Pride of Ownership doesn’t have a Price Tag

Pride of ownership does not come at a price point.  Homes can be found that are either cared for or neglected, whether you spend $150,000 or 1 million.  Just because you are willing spend more money, doesn’t guarantee a home in better condition.  People have relationships with their homes (not unlike how they relate to other people).  If a problem arises, some choose to ignore it, while others attack it head on.  There is often a reality check for the owner, when it comes time to sell, when the problems can’t be ignored anymore.

Sellers often realize that what hasn’t been repaired or replaced, will ultimately cost them in the end.  Money makes things go away. Owners think they are simply saving money by ignoring foundation problems, roof repair or whatever else may be deficient.  In realty though, they are simply differing the payment to the sale.  The home is worth less to a buyer and will take longer to sell when systems are in need of repair or replacement.

Summertime Blues

I have been trying to preview as many properties as possible in the morning, while everyone is still busy at work.  Pictures can be deceiving for better or worse, and typically don’t show things like pantries, closets and sometimes even backyards.  Previewing properties without clients helps us rule out some things not worth seeing in the heat of the day, which happens to be when you get out of the office.  It allows us to focus on true possibilities in less time, which works out well especially with children in tow.  Children generally love looking at houses, but when they are getting in and out of their car seats in the heat, they loose interest pretty quickly which makes it a trying time for all.

Someone is watching your pets, but who is watching your house?

I have seen some houses where the owners have been away on vacation.  It is important to keep in mind when selling your home that plants need to be watered, garbage should be removed, and pools need to be tended to.  I had a reader last week whose pool turned an unappealing shade of dark green while they were away.  Just like keeping the house clean, pools need to be kept clean as well.  Buyers don’t know that people may be away, they just think there may be a problem or the pool is not being maintained.

Barton Hills Duplex Open House 8/14 12 – 3

Where will I be Saturday?

1304 Robert E Lee Road

From 12 – 3pm
Calling all investors.  One side is leased, you can live in the other, or lease it as well!
 
This is your opportunity to live a short distance from Barton Springs pool, hike & bike trail & Zilker Park.
 
 
From Barton Springs turn on to Robert E Lee.  The Duplex is located between Spring Creek and Rabb on Robert E Lee
 
$545,000 2,931 sq ft (tax record)  3/2 and 3/2.5
both units will be open for viewing
 
 
 

Travis Heights Open House Saturday 12 – 3 Aug. 7

500 E Mary Street in Travis Heights

Travis Heights area classic bungalow styled home originally built in 1935 offers classic details and updated features.  Home has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and is 1,394 square feet (tax record.)  The house sits on a large corner lot with live oaks trees and carport with storage.

Local area attractions include Stacey Pool and the SoCo (S. Congress) shopping and retail area of Austin. Travis Heights is located about 2 miles south of downtown, Austin.

 

Updates include:

  • kitchen
  • bathrooms
  • siding
  • HV/AC
  • roof
  • plumbing
  • electric

Additional features include:

  • fenced backyard
  • hardwood floors
  • built-in shelves and storage

This is a quintessential Travis Heights updated classic. Rare carport and off street parking! Large backyard with plenty of shade.

Visit Doreen in Travis Heights on Saturday from 12 – 3, August 7th

or call for a private showing

Directions to 500 E Mary:  From Congress go east on Annie, then rt on Newning, then left on Mary. On corner of Newning and East Mary -where it deadends in to Eastside Drive @ Stacey Park.

  
List Price:  $543,000
 
 I support local Austin; after all, I think it’s only neighborly.

Doreen Zelma
REALTOR, GRI
Sky Realty Austin
E: doreen@SupportLocalAustin.com
W: www.SupportLocalAustin.com
T: 512-761-0567

Neighborhood Spotlights

Austin Neighborhood Market Spotlights

I have selected some random neighborhoods in Austin below and listed some current real estate market data.

Understand this data is specific to single family houses.  The selected neighborhoods all show healthy days on market timelines.  Please note higher and moderately priced neighborhoods are showing similar days on market.  Low interest rates are certainly influencing homes sales.

If there is an area you want me to spotlight -please let me know.

Barton Hills

Number of Active Homes on the Market: 14

Average Days on Market: 40

Median Home Price: $ 442,000

Tanglewood Forest

Number of Active Homes on the Market: 14

Average Days on Market: 91

Median Home Price: $ 178,900

Cat Mountain

Number of Active Homes on the Market: 27

Average Days on Market: 93

Median Home Price: $ 534,450

Wells Branch

Number of Active Houses on the Market: 46

Average Days on Market: 78

Median Home Price: $ 174,700

Great Hills

Number of Active Houses on the Market: 45

Average Days on Market: 87

Median Home Price: $ 444,500

Senna Hills

Number of Active Houses on the Market: 11

Average Days on Market: 71

Median Home Price: $ 645,000

Upgrades on New Construction

 Upgrades are often priced for a moment in time, and aren’t going to add any profit 10 years from now, so choose them for you. I went on a listing appointment where the owner was pointing out all of the upgrades he paid for 10 years ago. Though certain features add substance like crown molding, other things just don’t. You may have paid $500 more for an upgraded bathtub 10 years ago, but understand it is now 10 years old. When I work with buyers on new construction, I ask this question. Are you doing this for you or the next owner? In all likelihood, the next owner isn’t going to be impressed with your upgraded light switch plate. Spend money on the things that will bring you joy, instead of trying to anticipate how someone might appreciate them in the future.

Useful Utility Rooms

As an Austin Realtor, I see many houses.  Do you ever walk into a house and wonder what they were thinking? Well, I do it all of the time, often when it comes to the placement of utility rooms or closets. The truth of the matter is that ‘they’, were not thinking. I experienced this during my own custom build. You get so caught up in designing the kitchen and master bedroom, that the utility room becomes an after thought. The placement of the washer and dryer often become a matter of where you can fit it, in relation to the plumbing. People with children open their washing machine, almost as often as they open the refrigerator. If the secondary bedrooms are on the upper level, you are not going to walk the laundry downstairs, across the kitchen to a hallway, which holds the washing machine, but the back door to the house as well. Families need room to do laundry.