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Consider All Costs Of A Home
Negotiating a purchase price isn’t the end of the money matters, where your home in concerned. Don’t forget about the ongoing costs of owning a home, when deciding how much you can afford to spend on housing costs.
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Cleaning Plan B
To be used only when you can’t get a cleaning appointment! 😉 #FridayFun
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Ripped Screen Tip
Don’t let a ripped screen keep you from enjoying open window days. #HomeownerTips
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What’s That Remodel Worth
It’s possible to over improve your home and pay far more than any price upside you may gain. Be careful with your remodel. Pick a goal (ex. To get a higher sale price; to improve market value over time; personal reasons) and stick to it, by making choices in your project plan that support your […]
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Hollywood Sign Fun Fact
Happy Birthday to the famous Hollywood sign, built by Los Angeles Times publisher, Harry Chandler in 1923 as a $21,000 advertisement for his upscale real estate development, Hollywoodland. #FridayFunFact
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Hurricane Ike 13th Anniversary
It’s been 13 years since Hurricane Ike’s landfall. We have come a long way! 💪😎
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Shower Head Tip
Great tip for getting your shower flowing again. 🚿 #HomeownerTips
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September 2021 HOA Reforms in Texas
The Texas Legislature passed some HOA reforms that went into effect Sept 1. Here is a quick summary of the changes.
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Buy Near Water Fun Fact
I know a great little island with lots of water views! 😎🏝️ #FridayFunFact
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On the Fence About Selling? These Signs Can Indicate It’s Time to Make a Move
While the inventory may be short, there is no shortage of news about it. And if you haven’t heard, we have been experiencing one of the most robust sellers markets I’ve seen in my entire career. But is it the right time for you? It can be challenging to determine when the best time to […]
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Which Mortgage Is Right For You
Interest rate isn’t the only consideration for a mortgage. There are other variables as well. Be sure you understand all your options, and pick a product that’s right for you.
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Seller Photo Tip
Great tip for those planning to wait until fall or winter to sell. 🌷
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Keep Your Home Safe While On Vacation
Nothing spoils a trip faster than having a problem at home. Wait to share your good times. It will still be fun! 😎
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What Makes a Home Difficult to Insure
Home insurance may be one of the last things you’ll think about when buying a home, but in some situations, insuring your biggest asset isn’t so easy. And without insurance, you won’t be able to qualify for a home loan. Here are five things that can make getting home insurance difficult, or at least more […]
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Stage Your Outdoor Spaces
Don’t forget your exterior spaces when prepping to sell. Well-appointed outdoor spaces can help your home stand out.
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Pros and Cons of Downsizing
If you’re overwhelmed by the cost of your mortgage or the amount of time you spend cleaning and maintaining your home, or if your kids have moved out and you have more space than you need, you may be thinking about downsizing. While there are many advantages associated with moving to a smaller house, there […]
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5 Home Insurance Myths That Could Cost You
Whether you’ve owned a home for years or are buying your first home, purchasing insurance can be confusing. Some of that confusion can come from policy myths that are often not true. If ignored, these five home insurance myths could cost you in the long run. Flood coverage is standard. Flood insurance isn’t usually part […]
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Top 7 Most Profitable Home Features
Improving your home before you sell it can seem like wasting money. After all, if you’re not going to live there much longer, why remodel or add features you won’t get to use much? Because, as any real estate professional will tell you, the upgrades can help you recoup the cost and more in a […]
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Fire Safety Tips for Your Home
Every year in the U.S., fire kills over 3,000 people, injures thousands more and causes billions of dollars of damage. House fires are a major contributor to those horrific statistics, which is why it’s important to make fire safety a priority in your home. Here are some tips from the U.S. Fire Administration to help […]
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10 Air Quality Control Tips for Home and Health
Air quality has a direct impact on our health, both in and outside of our homes. While much is being done to improve the air outdoors, maintaining a healthy level of air quality inside is evenly important. A range of triggers can lower indoor air quality, including carpets, chemical cleaners, heat sources and humidity. Build-up […]
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Condo vs. House: Determining the Right Fit
You look at the palm of your hand and you can almost see it, the glistening, sense-of-security-giving key to your new home. You’ve planned out your budget, you’re on track for mortgage loan approval, you’ve thought of neighborhoods, you’ve called the agent, you are pretty much set. But then you figure, wow, what kind of […]
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How to Detect Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poison (CO) is a silent danger that claims over 400 lives in the U.S. annually, as well as over 20,000 visits to the emergency room, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To keep your family safe, know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: Headaches Nausea Vomiting Dizziness Shortness of breath […]
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Hurricane Season Starts Today
Looks like another active season is headed our way with the first named storm occurring before today’s official start of the season. Don’t wait for a storm. Be safe and prepare now.
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Boosting Your Home Security On the Cheap
Even if you can’t afford a home security system, you can protect your home and family with some quick, easy fixes that provide peace of mind without dipping deep into your pockets. Try these tips from HGTV, the home and garden channel: Change the locks – If you haven’t changed the locks since you moved […]
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How Important Is an Attached Garage?
If you’re shopping for a home, you most likely want a house with a garage. During your search, you’ll come across houses with attached or detached garages. You’ll need to decide which is the right choice based on your family’s needs and preferences. Pros and Cons of an Attached Garage The most common reason why […]
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5 Tips for Lightening Your Living Space
Do you dream of a light, airy living space? Do you want to feel like you’re living inside of a cloud? Below are five tips for a lighter living space, now. Paint it white. Well this is an obvious one. From walls to wood paneling and hardwood floors, two coats of white paint will turn […]
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New Home Trends: Papered Ceilings?
You may have heard that wallpaper is making a comeback. But have you heard about wallpapered ceilings? Technically, this trend is called ceiling paper, and it can transform a room in the same way papered walls can. Highlight a space. Do you have a home office tucked to one side of your family room? How […]
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How Homeowners Insurance Covers Your Roof
A home’s roof is its most important feature, and for good reason. If the roof leaks or is damaged in some way, it can lead to a host of problems — and insurance claims. Many home insurance companies limit how they insure roofs, so it’s worthwhile before buying home insurance to know how your roof […]
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Choose Mortgage Over Rent and Own a Home
House prices come with a lot of digits, but that shouldn’t scare you away from buying a home. A mortgage—as opposed to rent—allows you to slowly purchase your home over time. So, instead of paying rent and helping somebody else pay their mortgage, why not invest in your own property? According to the InCharge Institute […]
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5 Surprising Things That Don’t Affect Your Credit Score
There are some obvious things that can hurt a credit score: paying your bills late, using too much available credit in proportion to your income, and defaulting on a loan. Some other financial transactions, however, don’t affect a credit score. You may even be surprised by them. Here are five things that don’t affect a […]
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4 New Year’s Resolutions To Improve Your Home
Whether you enjoy making New Year’s resolutions or scoff at the idea, there’s something inherently motivating about seeing a fresh page on the calendar. If you don’t want to join the masses who hit the gym or vow to go on a digital diet, you may want to resolve to set some goals on behalf […]
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5 Tips to Host the Perfect New Year’s Eve Party in a Small Space
If you live in an apartment or a small home, don’t let lack of space stop you from hosting a grand New Year’s Eve party. With a little bit of thoughtful planning, you can create a celebration that’s so enjoyable no one will stop to take note of your limited square footage. Fortunately, friends and […]
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Merry Christmas
From all of us at the Galveston Sales Group and eXp Realty!
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Happy Hanukkah
May you have the Spirit of Hanukkah which is Peace, the Gladness of Hanukkah which is Hope, and the Heart of Hanukkah which is Love. ?
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Nobel Prize Day
An early fun fact for #NobelPrizeDay. Ironically, it’s also #NationalLagerDay. Cheers! ? ?️
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Small Business Saturday
The Strand Entertainment District and the Postoffice Art District are great places to shop local in Galveston!
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Happy Thanksgiving
Wishing you a harvest of blessings, good health and good times.
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National Play Monopoly Day
We’ve turned a Monopoly board into a buyer road map in honor of National Play Monopoly Day! Need help buying? Give us a call!
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Should You Decorate When Selling Your Home During The Holiday Season?
The holidays are arguably the most festive time of the year. And for many people, part of that festiveness is plenty of festive, holiday-themed decorations. But if you’re selling your home, going too over-the-top with your decorations can put off potential buyers. So, the question is, can you decorate your home for the holidays without […]
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Happy Veteran’s Day
Thank you to all Veterans for protecting the freedoms we all enjoy every day!
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5 Secret Weapons For DIY Projects
Is there a home maintenance project that’s been lingering on your to-do list for too long because you’re dreading the trip to the hardware or craft store? There are some projects you can tackle with items that are almost certainly already in your home. Vinegar: There’s probably a jug of vinegar in your pantry right […]
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9 Ways To Make A Real Estate Agent Cry
Ahhh, the home buying (and selling) process. From the day you decide it’s time to move and leave all your friends, to the moment you go to unpack the last box and find out that your favorite wedding present got smashed in the truck somehow, it’s an emotional and sometimes upsetting process. Did you know […]
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Ideas For Accent Walls
An accent wall can totally transform a room, taking it from boring and drab to bold and exciting. Accent walls create a new focal point for your space, add liveliness and contrast, and are typically a very inexpensive DIY project. The starter accent wall You can easily add an accent wall to your room in […]
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Agent-Assisted Homes Sell For More Than Homes Sold By Owners
In an effort to save on commission fees, many sellers go the FSBO (for sale by owner) route, thinking that selling their home on their own will be more cost efficient than hiring an agent. But as it turns out, typically, FSBO is far from cost efficient. According to the 2019 Profile of Home Buyers […]
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Short Sale And Foreclosure: How Are They Different?
As unfortunate as it can be when homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments and must face the possibility of losing their homes, short sales and foreclosures provide them options for moving on financially. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different, with varying timelines and financial impact on the homeowner. Here’s a […]
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Showing Houses Fun
Add “Don’t drop the key in the canal” and “Don’t lock you and the client out on the balcony” among others. ?
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Common Items In Your Home That Are Dangerous For Your Dog
Humans love their dogs. This, the purest kind of love, makes complete sense. Dogs are loyal, sweet, and the best companion anyone could ask for. They’ve been living paw-in-hand with us for thousands of years. They’re part of the family and they stick with us through whatever’s going on in our lives, so we wish […]
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Priority Tasks For Your Move In
Moving into a new home is an exciting time, and you’re probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you should cover first. Change the locks Even if you’re promised that new locks have been installed in your home, you can […]
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eXp International Expansion Continues!
The quest for world domination continues with eXp international expansion into Mexico, France, Portugal, India, and South Africa!
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What To Do If Schools Are Important In Your Home Search
There are lots of resources online to help you in researching schools for the area you are interested in. Here are some tips to keep in mind when searching for a school for your kids.
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Upsizing Your Home
Unfortunately, our homes don’t always grow with us. What may have initially worked fine for a single person, a young couple’s starter home, or a family with a newborn can quickly become too small as families expand and multiple generations live under one roof. Remodeling and adding to your home is one option for creating […]
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Vast Majority of Americans Aspire to Become Homeowners
For centuries, owning your own home has been something to aspire to in America. And according to this year’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, that hasn’t changed. According to NAR’s data, the vast majority of non-owners in the US (81 percent) want to own a home in the […]
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Diamond Beach Featured Condo Video
Diamond Beach Resort Condominiums in Galveston are the ultimate pandemic stress-buster! Lazy river, private theater, game room, fitness center, lounge, spa…the list of amenities goes on. And this fabulous condo on the 6th floor has the kind of gorgeous views that will melt your troubles away. Book your private viewing today!
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Dispelling Refinancing Myths
“Refinancing” is a scary word for many people, but that shouldn’t be the case for you. For many homeowners, refinancing can not only lower your monthly payments and help with your monthly budget, but it can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. YOU’RE NOT TOO LATE. With the recent drop in rates […]
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5 Negotiating Tactics That Kill Deals
Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly. Here are some negotiation tactics buyers (and real estate professionals) should avoid. Lowball offers: Going far below market value […]
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How To “Try On” A Neighborhood Before Buying A Home There
With many purchases, you get the opportunity to “try before you buy.” You can go to the store and try on clothes before you update your wardrobe. You can go to the dealership and take a test drive before you commit to purchasing a car. And while you can’t try a house on for size […]
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Happy Father’s Day
For all the dads out there, wishing you a day of joy with your children. To those missing their dads and the dads missing their children, our hearts are with you.
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Flip Flop Fun
There’s no place like the beach. There’s no place like the beach. There’s no place like the beach. ?️ ?
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Cynthia Wander
409.789.7613