The Austin Real Estate Blog

11 Ways to Stage Your Home and Sell It Fast

2011-07-07T17:16:00.000-07:00

Want to sell your home fast?, take a look at this article from my favorite design website here.

Location or Size? Austin Real Estate

2011-06-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

If I were to ask 10 different home buyers what matters most I would most likely get 10 different answers. To some people an oversized yard is very important and others the bigger the yard means longer grass. On lists where location to the city is key and size of home is not important there are people willing to extend their commute just to get that magic number in size. I have sold houses just because of their orientation and houses have sat on the market for the same reason. Sometimes I have clients that have no idea how they rank their priorites until we get on the ground and start looking and feeling the houses out. Whether is size of home,location,orientation, or yard, it is also important to understand how you live. Are you the type of person that has to feel connected to your neighborhood? Does a neighborhood that has monthly bunco games for the ladies,pick up softball for the men and friendly park for kid appeal to you or would you rather be home-away from everything? It is my job as a real estate agent to identify the neighborhood that will best suit your lifestyle. I personally feel that the neighborhood(social or private) is just as important to your quality of life. My motto Live where you Live.
My Point:
I have a client that lived about 20 minutes to work in a 1600 sqft house, she wanted the extra bedroom so they moved further out in traffic about 45 minutes to work. She works, eats, shops, and kids go to preschool all in one part of town and she drives 45 min. to sleep. The bedroom is important to her because when her family comes to visit her once a year she wants them to have a place to stay. Last weekend, she asked to see homes closer to work minus that 300 sqft and that extra bedroom. As we were walking through much smaller houses, I noticed how much her priorities have changed based on her current lifestyle. Space no longer mattered. Location was key. She wanted to live where she lived.

What is your Style

2011-05-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

traditional kitchen design by san francisco architect Boor Bridges Architecture

Chris and I are in the process of gathering photos to update our bungalow living.
What we love about this:
The farmhousetable with bench and awesome chairs
Butcherblock
Bookshelves next to table(encourage reading)
White ceramic planter and green plants-simple and fresh
Windows are so important in any space I love these windows.
What do you think?

1927 Vintage Charmer For Sale In Austin,Texas//Austin Texas Real Estate

2011-04-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

Vintage 1920’s charmer nestled in the heart of west central Austin, this craftsman style pre-war bungalow has character throughout the home including: gleaming wood floors,original trim,cozy fireplace,distinctive arches,inviting sun room/breakfast area, private backyard deck & 2 car detached garage with alley access. Walk to trudys,UT,and more! Rated “A walker’s paradise” with a walkscore of 94 on walkscore.com!

Please click here to see additional information on this beautiful home!

Top 10 Fastest Growing City-Austin,Texas

2011-03-25T15:08:00.000-07:00

2010 population: 1,716,289

2000 population: 1,249,763

Growth: 37.3%

The hip city of Austin anchors the metro area of more than 1.7 million people. That makes it the second largest of the 10 fastest-growing metro areas, trailing only Las Vegas.

The economy is buoyed by one of the largest college campuses in the country, the University of Texas. Austin is also the state capital and has one of the best educated and most prosperous residential populations in Texas.
New residential development has little constraint in Texas: There are few regulatory barriers and an abundance of developable land. That has made Austin one of the few places in the nation where homebuilding is still flourishing. It's the second healthiest market in the country, according to the Builder Healthy Markets Index.

For more information goto CNN MONEY.

Moving? Austin Real Estate

2011-03-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

If you could pick your house up and land anywhere in the world, where would you go?

To see more of this awesome Up-Inspired floating house go here.

5 Reasons to Move to Austin/Austin Real Estate Experts

2011-03-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

Austin is a place where the best of many worlds collide - trends meet rich culture, political passion embraces open-minded views and big business thrives in a laid-back atmosphere. There are many great reasons to make Austin your home, but don't take our word for it. Judge the following facts for yourself about what makes Austin such a great place to live.

#1 - Quality of life
For its economy, affordability and variety of fun things to do, Austin consistently ranks among cities with the highest quality of life . In fact, Austin has been named the best city for the next decade by Kiplinger's Personal Finance! On top of that, Austin maintains its status as a "fit" city and one of the greenest in the nation.

#2 - Great jobs
You can find comfort in knowing the city holds great employment potential, ranking first in job growth in 2010. Historically, the Austin-area unemployment rate has remained below state and national rates, while Austin wages have grown faster than anywhere else in Texas. From 2002 to 2007, Austin had the largest median family income of all Texas cities, according to the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. The Austin metropolitan area is expected to grow to more than 2.7 million by 2025.

#3 - Smart people
Austin is home to the University of Texas and seven other public and private universities, as well as 29 public school districts, 17 charter schools and 69 private schools. Among Austinites ages 25 and older, 40 percent have a bachelor's degree or higher. Austin is also a town of innovators and among the top cities for entrepreneurs. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reported that about 2,900 patents were assigned to Austin innovators between 2009 and 2010. In addition, Forbes recognized Austin as the second most innovative city in the United States in May 2010.

#4 - Entertainment
Coined "The Live Music Capital of the World," Austin is home to two of America's largest music festivals, Austin City Limits Music Festival and South by Southwest, which also includes popular film and interactive portions of the festival. In 2010 Austin was named a favorite music destination by readers of Budget Travel and one of the best cities for film by MovieMaker. Those seeking fun outside the music and film scene can take advantage of Lady Bird Lake and its hike-and-bike trails, Lake Travis and the beautiful hill country surrounding the city, offering terrain and activities for outdoor enthusiasts of every type.

#5 - Something for everyone
Regardless of what you're looking for in a city and its people, the Austin area has something to offer everyone. While Austin remains a great city for young adults and singles, its suburbs have been noted among the best places to raise a family. Travel + Leisure Magazine took notice of Austin in its study on "America's Favorite Cities" in 2008. The city came in second place for friendliness and athleticism and third place for intelligence and attractiveness. It comes as no surprise that Austin is one of the top cities to which people choose to relocate.

Need to see it to believe it? Choose from a variety of short videos offering an inside look at Austin living, art, business, entertainment, history, outdoor recreation, music and more.

Source: http://www.austinhomesearch.com/

Working with a Real Estate Professional is More Important Than Ever in Today’s Real Estate Market

2011-02-17T10:30:00.000-08:00

RISMEDIA, February 17, 2011—In a landmark study examining the home buying and selling preferences of consumers in the Mid-Atlantic region, 95% reported that working with a real estate professional is just as important, if not more important, than it was just a few years ago. The survey results were released in a new research paper entitled Keepin’ it Real, by MRIS, the area’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and a leading developer of real estate information technology.
According to the report, which can be found on http://www.mris.com/, today’s consumers recognize this is not the time to complete a real estate transaction on their own, and are placing a stronger emphasis on the agent’s professional skills. As such, trustworthiness was ranked as the most critical factor in choosing an agent, followed by experience, willingness to look out for a client’s interest, expertise in negotiating contracts, responsiveness, familiarity with contracts and knowledge of the local community. These requirements are evidence that consumers are seeking more than simple guidance, they are looking for an expert they can trust to execute a step-by-step process throughout the entire transaction.
“In today’s housing market especially, this is no time to go it alone,” noted John L. Heithaus, Chief Marketing Officer of MRIS. “With 95% of all buyers and sellers reporting that working with a professional real estate agent or broker is important, it is evident that consumers understand how vital they are to the process. A real estate professional has the industry knowledge, networking ability and expert guidance on home buying and selling to deliver top notch customer service and advice, and provide a successful experience for consumers.”
Additionally, the Keepin’ it Real report reveals that 68% of buyers and sellers rated their agent with a six or seven, on a 7-point satisfaction scale. This high level of consumer confidence reinforces the credibility of the real estate professionals in the Mid-Atlantic area. Nearly half of the consumers surveyed, or 48%, found their agent by way of referral. Moreover, 80% of consumers stated that they would recommend their agent to a friend or family member, especially those that purchased or sold a home in the past twelve months.
Whereas in years past, the agent was the first step in the home buying or selling process, today, Internet-savvy consumers can gather information and educate themselves, long before contacting an agent. The Internet empowers consumers to search for homes and neighborhood information, compare pricing and explore financing options on their own. Yet, despite all of the tools and resources available, when it comes time to actually buy or sell a home, there is nothing more valuable than the industry knowledge, expertise and guidance a real estate professional brings to the table.
The Keepin’ it Real research paper is confirmation that today, more than ever, a real estate professional is an invaluable resource in the home buying and selling process.
For more information, visit http://www.mris.com/.

Top 10 Things To Do While In Austin

2011-02-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

Source:tourtexas.com

1. Completed in 1888, the pink granite Texas State Capitol stands 302 feet high and is 14 feet higher than our nation's capitol. Guided tours are offered weekdays, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; and Sundays, 12-3:30 p.m. Free

admission. 512-463-0063

2. Relive the pages of Texas history at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Interactive exhibits, artifacts, an IMAX Theatre and the multi-sensory Texas Spirit Theatre bring the myth, legend and fact of Texas all together under one roof. Open

Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays, 12-6 p.m5.1 2-936-8746

3. The University of Texas is home to the Blanton Museum of Art, recognized for its European paintings and modern and contemporary American and Latin American art. Open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; and

Sundays, 1-5 p.m. 512-471-7324

4. Enjoy the spectacle of the Congress Avenue bats, the largest urban bat colony in North America, as 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats depart nightly at sunset, April through October, from beneath the bridge. 512-327-9721

5. See the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center where planting areas, wildflower meadows, exhibits and observation tower pay homage to Lady Bird’s devotion to native landscaping and preservation. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.;Sunday, 12-5:30 p.m5. 12-232-0100

6. Visit the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum to see copious volumes of presidential papers, a scale replica of the Oval Office during his presidency, and a First Lady's Gallery devoted to the work of Lady Bird Johnson. Open daily, except

Christmas, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission and parking. 512-721-0200

7. Swim in the constant 68-degree waters of Barton Springs Pool, an artesian spring-fed swimming hole in Zilker Park.Open daily 5 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Thursdays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nominal admission charge. 512-476-9044

8. Take in all the sights on The University of Texas campus, one of the largest public universities in the nation. Tours are Open available of the UT Tower by reservation only on Saturdays and Sundays, 2-6 p.m.5 12-475-6633

9. The heart of Austin is found along the The University of Texas campus, one of the largest public universities in the nation. Tours are through downtown. 512-974-6700

10. Head to music venues. On the first Thursday of each month, merchants keep their doors open until 10 p.m., playing host to an array of events and activities.

Home Seller's Do's and Don'ts/Austin Real Estate

2011-01-25T18:45:00.000-08:00

by Dan Steward
RISMEDIA, January 25, 2011—You’ve probably seen those depressingly cheery home-themed TV shows: a couple needs to sell their house, they have an outdated kitchen, and a designer comes in and proceeds to convince them to renovate the kitchen into a stainless-steel-clad shrine to culinary greatness—for tens of thousands of dollars. In an ideal real estate market, that would add value, but in today’s market, expensive pre-sale renovations, for the most part, aren’t worth it. The numbers bear this out: In general, a home remodel will cost quite a bit more than you’ll get back when you sell; remodels done in 2010 will only recoup 60% of their price when the house is sold, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2010 Remodeling Cost vs. Value survey, done in partnership with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
Two of the areas that potential buyers are often most pressured to remodel before selling are the kitchen and bathroom. Here, we’ll tackle both of those rooms, and let you know what to do—and what to avoid—when considering a pre-sale renovation:
Kitchen
-Don’t put in expensive professional-grade cook’s appliances. You may choose a tricked-out, $10,000 Wolf stove, but the buyer may be a loyalist to Viking. Or, even worse, the potential buyer might be a take-out addict.
-Do, however, service the appliances you have, so that they work perfectly. And, if you have seriously outdated appliances that can be replaced for $1,000 or less (like swapping a dingy old fridge for a basic new one), that’s a good idea. Similarly, if there are any appliances that you lack, which most buyers consider essential, it makes sense to buy one (like a dishwasher—you can get a nice model for under $1,000).
-Don’t replace your cabinetry entirely—even if it’s a little outdated. It’s just too subjective. You might think sleek, white Scandinavian cabinets are the way to go, but you’ll be in a bind if your potential buyer prefers dark wood.
-Do invest in cabinet refacing if your cabinets are extremely outdated. Many refacing companies will give your cabinets a fresh façade for well under $2,000, and it’s a good investment in creating a positive impression of the room without doing a pricey knock-down.
-Don’t go granite crazy. Or marble. Or etched-Murano-glass-accented tile. Spending thousands of dollars on a new countertop and backsplash is downright dangerous, as there are so many different options these days, it’s impossible to find one that will please most people.
-Do hire a professional cleaning company to come in and make what you have sparkle. While this won’t magically make your tile look magazine-spread-worthy, it will certainly make it look a lot better, as discoloration from age often makes tile look even worse.
Bathroom
-Don’t do expensive tub/shower repairs or replacements. Just like with the big-ticket kitchen fixes, this is a matter of taste. If you put in a round jetted tub, what if the buyer wants square? And is an amethyst-crystal steam shower really something everyone will love?
-Do replace dated bath and shower fixtures; this can be done generally quite inexpensively. For instance, if you have a 30-year-old, tiny showerhead, replacing it with a large, rainwater-style model will lend a subtle spa-like quality without costing a lot.
-Don’t replace your smallish vanity with a new, built-in model. A lot of remodelers emphasize the intrinsically relaxing qualities of having all your toiletries, towels and even reading material beautifully organized in one big unit made of high-end wood, marble and chrome. And it is certainly beautiful. But it’s also a risky choice, and a matter of taste.
-Do freshen up the vanity area. Invest in a big mirror and put bright lights over it. And a few hundred dollars spent on a nice faucet is well worth it, as, like the showerhead, it’s a true basic—and updating the basics, in most homes and markets, is all you should be focusing on.
Other tips for redoing your kitchen and bathroom frugally
Kitchen:
-Declutter your counters. A disorganized kitchen is a buyer-deterrent. Clean up the counters and pare down countertop items to the essentials—toaster, microwave, coffee pot and not much more than that.
-Keep your pantry and cabinetry clutter-free too. You don’t have to alphabetize your cereals—just know that potential buyers will probably open those cabinets, so they won’t want a ladle falling out on their head.
-Give your kitchen table or breakfast bar some life. It’s simple—placemats, a colorful vase or two and a tasteful flower arrangement will reinforce the idea that the kitchen is the heart of the home.
Bathroom:
-If you want to add a little life to the wall, try a simple, straight-lined wood or stainless-steel floating shelf with a few candles on it. It’s an elegant, boutique-hotel touch that doesn’t cost much.
-Toss down a colorful floor mat. Bathrooms are often devoid of color; this is a great way to add that color, and a little warmth.
-Again, clear clutter. Even your beauty essentials shouldn’t be on the counter if you’re in the open house stage.
Dan Steward is president of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspections.
For more information, visit http://www.pillartopost.com/.

New Site

2011-01-23T11:48:00.000-08:00

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