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5662 N. Mesa, El Paso, Texas 79912, USA (915) 630-3166

If there’s one thing that you think about during the summer, it’s… probably not getting a fireplace installed. In fact, there are probably very few home updates or additions that are further from your mind when heat indexes top 100 degrees and the sun is beating down. Just because you’re not thinking about a fireplace doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be, though.

Fireplaces add a mix of beauty and function that few things can top. And as weird as it sounds, the summer might just be the perfect time to install a new fireplace or update an old fireplace that’s already in your home. There are several reasons why this might be true, so here are a few things to think about if you’re considering a fireplace addition this year.

Benefits of a Fireplace

There are a number of benefits to having a fireplace in your home. Not only is there something comforting and even romantic about having a live fire going, but it also gives you a good source of heat and light that is typically still accessible even if the power gets knocked out. This can be very useful during the winter, especially if you live in an area that’s prone to severe freezes or heavy snow and ice that can damage power lines.

Depending on the type of fireplace you have, they can also be very eco-friendly. Wood-burning fireplaces can provide a bit of energy independence as well, allowing you to use a fuel source that you might be able to gather yourself instead of having to rely on utilities that will drive up your electric or gas bill. Even if you have a gas fireplace, though, it may still provide you with a cheaper option than some electric heat sources, and you’ll have a much greater amount of control over how much the fireplace is used.

Fireplaces in the Summer?

While it might seem like a strange idea to install or upgrade a fireplace in the middle of summer, there are a few reasons why this might be the best time to do so. One of the biggest is the fact that summer is the off-season for fireplace installers, so you can usually get pretty quick service for installations, upgrades, and general maintenance. You’re also less likely to encounter delays because of hard-to-find components or in-demand backdrop materials being out of stock since there won’t be nearly as much competition trying to get installations at the same time.

Another great advantage to getting a fireplace installed during the summer is the fact that many installers offer sales or other specials to try and keep business moving throughout the slow season. This means that you might be able to save some serious money on your fireplace by getting the work done now, even though you won’t be able to take full advantage of it for several months. Deals and specials will vary from one installer to another, of course, but depending on what you find it could definitely be worth your while to take advantage of an off-season installation.

The Fireplace You’ve Always Wanted

If you want to find a great deal on a fireplace during the off-season, the first thing that you need to do is find the right installer. Fortunately, HomeKeepr is here to help. Our app can connect you with fireplace installers and other pros in your area who can install a new fireplace, refurbish an existing one, or make any other remodels or additions that you might want.

The best part about finding the pros you need for your fireplace project through HomeKeepr is that creating a HomeKeepr account is completely free. This means that you can sign up for your account and start using our app to connect with professionals in your area today. Act now and you can be well on your way to getting the fireplace you’ve always wanted at a price that can’t be beaten.

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Claudia Hargrove Thoughts

Buying a new house isn’t an easy process, it can be full of stress and scary for some people. The days may be getting shorter, but the list of home-shopping benefits is getting long. For a long time, spring and summer were considered the best seasons to buy a brand new house, but surprise! Fall is actually not only a great time, it might also be the best season to find your dream house. Here are the top 5 reasons:

1. Old Inventory could mean better deals: Sellers tend to put their homes on the market during spring and the beginning of summer, often listing their homes too high right out of the gate. This could result in price reductions throughout the spring and summer months.

2.
Less Competition:  Families who want to be in a new home by the beginning of the school season are no longer shopping at this point. That translates into less competition and more opportunities for buyers.

3.
Sellers are looking to close all deals by the end of the year: Buying a home is an investment with tax consequences, and home seller may want to take advantage of a gain or loss during this tax year, so you might find homeowners looking to make deals, so they can close before December 31.

4.
The holidays around the corner motivates sellers to offer better deals. As the Holidays approach, sellers are motivated to close and move as many properties as possible. if a home has not sold by November, the seller is likely motivated to be done with the disruptions caused by listing a home for sale.

5.
Home Improvement bargains: Once you close on that home you found in the fall, you may want to upgrade your appliances. Luckily, December is when major appliances, refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers are at their very cheapest, according to Consumer Reports. It’s also the best time of year to buy cookware and TVs.

Buying your first home shouldn’t be a chore. Sure, it can be a challenge and sometimes test your temper. But, at the end of the day, you’ll have a place to call all your own! So, if you are thinking about buying a new home, let me be your partner and help you find your dream house.

Why you should contact me?

My extensive knowledge of El Paso’s residential real estate market is unparalleled. Clients choose to work with me for my full-service approach, ethics, experience and expertise. Despite this highly competitive real estate environment in El Paso, I’ve had a stellar performance year after year for over 32 years. My roster of repeat buyers and valued clients are some of El Paso’s most influential individuals, developers and institutions.  

Phone: 915-630-3166
Email:
[email protected]
Website: www.claudiaep.com

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Claudia Hargrove Thoughts

There’s a new trend happening in the Sun City, a trend of seeing retirees migrate to this beautiful city! A new analysis comparing the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the United States as a potential retirement location, based on facts like: affordability, desirability, happiness, taxes, job market and access to top-quality hospitals, has named several cities in Texas in the top 10 places to retire. El Paso comes into the ranking because of our great affordable housing, low taxes, and above average levels of happiness. With a 7.1 Overall Score and 8.0 Housing Affordably El Paso is number #5 on the U.S News Best Places to Retire Analysis.

Nowadays, El Paso is attracting a wide variety of residents with its array of musical, cultural and sports events like Neon Desert Music Festival, Mariachi Loco Music Festival, Texas Country Music Fest, Sun City Craft Beer Festival, UTEP Sports Teams, The Chihuahuas and a Broadway Season are among the events that are bringing our community together.

Thinking about moving to El Paso? Here are some stats about our city:

  • Metro Population: 837,073
  • Median Age: 31.6
  • Unemployment rate: 4.7%
  • Average Annual Salary: $37,440
  • Median Home Price: $137,842
  • Median Monthly Rent: $765
  • AVG High/Low Temps: 77.4° / 51.6°
  • AVG Annual Rainfall: 9.7 Inches
AVG Commute Time: 23.3 minutes

Let’s analyze and compare our city stats against San Diego, CA a city famous for its sunny weather and beautiful beaches, but of course there is much more than that, with a metropolitan population of 3,253,356, an average annual salary of $55,480 and a $521,067 median home price, we can conclude that living in this city is not particularly affordable, San Diegans are willing to pay these elevated prices though, often referring to the cost of living differences as the “sunshine tax,” or the price of enjoying a year-round temperate climate.

As you can see, El Paso remains more affordable with lower costs of living and housing than most markets in the United States, including metropolitan areas in Texas like Austin and Houston.

Nestled in the heart of El Paso are beautiful desert properties and communities. Here is list of the most popular neighborhoods in El Paso for investors:

Rental Properties:

  1. Central El Paso
  2. Cielo Vista Mall Area
  3. Mesa hills

Neighborhoods

  1. Bear Ridge
  2. High Ridge
  3. Upper Mesa Hills
  4. Ranchos Del Sol
  5. East El Paso
  6. Northwestern El Paso

El Paso is called the Sun City for a reason and that reason is the 300 days of sunshine we have every year and that’s why if you love outdoors Sun City is a great place to live. El Paso proximity to the Rio Grande and the Franklin Mountains State Park provides great opportunities for outdoor activities. The El Paso International Airport is less than a 15-minute drive from downtown and is serviced by American Airlines, Delta, United, Frontier Airlines, Southwest and Allegiant.  
Claudia Hargrove El Paso

Finding the right city that meets all your criteria for a retirement spot can be a difficult challenge, as a retiree you will have the opportunity to choose and move to a place that costs less a provides a high quality of life, but you definitely won’t have to thru this process by yourself. My extensive knowledge of El Paso’s residential real estate market is unparalleled. Clients choose to work with me for my full-service approach, ethics, experience and expertise.

Contact me today and let me help you find your perfect house in El Paso, Texas
Phone: 915-630-3166
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.claudiaep.com

 

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Claudia Hargrove Thoughts

It’s starting to warm up In El Paso, the sun is high and hot and so is the competition for buying a home. If you are thinking about buying a home this summer, you just need to find your perfect agent. With over 32 years of experience, my extensive knowledge of El Paso’s residential real estate market is unparalleled, despite this highly competitive real estate market I’ve shown the ability to satisfy my clients needs in the buying and selling process.

But before you start any serious consideration about buying a home, let me share with you some tips and market facts to help you get the most out of this summer housing market.



Facts:
  1. We are expecting that the housing market will be strong this summer, existing home sales and list prices have risen in 2018, and starter home inventory has drop by 14 %.
  2. Summers is not the craziest season to buy a home but it’s definitely a busy home-buying season, one of the advantages of buying during summer is that prices normally drop from May through October. So, there is a huge possibility that you could find a great deal.
  3. In real estate markets like El Paso there is are a lot of inventory available for sale that can give you more leverage for a negotiation and peace of mind knowing that another home will be just around the corner waiting for you.
Tips:
  1. You should try to get to know the neighborhood, take the proper time to do some research about the community and neighborhood before making any offer. If a home that fits your needs and expectations is available, it’s really tempting to make an offer but if it’s not the right community or neighborhood, you may never end up feeling at home in your house.
  2. Once you finally find your dream house, make the strongest offer you can make even if it’s not the highest. The strongest offer might not always the highest one but is the best you can do.
  3. Buying and selling at the same time can be easier, if you need to sell your home before buying another, you will likely have an easier time with the balancing act during the summer. Rather than getting trapped with two mortgages, you could have a more seamless transition in a busier market.
  4. Kids are out of school buying a house and moving in the summer is a much easier transition if you have a family you can minimize disruption to your kids live.

Now, you know that if you can stand the heat of a little competition plus my expertise we will make our way into the marketplace during housing’s hottest season. I realize what an important decision it is when choosing a real estate professional. After all, this is likely the biggest purchase or sale you will make in your entire life. I take that responsibility very seriously. Beyond the significant financial issues, the rest is about your happiness and quality of life. If you choose me to represent you in your real estate aspirations, you can count on my dedication to serve your best interests each and every day through the process.



Contact me and Let me help you find your dream house in El Paso, Texas.
915-630-3166
[email protected]
www.claudiaep.com
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Claudia Hargrove Thoughts

The process of buying a new house can be really scary, full of stress and frustration for some people. That’s the way it should be when you are about to make the most important financial decision of your life. But you definitely don’t have to go thru this by yourself. Let me share with you a few tips that would make this process a fun experience.

  • • Check your credit: Paying your bills on time every month doesn’t mean you have excellent credit. The credit utilization ratio is the amount of credit you’re using compared with your available credit and it can hurt or help your overall credit score. Ideally, homebuyers should have a lot of credit available, with a less than a third of it used.

• Hire a Realtor: Having the right realtor for you involved since the very beginning will save you time, energy and the best part is that you as a home buyer does not pay the agents commission, the agent earns the commission from the seller side of the transaction.

• Get pre-approved for mortgage: one of the most common mistake that people often make is focusing on the total price of the home they can afford instead of the monthly payment they will be making. It is crucial that you work with your advisor to understand how your down payment amount, credit, and the current mortgage rate affect your monthly payment. Many sellers require a prequalification letter before submitting an offer on a home and you don’t want to find the perfect home and then be stuck running around trying to qualify while someone else gets your dream home.

• Decide to buy: When selecting a home, make sure it’s a home that YOU really want. There are many options on the market, so you owe it to yourself to ask yourself the question, “Do I love this home??” if you feel comfortable with the payment, love the location and will feel proud to make this house a home, then take the leap and don’t look back. When you find a house that truly interests you, don’t wait to make an offer. Buying in a tight housing market presents a unique set of challenges. Regardless of how long a house has been on the market, it is one offer away from going under contract.
Buying your first home shouldn’t be a chore. Sure, it can be a challenge and sometimes test your temper. But, at the end of the day, you’ll have a place to call all your own! So, if you are thinking about buying a new home, let me be your partner and help you find your dream house.

Why you should contact me?
My extensive knowledge of El Paso’s residential real estate market is unparalleled. Clients choose to work with me for my full-service approach, ethics, experience and expertise.
Despite this highly competitive real estate environment in El Paso, I’ve had a stellar performance year after year for over 32 years. My roster of repeat buyers and valued clients are some of El Paso’s most influential individuals, developers and institutions. 

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Claudia Hargrove Thoughts
Recently, El Paso was named No. 4 in the hottest real estate markets to watch in 2018 just behind Grand Rapids, Nashville and Raleigh. This is why I Claudia Hargrove wants to tell you why buying a house in El Paso could be your best decision ever.

According to Trulia El Paso Ranked No. 4 for the following reasons:

• Our incredible Tex-Mex Cuisine
• A wealth of locations for outdoors lovers to explore
• A rich downtown artist community
• Farmers Markets

Major employers in El Paso area range from the US military to the University of Texas at El Paso, healthcare corporations to major retailers. The average price of a home here is just $186,611, and it’s a hot market for the social young and single set, the median age is 33, and 24 percent of residents are single.

Compared to the rest of Texas, El Paso real estate market has improved since the housing crash, home prices are up modestly, here are the highlights about how much equity has been gained relative to the year of the homes purchase:

• Homes purchased in the El Paso housing market one year ago have appreciated, on average, by $2,192. The national average was $14,170 over the same period.
• Homes purchased in the El Paso housing market three years ago have appreciated, on average, by $13,935. The national average was $53,857 over the same period.
• Homes purchased in the El Paso housing market five years ago have appreciated, on average, by $20,777. The national average was $48,036 over the same period.

El Paso remains more affordable than most markets in the United States. Trulia has identified the following neighborhoods like the most popular in El Paso for investors:
• Bear Ridge
• High Ridge
• Upper Mesa Hills
• Ranchos Del Sol
• Kohlberg

Let me help you find your dream house, with 32 years of experience and over $98 million sold, I’m sure I am your best option, schedule an appointment with me today!
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Claudia Hargrove Thoughts
We know that a person cannot live isolated from society and when you move to a new colony, it is necessary to establish a good relationship with your neighbors.

Good neighbors can create bonds of trust and friendship, often they will be the ones who help you in some problem.

As easy or difficult as it is to live together with you and your neighbors, we give you some tips to promote respect, peace and an environment of tolerance. After all, you are sharing a common place with them.

-Give yourself time to know the colony

Before establishing a dialogue with anyone, observe how they behave. What communication channels they use and how they do it, if there are friendships or enmities and maybe how long they have been living in the property. Knowing your neighbors a bit more, you will know how to approach them and establish a dialogue. 

-Avoid being a noisy neighbor

Of course, is your house or apartment and you can listen to music, watch movies with a sophisticated sound system, make the parties you want or set up a ballroom in the middle of your room but, your neighbors are also entitled to rest at night, to have tranquility and an atmosphere of peace around them. When you think that you will disturb the order a bit, talk to them and let them know what you have planned to do before.

-Have children? 

Children in the house should be explained what it means to live in a community and the importance of respecting common areas: teaching where to play or not, or why it is important not to shout at certain times.

-Your pet, your responsibility

Having a pet is very valid, but remember that you are in charge of a living being that needs attention and care; In addition, the pets end up being part of the neighborhood coexistence. To avoid complaints of odors, clean your home, take your pet to walk with his leash to incite bad faces, collect their waste and teach to make as little noise as possible.

For more tips Click Here
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Claudia Hargrove Thoughts

There are a few good reasons to attend an open house, as nearly half of buyers do. The biggest benefit is that you can learn from the crowd. Pop in during the last hour and check the sign-in sheet for the number of visitors; a throng indicates a competitive market. Plus, curious neighbors often drop by, so it’s a great opportunity to ask questions about the community.

“An open house is the ideal way to determine where you want to be and start gauging area prices,” observes St. Louis agent Carrie Nenonen.

And if you actually like the place, nothing beats kicking the tires in person. Check the water pressure, peek inside the closets, look in the basement. Dig beyond listing data—ask the agent on duty about the home’s sale history and any past renovations.

A word of caution: The agent running the open house works for the seller, so be careful not to disclose too much about your budget or how you feel about the place. Be clear about your intentions; if you’re not a serious buyer, say so. On the other hand, if you already have an agent representing you, write his or her contact information on the sign-in sheet for follow-up.

To access the original article, Click Here.


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Claudia Hargrove Thoughts

Finding a new home can be a fascinating and challenging experience. It is important to have a real estate agent who takes the time to understand your personal needs and lifestyle.

Step 1: Decide to buy

The decision to buy your first home is one of the best and most important decisions you will make in your life. After all, a home is the most important (and most emotional) investment of life for most people.

Step 2: Hire an agent

When looking for a real estate agent to help you, know that good agents put their clients first and foremost. This is your dream and your agent is your partner to help you make this dream come true. 

Step 3: Secure financing

Ultimately, the lender will grant you pre-approval for a specific amount, but YOU decide how much you can comfortably pay each month. Remember, the lender only sees your financial situation on paper. The decision of how much you are willing to adjust your budget to have the house of your dreams is yours. 

Step 4: The own house

You have already obtained prior approval and are ready to begin the search. But, how or where to start? There is a large supply of properties and immersing yourself in this without any guidance can be overwhelming and confusing. A good agent will help you more accurately identify the properties that fit your criteria. The right home should meet all your important needs and as many other desires as possible.

Step 5: Make an offer

Once you have found a house that you love, the next step is to make an attractive offer. While it is likely that when you find a house that loves the emotions are going to be on the surface, it is important to remember that a house is an investment. Your agent will look for similar properties in the neighborhood to help you determine the market value, and a fair price, for your property. Use your agent to inform and guide you throughout the bidding process.

Step 6: Closing

Once you have made your offer and completed the inspection process, you will enter the final straight! In order to make sure you do not put your closing date or mortgage at risk, you should be aware of some pre-closing responsibilities. 

Step 7: Protect your investment

Congratulations and welcome home! He completed the process of buying a house, but as with any important process, there is a maintenance plan! Now it is your responsibility, and the most convenient from the economic point of view, to protect your investment in the years to come. Performing routine maintenance on the systems of your home is always cheaper than solving more important problems later. Be sure to look for signs of leaks, such as water or gas, damage and wear.

And remember, your relationship with your agent does not have to end simply because the sale has been completed. After the closing your agent can still help you, for example, with information for your income tax returns, to look for contractors and repair services and even to follow the updated value of your property in the market.

For more tips Click Here.

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Claudia Hargrove Thoughts

1. Go local.

Gone are the times when nationwide programs allowed for the zero-down loan, the federal home buyer tax credit, and the use of tax credit funds toward down payment and closing cost requirements.

The best programs of this sort are now largely operated by local governments—primarily cities and counties—and the rules for qualifying vary. Some are exclusively for buyers with low or moderate incomes; others are dedicated to helping first-time home buyers. Many of these programs have a limited pool of funds that may run out over the course of the fiscal or calendar year, and almost all of them require buyers to jump through some hoops, such as completing homeowner education classes or choosing a home that meets specified criteria.

2. Hit up your relatives.

Most mortgage programs will allow for some portion of your down payment to come in the form of “gift money, “which is exactly what it sounds like: money someone gives you to help you buy a home.

While gift money may sound great, be aware that taking gift money from a relative can create relationship issues or come with emotional strings attached. Plus, lenders frequently require that gift money be accompanied by a letter that clearly states the money is a gift, not a loan. The lender may also want to see a bank account statement from the giver, proving that the money was theirs to give.

3. Ask your employer.

Universities and municipal departments that employ first responders such as police and firefighters frequently make down payment and other home-buying assistance programs available to staffers. Large employers or even smaller companies seeking to lure top-level recruits do something similar: relocation assistance programs.

Check in with human resources to explore whether any such assistance is available—and if you happen to find yourself a hot prospect on the job market, consider trying to negotiate relocation or down payment assistance into your offer package.

 

4. Tighten your budget.

Get gut-level real with yourself about what’s truly important to you. If the answer is buying a home, then it’s time to examine your spending and look for leakage that you can redirect to your down payment savings.

If you spend $20 a workday on a morning coffee and bagel and a takeout lunch, that’s at least $400 per month—almost $5,000 a year you could be saving. And those numbers are not inflated to reflect big-city prices. Nor is the $100-a-month cable bill, the $15 yoga class, or the $2,000 vacation.

5. Borrow from yourself.

There are situations in which it may make sense to borrow a few thousand dollars from your 401(k) or IRA.

Some retirement accounts allow you to borrow against or pull out funds, penalty-free, to apply them toward your down payment on a home. Is it advisable for everyone, in every situation, to deplete their 401(k) or IRA to plug that cash into a house? Absolutely not.

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