First Time Home Buyers - When Should You Buy?

Buying a home and starting a family - it's the "American Dream". It seems as if that is what most young professionals aspire to accomplish these days, and for good reason. There are many benefits of purchasing a home, such as:

1) The ability to build equity
2) Lower monthly payments as opposed to paying rent
3) A sense of community and accomplishment

If such benefits really do exist with home ownership, then why do young professionals feel like they have to wait to purchase? Some of the reasons include:

1) They do not think they have saved up enough for a downpayment
2) They do not realize how much lower their monthly payments can be vs. renting
3) They are afraid they will not qualify for a mortgage

To all the first time homebuyers - The good news is.... It is easier to purchase your first home than you think! The right Real Estate professional will guide you towards the right steps for you, such as selecting a lender who can qualify you for a mortgage based on your credentials and can help you figure out how much you can afford.

How will you ever know if you do not try? Call me today, and let's get started!

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

Why Should You Use a Professional to Buy/Sell a Home?

I wanted to share with you all something I experienced a few days ago.

Earlier this week, I was going through my email account and found a Groupon offering discounted real estate licensing courses. I couldn't help but laugh and shake my head, but when I thought about it more, it makes perfect sense...

With the Houston real estate market at an all time high, more and more consumers are getting their real estate licenses to sell their own homes in order to save money, or to sell all their friends' homes to earn some extra cash. 

My question to you is - Would you feel comfortable walking into a courtroom with a lawyer who only works part-time, got his law degree "for fun" or took discounted law classes from Groupon?

I think not.

Friends don't let friends work with bad Realtors! Work with a professional - call me today!

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

Houston Homebuyers Will Find Relief in 2015

In 2014, Houston basically saw a beefed-up version of the real estate market in 2013; lots of buyers, very little inventory, sharply-rising home prices. Homes went under contract 24 hours after being listed, after having received multiple offers for significantly over the asking price. Buyers put in dozens of offers at list price only to have them beat by someone else who offered $10-15,000 over the asking price. To sum it up, 2014 was a tough year for homebuyers all over Houston.

Thankfully, due to the current state of the oil industry and the phrase "what goes up, must come down", Houston homebuyers will find some relief this year. Real estate experts say the market is going to level out a bit, leaning more towards a normal market versus the seller's market we have been seeing. 

Click the link below to read the article about the 2015 real estate market prediction:

Home Sales Shatter Record in 2015

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

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

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

Houston's Hot Summer Real Estate Market

It has been one hot summer for Houston real estate. Houston real estate experts and reporters say they have never seen such a busy summer and are having a difficult time predicting when this hot market will cool down. Here's a breakdown of the details:

- Homes selling at $250,000 or more saw the greatest increase in sales, causing the median home value in Houston to increase to $186,200.

- The number of condominiums and town homes sold also jumped higher compared to last year's numbers.

- The number of rental properties leased increased dramatically.

- Homes are selling so quickly that they are skipping the "pending" status stage.

- Rent averages for both single-family homes and condominiums/town homes increased.

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 a Small Room Look Bigger Using Paint

As homeowners, we are always looking for ways to make our smallest spaces look bigger. Every homeowner dreams of a home with the elegant high ceilings that seem to stretch to the sky, but homes like this are hard to come by. Fortunately, there are ways to help elongate your smallest rooms using many different decorating tips and strategies, and perhaps the most noticeable way is to paint the room. It is not as simple as just choosing any color, though - here is a list of things to keep in mind when using paint to make a room look bigger.


1. Use light colors - In a smaller room, it is important to use light colors because they catch the light and make the space appear expanded. Colors such as cream, ice blue, pale green, and light yellow are perfect to use in smaller rooms.



2. Paint the trim white -  Or, at least a lighter color than your walls. A light-colored room with white trim makes the walls look further away from you, which helps to visually expand the room.



3. Paint the ceilings white - Just like the trim, painting a room one color while leaving the ceiling white helps to make the ceiling look further away and expands the room.



4. Add trim 3 feet above the floor - Consider adding trim 3 feet above the floor, painting the wall underneath the trim a medium shade, and painting the wall above the trim a lighter shade. This creates a gradient effect which helps to draw the eye upward. Keep the trim color light.







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

Why You'll Love Living in Sugar Land/Missouri City, TX

If it wasn't already impressive enough that Houston was named "America's Coolest City" by Forbes, Houston also has some pretty hot suburbs to boast about. Sugar Land has been named "Safest City", "Top 100 Places to Live Well", "Best Place to Live", and multiple other titles by several influential companies. The thing about the Sugar Land/Missouri City area is that people remember this area because it has the best of everything. What do I mean by the best of everything? For starters, here's a list:



1. Location - Sugar Land is conveniently centralized around the Highway 59/Highway 6 intersection, giving residents easy access to the freeway to take them straight into Houston quickly. Missouri City is located a little further Southeast but still centralized around Highway 6 with access to the Fort Bend Toll Road, which also takes residents into Houston. From Sugar Land, it is about a 15-minute drive into the Galleria area of Houston, which residents love.


2. Schools - Sugar Land and Missouri City schools are served by the Fort Bend Independent School District, which is recognized as an award-winning district in the state of Texas. FBISD strives for academic excellence and is one of the largest and most well-known districts in the area.


3. Retail - The Sugar Land/Missouri City area has everything you could ever want right at your fingertips. Sugar Land boasts shopping strips, department stores, malls, restaurants and the popular Town Square located just off of Highway 6 and 59. Whatever it is you're looking for can be found after a short trip up down the road or up the highway.

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

Houston: Should I Rent, Or Should I Buy?

In today's market, many people are left wondering whether they are choosing the smartest investment when it comes to either renting or buying a home. National averages show that it is cheaper to buy than to rent; however, this is not true for all major metro cities in the U.S. For example, it is 70% cheaper to buy than rent in Detroit, but only 28% cheaper to buy than rent in San Francisco. In Houston, we are looking at 51% in the buy-versus-rent ratio, which still leans heavily toward buying as opposed to renting.

If this is true, then why aren't more people buying? We are still recovering from the recession, and although Houston wasn't hit as hard as other cities, we are still not seeing the amount of buyers that we once were before the recession. People are afraid to buy because they think they cannot afford a mortgage. What's interesting about this statistic is that the cost to rent per month is significantly higher than a mortgage would be. For example, if you are renting a house for $1700 a month, you will likely pay around $1400 a month on a mortgage payment for the same house.

Another reason why people are afraid to buy is that the downpayment on a house is pricey and can take  few years to save up for. Younger buyers who are in debt from expenses such as students loans may not be able to save as easily for a downpayment on a house and may end up renting for many more years because of it. It is easier on the pockets to pay a few hundred dollars more a month on rent than come up with $5,000 for a downpayment on a house.

We are still recovering from an economic recession, where thousands of people are still out of work or are trying to pick themselves up off the ground from economic hardship, which makes it more difficult to save up to buy a house. Hopefully we will begin to see a turnaround in the next few years.





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

Spice Up Your Home for Fall

Summer is ending, folks are coming back from vacation, "Back to School" signs are posted across every retail store… We all know what that means! Fall is upon us. If you're anything like me, you love the sound of leaves crunching, all the warm autumn colors of the outdoors, and the smell of cinnamon. What better way to bring a little fall into your home than to jazz it up with some DIY fall decor? These tutorials are super easy and are sure to add a little spice to your home!

1. Fabric-wrapped pumpkins - These pumpkins are ridiculously simple to make. You'll need an 18x18in square of orange fabric, a roll of toilet paper, a stick, some jute, and a little bit of green fabric for leaves. First, wrap the toilet paper roll with the orange fabric and stuff the excess into the center of the roll, Shove the stick down into the center of the roll, tie the green fabric around it to look like leaves, and wrap the base of the stick with jute. How easy is that?

2. Fall candle tray - This colorful piece with look great resting on a coffee table, entry table, or even dining room table. For this tutorial, you'll need a wooden tray, candles, glass candle votives, and fall garland. all of which you can find at craft supply stores. Simply place the candles in the votives and arrange them along with the garland inside the tray. Such an easy centerpiece!

3. Fall wreath - I especially enjoy the idea of creating a wreath because it can be customized to include whichever decorations you want. Simply purchase a twig wreath from the craft store and go crazy with adornments! You can use ribbon, garland, pinecones, or anything else you can come up with. Attach the decorations with hot glue and you have an easy, beautiful wreath for your front door!








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