Maybe it's the start of the holiday baking season or the cooler weather driving us all indoors for a hot cup of cocoa, but somehow the fall season always seems to call for kitchen upgrades. Whether you're looking to expand your storage or spruce up the entire space, here are some essential tips to consider before you green-light your kitchen remodel. Shallow Storage This may seem counterintuitive,...
There have been growing concerns about power imbalances between HOAs and property owners in HOA communities. These concerns cover various topics such as: Challenges between property owners and oversight boards Costly fees related to real estate transfersDifficulty accessing necessary governance and operations information. Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1588, which went into effect in September...
An attractive, well-kept backyard garden can be a very appealing feature for home buyers, especially since the pandemic has shifted many to a more work-from-home environment. Homeowners have since utilized more of their outdoor spaces, transforming backyards into extensions of living rooms and kitchens. These backyard improvements are fantastic negotiation points as you sell your home, and they can...
Texas summers are all in good fun when you can take the weekend off and go for a refreshing swim in one of our local springs. However, the scorching heat can start to take its toll as you’re working on those pesky home improvement projects. With that in mind, here are some simple ways to keep your home cool during the summer months without breaking your budget. Reminder To Tune Up This is one of...
Spring is on the way, which means warmer temperatures and more expensive bills as you utilize your AC more. If you’re a homeowner looking for ways to save money this spring and summer, try some of these tips! 1. Refinance Your Mortgage Mortgage rates are still low, but they’re rising again. Homeowners can save money monthly and yearly by refinancing their mortgage. While they’ll initially...
If buying a home is a New Year’s resolution for you in 2022, then you’re going to need a good credit score if you want to get the best interest rate for a mortgage. Most finance experts say a score of 600 or higher is a good number. But to get excellent interest rates, a score of over 700 is recommended. You can check your score through your online banking platform or request a free credit report at...
The State of Texas passed new legislation, so there’s a new and exciting update to homestead exemptions in Texas! We’ll cover what you need to know about the new legislation and what it means for you and the real estate market. What Is A Homestead Exemption? A homestead exemption lowers a homeowner’s property tax by removing part of the home’s value from the taxation. The home’s...
Cooler weather has finally arrived in Central Texas! Do you know what that means? It’s time to perform fall home maintenance to keep your home in tip-top shape. Save yourself time and money by tackling these fall home projects this weekend! Regular home maintenance is essential in preserving the major systems within your home, and it may also reduce homeowner costs along the way. 1. Clean the...
Remember the Homestead Exemption we mentioned in our April newsletter? Your efforts to file and save yourself money have paid off! Leander City Council approved a homestead exemption on June 3rd. The Homestead Exemption Earlier this month, Leander City Council approved a residential homestead exemption of $5,000 or 1% of the home’s appraised value, whichever is greater, as property values...
These six features will help increase your home’s value in a buyer’s eyes. This means your home’s listing price could be increased or decreased, too. Factors that determine your home’s value that can’t be changed are square footage, amount of bedrooms, what neighbors’ houses sold for, and location. While there are many factors to consider when a real estate agent analyzes how much to price...