Category Archives: Home Selling

The Reality of Remodeling

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remodel HGTV is powerful. I cannot even begin to tell you how many homeowners I speak to who got an idea to attempt a do-it-yourself project as a result of watching a home makeover show. If you are chuckling on the inside, it may be because you are one of them. I use the word ‘attempt’, because while these shows inspire and educate, they also tend to make projects seem simpler than they are.

Reality TV Shows vs. Remodeling in the Real World

Remember, it’s an 10 hour project shown in 30 minutes. TV shows have the power to edit and often have a team completing the handiwork behind the scenes. It’s a reality show, just like any other.  I laugh on the inside and try not to show my angst on the outside when I go on a listing appointment with those who lost their drive on a remodel. The results range from unfinished faux painted walls, tile put in place that was never grouted and crown molding that doesn’t completely go around the ceiling. All of these unfinished projects are going to affect the sales price of your home.

It is easier to sell a dated home that is fully functioning and completed, than a home that seems to stop mid sentence. To a buyer, the project needs to be finished. I often have to change the perception of the seller, to see these things with buyers’ eyes, because after a while the seller doesn’t see the projects anymore. They have been living with them for so long; they just tend to blend into the background.

Do-it-yourself Projects

Many home supply stores offer classes on do-it-yourself projects. I often recommend someone take one before making a decision to start a project. We are all good at something, but certainly not good at everything. Have a reality check with yourself when you are watching those reality shows. Get a real education on what’s involved with a do-it-yourself project, before you begin one.

It’s Always Spring In Austin

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photo by S. Nascimento

photo by
S. Nascimento

The notion that spring is the prime real estate season to buy and sell a home in Austin has not proven itself to be true in the last few years. There is so little inventory in the greater Austin area that fall buyers are becoming winter buyers, winter buyers are being pushed into the spring season and so-on. New buyers are entering the market all of the time and because existing buyers have not purchased a house yet, they don’t leave the market. In a balanced market buyers and sellers are flowing in and out of the market as inventory constantly turns over. The inventory of buyers right now, largely outweighs the inventory of homes.

Multiple Offers in Austin

When a house for sale receives multiple offers, there can only be one buyer. That buyer is not only relieved that the search is over, but truly feels like a winner. The rest of the buyers go back into the market pool and wait for the next home to try again. The lack of inventory has created an influx of buyers that stay in the market while new buyers are entering it. I get emailed lists of buyer needs daily from agents looking for homes for active buyers. They have seen everything available and are waiting for new choices.

Moving to Austin

There are some areas of Austin that will get an even bigger boost of buyers this spring and summer along with a little more inventory, because some buyers and sellers are driven to move based on the school year calendar.  Additional inventory would have to radically outweigh the number of buyers, which most likely will not happen. The seller’s market in Austin will continue to be a year round event until a change in economic conditions forces a shift.

Austin is a Global Market for Buyers

In real estate, we talk about the perfect marriage of price, condition and location to sell a home. When all 3 factors are in line with one another, buyers will come and a home will sell. Buyers are coming from all over the world to Austin because it offers the perfect marriage of price, condition and location for those who wish to call it home. When it comes to real estate, it is always spring in Austin.

1814 Village Oak Court, Austin TX 78704

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1814 Village Oak Ct-MLS_Size-001-Front yardUnder contract but accepting back-up offers, 1814 Village Oak Court in Austin’s trendy 78704 zip code offers an ideal balance of living in a suburban area while enjoying the convenience of an urban lifestyle.

SoLa district in Austin 78704

Austin’s 78704 zip code is home to hot spots like Zilker Park, the ZACH Topfer Theatre, the Long Center and Town Lake Hike & Bike Trail. 1814 Village Oak Court is located in the SoLA district of 78704, where South Lamar local favorites include The Broken Spoke, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and a variety of retail and eateries.
1814 Village Oak Ct Austin, TX 78704This South Lamar area beauty features a well-balanced floor plan, soaring ceiling in living area, 3-sided fireplace borders living and dining, bonus loft space upstairs perfect for home office, cherry wood floors, cherry cabinets, island kitchen w/ granite counters, masonry siding, 3-sided wood burning fireplace, crown molding, flagstone patio, fenced backyard and no home owner’s association.

1814 Village Oak Court Austin, TX 78704

• 3 bedrooms
• 2.5 baths
• 2,002 sq. ft (tax records)
• Year built: 2004
• 1 car attached garage
• loft/study space
• fenced backyard with flagstone patio and deck
• 2nd floor deck
• cul-de-sac street

ML# 1584727

Get Your Home Sold

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IMG_2346Listing appointments are more than just about the paperwork, market data and pricing.  I tour the home with a buyer’s eyes pointing out things along the way that have often been there for so long the owner doesn’t even see them anymore.

My suggestions start from the street, not inside the house.  I tell sellers all of the time that I want the house to look ‘light, bright and happy.’ I want buyers to feel good when they visit one of my listings from the moment they pull up to the house.

Here are some tips to get your home show ready or maybe just a little happier:

Creating Curb Appeal

•Replace dead plants with flowers
•Place garbage bins and recycling containers on the side of the house or in the garage. Doing so increases curb appeal and aids in parking in front of the house.
•Put the garden hose away when not in use.  Buyers don’t want to be walking over it to get to the front door.
•Paint your mail box and door knocker (if rusting) with some metallic paint.
•Replace the door mat.
•Hose off the front of the house, if needed (you can power wash but just be prepared to paint)
•Clean the gutters
•Rake and sweep dead leaves

Buyers are guests too.  Make the house clean enough for company.

♦The #1 thing I want owners to do when I list a house is clean.  When buyers see a 1970’s kitchen that is spotless, they comment on how clean it is.  It’s a blank canvas that can be updated someday and is considered usable the way it is.  When the same Buyers see a modern kitchen, that is dirty, it is a turn off.  It’s funny how the brain works, it doesn’t say “I can clean this”, like you would think; instead it says “I could never cook in here”.  If you don’t like to clean, hire someone – it is money well spent.

♦De-clutter kitchen counter tops by moving vitamins, medicine, knives and every appliance that is not essential into a cabinet or storage bin.  The more you remove from the counter — the bigger and cleaner it will look.  In the bathroom, find a new home for the toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrush and makeup.  Clutter becomes visual noise for buyers.

♦Organize kitchen drawers, pantries, shelves and closets.  Buyers will be looking in them.

Pride of Ownership

How a seller presents a home to a buyer says a lot about how they have taken care of it. A clean, organized home shows pride of ownership which gives the buyer a bit of confidence in terms of its overall condition.

New Home for the New Year

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new years As we ring in 2015, many buyers have a new house on their list of New Year’s wishes. Historically the day after Christmas is the busiest day of the year to look of a house online. I alone, have shown 4 properties since Christmas, so buyers are out there. One of the benefits of looking this time of year is that school is still out of session in Austin, which makes it much easier to get around town. Many people also take off from work between Christmas and New Year’s which makes it a little less stressful with extra time available to shop for a home.

Holiday Buyers

Yes, this time of year can be a hassle for sellers who want to have a few pajama days and don’t want to leave the house. Keep in mind if people are looking for homes in Texas, in 30 degree weather during the holiday season — they are serious buyers. Buyers who are intent on buying now are the people your want looking at your home as opposed to the Looky Lou’s who are not buying until Spring.

Sell a Home by Showing a Home

The easiest way to sell a home is when the seller matches the intent of the buyer. You can’t sell it if you don’t show it, so if that buyer wants to see it and you want to sell it — let them come. Plug in that Christmas tree, throw on a coat and take a drive around the neighborhood. You can even stay in your pajamas.

Cheers to a safe, happy and prosperous 2015!

A Home for the Holidays

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happy holidaysThe holiday season is upon us. Sometimes, it is easier for people to sell a home during the holiday season. People tend to shy away from it because they don’t want to move, but forget they are only marketing the house for sale. There are lots of ways I can keep someone home for the holidays – not to mention, most buyers need a loan, which takes time.

People often find it easier is keeping their house cleaner during the holiday season. This is a social time of year with friends and family visiting, so people tend to keep up with household choirs. The house also tends to be naturally staged with holiday decorations. Even the yard becomes lower maintenance this time of year.

Benefits to Buying and Selling Real Estate During the Holidays

There are benefits to both buyers and sellers to stay active in the real estate market during the holiday season. For buyers, one of the main benefits is that less people tend to shop for a home. Investors and owner occupied buyers benefit this time of year because there are less buyers to compete with. There are often tax reasons for a buyer or seller to purchase a property in the current year over the next one.

Advantages of Selling a Home

For Sellers, one of the major advantages of selling a home in the Austin Real Estate market is the positive influx of out-of-state buyers moving to Austin. More people move to Austin than leave and many new hires start in the January. Job transfers often limit or do not include relocation packages, so many new residents are eager to get themselves settled in a new home as soon as possible.

Looking to Buy a Home

A home is what people are buying. Those four walls generate the feeling of home this time of year, more than any other. So, its not a bad time to sell your property, after all it’s a home people are looking for, not a house.

Austin City Limits Music Festival Real Estate Recap

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Austin City Limits Music FestivalThe Austin City Limits Music Festival has come and gone for 2014 leaving a large boost for Austin’s economy in its wake. Headliners including Outcast, Eminem and Pearl Jam contributed to both 3-day weekends selling out to roughly 75,000 visitors per day. The estimated total in revenue was $175 million for Austin in 2013.

Much of the economic contribution is from out of town guests visiting and staying in Austin for the festival. Roughly sixty-six percent of ACL festival attendees are from out of town and spend an average of nearly $900 per day on food, lodging and retail.

For attendees curious to know what homes are worth near the Austin City Limits Music Festival, below lists up-to-date market data specific to real estate for sale located within 1 mile of Zilker Park:

Austin Condominiums for Sale near Zilker Park:

  • Current Number of Active Homes: 23
  • Total Number of Pending and Active homes: 31
  • Average List Price: $487,884

Austin Single Family Houses for Sale near Zilker Park:

  • Current Number of Active Homes: 14
  • Total Number of Pending and Active homes: 25
  • Average List Price: $1,465,393

Other Zilker Park events include the Zilker Kite Festival, Blues on the Green and the Zilker Trail of Lights lending it to be a source of  consistent entertainment year round.  Homes located near Zilker Park are considered prime real estate and are consistently low in supply and high in demand.