All homes have a distinctive smell to visitors, and not all homes smell like roses. When putting your Austin home up for sale, be aware of the odors that may be lurking inside. Before putting up the first Austin MLS listing, make sure that your home is bearable. You may not be able to smell anything unusual, especially if you have been living there for years. Don’t be offended if your real estate agent tells you it smells funny. Consider it a constructive tip to getting your home sold. No one will buy a house if they can’t stand to be inside of it long enough to look around.
Jul
22
I recently ended up in a debate with an online blogger who accused real estate agents of being self-serving liars regarding this question. Since I consider myself a real estate consultant (not a salesman) and strive to put my clients needs ahead of my own it took some restraint to not crawl through the internet and choke him lovingly around the neck. His basic premise is that when interest rates are low (as they are now) home prices become artificially inflated. On the other hand, as interest rates increase fewer buyers can buy and home prices become depressed. His advice then is for prospective buyers to rent until such time as they can save enough to pay cash for a house when mortgage rates are high.
Jul
16
Come join us for an evening of laughter. York Real Estate is hosting an evening of entertainment at the Cap City Comedy Club on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 7 p.m. The featured comedian will be John Heffron. You might remember him as the winner of “The Last Comic Standing.”
Jul
9
The Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLMHS) designation is reserved for real estate professionals that regularly serve residential buyers and sellers in the upper-tier market. Our own Steve York, president of York Real Estate, has the CLMHS designation. There are 3 requirements for this achievement.
Jul
1
Congress has passed legislation to extend the deadline for homebuyers seeking an $8,000 tax credit. The House and the Senate both approved plans this week to extend the deadline for qualified buyers that signed a contract on a home purchase before April 30, 2010. The previous deadline to complete settlement on the contract by June 30th could be extended to Sept. 30th. The bill now needs to be approved by President Barack Obama before it can go into effect.
Jun
25
Living in a house isn’t for everyone. Sometimes the ideal home is a condominium. For those who wish to own instead of rent without the extra responsibilities, there are many Austin condos that are comfortable, affordable and located in nice neighborhoods. This is an ideal setting for single people or couples without children. At York Real Estate, we can help you find the right condo to meet your needs without the added maintenance of a house.
Jun
18
The adage “I don’t have to outswim the shark…I just have to outswim you” came to mind this week as I read through the latest economic and real estate news. I’ll explain below, but first…
Jun
17
Spend some family time this weekend appreciating Dad for Father’s Day. There are many things to do in Austin that are fun and relaxing. Make it a family event or just the two of you spending some quality time together. Whether it is a planned activity, shared meal or something spur of the moment, just enjoy the day and create some memories. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Jun
11
Do you think you have found the ideal home in your Austin real estate search? At York Real Estate, we try to make sure homebuyers have as much information as possible about Austin houses and condos before deciding which one to choose. One way to be sure this is the home for you is to do a little bit of extra scouting before deciding to put a contract on a new place.
Jun
3
Planning a move can be a big undertaking. It means getting organized and making a fresh start. Whether you are moving into a new Austin home or leaving the area, here are a few tips from our York Real Estate team to help make the transition.