Do you know the old saying “everything on the Internet is completely true”?

Yeah, me neither. If you’ve been looking for properties or buying advice, you know there are plenty of real estate websites.  So when it comes to your home search, it makes sense to approach the Internet with a discerning eye. But how do you know which websites you can trust? The best indicator is if they’re affiliated with Texas Realtors. Here’s what else you should consider when turning to the web for home buying advice.

Would you like advice from consumers or experts?

Many real estate websites offer advice from other consumers—people who don’t know any more about real estate than you do. This is similar to getting advice on home buying from your well-meaning coworker, your nosy mother-in-law, or your kid’s little league coach. You need guidance from a Texas Realtor- someone who’s professionally trained to assist buyers and does it every day.

Texas isn’t the same as Florida, California, Colorado, New York …

You’re buying in Texas, so you need advice and information specific to your area. Texas Realtors are local experts and will ensure you know the ever-changing conditions in your market. Accurate information like this helps you make the right offer and negotiate from a position of strength.

Are you guessing a property’s value?

If you want a computer algorithm to “guesstimate” what a property is worth, there are plenty of sites you can turn to. If you want to know what properties in your part of Texas are selling for, ask a Texas Realtor. They know the actual sales prices for properties—not some vague approximation—to help you know what the house you’re thinking about buying is worth.

Here’s where to start

There’s plenty of good real estate information on the Internet, if you can tell which websites to trust. Look for sites by Texas Realtors; they’re the experts at advice, pricing and negotiating in your area. If you’re not sure how to find a Texas Realtor, visit TexasRealEstate.com and use the “Find a Texas Realtor” search.

Carla Henderson, Realtor at Cortiers-2013 President of the BCS Regional Association of Realtors

Consider the correct, objective factors when determining your house’s value to determine an asking price in line with what the market will bear. Your Realtor can help you settle on the right asking price by providing comparable sales figures for your market. Your agent also will give you a good idea of what buyers are looking for in your area.

As you consider price, here are seven considerations you shouldn’t make.

 1. The amount you purchased it for. Unless you bought your home a month ago, your sales price has no bearing on what a buyer should pay. Even if you did buy your home a month ago, the purchase price may not reflect proper pricing for today. The real estate market changes constantly.

2. How much you spent on repairs. You spent thousands to replace your roof? That’s a smart move that will certainly attract buyers, but you shouldn’t necessarily factor your cost for new shingles into your asking price. A safe and sturdy roof on a home is usually an expectation, not an enhancement that should increase the price.

3. How much you spent on improvements. Building a new deck, adding a bathroom, or remodeling your kitchen can increase your property’s value, but don’t count on getting a dollar-for-dollar return on your investment. In fact, Remodeling magazine’s 2013 “Cost vs. Value Report” shows that in the West South Central region of the country, a bathroom addition’s average cost recouped is 62.3%.

4. What a home just like yours sold for in a different location. The same size home in one neighborhood could cost much more—or less—in another one. There are many factors that go into a home’s value that can’t be compared across the state, city, or even nearby neighborhoods.

5. What a home just like yours in your neighborhood sold for 18 months ago. Real estate markets change constantly. It’s useful to know the sales price of a similar house that sold in your area some time ago, but take it in the context of what’s going on today. A seller’s market that created bidding wars three years ago could now be a solid buyer’s market. You’ll need to set your expectations and price accordingly.

6. How much you need to purchase your next home. Whether you’re well off or broke, your home is worth the same. Whether you’re moving up or downsizing, your home is worth the same. Whether you’ve paid off your mortgage or still owe most of the balance of the loan, your home is worth the same. Your financial situation isn’t relevant to a buyer.

7. What the Web says your home is worth. Web sites that estimate your property’s value offer a good starting point when you’re trying to decide on an asking price. However, most home-valuation Web sites will tell you that their information is just a starting point and no substitute for specific market knowledge in the area.

So, what does matter when pricing your home? Among other things, the condition of your home, the location, and the prices of comparable properties selling in the area all affect what you can ask for your property.

When you price your home correctly, you’ll find that your home will probably sell more quickly. The best way to determine what to ask for your house is to get as much information as you can and sit down with a Realtor to help you arrive at an accurate valuation.

Carla Henderson, Realtor at Cortiers-2013 President of the BCS Regional Association of Realtors

1.  We will make all of your home buying and selling dreams come true!

2. RESULTS

3. CARING

4. PROFESSIONALISM

We present ourselves professionally, and we take our careers seriously. Our ethics, knowledge and skills make us one of the area’s best teams of licensed Realtors. 

Like an Aggie finds themselves becoming a professional after graduation, Carla & the BCS Dream Team have proved their own professionalism in the real estate community. They commit to handling everything in a timely, business-like manner that will leave you knowing that this team is the real thing!

Be sure to contact Carla & the BCS Dream Team for all of your home buying and selling ventures!

Call us at 979-846-TEAM (8326)

Reminder- How the Top 10 Campaign Works:

Over the next 10 days we will be sharing the top reasons to choose Carla & The BCS Dream Team for your home buying and selling needs. Each day will focus on one reason counting down from number 10. Retweet the reason on Twitter (@BCSDreamTeam) or share on Facebook to enter into a drawing for a $40 gift card to Luigi’s Italian Restaurant in College Station.

Each retweet and share per reason will count as one entry a piece. So if you retweet and share the reason of the day each day then you can have up to 20 entries total by the end of the campaign! Keep an eye out each day to maximize your chances of winning! Everyone got the rules down? Okay let’s continue with reason #4 today and count down!

5. FRIENDLY

We are not just Realtors. We are friends and counselors. Our open, optimistic and cheerful personalities bring positive energy to our relationships with clients, many of whom remain our business associates, colleagues and friends for years! 

It is fitting that we are near the friendliest campus in America. Texas A&M has the “Howdy” tradition that creates a welcoming atmosphere for all just like Carla & the BCS Dream Team create a friendly and comfortable setting for you.

Be sure to contact Carla & the BCS Dream Team for all of your home buying and selling ventures. They cannot wait to meet with you!

Call us at 979-846-TEAM (8326)

Reminder- How the Top 10 Campaign Works:

Over the next 10 days we will be sharing the top reasons to choose Carla & The BCS Dream Team for your home buying and selling needs. Each day will focus on one reason counting down from number 10. Retweet the reason on Twitter (@BCSDreamTeam) or share on Facebook to enter into a drawing for a $40 gift card to Luigi’s Italian Restaurant in College Station.

Each retweet and share per reason will count as one entry a piece. So if you retweet and share the reason of the day each day then you can have up to 20 entries total by the end of the campaign! Keep an eye out each day to maximize your chances of winning! Everyone got the rules down? Okay let’s continue with reason #5 today and count down!

6. EDUCATION

We attend classes and seminars well beyond state-mandated educational requirements. We stay informed about the latest changes in the real estate market.

Like an Aggie finds themselves keeping up with their classes, Carla & the BCS Dream Team go above and beyond to make sure they are educated in the real estate market. We attend classes on everything from Legal & Ethics to Technology to Marketing ensuring that we don’t miss a beat!

Be sure to contact Carla & the BCS Dream Team for all of your home buying and selling ventures. They cannot wait to share their extensive real estate education with you!

Call us at 979-846-TEAM (8326)

Reminder- How the Top 10 Campaign Works:

Over the next 10 days we will be sharing the top reasons to choose Carla & The BCS Dream Team for your home buying and selling needs. Each day will focus on one reason counting down from number 10. Retweet the reason on Twitter (@BCSDreamTeam) or share on Facebook to enter into a drawing for a $40 gift card to Luigi’s Italian Restaurant in College Station.

Each retweet and share per reason will count as one entry a piece. So if you retweet and share the reason of the day each day then you can have up to 20 entries total by the end of the campaign! Keep an eye out each day to maximize your chances of winning! Everyone got the rules down? Okay let’s continue with reason #6 today and count down!

7. KNOWLEDGE

As we have been Bryan/College Station locals for decades, our team knows the area like the back of our hands. 

As a college student receives a wealth of knowledge at Texas A&M to share with the world, Carla & the BCS Dream Team have a great deal of knowledge of the Bryan/College Station area and the real estate market to share with you. Team leader, Carla Henderson, moved to College Station as a teenager and has resided here since, making her a true jackpot of knowledge on the community as a long-time local.

Be sure to contact Carla & the BCS Dream Team for all of your home buying and selling ventures. They cannot wait to share their knowledge with you!

Call us at 979-846-TEAM (8326)

Reminder- How the Top 10 Campaign Works:

Over the next 10 days we will be sharing the top reasons to choose Carla & The BCS Dream Team for your home buying and selling needs. Each day will focus on one reason counting down from number 10. Retweet the reason on Twitter (@BCSDreamTeam) or share on Facebook to enter into a drawing for a $40 gift card to Luigi’s Italian Restaurant in College Station.

Each retweet and share per reason will count as one entry a piece. So if you retweet and share the reason of the day each day then you can have up to 20 entries total by the end of the campaign! Keep an eye out each day to maximize your chances of winning! Everyone got the rules down? Okay let’s continue with reason #7 today and count down!

8. EXPERIENCE

We have over 62.5 years of combined real estate sales experience, and we are all licensed Realtors. 

With our significant amount of combined experience, one could say that we have earned our “senior boots” of real estate. Seniors in the Texas A&M corps of cadets earn boots that symbolize a distinguished level of leadership and experience in their final year of at the university, much like Carla & the BCS Dream team have earned their own respect in their seasoned careers.

Be sure to contact Carla & the BCS Dream Team for all of your home buying and selling ventures. They cannot wait to share their experience with you to provide you an edge in your decision making.

Call us at 979-846-TEAM (8326)

Reminder- How the Top 10 Campaign Works:

Over the next 10 days we will be sharing the top reasons to choose Carla & The BCS Dream Team for your home buying and selling needs. Each day will focus on one reason counting down from number 10. Retweet the reason on Twitter (@BCSDreamTeam) or share on Facebook to enter into a drawing for a $40 gift card to Luigi’s Italian Restaurant in College Station.

Each retweet and share per reason will count as one entry a piece. So if you retweet and share the reason of the day each day then you can have up to 20 entries total by the end of the campaign! Keep an eye out each day to maximize your chances of winning! Everyone got the rules down? Okay let’s continue with reason #8 today and count down!