What's the Best way To Find a Home?

Use the Resources Available There are many apps and websites nowadays that make finding a home very easy. All you have to do is search within a certain area and you can get homes for sale nearby with information on the property such as price and more. The app we prefer and trust is the KW app. The KW app provides listings across the United States straight from the local MLS. If you're interested you can download the app here.  Work with a Trusted Agent While apps and websites can be very helpful, a local realtor can be an incredible resource when it comes to your search. Realtors are experts in the area and processes involved with purchasing real estate. They will be able to guide you smoothly through the process and get you into the perfect home for the right price.

Should you Stage your Home?

Selling your home may already seem like a lot to manage, so things like staging may seem like extra unnecessary work. Buyers however want to move somewhere they can imagine themselves living in and Kathleen from Starfish Home Staging defines their work as, “the art of making a house feel like a home.”. This is important to help paint the picture of how living in a space will feel to potential buyers. "82% of buyers’ agents said staged homes have made it easier for a buyer to visualize a property as a future home."  (According to The National Association of Realtors 2021 Profile of Home Staging.) Keep in mind, you don’t have to stage your entire house to make an impact. It’s most important to stage the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen. These places are the heart of the home and will have the largest emotional appeal on buyers. No matter the market, houses that look the best will always sell the best. The Psychology of Staging When looking to stage a home we are first making sure the house is clean and in good repair. Nobody wants to buy a property they know they will have problems with, buyers want to visualize a space that’s worry-free and easy to live in. Also, yes, the details matter greatly here. A buyer just walking through isn’t going to notice the HVAC needs to be replaced, but they will definitely see that light bulb that’s burnt out or the drawer that doesn’t close all the way. Next, we ask if the spaces make sense and whether they feel neutral or not. If you’re walking through the dining room and come across a treadmill it can make the house feel strange. You also don’t want to see photos of another family as it makes it harder to view it as your potential space when you see someone else living in it. We want a comforting and inviting feel without telling someone else's story. Now the house can be seen as more of a blank slate for the buyer to write their own story. The space should feel easy to move around in and be free of clutter. Doing this helps a home feel bigger and easier to breathe in. Setting your rooms up with these things in mind helps optimize a common first touchpoint for buyers, the photos in the online listing. Setting the home up a certain way will help draw attention to the most valuable focal points within your home. Your stager will be able to identify the best way to frame each room. You'll also want to keep a more contemporary feel as it's appealing to more buyers. This can be achieved in a wide variety of ways. You might just need some fresh paint on a few walls or updated fixtures. During your consultation, you will be guided through the steps to get the most value out of your home. Before and After As you can see, staging can greatly transform a space and give it a completely new feeling. Contact us below to see how you can best optimize your home when it comes to selling!

How to Price your Home - CMA Guide

One of the first steps you must take when putting your home up for sale is to determine what to price it. There are many tools online that can come up with a number, however, they usually aren't very accurate. These estimates can be a good starting point, but it's best to take more time when selling your largest asset. The algorithms used for these evaluators only take into account the data they have available to them. They overlook important factors about your home such as the condition, upgrades, location, and unique features. This is why we recommend you to go over everything with a professional. The best way for you to determine what your home is worth is to work with an experienced REALTOR® that understands the local market, and perform a comparative market analysis. Comparative Market Analysis 101 So what is a comparative market analysis or CMA exactly? A CMA is a method of estimating what a home is worth by comparing similar properties and recent sales in the immediate area of your home. This will give your agent a good idea of what your home can be listed for. What should your CMA Include? A comparative market analysis will usually include around four similar properties to your home. These will be homes that have similar features, recently sold, and in the same area as yours. You will receive the sold price of the mentioned properties along with a proposed listing price for your own. Along with this you may expect to get other market data like pricing trends and the average amount of days to sell. Are CMA's accurate? Comparative market analysis' are a great tool to use and often extremely accurate. However, It's not a guarantee that your home will sell at that price. The accuracy will depend on the comps chosen by your agent. This is why it's very important to work with someone that is experienced. Ideally you want the comps to be as similar as possible with precise adjustments made based on any differences and unique features. Keep in mind though, the market is everchanging and the final sale price will likely differ. Steps to Performing a CMA 1. List the Main Features of Your Home Before we start finding properties that are comparable to yours, we need to understand the main features of your home which includes: Square Footage The # of Bathrooms and Bedrooms The location Year Built The Lot Size School District Additional Features (Swimming Pool, Garage, Etc.) After we get a good idea of these features, we can move on to analyzing the overall location of the property. 2. Analyze your Neighborhood Location is key when it comes to determining the value of a property. Being located close to large shopping centers or a desirable school district will add value to a home. On the other hand, being close to a main highway or railroad track may decrease the value due to noise and privacy concerns. An agent will make sure to take everything surrounding your home into account before finding comparable homes. 3. Assess the Condition of Your Home Besides looking at the location and general information about the home, your agent will be sure to take into account the condition of your home. Walking through the property in person will help to truly understand the condition of the property and how that will affect the way buyers gauge value. Critical parts of the house include plumbing, electrical, the roof, and appliances. Anticipating repairs or replacements to any of these could cause a reason to decrease the overall price. 4. Create a List of Comparable Properties and Average the Price With all this information about your property gathered, it's now time to find comparables. Most agents, including our team, will use the local MLS to begin the search. The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) platform, can only be accessed by agents that are current members of their local association of REALTORS®. Your agent will begin creating a list of homes with the following: The same number of Bedrooms and Bathrooms Similar Square Footage Same Number of Stories Similar Location and Lot Size Similar Features and Upgrades Similar Build Date Same School District With a solid list together that fits the criteria above, you will usually be presented with a list of the top three closest matching homes. Ideally, you'll want more to compare, but three is generally a good sample size. From here we can calculate the price per square foot based on the sales prices and find the average of the three. Then by multiplying the average price per square foot by the square footage of your home we find a potential starting price point for your home. 5. Fine-Tune With our first number calculated from the comparables, we should now fine-tune it a bit to be more accurate with our assessment. We will revisit unique features or gaps in comparison to move the price to reflect the actual value of your home.

5 Ways to Increase Home Value

1. Improve the Appearance How your home looks from the street, otherwise known as curb appeal, is your first chance to make a good impression on prospective buyers. A home’s exterior needs to make a potential buyer feel the urge to walk through the front door and see the rest of the property. Speaking of front doors, a good place to start is to refresh that old door to look newer and more inviting. Be sure your current landscaping is well-maintained. Compare your yard to your neighbors to see if yours looks dull in comparison. Consider planting flowers, trimming your greenery, and refreshing your lawn. With the exterior in check, it’s time to focus on the kitchen and bathroom. These two rooms can keep a property from reaching its highest valuation when they’re outdated. However, major updates usually aren’t necessary. A minor kitchen remodel has been found to recoup more cost in added value versus a major remodel. Consider repainting the walls, refinishing the cabinets, updating hardware, installing new flooring or countertops, upgrading light fixtures, and adding a backsplash. The same is true for bathrooms. Performing a midrange remodel with new flooring and a few updated fixtures will deliver better returns than a more upscale remodel. So hold the heated flooring, custom cabinets, and designer fixtures. Overall the rest of the house can find an improvement by repainting walls, replacing flooring or carpet, and keeping a clean well-maintained look. 2. Make it Easy to Maintain Many home buyers' main concern about buying a home is that it will need constant maintenance or major repairs in the future. By replacing a major component before putting it up for sale, you can alleviate some of this fear and help attain a higher sale price. Things like the furnace, water heater, and even the roof can be a good place to start. Improvements that make the house easy to clean and maintain can increase the home value as well. An easily stained carpet can be replaced with hardwood floors and high-maintenance wood siding can be replaced with vinyl siding. 3. Increase Efficiency Energy conservation features can have a significant impact on home value, the infamous Austin, TX heat can have a large impact on energy expenditure. Energy-efficient mortgages or EEMs allow borrowers to take on additional debt to cover energy-efficient upgrades on top of the purchase of the home. EEMs can also make it easy to get lower mortgage rates and increase your purchasing power, according to Energy.gov. Consider installing double-pane windows, enhancing attic insulation, using LED lighting, and installing energy-efficient appliances to increase home value and attract energy-efficient buyers. A step further could involve putting solar panels on the roof. Our agents have found solar panels to increase the perceived value of the home to energy-conscious buyers. With the large financial and structural commitment they come with, it only makes sense for increasing the value over the long term, don’t expect a quick boost in value. You can schedule an assessment with a certified energy auditor or your utility company to see where your home is wasting energy and understand which updates will save you money and increase your homes’ value. 4. Improve the Size of the Space Square footage has a substantial impact on value. In fact, price per square foot is one way we help clients compare homes that are similar in style and upgrades. Larger homes often command larger values. Even if an appraiser doesn’t officially acknowledge the full value of added space, a buyer will likely take notice and increase their desire. The most obvious way to make your house bigger is to add a room, but that’s not always an option. Creating additional living space by finishing the basement or building a deck can be a more simple way to achieve a similar outcome. 5. Add Smart Tech Gadgets that enhance the safety of the home top the list of “smart” technologies buyers want in their new homes. These safe and smart devices include things like thermostats, fire detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, security cameras, door locks, and lights. We find that while these devices won’t always directly add value to the home, they can increase the appeal to a prospective buyer over other homes. Those who describe themselves as “tech-savvy” are more likely to pay more to have this smart tech. Usually installing gadgets like these is relatively cheap and easy to do compared to other home improvements.  

How Much to Offer for a House in Austin, TX

Now that you’ve found the house of your dreams, all of the hard work is done, right? Not exactly. Before you submit an offer, you should carefully consider a few factors to be competitive in this market. The Austin market is hot right now so more care needs to be taken when making this decision. Let’s discuss some of the most important factors when it comes to determining your offer. To be straightforward, the most important factor you will have to consider is the price. Figuring out what to offer can be difficult for home-buyers. Luckily, our team of specialists have a lot of success in helping buyers present the best offer. To start, you can ask these 4 questions below: 1. What have similar homes in the area sold for? The best way to start is to compare the home you want to homes in the area. Comparables are a group of recent, similar, and nearby home sales that you can use to help price the home you want. When comparing you’ll want to make sure they have very similar criteria like the ones below: Location of Construction Bedroom and Bathroom Count Square Footage Condition Comparing these together with the house you’re looking at will help give you a good idea of a general offer. Your buying specialist will be able to help you pull this information and compare it with you. Their experience will also help with narrowing the number down further.  2. How long has this particular home been on the market? The amount of time a home has been sitting on the market may be something to take notice of when coming up with your offer. Right now, houses have been moving quickly so it’s less likely you’ll be able to work with the price. The longer a house has been on the market, the more potential you have for lowering your offer. It’s best to have a discussion with your buying specialist on what route to take. 3. What’s the condition of the home? This is a little more obvious, but the condition that the property is in will have an effect on what you should offer. Homes that are more turn-key or move-in ready won’t provide much potential here. However, fixers and rehab properties may be nice opportunities to bring the value down through negotiation. Your buyer's specialist will be looking for things like this when determining your offer. Some things you can be on the lookout for structurally include: A Droopy or Broken Roof Cracks within the Foundation Rusty Plumbing Water Stains on Walls Warped or Uneven Floors Damage from Pest Infestations A lot of issues can be hard to identify on your own, which is why you should reach out to your buying specialist. They will make sure to request disclosures from the selling agent to check for any reports or inspections that could indicate problems that aren’t visible in a walkthrough. Be wary though, these disclosures usually just document issues known to the seller. Our specialists will do more investigation to ensure any potential issues are found. 4. How flexible are you on price? In this market, if you aren’t prepared to pay over asking it will be very difficult to be competitive. Most houses are going for over asking price within a few days, so you must budget extra and expect to pay more. However, you may be able to make your offer more favorable in a few other ways such as: Contingencies Closing Schedule Rent Backs Closing Prices Some sellers may accept a lower-priced offer if something from one of these categories interests them. For example, a seller might prefer to close on the house sooner rather than accept a larger offer closing later. Talk with your buying specialist to find how to make your offer as enticing as possible. Final Thoughts All in all, the goal is for your offer to be accepted, and to close on the house of your dreams. It can be tough to draft the perfect offer, however, with the right team behind you it can be done with a lot more success. Our team has several seasoned buyer specialists that can help guide you in this process with ease. If you have any questions about buying in Austin you can contact us below.

Why Are Californians Moving to Austin, Texas?

Article By Emily Miller If you live in Texas, you’ve probably heard all the jokes about Californians overrunning Austin and other major Texan cities. It’s true, more Californians are turning to the Lone Star State, and in fact, the trend can be traced all the way back to the 2008 recession. California, as glamorous as it is, is also infamously expensive, and there’s no better time than a recession to seek out greener, more inexpensive pastures. The trend has been steadily growing ever since, with 2018 seeing a 36.4% growth in Californians making the move to Texas. In 2019 alone, over half a million Californians chose Texas as their new home. In fact, California currently stands as the no. 1 source of newcomers in Austin. With the 2020 pandemic, the number of transplants has continued to grow, but what is it about Texas that attracts so many Californians? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why Austin, Texas is one of the most desirable cities for them to move to. 1.   Affordability Is Not an Issue One of the primary driving forces behind the California - Texas exodus is economic in nature. California is simply becoming too expensive for a lot of residents, who feel forced to move to less expensive areas of the country in order to achieve better economic opportunities and a better chance for a thriving future. The cost of living in the state of California is sitting at an index of 149.9, compared to 93.9 for Texas, and 119.3 for Austin, where 100 is the national average. That’s a cut in overall cost of living expenses of around 50%, which can make a major difference, especially long-term. Everything from groceries to utilities and other miscellaneous costs are right around the national average or even lower – a far cry from the overpriced life of a Los Angeles resident. 2.   Housing Is More Attainable It’s no secret that California, and Los Angeles in particular, has a huge problem with affordable housing. Residents who are not already independently wealthy or professionally established may find it difficult or even impossible to own their own home. That is one of the primary causes that are driving Californians away in droves. And where are they going? To Texas. Especially for young families looking for a home, Texas offers better opportunities for home ownership and larger houses – even in highly coveted cities like Austin. The median house price in Austin is just $369,000, almost half compared to California’s median house price of $586,659, making home ownership a much more attainable goal for the average person. That can make a major difference in the finances of the average family, especially long-term. Over a ten-year period, one may be looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars saved. 3.    There Are Ample Work Opportunities While California has a lot of professional opportunities up for grabs, the competition is also high for these roles. Since it’s one of the most competitive and sought-after areas in the country, it makes sense to seek to relocate somewhere that offers more opportunities to make a living. Major cities in Texas are growing and thriving, including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and especially Austin. Austin is the tech hub of Texas, and is primed to continue to grow and develop even further, to the point of seriously competing with California in terms of opportunities for progress and career advancement in tech. We know that Californians are attracted to Austin because it’s urban, developed, and offers plenty of amenities, from nightlife to restaurants, opportunities for cultural enrichment, and internet speed and accessibility to support the growing number of remote companies and employees. We can expect to see more people flocking to the city in the following years. 4.    Population Density Is Lower One contributing factor that cannot be ignored in 2020 is the pandemic and how that is affecting people and businesses. This year has seen a dramatic increase in California to Texas transplants simply because of COVID-19 alone. Texas has a much lower overall population density, with Austin sitting at 3,089 people per square mile. For comparison, cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco exceed 15,000 per square mile. That means it’s much easier to avoid contact with people than it is in an overcrowded city. Austin has been the destination of choice for a lot of people due to the lower risk and the less strict restrictions surrounding the virus, enabling them to keep their businesses open. 5.   The Weather Is Gorgeous California is the Sunshine State, which makes it an appealing forever home, and difficult to leave or become accustomed to a colder climate. From that point of view, Texas is an obvious contender for Californian transplants. The weather is similarly attractive, and doesn’t require a severe adjustment in that regard. Austin sees an average of 300 sunny days per year, and that alone places it at the very top of the list. California residents are used to an outdoor lifestyle, so it helps that Austin offers numerous activities to enjoy in the sun, including swimming and an active biking and hiking culture. 6.   Wildfires Aren’t A Problem In recent years, California has been experiencing more wildfires than ever before, partly due to climate change. But Texas isn’t struggling with the same dangers. While Texas weather does, in fact, reach higher temperatures, wildfires are rare, because the vast majority of its land mass is in the care of private owners, who can more diligently prevent and stave off wildfires. Especially considering how much wildfires contribute to pollution levels, Texas air is clean and breathable, and one doesn’t need to worry about out of control fires threatening their livelihood. 7.   The Air Is Cleaner For many who leave, California is becoming borderline unlivable because of the poor air quality and the high pollution rate. Between the sheer amount of people, the multitude of cars, and the frequent wildfires, places like Los Angeles are infamous for their negative impact on the health, lifestyle, and quality of life of their residents. With few to no wildfires, more space, and significantly fewer people and vehicles, Austin is a no-brainer for any California resident who is looking for a healthier alternative. Austin’s pollution index is low, and their purity and air cleanliness index is high. That hangs heavily in the balance, especially for families with children. Final thoughts As things continue to change around the country and people are abandoning overcrowded hubs like New York or Los Angeles, Texas is becoming a more and more attractive location, especially for Californians who are seeking a better, more affordable lifestyle. Austin is one of the most popular destinations, not just because of its more affordable housing and cost of living, but also because of its excellent weather, lower pollution levels, and continued growth.

There's No Place Like Downtown Austin

I have been to seventeen UT football games, 3 Austin City Limits Festivals, and visited the State Capitol twice. I’ve paddle-boarded on Lady Bird Lake and picnicked in Zilker Park. I’ve shopped South Congress, hiked Mount Bonnell, ventured through 6th street, lunched at Franklin’s Barbeque, investigated the Driskill, and swam at Barton Springs Pool. Growing up in Lake Travis, a suburb thirty minutes from downtown Austin, I have had my whole life to explore everything this sought-after city has to offer. Well, here I am twenty years later, and I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface! It is no wonder nearly 170 people migrate to Austin every day seeking the city’s artistic culture, steady job growth, and active lifestyle. Austin is alive with diversity, not only in its people, but in opportunity. Not just anywhere can you traverse through nature one minute and hit the club the next. What was once just a college town that happened to house the State’s Capitol has evolved into the number one metro area to live in this country, ranked by the U.S. News and World Report. At the center of this great city is its downtown – the beating heart of Austin, currently housing almost 10,000 classic Austinites that make up our city’s identity. Want to join them but you’re afraid of the cost? Here are the top three reasons why downtown living is unparalleled: Convenient Location – Hungry? Need groceries? Want to see a movie? Downtown offers many more options for restaurants, shopping, parks, entertainment, and employment; and the best part is that it’s all within walking distance so you can ditch traffic and get your steps in! Nightlife and Entertainment – Austin is home to plenty of neat restaurants and bars that keep the city alive 24/7. Even during the day, the city is always energized with live music and events, such as farmers markets and festivals, ensuring you won’t ever never be short of a good time! Amenities – Not only is the city filled with amenities such as beautiful lakes and a stunning skyline, but the apartments are too! Most downtown residences include indoor pools, fitness gyms, business centers, a concierge service, and the most breathtaking views imaginable. Certain luxuries like these are not easy to find in the suburbs. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty convinced downtown Austin is where I want to be and lucky for me, I’ve had the luxury of living just minutes away on UT’s campus for the past four years. Hey, speaking of downtown luxury, oh how we have the place for you… Over on 98 San Jacinto Blvd is downtown luxury living at its finest! One of the biggest units in the prestigious Four Seasons Residences, this well-appointed, penthouse-caliber 3BR home is an entertainer’s delight full of unique details, designer upgrades, and a large Chef’s kitchen overlooking the living/dining area. Abundant natural light bounces through the open floor plan across a pristine wall of windows and gleaming wood floors. The oversized master suite with a sitting area and spa bath is truly an owner’s retreat. The expansive balconies are the perfect spots to unwind and enjoy a glass of wine at sunset. Take advantage of the building’s 5-star amenities, with 24/7 concierge, rooftop pool, modern gym, library, skyline entertainment room, valet parking and more! Escape the routine at nearby Butler hike/bike trail and kayak access, surrounded by nature in this prime location on the lake. Then indulge in the many entertainment and decadent restaurants only moments away. My heart is beating faster just thinking about this listing so you better hurry up and call us at 512.261.1000 or I might beat you to it!