Real Estate Information

Below are several Twitter tips that we find useful.

Fast Follow. Anyone in the U.S. can receive Tweets on their phone even if they haven’t signed up for Twitter. This is a simple way for people to get information they care about in real-time. For example, let’s say you want to get Tweets from New York City’s office of emergency management (@NotifyNYC). Just text ‘follow NotifyNYC’ to 40404 in the US.

Try it out the next time you see a Twitter @username at a restaurant or store, on a billboard or on TV, or if you hear one mentioned on the radio. If you want to appear in a user’s followers list or start to get followers, you’ll need to create a Twitter account. You can SMS by texting ‘signup’ to Twitter at 40404.

Fast Following without creating an account is currently available only in the U.S., but Twitter is working with carriers to bring it to other countries.

Set SMS alerts: From your computer, wherever you see a user on Twitter.com, you can hover over their name or avatar, and click on the phone icon that appears in the hovercard. Whenever they tweet, you'll get it as an SMS message on your phone.

It's just as easy to set alerts from your phone. Send ‘on [username]’ or ‘off [username]’ to 40404 in the U.S.

Tell Twitter to be quiet. Turn text messages on or off by sending ‘on’ or ‘off’ to Twitter. You can also go to our settings page if you want to turn off text message updates during a certain time period.

Keep up with the latest Tweet. If you text 'Get [username]’, that user’s most recent Tweet will be sent to your phone, even if you don’t follow them. There are a bunch of other fun commands you can use with Twitter on your phone.

If you are trading up or simply ready to buy, there has never been a better time.  Buyers are in control of the market.  There is an oversupply of quality homes.  Sellers are motivated and interest rates are at historic lows.

·       Interest Rates last week were 4.54% from 4.46% the week prior.  Wow!

 Comparison of prior markets     

 ·       Average Interest Rate for 2009 was 5.04%.

·       Average Interest Rate for 2008 was 6.03%.

·       Average Interest Rate for 2007 was 6.34%.

This chart shows the change in weekly interest rates from January of 2008 forward based on the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey of approximately 125 lenders. Freddie Mac’s survey is generally viewed as the best indicator of interest rate trends.

A lender will not sign-off on your mortgage loan unless you have secured adequate homeowner's insurance. The policy protects your financial interests and the lender’s investment in your home. Don’t wait until the last minute to begin shopping for a homeowner's insurance policy. Annual premium costs and coverage options vary widely between insurance companies.

A typical homeowner's insurance policy provides protection for casualty, liability and personal property. Your insurance broker can help you determine how much coverage you need for each of the three standard protections.

Casualty coverage provides protection for common hazards including fire, wind, lightning or other incidents that can cause structural damage to your home. If the house is damaged or destroyed by a covered peril, the casualty insurance should cover the cost to rebuild. Ask your insurance broker about a guaranteed replacement cost provision. The provision ensures that your insurance will cover the cost of rebuilding your home even if the cost exceeds your policy limits.

Homeowners can be subject to a host of legal liability issues. The liability coverage provision in a homeowner's policy provides protection against lawsuits that can result if a guest or some other visitor is injured while on the property. One rule to consider is that your liability limits should total at least twice the property’s value.

Personal property coverage protects the contents in your home. The limits and terms of this coverage can vary widely. For example, a replacement cost provision can provide reimbursement for your possessions based on today’s market value. Conversely, the coverage may value your possessions based on what they were worth when initially purchased minus depreciation. In the event that you file a personal property claim, it’s a good idea to have a detailed catalog of your possessions. The easiest way to document and itemize your personal property is to go from room to room with a video recorder and methodically record your home’s contents.

We all hear a lot of how great Austin is and Austin consistently ranks high in nationwide surveys of "Best Cities".  These rankings are usually for a month or maybe a year, but how does Austin (and Texas ) hold up over the long term? And what do the experts project for the next Decade?  

Here’s a list of articles from this year discussing the long term demographics and economic strengths of both Austin and Texas:   

• Austin is Kiplinger's number-one Best City for the Next Decade – “Austin is arguably the country’s best crucible for small business.” … It has “a huge angel-financing network, billionaires who will freely offer you advice,” plus a culture that “attracts the best and brightest.”
• Texas is the big winner in population growth for the decade– Brookings Institute study: Big Texas metros have done well because they avoided a lot of the pitfalls of the housing boom and bust. Six Texas counties are among the 25 fastest-growing from 2000 to 2009: Rockwall, Williamson, Collin, Hays, Fort Bend and Montgomery. The Houston metropolitan area, which has a population of 5.9 million, is the USA's sixth-largest, up two notches since 2000. Austin, the 35th-largest metro at 1.7 million, moved up five spots and San Antonio ranks 28th, up one rung, at 2.1 million.
• Texas job growth tops nation for the decade - Texas continued to make strides in private sector job growth during the past 10 years. Texas led the nation with 724,300 more net private sector jobs in December 2009 compared with one decade ago.  Over the last 10 years only two of the 10 largest states, Texas and Florida, had positive job growth.  “Texas’ business, tax, and economic policies created an environment where businesses can succeed and create jobs.” (Source: Austin Business Journal, U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics and Texas Workforce Commission)
• Ten boom towns with resilient economies, growing industries, and lots of job potential. Knowledge workers, take note. – BNET ranks Austin number one for job growth over the next decade. “Over the next decade, the best jobs are going to go to the cities with the industries and the entrepreneurial incentives in place to support a highly educated, tech-savvy workforce.”
• Best Cities for Jobs – Moster.com ranks Austin number one for jobs in 2010 and lists the criteria needed for creating jobs in the future that are a great match for Austin: 1) Tech companies are moving there, 2) Universities and research parks collaborate with the local business community. 3) The political climate is business-friendly. 4) There’s a high concentration of entrepreneurs. 5) A large proportion of the residents have a bachelor’s degrees or higher.
• Texas gains the most Jobs over the Decade– Another Brookings report showed that Texas gained the most jobs with more than 40 percent more jobs at the end of 2009 than at the end of 1999.

Source: Gracy Title - Austin

During recent home inspections for our buyers we represent questions involving AFCI (known as Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) have arisen several times. AFCIs are newly-developed electrical devices designed to protect against fires caused by arcing faults in the home electrical wiring.

TREC Licensed inspectors in Texas have been reporting the lack of AFCI (known as Arc Fault) in home inspection reports now since 02/2009 due to the new Standards of Practice requirement; this even applies to homes built before AFCI was invented, much like the case of GFCI. (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters)

AFCI has been around since 1999, the requirement was revamped in 2002 for new homes and then another expanded requirement in 2008 was introduced by the NEC (National Electric Code). A good inspector on older homes should be able to help set the right perspective as this is a recommendation to upgrade to a "best practice", newer standard, but is still a grandfather type clause and it is common buyer practice not to expect sellers to bring their homes up to code.  However we advise buyers to think Safety First.

So what is Arc Fault?

An "arc fault circuit interrupter" (AFCI), is a new type of circuit breaker designed to detect sparking in an electrical system, and to shut down the affected circuit before it causes a fire. The jury is still out on whether AFCIs actually save lives and property.

A household circuit can cause fire in two ways: circuit overload and sparking. Standard circuit breakers or fuses usually protect an overloaded circuit, but the breakers may not trip from intermittent sparking. For example, if you pierce or sever an electrical cable while hammering a nail into a wall, you could create an intermittent short, resulting in sparking. If the breaker does not trip, a fire could start.

What's the Difference Between an AFCI and a GFCI?

A GFCI, or a "ground-fault circuit interrupter," is typically installed in areas with a high risk for electrical shock, such as bathrooms. A GFCI protects people from electric shock, while an AFCI protects homes from electrical fires.

Is it working?

According to our inspector sources it will take several more years before statistics reflect anything concrete about how well AFCIs function. In the meantime, it is a good assumption that AFCIs reduce the chances of electrical spark-induced fires. Electrical authorities do plan, however, to ultimately mandate every breaker in your electrical panel as an AFCI or a GFCI, or a device that covers both, protecting people from electric shock and homes from electrical fires.

The family vacation is a ritual of summer. While traveling with kids brings parents enormous amounts of joy, it also comes with a certain level of stress. We are sharing the following advice to make every trip stress-free.

TIP ONE
Pick a vacation destination that really, truly offers something for every family member - Look for hotels, resorts and getaways that have a wide variety of activities; golf for dad, spa for mom, structured kid's clubs for children.

TIP TWO
Don't overschedule your vacation - Our families are so busy. We balance school, jobs, homework, sports, dance and other activities all the time. Vacation is a time to relax and enjoy the down time.

TIP THREE
Kids are creatures of habit that don't tell time - They know what is coming next because of the sequence, order and routine. Even on vacation go through the same steps surrounding bed time, meal time and potty time so the children know what to expect.

TIP FOUR
If traveling with another family, be very clear about everyone's vacation expectations before you leave - Discuss how much time you plan to spend all together. Talk about all costs from meals to rental cars. Know if one team of parents is going to stay with the kids one night and let the other parents have an adult night.

TIP FIVE
Be prepared! Arm yourself with information about the place you are planning to visit. Most every city has a local visitor's bureau, and their websites are loaded with information about the destination. Check out their sites to learn about family friendly activities, dining offers, special events and more.

TIP SIX
Make a boredom bag for a car trip - Take a hanging travel cosmetic case and fill each pocket with age appropriate activities; things like books on tape, hand held electronic games and self contained craft kits. Hang it from the seat back in front of where your child is sitting. This will keep everything organized and the young one from asking "are we there yet?"

TIP SEVEN
Sneak in an educational experience - We are never too old to stop learning! Visit hands on, kid friendly museums, walk in the footsteps of history or take a trip to aquarium. Learning can be lots of fun.

TIP EIGHT
Be loyal - Credit card companies, airlines, hotels, cruise lines and rental cars all reward their most devoted customers with special perks, from free upgrades to amenities in their hotel room. Some airlines don't charge their premium members to check baggage and offer access to the most desired seats.

TIP NINE
Disconnect to reconnect - Our families are so wired in with technology that we miss the chance to talk to each other. Kids can stop texting, mom can stop with the cell phone and dad can stop with the blackberry so the family can enjoy each other.

TIP TEN
Make the Internet your travel agent to save time and money - Purchase tickets to theme parks and other attractions online ahead of time, and print them before you leave. That way you don't waste valuable vacation time waiting in line to pay for admission.

Source -Family travel expert, Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom.

Time and again we get questions regarding what should I look for in a buyer's agent when I am ready to buy.  Below is a list of questions we suggest you use in the buyer agent interview process.

How long have you been a buyer’s agent?

What percentage of your business is devoted to buyers?

Can you share the names and contact details for three past buyer clients who can provide references?

What are your areas of specialized knowledge?

Which types of housing or neighborhoods do you know best?

Please explain what representation choices I have as a buyer.

What is meant by fiduciary duties?

Do you practice dual representation?

Do you hold an ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) designation?

What other real estate designations or credentials do you hold?

Please explain how you will assist me at each stage of the transaction.

Do you have a written buyer representation agreement that details our obligations to each other?

How will you be compensated?

If I hire you as my buyer’s agent will I be subjected to any additional costs in my transaction?

Do you have full access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?

Will you try to find suitable properties beyond the MLS?

Will you handle all aspects of my transaction, or will I be working with assistants?

Who will be explaining the various forms, agreements and steps required to reach closing?

Will you counsel me on a negotiating strategy and appropriate contingencies?

How will you package my offer to the seller? Will you personally present my offer?

Will you provide guidance on affordability, mortgage options and how to choose a lender?

Why should I consider becoming pre-qualified or pre-approved on a mortgage?

Can you provide referrals to providers of other services related to my transaction, including home inspectors, surveyors, movers, etc?

"With the tax credit expiring and some percived uncertainy in the market, why should we buy now?"

There are excellent interest rates on mortgages currently, which will make payments lower. We haven’t seen interest rates like this for 40 years and may not again.

There are fewer buyers in the marketplace and the benefit is there is less competition for the best homes.

Lower buying activity in the marketplace causes lower prices, which translates to better buying opportunities.

Sellers may be more willing to negotiate not just on price but also on other things such as paid closing costs.

People were still buying homes in the early 80’s when interest rates were 18% for FHA and 7 points. Buying a home, even at high interest rates was still a better alternative than renting. 

It is a great time to move up if you have equity in your current home.  With the low rates available, you can often afford a larger home at close to the same payment they are currently making.

When getting ready for showings, Realtor Tour or an Open House sellers always a willingness to do their best and be prepared but oftentimes are at a loss as to have best to spend their time in order to have their home in pristine, model-like condition.

Put away any evidence of pets, pet food bowls and pet liter boxes.  In addition pets should take a mini holiday for showings, tours and open houses.

Play classical music throughout the house – 89.5 FM is a great local station for Austin-area residents. You can also choose a light jazz station or classical station from your digital cable or satellite provider. 

All handles, knobs, latches and light switches must be impeccably clean.

Clean all surfaces so they feel clean and grit free.

Bake cookies for open houses or showings.

Place mild scented releases (vanilla or cinnamon or apple spice) or create your own by mixing water, cinnamon, clove and ginger and boiling. Be sure to turn off boiling water just before you leave!

Use dryer sheets or fabric softener for a fresh scent at closets and laundry room.

Place bowls of individually wrapped candy around the house.

Put personal products out of site; get baskets for family members in which they can place their products.

For showings, turn on all lights, even closet lights. Open blinds, draw open curtains and draperies. Set air conditioning to cool, 72 degrees and turn on all fans.

LIGHTEN AND BRIGHTEN: Turn on all lights, accent lighting and ceiling fans (slow speed for fans). Open all window coverings to let in the sunlight.

Fresh flowers are a wonderful touch!

Tuck away evidence of pets (litter boxes, food, toys) and try to keep pets elsewhere for showings.

Make all beds.

A well operating garage door is important to the maintenance and safety of your home.

Put the door into the manual mode (normally by pulling the release handle hanging on a rope) and lift it by hand. A properly balanced door should lift easily and smoothly and stay open on its own about 3 feet off the ground. If it doesn't, hire a garage-door technician to counterbalance the overhead spring.

Return safety latch to auto mode (usually by sliding it until it clicks).Set the reversing force on the opener as low as possible by placing a 2x4 board on the ground under the door, wide side down. The door should pop back up when it hits the board. If it doesn't, call a garage-door pro.

Test the photoelectric eyes by blocking the beam between them. The door should reverse direction; if it doesn't, have it checked by a pro. Lubricate all rollers, tracks and hinges (white grease or silicon works well).