North San Antonio Edition - July 2022

2022 REAL ESTATE EDITION

ASK A REALTOR

MAINTAINING YOUR HOME The National Association of Home Builders oers routine home

Denise Ross is a Realtor with Keller Williams City View, based in north San Antonio. She oers advice for both buyers and sellers who are considering the San Antonio area.

maintenance tips for homeowners looking to maintain their homes’ value and ensure their safety.

were put in place to prevent a repeat result. The recent rise in interest rates may have changed the purchasing power for some, yet we are still seeing a market where interested buyers outnumber sellers. Even though interest rates have risen recently, it is important to understand that they had been historically low for nearly the 15 years previous, so naturally, an increase was inevitable. All things considered, it is still a great time to buy because by all indications, home prices— particularly in this area—will continue to rise. And when the time comes to buy, sell or invest in real estate, make sure you have a licensed real estate professional in your corner. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SPECIFIC THINGS A HOMEBUYER, ESPECIALLY A FIRSTTIME BUYER, SHOULD DO OR NOT DO WHILE SHOPPING FOR HOUSES IN A HOT MARKET? The most important thing when shopping for a home is to know how much you can aord. Getting preapproved for nancing is the rst step in this process. However, it is important to keep in mind that the lender is only going to consider your gross income and your debts. They don’t take into consideration your grocery bill or other expenses. You will need to look at what ts your budget, and you probably should not be shopping at the top of what you prequalify for. A seller is likely not going to consider an oer without knowing how you are going to pay for the home. Being prequalied is extremely important in a hot market so that you are ready to make an oer right away when you nd the right home. IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO SELL YOUR HOME, WHAT ONE HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CAN INCREASE THE VALUE, AND WHY? Improving the curb appeal is one of the best and most aordable investments you can make to your home, and [it] is quick and easy to do when getting ready to put your home on the market. Paint or restain the front door, and make sure the yard and owerbeds are looking their best by refreshing the mulch and owers. Updating or renishing ooring also has one of the biggest returns on investment. For other projects, such as updating or renovating kitchens and bathrooms, I would not necessarily undertake those with the intent to increase home value.

SOME SAN ANTONIOAREA HOMEOWNERS RECEIVE TEXTS AND CALLS FROM INDIVIDUALS OFFERING TO BUY THEIR HOME. IS THIS LEGITIMATE? It’s possible it could be a scam, or it could be someone reaching out on behalf of an actual interested party. Some homeowners may not be aware of the amount of equity they might have in their home due to the appreciating market of the past few years. What might seem like a good oer might not be. WHAT SHOULD A SELLER’S TOP PRIORITIES BE WHEN PLACING THEIR HOME ON THE MARKET? If a homeowner is interested in selling, the top priority should be getting the advice of a trusted real estate professional who will ensure they net the most amount of money from the sale while also looking out for their best interest and potentially [reducing] the risk of liability during the sale. WHAT HOME CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU NOTICE THAT HOMEBUYERS ARE TYPICALLY SEEKING IN AN AREA? The top features I nd homebuyers are most drawn to are hard surface oors, like tile, wood or luxury vinyl ooring; updated kitchens and bathrooms; and neutral paint throughout the home. Buyers don’t want to see dierent ooring and paint colors in every room. Other popular features are outdoor living spaces, walk-in pantries and lots of storage space in other areas of the home, including the garage. HOW ACCURATE ARE MARKET ASSESSMENTS PROVIDED BY HOME INVENTORY WEBSITES AND APPS? Computer-generated sources like these can provide a ballpark gure. A licensed real estate professional will likely provide a much more accurate market analysis, because they will personally visit the home and take into account features a computer algorithm cannot detect, such as condition, updates, neighborhood, unique features, etc. ARE YOU SEEING WARNING SIGNS THAT WE ARE IN A HOUSING BUBBLE THAT MIGHT BURST? Certainly, housing prices have appreciated a lot in the past few years, but what led to the last major bubble/ crash was due in large part to poor lending practices. Because of those previous missteps, higher standards

Find other useful homeownership tips at www.nahb.org.

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

1 Roofs should be inspected by a qualied roofer every three years, and skylights should be inspected so leaks do not develop. 2 Ensure downspouts and gutters do not get clogged with leaves and other debris. 3 Inspect siding each year to see if it needs repainting, and trim shrubs away so they do not touch the siding. 4 Check for split or cracked caulking on windows and doors annually, and replace the caulk as necessary. 5 Moving parts of garage doors need to be oiled once every three months.

6 Air lters require regular replacement, generally once every three months. 7 Regularly check security alarms and circuit breakers . Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 8 Clean each faucet’s aerator every three to four months. Maintain garbage disposals by running cold water through them. 9 Masonry walls can develop a white powder that can be scrubbed o with water and a sti brush. 10 Hardwood oors without polyurethane need to be waxed with a liquid or paste “spirit” wax. Use emulsion wax on vinyl.

SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERSCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

WEATHER READY AT HOME In addition to preparing for disasters by stockpiling food and water, homeowners can prepare themselves and their homes for severe weather events through home maintenance and repairs.

Renovations: while updating appliances, ooring, walls and windows

Construction: during

Now: immediately and are renter-friendly

Measures that can be taken:

the design phase of a new home or addition

Windows & doors

R C Plants Trees can protect

Walls & oors

Roofs

N R C

R C

N R C

Weather stripping can protect doors and windows from rain and external moisture.

Insulating pipes with foam sleeves can protect them from extreme temperatures.

Overhanging roofs can shade windows from the sun while still allowing indirect light in.

sunny sides of buildings. Native trees are best adapted to the home’s climate.

R C

N R C

Using mold- resistant insulation can improve air quality, especially in homes that are humid or prone to ooding.

Solar panel installation can be paired with a smart inverter

Thermal curtains can protect against both extreme heat and cold while conserving energy.

for optimal energy use.

Denise Ross Realtor

Keller Williams City View 15510 Vance Jackson Road, San Antonio 210-696-9996 https://deniserosstx.kw.com

1604

SOURCES: HOUSTON ADVANCED RESEARCH CENTER, TEXAS STATE ENERGY CONSERVATION OFFICE COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION • JULY 2022