What YOU should KNOW about Hiring a Roofing Contractor....

Whether you are drawing plans for a new roof, fixing an old roof, or maintaining the roof of a commercial facility, you want a roofing contractor who will do the job right the first time. You will want to require that a contractor has the experience and knowledge to provide only quality workmanship. You want your contractor to be responsible and reliable. Someone who will still be around after the job is done. Someone who has complete knowledge of all related safety and regulatory laws. Someone who understands your concerns. You want a roofing contractor who has expert knowledge of his trade and can bring the latest technology and the most effective roofing techniques for your job. You need to specify that you want a CERTIFIED ROOFING CONTRACTOR.

The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas requires that roofing contractors go through a rigorous screening process before they can become certified. RCAT takes the pressure off of you and takes on the responsibility of declaring that a contractor has met the standards of a true professional contractor. Both commercial and residential roofing contractors, those with large or small businesses, can become certified. The principal goal of this voluntary certification process is to increase professionalism and consumer confidence in the roofing industry,as well as to assure owners, architects, consultants and general contractors that a CERTIFIED ROOFING CONTRACTOR is experienced, reliable, and knowledgeable.

Do your homework before hiring just anyone to fix your roof!

The Pre-Listing Inspection

Tips on How to Sell Your Home FAST for the BEST PRICE

Most Realtors and Home Sellers will tell you that a detailed home inspection is the responsibility of the Home Buyer to have done prior to closing. We would like to offer another point of view on this subject. One that may help you sell your home a little faster and help ensure your home closes.

In today’s housing market, homes are not selling as quickly as before. You need every tool available to ensure your home sells and closes. So, how can a pre-listing inspection help? I believe there are 3 ways a pre-listing inspection can help which I have listed below.

• Create confidence and trust for potential home buyers. When a home buyer knows of potential problems ahead of time, they are more likely to feel comfortable with the purchase and prepare themselves for the repairs. They are going to find out later anyway and deals have a tendency to fall apart when problems are discovered at the last moment.
  
• Knowing about problems ahead of time allow the home seller to budget for repairs. Imagine receiving a contract on your home, getting excited about moving and then find out you have to come up with a thousand dollars to replace a few windows just days before closing. If you can’t get it fixed in time, the closing could be delayed or worse, buyer’s remorse could set in and the buyer cuts and runs. If you know ahead of time, you can have the money set aside or be able to adjust the listing price ahead of time to be able to come down on the sales price as part of negotiations.
  
• Market your home as “Certified Pre-Owned”. Okay, so this may sound funny but Steve Rodriguez with Realty Times made a good point in his recent article.
  “Pre-listing inspections allow agents to market homes as “Certified Pre-Owned;” and homebuyers, like those purchasing new cars, are willing to spend more money on properties that have been professionally inspected.”Source: Realty Times, Steve Rodriguez (12/27/07)
  
  It makes a lot of sense to spend the few hundred dollars on a Home Inspection prior to listing your home. The benefits are real and can help reduce the stress level during the negotiation when everyone is already on the same page. Please let me know if you have questions about home inspections and what your responsibilities as a home seller are.

January 2008 Market Update

Here's a snapshot of how the real estate in Stone Brooke Crossing fared for Jan. 1- Jan. 31 2008.

There were 10 Active listings.

Active:
5504 Crystal CT 1,452, 3 BR, 2 / 0 BA $139,900
5408 Pebble CT 2,105 , 3 BR, 2 / 0 BA $164,000
513 Winding LN 2,095, 3 BR, 2 / 0 BA $169,900
5436 Pebble Court 2,546, 4 BR, 2 / 1 BA $182,500
5500 Fairfax CT 2,311, 4 BR, 3 / 1 BA Pool $214,900
5301 ARROWHEAD WAY 2,891, 3 BR, 2 / 1 BA $214,990
5521 Fairfax CT 2,574, 4 BR, 2 / 1 BA Pool $215,000
5213 Arrowhead WAY 2,826, 3 BR, 2 / 1 BA Pool $224,900
209 S Village DR 3,280, 4 BR, 2 / 1 BA $229,900
5209 Rolling Rock DR 3,304, 4 BR, 3 / 0 BA $229,900

One Pending Sale:

Pending:
200 S VILLAGE DR 3,280, 4 BR, 2 / 1 BA $224,900

One Sale:

Sold:
Home #1:2,102, 4 BR, 2 / 0 BA $ 160,000

1 Canceled listing:
Home #2: 2,547, 4 BR, 2 / 1 BA $199,900

1 Expired listing:
5421 Crystal CT 2,835, 4 BR, 2 / 1 BA $204,900

1 Withdrawn:
5533 Crystal CT 2,278, 4 BR, 3 / 1 BA, $177,900


Do you need a McKinney Realtor that specializes in Stone Brooke Crossing? Call or Email us today! McKinney Real Estate is picking up this Spring. If you would like a complimentary market analysis we would be happy to provide you with one - no pressure, no obligation!