Right now, Texas is one of the most rapidly-growing states in the entire country, increasing by hundreds of thousands of people each year. Boasting one of the healthiest economies in the nation, tech hubs in both Austin and Dallas, and dozens of corporations choosing Houston to house their new headquarters in recent years, it’s a great time to live in Texas.
Whether you’re moving to Texas and look for a new home or you’re planning to sell a Texas property you already own, there are several factors to keep in mind beyond just square footage and the number of bedrooms. Just like in other states, in Texas, there are certain features that can significantly increase the value of a home. Location is always key, as are access to good schools and shopping facilities. But for homes in Texas, there are a few other features specific to each individual home you should keep in mind when determining its value.
Air Conditioning
Texas summers are notoriously hot. And not only are they hot—they’re muggy. In Dallas, the average humidity in the mornings is 82 percent, and in Houston, it’s as high as 91 percent. In the summertime heat, that essentially means that by the time you cross from your front door to your car, you’ll already be drenched in sweat. A high quality air conditioning unit that can handle being put through its paces each year is a valuable investment that will prove worth it several times over.
Double-Paned Windows
Even the best air conditioner isn’t going to do you much good if it’s easy for the cold air to escape your house. The heat is oppressive and constant enough in Texas that if your home isn’t sufficiently insulated, your home is still going to get unbearably warm, and the ac will continue to run, driving up your energy bills. A home with insulated windows can keep the heat from penetrating into your home quite as easily so that, as hot as it may be outside, when you’re inside your home’s walls, you’ll be cool and comfortable.
Swimming Pools
Speaking of the heat and humidity, a pool is one of the most popular ways to beat the heat in Texas. (There’s even a public pool in Plano shaped like Texas itself that is recognized as a local historic landmark.) An inground pool can add significant value to a home, providing a ready-made escape from the oppressive humidity. Homes with inground pools in Houston, Dallas, and Austin will fetch much higher prices, and they’re worth every penny. The opportunity to just walk into your backyard and dive into a pool can help Texas residents to enjoy the heat rather than succumb to it.
Storm Shelters
Texas storms are legendary, whether thunderstorms, tornadoes, or hurricanes. The state is located on the southern end of Tornado Alley, right between the cold, dry air of the Rocky Mountains and the warm, moist air coming from the Gulf of Mexico. When those two mix, along with the addition of the warm, dry air coming from Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico, you have a recipe for some intense weather. A home with an area that is sheltered from these natural forces, whether a full-blown storm shelter or simply an interior bathroom with no windows, is a valuable asset.
High-Speed Internet Connections
With so many tech companies moving into Dallas and Austin, connectivity is crucial. Telecommuters need to be able to access their company networks easily from home, and it makes collaboration between teams and their remote workers a much simpler proposition. Homebuyers whose homes aren’t already connected to local fiber optic networks will typically have to pay a large fee to get their houses hooked up. Often, homes only have a single access point in the house, which can be inconvenient. While most laptops can connect wirelessly, wired connections are often faster and more reliable than wireless capabilities. For this reason, a house that has been wired with access points in each room can show increased value as well.
Moving in or moving out, buying or selling, there are certain features that should be given their due value. Sellers should make sure they consider all the benefits these and other features can offer to potential buyers, and buyers should be willing to pay a little bit more for certain benefits.
