Millennials: A Buying Force to be Reckoned With in 2015

As the year 2015 approaches, economists are looking ahead and making estimates about the real estate industry. They used surveys and data collected in 2014 to estimate which types of homebuyers will dominate the market in 2015, and all arrows point to one type of homebuyer: Millennials. This group made up of adults under the age of 35 are growing up, getting jobs and starting their families and are more interested than ever in purchasing their first homes. The article linked below explains what this means for the real estate market in 2015!

Click the link to read the article:

2015: Return of the Millennial Home Buyer

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 Tips for Cooking an Amazing Turkey This Thanksgiving

Cooking a turkey is a science. There are many right ways to cook a delicious turkey, but unfortunately there are also many wrong ways as well. If you have never cooked a turkey yourself before, it can be quite intimidating! No need to worry, however - there are many tried-and-true techniques for cooking the perfect Thanksgiving turkey. Click the link below to learn how:


Top Tips for Cooking the Perfect Turkey

And remember, Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for your family, friends, good health and your Realtor! :)

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

The Benefits of Listing With a RE/MAX Agent

Choosing a real estate agent to list and market your property can be confusing. Each day, we all drive past dozens of different real estate brokers and offices without knowing anything about them or what their statistics are. It is easy to choose the first one you see on your way home from work, but what you probably do not know is that some brands are much more powerful than others. Although the RE/MAX brand does have some pretty impressive statistics, the power of the brand goes far beyond that. Here are the reasons why listing your home with a RE/MAX agent is always an excellent choice:

1. Nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX. According to www.remax.com, RE/MAX is present in 95 countries with over 96,000 agents. The benefit to you as a seller who lists their home with a RE/MAX agent is that your home has an enormous internet presence, meaning that it is getting more exposure to buyers than it would with any other broker.


2. RE/MAX is the #1 name in real estate. No other brand is as recognizable to the public as the RE/MAX balloon and the classic red, white, and blue yard sign. Think about it - whenever you see that iconic balloon, you automatically think of something to do with real estate. As a seller, this means your home (with that red, white, and blue yard sign out front) is catching more buyers' eyes than any other sign in the neighborhood.


3. RE/MAX agents have more real estate experience on average than agents working under other brokers. This statistic speaks for itself. Agents who work under the RE/MAX name are happier and more successful in their business because they have the power of the brand behind them, and are therefore more likely to stay in the field and gain experience. When you work with a RE/MAX agent, you are working with the best.

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

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is just around the corner and as a homeowner and parent myself, I am always concerned about the safety of my home and children. Of course Halloween is supposed to be a fun and carefree time, but all the fun can be quickly ruined if certain precautions are not taken. Here are some tips to ensure your family has an enjoyable yet safe Halloween!

For trick or treaters:

1. Always trick or treat in a familiar neighborhood.

2. Do not let children under 10 years old go trick or treating alone.

3. Use the sidewalks and crosswalks as much as possible.

4. The larger the group, the better.

5. Do not let your children into a stranger's home without accompanying them.

6. Check your child's candy before they eat it (look for unopened, original wrappers).

For homeowners:

1. Look out the window for suspicious behavior before answering the door.

2. Some adults like to trick or treat too, but be mindful of groups without any children. This could be a sign of adults with a hidden agenda.

3. Turn the TV volume down, and listen for noises around your home.

4. Keep all doors locked.

I hope you and your family have a safe Halloween!

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

10 Summer Moving Tips

With summer quickly approaching, the real estate market is heating up with the largest amount of closings we will see all year. This means we will start seeing a lot of moving vans and cardboard boxes. Moving can be stressful, especially with children who are out of school for the summer, but this list of tips can help organize the whole family for your summer move!




Click the link below for tips to help you through your summer move:
10 Summer Moving Tips

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

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