Brokers Blog

Owning a single-family rental house can be challenging. You must deal with: repairs & paying repairmen, cleaning, utilities, screening tenants, writing leases, Texas Law & the property code, liability issues, door lock rekeys, smoke alarm property codes, correctly withholding the security deposit for tenant-caused damages, pets, assistance animals (there is a difference), collecting rent, meeting tenants, […]

Austin? San Antonio? Houston? Dallas? A better question might be: Where can I find the best buy? Or where can I find the best property manager? Most large Texas cities have good investment opportunities. Find a agent who can find the best properties for you to consider. Compare brand new homes in Texas with resale houses […]

Property managers must be licensed in Texas. Their job is to step into the shoes of the landlord and handle the everyday tasks associated with owning a rental property. This would include coordinating repairs, paying repair personnel, screening applicants who want to rent the property, collecting deposits and rents, ensuring the house meets Texas code, […]

Some people buy a house with the idea of renting it out as an investment. The house will give them a tax deduction, and hopefully increase in value over time. Some people own a house and can’t sell it for whatever reason. They may need to look at renting it out. This situation is called […]

As a landlord, should you accept pets in your rent house?  Pets can do a lot of damage to a house. In Texas, landlords do have the right to say “no pets”. The catch is….. 80% of renters have a pet. If you ban pets, you eliminate 80% of your possible customers/tenants. If you say “no pets” your […]

When charging a previous tenant for damages, it’s important to factor in not just normal wear and tear, but also depreciation—especially for big-ticket items like flooring and paint. Courts typically view the useful life of these items in a rental as 5–7 years. A few years ago, HUD recommended 3 years. At Texcen, we follow […]

As a trusted real estate brokerage in Central Texas, we’ve seen firsthand how rising property taxes can impact homeowners. That’s why we’ve partnered with Ownwell—a company that’s been assisting our family and clients for years—to help you navigate the property tax protest process. Why Protest Your Property Taxes? In Texas, if you believe your property’s […]

Let’s face it—Texas property taxes can be a serious pain. At times, they feel downright unforgiving, especially as we watch rents flatline or even dip in some areas. Meanwhile, operational costs keep rising. One of the biggest culprits affecting your bottom line? Rapidly increasing property taxes. As your investment manager, we’re constantly looking for ways […]

Some people buy a house with the idea of renting it out as an investment. The house will give them a tax deduction, and hopefully increase in value over time. Some people own a house and can’t sell it for whatever reason. They may need to look at renting it out. This situation is called […]

Let’s face it—Texas property taxes can be a serious pain. At times, they feel downright unforgiving, especially as we watch rents flatline or even dip in some areas. Meanwhile, operational costs keep rising. One of the biggest culprits affecting your bottom line? Rapidly increasing property taxes. As your investment manager, we’re constantly looking for ways […]

In the past, sellers were asking why they had to pay buyer’s agents, and buyers wanted a voice in the matter as well.A recent class action lawsuit resulted in a settlement with REALTORS, allowing for more negotiation between buyers, sellers, and their agents regarding commissions. While commissions have always been negotiable, things have changed. Don’t forget, your agent’s experience could […]

Real estate agents normally get paid on commission & split them with other companies & their own company. The agents normally pay their own expenses such as education, licensing, association dues, vehicle, advertising, etc. Agents are independent contractors & pay their own income taxes. Agents can represent the seller, landlord, renter, or the buyer. Builders pay agents to bring […]

Let’s face it—Texas property taxes can be a serious pain. At times, they feel downright unforgiving, especially as we watch rents flatline or even dip in some areas. Meanwhile, operational costs keep rising. One of the biggest culprits affecting your bottom line? Rapidly increasing property taxes. As your investment manager, we’re constantly looking for ways […]

Credit Bureaus track your debts and payment history. Paying your bills late or carrying a lot of debt will lower your credit score.  Paying on time and having less debt will result in higher credit scores. Other factors come into play.  When applying for a home loan, or to rent a home, your credit score […]

Real estate agents normally get paid on commission & split them with other companies & their own company. The agents normally pay their own expenses such as education, licensing, association dues, vehicle, advertising, etc. Agents are independent contractors & pay their own income taxes. Agents can represent the seller, landlord, renter, or the buyer. Builders pay agents to bring […]

Should you DIY or hire a professional? A few things to think about before you decide: #1 Liability. Texas Property Code is the law that dictates what is required from a landlord.  Smoke alarm locations. Door locks. Peepholes. Suppose you don’t follow the law & a fire kills a child. #2 Screening tenants. Bad tenants […]

Do you want all your security deposit back when you move out? It can happen with proper documentation. Carefully record the move-in condition; including photos. Texcen Realty will send you an invite to get a free app that helps you take photos & notes. Take your time & don’t miss anything. We want to return all […]

Mold is caused by water/humidity over time in a warm or dark area. Mold is everywhere. Inside a house & outside a house. Mold is a type of fungus. Mushrooms are a type of fungus.  Only 80 out of 100,000 types of mold are harmful. Mold can affect your allergies.  You should periodically look under sinks & […]

Do you use a clothes washing machine in your house? If yes, you need to replace the hoses periodically. Replace both the hot water side & the cold water side at least every FIVE YEARS. These are very easy to overlook, but very easy to replace. This is a good time to replace the rubber washers as […]

Steps to getting repairs done at Texcen Realty.  #1 Is it an emergency? If yes, call the office 512-292-0800 and the emergency line 512-577-5890. What is an emergency? Someone’s life or health is at risk. Call 911 if needed. Gas leaks are an emergency & should be reported directly to the gas company by you.  Stay out of the […]

Real estate agents normally get paid on commission & split them with other companies & their own company. The agents normally pay their own expenses such as education, licensing, association dues, vehicle, advertising, etc. Agents are independent contractors & pay their own income taxes. Agents can represent the seller, landlord, renter, or the buyer. Builders pay agents to bring […]

Selling real estate can be an income roller coaster & very stressful. You have ambitions of making a large income from having a license, but somehow, it never happens. Consider the option of property management:  #1 A steady monthly income.   #2 Work from home.    #3 The ability to sell and lease property.    #4 A steady stream of […]