Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate
Realtor & Vice President of Sales of Bryan College Station Real Estate
Read my blog below
Investment Real Estate Category
Foreclosures Are Happening in Bryan and College Station, Texas Too!
November 1st, 2011 Categories: Foreclosures, Investment Real Estate
Foreclosure is NOT an example of a character flaw. Foreclosure is almost always an EMPLOYMENT issue or an ILLNESS issue or a true UNEXPECTED EXPENSE issue that you could not have planned for. Yes, Foreclosures, Short Sales and Distressed properties are happening in Bryan and College Station, Texas TOO! Remember we cannot control LIFE – we can only control what we DO after Life Happens.
Did you know…
- 2007 Foreclosures increased on a quarterly basis all four quarters of the year… up 75% from 2006
- 2008 Foreclosures increased 81% over 2007 with 3.1 million foreclosure filings. 80% of California & Florida homeowners who missed a payment ended up in foreclosure. By the end of 2008 approximately 2 in every 100 households were in foreclosure. In Florida 4.5 % of all households were in foreclosure.
- 2009 Delinquency ate broke the record again. More than 1 in 8 households were in foreclosure. 12 % of Florida mortgages were in foreclosure
- 2010 January 2010 was the 49th consecutive month wiht year over year increases in home mortgage delinquency rates
So, being behind on a mortgage is much more common than you would expect. If you know someone who is faced with being behind on their house payments or property eviction please let us help them through a short sale so they avoid a property eviction. We work with lenders throughout the country helping the lenders maintain and recover their asset (the home) while also having compassion and understanding with the homeowner. Please don’t let someone you know be like the person in the video below. Going through a lockout is so very traumatic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXep2SsJlHw
Bryan & College Station, Texas are not immune to foreclosures. Remember most of the time getting behind is not because of a bad decision it is because of LIFE. It is because employment changed or illness or an unexpected expense. A short sale (where we help you sell before the bank takes the property back) lets YOU be in more control. Call anytime and to just talk about your options. YOU DO HAVE OPTIONS – Don’t let foreclosure be the one chosen for you.
Susan Hilton
979-219-3970
Statistics from RealtyTrac and Certified Distressed Property Experts
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Chinese Drywall in YOUR HOME in Bryan College Station?
October 20th, 2011 Categories: Home Improvement & Design, Investment Real Estate, Neighborhoods
Carol Rakowitz arranged for Steve Jolly from Texas Professional Inspections to talk with the agents of Century 21 Beal about Chinese Drywall. Most people have no idea that his could be an issue in their homes nor do they know how much it could affect their home and health.
Chinese Drywall came into the country during around 2001 through 2007 due to the shortage of building materials after hurricanes. The drywall came from China. It has been outlawed BUT many experts believe it is still coming into the country through Mexico and is NOT labeled as Chinese drywall.
Chinese Drywall emits a sulfur gas. The gas CAN (but not always) emit a noxious odor. This fume/gas corrodes copper and other metals which will damage electrical wiring, plumbing, appliances, electronics in the home, air conditioning PLUS what it does to your body and the bodies of your pets.
So, what do you do if you think you might have Chinese Drywall or if you want to make sure you aren’t purchasing a home with Chinese Drywall? First – get an inspection from someone who has experience with Chinese drywall. Then ask LOTS of questions! Has the owner ever noticed a sulfur smell? Have the appliances been replaced? Have they had any corrosion issues with their electrical systems?
If you find YOUR home has Chinese drywall I suggest you contact Foreman and Associates to discuss possible abatement remedies and get an evaluation. I am not affiliated with Foreman and Associates and have not used them but they are one of the only sources I have found to be providing information and ideas at this time for our area.
Many homes with Chinese drywall must be stripped down to the slab, roof and studs to be remedied so this is an issue to take very seriously.
Susan Hilton
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Bryan College Station Foreclosures Available!
October 14th, 2011 Categories: Foreclosures, Investment Real Estate
FORECLOSURES in Brazos County!!! Looking for a foreclosure home in the Bryan, College Station, Hearne, Marquez, Hearne or Navasota area? Click on this link which will take you to my REALTOR.com profile page. Click on LISTINGS and you will see the latest available information of properties that are currently available. If you want to be notified when we are GETTING a new foreclosure home send me a note! All foreclosure properties we put on the market are available to everyone but many sell right away!
Currently there are properties available in Bryan, College Station, Hearne and Marquez but MANY more are coming in othere areas such as Medias, Navasota, Caldwell and beyond.
Call me if you are looking for properties in
- South College Station
- Southwood Valley
- Rural areas with acreage
- Edelweiss Gartens
- Under $30,000
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MythBusters – Myths About Duplex Buying
March 14th, 2011 Categories: Investment Real Estate
The guys from MythBusters took it upon themselves to figure out the top 10 most heard myths about duplex buying. These are myths that many people here all the time but they are myths so do not worry!
1. You DO NOT need to have 20% down to buy a duplex, triplex, or four unit building. Financing is available for properties up to four units, which was insure by FHA.
2. You CAN count 75% of the current or expected rental income toward helping you to qualify for a loan.
3. It is true the first time home buyer tax credit was available for multi-family properties. Although the program expired last spring and there does not seem to be any noise or congressional support to reinstate it.
4. It is NOT any more difficult to get financing for a duplex than a single home.
5. Maintence will cost you a fortune. When you own real estate you will have expenses that are involved. It is important to keep this in mind when you are buying the property.
6. Yes, you may get a phone call in the middle of a night maybe every 5 to 10 years. Plumbing issues do not happen that often and in the long run it is not a big ordeal. This is not a big issue like most people try and make it sound like. A quick call to the plumber will usually fix the problem.
7. Side by side duplexes are quieter than up/down duplexes. These types of duplexes are usually made as mirror images of each other. The walls no not any more thick and because you are right next to them they are just as loud if not more loud.
8. Cash flow is everything. Of course it is important to invest in something that makes sense financially but it also needs to match up with long term investment goals. Thinking about where you are at in your life and financially at the time but also where you hope to be in the future. This investment needs to match up with that as well.
9. New is better than old. Not always true! This depends on where you are located. Some people find the quirks of older real estate interesting and exciting.
10. Tenants are difficult. Being a landlord is a responsibility but if you take on the job with wisely and make thoughtful choices this should not throw any major problems your way. Your unit turnover will also be higher if there are not major problems all the time.
Susan Hilton
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2010 Brazos County Property Taxes Update
March 1st, 2011 Categories: Investment Real Estate, Living Here, News, Real Estate
What are the 2010 Property taxes for Brazos County?
I bet you can’t read the graphic due to size but click on the link above and you will see the 2010 Adopted Tax Rates. You can always contact the Brazos County Appraisal District at 1673 Briarcrest Dr., Suite A-101 in Bryan at 979-774-4100 for more information. Mark W. Price is the Chief Appraiser.
Hope this helps in your planning for your real estate expenses. Let me know how I can help!
979-764-2100
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