Today we’re at The Pixie Depot, another fantastic local business in Salado. We’re taking you through the store today to show you the fantastic furniture, clothing, and more that they have to offer. Tanya Clifton, the owner of The Pixie Depot, joined us to talk about her journey, her business, and all the fantastic products they have to offer.
If you have any real estate-related questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
We’ve endured the snow and ice, and now the sun is shining through; spring has arrived in Central Texas. We don’t know whether people have been more active on Facebook due to COVID-19 or the ice storms, but we know they’ve been leaving a ton of comments on our page recently. They’re thanking us for sharing information about different things going on in the community and the latest trends in our marketplace. Considering how much value our Facebook posts provide to folks, we figured we’d organize them to make things a bit easier.
We’re excited to announce that we’ve created a general schedule for our posts! Now, don’t worry; those of you who know me know that I won’t sit around and wait to post important information if something happens. Assuming things are relatively normal, though, here’s what to expect every week:
Market Update Monday: the latest news and notes from our Central Texas market
Around Town Tuesday: local history or current events
Midweek Makeover (Wednesday): decorating, staging, curb appeal, and buyer trends
Green Thumb Thursday: landscaping, gardening, and trees
Foodie Friday: recipes and restaurants
You are the community, and we want to hear from you!
What’s the best tree to plant in Central Texas? What features are buyers paying a premium for in today’s market? Where’s the best tucked-away spot in town to grab a burger? All these things and more will be addressed in our coming posts.
We need your input. If you know of any hidden gems in the community, want to raise awareness about a great local cause, or know some landscaping or design tips, please reach out to us via email. We’re proud to be a resource for the community, but this is a two-way street; you are the community, and we want to hear from you!
If you missed our latest Market Monday Update (March 1), then here’s the gist: We shared some pretty powerful numbers that show our spring market is heating up. If you want to sell your home for more money, call the Shine Team—we’re here to help guide you through the craziness.
Don’t miss out on any more of our Facebook updates. Join our page today! As always, please reach out by phone or email if you have any specific market questions. It’s our pleasure to make the selling and buying processes as quick and easy as possible.
Whether you’re in the mood for some delicious food or you want to know how to make it, Let’s Cook Texas and Let’s Eat Texas are both places that you need to check out.
For our very first post of 2020, we’re here at one of my latest and greatest food finds. I heard about this place initially in the newspaper, and I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to share it with you as well.
Josie is a chef and cooking instructor who came to Killeen from Alaska and has renovated an old downtown facility into Let’s Eat Texas and Let’s Cook Texas.
Josie needed some sunshine in her life and decided to move from Alaska, where she owned a cooking school and a bed and breakfast. She loves the community and what she has built here. The before and after pictures of the restaurant and cooking school are incredible!
In addition to having some delicious, fresh, homemade food, they also host private groups and solo cooking events. They’re a lot of fun as well.
To learn more about Let’s Eat Texas and Let’s Cook Texas, give them a call at 254 768-0106 or check them out online.
If you have any real estate questions for me, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
I recently took a trip to one of my favorite local restaurants, Palmeras Tex-Mex con Sabor, and I’d like to introduce you to it in a quick behind-the-scenes video, today.
In addition to serving as your Central Texas real estate resource, something else I’m passionate about is supporting other local business owners, like my good friends Mike and Maha Palabi—the owners of Palmeras Tex-Mex con Sabor. If you haven’t already been to this incredible local restaurant, you definitely need to stop by soon. From the great ambiance to the delicious signature drinks and dishes they serve, the experience of dining at Palmeras Tex-Mex con Sabor is second to none. We at the Shine Team love coming here, ourselves—which is great because our new office is going to be right down the street. When we make this move, we hope you’ll all come out to say hello to us and to see what Palmeras Tex-Mex has to offer. You won’t regret it. For information about their hours, address, and menu, visit their website:https://palmerastexmex.com/. As always, if you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Before applying for a mortgage, there are a few things you need to be aware of and avoid.
First, you shouldn’t make any big life changes during the application process, such as getting married, quitting your job, or starting a new business. In addition, you don’t want to open any new lines of credit. Don’t rack up credit card debt, buy a new car, new furniture, and so on—even if you can afford it!
Make sure you don’t miss any payments.
Finally, don’t lose control of your finances; moving can be hectic, but make sure you don’t miss any payments.
If you have any questions or would like further information about mortgages, feel free to reach out to First Community Mortgage at 254-690-3765. If you’re ready to start the home buying process, call The Shine Team at 254-690-4321 or email shine@shineteam.com.
Here’s what you need to do in order to have a smooth close:
1. Use professionals to make the repairs. I’ve had many sellers try to do their own repairs, only to find out that it wasn’t up to a professional standard. In the long run, it delayed closing and cost them more money.
There may well be things that could possibly delay your closing—just try to focus on the fact that you will get to the finish line eventually, and keep your cool.
2. Make sure all utilities are on for the home inspection. Also, be sure that your property has been dewinterized so the inspector can turn everything on to inspect it.
3. Be patient during the closing process. There may well be things that could possibly delay your closing—just try to focus on the fact that you will get to the finish line eventually, and keep your cool.
If you have any questions about this or about buying or selling a home, you’re more than welcome to reach out to us. The Shine Team Realtors are here to help with any of your real estate needs.
I’m happy to be joined today by the branch marketing director, Amanda Carlson, as she gives us a glimpse into a few of the wonderful programs Armed Services YMCA have to offer.
Our exploration through Central Texas has taken us to our next stop: Harker Heights’ Armed Services YMCA. Not only is it a newer branch, but it’s one of the few that is open to service members and the civilian population alike.
I’m happy to be joined today by the branch marketing director, Amanda Carlson, as she gives us a glimpse into a few of the wonderful programs they have to offer.
When you think of classes you might take at the Armed Services YMCA, a cooking class isn’t the first that comes to mind, but the center holds weekly “little chefs” and “junior chefs” classes that teach kids how to cut vegetables, keep their areas clean, and prepare food.
Not only is it a newer branch, but it’s one of the few that is open to service members and the civilian population alike.
When it comes to their swimming programs, they offer the traditional classes and then some—partnered with Seaton, they provide therapeutic classes such as “Twinges in the Hinges” and others for those that are unable to exercise in the typical fashion.
Beyond that, they have a good selection of exercise resources; they have a sizable gym along with a gorgeous track that encircles their basketball court below.
Only rivaled by the yoga classes they hold, their spin classes are some of the most popular options available.
If you have any questions about the Harker Heights’ Armed Services YMCA or for help with any and all of your real estate needs, please contact me. I’d love to speak with you!
Today we want to take a break from real estate to share a holiday message with you. We at the Shine Team have had an amazing year in 2018, and we want to thank all of our friends, family, clients, and everyone else in our community who’s supported us. To show our gratitude, we have some special wishes to share with you. To find out what we wish you this holiday season, watch this short video.
It’s a great day in Harker Heights and I just discovered a brand-new restaurant in the area that you guys are going to love. Juicy Joy Deli & Coffee is operated by the Cruz family and they have some of the most delicious food I’ve had around here in months. Their menu includes nine different kinds of avocado toast, plenty of fresh juices, and much more. Juicy Joy Deli & Coffee is located at 110 Farm to Market 2410, Suite B in Harker Heights, right by our office. To learn more about this wonderful restaurant and why I’m such a fan, watch this short video.
I was wandering over to the great little neighborhood of White Rock when I thought it would be a good idea to show off some of the special features homes in this area have. I have two friends who just moved in down the street, so I’ve gotten to see the homes up close and personal.
Beginning at 0:30 in the video above, scroll through the video to check out this home’s amazing features, including:
Monterey drag wall texture
A stacked rock fireplace
Two-inch, custom faux blinds
Light plugs under the soffits
An automatic, preset, full sprinkler system
The fall is a great time to make a move up.
Turntable shelving (aka Lazy Susan)
Kitchen island (with electrical outlets on either end and lots of storage)
Spacious kitchen drawers
Master bathroom (complete with privacy window and walk-in shower)
Two master closets
Whoever gets this gorgeous home will enjoy lots of space and utility!
If you have any questions about these homes or real estate in general, please feel free to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.
Sometimes it pays to go against the crowd. While the real estate market is definitely at a peak during the spring and summer, going against this trend and listing your home in the fall can have some great benefits. Now is a great time to sell a home. Here are three reasons why:
1. Buyers are more serious. Many have just been transferred here for work. Their new jobs are starting and they need to find a home. They aren’t going to be out looking for a month at a time. They’re going to be serious.
2. Some buyers have been looking all summer and still haven’t found anything. Your house might be the one that they are looking for, so don’t hesitate to get it listed!
The fall is a great time to make a move up.
3. There is a lot less competition in the fall. It's no secret that most homes are listed in the spring and summer. However, homes that are not sold by the end of the summer are often delisted or are turned into rental properties. Otherwise, they start to draw less interest because of the time they have spent on the market. If you list in the fall, you have the benefit of standing out, as well as facing less competition than during the "hotter" seasons. This opens the door for you to sell your home to these motivated fall buyers.
In addition, we’ve had very high temperatures this summer and the grass has been struggling. Selling in the fall will allow you to spruce up your yard and have it look inviting. Curb appeal is important, and selling in the fall will help your curb appeal greatly.
If you have any questions about why the fall is such an opportune time for you to sell or about the home selling process in general, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
This winter is likely to be a very important moment for many home sellers. That’s because three big trends are coming together to affect Lancaster County home prices right now:
1. Housing inventory remains extremely tight. The total number of homes on the market fell 10% year over year in the last quarter. This is the biggest drop since 2013, and it's part of a consistent pattern of very limited and decreasing housing supply. Of course, the fewer homes there are on the market, the easier it is to sell, and the higher the price you can expect to get. Home prices have increased almost 6.5% nationally since last year.
2. Buyers are increasingly optimistic. Despite the tight inventory, homebuyers are increasingly optimistic and continue to look for homes. Some of this has to do with the recent growth in income and job stability. Loosening lending standards are also making many home buyers eager to take advantage of current mortgage rates, which slipped under 4% recently.
It’s the perfect time to get in the real estate market.
3. The new tax reform bill will impact the market. The federal government recently passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which majorly overhauled our tax code. While it’s unclear how this will affect the real estate market as a whole, there are some changes that do not favor home sellers. As a result of the changes made to the tax code, the National Association of Realtors now projects slower growth for home prices in 2018, with an appreciation rate of 1% to 3%. By doubling the standard deduction, Congress has significantly reduced the value of mortgage interest and property deductions as tax incentives for homeownership. On the bright side, no changes were made in the rules surrounding capital gains for home sales, which is good news for home sellers.
When you put all three of these trends together, two big conclusions emerge. First, now is a very favorable moment for home sellers, thanks to the shortage in the market, the many eager buyers, and the high and rising prices. On the other hand, higher cost, higher tax areas will likely see prices decline as the result of new restrictions on mortgage interest and state and local taxes.
If you are looking to take advantage of the present moment to sell your home, please reach out by giving us a call or sending us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Home remodeling is hotter than ever.
According to researchers at Harvard University, remodeling investment is up 6% over last year, and now makes up a $324 billion market.
According to a survey of remodelers and real estate professionals, there are five remodeling projects that offer the best returns:
1. Your kitchen. Kitchen remodeling can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. However, to maximize your return, keep your investment to under 20% of the value of your home—as is recommended by surveyed real estate professionals. The outcome? A whopping 85% return on your investment.2. Your bathroom. A thorough bath remodeling project can cost up to $20,000. However, not only will it pay for itself, it should give you an added 80% return.
3. Your deck. Replacing your deck can cost you anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size. The expected benefit will be similar to a bathroom remodeling project—around an 80% return for a fresh, new deck.
Some will make more sense for your home than others.
4. Your siding. Fading or worn-out siding can turn off potential buyers before they even step foot in your home. Replacing old siding will make it much easier to sell your home, and in addition, it should give you an 80% return on an investment of around $10,000.5. Your windows. New windows can mean greater energy efficiency, increased thermal and acoustic comfort, and a more modern look. Homebuyers are well aware of this, and they are willing to pay accordingly. That's why a typical window replacement should yield at least a 70% return on your investment.
Clearly, some of them will make more sense for your home than others. If you're considering selling your home, then just one of these projects could add tens of thousands of dollars to the price you'll be able to get.
If you have any questions or want additional advice about which remodeling projects make sense for you, give me a call or send me an email. We can discuss all the details and I can give you an accurate estimate of what these projects could be worth. I look forward to hearing from you!
