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Experience Austin

National REthink Council

We're looking for applicants! The National REthink Council's vision is to be the premier member-driven think tank in the real estate industry focused on sustainable success for current and future real estate agents.

Are you or someone you know a good fit for the Council? Please review the REthink charter and complete the application by Nov. 28 to:  rethink@HSFranchise.com.

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Our powerful online presence matched with the global reputation and integrity that Berkshire Hathaway brings, cannot be matched.

We provide all of our agents with an array of the most dynamic technology and marketing tools available. Visited over 100,000 times each month, BHHSTXREALTY.COM is one of the most widely used home search websites in Austin.

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Austin Insights

What Couples Should Discuss Before Retiring




Compromise is an important part of marriage. From deciding how much to spend on a new living room set to what to watch on TV tonight, compromise is constant.


It can also be a big part of retirement conversations. While agreeing on the financial and logistical issues around retirement is great if you can get there, chances are, there are some aspects of a life together without work that will be a compromise. Getting on the same page before retirement can make it a lot easier.


Here are some topics couples should talk about before retirement:


When to RetireDo you both plan on retiring at the same time? Maybe one person wants to wait until age 70 to receive the most Social Security benefits, whil...Read more

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Contribute to a 529 College Savings Plan With Gift Cards




Parents contributing to a 529 college savings plan may find it difficult, if not a little time-consuming, to transfer cash and checks that their children receive on their birthdays, Christmas and other celebrations into the popular college savings fund.


Instead of not knowing if their cash gift is going to pay for college or for a night out on the town, grandparents and others can buy gift cards and have the money deposited in the student’s college savings plan.


The 529 gift cards are used at GiftofCollege.com, a registry for online gifts to 529 accounts. Electronic gift cards for 529s are available at the Gift College website. The 529 gift cards come in fixed amounts of $25 or $50, and in v...Read more

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Interior Designs Tips for Your Bedroom




Everyone can agree that 2020 was a very difficult year; the pandemic forced us all to spend more time in our homes than ever before. This renewed focus on our living space resulted in a new appreciation of the way our surroundings affect us.


With more family members working and studying from home, the bedroom offers a personal sanctuary in which to relax and refresh. Making a few simple changes can transform your bedroom into a personal retreat to be enjoyed any time of the day.


New Trends for Bedrooms


• Canopy Beds – A focal piece for the room, modern canopy beds are open and streamlined.


• Headboards – Headboards are a simple way to update a look without taking up space; add some pattern or ...Read more

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Refi Options for Those With Low Credit Scores




If you want to get a second mortgage so you can make renovations to your home, it can be difficult if you have poor credit.


A second mortgage can use a home’s equity as collateral for a second home loan, allowing up to 80 percent of a home’s value to be borrowed. However, getting a second mortgage through a home equity loan or line of credit can be difficult if you don’t have a credit score of 680 or better.


While high home equity will make a second mortgage less risky and may compensate for poor credit, there are other options:


Cash-Out RefinanceInstead of getting an additional loan on your home, the cash you need is refinanced into one loan with one payment.


Even if you have bad credit, a ca...Read more

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5 Overlooked Places to Clean




Regardless of how much time you spend cleaning, there are likely to be a few places you overlook. Below are five frequently missed spaces that may need a little elbow grease.


Baseboards. While cleaning, look down. The baseboards running along the floor may likely need a little TLC, as they commonly pick up dust and debris throughout the year. Give them a scrub at least twice annually.


Doors. When is the last time you washed the surface of your doors? How about the door jambs? Doors get a ton of traffic, especially to high-use places like the bathroom. Give them a wash at least twice a year to remove fingerprints, dust and grime.


Behind appliances. Pull out the fridge and stove and take a look...Read more

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Money Matters for Millennial Parents




As a young parent, you may just be learning about all the responsibilities parenthood requires. When it comes to financial planning, setting your sight on the future can help immensely.


Demolish debt. Slaying your own debt will positively impact your family’s financial future. While it may take years to pay off those student loans or credit card debt, creating a plan can help. Tackle your lowest balance first to gain momentum then take on the next smallest. Additionally, pay attention to higher interest rates that are costing you a lot of money.


Build a budget. Creating a budget doesn’t have to be hard. There are many budgeting apps available on the market to help you track your expenses, or...Read more

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10 Signs You Have Too Many Houseplants




A somewhat unexpected trend this past year has been an increased interest in owning houseplants. Decades ago, our parents’ homes were filled with pots of ferns, flowers, and even trees. This décor element is back No longer are plants relegated to the herb pot in the kitchen. As we strive to use more natural décor products, homes are once again filled with living design features.


But have you gone too far?


10 Signs You Have Too Many Houseplants


1. You live in a jungle – Boho designs often include plants, but if you’re pushing aside leaves to walk around your home, you’ve gone too far.


2. You panic when you see a dead leaf – Remember, leaves do die to make room for new growth.


3. You have “plant...Read more

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The Costs of Owning a Dog

 


 





One of the biggest responsibilities a child—or a family—can take on is adopting a dog as a pet.


Feeding, walking, grooming and cleaning up after a dog are daily responsibilities that everyone can do, and will also help teach children how to take care of something they love. For parents, however, there’s the extra task of paying for all the costs associated with the dog.


Here are some of the primary expenses of owning a dog that a family should consider before bringing one home:


Upfront FeesAdoption fees are the first costs you’ll incur, whether from a pet store, private breeder or animal shelter.


Animal shelters will be the least expensive, though they’ll likely require your dog to be spayed...Read more

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Are You Being Represented by a “Yes-Agent”?




We all know the type. The person who just says “yes” to anything, never challenging or questioning an opinion or strategy. These people-pleasers agree with anything suggested; while they may be nice friends, in real estate a yes-man or yes-woman can actually cost you money. Often a lot of money.


No one likes to leave money on the table, but having an agent who doesn’t challenge unrealistic expectations is not serving the client. So, how can you spot these yes-agents?


These yes-agents can take many forms. On the seller side, they could be the agent that lists a home at an unrealistic price. Well-priced homes are selling quickly, but that does not mean that a seller can add 10 or more to recen...Read more

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Buying in a Flood Zone?




It can be disturbing to realize that the beautiful home you’ve fallen in love with is in a flood zone. While it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, there are some serious considerations to understand before moving forward.


Flood zones are defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are categorized according to the level of risk. A high-risk area is defined as having a 1+ chance of annual flooding, whereas a low-to-moderate location has a 0.2 or less chance of annual flooding.


FEMA maintains a flood map center where you can research the classification of the location and the level of concern. Zones labeled A and V are the highest risk zones. These are areas that are either coa...Read more

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Mar 28

4 UP-AND-COMING COMMUNITIES IN & AROUND AUSTIN, TX

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It's no secret that Austin is among the most desirable cities in America. The diverse culture, balanced economy, and booming job market has led to a hot real estate market, with many new residents looking for a new home in the trendiest neighborhoods.


Of course, this high housing demand has led to the discovery—or in the case of some long-time Austin residents, the re-discovery—of many wonderful local communities. These up-and-coming Austin communities have become increasingly popular for a range of reasons, such as the quality of homes, parks, and shops, as well as proximity to the cities top amenities, affordability, and general attractiveness of the community in general.


Here ar...

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Posted on 03/28/2017 at 12:00 AM

Mar 21

5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO TO GET READY TO BUY YOUR FIRST AUSTIN HOME

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It should go without saying that buying a home is a huge step in anyone's life and it requires plenty of planning. The problem is that many first-time buyers don't know how to make sure they're ready when it comes time to buy, which could mean that you're missing out on amazing homes. This is particularly important in the hot Austin real estate market, where most homes don't stay on the market long and sellers won't wait for buyers who don't have all their ducks in a row.


But even though preparing to buy a home may seem a bit daunting to inexperienced buyers, having a clearly defined list of thing you need to do before buying your first Austin home will make things much easier. That's why we'...

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Posted on 03/21/2017 at 12:15 AM

Mar 16

SHOULD I WAIT FOR INTEREST RATES TO COME BACK DOWN?

As we talked about last time, interest rates have gone up a bit. So what does that mean for the buyer? Should you wait? Well, since rates are predicted to continue to go up, the answer is no, you should not wait. As this article points out, yes, the record low rates are gone, for now at least. Who knows what the future will hold. Most economist are saying that the next five years will see an increase in rates. So certainly waiting is only going to make your house more expensive. Sure, you could wait for the rates lower than 4% to come back. But you may be waiting a long time. The odds point to us getting back to 6-8% in the next few years, long, long before we get back to the sub 4% rates ag...

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Posted on 03/16/2017 at 12:00 AM

Mar 14

The 5 Most Expensive Austin Homes, Currently On The Market!

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the five most expensive austin homes currently on the market


There's no question about it. Austin is booming. Aside from being consistently voted among the most livable cities in the entire country, the Austin real estate market is also on fire!


It shouldn't be a surprise either. Austin enjoys a temperate climate, a great jobs market and a justified reputation for being one of the liveliest cities in Texas! Whether it's live music that you love, a world-class, gourmet culinary scene or the city's laid-back culture that's drawn you. Austin is where it's at.


Many of the below properties may be out of the reach for the average resident, but its fun to see how the other half lives. Prepared to be a...

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Posted on 03/14/2017 at 03:45 AM

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