Austin TX Real Estate - Hill Country Austin Lakeway Homes for Sale: February 2007

Have you wondered what it would take to sell your home for the highest price, in the shortest amount of time, and with a minimum of inconvenience?

Besides accurate pricing and an effective marketing campaign, posting your home on the Internet can make a huge difference. The Internet has largely replaced newspapers as the advertising medium of choice for real estate listings.

Why? Posting listings online costs almost nothing, information can be changed or updated almost instantly, listings can be screened by price or area, and the information is available to prospective buyers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

According to a recent survey, almost 88% of all buyers use the Internet to search for a new home. They like the ability to see pictures and obtain additional information. Plus, buyers who search on the Web spend an average of $22,600 more for their new home than other buyers. To accomplish my goal of selling your home for the best price in the least amount of time, let's use one of the most effective marketing techniques--the Internet.

Please don't hesitate to call or email me if you would like additional information.  Remember, I work all of North Dallas County and Collin County including Richardson, Plano, Allen, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Rowlett, McKinney, etc... my car will take us anywhere you need to go!!

According to a recent report, nearly 82% of potential buyers use the Internet to refine their home search. Broker Web sites let buyers browse by house size, style, area, and price.

Because many buyers look only at those homes within their price range, it's important to accurately price your home for the market. The higher a home's price above market, the fewer the number of interested buyers, and the longer it will take to sell.

The key to selling your home quickly at the greatest return is to price it at market value right from the start. A fairly priced home will capitalize on the flurry of buyer interest a home enjoys during its first few weeks on the market. Plus, you're wanting to SELL your house, not just LIST your house, right?

Please don't hesitate to call or email me if I can answer your questions or help with additional information.

I have found from experience that the activity during the first two weeks a home is on the market tends to predict how long it will take to sell. Potential buyers eagerly jump on new homes on the market.

I am an ASP, Accredited Staging Professional. This means that I've taken the classes to become certified in better helping my sellers STAGE® their homes in order to help them sell faster and for higher dollar.

Here are some "STAGING®" tips you might find helpful:

* Keep your home in "show shape." Make sure that beds are made, dishes are in the dishwasher or put away, everything is picked up, and the kitchen and bathrooms sparkle. Let your counter space show, so put things away.

* Decorate with fresh flowers. Many home sellers use potted flowering plants that last much longer than cut flowers. Place them inside and out. They really add cheer!

* Turn on lights; replace all burned-out bulbs. Open blinds and draperies. Let the natural light in.

* Confine pets and keep them out of sight when possible. They can be distracting, and some people have allergies.

* Create a relaxed atmosphere with soft background music. Do not think the music in the family room needs to be heard in the back of the house if you don't have speakers in the various rooms. Loud music is distracting.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to call or email me.

As you prepare your home for the market, one thing to keep in mind is that you have only one chance to make a first impression. It is absolutely vital that prospective buyers form a good impression of your home--beginning the moment they drive up.

You can help create that good first impression by presenting potential buyers with a well-cared-for yard including a mowed lawn. Your front door and porch should be clean and neat, preferably freshly painted.

These first, important encounters create a positive impression that carries through to the rest of your home. An inviting atmosphere implies that your house has been well maintained and taken care of. Homes that convey pride of ownership frequently receive the best offers.

If your home appears disheveled or uncared for, prospective buyers may quickly conclude it's been neglected and is in need of repairs. Such a negative impression can result in a less-than-generous offer--or possibly no offer at all.

Try viewing your home through a potential buyer's eyes. Would YOU buy your home? What changes would you make?

Please contact me by email or phone if I can be of further assistance.

Below is a list of Facts about Texas.  Some you'll know and remember them from elementary school.  Others, you might look at them and think, where did they come up with that?!

And if you're relocating here to Texas, these are some things you should know about your future new home!!

Name: From Tejas, Indian word meaning friendly

Capital: Austin

Motto: Friendship

Bird: Mockingbird

Tree: Pecan (how do you pronounce this word?)

Flower: Bluebonnet

Gem: Topaz (I did not know this)

Stone: Petrified Palmwood (huh?)

Dish: Chili

Song: "Texas, Our Texas"

Insect: Monarch Butterfly (I would have thought mosquito!!)

Fabric/fiber: Cotton

Dance: Square Dance

Fruit: Texas Red Grapefruit (I had no idea!)

Fish: Gualalupe Bass

Large Mammal: Longhorn (duh!)

Small Mammal: 9-Branded Armadillo

Plant: Prickly Pear Cactus (do pears grow on this or is it shaped like a pear like the Bradford Pear Tree?)

Reptile: Horned Lizard

Vegetable: Sweet Onion (to go in the Chili above!)

Just a reminder that The Woods of SpringCreek is having their annual HOA meeting Tuesday, February 13 at 7:15pm.  It's at Canyon Creek off Renner and North Star.

If you are unable to make it, you should fill out the proxy form and send it to Excel Management... or you can drop it off at a neighbor's and one of us would be happy to turn it in for you.

I'm looking forward to meeting all the new neighbors from the past year, and catching up with others that I haven't seen since the National Night Out in August.

They finally arrived!!  Check out my new Texas Association of REALTORS® license plates.  They look "fake" as they're so different.  I'm going to definitely have to watch the way I drive now.... not that I'm a bad drive, because I'm a great driver, but I'm the type of driver that has somewhere to go, and I like to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible!

Thank you everyone who helped with the choice of "BUYIN".

What do you think?

As of November 2006, many changes were made to the NTREIS (North Texas Real Estate Information System).  I'm only mentioning this now because the changes don't actually go into effect for another couple of weeks, March 1, 2007.  Some of the changes were good ones, while others weren't.  Here are a couple of examples:

One of the good changes is that when the status of a listing changes, the agents now have only 3 days to update the MLS. The previous rule was 5 days.  You would think 5 days was enough time to change the status, but there are so many times when I would show a listing and the status actually wasn't active.  Hopefully, 3 days will get people moving faster or they'll be fined!

One of the bad changes is the way Virtual Tours can be uploaded into the MLS.  Currently, most virtual tours are branded with the agents' name, email, contact, company, and other information.  This is so when the average buyer is looking for houses on the internet, they have more information about the listing agent and we'll receive a call. 

However, as of March 1, 2007, all virtual tours much be unbranded!! WHAT??!!  This is ridiculous!!  The point of the virtual tour is to also advertise and market my services so others know that I can do the same for their house, in essence, increasing my business as well as getting the house sold by presenting it in a better way.

I can't believe they're taking away our ability to brand ourselves.  Does anyone else have this rule in their MLS?

The report for the end of the year finally came out... or it's that I just checked my mail at my office and it was there.

These numbers are for 2006 DFW "Single Family Home" sale, which means it does NOT include condos, but it DOES include townhomes.

Number of Sales: 92,452 which is a 3% increase over last year

Average Price: $194,125  which is a 3% increase over last year

Median Price: $148,000 which is a 2% increase over last year

Active Listings: 44,389 which is a 7% increase over last year

Our average prices are still significally below the national average.  And with a median price much lower than the average price, that shows you that many more homes are being sold in the lower-end price range than the higher end.

This is crazy!  I read on the Mainstreet front page last week, but just had time to go back and actually read the full articles.  3 contestants on this season's The Apprentice are associated with Re/Max agents across the country.

Nicole's mom, Mary Anne D'Ambrosio, is a sales associate with Re/Max of Naperville in Illinois.

Then, after Karen Ruggiero with Re/Max Acclaim in Rosevile, Michigan read the article on Mainstreet, she spoke up saying that her daughter is also on the show, Angela.

Well, you can't stop at just 2.  The story got around and low and behold, there's a third tie to RE/MAX on this 6th season.  James is the husband of Julie Sun who is an associate with Re/Max Elite in Redmond, Washington.

It's a small, small world out there!  This year's The Apprentice has several real estate related contestants and I'm curious on who the others are associated with.  After the first couple of seasons when they had real estate agents, I figured there was no way they would chose another for the next seasons, but they keep picking more and more... maybe I should try out!!

Second thought, I'm one of those strong personalities that would probably get thrown out by their team members because they would be intimidated by me.  I'm a straight-shooter and don't play games.

According to the Associated Press and NAR, Texas had a record year in 2006 whereas the rest of the nation didn't, for the most part.

NAR reported only 6.5 million units were sold in 2006 which was down 8.4% compared to 2005 sales.  They also stated that 40% of sales in 2005 were to investors or second-home buyers.  Once the market switched in several areas, those investors backed out and have, therefore, decreased sales overall.

Texas sold almost 290,000 homes in 2006 which was the higher amount sold to date.

Even with sales declines across the country in many high-dollar areas, the median sales price was $222,000 compared to $219,600 in 2005.

As I tell all my clients, you can't listen to the national news to see what's going on in our area.  We have had tremendous activity where others have not.  If more people would look at the facts and not depend on information in other areas, the Dallas area could see even more growth!!

If you're looking to move or invest in the Dallas area, give me a call/email!!

This is great news!

I'm not sure this happens in other states, but Texas has a TAX FREE weekend in August every year.  Each year, they modify what is on the list.  The original list was for clothes and school supplies to help parents save some money for the upcoming school year. 

There was also a restriction that each item was only tax free up to the first $100.  That meant, no tax free on designer $150 jeans!

Well, it was just reported yesterday that they're thinking about making more changes.  The most recent change that might effect this coming August '07, is appliances!!  How appliances really relate to going back to school, I don't know, but I guess some people could use the help to buy a big ticket item, save the tax, and then wash all the brand new clothes they just bought.  This would also go towards refrigerators, and we all know those college students moving into the dorms could use a mini-fridge!

Overall, I think adding appliances to the list is a good thing.  If you think it's good too, since this is not final yet, you might want to send an email to the state!

This floorplan is very open and in move-in ready condition! 3 Beds, 2 Baths, 2 Car Garage, Built in 2002. The Kitchen and Nook have laminate wood floors, decorative lighting, upgraded counters, & walk-in pantry. The Master Bath has new tile floors, double sinks, linen closet, and large walk-in closet.

The Backyard is HUGE with an extended patio! Rooms are split for privacy. 2" Blinds. Surround Sound in Family Room. Brick, Wood Burning Fireplace. Remote Ceiling Fans. Immaculate condition!!

What a great floorplan! Versatile with either 4 Living or 3 Living and a Study with Double French doors. Massive Gameroom approx 23 x 19 with full bath! The Kitchen has an abundance of 42'Cherry Cabs & Counter space, Built-in Desk, Dry Bar with glass front cabinets, and walk-in Pantry. Tile and Carpet upgraded throughout. The Master is split from the others and has double Vanities, Jetted Tub, Separate Shower, and walk-in closet with built-in shelves. The Corner lot makes for a larger backyard. It also has an extended patio, great for entertaining! 2' Blinds, Covered Porch with columns, Surround Sound, Gas Log Fireplace, Full size separate Utility Room... so much more. This house is Immaculate so make your appointment today!!

Recently, I was in Chicago for a video shoot for a company.  At the end of the interview, they allowed me to make a personal commercial.  I had to quickly think of something to say that didn't sound stupid or scripted.  It took me a couple of minutes, but then I remembered my Mission Statement that I have on my website and my Blog profile, and then it was easy.  I've been using the same statement for almost 7 years now, so I had it down pretty well.

Watch my Personal Commerical here!!