Category: Home Care Tips

The Home Office | Why Investing In this Space is Crucial in Selling or Renting an Austin Home in 2020

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As health concerns reshape daily lives and force businesses to reconsider their workplace infrastructure, Austin home seekers will have new priorities. If you have a home to sell or an investment property to rent to those looking to move in Austin, pay attention to this developing trend.

The last decade of innovation has created opportunities through technology to work more creatively. Educational institutions brought the classroom to the home, and many businesses offer flexibility to allow employees to work and meet from anywhere. With the current COVID-19 landscape, these innovations are perfectly timed. While current headlines collide with tech tools, the shift in workplace structures and priorities is unavoidable, and it will ultimately impact what people are looking for in a home, whether they are buying or renting. In other words, home offices have just moved to the top of the most-wanted list for searchers. 

Home Office Must-Haves

If you are selling a house or offering a home for rent as an investment property owner, adding or boosting a home office or flex area may help attract the right buyer or renter. Whether it is ensuring the room or space is ready for office equipment, or you are highlighting the most pertinent information in your marketing, be sure to include these home office must-haves:

  1. Good Lighting. Make sure there are plugs available for lamps or overhead light fixtures are installed.
  2. High-Speed Internet. Know what type of internet is available, have it connected, and include it in your marketing information. 
  3. Proper Outlets for Office Equipment. Ensure the outlets are up to date and in convenient locations to handle computers or printers. 
  4. Space. Add built-in shelving or stage the room to show off how it can be used for work or school. 
  5. Privacy. Ensure any space you are allocating as the dedicated office offers privacy with a door or is set apart from the main gathering area. 

Home offices are the next wave of must-haves in a house, so if you are selling a home or offering a rental, it is time to invest in a dedicated space to meet the needs of potential buyers or tenants.

Are you interested in more information about buying an investment home in Austin or need a property manager to help navigate Austin’s rental market? Contact me. I am always here and available to answer any questions you may have. Set up a virtual appointment with me by contacting me below or give me a call at 512-721-1094. 

Need more information about residential investments? Click here to visit our Owner Resource page. 

How to Lease Your Property Faster with Upgrades

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There is no doubt about it. Potential tenants are looking for more bang for their buck when it comes to renting these days. How does your property stand apart from other rental properties in your area? When it comes to the big picture, updating the interior and exterior of your rental property doesn’t have to have a huge price tag. It is the little things that renters appreciate. Here are some of the most common rental property upgrades you can make that will go a long way in attracting qualified tenants. 

Hardwood Floors vs. Carpet

Some of the best upgrades to do on a rental property in Austin include flooring. It is one of the first things most owners consider when taking on an update project. Even if the original shag carpet is still intact, now is the time to replace it. You’ll not only save yourself a ton of money in carpet cleaning fees; you’ll be able to install long-lasting floors that can withstand the test of time and tenant. Hardwood floors or vinyl planking that gives the appearance of hardwood are becoming more and more popular. However, some landlords are opting for a finished appearance of the concrete foundation as flooring.  

Paint Touch Ups 

Give the interior an updated look with a new, fresh coat of paint. Avoid bright accent walls or colors that won’t typically “go with everything” as your next tenant may have a completely different color scheme. Avoid flat paint if possible. High gloss paint is preferred as it is easier to remove scuff marks, and natural wear and tear Neutral colors go a long way in helping decide what color to update the walls. Use white glossy paint for the baseboards and door trims. 

Update the Cabinets

Consider updating the cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathrooms for a fresh look that will get your property leased in Austin. From the cabinet door to the modern hardware (or handles), you can avoid costly renovations by merely updating the paint, replacing the cabinet top, and changing out the doors. 

Replace Window Screens

It may seem like a small thing, and it is, but it will go a long way in providing that updated look to new prospects. Window screens should be replaced every few years as they take a lot of Mother Nature’s abuse. Consider energy-efficient window screens. That is always a huge selling point for tenants. If they think they can save money on utility bills, that is something they will factor into their decision. 

Replace Weatherstripping

Another small step to updating your rental property to attract ready tenants is to replace the weatherstripping to all door jams leading outside. It may not seem like much and is usually very inexpensive, but seeing that a landlord cares enough to ensure there aren’t gaps in the doorways is a considerable benefit in the minds of tenants.

Update the Curb Appeal

Whether you have a corner lot home for lease or have a condo for rent, curb appeal is what attracts ready tenants to your property. Make sure the exterior looks just as appealing as the interior. People want to feel at home after a long day of work. Make the entry welcoming. 

For more tips on updating your rental property in Austin so that it will lease faster, give us a call today to discuss more options at 512-721-1094. The Talk Property Management Team are experts when it comes to property management in the Greater Austin area. Let us put our expertise to work for you.

Your Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

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Your to-do list always seems to have some kind of home maintenance project on it, especially when a new season begins. Between your pool days and backyard BBQs, make sure you work consistently on the upkeep of your home. Not sure where to start? Luckily, we’re here to help.

 

  1. Check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. It’s recommended that you do this once a month, so be sure you’re always putting this at the top of your checklist.
  2. Prep your air conditioner. The sweltering heat means that your A/C and fans are going to be working hard to keep you cool. Be sure you keep units clean and switch out the filters once a month in order to make sure there’s no disastrous break down and that they’re operating at peak performance during the few months you need them.
  3. Keep your grill clean. It may have been months since the last time you fired up the outdoor cooker for burgers and steaks, so give it a deep cleaning. The burnt residue of last year’s forgotten hot dogs won’t improve the flavor of this year’s hot dogs.
  4. Give yourself a porch worth perching on this summer. Dirt and debris can accumulate on your porch, especially after a harsh winter. Sweeping and mopping your porch can do a lot to refresh the atmosphere and make it the perfect place to enjoy those summer evenings.
  5. Detail your deck. It’s important to hammer in any nails that are coming up and could cause someone to trip. Check for rotting and see if it might be time to reseal it.
  6. So mulch to do for your garden. Mulch keeps weeds down and can help your plants retain the moisture that the summer sun tries to take from them. You should also find time to get rid of the dead foliage and let your plants focus their energy on the healthy parts of the garden that are trying to bloom. Train your garden for the hot and dry days by setting up a new watering schedule. Water a few times a week with more water than you usually add rather than watering them lightly every day. It helps promote strong and deep roots.

 

We hope this summer checklist won’t interfere with any of your plans and will make your house the hub for all the season’s best get-togethers. If you or a loved one are looking for a new neighborhood that offers everything you need for a fun family summer, we’re here to help you find that dream home!

Austin Home Energy Saving Tips for the Texas Summer

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Summer is here and with the heat index creeping past 100 degrees, it’s time to start getting serious about your energy bills and working to keep them down! Here are a few tips to keep you cool all summer long. It’s only going to get hotter y’all, so get ready!

Keep that A/C Turned to a Higher Temperature to Save on Energy

Try whenever you can to keep from turning your air conditioner down low. That frigid air will feel very good come August, but it will cost you. Instead, keep your thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re in the house and above 80 degrees when you are away. Use fans to keep things cooler, only in occupied rooms.

Close Window Coverings to Insulate Against the Heat of the Sun

The sun makes for some awesome natural light during the day, but the money you may think you’re saving on your lights will come back to haunt you in your air conditioning bill. Your unit has to work twice as hard to keep your home at even a minimally cool level.

Cook Outdoors to Keep Your House from Getting Too Hot

Along with the dryer, ovens and stoves generate massive amounts of heat, especially if they are run with gas. Most of what you can cook in the oven can be cooked on a grill. With some good company and cool beverages, a cook-out can be a lot of fun.

Add Extra Shade to Windows to Stay Cool Indoors

There are a lot of options for window coverings. Draperies can be added to windows that already have blinds and shutters. Exterior shutters can be an extra layer against the sun as well. Exterior shades either for the deck, patio or windows are an ideal way to keep the sun at bay. You can even set them on a timer to be down when you need the extra protection and up when you don’t.

Summer is supposed to be fun, don’t let it become a strain or drain on your finances. Follow these tips to keep your home cooler and you’ll be smiling all the way to the bank. For another smart move that can help with your finances, contact us at TALK Property Management for the best property managers in Austin!

Expert Curb Appeal Tips for Your Rental Property

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Curb appeal done well can be the beginning of a beautiful love story, but if neglected your property can seem more like a house of horrors.

Curb appeal will make or break your listing, whether you are selling or renting your property.  Many home buyers or renters won’t even set foot inside a home if they don’t like the looks from the outside. First impressions mean everything in real estate and property rentals. In many cases your first showing is the only opportunity you get to impress your potential tenant.

With that in mind, here are a few tips to ensure you are putting your best foot forward and attracting, rather than repelling potential tenants.

Curb Appeal 101: Clean Up the Yard

We mean this as it applies to actual trash, debris or tree limbs, as well as the lawn.  Once the surface clean-up has been taken care of, cut the grass and clean up other foliage on the property.  Shrubs should be cut back according to their appropriate standards and shape.  Don’t try to get creative, no Edward Scissorhands sculptures necessary.  Make sure that you don’t cut them too far back either, you want to make sure the plants all look well maintained and appealing to anyone interested in the home so it doesn’t look like too much maintenance.

Add Attractive Color to Your Property’s Landscape

Bright, pretty and climate-appropriate flowers are an excellent way to infuse character, as well as make your property feel more inviting to visitors.  Lay mulch in flower beds and ensure that they are well defined with clean lines and defined separation from the lawn.  Add a nice border if appropriate. Be certain what you choose matches the look and feel of the property or consult a landscaping service.

We can help get your property ready for all the new Austinites that are pouring into the area every day!

Pressure Wash Sidewalks, Driveways and Siding

Details that will make your property stand out above the rest are imperative.  The more effort you put in, the more you get out of your listing.  Bright sidewalks give a fresh, new feel to a rental property and are a detail that many overlook.  When appropriate, be sure to pressure wash the outside of the building or home as well.  If you do this, just be sure ahead of time that the material you are using the pressure washer can stand up to the deep cleaning power and that you plan to do the entire home. This is particularly important with two-story homes or apartment buildings.

Curb Appeal Doesn’t Stop at the Curb, Don’t Forget the Front Door

Curb appeal isn’t all about plants and sidewalks. The front door is one of the first things one notices when approaching a property. You want the door to be inviting. This can be attained by re-painting or staining the door, as well as adding modern hardware.  Find a fresh spring color for the additional pop that will make your property stand out. The rest of the day visitors will be walking around other showings fondly saying, remember that one with the green door?  For an additional standout detail you can add seasonal, tasteful décor like a small wreath or sprig of fresh herbs to the door.

Final Touches for Optimal Curb Appeal

Clean windows inside and out.  Pressure washing won’t be enough, but is a good start.  Find some glass cleaner, get out a dust rag and put some elbow grease into it. Set out potted plants and outdoor furniture where appropriate. Update outdoor lighting with modern fixtures. Make sure the lights are working and that all the bulbs are the same color and wattage. Last, but not least, check to see if the house numbers are visible from the street.  Give everything a quick once-over and take photos while the property is at it’s best.

Learn more about the property management options in Austin available to you.

Curb Appeal Starts Online

When listing your property online, make sure that you have the most appealing photos of the outside of the home.  Do not take photos before you have fully completed all of the above-mentioned projects.  As hard as it may be to wait, the best time to take photos is once the last detail has been accounted for.  Maintenance is a must, because once your images go up online, this is the home people will be looking for when they come to check out the property.  Remember that pop of color on the door?  It has another great function; making your property easily identifiable. Keep things clean and fresh for your visitors who already have expectations in place before they ever set foot on the property.

As the saying goes; “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” When you follow these tips, you can be sure you will leave a lasting and positive impression on each person that encounters your lovely property. Contact TALK Property Management today.