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Preferred Properties of Texas

The Preferred way to buy & sell real estate for you

Gardeners Can Use The Cold Winter Months To Plan Their Spring And Summer Gardens

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Even though the winter landscape is bleak, it’s the right time to start planning your gardening for the coming growing season.

It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or have just moved in to a new house and need to start the landscaping process.

Gardening success starts with making sure the garden beds are placed in sunny areas and have well-drained soil. Place the beds as far away as possible from trees and shrubs that could compete for light, water, and nutrients.

These conditions are great, but many homeowners have less than ideal locations to plant their vegetable garden. With proper crop selection, you can still grow successful vegetables. Consider raised beds, container gardening if the site is not draining well.

Every three to four years, it is important to test the soil. Gardeners can get an analysis of nutrients in soil by performing a soil test. Routine soil tests will give gardeners information about the soil’s levels of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. It is crucial to have this information before you plant, in order to ensure that your plants receive the correct nutrients.

While we tend to think about gardening only in spring and summer, winter is a great time for gardening.

Some other helpful tips for gardeners include:

  • Follow the directions on fertilizer labels.
  • Add organic materials like yard waste to improve soil.
  • Use the plants that are suitable for your area of growth.
  • Mulch can be used to control weeds and conserve moisture.
  • To avoid potential problems, make sure to check your garden often.
  • Only use pest control measures on known pests.

Mistakes to avoid:

  • Too close planting can make it difficult to walk or work in the garden, and can cause problems with normal plant development.
  • Apply fertilizer directly to plant roots, stems, or seeds.
  • Don’t water too often or excessively, so that the soil doesn’t dry out.
  • Before pulling weeds, allow them to grow larger.
  • Root injury can be caused by deep cultivation.
  • Use chemicals that are not recommended for use in garden crops.
  • Avoid planting varieties that are not suitable for your area.
  • To avoid disease and insect buildup, rotate crop families each year.

Original Blog:  https://extension.okstate.edu/articles/2022/garden-planning.html

Kitchen Flooring Options, Find The Best Kitchen Flooring For You.

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There are many factors that go into choosing the right kitchen floor. How often do you cook? Are you more comfortable with an open floor plan or a closed-off one? Which is the most durable?

Hardwood flooring is an excellent choice for those who want timeless appeal and unmatched warmth. Hardwood flooring will give you a great return on your investment, should you ever decide to sell your house. Another benefit: Hardwood works well in living and kitchen areas, creating a warm, cohesive look.

There are two options for hardwood flooring: engineered or solid wood planks. Engineered wood is made up of a veneer of wood, backed with layers of plywood. This flooring is a better choice for kitchens, as it provides dimensional stability. This protects the flooring against movement due to temperature and humidity changes, which can be a problem in kitchens.

Sheet vinyl, also known as resilient flooring, is the most popular type of flooring. This cushiness is great for those who cook often. It also makes it more comfortable on the feet and reduces muscle fatigue. Sheet vinyl is also more flexible if you or a loved one are prone to dropping things. There will be less damage. Sheet vinyl flooring can be cleaned quickly and easily. It is completely waterproof and stain-proof.

However, this choice comes with its own set of disadvantages. You may find seams depending on the layout and size of your kitchen. Vinyl flooring is 12 feet wide. You will have seams if your kitchen is larger than 12 feet. They can leak moisture into the subfloor, trapping dirt and causing them to not be bonded properly.
Sheet vinyl is easy to clean. Sheet vinyl is easy to maintain. You might prefer a cushioned vinyl flooring with foam backing. The extra cushioning can make it difficult to keep seams bonded for long periods of time. You could also end up with trapped dirt and moisture if your seams split.

Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile that can be used as a flooring tile. It is fired at high temperatures to produce a hard and stain-resistant tile, which resists moisture. It can even be used outside in almost any climate because it is so strong. Porcelain tile can be purchased unglazed or glazed, just like other ceramic tiles. Unglazed porcelain tiles take on the clay color, giving them a natural earthy tone.

Glazed tiles, on the other hand can be made in any color and mimic the texture and look of real stone for a fraction of the cost.

The Americans with Disabilities Act certifies that porcelain tiles are slip-resistant. The designation should be clearly displayed on packaging materials or product information.

Cork is made of tree bark, which is harvested every 8-10 years. It is also sustainable. It is produced in countries that regulate harvesting to guarantee future supply.

There are some plus points. Cork’s compressible and waterproof cellular structure makes them a comfortable, water-resistant option. It comes in 12-inch-by-12-inch tiles and one-foot-by-three-foot planks, each with a unique grain pattern of swirls and speckles. It is slip-resistant due to its naturally textured surface.

Cork flooring does require maintenance. To protect against scratches and keep moisture out of the joints between tiles, cork flooring should be sealed every three to four year. Natural wax and polyurethane are good sealers. To keep it green, choose water-based polyurethane which is nontoxic and has low volatile organic compound (VOC) levels.

 

Original Blog: https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/kitchen/kitchen-flooring-ideas/

Today’s Housing Supply Gives You Two Opportunities

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The increase in housing supply relative to last year might not seem like good news for potential sellers. However, it does offer two key opportunities in today’s housing market.

An article derived from Calculated risk helps to put inventory gains in 2022 into perspective, by comparing them with recent years ( Graph). This graph shows that supply has exceeded 2021 levels by 58%. The bigger picture is easier to see if you go back further. We are 35% less than the housing stock that we had in 2019, the last normal year of real estate.

This inventory growth allows you to sell your house if it is not meeting your needs , or lacks the space and features that you desire. You’ll find more homes to choose from when searching for your next house.

A local real estate agent can help you stay informed about the properties in your area. A professional can help you write a winning offer once you have found the right one.

However, inventory remains low in comparison to normal years. This is not going to change overnight. If you price your house correctly, it should still be in high demand from potential buyers.

You have many homes available to you if you are a homeowner and want to sell. However, inventory levels may be low so you can still sell your home.

If you’re ready to get started, contact Preferred Properties of Texas 

 

Original Blog: https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2022/12/13/ready-to-sell-todays-housing-supply-gives-you-two-opportunities/

 

Habits Homeowners Need to Break

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Break bad habits now to live a happier life and have a better bank account.

Long, steamy showers are a good idea. While 20 minutes spent in steam can be beneficial for your pores, it is also good for mold. While you sing in the shower, turn on the exhaust fan and squeeze your walls. Scrub the grout every few months. Grungy grout can be a turnoff to buyers. It is also difficult and costly to redo.

Keep out the sun. It might be smart to close your shades during winter. You want more insulation against the cold weather. Your energy bill is different. A sunny window can heat your home and reduce your heating bills. You may also notice a decrease of seasonal depression.

Obsessively looking for bargains. Although it feels great to find a bargain, cheaper is not always better. Budget purchases might end up costing you more long-term. Dollar paintbrushes can leave streaky marks that will require a costly re-do. When it comes to appliances, you should be willing to spend a little more, especially if you are thinking of selling your home. There are noticeable differences between the most affordable and the next-cheapest model. Buyers want to see stainless-steel.

A half-full dishwasher is a waste of water. If your dishwasher is full, it will waste water. Although dishwashers are more efficient than washing dishes by hand, they use less water than washing them by hand. However, most dishwashers still require the same amount of water, regardless of how many plates were used. This makes half-empty cycles significantly less efficient. A household with one or two people can wash their dishes once per day.

Mega mulching. Mulch too dense can cause root rot and invite invasive insects. Mulch should be loosely packed to protect your trees.

You are going on a remodeling spree. If your home is in dire need of serious, obvious work, don’t go on a remodeling spree three weeks after you move in. Before renovating, take the time to get to know your home. When you move in to a house, you don’t necessarily know what your needs will be. To find the right space, you should stay there at least six months. You’ll regret doing too much too quickly.

Pack-ratting. You understand clutter is bad but you can’t help but to do it. You were forced to keep the unused exercise bike in your spare room, even though it’s a space you don’t get to enjoy. One small task. You will feel satisfied when you have done one small thing. You will find it easier to do the next little thing.

 

Original Blog:  https://www.houselogic.com/save-money-add-value/money-saving-diy/preventive-home-maintenance/?cid=eo_em_ws_touch4

How To Avoid First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes

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The purchase of a home is the largest investment and purchase a person will ever make. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for your first home or if you expect to be ready in a few years. Knowing the common errors to avoid is just as important as the helpful tips .

You don’t need to worry about buying a house. There are many things you can’t plan for. But knowledge is power. The more you know the better you will be during the entire process.

While it is not unusual for some mishaps to occur during the home buying process, there are some red flags that first-time buyers overlook or don’t know about.

Not Saving Enough. It’s easy for emotions to take over and cause excitement, but it can quickly dissipate if you realize that you don’t have enough money to maintain your new home. Many buyers are able to save enough money for the minimum downpayment. This could lead to higher mortgage payments. You should also consider closing costs, maintenance and moving costs when planning your budget. START SAVING AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE & AIM TO HAVE A CASH RESERVE OF three to six months worth of daily living expenses.

Don’t be prequalified for a loan. Don’t let the “estimated monthly loan amount” numbers beside your dream home on Zillow distract you. Talk to a mortgage loan officer, and provide documents that will give you an accurate picture of what you’ll pay. Ask your mortgage lender for information about the first-time buyer options, and search for programs in your area.

Don’t check your credit report. Remember how we said that knowledge is power? Before you start looking for homes, get clear about your credit score. Your credit report will be reviewed by mortgage lenders. You’ll need to present yourself to get a better offer. It is possible to avoid issues by asking for free credit reports every year and then disputing any errors.

Setting up or hurrying the process. It’s not easy, but it is important for first-time homebuyers to practice patience. Sometimes it’s easy to rush or believe a property is better than it really is. Before you make a deposit, take your time. This will help you avoid costly mistakes. Tip – Spend a night in your new neighborhood to see what it is like. To test it, look for VRBO or Airbnb in your area.

Skipping home inspection or not. There are many horror stories about first-time homebuyers who skipped a home inspection. The consequences could be disastrous. Many HOME EXPERTS SAY that home inspections are “the most important fact-finding step in purchasing a house.” It could reveal things such as mold and poor plumbing. If you are unable to attend, hire a professional home inspector.

These common mistakes should not discourage you from home-buying. Rather, it should help you feel confident that you are making the best decision for your family and yourself. These tips will help you to be successful when you begin your search for your first home.

 

Original Blog: https://www.landhub.com/land-news/5-first-time-home-buyer-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them/

Selling Your Home During A Real Estate Slowdown

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Selling a house is not as easy as it used to be last year, or six months ago. Many sellers feel they are facing a Sisyphean task, given the news that we seem to be sliding into an unofficial depression and a serious slowdown in the home market. A Federal Reserve interest rate increase of 0.75% will likely push up mortgage rates, which have already reached a 20 year high. This will further stress a stressed market.

If you are in a position where you can sell, there is no reason to lose heart.

It might not be possible to receive multiple offers for your home if it is priced higher than the asking price. With a little planning and strategic thinking, it’s possible to schedule the moving trucks in no matter how fast you are.

We hear from real estate professionals who have seen worse markets than we think.

Many potential homebuyers may struggle to balance the realities of rising mortgage rates with their goals. Offering an interest rate buydown can help reduce their monthly mortgage payments. This is a great way to make them feel at ease.

A buyer and his lender will usually negotiate an interest rate buydown. Sellers may offer to purchase down a buyer’s mortgage. A seller-paid buydown is where the seller pays a specified amount to the mortgage lender of the buyer to lower his interest rate.

A rate buydown is a special amount of money that is credited to the buyer at closing. This money can be used to pay points on the buyer’s mortgage. Buyers have the option to refinance if rates drop again so they can use this to pay their closing costs.

A buydown can be arranged by offering to pay a percentage point. You can also offer to reduce their interest rate by one or two points at closing. This will directly address a problem that many buyers face and likely have less impact on you than you realize. A drop in price of $30,000 to $50,000 is still a small amount. In today’s market, buying down points works well.

If your home wasn’t built recently, it’s likely that there are big-ticket items such as your boiler, your roof, or your HVAC system that need to be replaced.

If your roof is more than 15 years old, you will need to replace it soon. It is a great bonus to offer to do this before the sale or to escrow funds to pay the costs.

While some sellers may have to reduce their prices, you can make it more likely that you land a buyer. You’ll be able to quickly adjust your listing and get multiple offers and lots of showings. You can also trigger interest by scheduling micro price drops. Schedule price drops to be made available at times that you are available for showings, and go down by 1% every month.

You might be willing to give up any assets you don’t usually include in a home sale if you are selling your home or downsizing. You might consider offering one of these to buyers as a tempting tidbit. It is difficult to sell right now with the competition so capturing buyers‘ interest is key. Sometimes it is as simple as offering and highlighting high end appliances, unusual items, or cars, as well as solar panels, large-screen TVs, and even gardening tools.

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs backs VA loans and they don’t require down payment or mortgage insurance. This makes them very popular among those who are eligible. One benefit that many are unaware of is the possibility that VA loans may be assumed or taken on by buyers. You should market any VA loan that you may have. They can often cover up to 40% of the sale price and are typically at a very low interest rate.

The current housing market is extremely uncertain. Adding a layer of predictability to the equation can prove to be a great boon.

Sellers might offer to buy a home warranty to protect their home while it is on the market. The warranty can be transferred to the buyer after the property is sold.

Most home warranty contracts last for 12 months and can cost between $250 to $1500 per year depending on the warranty provider.

Your buyer will feel confident knowing that a home warranty is included with their home purchase. They feel more confident making big decisions about their home.

 

Original Blog:  https://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/how-to-sell-your-home-during-real-estate-slowdown/

 

Preferred Properties of Texas

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