Have a happy holiday season! Thank you so much for your support in 2017, and we look forward to helping you in the new year! We hope you had an amazing 2017! Thanks to you and your support, The Monica Benavides Team definitely did. Thank you for allowing us to help you make your real estate goals for 2017 come true. A new year brings new opportunit…

As a buyer, it is important to have a good idea of a property’s condition before settling down. Hiring a home inspector can help you learn about a home’s condition, history, and maintenance requirements. Today I’m joined by a special guest, Eric Mayberry of Down Home Inspections. Eric has 16 years of experience in our area, so he’s going to go over…

A well-staged home can make the difference between a quick sale and a lingering listing, and your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. Staging your kitchen before putting your house on the market can make the difference between a quick sale and a lingering listing. The appearance of your kitchen is one factor that will rank high…

Purchasing a new construction home is a different process than moving into a retail home. For this reason, it’s important that you have help making the right decisions. Purchasing a new construction home is a slightly different experience than purchasing a resale property. For that reason, there are a few things you need to be aware of before doing…

Knowing how much you are able to afford is one of the most important things to be aware of when you are searching for a home. Thankfully, professionals will be able to help you determine exactly what that means for you personally. The financial aspect of homebuying is often among some of the first things people think about when they begin their sea…

We're lucky to have such a great running community and trail system in Harlingen. Harlingen is fortunate to have a great running community with many great running trails. Three of the most popular trails are Pendleton Park, 25th St. Trail, and McKelvey Park. I hope to see you out on the trails! Most of the community will use these trails to train f…

To get pre-approved, you need—at a minimum—the four twos. Let me explain what I mean. Last week, our team had a free seminar for first-time homebuyers. We were there to educate buyers on the home buying process, and it was a huge success. One of the main questions of those in attendance was “What are the minimum requirements to get pre-approved?” G…

Many people I know invest in real estate. It’s a great way to build wealth and generate passive income. Buying real estate can be a great investment. In fact, a lot of my friends, family, and clients purchase real estate to use as an investment in order to get passive income. With passive income, you are making money on a regular basis with little …

A buyer’s agent is a smart hire. Where else would you be able to get a knowledgeable expert advisor for free? What if we told you that you could hire somebody to protect your interests when buying a home, at no cost to you. When you hire a buyer’s agent, that’s what you get, as their fee is covered by the seller. The buyer’s agent fee is covered by…

I want to take a moment to invite you to our “Share’em Toys Event!” I’d like to take a moment to invite you to our “Share’em Toys Event” Saturday, March 4th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lopez Riggins Elementary in Los Fresnos, Texas. Our team is working together with Paola Solis to make her dream come true of making sure all the children in her commun…

To visit the most wonderful attractions that the Rio Grande Valley has to offer, start with the South Texas Balloon Festival. Today I’m at the livestock show grounds here in Mercedes, Texas for the Second Annual South Texas Balloon Festival. Here at the festival, we have skydivers, helicopter rides, carnival rides, plenty of food and drinks, and a …

Friends, We know this time of year can get very busy, so we just wanted to take a moment to wish you happy holidays! We’d like to take a minute to thank you for your continued support this year. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you. It has been our pleasure to help make your real estate dreams come true. We hope you enjoy this holiday seas…

Many people think waiting until summer to list their homes is their best bet. However, there are three great benefits to listing during the winter. Now that 2017 is underway, you might be considering when the best time is to list your home. Many people are still convinced listing during the winter is bad idea, but there are a few reasons why they’r…

Selling a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Get a free home value report Buying a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Search all homes for sale I’m joining you today from Sand Castle Days 2016 on South Padre Island. This is a great event with plenty of vendors, food, live music, and, of course, incredible sand sculptures. South Padre Island is also a great p…

The Olympics are the most-watched sporting event in the world. I’m feeling inspired by The Olympics today, so I just wanted to pass along a few thoughts to all of you. When I think of The Olympics, I think of hard work, dedication, inspiration, motivation, patriotism, and unity among countries. “ Congratulations to Team USA! ” The Olympians’ storie…

Selling a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Get a free home value report Buying a Lower Rio Grande Valley home? Search all homes for sale The lower Rio Grande Valley is currently experiencing a buyer’s market. With over 500 homes on the MLS, buyers have an abundance of inventory to choose from. That being said, it's still a great time to put your house…