Can an old eviction make it more difficult for me to enter a new lease?

My last landlord evicted me from the property, and now I'm looking for a new place. Can a future landlord refuse to rent to me because of the eviction? Yes. A landlord may refuse to rent to a tenant because of a prior eviction. The Texas Association of REALTORS® Residential Lease Application (TAR 2003) asks whether the applicant has ever been evicted. Furthermore, an eviction could include a judgment against a tenant for nonpayment of rent, which could negatively affect that tenant’s credit score. A poor credit score can also be grounds for denial of a lease applicant. While landlords can refuse to rent to a tenant based on a prior eviction or a poor credit score, they are not required to do so.

New Listing - 13 Whooping Crane Laguna Vista, TX

Beautiful, Lake-front in one of the most desirable gated communities in the area. This 4 bedroom home includes a tiled roof, a fantastic master suite with large walk-in closet, jetted tub, separate shower, and his/her vanities with granite countertops in the master bathroom. One junior suite also has its own bathroom and walk in closet. Very spacious kitchen with granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. This wonderful home sits on a fenced lot with a covered patio overlooking the lake. Click HERE for more information.

4 ways to make your home sell faster

Did you know there are actions you can take to make your home sell swiftly? Here are four tips to do just that: Use a Texas REALTOR®. Consumers who hire a Texas REALTOR® sell their homes more quickly than if they tried to sell their home on their own. That’s because Texas REALTORS® know how to market your property so it reaches the right buyers. Make sure the price is right. An overpriced home is destined to sit on the market. Your Texas REALTOR® will give you accurate information about comparable home prices in your area as well as the current marketplace, so you can choose the right price from the start. Plus, research from the National Association of REALTORS® shows that sellers who use an agent sell for a higher price than for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) sellers. In the United States in 2014, FSBO homes sold for median price of $208,700 compared to $235,000 for sellers who used an agent. Declutter your home. It’s hard for potential buyers to see themselves in your home when it’s overflowing with your kids’ toys, dishes are constantly piled in the sink, or you have your unique collections on display. Cleaning often and storing items will be worth it for a quicker sale. Fix lingering problems with your property. People will notice the door that doesn’t quite shut all the way, the scratches on your baseboard, and the rattling ceiling fan. Even small fixes can make a big difference in how attractive your home is to a buyer. Your Texas REALTOR® can give you specific advice for your home that can help you take your property from for sale to sold.

What happens if the loan won’t be processed by the closing date?

I’m buying a home, and the closing was supposed to be today. However, my lender says it’s going to take a few more days to process the loan. Since we had 30 days from the time we signed the contract until closing, I thought that would plenty of time. What happens now? This scenario has become more common recently, as federal regulations imposed by the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act have made 30-day closings harder to complete on time than in the past. The contract does not include an automatic extension if the lender doesn’t process the loan by the closing date. As such, the seller could claim that you did not uphold your contractual obligations. However, since time is not of the essence to the closing date, you could argue that a few extra days is not a material breach of the contract. Alternatively, you and the seller may agree to amend the contract to provide more time for the lender to process the loan. It is important to remember that the seller must agree to amend the contract and may require additional earnest money as a condition of signing the amendment to extend closing. Given the challenges of meeting a 30-day time frame these days, buyers may want to consider allowing more than 30 days from the execution of a contract until closing.

4 reasons to keep up your house hunt this winter

Winter months typically bring a lull in real estate sales, but this can be an ideal time for homebuyers. In fact, there are several benefits to being an off-season homebuyer. Less competition. Even hot markets see a decline in buyers during the winter. This can mean fewer multiple-offer situations and more time to present your strongest offer. Motivated sellers. Sellers who list during winter months are often highly driven to sell. And fewer buyers means fewer offers, so sellers may be willing to make extra concessions to close the deal. Potentially faster closings. Mortgage brokers, inspectors, and other professionals involved in the deal may help you get to the closing table sooner since they’ll be dealing with fewer transactions this time of year. A chance to see how the home performs. Systems such as the heater, insulation, and plumbing are put to the test when the temperature drops, and you’ll be able to witness how they handle winter stress. If you’re thinking about starting or continuing your house hunt during the winter, ask your Texas REALTOR® about the benefits of purchasing a home at the end of the year, including tax write-offs for homeowners. You may decide that it’s worth donning those mittens after all.

Do I need my spouse’s signature to sell property I bought before marriage?

I bought a house as a single woman and have since gotten married. My husband and I want to sell the property now. Will he have to sign the contracts, too? Perhaps. Although a home you owned before marriage would generally be considered your separate property, your husband may have obtained certain homestead rights. Consult your attorney to find out if this is the case. To effectively deliver possession of the property to the new owner, your husband may need to sign the real estate contract, the deed, and possibly other documents, as if the home was his property, too.

What renters should do now before purchasing a property

If you’re a renter thinking about buying your first property, you can be proactive about buying before you even start your search. Here are three steps you can take toward homeownership without signing any paperwork. Try out a homeowner’s budget. Although you can’t predict all homeownership costs down to the last penny, you can get a rough estimate of how it will affect your budget. Consider how much you can afford, potential mortgage payment, your local property taxes, and repair costs you might want to consider as a homeowner. Remember, you won’t have a landlord to call when the dishwasher leaks. Check your credit report. Request a free credit report to find out what a lender would see. Pulling it before you start your property search can be smart—you’ll have plenty of time to fix any errors you may find. If there are legitimate flaws with your credit, you might be able to take steps to improve it before applying for a loan. Make a realistic wish list. There’s probably not a property that will have every feature you desire, but it’s good to generally know what you want. While a property with fewer than two bathrooms may be non-negotiable, don’t rule out the potential of one with a not-so-appealing exterior paint job. It’s never too early to talk to a Texas REALTOR® when you know you’re going to buy property. A Texas REALTOR® can answer your questions about the homebuying process and help you avoid surprises along the way.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

South Padre Island Convention Centre From: Dec 09, 2014 – Dec 10, 2014 Recurring daily Starting: 7:30 PM An Island Melodrama by Michael R. Roberts. Boo the villain and shout 'hooray' for the hero in a fun filled romp in the sand for audiences and actors alike. 6:30 Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar Tickets available at Paragraphs Bookstore, Art Gallery in Lighthouse Square and online at www.elpaseoarts.org