Uncategorized Archives - Craig Carver Group

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

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

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

305 Northcliff Ridge, Friendswood, TX 77546

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Selling Your Home During the Holidays

Wondering if you should to sell your home during the holidays? While putting your home on the market between holiday celebrations, school vacations, forced family fun, baking, shopping, gift giving might seem like miserable timing, since many buyers may not want to move their furniture and belongs during the holidays, but sellers could actually benefit by using this time strategically to show and possibly even sell their house.

Many home sellers take a holiday hiatus until the New Year—and that could mean that your house may suddenly become a hot commodity. Plus, if buyers are truly squeezing in home showings between shopping trips and holiday activities, you know they must be serious.

So if you’re ready to put up a “For Sale” sign under the cheery glow of your holiday lights, go right ahead! Here’s some advice on how to sell your home during the holidays.

Deck Your Halls

Buyers want to picture themselves living in your home, so evoking some holiday spirit as you stage your house for showing is a great way to do that. A little mistletoe will likely help than hurt. You should be festive and decorate AFTER listing photos have been taken. The holidays are a time your home looks the best, so it will show better and likely net more. But don’t go overboard. You may normally have Buddy the Elf help you decorate, but less is more when your home is on the market during the holiday season.

Throw a Holiday Party

You may have a to-do list a mile long, but consider making time to host a holiday party such as cookie decorating, tacky sweater party or Christmas cheer wine tasting. This can be a great way to showcase your home to family, friends and neighbors. Chances are at least one person at your party may be looking for a new home, or know someone who is in the market to buy.

Give The Gift of Time

Give a bit more time than you might if you were selling at a different, less frantic time of year. It’s best you be prepared to be flexible with showings even when it’s not convenient for you, as not everyone celebrates the same holidays as you.

Price It To Sell

Don’t overshoot with your asking price. Buyers who have the luxury of waiting until Spring to purchase will over look your home if the price seems too high. You need to be realistic about current market expectations. A Realtor can help you set a price that’s fair for you home and your neighborhood based on comps. Which leads to our final tip…

Don’t DIY Your Home Sale

The “for sale by owner” route may be your strategy to save money, but a trusted real estate agent can take the stress of finding a focused buyer with a similar deadline you have in mind. Many people house hunting during the holiday are doing so because they’re on a tight deadline. An agent can target buyers who are eager to move ASAP, like those moving for a job or investors looking to buy a property before the tax year ends.

Craig Carver and his team can help you decide if putting your house on the market this holiday season is the right time. Call 281-482-9444 for your free home evaluation.

Content by Amber Miessner,  Accredited Staging Professional and Stephanie Booth- Realtor.

Selling your house can be SCARY! Should you hire a Realtor?

Selling your house can be scary! What should you do? Should you try and sell it yourself? Or should you hire a Realtor. If you do…

1. They have loads of expertise

Want to check the MLS for a 4B/2B with an EIK and a W/D? Real estate has its own language, full of acronyms and semi-arcane jargon, and your Realtor is trained to speak that language fluently.

Plus, buying or selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. Realtors have the expertise to help you prepare a killer deal—while avoiding delays or costly mistakes that can seriously mess you up.

2. They have turbocharged searching power

The Internet is awesome. You can find almost anything—anything! And with online real estate listing sites such as yours truly, you can find up-to-date home listings on your own, any time you want. But guess what? Realtors have access to even more listings. Sometimes properties are available but not actively advertised. A Realtor can help you find those hidden gems.

Plus, a good local Realtor is going to know the search area way better than you ever could. Have your eye on a particular neighborhood, but it’s just out of your price range? Your Realtor is equipped to know the ins and outs of every neighborhood, so she can direct you toward a home in your price range that you may have overlooked.

3. They have bullish negotiating chops

Any time you buy or sell a home, you’re going to encounter negotiations—and as today’s housing market heats up, those negotiations are more likely than ever to get a little heated.

You can expect lots of competition, cutthroat tactics, all-cash offers, and bidding wars. Don’t you want a savvy and professional negotiator on your side to seal the best deal for you?

And it’s not just about how much money you end up spending or netting. A Realtor will help draw up a purchase agreement that allows enough time for inspections, contingencies, and anything else that’s crucial to your particular needs.

4. They’re connected to everyone

Realtors might not know everything, but they make it their mission to know just about everyone who can possibly help in the process of buying or selling a home. Mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, home inspectors, Home Stagers, interior designers—the list goes on—and they’re all in your Realtor’s network. Use them.

5. They adhere to a strict code of ethics

Not every real estate agent is a Realtor, who is a licensed real estate salesperson who belongs to the National Association of Realtors®, the largest trade group in the country.

What difference does it make? Realtors are held to a higher ethical standard than licensed agents and must adhere to a Code of Ethics.

6. They’re your sage parent/data analyst/therapist—all rolled into one

The thing about Realtors: They wear a lot of different hats. Sure, they’re salespeople, but they actually do a whole heck of a lot to earn their commission. They’re constantly driving around, checking out listings for you. They spend their own money on marketing your home (if you’re selling). They’re researching comps to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

And, of course, they’re working for you at nearly all hours of the day and night—whether you need more info on a home or just someone to talk to in order to feel at ease with the offer you just put in. This is the biggest financial (and possibly emotional) decision of your life, and guiding you through it isn’t a responsibility Realtors take lightly.

7. Choosing the right agent

How do you know who to choose? Do they have experience? Do they know the local market? Will they put you and your interests first? Look no further. Craig Carver has been selling real estate since 1994 and is a Top Producing agent for RE/MAX. Whether buying or selling, Craig and his team are committed to make the process as stress free as possible to ensure you have the best experience possible buying and/or selling your home.

Back to School

Back to School!

Summer has already flown by and the new school year is about to begin! We know how busy the beginning of the school year is and how hard it can be to get back into a routine. Getting the kids situated into a new bedtime, making sure homework is complete and school forms are all filled out, it’s hard to find time to cook a meal for the whole family in between! We thought we would share two of our favorite Crockpot recipes to help you through the first week! These recipes are great to have all year round as well. Craig Carver Group is wishing all of you a wonderful 2017-2018 school year!

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Ingredients

1 pound very lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (30 oz) can chili beans in chili sauce or 2 (15-16 oz) cans chili beans in chili sauce
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper to taste
8 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked
Desired toppings: cheddar, sour cream, green onions, corn chips….

Instructions

Place ground beef in the bottom of your slow cooker and break into smaller chunks. Stir in remaining ingredients except for the pasta.
Cover and cook for 4-6 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low. In the last 15 minutes of cooking stir in the uncooked pasta and cover. Stir and test to see if pasta is to your liking. However, even with the slow cooker off the pasta will continue to cook just from the heat of the chili and crock itself so unless your pasta is really chewy or crunchy I strongly suggest only cooking it for the last 15 minutes of cook time.
Serve immediately with desired toppings.

Creamy Ranch Slow Cooker Chicken