Zatopek Properties - Real Estate News

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Removing the Stress and Uncertainty!

Removing the Stress and Uncertainty of Selling!

The way sellers currently sell their homes in Texas is about to be disrupted and enhanced, dramatically! The same way Airbnb disrupted the hotel industry, the way Uber disrupted the public transportation industry, the way Amazon disrupted the retail industry – the Real Estate industry is about to see a much-needed overhaul & our team at Zatopek Properties is on-board and ready to embrace the concept!

The Real Estate industry is already being disrupted with the numerous iBuyer platforms in other locations around the United States and the UK.

In a nutshell, here’s how it works:

1. You decide you want or need to sell your home

2. You contact us (an iBuyer company) to evaluate your property and give you a fair opinion of market value

3. We prepare an “on-the-spot” offer to purchase your property

Then,

· You get to decide:

o do you want to accept our offer and move forward, or

o do you want to go through the traditional listing/selling process

· Based on your decision, we get your property sold with either of the above processes

The take-way: You’re in total control of your selling decision!

So just like you, I was skeptical. I have spent the last several months trying to shoot holes in the iBuyer concept. However, the more I researched it and the more I tried to discredit the concept; the more I liked it and felt it is a much-needed platform to give sellers an alternative to the current selling process by traditional real estate agents & the current processes used by real estate investors that are trying to buy property at a huge discount.

iBuyers do not heavily discount the purchase price nor do they charge a real estate commission. Their offers usually include a service fee typically ranging from 6-14% and they typically buy the property “as-is”. They will have the property inspected, but unless there are major property issues not previously noticed & included in their initial offer, they will typically not ask you, the seller, to do any repairs or updates.

So why would a seller consider selling to an iBuyer, rather than going through the traditional listing/selling process?

· Reduces Stress of selling

· Reduces Uncertainty of selling

· Reduces Time (days on market)

· Allows you the flexibility to determine your move out date

· Allows you the opportunity to purchase another home without a contingency to sell yours (It’s already SOLD!)

However, this platform is not for all sellers.

Some sellers still like having strangers walk through their home, look in their closets, open all their drawers, peer at their personal photos, etc.

If not, then give us a call today (281) 342-1997 so we can discuss in more detail.

Compliments of;

Julius F Zatopek III – Broker/Owner

Find us at: www.ZatopekProperties.com

Notices:

Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice

Information About Broker Services

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Cost vs. Value Report

Every year Remodeling Magazine produces their Cost vs. Value Report*: http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2018/

This is a valuable tool in every homeowners toolbelt when trying to determine the recaptured costs of updating and/or remodeling their home for resale value.

Topping the list in the midrange homes is Insulation. This is often an area that is totally overlooked, mainly because it is not a cosmetic upgrade that can be immediately seen. However, the cost to add insulation, ventilation, radiant barrier, etc. is minimal. You not only see the savings in utility bills every month, but you typically can recoup the majority if the cost in resale!

We recently added 4 inches of fiberglass blown in insulation in the attic, added two solar powered attic fans (which we will be able to use for a tax rebate), added an insulated attic door cover, and had radiant barrier sprayed on the underside of our roof deck. The total cost was very reasonable, and the work came with a Lifetime Transferrable Warranty! We used Attic Innovations, whom I would highly recommend: http://www.atticinnovations.com/

Many other projects, such as bathroom & kitchen remodels are always high on the list. But a couple other low-cost items (relatively speaking) that many homeowners fail to recognize as cost vs. value items are Front Doors and Garage Doors. Replacing your front door with a high-end fiberglass or steel door adds a dramatic affect to the curb appeal, as well as a high-end wood looking Garage Door!

Find us at: www.ZatopekProperties.com

Notices:

Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice

Information About Broker Services

* The information is copyrighted, so download your own copy of this invaluable report at: http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2018/

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

I’ll Never Pay More than List Price!

I’ll Never Pay More than List Price!

Many homebuyers are not willing to pay more than the seller’s asking price, and who can blame them. Because everyone knows that sellers always list their home for more than they really want to leave a little “wiggle” room, right? WRONG!

According to Zillow, buyers in 2017 paid more than the asking price 24% of the time for all U.S. home sales — a 6.2 percentage point increase from 2012!*

In Houston, 32.6% of all home sales in 2017 were sold over list price with a median of $9,796 over the asking price!*

So why would anyone pay more than list price? Several reasons, low inventory of available homes has been the number one contributing factor. As a buyer, you have selected the area you’d like to live; maybe because of a particular school district, or proximity to work, etc. Therefore, you are in competition with hundreds of other buyers that are just as qualified to purchase a new listing. In an effort to leverage your offer and more it more attractive, you choose to pay a premium.

Absolutely nothing wrong with making an offer more than list price, as long as your real estate agent has done their homework for you. A competent real estate agent should prepare a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis) which should help you decide if the property is priced fairly. With the increasing prices in the Houston area, a premium price may be worthwhile and justifiable.

So if you can justify your offer, don’t be afraid to offer more than list price for the home you want. If you don’t, you may end up with a home you really didn’t want, or worse yet, no home at all!

*Find a full article and table at: https://www.inman.com/2018/01/11/how-high-will-homebuyers-go/?utm_source=dailyheadlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=localnewsletter&utm_term=&utm_content=654853_national_textlink_14

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Summary

2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Summary

Provided by: Monica J. Sedillo, CPA

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law on December 22^nd. Here is a summary of the tax law changes regarding Individual Tax Returns, which are effective with tax years beginning January 1, 2018.

Individuals

New Income Tax Brackets

Married Filing Jointly

i. 10% Not over $19,050

ii. 12% $19,050 - $77,400

iii. 22% $77,400 - $165,000

iv. 24% $165,000 - $315,000

v. 32% $315,000 - $400,000

vi. 35% $400,000 - $600,000

vii. 37% Over $600,000

Single

i. 10% Not over $9,525

ii. 12% $9,525 - $38,700

iii. 22% $38,700 - $82,500

iv. 24% $82,500 - $157,500

v. 32% $157,500 - $200,000

vi. 35% $200,000 - $500,000

vii. 37% Over $500,000

Head of Household

i. 10% Not over $13,600

ii. 12% $13,600 - $51,800

iii. 22% $51,800 - $82,500

iv. 24% $82,500 - $157,500

v. 32% $157,500 - $200,000

vi. 35% $200,000 - $500,000

vii. 37% Over $500,000

Married Filing Separately

i. 10% Not over $9,525

ii. 12% $9,525 - $38,700

iii. 22% $38,700 - $82,500

iv. 24% $82,500 - $157,500

v. 32% $157,500 - $200,000

vi. 35% $200,000 - $300,000

vii. 37% Over $300,000

Standard Deduction Increased

Single $6,500 - $12,000
Married Filing Separately $6,500 - $12,000
Head of Household $9,550 - $18,000
Married Filing Jointly $13,000 - $24,000

Personal Exemptions Suspended
Capital Gains Rates Set at 0%, 15% and 20%
New Deduction for Pass-through Entities (i.e. S-Corporation and Partnership Income)

20% deduction (with limitations)

i. 50% of W-2 wages, or

ii. 25% of W-2 wages paid plus 2.5% of the unadjusted basis of “qualified property”.

iii. Phases out beginning at AGI of $315,000 for MFJ, $157,500 for others

Child Tax Credit Increased

Increased to $2,000 per Child
Phase Out increased to AGI of $400,000 MFJ and $200,000 for all others
$500 nonrefundable credit provided for certain non-child dependents
Up to $1400 per qualifying child is refundable

State, local and foreign property taxes (including sales tax) are only deductible by businesses.
Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions Suspended (i.e. Tax Preparer Fee)
Limitation on total Itemized Deductions Suspended
Threshold for deducting Medial Expenses is reduced from 10% of AGI to 7.5% of AGI.
Individual Shared Responsibility Payment (Obamacare Penalty) has been repealed.
The Act leaves intact the 3.8% net investment income tax and the 0.9% additional Medicare tax, both enacted by Obamacare.
Alternative Minimum Tax Exemption Increased

For joint returns and surviving spouses, $109,400.
For single taxpayers, $70,300.
For married filing separately, $54,700.

Expanded Use of 529 Account Funds - “Qualified higher education expenses” include tuition at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school.

This is just a summary, and there are more changes that may or may not directly affect you. There will be clarifications coming from the IRS on many of the changes as the year continues. Please feel free to contact your personal CPA with questions, clarification, or validation.

Thanks to our personal accountant for supplying this valuable summary! If you do not have a CPA, or looking for a change, I highly recommend Monica - she has been our CPA for many years. She can be reached at:

Monica J. Sedillo, CPA

P.O. Box 3211

Lake Jackson, TX 77566

Phone: (979) 533-7760

Fax (979) 234-0523

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

5 Rules of Goal-Setting

The 5 Rules of Goal-Setting

The year has ended and it’s time to start planning for next year. Having a target to reach becomes critical in your ability to achieve more. Start writing down your goals. There are hundreds of studies that prove writing down goals make them that much more attainable.

Entrepreneurs often set expectations incredibly high and the goals they set are designed to match those lofty expectations. But how do we entrepreneurs know if the goals we’re setting for ourselves are realistic and even attainable? The answer is, know the five golden rules of goal-setting.

1. Set goals that motivate you

2. Set SMART goals.

3. Write down your goals.

4. Put a plan in action

5. Work the plan.

1. Set goals that motivate you

When you set a goal, it has to mean something, and there has to be a value to achieving it. If the outcome is of little to no importance to you, then the chances of your putting in the work are next to none. Start with the goals that are highest on your priority list. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done, so start simple. Break down your goals into your top three, or top five, overall goals, the ones with the highest sense of urgency.

2. Set SMART goals.

You have heard of these, but it’s always useful to have a refresher. If you haven’t heard about this acronym, here’s what it stands for:

· Specific

· Measurable

· Achieveable

· Realistic

· Time bound

Specific. Your goals need to be as specific as possible, because otherwise they won’t give you enough direction to follow through.

Measurable. Give yourself realistic deadlines to finish the task at hand. Adding specific dates, amounts, etc., makes your progress quantifiable. For example, instead of saying “Reduce expenses,” say something like, “Reduce expenses by 10 percent in the next 12 months.” That gives you a fixed amount, a time frame to complete your goal and visualize a finish line.

Achievable. Be honest with yourself. Set realistic and manageable goals. Decide what you want to accomplish in a day, in a week, in a month, and in a year. When you’re done, take a break! (see time-bound)

Realistic. Align your goals with the direction you want your life and career to take. Balancing the alignment between long-term and short-term will give you the focus you’ll need.

Time-bound. Having a finish line will mean you’ll get to celebrate when you accomplish your goal. Having set deadlines gives you a sense of urgency that is lacking when goals are open ended.

3. Write down your goals.

Start every day writing down a list of "to-dos," as well as print out a calendar with my meetings for the day. Keep these daily goals visible at all times and cross check the things you’ve accomplished to gauge where you stand at the end of the day.

Your own long-term goals don’t have to be spelled out quite as publicly, but you should keep them someplace where, every so often, you are reminded of where you want to go.

4. Put a plan in action.

It’s easy to get so focused on the outcome that you forget the steps needed to achieve the outcome. You might go from A through Z, giving little thought to B, C, D and everything in between. So, write down all of the individual steps. This is your road map to executing your plan as flawlessly as possible.

5. Work the plan.

Having a plan in place makes it official. Working the plan makes you successful. If you take the time to draw up a good plan, why not use it? It’s tempting to keep changing your mind or to draw new plans when things go awry, but variables aren’t an excuse not to stick to the plan. Trust your instincts.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Top Ten Housing Markets in 2018

Top Ten Housing Markets in 2018…….Depends on who you ask!

Economist are like Meteorologist – they always have a 100% chance of being right or wrong!

Every year economists from all over the country submit their predictions for the hottest markets for the upcoming year – and every year the lists differ, depending on who you ask. However, one thing is for certain – most lists are fairly accurate which means there are tons of hot real estate market in the US! This is good news for everyone.

Here are two lists – one from REALTOR.com and one from TRULIA. Each has their top ten based on their economist and their reasons for their predictions.

Trulia - https://www.inman.com/2017/12/15/10-housing-markets-to-keep-an-eye-on-in-2018/

Grand Rapids, MI
Nashville, TN
Raleigh, NC
El Paso, TX
San Antonio, TX
Fort Worth, TX
Austin, TX
Columbus, OH
Madison, WI
Cincinnati, OH

REALTOR.com - https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/top-housing-markets-of-2018/

Las Vegas, NV
Dallas, TX
Deltona, FL
Stockton, CA
Lakeland, FL
Salt Lake City, UT
Charlotte, NC
Colorado Springs, CO
Nashville, TN
Tulsa, OK

Personally, I like Trulia’s list a lot better – but of course, I’m biased being from Texas! However, folks in Nashville ought to be pretty pumped, they are the only city that made the top ten on both lists!

Follow us on Facebook®, Twitter®, LinkedIn®, and Instagram®