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.

What Does A Homebuyer Pay for in Closing Costs in Texas?

Posted on September 8, 2021September 8, 2021 by author

Home prices have begun to stabilize in Austin! According to the Austin Board of REALTORS® July stats, the median home sales price is $480,000. This is $2,364 less than the previous month. If you’re ready to buy as a homeowner or an investor, read what you’re paying for in your closing costs.

Title Company Fees for Homebuyers in Closing Costs

These are the following fees your title company will charge you and what you are responsible for paying as the homebuyer.

Escrow Fee

The buyer and seller will pay their own escrow fee to the title company to process the sale’s closing.

Endorsements

Endorsements are expanded coverage with a title company’s insurance policy to help cover the specific needs of the transaction. Depending on your title company and unique situation, this price can be as low as $30 or as high as hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Recording Fees

Once the sale is finalized, documents need to be sent to the county. This can range from $120 to $160, but it will depend on the county.

Appraisal Fee

The buyer typically pays for the appraisal, and it can range from $500 to $700. The lender you choose will most likely want an unbiased third party to appraise the property to ensure the property’s value matches the contract price.

Credit Report

A buyer will pay the $50 to $75 fee for their credit report to be pulled.

Lender’s Document Preparation

This $100 to $120 fee is paid to the lender for creating and organizing all the closing documents.

Escrow Accounts for Homebuyers

If you’re putting down less than 20% for a down payment, the lender will require you to place your taxes and insurance into an escrow account at closing. As a homeowner, you will pay your taxes and monthly insurance to your lender directly using the escrow account. When the taxes and insurance are due, the lender will use the money from the escrow to pay them on your behalf.

Homeowner’s Insurance

Depending on the property and the coverage you choose, the price can range from $900 to $2000 per year.

Property Taxes

At closing, the seller will pay the buyer a year-to-date prorated amount for taxes. For example, if the closing happens on October 1st, the seller will give the buyer credit for ten months since the seller owned the property for ten months of the year. The buyer is then responsible for paying the difference between the credit and the total tax bill at the end of the year. Your lender will require several months of taxes in the escrow account.

If you’re ready to buy or invest in Austin area real estate, 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.

What Investors Should Know About the Austin Real Estate Market

Posted on August 11, 2021 by author

Austin has become one of the most desirable real estate markets this year, thanks to its ongoing growth. Many companies are relocating and expanding to Austin, which is causing people to relocate as well. More residents mean more people who need housing. This is the perfect time to become an investor in the Austin real estate market! Before you take advantage of the market, here’s what you should know about the local real estate market.

Renters Can Afford More

Since many people are relocating for Austin’s incredible job market growth, that means there are people with higher education and higher incomes coming to Austin. These individuals need a place to live, which means you can increase your monthly rent. According to Apartmentdata.com, the rental price for July 2021 was $1,422/month. But don’t go above the market average, then your property will sit vacant for longer. If you need help pricing your property, reach out to us!

Occupancy Rates Are High

Occupancy rates have always been stable in Austin, but now they’re increasing. As stated in the Apartmentdata.com July 2021 stats, over the past 12 months, the rental rate growth increased by 9.4%, and occupancy is at 91.4%. This hot seller’s market makes homes unavailable for some due to low inventory or high price tags. This means they’ll continue to rent and renew their lease. This creates a unique opportunity for you.

From that same data, areas all around Austin are popular for renters, which gives you several locations and price ranges to choose from. The most growth came from a combination of downtown Austin, South Congress, and Barton Springs. The other hot submarkets are University of Texas/Mueller, “outlying metro”, Round Rock/Georgetown, and Cedar Park, Leander, and Four Points.

The Job Market Is Strong

The pandemic has made Austin an attractive home base for many big companies like Tesla, Google, Amazon, Facebook, Oracle, and more. Data from the Austin Chamber of Commerce show that in just June alone, over 20 businesses have relocated to Austin or opened their new business in Austin. More jobs = more people, and more people = more housing.

Why Invest in the Austin Real Estate Market?

Some other reasons to invest in the Austin real estate market are:

Quality Education
High Demand for Skilled Labor
Austin Has Plenty of Amenities
Austin is an Active Community

If this all sounds good to you and you’re ready to invest, contact us today! Reach out to TALK Property Management– 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.

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.

Why You Need To Invest In Austin Real Estate Now

Posted on May 4, 2021May 10, 2021 by author

In the Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com’s Emerging Housing Markets Index, Austin won second place. The report looks at the return on investment and the livability of the country’s 300 most populous metro areas. It also looks at the metro’s real estate market like real estate supply and demand and median list price and economic health like unemployment rate and daily commute times. The ratings help identify locations that are good places to invest and where you’ll enjoy living. Here are a few reasons why you should invest in Austin real estate now.

Businesses Are Relocating to Austin

The Austin Chamber of Commerce has listed about 50 companies expanding in Austin or moving to Austin. Some of them are popular ones like Amazon, Tesla, and FedEx. Apple is continuing to grow with its 1 billion dollar campus. Zoho, a software company, is moving its headquarters to Austin.

Even without businesses relocating, Austin is home to major employers like Apple, Ascension Seton healthcare headquarters, Cisco Systems, eBay, Facebook, Google, and so many more.

Austin’s job market is constantly growing and bringing people in as businesses continue to relocate and set roots in Austin.

Population Is Growing

The U.S. Census found that Austin is one of the fastest-growing major metro areas in the country. According to CBS Austin, our beloved city has also been #1 in population growth for eight years in a row. From that same Austin Chamber of Commerce list, at a minimum, each company creates ten new jobs. Just the Amazon Fulfillment Center in San Marcos is expected to bring in 2,000 jobs! Apple’s new campus is expected to bring in 5,000 jobs. Zoho’s relocation is bringing up to 500 people.

It’s been estimated that about 100 people move to Austin each day. Austin’s population has doubled every 20 years. Austin’s population is expected to double by 2040 and reach 4.5 million residents.

Home Prices Are Increasing

Currently, we’re in a seller’s market as inventory in the Austin-Round Rock area reaches 0.4 months, according to the Austin Board of REALTORS® March statistics. A seller’s market works in favor of sellers as they now have the option to accept the best offer. This usually means buyers will try to outbid each other, and the seller will receive multiple offers, most offering over the list price. The median sales price has increased almost 30% to $425,000 compared to March 2020. These prices aren’t stopping anytime soon as supply is still low, and it won’t be changing soon. That’s why you need to invest now; get the best deal now before it’s too late! At TALK property management, we are dedicated to providing you with the best service. And as your real estate agent, I can help you find the smart investment properties that will give you a return on investment.

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

3 Popular and Affordable Home Improvements to Add Value in 2021

Posted on April 8, 2021 by author

Home improvement projects were all the rage during quarantine as more and more people spent time indoors. But the trend isn’t stopping yet. Many are taking advantage of the savings from lockdown and improving their home’s comfort. Discover Home Loans survey revealed that 58% of people are planning home improvement projects this year. 83% of those said a more comfortable home was their primary motivator. Here are the most popular and affordable home renovation trends for comfort this year.

Bathroom Improvements

According to a HomeAdvisor survey, a bathroom remodel is the most popular planned renovation this year. The bathroom is a place we spent a lot of time in, so it must be comfortable, efficient, and practical. Modern toilets, faucets, and showerheads are aesthetically pleasing and also help conserve water and lower costs.

The average bathroom remodel cost last year was $13,401, according to HomeAdvisor’s True Cost Report. While this may seem like a lot, this is more economical than a kitchen renovation that costs an average of $35,000.

Interior Painting

HomeAdvisor reported that interior painting was the most popular project and the second most planned project this year. This project has an average cost of $2,007, which is the best inexpensive upgrade that significantly impacts the home.

If you’re painting to sell your home, it’s best to choose neutral colors. Neutrals will work with any style and help the buyer visualize their furniture in your home.

New Flooring

This popular and affordable project is the third most planned renovation project this year. It has an average cost of $4,680. Replacing old and worn carpet, tile, or wood will increase the home’s comfort and add a unique design feature. This is beneficial since it makes the home more attractive if you’re selling.

If you need help choosing materials or what high return on investment projects to implement, contact me! Reach out to TALK Property Management– We are here to help: (512) 721-1094 or dbrown@talkpropertymanagement.com.