Round Rock and Austin Area News

Our team is proud to announce our "Smart Buyer Program".

When you are buying a home it seems like everyone wants to get a piece of your wallet...inspectors, title companies, lenders just to name a few.

For our buyers, we have pre-negotiated with several companies providing services for those buying new or re-sale homes.  Our buyers are GUARANTEED to save an extra $1,229 dollars on the purchase of their new home.  We have also negotiated lower prices for services you may need later (even years) after purchasing your home with one of our team members.

To get all the details go to our page at... Smart Buyer Program

I ll bet you thought I was going to say "talk to a REALTOR!"

Its not, you need to talk to a lender.  Sometime after that, but before you talk to a REALTOR you should make a list of must haves and wants. 

Take for example, this wonderful couple.  They knew exactly what they wanted.  The wanted a neighborhood that had lots of kids, close to exemplary schools, and  a neighborhood pool.  They wanted to live in a cul d sac and have a huge flat yard. The perfect house they had in mind had 4 bedrooms, it was two story, and one of the bedrooms needed to be downstairs.

And with that in their heads the couple went house hunting.

With in a short amount of time they found the "perfect" lot. Notice I said lot, this lot was pretty unique.  It wasn't large, or on a cul d sac or flat.  It backed up to a greenbelt and when they found it the most beautful sunset was peeking thru the trees.  They went to a builder found a floor plan that met their needs and the couple started working with the builder to have the house built.

The couple was so taken by the sunset that they let thier dream of the cul d sac, flat lot go.  

Luckily, they are happy and haven't had too many moments of buyers remorse. 

Think about making a list though.  If you only have 2 or 3 must haves on your listthats ok....it's a place to start.

Today, I was looking at homes for sale in our local MLS.  I noticed 2 things about a lot of the homes that had been on the market for more than 100 days.  

(Because I was not looking in one small area, but rather the whole city I can't comment on price.  So, price could also factor in here.)

What struck me was the pictures and presentation.  The homes that were not selling didn't have a lot of pictures...maybe 10.  As for presentation, some of the photos had messes on the counters, dogs in the pictures or weird shots of the ceiling.  Some houses had a lot of crazy colors, and conflicting themes (cowboys and plaid wall paper). Bright yellows and oranges and reds were the paint  colors seen the most.  In contrast, there were also homes that had absolutely no color on the walls.  

Which makes me wonder....can not enough paint on the walls hurt the sale of a house just as much as too many?

Well, besides you and  your family of course.

Wheather you are buying new or resale you will need these guys (or gals).

<strong>1.  A good lender.</strong>  When I say good lender I don't mean someone that will tell you just what you want to hear.  I mean someone that will help you take into account what lifestyle you want to live after you buy your new place.  How fun would it be to have that dream house if you can't ______.  Fill in the blank, buy new furniture,take a vacation,  or go out to eat.   I know several bad lenders,  I know a couple of good ones too.   <a href="http://www.southwestfunding.com/">Steve Fergusson</a> comes to top of mind as a great lender.

<strong>2. A REALTOR.  </strong>It's an interesting time.  Twenty years ago buyers didn't know what homes were on the market until they either drove around or talked to an agent.  There was no internet and no central place to get information on homes other than real estate agents.  Even then it was just pages printed and stapled together.  How crazy is that!  I can hardly remember life with out cellphones and cannot fathom doing my job with out technology.

 Today when you can find homes for sale on your cellphone a lot of folks think they can buy a house on their own.  The good news is you CAN!  The bad news is you just might pay more for it.  In Texas, we are a non disclosure state.  That means when homes are sold the sold price isn't published. (That is why zillow and zestamates aren't quite accurate). So, unless you would go buy a car without consulting

www.edmunds.com ,Kelly Blue Book or www.truevalue.com you might want to hire a REALTOR to help you find the market value of the home you are buying and negotiate the terms of the contract.  This is especially important with new builds.  Wouldn't you want to know that the same floorplan you are about to purchase just sold for $20,000 less than what you are about to purchase it for?

3.  Title Company.  A couple of years ago I probably wouldn't have included these guys.  However, experiance has taught me just how important these guys are! HUDs are crazy little forms that almost take a degree to discipher.  If you don't have a competent title company you could end up paying for something that the other party agreed to pay for!

So, there you have it.  I know REALTORs are the stars of the show so to speak, but really it takes a great team to make your buying experiance a good one.

Yes, yes he did. And guess what, the broker got <strong>$150,000</strong> more than the seller's original asking price for it.

How did they do it? Agents know how to market to buyers. We know where the buyers are, what price ranges are getting the most activity, how to play up the positives in your property.

<a>The Wall Street Journal </a>has the original article. You can also see details <a>here.</a>

Can you sell your home yourself?  Yes.  Will it cost you extra time and probably money? Almost certainly.

Absolute top of the line from the neighborhood, to the schools, to the location.  2510 Trailing Vine, Round Rock has a great floor plan for those that like to entertain lots of guests.  Its large kitchen is open to the family room, has a butlers pantry and private entrance/exit.  The owners suite is tucked away on the first floor and has all the amenities that you would expect...double vanity, seperate shower and tub.  All 4 other bedrooms are upstairs along with a game room.  This 5 bedroom, 3877 square foot home has space for everyone.  Did I mention the canvas covered back patio and 3 car garage?

Quick walk to the elementary school, neighborhood pools and parks.

I don't know about you, but I am somewhat less than patient when it comes to home improvement projects.   I like to do them myself and I like to see the results quickly.

When we moved into our house 5 years ago, we had spectacular sunsets.  We also had a sloping backyard and no trees.  We were so taken by the sunset that we failed to take into account that the entire afternoon the sun was beating down on the backyard.

That first summer we lived here we planted 12 trees along the fence line.

The next summer we put in a retaining wall with planter beds.

The following summer we had a pergola installed.

This summer I looked at our backyard from across the green belt, our backyard is just stunning.  Its taken 5 years but the trees are full and provide privacy and give depth to our backyard. The pergola is beautiful and anchors our whole backyard.

I can tell you without a doubt in Round Rock Texas, nice shade trees are hard to come by one project I would encourage most home buyers to do is put some trees in!

Check your finances. 

How much house do you WANT to afford.  It's not a bad idea to talk with a lender and get an idea before you go shopping. 

Also a good idea to check and see what kinds of things you should avoid doing during the buying process.  For instance, probably not the best idea to buy a car, or  move bank accounts just before buying a home.

If your credit is less than steller its better to find out before you get your heart set on moving.  If you have any blemishes on your credit report you can have time to heal them before buying as well.

One of the best lenders I know of is John Schutzeohn Schutze.  He is one of the top lenders in the area.  Very knowledgeable.  You can hear John on the radio on Saturday mornings.

Another lender I would trust my friends and family with is Steve Fergussonwith Southwest funding.  He has been in the business for many years and knows both the wholesale side and resale side of lending.

When comparing lenders and prices its important to compare quotes from the same day.  Rates go up and down all the time. 

Good Luck Hunting!

The decision to sell is a big one.  If you are thinking of selling you want to do a few things to make your house sell faster (& for more money).  In this market, you have got to stand out either by price or condition.  My guess is that you want to stand out via condition.  Lucky for you there are a few things you can do before putting it on the market that will help you.  Probably one of the most overlooked areas is the front.  Yes, the front.  Do you know how many times I have taken out buyers to a house only to have the buyer say "nah, I don't like this house."  They don't even get out of the car to see all the hard work the seller did INSIDE the home. For the best return on your investment plant a couple of colorful flowers, make sure the door paint is clean and in good condition.  Take a walk up to your house just like a buyer would.  Clean the cobwebs, sweep the leaves off the sidewalk, freshen up the mulch.  The most important rooms inside are of course kitchen and bathrooms. Make sure the paint is good, counters are free of clutter, handles are updated.  New towels are a nice touch.

Is it possiable to buy a house with $0 down?

Zero down usually refers to the amount of money the buyer puts as a down payment toward the house.  For most loans its 20%, some lenders and programs require more some require less.   Right now, USDA loans are a popular zero down program.  However, be ready to pay for any property inspections, and lender required docs. 

Good luck with the house hunting!

(Well, other than saving you money and time.)

Last week I met a family at a house.  They had called on signs for a week before they found an agent willing/able to show them the house.   As we walked around the house and talked the family asked why it was so hard to get an agent to meet them at homes.  I asked if the family  was working with a buyers agent, they weren't.  I explained how buyer representation works, and that one of buyer agents duties is to show homes when the buyer wants to see homes.  The wife didn't seem impressed and said I can find properties online, read a contract and negotiate.  We continued to look at the property, and I listened to their comments as they tried to figure out where they would put their furniture.  In listening it became clear the house wasn't a perfect fit.  After asking a few more questions I was confident I knew the perfect house for the family.  I started to describe the house to them, they loved it.  We made an appointment to see it.  The family LOVED it. And at the end of the night the wife came to me and said..."you know I looked at that house online and passed it up.  I need you as my buyer agent for your knowledge, I never would have found the house of my dreams without you. Thank you!"

And that would be why you need a buyer rep.

If you bought a home in the last two years and need to sell it now, its very likely that you will have to either "bring money to the table" or face a short sale.

Either way the process has gotten a little more stressful for you.  When you choose a REALTOR make sure you choose the best one for you and your situation.  That may be the neighborhood expert, or your brother-in-law who is a REALTOR.

On the short list of paperwork you will need:

1. proof of income and assests.

2. copies of bank statements

3. comparative market analysis

When you have a comarative market analysis you might be surprised. Maybe you don't need to have a short sale.

 If infact, you do need to "short sale" your house your next step is to contact your bank.

Depending on your bank they will have their own paperwork and policies.

Check with your bank on their policies on the next few steps.

   The new York Times story says that developers are trying to slip in a resale fee that they collect every time the house is sold for the next 99 years!  I hope this trend doesn't catch on.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/business/12fees.html?_r=1

Just how much differance does it make?

For an agent, its  easier to show a vacant house.  You don't have to call ahead or worry if you are running behind schedule or not.

Buyers seem to have trouble envisioning themselves in vacant houses.  Right now, stats are showing vacant houses are selling for about $10 a square foot less than occupied homes. They are also taking almost double time to sell!

If you aren't able to do even light staging, it might be worth your while to rent some furniture.

*When you are ready to sell, Just give me a call!*

Here it is.  I intuitively knew it made a difference.  I didn't know how much of a difference but i knew .....according to Daily Real Estate News & Wall Street Journal(Oct 5th 2010)

Photography Spending Pays Off
No shocker here: Sales listings taken by higher-end single-lens-reflex cameras (SLR), preferred by professionals, garner higher prices than those properties whose sellers use point-and-shoot cameras, according to Redfin Corp., a Seattle-area real estate firm.

Redfin analyzed listings in Boston and Long Island and determined that houses with better photos sold for anywhere from $934 to $116,076 more compared to listings using photos from point-and-click cameras. The data also showed that properties with better photos got more online views.

Only about 15 percent of sellers use professional photographers and better cameras. Redfin says that about half of $1 million-plus listings were shot with cheaper point-and-shoot cameras.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Emily Peck (10/04/2010)

It sounds cliche but,  curb appeal, paint, and bathrooms (& kitchens) sell homes.

Homes have stories to tell, buyers buy those stories.  The story begins as they pull up. 

Be sure your lawn is neat, and has some color.  Edging and weed whacking help the lawn look CRISP.  Use plants or planters as spots of color to entice buyers to come inside.

Before you put your house on the market, take a walk...like a buyer would.  When you walk inside what do you notice?  Its ok to be critical because the buyers will be.  Did you notice that the light switch was covered in finger prints?  Did you notice that the molding on the floor behind the door was covered with dust and dog hair?  This might sound nit picky but it makes a difference.

The next item to pay attention to is paint.

Paint is cheap and it can save you or cost you thousands.  Recently, a buyer refused to buy a house because of a red wall.  She ended up purchasing a home that had plenty of color to it, just not "jarring" colors.   Since HGTV and Trading Spaces has become popular the array of colors that consumers have in their homes has expanded.  Some colors like pink, red, and oranges are still considered "taste specific" and while we are still in a buyers market selling with a "taste specific" color on your wall may take more time.

Few rooms can totally make or break a sale faster than a cluttered kitchen or bathroom.

It is imperative that the counters remain clutter free while your home is on the market.  Try your hardest to keep the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, kitchen towels to the minimum..even the clean ones.

For more tips text me at 512-913-4916 and enter TIPS!

Check out

Doc Avery's Haunted House!

http://www.docaveryshauntedhouse.com/

Proceeds go to benifit Capital Area Food Bank and other charities.

Welll....the carpet needs to be replaced, your counters are all scratched up, you would really like to put some fans up, but you are wanting to move soon and don't want to put any money into the house that you wont "get out".  What do you do?

It depends on your neighborhood.  Does it make sense to put in more carpet or upgrade to laminate or real wood floors?  Does it make sence to put in a sprinkler system? 

What are some of the biggest mistakes that are made when buying a new home?

How can you protect yourself from paying too much?  Trying to decide which of the two lots that you both love would be the best one to pick? 

Probably the biggest mistake of all is not recognizing the importance of having your own representation in the transaction.  The builder has representation, the sales reps at the model homes.  Shouldn't you have representation too?

Here is a link to a great guide on about.com

http://homebuying.about.com/od/buyingahome/qt/BuyNewHome.htm

If you are considering buying a home in Round Rock or Ausitn give me a call.

http://www.amysellsroundrock.com/

Such a big city.  How do you pick where to live?  North, south, east, west?  Cedar Park, West Lake,  Georgetown,  Round Rock,Hutto, Buda, Kyle?

Should you rent first to get to know the area? Are you taking a chance by renting now...what will interest rates be next year?

First things first, it's probably one of the most used sayings in real estate..."location,location, location".  What I mean by that is do you like boating? or hiking?  Where will you be working?  What kind of comute are you willing to do? Are schools important to you?  Are new homes or hoa's important to you?

Each area of town has some special draw to it.  

Its a good idea to make a list of what is important to you.  In both the house you are looking for but the neighborhood you want.

Contact me and well start your search together.

Sonoma Neighborhood is located off of Gattis School and Red Bud in Round Rock.  About 1000 homes make up this community.  It features 2 pools, hike and bike trails.  Children can walk to both the elelmentary and middle schools.  Blackland Prairie Elementary School is rated as exemplary.  The middle schoolers attend Ridgeview Middle School, which is recognized.  Cedar Ridge High is where the high schoolers go. 

The community puts on multiple social events during the year.  Events like "Spring Fling", and "Santa Visits" are very popular. This year Sonoma hosted some adults only events like the "Sonoma Pool Splash".

The community has some new homes (and floor plans) available as well as some great deals on resale homes.

 If you are considering moving to Round Rock, or Austin this is a community not to be missed! 

If you have wanted to live in areas like Avery Ranch, Lake Forest, Forest Ridge, or Forest Creek now is the time.  There are some great deals in these highly sought after neighborhoods.  Rates are still low...conditions for a perfect buy!

Email me if you want a list of the best deals.

It has hit Round Rock, it has been brewing for a while buyers who just 2 years ago couldn't afford to live in some of Round Rocks most prestigious communities can now afford to.  Low interest rates and  distressed sellers make a perfect combination for ready, willing and able buyers.  Just one of the fantastic opportunities is in a neighborhood that is  a master planned community with 2 pools, hiking and biking trails throughout the neighborhood, an EXEMPLARY Elementary School, a RECOGNIZED Middle School and BRAND NEW state of the art High School.  A two story, 2500 square foot home in a cul-d-sac can be purchased for UNDER $200! 

CoreLogic spinoff to add 100 jobs in Austin

Information services company now has about 200 workers in local operations

By Kirk Ladendorf

(to see in its original format ... http://www.statesman.com/business/corelogic-spinoff-to-add-100-jobs-in-austin-713795.html)

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Thursday, May 27, 2010

CoreLogic , a new multibillion-dollar information services company to be created next week in a corporate spinoff, says it will be expanding its operations in Austin.

The California company, with more than$2 billion in annual revenue, will split from its parent, First American Corp., on Tuesday.

Executives said Thursday that the company, which now has about 200 workers in Austin, will add about 100 new jobs in Austin over the next year as it moves one of its two Dallas call centers here that will be involved with providing escrow services for mortgage lenders.

The move is the second large job-creation news for the Austin area this week. On Tuesday, HostGator , a Houston-based Web-hosting company, said it would open an Austin operation with 200 jobs this year and 100 more in the next few years.

CoreLogic's present Austin operation, called First American Spatial Services, delivers precise geographic information on real estate parcels to mortgage lenders, insurance companies, government agencies and other customers.

The new company encompasses more than 20 different business lines of data, analytics and outsourcing services along with consumer credit and information businesses.

Its executives say the spinoff will be good for investors and employees.

"It allows us to focus on our strengths of collecting data and turning it into strong analysis," said David Rogers, a marketing vice president.

The new company, based in Santa Ana, Calif., will have more than 10,000 employees.