The Best Motivation Video

From Renter To Homeowner To Real Estate Investor

Becoming a renter is usually the first step to becoming a real estate investor. As a renter, you are establishing a habit of making a monthly payment in exchange for having a roof over your head. You are also paying the owner/landlord's mortgage and/or way of life. If you're paying your rent and other bills on-time and you are saving every month, your next move is into home ownership which is a reward for your "Good Habit."

As a homeowner, you have a vested interest in the property. If you did not pay cash for your home, you are making a monthly mortgage payment. Every month that you make a payment towards your mortgage, you are gaining equity in your home. In addition, your home should be appreciating annually. Hopefully you are keeping up with your "Good Habit" of paying now your mortgage and other bills on-time and you are still saving every month. If all is true, your next move is into real estate investing.

As a real estate investor, someone else is paying your mortgage and/or way of life. You may become a real estate investor by converting your first home into a rental property and you purchase another home. Maybe your real estate agent found you a "steal of a deal" that you purchased as a rental property, or maybe you purchased the property and re-sold it for a profit. As a real estate investor, your keep repeating the cycle of purchasing, renting and/or selling for a profit.

From Renter To Homeowner To Real Estate Investor...Where are you in this cycle? Give me a call @ 832-647-1769 to help you get to the next step.

Using Investment Properties As Your 401K

If you work for a company that offers a 401K plan or any retirement plan, that is great. I hope you are participating. In addition to being a realtor, I am a real estate investor. I use investment properties as part of my retirement plan. Think about it like this, you can purchase investment properties, rent these properties out, and eventually sell the properties to make a nice profit for your retirement. With your properties being rented, this means somebody else is paying your mortgage, taxes, insurance, and maintenance for you. In other words, your investment properties are paying for themselves, and you should be generating passive income at the same time. Don't forget about the tax advantages of owning investment properties.

The secret to this retirement plan is to start early. Just like the earlier you start contributing to your 401K the faster your money will accrue. The sooner you purchase your first investment property the sooner it will be paid off, and remember real estate is not only for sale, it is on sale at this time. This is a great retirement plan for a married couple or anyone looking to get that edge on their future through real estate.

Call today 832-647-1769.

Real Estate Is Not Only For Sale, It Is On Sale

With all the foreclosures and short sales on the market, real estate is literally on sale. In addition, mortgages are at a historically low rate. This means you can get a great deal on a property with equity already built-in at an affordable monthly payment. I call this the 2 for 1 special, but hurry because this sale will not last forever.

Stop window shopping and step into my office.  Call today 832-647-1769.

Six Selling Myths Uncovered

Myth #1: You should always price your home high and negotiate down.



Truth: Pricing too high can be as bad as pricing too low. If you list too high, you'll miss out on buyers looking in the price range where your home should be. Offers may not even come in, because buyers who are interested in your home are scared off by the price and won't even take the time to look at it. By the time you correct the price and list your home at its fair market value, you will have lost that window of opportunity when your home draws the most attention from the public and real estate agents; i.e. the first 30 days that it is on the market. A well-trained real estate agent who looks out for your best interests will consult with you on your home’s fair market value and different pricing strategies for the current market.


Myth #2: Minor repairs can wait until later. There are more important things to be done.


Truth: Minor repairs make your house more marketable, allowing you to maximize your return (or minimize loss) on the sale. Most buyers are looking for homes that are ready for them to move into. If your home happens to attract a buyer who is willing to make repairs, he/she will begin asking for repair allowances that come out of your asking price. The amount of an allowance that you have to offer a buyer is usually more than what it would cost for you to make the repair (or hire someone to make the repair). Remember, buyers are comparing your home to other homes that are currently on the market. Your home should be inviting so that everyone who looks at it can see themselves living there.


Myth #3: Once a potential buyer sees the inside of your home, curb appeal won't matter.


Truth: Buyers probably won't make it to the inside of the home if the outside of your home does not appeal to them. Buyers and their agents often do drive-bys before deciding whether a home is worth their time to look inside. Your home’s exterior must make a good first impression so that buyers are compelled to stop and come inside. All it takes is keeping the lawn mowed, shrubs and trees trimmed, gardens weeded and edged, and clutter put away.


Myth #4: Your home must be every home buyer's dream home.


Truth: If you get carried away with repairs and replacements to your home, you may end up over-improving the house. There is a point where improving your home doesn’t pay off. The key is to consider what competing properties feature and look like. A highly-motivated real estate agent will consult with you on what competing properties have to offer – he/she can even show you competing properties so that you can make sound home improvement decisions.


Myth #5: You are better off selling your home on your own and saving money on the commission you would have paid to a real estate agent.


Truth: Statistically, many sellers who attempt to sell their homes on their own cannot consummate the sale without the service of a real estate agent. Homeowners who succeed in selling their home by themselves usually net less than if they had a real estate agent working for them. The National Association of REALTORS surveys consumers every year, including homeowners who succeeded in selling their home without a real estate agent. Over 70% of these homeowners say that they would never do it again.


Myth #6: When you receive an offer, you should make the buyer wait. This gives you a better negotiating position.


Truth: You should reply immediately to an offer! When a buyer makes an offer, that buyer is, at that moment in time, ready to buy your home. Moods can change, and you don't want to lose the sale because you have stalled in replying.

Now that the myths have been uncovered, call 832-647-1769 Today and sell your house Tomorrow!

Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae Announce Relief for Gulf Coast

Both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae announced that servicers may grant relief to Gulf Coast borrowers unable to pay their loans because of the current oil spill's impact on their incomes.


Freddie Mac's forbearance policies give servicers the discretion to suspend a borrower's mortgage payments for up to three months or reduce payments for up to six months. Servicers may recommend forbearance for up to twelve months, based on the borrower's individual circumstances.

"Freddie Mac and the nation's mortgage servicers will work together to advance available mortgage relief to homeowners affected by the Deep water Horizon oil spill," said Freddie Mac Senior Vice President of Default Asset Management Ingrid Beckles. "We are instructing our servicers to work with borrowers with Freddie Mac-owned mortgages to extend forbearance of mortgage payments where appropriate to help them stay in their homes as they navigate through this financial hardship."

Under Freddie Mac's requirements servicers must not accrue or collect late charges from the borrower during a short-term forbearance or any subsequent repayment plan period if the borrower is paying according to the forbearance agreement.

Finding the right place just got easier!

Are you ready to start the search for your new home? I have just the place!
If you’re like most homebuyers today, you’ll want to spend some time researching homes on the Internet before you’re ready to start touring homes.

As I recently shared with you, I made the move to Keller Williams Realty and with that move, my Website was upgraded for buyers just like you. Check it out for yourself: Click Here. You can search through thousands of homes and filter them according to your specific needs – it’s really fun and easy to use!

And, as always, I’m here to provide you with more detailed information about neighborhoods, local home values or details on any of the homes that might catch your eye. Plus, I always have access to the newest homes for sale, often before they even go on the market!

Please let me know when you’re ready to take the next step toward buying your next home!

Call me @ 832-647-1769 Today!

Hurricane Season Is Here...Check Your Insurance Before Disaster Strikes

Tornados, hurricanes and floods, oh my! We have already seen coverage on the news about tornados and floods, and the experts are predicting this to be a busy hurricane season. Make sure you have your house in order.

Mother Nature often acts less like a mother and more like a destructive force. That’s why there’s homeowner’s insurance.

Here are a few suggestions offered by insurance agents and financial consultants about homeowner’s insurance:

Insurance companies will tailor coverage based on your needs. But make sure your home is insured for at least 100% of its estimated replacement cost. Replacement cost is the rebuilding cost necessary to repair or replace the entire home. It is not just the market value of the home, which is the amount a buyer would pay for the home, including land. To determine the amount of coverage you’ll need, get an estimate of the replacement cost of your house.

Once you have a replacement estimate, ask your agent if your policy includes an automatic inflation adjustment. This protection will adjust your premium to increase coverage in line with construction costs in your area.

Don’t let natural disasters make you a victim. Schedule an appointment with your insurance agent to talk about your individual needs.

Need a referral for a great insurance agent? Give The Newlywed Real Estate Agent a call @ 832-647-1769.

Thinking about making a move? I did!

My signs may change, my dedication to my clients won’t.

I wanted you to be one of the first to know that I have made the move to real estate leader, Keller Williams Signature.

I look forward to sharing with you how my move makes you making a move easier!


Edmond "Donte" James, Realtor
________________________________________

832-647-1769 (direct)

281-579-4991 (fax)

http://www.thenewlywedrealestateagent.com/

The Numbers Don't Lie

Look at this scenario:

Purchase Price:  $150,000
Down Payment:  $5,250 (3.5% of Purchase Price)
Loan Amount: $144,750 (Purchase Price minus Down Payment)
Interest Rate:  4.94% (http://www.bankrate.com/ as of 05/19/2010)
Term: 30 Year Fixed
Payment: $771.75 (Principal and Interest)
Monthly Payment for Taxes and Insurance: $400 (An Estimate)
Mortgage Insurance: $100 (An Estimate)
Total Monthly Payment: $1,271.75

If you have a 620 credit score, money saved for a down payment and closing costs, can document your income, you can own a home. How much are you paying for rent? If it is close to the total monthly payment in this scenario, you could be paying that money towards your own home. Of course the numbers in this scenario can be more or less depending on the purchase price of your new home.

Give The Newlywed Real Estate Agent a call today @ 832-647-1769 to get you and your spouse qualified and approved for your New Home.

The Actual Move

After you and your spouse have packed, now it is time for the actual move. Choose a moving company. Friends, family and colleagues can give referrals. Get price estimates from at least three companies. Once you've narrowed the companies down, ask for references and check if the mover is registered with the appropriate state Department of Transportation, as are most reputable movers. Confirm local Better Business Bureau ratings as well. Review your homeowner's policy to see if belongings are covered during the move. If not, look into buying extended coverage or insuring through the mover.

If you are moving to a different city, make hotel reservations and book airline tickets about six weeks prior to your move if necessary. Give movers a phone number where you can be reached at all times. Do not leave until you have done a final walk-through to make sure everything is packed.

Finally, be patient. Prepare to unpack and enjoy your New Home.

Did I mention that The Newlywed Real Estate Agent will give you and your spouse an allowance towards your moving expenses? Call 832-647-1769 Today!

Packing Things Up After Saying "I Do"

You have said "I Do" and now it is time to pack and move the right way.

-Start by streamlining your possessions. Take an honest look at what you own and decide what you need to take with you. Have a garage sale or donate those items you can do without to a local charity.

-Next, take inventory of all the items you plan to move.

-Begin packing items that you don't use daily.

-Pack strategically - load items like the vacuum cleaner and bedding last so they can be the first items to be unloaded. The more organized you are, the better off you'll be when arriving at your new home.

-Do not pack any flammable materials. Many moving companies will not transport items such as gas cans, tanks for grills, paints or even cleaning products.

-Take plants separately or arrange to donate them.

-Set aside valuables such as stocks, legal documents, photos and other irreplaceable items - it's best to transport them personally.

Ready to pack and move into your New Home? Call The Newlywed Real Estate Agent Today @ 832-647-1769.

Two client slots are now open!! $150k or more!!!

I now have two client slots open where I can be fully committed to providing excellent and efficient service to your real estate needs. If you or someone you know is ready to buy a house of $150K or more or wants to sell a house for $150K or more, please give me a call at 832-647-1769 ASAP or send me an email at donte@RealEstateByEDJ.com or donte@TheNewlywedRealEstateAgent.com with the following information:


Name

Phone

Email

New House Location (Area you're seeking to buy)

Your House Location (Area where you want me to bring my contacts to see your great home!)

Requested Close Date: If you're ready to close, I'm ready to get you closed! Let's go....


Spring is here and these two slots will fill up fast due to the upcoming peak real estate season where everybody is buying and selling!!!!

Please feel free to forward this invitation to your family, friends and co-workers. I look forward to working with you!

P.S. To secure one of these two client slots, send me an email immediately.
P.S.S. I'm only seeking motivated buyers or sellers who are ready to do business with the best. Just to show my appreciation for seriously, motivated clients, here's what you'll get in addition to my excellent service:

-Referral Bonus. You don't need a realtor, but someone you know does. I'll pay you $100 VISA/American Express Gift Card if you send a seriously, motivated client to me who's ready to deal and close!

-Free House Warming Party for Buyers!! I'll pick up the tab on decorations and catering because you deserve a party!

-Let's sell your house and I'll give you an immediate moving allowance up to $250!!!

Remember, only two slots available!!!! Be one of the first to email and you'll get an extra bonus of $50 for being ready to deal and close! I like clients who are just as ready as I am to deal real estate!

Call me @ 832-647-1769.

Pricing Your Home

After selecting me as your listing agent, pricing your home is the next step. One of the most serious mistakes sellers make is either over or underpricing their home. Overpricing a home scares off buyers by placing the home out of their reach. Underpricing a home may sell the house quickly, but it could unnecessarily cost you money. I will prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to help give you an idea for an asking price. This will help us avoid the overpricing and underpricing mistake. The analysis shows recent prices received by sellers in nearby areas with homes similar to yours. The CMA will give you an idea about whether it is a buyer's or seller's market. Since a home listing sees the most buyer activity withing the first two to four weeks, it is imperative that we price correctly from day one. 

Ready to list your home? Visit http://www.homevaluesinthehoustonarea.com/ to determine your asking price.

Call me @ 832-647-1769

The Closing

After signing the purchase agreement, several steps occur before you and your spouse obtain ownership, including inspections, title search and examination. When all parties are satisfied that the terms of the contract are met, the closing date is set.

It is at the closing that the ownership of the house is transferred to you and your spouse. The loan will also be closed at this meeting. Everyone involved in the sale of the home is usually present at closing, including the seller and buyer, their attorneys, the real estate professional or brokers involved, and the closing or escrow agents. The closing usaually takes place at the title insurance company's office, lender's office or an attorney's office. You and your spouse may have to pay about 3 to 10 percent of the purchase price of the house in closing costs unless otherwise negotiated. The escrow agent will explain all the closing documents. After all the doc's are signed and the funding is complete, the keys are yours.

All that's left is to enjoy your new home. Does that sound fun? Give The Newlywed Real Estate Agent a call @ 832-647-1769. Let's Get Closing!!!

Selecting A Mortgage Lender

Chances are you will need to borrow funds from a mortgage lender.  In exchange for loaning you those funds, the lender will place a lien against the home. This allows them to foreclose if payments are stopped. The required down payment to purchase a home is usually 3 to 5 percent but can be as much as 10 or 20 percent, depending upon your specific mortgage loan. There are many types of loans including fixed-rate, adjustable-rate and convertible mortgages, as well as various time periods, although 30-year and 15-year mortgages are the most common.

My experience as a mortgage broker is very beneficial at this stage of the buying process. I will help you and your spouse shop around for the loan that is best for your situation and focus on factors such as interest rate, points and processing costs.

Give me a call at 832-647-1769 or send me an email at donte@TheNewlywedRealEstateAgent.com

Next week, we will finish the buying process series with everyone's favorite part...THE CLOSING!

Making An Offer

Last week, I talked about finding a home that's right for you. After you find that home, the next step is to make an offer.  You may choose to set the offering price based on comparable homes on the market (http://www.homevaluesinthehoustonarea.com/) or you can have a professional appraisal done. At this point, my expertise is especially valuable. Once settled on a price, you will have to put the offer in writing using what is called a purchase contract or purchase agreement, which will be presented to the seller. Earnest money or money indicating the seriousness of your offer to purchase may have to be put down with the contract. If the seller rejects the initial offer, you may receive a counteroffer, which marks the beginning of the negotiation phase of the purchase process. This is the fun part.  Once you reach an agreement, you will likely require a lender if you are not paying cash.  I will talk about selecting a mortgage lender next week.

Give The Newlywed Real Estate Agent a call @ 832-647-1769.

Finding A Home That's Right For You

When finding the right home there are many considerations. Do you want a condominium? A detached home? Do you prefer one story or more? Making a list of features you require, prefer and find unacceptable can be very helpful. In addition to the home itself, the location of the home should be carefully considered. Think about work commuting times, how close schools are for your children, and if conveniences such as grocery stores and dry cleaners are nearby. Also consider crime statistics, whether there is heavy traffic in the area and if the area is susceptible to flooding. In other words, make sure you consider the entire neighborhood. In addition, make sure you know the value of the home you are considering as it compares to the other homes in the area. Visit http://www.homevaluesinthehoustonarea.com/.

Call The Newlywed Real Estate Agent Today! 832-647-1769

What Is This FREE Report I Am Talking About?

I am often asked, "How is the real estate market?" If you want to know how the real estate market is in Houston and the Surrounding Area visit http://www.homevaluesinthehoustonarea.com/ to get your FREE market snapshot.  What exactly is market snapshot?  I am glad you asked.  Market Snapshot is the FREE report that gives you detailed information about the real estate market in Houston and the Surrounding Area.  For example, the market snapshot tells you what homes are listed for in a particular area, and what homes actually sold for.  In addition, the FREE report tells you the average number of days homes are on the market.  If you are a buyer, this will help you know when you need to submit an offer on a property that you like, and if you are a seller, this will help you determine how long your home will be on the market before it sells.  I am only scatching the surface about all the valuable information that market snapshot provides.  For example, I have not talked about the community and school information that is in this report.

To get your FREE-Real Time Market Snapshot Report, visit http://www.homevaluesinthehoustonarea.com/.  Fill in your name, email address, the area you are interested in, and some basic information about the home you have or are interested in buying.  You can be updated every 2,4,6, or 8 weeks. Stay informed about the real estate market in your current or future neighborhood.

If you have any questions contact me @ 832-647-1769.

The Earlier You Get Started, The Earlier You Can Finish

The early bird gets the worm.  It is always good to start early.  From a real estate perspective, the earlier you start saving the earlier you can buy your first home and be on your way to retirement.  If you decide that you want to upgrade or downsize, you can sell your first home and use the profit to buy and eventually payoff your next home.  The key is saving and buying your first home.

Getting started is usually the hardest part of doing anything.  Some mornings, it is hard for me to get out of the bed, but once my feet hit the floor, I am on my way to having a great day. 

Let's Get Started!!!  832-647-1769 or donte@TheNewlywedRealEstateAgent.com

Engaged, Newlywed, or Been Married Awhile???

Allow me to introduce myself to some and reintroduce myself to others...


I am Edmond "Donte" James, The Newlywed Real Estate Agent and I specialize in making couples happy through real estate.

So whether you or someone you know is:

• Engaged, planning a wedding, and ready to buy the perfect house at the same time.

• Engaged, planning a wedding, and wanting to find the perfect rental until you save more money for the perfect house. (Tip: Ask me about the Real Estate Bridal Registry!)

Or

• Newlyweds, glad the wedding planning is over, now you're ready to buy your perfect house.

• Newlyweds, ecstatic that you made it through the wedding, now you just want to find the perfect rental until you save more for the perfect house.

Or

• Married, but still feel like a newlywed and you're ready to buy a new home and/or sell your existing home.

No matter which one of these reflects where you are in your life or someone you may know, the key to a new way of living in Houston, TX and the surrounding areas, is The Newlywed Real Estate Agent!

Whether you're buying, selling, leasing or apartment hunting, Donte - The Newlywed Real Estate Agent can provide you with the kind of specialized VIP service you have come to expect as the new Mr. and Mrs.

So now that you have found the perfect spouse, let Donte - The Newlywed Real Estate Agent, find you or someone you know, the perfect house...or perfect rental.

Let me handle all of your real estate needs, so you can focus on taking care of your spouse's needs!

Learn more about me by visiting my website. Get EDJe-ucated on real estate by subscribing to my blog. Follow me on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook!

Or you can simply call me at 832-647-1769 or email me at: donte@TheNewlywedRealEstateAgent.com

Look forward to hearing from you, and helping you with all your real estate needs!

Wedding Things To-Do List:

Now that you have your marriage license, let's complete your to-do list!!!

~The Marriage License
~The Wedding Date
~The Honeymoon
The New Address???

What's going to be the newlywed's new address?  Whether you're buying, selling, leasing or apartment hunting, let The Newlywed Real Estate Agent be the key to your new way of living.

Schedule your FREE, NO OBLIGATION newlywed real estate consultation TODAY at 832-647-1769 or donte@TheNewlywedRealEstateAgent.com

Ask The Newlywed Real Estate Agent About The $8,000 Wedding Gift

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

Eligible first-time homebuyers who purchase by April 30, 2010, can qualify for a tax-credit of 10% of a home’s sale price, up to $8,000 for single and joint filers and $4,000 for married individuals filing separately. To qualify, buyers or their spouses may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

New: $6,500 Tax Credit for Current Homeowners

Eligible current homeowners purchasing a home by April 30, 2010, may qualify for a tax credit up to $6,500. To qualify, homeowners must have owned and resided in a home for at least five consecutive years of the eight years prior to the purchase date.

Deadline


Homebuyers must have a written, binding contract to purchase in effect by April 30, 2010, and must close by June 30, 2010.

Contact The Newlywed Real Estate Agent at 832-647-1769 or donte@TheNewlywedRealEstateAgent.com for more details.

Get Your House on the Big Stage after the Big Wedding Day

If your house is or soon will be on the market after the Big Wedding Day, ask yourself: Is my house staged to sell or lease? Staging your house goes beyond the obvious stuff like cleaning, fixing up, landscaping and interior decorating.

Kahai Tate, an Accredited Staging Professional, says, “Staging is increasing the perceived value of a home by ‘showcasing’ the space, allowing potential homebuyers to mentally move in.” A few staging tips include:

- ridding your house of clutter by either renting storage space or holding a yard sale

- turning on all the lights in the house

- repainting rooms to get rid of personalized colors that may distract buyers

- livening the entrance with cheerful colors and polished exterior lights, lock sets and address numbers

- repurposing unused rooms

Need a real estate agent to help you and your spouse get your house ready for the Big Stage after the Big Wedding Day? Contact The Newlywed Real Estate Agent at 832-647-1769 or at donte@TheNewlywedRealEstateAgent.com

You have to have peace in the home in order to get a piece at night.

When it comes to buying a house, the wife has the final say in most cases...Sorry husbands.  In my experience with working with newlywed and married couples, the wife is in the driver's seat.  The husband is just along for the ride.  When me and my wife purchased our first house, she picked out the house herself.  The only thing I had a say on was the game room.  What I have learned is that when the wife is happy, everybody in the house is happy.  A minister put it this way, you have to have peace in the home in order to get a piece at night.

So husbands be ready to sign on that dotted line at closing to make your wife happy.  Believe me, it will all be worth it.

Give The Newlywed Real Estate Agent a call at 832-647-1769 or send me an email at donte@TheNewlywedRealEstateAgent.com

Rent vs. Sell - What to Do With an Existing Property After You Say "I Do."

Consider Renting

Today’s rental market is sizzling. If you need to move into another property due to getting married and can accommodate purchasing your new home without the sale of your existing property, now may be the time to consider renting it out.

If being a landlord seems like too much work, using a property-management company is an option. They often charge 10% of monthly rent and what they manage is the renter screenings, building or land maintenance, and collecting rent.

The benefits of renting your existing property include:

- The property’s value can continue to appreciate.

- Money earned in rent collection can pay for the property’s mortgage, insurance, taxes and maintenance.
 
As you can see, this is a great way to add additional income to the household.  Once the market shifts back to a seller's market, then you and your spouse can sell the property and get a bigger profit. 
 
Looking to lease your house.  Call The Newlywed Real Estate Agent @ 832-647-1769 or visit http://www.thenewlywedrealestateagent.com/.

Tips for Seasonal Home Maintenance

Seasonal Home Maintenance


As seasons change, so does your home. New weather signals a new list of home maintenance chores. Here are few simple home tips to remember for each season:

Winter:

- Insert identifiers for your sprinkler system.

- Purchase de-icer and salt.

- Store and drain lawn equipment.

- Seal windows and doors.

- Turn off and drain outdoor faucets.


Spring:

- Plant bulbs.

- Clean gutters.

- Seed the lawn.

- Remove plastic from doors and windows.

- Clean and prep pool.

- Check garden hoses, lawn equipment, etc., for any necessary repairs/replacement.

Summer:

- Replace filters on HVAC.

- Plant flowers.

- Get out lawn furniture.

- Prep grill for cookouts.

- Re-stain deck.

- Flush sediment from your water heater.

- Finish painting projects.

Fall:

- Replace heater filters.

- Flush sprinkler systems.

- Mulch leaves.

- Trim trees and shrubbery.

- Aerate your lawn (midfall in the northern US and early fall in the southern US).

- Turn off power to AC.

Look for Green to Save Green

When you’re looking for a home, it’s easy to focus on the big stuff – how many bathrooms and bedrooms, what’s the neighborhood like, etc.? But don’t forget that a green home saves more than the environment – it saves money, too.

Here are a few green home items to look for:

1. Does the home have energy efficient windows? Look at window frames, insulated glass material and glass spacers, and check if they’re properly installed.

2. Is there a place in the yard for a compost pile to reduce the home’s trash output?

3. Are there trees at key locations the create shade, beat the summer heat and reduce cooling costs?

4. Are there low-flow faucets and showerheads to help reduce water usage?

5. Is the home drafty? Drafts indicated poor insulation and can cause high heating and cooling bills.

6. Can lighting fixtures use energy-efficient bulbs without looking awkward (such as in some ceiling fixtures). Energy-efficient bulbs can use two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last 10 times as long.

7. Are there Energy Star qualified appliances? Energy Star washers and dryers can reduce energy bills by an average of $50 a year. Qualified washers can reduce yearly water usage by up to 7,000 gallons.

These may not seem like “big picture” qualities to look for in a home, but they add up to significant savings for your wallet and the environment. Give The Newlywed Real Estate Agent a call @ 832-647-1769.

Don't Miss A Great Opportunity in 2010!!!

This is the first full week of 2010 and many of you have probably made resolutions, set goals, or said those magic words, "THIS IS MY YEAR." Well let me be the first to encourage you to stay the course and make it a great year!


As we all know, the housing and real estate market has seen some of its worst times, but if you are in the market for a new home, now is a great time to buy a home especially if you are a newlywed. You can take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit and if you are a move up buyer you may qualify for the $6,500 tax credit. Interest Rates are extremely low! So don't believe the hype that now is the time to sit still. As you read this, great deals are being made and many more Americans who have good credit and a down payment are getting a 'steal-of-a-deal' because of the overwhelming amount of inventory currently available. So YES! It's a great time to buy a home!

It's also an excellent time to refinance your home. Low interest rates are not only good for the home buyer, it's a great opportunity for existing homeowners to secure a lower interest rate on their current mortgage.

Whether you are in the market for a new home for the first time, you are a move up buyer, or you and your spouse are looking to purchase an investment property, The Newlywed Real Estate Agent is poised in 2010 to help you all the way! So in 2010, when you think real estate, think The Newlywed Real Estate Agent! And YES, we still appreciate all your referrals. Give us a call at 832-647-1769.