What Kind of Mortgages are Available?Buying a home is an exciting time, but it can be overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers who have decided to stop renting. The mortgage process involves many steps, including pre-qualification and preapproval. Not to mention, there are several different mortgage options offered by lenders. Before starting the house-hunting process, it's important to understand how mortgage options work and what types of loans are available. Here's a broad overview of mortgage options to get you started.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage or home loan professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Conventional Loans

Conventional mortgages are a type of loan that isn't insured or guaranteed by the…

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Understanding How Capital Gains Taxes WorkOnce an individual buys a home, their tax circumstances can dramatically change. With homeownership comes property taxes, school taxes (if applicable), and capital gains taxes when the property is sold. The latter tax should be planned for long before a property goes on the real estate market. Not familiar with capital gains tax? Here's a rundown of what all homeowners should know.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with an attorney, tax, or financial advisor before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

What Is a Capital Gains Tax?

If a homeowner sells their home for more money than they paid for it, they might be required to pay capital gains taxes on the difference. Whether this tax is applicable largely depends upon…

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pride month in austin texasHappy Pride Month! A celebration of the LGBTQ+ community's diversity, equality, and visibility. Whether you're a member of the community or an ally, here are events to enjoy and celebrate this Pride month!

West Chelsea Contemporary X Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness: "On The Wall"

June 2 - July 11

JVN X WCC 'On The Wall' is a curation of emerging artists featuring Lanecia Rouse, A’Driane Nieves, and Ben Medansky. Featured alongside the current exhibition, Icons & Vandals, are hand-selected works by JVN that offer collectors a chance to acquire original art by the three talented appreciating artists.

Know more about JVN x WCC 

 

2021 aGLIFF Pride Mini Film-A-Thon Weekend

June 4 - June 6

To celebrate Pride month, aGLIFF will host a…

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zilker park in austin texas

Mark your calendars and join the fun with Austin's top events film festivals, live music, Juneteenth, Pride Month celebrations, and more! Check out what to do in Austin this June 2021 with our June Events list!  

Austin Asian American Film Festival

June 4 - June 20

The Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAFF) celebrates feature filmmakers' unique voices and create a forum where viewers can come together to experience the wide array of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI).

AAAFF Event Details

Austin Black Pride

June 8 - June 13

This pride month, the Austin Black Pride is a week of events that are created to highlight Austin's Black LGBTQ+ community interests, talents, and culture. The event will be held in various locations and…

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8 great energy-efficient upgrades that yield a good ROIMaking home improvements is a worthwhile investment if planned strategically. Not all embellishments, remodels, or builds will yield a good return on investment (ROI). Fortunately, homeowners seeking to integrate green and energy-efficient features into their houses will find these 8 upgrades bring a great ROI.

Energy-STAR Appliances

Traditionally, appliances were designed for convenience, not energy efficiency. Unfortunately, they were a huge draw on both electricity and water. Today, homeowners can enjoy convenience while simultaneously enjoying a greener lifestyle. Energy-efficient appliances yielding a strong ROI include clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and standalone freezers for those with space. Homeowners should…

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Reasons to heavily consider commute times before buying a homeMany people move into their dream home but are then dismayed to learn they have a long or frustrating daily commute. Suddenly, due to stressful commutes, they find they're no longer living the dream. Before bidding on a home and signing on the dotted line, it's important to consider what a daily commute would look like. Important transit factors to think about when buying a home should include the following.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Access to Roadways

Living near a major roadway has its perks and downsides. Convenience is a huge factor, but tradeoffs usually include noise and extra traffic. For commuters, however, convenience…

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Are Hidden Risks in the Home Jeopardizing Family Safety? Learn More Here!It may come as a surprise to many homeowners that, even with the greatest precautions taken when constructing or remodeling a home, many hidden dangers can still hide. Here, we'll discuss some of the most common home risks and safety hazards.

Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer

Statistics estimate that every year, emergency rooms see an average of 50,000 Americans suffering accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Because it's silent, colorless, and odorless, CO inhalation can—and does—go undetected by homeowners who aren't prepared.

The risk of CO poisoning increases in colder temperatures, as home heating runs longer, cars may be turned on before leaving a garage, and fireplaces start being used. When a CO source such as a gas stove or…

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Smart Tech Upgrades That Boost Your Home's Value and AppealMore of today's home buyers have grown up around technology, so smart homes are more desirable than ever. The inclusion of smart technology in the home is likely to attract more buyers and improve a home's marketability.

A large percentage of buyers are more amenable to buying a home with smart solutions already installed. Smart features are a convenience becoming more normalized in modern life. By installing the following desirable tech upgrades in your home, you can increase your return on investment and the home's appeal when it comes time to sell.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats are in high demand. In fact, 63% of buyers want a smart thermostat when they move in. It's no surprise; a smart thermostat offers benefits such as:

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7 Simple Ways to Improve Your Curb Appeal

First impressions really count when you're looking to sell your house. You must make it as attractive as possible to any potential buyers that happen to pass by. To do so, you'll have to work on your home's curb appeal.

Improving curb appeal doesn't have to be a particularly pricey endeavor. In fact, there are plenty of simple maintenance jobs you can do that will make your property that much more safe, eye-catching, and up its value to boot.

If you're looking to sell your home, these seven simple tips to improve its curb appeal will help you do it far faster.

If It's Broken, Fix It

One of the biggest turn-offs for prospective buyers is a home that looks rundown. If they can see that there's a lot of work to do to the outside, it…

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Homeowner without a home warranty stressing about the cost of fixing an applianceHome warranties are an optional type of coverage to help offset major expenses that might occur in a house. Many new homeowners opt to purchase a home warranty to safeguard themselves against large expenses if a major repair is needed. Homebuyers sometimes negotiate for the seller to cover the purchase of a home warranty, at least for the first year. Not quite sure about whether (or not) to get a home warranty? Here are the answers to commonly asked questions.

What is a Home Warranty?

Home warranties are coverage against the breakage of major home appliances and systems. Like any other warranty plan, it's a financial safeguard against unexpected major out-of-pocket expenses. Essentially, the home warranty covers issues that aren't protected by…

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