E-RAE REALTY
  • HOME
  • BUY
  • SELL
  • INVEST
  • EXPLORE
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • BUY
  • SELL
  • INVEST
  • EXPLORE
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT

Thinking about future resale value?

1/28/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Everyone knows that having a remodeled kitchen or a large backyard will affect the resale value of your home; however, did you know that being closer to a Starbucks correlates with a higher sales price?  According to research from Zillow, “Between 1997 and 2014, homes within a quarter-mile of a Starbucks increased in value by 96 percent, on average, compared with 65 percent for all U.S. homes”
 
Having your morning cup of joe close by adds value to your home, but there are a number of items that may negatively affect the value of your home.  You may want to use caution when considering a property with electrical poles on the lot.  Many buyers fear electrical poles; be particularly cautious when purchasing a property with transformers on the lot.  Some people believe these are linked to certain health risks.  Others simply don’t want someone entering their property every time a major storm causes a power outage.  I also recommend looking at the title policy closely when purchasing a property.  Keep an eye out for any easements noted.  These may be for utility companies or a variety of other reasons.
 
Convenience to local transportation can also affect the value of your home.  I have heard horror stories of people purchasing a home and later realizing that a daily train made such a racket they could not live comfortably in the house.  Also be cautious of purchasing a property on a busy street.  That being said, in some areas, being close to public transportation may actually be positive, thus, increasing the desirability of the property.
 
These tips are good eye openers.  However, they are not all encompassing.  If you are considering making a purchase and resale value is important to you, contact a real estate professional for an in-depth analysis.
0 Comments

Option Money vs. Earnest Money

1/17/2017

8 Comments

 
Picture
Do you understand the difference between earnest money and option money? My clients in the Austin area often ask me about the difference between option money and earnest money.  In Austin, and the rest of Texas, the buyer must provide two checks once under contract for a property.  Both must be delivered in a timely fashion, and are usually used in residential transactions in Texas.

The option money is non-refundable; however, a good real estate agent, like myself, will make sure the contract specifies that the option money will be applied to the sales price if the buyer determines they want to move forward with the purchase during the option period. The option money is essentially payment to the owner for the right to enter the property and perform any inspections or due diligence necessary within a specified amount of time. This check is made out to the seller, and the seller can cash it immediately. 

The amount of option money and the length of the option period are specified in the contract; however, both are negotiable amounts.  A good general rule of thumb in the Austin real estate market is that the option money should by .1% of the sales price. Thus, for a home with a sales price of $300,000, a $300 option fee is generally an acceptable amount for a 7 day option period. The option period countdown begins the day after the contract is executed and commences at 5 p.m. on the specified date. For example, if you had a 7 day option period, and the contract was executed on the 9th, the option period would end on the 16th at 5 p.m. Holidays and weekends DO NOT matter when determining the date the option period ends.

If the real estate market is incredibly competitive, such as the current Austin market, a shorter option period and/or a higher option money amount is more favorable to the seller.  If the buyer backs out of the contract during the option period, all he or she will lose is the option money, and any money spent on inspections.  The seller prefers a shorter option period since he or she must essentially remove their home from the market while the buyer is "in their option period".  Although the home is not technically off the market, many Austin real estate agents will not show homes that are under contract or "pending back up" status in the MLS.  Similarly, a higher option money amount demonstrates a greater interest in the home since the buyer has more to lose if they decide to back out of the contract during the option period.

The earnest money check is made out to the title company that will be handling the transaction. The earnest money will also be applied to the sales price of the property, and similarly shows what is called consideration.  Essentially, these are the "money talks" portions of an offer. By delivering the earnest money check, the buyer is demonstrating serious interest in and an intent to purchase the specified property. 

It is common practice in Austin for the earnest money amount to be 1% of the sales price.  If we return to the earlier example of a $300,000 sales price, this equates to a $3,000 earnest money check. Again, this is just a recommended amount and can be any amount agreed upon by both parties. The earnest money check is also "cashed" by the title company.  The money leaves the buyer's account and is held in an escrow account.  If the buyer backs out of the contract during the option period, the earnest money will be refunded to the buyer.  Understand, this is a major difference between earnest money and option money; the option money is not refunded if a buyer backs out.

After the option period, the earnest money is essentially held to make sure both parties comply with the requirements of the contract in the time frames specified. There are a number of clauses that protect the buyer's right to have the earnest money refunded if the seller fails to comply with certain provisions within specified time frames.  For example, if the contract specifies that the seller must deliver the seller's disclosure statement within 10 days of the executed date, and the seller fails to do so or delivers it on day 12, the buyer may terminate the contract, and the earnest money will be refunded to the buyer even if they are outside of the option period. For more example, check out this Austin law firm's post on earnest money refunds in Texas.

Do you understand the difference between earnest money and option money in a Texas real estate transaction now?  Want to take a look at homes for sale in Austin, view available houses for sale in Austin now.  If you have any further questions about option money or earnest money, or real estate in general, reach out to me directly! by email e@eraerealty.com or phone 512-779-7597
8 Comments

Increasing Your Home's Value

1/15/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Do you want to sell your home for the most money without spending a fortune preparing your home for the sale?  Take a look at these 9 tips to increase your home’s value without breaking the bank.
 
1. Spruce up your front yard
The first thing a potential buyer is going to see when they look at your home is the outside. You want to deliver a great first impression.  Plant flowers in the front yard, power wash your sidewalk and porch leading up to your front door, and make sure leaves are raked regularly. It's also a good idea to put a fresh coat of paint on your front door.

2. Paint!
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your home value. Paint the inside walls of your home a neutral color to brighten the room and make it appear larger. Cans of paint generally cost around $25, so grab a few and start sprucing up those rooms. If you don’t want to paint the entire wall, make sure to touch up any scratches or dings.

3. Replace handles and knobs
You might not be able to afford brand new cabinets in every part of the house, but you probably can afford some new handles. Purchase new handles or knobs for your cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom to give the rooms an updated look.

4. Re-Caulk the Kitchen (and Bathrooms)
Caulk can get yellow and brittle after a few years, especially around sinks and bathtubs. Make your kitchen and bathroom look like new by re-caulking. A tube of caulk costs around $5 and can update a home's look (and value!)

5. Match your Appliances
Is your mix and match kitchen giving you a headache? Did you know, you don't have to buy brand new appliances that are all in the same hue – most appliances have front panels that can be removed and replaced. Give your appliances a facelift by buying matching front panels to give your kitchen a consistent feel.

6. Clean!
I mentioned the first impression at the beginning of this post.  If a buyer enters a home that's dirty, it will be hard for him or her to look past the state of the home. Clean your floors, windows, walls and baseboards. Give your home a good scrubbing. This will let in light, allow buyers to see the views and increase the marketability of your home.  You will also want to de-clutter and de-personalize.  Remove family photos and religious items.  Another trick I like to tell my Austin sellers is to remove about half of the items in your closets and pantries so they appear larger.

7. Lighting
Outdated fixtures can make a home less appealing to prospective buyers. You can spend a decent amount of money replacing fixtures, but you don't have to spend so much to get the same results! Purchase discounted lampshades to perk up an older lamp, and change switch plates on your light switches to give your home an updated look. Make sure your switch plates and outlets match throughout the home.

8. Replace faucets
Purchase a new faucet for your sink and shower in your bathroom, and you'll increase your home value. Make sure the faucets for the sink and shower match – most of the time new faucets will cost around $30 to $60. It's not a bad idea to update your kitchen sink faucet, too!
​
9. Update your flooring
Another part of the home that ages a house is the flooring.  You may want to have wood floors refinished or concrete floors polished. Rugs or carpet that have gone out of style or seen better days can decrease your perceived home value. If you have enough money to replace the carpeting, go for it! However, if it’s not in the budget, you may want to display a sign with carpet swatches that advertises an allowance will be given to buyers to replace with their preferred carpet after closing. 
0 Comments

8 Home Hacks to Simplify Your Life

1/13/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Some of these hacks are borderline genius, some you may have heard of, but here is my list of home hacks sure to save you time, money or at least a trip to the store.
 
1. Use a walnut to remove scratches from wood furniture.
 
2. Clean a shower curtain liner in the washing machine.  Seriously just throw it in the washer with some towels and detergent.
 
3. Clean your disposal with vinegar ice cubes.  Add some lemon or rosemary to an ice tray, cover with vinegar and freeze.  When your disposals smelling funny, add a cube and turn it on.
 
4. You can also use vinegar to clean your shower head.  Fill a plastic bag with vinegar, place it around the top of the shower head and tie it on.  Let it sit for 30 mins- 1 hour and then remove.
 
5.  Use a pillow case to clean your fan blades.  
 
6. Clean your sponge in the microwave.  Just throw it in there on a microwave save dish and heat on high for 2 minutes.  99.99 % of germs instantly eliminated.
 
7. Get rid of dust in exhaust fans with compressed air (the kind you use to clean your computer)
 
8.  Use a dryer sheet to remove dust from base boards.  This also works great for TV's and other electronics.  BONUS TIP- a used dryer sheet is perfect for removing deodorant stains from clothes
 
 
Remember,  I'm always here for you and your friends.  If someone you know is looking to make a move, don't hesitate to give them my information.  I'd love to personally help or refer them to someone in their city.
0 Comments

Activities for a Rainy Day in Austin

1/11/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture

A rainy day in Austin in generally quite rare; however, we've been having quite a few lately.  Naturally, that spurs the question, what's one to do in Austin when the weather is less than superb?  Don't let the clouds put a damper on your day, the city still has plenty to offer when the sun isn't shining.

The obvious choice for a rainy day is the movies.  Luckily, Austin offers a variety of local options that are much more exciting than your conventional theater.  

1.  Alamo Drafthouse-  Distinguished for its in-theater food and drink purchases, this brand boasts multiple outposts throughout the city.  A small bar in front of each row of seats allows for patrons to indulge in a selection of adult beverages and full meals in addition to traditional movie fare.  The theater also offers unique programming on occasion.  For example, past programming has included a Beyonce music video sing along or a showing of a timeless classic.

2. Violet Crown- This recently opened theater in downtown Austin also offers visitors the benefit of being able to dine in the theatre. They offer a nice selection of local brews, and their brussel sprouts are delectable! What differentiates Violet Crown from the above mentioned draft house is its small theater size that allows for an intimate viewing experience. In addition, all seats must be reserved ahead of time. I highly recommend you arrive early in order to take advantage of the first row's deluxe recliners. They don't cost anything extra, but only 2 can be reserved ahead of time. The middle seats cannot be reserved online and are offered on a first come-first serve basis.

If you're feeling a little more active, the Goodnight offers multiple sources of entertainment all in one location.  In addition to being a bar and a restaurant, the establishment offers a number of activities sure to keep your mind and body stimulated all night long.  While pool and shuffleboard are popular at many establishments across the city, the Goodnight also has an in-house bowling alley. If you're still not sure if the Goodnight has enough to offer, they also have a wide selection of board games, ping-pong, karaoke and air guitar!

If you're near the UT campus, the Blanton Museum of Art houses the largest university art collection in the country. Opened in 2006, the museum offers a variety of consistently changing exhibitions.

Also located on the university campus is the school's Union Underground Bowling.  The bowling alley is located one level below the food court and is known for its legendary glow bowling where you can bowl under the black lights.  In addition to bowling, they also have billiards and a variety of arcade games.

While Austin has plenty to offer on a sunny day, a stormy day can be filled with excitement too if you just know what to do!
 

0 Comments

Austin Shopping

1/9/2017

0 Comments

 
Soco Strip:  Along South Congress, you will find a variety of boutiques and trendy stores.  You can find everything from vintage threads to upscale jewelry.  Don’t miss Uncommon Objects for a slew of unusual antiques and random finds or Lucy in Disguise for an epic assortment of costume wear.
 
Barton Creek Mall:  For a more traditional shopping experience, visit the Barton Creek Square Mall.  Here you will find all of your big name department stores including a Nordstrom.  Among the 180+ stores are Sephora, Apple, Lucky, Sunglass Hut, Gap, and many more.
 
Hill Country Galleria:  The Hill Country Galleria offers a pleasant outdoor shopping experience for all.  It is composed of a variety of local boutiques and well-known stores such as Victoria’s Secret, Dillard’s, and White House Black Market.  The shops at the Galleria across the highway offers more big box stores such as Best Buy, Ulta, Michael’s and Marshalls.
 
The Drag:  The Drag refers to the strip of stores on Guadalupe adjacent to the University of Texas.  This stretch of stores includes a variety of stores that mostly cater to students including hip boutiques, vintage stores, and campus bookstores.
 
The Domain:  The 304 acre thoughtfully planned Domain community offers a large outdoor shopping area. Most of the stores are familiar names such as H & M and Apple; however, you will also find a few local shops.
 
The Arboretum:  The Arboretum at Great Hills is another great open-air shopping center.  It includes shops such as Pottery Barn, Gap, Barnes & Noble, and Jos. A. Banks.   Don’t miss the iconic Austin marble cow sculptures!
0 Comments

Is your dream to buy a home in Austin in 2017?

1/9/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Granny Flats

1/9/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture

 

In an effort to increase the current housing stock and prevent locals from being pushed out to the suburbs, the City of Austin has passed a number of initiatives to ease the process of adding a granny flat to your lot.  A granny flat, often referred to as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or secondary apartment, is a secondary residence located on a traditional single family lot.  

Originally, the ordinance allowed for the development of granny flats on lots of at least 7,000 square feet.  However, recent amendments seek to increase the feasibility of granny flat development by reducing the  lot square footage requirements to 5,750 square feet for certain neighborhoods.  In effect, the city allowed each neighborhood association to vote on this measure- determining if granny flats would be allowed on lots smaller than 7,000 square feet.

If you are considering building a second unit on your lot, and you have a smaller lot, you must go to the City of Austin's Development Services Department.  A city employee can pull the zoning overlay for your particular neighborhood in order to determine if building a granny flat on your lot is feasible.  Regardless, you will have to comply with a number of other regulations in regards to accessory dwelling units in addition to complying with traditional zoning requirements. The full code is located here, below are some highlights:
  • the ADU may not exceed 850 square feet
  • the ADU must be located at least 15 feet behind the primary residence
  • the ADU must be accessed by a driveway at least 9 feet wide
  • impervious coverage for the lot may not exceed 45%
  • building coverage for the lot may not exceed 40%

Granny flats represent a great opportunity for Austin to expand the affordable housing stock available, increase density while limiting urban sprawl, and allow residents to make a profit on their existing investments.

On June 13th, 2015, the city council voted to re-evaluate the current code for ADUs; specifically, residents hope they will limit the cumbersome parking and driveway requirements in addition to reducing impervious coverage requirements. Building a granny flat is a great way to add value to your current home.  If you're worried about the hassle of red tape involved, feel free to give me a call.  I'm happy to walk you through the process.
0 Comments

    BLOG

    Sharing Austin real estate updates, home owner tips, & more.

    Archives

    February 2023
    November 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    Categories

    All
    ADUs
    Attractions & Events
    Buying A Home
    Condos
    Design
    Development
    Home Maintenance
    Investments
    Lake Austin
    Market Updates
    Neighborhoods
    Selling
    Short Term Rentals
    Westlake

All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. 
​Please Note:  Texas law requires licensed agents to provide this Information About Brokerage Services

​
Licensed agents are also required to provide:  Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice