At some point in time most people are faced with the decision to either buy a home or continue renting. With the record low mortgage rates across the country, it’s no wonder that choice is on many people’s minds. 

Do you know how much the stuff in your home is worth? Not the building, but your personal property. I'm talking about furniture, appliances, electronics, clothes—everything. Although personal property is only one piece of coverage offered by most homeowners policies in Texas, it's an area where many consumers undervalue the amount of coverage they need. Or, even if they have adequate coverage, people often have trouble proving a loss.  Take an inventory of your personal property. An inventory will help you select a coverage amount that's right for you, and it can speed up the claims process in the event you have to invoke your policy.
 

With the current low mortgage interest rates and available homebuyer programs, some renters are deciding to take the plunge into homeownership. Are you one of them?

The complexity of the transaction and the increased financial obligations can make buying a home seem a little scary, but you can arm yourself with information. A little research and some help from your San Antonio REALTOR^®can reduce stress and increase your satisfaction with the homebuying process. Here are some tips to help you avoid making common first-time homebuyer mistakes.

Ethical practices
All real estate agents and brokers must be licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission to assist consumers with buying and selling property. However, only those licensed agents and brokers who choose to become REALTOR^®s commit themselves to a higher standard of professional conduct known as the REALTOR^®Code of Ethics. The code consists of 17 articles that outline a REALTOR^®’s obligations to clients, the public and other REALTORS^®. Each article is broken down into several standards of practice that outline the conduct expected of a REALTOR^®.