5 Common Mistakes of First Time Homebuyers

Buying a house for the first time can be incredibly overwhelming. It is so easy to make mistakes or overlook details that could help you get a great deal on your first home.

On average, most first time homebuyers only stay in their home 4-5 years before they upgrade. When shopping for your first home, don't just make your decision based on what suits you -- example: I work a lot and don't cook very often, so I don't need a big kitchen -- because that can affect the resale value down the road. That small kitchen that you didn't necessarily mind may be a huge limiting factor when it comes time to sell and buy a larger home down the road.

I also see many home buyers become hesitant to "pull the trigger" and make an official offer on a home. Yes, it is a huge decision, but in this housing market, a good home at a good price won't say on the market for long. On that same note, it is so important to get a good agent that will walk you through the process and communicate every step of the way. Not only should that agent keep you informed throughout the process, but they should also help you put in a competitive offer on the home you choose that will be appealing to the seller so they choose your offer. 

Ask lots of questions, stay informed and educated throughout the process. Everyone you work with throughout the journey of buying a home is working for you. Don't be afraid to ask what might seem like a stupid question! 

Are you considering buying a home in the Houston area? I'd love to help!

Jessica Rumbaugh | RumbaughProperties.com - Sugar Land, TX

TITLE INSURANCE....things you didn't know...

Title insurance protects the holder from any losses sustained from defects in the title. It’s required by most mortgage lenders. 

Title insurance protects both the lender and the secondary markets that your loan is sold to - against any defects in the title to your home or property. The title insurance helps ensure that the mortgage document on your property/home is valid and enforceable. 

The amount of the policy is the same as your mortgage at the very beginning, and you will simply pay a one time fee to pay for the title insurance when you are paying for your other closing costs. Here in Texas, it is usually customary for the seller to purchase the policy on your behalf.

Here are five other things you should know about title insurance.

1. It protects your ownership right to your home, both from fraudulent claims against your ownership and from mistakes made in earlier sales, such as mistake in the spelling of a person’s name or an inaccurate description of the property.

2. It’s a one-time cost usually based on the price of the property.

3. It’s usually paid for by the sellers, although this can vary depending on your state and local customs.

4. There are both lender title policies, which protect the lender, and owner title policies, which protect you. The lender will probably require a lender policy.

5. Discounts on premiums are sometimes available if the home has been bought within only a few years since not as much work is required to check the title. Ask the title company if this discount is available.

    Reprinted from REALTOR® magazine (RealtorMag.Realtor.org) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. 

      Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

- Jessica Rumbaugh | RumbaughProperties.com

Buying a home? Why you should let an agent help you.

Considering buying a home? Don't go at it alone, let a real estate agent help you!

As a realtor, my job is to help you through the ins and outs of the process. I will negotiate the deal on your behalf, and will work with the listing agent, lender, inspector, appraiser, and all the other vendors involved in the process to make it smooth and painless for you.

Plus, in most circumstances, the commission is paid by the seller. So as a buyer, you are getting help from a professional licensed real estate agent for free!

Looking to buy in the Houston area?  Let me help!
- Jessica Rumbaugh | Rumbaugh Properties

3 Myths About Home Staging

I often hear comments from people about home staging, "Is it really worth the money and trouble?" or "I think the house is fine like it is." Staging is so incredibly important when selling a home.

As simple as this sounds, it is so important to declutter and depersonalize. You aren't selling the home based on why you like living in it - you are staging the home to create appeal to a wide range of people. Ideally, if the home is staged correctly, it will seem open and inviting, and people from varying backgrounds will all be able to visualize themselves and their stuff living in your home and ultimately make an offer. That is the goal, right? :) You wouldn't try to sell your car still full of your stuff with your fuzzy dice and air freshener of choice still hanging from the mirror would you? 

We also want to stage your home with style, so it really pops in pictures. Home buyers will do hours of shopping online before they ever look at any homes in person. By staging a home well, taking great pictures, and creating a gorgeous virtual tour, we will put your home at the top of the "must see" list for the internet window shoppers so they will come take a look in person when the time comes. No matter how great a home is in person, if it isn't staged well and show well in pictures on the internet, people aren't going to come and see it in person.


Take a look at this article called 3 Myths About Home Staging by Audra Slinkey. She does a great job explaining the basic importance of staging.



Are you interested in selling your home in the Houston area?  Give us a call and we will gladly get started on staging your home to maximize the audience of buyers!



- Jessica Rumbaugh | Rumbaugh Properties

You can access the original article here: 3 Myths About Home Staging

May 2014 Market Report

The Houston real estate market has continued to stay incredibly strong. This report from May 2014 from the Houston Association of Realtors shows that year over year from May 2013 to May 2014, there has been a 1.7% increase in new home listings. If you have been on the fence and have been considering selling your home, now is a hot time to list. The average list price for a single family home in May is $288,189 -- that is up 9.2% from a year ago in May of 2013!

Contact us today at RumbaughProperties.com or rumbaughproperties@gmail.com to list your home.