Entries for the 'Real Estate Resourcing' Category
New County Inspections Required on Residential Construction Outside City Areas Beginning September 1, 2008
August 29th, 2008 categories: About the Local Market, Real Estate Resourcing
Here is a news release from the Texas Residential Construction Commission about the new inspections required on new and remodeled construction projects outside of incorporated areas. 3 inspections are required by fee inspectors.
The purpose: “These inspections will provide homebuyers in unincorporated areas or in cities that do not offer municipal inspections with the protection that their home was constructed with the same standards as a home within city limits.”
Not sure how true that is … Better standards to protect home buyers or just more government? I’d love to hear your comments.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Claudia Perez or Magelly Castiblanco | |
| DATE: August 29, 2008 | (877) 651-8722 | |
| New Home/Remodeling County Inspection Program Law Takes Effect September 1 Inspections designed to catch problems before homebuyers move in |
(AUSTIN) — Starting Labor Day, builders and remodelers must have the fruits of their labor inspected at least three times, if the project does not require inspection by a city building official.
House Bill 1038, passed by the 2007 Legislature, created a County Inspection program for all homes built or remodeled if the work was performed in unincorporated areas or in cities that do not offer municipal inspections. In anticipation of the program’s Monday start date, the Texas Residential Construction Commission has been designing the program rules and signing up fee inspectors.
The three new inspections include a foundation inspection before concrete is poured, a framing and mechanical systems assessment before wallboard is installed and a final inspection upon completion.
The inspections must be performed by a fee inspector that is either a licensed engineer, a registered architect, a professional Texas Real Estate Commission inspector or a third party inspector certified by the Texas Residential Construction Commission. To access a list of fee inspectors that have already registered with the commission, visit http://cics.trcc.state.tx.us/login.aspx.
Commission Executive Director Duane Waddill said the new program works toward providing quality construction for Texans by bridging an oversight gap that, until now, existed for new homes or remodeling jobs where the home had no city inspector obligated to evaluate the work.
“This program will ensure that inspections are performed throughout the state of Texas, leveling the playing field for consumers. These inspections will provide homebuyers in unincorporated areas or in cities that do not offer municipal inspections with the protection that their home was constructed with the same standards as a home within city limits,” Waddill said.
For more information about the county inspections program visit the commission’s website at www.texasrcc.org or contact us at 877-651-8722 (TRCC).
If you are thinking about building in the Hill Country and would like more information about these guidelines or help finding a lot or even evaluating new vs. existing construction, please give us a call. We’d love to work with you. 830-995-2511.
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STAGING SERVICES – TEXAS HILL COUNTRY & SAN ANTONIO
August 14th, 2008 categories: About the Local Market, Real Estate Resourcing
IN A SOFT MARKET, HOMES NEED THAT EXTRA EDGE TO GET SOLD!
Because there is so much competition, it is necessary to go that extra mile to make listings really shine. Homes need warmth and a little “pop” to draw buyers in and give them a reason to purchase it. The purpose of staging is to emphasize the positives and play down the negatives and to give a buyer a “visual” of what a home would feel like at its best. Staging dramatically helps showings and brings in more offers.
Many people are staging their homes prior to putting the home on the market to take advantage of the optimal time that a house enters the market. See my recent blog post:
HILL COUNTRY HOME SELLERS: WHY YOU ARE GIVING AWAY YOUR PROFITS?
Others are waiting to stage the home when the house stays on the market without offers! The cost/benefit test for whether or not to stage a home at this point is easier: “Is the investment in Staging less than the price reduction necessary to bring the property back in favor so as to get it SOLD?”
Most often the answer to that question is YES! Right now price reductions in the Hill Country/San Antonio area that are actually having an impact are in the $7,500-$10,000 range (based on a $150K-$200K home). As a Realtor who watches the market regularly, I have been seeing even $20,000+ price drops on $150k-$200k priced homes. There’s a lot of competition out there and homes really need to be “top notch” in order to get attention!
As a real estate stager, I work with both Sellers and Real Estate Agents. I am a licensed real estate agent working in the hill country market; however, when I work for other agents, I add a non-compete provision in my standard agreement providing other real estate agents with the assurance that I will not go after their listing. I have the following accreditations: I am a Home Staging Expert (centerstagehome.com) and an Accredited Staging Realtor (stagedhomes.com).
My fees are as follows:
Furnished Homes (under 2000sf):
$1000 for: Consultation, Home Analysis and Staging Labor, payable ONE-HALF IN ADVANCE, ONE-HALF UPON COMPLETION. If extra accessory/furniture items are needed, I charge an extra $100 per hour for my time. I can give an estimate as to how long that will take. I am a frugal buyer .. so it’s worth it for me to buy what you need! A purchase account will have to be established for those purchases as set out below.
Unfurnished Homes (under 2000sf):
$2000 for Consultation, Home Analysis, Purchasing and Staging Labor, payable ONE-HALF in advance, ONE-HALF upon completion.
PLUS A Purchase Account to be deposited into a VISA type card for items to be purchased for staging. A realistic estimate for a budget for a 1500-2000 sf home using medium quality new or good quality used furniture is $5000. This would pay for only the absolute necessities to stage a living room, kitchen, master bedroom, 2 baths, and 2 extra rooms. All rooms in a home do not have to be staged … only the main ones and any that don’t have a clear function. I will try my best to work within a homeowner’s budget buying only the most important items based on my evaluation of the home. With the budget, I will shop for the best buys of furniture, delivery, accessories and plants. The Purchase Account Card will give an absolute accounting of the items purchased (although I will also prepare a written accounting too).
Other Terms:
I will need approx. 1 week to gather and stage a vacant house, several days for a furnished home.
I prefer to work alone (or with my own assistant).
I will require that a short agreement be signed by all of the parties which will define what I will do, the payment terms and give me permission to actually stage the home.
With regard to the actual furniture once the home is sold, the seller can: Include the furniture with the home (which helps sell it) or sell the furniture afterwards to a Consignment Store bringing about approximately a 20% cost recovery (This is not a guarantee, just an estimate of what you might get). If you want to really be creative, you also can put purchase prices on the furniture for people to see during showings. Agents will often contact you (and put their names on lists to purchase the items) if they are priced right.
If you are interested, give me a call. Julie Quest-Brooks 210-535-9463.
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15 Tips for Packing Like a Pro
April 15th, 2008 categories: About the Local Market, Real Estate Resourcing
1. Plan ahead by organizing and budgeting. Develop a master “to do” list so you won’t forget something critical. To estimate moving costs, use a moving calculator.
2. Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.
3. But don’t throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, you’re probably right. However, it’s possible to go overboard in the heat of the moment. Ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you’d feel if you no longer had it. That will eliminate regrets after the move.
4. Pack like items together. Put toys with toys, kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils. It will make your life easier when it’s time to unpack.
5. Decide what, if anything, you plan to move yourself. Precious items such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move should probably stay with you. Don’t forget to keep a “necessities” bag with tissues, snacks, and other items you’ll need that day.
6. Use the right box for the item. Loose items are prone to breakage.
7. Put heavy items in small boxes so they’re easier to lift. Keep weight of each box under 50 pounds, if possible.
8. Don’t over-pack boxes. That will increase the chances that items inside the box will break.
9. Wrap every fragile item separately and pad bottom and sides of boxes.
10. Label every box on all sides. You never know how they’ll be stacked and you don’t want to have to move other boxes aside to find out what’s there.
11. Use color-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Color-code a floor plan for your new house to help movers.
12. Keep your moving documents together in a file. Including important phone numbers, driver’s name, and moving van number. Also keep your address book handy.
13. Back up your computer files before moving your computer.
14. Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as soon as it arrives.
15. Remember, most movers won’t take plants. If you don’t want to leave them behind, you should plan on moving them yourself.
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