Five Tough Questions for Listing Agents? - 01/31/09 04:38 PM
 
This is part one of a three part series on tough questions for all of us during a buyers market. The first has to do with Listing Agents.
1. Do you Know your Sellers?
When farming for listing leads, especially as a new agent in a particular area or as a new agent in the industry a lot of energy is expended to convince the seller that you and your brokerage are the best option. Sometimes not as much energy is spent getting to know your clients. So much heartache can be prevented if we just get to know our … (1 comments)

ACC Round Rock Ground Breaking! - 01/27/09 07:28 PM
 
Click here if you do not see the invitation
The Board of Trustees and President/CEO of the Austin Community College District cordially invite you to a groundbreaking ceremony for the ACC Round Rock Campus Thursday, February 5 at 10:30 am. The event celebrates an exciting partnership for education and the most extensive building project in ACC's history.
Please RSVP by Monday, February 2 to 223.7595 or rsvp@austincc.edu.
Visit www.austincc.edu/rrc for more information on the Round Rock Campus.
 
Located on the beautiful campus with Texas State University (Round Rock) ACC will be a great addition. Come join us for the … (5 comments)

Realtors as Detectives... - 01/25/09 07:18 PM

 
A good Realtor is also a great detective. Finding clues others missed, following up on leads from the clues and discovering problems and possibilities before they come to light in the Daily Newspaper. That makes for great opportunities for buyers and sellers.
Good detective work on Real Estate is not easy and sometimes even hazardous. I have a sister in law who is a Realtor. While in Arizona she represented a client who wished to purchase a tax lien on a 20 acre parcel of land. She started working on it and discovered the other tax lien holder had … (5 comments)

WHATS FOR SALE IN TEXAS? - 01/24/09 10:53 PM
 

 Your real estate money can go a long way in Texas. Whiter you are looking for land, a home or an investment there are some really great buys in Austin/Round Rock, Texas.
 Try Paloma Lake Round Rock, TX from the 270,00's
    
 
 
 
So many choices of floor plans and a really beautiful secluded community.
 

Wilshire is building in Teravista a variety of beautiful homes starting in the low 200's. Teravista a master planned community with an 18 hole golf course, an elementary school, 2 community pools, a clubhouse for workouts and so much … (1 comments)

Over Brownies and Coffee - 01/24/09 09:53 AM
 
My neighbor is a Real Estate Consultant. The difference between him and most of the rest of us (Realtors) is that he has a client base for whom he researches and resolves problems that have to do with various pieces of Real Estate all over the world. His compensation is both by the hour and by commission if the research results in the sale of the property. Either way, he gets paid.
I have done some work for him on projects that are local and we have become very good friends. Last evening he and his wife invited me over … (3 comments)

POST NUMBER 300: Why I Love Round Rock Texas! - 01/20/09 10:44 AM
 
HAVE A PIECE OF CAKE ON ME! This is post number 300!  
                                                                      
 It hardly seems possible now looking back...
My 100th post
Celebrating 25 years of marriage
Fun things to do in Austin
Great Living in Round Rock Texas
Flip Happy Crepes
Just a few of the many posts that make up the 300.
 
THIS POST IS A CELEBRATION AND SALUTE TO A GREAT CITY: ROUND ROCK TEXAS!
The Schools in the RRISD are some of the best! Below the School Musical "South Pacific" by Stony Point High.

  
 
 
 
 
 
 

… (2 comments)

What to do when you come to Austin Texas. - 01/19/09 07:04 PM
 
 So much to do you will have a difficult time deciding where to go and what to do first. Check out Zilker Gardens
                                                                                       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Or maybe you want to get the flavor of downtown 6th Street. Likely Texas' best known street, the seven block's of 6th Street between Congress and IH 35 are certainly Austin's entertainment center. With a little help from it's many like-minded sister streets, 6th Street is the heart of Austin's live entertainment scene and the capital of third coast music.

 
Great music, food, drinks and … (3 comments)

AMAZING TIMES LET US ALL CONTINUE TO DREAM! - 01/19/09 02:11 PM

I was moved today when clicking on google to see their posted banner (listed above) . I remember the first time that I was old enough to listen to and appreciate his moving speach "I have a Dream".
My parents were in the ministry and throughout my up bringing we never owned our own home we lived in a church parsonage. My father never made more than about $250.00 per week. We usually did not have brand name goods or clothing although our clothes were nice and we were well fed. We never had more than one vehicle, which means I did … (1 comments)

HOW ARE THINGS GOING? - 01/18/09 10:34 PM
 
A few weeks ago I was asked to guest speak at a local church. Many of you who have read my blog know that I am also a minister and most of our life we have been senior pastors. We were in Phoenix at the same church for over 23 years, almost 12 of those as the senior pastor.
I have always believed that of the many things we are taught in scripture one of the primary things with regards to our daily living is...
BLESSING CARRIES WITH IT RESPONSIBILITY
"Freely you have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8b)
We have … (5 comments)

PUT YOUR OWN CAPTION ON MY PICTURES - 01/18/09 10:09 PM
Just for fun. I thought I would take a few pictures and see if you could come up with a great caption for them. These are all days in the life of a Realtor pictures. The first one is a picture of us trying to retrieve the phone of a client who got out of his car to view this home and the phone went down the drain.
So what is your funny or witty caption for this picture:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Second Picture: Roxy meets the clients.
 

… (13 comments)

Austin, Live Music Capitol - 01/18/09 09:51 PM
 
Austin is the Live Music Capitol of the US. Check it out for yourself. If you love music you will love South By SouthWest 2009. Each year Downtown Austin is transformed into the Live music capitol of the US. Bands from all over will be represented inculding "Devo" this year. Austin Filmstrip SlideView SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: south by) The Schedule is as follows: SXSWeek 2009: March 13-22 Interactive: March 13-17 Film: March 13-21 Music: March 18-22 Don't forget to get your badge for film as well. Some great movies will be previewed during the festival. For … (0 comments)

Leasing in Austin/Round Rock Texas - 01/11/09 11:29 PM
 The current market leasing is at its best in a decade. The apartment new builds coupled with downtown over builds have created  a surplus of space and a great opportunity for those looking to lease.
Many apartment complexes are offering their best deals right now. Some will throw in great extras like washer and dryers rent free, FREE garage parking spaces, FREE wifi, FREE months rent and much more.
If you are looking to lease I would love to show you some of these beautiful new complexes in the Austin/Round Rock area. You can email me at: roundrockhomes@gmail.com or call me … (1 comments)

SO YOU WANT SOME LAND. - 01/06/09 05:09 PM
 
 There are some beautiful places to live in and around the Austin, Texas area. If you are looking for a home with some land the Hill Country of Texas is a great place to explore.
 

 So many beautiful almost un-touched areas. Photo left from a ranch over 60 acres.
 Hunting, fishing, maybe open a bed and breakfast. Start a small farm and produce you own vegetables. If you have a dream there is a place for it to be fulfilled in the beautiful hill country of Austin.
 
 
 Endless blue Sky's most of the year. Medium climate … (2 comments)

2009 PREDICTING THE FUTURE - 01/05/09 09:29 AM

 
As strange as it may seem, our future may be very predictable. Current news reports are recording record visits to local psychics as individuals seek answers in troubled times. People want to know what the future holds for them. For many, predicting their future may be as simple as looking back on their past.
The Old Testament in the Bible tracks the Hebrew nation in their deliverance from Egyptian Slavery. As we follow their journey they always seem to be doing one of two things. 1. Circling a vast mountain called Sinai or 2. Heading toward the promised land. So long … (5 comments)

ROUND ROCK, TEXAS JOB OPPORTUNITIES - 01/04/09 07:58 PM
 
 
RE-PRINTED FROM THE ROUND ROCK LEADER..
"Medical additionsCity moves from one hospital to medical hub in matter of monthsFor years, St. David's Round Rock Medical Center remained the fixture of the city's medical community. Then, in summer 2007, Scott and White opened its University Medical Campus on University Boulevard. This year, an explosion of activity added immensely to the city's medical corridor. In January, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents accepted a 15-acre land donation from the Avery family of Round Rock. With it, the Texas A&M Health Science Center obtained a permanent site for its future … (0 comments)

REAL ESTATE OOOPS! - 01/03/09 11:05 PM
 
There is a great article on msn real estate touching on mistakes that can be made when purchasing a home or any real property: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomebuyingGuide/top-5-home-buying-bluncers-for-2009.asp
All five can be avoided with the help of a quality Realtor. A good Realtor can help you navigate through these potential pit falls so that you get the most for your investment. Avoid emotional buying, understand the value of your investment over the long haul, get accurate data on your local market, buy what works best for your family and understand the process as it unfolds before you.
We bought our first home with … (0 comments)

TEXAS REAL ESTATE A SWEET BUY! - 01/03/09 10:05 PM

 
 If you have been waiting to see where the real Estate market is going you may be missing one of the greatest buying opportunities in our life time.
Five Reasons to buy now and buy Texas.
1. Selection - Homes are available in every area and at all price ranges. The quantity of houses on the market allows you to pick and choose the qualities you want to find just the home you want. It wasn't so long ago that buyers were jumping on new listings as soon as they came onto the market, that is no longer a concern for … (5 comments)

Page 56 - 01/02/09 02:43 PM
 
I read this post: http://activerain.com/blogsview/860263/My-over-due-Book-MeMe by Dale Baker that inspired me to see what I could come up with. Dale was tagged for a ME Me and instructed to do the following:
Grab the nearest book. Open it up to page 56. Find the fifth sentence. Post the text of the next two to five sentences. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the intellectual one. Just pick the Closest. The nearest book to me was actually the Bible but page 56 was a map so I went to my office and grabbed this book on top … (6 comments)

5 STEP WEIGHT LOSS PLAN - 01/02/09 12:00 PM

Each new year we make re-newed commitments to improve our lives. We promise to get better organized to exercise more to eat less or to at least eat more healthy. The challenge is not making the commitment but rather keeping it. I have so much admiration for those who are able to make the changes in their lives and to stay committed.
Well it is a new year and I along with many other am making a commitment to live better in 2009. In fact as a family we are adopting a theme for "09" and it is: "Living lean … (3 comments)

TERAVISTA ROUND ROCK - 01/02/09 10:04 AM
 

A NEWLAND PROPERTIES COMMUNITY
New Homes from the 170's. An 18 hole Golf Course, community work out center, two pools, a Round Rock top Elementary School and a back door entrance into the Round Rock premium outlets are all reasons that people continue to move to Teravista.

Recent restaurant additions all around Teravista include: Pai Wei, Z Pizza, Steak and Shake, Chili's, La Madeline, Fire House Subs, Which Witch, Flat Bread, Mimi's Cafe, Starbucks, Jimi Johns.
If you are looking for a great place to live, in the Austin area, let me show you Teravista.
roundrockhomes@gmail.com
 
 
… (2 comments)

Autsin Texas 2008! - 01/01/09 08:58 PM
AUSTIN TEXAS!!! The year in Review. What a Great year! What an awesome place to live!

We listened to music. We cherished new friendships. We sang, we laughed and we explored the wonders of Central Texas!!!


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Above (Left) is Zak who won "Best Actor", first place for Improv, Honorable mention for school play! Above (Right) Amanda (far right) second chair Districts for Choir Solo 1st alto, Area Alternate, Lead school play, 3 solo's in school musical.

(left Michele) Early Celebration in Cancun for 25 years of marriage. We had so … (3 comments)