HillCoGroup

The Blog

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Want private access to the Guadalupe River this summer?Rare opportunity in the established section of River Crossing!

 Hill Country Living • Private River Park • Corner Lot • Seasonal Creek • Gorgeous Views • Mature Trees • Cleared Build Site

Contact Danielle Crain, Realtor for all the details!

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Last day of "love month" and in honor of that? 

Dear renters, it’s time to move on. No need to shed any tears because this break up will have you jumping into Spring with the smartest fresh start ever! Call today to set up your first date with your dream home.

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What’s in the Kitchen Wednesday

Farm fresh eggs of course. From some of our fave 🐓s, we whip up egg salad for tonight’s dinner.

He has a hard time sharing, but at least his belly is full for 🏀

And let’s be honest - not everyone eats egg salad. Said weirdo resorts to ramen.

⛹🏼 Time for practice ⛹🏼

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Find real estate agent & Realtor® Danielle Crain in San Antonio, TX, on Realtor.com®, your source for top rated real estate professionals

Looking for property? Start here!

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What the prep?!

Sunday’s have been a little different around here lately😊 Weekly meal preps don’t happen until Monday...and if they do, it’s one massive batch of a something yumm.

It’s amazing how far ONE cup of dry quinoa will go. Rinse, season, cook + some veggies + mixitup = days worth of servings.

Today - in between the 🏋🏼 with my lil guy and 🏀 practice with the big, this happened.

*** Not pictured because apparently there’s a lime shortage - 🍈’s. And Queso Fresco because I forgot it racing around #myheb ***

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Come check out this Bulverde hot spot NOW with two locations! Mario's Of NYC offers LIVE music, lounging area's and many different kinds of wine, as well as, bringing a taste of the New York pizza to this side of Texas. Gerry and Mary Gerardo know how to fill your BELLY with their assortment of Italian dishes.

Thank You for watching!!!

If you know someone with a small business that needs to be SPOTLIGHTED contact us [email protected]

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It's still February...the love month! I am loving a LOT of things this month - especially the HOT coffee (or chai tea) that is keeping me warm on these nasty, cold days. 

You know what goes lovely with that fresh cup of Texas Pecan in the morning? A referral. Yep! I LOVE drinking my coffee and pairing it with a conversation with a new client who was referred to me by a past client.

Did you know that HillCoGroup is 100% organic in lead generation?! That’s word-of-mouth only friends! God blessed me with amazing clients and continues to grow this base thru friends and family of these past clients. Continuous blessings come to us in helping the people we’ve grown close to.

Do you have a friend or family member looking to buy or sell their home? We would love to give them a free home consult over a cup of coffee!  You’ll be sure to be invited to the house-warming party :).

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Top Tips for House Hunting Online - and my app!

Use Zillow! Didn’t think I’d say that did you?! 

Hunting for a new home online a is a great place to start your search but keep in mind that you don’t see everything. Real estate agents are great at highlighting the features of a house listing online but to make the most of your time, keep these three things in mind: 

Identify your Housing Needs A house may not have everything you want but it will have most of the things. Be realistic about pricing and keep in mind the must-have items that will definitely be needed because this will help narrow your search. 

Stay up to Date It’s all about “real-time” data in the SA/Hill Country market. Make sure you are using a reliable source. I say browse the stuffins out of Realtor and Zillow - just don’t consider it factual as it’s a heartbreak risk you take when using it as your only source. My app here is tied to our board - the only reliable, real-time source available                                                    HillCoGroup Property Search

Pictures can be Deceiving Photographers capture listings at their best while Realtors have access to the known, sometimes unseen, defects of the home. Contact me for info and disclosures on a home you may be interested in, prior to taking the time to view the home.

Go See The Listing You’ve fallen in love with a home online and your realtor has confirmed the home fits your loan and personal criteria - now it’s time to go view!  

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Easy peasy, not so light, but cheesy

Quick but tasty meal that allowed for 🏋🏼‍♀️gym time, ❤️ box making, 📚 homework and 🏡work-work

Zesty Italian dressing pack • cream cheese • cream o 🐥 soup • garlic sea salt • chicken • pasta (for the Little’s) • coconut oil • parm cheese

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There are secrets with this one! And it’s not just in the upgrades.

My clients recently went under contract on a floor plan similar to this one and I cannot get enough of it.

Master-to-Laundry access: yes there is a secret door connecting the second master closet to the mud room!

Hidden storage everywhere - including the backside of the oversized kitchen island

Incredible use of space with this floor plan.

Not too mention the secret that’s about to blow - this home is in an upcoming “hot spot”. You know what that means?! Resale value😊

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Items to Check before a Home Inspection 

Being a “tidy homeowner” isn’t just a title for those who keep their home looking aesthetically pleasing! As a REALTOR, it’s more about how my homeowners keep up with the “bones” of their home.

There will come a day when it’s time to sell and “tidy home ownership” is key to eliminating the stress of a sale. 

Yes yes yes! A home appealing to the buyers eye is another key on the chain. It’s what they SEE that in turn brings you an offer. However, just getting into escrow because of the homely, organized, “we see our life here” feeling, isn’t the key that seals the deal. 

Even a home meticulously maintained can have hidden issues. The good news is that you can prepare for the home inspection and make sure you pass with flying colors.

Items to Check before a Home Inspection 

 Evidence of water leaks – Garage ceiling, under sinks, around water heaters, etc. Find the source, fix it and any water damaged areas!

 GFCIs – GFCI outlets are required in ALL wet areas

 Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors must be in working order and in every bedroom

 Gutters and Roof – replace any missing roof tiles and clean those gutters 

 HVAC – Older home? Consider a HVAC servicing to replace filters and check for problems 

 Water Heater – is it properly strapped and vented and a pretty pan is in place

 Deferred maintenance – anything that has been neglected should be addressed before the home inspection The best defense is a good offence. This is true in home inspections too! 

There’s plenty more where that comes from. The type of loan your buyers are using will greatly determine the exact condition the home needs to be in. Contact me for a home evaluation to see what you can do to keep your home properly “tidy”! 

Looking to have a pre-listing inspection? In the process of buying a home? Contact Dustin Hall at Priority Inspection Services for a detailed report on your property.

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Our favorite quiche is the crustless kind! - Bahaha. No it’s not. But as I have an admitted, daily struggle with hollowing out the inside of HEB French Bread, I am on a mission to remove all breads from my diet temporarily. My soul loves it - my body hates it. So wrong! So here we are....on a cold, drizzly day...craving some good ol down home cooking and what better way to curb the crave on a school-night than with some crust-less quiche.  

Side note - Quiche keeps! Cook this up in a muffin pan, toss them in a freezer bag and eat on the go throughout the week.

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“My new neighbors just moved in and they just bought that thing for $10 grand less than we paid and they got an oversized covered patio, a kitchen island twice the size of ours and blinds on their windows!” 

This is what I overheard a mom at school pickup telling another parent last week. As social as I am at work, I shy away from submerging myself in other peoples conversations, even when I can tell them exactly WHY their neighbor closed on a new home, right next door, with all the perks they did. I

Have you walked into any of the model homes in one of these MANY new-construction neighborhoods around San Antonio?! There is so much hype with all these new subdivisions and their state of the art amenities that allow for a complete lifestyle right outside your front door. The showrooms in these brand new communities can get one super excited about the prospect of building a home. Your very own home! Maybe you walked in there with intent, but even for Looky-Lou’s it’s hard avoid feeling inspired and curious!

As a new home expert I am here to guide you in ways that you never knew existed.

 Choose the Right Development and the Right Builder – It’s not enough to find your lovely development. Understanding the neighborhood and schools play a big part of home values. With all this new construction surrounding the Greater SA area, what will selling this new home look like in 2 years? 5 years? And one builders advertising may catch your eye, but how is it working with them thru the bulid process? Is the home going to hold up?

 Choose the Right Lot – You might love the corner lot, but having an agent can help you consider resale before you buy. 

 Consider the Cost of Upgrades – Not all upgrades should be handled through the sales office; your agent can help you understand customary costs for upgrades after-closing and how they will compare to your new area - I’m always forward thinking “resale”.

 Contact Negotiation – THE BIGGEST component. Did you know that the price and terms of new construction homes can be negotiated? Did you know that the incentives advertised may not be in your best interest if your mortgage terms/monthly payment are of top concern? Did you know that I spend every week in front of builder reps, building relationships to help negotiate certain terms and incentives?!

 Contact Review – Having an agent will ensure everything is written correctly in the contract. Not only is this my job, but reviewing contracts has been my life! Sidenote - I come from the legal field!

 Home Inspection – Your agent will arrange a professional home inspection.

 Your Agent is Free – All this representation and help, yet the home development pays their commission. New home construction is fun! Take advantage of all the benefits that having your own agent representation brings and let the housing development pay for it. 

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How to Choose a Real Estate Agent 

Real estate agents seem to grow on trees. Everyone can list off a few agents from their cousin to the “nice lady” they talk to at the local coffee shop (and that may have been me!). But choosing the right agent is a critical element to having a successful transaction.

Experience and expertise vary widely from agent to agent, so how can you choose the right person for your needs? 

• Ask for Referrals – Yes, everyone knows an agent, but asking someone with a recent transaction is the best way to find a good agent. 

• Do Your Research – Fortunately the Internet makes it very easy to do some research. Facebook and Zillow reviews are what agents seek for closing reviews. Move around their website and check their license for complaints. 

• Interview Several Options – Conduct a real interview with several agents and see who best fits your style. 

• Ask the Right Questions – The agents should be able to discuss their marketing plan for a home sale and offer their process for home buyers, including lenders, home inspectors and escrow. Remember that the right agent is not always the one who tells you what you want to hear. One of the hardest parts to our job is delivering sensitive facts about someone’s home - I always say, “Numbers don’t lie” - and the value we place on a sellers home might be hard to hear; however, an expert in real estate will be able to tell you, with all factors in consideration, the best price point and plan for your home sale or purchase. Listen carefully for how they answer your questions. Make sure you can work with them and have an “opt out” clause in any contract, just in case.

With all this said, be sure to check out my reviews at both:

Facebook

Zillow

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Hey! My Bulverde/Spring Branch, Canyon Lake and New Braunfels friends...I know where mine is but...

How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day this year? Do you have a go-to date night spot, or will it be a quiet dinner at home? No judgment if you’re going to be eating tacos and some chocolates on the couch :) Comment below.

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“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith...a solid and dependable...hue we can always rely on...” ~ Leatrice Eiseman

2020 Color of the Year....Drum roll please!

Classic and Uncomplicated • Bold but Neutral

Pantone has chosen “Classic Blue” as their color of the year. Bucking the old guidance of using bland, light hues to make rooms look larger, the fresh Classic Blue was chosen to inspire homeowners and designers in 2020. 

Classic Blue is just what it sounds like – classic. I had a series last year themed “Blue&Gold”. While not the color of the year, Blue was already catching my eye. Described as a calming, familiar azure, Classic Blue is a straightforward tone intended to provide a “neutral” backdrop for modern color palates and urban chic styling. It also is fitting for my own personal style of Hill Country Modern. 

If you walk around my home, you’ll see the simple color palate of blue and white displayed. It is a comforting return to more traditional styling and a subtle duo that compliments the Mid-Century and 60s décor that have emerged with a modern twist.

Too bold for your walls? Use Classic Blue within your interior design thru your furniture and accents. Kitchens sport sleek white cabinets combined with subway tile counters or back-splashes. Tone on tone design with urban elements of steel and (what I LOVE) soft wood tones lend themselves to this fresh blue hue. 

“...A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.” ~ Leatrice Eiseman

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Adding window boxes is a quick DIY way to skyrocket your curb appeal. Fresh blooms are always easy on the eyes. What flowers will you place in your new window boxes?!