Buy with Speed

Buy with Speed Since the beginning of Abby's real estate career in 2006, she has focused on working with military families and first-time homebuyers.

You’ve thought about it for months, obsessively tracked the nearby listings, and oddly find it fun to play with online p...
04/15/2022

You’ve thought about it for months, obsessively tracked the nearby listings, and oddly find it fun to play with online profit calculators…multiple times a day. Not to mention your friends are tired of you talking about it, and your family is exhausted by the back-and-forth. ⁣⁠
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If that’s you, consider THIS your writing on the wall. IT IS TIME to sell your home. And even better than your friends and family breathing a HUGE sigh of relief is the fact that you’ll land top dollar this spring. ⁣⁠
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One word of caution, though. Don’t wait. Early in the selling season is the PRIME time to get your home on the MLS before inventory has time to build. ⁣⁠
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Like to talk to someone about selling who won’t tune you out? That’s me! DM me today, and let's get you moving forward.⁣⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Abby Speed, Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Believe it or not, this does happen. The good news is there are steps you can take to protect yourself from the “holdove...
03/11/2022

Believe it or not, this does happen. The good news is there are steps you can take to protect yourself from the “holdover” seller:⁣⁠
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Schedule a walk-through in your new home one day prior to closing.⁣⁠
Refuse to close if the seller appears to have packed little to nothing (or left too much behind) the day before the closing.⁣⁠
If you’ve closed and the seller still won’t leave, you can turn to the courts; however, evictions can take at least 30 days.⁣⁠
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This crazy situation is rare but happens from time to time. It's just one more reason you want a qualified agent by your side during the entire buying process.⁣⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Abby Speed, Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®⁠⁠⁠⁠
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No more twiddling your thumbs. You’re selling and the time has come to whip your well-loved but worn-down home into tip-...
03/10/2022

No more twiddling your thumbs. You’re selling and the time has come to whip your well-loved but worn-down home into tip-top shape. So...what’s next? What repairs and improvements are worth it before selling? Here are six to consider:⁣⁠
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Paint. Paint is one of the cheapest, easiest ways to update your home and get it ready to list. Plus, you don’t need to be a pro. Just queue up YouTube, pick your colors, and get to rolling.⁣⁠
Exterior. Help buyers locate your home by refreshing house numbers and boost curb appeal with fresh mulch and planters filled with annuals. Have more time? Pressure wash your driveway and sidewalks.⁣⁠
Kitchen. Give cabinets, appliances, and backsplashes a serious scrubbing. Install new hardware and light fixtures and replace countertops if needed. Don’t do a full reno unless your agent advises.⁣⁠
Bathrooms. Cleanliness is king but so is functionality. Repair running toilets and leaky faucets, and consider replacing dingy toilet seats.⁣⁠
Lighting. The brighter the better. Ditch heavy drapes for breezy curtains (or no curtains at all) to let in as much natural light as you can.⁣⁠
Floors. There's nothing like walking into a home with freshly refinished hardwood floors. If you can, consider refinishing your wood floors — don't worry, the return on investment is very high.⁣⁠
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I encourage sellers to prep their homes right out of the gate for the home inspection. If it’s going to show up on the inspection, why not take care of it before it hits the MLS? ⁣⁠
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Are you thinking about selling and wondering what buyers want in your neighborhood? DM me and let’s chat! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Abby Speed, Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Showings get all the fanfare, but if you’ve ever bought a home, you know it’s the quieter, behind-the-scenes steps that ...
03/08/2022

Showings get all the fanfare, but if you’ve ever bought a home, you know it’s the quieter, behind-the-scenes steps that smooth the way for buyer bliss. And getting pre-approved? That may just be the biggest unsung hero of the entire process. ⁣⁠
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Why, you ask? A pre-approval can boost your credibility, steer your home search, and fast-track your closing process. ⁣⁠
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Are you on the hunt for a home this spring? Go on and get pre-approved! Want help or have questions? DM me!⁣⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Abby Speed, Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®⁠⁠⁠⁠
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I'm taking aim at you, pesky mortgage myths. Get ready to be debunked, once and for all! ⁣⁠⁣⁠Myth: Low mortgage rates me...
03/07/2022

I'm taking aim at you, pesky mortgage myths. Get ready to be debunked, once and for all! ⁣⁠
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Myth: Low mortgage rates mean you need to buy a home ASAP.⁣⁠
Truth: Rates are low, but don’t let that rush you into a decision you’re not quite ready for. Consider the flip side: Low rates have pushed home prices up more than 19%. Translation? You could end up overpaying for a home just because rates are low.⁣⁠
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Myth: IF you find a house you like, THEN you can worry about a mortgage.⁣⁠
Truth: Nope. Not true. In this market, you’ve got to have your financing locked up if you want a chance at nabbing the home you love. Offers are flying around so fast you simply don’t have time to make an offer without a pre-approval.⁣⁠
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Myth: You need piles of cash lying around to buy a house.⁣⁠
Truth: The average buyer put down just 12% in 2021. For first-time buyers, the average was closer to 7%. So while you do need to be financially sound and have a steady job, the 20% down payment myth is just that…a myth.⁣⁠
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Other real estate rumors got you scratching your head? Reach out and let me set the record straight. I can’t wait to connect with you!⁣⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Abby Speed, Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®⁠⁠⁠⁠
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If you're ramping up to buy a home this spring, it's time to start getting your ducks in a row. Good news! A first-time ...
03/02/2022

If you're ramping up to buy a home this spring, it's time to start getting your ducks in a row. Good news! A first-time buyer timeline is a fabulous first step.⁣⁠
Wanna chat more? Send me a DM, and I’ll be in touch!⁠
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Abby Speed, Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®

An appraisal contingency is a clause included in a purchase contract that allows you to back out of a contract if a home...
02/24/2022

An appraisal contingency is a clause included in a purchase contract that allows you to back out of a contract if a home is appraised for less than the purchase price. ⁣⁠
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As a buyer, you should never waive an appraisal contingency UNLESS you've talked with an agent you trust, and you believe you'll need to waive it to have your offer accepted; even then, it’s risky.⁣⁠
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It's my responsibility to protect and educate my buyers during the homebuying journey. Encouraging them to include an appraisal contingency in their offer is just one of the many ways I can make good on that promise. ⁣⁠
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If you're looking to buy and need an agent to show you something that’s caught your eye, send me a DM. Let’s start the search for your next home today!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Abby Speed, Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®⁠⁠⁠⁠
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FSBO sales are rarely successful. In fact, 90% of FSBO fail. Here are the top 6 reasons why:⁣⁠⁣⁠Overpricing⁣⁠Limited mar...
02/20/2022

FSBO sales are rarely successful. In fact, 90% of FSBO fail. Here are the top 6 reasons why:⁣⁠
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Overpricing⁣⁠
Limited marketing⁣⁠
Lack of showings (due to limited marketing)⁣⁠
Failure to manage inquiries and interest⁣⁠
Negotiation breakdown⁣⁠
Faulty expectations for the buyer’s agent⁣⁠
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If you want maximum profit in minimum time, an agent is the only way to go. Plus, statistics show partnering with an agent will get you 25% more on the sale — completely covering agent commissions. If you’re ready to sell, send me a DM, and I’ll be in touch. ⁠⁠⁠⁠
Abby Speed, Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Planning to sell? Here’s a heads up on the 6 most common seller mistakes I see that you’ll definitely want to kick to th...
02/16/2022

Planning to sell? Here’s a heads up on the 6 most common seller mistakes I see that you’ll definitely want to kick to the curb:⁣⁠
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Taking low offers personally.⁣⁠
Overpricing your home "just to see if anyone will bite."⁣⁠
Being unwilling to depersonalize or remove clutter.⁣⁠
Underestimating the importance of listing photos.⁣⁠
Concealing major home issues from your agent.⁣⁠
Leaving your pets out or hanging around during showings.⁣⁠
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Selling a home is exciting, but it can sometimes be stressful. Hiring an agent to guide you through the entire process is a smart choice if you want to ENJOY selling your home. Want to chat more? Send me a DM, and I'll be in touch!⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Abby Speed, Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Love what you see in everyone else’s home but feel stuck when it comes to yours? I get it. Home design can be overwhelmi...
02/15/2022

Love what you see in everyone else’s home but feel stuck when it comes to yours? I get it. Home design can be overwhelming — especially if you don’t have a knack for it. ⁣⁠
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To help, here are a few foolproof design tips to pull you out of your decorating paralysis and get your home headed on the right track: ⁣⁠
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Invest in the classics. Go trendy on the cheap. Things like the sofa, your bed, an area rug, and the coffee table should be quality, neutral pieces that will last for years to come. Then add trendy patterns and color on the cheap with throw pillows, accessories, and lamps.⁣⁠
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Coordinate but don’t match. While buying a furniture set is convenient, it can make your home look like a run-of-the-mill furniture showroom. Instead, choose pieces that complement but aren’t matchy-matchy.⁣⁠
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Hang photos and art at the right height. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is hanging wall art too high. Above furniture, like a sofa or console table, art should be no more than six to nine inches above the top of the furniture.⁣⁠
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There’s a mirror for that. Unsure what to place on that empty wall? Go with a mirror. It’ll add light and make the space instantly feel larger.⁣⁠
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Hang those curtains high. Not doing so makes your room and windows look squatty and cramped. Hang the curtain rod high; you can even go as high as a few inches below the ceiling.⁣⁠
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Think in threes. When putting the finishing touches on a bookshelf, mantle, or console table – go for groups of three. Odd numbers look best, as does changing up the height of each piece.⁣⁠
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If you need an expert eye beyond these tips, send me a DM. I’d love to connect you with a few incredibly talented designers in our area! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Abby Speed⁠
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Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®⁠⁠⁠
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The BIG GAME is here, and, nope! It ain’t the Super Bowl, folks! It’s the fast-paced game of REAL ESTATE, where, when pl...
02/13/2022

The BIG GAME is here, and, nope! It ain’t the Super Bowl, folks! It’s the fast-paced game of REAL ESTATE, where, when played with skill and expertise, everyone emerges a champion! Swipe for the lineups for both teams.⁣
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Ready to get off the bench and in on the action? DM me and let’s put together a game plan to reach your real estate dreams!

Abby Speed, Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®

Buying a home is more than scrolling through listings one day and moving in the next. It’s often a months-long process w...
02/10/2022

Buying a home is more than scrolling through listings one day and moving in the next. It’s often a months-long process with dozens of steps along the way. ⁣⁠
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So what does a buyer need most to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey? A qualified and experienced buyer’s agent.⁣⁠
Here’s why. A buyer’s agent:⁣⁠
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- Provides guidance during pre-approval.⁣⁠
- Tracks down listings (including foreclosures and FBSO) that meet your wish list.⁣⁠
- Networks with other agents to find soon-to-market listings that may be just right.⁣⁠
- Monitors market trends that affect any offers you make.⁣⁠
- Negotiates contingencies, closing timeline, and final contract price.⁣⁠
- Recommends home inspectors (and attends the home inspection on your behalf).⁣⁠
- Mediates questions regarding repairs in the home inspection.⁣⁠
- Communicates with the seller’s agent and your attorney all the way to closing.⁣⁠
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Want an expert and friend to join your team as you move towards homeownership? I’d love to be your buyer’s agent. DM me today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Abby Speed, Realtor ® - BHHS Stovall Realtors ®⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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Address

3382 S 27th Street
Abilene, TX
79605

Telephone

+3252610778

Website

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