This month's featured video discusses homeowners associations.  These entities can be found in almost every housing environment. Consumers must research to determine if a homeowners association (HOA) has authority over any home they might be considering for purchase. When a person buys a home in an area with a HOA, he or she becomes a member of the association and is responsible for membership dues.  By design a HOA has the goal of ensuring that living in the area or on the property is pleasant for all residents.

The first act of the HOA is to establish a set of rules or guidelines to hopefully accomplish that.  The HOA Board of Directors then establishes monthly dues for all homeowners and can restrict the rights of the way a person can use his or her own property or the joined or common property.  For example the rules may govern the number of people who can occupy a house, the colors one can paint a house, or the time at which common areas like exercise rooms or pools can be used.  Fines or fees can be assessed or even evictions for those that don’t abide by the rules.

Many find the HOA well worth extra fees associated with owning property.  When well administered, the HOA can provide certain predictability to owning a home and clearly delineate both the homeowner’s and association’s responsibility.

Remember a Realtor is always the source of information for all your real estate needs.

If you have not reviewed my monthly Housing Trends Newsletter - you could be missing out. Everywhere I go, people are asking me about the housing market conditions - it's on everyone's mind. Staying abreast of local and national market conditions and factors that can affect the future sale or purchase of your home can make the decision process less daunting. I always tell my clients that in order to make the best decision they need to have all the information they can upfront. My Housing Trends Newsletter is just one of the tools in my arsenal to make sure you keep informed.

The January 2012  Local and National Housing Trends has just been released. This month's newsletter is packed full of local and national housing market statistics and news you need to know to stay current with today's changing housing market.

This month's housing trends issue features:    

2011 Energy Tax Credits: What You Need To Know To Collect

8 Small Space Solutions for Shared Kids' Rooms

Top 3 Most Common Home Defects to Check For

Home Security Cameras: Peace Of Mind While Your Away

Winter Gardening: Plants That Provide Beauty All Year Round

You can view the newsletter here.  

If you wish to receive FREE Housing Trends eNewsletter e-mailed to you monthly, click here to Subscribe.   

If you are considering selling your house or buying a home and need more information, I am never too busy to help, please contact me for more information.

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"The philosophy of the classroom in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next."

- Abraham Lincoln

TEACH VALUES 101!

What do children and government have in common?  That depends on which classroom you visit.  If you have children and are actively involved in their lives, you are likely to encounter a classroom filled with intelligent, interested, involved and respectful children.

Unfortunately, many teachers today will tell you that's not what they are seeing.  In some 1st & 2nd grade settings, children fall asleep because they spent the night in the family car while mom or dad sold drugs.  Others are antagonistic and disrespectful, traits also learned from other family members.  Still others are raised in a "no rules" family, where parents simply abdicate their parental responsibilities.

Many parents still take their responsibilities seriously.  In fact, there appears to be a resurgence of young parents who teach their children the values of honesty, integrity, and service to others.  It's about time.  If you're one of them, I applaud your commitment to making the world a better place.

There has also been a dearth of honesty, respect and morality over the past 30 years or so.  Children brought up during that time often experienced the negative effects of a no rules society.  Today those same individuals are beginning to lead companies and be elected to office, yet we are surprised that company CEO's and elected officials could ever lie and mislead as they have been exposed to do recently. 

As the children of today's classrooms are disposed to believe and behave, so will they as the adults of tomorrow's generation.  Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, you can make a difference for the next generation of leaders.  Take time to encourage, nurture, and teach the children in your family.  Sometimes, a single comment or gesture can give a child the impetus to become great.

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference."

- Robert Frost

FORGET THE LEADER!

On the playground of any school, and on any day, you can witness examples of children playing "follow the leader."  One hops, skips, or jumps, and all the others follow.  As adults, however, many of those children play a variation of that game - called "follow the follower."

On the job, they look around, see how someone else is doing their work, and duplicate the effort.  What they don't realize is that their fellow employee is also watching someone else.  A circular game of "follow the follower" evolves, resulting in a mediocre work force.  The same can be true in marriages, education, hobbies, and sports.

Consider the story of a telephone operator in a small town.  Every day she received a call from a gentleman asking for the correct time.  Finally, one day, she asked the mystery caller who he was and why he called every day.  His answer?  "I'm the one who blows the whistle at the factory each day at noon.  I like to be right on time!"  The operator laughed and then responded, "Here at the telephone company, we set our watches and clocks by the noon whistle at the factory!"

Tired of playing follow the follower?  Want to rejuvenate your life?  Begin acting like the unique person you already are.  See what everyone else is doing . . . and do something different.  Strike out in the direction of your own imagination instead of theirs. 

In the words of Henry David Thoreau, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you've imagined."

This month's featured video discusses why consumers should always use a realtor when buying, selling, or leasing a property.  Realtors subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the buying process and selling real estate.  Real estate transactions involve one the biggest financial investments that most people will experience during their lifetime.  Your Realtor can help you determine how much you can afford to spend and possibility more importantly how much you should spend.

Your realtor has many resources to assist you in your home search.  Sometimes a property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market and it will take some leg work by your realtor to find all available properties.  Your Realtor can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property.  Realtors can provide local community information and insight during evaluation of the property. Depending on the area this can include inspection for termites, asbestos or roof condition just to name a few. 

When selling your home your Realtor can give you up to date information about what is happening in the market place.  This is the key to getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.  Your Realtor acts as marketing coordinator, distributing information about your property to other real estate agents through a multiple listing service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses, etc.  Your Realtor can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.  The required paperwork along is overwhelming for most sellers.  Your Realtor is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing.  A Realtor is always your best source of information for all your real estate needs...

If you have not reviewed my monthly Housing Trends Newsletter - you could be missing out. Everywhere I go, people are asking me about the housing market conditions - it's on everyone's mind. Staying abreast of local and national market conditions and factors that can affect the future sale or purchase of your home can make the decision process less daunting. I always tell my clients that in order to make the best decision they need to have all the information they can upfront. My Housing Trends Newsletter is just one of the tools in my arsenal to make sure you keep informed.

The December 2011  Local and National Housing Trends has just been released. This month's newsletter is packed full of local and national housing market statistics and news you need to know to stay current with today's changing housing market.

This month's housing trends issue features:    

San Antonio is Number 1 in Texas and US in 2011 Best Performing Cities

Hidden Treasures Found Beneath Homes

Stay Warm and Keep In Budget This Winter Season

Buying a House at Foreclosure Auction is Risky

7 Tips For Staging Your Home

You can view the newsletter here.  

If you wish to receive FREE Housing Trends eNewsletter e-mailed to you monthly, click here to Subscribe.   

If you are considering selling your house or buying a home and need more information, I am never too busy to help, please contact me for more information.

Dave Liniger, Co-founder and Chairman of RE/MAX shares what he views to be the Top 10 Housing Predictions for 2012 and provides what he thinks the real estate market will bring to 2012.... 

Top 10 Housing Predictions for 2012

Overall the forecast for 2012 is better, due in part to the pent up demand for housing creating by young buyers entering the housing market. This creates a tremendous opprtunity for investors, and those same people will help with the hosuing recovery.

1. Interest rates will continue to be both historically and generationally low.
2. Prices should remain stable the first half of the year with a possibility of some markets seeing a small decline. We should then see home prices start to rise in the latter half of the year.
3. Increased home sales resulting in steady gains.
4. Rising inventory, with foreclosures and distressed property making up a large percentage.
5. Increase in distress property sales.
6. Improved short sale and foreclosure process.
7. Lower homeownership rates with an increase in rental rates.
8. Investors will make up 25% of the market including foreign and domestic
9. Increased reliance on REALTOR expertise due to the changing market
10. Consumer friendly technologies will continue to be available and tech savvy REALTORS will continue to make use of these tools.

See the video below....

Top 10 Housing Predictions for 2012

Overall the forecast for 2012 is better, due in part to the pent up demand for housing creating by young buyers entering the housing market. This creates a tremendous opprtunity for investors, and those same people will help with the hosuing recovery.

1. Interest rates will continue to be both historically and generationally low.
2. Prices should remain stable the first half of the year with a possibility of some markets seeing a small decline. We should then see home prices start to rise in the latter half of the year.
3. Increased home sales resulting in steady gains.
4. Rising inventory, with foreclosures and distressed property making up a large percentage.
5. Increase in distress property sales.
6. Improved short sale and foreclosure process.
7. Lower homeownership rates with an increase in rental rates.
8. Investors will make up 25% of the market including foreign and domestic
9. Increased reliance on REALTOR expertise due to the changing market
10. Consumer friendly technologies will continue to be available and tech savvy REALTORS will continue to make use of these tools.

source: YouTube REMAXIntl Channel

This month's featured video discusses Homeowner's Insurance, also commonly called Hazard Insurance.  This is the type of insurance that covers private homes.  It is an insurance policy that combines coverage for various personal insurance protections which can include losses occurring to the home, its contents, loss of its use, loss of personal possessions, as well as liability for accidents that may happen at the home.  Most mortgages require the owner to carry homeowners insurance at all times that the mortgage remains in effect.

The insurance policy is a lengthy contract and lists what will and will not be paid in the case of various events.  Typically losses due to floods or war are excluded, though special insurance can be purchased for these possibilities. The insurance policy is usually a term contract that is effective for a fixed period of time and is provided in exchange for "premium".  The insured (homeowner) must pay the insurer each term.  Anyone with an insurable interest in the property should be listed on the insurance policy.  It is important to review the policy coverages and requirements provided by your insurer. To learn more information about hazard insurance, please contact your insurance agent.

There is a lot to know about owning a home. Working with a knowledgable Realtor can help make sure your most valuable investment is protected.  A Realtor is always your best source of information for all your real estate needs...

If you have not reviewed my monthly Housing Trends Newsletter - you could be missing out. Everywhere I go, people are asking me about the housing market conditions - it's on everyone's mind. Staying abreast of local and national market conditions and factors that can affect the future sale or purchase of your home can make the decision process less daunting. I always tell my clients that in order to make the best decision they need to have all the information they can upfront. My Housing Trends Newsletter is just one of the tools in my arsenal to make sure you keep informed.

The November 2011  Local and National Housing Trends has just been released. This month's newsletter is packed full of local and national housing market statistics and news you need to know to stay current with today's changing housing market.

This month's housing trends issue features:    

Top Ten Reasons to Sell Your Home In Winter

Make Your Home Holiday Hosting Disaster Free

Wall of Glass Not Just for Modern Style Home

9 Ways to Keep Lid on Energy Bills

Three Options for Buying Home After Short Sale

You can view the newsletter here.  

If you wish to receive FREE Housing Trends eNewsletter e-mailed to you monthly, click here to Subscribe.   

If you are considering selling your house or buying a home and need more information, I am never too busy to help, please contact me for more information.

According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2011 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, Americans will spend an average of $704.18 on holiday gifts and decorations, down slightly from last year’s average of $718.98. However, retail sales expectations for November and December show a 2.8% growth to $465.6 billion. Even in a shaky economy, consumers are willing to swipe for the right price.

Declining credit card usage over the past year has credit card companies boosting their reward incentives in hopes of luring customers back. This holiday season consumers are more likely to use cash for purchases, hinting they’re concerned about taking on high-interest debt in a weak economy. Creditors are offering free gift cards, triple bonus points and air miles, but consumers need to understand the broadening restrictions that apply to these rewards.

“People need to read the fine print and speak with the card issuer about details related to bonus points and incentives. If you have the money to pay-off the credit card purchases before payment is due it is OK to use your card to get additional rewards,” says Howard Dvorkin, author and founder of Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc., a financial literacy provider that has helped more than 5 million Americans pay off their credit card debt. “Let’s say you sign up for a Target card which offers 5 percent off every purchase. If you don’t pay the balance within 30 days of the purchase, that 5 percent becomes nonexistent when the 25 percent interest rate is added onto your balance. It is important to know all aspects of your credit card contract and act wisely,” Dvorkin continues.

Tips for managing credit cards this holiday season include:

1. Read the fine print. Become educated about new rewards/bonus points/incentives creditors are offering for swiping a credit card. Shoppers can’t expect to follow rules and guidelines if they don’t know what they are.

2. Only swipe what can be paid off in 30 days. To establish a positive credit score people can use credit to pay for monthly bills such as electric, auto payments, etc. This is a good way to get rewards because the money to pay the bills should be in their monthly budget. Caution: this method can backfire if a person is not saving enough money to pay off the balances each month.

3. Know interest rates and credit balances before holiday shopping begins. In order for people to be successful managing their credit, they must be up-to-date about their credit card balances, interest rates, payment due dates, and how long specific interest rates last.

4. Seek out cards with the best rewards. Find a credit card that offers double or triple points. One resource to find the best credit card is creditcards.com.

5. Pay credit card bills on time every month. By paying credit card bills in full and on time each month, people can prove they are trustworthy.

Source: Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc.

Lorna Calder is a RE/MAX REALTOR® helping home buyers and sellers in Kingwood, Atascocita, Humble, The Woodlands and Houston.

Licensed content reprinted with permission.

STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!

Think there's any "moral crisis" going on in our country right now? What about in our city? Our schools? Our neighborhood? Where did it come from, and why are we facing these challenges?

We are a country - city - neighborhood - blessed with peace and prosperity. Our daily choices range from which SUV we will drive, to where we will dine next, to how we will redecorate our home this year. Our concerns include our child's upcoming soccer match, whether or not to refinance the house, making "Salesperson of the Year," and taking more time for golf or tennis.

With all the choices complemented by our affluence, we have also become compliant, accepting, and politically correct. We strive to please everyone, avoid "rocking the boat," and prefer the status quo. It's so much easier that way, isn't it?

In doing so, however, we may also abdicate responsibility for teaching our children the value of principle-centered living. What principles should we be teaching - and practicing? Why not adopt and teach the value of courage, diligence, faithfulness, generosity, cleanliness, honesty, encouragement, frugality, humility, industry, justice, moderation, order, resolution, silence, honesty, sincerity, temperance, and tranquility?

Imagine how the world around us would change if we taught and participated in more of these time-honored values. Remember that our country IS our cities, our neighborhoods, and our homes. What begins at the grass roots level - literally in our own backyards - can be spread throughout the world. Abandon neutrality and you can change the world!

ON MY HONOR . . . !

The Boy Scouts have long espoused the same set of principles. It goes like this: "A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent." How simple life could be if we all practiced just that short list. Each in itself denotes a wonderful trait. When put into action, all can make the world a better place.

So, what happens between the age of scouting and age 30, 50, or 75? How is it that we turn from being a friendly 12-year-old to a suspicious, stand-offish adult? How do we turn the corner from being obedient to our elders to challenging the authority of our employers or government? Why won't we open the door for someone who can't? Did simple courtesy die with our youth?

Perhaps experience has taught us that others are not always friendly, courteous and kind. "Turn-about is fair play," we may respond. Why should we be thrifty, taking care to save for our future, when everyone around us has "maxed out" their credit cards? Reverence for all we know to be of value seems to have become the victim of political correctness. Why should we be any different?

The greatness of our country was built on the solid rock of "principles." The soft, easy life of an affluent society may be our undoing. Our forefathers had it tough. Most of us living today had a cake-walk, comparatively speaking. Our forbearers had to live their principles - or face the defeat of poverty, ill-health, and despair.

Our children can bring us back if only we will take the time to teach them those simple principles. More than teaching, we might help them practice those principles in their daily lives until habit makes them permanent. Begin while they are still playing in the sandbox. They will grow soon enough into men and women who live principle-centered lives!

HOW'S YOUR CREDIT?

Ever hear someone say, "I have good credit"?  They are probably referring to their credit "rating" - a score bestowed upon them by creditors, banks or rating agencies.  Simply stating, "I have good credit" changes nothing, nor does the statement merit the attention of creditors.  Credit can only be given by others for service to them, i.e. paying them on time.

So, credit is the result of serving others - in many ways.  You cannot claim education, victory, experience, success, reputation, or a suave demeanor.  Each of these is a gift from others, as a result of your service to them.  Friends recognize your courage as a result of your being cool under pressure.  Your success is recognized by others only once you have served them well.  Knowledge of your career field is recognized by others only after it's been applied to situations in the form of more service.

In the accounting world of income and expense, a debit is something paid out, while a credit is something received.  Thus all credits are received from others - not by our own making.  The debits - what we pay out - are our efforts, persistence, and service.  How they are rated is not under our control, but is determined by those served.

Without service, there are few rewards.  Yet, you've seen those who insist on getting more attention than they deserve.  They feel they're being short-changed, that they are not appreciated, that they are always the victim.  If you look more closely at their contributions, you are also likely to see the dearth of service they are offering.

With service, credit follows.  It may be subtle or quite visible - but it always follows.  Concentrate on what you have to offer and forget the rewards.  Those who are served will pick up the tab!

1. Be a Pre-Approved Buyer: A pre-approved buyer always has the advantage in an offer situation. Becoming pre-approved is very easy: you complete your loan application with a credit check prior to beginning your home search process. Pre-approval means that you have actually been approved for the purchase by a lender after they have checked your credit and debt and also verified income and assets in writing (this means you have provided supporting documentation). This gives you the edge in home purchase negotiating over a buyer who is just pre-qualified - meaning they have only had their credit checked by the lender.

2. Beat The Competition to The Best New Listings: The search process can be both fun and trying. You will notice that some homes sell very fast and others hang around for long periods of time. The best homes at the best prices sell fast. Keeping on top of this is essential. Connect with a professional Real Estate agent that knows the market and keeps you updated.

3. Do The Research: Make yourself a "home value expert." Investigate the areas and price ranges for the kind of home you are looking for. Get a good idea of the price ranges these homes sell for and how long the market time is for them. Your agent is a great asset here.

4. Have Your Offer Presented in Person: Your agent represents you and your best interests. To adequately do this, make sure that your home offer is presented by them directly to the seller. The personal touch will give you the edge. Your agent also might pick up critical information during this meeting.

5. Prove That You Are a Serious Buyer: The best way to accomplish this is with strong earnest money. This might mean that you put 5% or more down to get the sellers attention.

6. Don't Go Crazy: Even in a hot market, be cool and calculated with your decisions. A knowledgeable agent can really help you here. Your home purchase may be your single largest investment. It is important to make sure that you get the best deal possible. Overpaying now will make it harder to get your value back when you sell.

7. Keep Your Offer Simple and Clean: Make sure that your contract to purchase is simple, clean and not bogged down with unnecessary contingencies, especially repairs. Keep the time frames of repairs and responses to a minimum. The cleaner your offer, the more interested the seller will become. This may help you purchase the property at the best price.

8. Don't Wing It Alone: What you need most in today's complex marketplace is an experienced and professional real estate agent who represents your interests only. No matter how heated the competition or the negotiations, a professional agent will represent your best interests, keep you from paying too much and help you maximize your investment.

Are you looking for a RE/MAX buyer's agent to represent you and your best interests? You, the home buyer, pay nothing for a professional buyer's agent. Their fees are paid for by the seller. Click here to contact us today and find out how we can help you find the most house for the best price.

Lorna Calder is a RE/MAX REALTOR® helping home buyers and sellers in Kingwood, Atascocita, Humble, The Woodlands and Houston.

 
Q: Should I hire a home inspector for a new home?

A: You would think not since it is new and the developer has to adhere to local construction guidelines. However, err on the side of caution – always hire an inspector, whether the home is old or new.

You can ask the builder to provide copies of any inspection reports on the property, architectural plans, surveys and pertinent construction documents for your inspector to review.

The inspector should either be a professional home inspector, an engineer, an architect or a contractor. When hiring a professional inspector, look for one who belongs to a home inspection trade organization, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).

This group has developed formal inspection guidelines and a professional code of ethics for its members. Membership in ASHI is not automatic. Proven field experience and technical knowledge about structures and their various systems and appliances are required.

As for rates, they vary greatly. Many inspectors charge about $400, but costs increase based on the scope of the inspection.

Lorna Calder is a RE/MAX REALTOR® helping home buyers and sellers in Kingwood, Atascocita, Humble, The Woodlands and Houston.

Licensed content reprinted with permission