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Preferred Properties of Texas

The Preferred way to buy & sell real estate for you

How to Safeguard Your Home Against Extreme Weather

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Weather can be a powerful force and threaten your most valuable asset, your home. While we cannot control weather patterns, we can still protect our valuable property.

Weather damage mitigation is important for homeowners who live in areas of extreme weather. It not only increases the value of your home and lowers your insurance rates, but it also keeps you and your family safe. Local weather conditions are important for homebuyers to consider, as they could force you to spend a lot of money protecting your new home.

1. Understanding local weather patterns

72% homebuyers think climate risks should be disclosed to buyers during the purchasing process. However, you are the one who will determine whether the weather in the area is a risk. Check to see if you are dealing with a property that is located in one of the following at-risk zones:

Floodplains

Hurricane or erosion zones along the coast

Tsunami or seiche inundation zones

Earthquake country

Extreme heat zones

Wildfire territory

Download the FEMA app for your mobile device to receive weather alerts if you own a house. You may also receive automatic alerts through the Emergency Alert System or Wireless Emergency Alert.

2. Look into your resources

Check with your local government agency before making large purchases or changing your home’s physical structure to see if there are mitigation plans or suggestions for homeowners. They may also have funds available to protect your area.

You may be eligible for the following resources, depending on your location and household income.

  • Programs like the Low-Income Weatherization Program in California (LIHEAP).
  • The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program is a program that provides weatherization assistance to homeowners.
  • The USDA’s Single-Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants

4. Carry the proper insurance coverage

Document the condition of your valuables with photographs and written descriptions. This will ensure that you have the correct amount of coverage on your homeowner’s policy for the weather conditions.

If you are choosing an insurance plan for your home, you should be aware that it may not cover you against weather-related risks in your area. According to FEMA insurance guidance it protects your house, your garage, your fence and some weather-related perils like wildfires, falling objects and hurricanes. Depending on where you reside, you might want to purchase additional insurance such as flood or earthquake coverage.

5. Create a checklist for emergencies

It’s better to prepare for the worst and hope for the best when it comes to weather-related events. Create a list of how you will protect your home in case of a weather event. This should include more than just assembling a survival pack with essentials such as water and flashlights. That plan might include action steps like:

  • Turning off water or gas supplies
  • Close the fireplace flue
  • Close all windows and doors
  • Bring pets and outdoor furniture indoors
  • Move combustible objects away from your home

5. Keep everything in a safe place

You’ll leave certain tasks unfinished if you wait until the very last minute to secure your home. You can reduce the risk of damage by storing all household items in a safe, secure manner.

If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, you can elevate your electronics or move heavy objects from higher shelves into lower ones if it’s an earthquake zone. Keep outside items such as trash cans and sports equipment anchored if there is a chance of hurricanes or tornadoes.

Ensure that you store your sensitive documents safely. When possible, save electronic copies. Keep physical copies in an air-tight safe, a fire-proof safe, or a safe deposit box at your local bank.

6. Eliminate your biggest risks

Check out local guidelines to see how you can fortify your home against extreme weather. Use them to inspect your property to determine what is needed. Don’t ignore all the upgrades and repairs that need to be done. The consequences can be severe. List all the items in need of repair and order them by highest risk. Installing or paying for the following protections might be high on your list.

  • Roof coverings that are non-combustible
  • Roof straps and clips
  • Backup power source
  • Storm windows
  • Garage door brace
  • Tree Branch Removal
  • Waterproof bins
  • Insulation for the attic

If you don’t have the funds to cover these costs, check with local or government agencies (refer back to step 2). If you don’t have the funds in your budget, check to see if there are any grants or funding available from local government.

If you live in Florida you can benefit from the Disaster Preparedness Sale Tax Holidays and purchase essential items such as generators, smoke detectors or any other qualifying items.

7. Regular maintenance is essential

Weatherproofing doesn’t happen in a single day. You’ll need to include weather protection in your routine if you live in a region with extreme weather. According to the Insurance Information Institute regular maintenance like trimming trees and cleaning gutters is essential for protecting your home from the elements.

Original Blog: https://realtytimes.com/real-industry-news-articles/item/1049326-how-to-safeguard-your-home-against-extreme-weather?rtmpage=

Preparing Yourself to Buy a New Home

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Preparing to buy a home can be stressful, and cause unnecessary strain in all areas of your life. You might end up frantically searching for a house and calling multiple agents in order to find one. These stresses can cause family tensions as you try to deal with the situation. There is a way to make the whole process easier. If you prepare properly, purchasing a home can be as easy as you hoped.

1. Plan What You Want in a House

Before you start looking for a house, you should first determine what you want. This is a simple task. Write down on a piece paper or in a Word document the things you must have. You should not make the list too long and remember that certain aspects of your home can be changed. You shouldn’t include “purple paint” in your list, for example, because you can easily repaint walls. You should include the size and location of the house in your list. You can’t move your home once you have moved in, so you need to know what type of neighborhood you would like to live in. Also consider whether you prefer a suburban area or if you want to be out in the countryside. Once you purchase a house, the location is fixed. It is important to consider the size of the house, as it is easier to purchase the right size than to add on to an existing home. You should buy a house that is big enough for you and your family, with some extra room for guests.

2. Budget your expenses

Set up a budget. When it comes to purchasing a house, you don’t have an unlimited budget. The last thing you want to do is to put your family under stress because of finances. Set a budget to avoid this. Together with your partner or spouse, decide what’s realistic. Your budget should be able to comfortably accommodate your monthly expenses, so you don’t go over the limit. Add up your household income, and then list the average expenses. Do not hold back. Include everything, from replacing appliances to pest control. Make the necessary adjustments. You should plan your budget by keeping in mind all the normal expenses. This will help you not to push yourself too far.

3. Contact an Agent of Real Estate Well in Advance

Contact a real estate agent is the last thing you can do to prepare. The majority of people will do this a few months prior to moving out. You and the real estate agent will both be stressed out if you contact them so close to the deadline. Give yourself breathing space. Tell your agent about your plan, your budget and what you need from a home. The agent can then spend more time searching for your perfect home. You and the agent won’t feel rushed or stressed. With a cushion, you can work together with the agent. The home buying process should be much less stressful than most people think. Before you begin, make sure you have the time to plan and you’ve done all you can.

Contact Preferred Properties of Texas today to get started! 

Original Blog: https://realtytimes.com/archives/item/1022674-preparing-yourself-to-buy-a-new-home?rtmpage=

Pre-Listing Home Inspection: Key Driver For Home Sellers

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Home-sellers often overlook the importance of pre-listing inspections, which are an essential part of any real estate transaction.

Pre-listing inspections allow sellers to get a better understanding of their home’s condition. The seller can fix any problems before listing the property or set the price correctly.

Real estate agents often recommend sellers perform a home inspection before listing their property to increase the efficiency of the process and minimize any surprises. Here are some of the key benefits.

Uncover any Issues

An inspection of the house before listing will give sellers an idea about any problems that may exist. The inspector will give the seller a detailed list of problems that they can either fix before putting the house on the market, or present to the potential buyer. The seller will save both money and time.

Save Money

Home inspections performed prior to listing a home are generally the same price as a regular home inspection. This inspection is a valuable tool. The seller will be notified of any issues prior to listing the house, so they can fix them before the buyer inspects it. The sellers have plenty of time to compare repair costs and negotiate price without being under a deadline.

Buyers will be able to acknowledge the condition of the house by providing full disclosure up front, including any repairs made. This will reduce the chance that the buyer may come back to the seller later and ask for more money.

Increase your marketability

Transparency plays a major role in the selling of a home. A pre-listing inspection will help to disclose information to potential buyers, and earn the seller’s trust. The information will help make the house more appealing to buyers, and the sellers can benefit by selling their home quickly.

Home inspections are designed to reveal any problems with the house and provide solutions. The knowledge and expertise of professionals will ensure that important issues are not missed, reports arrive in a timely manner and sellers can move their home through the real estate process efficiently.

If you’re thinking about selling your home contact us today at 254-965-7775!

Original Blog: https://realtytimes.com/archives/item/1007924-pre-listing-home-inspection-key-driver-for-home-sellers?rtmpage=

5 Tips for Selling Land in the Spring

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The spring is the best time to sell. There are many reasons why spring is a great time to sell, including the better weather, increased sale prices, as well as an increase in buyer demand. These tips will help you make the most out of your time in the market.

Here are five ways to increase your chances of selling land quickly and at a good price this spring.

Tip #1: Bring your Listing up to Date

Replace outdated photos, videos and drone images with newer ones that reflect the current market.

Many sellers list their property in the winter, but then do not update it once spring arrives. This can actually work against you because buyers will assume that your property is on the market since it has gray and snowy photos or videos. If it is clear that your photos were taken during the winter months, you should invest in a new set of images.

Tip #2: Spring Clean Up

April showers can bring mud, weeds and more.

It’s important to have your property ready for showings in the spring. However, what you do will depend on your marketing strategy and how your land will be used. Plan to at least clear access roads to make it easier for agents and potential buyers to get to where they need.

Tip #3: Look for Areas that are Boggy

Wet spring weather is not only a problem for muddy land, but can also cause other problems.

Poor soil composition and improper drainage are two of the most common causes for land bogging. Pest problems, foul odors, and difficulty with building and/or planting can also accompany land bogging.

Stop by your property after a heavy rain to check if there is any bogged ground and, if needed, implement a solution. This type of improvement can increase the value of your property and let buyers know that drainage issues have been addressed.

Tip #4: Check the Comps

Always price your land to sell. It doesn’t necessarily mean you should undervalue your land, but you must pay attention to what the competition in your area is doing, especially during the spring when the competition is high.

If you are updating an existing listing or if you just want to jump on the market, consider the nuances of the high-inventory markets and price your home accordingly. You’ll have a lower chance of continuing the sales process well into the summer.

Tip #5: Rethink Your Marketing Strategy

The spring is a season of renewal. This applies to marketing strategies as well. The better weather allows you to take more photos and videos that can be used in your marketing. Spring season means more agents and buyers are interested in your listing. You can make both of these factors work for you by increasing your marketing efforts and tapping into new channels to get as many people as possible interested in your property.

Contact Preferred Properties of Texas today to get started! 

Original Blog: https://www.landhub.com/land-news/5-tips-for-selling-land-in-the-spring?inf_contact_key=45b138a46b6a36914cf6a283f5e03551680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1

210 Hwy 1027 in Carbon, Texas Successfully Sold!🏡✨

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Congratulations to both the seller and buyer on the successful sale of this! Wishing you all the best as buyers embark on a new journey and sellers move forward with new opportunities.

Big congratulations to Joe Humphries on your hard work in making this all happen! Your dedication has truly paid off.🥳

Joe Humphries- Real Estate Agent

Joe Humphries

Real Estate Agent

719-439-2713

Email Joe

 

I have over 20 years of real estate experience.  I have a BBA in Management from the University of Texas – Arlington.  I have owned and managed businesses in Texas and Colorado.  I am a Texas Realtor and a Colorado Real Estate Broker. I was raised in Dublin, TX.  I enjoy the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and exploring, and spending time with family and friends.  I am fortunate to be able to put my real estate experience and knowledge of the area to work for buyers and sellers in this market.

SOLD! 210 Hwy 1027 in Carbon, Texas

8 New Tricks for Keeping Mosquitos Away

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Mosquitos. Mosquitos are universally hated, and we would do anything to keep them at bay. We’re constantly on the lookout for new products, devices or prayers that can keep them out of our yard. This way we can enjoy the outdoors without having to come back home covered in itchy welts.

Here are the latest tools and tricks to help you keep them away.

Repel them

This Thermacell Mosquito Shield Mosquito Repellant provides 12 hours of DEET-free mosquito repellent. It is also cordless and scent-free. Amazon reviews are mixed, but at less than $25, it’s worth a try!

Remove them by wiping.

These Repel Mosquito Repellent Wipes with 30% DEET keep them away and are much easier to use than bug spray. You can also find wipes without DEET.

Use essential oils to dab on your skin

It was the best strategy for a recent visit to a land that is very humid and mosquito-prone. Peppermint and rosemary were applied liberally, reapplied every 30 minutes.

Burn coffee grounds

Reusing coffee grounds has many benefits, from fertilizing plants and repelling mosquitoes,” stated Hunker. After you ignite the coffee grounds, they have a smoldering affect that repels insects. The odor of burning coffee grounds repels mosquitoes and other insects.

Plant lavender

Mosquitos are not fond of the smell (and it is also beautiful to look upon), but they do. You can also add lemongrass, marigolds, and lemon balm to your garden.

Herbs to grow

You can also add rosemary, basil and garlic to your garden as a powerful anti-mosquito weapon. You might also want to grow it for other reasons, like its taste.

Basil is a great repellent of mosquitos, and it also adds a tasty flavor to Italian food! You’ll want it to be all over your home,” said PopSUGAR. “Windowsills and porches are great places to plant them. The possibilities are endless!”

Plug in the fan

A standing fan was more effective at repelling mosquitos in a Consumer Reports study than other “tried and true” methods. The CR team tested three different methods to control mosquito activity over a large area. These included citronella candle, an oscillating fan and a battery powered area diffuser emitting geraniol. Geraniol is a natural insect repellent derived by plants. “We found the fan to be far more effective than the citronella candle or the geraniol emitter.” Our tests revealed that the fan significantly reduced mosquito landings for people sitting nearby by up to 65 percent.

Grab a dryer sheet

The little miracles are useful for more than just eliminating static cling. Buzzfeed said that there is science behind the age-old myth. “Dryer sheets are a great way to keep mosquitoes and gnats at bay. They contain two chemicals: linalool (which is toxic for some insects) and beta-citronellol (found in citronella). Keep one in your pocket or, if you want to be really serious, rub it on your arms, and any other exposed areas.’

Original Blog: https://realtytimes.com/archives/item/1030076-8-new-tricks-for-keeping-mosquitos-away?rtmpage=

Preferred Properties of Texas

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