Showing posts with label Woodlands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Woodlands. Show all posts



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






Investing in Real Estate is one of the most beneficial and common types of investments. Whether you are buying to live in, rent or sell for a profit, here at Uptown Real Estate Group we are ready to assist and counsel you in all your investment decisions.

You might ask yourselves: What can property offer potential investors? With property, there are two main potential ways to make a profit: rent, where you can earn an income by letting out your property to tenants; or selling for a profit, which is when you buy a property and later sell it at a higher price.

Of course, property investing has some risks. Property prices and demands for rentals can go up or down and that is why direct and indirect property investments are for the long term. If you are willing to wait, you can ride out the losses if the market slows down and earn profits again when times are better. If your case is being over-invested in property, you should diversify your portfolio by holding different kinds of investments.

No matter how you look at it, even if you take into account the risks, real estate investment is still one of the best ways to make your money grow and maximize your income earning potential.

Houston is a thriving city with amazing real estate investment opportunities; give us a call for a complete consultation on the best options for you today.

Are you Aware How Much Real Estate Photos Matter?

We know you know that no one will pay a >$2,500 a month rent to live in an out-of-focus, overexposed and poorly set up house or apartment. Good photography can make or break a sale, after 8 months of being stuck on the market, the house got re-photographed and it sold in just 8 days.

When looking to buy or rent online searchers encounter, more than often, the most awful pictures on property listings. And whether you’re the one trying to find a place or listing it, the experience is usually very discouraging.

Professional Interiors Photographer based in Orlando Harry Lim, has some experience in this matter and knows exactly how to make the difference. He recently posted a story on his blog on how better property photography goes a long way.

Check out the before and after pictures and see for yourself.  If you need any assistance, feel free to give us a call!


1. The outside of the house

BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index
2. The pool table

BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index
3. The bedroom
BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index
4. The Family Room
BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index

5. The Kitchen

BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index

6. The Dining Room
BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index
7. The Bathroom
BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index

8. The Second Bedroom

BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index

9. The Pool

BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index

10. The Third Bedroom

BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index

11. The Second Dining Room

BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index

12. Outside the House

BEFORE - Original listing photo / Via harrylimphotography.com

AFTER - Harry Lim harrylimphotography.com!/index


More and more people are looking to buy a home today and buying a home is still part of the American dream for many so, what you might ask yourself is this: do I need to hire a real estate agent?  The answer is yes and we will tell you why.

When You Decide to Buy a Home
  • With an agent: the housing market is a tricky one, especially post-crash. Real estate agents can help you navigate foreclosures, short sales, tighter lending standards and a whole lot of other issues.
  • Without an agent: It is all on you to figure out the different parts of buying a home. It can be done, thanks to the Internet, but be prepared to dedicate dozens of hours a week to your home buying process. 

Financing Your New Home
  • With an agent:  A good real estate agent will already have a contact with local lenders. They can help you find a reputable local lender who will provide good service and act in your best interest.
  • Without an agent: It’s you against the financial world as you sift through different lenders looking for the best deal.

Finding Your New Home
  • With an agent: It is a real estate agent’s roll in life to find your dream home. The have the contacts, the databases of homes and they know hot to get things done. An experienced real estate agent will have up-to-date info on what is happening in the marketplace including pricing, financial terms and trends in the market.
  • Without an agent: You will need to create a system to organize your home search. This will include spreadsheets with columns full of locations, prices, number of bedrooms, baths, visit dates, etc. Not to mention you have to keep this file handy as you go look for homes.

Making an Offer
  • With an agent: Good real estate agents are experienced negotiators and should have a mastery of details: helping you complete a real estate transaction that encompasses a win-win price, transaction details like preferred time lines, financing details and other important info that fir your needs.
  • Without an agent: You better be able to roll with the punches because if you get in a bidding war with another buyer things could get messy. Fast!

Due Diligence & Inspections
  • With an agent: The initial agreement is only the beginning of the process. Appraisal, inspection and financing all pose as possible pitfalls in a Real Estate transaction. A real estate agent can give objective professional advice to resolve issues and move a transaction to closing.
  • Without an agent: The required paperwork alone can be overwhelming! Not to mention everything else you have to know how to do. 

Closing
  • With an agent: An experienced agent will understand the closing paperwork and knows what to look for regarding closing costs, title insurance, pro-rations and other fees that come up at closing.
  • Without an agent: Do you know anything about title insurance, what fees to expect or the paperwork that goes along with it?


Basically, real estate purchases are one of the biggest financial transactions most people will experience in their lifetime, why not let a professional that has years of experience and knowledge help you!

We are here for you. Give us a call today!




Buying a home can be a difficult process – especially if you don’t ask the right questions ahead of time. If you’ve narrowed down your choice of a home to one, you may be eager to make an offer and get negotiations started.

But, before you write that check, you might want to ask some questions. Your realtor or agent can be a valuable resource in gathering information for you and getting all the answers to your questions.

Today, we’ll give you a list of 30 questions to ask your realtor before you buy a home. We know 30 might sound like a lot, but we want you to be thorough with your investigation so you are sure of your investment.

  1. Is the listing price in line with market value?
  2. What is a fair offer on the property based on recent comparables?
  3. How long has the property been on the market?
  4. How motivated is the seller?
  5. How flexible is the seller on the asking price?
  6. What price did the seller pay for the home?
  7. What is the age and condition of the property?
  8. How many people have owned the property?
  9. What items are included in the sale (e.g. appliances, window coverings, etc.)?
  10. What are the annual taxes?
  11. Is there a monthly or quarterly HOA fee? (Home Owners Association)
  12. Is the current owner up-to-date on payments?
  13. How quickly can the property close?
  14. Are any foreclosures for sale in the area?
  15. Will the lender allow a short sale?
  16. Has all work on the house been completed with permit and to code?
  17. Is there any paperwork for the mechanical systems?
  18. Is this home in a flood plain?
  19. What schools is the property zoned for?
  20. Is there much crime in the neighborhood?
  21. What type of utilities does the home require (e.g. oil, gas, septic, etc.)?
  22. Who do you recommend to perform the home inspection, and why?
  23. Which title company do you recommend, and why?
  24. What is your relationship with the listing agent?
  25. Do I need to be pre-qualified to write an offer?
  26. What is the neighborhood like?
  27. Any pets buried in the back yard?
  28. How much are utilities?
  29. Is there anything you can tell me about my future neighbors?
  30. Is there anything you need to tell me that I haven’t already asked?

We know the list is long but your agent should be more than qualified to answer all of your questions. If you need assistance buying, selling or renting, or you just want some help answering some of these questions, please give us a call and we will gladly be there for you.

It’s always a pleasure,