Real Estate Blog

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Tax day, April 17, 2018 is just around the corner.  Whether you plan to complete them in a weekend or are pulling together the information to give to your tax preparer, here are a few tips to get started!

Parents, it is time to start thinking about enrolling your kiddos into summer camps!  Check out this 2018 Summer Camp guide broken down into categories of interest.  Also included is a Packing List and a Camp Care Package checklist to print out.

Are you not sure what times of the year to take care of items inside and outside of your home??? I have you covered with this 2018 Maintenance guide that is broken down into the months to help you stay on top of home ownership!

Austin Accolades 2018

Austin is the best place to live in the U.S in 2017 - U.S News & World Report; Feb 2017

Austin's economy is the nation's fastest growing among large cities - Wallethub; Oct 2017

Austin is one of the 10 best cities to raise a family - Smartasset; Feb 2017

Austin is the No. 1 U.S city on global ranking of the 100 best cities for millennials based on business ecosystem, affordability, openness and recreation.- Nestpick; April 2017

Not sure if 2018 is the year for you to buy a home?  Read this article as it explains the top reasons why buying is still a good time in 2018.  But don't wait too long as predictions set the tone "the more buyers wait, the more expensive it will get to buy- not just because of home prices but because of inflationary pressure".

1. Rates are going up

2. Prices are climbing, but not crazy fast

3. Inventory levels will begin to increase

Just wanted to send a reminder that Homestead Exemptions are Due by April 30th.

Homestead exemptions remove part of your home's value from taxation. If you want to receive a homestead exemption for the taxes on your home, the home must first qualify as a residence homestead on January 1 of the year in which you are applying.

There are two requirements:

1. You must own your home on January 1. (If you are over 65,and/or disabled the January 1 ownership and residency are not required.)

2. You must use the home as your principal residence on January 1.

As you search for a new home, it's always a good idea to factor in the closing costs so you can properly plan and manage your finances. In general, you can expect to pay 2-5% of the purchase price in closing costs, not including the down payment.

Closing costs can include the following:

• Down Payments
  0-20% of the purchase price depending on your qualifications and loan choice
• Earnest Money Deposit 
  The money put down when a contract is written - it usually goes into an escrow account
• Lender Fees 
  Includes charges for loan processing, underwriting and preparation
• Third-party Fees 
  Includes charges for insurance, title insurance, title search, appraisal fees and other inspections
• Government Fees 
  Includes deed recording and state mortgage

2018 Housing Trends that promise to transform your home and your lifestyle like never before!

The housing trends of 2018 will be focused more on integrating technology while creating healthy and connected living environments.  Now days, we are seeing more and more generations living under the same roof, so home-specific features that provide a helping hand or peaceful influence are going to be welcomed fully.  Here are some items of what to expect in the coming year that you might want to incorporate into your home or think about when your looking to purchase your next home.

1. ) A rise in smart technology in the home - Homeowners are rapidly purchasing devices along with apps that perform various tasks such as turning on lights and appliances

When buying a home you are also buying into an entire community.  It is important to make sure your new neighborhood suits your families needs and preferences just as much as the house you decide to purchase.  Most houses can be modified, whereas neighborhoods can not.

When you are evaluating a neighborhood, you want to ask yourself these important questions:

1. SCHOOLS-  A school district's reputation can have a strong impact on the desirability of certain neighborhoods, making this a top concern, even if they don't have school-aged children.  Buyers recognize that good schools can have a positive impact on their home's future resale value.  Visit https://www.greatschools.org for school ratings and more.

2. CRIME- Make a point to stay updated on