Archive for May, 2010
Mr Move Ups Moving Tips
May 28th, 2010 Categories: Dripping Springs Area News
Check out these tips for moving, courtesy of MrMoveUp.com It might just help save you a bit of time, stress and heartache.
4 weeks from move date: Get organized and start notifying the right people and companies that you’ll be moving soon and give them a date to forward or terminate service. Start looking for licensed and professional moving companies, moving guides and relevant coupons.
Tip: If using a professional mover, get quotes from multiple moving companies to get the best deal that is right for you and your needs. Ask plenty of questions like whether or not they give binding quotes and what kind of insurance is included. Be sure to talk with them about the different options available with full-service moves such as packing and unpacking services and providing boxes and packing supplies.
Tip: Important documents such as your child’s school records may need to be accessible during your transition. Make sure to put these items aside and make copies of any records for yourself, in case you forget what box they’re packed in.
3 weeks from move date: Once you’ve selected a mover, begin by taking inventory of your belongings and their worth and decide what will be coming with you to your next home.
Tip: Start cleaning out closets, drawers and storage areas of your home and divide things into categories: “pack,” “recycle” and “give to friend.” You can always have a garage sale or donate old items to charity. This will make packing day a lot easier and you may reduce the total weight you’ll be paying for to move.
Tip: If you’re moving yourself or contracting for a self-service move, pack the items you know you won’t need until 30 days after the move. It will feel great to get started early.
Tip: If possible, take pictures of rooms and areas inside the home or apartment you’ll be moving into so you can start thinking about placement of furniture, artwork and other items. This will help save time, headaches…and money…on moving day.
2 weeks from move date: If you choose not to take advantage of full service mover packing services, or are planning to do it yourself and rent a truck, start packing things into boxes. Figure out the logistics of the move, travel plans and if other specialized plans need to be made.
Tip: If you are using a professional mover find out what items are on their “non-allowables” list and discard those items or find a way to transport them separately.
Tip: Instead of stacking plates, pack them vertically; they will travel safer this way.
Tip: If you are moving long distance, remember travel arrangements for your pets. There are pet-exclusive airlines available such as Pet Airways but regular airlines have travel options for pets as well.
Tip: If you have young children, you may want to make childcare arrangements so you can be 100% focused on moving day and your little ones remain safe and busy with fun activities.
Tip: Schedule “move out” cleaning service, carpet cleaners and heavy appliance disposal if necessary for once you’ll be out of the home you’re vacating. Even if you’re selling your current home, it’s a nice welcome for the buyers to move into a clean and tidy home.
1 week from move date: Set aside valuable items and keep those with you. Clean before moving and leave your house or apartment as clean as it was when you moved in.
Tip: Make sure the details for paying the moving company are taken care of. Some will require money orders or cashier’s checks upon delivery; know their policy in advance to avoid stress on moving day.
Tip: Start eating all the frozen foods you have, or give them to a neighbor or friend. This way you won’t have to throw them away on moving day, or worry about packing an ice chest.
Tip: Also think about necessities for managing moving day like confining your pets and anticipating the amount of time you will need.
Tip: Place necessities such as toiletries, toilet paper, rags, “must-have” cooking supplies and organize them in boxes marked “open first” so it’s easy to find the initial items you’ll want handy on those first few days of being in your next home. Don’t forget the flashlight!
Tip: If possible, take one last tour of the new location and identify water and gas shut off locations, as well as the electrical breaker box just in case something happens in the first few days so you’re prepared. Might be smart to drop off a fresh box of light bulbs too!
Moving day and beyond: Take one last walk through and make sure nothing has been forgotten or overlooked. Also, make sure all doors and windows are locked and switches turned off, then you are on your way to your new house or apartment.
Tip: Go back to the photos you took when you began to pack up. Now you can show the movers or those helping you unpack exactly where everything goes with photos.
Tip: Unpack one room at a time according to basic needs starting with the kitchen and at least one bathroom…and don’t forget to make a bed as early in the day as possible if you’ll be sleeping in your home that evening! Remember, you don’t have to unpack everything in one day, or even in one week.
Tip: After you’ve settled in a bit, introduce yourself to some neighbors, ask for advice on the best places to eat, grocery shop, etc. This way you will feel like part of the community and can get some great local tips.
This blog was brough to you by Jeremy K. Frost ~ REALTOR
YOUR CENTRAL TEXAS MOVE UP SPECIALIST!!!
www.MrMoveUp.com 512.636.2746
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Summer Season Tips for Conserving Water
May 25th, 2010 Categories: Dripping Springs Area News
Hello Readers,
As the temperature starts to climb and the weather starts to dry up here in Central Texas we all want to make sure are doing our best to conserve water.
*Use only water sprinklers that spray the lease amount of water into the air: this will help lessen the amount of evaporation
*Water early in the morning or late in the evening: this time of day might be cooler therefore reducing evaporation. In addition, the more water on the leaves the greater the chances of fungal problems on the leaves. Even plain water while the sun is out can burn leaves.
*Your finger is your best moisture meter: dig down as deep as you can towards the roots to feel the soil before watering
*Know your mow: Mow your lawn high to avoid moisture loss. Also check your lawn mower blade each mowing season. Dull blades can cause brown discoloration of the stems and leaves shortly after cutting. With the arrival of scorching tempatures you might want to set you mower blade to the highest setting possible.
Look for our lawn and garden tips all summer long and enjoy your Texas summer!
This blog was brought to you by Jeremy K. Frost ~ REALTOR
“For ALL your real estate needs”
Jeremy@FrostFinds.com 512.636.2746
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Spectacular Home In Dripping Springs
May 21st, 2010 Categories: Dripping Springs Real Estate News
100 Sundown Ridge
Heritage Country
Peace and Quiet in a Beautiful
Limestone Hill Country Home!
3551 Sq. Ft. per Appraiser5.08 Acres on Cul-de-sac Lot
3 Bedrooms - Study easily converted to 4th Bedroom
3.5 Baths
City Water, Dripping Springs ISD
Offered at $459,900
Are you looking for a lovely custom home at the end of a private and secluded cul-de-sac? This property has a gated entry which winds up to the white limestone Hill Country home. Smell the honeysuckle, just part of the great landscaping.
This home is beautiful inside with a wonderful floorplan and attention to detail throughout, including shutters, 2″ blinds, wood floors, crown molding, and so much more.
The office/study adjoins a hall closet and full bath, and was framed out during construction to easily be converted to a second master suite.
The formal dining room features hardwoods, and a swinging door to the well laid out kitchen which has lots of cabinets, Corian style countertops, a gas cooktop, built in oven and microwave, vented hood, and an oversized center island with granite top, breakfast bar, and storage.
A beautiful, yet comfortable great room includes a gas or woodburning fireplace with stone surround, wonderful mesquite mantle, wood floors, and built in entertainment center and shelves. It’s a sunny room that opens to the breakfast room with its tile floors and built in Butler’s Pantry.
The main level Master suite commands a wonderful view, and has doors leading to the back covered patio. The master bath has tile, double vanity, jetted tub, large separate shower, and walk in closet.
Upstairs is a spacious gameroom with high, arched windows. Opening off the game are two secondary bedrooms, each with a dormer window. The full bath on the upper level has a double vanity, and sectioned off bath/shower and lavatory.
The laundry facilities are in the mudroom, complete with bench, cabinet, and coatrack. Gas and electric hook ups for the washer dryer, utility sink and a built in storage space complete the functionality of the room.
There is an extra space with a stairway over the 2.5 car garage that can be finished to be an office or gameroom. It is currently used for storage, and there’s another storage closet under the stairs. It also has a door directly out to the back of the home.
Large covered flagstone porches in front and back take in the Hill Country views. COME TAKE A LOOK!! BEAUTIFUL!!!
For more information on this property contact:
Jeremy K. Frost ~ REALTOR
www.FrostFinds.com 512.636.2746
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3 Common Mistakes Home Buyers Make
May 21st, 2010 Categories: Austin Area News
Buying a home is the biggest purchase most people will ever make, yet many go into it blind. Here are the 3 common — and costly — mistakes homebuyers make.
1. Not knowing your credit score
Why does it matter?
The lower your score, the higher your costs of borrowing. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, for example, charge higher up-front fees to borrowers with credit scores below 740.
2. No Realtor
It’s nice to have someone on your side, especially one that can save you a bundle and make sure you don’t make these mistakes!
3. Not budgeting for insurance
Many homebuyers don’t understand just what is — and what is not — covered. Standard policies pay for theft and wind, fire, lightning, hail and explosion damage. Not covered is flooding, earthquake damage or problems caused by neglect of routine maintenance, according to Jeanne Salvatore, spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry-sponsored educational group.
This blog was brought to you by : Jeremy K. Frost ~ REALTOR
Award Winning Buyers Agent
512.636.2746 www.FrostFinds.com
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Hey Austin…don’t flush your money away!!!
May 19th, 2010 Categories: Austin Area News
The FREE toilet program is back!
Austin Water Conservation now offers high-performance HET’s (high-efficienct toilets). These Pro-Flo PF9300 toilets with dual flush technology ensure great performance and reduce water consumption. You can apply to replace up to 3 toilets per home, if your home was built prior to January 1, 1996. (This program does not replace 1.6 gpf toilets). To qualify, you must recieve water from the City of Austin od eligible MUD.
To participate, complete and submit a Free Toilet Program application avilable at www.WaterWiseAustin.org or call 512.974.2199
The City of Austin will mail you a voucher to pick up your toilets at a local vendor. Standard toilets are FREE and elongated-bowl toilets are available for $21,78 plus tax, payable at pick-up. Toilets come with everything you need for installation (wax rings, bolts, and seat).
This blog was brough to you by:
Jeremy K. Frost ~ Austin REALTOR
www.FrostFinds.com “For ALL your Real Estate needs”
512.636.2746
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Amazing Move Up Program!!!
May 14th, 2010 Categories: Austin Real Estate News
IS YOUR HOUSE TO SMALL??? CALL MR MOVE UP TODAY!!!
The Move-up Program is a guaranteed savings in real estate commissions when you list your current residence and purchase a new home with Jeremy K. Frost representing you as your REALTOR.
Jeremy’s Move-up Program is designed to ensure a smoother transaction with less cost to you, on both the buying and selling sides of the transactions. In actuality, a rebate is performed at the time of the closing/funding on both your old and new homes. This offer could be received in the form of non-taxable closing costs or any other method acceptable and within the guidelines of the Texas Real Estate Commission. When buying and selling a home, it can be one of the most trying experiences. With Jeremy K. Frost’s Move-up Program, this will ease some of the hassle plus you will still receive the same professional experience and superior marketing. It’s worth the call!
How Does It Work? It’s Simple…
Step 1: Call Jeremy K. Frost at (512) 636-2746 to discuss how you can save with his Move-up Program.
Step 2: Meet with Jeremy to go over the program’s fantastic elements.
Step 3: List your current home with Jeremy K. Frost of the Keller Williams Realty “Steele Action” Team.
Step 4: Allow Jeremy to assist you in locating your next new home.
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Where does Austin Texas rank???
May 12th, 2010 Categories: Austin Area News
Hello Readers,
I have said for years that Austin Texas is the place to be…but don’t take my word for it.
Check out some recent rankings the city of Austin has received:
#1 city in America for small business creation. www.Portfolio.com
#1 large city in America for jobs. www.Forbes.com
#1 (tie with Washington D.C.) city best surviving the recession. www.Forbes.com
#8 best place to launch a business. www.CNNMoney.com
Living in Austin Texas is unlike living anywhere else!!!
If you are interested in more information on Austin and the surrounding areas please contact us.
Jeremy K. Frost - REALTOR
For ALL your real estate needs!
512-636-2746
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