Rose King's Real Estate Blog

There are many different opinions on the most important things a seller can do to help their home sell quickly. Of course, price is of huge importance, and so is de-cluttering and staging. But if a seller is willing to spend a little money on updates to help get their home sold, my suggestion would be to update the kitchen with granite countertops.

Almost every buyer I have worked with wants granite in the kitchen. They can live without granite in the bathrooms, but it’s one of the first things they look for in the kitchen. I don’t think I have ever had a buyer choose a home with formica  or tile countertops over a similar house with granite, unless the price was significantly different.

Granite countertops can be installed at a reasonable price, depending on the size of the kitchen and the amount of counter space. There are many Level One granites that are quite beautiful and very reasonably priced.

Of course, if you put in granite countertops, you will need a nice backsplash to go with it. There are some inexpensive ceramic tiles that look really nice. And, one of the prettiest kitchens I have ever seen used bead-board for the backsplash.

One thing you would want to change out would be your kitchen sink and faucet. It’s best to go with an under-mount sink. Check the big-box home improvement stores for the best price.

If you can spend a little money on updates for your home, I think that the kitchen is the place to splurge. Those granite countertops can make your home more competitive, and the cost will be well worth it when you get that offer from a qualified buyer.

For assistance finding homes for sale in Friendswood or homes for sale in Pearland, call Realtor Rose King for excellent service!

Call Rose Today!

713-562-5888 

This fabulous home at 1709 Davison Ct. in League City will be open Saturday from 1-3 p.m.

Come on by to take a peek at this great four-bedroom home with four full baths, a gorgeous gourmet kitchen, gas fire place, huge backyard, porte-cochere, two-and-a-half-car garage with a huge workshop upstairs, and much more!

This house has something for everyone in the family! Great location off of League City Parkway, close to the YMCA, schools, shopping, etc. Highly rated Clear Creek ISD schools. Don't miss it!

Call Rose King, 713-562-5888, for more information.

Santa Claus will be making his annual tour of Friendswood neighborhoods this Saturday, Dec. 17. The Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department will be giving him a ride all around town on one of their big red fire trucks!

There is no set schedule for Santa to visit each neighborhood, so you will just have to listen for the siren as the fire truck makes it way down each street. He always seems to show up in Wilderness Trails in the mid-afternoon, but only Santa knows what his schedule will be this year.

Santa and a few of his helpers will be on board, waving to children and throwing candy to kids and adults who come out to greet him. I have heard that he also has a stash of doggie bones to throw out for canine friends as well!

It’s always fun when you hear the siren in your neighborhood, and all of the children come running out to see Santa ride by on the fire truck. I’m hanging out at home this Saturday so I won’t miss him!

Merry Christmas from Friendswood, Texas!

This great three-bedroom, two-bath home at 11023 Sageview in the Sagemont area has a nice open floor plan, a bright cheerful kitchen with brand new stainless steel appliances, a corner wood-burning fireplace, large den, large bedrooms with walk-in-closets, a pretty back yard, and so much more! New ceramic tile flooring, new high efficiency AC and heating systems, new hot water heater, new sewer lines, new paint, almost new carpet. Nice back yard gazebo and covered patio!

What more could you ask for???

The house is located in Sagemont, close to I-45 and Beltway 8. It’s convenient to San Jacinto College South, and Hermann Memorial Hospital Southeast. Don’t miss it!

Great Price … $114,000!

Call Rose King for a showing appointment today!

FREE Class

For Homebuyers

Saturday, Nov. 5

3-5 p.m.

Pearland Public Library

3522 Liberty Drive

Come and find out what you need to know about buying a home!

Topics Include

What steps do I need to take before I start looking?

How much money will I have to have up front?

How do I apply for a loan?

Why do I need to be pre-qualified?

What credit score do I need to have?

What types of loans are available?

Should I buy new, resale or foreclosure? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

What about an inspection? Do I need one and who pays for it?

What is the difference between an inspection and an appraisal?

What red flags should I look for when looking at homes?

What if I want to buy a new construction home? Is the price negotiable?

Get the answers to these and many other questions!

FREE home-buying guide to all attendees!

Please call or e-mail for reservations

713-562-5888

rose@rosekingrealtor.com

Presented as a Public Service for Citizens of Pearland and Surrounding Areas

The Forest of Friendswood is one of Friendswood’s most desirable communities. Located off of FM 2351 near Melody Lane, The Forest is convenient to the heart of Friendswood with easy access to I-45, and FM 518.

Builders who originally constructed most of the homes in The Forest were Emerald, Perry, Cervelle, and some higher-end custom homebuilders. Most of the homes in The Forest were constructed from 1998-2005. There is no longer any new construction in The Forest, although there are a few lots left in Northfield Estates, which is adjacent to The Forest, and participates in The Forest HOA.

There are currently 17 homes for sale in The Forest of Friendswood, ranging in price from $264,900 to $895,000. The average asking price per square foot is $119.86, and the average asking price is $474,170.

There have been 15 homes sold in The Forest since June 1, 2011. Those homes were on the market an average of 118 days.

JUNE 2011 – 5 homes sold

$280,000

$265,000

$302,500

$380,000

$495,000

These homes sold for an average of 95% of the asking price.

JULY 2011 – 1 home sold

$329,000

This home sold for 98% of the asking price.

AUGUST 2011 – 8 homes sold

$200,000

$263,700

$275,000

$308,000

$393,000

$385,000

$589,000

$684,000

These homes sold at an average of 94% of the asking price.

SEPTEMBER 2011 – 1 home sold

$650,000

This home sold for 93% of the asking price.

For assistance buying or selling a home in The Forest of Friendswood, call local Realtor, Rose King!

I just had a closing on a small starter home for a very young first-time home buyer couple. Throughout the buying process, we covered all of the information they would need to know about purchasing a home, including how the house payment will include principal and interest, and ESCROW.

But wouldn’t you know it…when the escrow amount came up at the closing table, the wife looked at me with a blank face and said, “I know you told us about escrow, but what is it again?”

There is so much information that is thrown at first-time home buyers; it’s no wonder they don’t absorb all of it.

If you are like most first-time home buyers, you are probably focused mostly on the total amount of the house payment being affordable, and you may not understand what is included in the overall payment.

This gorgeous one-story custom home, at 704 Castlewood in Friendswood, will be OPEN THIS SATURDAY, July 30, from 1-4 p.m. The home sits on a half-acre lot with lots of trees, and is located just down the street from Friendswood High School.

This great house was made for entertaining! The fabulous backyard oasis features a beautiful pool with a hot tub/spa, a covered patio, and plenty of space for parties, friends, and kids!

The four-bedroom home is pretty and comfortable with large rooms and lots of big closets. There is a giant family room with a gas fireplace, formal dining, very large bedrooms with walk-in closets, and two and a half baths. The kitchen has recently been remodeled with Silestone counters and stainless appliances.

The porte-cochere will accommodate up to four cars!

Don't miss this Friendswood beauty at 704 Castlewood in Friendswood! It’s one of the nicest houses for sale in Friendswood!

OPEN SATURDAY, JULY 30.

If you are looking for a house in the Sageglen area of Houston, make plans to stop by two open houses there on Sunday! The home at 10215 Sagecourt will be open from 1-3 p.m., and the home at 10403 Sagevale Ct. (pictured above) will be open from 3-5 p.m.

10215 Sagecourt – Open 1-3 p.m. on July 31

The house with SEVEN WALK-IN CLOSETS will be open from 1-3 p.m., Sunday, July 31. This very nice 4-bedroom, 2-bath home has big walk-in closets in every bedroom (one bedroom has 2 walk-ins) and two gigantic walk-in closets in the upstairs hallway. Storage space galore!

The home features a formal living room and formal dining room, both with large picture windows to make the rooms bright and cheerful. The very large family room, which is open to the breakfast area, has a wood-burning fireplace with gas connections, and a handy wet bar for entertaining. The kitchen is clean and bright with a brand new cooktop, and a walk-in pantry. And… it comes with a stainless steel refrigerator!

The large down-stairs master suite has a great master bath with double sinks and really big walk-in master closet. Upstairs you will find three big secondary bedrooms and a bright and cheerful hall bath.

There is a 2-car detached garage, a back patio and nice shade trees in the backyard. There is even a vegetable garden behind the garage!

10403 Sagevale Ct. – Open 3-5 p.m. on July 31

Need a roomy four-bedroom house with a fantastic pool? How about one with a great deck for entertaining? Are you looking for something with extra RV parking? Want a big playground area for the kids? You might think you could never find all of this on a subdivision cul-de-sac lot . . . but think again!

The house with TWO backyards offers all of this, plus much more! The house with two backyards features a refreshing pool surrounded by extensive decking and beautiful landscaping in the backyard directly behind the home. There is a lattice-covered deck just off of the back door – a perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee or to serve up cool drinks to your guests in the summer!  There is also a second raised deck next to the pool – large enough for a good size outdoor table and plenty of extra seating. There is even an outdoor shower!

If you walk down the cobblestone path behind the garage, you’ll enter the second backyard which is so large, you won’t believe it’s not on a country lot. There you will find a concrete pad for RV parking and plenty of room for volleyball, softball or a good game of hide and seek with the kids. A wonderful large shade tree in the center of the yard is sturdy enough for a couple of swings and provides one of many cool spots for the pets to escape the heat in the summer.

The house itself is a fabulous Perry floor plan with the master down and three bedrooms up.  There is a formal living room off of the entry hall, and a formal dining room with a pretty mirrored wall. The master is really big and easily accommodates very large furniture. The secondary bedrooms upstairs are also large and roomy enough for extra play areas for the kids. The house features hardwood floors, lots of storage, huge closets, a huge family room with a fireplace and big windows overlooking the pool, double ovens in the kitchen, a walk-in pantry, pretty plantation shutters and much, much more!

Come on out to the Sageglen subdivision on Sunday and tour these two great homes!

This great house was made for entertaining! The fabulous backyard oasis features a beautiful pool with a hot tub/spa, a covered patio, and plenty of space for parties, friends, and kids!

The four-bedroom home is pretty and comfortable with large rooms and lots of big closets. There is a giant family room with a gas fireplace, formal dining, very large bedrooms with walk-in closets, and two and a half baths. The kitchen has recently been remodeled with Silestone counters and stainless appliances.

This house is located in the prestigious Friendswood ISD. Every school in Friendswood ISD has been rated exemplary by the Texas Education Agency for the last several years. It is currently zoned for Cline Elementary, Windsong Intermediate, Friendswood Junior High, and Friendswood High School.

The porte-cachere will accommodate up to four cars!

Don't miss this Friendswood beauty at 704 Castlewood in Friendswood!

Call Rose King for an appointment today!