The Benefits of Staging Your Home

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.

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.

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.

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.

Behr’s 2020 color of the year, is “Back to Nature” S340-4. Back to Nature is “a restorative and revitalizing green hue that engages the senses and pairs well with other colors both inside and outside your home.” In addition to the 2020 color of the year, Behr has released several color palettes inspired by Nature that meet personal tastes. There’s no doubt that Behr is moving forward with natural colors and that consumers want a choice in customization. But what does this selection say about 2020 interior design trends as a whole?

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.

Realtors are increasingly choosing to enlist the help of a staging professional when a client’s home is listed on the market. The trend is gaining popularity due to the increasing success that agents are reporting in recent studies of both time on the market and final sale amounts.

When buying a new home, one of the decisions you will be faced with is “should I get a home inspection?” Home inspections add to both the cost and time of the closing process and it can be tempting to skip it if the home is newer or seems in great condition, but that could leave you vulnerable to stress and expensive repairs in the future. We sat down with Randal Pitts of BPG Inspections to discuss why a home inspection is important and how to make sure you’re getting a good one.

One of the biggest hurdles new home buyers face is the thought of getting a mortgage. What do I need to apply for a mortgage? Who should I go to to get one? What questions should I ask? We checked in with Jonathan Davis and Harold Crow of Envoy Mortgage to get some hard and fast answers to these questions and more.

It’s not just hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires and even gas leaks can keep you from your home for days or weeks. Without a plan, your pet could be left dealing with the aftermath without you. The solution? Take your pet with you. Crates provide a simple and easy way to transport your pet during an evacuation and for many dogs, a comfortable crate can help them to relax and stay calm. Whether you are on the coast dealing with a named storm or you are dealing with rain and flooding inland, your pets will need to be able to spend time in the car or inside shelter.

Selecting a soundtrack for your Summer gathering is key to setting the mood for your guests. A good playlist can spark conversation and keep the atmosphere positive and inviting. We’ve taken some of our favorite songs, and combined them with hits to create some fantastic playlists for you to enjoy this Summer no matter the occasion!

The sweltering Texas heat is here, which means it’s also time to prep the inside and outside of your home for your furry-friend to deal with the warmth. You owe it to your best friend to keep them happy, healthy, and hydrated.

The last frost has passed, the kids are almost out of school for the summer, but for some reason, you feel like your home still has the winter blues. Maybe it’s the flannel sheets that are still on your bed, or maybe it's the cluttered shelves full of random knick-knacks you got during the holidays. Instead of letting your home become dull and dusty, it’s time to get it freshened up to match the gorgeous weather outside!

Good news, drink enthusiasts! It’s finally time to put those giant Mason jars you’ve been collecting to good use. We’re bringing you customized recipes for cocktails and mocktails with Texas-made spirits to get you inspired. Show off to your friends at your next Backyard BBQ with these semi-homemade thirst-quenchers.

Believe it or not, a slim remodeling budget doesn’t mean putting off much-needed home improvement projects. This is especially true for rooms like your bathroom, which is such an essential part of your daily routine. You can make your bathroom a beautiful and functional space with a little creativity and careful consideration of how you spend your renovation dollars.

The Texas sun has already begun to kiss our cheeks after even a short 10-minute stint outside. Being outdoors can be a blast, but so is the cool air when you’re indoors. The Entertaining Season will begin soon, and your kitchen will be an inevitable popular hangout area. Bring the warmth of the sun inside (without all the heat!) by freshening up your kitchen with some bright and fun decor.

With winter officially behind us, spring is in full swing. Fresh air, sunshine, and chirping birds are a welcome sight as the days get longer and the temperatures warm up. Our homes and bodies will need a little adjusting to get used to the changes. You can welcome the season with big changes like new color or landscaping, or small changes that make you feel more energized and connected to your home.

For most owning a home is the single biggest investment people make, but usually, that’s forgotten during tax time. Many people get their returns and quickly spend them on fun while forgetting to reinvest in their home. If you are still thinking of creative ways to reinvest all or some of your tax return into your home, here are some ideas.

Spring is nearly here, and it’s time to get ready for the warmth of sunshine and brightness of flowers again. Adjusting to a new season in your home is a layered process, but the very first step is to build the feel of the room starting with the sense that is closely tied to memory -- your sense of smell. Let your oil diffuser and candles get to work!

It’s a new year, and we’ve got some clever ways to help you reach your organization goals in 2019. Your home should run like a tight ship, so if you’ve got any pesky problem areas getting in your way, it’s time to address them for good with these organization tips for your home.

Texas: the land of freezing-yesterday and blistering-tomorrow. Our weather is unpredictable, at best, but fall is here, and so are cooler afternoons. It’s the perfect time to do a Texas-style garage declutter, and these few tools will help you get it done.

No matter how many times you’ve gone through the process, it’s handy to refresh your memory regarding the steps and best practices involved with purchasing a home.

It’s important for home buyers and sellers to have an understanding of how important these early listings are, and how they can help clients achieve their goals faster while providing a competitive advantage.

Austin, Dallas, and Houston are the most expensive zip codes in Texas, and we're not surprised!

Downsizing and de-cluttering your space can feel refreshing and liberating! Whether you’re moving to a smaller home, or just simply looking to de-clutter, taking the plunge to throw away your earthly possessions is sometimes necessary. An organizatio

Many times, clients will wonder what exactly their commission fees are going towards, and we’re here to answer that question for you. We asked our agents to help us explain some of the benefits that come from partnering with a real estate agents, and

We asked our agents what they tell their clients to look out for when searching for a new property. What they came back with was advice on not only physical issues in a home, but also common things to avoid during the home buying process.

We caught up with Jake from LawnStarter, and he shared his tips to keep your lawn in tip top shape this summer.

Once you understand all of the costs involved, have a nice emergency fund and have saved up a bit of a down payment, there is no reason why purchasing a home should be intimidating.

It’s smart to be thinking about the future equity of your home, and these are questions our agents here at HomeCity get asked a lot. There is no one, go to upgrade that will work in every situation and with every budget. However, here are some of our

Overcoming generational hurdles like crippling student debt, post-recession low salaries and a more unstable lifestyle, more and more young people are entering the housing market. Our agents give advice to those looking to take that leap!

Outside of a work environment where you’re organically socializing with individuals who share a common interest, kids can be the best way to make new friends.

We asked the professionals for their best tips to make the moving process a breeze.

The real estate tax experts at The Real Estate CPA give us a glimpse at the tax breaks and incentives that are available to homeowners and investors!

Advice for those who are buying or selling real estate in 2017.

Market conditions are culminating into the perfect storm for potential homebuyers to get the best deal. Here's why you should buy NOW.

We asked our agents here at HomeCity Real Estate what they advise their seller clients to do to avoid common seller faux paus.

It can seem daunting to consider all of these things before setting foot in your first open house, but we promise, it’s important. To make things easier, we caught up with Jason Lewis from Supreme Lending to help walk us through the steps necessary t

Any time of year is a good time to sell when there are going to be serious buyers ready to consider your home, we'll tell you why here

When selling a home, it’s important to make a good impression on potential buyers early on in the game. We asked some of our agents what they do to ensure a home sells fast!

Whether you’re just beginning to think about investing or are planning to start your journey, there are several things to educate yourself about. We caught up with HomeCity investment experts Jonathan Bane and Greg Saunders to give you beginners cras

There are inevitably misconceptions about the industry that real estate agents find themselves explaining to client after client. We asked some of our agents what the most common questions they get are, and what they wished more people knew coming in

Where you are in life will determine whether or not it makes more sense to buy or continue renting. There are pro’s and con’s to each, but weighing your options is the best way to determine which is more beneficial for you, and could help you avoid m

So what are the advantages vs. disadvantages, what are the differences between condos and townhomes? We’ll do our best to explain.

We’ve put together some guidelines to help you figure out the right location for you and your family!

We scoured the internet for some impressive, yet easy to manage DIY projects. Here are some of our favorites!

We’ve put together some of the best ways to mosquito-proof your back yard (and home) to avoid exposing your loved ones to any potential illness this summer.

Whether you think a tiny home is a perfect way to simplify or too small to be practical, they are certainly an innovative solution to the problems facing many people today. Downsizing and building a tiny home is definitely becoming a popular option a

We gathered some quick ways to add some flare and freshen up your backyard patio during springtime.

In this day and age, most home searches start online. Photos that are bright, well positioned and accurately representative of the home are more likely to draw the eye of a potential buyer than poorly lit, bad quality photos.

Home ownership has both financial and social benefits, we explain the top 10!

We scoured Pinterest for the most creative and cost efficient fall décor ideas and we’re going to share them with you!

You’ll want to make the most you can off of your sale, however, you and your agent must be wary of the pitfalls involved in pricing your home too high. What many people don’t realize is that pricing your home too high initially may end up getting you

The real estate market in Texas is hot, hot, hot right now which means multiple offer situations are becoming commonplace. We tell you how to navigate these situations to hopefully win your dream home!

Putting your best face forward on LinkedIn is just as important as the other social networks, and if used correctly, can help you grow your business!

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Social media marketing is all about developing relationships with your followers while adding value to the conversations relevant to your industry. You want to become known as an expert in your field who should be referenced whenever questions arise,

What habits do most successful real estate agents share? We break down the top 5!

While planning the purchase of a home as a young person many be intimidating, there are many ways to tell if you are financially and emotionally stable enough to begin the process. Once you decide that it’s time for you to take the plunge, consider t

The cornerstone of most successful career paths is networking. While it can seem daunting to show up to an event alone, with the sole purpose of talking to and meeting new people, this is an important first step to building your sphere of influence.

We’re going to give you some tips to quickly add feng shui elements into your space, but there are a few things you must understand before beginning.

Natural landscaping, aka xeriscaping or green gardening, is gaining traction among homeowners, especially in the southern states. Why? We'll tell you.

There are several marketing tips every real estate agent should know, read on for our top 5!

Greening your home will not only create a safe, healthy environment for your loved ones, but also help you consume less energy and even cut down on bills. We pulled together some simple ways to make your home green and healthy today!

Are you ready to make the jump into real estate investment?

With an average of 150 people moving to the city every day and a booming economy, Austin Business Journal reported Austin as the fastest growing large city in America. Unfortunately, with this growth come the ever-increasing costs of living popular a

HomeCity Real Estate is offering recently sold home prices to homebuyers in the Dallas, Ft. Worth, and Austin areas. Our website now provides homeowners recently sold home prices, sales price history, and home value information.

With Austin’s landscape changing so rapidly, both the physically and digitally, HomeCity Real Estate has recently updated its website, www.homecity.com.

Your guide to filing your homestead exemption in 2015.

Your guide to filing your Homestead Exemption in 2015.

There are a few hidden gems left in Austin that are still desirable, while maintaining a lower average home price. HomeCity has compiled a list of Austin’s most affordable neighborhoods, judging their proximity to downtown, schools, amenities, and a

A first time homebuyer shares her experience with HomeCity Real Estate in part three of this three part series.

A first time homebuyer shares her experience with HomeCity Real Estate.

HomeCity's Marketing Manager details her experience with buying her first home.

The coming soon process allows certain homebuyers an advantage over competition, and is an extremely helpful tool for homebuyers, sellers, and Realtors.

Don't forget, daylight savings time is Sunday, March 9th!

Need some design inspiration? HomeCity picked out our favorite affordable, contemporary chandeliers!

HomeCity's tips for planning your spring garden.

HomeCity's tips for planning your spring garden.

Your guide to filing your homestead exemption in 2014.

Your guide to filing your Homestead Exemption in 2014.

HomeCity gives some inspiration for remodeling your bathroom.

Places to recycle your Christmas tree in and around the DFW area in 2013.

Places to recycle your Christmas tree in and around Austin in 2013.

We share some of our favorite fireplaces with you!

Leave the holiday cooking up to them with HomeCity's list of holiday dining options the DFW area.

It's easy to make social media mistakes, here are a few of the most common ones that Realtors make, and how to fix them!

Going green in your home doesn't have to mean buying all new appliances and upgrades. There are many small changes you can make right now in your home to greatly reduce your impact on the environment.

Are you ready to buy a home? View our check list to see!

Are you preparing to sell your home? Follow these tips and tricks to sell your home fast!

Are you preparing to sell your home? Follow these tips and tricks to sell your home fast!

What is your home worth? Find out how to determine your homes value, and see some tips and tricks to increase it!

HomeCity's top picks for energy-efficient windows.

Google announced on April 9th that they will bring fiber to Austin Texas.

A look at the most-popular home plans. HomeCity.com

Looking to sell your house ? Contact HomeCity for a free home evaluation 1.877.284.2489.