How a home’s interior doors can protect you during fire if there’s no other way out
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — You never know when an emergency might come up at your home, and when it comes to keeping your family safe, time is precious. ABC13 talked to the fire and EMS teams at Community Volunteer Fire Department, which serves parts of both Harris and Fort Bend Counties. Their district covers from…
Read MoreCity of Austin to Require Composting Collection at Multifamily Communities
AUSTIN, TX – The City of Austin will require composting collection at all multifamily communities starting in October 2024. The Austin City Council unanimously approved the amendment to the Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. Multifamily properties with five or more dwelling units will be required to…
Read MoreDallas Code Compliance holding landlords accountable for broken A/Cs in brutal heat
Dallas Code Compliance officers respond to about a hundred 3-1-1 calls weekly about broken A/C units landlords are slow to fix despite brutal temperatures. DALLAS — This summer, Dallas Code Compliance has been hard at work making sure apartment tenants aren’t suffering in the unbearable Texas Heat. When the department’s Multi-Tenant and Single-Family Rental Division…
Read MoreHere’s the difference between a service dog, an emotional support animal and a therapy animal
More Videos Some Texas pet owners are confused by a new law that increases penalties for misrepresenting a dog as a service animal even if it’s an emotional support animal. Author: khou.com Published: 6:29 PM CDT September 4, 2023 Updated: 6:29 PM CDT September 4, 2023
Read More774 new Texas laws go into effect Friday. Here are some that will affect you.
By Texas Tribune Staff, The Texas Tribune Aug. 31, 2023 “774 new Texas laws go into effect Friday. Here are some that might affect you.” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign…
Read MoreA new Texas law goes into effect Friday – and city officials predict more confusion and litigation
Local governments are days away from having to comply with a state law that cuts off their ability to regulate a huge swath of issues. That new law – which is slated to go into effect Friday – may well set off years of lawsuits and regulatory confusion. That is, assuming the law goes into…
Read MoreTexas bans homeowners’ associations from discriminating against renters who receive federal housing aid
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas (by Joshua Fechter, The Texas Tribune) — In a rare, friendly move to low-income renters, Texas lawmakers this year outlawed a form of discrimination that allowed homeowners associations to ban some tenants from their neighborhoods. The move — spearheaded by state Rep. Chris Turner, a Grand Prairie Democrat — was aimed squarely…
Read MoreRenters insurance does cover damage from fires – up to a certain amount
There are also certain items that renters insurance policies don’t cover. AUSTIN, Texas — Wildfires like the one in Cedar Park can cause major damage, both to homes and to the belongings inside them. A big question when fires spark is whether renters insurance covers the damage those fires can cause. According to the Texas…
Read MoreWildfire: ‘Home ignition zone’ inspections can help prepare
CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Wind speeds combined with low moisture, dry trees, and possible dead limbs and vegetation left over from the winter freeze likely created ideal conditions for a Cedar Park wildfire to spread, according to one fire marshal. “I’m intimately familiar with their operations,” said Travis County Chief Fire Marshal Tony Callaway,…
Read MoreHome prices stabilize after historic highs in Southwest Austin area
Even as Southwest Austin remains among the most desirable and pricier areas of the metro to buy or rent, local data points to the housing market settling down after a recent burst of activity. Movement toward a more balanced market has been underway since last year with observers crediting broader trends, such as rising interest…
Read MoreIt’s Expensive to Build in Austin, and Regulations Are Adding Cost
Costs associated with regulation – like flood controls – are greater for multifamily housing than single-family housing, likely due the pervasiveness of low-density zoning in Austin’s land development code. Those regulatory costs also vary across town. (map via City of Austin) Since at least 2017, reducing the cost of housing has been a top priority…
Read MoreAirbnb brings ‘Airbnb-friendly apartments’ to Austin
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Airbnb, in partnership with nine apartment complexes, has brought its program aimed at enabling renters to offer their apartments as short-term rentals (STR) to Central Texas. The program is “Airbnb-friendly Apartments” and launched in November 2022 in 25 markets. Now, that program has expanded to 40 markets in under a year. Court…
Read MoreMueller nears finish line after two decades of development
After nearly two decades of development, the Mueller neighborhood—Central Austin’s largest master-planned community—is nearing completion. The 700-acre stretch of land in Northeast Austin has been transformed from the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport to an eco-friendly development with dozens of locally owned restaurants and shops, affordable housing, an H-E-B, the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central…
Read MoreNew reports examine Austin's high housing costs plus elevated expenses of single-family, west side development
City-commissioned market studies released this summer laid out the high costs of building housing in Austin and proposed several ways to reduce those expenses, potentially shaping some future policy discussions at City Hall. The new analyses arrive this year with a City Council that’s been vocally in favor of updating land-use regulations to sanction more…
Read MoreFast-growing Southwest Lubbock experiencing development boom
LUBBOCK, Texas – Southwest Lubbock has certainly picked up the pace over the last few years and has taken the title of the fastest-growing residential and commercial area in town. “One Ford Road” is one new community that will add over 100 single-family homes to the area. In two weeks, new homeowners can begin moving…
Read MoreDallas Housing Coalition seeks $200 million for affordable housing
A new coalition of Dallas leaders wants $200 million of a planned $1 billion 2024 public improvement bond referendum devoted to affordable housing. The Dallas Housing Coalition says the money would help ease what it says is an affordable housing crisis in Dallas where home prices and rent are increasingly unaffordable for working families. D’Andrala…
Read MoreWhite House, HUD and CFPB detail new actions and priorities to protect renters
Multiple agencies across the federal government including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have all renewed their efforts to protect tenants renting in multifamily housing units as costs continue to climb, according to an announcement from the White House….
Read MoreThe good news? The Fed doesn’t expect a recession. The bad news? Housing.
“High mortgage rates triggered by the Fed’s policy have caused more sellers to sit on the sidelines given the large differential between the rate they enjoy on their current home compared to the possible interest rate on any home they may purchase today,” said Marty Green, principal at Polunsky Beitel Green, a law firm for…
Read MoreNew study shows the majority of Harris County renters are struggling: 'It's stressful'
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A new study shows more renters are struggling in Harris County, a surprising area where evictions are on the rise. STUDY SHOWS HARRIS COUNTY FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO AFFORD RENT Shatrice Brown already has a lot on her mind with five kids and another on the way. But there’s one thing bothering…
Read MoreRent Price Declines Help to Improve Housing Affordability
According to the Realtor.com June Rental Report, new research found that rent prices dropped even further, down 1.0% year-over-year, offering some relief for renters. Meanwhile, the median asking rent in the 50 largest metros analyzed increased to $1,745, up by $7 from last month and down $31 from its July 2022 peak. “The downward trend in rent prices continued…
Read MoreThe Junk Fee Fight Spreads to Rental Housing
While I was on vacation last week, the second anniversary of the White House executive order on promoting competition in the U.S. economy was marked by the release of several important measures. By far the biggest was the long-awaited rollout of draft merger guidelines, intended to instruct the judiciary on when federal antitrust authorities will…
Read MoreLubbock ranked in best places for renters to live in 2023
LUBBOCK, Texas — In a new study by RentCafe.com, Lubbock was ranked #43 in the best places for renters to live in 2023. Lubbock VA Clinic job fair, August 4 The rankings were determined across three main categories: Cost of Living & Housing, Local Economy, and Quality of Life. RentCafe.com only considered cities that had…
Read MoreIt's easier to rent an apartment in San Antonio than most other cities, study finds
<a href="https://media1.sacurrent.com/sacurrent/imager/u/original/32219833/satx_skyline.jpg" rel="contentImg_gal-32219827" title="Rentals in the Alamo City remain on the market for 44 days on average, with only about seven people competing for each property, according to the new report. – Wikimedia" data-caption="Rentals in the Alamo City remain on the market for 44 days on average, with only about seven people competing for each…
Read MoreBrazos County Property Tax Protests Have Saved Over $7 Million YTD
Brazos County property owners are making the most of their right to contest the initial appraisal values and they are seeing results. HOUSTON, TEXAS, UNITED STATES, July 19, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — In early hearings for the 2023 tax year, property owners in Brazos County have recovered more than $7 million through exercising their right to appeal…
Read MoreNMHC Statement in Response to White House Announcement on Rental Housing Fees
NMHC members believe that transparency in the cost of rental housing is positive for renters and housing providers alike. While we support the voluntary initiatives included in the White House’s announcement today, we strongly disagree with the characterization that rental housing residents are pervasively being taken advantage of by housing providers. We are aware of…
Read MoreBiden going after 'junk fees' in housing
Renters may be able to save money after the Biden administration secured commitments from Zillow, Apartments.com and AffordableHousing.com. The websites have committed to listing upfront costs a person would incur if they choose to inquire or rent a property. Zillow launched a new feature on Wednesday called the “Cost of Renting Summary.” It details all costs associated with the…
Read MoreSparse affordable housing, unrelenting prices challenge Spring residents
Faced with a lack of affordable housing options as home and rent prices remain high, rising numbers of Spring-area residents and homebuyers are seeking assistance, community stakeholders say. After two years of elevated home prices in Houston, prices began to decrease for the first time in February, according to a June 14 report from the…
Read MoreEmbracing Digital Transformation for a Seamless Renter Experience
<!– –><!—-><!—->The Impact of Digital Transformation on the Renter Experience – Spiceworks Digital transformation revolutionizes the renter experience, making the process easier and more efficient. July 19, 2023 Bryan Woods, co-founder of Rhino, explains how digital transformation reshapes the rental market, making the process easier and more efficient for landlords and tenants. Landlords must embrace…
Read MoreUnexpected heat hazards can be found in your garage
The Austin Fire Department is warning homeowners about the dangers of leaving a hot lawnmower or gas can in your garage. AUSTIN, Texas — The next time you mow your lawn, you may want to reconsider how you store the lawnmower when you’re done. The hot outdoor temperatures could put you and your equipment at…
Read MoreFirst-Time Renters Guide: What You Need To Know
Read on to find out what you need to know when renting for the first time. Renting for the first time can be a relatively daunting process. Not only are you taking control of a house, but you are also now responsible for somebody else’s investment. However, there is no need to stress; understanding a…
Read MoreBuilding up Brinkmann: Development continues to shape historic Frisco ranch land
Brinkmann Ranch, one of the last undeveloped corners of east Frisco, is getting its first grocery store as early as next spring. The development taking place at the northeast corner of Eldorado and Coit is estimated to be valued at more than $2 billion. It is a more than 630-acre development that will bring a…
Read MoreRed flags to look for amid spike in rental scams
(InvestigateTV) — More than 40% of people said they or someone they knew had personally lost money because of rental fraud, according to a 2022 Dwellsy survey. Renter scams can vary, but one common one is the “fake listing scam.” According to Dwellsy, here is how the scam works: The fraudster steals a legitimate apartment…
Read MoreThe Pearl development to break ground this fall in Bee Cave
The Morgan Group and InTown Homes are slated to break ground on The Pearl development this September at 13200 Bee Cave Parkway, Bee Cave, following several updates and changes to the project as previously reported by Community Impact. Located off RR 620, there are two developments to create one project; The Morgan Group will be…
Read MoreResidents, legislators fight increasing property appraisals
In 2006, Stephanie and Chad Waddell bought a home in Pearland for less than $300,000, they said. Today, that same house is appraised at over $471,000, according to the Brazoria County Appraisal District. Its appraised value in 2020 was nearly $334,460, meaning it rose more than $137,000—or 41.04%—in appraised value in three years. “Come 2021,…
Read MoreKeller Williams Heritage Real Estate Agent breaks down rise in fixed mortgage rates, impacts on local housing market
SAN ANTONIO – The current average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rate is higher than 7%, which is a huge swing from the sub-3% rates we saw during the pandemic. So what impact are we seeing on the local housing market? Real Estate Agent Ronnie Trevino with Keller Williams Heritage joined Leading SA to help break it…
Read MoreTexas lawmaker vows to try again to make AC for renters mandatory
AUSTIN (KXAN) – It’s not as if Jake Salinas was dialing down the digits on his thermostat with reckless abandon. A few weeks ago, his air conditioning was set to, what he considers, a conservative 76 degrees. Austin Resident Jake Salinas explains how the AC in his apartment wasn’t cooling properly (KXAN Photo/Chris Nelson) “It…
Read MoreTexas lawmakers send $18B property tax relief plan to governor
The Texas Legislature passed its new plan to cut property taxes July 13, closing out the second special legislative session of the year and bringing an end to seven months of negotiations. The $18 billion package includes two bills and a constitutional amendment. In order for the tax cuts to show up on this year’s…
Read MoreDallas-Fort Worth renters are shopping again with plenty of new apartments on the market
After weak leasing activity earlier in the year, Dallas-Fort Worth apartment demand is bouncing back. But developers are still building more apartments than they are renting. Advertisement North Texas net apartment leasing totaled 5,573 units in the most recent quarter — the best performance in more than a year, according to data from Richardson-based RealPage….
Read MoreCouncil to vote on allowing taller buildings along Sixth Street
Friday, July 14, 2023 by Jonathan Lee City Council is set to vote next week on allowing taller buildings along part of Sixth Street, in hopes of bringing more daytime uses to Austin’s most famous stretch of bars and clubs. The plan is to allow buildings up to 140 feet high on properties along “Dirty…
Read MoreNMHC, NAA Support the Introduction of Choice in Affordable Housing Act
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jul 13, 2023– The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and the National Apartment Association (NAA) applaud the introduction of the Choice in Affordable Housing Act, bipartisan legislation that aims to increase private sector participation in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
Read MoreRent growth is slowing, but it’s still near record-highs
“The housing market tends to be ‘downside sticky,’ which means rents don’t typically fall much even when renter demand pulls back,” Redfin Deputy Chief Economist Taylor Marr said in a statement. “Instead of lowering rents when business is slow, many landlords offer perks like a free month’s rent or discounted parking, which tends to be…
Read MoreWhat is Texas doing about property taxes? And will it save you money?
AUSTIN — Since seizing control of state government in 2002, Republicans have touted their fiscal stinginess and vigilant opposition to any new taxes. As one of only seven states not levying income taxes on individuals, Texas has just two legs of the usual “three-legged stool” that pays for public services — sales and property taxes….
Read MoreIt’s a little bit easier to score a Houston apartment than it was last year
It’s easier to secure a rental unit in Houston than in many other large cities in the United States — according to a recent report from RentCafe, the metro is less competitive than the average large city. The rental analysis company ranked the largest metros in the country based on vacancy, occupancy, prospective renters, lease…
Read MoreTexas bans homeowners’ associations from discriminating against renters who receive federal housing aid
State lawmakers passed the law after a North Texas homeowners’ association barred landlords from renting to Section 8 tenants. DENTON COUNTY, Texas — In a rare, friendly move to low-income renters, Texas lawmakers this year outlawed a form of discrimination that allowed homeowners associations to ban some tenants from their neighborhoods. The move — spearheaded…
Read MoreTexas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dade Phelan strike deal on property taxes
AUSTIN — Texas property owners will receive tax relief through an $18 billion plan that saves face for each of the “Big Three” GOP leaders, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan announced Monday. The compromise ends a deadlock over property taxes in the summer’s second special legislative session. Advertisement Under the deal, homeowners…
Read MoreThe River Walk transformed San Antonio. Could Panther Island do the same for Fort Worth?
Architect Robert H.H. Hugman’s romantic designs for an “American Venice” in the 1920s were first ridiculed and then tossed aside before they were eventually embraced as the blueprint for San Antonio’s famous River Walk. Today, from the floor-to-ceiling windows of architect Michael Bennett’s office in Fort Worth’s Frost Tower, a similarly precarious vision for the…
Read MoreMajor Development: Signs of movement at Anthem Park, which could bring in many new businesses and residences to Killeen
#inform-video-player-1 .inform-embed { margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px; } #inform-video-player-2 .inform-embed { margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px; } More than 200 acres near Skylark Field are being cleared for Anthem Park, a major new housing and commercial development in Killeen. The many cedar and other shrubbery that aligned the Killeen municipal airport’s western border for decades or…
Read MoreDallas to give Housing Forward $3 million to help get apartments for homeless people
Dallas will give Housing Forward $3 million to secure apartments around the city to make it easier for people experiencing homelessness to move into them. The Dallas City Council unanimously approved the agreement Wednesday for the nonprofit to use the money to pay for rental application fees, security deposits, incentives for landlords and other efforts…
Read MoreA pandemic-era 'lifeline' for renters facing eviction in San Marcos is set to expire
Lee esta historia en español Andrew Maglich was living in student apartments last year when he got notice he would receive less financial aid for the following school year than he expected. Maglich was making $8.25 an hour as a Texas State student employee and had already signed on for another year at his apartment….
Read MoreMinimum-wage earners need to work 147 hours a week to afford a one-bedroom apartment in Austin
Two recent studies confirm what renters already know: The rent’s still too damn high in Austin. A report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies out this week found 48% of renters in the Austin-Round Rock area spent at least 30% of their monthly income on housing in 2021; a quarter spent half their…
Read More1 in 4 North Texas homeowners face the “squeeze” of unaffordable housing
Almost a quarter of homeowners in Dallas-Fort Worth pay more for housing than they can afford. And half of all renters are similarly cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income for housing costs. That’s part of a national trend, as a near record share of American households put more of their budget into housing…
Read MoreWhat Austin and Travis County learned about rental assistance during the pandemic
Thursday, June 22, 2023 by Nina Hernandez When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Austin and Travis County had no overarching infrastructure in place for distributing rental assistance or otherwise supporting low-income families at risk of eviction. Then, millions of people across industries lost their sources of income overnight. In an effort to stem a…
Read MoreRising rents are a problem across the US, new data shows
For weeks, protesters in New York City have made their opposition known to possible price hikes for rent-stabilized apartments. Every year, the city’s rent guideline board sets a percentage limit on how much landlords can raise the price of rent-stabilized apartments. On Thursday they’ll vote on whether to raise the cap anywhere from 2% to…
Read MoreDallas County grants millions more for affordable housing projects
More affordable housing is on its way in Dallas County, made possible only through federal COVID-19 dollars. Some of these county-backed housing projects could be completed as early as 2025. Advertisement The Dallas County Commissioners Court approved more than $4.61 million on Tuesday to help with the construction of 36 homes in Mesquite, 30 homes…
Read MoreNew Texas law says misrepresenting a service animal will land you in the dog house
Fri, 14 Jul 2023 20:04:00 GMT (1689365040591) ea5eafbbedfb91d0742359b84ee7e1d0f50d5c11 ad90b597c2a4abdca69cece0352a97aeab338f3b by Jordan Elder Wed, June 21st 2023, 3:15 AM UTC A service dog practices taking commands at Dog Training Elite (Jordan Elder/WOAI) Loading …
Read MoreEviction filings are 50% higher than they were pre-pandemic in some cities as rents rise
Most low-income tenants can no longer count on pandemic resources that had kept them housed. ATLANTA — Entering court using a walker, a doctor’s note clutched in his hand, 70-year-old Dana Williams, who suffers serious heart problems, hypertension and asthma, pleaded to delay eviction from his two-bedroom apartment in Atlanta. Although sympathetic, the judge said…
Read MoreDowntown Dallas office tower is almost ready for first apartment renters
One of downtown Dallas’ largest skyscraper redevelopments is set to welcome its first apartment residents starting next month. Pacific Elm Properties and Mintwood Real Estate have converted 11 floors of the 50-story Santander Tower at 1601 Elm St. into luxury rental units. They’ve begun leasing for the apartments, called Peridot, and expect them to be…
Read MoreHOA Section 8 bans, renter protections and more: New laws Denton businesses, homeowners should know about
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Read MoreDallas renters need to earn $53,040 a year to afford a one-bedroom apartment
Full-time work simply doesn’t pay enough to afford even a modest apartment for many in North Texas. New data from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition shows the cost of rental housing far exceeds the typical wages of huge swaths of workers. The nonprofit’s annual Out of Reach report tallies the earnings needed to afford rent…
Read MoreProgressives want to stop landlords from using criminal background checks to screen renters – Page 2 – AR15.COM
Originally Posted By WeimaranerDad:I have an old family friend. She is basically my aunt. She manages rental property for her daughter and son-in-law. The daughter is or was the consulate (consular?) lady in Puerto Vallarta and the son-in-law was originally an architect. I think he then became a lawyer….yes, in Mexico.. So my “aunt” definitely…
Read MoreHow Wichita Falls apartments are staying crime-free
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Following a homicide on Professional Drive over the weekend, the Wichita Falls Police Department is reminding apartment managers and new renters of a program to help ensure community safety. RELATED: One dead after shooting at County Part apartments Wichita Falls started the Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program after repeatedly seeing crime within apartment…
Read MoreHousing and Planning Department maps out next steps following compatibility reform vote
Friday, June 16, 2023 by Kali Bramble Following City Council’s move last week to recalibrate compatibility requirements, city staff joined the Housing and Planning Committee on Tuesday for an update on what’s next. Currently, Austin’s compatibility standards affect development up to 540 feet from lots zoned as Urban Family Residence (SF-5) or lower, a distance…
Read MoreTexas Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill to rein in local control, restrict cities and counties
This content is only available to subscribers. Get unlimited digital access. $1 for the rest of the year. Subscribe Now Your subscription supports: Investigative reporting that makes our community a better place to work, live and play Expert coverage of high school sports teams The best tips on places to eat and things to do…
Read MoreLas Cruces ranks No. 1 for fastest growing rent nationwide
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KTSM) — If you’re looking for a place to rent, look no further because Las Cruces has ranked number one in the fastest growing rent for one-bedroom apartment rentals. According to Dwellsy’s May data report, this year Las Cruces has seen a rent rise of 51.4% since May 2022. The reason…
Read MoreRenters' rights and flood insurance: From landlord disclosures to costs
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — More than half of Houstonians are renters, and if you’re one of them, it’s important you know what options are available to you to protect your valuables and property this hurricane season. To get some questions answered, we talked to Andrea Kawaja with Afloat Insurance Agency. 1. Can renters buy flood…
Read MoreSan Antonio needs a major campaign to renew the city
Not for the first time, San Antonio needs to evolve as a city. That will require vision and a plan, a big plan. It has happened before in contemporary times, and it can happen again. Visionary plans, of course, never turn out exactly as they are envisioned. Critics with great hindsight can always point out…
Read MoreLand-Use Changes Cemented as Council Eases Limits on Tall Buildings Near Houses
Council is moving fast on code changes that will allow greater density to meet housing demand (Photo by John Anderson) In the latest sign that the politics around land-use has dramatically shifted in Austin, City Council directed staff yesterday, June 8, to draft amendments to the Land Development Code (LDC) that would allow tall apartment…
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