As we ring in 2020, many buyers have a new house on their list of new year’s wishes. Historically, December 28th and New Year’s Day are two of the busiest days of the year for real estate searches. One of the benefits of looking at homes this time of year, is with school out of session – it’s much easier to get around town. Continue reading
Before we get into the news, I wanted to take a moment to say I’m thankful for you! Support Local Austin will be hitting 14 years soon, and that would not have happened without your loyalty. I am thankful for your business, friendship, referrals and support over the years. I have helped some families through 3 generations which is an amazing blessing and connection to have.
I wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Now onto the news….. Continue reading
Take a look at the dining room table you never use, the toys on the floor or maybe the pile of dishes in the sink. Clutter, for many people, can induce stress and is often the source when you can’t quite put a finger on what is bothering you. Understanding some basic principles of Feng Shui can help bring you and your home back into balance. A stress free home is not only important for every homeowner, but it is important to a potential buyer as well. A happy home is easier to sell.
Chi is energy. Star Wars fans may identify more with the idea of The Force. The energy that binds the galaxy together is the chi that flows through us and our homes. When our chi is blocked, energy is zapped and we feel sad. Houses are no different than living beings when it comes to chi. When chi is constantly flowing through our homes – we feel good. That is why we often feel better after cleaning them. Clutter blocks chi, which is why we feel suffocated when it starts to build up. Continue reading
8214 Gallatin Drive, Austin
Investor, remodel or just live in it as-is. No HOA. 1980’s finishes. Ceramic tile flooring throughout main living areas. HV/AC (2009). Southwest Austin home located on neighborhood street, less than 2 miles to Oak Hill shopping including HEB and eateries. Less than 4 miles to Seton, AMD and NXP. Fenced backyard. Windmill Run neighborhood park features nature trail, picnic tables and playscapes. Continue reading
2120 Williston Loop, Austin TX 78748
Single story home for sale in Bridges of Bear Creek. Beautiful inside and out! 4-sides brick, center island kitchen w/ ext. buffet, under cab lighting & stainless steel appliances. engineered hard wood and tile floors. crown molding in all rooms, 8’ doors, 10’ ceilings, 5” baseboards, ceiling fans galore, whole house filtration system, radiant heat barrier. Continue reading
House for sale….Remodel. Invest. Enjoy as-is…plenty of options for this South Austin home with a 70’s vibe. Updates include: roof (2016), hot water heater (2013), HV/AC (2011), gutters & rainwater collector (2013) & disposal (2018). Continue reading
Swimming pools are an instant source for entertainment, relaxation and exercise. They provide a backyard retreat, a tranquil view and a luxury marker some buyers dream about having. For those Austin home buyers who want a pool, houses with them are much easier to sell. Forget the condition of the house– that oasis in the backyard, especially on a hot day kind of sells itself, doesn’t it?
Pools can often be a hindrance more than a help when selling. Not everyone wants a pool. In fact, I would say 70% of people don’t. Pools cost money and time to maintain. In addition, there are safety concerns for people with small children and pets. They can also take up a lot of yard space.
•Maintain and update your pool. Nobody wants to buy a money pit (literally).
•If you can afford to switch to saline – it is a selling feature.
•If you own in a subdivision where most homes have a private pool…buyers will be comparing your ‘pool’ appeal.
•Make sure the pool area looks clean, maintained and inviting.
•A general inspector will not inspect a pool, but many pool companies do. Have a pool inspection – they can be costly to fix.
•If you want to know how much it costs to maintain a pool including chemicals, electric and water, the answer is: you don’t want a pool! They can be costly, and if you are already watching your budget — a pool is going to blow it.
•Remember, pools limit your potential number of buyers, so they can take longer to sell when the time comes.
Austin Texas has a variety of options for people who want to enjoy a pool, but don’t want to maintain one. Many planned single family home communities in Austin have pools that are included with HOA fees or may require a nominal additional fee. Condominium communities in Austin often have a private pool as well for residents. An automated home search can be customized to only include properties with pools and/or community pools.
There are many public pools in Austin as well. There are 29 neighborhood pools and 6 municipal pools in total. The most well known pool is Barton Springs, located in Zilker Park. Centrally located in the neighborhood of Barton Hills, Barton Springs Pool is spring fed, just over 900 feet long and maintains a consistent temperature of 68 degrees year round. Hamilton Pool Preserve is a unique, historic swimming hole located just outside of Austin in Dripping Springs. The canyon, grotto and waterfall provide a picturesque and popular summer attraction within the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.