3 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Value Through Sustainability

If you want to increase your home’s value before listing it, there are three projects you can do that will improve its sustainability and make it more attractive to buyers.

If you are thinking of selling your home, think sustainability.

A new survey by the National Association of Realtors just came out, and it made some remarkable
points. For example, 61% of Realtors said clients are interested in sustainability. Also, a whopping 71%
of Realtors said energy efficiency is valuable in helping sell a home.

So, if you are interested in sustainability and you want to sell your home for a higher price, here are
three projects to consider:

1. Energy-efficient appliances. Energy Star-certified appliances such as fridges, washing machines,
and clothes dryers can be as much as 40% more water efficient and 25% more energy efficient than
standard models. Those numbers go way up if you compare new energy-efficient appliances with
models that are more than a few years old.

Other gadgets throughout your house might also warrant an update. For example, if you have an
old thermostat or an inefficient water heater, then smart new alternatives such as the Nest thermostat
or solar water heaters might also be worth a look.

2. Solar panels. Speaking of solar, homes with solar panels sell 20% faster, according to the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory. Even more impressive, they sell for a whopping 17% more than
comparable homes without solar. And with a range of state and federal incentives still in place, solar
can be a great way to make your home more green and attractive at the same time.

3. Windows, doors, and siding. Renovated windows, doors, and siding typically recoup about 80%
of their cost in terms of higher home value. However, a full suite of energy-efficient windows, doors,
and siding might be worth even more in the current sustainability-minded market. Plus, these projects
increase your home’s curb appeal, making it more likely your home will get more interest from
potential buyers.

Any of these projects can potentially add a lot of value to your home. If you want to discuss which
sustainability projects might make the most sense in your particular case or what kind of sale price
you could achieve, please feel free to give me a call.

If you have any other questions or real estate needs, feel free to call or email me anytime. I would be
happy to help you.

How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

If you’re buying a home with a mortgage, you absolutely need to get a pre-approval first. Here’s why.

There's no doubt about it. It's a very competitive market today if you are looking to buy a home. Inventory is near record lows, and more and more homebuyers are entering the market. This means you need every advantage to grab that perfect home when you do find it. One no-brainer is to get pre-approved for a mortgage. A pre-approval informs you of how much you can borrow and you will prepare you for future steps. A pre-approval can mean the difference between having your offer accepted or having to watch your dream home go to somebody else in a crazy market like this. In spite of all these good reasons, less than 10% of buyers who get a mortgage get pre-approved by the lender who originated the loan. In other words, you can definitely get a leg up on the competition by starting your home search at the loan office rather than at the open house.
 

A pre-approval definitely gives you a leg up on the competition.

Here are a few things that you will need: 1. Proof of income. At a minimum, lenders will want to see pay stubs from the past 30 days showing your year-to-date income, two years of federal tax returns, and two years of W2 forms from your employer. 2. Proof of assets. You will need to present statements from your checking, savings, or investment accounts to prove that you have funds for the down payment and closing costs. 3. Good credit. Most lenders reserve the best rates for homebuyers with a credit score of 740 or above. You can still qualify for a mortgage with a lower credit score, but a good lender will also recommend ways that you can improve your credit and qualify for a better loan. These are the biggest and most common things you will need to get pre-approved, though your lender might want to see some other documents as well. Once you are pre-approved, the buying process will be faster, more convenient, and less stressful. Most importantly, it will make it more likely that your offer for that perfect home gets accepted. If you have any questions for me or need any additional assistance, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

What’s the Best Month to Sell Your Home?

The best time of year to sell your home might not be what you think it is. Here’s what we mean.

There's a bit of a controversy brewing among real estate experts. The topic is the best time of year to sell a home. On one hand, real estate agents across the country agree: Spring is the best time to sell your home. However, do the facts actually support this view? The folks at real estate web platform HomeLight wanted to find out, so they crunched the numbers on actual home sales in different markets to see when the best time to sell a home actually was. In general, spring did come out on top in many situations. However, there were also many exceptions. For example, in Greenville, SC, the best month was July, beating out the average sales price by 150%. In Breckenridge, CO, February was the winner, with a 106% increase over the average. In Tomball, TX, homes sold in October for 133% more than the average for the year.  

It’s not as simple as saying that spring is the best time to sell your home.

What does this all mean for you? If you want a broad recommendation for when to sell your home, then simply listing your home now at the very start of spring is a recommendation that can't be beat. There are plenty of other details that go into the optimal decision. Weather is a big one. Recent real estate trends in the area would be another. The specifics of your own home and the kinds of homebuyers it is likely to attract is a third and crucial aspect. There are fewer homebuyers in the fall and winter, but they tend to be more serious and eager to find a home before the holidays. In the summertime, there might be added pressure to buy a home before the school season starts. In short, it's not as simple as saying spring is the best time to sell your home. If you have any questions for me, give me a call or send me an email and we can discuss all the unique attributes your home, put them in the context of recent trends in the McAllen real estate market, and come up with a winning strategy of when you should list to get the best price. I look forward to hearing from you soon!