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        <title>JBGoodwin REALTORS® - Austin &amp; San Antonio Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/2018-02/</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/home-inspections-101-everything-a-first-time-homebuyer-should-know.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/home-inspections-101-everything-a-first-time-homebuyer-should-know.html</link>
        <title>Home Inspections 101: Everything A First-time Homebuyer Should Know</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


You finally found the perfect Central Texas home.The house checks all your boxes: it is the right style and size, has an entertaining kitchen, and even boasts an awesome master bedroom. To make things even better, your offer was accepted by the homeowner. CongratulationsYou’re one step closer to owning your first home.The next step in your home buying journey is the home inspection. The job of a home inspector is to provide interested homebuyers an unbiased report about the utility and safety of the home they are preparing to purchase.While a home inspection is not required, it is highly recommended. A home inspector gives you the chance to understand a property through the trained scrutiny of someone whose job it is to notice problems, risks, and potential future costs.It is the home buyers responsibility to seek out and hire a home inspector. If you need help knowing who to trust, contact a JB Goodwin agent. We would be glad to give some recommendations.

1. Take your time choosing a quality inspector

Home inspectors must be certified. It shouldn’t just be a family friend who volunteered to give you an honest assessment. Home inspectors are trained to know even the subtle, hard-to-notice problems that would escape even a careful eye.Don’t make the decision on a whim. Nowadays, the internet makes it easy to vet home inspectors based on reviews.You shouldn’t expect to spend a fortune on a home inspection, but we advise also not going for the bottom of the barrel. Remember that a few dollars saved on a home inspector might mean thousands of dollars lost over the details he/she missed. Home Advisor says that the national average cost for a home inspection is $324.

2. Here’s what you’ll learn from the inspection

Online resources, like this one from Total Home Inspection, describe in detail many of the places inspectors look for potential problems within a home. The list on their website is extensive, but here is a short peak into some of the basic elements:



If there is no standing water in the yard


All railings along stairways are sturdy


Driveways and walkways appear in good condition


Walls of the home are straight and do not bow


Visible foundation is in good condition


Wood frames and trim are secure


No open electrical splices in the attic



This list leaves out a lot—and Total Home Inspection mentioned that even the list on their website is not exhaustive. Home inspectors are on the lookout for anything and everything that could cause problems for you as a homeowner.

3. Attend the inspection

Inspector reports are much easier to understand if you attend the actual inspection. Going along with your inspector will put their findings into clearer perspective.This also gives you the opportunity to ask questions or posit concerns you may have about the home. If certain elements are particularly important to you, tell the inspector. After all, they are trained to prioritize discovering certain problems. Your priorities might concern elements of the home that are less on their radar. 

4. Pay special attention to these details from the home inspection report

Once a home inspector returns to you with results, what are the most important—or potentially expensive—flaws to pay attention to?Obviously, some details are more important than others. A structural issue will cost more money to fix than replacing a window that doesn’t provide proper insulation, for example. Here are a few things to pay special attention for:



Electrical: This is the 21st century. If the home doesn’t have strong electrical, many families will be disappointed. We need to plug in everything from cell phones to televisions to refrigerators and microwaves these days. If the house can’t handle your electronics, it’s good to know. Unstable or antiquated electronics can also cause a fire, potentially putting your life and home in harm’s way. According to the NFPA, between 2010 and 2014 there were over 45,000 house fires caused by an electrical failure or malfunction.


Roof: Replacing or fixing a roof can be a huge expense. If the inspector’s report comes back with reasons to worry about the condition of the roof, this is worth serious consideration.


Property drainage: A home can look great in the dry season, only to prove to have terrible drainage that leads to flooding during the rainy season. Know the risks before the storms hit.


HVAC: Having fully-functioning heating and air conditioning is especially important in Central Texas. Summers spent without quality A/C can be grueling and you don’t want to be without heat if we have another cold-snap in the middle of winter


Mold or mildew: It isn’t always obvious when a home has endured water damage. Mold and mildew can spread where you can’t see it, getting into the air—and possibly your lungs. Prioritize your health by knowing what’s behind your walls.



We hope this helps you make the most of your next home inspection. Even if some of these issues are found by a home inspector, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should walk away from the deal. Knowing is half the battle and a JB Goodwin REALTOR can help you negotiate the price of the home. Whether you want to find a home in Austin, San Antonio, or some other spot in Central Texas, our team is here for you.


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    <pubDate>Tue, 27 Feb 2018 14:10:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/on-a-budget-find-beautiful-san-antonio-homes-for-less-than-200000.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/on-a-budget-find-beautiful-san-antonio-homes-for-less-than-200000.html</link>
        <title>On A Budget? Find Beautiful San Antonio Homes For Less Than $200,000</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ According to 2016 census data, San Antonio is the 7th largest city in the United States in terms of population. San Antonio has many of the characteristics that people love about big cities: diverse cuisine, interesting businesses, culture, and fun activities to do and places to explore.But San Antonio stands out from other major cities because of one unusual big-city quality: its affordability. The city has a low cost of living, which enables more middle-income families to enjoy the homes and lifestyles that might be way out of their budget for a comparable property in another place.Bestplaces.net is a website that compares the cost of living in cities across the United States. Its data reflects costs of transportation, healthcare, food, and other data—including housing So we compared each of the ten largest cities from the 2016 census:


New York City, NY


Los Angeles, CA


Chicago, IL


Houston, TX


Phoenix, AZ


Philadelphia, PA


San Antonio, TX


San Diego. CA


Dallas, TX


San Jose, CA




Of the top largest cities in the United States, San Antonio had the lowest average cost of living. We put together some simple tactics that can help your family find an affordable home in San Antonio. We hope these help: 


Begin with a reliable online listing resource

Not all listing services are created equal. To find a comprehensive website that provides up-to-date housing information, simple browsing, and filtering features and clear next-step options for touring a home, the process might require some vetting. JB Goodwin recently remodeled its website to make sure every online service we offer is easy to find and even easier to use. The listing services are just one of many revamped components of the new website. Our listings can be filtered based on price, home size, community, specific house features, and more Our goal is to offer a robust user experience that makes buying your next home a smooth process. 

Let’s get down to numbers. According to Zillow, the median home cost in San Antonio is $230,995. That’s only slightly higher than the national average of $207,600. To put that in perspective, even though San Antonio is one of the largest cities in the United States, it also offers ample opportunity to find beautiful homes priced well-below the national median

Here’s how you can use the JB Goodwin website to find homes for even less than that median cost:


Start at the Listing page. Use the Filter options to set your top price to $200,000. Now, every home you browse will be below the national median





Connect with an informed real estate agent


Online listings are a great tool for gaining ballpark information about homes and neighborhoods. But purchasing a home is too significant an investment to just rely on the limited information available online. It’s best to consult with a local housing expert.


In other words, add a human element to your home search by working with a reliable real estate agent. They can help you sift through the housing scams to find a wonderful home. With education and experience, real estate agents can tell you about the safety of neighborhoods, inform you about concerns others have had regarding certain properties, give an informed opinion about prices, and much more


Add a personal touch to your home offer


Once you’ve found a home you love, the next step is making an offer the seller can’t refuse. If you’re on a budget, cash offers probably aren’t an option. However, recent stats in the Wall Street Journal say that the personal touch of writing a letter to the seller can increase your chances of winning a bidding war by more than 75


Introduce yourself to the seller. Tell him or her about who you are and why you’re interested in their home. A few words can go a long way.


Invest energy instead of cash


Another option for finding affordable housing is to buy a property that requires a little refurbishment. Sometimes a fixer-upper can turn into an enjoyable project. It allows families to build unique memories and make a house their own through the hours they spend contributing to its value through repairs.


Some people think of fixer-uppers as exclusively a task for professional house flippers like the ones we’ve all seen on HGTV. But you don’t have to be in the flipping business to buy a house that needs attention. The process allows lower-budget families to invest their extra energy instead of paying more money.


If this is an option you’re considering, be careful not to get in over your head. While flipping a house can be a great investment, it may also turn into a project too large for busy professionals or parents to realistically handle. Know the time and approximate cost of repairs before you go all-in with a property.


It’s a great time to buy in San Antonio. Housing prices are affordable and on the rise, making it possible for a home to also turn into a financial investment for your family. Of course, we used $200,000 as an example of what’s available in San Antonio.


Visit our San Antonio map to browse homes and communities, whatever your price -range When that perfect home catches your eye, contact a JB Goodwin agent to learn more about it and schedule a showing.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 26 Feb 2018 10:54:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/austin-real-estate-mls-leasing-statistics-february-2018.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/austin-real-estate-mls-leasing-statistics-february-2018.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>Austin Real Estate - MLS Leasing Statistics - February 2018</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

The JBGoodwin Team Does It Again...


JB Goodwin successfully gets homes leased faster than the MLS again for another month as demand remains level and the supply of properties in Austin gains nearly 500 more properties over 2017’s numbers.


Take a look at some of the key statistics below:




The total number of properties for lease is up a dramatic 20 over 2017.


The total number of leases closed however dropped three percent, which means that it could be more difficult for prospective landlords to lease their property out as quickly as the past.


There are 27 more single-family detached homes that are available for lease than there was in February 2017.


The price per square foot for apartments and other properties dropped 6 cents per square foot. Meanwhile, the price per square foot for single-family detached homes remained the same at $1.15 per square foot.




Are you a landlord that is struggling to find somebody to lease out your property? Or are you a renter that is looking for a new home? Whichever side of the fence that you sit, contact the experts at JB Goodwin to help you reach your real estate goals.



 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 19 Feb 2018 14:53:00 -0600</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/introducing-the-brand-new-jbgoodwincom-website.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/introducing-the-brand-new-jbgoodwincom-website.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>Introducing the Brand New JBGoodwin.com</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Today we're celebrating a new milestone at JB Goodwin: the launch of our new website


Our priority is to help people. We do this by focusing on the buyers and sellers we work with, putting their needs first and foremost. This priority is no different when it comes to building new technology, and our clients were the inspiration that fueled this project.


We're proud of the new site and think you're going to love it as much as we do. It's bright and colorful, super easy to use, and will help you find the info you're looking for in just a couple clicks.


Let's talk about a few of our goals with this new design:


Save time with streamlined navigation and user experience


First and foremost, looking up real estate should be easy We want you to be able to find information quickly and knew we needed a design that would enable you to find properties and resources intuitively.


With this new site, we stripped out any clutter and we have streamlined the information so it's easy to locate and absorb. We also took the opportunity to make the site faster than ever. Then we visualized how buyers and sellers would flow through the site, anticipating the next step at every turn and ensuring the right info was available.


For example, people who click &quot;Austin&quot; most likely want to search homes, so we put a search bar first, followed by real estate listings. Meanwhile, a sub-navigation bar allows you to instantly access real estate info, communities within Austin, homes sorted by property type, local community info, and even school ratings.


We tried to predict all the needs our visitors might have, and then strived to meet them. As a result, it's fast and easy to explore Texas real estate


Get inspired by fresh, modern visuals


Web design has changed drastically in the past couple years and we wanted a fresh website that reflects who we are at heart: modern, energetic, professional, and thoroughly Texas.


Our new design captures our spirit, starting with a bold landing page and carrying through to the property listings and information pages. Here are a few of the visual elements you'll see on the new design:




Simplified, modern layouts


Emphasis on photos and local imagery


Integrated map searches into existing pages




Get inspired as you explore our site and enjoy the Texas we all know and love.





Enjoy the best online experience in Texas


One of the most awesome features of this new website is that it's capable of displaying high definition videos and 360 photos. We suspect these two media types are about to take the world by storm and we want buyers and sellers to enjoy the forefront of this innovation.


But this is only the beginning. We are commited to ensuring JBGoodwin.com visitors have the best online experience in all of Texas. We've put together an extensive roadmap with plans for future improvements and will continue to invest in creating a site that's the best in the state.


All in all, we are delighted with how the JBGoodwin.com redesign worked out and we hope you thoroughly enjoy your time on it.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:45:00 -0600</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/does-your-austin-home-appeal-to-the-largest-new-demographic-of-homebuyer.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/does-your-austin-home-appeal-to-the-largest-new-demographic-of-homebuyer.html</link>
        <title>Does Your Austin Home Appeal to the Largest New Demographic of Homebuyer?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

Compared to previous generations, millennials have been cautious to enter the real estate market. Coming of age right at the most spectacular housing boom and bust in modern history—the 2008 Recession—made for a generation of observant and media-savvy homebuyers. But the tide is finally turning.


Based on recent data from Nationwide Mortgages, 66.1 of Millennials' report that they plan to buy a home in the next 5 years. Are you ready for this dynamic demographic of homebuyer?


It’s good news for the real estate world that 65.3 of millennials associate home buying with achieving the American Dream. That’s more than any other generation Millennials put a high personal value in achieving the milestone of buying a home—precisely because it is harder to do with today’s increasing education and healthcare costs.


Buying a home is a big deal to millennials—but it’s something they believe in and are eager to do when the time is right. This generation sees home ownership as a really good investment in their future.


But there are nuanced characteristics that currently distinguish millennials in the real estate market. Here’s what you should know if you hope to make your Central Texas home stand out to most millennial homebuyers:


They expect to find your home (looking good) online


Millennials are mobile researchers. With many graduating high school and college during the advent of smartphones, they use the internet to make educated purchase decisions. A whopping 99 of millennials search for homes online. As a home seller, that means your property needs to hit certain online criteria if you hope to gain much traction:




Provide clear, professional photos of your home. Photos really matter in today’s high-tech market. Finding a high-performance phone camera or borrowing a professional camera to take photos is the standard, not the extra mile. When millennials see poor quality photos, it appears lazy on the side of the homeowner. Think of your home photos like customer service: Quality is the standard and anything less is a bad experience. 


List your home on mobile-friendly websites. Millennials use their phones more than any other generation to research prospective homes. Not every website is designed for mobile devices, and a slow-loading, discombobulated website on a phone can be enough to make a millennial click away without so much as reading about the listed home. Find listing websites optimized for mobile usage. 


Include generous information about the home itself and surrounding area. Minimal information can appear as though you are hiding something under the rug. When ample information is disclosed about your home and neighborhood, that disclosure communicates honesty and transparency.




Raised on the internet, millennials avoid anything online that looks remotely like a scam. On the other hand, 76 reported that they drove by a property after being impressed by an online ad. 64 did a walkthrough of a listing they had found online.


Luxury apartments have influenced their expectations


Millennials have changed the ways apartments are designed. As a generation statistically slower to purchase their first homes, the market experienced a large growth in higher-income renters. Apartment architects kept up with the demand, providing luxurious apartments with generous amenities to satisfy this renting demographic that has more monthly income to spend on their rental space.


Now that millennials are entering the homebuying market, their expectations have been influenced by their experience of luxury apartments. This means a few things for your home:




46 want a luxury kitchen


47 say they want solar panels and efficient energy storage to save on the cost of utilities and lower their carbon footprint


75 say they want new appliances for their home


Cell reception/internet providers are important factors that millennials consider


65 of millennials report that proximity to their job is the most important factor in the home buying process




This will not be their last home


Most millennials consider home ownership a stepping stone to upgrading: 68 of millennials compared to 36 for all buyers. It makes sense that home buying is more temporary for younger homeowners who will most likely upgrade as they start families and move up in the world.


More than other generations, millennials don’t want to bear the brunt of renovations: 48 of home buyers report wanting a home that is move-in ready. This makes sense in light of the 46 of millennials who are staring down $25,000+ in student loans. With so much student loan debt, they report that saving for that first down payment is the most difficult part of the home-buying process.


Money on their minds


Millennials have been raised on short-term rental innovations like Airbnb. They know that a home can be more than just a place to rest after work—it can be a place for making some extra income.


Opportunities for investing in townhouses and homes with extra rooms that can put more money in their pockets every month is high on many millennial agendas according to the Wall Street Journal.


But millennials don’t merely want to monetize their homes; they also want to be able to work comfortably from home. This means that, in the age of freelancing, side-projects, and the gig economy, home offices are a major plus to millennials homebuyers.


Millennials trust real estate agents


Whether it is simply because they are first-time homebuyers or perhaps because they trust the experts to help when it comes to a big purchase decision—either way, 92 of millennials are buying homes with the help of a realtor. 74 of millennials actively want help and quality information in navigating the home buying process.


Whether you are in the market to buy a home in Central Texas or want to know more how to connect with millennial homebuyers, a JB Goodwin real estate agent is here to help. Contact one of our agents today to put your San Antonio or Austin home on the market.
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    <pubDate>Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:38:00 -0600</pubDate>
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