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Around this time each year, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to sell their houses. Similarly, others who already have their homes on the market remove their listings until the spring. Let’s unpack the top reasons why selling your house now, or keeping it on the market this season, is the best choice you can make. This year, buyers want to purchase homes for the holidays, and your house might be the perfect match.

Here are seven great reasons not to wait to sell your house this holiday season:

1. Buyers are active now. Mortgage rates are historically low, providing motivation for those who are ready to get more for their money over the life of their home loan.

2. Purchasers who look for homes during the holidays are serious ones, and they’re ready to buy.

3. You can restrict the showings in your house to days and times that are most convenient for you, or even select virtual options. You’ll remain in control, especially in today’s sellers’ market.

4. Homes decorated for the holidays appeal to many buyers.

5. Today, there’s minimal competition for you as a seller. There just aren’t enough houses on the market to satisfy buyer demand, meaning sellers are in the driver’s seat. Over the past year, inventory has declined to record lows, making it the opportune time to sell your house 

6. The desire to own a home doesn’t stop during the holidays. Buyers who have been searching throughout the fall and have been running into more and more bidding wars are still on the lookout. Your home may be the answer.

7. This season is the sweet spot for sellers, and the number of listings will increase after the holidays. In many parts of the country, more new construction will also be available for sale in 2021, which will lessen the demand for your house next year.

Bottom Line 

More than ever, this may be the year it makes the most sense to list your house during the holiday season. Reach out to a local real estate professional to determine if selling now is your best move.

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Filed under: Real Estate News by Olga Gilmore

Surviving Austin’s oppressive late summer really pays off when the winter months roll around. The cold weather won’t last long, so you better make the most of it and enjoy the added romanticism of a wintry date while you can. Dig your cute sweaters out of the back of your closet, get out there, and get cozy with a cutie. Here are our picks for Winter Date Night Spots in Austin.

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Sip hot cocoa and watch the Christmas Lights at Mozart’s

3825 Lake Austin Blvd

For the eleventh year in a row, the lights are on at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters. A year-round fave, this lakeside cafe kicks it up a notch every holiday season with a stunning light display, musical performances, and of course, delicious treats. You can reserve a spot in the prime viewing area starting at $10 or hang out on the upper and lower decks without a reservation. Either way, enjoying hot cocoa with lights glittering on the lake isn’t a bad way to spend an evening with a cutie. All tables are distanced six feet apart, and masks are required when not at your table.

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Share a giant pretzel and beers at Easy Tiger

6406 N Interstate 35 | 3508 S Lamar Blvd

Germans know how to do winter right: pair it with lots of beer and lots of carbs. Easy Tiger upholds these tenets of cold weather enjoyment at both of its locations. If you’re looking for an airy vibe and a larger menu, head north to the Linc – or opt for the coziness of the new location on South Lamar. Order a round of beers, a big-as-your-face soft pretzel with beer cheese to share with your date, and if you’re lucky and there are some left at the end of the day, a sweet baked good for dessert.

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Cuddle up for a flick at Blue Starlite

2015 E M. Franklin Ave | 300 San Antonio Street

For a hip Austinite, taking a date to a movie may sound like a lackluster idea. You’re not in middle school anymore – is a movie night really still on the table? It is if you bring your date to the Blue Starlite Drive-In, where a range of classics and new indies are shown every day. Rotating themes will satisfy even the most esoterically-minded of love interests, with everything from Christmas staples to experimental horrors.

Sample tea at Zhi Tea

1023 Springdale Rd

Pro-tip: a great date is built on good conversation. Bringing your crush to Zhi Tea on a chilly evening will give you plenty of opportunities for romantic eye contact over steaming cups. The teahouse’s variety of selections and flavors provides a slew of conversation starters – don’t be afraid to ask your knowledgeable server for recommendations to sample. Order a few, steep, sip, and discuss. During COVID-19, your best bet is to call and reserve a private tasting.

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Nosh on farm-to-table Italian at Intero

2612 E Cesar Chavez St

Italian for dinner is another one of those winter date ideas that needs an update. Intero provides an experience that far surpasses the breadsticks-and-caesar-salad routine your parents are following in the suburbs. Bright, bold, locally-sourced dishes like eggplant caponata and butter-poached redfish are served in a warm, spacious East Austin restaurant whose ambiance will truly impress any discerning date. Do not – we repeat, do not – skip Intero’s housemade ricotta. Or the handcrafted truffles, which are essentially love potions in chocolate form.

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Slurp noodles from Michi Ramen

6519 N Lamar Blvd

3005 S Lamar Blvd D-114B

Soup on a date night isn’t always a good idea, but on a brisk winter evening, it just might be. Michi Ramen is an Austin favorite for ultra-customizable (from broth to toppings) savory ramen loaded with noodles and other slurp-able ingredients. Share a to-go bowl with your sweetheart and live your own Lady and the Tramp moment, Austin-style.

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Hike the River Place Nature Trail

8820 Big View Dr

In Austin, outdoor activity isn’t off the table for a winter date. In fact, we’d argue bundling up and going for a cold-weather hike is far more romantic than the summer alternatives of sunburns and sweat stains. The River Place Nature Trail is composed of winding paths through tall trees, with a couple of impressive Hill Country and waterfall views sprinkled in the mix. Pack a trail picnic or bring along your dog to launch your hiking date to the next level.

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Build a cheese board at Antonelli’s

4220 Duval St

This Duval Street cheesemonger is cozy from the moment you walk in. The shelves teem with artisanal treats and cheese accompaniments, from infused honey and fig spread to wine. Don’t worry if you’re not a cheese aficionado – behind the counter, a friendly Antonelli’s employee is always willing to share samples, pairings, and cheese recommendations to guide you and your date to a selection of primo cheeses you’ll both love. During COVID-19, walk-ups are closed, but peruse their curbside pickup menu for offerings.

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Fill up on S’Mores at Halcyon 

218 W 4th St | 1905 Aldrich St Suite 110

Cozy like a camping trip, but lively like a great party, Halcyon is at once intimate and hip. Located in downtown Austin and in the Mueller neighborhood, Halcyon is the perfect lounge to bring your date for some gourmet drinks, great snacks, and even S’Mores. Yep, you read that correctly. S’Mores. Upon ordering the dessert, Halcyon supplies guests with a mini campfire, a pair of sticks, oodles of chocolate, stacks of graham crackers, and, of course, loads of marshmallows. There’s nothing like staring into your significant other’s eyes over a warm fire, and Halcyon allows you to do your gazing right in the heart of the city. Pack up your sleeping bags and put your tents back in the garage for the winter and head to Halcyon for some personal S’Mores.

CONTRIBUTED BY KELLY MCCOMAS | DO512

Filed under: Austin Events by Olga Gilmore

Aesthetically, Austin has it all: iconic street art, unique architecture, and an eye-catching skyline. 

So you can’t be blamed for the irresistible urge to emblazon your Instagram with all of the images that illustrate the glory of living in Austin. If you want to embrace that practice to the fullest and really go to town, here’s a round-up of the most Instagrammable places in Austin.

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The Umlauf Sculpture Garden

605 Azie Morton Rd

The ultimate Austin spot to achieve zen and tranquility, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden presents plenty of photo ops to play statue or get some enviable greenery shots.

Zilker Botanical Garden

2220 Barton Springs Rd.

Get green thumb envy and enjoy plenty of Austin’s finest wildlife at the Zilker Botanical Garden. Perfect for garden themed photo ops and fairy picnics.

Update: Open with advance reservations required.

Red Bud Isle

3401 Redbud Trail

Part amazing dog park, part hidden gem, Red Bud Isle is reachable via car, paddleboard, or kayak. The perfect place to take a swim with your 4 legged friend or watch the sunset.

Barton Springs Pool

2201 Barton Springs Rd.

Austin’s favorite natural spring is a little piece of utopia. Cool water, lounging on the grass, and epic scenery make it the ideal place to get your summer grams on. 

Update: Open with limited capacity.

The Top of Mt. Bonnell

3800 Mt. Bonnell Rd.

The best views in the city are only a hop, skip, and jump away…well actually a leisurely climb along some stairs. But the climb is worth it for the most far-reaching views in the city.

Franklin’s BBQ

900 East 11th St

The lengthy lines at the ever so popular Franklin’s BBQ are well worth the wait for the juicy, tender goodness. Grab a cooler, some chairs and be prepared to get in line for meat heaven.

Update: Dining room closed, but curbside pickup service available.

Uncommon Objects

1602 Fortview Rd

Uncommon Objects Antiques and Vintage Shop is basically one giant store of Instagram opportunities. Bedecked with everything from a wall of antlers to taxidermy, antiques phones, signs and more; get ready to play cross-century dress up.

The Texas State Capitol

1100 Congress Ave

Get a healthy dose of Texas history with a tour through the stately Capitol building. Plus plenty of opportunities to pose with Bush portraits and historical statues.

Update: Temporarily closed to tourists and visitors.

You’re My Butter Half Mural

2000 E. MLK Blvd

Another great piece of street art, another chance to proclaim your love. Located on the side of the Greater United Austin Building, this bright mural is worth a stop in this neighborhood.

“I Love You So Much” at Jo’s Coffee

1300 S Congress

The “I love you so much” sign on the side of Jo’s Coffee has become the most iconic piece of street art in Austin. Perfect for engagement photos, wedding photos, or just waiting for coffee.

The W Hotel Pool

200 Lavaca St

The W Hotel rooftop pool is one of the hottest hangs in the city, literally bc it’s that much closer to the sun. Get your tan on all year round and ogle the B-list celebrities as you look down upon the plebeians of downtown Austin.

Update: Hotel is open but pool is temporarily closed.

Lamar Pedestrian Bridge

Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail

The pedestrian bridge connects the north and south parts of Lamar along the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail. Expect tons of fit Austinites jogging, scenic pup pics, and perfect sunsets.

The Long Center

701 W Riverside Dr

The Long Center Performing Arts Center is not only one of the most picturesque views of the city but also hosts some of the best artistic acts. Stop by for a selfie, stay for a ballet, musical, concert, or Do512’s own Sound & Cinema movie series all summer long. 

Zilker Park

2100 Barton Springs Rd

Home to ACL, the Kite Festival, and many a Sunday volleyball game; Zilker Park is the pride and joy of Austin. From popular ‘Gram Zilker Bark to pics of Barton Springs or the Greenbelt, Zilker is sure to be tagged in many of your photos.

University Of Texas Tower

110 Inner Campus Dr

The statuesque tower is right smack dab in the middle of University of Texas. A focal point of the university to pay homage to football wins and other feats.

Update: Open, but all visitors need to complete a COVID-19 symptom screening online before entering campus.

Hi, How Are You

408 West 21st St

Daniel Johnston’s classic image has adorned this campus-area wall since 1993, when the Sound Exchange record store commissioned Johnston to paint a mural of his 1983 album cover, which had become widely recognizable after Kurt Cobain wore the image on a t-shirt during Nirvana’s promotion of Nevermind. When in Austin be sure to get your photo ops in here. 

Auditorium Shores at Town Lake

800 W Riverside Dr

The Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial is located at the intersection of Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail (South 1st and Riverside), first installed in 1994 and often has flowers and other devotions at its base. Plus, great views of the Austin skyline from this spot.

Do512.com |CONTRIBUTED BY PAGE JENSEN-SLATTENGREN

Filed under: Austin Events by Olga Gilmore

Homesellers can spend a ton of money getting a home ready to go on the market, but they don’t necessarily have to. Here are 10 easy ways sellers can update a home’s look without spending much cash.

1. Declutter (and clean!) 

Most people have too much stuff. Your clients are moving anyway, so it’s never too early for them to start paring down kids’ toys, over-the-hill garden equipment and supplies, and a mishmash of garden ornaments and random potted plants.

They can clear out overstuffed closets and their full-to-the-rafters garage immediately. Before the property goes on the market, they can scrub everything until it shines, and the house smells as clean as it looks.

2. Amp up the house numbers

Not finding a property because the address is hiding behind overgrown shrubs and the original house numbers are two inches tall is every agent’s pet peeve. And it leaves a horrible first impression with buyers, too. So, encourage your sellers to install new high-style, high-visibility house numbers. And make sure there’s plenty of light shining on that sharp new address as well.

3. Make a great first impression 

There’s a reason “you only have one chance to make a good first impression” has achieved maxim status. Agents estimate buyers give a prospective home about 10 seconds before deciding if they love it or hate it. 

That’s why curb appeal — the appearance of the front yard and entrance — and the first impression of the interior from the entry are crucial. An afternoon spent banishing peeling spots on the wall and trim paint inside and out, refreshing the front door, and replacing fading plantings, fixtures, and accessories (like doormats) is a low-cost, high-impact move.

4. Upgrade the lighting

From the porch light to the dining room chandelier and bathroom vanity strips, if sellers haven’t replaced fixtures recently, old fixtures are making their home look dated and uninspiring — especially if they aren’t well-coordinated. 

Simply replacing builder-grade, flush-mounted ceiling lights (aka “boob” lights) with recessed LED cans and makeup-mirror type bathroom strip lights with stylish sconces is a game-changer. And an eye-catching chandelier elevates even a modest dining area. So, such changes deliver a satisfying amount of bang for the buck.

5. Install new outlet covers and switch plates

Like lighting, outlet covers and switch plates can date a home badly. But changing them out is easy and economical. So, there’s no reason to stick with builder-grade ivory plastic, paint-caked covers or outdated metal plates. 

If your sellers are having trouble selecting suitable substitutes, you or your stager can lend a hand. You’re shooting for something that’s updated yet compatible with varied design styles.

6. Nix dated window and wall treatments 

Elaborate draperies, dated blinds, faux finishes and “accent walls” rarely represent buyers’ notions of “move-in-ready” homes. Replacing fussy window coverings with the far simpler curtains and blinds favored today is a relatively easy task. 

Painting over dated finishes might take a little more time, but it’s worth it to keep prospective buyers from taking one look inside and making a run for it.

7. Think mirrors 

Baths and kitchens sell houses. So, sellers should plan to update these spaces. They can frame builder-grade bath mirrors or replace them with their more interesting hanging counterparts. 

But why have sellers stop there? Mirrors add light and sparkle to living spaces and even bedrooms. Advise your sellers to search online and at brick-and-mortar home accessory retailers to see a broad selection of styles and prices.

8. Update the hardware

Hardware finishes ebb and flow in popularity, just like other design components. So, replacing out-of-favor hardware — from curtain roads to door hinges and knobs — is a worthwhile update. Nowhere is that more true than in kitchens and baths, where door and drawer pulls — or the lack of them — can scream so last century. 

Replacing them is simple if sellers choose pulls that conform to the existing installation pattern, and hinges are hidden, so those don’t have to be replaced, too. But even if the seller isn’t handy and has to hire someone to tackle the job, it will be an economic update that pays significant style dividends.

9. Refresh the backsplash

Once the hardware is updated, kitchens benefit from reviving backsplashes that have seen better days. Maybe sellers will agree to install beadboard or new tile in a hip pattern. Or, they can do something as simple as cleaning and painting the backsplash in an arresting color. Whatever the chosen material, a shiny new backsplash makes a great impression when buyers first walk into a home’s kitchen.

10. Replace dated or mismatched appliances

Appliances fail at varying rates and get replaced with models in the newest “in” finish. So, it’s possible to walk into a seller’s kitchen and find the dishwasher, stove, range hood and refrigerator in varied finishes. 

They may work, but mismatched appliances do not sell houses. Replacing everything with new models in matching finishes is not inexpensive. But appliance and home improvement stores often offer package deals and free financing over generous timeframes. So, sellers who plan to go on the market relatively soon can consider this a cost of sale that gets paid off at closing.

Naturally, there are other projects sellers might decide to undertake to maximize their selling price and minimize time on the market. Replacing beat-up flooring and addressing major buyer turnoffs like tile countertops leap to mind as fixes in that category. Before undertaking major updates like that, sellers might need time to think about how to do them best — and pay for them.

But these 10 easy updates are no-brainers. Prospective buyers will appreciate them. Even if the homeowners change their minds about selling, they’ll get to live in an updated house that cost little beyond elbow grease. And, that’s a win-win no matter what happens.

BY NICOLE SOLARI for Inman
November 15, 2020

Filed under: Uncategorized by Olga Gilmore

The holidays are quickly approaching and two staple Austin events are here to help in the holiday gift purchasing department. Things may look a little different this year, so be sure to check out their respective websites for instructions on how to attend.

Blue Genie Art Bazaar

November 13, 2020 – December 24, 2020
Blue Genie Art Bazaar – 6100 Airport Blvd.
The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a unique holiday art show held in Austin. Open again for more than 15 years, the free Bazaar features handmade artwork and gifts from more than 200 local and regional artists – with a portion of proceeds going to Make-A-Wish® Foundation.

Options:

• SHOP IN-STORE
• SHOP ONLINE + HAVE IT SHIPPED
• SHOP ONLINE + PICK IT UP
• PERSONAL SHOPPER
• PRIVATE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

For more information, check out: www.bluegenieartbazaar.com

A Christmas Affair

November 17, 2020 – November 22, 2020
Virtual Event
The Junior League of Austin’s A Christmas Affair hosts approximately 200-vendors in a themed shopping extravaganza which includes parties, children’s events, a private shopping brunch, and the season’s biggest celebrity, Santa!

The A Christmas Affair 2020 team is proud to announce an exciting reinvention of the annual, iconic holiday event. After analysis of current directions from local and state authorities, and keeping the safety of our volunteers, merchants and guests in mind, A Christmas Affair: Felicidad will be a fully virtual event and marketplace. 

Now in its 45th year, the five-day holiday gift market kicks off the giving season each year and hosts more than 150 regional and national retail merchants. This year, The Junior League of Austin will use a platform that will allow the JLA to support small businesses from around the country and create interaction experiences for its virtual attendees.   

Find more information at: www.jlaustin.org

Filed under: Austin Events by Olga Gilmore