austin: "This one won't last long!"
- 11/25/09 04:52 AM
Should we not look at our MLS posts through the eyes of other Realtors, our clients and potential buyers? We all know that buyers want to see photos. Lots of photos. A buyer client of mine liked a particular Austin neighborhood, and wanted to see a home in it. We both had questions about the home because the listing had just one inside photo (showing a cluttered kitchen). It turned out that this was a lovely home. I wondered how the dearth of good photos affected the interest of other potential buyers, and if the owners realized that the online marketing of their home could … (4 comments)
austin: Home Sale in Sendera Austin Postponed!
- 08/13/09 07:22 AM
The sale of this home in Austin's Sendera neighborhood has been delayed. The information will be reposted when it goes on the market. If you have a question about Sendera or other homes for sale in Sendera, please give me a call at 512.913.1557. Sendera is located in South/Southwest Austin just off S. Mopac at W. Slaughter Lane, making direct access to shopping and all things Austin and beyond pretty easy. The neighborhood features nice Milburn (D.R. Horton) homes, wide streets, and has a great family amenity center with swimming pool, playscape and picnic facilities. Jim Gilbert, Sky Realty/Heart of Austin HomesLicensed … (0 comments)
austin: Home for Sale, Austin's Colony, 14708 Deaf Smith, Austin, TX
- 08/12/09 12:53 PM
Listing Details MLS®: 3618860 Address: 14708 Deaf Smith Blvd Year Built: 2000 Type: Single-family residence Bedrooms: 3 "Master bedroom down" Bathrooms: 2 up, half bath down Garage: Double, Attached, rear access Size: 1,587 sq. ft. +/-, TCAD Lot Type: Rectangular Lot Size: 0.147 acres +/-, TCAD List Price: $124,900 Description Great home w/one owner! Front porch/open floor plan/kit-din opens to living w/fireplace, high ceiling & ceiling fan. 3/2.5/2 home features: beautiful hard tile in kitchen/dining/living/master bath, loft, laundry room/pantry, water softener, extended patio, 2-car garage, security system, wired for cable & 2 phones. Master suite w/high ceiling is down; bath has … (0 comments)
austin: The Big Thumb!
- 03/13/09 02:42 PM
No one will ever accuse me of having a green thumb! I know just enough about plants and grasses to be dangerous. I don't even have a very big thumb. But I do know Someone who does! Through my years of pastoring some of my Lord Jesus' flocks, and through my 60+ years on this earth, I have had both good times and the not-so-good times. Thankfully, the good times have well outweighed the bad ones. At times, though, I have let the times which seem so awful to get me "down." Being in the pit of discouragement is never much fun. Sometimes the only … (2 comments)
austin: Special Clients!
- 03/13/09 02:16 PM
Today I had one of those experiences with a client (actually a repeated experience with this client) that made me want to "put it in writing." When I have the opportunity to help people with real estate, I seek earnestly to put them first and to care for them and their needs. The calling of our work in real estate is to do unto others as we would have them do unto us -- the Golden Rule. I have had many clients who genuinely appreciate my work for them. Occasionally, though, there is the special client who genuinely cares for me and … (1 comments)
austin: In Whose Name?
- 09/14/08 02:17 PM
When I was a boy (too many years ago to count!), my mother occasionally sent me to the grocery store in our small town to buy groceries for her. When I checked out, I simply said, "Charge it." The clerk put the amount on her bill--no questions asked. Why? The clerk knew that I was there "in my mother's name." It was as if mom herself was there buying those groceries. What seems most important to me now is that my mom trusted me to do this for her. There is a parallel to this in my work as a Realtor®. … (4 comments)
austin: Paper or Metal? (Austin)
- 08/26/08 09:42 AM
According to the Austin Business Journal today, the U.S. Mint is about to begin a pilot program in Austin and in three other cities to promote the use of the new $1 presidential dollars. Efforts of the mint to get us to use other dollar coins (Sacagawea and Susan B. Anthony) have failed. Maybe this one will work. Problem: the coins have been in production since last year, but I have not seen one except in collections from the mint. Where are they? One thing that intrigues me is the mint's claim that the coins will outlast paper dollars and can be … (0 comments)
austin: In the Right Place ... at the Right Time
- 08/24/08 03:12 PM
Being in the right place at the right time can be uplifting. On a recent return trip to Austin from Hot Springs, AR, we drove through Pittsburg, TX. I remembered while we were there that there is a bronze statue (created by artist Max Greiner) of Jesus washing Simon Peter's feet. The Bible says that Jesus "rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel ... ." (John 13:4-5, NKJ) Peter strongly dissented when … (5 comments)
austin: Texas Housing Market
- 06/28/08 04:29 AM
According to the Texas A&M Real Estate Center, home sales in Texas were down from May 2007 by 14.9% My market area (Austin) was down 20.6%. In contrast to many areas of our country, median home prices are up in Texas (+1.3%) and in Austin (+6.1%). With the stock market news for June, I am wondering how the numbers will look with the next report. Jim, Heart of Austin Homes … (0 comments)
austin: Thinking Green in a New Way
- 06/26/08 05:12 AM
"Think Green!" said the sign by the side of the road. This sign surely was intended to evoke thoughts of energy conservation, green building, etc. But on this day, my wife and I started thinking green in a different way, and found a new way to pass the time while traveling. We had a lot of laughs as we focused on things that were green. Wow! There was green everywhere. Green grass, shrubs and trees. Green trucks and cars. Green awnings, roofs, doors, and paint on buildings. Green signs, green letters on signs. My favorite? Green fairways and green "greens" on … (1 comments)
austin: Austin Weather!
- 06/20/08 06:38 AM
I hadn't planned on blogging today, but wanted to express a little thanksgiving! After a record number of triple-digit afternoons so far this June, the sky is still overcast at 1:30 PM today! At my last check, the temperature was only 85. It may yet get to 100 today, but some relief is great. My St. Augustine grass is breathing a sigh of relief also. Still, all is relative. Our problems with heat don't compare to the troubles many are facing in Iowa and other states affected by the rains and flooding there. My heart goes out to them. Jim Gilbert, Heart … (1 comments)
austin: Thankful to have had Good Parents!
- 06/15/08 07:00 AM
I wish I had thought of writing something like this on Mother's Day, because I had two wonderful parents! Both are gone on into the presence of Christ now, but I remain very grateful for their influence on me and wish that I could thank them in person today. Most of all, other than the many sacrifices they made and the love they gave, I am thankful for the faith they passed on to me. Father's Day is a special day. It is the Sunday the US Open golf tournament concludes. Who knows? Tiger may win again. I will watch to … (2 comments)
austin: Screen Capture
- 06/13/08 03:36 AM
Here is a link to a very useful tool for capturing screenshots for presentations, websites, blogs, etc. http://www.wisdom-soft.com/sh/sh_free.htm. This version of ScreenHunter is free, though there are a couple of versions, reasonably priced, that are available. I use ScreenHunter often. Get information about Austin, Austin neighborhoods, real estate and more on my website blog and at http://heartofaustinhomes.com/. … (0 comments)
austin: How Lost (and Scared) I Felt!
- 06/13/08 03:27 AM
After over 20 years as a pastor, I resigned my last church and moved into another career in real estate. Studying had always been a strong point of mine, so getting my license was a challenge that I was able to handle without too much difficulty. I remember walking out of the testing location with the news that I had passed the test! What I remember best, though, after getting signed up with my first broker, were the overwhelming feelings and fears that I did know what to do to get started, and that I knew enough about real estate to be dangerous! My broker wanted … (3 comments)
austin: The Mortgage Mess!
- 06/08/08 01:47 PM
Anybody with eyes and ears (and a TV, or internet connection) knows that the mortgage lending and housing industries are in the midst of some difficult days. An article written by A. Mechele Dickerson in the May 22, 2008 Austin American-Statesman summarized pretty well how we got into this dismal situation. Here are the basic points Ms. Dickerson made: For a number of reasons and in a number of ways, the US government promotes and subsidizes home ownership. Increasing costs of housing put home ownership out of the reach of many. The mortgage industry, cheered on by the government, created new, … (2 comments)
austin: Time Flies By!
- 05/30/08 09:33 AM
It's been 44 years since I graduated from high school. Honestly, I don't remember that time too clearly. I do know that it was an important time in my life. My dad was the superintendent. I gave one of the student addresses at the graduation ceremony. I don't even know if I still have that diploma. Long ago I lost the senior ring I wore with pride. I do know that since that graduation a lot of water has flowed under the bridge. Time has flown by and I now have a good bit of grey hair! Today, I am at the home … (0 comments)
austin: Waste Not, Want Not?
- 05/24/08 07:44 AM
This week the Austin American-Statesman published a report on the City of Austin's plan to eliminate all garbage sent to landfills by the year 2040. In essence, nothing will be wasted: everything will be somehow reused, recycled or composted. Now that's a fresh idea for any government! But is reduction of waste, especially in spending, a priority for our elected leaders? I wish it were so! Our governments at all levels are notorious for their waste and lack of accountability to the public for their decisions and for the taxes and fees we pay. Consider these examples: A couple of weeks … (3 comments)
austin: Looking for the "Perfect" Home?
- 05/22/08 04:10 PM
While driving through Atlanta, GA several years ago, I stopped at a red light. On the corner across from me was a church with a large sign above the front door that read, "The Perfect Church." I thought, "If I ever move to Atlanta, I know which church to join!" The old adage goes, "If you find the perfect church, don't join it. You'll ruin it." There is no perfect church. Likewise, there are no perfect homes, even in the Austin, Texas area. Why? Every home, whether new or resale, has its flaws. The people building new homes do imperfect work. … (1 comments)
austin: Getting Your Home Ready to Sell
- 05/21/08 06:59 AM
Three simple words describe what all homeowners should do to ready their homes for sale: "Do The Obvious!" Walk around, in and through your home and make notes of things that need attention: burned out light bulbs, clutter, dirt and grime, deferred maintenance, curb appeal, worn out carpet, etc. Then work through the things on your list. Is there a problem with this approach? Absolutely! We often grow accustomed to our surroundings and cannot see at all what others can see clearly. What looks normal to us may bring a shudder to others. Example: Back in the 90's I began several years … (2 comments)
austin: Austin City Council at it Again!
- 05/20/08 01:39 PM
On May 8, at its regular meeting, the Austin, Texas City Council approved a resolution that, if approved, will require ALL new single-family homes and duplexes to comply with the City's "Visitability" (not visibility) standards. What does this mean? All new homes bilt within the City's jurisdiction would have to provide access and other features for disabled individuals. For example, wider doors and entry ways on the first floor, wheelchair ramps, and limited height for thermostats, switches and receptacles. The rules currently in place apply only to homes built with public funds. An ordinance is being prepared by the City's law department for … (2 comments)
Should we not look at our MLS posts through the eyes of other Realtors, our clients and potential buyers?
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