You Can Build Your Own Natural Garden Path

http://youtu.be/DNw4JD81ngc

Here's a really cool idea for a Natural Garden Path courtesy of Homes.com.  Take a look at the step by step video and get inspired to do something this summer.  A well-cared for and landscaped yard will not only add value to your home, but adds to the marketability when it comes time to sell.  Adding small projects like this now and then will result in your own private retreat after a while.  Click the link below the picture to view the how-to video for this project.

If you love the idea of owning a home with a beautifully landscaped yard, but don't have the patience to do it yourself, take a look at this home at 5001 Joseph Drive in Killeen, TX.  All of the hard work has been done, now all you have to do is move in and maintain a little, and even that's pretty easy.  

http://fthoodtexashomes.com/Search/PropDetail.aspx?ID=32221&listingID=36-1-4201775543&

How Your Kids Can Help Sell Your Home During Summer Break

The idea of selling a home is daunting enough without having to worry about your children running amok and constantly creating clutter. It might sound like an impossible feat, but selling your house while your kids are on summer break is possible.

Having to quickly clean the kitchen during a cookie marathon or break down the new toy car racecourse that goes over and under the coffee table can be stressful, especially when your real estate agent would like to show your home in the next 15 minutes. However, with a little planning, structure and strategy, you can get your house ready to sell this summer — and your kids can help.

• Introduce your real estate agent to your children. This is especially important if you’ll be at work while the kids are in the house by themselves or with a sitter. Also, form some sort of agreement that when the house is being shown, the kids will all sit down to watch a movie or play in the backyard to stay out of the way.
• Form good habits. It will help to get your children in the routine of quick and easy cleaning. Reward them for making their beds every morning and putting their toys away before bedtime. Give them an extra gold star if they do something over the top, like vacuuming, sweeping or dusting.  
• Store anything that’s not necessary. This is where staging comes into play. Put toys that your children aren’t currently enamored with into storage. You can explain to them that it’s temporary, and they’ll get them back after you move to your new home.
• Create a battle plan. Take advantage of your children’s imaginations and turn preparing to show the house into a game. Make a checklist, and when you get the call, see who can complete all their tasks the quickest.

Give your children a purpose this summer and make them part of the selling process. With a little organization, they can help relieve some of your stress and sell your home.

If you’d like additional ideas on how to get your home sold fast, please call me at 254-397-6637 or email me at RichardOverall@gmail.com.

Compliments of RealtyBlogContent.com

VA Foreclosures in Killeen, Texas

Being that Killeen is home to Fort Hood, the largest military installation in the free world, it is no surprise that more Killeen homes are bought using VA guaranteed home loans than any other loan type. As such, and as might be expected, there are also more VA foreclosed homes in the Killeen area than any other type of foreclosed home.

A VA foreclosure happens when a veteran purchased a home using his/her VA entitlement to get a VA guaranteed loan and then defaults on the note. The name VA guaranteed loan is somewhat misleading since the guarantee is not to the veteran that he/she will get the loan, but guarantees the lender against loss of principal if the buyer defaults. The veteran must meet certain eligibility requirements from VA and financial qualification requirements from the lender.

When a veteran loses their home to foreclosure, it is taken back by the bank or lender servicing the loan at a trustee's sale (held the first Tuesday of every month on the courthouse steps). The lender then makes a claim to the VA, exercising their guarantee. The VA settles with the lender and takes ownership of the property. Once VA has ownership of the property, they turn it over to the VA Property Management Contractor (currently Vendor Resource Management) for disposal. That contractor assigns the property to one of a network of local real estate offices to prepare the home for market. The process from the trustee's sale (actual foreclosure) to the house being available for sale can range from a few weeks to several months or longer.

If you are interested in VA, or any other Killeen foreclosures (and surrounding areas) you can get a complete FREE list of Harker Heights, Copperas Cove and Killeen foreclosed homes at http://myagent.uc.agentachieve.com/Free_Foreclosure_List_LP/?ID=32221. You can also sign up for free daily email notices of new and changed foreclosure listings.