freddie: 6 Ways to Integrate Technology into Your Home - 03/17/14 01:35 AM
Austin Texas - Smart Homes: Integrating the Latest Technology Into Your Home When it comes to smart home technology, the future is now. Want to turn on the light? Click a button on the remote. Going on vacation? Control your thermostat from your smartphone.


You can DIY with consumer gadgets or ask a professional to plan your system. Here are a few things to consider:
Device Control – Determine what home systems you want to include in your smart home system. Door locks, thermostats, security cameras, window shades, and lights are just a few of the devices that can be integrated into your system. This … (1 comments)

freddie: 6 Signs it's Time to Move - 03/16/14 11:36 PM
 

Austin Texas - Dreaming of a new home? It might be the perfect time to move if:The market in your neighborhood is hot - If comparable properties are selling for asking price or above, and if you were thinking aboutrelocating to a different city or a new neighborhood while yours is currently hot, it’s a good time to cash out.Prices drop - A downturn in the market is the ideal time to size up, because typically higher end homes are hit the hardest, making the price difference between your home and the more expensive property less.You’re facing an expensive renovation - Do the math … (2 comments)

freddie: 10 Kitchen Upgrades Every Chef Would Love to Have - 03/16/14 07:19 AM
Austin Texas - Who wouldn’t want a gourmet kitchen that was the envy of every chef? Here are 10 kitchen upgrades to transform your kitchen into a professional chef’s dream: The Gourmet Kitchen Triad – Start with these must-haves for any restaurant-inspired kitchen: a dual oven, six-burner gas stove and oversized fridge, laid out in an ergonomic triangle arrangement. Smart Storage – Include function-specific storage for things like baking sheets and small appliances, as well as an oversized pantry. Indoor Grill – Barbecue in the middle of winter? No problem with an indoor grill! Look for a model that includes a … (5 comments)

freddie: 8 Steps to Prepare for Shifting to a Smaller Space - 03/16/14 06:58 AM
Austin Texas - Shifting to a smaller space means scaling down your stuff. If you only have room for half or even a third of your belongings in your new space, some major downsizing is in order. Use these below tips to make the process less intimidating and stressful. 

Start Early – Give yourself three to six months to gradually scale down your stuff to avoid the temptation to pack up everything during the last-minute rush as you count down to moving day.Avoid Overwhelm – Pace yourself! Set aside an hour or two every day to go through each drawer, closet and … (2 comments)

freddie: Top 10 Buying Tips For Short Sales - 03/03/14 08:57 AM
Austin Texas – Any home buyer will inevitably run across a property listed as a Short Sale. A short sale is an attempt by the current owner to sell a home short of what is owed (including seller closing costs and back taxes) in lieu of their lender taking their home back through foreclosure, thus saving their credit rating and lifting the burden of the mortgage debt off their shoulders. The entire short sale process hinges on the hope that the lender will take a loss now, approve the short sale, eat the closing costs and back taxes, and not go … (0 comments)

freddie: Top 15 Sources of Air Leaks in Your Home - 03/03/14 05:19 AM
 

Austin Texas - Warm air leaking into your home during the summer and out of your home during the winter can waste a substantial portion of your energy dollars. One of the quickest dollar-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal, and weather strip all seams, cracks, and openings to the outside. You can save about 10% or more on your monthly energy bill by reducing the air leaks in your home. Here are my top 15 sources of air leaks in your home right now.

Top 15 Sources of Air Leaks in Your Home:
 
Enjoy my article … (0 comments)

freddie: 5 Critical Tips When Buying a Foreclosure - 03/02/14 08:36 AM
Austin Texas - Foreclosures often represent a great way to get a fantastic deal on a home.These properties can often be purchased for a fraction of market value. The truth is that buying a foreclosure demands most of the same things from a buyer that buying a non-foreclosure does; only more intensely and the stakes can be higher. Here are my 5 critical tips when considering buying a foreclosed home.

Money: Buyers must be pre-qualified and ready to buy a foreclosure. The best foreclosure properties go super fast. Buyers must look strong and organized to the seller of the foreclosure. If the property … (0 comments)

freddie: Skyrocketing Flood Insurance Will Cause More Short Sales and Foreclosures - 02/16/14 05:23 AM
Austin Texas – When Short Sale clients Dan and Barb bought a retirement home with a conventional loan without the assistance of a buyer agent, they thought they were getting the deal of the century: a small 1 story, three-bedroom bungalow fixer-upper in a wooded neighborhood surrounded by scenic creeks for only $188,000. 
They found out after they went under contract through the Title Company the house was in a flood zone, so they had to pay for flood insurance required by their lender. However the small $520 a year federal government subsidized flood insurance premium their lender was requiring did not … (0 comments)

freddie: 10 Easy Steps to a Better Credit Score - 02/14/14 08:47 AM
Austin Texas - A good credit score makes obtaining a mortgage easier, but did you know that people with good credit scores also pay less for insurance and get access to the best credit card rewards? A good credit score is 700 or higher, with anything above 750 considered stellar. A score of 580 or below is considered bad, but even people with scores of 620 will find getting access to loans or credit cards with reasonable terms somewhat difficult. So what are some simple ways to get your credit score up?
How to Improve Your Credit Score in 10 Easy Steps:Check All … (4 comments)

freddie: 9 Secrets to Maximize the Space in Your Home - 02/12/14 03:09 AM


 Austin Texas - Thinking about listing your home for sale and wondering what to do about that tiny alcove or the updersized breakfast nook?  Use the below 9 tips to make the most of the square footage in your home.
Scale Down Your Style – Opt for streamlined versions of your favorite furniture pieces. Choosing armless sofas and chairs gives you more flexibility in laying out your rooms.Seek Out Secret Storage – Look for opportunities to add secret storage. For example, tuck storage cubes under a console table for extra storage and seating!Un-Divide and Conquer – Open up your floor plan by … (0 comments)

freddie: 20 Weatherproofing and Energy Tips That Save You Money - 02/08/14 04:04 AM
Austin Texas - Show me the money! Homes rely on utilities such as electric, natural gas, and water service to meet basic, everyday needs. Each day, you use these utilities to perform many daily tasks. As the price of energy and water continues to rise, so does the cost for these necessities, and many households are looking for ways to reduce the cost of their utilities. Use these tips below to cut your energy and water costs.
Get an Energy Audit – Ask your local electric or gas company or hire a third-party provider to perform an energy audit. The auditor will … (1 comments)

freddie: 6 Valid Reasons to Down-Size, Up-Size or Right-Size Your Home - 02/06/14 06:12 AM


Austin Texas - Dreaming of a new home but just not sure it makes sense to sell and buy another one? It might be the perfect time to move if you fall into one of these 6 no-brainer reasons below to sell and Down-Size, Up-Size or Right-Size your home.
Your neighborhood is hot - If comparable properties are selling for asking price or above, and if you were thinking about relocating to a different city or a new neighborhood, it’s a good time to cash out.
Prices start dropping - A downturn in the market is the ideal time to up-size your house, … (1 comments)

freddie: The 10 Main Benefits of Buying a New Home versus a Resale - 02/05/14 05:17 AM
Austin Texas - Today's house hunter has no shortage of resale, foreclosure, and bank short sale homes to pick from when looking to purchase. But despite all those great discounted deals in the previously-owned home market, consumers shouldn't overlook the potential benefits of buying a new home. New homes usually sell much higher per square foot than resale homes, however there are strong reasons behind that negative price difference the buyer faces. To help consumers better understand the advantages of buying a new home, I have compiled a list of the TEN biggest benefits to choose a new home over a … (2 comments)

freddie: Are You Liable? What You Need to Know About Homeowner Responsibilities - 01/30/14 03:35 AM
Austin Texas - Accidents happen. But if they happen on your property, are you liable for damages? Possibly. As a homeowner, you are obligated to keep your property safe and free from obvious risks.
Where your obligation ends and personal responsibility begins is ultimately up to the courts to decide. Limit your exposure to potential homeowner liability risks:Keep Pathways Clear – Prevent slip and fall accidents by removing yard debris, ensuring adequately exterior lighting, repairing leaking downspouts, and keeping sidewalks clear.Repair Building Exterior – Maintain the exterior of your home, securing any loose siding or shingles, repairing stairs and railings, and fixing … (2 comments)

freddie: 9 Bathroom Makeovers you can do this Weekend - 01/28/14 03:06 AM


Austin Texas - Does your bathroom need a quick fix-up? Thinking about listing your home and want to transform your dull, dated bathroom into a stylish, spa-like retreat?
Take a look at these 9 Do-It-Yourself  projects below that you could tackle in a weekend.
Recolor Your Scheme – Freshen up your color scheme. Add a new coat of paint or liven up the walls with a bold, striking wallpaper.
Contain the Clutter – Add functional storage to help contain the bathroom mess that makes your space appear cramped and cluttered.
Add Texture and Charm – Use beaded board painted in a neutral color to … (1 comments)

freddie: Buy Probate Hoarder Listings 50 Cents on the Dollar - 01/25/14 05:28 AM
Austin Texas - Probate Sales and Estate Sales often represent a great way to get a fantastic deal on a home. These properties can often be purchased for a fraction of market value. These photos are from an actual Probate Court Hoarder property I recently sold in Round Rock Texas. My client picked this property up at a huge discount. He cleaned it out, fixed it up, and then sold it for a very nice profit.
It's not easy for the average home buyer to find these deals. If you're the type of person who recognizes what a great deal some of … (1 comments)

freddie: Add Value to Your Home for Under $100 - 01/24/14 02:35 AM
Austin Texas - Your home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make, but adding value to your home doesn't have to be. Keep your house appreciating by making some simple improvements that can cost less than $100. 
Start small Walk around the house and jot down all the little trouble spots you may not be noticing on a day-to-day basis. Seemingly minor aesthetic fixes can go a long way toward keeping your home feeling fresh. 
• Are your cabinet pulls updated?
• Are your switch plates and outlet covers all the same color and clean?
• Is there chipped paint … (1 comments)

freddie: The Top 10 Bank Short Sale Myths Busted - 01/17/14 10:27 AM
Austin Texas – It’s likely you have heard the term “Bank Short Sale” thrown around lately.
What exactly is a bank short sale?
A short sale is when a bank agrees to accept less than the total amount owed on a mortgage to avoid having to foreclose on the property. This is not a new practice; banks have been doing short sales for 30 plus years. However, this process has become more well known because of media coverage and government incentives for a homeowner to do a short sale versus be foreclosed on by their lender.
To be eligible for a … (0 comments)

freddie: Bank Short Sale Fixer-Upper in Round Rock Texas Sold As-Is - 01/16/14 07:13 AM

Round Rock Texas - Bank Short Sale. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage fixer-upper. Sold As-Is. Bring your handyman. Parklike backyard with covered patio/large trees. This home needs work. 1 story built in 1978. Close to Dell, shopping, schools, parks, tollway, and eateries. Great potential.
 
Click link(s) below to view today's Foreclosure and Bank Short Sale listings or receive NEW Distress Sales: 
http://AustinForeclosureSales.com
http://FreeOnlineForeclosureSearch.com
http://SchoolRatingsInfo.com
 
You can also check out my FREE 27 Seller Tips below and find out how to get TOP DOLLAR for your listing.
CLICK HERE to get my FREE 27 Seller Tips Report NOW. 
You owe … (0 comments)

freddie: Westwood High School Home Listings in Northwest Austin - 01/15/14 09:19 AM

Austin Texas - Northwest Austin is projected to be one of the hottest residential real estate markets in 2014 and 2015 by many national real estate groups due to job growth in the NW sector, proximity to downtown, natural beauty of the neighborhoods, and superb public schools.
Single family homes that feed into Westwood High School in Northwest Austin will be in even higher demand since Westwood High is a nationally ranked High School. Westwood High is located in the Round Rock ISD and has earned TEA’s (Texas Education Agency) highest rating. Westwood High is one of the few schools in … (0 comments)

 
George Kiefer, Broker-Owner, GRI, CDPE, CLHMS in Austin Texas (The Kiefer Group)

George Kiefer

Broker-Owner, GRI, CDPE, CLHMS in Austin Texas

Austin, TX

More about me…

The Kiefer Group

Address: 12515-8 Research Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX, 78759

Mobile: (512) 970-0709

Office: (512) 695-1842



Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog