Keeping your nose to the grindstone, using credit wisely and responsibly and paying your bills on time every month have their rewards, no matter how much or how little money you make.One reward is how much easier it is to realize your piece of the American Dream – the opportunity to purchase your own home. A bonus for the low-income earner is a government-backed loan with no down payment.The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Single Family Housing programs may just be the best option for low-income folks with good credit and a steady job to buy a house.Two types of loans for homebuyersThe two most popular USDA home loan programs are the Homeownership Direct Loan Program and the Guaranteed Loan.Both of these programs aim to help low-to-moderate-income people... 10/12/2019

Traditional lore says that the best time to list your home for sale is spring and if it hasn’t sold by the end of summer, you’re out of luck. Along the same lines, homeowners across the country are often advised not to list in the fall and wait until after the holidays to list. The truth is that a great home will sell at any time of year and in fact there are some very good reasons to list in the fall, while everyone else is busy doing other activities.  4 Reasons to Sell this Fall  1. Less Competition– As mentioned above, most sellers list in spring so as a seller, fall provides you less competition which increases the opportunity for buyers to view your home.  2. Serious Buyers – Home buyers in fall often have a timeline to move before the holidays. They tend to take the home search s... 10/11/2019

 Maximizing Space in a Small KitchenA small kitchen doesn’t have to mean dark or cramped, you can maximize a small kitchen by using these clever tips. From tricking the eye to great ways to get extra storage, these easy design ideas will help you love your small kitchen.  • Tone on Tone Colors Scheme – Trick the eye by using subtle variations of the same color palate. • Strategic Shelving – Add a shelf above the backsplash to add room for spices or décor; place on a wall to display glasses or dishware and gain extra storage in the process.  • Design with an Island – If possible, open a closed off kitchen to the family or breakfast room, use an island as double duty by adding a breakfast bar on one side and sink, dishwasher and storage on the other.  • Tile a Whole Wall – Consider making... 10/11/2019

Inured.That’s just a fancy way of explaining how we humans can, over time, become accustomed to something unpleasant.If you’ve ever lived near railroad tracks or under the flight path of a local airport you know what we’re talking about. At first, the noise was torture. After time, however, you may have barely noticed it.It’s the same with smells. We become accustomed to the odors in our home and it’s not until either someone very honest comes to visit or we return home after some time away that we realize just how stinky the home is.While pets and smokers are obvious causes of home odors, other sources are a bit harder to track down. Let’s take a look at some of the first places to check if you have stinky house.That “smell” coming from the kitchen drainIf you’ve ever been hit in the f... 10/10/2019

There was a time when real estate agents could confidently tell their clients that one of the biggest advantages of owning a home on a golf course is that the verdant view would be permanent.Today, many owners face a view of brown, dead fairways, vandalized buildings and uncertainty about what may pop up when the land is sold.Chalk it up to the busyness of Americans. The lengthy game of golf has declined in popularity, leaving course owners to deal with the consequences.Or, blame the oversupply of golf courses and the waning of Tiger-mania (among other reasons), as  John Eidukot at GolfOperatorMagazine.com does.Whatever the reasons, “More than 200 courses closed in 2017, while about 15 opened,” according to Newser.com editors, quoting National Golf Foundation figures.We are frequently a... 10/09/2019

Will this be the year you buy a brand-new home? Don’t be discouraged by news reports claiming that “U.S. home building fell,” or “housing starts dropped.”The scary-sounding numbers are due to a drop in multi-family home building, not single-family.In fact, the single-family home construction market across the country is set to be just fine, with a surge in new building permits late this summer.Moving into a newly-built home is a lot like the first time you sit behind the wheel of a new car, but on steroids. No stinky smells from whatever it was the previous occupant was cooking, no greasy range hood and walls, no dinged-up baseboards – everything is new and pristine.While these aspects may make you starry-eyed, there’s reality to contend with as well. Today we share with you some things... 10/08/2019

Round Rock Texas - Not in MLS. Occupied Bank-Owned Foreclosure being sold As-Is with a $100,000 minimum bank bid in Tereavista subdivision in Round Rock Texas. Similar homes in this subdivision can sell as high as $337,000. 2018 Tax Value is $320,808. This is a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 3 car garage, 2-Story home with 3 living areas, and 2,783 square feet, on a 0.189-Acre lot. The home was built in 2003 by MHI Homes. Slab foundation. This is an Occupied Bank-Owned REO property. Feeds into high demand Round Rock ISD schools. Buyer must verify all information. Information provided is based on public records. Taxes are currently $7,896 per year. HOA is $62 per month. Community amenities include pools, trails, and a Golf course.  Three living areas including a den, family room and game room. Lar... 09/21/2019

 The best part of moving into a new community is knowing you have access to what makes a community great. Teravista is the New Heart of Round Rock Texas. A master planned community that features the very best ammenities: hiking and biking trails, community pools, workout centers, a professional golf course, catch and release ponds and great schools. Entering and exiting the neighborhood through front and back doors make it easy to avoid traffic problems. Situated between the I-35 and the 130 gives you two great choices for access to Austins downtown.Teravista is just blocks from Round Rock Premimum Outlets, great food, groceries, banking, hospitals and so much more. Yet, when you drive into the community you feel you are miles away from everything living on your own private ranch.  08/26/2019

711 Chisholm Valley DR, Round Rock, TX 78681 Stunning fully updated/remodeled home in Central Round Rock! Designer features include new flooring throughout, painted garage flooring with tons of built in storage. Updated bathrooms and a bright and cheerful kitchen, dining and living. Home backs to a park with a large backyard and covered patio. Welcome home! First showings available at open house on Saturday 7/6/19. Amanda Seaman650-743-9213The Ben Kinney Team / Keller Williams 07/05/2019

Round Rock Texas - VA Owned Foreclosure built in 2015 being sold As-Is with a $279,000 list price in Siena subdivision in Round Rock Texas. Similar homes and floor plans in this subdivision can sell as high as $373,000. This is a 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 2 car garage, 2-Story home with 2,915 square feet, on a 0.16-Acre lot. The home was built in 2015 by Saratoga Homes. This is VA-Owned REO property being sold As-Is. Feeds into high demand Hutto ISD schools. Buyer must verify all information. Information provided is based on public records. Taxes are currently $9,644 per year. HOA fees are currently $75 per quarter. Siena Master Community, Inc. is a new development located in Round Rock Texas.  Amenities include a swimming pool, basketball court, soccer field, two parks, and walking/hike and... 04/17/2019

Round Rock Texas - Occupied Bank-Owned Foreclosure being sold As-Is with an $87,500 minimum bank bid in Stoney Brook subdivision in Round Rock Texas. Similar homes in this subdivision can sell as high as $277,000. 2018 Tax Value is $253,546. This is a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage, 2-Story home with 2,674 square feet, on a 0.184-Acre lot. The home was built in 2006 by Gehan Homes. Slab foundation. This is an Occupied Bank-Owned REO property. Feeds into high demand Round Rock ISD schools. Buyer must verify all information. Information provided is based on public records. Taxes are currently $5,853 per year. We have a comprehensive Realist property report for this home which includes the CoreLogic Automated Valuation. We are happy to email this report to you. Occupied Foreclosure 4-Be... 03/05/2019

Round Rock Texas - Bank-Owned Foreclosure being sold As-Is with a $175,500 list price in Jester Farms subdivision in the 78664 zip code. Similar homes in this area have recently sold as high as $240,000. This is a 4 bedroom, 2 baths, 2 car garage, 1-Story home with 1,682 square feet, on a 0.133-acre lot. Built 1999 by DR Horton. Slab foundation. This is a Bank-Owned REO property. The home feeds into high demand Round Rock ISD schools. Buyer must verify all information. Information provided is based on public records. HOA fees are $45 per month. Taxes are currently $4,842 per year. Sold As-Is. Seller is Bank of New York Mellon. We have a comprehensive Realist property report for this home which includes the CoreLogic Automated Valuation. We are happy to email this report to you. 4-Bedroo... 02/24/2019

  Round Rock Texas - HUD Owned Home being sold As-Is with a $185,000 list price in the Meadows at Chandler Creek subdivision in the 78664 zip code. Similar homes in this area have recently sold as high as $240,000. This is a 3 bedroom, 2 baths, 2 car garage, 1-Story home with 1277 square feet, on a huge 0.289-Acre lot approx 78' by 170'. Lots of this size are unusual in this area. Built in the year 1996 by Wilshire Homes. Slab foundation. This is a HUD-Owned REO property. The home feeds into high demand Round Rock ISD schools. Buyer must verify all information. Information provided is based on public records. HOA fees are $300 per year. Taxes are currently $4689 per year. Sold As-Is. We have a comprehensive Realist property report for this home which includes the CoreLogic Automated Val... 02/20/2019

 Round Rock Texas - Not in MLS. Bank Owned occupied Foreclosure being sold As-Is with a $55,000 minimum bank bid in Round Rock Texas in Chisolm Valley subdivision in high demand West Round Rock in the 78681 zip code. Similar homes in this area have recently sold as high as $243,100. The 2018 Tax Value was $200,062. This is a 3 bedroom, 2 baths, 2 car garage, 1-Story home with 1400 square feet, on a 0.168-acre lot. Built 1976. Slab foundation. This is a Bank-Owned occupied REO property. The home feeds into high demand Round Rock ISD schools. Buyer must verify all information. Information provided is based on public records. No HOA fees. Taxes are currently $4569 per year. Sold As-Is. Not in MLS. We have a comprehensive Realist property report for this home which includes the CoreLogic Au... 02/18/2019

Well, that was quick!  I listed this beautiful home on Thursday, and almost immediately, we had multiple offers.  Last night, I took all of the offers and put them on a spreadsheet.  I ran netsheets for each offer and simplified the terms into an easy to interpret spreadsheet for my clients.  They chose the offer they liked best, and now we are officially under contract! The beautifully maintained single story home in Cat Hollow features an open floor plan with an abundance of natural light.  A marble tiled entry leads you into the living room with Pergo floors, a gas fireplace and three large arched windows. In the kitchen, natural light shines through the skylights reflecting off the granite counters and enhancing the antique painted cabinets.  There is a granite bar top, and a nice-s... 02/11/2019

Are you in the mood for some delicious seafood this weekend? Looking for a causal atmosphere and a great dining experience? My recommendation for this week-end is one you need take me up on. This restaurant in nearby Round Rock is sure to answer your cravings so make plans and enjoy!     SALT TRADERS COASTAL COOKING         https://salttraderscc.com/Salt Traders Coastal Cooking is a sister restaurant to Jack Allen's Kitchen, a very popular restaurant in Austin and Round Rock, so you know it has to be more than good!  Travels to the coast have inspired the food, the interior and the drinks of the restaurant. The menu has been shaped by the unforgettable meals eaten by the sea from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast and to the Bahamas. The restaurant is centered around seafood coastal cooki... 01/18/2019

Round Rock Texas - Not in MLS. Bank Owned Foreclosure being sold As-Is with a $60,000 minimum bank bid in West Round Rock Texas in Sam Bass Trails subdivision in the very high demand zip code of 78681. Similar homes in this subdivision have recently sold as high as $220,000. The 2018 Tax Value is $193,598. This is a 3 bedroom, 2 baths, 2 car garage, 1-Story home with 1405 square feet, on a 0.125-acre corner lot on the high demand west side of I35. Built in 1992. Slab foundation. This is a Bank-Owned REO property. The home feeds into very high demand Round Rock ISD schools (Round Rock High, Walsh Middle School, and Old Town Elementary). Buyer must verify all information. Information provided is based on public records. No HOA fees. Taxes are currently $4117 per year. The Seller is JP Mor... 01/15/2019

 Round Rock Texas - Not in MLS. Bank Owned Foreclosure being sold As-Is with a $67,500 minimum bank bid in Round Rock Texas in Meadows at Chandler Creek subdivision. Similar homes in this area have recently sold as high as $223,500. The 2018 Tax Value is $202,963. This is a 3 bedroom, 2 baths, 2 car garage, 1-Story home with 1281 square feet, on a 0.14-acre corner lot. Built in 1999. Slab foundation. This is a Bank-Owned REO property. The home feeds into high demand Round Rock ISD schools. Buyer must verify all information. Information provided is based on public records. HOA fees are $420 per year. Taxes are currently $4984 per year. The Seller is PennyMac Loan Services. This property is not in MLS currently.Community Amenities include a Jogging/Biking Path, Park and Play Ground, Tenni... 12/22/2018

Round Rock Texas - VA (Veterans Administration) Foreclosure being sold As-Is with a $349,900 list price in Round Rock Texas in Teravista subdivision. Similar homes in this area have recently sold as high as $548,000. This is a 5 bedroom plus Study plus Media Room plus Gameroom with wet bar, 3.5 baths, 3 car garage, 2-Story home with 4,202 square feet, on an oversized 0.189-acre corner lot with mature trees. Built 2005 by Meritage Homes. High ceilings. Fireplace. This is VA-Owned REO property. The home feeds into high demand Round Rock ISD schools. Buyer must verify all information. Information provided is based on public records. HOA fees are $58 per month. Taxes are currently $10,431 per year. Seller is Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Community Amenities include a Club House, Fitness Ce... 12/03/2018

1506 Jackie Robinson PL, Round Rock, TX, 78665 Great single story home, perfect for a large family. Great neighborhood and very well kept! Includes water softener. APPLICATION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE! Memo Guerra 512-574-0920The Ben Kinney Team / Keller Williams 11/27/2018