Blog

Credit Healthy – Build It Right From Ground Zero

June 5, 2019 by Joyce Marie Jackson Leave a Comment

When it comes to buying a home, few things are more important than your credit. The better it is, the more buying power you have. In this article the first is a series of posts entitled “Credit Healthy,” agent Joyce Marie Jackson breaks down your credit score and takes a look at what it takes to build your credit health from the bottom up. Whether you’re a first time homebuyer or this is one of many purchases you’ve made in your lifetime, it pays to understand what goes into your credit score so you can be prepared when it comes time to buy. Enough from us…we’ll let Joyce take it from here…

Too often a buyer is so excited about buying a home, the basics are forgotten.

You’ve saved some money, that’s good, and maybe paid down some of you debt. Your lease is coming to an end soon, so I guess it’s time to shop for a home. Is that it or are there other steps?

Here’s an option:

Contact your financial institution and inquire if they offer a credit score and/or monitoring plan for free or for a small fee. You may ask yourself, “Why do I need to do this?”
The reason is because before you can start a plan, you must know where you stand. Knowing what’s in your credit report is the first step in identifying the health of your credit worthiness.
Your credit worthiness is what a lender will use to approve or disapprove you for a mortgage loan. It’s all in the report, but it’s up to you to make sure it’s accurate.
Know how your FICO score is determined.

35% – Payment History – Always make your payments on time.
30% – Amounts Owed – Knowing your credit limit is key. The amount you owe and the amount your have available will determine your utilization ratio and debt ratio.
15% – Length of Credit History – The age of an account is important. The longer you have a particular credit card, the better. If you decide to pay it off, that’s great! Just don’t close it out. Closing out a credit card that you’ve had for a long time can lower your credit score.
10% – Type of Credit Used – Similar to building your retirement portfolio, your credit should also contain a mixture of different types of credit, such as credit cards which are usually revolving credit, fixed loans, and other mixtures of credit.
10% – New Credit – New credit and the available amount. Don’t max it out.
So, 35+30+15+10+10 = 100% of your FICO score.

List your expenses, make a budget and track your spending.

You’ve identified what’s in your credit report and taken steps to make the report accurate. You know what makes up a credit score and what parts you may need to work on in order to increase it. Saving is also key and must be part of the budget. In addition to having a great credit score and low to no debt, there is still a need to have available funds for various buyer expense such as inspections, appraisal, earnest money, option money, closing costs, and down payment. Sounds scary and it can be, but if you are prepared it will be less stressful. Does this mean buyers have to have perfect credit and be debt free before they should purchase a home? No, it just means that the more you know and the better prepared you are, the better your home buying experience will be. So, “Build It Right from Ground Zero.”

image courtesy of zeevveez

Things to Do After You Move In

April 30, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

It’s move in day! Moving into a new home is an exciting time. So much to do; trying to remember where you put your spoons or your coffee mugs, running up and down steps, paying the movers, meeting the neighbors for the first time while your hair is sticking up and you look like you just rolled out of bed, calming the cat down because she’s probably freaking out right about now…whew. Who else is tired already? Now you’re probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture, but before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you should cover first.

Change the locks. Even if you’re promised that new locks have been installed in your home, you can never be too careful. It’s worth the money to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that no one else has the keys to your home. Even if the sellers handed you all of their keys, you never know if they made one for their uncle that time he stayed for a week or the maid and their best friend has one “just in case.” Changing the locks can be a DIY project, or you can call in a locksmith for a little extra money. It’s also advisable to change the garage door code if you have a keypad entry. Not sure how to do it? Find your model and then look up the manual at ManualsLib.

Steam clean the carpets. It’s always a good idea to get a fresh start with your floors before you start decorating. The previous owners may have had pets, young children, or just some plain old clumsiness. Take the time to steam clean the carpets so that your floors are free of stains and allergens. It will also help freshen up the smell of the new place – it’s amazing how much odor gets trapped in those carpets! It’s pretty easy and affordable to rent a steam cleaner – most HEBs carry them as well as the big box hardware stores. Not in the DIY mood? Call a steam cleaning company and have them arrive before your move in day.

Call an exterminator. Prior to move-in, you probably haven’t spent enough time in the house to get a view of any pests that may be lurking. You’ve probably had a WDI inspection, but those only look for wood destroying insects. Call an exterminator to take care of any mice, insects, and other critters that may be hiding in your home. Here in South Texas we have a lot of creepy crawlies and a good, regular pest control service will help keep the insects at bay.

Clean out the kitchen. If the previous occupants wanted to skip on some of their cleaning duties when they moved out, the kitchen is where they probably cut corners. Wipe down the inside of cabinets, clean out the refrigerator, clean the oven, and clean in the nooks and crannies underneath the appliances. If you’re feeling brave, see if you can pull out appliances like the refrigerator, stove/range, and dishwasher to get under and behind those. Be careful though, those appliances may be attached and can be heavy.

image courtesy of Genista

HomeBuild4Heroes – 650 Winding Ravine

April 25, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Breathtaking contemporary, luxury home in Hidden Canyon being built for a cause! This four bedroom, three and a half bath home by Stadler Custom Homes will be sold with the proceeds benefiting Military Warriors Support Foundation and the San Antonio Food Bank. The Preserve at Hidden Canyon is Stone Oak’s latest, premier, gated neighborhood and features an amenity center with pool, soccer fields, and clubhouse as well as nature trails and protected green spaces.

To purchase this home, please contact Kimberly Howell at (210) 861-0188 and ask about the HomeBuild4Heroes home, located in Hidden Canyon.

To learn more about the home and its construction or if you would like to know how you could customize the home to your liking, please contact Stadler Custom Homes at (830) 980-4198.

For more information about Military Warriors Support Foundation, please visit us at www.militarywarriors.org.

For more information about San Antonio Food Bank, please visit them at www.safoodbank.org.

To donate towards the cost of the home:, please visit HomeBuild4Heros at Zola.com

Audionautix: Acoustic under Creative Commons licensing

What We Look At When Pricing a Home

April 18, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

When you put your home up for sale, there is a lot that happens “behind the scenes” in order to come up with the right price. You’ve heard about comparable sales (or “comps” as they’re often referred to) and they are hands down one of the best ways to determine the asking price for your home. There’s rarely a perfect apples-to-apples comparison, so a pricing decision often relies on comparisons to several recent sales in the area. It’s both an art and a science and finding the balance between the two is the key to successfully pricing a home. Here are a few of the things we look for when working on pricing your home and preparing a CMA (comparative market analysis).

Location. Homes in the same neighborhood typically follow the same market trends. Comparing your home to another in the same neighborhood is a good start, but comparing it to homes on the same street or block is even better. We typically will start with a very narrow focus (street level, neighborhood) and then widen the scope to look further out if we’re not finding a lot of sales in the area.

Date of sale. We don’t want to use homes that sold too long ago as market conditions shift over time. A good rule of thumb is to look within the last three months, although exceptions can be made for unique properties that are not as easy to define. The closer the date, the better for comparable purposes as even a couple of months can shift the market in a different direction. Other factors, like time of year should also be considered (ie a home in the springtime market is more likely to sell faster and for a higher price than one sold in December).

Home build. Look for homes with similar architectural styles, numbers of bathrooms and bedrooms, square footage, and other basics. We will often try to compare to the same builder or floorplan if possible. Knowing who built in a neighborhood and where else they have built can be a huge help in knowing where to look for potential comparable sales.

Features and upgrades. Remodeled bathrooms and kitchens can raise a home’s price, and so can less flashy upgrades like a new roof or HVAC system. We want to be sure to look for similar bells and whistles. If properties with similar upgrades can’t be found, adjustments can be made to compensate although it is worth noting that these upgrades never come with a dollar-to-dollar value.

Sale types and terms. Homes that are sold as short sales or foreclosures are often in distress or sold at a lower price than they’d receive from a more typical sale. These homes are not as useful for comparisons. Other items like seller paid closing costs and concessions should be looked at as well. A home that sold for $10,000 over asking price that included $10,000 in seller paid closing costs isn’t the same as a house that sold for $10,000 over asking with no seller concessions.

image courtesy of AlanH2O

Which Down Payment Strategy is Right for You?

April 10, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

You’ve most likely heard the rule or had one of your friends give you the advice: save for a 20 percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long term goal. As with any financial plan, you have to look at the pros and cons and determine which benefits you more both in the short and long term. It is always advisable to discuss with your lender and your CPA to see where and how you can maximize the benefits. Larger down payments can help you get favorable rates from lenders, but there can actually be financial benefits to putting down a smaller down payment, something as low as three and a half percent, rather than parting with so much cash up front, even when you have the extra money available.

THE DOWNSIDE

The downsides of a smaller down payment are pretty well known. You’ll have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance for years and the lower your down payment, the more you’ll pay. You’ll also be offered a lesser loan amount than borrowers who have a 20 percent down payment, which will eliminate some homes from your search.

THE UPSIDE

The national average for home appreciation is about five percent. The appreciation is independent from your home payment, so whether you put down 20 percent or three and a half percent, the increase in equity is the same. If you’re looking at your home as an investment, putting down a smaller amount can lead to a higher return on investment, while also leaving more of your savings free for home repairs, upgrades, or other investment opportunities.

THE HAPPY MEDIUM

Of course, your home payment options aren’t binary. Most borrowers can find some common ground between the security of a traditional 20 percent and an investment focused, smaller down payment. Your real estate agent can provide some answers and introduce you to a lender as you explore your financing options. Sitting down with the lender and discussing the finer details of your goals and your plans can help you make the best decision for you at this particular point in your life.

image courtesy of Mukumbura

Dominion Luxury Tour Spring 2019

April 9, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

Every spring, LRES Marketing puts together an incredible tour of some of the finest luxury homes available in The Dominion and is always a terrific day full of amazing houses. We’ve been participating in the tour for years and look forward to both the spring and fall additions each and every year. The tour gives you a chance to see some of San Antonio’s most luxurious and fabulous homes. This year’s tour will be held on April 14th from 2-5pm. You’ll want to RSVP for the event as The Dominion is guard gated and your RSVP will help facilitate your entry. You can download a printable brochure (PDF) with a map, a list of all the homes, and information about each of the participating agents. This year’s tour features 34 homes from 21 agents and has something to offer everyone from garden homes to sprawling estates, single stories and two stories, new construction to pre-owned homes, and prices ranging from $515,000 all the way up to $3.2 million. Stop by the homes we’ll be presenting, both built by McNair Custom Homes: 6311 Sevilla Way and 7130 Bluff Run.

Dominion Luxury Tour Spring 2019

Please note, some properties are not listed here as they are non-MLS listings. All properties are listed by their respective brokerages as noted.

No properties found

6 Steps to Take Before Selling Your Home

April 2, 2019 by khproperties 2 Comments

Whether you’re ready to sell today or thinking about doing it in the future, it pays to make sure you’re prepared. These helpful tips can get you prepared to sell quicker and get your home sold faster. Call one of our real estate agents and schedule your pre-listing meeting today. Want a downloadable PDF to share with your friends? You can also read the text of the infographic below…

Meet with your trusted real estate agent: Your agent can save you a lot of time and energy by guiding you through the pre-listing phase. They are there to serve you and help you decide if listing your home is the right option.

Pre-qualify to buy your new home: Get pre-qualified to buy your next home before putting your current one on the market. Working with a reputable mortgage professional will help you understand what you need to net from your current home and achieve your goals for your next one.

Price correctly: Listing your home at the proper market value is critical to selling your home within a reasonable time frame. Be cautious of making decisions based on valuations online and instead use your agent’s in-depth knowledge of the local area as a resource.

Pre-inspection: Home inspections are often a sticking point where a home sale can go wrong. Material defects may need to be repaired prior to a buyer purchasing the home, so determine these potential fixes before you list, instead of during the negotiation process.

De-clutter: If your house is cluttered or filled with personal mementos, it can be more difficult for a buyer to picture themselves living there. Placing large pieces of furniture or family photos in storage is worth the effort to help your home sell quicker.

Professional photography: The modern-day home search almost always starts online and first impressions are very important. Make sure your real estate agent uses a professional photographer or company specializing in real estate photography to show your home in the best light.

Congratulations to Our McNair Madness Winners

March 29, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

McNair Custom Homes and Kimberly Howell Properties are proud to announce the winners from their McNair Madness event hosted Thursday, March 28th from 4-7pm in The Dominion. Realtors were invited to preview four fantastic homes built by McNair Custom Homes and get their McNair Madness brackets stamped at each home. The tour started at 7130 Bluff Run (4 bedrooms, 3 baths) in The Bluffs section of The Dominion and went through 6310 Malaga Way (4 bedrooms, 4 baths), 6314 Sevilla Way (5 bedrooms, 6 full and 1 half baths), and the final stop, 6311 Sevilla Way (4 bedrooms, 5 full and 1 half baths) in Andalucia. A game day selection of food and drinks was provided to the participants in the event. Top prize was a pair of tickets on Southwest Airlines and several other great prizes were offered as well. We’d like to thank all of the real estate agents and others who came out to see the homes and support the event. We’ll be contacting all of the prize winners to get their prizes to them.

McNair Madness Winners

Grand Prize – Two Southwest Airline Tickets
James Rodgers with eXp Realty

Second Prize – Patron
Scott Snyder
Carlos Chavez with Kimberly Howell Properties

Third Prize – Crown Royal
Raul Garcia
Fabiola Poulat with Keller William Heritage

Fourth Prize – Various Gift Cards
Amy Weilbacher Lewis with Real Estate 210
Mackenize Honeycutt
Olga Jimenez with Kimberly Howell Properties
Alexandra Rodriguez with Avenue Realty

A Few Tips for Online House Hunting

March 29, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

House hunting online is a great place to start your search, but it can never replace good old-fashioned viewings of homes in person. Good listing agents will always be excellent at highlighting the best features of the home and drawing your attention, but always keep in mind there may be more than meets the eye. We all have to start somewhere with our searches and online is certainly a great place to begin – it’s why we built this website. To make the most of your time and efforts and in order to gather a well-rounded picture of online real estate listings, try to keep the following three things in mind during your online house hunting.

Stay up to date. When you are just beginning your search, make sure you find a site that feels comfortable to you and pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing service (MLS) where real estate agents actively post their most current homes for sale. Many online resources update less often or fail to remove listings that are off the market, making it more difficult to sort through the clutter. This has definitely improved over the years, but there are still some sites out there that let old data linger for far too long or don’t have the best, most reliable info. Might we suggest our easy to use search?
Pictures can be deceiving. Real estate photographers are experts at showing a home in the best possible light. Many use tools and strategies to boost appeal, such as wide angle lenses to make areas look larger and creative editing to make colors and textures really pop. Photoshopping grass or blue skies is common these days, so be aware that what you see in the photo may not be what you see when you step out of the car. Many real estate agents will avoid using photos that are not flattering or show unappealing parts of the home, like small closets or outdated bathrooms.
See it to believe it. Once you find what appears to be your dream home online, give us a call and schedule a showing. You want to take the opportunity to vet the home in person and explore every part of it before beginning the offer process. Your real estate agent will help you cover all your bases and will ask questions you may not have thought of. Take your time and get a good look – this might be where you spend the rest of your life, so you want to make sure it’s the one you want.

DIY Landscaping Projects for Spring

March 22, 2019 by khproperties Leave a Comment

As the colder temperatures fade and green begins to pop up all around us, it’s time to think about some springtime DIY landscaping projects to spruce up your home. While there are plenty of huge projects you can spend lots of money on, there are many simple weekend projects that you can do yourself that will give you great bang for your buck and help create a beautiful place that you’ll love to spend time in. Whether it’s as simple as installing some lighting or a little more time-consuming like re-plotting plants, a fresh look for the lawn always gives your home a fresh look as well. Here are some of our favorite DIY landscaping projects that you can do this spring.

Create a Pathway

To guide you and visitors through your yard and link different areas together, try installing a pathway. You can use materials from a variety of sources, including reclaimed pallet wood, flagstones, gravel, and more to add texture and color. Combine this project with some of the others below for bigger effect.

Add a Wall or Border

Installing a flagstone, rock, or brick wall around flower beds or trees adds a sleek, clean look to your landscaping and helps separate different sections of your yard. Add depth to your design by using walls of different height and materials.

Install a Water Feature

Nothing says “zen” quite like the sound of trickling water as you relax in your backyard. You can start simple by purchasing and installing a small water feature powered by a solar panel or create a larger focal point in your yard by installing a waterfall wall or small pond.

Light Your Way

An easy way to transform your yard is the strategic use of lighting. Place cool-colored lights high in trees to create a moonlight-like feel, use pathway lights to naturally guide the eye, or highlight objects or plants with stronger more focused lighting.

Plant Upwards

Expand your yard space by drawing the eye to the sky with a trellis, fence, or screen made of wood or metal. Once you install your trellis, select your climbing plants and vines and get those planted now so that you can watch them grow.

No matter what your budget is, there are always some great landscaping projects that you can take on to help make your backyard your own private oasis. Plan big and then break your landscaping projects down into smaller pieces that you can take on one at a time. By the time summer hits, you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood with all the work you’ve put into your yard.

image courtesy of hans s