Tyler Real Estate Podcast with Danny and Rebecca Burks

Want to sell your Tyler Home? Get a FREE home value reportWant to buy a Tyler Home? Search all homes for sale We get a lot of questions regarding whether people should build new properties or buy resale properties in Tyler. There is not really a straight answer to this question, and it really depends on your specific situation.  The thing about new properties is that they tend to depreciate in value as soon as you move into them - just like cars. If you plan on staying in a new home for a while, you have a good shot at recouping some of the value that you lost. Also, if you're on a tight budget, then building a new home may be difficult. Small things like upgraded light fixtures and granite counter-tops can add up quickly, and before you know it, your budget will be broken. Also, there are lots of extra expenses that don't relate directly to the home. We're talking about landscaping and even the furniture that you choose to fill the home with. These costs can add up extremely quickly. If you're on a tight budget, it may be best to look for a resale home because you know exactly what you're purchasing. No matter if you're looking to build new or buy resale, you should get into contact with us. We are experts in Tyler real estate, and we also have great relationships with builders if you want to design a custom home.  Always refer to us for your real estate needs in Tyler!

Want to sell your Tyler Home? Get a FREE home value report Want to buy a Tyler Home? Search all homes for sale The fall season is in full swing here in Tyler and as many of you know, it's the toughest time of year to keep your pool clean. With the falling leaves comes a hassle of keeping your pool looking nice while your home is on the market, so I want to share a few tips to make it a bit easier on you. When your home is on the market, you're going to attract three different types of people: there are the people who want a swimming pool, people who don't want a pool, and the most important group, the people who are ambivalent about pools. This is the most important group to think of when selling your home, as they could go either way when it comes to buying a home with a pool.   For buyers who are in the middle about buying a home with a pool, it's usually because one spouse really wants a pool while the other spouse isn't crazy about it. It's crucial that your pool is sparkling clean and looking fantastic so that you can win over these in-the-middle buyers! If a pool is grungy and has a lot of leaves and pine needles in it, people are going to decide they don't want a pool based on its appearance. Although it's a tough time of year to keep your pool looking nice, if you're selling, it's crucial to ensure buyers don't get the impression that pools are a hassle. The bottom line is you need to make your pool look crystal-clear, inviting, and like it doesn't need any work. This will help sway those in-between buyers to purchase a home with a pool! It's already more difficult to sell a home with a pool in the winter months, so don't make it any harder on yourself by not taking good care of it. If you have any questions about how you can keep your home looking great while selling, or if you need real estate assistance of any kind, give us a call or shoot us an email. We would love to help in any way we can!

Want to sell your Tyler Home? Get a FREE home value report Want to buy a Tyler Home? Search all homes for sale Many people ask us if they should sell their home in the fall or winter. Do buyers even buy during this time of year? The answer is yes! If you're ready to sell your home, you can absolutely go ahead and sell it this fall. The weather is great, and it's a great time to be out looking at homes. There are even a few things you can do to help sell your home this fall!   The first thing you need to do is add seasonal decorations. Put a few pumpkins around the front door to appeal to the autumnal spirit.   When the leaves start falling, it's important to clear them up. Curb appeal is huge to buyers, so you want to keep everything looking neat and tidy. You can even plant seasonal flowers, like mums, to make your front yard pop. A little bit of color invites buyers to come into your house. If you have any questions about today's video or anything else regarding real estate, give us a call or send me an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Want to sell your Tyler Home? Get a FREE home value report Want to buy a Tyler Home? Search all homes for sale Today we want to talk about whether or not now is the right time to consider renting your home. As real estate agents, we're not just involved in buying and selling homes; here at the Burks team, we have experience in investing in real estate. Rebecca and I turned our first home into a rental property. We rented 10 houses out last month. We also provide a high level of property managing services through our company Crosspointe Management Group. We make sure you meet all the legal requirements, keep track of financial records, and pre-screen tenants. If you would like more information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Want to sell your Tyler Home? Get a FREE home value reportWant to buy a Tyler Home? Search all homes for sale We're often asked by sellers whether or not they need to vacate the home during a sale. The answer to this question will not always be the same, and there are a few different considerations that you'll need to take to find an appropriate solution to this problem. Do you have pets? If so, then you may want to move out of the home while you're trying to sell it. Odors and stains left by pets can really turn buyers away, and the same goes for if you have young children in the home. It may be a good idea to find temporary housing in this case.  Also, if your home needs a lot of remodeling or any sort of repairs, then you may also want to move out of the home to give the workers room to accomplish their tasks. The same goes for if you have old or used furniture in your home - you may just want to get rid of it and stage your home more like a vacant property.  Then again, vacant homes are sometimes a turnoff for buyers. Sometimes they can feel smaller than they really are, and some buyers like to see homes that are lived in so that they can get an idea of what they might be able to do with the property.  If you have any questions or concerns about this issue, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm always here to help you!

Selling your home? Click here for a free Home Value ReportBuying a home? Search all Homes for Sale A lot of people are always asking whether they should sell their home first, or buy a new one and then sell their property. It really is a Catch-22, and the answer is different for everyone depending on your circumstances.  One thing that we recommend to all of our clients is to speak with a lender prior to making a decision. Ask them if you can qualify for two mortgages at one time. If you can afford to do this, then you can just buy a home and worry about selling your other one afterwards. If you cannot afford to pay both mortgages, then you could always rent your property to bide your time until you can move into a new home. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to do this. If this is the case for you, we can just put your home on the market and once it has an offer we can negotiate for a longer move-out period. We can also put some contingencies in place so that your home is sold by the time that you move into another. There are many different ways to get around this obstacle, and we would love to consult with you about your options. The real estate market in Tyler is heating up quickly, so be sure to speak with us soon!

Selling your home? Click here for a free Home Value ReportBuying a home? Search all Homes for Sale   With a busy spring market soon approaching, we wanted to let you know that if you're thinking about purchasing a home in Tyler, then now is the time to do so. Your friends and family can probably provide you with good reasons to buy a home, but we want to explain the financial benefits of owning a home.  Your family may know about your dream home, but they likely don't know your finances and what you might be able to afford. This is where we can help, because if you tell us a little about what you're looking for and what you can afford, we can show you a plethora of potential properties.  An important thing to remember right now is that affordability is at an all-time high right now. Interest rates are sitting at record lows, and new loan products from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac only require a 3% down payment. We do expect prices to rise this spring in Tyler as homes come on the market, so be sure to start looking now.  As always, please refer to us with any questions or concerns that you might have. We're always willing to help you!

Selling your home? Click here for a free Home Value ReportBuying a home? Search all Homes for Sale We want to welcome you to our video blog today. We'll be sharing relevant information with you so that you can make informed decisions about our local market in Tyler. Today we will begin by providing you with a market update.The market has improved dramatically within the past few months, which brings some excitement for 2015.Below the $250K price range, inventory is low and is setting up a seller's market. Buyers in this price range are very active right now because of low interest rates and great new loan products from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.If you're in the $250K-$500K market, you can expect more of a neutral market where neither buyers nor sellers are favored. If you're looking for a home that's more than $500K, you can expect a buyer's market. It's a good time to buy right now because interest rates are down to historic lows, but this will also be a good time to sell because we expect a lot of buyers to come onto the market. If you list your home with us, you can expect a quick sale and a good price. Contact us if you're interested!  If you need help from our team or if you would like to learn more, please don't hesitate to call or email us. We would be happy to assist you.

Want to sell your Tyler Home? Get a FREE home value reportWant to buy a Tyler Home? Search all homes for sale Everyone wants to put a little bit more money in their pocket when they go to sell a home, so today I'll be speaking about seven different ways that you can add value to your home before you sell it.Curb appeal: Studies have shown that you only have 9 seconds to impress a prospective buyer, so you have to make sure that your exterior looks fresh, clean, and inviting.Clutter: Clutter can make your home appear smaller than it really is. Less is more when you go to sell your home.Cleanliness: I cannot stress enough how important it is to have your home sparkling clean. Your home should be so clean that it looks look a newly-built home. Everything should shine.Counter tops: Buyers like to see large counter tops with plenty of space, so clear away any unnecessary clutter that may be crowding them. Closets: Just like your counters, you need to clear out your closets. When they're full of your belongings, they're going to appear much smaller. Get rid of those winter clothes that take up all that room.Color: You might like that lime green bedroom in your home, but potential buyers will probably not. Paint your home uniformly throughout, and paint it with more neutral colors like earth tones. Darker colors can make your home appear smaller, so go for lighter, brighter colors. Critters: Pets in the home can cause smells, stains, and damage. Do everything you can to get rid of the signs of your pets. Put away litter boxes and kennels, and possibly even deep clean your carpets to remove any potential stains.You have to remember that your home is now a commodity that you're trying to sell for the most amount of money. If you can follow these seven C's, then you have a chance to get to the most important C - which is more cash in your pocket. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information if you plan on buying or selling anytime soon in Tyler. It's a great time to be in the market!

Want to sell your Tyler Home? Get a FREE home value reportWant to buy a Tyler Home? Search all homes for sale We have over 30 years of experience in real estate investment, and we would like to share some of our expertise with you. If you're looking to make a sound investment, then look no further than real estate! We started out renting one house in Houston and we now have a portfolio of residential and commercial properties. Real estate investments are some of the most sound and profitable investments around today. Please give us a call if you're interested in speaking with us about our experience investing in real estate or if you'd like to receive a free copy of The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller.  Please don't hesitate to contact us whether you're looking to buy, sell, or invest in Tyler real estate. We're always willing to speak with you!