Archive for April, 2008
Posted on April 30, 2008. Filed under: Austin, Data Central, Green | Tags: Austin, green living, live green, mandatory austin water schedule, watering restrictions |
Residents may not to use sprinklers between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.; violators face fines of up to $500.
New City of Austin water restrictions will begin May 1 and end Sept. 30. They include:
No customer may run yard sprinklers between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Odd-numbered residential addresses should water Wednesdays and Saturdays; even-numbered addresses on [...]
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Posted on April 30, 2008. Filed under: Fix It, Smart Sellers | Tags: Aquifer recharge zone, Austin, cleaning home for sale, curb appeal, directionly challenged, Edwards Aquifer, home exterior, home maintenance, organic, power wash, power wash advice, pressure wash |
By our favorite South Austin contributor–Patti P.
I have a really hard time aiming a leaf blower in the right direction. My last attempt sent leaves blowing backwards up against our window screens. And, yep, the windows were wide open. While the dogs on the inside got a kick out of snuffing up & identifying all [...]
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Posted on April 29, 2008. Filed under: Austin, Green, Smart Real Estate | Tags: 5-star green, 5-star green homes for sale, Austin, Austin Energy green building, austin green building austin, Green, jewell, Jewell street, jewell street green, real estate |
If you live in Austin, Texas, you pretty much know what green building is. Or do you? Let’s clarify.
Austin Energy Green Building is the nation’s most successful utility-sponsored sustainable building program. The program rates new and remodeled homes using sustainable guidelines on a scale of 1 to 5 stars: the more green features in the [...]
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Posted on April 29, 2008. Filed under: Austin, Core Austin, For Sale, Green, Neighborhood Navigation, Smart Buyers | Tags: Austin, austin real estate, edgewick austin, egdewick, new construction austin, new homes close to downtown, newmark homes |
With home prices an average of $200+ per sqft in Austin it’s nice to find an option so close to downtown, SOCO and St. Edwards that starts out at a mere $144 psf. Edgewick is a City of Austin Green Builder Neighborhood of freestanding condos just East of I35 and South of Oltorf on the [...]
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Posted on April 29, 2008. Filed under: Austin, Fix It, Smart Investors, Smart Real Estate | Tags: add value, Austin, cost vs. value, home improvements, homeowners, investment, money returns, real estate, remodel, value |
According to Remodeling magazine’s 20th annual Cost vs. Value Report, the top five midrange home improvements that bring the greatest returns are: a wood deck addition (85.4 percent); siding replacement (83.2 percent); minor kitchen remodel (83 percent); window replacement (81.2 percent); and vinyl window replacement (79.3 percent). For more information, go to www.costvalue.com.
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Source: The Residential [...]
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Posted on April 29, 2008. Filed under: Austin, Finance, Smart Buyers | Tags: Austin, bank, buying, get a loan, lender, loan, looking to buy, mortage loan, questions to ask your lender, real estate, Smart Buyers |
1. What are the most popular mortgages you offer? Why are they so popular?
2. Which type of mortgage plan do you think would be best for me? Why?
3. Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable?
4. Will I have to buy private mortgage insurance? If so, how much will it cost, and how long [...]
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Posted on April 28, 2008. Filed under: Austin, Fix It | Tags: add on, add value, adding on room, contractors, Fix It, remodeling, repair |
If architects and builders ever begin designing homes especially configured to allow additional rooms to be added easily, the world will beat a path to their door. In the meantime, if you are contemplating adding a room onto your home, you might want to lie down and see if the feeling passes. If it doesn’t, [...]
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Posted on April 28, 2008. Filed under: Austin, Finance, Smart Buyers | Tags: Austin, buy a home, buyers, buying, Creative ways to afford a new home, financial, home search, real estate, save money, Smart Buyers |
1. Investigate local, state, and national down payment assistance programs. These programs give qualified applicants loans or grants to cover all or part of your required down payment. National programs include the Nehemiah program, www.getdownpayment.com, and the American Dream Down Payment Fund from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, www.hud.gov.
2. Explore seller financing. In [...]
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Posted on April 25, 2008. Filed under: Austin, Smart Buyers, Smart Real Estate | Tags: buyers, buying, exemptions, homeowners, homeownership, homestead, owning benefits, tax breaks |
Homeownership has man obvious advantages – privacy, security and a sense of community. But owning a home also offers a major financial advantage in the form of tax benefits.
The professionals at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation list six major financial benefits of homeownership. Of course, you should always rely on a tax professional for advice.
Tax [...]
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Posted on April 25, 2008. Filed under: Austin, Fix It | Tags: Austin, contractor, hiring a contractor, real estate, remodel, remodeling, sellers, tips |
1. Get at least three written estimates.
2. Check references. If possible, view earlier jobs the contractor completed.
3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.
4. Be sure the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled.
5. Make as small of a down payment [...]
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