My New Blog

The experts all agree that curb appeal is one of the most important aspects to consider when selling your home.When selling, it's the appearance from the street that will very often determine whether potential buyers come in to see the inside, or never get out of their cars.

Flowers are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to make the front of your house look inviting and instantly increase the curb appeal of your home. Without any real landscaping at all, flowers can transform a rather drab and dreary looking front yard into one that looks colorful and lush.

You should choose colorful flowers that will be in bloom during the time you're selling your home. Planting the flowers in planter boxes and pots is easier than planting them in the ground and lets you more easily place them where they can have the most visual impact. You don't need to have a green thumb, or spend a lot of money to get great results either. Visit your local home improvement center or nursery and they will be happy to advise you of the best flowers and plants for your purpose. You can put together several very nice planter boxes and pots of flowers for under $100. And it's easy!

One of the nice things about using flowers in this way is that you'll see the results immediately. And so will buyers visiting your home!

Check out more Home/Garden tips and videos at http://www.pattonpropertiesofhouston.com/Home_Garden_Videos.html

The same care and consideration you give to finding the right house should be applied to your search for the right mortgage lender. For most home-buyers a major determining factor in selecting a lender is the cost of the mortgage loan.

But how do you determine the cost of a mortgage loan?

Shopping for a Mortgage Loan

While most buyers concentrate on interest rates, it is best to look at all the costs associated with a mortgage loan. Mortgage loans include the quoted interest rate, points and closing costs.

More than Just Interest

A number of fees are associated with the mortgage loan, including:

• Appraisal - A carefully documented opinion of value by a licensed, professional appraiser.

• Credit Report - A detailed report of your credit, employment and residence history prepared by a credit bureau.

• Principal - The amount owed on a mortgage which does not include interest or other fees.

• Document Fees, Loan Fees and Processing Fees - Miscellaneous fees charged by the lender.

• Discount Points - Points paid in addition to the loan origination fee to get a lower interest rate. (1 point = 1 percent of loan amount)

• Origination Points - the total number of points paid by the borrower at closing. (1 point = 1 percent of loan amount)

• Interest Rate - A percentage of a loan or mortgage value that is paid to the lender as compensation for loaning funds.

Using the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) to Compare Mortgage Loans

The APR was designed to help borrowers understand the relative costs of a mortgage loan. The APR takes into account the various fees associated with the loan, which is why it is often higher than the interest rate. Understand that not all lenders calculate a loan's APR in the same way. That is why this should be only one of the factors used in selecting the best mortgage for you.

Locking-in Interest Rates

Another factor to consider when selecting a lender is whether the lender will lock-in the mortgage's interest rate and points. Click here to learn more about lock-in options.

Remember you can always go to www.roycemortgageofhouston.com for more mortgage information and to apply for a loan.

Real estate appreciation refers to an increase in value of your home and the property. When your property "appreciates" you have greater equity against which to borrow, and you realize a greater profit when you sell. Property values fluctuate regularly for many different reasons, so how do you know the home you’re buying is going to appreciate over the years?

By and large, the economy is the driving factor of real estate appreciation in theU.S. That includes interest rates as well as the current employment rate, business growth in the area, housing supply and demand and affordability.

Regional economic and social factors also affect real estate appreciation. Many homebuyers choose to live in areas with the best and most convenient features for households to thrive, such as a close proximity to schools, jobs and commerce.

A good school district can also be an indicator of good home appreciation. It is believed that good schools help foster lifestyles associated with high levels of attainment at the individual, household and community level.

Demographics also play a role in real estate appreciation. For example, during the 1980s, much of the baby boomer generation (People born between 1946 - 1964) was buying real estate, causing homes to appreciate at a faster rate than inflation and made real estate a profitable investment. The group referred to as Generation Y – born roughly between 1980 and now – is the biggest generation since the baby boomers. Their contribution to real estate is expected to be far greater than their older siblings of Generation X (born between 1965 and 1979).

There are some aspects that significantly contribute to real estate appreciation, which you may want to ask your agent about when shopping for a home:

Recent sales. Ask your agent or retrieve public records on real estate sales in the neighborhood you wish to live in. How many home sales have there been in the past year? What are the asking prices? Do the final sales exceed the asking prices?

Appreciation history. Have home prices risen or declined over the past 5 to 10 years? Is the neighborhood considered desirable because of its location, amenities or affordability?

Local business economy. Is there a good mixture of business or does the area rely on one industry? Have any new industries moved into or out of the area? Is there a lot of new development nearby?Economic changes such as a large factory going out of business can dramatically affect demand for housing in a particular area.

It is important to note that while appreciation is nice to have, it should not be the reason you decide to buy a home in a particular area. Even if you buy a house in a rapidly appreciating area, there is no guarantee that its value will rise by the time you want to sell it. That’s why it’s best to pick a neighborhood – and a home – in an area that suits your own needs.