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Aug 16
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Lilly Rockwell on Austin’s surprising real-estate market

By | Real Estate News, Realtor Wisdom | No Comments

Contributor, “I Love You So Much: The Austin360 Podcast”
By: Addie Broyles, American-Statesman Staff
(Originally published on August 10, 2018)


Austin’s real estate market continues to boom, but what does that mean for homebuyers and renters?

In this week’s episode of “I Love You So Much: The Austin360 Podcast,” former Statesman reporter Lilly Rockwell, who is now a realtor at Coldwell Banker, joins hosts Tolly Moseley and Omar L. Gallaga for a conversation about what it takes to buy a house in Austin these days, what it’s like to work in real estate and which neighborhoods are still considered affordable.

Jul 27
0

Keeping Your AC in Shape for Summer

By | Home Maintenance Tips | No Comments

During these hot summer months, it is important to keep up with your air conditioning (AC) unit maintenance. In addition to changing the return air filter in your HVAC system, try cleaning the AC condensate drain line to make sure your AC unit is running at its best. By simply pouring a cup of bleach or white vinegar down the line, you can prevent algae and dirt from blocking the drain line and interfering with air quality. In most cases, this is a relatively easy process. However, some AC units may be more difficult than others and require a professional. Check out the video below from Today’s Homeowner for a quick tutorial on how to do it yourself!

Home maintenance tasks such as this are always a good investment. Regular home maintenance can save you money, prevent things from breaking, add value to your home, and overall keep your home running efficiently.

Jul 13
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Do I really need a home inspection? The answer is yes and here’s why…

By | Real Estate News | No Comments

Buying a new home can be a stressful and overwhelming process. After all, it is one of the most important purchase you will ever make!

According to the American Home Inspectors Training Institute, “A home inspection is an all-encompassing examination of the condition of a home.” As a homebuyer, it is your responsibility to gather as many details about the property as possible before buying. A thorough home inspection identifies issues that can help you negotiate costs at closing or issues that may be deal-breakers. In the long run, a home inspection is an inexpensive precaution to avoid making a costly mistake – buying a home with major, unforeseen issues.

Buying a new home is also an emotional and exciting process. It is easy to get caught up in the appealing parts of the house especially if you are buying a daytona beach fl homes, like the fancy kitchen or built-in pool and become blind to problems. A home inspection report allows you to see the property through the eyes of a trained expert, including potential electrical, plumbing, structural, and even future issues.

Most importantly, a home inspection ensures your potential new home is safe for you and your family. Do not get in a hurry because of the housing market or because you are feeling pressure from other interested buyers. At the end of the day, a safe and secure home is worth waiting for.

Overall, hiring a professional home inspector is an education opportunity for you to learn important details about your future home. Buyers who have home inspections end up happier and more confident with their purchase. See below for a complete list of reasons to book an inspection before buying.

Why have a home inspection?

  • Identify possible deal-breakers
  • See your home through the eyes of an expert
  • Put your mind at ease
  • Ensure the property is safe for you and your family
  • Forecast future costs
  • Identify repairs to negotiate with the seller
  • See the big picture
  • Learn as many details about the property as possible before buying
  • Find areas that may be a problem down the road
  • Make a confident decision
  • Extra security
  • Experts know best

Have questions? We’re a home inspector you can trust to tell it like it is. Call us today: 512-350-0123

Jun 29
0

What to expect from a Barfield home inspection

By | Home Inspection Reality Show, Real Estate News, Realtor Wisdom | No Comments

Do you know what repairs to be concerned about and which ones are quick fixes? What about cost? That’s what Barfield Home Inspection is here for. We tell it like it is to help you make a confident decision about your home.

Established in 2003, Barfield Home Inspection has helped thousands of homeowners in Austin and the surrounding area with the purchase of their home. We have a longstanding reputation of serving clients with excellence because of our thorough, reliable and honest inspectors.

We take time to explain the most detailed facets of the home from the foundation to appliances to everything seen in the photo above. We leave no detail unturned and go above and beyond to ensure all questions have been answered.

The photo above includes areas where red flags are often found during a home inspection, such as foundations. Examples of foundation issues may include:

  • Corner cracks
  • Foundation wall cracks
  • Exposed and/or rusted rebar steel
  • Exposed and/or rusted post tension cable ends
  • Leaning or non supportive piers from a pier and beam foundation
  • Inadequate type of pier
  • Deterioration of support sub floor beams and components

It is important to have an experienced home inspector to find these red flags and make sure you, as the homeowner, understand what they mean.

Since our humble beginnings, Barfield Home Inspection has quickly become known for reliability, concise reporting and our knowledgeable team. We are not here to scare clients, but we’re also not here to sugar coat things. The most valuable asset Barfield Home Inspection provides to homebuyers is the confidence to purchase their home. Do you want a home inspector who will tell it like it is? Book your appointment with Barfield Home Inspection today!

 

Jun 15
0

Where to begin your home search in Austin

By | Just for Fun, Real Estate News | No Comments

For several years now, Austin has been at the top of the list for fastest growing cities in America. Whether it’s the tacos, the pet-friendly environment, the laid-back lifestyle, job opportunities, the weather, live music, or education, Austin has something to offer for everyone!

While moving to Austin may be an easy choice, it’s difficult to figure out where to start when looking for a place to live.  Each area of Austin has something unique to offer. If you are looking for luxury Leftbank Condos living, surrounded by dining and entertainment, downtown is the place for you. If you are looking for the hipster, “keep Austin Weird” crowd, then south Austin may be a better fit.

Check out the quiz below from move-to-austin.com to help identify which Austin neighborhood fits your preferences. Taking into consideration your age, lifestyle and price range, this assessment will help you narrow your search and get one step closer to your new home in Austin.

http://www.move-to-austin.com/austin-tx-neighborhood-quiz.html

May 31
0

Tuning up your irrigation system is a must-do this summer

By | Home Maintenance Tips, Seasonal Home Maintenance | 2 Comments

Summer in Texas means water restrictions, which is why it’s important to make sure your irrigation system is working efficiently. A regular checkup can help conserve water and save money on your water bill. There are many things to consider when inspecting a sprinkler system, so it is best to hire a professional. However, here are a few simple tips to maintain your system between seasonal checkups:

  • Make sure sprinklers are placed effectively for even watering across your yard.
  • Set a proper watering schedule depending on the season and keep an eye on it. Make sure the system is running as scheduled and remember to change the clock during daylight saving time.
  • Install a rain sensor to make sure your sprinklers aren’t interfering with mother nature.
  • Keep an eye out for missing, broken, plugged or sunken sprinkler heads.
  • Check for plants or objects blocking the sprinkler’s path.
  • Schedule seasonal check-ups and adjust sprinklers each month.

Lastly, check the austintexas.gov website for up-to-date water restrictions and assigned watering days and times.

Most importantly, don’t forget to water yourself! It’s hot out there, so stay hydrated and lather on that sunscreen.

May 29
0

Owning a home in Austin may be more affordable than you think!

By | Real Estate News | No Comments

According to recent data from Smart Asset, a personal finance website, buying a house in Austin may be more affordable than you think. Using median home value, estimated down-payment cost, estimated length and percent interest rate of mortgage payments, and predicted annual inflation, SmartAsset calculated monthly home payments for the largest 15 cities in the country.

Monthly payments on the average home in Austin, Texas are around $1,426, making the suggested yearly salary for buying a house $47,523. While Austin is home to some of the highest property taxes, overall home value remains reasonable, making our city more affordable than big California cities.

This list from Smart Asset ranks the 15 largest cities in the U.S. by salary needed to afford a home. Austin sits at number 6, followed by Chicago, Dallas, then Houston. As Austin continues to be a popular destination to relocate, the housing inventory will decrease, which will continue to drive prices.

So, if you are looking to buy a home in Austin, now is the time! Use these monthly payment estimates to decide if Austin is affordable for you. The below image outlines the salary needed to afford home payments in the top 15 cities—Austin is No. 6.

Click here to read more insights from this in-depth study.

(Shared article from SmartAsset.com)