Austin TX Real Estate - Hill Country Austin Lakeway Homes for Sale: Donna Harris, REALTOR® & ASP - Hill Country Austin Lakeway Homes (RE/MAX Austin Skyline)

How Can I Avoid Foreclosure?  The easy answer? PAY YOUR MORTGAGE!!

I'm sorry, was that too blunt and honest?  Seriously though, paying your mortgage is the best option...

If you can't pay your mortgage, take a look at yourself and your situation. You need to assess what you want to do. If you can't afford your mortgage, what makes you think that you can afford it if you got a loan modification from the lender? That might be an immediate fix, but what about 6 months from now? a year from now? Are you in the same situation again?

Is a short sale the best option for you? You can get out of the house, after you jump through a few hoops, take the lesser hit on your credit than a foreclosure would give, and take the necessary time to reevaluate your goals while saving money.

Hopefully your situation is temporary and you can get back on the home ownership band wagon sooner rather than later.  A foreclosure hurts you a lot harder than a short sale, so call me today to go over your options.  I know you probably want to stay in your house, but is that the best option for you and your family? Stop going in circles and get on the right path. My team of professionals can help break through the red tape!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Real Estate - Austin TX - How Can You Avoid Foreclosure? Is a Short Sale for You?* was first published on donnahomesblog.com

The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act H.R.3648 is helping many home owners avoid Foreclosure. Let me help you through this new program.  Are you at least 30 days behind on your mortgage? Then your mortgage company is probably willing to consider forgiving a significant portion of your mortgage debt, after you jump through some of their hoops of course.

Many people ask, "Will I be taxed on the remainder as income?" No, not anymore. The forgiven debt is no longer counted as personal income and CANNOT be taxed by the Federal Government. This new law is to help rescue as many home owners as possible from a public foreclosure.

I am the certified program administrator in Travis County, Texas which is the Austin TX and surrounding areas, and will do all the work for you along with my team of processors. With my and my team's history of helping hundreds of home owners sell their properties and receive debt forgiveness, why haven't you stopped reading this and given me a call/email yet??

I know, you're still reading because you're skeptical... I completely understand. Many people claim many things and have no idea how to deliver what they promise. With Program 3648, you won't be charged a penny to go through this process. It's absolutely free to you, the home owner!!

For further information visit my Program 3648 website or email me at dharris.program3648@gmail.com.  The longer you wait to contact me, the less likely I am to be able to help you avoid that up coming foreclosure date. Call me today to start the process for your fresh start. Find out if you qualify...

Short Sales aren't pretty, but they beat a Foreclosure any day of the week, and twice on Sunday and Thursday!! If your in the Austin TX area and need help, don't be embarrassed to ask for it. It'll be the best thing you could do for yourself.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Austin TX - Short Sale - Avoid Foreclosure with the Mortgage Foregiveness Debt Relief Act HR 3648 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

I get asked a lot, "How long does it take to buy a house?" My response? "That depends on you!"

I usually get strange looks or silence if they're on the phone...

In the past year, I had some buyers that took 8 months to find a house. Yes, 8 months!  Yet, I had buyers that took a week... you never know until you start the process.

These buyers contacted me on a Friday, we scheduled to look at houses on the next Tuesday, and we submitted an offer on Thursday.  From contact to contract was less than a week!!

The 8 month buyers... He wanted a newer two story home and she wanted an older one story home. Their price range started out under $250k and as the months went on, they were looking at $425k as they couldn't agree on things.

I didn't want to push them because I'm not a "salesman". I'm a consultant. I kept pointing out the differences in what each other were looking at, and we had several discussions about it, but nothing sunk in and I was getting no where in helping them narrow things down, except for the feeder elementary school for their kids.  It finally took seeing the right home for one to compromise and realize what they wanted wasn't really what they wanted.  Contract, closed, and for under $300k!

Another example is some buyers that weren't sure when they wanted to relocate here, but wanted to see what the area had to offer and they were aiming for November.  They came in town in May, and I showed them 6 houses. They went back home. I got a call two days later, "We want to know what we need to do to put an offer on that house."

So, how long does it take to buy a house?  "It completely depends on you and what you want to accomplish!!"

If you're a buyer in the Austin TX and surrounding areas, please call me TODAY as we might find a house for you tomorrow... or next month. With me, even a quick transaction can be stress-free!!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Real Estate - Austin TX - How Long Does it Take to Buy a House? It Depends on You... * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

In today's market, agents need to be online marketing themselves and their services. That's how I get the majority of my business, along with many others.  Why has the consumer not realized that almost every site they go to is attached to a human? Whether it's a real estate site or a car dealer site or any other site where a response is needed in return for specific information, there will be a human.

When someone visits my website and hits that submit button, they immediately get a Thank You email letting them know I can answer any questions they have.  Asking for anything on my website is a form of contact. 

"I didn't contact you. I completed a form/page online for Free Comps and I've
been buried in emails from Austin Realtors."

Apparently, this gentleman went to numerous sites asking for the same thing and each agent has responded back to him. First, I've never heard of multiple agents actually responding to online leads so quickly, so three cheers to my fellow agents in the Austin area. Second, why is he having to go to multiple sites to get the same information?

Texas is a NON-DISCLOSURE state!  You can't just go to a website online and get comps like this guy was hoping to do. Comps are given to clients as part of our representation. There are no public sites in the state of Texas that have sales data. There are sites that try, but all they are collecting is loan information. From loan information, you might be able to tell sales price, but more than likely not. You don't know if the buyer put 5% down or 20% down. You don't know if he did a VA loan that allowed for 100% financing with 0% down...

If you're a buyer or seller in the Austin TX area, or anywhere in the state of Texas, know that you cannot go online to gather comparable sales data without going through a licensed real estate agent first. We are the holders of the information, and always will be. It's best to always be nice to your local agents.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Texas is a Non-Disclosure State - Real Estate Agents Hold the Sales Information  * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Austin TX - Number 1 for Kiplinger's 10 Best Cities for the Next Decade. What was the focus of this latest survey? "We focused on places that specialize in out-of-the-box thinking."  Austin TX definitely has that!

"New ideas generate new businesses... where innovation works, it really works..."

But what else gets people to the top places to begin with? It boils down to the basics of culture, music, and arts.  People have to want to move here. More and more, I hear about people moving here without jobs thinking they'll be able to find one easier by being local.  "...neighborhoods and recreational facilities that rank high for coolness attract like-minded professionals..."

Austin TX is the self-proclaimed live music capital of the world, though there were reports last year that they fell to the second spot. Either way, they are anchored by the South by Southwest Festival that brings thousands of people to the area from around the world every year.

What other cities made the list of 10 Best Cities for the Next Decade?
2. Seattle, WA - where I'm originally from so I couldn't have done wrong by staying there!!
3. Washington, DC
4. Boulder, CO
5. Salt Lake City, Utah
6. Rochester, Minn
7, Des Moines, Iowa
8. Burlington, VT
9. West Hartford, Conn
10. Topeka, Kansas

Where is Raleigh, North Carolina? They've been on so many lists the past couple of years just like Austin, but they seemed to have missed this list...

If you are thinking about relocating to the Austin TX area, give me a call or email today! Don't delay, as you might as well get here before everyone else does and all the good listings are gone!!

For more about the list, check it out. Here's more about Austin as the #1 choice.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Austin TX - Kiplinger's 10 Best Cities for the Next Decade - Austin #1 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

This picture was taken yesterday evening. I see absolutely no family resemblance whatsoever!!  :)

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Speechless Sunday - Three Generations of Smiles * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

I'm in Dallas this weekend visiting my parents and friends.  My mom lives in Carrollton, TX in a community called The Homestead. We got a nice treat this morning...

We were serenaded by the Hebron High School March Band! They marched through the entire community playing lots of fun and energetic music. Many neighbors were out watching, and many of the parents walked along with them to watch the entire thing.

Here are some pictures of the color guard, woodwinds, drum line, and brass...

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Carrollton TX - The Homestead - Hebron High School March Band Goes Through the Community * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

As a listing agent, it's not the best idea to show your cards and your semi-lack of experience.  I submitted an offer a couple of weeks ago in the million dollar price range. My buyer decided they wanted to do an all cash offer. Great!

What does it take to get an all cash offer excepted more readily than a financed deal in this market? Have all your ducks in a row. This means explain to the buyer that an all cash offer means NO contingencies! No contingencies on selling a house. No contingencies on receiving funds from some investment you made. It means the cash is readily available.

With that, I like my cash buyers to really show how serious they are which also includes a short escrow time. Why should the seller have to wait to close if the cash is there? If they wanted to wait to close, they might as well risk a buyer with financing that will take a while, especially above the jumbo loan limits.

But what I really like a buyer to do is put their cash where it counts, earnest money! If it's not contingent upon anything, let the seller know you're willing to lose a substantial amount of money if you back out.

For our offer, we submitted it with a $20,000 earnest money deposit. Yes, $25,000.  The listing agent's response?

"What? WOW! That's a lot!  Are you serious?"

Of course we're serious or we wouldn't put up so much. I explained the other ins and outs of the offer so she could understand our logic. She seemed to understand, but then asked if I could type up a letter so she could more easily explain it to her seller.  I actually already anticipated this since I had already looked her up and knew she was fairly new, and I told her it was already written in an email to her. Big sigh of relief on her end.

As a listing agent, it's best to not show your cards and lack of experience, especially in this price range where the average home in this market is under $200k.  As a seller, you should really be questioning agents when you interview them to make sure they're prepared for several different scenarios of what could happen. You don't want your agent out-smarted by the other agent do you? And this million dollar home is not under contract for anywhere a million dollars, and my buyers are happy! One more week 'till closing!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* An Agent's Lack of Experience Helped My Buyers Get a Great Deal! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Since the day she was born, many people have told me that Alyssa's face should be in a magazine. It's always made me smile to hear people say how cute she is. Every mother loves to hear things like that.

One of my relocation buyers who just closed on a house a couple of months ago has his daughters in modeling and acting. He saw Alyssa and thought she was cute. I told him how I previously tried to see about doing something about it, but nothing worked. For the past couple of weeks, he has been giving me tips as to where to start and what to do... however, most everything has been a dead-end because companies don't like to represent kids under the age of 5...

On Monday, he sent me an email asking if I would be interested. The email was from the company he's with asking if they know any female, crying toddlers ages 2-4 for a short film. He forwarded a couple of pictures of Alyssa to the company, and they called Monday night for an audition Tuesday afternoon. WOW! Alyssa's first audition!! From the picture below, she doesn't look read to cry as we waited for our name to be called.

So, she was supposed to CRY! We talked about it and she said she could do it... The audition place was a little creepy. A place called Space 12 in East Austin.  We got to the audition and when it came time to cry, I took away her bubbles and her magic wand as I knew she would be upset.  She looked right at the casting director and said, "When my mommy takes my things away, I'm supposed to cry."  Did she cry??

She cried as soon as we got to the parking lot! We had to go back in because we forgot her drink. I mentioned how she cried as soon as we walked out. The director said she could come back in front of the camera for another shot, so we did.  This time, she looked sad, and whimpered twice, and then big smile. I guess she's too happy to cry on demand...

Wednesday evening, my phone was ringing and we were in the backyard playing. I ran inside, but missed the call. I saw her name on the caller ID, and immediately called it...

ALYSSA GOT THE JOB!!

She went in for her first audition ever and came out with her first part ever!

The filming will be next Wednesday. Keep your fingers crossed that she cries in front of the camera. Depending on the time of day, I have several plans as to make her cry. Taking her snack away, combing her hair, and different things she does on a daily basis to work up those crocodile tears... We're very excited!!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Alyssa Got a Part in a Short Film - My Very Own Celebrity! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

If you're looking for an endorsement on your services from me, don't be an idiot and make yourself look like a fool! For those in the Lakeway TX area, I recommend you NOT call Barton Roofing for your roofing needs, and here's why...

I have a house under contract with some wonderful buyers. I was trying to get them a roofing allowance for the small amount of hail damage on the roof they're buying. It's no big deal as it's not very much damage and it's basically cosmetic, but if the bank will agree to a couple of hundred dollars to repair the damage, more power to us, right?

Anyway, I've called a couple of roofing companies, and this Barton Roofing in Lakeway Austin TX blew me away. He doesn't want to compete with an estimate. I'm sorry, what? He doesn't give written estimates that can be used to compare price and allow someone to make an educated decision. He thinks I'm going to use his estimate to milk out the highest dollar we can, and turn around and use the lowest estimate to do the work.

First of all, the repair is so small, all the estimates should be within $20-50 of each other. We're not talking high dollar volume here. Second of all, I would never ask for a "fake" estimate. If he submits an estimate that turns out to be significantly higher than the other bids, why can't my buyer decide to use one of the lower bids?  Thirdly, if he submits a low bid to guarantee he gets the job, but it doesn't cover his expense, that's on him, not me.  And fourthly, if he plans on running a business on customer service and referrals, he has a lot to learn!! My blog ranks pretty high, and someone googling his company will probably find this and call the next company they find.

I had roofers go to the house for estimates and Barton Roofing was not one of them to compete for my client's business, or any of my future business with other clients. They were very rude, and I don't appreciate it.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Barton Roofing - Lakeway TX - Horrible Customer Service Attitude * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

This is Alyssa and her first lollipop. She didn't even make a dent in it before I put her in the shower to wash it all off! I think it'll take a month to eat it, and she was even willing to share!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Wordless Wednesday - First Lollipop * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Did you hear about the Coldwell Banker Burnet agent, Steven Skar, who is in the middle of a lawsuit along with his former broker because some sellers in Minnesota are suing him for having some indiscretions in their house?? This story is hilarious... I'm sure it's sad for the sellers, but when you read all the details, it's pretty darn funny to think an agent would be so stupid!

The premise is that this agent has the house listed and the sellers leave the country for a few months. While the sellers are gone, the neighbors emailed the sellers some concerns about lights being on and their agent being there at odd times.

Long story short, the sellers come home to a house that is completely stained and soiled. I'm sorry, but what kind of stuff could be going on where they have soiled that many things in that many rooms, and we're not talking about the agent throwing a "party" in the house??

Coldwell Banker Burnet actually spent over $7000 to clean the home and replace things that were ruined, but that's not good enough for the home owners, and I don't blame them. They are grossed out and can't even live in the house.  They don't like the idea of certain activities going on in their "marital bed".

What was this agent thinking?  Is he that sloppy in his own home? From the details, it just sounds completely and utterly gross. How do you get stains on a lamp? ICK!

The agent had his license stripped by the state so he's no longer allowed to practice real estate.  I'm not sure exactly what other punishment they can dish out to him, but it makes you wonder if you know of anyone capable of doing something like this.

For the entire story, read it here.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Coldwell Banker and Agent being Sued Because of Indiscretions in the Home * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Hey Listing Agents, continue to not return calls to consumers!!  As McDonald's says, "I'm lovin' it!!" 

First, it makes me feel great when I return a call and a consumer is so excited that I called them back so promptly. Second, by you not returning their calls, they're calling me instead and in return, you're helping to build my business!! I bend over backwards to give my new, existing, and potential clients great customer service!!

I got off the phone a little bit ago with a very nice gentleman who was ecstatic that I returned his call in under 30 minutes when he had been trying to get in touch with a listing agent on a property for 4 days.  Yes, 4 days!

We're not talking about a price range where an agent doesn't return a call because they don't want to hand hold a buyer at $100k. We're talking about a price range upwards of $400k!  A ten minute conversation has turned a stranger into a new client buyer.

Again, Listing Agents, I beg you, continue to not return calls so the consumers will continue to call me!!  I've been so busy lately, and it's great!  Mama needs a new crib!!

As for you buyers and sellers out there, make me your first call before you waste time waiting for a returned call from someone else...

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Hey Listing Agents, Continue to NOT Return Calls to Consumers!! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Some of you saw the posting on Facebook, while others who aren't my "friend" have not seen the news... I went ahead and chopped my hair off!

I didn't go as short as I initially thought I would. I thought I would go above the ears. I chickened out!!  But that's ok, because the length turned out great.

I'm not partial to the curly version, so after a couple of hours of trying to get used to it, I washed it and straightened it. MUCH Better!!

Some people have been confused about the length. Yes, curly hair shrinks and is shorter than when it's straight. Why? I think that's physics 101. You take a straight line and then put bends and twists in it. That same line is no longer the same length.

Anyway, here are the pictures...

Thank you, Autry, at the Lush Salon in Bee Cave TX. You did a great job!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Yes, I Did it... I Chopped My Hair Off!! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

According to CareerCast.com, being a real estate agent is the fifth MOST stressful job!  I knew my job was stressful, but is it fifth among others? In today's market, possibly, but I find it an exaggeration...

The four ahead of real estate agent are:
Surgeon
Commercial Airline Pilot
Photojournalist
Advertising Account Executive

Right after real estate agent are:
Physician - General Practice
Reporter - Newspaper
Physician Assistant

They don't say where they obtained this information, as it just says, "our research indicates..." so I don't know what to rebut again, but I would think the life of a teacher might be a little more stressful than a real estate agent.  I would think an ER doctor's life would be more stressful, a Policeman's life, and probably many others.

I work hard, and I work many hours and admit it can be stressful, but let's not exaggerate our stress levels.  We all have a certain dedication to our clients. Sellers need to sell and buyers want to buy. Bringing these two people together is a happy time, usually.

I think the stress mostly comes from the outside factors of the lenders and underwriters and things beyond our control.  The next time you buy or sell a house, think about the stresses your REALTOR® goes through...

What do you think about the study by Careercast?

**graphic courtesy of CareerCast.com

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Real Estate Agent Ranks as Fifth Most Stressful Job * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

For ten years, I've had long hair. Well, actually, I've had long hair most of my life, but there have been three times where I went short. The first time was in 1st grade when my mom went and chopped my hair off because I "wasn't taking care of it." Come on, Mom, I was 6.

The next time I had short hair was a week before high school graduation. I wanted a grown-up look for college and off came the locks. I stood in my high school hallway for 10 minutes before anyone recognized me. Not sure if that was funny or sad...

In the Spring of 2000, I bought a 4Runner which I thought was a cool, sporty SUV, and I wanted a new hair style for it. I went to the salon and told them I wanted a "sporty cut" and off came the locks.  VERY short that time! Like, we're talking no hair! It felt light and airy, but didn't look the best as it grew out.

Now, it's 10 years later, and I'm doing it again. They say not to make drastic hair changes while you're pregnant, but who cares... I have an appointment scheduled for Thursday morning.

Basically, I was seeing if anyone wanted to post some pictures of examples of what they think might look good. Keep in mind, even though I straighten my hair when it's long, the cut needs to be a curly cut for best results. And I will probably keep longer bangs as I hate bangs on my forehead and into my eyes.

Let's see some pictures!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Short, Curly Haircut Suggestions? I'm Making a Drastic Change and Need Your Help! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Lake Travis Community Library is holding their annual Friends of the Library summer book sale this Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 8am- 1 pm.  You can get an entire bag of books for only $10! They will provide the bags, and you just fill them up and cram as many as you can inside.  I'm so sick of reading the same books over and over again to Alyssa, that I'm going to be sure to be there!

Instead of being at the actual library, the event is being held at the Jack Brown Cleaners down the street at 1508 RR 620 in Lakeway. If you have any questions, contact the library directly at 512-263-2885.

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Lake Travis Library - Summer Book Sale * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

Breaking News from FHA! Congress passed HR5981 which gives FHA the right and authority to change their monthly and annual mortgage insurance premiums, what's known as MIP, not PMI.  These changes are taking place starting with and new FHA case numbers pulled September 7. This is not a contract execution date, but the date the mortgage person gets the file turned in for a case number.

What changes are planned? A decrease in the upfront Mortgage Insurance Premiums from 2.25% to 1%. This is called "upfront", but is typically rolled back into the mortgage and paid through your mortgage payments over 30 years. There will also be an increase in monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums from .50-.55% up to .85-.90% which is determined by your combined loan to value ratio. The higher the ratio, the higher the MIP.

Here's an example chart:

What does this all mean? It means, if you're a buyer in the Austin TX area and you're still on the fence about buying, you really need to contact me today and get you off that fence! The fence is doing nothing but hurting your bum, and it must be uncomfortable sitting there for so long!!

What's going to happen next? Rates are going to start going up. Want an example of how that effects your payments?

So, if you're buying a $200k house with an FHA loan, your payments will go up $40.14 in addition to $29.58 for just a .25% rate increase. That's an additional $69.72 a month!  How many nights a month do you like to eat out? How often do you buy a $5 coffee at Starbucks?  Put the money into perspective as you might have to change some of your favorite things to do in order to make up the difference.

Call me, and let's get you into a house!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Breaking News from FHA - Mortgage Insurance Premiums are Changing * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

The creatures of Austin strike again... look what joined me at dinner...

I thought it was dead as it looked curled up, but I touched it with a knife and it sprinted to the other side frantically trying to get up the wall. This is the fourth one in sixteen months in my house. AND we fumigate regularly!

Where are they coming from? This is disgusting!!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Do Scorpions Eat Much? * was first published on donnahomesblog.com

I closed on two properties a couple of days ago. The sellers were a referral from another RE/MAX agent in Houston. It was a small transaction so the agent didn't even want a referral fee. No problem, much appreciated.

It turned out to be a very interesting situation. The two properties were vacant lots side by side. We were trying to sell them together as one so the buyer could have almost a 1/2 acre instead of a standard sized lot.

Immediately, the neighbor next door wanted one of the lots. Great! We can close this really quick!  But, she's not interested in the second lot... back up... we really want to market them together first and if nothing comes about, we'll be back in touch.

For the next month, I spent a lot of time contacting many of the local, smaller home builders in the area. You would be amazed at how many builders cannot be found on the internet. Their name is very prominent in the different MLS listings, but when you try to contact one directly, it's like they don't exist.

And then there are the builders who don't return phone calls.  Wow, do they want to build and sell houses or what? When I did speak with some, I would get the sob story of trying to sell down their current inventory yadda yadda. I was told by a few that the lots were great lots, but it was bad timing for them, but maybe at the end of the summer so they could build something over the Fall and Winter and have it on the market in the Spring.  Good plan... but we wanted to sell now! I was told by others that the lots would never sell because the street wasn't paved and they would never build on a street like that... ok, personal opinion since there were already several houses on the street.

With all these different conversations noted, I went back to the seller and explained everything. I suggested going back to the neighbor and offering her something she couldn't refuse. They took that literally because they asked me to offer her something that I didn't want to refuse and that I would have personally accepted, but that wouldn't be fair, if that's the right word to use.

I called the neighbor, told her to sit down and take a deep breath, and told her the figure my sellers said.  Nope, she couldn't refuse it. Instead of barely 1/4 acre of property, she now has a house sitting on 3/4 acres!  Her son is already making plans to build on one of the lots to be closer to her.

So many people say Dual Agency/Intermediary doesn't work because "you can't represent both sides of the transaction fairly if you want to do your job to its fullest"  (I hear that often).  Well, It was truly a WIN/WIN for everyone and I love when deals like this can be worked out. I truly represented each side to its fullest just the way an Intermediary transaction should be done.

I love referrals and I love working with people who can walk away happy from a transaction even if they didn't net what they initially thought they should or could. It's not about what you "want" when you sell. It's about what the market will bare!!

**Are You Packed Yet?** 

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
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© 2010 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Dual Agency/Intermediary Relationships Work If You Know How To Do It! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com