I love the quality of life here, the diverse opinions and cultures; I love the small town feel in a "big" city; I love the range of entertainment and educational options: I love the fact that if I chose, I could be really physically fit and comfortably "green"; I love that real estate in Texas has afforded me a comfortable living and a community of colleagues that I call friends.
Recently you may have heard or read some bleak reports regarding the "struggling" real estate market. The latest forecasts regarding national home sales, new home construction, home prices, loan modifications, foreclosures etc. - may be enough to make you (or your spouse) re-evaluate your career decision and ask "Why did I become a REALTOR?"
Well, before you change your passion and start running to the classified ads. Let me reassure you...you made the right choice, at the right time and you're in THE RIGHT PLACE!
Some states - Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Nevada have experienced at least a 20 percent decline in home prices. Many of our fellow REALTORS across the nation have had a few miserable years. Some couldn't hold on until a change came. And my heart goes out to all of them. While many states are on the road to recovery...our lone star state is shining bright!
Over the past several years our area has been recognized for our quality of life:
•· best place to live (Kiplinger, May 2008),
•· fastest growing (Austin Business Journal, July 2009),
•· one of the smartest cities in the nation (Biz Journal, July 2006),
•· most innovative (Forbes, May 2010),
•· best place to raise a family (Farmer Insurance, December 2008),
•· best place for singles (Travel and Leisure, May 2010),
•· a "green" city (Popular Science, February, 2008)
•· most affordable places to live (Forbes, June 2009)
"Texas has the best large-state economy in the country right now," says Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Economy.com. "Employment is slowing, but its still growing".
When Kiplinger added Austin-Round Rock to their "Best Places to Live list, they said: "Austin and the surrounding region offer a strong economy, a solid, moderately priced housing market, a growing population and enough natural beauty to justify staying outside even if the weather weren't great -- which, by the way, it is... Already home to the University of Texas, the state capitol and a bustling music scene, Austin has lately expanded its economy to include digital media, green energy and biotech, creating 114,000 in the area in the last five years... City life not to your liking? Head to Round Rock, an 18.5 mile hike up I-35. This family-oriented suburb boasts topnotch public schools along with a local economy that includes Dell, three hospitals and a brisk business in sports tourism thanks to the playing fields it rents out for tournaments. As for housing, it's a deal: For $270,000, you can buy a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house in the Teravista community and enjoy its rolling hills, 18-hole golf course, clubhouse and a pool."
You can't pay for advertising like that!
Now add to that:
- No state income tax
- Mortgages are cheaper today than they've been in a half-century.
- In most of our area, it's a buyer's market, with supply increasing daily. (More supply means better selections)
- Today, you have the best marketing tools to market yourself, your services and your products
- You have fellow REALTORS at the Williamson County Association of REALTORS that will share their time, knowledge and experiences with you
Yes we are blessed to be a part of the Texas REALTOR family and for that I am thankful.
So do I moan and groan as I write my dues check out in December? Yup, I do, but I really wouldn't have it any other way. I want to be a REALTOR and if membership were truly optional ...I'd still be a member of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS and proudly call myself a Texas REALTOR!
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