in your formal living and dining rooms.

All bedrooms up, with a large master bedroom and equally spacious private bathroom.

We will have an open house on Saturday, September 16th from 1 PM – 3 PM.  For information, contact Amanda at 832-851-6700.

For more info, visit our website today.

Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5
Sq. Feet: 2,628
Price: $179,000

Coldwell Banker United, Realtors – Greenway Plaza
MOVEMETOTX – Katie Day Team
2 Greenway Plaza #150 Houston, TX 77046
Phone: 832.317.6006
Email: katie@movemetotx.com
Web: http://www.katiedayteam.com | http://www.movemetotx.com