Spring is just a few weeks away and with it, real estate’s hottest season! Are you thinking about selling? If so, get ahead of the competition by taking some time to prepare. These tips are a great way to get your home ready for a spring sale: 

Let natural light flood the rooms 
Open the curtains and raise the blinds to brighten your home. 

Renovate what's outdated and think small 
Take a look around. Do your kitchen and bathrooms look outdated? If so, they should be updated before you sell. To keep the renovations inexpensive, simply update fixtures like bath faucets, towel racks and cabinet pulls in the bathroom and add new hardware and repaint the cabinets in the kitchen. It is important to keep in mind that the bathroom and kitchen are two of the most important rooms within the home. 

Paint with whites and neutrals 
Adding a fresh coat of paint is relatively inexpensive and can instantly transform the appearance of your home. To ensure the new paint job is appealing to all potential buyers, stick to neutral colors: white, beige, greige, gray, etc. 

Fix anything broken
While the buyers will request a home inspection, it is actually in your best interest to do it before you list your home. Why? You know what's wrong and you have the ability to fix broken items ahead of time. While you're fixing things, also make sure all the lightbulbs are working. 

Pay attention to odors
Smell can be a major factor in your home sale. Before listing, take the time to remove the smell of pets, tobacco, etc. from your home and have your carpet professionally cleaned. 

Deep clean 
Tackle some traditional spring cleaning: dust the blinds, wipe down the baseboards and doors, polish the floors, etc. 

Increase curb appeal
Add some potted flowers to the front porch, repaint the front door, add a wreath and door mat and more to increase your home’s curb appeal. After all, first impressions do matter! 

Are you thinking about selling this spring? Put our expertise and knowledge of the greater Austin-area to work for you! You’ll find we can deliver a quick, top-dollar sale. 

Home improvement projects don't happen overnight. To ensure you aren't overwhelmed, try tackling just one project every month. With that in mind, here is a month-by-month look at some home improvement projects: 

January: Add Insulation - To keep warm, consider evaluating your attic insulation. If it isn't up to snuff, simply add more! 

February: Clean the Dryer Vent - While you likely clean out the lint trap between each load, many overlook the dryer vent. With that in mind, NOW is the time to do so. Not only does clearing out the dryer vent increase your dryer's efficiency, but it also reduces fire risk. 

March: Gut the Gutters - Now that it's warming up, head outside to clear out those gutters! Gutter build up can cause all sorts of issues to your house. 

April: Pest Prevention - With summer right around the corner, April is the perfect time to work on pest prevention. Check for cracks in the siding, examine the roof for loose or missing shingles and seal leaks around windows and doors. 

May: Power Wash the Siding - Winter can be rough on your home. To ensure the appearance remains top-notch, power wash the siding. You'll be happy you kept up with the curb appeal when it comes time to sell.

June: Refresh Your Front Door – If you’ve lived in the house awhile, chances are a fresh coat of paint could really improve the look of your front door. Try a bold color to make your home stand out from the rest! The paint will dry quickly in June’s sunny weather and warmer temperatures.

July: Check for Water Leaks – Do you suspect there may be a water leak in your plumbing system? First, make sure no water is being used in your house. From here, locate the water meter and check the leak indicator to see if it is moving. Also, check your irrigation system to ensure proper function - if you have one. 

August: Clean and Polish Your Floors – Warmer months call for some indoor projects – especially in Texas! Head inside and give your floors a good deep clean – steam clean the carpets, polish the hardwoods, clean the grout in the tile, etc.

September: Prune Your Perennials and Plant for Fall – Fall is full of color! In the spirit of the new season, head outside and make your yard shine. Prune back your perennials and add some seasonal flowers and vegetables: mums, lettuce, radishes, etc.

October: Inspect Your Heating System – With cooler temperatures right around the corner, October is the perfect time to give your heating system a tune-up. A serviced system will ensure you stay warm throughout the winter months.

November: Update Your Bathroom Fixtures – The holidays are fast-approaching. Before guests arrive, give your bathroom a facelift by upgrading the shower head faucets, etc.

December: Repair Steps and Railings – Did you know stairs are one of the most accident-prone areas of the home? With that being said, it is time for some repair work – both inside and out.

Tackling one project every month is the perfect way to get your home in tip-top condition without feeling overwhelmed.

While some of these projects can be completed without a professionally, there is no shame in admitting some of these are out of your comfort zone. For a list of trusted professionals in the Austin-area, give us a call. We would be happy to connect you! 

While winter around other parts of the United States can be pretty brutal, Texans are fortunate enough to enjoy a relatively temperate season. How can you enjoy winter in Austin?  Simple: head out to experience Austin’s best – both inside and outside:

Local Activities

• Grab a pint at a local brewery
• Head to Alamo Drafthouse or the Moviehouse & Eatery to catch the latest release
• Grab a cup of joe, hot chocolate or tea at a local café: Sour Duck Market, Better Half Coffee & Cocktails, etc. Click here for additional options.
• Shop some of the best local antique, vintage and thrift stores around Austin
• Be adventurous and try a new restaurant! Here’s a look at some of the best new restaurants around Austin!
• Head to a local bar, a friend’s house, or host a get-together to watch the Super Bowl
• Stroll the exhibits at a local museum. The University of Texas is home to some great collections, including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Harry Ransom Center and the LBJ Presidential Library
• Visit a local distillery
• Enjoy a day in the sun sipping on a glass of vino at an award-winning Hill Country winery. Here’s a look at some fantastic wineries and vineyards in North Central Texas.
• Run the Austin Marathon on February 17
• Dine on a patio: Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, Contigo, Grizzelda’s, etc.
• Explore some of Austin’s best hiking trails: Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, St. Edwards Park, Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, Barton Creek Greenbelt 
• See a comedy show at Esther’s Follies
• Relax at a local spa or resort: Milk + Honey Spa, Lacquer, etc.
• Attend a University of Texas sporting event

Looking for something to do that doesn’t involve leaving the house? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a look at some activities to enjoy from the comfort of your own home:

• Revamp your home’s design. Don’t forget to consider the trends of 2019
• Make a fort or set up the tent in the living room and camp inside with the kiddos. Don’t forget the marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate for s’mores
• Declutter the house – a tidy house can reduce anxiety!
• Clean out your drawers, closets, attic, garage and more
• Start planning your family summer vacation
• Cozy up and read a novel
• Help your kids with their homework – if needed, of course!
• Install a smart thermostat – you’ll save money on your electric bill
• Complete some regular home maintenance projects: insulate the attic, refurbish the doors, replace the filter, seal openings and air leaks and more
• Cook a new recipe you’ve been wanting to try

Stay warm and enjoy these activities!

Do you have any questions about the Austin area? We love it here and would be happy to share our knowledge with you! Contact us today.

As one year comes to a close and the doors open to the next, we peek inside the crystal ball to predict what the new year has in store. What can you expect from the 2019 housing market? Here’s a look three real estate predictions every current and future homeowner should know for 2019: 

Affordability will remain a concern

Buyers have had it rough in recent years and it doesn’t look like that will end in 2019. Next year, expect home prices to increase by around 2.2 percent and mortgage rates to average 5.3 percent throughout the year and hit 5.5 percent by year’s end.

Home inventory will continue to increase – especially in the high-end market

Inventory hit its lowest level on record in the winter of 2017. But, in 2018, those levels began to recover. Expect that growth to continue into next year as experts are predicting inventory increase to remain moderate – less than 7 percent. While this is good news for buyers, it does mean there will be more competition for homeowners looking to sell. But, don’t let that fool you; the 2019 market will still be a good year for sellers. Just not as good as 2017 or 2018. In other words, if you are thinking about selling your home in 2019, you may need to adjust your expectations and know your home will not sell as quickly as it would of the past two years.

Meanwhile, high-priced markets will buck the inventory trend with double-digit gains. These double-digit gains will likely be seen in high-end homes in the metro areas of San Jose, Seattle, Boston, Nashville and more.

Millennials will dominate the home buying market

Millennials are now the biggest generational group of home buyers and are expected to account for 45 percent of mortgages in 2019, as compared to the 17 percent for Baby Boomers. Within this generation, there is some disparity as the dream of homeownership will remain tough for first-time Millennial buyers, whereas the slightly older move-up Millennial buyers will reap the benefits of both their home equity and the increased choices on the market.

No matter the age, Millennials will remain more price-conscious than any generation. In fact, you will see these buyers compromising on distance from an urban center and forgoing certain amenities and space to achieve homeownership.

How will the Austin market fare in 2019? According to Realtor.com, the Austin-Round Rock area will experience a 4 percent decline in home sales and a 3.7 percent increase in home price.

Do you have any questions about the Austin-area real estate market? Do you have any questions about these predictions? Give our team a call. We are happy to talk to you about the Austin-area and national housing market.

The fourth quarter showed an early demand for single-family homes around the Austin-area. This demand led to a record-breaking month for homes sales and sales dollar volume. In fact, according to the October 2018 Central Texas Housing Market report released by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, both home sales and sales dollar volume were the highest on record for any October. While there continues to be an increased demand for single-family homes across Austin, there also is a lack of inventory - indicating the Austin-area market is still prime for sellers. What should you know as a resident of the area? Here's a look at the details:

Austin-Round Rock MSA

·      2,347 home sales - a 4.3 percent increase from October 2017 AND the highest number of sales for any October

·      $900 million in sales dollar volume – a 8.8 percent increase year-over-year

·      $308,355 median home sales price - a 7.5 percent increase from October 2017

·      2,871 new listings – 3.7 percent increase year-over-year

·      7,434 active listings – an 8.2 percent increase year-over-year

·      2,444 pending sales – 2.8 percent increase from October 2017

·      2.9 months of inventory

 City of Austin

·      735 home sales – a 7.8 percent increase year-over-year

·      $343 million in sales dollar volume – an 11.9 percent increase from October 2017

·      $377,000 median home sales price – a 3.7 percent increase from October 2017

·      878 new listings – a 5 percent increase year-over-year

·      1,643 active listings – a 5.4 percent decrease year-over-year

·      711 pending sales – a 2.2 percent decrease from October 2017

·      2.1 months of inventory

Travis County

·      1,176 home sales – a 6.2 percent increase year-over-year

·      $537 million in sales dollar volume – a 10.9 percent increase from October 2017

·      $358,540 median home sales price – a 5.5 percent increase year-over-year

·      1,417 new listings – a 5.1 percent increase year-over-year

·      3,374 active listings – a 1.2 percent increase from October 2017

·      1,198 pending sales – a 3.3 percent increase year-over-year

·      2.6 months of inventory

Hays County

·      280 home sales – an 8 percent increase year-over-year

·      $93 million in sales dollar volume – a 9 percent increase from October 2017

·      $250,000 median home sales price – a 2 percent decrease year-over-year

·      370 new listings – a 26 percent increase year-over-year

·      1,039 active listings – a 19 percent increase from October 2017

·      291 pending sales – a 4 percent increase year-over-year

·      3.5 months of inventory

Click here for additional information about our local real estate market.

The lack of inventory and rising home prices make NOW the ideal time to sell! Are you thinking about selling? Contact Resident Realty today! We have the team of professional that’ll get your home SOLD – no matter the season!

With the holiday season in full swing, NOW is the perfect time to start enjoying all the holidays have to offer. What activities will help you enjoy the season to the fullest? Here's a look at some of the best Christmas activities – plus a few events and Christmas tree farms in the Austin-area: 

• Enjoy a holiday light display
  • Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park
  • Luminations at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
  • Holiday Sing-Along and Downtown Stroll
  • Mozart's Coffee Roasters Light Display
  • Winter Wonderland at The Circuit
• Attend a classic holiday production
  • "A Christmas Carol" at ZACH Theatre
  • "The Nutcracker" with Ballet Austin at the Long Center
  • "Handel's Messiah" at Hyde Park Baptist Church
• Pick the perfect Christmas tree
  • St. Nick's Christmas Tree Farm in Fredericksburg
  • Evergreen Farms in Elgin
• Go holiday shopping at a local market
  • Blue Genie Art Bazaar, November 23 – December 24
  • German-Texas Annual Christmas Market, December 1
  • Cherrywood Art Fair, December 8-9
  • Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, December 13-24
• Catch your favorite holiday movies on the big screen
  • “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “A Christmas Story” at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
  • “White Christmas” and “Elf” at the Paramount Theatre
• Visit a classic Austin hotel and enjoy their holiday activities
  • The Driskill Hotel Grand Lobby Tree Lighting – November 27 
    • The lighting is accompanied by holiday music and caroling
  • The Gingerbread Village in the Four Seasons Hotel Austin lobby
    • Enjoy complimentary hot apple cider, holiday cookies and take a picture with Santa 
  • Hotel Van Zandt evening festivities throughout December
    • Movie and holiday trivia nights, pictures with Santa Paws, live music and more!
• Whip up an eggnog cocktail
• Celebrate the season with a Polar Express train ride
• Throw on your favorite tacky Christmas sweater and host/attend an ugly holiday sweater party
• Help your kids mail a letter to Santa or write one yourself!
• Hang mistletoe in every doorway
• Find a fun way to display holiday cards
• Make your own holiday tree trimmings
• Decorate a gingerbread house
• Host a holiday cookie-baking party
• Make a DIY gift for a family member. After all, it’s the thought that counts!
• Sip on homemade hot cocoa
• Roast marshmallows in the fireplace and make homemade s’mores
• Deliver homemade holiday treats to your neighbors or a nursing home
• Write a holiday greeting to someone in the armed forces
• Donate a toy to a local drive
• Read a holiday classic like “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” on Christmas Eve
• Serve a meal at a local homeless shelter
• Open one small gift on Christmas Eve
• Take a family drive to see the neighborhood holiday light displays
• Ring in the New Year with an epic fireworks extravaganza
  • Austin’s New Year 2019 at Auditorium Shores in Downtown

We wish you and your loved ones a festive holiday season in the Austin-area! 

Do you have any questions about the Austin-area? As longtime residents, we know the area well and would be happy to help you in any way we can! Give us a call today.

Building a solid credit history is essential if you ever plan to buy a house. How long does it take to build your credit history from scratch? As it turns out; if you do it right, it can take as little as six months. If done wrong, it could take several years. Here's some advice to speed-up the credit-building process so you'll be well on your way to buying your first home:

If you have no credit history, start by opening at least one credit card in your name. Then, start making purchases with that card. Once you have done this, make sure you always do the following:

• Use your credit card reasonably - don't spend so much you can't make the payments
• Make payments on time - or early, if possible
• Think about setting up automatic payments
• Try to keep your balance below 30 percent of your credit limit
• Pay your credit statement in full each month

Making a couple of payments on time is great, but years of on-time payments is even more important. The longer you show good behavior, the higher your credit score will climb. 

Now that you’ve started building a credit history, you may be wondering what credit score you need to qualify for a mortgage. While this can differ from one mortgage lender to another, many will accept a fair credit score. What are the credit score ranges? Here’s a look: 

• Bad: 550 and below
• Poor: 550 to 649
• Fair: 650 to 699
• Good: 700 to 759
• Excellent: 760 and above

It is important to note that even though you may qualify for a mortgage with a fair credit score, you will not qualify for the best mortgage available – in terms of interest rate. In general; the higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate. 

Do you have questions about building your credit? Curious if your current credit score qualifies for a mortgage? Contact our team today! We would be happy to set you up with a trusted mortgage professional in the Austin-area. 

The holiday season can be hard on your waistline! Are you searching for ways to keep the weight off while still enjoying everything the holidays have to offer? Head out to one of these turkey trots around the Austin-area. They are active and fun! 

November

• ThunderCould Subs Turkey Trot
  • Nov. 22
  • Registration fees: $22 for the untimed 5-mile, $27 for the timed 5-mile, $20 for the 1-mile and $10 for the Kids K
  • Long Center for the Performing Arts - 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin
• Round Rock Turkey Trot
  • Nov. 22
  • Registration fees start at $15
  • Old Settlers Park - 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock
• Drippin' with Thanks 5K
  • Nov. 22
  • Registration fees start at $10
  • Highpointe Amenity Center - 410 Cool Springs Way, Austin
• Pfeathered Pfun Run
  • Nov. 22
  • Registration fees: $25 for kids, $40 for 5K/10K runners and $50 for virtual participants
  • Lake Pflugerville - 18216 Weiss Lane, Pflugerville
• Cedar Park Turkey Day 5K
  • Nov. 22
  • Registration fees: $17 for the 1-mile course, $26 for the untimed 5K and $27 for the chip-timed 5K
  • John Gupton Stadium - 200 Gupton Way Drive, Cedar Park

December

• Old Town Rudolph Run
  • Dec. 1
  • Registration fees start at $20
  • 100 Brushy Street, Leander
• Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run
  • Dec. 1
  • Registration fees: $29 for adults and $15 for children under 11
  • Zilker Park - 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin
• Austin Jingle Bell 5K
  • Dec. 9
  • Registration fees: $35 for adults, $15 for youth ages 12-17 and $10 for children under 12
  • The Domain - 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin
• Jingle Bell Run
  • Dec. 16
  • Registration fees start at $30
  • Camp Mabry - 200 W. 35th Street, Austin

We wish you a fun and active holiday season in the Austin-area!

Who do you know thinking about buying or selling? Send them our way. We are always here to lend a helping hand. 

Cooling temperatures don't necessarily translate to a cooling housing market. In fact, homeowners looking to sell their home will be happy to hear the Austin-area market is still prime for sellers. However, the clock is ticking for those hoping to close by year’s end. Add in the holidays and the upcoming winter weather and that timeline gets cut in half. To increase your chances of selling your home this fall, consider these tips: 

Price competitively

The fall real estate season is far shorter than that of the spring and summer. That coupled with fewer buyers perusing the market can make it difficult to get your home sold. However, by pricing competitively you should be able to attract the limited buyer pool to your property. 

Focus on landscaping

Unlike spring, fall is a difficult time to keep your front yard looking great thanks to all the falling leaves. However, curb appeal is essential. With that in mind, keep the lawn raked and mowed and add some seasonal fall accents and flowers - mums and pumpkins should do the trick!

Be flexible and ready to move

Buyers out-and-about this time of year typically want to be in their new home in time for the holidays. As the seller, you should be flexible and ready to move in short notice. It could be the difference between the sale going through or not. 

Offer incentives

An incentive may help your home sell even faster. Consider helping the buyers pay for a certain amount of the lender-approved expenses or ask your REALTOR® what they recommend. Adding an incentive could make your home more appealing than others on the market.

Are you considering selling this fall? We are here to help you sell your home and move on to the next chapter in your life! Give our team a call.

From Austin City Limits to college football and Oktoberfest, fall is a great time of year in the Austin-area. While ACL is the biggie, there are tons of other events worth adding to your calendar! Here’s a look at the best Austin-area events and festivals this fall:

SEPTEMBER 2018

9/22-23
Fall Pecan Street Festival 
Sixth Street Austin 

9/23
Austin Museum Day 
Museums Across Austin 

9/28-29
PBR 25th: Unleash the Beast Winstar World Casino & Resort Invitational 
Frank Erwin Center 

9/29
Texas Craft Brewers Festival 
Fiesta Gardens 

9/29
Austin Oktoberfest
Scholz Garten

9/29-30
FIA World Rallycross
Circuit of The Americas

OCTOBER 2018

10/1-31
Texas Wine Month Trail
Texas Hill Country

10/4-7
Gruene Music & Wine Festival
New Braunfels

10/5-7 - 10/12-14
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Zilker Park

10/6
Texas Teen Book Festival
St. Edward's University

10/6-7
Fall Texas Wine & Art Festival
Austin

10/13
Marble Falls Music Fest
Marble Falls 

10/13
Liga MX Friendly: Chivas V Tigres
Dell Diamond

10/13
Oktoberfest
German Free School 

10/14
Wine & Dine Showcase
Fredericksburg

10/18-20
Banger's Oktoberfest
Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden

10/19-21
FORMULA 1 United States Grand Prix
Circuit of The Americas

10/25 - 11/1
Austin Film Festival
Paramount Theatre & Various Locations

10/27
Austin Area Jazz Festival
Rosewood Park

10/27
Viva La Vida Festival & Parade
Downtown Austin

10/27
Fredericksburg Food and Wine Festival
Fredericksburg

10/27
Halloween Mystery Dinner at Kerrville Hill Winery
Kerrville

10/27-28
Texas Book Festival
Texas State Capitol Building

10/28
The United Estates of Texas Wine Festival
Florence

10/28
Austin Symphony Orchestra Presents: Halloween Children's Concert
The Long Center for the Performing Arts

10/31
Texas Fireworks Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Kreig Baseball Field
 

NOVEMBER 2018

11/1-4
U.S. Vintage National Championships
Circuit of The Americas

11/1-7
Christmas at the Caswell House
The Caswell House 

11/2
Tango of the Vines
San Antonio

11/2-4
UTOPiAfest Down in the Oaks
Burnet, TX

11/2-11
Wurstfest
New Braunfels, Texas

11/3
Austin Powwow
Travis County Expo Center

11/3-4
Austin Celtic Festival
Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms

11/3-4
Fossil Fest
Old Settler's Heritage Association

11/3-4
Texas Monthly BBQ Festival
City Terrace at The Long Center

11/10-11& 11/17-18
East Austin Studio Tour
Various Locations 

11/14-18
A Christmas Affair
Palmer Events Center

11/17
Rockdale UnCorked Wine Tasting
Rockdale

11/18
Wine & Swine
Austin

11/22
Turkey Trot
The Long Center

Want to know more about the Austin-area? Give our team a call. We know tons about the area and would be happy to share our knowledge with you!