Fixer-upper or Ready-Home?

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Shows like HGTVs “Fixer Upper” have popularized the idea of buying and renovating the worst house on the best block. Homes that need major remodeling, however, aren’t for everyone. Sometimes a move-in ready house is a better option. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each.

Pros of Fixer-Uppers 

• Lower price – Homes that require some updating tend to be priced lower, and many renovations can quickly add value to your home.
• Creative control – When you’re the one in charge of updating your home, you can customize it however you choose.

Cons of Fixer- Uppers 

• Delayed move-in – The planning and work involved to fix up can significantly delay your move-in date.
• Unexpected cost – No matter how well you plan, major renovations are always subject to unforeseen expenses.

Pros of Move-In Ready

• Quick move in – Can’t wait to begin nesting? With a finished home, you can start moving in as soon as you get your keys.
• Energy-efficient technology – New and renovated homes are often outfitted with the latest energy-efficient options when it comes to kitchen appliances and heating and cooling systems which can save you move over time.

Cons of Move- In ready

• More expensive – To recoup the cost of updating, seller often price move – ready homes much higher. These homes also don’t allow for easy customization.
• Questionable quality – When you’re not there to oversee the update process, you’re unable to ensure that high-quality work and materials are used for your home.

Still not sure which approach is right for you? Take this quiz to help you decide if you’re ready for a fixer upper.

Looking to selling your home or interested in purchasing a home, give me a call 281-793-5193, I look forward to speaking with you!

 

 

 

Homes are selling for more than you think in League City and the Surrounding Areas. Find out what you could get for yours!

“What’s my Home Worth”

 

Find out what your home is worth by simply clicking on the “What’s my Home Worth” picture. I will provide you with a quick and FREE Home Evaluation Report of your property. This will give you an idea on what your home is worth in today’s market. We strive to build positive business relationships by working exclusively with people we admire and respect, and who value service we provide! Don’t make a move…. without the Houston Realty Team!

Questions, comments or concerns? I am always available by text, phone call or email!
Ask me about my 22 Step Home Selling Formula to sell your home for 3%, 5%, 8% or more!

‪#‎callchristinaosborneforallyourrealestateneeds‬ ‪#‎houstonrealtyteam  ‬‪#‎getmarketingdone‬ ‪#‎leaguecitytxforsale‬ ‪#‎dickinsontxforsale‬‪    #‎friendswoodtxforsale‬ ‪#‎listwithchristina‬ ‪#‎free‬ ‪#‎freemarketreport   ‬‪#‎getamoveon

This Home is Perfect, Move In Ready, Pool is in walking distance!

 

 

New Listing @ 6622 Hawkins Hill Lane!

Listed for $199,000

Wait Until You SEE this Be-U-Ti-Ful HOME.  A split floor plan. Master suite is open and bright with a soaker tub & walk in shower. Open kitchen to living room with gorgeous flooring. Lovely covered porch you’ll love spending evenings enjoying yourself and family. Oh! By the way, there are no back neighbors!

3 Bed(s) / 2 Full Bath(s) / 1,572 Built Sqft / Single Family / 2 Day(s) on HAR.com

Seller’s have upgraded flooring, added outside electrical outlets for your decorations, added gas line & gas grill, extended stone patio including a Tall Pergola w grapes & flood lighting, added outside fans, landscaping to still include play space & shed!

New to the League City area? We’ve got the low down on schools, events and other fun activities. Give Christina E Osborne a call to go over all your real estate needs! 281-793-5193. Need more information on this gorgeous property? Click here…  New listing!

 

 

 

 

Unique Building that Have Been Converted into Homes

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Have you ever dreamed of living in a home unlike any other? Thanks to a little creativity and a whole lot of work., what’s old is new again with these spectacular home conversions. From former firehouses to built-upon barges, check out these truly unusual residences:

Historic Firehouse – Artists Vincent Valdez and Adriana Corral converted a 1928 fire station located in San Antonio, TX into an art studio and loft-style apartment. The former fire station offered the perfect blank canvas for the artists with it’s white walls, concrete floors and high ceilings.

Old Water Tower – An 1877 water tower in London, England, was transformed into a luxury home by homeowners Leigh Osbourne and Graham Voce. The 99-foot tall brick structure required significant restoration before it could be converted into the four-bedroom home with an ultra-modern living space on the ground level.

Barge- 1909 barge used for transporting heavy goods is now a floating home in Sodermalm, a district in central Stockholm, Sweden. The 1,600 -square foot residence features three levels outfitted with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open-plan living and a dining room.

Schoolhouse – The Federal-style schoolhouse was built around 1840 in the Catskills of New York. Unfortunately pipes burst and the ceiling fell in one week after closing, so the homeowners had to deal with a complete renovation. After a year of hard work, the schoolhouse was transformed into a colorful and vibrant weekend retreat.

 

Call or message me for all your real estate needs!

Christina E. (Krikorian / Kennedy) Osborne – Real Estate Broker 281.793.5193

🏠 REAL ESTATE : Probate? Estate Sale? Luxury Home? Or Your Family Home? Need Answers… ☞Message or Call

Time is Everything: When to Make Big Buys

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Wondering when is the best time to upgrade your appliances or spring for a new mattress? When it comes to getting a great price on your major purchases, timing is everything!

Swimming Pools – Wait until off-season to start that swimming pool project. The best time to book your swimming pool contractor is when the weather turns cooler and things slow down for the season.

Mattresses – Plan your mattress purchase around the holidays when retailers have their big blowout sales. The biggest sales are usually on holiday weekends like Presidents Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Furniture – Start your search for that new sofa in January or February as the new stuff starts coming out in the spring. July is the other big furniture clearance month.

Patio Furniture – Outfit your backyard and deck on a bargain basement budget by waiting for the fall patio furniture sales. The fall is also a good time to upgrade your backyard grill.

Television and Electronics – Take advantage of the pre-Super Bowl sales in February, or wait until Spring when Japanese manufacturers start their new fiscal year and blow out the old models in preparation for the new. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are also good days for discounts.

Carpeting and Flooring – Upgrade your carpeting and flooring in January when prices drop after Christmas holiday rush.

Appliances – Buy you appliances in September and October when manufacturers start unveiling new models and clearing out the old stock. The exception to the rules is refrigerators, which come out in the summer, making spring the time to buy.

House hunting shouldn’t be hard in League City. It isn’t if you know where to look. Start here…

 

How to Live Big in a Small Space

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Living in a small space poses many challenges from an interior design perspective. Too much furniture and your home feels small and cluttered. Too little and you lack the functionality you need for day-to-day living.

From furniture placement to controlling clutter, maximizing what you have is a must if you want to get more from less space. Here are some tried-and-true tips for maximizing your small abode.

Divide and Conquer – Instead of breaking up your floor plan into individual rooms, consider and open layout that uses strategically placed furniture to divide the space.

Go for Light and Bright – Use lighting to create a sense of spaciousness. Start by allowing in as much natural light as possible, keeping window coverings to a minimum and using bright paint colors.

Supplement with Lighting – Augment natural light with sufficient general, ambient and task lighting. Your lighting design should take into account the different ways you use the space.

Get (and Stay) Organized – When designing your small space, think about storage in every room. Consider adding built-in bookcases, cupboards or cabinets, and using furniture with built-in storage.

Think Versatility and Flexibility – Keep multiple uses in mind when considering your design needs. Search for furniture that can do double duty, like a hinged coffee table that lifts to create a dining surface or a dresser that serves as a nightstand.

 

Have real estate questions? Call me 281-793-5193, I would love to chat with you! Selling or buying call Christina E. Osborne for all your real estate needs! #listwithchristina #leaguecitytxforsale #houstonrealtyteam #friendswoodtxforsale #probaterealtor #broker #realestate http://www.HoustonRealtyTeam.com

 

Ask me about my 22 Step Home Selling Formula to sell your home for 3%, 5%, 8% or even more!

 

Create a Home Maintenance Checklist

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Your vehicle routine maintenance to run smoothly, and the same goes for your house. Without service reminders, however, it can be easy to forget to tend to all systems that keep your house fully functioning. Fortunately, you can create a simple annual maintenance checklist to properly care for your home and prevent potential issues from becoming major problems.

Start by making a list each task you’ll need to complete over the coming year. Make sure your yearly home inspection includes all major system (HVAC, electrical and plumbing), the interior and exterior of your home, water and septic tanks, doors and windows, and the attic or baseball if applicable.

When that’s done, organize the list according to how often each item needs to be checked or maintained and set reminders accordingly. Your home maintenance checklist might start to look similar to this:

Monthly 

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Change air filters in the heating and air conditioning system.
• Clean range hood filters to avoid possible grease fires.
• Trim back any shrubbery or plant around the outdoor HVAC unit at least 18 inches.

Quarterly 

• Check and wipe down sliding doors and window tracks.
• Replace batteries in smoke detectors.
• Test garage door and grease tracks as needed.

Semiannually 

• Clear gutters of spring and fall foliage.
• Power wash windows and siding.
• Schedule seasonal service of the HVAC system before summer and winter.

Annually 

• Inspect and insulate pipes to protect them from freezing.
• Trim trees and shrubs away from the home’s exterior.
• Touch up exterior paint and check for wood rot or water damage.
• Check grouting in kitchen and bathroom and repair if necessary.

 

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Have real estate questions? Call me 281-793-5193, I would love to chat with you! Selling or buying call Christina E. Osborne for all your real estate needs! #listwithchristina #leaguecitytxforsale #houstonrealtyteam #friendswoodtxforsale #probaterealtor #broker #realestate http://www.HoustonRealtyTeam.com

Ask me about my 22 Step Home Selling Formula to sell your home for 3%, 5%, 8% or even more!

What is a Probate Real Estate Agent?

CPRES : Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist

47 AGENTS in the Houston Association of Realtors

Certified Probate Real Estate Specialists are trained to sell real estate through probate. CPRES REALTORS® are in high demand and understand the complications, time-sensitive process and adhere to the practices needed to help their clients realize a win-win transaction.

This is one of the most complicated times in people’s live and we have the expertise to help with all of the needs that arise when dealing with Probated Real Estate, including vendors needed, shelters for animals, handymen, landscapers, etc…

You don’t know what you don’t know when these things happen.

We offer Exceptional Customer Service, Have Proven Results and have Solutions to Complicated Problems.

 Call us today 281-793-5193 for your Free Consultation and Market Analysis.

#ListWithChristina #HoustonRealtyTeam #ProbateRealtor #EstateSales

Refresh your Interior with the Right Paint

Looking for a quick way to rejuvenate your living space? Before you go changing layouts or knocking down wall, try giving your interior a fresh coat of paint. This fairly simple task can dramatically alter the look and feel of your home. 

Changing interior paint is an easy do-it-yourself project that most can tackle in a weekend or two. Before you get the rollers out and start painting, here are some basics about the interior paint finishes available.

Flat or Matte – Hide imperfections with flat paints, which absorb light and make the colors seem darker. The downside? This type of paint is the least stain resistant, so reserve it for low-traffic areas and ceilings.

Eggshell – Not as dull as flat paint but less shiny than semi-gloss, this low-sheen option works well in living rooms and bedrooms. Be aware that the shine can accentuate wall imperfections, it’s best on smooth, well-prepared surfaces.

Satin – This easy -to-clean finish is often used on windows, doors and trim. It’s soft sheen sets it apart from walls painted in eggshell or flat finishes. Though it is highly durable, satin paint has less protection than shiner options.

Semi-Gloss – Designed to stand up to stains, semi-gloss paints are the easiest to clean, making them ideal choices for kitchen and children’s rooms. Semi-gloss sheen also stands up to moisture, so consider this selection when repainting a bathroom.

Low VOC – The name says it all. This type of paint contains fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which release toxic gases. Opt for low-VOC paint if you want to go green in your home and deal with less paint fumes.

Need information on selling your home or have questions? Give me a call, I would love to chat with you! 281-793-5193

Christina E. Osborne
Houston Realty Team
Phone:(281) 793-5193
Fax:(281) 402-1967
Email:Christina@HoustonRealtyTeam.com
Blog:http://blogs.har.com/ChristinaOsborne
Web:http://web.har.com/ChristinaOsborne
Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice | Texas Real Estate Commission Information About Brokerage Services

Recent Sold Properties by the Houston Realty Team!

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We hope everyone had a GREAT 4th of July weekend! I like to keep my client’s and readers updated with my recent activity!

Here are a couple of listings and properties that just SOLD…

• Evermore Manor in Houston (as Buyer Agent)
• Lansing Field in Houston
• Cross Bay in League City
• Biltmore Loop in Montgomery **New Build Chesmar Homes**
• Aguila Creek in Dickinson **New Build Anglia Homes**

Interested in selling your home? Get a quick home evaluation report by just clicking here  with No Obligation and YES… it’s FREE!

Ask me about my 22 Step Home Selling Formula to sell your home for 3%, 5%, 8% or even more!  Don’t make a move…. without the Houston Realty Team! 

Oh, by the way®… if you know of someone who would appreciate the level of service I provide, please call me with their name and business number. I’ll be happy to follow up and take great care of them.

Texas Law requires all license holders to provide the Information About Brokerage Service form to all prospective clients.

Right Choice, Right Decision,

Most Recommended, Ask Why!

22 Step Home Selling formula to sell your home for 3%, 5%, 8% more

Christina Osborne
BROKER/OWNER

Houston Realty Team

Cell: (281) 793-5193
Fax: (281) 402-1967
Email:Christina@HoustonRealtyTeam.com

Blog https://cricketrealty.wordpress.com/about/
Web http://HoustonRealtyTeam.com

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