Can You Trust Your Zestimate?

    Can You Trust Your Zestimate?   You might think that a Zestimate is an accurate portrayal of your home’s value, but it’s not, and here’s why. Selling in the greater Houston area? Get a market analysis report Purchasing in the greater Houston area? Get full MLS access   Today I’m here to answer a very common question that I hear all the time: Can I trust Zillow’s Zestimates? The truth is that a Zestimate is created by using an algorithm to compare your home to others that have recently sold in the area. However, Zillow doesn’t know about any remodels or upgrades you’ve made to the property that could have a significant impact on your value. Zestimates are typically between 5% and 15% off of a home’s true value, which can end up costing homebuyers and sellers a lot of money. Even Zillow’s CEO had his home overvalued by 40% based on its Zestimate. Zillow is an app that runs on a code, while Realtors like us live by a code and can give you a true valuation of your home. If you have any questions about home values or would like an accurate estimation of your home’s current market value, feel free to reach out to me.   Written by Ruby Miranda on June 17, 2019. Posted in Home Appraisals, Seller TipsTags: Estimate, Houston, Real Estate, Texas, Zestimate, Zillow Trackback from your site. Leave a Reply  

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How to Get Your Home Ready for a Home Inspection

  How to Get Your Home Ready for a Home Inspection Today we’re going to talk about how to prepare your home for a home inspection. Selling in the greater Houston area? Get a market analysis report Purchasing in the greater Houston area? Get full MLS access   When selling a home, one of the major steps of the process is the home inspection that is typically conducted by the buyer.A home inspection is a professional service that determines the present condition of the home’s major systems based on a visual inspection of the accessible features of that home. It focuses on the performance of the home, rather than the cosmetic, code, or design issues. Typically, the components that they test include, but aren’t limited to, the roof, structure, exterior, electrical systems, HVAC systems, plumbing, insulation, barriers, and interior mechanical systems, just to name a few. As a seller, there are many ways to prepare for such an inspection. One option is to hire a home inspector yourself to look at these items for you, or to refer to the list of 20 things to check in your home, below. Home inspections focus on the performance of the home, rather than its cosmetic, code, or design issues. For example, clean your gutter; doing so will send a message to buyers that your home has been well maintained. Additionally, clear your air conditioning unit of leaves, bushes, and debris, in general, to allow it to cool properly. You should also make sure to replace any nonfunctioning light bulbs, clean your drains, check for moisture under sinks and other areas near water, and ensure that your safety detectors—both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors—have fresh batteries and work properly. If you would like any more tips on preparing your home for an inspection, refer to this checklist of 20 items to review before moving forward with your transaction. You can also reach out to me for additional information. I’m happy to schedule a no-obligation visit to your home and discuss all the things you can do to get your home ready for sale.   Written by Ruby Miranda on November 21, 2018. Posted in Sell Your Home, Seller TipsTags: First Time Seller, Ruby Miranda, Sell Your Home Trackback from your site. Leave a Reply

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The 4 Things Every Seller Should Do to Prepare Their Home for Sale

  The 4 Things Every Seller Should Do to Prepare Their Home for Sale Before you put your home on the market, there are four key steps you should follow. Selling in the greater Houston area? Get a market analysis report Purchasing in the greater Houston area? Get full MLS access You only get one chance to make a positive first impression on buyers, so when it comes time to sell your home, follow the steps on this to-do list to ensure your listing’s success. Objectively evaluate every room. Making sure your home is sparkling clean before you sell is a must, and to take things a step further, you may want to consider staging, as well. Avoid strong odors. Your home should be inviting in every sense. Strong odors, good or bad, are a fast way to turn buyers off of your property. Depersonalize your home. Buyers should be able to visualize themselves living in your property. Therefore, you’ll need to get rid of personal touches, like family photos and knick-knacks, before you list. Remove excess furniture. Overcrowded rooms not only make your listing seem smaller, but they can also make it difficult for buyers to maneuver through your home. When you go from living in a home to trying to sell it, your priorities should shift from functionality to aesthetics. With all of these steps in mind, sellers must realize that the way we live in a home is not the same as how we sell a home. When you live somewhere, you’ll arrange it for functionality. When you’re trying to sell a property, though, your priorities should shift to showing off its best assets. If you have any other questions, would like more information, or are curious about how we can help you sell your home, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.   Written by Ruby Miranda on October 31, 2018. Posted in First Time Home Sellers, Sell Your Home, Seller TipsTags: Ruby Miranda, Sell Your Home, Seller Tips Trackback from your site. Leave a Reply

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