Real Estate Blog

Productivity and Growth to Kick off 2020 | Isabel Affinito

What Am I Doing? 

In January, I've struggled with defining my new roles. A year ago, it was easy. I was a real estate agent, selling real estate mostly in central Austin. But it's not quite that simple anymore, and I'm still trying to find out how to explain myself to people. 

These days, I'm managing a real estate team and working with clients. I'm designing and delivering sales training for Spyglass. I'm doing a small amount of one-on-one business coaching. And I'm doing public speaking around the country.

That's a mouthful when someone asks "What do you do?" The real answer is, I have three jobs. And I'm trying to find one title to capture them all. 

Managing a Team

Real estate sales is still my primary focus and primary income…

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14 Things To Do on Valentine's Day in Austin - 2020

Valentine's Day is one of the special days where you spend a memorable time with your significant other. Whether you are staying at home or looking into spending the day or night outdoors, there are plenty of things to do on Valentine's Day in Austin that will make you and your partner's day extra special! Feel the love with these activities in Austin with your special someone or if you're single, bring along your best friend! Here are some ideas on how you can make this year's Valentine's Day a memorable one!

1. Board Game Night

This is one of the activities that you can do at home. In today's time where everything can be done online, it's can be a good idea to take out your board games and playing cards. Enjoy a night filled with laughter and…

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Preparing Your Austin Home for Spring | Spyglass Realty

As the weather starts to get a warmer, sun's out, flowers start to bloom, and exciting festivals are just weeks away, spring cleaning or preparing your home for spring is an ideal thing to do. Maintaining your home throughout each season will benefit not just you, your family, but even the house itself. If you are one of the people that is looking into selling your home in Austin this spring, you have to check out our blog on when is the best time to buy or sell a home in Austin if you haven't read it yet, this blog will guide you on what to do to prepare your home for spring.

1. Clean Gutters

Carefully climb up a latter and remove as much debris as you can with your hands. Don't forget to wear protective clothing such as gloves and protective…

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Rambler Sparkling Water | Spyglass Realty

Where can you find a sparkling water product that is committed to utilizing sustainable sources and gives back to the Texas Park and Wildlife Foundation? Aside from that, where can you find one that purely tastes like Texas? But literally, the water...is Texas water. Rambler Sparkling Water is a Texas limestone-filtered sparkling water founded by James Moody, David Mead, Leo Kiely, Bill Kiely, and Jeff Trucksess in Austin, Texas.

With plenty of sparkling waters available in the market, Rambler is made and inspired by the clear Texas water. Rambler only chooses sustainable water resources since water is known to be a scare resource. They are also in partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation where a portion of their sales go towards the said…

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Constructing a Pool in Austin: 5 Types, Process & Costs | Spyglass Realty

Summer could be a few months away but nothing sounds better other than sipping your favorite cold beverage while taking a dip in a pool to beat the Texas heat. Most people would head outdoors to the nearest public swimming pools in Austin such as the local favorite, Barton Springs Pool located near the Barton Hills neighborhood, one of the popular residential areas in Austin. There are also a couple of hidden gems in Austin where you can find swimming holes in secluded areas within the region. But some love the privacy that they get with their very own swimming pool located in their homes. You might be eyeing having one installed on your grounds. Therefore, you might be thinking about the costs to build a pool in Austin, how long does it take, what are…

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Birds Barbershop Austin | Spyglass Realty

Experience Austin like a true local on your visit or if you are newly relocated in the area and finding the best barbershop to get that slick, high, tight hairstyle, Birds Barbershop is highly recommended. The independently owned brand is established by life-long friends Michael Portman and Jayson Rapaport. Both owners had a goal to provide salon-quality service and expertise for both men and women of all ages with a twist of enhancing customer experience in different ways.

With Austin being the Live Music Capital of the World and living up to the slogan of Keep Austin Weird, Birds Barbershop offers all things that represent Austin. Where else can you get free cold Independence beer, free WiFi, play old arcade games, and listen to great music while…

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Open vs Closed Floor Plans | Spyglass Realty

Floor plans influence the home's construction and are one of the very important parts of any home building or renovation. If you are eyeing on building or renovating your home but aren't sure which floor plan is best, this blog is for you. We'll talk about the pros and cons of each and on which is the best floor plan for your home. Is it an open concept or a traditional/closed floor plan?

What is an Open Floor Plan?

Open floor plans refer to a house wherein two or more spaces are joined in order to form a larger space. This eliminates the partition walls that usually divide rooms into parts. A great example would be joining the kitchen, dining, and living room making it into a communal living space.

Pros of Open Floor Plans

1. Layout…

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Sunrise in Mexico | Isabel Affinito

A Christmas Sunrise in Mexico

This year, Chris and I met his parents and sister in Mexico for Christmas. Specifically, Isla Mujeres.

This is the only photo I took because I was having too much fun.

The only bummer was that I got a cold while I was there. And almost every night I woke up around 4 AM to cough my brains out for a while before falling back asleep. One morning while we were there, I woke up and wasn't sleepy, so I read and tried to occupy myself for awhile. Eventually, I realized, around 6:30 AM, that if I got up and walked out to the beach, I could probably catch the sunrise.

So I did. I wandered down the beach until I found some rocks with a great view to the east and watched the sky change slowly from purple-gray to pink…

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Performance Coaching: Small Business Owners | Spyglass Realty

I am delighted to be offering one-on-one coaching for small business owners. Coaching has made an enormous difference in my life on so many levels: income, the health of my business, my mindset, my ability to weather challenges, my capacity for happiness regardless of exterior circumstances. I know that good coaching in my life has been indispensable to my business thriving, instead of just surviving. And I'm excited to pay it forward. 

If you're interested to hear more about what I do, my principles, and what I offer, read on. 

What I Do and Who I Work With

I help workaholics, people pleasers and perfectionists find more joy in their days, and make more money as a side effect.

I work with small business owners who run high-value service and…

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Maintenance Things Homeowners Need To Do | Spyglass Realty

Owning a home here in Austin, Texas, is more than just having a place to call your own. It's a journey filled with responsibility. As the seasons change and time goes by, your beloved home needs a little TLC to keep it shining and safe. From tackling routine to-dos to handling unexpected fixes, taking care of your home is all about ensuring its longevity, comfort, and the well-being of your loved ones.

In this friendly guide, we're diving into the world of home maintenance, the must-do tasks that every homeowner in Austin should know about. Get ready for practical insights, helpful tips, and a whole lot of know-how to keep your Austin home in tip-top shape!

Clean Gutters

Clogged gutters can cause problems that can lead to serious issues such as…

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