Home Building & Rehabilitation Trends/Ideas

Last weekend, I attended the Texas Home and Garden Show at Reliant Center in Houston to pick up new trends and ideas, as I dive into residential custom home building and continue home rehabilitations.  These shows are allows filled with vendors who have the latest in technology and energy saving ideas; which  is the direction  I am headed  as I start to build.  Building a highly efficient low maintenance home with a livable (functional) floor plan are my main objectives; as well as making existing homes more energy efficient wherever and whenever possible.

 

I would like to share a few of the things I picked up, and recognize a few vendors & individuals who were more than willing to share their products, services, and knowledge with me.

Probably the most fascinating feature I saw was the “Solar Air Conditioning Systems” offered by Brazos Valley Services.  This unit requires a relatively small solar panel that helps increase the efficiency of your unit when you need it most – during the sunniest times of the day!  I wished I would have gotten the name of the gentleman that explained this system in great detail to me, because he was very knowledgeable and courteous.  You can find out more about these systems at: http://brazosvalleyservices.reachlocal.net/solar-ac-systems/

Speaking of HVAC Systems – I would like to recognize Henry Newsom with One-Hour Air Conditioning & Heating.  Henry listened to my HVAC questions regarding tonnage, zoning, etc. and spent a good 30-45 minutes explaining, educating, and  demonstrating how a system works and how to make  it the most efficient.  Henry also spent time to tell me about the gadgets that are not really necessary, but will generally be “up-sold” to uninformed customers.  Integrity and honesty go a long way in my book, and Henry represented himself and One-Hour Air in both of these areas.  Learn more about One-Hour Air Conditioning & Heating at http://www.onehourhoustonac.com/

Attics are obvious where most of our homes hold heat that make our HVAC systems work hard.  I spent some time talking with Greg Pruitt’s wife with www.rock-cretefoam.com  about the advantages and disadvantages of completely sealing your home with foam insulation; primarily under the roof decking versus radiant barrier.  Although I am still not 100% convinced to go the complete sealed envelope route, I am convinced foam in the walls and ceiling are the only way to go in new construction.

I spent some time with Jim Decker  with  Attic Innovations www.atticinnovations.com speaking about the application of a radiant barrier to preexisting homes – a must if your home does not have a radiant barrier decking, or if you don’t choose to retrofit with foam (my opinion, only use foam  in new construction).  Jim also demonstrated their solar powered attic fans – and speaking of honesty and integrity – he admitted that the fans will most likely need to be replaced every 7-10 years.  Not bad when  you consider the savings, though.

Lastly, I would like to recognize Doc Greene with Pet Floors of Houston www.petfloors.com.  You have seen these floors in many places, but just didn’t know it!  They look like real wood, and are just as beautiful – however, they are much more durable and virtually maintenance free with a lifespan that will outlive any other flooring I have seen.  I plan on using these floors in most of my rehabilitation projects, whether there are pets in the house, or not!

I hope you take the time to go through these vendors’ web sites and learn more about their products.  I don't get any referral fees or kickbacks from them – in fact, they didn’t even know I was going to mention them in my blog!  I just enjoy sharing information about individuals and companies that appear to be upfront and  honest – they  were all out at the home show just trying to earn a living – rather than sitting at home waiting for the government to give them food, clothes, or healthcare.  Any chance I get to recognize hard working honest Americans, I love to do so.

 

For more commentary from Julius, pick up a copy of his book entitled “The Truths and Myths of Real Estate” – available at LuLu.com at:  http://www.lulu.com/shop/julius-zatopek/the-truths-myths-of-real-estate/paperback/product-21118216.html

Franchises vs. Independents

There will always be discussions and comparisons of agents that belong to large franchised firms and agents that belong to independent firms.  As an independent broker that formally managed a Coldwell Banker branch office and owned two RE/MAX franchises during my first 10 years in the industry, I feel I am qualified to debate the topic with clarity and competency.

In years past, prior to the internet, it was important for agents to belong to large franchised firms so that their listings would get the most exposure.  Listings were kept in large MLS books that may or may not have been updated, regularly, and firms always tried to show potential buyers their own listings. 

After the internet, it was still important for agents to belong to large franchised firms because basically the firm’s web sites simply replaced the listing books; but updating and other office listings were still few, if any, and the large firms had the most listings. 

However, a few years ago, many MLS’s such as HAR and most real estate firms became a part of IDX (Internet Data Exchange) which changed everything!  Now, when an agent enters a listing in HAR, regardless of what firm they belong to, it is automatically seen on thousands of web sites – like REALTOR.com, Zillow, Trulia, Homes.com, etc.!  For example: as an independent broker, when I enter a property in HAR; it can be seen on the same thousands of web sites as a large franchised firm’s listings – AND, it is also  seen on most of the large firms web sites,  as well; such as Coldwell  Banker, RE/MAX,  Keller Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, etc.  As long as the firm, and most do, participates in IDX technology.

Therefore, no longer is belonging to a franchise a highly important criteria when a potential buyer or seller is looking for an agent or broker to represent them; what is more important is competency, character, trustworthiness, and capability.

For agents however, there are some definite times in their career when they should seek to join a large franchised firm; especially if they have been in the business for less than five years.  Large firms can offer valuable training and guidance that I feel our industry should manage more closely.  Another area I feel extremely confident in discussing; mainly because I mentored, coached, and trained a large portion of the successful agents in the Southwest Fort Bend County area.

 

For more commentary from Julius, pick up a copy of his book entitled “The Truths and Myths of Real Estate” – available at LuLu.com at:  http://www.lulu.com/shop/julius-zatopek/the-truths-myths-of-real-estate/paperback/product-21118216.html

Selecting your Real Estate Agent - What most Agents don't want you to know!

When selecting a real estate professional, there are several questions you should ask yourself and several you should ask the agents you interview.  Much like retaining an attorney, a CPA, or Financial Advisor; retaining a real estate professional should be approached with caution and with great care.  The real estate professional you select is going to assist you with one of your largest financial purchases or sells, if not your largest, so this step should not be taken lightly.

According to the NAR Members surveyed by NAR in 2013:

Ø  Only 77% stated real estate is their only occupation

Ø  56% are affiliated with an Independent firm, and 44% are members of a franchised subsidiary of a national or regional corporation

 

Ø  The average years of experience of sales agents is 13, and brokers average 20 or more years

 

Ø  The average residential specialist averaged just 12 transactions in past 12 months

 

Ø  8% did not have single transaction in 2012

 

Ø  83% did not have more than 20 transactions in 2012

 

Ø  Primary Specialty: 79% Residential, 7 % Commercial, 2% Land/Development, 1% Relocation

 

Ø  In the past 12 months, 51% had a transaction involving a foreclosure and 44% had a short sale transaction, but only 21% have received certification in either of these areas

Five Critical Questions to ask a real estate professional:

1.       Are you familiar with this area?  If so, how many transactions have you closed in the past 36 months in this area and can I get a list of these transactions?

2.       Do you specialize in (residential, commercial, farm & ranch, etc.) transactions?  If so, how many (residential, commercial, farm & ranch, etc.) transactions have you closed in the past 36 months and can I get a list of these transactions?

3.       How many years (not months, weeks, or hours) have you been in the real estate business, full-time?  Or, how many years has real estate been your only full-time career?

4.       Is real estate your primary job?

5.       Is real estate your only job?

Summary

·         Choose your agent wisely – one that is familiar, very familiar, with the area

·         Choose an agent that specializes in the type of real estate you plan to sell or acquire.

·         Choose an agent that has closed at least 24 transactions in the past 12 months and has been in business for at least 3 years.

·         Choose an agent whose primary occupation is real estate. 

This was an excerpt from Chapter 2 of Julius' book entitled “The Truths and Myths of Real Estate”  - For the complete commentary pick up a copy of his book available at LuLu.com at:  http://www.lulu.com/shop/julius-zatopek/the-truths-myths-of-real-estate/paperback/product-21118216.html