Texas Real Estate
Texas Real Estate
Texas Real Estate is the only Web site dedicated to home buyers, sellers and investors in the state of Texas.

  • Ask George and Chuck
    Dear George: How can I get my ex-husband's name off my deed?.....

  • Prepare yourself for a good closing
    Closing is a process that begins weeks before the actual closing date, and follows an outline dictated largely by the buyer's original offer.....

  • Understanding the lingo - comps
    So, you're selling your home and everyone you interviewed to list your home has mentioned "pulling comps"......

  • Forget the forecast; look out the window
    Hanging on through difficult economic times means different things to different people......

  • Some luxury developers await quality investors, buyers
    Hanging on through difficult economic times means different things to different people......

  • All real estate is local
    Is it a seller's market or a buyer's market? Be careful where you get your information......

  • The secret's out
    It's one of the worst-kept secrets out there: Texas is a great place to live......

  • Keep copies
    It's important to keep the paperwork.....

  • Homestead exemption scams
    You must apply for the exemption, but there is no fee associated with applying for a homestead exemption.....

  • Some lenders too picky on foreclosure financing
    Remember when lenders were content to sell foreclosed homes to any qualified buyer?.....

  • If the last tree in the forest falls...
    If governmental entities had full discretion on what was a public good, all private real property would be at risk of being appropriated for the public good.....

  • Overpriced or under-analyzed?
    A look at Forbes list of cities where homes are most overpriced......

  • Buy a home, get a tax credit
    If you were thinking of buying your first home but just couldn't get it together in time to take advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit, you have an extension. Congress gave you about five more months......

  • Ask George and Chuck
    Dear George: Where can I find someone who will insure my home?.....

  • Letters of distinction
    One certification, available only to Texas REALTORS, is called Texas Affordable Housing Specialist.....

  • The tax credit isn't the only help for homebuyers
    It looks like Congress is going to extend the homebuyer tax credit......

  • Why must they lie?
    If you could hook up a lie detector to an e-mail, the needle would be jumping on this one.....

  • Even wooly-headed profs have good ideas
    A pair of researchers at CERGE-EI, a Czech university, examined evidence about the origins of the housing bubble and whether it ever existed at all.....

  • No fun being number 1
    Texas ranks 14th in the amount residents pay in property taxes. Our state is also first in how much we pay in property taxes. How can that be?.....

  • Primary owners now in the seasonal rental game
    Approximately 15% of vacation rental owners have rented their primary residence to travelers, and the practice is becoming more common.....

  • Lost in translation
    On Nov. 3, 2009, the voters of Texas will once again have an opportunity to take a stand against the burdensome and uneven taxation of residential property.....

  • Expect the unexpected (and the expected)
    The cost of home maintenance and repairs is usually one of the biggest surprises for new homeowners.....

  • Time is ticking on $8,000 credit
    I hope homebuyers understand the deadline for the $8,000 federal tax credit. Getting it wrong could cost someone a lot.....

  • Market versus appraised value
    Don't confuse the appraisal with market value. The appraised value is a certified appraiser's opinion of the worth of a home at a given point in time......

  • Pre-approval or pre-qualification?
    While both may put you in a potentially stronger buying position, getting pre-approved by the lender carries a bit more weight.....

  • My house won't sell
    There are a variety of factors that contribute to a home languishing on the market, including price, condition, and location.....

  • Get your credit in shape first
    If you are considering purchasing a home, you might want to begin by taking a look at your credit.....

  • Finding the right neighborhood
    Picking a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle and desires is an important part of the homebuying process......

  • Safety tips for home sellers
    If you're selling your house, there are some safety tips you should be aware of to keep yourself and others safe during the process.....

  • All real estate is local
    Is it a seller's market or a buyer's market? Be careful where you get your information to answer that question .....

  • Texas has 5 of country's top 10 metros
    Five of the nation's top 10 metropolitan areas are in Texas.....

  • Economic press bullish on Lone Star State
    Forbes named Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and McAllen in its Best 10 Cities for Economic Recovery......

  • Texas REALTORS push pro-homeowner agenda through 81st session
    When the gavel fell June 1 on the 81st Texas Legislature, Texas homeowners were better off.....

  • Landlord in the making?
    Are you considering buying an investment home as a rental property? This may be a good time to start .....

  • A $68,000 credit on a home? Seriously?
    No, it's no joke. As a first-time homebuyer with a moderate income, you may be able to save $68,000 on a home. That's $8,000 on the purchase and $60,000 over the life of a 30-year loan.....

  • Truly affordable housing
    Many buyers make a common mistake when purchasing a home by trying to buy too much house.....

  • You can help market your home
    Most REALTORS will tell you that marketing is one of the keys to a successful home sale. .....

  • Eight thousand reasons to buy your first home
    If you've been paying attention to the recent "stimulus" activities in Washington, you already get the reference to 8,000 reasons in the headline above. It's really only one reason, but it could be worth $8,000 to you.....

  • Twelve tips to sell your home
    There are few things more frustrating to a seller than a home that sits on the market. It's stressful to keep a house in showing condition, and not selling can cost you lots of money.....

  • Closing costs
    Everyone knows that in most cases you'll need at least a small down payment to purchase a home.....

  • Home warranties
    After you buy an existing home, let's face it - the last thing you want to worry about is a broken big-ticket item like the air conditioner or oven.....

  • The next level of clean
    Aside from the necessary intrusions, the most inconvenient aspect of having your house on the market may well be keeping the house in showing condition.....

  • Be ready to buy
    If you find what you're looking for in a home, you should be prepared to make an offer quickly.....

  • Can this be fixed?
    You've heard it 1000 times; don't ever buy a home without getting a home inspection.....

  • What does the recently passed housing bill mean for you?
    This month on our "Inside Texas Real Estate" podcast you can learn how the Housing and Economic Recovery Act helps first-time homebuyers and homeowners struggling to afford their mortgages.....

  • Don't be deceived by numbers
    There's a common statistic in the real estate world called Days on Market, or DOM. Some people believe a property that has been on the market for a while must have serious problems, but this is not necessarily the case.....

  • Restricted access
    If you're selling your home and you require advanced notice, ask your agent to put the restriction and reason in the private remarks section of MLS.....

  • Disappear
    When your house is on the market, it's important to be flexible with your showing times. Part of that flexibility is having the capacity to .....

  • Understanding the lingo - points
    Points is a common word you'll hear when you're in the process of buying a home or acquiring financing. But what does it mean? .....

  • Don't outsmart yourself
    Are you one of the people who is trying to "time the market" and wait for home prices to go down before you make a purchase? Doing so may not be as wise as you think......