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This beautiful 5 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath situated on over 1-acre is located on a quiet street in Westlake Hills, Texas.

The home is two story with the master suite downstairs and 4 spacious bedrooms upstairs PLUS a very large playroom with built in cabinets and mini-fridge – guaranteed to be a place where the kids can be happy. And speaking of happy kids — outside they will find a pool with slide, sport court and their very own putting green. Dad might even like that!

Downstairs is a large living and formal living or office area and an incredible kitchen with stainless appliances and granite counter tops. Also included is a fantastic office/work/study area that can be used by the entire family.

Zoned for the highly accredited Eanes Independent School District!

Check out the rest of the house here: https://www.seetheproperty.com/391987

For more information call Jimmy Gilmore @ 512.657.8671

Filed under: Listings by Olga Gilmore

Whether you’re using your home office to work from home or for personal business, getting it clean and organized can make your time there more productive and pleasant. Piles of work papers and to-dos are visual reminders of things you don’t want to be doing. Take this opportunity while you’re at home more to whip it into shape. This plan will help you clear the clutter and put systems in place to make it easier to keep things looking good all year.

Make a Plan of Attack

How big your home office is, and just how packed full of stuff it is will make a huge difference in how much time you’ll need to devote to get it in shape.
If you use your home office regularly, or if your home office is large or has accumulated a lot of clutter, plan to spend a few longer stretches of time on a weekend and follow up with shorter tasks during the week.

If it’s a small space or not too cluttered, you may be able to compress the plan into a single weekend — read it over before beginning and tailor it to work for you.

Day 1: Deal With Paper

Decluttering tasks: What is all of that clutter? Do you even need to keep this stuff? This is the day to find out. At the end of today’s tasks, your home office may very well look worse than when you began — consider yourself warned!

• Do some research. Sometimes we keep things simply because we are not sure if it’s OK to throw them out. Go on a fact-finding mission (call your tax preparer or search online) and figure out what you need to keep and for how long.
• Sort and stack. Work your way through your home office, pulling every loose paper out of drawers, shelves, cupboards etc. As you go, sort your stuff into categories as best you can, shredding and tossing what is no longer needed.
• Make quick temporary labels for your category piles with a marker on plain paper — it’s amazing how quickly you can lose track of what goes where.
• Set aside anything that does not belong in your home office and make a point of returning it to where it belongs (or to whom it belongs to) today.

Cleaning tasks: Keep a shredder, recycling bin and trash can nearby for obvious junk mail and garbage.

Day 2: Make Some Space

Decluttering tasks: Pour yourself a big cup of coffee or tea, because you’ll need the boost to get through today’s task — but when you’re done, your workspace should be feeling significantly better.

• Pull every (nonpaper) item out of your desk and office storage and sort it into piles, placing like with like — for instance, all letter writing supplies in one pile; everything computer related in another.
• Now take a closer look at those piles, removing unneeded duplicates (do you really need three staplers?) and anything that doesn’t belong in your office.
• Armed with the knowledge gained on your fact-finding mission on Day 1, dip into your files and see if there are papers you can safely get rid of.
• If you haven’t yet moved to a paperless home office, go online today and set up paperless statements and billing.

Day 3: Get Organized

Decluttering tasks: Think outside the file box to find an organizational system that works for you. Here are a few ideas for organizing your home office:

• A grid of clipboards on the wall can make for a handy place to keep papers organized.
• Wall-mounted cups keep frequently used supplies neat and within reach.
• Labeled, open-top baskets on shelves are great for people who like piles.
• Traditional files are still useful for important documents.

Day 4: Freshen Up

Cleaning tasks: Give yourself a big pat on the back, because the hardest work is now behind you! Today is all about making your home workspace fresh and clean, so it will be a healthier, more pleasant place to spend time in.

• Vacuum your home office from top to bottom. Use an attachment to clean window treatments, high corners and fabric lamp shades.
• Wipe down shelves and surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth.
• Use monitor wipes to clean your screens.
• Use a keyboard cleaner to blow dust from between the keys or gently clean them with cotton swabs.
• Bring in some fresh plants to help clean the air.

Day 5: Consider Comfort

Decluttering tasks: How comfortable is your home office? If you use your workspace often, it’s important to have an adjustable chair with proper support, good lighting and perhaps a small stool to put your feet up on. See what you can do today to make your home office more comfortable.

Day 6: Add a Personal Touch

Decluttering tasks: The beauty of a home office is that you can emphasize the home part as much as you like. Bring in family photos that make your smile or treasures from your travels; drape a beautiful textile over your chair; or store your office supplies in pretty fabric or woven baskets and china teacups. Cut a few fresh flowers from the garden and place them in a vase on your desk. Light a scented candle while you work. Do whatever makes your office feel more like you.

Day 7 and Beyond: Do Daily Maintenance

Decluttering tasks:

• Aim to handle paper as soon as you get it, rather than letting it pile up. If you don’t have time to do this daily, set up an inbox with slots for a few broad categories (bills, work, school) so papers will be easier to handle later.
• Post a note detailing what you should save and for how long.
• Schedule a weekly time to empty your inbox.

Cleaning tasks:

• Straighten up your home office before you are done working each day. Bring the coffee cups back to the kitchen and completely clear your desktop.

Filed under: Home Improvement, Home Tips by Olga Gilmore

2021 has thus far presented a very interesting real estate market causing many people to ask themselves: “should I sell my home? ” Have you ever thought about selling while the market is hot? If so, I bet you wonder, What features are most important to homebuyers? What can you as a sellers do to your homes to make it more desirable to the most buyers?

If you are looking to take advantage of the 2021 real estate market, but aren’t quite sure which angle to take, here is a list of the 10 most likely amenities first-time homebuyers are going to prioritize:

1. UPDATED KITCHENS & BATHS

What do new homebuyers want? The answer is simple: updated kitchens and bathrooms. Millennials and first-time homebuyers have made their intentions known. Updated kitchens and baths are a must. According to a recent survey conducted by Metropolitan Regional Information Systems Inc., 81 percent of respondents recognized updated kitchens and bathrooms as the most important feature when considering whether or not to purchase a home.

If your budget warrants it, I highly recommend upgrading your kitchen and bathrooms. What’s more, you don’t need to break the bank to attract first-time homebuyers.

2. OPEN FLOOR PLANS

What are homebuyers looking for, if not for more living space? The whole idea of moving into a first home is to upgrade from the previous living arrangements, after all. Outside of modernized kitchens and baths, first-time homebuyers have expressed their desire for open floor plans. Not surprisingly, 59 percent of first-time homebuyers were expected to place a priority on less-confined homes, or those that facilitate functionality. Sellers should consider their current floor plan and determine whether or not it would be worth knocking down a wall or two before they put the property up for sale.

If at all possible, eliminate any walls that separate the kitchen from the living room. People of all generations, not only millennials, have come to favor the open kitchen concept, as it allows for a more conversational flow to the property.

3. LOW MAINTENANCE FEATURES

The cost of purchasing a new home is enough to keep a large amount of millennials from actively participating in the housing market. Even those that finally manage to take the leap must do so with cautious optimism, as prices are surpassing their pre-recession levels in more and more cities every month. For what it’s worth, first-time homebuyers are finding it difficult to come up with a down payment and monthly mortgage payment, let alone the funds to maintain the property they just bought. First-time homebuyers simply don’t have the expendable funds to worry about too many costs that follow the actual purchase itself.

Most first-time buyers cringe at the thought of spending more money after having recently made the largest purchase of their life, so it only makes sense that they will prefer a “move-in ready” home over one that requires a lot of maintenance. That said, sellers are advised to reduce the amount of post-purchase work as possible.

4. ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Not unlike limiting the amount of maintenance a property will require once it is purchased, energy efficiency has caught the attention of first-time homebuyers for the soul purpose of saving money. However, energy efficiency has the added benefit of compounding savings over time.

Sellers are advised to include as many energy efficient upgrades in their homes as they can if they want to attract the interest of first-time buyers.

According to Remodeling’s Cost Vs. Value report, the addition of fiberglass insulation in your attic can set you back about $1,268. What’s more, that same project coincides with an average resale value of $1,482, or a return of 116.9 percent on the initial cost of the project; it actually adds to the value of the house.

If you are looking to sell your home, don’t hesitate to highlight any energy efficient amenities you may have. First-time homebuyers are interested in anything that will save them money in the long-run, not excluding, low-flush toilets, attic insulation, double-paned windows and anything else that will reduce both their carbon footprint and energy consumption.

5. WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY

No other generation is more aware of what today’s technology is capable of than millennials. That said, it is safe to assume that their inherent dependency on technology will affect the way millennials buy homes. In fact, nearly a quarter of all first-time buyers (20%) are expected to place a priority on homes with strong cell phone service and Internet connectivity (smart home features).

Never before has the need for strong cell phone service and WiFi connectivity been more important to buyers, and those looking to sell in 2021 should take note. Be proactive and address any issues your property may have with connectivity. For less than $100 you can buy a signal booster and eliminate any concerns your future buyers may have.

6. LAUNDRY ROOMS

Often overlooked, but never unappreciated, laundry rooms have found themselves at the top of almost everyone’s priorities list. According to a Kiplinger article, in fact, 91.0% of buyers want laundry rooms in their new homes, and first-time buyers are no exception. Perhaps it has to do with need more space, or maybe its because they are tired of using shared, communal laundry rooms at their previous apartment complexes, but first-time buyers have expressed the need to have a laundry room.

As a result, today’s sellers would be wise to give it to them. With an investment ranging anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000, sellers can install a small-scale laundry room that will attract more buyers. The added attention will surely drive up competition, and perhaps even offer prices.

7. PATIOS

With many first-time buyers moving up to a home, a top priority will be more space. More often than not, new buyers are coming from cramped living spaces, and moving up is more of a need form ore space than anything else. That said, it shouldn’t surprise sellers to learn that patios are wanted by about 87.0% of today’s buyers. Since most first-time buyers are used to using a balcony, a patio makes a lot of sense; it’s a relatively simple upgrade that can make a world of difference.

Once again, most first-time homebuyers are looking to replace their current living situation with more spacious accommodations. Sometimes the whole reason someone wants to buy a home is for more space, which would explain why about 85.0% of today’s buyers demand garage storage space.

As any homeowner will tell you, it’s easy to accumulate too much stuff. Homeowners have a knack for abundance, and garage storage space is a must. More specifically, however, is the value of efficiency. Garage storage space allows homeowners to buy the things they need/want without taking up too much space in the living area. On top of that, garage storage is usually more accessible than an attic or shed, which allows homeowners to store things over the course of a year without forgetting where they put them.

9. EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Exterior lighting is a great way to add both curb appeal and functional lighting. On the one hand, a properly lit home is much more attractive and welcoming to anyone passing by or stopping in for a visit. On the other hand, exterior lighting is almost necessary for anyone looking to host outdoor activities. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, exterior lighting is an added safety feature. A few minor installments can make a home safer for its occupants. Whether it’s barbecuing or hosting a game night, exterior lighting can make all the difference, and homebuyers are starting to take notice. For a relatively low cost of entry, exterior lighting can be installed for as little as $50.00 a fixture. Of course, the cost can increase with more luxurious fixtures, but the point remains the same: the project can be done for an affordable price.

WALK-IN PANTRY

What features are most important to homebuyers? I can’t stress this enough: more space. And, as it turns out, walk-in pantries are a great way to add more space to a home. The cost of a walk-in pantry will vary from the inexpensive to the exorbitantly expensive; the price will be dictated by the style of home. For example, luxury homes will require nicer pantries to suit the new owners’ needs. Luxury walk-in pantries can run owners upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. However, mid-range homes can get away with something more affordable. Consequently, about 83.0% of today’s buyers will want to see a walk-in pantry, which makes the investment worthwhile. Typically around five square feet, walk-in pantries are what first-time homebuyers are looking for in a new place; again, they want more space than the place they are moving from.

Your Edge…

The rest of 2021 will certainly draw the interest of first-time homebuyers on a massive scale, which leaves sellers having to answer one important question: What features are most important to homebuyers? What do new homebuyers want, and what can today’s sellers do to accommodate the needs of their customers. Outside of offering a listing in a relatively competitive market, sellers should take note of the amenities listed above. Not only will today’s best new home features help sellers find buyers, but they should simultaneously award their owners with higher returns. If for nothing else, buyers in today’s market appear ready and willing to pay up for the features they want; it’s up to the sellers to make sure they deliver.

Filed under: Home Improvement, Real Estate News by Olga Gilmore

The family room has long been the favorite room in the house—it’s where homeowners get to spend quality time with other family members. However, as the significant increase in time spent at home during the pandemic has changed preferences, homeowners now favor quieter and more private areas in the home.

In a survey of more than 2,000 Americans, the new favorite room in the home: the master bedroom. In the survey, conducted by Ally Home, some respondents said it’s their new favorite spot because it’s where “they can hide from family members.”

Here are the five favorite rooms in the house, according to the Ally Home survey:

1. Master bedroom: 27%
2. Family room: 14%
3. Kitchen: 10%
4. Master bath: 9%
5. Man or woman cave: 7%

Spending so much time at home over the last year has also sparked a wave of house projects among many homeowners. Eighty-eight percent of the 2,000 homeowners surveyed say they’re considering improvements to their homes to make it more “staycation-ready.” The most popular projects center on the outdoors:

• 38% are considering installing an in-ground or above-ground pool or spa.
• 35% are considering building an outdoor athletic court.
• 29% are considering improvements to their porch, deck or patio.

Your Edge

Wondering whether making improvements to your current house is the right things to do? Call an agent who is familiar with your area. They’ll be able to help you determine the best course of action.

Filed under: Home Improvement, Real Estate News by Olga Gilmore

Austin’s weather is in full summer mode: HOT, HOT, HOT! Make the best of your backyard by doing some fun things with the kids that will keep them cool and you’ll enjoy as well. After all, they do grow up fast!

1. Water Balloon Piñatas

Fill large balloons with water, knot them, then use a short length of string to tie them to tree branches or a clothesline. (Note: Cheapie balloons work best for this; they’re easier to pop.) Then grab a Wiffle ball bat and take turns being the blindfolded hitter. Instead of candy, you’ll all get a nice, refreshing shower after this water balloon game!

2. Make an Ice Mold

Toss plastic toys (or any small trinkets) into a big container, fill it with water, and freeze. Flip the ice block out of the mold, and give kids some (not-sharp) tools, like a spoon or a paintbrush, as well as a salt shaker and a spray bottle of warm water. Let the excavating begin!

3. Water Balloon Relay

For this silly race, fill up a bunch of water balloons and split them between two buckets at your starting line. Then put two beach chairs at the opposite end of the lawn. Ready to relay? Break into two teams and have the first person in each one grab a water balloon, run to the chair, and sit down on the balloon until it pops. Then dash back to the starting line and tag the next person to go. If a player drops the balloon before sitting on it, they must go back and get a new one. The first team to pop all of their balloons wins.

4. Ready, Set, Jump

Our simple spin on jumping rope turns it into a fun water game for kids! Provide each player with a full cup of water. One at a time, each player must jump rope for ten turns while holding their cup. The player with the most water left wins.

5. Sponge Ball War

Water balloons are fun, but sponge balls are a total blast! “These spiky guys are easy to make, don’t hurt when they hit their target, and ‘refilling’ them is as simple as tossing them into a bucket of water. 

Here’s how to make them: Pick up a bunch of sponges from a dollar store. Stack three on top of one another, and cut them lengthwise into three strips. Cinch them in the middle with a rubber band, then fan out the strips to create a ball shape. Fill up a bucket of water, dunk them in, then fire away! 

Or make a game out of it by placing two buckets throwing-distance apart. Divide into teams, and stand behind the buckets, taking turns chucking sponge bombs into the opposite one. The team that gets the most in the bucket wins this water game! Whether your kids get a direct swish or miss, they’re bound to get wet in the process.

6. Human Car Wash

As a fun water game for kids, treat them to a “car wash.” Make different trajectories with the hose—a rainbow, a flat line, a shower—and have them race through on scooters in the driveway.

7. Freezy Tees Contest

The chill factor in this fast-paced race makes it much cooler than your average dress-up game. Before the contest, prepare a T-shirt for each participant by soaking it with water, wringing it out, and folding it. Placing waxed paper between each one, stack the folded shirts on a baking sheet and freeze them. When they’re stiff, hand them out to the players. The first to get into their frozen tee wins!

8. Fill ’Er Up

Place two pails—one full of water, one empty—about 15 feet apart, says Lauren Love, a mother of two in Knoxville, Tennessee, who previously ran a sports camp. Have kids race back and forth trying to transport water from one container to the other using only plastic bowls, sponges, or recycled grocery bags. “The idea here is to get wet,” Love says.

9. Watercolor Chalk

When you get regular sidewalk chalk wet, it transforms into a watercolor-like paint. Start by drawing circles of color on the driveway or sidewalk with the chalk, and then swirl a wet paintbrush into it to create the “paint.” After the kiddos are done admiring their work, all you have to do is hose it—and your little Picassos— down. 

10. Paint with Ice Pops

Fill ice-pop molds with water and a couple of drops of food coloring, and freeze overnight. Set the kids up outside with white paper to design frosty masterpieces using the pops as paintbrushes.

11. Curvy Wet Balance Beam

Lay the garden hose in the grass in any creative, curvy shapes and patterns you want and see if kids can walk on the “curvy balance beam” without falling off. Increase the challenge by trying it with your eyes closed, or with a sprinkler attached at the far end of the hose. With the water turned on, the hose will be much more firm and more difficult to balance on—and the closer you get to the sprinkler, the wetter you’ll get. Next, make a totally new pattern with the hose and try again!

12. Try a Water Table

Bring the plastic fruits and vegetables from our indoor play kitchen out to the water table, add dish soap and sponges, and let kids wash—and then cook—their veggies. Hand them a pot and a big spoon, and “soup’s” on.

As another idea, load the water table with ice water, bubble foam in different colors, oobleck, and water beads. Raid the recycling bin for interesting containers they can use as pitchers, or poke holes in the bottom of a jug for a DIY sieve.

13. Construct an Igloo

Buy a chest freezer and do lots of building with frozen colored ice blocks that can be stored in the chest. You can make blocks using loaf pans with food coloring, but you can also try Solo cups and create pyramids.

14. Create Sprinkler Games

Freeze dancing under a sprinkler offers a good soaking if you stop the music at the right time.

Alternatively, call out the name of an animal and tell kids they have to act it out while running (or hopping, slithering, or galloping) through the sprinkler.

As a final sprinkler game idea, lay a Twister mat on the lawn, turn on the sprinkler, and get from right-foot-red to left-hand-blue!

15. Water Balloon Ball

Nothing makes a splash like water balloon ball. This handheld water game can be enjoyed by four players or more. Here’s how:

Gather supplies: You’ll need 25 to 50 small balloons, a Wiffle ball bat, two bases, a garbage can, and a basketball.

Fill the balloons with water. Keep them in a trash bag or large bin.

When a batter hits a water balloon, it’ll explode—cue squeals of delight—and the batter runs from home base to the second base, placed wherever you like.

Meanwhile, a player from the opposing team tries to shoot the basketball into the garbage can, placed behind home base. A shooting line must be respected. If a player misses the shot, he/she can chase the ball and throw it back to one of their teammates waiting on the shooting line, so they may take another shot. If the shot is made before the batter returns to home plate, he’s ‘out,’ and the opposing team gets a point. If not, the batting team gets a point.

16. Water Olympics

There’s no end to the competitive possibilities involving a little H2O, and you don’t even need a pool. Think sponge tosses, sprinkler dance contests, water-gun target practice, and shooting baskets with water balloons. Gather a bunch of buckets and tubs and set up an obstacle course. This is a great activity to build kids’ confidence, leadership, and creative ingenuity. Encourage them to take the creative lead on devising the games and playing judge.

• By Shaun Dreisbach and Erin Zammett Ruddy
• Parents | Updated May 13, 2020

Filed under: Home Fun by Olga Gilmore