RealtyLine May 2023

Preparing A Seller's Home for the Spring Selling Season

BY TAWANNA CARVER ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Spring is often one of the most popular times for homeowners to list their homes for sale since the warmer weather and longer days tend to attract an influx of potential buyers. The process of preparing a home to sell can, however, be a daunting one for those who are selling their first home, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the process. But before you put up that "For Sale" sign, there are a few things sellers need to do first to ensure their home is ready to list.

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PUBLISHER/PRESIDENT DOREN CARVER

doren@myrealtyline.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER TAWANNA CARVER

tawanna@myrealtyline.com

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EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CAROLINE CARVER

caroline@myrealtyline.com

Founded in 1995, RealtyLine is a trade publication for real estate professionals. As a nonsubscription publication, it is distributed by the US Postal Service to over 18k+ members of the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR), over 1,800+ members of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS® (WCREALTORS) and the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, as well as those involved in the real estate industry.

It is our pleasure to be a member of ABoR, WCREALTORS, HBA, and have been designated as an honorary member of the WCR Austin Chapter. We are equally proud to be a Major Investor in TREPAC (2019, 2020).

In advertising or editorial copy, RealtyLine is not responsible for viewpoints, facts, or errors expressed by non-staff writers. REALTOR® is a registered trademark. There are times when REALTOR® appears in this publication without the registered trademark symbol (®). A registered trademark should be assumed whenever the word REALTOR® appears in this publication.

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SERVING THE AUSTIN METRO AREA AND SURROUNDING CITIES

Independence Title Cornhole Tournament: Crystal Oliver and Angie Uformata, both of Cultivate Realty

REALTOR Advocacy in Action — Advancing Solutions to Improve Housing Inventory and Access to Homeownership

For nearly a century, REALTORS® have been advocates for their clients and the communities they serve, and our collective goal is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream of owning a home and creating generational wealth. That’s why it is important for us to continue advocating at all levels of government to advance solutions for improving our housing supply, addressing housing affordability issues, and increasing access to homeownership.

However, more and more people are being priced out of this American Dream due to rising affordability constraints for both existing and potential homebuyers. Today, REALTORS® are working with homebuyers who are faced with higher mortgage rates, inflation, and a nationwide shortage of market-rate affordable homes available for purchase. For potential first-time buyers, the impact of the continued increase in rents makes it even more difficult for them to save for a down payment.

I am proud that REALTORS® and our Advocacy teams are working hard with elected officials at all levels of government to increase housing inventory and improve access to affordable homeownership.

REALTOR® Advocacy at the 88th Texas Legislature

In March, more than 3,000 REALTORS® from across the state participated in REALTOR® Day at the Texas Capitol to meet with their legislators and advocate for REALTOR® issues, including housing affordability. More than 250 ABoR members participated and made the voices of Central Texas REALTORS® and their clients heard at our state capitol.

However, advocacy work isn’t just a one-day event. Our Texas REALTORS® Advocacy team is hard at work attending committee meetings, monitoring key bills, and communicating daily with legislators. Texas REALTORS® is helping advance several important housing initiatives by supporting legislation during the 88th Texas Legislature aimed at improving housing affordability, including:

• SB 1412 which, if approved, would allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on residential lots and prevent municipal regulations that would impede the building of ADUs.

• HB 14 which, if approved, would reduce wait times for development permits and inspections by requiring local authorities to either review and make decisions on applications within 15 days or allow the applications to be reviewed and approved by an approved third-party reviewer, including any licensed engineer.

• HB 1704 which, if approved, would establish the Workforce Housing Capital Investment

Fund, a revolving loan fund program to help develop workforce housing across the state through the disbursement of 0% interest loans to construct homes for households earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income.

• HB 3921 which, if approved, would set a statewide standard for minimum lot sizes and setback standards in municipalities to allow more housing development.

ABoR Advocacy in Central Texas

Advocacy also doesn’t just happen when the Texas Legislature is in session. It happens every day in City Halls and County Commissioner Courts across Texas.

ABoR Advocacy is working with local leaders to advance important housing policy changes designed to remove regulatory barriers to housing, reduce the cost of housing and allow for greater housing capacity across Central Texas.

These include:

• Development process improvements designed to simplify the review process and timeline to help create a predictable, efficient, and transparent development review process — including implementing site plan light and expedited permitting programs.

• Residential parking reforms to reduce or eliminate the impact residential parking minimum requirements have on the market’s ability to meet our community’s housing needs.

• Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) reforms aimed at increasing the feasibility of building ADUs and removing obstacles to affordability. subdivision reforms to make it easy and more affordable for property owners to subdivide their property, reducing minimum lot size requirements to allow for greater housing diversity and density.

REALTOR® Advocacy in Action

ABoR’s advocacy mission is simple: protect our members’ livelihoods and the well-being of their clients. But we can’t do it without the help of our members. ABoR Advocacy ensures that REALTORS® are part of developing solutions for Central Texas and bring their experience and expertise to each policy discussion. Our advocacy program is successful thanks to the relationships we’ve built and maintained over time with the help of our members – particularly here in Central Texas.

To learn more about REALTOR® Advocacy or how you can get involved, email ABoR’s Advocacy team at Advocacy@ABoR.com. With your help, we can collectively advocate for solutions to improve our housing supply, address housing affordability issues, and increase access to homeownership.

ASHLEY JACKSON 2023 PRESIDENT

AREAA Austin Installation Gala: Dean Ong

Williamson County is Committed to Continuing It's Core Mission CITY UPDATE SERIES TUESDAYS

Williamson County is a hub for companies such as Dell Computers, the Round Rock Express and the Texas Stars. Plus, we've got Sun City, Round Rock Donuts, and even the Two Step Inn Festival and Samsung Electronics.

Despite the market shift that happened last year, Central Texas (especially Williamson County) has continued to show steady growth. Businesses and new ventures are still flocking to this bustling county, which means more residents and ultimately more homebuyers.

This year, Williamson County REALTORS® is celebrating 50 years of Unlocking the World of Real Estate for Williamson County. We started out in May 1973 with only 15 REALTORS® and nine brokers, but now we've grown to over 2,400 members and we're not slowing down anytime soon.

Our mission is simple: to help our members meet present and future real estate challenges in Williamson County and Central Texas, to enhance and promote REALTOR® members’ professionalism, to encourage member involvement in the various communities of Williamson County, and to provide quality services for our members. We take our mission seriously and work hard to ensure our goals and activities are in line with it.

With all the new businesses, homebuyers, and growth in our area, it's more important than ever to get involved in your communities and your Association to be the voice of real estate in our county. Clients love working with knowledgeable agents who keep up with current happenings in the areas they're looking to buy or sell. Being the local area expert is a surefire way to stand out from the competition, and WCREALTORS is here to help! We've been partnering with local leaders, officials, and communities to open up a wealth of information and make our voice heard.

We have implemented two distinct approaches to provide our members with valuable insights into the communities where they work, reside and conduct business. Firstly, we have reintroduced our City Update Series, which offers firsthand knowledge through educational sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity to interact with local mayors, city council members, school officials and police in a relaxed setting over breakfast.

The City Update schedule is as follows: Georgetown/Jarrell: June 20 at 10 a.m.; Cedar Park/ Leander: July 18 at 10 a.m.; Hutto: August 15 at 10 a.m.; Taylor/Granger/Bartlett: September 19 at 10 a.m. We believe that these sessions will enable our members to gain a deeper understanding of the issues and challenges facing their communities, and to develop meaningful relationships with local leaders. Our goal is to empower our members with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions and contribute positively to their communities. Our City Updates are free for our members! We hope to see you in June!

The second is the reinstatement of our highly acclaimed Selling the Suburbs: Selling Real

Estate in Williamson County (WCSpecialist) Certification course. This award-winning course was initially launched in 2015 by a team of experienced REALTORS® who aimed to equip our members with the necessary skills to better serve the community.

The WCSpecialist course is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge on various aspects of Williamson County Real Estate, including taxing entities, water issues, local governmental jurisdictions, new homes, septic systems, and much more. Upon completion of the course, attendees earn the prestigious Specialist of Williamson County Real Estate designation, which is highly sought after by clients in the home buying or selling process.

The course is structured to promote geographic competency and is divided into eight sessions spanning across four full days of class. Our mission is to ensure that our members are well-versed in all aspects of Williamson County Real Estate, enabling them to provide exceptional service to their clients.

June 20 | Georgetown/Jarrell

July 18 | Cedar Park/Leander

August 15 | Hutto

September 19 | Taylor/Granger/Bartlett

10 A.M. WC

FOUR DAYS

DAY ONE | August 9 Cedar Park/Leander

DAY TWO | September 13: Georgetown/Round Rock DAY THREE | October 10th Hutto/Taylor

DAY FOUR | November 8: Liberty Hill/Jarrell WCREALTORS.ORG/WCSPECIALIST

We understand the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and regulations, and our WCSpecialist course is an excellent opportunity for our members to enhance their knowledge and skills. We encourage all our members to take advantage of this opportunity and enroll in the WCSpecialist course.

We look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming course, and we are confident that you will find it both informative and engaging. The schedule is as follows: Cedar Park/Leander: August 9; Georgetown/Round Rock: September 13; Hutto/Taylor: October 10; Liberty Hill/Jarrell: November 8. To obtain their WCSpecialist Certification, students are required to complete all eight sessions.

The Williamson County Association of REALTORS® takes pride in its 50-year history of serving our members, community and profession. As we embark on the next 50 years, we are thrilled to continue our commitment to Central Texas.

JENNIFER TUCKER-NEELY 2023 PRESIDENT

Brohn Homes TopAgent Happy Hour: Michael Hall and Tomoko Hall, both of Harmony Real Estate Group; and Christina Haladyna of Brohn Homes

Scott Felder Homes Operation Finally Home Home Dedication - The Makaafi Family *submitted by Scott Felder Homes

ABoR Industry Awards: REALTOR of the Year Emily Bibby of Spyglass Realty and ABoR President Ashley Jackson *submitted by ABoR

Valuable Insights Gained at National Conference in Washington DC

My admiration lies with women who possess strength and power, and have an inherent drive to bring about positive change in their communities.

I hold an even greater appreciation for men who strive to uplift and aid women in their endeavors to serve. It is those men that make it possible for us to spread our wings and truly embrace all that comes our way.

KACEY TAYLOR 2023 PRESIDENT

After attending our national conference in Washington DC, we gained valuable insights to bring back to our networks. The conference provided a unique atmosphere for team building and camaraderie that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Spending an extended period of time together learning and supporting each other creates a special bond within a team.

Although we encourage commitment to leadership, we also believe in a healthy work/ life balance where our volunteers and board members can still spend an adequate amount of time with their families and the people that they love. Family always comes first. With Mother's Day around the corner, we are all so thankful for the women that we have in our lives, whether that be a mother, sister, immediate family member, or friend.

As most of you know, it is a common misconception that in order to be a member of the Women's Council, you must be a woman and have the body parts of a woman.

It is completely false. Currently, we have multiple male members on the council. This exemplifies the swing of the pendulum and the significant progress we have made as a community. In the past, women were prohibited from joining associations.

It is a great progress to see men now backing and uplifting the women they once excluded from this organization. What an advancement, and hopefully, we can all lock arms as one nation.

Innovative designs, custom features, desirable locations, high-quality construction, and energy efficiency earmark the standards for which Scott Felder Homes is best known. We choose to build homes in the best neighborhoods with outstanding amenities and great school districts. Scott Felder Homes... Carefully Crafted for You. ScottFelderHomes.com

Keller Williams Northwest Austin Ribbon Cutting: (with scissors) Melanie Kennemann, executive team leader of Keller Williams Realty Northwest,

WCREALTORS TREPAC Crawfish Boil: Kristin Landcaster of LPT Realty, Kyle Taylor Thomas Jackson and Women’s Council President Kacey Taylor of All City Real Estate

Williamson County Team

RISTY SMALLWOOD ranch Manager VP/Escrow Officer

risty Smallwood@austintitle com

12-244-2266 Round Rock Office

ETSEY ALBRECHT crow Officer

etsey.Albrecht@austintitle.com

2-244-2266 Round Rock Office

EVAN HAYS

Escrow Officer Residential/Commercial

Evan Hays@austintitle com

512-244-2266 Round Rock Office

VERONICA HARRISON

SVP/Escrow Manager/Bilingual Escrow Officer

Veronica.Harrison@austintitle.com

512-247-8739 Mobile/512-823-2814 Office

Cedar Park Office

Habla Espanol ˜

CARIANNE GILLMORE Escrow Officer

Carianne.Gillmore@austintitle.com

512-823-2800 Cedar Park Office

CEDAR PARK 13530 Ronald Reagan Blvd. Suite 101

Cedar Park, TX 78613 512-823-2800

MARIAN ROBERTS AVP/Escrow Officer

Marian.Roberts@austintitle.com

512-823-2800 Cedar Park Office

JENNIFER SMART

VP/Escrow Officer

Administrator of Agent Training

Jennifer Smart@austintitle com

512-823-2800 Cedar Park Office

EMILY MORRIS-MARTINKA Branch Manager AVP/Escrow Officer

Emily.Martinka@austintitle.com

512-591-2900 Georgetown Office

ERIN PRECOPIA

AVP/Escrow Officer

Erin.Precopia@austintitle.com

512-817-3828 Leander Office

CHERYL SCULLY

AVP/Business Development

Cheryl.Scully@austintitle.com

512-632-5136 Mobile

STEPHANIE MAREK

Business Development

Stephanie Marek@austintitle com

512-771-1861 Mobile

WENDE WOOD Escrow Officer

LEE ANN RAY

Business Development

LeeAnn.Ray@austintitle.com

512-994-9080 Mobile

JOY MARTENS Branch Manager

REAGAN SANSOM

AVP/Business Development

Reagan Sansom@austintitle com

512-630-6839 Mobile

LEANDER

2082 US Hwy 183 Suite 165

Leander, TX 78641

512-817-3828

A David Weekley Homes Sales Consultant with Real Estate Agent Mindy Fung and Vickie & Charles Taylor

Brohn Homes TopAgent Happy Hour: Angela Miller, Derrick Miller and Vice President Greg Barber, all of Brohn Homes

Independence Title Cornhole Tournament: Brian Pitman, Jacque Smith, Heather Gaddes and Brett Beckett all of Independence Title

ABoR Industry Awards: Iconic Changemaker Award Winner Charlotte Lipscomb of Compass and ABoR President Ashley Jackson *submitted by ABoR

by Rachel Arterberry

More than Caretakers — True Property Management Professionals

Rollingwood Management

After more than 36 years in business, the team of property management professionals at Rollingwood Management knows a thing or two about managing properties. As a locally-owned, family-run service provider, landlords and real estate investors can be certain that a quality management service provider cares for their investments.

While many other companies offer real estate brokerage, Owner Michael Francis takes great pride in the business model he established from the onset, serving as a landlord’s advocate in the residential property management industry. Although he is a broker himself and all property managers are licensed agents, Francis has carved out a unique niche of managing single-family homes in the greater Austin area.

As a starving student at the local university with an inclination for “fixing” things, Michael worked for a property manager who guided him in the ins and outs of managed properties, sharing the importance of the rental market and its value to renters and investors. Michael obtained his real estate broker’s license but quickly realized that the traditional real estate industry’s long hours, late nights, and weekends were just not for him.

Several decades later and leagues away from its humble beginnings, Rollingwood Management Inc. is well-known in the community, having earned multiple professional designations for its services by individuals and the firm. “We’ve successfully managed tens of thousands of units for property owners over the years,” says Francis. He continues, “Even though things are slowing down (in the real estate indus-

try) and you see pricing cooling off, Austin continues to be a very popular place, and it’s a basic business model of supply and demand. People want to live here, so they keep coming, and properties keep renting.”

While renters are at the mercy of a landlord, the benefits of renting a single-family home managed through Rollingwood Management exceed most tenants’ and property owners’ expectations. From tenant screening to repairs and maintenance to minimizing costs, Rollingwood is committed to the highest standards and ethics and keeping investment properties in good condition with satisfied renters. In other words, the philosophy behind everything that Rollingwood does hinges on resident retention. By only offering property management services, the team can focus its attention on the success of its clients.

Landlords and investors entrust the professionals at Rollingwood to manage and maintain their investments according to their expectations. Rollingwood Management has been recognized for this outstanding service by many local and national organizations, including the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM), having earned its highest award as a Certified Residential Management Company. This designation shows clients their commitment to management services and the systems that revolve around them for their success.

Rollingwood strives to ensure tenants have a good experience with its staff and with every vendor they contract with, so they take vendor qualification very seriously. “We keep clients aware of their investments and the condition that they’re in. So all those things fit together to build recip-

rocal trust,” says Francis. “We want residents to love where they live and feel like they’re getting value for the money they’re paying. So we are driven to give them good service because they deserve it.”

Giving is just part of what this family-owned company does. “The community got me to where I am, and I feel a responsibility to be a good citizen within the community and give back through community involvement,” Francis explains. Rollingwood Management currently supports several organizations within the Austin area, including Ronald McDonald’s House, Operation Blue Santa through the Austin Police Department, and Manos De Cristo, giving gifts to underprivileged families in the community.

As a partner with many of the real estate brokers in the area, they can be confident that Rollingwood Management values their clients as much as they do because of its strong commitment to the property management industry, embracing it at a level like no other.

Michael Francis and the team at Rollingwood Management are more than caretakers of property—they love what they do—and want tenants to love where they live and property owners to be confident their investment is cared for. Michael is also a certified TRE instructor and teach the TRE designation - TRLS (Texas Residential Leasing Specialist) and the TRPM (Texas Residential Property Manager) at ABoR.

To learn more about the property management services offered by Rollingwood Management, contact a member of the team at https://rollingwoodmanagement.com/.

Independence Title Cornhole Tournament: Michael Sprott and Chris Bubela

Cleaning and Decluttering

A clean and clutter-free home is more appealing to potential buyers. Start by removing personal items and excess furniture. You may need to store extra items off-site. Consider renting a storage unit or asking family and friends for help. By removing and storing personal items such as family photos, toys and pet beds, you can create a neutral, inviting space.

Spring cleaning involves thorough cleaning of each room, including washing shower curtains, removing soap scum, polishing fixtures, and cleaning behind sinks and toilets in the bathroom. For the living room and bedrooms, start with the ceilings, ceiling trim, baseboard, walls, and lighting fixtures. Add a touch of spring by freshening up with spring scents.

Freshen Up with Spring Scents

The smell of pet, cooked food, and old textiles can kill home sales. Get rid of these odors. You can show your clients you are going the extra mile by buying flowers and introducing natural fragrances into a house during the spring. You may want to request that your clients have their carpets and rugs professionally cleaned if necessary, and you may also want to recommend spring-scented candles.

Home Repairs and Simple Updates

Maintaining a well-kept home is essential for any homeowner. From simple cosmetic updates like painting walls and patching holes to more substantial repairs such as fixing roof or plumbing leaks, there are numerous repairs that can be made around the home. It is crucial to address any structural issues that may arise and have them inspected and repaired promptly.

A well-maintained home not only provides a comfortable living space but also increases its value. A high asking price can be justified by the upkeep of the property. However, if potential homebuyers notice that the property requires significant repairs, as advised by a home inspector, it can significantly impact your profits.

Therefore, it is essential to prioritize home maintenance and address any repairs promptly. By doing so, you can ensure that your property remains in top condition and retains its value. A professional approach to home maintenance can go a long way in securing a profitable sale.

Boosting Curb Appeal

It is imperative not to overlook the exterior of your home when preparing it for sale. Curb appeal is just as crucial as the interior of your property. Ensure that the lawn is neatly mowed and edged, and consider planting new flowers. Power-wash any dirty surfaces, such as decks or patios, to give them a fresh look.

While low-cost options can enhance your property's curb appeal, there are also more expensive upgrades, such as replacing the roof or adding a new front door. However, it is essential to consider the return on investment for these upgrades and whether they are necessary to attract potential buyers.

Research shows that the 33 percent of sellers who focused on curb appeal updates were on the right track. Curb appeal is one of the key features that can draw a potential buyer into your home, whether they have seen a for sale sign while driving past your property or your listing photos have caught their eye

Preparing your home for the spring selling season requires time and effort, but it can make a significant difference in attracting potential buyers. By cleaning and decluttering, making necessary repairs, boosting curb appeal, and staging your home, the chances of a successful sale increase threefold. Remember, the first impression is the last impression, and a well-maintained exterior can make all the difference.

AREAA Austin Installation Gala: Natalia Harrison, Denise Vincent and Michael Palucha

Keller Williams Northwest Austin Ribbon Cutting: Whitney Rankin, Frances Amato and Natalie Bordelon, all of Keller Williams Northwest Austin

Brohn Homes | Building Community: Twelve acres were donated by Brohn, making this the first time in EISD’s history that residential developers donated land for a public school. The official ground breaking was in early April.

Michael Schwartz and Stacye Blake, both of

Boost Your Business Class: Jesse Porter and AYREP President Ian Grimes

WCREALTORS TREPAC Crawfish Boil: Robin Hart, Claudia Sparkman of Realty Texas and Julie Sharifian

Brohn Homes TopAgent Happy Hour: Kathrin Luetkhoff and Ngoc Cantu, both of JB Goodwin REALTORS

Independence Title Cornhole Tournament: Jodi Gregg and Robin Stevens, both of Independence Title

B&G Surveying is proud to announce that Christopher Garza PE & SIT wi l be the newest member to the team This will make it three Garzas to become part of the family business The company was founded in 1989 by V ctor Garza and Dewey Burris Victor is the owner president and one of the Registered Professional Land Surveyors Jason Garza joined the team in 2007 and is now the General Manager and Director of Business Deve opment Over the years the Garza family has built a culture of friends and family B&G has many employees that have been with them for over 10 years In fact, one employee has a 24 year history with the company Victor Garza is proud to have both sons Jason and Christopher work for the Land Surveying firm he worked so hard to build After 34 years of business, it is fair to say B&G Surveying and the Garza family are here to stay

Independence Title Cornhole Tournament: Shelly Clawson, Tina Mallach and Kelly Ladner, all of Mallach and Company

AREAA Austin Installation Gala

Priority Settlement Group Open House: Mary Miner of LPT Realty and Michael Schwartz of Priority Settlement Group

Nails & Knowledge: Michelle Torres and Gentil Salazar, both of Spyglass Realty

Doma Title Capitol Walking Tour

LEADERS AREN’T BORN

They’re Made

Just like anything else, through hard work. Leading in your industry starts with leading a great team. Each of the TNT Executive Leadership members brings broad career experience in the Texas Title industry to contribute to their team. Additionally, they share a common commitment for TNT to continue to thrive as a Top Workplace. Building trusted relationships with support for escrow, sales, and research teams has created a confident work atmosphere for TNTers to feel empowered and provide amazing title services to closing customers. Reach out to learn more about how to close with us or even work with us!

www.TexasNationalTitle.com

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Latra Szal President

David Tandy CEO

Michelle Piperi Executive Vice President