Austin Real Estate

Although all in one washer dryer combo units have been available for quite some time in Europe, they have only recently been introduced in the United States. European all in one washer dryers let you wash and dry clothes in the same unit. Simply put the clothes in the washer dryer unit, add detergent, and turn it on. The unit will wash your clothes, and then it will dry them. There is no need for you to move wet, heavy clothes from one machine into another. Because you only need one unit to do both your washing and drying, you will save a lot of space. You will also save yourself some heavy lifting as well.

Unlike most dryer units, most combination units do not require ventilation. This, along with their small size, makes them ideal for apartment dwellers. Combination units dry your clothes by means of condensation instead of just hot air like traditional dryers so they do not need to be ventilated to the outside. Because of this, the combination units take longer to dry your clothes. However, some experts believe that this method of drying is better for your clothes.

Although early all in one washer dryer units were not very energy efficient, recently some manufacturers have introduced energy efficient models. Because of their small size, these combination dryers do not use a great deal of water or soap. Some units require that you use special high efficiency detergent. However, you will only need to use a few tablespoons for each load of laundry. Additionally, combination units can be plugged into a normal household socket. This means that you do not have to have a special washer and dryer plug installed. If you live in a house that has never had a washer or dryer before, this can save you a good deal of money.

One downside to these recent models is their expense. Because relatively few American manufactures are making these all in one units, they can charge more for them. Demand for these space savers is strong enough that people will pay the higher prices. Expect to pay around one hundred dollars more than what a similar unit would cost in Europe.

Another downside to combo washer dryer units is their relatively small capacity. These combination units can only process ten to fifteen pounds of clothing at one time. Separate washer and dryer units can wash and dry around twenty pounds of clothing per load. Larger families often opt for the standard separate units so that they will have fewer loads of clothes that need to be washed. For small families and single person homes, however, these all in one units can be an excellent option.

If you have a small child, make sure that you purchase a unit with child locks. Because most combination units are front loading and the door is fairly close to the ground, it is easy for a child to get inside. Child locks can help prevent your child from getting hurt.

Joe Cline writes articles for West Lake Hills homes for sale. Other articles written by the author related to Austin Texas real estate and Rollingwood homes can be found on the net.

If you are buying a home in Texas, it is important that you learn what the Texas home inspection process entails. Home inspectors check the basic features of a home, including the structure, plumbing, electricity, roof, and basement or crawlspace. Home inspectors in Texas are certified by the state real estate commission, and they are required to follow inspection protocols that are determined by law.

Home inspectors do not have to check areas in the house that are dangerous to access or inconvenient. Although the inspector is required to use a ladder if necessary to check the attic and roof, other areas that would require a ladder to access can go without inspection. Texas home inspectors also do not have to report regular wear and tear, repairs that appear to be adequate, as well as any aesthetic issues. They are also not responsible for any property features that are buried or hidden. Although home inspectors are required to check the basement or crawl space, they do not need to inspect the crawl space if the headroom is less than eighteen inches. The entry to the crawlspace must be at least twenty-four inches by eighteen inches. Otherwise, the inspector is not required to enter the crawlspace. After the home inspection is completed, you should contact the inspector and ask if there were any home features that could not be inspected for any reason. Additionally, in Texas home inspectors are not required to check the property for signs of pest infestation. If you are concerned about pests, you might want to contact a pest control specialist and have them evaluate the property.

Home inspectors in Texas will carefully evaluate the structure of the home. They will report any obvious cracks or settling in the foundation. They will also report if the structural materials appear to have deteriorated. They will prepare a written report regarding the overall condition of the foundation. During the basement or crawlspace inspection, the inspector will also look for water damage. They will consider the property deficient if there is obvious water leakage or pooling of water. The inspector will also check the roof, and will note any damage or deficiencies. They will also estimate how long the roof will continue to be usable.

Inside the home, the inspector will check the plumbing system, making certain that it is fully operational. The electrical systems must be up to state code. Each home is required to have a disconnection point. If it does not, the inspector will mark the electrical system as deficient. Inspectors will check the heating and cooling system as well. In Texas, it is especially important that the home inspector carefully check out the air conditioning system. If there is a problem with the home’s cooling system, you do not want to discover this on one of Texas’ many one-hundred degree summer days. Finally, the Texas home inspector will inspect all the appliances in the home, making certain that they function properly and that they lack any obvious defects, such as rust.

Joe Cline writes articles for West Lake Hills homes. Other articles written by the author related to Rollingwood homes and Austin Texas real estate can be found on the net.

If you will be leaving your home for any length of time during the winter, it is extremely important that you take precautions to protect your home from winter damage. Do not be fooled by mild temperatures on your departure date. Even if it is fifty degrees when you leave, prepare for a cold snap. I once returned to a house full of water because of a frozen pipe that broke, and it took four months before my house was fully repaired. Cold weather damage to your home can be expensive and aggravating, even if you have home owners insurance.

1. Turn Your Thermostat Down, But Leave It On

When you go out of town, there is no need to keep your house heated to a comfortable temperature. This is a waste of money and energy. However, if you turn off your furnace completely, your house could get dangerously cold, causing pipes to freeze. Even if your home is well-insulated, it is unlikely that your pipes would be able to withstand a cold snap if your heat is completely turned off.

2. Insulate, Insulate, Insulate

Frozen pipes can usually be prevented by keeping all the pipes in your house properly insulated. Usually wrapping the pipes in traditional insulation is adequate, provided that your home’s temperature does not get too cold. Although heated wraps can definitely keep your pipes warm, you cannot use them while you are out of town because it is unsafe to leave them plugged in for long periods of time. Some contractors discourage their use at all. If you live in an older home and the pipes are close to an outside wall, use hay bales to insulate that area. Pile them up outside your home in front of the pipes. This can help prevent the pipes from freezing.

3. Turn Off The Water To Your Home

If you are going out of town for an extended period of time, consider turning off the water to your house. This will completely eliminate the threat of frozen pipes. If you do not know where the water shut off to your house is, you should call a contractor or plumber to help you find it. Knowing where the water shut off is located can save you a great deal of hassle if there is ever a water related emergency in your home. If your pipes burst or your hot water heater fails, you do not want to be searching for the shut off while your home fills up with water. If you live in an older house with galvanized pipes, you might have to remove the aerators on your facets and clean out some of the sediment that can settle when you turn off the water. However, this usually takes only a few seconds.

4. Leave The Faucets On Slightly

Moving water freezes more slowly than standing water. If you do not turn the water to your house completely off, let your facets drip while you are out of town.

Joe Cline writes articles for Austin real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Round Rock real estate and Lakeway Neighborhoods can be found on the net.

Hiring a contractor is a luxury that relieves your shoulder of the burden to build it yourself. However, to get the job done right and arrive at a fair and equitable rate, be sure you are dealing with professionals and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself against fraud and poor workmanship.

1. Licensing.

Before you hire that contractor, be sure his license is valid to work in your state and he is working within the expiration date. You may conveniently verify the contractor’s license online by entering the number on the website for the contractor licensing board for your state. Your online query is quick and anonymous and will save you time and money to weed out the unqualified contractors for your job.

2. Communication.

It is essential to communicate effectively with your contractor to ensure you share the same concept and vision for the project. If you are able to draw your specifications or can present a photograph, a picture is worth a thousand words and will serve you well. In addition, be sure to make clear the materials, size, color and placement of the task at hand and follow your contractor’s progress to the end of the project.

3. Everything In Writing.

No matter how gregarious your contractor seems to be, there is always room for misunderstandings and sloppy workmanship at the end of the day. To protect yourself from below par work ethics or a having to pay for unfinished work, be sure to get a guarantee of services and a total budget dollar amount attached to the estimate. In some unfortunate cases, when the work order is not made clear, a property owner may be saddled with an unreasonable bill after the contractor has walked away. Even if you refuse to pay, he can and will collect the money through a mechanic’s lien, so be sure you are on the same page when it comes to payment.

4. Mechanic’s Lien.

When a contractor takes on a job and a financial dispute should arise, the contractor may file a mechanic’s lien against the property to secure his payment. Contractors may present a preliminary notice to the home owner if he wishes to retain his mechanic’s lien rights, so don’t be offended or dismayed by the documents. This is a normal course of business and also alerts you to the professional approach that your contractor is taking to building or repairing your property.

5. References.

To put your mind at ease when hiring a new contractor, you may wish to check the Internet for blogs and forums that express consumer complaints and compliments. Sites such as Angie’s List lend valuable consumer input from homeowners just like you, and can shed some light on contractor work ethics, efficiency and fairness with their billing. In a world with so many consumer choices, you are one step ahead if you do a little research on your contractor company and read what other people are saying about it. And if you find a terrific contracting company to do business with, be sure to share it with others and give it a favorable review of your own.

Joe Cline writes articles for Lakeway real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Austin real estate and Austin MLS can be found on the net.

Swimming is great summer fun for all ages, however, if you own a pool, there are a few safety reminders to ensure that everyone can relax and have a good time.

1. Lifesaver Gear.

Keep a few lifesaver donuts and other flotation devices near the water in case of emergency. And when persons with limited swimming skills are in the pool, throw a preserver or blow-up flotation device into the water for easy access.

2. CPR.

Someone on the pool premises should be trained in emergency CPR. These classes may be taken at community centers and are geared for the layman to sustain life until an emergency vehicle arrives. Persons with young children should be aware of the basic CPR techniques and can be certified in one day.

3. Electricity.

Everybody loves some music at the pool party, but be sure you have kept all electrical equipment away from the poolside wet areas. Radios should be stored high and dry on a table or shelf and never touched with wet hands.

4. Ladders.

If you have an above ground pool and children in the house, be sure to disengage the ladder when the pool is not in use. The above ground water elevation makes it difficult to realize that a youngster has fallen in, making a rescue operation futile. Children love to climb, but it better not be on the pool ladder when you are not around.

5. Platform Security.

In-ground and above ground pools that use platforms should have the underside of the steps inspected annually to ensure that the screws are tight and the footing is safe. In addition, wooden platforms may be subject to weakness from water, and the beams or braces may need to be replaced.

6. Temperature Changes.

It is not safe to subject the body to rapid temperature changes, such as swimming in cool waters, then plunging into a hot tub. Take your choice which activity is to be first, then allow yourself some time in between to regulate your body temperature before taking a dip elsewhere.

7. Child Supervision.

Children should be monitored in the pool, regardless of their swimming capabilities. Stomach cramps or sudden fatigue can cause a child to struggle in the pool, so be sure there is a “life guard” on duty at all times.

8. Pool Enclosures.

If you have young children that are not able to understand language and the importance of pool safety, you may wish to install a gate around your pool area. The gates are functional and fashionable, keeping the perimeters sealed off from youngsters and pets. Pool enclosures also offer a dimensional look to your backyard living space by separating the pool from the rest of the yard.

9. No Glass.

To keep your pool free of sharp debris such as a broken glass, its best to make it a rule that your picnic by the pool supplies will be paper or plastic. Visibility is not good when looking through water, and any sharp object that falls to the pool floor can do serious damage to someone who steps on it.

10. Safe Diving.

Your pool should be clearly marked with the various depths to avoid a diving accident. Diving into shallow waters can break a nose or a neck, so be sure that your pool is deep enough and that the swimmer knows where to jump from. If you intend to use a diving board, you may check with your city officials for the proper depth necessary for diving safety.

Joe Cline writes articles for Austin real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Austin Texas homes and Austin home search can be found on the net.

Selling your home is an exciting time and you want everything to go off without a hitch. The first order of business is to bring your home up to the maximum standards to fetch a fair price on the market. However, not every home improvement will make your home more desirable, and many of them could cost you big bucks, and even forfeit the sale.

The most common mistake is to believe that adding a swimming pool will automatically add value to the property. The truth is that adding a pool just might knock out a large chunk of qualified buyers that are adamantly against having a backyard pool. Instead, follow the 5 tried and true home improvements that are sure to add value to the sale of your home.

1. Bathrooms and Kitchens.

The majority of home buyers prefer to have updated kitchens and bathroom fixtures. This does not mean you have to completely overhaul an older home, but every little bit you can update will help. Granite countertops are a favorite, along with modern cabinets and newer appliances to accompany the sale.

2. Floors.

Whether your home is to be sold carpeted, tiled or graced with hardwood floors, be sure that the workmanship is professionally done and that the colors are versatile. Newer carpets may not need to be replaced, but should be professionally steam cleaned and ready to go. Bear in mind that the new owners will not wish to invest in flooring, so keep the color and texture homogeneous throughout the house. Although a green carpet in one room and a red one in another may have served your living space well, the new owners want to see a central theme throughout the home.

3. Painting.

The walls should be freshly painted in a neutral color with the same theme consistent in every room. White is acceptable, but you may also consider tones of beige to warm the room up. The color of the paint you choose is also a great tool to open up the room and make it appear larger. To achieve this effect, keep the colors very light and avoid contrasting color on the base boards.

4. Exterior Work.

The first impression is a lasting one, so try to add some curb appeal and make your home stand out. Exterior work may need only a simple coat of paint, however in some cases, you will need to have the house sand blasted. In addition, add some shutters, window treatments and a fresh coat of lively paint to the doors. Gardening also plays a major factor in your curb appeal, so be sure your lawn is healthy and green. You may also wish to transplant young flowers to add a splash of artistic color and invest in some small statues to define an outdoor space.

5. Driveways and Garages.

Most older homes have the original concrete or asphalt in their driveway, which although may be fully functional, they may also be unsightly. Laying down a fresh new driveway adds a lot to the overall appeal of the home and makes a good first impression when the cars come by. You may also wish to invest in a quality electric garage door, which are fairly cheap to have installed and add value and convenience for your buyer.

Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas realtor. Other articles written by the author related to Austin real estate and Pflugerville real estate can be found on the net.

One of the nicest perks to being a home owner is to be able to fix your property to your tailor made specifications. Home renovation sounds like it could cost a fortune, and in some cases it does. However, today’s savvy home owners have a myriad of resources to help them do a lot of the work themselves, saving thousands of dollars and keeping the price tag under budget.

Before hiring a professional contractor, be sure to check your renovation project for a do-it-yourself course that will walk you step by step through the process. Discount warehouses, such as Home Deport, are ideal for taking a quick class on tiling your bathroom or changing the sink fixtures. And the best part is that all your materials are at your fingertips inside the store. However, for electrical repair or renovation, be sure to have a licensed professional to do the work. The electrical system can cause a fire if wired improperly and should never be touched by a novice.

Your home is your castle and if you intend to remain in the property for many years, it might as well be fitted for your every need. Perhaps you would like a pool table to call your own, but do not have an extra room to contain it. The problem is easily solved by adding a sun room extension to your living room or kitchen. The sun room is cheap to install, comes with windows and locking doors, and functions like any other drywall room in the house. Expand your living space and create a new room for pennies on the dollar as compared to general construction costs.

Practical renovations for the long haul will generally include major repairs and perhaps a re-wiring of the electrical system. Home owners located in warmer climates may opt to replace their carpets with a permanent floor covering, thus freeing their future from costly re-carpeting and deep cleaning expenses. Tile and hard wood surfaces are the low maintenance favorites, and also make an excellent investment should you one day decide to sell the property.

If it is time to get started with your renovations, the timing is right to go green. Older homes may need some updating, and it is in your best interest to take advantage of the environmentally safe products that will cut your energy costs in the long haul. Be sure you choose energy efficient insulation, window panes and lighting fixtures to transform your home into a comfortable, yet economical living space. And if you opt for adding a room, there are plenty of choices for solar paneling, adding more sunlight with skylights, and careful planting of backyard trees to provide protection against heat in the summer months.

Renovating your home is fun, just be sure you have a solid game plan before you begin. Check the material and installation costs before tearing out the old components, and discipline yourself to adhere to a strict budget of so many investment dollars per year. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will be your dream home. However, with steady plodding and practical application, you will reach your goals on time.

Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Cedar Park real estate and Austin Realtor can be found on the net.

Selling your home should be an exciting time, but in some cases, might not be the experience you had hoped for. From the moment the property hits the open market, the clock starts ticking as to how many days before it is sold. However, auction sales are a growing trend to move the properties swiftly, albeit there are pros and cons attached. Selling a home on the auction block has been a successful strategy for homeowners who need to have a quick sale and are somewhat flexible with the final sale price. And although selling at auction can move a property in three to four weeks, not every home owner will be content with selling at a discount.

If the auction option sounds like a viable resource for you, there are a few simple steps to better prepare yourself for this novel venture, and help to ensure that you have made the right decision.

Tips For Sellers:

1. Profit Margins.

The first question to answer is how much money is the minimum you may accept for the property to pay off the mortgage. In some cases, the auction price may fall short, leaving the seller with a deficit to be paid to the lender. However, in the case of older homes or those with plenty of equity, the auction selling price is much more flexible.

2. Calculate The Fees.

An auction house will generally take a percentage of the total sale price of the property. Fees may range from six percent and upwards, so be sure to get the fee in writing and crunch the numbers in a variety of possible outcomes.

3. Choosing The Auction House.

Most major metropolis areas have quality auction blocks that specialize in property. You will want to do your research and get the best company that spends money on its advertising and is well known in the community for fast sales.

4. Absolute Auctions.

There are two roads to travel when you wish to sell your property on the auction block. The absolute auction is a process where the property will be sold to the highest bidder. This type of auction is a sure fire way to move the property with speed. However, the downside is that the seller must take what was offered on the home, a maneuver that can be risky to sellers who need a specified amount to satisfy the mortgage.

5. Minimum Bid Auctions.

This type of property auction has a reserve price, or minimum bid that will be accepted by the seller. And although the price is fixed to where it cannot fall below the minimum, a good auction house may be able to raise the selling price for you. This type of auction works well for properties with little equity and gives the seller greater control of the outcome.

Tips For Buyers:

6. Get Your Lending Docs In Order.

Buying a home at an auction is a great way to say thousands, and you want to be ready to go as soon as possible. So be sure to get all your lending documentation in order before you attend the auction.

7. Previews.

There is a little leg work involved when buying a home at auction. Some auction houses hold a preview of the property, which every savvy buyer will take advantage of. However, in some cases, it is not possible to enter the property for a look around. In such cases, be sure you do a drive-by and perform the property observations from the street.

8. Priority List.

Yes, auctions are fun, but you must be sure that you do not get caught up in the excitement and lose your train of thought. The best way to stay focused is to make a list of all the properties that you are interested in and rank them in order of their importance. List the features that attract you and set yourself a firm budget for each home. Property description lists make the auction process neat and clean with no mistakes.

9. You’re The Winner.

When the auction process becomes fast and furious, its easy to get carried away and make a bid that you did not intend to commit to. In most cases, its a bid over budget, so be mindful that your bid is legally binding. If you are declared the winner, it cannot be retracted, even if you have made a mistake. So be sure to stay focused and let nothing sway you from your game plan.

10. Mortgage Paperwork.

Once you have won the bid for the property, be sure to contact your lender immediately and get the lending papers in order. You are legally responsible for the winning bid and must move quickly to satisfy the financial matters.

Joe Cline writes articles for Austin real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Austin Texas real estate and Round Rock real estate can be found on the net.

Selling your house on the auction block may not always be the best way to move a property, but it is one of the fastest means of sale. The accelerated sale at auction is ideal for motivated sellers who need to relocate to another area or persons who need the money without delay.

The absolute auction is a sales vehicle that puts the property before the bidders with no reserve price attached. An experienced auctioneer will generate a frenzy of excitement as the bidding wars begin. A qualified auction house will have spent their advertising money well and accumulated a large crowd of serious buyers. The property will be sold to the highest bidder, regardless of what that price may be.

The minimum bid auction is similar in that the process is opened to the public, however, the seller may impose a reserve price, or a minimum bid requirement. The bidders will put their offer in writing and it will be presented to the seller to accept or reject the offer. And although the seller is protected against a low bid that may put them in financial jeopardy, the auctioneer will attempt to motivate the bidders and can often fetch a higher price that the minimum bid.

The auction house will need about six weeks to gather information on your home and see to it that the property gets its fair share of advertising. This is a service that a real estate company would provide to you, but like selling a home through a broker, nothing is free. The marketing aspect to selling a property is essential and should be regarded as one of the most valuable services from an auction house or real estate broker. The advertising costs will be recovered by the auction house when you pay your fees at the end of the transaction. And in rare cases, you may be asked to place a deposit upon registration with the auction company.

Most auction houses use a method of payment similar to a broker’s closing cost. After the property is sold at auction, a percentage of the proceeds belongs to the auction house. Fees generally begin around six percent and can sometimes top ten percent. However, just as you would pay a broker or agent, the auction house has earned its commission and provided you with a quick and easy sale. Just be sure to verify if any fees are due up-front. Some auction houses attach everything to the back of the sale, and others may require a partial fee or deposit beforehand.

The auction block can sell your property quickly, but you must also be realistic about your profit margin. Savvy bidders know the market value of the homes and may have done a study of the “comps”, or the value of similar homes in the neighborhood. The auction sale price will rarely exceed the property’s market value, and in most cases provides a nice discount to the buyer. So be realistic and content with the selling price and remember that your home has moved at breakneck speed through the real estate transaction process.

Joe Cline writes articles for Austin real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Austin Texas real estate and Round Rock real estate can be found on the net.

The concept of a twilight open house is used to show and sell your properties to those who find weekend open houses too difficult to attend. Busy lifestyles and hectic schedules may prevent qualified buyers from spending their weekend hours house hunting, and the weekday twilight open house idea can be the solution.

A twilight open house should be just that, opened at twilight. Although there are no set rules of operation, you want to have your property ready to go just before sunset and start locking the doors no later than 8pm. Effective twilight open housees should therefore run about 6-8 or 5-7pm, depending on your area and the observance of daylight savings time.

The twilight hours concept is fairly new to the real estate world, and the clients may be unaware of the industry’s new game plan. So you will need to make a valiant effort with your marketing campaigns to make your prospects aware of the new times for your open houses.

1. To get the word out, you may opt to call or mail a postcard to everyone on your prospect list, giving them at least one week’s notice before your twilight event. And be sure to clearly state the hours the house opens and closes to prevent stragglers from coming in at the last minute.

2. Keep your twilight open houses highly visible on your web site, whether you have an event scheduled or not. Your prospects need to know that you provide this convenient showing time on a regular basis. Once they become familiar with your site, they know they can depend on you to open a house that meets their scheduling demands.

3. Walk through the house and test all the light bulbs and switches to ensure there are no dark corners in the house. All lights should be on, including the garage and outdoor lighting for the front and back yard. You may also wish to keep a few spare light bulbs in your trunk for an emergency.

4. Never hold the twilight open house by yourself. It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, a lone person in an empty house at is a sitting duck. You may opt to bring your assistant or a real estate colleague and split the commission on the sale. And two Realtors are better than one when the twilight open house becomes crowded. Your guests will have many questions and they don’t like to wait in line for the answers.

5. To provide maximum service to your twilight open house guests, have a loan officer set up a station in the living room or kitchen. He or she should have plenty of loan informational flyers and ready to go with a laptop to crunch the numbers for the enquiring buyer.

The twilight open house venture has brought much success to diligent real estate agents, but the concept has not completely caught on. And although new to the industry, this marketing tactic works best in higher-end homes that are situated in good neighborhoods, which are less stressful for both buyer and agent to come out at night.

Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Austin real estate and Round Rock real estate can be found on the net.