How to Prep Your Home for Winter Weather

If you’re anything like me, you’re still a teeny bit traumatized from Texas’ great winter storm of 2021. As an Ohio native, you’d think I would have prepared a bit better than to grab a few cans of soup. But alas, I could be found 18 hours after our power went out eating cold lentil soup out of the can (as disgusting as it sounds) and trying my hand at making a DIY indoor heater.

We all learned a little bit about ourselves and our survival skills during that week, whether it was how to warm up without heat, clean up without water, or stay strong in the midst of a big challenge. The good news is, there are quite a few things you can do to prepare your home before this kind of weather… And I think we will all be a little more committed to doing so next time a freeze is headed our way!

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BEFORE THE FREEZE

Protect Your Pipes

The most common problem during freezing weather is pipes bursting due to frozen water due to its expansion as it solidifies. To combat pipes bursting, insulate your pipes where you are able and be sure to drip faucets between use. Keep your heater on and open the cabinets under sinks where your pipes can be exposed to warm air. If you have a newer home, your pipes may be ‘freeze-resistant’ meaning they will expand and contract to a certain degree if water freezes and thaws. Reach out to your builder or warranty for clarity should you have questions!

Turn Off & Wrap Outdoor Faucets

This goes hand in hand with insulating your pipes! Any outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems should be shut off prior to the freeze - and it is suggested you fully drain your sprinkler system prior to shutoff. Insulating your hose bibs on the exterior of your home is essential! You can purchase hose bib covers from Amazon or your local home improvement store; You can also wrap your hose bibs in a towel and duct tape, then cover it with a ziplock baggie and duct tape over the baggie to seal it from moisture.

Clean Your Gutters

When was the last time you cleaned your gutters? If you have buildup (think dirt, leaves, pine needles, etc) in your gutters, the risk of ice dams is heightened. An ice dam occurs when clogged gutters freeze over - Melting ice then has nowhere to flow off of your roof and it pools/refreezes in large chunks. This can cause issues such as leaks in your roof, shingle damage, and damage upon removal.

Keep Away the Draft

Windows, doors, pet doors, and AC units can all be a source of draft. Before the cold comes, be sure to fill any small gaps with caulking and update the weather strips that may need to be fixed on exterior doors. This way you can keep heat inside should power go off!

Create an Emergency Kit

Most of us probably have the following items scattered throughout our home, but having them easily accessible and in one place can save time in an emergency situation! I recommend filling a box with or dedicating a pantry shelf to the following:

• Batteries

• Battery-powered flashlight

• Lighters

• Candles (I always use tall, skinny, unscented candles)

• Portable phone charger

• First aid kit (bandaids, Neosporin, gauze, medical tape)

• Extra blankets

• Hot hands warmers OR other thermacare warmers

• Water shut off key

• Jumper Cables

Stock Up on Essentials

Don’t go out and cause a 2020-style COVID supply chain crisis for your local H-E-B, but do grab a few extra things you can eat without using power in your home. Tuna salad kits, nut mixes, canned beans, and PB&J supplies are my favorites! A pack or two of bottled water is a great idea to have on hand as well.  

Bring Outside Things Inside

Be sure to bring in anything you don’t want damaged by ice, or cover things you can’t bring indoors. Grills, mowers, leaf blowers, and other large appliances should be covered or moved to the garage to prevent damage. Potted plants, couch cushions/pillows, outdoor candles and other decor you want kept safe should be moved indoors.

During the Freeze

Drip Your Faucets & Keep Them Warm

Dripping water from one or more faucets can keep your pipes from bursting or freezing during cold temperatures. Nothing more than a slight trickle is necessary… and you can always save that dripping water for future use in case you lose access to water. If the power has been out for over 24 hours, stop dripping the pipes and turn off the main water valve.

Turn the Thermostat Up

The Department of Energy suggests maintaining a temperature between 65 to 68 degrees in winter months, and you should absolutely keep your heater on to help avoid freezing pipes indoors! To save energy, try using space heaters to raise the temperature in specific rooms rather than the entire house, or an electric or wood burning fireplace when able.

Avoid Driving

The roads in Central Texas are not designed to function well under hard freeze conditions, and we’re not equipped with the infrastructure to salt/sand the roads. Moreover, most Central Texas vehicles do not have winter tires, or tires that can function well in freezing conditions. Do yourself a favor and stay off the roads if you can!

Communicate With Your Neighbors

If you have contact with your neighbors, check in to be sure they have what they need and are doing okay - especially if they are disabled or elderly.

AFTER THE FREEZE

Test Your Faucets 

After a winter storm, make sure to test all faucets. Leaks are common issues that are relatively easy to repair, but if you aren’t getting water through any of your faucets that’s a clear sign your main water line is likely frozen. If specific faucets are frozen, there are a few things you can do to help them thaw. First, open the tap. If some drips are coming out, simply leave it open. A steady stream of water will eventually thaw it out. If no water is coming out at all, then follow the pipe of the affected faucet and try to find the issue. Look for any bulges, discoloration, or frost. If you can’t find any, run your hand over the part where it feels coldest. Once you’ve located the problem area, try to warm it up by placing some warm towels over the site or even using a portable dryer or space heater. If you still aren’t getting anywhere, enlist the help of your local plumber.

Check Inside and Outside for Damage

Ice and snow can wreak havoc on structures of any size. Even if there’s no significant damage, you should still be on the lookout for cracks. They may appear small but can indicate more serious structural damage that may be costly to repair. Take stock of any damage and repair the affected areas before they become a bigger issue. 

Keep in Mind 

• Do not approach any downed power lines. Always assume that the lines are live and have electricity running through them. Instead, call your local emergency hotline.

• Do not use your oven as a heating tool. This is a fire hazard and can also release harmful gases into your home. Yes, fires can still happen in the cold.

• Keep your fireplace clean. This will prevent buildup and blockage and is essential to winterize your home.

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Stay safe this winter season and please know that you can text, call or email me if you need anything at all. My clients’ health and safety is my top priority!

The December Homeowner’s Checklist

Welcome back to the blog! If you own a home, chances are you’ve spent a decent amount of time decorating for the holidays lately. But just because you’re spending time making your home look holiday ready doesn’t mean you should skimp on taking care of maintenance!

Whether you own or rent, it’s so important to maintain the space you call home. Especially if you’re thinking of selling in the next few years!

Curious to know what your home is worth? Email me with the subject line “CMA” for a FREE comparative market analysis.

Home Buying Myths You Shouldn't Believe

If you’ve been thinking about buying your first home, chances are you’re getting tons of advice from everyone you mention it to. It can be pretty overwhelming which is why I want to share 3 home buying myths you need to know if you’re considering homeownership. These will help debunk some of the things you may be hearing from people who want to give their advice from the kindness of their hearts but probably aren’t professionals.

MYTH #1: You Have to Put 20% Down to Purchase a Home

This could be the biggest home buying myth of all time! Putting a minimum of 20% down on a house does have some financial benefits .. BUT it isn’t required.

There are several options when it comes to financing your home so you’ll want to meet with a local lender to discuss these options before jumping head first into the process.

There are loans that require as little as 3% down as well as resources for buyers struggling with down payment money and first time home buyer programs.

MYTH #1 Tip: Do not get pre-approved from an online lender. Find someone local who you can actually sit down with, understand your options and make the best decision for your financial future.

MYTH #2: It Doesn’t Matter if I Don’t Have a Real Estate Agent

Some buyers prefer not to commit to working with one specific agent and therefore they don’t take advantage of hiring a buyer’s agent to help them with their home purchase. This means they’re on their own for scheduling showings, being alerted of new listings and when it comes time to negotiations, they won’t have anyone working in their best interest.

This is not a great combination because it can prevent you from getting an Accepted Offer on the house you really love because you haven’t been educated on the market or how quickly you need to make a move. It could also result in you losing money or overspending because you don’t have anyone negotiating on your behalf. I don’t know about you but if I’m buying my first house, or any house for that matter, that does not sound like a situation I want to be in.

MYTH #3: Wait Until “Spring” to Start Looking For Homes

Real Estate Agents hear this ALL. THE. TIME. I want to share why you shouldn’t wait for a specific time of year to start your home search, especially Spring.

There is less competition when you’re not in the prime months for buying and selling real estate. Buying in the “off season” could save you money because there are less buyers out which means less potential competition when writing an offer. It’s best to start your home search when you are ready rather than waiting for a certain time of year. There are always new listings coming on the market and you could be missing your perfect house if you want to start your search until a specific time of year.

If you’re considering homeownership, you’re already ahead of the game by knowing about these 3 myths. Your next step should be to sit down with a local Real Estate Agent who can go over the entire process with you and set you up for success.

Top Lifestyle Considerations for Buying a Home

You’re not just buying a house, you’re buying a lifestyle! That means when you’re writing out your list of must have home features and deal breakers, you need to think beyond the “house data” and figure out which features to focus on that will give you the lifestyle you want to live! As a buyer, you might say you’re looking for a 3 bedroom home with a finished basement on at least an acre and with an updated kitchen. An example of what you really might be looking for is a place to raise your growing family, a kitchen that overlooks the private backyard where you can watch your kids play catch while you make dinner, and extra space in the basement for games, toys and movie night! That’s just an example but I think you get the idea. So the lifestyle you are going to have in your new home is something you want to consider when determining which home features are best for your needs.

Number one - LOCATION MATTERS FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE! You hear it all the time in the real estate world – it’s all about the location, location, location, location… and it really is true! Because while you can change paint colors, counter tops and put on that massive deck you’ve always dreamed of, you can’t move your house to a new spot (not without a lot of money anyways).

Think of things like what your work commute will be like, how far of a drive you’re willing to have each day, the features you want in your community, and the school district you want to be in if that is important to you. Do you want to be in walking distance to the downtown? Do you want to be set further back from the road for privacy? What about the size of the city you live in? Do you want the feel of a small town lifestyle or are you happier in a busier city? The location of your home will be something that isn’t going to change so figure out what is essential to you when it comes to the location of your home and the lifestyle it will create!

Now let’s talk about the home features that fit your lifestyle. When you think of home features it’s easy to automatically jump to your running list of criteria such as the size of the garage, how many bedrooms you want, that must have updated kitchen and all of the “house data” like I mentioned. However, you are ultimately buying a lifestyle, not just a house. So I have some things for you to consider when it comes to the type of lifestyle you are ultimately looking for when you make a move! Write down these questions and really think about what your answers are:

1. Where do you spend most of your time at home? If you love to cook and spend most of your time in the kitchen, you’ll want to prioritize the layout of the kitchen when looking for a home. You can always add in upgraded quartz countertops or that dreamy double oven but the size, layout and location of the kitchen should be a top concern if you don’t want to do any major renovations.

2. What is something you wish you had in your current home?

3. What is something you don’t want any longer in your current home? Is your yard a lot to maintain and you want something smaller with a lot less maintenance? Maybe it’s the opposite and your current yard is just too small for the lifestyle you have making one of your top priorities having a bigger yard with privacy.

4. Which room in your house do you spend the most time in?

5. How much space do you need to live comfortably and be able to enjoy the things you love the most?

Are you hoping to have enough bathrooms to avoid chaotic mornings?

These questions will help you determine which features could be the most important to focus on when the time comes to look for a new home. Maybe features like hardwood floors aren’t as necessary as having a layout that is perfect for entertaining and hosting holiday parties. You can always swap out flooring later but the layout will be a little harder to change!

Think about how much time you want to put into your house. Do home flipping shows on HGTV resemble your homeownership goals? Many buyers are intent on finding a house they can remodel exactly they want they want which is awesome! However, they often don’t realize how much work, time and money it can take. HGTV can make remodeling and flipping houses look a lot easier than it is in reality. Consider how much time you have to spend on home projects before getting yourself into something that is over your head and potentially over your budget which leads us to…

Your lifestyle budget. Lastly, make sure to budget for your lifestyle, not just your house. It’s important to consider how much you can afford comfortably, not just what you can afford on paper.  Many buyers are pre-approved for a significantly higher amount than what they are actually comfortable spending on a monthly basis. Think about other expenses you have when it comes to your lifestyle – what else is important to you? Do you love to travel or go out to nice dinners on a regular basis? Do you love attending as many games of your favorite football team as possible? What hobbies do you have that cost money every month?  Make sure the amount you spend on your house doesn’t eat up all of your extra funds so you’re glued to the house and can’t have any fun doing the things you love!

There you have it, the top lifestyle considerations for buying a home! Location, home features that fit your lifestyle, how much work you’re willing to do and remember to budget for your lifestyle! If you’re considering buying a new home in the near future and you want to chat more about the type of lifestyle you’re looking for, comment below or send me a direct message so we can set up a time to grab coffee!

Trader Joe's Products Every New Homeowner Needs

You signed your name about 200 times and got the keys to your new house! Now you’re ready for a weekend of cleaning, unpacking, and decorating your new space! It’s going to be a busy few weeks getting settled so I rounded up some of my favorite go - to products for new homeowners and they’re all from Trader Joes! Print this out or grab a pen and paper so you can make a grocery list and have these items ready to go in a cooler before heading to your new home!

Peony Blossom Candle - The best way to make a new house feel like your own is by incorporating your own scent! This candle is super affordable and smells refreshing, so you’ll want to stock up!

Everything But The Bagel Seasoning - It might be a few weeks before you’re unpacked and cooking yummy dinners but this seasoning pretty much goes with anything! Toast a piece of sour dough bread, top it with avocado and this seasoning for an easy breakfast! It’s also great on eggs, cucumber slices with hummus, plain bagels with cream cheese and so much more!

Italian Chicken Sausage - The perfect item for an easy or emergency dinner! They have spicy, sweet, garlic and lots more! Slice them up and pair with pasta and a veggie for a dinner that takes less than 10 minutes to prep!

Cauliflower Gnocchi - Your life will be forever changed! All you have to do is search Pinterest for “Trader Joes Cauliflower Gnocchi” and tons of easy meal ideas will pop up. They are in the frozen section and can always be used for an easy last minute dinner while you’re busy painting and unpacking!

ABC Bars - Do you like chocolate? Do you like almond butter? If you answered yes, then these are sure to be a hit! These are great to have on hand for a quick snack on moving day or even while you’re running out the door on another trip to Home Depot! (Trust me, this will be a frequent destination for awhile as a new homeowner!)

Almond Sparkling Wine - You’re not officially a homeowner until you pop a bottle of bubbly in your new place! This champagne is under $10 and tastes like dessert! I promise you’ll like it even if you don’t like champagne!

Trader Joes Seltzer Water - There’s nothing more refreshing than a sparkling water with real, fresh squeezed fruit, and Trader Joes has the best flavors! Don’t forget the #SpinDriftHack - Turn sparkling water into happy hour by using it to make cocktails for the moving crew! Favorite Flavor: Blood Orange with Orange Juice!

Cauliflower Pizza Crust - If cauliflower can become pizza, then you my friend, can become a homeowner! This pizza crust tastes just like the real thing but you’re eating veggies instead of dough! Stock your freezer with these and then grab some shredded cheese and your favorite pizza toppings for a “healthified” moving day pizza party!

There you have it! My favorite Trader Joes items that will help you get through moving day, unpacking and making your new house your home! Have you tried any of these products? What are your favorites?!

How to Pack For a Move: 10 Tips & Tricks

There’s no way around it — Moving is one of the most stressful experiences, packing often being the worst of it. When it comes to gathering your belongings and boxing them up, it can be hard to determine where you need to start. As someone who’s moved about ten times in the past seven years (I’m crazy, I know), here are a few of the most helpful hacks I’ve learned throughout my experience.

Clean Out Prior

It’s always amazing to see how much junk accumulates when you live in a space for 6-10 months. I give myself a month prior to moving to start freely tossing things out, so I don’t have to limit myself to a day or two before boxing. I find that I am able to pare down my belongings easier when I throw a few things away per day. If you come across something you don’t want/use or something that’s broken, don’t waste your time putting it away if you’re less than 30 days away from your move. Goodbye, junk!

Designate One Area for Completed Boxes

When I get to packing, there’s always ONE area I set aside for boxes that are finished. It helps me track my progress, and I try and leave a few boxes open just in case I find anything random I forgot to pack that doesn’t take up much space. When you have movers come or friends help you, all of the boxes are in one spot and ready to go.

Organize By Room

This may seem a bit obvious, but I promise you that throwing everything into random boxes will hinder you from unpacking quickly and efficiently once you reach your new destination. I usually buy 2-3 boxes per room, broken up like so:

• Bathroom: 2 medium boxes

• Bedroom: 2 medium boxes

• Closet: 3-4 wardrobe boxes

• Living Room: 2-3 medium boxes

• Decor (specifically wall hangings, frames, knick knacks, etc.): 1 medium box

• Kitchen: 3-4 medium boxes

I buy my boxes at Uhaul, so I can return whatever I don’t use. If you’re using a moving company, they’ll usually let you buy boxes from them at a discounted rate and return whatever you don’t end up using.

Stock Up on Newspapers + Packing Tape

I always snag a ton of free newspapers where and when I can in the week leading up to packing. I like to wrap breakables in two sheets of newspaper — Especially those wine glasses! I’ll also stuff newspaper scraps in pots/containers that I fill with smaller items. When wrapping stuff, I place the item on one corner of the newspaper, rollout up diagonally to the opposing corner, and tuck in/tape the extra on the ends.

Here’s where the packing tape comes in handy: I tape my pots closed once I fill them up with things like measuring spoons, peelers, kitchen gadgets, etc. I also tape my stacks of plates and bowls from bottom to top so that they can’t shift around in my boxes.

Use Suitcases and Totes for Shoes

I have two methods for packing my shoes, but I’ve found that tossing them in a suitcase or two is always the quickest way to pack them. I know that I’ll have to reorganize them based on storage at my next place, so I don’t mind if they get a little mixed up in a bag. If you happen to get wardrobe boxes, you can also toss them in the bottom of each box before hanging your clothes. And yes, wardrobe boxes are 100% the best way to transport your closet.

Pack Moving Day Essentials in an Overnight Bag

Chances are you’ll be running around like crazy the day before your move and the day of. I always place an overnight bag with medicine, toiletries, chargers, two outfits, and any electronics I may need ASAP in the corner of my room when I start packing. I’ve found it to be MUCH easier to pack everything up when you aren’t worried about packing something you may need. It also makes it easier to settle in once you get to your destination, knowing anything you may need is in one place. I use a standard size duffel, and it goes in my car with me — Not the moving van!

Place Bigger Items on the Bottom of the Box

There’s a method to my packing, of course! I start with bigger, more rectangular/cube shaped items on the bottom of my box and work upward. For example: our record player, Xbox, and board games always get placed in our living room box first. On top of that I’ll do the records themselves, coffee table books, and top it off with remotes and decor.

Use Contractor Trash Bags for Linens

Toss ‘em all in. Tie the bags up. Voila. I usually wash our sheets and blankets in the first few days of settling into my new place anyways, so if they get a little wrinkled it doesn’t matter much.

Place Frames Front-to-Back

I learned this one from an old boss of mine and it’s saved quite literally ALL of my art through the years. Whether you’re placing your frames in a box or the back of your car, try facing them front to front and back to back so the frame hanging hardware doesn’t scratch the glass of the frame behind it. The only case in which I don’t do this is canvas art.

Use Small Boxes for Books

My boyfriend would want me to include this for any men dating bookworms out there… I’ve learned the hard way that no one likes to carry a giant box full of books. Not only is it suuuuuuuper heavy, but I’ve had a few boxes break on occasion. Oops!

I hope you find these tips helpful! Do you have an upcoming move? What are some of your best packing tips?

What Exactly Does a Buyer's Agent Do?

After helping many first time home buyers successfully buy their dream home, I noticed something that I want to share with as many future first time home buyers as possible! What I noticed was that several of these buyers weren’t aware that they had the ability to use a buyer’s agent to represent them in one of the biggest purchases they will ever make!

I want to put this out there to help educate as many people as possible that you can and should have an agent who works for you when you are ready to buy a home because let’s be honest, buying a home involves a lot more steps than most people realize! So what does a buyer’s agent do? In a nutshell, they help you, the buyers; navigate the entire home buying process one step at a time. But let’s dive in and break this down! Make sure you read until the end because there is great news waiting for you there!

First things first, a buyer’s agent will start by meeting with you to go over the entire home buying process to get you fully equipped so you know exactly what to expect. They will help you identify your needs and wants in a home including your top priorities as well as your deal breakers. They will then set up a custom home search that will find listings that match your wants and needs only so that you don’t have to filter through hundreds of listings that don’t even fit what you’re looking for.

When you start looking at houses, you’ll notice that they will be listed by a real estate agent. What is great about a buyer’s agent that works for you is they work in your best interest, not the sellers. In addition to helping you find a house that meets your needs, they will also help you understand your options when it comes to writing an offer, advise you on the market, help you determine what price to offer the sellers and most importantly, negotiate on your behalf. If you find yourself in a multiple offer situation, they have strategies to help make your offer stand out while matching the seller’s priorities. Once you have an accepted offer, they maintain strong communication with both you and the listing agent so you will always be kept in the loop and never left wondering what’s next!

A buyer’s agent will remove as much doubt as possible. They will provide you with all the tools necessary to make an informed decision before you take on the investment of owning a home. Think of them as your go-to resource throughout the entire transaction. Not only will they educate you through each step, they will refer you to their trusted vendors. From lenders to home inspectors, title companies, and contractors, there can be so many moving parts in a transaction that you’ll be thankful to have the help of trusted professionals and save time trying to research them on your own. All of this will help you have peace of mind throughout the home buying process and prevent you from falling into the buyer’s remorse trap!

It’s time to fill you in on the best part about hiring a buyer’s agent. Here it is.. it costs you absolutely nothing! You might be thinking this all sounds great and I would love to have someone work on my behalf but how much is someone like this going to cost? Having a buyer’s agent won’t cost you anything because the sellers are responsible for paying the buyer agent’s commission. So if you’re already searching for homes online, googling questions you have about the process and you’re ready to dive in, what are you waiting for? It’s time to find yourself a buyer’s agent who will work for you and walk you through all of this – literally, one house at a time!

Look for a buyer’s agent who you feel is a good fit for helping you through the process of buying a home. When you’re interviewing different agents, you’ll want to make sure you choose someone who not only seems knowledgeable but someone who will be available, willing to educate you, able to communicate the way that you want and most of all, someone you feel comfortable working with!

4 Home Buying Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make

Whether you're getting married, looking for more space to raise a family, want to stop renting and start investing, or maybe you're looking for a rental property you can make some extra cash on - The reasons people have for wanting to buy a home can vary. However, whatever your reason, you'll want to be sure to avoid these top 4 mistakes (trust me, you can't afford to make them!)

#1: Let's start by talking about "Agent Hopping" - This is something you'll want to avoid doing when it comes time to purchasing a home. To position yourself for success when it comes to finding and getting an accepted offer on your (insert correct answer: dream home, starter home, investment property, etc), you're going to want to have someone representing YOU! On the flip side, let's say you don't want to be tied to anyone specifically, you think you know enough about the process and want to be in control. Well in that case you're most likely going to be contacting the agent who is listing the house you are interested in. That means you won't have anyone to educate you about the process (it's not HGTV, so unless you're a licensed Real Estate Agent, there are going to be things you don't know). You won't get detailed information on the market, recommendations for how much to offer or any red flags you should be aware of.

You'll want to interview agents before you start looking at homes so that you can find someone you trust to be your advocate throughout the entire process. Buying a home is often the biggest financial investment you will make and you'll want someone who works in this industry to be your advocate along the way.

#2: Miscalculating the costs associated with buying a home - Purchase price, check! Down payment, check! All set? Not so fast! There are other costs associated with buying a home that you'll want to be aware of well before the time comes. Your down payment could potentially be the largest expense but there is also the earnest money deposit, the home inspection, the appraisal, radon testing and other expenses you'll want to talk to your Real Estate Agent and lender about.

When it comes to costs associated with the financing side (in addition to your down payment), you'll want to check with your lender to find out an estimate on your closing costs and how much you'll need up front for homeowner's insurance and taxes. You can also see if there are any first time home buyer programs that may help offset some of these costs. Sometimes, the lender will allow you to ask for a certain percentage in closing cost credits from the seller. Depending on your situation, this is something you could include in your offer to purchase to help offset some of your closing costs. Make sure to discuss these options with both your agent and lender so that you fully understand how they work and how best to use them.

#3: Skipping the Home Inspection - "But I'll save $500 if I skip it and I'd rather spend that money on new home decor from West Elm!" - Pretend Buyer. Home inspections are not necessarily required in order to purchase a home. So during the transaction it might seem intriguing to some buyers to skip the home inspection and save some extra cash to put towards the home itself. However, I highly, highly, highly (I REPEAT - HIGHLY) advise against skipping the home inspection. Number one, you're going to want to know about any major issues the home could potentially have. You'll also want to know about smaller repair items that need to be addressed along with any future maintenance issues to watch out for. A home inspector is there to spot the major red flags that could end up costing you a lot of money if you don't figure them out before closing. Ask your agent for home inspector recommendations or feel free to do some of your own research. You can use whoever you feel comfortable with as long as they are licensed in your state.

#4: House hunting without a pre-approval - I'm sure you've heard this one as your eyes roll back into your head and you think "enough is enough with the pre-approval!" As much as it may sound like a broken record, it is a big deal and you'll want to know why! For starters, most agents won't show you a home without a pre-approval letter and most sellers won't entertain an offer without one either. So if a house comes along that happens to be your dream home and you're not prepared, you could miss out just because you didn't take the time to get pre-approved (and trust me, it doesn't take long).

Lastly, if you haven't found a lender you want to work with or gotten pre-approved, you may be shopping outside of your budget. You might know what your monthly budget is but there are several other factors taken into consideration besides your paycheck. Have you checked your credit score lately? Do you know your debt to income ratio? What about the various types of loans and what they entail? Some will require higher down payments than others. If you start searching for houses listed for more than what you can actually afford, you'll set yourself up for disappointment when you realize you can't buy the house with the awesome home theater you had your heart set on.

If you're ready to jump into the home buying process right now, make sure you're avoiding these big mistakes! If you want to discuss this in more detail, feel free to reach out and we can set up a time to grab coffee (your go-to coffee order is on me!) I love teaching buyers about the ins and outs of the home buying process to ensure they have the best experience possible and avoid any mistakes that can throw you for a loop!

How to Make House Hunting as Easy as Binging Netflix

You know the feeling when you struggle to find something to watch on Netflix because it’s just so overwhelming with the number of shows and movies to choose from? Well the same thing can happen when it comes to house hunting! There are so many real estate websites and so many houses to look at. Digging through countless websites, having your phone glued to your hand, constantly hitting refresh to make sure you don’t miss anything can get a little tiring. Instead, there is a simple method you can implement to make it a whole lot easier. When you learn how to house hunt “Netflix style” it’ll save you a ton of time and prevent those feelings of overwhelm – I promise! So here’s how to do it!

Step 1 – Find your Homestyle Genre: This is about going beyond the general criteria of 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 1 acre lot. This is about diving deep and figuring out what you’re specifically looking for in a house. Ask yourself questions such as:

• Which space in a house is most important to you?

• Which room will you spend the most time in? Is the living room where you’ll spend quality time every night or is the outdoor space more important because you want to be surrounded by nature and have ensured privacy?

• Next think about words that would describe your ideal home. Do words like cozy and full of character come to mind? Or does modern and luxury sound more like your taste?

• What is a space or feature you don’t currently have but would love to have? More space to entertain? A private yard with mature trees? A designated home office space that will allow you to do more focused work?

By thinking outside the box about the lifestyle you want your future home to provide, you’ll begin to paint a better picture of which home features to pay more attention to and which style of home will be the best fit.

STEP 2 – Determine What’s Trending: Just like Netflix gives you a list of “Trending movies” you’re going to make your own list of what’s trending when it comes to what is important to you in your future home. After writing down answers to the previous questions, create a list of your top 3 home must haves and deal breakers. Next you’re going to review everything you wrote down. Do you see any themes or details that pinpoint the type of house you are going to fall in love with aside from the number of bedrooms? Your list could be painting a picture of an open concept style home with lots of storage and natural light. Or maybe your style is a home with more separated spaces with a major focus on the style and layout of the kitchen.

STEP 3 – Create Your Home List Based on Your Preferences: Before starting this step, you’ll want to make sure you’re working with a Real Estate Agent so they can set up your custom home search for you. They will take all of the general criteria that you’re looking for and customize your home search so that you can will receive a list of all the homes on the market that match the main criteria you’re looking for. This is where it’ll narrow down your minimums for bedrooms, baths, lot size, square footage, year built, etc. This is also the time you may want to browse through any other sites that you’ve been searching on and write down any homes you’ve had your eye on so you can bring everything together with your real estate agent.  

STEP 4 – Preview Homes: Once you’ve compiled the entire list of homes that meet your search criteria you’re going to want to preview them online before scheduling a showing! Looking at homes online is considered a first showing because there is so much you can see and learn about a home before ever stepping foot in the house. When you’re previewing the homes, have the list of the questions you answered handy so you can see which ones fit what you’re truly looking for. If a common theme was entertaining space and open concept rooms – you’ll probably want to avoid homes that have a smaller kitchen and living area or lack open areas.

STEP 5 – Narrow the List Down to Your Top 5: Here’s an example of how this looks: Let’s say your favorite space in a home is the living room, you want a house with lots of character and charm and your deal breaker is a cookie cutter subdivision. Along with that, you need at least 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms.

When your custom search comes up with the list of homes and one of the homes meets the 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths criteria but was built last year in a new subdivision of homes with the same builder, all on quarter acre lots and has a smaller living room, you’ll probably want to consider eliminating this one because it isn’t meeting your main needs.

After previewing the homes and comparing each one to what you have on your  list, it’s time to narrow the list of homes down to your “Top 5”. These are the 5 homes you’ll want to schedule showings for and begin your search with. From there, if none of those work for you, keep your search going this same way. Watch for new homes to hit the market (like the new releases on Netflix) and if they meet your detailed criteria, set up a showing!

By house hunting with this method, you’ll eliminate the stress of feeling like you need to see every single 3 bedroom, 2 bath home when you truly know what you’re looking for and can eliminate many of them online. That way when you schedule a showing to see a home that truly fits what you want, you’ll know what to look for instead of becoming overwhelmed with all of the other homes that really don’t meet your needs at all.

How Much Below the Asking Price Should We Offer on a House?

You’re getting ready to start the home buying process, browsing through all the real estate websites to see what’s out there and have started your new home wish list. You’ve probably been getting advice from friends and family members about how to get a good deal and things you should do to avoid overpaying. Now you’re wondering how much do you actually offer on a house? Is there some kind of magic formula to follow or do you just throw out a number that you’re comfortable with? Here are a few things to consider before determining how much to offer on a house:

Know the Market: Before even considering how much to offer on a home, it’s important that you’re familiar with the market you’re going to be looking in.

The market can vary between cities and price ranges so you’ll want to meet with your Real Estate Agent before jumping into the actual search process so you can learn about the current market of the cities you’ll be looking in.

The ability for you to submit an offer below the listing price will entirely depend on whether you’re in a buyer’s market or a seller’s market. Typically if you’re in a buyer’s market you’ll have more flexibility on price because the number of homes available is high and they tend to sit on the market for longer. The opposite is true if you’re in a seller’s market where inventory is low. This can lead to multiple buyers being interested in the same property, which would mean you wouldn’t want to lowball at all but instead offer at or maybe even above the list price. Again, it depends on the property.

Check the Number of Days on the Market: The second factor you’ll want to consider is how long the home has been active on the market to get an idea of the demand for the property. For example, if you want to write an offer on a house that has only been on the market for 2 days you probably won’t want to offer the seller way below the asking price if you hope for them to at least counter your offer. On the other hand, if the house has been sitting for sale for over a year, youll probably have some more flexibility to go in with an offer lower than the asking price.

Remember that even if a house has been sitting for an extended period of time, you’ll want to use market stats to back up your offer. This is something your Real Estate Agent can help you with. If you really want the offer to be taken seriously, you’ll want to avoid completely offending the sellers so make sure you’re not just blindly throwing numbers around.

Check the Comps: You also don’t want to overpay for the home so it’s important to look at neighborhood comps and see what other homes in the area have been selling for. Then compare the difference in features, square footage, updates, and any other major factors. The comps are what you can use to justify your offer price when you first submit an offer. This will back up why you’re offering the amount you’re offering instead of just appearing like you’re trying to get a deal.

Ask Yourself – On a Scale from 1-10, How Badly Do I Want This Home? The last thing you should determine is how badly do you want the house. Ask yourself – if your offer were to be rejected, will you regret not coming up in price or can you easily move on to the next house.

Try thinking about the home on a scale of 1-10. If you finally found everything you’re looking for, would it be worth losing for X amount? Decide what X is. If you lose it for more than what you’d regret losing, then it’s probably for the best!

There isn’t one answer on what you should offer on a home and there also isn’t a magic formula. You should work with a Real Estate Agent who you trust to guide you in the right direction and make the best decision for you.

SHOULD I BUY DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC?

The question I am getting on repeat: Is now a good time to buy? Let me break it down because my answer varies depending on where you’re at! For starters, interest rates are at historic lows which makes locking in a great rate on your mortgage super appealing – if you’re ready. It’s also important to be prepared before you dive into the process, especially with the lack of inventory we’re experiencing, so let’s chat! Here are a few questions I would consider before taking your next step!

👉 Do you know your current credit score and approximately what you’d be comfortable spending monthly (for mortgage & taxes)?

👉 Do  you have an emergency fund (this will be essential to make sure you’re prepared for home maintenance, repairs and other costs of homeownership)?

👉 Do  you currently renting? If the answer is yes, do you know if the terms of your lease are flexible (do they offer month to month or allow you to sublet if you find a home prior to your lease being up)? l

👉 Are  you prepared for the expenses associated with the home buying process? (home inspection, appraisal, closing costs, down payment, earnest money)

👉 Have you talked to a lender to determine if you qualify for any down payment assistance programs?

If you want to talk about these questions more in depth and what specific costs you should be prepared for, I’m only a zoom call away! Send me a DM on Insta or an email from my contact page, and let’s get your virtual buyer consult on the books!

Homestead Exemptions: What They Are + How to Apply

In order to take advantage of tax savings, you'll want to apply for a Homestead Exemption in Austin between now and April 30, 2020. If you want to learn more about qualifying for a Homestead Exemption and download exemption forms for 2020, take a look at the information below.

General information about Homestead Exemptions

Click here to read about how to know if you qualify for Homestead Exemptions and what kind of exemptions are available to all homeowners

Homestead Exemptions for Homeowners age 65 and over or with disabilities

Click here to read about exemptions, limitations and special instructions for homeowners age 65 and over and homeowners with disabilities

Homestead Exemptions for disabled veteran homeowners

Click here to read about exemptions, limitations and special instructions for disabled veteran homeowners

Exemption Forms:

Travis County | Bastrop County | Williamson County | Caldwell County

Originally Written for MorelandBlog.com

Home Health Check-In: Winter Maintenance

Winter is the perfect time to tackle smaller home projects and be sure that everything is in working order for spring. Your home is likely your biggest investment — Protect it and treat it well so you can get the greatest return when you sell someday. Here are a few things to check in on at home this winter.

INSIDE

Check your heating systems. Check and change your filters if needed, since most filters should be changed at least twice a year.

Be prepared for freezes. If there’s a freeze in the forecast, be sure to leave faucets dripping, insulate pipes where possible, open the cabinets below your sinks and keep the thermostat at a steady temperature. This will prevent frozen pipes.

Prevent heat from escaping your home. Keep your residence warm all winter by replacing any damaged weather strips along your doors and caulking windows where there might be a draft.

OUTSIDE

Be prepared for freezes. If there’s a chance of a freeze, wrap and insulate outdoor pipes where you can. Be sure to shut off and drain outdoor faucets beforehand as well.

Clean the gutters. Give your gutters a quick sweep to remove any remaining leaves, sticks and debris from the fall. This will ensure that melting ice from freezes can properly drain.

Trim your trees. If you have trees that tower over your property, make sure you remove any problem branches that may break and cause damage to your house when winter storms bring wind, rain and ice.