[Joe Cline] Hired their own attorney? I'm pretty sure the attorney works for Turnquist/Shiflet, therefore has no duty to the MLS, ACTRIS, or other members. So who cares if they hired their own attorney? That attorney ONLY CARES ABOUT THEIR CLIENT.Joe Cline] Ok. I'm with you here

[Joe Cline] Then DON'T put 'Y' in the little field that says IDX and they will not be on the web. Voila. Your listings are yours and yours alone.

[Joe Cline] If you don't mind sharing, then what is this whole petition about? Oh, you don't mind sharing as long as all the MLS images look like this. Secondly, if you read the petition, you'll see what Cord and his attorney think "proper" credit means. The long and short of it is that Cord thinks he should get his name, email, company name, and phone number on every property page any agent has up to 25 TIMES!!!

[Joe Cline] The petition looks it was drafted with the help of the lawyer. Be aware that there are two separate issues in the petition. 1) do we want to control where syndication occurs, and 2) should we allow 25 references to the listing agent per listing.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/aboractris-rules/

[Joe Cline] The petition does not simple ask to put the listing agent's information on all syndicated listings. It asks ABOR to do it 25 times per listing. On each and every photo. Nor does the petition say who will pay for regulating these "watermarks". How big should the watermarks be? Where should they be? What if there is a complaint about a non-compliant watermark? Sure you can help me sell my client's listing, but I'm going to need 25 citations on every page of your website. Who wants anyone's name and info on a single page 25 times? That's ridiculous.

[Joe Cline] This is pretty much the only reasonable request in the petition. Of course how granular do you get? It can be a nightmare. Who wants even more fields to fill out to post listings? Plus if you start putting specific sites on there, who's to say that it is not violating anti-trust laws, by limiting competition among agents.Of course, I'm not a lawyer so what do I know?

[Joe Cline] So far you've got you, your lawyer, and less than 10% of the membership. Talk to me when you get to 50% (and good luck with that!).

Suffice it to say that I'm against the petition and the wonderful images that it espouses. Lastly, this does seem like that last proposal that ABOR made that sparked the DOJ of Anti-Trust lawsuit. This could be construed as being able to hand select which agents/websites you cooperate with, so that could limit open and free competition among agents and choice for the real estate consumer.

"ActiveRain was purchased last month by Market Leader, who also acquired the website "www.realestate.com" for 8.25 million dollars."

Holy cow. I know that realestate.com is a great domain name, but $8.5MM for a URL? Seems like it would have been better to use a lesser known URL and plop down the $8.5 on a killer development team to rock out new features and blow the doors off the competition. Meh. No one ever accused me of being a dot com business guru so maybe the money is well spent. Anyway, good luck with the merger! I hope it leads to a prosperous 2012!

Joe Cline, Broker, Realtor
Affinity Properties,
Austin Texas 78746
http://www.affinityproperties.com

Shoal Creek Office Condos
8500 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin, TX 78757
Property Type:Office
Property Sub-type:Office Condo
Property Use Type:Investment
No. Stories:2
Building Class:B
Year Built:1972
Lot Size:8.50 AC

LoopNet Sale Listing

Unit 220
Price:$651,690   <--- New Price
Unit Size:5,013 SF
Price/SF:$130 or Lease/SF: $9.75
Commission Split:3% sale, 4% lease

Unit 201
Price:$675,955
Unit Size:4,361 SF
Price/SF:$155
Commission Split:3%

Unit 208
Price:$511,345
Unit Size:3,299 SF
Price/SF:$155
Commission Split:3%

* Recently renovated
* Fully leased (except 270 sq ft management office) 
* Great location
* Leased office condos. Most leases thru 2013.
* Spaces completely finished out.
* 201/208 are complete build outs in 2010.
* Just north of Steck and Shoal Creek on Shoal Creek Blvd.

Virtual Tour at
http://vt.realtour.biz/?P=32190 

--
Joe Cline
REALTOR, Broker
RE/MAX 1
512.415.9614 cell
512.233.2231 fax
joecline@gmail.com
http://www.AffinityProperties.com 

It is just about every adult’s dream to own his very own home. However, due to many practical constraints, the only way for a regular earner to own a home is by obtaining a home loan or mortgage. A home mortgage is a loan you apply for in order to pay for your house and/or the land it stands on. The same property is considered as the collateral for the loan, which means that your lender can take away your home if, for any reason, you become unable to pay for the monthly repayments due you.

In order to own and keep your home, it is important that you be able to pay for the mortgage of your home. Thus, before even obtaining the loan, you should have already set your budget and have made sure that you have enough family income to accommodate mortgage payments. How do you calculate and figure out mortgage payments for your home? Here are some tips that can help you get a bird's eye view on how much you will shell out monthly paying for home:

1. Know the three most important pieces information you need: amount of mortgage, loan duration and terms, and interest rate. These three crucial pieces of information should have been made available for you even before you signed the contract. To approximate the monthly amortization or monthly payment, you will need to follow the formula below:

M = P [ i(1 + i)n ] / [ (1 + i)n - 1]
So if you borrow $100,000 on a home loan at an annual interest rate of 5% spread over 20 years, following the formula, you can expect a monthly amortization of $660. Of course, if this formula is too much to handle, you can always ask for an estimate from your real estate agent.

2. The mortgage payment usually not inclusive of possible property taxes to be imposed on your new home and the cost of homeowners insurance. Other costs may include private mortgage insurance and association dues. Check with your local revenue office and your real estate agent to find the exact figures of these payment extras. This can amount to a few hundred dollars to a few thousands yearly, depending on your property. With the figures above, you might have to pay roughly $900 per month for 20 years.

3. If all else fails and all the figures seem confusing, use a mortgage calculator. There are mortgage calculators and tools found online that can help you estimate your monthly amortization. You will need to provide the basic figures for a more correct estimate.

Despite the initially overwhelming cost, remember that your home is the most important investment you can make. If you are armed with the right knowledge, then you would know how to properly budget your family income to make way for your monthly mortgage repayments. That said, good luck with your new home!

The author of this article has expertise in Austin homes. The articles about Round Rock real estate reveals the author’s knowledge on the same. The author has published many articles in his Austin real estate blog as well.

In the United States, real estate laws vary from state to state. However, there are common laws that govern landlord-tenant relationships and dictate what should be done if there are conflicts that happen along the way. Here are 5 of the most important real estate laws every landlord should know:

1. When renting out a property to another individual or group, landlords get into a legal, binding contract. As the landlord, you have all the right to receive an agreed upon rent in exchange for the use of your property. It is also your right that the property is returned undamaged (except for normal wear and tear) towards the end of the rental period.

2. It is part of the landlord's duty to respect the rights of the tenant, which includes the right to use your property without any interference. Tenants also must be provided with basic amenities in the property for a decent everyday living which includes running water, heat, garbage disposable, maintenance, and right to housing compliant with state and local building codes and regulations.

3. When you rent out your property, your tenant should be provided with all pertinent information about you - such as your name, address and contact information. It is also a landlord's obligation NOT to discriminate tenants for being disabled, for race, or for having children, among other illegal criteria. Thus, landlords cannot evict him or her on personal, unlawful grounds.

4. For any possible reason, landlords may NOT retaliate against their tenant by cutting off utilities, increasing the rent, or evicting. If your tenant has been unable to pay rent, or has complained to you about living conditions in your rental property, or has joined a tenant union’s organization, he should not receive negative consequences from the landlord.

5. When your tenant has been unable to pay the rent for more than 7 days overdue, landlords must give a written notice to remind the tenant about the payment and your intention to evict him should the rent remain unpaid after a specified deadline. The right to evict can also be used by a landlord if the tenant commits acts harmful to you or your property, harms other people, or commits an outrageous act that will endanger the safety of the property and the neighbourhood. The tenant must be given at least a 24-hour notice to leave the apartment. If your tenant ignores your notice, you can proceed with filing an eviction complaint in court.

Real estate property rental is one of the most lucrative aspects in the real estate industry. However, note that when renting property, you have as much duties as there are rights as landlord. If you would like to success at real estate property leasing, make sure you know these laws by heart. It is through these laws and regulations that rental transactions run smoothly and conflicts get resolved the soonest time possible. There may also be real estate laws imposed by your state, asks your real estate manager about it and find out.

The author of this article has expertise in Austin homes for sale. The articles about Lakeway real estate reveals the author’s knowledge on the same. The author has published many articles in his Austin real estate blog as well.

Check this out!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/43855218#43855218

Never watched this before, but pretty cool that they show houses from all over the country. We have a huge variation in styles and features from the north to the south. Same goes for New England and other areas. Fun clip to watch. Enjoy!

Joe

Texas has a fine share of native shrubs. Unfortunately, the state also has one of the most diverse sets of soil types and climates. Not all native Texas shrubs could acclimate well in Austin conditions, but if you want to keep your Austin garden pretty, these are the top four native Texas shrubs to try.

Dwarf Palmetto

The Dwarf Palmetto is also called the Bush Palmetto or the Sabal Minor. It’s grouped as a small shrub and could grow three to five feet tall. It’s a bushy, trunk-less shrub, and could survive either in partial or full sunlight. Aside from Austin, this Native Texas shrub grows well in most parts of Texas except for the Panhandle area or Amarillo.

It is fairly easy to cultivate and grow the Dwarf Palmetto as long as the conditions are right. The temperature should be 18ºC or warmer, so it’s a plant that grows best in the spring and summer. The plant can grow in medium drainage soils. It is easy to grow the shrub from seeds. The slow growth rate, however, means that you won’t be transplanting till the next year. Try to clear your soil from weeds and prune the shrubs regularly to maintain good health.

Agarita

The Agarita grows between 6 and 9 feet tall and is a native Texas shrub that grows well in South, East, North and Central Texas. It’s pretty popular in Austin because of Holly-like foliage. This is also a flowering shrub and is pretty well-known for its yellow blossoms which grow in spring. It also produces red berries which are actually edible.

If you want this shrub in your garden, you need to make sure that your garden soil drains well. It’s a pretty hardy plant though which can even grow on rocky flats with limestone. It grows well even on areas which are prone to drought, although it might not adapt well to wet regions. An Agarita shrub can survive even in partial sunlight although it really grows best when exposed to full sunlight.

Central Texas Sage

Probably one of the most beautiful native Texas shrubs is the Central Texas Sage. This grows up to five feet tall and four feet wide, and has matt-gray evergreen leaves. There are varieties which have dusty green foliage as well. The shrub should be planted where it can receive direct sunlight. It’s also popular because of its lavender-colored blossoms which grow throughout the summer.

The Central Texas Sage is considerably low maintenance. As long as you plant it in a well-drained soil, you can practically leave it alone. It requires occasional watering when the weather is extremely hot and dry.

Carolina Cherry Laurel

The Prunus Caroliniana or the Carolina Cherry Laures is a very attractive native Texas shrub. It can grow 20 to 40 feet high, though, and may sometimes be grouped as a tree. It’s a trunked shrub, and its trunk can grow up to 10 inches thick. The color of the Cherry Laurel depends on the soil conditions. They could range from dark green to yellow green. Just like most native Texas shrubs, it grows well in other areas of the state like Austin, but not in the Amarillo region.

You can plant the shrub in well-drained gardens, as long as it’s exposed to partial or full sunlight. Unlike other native Texas shrubs, this plant likes moisture but is known to be able to withstand drought. Watering it moderately once a day and pruning it regularly should keep it in very good health. The shrub is also inexpensive.

The author of this article has expertise in Austin Texas real estate. The articles about west Austin homes for sale reveals the author’s knowledge on the same. The author has published many articles in his Austin real estate blog as well.

There are quite a number of trees native to Texas which you can include in your garden if you live in Austin. However, Texas is a big state, and it has one of the world’s most diverse soil and climate conditions. You need to make sure that the environmental variables are ideal for the growth of these trees before you plant them .Here’s a way to make the job easier. Below are the top four native Texas trees which you can plant in Austin without any worries.

Desert Willow

The Desert Willow is classified as a small tree and is adaptable to most parts of Texas except the eastern regions (Houston, Tyler, Nacagdoches, Beaumont and Texarkana). It’s known for its blooms which look like snapdragon and grace the state throughout the summer. Its foliage resembles willow leaves, and you won’t have any trouble maintaining this tree in an Austin garden.

It has very low water requirements which make it adaptable to regions which are prone to draught. The Desert Willow grows between 15 to 20 feet high and 15 to 20 feet wide. At its best, it also blooms during the fall. Just make sure that the soil in your garden has excellent drainage. This tree is low-maintenance, and could survive even if you just water it occasionally, when the climate is extremely hot.

Honey Mesquite

The Honey Mesquite is another small, Native Texas tree which is known for its wide, lacy structure. It grows well in most Texan regions except for the Eastern (mentioned above) and the Amarillo (Panhandle) regions. It’s a flowering tree which adapts very well to dry, hot conditions, but also grows well in areas which receive more than 40 meters of rain every year.

Make sure your garden soil is well-drained if you want to add this tree to your backyard because it still grows better under dry conditions. The honey mesquite belongs to the legume family and has seed pods, bright green foliage resembling feathers and drooping from its long branches. The tree is easy to grow but could be extremely difficult to remove. If you cut down a single-trunked tree, it would only be replaced with a multi-trunked re-growth.

Bald Cypress

The bald cypress gets its name from its fine foliage which makes it look barer than other cypress trees. In Texas, you’ll see it in full fall colors. The deciduous tree is classified as a large, native Texan tree, growing well above 35 feet tall. It’s not commonly grown as a backyard garden unless you own a wide expanse of land. The ideal soil type for this tree is alluvial and you’ll find it mostly in the wetlands. It can grow wildly along rivers, swamps, streams and creeks. It can grow well in Austin, and is pretty popular in other areas of Texas, but it can’t live in the Panhandle area.

Chinquapin Oak

The Chinquapin Oak is a large, native tree in Texas known for its bold foliage and peculiarly round top. Sometimes, its name is also spelled out as “chinkapin”. It is native to North Carolina, but could grow well in Austin as well as other parts of Texas except Amarillo in the Panhandle region. Records show that on average, this tree can grow between 30 to 50 feet tall and its leaves somewhat resemble chestnuts. It’s classified as a white oak tree, and could tolerate hot, dry conditions. The soil needs to have a good drainage for this tree to grow well.

Source: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/xeriscape/table5.html

The author of this article has expertise in Austin Texas homes for sale. The articles about west Austin real estate reveals the author’s knowledge on the same. The author has published many articles in his Austin real estate blog as well.

Real estate taxes can be a real headache, and that is an understatement. Every year, homeowners in Texas complain about their rising tax obligations, and this isn’t just a state-concentrated problem. It’s happening across the country.

What can raise your taxes?

Anything from the rising land/property value in your area to the home improvements you’ve made in the past can raise your real estate taxes in Texas. Most of the time, assessors are asked to look inside your home and assess the true selling value of the property. Other times, they also just generalize. They can acquire the median value of homes in your neighborhood and that’s the value they assign your home.

How can you fight this?

What you should do first is to get the real estate tax values assigned to at least five similar properties in your area. Take note of the differences in the structure, and see how these compare to your own property’s assessed value. You need to prove that the taxes assigned to your property were unjustified.

You can also explore exemptions which may not have been applied to your property taxes. You’ll be surprised at how much tax shields can lower your real estate tax obligations to make use of them. To get the most accurate comparisons, choose properties which are in the same block. Assessors might argue that the properties six blocks away from your home have different land values; hence, the lower rates.

When to take action

Don’t just sit on your real estate tax problem. You’re only given 60 days to dispute an unfair property assessment, and if you’re unable to question this in that time span, you’ll be obliged to pay the full amount assessed by the city hall. Call for a hearing as soon as you can. Most of the time, people find it unnecessary to hire tax lawyers to back up their claims, but if you want to speed up the process, Texas real estate tax lawyers do come in handy, especially when it comes to collating the information that you need.

Also, regular citizens who have not studies the law closely might be unable to identify the tax exemptions they’re entitled to. Don’t waste your money every year just because you didn’t file for these exemptions. The bureau is only trying to gather enough money for the state, but sometimes, without even meaning to, they could overcharge you because they simply don’t have the time to identify your tax exemptions for you.

Filing fee

Also remember that filing for tax disputes may cost you a bit of your time and money. The filing fees range between $5 and $30. Your attorney’s fees are also relative. Look at your situation closely. If you think you have a pretty strong case, go ahead and dispute your real estate taxes.

If you’re just taking the shot even if you don’t have solid proof that your property’s assessments were indeed off the bracket, think about the financial damages that this procedure will cost you. It’s advisable, actually, to make an informal appeal first to your property’s assessor. If this doesn’t work, that’s the only time you should bring the argument to court.

The author of this article has expertise in Austin homes for sale. The articles about Cedar Park real estate reveals the author’s knowledge on the same. The author has published many articles in his Austin real estate blog as well.

Whether it’s the attic, your closet, or an extra room where you keep all of the “loot” you’ve accumulated throughout the years, people pay very little attention to their storage space. Most of the time, they just keep on dumping more and more objects in it. Before you know it, you might never be able to find that family album, or your old precious dollhouse, or that gown you’ve been meaning to send to the dry cleaners. Don’t let this happen to you. Be more organized.

Regular cleaning days

If you want to keep your storage space clean and organized, conduct regular general cleaning days especially for that area and try to let go of things you will no longer need. Do this at least three times a year. Prepare two big boxes and collect items you will no longer find any use for in the next two years.

Keep precious mementos (like albums, carefully-selected toys and trinkets, wedding gowns, etc.) in a place where you can easily access them. Invest in good shelving spaces and secure cabinets for the things you do plan to keep and be emotionally prepared to give items (like old sweaters, shoes, etc.) to charity if you think they’re only collecting dust in your attic.

Group and label

Group your keepsakes carefully, and if you must keep them in boxes, label them properly. You should still have walkways in your attic, and they items should be secured well enough so you’re not putting yourself in danger should you be caught there during an earthquake. If you have children in the house, you might want to keep the attic or your storage areas closed just to avoid accidents.

Once everything is grouped and labeled properly, it will be easier for you to check their conditions during your regular cleaning days. Throw away mementos which are being eaten slowly by termites or molds. Mold and mildew build up usually happens in storage spaces which aren’t kept clean and organized, and you don’t want to expose yourself and your family to this kind of risk.

Make your storage area livable

Assigning small storage areas throughout your house may help you keep your keepsakes under control. Use your attic as a studio or a lounge and soon, you’ll be forced to keep things neat, organized, and manageable. When you assign a single room for your storage area, the tendency for you is to just forget about the space, and keep on moving items in it which you can’t quite let go yet because of emotional attachments.

If you arrange everything in your attic well, you might even be able to convert it into a tiny exhibit area for your family mementos. After all, there’s no reason for these things to be kept inside the box if they can be used as decorative items. Don’t let your storage rooms hold nasty secrets you’d want keep away from your guests. Try to be more organized and soon, you’ll be literally proud of every single corner of your house.

Hold garage sales

Garage sales are good ways for you to be motivated enough to let go of your old things. If you don’t want to just give your old stuff to charity, or throw them away, you can raise money for a new sofa by letting go of the old one in the attic, or use the money you’ve made by letting go of your old dresses to redecorate your bedroom. The possibilities are endless. Just be creative and you’ll find a way to get rid of your clutter and make better use of your storage space.

The author of this article has expertise in Austin Texas homes. The articles about Round Rock homes for sale reveals the author’s knowledge on the same. The author has published many articles in his Austin real estate blog as well.