February 2, 2017 by Myke Leatham

first-time homebuyer in Bryan-College Station

Becoming a first-time homebuyer is an exciting new life development. But it’s a milestone that, unfortunately, doesn’t come easy. It takes a lot of planning, strategizing and searching to find the perfect home that’s right for you – especially in an area as popular as Bryan-College Station.

Here are 6 tips for first-time homebuyers in Bryan-College Station, TX that we swear by:

1. Consider the location in Bryan-College Station, Texas

Now we know this sounds a little silly. If you’re looking to buy a home in the Bryan-College Station area, then you already have a “location” picked out, right? Well, not necessary. You know the parameter, but not the kind of neighborhood you’re looking for.

Consider what’s more important to you: Do you want a place that’s close to work? Should it be equidistant from your job and your spouse’s? Is it more important to you to live in a place that’s close to your child’s school or extracurricular activities?

These are things to take into account before moving. Also consider how long you plan to stay at your current job. Is this your “forever job” or are you hoping to move elsewhere? Maybe make a job change and get settled there before making the decision to move.

2. Crunch the numbers for living in Bryan-College Station, Texas

Be honest with yourself – we mean really, brutally honest: How much can you actually afford to spend a home? Typical suburban homes range from $150,000 to $400,000 depending on amenities and location, so you can usually find a home for any budget.

However, when you’re asking yourself this difficult question, also take into account property taxes for the region in which you’re hoping to purchase a new home.

For the Bryan-College Station area, property tax rates range from 0.45% to 1.36%, depending on the county in which your home technically resides. That’s a big difference. When you’re deciding on a location, also take property taxes into account.

3. Know the worth of home in Bryan-College Station, Texas

Despite what you’ve been taught about negotiating, you don’t want to low-ball a home seller when you make your first offer – especially not if you’re a first-time homebuyer. You’re new to the game. Don’t gamble if you’ve never played before.

You have to understand the worth of the home. We don’t mean just know the asking price. We want you to consider what this home is really “worth” to you and your family. Is it much closer to work? Could you save on gas? What’s the HOA like the area? Will the community features help you save on your entertainment budget?

Be sure to look at the comparables with your agent to determine the right asking price for the property and your personal financial situation.

4. Know your resources in Bryan-College Station, Texas

If you’re a first-time homebuyer in Bryan-College Station, then you may be eligible for the Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) sponsored by The City of College Station Community Development. If accepted, you could be awarded up to $10,000 to go toward your down payment. To qualify, you have to earn up to 80% of the Area Median Income.

If you’re a first-time homebuyer looking in Bryan, Texas specifically, you could also be eligible Bryan Home Buyer Assistance Program, sponsored by the Bryan Community Development Services Department. If accepted, you could earn up to $7,500 to go toward your down payment. To qualify, you must finish homebuyer counseling, contribute $1,000 toward the purchase of the home and satisfy a few other criteria.

5. Inspect your prospective new home in Bryan-College Station, Texas

It’s a cruel world out there. Not everything is as it seems. You may think you’ve finally found your dream home. This may seem like the perfect house, and that there’s no way there could be anything wrong with it.

Even if the home seller has the best intentions and a squeaky-clean conscience, you could wind up with a home that has a few bugs that need to be worked out (and we mean that both literally and figuratively).

Have someone inspect your home in Bryan-College Station before signing anything.

6. Find a real estate agent who knows Bryan-College Station, Texas

Unless you are Texas A&M University alumni, then the odds are that you’re not all that familiar with the nuances of Bryan-College Station. There’s much more than meets the eye. Any local could tell you that.

What you need is a real estate agent who knows the area like the back of their hand. Someone who understands what makes the area so desirable and someone who is willing to stop at nothing to help you find the house you have been dreaming about.

You’ll find exactly that kind of real estate agent at Brazos County Realty, LLC. My team and I can help you locate the perfect home in Bryan-College Station, one that can meet all your wants and needs. Just give us a call at 979-693-0201, and let us show you around. You won’t regret it.

Category: Blog

About Myke Leatham

I’m so glad you found me – your College Station and Bryan, TX real estate source! When you choose to buy or sell a home in College Station/Bryan, TX or other surrounding areas using our expert services, you will receive a free consultation to determine your needs, free listings, and free reports sent to you by email. These weekly reports will show you how hard the members of my team are working to accomplish your property goals, and we guarantee the best service and consultation you have ever experienced. You’ll find the best community information for the College Station, Texas region right here.

It’s nice to know YOUR Realtor will still be of service after the sale.

Experience Counts: Broker/Owner of Brazos County Realty
Over 25 years of sales experience. With past ABR, GRI, CRS, & Epro designations.
Continuing education in real estate: Education is paramount in an ever changing industry like Real Estate. Myke has taken over 1000 hours of real estate specific courses which include but are not limited to: Residential Appraisal, Marketing, Law Contracts I & II, Finance, Residential Inspections, Principles and Practice, Law of Agency, Code of Ethics, Bankruptcy/Easements/Surveys/and Probate, Home Warranties, 1031 Exchanges and hundreds of hours of extensive real estate training.

Reputation: SALES LEADER since 1998; Top Producer 2000 through 2009. Listed among the top agents in the county. Consistently ranked among top realtors for total sales volume out of 900 realtors for commercial and residential real estate in the Bryan/College Station, TX area. When Myke represents buyers, she presents all viable options to her clients, including those properties that are not officially listed, but could be available for sale based on her inside information. Her expertise lies with investors and marketing homes of all price ranges in College Station/Bryan to local, national and global buyers, across all major media channels and through her extensive, personal network of contacts.

Myke is among the top 1% of all Realtors in North America!
She has earned the Designations of ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative), CRS(Certified Residential Specialist), GRI (Graduate of Realtors Institute)CHMS (Certified Home Marketing Specialist), and E-pro (Certified Internet Professional)
Fewer than 3% of all Realtors nationwide earn these certifications. They are not only a symbol of Myke’s commitment to this business, but these designations are your assurance of a skilled, trained real estate professional.

Myke is a consummate real estate professional who not only understands the art of deal-making, but also the art of relationships. She makes the process of buying and selling homes an uplifting and fun experience. She has a tremendous appreciation for Bryan and College Station, its rich history, and Texas A&M traditions having lived in the area for 25 years. Her knowledge of Bryan/College Station’s real estate market and market trends is unparalleled. Having been personally involved with clients through their remodeling, purchasing and selling processes, she knows intrinsic quality and value when she sees it. When she doesn’t see it she lets her clients know, without hesitation.
Myke’s proven track record and affiliations in the field of real estate demonstrates her high level of professionalism.

* High energy and enthusiasm
* Aggressive marketing
* Expert negotiating skills
* Ability to listen and ascertain customer’s desires and needs
* Fun to be with
* Internet savvy
* Because Myke is an experienced investor, she quickly helps her customers locate and define good business opportunities. No one likes the feeling of being ‘sold to’ so Myke provides as much information as possible to help you make the right decision.

Personal Commitment:
I am prepared to go the ‘Extra Mile’ for you, because I understand the financial and emotional significance of purchasing and selling your home. I will carefully listen to your desires and arrive at a workable plan. I believe sensitivity, listening, and service are important keys to success.
Whether you are buying or selling a home or you are just curious about your home’s market value, I’d be happy to provide my market expertise and intelectual property without obligation, or meet with you to evaluate your home for future reference. I want my customers to have a great time and enjoy the total process of purchasing or selling property. It gives me great pride when my customerspass my name on to their friends and family. I will continue to work hard to make sure critical information is available at www.AggieRealEstate.com and I invite all interested investors to search my site for cash flow opportunities. I will dedicate my time and talents to helping you achieve your goals. It is my goal to make your buying and selling experience extraordinary. Look closely and you’ll see how much I love meeting and working with people. You’ll experience the difference in working with an experienced and dedicated professional.

Personal information:
Michelle goes by ‘Myke’ and is the proud mother of 6 children – 3 girls and 3 boys. Her husband is David Leatham. They met at Brigham Young University. They have been married since 1977. David is a finance professor, and Associate Head over graduate studies in the Agricultural Economics Department at Texas A&M University, and speaks fluent Spanish. They have lived in College Station since 1983 and loved every minute of it. Myke loves to quilt, sing, swim, ‘sing’, bake bread, ‘sing,’ garden, ‘sing’, sell real estate, and ‘sing some more’ :-). Family, church, and real estate consume most of her time. Truth, honor, integrity, kindness, loyalty, gratitude, and service are very important words to her.

Slogan: ‘Let Myke Help You With Your HOMEwork!’

Referrals: The highest compliment I can get is when you pass my name on to others or post a kind remark on the internet. When you send your friends and family my way, I’ll always provide them with the highest quality of service that I know you would appreciate. Thanks in advance for all your support and friendship.

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