Sellers, here's what buyers really think about your home

Have you ever wondered what a potential homebuyer thinks when she visits your house? Here are a few questions that came to my mind when I was searching for my first home. What's that smell? I never realized how sensitive I am to smells until I saw eight houses in one day. The pet smells, air fresheners, mildew, and fresh-paint odors left me with a pounding headache. Some people love the smell of cinnamon apples and others might not, but get some help from your Texas REALTOR® to figure out a way to create a more neutral smelling experience. That might mean opening a few windows before a showing or temporarily moving the litter box. Will that dog bite us? As a pet owner, I know I can't always take my dog or cat with me wherever I go. If you can take your pets with you when a buyer comes for a viewing, though, it can make for a much better home-tour experience. Why? Some people might be afraid of your pet. Other times, your pet can be a distraction. It's hard to concentrate when a barking dog accompanies you on your property tour. Where would I put my stuff? It's true what they say: buyers have a hard time looking past excessive clutter. When that spacious closet you're trying to sell is packed full, I can't tell how spacious it truly is. And navigating through your kids' toy maze is just as annoying for me as it is for you. It's hard to please every potential homebuyer who will walk through your door, but there are a few simple ways to make your home a little more inviting so your house isn't known as "the one with the cat smell" or "the one with the toy booby trap." Talk to your Texas REALTOR® and be open to his advice about preparing your home for sale. He'll know what attracts homebuyers to a property, and he's on your side to get it sold.

Are verbal negotiations binding?

The seller didn't accept my initial offer to buy his home. He told my agent he would sell the house to me if I came back with an offer $10,000 higher. So I did ... only to find out that the seller is already under contract with another buyer. Didn't he have a duty to sell to me if I met the asking price he said he would accept? No. Although buyers and sellers may have verbal communications to negotiate acceptable terms, a written contract must be signed by both parties to be binding.

City of Port Isabel’s 8th Annual Community Tree Lighting

Mayor Joe E. Vega & The Port Isabel City Commission invite you to attend City of Port Isabel’s 8th Annual Community Tree Lighting Thursday, DECEMBER 3 at 6 p.m., Beulah Lee Park. Public is invited! 213 N. Yturria St. Next to the Public Library. Special appearances by Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, Music Performances, Crafts for Children, Christmas Caroling, Food Booths and Goody Bags! For more information, please call (956) 943-2682. FREE TO THE PUBLIC!

Isabel Y. Garcia Animal Shelter 5th Annual Ay Chihuahua Fundraiser

The Isabel Y. Garcia Animal Shelter invites you to our 5th Annual Ay Chihuahua Fundraiser! The event will be held at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center November 21, 2015, from 7-11 p.m. Drinks ~ Music ~ Silent Auction ~ Food ~ Loteria & More! Tickets may be purchased ONLINE, at the Isabel Y. Garcia Animal Shelter, Port Isabel Visitor Center, Port Isabel Public Library or at the door for $20 per person or $35 per couple. TICKETS ARE ONLINE: http://ay-chihuahua-fundraiser.eventbrite.com All profits will go towards the Isabel Y. Garcia Animal Shelter. For more information call: 956/943-3888.

28th Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade

Celebrate Christmas coastal style with our 28th Annual Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6 @ 6 p.m. Viewing areas on the shores of the Laguna Madre Bay! Hosted by: Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce. Sponsored in part by: Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce • Port Isabel / South Padre Press & Parade • Port Isabel Economic Development Corporation Thanks to: Awards Ceremony (LOUIES BACKYARD) & Judging Venue (SOUTHPOINT MARINA) Towing courtesy of: TowBoat U.S. Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce. 956/943-2262 http://portisabelchamber.com/Events/ChristmasLightedBoatParade.aspx

New Listing: 213 Palm Blvd., Laguna Vista

213 Palm Blvd. is located in a quiet neighborhood in the town of Laguna Vista which is a short 15 minute drive to the white sandy beaches of South Padre Island. This beautiful home as granite counters throughout. You will love the back yard! It is perfect for entertaining and fun family gatherings with an outdoor kitchen, hot tub, pool and outside shower. Click HERE for more information

Port Isabel Antique & Flea Market

The Port Isabel Antique & Flea Market is held the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, 9 am to 4 pm at Beulah Lee Park on Hwy. 100. For more information, contact Gloria Bates at 455-6798.

4 benefits to being an off-season homebuyer

Winter months typically bring a lull in real estate sales, but this can be an ideal time for homebuyers. In fact, there are several reasons to keep up your house hunt at year's end. 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 it's worth donning those mittens after all.

The best resource for pricing your home

You're ready to sell your home, but you're not sure what to ask for it. No problem ... a neighbor just sold her home for $329,000, so you'll just ask for the same amount. Wait. That was what she asked for her home. You're not sure what it actually sold for. Oh, hey! Didn't your coworker sell his home for $275,000 a few months ago? That's solid information. Maybe you should ask for that. If the market hasn't changed much since then. Sure, the coworker's house isn't in your neighborhood, but it has the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms as your home. Or maybe you should go with the asking price to the neighbor's house. She probably sold it for close to that number. The house isn't as nice as yours, but it's a little larger. And it has beautiful landscaping. That adds some value, but how much? Putting those two homes aside for a bit, you go to a website that promises to tell you what your home is really worth. An actual number. Now you're getting somewhere ... if the value isn't off by the 20% margin of error you read about in the site's disclaimer. If only there was a way to process all this ... pull in more data ... make sure it's accurate ... account for differences in the properties ... factor in what's going on with real estate prices in your neighborhood. If you could just find some to do all that, analyze it, and guide you toward the highest price that will actually get an offer. Sounds to me like you're ready to work with a Texas REALTOR®.

145 Oleander Drive Laguna Vista, TX 78578

LUXURY! VIEWS! WATERFRONT! NEW CONSTRUCTION! Enjoy fireworks, nature, fishing and watersports from your private 90’ waterfront, 1/3 acre lot with breathtaking views of Laguna Madre and South Padre Island. Designed 3BDRM, 3 Bath, but currently used as dual master suites. 3.5 car garage. Fabulous deal on QUALITY, WELL BUILT, Commercial and LEED Designed, TDI Windstorm Certified, Tempered, hurricane impact resistant windows. Chef kitchen, stainless appliances, quartz, gas cooking/ grilling/ fireplace. Low operating costs w/tankless water heater, softener, LED lights, shaded NE facing patio. Gated community with pool/gym/meeting rooms. 2 minutes to golf course, 15 minutes to island. Construction specs list upon request. Cost to build–over $600K Click HERE for more information.

24 Whooping Crane Dr. Laguna Vista, TX 78578

Absolutely stunning 3 bed/2.5 bath home with office sits on the SPI Golf Community with fabulous views of the golf course and 8th hole. Stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops throughout, tile flooring in common areas, elevated ceilings, ceiling to floor windows, and custom built-ins. Make this beautiful home in a peaceful community yours today! Click HERE for more information

New Listing at 16 Country Club in Laguna Vista

Check out my new listing at 16 Country Club in Laguna Vista. Executive Lakefront Golf Course home built by Pavlis Custom Homes. Unfurnished 3 Bdrm 2.5 Bath plus office, wet bar, two car garage and golf cart garage. Very large back yard with wonderful lake views. Granite counters and vanities throughout, custom 42 inch cabinets, cathedral ceiling with wood beams, travertine tile floors, high end fixtures and built-ins everywhere. Windstorm Certified. Click HERE for more information.

The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical

City of South Padre Island Christmas Celebration

Why is my brother asking me to sign this document?

My brother, who's a real estate broker, asked me to sign a buyer-representation agreement before he helps me find a house. I trust him completely. Why do I need to sign some paper? The short answer: to protect both of you. The buyer representation agreement spells out many aspects of a broker-client relationship, including how he will be compensated, your agreement to work exclusively with him, and his agreement to help you find a property and negotiate the deal. In addition, as a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, your brother is obligated to comply with NAR's Code of Ethics, which sets strict standards on REALTORS®' duties to clients and customers, the public, and other REALTORS®. The code requires REALTORS® to assure whenever possible that agreements-like a buyer representation agreement-express the specific obligations of the parties in writing and in clear and understandable language.