Recent data indicate that a large portion of the workforce wants to work from home at least some of the time. There are a variety of elements that go into creating an ideal home office, and it can be tricky to meet all your needs while sticking to a budget. By focusing on the most important elements of a workspace, it is possible to save money while ensuring your office is conducive to work.

SPACE

The first step in making a home office is finding the space to do so. Some people have a spare bedroom or an unused dining room. Others have to rearrange to use a corner of a bedroom or living room. 

A basement can make for a good home office location, but there are specific considerations to keep in mind. If the basement is not already

First-time homebuyers are struggling to find affordable housing. Unlike recent years when inventory was high and finding a great home was easier, now buyers are faced with either postponing homeownership or making compromises. It may feel hard to compromise, but it’s important to remember that this is your first home, not your dream home.

If you are faced with making decisions about what to give up when buying a home, here are 3 compromises that make sense, and 6 things not to.

3 Compromises

1. Yard Size – Outdoor space is wonderful, but if price is an issue, find a home close to a park or other common area.

2. Turnkey Design – Paint, fading carpet and other cosmetic issues can be addressed over time.

3. Extra Living Space – Consider

November is Time for Gutters, Leaves, Lawns & HVACs [[+]] Central Texas Housing Market Remains Stable, On Track for Record Year: Chuck Farr’s November 2021 “Talking Real Estate” ENewsletter

Did you miss me? After a challenging year of Covid in 2020 that stretched into the early Spring of 2021, this Summer and Fall lifted off again as my brokerage business charged back and a new side investment-business launch consumed much of my time. We are back with another monthly enewsletter! Hello again, sports fans, homeowners, tenants, prospective buyers, and real-estate investors. The Austin area housing market remains stable and on track for a record year (check the [[“Talking Real Estate” Monthly Enewsletter]] for details!). Fall is here and has its own

Owning a home may feel like a never-ending list of to-dos. It can feel like all you do is clean and maintain your house and yard. There is a lot of truth to this, but homeownership is one of the best ways to increase wealth, so maintaining your investment is critical to your financial well-being.

Surprisingly, the roof is one of the most overlooked maintenance items of the home. Set above normally eye level, often the first sign of a problem with the roof is a major leak. Before this happens to you, take a proactive look at these signs it’s time to replace your roof and avoid more expensive damage later.

• Check accessible areas for signs of water damage, such as the attic. Additionally, look for evidence of gaps by noticing if there is daylight

Buying a home is a process. Once a buyer writes an offer and has it accepted, the listing is placed in a state called “pending sale.” During this stage, the principals involved perform all the elements of the contract, and once complete, the title is transferred to the new owner.

Sounds simple, but this stage can become incredibly stressful if the contract milestones are not met on time, or if problems are uncovered. Typically, a home sale outlines the term for escrow of 30-60 days. During this time, inspections are completed and reviewed, the appraisal is ordered, and final loan approval is obtained. If there are no delays, the escrow will close on time and the buyer gets the keys to their new home.

Unfortunately, there are often delays in this

Tight labor markets are affecting industries across the country. Skilled and unskilled jobs remain unfilled as employers struggle to find prospective employees. For anyone ready to hire a contractor or handyman to perform home improvement projects, this shortage is causing frustration. As more people embrace the “staycation” and seek ways to upgrade their homes, many are finding few tradesmen to even come to provide estimates, much less schedule the work.

If you are trying to find good people to help with home improvement projects, there are still a few ways to achieve your goals. Here are a few tips to help you find a professional to help with your project.

• Social Media – One great way to find reputable laborers is to ask for help from local

Everyone expects to sign a contract when choosing a listing agent to help them sell their home. They understand that the agent needs to be protected as they spend out-of-pocket, upfront costs for marketing and other expenses. But often homebuyers are surprised when their buyer’s agent presents them with an exclusivity contract before taking them out to see homes. What is it, and should you sign it? This first question is, why would a buyer’s agent want to have a contract with a homebuyer anyway? The answer is simple; unlike other professions, real estate agents are paid only when a transaction is closed through a commission. All costs, including time and gas, are paid upfront.

This means that they are taking time to show you homes and negotiate on

One of the first things most potential home sellers do is view their home with a critical eye to determine what, if any, changes or renovations they should make before listing. Buyers love a turn-key home and often a few simple changes can mean thousands of dollars in profit for the seller.

Currently, these sellers are finding it very difficult to find contractors and tradesmen to help make these changes. Most of the country is experiencing a labor shortage and this has made finding help for home projects extremely difficult.

Pre-listing renovation companies have emerged to fill this void in skilled labor. Working with real estate agents to identify the right kind of renovations, these companies will perform the work before the home is listed

Tune in to the radio or watch TV in the evening and you’ll be bombarded with commercials offering incredibly low interest rates to refinance your home. These rates may sound enticing, and you may be wondering if it’s time to refinance your home loan. While refinancing can make financial sense in some situations, not everyone will benefit.

Most people consider refinancing to lower their interest rate. Even a slight change in the interest rate may add up to significant dollars over the life of the loan. When evaluating the new loan, remember to add in any additional costs. Ask if you will be responsible for closing costs or appraisal costs before jumping at a lower rate. The length of the loan is also important to review. Are you restarting the clock

When I began taking real estate classes in 2006 I was amazed at how much stuff I had to learn to pass a test. I passed the test, became an agent and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. When my son was born with some physical limitations, I was led in a new direction. I traded serving people in their biggest purchase to helping people recover following a fall or stroke. Then I found myself working in home health. I would drive from house to house all day. I was excited by all the different types of homes I got to visit all over Central Texas. I was open about my love of seeing homes with my patients and many of them loved telling me the story of how they found their home or why they love their home so much. Finally, I realized, "I still really love real estate