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        <title>JBGoodwin REALTORS® - Austin &amp; San Antonio Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/2015-09/</link>
        <description>Stay up to date on the latest Austin, San Antonio, and Central Texas real estate trends with JBGoodwin's real estate blog.</description>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/5-more-benefits-of-buying-a-brand-new-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/5-more-benefits-of-buying-a-brand-new-home.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>5 More Benefits of Buying A Brand New Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Last week, we shared 5 perks of buying a brand new home. But we only scraped the surface of reasons why people are choosing new houses over existing models. Without further ado, here are 5 more benefits of buying a brand new home


5. Move-In Ready


Forget renovations or improvements—your new home is already in perfect condition That means you're free to move in and enjoy it, without any muss, fuss or hassle.


4. Less Maintenance


Without any worn out systems, there is much less maintenance in a new home than in an existing one. You shouldn't have to worry about repairs to heating, plumbing, air or appliances for at least a few years. Even better, most roofs last at least 20 years. This means less hassle and a much smaller impact on your savings account.


3. Energy-Efficiency


From appliances to construction materials, almost everything is becoming more energy-efficient. This means you can feel good about your impact on the planet and feel even better about the monthly savings you'll have on utility bills. It's a win-win


2. Better Health &amp; Safety


Building and health codes have improved over the years, and modern standards all have to meet this improved standard. While an existing home might be able to take shortcuts, Austin's new home builders have to follow all the rules. That means you benefit from stronger air quality, safer building materials and strict construction guidelines.


1. Modern Styles


Our home styles have changed drastically over the years, and modern homes tend to demand more space and convenience than their historic counterparts. Open concept floors, master bedroom suites, gigantic closets and gourmet kitchens are just a few of the things you are likely to find in new homes.


There are a lot of benefits of buying a new construction home, and many people decide it's the right option for their family. We invite you to contact JBGoodwin REALTORS® today to discuss the benefits of new and pre-loved houses—we're experts in both
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2015 06:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-mold-on-surfaces-safe-effectively.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-mold-on-surfaces-safe-effectively.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>How To Get Rid Of Mold On Surfaces Safe &amp; Effectively</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
It’s not a pleasant topic, but every home will experience mold at one point or another and if gone untreated, it could snowball into a much larger problem down the road. While a little bit of mold might be easier to ignore than to deal with, it can lead to health problems for you and your home. Here are a few quick tips and solutions for removing mold from common places that could save you time and money down the road. 


Where Does Mold Come From?


The short answer? It’s everywhere. There’s good mold and bad mold, but unless it's blue cheese, the type that occurs in your home isn’t good mold. It can appear as tiny black spots or grow into larger clusters. Mold will thrive in an environment with sufficient moisture and warm temperatures, which is why it so commonly occurs in bathrooms and kitchens and places that don’t receive a lot of sunlight. Single-pane windows are especially notorious for mold thanks to condensation. If you’re wondering if you have mold, be on the lookout for stains and discoloration on the surfaces as well as a musty scent.


What You Need To Start Cleaning It


Many of the items you need to start cleaning the mold in your home can be purchased from your local hardware store.




Dust mask, goggles, and rubber, vinyl, or latex gloves.


Garbage bag, paper towel, and a small bucket


Bleach, dish soap, and water




If it’s a very moldy area, soak it first with water to prevent the mold spores from releasing into the air when you disturb the cluster on the surface.


How To Clean Surface Mold




Clean the area with water and dish detergent. 


Once the area is clean, use a little bit of bleach or a disinfectant spray and go over the area.


Throw the paper towel in the garbage bag and take it outside to the trash bin right away.




How To Get Mold Out Of Carpet




Vacuum the infected area thoroughly. Take the vacuum outside and dispose of the bag right away after doing so. 


Use warm water and dish soap and blot the affected area with a sponge. If this doesn’t work, you can try mixing hydrogen peroxide and water at a 1:5 ratio (respectively) and dab the stain from the outside and work your way to the center.


Let it dry without the use of a fan. Throw away the sponge that was used to clean the affected area.




Still Need Help? It Might Be Time To Call In A Pro


While it’s easy to take care of the simple surface mold, bigger problems will require a little extra cleaning power that only the experts can provide. Keeping up on mold prevention is an important way to help ensure your home stays as fresh and clean so that you can enjoy living in it, happily and healthily. Plus, it's one less thing to worry about when it comes time to sell.


Different types of mold can be extremely toxic, so take caution when attempting to remove certain types of mold. If you don’t know what type of mold you’re dealing with or you start feeling ill, it may be best to get in touch with a local expert to help with the removal. 


Are you tired of dealing with mold problems in your current home? Contact the team at JB Goodwin REALTORS® to discuss your options. We'll find the best home to match your budget, preferences, and lifestyle, and most importantly a home that you love living in.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/austin-mls-sold-comparison-august-2015.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/austin-mls-sold-comparison-august-2015.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>Austin MLS Sold Comparison - August 2015</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[  ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2015 06:06:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/5-perks-of-buying-a-new-home-in-austin-tx.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/5-perks-of-buying-a-new-home-in-austin-tx.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>5 Perks Of Buying A New Home In Austin, TX</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
New construction homes have quickly become a real estate favorite, and it's little wonder why so many Austinites are interested in the opportunity Here are 5 awesome perks of buying a new home in Austin, TX.


5. The Latest Innovations


The best builders are constantly innovating. When you work with an expert builder on a brand new home, you reap decades of collective real estate knowledge. New houses boast the latest materials and construction styles, as well as technology. Think energy efficient heating systems, touch taps, home automation systems and hidden dishwashers. While features always vary, a new house is your best bet to be on the cutting edge of home innovation.


4. Manufacturer Warranties


With new fixtures and appliances come manufacturer warranties This means you can rest easy knowing that everything will work. If it doesn't, there's a good chance you'll be able to get it replaced, free of charge.


3. Stronger Community Layouts


New home communities are often better planned with superior layouts, and may incorporate schools, parks and other well-loved community amenities right into your neighborhood. Urban planning has made significant strides over the past few decades and your new home takes full advantage of that.


2. Enhanced Customization


Depending on when you and your builder connect, there may be the opportunity to customize your new home. Builders will generally have several floor plans, colour schemes, enhancement sets and fixture options that help each home create its own identity. When you work with a builder, you get a say in which options are right for you.


1. Sentimental Value


There's just something fitting about a fresh start in a new home. A new home is all yours, and you get to be the one to build memories and share experiences first. You'll be the first one to cook a meal, use the bathtub, curl up in front of the fireplace, throw a dinner party for friends, bring home a four-legged friend and otherwise create your masterpiece life with your own family.



Learn more about new home builders in Austin or contact JBGoodwin REALTORS® to connect with the best local home builders.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:01:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/tips-for-saving-money-on-your-monthly-energy-bill.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/tips-for-saving-money-on-your-monthly-energy-bill.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>Tips for Saving Money on Your Monthly Energy Bill</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
As much as we hate to admit it, that long Texas summer will soon be coming to a close and it’s time to turn our attention and energy toward preparing for the colder weather to come. The remaining sunny days of summer are an ideal time to think about preparing your Austin home for colder temperatures, before said blustery weather arrives. We’ve put together a few quick and easy tips to help you save some money while keeping you and your family warm.


Insulation is Key


The idea is to keep the heat in your home in your home; you can do this by ensuring that your home is properly insulated. A few things to look for include ensuring weather stripping has been installed on all doorways and by making sure any cracked or damaged stripping has been replaced. You also want to ensure that the threshold between your door and the door frame has been properly adjusted; if you see any light through the bottom of your door when it's closed, there is too much space.


Make sure to plug any holes. Oftentimes when pipes and electrical wiring are installed in a home, any holes left behind are hastily filled using some form of caulking. This material can often dry out and crack with time – check to ensure these holes are properly sealed.


Pro Tip: During the day, leave blinds and curtains on south facing windows open to allow a maximum amount of sunshine in; then close the curtains at night to keep that heat in.


Replace Old or Worn Out Appliances


Without a doubt, the most important appliance for heating your home is your furnace. Like any appliance, the furnace needs to be regularly serviced to keep working at peak efficiency. You may also want to consider replacing older, inefficient models.


With days becoming shorter and as we spend more and more time in doors, the importance of electrical light can’t be understated. Consider switching to energy efficient bulbs throughout your home, any greater cost for the bulbs themselves will be subsidized in the long term. Not only do the newer energy-efficient bulbs utilize less power, they also tend to last longer, ensuring greater savings over time.


Pro Tip: Wrap your hot water tank in an insulated blanket, making sure to keep all vents clear. This is especially important for older models that tend to feature less internal insulation.


Use Energy Only When You Need To


The largest monthly savings can come from simply changing your habits. Use only the energy you need when you need it Heat yourself rather than the entire house by wearing a sweater and keeping blankets on hand for yourself and guests. While creating a cozy atmosphere, you’ll also save on your heating bill. You can also invest in space heaters – instead of heating your whole home, keep doors to rooms you aren’t using closed and heat the most lived-in portions of your home.


Plus, adjust your thermostat to only heat your home when you need it. It’s estimated you can reduce your heating bill by as much 10 simply by reducing the heat while you’re at work. You can reduce it even further by lowering the thermostat while you're sleeping, tucked tightly into your comforter.


Lastly, you can save money by lowering the temperature on your hot water tank and by simply taking shorter showers. If all members of your family take some of these simple lifestyle changes to heart, the monthly savings could potentially be significant.


Pro Tip: Enter the 21st century while taking the work out of constantly adjusting your thermostat. Purchase a digital thermostat to automatically lower the heat in your home when you don’t need it. You can even install new low-flow showerheads to further reduce the amount of water used by the family each morning.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2015 17:23:05 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/condo-developments-to-watch-out-for-in-downtown-austin.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/condo-developments-to-watch-out-for-in-downtown-austin.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>Condo Developments To Watch Out For In Downtown Austin</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Last week, we wrote a blog post about the record-breaking home sales in July and the current state of the market. One of the biggest reasons why the industry is so hot right now is the lack of available stock, so this week we’re bringing you some of the exciting new downtown real estate opportunities to keep an eye out for in the near future. These new developments will not only reshape the downtown skyline, they’re also going to be some of the most sought after listings in the real estate market upon their completion.


1) The Independent


This ultra-modern development is slated to become the tallest tower west of the Mississippi River once completed, not to mention one of the most unique. With it will come 370 new residences in a variety of floorplans that will range between the mid $300,000s to over $3 million. Aside from its unique architectural design, the building will also include some unconventional amenities on the 9th floor, including a playground and activities room for kids, an infinity pool, a dog lounge and park, club room with a coffee bar, and private guest suites.


2) Waller Park Place


The Waller Park Place is a mixed-use development that intends to enhance the pedestrian and resident experience through beautiful and thoughtful user-centered urban and architectural design. The project will include a 21-storey office building, 46-storey residential tower, as well as a retail, hotel, and residential tower. The three towers will center around an urban grocery and an assortment of smaller retail offerings.


3) 5th + West


While the sales office has already opened for eager investors, the building is still in the early stages of development. This hot new luxury condo development is going to add a sleek new high-rise to Austin’s collection of towers. The building will introduce 154 stylish new homes divided between its 39 stories, and will boast some of the highest-quality living in the city. Buyers have a selection of floorplans to choose from that include a classic and contemporary flair with varying price points.


4) Seaholm Power Plant Redevelopment


One of the best things about this popular project is its creative initiative to preserve an important piece of Austin’s history while still developing new living spaces. The developers are incorporating the old, retired power plant in downtown into an immense mixed-use development to go along with the new residential towers beside it.


Referred to as an urban oasis, this unique architectural masterpiece will create 280 high-rise condos, tons of ground-level retail space, and a gathering place for shoppers and residents to enjoy. Plus, its terrific location offers residents a selection of the outdoor amenities and walking trails in Sand Beach Park, which sits adjacent to the building.


Do you want to learn more about one of the condo developments listed above? Contact us today to learn more about these upcoming residences and to see what’s available.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2015 16:06:11 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/austin-leasing-rental-stats-september-2015.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/austin-leasing-rental-stats-september-2015.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>Austin Leasing &amp; Rental Stats - September, 2015</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[  ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:27:00 -0500</pubDate>
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