This has been a very busy week. 5 homes under contract, 5 inspections going on and numerous repairs to negotiate.

Shockingly, 3 of the homes have Live Subterranean Termites that need to be treated. One of them happens to be a brand new home.  That’s not something I see often.

Due to the heavy storms we had last month, 2 of my homes have severe hail damage. Both of them will require brand new roofs.  One of them was hit so bad, the hail actually went through the roof decking, causing water damage in the 2nd floor ceiling.

Two homes need HVAC repairs and yet another has a septic system that has failed because the drainfield lines need to be replaced.

I can’t stress enough, on the importance on getting a good quality Home and WDI Inspection, whenever you are purchasing a home.  This is done during the Option Period that is negotiated.  It’s the only time my clients can decide if they want to move forward on the purchase of the home.  Whether we are able to negotiate repairs or not, my clients know what needs to be corrected so that they can make an informed decision.

Happy home hunting! Let me know if I can be of assistance with any of your Real Estate needs.

Patricia Chavez, CCIM, ABR, MRP
Residential, Commercial and Military Relocation Professional REALTOR®
Keller Williams Heritage
(210) 504-9920

No matter what City or State you are currently living in, you may have noticed your social media newsfeeds with posts about #KWRedDay.  San Antonio Texas was no exception.

RED Day (Renew, Energize and Donate) is a day that Keller Williams Realty celebrates annually, as a commitment to improving our local communities.  Tens of thousands participate in a wide variety of projects, depending on where they are most needed.

Our Keller Williams Heritage office volunteered our time at the San Antonio Food Bank for “Fighting Hunger Feeding Hope.”  We had a great time supporting the Food Bank and sorting a ton of food.  They were so thankful.  If you want to check out a ton of pictures online, just follow the hashtag #KWRedDay and see what a difference ONE company, with a vision, can make in a community near you.

I spend several hours daily searching for properties.  I search for properties for my clients, I search new listings to know what is going on in the marketplace and I search properties for myself to add to my dream board.

What I don’t understand, is why there are so many BAD photos on some of these listings.  I’m by no means a professional photographer, but I do have a great camera and take a lot of pride when listing a property for sale.  I’ll move things around to get the perfect shot and when needed, I’ll hire a professional photographer that can capture what I can’t.

I love looking at homes with great photos.  I cringe at the bad ones.  Some look like they were taken from the car (the side mirror in the corner of the picture gave that away), others take pictures of items that won’t even stay with the home (That picture of the close up flowers on the table doesn’t add any value to the home).  No one wants to see the inside of a toilet in a bathroom picture and a cell phone that takes grainy pictures should NEVER be your method of photography!

According to the National Association of REALTORS® PROFILE OF HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS 2015, for 42% of recent buyers, the first step that they took in the home buying process was to look online at properties for sale.  Among buyers who used the internet during their home search, 87% of buyers found photos and 84% found detailed information about properties for sale very useful.

With that kind of a percentage, wouldn’t you expect to have a high standard for the way your home is being presented?  I’d think so.  I always send my listing to the seller to review.  If there is anything they’d like added or changed, I appreciate the constructive criticism.  I want them to be more than satisfied with my work.  Most of the time I’ll get silly comments like “Patricia, our home looks so great, we may not want to sell afterall!”   That’s what I strive for.

As a seller, I’d expect nothing less, so why would I not want that for my clients?  If your home is currently for sale, take a look at how it is being presented online.  If you’re not satisfied; say something.  The objection is to get is Sold.  Listing Agent’s don’t get paid until the job is done, so maybe they will thank you.

Considering selling in the future?  I’d love to talk.

Patricia Chavez, CCIM, ABR, MRP
Keller Williams Heritage
Residential, Commercial & Military Relocation Professional REALTOR®
(210) 504-9920