So much has changed over the past decade. Home Tech is an important part of homes both new and old. This post is not a comprehensive look at tech in homes but a reminder that we live aware of tech in our homes and the homes we visit. By now most of us have seen countless numbers of videos from Ring doorbells and the likes. These modern tech door bells record and notify owners of the presence of visitors both welcome and unwelcome.      Some have taken the entry level tech further and applied it throughout their homes. This means the show at the door may continue as you walk through the home. Inside our homes we can now program our thermostats, ovens, washer and dryers to obey our commands from our phones. We can lock and unlock our homes from miles away all the while taking a peak ... 05/25/2022

Siena Stunner less than 2years old available now! This popular Taylor Morrison floor plan offers an abundance of space, refined finishes and thoughtful layout. Wood like tile flooring and tall ceilings greet you upon entry and draw you into the main living and spacious kitchen. Savor the gourmet kitchen complete with stainless gas cooktop, built-in oven / microwave, and sprawing quartz counters allow for entertaining and cooking grand meals around the kitchen island. The family chef will appreciate the vast counter space and copious storage options spanning the length of two walls. Connected to the main living space that includes gas powered fireplace, pre-wire sound system and views to the relaxing covered patio out back. The private owner's suite is tucked away on the main level at th... 03/24/2022

Once again it didn’t take long for Melissa Stout’s listing to go under contract with multiple offers. This single story gem in South Creek, an established neighborhood in the heart of thriving Round Rock, brought troves of buyers, hoping to be the new owner of this cozy home nestled on this tree-lined street. What charming street appeal this adorable home featured however the functional floor plan and stunning backyard with a most impressive 450-year-old sprawling tree caused everyone to sit up and take notice! Not only it’s beautiful appearance, but shade and branches to swing from caught everyone’s attention. In addition, Lake Creek runs behind the house in the valley, right outside your back fence.   Are you on the fence about selling? Melissa can offer you no stress, candid and depe... 06/24/2021

3606 Longhorn Trl, Round Rock, TX 78665 FRESH & READY 4 Bedroom, 2.5 bath with 2 family living areas! Owner's suite on the first floor with other 3 bedrooms up along with the secondary family room/game room. Newly renovated bathrooms, open floor plan, tons of natural light, eat-in kitchen and formal dinning room, and great backyard with large deck & storage shed -- tons of space for everyone! Mounted Sony Big Screen TV will remain at the property along with kitchen refrigerator, washer & dryer are all included in the lease. Brand New Carpet Upstairs- Please remove shoes or wear shoe covers. Tenant/agent to confirm schools. Gorgeous home - thanks for your interest! Jonathan Hand512-337-4217The Ben Kinney Team / Keller Williams 05/03/2021

Veteran’s Home Loans for Round Rock Texas!!If you are reading this, you or a family member have likely served in our military.  First off, we would like to say a sincere “Thank You” for your service!  We recognize that not only do our Veterans sacrifice by serving, but their families do as well-, and we owe you all a debt of gratitude!One of the best benefits Veterans and their families receive due to their service to our great country is the VA home loan benefits.  We are going to outline just a few of these significant benefits in this article for you.Here are some of the major benefits you may receive by using your VA home loan benefits:*100% financing available- one of the very few loans available with no down payment!*Lower rates available than most loan programs- which saves you m... 04/20/2021

     Teravista on the Round Rock side. This master planned community includes beautiful hiking and biking trails, two work out centers, two pools, parks with playground equipment for the kids. Through in some of the finest people on the planet as neighbors at no extra charge. 3411 sq ft. per WCAD4 spacious bedrooms/3.5 bathTandom Garage parks 3 cars or use the tandom space as a work shop3 large living spacesExtra large Master and Master bathEach room has a walk in closetLots of storage roomGame/Media room with sliding barn doorFormal Dining/Office room with french door entryLarge Kitchen with room for large dining table   03/26/2021

JUST SOLD: 1810 Greyson Drive Round Rock TX 78664So excited to help these first time homebuyers who have been renting for 4 years! The seller gave them 30 days’ notice (as per rental agreement) as she decided to sell and exercise an option to participate in a 1031 exchange.I wrote up the offer, we did inspections immediately and the lender jumped in with both feet and got it done. Considering our offer was accepted July 6th and we closed on July 27th it took a team effort but we got it done in 21 days! Where there is a will there is a way.Congratulations Travis and Jessica..it was my pleasure to work with and for you. “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it.” …Nora Roberts“There is no place like home.” …Dorothy Gale  08/02/2020

Your Starter Home vs. Your Forever Home  Buying a home is exciting. Most people have visualized their dream home—large, inviting kitchen; multiple bedrooms for family and guests; perhaps a backyard with built-in BBQ, pool, and fireplace. Yet this dream is often out of reach financially for first-time homebuyers. These buyers are ready to find a starter home and perhaps are wondering if saving for a forever home makes more financial sense.  Before making this decision, it’s important to consult with a professional financial advisor about your unique situation; more often than not, getting a starter home makes the most sense.  Things to Look For in a Starter Home vs. a Forever HomeAs we already mentioned, a starter home probably won’t have all the features you dream about, so it’s importa... 05/24/2020

Is Your New Neighborhood Safe?  How to Research Your New Community Finding the right home for you and your family involves more than the right number of bedrooms and a lovely front yard; the neighborhood in which it’s located can make a huge difference in the quality of your experience in the home. The most important consideration must be the safety of the community. Not only is it a critical component of a healthy lifestyle, but it can also have a drastic effect on resale values. Fortunately, there are some strategies and tools available to help you learn about the safety of your potential new home.  • Talk to the Neighbors – The first step in researching your new location is to talk with the locals. Start with the neighbors next door if possible, but also spend time in the local shops... 05/20/2020

Your Tax Refund Can Get You One Step Closer to Homeownership Saving money each month toward a long-term goal is increasingly difficult for most people. Even committed savers can get thrown off track when unexpected problems or opportunities arise. It can be difficult to envision how $200 a month can add up to a new home; the dream of homeownership continues to get pushed back in favor of more immediate needs. For many of these potential homebuyers, their tax refund can be a big step forward in their saving goals. Received in a lump sum, a tax refund is easier to see as a meaningful dollar amount. The average IRS refund in 2019 was almost $3,000. This, added to an already growing savings account, can be a great bonus. In addition to adding to your down payment fund, a tax refund can also... 05/16/2020

Real Estate Investment 101  Real estate offers a solid investment opportunity that can provide not only an income stream, but long-term value appreciation as well. It’s never too late to begin investing in real estate. Regardless of the ups and downs of the market, people will always need housing, so real estate will remain a good way to create wealth. By understanding some of the basics of real estate investing, you can begin to create a successful investment plan.  • Start Now – Every market offers opportunities for buyers; there is no perfect time to get started.  • Understand the Risks – Before investing, you should be certain that you can hold the property until conditions are right to sell.  • Do Your Homework – Know the market and understand the trends which can affect your purch... 05/13/2020

5 Questions Sellers Have about the Market during the Coronavirus Outbreak Answered  There are so many questions and concerns amid the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. The real estate market is especially hard hit and sellers are concerned. Real estate at its core is a people business. It relies on person-to-person interaction and the coronavirus necessarily limits this contact. As the spring selling season gets started, home sellers will have questions and it’s important to acknowledge concerns and offer practical advice and concrete information to help sellers make the best decision for themselves and their families. 1. Should I still try and sell my home? – Of course, there are many aspects to this question. First and foremost, the health concerns of the sellers’ family have to be taken... 05/09/2020

5 Questions Buyers Have During the Coronavirus Outbreak Answered Everyone is being affected in some manner by the outbreak of Covid-19 coronavirus. During this time, buyers will have more questions than normal about the home buying process and their ability to buy a new home. While we can’t predict what the next few weeks and months will bring, the more we can educate ourselves, the better we can help buyers navigate the buying process smoothly during the pandemic. Here are a few common buyer questions as they related to the Coronavirus outbreak and real estate answered. 1. Can we still go see home listings in person? – This is the hardest question to answer and it will depend on the home, the seller, the agent and any fast-changing governmental policies put in place. Agents should be a... 05/09/2020

During a time when so many people are hunkering down at home, it can be challenging to keep a tidy house, especially when you have kids, pets, and other adults living in the same space. It can be stressful and overwhelming at times, trying to find a balance of keeping everything organized and clean while maintaining one’s sanity. There are a few tips to help keep your house in order while everyone is home, and while you have some downtime to knock out some much-needed organization projects.  Schedule Clean-Up Time Before Bed Take ten minutes every evening for the entire family to help clean up the house. Run the dishwasher, wipe down the countertops, and put away any clothes lying on the floor. This is also a great time to have your kids help by cleaning up their toys, books, or any cra... 05/07/2020

Buying and owning your own home is no easy task, and there are moments on everyone's journey when they feel like it's impossible. However, there are plenty of resources available to help make your dream of becoming a homeowner a reality.  The first step you should take when you're ready to consider buying a home is to check your credit score and/or start building your credit. Lenders want to see that you’ve been able to pay back borrowed money on time, and without missing payments or defaulting on the loan. If you have a poor credit score, you'll need to spend the next several months, or even years in some cases, improving it by paying off any debt you currently have and making sure to make all payments on time in the future. This is a great time to find a mortgage loan officer that you... 05/06/2020

It's been difficult to adjust to a new normal during the past few weeks. With most residents being asked to stay at home, there are many who have recently lost their jobs or been asked to work remotely. The mortgage industry has also taken a big hit that has directly affected homeowners, renters, and investors alike.  There are many who are in the final stages of closing on their homes, and the current pandemic has made it difficult to efficiently move forward with the process. To help, desktop and exterioronly appraisals are being accepted as long as there is sufficient property information available online. Potential borrowers can also now submit their verification of employment via email, paystub, or bank statement to help streamline the process.  Significant changes have been made d... 05/05/2020

It may come as a shock that many people purchase a home before ever setting foot inside. These buyers may be moving to a new country or city far away, or they may not have the time or resources to visit for a home search before the big move. Not everyone has the option (or the desire) to rent for a few months while they find a permanent home in their new location. Most homebuyers would prefer to purchase a house before they arrive, so they can move their belongings and quickly get settled into their home.  There are a few things you can do to make the process more manageable if you've considered buying a house unseen. The first step is to find a realtor in the area that you can trust. Let them know your circumstances and that you'll need them to help vet potential properties for you. Th... 05/04/2020

During the past couple of months, families have been asked to stay at home. It can be challenging to keep everyone entertained when we aren’t able to go out of the house except to work in essential jobs, enjoy fresh air, and get groceries. Luckily, there are plenty of fun activities that the entire family can do together at home. Here are a few to inspire your own family to make lasting memories while spending quality time together at home.  1. Movie Night—This is a simple activity that everyone will enjoy. Every time you have a movie night, let a different family member pick their favorite. That way, everyone will have a turn choosing something to watch in the coming weeks. Better yet, consider a movie marathon over the weekend and allow each family member to choose one leg of the mara... 05/03/2020

Technology is helpful in so many areas of life, even real estate. Twenty years ago, if someone were moving across the country, they'd have to wait to buy a house until they arrived to start their new life, or they’d have to buy a home without seeing it in person beforehand. Both options would cause extra unwanted stress on top of moving to an unfamiliar place. Luckily, with the rise of technology, virtual tours are here to save the day!  When it comes to creating a virtual tour, don't panic. Your real estate agent will be there to guide you through the entire process. An agent may help to schedule a videographer to come to your house, or utilize software like Tour Wizard or My360 to create a virtual tour of their own that can be added to the listing. Real Estate Agents can also use Face... 05/02/2020

Round Rock Texas - HUD-Owned Foreclosure being sold As-Is with a $179,000 list price in South Creek subdivision in Round Rock Texas. Similar homes in this subdivision can sell as high as $235,000. 2019 Tax Value is $212,491. This is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, 1-Story home with 1 living area, with 1,608 square feet, on an oversized 0.175-Acre lot with mature trees. The home was built in 1985. This is a HUD-Owned REO property being sold As-Is. Feeds into high demand Round Rock ISD schools. Buyer must verify all information. The information provided is based on public records. Taxes are currently $4,906 per year. There are no HOA fees. Owned by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (also known as HUD).  This home is on a corner lot. It has vaulted ceilings and a fire... 01/29/2020