Tell us a little bit about your company and its foundation.

Horton Tree Service was founded in 1967 by Homer Horton. Johnny Horton has been at the helm as President since 2008. Horton Tree is an accredited business thru the Better Business Bureau.

What are some important questions to ask the landscaper in preparation for the tree removal process?

Need to ascertain if the company you choose to do your tree removal is covered by general liability and carries workers comp insurance. If you tree removal is within 10′ of power lines, the workers would need to be EHAP certified. Never pay before the work is completed.

What are the most common reasons homeowners request for a tree to be removed?

Reasons for removal of a tree: dead or hazardous trees, new construction (add-on or pool), more sunlight needed for yard, tree overhanging house or too close to the hose.

What are the steps involved in the tree removal process?

If the tree removal is in an open area we notch and drop but usually we have to piece out and lower down with ropes. Occasionally we do use a large crane on big and hazardous tree removal.

What are some common issues you face when it comes to tree removal?

Tight areas and numerous obstacles i.e.: roofs, gutters, fences, decks, sprinkler systems, etc.

What advice do you have for the homeowner during this process?

Home owners need to move all mobile obstacles such as flower pots, lawn furniture, barbeque grills, etc. and then stay a safe distance away from the work area.

What’s the best way for people to get in contact with you?

Our preferred method of contact for a quote for tree service is the phone. Specific details can be gathered at the time of the call. We also have a quote request on our website and that is followed up on daily. Our company can be found at www.hortontree.com.

By Johnny Horton

What is the role of an Appraiser?

Real estate is expensive and changes hands much less frequently than most commodities. For this reason, the market value of any particular property is often difficult to determine. The role of a real estate appraiser is to help their clients to systematically determine the market value of a property, which is one of the first steps in any real estate transaction whether you are a buyer, seller, lender, or other interested party. Here are some further details about the role of a real estate appraiser.

An Appraiser is an Appointed Expert

Appraisers gain their title by being appointed by judicial or quasi-judicial authorities in their local jurisdiction. The services of a skilled appraiser are highly valued by banks, lenders, and other parties who care about the value of property because with their expertise, they are able to wade through the many significant factors that affect the market value of a home such as its size, structure, design, and location, and arrive at a knowledgeable market value estimate.

An Appraiser’s estimate is Broadly Relevant

After determining the value of a property, an appraiser provides you with a written report, which is then used as the basis for mortgage loans, taxes, settling estates, divorces, and more. The report is sometimes also used by a buyer and seller to determine a sale price. However, the most common usage of appraisers in the United States is for mortgage valuations: banks need to know how much your potential home is actually worth on the market before they agree to loan you the money for a mortgage.

In the unfortunate event that you default on your payments and are unable to pay back your debts, your lender needs to know they can sell the property for enough money to cover the amount they loaned you, and they confirm the amount through the work of an appraiser. Because of the importance of accurate appraisals, most appraisers use a standardized form, such as the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report, as a guideline for their valuation.

What Exactly Do Real Estate Appraisers Do?

‍

A real estate appraisal aims to pinpoint a property’s market value for your lender, as well as other relevant information related to a sale process, such as estimated time to sell and location. Your bank will need an appraisal for the final parts of your mortgage approval process, in order to confirm that your home will at least sell for the amount of your loan in case you default and they need to recover their money.

Remember ? an appraisal is for your bank, not you. Don’t confuse it with a Comparative Market Analysis. Real estate agents use CMAs to help sellers find the best price to list their homes at. A good CMA will probably come up with a value close to the appraisal value, but the two will likely be different due to the different priorities sellers and banks have. So what actually happens in an appraisal?

• An appraisal report will be very detailed. Banks like to have as much information as possible, so the more detail in the report, the more they can be confident in your property’s value.
• The report will include standard information about your potential home, such as size, bedrooms, area, outside property and yard space, and all of the other normal descriptions of a house.
• On top of detailed information about the property, an appraisal report will also contain side-by-side comparisons with similar houses to give an idea of the neighborhood and how reasonable the home’s pricing is.
• If your potential home has poor access or a long private driveway, these will also be included in the report along with anything else the appraiser thinks might be harmful to the bank’s ability to sell the property.
• If there are any serious problems or obvious signs of damage, these will obviously be included in the report. Remember ? an appraiser isn’t a home inspector, so he won’t be actively looking for problems or signs of damage.
• Your appraisal report will also have a rough estimate of how long your home would take to sell, given the real estate market in the area.
• There are usually two ways price is obtained through an appraisal ? either a comparison with similar homes that have sold in the same location, or a cost estimate that tries to place the material price of rebuilding the home.
• Personal approval for a mortgage happens early in the process, but there will always be an escape clause for a bank if the appraisal is unsatisfactory.
• If your lender lets you choose the appraiser, make sure they are on your lender’s approved list or the appraisal may be rejected outright.

Why do you need an Appraisal?

Verification of your on-time payment history via your credit score will be a large factor in qualifying for your mortgage, but due to the hefty size of most home loans, banks require a little extra security. The appraisal comes in as your lender’s extra insurance that he won’t lose money on your loan ? something most banks aren’t fond of.

The appraisal serves to guarantee that the house will sell for enough to cover the cost of your loan in the unfortunate event that you default on your mortgage. In this case, the bank’s last option is usually a foreclosure, in which they sell your house to recoup those losses, so it’s important to them that they’re able to get a decent price.

What does an Appraisal entail?

An appraisal will usually cost less than four hundred dollars, comprising of either a comparison of your potential home with similar houses in the neighborhood, or an evaluation of the property’s replacement cost plus a decent estimate of the land’s value if your house is new. Updated appliances, plumbing, electrical work, roofing, windows, landscaping, and more can all improve your appraisal.

Warning!

An appraisal affects your bank’s profits so they should be carefully directing the process, preventing any mistakes from being made. But in case some choice is left to your discretion, make sure your appraisal is done by one of your lender’s approved appraisers to prevent any appraisal-rejection issues.

‍

‍

Tell us a little bit about your company and its foundation.

Steve Gilder: A friend of mine started the company back in odd five and I became intrigued with the idea after talking with him. I liked it so much I bought the company! Its success is based around two things: efficiency and ease of billing. Before, we would be dotting all over town on any given day, just watching the gas gauge plummet, but with Got Mow all the yards on a particular day (for any one crew) are very close to one another. This means you can not only get a lot more work done, but you can keep your prices low. Everybody wins. And when it comes time to invoice the customer it’s all done by credit/debit card transactions. No check writing, no postage, no hassle.

What are some of the services your company provides?

We keep it simple so that we can excel at our specialties. We mow lawns. We fix sprinkler systems. That’s what we do.

How often should a yard or lawn be maintained in order to stay healthy and beautiful?

You know, we always say “mow every week” because that is the best way, but you can get away with every two weeks if that is your preference. Any more than that and you’re going to shock the plant. Botanically speaking grass is very interesting. It’s one of the few plants on the planet that actually likes being cut. The cool thing is you can’t mow it too often. The less of the blade you cut off the happier it will be. Rule of thumb: a third of the leaf, no more than that. That’s why if you mow every couple of weeks we would cut it higher. One thing that drives me nuts is people who want to save money by cutting every two weeks, but still want it cut short. Not gonna do it.

What services are required to maintain a lawn?

You want the best lawn on the block? Here’s how: get a sprinkler system and program it properly; mow it every week; give it a snort of fertilizer every spring; and aerate every couple of years. Boom. Done.

What kind of knowledge is required to properly maintain a lawn?

One thing is know not to cut the lawn too short. I’ve seen some folks scalping the thing and then wonder why they have dead spots. At least three inches should be left on the leaf and in a drought of the middle of summer, even longer. Remember that the longer the grass is, the better it will survive times of stress.

Also, know how to set your sprinkler system. This may seem like a no-brainer, but I’m sure we’ve all seen lawns being watered in the middle of the afternoon. You do that you’re losing most of the water to evaporation. Water when it’s cool and make sure you water deeply. What do I mean by deeply? At least a half an inch per watering. If you’re not sure how much water your system is putting down, put a rain gauge in the lawn (or an old soup can!) and see how long it takes to get to that half inch measure. If you have a pop-up system you’ll find it generally takes fifteen to twenty minutes; if you have rotors it could take five or six times longer. Every system is different, so test it out. If you get these two things right, everything else is gravy.

What are some lawn maintenance services that professionals have the ability to handle where homeowners may not?

You know, it really depends on the homeowner. I mean, messing with fertilizer or renting an aeration machine isn’t something a lot of people want to get into, but I know some who do and more power to them. One thing I would definitely say is leave the irrigation system to a professional. We’ve come across some homeowner fixes that have made the problem worse and leave us standing there shaking our heads. Oh, and before you hire anyone make sure they are licensed by the State of Texas. Very important. If you hire an amateur you have no recourse when they screw it up.

In your opinion, what are some benefits of hiring a professional versus trying to do it yourself?

Are you kidding? You get your weekend back! Done deal. Sign me up!

Are landscape maintenance personnel typically paid hourly or single-fee based?

Just me personally, but I’ve found paying by the hour is no incentive to get more work done. When you give people the chance at more money for more yards they really step up their game and get motoring, which in this business always boosts the bottom line. They get more money, I get more productivity- what’s not to like?

What’s the best way for people to get in contact with you or your company?

We try to have as large a web presence as possible- it’s the new age, you know! Check out the website at www.gotmow.com. However, if you prefer a personal touch, you can give us a call at 512-785-7787. Success in business comes from repeat customers, customers that boast about your service, and that bring friends with them.

By Steve Gilder

‍

Why Should You Appraise Your Home: with Jazmin Quintero-Watson of Aztec Appraisals

Tell us a little bit about your company and its foundation.

Aztec Appraisals, LLC opened our doors in 2005. Hispanic and, woman-owned small business. We started with 2 AMC’s, and are now on the list of every major AMC and top lender’s pre-approved appraiser lists. David Watson has been an appraiser for almost 13 years. We are both licensed Realtors as well so, we certainly understand the importance of an accurate and detailed opinion of value. We have completed numerous high end property appraisals as high as $5 million dollars in value, and over 13,000 square feet. Living in such a diverse metroplex, we also receive numerous requests from clients who prefer to have a Spanish-speaking appraisal representative to answer questions and put their mind at ease. When we call the borrowers, we make sure I answer any and all questions and explain the appraisal process in detail. Customer service is our #1 priority!

What is a list of reasons someone should appraise their home?

Divorce, refinancing, purchase, estate, if a Realtor or seller wants to have an idea of what to list their property for, and fighting taxes. Most recently, many Realtors have requested our services to measure their properties to determine the exact square footage for listing purposes since other sources are not considered as reliable.

How are home appraisers paid?

The price is determined by the complexity, and in some cases, distance of the appraisal. In general, when we complete an appraisal for an appraisal management company(standard fees apply and if more complex, the rate increases). We cover Harris, Fort Bend, and also have extensive experience in Montgomery, Galveston, Brazoria, and Waller counties.

How long does an appraisal take?

The actual appraisal visit varies since it really just depends on the characteristics of the property…,square footage, custom features/amenities, if it’s on acreage, if it has outbuildings, etc. So, for example, a 2000 square foot property with no major complexities could take about 45 minutes. As far as turn-time, we do our best to get the report back to our clients within 2-4 business days. Although we do receive quite a bit of “Rush” requests to make closing dates!

What is the best way for people to reach you and or your company?

We can be reached at 832-567-1124. Please feel free to visit us on our website at www.aztecappraisals.net and email jazmin@aztecappraisals.net

By Jazmin Quintero-Watson

Tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.

Terri Symington: I draw upon a lifetime of passion and experience with the arts, from being a dancer with a jazz/ ballet company, a fashion illustrator, an art director with a well known home furnishings/fashion catalog, into becoming an accomplished award winning interior designer. I create relaxed, sophisticated and beautiful interiors for discriminating clients who want and expect the best in quality and originality.

• Design Consultation
• Pre-Construction Planning (Recommended for all new construction projects)
• Materials Selections
• Space Planning
• Color Planning & Coordinating
• Furnishings/ Art/ Accessories
• Custom Window Treatments
• Universal Design / Accessibility
• Environmental Sensitivity Issues
• Sustainable / Green Design
• Extensive Selection of Fabrics
• Custom Bedding Treatments

What is a common misconception people have about working with an interior designer?

I believe that one of the biggest misconceptions people have in hiring a designer is that they “shop” for a designer based on comparing how a designer charges compared to the other designers. One of the first questions I always get is “How do you charge?”…when that should be one of the last questions asked. A potential client should select their designer based on what the designer has to offer in terms of style and creativity, as well as compatibility. Not every designer is for every client…and not every client is for every designer! The interview process is for both parties to determine compatibility.

How is the budget set and then spent for a new project?

Budgets are based on the scope of services and the amount of time that a project will require. Each project is unique with differing requirements. The projects I work on range from new construction which can take up to a couple of years, to hourly consultations.

Therefore, a discussion regarding budgets can become very complex…but one of great importance to have a clear understanding and plan of, in order to make sure that the client’s needs are met.

Can you briefly talk about the main benefits of hiring an interior designer to stage a home when it’s for sale?

Staging a home for selling requires a different approach to interior design. The interior furnishings should help bring out the best features of the home, while taking one’s focus away from areas that need to be down played. At the same time, the furnishings and accessories should have a broad appeal to a wide audience so that a potential buyer can imagine his or herself as living in the space.

What are the costs associated with that?

Costs for staging a home will vary, depending on how much time is required to edit the home owners personal furnishings and effects. If the home is new, it will require the short term rental of furnishings and accessories. The number of rooms/square footage and the number of movers needed to stage the space will also have to be factored into the associated costs.

What advice do you have for homeowners in Connecticut who want to redecorate but have a limited budget

For any homeowner working with a limited budget…regardless of where they live…is to first start with a plan whether it is for a single room, or a whole house. From there I always recommend to start with good investment pieces to form the foundation of the furnishings. Inexpensive furniture is typically not well constructed, and the short life expectancy of the piece actually makes it out to be a very expensive purchase. Go for quality over quantity! Then add pieces based on your plan over a period of time, as the budget allows.

What’s the best way for people to contact you and your company?

The best way to reach me is to email me directly at: terri@symingtoninteriors.com Make sure the title line indicates your purpose or interest so that the email does not get lost in the mix.

By Terri Symington

How an Appraisal Report is Compiled

Each appraisal report contains a variety of figures, property details and sales comparisons. This includes current specs of the subject property, and a side-by-side comparison of three similar properties. The report will provide an estimate of the average sales time for the property, the type of area the home is in (stand alone acreage, development, etc.). The appraiser may point out details about the subject property that are detrimental to its value, i.e. obstructed access to the home, and highlight any apparent characteristic flaws, such as a crumbling foundation. The appraiser also evaluates the overall market in the area, detailing the volume of transactions and average DOM (days on market) and home values for the neighborhood.

There are two appraisal methods used for residential properties. The first is known as the cost approach. Formerly referred to as the summation approach, this is applied to newly built properties, where the costs to build are known. The figure given is an estimate of how much it would cost to replace the structure if it were destroyed. It’s calculated as a hybrid of the cost and sales comparison approaches i.e., the replacement cost of a home is determined by adding the labor, material, and other costs, with consideration for land values and depreciation.

The second approach, a sales comparison, determines the home’s market value by comparing it to similar properties recently sold in the area. As no two properties are ever alike, the appraiser must make paperwork adjustments to the comps to make their features more in sync with the subject property. The resulting figure shows what each comp would have sold for if it had the same specs as the subject.

What’s Included in an Appraisal Report

‍

An appraisal is a survey of a home performed by a licensed, independent professional to determine the home’s market value. The appraiser documents the property’s interior and exterior condition, from the layout, amenities and features, modernization updates, and the overall construction quality.

Appraisals typically happen for one of two reasons: a lender orders one prior to approving a loan for a home buyer, or the property’s current owner orders one to assess its value before putting it on the market. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act mandates that your lender provide you with a copy of the appraisal report upon your written request.

The appraiser estimates the GLA (gross living area) in square footage by measuring the exterior of the home. Finished basements and non-living areas such as garages aren’t included in the GLA estimate, but are documented and considered in value separately. This information will guide the appraiser throughout the comparison and valuation process.

In most cases, the appraiser only considers permanent structures and real property. As most small sheds and above-ground swimming pools are not permanent fixtures, they are usually excluded in the valuation. However, the specific installation process and local custom, may allow an above ground pool or small shed to be considered as part of the real property.

Appraisals are vital reports in the real estate market, because they are relevant to buyers, sellers, and lenders. The value that an appraiser determines in their appraisal report ultimately sets the guideline for what a lender is likely willing to lend to a potential buyer. Given that is such an important element of any real estate transaction, it is useful to know what a typical appraisal report contains. Here are more details about the contents of an appraisal report.

Elements to be included in the Appraisal Report

In the Appraisal Report, the appraiser documents:

• The property’s interior and exterior condition, from the layout, amenities and features, modernization updates, and the overall construction quality.
• An estimate of the GLA (gross living area) in square footage by measuring the exterior of the home.
• Living areas only, and excludes finished basements and non-living areas such as garages, which are instead documented and considered in value separately.

The information in an Appraisal Report will guide the appraiser throughout the comparison and valuation process. In most cases, the appraiser only considers permanent structures and real property. As most small sheds and above-ground swimming pools are not permanent fixtures, they are usually excluded from the valuation as well.

Two Appraisal Methods

There are two appraisal methods used for residential properties, the cost approach and sales comparison. The former is applied to newly built properties, where the costs to build are known. The figure given is an estimate of how much it would cost to replace the structure if it were destroyed. A sales comparison determines the home’s market value by comparing it to similar properties recently sold in the area. As no two properties are ever alike, the appraiser must make paperwork adjustments to the comps (compared property) to make their features more in sync with the subject property. The resulting figures show what each comp would have sold for if it had the same specs as the subject.

How Long is an Appraisal Good For?

‍

An appraisal report details several crucial bits of figures concerning prices and vales. One number you likely won’t see is an expiration date for the appraisal itself. Most loan agreements don’t specify the timeframe for when an appraisal is considered expired.

Different lenders have different time frames before they consider an appraisal expired, typically spanning between 60-90 days, never exceeding 180 days (6 months). Lenders want to have a current snapshot of the market surrounding the appraised home, which is why they require comparable sales figures (or “comps”) that are no more than six months past, meaning the appraisal should be no more than six months old. Most appraisers and lenders agree six months is the maximum amount of time that an appraisal is considered valid, known as the “term of validity.”

Lenders want an appraisal to use comps as close to the appraised home as possible, with few adjustments needed to match them up. Within six months is the preferred window, but they may stretch to a year if a sufficient number of newer comps are not available.

Expired appraisals can be recertified for another 90 days. Recertification is the appraiser confirming that the values are still accurate based on comparables in the area. Many times, if new information isn’t available, they will use the same comparables. Most appraisers charge a reduced fee for recertified appraisals.

‍

By Derren Peters

‍

‍

Many home sellers wonder if it is wise to go the FSBO or “For Sale By Owner” route rather than use a realtor. There is no fixed answer to this question because every seller’s situation is different but according to National Association of Realtors Report there can be financial advantages to selling your home as a FSBO.

In a publicly released report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the conclusion was that people who sell “by Owner” or FSBO get closer to their actual asking price and actually sell their properties faster than those who sell their homes using a real estate agent. The general figures fall as follows: FSBO sellers receive 97 percent of their asking price and sellers using a real estate agent receive 96 percent of their asking price. Likewise, FSBO sellers generally sell their homes within 6 weeks and sellers using an agent sell within 10 weeks in an average market.

The NAR findings offer further evidence of the benefits of selling by owner. In separate studies completed by Northwestern University and Stanford University, it appears FSBO sellers were as effective as agents in optimizing the sales price of their homes. When commissions are factored into the equation, the studies concluded that sellers who sell “by owner” actually save more money and retain more equity than sellers who sell through agents.

Texas FSBO brings together home sellers and buyers that want to save time, money and streamline the selling and buying process. Texas FSBO offers cost effective marketing through the For Sale By Owner Magazine and their internet site. FSBO sites also offer a lot of educational material for both sellers and buyers including checklists, links to mortgage companies, Insurance companies, title companies, home inspectors, Appraisers, attorneys, home warranty companies and even moving companies.

There is no question that selling your property through FSBO requires more of your personal time, resources and energy but for those who have the time to commit to the process there is equity to be retained and money to be saved.

For buyers, an FSBO property can be a way to buy a property at a good price. It may not be the best method for first time buyers or out of state buyers, but if you have bought or sold a home previously, you are familiar with all the steps of the home buying process, you are a good negotiator, and you are buying locally, buyers can also benefit from better prices and terms.

FSBO is not for everyone. Inexperienced or first time buyers or sellers should think carefully about trying to go it alone because there are many things that can go wrong and professional advice can be a lifesaver in those situations. Before you make a decision to sell or buy using FSBO think carefully about your situation. Are you bound by a tight timeline? Are their potential problems with your home? Have you owned your home for a long time or only a short time? Do you have the time to stage your home, host open houses, market and show your property? Whether or not you choose to sell or buy a home using FSBO comes down to your own unique needs and your experience selling and buying property.

Whether you choose to partner with an agent or go it alone, we here at Texas Homes for Sale can help get your home sold!

‍