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Can’t Miss Annual Events Around Austin + Georgetown for 2019

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Vibrant and bustling, Austin is full of great events year-round. For those who like to plan, here is a look at some can’t miss annual events – with their 2019 dates (if it was available) – around Austin and Georgetown for 2019:

Can't miss annual events

Can’t Miss Annual Events – Austin

February

Carnaval Brasileiro
February 9, 2019
Emo’s – 2015 E Riverside Drive, Austin

Austin Marathon
February 17, 2019
Downtown Austin

March

South by Southwest
March 8-16, 2019
Downtown Austin

Rodeo Austin
March 16-30, 2019
9100 Decker Lake Road
Tickets now on sale

ABC Zilker Kite Festival
March 31, 2019
Zilker Park

April

Austin Food + Wine Festival
April 26-28, 2019
Auditorium Shores/Fair Market

Austin Reggae Fest
April 19-21, 2019
Auditorium Shores

Dragon Boat Festival
April 27-28, 2019
Festival Beach, Lady Bird Lake

Moontower Comedy Festival
April 24-27, 2019
Paramount Theatre Austin

May

Lone Star Jam
9100 Decker Lake Road

June

ROT Rally
June 13-16, 2019
All over Austin

July

Austin 4th of July Symphony and Fireworks
July 4, 2019
Vic Mathias Shores

August

The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival

Austin Ice Cream Festival
Fiesta Gardens

Bat Fest ATX
August 24, 2019
Congress Avenue Bridge

September

Austin Pride Festival & Parade

Fantastic Fest
September 19-26, 2019

Old Pecan Street Festival
September 21-22, 2019
East Sixth Street

Texas Craft Brewers Festival
Fiesta Gardens 

October

Austin City Limits
October 4-13, 2019
Zilker Park

Austin Film Festival
October 24-31

November

Austin Celtic Festival
November 2-3, 2019
Pioneer Farms

Texas Book Festival
State Capitol Building in Austin

December

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Palmer Events Center

Austin Trail of Lights
Zilker Park

 

Can’t Miss Annual Events – Georgetown

First Fridays on the Square
Georgetown Town Square
First Friday of each month

Second Saturday Market Days & Concerts
Georgetown Square
Second Saturday from March through November

March

Georgetown Swirl
Georgetown Square
Early March

April

Red Poppy Festival
Courthouse Square
Late April

June

Music on the Square Summer Concerts
Georgetown Town Square
Every Friday in June, July and August

September

Georgetown Wine & Music Festival
Georgetown Town Square
Late September

November

Lighting of the Square
Georgetown Town Square
Friday after Thanksgiving

December

Christmas Stroll
Downtown Georgetown
Early December

 

The fun never stops in and around the Austin-area! For additional events and festivals, give us a call. We would be happy to help you find something you’ll enjoy!

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Buying a Home? Watch Out for These Neighborhood Red Flags

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Buying a home is exciting, there’s no doubt about that! However, before you place an offer, you should take a deeper look at the neighborhood. What signs tell you a neighborhood isn’t the best? Watch out for these neighborhood red flags – you’ll be glad you did when it comes time to sell:

7 Neighborhood Red Flags

First, let’s focus on the actual neighborhood.

Too many homes are on the market
Take a drive around the neighborhood. Do you see a lot of “for sale” signs? If so, forget this neighborhood and move on. Neighborhoods with tons of “for sale” signs may point to illiquidity in the market and pricing pressure, which can be a risk for buyers. However, that isn’t always the case. Some families may be looking to cash in on rising home values. Others may be downsizing. Talk to your REALTOR® to try and get the real story!

There’s no available parking
Whether you are looking downtown or in a suburb, parking is a definite concern. While you may have a garage, there may not be space for guests. With that in mind, take a look around to see if there is street parking. There is nothing more frustrating than not having a spot for your friends and family to park.

Homes look too similar
Ever hear of a cookie-cutter neighborhood? These homes all look very similar. The homes looking similar isn’t the issue. The issue is whether or not you see some differentiating factors: decorative wreaths, garden art, etc. If every home looks exactly the same, the homeowner’s association may be too restrictive. This lack of creative freedom may not drive you crazy in the beginning, but the control could be too much to handle down the road.

Next door homes aren’t well-maintained
The condition of surrounding homes can be detrimental to the value of a home. Drive around and look at the properties to get a feel for how the neighbors take care of their property. If the neighborhood looks run down, it may not be a great place to buy.

Now, let’s take a look at some aspects surrounding the neighborhood.

It’s in an industrial area
Industrial areas are not very appealing. Take a drive around the surrounding areas of the neighborhood and look for strip malls, restaurants, boutiques and more. These nearby amenities are great for you when you own the home, and even better when it comes time to sell.

There are lots of empty storefronts nearby
Don’t simply look for storefronts, look to see if they are busy. Busy is a sign of a great area while vacant storefronts signal an area in decline.

Fewer students enrolling in the school district
Even if you don’t have kids, the school district matters. The sign of a great school district and area is an increasing or steady enrollment of students. Shrinking class sizes are a red flag and signal the school may not be a great option for your children.

Bottom line? Take a drive around the neighborhood and think about the home’s resale value before you buy. The above neighborhood red flags could be detrimental to your investment.

Do you have any questions about buying in the Central Texas area? Consider us your local resource!

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The Rundown | Local Impacts in Georgetown & Round Rock: Winter 2018

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As Central Texas grows, so too do the number of businesses and establishments. In an effort to help you keep up, we have decided to compile a seasonal rundown of what’s new and what’s coming soon to Georgetown and Round Rock. With that in mind, here is your winter 2018 rundown:

Now Open

Georgetown                                                    

OoLaLa
Location: 714 S. Austin Ave. – Georgetown Square
A Salado-based gift shop and clothing boutique.

Greenhouse Craft Food
Location: 708 S. Austin Ave. – Georgetown Square
A local farm-to-table restaurant serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch as well as beer and wine. Georgetown’s location features the small menu as Round Rock along with a few unique dishes like crispy smoked ribs, brisket enchiladas and smoked meatloaf.

All Things New
Location: 823 S. Austin Ave. – Georgetown Square
A flower shop offering everything from flower arrangements to plants, antiques, gifts and home décor.

1984 American Shaman
Location: 3415 Williams Drive, Georgetown
A CBD oil store offering ultra-concentrated hemp oils that work to support and bring relief to the body and mind.

Urban Cottage Home and Gift
Location: 1110 Williams Drive
A local business selling home décor, gift items, apparel and refurbished vintage furniture and antiques.

Round Rock

Board & Brush Creative Studio
Location: 1700 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Suite 470
A DIY workshop to create personalized wood signs, trays and boxes.

Attic Salt
Location: 4401 N. I-35 – Round Rock Premium Outlets
A national retain chain selling dresses, T-shirts, jewelry, accessories and more.

Lupe Tortilla
Location: 240 Bass Pro Drive
Mexican eatery, Lupe Tortilla, offers a menu full of seafood, fajitas, margaritas and more!

Dogtopia
Location: 1500 S. A.W. Grimes Blvd., Suite 150
Calling all dog lovers! Dogtopia offers dog day care, boarding and a spa facility! Basically, it’s your one-stop shop for your fur baby.

Liberty Barbecue
Location: 103 E. Main Street
Located in downtown Round Rock, Liberty Barbecue serves up barbecue, flatbreads and a full bar.

Subzero Nitrogen Ice Cream
Location: 200 University Blvd., Suite 630
Head out to Subzero Nitrogen Ice Cream for a variety of flavors and toppings to instantly freeze for a denser, creamier ice cream.

Coming Soon

Zoes Kitchen
Location: 1201 W. University Ave. Suite 105
Wolf Ranch Town Center is going to get a new addition in January: Zoes Kitchen. The Mediterranean fast-casual chain offers falafel, kabobs, Moroccan citrus roasted chicken and more!

Clearly Eye Care
Location: 1900 University Blvd., Suite 200
Searching for a new eye doctor? Clearly Eye Care is expected to open before the end of the year and offer contact lens fitting, allergy and dry eye treatments, pediatric exams and diagnostics and treatment for some ocular diseases.

Wayback Burgers
Location: 1900 University Blvd., Suite 103
Sometimes, nothing is better than a burger, fries and a milkshake! Before the end of this year, Wayback Burgers will open and offer a menu full of burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, milkshakes and more.

Gino’s Vino Osteria
Location: 1400 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Suite 200
Gino’s Vino Osterio, an Italian eatery with a location in Austin, is expected to open its second location in Round Rock in February of 2019.

Note: this list is not comprehensive.

Stay tuned for the next edition of the rundown, coming March 2019.

Do you have any questions about the Central Texas region? Give our team a call! We would be happy to answer any questions you have!

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Winter Home Staging Tips That Work Wonders

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While a winter home sale isn’t usually recommended, it is sometimes necessary. And, with a little preparation and some home staging, you could sell your home quick for top-dollar value! How can you increase your home’s appearance this winter? These winter home staging tips work wonders:

winter home staging tips

Curb appeal
Rake the leaves and add a fresh coat of paint to the exterior. Keeping up with the exterior shows buyers the home has been well-maintained and is in good condition.

Turn up the heat
To save money, many homeowners set their thermostat in the 60s during the winter months. However, that is not a good plan when selling your home. Turn up the heat to the 70s to make buyers feel like they’re right at home.

Fire up the fireplace
There’s nothing better than a fire during the damp and cold winter months. With that in mind, fire up your fireplace during home showings – only with your agent’ supervision, of course!

Add seasonal scents
From peppermint to cranberries and fresh balsam, the winter season is full of enticing and welcoming scents. When your home is on the market, bring the scents of the season to life in your home by mulling seasonal spices on the stove, baking fresh holiday cookies, lighting seasonal candles and more.

Add tasteful holiday decor
While you don’t want to go overboard, it isn’t a bad idea to add some holiday decor. Professionals recommend a big wreath on the front door, candles (electric or battery-operated) in the windows and other tasteful items. Try to avoid blow-up decorations or anything too over-the-top.

These winter home staging tips will work for a winter home sale or simply a holiday get-together. No matter the situation, they will help your home look and smell great!

Are you considering selling your home in the coming month? Give our team a call. We are always available to help!

 

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The Power of 4 Team Gives Back to Brookwood in Georgetown

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‘Tis the season for giving – thanks for those you have in your life and back to those in your community! As stewards of the community, we believe giving back is the cornerstone to good business and relationships and that is why we donate a portion from each of our sales transactions to the charity or nonprofit of our client’s choice. With that being said, we would like to share with you a Georgetown nonprofit near and dear to our hearts: Brookwood in Georgetown!

Brookwood in Georgetown – also known as BIG – is a working program for adults with special needs. This truly amazing organization has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years, proving that this program is so needed and has helped SO many families in our community.

Every year, The Power of 4 team sponsors a “citizen” of BiG and this year we are sponsoring Kelsey. She is a darling person whose life has been completely transformed by this program. She now has a life of purpose, has made many friends and has confidence she never had before. Kelsey’s parents moved here from Port Aransas in 2014 just so she could be a part of this inspiring program. They believe so much in the power of BiG that they uprooted their lives, found new jobs and moved their family to Georgetown.

If you would like to help us and make a donation of any size to “Team Kelsey” we would be ever so grateful! You can click here to make an online donation or if you prefer to write a check please let us know and one of our team members will be happy to pick it up. Our fundraising goal for Team Kelsey is $10,000.00 and any help you can provide to help us reach this goal is much appreciated!

Over our seven years together as a team, we have donated more than $10,0000.00 from our commissions to this amazing non-profit and, having seen the power of BiG at work in our community, we plan to continue for years to come. Please check out Brookwood in Georgetown (BiG) on Facebook or at www.brookwoodingeorgetown.org.

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Christmas Tree Farms in Austin, TX

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Do you love that fresh pine smell of a live Christmas tree? We couldn’t agree more – there is no better smell during the holidays. And, while you can get that smell with a candle, Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without heading out to a farm with your family to pick out your Christmas tree! With that in mind, here is a look at some of the best Christmas tree farms around the greater Austin-area:

Christmas tree farms

Christmas Tree Farms

Cross Plants and Produce
705 North Old Highway 81, Kyle
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays

Evergreen Farms
242 Monkey Road, Elgin
Hours: Monday through Friday from 12 to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

The Robinson Family Farm
3780 White Owl Lane, Temple
Hours: Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Elgin Christmas Tree Farm
120 Natures Way, Elgin
Hours: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5:30 p.m.

Tree Lots

Papa Noel Trees
Various locations around the Austin-area. Visit the website for more information.
Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Christmas Tree Lots at The Home Depot
Various locations around the Austin-area. Visit the website for more information.
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

 

We wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season!

Do you have any questions about Austin and its surrounding areas? Contact our team today! We are always available to help those in our community.

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The Hottest Austin Restaurants: Fall 2018

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Austin’s restaurant scene is constantly evolving. With Austin restaurants opening and closing on nearly a daily basis, it is often hard to know where to head for a night out or where to take out-of-town guests. With that in mind, here is a look at some of the hottest Austin restaurants this fall. Some of these eateries are new, while others are classic Austin favorites:

Austin restaurants

Photo courtesy: Bonchon Chicken Instagram

Bonchon Chicken
Location: 2800 S. Interstate 35 #120, Round Rock
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Nervous Charlie’s
Location: 5501 N. Lamar Street, Austin
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Mondays

Home Slice Pizza
Location: 501 E. 53rd Street, Austin
Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight

Bird Bird Biscuit
Location: 2701 Manor Road, Austin
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed on Mondays

Sour Duck Market
Location: 1241, 1814 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin
Hours: Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

40 North
Location: 900 W. 10th Street, Austin
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum
Location: 1203 W. 6th Street, Austin
Hours:
Sunday
Dim Sum Brunch: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dinner: 5 to 10 p.m.

Monday – Thursday
Lunch: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dinner: 5 to 10 p.m.

Friday
Lunch: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dinner: 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Saturday
Dinner: 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Better Half Coffee + Cocktails
Location: 406 Walsh Street, Austin

She’s Not Here
Location: 440 W. 2nd Street, Austin
Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

La Volpe
Location: 201 Brazos Street, Bldg. B, Austin
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. Closed on Sundays and Mondays

Suerte
Location: 1800 E. 6th Street, Austin
Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m.

Last Straw
Location: 1914 E. 6th Street, Suite C, Austin
Hours: Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Anthem
Location: 91 Rainey Street, Austin
Hours: Open every day from 11 a.m. to close

The Brewer’s Table
Location: 4715 E. 5th Street, Austin
Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Loro
Location: 4921, 2115 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin
Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Switch
Location: 166 Hargraves Street, Austin
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed on Mondays

Are you looking for a great eatery closer to Georgetown or Round Rock? Maybe some additional Austin restaurants? Give our team a call. We have tons of great recommendations!

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color palette

7 Design Tricks to Choose the Perfect Color Palette

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Choosing the right color palette is essential to the overall look and feel of your home. Blue is relaxing; purple is elegant; gray is timeless; etc. But, how do you know what colors will look good together? What color palette will make your home shine? It turns out; it isn’t too difficult to pick the perfect color palette. Here are some design tricks that should help you choose:

color palette

Focus on a Pattern
Is there a large pattern you absolutely love? Pluck colors from it. This way, you know that large piece will fit into the new color scheme. For the walls, focus on the patterns neutral colors (whites and beiges).

Decorate Vertically
As you go up in the room, the colors should lighten. Darker colors should be used for the floor, medium tones for the walls and light values for the ceiling. Basically, think about replicating what you see outside.

Formal First
Start by choosing a color scheme for the living room, dining room and entryway of the house. From here, pull a color, tone it down and use it as an accent in other rooms.

Always Use the Color Wheel
The color wheel always comes in handy. For private spaces, stick to the color wheel and focus on analogous color schemes – colors next to each other on the wheel. Blue and green are generally more casual and relaxing and work great in a bedroom.

Look at Your Wardrobe
Your wardrobe can say a lot about yourself. But, did you know it also shows what colors you like and feel best in? Consider taking a look at your clothes and incorporating some of the popular colors into your home design.

Go Gray
Today’s trendiest neutral is gray. With that in mind, consider incorporating it into your design space. Gray can feel either warm or cool depending on what other colors you pair it with.

60-30-10
Always follow the rule: 60-30-10. What are we talking about? In general, you should divide the colors into three components: 60 percent of a dominant color (walls), 30 percent of a secondary color (upholstery) and 10 percent of an accent color (accessories.

Do you have any questions about selecting a color palette for your home? Call us anytime. We are always available to lend a helping hand!

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Fall in Williamson County

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Fall is a great time of year in the Williamson County area! What events can you enjoy this fall? From pumpkin patches to Georgetown Town Square events, here is a look at some of the best events to enjoy fall to the fullest in the Williamson County area:

Williamson County

Tuesdays from Sept. 11 – Oct. 16
Games on Main
Downtown Round Rock

Weekends from Sept. 22 – Nov. 4
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm Fall Festival
Sweet Eats – 14400 E. State Highway 29

October

Oct. 1-31
Texas Wine Month Trail
Texas Hill Country

Oct. 5-6
Round Rock Chalk Walk
Downtown Round Rock

Oct. 7
Oktoberfest
Bluebonnet Beer Co.

Oct. 12-13 & 19-20
Nightmare on Jail Hill Haunted House
Historic Williamson County Jail – 312 Main Street

Oct. 12-13 & 26-27
Downtown Ghost Tours
Williamson Museum – 716 S. Austin Ave.

Oct. 20
Hairy Man Festival
Cat Hollow Park

Oct. 20
Cattleman’s Ball
Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center

Oct. 25
Halloween Festival
Georgetown Community Center, San Gabriel Park – 445 E. Morrow Street

Oct. 28
Boo Bash on the Square
Georgetown Town Square

Oct. 28
The United Estates of Texas Win Festival
Florence

Oct. 31
Fall Fun Festival
Old Settler’s Park

November

Nov. 23
Annual Lighting of the Square
Georgetown Town Square

 

Pumpkin Patches

Anderson Mill Pumpkin Patch
11505 Anderson Mill Road, Austin
Open from Sept. 28 until Oct. 31

Texas Big Worm
4625 TX-29, Bertram, TX

NOMAD Ranch
1306 County Road 258, Bertram, TX
Pumpkin patch open from Oct. 12 until Nov. 6

Red Barn Garden Center
12881 Pond Springs Rd., Austin

Sweet Berry Farm
1801 FM 1980, Marble Falls
Pumpkin patch open from Sept. 22 until Nov. 4

Want to know more about Williamson County? Do you have questions about the real estate market? We can help with both! Give The Power of 4 Team a

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Autumn Home Staging Tips

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In real estate, it is often thought that spring and summer reign supreme when it comes to selling your home. However, that may actually be a misconception. In fact, with less competition and a still active market, fall may actually be the better home selling season. How can you make your home stand out from others? Simply upgrade your home’s appeal with these autumn home staging tips:

Autumn Home Staging Tips

Focus on cub appeal
What they say is true, first impressions do matter. So how do you stage your front porch to leave buyers wanting to see more? Think seasonal items: potted mums near the door, a fall-themed wreath, pumpkins and maybe even a fall doormat. Oh, and while falling leaves go with the season, they are not so appealing to homebuyers. Clean them up before any showings.

Think autumn, not Halloween
Pumpkins are appealing. However, leave the Jack-O-Lanterns, spider webs and other Halloween decorations for your next home.

Incorporate seasonal hues
Bring the fall colors in by adding some throw pillows and blankets in seasonal hues. Great fall colors include deep reds, burnt oranges, golden yellows, etc. Think the shades of the changing leaves! But, do make sure they complement any current color scheme.

Warm and cozy
As the weather cools down, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere within your home is even more important. To do this, think comfy throws, blankets, pillows, candles, lamps and more.

Appeal to the senses
Smell is often thought to be the sense most closely linked with memory. With that in mind, try to incorporate scents that trigger happy memories: apple pie, pumpkin spice, cinnamon and more. If you don’t want to bake before every showing, add fall-scented candles, essential oils and potpourri throughout your home.

Dress up the interior
Dress up your home’s décor with some seasonal touches. Great options include clear glass jars filled with candy corn, pumpkins, seasonal flowers, etc. And, with Thanksgiving around the corner, think about setting the dining table for your annual feast. A table runner and fall-themed centerpiece should do the trick. It could leave a potential buyer wanting to host their Thanksgiving get together in your home!

Are you thinking about selling your home this fall? Give our team a call. We would be happy to help you with these autumn home staging tips.

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