Buying a Home: Areas of Concern

When buying a home, the excitement can be so overwhelming that the buyer may overlook certain issues within the home itself. It is important to view the home inspection report before signing a contract if you know you may get attached to the home. Here are the top 5 things you should look at when viewing a home inspection report:


Click to view the article "Five Key Areas to Pay Attention to When Buying a Home"

If you or someone you know has a question about real estate, please contact me using the information provided below.

Arthur Confait

Email: arthurconfait@gmail.com

Website: CLICK HERE

Top 5 Trends in Kitchen Design

Kitchens are arguably the most attractive room, the most used room, and the fastest room to become outdated in a home. If your home is needing a facelift, the best place to start is the kitchen. A kitchen remodel does not require all new everything, thankfully - a few updates at a time over a period of time will give you wonderful results and can seriously raise the value of your home. Here are the top 5 current trends that will make your kitchen pop:

1. White cabinetry -  White cabinets are easy to achieve, most existing cabinets only need a coat of primer underneath a fresh coat of white paint. White cabinets go with many different kitchen styles from traditional to country to contemporary, which makes them such a brilliant choice for any kitchen.

2. Stainless steel appliances - If you're looking to make a relatively long-term investment in your kitchen, look no further than a set of stainless steel appliances. They make the kitchen look finished, and they often help to "hook" a potential buyer on the kitchen alone, if you decide to sell your home.

3. Integrated appliances - A hot trend in the kitchen world, an integrated appliance is built into its surroundings to make it look like part of the existing wall, furniture, etc. Most come in the form of integrated refrigerators, but can be done with most other appliances as well. This is obviously one of the more expensive trends, but lovely for homeowners who don't mind spending more for a big payoff!

4. Work stations - Are you a coffee buff? How much would you love to have a little nook in your kitchen designed for the sole purpose of brewing and enjoying gourmet coffee? I know I would! This can be as inexpensive as purchasing a piece of furniture in a garage sale and devoting its life to storing coffee related items, or as expensive as creating a built-in coffee machine with corresponding slide out workstation. The possibilities are endless!

5. Technology in the kitchen - A huge trend, especially in recent years, is to make the kitchen almost as technologically savvy as the living area! A great way to do this is to add a television and a sound system. This update is great for entertaining!

If you or someone you know has a question about real estate, please contact me using the information provided below.

Arthur Confait

Email: arthurconfait@gmail.com

Website: CLICK HERE

Make Your Home Show Better

It's no secret that homes that homes sell faster and for top dollar when a little work has been put into them. If you are the type that just wants to let your home go with little to no effort, chances are your home will stay on the market for months longer than it should. The good news is, most of the work can be done cheaply and easily!


Click the link  below for tips on things you can do to make your home show better before selling:

Make your home show better!

If you or someone you know has a question about real estate, please contact me using the information provided below.

Arthur Confait

Email: arthurconfait@gmail.com

Website: CLICK HERE

Are You Ready to Buy a Home?

One of the most frequently asked questions that comes up when I am working with a new client is "How do I know when I am ready to buy?". There are a few things you need to have in place when buying a home, but you're not alone in the process - the help of a real estate agent, mortgage lender, and other real estate professionals can help get you ready to go!

Click the link below to read the article "Signs That You're Ready to Buy":


http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/signs-that-youre-ready-to-buy.aspx?source=web

If you or someone you know has a question about real estate, please contact me using the information provided below.

Arthur Confait

Email: arthurconfait@gmail.com

Website: CLICK HERE

Top 5 Simple Spring Cleaning Tips

Houstonians! We all know it has been quite the eventful winter season, with temperatures in the thirties one day and three days later, we're back in the seventies. Now that the crazy temperature changes are (hopefully!) in the past, that means… SPRING is just around the corner! Spring cleaning is an essential part of home ownership for keeping your space in tip-top shape. Spring cleaning can be tedious, but with these tips, you can simplify your spring cleaning routine!

1. Shine up stainless steel - You love your beautiful, updated stainless steel appliances, but how do you keep them looking their best? Simply spritz a light layer of wax-based aerosol spray all over the steel to keep dust, fingerprints, and scratches at bay!

2. Donate unworn clothes - It can be difficult to part with clothing you think you may wear again, but the rule is if you have not worn the piece at all in the past year, it's time to part ways. Knowing that you are donating those unworn pieces to a donation center makes you feel good, plus is the most efficient way to organize your closet.

3. Refresh a room with linens - The easiest way to give any room a facelift is to swap out the linens! This can include anything from new bedding, to towels, to couch covers - the possibilities are endless! And, you don't have to throw out your old linens - simply store your dark, winter bedsheets away while  you are using your clean, white ones in the spring and summer.

4. Keep granite looking new - Granite can stain easily, so it's always a good idea to wipe up spills right away (even water). Purchasing a cleaner made especially for granite (such as Granite Gold) can't hurt!

5. Clean in the nooks and crannies - When in doubt, clean it. Don't forget to lift up furniture, dust off light fixtures, reach high up windowsills, and clean inside cabinets. The result will yield a very thorough spring cleaning!

If you or someone you know has a question about real estate, please contact me using the information provided below.

Arthur Confait

Email: arthurconfait@gmail.com

Website: CLICK HERE

What To Expect - 2014 Houston Real Estate Forecast

2013 was a huge year for Real Estate in Houston. We saw a tremendous growth in numbers across the board; homes built in the suburbs, apartments and condos built inside the loop, a surplus of people moving to Houston, shopping centers and retail built - you name it, it happened in Houston in 2013. Houston homeowners are concerned that since 2013 did so well, that 2014 will settle down significantly. Good news - the 2014 Houston Real Estate market is expected to see the same fire as we saw in 2013! Here's why:

 



1. Large corporations will be shuffling employees - Big businesses such as Exxon Mobil, Geico, and Chevron plan to relocate thousands of employees to the Houston area as their branches grow, creating a demand for home sales in and around Houston.


2. Job growth creates demand for apartments - In 2013 we added thousands of jobs to the Houston area, which ultimately led to an apartment boom as far in as the inner loop and as far out as the suburbs.  We do not expect this growth to slow down in 2014.


3. Home builders went crazy in 2013 - We saw a vast expansion in the number of single-family homes in and around Houston, and this year, other home builders want in on the action. Expect to see a 10% increase in new home construction this year.

If you or someone you know has a question about real estate, please contact me using the information provided below.

Arthur Confait

Email: arthurconfait@gmail.com

Website: CLICK HERE

Holiday Events in the Sugar Land/Missouri City Area

When it comes to living in an area such as Sugar Land or Missouri City, there is never a shortage of events to offer to even the biggest holiday junkie. The best part of these events is that they are, for the most part, family friendly. Many of these events have opportunities available for anyone willing to help fund important organizations in the area, such as high school Fine Arts programs. Check the calendar below, and enjoy!

Saturday, Dec 21, 2013 - From 10:00am to 6:00pm, the Hightower High School Band will be offering complimentary gift wrap services at the Sugar Land Town Square plaza for anyone interested.

Saturday, Dec 21, 2013 - From 6:00pm to 7:00pm. the Fort Bend Music Center will be giving their Holiday Performance at the Sugar Land Town Square plaza. Children ages 4 all the way through adulthood will be playing many different musical instruments, such as guitar, violin, and piano.

Sunday, Dec 22, 2013 - From 1:00pm to 5:00pm, bring your whole family out to the Sugar Land Town Square plaza to have pictures taken with Santa!

Tuesday, Dec 31 2013 - From 7:00pm to 1:00am, the City of Sugar Land will be hosting its New Year's Eve Celebration. There will be a children's celebration from 7-9, and an adult celebration from 9:30-1. The event will have live music, street performances, and fireworks!

If you or someone you know has a question about real estate, please contact me using the information provided below.

Arthur Confait

Email: arthurconfait@gmail.com

Website: CLICK HERE