Austin First-Time Homebuyers Have a Key Bargaining Chip

The price tag that goes with buying a home is hefty enough to give anyone pause. After the fact, anyone – perhaps especially Austin first-time homebuyers – can come away wondering if they have could have nailed down a better deal. Preventing any such nagging doubt is easy to do: it just takes a little forethought and preparation. Here are a few tips to bear in mind when buying a home. After you have submitted an offer, be mentally prepared to respond in case a counteroffer follows. Along with the improvement in the Austin area markets, we’ve seen a rise in sellers’ confidence levels, so it’s best to be ready for some negotiating. Try not to let your emotions intrude – but always know the maximum amount that you are willing and able to spend. Major athletes have bargaining agents to go to bat for them. Your real estate agent is your bargaining agent whose very presence strengthens your position. Some of the legalities in real estate can seem ambiguous though they actually aren’t, so allowing a professional to do most of the talking is good practice. An inadvertent comment or slight change in the agreement between you and the seller could result in problems securing a mortgage from your lender. Real estate agents are trained to help you through the process of buying a home as smoothly as possible. Especially if you’re an Austin area first-time homebuyer, use your agent to the fullest advantage. Being armed with knowledge can save you thousands. The best way first-time homebuyers can see if an offer is competitive is by scouting the most recent prices paid for comparable properties. The second part of being prepared is to be sure that a proper appraisal is conducted. Smaller details are easy to brush off in the excitement of buying your first home — but having done all your homework beforehand is the way to make first-time homebuyers know they’ve struck a great bargain. Whether you’re a seasoned seller or one of those first-time homebuyers in Austin, we’re here to help make sure you stay on top of your game. Call us!

Austin, TX Homes for Sale Search All Homes For Sale What is Your Home Worth? Austin Real Estate Goldwasser Real Estate 512-470-2277 info@gretx.com

 

Price and Value — a Difference That’s Important

The fall selling season is just around the corner, causing some homeowners to give serious thought to the prospect of listing their home. Particularly when it’s likely that you will be entering the Austin market soon, when it comes to the important decision regarding setting the price of the property, it’s helpful to keep in mind that there is a meaningful difference between “price” and “value.” Price is the amount that a seller asks for their Austin property — it’s that all-important number at the top of the listing that seeks to describe where it belongs in the hierarchy of homes for sale. But the fact is, it is different from the value — which is the amount the property is worth. The value is based on many factors, among them location (neighborhood and placement within the neighborhood), current market supply and demand, condition, distinguishing features of the property, and more. You can’t change the location of a home, nor the current market conditions — but by improving the property, a savvy seller can increase the value of his or her property. Dian Hymer is a nationally syndicated real estate columnist who has often written on the subject. She cites one example of location as a value determinant: “An incurable defect, like being located next to a freeway or on a busy street, is something that can’t be corrected.” On the other hand, she points out how other factors, like details whose maintenance has been deferred, are eminently correctable. That is why the oft-heard advice about the importance of improving a property before it comes to market are so on-target: deep clean the home, correct deferred maintenance items, clear out clutter, de-personalize, re-paint, re-fresh, re-organize! Some elements of property value can’t be changed, but a savvy seller can still materially raise that value – which is the real secret to fetching a higher price. If you are looking to sell your Austin property this fall, I have a marketing plan that can start right now – 30 days before listing – to help bring you top dollar. Call us today to set the wheels in motion!

Austin, TX Homes for Sale Search All Homes For Sale What is Your Home Worth? Austin Real Estate Goldwasser Real Estate 512-470-2277 info@gretx.com

 

New Home in Austin: Lowering Your Move’s Stress Level

Some wise guy once defined a “mishap” as an “adventure misconstrued.” That wry observation contains a useful lesson for those who find themselves in the process of moving to a new home. The stress of a move — whether to a new home in Austin or anywhere else — is universally regarded as one of the peak stress-producing life passages. If the move to your new home happens to coincide with a change of job, schools, or the like, the experience can indeed be daunting. So how do you start viewing your impending move as an adventure (rather than a slow motion train wreck)? One way is to let us help! In the same way that every Austin agent will have already assisted you in locating and obtaining your new home, the local area knowledge that went into that process can be brought to bear to ease the way into your new community. One of the greatest satisfactions our profession provides is the wide range of contacts we make throughout the Austin area. It’s built into our daily routine, and after years of experience, it’s inevitable that we come to meet and know just about everyone and everything that go into making up the community. More than just the locations and thumbnail reviews of the grocery stores, laundries, dining places, shopping and entertainment centers in town, we are in place to provide contact information for the full range of non-real estate-related resources that help newcomers settle into their new home. All that is a treasure trove of information we are pleased to offer, and it goes a long way toward eliminating a lot of unnecessary stress when you’re trying to find out what’s where and who’s who in your new home. It can make the move a lot more “adventure” than “mishap” — and it’s an often-overlooked part of the service we offer our real estate clients. From finding the perfect new home to the closest coffee shop, we’re standing by to offer Austin’s least stress-producing real estate service. Give us a call whenever you’re thinking of buying or selling in Austin.

Austin, TX Homes for Sale Search All Homes For Sale What is Your Home Worth? Austin Real Estate Goldwasser Real Estate 512-470-2277 info@gretx.com

 

Real Estate Listings Hint Return of McMansions

Last week’s jobs report met familiar disagreement about the progress of the nation’s economic recovery: more new jobs, yes; too many of them part-time: yes; economy improving: sort of; enough? barely- if at all…etc. etc. etc.
What is less controversial is the resumption of the nation’s home-buying preference for ever-larger homes. The price of real estate listings in Austin might have risen whether or not that trend surfaced in our area, but it stands to reason that if people are reversing their decision to downsize, that’s at least one reason why average real estate listings prices would register an increase. The tilt toward more square footage isn’t confined to existing homes, either: reports from the Census Bureau show that the median size of new houses is growing as well (about 8% since 2009).
Seen another way: McMansions may be on the way back.
During the recession, most experts opined that the McMansion days were over. As the stability of the economy faltered, young buyers had grown cautious, taking care not to choose more house than they needed. This as baby boomers downsized to match their shrinking nest eggs. Larger houses — especially the new McMansions — fell out of vogue. The popular press leaped in, portraying spacious residences as energy-sucking, less-than-green artifacts of unsustainable prosperity. It’s small wonder how some leading experts concluded that a new housing era was upon us.
But now it is increasingly evident that consumers didn’t actually want less space. Many just couldn’t afford more (or feared a less certain future). The trend toward more multi-generational living arrangements may have something to do with it – but whatever the cause, the character of real estate listings in Austin is changing once again. More prospective buyers are looking at bigger homes and demanding more living space. So don’t be surprised if you find more area real estate listings that emphasize their larger square footage. They may not be McMansions, but spacious residences are renewing their popularity. In any case, should you consider buying or selling in Austin this fall, call us today to talk about the market in your neighborhood.

 

Three Questions to Ask New Neighbors When Relocating

With more than 43 million people relocating throughout the U.S. every year, you don’t have to wait until you are surrounded by stacks of cartons to realize how important it is to make your next move the right one. If you’re buying a house in Austin in the foreseeable future, it’s a particularly valuable idea to take the time to chat with some of your potential new neighbors. And while you’re at it, why not bring up a few relevant questions:

Which schools are best?  

School quality affects more than just property values. Especially if you have your own kids, buying a house in Austin is least disruptive when their new school is the best one available. You’ll make the soundest choice by comparing more than one parent’s opinion.

Is there a neighborhood watch?

You will have already aimed for the safest area possible. Now, getting involved with an active neighborhood watch can further ensure your family’s safety. When buying a house, the presence of a neighborhood watch is a good indicator of some solid community spirit…and if there isn’t one, make sure the reason is that everyone already feels secure in the area.

What events are available in Austin?

Buying a house means buying a home base for all your family’s activities. By asking your neighbors which local events and activities they enjoy the most, you’ll get a glimpse of the scope and depth of the cultural life that’s going to surround you. As a side benefit, just inquiring shows you as someone who is sociable — and that you’ll be a good new neighbor to have!

The simple act of reaching out in this way lets you familiarize yourself with a new neighborhood faster, and ultimately leads to a better-informed long term real estate decision. Especially if the area is new to you and your family, buying a house in Austin is actually a one-time opportunity to make a host of new friends. We have tons of information available for future residents. If you’re even considering buying a house in the area, don’t hesitate to call us today!

Austin, TX Homes for Sale Search All Homes For Sale What is Your Home Worth? Austin Real Estate Goldwasser Real Estate 512-470-2277 info@gretx.com

6 Common Mistakes After Listing Your Home in Austin – Part 1

Disclosure Signatures Disclosing material facts that might affect your Austin property’s value is a fair obligation that’s understood by everyone. Yet properly disclosing all material facts won’t help you at all if an issue comes up later but you can’t prove the disclosure. A good agent will double- and triple-check all the signatures, but at the end of the day, your peaceful sleep at night is only protected when you also take care to keep complete copies of the paperwork with all signatures accounted for. Earnest Money   Ah — the thrill of getting the first offer! After readying the property and listing your home, when an offer comes quickly, you’ll be tempted to say, “Where do I sign?” But slow up: getting a great offer is just the first step. Part of being a prudent seller is scrutinizing the offer and buyer to gauge the likelihood that the deal will close. The amount of earnest money should demonstrate the prospect’s sincere intent to buy…not just their desire to tie up the house while they make up their mind! Exclusions Want to watch warm feelings ice up in a hurry? Try surprising your buyer with the last-minute news that you intend to take your coveted washer/dryer (or heirloom chandelier, or custom closet system) with you because you forgot to exclude them. It’s part of our job as your agent to go over the more obvious items when listing your home in Austin, but even so, it’s ultimately up to you to make sure your intent is known. Trust us – we’ve seen more than one sale go south in the eleventh hour over some unbelievably minor items. Coming next, we’ll flesh out more of these most common pitfalls. Of course, listing your home with us means you won’t need to worry: We make it our job to keep an eye out for all of them. If you’re thinking of listing your home in Austin this spring, call us today!

Austin, TX Homes for Sale Search All Homes For Sale What is Your Home Worth? Austin Real Estate Goldwasser Real Estate 512-470-2277 info@gretx.com

Planning for a Panic-Free ‘Relocating Moment’

Most everyone with any relocating experience should recognize ‘the moment.’No matter how much advance thought and elbow grease you’ve put in, that’s the moving day moment when everything seems to starts happening at once, and there’s literally no time left to attend to the stray details you’ve been meaning to take care of … It’s all but inevitable: the yellow pad that you’ve organized with all the Austin contact information you need today more than any other day: why, it’s packed! and sealed! inside one of the cartons that’s already out there in the van! When you’re relocating from (or to) Austin, the unplanned will always happen. Nevertheless, you can control the areas that have the most impact on how successful your move will be. One element that needs careful attention is the people part. It’s too easy to lose touch with those who are important in your life, so decide early how to announce to family and friends your relocating timetable. With a little preparation and imagination, it’s possible to turn events like garage sales and going-away parties into really fun celebrations. A good idea is to assemble key belongings in a box that will accompany you: important documents like passports and birth certificates, jewelry, or other prized possessions. Most household moving veterans agree that the single most vital step is securing a dependable moving company. Price is important — but so is hiring a group that will guard your belongings safely during your Austin area relocation. Scrupulous interviewing and checking out the reputation of mover candidates will more than pay off in reduced stress come moving day. And even if you are an eternal optimist, get adequate insurance: relocating does inevitably involve unforeseeable risk. ‘The moment’ when your relocating is in full swing can be one when you are able to enjoy the anticipation of a new and exciting chapter in your household’s history. If you have sold your Austin home already – congrats! And if you are just beginning the process, do give me a call — I’d love to put my resources to work for you!

Austin, TX Homes for Sale Search All Homes For Sale What is Your Home Worth? Austin Real Estate Goldwasser Real Estate 512-470-2277 info@gretx.com