Tuned-In Realtor: Recent Episodes
Geoff Silvius
Combining over 20 years of broadcasting experience with his real estate expertise, Geoff talks buying, selling, investing and lending with the top professionals in Houston! You’ll find out why Houston is such a great place to live. Episodes available at 8am CT Monday through Friday!
During a strong sellers' market, you may not have time to inquire about flood insurance prior to making an offer. But it's a different market with different timelines. Here's how should go about getting that info!
Conventional wisdom is you have to sell your existing home to be able to afford the home you'd like to buy. Here are some experts you should talk to first before choosing your order.
Yikes! I found a really bad tweet thread from a financial advisor who is trying to talk folks out of buying real estate. I'm the first person to say that renting might be a better option for some, but there were several takes (from the planet Mars) that weren't even based in reality. Take a listen to this. It's wild!
Looking to change legal language in a real estate contract? Here's what you need to know!
It's a sad situation when a parent passes. But it can become tumultuous if everyone isn't on the same page about selling their house. When you ARE on the same page, do you need to go through probate to sell a home? It may depend. Here's why...
One of the main tenants of the Ramsey philosophy is NOT having a credit score. As a RamseyTrusted Pro, here's what I have found about securing a home loan without one. And it's actually easier than you'd think!
If you own a rental property, you may think using a property mangement company is the way to go. And while there are some really good ones, one of my recent clients just saw the other side of that equation. Listen to the timeline on this episode. This property manager just cost the landlord at least $2400!
Where was I last week? Where are the new episodes? The power was out at my house for A LONG TIME. But here's what we can all learn from Houston's latest power outage...
Yes, you CAN overimprove your home. But just because something isn't visual, doesn't mean it's not useful. Here are the big things that are always in the minds of saavy buyers.
HISD is going through massive controversial changes. Will magnet programs be totally eliminated? If so, this could hugely affect real estate as neighborhood schools will only available to people in the neighborhood. And will there be enough kids in the neighborhood to fill those slots? Geoff talks about how this summer could be the last of the "usual routine" with school choice.
It's great to friends. It's great to have friends with opinions. But if it's going to affect your wallet (especially a big purchase like real estate), your friend's opinion isn't fact. Use a professional!
You want to be a landlord? Are you a tenant that's going to rent for the next year before you buy? Appliances are the single most expensive part of a rental. Geoff talks about the different angles to deciding whether buying new appliances is the way to go.
I have earned nine designations and certifications from the National Association of Realtors, Texas Realtors and Houston Association of Realtors. But I've never been prouder to earn being a RamseyTrusted Pro! But what does RamseyTrusted mean? Let's talk about it!
Geoff is back with a reminder for everyone thinking about making a real estate transaction. If timing the market was easy, everyone would do it. Avoid these pitfalls when making a decision.
Back and better than ever before! It's a new year, so what does that mean for real estate? If you're watching the news, you've probably been told it's all bad! But there is some unusual stuff happening right now. Can there be a recession when unemployment is low? When will rates decrease? Frank Monacelli of Nino Properties joins Geoff to discuss.
Frank Monacelli of Nino Properties joins Geoff to discuss the current market. It's not a punchline: it IS actually a good time to buy. It's just not a good time to buy ANY particular thing. These are the best things to buy right now.
Geoff blows through a bunch of your questions this week. Which improvement is better from a real estate sales perspective: A/C or roof? Can you sell your home off market with a Realtor? Which utilities are you actually going to have to call instead of set up online?
Nino Properties broker Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to ask one quesiton: why are you using the national sites to do real estate deals? Geoff's client found a rental listing on a famous site, but it had one problem. It had been rented TWO YEARS AGO! And this site still hadn't updated the listing. Wow! Must listen information for this episode. Brought to you by @TexasBayCU.
With all the advances in technology, you would think some scams would be easy to catch. But this guy created false documents and actually showed his face. All to sell a home that wasn't his!
Let the record show that Tuned In Realtor will take on all your questions. Even the crappy ones! Seriously though, sanitation is an important topic, so don't miss this one.
Geoff can't figure out if it's a con or people are just dying to see others suffer. Whatever the reason, do not buy predictions about market collapse. Here's why.
Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to discuss pet peeves in the real estate game. Some of these pet peeves might be big problems if you're a home seller!
Are you taking the proper precautions to make sure you aren't a victim of fraud? Geoff talks about the various scams that can pop up when you're in the real estate market.
Ugh. Just stop looking at your social media now! The doomsdayers are making their usual "the sky is falling" predictions, but this time it's the real estate market. Geoff goes point-by-point to show there's no collapse at the end of this tunnel.
Frank Monacelli of Nino Properties joins Geoff to talk about the market slowing down. This is a GOOD thing. They'll explain why. Brought to you by @TexasBayCU!
Buy low, sell high? How much is too much? These are all questions with very different answers, depending on your personal comfort.
Geoff answers your questions from tunedinrealtor.com, including why you'll need homeowners insurance AND flood insurance.
Logan Cates of Texas Bay Credit Union joins Geoff to talk about what happens AFTER your offer is accepted on your home. Avoid these major roadblocks!
When can you be recorded? When can you record in your own home? Why is audio recording different than video recording? Frank Monacelli of Nino Properties joins Geoff to break down the differences.
With title companies and promlugated forms, you don't need a lawyer, right? NO! You can use an attorney any time. Here are some examples of when consulting an attorney will help you close a real estate deal.
How much money do you need to save for a home purchase? It is NOT a set number. Here's why.
Would-be buyers who still are paying school loans have stayed away from buying because the math doesn't add up. With $10,000 off the books, will more buyers come to the market? Geoff discusses.
Once you lose trust, it's nearly impossible to gain it back. Geoff talks about the latest example of how potential misunderstandings can be read as intentional dishonesty.
When is your money actually due when you buy a house? Plus a very interesting eviction story involving AirBNB. It's questions time with Geoff!
It's more commonly known as "rent to own." When should you use these products? Which ones are best? Geoff discusses the different variables in renting to owning.
You sold your house or you bought a new one. How long should you hold onto those records? Which are the most important ones? Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to talk about the timeline and where you should keep the most important paperwork. Brought to you by Texas Bay Credit Union.
Fraudsters tend to bring back old scams and repurpose them for the current times. Geoff talks about different frauds and how you can avoid them.
Geoff gets to your questions about the state of the market and when it is "too early" to start searching for a new home or rental.
Angela Hunt of @FrontierTitleCo joins Geoff to talk about the completing your real estate sale and what you should look out for during the process.
Keeping an open and honest line of communication is going to help any real estate deal more than hurt it. Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to talk about the examples of providing honesty during the process. Brought to you by @TexasBayCU!
You can try to do it all yourself, but there's a reason to use someone that knows what to do. And not all pros are the same! Geoff shares a story that proves this rule.
Geoff answers your questions from tunedinrealtor.com. Is there a "forever home" anymore?
Logan Cates of Texas Bay Credit Union joins Geoff for an all-timer! Talking about the popularity of points, ARMs, and other products that can lower your rate. The percentages are not always exact, so you do not want to miss this one! @TexasBayCU
Luxury apartments. Luxury homes. Luxury estates. It's a lot of luxury, but just how much do you need to spend for it to be "luxury." Turns out there's not set amount. Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to talk about the myths and reality of luxury. Brought to you by @TexasBayCU.
Opendoor got hit with a significant fine for misleading customers. How will that affect sellers in the future? Geoff talks technology do's and don'ts.
When you are shopping for a home loan, there are some fees you may be able to NOT pay. Geoff goes over some of the fees that you can ask your lender about.
On September 2, 2022, new laws will drastically affect HOAs throughout Texas. There's no other way to say it: HOAs will have diminished power in many areas. Geoff breaks it down. If you live in an HOA or might move to one, this is very important!
It might be happening. The sellers market of the past two years is becoming a little more advantageous for buyers. Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to talk about the latest stats and what they are seeing actually happening in Houston! Brought to you by @TexasBayCU.
As part of Geoff's Commitment To Excellence through the National Association of Realtors, he explains the importance of identifying red flags when you're buying a property. @nardotrealtor
Geoff answers your questions from tunedinrealtor.com and social media. Can you get a rental without having to put down a security deposit? Yes. He'll explain why. Also, how you can count your rental payments toward your credit score.
Living in an HOA is going to cost you. And it's not just your monthly or yearly fees. It can also affect your budget when you want to buy a house. @ralphtapiaHTX of CMG Financial joins Geoff to explain the numbers. @LoanItOwnIt
It's another story of someone being a little sneaky with real estate. Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to talk about who is responsible when you get caught gaming the system. Brought to you by @TexasBayCU!
There seems to be a lot more pressure on sellers than buyers, even in a sellers' market. Geoff makes his diagnosis why. Have you ever had these symptoms?
Have market conditions drastically changed? Or even changed at all? Geoff shares some new news about what's happening.
Geoff is keeping his eyes on the highway expansion of 45 and 69 near downtown Houston. How is this affecting the overall real estate market?
Careful! You may be buying (or selling) from a sneaky person. Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to talk about how to sniff out the sneaks. Brought to you by @TexasBayCU.
Geoff shares a story about the "offer" he received from his electrical provider. Make sure this doesn't happen to you!
Everyone wants to buy an income property. But how much money can you expect to make from your tenant? Geoff goes over some of the factors.
Julia Hardy of Certainty Home Loans joined Geoff to talk about home appraisals. Many home buyers fear their deal falling through because of a low appraisal. But it doesn't have to!
Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to talk about HOAs. It's not just your neighbor complaining about the length of your grass! But you have to make sure you know what they are responsible for. Brought to you by @TexasBayCU!
When you decide to purchase a property, are you fearless in your decision? Geoff shares how a roller coaster reminded him about the best strategy for buying a house.
Geoff explains the diversification of the Houston economy and what you should do if your parents/friends/relatives don't agree with your real estate choices.
Bad designs! Home hazards! But why is the scariest real estate nightmare about a yard sign?
When you are buying a home, especially from a long distance, you can't afford to guess whether it's the right neighborhood. Geoff shares a story with a surprise twist!
Logan Cates of @TexasBayCU joins Geoff to talk about the number of days it takes for your lender to fully approve your home loan. By the way, it can happen way earlier than you think!
Can a deal be done without a signature? Verbal? Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to talk about when you can take that deep breath that your deal is done! Brought to you by @TexasBayCU.
Some folks just do not like HOAs. Maybe this story will change your mind. Geoff is having a real talk about renting homes, HOA laws, and what investors should be allowed to do with real estate.
Yikes! It's time to sell the house, except there are relatives in different states (and countries!) that all say they get a piece. How can you actually sell the house with this many cooks in the kitchen? Geoff answers this, plus how you can tell you're being ripped off by a moving company.
Mortgage rates are out of control, amirite? Well, maybe not. It's a matter of perspective and history. Geoff dives into the last three years and how it compares to other highs and lows.
Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to talk about who is buying homes right now. Unfortunately, institutional investors are pricing a lot of folks out of the market. And, in many cases, turning properties into rentals. They share how this might hurt you in the future. Brought to you by @TexasBayCU.
It's a very unusual circumstance. Rent is becoming so expensive, renters are finding better opportunities in purchasing homes rather than renting them (or even apartments). Will this be a long term issue? Is that better for the real estate market?
Geoff answers your questions about doing real estate business on Facebook and when you should buy a home.
When you're talking about hurricane preparedness in Houston, you're probably talking about flood control. Here's the most important things to remember.
Frank Monacelli of Nino Properties joins Geoff to talk about taking ownership of the home buying or home selling process. It's too big a transaction to be sitting on the couch letting everyone do the work! Brought to you by @TexasBayCU!
The May statistics are out for the Houston area. Second straight month of home sales being down. Does this mean the market is normalizing? Geoff gives two different interpretations.
"I want a safe neighborhood" is not a simple request. What's safe to you can be different to someone else. Plus, there are fair housing laws that need to be followed. Geoff gives some details. And why you should call a mortgage lender before you look for houses.
Logan Cates of Texas Bay Credit Union joins Geoff to break down how mortgage lenders determine your mortgage rate. Also, is cryptocurrency going to be included in your mortgage portfolio?
Frank Monacelli of Nino Properties joins Geoff to talk about how you can figure out if a property that seems too good to be true actually is! Brought to you by @TexasBayCU
Geoff found a new study about affordable cities for families. Except the research might be flawed. How much should you trust the internet when searching for homes? He discusses.
Great questions this week on tunedinrealtor.com! The importance of which direction the door faces in your home, the advantages of longer term apartment leases, and whether you should buy a home without seeing it first.
Geoff found one major investment company that is advising their clients to put their money in cryptocurrency rather than real estate. Is real estate now a bad investment?
Frank Monacelli of Nino Properties joins Geoff to discuss the benefits of inspections even when there's nothing wrong with the house.
It happens to Geoff all the time. If you are thinking of moving to Houston, you probably are most concerned about flooding. Here's something you absolutely need to know before eliminating properties from your wish list.
When you get a solicitation via text message, it's hard to know if it's a scam. Thanks to a tweet from @chuckimusprime, Geoff explains what you need to be cautious about. Not all real estate solicitations are the same!
Nicole Jones of @perryhomes talks with Geoff from @delbellolakes about new home construction, including what an inventory home is, how the supply chain is affecting new construction, and what finishing touches you can make in your new home.
Real estate contracts are binding agreements. You can't treat them like anything but! Frank Monacelli of Nino Properties explains what you are obligated to do once you want to make an offer on a home.
May 16th is this year's deadline for protesting your property taxes. Geoff goes step-by-step if you want to submit an online protest on your own.
New arrivals to Houston usually have flooding at the top of their lists of concerns. Geoff answers some questions about flood plains with a story.
When rates rise, many would-be buyers ask, "who decides how high?" Logan Cates of @TexasBayCU offers his expertise on the state of mortgage rates.
You may hear just how few homes are currently for sale. But is there an immediately solution? Geoff suggests one to Frank Monacelli of Nino Properties. Presented by @TexasBayCU
The Texas Association of Realtors has released the Housing Affordability Index for 2022 so far. Where are the most affordable places to live? And why is Houston more affordable than other Texas cities?
Questions for this week include whether all parties have to sign a lease and what to do when your spouse doesn't care where you live!
The 1st quarter housing market stats are out. Home sales are starting to decrease. Does this mean we will finally see an advantage for home buyers? Brought to you by @TexasBayCU.
When it comes to information, social media has made things harder. Geoff found a Reddit post on Twitter that might change people's minds about real estate, but for all the wrong reasons!
Property taxes can be challenged in Texas. But do you need the assistance of a company to do it? Geoff answers questions including whether you should pay for a pool.
Rental rates are still superior in Houston compared to the rest of Texas (and a lot of the country). But which kind of rental is the best buy?
Whether you want to rent or buy, it's important to know when it's the best time to bring in a professional Realtor to assist you. Hint: it's early! Brought to you by @TexasBayCU
Geoff gets to more of your questions. Using this statistic will NOT help your home buying strategy. Also, when can you apply for a private rental?
Even after years of real estate experience, Geoff realized he had just sat in on a timeshare presentation for agents! He has some lessons he'd like to share with everyone.
Frank Monacelli, broker of Nino Properties, joins Geoff to talk about the importance of not wasting time in real estate. Everyone's time is more valuable than you realize! Presented by @TexasBayCU.
The new numbers are out from the National Association of Realtors. A home averages FIVE offers. What does that mean for you as a seller? What about as a buyer? The answer might surprise you!
Matt Zeve joins Tuned In Realtor to talk about flooding in Houston. Matt is formerly of the Harris County Flood Control District and is now a private consultant. We were glad to have some of his time! Must listen info for anyone in Houston or thinking of moving here!
HCFCD: https://www.hcfcd.org/
Flood warning system: https://www.harriscountyfws.org/
Geoff saw an article from Forbes.com that suggested the real estate industry was hiding information from the consumer. It's false. It's illogical. And it's wrong. Hear for yourself!
Geoff gets more of your questions. When you're thinking of buying, there's one thing you MUST do first! And what Realtors are not allowed to tell you about a property.
The February stats are finally out and we see some very interesting differences between 2021 and 2022. What kind of market is this? Presented by @texasbayCU.
If you think mortgage rates are getting too high, you're gonna want to check out these numbers. It might be a better time to be a buyer than you think!
Will you make more money selling your home cheaper or making updates to increase the price? Also, when is it a good time to stop renting? Geoff answers these new questions from tunedinrealtor.com!
Buying new construction? More interested in a resale? These are the most common reasons by Texas home buyers choose one or the other.
When you are figuring out your budget to buy a home, don't make the common mistake of forgetting property taxes.
Geoff doesn't want to be controversial, but when we don't allow to use a VA loan to buy a house, he believes that isn't right. He explains why. Plus, why you should never try to time the market.
The February real estate statistics are out. Geoff noticed two important things that stood out. They are...
If you live outside of Texas, you might have to use a lawyer to complete a real estate transaction. In Texas, you CAN use a lawyer but most people use title companies. Here's what they do for you. Brought to you by @texasbaycu
It's not political. It's just happening. When oil/gas employees have to leave Russia and come to Houston, it's going to affect the real estate market.
Great questions this week from tunedinrealtor.com. If you are looking to help increase your credit score, you can now use your rental payments. Geoff explains the different routes you can take. Also, do you buy or rent before you get married?
What are mortgage lenders seeing in the market right now? Where will we be by summer? Logan Cates of @TexasBayCU joins Tuned In Realtor to offer his expertise.
It's gross and could potentially be destructive. Mold. Not all molds are the same. Here are the ones you really need to worry about during a home inspection. Frank Monacelli, broker from Nino Properties joins. Presented by @TexasBayCU
Geoff saw someone absolutely lose it while voting in the Texas Primary, but it actually was a good reminder that you need to be prepared when you're going to make a real estate transaction. Here's why...
When you are trying to buy AND sell a home at the same time, there are options available so you can do both. But it all depends on whether you are comfortable with the fine print.
How comfortable are you with foundation problems? Your tolerance can determine whether or not you buy a home.
When you want to move quickly on a purchase, the last thing you need is someone who barely responds. Geoff shares a story about an agent who created a new definition of curtness.
This week's questions include the many different ways you can help your kids buy a home (it's not a one-size-fits-all answer)!
The prices of material rise and fall based on demand. But with supply chain shortages, your builder may have the right to pass the increased cost onto you. Here's what you need to know about escalation clauses and how some builders don't actually have them.
It's the latest numbers from the mortgage lenders in Houston. Not everyone needs the 30 year fixed mortgage. Finding the right product will save you money, especially when rates increase.
When you are ready to a buy a home, you need to make sure you have your ducks in a row. Geoff goes over the most important items that will let you know if you are actually ready to buy now!
Questions this week include buying a forever home or starter home (hint: there's no such thing as a forever home) and how many bedrooms you need.
The numbers are out. Compared to every other city in Texas, Houston is the steadiest real estate market. Here are the stats that show why people are relocating to Houston first!
You just purchased your home. Be sure to save a lot of tax money by following these tips!
Thanks to the Super Bowl and the National Hockey League, there are some really bad deals in real estate. We can all learn from these examples!
Is a local lender the only way to go for financing? What are the problems with online lenders? Geoff answers this and whether you can break a lease if you realize you want to buy in the same neighborhood.t
Geoff heard this story from a friend in the real estate business. It has everything! Home sales. Divorce. Mom's ashes. Car trouble. H-E-B. Must listen!!
If you are afraid that your criminal background check will prevent you from getting approved, just know it might not be the end of the world. Geoff explains why.
Welcome to Episode 100! And it's a good one. Geoff answers questions about when you can back out of a real estate contract and what to say when your family is pressuring you to buy a home. Thanks to everyone that has subscribed to our channel!
It seems like it should be self-evident, but be honest! Geoff was appalled by something he received in his email. Do you agree honesty is the best policy?
It took a few weeks in January for the 2021 real estate numbers to become official (still had to process the December sales), but they are now here! Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to break them down and make a few predictions on what they might mean for 2022. Do NOT miss this episode!
It's a public service announcement about the biggest bill you'll pay in Texas. And they are due NOW! Don't learn the hard way. Here's why...
Many potential home sellers are concerned about Omnicron coming into their homes. Should that stop you for listing? Also, do you have to buy and sell at the same time? Geoff answers your weekly questions.
Coming off the hottest year, it appeared that things would be slower in January. But that's not what Geoff is seeing. Important info for potential home sellers in 2022!
You found the perfect home, but someone else had their offer accepted before you! So that's the end of that, right? Not so fast! You can make a backup offer. But here's what you're committing to.
It was a challenge for Geoff to like the new name of Sugar Land's baseball team, the Space Cowboys. Especially as a man of a certain age...
Geoff takes your questions, including how much money you should have set aside for a down payment and when you should raise your rents on tenants.
It's not a sales pitch. It's reality. If you find something you'd like to rent, submit your application immediately! Geoff gives some recent examples of how fast a rental can be off the market.
Buying new or buying resale? What's a big deal during inspection? Who should pay for what? Geoff is joined by Frank Monacelli to discuss the pitfalls of the inspection period and how you can end up with what you want.
The Houston Texas fired David Culley as their head coach. While David is going to be fine, what would you do if you got fired? Do you have a plan for paying your mortgage or rent? Geoff has some points you should work out ahead of time.
Geoff got a question that is really concerning. The legal AND moral consequences of misrepresentation in a real estate transaction. Plus, how much should you spend on your house?
Geoff goes a little rant (just a little one) about what he's hearing is happening in DFW. Will their big bubble affect Houston?
It's become pretty standard for a home warranty to be included in a home sale. Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to talk about what's good and what's bad about them.
The most thoughtful. The most interesting. The most fun. These were some of Geoff's favorite questions in 2021.
It's the first thought of most home buyers and renters in Houston: will this house flood? There's a new law on the books that will help answer that question.
If you're buying a condo, the rules for financing can be completely different. Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to explain why.
Many listings are withdrawn during the month of December while buyers (and renters) suspend their searches. When is it a good time to come back to the market?
Death. Taxes. And more taxes. If you don't want to pay penalties, you have to know how to contact the county. Geoff takes on that question, plus whether it's impulsive to move because of your in-laws!
The National Association of Realtors surveyed top economists about what we should see for 2022. Geoff cut through the numbers to discover five of the most relevant trends.
Leasebacks are becoming increasing popular in home sales. This is what your Realtor can do for you to lessen the anxiety of timing a move with your closing date.
Homes, especially apartment and condo communities, have to stay current with trends if they want to stay relevant to buyers. Use that to your advantage.
Questions this week at tunedinrealtor.com include a couple that thinks they are paying too much on repairs after they purchased a home and a soon-to-be college graduate that doesn't know if he should rent an apartment or small house.
You are never going to get a good real estate deal if you aren't realistic. Geoff has another example.
When you want to add legal language to a real estate contract, you have to be careful what you're asking for. Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to explain why...
Whether it's a buyers market or a sellers market, you have to have reasons before you submit a low ball offer. Otherwise, you are wasting everyone's time (including your own)!
Nothing is worse than feeling like you overpaid for a purchase, right? Here's how you can tell if you did that for your house (hint: you probably didn't).
In the heat of a negotiation, you have to remember that the other side is not trying to hurt you!
Even if they come highly recommended, you can always choose to NOT do business with people or companies you don't like. Here's a recent example.
More questions at tunedinrealtor.com include whether you should sell your home when you are unemployed and owning rental properties while being a renter yourself. is that a smart business plan?
Another big story out of Arizona suggests Phoenix's loss could be Houston's gain. Will Houston finally have all four Big 4 sports teams? Geoff looks back on the information he got from NHLToHouston's Daniel Soter.
If you just bought a home, you need to make sure your property taxes are in your name. All sorts of helpful information on making sure you pay the tax man without penalty in this week's Ask The Broker.
It's a sellers market, so you can price your home for whatever you want, right? Nope. The house across the street has been on the market for almost 4 years and it's never going to sell. Why? Price is way too high. Here's why that's a killer!
More questions at tunedinrealtor.com. It's a nightmare neighbor story plus a brother and sister who cannot agree whether they should sell mom's house or rent it.
Just days before the home sale was going to be complete, the big freeze caused a pipe to burst! Ten months later, it finally closed. Geoff's colleague, Andrea Bustamente, shared this crazy story that you'll be telling your friends about.
What makes a townhouse a condo? Are you buying a single family home? You need to know what kind of property you're buying, especially if you are getting financing. Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to break down the differences.
Geoff finally goes political on the show! ;) Here's when it's acceptable to have your Christmas lights up during the holidays. Hint: it's not Halloween.
You can ask Geoff anything about real estate. This week's questions at tunedinrealtor.com included selling the home to live in a tiny house and how to deal with the increasing cost of rent.
"When are these prices going to go down?" you may ask. Well, if October is any indication, there's some great news for you!
It's the quickest answer Geoff has ever given to a question at tunedinrealtor.com! It's family drama in this week's questions. Gregory thinks his ex-wife is giving their house away and Cam wants to buy a house with his girlfriend.
Have you gone back to the office yet? Still working at home? If going to the office is something you want, there's a potentially great news for 2022. It's so good, Geoff isn't even sure he believes it!
Worried that Zillow might go away? Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to give his thoughts on where the consumer can go for better real estate information.
It was a bad customer experience for Geoff as a pressure washer company went wild on him. There are three lessons to be learned that can help you as a homeowner!
Geoff tackles more questions at tunedinrealtor.com. Is it better to rent or buy when you move to a new city? How concerned should you be about mold found during an inspection?
Geoff got a little mad when he saw an ad for a seminar about timing the real estate market. No one can time the market! But even if you are buying real estate as an investment, there is only one strategy you should be using.
Frank Monacelli shares what happened to him this past week in a homeowners association meeting. Thanks to AirBnB, there's been a crackdown on renters. But how will it change home financing for condos (and even single family homes)?
After losing almost $400 million in one quarter, Zillow Offers has been put on ice. There are two major points that every home buyer and seller should know about this decision...
HGTV and similar websites have created a myth about home improvement. It's not actually easy! Home flipping is a very stressful business. Geoff looks at one particular misleading article about flipping that every would-be investor should be aware of.
We break down the housing statistics for September. Is the market actually starting to stabilize? Where are the best deals being done?
More questions at tunedinrealtor.com include whether a haunted house needs to be disclosed to buyers and what will your house resale for in three years?
You can always wait for the rain to wash away the toilet paper in your trees, but what if that jack-o-lantern burned down your porch?
What is the downside of getting solar panels for your house? How quickly should you pay off your mortgage? Geoff tackles some new questions from tunedinrealtor.com.
In our new feature, Geoff talks to newly arrived Houstonians! In this first sitdown, Geoff welcomes Aaron and Shannon Carlson, who shared their journey to H-Town.
Geoff continues his conversation with Frank Monacelli about the importance of using a buyer's agent when purchasing a home. And yes, it's totally free.
Zillow is not going to buy homes for the rest of 2021. Geoff gives his take of what this means for the future.
More questions to tunedinrealtor.com! Marijuana has different rules than meth. But what are you obligated to reveal to would-be tenants (or buyers)?
Geoff was appalled by a new study that found a number of real estate professionals don't "get it." Find a Realtor that works for you, not for themselves!
Think you can purchase a house on your own? You're going to need to avoid these pitfalls. Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to run down a LONG list!
America's least favorite baseball team seems to be the Astros. Is Houston getting a bad wrap? @MikeMeltser of @MadDogRadio (and Houston attorney!) joins Geoff to discuss.
Just like most things, not every HOA can be put in a box. Some HOAs are great. Others less great. But here's why you shouldn't disqualify a house because of one.
Why do VA loans have such a bad reputation? One of our country's veterans can't find a house because of it.
A disagreement with a roofer reminded Geoff that it's always better to get everything in writing.
You can send your questions at tunedinrealtor.com any day of the week. Geoff has answers for when it's time to sell your rental, buying a new rental condo, and how the dallas football team continues to be a pain!
It was a little close to home (literally), but Geoff explains why you should always make sure your home appraiser does NOT do a drive by. This can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars!
It always pays to be honest! Even when you're sure your current home is going to sell, this is why you need to make sure you include contingencies in your contract.
Want to buy a new home? We are entering the best time of year to get deals in new construction! Geoff explains how it works.
Geoff answers your questions from tunedinrealtor.com and on social media (mrgeoffsilvius). It's a lot of family drama, including a daughter who wants to live with her boyfriend, what to price your home to sell to a parent, and a guy who doesn't want his grandmother's house!
There are many ways to sell a home. But you may not know about the secret lists of properties that are for sale. Geoff is joined by Frank Monacelli of Nino Properties to talk about this very secret!
A new report by Texas Realtors shows that more people are buying condos in 2021 and the best prices are in Houston.
If you lost power during Nicholas, it may seem like a good time to buy a generator. But here's how you know if you can put things on your property.
It's some magic number and you won't find it in an algorithm. Here's how you know what your home is actually worth?
You might actually pay less for a much nicer rental. But you need to know what to ask for!
Here are some of the most popular scams that landlords face. And if you're a renter, you should know what landlords might not like about your application.
Geoff got a bunch of your questions on social media: how much should we spend on a house? How is Hurricane Ida affecting the rental market? How long should we extend our lease as we wait for our house to be built?
It's only a couple of pages long, but if you really want to know about the condition of a house, the Sellers Disclosure might answer a bunch of your questions. Here's how you know it's a good one...
Thanks to the internet, brick and mortar stores were already going away. But because of the pandemic, commercial property is more empty than ever. Frank Monacelli joins Geoff to talk about the future of your office space and the stores we shop!
There's a HUGE difference between having your house on the market and actually trying to sell it. Don't be like this one listing that Geoff found this past week!
Geoff takes your questions! Includes more questions about how Ida may affect the Houston rental market, when it's okay to back out of a deal and pricing your home for a family member to buy.
Ian McClintic of Early, McClintic and McMillan joined Geoff to analyze the overall investment market. You may be surprised to hear how the pandemic has affected home buying in Houston!
During their discussion of the Houston rental market, Geoff and Frank Monacelli talked about how Ida might make similar impacts on Houston like Katrina did back in 2005.
Knowing what kind of buyer you are will help your decision-making process. Geoff gives two different types that may describe you!
With so many homes receiving multiple offers, some buyers are concerned their offer wasn't even given to the seller. Geoff explains the rules and how you can make sure your offer is at least a chance to win.
The Arizona Coyotes are looking for a new home. What would it take for pro hockey to work in Houston? Will we finally end up with every major sports league? Daniel Soter of NHL To Houston adds his knowledge to the conversation.
The latest numbers are out and we are still seeing record numbers in Houston (and Texas) (and the country)! Frank Monacelli joins Geoff with the numbers that mean the most.
We all want to make a great deal, but don't make these mistakes when you're buying a home.
Every city has differences. In real estate, there are some things that are unique in Houston. But don't fear! Geoff is here to make things less complex!!
At a time when everyone wants to do it themselves, you need to consider what you want to pay for real estate vs what you HAVE TO pay. Here's where a Realtor saves you money that you didn't even know about.
Everyone gets a little anxious when it's time to put their name on the dotted line. But to make sure your interests are represented, a Buyer Representation Agreement is important. Frank Monacelli of Nino Properties joins Geoff to explain why.
Because of the pandemic, one of the most popular features in new construction is the home office. But before you move into a new house to have one, you need to consider what the next year will hold. Geoff looks at one example that you may not even know.
Having unique tastes can actually HELP you as a home buyer! Geoff uses the example of the Darth Vader house in West U to explain how you can end up making a great deal.
Geoff went to home listing to find an empty hospital gurney on the curb in front of the house. If you want your home to sell, you have to get the neighborhood involved. Here's how!
Putting an offer on a home is the BEGINNING of the home buying process. The next few days are the most important. It's called the Option Period and it protects you in many ways. Geoff breaks it down with Frank Monacelli, broker of Nino Properties.
Even though you might feel like renting is inferior to owning, there are plenty of good reasons to rent.
How much does a school matter in making a home buying decision? These are the things you need to consider before buying in the "right" school district.
Charlie doesn't know if he should sell the family's vacation home. And it's time to say thank you!
Frank Monacelli, broker of Nino Properties, joined Geoff to clear up confusion about accepting offers that are financed by hard money loans.