Category Archives: Selling a Home

Is my house in the floodplain?

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searchFEMA has maps for you to check if your property is in a floodplain. Follow the link to City of Victoria Development Services.

Some properties that were in the floodplain have been removed due to the work by the Lone Tree Creek Channel Improvement that was completed in 2009. Use the maps as a guide but you will want to check with the City of Victoria to verify if your property is in the floodplain and requires flood insurance.

If you would like Rick and Sharon to meet with you to discuss buying or selling a home please call 361-433-0520. Or email rick@gcrtx.com or sharon@gcrtx.com. Ask about our Educator Incentive Program. Try our Property Search to find houses with up-to-date information. Like us on Facebook!

In and Around Victoria #27 – 2013 Home Product Show

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home show

The 2013 Home Product Show is this next weekend March 23 and 24 at the Victoria Community Center. The show starts Saturday, March 23 and runs from 10 AM-5 Pm and again on Sunday from 12 PM-5 PM. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for students. Check out the list of vendors. You’ll find more information at the Builder Association of Victoria website.

In and Around Victoria highlights places to go, things to see, and local area restaurants. The posts are in no particular order or ranking. Let us know if you have a local area attraction that you’d like to see highlighted in the blog. Post a comment or give us a call 361-433-0520.

If you would like Rick and Sharon to meet with you to discuss buying or selling a home please call 361-433-0520. Or email rick@gcrtx.com or sharon@gcrtx.com. Ask about our Educator Incentive Program. Try our Property Search to find houses with up-to-date information. Like us on Facebook!

Check Your Credit Report

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report_checkGet a copy of your credit report. You can do this for free at Annual Credit Report.

Go over each item on your credit report to verify each debt is in your name. Sometimes debts are put onto reports that don’t belong to that person. When I ran my free credit report I found out I owned a home in Arizona! I’ve never been to Arizona. I was able to have it removed from my credit report but it took some effort. Several years later upon running my free credit report again, I found out I had purchased a pick-up truck! Getting that off my credit report involved a lot of work including filing a police report for fraudulent activity.

It is worth checking your credit report once a year to make sure everything on it is correct.

If you would like Rick and Sharon to meet with you to discuss buying or selling a home please call 361-433-0520. Or email rick@gcrtx.com or sharon@gcrtx.com. Ask about our Educator Incentive Program. Try our Property Search to find houses with up-to-date information. Like us on Facebook!

Ready to List Your House?

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You’ve decided you are ready to sell your home. Before you put it on the market there are a few things you can do to create the best first impression for buyers.

  • Organize your closets and kitchen cabinets – crowded closets and cabinets mean not enough storage for buyers
  • Make your floors shine – replace broken tiles, get the carpets cleaned if needed
  • Clean your windows
  • Clean out your refrigerator (yes, buyers look in the fridge and cabinets and closets)
  • Dust and polish everything!
  • Make sure your home smells fresh - buyers are turned off by a smelly house

If you would like Rick and Sharon to meet with you to discuss buying or selling a home please call 361-433-0520. Or email rick@gcrtx.com or sharon@gcrtx.com. Ask about our Educator Incentive Program. Try our Property Search to find houses with up-to-date information. Like us on Facebook!

Mythbusters and Your Credit Score #8

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stopMyth: A collection account can only be reported to your credit once.

Busted: Once you’ve entered into debt collection, that collection can be sold many times. Each time the new creditor assumes the debt and begins the collection process it gets reported. Unpaid bills can haunt your credit score for a long time.

If you would like Rick and Sharon to meet with you to discuss buying or selling a home please call 361-433-0520. Or email rick@gcrtx.com or sharon@gcrtx.com. Ask about our Educator Incentive Program. Try our Property Search to find houses with up-to-date information. Like us on Facebook!

Mythbusters and Your Credit Score #7

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stopMyth: If you have high balances on your credit card and you pay on time it will improve your score.

Busted: High balances will hurt your score even if you pay on time. Keep your balance to no more than 30% of your credit limit.

If you would like Rick and Sharon to meet with you to discuss buying or selling a home please call 361-433-0520. Or email rick@gcrtx.com or sharon@gcrtx.com. Ask about our Educator Incentive Program. Try our Property Search to find houses with up-to-date information. Like us on Facebook!

Mythbusters and Your Credit Score #6

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stopMyth: Running your credit report will lower your credit score.

Busted: When you pull your credit report to review your credit it’s considered a ‘soft inquiry’ and it should not affect your credit score. When a lender or creditor pulls your report for the purpose of giving you a loan or extending your credit it’s considered a ‘hard inquiry’ and it can impact your credit score negatively.

If you would like Rick and Sharon to meet with you to discuss buying or selling a home please call 361-433-0520. Or email rick@gcrtx.com or sharon@gcrtx.com. Ask about our Educator Incentive Program. Try our Property Search to find houses with up-to-date information. Like us on Facebook!

Mythbusters and Your Credit Score #5

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stopMyth: All credit reports and credit scores are the same.

Busted: There are three main credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax and Transunion. Each credit report and credit score may vary. Each seek to document your credit history and reflect your credit risk.

If you would like Rick and Sharon to meet with you to discuss buying or selling a home please call 361-433-0520. Or email rick@gcrtx.com or sharon@gcrtx.com. Ask about our Educator Incentive Program. Try our Property Search to find houses with up-to-date information. Like us on Facebook!

Mythbusters and Your Credit Score #4

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stopMyth: If you only use cash that will help your credit score.

Busted: Good credit is a process of responsibly using your credit over time. You need to establish your credit history.

If you would like Rick and Sharon to meet with you to discuss buying or selling a home please call 361-433-0520. Or email rick@gcrtx.com or sharon@gcrtx.com. Ask about our Educator Incentive Program. Try our Property Search to find houses with up-to-date information. Like us on Facebook!

Mythbusters and Your Credit Score #3

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stopMyth: Credit bureaus don’t make mistakes.

Busted: 80% of credit reports contain some kind of error or mistake. That’s why it’s important to check your credit report regularly.

If you would like Rick and Sharon to meet with you to discuss buying or selling a home please call 361-433-0520. Or email rick@gcrtx.com or sharon@gcrtx.com. Ask about our Educator Incentive Program. Try our Property Search to find houses with up-to-date information. Like us on Facebook!