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        <title>JBGoodwin REALTORS® - Austin &amp; San Antonio Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/2017-08/</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/join-jb-goodwin-realtors-help-houstons-hurricane-survivors.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/join-jb-goodwin-realtors-help-houstons-hurricane-survivors.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>Join JB Goodwin REALTORS® and Help Houston's Hurricane Survivors</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Over the past few days, Hurricane Harvey has been wreaking havoc on communities in and around Houston. Whole communities are said to be underwater, lives have been lost and severely impacted, and tens of thousands of residents have been displaced. Texas has not seen a disaster like this since Hurricane Carla in 1961--which was a Category 5 hurricane and caused $300 million in damages—a record that Harvey, unfortunately, looks set to defeat. In times like these, it is critical that we all band together and do what we can to help those in need.


That’s why the JB Goodwin team is donating money to assist the Red Cross.


And you can too.


Besides the tremendous amounts of property damage, the hurricane will likely leave a large number of children traumatized for a very long time.


We have probably all heard the Red Cross say that at times like this folks really show their humanity. 


Unfortunately, they often bring clothes, canned goods, and other essentials.  While appreciated, these items can cause the Red Cross a logistical nightmare. Having to get those items to those who need it most and then having to distribute them to the needy in the middle of a disaster is a very difficult task. Even kind gestures of donated clothing can cause problems. For example, people might donate boxes and boxes of clothes, but are they the right sizes for the victims?


What the Red Cross has told us in the past is that the best donation to combat a disaster in the quickest and most effective way is money. By donating dollars, you can help the Red Cross purchase items, get personnel to where they need to be, or even provide emergency funds to victims to purchase what they NEED, right then and there. 


An average of 91 cents of every dollar the American Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.


Click here to donate money to the Red Cross to allow them to continue to provide assistance to the victims of Hurricane Harvey.  The smallest donations go a long way to support this relief effort &amp; give meaningful help to those who have been affected by this natural disaster. As a company, JB Goodwin REALTORS® has made a substantial contribution to the Red Cross disaster relief fund and we implore you to, too.  


Looking for another way to donate?Call 1-800-RED-CROSS to donate by phoneText the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation (from your cell phone bill)




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    <pubDate>Wed, 30 Aug 2017 12:34:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/how-austins-housing-market-compares-to-living-in-the-southeast.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/how-austins-housing-market-compares-to-living-in-the-southeast.html</link>
        <title>How Austin's Housing Market Compares To Living In The Southeast</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

This is our second trip to the East Coast during our Cost of Living blog series. In a previous post, we compared the cost of living in Austin to that of living in the Northeast United States. Today, we take on the southern half of the East Coast and look at three of the region's largest cities. 


We used Best Places to compare the cost of living in each of the cities. This website lets you compare city-to-city costs of living across the country, and factors in the cost of daily essentials such as housing, food, and utilities. If you don’t see the city you’re curious about in this post, you should wait for the fourth and final blog we have of this series, which will compare the cost of living in Austin to cities on the West Coast.


Sit back, relax, and learn about how Austin compares to living in the Southeast United States.


Cost of living in Jacksonville, Florida vs Austin, TX


Although, Jacksonville and Austin show a comparable cost of living almost across the board. However, there are some key exceptions. The cities start to deviate on affordability in key categories such as food, housing, and utility prices. There is one thing that the information fails to compare though—the job markets in each of these cities.


Austin’s job market - particularly within STEM-based (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields - is thriving. The only fair way to compare housing costs is with the consideration of your potential income.





Cost of living in Charlotte, NC vs Austin, TX


Austin is costlier than Charlotte in every category except food. The quality and quantity of Austin's cuisine makes it that much more economical and more enjoyable than sitting down to your average meal in Charlotte


As was the case for Jacksonville and Austin, many of the numbers between Charlotte and Austin are very close. The only reason bestplaces.net said that Austin is 21 more expensive than Charlotte, is that the cost of housing is that much more in Austin. The other numbers, as you can see in the chart, appear nearly identical. As with Jacksonville, you should consider your job prospects and the wages that you will earn in Austin, which will likely make up the difference between the two cities.  


With such a marginal difference, make sure that you research both cities thoroughly. Austin and Charlotte provide distinct living situations from one another. Find the city that reflects the goals of your family and career.





Cost of living in Memphis, TN vs Austin, TX


In just about every category, Memphis is not as costly as Austin to live in. From housing costs to transportation, Memphis manages to keep its prices down across the board. Their exception is the cost of food, for which Austin is less than one percentage point cheaper. 


Again, financial and occupational opportunities deserve to be considered before taking these dollar amounts point-blank. Smaller cities tend to offer less competitive pay than their larger counterparts, and the smaller job market provides fewer career options for those wanting to thrive in their field.





Cost of living in Atlanta, GA vs Austin, TX


If it were not for Austin’s housing cost, Atlanta and Austin would practically be equal regarding every aspect of their costs of living. Food—which is again cheaper in Austin—is the second-highest factor, but still only shows a difference of about 14. Every other category on the chart, there are marginal differences between the two cities, totaling to less than 3 or 4 percentage points.


If you’re wrestling with the decision of which place to call home, research more extensively the area, lifestyles, and job opportunities. And always remember that a little research can go a long way.


Cost of living in Miami, FL vs Austin, TX


Austin is slightly cheaper than living in than Miami, Florida. It seems that Miami and Austin’s housing costs are the only two on our list that are comparable to each other. In fact, Austin is the more affordable place to call home.


In fact, in every category except for housing, Austin is the more economical city. The most pronounced difference on the chart was between Austin and Miami’s food costs—where Austin was about 15 cheaper than Miami.


Feel free to check out other cities through bestplaces.net. But remember, the best consultation for your move comes from a person who understands the local real estate market. If you’re looking for a new place to call home, Austin could be the right place for your family. Let a JB Goodwin real estate agent help you to find the home that fits the needs and budget of your family. We look forward to the opportunity of helping you


 
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    <pubDate>Fri, 18 Aug 2017 16:35:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/5-ways-to-improve-the-safety-of-your-central-texas-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/5-ways-to-improve-the-safety-of-your-central-texas-home.html</link>
        <title>5 Ways To Improve The Safety Of Your Central Texas Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



Natural disasters, theft, and other home security problems can arise no matter the technology or attention that you give to your home. But preparing your home with practical safety measures is a powerful way to enhance the safety of your family, and alleviate the problem or damages these incidents cause.


Central Texas isn’t exactly the most dangerous place to live in the U.S., but even the safest places on earth are far from perfect. Theft, fire, and weather are a possibility no matter where you turn. Those who desire more safety for their family can easily improve their security with a few intentional investments of time or money.


Here are a few ways to improve the safety of your Central Texas home:


1. Always Give The Appearance Of Someone Being Home


To protect against the risk of burglars, always make sure that your home gives the appearance that someone is inside. If a thief thinks you’re in your house, he or she is less likely to try to break into your house because of the risks of being caught. You can give this impression by leaving a light on when you leave the house.


If you have more than one car, consider regularly parking a vehicle in the driveway instead of the garage. The key is to make the thief think twice about breaking into your home. If you can make the burglar unsure, you can make your home safer.


2. Invest In Security


A little money can go a long way when it comes to more effectively protecting your family. Paying for stronger locks, to replace old windows, or for an alarm system are just a few simple changes that can substantially improve your safety.


Installing better locks and adding an alarm system are the obvious two, but many people forget about checking the strength of their windows. Often, old windows have faulty locks that will not hold against a forceful tug. New windows can help reinforce your family's safety by making it a challenge to get into the house.


3. Form Safety Habits


Some habits are natural, others are formed deliberately to improve our lives. Creating better safety in your home can be done through implementing certain habits into your daily, weekly, or monthly routines.


From now on, when you go to turn off the lights of your home before going to sleep, also double check that you have locked every door. This easy nightly walkthrough can substantially increase your family’s safety. Give it a shot


Other safety habits include regularly replacing your smoke alarm batteries and double checking that the oven is turned off after cooking.


4. Get To Know Your Neighborhood


This point can improve your home’s safety and make you a better neighbor. Get to know the people in your community You don’t just share a neighborhood – you share a desire for your family and community to be kept safe. Get to know the people nearby. You never know the difference having nearby friends can make during a time of crisis.


Trulia’s Crime Map and the Nextdoor app are software that can help your family stay informed about potential dangers in the area. Trulia’s Crime Map can give updates about the latest crime incidents that have taken place in your area.


The Nextdoor app allows you to read and write posts and comments about the latest events, sales, and worries that people are reporting in your area. The more you know, the more prepared you can be.


5. Discuss With Loved Ones About Essential Home Safety Tips


Make sure your spouse and children know what to do in the event of danger. Explain to children the times when dialing 911 is necessary. Learning what to do in the situation of a burglary, fire, accident, or other crucial incidents can be immensely helpful in the unfortunate time when any of that occurs. Safety isn’t always intuitive, so make it a conversation before it’s a problem.


If you are in the market for a Central Texas home, JB Goodwin is happy to help your family. San Antonio and Austin offer great selections of lease and purchase opportunities. We’ll help you find the home you love. Call us today


 
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    <pubDate>Thu, 10 Aug 2017 15:09:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/austin-leasing-and-rental-statistics-august-2017.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/austin-leasing-and-rental-statistics-august-2017.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>Austin Leasing And Rental Statistics - August 2017</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Here's a look into Austin's leasing and rental market for the month of August 2017. Highlights include:




The median price for a single-family home is $1,750 per month or $1.15 per square foot


Total leases are up 7 since August 2016


JB Goodwin rentals spend 4 days less on the market





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    <pubDate>Wed, 09 Aug 2017 14:35:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/4-tips-to-becoming-a-successful-landlord-in-austin.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/4-tips-to-becoming-a-successful-landlord-in-austin.html</link>
        <title>4 Tips To Becoming A Successful Landlord In Austin</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

For somewhere to qualify as a lucrative place for homeowners to lease out their properties, the city should offer several traits. The most optimal locations tend to be areas popular to young families, and where local universities consistently attract students to the area.


With those factors in mind, Austin is a great city for taking the plunge into your landlord business. With many young families moving to the area, and the thriving campuses of Austin Community College and The University of Texas at Austin, local property managers have a long future of business to look forward to.


But becoming a landlord is not usually a get-rich-quick scheme. There is a lot that goes into being a successful property manager, especially at the beginning when you’re overcoming the industry learning curves. As you learn the ropes, here are some valuable tips to help you get on your feet:


1. Know The Information That Should Go Into A Lease


This point could be a blog of its own. The lease agreement can be an enormous legal and managerial help for running your business as an Austin landlord. The first thing you should know is that your lease is not a document you should try to write on your own.


Hiring a skilled Austin attorney will ensure that the language of your lease is understandable to your future tenants and that the agreement you’re asking for fulfills all the legal parameters of local, state, and federal leasing laws. If you prefer not to hire an attorney, standard leases can also be downloaded from NOLO.


Remember, the more specific the contents of your lease, the more helpful it will be for enforcing the laws of your agreement. Include specific dates, rules, dollar amounts, and what a security deposit can be used to clean up in the case that a tenant in any way damages your home.


2. Learn How To Screen Tenants


Effective tenant screening is not limited to a credit check. Some very reliable tenants have poor credit scores because they are young, which means that having alternative screening methods can help you find someone who will treat your property with respect.


Prior or current employment references are a good place to start. There are few people who can give a more honest assessment of someone’s reliability than that person’s boss. If a manager is not singing the praises of your prospective tenant, that’s a strong sign that that person may not be a good fit for your home.


You may choose to secure your first tenant from people within your community. It’s hard to know who among your work colleagues, church friends, or social acquaintances has need of a new place to live. Start by spreading the word.


Be careful: If you choose to find a tenant among people you know, then make sure that there are clear professional lines drawn from the beginning. Do not let your previous relationship with the tenant distract from the fact that he or she is now your customer. Collect a deposit. Make sure they sign a lease. These are simple steps for keeping you safe.


3. Know What Your Home Is Worth


Don’t feel insecure about asking how much to charge for leasing out your home. What am I worth? What is my home worth? These can be hard to determine, especially if you’re entering this market for the first time.


Do your research. The best investigation begins with people you know in the business. If your cousin or coworker has a rental property or two, then start a conversation to find out how they determine what to charge. Also, speaking to someone who works every day in the Austin real estate market can be another helpful way to go: Have you heard of JB Goodwin?  


Lease prices change, especially in cities where home appreciations climb as quickly as they do in Austin. Before a lease ends, consult with real estate professionals about your prices so that you know if your home is still competitive and awarding you its top potential dollar.


4. Determine If The Landlord Profession Is Right For You


Home leasing is not for everyone. Property investors who want a hands-off experience may not prefer having the responsibility of other people living in their home. The best way to consider property management is to realize that it is a business. The service your business provides is that of maintaining roof over the head of your customer.


To some, there is no business more enjoyable than leasing their property. A landlord gets to collect a semi-passive income month to month, and enjoys the luxury of knowing that their home is substantially improving the life of another person or family.


If this sounds like the life for you, we think there is no better place to lease your first home than Austin, Texas. Good luck


JB Goodwin is a real estate company serving families in the San Antonio and Austin area. Whether you are looking for a home to buy or an apartment to lease, our agents will help find the location that's right for you. Let us know how we can help today
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    <pubDate>Fri, 04 Aug 2017 10:54:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/5-family-friendly-communities-in-san-antonio.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/5-family-friendly-communities-in-san-antonio.html</link>
        <title>5 Family-Friendly Communities In San Antonio</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
San Antonio attracts many visitors each year. The Alamo, our culture-rich downtown, theme parks, and reputable schools are just a few of the awesome features that families look forward to when moving to family-friendly communities in San Antonio.


For families new to this piece of the Texas Hill Country, finding the right San Antonio real estate can feel stressful. Most people don’t even know where to begin their search for a new home. We want to make the process a little easier by presenting some of the communities we find most popular among local families.


The neighborhoods on our list are each known for being safe and for offering convenient and enjoyable places for parents, kids, or the whole family to spend time. Here are several family-friendly neighborhoods that we enjoy, and some of the reasons we think your family will like them too:


Alamo Heights


Alamo Heights is a beautiful, family-friendly neighborhood in the San Antonio area. It is just north of San Antonio’s city center and is only a short drive from San Antonio’s airport. Families in this area can send their children to one of several respected schools, enjoy close grocery stores to their home, and find fun places for children to learn, like the McNay Museum and Witte Museum which are just down the road.


You’ll also find several tasty restaurants in the area. Torchy’s Tacos and Grimaldi’s are a few of our personal favorites.


Boerne


Boerne is another lovely neighborhood option located just a little north of central San Antonio. Near the Cibolo Creek, Boerne offers residents access to simple hikes or trail runs. Many families love exploring this outdoor exercise option because of its beauty and convenient proximity to home.


Boerne also regularly hosts parades throughout the year. Bring your family to some of these events to make new friends, give your children a fun show, and learn more about what’s going on in your neighborhood. The area is safe, clean, and full of amazing people who love their Texas home as much as you will.


Terrell Hills


Terrell Hills is northeast of San Antonio central. It is a neighborhood close to many of the amenities that families love to use throughout their day to day. With local gyms, coffee shops, restaurants, and Target, Terrell Hills makes it easy to stay fit, run errands, and enjoy their neighborhood.


Like Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills is very close to both the McNay and Witte museums. For families with children, your kids will have plenty to of activities to keep them busy in this part of the city.


Olmos Park


Olmos Park resides alongside the Olmos Basin, and is another one of the best San Antonio real estate options for families. This beautiful, outdoor break in the San Antonio area is a popular place for playing sports and discovering some Texas wildlife.


Besides the Olmos Basin, the area also offers great schools, nearby grocery stores, and delicious places to grab a meal. It is only a few minutes north of San Antonio’s main attractions, which means that a trip to the Riverwalk is never a challenging commute.


Scenic Oaks


Scenic Oaks is a gated community with nearby, reputable schools. The neighborhood is further from San Antonio’s center than most of the cities on our list. For families who enjoy a little more disconnect, this could be the ideal home.


Living further from San Antonio’s amenities doesn’t mean that your family won’t enjoy many of their own. The Scenic Oaks area offers great dining, pleasant bars, and the grocery and school options that families are happy to find so close by.


San Antonio is home to many more neighborhoods than we could possibly fit into one blog. The best way to know which neighborhood is best for your family is by speaking with a JB Goodwin agent. We will be happy to help you find the rental or purchase option that works best for your family. Let us know how we can help
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    <pubDate>Fri, 04 Aug 2017 08:53:00 -0500</pubDate>
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