Mortgage Rates Rebound All Time Lows

Click this link below to find out why NOW is absolutely the right time for you to buy your next home. So many benefits:

• You can leverage your assets more efficiently.  
• Buy the home of your dreams at a much lower mortgage payment.   
• Buy a larger home for the same that the smaller ones were previously priced.
• Buy your first home and most likely pay less per month than you are for rent.
• If you are buying and selling then your current home more affordable to the buyer hopefully making a quicker sale.
• You will have the RozierTeam to guide you through the process.

Mortgage-rates-rebound-all-time-lows

Contributed by Barbara Rozier; Keller Williams Premier Realty Katy; 22762 Westheimer Pkwy, Ste 430; Katy TX 77450. To start the journey to your new home call the RozierTeam directly at 281-395-0680.

Exquisite in Cinco Ranch

Here is the home you have been waiting for.  One of the most popular floorplans by Village Builders, in Cinco Ranch, great schools, near the lakehouse pool.  5 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms and 3 car parking in 2 separate garages (one single, one double.  Gorgeous wood plank flooring greets you at the front door and flows into the office, dining, foyer, and den.  Huge gameroom and separate media room upstairs.  With the market picking up like it is in Cinco Ranch I don't expect this one to last. FREE RECORDED INFO CALL 1-888-266-0724 CODE # 2162 Click ROZIERTEAM to see the photos. Keller Williams Premier Realty Katy; 22762 Westheimer Pkwy, Ste 430; Katy TX 77450. To see this home call the RozierTeam directly at 281-395-0680.

Affordable home in Cinco Ranch

One of the most affordable homes in Cinco Ranch!!! Open kitchen includes stainless steel appliances and granite transformation countertops. Fabulous location on a cul de sac lot, near all 3 schools, blocks from La Centerra, County library, water park, with easy access to Grand Parkway. Plantation shutters downstairs. Fresh interior paint in neutral color. Carpet replaced Dec 2011; 4 BR, walk in closets. FREE RECORDED INFO CALL 1-888-266-0724 CODE # 2159 Click ROZIERTEAM to see the photos. Keller Williams Premier Realty Katy; 22762 Westheimer Pkwy, Ste 430; Katy TX 77450. To see this home call the RozierTeam directly at 281-395-0680.

TEXAS OUTPERFORMS NATION IN OCTOBER HOME SALES

Texas is the place to live.  Look what I just read in RECON-Real Estate Center Online News

November 22, 2011

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Material herein is published according to the fair-use doctrine of U.S. copyright laws related to non-profit, educational institutions. Items attributed to sources other than the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University should not be reprinted without permission of the original source.


COLLEGE STATION (Real Estate Center) – Sales of existing single-family Texas homes in October were up 8 percent from a year ago, according to the most recent Multiple Listing Services (MLS) data compiled by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.

More than 15,600 existing single-family homes were sold, data showed. The median home price was $147,500, up 2 percent from a year ago, and the state's overall inventory was at 6.9 months.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported yesterday that, nationally, existing home sales rose 1.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.97 million in October from a downwardly revised 4.9 million in September, and are 13.5 percent above the 4.38 million unit level in October 2010.

The national median price for existing homes was $162,500, which was 4.7 percent below October 2010.

Talking about the national numbers, Center Research Economist Dr. Jim Gaines said homebuyers continue to be frustrated by stiff mortgage underwriting and appraisals despite favorable buying factors such as low interest rates, sluggish but positive job creation and lower home prices.

"NAR reported contract cancellations at 33 percent in October, meaning that one in three sales contracts failed to close," Gaines said. "Sales agents should be very circumspect when qualifying buyers for mortgages, rather than being frustrated later because the deal does not close."

October 2011 MLS data for many Texas cities are available on the Center's website. Here is a sampling (data current as of Nov. 21, 2011):

If you know of anyone moving to Texas have them give us a call. 

Posted by:  Barbara Rozier-The RozierTeam
Phone:  281-395-0680
Keller Williams Premier Realty Katy

Buy a Home for $100 down payment

I just got this information from one of the lenders in the area. 

After a short hiatus, the $100 down payment when buying a HUD Foreclosure program is back. This is a great program if you are looking to buy a HUD foreclosure as your primary home. Here are the general rules that you must know to qualify:


1. This program is only when buying a HUD Foreclosure.

2. You must buy the home for the List price or more to qualify for the $100 down payment

3. You will still have closing costs to pay, but you can negotiate with HUD to pay all or some of them

4. This is only when using a FHA loan. So the same great benefits: great rate, low mortgage insurance, etc.

5. $100 is way less than the 3.5% (of the sales price) that FHA normally requires for your down payment.

6. You can ROLL in the cost of some repairs. This is determined on what the home is worth “as is”. So, if sales price is $100k, but the as-is appraised value is $103,000, you could roll in $3000 of required repairs while simultaneously doing the $100 down program.

7. Your lender might be able to use the appraisal that HUD has done for the property, saving you the cost of another appraisal ($400), as long as the appraisal is less than 6 months old.

Not only is buying a foreclosure sometimes a great deal in itself, but buying one with only a down payment of $100 is fantastic news.

Give us a call and we'll help you find your next home. 

David, Barbara and Elizabeth - The RozierTeam
Keller Williams Premier Realty Katy
22762 Westheimer Pkwy, Ste 430
Katy TX  77450
281-395-0680

Local Restaurant Guide

If you are like me, you have driven past many a restaurant and wondered if it is worth a try. I recently opened up my latest issue of Katy Lifestyles & Homes Magazine to see the Dining Guide.  Running down the list I realized that I am a creature of habit. I have tried the majority of the list, but my local favorites are slim. Not that we don’t have an abundance of food option in Katy, I just tend to go to my favorites.  If you want some good recommendations here are my favs, in not particular order except for my #1.

-          Hacienda Guanajuato will always take #1 in my restaurant favorites!  My current obsession is the Enchiladas Poblanas with are a close resemblance to Cyclone Anya’s Enchiladas Suiza. Tasty!

-          At The Original Marini’s Empanada House I recommend the gaucho empanada alongside the caramel apple empanada for dessert.

-          Hasta la Pasta has a dish I crave with the same name, the Hasta La Pasta. You can bet that if it takes the name of the restaurant, the chef must do a stand up job. Be sure to eat lots of the rolls with hot butter or the herbed olive oil, it will leave you in a carb euphoria!

-          9’ers Grill is cheaper than the large chain restaurants Red Robin and Fuddruckers but stays on par with the quality. My constant recommendation is just get a burger, any burger but add avocado!

-          It’s dessert time! I love Ooh La La, but you must go to the one on Westheimer Pkwy if you want to enjoy the atmosphere. Their coffee is a few bucks cheaper than Starbucks and just as tasty, they have pie, cake, cake balls, cookies, and their best-known staple is their cupcakes. I have attended many a wedding or baby shower with cupcake towers. They also have cupcakes of the month, one I failed to try in time was their blueberry cupcake with maple icing…but their daily favorites are also a hit Margaritaville, Peach Melba, S’Mores and Pina Colada.

I eat out often, probably too often and as you can tell I appreciate local restaurants over big chain restaurants. If you want a local recommendation just let me know, chances are I have probably tried it!

Behind on your property taxes???

I was reading an article from the Real Estate Center in Texas located at Texas A&M University and thought I would pass along this information to you.  Hopefully it won't pertain to you since you are up to date on your taxes.  But you might know of someone who could benefit from it.


AUSTIN (Wilson County News) – Homeowners who fall behind on their property taxes may be tempted to take out a loan to pay off those taxes. However, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) strongly recommends doing a little homework first.


According to the BBB, the homeowner should:

• Call the taxing agency first. Most government agencies are willing to create payment plans and make other arrangements with those behind on tax payments. Certain individuals may even qualify for a property tax deferral. The homeowner should make sure every means of assistance available through the agency has been exhausted before considering a loan.

• Understand the process. A property tax loan provider will pay off the taxing entity, but that doesn’t mean taxes are paid. The tax lien simply transfers to the private lender.

• Pay attention to the terms. Find out how much, in total, the private lender will charge in interest and fees. The homeowner could end up paying more than he would have paid the taxing entity.

• Check other avenues. A property tax loan provider is not the only option. Check with banks for a lower-interest loan, or see if the balance can be paid with a credit card. The interest rate may be higher with a credit card, but the homeowner will keep the home should he default or file bankruptcy.

• Consult an attorney. A lawyer can help the homeowner negotiate with a taxing entity and understand the terms of a property tax loan, or help the homeowner decide whether or not to file bankruptcy. Texaslawhelp.org provides information to help those who cannot afford legal counsel, and can help find low-cost representation.

• Check out a lender’s BBB business review at bbb.org to see how many complaints have been filed against it before doing business. Also ensure the lender is licensed by the State of Texas.

And as always, give us a call if we can help you or someone you know buy or sell a home. 

Posted by Barbara Rozier
The RozierTeam phone: 281-395-0680
Keller Williams Premier Realty Katy
22762 Westheimer Pkwy, Ste 430
Katy TX  77450

Got Trash???

All of us have documents, papers, personal info that we need to dispose of securely and properly. If you live in Katy TX then you will have the opportunity to shred those items and “Impact a Hero” at the same time. It’s a $5 donation per box/container, on Saturday, October 29th from 9 am-noon at First Victoria Bank, 5005 S Mason Rd @ Fry Rd. “Impact a Hero” provides emotional and financial support to our severely wounded war on terror heroes upon their return home.

contributed by Barbara Rozier
The RozierTeam-Keller Williams Premier Realty Katy
22762 Westheimer Pkwy, Ste 430
Katy TX 77450

Phone: 281-395-0680

Voter Registration Deadline

Monday, October 11, is the last day to register to vote to be eligible to vote in the November 8 City of Houston and Constitutional Amendments elections.


Some of you might not realize that (move or change their name-i.e., get married or divorced), this information needs to be updated in the voter registration database or risk being turned away when you go to the polls. The website http://www.votexas.org/ has valuable information for those who might have questions about whether or not they may vote on November 8.

Did you move within your county?


If you moved from one place to another in the same county, you’ll need to notify the Voter Registrar in your county in writing of your new address. (In most Texas counties, the Tax Assessor-Collector is also the Voter Registrar. In some counties, the County Clerk or Elections Administrator registers voters.) There are several ways to do this:

Correct your current voter registration certificate on the back and return it to the Voter Registrar.

Fill out a new voter registration application form and check the “change” box.

When you apply for or change your Texas driver’s license, change your voter information at the same time.

As long as you reside in the same county, you can change your information online at the Secretary of State’s Voter Registration Name/Address Change website. The screen will prompt you through the process and the changes that you make will be forwarded to your county Voter Registrar for processing.

You will be mailed a new certificate with your new address and be able to vote in your new precinct 30 days after you submitted your change. If you miss the 30-day deadline to change information on your voter registration certificate, you may vote in your former precinct as long as you still reside in the political subdivision conducting the election.

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Did you move to another county?

If you moved to another county, YOU MUST RE-REGISTER! Fill out and mail a new application, or take it in person, to the Voter Registrar of your new county. (In most Texas counties, the Tax Assessor-Collector is also the Voter Registrar. In some counties, the County Clerk or Elections Administrator registers voters.) You will receive a new voter registration certificate 30 days after your application is submitted and accepted.


If you are late to register in your new county, you may be able to vote a “limited” ballot on candidates or issues common between your old and new counties. You may only vote this “limited” ballot after you have moved to your new residence, during the early voting period by mail or personal appearance (not on Election Day) and if:

You are a current registered voter in your former county;

You would be eligible to vote in your former county on Election Day, if you were still living in that county;

You have not re-registered in the new county, or, if you have re-registered, the effective date of the new registration will not be effective on or before Election Day.

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Did you change your name?

Promptly notify your county Voter Registrar in writing of the change. There are several ways to do this:

Correct your current voter registration certificate on the back and return it to the Voter Registrar;

Fill out a new voter registration application form and check the “change” box;

When you apply for or change your Texas driver’s license, change your voter information at the same time; or

As long as you reside in the same county, you can change your information online at the Secretary of State’s Voter Registration Name/Address Change website. The screen will prompt you through the process, and the changes that you make will be forwarded to your county Voter Registrar for processing.

Early Voting begins on October 24 and ends November 4. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. Find out if you are registered to vote by visiting http://www.sos.state.tx.us/

Keller Williams Premier Realty Katy
Katy TX 77450

http://www.rozierteam.com/

Direct: 281-395-0680

Changes in Texas Homestead Exemptions

Starting today the process to claim a homestead exemption on your primary residence in Texas has grown more complicated.  For those of us who already have the standard exemption in place.......don't worry.  It will automatically renew each year.  Only when there are changes in the exemption status such as Over-65, Disabled, Surviving Spouse, and new homeowners do you have to follow the new rules, according to an article in the Houston Chronicle dated August 30th http://www.chron.com/default/article/New-rules-for-homestead-exemptions-2148371.php. 

Harris County Appraisal District has prepared a simple 2 page flyer to make it more understandable and concise.  If you live in another Texas County just use the information in this flyer and just submit the information to your local Appraisal District.  Use this link if you need to find the contact info http://www.txcountydata.com/. 

And as always, if we can help you or someone you know with any real estate needs call us at 281-395-0680 or visit our website at http://www.rozierteam.com/

contributed by Barbara Rozier-The RozierTeam
Keller Williams Premier Realty Katy; 22762 Westheimer Pkwy, Ste 430; Katy TX  77450.