Part of being a responsible homeowner is learning how to care for your home - after all, it's the biggest investment you'll make in a lifetime and the quickest way to build wealth. From minor repairs to upgrading your windows – we're going to explore your options.
Are You a First Time Buyer?
Make a Wish List- Do you need a Realtor?
- Get Qualified and Pre-Approved
- Learn about Mortgage Loan Products
Editors Topics
| Buy a House or Start a College Fund Buy a House or Start a College Fund? Questions like these – among a boat load of others – are starting to weigh on the minds of today's Baby-Boomers who like us, either feel guilty for not having started a coll [ ... ] |
| Other Articles |
Home Improvement & Remodeling
The Home Improvement Energy Tax Credit Ends December 31
Homeowners have been making a mad dash to local home improvement stores to take advantage of the tax credit for home improvements. What qualifies for the program...
Read about the program
Credit & Financial Matters
How is your credit score calculated?
A Short Review of How your Credit Score is Calculated
The Fair Credit Reporting System and Accurate Transaction Act developed a formula that will rate every credit consumer’s spending history with a personal Credit Score.
What is a Realtor?
Do I need one?
Most real estate experts, including all of us at CasaNuevaGuide.com, strongly recommend that home buyers, especially first-time home buyers consider working with a Realtor.
As a home buyer, it does not cost you anything to use a Realtor.
- The Realtor's fee, or commission, is typically 3% of the purchase price, and is paid by the seller.
- In the case of a new home, the seller is the home builder.
- The price for the buyer should always be the same, whether or not a Realtor is involved in the sale.
- No reputable builder will offer the buyer a lower price for excluding a Realtor from a sale.
How can a Realtor help you?
Here are some facts to consider from the National Association of Realtors.
A Realtor will:
- Help you determine how much home you can afford. A Realtor can also suggest ways to come up with the down payment and can explain alternative financing methods.
- Provide information about current real estate values, taxes, utility costs, etc.
- Access information on all new homes on the market, and can show you those homes best suited to your needs. A Realtor can help you select a home that offers the best price, size, style, features, and location.
- Guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.
- Work for you at his or her own risk. In other words, you are under no obligation to make a purchase, and the Realtor does not get paid a commission if you don't buy a home.
Not every agent is a Realtor
All real estate agents must be licensed by the state to do business, but that does not mean that every real estate agent is a Realtor. A Realtor has taken additional steps to become a member of the local board of Realtors, and has agreed to act under and adhere to a strict code of ethics. Realtors are also committed to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate.
How do you choose a Realtor?
One of the best ways to find a Realtor is to ask your family, friends and co-workers. Most people are very satisfied with their experience in working with a Realtor, in fact, an independent survey found reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same Realtor again. 
To help make sure that a real estate agent is a Realtor, look for this symbol on their business card and other literature.
Another way to find a Realtor is to visit your area Association of Realtors website, where you can search for a Realtor using a number of criteria, including what language(s) they speak.
- Houston Association of Realtors
- Laredo Association of Realtors
- Dallas Ft Worth Association of Realtors
- San Antonio Board of Realtors
CasaNuevaGuide.com has also assembled a listing of Realtors who serve our community. Contact us if you need further assistance in searching for an agent near you.
Neighborhoods & New Home Communities
| A Glance at the Aldine Area in North Houston Aldine, Texas Area Community Centers Melrose Community Center - 1001 Canino Road, Houston, TX - (281) 447-051 Empowerment Community Center - 8333 Sweetwater Lane Houston, TX, (281) 591-8800 [ ... ] |
Construction Underway On Highland Homes Model In West Ranch Construction is underway for Highland Homes’ new model in West Ranch, Friendswood Development Company’s master-planned community located just off FM 518 in the exemplary rated Friendswood Independent School District. The [ ... ] | Other Articles | ||
