Author: Ali Palacios - Broker

Happy Clients Realty Group - Ali Palacios > Articles by: Ali Palacios - Broker

Are you a tenant whose home is facing foreclosure?

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Are you a tenant whose home is facing foreclosure? You have rights.

Please note that I am not an attorney and you should consult with an attorney. In the mean time here are some resources.

TENANT RIGHTS UNDER TEXAS LAW. Under Texas law, certain tenants may be entitled to at least 30 days written notice to vacate or may have the right to remain in the property. For more information on these rights, you may view §24.005(b), Property Code

RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION. In the event you need further information, you should seek the counsel of an attorney or visit one of the websites listed below.

Texas Association of REALTORS®: www.TexasRealEstate.com

Texas Low Income Housing Information Service: www.TexasHousing.org

Texas Tenants Union: www.txtenants.org

Legal Aid of Northwest Texas: www.lanwt.org

Texas Rio Grand Legal Aid: www.trla.org

Lone Star Legal Aid: www.lonestarlegal.org

Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) Consumer Help Center: http://www.ffiec.gov/consumercente

Don’t spend $1.00 on this before you list your home…

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Don’t do any home improvements. Don’t renovate. Don’t spend one cent on improving your home before you list your house for sale…

…at least not until you speak with me.

Too often, homeowners feel compelled to spruce up their home before putting it on the market. At face value, that makes sense. You want it to show as nicely as possible. And, it seems to make sense that if you improve the home, it will also improve the value.

However, many of the things homeowners spend money on do not raise the value as much as the cost of the project they completed.

The way I see it, my job is to make sure my clients net as much money as possible on the sale of their home.

And while that certainly entails getting a buyer to pay as much as we can for it, my job begins well before that…

Netting as much as possible is as much about not losing or wasting money, as it is getting as much money for your house as possible.

For instance, if someone spends even $1,000 on a renovation or improvement, and it doesn’t increase the value more than $1,000…it was probably a waste of time and money. Which means they didn’t net as much as possible.

There are exceptions, of course. If something needs fixing, and it will get in the way of the home selling at all…well, then it will make sense to spend the money even if it doesn’t actually raise the value.

There’s no one answer. Every home and situation is different. It takes analysis and thought before I can say whether it’s worth doing something or not.

So I recommend, and offer, to come by and assess whatever project you may be considering, before you just go ahead and do it. (As always…no obligation, and completely free.) It’s my pleasure. And, the way I see it, it’s my duty.

Give me a call and we can schedule a time for me to swing by and take a look.

Getting and keeping the highest price for your home

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Pricing your home appropriately is super importance.

If you ask, almost every real estate agent will say that the most important thing in getting a home sold is “price”. And, that is true…

But, price alone doesn’t get a house sold for top dollar. And, even if you get the best offer possible, that doesn’t mean the deal won’t fall apart before you ever get to the closing table.

Many deals fall apart before closing. Especially if you have gotten the absolute highest price for your house. This is due to “buyer’s remorse”.

Buyers often regret buying almost anything, but especially something as expensive as a house. And, even more so if they feel they’re paying top dollar for the house. So, buyers often look for and find ways to back out of deals.

It takes experience, skill, and an understanding of how buyers think, act, and react to keep a deal together.

It also helps if your agent understands how the agent representing the buyer thinks, acts, and reacts.

Oh, and how the appraiser will think, and being ready and able to defend and justify the value the house is selling for.

That’s just to name a few of the moving parts that can squash a deal and put you back on the market…which should be avoided if at all possible. (It’s always hard to explain away why your deal fell apart. Buyers and agents notice when this happens, and it often leads to getting less for your house than you did in the first place.)

That’s why it is so important to not only get the highest amount possible for your house, but to also keep the deal together.

Much like pricing a home, doing all of this is as much an art, as it is a science.

It’s so important not to hire any old real estate agent. Hire one who knows the ins and outs of how all of the people involved in the sale tend to think and act.

Negotiating isn’t just one moment. It isn’t just about getting the buyer to pay the highest price possible. It’s about keeping the buyer in check throughout the process, as well as everyone else who has a say in whether the deal moves forward or not.

It’s pretty easy to get a real estate license. And, unfortunately that tends to make the public see all real estate agents as a dime a dozen. But it takes more than just having your license to get your clients the highest possible price AND keep it together all the way to the closing table.

When it comes time to list your home, I assure you, I am not a “dime a dozen” real estate agent. And, I am worth every penny…

Do you want to sell your home for top dollar?

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

That seems like a ridiculous question, doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t say yes?

But yet, so many people make one huge mistake that stops them from getting top dollar for their home.

What’s weird is that the reason they make the mistake in the first place, is because they think doing so will get them top dollar for their home. But it doesn’t. In fact, it typically causes them to get less than they should…

That mistake is overpricing their home.

The hazards of overpricing are too numerous, and detailed to get into in this email. (But if you’re interested, just let me know and I’m glad to chat with you at length about them.)

Sadly, it happens more often than not.

How and why???

Here are 3 main reasons:

  • Because it’s natural for a homeowner to believe their home is worth more than an agent suggests.
  • Because many agents aren’t very good at explaining the data to clients, or illustrating how much damage overpricing can do.
  • Because many agents will agree to list someone’s home for too much, simply in order to avoid a tough conversation…or to get the business, and convince the owner to reduce the price over time.

So, it leads to many people selling for less than they should, and taking a longer time to get it sold.

Now, this isn’t to suggest that you should price your home too low, or “give your house away”. You need to price it perfectly. And that can be a fine line.

Pricing is as much an art, as it is a science. And, I take great pride in making sure I help my clients find the perfect pricing and positioning within the market in order for them to achieve the highest market value.

As experts in your neighborhood, my team and I have the knowledge and experience to choose the best list price for your property. Our goal is to maximize your proceeds while minimizing the time it takes to sell your property.

Thinking about selling?

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

So you are thinking about selling a home? The truth is that most home owner move every 5-8 years.

Here are the top reasons why people sell and move:

  1. Home is too small. Home owners often outgrow their first home. Increased family size is the main reason home owners say they need a larger home.
  2. Upgrade. People often seek new and energy efficient homes. Or they simply want what they don’t have and long for a bigger, more expensive and grander, upscale home.
  3. Fix. Owners might believe they made a mistake in purchasing their present home. Maybe they thought they could get by without a back yard but now want a garden or a pool. At times the small things that bothered you from the beginning, become a bigger issue later.
  4. Job transfer. Relocation makes it necessary for many to pull up roots and move. If the commuting distance exceeds an hour, most people would prefer not to spend two hours in traffic every day.
  5. Bring on the new. Sometimes you just need a change
  6. Personal Relationships. Marriage can mean one of the parties will need to sell, especially if both owned homes prior to the commitment. On the other hand, break-ups/divorce cause owners to sell as well. Death in the family will also cause financial issues that might cause the family to sell.
  7.  Neighborhood changes. The neighborhood might have changed for the worse, economically, socially or physically.
  8. Neighbors. Unfortunately you won’t always click with people and sometimes these are your neighbors.
  9. Health problems. Physical ailments in aging might make it difficult to climb stairs in a two-story, so a one-story home may be more practical. At times home owner will need to transition to an assistance living facility.
  10. Climate. Sometimes seller simply seek warmer or cooler temperatures.
  11. Empty nest. The kids have grown up and moved out. The owners want a smaller home. The older you get, the harder it is to keep a big house clean.
  12. Deferred maintenance. Some people don’t want to put on a new roof, replace the siding or buy a new furnace, so it’s easier to buy a newer home.
  13. Closer or further from family. Home owner at times would like to spent more or less time with family members.
  14. Schools. Changed in school can cause home owner to move. Maybe they’d like to be zone to a particular school or they no longer feel safe in their current school zoning?
  15. Retirement. Active-adult communities are attracting many buyers over the age of 55. These planned communities have golf courses, club houses, workout facilities, week-end social gatherings, back-yard barbecue parties and more, all designed for people over 55.
  16. Home improvement perfection. A small segment enjoys fixing up and selling, spending time, money and effort on remodeling, and once the work is completed, these people become restless because there is nothing left to do.
  17. Cash in equity. Some home owners can’t stand the fact their home is worth all that money because that money is not in their pocket.
  18. Lifestyle change. Others are simply tired of owning a home and would prefer to travel, pursue a hobby or be less responsible. The goal is to sell the home and travel the world.
  19. Cost of running a house. Changes in job or position can cause financial strain and the home is no longer affordable.
  20. Moving to study. Academic goal will sometime force a seller to sell sooner than expected. Proximity to the school might be a consideration.

What ever the reason, we are here to help when you are ready.

 

We are hiring smiling faces

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

 

Are you looking for change? Are you a new agent that would like to be part of a group that supports and helps each other prosper?

We are a group of agents that strive to share knowledge and help each other grow. Education is key.

We are seeking like minded agents that would like to be part of our team.

For more information contact Ali Palacios, Broker/Owner at ali@happyclientsrealtygroup.com, 832-418-0670.

Our  VISION

At Happy Clients Realty Group our goal is to serve each client with utmost professionalism, integrity, and outstanding customer service. Our fiduciary relationship with our clients is the highest priority. We work diligently to help them achieve their dreams. We educate and simplify the many challenges of buying and/or selling a home. We provide consistent communication and prompt follow-thru from the beginning of the transaction to the end, and beyond. We utilize our outstanding negotiating skills and vast knowledge of the Houston metro area to the benefit of our clients. We are a team of talented professionals devoted to clients.

Thinking about purchasing a home?

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Are you ready to buy a home but don’t know where to start? I know it can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to get you started.

  1. Let’s chat. The best way to help you through the process is to talk about your goals and timing. Let’s meet and discuss your goals and plans. It’s never to early to start this process. In fact, it’s better to start up to a year before you’d actually like to move. This will allow you time to make corrections and get financially prepared for the move.
  2. How much can you afford? There is no point going to go see homes without knowing your budget. Take some time to review your income vs. debt and come up with a comfortable number. Keep in mind that most lender prefer that you payment amount to no more than 30% of your income.
  3. Get pre-qualified. This is the most important step. Speak to a lender about qualifying. The lender will review your finances and credit to determine your ideal sales price. The lender will also review loan options and interest rates. Don’t forget to ask about down payment assistance programs. If you’d like a referral I’d be happy to provide a list of great lenders.
  4. Let’s go home shopping! Once you are pre-qualified we can go look for a home. No home is perfect but typically if it meets 80% of your wants, you’re on a good track.
  5. Make an Offer. Once we have found the right home I will run numbers for the area and we will come up with an offer together. The offer encompasses several factors. We will go through them one by one. It’s important you feel comfortable with the offer presented.
  6. Once you offer is accepted I will them guide you through the rest of the sales process; which includes inspections, negotiating repairs or credits, appraisals, financing, final walk through, closing, etc.

The overall process can take a few months and as your agents I’d be with you during the entire process.If you have any questions please feel free to contact me anytime.

 

 

 

For sale by owner

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Since you are selling your home by owner, you’re probably getting swamped by calls, letters, and even some knocks on your door.

But, does it seem like most of them are from real estate agents?

Unfortunately, that’s the way it goes for many people who try to sell on their own.

Also, most of the agents you hear from are trying to convince you…

  • To list with them
  • That you’re going to lose money
  • That they can get you more money
  • That they can sell it quickly
  • Yada, yada, yada…

I’m not touching base to say any of that. In fact, I wish you the best of luck!

The reason I am reaching out is to see if you’re looking to buy a house.

If you are, I would love the chance to work with you on your purchase.

I understand trying to save money when you’re selling a house. I truly do. But on your purchase, the cost of a buyer’s agent is part of the price you’re paying for the house. So, you might as well work with an agent…and the best one you can find, at that.

So, I’d love to chat or meet and give you a feel for why I am the best one for the job.

Just give me a ring. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

P.S.: Would you like a free estimated market analysis on your home and comps. Now, keep in mind, it is an estimate since I’ve never toured your home to get a true insight. This will be a little more insightful than a “Zestimate” however, those buggers can be pretty off the track sometime. I’ve also attached a disclosure form. You’re going to need one of these to keep you protected after a sale, to ensure the buyer doesn’t come back and try to say you hid anything.

You will also find a FSBO guide. I hope you find it helpful

seller disclosures – FSBO

The Ultimate Guide for FSBOs

Let’s find your dream home

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Can you afford to flush away 12,000+ dollars every year? Maybe you can, but it certainly isn’t something I could afford to do. And if you can’t afford it either. My name is Ali Palacios and I’m a real estate broker with Happy Clients Realty Group. I’ve been working in the Richmond area for 11  years now and have had the pleasure of getting to work with our neighbors in finding them their dream home. Usually, these buyers started off with me as renters. They were incredibly shocked to see how much of a difference renting vs. buying could afford them in our neighborhoods. Some of our clients could own a bigger home with a beautiful backyard for less or equal to the money they were tossing into their apartment complex.

Let me ask you something, when you pay rent, did you know you’re paying a mortgage? But you see, the loss is that you aren’t paying your own mortgage. You’re paying someone else’s. Not only are you paying off their mortgage, you’re also giving them a profit. They actually make money off of you. Now, after a year of paying your monthly rent, you never get to see that money again. It’s gone. The difference with owning a home? The money you put into the home builds equity. The home is yours. You’re putting money into something you OWN., so you’re not flushing away money.

I get it, you might be locked in a contract for a few months longer, but let’s get in touch anyways. It’s never too early to start planning out your future, and I’d love to be the guiding hand in helping you get your action plan started in the right direction. You deserve a dream home. You deserve to OWN the things you spend your hard-earned money on. If you’re tired of wasting money, give me a call, shoot me an email, or even a text.

Real estate isn’t a job, it’s become a passion. I have had the pleasure of changing lives, and I’d love to help change yours – for the better, of course. And if you’re worried about your credit or about down payments, don’t worry! There are lots of programs out there that can help. We can’t plan your next step, however, without taking the very first step. And your first step is to connect with me, because I’ll handle the rest. Talk to you soon!

Have you ever thought about a career in real estate?

Posted on by Ali Palacios - Broker

Have you ever thought about a career in real estate? Would you like to chat about the possibility?

I won’t say it’s easy but it will give you work/life balance if done right…”

“The greatest thing about being in real estate is that you decide when, and how much, you work…”

How many times have you heard someone in this business say that you should have, or can have, a nice balance between work and life in this business?! It’s almost like a joke…if only it were actually funny.

I set out to do something about it for myself and other agents. I’d love for you to be one of those agents.

If you’re struggling to find the “life” in work / life balance, I’d love to help you find it.

Can you spare some time soon?