Brazos County Subdivision and Development Regulations & Definitions
July 15th, 2008 categories: Buying Real Estate
Bet you guys thought I'd just dropped off the face of the earth. Well let me tell you when you have major computer problems you might as well do just that. But the good news is that I'm back at it. So let's get back to understanding the Subdivisions Regs. The last time we spoke, I told you that the next lesson would be definitions. Well hold on to your hats because here they come. Addition- has the same meaning as subdivision. Commissioners Court- the duly elected and serving Commissioner of Brazos County in whose Commissioner Precinct the proposed subdivision is located. Dwelling Unit- any building or structure, other than a Single Family Residence, connected to or served by (more...)| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Brazos County Subdivision and Development Regulations
June 9th, 2008 categories: Real Estate News
When last we spoke, I told you that I would be introducing you to the Brazos County Subdivision and Development Regulations (REGS). Being some 41 pages long, we will not go through the entire content during this blog. But today, I will discuss the preamble, purpose and from where the Commissioners Court derives the authority to regulate. In future blogs, I will introduce you to the terms used when discussing the "Regs", general requirements and exceptions to subdividing of property, plats, procedure and requirements, subdivision requirements, street designs within a subdivision, waste water treatment restriction, construction standards, bonding requirements for filing of plat prior to construction, requirement for filing plat if no security given, acceptance of streets and other improvements for final plat filing, maintenance, manufactured home rental communities, variances, enforcement and other provisions. Yes some of it is dry but, this is (more...)| Discussion: 4 Comments »
Buying Property in the County - Brazos, Robertson and Beyond
May 20th, 2008 categories: Community Events
So you've decided to buy some land out in the county and build your dream home. Ok, now what do you do? Well, you need to contact the Brazos County Health Department to see what is neeeded to install a septic system. Be sure to ask a Sanitarian about a proposal that is on the table about there being a minimum lot size of two (2) acres. It has not been voted on by the Commissioners Court as of yet, but it is getting serious consideration. Believe it or not, there is a house somewhere in the county that is 9,000 sq. ft. and it sits on a one (1) acre lot. Yup, you read that right. A one (1) acre lot. Now when the water from the septic system is sprayed out, where do you think it's going to go on a lot that size? It's going on the foundation and the walls. That nasty, dirty water is being sprayed on the house. If the builder/owner had talked to a Sanitarian, that problem could have been avoided. Septic Systems need maintenance. Do you know what it| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Let the Agent Beware. The Story of the Uncooperative Seller.
April 14th, 2008 categories: Community Events
Got a phone call in December from a frantic friend telling me that her house had to be listed NOW!!! Sure no problem. We got it listed. She was to paint it, clean it and get it ready to show. She promised to keep it picked up and looking nice becaue it was imperative that the place sell. Got the inside painted but didn't finish a small section of trim on the outside. Ok, I could keep on her to do it. I checked in with her once a week to make sure she was doing the work. "Yeah I'm working on it" she says. Ok, cool. So I'm thinking we're gonna "gitter done." So why did I start getting calls from Realtors telling me that she wasn't letting them in to show the house? A quick phone call to the seller and I'm just dumbfounded. She was tired and didn't feel like showing the place was the first excuse. The next phone call from a Realtor resulted in the excuse that she was sick. Ok, I let that one go because she sounded like she had to get better to die. The next phone call from a Realtor resulted in| Discussion: 4 Comments »
Surviving Rejection or Was It Something I Said?
April 4th, 2008 categories: Buying Real Estate, Selling Real Estate
What do you mean the Seller rejected the offer? It was a good offer considering the condition of the property. The Seller should have been happy to recive such an offer. How greedy can the Seller be? Ok, vent for a while, get it off your chest, lick your wounds. Are you through whining? Good. Now let's get down to business and rethink this offer. Was it really that good? Were you asking for too much from the Seller? Did you offer way to little for the property? Nah, none of the above. You have to consider that maybe the Seller was being unreasonable about his/her expectations. That happens. Deal with it. Now you have some options to consider. You can reassess the original offer, submit a revised one, then pray the Seller accepts it. Or, you can walk away, start the process again and find something else that you like. Home buying can be very frustrating. It is fraught with tension but when you finally sign on the dotted line, you forget all the pain and just bask in the joy of finally| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Making the Offer Attractive to the Seller or How Not to Blow It
April 4th, 2008 categories: Buying Real Estate, Selling Real Estate
Oh my gosh, you have found your house. HALLELUJAH! Now comes the offer. Do you low ball the Seller, offer full price or something in between? You have your list of items you want addressed. Yeah, I know you want a flooring allowance, closing costs, painting allowance, home owners warranty, all the appliances to convey, window coverings, that really nice dining table and chairs, on and on ad nausium. Come on, let's be resonable here. If this were your house, would you even consider a low ball offer with all these conditions? Not only no BUT HELL NO. So what are you doing? Once you alienate the Seller, the deal is in the toilet. When making an offer, find some middle ground where you can negotiate. The Seller will be more willing to give on important issues. Who knows, the Seller may even be willing to let go of Great Aunt Bessie's dining table and chairs. Being reasonable is a good thing. Try it. You'll like it.| Discussion: 2 Comments »
