Garrett Hall's Real Estate Blog

Home Renovations for an Aging Population

garrettsellsaustin@gmail.com (James Garrett Hall) — Sun, 22 May 2022 21:41:41 GMT

Renovations for the Aging Population

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Prepping an Empty Home

Sun, 15 May 2022 18:37:08 GMT

Prepping an Empty House for Sale

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Should You Lock a Mortgage Rate?

garrettsellsaustin@gmail.com (James Garrett Hall) — Sun, 08 May 2022 17:40:51 GMT

Rising Interest Rates - Should I Lock In the Mortgage Rate?

One of the most important financial considerations of buying a new home is the interest rate paid on the mortgage. Over time, a higher interest rate can add thousands of dollars to the true cost of buying a home. When interest rates are low or steady, buyers have greater confidence that they will get a favorable rate when they go to secure a loan. But, in our current environment of rising interest rates, many lenders are suggesting a rate lock at the time of pre-approval.

What is a Mortgage Rate Lock?

A rate lock freezes the interest rate on a mortgage for a period of time before the close of the loan. Typically lasting for 30-60 days, the lender guarantees the rate will not change during this period for a fee that is paid when you agree to the loan terms.

A mortgage lock protects the borrower from rising interest rates while the loan is processed and approved.

When should you lock in a Mortgage Rate?

Lenders will offer to lock in the rate at the time of loan approval. With escrow periods of 30-60 days, the lock assures the buyer that their rate will not increase during the time it takes to complete the loan process.

In a period of rising interest rates, as we see today, locking the rate may be a smart idea. The borrower may pay a higher fee for the lock, as the lender is also taking a risk, but it could be worth thousands of saved dollars over the life of the loan. Even a small increase in the interest rate can have a huge financial impact.

Tips for Staging with Plants

garrettsellsaustin@gmail.com (James Garrett Hall) — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 19:34:11 GMT

Five Useful Tips for Staging with Plants

Natural design elements have been on trend for the past few years. Sustainable wood, stone, and fabrics add simple beauty to spaces in all parts of the home. The color palette of these materials tends to be soft beiges, creams, and browns; lovely tones but without a pop of color, create cool, drab rooms that lack personality. In keeping with the natural theme, designers and stagers are using plants to add dimension and warmth.

Decorating with plants takes more strategy than adding a pretty pot to a coffee table. Here are a few tips for incorporating plants into the design scheme that home stagers use to make a home more appealing:

Choose Low-Maintenance Plants - Choose plants that do not require a lot of attention and water. This is especially helpful if the home is for sale.
No Pollen - Asking ahead of time if a plant can trigger allergies will prevent issues for guests and potential buyers.
Mix and Match - Choose a variety of colors, heights, and textures.
Showcase Home Features - Bright plants will attract attention. Consider a tall plant to showcase the ceiling height or a bright bloom to draw the buyer's attention to a great view.
Remember Stands and Pots - Make sure to choose pots or stand that complement the design of the room.

Home design has embraced sustainable, green themes. Adding lush greenery to a light-toned room will add warmth and make the home more inviting to potential homebuyers.

Five Cool Home Tech Gadgets You Should Try Now

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:56:52 GMT

5 Cool Home Tech Gadgets

There are so many new tech gadgets on the market these days. Technology should make your life easier and more enjoyable. Here are five of the hottest tech gadgets to try right now.

Motion Sensor Night Lights - Hate walking down a dark hallway at night? What about navigating the landmine of kids toys in the living room? These night lights have motion sensors built-in so they turn on as you walk by them.
Logitech Harmony Elite - A one stop shop for your home smart devices. Harmony Elite is one control that handles all of your devices in one place; lowering blinds, dimming lights, Alexa, Apple TV, Sony, and much more.
Rubold Dog Dematting Tool - Make Rover happy and keep unwanted hair off of your furniture and clothes. This device has rounded teeth to avoid scratching and reaches the undercoat without yanking the hair.
Ring Beams Home Security Lights - Ring is a household name for home security. Now, Ring Beams cameras and doorbells add motion lighting to enhance security when using the system.
Smart Thermostats - A smart thermostat can not only put your home on a schedule, saving money and offering comfort, but also allows you to turn on the heat or air conditioning to prepare the home for your arrival.

Home smart devices and technology are improving all the time. With all of the exciting products on the market, there's never been a better time to experiment with smart technology.

The Basics of Home Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

garrettsellsaustin@gmail.com (James Garrett Hall) — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 21:03:46 GMT

Home EV Charging Station Basics

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming commonplace in American households. While these innovative cars may allow their owners to pass the gas station, they still need fuel which means that access to a charging station is important to keep these owners on the road.

To provide easy access to electricity, many owners are opting to install their own charging stations in their homes. This allows easy overnight charging and less stopping while driving around town. Typically located inside a garage, home charging allows the driver to avoid long waits for on-the-go charging or going out of their way to find a station.

Unlike a standard electrical outlet, ET stations have a specialized charging cable that allows a quick charge for the vehicle. The charging cable may be generic or brand-specific, depending on the model and make of the car. The stations are connected to the home's electrical system and the energy used will be added to the home's electrical bill each month.

Solar-Powered charging stations have also become increasingly popular. This involves adding solar panels and batteries to the charging station and powering only the charging unit. This can be added even if the homeowner does not have solar power for the rest of the house.

As more people embrace EV technology and car companies offer more models and styles, EVs will become more commonplace. By learning about the manufacturer's specifications and using professional installers, adding a home charging station will make owning these cars an easy transition.

2022 Color Trends

garrettsellsaustin@gmail.com (James Garrett Hall) — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 17:19:49 GMT

2022 Color of the Year - Green

Did you know that each year paint and pigment companies work hard to predict the hottest trends in colors? They choose the "Color of the Year" and home designers love to infuse new tones and hues into their new designs.

For 2022, shades of GREEN will be all the rage. While there is no consensus about the specific shade of green and the colors range from soft neutral mists to deep evergreen, suddenly style magazines are boasting green in everything from furniture to fixtures.

Home designers have wasted no time incorporating these new colors into their styles. Accent chairs in bright bold Seafoam will instantly add a modern touch to your living spaces. Backsplashes in Olives and Cypress create a new ambience for the kitchen. A soothing color, green can also create a relaxing environment in a bedroom or bathroom. Make easy changes like new linens or towels for a quick uplift.

Paint is also a great way to instantly brighten a room. Take advantage of the new green colors, like Guacamole or Olive Sprig, to transform a neutral-toned room into an interesting, modern space. Doors, kitchen accents, walls, and furniture are great weekend projects to add green to your home.

The shade of the year isn't a shade at all, it's the color Green! Soft, bright, blue-tones, yellow-toned, and everything in between. If you're ready to make a change, add a pop of color in any room and embrace the "Shade" of the Year.

Finding the Best Home Builder

garrettsellsaustin@gmail.com (James Garrett Hall) — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 21:23:44 GMT

How to Buy From the Best Home Builder

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Expectations for Selling this Season

garrettsellsaustin@gmail.com (James Garrett Hall) — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 04:18:40 GMT

Sellers: Expect Multiple Strong Offers this Season

The winter season has traditionally been a slower time for home sales. The guidance in the past has been to wait for the warmer months of spring before listing. However, the current real estate market has created a strong seller's market and if you're considering a move, it may be better to sell now rather than risk a slowdown if interest rates rise in the coming months.

Well-priced homes have always attracted multiple offers. Often these proposals varied in strength, allowing the seller to easily make the best decision based on price and terms. In this current climate, with inventory so low, well-qualified buyers are searching for homes and making swift decisions. As a result, sellers are receiving multiple, strong offers.

According to recent data by the National Association of Realtors®, the average seller receives 3.7 offers on their home. These are typically well-qualified, serious home buyers, and many are all-cash. While this is a good "problem" to have, it can also lead to confusion as sellers struggle to choose the right offer.

Working with your agent, consider each offer carefully and review both price and terms, such as contingencies and close date. Remember that the value for any buyer financing the purchase will be subject to an appraisal; this will prevent you from accepting an unrealistic offer that may cost you time and money if the appraisal doesn't support the value and you need to start over.

The bottom line is that this is a great time to sell your home. If you've been considering a move, no need to wait for spring.

Modern White Kitchens

garrettsellsaustin@gmail.com (James Garrett Hall) — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 19:17:32 GMT

Tips to Clean and Maintain Your White Cabinets

Sleek, white kitchens are one of the most popular trends in interior design. Bright and cheery white tiles, sinks, cabinets and even appliances are replacing the dark and heavy wood and granite of the past couple decades. White or off-white makes kitchen spaces seem large and airy, creating a sense of tranquility and freshness.

However, white cabinets and surfaces are less forgiving than their dark counterparts and need to be carefully maintained and cleaned to retain their

sparkling appearance. These high-traffic areas can retain their beauty with some simple maintenance tips.

Tips to Clean and Maintain White Cabinets and Surfaces:

• Avoid Direct Sunlight – Design your kitchen to avoid direct sunlight on white cabinets. Watch for ways to incorporate natural light without direct sunlight , which can turn white cabinets and appliances yellow over time – making them seem dingy.

• Clean Regularly – The first step is to clean often. Use gentle, natural cleaning products to avoid staining, or mix baking soda with vinegar and lemon for a simple, effective cleaning solution. Clean spills immediately to avoid stains. Pay attention to high-touch areas like cabinet doors or appliance handles, which will accumulate more fingerprints and grime.

• Invest in an Exhaust System – Grease and food particles in the air can quickly build up on surfaces. Install an effective exhaust fan or range hood to pull cooking debris into the vent and away from cabinets and other porous materials.

The white kitchen trend is here to stay. Modern, fresh, and bright, white kitchens provide a welcoming space in any home. By caring for your surfaces, you can avoid yellowing and staining and enjoy the tranquility of a pristine white kitchen.

Tips for the First-Time Home Seller

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 17:33:35 GMT

Tips to Successfully Navigate Selling Your First Home

There is a lot of attention paid to first-time homebuyers. Most real estate agents and lenders have some sort of guide to help first-time homebuyers navigate their first home purchase, but what about the first-time seller?

Selling your home for the first time can be just as confusing as a home purchase, so here are a few things to remember as you navigate your home sale.

Before that first showing, it’s important to prepare. This involves not only cleaning, decluttering, and staging the home, but also learning about your local

real estate market and finding the best agent for your needs.

Interview more than one agent and ask lots of questions. Learn about the services they offer: do they include professional photography, video, or virtual tours? Ask for a comprehensive market analysis (CMA) and ask each agent their suggestion for the listing price and their method for arriving at that number. Use this information to determine the best agent to assist you.

Once you have an agent, stay involved. Discuss the plan for showings and open houses. Try and be flexible to allow for as many potential buyers as possible to view your property. Review the listing online for accuracy and stay in touch with your agent for feedback from showings.

Once you start receiving offers, respond as quickly as possible. It’s not just about the price; watch for terms, such as length of escrow and contingencies, when evaluating these offers. Be prepared to move so that you can take advantage of a good offer, such as all-cash.

The most important aspect of a successful home sale is the relationship you have with your agent. Be transparent about your needs, concerns, and goals; insist that your agent do the same, and working together you will navigate through your first home sale successfully.

Your Tax Refund Can Get You One Step Closer to Homeownership

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 19:14:00 GMT

Saving money each month toward a long-term goal is increasingly difficult for
most people. Even committed savers can get thrown off track when unexpected
problems or opportunities arise. It can be difficult to envision how $200 a month
can add up to a new home; the dream of home ownership continues to get
pushed back in favor of more immediate needs.

For many of these potential homebuyers, their tax refund can be a big step
forward in their saving goals. Received in a lump sum, a tax refund is easier to see
as a meaningful dollar amount. The average IRS refund in 2019 was almost
$3,000. This, added to an already growing savings account, can be a great bonus.
In addition to adding to your down payment fund, a tax refund can also be used
to increase your credit score. Debt accumulation and use is the largest factor in
determining a borrower’s credit score (FICO). A low FICO score can result in
thousands of extra dollars in interest and origination fees when getting a home
loan.

Working with a lender, strategically reducing the debt ratio can add
borrowing power to a potential buyer; lowering the cost of the loan and allowing
more of the monthly payment to go toward the home itself instead of interest.
It’s tax refund time. Before you head to the electronics store to put that money
toward a bigger TV, consider how your tax refund can help you achieve your
home ownership goals.

The post Your Tax Refund Can Get You One Step Closer to Homeownership appeared first on Agent Crate - Dusk .

Say What? Home-Buying Lingo You Should Know

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 18:48:00 GMT

If you are a first time home buyer or even a repeat buyer, you quickly realize that real estate has a language all its own. Understanding some of the lingo can help you navigate the process a little easier. By learning a few critical terms, you will be in a better position to ask the right questions and make the best decisions.

These are just a few of the common terms used in real estate. If you are involved in a real estate transaction, learning a bit of the common lingo will help you understand the process better and make your home sale or purchase a smooth one.

The post Say What? Home-Buying Lingo You Should Know appeared first on Agent Crate - Dusk .

Tips to Pay off Your Loan Faster

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 18:26:00 GMT

For generations, homeowners would buy a home for life. Working over the years to make the payments and celebrating the end of the 30-year mortgage were great milestones in the family. Today, few homebuyers expect to be in their home for longer than 7 years on average. Paying off a 30-year mortgage seems like an impossible task. Fortunately, there are great ways to pay off your loan which do not involve time. Here are a few tips for paying off your mortgage loan faster.

Paying off your mortgage builds wealth. Consider your life goals, including retirement. A 30-year loan taken out at 37 years old will not be complete until 67 – retirement age. The loan needs to be part of the overall financial plan from the beginning and making a payoff a priority with a few simple steps can add up to huge savings in interest which can then be used for better investments.

The post Tips to Pay off Your Loan Faster appeared first on Agent Crate - Dusk .

Maximizing Your Home Value

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 14:26:00 GMT

Are you ready to list your home for sale? One of the first questions you might have is, “how can I maximize my home value?” Every seller wants to get the best possible price for their home; fortunately there are ways to make sure your potential buyers see the true value of your property and allow you to receive top dollar when you sell.

Homes retain value based on a few factors; the location, the condition and the features. Before you list, speak with your agent, friends and family – then make any necessary repairs and changes to ensure you get the best value for your home when you sell.

The post Maximizing Your Home Value appeared first on Agent Crate - Dusk .

Foreclosures – What is a Foreclosed Property?

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 14:24:00 GMT

Unfortunately since the mortgage meltdown, foreclosed properties have become more common. Many home buyers see this as an opportunity to find a great home for a bargain price. While foreclosures can offer some nice discounts, understanding how foreclosures work and how this affects the buyer is critical to ensure you are getting a good deal and not a disaster.

What is a Foreclosure?

First it’s important to understand what qualifies as a foreclosure. A foreclosure is a property which has been taken back by the lender in order to satisfy an unpaid mortgage debt. It is owned by the bank or lender and they have now listed the property for sale.

Can I save money buying a foreclosure?

Yes and no! It’s true that lenders do not want to hold onto their foreclosed properties longer than they need to, but they also understand the value of the home in its current condition. While deeply distressed properties might be listed at very low prices, good homes in decent condition might not be listed below comparables in the same area.

Is the buying process different from a traditional sale?

The actual buying process is the same; you write an offer, obtain financing and close. The differences lay in the protections and opportunities for negotiation during the process. Most foreclosures are sold “as is” and the lender will not negotiate repairs of any kind. There could also be clauses which remove other contingencies, such as financing or appraisal. The buyer needs to read the agreement very carefully.

Buying a foreclosure can be a great way to find a nice property at a discounted price. Not all properties are a good deal however. Understanding the foreclosure market and reading the contracts very carefully is the key to buying a foreclosure – this way you get the most home for your money without buying a problem.

The post Foreclosures – What is a Foreclosed Property? appeared first on Agent Crate - Dusk .

Choosing the Right Offer

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 14:22:00 GMT

Congratulations, you have multiple offers on your home listing. It’s exciting to hear that you have a choice in buyers. Yet how can you make sure that you choose the right offer? With varying sales prices and terms, comparing offers might be harder than you expected. Still – it’s a great problem to have.

If you find yourself in a multiple offer situation, the first step is to meet with your agent to discuss each offer in detail. What are the actual differences? It’s easy to see what price they offer, but what about the other items – the terms, the financing, the contingencies.

Working with your agent, consider all the elements which go into an offer; then you’ll be in the best position to determine the best option for your financial goals, timeframes and needs.

The post Choosing the Right Offer appeared first on Agent Crate - Dusk .