Is Your New Neighborhood Safe?  How to Research Your New Community Finding the right home for you and your family involves more than the right number of bedrooms and a lovely front yard; the neighborhood in which it’s located can make a huge difference in the quality of your experience in the home. The most important consideration must be the safety of the community. Not only is it a critical component of a healthy lifestyle, but it can also have a drastic effect on resale values. Fortunately, there are some strategies and tools available to help you learn about the safety of your potential new home.  • Talk to the Neighbors – The first step in researching your new location is to talk with the locals. Start with the neighbors next door if possible, but also spend time in the local shops... 05/20/2020

Your Tax Refund Can Get You One Step Closer to Homeownership Saving money each month toward a long-term goal is increasingly difficult for most people. Even committed savers can get thrown off track when unexpected problems or opportunities arise. It can be difficult to envision how $200 a month can add up to a new home; the dream of homeownership continues to get pushed back in favor of more immediate needs. For many of these potential homebuyers, their tax refund can be a big step forward in their saving goals. Received in a lump sum, a tax refund is easier to see as a meaningful dollar amount. The average IRS refund in 2019 was almost $3,000. This, added to an already growing savings account, can be a great bonus. In addition to adding to your down payment fund, a tax refund can also... 05/16/2020

Real Estate Investment 101  Real estate offers a solid investment opportunity that can provide not only an income stream, but long-term value appreciation as well. It’s never too late to begin investing in real estate. Regardless of the ups and downs of the market, people will always need housing, so real estate will remain a good way to create wealth. By understanding some of the basics of real estate investing, you can begin to create a successful investment plan.  • Start Now – Every market offers opportunities for buyers; there is no perfect time to get started.  • Understand the Risks – Before investing, you should be certain that you can hold the property until conditions are right to sell.  • Do Your Homework – Know the market and understand the trends which can affect your purch... 05/13/2020

5 Questions Sellers Have about the Market during the Coronavirus Outbreak Answered  There are so many questions and concerns amid the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. The real estate market is especially hard hit and sellers are concerned. Real estate at its core is a people business. It relies on person-to-person interaction and the coronavirus necessarily limits this contact. As the spring selling season gets started, home sellers will have questions and it’s important to acknowledge concerns and offer practical advice and concrete information to help sellers make the best decision for themselves and their families. 1. Should I still try and sell my home? – Of course, there are many aspects to this question. First and foremost, the health concerns of the sellers’ family have to be taken... 05/09/2020

5 Questions Buyers Have During the Coronavirus Outbreak Answered Everyone is being affected in some manner by the outbreak of Covid-19 coronavirus. During this time, buyers will have more questions than normal about the home buying process and their ability to buy a new home. While we can’t predict what the next few weeks and months will bring, the more we can educate ourselves, the better we can help buyers navigate the buying process smoothly during the pandemic. Here are a few common buyer questions as they related to the Coronavirus outbreak and real estate answered. 1. Can we still go see home listings in person? – This is the hardest question to answer and it will depend on the home, the seller, the agent and any fast-changing governmental policies put in place. Agents should be a... 05/09/2020

During a time when so many people are hunkering down at home, it can be challenging to keep a tidy house, especially when you have kids, pets, and other adults living in the same space. It can be stressful and overwhelming at times, trying to find a balance of keeping everything organized and clean while maintaining one’s sanity. There are a few tips to help keep your house in order while everyone is home, and while you have some downtime to knock out some much-needed organization projects.  Schedule Clean-Up Time Before Bed Take ten minutes every evening for the entire family to help clean up the house. Run the dishwasher, wipe down the countertops, and put away any clothes lying on the floor. This is also a great time to have your kids help by cleaning up their toys, books, or any cra... 05/07/2020

Buying and owning your own home is no easy task, and there are moments on everyone's journey when they feel like it's impossible. However, there are plenty of resources available to help make your dream of becoming a homeowner a reality.  The first step you should take when you're ready to consider buying a home is to check your credit score and/or start building your credit. Lenders want to see that you’ve been able to pay back borrowed money on time, and without missing payments or defaulting on the loan. If you have a poor credit score, you'll need to spend the next several months, or even years in some cases, improving it by paying off any debt you currently have and making sure to make all payments on time in the future. This is a great time to find a mortgage loan officer that you... 05/06/2020

It's been difficult to adjust to a new normal during the past few weeks. With most residents being asked to stay at home, there are many who have recently lost their jobs or been asked to work remotely. The mortgage industry has also taken a big hit that has directly affected homeowners, renters, and investors alike.  There are many who are in the final stages of closing on their homes, and the current pandemic has made it difficult to efficiently move forward with the process. To help, desktop and exterioronly appraisals are being accepted as long as there is sufficient property information available online. Potential borrowers can also now submit their verification of employment via email, paystub, or bank statement to help streamline the process.  Significant changes have been made d... 05/05/2020

It may come as a shock that many people purchase a home before ever setting foot inside. These buyers may be moving to a new country or city far away, or they may not have the time or resources to visit for a home search before the big move. Not everyone has the option (or the desire) to rent for a few months while they find a permanent home in their new location. Most homebuyers would prefer to purchase a house before they arrive, so they can move their belongings and quickly get settled into their home.  There are a few things you can do to make the process more manageable if you've considered buying a house unseen. The first step is to find a realtor in the area that you can trust. Let them know your circumstances and that you'll need them to help vet potential properties for you. Th... 05/04/2020

During the past couple of months, families have been asked to stay at home. It can be challenging to keep everyone entertained when we aren’t able to go out of the house except to work in essential jobs, enjoy fresh air, and get groceries. Luckily, there are plenty of fun activities that the entire family can do together at home. Here are a few to inspire your own family to make lasting memories while spending quality time together at home.  1. Movie Night—This is a simple activity that everyone will enjoy. Every time you have a movie night, let a different family member pick their favorite. That way, everyone will have a turn choosing something to watch in the coming weeks. Better yet, consider a movie marathon over the weekend and allow each family member to choose one leg of the mara... 05/03/2020

Technology is helpful in so many areas of life, even real estate. Twenty years ago, if someone were moving across the country, they'd have to wait to buy a house until they arrived to start their new life, or they’d have to buy a home without seeing it in person beforehand. Both options would cause extra unwanted stress on top of moving to an unfamiliar place. Luckily, with the rise of technology, virtual tours are here to save the day!  When it comes to creating a virtual tour, don't panic. Your real estate agent will be there to guide you through the entire process. An agent may help to schedule a videographer to come to your house, or utilize software like Tour Wizard or My360 to create a virtual tour of their own that can be added to the listing. Real Estate Agents can also use Face... 05/02/2020

Round Rock Texas - HUD-Owned Foreclosure being sold As-Is with a $179,000 list price in South Creek subdivision in Round Rock Texas. Similar homes in this subdivision can sell as high as $235,000. 2019 Tax Value is $212,491. This is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, 1-Story home with 1 living area, with 1,608 square feet, on an oversized 0.175-Acre lot with mature trees. The home was built in 1985. This is a HUD-Owned REO property being sold As-Is. Feeds into high demand Round Rock ISD schools. Buyer must verify all information. The information provided is based on public records. Taxes are currently $4,906 per year. There are no HOA fees. Owned by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (also known as HUD).  This home is on a corner lot. It has vaulted ceilings and a fire... 01/29/2020

It’s tough being a newbie at anything, right? Learning new lingo, how things are done and how you’ll do them is a little confusing at first. Once you get the hang of it, though, everything becomes clear and you can relax into whatever it is you’re learning. The same holds true for the home-buying process; when you’ve never bought a home before it can be challenging to know where to start and tempting (but not wise) to jump into the process by looking at homes for sale.So, let’s get you off to a good start – one that will lead to success when buying your first home.The money stuffWaiting for loan preapproval is brutal for those who have no idea where they stand on the credit scale. Those in the know, however, are far more confident, understand the loan process better and still have finge... 11/22/2019

Round Rock Texas - VA-Owned Foreclosure being sold As-Is with a $359,000 list price in Paloma Lake subdivision in Round Rock Texas. Similar homes in this subdivision can sell as high as $448,000. 2019 Tax Value is $411,989. This is a Luxury 4 bedroom, 3.5 baths, 3 car garage, 2-Story home with multiple living areas, and 3,380 square feet, on an oversized 0.21-Acre lot. The home was built in 2015 by M/I Homes. This is a VA-Owned REO property being sold As-Is. Feeds into high demand Round Rock ISD schools. Buyer must verify all information. The information provided is based on public records. Taxes are currently $10,871 per year. HOA is $132 per quarter. Open floor plan with high ceilings, large center island with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, breakfast area, formal dining... 11/05/2019

If you are a first time home buyer, or even a repeat buyer, you quickly realize that real estate has a language all its own. Understanding some of the lingo can help you navigate the process a little easier. By learning a few critical terms, you will be in a better position to ask the right questions and make the best decisions. • Buyer’s Market – A real estate climate where the amount of listings outnumber qualified buyers. • Seller’s Market – A real estate climate when there are very few desirable properties listed for sale. • Contingencies – Specific conditions included in offer to protect the buyer against unexpected situations, such as inspection, loan approval and appraisal value. • Earnest Money – Money deposited when the offer is accepted. Subject to any contingencies, this mone... 10/17/2019

Whether you’re shopping for a home or already own one, knowing the current age of the appliances is important. Like us, they have an average life span. Unlike us, they can be replaced. But it’s pricey to do so.The experts at Consumer Reports recommend that you replace appliances if the cost to repair them is more than half the price of a new one. While that’s a good rule of thumb, it’s something you can put off with care and proper maintenance of your home’s appliances.As a bonus, your appliances won’t become energy hogs.                    Clark Properties Real Estate Blog 10/16/2019

Folks who live in areas of the country with wild winter weather use a vocabulary that sounds like a foreign language to those who live in more mild climes. One of the words not in the Hawaiian’s or Floridian’s vocabulary is “mudroom.”But, whether it’s an entryway retrofitted in the winter to hold wet, muddy shoes or an entire room devoted to winter over-clothes, boots and recreational equipment, a mudroom is something many Americans can’t fathom living without.After all, it helps keep the rest of the home clean.That’s the beauty of the mudroom. Located at a home’s entry point, it’s a corral for grimy gear.Whether you need to create a mudroom or want to deck out the one you already have, we’ve rounded up some brilliant tips for its floors and walls.The best location for a mudroomIf you’r... 10/14/2019

Whether you’re entertaining notions of buying or selling a home, you’re no doubt keeping up with housing news. And, what you’re seeing may concern you. Doom and gloomers, naysayers and, curiously, even some experts are claiming that they are worried about the housing market. The fact is, the real estate market is the one bright spot in the economy right now, and there are three reasons we can say this with confidence: Pending home sales Mortgage rates Consumer confidence Let’s take these one-at-a-time and break it down for you. Pending home sales When a homebuyer signs an agreement to purchase, the home moves from an actively for-sale status to a pending status. It is sold, pending the outcome of the contract’s details. At any rate, it is no longer on the market. “U.S. pending home sal... 10/14/2019

Home sellers and listing agents across the country spend a great deal of time and energy trying to determine what home buyers want. They pour over magazines and read blogs to learn what is the #1 feature they can add or enhance to ensure home buyers find their home irresistible. The National Association of Home Builders’ released a 2019 home trend and buyer preferences report which cited a surprising and very practical answer – laundry rooms. In the report, 91% of those surveyed stated that having a separate laundry room was essential in their new home.The association surveyed over 4000 home buyers and asked about features which ranged from outdoor kitchens to master suites and spa-style baths. While these features were well received, the overwhelming response to what was most important... 10/13/2019

Keeping your nose to the grindstone, using credit wisely and responsibly and paying your bills on time every month have their rewards, no matter how much or how little money you make.One reward is how much easier it is to realize your piece of the American Dream – the opportunity to purchase your own home. A bonus for the low-income earner is a government-backed loan with no down payment.The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Single Family Housing programs may just be the best option for low-income folks with good credit and a steady job to buy a house.Two types of loans for homebuyersThe two most popular USDA home loan programs are the Homeownership Direct Loan Program and the Guaranteed Loan.Both of these programs aim to help low-to-moderate-income people... 10/12/2019