Abbye Robinson Real Estate

03/09/2022

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? Call me! 713-705-1399

03/03/2022

Seller FAQ: How Can I Increase the Value of My Home? ⁣
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It all comes down to T-I-M-E — and whether you've got a lot or a little of it! ⁣
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Clock ticking and you need to increase value ASAP? Zero in on these weekend projects:⁣
Clean, clean, and clean some more.⁣
Give walls a fresh soft, neutral coat of paint.⁣
Landscape with some low-maintenance (but green!) plants.⁣
Power wash your driveway, sidewalks, and home exterior.⁣
Declutter and consider staging.⁣
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Time on your side? Chip away at these little by little:⁣
Remove a wall (or two!) to create open living spaces.⁣
Replace carpeted floors with wood or LVP flooring.⁣
Finish your unfinished basement.⁣
Replace your old windows and front door.⁣
Install new kitchen countertops and appliances.⁣
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Selling on the brain? The best thing you can do is have a quick consult with a realtor. They can have a look around and let you know exactly what to do to have your home sitting pretty at top dollar. Ready to chat? Send me a DM, and I'll be in touch.⁣ 713.705.1399

02/25/2022

Seller FAQ: How Can I Increase the Value of My Home? ⁣
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It all comes down to T-I-M-E — and whether you've got a lot or a little of it! ⁣
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Clock ticking and you need to increase value ASAP? Zero in on these weekend projects:⁣
Clean, clean, and clean some more.⁣
Give walls a fresh soft, neutral coat of paint.⁣
Landscape with some low-maintenance (but green!) plants.⁣
Power wash your driveway, sidewalks, and home exterior.⁣
Declutter and consider staging.⁣
⁣
Time on your side? Chip away at these little by little:⁣
Remove a wall (or two!) to create open living spaces.⁣
Replace carpeted floors with wood or LVP flooring.⁣
Finish your unfinished basement.⁣
Replace your old windows and front door.⁣
Install new kitchen countertops and appliances.⁣
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Selling on the brain? The best thing you can do is have a quick consult with a realtor. They can have a look around and let you know exactly what to do to have your home sitting pretty at top dollar. Ready to chat? Send me a DM, and I'll be in touch. ⁣

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!

02/23/2022

No need to spend hours on Google to find answers to your real estate questions ❌

My DMs fill up each week with so many questions about buying, selling, renting, investing, and just about anything real estate related. I love being a resource and sharing tips and info with my amazing followers!

But here is your opportunity to get all of your real estate questions answered INSTANTLY ✉️ Rather than doing it in the DMs, I thought we’d change it up and try something different this week.

For the next few days, I’ll be turning my comment notifications on and will be answering all of your questions in the comments on this post! This will allow me to answer quickly + collectively and everyone will get to hear the tea! 🫖

Ready, set, go! Add your questions to the comments below!🙌🏼

02/22/2022

If you recently bought a new home, you may be going back and forth between renting or selling your current place. This is a big decision to make, and you have to figure out what works best for you!

You should consider renting your home if:
- Demand for rentals is high in your area/neighborhood
- You’ve always wanted to become a landlord
- You want to make passive income
- There’s a possibility you’d want to move back in someday
- You have to pay capital gains taxes if you sell

You should consider selling your home if:
- You have no interest in being a landlord
- You need money to help you buy your next home
- You aren’t able to charge enough rent to cover your mortgage (and make some money too)
- It’s a sellers market (low inventory = high buyer demand) and you’ll be able to sell quickly and for a high price
- You are moving out of the area (and wouldn’t be able to check in on your rental)

The right answer for you truly depends on your situation. There are upsides and downsides to both selling and renting, and both have advantages and potential drawbacks that you’ll want to thoroughly consider and weigh carefully before making a final decision.

Have questions about selling or renting? DM me and let’s chat!

02/21/2022

A new neighborhood caught your eye. ⁣
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It’s in the right school district, has plenty of green space for your furry friends, and the zero-entry pool is calling your name (even in February!). There’s just one catch in your spirit. You’re unsure about building. I mean, isn’t the process long, complicated, and fraught with financial headaches?⁣
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Good news, budding builders! The process is waaay simpler than it used to be especially in a planned community. ⁣
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Generally, the new construction will follow these five steps:⁣
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Choose a lot.⁣
Select a floor plan.⁣
Pick the upgrades.⁣
Sign the contract.⁣
Watch your home come to life!⁣
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Whether you’re thinking of building or buying new, let me guide you through these decisions and more. (And yes, even with new construction, you need an agent!). DM me, and let’s get to plannin'!

02/18/2022

No matter what day of the week (or time of day) works for you, I’m here for you. Consider it real estate on YOUR schedule. All it takes is one call or DM, and you’ll find me doing THIS behind the scenes for YOU: ⁣
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Scouting out half a dozen properties to show you in person⁣
Checking in just to say hello and see how you’re feeling⁣
Scheduling your photographer and stage — and making final edits to get your listing descriptions just right⁣
Stopping by local open houses hosted by realtors⁣
Networking with other agents to find your dream home⁣
Creating marketing materials on multiple channels for your “coming soon” listing.⁣
Feverishly negotiating your multiple offers.⁣
Attending your home inspection, bugging the inspector, and taking LOTS of notes.⁣
Drafting and proofing documents for your closing.⁣
Shopping for your closing gift - my fave!⁣
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If you need a realtor, I’d love to connect and hear your story. Don’t wait - DM me today!

02/17/2022

Longing for more daylight hours and beams of sunlight to pour through your windows? While spring isn’t here quite yet, lighten things up with these design tricks meant to boost your home’s natural light.⁣
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Replace outdated wall art or photos with mirrors. Mirrors are a great way to reflect natural light and make a space feel lighter and airier.⁣
Consider “86ing” your window coverings. If privacy isn’t an issue, remove your blinds and shades and see how you like it. If it doesn’t work, no big deal. Just rehang them. If you do use coverings, go with a sheer or lightweight fabric.⁣
Use bright interior wall and ceiling paints. Nothing is more brilliant than white. But if you can’t go that bright due to kids, pets, or some neat-freak tendencies, check out whites with other color tones like Benjamin Moore White Dove or Classic Gray or Sherwin Williams Alabaster.⁣
While we’re talking paint, choose a glossy finish over eggshell or matte if you really want some shine. The gloss will have all your light (natural and artificial) bouncing around the room morning, noon, and night.⁣
Consider large wall art. A large painting or print can fill up a blank wall, plus if you frame it, it will add another semi-reflective finish to your walls.⁣
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Go on, lighten things up this February with these design hacks. And as always, let me know how I can help you love your home — this month and all year long!

02/16/2022

The writing is on the wall: You’re going to buy— and sell — at the same time. ⁣
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The first thing to know is you’re not alone: 71% of buyers are also, simultaneously, sellers. The key to success on both ends of the deal is having a realtor to guide you through:⁣
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Prepping & pricing your current home⁣
Market assessment for your current and prospective home⁣
Offers and contingencies clauses⁣
Financing options and lender referrals⁣
Securing short-term housing if needed⁣
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If you’re feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, the best thing to do is to talk to a pro who can ease your worries. Send me a DM and let’s set up a time to connect this week.

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.⁣
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.⁣
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.⁣
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.⁣
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.⁣
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!