This is how my family is preparing for the Annual Century 21 Beal, Inc. Easter Egg Hunt.  The hunt is held at the College Station City Park and we have a blast every year.  Being one of the agents working at Century 21 Beal, Inc., my first year I was volunteered to be the Easter Bunny!!  Every year a new agent seems to be volunteered, I really don’t know how they pick the participants!!

If you are interested in moving to the Brazos Valley into the Bryan/College Station area, also know as “Aggieland”, give me a call!

Rock Solid Real Estate!
Joey Condon, REALTOR ®
The Gold Standard!
Century 21 Beal, Inc.
(979) 218 — 4091 Cell

2431 Pintail, College Station, Tx.

Great location on bus route!

E-Properties Website

Virtual Tour

2816 Horseback, College Station, Tx.

Lots of upgrades!

YouTube

E-Properties

Virtual Tour

4505 Carter Creek, Bryan, Tx.

Great condo location!

YouTube Video

E-Properties

Virtual Tour

There are many reasons why Bryan College Station, Tx was chosen. One reason why BCS is ranked so high is taxes! Texas has no income tax on Federal Pensions. Also, College Station is still going strong in both real estate and the economy in part because of Texas A&M University and 49,000 students. Many people who are retiring from the military are looking to start their second career and because of College Stations strong economy jobs are more accessible.

There is also plenty to do in College Station. Texas A&M brings a variety of events with famous personalities, world leaders, and great performances. There is an array of sporting events to attend as well with many phenomenal Texas A&M teams. While there are no official military bases in town, Fort Hood is only about 90 miles away and has a great Commissary and Exchange. Bryan College Station, Tx is also centrally located to many large cities like Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas.

The “Best Places for Military Retirement” was created by USAA, Military.com and Sterling’s Best Places using 20 variables that research has found to be important to military retirees. An example of this is College Station’s strong and affordable real estate market. USAA provides insurance, investment, banking and retirement services to former and current United States armed forces and their families. Military.com is the biggest website for the military and their families, retired, active or those considering a career in the service. If you are about to retire from the military consider College Station, Texas and thank you for so bravely serving our country.

Writing your eight digit Drivers License number makes the object easy to identify as yours if the object is taken. Make sure that you use permanent marker if the decoration is plastic and for metal it is best to use an engraving tool. Also, taking pictures is a good way to help the police be able to identify the property in case it is stolen.

If you have an inflatable object use the loop or strap, if provided, with a one foot stake to secure to the ground. When you have a lighted figure, such as reindeer, it is also a good idea to use a one foot long tent stake in the ground to help better secure the figurine. A great idea for plywood cut-outs is to use a conduit strap to secure a conduit pipe to the plywood and drive one fourth to one half conduit pipe about one foot in your yard.

Be cautious of underground lines like cable, sprinkler systems, utility or gas when placing anything in the ground. Even with the aforementioned precautions there is still a chance that the festive decoration may still be taken. If this occurs or if you see this happening to a neighbor call your local police department.

The safety of our community does not have borders. It is the goal of every law enforcement agency to protect the citizens that we serve. Be the eyes and ears of your police department. When you see suspicious activity contact the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600 or the Texas A&M University Police Department at 979-845-2345; contact the Bryan Police Department or the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office at 979-361-3888. Together we can make a difference in our community.

Want to see Pebble Creek Halloween decorations too?

Be a slumlord for Bryan College Station Investment Property? Okay, I got your attention, now the truth. I really don’t recommend that anyone endanger their renters with unsafe housing. So if that is what you think is a slumlord – don’t do it! No one should have to live in a pit but much of what people call ‘slumlording’ is simply providing reasonable housing for those with low incomes. It is of benefit to the renter AND the landlords of Bryan and College Station.

Why Do People Rent Dumps or a Slum?

People rent not-so-nice places because they can afford to. They rent properties that are in an “affordable” range. Maybe it is a house that needs paint or has old rusty hinges on the doors or maybe a dirt driveway. This is a house that might cost less to buy, and therefore can be rented for less. Anything major that the landlord does to improve it may result in higher rents, and possibly drive the renter away.

These things are done in the name of low income renters, and yet the result is always the same: higher rent. With that and the regulations against mobiles homes, low income families are having a hardest and harder time finding a place to live. I mention all this to let you know that if you offer an ugly, but safe and affordable rental, you are providing a real service in a strange way.

Why Invest In Low Income Housing?

If a nice three bedroom house in a Bryan, TX costs $130,000 and rents for $900, an old mobile home on a lot will probably cost $45,000 and rent for $500. Notice that the house costs almost three times as much, but the rent you get isn’t even doubled. This means the mobile gives you MORE CASH FLOW. That is why old houses and mobile homes (on land) can be such good investments.

It’s important to note that you’ll have more risk and management problems with low income housing. Repairs come up more often, and rent will be late more often, on average. This is why you deserve a higher rate of return. Otherwise, who would want to provide low-cost rentals?

Treat your renters well, make your places safe, and plan to have a little money put away for repairs.  Do these things, and you can enjoy a good return on your investment – even if some want to call you a Slumlord of Bryan College Station OR just simply a College Station Real Estate Investor.

Qualified Buyers

• Owner Occupants, purchasing their primary residence
• Public Entities = City, county, or municipality buyer (ex. City of College Station)
• Other Entities using Public Funds = Non-profit or for-profit partner organizations (ex. Habitat for Humanity)

How do you know if the foreclosure you are interested in qualifies for the First Look Program? Well of course you can call me, (I have a lot of experience with foreclosures in Bryan College Station!) but you can also go online to HomePath.com. This is the primary website showing properties within the First Look Marketing Period. The site also has a countdown clock showing how many more days are left in the marketing period for Qualified Buyers.

Many of these homes also qualify for Homepath financing. Homepath financing is a little better than most financing options.

HomePath® Mortgage Financing benefits include -

• Low down payment and flexible mortgage terms (fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, or interest-only)
• You may qualify even if your credit is less than perfect
• Available to both owner occupiers and investors
• Down payment (at least 3 percent) can be funded by your own savings; a gift; a grant; or a loan from a nonprofit organization, state or local government, or employer
• No mortgage insurance*
• No appraisal fees

If you find a foreclosure that needs a little TLC, it might qualify for the HomePath® Renovation Mortgage Financing.  This special financing is available only on homes that will be your primary residence and the loan offers -

• Financing to fund both your purchase and light renovation
• Low down payment and flexible mortgage terms (fixed-rate or adjustable-rate)
• Down payment (at least 3 percent) can be funded by your own savings; a gift; a grant; or a loan from a nonprofit, state or local government, or employer
• No mortgage insurance*

So, when you are ready to purchase a home and possibly even a foreclosure, call me and I’ll put you in touch with a lender that can help you find the best loan.

Susan Hilton

Century 21 Beal, Inc.

979-764-2100

We are finding more and more parents are wanting to invest in College Station Real Estate whether it is a single family home, duplex, condominium or townhome. More parents are wanting to purchase a property to enjoy our lower purchase prices, the anticipated appreciation in home values and the current tax benefits of ownership rather than pouring their student housing money into a rental.  Student housing at Texas A&M is a worry and concern for parents sending their kids here but we are here to help!

Some concerns we often hear from parents about where their student is going to live include:

• safety
• expense
• roommates
• noise
• dorm life
• very little control over surroundings

When you invest in your own house, duplex, condominium or duplex YOU get to choose.

You can…

• choose the area
• choose how much you spend
• choose the roommates

But, the noise is up to the students of course! Investing in real estate in Bryan College Station is a natural step for life as an Aggie.

We recently had parents call about their daughter coming to Texas A&M. They were concerned about their daughter living away from home in a new city. They were also smart to consider that while they were investing in their daughter’s future and education they might want to consider investing in real estate. They had hopes that their other children and family would also be attending TAMU so buying rather than renting for years to come was on the “to do” list.

Together we found a beautiful home for their daughter.  With a backyard and deck she could enjoy a little sunshine and maybe even a dog. How much more did the house cost than renting? The cost difference was really remarkable -

Their daughter had been paying $450 a month for a one bedroom plus her share of the utilities.  We found a 3 bedroom 2 bath home for $140,000 in a nice neighborhood. Renting out the other 2 bedrooms to friends actually covered the monthly principle and interest payments plus a little for taxes and insurance.   So, the roommates ended up making most of the monthly house payment and the parents had a home as investment for the future.

Is there ever a time when renting is a better option? Probably but not in their case.

So, what is your situation? Do you have a student wanting to go to Texas A&M? Do you want to invest in real estate for YOURSELF rather than for a landlord?  We are here to help. Don’t have your child go to Texas A&M for 4, 5 or 6 years and then wish you had invested back when they were Freshmen. Take the opportunity of LOW interest rates and a buyer’s market and let’s find the RIGHT home for you and your student NOW!

Susan Hilton

Century 21 Beal, Inc.

979-764-2100

What is a Credit Score?

Who decides what your Credit Score is?

How does the score affect YOU with your Home Mortgage?

How do you improve your Credit Score?

Who do You ask for help with your Credit Score if you are wanting to purchase real estate in Bryan College Station?

What is a Credit Score?

Your Credit Score is a number, up to 850 that lenders, insurance companies, banks and employers use to determine your “worthiness”, willingness to pay, past stability and ability to repay a loan. Your Credit Score is one of the most important things in determining whether you are eligible to borrow money to purchase a home as well as your interest rate.  Remember the higher your score, the lower the risk the lender believes they have, therefore the lower your interest rate will probably be. Your Credit Score is also called your FICO score after Fair Isaac & Company.

Who decides what your Credit Score is?

Really the one who determines your Credit Score is YOU.  Now I know you don’t get to write in your own score but what you do affects your score.  Your payment history on the money you borrow is a huge factor in your score. The biggest pieces of your Credit Score are….

• YOUR payment record – Your payment history is the biggest piece of your credit score. Do you pay your credit cards on time EVERY TIME? Do you pay your car payment on time, EVERY month?  What about your student loans?  Have you ever filed bankruptcy?  Have you gone to the doctor or hospital and then not paid the bill?  All these things can have an effect on your Credit Score.  Lenders want to know you pay your bills on time EVERY TIME.  Yes, it seems like the people who don’t need the money are the ones who can get the loans but banks are not in a charity business. They want to make sure that if they loan you money that they can get it back on time with no hassle.
• YOUR credit history – Are you just starting with credit? Do you have any credit cards now? FEW want to be the first one to take the risk that you won’t pay them back. But, how do you establish credit if no one will give you the chance?  Start by borrowing a little money from your bank against money you have in savings and PAY IT BACK ON TIME EVERY MONTH!  After a year or so of paying back the money on time you will have established credit. Most home lenders require you to have several examples of you paying back money your borrowed. You can also use the payments each month for your utilities and your phone to help show you are trust worthy – just be sure to pay these each month!
• YOUR current debt – How much do you currently owe? Do you have credit card debt? Do you have student loans? Do you owe back child support? Do you have a car loan? Have you maxed out your credit cards? How much you owe will affect your score but don’t run out and pay off loans if you are getting ready to purchase a home. Talk with a loan officer who knows about credit BEFORE you use all your available cash paying off loans.
• YOUR credit applications – Do you apply for credit at the store every time they offer? Have you applied for a new Mastercard or Visa because an application came in the mail? Each time you apply for more credit your credit is “Run” and this can reduce your Credit Score. Remember when you are getting ready to borrow money to purchase a home, you don’t want to look like you are out borrowing money or that you “Need It”.
• YOUR current credit companies – Which credit card companies have you applied to? Which credit cards do you have? Some affect your scores more than others. Do you only have car loans or ATM cards? Who would ever think that one credit card company is better or worse than another but they are!

How Much Does Your Credit Score Affect You With Your Home Loan?

It affects it a great deal. Of course the rules and guidelines change all the time regarding what lenders require for Credit Scores but in 2010 your credit score needs to be above 620 to be considered for a Fannie Mae (FNMA) loan and 660 to be considered for an FHA loan. These two loan types will give you the best possible interest rate.

Who do You ask for help with your Credit Score if you are wanting to purchase real estate in Bryan College Station?

Of course I suggest that you contact ME!  I will direct you to one of the lenders we work with on a regular basis helping our Clients make sure they get the best possible loan conditions possible. Remember a 1% difference on a loan can make a big difference in your monthly payment.

Susan Hilton

CENTURY 21 Beal, Inc.

979-764-2100

Thanks to the College Station, Easterwood Fire Station for their service and for making scouting fun!

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