Fall in Love with Your Home: A Seasonal Guide   Shayne Stone     Rock Solid Choice making Home Sellers Profit & Home Buyers Equity HomeSmart 979-398-9127 stoneltr@outlook.com www.shaynestone.com             Never regret anything that made you smile. - Mark Twain       20 Things to Remember When Prepping Your Home for Winter This Year   Whether you live in an area where snow and freezing temperatures are the norm or an area where a cold front is a rarity, as the winter season approaches, you’ll want to take steps to protect your home, prepare for emergencies, and maximize your home’s energy efficiency.Here are 20 things to remember when preparing your home for winter this year:1. Mow the lawn and aerate. Apply fall fertilizer. Rake and remove or mow and spread leaves.2. Bring in tender p... 10/01/2024

Transform Your Kitchen: The Ultimate Guide to Installing BacksplashesReady to give your kitchen a fresh, modern look? Installing a backsplash is a fantastic way to enhance your kitchen’s aesthetic and functionality. A well-chosen backsplash can add color, texture, and personality to your space, while also protecting your walls from splashes and stains. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or considering hiring a professional, here’s everything you need to know about installing a backsplash.Benefits of Installing a Backsplash1. Aesthetic AppealA backsplash can dramatically change the look of your kitchen. With countless designs, materials, and colors to choose from, you can create a unique focal point that complements your overall décor.2. ProtectionBacksplashes protect your walls fr... 09/15/2024

Understanding Mold: Prevention and RemediationMold is a common household issue that can cause significant health problems and structural damage if left unchecked. As a homeowner, understanding how to prevent, identify, and remediate mold is crucial to maintaining a safe and healthy living environment. Here are some essential tips and information to help you tackle mold in your home. What is Mold?Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp, humid environments. It can grow on a variety of surfaces, including walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture. Mold reproduces by releasing tiny spores into the air, which can spread and grow into new mold colonies if they land on a suitable surface.Health Risks Associated with MoldExposure to mold can cause a range of health issues, particularly for i... 08/16/2024

There is a long list of considerations homebuyers like you must consider to ensure that you are headed to your dream home. One of those considerations is whether you would opt for a century-old or newly built home. Here is a comprehensive guide to new homes in Rosenberg, TX, and an overview of the charming city. Reading this article will help you understand the benefits of buying a new home in Rosenberg, TX, and why the city is perfect for homebuyers looking for a newly built property to call home. Let's dive into it now!About the CityRosenberg, TX, is historically rich but never too behind in growth and development. This charming city is known for its historic downtown charm while being open and embracing city and neighborhood progression. Founded in 1883, Rosenberg had never stopped g... 07/24/2024

Steps to a Healthy Lawn: Your Ultimate Guide1. Soil Preparation:Before you start dreaming of a lawn that would make your neighbors green with envy, it’s crucial to address the foundation – the soil. Testing your soil’s pH levels is the first step. Typically, a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 is considered ideal for a healthy lawn. If necessary, you can adjust the pH by adding lime to raise it or sulfur to lower it. Aerating the soil by removing small plugs of soil will improve water and nutrient penetration, helping your grass roots to breathe.2. Lawn Seeding or Sodding:Now that you have prepared the soil, it’s time to choose your method of establishing your lawn – seeding or sodding. Seeding is cost-effective but takes longer to establish, while sodding offers instant gratification with a highe... 03/23/2024

Miller's Pond**Miller's Pond**, a **new development** spanning over **185 acres**, is now selling in **Rosenberg, Texas**! This community offers **new construction homes** thoughtfully designed with attention to detail. Conveniently located off the **Southwest Freeway** and just minutes from **US-90**, it provides an easy commute to both **Sugar Land** and **Houston**¹. Here are some key features of Miller's Pond:- **Location**: Situated near Sugar Land, this small town offers tranquility while still being close to all the attractions and entertainment you could desire. Whether you're interested in dining, shopping, parks, or entertainment, there's something for everyone nearby. Plus, it's just a short drive away from popular attractions like the **Fort Bend County Fairgrounds**, histor... 02/05/2024

In the real estate market, there are several key metrics that buyers and sellers should be aware of in order to make informed decisions. Let's take a closer look at the correlation between these metrics to understand the current state of the market.Firstly, let's focus on the "Months Supply of Inventory," which is currently at 2.52. This metric measures the number of months it would take to sell all the available homes on the market, assuming no new listings are added. A low number, such as 2.52, indicates a seller's market, where demand for housing exceeds supply. This means that buyers may face increased competition and potentially higher prices.Moving on to the "12-Month Change in Months of Inventory," which shows a positive change of 30.57%. This indicates an increase in the number ... 01/18/2024

Boost Your Curb Appeal with the Power of Plants!When it comes to creating an inviting home, many of us focus on the interior design and neglect the exterior. But hey, let’s not forget about the first thing people notice when they visit your house – the curb appeal! One simple yet effective way to enhance your curb appeal is by harnessing the power of plants. Not only do they add color and beauty to your surroundings, but they also bring life and freshness to your home. So, let’s dive into the world of plants and discover how they can help transform your home’s exterior!1. Instant Pop of ColorNothing catches the eye quite like a splash of vibrant colors. By strategically placing potted plants or flower beds along your entryway or walkway, you can instantly create a warm and welcoming atm... 11/03/2023

StoneCreek Estates is a stunning 500-acre master-planned community in the Rosenberg and Richmond area. The neighborhood was developed in 2016 and the community is still growing. If you are looking for new construction homes zoned to excellent schools in the Lamar Consolidated School District, come check out StoneCreek.This newer community which is in the ETJ of Rosenberg offers easy access to U.S. 59 and the Grand Parkway and is within minutes from Brazos Town Center. StoneCreek residents are also minutes away from shopping, dining and entertainment at Sugar Land Town Square, about a 10-minute drive away. Price Range:Homes prices range from $300,000 to $700,000+. On average, these homes offer 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a median living space of 3,100 square feet. Additionally, they incl... 09/09/2023

When buying a new home, two words come to mind: energy efficiency.One of the best ways to learn about energy-efficient homes is to explore the builder's model homes. These impressive examples of innovative construction techniques and green technologies provide a valuable crash course in energy efficiency. There you can find visual displays (like this one) in their model homes. Each visit to a model home is a chance to stay updated on the latest trends in new home construction.Recently, I visited several model homes in the community of Stonecreek Estates in Rosenberg. (BTW, the neighborhood has three builders offering a wide array of floor plans and upgrade options to choose from!)When I was there, the sales representative asked me, "When you compare these two displays, what stands out t... 09/09/2023

Owning a Home Helps Protect Against InflationYou're probably feeling the impact of high inflation every day as prices have gone up on groceries, gas, and more. If you're a renter, you're likely experiencing it a lot as your rent continues to rise. Between all of those elevated costs and uncertainty about a potential recession, you may be wondering if it still makes sense to buy a home today. The short answer is it does. Here's why. Homeownership actually shields you from the rising costs inflation brings.Freddie Mac explains how:  Not only will buying today help you begin to build equity, a fixed-rate mortgage can stabilize your monthly housing costs for the long-term even while other life expenses continue to rise as has been the case the past few years. Unlike rents, which tend to ris... 06/02/2023

The spring housing market has been surprisingly active this year. Even with affordability challenges and a limited number of homes for sale, buyer demand is strong, and getting stronger.One way we know there are interested buyers right now is because showing traffic is up. Data from the latest ShowingTime Showing Index, which is a measure of buyers actively touring homes, makes it clear more people are out looking at homes than there were prior to the pandemic (see graph below):And though theres less traffic than the buyer frenzy of the past couple of years, were not far off that pace. There are a lot of interested buyers checking out available homes right now.But why are buyers so active at a time when mortgage rates are higher than they were just last year?The Job Market Is Growing at... 05/23/2023

The Best Time To Sell Your House Is When Others Aren't Selling If you're thinking about selling your house, you should know the number of homes for sale right now is low. Thats because, this season, there are fewer sellers listing their houses for sale than the norm.Looking back at every April since 2017, the only year when fewer sellers listed their homes was in April 2020, when the pandemic hit and stalled the housing market (shown in red in the graph below). In more typical years, roughly 500,000 sellers add their homes to the market in April. This year, we saw fewer than 400,000 sellers entering the market in April (see graph below):While there are a number of factors contributing to this trend, one thing keeping inventory low right now is that some homeowners are reluctant to move ... 05/13/2023

The Three Factors Affecting Home Affordability Today Theres been a lot of focus on higher mortgage rates and how they're creating affordability challenges for todays homebuyers. Its true that rates climbed dramatically since the record-low we saw during the pandemic. But home affordability is based on more than just mortgage rates its determined by a combination of mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.Considering how each one of these factors is changing gives you the full picture of home affordability today. Here's the latest.1. Mortgage RatesWhile mortgage rates are higher than they were a year ago, they've hovered primarily between 6% and 7% for nearly eight months now (see graph below):As the graph shows, mortgage rates have experienced some volatility during that time. And even a... 05/04/2023

A Key Opportunity for HomebuyersThere's no denying the housing market has delivered a fair share of challenges to homebuyers over the past two years. Two of the biggest hurdles homebuyers faced during the pandemic were the limited number of homes for sale and the intensity and frequency of bidding wars. But those two things have reached a turning point.As you may have already heard, the number of homes for sale has increased this year, and even more so this spring. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, explains:New listings a measure of sellers putting homes up for sale were up 6% above one year ago. Home sellers in many markets across the country continue to benefit from rising home prices and fast-selling homes. Thats prompted a growing number of homeowners to sell homes ... 07/09/2022

Real Estate Consistently Voted Best Investment Some Highlights Based on a recent Gallup poll, real estate has been rated the best long-term investment for nine years in a row. Owning real estate is more than just a place to call home. Its also an investment in your future. Thats because its typically a stable and secure asset that can grow in value over time. If you're ready to buy a home and invest in your future, lets connect.     07/04/2022

More Americans Choose Real Estate as the Best Investment Than Ever BeforeAmericans opinion on the value of real estate as an investment is climbing. Thats according to an annual survey from Gallup. Not only is real estate viewed as the best investment for the ninth year in a row, but more Americans selected it than ever before.The graph below shows the results of the survey since Gallup began asking the question in 2011. As the trend lines indicate, real estate has been gaining ground as the clear favorite for almost a decade now:If you're thinking about purchasing a home, let this poll reassure you. Even when inflation is high like today, Americans recognize owning a home is a powerful financial decision.How an Investment in Real Estate Can Benefit You During High Inflation Because inf... 06/24/2022

Home Price Deceleration Doesn't Mean Home Price DepreciationExperts in the real estate industry use a number of terms when they talk about what’s happening with home prices. And some of those words sound a bit similar but mean very different things. To help clarify what’s happening with home prices and where experts say they’re going, here's a look at a few terms you may hear: Appreciation is when home prices increase. Depreciation is when home prices decrease. Deceleration is when home prices continue to appreciate, but at a slower pace. Where Home Prices Have Been in Recent YearsFor starters, you've probably heard home prices have skyrocketed over the past two years, but homes were actually appreciating long before that. You might be surprised to learn that home prices have climbed fo... 06/20/2022

On the Fence of Whether or Not To Move This Spring? Consider This!If you're thinking of selling your house, it may be because you've heard prices are rising, listings are going fast, and sellers are getting multiple offers on their homes. But why are conditions so good for sellers today? And what can you expect when you move? To help answer both of those questions, lets turn to the data.Today, there are far more buyers looking for homes than sellers listing their houses. Here are the maps of the latest buyer and seller traffic from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to help paint the picture of what this looks like:Notice how much darker the blues are on the left. This shows buyer traffic is strong today. In contrast, the much lighter blues on the right indicate weak or very wea... 04/18/2022

Conquering Cottage Kitchen ClutterCottage-style kitchens are an increasingly popular option when it comes to creating an attractive yet functional kitchen layout. These cottage kitchens usually rely on an open layout so that everything is easily accessible regardless of what you need. In lieu of bulky cabinets and endless drawers, these kitchens make heavy use of open shelving and pegboards to hold everything. It can be a very attractive look for your kitchen and a pretty functional layout as well, but if you’re not careful, it’s also an invitation for chaos.The ugly truth is that cabinets and drawers became popular because they keep all of the clutter and disarray hidden safely away and add a bit of built-in organization to the pandemonium of kitchen layouts. Do away with most of the c... 04/10/2022