November is time for Gutters, Leaves, Lawns & HVACs [[+]] Central Texas Housing Market Continues Strong Sales Growth Headed Into 2021: Chuck Farr’s November 2020 “Talking Real Estate” ENewsletter

Hello again, sports fans, homeowners, tenants, prospective buyers, and real-estate investors. The Austin area housing market continues strong sales growth headed into 2021 (check the [[“Talking Real Estate” Monthly Enewsletter]] for details!). This month’s homeowner task list is the same as October. Fall is here and has its own home maintenance checklist in Central Texas. Here are a few items to consider during November:

•       Outdoor Tasks:

o   Plant and fertilize. Fall is a great time to lay down some good fertilizer on the lawn, plant

Millennials are applying for credit cards more than most age groups, but they’re not qualifying for them, according to consumer behavior data by ID Analytics, a consumer risk management firm.

One in five people ages 23-27 have been declined for credit multiple times in a year, and it’s not because they don’t have a high enough income. A lack of credit history or low credit scores are leading to the denials, despite the applicants often having an ability to repay.

Being declined for credit makes millennials less likely to apply again for credit cards, with more than six out of 10 who are declined not applying again for at least 12 months, researchers found. Only 10 percent re-apply to the same lender once they’ve been declined.

ID

With major employers now stating that their employees will be working from home for the foreseeable future, many homebuyers have adjusted their list of desirables in their next home. Some not only need to plan for a home office space, but also need to accommodate the homeschooling or distance learning needs of their children as well.

This is impacting the way homes are marketed and the type of features that have become important to buyers at all price points. Of course, homebuyers with larger budgets have the luxury of seeking homes with extra bedrooms or offices and dens already included. But many buyers are not as fortunate and need to find the needed space in more creative ways.

The easiest way to add working space is within the bedrooms.

September is Time for Leaves, Lawns, Gardens & HVACs + Austin Housing Market Continues Undeterred: Chuck Farr’s September 2020 “Talking Real Estate” eNewsletter

Hello again to all of you homeowners, tenants, prospective buyers/sellers, and real-estate investors. The Austin area housing market continues bouncing back in the era of COVID-19 (check the “Talking Real Estate” monthly enewsletter for details!). Fall is here--and has its own home maintenance checklist in Central Texas. Here are a few items to consider during September:

•       Outdoor Tasks:

o   Plant and fertilize. Fall is a great time to lay down some good fertilizer on the lawn, plant trees, bushes, and perennials; they will thank you for not planting them in the blaze of summer.

Plot twist.

Californians moving to Austin, Texas should not be a blanket statement for the over 145 people moving to Austin, Texas everyday in 2019.  Yet, it almost seem like being a Californian is a derogatory term living in Austin, Texas.  We're moving here and driving up the home prices, said another fellow Austinite.  That cannot be further from the truth.  

With the number of people moving to Austin, Texas, 6% are from California.  That means everyone else that moves here are from somewhere else.  I'll give you a hint, it's the rest of Texas.  More than half of the people moving here are from Texas alone.  Texans from other metro cities that enjoys the Austin laid back lifestyle.  So, the next time you get into road rage in Austin and you want

July is Time for Yards, Watering, and HEAT Management: Chuck Farr’s July 2020 “Talking Real Estate” eNewsletter

 Hello again to all of you homeowners, tenants, investors, prospective buyers, and real-estate moguls. Before you check the “Talking Real Estate” monthly enewsletter, Summer blazes onward and has its own home maintenance checklist in Central Texas. Here are a few items to consider during July (pretty much like June; please send in the rain!):

•       Set your mower on the highest setting so you do not cut the grass too short and expose it to drought and weeds.
•       Make sure your foliage gets plenty of water during hot summer days. Water early in the day, but not necessarily every day. Plants prefer a good soaking a few times a week

It's reward enough to find a home for someone, but when they leave a fantastic review that is icing on the cake!

Thank you Kamia!

From Zillow:
"Barbra was very responsive to my questions when I sought help in securing a home to rent. I really appreciated how she dealt with the other realtor and property management company, quickly resolving issues that arose. Barbra was prepared when showing properties knowledgeable, very friendly and easy to work with. I will most definitely keep in contact with Barbra and enlist her expertise when purchasing a home next year."

RESPONDING TO TODAY: JULY, 2020

This is a contemporary content series produced in partnership with the Wall Street Journal. The series, called “Responding To Today” provides a Q&A style take on a variety of issues associated with real estate in light of the pandemic. Great leaders around the network were featured including; Mark Stark, CEO Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada/Arizona/& California Properties, Ellie Johnson, President of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New York Properties, John Sofro and Pam Rheinschild, co-owners of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Sun Valley Properties.

This issue covers three topics:

•Real Estate Investing in a COVID-19 World:  Finding Opportunities Amid Uncertainty -  page 6

•Should I Stay or Should I

More and more homebuyers are searching for homes that offer better energy efficiency and use sustainable materials. Eco-friendly homes not only help the environment but can mean significant savings in energy and maintenance costs. As more home builders consider the environmental impact of their housing developments, finding an eco-friendly home is easier than ever before. Here are a few things to look for when searching for a greener home.

• Nature Use – When searching for an eco-friendly home, notice the use of trees and other landscaping to save energy by blocking sun and wind—lowering air conditioning and heating costs by adding a natural barrier.

• Window Quality – Homebuyers should notice not only the quality of the windows but the

June is time for Yards, Watering, and Heat Management: Chuck Farr’s June 2020 “Talking Real Estate” eNewsletter 

Hello again to all of you homeowners, tenants, investors, prospective buyers, and real-estate moguls. Before you check the “Talking Real Estate” monthly enewsletter, Summer is here and has its own home maintenance checklist in Central Texas. Here are a few items to consider during June:

•       Set your mower on the highest setting so you do not cut the grass too short and expose it to drought and weeds.
•       Make sure your foliage gets plenty of water during hot summer days. Water early in the day, but not necessarily every day. Plants prefer a good soaking a few times a week rather than a light, daily drizzle.
•       Reverse the