Uptown Real Estate Group: Investments

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After your front door your hallway is the first part of your home that you see when you get home, it is the first interior you present to your guests.

Too often halls are relegated to becoming thoroughfares where coats and shoes are dumped and not enough thought is put into their decoration. The right paint colour or wallpaper can brighten and lift the darkest or narrowest of spaces.

Include elegant storage to cut down on clutter, enliven your floor with a vibrant rug or runner or use the walls to display an art collection. If your hallway receives a daily bashing from your kids why not consider hardwearing tiles or wall panels? We've found the most enthralling halls and corridors from our archive for design ideas to inspire you…

HomePlus Mortgage topped LendingTree's list of top 10 customer-rated lenders in the second quarter.

LendingTree, an online marketplace offering information on more than 350 lenders nationwide, allowed customers to rate lenders based on satisfaction in mortgage rates, fees and closing costs, responsiveness, customer service, as well as overall experience.

"Congratulations to our Q2 winners," says Sam Mischner, senior vice president at LendingTree. "We are thrilled to see a mix of new and returning lenders on this top ten list. With the addition of 30 new lenders in the quarter, we had more lenders than ever in contention for these top spots. The biggest takeaway is that our lending partners are emphasizing customer satisfaction, making borrowers the real winners."

The following lenders topped LendingTree's list for the second quarter:

HomePlus Mortgage
Triumph Lending
First Midwest Bank
Allied Mortgage Group, Inc
J.G. Wentworth Home Lending Inc. (formerly known as WestStar Mortgage, Inc.)
Insight Loans
Intelliloan
Pulaski Bank Home Lending
Reliant Bank Mortgage Services
Ditech Mortgage Corporation

Source: LendingTree / Realtor Mag

Having your home in the best condition possible will give you the competitive edge you need when you put your house on the market. Every season is different and your property will have certain needs depending on which season you’re in. Today, we’ll be sharing with you some seasonal tips to help your home be in top shape for selling every season. So, highlight your home’s strengths, downplay its weaknesses and appeal to the greatest possible pool of prospective buyers with these seasonal home-staging tips.

During the summer:

Water your lawn and trim your landscape: A green lawn means more green for you!
Watch your bush height: Don’t let your bushes hide the features of your home.

In fall...

Rake up your leaves: Keep the outdoor greenery looking fresh much longer.
Light a fire: Set the scene by lighting a cozy fire when you show your home.

For winter:

Keep your paths clear: Shovel and de-ice all pathways and porches for easy exploration.
Don’t overdo the holiday decor: If you want to honor your faith, go ahead, but don’t want it in people’s faces.

During spring:

Add some color with vibrant plants: Spring can be gray and rainy; counterpart adding some color with blossoming trees and flowers.
Repair sidewalk cracks: Fix any damage winter might have brought along.

We've got plenty more information for you. Give us a call today and talk to one of our realtors!

If you are looking to buy a new property soon and you want to avoid all of these potential homebuyer fails we've mentioned, you have a few primary steps to take. The first step is making the decision that you want to buy your first home, after that, you must assess your finances and find a Realtor® so she/he can help you find the right program to get you qualified for a loan, or help in any other area you might need assistance in.

Feel free to give us a calla anytime! 713.629.7771

Illustration: Brock Davis

Whenever you are thinking or looking at a property to rent, it is always advised to be prepared, organized and ready. Our team came up with a list of questions or things every prospective renter should take into account before choosing the perfect place to rent.

It doesn’t matter if you’re considering a house, a condo, a townhouse or an apartment; this will be your home in the near and foreseeable future, which is why although you will have an instant emotional reaction to the property, we recommend to always take into consideration a rational assessment of this potential future home. Take into consideration the inside and the outside, the local areas, the amenities, parking and general conditions along with the complete cost that will come with living in it.

Let’s talk about the inside:

Is the inside of the property in good condition?

Check for signs of damp, flaking paint or any kind of infestations.

Are any repairs needed?

Are there any broken items or furniture?

What type of heating is available in the property?

Does the heating/cooling system work properly?

What’s the state of the insulation?

Does the property have enough storage space for your personal belongings?

What’s the state of the electrical system?

Do all the appliances work?

Is the kitchen equipment in good condition? Is the kitchen comfortable enough?

What’s the state of the bathrooms? Does the shower work?

Are the sealants around the bath and shower intact?

Can you alter the property decoration?

Are there enough telephone and electrical points in the property? Are they in useful places to you?

Does it have Internet connection? What kind?

On the outside:

Is the outside of the property in good condition?

Are external doors secured?

Does the property have an alarm system?

Is there a surveillance system installed?

Is there a garden?

Who is responsible for the maintenance of the garden?

What is the area like?

Are there available and desirable amenities within easy reach?

What are the neighbors like?

What’s the neighborhood like?

Has the property ever been burgled or damaged?

Important safety checks:

Have all the appliances had safety checks? Is the paperwork available to view?

Do the downstairs windows (if any) have locks?

Is there an alarm in place?

Are there fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in the property?

Is there a landlord’s gas safety record available to view?

Does the property comply with the latest fire safety regulations?

Let’s talk money:

How much is the rent?

What does the rent include?

What other bills are you liable to pay for?

How much is the deposit?

What are the conditions for the landlord to deduct money from the deposit?

Estimated costs of running the property

Can you afford the rent, deposit and running costs?

Other general considerations:

If anything needs to be repaired, ask the landlord in writing

If the landlord agrees to make repairs on the property, get it in writing

Double-check the property’s inventory before you move in if it applies

Get a copy of the tenancy agreement and make sure you fully understand it

Get and keep your own signed copy of the tenancy agreement

Is it possible to ask previous tenants about their experience with the landlord and the property?

Check and take note of all the meter readings the day you move in

Of course, we will always advice to not do any of these transactions on your own. We are here to help. Give us a call and we will gladly assist you and answer your questions.

2207 Bancroft St 901 Houston, TX 77027 - $790,000

It’s all about location!

Just inside the 610 Loop off the Galleria and River Oaks Area. The floor to ceiling glass highlights the wonderful views of The Galleria. Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel Bosch appliances and designer selected finishes. A 2 Bedroom and 2 Bathroom home with a large living area for entertaining. Must see this luxury high-rise living with the amenities of a private club. 2 assigned parking spaces and Storage included. Walking distance to River Oaks District.

Enjoy the pictures and the view. For more information on this property, clickhere.