Your Austin Living Group

Buying a fixer-upper? Get ready for a wild ride!

To keep your sanity intact, I'm sharing some priceless tips. In fact, consider this your Home Reno Survival Guide:

1. Get creative when it comes to the kitchen...especially if it's in shambles due to your reno! Set up a "satellite kitchen" in your laundry room or even living room with your toaster oven, air fryer, slow cooker - whatever you use the most. Don't let yourself get caught in the take out trap!

2. Don't tackle all your bathrooms at once! This will leave you without a space to freshen up. You'll thank me later!

3. Early mornings are a given with contractors around. Make sure you get as much sleep as possible to be at your best during the day. You'll need that well-rested mind to make some serious decisions!

4. Remember that renovations can be stressful for fur babies. Create a safe and comfortable haven for your pets. If you're in the middle of a big project, consider boarding them with a trusted friend or neighbor.

Don't forget that while mess can be hard to handle, it's temporary and a sign of progress towards your dream home.

Want the sellers to accept your offer? You HAVE to do this first ⤵️

PLAY IT COOL.

Here's the deal: when you're at a showing or an open house, you need to play your cards close to your vest.

Let's say you walk into a beautifully renovated home that fits your budget, and not only does it check every box on your must-have list, but even a few on your nice-to-have list.

What you don't want to do is start gushing about how much you love everything you see. Not to me, not to your partner and definitely not to the listing agent!

If the seller knows how much you love the property, you're going to lose your negotiating power when you submit an offer.

While you can of course point out features that you like, the best way to show the seller that you're interested is by submitting a smart and strategic offer, -- and I can help you do that!

But while you're in the house, do your best to play it cool so you can have more leverage and snap up that dream property.

Dreaming of a home makeover? Let's get real before you start knocking down walls.

Here are 5 things you need to know:

1. Patience is key. No matter how carefully you plan, you should always expect delays and be ready to adjust your expectations accordingly.

2. Know your budget. Builder quotes often only cover labor. You'll need to factor in material costs, permits, and unexpected expenses to avoid financial surprises along the way.

3. You're going to have to be your own project manager. Contractors will need your input throughout the process, so be sure you're available to answer questions and make quick decisions.

4. Expect the unexpected. Things rarely go according to plan. Be prepared for minor hiccups and know that you may have to adjust your schedule and/or budget accordingly.

5. Research and find a qualified contractor you trust. Don't forget to get multiple quotes and compare them carefully.

If you need more tips, or contractor recommendations, reach out anytime and I can send you a few!

It's about to get controversial.

When you make your bed, are you on Team Top Sheet or No Top Sheet?

Some call them "archaic" and others can't sleep without one.

I could not sleep without a top sheet!

Weigh in below ⬇️

Myth or Fact: it's a good idea to wait to buy your home until interest rates drop so you can save money.

What do you think the answer is? Swipe to find out!

The bottom line? If your current home isn't serving you, now is as good a time as any to make a move.