Author: bdowdy

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Homeowner Tips

What Are the Benefits of Owning a Home?

The thought of owning your own home is exciting. Owning a home is a big investment and it can be challenging to decide whether it’s right for you. Here are the top four reasons to own a home instead of rent.

  1. Pay the Same Amount Every Month

When you rent, the price can go up every year or as you renew your lease agreement. With a home mortgage, you’ll pay the same rate every month. You’ll know exactly how much you need and it’ll make it easier to create a predictable monthly budget.

The only potential change is the property taxes. But they rarely change much from year to year. Some buyers have found they pay less for their monthly mortgage than they do for rent plus utilities.

  1. Build Equity

In real estate, equity is the estimated market value of a home that subtracts the amount of mortgage left to pay and any other liens against the property. The longer you live in your home, the more you’ll be able to pay the principal balance of any liens. Often, the equity grows as the balance of any liens against the property shrinks while the value of the property increases.

  1. Gain Tax Benefits

There are many tax benefits to buying a home. You’ll be able to deduct interest on your mortgage. Any interest you pay as part of the closing costs will be deductible. This information is usually found on the settlement sheet. Just before tax time rolls around, your lender will send you IRS Form 1098. It’ll show the money you’ve paid in interest on your loan for the year.

You’ll also deduct private mortgage insurance (PMI) if you have it. Property taxes are also deducted. This alone saves you thousands of dollars. First-time buyers may have additional deductions, so ask about that. And finally, if anyone works from home, you can deduct the home office space.

  1. Make Changes to Your Home

You get to choose the floor plan that fits what you have in mind. You’ll have the ability to change the colors of any room at any time. When you own your own home, you can make any changes you want. You’re not beholden to the landlord’s requirements. If you buy your home before it’s built, you can ensure that the design is the way you want it.

Owning a home offers so many more benefits besides these four reasons. It can also build your credit score and it’s one of the best investments you can make with a good chance of a huge return on investment. And home is more than just a place to hang your hat and get a good night’s sleep. It’ll be a place where you’ll make many memories.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the new home builders in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Homebuilder Homeowner Tips Lifestyle

How to Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time

It can be stressful to buy and sell a home at the same time. You fear that you’ll sell your home faster than you can find one.

Or worse, you end up with two mortgages as you found your new home faster than expected. If homeowners could do what they want, it’d be to move in their new home and then sell their old home after they’ve gotten settled. But it still presents the problem of being stuck with two mortgages. Here’s what you can do to ease the anxiety of buying and selling a home.

Study the Market

Before moving forward with hunting for a new home and putting yours on the market, understand the housing market in the areas where you’re buying and selling. Better yet, talk to your real estate agent. They can tell you whether the market leans in the favor of buyers or sellers.

A seller’s market means you’re more likely to sell your home quickly while it may be a struggle to find a new place to live. You may have to expand your search for a new home.

A buyer’s market means your current home will have an uphill battle. Often, it requires making updates to your home to stand out from the other homes. Or, you’ll have to set a price that’s reasonable. Buyers won’t look at the home if it’s being listed for too high.

If you sell first, then you’ll have to find a temporary place to live while looking for your next home. You won’t have the stress of a down payment. And if you buy first, you’ll have two mortgages and it can make it harder to qualify for a new mortgage since you still have responsibility for your old home.

Explore Financial Options

It’s easy to know that if you sell first, you’ll be prepared for the additional costs of renting between homes. To help ease the pressure of finding a new home quickly, ask your real estate agent about doing a rent-back agreement.

For those opting to buy first, ask your realtor about contract contingency and a bridge loan. There are advantages and advantages of both options.

If nothing else, be prepared for the worse outcomes. When you accept them, it’ll be easier to manage. For example, if you accept that you may have two mortgages for a few months, then you can plan for that. You may have to put off selling while you put some money away to handle two mortgages. At least, you’ll be prepared for it instead of being surprised by it.

It’s easy to feel pressured into making fast decisions. Don’t. It’s important you take your time and find the right home. It’s good you’re thinking about these things and planning. That will take out some of the pain in buying and selling a new home at the same time.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

 

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Area Attractions Lifestyle

New Businesses Adding Jobs and Generating Tax Revenue for Kyle

Many people move to Kyle for the small-town lifestyle that puts them close enough to Austin and its resources. Residents will now have the opportunity to find work right in their own backyards.

NorthPoint Development Project Begins

Kyle Economic Development and the NorthPoint Development recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate new businesses setting up shop at the Plum Creek Industrial Center on 19200 Marketplace Ave. in Kyle.

The new businesses that will open in this center include the following:

  • American HVAC Metals Supply Inc.
  • Lanter Delivery Systems
  • Outer Aisle Gourmet
  • Plastikon
  • Viking Supply Net
  • And a to be named business

The development is on 935,000 sq. ft. of land and expects to create 1,000 new jobs and generate more than $800,000 of annual tax revenue for the city of Kyle. This location is one minute from I-35 Frontage Road.

Austin Is Tops in the Best Place in the World to Relocate

It’s not an exaggeration to say the Austin market is hot. An international relocation report from Money in the U.K. has named Austin the best place on the planet to relocate. The researchers looked at everything from the cost of living to housing prices and average internet speeds and life expectancy.

Other factors they looked at include the following:

  • Average annual temperatures
  • Average property price
  • Number of restaurants
  • Number of green spaces

Yes, Austin is No. 1 in the world, ranking ahead of Tokyo, Paris, and Rome. It’s also the only place in Texas to make the list containing 84 international locations. It turns out Austin has the third-best internet speed out of all the cities in the ranking. The Live Music Capital also scored high on average temperature and average monthly salaries.

Not only that but also Austin is emerging to be the tech hub of America. More jobs, affordable living, a small-town lifestyle. You can get all this and more right here in Kyle.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Events Family Fun

Celebrate 25 Days of Christmas in Kyle, Texas

The City of Kyle Parks and Recreation invites you to join them for their first 25 Days of Christmas at the newly renovated Mary Kyle Hartson Park (101 S. Burleson St., Kyle, TX). For the entire month of December, you can stroll the breathtaking holiday lights while listening to live music.

It all started on December 1 with Santa’s arrival in time for Mary Kyle Hartson’s ribbon-cutting ceremony! Here’s what’s happening.

What’s in Store for 25 Days of Christmas?

Every single day in December will be filled with holiday lights for your enjoyment. Wednesdays are “Winter Wonderland” and food trucks day. What’s Winter Wonderland? Only a few people know. Keep an eye out for details.

The air will be filled with live music on Fridays to entertain you while you browse the vendor booths. The vendors will also be available on Saturdays. You have many opportunities to get Santa photos, with Bailey Christian Photography, as he generously made time to be available every day except on Mondays and Tuesdays. He has a lot of work to do back home in his workshop.

Do you love Taco Tuesday? Every single Tuesday through December 21 is Taco Tuesday. There will be food vendors on that day too. And Sundays are Social Media Sundays. “To take part in the festivities, stop by the park, take pictures of you and your loved one and share it with the hashtag #KyleParksandRecreation.”

Inspired Minds Holiday Bazaar in Buda

Can’t get enough of the holiday season? Perhaps, you’ll want to wander through the gallery in nearby Buda’s Inspired Minds Holiday Bazaar (121 N. Main St., Buda, TX 78610). Come support the local artists who will have booths set up with their artwork.

This event takes place from now until December 23. Admission is free but some events may have a fee. For example, you can pain ornaments on Saturdays for $10. December 18 features a gingerbread house competition. Note the Bazaar closes on Sundays. It will be open from 1 to 6 PM Monday through Friday and from noon to 5 PM on Saturday.

More Things to Do in Kyle

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

 

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Area Attractions Events Family Fun

Budafest Returns!

Budafest is back for the 41st year and bigger than ever. Here’s your chance to check out the brand new Buda Amphitheater. Bring your family and friends to Downtown Buda for one, two, or three days of holiday cheer and live music on December 3-5. Buda is only about 10 minutes from Crosswinds in Kyle.

What Is Budafest?

Eileen Conley ran the festival for 15 years with help from Bert Bronaugh and Elaine Purvis in later years. Then, the City of Buda adopted Budafest. It has come a long way from the days as a small festival that showcased local artists and craft vendors to one that now has more than 75 vendors.

Budafest is a lot of things. It’s entertainment, it’s a craft and art market, it’s a dazzling night with a parade followed by fireworks on Main Street. Here’s the Budafest schedule and the Budafest Facebook page with more information.

What’s in Store for Budafest 2021?

Friday starts with a tree lighting ceremony and a small ornament market. The event will be in full swing by Saturday.

The nighttime parade takes place on Saturday evening. The parade and its many lights will travel from Main Street starting at Buda Mill and Grain Co. and work its way to Buda City Park. The parade ends with fireworks and Santa Claus doing a countdown to the holidays.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore craft vendors’ merchandise and hand-made items to find the perfect gift for others or yourself! You can also catch demonstrations to see how things are made in the artisan workshops. You’ll want to come back on Sunday for the Reindog Parade where our four-legged friends will trot down the street in their best holiday costumes and outfits.

There will be a small carnival with games and rides. Book worms rejoice! You’ll want to check out the Friends of the Buda Library’s Annual Book Sale. You’ll have a variety of gently used books at super low prices. The book sale is at the Municipal Complex at 405 E. Loop St.

Hope to see y’all there with bells on … and Santa hats and festive wear!

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the new home builders in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Education

Why Austin is Emerging as the Tech Hub of America

Austin, Texas Tech Hub

The pandemic has been a boon for Austin in terms of employment and a bust for Silicon Valley. As of now, Silicon Valley has only regained about half of the jobs it lost in March and April 2020 according to AP News. Austin, on the other hand, has regained 96 percent of its job losses for the same period per the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

The Advantages of Moving to the Austin Area

It doesn’t take much to figure out why Austin is faring better than Silicon Valley. A one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco costs more than $4,526 a month while the same only costs approximately $1,329 per month in Austin based on data from Built In. The median price for a home in San Francisco is a whopping $1,355,200! And it’s only $371,900 for Austin. Besides, California has some of the highest taxes in the nation.

Not only that but also Texas has no state income taxes. While California is known for its beautiful weather, Texas has enjoyable weather and milder winters compared to the northern states. People love the music scene, food from a diversity of cultures, and an active nightlife. And word is that the “Keep Austin Weird” culture encourages people to find a balance with work and whatever is important to them.

Companies in the Austin Area

Oracle has moved its headquarters to Austin. Tesla is here. Dell has been here for a long time. Palantir has moved its venture capital firm from Silicon Valley to Austin. Palantir Cofounder Joe Lonsdale says he’s already saving a lot of time with the move. He tells Business Insider that Austin is “more tolerant of ideological diversity than SF.”

Moreover, another Business Insider article reveals Dropbox CEO Drew Houston has moved to Austin as did Splunk CEO Douglas Merit and Tesla Founder Elon Musk. Apple is spending $1 billion on a new 133-acre in Austin that will support 5,000 employees with the potential to expand up to 15,000.

Clearly, Austin has a thriving real estate market. After all, WalletHub study puts Austin in the top 10 in multiple categories. This hot market extends beyond Austin city limits in places like Kyle, which are close to Austin and allow homeowners to get more home for their budget.

LinkedIn analysis indicates Austin has the highest tech migration out of any city in the country between May 2020 and April 2021. The city has welcomed almost 1.5 times more employees than the city in second place, which is Nashville. Austin also ranks fourth in the U.S. for tech job posts growth in March 2021 making it a booming place for tech talent.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

 

 

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Area Attractions Lifestyle

Texas Makes the List of Hardest Working States in America

Personal finance website WalletHub has published a new study that puts Texas at No. 5 among the hardest-working states. The other four states are Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Texas definitely has the warmest temperatures out of this group!

How WalletHub Did the Math

How did WalletHub come up with ranks? The website compared the 50 states on 10 key indicators. These include the number of hours worked in a week, the number of workers with multiple jobs, and the yearly number of volunteer hours per resident.

Texas’s average number of workweek hours puts it in fourth. Texas also ranks high in the number of engaged workers (No. 5) and the number of workers who don’t use their vacation time (No. 11). Texas ranks 14th for commute time and 26th for unemployment.

The study looks at two key dimensions: “Direct work factors” and “indirect work factors.” Direct factors include average workweek hours, employment rate, the share of households where the adults don’t work, unused vacation time, engaged workers, and idle youth.

Indirect factors include commute time, number of works with more than one job, yearly volunteer hours, and leisure time spent each day.

Governor Praises Texas Job Surge

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statement about Texas’s job growth.

“The Texas economy is booming. Businesses are investing in the Lone Star State at a record pace because we’ve built a framework that allows free enterprise to flourish and hardworking Texans to prosper,” says Governor Abbott.

“The June jobs report shows that our young, growing, and skilled workforce has forged a diversified and resilient economy, with Texas employers adding back more than 1.1 million jobs since the end of April 2020, the peak pandemic impact on jobs. That surge in hiring continues today with as many jobs posted on TWC’s job sites as Texans looking for work. I encourage every Texan looking for new or better employment to use the free job matching resources available to them from TWC, because Texas works when Texans work.”

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Events Family Fun

Show Your Appreciation on Veterans Day in Kyle, Texas

The City of Kyle is partnering with VFW Post 12058 and AMVETS to host the Veterans Day Parade to commemorate the day and honor local veterans. The parade begins at noon on Saturday, November 13.

About Kyle’s Veterans Day Parade

The parade route starts at VFW Post 12058 at 103 S Front St, Kyle, TX 78640 and travels west on Center Street. The parade ends at Gregg-Clarke Park. The city invites everyone to the commemoration event and festivities after the parade.

There will be a warbird flyover, market vendors, activities for the entire family, and it’ll end with a big bang as there will be fireworks. For the best views, go on either side of Center Street between VFW Post 12058 and Gregg-Clarke Park.

Here’s the schedule:

  • 12 p.m. — Parade begins
  • 1 to 6 p.m. — Post parade activities at Gregg-Clarke Park
  • 6 p.m. — Fireworks

Can’t attend the parade? Great news. The Veterans Day Parade will be live-streamed on the City’s YouTube Channel and Facebook page.

Check out the San Marcos Veterans Day Parade

You have another option for the Veterans Day parade with the San Marcos Veterans Day Parade happening this weekend on November 6. At 10 a.m. It’s sponsored by the City of San Marcos with assistance from the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee and local veterans’ organizations.

This parade makes its way through historic downtown San Marcos. Pre-parade events start at 9 a.m. in front of the County Courthouse. Everyone ages five and older can show their support by participating in the Kiwanis Club Kids Bicycle Brigade. This is where the kids decorate their bikes, don their helmets, and ride them at the Courthouse lawn. The event takes place before the parade from 9 to 10 a.m. Kids can spruce their bikes with flags, signs, and streamers.

To all the Veterans, thank you for your service.

More Things to Do in Kyle

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Meet the Kyle builders or contact our Crosswinds team.

 

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Design Homebuilder

5 Benefits of Building a New Home

One of the best investments you can make in your lifetime is to buy a new home. Homeowners often experience a bigger return on their investment when they eventually sell their homes. On top of that, the Austin real estate market is hot.

Those who prefer a quieter and smaller place to live in the Texas Hill Country will find that in Kyle, which is just 20 minutes from downtown Austin. Kyle has everything you want to live, work, and play while being close enough to Austin to take advantage of its unique offerings like Austin City Limits.

Here are the top five reasons to buy a new home in Kyle, TX.

  1. Live in a home built by hand-selected homebuilders

Our team vetted many Kyle homebuilders to choose the right ones for the Crosswind’s community. It’s important that all builders design homes that reflect Crosswind’s mission of creating an active community with all the comforts of home.

While you and your neighbors have the same goal of finding a place to call home with a thriving community, you may have different design styles. We selected these builders to make sure you get a home in a design that you love.

Building a home in the Texas Hill Country is very different from building a home in the panhandle or East Texas. The environment, elements, and land are different. These builders know the Texas Hill Country and design homes with nature in mind.

  1. Have a say in your home

If you have specifics in mind about your floor plan, you can do that in a Crosswinds home. Each builder has different floor plans. Whether you want a three-car garage, an office, a game room, or all of the above, you can get that by selecting a floor plan the best fits what you want.

  1. Select the right colors

A house may be perfect except that yellow backsplash is not your cup of tea. Rather than having it changed out, you can make those design choices when you work with a to-be-built home. You choose the carpet, the paint colors, the backsplash, and the cabinetry.

  1. Enjoy community amenities

There is one community amenity that no builder has control over. And that’s nature. The Crosswinds community allows the natural beauty of the Texas prairies to shine. Landscape architects developed a plan to highlight the best of nature while adding features that brings everyone and the outdoors together.

Live oak trees shade the community pool complex known as the Cove. The younger kids can splash around its wading pool while adults will relish relaxing by the pool covered by shade. The community also contains a place for gatherings, play dates, or celebrating. Residents can also pick up a fresh gourmet coffee or tea at Le Muse Coffee right in the community.

  1. Be the first to live in your home

When touring pre-owned homes, it’s not easy to spot problems and damage. With a new home, you won’t have to worry about that. And a new home will have a warranty. The type depends on the builder.

You’ll benefit from these top five reasons when you opt for a to-be-built home in Kyle’s Crosswinds. Kyle has much more to offer, so browse this blog for more.

If you’d like to learn more about new homes in Kyle, please contact our Crosswinds team. To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Area Attractions Homebuilder Lifestyle

The Austin Housing Market Is Hot

Exciting news! A WalletHub study has ranked Austin in the top 10 in multiple categories. One of those is the No. 2 spot on WalletHub’s Best Places to Buy a House list. And Austin takes the top spot for large cities with hot real estate markets. This hot market extends beyond Austin city limits as the housing market data in the region also shows demand is soaring.

Central Texas Market Is Hopping

The Austin Board of Realtors’ Market Statistics report shows the volume of homes sold in June has set records. Part of this stems from the pandemic changing buyer preferences. With more people working from home, buyers want reliable broadband access, a home office, and flexible working and living spaces. Because of their staying home more, they’re looking to suburban areas to find homes with more square footage and outdoor space.

A Community Impact article states that the Central Texas market has been flying since the middle of 2020 according to realtors and economists. It also credits telework with the boom as remote workers move away from expensive cities where they no longer have a commute.

New Homes in Kyle, Texas

Are you in the market for a new home with easy access to Austin in a quiet place? Come check out Kyle, a small town just 20 miles from downtown Austin and 15 miles from shoppers’ paradise in San Marcos. Be warned that the new home inventory in Kyle’s Crosswinds community goes fast.

CoreLogic states the Austin housing prices have surged almost 33 percent from August 2020. As of October, the median price of a new home is $408,350 in Kyle. This is cheaper than Austin’s median sales price of $470,000. A new home only lasts 25 days on the market before it’s bought, so anyone interested in Kyle, TX homes will want to move fast.

The new homes in Crosswinds range from 1,500 sq. ft. to 2,250 sq. ft. Residents will be able to play, swim, and enjoy the trails at the Windy Point amenity center. The trails connect to the amenity center and pool, a kids’ playscape, and an open playfield. The community dog park also gives fur babies a place to run around and play.

Many places are located within 30 minutes from Kyle. And anytime you’re ready to travel a little further, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) is an easy drive from Kyle.

Residents choose Kyle for the small-town lifestyle while being close enough to Austin to take advantage of its offerings. Even businesses know the value of living in Kyle as Lowe’s, Amazon, Tesla, and others have or plan to move to Kyle and the Austin area.