Answers by Mary Wassef

A rule of thumb is that it takes about two years in a home before you are likely to sell and make up for the costs that you had to buy and then sell. That depends on the market that you are in. For tax purposes, you definitely want to wait for two years if at all possible. I recommend talking to a Realtor in your area who can help you analyze the market.

That's not your imagination—many Realtors intentionally list homes on Thursday - myself included! The primary reason is timing. By going live on Thursday, a listing has time to appear on all the major real estate websites, reach agents and buyers through listing alerts, and build awareness before the weekend. Since weekends are when most buyers have time to tour homes, Thursday gives a property maximum exposure heading into the busiest showing days of the week. In my 23+ years as a Realtor, I've found that Thursday often strikes the right balance. List too early in the week and some of the initial excitement can fade before the weekend. List on Friday or Saturday and you may miss buyers who have already planned their weekend tours. A Thursday launch also gives buyers a day or two to schedule showings, which can lead to strong weekend traffic and, in competitive situations, multiple offers over the weekend or early the following week. Of course, every market is different, and there are situations where another strategy makes sense. But if you notice a lot of homes hitting the market on Thursday, it's usually because the listing agent is trying to maximize visibility, showings, and buyer interest during the weekend when the largest pool of buyers is actively looking. Mary Wassef Founder | Broker Associate Circa Real Estate Top Producing Houston Realtor | Luxury & Historic Home Specialist Serving Houston Heights, Woodland Heights, Sunset Heights, Norhill, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & Spring Branch

What a fascinating property. Homes from the 1820s are incredibly rare, and it sounds like yours has many of the architectural details that make historic properties so special—high ceilings, original millwork, a library, and beautiful cherry and ash trim. I specialize in historic homes, and some of the most memorable properties I've sold have had unique histories. In fact, I once sold a historic home that had previously operated as a funeral home. While that can present some marketing challenges, there is definitely a segment of buyers who appreciate the history, character, and uniqueness of these properties. With 21 rooms and potential uses such as a bed and breakfast, apartments, or even a private estate, it sounds like the right buyer will be someone who can see beyond the property's past and appreciate its future possibilities. Properties like this are often more about finding the right buyer than finding any buyer. Thank you for sharing it. It certainly sounds like a home that would need to be seen in person to fully appreciate. Mary Wassef Founder | Broker Associate Circa Real Estate Top Producing Houston Realtor | Luxury & Historic Home Specialist Serving Houston Heights, Woodland Heights, Sunset Heights, Norhill, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & Spring Branch

Your Realtor can help you with this. They can do a search based on the size of the home and size of the lot you are looking for. Mary Wassef Circa Real Estate Founder | Broker Associate Houston Heights Houston TX 77008

There are several ways to buy a new home while selling your current one, and the best option depends on your finances, your local market, and your tolerance for risk. In my 23+ years as a Realtor, I generally see homeowners choose one of three approaches: 1. Sell First, Then Buy This is the most conservative option. You sell your current home, know exactly how much equity you'll have available, and then purchase your next home. The downside is that you may need temporary housing or negotiate a leaseback from your buyer if you can't find your next home before closing. 2. Buy First, Then Sell This option allows you to move directly into your new home without the stress of temporary housing. However, you'll need to qualify for the new mortgage while still owning your current home. Some buyers accomplish this by using savings, a bridge loan, or tapping into the equity in their current home through a home equity loan or line of credit. 3. Make a Contingent Offer In this scenario, you make an offer on a new home that is contingent upon the sale of your current home. This can work well, but in competitive markets some sellers are reluctant to accept contingent offers because of the uncertainty involved. Whether this is a viable strategy depends heavily on local market conditions. There are also creative solutions that may be available depending on your circumstances, including bridge financing, leasebacks, or using existing equity to facilitate the purchase before your current home sells. This is where a good Realtor can be extremely valuable. An experienced Realtor can help you evaluate your home's likely sale timeline, estimate your available equity, coordinate the timing of both transactions, and help you determine which approach makes the most sense for your situation. Every situation is different, but people successfully buy and sell at the same time every day. The key is understanding your options and developing a strategy before you begin the process. Mary Wassef Founder | Broker Circa Real Estate Top Producing Houston Realtor | Luxury & Historic Home Specialist Five Star Professional Award Recipient (15+ Years) | Luxury Home Marketing Guild Member | PRNEWS Award Winner Serving Houston Heights, Woodland Heights, Sunset Heights, Norhill, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & Spring Branch

The first step in buying a home is finding a good Realtor. In my 23+ years as a Realtor, I've found that buyers often think they should start by looking at homes online or talking to a lender. While financing is important, a good Realtor can help guide the entire process from the very beginning, including connecting you with reputable local lenders who are a good fit for your situation. A Realtor can help you: Understand the home-buying process. Recommend trusted local lenders. Discuss neighborhoods and market conditions. Identify your wants versus needs. Explain current market realities. Help you avoid common first-time buyer mistakes. One of the first things your Realtor will likely suggest is speaking with a lender to determine: How much you qualify for. What monthly payment is comfortable. How much you'll need for a down payment and closing costs. Whether there are any credit or financial issues to address before you begin your search. I generally recommend working with a local lender whenever possible. In my experience, local lenders tend to be more accessible, communicate better throughout the transaction, and are often more responsive when issues arise. The buyers who have the smoothest experience are usually the ones who assemble their team early. A knowledgeable Realtor and a strong lender can help you understand your options, avoid costly mistakes, and make the process far less stressful. Mary Wassef Founder | Broker Circa Real Estate Top Producing Houston Realtor | Luxury & Historic Home Specialist Five Star Professional Award Recipient (15+ Years) | Luxury Home Marketing Guild Member | PRNEWS Award Winner Serving Houston Heights, Woodland Heights, Sunset Heights, Norhill, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & Spring Branch