Central Texas Real Estate Podcast with Jean Shine
48 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago -A Video Blog about the Central Texas Real Estate Market for buyers and sellers by Central Texas' premiere Realtor Jean Shine.
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Episodes
Get Your House Ready for the Market in 3 Easy Steps
March 08, 2024 10:28Here’s what you need to know about preparing your home for sale. Selling your home can be a significant undertaking, but with careful preparation, you can enhance its appeal and increase the likelihood of a successful sale. Whether you're a first-time seller or have experience in the real estate market, taking specific steps to prepare your home is crucial. Today, we'll explore three key points to help you get your home ready for the market. 1. Enhance curb appeal. When potential buyers...
What Must Sellers Reveal in Disclosures?
February 22, 2024 15:46Three important things to disclose before your home is sold. When making an offer on a house, one of the first things buyers get from the seller is a property disclosure. This is also referred to as a property disclosure statement, a real estate disclosure form, or a home disclosure. The specifics vary by state, but most states, including ours, require some type of seller disclosure. The goal is to add transparency to the transaction. In this disclosure, a seller provides written inform...
The Top 3 Reasons to Buy a Home Now
January 22, 2024 16:18In the ever-evolving landscape of real estate, the decision to buy a home is a significant milestone that requires careful consideration. While the market may seem unpredictable, there are compelling reasons why now might be the ideal time to take the plunge into homeownership. We'll explore the top three reasons why buying a home now instead of waiting could prove to be a wise investment: 1. Home values will always rise over time. One of the most compelling arguments in favor of buying a ...
2023 Real Estate Guide: Navigating Buyer Opportunities
November 22, 2023 20:09Maximizing buyer benefits in the 2023 housing market. In today's real estate climate, the narrative often suggests that the rising interest rates make it a less-than-ideal time to buy a home. However, a closer look at real-world sales data tells a different story, revealing significant opportunities for homebuyers, particularly in 2023. Let's examine two sales of comparable homes in Harker Heights, located in the same neighborhood and on the same street, but with one transaction in 2021...
Drive a Bargain: The Road to Reduced Interest Rates
November 09, 2023 05:29These are the three proven ways to get huge savings and slash your rates. When it comes to buying a home or financing a major purchase, one of the most critical factors to consider is the interest rate on your loan—it can significantly impact your mortgage and your monthly payments. Fortunately, there are several strategies that buyers can employ to lower their interest rates and save money in the long run. Here are the three best ways buyers can reduce their interest rates: 1. Improve...
Maximizing Your Home’s Value: Sharing Expert Tips for a Lucrative Sale
September 15, 2023 19:03Sharing the three most important things you need to do when selling. Dear friends and clients, If you’re thinking about selling your home anytime soon, you need to know how to get the most money out of it. Too many people fall into the trap of thinking they don’t need to put in any work or that they need to spend enormous amounts of money to increase the value of their homes. The truth is that effort is necessary, but a little bit can go a long way. Here are my three tips for how to in...
Selling Your Home Is Hard: These 3 Strategies Make it Easy
August 07, 2023 16:08Here are three essential tips homeowners need to know before selling. Are you looking to sell your home in the near future? If you are, you need a plan to get the most money possible for your home while ensuring a smooth sale. As a real estate agent, I help people buy and sell houses every single day, so I know what it takes to get top dollar for your property. Here are three things you absolutely need to know before you list your home: Find the perfect price. Pricing can make or break ...
Assuming a Loan Can Save You Thousands
April 08, 2023 08:15Assuming a loan is a great option for buyers looking to save money. Over the past few years, we have seen record-breaking interest rates in the housing market. As a result, assuming a loan has not been a popular option for most buyers. However, with the interest rates on the rise, buyers are beginning to consider this option again. Here are four advantages of assuming a loan: 1. Lower interest rates. One of the primary advantages of assuming a loan is that you might be able to tak...
Buying a Home with Solar Panels? Here are 5 Key Considerations
March 16, 2023 09:22Five things to consider before you buy a home with solar already installed. If you're in the market for a new home, you may come across a property that already has solar panels installed. This can be an attractive feature as it can potentially save you money on your energy bills while also reducing your carbon footprint. However, before you jump in, there are some important things to consider. Here are five key factors to keep in mind when purchasing a home with solar panels: 1. Existin...
5 Reasons Why Now Is a Great Time To Buy
February 20, 2023 20:01The market may have been volatile, but it’s now a phenomenal time to buy. Despite what you might be hearing on the news today, it is a great time to buy a house. Today, I’m here to tell you five reasons why today is a better time to buy a house than it was two or three years ago: 1. Inventory is up. There are more homes on the market today for you to choose from, which is a great position to be in. 2. Homes are staying on the market longer. That means you’ll be able to see the homes ...
The Major Benefits of Having a Home Warranty
May 18, 2022 15:27Here’s my recent conversation with Molly from Home Warranty of America. Today I’m joined via Zoom by Molly Stewart of Home Warranty of America to remind us howtheycan help you out as a homebuyer or seller. Molly has been our preferred warranty representative for years, and we can’t wait to hear from her. When you ask us to help you sell your home, one way we add value is by providing a home warranty. We want our clients to maintain their homes inexpensively. If you want the HVAC fixed,...
Speaking With Kimberly About Home Insurance
March 31, 2022 21:42Here’s what Kimberly has to say about insurance in Central Texas. This market is so fast-paced and crazy that by the time you close your home, you may not have even thought about insurance. Do you need it? How much does it cost? These are important questions, so to help us answer them, we’re speaking with Kimberly Curb-Bridenstine, our favorite Allstate Insurance representative. How long have you been in the area? I’m from Killeen; in fact, I’m a generational Killeenite. I’ve grown u...
Speaking with Chuck from Connect My New Home
March 08, 2022 19:35Speaking with Chuck Bell from Connect My New Home about his great service. Today I’m pleased to be speaking with Chuck Bell from Connect My New Home. He’s a bonafide expert when it comes to preparing properties, and he’ll share some of his advice with us in this conversation. Chuck has educated my team on things that even we had no idea about, so I’m sure everyone will learn something from what he has to say. You can watch our full conversation in the video above, or you can skip to e...
Interest Rate Questions With Cyd West
February 07, 2022 19:17Cyd West, an interest rate expert, is here to discuss where they’re headed. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale Throughout January, everyone has been asking what interest rates are going to do this year. So today I have Cyd West from First Community Mortgage with me, our local expert on interest rates. We’ll discuss what’s been going on with rates and where ...
The Amazing Things You’ll Find at The Pixie Depot
October 25, 2021 18:02 VideoLet’s take a tour of another fantastic, local business: The Pixie Depot. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale Today we’re at The Pixie Depot, another fantastic local business in Salado. We’re taking you through the store today to show you the fantastic furniture, clothing, and more that they have to offer. Tanya Clifton, the owner of The Pixie Depot, joined u...
Remembering Our Troops at Fort Hood
July 19, 2021 19:08Here’s our message of remembrance to all of our fallen troops at Fort Hood. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale Today we’re at Fort Hood at the remembrance display at Sadowski Field. We are here to recognize and remember each one of the 7,700 soldiers, airmen, and Marines that we have lost in the service to our nation in our current war. From 2001 to 2021, w...
A Few Helpful Tips for Homebuyers
June 21, 2021 17:36 VideoHere are the market trends that today’s homebuyers need to know. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale As we move through this busy summer selling season, there are a few things you should know if you’re in the market to buy a home. We’ve noticed a trend with out-of-town lenders having issues finding appraisers to complete appraisal reports promptly. Many use...
Let Our Facebook Page Add Value to Your Week
March 17, 2021 14:36 VideoHere’s why you need to follow our reorganized Facebook page right away! Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale We’ve endured the snow and ice, and now the sun is shining through; spring has arrived in Central Texas. We don’t know whether people have been more active on Facebook due to COVID-19 or the ice storms, but we know they’ve been leaving a ton of comment...
Q: Will You Help Lay Wreaths for Vets This Year?
November 11, 2020 18:56Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Wreath for Vets event. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale It’s a special time of year, with Veterans Day and Thanksgiving this month and Christmas just around the bend. Despite the strain and strangeness of 2020, there are still so many blessings to go around, and we here at the Shine Team have an upcomin...
Q: Why Is Now a Great Time to Buy?
September 29, 2020 16:43Mortgage rates are low, which is great news for buyers in our market. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in many ways, including how we view real estate. Many people are looking to buy different types of homes right now—perhaps they need more bedrooms, or a larger yard, or a room they can convert into a home offic...
How Closings Work During COVID-19
May 13, 2020 20:23 VideoDue to COVID-19, closing procedures may be different right now. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale Like many of you, I look forward to getting a haircut, eating out, seeing friends, and getting my kids back into school when this health crisis abates. Though we’re not quite there yet, we want you to know that our offices remain open, staffed, and ready to as...
Your First Quarter Real Estate Market Update
April 20, 2020 19:54 VideoAlthough the pandemic has caused things to slow down in our real estate market, there are still plenty of properties being bought and sold. Here are the latest numbers. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale Today we have a real estate market report for the first quarter of 2020. Like you, our lives have been inundated by the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic ...
Community Spotlight: Let’s Eat Texas
January 28, 2020 20:49 VideoWhether you’re in the mood for some delicious food or you want to know how to make it, Let’s Cook Texas and Let’s Eat Texas are both places that you need to check out. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale For our very first post of 2020, we’re here at one of my latest and greatest food finds. I heard about this place initially in the newspaper, and I enjoyed ...
Enjoy Delicious Drinks and Dishes at Palmeras Tex-Mex con Sabor
October 18, 2019 13:28I recently took a trip to one of my favorite local restaurants, Palmeras Tex-Mex con Sabor, and I’d like to introduce you to it in a quick behind-the-scenes video, today. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale In addition to serving as your Central Texas real estate resource, something else I’m passionate about is supporting other local business owners, like my...
The Latest and Greatest School in Our Area
August 07, 2019 17:43Maude Wood Elementary will open its brand-new doors to just over 1,000 students in a few weeks. Here’s a first-hand look at this gorgeous school. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale There’s a brand-new elementary school in the area that we're excited to talk to you about today. Maude Moore Wood Elementary is opening up in two weeks in the White Rock Estates...
What to Avoid When Applying for a Mortgage
April 09, 2019 20:06These mistakes will mess up your mortgage application. Here’s what to look out for. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale Before applying for a mortgage, there are a few things you need to be aware of and avoid. First, you shouldn’t make any big life changes during the application process, such as getting married, quitting your job, or starting a new busines...
How to Close on a Home With Fewer Headaches
March 26, 2019 16:38Here are some of my tips that will help ensure you have a smooth closing process. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale Here’s what you need to do in order to have a smooth close: 1. Use professionals to make the repairs. I’ve had many sellers try to do their own repairs, only to find out that it wasn’t up to a professional standard. In the long run, it delay...
Come See All That This Armed Services YMCA Has to Offer
March 07, 2019 17:36I’m happy to be joined today by the branch marketing director, Amanda Carlson, as she gives us a glimpse into a few of the wonderful programs Armed Services YMCA have to offer. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale Our exploration through Central Texas has taken us to our next stop: Harker Heights’ Armed Services YMCA. Not only is it a newer branch, but it’s o...
Shining the Business Spotlight on the Cup of Joe Coffee Shop
January 31, 2019 16:58I have discovered a little taste of Austin right here in Central Texas, courtesy of Cup of Joe. Today I want to introduce you to the owner to discuss his business and the delights he offers. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale Joseph Taylor is a local entrepreneur who graduated from Killeen High School in 2014. Not only is he the founder of Cup of Joe, but h...
We Wish You Many Things This Holiday Season
December 17, 2018 16:20The holidays are here, and we have a special message to share with you. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale Today we want to take a break from real estate to share a holiday message with you. We at the Shine Team have had an amazing year in 2018, and we want to thank all of our friends, family, clients, and everyone else in our community who’s supported us. ...
One of the Best New Restaurants in Harker Heights
December 04, 2018 20:35Juicy Joy Deli & Coffee is one of the best new restaurants in Harker Heights. Check out what we got to taste when we went on a recent visit there. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale It’s a great day in Harker Heights and I just discovered a brand-new restaurant in the area that you guys are going to love. Juicy Joy Deli & Coffee is operated by the Cruz fami...
Consider Donating to Wreaths For Vets to Honor All Our Veterans
October 31, 2018 16:57 VideoYears ago, we started the Wreaths For Vets foundation in an effort to honor all veterans who serve our country. The foundation operates solely on donations, so we would be ecstatic if you could donate to the cause. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale This is a very special season for us at the Shine Team; back in 2006, our community opened up our...
3 Home Improvement Projects That Buyers Will Love
October 26, 2018 15:01To increase your odds of selling in this market, you might want to look at completing a few home improvement projects. These are the three that we recommend. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale As we slowly shift to a buyer's market, it’s time to make some adjustments. For one thing, it's worth looking at some simple home improvement projects that ...
A Video Tour of a Fabulous White Rock Home
September 14, 2018 16:54 VideoTake a tour of one of White Rock’s beautiful homes with me—I’ll show you all its wonderful special features that make it a truly outstanding home. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale I was wandering over to the great little neighborhood of White Rock when I thought it would be a good idea to show off some of the special features homes in this area h...
3 Reasons to Consider Selling This Fall
August 30, 2018 21:01 VideoFall is an underrated time for home sellers. Here are a few reasons why. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale Sometimes it pays to go against the crowd. While the real estate market is definitely at a peak during the spring and summer, going against this trend and listing your home in the fall can have some great benefits. Now is a great time to sell ...
A Quick Update on Winter Home Prices in 2018
January 31, 2018 17:50This winter is shaping up to be a huge moment for area homeowners who are looking to sell. Here are a few reasons why. Looking to sell your Central Texas area home? Get a free home value report Looking to buy a Central Texas area home? Click here to browse Central Texas Homes for sale This winter is likely to be a very important moment for many home sellers. That’s because three big trends are coming together to affect Lancaster County home prices right now: 1. Housing inventory r...
5 Remodeling Projects With the Best Return
September 21, 2017 14:36Home remodeling is as hot as it's ever been. Here are five projects that bring the best return on investment. Selling in the Central Texas area? Get a market analysis report Purchasing in the Central Texas area? Get full MLS access Home remodeling is hotter than ever. According to researchers at Harvard University, remodeling investment is up 6% over last year, and now makes up a $324 billion market. According to a survey of remodelers and real estate professionals, there are fi...
What Does the Fed’s Recent Rate Hike Mean for the Real Estate Market?
July 31, 2017 18:18The Fed’s recent rate hike shouldn’t have any significant impact on our market. In fact, it might actually stimulate it. Selling in the Central Texas area? Get a market analysis report Purchasing in the Central Texas area? Get full MLS access On June 14th, the Federal Reserve increased its federal funds interest rate by 0.25%. They’re also widely expected to raise rates once or twice more over the course of 2017. What does this mean for the real estate market? While any action by t...
Killeen Market Report Stats for August 2016
October 24, 2016 17:28 VideoKilleen’s market statistics are in for August 2016, and I’m happy to report that Killeen is still listed among the most affordable housing in the nation. Selling in the Central Texas area? Get a market analysis report Purchasing in the Central Texas area? Get full MLS access Today I’d like to report the August 2016 market statistics for Killeen. All of our data comes directly from the Multiple Listing Service. Last month we focused only on the city of Parker Heights, and future reports wi...
Harker Heights Real Estate Market Update
October 07, 2016 16:20The real estate market in Harker Heights is fantastic, and I have some MLS numbers to back that claim up. Selling in the Central Texas area? Get a market analysis report Purchasing in the Central Texas area? Get full MLS access People ask me all the time, “How’s the market?” In Harker Heights, the market is absolutely, positively fantastic. Here are some numbers taken directly off the MLS: In the month of August, the average days on market was 110 days. That’s a little bit longer tha...
How to Avoid the Biggest Remodeling Mistakes
September 06, 2016 17:45Looking to buy or sell a home in Central Texas? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a free Home Market Analysis so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (254) 690-4321 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions. I recently came across a great video from Consumer Reports about home updates and remodels that I just had to share wit...
This Is What Really Matters Your Harker Heights House Hunt
September 06, 2016 17:42We see a wide range of buyers, from those who want homes of a very specific size, style and architectural design, to buyers who simply want four walls, a roof, and electricity for their next home. Most clients are somewhere in the middle - they’re looking for a home that looks good and has most of the features they want. You've probably looked at houses and checked off a few boxes making sure they have the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you want, but have you ever looked at a home and re...
Make Sure Your Kitchen Renovation Goes Smoothly
July 15, 2016 16:22Looking to buy or sell a home in Central Texas? Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call us at (254) 690-4321 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions. For homeowners, at least one kitchen remodeling session is practically inevitable. Unfortunately, almost everyone who’s...
How We Impressed Deborah with Our Communication
July 12, 2016 18:27Tell me about your experience working with The Shine Team. "We sold our home. I think the thing that was most remarkable was the communication with the agent and us. We were always kept in the loop as far as the process. We are out of town from the home we were selling, so that was particularly important." To contact the Shine Team, call 254-690-4321 or email at [email protected].
How We Were Able to Get Bill Speedy Results
July 12, 2016 18:22Tell me about your experience working with The Shine Team. "I got speedy results! I called them, told them I wanted to sell my house, and they had it all fixed up from the rental side of the house, and put it on the market. It was sold in three months which wasn’t too bad for me, it’s what I needed. [Now I'm working on] some of the repairs, trying to get that [taken care of] and not have any money out of pocket until the closing." To contact the Shine Team, call 254-690-4321 or email at S...
How We Were Able to Work with Tom While He Was Out of State
July 12, 2016 18:18Tell me about your experience working with The Shine Team. "Really well. We ended up getting the house. Everything went off pretty swell. I'm not in Texas, I was in school in Arizona for most of the period. So, Laurie was able to work as a mediator between me and my wife while we were separated between states due to work." To contact the Shine Team, call 254-690-4321 or email at [email protected].
How We Answered All of Marvin's Questions
July 12, 2016 18:13Tell me about your experience working with The Shine Team. "We worked with Carol and Laurie and they were both extremely helpful and very friendly. Carol was very helpful with the house getting inspected by an inspector and once we were getting into a contract. Laurie was extremely helpful by explaining everything very thoroughly and making everything crystal clear for me, even on the weekends when I had questions. They also loaned some moving stuff for me. The experience was great! I’d be...
How We Got an Offer on Jason's House in 14 Days
July 12, 2016 18:06Tell me about your experience working with The Shine Team. "I got awesome results working with the Shine Team. About a few days after they listed the house I had tons of people who were walking through. They were very professional and there was an instance where I knew the lights were being left on so I called the Shine Team and they made sure that all the realtors that were showing the house turned off the lights. They were definitely respectful of my wishes and within fourteen days I had...