New Office Location for The Craig Carver Group RE/MAX

NEW HOME FOR CRAIG CARVER- RE/MAX

Friendswood, TX– The Craig Carver Group RE/MAX, a thriving real estate fixture in Friendswood/Pearland/Clear Lake since 1994, is announcing an office relocation from 3800 East FM 528, to the heart of Friendswood at 1212 Winding Way, Suite A. The new office is located across from the new Rustika Cafe and Bakery (formally Cake Lady Bakery).

“We enjoyed our office located on FM 528 for the past several years, but felt the move close to the downtown district of Friendswood would benefit our clients and employees for a more convenient location,” said Craig Carver, owner and team leader. “We like to keep a pulse on our community and were looking for a quite space with less road noise where our clients could feel even more at home.” Carver said.

The groups office hours will remain the same, Monday-Thursday 8:30am-5pm and Friday, 8:30am-4pm and available via phone and by appointment on weekends.

The Craig Carver Group RE/MAX provides superior real estate service in all areas. In today’s real estate market you need to work with a real estate professional you can trust! The entire group is dedicated to providing all with the absolute finest service and expertise possible.

For more information about the Craig Carver Group RE/MAX visit www.CraigCarverGroup.com

Buying a Home During a Pandemic

The coronavirus, or COVID-19, has had major effect on over 100 countries so far. Folks can’t turn on the television or go online without continuous coverage of the enormity of this problem. The pandemic is sweeping the United States, and this might just be the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety as it relates to what is evolving into the biggest global outbreak in many of our lifetimes. As we navigate this new world of unstable markets and self-quarantine, we at The Craig Carver Group RE/MAX want to help our buyers and sellers prepare for what’s to come.

Between the coronavirus pandemic and a plummeting stock market, many may wonder: Are we headed for a recession? Anyone hoping to buy a home anytime soon would probably like to know the answer before committing to a major, long-term purchase.

While economists say that the odds of a recession are uncertain, evidence does suggest that, at the very least, economic growth is substantially slowing, says George Ratiu, senior economist for realtor.com®.

The International Monetary Fund downgraded its global economic growth predictions, oil market battles and COVID-19 fears are roiling the stock market, and trade wars with China, European countries, and others are still possible.

And if you believe in self-fulfilling prophecies, consider this: According to a realtor.com survey of consumer sentiment conducted in late 2019—before the coronavirus news broke—more than 30% of Americans had already expected to see a recession in 2020. Plus, 56% said they would postpone buying a home until the economy improves.

“With expectations of slower growth, I think consumers are internalizing that, and possibly taking a longer look at their purchasing decisions,” Ratiu says.

Yet that same survey also found that 44% plan to continue their house hunt, which experts say may make sense for many.

“Recession or not, it’s impossible to time the market, whether for buying stock or buying real estate,” points out Roger Ma, a New York–based financial planner and owner of lifelaidout.

And considering that mortgage rates recently plummeted to their lowest level in nearly 50 years, the time may still be right for those who have their finances in order.

“Instead of trying to time the market, make sure that the timing is right for your own personal situation,” Ma says.

Here are six questions to ask yourself to determine if buying a home while a possible recession looms is the right decision for you.

How much do I have saved?

A high savings account balance usually puts you in a good position to buy the home you want. But, it’s even more important during a recession, when the job market may be unstable, Ma says.

So how much should you have saved? Ma recommends having 20% of a home’s price in the bank for a down payment, about 4% to 6% extra for closing costs, and enough to cover three to six months of living expenses in case of an emergency.

What kind of financing will I qualify for?

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is an essential first step in buying a home. The better your credit score, the more likely you’ll lock in a mortgage with a low interest rate and good terms, Ma says.

Lenders will vary in what they consider an acceptable credit score, but generally a score of 750 to 850 is considered excellent, 700 to 749 good, and 650 to 699 fair.

Also make sure that your monthly mortgage payment is manageable, generally below 28% of your gross income, Ma said.

If you’re in good financial standing, current mortgage trends offer an advantage to buy a house now, Ratiu says, with mortgage interest rates remaining at historic lows just above 3%. So it may pay to strike now before they start going up!

How will home prices be affected by a recession?

During a recession, home prices may drop—or at least not go up too much. This could mean that if a recession happens soon, any property purchase you make now might dip in value. Likewise, if you wait and purchase in the midst of a recession, you could stand to snag a deal.

So should you wait? Perhaps, although one argument against waiting is that housing inventory remains low, Ratiu says.

As such, “even if there is an economic slowdown, we will see much more modest price reductions,” says Fiona Petrie, executive vice president and managing director of Re/Max Integra. “At the end of the day, it is always a good time to buy, if you can afford to buy a home.”

The only bad time to buy a home, recession or not, Petrie says, is when you buy beyond your financial means. Get a handle on your financial situation, and you’ll know how much home you can afford.

What’s my time horizon?

Time horizon is another important factor to consider. This refers to how long you plan to stay in the home to ensure that the purchase is a solid, long-term investment.

Homeowners these days tend to stay in their homes longer than in the past, around 13 years, according to the National Association of Home Builders. But, Ma says, staying in a home at least five to seven years is a good time horizon.

The longer you plan to live in the home, the better if a recession hits, Ratiu says. Years later, the economic situation may be improved.

“Over a longer time horizon, housing tends do fairly well,” he explains. “If the buyers are ready, in a good financial and economic position, it’s as good a time to buy as any.”

How healthy is my local economy?

Along with your own financial health, consider the economic health of the city or town where you plan to buy, Ratiu says. During a recession, not all locations experience the economic slowdown at the same rate or in the same way.

Look back at the severe 2008–09 recession, he says. Larger cities felt an immediate impact, while others didn’t see the effects until a couple of years later.

“For buyers it’s important to consider what their local market conditions look like,” Ratiu says. “Is the economy well-diversified? Is employment strong? Is the outlook for jobs positive, and why? Because those definitely are strong drivers of housing demand and health.”

Real estate agents can run a local market analysis for you, Petrie says. Evaluate sales within 30 to 60 days during a recession to see if prices are similar or not. This can help you gauge what will happen with local housing if another recession hits.

Do I really even want to buy a home?

Even if you can afford the home and plan to stay there a while, make sure you also have sufficient cash to fund all the other things you want to do, like going on vacation, buying a car, or saving for a child’s education.

Ma urges potential home buyers to assess whether they truly want to buy a home—and how it may affect their overall lifestyle.

“Most of us only have so much cash and ongoing cash flow from our salary, but there’s a lot of different things we want to do,” he says. “Where does buying a home fit in that goal priority set? I think it makes sense to take a step back and say, ‘How important is this to me versus these other goals that I have set for myself?’”

Content by REALTOR.COM & Amber Miessner, -Craig Carver RE/MAX

Property Tax Exemptions for Homeowners

A homestead exemption helps you save on taxes on your home. An exemption removes part of the value of your property from taxation and lowers your taxes. For example, if your home is valued at $100,000 and you qualify for a $20,000 exemption, you pay taxes on your home as if it was worth only $80,000.

An Application for Residential Homestead Exemption (same form for over-65, disability, over-55 surviving spouse, or 100% disabled veteran homestead exemptions) can be found at the Forms Page under the Residential Exemption Section (11-13). Click Here

What Kinds of Homestead Exemptions Are Available?

School taxes — all homeowners. If you qualify for the homestead exemption, you will receive at least a $25,000 homestead exemption on the value of your home for school district taxes.
County taxes — all homeowners. Harris County currently provides a 20% optional homestead exemption to all homeowners. This means, for example, that if your home is valued at $100,000, the exemption will reduce its taxable value for Harris County taxes by $20,000 to $80,000.
Optional exemptions — all homeowners. Any taxing unit, including a school district, city, county or special district, may offer an exemption for up to 20% of your home’s value. The amount of an optional exemption can’t be less than $5,000, no matter what the percentage is. For example, if your home is valued at $20,000 and your city offers a 20% optional exemption, your exemption is $5,000, even though 20% of $20,000 is just $4,000. The governing body of each taxing unit decides whether it will offer the exemption and at what percentage. This percentage exemption is added to any other homestead exemption for which the applicant qualifies.

Application Deadlines

You should file your regular residential homestead exemption application between January 1 and April 30. Early applications will not be accepted. If your application is postmarked by April 30, this will allow the district time to process it before your tax statement comes out in the fall. If you miss the April 30th deadline you can still apply:

For a general exemption: up to one year after the date taxes became delinquent for the year (usually February 1 of the year following the tax year).

For an over-65 or disabled person: if you turn 65, become totally disabled, or acquire a property during the year, you can apply and have the over-65 or disability exemption activated for that year. The deadline to apply for an over-65 or disabled person’s exemption for the year in which you qualify is the first anniversary of the date you qualify. In other words, you have one year from the date you qualify to apply. For example:

If you are already qualified and you purchase a different home, you have one year from the date you occupy the new home to apply.
If you turn 65 during the year, you have until your 66th birthday to apply for the year in which you turn 65.
If you become disabled during the year, you have one year from the date you became disabled to apply.

Otherwise, the deadline for applying for the over-65 or disability exemption is the same as the deadline given above.

Homestead Cap

An additional benefit of the general homestead exemption, especially in an appreciating housing market, is the homestead cap, or limitation on increases in appraised value. The cap applies to your homestead beginning in the second year you have a homestead exemption. The cap law provides that if you qualify, the value on which your taxes will be calculated (called your appraised value) cannot exceed the lesser of:

This year’s market value; or
Last year’s appraised value, plus 10% plus the value added by any new improvements made during the preceding year.

If homes are appreciating at more than 10% per year, the cap can provide substantial tax savings. For more information, click here.

Over-65 Homeowners

A person who is 65 or older may receive additional exemptions. You are eligible for these exemptions as soon as you turn 65; you don’t need to be 65 as of the first of the year to apply. School districts automatically grant an additional $10,000 exemption for qualified persons who are 65 or older. An additional advantage of the over-65 exemption is the school tax ceiling. Once you qualify, your school taxes will not increase unless you make improvements to the home. Cities, the county, and other taxing units may, but are not required to, offer over-65 homestead exemptions of at least $3,000 and sometimes much more. Call the Harris County Appraisal District at the numbers listed on the contact page to determine what taxing units in which your home is located offer an over-65 homestead exemption. You can also find this information on our website by going to the page for your account and clicking the blue word “Jurisdictions” in the heading of the table of jurisdictions. We also can send you a pamphlet on disability exemptions.

Homeowners with Disabilities

A person with a disability also may get exemptions. “Disabled” means either (1) you can’t engage in gainful work because of physical or mental disability or (2) you are 55 years old and blind and can’t engage in your previous work because of your blindness. If you receive disability benefits under the federal Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Program administered by the Social Security Administration, you will qualify.

Disability benefits from any other program, including a disabled veterans’ pension, do not automatically qualify you for this exemption. You may need information on disability ratings from the civil service, retirement programs or from insurance documents, military records or a doctor’s statement. Also read information about the disabled veterans’ exemption.

If you qualify as a disabled person, you can receive a $10,000 exemption for school taxes, in addition to the $25,000 exemption for all homeowners. And, any taxing unit can offer an exemption of at least $3,000 from the home value of disabled homeowners. Disabled homeowners also qualify for a school tax ceiling, the same as for those who are over-65.

Call the Harris County Appraisal District’s Telephone Information Center at the numbers listed on the contact page to determine what taxing units in which your home is located offer a disability homestead exemption. We also can send you a pamphlet on disability exemptions. Discussion on Disability Exemptions.

100% Disabled Veteran’s Homestead Exemption

You can qualify for this exemption on your homestead if you have a disability rating of 100% or individual unemployability from the Veterans’ Administration and you receive 100% disability payments from the VA. Your disability must be service connected. If you qualify, 100% of the value of your residence homestead will be exempted.

Selling or Buying a Home with an Existing Homestead Exemption

When you sell or buy a home, the taxes for the year will generally be prorated at the closing. This doesn’t actually change your tax liability; the tax assessor will calculate that later in the year. The proration at closing will be based on estimated taxes due. You should be aware of the rules regarding homestead exemptions so that you are prepared if your actual tax liability turns out to be different.

If you buy or sell a home that has only a general homestead exemption on it, the exemption normally stays in place for that entire tax year. The final taxes for the year will reflect the exemption. However, the new owner will have to qualify for the exemption by filing an application in his or her own name for the following year. There is one exception. You should be aware that in January of each year, HCAD sends a postcard to each person who has a homestead exemption to confirm that they are still occupying the property. If the card is returned undeliverable, the homestead exemption will be removed and it will be necessary to file a new application to reinstate it. If the home you buy has had a cap in place for several years, be aware that the value of the home, and the taxes, may increase substantially in the year following the year you purchase it. This is because your cap won’t take effect until the second year after you purchase the home.

If you buy or sell a home that has an existing over-65 or disability exemption, the rules are different. Whether the over-65 or disability exemption stays in place depends on whether the person who qualified for that exemption transfers it to a different homestead during the same year.

If the over-65 or disabled person does not establish a homestead exemption on a different homestead, the exemption stays in place for the entire year.
If the over-65 or disabled person does establish a homestead exemption on a different homestead, then when the tax assessor calculates taxes on the sold home for the year, the assessor will prorate the taxes to reflect the over-65 exemption or disability for only the portion of the year that the over-65 or disabled person owned it. In short, if the seller is over-65 or disabled and establishes an exemption on a different home, taxes for the year will be higher than they would if the seller does not establish another homestead exemption.
If both the buyer and the seller are over-65 or disabled, the buyer can avoid the proration problem by applying for the over-65 or disability homestead exemption in his/her own right.

In the first quarter of each year, the Harris County Appraisal District develops a list of all properties with a prior year homestead exemption which, during that same year, were sold to a new owner. Then, as required by law, the district cancels the old exemption as of January 1 of the new year and mails the new owner an exemption application form. However, you should act to protect your rights by ensuring that we have transferred ownership on the new home and that you have timely filed the homestead exemption application.

Content by hcad.org

Staging Your Backyard for a Sale

When you’re sprucing up to sell home the interior undoubtedly takes center stage, but it is the exterior that will create that all-important first impression for every potential buyer. This is why a well-appointed backyard is crucial, since it may be the thing that will seal the deal. Knowing this, many homeowners invest a lot of time and money in a total backyard makeover, but before you call the excavators, you should consider a much simpler and cheaper approach – using simple staging techniques. It’s all about showcasing the best features of your backyard when potential buyers arrive and we’ve listed some ideas for you to consider.

Keep Your Greenery Nice & Neat

Your lawn is without a doubt the first thing potential buyers are going to lay their eyes on, so it’s crucial to cut it and keep it neat. If the first thing they see is an overgrown lawn littered with weeds they probably won’t even bother coming inside. You also need to make sure it has plenty of water so it doesn’t lead to discoloration. Your lawn is the central feature of the backyard, but that doesn’t mean that the rest is less important – sweep away all the dead leaves, trim your hedges, prune the shrubs, and don’t forget to weed and water your flower gardens. Keep in mind not to overlook the front stoop – remove all the cracked pots and planters and those with dead blooms inside.

Declutter

The exterior of your home needs to be as tidy as the interior – there must be no trace of any kind of litter around the backyard. For potential buyers, everything that shouldn’t be there is considered litter. So remove old newspapers and junk mail from the front stoop, put away scattered garden tools and children’s toys, and keep your car inside the garage. When it comes to decorations we don’t need to mention that old, worn-out and unattractive ones need to go, but you should also remove those that reflect your personal taste – not everyone has a thing for pink flamingos.

Small Repairs & Quick Cleaning

Take a look at the structures in your backyard the could need smaller repairs – raised planting beds, patios, fences, etc. If there’s a buildup of dirt and grime on your wooden deck you should simply power wash it. A power washer is equally efficient when it comes to dirt, mold, and cobwebs which can accumulate in other places during winter – siding, windows, driveways, fences, etc. It is the quickest way to clean the whole backyard – no more than a few hours – and definitely the cheapest since you can rent a power washer for around 60 dollars per day from your local hardware store.

Modern Exterior Backyard at Night

Set up Different Areas

You need to arrange your backyard in a way that will show potential buyers there are different areas available for various uses. A hammock or benches in a back corner could make up a quiet relaxation area. A small outdoor dining table on the patio is enough to create an eating area. Just remember to leave enough room to walk around when you arrange the other patio furniture – if it becomes cluttered it will result in poor traffic flow. The same way you should leave some open space in the middle of your backyard that will indicate there’s also room for entertaining and playing. You could also create a focal point under a tree or near the grill with an all-weather umbrella, some chairs, and a picnic table. Adding some attractive lanterns will keep these areas inviting throughout the evening.

Add a Splash of Color

Nothing can make the backyard look more attractive than dressing it up with splashes of color. Instead of bringing in a bunch of accessories, just take advantage of nature and plant some colorful annuals – place them along the edge of the driveway, in your backyard, and in window boxes. If there’s not much space left for planting, just install a couple of hooks on the eave and hang your new colorful plants there. In order to hide the dirt around these new freshly planted blooms, simply lay down some organic mulch.

Achieving a well thought out and inviting backyard needn’t take long or cost a fortune. You need to maintain your greenery, remove all the unnecessary clutter and have an objective eye when planning out the various areas for entertainment and leisure. Think about what a potential buyer might want (or not want) from the available space and proceed accordingly. Setting aside a couple of weekends for the work, you’ll soon be able to create the kind of backyard that will create the ideal first impression come selling time.

For all of your buying and selling needs with real estate advise, The Craig Carver group can help. 281-482-9444

Content by:Bethany Seton & Amber Miessner

Updates for Resell Value: 4 Magic Improvements for the Market

Boosting the resale value of your residential property can be an amazing thing. It can be great to possibly turn a profit after you sell your home. If you want to better your structure and perhaps even enhance its value and curb appeal while you’re at it, these tips can do a lot. You should strive to make your home as appealing and undeniable as possible to prospective buyers.

Revamp Your Kitchen

Kitchen renovation work can instantly make your home a lot more attractive to possible purchasers. If you have cabinets that look dull and lackluster, you can consider resurfacing or replacing them. If you have kitchen floors that are full of awful scrapes and cracks, then you can consider replacement, too. It can even be nice to invest in kitchen island installation.

Overhaul Your Bathrooms

Bathrooms that look old-fashioned are hardly appealing to people who are shopping around for homes. It can be a downer to notice a faucet that looks like it was installed years ago. It can be a downer to notice a shower door that’s murky and drab in appearance as well. You can make your home unstoppable by overhauling your bathroom in its entirety. If you have numerous bathrooms, you can think about overhauling all of them. A bathroom construction cost estimator can help you figure out how much everything will cost. Bathroom work can be a game changer.

Install a New Front Door

Your front door is naturally one of the first things people notice any time they walk into your home. That’s exactly why you should make sure that yours is as polished and lovely as possible. If you have an old entry door, it may be an eyesore. It may even let unpleasant drafts into your homes in times of chilly temperatures. Exploring options in front door styles and colors can be exciting. Installing a new front door can breathe energy into your structure and its design.

Install Fresh New Flooring

Switching out your kitchen floors can make your food preparation space a lot more welcoming. If you’re doing that, you should think about switching out your home floors in general. There are all sorts of incredible flooring materials that can make your home look like a million dollars. Hardwood floors are enduring, stunning, and simple to keep fresh.

Enhancing your residential property can make it a lot more inviting to people who are shopping around for homes. If you want to turn your home into something that’s unstoppable in the real estate scene, then these enhancements can do the trick. Don’t be too lazy to try them.

How a REALTOR can help

Before doing any updates, call a REALTOR you can trust to let you know how much value updates can add to your property. The Craig Carver Group is always happy to help. Give us a call today, 281-482-9444.

Content by Amber Miessner & Rachelle Wilber

Cocktails, Crawfish, & Credit Happy Hour

Thursday, May 9th @ 5:30 pm

Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack BAYBROOK

Are you a first time home buyer? Divorced and starting over? Need advice on getting a mortgage? Need help with credit repair?
Join us for Cocktails, Crawfish & Credit Happy Hour! This will be a fun and casual introduction to information to help you purchase a home.

FREE APPETIZERS, DOOR PRIZES & CRAWFISH SPECIALS!!!

Thanks to our co-sponsors: Mark McVey Lending Team, Excel Title Friendswood, 700 Credit Repair Houston

For all your Real Estate needs, Call the Craig Carver Group RE/MAX 281-482-9444 or visit CraigCarverGroup.com

7 Steps to Selling Loved One’s House After a Death

Dealing with the house after a loved one dies can be an emotionally tough task, from clearing out the contents to prepping the premises for sale. Remember these seven steps when emptying a house and getting it ready to put on the market.

Change the Locks

First step in cleaning house: Secure the premises. You have no idea how many people may have keys to the house—friends, cleaners, delivery people, house sitters. Rather than try to collect them all, simply change the locks. You’ll sleep better at night.

Forward the Mail

Nothing screams “empty house”—an open invitation to thieves like piled-up mail and newspapers. Have the mail forwarded to your home or office by filling out a change of address form with the USPS. The post office will forward Priority, Express, and first-class mail and packages for 12 months and publications for two months, but you can annually update the new address for a few years to keep the forwarding from expiring.

Don’t forget email: Assuming you can get into the deceased’s account, you can set an automatic away message, requesting that messages be sent to your email address.

Receiving the mail will help you figure out who creditors are, too, and whether payments were current, as well as seeing if you need to cancel any subscriptions.

Search for Financial and Legal Papers

Look for financial documents and even money in every nook and cranny. Sometimes people stash cash in the strangest places: taped to the bottom of drawers, inside crawl spaces, and yes, under the proverbial mattress.

You might find significant documents in drawers, file cabinets, and boxes under the bed, or saved as files on the computer. Here’s what to do when you find them:

Homeowner’s insurance policy. Keep the homeowner’s policy effective until the day the home closes. Increase coverage if it is too low.
Will. Look for updated versions. Remember, you can only file for probate with an original “wet signature” will (not a copy).
Life insurance policy. This could be a private policy or purchased through an employer.
Bank and brokerage account statements. Carefully read the statements, as many banks report all accounts on one statement.
Bill receipts. Contact creditors. Consider notifying all three credit reporting agencies to freeze new charges or requests for credit.
Stocks and bonds. Certificates might be tucked into folders.

Remember to shred all sensitive documents, especially those containing a Social Security number.

Keep Paying the Bills

While you’ll want to stop some services, others need to be continued. As mentioned above, keep on paying the homeowner’s insurance premiums. Keep the utilities turned on, and notify services such as gardeners or maintenance companies where to send invoices. Contrary to popular belief, mortgage lenders still need to be paid as well. If the seller has a reverse mortgage, notify the mortgage company immediately and ask for time to settle the estate before they attempt to foreclose on the house.

Sort Personal Belongings

This aspect of cleaning out the house may be the most emotional. It hastens the process if you sort belongings into three piles or tag them with color-coded stickers of three different colors:

Items to keep
Items to donate or sell
Items to throw away

If family members squabble about distribution, set aside the disputed items until all the sorting is finished and emotions have settled. Then try taking turns by each choosing an item or memento. Consider trading several items for a treasure you truly desire. Sentiment aside, get real valuables—art, antiques, jewelry—appraised to determine their actual value.

Prepare the House for Sale

Clearing out a loved one’s house of its personal effects and belongings is the first step toward getting it ready for sale. Next, you have to get it in market-ready condition. Follow this checklist:

Furniture. If the furniture is old or worn, get rid of it. Don’t leave it in the house because it will detract from the sale.
Wall hangings. Remove them.
Floor covering. Consider its condition. If there is carpeting over wood floors, strip it and, if necessary, refinish the floors. Replace cracked ceramic tiles. Clean carpet over plywood or buy new carpeting.
Window coverings. If the window coverings are dated, throw them out. Most windows look better without heavy drapes or worn blinds.
Walls. Some people paint once and never again. You may need to patch and repaint the walls.
Ceilings. Replace dated light fixtures; patch cracks in the ceiling and paint
Remove all pet-related items. Take the outdoor dog house with you and donate it to a shelter. Selling with signs of pets in the home is a turnoff for many buyers.
Clean from top to bottom. Wash windows, dust ceiling fan blades, and wipe down the insides of cabinets.

Also, be aware that if the home owner died in the house, you may be required to disclose this fact to a prospective buyer. Ask a real estate agent about seller disclosures and whether a death in the home is considered a material fact.

Preparing a home for sale is always time-intensive, and when it was a loved one’s home, emotions are involved as well. But if done correctly, it will be to your benefit in terms of higher offers for the property.

Call a Realtor

Craig Carver and his team are experts on selling properties during a difficult time and can help make the process smooth and undemanding. From providing a property value evaluation, home staging report and providing resources such as local estate sale experts, yard and maintenance crew to help you sell your loved ones property quickly and for top dollar.

By Elizabeth Weintraub and additions by Amber Miessner

Home Security- Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Property Safe

Home security is an important topic to address because burglaries happen on a regular basis due to neglect from homeowners and renters. To prevent break-ins, people have to become familiar with ways on protecting their homes and be aware of the tips on how to deal and report a crime to the police if they get in such a situation. By controlling access, providing visibility, and maintaining your property, you are not only protecting your belongings and home, but also yourself and your family.

This information is designed to provide you with knowledge and tips on how you can enhance the security of your home and property focusing on TIME, SOUND and VISIBILITY:

TIME: Criminals generally target homes they know they can easily access without getting caught; they try to find homes where they can easily get in and out as quickly as possible. Many homeowner make it easy for burglars to enter their homes. Whether it be an unlocked door or open garage, thieves can make their way in and out in a jiff. By locking your doors, windows and garage, you add discouragement by the time and trouble they have to put in to entering a securely locked home.

SOUND: Burglars are also discouraged by sound such as barking dogs or home security alarms will bring unwanted attention to criminals. Thieves are likely to move onto the next home that is quiet allowing them to enter without drawing attention to the property.

VISIBILITY: Burglars and criminals tend to focus on darker areas because it means they are less likely to get caught if they can’t be seen. Home with trees blocking the front door and are poorly lit at night are perfect targets because thieves can simply run and hide. To help avoid this situation, keeps trees and bushes trimmed and the home well-lit.

What are some simple things you can do to prevent burglaries?

– Get a dog

– Be smart about who you let into your home.

– Always complete a background check and ask for references for contracts or works

– Install a home security system and camera doorbell.

– Get to know your neighbors

-Make sure your doors and windows are locked

– Don’t accept unsolicited help.

– Install lights outside your doorstep area so that your home is well-lit

– Be careful with what you throw in the trash

-Keep you home well-kept

By being proactive on the above items can help keep you and your family safe from criminals.

The following are some local crime statistics:

The overall crime rate in Friendswood is 67% lower than the national average. For every 100,000 people, there are 2.45 daily crimes that occur in Friendswood. Friendswood is safer than 87% of the cities in the United States. In Friendswood you have a 1 in 113 chance of becoming a victim of any crime.

The overall crime rate in League City is 37% lower than the national average. For every 100,000 people, there are 4.72 daily crimes that occur in League City. League City is safer than 67% of the cities in the United States. In League City you have a 1 in 59 chance of becoming a victim of any crime.

The overall crime rate in Pearland is 23% lower than the national average. For every 100,000 people, there are 5.83 daily crimes that occur in Pearland. Pearland is safer than 58% of the cities in the United States. In Pearland you have a 1 in 48 chance of becoming a victim of any crime.

The table shows that the overall Seabrook, TX crime rate is 61% lower than the Texas average and is 57% lower than the national average. Looking at violent crime specifically, Seabrook, TX has a violent crime rate that is 62% lower than the Texas average and 57% lower than the national average.

When moving into a new area it’s always good to know local crime statistics.

If you are thinking moving, the Craig Carver Group can help you with all your Real Estate needs. Give us a call 281-482-9444.

Want to sell your home this Spring? These 5 spring cleaning tips will help your home stand out

Daylight saving time is here, and the weather is in warmup mode. That means spring is just around the corner and so is the beginning of another busy real estate season in the Friendswood/Clear Lake area. As you start the season off right with a home refresh, keep in mind these small (and affordable) things you can do to make a big impression on potential buyers.

Here are a few best tips from the Craig Carver Group so you can be ultra prepared to sell your home this spring.

Declutter, declutter, declutter

Spring cleaning is the perfect time to kick clutter to the curb. Figure out what is and isn’t bringing you joy—or what you want, or don’t want to schlep to your new home—and watch the clutter disappear. Make piles of keep, donate and throw out.

If moving is in your future, take down all personal items and pack them away for your new abode. When you are ready, call the Craig Carver Group to take a look around and let you know what potential buyers are going to love about your home. With decluttering complete, you are one step closer to putting the ‘for sale’ sign in the yard.

Our advice: “Selling a home can be a perfect excuse to channel your inner Marie Kondo and release clothing, furniture or decor that you no longer use or love. Not only does it make your space feel larger, but it can save you time and money when packing up to move.”

Keep up with basic maintenance

A new season is a great time to do those every six months to a year chores that need to be done, such as changing out the batteries in smoke detectors, replacing filters, having the home sprayed for insects, etc. These simple things can help defer larger, costlier maintenance issues and keep your home humming.

Our advice: “Make sure you are keeping up with switching out your air filters at the return duct to keep your HVAC running efficiently. And absolutely be sure to clean the grill on the vent cover, too. Dust bunnies are a red flag to observant buyers. We had a buyer notice this once during a showing. They looked at us and said, ‘If the seller hasn’t kept up with a simple maintenance item such as this, what else isn’t being maintained?’ Needless to say, they started looking harder at everything else in the house and did not make an offer.”

Let the light shine in

Nothing shows better than a bright, cheery home. Remove the season’s dirt and grime with a good window cleaning. If you have windows you can’t reach or don’t have time or the tools for a complete clean, call in the professionals.

Our advice: “Make sure to clean the windows—inside and out. Clean windows go a long way to making the home feel lighter and brighter.”

Create curb appeal

Remove dead plants and tree limbs, and create a plan for spring planting. Even small sprucing up around the mailbox, front steps and backyard can go a long way with a potential buyers. Remember, potted and hanging plants can also make a great impression.

Our advice: “We strongly suggest a simple project plan for each section of the house. For maximizing your home’s exterior, invest time and effort in power washing, painting, fixing any broken items, new floodlights, a new small flower bed, fresh patio/accents, tidy up the grass, etc.

Call in a professional

When your home is nearing perfection, give a trusted real estate agent a call. The Craig Carver Group can offer staging advice to show off each and every room in the house and talk about what today’s buyers are looking for in a home.

They can also offer next steps, which might include a list of smaller repairs or suggest having a home inspection completed before sellers start viewing your home. You can find out what your home will likely sell for in your neighborhood, set open house dates and decide on a marketing plan that fits your schedule.

Complete these simple steps to get spring ready and watch your new home plans bloom.

For all your buying and selling needs, call the Craig Carver Group, 281-482-9444

STARTING OVER AFTER DIVORCE

Over 50% of marriages end in divorce. Selling the family home is quite common during the divorce process. You may be able to keep the home, but pay out half the equity to your former spouse. You may sell the house and walk away with half the equity. There are many scenarios that can all spark questions when considering buying a new home.

Should you buy a new home and use the equity payout from your divorce settlement as a down payment?

Should you rent and save to build a larger down payment?

When applying for a home loan, will child support count as income?

What should you do with half of your former spouses’ 401K?

How can you improve your credit negatively affected by divorce?

Will you be able to find a home that fits your needs and new price range?

STARTING OVER WORKSHOP, Buying A Home After Divorce, can help answer these questions and much more to get you moving in the right direction to improving your credit, qualifying for a loan and buying a home.

Join us, Saturday February 16, 2019, from 9:00am-10:30 am at Excel Title Friendswood for this FREE informative workshop.

**Breakfast and Mimosas will be served*** PLUS door prizes and a chance to win a trip sponsored by 700 Credit Repair Houston!

Pre-Register HERE or register in person on the day of the workshop.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Mark McVey Lending Team

Excel Title Group Friendswood

700 Credit Repair Houston

*For all of you buying and selling needs, The Craig Carver Group can help. Give us a call: 281-482-9444