Buying a House in 2022: Everything You Need to Know

So you’ve just purchased your first home. Congratulations! Maybe this is your first time out on your own and you need all the essentials. Maybe you’re upgrading from an apartment to a house of your own and your checklist is a little shorter. Regardless, you’re probably looking for things to buy for your new house to spruce it up and make it feel like home. From fun upgrades to the necessities, keep reading to see what items can help you make the most of your new home.

It's no secret that selling a home can be a stressful process. Between showings, price adjustments, inspections, and coordinating your move, the last thing on your mind might be scheduling listing photos. But as inconvenient and unnecessary as they might seem. Listing photos can benefit almost anyone listing their home, helping to get more showings, more value, and interested buyers.

Lighting can be overlooked when deciding to update your home. However, thoughtful lighting choices can help to bring character and warmth to your home. As we look to 2020, one thing is sure, industrial design is here to stay, and natural materials are making a comeback.

2020 has officially arrived and it's time to start thinking about tax season! (We know, we know- your favorite time of the year!) However, tax season can bring some pretty sweet perks for homeowners who bought a home in the state of Texas in 2019. Starting January 1st until April 20th, 2020, every homeowner has the opportunity to submit an application for the residential Homestead Exemption for their primary residence. We've put together some frequently asked questions when filing your exemption, along with all the resources you will need to get started today!

Home automation is a growing trend. Our smart devices like phones are becoming the way we interact with your increasingly digital world. At the same time, homes are being "retrofitted" with smart devices and appliances. As the home becomes increasingly digital, the homeowner's ability to use technology to customize and automate their home grows. With many tech giants entering the field with their home automation platforms, you might be wondering which one is best for you.

From market reports to lifestyle articles a few blog posts stood out with our readers and we wanted to take the time to mention a few in case you missed them.

As 2020 approaches, you might be looking for a change of scenery. Whether you are deciding on a kitchen remodel or thinking about moving to a new home, you’ll want to think about the return on your investment. Some home improvement projects do not carry the value put in when the time comes to resale.

A home inspection is a critical part of any home sale, and there are many misconceptions and confusion surrounding it. One of the most frequent questions our Realtors get asked is "should the seller be present for the home inspection?" The short answer to that is, "Usually, no." If it is a pre-listing inspection ordered by the seller, they are absolutely okay to be there and should be. But, if it is a buyer paid inspection, it's just not a good idea, and here's why.

It's no secret that the cold weather months are setting in. With regular cold fronts and low temperatures, you'll more than likely be using your fireplace or switching on your heater, possibly exposing yourself and your family to carbon monoxide.

2019 has been a year of change for the real estate industry. From partnerships to new companies and rebranding, it seems like everyone is making moves this year. One of the most significant moves we saw was the acquisition of OpCity by Realtor.com. This move signifies a significant change in the market and could be a sign of things to come.

Keen Realtors have noticed a trend as of late - the proliferation of "ibuyers". There is still confusion as to what an ibuyer is and what an ibuyer does. One of the most prominent strategies behind the growth of ibuyers has been heavy online marketing. ibuyer stands for "instant" buyer. There are different kinds of ibuyers but they generally function by offering to buy a property at fair market value, accepting a fee for facilitating the sale, and then reselling the house for a profit.

Sometimes all it takes is a simple update to transform your home from “a roof over our heads” into a haven for self-care, wellness, and productivity. Consider these small but meaningful ideas to maximize the potential of a healthy space in your home.

As we see exponential growth in the San Antonio area, we’ve seen more and more interest in what the rental market looks like in 2019. Consumers have seen increased living affordability, and are now making plans to relocate or invest in the area. Whether that’s jobs or housing, the San Antonio area is rapidly growing, and consumers want to know the condition of the market.

A mudroom may instinctively sound like an inevitably messy space, but modern-day mudrooms with hidden storage and easy-to-clean furniture certainly don’t have to be. Whether your home was built with a classic mudroom or not, you can turn any small entry space into a practical space to keep the rest of your home mud-free.

New home buyers are faced with a myriad of decisions regarding different optional services, from home inspections to home warranty and homeowner’s insurance. It can be a daunting task to decide what is needed, especially when closing costs are mounting. Home warranties have proven to be a particularly misunderstood service.

Buying a home is a unique experience, with equally unique pitfalls and potential issues. To help you navigate these uncertain waters, we consulted two of our stellar Realtors®, Trudy Schoenborn and Carol Garcia, to give us a list of 10 dos and don'ts to follow when you're searching for a new home.

There is a wide variety of information available today about selling your home. From the internet to TV shows, the home selling process has been broken down into easily digestible chunks that unfortunately do not paint an accurate picture of the intricacies involved. This has led to numerous misconceptions about home selling. I sat down with Realtors Peggy Orf and Narce Peña to discuss 5 common misconceptions that they encounter on a regular basis.

BHGRE HomeCity is thrilled to be recognized for the fourth year running by the Inc. 5000 list!

As we see continued growth in the Austin area, we’ve seen more and more interest in rental data as of mid-2019. Consumers have seen the growth in the area and are now making plans to relocate to the city. Whether that’s jobs or access to venues and entertainment, Austin is growing, and consumers want to know more.

Every 4th Friday, Royal Street in Salado Texas hosts a fun event full of music, art, food, and more. By bringing together local galleries, you can see showcases of all different kinds of art all in one place as you walk down Royal Street. You can see the wide selection of works from glass to jewelry, clay, and more. With food and live entertainment on hand, it's a great way to spend the evening.

Get up close and personal with the latest research and agricultural technology. Join the Texas A&M AgriLife Blackland Research & Extension Center during their annual Farm and Field Day. With local experts on hand, you can learn about the latest in precision agriculture, conservation, grazing animal nutrition and more. This event is free and open to the public.

A highlight of springtime in South Texas is birdwatching. If you are looking for a great way to see some of the many species who call our area home you will want to join the guided bird walk at the Port Aransas Nature Preserve. Guides will help you spot and identify species of birds and other local wildlife. You can bring your own binoculars but there will be some on loan during the walk.

As spring approaches, you might be looking for some ways to take in all that the local area has to offer. From mediation to music and more there is plenty going on in the area this February!

There are ton of places around the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex to get delicious Mexican food and dance the cumbia, but for this article we’re focusing on those delicious, salty, tangy, tequila-filled margaritas!

Finding an affordable, luxurious condo in Austin can be a challenge, but thanks to the city's affordable housing movement, some of the swankiest up and coming condos have lower priced options for those who qualify.

Denton, Texas may be a college town, but it offers a lot of cool spots to relax, grab a drink and enjoy your evening.

We assembled a list of best neighborhoods for young families by starting off with some of the best school districts, then narrowing the list by taking into account factors like amenities, crime rate, and affordability.

We spent the last few months trying out some of Austin’s hottest restaurants and can now report back with the favorites.

North of Austin in the town of Leander, you’ll find a neighborhood unlike any other being built right now. These homes are intentionally designed to look like you stepped into a 1960’s neighborhood.

Leander, a suburb north of Cedar Park, has experienced record-breaking growth over the last few years. Recently named the fourth fastest growing city in Texas by the U.S. Census Report, Leander is showing no signs of slowing its growth anytime soon.

One of the most important factors in choosing a home for many people is the quality of the public school systems in the area they choose. We did some research and provide you with the list of highest-ranking public elementary schools in the area, alo

We've compiled a list of what we think are the best light shows, events, and displays in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

The Texas State Fair in Dallas is a family friendly event, and it's coming up soon! Get the details here!

Texas cities top the list of most affordable, fastest growing US cities!

HomeCity tells you where to find the best hot chocolate in Austin!

More information on the Dripping Springs farmers market.

A list of some surprising things to do in Grapevine, TX.

Some men at HomeCity Real Estate have decided to participate in Movember, and we're documenting their journey.