Highland Homes often comes to mind when our clients are on the hunt for a high-quality distinguished home in the Austin area. For that reason and more, we’re pleased to highlight this local company as our featured builder of the week! Why choose Highland Homes? Read on to find out.

Local Roots

A homegrown Texas firm that started with a brother-sister duo, Highland Homes has maintained that same familial bond throughout its 30 year history, making it not only a quality-driven firm, but also one of the best employers in the state. They ranked #6 by Texas Monthly’s 50 Best Companies to Work for in Texas, and that’s just one award among many.

Measured Success

Time and time again, the numbers back up Highland Home’s commitment to excellence. They…

3490 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

It’s no wonder this area is a real estate hot spot. Time and time again we receive requests for homes for sale in the Eanes ISD, and recent rankings back up the popularity of this renowned school district. Out of more than 10,000 districts across the nation, Eanes Independent School District ranked an impressive second place.

The Rankings

Eanes ISD took home top accolades in heavy hitter categories, with an A+ for academics, teachers, and educational outcomes. The 11 schools in the district also made waves in the areas of Sports & Fitness and Health & Safety. Student reviews that helped boost the district’s ranking include notes on a strong academic foundation, engaging teachers, and a well-rounded sports program.

Niche, the platform behind the…

14941 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

new apartments in austinAs we enter a brand new year, it comes as little surprise that Austin area rents are expected to continue to rise throughout 2016.

The rental prices of apartments in particular are expected to increase, where demand continues to outweigh supply.

Recent market reports by Capitol Market Research indicate that apartments of all sizes have an average rental cost of $1,190 per month, which is the highest figure our region has ever seen. This is an increase of 7.5% when compared to 2014's rental average of $1,107.

A total of 9,554 units were built in the Austin area last year, while 9,346 new apartments were leased. Having such a small gap between new units and new leases indicates a healthy market, with very strong interest and competition.

What…

3372 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

homestead exemption familyWelcome to the New Year! Filling out forms probably wasn't part of your New Years resolutions, but the time has come to file your Homestead Exemption forms.

The homestead exemption lowers your property taxes, by subtracting a portion of your property value from the taxation. These amounts vary based on circumstance and county taxes, but can add up to as much as $25,000.

However, there are a few conditions:

  • You must be a surviving spouse
  • You must own and occupy the property
  • The home must have been purchased prior to January 1
  • Applications must be filed between Jan. 1 - Apr. 30 of the tax year

If you meet the above requirements, we strongly encourage you to apply. For those who qualify, it's a great perk of owning a homestead and…

2501 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

real estate resolutionsThe start of a new year is the perfect time to start fresh and make plans for the months above. Whether you're looking to sell, or simply want to maintain your home to its best potential, you'll want to check out our 6 real estate resolutions for 2016!

6. Skip Money Sucking Renovations

Here's an easy resolution to start off with, because it requires no effort: don't renovate your home (with bad investments.) The truth is that most renovations will never recover their full value, which means you're actually losing money on them. Unless it's for your own personal happiness, skip these classic money sinks: swimming pools, stainless steel appliances, brand new carpets, elaborate landscaping and luxury fixtures or upgrades. Buyers certainly may…

2155 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

buddy schillingByron "Buddy" Schilling, president of JBGoodwin REALTORS®, was featured in the Statesman giving his approval for the new home closing procedures.

The initial changes were met with concern for many agents throughout the industry, but JBGoodwin saw the opportunity for what it was: good for the people.

A big difference in the new process, which launched October 3, is an improved closing disclosure form.

“The closing disclosure goes through, in great detail and in simple English, what it is that the buyer and seller are actually closing, and what the buyer is getting in terms of a loan,” Schilling said, to the Statesman. “It's a beautiful thing due to the simplicity of it.”

This simplicity is exactly the intention behind the changes, which seek to…

1702 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

CalAtlantic homesAre you ready to build your dream home in Austin or San Antonio but you're not sure which builder to choose? If you're looking for an experienced builder that will really listen to you and not go over your budget, you should consider CalAtlantic Homes.

A recent merger between Ryland and Standard Pacific has brought over 100 years of combined experience to create CalAtlantic Homes. The new company uses their shared expertise to build properties in 17 different states. Innovation, unwavering commitment and quality homes are only some of the ideals that CalAtlantic prides itself on when taking on a project. Providing the highest personalized service, CalAtlantic enjoys getting to know their clients and delivering what is important to them.

Don't just…

2064 Views, 1 Comments

Read Full Post

Investing in Real Estate

rent or flip houseSpend money to make money. If you find yourself with some extra money in the bank, you might be wondering what the best course of action is: should I save it or invest? Purchasing real estate has long been considered one of the best ways to not only own more assets but to also return a profit from them too. Flipping houses or purchasing homes for renting are the two primary ways to return a profit from real estate. Here’s some important things to consider to help you choose which path is best for your home:

Buy The Right House

It’s critical that you buy a house that's both daffordable for you and in a desirable location for the future renter or owner. Watch out for homes that are exceptionally cheap as they may just be…

2548 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post