Mel in the City

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to make a note that my blog has moved! I enjoyed my time here but found a platform that allows me a little more flexibility! You can still reach the Mel in the City blog at www.MelInTheCity.com or you can find me at www.melissahunzeker.wordpress.com both go the same place! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the new platform!

Recently, I™ve been working with a client who is looking to buy their first home in the Heights.     Like most home buyers their budget is going to not going to give them a perfect home and it will require some compromises. Working within their numbers we have comes up with two options:  

1. A bungalow with some updates like a kitchen, bath, roof or exterior but in a location that isn™t their first choice
2. A more desirable location and structurally sound home but no updates.

 Ever hear, location, location, location?   Condition of the home can always be changed but you can™t do anything about location.    The great thing about buying a home with no updates is THERE ARE NO UPDATES!   You don™t have to put up with an ugly tile or a not-so-great remodel.   If you are buying into a good location where home values above then this home is a clean slate.  This could be a great investment if the updates are tastefully selected and well done.   How do you know what to do? Need ideas on how that re-model money can be best spent? I can advise you with suggestions and provide resources for additional info. This is also the time to go tour homes in your neighborhood the price range just above you and see what they™ve done. You will get an idea of what buyers are seeing and expecting in those price ranges. You will see homes with successful remodels that will sell quickly and you will notice those which were unsuccessful or price themselves too high.      There are lots of exciting things to consider when buying. I can help evaluate your options and hopefully help you find a home that you will love living in and will be a good investment.  

 Hi blog world. It has been so long since I have logged in here that the whole Realtor.com site has changed. I promise to be a Realtor blogger in the coming weeks. And now I will show you a little of why I have been neglecting this site:

Thanks for your patience. I have lots of exciting ideas about provding useful information and even some fun stuff now and then. I hope you will bear with me as I work toward improvements!

connect with me: melissa@melissahunzeker.com ~ (281) 639 -9287    ~  Houston Area Realtor

 what is special about   17426 Courtney Pine | Spring | TX | 77379 ?

What do you think? Should I try this tactic next time I show one of my listed homes? I have a couple that I would really like to sell!

So the $7,500 first time buyer tax credit of 2009 became the $8,000 first time buyer or $6,500 move up buyer extension. And now it has been extended again. Huh? I have recently had a few questions about the Tax Credit Extensions and what is going on.  Hopefully I can help clarify a bit.  

This week the Senate approved a 3 month extension of the tax credit and it seems to have lead to some confusion. For those of you with a contract in place who might be nervous about closing before the end of the month, you can relax a little. If your contract was executed before April 30 you now have until September 30, 2010 to complete the sale. The previous deadline was June 30, 2010. This proposal would only allow people who already have signed contracts to finish at the later date. Right now there are about 180,000 homebuyers who already signed purchase agreements that would otherwise miss the deadline.

Unfortunatley if you didn’t act before April 30 this current plan still doesn’t apply to you. Although to hear people talk…. EVERYONE bought then. What? You didn’t? You know someone that still wants to own a home?! Don’t worry too much…there are still lots of great reasons to buy a home in Houston:

and also….

Saturday, June 19,  (12:30-3:30pm) as we  celebrate Father’s Day with a  BIG RED TASTING  and open some of our Biggest and Most Celebrated Wines in the Store!    When & Where:BIG RED  TASTING!“CABS FOR DADS”An In-Store, Special Tasting event  HEB – Bunker Hill MarketSaturday, June 19th12:30 – 3:30 PMIn Front of the Deli     We  will have some of our biggest and highest rated wines open for you to try! Best of all, it coincides with our Father’s Day CAB SALE, so look for big savings on big brands!… A  perfect  occasion to find something special for Dad!      Now – June 22ndCABERNET SALE!All Cabs will be on Sale(Just in time for Father’s Day!)  Special Orders welcome.Contact us at BunkerHillWine@aol.com      What a great  week for wine – Mark your calendars now!  

Because economic times are tough right now, the City of Houston would like to remind Houstonians who may be struggling to pay their 2009 real property taxes that were due January 31, 2010, that there are options.  Prior to July 1, 2010,  you can arrange to pay your taxes in monthly installments. In doing so, you can avoid the additional 20%  collection penalty that will become due on  July 1, 2010, if taxes remain unpaid.

If there are no delinquent taxes from a prior tax year, an installment agreement can be set up by contacting the Harris County Tax Office Call Center at 713-368-2000, or by going to  your local Harris County branch office listed at  http://www.hctax.net/MiscTax/LocationsList.aspx. While the property owner will not avoid paying penalty and interest under the installment agreement, you will avoid the additional collection penalty of 20% on the outstanding balance by signing the installment agreement before July 1, 2010  and by making payments on time.

If I can offer any additional assistance or help, don’t hesitate to connect with me.

Melissa Hunzeker * 281-639-9287 * melissa@melissahunzeker.com * www.melissahunzeker.com  *  

First time buyer and move up tax credit deadline has passed. The tax credit combined with historically low rates created a significant difference in the number of homes sold in 2009. What impact have they had this year? A study by NAR (National Associate of Realtors) 1^st  time buyers accounted for 42% of sales in Feb up from 40% in Jan. Investors also accounted for 19% of the market  in Feb vs. 17% in Jan

For sellers that could mean the end of the tax credit might not be the end of the spring home buying season. Use some of these time tested ways to ensure your home has the best chance of being sold.

1.             Price your home right. Knowing what comparable home shave actually sold for is critical.  Know what the trend is. Perhaps you price your home more aggressively than what the current comps tell us to stimulate multiple offers?

2.             Consider a pre-sale inspection “ Concessions on repairs or upgrades can cost you more than completing the repairs before you put your home on the market. Be prepared.

3.             Consider all offers “ a lower offer with fewer conditions can be a better solution for selling your home. We want to evaluate all the details, not just the price, in an offer.

For other tips on how to get your home in top selling condition call, text or email me.

Melissa Hunzeker, Realtor ® Consultant * melissa@melissahunzeker.com * 281-639-9287

The primary purpose of this blog is to keep you updated on Houston’s real estate market. I also want it to be a tool for Houston Happenings and appreciating the great city we live in. A couple of examples of things I have discovered recently in our great city:

Bear Creek Great Plants for Houston Sale & Expo

I attended the expo in hopes of picking up some herbs and plants for my fledgling garden and I learned there are lots of opportunities for gardeners. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service project through Texas A&M is dedicated to bringing quality, relevant educational experiences to the public in the Houston area. They host educational programs and workshops. If you live in West Houston, Lakes on Eldridge, Bear Creek or just want to explore something new, click to see their a calendar of events.

I also floated down Buffalo Bayou and saw Houston from a different angle. See some nature in the midst of the downtown skyline.  They are offering “Foodie Floats” with Saint Arnold’s Brewery and the Houston Dairy Maids. I can’t think of a much better way to spend a Thursday evening than on the water, with a cold drink, and my favorite food, cheese! But hurry, the last tour is this Thursday.