Things To Consider When Buying A New Home —

Jul 21

With the Austin housing market booming and showing no signs of slowing down, we’ve been receiving so many questions about the home buying process.

We invited our friend Leah Petri, real estate agent of the very well-established Gottesman Residential to weigh in with her expertise as a long standing real estate professional in our Austin community.

Turnstyle and Gottesman are both boutique firms that cater to a highly customized client approach. So, we felt some of our long-standing insights might be helpful. Here are our answers to your FAQs as a guide to help you through the home buying process.

x Lieve Saether

Photo: Turnstyle Design, Tarrytown Project

HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT PROPERTY FOR ME / MY FAMILY?

Leah Petri (Gottesman Residential):

There are so many factors that go into the decision of choosing the right home. I advise my clients to reflect: what is pushing you to make this move? Are you concerned with a property that feeds to highly-rated schools? Do you wish for it to feel like a neighborhood and community or be more private and tucked away? Do you wish for a shorter commute time to your office or do you work from home and therefore need a fantastic home office? What functional characteristics of a home will best align with your lifestyle and your family needs? Are you willing to do structural or cosmetic work or is a move-in ready more to taste?

Once I hone in on the top priorities my clients are searching for, we can take it further and sort out properties that may or may not be a good fit based on things like style and design, and personality of the neighborhood and unearth both on and pre-market opportunities.

I am also able to share insight with my clients regarding resale value and encourage them to consider their long-term goals when purchasing a property. At the end of the day, I want to find my clients a killer home that fits their needs while also enjoying property appreciation and putting their money to work. I think this is definitely an important point for all buyers to take into account.

Lieve Saether (Turnstyle Design):

It’s often a big leap to finally point yourself to buying a home. By the time you are ready, you are often driven by the desire to realize what you envision your life to look like and see it in the everyday. To find the right property, you therefore have to take the time to ask yourself some big questions. I like to think of them as a layered approach. So, sit down with yourself or with your family, and ask yourself questions in these three tiers. And as a reminder, try not to rush the process, it’s an impactful decision that deserves your full attention where possible.

· Big picture / high level — What lifestyle do I aspire to realize with this home? What dreams do I want to come through when I imagine my everyday life in this house?

· Middle view — Next consider what functions you would love in your home. Perhaps your current home is missing areas or components that create frustration. This is the time to be practical, to really drill down to what is going to make your daily life easier.

· Immediately instinctual — Lastly, as you visit various homes, go into each one highly considerate of your intuition. When you find the right home, you’ll know – it’s a feeling that suddenly fits.

Photo: Leah’s Listing with Gottesman Residential

Photo: Turnstyle Design Renovation, Lake Austin Retreat

WHAT ARE THE TOP FIVE (DESIGN) ELEMENTS ONE SHOULD ASSESS WHEN PURCHASING A HOME?

Leah Petri (Gottesman Residential):

Location, Floor-plan, Character, Architecture, Functionality

Location can mean a variety of things, neighborhood-style, the home's positioning on the lot, how the topography affects its develop-ability and usability. The floor-plan should flow and fit the buyer’s needs. If the home has strong bones, then it is relatively easy and inexpensive to change the cosmetics to suit an individual’s style. Character is another important factor: the home’s details should speak to you and spark curiosity. There are a lot of very “vanilla” new builds and resale homes in this market, but I find my clients will pay a premium for a home with strong architectural style, natural light, and interesting well thought out details. Buyers are savvy in this market and are looking for a home that showcases their unique personalities and styles. Finally, the home should be functional for everyday life.

Lieve Saether (Turnstyle Design):

1.Solidity

2. Architecture

3. Detail

4. Care

5. Legacy

My top five, without question. Whichever home you are considering, it’s of the utmost importance that it feels sturdy in its build. Architecture and detail should also be done well and should immediately appeal to you. Something ought to pique your interest as soon as you walk in. You’d be amazed what details – small or large – will stand out.

Care and legacy are often underestimated, but they really shouldn’t be. You’ll most often be happier in a home that was previously well-cared for and where you feel connected in some way (even if only perceived) to the story of the previous homeowner. This is the first step in finding the soul in a home.

AT WHAT POINT IN THE HOME BUYING PROCESS SHOULD I ENGAGE WITH A REALTOR & INTERIOR DESIGNER?

Leah Petri (Gottesman Residential):

These days there are many online tools that clients will typically shop for prior to engaging with a realtor. The feedback I get from my clients is that the photos may or may not properly convey all things about the property and area. My goal is to help my clients get up to speed on all things Austin and in their desired area efficiently. In order to help them do that, it is important for them to engage with me early. I advise my clients to bring in a designer as soon as they narrow down on a few homes or within their option period if possible. I partner with several designers, contractors, handymen, inspectors, attorneys, and specialists. The importance of a strong extended team of well-vetted partners that will act quickly cannot be underestimated in this hyper-competitive market. It can be incredibly beneficial to walk through a property with a professional designer, architect, or contractor to help clients gain a “vision” for what the space could offer (or not offer!). Having this guidance early on can also benefit a client’s budget and give them a better understanding of the cost associated with a particular design goal and ward off “surprise” costs downstream.

Lieve Saether (Turnstyle Design):

In our experience at Turnstyle, you can never involve a designer too early. The right designer understands who you are and what you want your goals to be. Your interior designer is there as your guide. They help you see the potential of a property all the way through, serving as a healthy ‘other’ point of view to your architect or builder.

We think very clearly about the end-game of everyday living. We often work with clients and their experienced realtors to quickly understand the potential of a prospective home. The more professional tools you have in your arsenal, the more you’ll have answers to questions you might not even have thought of.

Photo: Turnstyle Design Turnkey Project, Breakfast nook with a view

WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS I CAN DO TO MY NEW HOME TO INCREASE THE RESALE VALUE?

Leah Petri (Gottesman Residential):

This may be obvious, but the first step began when the home was purchased. Properties with high resale offer favorable location, a generous and/or usable lot, and appealing architecture or “bones.” Buyers will pay a premium for something that can not be easily replicated or replaced. In 2020 and 2021 especially, shoppers sought out lovely outdoor living spaces, home offices or gyms, swimming pools, and a large yard for kids to gather and play in the midst of a time when we were all staying home. My clients that invested in these types of add-on projects or converted living spaces into more of an open concept will have a higher chance of reaching increased resale value.

Additionally, it is especially important to practice home maintenance and have large ticket items - like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc. - serviced regularly and in working order. Lastly, never underestimate the impact of fresh paint, a clean home and windows, and professional landscaping. Investing in these types of “make ready” expenses can do wonders for curb appeal and offer shoppers a sense of ease and comfort that this home has been well cared for. As always spending money on kitchens and bathrooms will pay off if done tastefully.

Photo: Turnstyle Design Turnkey Renovation

WHAT IF I AM NOT WELL VERSED IN THE HOME’S STYLE OR HISTORY, BUT WANT TO STAY TRUE TO ITS DESIGN WITH ANY RENOVATIONS & UPDATES I MAKE?

Lieve Saether (Turnstyle Design):

That’s where the right expertise comes in. My philosophy as a designer has always been that the real process of design is about education. By helping you articulate what you might not otherwise be able to, I am able to connect you to the benefits of quality over quantity, ensuring a ‘right’ long-term fit.

This safeguards that any updates or renovations borrow from the home’s intended architecture, all the while allowing for new progress to fit your current lifestyle and truly make the most of your budget.

Like with your realtor, working with the right designer is a fun process. I can confirm, it’ll open you up to some wonderful experiences!

Photo: Turnstyle Design Turnkey Project, Architectural Home

WHAT ARE THE CRUCIAL ASPECTS OF A HOME THAT MAKE IT EXTRAORDINARY?

Leah Petri (Gottesman Residential):

An extraordinary home happens, in my opinion, when your design goals and unique personality effortlessly combine with the defined function and purpose you seek in your home. The style and design is one-of-a-kind and speaks to you and brings you and your family joy every single day, however, it should also be done in a way that is timeless and not TOO custom, meaning will resell well to a large variety of people. Over-decorated or customized homes don’t tend to resell as well. There is a fine line between well done and overdone.

Lieve Saether (Turnstyle Design):

Some of the things I mention above really come to mind here, but again it’s about finding or creating the potential in a home that will make it yours and no one else’s. You’ll know a designer is well matched with you because they can either see a connective component to you in the home you are considering, or alternatively they are there to make it personal to you. Beyond smartly looking at market comps, try to ignore what is happening next door at all costs. This is your home, and your goal is to live the life that best suits your dreams.