Shannon Register's Blog

Posted: 19 Jan 2012 01:11 PM PST
First of all, home ownership is the American Dream. It’s creating a home for your family with potential finacial rewards in the future. How can you benefit in the future from home ownership? Appreciation. Usually land and homes appreciate in value over time. Historically, your home will be worth more in the future than when you purchased it, but you can’t sell it the year after you purchase it. It’s considered a long term investment. As your home appreciates and you have been paying down the mortgage, you can use the equity in your home to move to a more expensive or nicer home. Or move to a smaller home and use that equity to pay off bills, pay for a child’s college, or fund your retirement. It gives you some flexibility for your future. If you don’t want to sell the home, you can still tap into the equity by refinancing or getting a home equity loan to remodel or make a large purchase. Basically, you can leverage your property. This is just another benefit of home ownership. Lastly, you get tax breaks when you own a home. You can deduct property taxes and mortgage interest. Owning a home has always been a wise investment. If you would like to know more about the benefits of home ownership, please call Register Real Estate Advisors at 281.288.3500 where we can advise you on purchasing land, a home, or any residential or commercial property. Our Realtors fall under a strict code of ethics and can help you make the best financial decision for your family!

“What Are the Benefits of Home Ownership?” was originally posted as a blog post at on January 19, 2012.
© 2008-2012 | Register Real Estate Advisors | Spring Texas Real Estate

Posted: 09 Jan 2012 09:24 AM PST
Are you a medical physician looking to buy a home? Did you know there are loan programs out there that are specialized to help meet your financial needs? The Bank of Texas Mortgage Group offers a Physician’s Loan Program that recognizes the special financial needs of buyers in the medical field. Some benefits of these loans include 100% Financing, No Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI,) Fixed or Adjustable Rate Loans, 15 or 30 Year Mortgages, and special consideration on student loans on your credit. These loans are available to medical doctors, medical residents, full time medical instructors, and more. Contact your RREA Realtor today to see if you qualify. Then we can help you find the right property to meet your needs anywhere in the Houston area. Call us today at 281.288.3500.

“Physician’s Loan Programs for Doctors Buying Homes” was originally posted as a blog post at on January 9, 2012.
© 2008-2012 | Register Real Estate Advisors | Spring Texas Real Estate

Posted: 15 Jan 2012 09:54 AM PST
As a member of the GHBA, RREA received the Houston Custom Home Builders Resource Guide. The article below was reprinted from an article in the 2011 Resource Guide. I felt it was very informative for consumers and wanted to share it with you so when you purchase a new home, you will know how to maintain it. It’s very important that you maintain the home so that the warranty will work in your favor. I hope you enjoy this information:

Maintaining a clean home is one way to ensure its longevity. Here are some tips for properly maintaining some of the systems in your new home.
Heating and Cooling Systems
–Late summer or early fall are the ideal times to do an annual inspection and cleaning of these systems.
–Change or wash the filters every three months.
–If you have a gas furnace, keep your pilot light burning during the summer to help keep the furnace dry and prevent corrosion.
–Registers help regulate the flow of air and maintain the desired temperature in your home. Keep registers closed in rooms you don’t use to save on cooling/heating costs.
Plumbing
–Every member of your family should know where the intake valves are located. Label each one.
–If any of your appliances develop a leak, inspect your drain trap. A partially clogged drain can cause overflow. Use a plunger or a plumber’s snake to unclog the drain. If you need to, use boiling water to help unclog a partially opened drain. Call a plumber if these techniques don’t work.
–A worn washer, a loose part in a faucet or steam in a hot water pipe are generally the causes of a noisy pipe. Do not hesitate to repair the noise—vibrations can follow the noise and lead to leaks.
Gutters and Downspouts
–Clear away leaves, tree limbs and other debris from gutters and downspouts.
–Turn the downspouts away from your home’s foundation.
–Every four to six years, paint gutters that are not made of aluminum or vinyl to help prevent rust.

Remember to read the instruction manual for every appliance in your new home. The manuals provide recommended cleaning and maintenance schedules. Also familiarize yourself with any warranties you have on both the house and its systems. Some warranties may be voided if problems arise because of failure to perform routine maintenance.

“Maintenance Tips for New Homeowners” was originally posted as a blog post at on January 15, 2012.
© 2008-2012 | Register Real Estate Advisors | Spring Texas Real Estate

Posted: 11 Jan 2012 09:35 AM PST
Are you planning to buy a home near the new Exxon Mobil Houston Campus? Exxon Mobil has been planning to consolidate many of its Houston offices into a new campus which will relocate many of the employees. The new campus will be located on a 385-acre site between Spring and The Woodlands in Harris County. Move-in is slated for early 2014, so if you will be moving to this campus you will want to relocate your family soon. Register Real Estate Advisors is located within five miles of the new campus. Our agents are well trained and specialize in the surrounding communities. If you are planning to relocate to this area, move your family with the security of an agent that knows the area well and can help you find the best property to meet your family’s needs. Call us today to find the agent that will best meet your needs at 281.288.3500.

The economic impact of this new campus has been estimated to create 44,000 jobs. That will mean a lot of people moving to the Spring and Woodlands area. This project will provide significant economic benefits for Texas and the local economy even while under construction. It is estimated that housing prices will rise as we approach 2014. So I encourage you to begin planning your move now so that you can get the best interest rate, location, and price for your new home.

“Buying a Home Near the New Exxon Mobile Houston Campus?” was originally posted as a blog post at on January 11, 2012.
© 2008-2012 | Register Real Estate Advisors | Spring Texas Real Estate

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 08:31 AM PST
As a buyer, you and your real estate agent should walk through the home you are purchasing before going to the closing to sign the documents. This is your last opportunity as a buyer to be sure the home is in the same condition it was in when you first viewed it. This is a visual inspection of the property you are about to purchase. If you are buying a new construction home, your builder should do the walk through with you so that they can repair anything that is not correct. This is your final inspection before the purchase. When you are purchasing new construction, this is also a great time to learn about your new home. The builder can explain the details of the home that you may not be familiar with. Knowing these details should help you know what to do to maintain the home and keep it up. The builder should also go over warranty coverage and procedures for repairs as they come up in the future. The builder will provide you with a book or packet of information about your new home. If it is a resale home, the best you can hope for is that the previous owners left instruction booklets in the home.

When you purchase a resale home, the owner usually provides you a one-year warranty on the home through a home warranty company. New homes usually come with a one-year warranty as well, and a longer warranty on the structure of the house. However, usually no warranty will cover items that have not been maintained properly by the homeowner.

During your walk-through, be sure to look at all the walls and floors for possible damage. Also check out the fixtures, counter tops, and air conditioning system. Your Realtor or new construction builder will usually ask you, the buyer, to sign a form stating the home is in acceptable condition for move in.

“Walk-Through Tips for Buyers” was originally posted as a blog post at on January 6, 2012.
© 2008-2012 | Register Real Estate Advisors | Spring Texas Real Estate

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 09:05 AM PST
With housing interest rates still at historic lows, now is a great time to apply for a mortgage. At Register Real Estate Advisors, we have an in house lender that can get you pre-approved for a mortgage. You can complete our secure online application at RREA.com by following the “mortgage” links.

Currently, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rates are below 5%, according to Freddie Mac—among the lowest rates recorded in 40 years. As recently as June 2007, those rates were almost 7%, and they were in the double-digits a little over 20 years ago.

Why are interest rates so low? Much of it is due to the recent recession and its aftermath. With the economy in the dumps, demand for loans went down. At the same time, investors were looking for safe places to put their money. Many investors moved away from stocks and towards fixed-return investments such as U.S. treasury securities and mortgages. The Federal Reserve increased funds in the financial system to keep interest rates low and to support the mortgage market. The combination of weak loan demand and the influx of funds translated into low interest rates on mortgages and other loans. This is a great advantage for home buyers that have good credit.

Since the middle of 2009, the economy in the United States has gotten better, but the recession did not end quickly and continues to drag on. The economy is still in the early stages of recovery. The interest rates will probably go up over the next two years, so homeowners should take advantage now. Why aren’t more taking advantage now? Some don’t have good enough credit to get a loan, while others have lost their jobs and no longer have the stability of income to purchase. Others are afraid of how long the recovery of the economy will take, so they don’t want to commit to a new mortgage. If you have a good income and good credit, this might be the best time to purchase a home. This opportunity will not last forever because as the U.S. economy rebounds, demand for loans will rise. When the Federal Reserve sees that the economy is in better shape, it will probably take away the additional liquidity it has injected into the financial markets and interest rates will rise in the not too distant future. Most consumers do not realize that when interest rates go up, the effect on monthly payments can be dramatic. A $200,000, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage with a 5% interest rate has a monthly payment of around $1,000. At 6% the monthly payments increase to about $1,200—an increase of nearly $200 a month. Total interest payments over the life of the loan increase by thousands of dollars.
Home prices have stabilized or even started to inch upwards in many markets, so it is unlikely prices will drop any more. Not could be the best time to purchase a home in American History. To find your dream home anywhere in the Houston area, call RREA today. We have highly educated, experienced agents, that can help you find the home of your dreams and protect you in the purchase of one of your largest investments. Call us to day to get started – 281.288.3500.

“Interest Rates Still at Historic Lows – Apply for a Mortgage Online at RREA.com” was originally posted as a blog post at on January 6, 2012.
© 2008-2012 | Register Real Estate Advisors | Spring Texas Real Estate

Posted: 04 Jan 2012 09:05 AM PST
This is Part IV on the changes that are taking place January 1, 2012 to Texas Laws that affect real estate professionals, property owners, and tenants. You can read the first three parts of the series on the RREA Blog. This is the final part of the series and below addresses the appeals for appraisals.
Many homeowners appeal their property appraisals every year to lower their taxes. The changes to the Texas Laws for property owners in Collin, Denton, Fort Bend, and Montgomery Counties affect those properties that are worth more than $1 Million. Property owners of properties over $1 Million can now appeal their property appraisals throught the State Office of Administrative Hearings rather than taking that appeal to district court. Property owners in Bexar, Cameron, El Paso, Harris, Tarrant, and Travis counties were given that option two years ago.
To find out more information on appealing your taxes, contact your local Realtor. Realtors have access to the comparable properties in your area that can help you fight your taxes. Give us a call at RREA if you would like a market analysis of your property – 281.288.3500.

“Changes in Texas Laws for 2012 Affect Property Owners – Part IV” was originally posted as a blog post at on January 4, 2012.
© 2008-2012 | Register Real Estate Advisors | Spring Texas Real Estate

Posted: 03 Jan 2012 08:48 AM PST
There are several changes to Texas Laws that affect real estate professionals, property owners, and tenants that will go into effect January 1, 2012. Below is Part III in a series that discusses the new changes. Look on our Blog to read Parts I and II and come back tomorrow for the final Part IV in this series.
On January 1, one of the changes taking place affects both property owners and tenants. Homeowners Associations will have new rules for foreclosures, finances, and more. There are new guidelines for maintaining association documents, providing access to association records, and conducting open meetings. Also, unless waived in writing by a property owner, a homeowner HOAs will be required to use an “expedited foreclosure” process, which includes obtaining a court order, before foreclosing against a property owner. Property owners can now add or remove an HOA’s foreclosure power by a two-thirds vote of association members. HOAs are also prohibited under the new laws from foreclosing a debt consisting solely of fees charged for obtaining copies of HOA records. Another change dictates the order by which an HOA must apply owners’ payments: delinquent assessments, current assessments, attorneys’ fees, and fines—affecting their ability to foreclose. The notice that must be given to a property owner by an association before it can take certain actions against the owner, including foreclosure proceedings, must now inform the owner that he may have special rights or relief if the owner is on active military duty. To learn more about these changes, contact your HOA where you are going to be purchasing your new home if you have questions. As always, RREA Agents are available to take your calls and help you purchase your next home in Texas – 281.288.3500.

“Changes in Texas Laws for 2012 Affecting Property Owners – Part III” was originally posted as a blog post at on January 3, 2012.
© 2008-2012 | Register Real Estate Advisors | Spring Texas Real Estate

Posted: 02 Jan 2012 08:37 AM PST
There are several changes to Texas Laws that affect real estate professionals, property owners, and tenants that will go into effect January 1, 2012. One of the changes affects how buyers can get an HOA resale certificate (discussed in yesterday’s Part I.) Another makes changes to owner’s and lender’s title policies (Part II Below.) There are going to be changes for property owners and tenants and even changes for appealing property taxes. Below is Part II in a series that discusses the new changes. Come back to the RREA blog tomorrow for Part III.
As of January 1, 2012 there will be changes to owner’s and lender’s title policies. Title policies have always been able to exclude coverage of the ownership of minerals, but now title companies are no longer required to provide a 2% credit on the cost of the owner’s policy for this exclusion. Also on January 1, title companies are no longer required to insure a loss from damage to property resulting from the use of the surface of the land to extract minerals. Prior to this, if title companies excluded minerals from coverage, they were required, upon request, to insure against such damage. This insurance was provided through an endorsement to the policy, which cost $50. The endorsement is still available for the lender’s policy and the owner’s policy, but there will be no charge for the endorsement to the lender’s policy. For an endorsement to the owner’s policy, the charge remains $50.

“Changes in Texas Laws for 2012 Affect Property Owners – Part II” was originally posted as a blog post at on January 2, 2012.
© 2008-2012 | Register Real Estate Advisors | Spring Texas Real Estate

Posted: 01 Jan 2012 08:00 AM PST
There are several changes to Texas Laws that affect real estate professionals, property owners, and tenants that will go into effect January 1, 2012. One of the changes affects how buyers can get an HOA resale certificate. Another makes changes to owner’s and lender’s title policies. There are going to be changes for property owners and tenants and even changes for appealing property taxes. This is Part 1 in a series that discusses the new changes. Below is information about buyers and resale certificates. Come back to the RREA blog tomorrow for Part 2 that will discuss owner’s and lender’s title policies.
In the new year, a homebuyer purchasing a property in a subdivision (or within an homwowners association) will now have the ability to request a resale certificate directly from the homeowners association. The HOA may require the buyer to show their purchase contract for the property and may require payment before beginning work on the resale certificate. The association is now prohibited from processing the payment until the resale certificate is prepared and may not charge a fee at all if the certificate is not provided in a timely manner. Buyers will be required to pay the fee for the resale certificate unless the buyer and seller have negotiated otherwise in the sales contract. Currently, the TREC addendum provides options for delivery of the resale certificate and states the seller will pay for it. That addendum is likely to change early in 2012 to reflect the change in law. Talk to your Real Estate Agent if you have questions about this new change. The law still allows sellers, seller’s agents, and title and insurance companies to order updates to already issued resale certificates. But under the new law, a resale certificate is only good for 60 days. For any resale certificate older than that, a new one must be issued.

“Changes in Texas Laws for 2012 Affect Property Owners – Part I” was originally posted as a blog post at on January 1, 2012.
© 2008-2012 | Register Real Estate Advisors | Spring Texas Real Estate