Gottesman Residential uses the latest technology, cutting edge marketing and creative networking. Most importantly, we are a collaborative group sharing ideas, market trends and resources. All agents are familiar with the company’s listings and serve as emissaries throughout our individual networks and circles. There is always a sounding board close by and we believe there is energy and strength from locking arms and supporting each other. The cohesive nature, knowledge and deep rooted integrity of our brokerage is enviable throughout the brokerage community.
. Blake Sayers Bell is a native Austinite whose local knowledge is evident in her work. She thrives in the fast-paced real estate environment while still focusing on the details. Organization and communication are her strong suits and she takes every opportunity to expand her real estate knowledge. Her passion and joy for her work are visible throughout every transaction whether it’s your first-time home buying or your first time buying a home in Austin. Blake is there every step of the way for her clients far beyond the closing table. She prioritizes the importance of relationships with her clients.
After Graduating from Austin High, she chose to expand her horizons and headed east to attend the University of Georgia. Blake graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Before moving back to Austin and joining Gottesman Residential, Blake began her career in real estate after graduation. She held the position of Director of Marketing and Business Development for a commercial real estate group and simultaneously held the positions of Manager and Marketing Coordinator for a residential team of ten agents in Wilmington, NC. Blake has held her North Carolina Real Estate license since 2013. She became a licensed REALTOR® in Texas and joined Gottesman Residential Real Estate in 2014.
Committed to the Austin community, Blake is involved with a variety of charities, including Community First! Village, Foster Angels, Hospice Austin and the Elizabeth Ann Seton Board. She has been on the Fund Board for Hospice Austin since 2023.
When Blake isn’t working you can find her walking in her neighborhood with her husband, son and dog, with friends and family, spending time on the lake, traveling, or indulging in Austin’s ever-growing food scene!
Texas is unique in its application of homestead protection. In Texas state law, the term “homestead” refers to the special protection from the owner’s creditors, the right of occupancy given to a surviving spouse and children and favorable tax treatment accorded to the owner.
A Texas homestead is exempt from seizure and a forced sale for the claims of a creditor except for an encumbrance for purchase money loans,property taxes, written home improvement loans, partition liens, refinancing, home equity loans and, reverse mortgages. A Texas homestead is not secure from seizure for a debt owed to the federal government. And, any encumbrance existing on land prior to its dedication as a homestead is also enforceable.
The urban residential homestead consists of a lot or contiguous lots of 10 acres or less that is located within a city or town. There is no limit on the value. Designation of a homestead is achieved by actual use and no recorded claim to the right is required. Either separate or community property may constitute a homestead. A homestead owner’s spouse must join in any transfer or encumbrance of a homestead, and neither spouse can abandon a homestead without the consent of the other.
A surviving spouse is entitled to the sole occupancy of a homestead for life, though the owner may have devised ownership rights in the property to someone else.
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS
Real property (“ad valorem”) taxes can be higher than those assessed in many other states. There are exemptions from a portion of the ad valorem taxes if the property
is a “homestead.” The exemptions (including additional exemptions for persons over 65 years of age, disabled persons, and qualified veterans) must be claimed by filing a form with the local property tax appraisal authorities (in Travis County, the Travis County Appraisal District, known as “TCAD”).
PRORATIONS AT CLOSING
On your closing statement you will often see prorations of annual charges. Taxes for a current year, interest, maintenance fees, regular condominium assessments, dues and rents will be prorated through the Closing Date (the day you sign the final documents buying or selling property). Taxes for a given calendar year are assessed as of January 1st of that year but are not payable until as late as January 31st of the following year. Therefore it is customary for the buyer to receive a pro-rated credit for the portion of taxes that would accrue during the part of the year that the Seller owned the home. The buyer then pays all of the taxes for that year when they come due by January 31st of the following year.
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS AND DEED RESTRICTIONS
Homeowners associations in various subdivisions or neighborhoods have authority to enforce deed restrictions. These organizations are also frequently authorized to levy mandatory assessments or fees on all owners of property within that particular subdivision and to enforce that obligation by filing (and foreclosing) liens on property if the assessments are not paid (even if the property is a homestead).
HERE ARE SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL REASONS TO OBTAIN AND REVIEW A SURVEY:
• To determine whether improvements (buildings, driveways, fences, utility lines, etc.) intended to be located on your property encroach into a neighbor’s property, or vice-versa.
• To mark the boundaries on the ground, so that they are clear to observers standing on or near the property.
• To discover trails and other evidence of use by third parties that might suggest that someone has established an implied easement over a portion of the property, or might claim a portion of the property by reason of adverse possession.
• To provide the evidence needed by the title insurer to delete certain standard exceptions to coverage and thereby provide “extended coverage” against off-record title matters (including matters that would be revealed by an accurate survey).
WHEN TO USE AN EXISTING SURVEY:
The TREC Contract was revised several years ago giving the option to sellers and buyers to use existing surveys when appropriate. Per the TREC contract, not only does the buyer have to accept the survey, but lenders and title companies must also approve and accept it. Survey affidavits assist in research and review, however, the best information comes from those who have been on the property, particularly prospective buyers and their REALTORS ®.
To avoid costly delays, the following guidelines for using an existing survey are provided:
• Survey should be completely legible. It must have the property address, complete legal description, flood certification and the surveyor’s signature and seal on the drawing.
• Survey must reflect all permanent improvements that are currently on the property, including pools, fences, spas, decks, and additional square footage. If the sellers have added permanent structures that are not shown on survey, it is important to identify new improvements, such as a pool, gazebo, fence, etc. when signing the survey affidavit. This notifies all parties that the survey provided is not an accurate rendering of the property as of the current date.
WHEN TO OBTAIN A NEW SURVEY:
It is always recommended that a purchaser obtain a new survey, but especially if if one or more of the following conditions exist:
• A survey shows that all significant improvements currently located on the property do not exist or cannot be found.
• Surveys exist only for portions of the property, but the property as a whole consists of two or more parcels that are not platted and that are described by “metes and bounds,” such that without a surveyor’s interpretation of the legal descriptions one cannot be certain of whether the parcels are contiguous, or whether there might exist a “gap” between, or overlap of, property boundaries.
REPRESENTATION
Texas law requires all real estate licensees to provide potential clients with an explanation of brokerage services in the state of Texas. A copy of the information is provided here.
Blake will discuss all details of the Buyers’ Represenation Agreement with you and answer any questions you might have.
Blake will walk you through all aspects of the offer and assist you in preparing this document before it is submitted to the seller.
The Termination Option is of utmost importance to the agreement. This is the paragraph that contains the buyers’ “unrestricted right to terminate” once the contract has been finalized or executed. It is during this “option period” that you will want to have all the inspections completed. This is your “due diligence” time, and you will need to complete your investigation of the home during this time. If, during the inspections, you determine deficiencies in the home that you want the seller to repair or you decide you want to, in any way, amend your offer, you will present an Amendment to the seller stating the amended terms of the contract. This opens the negotiations once again and the seller can agree in part or in whole to your “amended” terms, refuse to agree to your terms, or propose other terms for your consideration. It is important to understand that it is only you as the buyer who has the “unrestricted right to terminate” and therefore the buyer is the one who typically initiates any changes in the terms of the executed contract. At the end of the option period, unless you terminate the contract in writing, you will proceed to closing.
FINALIZING THE AGREEMENT
The offer is finalized and becomes a binding contract only after the buyer and seller have initialed all changes and have signed the offer. When all parties have initialed all the changes and signed the contract, the “effective date” of the contract is the date filled in by the broker on the line just above the signatures. This date is the used to determine the timing of stipulations of the contract, such as the buyers credit approval or the option period. At the time the contract is “executed” ie., signed by all parties and dated by the broker, you will deliver for the earnest money made payable to the title company and also deliver the options funds for your option or “unrestricted right to terminate.” The executed contract and the earnest and option fees will be delivered to the title company who will then receipt the contract. The earnest and option fees will be deposited in an escrow account and will be credited toward your closing costs at closing.
INSPECTIONS
During the Option Period, you will want to hire a property inspector licensed by the State of Texas to perform a structural and mechanical inspection of the home. At the conclusion of the inspection you will be given a report on a standardize form approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission. It is important to be present for the summary report so that you get the information from the inspector first hand. You will also want to hire an inspector for wood destroying insects. Depending on the property inspection report, you may want to hire a structural engineer to perform a further investigation, a roofer, plumber or another specialist. You’ll want to compete all your investigations prior to the end of the option period and submit any Amendment requests to the seller with enough time before the option period expires. Your unrestricted right to terminate the contract ends when the option period expires.
SURVEY
The title company or your lender will order a survey of the property on your behalf if requested. A surveyor determines the exact dimensions of the land and the specific location of the home, garage, patio or deck, fences, pool etc. on the lot and provides a line drawing of the property. Using the title commitment, the surveyor also specifies any easements, encroachments, set-back and/or building lines, etc. which are filed with the county. Those are located on the land and described on the survey. The lender and the title company review the
APPRAISAL
If you are applying for mortgage financing to purchase the home, the mortgage company will hire an independent fee appraiser to determine the opinion of value for the home for the mortgage company. The tax appraisal value is the assessed value for property taxes but does not establish market value. The mortgage company is agreeing to lend you a percentage of the appraised or market value of the home.
UNDER CONTRACT
HOME OWNERS INSURANCE
You will want to insure your home and its’ contents against loss. Homeowners insurance pays to repair or replace your home or personal property if it is damaged or destroyed. Your policy states the amounts the company will pay and what types of losses it will insure against (such as fires, storms and thefts). You can buy a policy that covers only your house, but most homeowners buy a policy that combines five coverages: dwelling, personal property, liability, medical payments and loss of use. Detailed information about Homeowners Insurance can be found on the Texas Department of Insurance website www.tdi.texas.gov.
TITLE INSURANCE
Title insurance is significantly different from other forms of insurance in its nature. Other forms of insurance such as casualty and life insurance are “risk assumption” insurance proving protection against losses due to unforeseen future events. Title insurance protects you and your lender if someone challenges your title to your property because of title defects that were unknown when you bought your policy. Most lending institutions will not loan money to purchase a house or other property unless you buy a “mortgagee” title policy. This policy protects the lender’s investment by paying the mortgage (loan amount) if a title defect voids your title. When you buy a house, the title company also issues an owner’s policy, unless you reject it in writing. The owner’s title policy protects you against the covered risks set out in the policy. Title insurance is also regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance. More information can be found on their website www.tdi.texas.gov.
WHAT IS TITLE INSURANCE?
Title insurance is different from other forms of insurance because it insures against events that occurred before the title policy is issued, as opposed to insuring against events in the future, as health, property and life insurance do. Title insurance is in essence loss prevention insurance. When purchasing real estate, it is of utmost importance that you receive clear title to the property. In order to do so, you must first be informed of any existing rights or claims that may be asserted against the property, then any of those rights or claims that are unacceptable to you must be resolved or extinguished prior to your purchase of the property. In Texas, many property records go back to grants from the 1880s, hence it is important that the full history of the property is thoroughly researched and presented to you.
WHEN IS THE PREMIUM PAID?
Unlike other forms of insurance, for a relatively low one-time premium, the original title premium is your only cost protecting you for as long as you and your heirs own the property. The premium is paid at closing and there are no annual payments to keep your Owner’s Title Insurance Policy in force. Rates for title insurance are regulated by the state and are promulgated in Texas.
TITLE COMMITMENT
WHAT IS TITLE COMMITMENT?
Schedule A: This is where you will find the who, what, where and how much information. The most important information here will be the name of the person who holds the existing title, the legal description of the land and the name of the proposed insured (buyer), the sales price and the name of the lender. All parties and the title company should make sure all of the information is accurate when it is compared to the sales contract.
Schedule B: This is the section of the title commitment that addresses where other parties have any interest or control of the use of the property. Examples of this are utility easements and building setbacks. A utility easement is a common item to find here. This would be a part of the land that a utility company has the right to use. A setback prevents the owner from building a certain distance from a property line. Schedule B is also the section in which exceptions will be noted. Exceptions in this case are anything that will not be covered by title insurance.
Schedule C: This is the section in which any issues must be resolved before the buyer can close on the property. Common issues here are an existing mortgage that needs to be paid off, a marital status issue or unpaid taxes and liens on the property.
Schedule D: This final section outlines all parties who will collect any part of the insurance premium including underwriters, title agents and attorneys. It will also show the amounts being paid for the owner’s title insurance policy, the mortgagee policy amount and any endorsements.
WHAT IS A HOME WARRANTY?
A home warranty is a contract between a homeowner and a home warranty company that provides for discounted repair and replacement service on a home’s major components, such as the furnace, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical system. A home warranty may also cover major appliances such as washers and dryers, refrigerators and swimming pools. Most plans have a basic component that provides all homeowners who purchase a policy with certain coverages. In addition to the standard items, expanded coverage can usually be added at a premium.
A home warranty is not the same as homeowners insurance, nor is it a replacement for homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance covers major perils such as fire, hail, property crimes and certain types of water damage that could affect the entire structure and/or the homeowner’s personal possessions. A home warranty does not cover these perils.
Home warranty companies have agreements with approved service providers. When something that is covered by a home warranty breaks down, the homeowner calls the home warranty company, and the home warranty company sends one of its service providers to examine the problem. If the provider determines that the needed repair or replacement is covered by the warranty, the homeowner only pays a small service fee per your service call at the time service is rendered.
The annual cost can vary depending on coverages and exclusions, but typically ranges from a few hundred dollars for small condominiums to eight hundred dollars for larger homes. This is a negotiable item on the contract.
HOME WARRANTY
WHAT IS A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION?
Property tax exemptions are one of the most meaningful and simple ways to reduce property taxes. Homestead exemptions are granted by the county appraisal district where the property is located. The exemption reduces a homeowner’s property tax bill by removing part of the home’s value from taxation. All Texas homeowners may receive a General Residence Homestead Exemption of $25,000 on the value of their property for school taxes. Other taxing entities may also offer exemptions of some percentage of the home’s value. Other exemptions are available to homeowners who are over 65 or disabled, and require the same application process. This information can be found on the Texas Comptroller website link at the bottom of the page.
HOW DO I GET A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION?
1. Complete the APPLICATION FOR RESIDENTIAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION (available on the websites of most county appraisal districts, or at the Texas Comptroller’s website at: http://comptroller.texas.gov/ taxinfo/taxforms/50-114.pdf)
2. Include a copy of your DRIVER’S LICENSE or IDENTIFICATION CARD from the Texas Department of Public Safety at www.txdps.state. tx.us. The address MUST MATCH the homestead address.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I QUALIFY FOR A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION?
1. You must own your home on January 1st of the year for which you are applying (If you are over 65 and/or disabled, January 1st ownership and residency are not required.) If the previous owner did not have a homestead exemption on the property you can apply as soon as the property transfers into your name.
2. You must not claim any other property as homestead.
3.Only individual homeowners (not corporations or other entities) may receive a homestead exemption.
4. A homestead can be a house, condominium or a manufactured home. It can include up to 20 acres, if the land is also owned by the homeowner and used as a yard, or for another purpose related to the residential use of the home.
HOMESTEAD EXPEMTION
NETWORKING
AUSTIN LUXURY NETWORK
Austin Luxury Network is a membership based organization where real estate agents in Austin can promote and network listings priced over $1.5MM, that are not in MLS, with other agents. The website and tours are not open to the general public. The monthly tours and meetings provide members the opportunity to network with other top agents in the market.
TOP AGENT NETWORK
Top Agent Network is a private online network exclusivley for verified top agents. Through this platform, qualified real estate agents in Austin can promote and network their coming soon and private listings with other agents. The website is not open to the general public.
PERSONAL NETWORK
Not everyone knows that they are looking to buy or sell. Keeping people updated on fantastic properties, even when they are not active buyers or sellers, can often spark an interest that no one knew was there. Blake’s ongoing relationships with past clients as well as those nurtured through shared interests are a great resource for marketing.
“IF PEOPLE LIKE YOU, THEY’LL LISTEN TO YOU. IF THEY TRUST YOU, THEY’LL DO BUSINESS WITH YOU.”
