If you want new…buy new.
A good real estate agent will always advise you to get a home inspection on any home you are thinking about purchasing. Inspectors try to note everything in their report. They don’t want a customer to come back later and say you missed this, or why didn’t you note that. So they will usually even note when the light bulb in the garage is missing the safety cover. Of course they don’t mention you can pick them up for about 89 cents.

Often the buyer wants the seller to fix everything on the list. Plus they will ask for paint, carpet, flooring, etc. This is where your agent will usually jump in and tell you…if want new, buy new.

The inspection is catch things that don’t work, and sometimes gives you idea on how old the HVAC unit and
hot water heater are. They do have a life expectancy. Perhaps there is a septic system that hasn’t been
pumped in 12 years. Works now and has no problems, but this is something a buyer wants to know.
You would be hard pressed to find a resale home that came up with no problems of any kind and with
almost new appliances and HVAC and hot water heater. Few will have fresh paint and carpet and a new
roof.
Be reasonable when you ask the seller for repairs or concessions. If you are worried about
something, perhaps getting a home warranty will ease your worries. Home warranty’s will generally repair
or replace systems and some appliances in the home should they fail. This is something you could even
ask the seller to pay for.
Home warranties are all different and I advise going over what it will and will not cover very
carefully. Some will not replace the unit if the filter is found to be dirty. So read the fine print. But a
home warranty’s can be renewed yearly, and I have had people swear by them!
The homeowner can tell you they won’t fix anything and if you back out of the deal, you are still out
the cost of the inspection and the money for the option period. Most sellers want to sell, and if you are
reasonable in your requests, they will generally agree.
So, remember when purchasing a resale home...if you want new...buy new.

Sherry Scales Austin Real Estate Specialist
HomeNet Realty, REALTOR, ABR, GRI
512-925-8928
Contact me or Find your home here
Serving Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Bee Caves,
Dripping Springs

Orginally Posted: http://www.luxury-homes-in-austin.com/2012/01/28/if-want-newbuy/

This is worth reposting!  Some areas of the country still have winter, others are getting ready for tornado and hurricane season.  Flooding can happen anytime.  Be prepared.  Have your family discuss a meeting place should everyone be gone from home if something happens.  I always say "Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best".  I hope everyone stays safe!

Sherry Scales    Austin Real Estate Specialist

HomeNet Realty, REALTOR, ABR, GRI

512-925-8928

Contact me or Find your home here

Serving Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Bee Caves, Dripping Springs

Investors just floor me sometimes.

I use the phrase "they will step over a dollar to pick up a dime." 

Not everyone out there is a decorator.  I see it every day.  Most sellers can’t afford to have someone come in and repaint, re-carpet and refurnish a house.  I understand. You can have them de-clutter the best they can, and hope for the best. 

But I see empty homes, with tons of visibly needed maintenance items sell. And they selling for not much less than a home that has been taken care of, just not decorated by Martha Stewart.  Have we become such a visual society, that we can’t imagine our own furniture in a home and see a home for what it “can be” instead of what “it is”?   

A HUD home or foreclosure is not always the best buy.  In fact, last year here in Austin, I seen HUD homes sell for more than market value by inexperienced investors. There are a lot of homes out there “priced to sell” that don’t need tons of work done to them. 

I know of two homes on one block, one was a foreclosure in need of a lot of repairs. The other was well maintained, just not decorated well.  The foreclosure home sold in days, and needed approx 20K worth or repairs. For the same price, they could have purchased the other home, gotten twice the square footage, larger lot size and an additional room and a higher rent.  The home would have ready to go, and not needed a couple months to do all the repairs needed.

Sherry Scales    Austin Real Estate Specialist

HomeNet Realty, REALTOR, ABR, GRI

512-925-8928

Contact me or Find your home here

Serving Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Bee Caves, Dripping Springs

Orinally Posted at: http://www.luxury-homes-in-austin.com/2012/01/26/investors-just-floor-me-sometimes/

Chris has a staging company in Cedar Park, TX. She hits on the points we Realtors try to express to our clients wanting to sell a home.  If you don't think you are able to get your home show ready...give her a call.

She has listed many items that are just general maintainence that you can take care of.  Just create the list...and check them off as you go!

Sherry Scales    Austin Real Estate Specialist

 HomeNet Realty, REALTOR, ABR, GRI

 512-925-8928

 Contact me or Find your home here

 Serving Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Bee Caves, Dripping Springs

 Via Chris Twing (Twing Staging & Redesign):

This is America…I should not have to press anything for English! 

I applaud folks who can speak more than one language.  I understand that if you just moved here from another country you may need help with the language in the beginning.  I appreciate a client who brings an interpreter with them, or asks for someone who speaks the language.

  If I decided to move to Germany…I know that I need to learn to speak German.  Same if I move to Russia, Rome, or Japan.  When in Rome as the saying goes.   I would expect to have to learn Italian or Japanese or Russian or whatever language that country speaks.  .  I understand we are a melting pot, and over 300 languages are spoken here in the US.  By all means, keep the language of your country...and your heritage… in addition to the English language.   

  Years ago, I lived in Tulsa in an apartment complex that housed a lot of students from Venezuela.  They spoke Spanish, and were anxious to learn English.  When they went back home, they earned more money knowing another language.  Although English is supposed to be the most difficult language to learn, they were speaking very well within just a few months.  Reading and writing it also. Of course the children picked it up even quicker.

 Although I know the United States does not have an Official Language…  There is something called Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although twenty seven states have declared English as their official language, in order to receive federal financial assistance those states still have to comply with Title VI, which requires that vital materials be available in the language of everyone receiving benefits subsidized by the Federal Government.  Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 2000 Executive Order No. 13166 require that public entities receiving federal funds must have all vital documents available in every language that their clients speak; every language, not just Spanish.  Basically, Title VI was best described by President John F. Kennedy in 1963: “Simple justice requires that public funds, to which all taxpayers of all races [colors, and national origins] contribute, not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes or results in racial [color or national origin] discrimination.

Companies and retailers want to reach the Spanish-speaking population of the U.S. With a purchasing power in excess of 800 billion, the U.S. Hispanic population constitutes the ninth largest economy in the world, larger than Brazil, Spain or Mexico! As an example, and to see the impact of Hispanics in this country, by the year 2020, it is projected that Hispanics will outnumber Anglos in Texas alone. Similar projections exist for other states.  Hospitals want to attract Hispanic patients, and at the same time they have to comply with Title VI if they are taking Medicaid and Medicare money. So everything has to be translated. 

Someone who has been in the states for years and still doesn’t speak the language…I have a problem with.   I don’t think Germany is going to change the official language for me.  Of course I understand Japan teaches English, and it is hard to find someone there who doesn’t speak English as a second language.   From my experience with the folks in Tulsa, it tells me it can be done.  I had the privilege of meeting some of their parents on visits.  I was amazed at how quickly they picked up the basic’s in just a short visit.  I picked up a little Spanish in return.  Not enough to converse, but enough I can usually follow a conversation somewhat.

If you move to the United States and plan on living here, please make the effort to learn English.   82% of the population speak it.

I have purchase my first Rosetta Stone software…and look forward to learning a couple more languages if I can.

Sherry Scales    Austin Real Estate Specialist

HomeNet Realty, REALTOR, ABR, GRI

512-925-8928

Contact me or Find your home here

Serving Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Bee Caves, Dripping Springs

First photo from Cheezeburger, Inc.               Second photo from Sodahead.com

AUSTIN -- The Austin region has a 96 percent occupancy rental rate and that means people looking for a place to rent are working hard to find affordable housing.

 Shopping is not a sport anymore.

The average person probably thinks that the affluent people shop like the Housewives of Beverly Hills.  Well, not exactly. 64% of high-end shoppers regularly read online reviews of products while researching.  They will get recommendations from friends, clients, or colleagues. They are usually pretty strategic shoppers.   It is the other 36% that give them a bad name.

Whether you fall into the 64% or the 36% or into some other kind of percentile, whenever you are ready to purchase a home, please give me a call and I will make sure you get the best buy for your money.

Sherry Scales    Austin Real Estate Specialist

HomeNet Realty, REALTOR, ABR, GRI

512-925-8928

Contact me or Find your home here

Serving Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Bee Caves, Dripping Springs

Originally posted at: http://www.luxury-homes-in-austin.com

January 31st is the Deadline for filing your Homestead Exemption in Texas

 If you purchased a home last year in the state of Texas, you have until January 31st to file for your Homestead Exemption.

 There is a new law effective September 1, 2011 that requires homeowners who apply for a new property tax homestead exemption, to provide proof that they live in the house they are going to claim as their principal residence.

 It is House Bill 252, and it mandates that a copy of the homeowner’s Texas driver’s license or state ID card along with the homeowner’s vehicle registration receipt be sent with the homestead exemption application.  If you don’t own a vehicle, you can send a current utility bill showing your name and address, along with an affidavit you can find with the application, for non-ownership of a vehicle.

 It takes little more effort in Texas now to file for your Homestead Exemption.  The State is trying to prevent people from purchasing homes they don't intend to live in from being able to take advantage of the Exemption.  It is definitely worth the effort though for the savings you will receive, so be sure to apply by January 31st!

Travis County                                Burnet County

Hays County                                 Llano County

Willliamson County                        Hays County

Remember, the last date to file in the State of Texas for a Homestead Exemption for your Property Taxes is January 31st.   

Sherry Scales    Austin Real Estate Specialist

HomeNet Realty, REALTOR, ABR, GRI

512-925-8928

Contact me or Find your home here

Serving Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Bee Caves, Dripping Springs

Looking forward to Retiring and Drawing your Social Security?  Have you seen how the average over 63 person lives. I know we live longer, and some were able to prepare for retirement with 401K’s and other investments made.  But the majority of folks who are 63 or older now are living entirely off of social security.  Are you really aware of the numbers?

I keep my ears open. I hear people say…well the house is paid for…they should be setting fine.  I also hear people not happy that a brother or sister’s spouse remarried after such a short time after their sibling’s death.  The same thing with adult children when one of their parents has passed.  They can’t accept the fact that mom or dad wants to remarry.  It probably never dawned on them…that besides being lonely…that they couldn’t make it on their own!  

The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker was about $1,177 at the beginning of 2011.  This amount changes monthly based upon the total amount of all benefits paid and the total number of people receiving benefits.   This is equivalent to minimum wage before taxes.

 Note*  The maximum benefit depends on the age a worker chooses to retire.  For example, for a worker retiring at age 66 in 2011, the amount is     $2,366.  This figure is based on earnings at the maximum taxable amount for every year after age 21.  This means you have been making 6 figures since you were 21 years old.  Not too many fall into this bracket, so I will use the average of $1,177 for this example.   

The average person per year spends $270 per month on groceries.  This includes paper products, cat or dog food. This is not shopping at a Whole Foods or anything fancy.  For gas, electric, water & sewer, a rough starting point for preliminary budgeting purposes might be $300/month, assuming a small to average house and conservative energy use average over a year.  This will vary on the part of the country you live in. Automobile maintenance should average around $500 per year. This is taking into consideration the car is paid for and no warranty. This would be for oil change, tires, brakes etc. averaged out for 10 years.  Now you have to keep it licensed and insured. That is an additional $900 per year per car.  Let’s even suppose your fortunate enough that your home is paid for.  You still have home owners insurance, taxes, maintenance and perhaps HOA dues. We know the average home price, but for this example, let’s assume the home is paid off and market value is $150K.  Average for taxes and insurance is $350 per month.  We will assume you are on Medicare, but you need additional coverage to pick up where it leaves off.   That averages around $130 per month.  Average prescription costs is $234 per month for seniors.  I know some who have just one prescription that costs that much.

At this rate, we are still short $224 dollars to make it through the month.  Did you notice we haven’t bought gas for the car, No one went to get their hair cut or colored, no new clothing or shoes, no Christmas or birthday gift fund.  Can’t even pay the neighbor boy to mow the yard.  What if the a/c goes out, or the washer/dryer, or some other kind of repair or replacement cost?  We haven't done any maintenance on the house either.  And remember, there is no house or car payment.  How many elderly do you know that don't own a home, but rent?

Now if you are married and both are drawing, you are setting okay. You can afford some gas for the car and such.  But if you are widowed or single America…this just isn’t right.   Are you afraid of growing old?   And they say in 2036, Social Secuity will be out of money. Medicare's trust fund will run dry in 2024.

Sherry Scales    Austin Real Estate Specialist

HomeNet Realty, REALTOR, ABR, GRI

512-925-8928

Contact me or Find your home here

Serving Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Bee Caves, Dripping Springs

Orginally posted at: http://www.luxury-homes-in-austin.com/2012/01/08/looking-forward-retiring-drawing-your-social-security/

I see this on a daily basis in showing homes. You hardly see a nursery or child's room that isn't personalized.  Even the teenager's room have enough stuff I can figure out who is who.  Remember to take your agents advise when we say to de-clutter and de-personalize your home. We want your home to sale quickly and safely.  Never leave valuables out...that includes your childrens information.

Sherry Scales    Austin Real Estate Specialist

HomeNet Realty, REALTOR, ABR, GRI

512-925-8928

Contact me or Find your home here

Serving Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Bee Caves, Dripping Springs

Via Julia Maher, Connecticut Home Stager Staging Fairfield & New Haven Counties (Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes):