Happy Holidays, and May 2018 Bring Peace, Joy, and Laughter

Have a happy holiday season! Thank you so much for your support in 2017, and we look forward to helping you in the new year!

We hope you had an amazing 2017! Thanks to you and your support, The Monica Benavides Team definitely did.

Thank you for allowing us to help you make your real estate goals for 2017 come true.

A new year brings new opportunities for all of us. Whatever your resolutions may be, we hope the new year brings you peace, joy, and laughter.

We hope the new year brings you peace, joy, and laughter.

Enjoy this holiday season and make some wonderful memories with your family and friends. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

As always, if you have any real estate questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

In the meantime, merry Christmas and happy New Year!

What Makes Home Inspections So Important?

As a buyer, it is important to have a good idea of a property’s condition before settling down. Hiring a home inspector can help you learn about a home’s condition, history, and maintenance requirements.

Today I’m joined by a special guest, Eric Mayberry of Down Home Inspections. Eric has 16 years of experience in our area, so he’s going to go over a few reasons why home inspections are so crucial to the real estate process.

Hiring a home inspector will always put buyers in a better position. Inspectors can fill buyers in on everything they need to know about a home.

An inspector will be able to provide you with information about the history of the home and will also point out any things that need to be repaired.

Hiring a home inspector will always put buyers in a better position.

Additionally, an inspector can give you a better idea of how to maintain a home for years to come. Proper care is an important part of homeownership. Getting advice from a quality inspector is a great way to start off.

Home inspections are incredibly important, so if you’re thinking of purchasing a property don’t forget to give Down Home Inspections a call at (956) 893-0591.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

6 Tips for Successfully Staging Your Kitchen

A well-staged home can make the difference between a quick sale and a lingering listing, and your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home.

Staging your kitchen before putting your house on the market can make the difference between a quick sale and a lingering listing. 

The appearance of your kitchen is one factor that will rank highly among potential buyers’ priority lists. Because of this, I want to bring you six kitchen staging tips that can help you sell your home.

The appearance of your kitchen ranks highly among potential buyers’ priority lists.

1. De-clutter the countertops. Rid your counters of any miscellaneous objects, paper, or clutter. This can be distracting. Instead, leave one or two decorative items on your counters. A good example would be a vase of flowers or a bowl of seasonal fruit.
2. Get rid of excessive dishware. As is the case with our first tip, you don’t want buyers to feel overwhelmed. Leave one matching set of dishes and glassware out on your table, but don’t overdo it.
3. Check the cabinets. Your cabinets may need a fresh coat of paint or to be replaced altogether. Determine your specific needs and update accordingly.
4. Evaluate your appliances. If your appliances are new and in good working order, you should be all set. However, consider upgrading or replacing appliances that aren’t quite up to snuff.
5. Clean the refrigerator. No one likes a dirty kitchen. Make sure you wipe down the front and handles of your refrigerator.
6. Clean the walls. Like we mentioned in the previous tip, it’s important to make sure your kitchen is sparkling clean. Keeping your walls and backsplashes looking fresh and free of stains or smudging will make a big difference.

With these tips at your disposal, it should be easy to stage your home.

If you have any other questions, would like more information, or are considering a career in real estate, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Red Relief—Helping Those Impacted by Harvey and Irma

The Red Relief program by Keller Williams is dedicated to providing disaster relief to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and Irma. Find out how you can help today.

Keller Williams is here to help those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.

When it comes to Keller Williams, family is everything.

Our Red Relief program is dedicated to providing disaster relief to every family impacted by these storms.

Hundreds of Keller Williams agents have gone to Texas to help those in Corpus Christi, Houston, Beaumont, and more. More agents are on their way to help families in the path of Hurricane Irma in Florida.

"Help us provide disaster relief to those impacted by Irma and Harvey."

So far, we have seen a tremendous outpouring of love from our volunteers and donors. Rebuilding these areas is going to take more than a couple of weeks, so it’s important that we keep the energy going in the coming months as we help people get back to their normal lives.

As we work to rebuild these areas, we could use your help.

Please consider donating to our Red Relief program. Your contributions will help us supply food, water, clothing, and building supplies to these communities.

If you have any questions about KW Cares, the Red Relief program, and our ongoing disaster relief efforts, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We appreciate your support as we work to help others through this difficult time.

How New Construction Homes Are Different

Purchasing a new construction home is a different process than moving into a retail home. For this reason, it’s important that you have help making the right decisions.

Purchasing a new construction home is a slightly different experience than purchasing a resale property. 

For that reason, there are a few things you need to be aware of before doing so.

First of all, don’t be afraid to bring a professional along. Most builders are willing to pay a buyer’s agent. 

Who you work with truly matters.

By doing this, you’ll be able to ensure that you’re making the right choices from the very beginning since we have the experience and connections to let you know when a builder is good, great, or not so much.

Making these kinds of choices is incredibly important. Any decisions you make regarding real estate will have an effect on your life for a long time to come. 

A home is the most expensive investment you’re likely to make in your life. You’ll want to make sure that, over time, it will increase in value.

The best way to ensure that this happens is by trusting the help of a professional to guide you throughout the process.

We would love to provide you with that help. Who you work with truly matters.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Determining Your Home Affordability

Knowing how much you are able to afford is one of the most important things to be aware of when you are searching for a home. Thankfully, professionals will be able to help you determine exactly what that means for you personally.

The financial aspect of homebuying is often among some of the first things people think about when they begin their search. 

One of the questions my team and I often hear from clients is, “How much can I afford?" 

There are many factors that determine your home affordability including your income, how much money you have saved for a down payment, your employment history, and the current interest rates.

However, buyers shouldn’t feel as if they need to go about the process alone. 

Ultimately, utilizing the help of professionals will be the best way to answer any questions.

Regardless of your situation it is important to pair up with a strong real estate team who will be able to help you through the home buying process. 

You should also sit down with a mortgage lender, as they will be able assist you specifically with your home affordability.  

Ultimately, utilizing the help of professionals will be the best way to answer any questions you have about your home affordability.

If you have any other questions or would like us to help you figure out how much you can afford we’d be happy to assist you. You can contact us by giving us a call or sending an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Hit the Trails of Harlingen

We're lucky to have such a great running community and trail system in Harlingen.

Harlingen is fortunate to have a great running community with many great running trails. 

Three of the most popular trails are Pendleton Park, 25th St. Trail, and McKelvey Park. 

I hope to see you out on the trails!

Most of the community will use these trails to train for Harlingen's first full marathon, which takes place on February 25th, 2018.

I hope to see you out there supporting the trails!

In the meantime, give us a call if you're thinking of buying, selling, or investing in real estate. We'd love to hear from you!

Explaining the Minimum Requirements of Getting Pre-Approved

To get pre-approved, you need—at a minimum—the four twos. Let me explain what I mean.

Last week, our team had a free seminar for first-time homebuyers. We were there to educate buyers on the home buying process, and it was a huge success. One of the main questions of those in attendance was “What are the minimum requirements to get pre-approved?”

Getting pre-approved starts with the four twos.

The answer starts with the four twos. You need two check stubs, two monthly bank statements, two years of employment, and two years of income taxes. 

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing in real estate, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d be happy to help you.

Can You Create Passive Income Through Real Estate?

Many people I know invest in real estate. It’s a great way to build wealth and generate passive income.

Buying real estate can be a great investment. In fact, a lot of my friends, family, and clients purchase real estate to use as an investment in order to get passive income.

With passive income, you are making money on a regular basis with little to no effort on your part. Rental properties generate this type of cash flow each month. If you hire a property management company to handle everything, you can get a positive cash flow each month without doing anything else.

You can build wealth through real estate.

This is an important step to take toward retirement. The more passive income you can create, the better off you will be when the time comes.

If you have any questions or you’re looking to buy an investment property yourself, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help. If you’re interested in a career in real estate, I’d be happy to talk to you about that as well. If you need help with anything else, just let us know. We look forward to hearing from you.

Hiring a Buyer’s Agent Costs Less Than You Think

A buyer’s agent is a smart hire. Where else would you be able to get a knowledgeable expert advisor for free?

What if we told you that you could hire somebody to protect your interests when buying a home, at no cost to you. When you hire a buyer’s agent, that’s what you get, as their fee is covered by the seller. 

The buyer’s agent fee is covered by the seller.

Our buyer’s agents specialize in working with buyers. They will provide undivided loyalty, confidentiality, and negotiation assistance. If you’re in a position to buy a home, they will help you every step of the way to make sure your experience is every bit as simple and enjoyable as it should be.

If you’re looking to buy, sell, invest, or start a career in real estate, we would love to hear from you. Give us a call or send us an email today.

You’re Invited to Our Share’em Toys Event!

I want to take a moment to invite you to our “Share’em Toys Event!” 

I’d like to take a moment to invite you to our “Share’em Toys Event” Saturday, March 4th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lopez Riggins Elementary in Los Fresnos, Texas.

Our team is working together with Paola Solis to make her dream come true of making sure all the children in her community have toys.

It’s a great event for a great cause!

Bring your new and used toys and they will be donated to local charities. It’s a great event for a great cause and we hope to see you there!

As always, if you’re thinking about buying, selling, investing, or starting a career in real estate, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!

3 Reasons to List Your Home During the Winter

Many people think waiting until summer to list their homes is their best bet. However, there are three great benefits to listing during the winter. 

Now that 2017 is underway, you might be considering when the best time is to list your home. Many people are still convinced listing during the winter is bad idea, but there are a few reasons why they’re mistaken.

First, there is less inventory on the market during the colder months. The less competitive the market, the better it is for the seller, as the homes that are on the market are in higher demand.

Also, January brings in a lot of people transferring for jobs. These buyers are incredibly serious and need to get into a home right away.

Finally, buyers are looking all day every day. They have access to websites and apps and spend hours on Zillow and Truila. Buyers are looking all year round, including during the winter.

Buyers are looking all year round, including during the winter.

If you are thinking about buying, selling, or investing in real estate, or if you have any other questions, please reach out to me with a phone call or a quick email. I’m always happy to help!

Farewell 2016..Welcome 2017

Friends,

We know this time of year can get very busy, so we just wanted to take a moment to wish you happy holidays!

We’d like to take a minute to thank you for your continued support this year. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you. It has been our pleasure to help make your real estate dreams come true.

We hope you enjoy this holiday season and make some wonderful memories with your friends and family. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Remember, we are always here to help you in any way we can. Just give us a call.

Happy Holidays!

Have You Been to the South Texas Balloon Festival?

To visit the most wonderful attractions that the Rio Grande Valley has to offer, start with the South Texas Balloon Festival.  

Today I’m at the livestock show grounds here in Mercedes, Texas for the Second Annual South Texas Balloon Festival. Here at the festival, we have skydivers, helicopter rides, carnival rides, plenty of food and drinks, and a plethora of other fun family activities going on.

You can visit www.southtexasballoonfestival.com to learn more about this wonderful annual event and all the fun there is to be had. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, mark it on your calendar for 2017 so we can introduce you to all the attractions that the Rio Grande Valley has to offer.

Don’t miss the Balloon Festival!

If you have any questions, feel free to call us or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Check Out South Castle Days 2016 on South Padre Island

Selling a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Get a free home value report 

Buying a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Search all homes for sale

I’m joining you today from Sand Castle Days 2016 on South Padre Island. This is a great event with plenty of vendors, food, live music, and, of course, incredible sand sculptures.

South Padre Island is also a great place to purchase a vacation home. There are beach homes, condos, and houses all over this area.

Check out some of the amazing sand castles in the video above!

Check out the video above to see some of the amazing sand castles that were built here during Sand Castle Days this month!

If you have any questions about purchasing a property on South Padre Island or you have any questions about buying or selling real estate in the Lower Rio Grande area, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to help you!

Fix These Issues Before You List Your Home

Selling a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Get a free home value report 

Buying a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Search all homes for sale

Are there “title ghosts” living in your house? Are there judgments or liens on your property? To avoid surprises at the closing table, make sure you do your research on your home before you list it on the market.

If you know that you need to take care of certain issues within the home, make sure you disclose that to your agent so that they can help you resolve them. Remember that honesty is crucial when selling your property.

Honesty is crucial to your home sale.

Fix any legal issues in advance. A strong real estate professional is always looking out for your best interests. Both the title company and your agent will work together with you to resolve any possible issues.

Once those problems are resolved, you’ll be ready for a smooth closing!

If you have any questions about getting your home ready to sell, or are thinking about buying, selling or investing in real estate, give us a call or send us an email for a free consultation. We’d be happy to help you!

Embracing the Energy of the Olympians

The Olympics are the most-watched sporting event in the world. I’m feeling inspired by The Olympics today, so I just wanted to pass along a few thoughts to all of you.

When I think of The Olympics, I think of hard work, dedication, inspiration, motivation, patriotism, and unity among countries.

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Congratulations to Team USA!

”

The Olympians’ stories are amazing. No matter what country an athlete is from, they are successful due to their hard work, dedication and daily training. Let us embrace the energy and motivation behind the Olympians this year. Let us be reminded that we can do anything we set our minds to do. Challenge yourself today to stay focused on your goals and in your dreams because it can be done.

If you have any questions on anything related to real estate, or even if you just need an extra motivational push, give me a call or send me an email today. I’d love to help you!

Selling a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Get a free home value report 

Buying a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Search all homes for sale

3 Reasons Why You Should Get Pre-Approved Before Your Home Search

Selling a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Get a free home value report 

Buying a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Search all homes for sale

Should you get pre-approved before you start viewing homes?

Our team works with a lot of buyers, and that’s one of the most common questions we get asked. We recommend that yes, you do get pre-approved. There are many reasons for this, but three stand out as the most important. 

The first reason is that we really want you to shop within your budget. A pre-approval gives you a clearer picture of your monthly budget. The second is that we don’t want you to be previewing homes, really like one, and then be disappointed you can't afford it. The third is that some sellers require that buyers have a pre-approval upon viewing a property.

Thank you for joining us once again. If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing in real estate, please contact us by phone or email for a free consultation. Hasta luego!

The Success of Your Home Sale Is Up to You

Selling a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Get a free home value report 

Buying a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Search all homes for sale

Listen up, sellers: you’re the CEO of your own home sale. Most homeowners feel it’s a Realtor’s responsibility to sell the property. However, the homeowner is the most influential person in the transaction. They decide on pricing, showing, and negotiating.

Although your Realtor plays a critical role in the transaction, the real power lies with the seller. As a homeowner, you can make or break a deal.

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As a homeowner, you can make or break a deal.

”

Treat your home sale with excellence and professionalism like any other business deal! Build a strong relationship with your Realtor. Don’t be offended by any negative feedback from other agents or even buyers. Be open to criticism and making any changes if you really want to sell your home for top dollar.

Finally, we've started a new endeavor! You can now start to watch our educational videos in Spanish.

Si usted tiene alguna pregunta sobre el proceso de comprar una casa o sobre cómo preparar un hogar para la venta o financiación preguntas, estamos aquí para ayudar. Llámanos o envíanos un email. Nosotros hablamos español. Gracias.

Thank you for watching our video blog! If you have any questions related to real estate, or if you're looking to buy or sell a home, contact us today!

What to do in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Selling a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Get a free home value report 

Buying a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Search all homes for sale

Every time I go to a convention or meeting, someone always asks, “Where is the lower Rio Grande Valley?” The Lower Rio Grande Valley is in the southern tip of Texas, right before you get to Mexico. The Lower Rio Grande separates Mexico from the United States. If you love warm weather, sunshine, palm trees, and exotic birds, this is the place for you.

There are plenty of great attractions in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. If you enjoy fun in the sun, check out South Padre Island. It’s also a great place for fishing! Other great fishing locations include the coast and Port Mansfield.

"If you love warm weather, palm trees, and exotic birds, this is the place for you."

If you’re preparing for college, check out the University of Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley. If you’re a birdwatcher, we have many facilities and areas filled with exotic birds. If you like wildlife, take a hike through the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Don’t forget, SpaceX wants to launch a rocket here in 2018!

Of course, all you snowbirds and winter Texans are always welcome to come on down and enjoy the weather. If you have any questions, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!