What Keller homeowners should know about rising interest rates

Keller Homeowners planning to refinance and buyers searching for a home may have an idea of what’s in store for them with regards to interest rates, but they never really know until they lock in a rate. This is in part because rates can change direction fast, and when they rise—as they have been recently—it can cost borrowers a great deal of money and time.

The effect of rising interest rates on your home purchase
Today, the median existing home price in the United States is around $235,000, and the average mortgage interest rate is near 4 percent. If you were to buy a home at that price, an interest rate increase of half a percent would cost you an additional $70 per month on your loan payment. And that assumes you’ll put the standard 20 percent down in advance. A more dramatic rate increase—say from 4 percent to 6 percent, even over time, would increase your monthly payment by almost $300.

Home price gains
For homebuyers, it’s not just rising interest rates that can increase your payment, but so can home price appreciation. In fact, in most markets, housing prices have increased past highs previously set before the financial crisis in 2007/2008. For example, in citing this recovery, the Federal Housing Finance Agency recently increased the maximum loan amount for mortgages that meet Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines for the first time in more than a decade.

The new conforming loan limits increased only slightly, to $424,100 in most parts of the country. This will enable home buyers in higher-cost areas to access larger home loan amounts and more affordable loan products, in line with local housing prices.

The home buying season may start early this year
Spring/summer is traditionally the busiest home buying time of the year as many sellers wait to list their homes after the cold winter weather is over and to coincide with the summer school break. However, with both home prices and interest rates on the rise, more buyers are expected to enter the home buying market earlier this year, making for a more competitive home buying season. Potential buyers will need to be aggressive to find the Keller home they want at a rate they can afford.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home

6 factors driving the cost of your new HVAC system

More than half of homes in the U.S were built before 1980, according to U.S. Census figures. With most home heating and ventilation systems lasting around 20 years, millions of American homeowners will be looking at replacing their HVAC systems this year. If you’ll be among them, understanding the factors that influence the cost of a system could help save you money in the long run.

Here are six factors that affect the cost of installing a new heating and cooling system, and what Keller homeowners should know about each:

The size of your home
You can probably guess that the larger the home, the bigger the system you’ll need to adequately heat and cool it. If a system is too small for the home, it will work harder, be less energy efficient and possibly wear out sooner. However, too big isn’t better, either. A system that’s too large for a home can create uneven temperatures, poor humidity control, maintenance problems and a loss of efficiency.

Research can help you identify the size HVAC system that’s just right for your home. You can also ask your product dealer to provide a load calculation and energy analysis for your home.

Energy efficiency
Replacing an HVAC system affords you the chance to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money over the long term. A quality, energy-efficient HVAC system may cost more than a less efficient one, but you can anticipate recouping the expense, plus additional savings over the lifetime of the system.

System type
From gas furnaces and split system air conditioners to heat pumps and packaged heating and cooling units, there are multiple ways to heat and cool your home. Most people replacing all or part of an HVAC system will opt to stick with the same type of system they’re replacing. However, you may find a different option will work better.

Different types of systems come with different product and installation costs. Before deciding what’s right for your home, research your options and talk to a qualified dealer about benefits and costs of each.

Ductwork
When you’re installing a new HVAC system, it’s important the ductwork in your home works with the type of system you’ve chosen, and that it’s been properly installed and maintained.

Improper ductwork can create hot or cold spots in a home, reduce system efficiency and even allow the growth of mold from condensation. An HVAC professional can help you assess if your ductwork is in good shape before you invest in a new heating and cooling system.

Accessories
Certain types of accessories can make your new HVAC function more efficiently and provide you with greater ease of use. If your furnace is 20 years old, chances are good your thermostat is the same age, so you’ll want to replace that, too. Programmable thermostats can be reasonably priced and help enhance the energy efficiency of your HVAC system.

Other accessories such as an electronic air cleaner can help enhance the air quality inside your Keller home. You’ll want to carefully consider the accessories you’ll be adding, and factor them into the total anticipated cost of your new HVAC system.

How you’ll pay for it
Replacing an HVAC system costs thousands of dollars. If you don’t have enough cash saved to cover the cost, you may choose to finance all or part of the expense. You could use a credit card, but high interest rates mean you could end up paying thousands more in interest for your HVAC system.

Manufacturer or dealer financing may be a lower-cost option. For example, some contractors offer financing with appealing terms such as deferred interest, no interest with equal monthly payments and convenient monthly payment options.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home

4 bathroom design trends for Keller homeowners

Coffee bars, TVs in mirrors, and pet-friendly amenities - a growing number of homeowners are requesting such upscale features in their bathroom design, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Is it any wonder that association members report the average cost of remodeling a bath is between $10,000 and $30,000? However, you don't have to spend that much to update your bathroom stylishly and easily.

Here are four popular bathroom design preferences, plus tips to cost-effectively achieve these looks in your Keller home:

Transitional is trending
According to a poll of remodeling professionals, the vast majority agreed that "transitional" was the most-requested style in bathroom settings. Transitional design allows you to blend elements of both traditional and contemporary styles. The result is a comfortable blend of sophistication and simplicity that is easy to create with only a modest investment.

An example is the urban depiction of the Townsend widespread lavatory faucet from American Standard in dramatic legacy bronze, paired with a modern vessel sink in sleek white. The high-arc, deep bronze finished faucet harkens to a classic era of design. The tapered faucet shape, reminiscent of classic bridge pediments, evokes an industrial feel of city living that fits well with a lavatory that showcases contemporary angular styling.

Neutrals have staying power
Long favored for their ability to create an easy-to-customize color foundation, neutral hues remain in vogue in the bathroom. Whites and grays are the most popular color schemes, NKBA reports, although these colors aren't confined to walls or floors.

White continues to be the most popular color choice for toilets, tubs and sinks. In bathrooms with these pristine-toned fixtures, you can cost-effectively play on the neutral trend by adding pale gray to the walls. For a subtle effect that will also add height to the room, paint the ceiling a gray several shades lighter than the walls.

Superior showers

The shower is becoming a highlight of the bathroom, with many renovators reporting that homeowners want customization such as lighting, built-in seating, benches and hand-showers installed. Remodeling your shower can be as simple as replacing an old-style, static showerhead with an upgraded, more luxurious model. 

One option is the American Standard drenching 6-inch square showerhead, paired with the Times Square shower system that features an ultra-convenient hand shower. A teak shower seat and recessed lighting above the shower are also cost-effective upgrades that can elevate your shower experience to be truly spa-like.

Aging-in-place amenities
Home design experts have long predicted that as baby boomers grow older, demand will increase for home features that will allow seniors to stay in their houses throughout their golden years. NKBA members report evidence of this trend, with more homeowners asking for aging-in-place upgrades such as grab bars, higher vanities and chair-height toilets.

Aging-in-place upgrades are among the most useful and cost-effective bathroom improvements. Following this pattern can be as simple as installing grab bars in showers and tubs, and next to toilets. Replacing knob faucets with single-handle or lever-style faucets allows people with dexterity challenges to easily and safely function in the bathroom.

Remodeling your bathroom to keep pace with today's hottest trends doesn't have to cost a lot. With a few creative touches and versatile pieces like new faucets and hand showers, it's possible to create an up-to-date look for your Keller home with a modest investment.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home

6 easy, affordable smart home features that could help you sell your Keller home faster

Fresh paint on the walls, professional staging and an asking price that ends in 999 - when you're selling your Keller home, you'll do whatever you can to help it stand out and sell faster. Because the National Association of Realtors is predicting modest growth for the 2017 real estate market, as a seller you want every edge you can get. And on the heels of the popular Consumer Electronics Show in January, perhaps that edge is a smarter home.

According to IHS Markit and CNBC, 80 million smart home devices were delivered worldwide last year. That's a 64 percent increase from 2015.

Here are six trending smart home features that might catch buyers' attention and help sell your home faster:

Keyless/remote entry door locks - Have you ever left the house and worried that you left the front door unlocked? If your home is equipped with a keyless/remote entry door lock - available from multiple manufacturers - you can use an app on your smartphone to lock the door from wherever you are. Some manufacturers make versions that will also send a text or email to your phone when the door opens. Locks that can be programmed with multiple entry codes also allow you to see who comes and goes and when.

Smart lighting - From lighting automation that allows you to control lights remotely and wirelessly, to energy-efficient LED bulbs that can change color to match your mood and decor, lighting has come a long way. Some smart lights work in tandem with home automation systems to allow you to turn them on or off, or even dim them, from an app on a smartphone or tablet. Others require no communication hub and can be controlled directly from your mobile device. You can also put some smart bulbs on timers (using your wireless device), sync them with certain TV shows or movies, and integrate them with security cameras and thermostats.

DIY security systems - Don't want to sign a contract or deal with complex security systems? Install-it-yourself security systems are affordable and offer security features like cameras, sensors, motion detectors and alarms or sirens, without the need for a security service to monitor them.

Smart appliances - The Internet of Things (IoT) - everyday objects that have network connectivity - includes a growing list of smart appliances. Many manufacturers are offering washers, dryers, refrigerators and other home appliances that can communicate with you - and each other - wirelessly. Many can be controlled remotely from your smartphone - so if you leave the house and can't remember if you turned off the stove, you can check in and turn it off using your smartphone app.
While appliances aren't always included in a home sale, they do make for interesting features that keep your home top of mind to buyers.

Smart plugs - One of the easiest, most affordable smart home upgrades you can make is to add smart plugs to your Keller home. These Wi-Fi-enabled plugs fit existing outlets and can be controlled from a smartphone app. Plug anything into a smart plug, like lights or a television, and you can turn it on or off remotely, track energy consumption, or even create an on-off schedule.

Temperature controls - Programmable thermostats were just the beginning; today's home temperature controls are even smarter. Like other smart home features, smart thermostats can be controlled remotely from your mobile device. You can program them to make automatic temperature adjustments and then use your smartphone to override the program like turning up the heat on a particularly cold day. Some smart thermostats learn from household behavior and adjust the temperature to meet your family's needs and save energy, while others adjust based on the number of people in a room. And several can now be operated via voice-controlled virtual assistants.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home

15210 Sam Reynolds Road Justin, TX 76247

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/6C5TQ5/15210-Sam-Reynolds-Road-Justin-TX-13519980

Introducing charm and charisma! Classic elegance is yours in this 4 bed, 3 bath custom home on one acre lot. This beautiful home invites entertaining for any occasion with luxury finish out, three and one quarter inch hand scraped, red oak wood floors and an abundance of natural light. Chef's kitchen complete with double oven, island, granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Luxury master suite with sitting area, large secondary bedrooms, office and game room offer a place for everyone. Conditioned attic storage, hot water circulating system, 16 SEER HVAC and Argon gas filled windows complete this awesome package. Guaranteed to average less than $89 per mo. to heat and cool!

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square feet: 3,392

Price: $485,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 4098962 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13519980

1108 Riverchase Lane 101 Arlington, TX 76011

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/SLBMFF/1108-Riverchase-Lane-101-Arlington-TX-13519403

The perfect fit! This cozy, freshly painted, newly carpeted, 2 bedroom, 2 bath Condo in Chasewood Oaks is close to highways, shopping and entertainment. Open floor plan boasts plenty of natural light, spacious living room with brick fireplace, galley kitchen featuring new appliances and separate dining area with French doors leading to covered patio with pool view and private storage. Retreat to the master and enjoy some private time. Large secondary bedroom and main bath with utility closet complete this wonderful package. Covered parking, community pool with spa and pet path along the perimeter of property. Within 15 minutes to DFW airport.

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,085

Price: $106,595

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 4096817 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13519403

7213 Thames Trail Colleyville, TX 76034

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/WDKNKC/7213-Thames-Trail-Colleyville-TX-13518657

IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE? It can be found in this 4 bed, 3 bath elegant custom home with luxury finish out and attention to detail in every room. Located in Cascades at Timarron, this beautiful home features open design with stunning wood floors and invites entertaining for any occasion. The sleek kitchen offers granite counters, breakfast bar, island and two pantries. Retreat to the private master suite and pamper yourself in the spa-like bath. Enjoy the amazing back yard oasis boasting salt water pool and plenty of space for family fun. Large secondary bedrooms, study, game room, media room, and exercise room offer a place for everyone.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square feet: 4,026

Price: $625,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 4082504 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13518657

6109 Brocks Lane Fort Worth, TX 76114

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/SYG3G9/6109-Brocks-Lane-Fort-Worth-TX-13518026

Great Beginnings! This adorable 3 bedroom, 1 bath, newly updated home features wonderful open floor plan. Enter into the bright living area with original hardwood floors that cheerfully welcomes any visitor. Spacious kitchen offers new cabinets, breakfast bar and stainless appliances. Large secondary bedrooms, flex room, sunroom, utility area with sink and pantry enhance this unique home. New paint, floors, AC and electrical make this a rare find. Don't miss it!

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 1

Square feet: 1,288

Price: $125,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 4080111 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13518026

14109 Esperanza Drive Fort Worth, TX 76052

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/AWVUST/14109-Esperanza-Drive-Fort-Worth-TX-13515728

Precious memories begin here! This adorable 3 bedroom, 2 bath, one story home features spacious kitchen boasting island, breakfast bar and an abundance of storage. Wonderful open floor plan is great for entertaining. Enjoy the private master suite offering dual sinks and large shower compartment. Generous sized secondary bedrooms provide ample space for family and friends. Picnic on the covered patio with plenty of room for outdoor family fun.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 1,496

Price: $155,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 4068327 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13515728

4629 Indian Rock Drive Fort Worth, TX 76244

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/M7PBDY/4629-Indian-Rock-Drive-Fort-Worth-TX-13514932

Fabulous 3 bedroom, 2.1 bath home in sought after KISD. Enjoy the open concept and abundance of natural light. Spacious kitchen offers plenty of space for meal prep with breakfast area overlooking back yard. Entertain family and friends in the sizable family and dining rooms. Retreat to the Master suite for private time. Large secondary bedrooms, gameroom and patio, two community pools and playground complete this package. Easy access to shopping, highways and restaurants. Outdoor AC unit replaced in August 2013 came with 5 year bumper to bumper full warranty.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Square feet: 2,124

Price: $210,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 4061374 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13514932

5 tips to keep your Keller home warm and protected this winter

Winter is a harsh and cold season that can be straining on Keller homes, causing costly and inconvenient breakdowns, especially to plumbing and heating systems.

Home experts recommend homeowners pay attention to the little things to avoid bigger problems from developing. Taking simple steps, such as having your systems serviced each season, can help safeguard appliances and systems and keep them running at optimal performance.

Unfortunately, appliances often break down when they are most needed. Homeowners know the big impact that even small things can have when it comes to protecting your home.

To help protect your home this winter, follow these tips from the pros at American Home Shield:

Check, then cook: Planning on baking cookies or making homemade bread for some cold weather comfort? First, check to make sure your oven is not losing heat. If the oven door doesn't seal properly, it could be losing more than 70 percent of its heat. Inspect the seal for breaks, tears or abnormalities and look for possible leaks. If you spot a problem, replace the seal; these are available for purchase at most home improvement stores.

Unblock and save: Over time, homeowners often add or rearrange furniture without thinking about how it affects airflow. Take a walk through your home and make sure there is at least an inch or two's worth of clearance in front of every air vent. Blocking vents can cost you more money as you are likely to crank up the heat to compensate, which causes your furnace to work even harder.

Let your thermostat do the work: Many homeowners assume they know how to use their thermostat, but often there is much more it can do. Some thermostats can actually learn homeowners' preferences and automatically adjust to save energy.

Don't forget your dryer: Tossing towels and blankets in the dryer to warm up on frigid days? Make sure your dryer isn't clogged first. A clogged dryer exhaust is not only inefficient, it's also a dangerous fire hazard. In most cases, all it takes to clean it is loosening the clamp to the exhaust and then gently pulling it off the back of the dryer. A vacuum attachment should be able to remove the lint and clear the vent.

Trust the pros: During the colder months, your heating system or furnace can run double duty trying to compete with outdoor temperatures, so make sure to have your unit professionally serviced to ensure it is working up to its potential. Also, consider a home warranty plan to help protect your Keller home against unexpected costs associated with breakdowns and repairs.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home