Category Archives: Tips

 

Summer may not seem like the ideal time to sell your home: The weather is nice, vacations are planned, and school is out, leaving many of us lacking the motivation and time to sell. However, there are plenty of good reasons to sell in the summer, including the likelihood of earning more for your home. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons you should sell your home this summer.

1. Your Home Looks its Best 

Summertime is the most beautiful time of year. It’s prettier outside, the sun is shining, and the neighborhood is in full bloom. Spring cleaning is done and gardens are perfectly manicured, leaving all the neighboring properties looking at their best. Chances are that your house is more aesthetically pleasing in the summer months as well. This gives you a huge advantage when it comes to your homes curb appeal. The same as any purchase, homebuyers’ shop with their eyes. When your home is looking its best, surrounded by the lush warm vail of summer, it is sure to get more attention and command top dollar.

2. Your Home Will Close Quicker

Summer comes with the pressure of a time limit, especially for families. It never feels like you have enough time before fall comes creeping in, hailing the start of the holiday season. This means buyers will want to close on a sale as quickly as possible. Families want to close and be settled in their new home well before the kids go back to school. Plus, most buyers want to get moving off their plate well before the onset of the holidays. If you live in an area with winter weather, then the pressure to move quickly becomes even greater, since no one wants to be stuck between homes or moving once the cold fall and winter months have arrived. This is why buyers will do everything in their power to ensure a smooth and speedy close.

3. Home Prices Are Higher

Contrary to what you may think, the summer real estate market has become synonymous with competition. As we know, competition can drive up demand, which in turn drives up prices. In springtime, most homes in the neighborhood will have just sold at their peak value, making your home by comparison more valuable as well. Buyers will be willing to make higher offers in order to secure the property they want and be in by the fall, while sellers are forced to compete with each other to seal the deal and earn the buyer’s business. This is great news for anyone who is prepared to sell their home in the summer because it provides you with the maximum amount of leverage when it comes to price.

4. Waiting Could Be Financially Damaging

Most industry professionals are indicating that this could be the year to sell no matter what the season. Right now, it is still a seller’s market – new buyers are entering the market and interest rates are still low. Even though summer is not high season for home sales, if you wait, you could lose money. Current economic pressures and past trends are causing fears that the housing market will take a downturn by 2020. Markets typically follow 10-year trends, meaning we are a couple of years overdue for a dip in the market. Selling your home this summer could be your last chance to maximize your profit for years to come.

If it looks like you want to get out of your home quickly, and summer time is the right time for you, then we might have the solution for you. We are Gulf State Homebuyers and we can buy your home at a competitive price for all cash. Our process is simple, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy all the fun that summertime brings. We conduct a quick, easy, and free appraisal of your home in as-is condition and make you an all cash offer that very same day. Our offers are extremely competitive especially when you consider all the costs associated with selling your home on the open market. If you like the offer, we can close in as little as 5 days or work around whatever moving date you choose – it’s that simple. So contact us today to get started with your free, no obligation appraisal and be settled into the new home of your dreams before the leaves begin to turn!

 

As of recently, there are five generations participating the housing market, causing an array of challenges for homeowners interested in selling. Each generation varies in their buying habits and requires different amenities to the home they purchase. Let’s take a look at how each generation contributes to the real estate market.

Generation Z, Born 1997 –2012

This generation has just recently started participating in shopping for new homes. Unfortunately for them, many are still unable to afford homes due to the rapid increase in home values over the last few years. This does not deter their motivation however – according to the National Association of Realtors, 97% of Generation Z believe that they will own a home in the future. They do however appear to be at a disadvantage financially – 47% of those that have acquired a home were only able to put under $10,000 down. This generation, although ambitious on the amenities they would like, are limited due to their financial restrictions.

Millennials, Born 1981 – 1996

Millennials are leading in the market for homebuying – by the end of 2018, they were responsible for 45% of all new mortgages. It is estimated that 20% of Millennial’s in 2018 purchased a home for over $300,000. These individuals are at an age in which they are starting families and have an established career. This means that they are seeking out homes that have specific amenities to match their long-term needs. They are in fact more willing to buy run down homes and take on the DIY projects the homes require – as first-time home buyers, they are making educated decisions to benefit their future.

Generation X, Born 1965 – 1980

Those in this generation are generally at the point in which they are upgrading their home – they are at the peak of their earning years and are willing to spend more on their homes in order to upsize for their growing families. The challenge they have recently been faced with however is a lack of inventory in their purchasing options – they are more particular in what they want and are willing to hold out for the home that fits them best. Some of the amenities that they are searching for may include larger backyards, outstanding views, upgraded interiors, and eco-friendly additions, to name a few.

Baby Boomers, Born 1946 – 1964

Today, Baby Boomers own a majority of the homes in the United States. Those that are buying now are often selling their current home and moving into a smaller, more manageable one. No longer are they seeking the extra space for hosting guests, but instead they are looking for less maintenance so that they can enjoy their retirement years. Since many of them are retiring at this time, they are looking for homes that have specific upgrades that can help them save on their monthly bills, such as homes that have particular upgrades that reduce cooling and heating costs (double pane windows and doors or a new HVAC system) – if they are on a set income, this can be extremely crucial to their lifestyle. In addition, many members of this generation are starting to move out of cities and enjoy the quietness of the neighboring suburb.

Silent Generation, Born 1928 – 1945

Those that are over 74 represent the smallest community of recent homebuyers, embodying only 7% in 2018. They are generally already established in their retirement and have no interest in making the hassle of a big move. However, those that do decide to move do so primarily to be closer to family, friends, or relatives, or move into a senior housing community. Unfortunately, many health issues can impact one’s ability to live alone, so unless the home is fully equipped with the most recent technologies to ensure they are safe, this generation is seeking assistance in their living situation.

Who Will Buy Your Home?

Each generation represents a different selling opportunity, so preparing your home for a sale can be challenging. You will need to assess the type of community you live in and determine who will be most likely to make an offer. Review what amenities your home has to offer and identify if there are specific upgrades you can undertake to make your home more appealing to the market leading generations.

However, this can be tricky to balance. The wrong changes to the house can actually have a negative impact on your opportunities. There is one way around this dilemma – you can sell your home to an all-cash buyer. You can avoid the hassle of upgrades and marketing, and sell your home within days of your initial inquiry.

The benefits of selling to an all-cash buyer are numerous – to learn more about this unique opportunity, contact us here at Gulf State Homebuyers and we can provide you with a free consultation.

 

If you are in the market for a new home, there are many things to consider to ensure that the home you buy is right for you, your life, and your future. Depending on the stage of your life and the reason for your upcoming home purchase, different features become more or less important to include in your list of necessary amenities. Let’s take a look at some of the major factors to look for when trying to find the home that is right for you.

First Time Home Buyers

Starting with first time home buyers…It is reasonable to assume that a first-time home buyer is going to have to make the most sacrifices in order to get their foot in the door of their first property. However, that doesn’t mean they have to settle for a home that isn’t the right fit for them. When shopping for your first home it is important to identify your short- and long-term goals for the house. For example, is the home an investment property that will be sold later when the need for more space arises, or do you need to look for a property with room to expand? Once you have an idea of what your future goals are you can more easily narrow down your options.

For a first home that will be sold in the short term look for locations that will maximize your potential return. In fact, fixer uppers can be a good way to work your way into a better neighborhood. Also consider the potential of keeping the home to rent when it’s time to move into your second home. Neighborhoods close to schools, tourist attractions, and large corporate headquarters make great rental properties.

For those who plan to stay in a place for the long term it is also important to consider the neighborhood. Growing families should remember to find a home with parks and recreational activities nearby. Do a little research on the local schools so you can settle within the highest rated district. As mentioned before, it’s ok to get a smaller home or a fixer upper in the best location you can afford, just ensure that you have some room for expansion. It can be cheaper to build out extra rooms and bathrooms on your existing home when the need for more space arrives.

Current Homeowners

Now, let’s move on to current homeowners who may have outgrown the home they are in or purchased a home that ended up being a bad fit. Many homeowners outgrow their houses as their family grows, but you can grow out of you home in other ways too. Status is a big one here – for many working adults when, their career takes off they want to enjoy their new expendable income. This is often used on new homes and apartments full of the amenities that were previously out of reach. This also means moving closer to work to shorten commute time and moving to nicer neighborhoods with shops, restaurants and entertainment nearby. Finding a partner, significant other, or getting married is another common reason for a move; just adding one person to a household can greatly expand the amount of space and the type of amenities needed to make your home comfortable.

Moving into your second home is a perfect opportunity to get things right. We suggest narrowing down your search to the areas and neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle and are within your price range. Luckily, technology has made this prosses quick and easy with an endless list of websites and apps dedicated to real estate. Next, make a list of the things you must have in a new home and the things you are willing to compromise on or that can be added at a later date. Last, after visiting the available homes that fit your criteria, take the time to scope out the neighborhoods. Hang out and stop in at different times of day and different days of the week to see if there is any change in things like traffic and noise. Don’t be afraid to have some friendly conversations with your potential neighbors and ask them what they like and dislike about a neighborhood – they will probably voluntarily tell you all the gossip you need to know.

If you are putting your house on the market soon and would like to focus your attention on finding the home that is right for you rather than on selling your existing home, we may be able to help. We are Gulf State Homebuyers and we can take the hassle out of putting your home on the market. Call us today for a free home appraisal and get cash for your home in as little as five days!

 

Summertime is here and this is undoubtedly the time of year when a backyard gets the most use. It’s inevitable that the first thing that comes to mind with summer is the outdoors. Let’s face it, outdoor space or land of any kind means options. We are not just talking burger bash or full-blown clam bake either – We mean lifestyle options like room to expand or the many different ways to put your outdoor space to good use. So, with beautiful sunny weather fresh on our minds, let’s talk about some of the benefits of having a backyard.

Let’s get the obvious one out of the way: Having a backyard makes your home the perfect gathering space. Even with minimal landscaping and maintenance, a simple green lawn makes the perfect canvas for parties and celebrations of all kinds. Birthday parties, graduations, and some holiday events just require a nice open space to mingle, which means that your home will be ground zero for all of the fun.

Often times kids are the main draw for owning a backyard. Same as before, a simple lawn is all a child needs to get outside and run around. The open space will provide endless possibilities for creative play and sports, keeping them occupied for hours on end. What’s even better is that the instant access to an outdoor space will increase the likelihood of physical activity, an issue that is at the top of the list for concerned parents.

In addition, backyards can accommodate a wide range of entertaining accessories. Treehouses, swing sets, trampolines, and other playground equipment can provide economical and healthy entertainment for a growing family, especially when public parks are unavailable.

Remember, depending on the size of the yard and your budget, upgrades can be fun for more than just the kids. Things like horseshoe pits and volleyball nets can be installed relatively cheap, while tennis and basketball courts make amazing upgrades for larger properties with a slightly higher budget.

Now the big upgrade that every family in America dreams of: A swimming pool. It goes without saying that if you don’t have a yard, you have to use the public pool. If a pool is even a distant goal it is important to give yourself the option by getting a home with a backyard. A pool is a fantastic upgrade that can always be added later in life; for instance, after your career takes off or when the kids are old enough to be pool safe. Whatever the benchmark is, you can’t achieve your dream of owning a pool if you don’t have a yard.

The pool is a backyard upgrade that goes beyond having a family and kids. Pools make great additions at any stage in your life. After the kids have moved away, the pool becomes a relaxing space to lounge around in the sun with a good book. Since pools typically have a spa as well, you can enjoy an intimate and relaxing late-night dip with your significant other any time of year, free from the prying eyes of kids and neighbors.

Moving on to the benefits of owning a yard without kids – a backyard is the perfect space to foster some healthy hobbies. Many people find doing their own landscaping to be a great way to stay busy and get some light exercise. Retirees and weekend warriors alike enjoy working on little projects around the yard, constantly upgrading and changing the walkways and planters. It can literally provide endless entertainment, especially with the easy access to home improvement warehouses, nurseries, and of course, inspiration from the internet.

Gardening can also be a year-round hobby. Slightly different than landscaping, backyards give people the ability to grow their own produce and even install greenhouses for year-round cultivation. Gardening is another activity that is great for the whole family and is even typically mentioned as one of the activities common amongst people over 100 years old.

If you feel like you are missing out on some of the fun in life and need a backyard to improve your lifestyle, or if you are wanting a pool but don’t want to deal with the hassle of installation, then it may be time to sell. Selling your home to an all-cash buyer and purchasing a home that has the backyard of your dreams can be a simple process – contact us today to learn more about your options! We are Gulf State Homebuyers. Located in Baytown, we buy homes at competitive prices and provide families such as yours a quick solution to your next move.

 

Spring cleaning is done and summer is upon us, but does your home still feel like a dark cellar? Depending on the age of the home, the amount of natural light available can be very limited. So, maybe it’s time to make some changes that can really let the sun shine in and transform your home into a bright, happy, and light filled space. We have compiled 5 popular tips to help you get the most out of the summer sun or simply lighten the mood any time of year.

1. Paint

The first thing to consider when brightening up your home is to choose a color. Whether it’s a living room full of bay windows or a basement with none, giving the walls a fresh coat of a light, neutral color paint is the obvious starting point. A good pro tip is to select a matte finish to help reflect the light evenly in all directions, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. This tip works for the ceiling as well – painting the ceiling a lighter shade will brighten the space and open up the room even more. If your home happens to have wooden beams across the ceiling, a coat of white paint makes them all but disappear. You are not limited to the walls and ceilings, built-ins like cabinets and bookshelves can also benefit from a coat of light and bright paint. Don’t completely get rid of color, just try to avoid using color as a background. Use bright and vibrant colors in accents and artwork throughout the room to make the space really pop.

2. Declutter

The cheapest and quickest option for lightening up any space in your home is to reduce the clutter. Every object in a room absorbs the available amount of light in the space, making it feel darker. Start by clearing out and removing some accessories and little keepsakes to give the area a crisper and cleaner look. Use handcrafted baskets and boxes to store small objects and improve organization. Reduce the amount of wall art and place a few larger pieces strategically rather than a lot of little frames. Designers even like to lighten up bookshelves by turning the spines of the books away, leaving their light-colored paper pages visible. If some remodeling is in your budget, installing a uniform cabinet system can work wonders for giving your home clean lines and a more open feel.

3. Flooring

Flooring is just as important as paint when it comes to lightening up a space. If you are looking to remodel or if it is time to replace your current floors, the carpet, tile, and wood floor options are endless. It goes without saying that picking a light color is essential for bringing more light into your space – just be sure to work with a design expert before making such a drastic change. Unlike with walls and ceilings, switching from a dark colored floor to light without considering the rest of the room could leave you with some unflattering or even awkward mashups. So, you may need to go back and tackle the paint before you get stuck with a space that doesn’t quite look right.

4. Windows

Windows are the obvious choice for bringing more light into the home. Larger or reconfigured windows will have an immediate impact on lighting and the energy efficiency of your home. Installing large dramatic windows can truly give you the feeling of being in a new home. If a remodel is not in the budget, then replacing shutters and window treatments with more light and open styles is the next best thing. Maximize the amount of light from your existing windows by using white or tan on the curtains or simply skip them altogether.

5. Skylights

People often put all the attention on the windows; however, you may also want to consider adding skylights to capture all the precious, direct sunlight you can. Not only does a skylight help you bring more natural light into a space, it will also dramatically cut energy costs by reducing your need for artificial lighting. Skylights have come a long way as far as efficiency and they come with many different options.

If these ideas have sparked some inspiration, why not consider selling your home and moving to a new home with all these amenities built right in. We are Gulf State Homebuyers and we can buy your home, as-is, at a competitive rate, for all cash. Contact us today for a free appraisal at no obligation to you. If you like the offer, we can close in as little as five days. We can even help you move into the light airy home of your dreams.