Central Texas Real Estate Blog

What is it that gets millennial home buyers to take the dive? You may be surprised to hear that millennial home buyers are actually looking for a specific set of qualities in a home that is different than generations prior.

It’s no longer about buying a home for what it is and envisioning making it work for that family; it’s now about the proper updates and whether or not the home will serve the family properly in its current design. This means things like open floor plans and modern bathrooms are a must. Take a look at what else is going to appeal to the huge millennial home buying market right now.

Open floor plans are preferred

As mentioned, open floors plans are something millennials are seeking in a home. These create large, open spaces that allow for better communication and sense of community among the...

Even though you plan to move to Austin, it doesn’t mean you have to choose a home right in the center of the city. There are many great small towns just outside of Austin that gives you access to this great city.

These small towns make it easy to have the best of both worlds; a quiet and spacious piece of Texas and city life just a short drive away. While the city has a small town feel despite its growth, the population of the metro area is close to one million people. If you prefer a slower lifestyle when you’re not at work or exploring the city, check out these cool small towns close by.

Driftwood

The first neighborhood on this list to take note of near Austin is Driftwood; a neighborhood just 30 minutes away from downtown Austin. There is a huge variety of price points here starting at $200k for homes and...

Have you heard about the new Apple campus coming to Austin? This is big news for Williamson County as Apple made the announcement recently. This will mean more jobs and industry for Austin and specifically to the County of Williamson. This county was carefully chosen and will lead to tech jobs, tax breaks, and more. Take a look at everything you need to know about the new Apple Campus coming to Austin.

Why Williamson County?

Apple has been scoping out potential options for a new campus and they were searching privately nationwide while others may have been hearing about the public search that Amazon was doing for their campus.

Due to the high-quality schools in Williamson County which include the Round Rock ISD and the Leander ISD, this seemed like the perfect choice for Apple. In addition, Williamson agreed to some tax...

There are plenty of older homes for sale in San Antonio. When it's time to buy a home and you prefer something with character, it's important to hire the right real estate agent. A good agent will know what to look for when buying an older home.

Even with a good agent, you should know what to look for, as well. Here are some of the top things to look for whenever you decide to buy an older home.

The Foundation

If the foundation isn't in good shape, it could mean disaster. Many historic homes were built with stone foundations, which are very strong. Often, mortar was used between the stones, which may not be as strong. Make sure you have a thorough foundation inspection done if you plan...

Austin ranks very well when stacked up against other cities in many categories. Part one of this two-part blog series offers a look at how Austin ranks for fun, food, and college. Here's a look at even more of the accolades Austin has received.

One of the Safest Metro Cities in America

A study from SafeWise put Austin in the 8th place for the Safest Metro Cities in America. This study looked at many of the crime statistics across the country and compared several cities with metro areas.

Austin fell below the nation's average when it came to violent crime and it's very low compared to the average for Texas. Property crime was also lower than the national average.

Best City to Live in America

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Relocating to Austin means you'll be living in one of the top cities in America. The city offers plenty of things to get excited about and it has received many accolades. Here's part one of the Austin Receives Many Accolades two-part blog series.

Best College Town & City

Austin was named the Best College Town & City in American by WalletHub. The study they did used three specific factors:

• Social Environment
• Academic & Economic Opportunity
• Wallet Friendliness

With so many free activities to do throughout the year, Austin scored big points when it comes to the wallet...

When it’s time for your family to buy a new home, you expect many different costs to come up. You have the initial down payment, the realtor’s fees, and the moving costs that are all pretty straightforward and expected expenses.

What about the costs that you weren’t expecting? Are there going to be things that come up that you didn’t realize were a part of the process? From new furniture to maintenance, here is a look at some unexpected expenses to be prepared for when you buy a new home.

Furniture

While you’re probably going to be moving with some furniture you already own, that furniture is not always going to work in the new home. many times the furniture doesn’t quite fit the space right or doesn’t fit the style of the...

In part of one of our series, we looked at what it would take to begin the process of home buying in Austin as a first-time homebuyer guide. Now we will look at part 2 which will dive further into what the process looks like starting at the 6-month mark of home buying through the conclusion of the process at 12 months. Take a look at how the process continues and concludes to the day of arriving in your dream home!

6 months into the process

Now that you’ve worked on the numbers, dreamt up your needs versus wants...

Are you moving to the Austin area and will be new to the area? This is a very exciting time for you as a family finding your first home and also to get to be a part of one of the most popular parts of the country right now. This area is growing and thriving as people are flocking here for the opportunities, the weather, and the personality.

You’ll love doing life here in Austin and that can happen for you as soon as you find that first dream home and make your official move. Since this is a large process, we are here to help you figure out how to navigate it from point A to Z. Take a look at Part 1 to first-time home buying in Austin to learn how to start the process.

The first month of home buying

The assumption is that you’ll...

One area of your open house that you may not have put much thought into is the bathroom and what kind of impression it will give a buyer. Even though this room is smaller and may be less prevalent on your mind compared to the kitchen or master suite, you should still give every room equal attention when it comes to cleanliness and clutter.

Buyers don’t want to see a bathroom and think about the hard work it will require of them to maintain it when this is their home. Have every room, especially the bathroom, looking beautiful and appealing to buyers by using these tips.

Showers

Start with the hardest part and give your shower a good scrub down. This is the tie to replace your moldy liner and curtain if needed....

Are you planning on selling your home this year? You may find the process struggling if you allow any of these common physical defects to remain unchecked. Those old appliances and neglected repairs are not going to fix themselves and buyers aren’t usually looking to spend the kind of money you are asking with the house in this state.

Unless you plan to sell it as a fixer-upper, you should plan on fixing the physical defects before listing at the price you plan. Which defects need addressed and which ones are something a buyer can do someday in the future? Take a look at this guide to see which ones will keep your home from selling without being addressed.

Old appliances

While those appliances from decades ago seem to still...

Coffee shops in Austin are some of the best because you know you’re going to have a unique experience every time. On a cool Austin day or a boost in the morning on your way to work, these coffee shops around town will have just what you need every time.

From Bennu Coffee offering you 24/7 service to Brew & Brew which will serve both coffee and beer to please everyone in your group, here is a look at what you’ll find at the top coffee shops in Austin.

Caffe Medici

For those that appreciate an original, this is known as being Austin’s “original specialty coffee shop.” You’ll enjoy both local beans and beans from around the world here, making it perfect for those that like to branch out and try new flavors....

Listing Your Home This Spring? Here Are A Couple Of Helpful Tips!

NUMBER ONE - FRESH COAT OF PAINT: Paint is the cheapest and easiest fix for most homes as they get ready to be put on the market. The first time people look at your property will probably be online, so make sure it's appealing to the eye and paint a neutral color, a clean slate, and a clean palette for any buyer to picture their life in your home.

NUMBER TWO - DECLUTTER: No one wants to walk into a house where every closet is stuffed to the brim, there's no sence of organization and is basically just a mess. Remove those things, put them in organizational tubs and let them reside in the garage. REMEMBER we want a...

Taking a good bike ride with the family is one of San Antonio residents favorite hobbies. There are so many excellent bike paths that can give you a fun and free experience with loved ones or by yourself after a long day. Not only are these bike paths around San Antonio beautiful, but you’ll enjoy yourself as you get in some physical activity outside taking in the city you live in. Take a look at these recommended bike paths and where you can find them.

Missions Hike and Bike Trail

807 Mission Road, San Antonio

If you like the idea of incorporating a bit of local history into your physical activity, biking at Missions Hike and Bike Trail will give you just that. You’ll begin the 16-mile loop at Mission Concepcion and then complete the ride at Mission Espada. Here, you’ll get to enjoy culture, history, and art relating...

Well, it’s 2019: That means it’s time for us to take a look back at how the real estate market here in Central Texas fared in 2018.

Today I wanted to take a little bit to look back on how the market did in 2018, with specific attention to residential home sales.

In 2018, home sales were up. The median sales price went up to about $310,000 on average, versus $299,000 in 2017. We made a nice improvement there.

The number of sales was also up across the board by almost 1,000—there were 32,400 sales in 2018, whereas there were about 31,400 in 2017.

The number of active listings was also up year over year in eight of the 12 months in 2018.

Interestingly enough, the average days on market was also up, which most sellers would consider to be a...

First dates are pressure-filled, overwhelming meetings that sometimes feel like a job interview. Maybe you met online and you're going to meet in person for the first time. Regardless of how you met, getting together for a first date can be stressful.

In San Antonio, there are plenty of great ways to enjoy a first date and take the pressure off. You don't have to spend a ton of money and you can easily have plenty of fun together. Here are a few great ideas for your first date in San Antonio.

Get Active

Maybe you both love to hike or bike. If so, get active on the first date. When you get outdoor sand you do something active, such as hiking, kayaking, biking or just a walk around the park, you get to enjoy the outdoors. It can also help to ease the nerves and make it easier...

You're ready to find your dream home in Austin, but you're a bit worried. It's a big deal and even if you've purchased a home in the past, finding your dream home takes it to a whole new level.

When it's time to start shopping for a home, it can quickly become overwhelming. You'll get opinions from everybody you know and it can be hard to sift through everybody's advice to find what you really want. Here are a few things to consider when buying your dream Austin home.

Why are You Buying a Home in Austin?

Before you go any further, you need to consider why you want to buy a home in Austin. Whether you've lived in Austin all your life or you're relocating to the area, it's important to really think about this question as buying a home is a huge undertaking.

Most commonly, people...

You've made the leap and you've packed all your things to relocate to San Antonio. After the big move, you may be wondering how you will meet new people in San Antonio.

When you move to a new city, there are plenty of great ways to meet new people. Here are a few tips to help you meet new people after relocating to San Antonio.

Join the Club

There are several clubs found all throughout San Antonio you can join to meet new people. Whether you want to be a part of a sports team in a league or you want to join a different type of club, this is a great way to meet new people. The best part, you can choose a club doing something you love and meet others that enjoy doing it, too.

Rescue a Dog

You'd be surprised at how many...

December is a busy month with plenty of things to do, places to go, and events to attend. With the holiday season in full swing, there's certainly something on the calendar you'll enjoy. Here's a look at some of the top things to do throughout Austin for December 2018.

Blue Genie Art Bazaar - November 23rd to December 24th

With all types of original work on display and for sale, the Blue Genie Art Bazaar is one of the top spots to find a unique holiday gift. You'll be supporting local artists when you head out to shop here. Many of the items are handmade and provide excellent gifts.

You'll find plenty of paintings, jewelry, clothing, glassworks, ceramics, prints and so much more. The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is found at 6100 Airport Boulevard in Austin.

Bastrop River of...