Move 2 Magnolia

Magnolia TX Foreclosure Trends – Dec 2011

psitterly — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:29:23 +0000

There were 173 Magnolia TX foreclosure homes in December 2011, according to RealtyTrac.com with 1 in every 528 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing. The average sales price of a Magnolia TX home was $235,159 in December while the average sales price of a Magnolia TX foreclosure home was $144,258, a $90,901 savings.

Magnolia TX Foreclosure Activity and 30-Year Interest Rate

Magnolia TX foreclosure activity had 30 new foreclosed homes in December while interest rates dropped to 3.96%.

Magnolia TX foreclosure activity is based on total number of properties that receive foreclosure filings…default notice, foreclosure auction notice or bank repossession…each month. Interest rate is based on average 30-year fixed rate from Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey.

Magnolia TX Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Magnolia TX foreclosures were 0.03% above national statistics, 0.10% above state figures, and 0.05% above Montgomery County numbers in December.

Magnolia TX Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of bank-owned properties decreased from 17 in November to 15 in December, while the number of auctions decreased from 33 to 15. There is a six month rising trend.

Are you or someone you know behind on mortgage payments and facing a foreclosure? You do have options. A short sale may be the answer to saving you, your family and even some of your credit. Visit CheckOutShortSales.com and give us a call for a private consultation.

Tips and Tricks to Stage Your Magnolia TX Home

psitterly — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:56:36 +0000

TV shows, online videos, and real estate advice articles all counsel you to stage your Magnolia TX home before putting it on the market, but many of their suggestions are too expensive, too complicated, or too time-consuming for today’s busy and budget-conscious seller. If you are one of those sellers feeling short of time, money, or creativity, read on for low-cost, easy to do, and imaginative ideas to show your home at its very best.

TOP TEN TIPS AND TRICKS

Lighting:

Update lighting by using inexpensive glass fixtures. Pendant lights are quite popular.
Install dimmer switches to control ambience (and save energy).
Use a lamp, up light, and ceiling all in one room to provide layers of light.
Add under-counter light strips.
Dust bulbs frequently for brighter light.
Use mirrors to reflect light..

Color:

Today’s popular trend is to use different shades of one color throughout your Magnolia TX home.
Cut time and cost by painting only one accent wall in a room.
Add color through accessories such as pillows, area rugs, lamps, and art pieces.

Furniture:

Replace large, outdated pieces with smaller, more contemporary ones to improve traffic flow and increase the feeling of size.
Buy ready-to-assemble pieces from Z Line or Ikea, e.g.
Add slip covers to worn sofas and chairs.
Paint mismatched pieces the same color to pull them together.
Reuse old furniture in a new way. Try storage cubes as coffee tables or put a small bedroom chest in the foyer.

Accessories:

Add color to your Magnolia TX home with throw pillows, area rugs, vases, art.
Mix textures for added interest. Combine smooth and woven pillows or lay a hemp rug.
Don’t ignore the impact of colorful towels and linens.
Experiment with new patterns or bold colors for a little pizzazz.

Flooring:

Try inexpensive and unusual area rugs rather than re-carpeting or refinishing.
Polish your wood floors ‘til they gleam!
Lay do-it-yourself stick tiles found in a wide variety of finished.

Fabric:

Purchase cheap remnants of this inexpensive and easy-to-do decorating tool..
Cover old throw pillows or chair cushions.
Consider using as a wall covering for a small accent area.

Greenery:

Bring rooms to life with live green foliage.
Place a small herb garden on a windowsill.
Position plants in unexpected places such as bookshelves and bathrooms.

Windows:

Replace heavy drapes with lightweight treatments such as sheers or matchstick shades.
Use soft fabrics which billow and allow more light to come in.
Use a bright color or design in your curtains as a accent.

Storage:

Utilize old trunks for storage, use (as a coffee table, perhaps), and design interest.
Add bookcases with doors to hide clutter.
Rediscover the unused space inside a window seat.

Sources:

Visit yard sales and used furniture stores for “new-to-you” treasures.
Take advantage of Craigslist, eBay, or the classified ads in your local paper.
Utilize the internet to locate overstock sales, free shipping, and discount home décor.

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Whether you are new to the Magnolia Texas real estate market, thinking of moving up, or you’re an experienced investor, Pam Sitterly has the expertise, proven track record, and resources to help you buy Magnolia TX real estate for sale or market Magnolia TX homes for sale. Enthusiasm, knowledge of the area and personal concern for her client’s interests combine to make Pam an outstanding resource for your real estate transactions.

Pam works extensively to help Buyers and Sellers meet their Magnolia Texas real estate goals. For more information about buying or selling your Magnolia TX home, please call Pam at 281-723-0324 or via email with this convenient contact form.

What 2012 Buyers Want In Magnolia TX Real Estate

psitterly — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:46:29 +0000

Just as fashions and car styles change from year to year, so do home features that head the “most wanted” list of potential buyers of Magnolia TX real estate. Where wall-to-wall carpeting was once the rage, hardwood floors, now reign supreme, and a formal, center dining room is often viewed as a negative feature rather than a positive one. And style preference has certainly changed; replacing the McMansions on the “must-have” list are arts and craft bungalows, mid-century homes, and residences with Old-World charm and character.

WHAT’S IN:

Green features: Energy-efficient appliances, air-tight windows, heating systems, etc., have become expected features..
Sustainable materials: The use of stone, terra cotta, bamboo, and cork are popular choices.
Storage areas: A garage, preferably a 2 car, is a must, as are walk-in-closets, pantries, and an abundance of storage space.
Condition: No fixer-uppers for this year’s buyers. They are looking for a move-in-ready, well-maintained piece of Magnolia TX real estate.
Layout: The open layout with few walls is still the most popular, as it allows for casual dining, family gatherings, and large-scale entertaining.
Luxury touches and the amenities that convey luxury: High dollar finishes, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, tile baths, counter bars and stools are all desired.
Outdoor Living: Screen porches, outdoor kitchens, two-way fireplaces, and the all-important deck or patio add to a home’s appeal.
Specialized space: Reflecting today’s lifestyle, high on the wanted list are media and workout rooms. Some type of foyer or entrance space is also a necessity for today’s buyers.
Quality bathrooms: Definitely more than one! Pedestal sinks; soaking, jetted, and claw foot tubs; and a separate shower and tub are also very popular in the bathroom right now and are what most buyers are going for.

WHAT’S OUT:

Retro touches: Features of 1970’s-80’s homes such as avocado appliances, walnut cabinets, and Formica countertops are being shunned this year.
Dated layout: Buyers of Magnolia TX real estate are giving a “thumbs down” to restrictive layouts and are eschewing bedrooms off living or dining rooms, center dining rooms, and stairways located directly in front of an entrance door.

And topping the list: Since this is still decidedly a buyer’s market, the most desired feature this year is a bargain, be it in price or incentives, or both.

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Whatever You Do, Don’t Test the Market!

psitterly — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:50:33 +0000

Thinking of selling? Whatever You Do, Don’t Test the Market!

Why not “test the market” to see if you can get the price you want? No homeowner wants to “leave money on the table.” It’s a common thought to consider “testing” the market to see if the house will sell for the desired price.

Why not? Well, because….

A home that is properly priced will sell more quickly and for a better price.This means you save on holding costs, like mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, etc.
A well- priced home shortens your marketing time, thereby reducing the time, energy and inconvenience of altering your lifestyle and preparing your home for showings.
Real estate agents are excited about new listings that come on the market priced right. They will make special efforts to notify their prospective buyers and show the property quickly.
It’s a tough market and there is an abundance of competition. Putting your home in the wrong price range increases the odds it won’t sell, even if you eventually adjust the price to correct it.
A properly priced, properly staged home is a hot commodity when it comes on the market. It has more exposure the first two weeks than at any other time during the sales process.

Magnolia TX Foreclosure Trends – November 2011

psitterly — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:45:53 +0000

There were 159 Magnolia TX foreclosure homes in November 2011, according to RealtyTrac.com with 1 in every 317 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing. The average sales price of a Magnolia TX home was $192,662 in November while the average sales price of a Magnolia TX foreclosure home was $131,631, a $61,031 savings.

Magnolia TX Foreclosure Activity and 30-Year Interest Rate

Magnolia TX foreclosure activity had 50 new foreclosed homes in November while interest rates dropped to 3.99%.

Magnolia TX Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Magnolia TX foreclosures were 0.15% above national statistics, 0.22% above state figures, and 0.15% above Montgomery County numbers in November.

Magnolia TX Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of bank-owned properties increased from 7 in October to 17 in November, while the number of auctions increased from 14 to 33. There is a six month rising trend.

Cleaning Up The Clutter In Your Magnolia TX Real Estate

psitterly — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:06:05 +0000

Why? How? What? Where?

Let’s start with the why? The most common incentive to clear away clutter occurs when you’re selling your Magnolia TX real estate and want to stage it for prospective buyers. Real estate agents will tell you that clutter-filled, disorganized homes appear smaller, and every website offering tips for a fast sale includes–and stresses- the need to show a clutter-free home. Another strong reason for eliminating clutter is to lower the stress in your life by having everything in its place ((how nice it would be not to spend valuable time and energy looking through clutter for misplaced items!) and returning home to a serene and neatly organized setting. (Polls and studies have shown that physical surroundings do indeed affect one’s level of stress. ) Other mess-removing motivators include selling unused items to bring in extra money, donating still-good items to people who need them, and joining the green movement by recycling unwanted possessions.

How to begin such a daunting task?

All “experts” in the field strongly advise tackling the job in small steps. Begin with one room at a time, play soothing music, and allocate 20 to 30 minutes a day to the job. Bring to each room boxes or bins labeled keep, toss, donate, and recycle. Be ruthless!! If you haven’t used an item in the past year, remove it from your Magnolia TX real estate. (Hint: also check expiration dates on foodstuffs when you de-clutter the kitchen.) Assess your storage capacity and discard accordingly.

What should you dispose of?

The most obvious clutter creators seem to be mail, clothing, newspapers and magazines, documents, books, and home décor accessories. Think, too, about furniture, baby items, food, toiletries, appliances, bedding, electronics, and hardware. Have you heard about the “80/20 rule”? It is generally believed that you can safely let go of 80% of the papers you’ve kept.

Where should your unneeded/unwanted treasures go?

For many of them, the answer is, of course, the trash. (You can easily arrange for bulk pickup for large items.) Others may be candidates for recycling. Perhaps you can list some of them under the Free tab on Craig list or search nearly 5000 groups who use discarded materials.

Ask around your community for organizations which would welcome used books and toys–libraries, hospitals, nursery schools, churches. Give old magazines to doctors’ offices. Lions Club groups collect old eyeglasses, and many organizations eagerly accept working but unwanted cell phones. There are innumerable websites which suggest new homes for your discards. Try RecycleNow.com or Earth911.com (supplies locations of local charities by zip code). Many organizations such as Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army, and Disabled Veterans, have handy drop-off boxes or centers or will come to your Magnolia TX real estate location for pickup. (Extra bonus: in addition to the joy of giving to others, you may also receive a tax deduction for your contributions.)

The fact that much of our clutter reflects our memories, values, and achievements makes it difficult to let go of it, but with strong motivation, resolve, and continued effort, you can free yourself of accumulated “stuff”, give yourself extra time, money, and energy, and lessen your stress level while enhancing the lives of others. How to keep your home this way? That’s another article!

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Celebrating December Holidays

psitterly — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:05:30 +0000

December is indeed a busy month for most folks as they shop, plan, party, and attend religious, social, and cultural events. It begins too soon after Thanksgiving and ends with a bang as it ushers in a new year. It is a season unto itself, one filled with excitement, symbols, customs, reflection, and a general sense of good will. Four major celebrations occur during December, both secular and religious (or a combination of the two) and include the following:

December 20 -28. Hanukkah (or any one of a dozen spellings).

This Festival of Lightsis an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean revolt of the second century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by the ;lighting of the candles on a nine-branched menorah, one candle on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night, and it is customary to give children one gift (gelt) each night. Although it is based on a military victory, it is actually considered a time to celebrate Jewish independence and religious freedom in general. Hanukkah is a relatively minor holiday in the Jewish year; in the United States, however, its closeness to Christmas has brought greater attention to Hanukkah and its gift-giving, special foods, and games.

December 25. Christmas

The religious basis: Christmas is a Christian holy day which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is typically celebrated on December 25^th, and the word Christmas comes from “Christ’s mass.” The story of the birth of Christ is told in the opening chapters of the gospels of Luke and John. Each contains different elements of the Christmas story. The visit of the Archangel to the shepherds and the birth of Jesus in a manger are from Luke. The story the visit from the Wise Men bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are from Matthew.

Over the years Christmas has also become a very popular social holiday with an emphasis on lighted and decorated trees and wreaths, exchange of presents, caroling, special foods, and the colors red and green. Christmas traditions abound throughout the Western world, many of which have secular origins, some with their roots in ancient folklore and pagan beliefs. Click here to learn about a wide range of Christmas customs.

December 26-January 1.

Kwanzaa. Neither political nor religious, Kwanzaa is a reflective holiday which was created in the 1960’s to foster pride and unity among African-Americans. Kwanzaa is a week -long celebration honoring universal African-American heritage, family life, and culture. It features activities such as lighting a candle holder with seven candles—each representing an important principle of life–and culminates in a feast and gift giving. Visit Wikipedia for much more information about this holiday

December 31. New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve is a social holiday observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies New Year’s Eve is often celebrated at festive gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to say goodbye to the current year and celebrate the incoming one. The observance of New Year’s Eve generally extends through midnight of January 1. It is a holiday celebrated throughout the world and has many different names. The dropping of the ball in Times Square and the singing of Auld Lang Syne are symbolic of this holiday in the U.S.

Here are outstanding power point presentations dealing with each of these holidays. Although the site is designed primarily for children, the extensive array of topics and interesting information provides excellent reading for adults, too.

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Safety For Your Magnolia TX Real Estate

psitterly — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:55:52 +0000

A familiar seasonal scene is one in which family and friends sit around a blazing fire with a brightly lighted tree, stockings hung from the mantel, and colorfully wrapped gifts adding to the cozy and festive atmosphere of your Magnolia TX real estate. A setting lovely to imagine–and to experience–but also, one which requires safety precautions. Holiday fires claim the lives of more than 400 Americans each year, and approximately 3 people per hour are treated in an emergency room for seasonal injuries.

At this time of year when lists play such a large role in our lives, it is also necessary to revisit a safety checklist to ensure an accident-free holiday for your family, guests, and even your pets. The U.S. Fire Administration offers these suggestions:

DECORATIONS:

Inspect lights for damage and link no more than 3 strands together. Use only UL approved and follow directions. Beware of overloading outlets.
Don’t leave on when you’re not home.
If you prefer a live tree, make certain it is fresh when you buy it and water, water, water!
Use non-flammable or flame retardant decorations
Never leave lighted candles unattended, near combustible materials, or within reach of children or pets. Make certain to extinguish them before retiring for the night.

FIREPLACES:

Place the tree in your Magnolia TX real estate at least 3 feet away from the fireplace.
Keep a screen in front of the fire to prevent flying sparks.
Remove stockings hung with care when the fireplace is in use.
Never burn wrapping paper in your fireplace and risk a flash fire.

GUESTS:

When entertaining friends at your Magnolia TX real estate, be certain that you have childproofed your home–not just to protect breakables but also to protect young ones.
Make sure that outside walkways and steps are well lighted.
Use nightlights in hallways and bathrooms.
Add non-slip mats in your tub and shower–and possibly grab bars for the older set.

PETS:

Avoid feeding the cats or dogs which also reside in your Magnolia TX real estate food such as rich and fatty fowl meat, onions, grapes, raisins, or chocolate.
Do not give animals turkey bones as they will splinter and cause great damage.
Keep all trash out of reach. Better yet, take it outside frequently.

Got all that? If so, relax and enjoy the season!

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Buying or Selling Magnolia TX Real Estate During the Holidays

psitterly — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:31:34 +0000

Traditionally, both sellers of Magnolia TX real estate and those looking to purchase a home have avoided doing so during the winter months, especial in December. Because the last month of the year is a time of many religious, social, and cultural celebrations, most people feel they are too busy to deal with real estate matters and/or are convinced that the market is pretty much dormant until at least early spring. Not so, say many Realtors! Not only do many folks have vacation time in December and are thus free to house shop, but the slower months are often the ones where buyers are really serious and prices have been reduced.

According to Lendingtree there are five strong reasons to buy Magnolia TX real estate during this season:

Lower prices. Because many people are too busy to house hunt now, the slackening of demand is reflected in softer house prices.
Less competition. With fewer active house-hunters out there, you are unlikely to end up in a bidding war, and sellers will be willing to negotiate.
Favorable mortgage terms. Because there is less demand for mortgage money during the holiday season, lenders may be willing to shave a few basis points off the interest rate or to forgo some of their fees in order to get your business.
Tax deduction. If you close on or before December 31, you are likely to be eligible to deduct the interest component of your first monthly mortgage payment and any money you paid for points from your taxable income for this year.

If you’re a seller, check out Realtor.om for a long list of reasons that support their belief that December is a good time to sell your Magnolia TX real estate. Some of their arguments include:

Less competition. People who look at your home over the holidays are serious buyers who have fewer homes from which to choose.
Business moves. January is traditionallya month where employers have to move so they can’t wait until spring. They have to buy now– you’re there to capture that market.
Advantage for you. By selling now, you have the opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer for next year when houses are less and you’ll have more opportunities and properties to choose from.
Timing. Many potential buyers want to settle before the end of the year for tax reasons.

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Magnolia TX Foreclosure Trends – October 2011

psitterly — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:00:14 +0000

There were 176 Magnolia TX foreclosure homes in October 2011, according to RealtyTrac.com with 1 in every 754 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing. The average sales price of a Magnolia TX home was $217,594 in October while the average sales price of a Magnolia TX foreclosure home was $131,631, a $85,963 savings.

Magnolia TX Foreclosure Activity and 30-Year Interest Rate

Magnolia TX foreclosure activity had 21 new foreclosed homes in October while interest rates dropped to 4.07%.

Magnolia TX Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Magnolia TX foreclosures were 0.05% below national statistics, 0.03% above state figures, and 0.01% below Montgomery County numbers in October.

Magnolia TX Foreclosure Activity by Month

The number of bank-owned properties decreased from 17 in September 2011 to 7 in October, while the number of auctions decreased from 35 to 14. There is a six month rising trend.