Brick by Brick: Real Estate with Malcolm Davis

  Top Tips for Future Home Buyers: Your Guide to a Smart Purchase Written by Malcolm Davis, Homevets Realty LLC Thinking about buying a home? Whether you’re a first-time buyer or it’s been a while since your last purchase, navigating the homebuying process can feel overwhelming. The good news: with the right preparation and knowledge, you can make confident decisions and avoid common pitfalls. Here are essential tips every future homebuyer should know: 1. Understand Your Budget Before you fall in love with a home, know exactly how much you can afford. Review your income, debts, and monthly expenses, and use a mortgage calculator to estimate your price range. Remember to factor in not just the down payment, but also closing costs, property taxes, insurance, and ongoing maintenance. 2. Check and Improve Your Credit Your credit score plays a major role in the mortgage rates you’ll be offered. Check your credit report for errors and work on improving your score by paying down debt and ...

Buyer Rights and Essential Real Estate Knowledge: What Every Homebuyer Should Know By Malcolm Davis, Homevets Realty LLC Buying a home is one of the biggest investments most people will ever make, and understanding your rights as a buyer is crucial to making a confident, informed decision. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, knowing the basics can protect your interests and help you avoid costly mistakes. Here’s what every buyer should know before signing on the dotted line. 1. You Have the Right to Ask Questions Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything you don’t understand-especially when it comes to loan charges, contract terms, or the buying process. Lenders and agents are required to explain fees, terms, and any costs that may not be refunded if a deal falls through. Never feel rushed; take your time to fully understand every document you sign. 2. Do Your Research and Clarify Your Goals Before you start house hunting, clarify your needs and budget. Res...

  Why Buying and Selling a Home Is Like Training for a Spartan Race Written by Malcolm Davis of Homevets Realty LLC. If you’ve ever watched—or participated in—a Spartan Race, you know it’s not just a run in the park. It’s a test of preparation, grit, and determination, filled with obstacles that challenge you every step of the way. Believe it or not, the journey of buying or selling a home in Central Texas is a lot like training for and running a Spartan Race. Here’s why: 1. Preparation Is Everything Just as no one shows up to a Spartan Race without months of training, you shouldn’t enter the real estate market unprepared. Successful racers build strength, stamina, and a plan; successful buyers and sellers do their homework, get pre-approved, and research the market. The more you prepare, the better you’ll handle the obstacles ahead. 2. Facing Unexpected Obstacles Spartan Races are famous for their surprise challenges—mud pits, rope climbs, and walls that test your limits. In real ...

  Why You Should Buy a Home Now in Central Texas (CTX) Written by Malcolm Davis of Homevets Realty LLC. Are you wondering if now is the right time to buy a home in Central Texas? With 2025 shaping up to be a standout year for buyers, the answer is a resounding yes. Here’s why acting now could be one of the smartest financial moves you make this year. 1. Stabilized Home Prices After years of rapid price increases, the CTX market has finally stabilized. This means buyers can enter the market without the fear of runaway inflation or bidding wars that defined previous years. You can shop with confidence, knowing you’re getting a fair value for your investment. 2. Favorable Mortgage Rates Mortgage rates have dipped compared to last year, making homeownership more affordable for those who act now. Locking in a lower rate today can save you thousands over the life of your loan, and you always have the option to refinance if rates drop further in the future. 3. Increased Inventory & Mo...

  Why You Should Think Hard Before Becoming a Real Estate Agent The allure of a real estate career is everywhere—flexible schedules, unlimited earning potential, and the satisfaction of helping people find their dream homes. But before you jump in, it’s crucial to understand the realities behind the glossy social media posts and “just sold” signs. Here’s why you should think hard before becoming a real estate agent. 1. It’s Not Just About Showing Homes Many people imagine real estate as simply opening doors and writing contracts. In reality, agents spend most of their time finding clients, generating leads, and running their business. You’ll wear many hats: marketer, negotiator, customer service rep, accountant, and more. If you don’t have the resources to outsource, you’ll be doing it all yourself. 2. No Guaranteed Income Unlike salaried jobs, real estate agents work on commission. If you don’t close deals, you don’t get paid. It often takes months—or longer—to build a steady pipe...

How Buying a Home Is Like Buying a Fine Cigar By Malcolm Davis, Homevets Realty LLC When you think about buying a home, you might not immediately compare it to selecting a fine cigar. But as a longtime real estate advisor—and a cigar enthusiast—I can tell you the parallels are surprisingly rich. Both experiences are about more than just a purchase; they’re about craftsmanship, patience, and savoring the journey. Here’s why your homebuying adventure in Central Texas deserves the same care and appreciation as choosing that perfect cigar. The Importance of Quality and Craftsmanship Just as every fine cigar is the result of skilled hands, careful aging, and quality tobacco, a great home is built on a foundation of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Whether you’re drawn to a classic home in Belton, a modern build in Harker Heights, or a cozy retreat near Fort Cavazos, you want to know the property has been thoughtfully constructed and maintained. Don’t settle for less—seek out homes (an...

  The Impact of Veterans on the Central Texas Housing Market Central Texas (CTX) stands out as a region where veterans play a pivotal role in shaping the housing market. With a large concentration of former service members, especially near major installations like Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) and Joint Base San Antonio, veterans are not just participants in the market—they are a stabilizing force and a driver of continued growth. Here’s how veterans are making their mark on the CTX real estate landscape in 2025. Veterans: A Stabilizing Force in Housing Unlike active-duty personnel, who often rent due to frequent relocations, veterans are far more likely to put down roots and buy homes. In Bell County, which includes Killeen and Fort Cavazos, veterans make up over 20% of the adult population—the highest proportion in Texas. This high homeownership rate among veterans is even greater than that of the general public, providing a reliable and consistent base of buyers in the regio...