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austin real estate: How important are photos on the MLS listing? - 09/01/09 08:24 AM
How important are photos on my MLS listing? Well to me they are of the utmost importance. Almost daily I speak with or email with clients looking for a home. Those clients are saving a listing or rejecting the listing due to the photos online.
I recall when we used to preview more homes, most agents still preview many homes in a month but in an area as large as Austin Texas, we can not view each one. When we have previewed a home the agent can tell a client, well, I saw that home and the photos online are not … (17 comments)
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austin real estate: Memory Depot in South Austin is a Stampers Paradise - 08/06/09 09:46 AM
Memory Depot in South Austin is a Stampers Paradise. I love this store, while I am not a scrapbooker I do love card making supplies and stamping stuff. Here there are knowledgeable folks ready to help you with any project. Classes for beginners or veterans... there is always something to learn.
I first stumbled into Memory Depot when waiting for a friend outside of Neiman's Last Call, it is just next door tucked into the stripmall. Once I went into the store, I was greeted by the friendly staff and they offered to assist me. I declined and said I am … (10 comments)
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austin real estate: When Time is of the Essence, are you thinking about Buying a Home? $8000 Tax Credit - 08/01/09 07:32 PM
Are you thinking about Buying a Home? Using the $8000 Tax Credit the timeline is approaching.
When Time is of the Essence, we know that is a legalese term that most Realtors® adhere to but do not use much. What does it mean? According to a legalese website... I found this as the meaning.
A phrase in a contract that means that performance by one party at or within the period specified in the contract is necessary to enable that party to require performance by the other party.
Failure to act within the time required constitutes a breach of the contract. … (12 comments)
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austin real estate: Vintage Place is a unique part of Circle C Ranch - 07/23/09 11:09 AM
Vintage Place is a unique part of Circle C Ranch here in Austin Texas, while much of Circle C Ranch is reknown for its large brick and stone facades the homes in Vintage Place are to a throw back era, when Austin was a smaller City.
Vintage Place homes in Circle C Ranch have exteriors of Hardee Plank Siding remininsece of a day gone by of old Downtown Austin. Drive thru the meandering streets of old Downtown Austin and you will see some of these types of homes on Castle Park Drive and nearby streets.
This enclave of homes has its … (0 comments)
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austin real estate: A few more facts about the Austin Energy Audits - 07/21/09 09:13 AM
Energy Audits In Austin TexasJune 1, 2009 the new Ordinance became effective for many residents of Austin Texas. I saw a post where the tip of the iceberg was covered on this subject and many readers wanted more information so here is my take. (the orginial post was by Crystal Kilpatrick).Originally the City of Austin wanted to make these upgrades Mandatory before selling a home that was 10 years old or older. The Austin Board of Realtors fought long and hard to compromise with the City and have Voluntary upgrades. The new Ordinance is the resulting compromise. The Austin Energy … (2 comments)
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austin real estate: Helping Buyers - 07/19/09 05:52 PM
This is a great post of Charlies and I want to share it because it illustrates so well the savings a buyer can make when using a knowledgeable Realtor® whether living in the Mountains of Georgia or the Hills of South Austin Texas.
Via Charlie Ragonesi 706- 579-1098 (All Mountain Realty):
A Realtor saves you money. If you are buying a home and working with the listing agent you may not know to ask
1 When was this home listed? People always ask because if they think the home was on the market for a long time they can get a … (3 comments)
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austin real estate: 200,000 Points is a signpost on the highway - 07/19/09 06:54 AM
Today is a great day here in Austin Texas, the sky is blue, the sun is coming up in the east, my family is home from vacation and I have just passed (with this post) the long awaited milestone of 200,000 points here in Active Rain.
I am a real fan of Active Rain, I praise it and recommend it to everyone I can. Some people actually come and get hooked too. Some don't. To each his/her own. I love the knowledge that is here. I wonder if you added up the years of agents in business here would it equal … (37 comments)
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austin real estate: We really are the new age Information Please ... - 07/17/09 05:25 PM
Reading the post of my friend in Charlottesville, Charles McDonaldtoday I realized just how many different and various things we do offer the consumer... as a Realtor® just in our daily driving we learn all the new stuff going on in a community. Here in Austin there is always something going on... festivals, music, new food experiences, music, ball games, did I say music?
Realtors® are becoming the new age operators of Information. Do you remember when you would call the local Information and ask, what is .. where is.. etc. Now that we have updated websites, blog posts, twitter and … (10 comments)
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austin real estate: Energy Saving Tips - 07/15/09 07:47 AM
Reading the monthly issue of TEXAS REALTOR® I ran across an article that answered some questions for me, just how much does one save in some of the energy saving ideas we hear so much about. Some of the answers were surprising to me and others not... SO here we go, according to the Texas Realtor® magazine of July 2009.
*A homeowner of a 10yr old 2 story, 2000 sq ft single family home could save up to $250 a year by upgrading the original air conditioning system.
*The annual water bill could be reduced by $50 a year by changing … (7 comments)
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austin real estate: In this Heat - 07/10/09 08:21 AM
Today is going to be just like yesterday, hot, hotter than that line in the June and Johnny Cash song, Hotter than a pepper sprout!... OK, this is Texas and its July, its suppose to be HOT... yesterday was the 17th day of record breaking heat here in Austin. It was officially 105. Today is suppose to be 105 or wait maybe 106. The weatherman just sighed when he said that.
I hate to complain, but, I know the but negates the meaning of the previous words, so maybe I do like to complain about the heat. At any rate, yesterday … (10 comments)
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austin real estate: Do Buyers know the difference in a Listing Agreement and a Sales Contract? - 07/09/09 10:19 AM
Recently there have been many instances of blog posts relating a concern about Buyers not having or understanding Representation. I myself encountered a nice young couple who declined Buyers Representation and during the previewing tour the Mr of the couple told me he would rather work only with listing agents to save the buyers agent commission.
This attitude is not only wrong it is completely goofy. OK, maybe not Goofy but delusional. A listing contract with a seller and a brokerage spells out the amount of commission to be paid on the sale of the property. It is a contract between … (16 comments)
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austin real estate: Septic Systems in Central Texas - 07/07/09 12:58 PM
Septic Systems 101
Many of today's homes are in rural areas and rely on septic systems. Some of these homes have antiquated systems and when buying or selling be sure to include a septic system inspection. Homes in Dripping Springs, Austin and many other areas fall into a septic system category. It is important to find out early in a transaction if the home is in this kind of category.
In our area of Central Texas, there are numerous agencies that are helpful. If you are near a river or lake it could be in the jurisdiction of Lower Colorado River … (7 comments)
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austin real estate: Countdown to the $8,000 tax credit expiration date - 07/04/09 11:07 AM
OK, I know today is a holiday, this weekend is a great holiday weekend. Time off? How about looking for that perfect new home? Realtors® often work holidays and weekends since that is the time that folks who work regular jobs are off. Call your favorite Realtor® today and make some appointments.
I have stated before the length of time it takes to buy a new home, or a resale home, I am not talking about a to be built home.... just the standard finding, previewing, really looking, writing contract, getting loan, inspections, appraisals, surveys, etc etc etc done and sitting … (9 comments)
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austin real estate: buying a Foreclosure? - 07/03/09 02:04 PM
Everywhere today there are foreclosure properties available. in some parts of the country there are massive amounts of them, in other parts not so many but still some available ... in all price ranges.
Here in Austin Texas we have our share of foreclosures, from the HUD owned, government sales to the Bank owned REO, meaning Real Estate Owned.
A few things about foreclosures to the first time home buyer: Have patience and endurance. Banks are going to sell a foreclosured property, eventually. There is a whole shebang ball game and hoop jumping that is done by agents, both the sellers … (5 comments)
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austin real estate: When your buyer has Champagne Taste and a Beer Budget - 06/30/09 11:29 AM
It is a very old saying, Champagne Taste and a Beer Budget, I think I have heard it most of my life, meaning someone wants what their pocketbook and checkbook will not allow.
This past weekend I had that buyer in my car, sure I could find them the home they specified, 2700 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, large kitchen, gameroom, big yard and ample garage space and not more than 10 years old. Budget was about $250,000, hummmmm, well that can still be a do-able situation in parts of South Austin. There are neighborhoods that fit MOST of … (14 comments)
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austin real estate: WOW... it's a Hot One, showing in the mid day sun - 06/29/09 09:14 AM
OK, this is Texas, it is a place known of the hot summers and this year the summer sun is out in full force, at 8:00am yesterday it was over 80 degrees, I had appointments to show homes at 11:00 am til 2:00... if you have lived around these parts you know we are walking down the streets and around the backyards in 95-100 degree heat.
This year we have had the typical August dog days of summer hit us in June, 12 days of over 100 degree heat, many record breaking for that day, 103, 104 degrees. No matter where … (11 comments)
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austin real estate: Market Report for Circle C Ranch, May 2009 - 06/08/09 04:58 PM
What is selling in Circle C Ranch? How much is the price per square foot? These are a couple of questions I will attempt to answer here, the data related is from the Austin MLS system, for the Month of May 2009, obtained, June 8, 2009.
Sold Units: (residential homes) sold units 29 in May 2009 .... sold units 19 in May 2008
Average Sold Price: May 2009 $318,988.00 ....... May 2008 $319,125.00
Average Price Per Sq Ft. May 2009 $111,18 ....... May 2008 $115.15
Average Days on Market May 2009 97 days May 2008 64 days
Averages are just that... highs, lows, everything rolled together and … (2 comments)
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austin real estate: Market Report for Village at Western Oaks, May 2009 - 06/08/09 09:47 AM
The Village at Western Oaks is a sprawling part of Southwest Austin, its families, business people, singles, everyone can and does live in this tree lined community, home to many great parks, like Dick Nichols public park and pool.
Here are some of the details of what has been going on in the Real Estate market in this area for May 2009.
Currently there are 29 active listings, priced from $210,000- $334,000.
Currently there are 19 pending listings. under contract.
Sold activity for May 2009 9 properties, priced average $229,421 with an average square footage price of $123.11, average days on … (4 comments)
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austin real estate: It lives on .. and on.. and on... and on - 06/03/09 08:00 AM
Just musing today and staring at my keyboard, I was gently reminded by my friend Betina that I have not written a post in a week. Why? I don't really have an excuse, reason or can not put my finger on one. Just haven't had the heart?
So I am determined to pull myself out of this slump, and I started looking at some of my old posts, you do know that they are still active don't you. Some of them just keep growing, people keep searching for things and viola, an old post pops up. So that's all good. While … (11 comments)
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austin real estate: Market Statistics in Barton Hills neighborhood of Austin Texas for May 2009. - 05/25/09 10:13 PM
Barton Hills area is a wonderful area of Austin, Betina has provided a glimpse of the market for May 2009.
Via Betina Foreman- Austin Area Realtor, Central Austin Real Estate (512)771-6318 (Keller Williams):
I lived in Barton Hills for several years and loved the large lots and the short commute to downtown. Since most of it was developed in the 1950-1980's there are no Home Owners Associations fees or restrictions. As a Realtor it is one of my favorite neighborhoods to sell for the very same reasons.
Since there are new construction homes and condos taking the place of some of … (2 comments)
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South Austin Real Estate Blog
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