| |
real estate: So you want to be an expert - 08/18/09 06:10 PM
So you want to be an expert, some folks say that if you call yourself an expert you are one. Some folks say it's an earned title. A learned one. There are neighborhood specialist, specialist in the medical field, and literature and many more than I have not enough words to write about.
I have always shied away from calling myself a "neighborhood specialist" because it was stated by a past Chairman of our local board that designation will put you higher in accountability than any other Realtor® working in the area. You have decreed you are a specialist, you have more knowledge … (4 comments)
|
real estate: Calling all FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS... - 02/15/09 07:17 AM
Who IS the First Time HomeBuyer..
... listening to the TV news channel, this morning I was listening to the morning show, and I realize not everyone knows what that means.. THE FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER.
I heard a newscaster speaking and he didn't know, because he stated the new $8,000 Tax Credit was only for people who were buying their FIRST EVER HOME. That is not exactly right.
A first time homebuyer is... anyone who hasn't owned a home in the past 3 years.
Now that is a whole different ball game than one who has NEVER owned a home.
If … (8 comments)
|
real estate: Onion Creek Floodplain Buyout UPDATE Yarrabee Bend Area - 02/01/09 11:00 AM
Hello to everyone in and near the Yarrabee Bend area of Onion Creek and Onion Creek Forest. Those of you who are on the immediate buyout plans should have been contacted by the HDR Engineering firm for a proposal of the buyout for your home.
Now then, this would be the time for you to start to look around for a new home. While the folks at the HDR are representing the City of Austin and the US Corp of Engineers in helping to assist you with the purchase of your current home, you are not obligated to purchase the home … (4 comments)
|
real estate: its time to think about Valentine's Day... oh yes it is. - 01/05/09 08:10 AM
OK, I know that Christmas has just passed. Sooooo, stuff is on sale. Its time to get ready for a Valentine's Day popby. I was just reading the blog post by Penny Hull and I realized the cards I have been making this past weekend are just what I need add a little candy and its a treat.
SO here is the idea... small clear plastic gift bags, craft stores sell them for about $2-3 for 50, and fill them with Hershey's Kisses or those fun valentine sayings candy, and put a tag on the gift bag.
Tags can be made on … (19 comments)
|
real estate: How a Smart Buyer Can DO an Accurate Internet Search - 12/23/08 12:11 PM
There are many reasons a Buyer of a new home would be smart to engage the services of a Realtor in the beginning of their search. I would like to just hit one this morning.
Internet Search, OK, we all know this is how 80% of all buyers start to look for a new home, but did you know that IF you contact a Realtor, and you both agree to representation you can do a more refined search of all the suitable and available homes in your area?
Its an IDX search thru a Realtors website generally. You can put in … (2 comments)
|
real estate: Why won't you come and show me the house, I'm in my car at the street. - 12/21/08 02:00 PM
Dear Mr I drove by the House and I want to see it.
This post is for buyers, prospective buyers and anyone who would like to see how a call to an agency can work.
RINGGGGGGGG.. Good morning, This is Gail at Keller Williams, thanks for calling, how can I help you?
Caller: I want to see the house at 123 Main St, can you come unlock it for me?
Me: Let me look up the house on the computer, just a moment. Oh, I see the house at 123 Main St is still available for sale, its a 3 bedroom, … (30 comments)
|
real estate: Negotiations in sales and lowball offers - 12/15/08 08:06 AM
Reading some of my favorite bloggers this morning I ran across one by Endre Barath and it was sooooo true I had a moment, a BLOGS HAPPEN moment, so I would like to elaborate on it. Please read Endre's post .
http://activerain.com/blogsview/836589/Free-Advice-To-Land-Sellers-Yes-you-should-respond-to-a-low-offer-should-act-like-a-businessman
Mr and Mrs Seller are presented with a lowball offer. OK, they are disappointed, discouraged, or angry at the buyers... how dare they ... my house is worth more.. I will never take that.. I'm sure we have all heard one of these statements, or a variation.
An offer, in these times it can be a door opening, in our business … (17 comments)
|
real estate: My AHA moment in Gary Kellers Class yesterday - 12/09/08 06:38 AM
If you have ever read, heard or watched any of Gary Kellers presentations he often speaks of AHA Moments, those moments when the lightbulb went on in your brain. A sudden and clear illumanation of thought. AHA Moments are not often but can totally change your perspective.
Gary Keller is the founder of Keller Williams Realty, the 4th largest real estate company in the US, so he is like a "guru" and when a Guru speaks we should at least turn one ear toward him. I would do the same with Floyd Wickman, Brian Buffini or Warren Buffet... when someone that … (14 comments)
|
real estate: 100% Financing still exists for rural areas - 10/03/08 08:57 PM
An advertisement on the radio station this morning said. .. 100% financing is still available, even if you have poor credit... contact XYZ Finance Company for this USDA Loan.
I thought the ad was a bit misleading since USDA Loans are limited to certain areas in our locality... nothing in the ad addressed this.... USDA Loans are for underdeveloped areas, with small populations.
USDA Loans also have income caps, meaning, limited income but as the number of family members rise so does the dollar amount of the loan available. This varies with areas.
A link to the USDA Loan Website... where you … (12 comments)
|
real estate: Stop Identity Theft Day Saturday APRIL 19, 2008 Austin Texas - 03/30/08 10:33 AM
Stop Identity Theft
The City of Austin Texas is sponsoring a STOP IDENTITY THEFT day, Saturday APRIL 19,2008 from 7:30am-2:30pm. This is a great way to get rid of all that abundance of paperwork we all amass. You may bring up to 5 file boxes of paper records for shredding. Oh, did I say it is FREE?
Mobile shredding trucks from AUSTIN SHRED, a Balcones Resource Company, CenTex Shred and Iron Mountain will be on-site to shred the material.
Heres the scoop.
April 19,2008, Saturday 7:30Am-2:30PM
AUSTIN HIGH PARKING LOT 1715 W Cesar Chavez Austin Texas
Restrictions are.. NO WET MATERIAL, … (8 comments)
|
real estate: Open House near APPLIED MATERIALS, DELL and SAMSUNG, Austin Texas - 03/15/08 08:42 AM
Want to save on gas and live near work? Bike to work? Walk to work? walk to elementary school?
11108 Seay St, Austin, Tx 78754OPEN HOUSE TODAY 3/15/2008 1-4PM
Here is the perfect FAMILY HOME, featuring 6 bedrooms, (master suite downstairs and its enormous) 5 Bedrooms up with large closets, ceiling fans, 3.5 baths, family-living, formal dining, gameroom upstairs, and large country kitchen. Custom hardwood floor in dining, new tile floors in entry, kitchen, and breakfast area. Privacy fenced backyard... neutral colors throughout.
PRICED AT $235,900.
Walk to work at APPLIED MATERIALS, short commute to SAMSUNG and DELL... minutes to the 130 TollRoad, ez … (7 comments)
|
real estate: Open House near APPLIED MATERIALS, DELL and SAMSUNG, Austin Texas - 03/15/08 08:41 AM
Want to save on gas and live near work? Bike to work? Walk to work? walk to elementary school?
11108 Seay St, Austin, Tx 78754OPEN HOUSE TODAY 3/15/2008 1-4PM
Here is the perfect FAMILY HOME, featuring 6 bedrooms, (master suite downstairs and its enormous) 5 Bedrooms up with large closets, ceiling fans, 3.5 baths, family-living, formal dining, gameroom upstairs, and large country kitchen. Custom hardwood floor in dining, new tile floors in entry, kitchen, and breakfast area. Privacy fenced backyard... neutral colors throughout.
PRICED AT $235,900.
Walk to work at APPLIED MATERIALS, short commute to SAMSUNG and DELL... minutes to the 130 TollRoad, ez … (2 comments)
|
real estate: Austin Texas #1 in Movie Making Magazine - 03/13/08 08:28 AM
Austin Texas has been announced this morning as the #1 city for movie making location by Magazine Movie Making in its 8th Annual list.
Austin is movie-maker friendly since the late Ann Richards enticed Hollywood to try Austin first. With property a great value and scenery worth looking at and a population of talented folks plus the condusive weather to outdoor shooting its no wonder Austin is #1!!!
Moving up from #3 position of last year, being beaten out by #1 New York City and #2 Los Angeles, this year we are #1!! Hooray for the hometeam!!
If you have real estate needs in the Austin … (11 comments)
|
real estate: Phone Opportunity as a source of Leads - 03/13/08 08:12 AM
While reading Where Do All The Leads Go? by David Slavin of Katy Texas this morning it brought to my mind about where do my leads come from and I realized many come from floor duty or what we call Phone Opportunity.
And an Opportunity it is.. back when I was in retail sales we as salepersons were taught, "someone enters our store to purchase something" its our job to find out what they want to purchase. That is the same with most calls that come into a real estate office.
Someone wants to buy, sell or lease a home. Simple right? … (2 comments)
|
real estate: Changes of the season - 03/03/08 08:21 AM
March Winds have arrived in Austin Texas, this morning the mild unseasonably warm morning dropped 20+ degrees in 1 hour... yep my friends that was from 71degrees to 50 degrees. Talk about running back to the house for a sweater.
March is a time of change, the lion and lamb showing changes, its also the time of the IDES OF MARCH, beware oh Mighty Caesar, March 10th Commonwealth Day in Canada, March 17th St Patricks Day, March 20th The First Day of Spring and this year the March 16th - March 24th the Holy Times of Easter for Christianity.
All my life I … (10 comments)
|
real estate: waiting to buy? - 03/03/08 07:59 AM
Dear Future Homeowner, This interesting piece of information was passed on to our real estate office last week by Gary Keller, CEO of Keller Williams Realty, the 4th largest Real Estate Company in these United States, so I sat up and listened.
Now I would like to share this information with you, so you can make an informed decision about buying your new home. This applies if its a Resale Home or a New Construction Home.
Interest Rates have increased by 0.6% points in 5 weeks.
January 24, 2008 rates: 5.48%
February 21,2008 rates: 6.04%
Homeprices have continued to decline in some areas more than … (4 comments)
|
real estate: Update on Austin Flood Zone Buyout- Onion Creek Area - 02/27/08 04:43 PM
The Onion Creek City of Austin- FEMA buyout is coming to an end. $6 million dollars had been funded to buyout homes in the Yarrabee Bend area of South Austin. Home owners were offered fair market appraisal cost and given a specific time to accept or decline the offer. Most of the homeowners did accept the offer and have relocated to other parts of Austin.
The second phase of the Onion Creek - Yarrabee Bend area buyout will be taken over by the US ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS in June 2008 and will begin in October 2008 and expect to end June 2013. … (20 comments)
|
real estate: market Activity Report in South Austin Texas for jan 2007 and jan 2008 comparable. - 02/27/08 03:59 PM
Market Activity Report in South Austin Texas for the month of Jan 2007 and Jan 2008
We have some cool areas in South Austin that are heavy residential areas, 10N, 10S, and SWW being the most popular in what keeps Austin weird. The areas are family oriented from all types and walks of life. Artist community is heavy in area 10N and multi cultural influences 10S while SWW is has a heavy influence of tech and professional families. Lots of parks and local flavor in all these areas.
Here are a few stats for those folks who like to compare data .. This … (0 comments)
|
real estate: Its a Beautiful Morning - 02/06/08 07:56 AM
The sun is shining and its a cold crisp morning here in Central Texas, about 40 degrees this morning, blue skies, cloudless day and the high will be near 70 today. Nothing to complain about at all. The past few days have been trying for me, flu, grandones sick too, a cranky client, and whine whine whine for days... and the Pats lost the superbowl. Well .. .folks.. today is a new day and in celebration of today here is my song ... I wish you all such a glorious day to enjoy. If you would like to begin your search … (15 comments)
|
real estate: Please Don't call, write or email me .. an Open appeal - 01/27/08 11:58 AM
Earlier this week I had written a comment on a blog about Internet Lead Generation companies, it was not a favorable comment to the Internet Lead Generation companies. A few days later I received an email thru active rain and it was from Home Gain. The email asked me to consider their company since it was different and one only paid $29.99 a month plus a referral fee of about (?) 27% on closing.
I would not be opposed to a straight referral fee on closing but what is the $29.99 a month?
Today I received in my business email a pitch from … (28 comments)
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Austin,
TX
More about me…
Sky Realty South Austin
Address: 4501 Spicewood Springs Dr , Ste 1029, Austin , TX, 78759
Office Phone: (512) 342-8744
Cell Phone: (512) 497-6442
Email Me
 Links
Archives
|
;)
;)
