If you’re buying a new home in Port Aransas (or if you’ve just sold yours) and you have an aquarium, you’re probably not exactly sure how to move your fish.
Even you’ve moved with fish before, it can be a bit tricky—and if you’re not careful, you could end up losing more than a few.
So how do you move with fish?

How to Move With Fish

Whether you’re moving just a few minutes up the street or you’re making a cross-country trek, you need to know how to keep your fish safe during the journey. (Many experts will tell you that if you’re moving more than a couple of hours from Port Aransas, you should sell your fish to someone close by who can care for them; it may just be easier to get new fish when you get to your destination.)
Ideally, you’ll keep your fish in a sealed container with ample oxygen. Fish can only survive for a couple of hours in a plastic bag half-full of air (like those you get from the pet store), so if you can, use a sealed cooler that helps keep the water temperature stable.
Moving is extremely stressful for fish, so keeping their environment as stable as you can is essential.

Preserving Your Fish’s Health

Every healthy fish tank has a colony of bacteria living in it. However, without a steady supply of oxygen, those bacteria begin to die within a few hours.
In order to preserve your bacteria colony, you must keep original tank water aerated while you’re moving. You may want to invest in a bacterial additive to accelerate your tank’s cycling, as well.

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas or North Padre Island?

Whether you’re looking for a home for sale in Port Aransas orNorth Padre Island, we’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.
Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
In the meantime, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more)

Filed under: Blog, Buying, Moving by Julie Woodward
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If you’re buying a new home in Port Aransas or the surrounding communities, you’ve probably already thought about your décor—but do you have a great conversation piece?
According to etiquette expert Margaret Shepherd, having a great conversation piece (or two) on-hand can make you the best entertainer in the neighborhood.

3 Great Conversation Pieces for Your New Home in Port Aransas

#1: Musical Instruments

Musical instruments make great conversation pieces, says Shepherd, but pianos don’t really count; people see them as if they’re furniture.
Don’t play the instrument unless you’ve been asked twice, though.
“Don’t accept the first invitation to perform, but thank the guest and promise to play later,” Shepherd said. “And then wait to be asked twice! A host’s performance stops the conversation and the party dead, while afterward no one can say anything but compliments.”

#2: Exotic Plants (or Anything Exotic, Really)

“If you have any spectacular object like this that is sure to excite curiosity and comment, be ready with a response that takes advantage of the moment,” says Shepherd.

#3: A Best-Selling Book

Steer clear of controversial or political books if you’re looking for a conversation piece—you don’t want to alienate your guests—but other best-sellers, “coffee table” books, or a novel that’s being made for the big-screen can be ideal.
“Any book that is floating around in popular knowledge is a conversation starter,” Shepherd said. “Even if someone hasn’t read the book on your table, he can then say ‘Oh, I have heard so much about that book. What’s all the hype about?’ That’s your hook. Now, you or one of your guests can build a valuable conversation with that person.”

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas or North Padre Island?

Whether you’re looking for a home for sale in Port Aransas or North Padre Island, we’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.
Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
In the meantime, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more)

Filed under: Blog, Buying, Decor, How-To, Luxury by Julie Woodward
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When it comes to buying a home, there’s no time like the present. Interest rates are still low, but there is a hike on the horizon—so now may be the perfect time for you to dive into home ownership.
So where do you start?

How to Get Ready to Buy a Home in Port Aransas

When you’re considering making the switch from renter to owner, you’ll have to take a few steps to make sure you’re on the right track for a successful purchase.

Step 1 of Buying a Home in Port Aransas: Talk to a Realtor®

Every good real estate transaction starts with a great Realtor. You should find someone who you “click” with. Questions to ask as you interview potential Realtors include:

• How often do you work with first-time buyers?
• Will it be difficult to find a home within my price range?
• Can you recommend lenders, contractors, and other professionals who can help me with my home purchase?

A good Realtor will give answers that you are satisfied with—and she’ll begin assisting you right away. It’s important that you remember it doesn’t cost you a thing to work with a buyer’s agent. The seller pays the Realtor’s fees.

Step 2 of Buying a Home in Port Aransas: Talk to a Lender

Whether your Realtor recommends a lender or you choose to work with one you already know and trust, one of the first things you need to do is find out how much house you can afford. Your lender will run the numbers so you can set your price range, and they’ll also run your credit so you’re aware of any issues you may need to handle before you make your purchase.

Step 3 of Buying a Home in Port Aransas: Do Your Homework

Buying a home is probably one of the biggest decision you’ll ever make during your life, so it makes sense for you to do as much research as possible. Use the Internet, ask your Realtor questions, and talk to family and friends who have purchased before. The more you know, this mother your home buying experience will be.

Step 4 of Buying a Home in Port Aransas: Shop Around

Think about all the Port Aransas neighborhoods that fit within your price range. Do your homework on the neighborhoods by driving through them at various times of day; do they come to life in the evenings, when you’re winding down for the day? Are they quiet, or are children playing on the sidewalks in the afternoons? The more you know about your potential neighborhoods and the homes you’re interested in buying, the better off you’ll be.

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas?

Whether you’re looking for a home for sale in Port Aransas or North Padre Island, we’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.
Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
In the meantime, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more)

Filed under: Blog, Buying, First-Time Buyers by Julie Woodward
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If you’re buying a home, you already know that it costs money.
But what are the costs of owning a home that go beyond the mortgage? If you’re a first-time buyer, here’s what you need to know.

Beyond the Down Payment

For most home purchases, buyers need to come up with the standard 20 percent down payment (unless you’re using a VA loan, which doesn’t require a down payment at all, or some types of FHA loans).
Other than your monthly mortgage payment, which begins shortly after you move in, you’ll have to think about furniture, décor, and in some cases, appliances. The
These things really add up… and unfortunately, there’s more to come.

Real Estate Taxes

Your home’s value is the biggest factor in the amount of taxes you’ll have to pay. In many cases, mortgage lenders final real estate taxes into monthly mortgage payments—and that can be a big bonus for you because your taxes will be paid on time, and it’s one less thing to worry about.

Homeowners Insurance

You’ll most likely have to purchase homeowners insurance, which protects you against issues such as fire, theft, and other disasters. However, as with other types of insurance, you’ll most likely be required to pay a deductible if something happens; that means it’s a good idea to set aside a stash of cash for an emergency.

Homeowners Association Dues

Some neighborhoods and subdivisions charge homeowners a monthly or annual fee to care for the sidewalks, landscaping, and other amenities. Nearly all condominium complexes charge HOA dues, as well.

Home Maintenance

If possible, you may want to purchase a home warranty that will cover defects and issues. If not, remember the everything in your home has a life expectancy—including appliances, fencing, and other components.
Most experts suggest that you budget between 1 and 2 percent of your home’s purchase price to put toward annual upkeep.

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas?

Whether you’re looking for a home for sale in Port Aransas orNorth Padre Island, we’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.
Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
In the meantime, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more)

Filed under: Blog, Buying, Financing, First-Time Buyers by Julie Woodward
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When your home is on the market, it’s like everything is on hold. You can’t make a mess—what if someone stops by to see the house?—and you have to be ready to vacate on a moment’s notice.
So rather than running yourself ragged, follow these tips to help you and your family live (somewhat) normally while your house is on the market.

Put a Lid On It

Now is the perfect time to invest in lidded baskets and a lidded hamper, too. Ideally, you’ll have a basket with a lid in all the most highly trafficked rooms in your house (we’re looking at you, kitchen and entryway). That way, you can whisk everything out of sight when you need to without creating a jumbled mess that you’ll have to deal with later.

Stock Up On Disposable Cleaning Wipes

Run through your kitchen and bathrooms wielding a disposable cleaning wipe in each hand. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can transform a slightly messy surface into an impeccable one.
Here’s a tip, too: baby wipes work just as well if you’re more worried about wiping away fingerprints and dust than about killing 99 percent of germs—and they’re more affordable than wipes marketed exclusively for house-cleaning.

Fresh Flowers, Fresh Fruit, Fresh Look

It’s always been a good idea to brighten your home with fresh flowers, live plants and bowls of fresh fruit. These investments are affordable and simple to implement, and they can make a huge difference in selling your home—so why not grab a potted plant or two, buy yourself some flowers, and snag some healthy snacks the next time you’re at the grocery store?

Are You Selling Your Home in Port Aransas or South Padre Island?

If you’re selling your home, we’d love to help you do so quickly and at the right price. We’ll be happy to give you a free comparative market analysis so you know exactly how much your home is worth. While you’re here, you can also download our free home-selling eBook and read our useful tips for selling your home faster.
When you’re ready, call us at 361-563-7788 or contact us online to find out how we can help you sell your home in Port Aransas or South Padre Island.

Filed under: Blog, Selling, Staging by Julie Woodward
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With dozens of horrible storms in the rear-view and more on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to invest in a home generator. With the right preparation and planning, you can avoid power outages and their aftermath.
But where do you even begin your generator-shopping journey?

How to Buy a Generator for Your Home

There are two types of generators you can purchase for home use: small, portable options and large, standby generators.

Small, Portable Generators

Typically, small, portable generators cost between $500 and $1,500. However, that affordability comes at a price.
Small, portable generators for home use can power your home’s essential appliances, and their simple to set up. However, these types of generators require manual operation. You’ll also have to monitor these generators closely.
In order to get your portable generator running, you must be at home when the power goes out. These types of generators run on fuel—and their tanks hold between three and six gallons, on average—so you’ll need to be on standby for a fill-up.
Because there’s a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from the engine exhaust, your portable generator must be at least 10 feet away from your home (that’s something to think about during inclement weather). As an extra precaution, you may want to hook up a carbon monoxide detector when you’re running your portable generator.

Standby Generators

Standby generators are equipped to automatically start when the power goes out.
However, these generators typically cost about $10,000. Maintenance is necessary every two years, and it does need to be performed by licensed technician. Large, standby generators have about a 15-year lifespan, provided that they are properly maintained.

Should You Invest in a Generator?

There’s no question that power outages are inconvenient—but for some people, they can be deadly, such as those who rely on home medical equipment.

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas?

Whether you’re looking for a home for sale in Port Aransas orNorth Padre Island, we’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.
Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
In the meantime, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more)

Filed under: Blog, Buying, Consumer Tips by Julie Woodward
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If you’re a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, you’re most likely eligible for a VA loan.
Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of all the benefits that go along with a loan backed by the Veterans Adminstration—or even how they work.

VA Loans: The Basics

It’s not exactly accurate to call it a VA loan. The funding doesn’t actually come from the Veterans Administration; it comes from a private lender. We call it a VA loan because the VA guarantees a portion of it. (That includes the VA reassuring lenders that if you default on your loan, the lender can go to the Veterans Administration to recoup their investment.)

Benefits of VA Loans

If you choose to use a VA loan, the benefits include:

• No down payment required, as long as the home’s sale price doesn’t exceed its appraised value
• No private mortgage insurance premium requirements (most people have to pay PMI if they’re putting down anything less than a 20 percent down payment)
• The VA limits how much the lender can charge you for closing costs
• Sellers are permitted to pay your closing costs
• Lenders can’t charge you an early repayment penalty if you pay off your house before the length of the mortgage is up

Finally, if you run into trouble making your mortgage payments, the VA may be able to help you.

The Maximum Debt Ratio for VA Loans

There isn’t a maximum debt-to-income ratio for a VA loan. The lender does have to provide the VA with “compensating factors” if your DTI is over 41 percent, though. Many lenders have a maximum DTI, and in some cases, it’s lower than 41 percent.

Minimum Credit Scores for a VA Loan

The Veterans Administration does not have a minimum credit score requirement. Many lenders do, however.
Lenders must look at a veteran’s entire financial profile before making a lending decision, even if the vet’s credit isn’t as high as what the bank would typically require.

Are You a Veteran Buying a Home in Port Aransas or the Surrounding Communities?

Whether you’re looking for a home for sale in Port Aransas or North Padre Island, we’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.
Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
In the meantime, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more)

Filed under: Blog, Buying, Financing, VA Loans by Julie Woodward
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