Be sure your home electrical system is safe. You can take the mystery out of the electricity you depend on every day when you understand how it works. Most simple electrical repairs are safe and easy when you understand basic guidelines. Learn about wires, switches, outlets, lights, and simple appliances. Discover what you need to know to protect electronic gadgets like computers and sound systems.

Houses degrade 24/7. When you do your weekly and monthly maintenance walk-around at your house, (you do that, don’t you?) what should you look for? Avoid ugly surprises when buying or selling. Most conditions grow much more expensive when neglected. Recognize problems while they are small and inexpensive to repair. Save money and avoid maintenance rip-offs. When should you hire a real estate inspector?

Approximately 500,000 people in the Houston area own oil and gas minerals. If you're one of them, make the most of this asset. Minerals are often more valuable than the land they're under! Knowing how to deal with this invisible asset is often puzzling to those not savvy to the oil and gas world. Learn rules of thumb on how to value your minerals, web sites that offer valuable insight, advice on how to find professional landmen and legal counsel, and how to negotiate an oil and gas lease.

Allow your home to sell itself. Before you list your home or market it for sale, you must stage (arrange the interior and create a clean slate). Learn why and how. Save time and money. Don't hire a professional. Do-it-yourself and have fun. Learn the tricks of the trade. Discover what the essentials are and where to acquire them. First impressions count.

If there was ever a time to make a great buy on a brand new home, this is it! New subdivisions are sprouting up all over Houston. Builders are competing hard for your business and offering numerous floor plans with a dizzying array of features and options. It can be very, very confusing. Should I buy "inventory" or build from scratch? What about quality and energy efficiency? What about amenities and schools? Is it a good investment? What about financing? Is anyone getting loans? According to the latest figures, the median price of homes has increased about 4% from one year ago. That is, the market has turned the corner and prices are going up. Still, mortgage interest rates remain at historic lows. In this workshop, we'll highlight communities on Houston's west side, Katy, the inner loop and downtown. Other topics include the ins and outs of buying a new home, why buy new?, available financing options, "inventory" vs. "dirt," the best time to buy and more.

Take a comprehensive look at home buying, learn to avoid common costly mistakes and make a good purchase. This class will cover free government grants and how much they will pay you to buy a home. Do you need a loan? Find out when to obtain one? Learn how to choose the best loan terms for you. Through this class, you'll learn how to choose your home: a foreclosure, new home, resale, or For Sale By Owner. Receive information that can save you thousands in interest, overpayments and repairs. This class will give you all the information to make a choice that will be best for you and your family.

Begin the building process. From financing to selections, this seminar will provide you with a six-step process you can follow to build your dream home. CampbellGarrett Distinctive Homes and Estates has built over 400 homes in the greater Houston area. They can help guide you through the process, one step at a time.

Begin the building process. From financing to selections, this seminar will provide you with a six-step process you can follow to build your dream home. CampbellGarrett Distinctive Homes and Estates has built over 400 homes in the greater Houston area. They can help guide you through the process, one step at a time.

One of the most important investment decisions of your life--purchasing a home--is often made without any understanding of how to go about it. In this simple, comprehensive workshop, understand how the system works, what resources are available, and what the total costs are. Topics include: 1) home finance; 2) home selection; 3) agent selection--seller's agent, buyer's agent, or intermediary; 4) resale, new construction, for sale by owner; and 5) contract to closing. Learn the options, resources and opportunities available.

If you don't think a HUD home is everything you want in a home, please reconsider. The U.S. Government insured home loans, known as HUD Foreclosed Homes, have released over 500 properties including some in every part of the greater Houston area selling for 30-60% below market value ($20,000 to $1 million and up). There is only one way to navigate through the bidding process. Come join this class that will help you purchase one of these great homes.

Do you want to learn how to start making money with foreclosures right now regardless of your financial situation? Learn proven methods for acquiring or selling distressed property and how the foreclosure process really works. Ask questions, get real answers, and receive individual attention that will ensure that you receive a thorough understanding of how to: buy property before, at, or after the auction as well as steps one can take that may save their home from the auction block.

Dangerous and costly pitfalls will confront everyone purchasing real estate. Don't let them catch you by surprise and cost you thousands of dollars. Learn how to navigate, on the computer, your way through IRS liens, judgments, bankruptcies and more. Your instructor will show you how you can research properties at home on the Internet. Learn how to quickly qualify deals and minimize mistakes. Learn how to locate the owners of abandoned properties and find out who really is on the title. Research your own properties or work from home researching properties for investors. NOTE: If you have a laptop, you are welcome to bring it to class.

In this field-training experience, learn to navigate through the marketing and negotiating matrix. You will go door knocking at homes that are scheduled for auction. Learn how to inform homeowners of available options that may help them keep their home or help them move on if a win-win sale is what they want. Receive a script from the instructor and role play together! It's not at all scary when you know what to do and what not to do. Have fun while learning to participate in this very serious business. Your instructor will hold your hand through it all. NOTE: The first 12 students who sign up for this class have priority for field trip times.

If you are looking to avoid excessive realtor commissions, sell your home faster or learn tips about selling your home in a “buyers” market, this is the perfect class for you. A team of professionals will be on hand to answer questions about pricing, paperwork, marketing, inspections, and financing. NOTE: If you choose to advertise your home through the For Sale by Owner magazine, your course fee will be applied to the cost of your ad. Whether you are buying or selling, you can save thousands of dollars by doing it yourself.

In the current real estate market, one of the best investments you can make is the purchase of a single-family home for the purpose of leasing it. This class provides an overview of keys to rental property success; risks, what works and what might not. It also addresses rental property economics: how to assess the cash flow (income/less expenses) and value (what the property is worth), estimating expenses and rules of thumb to successful buying. Review the Texas standard lease, marketing, tenant selection, and a key to success: how to work with tenants. Rehabbing or making houses ready for rental, estimating and refining costs and how to work with contractors will also be covered.

You've probably seen the late night TV infomercials about real estate investing and you may have bought some books and tapes, but now what do you do? Learn what it takes to start investing in single family houses in Houston. Explore the real estate model, get the needed tools, learn how to find the houses and what to do once you find a potential deal.

The Harris County Appraisal District uses a computerized mass-appraisal system to value property. Learn how to effectively protest your property taxes each year. Organize a simple, straightforward protest, discover ways to help make your protest a successful one, control your property value, and save $1,000 to $3,000 per year (depending on the value and condition of your home). Learn shortcuts to find the most useful information on HCAD's website.

The Harris County Appraisal District uses a computerized mass-appraisal system to value property. Learn how to effectively protest your property taxes each year. Organize a simple, straightforward protest, discover ways to help make your protest a successful one, control your property value, and save $1,000 to $3,000 per year (depending on the value and condition of your home). Learn shortcuts to find the most useful information on HCAD's website.