Close on a Deal - Donation to American Cancer Society

Hello All!

I've written before about volunteering and being involved in your community but today is a little different. My boyfriend has Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and has been fighting this cancer for the last couple of months with chemo. Last year he was sick a lot and misdiagnosed several times. This year we found out that he has cancer and he has done a great job of beating the disease. Click the link for more information about Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma from American Cancer Society.  

I'm currently involved with the New Caney Education Foundation and will donate to the foundation when I sell real estate. However, starting today, I will also donate to the American Cancer Society after each closing too.

I have had several family members that have had cancer and either passed away or been successful in beating the disease. I'm sure all of us can share several stories like that but I now see this disease everyday. I pray for those that are going through this experience and their families. The physical and emotional toll is very difficult for all.

So let's do this together! I appreciate your referrals or if you are thinking of moving let me. I will update my FB page with the donations. I know every dollar counts. So together let's donate to this great organization and help achieve your Real Estate dreams!

Have a great day!

~Tara Woolbright, Realtor, MRP 713-489-0507 or tara.woolbright@gmail.com or
www.tarawoolbright.com or @Tara.Woolbright.Realtor or pinterest.com/tarawoolbright

#TaraWoolbright #DixieRealtyGroup #YourNeighborhoodRealtor  #thatRealEstateChick
#ILoveReferrals

Get your House Ready to Sell - Make Ready -Part 2

Hello all,

I hope you enjoyed my first blog in this two part series about how to get in the right mind-set to sell your house. So now that you have packed up your belongings and have your non-essential items packed and moved into storage, you are now ready to get the house ready. If you are not planning on moving within the next 4 to 6 weeks then you may want to think about some remodeling but IF you do want to move within a short time period then think about minor repairs that will help the house look more appealing.

Quick and relatively inexpensive ways to improve the your property:

1. Curb appeal - landscaping and paint
• Make sure the outside of the house looks good. The wood should be in good shape and a fresh coat of paint is on the house
• Keep the yard clean and mowed
• Put some bushes or flowers in the yard to brighten up the area
• No broken down cars in the driveway
• It is the small things that make a big difference and will draw people into the house
2. Clean the house
• You want the house to smell good and look fresh
• Carpets need to be cleaned but if they are in need of replacements then please replace them with neutral colors. If you can't afford replacing the carpet then clean it and you may have to offer a carpet allowance.
• Paint the walls - again a neutral
• Keep toys put up
• Bathrooms need to be clean with no mold
3. Upgrades --
• Appliance may not be super cheap but it could improve the look of the kitchen if the kitchen needs some work.
• You can also paint cabinets and upgrading counter tops can make a large improvement

These are a few things  I would recommend that can make your house look better and attractive to new buyers.

If you have additional questions then give me a call and we can discuss at 713-489-0507.

Just keep in mind that the goal is to sell your house and move on to your next chapter in life.

Have a great day!

~Tara Woolbright, Realtor, MRP 713-489-0507 or tara.woolbright@gmail.com or
www.tarawoolbright.com or @Tara.Woolbright.Realtor or pinterest.com/tarawoolbright

#TaraWoolbright #DixieRealtyGroup #YourNeighborhoodRealtor  #thatRealEstateChick
#ILoveReferrals

Top Activities to do when getting ready to Sell Your Home in the Houston Area

Hello All,

It is that time of year! The kids are out of school, the days are getting hot and the housing market is ready to move people into their new house. So what to do if you are thinking of putting your house on the market? First, hire me and let me help guide you through the trenches!

Next, get the mindset that this is now NOT your house. It is going to be the house of the new owner. It is like your friends house and no longer have that emotional connection. This is one of the most important items you can do to get your house ready to sell. It does not matter if you like that tile or paint color or any other feature in your house because it is now the new owners house.

In addition, clean and de-clutter. START PACKING! Get a storage container like Pods and start moving in non-essential furniture into it. Remove religious and personal pictures from the wall and around the house. I know you are thinking "I'll just move the items into the garage" but then the new owner will not be able to how spacious the garage is and picture their vehicle inside their new garage. A good rule is if you have not used it in some time either donate it or trash it. All those clothes that you have not worn in a decade, it is time to donate them and make room for your new clothes that you will now have room for in Your new house. Old toys, pots and pans, tools that are broken that you thought you would fix, it is the time to donate or trash it.


After purging your house you will be ready to go to the "Make Ready" stage for your old house. That will be in next weeks blog so keep your eyes open.

Just keep in mind that the goal is to sell your house and move on to your next chapter in life.

Have a great day!

~Tara Woolbright, Realtor, MRP 713-489-0507 or tara.woolbright@gmail.com or
www.tarawoolbright.com or @Tara.Woolbright.Realtor or pinterest.com/tarawoolbright

#TaraWoolbright #DixieRealtyGroup #YourNeighborhoodRealtor  #thatRealEstateChick
#ILoveReferrals

Armed Forces Day - May 20th

Hello,

I would like to recognize Armed Forces Day this May 20th. First observed on May 20th, 1950, the Armed Forces Day has been celebrated the third Saturday in May ever since. This day was created to recognize the Americans serving in the branches of the Military. It is important to also note that many other countries have this special day to honor their military personal.

So please today and every day, when you see one of America's special people that took the time to serve our country, stop and Thank them for their service.

If you are in the military or a retired military person and looking to buy or sell Real Estate, give me a call so I can help you. My father is a Veteran and I take the time to continue to learn about how I can help those that served buy property and achieve the American Dream of owning a home.

A big Thank You for all that you have done and are doing to our Military!

Have a great day!
~Tara Woolbright, Realtor, MRP 713-489-0507 or tara.woolbright@gmail.com or
www.tarawoolbright.com or @Tara.Woolbright.Realtor or pinterest.com/tarawoolbright

#TaraWoolbright #DixieRealtyGroup #YourNeighborhoodRealtor  #thatRealEstateChick
#ILoveReferrals

Go to Open Houses in your neighborhoods or ones that you are interested in!

Hi All!

I never went to Open Houses when I was looking for my next property. I don't have a good reason of why I did not go. They are free and provide great information on the home, neighborhood and community. In addition, you get to see some great decorating ideas!

Now, I love Open Houses! I like going and like being the Realtor that has the Open House; even
when I am not the listing agent. I get to learn about the house and what the market is doing in the area. I get to see a wonderful house and learn about that neighborhood. Plus, I get to meet people that are interested in the house.

So, I encourage all of you to go to your Neighborhood Open Houses, tell your friends about the Open Houses in your neighborhood, and come see me at your Open House. If you don't have a Real Estate Agent then please let the Agent for the Open House know and talk to them about your needs. This is a great time to interview them if you are looking to move.

Oh that is not a good look for me! 😒😒

If you are ready to go see some Open Houses then call me at 713-489-0507 and we can go see some amazing houses.

Have a great day!
~Tara Woolbright, Realtor 713-489-0507 or tara.woolbright@gmail.com or
www.tarawoolbright.com or @Tara.Woolbright.Realtor or pinterest.com/tarawoolbright

#TaraWoolbright #DixieRealtyGroup #YourNeighborhoodRealtor  #thatRealEstateChick
#ILoveReferrals

First Time Home Buyers - Don't be intimated

Hello all!

Today am doing an Open House and it would be a great starter home for the first time buyer that is ready from going from renting to owning. Interest rates are great and it is the time to buy. However, if you have never taken such a big step it might be intimating. Let's talk about the high-level process and take some of the worry out of the wonderful experience of owning your first home.

One of the very first thing that any home buyer needs to do is get pre-approved from a bank or mortgage company. You will need to provide your financial statements and tax returns. They will then pre-approve you for a loan and you will know the range of houses you should be looking in. Next, find your Real Estate Agent to guide you through the process. I love to represent you as you go through this journey.

So now we will focus on the fun part: finding your new home! Think about what area you would like to live in. Is it close to work? Does it have the activities close that you value like a gym to workout in or a church? What about shopping for groceries or home items? You probably won't like the area if you have to drive 20 minutes to get a few groceries. Once you have narrowed down the area, your Real Estate Agent will start searching for houses that meet your criteria in that area and present it back to you. Do you want a 3 bedroom house or 4, how many bathrooms, attached garage or not, open concept or each room is its own room, are school ratings important? Now what are the nice to have items that you don't have to have but it would be nice like 1 story or 2, big back yard or small patio yard, a formal living or dining room?

You must be flexible in your ideas for finding your new home but it is not as scary as you may think. After you find the home the next step in the process starts. I'll discuss that in more detail with a future post or you can call me and I can discuss it with you.

Contact me today and let's start looking for your new property at 713-489-0507.

Have a great day!
~Tara Woolbright, Realtor 713-489-0507 or tara.woolbright@gmail.com or
www.tarawoolbright.com or @Tara.Woolbright.Realtor or pinterest.com/tarawoolbright

#TaraWoolbright #DixieRealtyGroup #YourNeighborhoodRealtor  #thatRealEstateChick
#ILoveReferrals