Joey Condon
Realtor®
Read my blog below
Buying Real Estate Category
How scary is a Real Estate Contract?
June 14th, 2010 Categories: 1, Buying Real Estate, Real Estate Contracts
Real Estate contracts are full of legal terms that can be difficult to understand. Be sure to ask before you sign – any misunderstanding may be costly to you in the future.
I am here to help you with any real estate question you may have. Here are a few definitions that I think may be helpful when thinking about buying a home.
-
Adjustable-rate Mortgage (ARM) – A mortgage that does not have a fixed interest rate. Based on market conditions, the rate can increase or decrease, affecting your payment.
- Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) – This fee protects the lender against a loss if a borrower defaults on the loan and is added to the monthly mortgage payment. PMI is usually required if the down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price. VA, FHA, VA Guarenteed loans fall into this catagory. Payments can be reduced sometimes by over $200 a month if you are able to put 20% down.
- Fixed-rate Loans – A mortgage that has a fixed interest rate throughout the life of the loan. Repayment terms are generally 15, 20, or 30 years. Payments stay the same unless refinancing is done.
- Escrow – Monies or documents held by a neutral third party before closing on a property. It can also be an account held by the lender, usually set up to pay for taxes and insurance on their investment.
- Loan Origination Fee – A fee charged be the lender for processing a loan. All lenders charge different amounts so it is always best to shop around, they will compete for your business.
- Points – These fees are paid to the lender for the loan, usually in relation to the interest rate. One point is equal to 1% of the principal amount of a mortgage loan. You can “buy down” your interest rate to lower your monthly payment.
- Lock-in - A written agreement setting a specific interest rate on a home loan. The lock-in is typically good for a specific time, usually 60 to 90 days.
- Offer – When one person proposes a contract to another; if the other person accepts the offer, a binding contract is formed.
When buying a house in College Station you always need to make sure you are making the right decision when filling out a contract or offer on a house. Buyer’s remorse is not something you want, I can make sure that doesn’t happen.
Call me with all your Real Estate Contract Questions!
Joey Condon, Realtor
Rock Solid Real Estate!
| Discussion: No Comments »
First Impressions count when selling a house in Bryan/College Station!
September 29th, 2009 Categories: 1, Buying Real Estate, Home Improvement & Design
Everyone knows that “first impressions count” when meeting new people, when interviewing for a job, really for doing just about anything!! Selling your house also falls into that cliche. The market has spawned a buyer that has the opportunity to be very picky and they are unforgiving! To be able to stand out from all the rest, sellers are being forced to pay closer attention to detail and make sure their I’s are dotted and their T’s are crossed.
What should sellers do to give that first impression that will hold buyer’s attention long enough for them to see the true value of their home?
- Touch up paint on windows, trim and doors is a must do project
- Clean the windows inside and out
- Clean masonry & porches
- Use landscape lights on side walks and driveways
- Keep gutters and downspouts in good condition and cleaned out. Ensure downspouts direct water away from the foundation
- Use seasonal flags and plants for decoration
- Keep grass mowed and edging trimmed
- Cut overhanging branches away from the house, this helps with inspections also
When selling your home in Bryan/College Station, Tx. make sure you pay close attention to details. Even the smallest oversight can turn that buyer around and lead them out the door to another house. Hire a professional, like the agents at Century 21 Beal, Inc. to provide you with the advice to maximize your chances of selling your home. The Bryan real estate market and the College Station real estate market has changed with most other markets, and sellers need to reevaluate their strategy for selling. The first time home buyer is very frugal and wants a good deal when purchasing real estate. You can’t blame him – I am looking for a good deal too!
Joey Condon – Rock Solid Real Estate
| Discussion: 4 Comments »
College Station Water – Where Does It Come From?
July 3rd, 2009 Categories: Buying Real Estate
Do you ever wonder where the College Station water you drink comes from? 
College Station’s water is ground water from deep wells in Simsboro Sand about 3,000 feet down. The water is pumped from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer.
Is the water hot or cold when it comes up? Would you believe that the temperature for the water is 118 degrees Fahrenheit? The cooling towers at the Sandy Point Pump Station help reduce the temperature down to 85 degrees.
From the Sandy Point Pump Station the water travels about 13 miles to the Dowling Road Pump Station. At this Pump Station chlorine is added to disinfect and have fluoride added. The storage tanks at Dowling Road hold about 8 million Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: No Comments »
Hear About Any College Station Home on Your Phone NOW!!!
June 26th, 2009 Categories: Buying Real Estate
Inquiring Minds Want to Know…
Have you ever been driving around a Bryan or College Station neighborhood and wanted to know how much a house is selling for but you didn’t want to “bother” the agent or they weren’t there when you called?
WE HAVE THE ANSWER!!!
Call 979-764-2121 and enter the street number and you can HEAR information about that house. ANY PHONE – ANY TIME!
If a Bryan College Station home is available for sale in the MLS YOU CAN HEAR IT! It doesn’t matter if Century 21 has it listed for sale or Coldwell Banker or Remax or ANYONE!
Questions? Ideas?
Call me!
Susan Hilton
979-764-2100
| Discussion: No Comments »
Bryan College Station Electricity, Utilities, Telephone, License
May 12th, 2009 Categories: Buying Real Estate
Moving to Bryan College Station and need HELP? How about information about who to call for electricity, gas, phone, water and on and on and on. Bookmark this page and when you are “in need” you’ll know who to call (Not Ghostbusters!).
Electricity
Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU)
979-821-5700 or 877-363-7448
www.btutilities.com
College Station Utilities
979-764-3535 or 800-849-6623
www.cstx.gov/indexaspx?page=2004
Natural Gas
Atmos Energy
1-888-322-8667
www.atmosenergy.com
Telephone
Verizon
Residential 979-846-1271
Business 1-800-483-5400
Embarq (Navasota)
800-788-3500
Water
College Station Utilities
979-764-3535 or 800-849-6623
www.cstx.gov/indexaspx?page=2004
Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU)
979-821-5700 or 877-363-7448
www.btutilities.com
Wellborn Special Utility District
979-690-9799
www.wellbornsud.com
Cable Service
Suddenlink
4114 East 29th Street-Bryan
979-846-2229
Drivers License
Newcomers have 30 days after establishing residency to apply for a Texas driver’s license. Applicants (18 and older) will be required to provide proof of identity, social security number, Texas vehicle registration and proof of liability insurance on all vehicles owned. Applicants must complete required forms and pay required fee. With a valid, out-of-state driver’s license, only an eye exam or specialist is required.
Driver’s License Office
1003 North Earl Rudder Freeway
979-776-3100
www.texasonline.com
Tags/Registration
Newcomers have 30 days after establishing residency to purchase Texas license tags. To purchase license tags you will need to have your vehicle inspected. You will need to have your car registered before applying for a Texas driver’s license.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles handles vehicle tags. Offices are Open Mon-Fri from 8 am-5 pm.
979-361-4473
300 East William J. Bryan Pkwy
www.txdps.state.tx.us
Bryan Administrative Offices
300 South Texas Ave.
979-209-5000
www.bryantx.gov
College Station City Hall
1101 Texas Ave.
979-764-3509
www.cstx.gov
Voter Registration
300 East William J. Bryan Pkwy
Bryan, TX 77803
979-361-4470
Taxes
Brazos County Tax Office
979-361-4470
Bryan-College Station Convention & Visitors Bureau
715 University Dr E-College Station
www.visitaggieland.com
Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce
4001 East 29th Street, Ste. 175-Bryan
979-260-5200
www.bcschamber.org
Real Estate – Homes for Sale in Bryan & College Station
979-764-2100
| Discussion: No Comments »
Bryan College Station Real Estate February Single Family Market Report 2009
March 25th, 2009 Categories: Buying Real Estate
Single Family Real Estate Monthly Market Stats
February 2009
2009 2008
# Listings in Inventory 1, 188 1, 351
Down – 12.1%
# Closed Sales 91 132
Down – 31.1%
Average Sales Price $172,928 $169,261
Up – 2.2%
# Volume $15,736,430 $22,342,476
Down – 29.6%
Days on Market 130 126
So what is really going on in the Bryan/College Station real estate market? The numbers don’t look good but what you see above is the effect of the fear in the market in November, December and January with the elections, stock market decline and horrible national news. We are in a bubbled community but we still see some of the effects of the national news.
So what is going on right now? It depends! We are seeing the higher priced homes being Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: No Comments »
Ready to File for You First Time Home Buyer $8,000 Credit in College Station?
February 27th, 2009 Categories: Buying Real Estate
Ready to file for your First-time Home Buyer credit? Ready for your $8,000 for buying a house in Bryan or College Station in 2009? You’ll need a special form from the IRS for the tax credit. You’ll need to find a house first – Lets get started. Call me!
Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal
Want to Search the Bryan/College Station Real Estate MLS? CLICK HERE!!!
| Discussion: No Comments »
Buy a Home in College Station and get $8,000 BACK!!!
February 24th, 2009 Categories: Buying Real Estate
Could you use $8,000 FREE to buy a house in College Station, Tx?
I sent out the following message in an email to the agents at Century 21 Beal yesterday. Within 24 hours I heard that a competitor had taken the message and sent it out WORD FOR WORD as coming from them. I am flattered but surely they would want to at least re-write it in their own language….. But, back to the important topic – BUYING A HOUSE IN BRYAN & COLLEGE STATION!
The 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit was passed into law in February 2009. This credit is available for first time home buyers only who purchase and close on a home in 2009. A first time home buyer is someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three year period prior to the purchase. So, you could actually have owned a home in the past and still qualify. You also must be a U.S. citizen and file your taxes… AND you don’t have to pay it back! (unless you sell the house within 3 years after you purchase it….) Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: No Comments »
Selling in a “Buyers’ Market”
September 17th, 2008 Categories: Buying Real Estate
Our market has turned!! It is now a buyers’ market and the buyers are excited to be at an advantage. Even if the buyers’ market will not last long in our area. Sellers need to be aware that the buyers’ agents know this and they will be negotiating with that in mind. Here is some advice for sellers in our market to assist their agent with negotiating with the buyers’ agent.
Beside price, the best way to sell your home in a down market is to:
- Hire an aggressive agent who shows you a plan for selling your house – and make sure they follow through.
- Give your house a facelift with new paint and repairs.
- List it online with such sites as eBay and Craigslist.
- Offer to pay the buyer’s closing costs.
- And finally, take any reasonable offer.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Great Community in College Station!! Meadow Creek in Aggieland!
August 6th, 2008 Categories: Buying Real Estate
Meadow Creek!!
College Station’s newest community located in Wellborn and is a short commute to the College Station and Bryan area. The community has a number of school choices; Forest Ridge Elementary, Cypress Grove Intermediate, College Station Middle, and A&M Consolidated High School. Convenient 10 minute drive from anything you could need in the community. The community is being built by Main Street Homes and from a Realtor’s point of view, a great builder who caters to the client and their product holds resale value.
| Discussion: No Comments »
