Defying Gravity

If we break it down into meaning, it looks like this:

defy |diˈfī|verb ( -fies, -fied) [ trans. ]

openly resist or refuse to obey : • (of a thing) make (an action or quality) almost impossible : his actions defy belief.

gravity |ˈgravitē|noun

extreme or alarming importance; seriousness :

Defying gravity is almost like two opposing forces:  Taking what seems impossible and making it probable,  taking a leap of faith and feeling secure, knowing the unfamiliar feels right when not knowing why at all.

I have been thinking of this in terms of real estate because the market has been somewhat peculiar.   Just 2 years ago, I sold an investment property for top dollar.  Today, although it may not be the best time to sell investment properties, it is a day to recognize the opportune time to buy.

Dwarfed interest rates, economic turbulence, real estate pricing adjustments and an inventory surplus are just a few reasons that one should consider buying now, rather than waiting for the rush.  Although it may take years for the general public to get back in and take ownership, those who find the solace in buying now, will thank themselves later.

Defying gravity is more than what it seems.  Individual perceptions are what we make our own reality.

When my inner awareness makes it impossible for me to second guess my intuition, I know I am where I should be.

michele@michelemarano.com

REAL ESTATE LOVE MATCH

REAL LOVE, REAL ESTATE: THINKING IN TERMS OF LOVE WHEN BUYING A HOME.

MICHELE COMPARES LOVE AND MATCHMAKING TO BUYING A HOME.  WHY WOULD YOU BUY A HOME YOU ARE NOT IN LOVE WITH?

Love Lesson 1:  Be Prepared to Make the Commitment.
Shopping for a home is like looking for a mate.  Until your ready to make the commitment, you’re probably not ready to settle down with a home.  Ask yourself first if you’re willing to take on the responsibility of owning up to being a good homeowner.

Love Lesson 2: Know What You’re Looking For.
Do you require the 5 star treatment? Have a good idea what attracts you to a property.  Look for characteristics that please you.  Draft a list of requirements that you desire so that when you’re ready to settle down, you are shopping the right criteria.

Love Lesson 3: Keep “Geographically Desirable” in Mind.
This element is extremely important because location determines how conveniently located your home is to your lifestyle.  Also, consider the value of the location vs. the price.  Look at the surroundings and ask yourself if there are possibilities of growth, improvements and changes that will either hurt or harm your value.

Love Lesson 4: High Maintenance May or May Not Work for You
First impressions are everything, however, look at the overall property and its good and bad points.  Consider the repairs and improvements that may be necessary and its associated costs before you move on.  Keep your list in mind.  You will need to know how to identify the qualities that please you, without being distracted by little things that don’t really matter.

Love Lesson 5: Your Property is a Reflection of You.
Your home should please you and make you happy.    In other words, it should say a lot about the person you are.  Everything you like in life is somewhere reflected in your home, whether it is style, color, or personal belongings.   Loving where you live is part of the romance of owning.

Love Lesson 6: Nurture it Extensively.
If you treat your home with care, chances are, you’ll have fewer problems in the future.  If something breaks, take care of it timely, rather than letting a maintenance issue become a bigger, costly repair.  Taking proper care and paying attention to maintenance will most likely bring you a favorable return in the long run.

Love Lesson 7: Investigate the Red Flags but Don’t Judge by a Bad First Impression.
Determine how much you are willing to put into it.  If it’s going to require a lot work, maybe it’s not for you.  Determine how extensive the repairs or improvements are before purchasing.  If it requires high dollar repairs or a complete overhaul, consider your checkbook and schedule.  It may work for you in the long term, but in the interim, your life may be a disaster.

Love Lesson 8: Considering Multiple Homes
If you’re buying a second (or third), decide if you really have the time, money and responsibility to put into it.   There is always the risk of owning more than one home and not being able to enjoy the purpose of having it.  A second home needs to be treated as good, if not better than the primary.

Love Lesson 9: Determine whether it is Long or Short Term
When considering a purchase, be realistic about how long you plan to hold the property. If you are planning to stay short term, you may not want to buy the highest priced home on the block.  Pay close attention to the location in which you are buying and be aware of the surroundings that could affect its value.  If you plan to hold the property for many years, consider the same factors; however, be sure it is a home you absolutely love, while making sure you can grow into it and not out of it.
Whether you are buying long or short term, identify the condition of the economy and the current real estate market.  This will have a lot to do with your negotiating power.

Love Lesson 10: Head Over Heals
The most rewarding part of owning is falling in love, day after day, when you walk  in to your home.  If you haven’t experienced that…..you’re probably not in love and may want to consider making some changes.

Life After Flipping

Those were the days when everyone got their hands involved with flipping.  Show after show was a flip show.  Everyone knew someone who flipped.

I flipped and loved it.  My best house was my last.  It sold for cash with over 100% profit about 6 months prior to the economic decline, mortgage debacle.  The market was ripe and my house sold within only a few months after it listed.  I took a break, coincidently, and the market fell apart.  Boy, was I fortunate.

Now that the market seems somewhat stable, or at least in Houston, I feel the urge to flip.  Knowing what makes a house attractive, knowing how and where to purchase, understanding your competition and knowing your audience are factors to consider up front.

Although many got burned in the past, flipping seems to be making a come-back.  In some ways, it’s a good thing to the economy that investors are stepping up to the plate and picking up properties that are owned by banks.

So, the next time you think about flipping, be sure to understand the risks that go hand in hand.   There may be a lot of deals out there, but knowing when to flip avoids making any deal a flop.

The Tanglewood Mid-Rise in Tanglewood/Galleria Area, Houston

The Tanglewood, built in 2001 by Hanover, is a beautiful, well-maintained, centrally located mid-rise in the desirable Galleria/Tanglewood area.

The 66 unit condominium building is located on the corner of Fountainview and San Felipe, moments away from Uptown, Post Oak Blvd. and the Galleria.
With a full gym and a luxurious pool on the premise, it’s an easy way to escape to a luxurious, modern style loft. There is full-time concierge, controlled access to the garage, and building management on location.

The building was constructed for its original use, which were condominiums. This makes a big difference to an owner who doesn’t have to hear distractions due to poorly constructed walls and surroundings. I lived next to the elevator and could barely hear any noise. It was also a pleasure in the winter when I never ran my thermostat.

There are many pleasures to living in a mid rise. The main one at The Tanglewood is calling home a place of comfort.

For more information on this or other listings, contact
Michele Marano
Beth Wolff Realtors
713-899-8420
713-622-9339
michele@luxuryhighriseshouston.com
michele@bethwolff.com
michelemarano.com
LuxuryHighRisesHouston.com

First Impressions Mean Business

Are first impressions really important? You better believe it!

When it comes to shopping for real estate, a first impression is a lasting one. This is why it is so important to make sure your home looks attractive, starting with the exterior. Driving by a home can leave a first impression on a person. Does your home look appealing enough on the outside to initiate a view of the inside? It should. Your home should look it’s best amongst other homes on the block, otherwise it will automatically stand out and be compared to more attractive, well maintained properties.

Now that you’ve made a good impression on the outside of your home, it’s important to maintain their opinion as they tour the inside. When entering a home, the first impression is usually determined by the “smell” or “odor”. If you just cooked heavily odored food the night before, you may want to take extra precautions in deodorizing the home before it’s time for showings. Next step, when you enter the home, what is the first thing you see? If it is several rooms or an entry, make sure the overall appearance is clean, neat, uncluttered and welcoming. Going out of your way to make a room look spectacular will pay off. The pay off comes when you receive positive feedback and a contract to follow.

For more info on “Preparing a Home to Sell” go to:

Commercial and Residential Real Estate Services


or contact Michele Marano at 713-899-8420
Beth Wolff Realtors
713-622-9339

Where to Begin When Buying

When it comes to buying in Houston, the first item on the list to determine is which area of town you choose to live. Since there are so many areas to Houston, there are factors you need to consider.

Let’s first start by saying “location, location, location” takes on a meaning of its own. Location is probably the most important factor in any real estate transaction. Where a home is situated not only effects it’s value in price, but also it’s value in demand. Typically, the higher the desirability of a location, the greater the demand there will be to own it. Location is important, especially in Houston because of the zoning, or lack-there-of zoning laws. Paying top dollar for a property which eventually depreciates in value because of a commercial community slowly being developed around it, is something to watch for in transitional neighborhoods. Some individuals prefer to live in a transitional neighborhood, where there are many changes that take place over long periods of time, like 10 years or more, while others prefer established neighborhoods where there are no unexpected surprises.

Houston has so many different neighborhoods, all of which are unique to the eye of the buyer. Buyers need first determine the most important aspects of their life. For example, if a couple wants to be able to walk to restaurants and shops, then that will dictate certain parts of town. If an individual works downtown and wants to live minutes away from work, there are multiple areas that will offer a quick commute.

Determining what’s important in the buyers life, helps determine what area of Houston is most attractive. From there, it is easier to begin narrowing down the list of neighborhoods and fine tune what really matters in purchasing a home.

For more information about buying in Houston, please contact Michele Marano, Beth Wolff Realtors.
Michele@bethWolff.com or 713-622-9339.
www.MicheleMarano.com
www.LuxuryHighRisesHouston.com

Houston Luxury Properties at Creekside Villas

Looking for a new home in the heart of Houston’s finest neighborhoods? What better place than Creekside Villas, a new secluded neighborhood that captures the charm of Tuscany, which is only moments from Memorial Villages, Uptown Park and the Galleria. Prices range from $600,000’s to $1,000,000+. Select the lot and we will work with you and the builder in selecting the semi-custom plan to meet your expectations. Valley Oaks Elementary, Spring Branch Middle and Memorial High are the schools designated for this community.

Refer to this blog or Michele Marano, at Beth Wolff Realtors, for info or private showing. Call 713-899-8420. www.Luxuryhighriseshouston.com
www.michelemarano.com

The Process of Buying a Home

Lets Talk About The Process of Buying a Home

It’s not a complicated process, however it is a serious one. Many things should be considered. When we meet with buyers there are many factors that need to be determined and established before beginning the search process. Consider this:

Why are you making the move?
Where do you work?
What price range is your comfort zone?
Have you been approved?
What is most important in a new home?
What is least important?

So the list goes on and on. One needs to ask him/herself many questions necessary in considering a purchasing and before considering the neighborhood that suites you. Make the process as easy for yourself as possible in determining your next move, whether its your first time or last.

A good agent will guide you in the preparation for buying and will ask you many questions before you spend numerous hours in the search. Looking for a home will take some work, however, with many considerations up front, you will spend a lot more time looking at homes that interest you and a lot less time trying to find the one that’s right.

For more information on buying in the Houston area, contact Michele Marano at Beth Wolff Realtors 713-622-9339 or email me at Michele@BethWolff.com or Michele@luxuryhighriseshouston.com.

Houston’s Luxury Home Market Gets a Boost in January

HOUSTON — (February 16, 2010) — The Houston real estate market opened 2010 with a mixed bag of readings, making it difficult to determine a clear direction for the months ahead.
January sales of single-family homes across the greater Houston area slid 12.3 percent compared to January 2009, according to the latest monthly data compiled by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR). When broken out by segment, sales of single-family homes priced from $500,000 and above showed dramatic gains in January while sales of homes on the opposite end of the spectrum, those priced from $80,000 and below, fell. Sales of all property types declined 7.4 percent in January on a year-over-year basis.
Information provided by Houston Association of Realtors
If you are interested in purchasing a home or know someone who is, please feel free to contact me for additional information on the Home Buying Process. Michele@bethwolff.com
Michele is a licensed Realtor with Beth Wolff Realtors. 713-622-9339 or reference this blog.

for the full article go to http://www.har.com/newsroom/dispPressRelease.cfm
POSTED BY REALESTATELOVEMATCH.COM AT 11:44 AM 0 COMMENT

Selling in Today’s Market

How Should Your Home Look When It’s on the Market?

I can only teach through my experience and the experience to which I share has been a successful one.
First of all, I can’t tell you how many homes I see that are on the market that are not prepared to be. If you expect your home to sell quickly, especially in a slower economy, nontraditional market, you will need to take a few extra steps in preparing your home for sale.

If your home looks run down and is not kept neat or maintained, then chances are you will appeal to buyers who are investors, wanting a distressed home for renovation. If you are catering to that particular market, then you are ruling out the majority of the population and have narrowed your chance of selling.
Most people today want homes that are move in ready, especially if they plan to live and make the home their primary residence. Take some extra time before listing and make repairs, make it show room ready and be sure there are no distracting odors that will drive your viewers out the door.

A good agent will give you sound advice and direct you in preparing your home, however, not all agents have keen eyes in style or enough experience in being up front and honest with you. If there is a toss between telling you what you should do to prepare your home for sale or losing the listing, most agents will say nothing.

A good, experience agent who knows what it takes in moving homes off of the market will guide you carefully and thoughtfully. I am willing to bet that if some of the homes I see on the market are given a minor facelift, with incremental amounts of pennies, there would be a lot more showing and potential offers.

For more information call Michele Marano at 713-899-8420 for Staging Suggestions or visit http//:www.MicheleMarano.com.

For information on listing your home call Michele Marano, Beth Wolff Realtors at 713-899-8420.

Clients who list through Michele Marano at Beth Wolff are provided free consultation on “Preparing Your Home for Sale.”
Michele Marano is a licensed Texas Realtor with Beth Wolff Realtors, an investor and owner of Michele Marano & Associates (Home Decor & Eco-chic Syles)
POSTED BY REALESTATELOVEMATCH.COM AT 2:02 PM 0 COMMENTS