Abby Hage • Central TX Realtor with Service First Real Estate

10/31/2021

, everyone! What are you dressing up as today? Is anyone dressing up as a real estate agent? No bias *at all*, but that’s probably the BEST Halloween costume. 😉

10/30/2021

Did you know there’s an inverse relationship between the chances of a successful home sale and the amount of time it’s on the market for? Here are some preventative ideas that are effective for avoiding staying on the market for too long:

✅ Competitively price your home. This doesn’t mean pricing it too high or too low for your area. Market research helps with this!

✅ Use an experienced real estate agent. They can help you with competitively pricing your home, bringing buyers through the door, navigating bids, and much more.

✅ Stage your home. This means the 3 Ds: decluttering, depersonalizing, and deep cleaning.

✅ Invest in professional photography. Nowadays, potential buyers are looking for homes online first. Investing in a professional photographer can be well worth the investment because they’ll know how to highlight your home’s best features.

10/29/2021

Is it a trick or hocus pocus? Or is it a fact? ➡️ Do you need 25% down to buy a home? Write your answer in the comments!

Ready?

This is… False! 🚫

While this was more true in the past, there are many more options today. For example, you could get a government-backed loan, if you qualify, and have a very small to no down payment. Examples of government-backed loans are a VA Loan or USDA Loan.

Did you get it correct? Have any questions? Leave them in the comments!

10/28/2021

New homeowners: this is an exciting time to be a homeowner now that we’re in a new season because you have the opportunity to create a fall tradition with your family!

What will be your family tradition? Apple picking 🍎, wreath making, pie making 🥧, pumpkin carving 🎃, or something else?

(If you have any other ideas or you want to share your family fall tradition, leave them below in the comments! ⬇️)

10/27/2021

It’s still very much , so you know what that means: pumpkin pie everything! 🥧 If you’re nodding, you NEED to add these adorable mini pumpkin pies to your list of pumpkin eats to try.

INGREDIENTS:

Mini Pumpkin Pies
🥧 1 package (14.1 oz) refrigerated pie crusts
🥧 1 can (15 oz) unsweetened pumpkin
🥧 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
🥧 2 eggs
🥧 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
🥧 1 tsp vanilla extract

VANILLA WHIPPED CREAM
🥧 1 cup heavy cream
🥧 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
🥧 1 tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 375F.

2️⃣ For the mini pumpkin pies, unroll crusts on a lightly floured surface. Using a 3.5-inch round cutter, cut out 6 rounds from each crust. Re-roll scraps as necessary. Then, press the dough rounds into a muffin tin, sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

3️⃣ Mix pumpkin, milk, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth. Pour the mix into the crust rounds, filling each almost to the top.

4️⃣ Bake 25-30 min. or until filling sets. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

5️⃣ For the vanilla whipped cream, beat the cream + confectioners’ sugar + vanilla in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form.

6️⃣ Serve mini pumpkin pies with vanilla whipped cream and sprinkle with additional pumpkin pie spice. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from McCormick.

10/26/2021

Are you buying a home soon? You’ll want to stop scrolling and check out this overlooked tip if you want to save some money. ⬇️

Carefully review your !

If you’re rolling your eyes right now, fair. Totally understandable! There’s not much else that sounds more boring than meticulously reviewing a closing statement. 🤣

10/22/2021

Now that cozy season is here in FULL force, it’s time to prep that fireplace! Here are some maintenance tips so you can get your fireplace properly set up and ready for when the cold hits:

🪵 Sweep the chimney – this is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association so you remove dangerous debris. You can also hire a chimney sweeper to do this!

🪵 Check for any damages. Make sure there are no structural problems, cracks, loose bricks, any signs of deterioration, etc.

🪵 Check your gasket material, including the seals, glass door, and ash pump. If the gasket isn’t working properly, your fire could get too much oxygen and lead to a dangerous situation.

🪵 Clean the blower if your fireplace has one.

🪵 Cap the chimney to prevent animals and debris from entering.

What other tips do you have? Leave them in the comments!

10/21/2021

Forget the ghosts, skeletons, and haunted houses! Who is creeped out by small talk?!

10/20/2021

Need some ideas on how to 𝘣𝘰𝘰-𝘴𝘵 your chances of selling your home? Check out some of these ideas for a 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘨-𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 open house:

👻 Declutter
👻 Make minor repairs
👻 If your budget allows, make major repairs such as an entire kitchen renovation
👻 Stage your home
👻 Boost curb appeal (you can add holiday decor but keep them to a minimum and only as details)
👻 Depersonalize your home
👻 Deep clean

Hope this list helped and 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭 luck with your open house! 😉

10/19/2021

10/19/2021

Did you know there are different types of home loans? It’s important to know your options so you can find a mortgage loan that fits your lifestyle and requirements.

Here are the different types:

✅ 30-year fixed-rate mortgage – this is the most common and traditional one that lasts for 30 years with a fixed interest rate and monthly payments.

✅ Adjustable-rate mortgage – the interest rate on this mortgage periodically adjusts based on an index reflecting the cost to the lender of borrowing on the credit markets.

✅ VA mortgage – this is a type of military loan that mortgage lenders issue to qualified veterans, active service members, and spouses. They’re backed by the government body, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

✅ 15-year-fixed-rate mortgage – similar to the 30-year, a 15-year is a home loan that requires monthly payments and has a fixed interest rate.

✅ FHA mortgage – a US Federal Housing Administration mortgage that’s insurance-backed and provided by an FHA-approved lender. This mortgage insurance protects lenders against losses.

✅ USDA mortgage – this is from the USDA loan program, also known as the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program. It’s a mortgage loan offered to rural property owners by the USDA.

Have any questions? Leave them below in the comments!

10/18/2021

Hey, look at the clock. What time is it? It’s time to find your next home. 😉

Truth is, time is the only non-renewable resource we own, and so we need to make the most of it! If you’ve been thinking about buying a new home, right now is the perfect time to do so.

“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” – Napoleon Hill

10/08/2021

It was closing day for this beautiful couple! Thank you so much for trusting me and my team with not just your home but your first home you bought only 2 years ago! One chapter closed while entering into another. I know this one will be just as sweet but with SO many new and wonderful changes coming your way. Thank you again for trusting us!❤️

10/08/2021

This beautiful home is officially off the market!

10/06/2021

10/06/2021

08/29/2021

Come see me!!
I’m hosting an Open House from 11am-3pm!
PRICE DECREASE: WAS $465k and is NOW $450k
I have a sign in sheet and details of home available as well.
Feel free to reach out for any questions you may have:) Hope to see you!

08/27/2021

***OPEN HOUSE***

Happy Friday!!
I will be hosting an Open House THIS SUNDAY 8/29 11am-3pm!
There will be treats 😉

Located in the Beautiful neighborhood of “The Home Place” in Jarrell, TX
15 minutes North of Georgetown
45 minutes North of Austin
20 minutes South of Belton/Temple

CTXMLS:448943
ABOR/ACTRIS: 5353694
3bd/2bth + bonus room
2337sqft
All appliances + washer/dryer convey
Huge Backyard
MANY GREAT UPGRADES (Interior/Exterior)
Listing price: $400k’s

Keller Williams Realty- Lonestar (Georgetown, TX)
Contact me for more details or questions!
Hope to see you there!!

08/16/2021

Just listed this BEAUTIFUL home in Jarrell, TX!
Neighborhood: The Home Place
•New Home (2 years old)
•Over 2,000sqft
•3 bed 2 bath AND a bonus room (Could be 4b2b, office, game room or just space of choice)
•Huge backyard with beautiful added landscaping
•Many interior upgrades
•All appliances/ washer & dryer come with the home
•EXCELLENT quality
•2 minutes from I-35
•20 minutes South of Belton, 15 minutes North of Georgetown and 45 minutes North of Austin
•And SO much more

Let me know if you are interested in scheduling a tour or any other details about this beautiful home ❤️