High-Value Home Improvement Trends for 2022

Posted on May 24, 2022May 24, 2022 by author

Homeowners are constantly looking for creative ways to distinguish themselves from the competition and increase their home’s value. Home improvement is one of the most effective ways to upscale your property. 2022 brings a distinct set of home improvement trends that all real estate investors should keep in mind.

Bringing the Office Home

With remote and hybrid work becoming the new norm, homes need to be multipurpose even more than before. In order for their homes to seamlessly transition between an office space and their comfortable homes, owners are enhancing their home offices and even transforming their kitchen countertops into professional workstations.

The Cozy Outdoors

Homeowners in 2022 want the comfort and convenience of their indoors to spread to their outdoor patios, porches, and even backyards. Large fireplaces, unique gardens, and elegant seating areas protected from the weather by pergolas are all elements that could enhance these outdoor spaces.

An Accent of Wallpaper

Buyers are looking for ways to showcase their individuality, and wallpaper is stepping up to the plate. A cost-effective option that can save homeowners quality time, wallpaper is used as a bold accent piece to catch visitors’ eyes and pop against the rest of the home.

A Personal Spa

Tranquil, spacious, spa-like bathrooms are taking the home improvement market by storm. Consider calming bathrooms with huge bathtubs as the focal points and numerous cabinets and shelving to keep the space orderly and clean.

Home improvement is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment for first-time and seasoned homeowners. Follow these 2022 trends to add value to your home and entice new buyers. If you need help selling your home or are looking to become a homeowner, contact us today!

How Your Home Can Make You Money

Posted on April 4, 2022 by author

Owning a home gives you a sense of security, a place to call home, and regular monthly payments as you build equity and your investment portfolio (investor or not), but there’s another unknown benefit; how your home can make you money. Here are ideas to generate extra cash using your biggest asset: your home!

1. Become an Airbnb host

Becoming an Airbnb host is an excellent idea if you have the extra space. As an Airbnb host, you control how often and when you want to open your home. How much you earn will depend on how much space you’re renting out. Renting a house will get you more money than renting a bedroom. If you have a second property, listing a 4+ bedroom home can get you an annual income of about $29,000. If you go the Airbnb route, be sure to check the local laws to make sure it’s legal and if there are restrictions on home-sharing.

2. Rent out your home

Keeping with renting, renting out unused living spaces is also a great income source. You don’t have to own a second home to be a landlord. If you have a finished basement, tiny home, or accessory dwelling unit in your backyard, these are all rentable options. You can also stick to the classic renting arrangement where you rent out a room and share facilities with the renter in your home.

3. Store other people’s stuff

If you don’t want people in your home, how about their stuff? People have a lot of things and do not always have the space to store them. Take advantage of that extra garage or shed space and rent it out. This is the easiest way to get some extra dough since there’s no maintenance or repairs compared to being a landlord. The space you have will depend on how much you can charge. Closet space can be $5 to $10 a month, while a garage or shed can be $100 or more a month.

4. Charge for parking

If you have a prime location in a popular area of town, especially where parking is limited, like near a college university or downtown, you can capitalize on the need for parking! Neighbors, students, and office workers are a great source of reliable income since they’ll need a safe area to park their car regularly. According to specialized sites like Neighbor or Spacer, you can make as much as $200 to $500 a month renting out your parking space. Again, it all depends on location, though.

If you’re looking for an investment opportunity or want to become a homeowner, contact us today!

5 Steps to Fix & Flip Houses The Right Way

Posted on December 17, 2021January 14, 2022 by author

Deciding to purchase a home as an investment property is one of the most important financial decisions in a lifetime. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or a newbie, flipping houses can be a little scary. But it doesn’t have to be! With over 12 years of property management experience, we have learned a few things over the years. Here are five steps to fix and flip houses the right way.

1. Create Your Budgets

Before even shopping for a home, you need to create your budgets. One budget should estimate how much it will cost to purchase the home and close on it. The next budget should account for the renovation. When it comes to budgeting, it’s always better to overestimate and have more money than less. If it’s your first time fixing and flipping, a professional contractor should be your first stop to get accurate pricing. When you work with TALK Property Management, we can help you find credible contractors.

2. Find Fix & Flip Properties

Now that you’ve done the beginning research, you’ll want to continue finding outdated properties to remodel. It requires a particular skill to find these undervalued opportunities, evaluate them, and manage them, so they’re completed on time and within budget. We can handle remodeling on your behalf when you choose TALK Property Management to help you on your fix and flip journey. The secret to finding a good fix and flip property is to find off-market homes and homeowners who are highly motivated to sell. As your REALTOR®, we can help you find these covert opportunities.

3. Make the Right Offer at the Right Price

The price you pay for your property will determine the profit you’ll make when you sell in the future. So if you overpay, it’s likely you won’t make any profit at all. If it’s in good condition, it means you’ll have to do less work. If it’s in bad shape, you can make a fair offer that’s under the market value as you’ll need to put in more time and money to fix it up. It could mean you could have a lower offer accepted. Essentially, the better the condition, the closer you’ll want to pay to market price, and the worse the state it’s in, then the less you want to offer.

4. Hire Contractors & Begin Remodeling

After closing, the property is yours and ready to be broken down and brought back to life! Don’t make the newbie mistake of trying to tackle everything by yourself. An investor is only as successful as their team, and part of your team is your remodeling crew.

In an ideal remodel, you’ll finish remodeling the property in five or fewer weeks. Again, timing is crucial because the longer you hold onto a property, the more it will cost. Because, as the famous saying goes, “time is money.” Make sure your time and money are going to a credible and efficient contractor, so get several quotes.

5. Market & Sell Your Fix & Flip Property

Now that the property is remodeled, it’s ready to go live! Any good REALTOR® will tell you that marketing is essential if you want your property to sell. That’s why you can’t skimp out on marketing your newly renovated place. With TALK Property Management, we run a Comparable Market Analysis to get you a fair rent price based on the current market trends and photograph your property for advertising on social media, the Multiple Listing Service, and our website.

Contact us today if you’re ready to buy your next investment property or need help creating a plan! Reach out to TALK Property Management–we are here to help: (512) 721-1094 or dbrown@talkpropertymanagement.com.

5 Decor Hacks To Brighten Your Home This Winter

Posted on November 19, 2021 by author

Winter is approaching, and you may find yourself spending more time inside with earlier sunsets and longer nights. Here are five decor hacks to help make your home brighter and cozier this winter.

Decor Hack #1: Paint Walls Bright and Warm

For a quick change, consider repainting one of the walls in a room you tend to hang out the most in, like the living room or kitchen. A neutral color with warm undertones will create a bright and cozy atmosphere in the area, and a vibrant color will help uplift a space while also looking great year-round.

Decor Hack #2: Incorporate Live Plants

Bringing some greenery into your home will add color and life to a room. Some of the health benefits of owning plants are lower blood pressure and reduced anxiety. Start with easy-to-care-for house plants that will most likely survive all year long, like a Chinese Evergreen, ZZ Plant, Moth Orchid, and Snake Plant.

Decor Hack #3: Change Light Bulbs

There’s no way around it–winter means less sunlight and colder weather. To counteract the lack of light and warmth, try LED lights. They’ll make your home bright and sunny, and these bulbs emit the most light while using the least amount of energy. Soft white LED lights will brighten the room without an intense contrast.

Decor Hack #4: Let In Light

With what sunlight we do get during the day, embrace it with a curtain change. Sheer curtains and stylish pullbacks are great alternatives for letting in light. If there is decor blocking the window, relocate them to maximize the light.

Decor Hack #5: Add Color

Winter is known for being dark so early in the day, but it doesn’t have to be dark inside your home! Try adding pops of color with colorful throws, pillows, dish towels, or rugs. Warm colors like reds and oranges will add warmth and energy to the room.

If you need help styling your investment property this winter to sell or are wanting to buy a home, contact us today! Reach out to TALK Property Management– We are here to help: (512) 721-1094 or dbrown@talkpropertymanagement.com.

Summer 2021’s Hottest Decor Trends for Austin Homes

Posted on August 12, 2021August 12, 2021 by author

Summer is here, and it’s time for your home to reflect the temperature change! These decor trends are timeless and regret-proof, as they’ll go with anything already in your home.

1. Throw Pillows

Throw pillows are the quickest and cheapest way to upgrade your seating area. Enhance a neutral couch or chair with a bright color or bold design. You can layer complementary hues and textured fabrics to add depth. The beauty of pillows is all the fun shapes and colors they come in!

2. Duvet Covers and Sheets

New bedding will transform a bedroom, plus it’s a fun way to keep you and your bedding clean. Options include a botanical print, graphic designs for a contemporary look, or patterned sheets and sham for a more subtle approach.

3. Bath Mats and Towels

Another easy and hygienic change is a new towel and mat set. Earth-inspired hues and unique textures like terra-cotta or clay-colored bath towels will give you a spa-like feel in your own bathroom. For maximum comfort, make sure they’re absorbent and soft on the skin!

4. Bowls and Vases

These small decor items will enhance a room when they’re strategically placed. It’s essential to find the balance between clutter and decor when choosing bowls and vases. That’s why stylish and functional pieces are recommended. Examples could be a painted bowl or plate, an antique mirror, a sculptural vase for flowers, etc.. Sculptural vases and planters are the trends this summer.

5. Rugs

A new rug will add comfort, protection, and style to any area and flooring type. Area rugs are great for families with children because it helps soften the room, while also offering a chance to add in a new color, pattern, or trend into the room. The summer trend is neutral color palettes with an over-the-top texture like a plush pattern.

6. Accent Lighting

Lighting can easily be changed, even on light fixtures you own. Options are buying a new light fixture to follow the trend or adding a new shade to your existing fixture. It can be as inexpensive and creative as you’d like.

If you need help decorating your property for renters this summer, contact us today! As part of our services, we make your property ready; whether that’s decorating or remodeling, we do it all! We are here to help: (512) 721-1094 or dbrown@talkpropertymanagement.com.

Hot Summer Color Trends for Austin Investors

Posted on July 13, 2021 by author

If you’re looking to spruce up your home for summer or need some summer inspiration for decorating your investment property, check out these hot summer color trends from HGTV.

1. A Touch of Spring Green

Spring Green is a vibrant mix between turquoise and sea green. This color works best as an accent when surrounded by primarily neutral colors. It can be just a pop of color like pillows or larger by choosing a furniture piece with this color.

2. Regal Purple

Regal purple can easily be used all year round for decor, but it especially pops during summer. You can even incorporate outside when you use fresh lilacs or liatris to accentuate the purple in the room.

3. Blue

Blue is a great accent color as well since it can have a masculine and feminine appeal. If you don’t want to commit to painting with this color, let accessories do the job for you. A blue rug with matching pillows and accented table settings is a great option.

4. Sunny Yellow

Mimic the sun’s bright hues with a shade of daffodil to brighten up any all-white room. This color pairs great with white, black, or navy and can quickly transform a space into a cheerful room.

5. Turquoise

We already mentioned blue, but we need to mention this particular shade of blue: turquoise! This color complements mid-century modern furnishing to help give the room a retro, urban feeling. The beauty of this color is its versatility in using it by itself or toning it down with muted hues.

6. Slate-Blue

The opposite of turquoise is slate blue, and it’s also a great color for summer too! While not as bright and cheerful as its blue cousin, slate blue can represent coastal inspiration and ocean waves, making it a hot summer color style. This color works best when paired with neutral furniture and accessories.

7. Yellow Green

If you’re looking for another color to make your home pop, yellow green is the color for you! This bright color pairs well with browns and creams and can be combined with darker shades of greens as accents. Yellow green will add a whimsy, graceful touch to your room.

If you need help with your rental property, contact us today! Reach out to TALK Property Management– We are here to help: (512) 721-1094 or dbrown@talkpropertymanagement.com.

7 Moving and Packing Tips for An Easy Move

Posted on July 5, 2021July 5, 2021 by author

Everyone dreads moving, whether it’s down the street or across the state, but it’s something we all have to face one some point. But, it doesn’t have to be dreadful! Here are some tips and tricks to make your move easy.

1. Get rid of clutter before the move.

Make your job easier by donating or throwing away items that no longer give you joy, as Marie Kondo would say. This will make moving easier and quicker! So, before packing anything, do an inventory check and purge unused and unnecessary items. Now you have less to pack, move, and unpack!

2. Make a moving folder

Keep all your documents together in a folder to help ease any anxiety and stop stress. Have a hard copy of new addresses, rental or purchase papers, moving contracts, etc in case something happens where you can’t access them digitally.

3. Pack in advance

Ideally, you’ll know when you need to move so you can work backward from the end date and start backing early. We’re going into summer, so you could pack winter clothes now. You can also pack items like books and other once-in-a-while items. This way, there’s less stress and packing to do as the move date gets closer.

4. Book early

If you’re using moving services, renting supplies, or hiring professionals, it’s always better to book early. If you wait, you could pay a higher price or not book the service at all. This is crucial during the peak moving season.

5. Schedule services for new place before the move

Once dates are confirmed, contact your utility providers to schedule services like electricity, water, and heat for your new place. Schedule ahead of time so you can come home to a new functioning home after a long day of moving. Don’t forget to request a service stop at your old place!

6. Keep essentials close right before the move

The night before the move, place essentials like a change of clothes, toiletries, medicine, paperwork, etc., into a suitcase or bag that you’ll have access to in the car, cab, or plane. This way, you’ll always have essentials with you in case of a worst-case scenario.

7. Get a moving truck with a loading ramp

If you’re opting out of a moving service, then do yourself a favor and rent a truck with a ramp. It might be more expensive, but this luxury is worth every penny, especially if you’re moving furniture. It will help save time and prevent sore muscles later!

If you’re ready to move to Austin, contact me today! Reach out to TALK Property Management– We are here to help: (512) 721-1094 or dbrown@talkpropertymanagement.com.

10 Popular Decorating Styles for Austin Investors

Posted on June 10, 2021 by author

If you need help decorating or furnishing your property for future tenants, try one of these popular decorating styles!

Transitional

Transitional can be defined as an elegant combination of traditional and contemporary looks. Because of its simple style, it can appeal to people with different design styles. This style featured sophisticated furniture, serene hues, updated classics, and materials like marble and quartz. It works well with coastal or farmhouse styles too.

Traditional

Tradition is a blend of history, heirloom antique, rich woods, plush carpets. A traditionally designed room should feel warm and welcoming. A traditional design style will have antiques, a refined color palette, intricate architectural details, and materials like marble and wood. This style works best with these styles: rustic, coastal, or Mediterranean.

Contemporary

This style is whatever is current and new. This style is the complete opposite of traditional style because it embraces negative spaces, strong shapes, and clean lines. Contemporary style is defined by current trends and designs, open space, and minimalism. This style works best with rustic or coastal styles too.

Modern

A modern design style focuses on form and structure like smooth surfaces, glass, chrome, and black leather accents. This style has an emphasis on ample negative space, a clean color palette, and minimalism. This one works best with industrial, midcentury, and farmhouse styles.

Midcentury

This style emphasizes strong shapes and clean lines and combines the past with the present. Decorate with a midcentury style by having clean, uncluttered spaces, natural wood, graphic patterns, and organic shapes. Modern and industrial styles work best with this one.

Farmhouse

Farmhouse combines rural architecture with modern comforts by utilizing hardworking furnishings and natural materials. This style features wall paneling, sliding barn doors, natural and historic colors, and simple, functional furniture. It works best with modern, rustic, industrial, and transitional styles too.

Rustic

Rustic is inspired by Mother Nature’s woods, plains, rivers, and lakes. Popular features of this style are exposed wood beams, brick and stone, natural hues, and rugged furnishing. This style works well when combined with farmhouse, traditional, contemporary, or industrial styles.

Industrial

Industrial is usually seen in urban lofts and converted industrial spaces but can be used in a home when you use industrial finishes and decor. Typically defined as gritty, industrial is also characterized by salvaged and found elements for decor, wide-open space, exposed raw materials, and a neutral color palette. It combines well with modern, rustic, farmhouse, and midcentury styles.

Mediterranean

Just the word itself makes people think of sandy beaches and vivid oceans, and the goal is to recreate those cool and breezy or rich and warm locations in a property. Key elements of this style are a rich, earthy color palette, natural materials like wood, brick, and stone, and colorful tile. It works well with traditional and coastal styles.

Coastal

Don’t get Mediterranean confused with coastal! Coastal style is inspired by the beach and utilizes natural light, natural materials, and a casual tone. You don’t have to live by a beach to make coastal work for your property. If you decorate with coastal colors, whitewashed surfaces, bare wood floors, natural materials like linen, cotton, and wicker, you’ll get the theme across. Coastal style works well with traditional, transitional, contemporary, and Mediterranean.

If you need help with your rental property, contact me today! Reach out to TALK Property Management– We are here to help: (512) 721-1094 or dbrown@talkpropertymanagement.com.

Austin Rental Scams on the Rise

Posted on June 9, 2021 by author

Scammers are in Austin, and they’re pretty convincing. One woman who spent weeks looking for a place to rent fell prey to a scam. The home for rent was listed on Zillow, and she emailed who she thought was the owner. They sent the deposit, dog deposit, and first month’s rent, which added up to $5,200. But when she went to meet the owner at the property, he never showed or responded.

The Better Business Bureau says this is a growing trend and happening more frequently, especially in Austin, where many people are moving. Most scams require you to wire funds, so do not wire funds to anyone you haven’t personally met.

How To Identify A Rental Scam

1. They don’t want to meet you in person.

People are busy, and schedules may not coordinate for a meet-up, and that’s okay. If that’s the case, at least do a video call with the owner/landlord to know the property exists. A good landlord would want to meet you, in person or digitally, as they should know who is renting out their place.

2. They want you to move in without seeing the property.

Visit and tour the property before signing a lease or sending money to someone. It’s easy for scammers to take old listing photos from past posts and pretend they have the property. Scammers won’t have access to the inside, so if you can’t see the place or tell you to just walk around outside of it, be wary.

3. They ask for rent or a security deposit before signing a lease.

An apartment can be a scam if the property manager, landlord, or realtor asks for rent or a security deposit before signing a lease. You should never be asked to give a large sum of money before seeing or signing a lease. Application fees are normal and acceptable, but the first month’s rent or security deposit is not.

4. There’s no screening process.

A good landlord will want to know who’s renting from them and take the proper precautions to screen a tenant. Most landlords will have a screening process to make sure they screen quality tenants. So, if a tenant does not require a rental application and credit check, this is a red flag. This means the landlord doesn’t care about having a good tenant, or they’re inexperienced; both are causes to be suspicious.

If you’re a renter looking for places to rent in Austin or an investor who needs help renting out their property, contact me! Reach out to TALK Property Management– We are here to help: (512) 721-1094 or dbrown@talkpropertymanagement.com.

5 Trends in Kitchen and Laundry Appliances for 2021

Posted on May 14, 2021 by author

Whether you’re renovating or an investor that just bought a place and needs to make it move-in ready for future tenants, read about the latest trend for kitchen and laundry appliances to help!

1. Steamed

LG’s newest QuadWash dishwasher utilizes steam to get the dishes clean. This specific dishwasher features a TrueSteam feature that blasts steam at the beginning of the cycle to loosen caked-on food and another steam blast at the end to reduce water spots on dishes and glassware.

Sharp’s SuperSteam built-in wall oven has superheated steam to reach 485 degrees Fahrenheit. This option lets the user brown meats, caramelize sugar, and grill food without smoke. The steam bake option is also suitable for lovers of bread. I never knew steam could do so much!

2. A Nice Night In

Many did and still opt for a nice dinner at home instead of going out, and now there are new appliances to help recreate a night out. Plum has a unique integrated wine dispenser to hold two opened bottles of wine for up to 90 days. It also uses artificial intelligence to automatically identify varieties and chills the bottle to the proper temperature.

A new ice maker can help create the perfect ice for your cocktails or mocktails. GE Profile’s Opal 2.0 is designed to fit on countertops and low enough to fit under cabinets. It makes one pound of chewable nugget ice per hour and holds up to three pounds. It even has built-in Wi-Fi, so you can set up an ice-making schedule via their app.

Signature Kitchen released a new undercounter wine refrigerator. Some features include: storing bottles at optimal humidity, protecting bottles from vibrations, temperature changes, and light exposure, and an app to manage the collection.

3. Healthy and Hygienic

Beko’s new French door refrigerator has the technology to keep the food inside healthy and hygienic with features like maintaining temperature and humidity to preserve the food longer and a natural light simulator to help fruits and vegetables retain their nutrients.

GE’s new washer has solved the age-old problem of too much moisture in the wash, which creates mildew and odors. They solved this problem by including a design to wick away water at the end of each cycle and has a venting system to pull in outside air, removing moisture from inside the door, gasket, and basket. Miele’s washers have been updated with an allergy wash and sanitize option. Talk about a clean wash!

4. More Drawers

Drawers are becoming the popular storage option now, versus storing things in a cabinet. Drawers help bring items to the front, making them easier to access. A lot of new appliances now feature a drawer option to capitalize on this growing trend. Some devices with these features are Fisher & Paykel’s Series 11 DishDrawer, Sharp’s new smart convection microwave drawer, and Signature Kitchen Suite’s dual refrigerator drawer.

5. Varying Size

Manufacturers have finally realized that kitchens come big and small, and they finally have appliance options to fit those varying kitchen sizes. Forza has a new 48-inch gas range oven, Miele G 5000 dishwasher is 18 inches, making it perfect for smaller kitchens, Thor has a new 24-inch gas range oven, and Fisher & Paykel released a new 24-inch bottom mount refrigerator.

As you read, there are several new and up-and-coming options for kitchens and laundry rooms. But don’t let it overwhelm you! As your real estate agent, we can help you choose what appliances are suitable for your property, finances, and goals. We can help maximize the return on investment of your property. Reach out to TALK Property Management– We are here to help: (512) 721-1094 or dbrown@talkpropertymanagement.com.