Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate

Warning Labels are out of Control

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:40:12 -0600

Are the warning labels that manufacturers are putting on products getting a little out of whack?

Yes, I know I should not use a hair dryer in the bathtub. And yes, I know sleeping pills could cause drowsiness.

Last week, my daughter celebrated her 2 year birthday. I put a 2 on the top of her Rice Krispie Treat Cupcake. Can you guess what the label said?

It said, "Ages 3+".

But it's a number 2!!! It's not like a 12 year old is going to want a glitter number muchless a 20 year old. The number was found down the children's party isle, and I doubt someone turning any number in their twenties would be looking there.

With that, this #2 must be for a two year old, no? But why do you have to be 3+ in order to blow out the candle?

Come on! If you're going to put warning labels on things, make them make sense!!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Warning Labels are out of Control * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Are you Seriously Still on the Fence? All I Hear are Excuses excuses excuses...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:56:30 -0600

Real Estate - Hill Country Lakeway Austin TX Homes for Sale are jumping off the MLS!! That means, houses are selling throughout the Austin TX area!!

Are you still on the fence? How could you possibly still be on the fence right now?

I mean, there is FREE money being handed out right and left, if you qualify.

Does $8000 not mean anything to you? How about a potential $6500? With money like that being handed to you, seriously, how could you be on the fence?

Here are two great blog posts that explain the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit along with the Move-Up buyer tax credit.

Now, after reading those two posts, and learning about how your Federal Government is going further into debt to give you FREE money upon buying a new home, could you please speak in English, slowly, and using small words, and tell me the reasons why you're not ready to buy?

I'm listening... uh, huh... go on...

All I'm hearing are excuses and not reasons... yep, another excuse...

Get off the fence, give me a call or shoot me an email, and if we can't get you into a new house before the New Year, let's get you into a new house before this FREE money is gone, which is April 30, 2010 (closed by June 30, 2010).

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Are you Seriously Still on the Fence? Excuses excuses excuses... * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Real Estate Books- Claudia Wicks - More Excerpts from “Make the Move” - Featuring Donna Harris Austin TX Real Estate

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:45:35 -0600

Here is more from Claudia Wicks' book that is coming out, Make the Move.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Real Estate - Austin TX Homes for Sale are Selling Strong * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Via Claudia Wicks (Real Estate Base Camp):

Before I move onto some of the other agents featured in the book, I thought I'd add a few other comments from Donna Harris. Here is Donna, in her own words.

"I have grown my database with the Internet leads I have purchased. NAR says nationally the number (of Internet consumers) is 87 percent. I'd rather spend my marketing dollars online.

I also input my past clients into my database and my sphere of influence - actually everyone I meet or who contacts me. I have grown my database to over 3,500 prospects and clients since I started keeping track in 2004. I put them all on automatic drip e-mail campaigns.

Then, in 2006, I decided to start blogging for additional exposure. I knew that people were online, so I wanted to be there with them. Marketing is cyclical. People used to cold call, farm neighborhoods, and have magazine ads. Now almost every publication is online, because that's where consumers are searching.

Blogging provides national exposure, primarily Active Rain and Blogger.com. Search engines really like Active Rain and Active Rain handles all of the back end for you.

Consumers want information. If you provide relevant information consistently about an area - localism - you show up on the front page of the search engines."

Donna is one of the most effective bloggers I know. Donna consistently provides valuable info to her consumers. Google her...you'll find her right on top!

Wordless Wednesday - Confused Trees Not Changing Colors

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:12:56 -0600

I'm not sure this tree knows what season it is. This tree is in Falconhead Bee Cave TX, but this is what most all the trees look like in and around Austin TX right now. It's been unseasonably warm, and the trees aren't sure to change colors and drop their leaves yet...

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Bee Cave Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Wordless Wednesday - Confused Trees Not Changing Colors * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Seven Oaks - Austin TX - Hill Country Real Estate at its Finest

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:59:18 -0600

Seven Oaks - Austin TX- Hill Country Real Estate at its Finest is a very unique community just West of Austin. Seven Oaks is not within the city limits, sitting between Austin and Bee Cave TX on FM 2244- Bee Caves Rd.

Because Seven Oaks does not sit within the city limits of any city, there are no city taxes. Therefore, the tax rate is low, only a mere 1.8626%.

What does Seven Oaks have to offer? Look at these pictures! Seven Oaks offers topography like no other. There are hills within the hills. There are views as far as you can see. There are natural stone retaining walls. There is privacy with gates if you want privacy, or there is a community feel if you want to know your neighbors.

The market in Seven Oaks tells an interesting story. In the average prices in and around Austin TX, most buyers look for new and newer homes along with bigger and more features within a home. That's not what the multi-million dollar buyer is looking for...

The multi-million dollar buyer is looking for pre-owned and a "deal". Home owners have been in these homes and paid such and such price for them. Builders are still building and putting more and more money into the homes, and paying today's prices for the materials, so they ask for more.

In the past six months, Seven Oaks has only sold ONE brand new home and it was in July. The other six sales were all preowned homes. The average sold home had 4.85 beds, 4.71 baths, 3.14 living areas and 6250 sqft built in 2005. This average home sold for $1,608,057.

Currently, there are 16 homes actively for sale in Seven Oaks. These homes average 5.125 beds, 5.25 baths, 4.31 living areas and 7625 sqft built in 2008. This average home is asking $2,790,906.

Yikes! Can you see the differences??

The active listings are asking more than $1M more than the average property that sold. Granted, in the past six months, there was a property that sold for $2.75M along with another at $2.1M, so there are buyers in the higher range, but for the most part, buyers are toning down what they're buying and are looking for resale homes in this price range.

This is definitely not the norm in Austin TX Hill Country real estate.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Seven Oaks Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Seven Oaks - Austin TX - Hill Country Real Estate at its Finest * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Property Tax Arbitration - Property Tax Values - Austin TX - Final Step when Fighting Taxes

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:25:18 -0600

Property Tax Arbitration - Property Tax Values - Austin TX - is the final step to take when a home owner is unhappy with their property tax value. I am an Arbitrator for the State of Texas' Comptroller's office. I find it very interesting to hear home owners' views as to why their properties are valued incorrectly.

Here's an example from a couple of weeks ago of why would you go to Property Tax Arbitration...

These home owners were given an assessment of over $1.07 Million. They went to the Appraisal Review Board at the Travis Central Appraisal District. Without any kind of deliberation by the panel chosen, they arbitrarily came up with a value of $962k plus some change. How did they come up with this number? Who knows, as there is no explanation on the recording, just a 3 second time period where the panel chair said they're going to deliberate, to when the first panelist says $962k followed by a second panelist saying he agreed "exactly".

With that, the home owners knew they needed to take things further, and they filed for Property Tax Arbitration with the State of Texas Comptroller's Office. The home owners read my blog post about Property Tax Arbitration that explained the process, but instead of choosing me to be the Arbitrator, they chose me to represent them.

We met a couple of times to go over what happened at the Appraisal Review Board, as well as at the house so I could see the condition to be able to compare the property to the ones the Travis Central Appraisal District was looking at. We then went and looked at three homes that were currently on the market since there wasn't much sales history in the immediate neighborhood.

Two weeks ago, we met with the Travis Central Appraisal Districts' Chief Appraiser to come to an agreement. After meeting for about 45 minutes, I helped these home owners go from $1.07M to $962K down to $850k! They did the first adjustment on their own, but between the $962k and the $850k, I helped them save approximately $2240 for the year. From the original appraised value, that's a savings of almost $4800.

Some people don't think Arbitration is worth it, but $4800 is not chump change, and neither is $2440! Because the new value was in favor of the home owner, they got back $450 of their $500 fee for filing for Property Tax Arbitration. They were up over $5200!!! I would love to have an extra $5200 in my pocket each year!

If you question your Property Tax Values and you can't get a satisfactory result from the Appraisal Review Board, don't be scared to take it to the next level. I can either represent you for the Arbitration, or you can choose me to be the unbiased, mutually accepted Arbitrator to preside over your case. I work with Property Tax Arbitration cases in the Austin TX and Dallas TX areas.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Property Tax Arbitration - Property Tax Values - Austin TX - Final Step when Fighting Taxes * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Hey Mortgage People - Do You Want to Grow your Business or Not?? Get over yourself!!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:53:08 -0600

Hey Austin Mortgage People, do you want to grow your businesses or not??

Last week, I received an email from a mortgage "professional" saying that she read my blog and thought it was funny and informative, and would I be willing to meet with her so we could do business in the future.

As always, I responded very promptly with the following email:

Thank you for your email. I am actually looking to add some new mortgage professionals to my back pocket. I don’t know how much of my blog you read, but I’m a fairly new transplant from Dallas (Richardson) and gave up a very lucrative business with being the #1 agent in my office, to come here and completely start over. It’s frustrating and daunting, but I’m working on it…

With that, I’ve met with several different mortgage people over the past few months, and I “thought” I had a good group of three to refer people to, however, that has not been the case. Yes, they are good mortgage people and have gotten my deals closed, but the most important thing I want in a mortgage partner, besides customer service to my clients and feedback, is reciprocation.

My mortgage guys in Dallas understood this and they always referred me buyers almost as much as I referred them buyers. I understand I would have the bulk of the buyers, but I shouldn’t be the sole source. They had their own marketing and social networking going on and in place that yielded them leads and referrals, and with a “I pat you on the back, you pat me on the back” type of mentality, we exchanged referrals back and forth and helped grow each others’ businesses.

Since coming here, all I’ve done is give give give, and have received nothing. As I said, yes, they got the deals closed, but they have all looked at Realtors as their source of business and have never put into place a way to generate their own business, even though, during our interview process, each one made it very clear that they had several ways of generating outside business. I even sat down with one of them for two hours to show him some of the ways I utilize the internet and that he could do the same thing. I usually charge $150 a session for those consultations (I’m also a TREC approved instructor and teach prospecting and internet classes for MCE), yet I did it for free as I thought he would take the information and generate new business.

With that brief synopsis of what I expect, if you feel you are a mortgage person who would work well with me as a partner, helping to grow each others business, please feel free to call me. I see your dad is the branch development manager so I’m assuming there is some kind of marketing in place, but I wouldn’t want to assume.

Warm Regards,

Guess what? No response!!!

Can you believe I received no response whatsoever? This mortgage person contacts me, wants to do business, but why do you think she never responded? Me? I think she was/is just another mortgage person wanting wanting and wanting more from me, the Realtor.

Why do (some) mortgage people feel they are entitled to just sit back and make the Realtor do all the work to generate business and then expect them to hand over their business? Take a number and stand in line... and get over yourself!!

Realtors: What do you think of my pre-interview before meeting with her?

Mortgage Professionals: How would you have responded to my email?

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Hey Mortgage People - Do You Want to Grow your Business or Not?? Get over yourself!! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Happy Birthday, I'm Two Years Old Today! Written by Alyssa Harris

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:46:25 -0600

Can you believe it?? I'm 2 years old today!! Many of you were around when my mommy was pregnant, and she kept you posted about me even while in labor at the hospital. Back in the day, I was known as BabyHarris, but now I'm known as Alyssa Nicole Harris.

I'm writing this today because she's in denial. She can't believe two years have already gone by.

Seriously, compare me 2 years ago to the me today... I was tiny at just over 7 pounds, and now I'm a big girl at a whopping 26 pounds!

I talk and talk and talk all day. I say hundreds of words already, and mommy and daddy have to watch what they say around me because I repeat everything! I read books all day, everyday. I can't get enough of them. Daddy is sick of them, but when he doesn't want to read with me, I have him get me some "Pispashios" and we sit together in his Lazyboy chair and eat them together.

I invited some friends over yesterday. We went to the park and had a blast! I'm still finicky with cake, so I got a Birthday Rice Krispie Treat! I love my MiMi's Rice Krispie Treats! The balloons on the top were from my mommy's baby shower before I was born.

I got lots of new things so I can take over more of the house, which is my mission! I already control three rooms! Elie Jane also had a lot of fun opening presents with me.

You see my MiMi in the background? She was a little confused as to why I was standing on the table opening presents, but I was safe.

These two years have gone by fast and I've learned a lot. If you see my mommy, don't remind her that she's getting old. I saw another gray hair, and I don't think that's a good thing...

Happy Birthday to Me, and a pinch to grow a few inches!!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Happy Birthday, I'm Two Years Old Today! Written by Alyssa Harris * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

New Construction Homes for Sale - Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - Part 3

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:52:01 -0600

New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX
** Getting the land cleared and ready for construction

New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - Part 2
** Getting the foundation read to pour the slab

Now, we're ready to pour the foundation! In Falconhead West, where the average sized home is about 3500 sqft, the typical slab pour is approximately six concrete trucks. They bring them in one at a time, pouring the concrete in an even fashion. The sixth truck is mostly the "top off" truck to make sure it's level throughout.

The slab usually sits for a couple of days before they immediately start putting up the frame. They measure the house from several different places and then start laying out the wood.

Within a few hours, it could already look like this...

The first floor frame can usually go up in a day or two. Sometimes it amazes me how I drive by in the morning and there is no frame, and by the time I drive by in the late afternoon, voila, there's a frame!

Check back often as I continue my building series of New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Falconhead West Bee Cave Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* New Construction Homes for Sale - Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - Part 3 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

New Construction Homes for Sale - Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - Part 2

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:04:28 -0600

Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - has a lot of new construction homes for sale in all different stages right now. In a series of posts, I'm going to show you pictures and describe a little of what is going on.

Many people will never have the opportunity to build a brand new house, and many who do, never pay attention to the process it takes to get that house to stand there for many years to come.

Falconhead West in Bee Cave TX used to be a Ranch, called Spillman Ranch. Much of the land was just acres upon acres of trees. Here is my first post in this series about New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX.

Once the fill dirt has had a chance to settle, they go in and start adding where the plumbing and sewer lines will go. It's best to do a soft set first before the slab is poured so you know everything is lined up correctly. It's hard to move plumbing around after the fact.

Then, they break the footprint up into large square sections. They wrap each section in what looked like big black trash bags. Around each section are trenches, better to hold the concrete with, my dear... (sorry, bad imitation)

No, the slab is not poured yet... more patience...

Across the sections and within the trenches is where the cables are put. This is called a post tension cable slab. The cables are actually within those blue tubes running the length and width of the slab and pulled really tight as the slab is poured and dried. This creates a more sturdy structure.

Check back often as I continue my building series of New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Falconhead West Bee Cave Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* New Construction Homes for Sale - Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - Part 2 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - Community Park

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:15:06 -0600

Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX is finally going to get their community park!

A few weeks ago, in the middle of the community, a playscape area was started. The ground was leveled and the stone barrier was made into a playful shape... and then last month, it all disappeared...

Where did it go? Why did they stop the construction of our community play area?? No one knew... until now!

Falconhead West has been approved for a 400 sqft Pavilion in addition to two Playscapes, a large one for older kids and a smaller one for younger kids. I guess they originally started building it before final approval.

The only negative is that there will be no parking lot, but I guess street parking will be fine. I live less than a quarter mile away, so we'll be walking or riding bikes!

**Pictures courtesy of the Bee Cave Bee.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Falconhead West Bee Cave Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX - Community Park * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

I already have a buyers' agent, but I don't like to drag her out to view houses...

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:43:04 -0600

"I already have a buyers' agent, but I don't like to drag her out to view houses."

HUH?

This is a message I received earlier today. This guy, as serious as could be, called to ask if I would show him a house that is over an hour away later this week, but "preferably this evening".

What? Did I hear him correctly? I actually played the message five times to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding it.

Why would I show a house where I wasn't the listing agent nor the buyers' agent? Just for kicks?

I pulled it up in the MLS, I called the listing agent and left a message for him with this guy's name and phone number. I told him I had no inclination of calling the guy back since he has an agent, and that he was more than welcome to call him on my behalf since he was the listing agent.

Buyers, we have Buyers Agency for a reason, so you are protected and represented. Utilize your REALTOR®. Our job is to help you purchase a home, and if that means you have to "drag" us out to look at them, that's just part of our job. Don't go call random agents to show you houses. We have something called Procuring Cause, and if I showed you the house, you liked the house, yet you presented the offer with another agent, you're going to, more than likely, lose in the long run, as you'll be cutting me a nice check in the end.

Don't try to skirt the system...

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* I already have a buyers' agent, but I don't like to drag her out to view houses...* was first published on donnahomesblog.com

New Construction Homes for Sale - Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:04:47 -0600

With that, the first step is to clear out the trees and try to salvage some of the workable trees. Many communities don't try to save any trees. They just plow down all the trees and start fresh with flat ground and then plant some new trees in the front yards. Falconhead West does not do that, but they do plow down most, if not all, the Cedar Trees.

When all the Cedar Trees are torn down and put in the mulching machine, the tree mulch is then reused around the community mainly for the flower beds and muddy lots where they're trying to not sink through the mud.

Once the lot is cleared, the builders come and place boards around the exterior footprint of the house to make sure the placement of where the house will be is good and within building lines. They will then bring in fill dirt and let the dirt sit on the ground for a while. I've heard many things about why they do this, but mainly it's to let the dirt settle into the ground for a more sturdy building platform while leveling all the imperfections out.

Check back often as I continue my building series of New Construction Homes for Sale in Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* New Construction Homes for Sale - Falconhead West - Bee Cave - Austin TX * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Kent Cummins Magic School - Hill Country Galleria Barnes & Noble - Free Shows All Week

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:07:08 -0600

The Kent Cummins Magic Camp at the Hill Country Galleria Barnes & Noble is fun for everyone! Yesterday, I took Alyssa to Barnes & Noble for their Magic Camp Circus.

It was supposed to be from 2-4pm, but someone got their information wrong, and when we got there at almost 3pm, it was already over... Kent Cummins, the owner of Magic Camp, was right there and I asked him if he was planning another act. He was a little confused until his helpers did confirm that the flier I saw did say 2-4pm. Alyssa was taking her nap, which is why we didn't make it at 2pm.

Kent was very accommodating. He let us play with the puppets, but Alyssa only liked the blue one for some reason. We tried to get her to put the big clown shoes on, but she would only stand by them. Those things are huge!

I mentioned that she gets mesmerized by juggling, so he entertained her with some juggling. He even allowed her to come up on stage and play with the Circus tent.

With all this, kids and their parents started making their way over to "Alyssa's show". Kent Cummins noticed this too, so he decided to do part of his earlier act for everyone as who doesn't like an audience.

Magic Camp is headquartered in Austin TX with an additional location in Georgetown TX. The Kent Cummins Magic Camp is a day camp run for kids ages 6-12 and it runs for six weeks. In January, they are adding a junior group for kids ages 3-5. Alyssa is still too young for that group, but maybe January of 2011.

There are scholorships available for those who cannot afford Magic Camp, and for this week only, November 6 -November 13, 2009, a portion of all your purchases will go to help fund the scholarship fund. Please use promo code 10048270 when you check out.

By the way, Kent Cummins Magic School is also available for birthday parties! There are more activities going on at The Hill Country Galleria Barnes & Noble throughout the week, so head on over there and have some fun!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Kent Cummins Magic School - Hill Country Galleria Barnes & Noble - Free Shows All Week * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Speechless Sunday - What are you lookin' at?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:43:58 -0600

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Speechless Sunday - What are you lookin' at? * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

The $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - Extended, Expanded, and Modified - Part 2

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:53:46 -0600

More information for the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit that has been extended, expanded, and modified. I wrote about most of the changes on my previous post about the Tax Credit, so read that for a description of the most common circumstances.

Within the new law, there are some other changes that some people might want to be aware of in case it effects you.

All active members of the military have a different deadline to follow. If you were/are active military overseas for more than 90 days in either 2008 or 2009, your extension goes through April 30, 2011 instead of 2010. You get one extra year to buy a house!

You can now claim the credit if you are obtaining Seller Financing even if the Seller retains title to the property. This would include a land contract or a contract for deed. In order for this to work, the IRS would want proof of several things including the ability to show possession, proof of paying property taxes, holding insurance on the property, and a few other things.

With the new $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit law, you must actually show proof that you purchased a home, fancy that! It's hard to believe, but the United States Government was issuing tax credits to people solely on their word that they bought a house. No proof was required, just the word of honest Americans... and there's a reason this was modified as even a four year old tried to file claim to the tax credit!

It was rumored with the previous law that you could claim the tax credit prior to closing, but you absolutely CANNOT do this! The IRS has begun prosecuting people who claimed the credit prior to closing or without actually buying a property.

As mentioned, the above are special circumstances and will not effect the majority of people, but it's always good to know for the just in case.

Email or call me with further questions and don't let this last chance at a tax credit slip past you. I highly doubt it will be extended again as the government just doesn't have anymore funds to be giving out.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* The $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - Extended, Expanded, and Modified - Part 2 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

$8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - Extended, Expanded, and Modified

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:26:05 -0600

The $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended, expanded, and modified. It is no longer just for First Time Home Buyers, but it's also for Move-up Home Buyers.

There are many rules you need to know in order to comply with this credit, and yes, it truly is a credit as long as you're in the house for a minimum of three years. If you sell prior to three years, you will have to pay it back.

First Time Home Buyer means someone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years. This means you could own an investment property and still qualify, but not a homesteaded property. If you are married and your spouse has owned a primary residence, but you have not owned one, you do not qualify for the tax credit. However, something new is that if you have a parent who has owned property and they co-sign for you, you could still qualify.

This tax credit is mostly referred to as the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, however, not everyone gets $8000. The number is the maximum number you are allotted for the tax credit and it's based on 10% of the purchase price, not to exceed $8000. In plain English, that means if the house you purchase is $80,000 or more, you will get the $8000. If you buy a $73,000 property, you would only qualify for $7300. Make sense?

Move-Up Home Buyers are a new category for this tax credit, and there are more rules. You must have owned a primary residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight years. That means, if you have owned a property that is currently being used as a rental, but you lived in it for five consecutive years prior to renting it within the last eight, you qualify. If you bought an investment property that you rented out a few years ago, but now currently have lived in it for five years, you qualify. Simple enough...

The Tax Credit for the Move-Up Home Buyer is limited to $6500 and not $8000. Same rules apply where it's 10% of the sales price, not to exceed $6500.

The income requirements have changed as well, and the limits are the same whether a First Time Home Buyer or a Move-Up Home Buyer. Single tax filers can receive the entire tax credit up to $125,000 whereas they can receive a partial credit from $125,001 to $145,000. Joint tax filers can receive the entire tax credit up to $225,000 whereas they can receive a partial credit from $225,001 to $245,000. Above these income limits, home buyers are not eligible for anything.

There has also been a purchase price cap added to this new law which was not part of the previous one. The cap is $800,000. That's a lot of house, but if you can afford that much house, you probably have bigger things to worry about than this small tax credit.

Of course there is a deadline for everything, and this new law actually has two deadlines you need to pay attention to. The first one is that you must be under contract with a property by April 30, 2010. The second deadline is that the property must close and fund prior to June 30, 2010. That way, no one can wait until the last minute to purchase homes and then hope they close on time. There is a two month buffer, but that actually means you only have less than six months to find a property and get an executed contract!!

The above does not cover every single rule in this new law, but the above takes care of 99% of the cases. There is a rule that you cannot buy a house from a blood relative and receive the tax credit, but you can buy a house from a step-relative and still receive the credit... and others that are very rare circumstances.

Email or call me today for further questions, and let's get you into a new house before six months come and go! The time will move faster than you think! And if you have a house to sell to be one of the Move-Up Home Buyers, we need to get that house on the market ASAP!

Here is the link for The $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit- Extended, Expanded, and Modified- Part 2.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - Extended, Expanded, and Modified * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Senna Hills - Austin TX - Homes for Sale

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:59:11 -0600

Senna Hills - Austin TX - Homes for Sale are going strong. There are usually a very wide variety of homes for sale within the community, but there are currently only eight houses for sale.

How do those eight houses compare? You could get an older home that is already about fifteen years old for $455,000 or you could get a brand new home built in 2009 for a mere $739,900.

Why do people like Senna Hills Austin TX? The community offers a lot. There are views from many properties. There is a community park, pool, tennis and basketball court. They even have community happy hours during the summer so neighbors can get out and get to know each other.

Another huge benefit?? It's outside the city limits. Some people refer to Senna Hills as being in Austin while others refer to it being in Bee Cave or West Lake Hills. But, it's actually not within the city so there are no City of Austin, City of Bee Cave, nor City of West Lake Hills property taxes. BONUS! Most residents do use Austin TX as the postal address for mail.

Email or call me today for further information about Senna Hills and making Senna Hills Austin TX your home.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Senna Hills Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Falconhead Bee Cave - Austin TX - Homes for Sale

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:34:25 -0600

Falconhead Bee Cave - Austin TX - has a large variety of homes for sale. The houses that are currently on the market range in age from 2003 up to brand new built in 2009. Sizes range from 2967 sqft up to 6204 sqft. Prices range from $379,900 up to $1,250,000.

Why is there such a large difference in homes available in Falconhead Bee Cave Austin TX? Because we have a wide variety of people moving to the area, and they're all looking for something a bit different.

Many people are drawn to the community because of the Falconhead PGA Golf Course. You do not have to be a member to live in the community, and you can be a member without living in the community. It's a public course.

The prices will dictate whether or not the house backs up to the course, at either a fairway, tee, or green. But price is also dictated by whether or not the house backs to the course at all. Even if it doesn't back to the course, there are cul-de-sac properties that are highly desirable as the yards are larger. I don't think there are any "bad" lot locations in Falconhead.

Overall, the lots are about eighty feet, whereas most of the Suburban areas around Austin TX have sixty foot lots. For many people from other parts of the country, this is not that much land, but who wants to spend their free time mowing that much grass?

Call or email me today for further information about Falconhead or Falconhead West in Bee Cave Austin TX.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Falconhead Bee Cave Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Falconhead Bee Cave - Austin TX - Homes for Sale * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Martha Stewart - Goodie Package of Crafts

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:50:32 -0600

Martha Stewart sent a goodie package to one of my neighbors so she threw crafting party last night. We had a blast trying to figure out how to use some of the tools. To an extent, we felt like fools reading the instructions for a paper cutter that cut the design into the sides, a glue stick, and other things that weren't completely obvious to use.

Martha Stewart sent three different kits. One was a card making kit, one was an ornament kit, and one was a box kit.

My Card was the guinea pig card as I was the first to try to figure out how to use the paper edging, through trial and error as you can see... definitely not "perfect" by any means. But it was still fun. The foil embossing for the "Happy Birthday" was tricky, but turned out cool.

My ornament also didn't turn out the greatest. Note to self, decide what you want on it before you start! Also, it probably would have made more sense to start with the background, and then written "Alyssa" on top of that... I tried it the other way around...

Some of the other ornaments that others made turned out good...

I think I made the best box! Again, I used the paper edger, but this time, I had figured it out and it came out perfect on both sides. I even stuck two cupcake stickers on it instead of just one. It's called a "Cupcake Box", but it's currently holding my glitter ornament.

As I mentioned, these came as kits, so you don't have to go to the store and try to coordinate anything. The kit comes with matching colors and accessories, like the zinnia flower on the card and the cupcake for the box. I'm not sure if they're exclusive, but they were pushing Michaels Arts and Crafts pretty heavily, and also gave 50% off coupons to buy anything from Martha Stewart's collection.

Not really sure crafting like this is something I could do all the time, mainly because I don't have the patience for it, but thanks to Martha Stewart, we had a great Mom's Night In last night and it was a lot of fun!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

The Brazilian Hair Straightening System - I love my straight hair!!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:26:32 -0600

I had the Brazilian Hair Straightening system put in my hair on Monday, and thus far, WOW! I couldn't wash my hair for four days, until today. All week, people were saying how great my hair looked. Well, it looks the exact same way as when I would use the Chi flat iron, so that wasn't the test.

The test was whether or not it would be straight after I washed it and while it was wet... and it was straight! There was a tiny wave at the front around my ears, but that's always a hard place to straighten, but when I dried it, it was straight!! And it's incredibly soft and I can run my fingers through it with no knots. It's awesome!

And there is even some body to it so it doesn't look plain and dead.

Here are a couple of pictures from the front and the back. My hair has absolutely nothing in it. No gel, no mouse, no hairspray, no nothing...

What is the Brazilian Hair Straightening System? It's a Keratin treatment. Keratin is a protein found in the skin, nails, and hair. The treatment reconditions the hair preventing frizz, YEAH!!! Even though it's been "straightened" it can still be curled or done in many hairstyles. It doesn't have to be straight.

What was the process like? Painless and easy. My hair was washed with a salt-free clarifying shampoo, twice. Some people need to have it washed three times depending on how dry, porous, and damaged it is, but a minimum of two times. It was then completely dried with a hair dryer. Then the keratin was applied to small sections of hair at a time, always combining that section to the sections already done to ensure an even coating. Then, my hair was dried again.

Once completely dried, a flat iron was taken to tiny sections at a time until my entire head was done. The iron needs to be somewhere between 350-450 degrees. Mine was done at 400 degrees.

I was told to not wash my hair for four days. It was completed at 12:30pm on Monday afternoon and I washed it this morning, Friday, at 7am. Close enough to four days...

The Brazilian Hair Straightening System will last anywhere from 3-6 months. I was the hair model for my mom's hair stylist for a certification class he teaches, so I didn't have to pay for it, but we'll see if it's worth the $250-300 to have it done again. I love straight hair!!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* The Brazilian Hair Straightening System - I love my straight hair!! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Make the Move - How to Move your Real Estate Business Online by Claudia Wicks

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:02:53 -0600

I'm so excited!! The book I interviewed for last year, Make the Move - How to Move Your Real Estate Business Online by Claudia Wicks, is finally going to come out!! Check out Claudia's blog for updates, but below is a small snippet about what I had to say...

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Via Claudia Wicks (Real Estate Base Camp):

In my last blog, I mentioned that I would share some excerpts from my new book, “Make the Move.” Here is a preview of the cover- what do you think?

The premise of “Make the Move” is to help agents who have not mastered online marketing and systematized their business using Internet tools. The goal is to help them migrate their business online. My goal is to provide you with the information I have learned over the past 7 years teaching Internet marketing and technology training to agents and brokers. I will also share with you the best and brightest ideas of the top agents across North America. They have generously shared their ideas. We have all learned from one another.

So today, let’s start with one of the Top Agents featured in the book- someone many of you already know, Donna Harris, as an Active Rain Rainmaker. Donna generously shared how she started an online business and how she now generates nearly 100% of her business online.

Donna’s consistent blogging and the online presence that she has developed has generated high search engine ranking, Internet leads, provided a real service to her customers and allowed her to prospect painlessly.

Here’s how to work with Internet consumers in Donna’s own words:

“Working with Internet leads is different from working with the traditional consumers. You have to understand how to work with Internet consumers versus traditional consumers. The typical open house buyer, you get to meet. There is no anonymity. You know they are real, same with a sign call. You have the opportunity to talk with them. The Internet buyer, however, is just searching online. They may click on a pop-up without thinking about it. They insert their criteria; they are casually looking. You never know their actual price range. They still have anonymity; you need to follow-up differently. You can’t push. You don’t know their motivation. You need to stay in touch in a less invasive manner. Targeted drip e-mail campaigns work well for this. This just provides a way to stay in touch without constantly bugging them for an appointment.”

NEXT BLOG- I’ll share how Donna grew her database to over 3,500 prospects. Now that the book is almost ready- you’ll be able to find it on my website in about 1 month- my future blogs will contain smart tips from the book garnered over the past 7 years as an Internet marketing innovator and some of the very best ideas from the Top Agents featured in the book, who so generously share their expertise.

Amy's Ice Cream - Hill Country Galleria - Bee Cave Austin TX - FREE ICE CREAM

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:21:37 -0600

Amy's Ice Cream - Hill Country Galleria - Bee Cave Austin TX- FREE ICE CREAM give away!!

Today, November 4, 2009, between the hours of 2-6pm, Amy's Ice Cream will be giving away FREE Ice Cream to celebrate their 25th anniversary. This is good at all locations except the Airport. This does include the brand new store at the Hill Country Galleria Bee Cave Austin TX.

If you have time today, stop by and show your support for one of Austin's locally started businesses.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Bee Cave TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Amy's Ice Cream - Hill Country Galleria - Bee Cave Austin TX - FREE ICE CREAM * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Foto Friday - Trick or Treating at the Hill Country Galleria - Bee Cave Austin TX

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:38:07 -0500

The Hill Country Galleria - Bee Cave Austin TX - had their trick or treating event last night. This was Alyssa's first time to trick or treat as last year, she wasn't even one yet, and she didn't like her ladybug costume.

We had visited the Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary a couple of times, and she became obsessed with the Tigers and "big cats" so I bought her a Leopard costume. "I don't like that, Mommy!" I heard that for two weeks. Yesterday afternoon, she decided she liked it when I put the head band on her head and took her to the big, three-way mirror. After that, I didn't have a problem putting the costume on her!

We even saw a big Elmo. She smiled, but wouldn't go up to him. I picked her up for a picture, and a lady walked right in front, so I had to crop it down, but it's still cute.

We'll be sure to stop by the Hill Country Galleria next year too! They were great hosts!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Bee Cave Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

How I Use My ActiveRain Blog to Enhance Relationships

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:03:31 -0500

I use my blog in many ways to enhance relationships with friends, family, clients, and others across the world wide web, which includes ActiveRain.

I've been here at ActiveRain since the beginning, back in the Summer of 2006. I didn't completely understand the concept of blogging, but gave it a shot. Weeks and months went on, and I feel I figured it out. A blog is just a "Web Log" which is like a diary. I started making my blog more personal, about me and my experiences, instead of just plain real estate information, and the followers came.

I'm definitely not afraid to talk about my opinion when I'm analyzing statistics and market activity. I think my neighbors and clients like the bluntness and the no sugar-coating as they know they're going to get a good deal when negotiating with me.

I recently did a series that explained The Simple Steps to Follow when buying a house in Austin TX. These steps are almost universal across the country, with a few differences per area customs. I've emailed these steps out to many buyers I'm working with.

I also get my message out with Twitter and Facebook. Whatever I post publicly on ActiveRain, Twitter auto-posts. Then, Twitter has an auto-post to Facebook. My posts are out there so no matter what platform you're on, you can see my latest information.

Whenever people bug me about pictures of my daughter, I always say, "You haven't read my blog lately, have you?" I've never had anyone ask twice for an update as they know where to go!

I had a closing a couple of weeks ago with a Relocation buyer. After several weeks of email communication, and only one phone conversation, they drove into town. Her first question to me was, "How's that Topsy Turvey working for you?" She read on my blog about the Topsy Turvey and was interested in using it herself next year.

Many people use their blogs to have one-sided conversations with themselves. With my blog, I feel I'm having several conversations at once with different people about different topics, and it's a great thing! No longer can someone hide behind a phone and still obtain new business in today's market. You have to put yourself out there for all the world to see, and you can't be shy about it!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **

Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* How I Use My ActiveRain Blog to Enhance Relationships * was first published on donnahomesblog.com