Texas Property Tax Law: Big Wins for Homeowners in 2024! Hold onto your wallets, Texas homeowners, because things are looking up on the property tax front! We partnered with Gill, Denson & Company on this article to bring you the important updates. Here's a quick rundown of the recent law changes in 2023 that just might put some extra change in your pockets this year: Homestead Exemption Increase The standard $40,000 homestead exemption more than doubled to $100,000 with Senate Bill 2 (SB2). That's an average of savings of $681 in school tax (Senate Research Center, Bill Analysis).&nb ..read more

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, ten years is the average amount of time a homeowner stays in a house. Does that seem long? Or way too short? The truth is, the time frame is drastically different for every individual. And, so is the reason. How do you know when you are ready to sell your home? Here are five signs it’s time to make a move: You want to get in on the seller’s market Ready to make a profit on your property? NOW is the time as the Austin market is prime for sellers. To see what you can get, take a look at online listings in your neighborhood and see what other ho ..read more

Many people fall in love with a new home, only to find out they will not be able to afford it. Here are a few quick tips to make sure this doesn’t happen to you! PREPARE! Order your complete credit file from annualcreditreport.com. Once per 12 months, you can obtain a FREE report from all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, Trans Union). If there are any errors, correct them. Check your FICO credit score using a service such as Credit Karma. Sometimes your credit card company or bank may provide this free service as well. Gather documents your lender will need: documentation of income/emp ..read more

Barton Creek is one of the most upscale communities located in Austin, Texas, and it has a lot to offer to those who are looking for a fantastic opportunity to call home. This high demand area is not easy to buy into though. There are several factors to consider when looking in Barton Creek, and working with a local expert will make it possible to find and purchase your Austin dream home at a reasonable price. What Does Barton Creek Have to Offer? Barton Creek has plenty to offer today’s more affluent buyer that wants a lot of space and yet desires to be close to all that Austin itself ha ..read more

Asking for advice from those who have bought a home in the past is common among potential homebuyers. However, it can often lead to many misconceptions. As a homebuyer, it is important to determine for yourself what is fact and what is fiction. Since the down payment is often one of the most misunderstood aspects of the home buying process, here’s a look at six down payment myths debunked: Myth #1: You must put 20 percent down This is likely the most common misconception about buying a home. While it is recommended to put 20 percent down, it isn't necessary. In fact, if you are a qualified buy ..read more

Half of the current home buyers searching the market today are under the age of 36. Homebuyers in the millennial age group (18 – 34) make up 42% of all home buyers. Understanding this new generation of buyers is crucial for real estate agents to make connections and be successful at pairing clients up with the right property. Rent Longer, Buy Higher Zillow released a study of 13,000 homeowners, buyers, and sellers. Statistics show that millennials tend to wait longer than previous generations before making an investment in a home, and Zillow’s research confirms that with two-thirds of millenni ..read more

Craft breweries are emerging all around the United States. According to the Brewers Association, craft beer sales grew 12.8 percent in 2015, and make up 12.2 percent of all beer sales in the United States. However, while the craft beer scene is growing nationwide, it hasn’t grown at the same rate in every U.S. city. But, lucky for us, Austin has a fantastic craft brewery scene! So, what’s the scoop on Austin’s craft brewery scene? The craft beer trend has completely taken over the Austin area, with new locations opening every year all around the city. Exploring is the fun part – so, we’ve put ..read more

Deciding to sell your home can be a stressful choice, but the process of how to downsize can be easier than you think if you get organized. The overwhelming feeling of what will make the move to the new home or condo in Austin, TX and what will be eliminated can be calmed with a few steps. Start by taking inventory of everything you’ve accumulated over the years and end with a smaller, more organized space where you can begin a new chapter in your life.   Take Inventory of your Life Take a close look at your life and the things you have in it. What household items do you actually use on a ..read more

Summer has hit the Austin area – and this summer looks to be a real scorcher. If you want to enjoy your summer outside, lakes and pools are the perfect options to cool off in the scorching heat! Living in the Southwest Austin area for several years, we have the knowledge and experience to point you in the right direction. Here are some of the most popular Austin swimming holes, plus the best neighborhood pools and splash pads in the Southwest Austin area: Popular Austin Swimming Holes Deep Eddy Pool The Deep Eddy Pool is the oldest and most historic swimming pool in Texas featuring a bathhouse ..read more

A home renovation can be costly – even more so if hidden costs arise during the project. Before starting your home remodel, be aware of these hidden costs that may end up costing you more money than the project is worth:  Changing your mind It turns out; changing your mind is one of the largest costs of a home renovation. Did you know that approximately 95 percent of costs come from inadequate scopes of work and scope creep, also known as change orders? It’s true! How can you avoid this cost? Make sure you know what you want before you start – and don’t change your mind!  Surprise st ..read more