Briargate

Briargate Real Estate Homes For Sale, Rent & Price Trends

Shayne Stone "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor" that helps Home Sellers make a Profit and Home Buyers Equity in Briargate neighborhood / subdivision / community which is located in Missouri City Texas 77489 in Fort Bend County. Briargate has 2,425 single family properties with a median build year of 1978 and a median size of 1,602 Sqft., these home values range between $89 - $148 K. The sqft. price change data is available through 1998. The median sold price/sqft is $89.03 while the median appraised value is $ 73.25/ sqft. View homes for sale or rent in Briargate and see new homes, trending properties, Foreclosures and much more.

Sometimes there's nothing listed For Sale in Briargate - Bookmark the page and check back often or create your own Listing Alert System to Notify you when a property in Briargate Missouri City Texas 77489 hits the Market!

Find Briargate Real Estate and Briargate Homes For Sale. Briargate in Fort Bend County can be found using Neighborhood Information Finder. Detailed information includes Briargate Real Estate Profile, Briargate Trending Homes, Schools Nearby Briargate, Places Nearby Briargate and Events Nearby Briargate. Click here to find recently sold properties in Briargate, Foreclosures in Briargate, recently listed homes in Briargate.

Briargate is a subdivision located in Fort Bend County which is within the Texas. The Briargate subdivision is surrounded with restaurants, education opportunities, entertainment venues, shopping and more. See below for more information on the surrounding resources for the Briargate subdivision.

 

Can't FIND what you are looking for, ASK ME - I CAN HELP!

 

Briargate Real Estate Overview:

• The average price of the homes for sale in Briargate is $ 174,828.
• The average square feet of the homes in Briargate is 1,602 sqft.
• The average rent in Briargate is $ 1,317 at an average price of 1 per square foot.

 

For more info on Briargate of Missouri City Texas or any of the other Communities within the Fort Bend County area CLICK HERE or Text / Call 832-449-6060

Your #LocalRealtor #ShayneStone of #ChampionsRealEstateGroup #HomeSelling #HomeBuying in #Briargate of #MissouriCityTexas

Modern Materials for Modern Countertops

The countertops in your kitchen can make a big difference in how your kitchen looks overall. If you’re tired of your kitchen looking old and dated, updating your countertops is a great way to completely revitalize its look. There are a number of materials used in modern countertops that will help your kitchen stand out. Here are just a few options to consider if you really want to give things a modern look.

Countertop Materials

Soapstone
Stone surfaces have long been a favorite material for kitchen countertops, but soapstone has come into its own in recent years. It’s heat and stain resistant like granite, non-porous (and thus liquid resistant), and has a softer texture than you’ll find with many stone surfaces. Just be careful, as there are two actually different materials that are sometimes called soapstone; one of these is talc, which isn’t going to give you the surface that you’re looking for. The soapstone that you want to get is steatite, which fortunately is much more common when shopping for countertop materials.

Leathered Granite
Granite has been popular as a counter surface for years, but has always had the drawback of being a porous material, meaning you have to be careful with spills. Leathered granite solves this problem while giving the classic stone a modern update as well. The surface of the granite is slightly roughed by diamond-tipped brushes, enhancing the stone’s natural color while cutting back on some of the shine and closing those infamous pores. The end result is a durable stone countertop with a unique look and a slight texture that really does feel similar to leather.

Engineered Quartz
Like granite, quartz has been used as a countertop material for years. So what’s the deal with engineered quartz? Unlike traditional quartz countertops, these are made with ground quartz mixed with resins to create a very hard and natural-looking surface. Colors can be added to create tints to match a wide range of decorating styles. Engineered quartz resists staining, corrosion, and damage from most cleaners. Just keep in mind that, like natural quartz, these countertops can still be damaged by heat.

Solid-Surface Acrylics
There are a few different brands of solid-surface acrylic countertops available, notably including Corian and Swanstone. These countertops mix acrylics with resin to create a stain-resistant surface that’s available in a wide range of colors, and that can be sanded to repair scratches or other small bits of damage. Perhaps more importantly, the man-made nature of these countertops means that they can be easily customized to meet the specific needs of your home. Their main drawback is that they tend to be vulnerable to heat damage, given that they are still made of plastic.

Concrete
Over the last several years, concrete countertops have become very popular in modern kitchens. They can be made on-site to ensure that they match your unique kitchen perfectly, and their dense nature means your countertops can take a beating without suffering much damage. Textures, acid-stained colors, and more can be added to the countertops during the creation process, and additives or sealants can significantly reduce the porosity of the concrete itself. These countertops do occasionally have issues with cracking, though modern methods have reduced this significantly. Even when they do crack, however, most concrete countertops can be repaired on-site.

Countertop Installation

While some materials make for good DIY projects, many countertop revamps require a bit more experience to make sure that installation goes flawlessly. Fortunately, HomeKeepr is here to help where you can find the perfect countertop expert to bring your kitchen in to the modern age.

Turn to an Expert for the Best Advice, Not Perfect Advice

Turn to an Expert for the Best Advice, Not Perfect Advice

As we approach the anniversary of the hardships we've faced through this pandemic and the subsequent recession, its normal to reflect on everything that's changed and wonder what's ahead for 2021. While there are signs of economic recovery as vaccines are being issued, we still have a long way to go. Its at times like these we want exact information about anything were doing. That information brings knowledge, and this gives us a sense of relief and comfort in uncertain times.

If you're thinking about buying or selling a home today, the same need for information is very real. But, because its such a big step in our lives, that desire for clear information is even greater in the homebuying or selling process. Given the current level of overall anxiety, we want that advice to be truly perfect. The challenge is, no one can give you perfect advice. Experts can, however, give you the best advice possible.

Lets say you need an attorney, so you seek out an expert in the type of law required for your case. When you go to her office, she wont immediately tell you how the case is going to end or how the judge or jury will rule. If she could, that would be perfect advice. What a good attorney can do, however, is discuss with you the most effective strategies you can take. She may recommend one or two approaches she believes will be best for your case.

Shell then leave you to make the decision on which option you want to pursue. Once you decide, she can help you put a plan together based on the facts at hand. Shell help you achieve the best possible resolution and make whatever modifications in the strategy are necessary to guarantee that outcome. That's an example of the best advice possible.

The role of a real estate professional is just like the role of a lawyer. An agent cant give you perfect advice because its impossible to know exactly what's going to happen throughout the transaction especially in this market.

An agent can, however, give you the best advice possible based on the information and situation at hand, guiding you through the process to help you make the necessary adjustments and best decisions along the way. An agent will lead you to the best offer available. That's exactly what you want and deserve.

Bottom Line

If you're thinking of buying or selling this year, lets connect to make sure you get the best advice possible.

 

 

Bradford Village

Bradford Village Real Estate Homes For Sale, Rent & Price Trends

Shayne Stone "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor" that helps Home Sellers make a Profit and Home Buyers Equity in Bradford Village neighborhood / subdivision / community which is located in Missouri City Texas 77489 in Fort Bend County. Bradford Village has 116 single family properties with a median build year of 2005 and a median size of 2,162 Sqft., these home values range between $145 - $190 K. The sqft. price change data is available through 1998. The median sold price/sqft is $92.25 while the median appraised value is $ 78.16/ sqft. View homes for sale or rent in Bradford Village and see new homes, trending properties, Foreclosures and much more.

Sometimes there's nothing listed For Sale in Bradford Village - Bookmark the page and check back often or create your own Listing Alert System to Notify you when a property in Bradford Village Missouri City Texas 77489 hits the Market!

Find Bradford Village Real Estate and Bradford Village Homes For Sale. Bradford Village in Fort Bend County can be found using Neighborhood Information Finder. Detailed information includes Bradford Village Real Estate Profile, Bradford Village Trending Homes, Schools Nearby Bradford Village, Places Nearby Bradford Village and Events Nearby Bradford Village. Click here to find recently sold properties in Bradford Village, Foreclosures in Bradford Village, recently listed homes in Bradford Village.

Bradford Village is a subdivision located in Fort Bend County which is within the Texas. The Bradford Village subdivision is surrounded with restaurants, education opportunities, entertainment venues, shopping and more. See below for more information on the surrounding resources for the Bradford Village subdivision.

 

Can't FIND what you are looking for, ASK ME - I CAN HELP!

 

Bradford Village Real Estate Overview:

• The average price of the homes for sale in Bradford Village is $ 195,000.
• The average square feet of the homes in Bradford Village is 2,162 sqft.

 

For more info on Bradford Village of Missouri City Texas or any of the other Communities within the Fort Bend County area CLICK HERE or Text / Call 832-449-6060

 

Your #LocalRealtor #ShayneStone of #ChampionsRealEstateGroup #HomeSelling #HomeBuying in #BradfordVillage of #MissouriCityTexas

 

Want to Build Wealth? Buy a Home This Year.

Every year, households across the country make the decision to rent for another year or take the leap into homeownership. They look at their earnings and savings and then decide what makes the most financial sense. That equation will most likely take into consideration monthly housing costs, tax advantages, and other incremental expenses. Using these measurements, recent studies show that its still more affordable to own than rent in most of the country.

There is, however, another financial advantage to owning a home that's often forgotten in the analysis the wealth built through equity when you own a home.

Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist for First American, discusses this point in a recent blog post. She explains:

Once you include the equity benefit of price appreciation, owning made more financial sense than renting in 48 out of the 50 top markets, with the only exceptions being San Francisco and San Jose, Calif.

What has this equity piece meant to homeowners in the past?

ATTOM Data Solutions, the curator of one of the nations premier property databases, just analyzed the typical home-price gain owners nationwide enjoyed when they sold their homes. Here's a breakdown of their findings:The typical gain in the sale of the home (equity) has increased significantly over the last five years.

CoreLogic, another property data curator, also weighed in on the subject. According to their latest Homeowner Equity Insights Report, the average homeowner gained $17,000 in equity in just the last year alone.

What does the future look like for homeowners when it comes to equity?

Here are the seven major home price appreciation forecasts for 2021:The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just reported that today, the median-priced home in the country sells for $309,800. If homes appreciate by 5% this year (the average of the forecasts), the homeowner will increase their wealth by $15,490 in 2021 through increased equity.

Bottom Line

As you make your plans for the coming year, be sure to consider the equity benefits of home price appreciation as you weigh the financial advantages of buying over renting. When you do, you may find this is the perfect time to jump into homeownership.

 

Do I Really Need a 20% Down Payment to Buy a Home?

Is the idea of saving for a down payment holding you back from buying a home right now? You may be eager to take advantage of todays low mortgage rates, but the thought of needing a large down payment might make you want to pump the brakes. Today, there's still a common myth that you have to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment. This means people who could buy a home may be putting their plans on hold because they don't have that much saved yet. The reality is, whether you're looking for your first home or you've purchased one before, you most likely don't need to put 20% down. Here's why.

According to Freddie Mac:

The most damaging down payment myth since it stops the homebuying process before it can start is the belief that 20% is necessary.

If saving that much money sounds daunting, potential homebuyers might give up on the dream of homeownership before they even begin but they don't have to.

Data in the 2020 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicates that the median down payment actually hasn't been over 20% since 2005, and even then, that was for repeat buyers, not first-time homebuyers. As the image below shows, todays median down payment is clearly less than 20%.

What does this mean for potential homebuyers?

As we can see, the median down payment was lowest for first-time buyers with the 2020 percentage coming in at 7%. If you're a first-time buyer and putting down 7% still seems high, understand that there are programs that allow qualified buyers to purchase a home with a down payment as low as 3.5%. There are even options like VA loans and USDA loans with no down payment requirements for qualified applicants.

Its important for potential homebuyers (whether they're repeat or first-time buyers) to know they likely don't need to put down 20% of the purchase price, but they do need to do their homework to understand the options available. Be sure to work with trusted professionals from the start to learn what you may qualify for in the homebuying process.

Bottom Line

Don't let down payment myths keep you from hitting your homeownership goals. If you're hoping to buy a home this year, lets connect to review your options.

Best Materials for Refinishing Stairs

Staircases tend to capture the eye because of the way they transcend from one level to the next. If your stairs have seen better days, though, you might not like the message that your staircase is sending. Whether you’re simply tired of the way that they look, or your stairs are starting to fall into a bit of disrepair, refinishing and revitalizing your stairs will have to come sooner or later.

Stair Materials

Here are a few ideas that you should keep in mind when trying to figure out the best way to give your stairs new life.

Stained Stairs
If you have wooden stairs that you’re trying to retain the beauty of, there are a number of stains that can give the wood just the nudge it needs to reclaim its lost glory. This can require a lot of prep work, as you want to remove the ground-in dirt from the years of use that your stairs have seen to bring out their best when you stain. It’s usually recommended that you sand, clean, and sand again before you start staining. Since stairs tend to be high-traffic areas, you’ll want to apply a water-based finish after your stain dries, then sand and repeat the process an additional time or two. It’s a lot of work, but it will definitely be worth it in the end.

Painted Stairs
If you don’t feel like doing all that work staining, you can take a slightly easier route and paint the stairs instead. There’s still a lot of prep work involved, and you’ll likely need to put down at least two coats, but you probably won’t end up doing quite as much sanding, and you’ll also be able to avoid some of the finishing as well. If you’re worried about slick surfaces, you can also mix in sand or similar materials into the final coat to create a rougher texture that prevents slipping. Best of all, you can customize the look of your stairs in ways that you couldn’t with stain.

Carpeted Stairs
There are a few different ways that you can approach carpeting on stairs. The entire staircase can be carpeted, you can put strips of carpet on each tread, or you can use runners that go down the middle of the staircase while still leaving some wood exposed on either side. The important things to remember are that you should always use a low-pile carpet on stairs, and it needs to be secured firmly to keep from becoming a tripping hazard. You should also avoid using carpet on stairs that descend into a basement or other damp areas, as you can run into problems with mildew.

Vinyl and Rubber Treads
If you want to make sure that you have the most slip resistance possible, there are a variety of vinyl and rubber stair treads available. Some of these are designed specifically for internal use, while others are designed for either internal or external installation. Many of these are designed with function taking priority over fashion, though a variety of colors and designs are available for those wanting to avoid ugly black mats. Some of these treads can even match the major colors in your home, giving you extra security while going up and down without sacrificing aesthetics completely.

Stone Staircases
An often-overlooked stair material that can add a splash of elegance to your home is stone. Materials like marble or granite can replace the wood treads and risers that you’re used to, matching well with tile or stone floors in other parts of the house. Just be sure to avoid placing stone stairs in areas where they are likely to stay wet, since some stone materials become slick or retain moisture due to their porous nature.

Bringing Your Stairs to Life

Redoing your stairs is a big job, but there are pros out there to help! Sign up for a free HomeKeepr account today to find professionals in your area who can help you choose the best way to refinish your stairs and make sure that it’s done right the first time.

 

Why Owning a Home Is a Powerful Financial Decision

In todays housing market, there are clear financial benefits to owning a home: increasing equity, the chance to build your net worth, and appreciating home values, just to name a few. If you're a renter, its never too early to think about how homeownership can propel you toward a stronger future. Here's a dive into three often-overlooked financial benefits of homeownership and how preparing for them now can steer you in the direction of greater financial security and savings.

1. You Wont Always Have a Monthly Housing Payment

Personal finance advisor Dave Ramsey explains:

Every payment brings you closer to owning the house. When you pay your rent, that money is spent. Gone. Bye. Not returning. But when you pay your mortgage, you work toward full ownership.

As a homeowner, you can eventually eliminate the monthly payment you make on your house. That's a huge win and a big factor in how homeownership can drive stability and savings in your life. As soon as you buy a home, your monthly housing costs begin to work for you as forced savings in the form of equity. When you build equity and grow your net worth, you can continue to reinvest those savings into your future, maybe even by buying that next dream home. The possibilities are truly endless.

2. Homeownership Is a Tax Break

One thing people who have never owned a home don't always think about are the tax advantages of homeownership. The same article states:

You have tax advantages. Many of the costs of owning a homelike property taxes are tax deductible. And if you're paying off a mortgage, you'll get to count your mortgage interest as a deduction when you file your tax return.

Whether you're living in your first home or your fifth, its a huge financial advantage to have some tax relief tied to the interest you pay each year. Its one thing you definitely don't get when you're renting. Be sure to work with a tax professional to get the best possible benefits on your annual return.

3. Monthly Housing Costs Are Predictable

A third benefit is the fact that monthly costs start to become more predictable with homeownership, something that doesn't happen if you're renting. Ramsey also notes:

Rent rates will go up. Even if you found a killer deal in a hot area, inflation, competition, and rising property values will cause your rent to go up year after year.

With a mortgage, you can keep your monthly housing costs relatively steady and predictable. Your monthly costs are most likely based on a fixed-rate mortgage, which allows you to budget your finances over a longer period of time. Rental prices have been skyrocketing since 2012, and with todays low mortgage rates, its a great time to get more for your money when purchasing a home. If you want to lock-in your monthly payment at a low rate and have a solid understanding of what you're going to spend in your mortgage payment each month, buying a home may be your best bet.

Bottom Line

If you're ready to start feeling the benefits of stability, savings, and predictability that come with owning a home, lets connect to determine if buying sooner rather than later is right for you.

 

Bolton Estates

Bolton Estates Real Estate Homes For Sale, Rent & Price Trends

Shayne Stone "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor" that helps Home Sellers make a Profit and Home Buyers Equity in Bolton Estates neighborhood / subdivision / community which is located in Missouri City Texas 77489 in Fort Bend county. Bolton Estates has 41 single family properties with a median build year of 1992 and a median size of 2,290 Sqft., these home values range between $156 - $227 K. The sqft. price change data is available through 1998. The median appraised value is $ 78.55/ sqft. View homes for sale or rent in Bolton Estates and see new homes, trending properties, Foreclosures and much more.

Sometimes there's nothing listed For Sale in Bolton Estates - Bookmark the page and check back often or create your own Listing Alert System to Notify you when a property in Bolton Estates Missouri City Texas 77489 hits the Market!

Find Bolton Estates Real Estate and Bolton Estates Homes For Sale. Bolton Estates in Fort Bend County can be found using Neighborhood Information Finder. Detailed information includes Bolton Estates Real Estate Profile, Bolton Estates Trending Homes, Schools Nearby Bolton Estates, Places Nearby Bolton Estates and Events Nearby Bolton Estates. Click here to find recently sold properties in Bolton Estates, Foreclosures in Bolton Estates, recently listed homes in Bolton Estates.

Bolton Estates is a subdivision located in Fort Bend County which is within the Texas. The Bolton Estates subdivision is surrounded with restaurants, education opportunities, entertainment venues, shopping and more. See below for more information on the surrounding resources for the Bolton Estates subdivision.

 

Can't FIND what you are looking for, ASK ME - I CAN HELP!

 

For more info on Bolton Estates of Missouri City Texas or any of the other Communities within the Fort Bend County area CLICK HERE or Text / Call 832-449-6060

Your #LocalRealtor #ShayneStone of #ChampionsRealEstateGroup #HomeSelling #HomeBuying in #BoltonEstates of #MissouriCityTexas

Why Moving May Be Just the Boost You Need

As we look back over the past year, we've certainly lived through one of the most stressful periods in recent history. After spending so much more time at home throughout the health crisis, some are wondering if they should move to improve their mental health and well-being. This is no surprise since the U.S. Census Bureau reported an increase in the percentage of adults with symptoms of anxiety and depression in a recent Household Pulse Survey.

There's logic behind the idea that making a move could improve someone's quality of life. When people change their scenery, they often feel happier. Catherine Hartley, an Assistant Professor at New York University's Department of Psychology and co-author of a study on how new experiences impact happiness, mentioned:

Our results suggest that people feel happier when they have more variety in their daily routines when they go to novel places and have a wider array of experiences.

If you're looking for a new experience, planning a move into a new home may be something you've started to consider more carefully. If so, you're not alone. The 2020 Annual National Movers Study by United Van Lines shows:

For customers who cited COVID-19 as an influence on their move in 2020, the top reasons associated with COVID-19 were concerns for personal and family health and wellbeing (60%); desires to be closer to family (59%); 57% moved due to changes in employment status or work arrangement (including the ability to work remotely); and 53% desired a lifestyle change or improvement of quality of life.

So, if you're thinking of moving this year to help boost your happiness factor, here are a few questions to ask yourself as you make your decision.

How's the Weather?

Is the weather something that's important to you? Does it have a tendency to impact your mood? The World Population Review shares:

What states have the best weather? When evaluating each state for temperature, rain, and sun, some states stand out. Although climate and weather preferences are personal and subjective, some criteria are considered to make up the best weather, according to Current Results:

• Comfortable temperatures from 63F to 86F for more than half of the year.
• Dry weather with no more than 60 inches of rain per year.
• Mostly clear skies with an average of sunshine for at least 60% of the year.

Better weather can mean different things to different people some prefer the heat, others cooler temperatures, and some want to experience all four seasons. Think about what makes you feel happiest if you're looking for a new location.

Should I Choose the City, Suburbs, or Country?

With the COVID-19 pandemic, some people are deciding to move to lower-density areas. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), mentions:

The third quarter Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) reveals that a suburban shift for consumer home buying preferences in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating as telecommuting is providing consumers more flexibility to live further out within large metros or even to relocate to more affordable, smaller metro areas.

Can you work from home? Are you open to a longer commute in the future? If so, a move to the suburbs or even a quieter rural area may be a win for you. Or, if you've always dreamed of life in the city, now may be your chance to move into town.

Bottom Line

As we look beyond the trials of the pandemic, many are hoping for a new beginning, and that may mean moving. Lets connect today to talk about your new goals and options in todays market.