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

Veteran Land Board Certification

In my pursuit to serve our Veterans and their family, I attended and completed the Veterans Land Board training today. In addition to the VA, the Veterans Land Board assist our Veterans in obtaining land and homes. With all the available options to help our military achieve the American dream of owning a home, I hope they are using the resources. VLB even assist in remolding loans for our Veterans.

I look forward to helping our Military achieve their dreams of owning their own home or land here in Texas.

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

Safety tips for your car and home

Hello All,

Last week I attended the Concern Citizens of East Montgomery County meeting and learned several things about car and home security. We all know we should lock our car doors and set the alarm but several people don't when they are at home. Unless your car is in the garage and the door is down then lock your doors for 2 reasons: it will most likely deter a person from trying to steel anything from your car and a security measure to make sure that no one is in your car with out you knowing.

Another key security measure is to lock all your doors and windows in your house (even when you are there). This again prevents unwanted visitors. However, the one door I don't lock (until now) is my garage door from my garage to my house. My garage door is down and I figure that prevents anyone from entering my home but this is not true. It took a person less than 6 seconds to open the garage door and with very little noise. Imagine if you are asleep and they opened your garage door they could come right in if you didn't lock the door from the garage to the house. So I make sure now ALL doors, including the garage to the house is locked when I am at home.

The person giving the talk also discussed layers of security. An alarm system that is turned on, motion detector lights outside the house, cameras, and even dogs are all layers of security. The more layers then most burglars become uninterested in your house. Notify the Sherriff and Constable offices when you are planning to go on vacation for an extra set of eyes on your house.

Keep these safety tips in mind going forward and be safe out there!

Contact me today and let's start looking for your next home with these safety features in mind 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

East Montgomery County Information- April 2017

Hello all!

I'm excited about several of the events happening in Montgomery County Texas. I went to the Loop sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and learned about the incredible development of the Generation Park and Valley Ranch. Generation Park is on Belt Way 8, close to Lake Houston and Summer Wood subdivision.

Valley Ranch is on 99 and 69 and going to become a destination development. There will be more entertainment establishments through 2017. The next phases will include a Medical district and Corporate park that will include a Green space for our new walking and biking trails. I'm looking forward to the future developments.

April is bring several new opportunities for me to attend and be part of my community. Tonight, April 3rd, is the Concern Citizen meeting. I will not be able to attend the Hobby Lobby ribbon cutting but I will make it to the Kroger ribbon cutting and Chamber of Commerce Luncheon this Wednesday. This week raps up with the Grand Prix races.

Later in the month, I am trying to attend the Observer Lunch and meet and greet Breakfast at the Medical center. For more information go to the Greater East Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.

So contact me today and let me take the headache out of selling your 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

Why hiring a Real Estate Agent is better than doing it yourself (FSBO)

Hello all,

I love Do It Yourself projects. I enjoy learning and trying new things BUT selling your own home, without a professional, is not the time to experiment and see if you can do it. This is probably your biggest investment and you don't need to risk it not selling or getting less money than you deserve. Here are some of my thoughts on why you should choose me as your Real Estate Agent and get your house sold:

1. Real Estate Agents have a variety of resources available to them that the average consumer does not have access too. Selling your property is not just about getting it on MLS. There is much more that goes into getting the property SOLD (and this is what you want, right?) MLS is a big step in the process but you want to promote it with the help of others. As one example of the resources available is most agents belong to a firm that has lots of agents, we use them to help us promote our properties.

2. You have to have a Marketing Plan for your property. Did you think just putting it out there and people are going to come? No, this is not going to happen for most houses. You need to have a plan and a GREAT Real Estate Agent, like myself, has a plan that they can explain to you and tell you that we will use some of our own money to get your property sold. I'm sure you are saying "WHAT?" Yes, a good agent has your best interest at heart. It is our time and experience that you are asking for us to help you get the best price that you can for your property.

3. As a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) you need to know about the laws and regulations that go into selling property. Are you aware of all the paperwork? What is legally required? What is something that is highly recommended? What are all the steps? How do you get past the hurdles? How many other people need to be involved in the transaction? Yes, there are a lot of other people that have to be involved to sell your home.

4. The statics show that having a Real Estate Agent the home owner nets more money than without one. For most properties they are sold faster and for a higher price. I believe this is due to the numerous resources available to a Real Estate Agent, the good agents have a plan on how to sell your house and we are responsible for taking care of the red tape. There is also a psychology of the individual that is involved in buying a property.

So contact me today and let me take the headache out of selling your 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

Why selecting a "YourNeighborhoodRealtor" is a good idea in Houston

Hello All!

It is Spring! The time has moved forward, the weather is warm, and the pollen is causing all of us to have allergies. The Houston area market is heating up as well. It is time to start thinking about that Spring cleaning and getting your house on the market.

You might be looking to grow your family or maybe it is time to downsize and move into a smaller house. There are so many options that we can discuss and consider for each of your needs. You are looking to move closer to town or ready for that peaceful country living? I'm the realtor for you! I will work with you and listen to your needs. Together we will find the right house and in the right area. That is what a Realtor brings to the table to help you. Our knowledge of the market and being able to match that to your needs. If you are a first time buyer I will help guide you through the process of buying a new home.

So don't wait any longer. Give me a call so we can find that match for you!

It will be an honor to help those that served our country sell or find their next home.
~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