This Is What Really Matters Your Greater Austin House Hunt



We see a wide range of buyers, from those who want homes of a very specific size, style and architectural design, to buyers who simply want four walls, a roof, and electricity for their next home. Most clients are somewhere in the middle - they’re looking for a home that looks good and has most of the features they want.

You've probably looked at houses and checked off a few boxes making sure they have the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you want, but have you ever looked at a home and really thought, "Is this house right for me?"

Not many do. That's why I wanted to share a Consumer Reports video with you that I recently found. It's a nice checklist to go through in order to make sure the home you're considering actually fits you and your lifestyle. Here are my favorite items: 

  1. ​Communicate with people at the local coffee shop or any place where locals hang out. Simply ask their thoughts on the area. 
  2. You can tell a lot about the sense of community in a neighborhood based on the sidewalks and porches. Seriously! 
  3. Proximity to places and amenities you frequent shouldn't be overlooked. Do you want to be close to restaurants and shops, the airport, or parks and trails? 
  4. Mortgage cost shouldn't be the only factor when considering affordability. Look at transportation and utility costs too, for example. 
Remember, the average Greater Austin homeowner will stay in their home for about nine years. Don't ignore the important checklist items when considering the place you’ll call home for nearly a decade.

Now, this example is pretty broad. Each family has its own unique situation and its own unique checklist. I'd love to sit down with you and use my experience to help you come up with that all-important checklist of your own to help find the right home for you. Give me a call or send me an email and let’s talk soon.

HVAC Maintenance & Repair Tips for Homeowners


With summer nearly over, I’m sure you (like me) have been reminded just how much we use our air conditioning. Soon, in the winter, you’ll also be reminded of how often you use the furnace, too.

It’s one of the major systems in your home, and a surprise issue with one of these systems can be a nightmare if handled improperly. That’s why I wanted to share a video from Angie’s List that I recently saw about proper maintenance of your heating and cooling systems.

If either unit is having issues, did you know you can actually hire technicians who are specially trained to work on certain brands? For example, if you have a Trane system, you can find a tech who is trained specifically to work on Trane products.

Secondly, always remember to get second opinion when someone recommends that you replace a system, because oftentimes, a repair will do. You want to be certain when it comes to a part of your home that should last 20 years, especially considering the cost of a replacement. 

Unfortunately, as the video points out, there are a lot of people out there in who deal in these systems who prey on customers who don’t know any better. If you’re hiring a company, you should investigate them by checking out their web reviews or social media pages. 

Also, be proactive with service with these systems. If you wait until the systems is broken down and needs repair to get it checked out, you’re now at their mercy. 

As always, if you have any real estate questions for the Greater Austin area, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to answer them for you!