Date Archives: September 2021

Whether you're getting ready to sell your home or just want to refresh your space for your own enjoyment, home improvement projects can be satisfying... but sometimes they come with an expensive price tag. If you can't afford a high-dollar renovation, here are a few suggestions from our real estate agents for home improvement projects that won't break the bank.

• Update Your Front Door
  Nothing adds to curb appeal like sprucing up your entry. If you don't have a lot of money to spend on renovations, one thing to focus on for sure is the front door. Replace it with a modern front door or at least update the paint on your existing front door so that it's clean, shiny, and bright again.
  
  
• New Interior Paint and Color Schemes
  New interior paint is by far one of the more expensive "cheap" projects you can do, but it's totally worth it, as it can overhaul your entire look. Don't worry about repainting trim if you don't plan on changing the color. If you plan on selling soon, opt for a neutral palette, as bright colors are too personal and Round Rock homes for sale do better when buyers can imagine themselves living there.
  
  
• New Curtains or Blinds
  Another way to overhaul your entire look is to replace your window treatments. Whether you hang new curtains or splurge for high-end blinds, it's an opportunity to totally upgrade your decor. Be sure to check out options like room darkening and energy-saving materials.
  
  
• Update Lighting Fixtures
  Nothing dates a home like old lighting fixtures. Brighten your space by upgrading your lighting fixtures and adding new lighting where possible. For instance, consider adding task lighting such as under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen. Ceiling fans are also a popular upgrade and can be a good investment if you plan on selling your home.
  
  
• Install Shelving
  Especially in areas that lack sufficient storage, such as an older kitchen, attractive shelving can do a double duty of adding to your functional storage and your decor. Open shelving is trendy, so don't feel like you need to build cabinetry, but do make sure your shelves are built of attractive materials and be mindful of how you use them.
  
  
• Replace Cabinet Hardware
  If your kitchen is looking tired and outdated, it may benefit from more than just a coat of paint. Replacing your cabinet hardware with something more modern allows you to update your kitchen's look and complement any paint scheme changes you've chosen. The same goes for your bathroom cabinets!
  
  
• Update Bathroom Fixtures
  Sometimes an entire bathroom renovation isn't necessary, just some paint and updated fixtures. Old bathroom fixtures tend to look drab and outdated, but that's easy and usually fairly inexpensive to remedy.
  
  
• Customize Your Closets
  Your closets may not be the first thing you see when you look around your house, but that doesn't mean they're not important. Plenty of closet space is one of the things homebuyers want when they browse Georgetown homes for sale. Maximize your home's storage space with custom shelves, bins, drawers, and multiple rows of clothing rods.

Home improvement doesn't have to mean big, expensive renovation projects. If you don't have much money to spend, look for little improvements to make a big impact. For more information about home improvement projects that will boost your home's appeal to buyers, contact us today.

For those of us who love antiques, there's nothing quite like discovering a new vintage treasure. Luckily, here in the Round Rock area, we have more than a few great antique shops. Our real estate agents are eager to share their favorites!

Of course, the challenging part of antiquing is often separating the trash from the treasure. That isn't always easy, but these local antique shops and markets are great places to find some real vintage gems. 

• Antique Gallery - 1601 S I35 Frontage Rd, Round Rock, TX 78664
  Round Rock's Antique Gallery is a vast shrine to all things classic and vintage. It's a huge space that hosts a wide range of antique vendors, each offering their own specialties and unique selection of goods. Whether you're looking for historic furniture and vintage clothing or jewelry, trinkets, artwork, and decor, you'll find it here. The Antique Gallery is located just minutes from these Round Rock homes for sale, and it's also a perfect place to find gifts for the antique lover in your life.
  
  
• Georgetown Antique Mall - 110 W 8th St, Georgetown, TX 78626
  Georgetown has one of the most charming historic districts in Central Texas, and the Georgetown Antique Mall is a fixture of downtown. Located within walking distance of many Georgetown homes for sale, the mall offers a huge space packed to the gills with treasures. You'll find Victorian glassware, sterling silver, perfume bottles, and a seemingly endless array of other unexpected finds. It's a store that needs to be visited again and again to fully appreciate its wide-ranging offerings. 
  
  
• Staebel Antiques - 3820 Co Rd 258, Liberty Hill, TX 78642
  The folks at Staebel Antiques don't just sell vintage goods near Liberty Hill homes for sale. They also repair, restore and refurbish antique furniture, making this a good place to find hundred-year-old dressers, bed frames, and chairs in shockingly good condition. Most of the store's stock dates from the 1880s through the 1930s, and some are older still. Staebel Antiques has been in business for over 30 years and has a reputation for selling unique and stylish items that cannot be found anywhere else. 
  
  
• Relic Road TX - 2709 Sam Bass Rd, Round Rock, TX 78681
  You truly never know what you'll find at Relic Road TX. This local business specializes in estate sales, which means their offerings are always changing. It also means not everything you'll see at Relic Road is necessarily an antique. They offer a wide range of vintage goods and even some modern wares, but with an ever-changing selection of furniture, art, jewelry, and other unique items from every style and era, there are always treasures waiting to find a new home. 
  
  
• Rough and Ready Antiques - 602 S Main St, Georgetown, TX 78626
  Nestled on the corner of 6th and Main in the heart of Georgetown's historic downtown, Rough and Ready Antiques is a great place to find unique historic furnishings and decor. They're known for antique lawn and garden decor (wooden wagons, vintage planters, rocking chairs, etc.), but the store is packed with antiques of all kinds, so there's a good chance that no matter what you're looking for, you'll find it there. The store is nicely organized, and the staff is always friendly and happy to help you find anything you need. 

Contact us today to learn more about life in Georgetown, Round Rock, and the surrounding areas. Located a stone's throw from Austin in the heart of Texas Hill Country, it's a truly unique place to call home. 

Oktoberfest, which begins September 18th, may have originated in Germany, but you can have lots of fun celebrating closer to home. Join our real estate agents and head to one of these delightful beer gardens near Round Rock homes for sale. 

• The Good Lot - 2500 W. New Hope Dr., Cedar Park, TX 78613
  A family-friendly beer garden? No, it's not a dream. The Good Lot, which opened in July, was created to be a neighborhood hangout just down the street from Cedar Park homes for sale. Kids can enjoy yard games in the play area while mom and dad relax over a pint of beer or glass of wine. Enjoy live music on the weekends and open mic night on Wednesdays. Grab a bite from the Oink Mobile, a bacon-themed food truck. Hours are 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon - 9 p.m. Sunday.
  
  
• Hops & Thyme - 2125 Lohmans Crossing Rd. #400, Lakeway, TX 78734
  Oktoberfest is a perfect time to try a new beer. With 36 rotating craft beers on tap at Hops & Thyme, you're sure to find one you've never had before. The upscale food menu includes fresh, made-from-scratch items such as smoked pork belly lamb burger and drumsticks confit. Bring the family in after a day of touring Lakeway homes for sale for live music and lawn games. Hops & Thyme is open 3 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday with brunch served all day.
  
  
• Whitestone Brewery - 601 E. Whitestone Blvd. #500, Cedar Park, TX 78613
  Ryan and Danielle Anglen, owners of Whitestone Brewery, take their commitment to the community seriously. They regularly conduct fundraisers for local charities that are near and dear to their hearts, such as the upcoming "Drive for the Dream" golf tournament on Saturday, October 16. The couple has also designed the brewery to be a comfortable, pet-friendly gathering place. Having your own Oktoberfest celebration? Order your favorite Whitestone brews online for convenient pickup in 30 minutes. Hours are noon - 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, noon - 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and noon - 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
  
  
• Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Co. - 13010 West Parmer Lane #800, Cedar Park, TX 78613
  Start and end your day at Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Co., where they excel at "Coffee, Beer, and Good Vibes." Both beverages are brewed in-house, and they pair well with the sandwiches and salads that are also made fresh on site. On Friday nights, sit back with your choice of drink and enjoy some live music. Short on time? Order online for quick pickup. Red Horn is open Sunday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
  
  
• Hedgehog Brewing LLC - 3200 Woodall Dr., C-1, Cedar Park, TX 78613
  Brothers Chris and Jonathan Harris use Wild Hill Country yeast as the key ingredient in their unique farmhouse beers from Hedgehog Brewing LLC. Farmhouse beers feature a more rustic style with a pleasantly tart crispness. How can you resist brews with such whimsical names as "Need for Tweed" and "Hoptimism?" Their latest flavor, "Middleman," is a tribute to Marvis "Middle Man" Dixon, an icon of the local brewing scene. Hours at Hedgehog are 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Friday, noon - 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon - 8 p.m. Sunday.

Autumn is also a great time to buy or sell a home. Contact us at RE/MAX Capital City to get started.

When you think of home security upgrades, you may think of expensive security systems. Many upgrades, however, are very affordable and will help your family and belongings stay safer. In many cases, you'll even be able to do the work yourself.

Our real estate agents share the following inexpensive home security upgrades that can make your home safer:  

• Smart outdoor lighting
  Motion-activated LED lights for the exterior of your home can help shine a spotlight on any potential unwanted visitors. Use this feature for floodlights, step lights, and path lights, and consider buying ones that will send you an alert when motion is detected.
  
  
• Upgraded door locks
  Upgrade the locks on the doors that lead to the outside of your home, and while you're at it, buy a better strike plate (the metal that's on the doorpost). Look for one that has holes for up to six screws, and when you attach it, use three-inch screws. These improvements will make it more difficult for a thief to kick your door in.
  
  
• A safe for valuables
  If you have valuables that are small in size, such as expensive jewelry, a safe provides an extra level of security against thieves. You can get a basic one for around $100, with options such as fire protection raising the price. Bolt your safe to the floor using the holes provided inside in most models and hide it in the back of the closet. If you choose a wall safe, you can mount it inside a wall and cover it with a picture.
  
  
• Foot locks for patio doors 
  Standard patio door locks are easy for a burglar to pick. To make it more difficult for intruders to gain access to your home in this way, add a foot lock. They utilize a bolt that fits into a grommet that holds the door secure, and they're easy to install using a drill.
  
  
• Window stops  
  Window stops prevent windows from being opened more than six inches. This makes it impossible for burglars to raise your windows and climb into your home. Since they open six inches, however, you'll still be able to raise your windows enough to get some fresh air and ventilation inside your home.
  
  
• Tamper-proof shed hinges
  If you have a shed with a standard hinge and a door that swings outward, it's easy for thieves to pop the pins, remove the door, and steal valuable property like lawnmowers and tools. To prevent this buy and install a security hinge that comes with tamper-proof pins and a locking tab.
  
  
• Home security system  
  Wireless security cameras can help monitor your home and provide an extra layer of protection. Consider buying a system that has built-in sensors that are triggered by motion and trigger an alarm. An alert is then sent to your smartphone, and a video clip of the incident is uploaded to the Cloud.
  
  
• Wide-angle door viewer  
  Entry doors don't usually come equipped with peepholes, and if they do, they're usually quite small. This makes it easy for potential intruders to hide out of view and also distorts images, making it hard to identify exactly who's at your door. Install a wide-angle door viewer so the images will be clearer and a burglar won't be able to simply step to the side to remain undiscovered.

Contact us to find out more about home security upgrades and to visit Round Rock homes for sale. If finding a home with some of these features is a priority, we'll help you identify ones that meet your criteria.