Austin Real Estate Guru

What are the 10 buyer archetypes (Beginning with the letter M) currently existing what is the level of confidence in relation to the housing market? 

Hi! I’m Lisa Marie Contaldi and my family has called Austin Texas home since the late 80’s.  I’ve celebrated hundreds of success stories and memorable housing experiences helping buyers and sellers achieve their personal financial goals. We’ve all witnessed the astounding changes from a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin through many real estate cycles. Is it time for you and your family to cash out and make the change you’ve been planning for months; or dreaming about for years?

WE ARE knowledge brokers offering an authentic ongoing conversation that will develop your natural intelligence in real estate and other endeavors.
http://lisacontaldi.com

This is a discussion about mortgage rates and their Volatility - and it’s basic effects on the current housing market.  Everybody’s talking about Rates today as they cool or /fuel the market. Let me say this is going to be a good year! It just depends upon what kind of buyer you are. I can reassure you that down the road we will see interest rates and homes overall be more affordable when we hit the 5% range.  The big question is WHEN?

Hi! I’m Lisa Marie Contaldi and my family has called Austin Texas home since the late 80’s.  I’ve celebrated hundreds of success stories and memorable housing experiences helping buyers and sellers achieve their personal financial goals. We’ve all witnessed the astounding changes from a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin through many real estate cycles. Is it time for you and your family to cash out and make the change you’ve been planning for months; or dreaming about for years?

WE ARE knowledge brokers offering an authentic ongoing conversation that will develop your natural intelligence in real estate and other endeavors.
http://lisacontaldi.com

Waiting well -  - ARE YOU A PATIENT WAITER? HOW can you Gain vs Lose from The power of watching and waiting versus reacting.  

Hi! I’m Lisa Marie Contaldi and my family has called Austin Texas home since the late 80’s.  I’ve celebrated hundreds of success stories and memorable housing experiences helping buyers and sellers achieve their personal financial goals. We’ve all witnessed the astounding changes from a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin through many real estate cycles. Is it time for you and your family to cash out and make the change you’ve been planning for months; or dreaming about for years?

WE ARE knowledge brokers offering an authentic ongoing conversation that will develop your natural intelligence in real estate and other endeavors.
http://lisacontaldi.com

Here’s a Quick recap

I’m not focusing any numbers or stats in this podcast you hear enough of them from a variety of news and social sources. 

Let’s understand that a supply driven market, with adverse reactions from inflation estimates and interest concerns may fixate you on the exact timing of your move. Why not get out of the gate early and approach positive matters with a focus on attaining the highest and best price by preparing for change in THIS year’s housing market. YOUR RIGHT TIME WILL COME. If you dwell on absolute highs and lows you’ll miss opportunities. 

Sales prices are projected to fall further in response to economic conditions BUT if you look at what price you acquired your home-You’re STILL GOING TO HAVE A SUPERB RETURN!  Some of you will net greater than 50%… 40, 30. How much did you win on the last dealer dealt hand. I am going to tell you interest rates will head back down in 2023 IN RESPONSE TO BETTER INFLATION REPORTS. UNTIL THEN Analysts speculate but they will never be able to pin it down Exactly. My good friend and mentor Gino Blefari, head of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices reminded us this month that when inflation numbers decline rates will  decline. Further, if you don’t have a specific deadline to move what’s another few months in the grand scheme of things?  

LETS FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE 

HERE ARE 10 short ideas to take you to success in real estate in todays market

1. Write down what you intend to do with your top 5 wants in your next home - what can you live with? What can’t you live Without? Then share it with your family. 
2. Construct an ideal timeline that is visual. Don’t get too complicated a piece of paper and colored pens will do.
3. Meet with a savvy realtor to discuss your plans and set up a strategy. (I said savvy realtor Not just a CONVENIENT one who mailed you a pretty postcard last month. 
4. Meet with a local lender to fuel to your ideas and educate yourself about loan programs, verify if your goals are realistic
5. Revisit your priorities to see if they are aligned with reality and perfect your story (get ready!)
6. Start to Look at home sale listings that meet your criteria (vs visiting open houses and dwelling on pipe dream Ruling in or out as you go comparing each one against the last- it’s a yes or a no not just a bunch of maybes !
7. Relax and enjoy the ride purchasing an interior or exterior upgrade to improve your new home and make it more saleable to Celebrate 🎉 along the way. 
8. Do not take on additional debt or pay off anything without your lenders advice
9. Get two bids and don’t take on more than two projects
10. Revisit your timeline in exactly 30 days sharing the research and estimates you obtained with your realtor 

Do you know how many families make up rates and don’t even enjoy those upgrades for even a month? Let’s not live our lives in isolated threads rather let’s construct a grand tapestry and start celebrating your future success RIGHT NOW!

I leave you with a quote from The Book of Proverbs by William Camden 1605 The Early Bird Gets the Worm

The worms might be taken if you’re a late rising bird. Get ahead of the SP

Hi! I’m Lisa Marie Contaldi and my family has called Austin Texas home since the late 80’s.  I’ve celebrated hundreds of success stories and memorable housing experiences helping buyers and sellers achieve their personal financial goals. We’ve all witnessed the astounding changes from a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin through many real estate cycles. Is it time for you and your family to cash out and make the change you’ve been planning for months; or dreaming about for years?

WE ARE knowledge brokers offering an authentic ongoing conversation that will develop your natural intelligence in real estate and other endeavors.
http://lisacontaldi.com

Is the REAL ESTATE MARKET a TSUNAMI? We are in a market now where there are more People who NEED to buy or sell than those who WANT to buy or sell.  Learn the 10 things Sellers can do to WIN !

Hi! I’m Lisa Marie Contaldi and my family has called Austin Texas home since the late 80’s.  I’ve celebrated hundreds of success stories and memorable housing experiences helping buyers and sellers achieve their personal financial goals. We’ve all witnessed the astounding changes from a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin through many real estate cycles. Is it time for you and your family to cash out and make the change you’ve been planning for months; or dreaming about for years?

WE ARE knowledge brokers offering an authentic ongoing conversation that will develop your natural intelligence in real estate and other endeavors.
http://lisacontaldi.com

Lets focus on the facts vs bubbles and crashes.  Inventory is rising but housing is becoming more affordable and if you’re smart you can find opportunities where others experience  chaos. 

Hi! I’m Lisa Marie Contaldi and my family has called Austin Texas home since the late 80’s.  I’ve celebrated hundreds of success stories and memorable housing experiences helping buyers and sellers achieve their personal financial goals. We’ve all witnessed the astounding changes from a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin through many real estate cycles. Is it time for you and your family to cash out and make the change you’ve been planning for months; or dreaming about for years?

WE ARE knowledge brokers offering an authentic ongoing conversation that will develop your natural intelligence in real estate and other endeavors.
http://lisacontaldi.com

We are starting to see a little shift in the housing market

As The old saying  goes...

When Rates Rise they take the elevator.. and When they come down they take the steps!

Hi! I’m Lisa Marie Contaldi and my family has called Austin Texas home since the late 80’s.  I’ve celebrated hundreds of success stories and memorable housing experiences helping buyers and sellers achieve their personal financial goals. We’ve all witnessed the astounding changes from a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin through many real estate cycles. Is it time for you and your family to cash out and make the change you’ve been planning for months; or dreaming about for years?

WE ARE knowledge brokers offering an authentic ongoing conversation that will develop your natural intelligence in real estate and other endeavors.
http://lisacontaldi.com

When the market looks sleepy (or paranoid) this is when you should be out pounding the pavement.   Here are 6 quick methods of finding good inventory including off market 

Hi! I’m Lisa Marie Contaldi and my family has called Austin Texas home since the late 80’s.  I’ve celebrated hundreds of success stories and memorable housing experiences helping buyers and sellers achieve their personal financial goals. We’ve all witnessed the astounding changes from a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin through many real estate cycles. Is it time for you and your family to cash out and make the change you’ve been planning for months; or dreaming about for years?

WE ARE knowledge brokers offering an authentic ongoing conversation that will develop your natural intelligence in real estate and other endeavors.
http://lisacontaldi.com

Beginning of a 5 part series for Buyers. We'll discuss how to be a savvy buyer when the odds or number of participant bidders might be stacked against you !

Hi! I’m Lisa Marie Contaldi and my family has called Austin Texas home since the late 80’s.  I’ve celebrated hundreds of success stories and memorable housing experiences helping buyers and sellers achieve their personal financial goals. We’ve all witnessed the astounding changes from a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin through many real estate cycles. Is it time for you and your family to cash out and make the change you’ve been planning for months; or dreaming about for years?

WE ARE knowledge brokers offering an authentic ongoing conversation that will develop your natural intelligence in real estate and other endeavors.
http://lisacontaldi.com

10 SIMPLE WAYS TO change a house from ordinary to extradordinary.  

When comparing homes on the market, What makes a house extraordinary?  I’ll name a few 

• FRONT EXTERIOR OR FRONT ELEVATION
• LIGHTING PACKAGE
• FLOORING AND BASE MOULDING 

FRONT ELEVATION

1- Front Door and HARDWARE. Go all the way to welcome a buyer with shiny new door hardware. It screams deferred maintenance when a realtor or buyer has to struggle to open the door. Have a locksmith do it. And they won’t destroy your door. Estimated cost $150 or $300

2-Power wash - Every type of home based upon it’s age and foot traffic shows wear and tear.  Homes that say BUY ME have SPOTLESS, FLATWORK with entryway and commanding front porch. Estimated cost $150 - $300 based upon the size of your exterior entry

3-Declutter the yard - I have seen full remodels done with a bunch of trash left out front.  GONG! ELIMINATE landscape debris,  including half filled mulch, bags, fire-ant bait, old planters or planting paraphernalia. Estimated cost $0.

I’ve attended many Home Builders Association meetings in Austin and top trends that attract buyers to homes are

LIGHTING

4-Light Fixtures- Designers never miss this one. Shiny new light fixtures create positive focal points that create OOHHH AHHH from the minute you enter a home.  Estimated cost $400 - $1000 - spend more make more

5-Technology package - While you’re Changing out old bulbs update some to Smart bulbs so you Or the future owner can use Alexa. Add an electronic doorbell while you’re at it. Estimated cost. $250-$350 depending on how many bells and whistles you want to add.

FLOORING AND BASE MOULDING

6- Steam and/or lighten the tile - It's totally possible to lighten dark grout to be brighter by a few shades using bleach. If you don’t want to do this on your own call a professional.  The same guy who does carpet cleaning can handle the task. The cost  . 50 to . 80 cents per square foot cleaned.   So  ESTIMATED COST for a room that’s 1000 sqft would be $500-$800 = priceless!

7-UPDATE with carpet.  New homes in all price points today actually sell with carpeting.  Upgrade the pad height then invite future buyers in and tell them remove their shoes, they will actually feel the difference. Laminate flooring is trending but if you want to save money a neutral carpet DOES THE TRICK

8-Flooring Consistency

Did you know the most modern homes have only one or two flooring types throughout?  TRY NOT to have more than two types of flooring otherwise it looks floozy and outdated.  If you can’t afford a full flooring replacement, change all of the bedrooms or all of the iving areas.  Be as consistent as possible.

9-Baseboards.  DON’T FORGET to update the baseboard trim at the same time you do flooring.  Change the story in a house with bright shiny new baseboards.

Last but not least

10-DEEP CLEAN AND AERATE A HOME FOR AT LEAST A DAY.  

 - Even if you don’t smell your pet, cat l

Hi! I’m Lisa Marie Contaldi and my family has called Austin Texas home since the late 80’s.  I’ve celebrated hundreds of success stories and memorable housing experiences helping buyers and sellers achieve their personal financial goals. We’ve all witnessed the astounding changes from a rapidly evolving housing market in Austin through many real estate cycles. Is it time for you and your family to cash out and make the change you’ve been planning for months; or dreaming about for years?

WE ARE knowledge brokers offering an authentic ongoing conversation that will develop your natural intelligence in real estate and other endeavors.
http://lisacontaldi.com