Doesn’t the buyer have to give a reason for backing out?

I accepted an offer on my home, and now the buyers are backing out. I thought they had to a give a valid reason—like that they can’t get a loan—but their agent says they don’t. Is that true? It depends. If the buyers paid you for a termination option (see Paragraph 23 of the contract), they can cancel the deal for any reason within the agreed-upon time period. In that case, the buyers don’t owe you an explanation. You get to keep the option fee negotiated in Paragraph 23, but the earnest money will be refunded to the buyer. If the contract does not include a termination option—or if the option period has expired—the buyers would be in breach of the contract if they tried to walk away without giving a contractually acceptable reason, such as not being able to obtain financing under the terms specified in the contract.

4 ways to stay safe as a new homeowner

You do actions to stay safe every day, like fastening your seat belt, looking both ways before you cross the street, or locking your doors before you go to sleep at night. Your Texas REALTOR® likely has some ideas of how to you can stay safe as a new homeowner, but here are four safety tips to consider: Don't entice thieves with your empty boxes. While it's exciting to upgrade your home to make it your own, putting those boxes from your new TV on the curb might send a signal to potential thieves. Instead of putting boxes out in plain sight, break them down and place them in a trash receptacle or store them inside until trash day. Better yet, take them to your local recycling center as soon as possible. Change the locks. Have you ever made extra keys for your home for the dog walker, your best friend, or as a loaner to give to visitors? You're probably not the only one. Even though your seller will surrender her keys at the sale, there's no guarantee that she remembered to retrieve all of them. For safety's sake, it's worth getting your own set of keys that no one else has but you. If you're in a condo, you might be able to ask a maintenance crew to change your locks for you. If not, your local home-improvement store can give you some guidance, and there are plenty of instructional videos online as well. You can also hire a locksmith to rekey for you. Keep your name to yourself. You might want to tell the world about your new purchase by putting your name on your mailbox, doormat, or elsewhere, but be smart about what you reveal. On your mailbox, use just your last name or your last name and first initial. This keeps strangers from knowing too much about you and your family, like your gender or how many people live in the property. Sign up for the neighborhood email list. If there is a local group email list, becoming a member of it is a good way to stay informed about neighborhood happenings. For example, my neighborhood's email list has alerted me about suspicious door-to-door visitors and car break-ins. Even though it's unfortunate, I'm glad to be in the know. A bonus benefit? You'll probably hear about fun ways to meet your neighbors, too, like block parties or yard sales.

Home Improvement | Paint vs. Replace

https://youtu.be/7yCxSydOMu8

What's the Difference Between a Short Sale and Foreclosure?

Two options for homeowners who fall behind on mortgage payments are a short sale and foreclosure. While the prospect of losing a home is a hard reality that many people face, it's important to understand the difference between these two processes. How long do short sales and foreclosures take? Which is more detrimental to a borrower's credit? Let's discuss the details. What is a short sale? A short sale happens when the owner owes more on the mortgage than the market value of the property. During this process, they are essentially asking the lender to accept a lesser amount than the total it's owed. If the bank accepts the terms, the debt will be settled and the borrower released from any further liability once the short sale is closed, says Realtor® Paola Martinsen with Equity Real Estate in Murray, UT.

SPI Wahoo Classic

Friday, September 8, 2017 9:30am Sunday, September 10, 2017 5:30pm Jim's Pier South Padre Island, TX Don’t miss out on your chance to participate in the second annual South Padre Island Wahoo Classic. Fishing from Jim’s Pier, Anglers will compete in three categories: Wahoo, Black Fin Tuna, Dorado/Mahi Mahi. The Classic features $15,000 in cash prizes for the top three competitors. The Gulf comes alive during September and October, so come join us during the best fishing weather of the year. Source:: http://www.sopadre.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/WAHOO-CLASSIC-Online-Registration1.pdf

Can I keep the lighting fixture when my house sells?

There's a chandelier in my entryway that I don't want to sell with my house. How do I make sure it's excluded from the sale? The Texas Real Estate Commission sales contract says that permanently installed and built-in items, including lighting fixtures, go with the property. So, you have two options if you want to take the chandelier with you: Take it down before showing the house, so potential buyers don’t assume it comes with the property. Tell potential buyers during negotiations that the chandelier will be removed, and list it as an excluded item in the sales contract. Ask your Texas REALTOR® about the best way to accomplish this.

For Sale: 17 Hacienda Laguna Vista, TX

This gorgeous 3/2 Hacienda really stands out! Relax in the screened in patio which overlooks the 9th Fairway with views of the lake. Granite counter tops in the kitchen and bathrooms, slate flooring and carpeted bedrooms, stainless steel appliances, 2 car garage with golf cart..this home has it all! Located a short 15 minute drive to South Padre Island. Offered fully furnished! More Information