Sara Nguyen's Blog Posts

Homes using home staging techniques are proven to sell better and faster compared to homes with empty rooms. A bare room feels cold and impersonal. This creates a challenge for any buyer to imagine

Are you starting to slide into the lazy summer days yet? Your thoughts may be dreaming about getting away to unwind or simply doing something different. I have a few ideas to share for a fun day.

Each homebuyer has a wish list for what they want in a home and which rooms are important to them. For key rooms, the buyer will have a critical eye towards the room’s size, condition, and the

Emotions often run highest when it comes to buying a home because this is one of life’s major decisions. Buyers feel the pressure to get it right. Real estate professionals understand this and

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate mocha? Mint chocolate chip? Something fruity like strawberry, mango, or raspberry? Maybe you like to change it up and choose a flavor based on

If you’re on the fence about purchasing a home with a pool because you’re not sure how to take care of a pool, keep reading. A well-maintained pool will bring your family years of

Packing can be a chore but once you have a plan it’s really more manageable. As you think about moving you may be experiencing feelings of excitement around taking possession of your new home

With the change in seasons, it makes sense to take your pup to the park and give yourself another reason to get some fresh air on a gorgeous day. Consider visiting one of these nearby dog parks if

Here’s a May event you don’t want to miss…the Texas Bluebonnet & Winery Trail happening May 1-31, 2022. The month of May kicks off one of three annual wine trail events

Shortly after moving in while your momentum is high, plan to walk-through your new home and make a list of any simple maintenance or changes you’d like to make. Your list will probably include

With the sunnier days being more plentiful, it’s natural to want to meet friends on the golf course. Living in the Houston metroplex means you are minutes from some beautiful and challenging

A well-maintained home will always be desirable in the eyes of a home buyer. Did you know many of the things it takes to maintain your home are easy to take care of? Things such as changing air

Want a high-value buyer’s edge when you go house hunting? Having a pre-approval letter in-hand gives buyers this advantage. This piece of paper demonstrates to sellers that you are a serious

Ah, February, the month of love. As I sit here sipping my coffee, I started to think about why people love coffee so much and wanted to tip you off on some of my favorite places to enjoy a delicious

We truly are lucky to enjoy so many gorgeous days living in Texas. The weather makes spending time outdoors on the deck something many families do regularly. From being a prime place for families to

Having a home inspection is a key part of the home purchase process. This inspection will reveal any cosmetic issues, major foundation issues, severe water damage, termite issues, or any other

It’s great to see a new family move into the community. When you’re a pet lover, as I am, it’s essential to help pet owners find trusted veterinarians. Just as we seek health care

Before listing your home there is one big thing that must come first—decluttering! Most homeowners have accumulated stuff over the years. Chances are not all of these things will be travelling

Your real estate agent worked to negotiate to the best deal possible on the home you’ve recently purchased. You may think expenses associated with borrowing funds to purchase this home are

At-home chefs and foodies drive all over Sugar Land to indulge in global dining plus shop the international grocery markets. Did you know that Fort Bend County is one of the most ethnically diverse

In most cases, neighbors don’t intent to be bad. They don’t plan to make it challenging to sell your home. But the reality is without a doubt, yes, neighbors can influence how buyers

Considering selling your home? Don’t wait. Sellers, let’s get together soon to come up with a plan to feature the unique details of your home to future buyers. Buyers are looking. You

When someone suggests getting some good BBQ, does your mouth start watering for chicken, beef, pork, or all three? There’s something about BBQ and more specifically Texas BBQ that is so tasty.

Now that you’ve made the decision to sell your home, it’s time to pick up the phone to contact a real estate agent (someone like me, who works with home sellers). Not only will a seller

Today we’re talking about where to start when you’ve made the decision to buy a home. Rookie homebuyers often find the homebuying process tricky but when you know what’s coming and

This month I’m inviting Texas renters and homeowners to think about fire safety in the home. According to fire data, you may have less than three minutes to exit your home should a fire occur.

Just for fun during the month of October when thoughts turn towards superstitions and fall treats, we’ve collected several unusual home-related superstitions. You may even have had one of

It doesn’t take too long while watching HGTV programs before you’ll come across a show focused on taking a distressed property from dowdy to WOW! For instance, Texans Chip and Joanna

One part of making a wedding extra special is the location. If you’re planning a wedding where would you like it to take place? In a church? Outdoors? In a historical building? There are

“Should I sell my home or should I rent it?”There are a variety of reasons why homeowners leave a home—upgrading, down-sizing, relocating, or the home simply doesn’t suit

When you are house hunting you may not be thinking about resale value but it’s worth tucking this consideration into the back of your mind. Many times, homeowners find themselves at a point in

Splish. Splash. Are you craving some water fun? Looking for a place to swim?Need a break from the heat? The Houston region has numerous places for families to enjoy a day playing in the water and

If you find yourself scratching your head trying to figure out why your beautiful home isn’t selling it could be because of one (or more) of these costly mistakes. Costly mistakes can quickly

You probably have quite a few questions about buying a home around the Houston metroplex. You’re in the right place to find answers. Buying a home is one of the major purchases you will make

There’s no comparison between the taste and juiciness of a home-grown tomato and a grocery store produce aisle version. Slicing into a tomato from the farmers market means you’ll get

One of the best lessons in landscaping your yard is learning what not to do. Oftentimes the trees, shrubs, and plants around your yard will need minimal care once you’ve planted them in places

Before conducting a home’s closing it’s ideal to schedule a walk-through inspection of the property to ensure the home is being delivered as stipulated in the contract of sale. This is

When the mood for sampling sweet confections from cakes to candy to ice cream comes over you where do you turn? The choices are plentiful all around the Houston metroplex. Whether you’re

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or have bought and sold a few homes, you’ve probably had a conversation with a friend where at least one of these real estate myths have come up.

Understanding a home’s closing costs and budgeting for these will remove the mystery of what these numbers represent. These associated costs apply for home purchases or if you’re

Harris County spans 1,777 square miles with 981 unincorporated square miles. Families living here are near leading medical centers, pro-sports complexes, shopping, arts, and historical treasures. It

When you’re preparing your home for sale it’s natural to have some questions. It’s my pleasure to assist you. I’ve compiled a listing of the most commonly asked questions. If

Buying your own home comes with knowing your finances and making preparations for one of the largest investments you will ever make. The whole process around buying your first house can feel

It brings me joy to introduce you Fort Bend County, Texas. It’s an awesome place to live, work, launch a business, relax, and enjoy life. Young families, qualified workers, and lifestyle

Extra noise. Commotion and change.New sights and scents. All things to be expected and adapted to when preparing to move into a new home near the Houston metroplex area. People adapt. For pets,

Deciding where you want to live and will be happiest comes can be tricky. To make your decision easiest I’ve created a listing of things to consider. Soon you will be able to narrow the

As the temps warm up so many are ready to embrace the new season with more outdoor time. There’s nothing better than spending time on one of the many trails or enjoying the day at the park.

It’s natural to think about protecting your valuables during a house showing. You have cause for wanting them to stay safe. Depending on the showing quite a number of strangers may be entering

A short trip from Houston are some amazing historical gems you must plan to visit. Which gems am I thinking of? The Painted Churches of East Texas. These churches are Catholic houses of worship,

It’s a fact. With all of the museums found around Houston, you can find something new, every single day. Does your family enjoy visits to the museums? It’s a popular activity to enjoy

When a buyer asks if they need a home appraisal, my answer is “yes.” Getting a home appraisal is a necessary part of the buying process because this appraisal is the estimation of the

Love is in the air around Sugar Land, Missouri City, and the surrounding Houston metro area. Valentine’s Day is a special time to show those around you how much you care plus it’s a time

Whoa! Before rushing into selling your home take a moment to avoid these common home selling mistakes. It sounds easy enough to want to sell your home yourself without working with a REALTOR®

Uh-oh. You’ve been looking at homes with your REALTOR® and have it narrowed down. This is great! But there’s a problem. You’re stuck deciding between two homes you love. What

There’s a reason why the photos used for your home’s listing make a difference. When someone is looking at blurry or poorly lit photos, they can’t see your home’s true.

You may think it’s hard to create curb appeal during the winter months of the year but when you follow these tips it will be a breeze. Living in the great state of Texas we are blessed to have

Selling a home during the holiday season—from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day—can be exactly the right time of year for many sellers. This is because traditionally buyers

Picture this…a brightly lit starry night, the moon over your shoulder, and the smell of buttery popcorn in your car. Yes, you’re at one of the area’s pop-up drive-in movies with

As your real agent prepares a listing of properties to visit and asks if you’re willing to consider buying a distress property, please say “yes!” You may uncover a gem you

It’s vital to consider if your current home has the ability to adapt as you age. When you think about your retirement years do you see yourself aging-in-place in your current home or do you

If you’re feeling a bit like the familiar line from the Carpenters song “rainy day and Mondays always get me down,” I have some ideas. How about a list of things to do on rainy

The fall weather is beckoning and being in some level of quarantine for months feels confining. With the pandemic still lingering on and numerous events being cancelled, you’re probably

If you’re planning to list your home this fall or winter do this: have your exterior photos and aerial shots taken now when an abundance of floral color is present. Throughout the year when

During a pandemic is it okay to hire professional movers? Should you ask family and friends to help out? Keep reading for the answers and what you need to know. While the country navigates

When the lazy, hazy days of summer settle in do you feel less motivated to cook, eat healthy, or do much more than read a book or take a swim? It’s as if a “school’s out”

Learning to unplug and relax is proven to heighten happiness. But it is possible to relax while many are observing stay-at-home COVID quarantine orders? It is possible to maintain your sanity, be

Few would disagree that 2020 has shaped up much differently than planned. Whether you’ve experienced personal financial growth or less than desirable cutbacks, how are your money goals shaping

Soaring summer temps often lead to higher utility costs. On hotter days it’s not uncommon for the air conditioning to run nearly 24 hours. It’s these types of things which can double or

During the summertime many think about enjoying time with family and friends in the backyard, having a BBQ, or swimming in the family pool. But should we? Can we get together safely during these

Think back to the ways you improved your home’s energy efficiency last year? Perhaps you haven’t thought about improvements or it’s been something you’ve been meaning to do.

This is a time when we are searching for positive messages as we maneuver through the COVID-19 pandemic, protests, and the stages of business reopenings. Messages of hope and reassurances of being

You may be wondering how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the real estate market across the United States and where you live. This is especially top of mind if you’ve been wanting to list

I remember the feelings I felt when I bought my first home. Many of our readers can relate. It was an experience full of excitement and adventure…and maybe a little bit of fear. Buying a home

When you have home owner’s insurance it covers flood damage, right? Not always. In many situations flooding isn’t covered which means homeowners need to seek out separate coverage. This

We, in the Houston metroplex, have been “born” to band together through crisis. To jump in and “fix” things physically is simply what we do. I invite you to join me in tuning

Today’s American Dream TV-Houston episode comes from the master planned community of Riverstone in Missouri City at a meal prep assembly store named Dream Dinners. You’ll meet Lisa

I’m a long-time supporter of shopping small businesses and doing things to help our community. One way we all can help each other is by supporting local restaurants who are doing their best to

At this time of year many are in the process of preparing their taxes. As you submit your documents to the tax preparer your accountant may ask if the assessed value assigned to your home is

My latest segment of The American Dream features fun, fellowship, and community togetherness. We’re off to visit St. Angela Merici Catholic Church in Sienna. This is the setting for the 4th

There are numerous tax benefits to homeownership. As you may have guessed, the tax season brings up a wide array of questions about which types of deductions and taxes apply to homeowners. While

In this episode of American Dream TV-Houston we highlight an amazing property located at 2306 Twilight Peak plus I take you to one of my favorite coffee shops, Bean Here Coffee.A Peek Inside the

In this episode of American Dream TV-Houston we highlight the Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) during their annual Christmas Home Tour. This is one of my very favorite events every year and this

Meet me at a very unique listing in Missouri City, Texas on the latest episode of The American Dream. It’s located at 69 Big Trail nestled in Missouri City. I'll give you an exclusive

The start of a new year may have some thinking about ways to boost your savings, especially after holiday credit card statements start arriving. Saving money around your home is a good practice to

Lace up your running shoes and set your sights on participating in some challenging (and sometimes muddy) running events happening within a 60-mile radius of Houston. Yes, we’re talking about

Most are familiar with using a REALTOR® as a buying agent to assist in finding a home and as a listing agent to assist in selling a home. But, have you ever considered working with a REALTOR in

It’s such a privilege to work with the people I get to interact with in this job and I’m thankful for each and every one. I’m additionally thankful to be a Power Player on American

As we ease into the holidays and think about charitable giving, let’s remember the animals, too. Numerous animal shelters around the Houston area would appreciate having your family include

The Houston region has much to offer families and those with diverse interests. Holiday festivals and events of all sorts are held throughout, ranging from seasonal themes to music events and craft

Missouri City is situated beside southwest Houston, a major metroplex, but retains a small community feel. The city is known as the “Show Me City.” Missouri City is a destination for

Homeownership is among one of the largest financial decisions an adult makes during their lifetime. The decision to buy a home instead of renting comes with different and varying advantages. One of

With a bit of DIY (do-it-yourself)—defined as building, modifying, or repairing things without the direct aid of hiring a professional—a homeowner can incrementally increase their home

The Houston area has numerous possibilities for photo shoot locations. I see this time and time again as I’m out-and-about in the community showing homes and conducting real estate business.

Did you know for every dollar spent on preventative home maintenance a homeowner saves on average a minimum of $100 in future repairs. Year after year of routine caring for your home adds

Come, explore Sugar Land, TX and make this your home, where you work, and where you play.  One of the many things I enjoy about being a realtor is the chance to visit the numerous and diverse

When you’re working with Sara Lyn Homes what can you expect from your REALTOR®?I am Sara Lyn Nguyen—a REALTOR®, wife, mother, and volunteer. I am committed to placing the goals

It’s official. I can finally share with you some exciting news I’ve been sitting on.I’ve accepted an invitation to be a Power Player on American Dream TV and we have a few episode

While I'm out and about in the community showing houses, I like to shop local spots and support small business entrepreneurs. Let's take a look at some of the hip coffee shops around the city, which

As a relocation specialist, I understand moving to a new area or a new state can come with a certain level of stress over the unknowns and how your children will do while traveling. When you work

One of the most popular outdoor activities around the Houston region is camping. It’s time to start thinking about relaxing outdoors and making plans for a camping outing. Imagine it. Fresh

Sienna has a special fondness in my heart because it’s where I call home. This neighborhood in southwest Texas is a master-planned community located in Missouri City and 27 miles from downtown

It’s festival time! There’s much buzz around the area regarding upcoming events and festivals, good food, good entertainment, and good times to be enjoyed by the whole family. Around the