Thursday, November 13, 2014

3 tips prep for the sale!



Contact me now for help with any of these 3 steps or if you have any questions. 
Keith's Cell (512) 203-4200

Friday, October 17, 2014

Is Austin, TX in a real estate bubble?



Is Austin, TX in a real estate bubble? Or is Austin, TX the perfect place to be buying a house. Statistics say...

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

584,000 People Moved to Texas Last Year! What it means for you...

The stats are in for 2013. 584,034 people moved to Texas which is more inbound movers than any other state in the nation! There were 138,057 more folks moving into Texas than moving out! This information came from the Texas association of Realtors 2014 Texas Relocation Report.  The report reveals that the majority of the folks moving here came from California and Florida, followed by Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Illinois in that order. 

So what does that mean? It means the real estate market is still really amazing. No doubt it's a seller's market, so even folks who didn't think there were well suited to sell have often been surprised when they see hard data about their home in their community. If you're a buyer, you're not left out either. While inventory is limited, there are still deals to be had for the aggressive buyer. I can help with that as well! You can check out my reviews here to see for yourself. 

Lastly, we're coming up on an election season, so it's time to start reviewing the plans that our officials have to sustain our city in the midst of all of this record growth and vote! 

If you have any real estate questions or needs, I'm happy to help in any way. Feel free to call or email me at keith@keithdubleteam.com or 512.203.4200

Sunday, July 20, 2014

$50 Sprinkler System: Save Water for Less Green

 Keith@KeithDubleTeam.com     512.203.4200

With the drought bringing Austin to a stage 2 water restriction, 
the city has limited lawn watering to once a week. 
A home owner's grass can truly suffer. 
Many turn to the professionals 
to install efficient sprinkler systems that can cost thousands.  

Here's an alternative sprinkler system 
that will help you accomplish your landscaping goals 
for much less green! 
This system, the Orbit sprinkler controller costs $50!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

3 Steps to Prep Buyers to Win


512.203.4200       Keith@KeithDubleTeam.com

Here's my team's process to prepping buyers to 
not just compete against the multitude of other buyers in this white hot market, 
BUT TO WIN! 
By simply listening to your needs, and arming you with a lender's 
FULL approval, VS. a basic"pre-approval" 
our process dramatically increases our client's success! 
See what I mean...

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Friday, June 27, 2014

Home Efficiency: New Windows, Big Savings?


512.203.4200       Keith@KeithDubleTeam.com
Energy experts share that new windows with today's technology can save you up to 50% or more on annual energy costs.
And since your energy costs can often be one of your biggest expenses,
that's a big deal!

This rental property was built in 1982. The home efficiency project here is to remove the old windows and replace with new windows with today's technology. The windows being removed are single pane, aluminum frame, and are only good at keeping the bugs out of the house. This house has a real problem with the upstairs becoming sweltering in the summer and frigid in the winter. And like with many houses built 30 years ago, there is only one thermostat, which is located on the first floor.

Why is this a challenge? Because when the main level reaches the desired/programmed temperature, the system stops cooling/heating. The windows, continue to allow the outer elements to pour in on the upper level. The result is the upper level remains hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The only alternative is to purchase window units for every room, or purchase stand alone heating units or additional fans.
Not cool...
(literally)

These new windows stop the crazy cycle.
The windows, which are gas filled double paned, cancel out the outer elements, deflect heat and the sun's rays, and keep the room much more comfortable. The upper level on this house was nearly 10 degrees cooler on the first night, without changing the a/c settings.
That's cool...
(literally)

So what about costs?
When you're shopping for windows, you will quickly see the prices can quickly go sky-high!
 But you CAN find a great deal on a budget. 
In my research, I wanted to compare quality vs price. I found that even though the big brands, like Pella and Anderson claim to have superior technology, the materials that they use aren't much different at all from other less-known brands. However their prices can be astronomical, charging tens of thousands of dollars for a home with 12 windows or more! Unless you're a big brand person, that just doesn't make sense. There are many reasons for a window project like this one, including being more comfortable in your home, but ultimately the job has to make sense financially. With the prices the big brands suggest, it would take decades for a project to pay for itself. Do your homework, you'll see what I mean. Furthermore, ask yourself these questions...
  • Is it worth it to pay that much?
  • Will technology have further improved in that amount of time? 
  • Will I be in the house that long? 

But don't be fooled!
Shop around, you can find a great deal.
This project cost $3800 to do the whole house, 10 windows!
(The rear sliding glass door was done previously on a separate project.)
After digging, we found our vendor through a local Austin DIY pro, Jim Dutton.
And the quality of the window is just as good as the big name brands!
Also, because the project was paid in cash, they offered a discount.
Not bad!

Updating your home's efficiency can save you money.
You can learn more about the City of Austin's rebate and incentive programs here.

If you have any questions about home efficiency or, if you are worried that your home's efficiency will hurt your sale,  let me guide you through the process.

I'd love to share my experience with you!

Thursday, June 26, 2014

5 High Impact Home Improvements Under 1k!!!



512.203.4200       Keith@KeithDubleTeam.com

When I coach sellers with a limited budget who need, no...desperately need to provide a face lift for their house, I share these 5 tips. They offer high impact returns for the money spent. Check out these simple DIYs for value added results and get your home sold faster for more money!

For additional tips on how to improve your homes curb appeal on a budget, check out my previous vlog post $20 Curb Appeal!

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Avoid the Pitfalls of Purchasing with Top 3 tips from Tom Sawyer


512.203.4200       Keith@KeithDubleTeam.com
Did you know...
  • sometimes paying off debt can actually hurt your credit score...? 
  • paying down debt may not help get you a better monthly payment
    or reduce your interest rate? 
  • a mortgage lending team might be able to significantly raise your credit score
    in as little as 72 hours?
Like with anything else, there's a right way and a wrong way to get you on a path.
Tom Sawyer with Modern Mortgage shares the Top 3 tips
to avoid the pitfalls of purchasing.

 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Does Your House Have a Secret? This One Does


512.203.4200       Keith@KeithDubleTeam.com
This post has little to do with the Top 3 of anything, but rather it's just plain cool. When showing a property to some clients in Jester Estates, I stumbled across this secret room. My clients ended up purchasing the home, and why would they not after a discovery like this?!  The best part is after my clients moved in, they did some digging into the home's history. Story has it that the house was build by a jewel thief and the room was designed for the one purpose of housing the stolen goods. Whether it's true or not...this is one cool find!

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Coming Soon: 707 Overlook Bend

3300 sqft, 4 Beds Master on the Main level, Very large garage...etc! Private Back Yard...and Gorgeous Custom Community Nestled in Leander







Saturday, January 11, 2014

UPDATE: SOLD for 103% of List Price!!!

512.203.4200       Keith@KeithDubleTeam.com
If you caught the $20 Curb Appeal post, you saw a the very inexpensive, yet very effective improvements the owner and I made to the property. The property was rapidly under contract and shortly thereafter sold for 103% of what we were asking! We were excited to celebrate after signing... :0)

Dan and Emily, are just one of many examples of folks who, when guided, stuck to the rules, played the game masterfully, and won...big.

Do you have questions, do you want to sell but are concerned that there may be some challenges that you can't overcome? Do you know of someone who might want to sell? 
Reach out to me. 
Let me help.

Thanks, again,  Dan & Emily for the honor and privilege of serving you!

512.203.4200
keith@keithdubleteam.com

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Homestead Exemptions...varmit!


If you've ever strut, mosey'd, or scooted your way into a Texas homestead, 
it don't mean you're exempt!
Kristy with Gracy Title helps me herd help from hogwash 

with 3 tips to keep more green-backs in your saddlebag...Pard'ner.
-Wow. 

  
512.203.4200       Keith@KeithDubleTeam.com


So, in an effort to help make your life a little easier, 
here are the links or phone numbers 
to download or request the Homestead Exemption forms 
that apply to all homeowners AND
those over 65, the disabled, disabled veterans, and surviving spouses.
Travis County    Williamson County   Hays County   
Bastrop County: Call 512-303-1930 ext. 22

General information 
about Homestead Exemptions
Click here
to read about 

how to know if you 
qualify for Homestead Exemptions
and what kind of exemptions are available to all homeowners

Homestead Exemptions 
for Homeowners age 65 and over or with disabilities
Click here
to read about exemptions, 

limitations and special instructions
for homeowners age 65 and over and 

homeowners with disabilities
 
Homestead Exemptions 

for disabled veteran homeowners
Click here
to read about exemptions, limitations 

and special instructions for disabled 
veteran homeowners



Lemme know if ya have any quick draw queries, 
ya thunk a sumthin' smart, or ya just need help. 

Feel free to call, Y'all!