Real Estate Buying Tips

Get the best real estate agent! I would love to help you buy a great home! I specialize in getting home buyers the RIGHT home in the RIGHT neighborhood at the RIGHT price. My clients love me (read testimonials) because they know I’ve got their back! I watch out for defective homes, over-priced homes, and homes that may be difficult to re-sell when the time comes. I focus on getting you a home that meets your current needs but also is (hopefully) a good long-term investment. I have received the Five-Star Real Estate Agent award for the past nine years because of my client satisfaction ratings. Less than 1 percent of all the agents in the Houston-metro area receive this honor!

  

  

If you haven’t already, then send me your criteria for a house by filling out this online form, so I can set up a custom search for you. Then you will get automated emails when new homes, that match your criteria, hit the market. My custom search is the most accurate search available! No search you have access to (on HAR, Zillow, Realtor, Homes, Redfin, etc.) is better than my search because my search is directly from the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) which is where all the other websites get their data. (The MLS gets it FIRST!) Plus, I can narrow down your search result to the school level (and more!) and filter out less-than-desirable areas for you to save you time and effort. Since I am the local area expert, I know which neighborhoods flood (for example) and can filter those out for you automatically. If you find that you need me to revise your search criteria, just send me a quick email and tell me what change needs to be made.

 

Here is some helpful information to get you started:

 

• Read what my clients say about me
     
• IMPORTANT!  Why You Need Your Own Agent
    
• Information needed to set up the best custom home search available for you 
    
• Sign up to download my Guide to Sugar Land ‘s Best Neighborhoods (my 170+ page Sugar Land relocation guide) 
    
• View videos of top Sugar Land neighborhoods on my YouTube channel
    
• Learn about the importance of schools in your home search
    
• Read about Sugar Land vs. Katy 
    
• Learn about my other favorite area (Katy TX)
    
• See Sugar Land homes for sale sorted by neighborhood, price, school, etc.

  

I personally wrote all this info, photographed the neighborhoods, and put together the videos…this proves I’m a boots-on-the-ground local area expert. I don’t just work here…I live here! What other agent provides all this info?! As a Five-Star real estate agent I provide services that are way above and beyond what a typical real agent provides. (See a sample of the type of house report that I give my clients when they find a home they are thinking about purchasing. No agent in the world does this!)

> Go to Sugar Land TX Video Tour

---

  

What I Can Do for You

Candid Advice—I promise to give you candid advice on all homes and areas so you can make the best decisions. I won’t ignore potential defects that can effect your home value or enjoyment.

Local Area Expertise—This isn’t just my business…it’s where I work and live. I will help you find the best location for your home purchase.

Great Data—I have a proprietary House Report to make sure that you get all the data and information you need to make a great home purchase.

Best Home Searches—Yes, you can search on your own, but no other home search available can filter down to the school level…and filter out the subdivisions that may be known to flood.

Easier Process—Moving your family (and possibly changing jobs) is stressful enough! I’m your real estate project manager and will guide you, step-by-step, through the process so you never miss an important deadline.

Network of Experts—My network of experts can make your transition to the area as smooth as possible. Need a painter, electrician, mover, insurance company, etc.? I can help.  

Read Client Testimonials about Sheila Cox, Realtor

How I Work to Protect You

My job is not “just” helping you find a house to buy…I’m helping you buy a house. There are over 100 tasks that I perform for you during the purchasing process! I’m looking out for you every step of the way and keeping my eye on the Listing Agent, the Seller, the builder (if applicable), the lender, the inspector, the title company. I’m on your side because I’m your agent. Not only do I help you find a house, I help with price analysis and negotiation, legal paperwork, inspections, repair negotiations, home warranties,compliance inspections, hazard insurance, surveys, appraisals, title commitment, and so on.            

And take a look at a sample House Report that I do for my clients. NO other agent in the world does this! Check out p. 27 regarding the Flood Map info I provide to you.

Helpful Articles About Home Buying

Are you ready for home ownership?

Home readiness survey YES NO Do you have enough cash to make the down payment and cover the other costs of buying a home?   Does your monthly budget have ...
Read More

Benefits of Home Ownership

It’s the American dream…to own your own home. But have you considered the specific benefits of home ownership? Studies show the following benefits for home owners: Improved tax advantages…thereby lowering ...
Read More

Do I Need a Real Estate Agent? Maybe I Can Do This Myself

 "That's what I used to think! In fact, before I became a licensed real estate agent, I did several FSBO (For Sale By Owner) sales and THOUGHT I knew what ...
Read More

Texas Laws on Brokerage Services & Dual Agency

Does My Real Estate Agent Represent Me or the Seller? When I bought my first house in the mid 1990s, Texas was kind of a "Buyer Beware" state. In fact, ...
Read More

Buyer Representation in Texas

The Agent Showing You Houses May Not Be Your Agent Many people think that if a real estate agent is showing them houses, that means the agent is their agent ...
Read More

Texas Home Buying Process

Preliminary Phase: Can You Afford a Home? If you are buying a home in Texas, then you need to learn about the home buying process, which may be different than ...
Read More

What To Look for In a Texas Real Estate Agent

"If you're not sure whether you need a real estate agent or not, please take a look at Do I Need a Real Estate Agent to help you decide."   Many of ...
Read More

Texas Real Estate Commissions

Who Pays the Real Estate Commission in Texas? One of the questions that I'm frequently asked is, "Who pays the sales commission in a real estate transaction?" That's a good question! ...
Read More

Applying for a Home Loan

Items Needed To Apply for a Home Loan Applying for a home loan these days is not for the "weak at heart"! It is a pain-in-the-neck process no matter how ...
Read More

Costs To Buy a Home in Texas

Do You Know What It Costs To Buy a Home in Texas? It’s one thing to want to own your own home…it’s another to be able to afford one. Here ...
Read More

Option Period and Fees in Texas Real Estate

We handle inspections in a very unique way in Texas. When you write a contract to purchase a home in in Texas, you can buy an "option period" (usually 7-10 ...
Read More

Beware of Internet Real Estate Statistics

The bottom line: No one knows an area better than a local, experienced real estate agent. Don't gamble your biggest investment on automated Internet data. It's Not All About the ...
Read More

Sugar Land Homes for Sale!

Find the best home for you by price, high school, neighborhood, or lifestyle…

Guide to Sugar Land’s Best Neighborhoods   Free 170+ guidebook to help you find the best Sugar Land neighborhood for you!

Recommended Lenders and Insurance Providers

Lenders/Mortgages

William J. Swallen
Certified Mortgage Planner
Peoples Home Equity
Office: 713-201-9838 
Email: wswallen@peopleshomeequity.com

Gil Forcade
Senior Loan Officer
Gibraltar Mortgage Services
Office 713-560-2805

Apply Online Now!

Inspectors

Print List of Home Inspectors

Home Owner’s Insurance

Helpful info: 12 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs

Check out rating info:

• Consumer Reports (basic article 2009)

• J.D. Powers’ Reports

Rates may vary dramatically…get multiple quotes!

Amica Mutual Insurance Company
10 Amica Center Blvd 
Lincoln, RI 02865-1165
Office: 800-242-6422
www.amica.com

John T. Godbee
Godbee Insurance Agency LLC
Nationwide Insurance
4675 Sweetwater Blvd.
Sugar Land, TX 77478
Cell: 832-573-9020
Office: 832-886-5544
GodbeeJ@nationwide.com

Mike Whitsitt
Liberty Mutual Group 
23232 Kingsland Blvd Suite D 
Sugar Land, Texas 77494
Office: 281-392-4333 x59125
Michael.Whitsitt@libertymutual.com
http://www.libertymutual.com/lm/michaelwhitsit

Charles E. Osburn II
Farmers Insurance
11607 Spring Cypress Ste F 
Tomball, TX 77377 
Office: 281-453-0177
Cell: 281-744-7295
Toll free: 888-828-4023
cosburn@farmersagent.com