When it comes to owning a home, there are plenty of things you need to learn about that you may not have considered. Take flooding, for instance. Even if you don’t live in an area that necessarily keeps the possibility of your home flooding top of mind, you may still live in an area that could be subject to what’s known as “local flooding”. Keep reading to understand the damage related to flooding, how to best protect your home, and how to stay safe.

TYPES OF FLOODS

There are actually a few different types of floods, and the way you prepare for them and deal with them will vary slightly. According to Servicemaster Restore, there are coastal floods, river floods, flash floods, groundwater floods, and sewage floods.

Some good news: In Central Texas,…

When it comes to owning a home, there are plenty of things you need to learn about that you may not have considered. Take flooding, for instance. Even if you don’t live in an area that necessarily keeps the possibility of your home flooding top of mind, you may still live in an area that could be subject to what’s known as “local flooding”. Keep reading to understand the damage related to flooding, how to best protect your home, and how to stay safe.

TYPES OF FLOODS

There are actually a few different types of floods, and the way you prepare for them and deal with them will vary slightly. According to Servicemaster Restore, there are coastal floods, river floods, flash floods, groundwater floods, and sewage floods.

Some good news: In Central Texas,…

The Texas winter storm of 2021 left people thinking about their homes in a new way. Homeowners who never gave much thought to insulation or generators may be wondering what steps they can take to prepare for a possible Texas winter storm in the years to come. We’ve compiled some information to help you plan your San Antonio winter storm prep. The San Antonio Water System has also published advice on what to do in freezing temperatures. With the right information and a little planning, you can feel that your home is better prepared for cold weather.

INSULATION

If you have the time and resources, make sure any pipes that aren’t insulated (and especially those that don’t benefit from the heat inside your home) get some extra attention to save you money…

The Texas winter storm of 2021 left people thinking about their homes in a new way. Homeowners that never gave much thought to insulation or generators may be wondering what steps they can take to prepare for a possible Texas winter storm in the years to come. We’ve compiled some information to help you plan your Austin winter storm prep. Austin Water has also published advice on what to do in freezing temperatures. With the right information and a little planning, you can feel that your home is better prepared for colder weather. 

INSULATION

If you have the time and resources, make sure any pipes that aren’t insulated (and especially those that don’t benefit from the heat inside your home) get some extra attention to save you money and frustration.…

Cooler weather is in the air! That's right, it's that time of the year for pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween decorations, relaxing by the fireplace, wearing warmer clothes, and seeing the trees change color. Even though the leaves don't change color dramatically in San Antonio and some days are still hot, that shouldn't stop you from getting into the fall spirit! Check out our list of fall home decoration trends and turn your home into a fall oasis or a spooky sanctuary. 

List of Fall Home Decor Trends:

• Bring The Indoors Outdoors
• Decorate The Fire Mantle
• Farmhouse Feel
• Flaunt Copper
• Freshen Up Your Front Porch
• Get Spooky
• Pop In Some Plaid
• Put Memories On Display
• Seasonal Tableware
• Spice Up Your Front Door

BRING THE INDOORS…

1. REVAMP YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE 
Creating a desirable outdoor living space will add significant value to your home. If you make your backyard space more appealing, your house will be more appealing to prospective buyers when you decide to sell. Homeowners that add a deck or renovated patio space large enough for entertaining, recoup about 65%-90% of their investment.

2. KITCHEN REMODEL

The kitchen is known as the heart of the home, and because of this, updates to this room almost always pay off. If you’re looking to make improvements to your kitchen, stick to easy upgrades such as new paint on the cabinets and walls, new countertops, added backsplash, and updated appliances. Kitchen remodels recoup 60%-120% of your investment, as long as it’s…

Why Protest Property Taxes?

Did you know that 30-60% of taxable property is over-assessed, and less than 30% of all taxpayers challenge their tax assessment? Protesting your San Antonio property tax is a great way to help keep your property tax low each year, as Texas has the nation's 7th highest property tax rate. You should make it a yearly effort to protest your property value taxes because engaging in property tax protest could save you several hundred to several thousand dollars over time.

Here’s a tip: You won’t be notified unless your appraisal value has gone up by more than $1,000, so it is a good habit to protest every year to help combat any increase.

Why Is Tax-assessed Value Different Than Market Value?

The tax-assessed value is what…

Keeping your home updated and current with kitchen trends is a smart strategy if you’re looking to sell your home one day. According to a report by Houzz, the median amount spent on a major small kitchen remodel was about $35,000. While that price tag might feel hefty, kitchens are often the room that makes or breaks a buyer’s decision.

We asked Realty Austin agents to share the scoop on what buyers are looking for in their kitchens, and what would deter them from offering a high bid.

2021 Kitchen Trends in Austin

1. Kitchens with More Color
While white cabinets are still all the rage, we’re starting to see a change to more colorful cabinet colors and backsplashes in the Austin area. “Green kitchen cabinets are super trendy,” says agent Gabi Leite.…

New legislation passed in 2021 will now impact Texas homeowners who live in communities that manage homeowner associations (HOAs) or property owners’ associations (POAs). This change was brought by the 87th Texas Legislature on a Senate bill now coined as the REALTOR Bill. These new HOA laws were created to establish a better balance between property owners and HOAs, as well as give more property rights to homeowners than ever before.

HOAs and POAs are valuable for the communities they serve, but often hold a lot of power over people’s homes. If you’re one of the 6M homeowners in Texas living within a HOA, it’s important to be informed of your protections to ensure your rights are being respected by your association.

Here’s what you need to know:

1.…