in this issue…
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995™
• Reliant Title Round Rock Office Grand Opening • WCREALTORS Battle of the Burgers • KB Home MCE Class • HBA Million Dollar Club Awards • and much, much more!
Associates in Progress
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Page 25 AUGUST 2016 • VOLUME 21 • ISSUE 3
Area growth causing pain for residents By Riki Markowtiz
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P. O. Box 81366, Austin, Texas 78708
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or the fifth year in a row, the AustinRound Rock metropolitan area has been the fastest growing metro area in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau. The Austin American-Statesman reports that in the late 2000s, Austin was the last city to go into the economic recession and the first one to make it out. Based on steady growth and financial stability, it’s hard to see any downside to living here. The fact is, there is no way any city can sustain ongoing growth unless there is a simultaneous effort to put resources into schools, housing, transportation and infrastructure. Austin must be an anomaly because in many
of these areas the city has been struggling to keep up, and yet you wouldn’t know it from population forecasts.
Cost of Housing and Affordability The consistently rising population in Austin over the past decade has caused home prices to skyrocket. Aaron Farmer, Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) president, says, “One of the growing pains I see is people coming into town and getting sticker shock on some of the housing prices here.” As a result, new and existing residents are getting pushed further and further away from Austin proper. And it’s not just new residents who are feeling pressured to head to Dripping Springs, San Marcos or Cedar Park, but also families who have been living here since the 1970s or 80s, not to mention those whose family’s roots were planted here before the early 20th century. The major cause of residential displacement in Austin is rising property taxes, says Farmer. A family that bought a $50,000 home in the 1990s are watching their property jump in value, to as much as $500,000 in the twentyteens, depending on the neighborhood. That’s great news if the family had plans to put their home on the market. Unfortunately, many Austin residents are happy where they are and would prefer to stay put. But for those earning $30,000 per year, a disproportionate percentage of income ends up going toward paying property taxes. “That’s how people are forced to leave their home,” says Farmer. There’s no question, “rising property taxes are one of the biggest downsides of population growth.”
Low Housing Inventory Austin likely would not have such a big problem with skyrocketing home prices if the city had a plan in place to respond to population growth. We could have been adding more housing back when numbers began ticking upwards. Right now, everyone is excited about CodeNEXT. It’s an initiative to revise the Land Development Code, which determines “what can be built, where it can be built, and
how much can (and cannot) be built,” according to the City of Austin website. The master plan was approved in 2012 and if the first draft is released on time, it will lay out a plan for adding more housing and dealing with traffic issues. “The city needs to rapidly increase inventory of homes, all sizes and all types, including starter homes and apartments,” says Farmer. Almost any other city would simply buckle under the demands that Austin is constantly facing. But Austin perseveres. “Despite the ongoing housing shortage and affordability challenges impacting our region, population growth and housing demand continue to drive home sales upward,” says Farmer. In fact, 2015 was a record-breaking year in the five counties that comprise Austin-Round Rock. This past July, calculations showed that the metro area is already on track to surpass 2015 numbers, which translates to an even stronger economy.
Transportation & Infrastructure Fail For Austin’s transportation problem, which is just one piece of the city’s outdated infrastructure, there is no quick fix. Brandy Guthrie, ABoR past president, points out that the area east of Austin has a lot of development potential. Once builders break ground, the money spent on land, permits, licenses, and construction will quickly get absorbed and spread around to developers, investors, and buyers. Transportation, on the other hand, seems to be on a “one step forward, 10 steps back” trajectory. And costs fall squarely on taxpayers’ shoulders. Building new roads and improving those that exist is an extraordinarily slow and contentious process. “We know that we did not plan for roads,” says Guthrie. “There was no long-term vision for population growth. In fact, one past council had the mentality, ‘If you don’t build it, they won’t come.’ Meanwhile, as residents wait to vote on a $720 million transportation bond, another 80 families just unpacked their U-Haul. Folks are
Front Page: Continued on page 28
Upcoming Events Wednesday, August 17th Belttera: Monthly Home Tour Belterra - 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 17th Bryson: Monthly Home Tour & Free MCE Class - Bryson - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Wednesday, August 17th CRS Austin: Bi-Monthly Meeting Westwood Country Club - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 17th AYREP August Happy Hour Green Light Social - 5:30 -7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 18th WCR Business Resource Meeting Estancia Churrascaria - 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, August 20th Brohn Homes: Edgewater Grand Opening Event & Model Home Tour Edgewater - 12-4 p.m. Wednesday, August 24th ABoR: TREPAC Wine Tasting Rock Rose Hall - 6-8 p.m. Thursday, August 25th Bryson: Splish Splash REALTOR Bash Bryson - 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 7th AMBA Monthly Meeting Austin Country Club - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 14th WCREALTORS: TREPAC Bowling TBD - 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 14th HBA Elected Officials Appreciation Night and BBQ Bash Phillips Event Center - 6-9 p.m. More at www.myRealtyLine.com
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Stewart Title of Austin, LLC, is proud to introduce the newest members of our Cedar Park area associates.
Longtime Stewart Title associate, Kathy Morford, recently made her move to become the sales executive for the Cedar Park offices of Quest Parkway and Parmer Lane. Jennifer Beck has made her debut in the company as the sales executive for our Cypress Creek office location. Together, they are here to assist our customers from contract to close, each serving as the liaison to all parties throughout the closing process. Escrow officer Patricia Stevens and escrow officer Dina Luther, with her assistant Cindy Gilley, have all joined our Cedar Park Parmer Lane location as our newest escrow teams. They are enthusiastic and prepared to take on all challenges that any transaction may bring. Pictured above from left to right: Jennifer Beck, Patricia Stevens, Dina Luther, Cindy Gilley and Kathy Morford. Please join us in welcoming our new Stewart Title associates. As your partners in real estate, we proudly look forward to serving our Cedar Park community with the level of trust your business deserves. Visit us online for more details. Stewart Title of Austin, LLC
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Š 2016 Stewart. All rights reserved.
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Austin Board of REALTORS®
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President’s Column By Aaron Farmer • 2016 President
www.myRealtyLine.com will open mid-August so be on the lookout for ticket sales. Booth sales are still underway and the best part is, if you purchase a booth before August 31, you will get a spot in the event’s program. I encourage you to take advantage
August 2016
of this opportunity! As a member of ABoR, registration and parking are complimentary! Be proactive and register prior to October 7 to get these great benefits and to avoid paying $5 at the door. I can’t wait to see you there! RL
ABoR Academy Educational Courses
Keep up-to-date with your MLS Benefits
A
t ABoR, we work to give you access to the most up-to-date technology to accurately and efficiently serve your clients. We deliver products and services, like our mobile app, GoMLS Austin, as well as CSS Scheduler and REALTOR Property Resource, to help you effectively market yourself and your listings. As a reminder, MLS Participation Fees are due no later than Thursday, Sept. 15. We ask you to pay these fees on time to avoid any late fees and maintain your MLS Access. You can easily and conveniently pay your MLS Participation fees in the “View/ Pay Invoice” section of ABoR.com/Account.
Support TREPAC with a Glass of Wine If you’re a REALTOR and a wine enthusiast, TREPAC is hosting the perfect fundraising event for you. Come sip and mingle while supporting TREPAC as it hosts TREPAC Wine Tasting: Calypso Nights on Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 6-8 p.m. at Rock Rose Hall. Early-bird tickets are on sale for $45 until August 18. After that, the price goes up to $60 through Au-
gust 24. Each ticket purchased goes towards your TREPAC Investment! TREPAC serves as a voice for REALTORS and homeowners at all levels of government. Your support of TREPAC allows us to advocate for homeownership and affordability in Central Texas by standing up for the place we all call home. For tickets and more information on this event, head to ABoR.com/WineTasting. Grab your peers, grab a class of wine and join in on a night of fun!
Get Your Game On at Realty Round Up in October It’s already that time of year again--Realty Round Up 2016 is a few months away and I hope you’re as excited as I am! This year’s theme is “Game On,” so come with your competitive spirit and prepare to win big. This year’s trade show, the largest real estate-oriented trade show in Central Texas, will return to the Palmer Events Center on Wednesday, Oct. 19. This is your chance to connect with more than 2,000 of your peers. Registration
Aug 17,18: GRI Real Estate Brokerage (4 Day Class) (TREC# 0777) Aug 17: TREC Legal Update I (TREC# 04-04-127-29622) Aug 17: TREC Legal Update I, Cedar Park (TREC# 04-04-127-29622) Aug 17: TREC Legal Update II (TREC# 04-04-127-29623) Aug 17: TREC Legal Update II, Cedar Park (TREC# 04-04-127-29623) Aug 18: Broker Responsibility, South (TREC# 06-06-126-27765) Aug 18: RPR Introduction (TREC# 01-00-027-28401) Aug 18: RPR Advanced (02-00-097-29146) Aug 19: New Member Orientation (No CE) Aug 22: Matrix Open Lab (No CE) Aug 23: TX Vet: Housing and Land Loan Program, South (TREC# 01-00-047-28632) Aug 23: Agent Investor 102 (TREC# 04-00-067-28995)
More at www.ABoR.com/courses
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Cindy Yates, left, of Reliant Title tells Leisa Ormsbee of JB Goodwin, REALTORS that she and her clients can avoid Austin traffic by using the company’s new Round Rock office now that it's open. Reliant Title recently celebrated the grand opening there. Buy Photo: RL_070916_F.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Mission Mortgage Senior Loan Officer Nelleen McCormick, Dianna Peschke of Bluefox Realty, Henry Valles of Realty Austin and Matilde Bell of JB Goodwin Realtors attend ABoR's GRI Finance Class.
Submitted Photo
Jennifer Nutt and Keith Rodgers, both of of Cambria and Reneé McQuinllan of Ashton Woods celebrate the grand opening of Ashton Woods’ new studio. Buy Photo: RL_071116_B.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com Buy Photo: RL_071216_A.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Rachel Dunn of Keller Williams Realty grills up some burgers for TREPAC at the WCREALTORS Battle of the Burgers event that raises money for TREPAC.
Congratulations July 2016
Top Producer Julie Black
Senior Loan Officer NMLSR # 232023 Phone: 306-6357 e-Fax: 866-561-8955 jblack@starkeymtg.com
A Solid, Proven, and Committed Lender! WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP NMLSR# 2146 | 807 Las Cimas Pkwy., Suite 150, Austin, TX 78746 | This is not a guarantee of financing. All borrowers must meet certain underwriting guidelines and credit criteria. Rules and Regulations may apply.
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BE SOLD
3%
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4TH CLOSING+
3RD CLOSING
1ST AND 2ND CLOSINGS
August 2016
3%
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Sell more. Earn more. Talk about rewarding! Take advantage of this great opportunity to increase your commission with each new sale. Just another way it pays to partner with KB Home. Visit kbhome.com to find a KB Home community in the Austin or Temple areas.
Have homebuyers who are relocating? Get 3% commission plus an additional 1% bonus when you sell a KB home to a relocating homebuyer. Valid only on first and second closings.
Broker Cooperation Welcome. Š2016 KB Home (KBH). Three percent Broker Co-op is applicable only on KB homes sold in Texas. Payment of Broker Co-op and bonus requires Broker or agent to accompany and register buyer on first visit to community and comply with Broker Co-op Agreement. Bonus commission is valid on each eligible sale of select KB homes in the Austin area and on contracts for full list price only. Broker must submit a relocation verification form at time of contract. For Broker to receive bonus, buyer must sign purchase agreement between 1/1/16 and 12/31/16, and close escrow by 12/31/16. Bonus not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be combined with any other offers. Once client has closed escrow, Broker will receive bonus by mail. Bonus awarded only on non-contingent contracts. Cancelled sales are not eligible. Sales of model homes excluded. Broker must be legal U.S. resident and 18 or older, and an active, licensed real estate agent in Texas. Other exclusions, qualifications, restrictions and limitations may apply. Photos may depict upgraded landscaping/options and display decorator items/furnishings not available for purchase, and may not represent lowest-priced homes. Photo does not depict racial preference. See sales counselor for details. AUS-62213
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Former WCREALTORS President Gary Cocanougher of ERA Colonial Real Estate and David Phillips of LD Phillips Realty find the information presented by Dr. Jim Gaines of Texas A&M Real Estate Center at the WCREALTORS Mid-Year Forecast very informative.
Buy Photo: RL_080416_D.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
April Solomine of CalAtlantic Homes and her husband Lee Whitaker of Pacesetter Homes celebrate their sales staff at the HBA Sales & Marketing Council Million Dollar Club Awards Cocktail Hour.
Buy Photo: RL_071116_J.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com Buy Photo: RL_080516_D.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
TREC Chair Avis Wukasch of Keller Williams Realty says to give her a tasty burger and a cool beverage and she’s “A-OK”!
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Williamson County Assoc. of REALTORS®
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President’s Column By Shavonne Martin • 2016 President
Growing pains in Williamson County
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few weeks ago, WCREALTORS held a mid-year economic update. One of the guest speakers was Dr. Jim Gaines of the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M who talked at length during the presentation about the growing pains associated with the unparalleled growth Williamson County has been experiencing and will continue to experience over the next 40 years. The biggest “housing issue” facing Williamson County is affordability. According to Dr. Gaines, households making between 80– 120 percent of the median household income ($71,200 – $106,800) are being priced out of home ownership. The median home price in Williamson County is $265,000. That is far from obtainable for the average resident of the Austin-Round Rock MSA who is only making $63,600 annually. The Association’s Affordable Housing Task Force is currently researching various affordable housing opportunities. Visit www.wcrealtors.org for more information about the affordable housing push in Williamson County.
The good news is while Williamson County is seeing an increase in home prices, we are still $27,000 less expensive than the entire Austin-Round Rock MSA Region as a whole; in addition, home prices are $42/sqft less than the MSA as a whole. This means that homes in Williamson County cost almost 10 percent less and are 5.5 percent larger than the region as a whole. That is a huge plus! The increased home prices have led to some financing issues. With home prices increasing, potential homebuyers are struggling to come up with the down payment for their homes. Even a three percent down payment on a $265,000 home adds up to $7,950. When potential clients are not able to purchase a home, they turn to renting. With more and more people turning to renting, apartments are seeing some of the highest occupancy rates. This has led to an increase in rental rates across Williamson County. When rental rates rise as quickly as they have been, it makes saving for a new home unfeasible. Another question to consider is develop-
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ment and new construction. The current inventory is dangerously low. With just less than two months of inventory available across the county, what will more than tripling the population of Williamson County do to the housing market? First off, without new construction and development, there will be nowhere for the newest residents to live. Without the cities and the county working with the residents to increase the infrastructure, we can expect LA-style traffic. The good news is there are over 150 new home communities in some stage of construction with over 20 builders being represented in Williamson County. There are many parts of the county that are still very rural and have room for growth. The homes in these areas are priced well under $200,000, even the new homes. With the population of Williamson County expected to increase 368 percent over the next 40 years and the total resident count teetering around 2 million, infrastructure is another growing pain Williamson County is starting to experience. Will we have the roads to transport these vehicles? What about the impact on our air quality? Where will the children attend school? Will the utilities be able to handle over 1.5 million more residents? These
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are just some of the questions the elected officials in Williamson County need to address to guarantee that our newest residents are taken care of. Hopefully you’ve updated your REALTOR.com, TexasRealEstate.com, and other various REALTOR profiles, because there is about to be a HUGE surge of folks relocating to Williamson County. As a member of WCREALTORS, your brokerage is already listed on WCLife.org for potential new residents to contact you to sell them their new home! Members of the Association get special pricing to advertise their services on the website! Page views are already up over 63 percent since May of this year! Contact the Association at (512) 255-6211 for more information about this amazing opportunity. Change and growth is scary for many people and brings with it a lot of challenges. It is up to you as a REALTOR and a leader of this community to make sure that your voice is heard! As a REALTOR you have the benefit of TREPAC advocating on your behalf. Get involved – Invest in TREPAC – get to know your elected officials – and make sure you VOTE in each and every election! You have the power to help shape the future of Williamson County! RL
View Continuing Education Courses
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RE MARKABLE Does your company stand out? Or blend in? Billions of dollars have been spent promoting the RE/MAX brand, building credibility that translates into transactions for RE/MAX agents. In real estate, there are no perks to being a wallflower.
Find your alternate ending.
©2016 RE/MAX, LLC. Each RE/MAX® office is independently owned and operated. 16_107715
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Mark Sprague of Independence Title, Margie Presley Burciaga of Independence Title and Mission Mortgage Senior Loan Officer Lane Lauritsen have a few laughs while attending a Mission Mortgage networking event at ABoR's headquarters.
Submitted Photo
Twenty REALTORS attend the KB Home free MCE course at its model home in Forest Creek.
Buy Photo: RL_080116_A.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Andrea Von Quintus of David Weekley Homes visits with fellow Headwaters builders Thomas Serhus and Suzan Leszczynski of Trendmaker Homes before the Headwaters Builders’ Luncheon. Buy Photo: RL_080416_E.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Suzanne Gantner and Lorrie Westberry, both of Sky Realty, glean a number of market insights while attending the WCREALTORS Mid-Year Forecast with Texas A&M Real Estate Center’s Dr. Jim Gaines.
Submitted Photo
2016 R E A LT O R R E WA R D S
Mercedes
drivehome in a new
from highland homes !
Sell 2 Highland homes between
JANUARY 1 & SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 and you'll be entered for a chance to win a
MERCEDES E-350!
MORE SURPRISES AWAIT!
DRIVE IN STYLE!
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Vaike O’Grady, right, of Newland Communities thanks Lili Maliner of Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS for coming out to the developer's Top REALTOR Mixer at St. Genevieve Rock Rose in The Domain.
Buy Photo: RL_080316_A.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Jessica Valenzuela of of DHI Mortgage gets ready to serve up a winner at Battle of the Burgers.
Buy Photo: RL_080216_A.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Buy Photo: RL_071116_E.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Gary Hoffarth of Austin Advantage Realty and Diane Christy of Diane Christy REALTORS enjoy some down time at the KB Home Agent Mixer at Dogwood Rock Rose.
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VOTED #1 PLACE TO WORK
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT LOVING WHERE YOU WORK?
This year, JBGoodwin, REALTORS® was voted the best place to work in Austin by the Austin Business Journal*. For a company whose motto is “Help People”, it’s nice to know that our employees are not only some of the best in the business, but also some of the happiest. If you are interested in joining the JBGoodwin team, visit jbgoodwin.com/careers
*Voted Best Place To Work in the Large Company Category. ©2016 JBGoodwin, REALTORS®
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Buy Photo: RL_070916_A.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Ann and Bart Townsend of Reliant Title join the crew along with friends and colleagues to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new Round Rock office.
Submitted Photo
Capital Consulting Management Corp. (CCMC)/Headwaters Lifestyle Director Deidre Flores, left, and CCMC Community Manager Candace Sparks attend the Headwaters Builders’ Luncheon.
Since 1976
Buy Photo: RL_080516_C.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Trisha Thacker of Milestone Community Builders, Lisa Moguel of Stanberry Commercial REALTORS and Lisa Love of CMG Financial enjoy “girl time” while attending the HBA Sales & Marketing Council Million Dollar Club Awards Cocktail Hour.
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IN COMMISSIONS WAITING FOR YOU AT SANTA RITA RANCH
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NOW THROUGH DECEMBER CONTACT REGINA TO SCHEDULE YOUR TOUR! REGINASPURLOCK@SANTARITARANCHAUSTIN.COM
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CASTLEROCK · DAVID WEEKLEY · GRAND HAVEN · HIGHL AND HOMES · PULTE HOMES · SCOTT FELDER HOMES · WESTIN HOMES · WILSHIRE HOMES
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Mission Mortgage VP Mike McCoy and Senior Loan Officer Nelleen McCormick deliver food to the elderly through Meals on Wheels.
Submitted Photo
Renee McQuillan, right, of Ashton Woods, welcomes designer Samantha Huggins and guest Bill Phillips to The Studio grand opening event by Ashton Woods.
Buy Photo: RL_071216_E.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Karen Guillermety of Shapely Real Estate, Kathy Uhrig and Marken McGrath, both of JB Goodwin, REALTORS, team up for a tour of the new Reliant Title Round Rock office while attending the company’s grand opening celebration.
Buy Photo: RL_071116_H.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
WCREALTORS Event Director Kent Prickett tries to snag a bite of Michelle Sherwood’s tasty burger at the WCREALTORS Battle of the Burgers event. Michele, who works for Keller Williams Realty, was the event committee chair.
Buy Photo: RL_070916_D.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
We’re moving!
our new address is
4301 Westbank Drive, Building B, Suite 150, Austin, TX 78746 Richie Rodriguez NMLS# 222698
NMLS# 149932
Scott Sewell NMLS# 211987
Bradley Rife NMLS# 221487
(512) 450-1222
Lynn Edgar NMLS# 221412
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Home Builders Assoc. of Greater Austin
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President’s Column By Wes Wigginton • 2016 President
Forecast: data shows builders serving entrylevel homebuyers will see most sales; prices will continue to rise Last month, the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin held its annual MidYear Housing forecast at the Phillips Event Center near downtown Austin for a sold-out crowd of over 350 HBA members and industry partners. The program gives the HBA’s members a snapshot of how the industry is shaping up and insights on what to expect for the remainder of 2016 and into 2017. Tim Sullivan of Meyers Research, a Kennedy Wilson Company, presented his analysis of the Greater Austin housing market, concluding that the region is still trending upward in the market cycle. Solid job growth, particularly higher paying salary jobs, will continue to put pressure on affordability with prices expected to be on the incline for the foreseeable future. “Differentiation is the key factor for the new home market,” says Sullivan. “New home prices in the Greater Austin area are just 5 percent above the cost of a resale home; compared to markets like Dallas where the difference is 46 percent,” he says. “The challenge for builders in Austin is differentiating new homes from resale homes.”
2016 Parade of Homes entry by Sommerfeld Csontruction. The 5,993 sq. ft. house includes five bedrooms, five bathrooms and is currently for sale. Visit www.ParadeofHomesAsutin.com for details.
Sullivan. Sullivan expects job growth in Austin will slow over the next few years, but is still expected to top an average of 20,000 jobs created per year (down from 30,000 to 40,000 in recent years). “Austin’s strong combination of healthcare, education and tech sectors of the job market will insulate Austin from an expected economic slowdown nationwide,” says Sullivan.
Sullivan says the region is building homes at 2.5 times the rate (16.7 vs 6.85) of the U.S., but that builders here are not overbuilding. “We don’t have a supply problem,” says Sullivan. “The Greater Austin market has just three months’ supply of available inventory where six months is considered healthy,” says Sullivan. “The best-selling product right now includes “Active Adult” and the lower price ranges,” he says. With tight supply comes higher prices— good news for the region’s wealth building, but bad news for affordability. And while Sullivan says Austin is in a good position for new home building growth, restrictions on funding will likely keep new projects from coming to fruition—putting additional pressure on supply—a hindrance to addressing housing affordability. According to Sullivan, the region’s demand ratio of employment to permits is 1.7—implying a balance between buyers who can buy and the number of homes being built. Analyzing home prices to income also results in good news for the average sales rate per project at 2.1. “Austin is one of the top five markets in the U.S.,” says
GIVE YOUR CLIENTS
2016 Parade of Homes Builder Spotlight Last month, we highlighted the second of four beautiful homes that will be on display at the 2016 Parade of Homes that will take place October 28–November 13 in the Dripping Springs luxury home community of Caliterra. Visitors will be inspired by the latest building technology, upgrades galore and the best design ideas in the region. All four homes are currently available for sale. If you have a client looking to settle into a prestigious, luxurious and comfortable “home of their dreams,” buying a Parade home is an opportunity of a lifetime. Here’s a peek at one of the homes “on Parade” this Fall:
Convenient living with room to breathe!
Steve Klein Custom Builder has been serving Texas families for more than 27 years. Our attention to detail combined with a concierge approach to customer service gives each client the first-class experience they deserve. Don’t let your clients settle for the rest when they can have the best. STEVEKLEIN.COM
Sage Creek from the $600s
Chris Dodd
Sales & Marketing Manager (512) 844-6813 Chris@SteveKlein.com
Rancho Santa Fe from the $400s
Greatwood from the $400s
L I B E RT Y H I L L
G E O RG E TOW N
About the home The 2016 Sommerfeld Construction home is 5,993 square feet and includes five bedrooms, five bathrooms and a three-car garage. This Texas Modern Farm House style home consists of a beautiful outdoor living area, wood ceiling in the main living room, timbre frames and a finished garage which can double as event space. Visitors will find inspiration in the home’s style and unique features designed to not only impress but welcome any prospective owner with homestyle comfort only a Hill Country lifestyle can offer. For more information on this home as well as all of the other homes in the 2016 Parade of Homes, visit www.paradeofhomesaustin.com. RL
exactly WHAT THEY WANT
1-ACRE HOME SITES FROM THE $400s
LEANDER
Sommerfeld Construction For over two decades, Sommerfeld Construction has been dedicated to building homes in the Hill Country focusing on quality and craftsmanship. Sommerfeld Construction operates under the premise that a home is a great investment as well as a place family and friends create memories. The builder believes the home is the foundation for the family’s lifestyle and honors that philosophy by making sure every new home meets the buyer’s expectations.
NOT ALL BUILDERS ARE THE SAME. EXPERIENCE THE STEVE KLEIN DIFFERENCE.
AWARD WINNING BUILDER
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.â„¢
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
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August 2016
You’re invited to the Bryson You’re invited to the Bryson splish splash REALTOR bash splish splash REALTOR bash The BalloonFight Fight TheLargest Largest Water Water Balloon for Realtors Texas! for Realtorsin in Central Central Texas! This exciting event wholefamily familygives gives you the experience Leander’s newest This exciting event for for thethe whole thechance chancetoto experience Leander’s newest up-and-coming neighborhood Community in person. Located just offLocated 183A, you’ll for yourself up-and-coming Master-Planned in person. just see off 183A, you’llwhy see for yourwhy clients areclients movingare to the Texasto Hillthe Country Bryson yourself your moving Texasand Hillmaking Country and theirs. making Bryson theirs.
Thursday, August August 25, Thursday, 25,2016 2016
5:30 - 6:30 – Enjoy appetizers, craft cocktails, and tour our model homes
5:306:30 - 6:30 – Enjoy appetizers, craft cocktails, and tour our model homes - 7:00 – Battle it out in our massive water balloon fight 6:30 - 7:00 – Battle it out in our massive water balloon fight
RSVP Required
RSVP Required
For more information, call 512-259-1035 or email krushing@crescentcommunities.com.
For more information, call 512-259-1035 or email krushing@crescentcommunities.com. DAVID WEEKLEY HOMES
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LIVEATBRYSON.COM | HOMES FROM THE $300s TO $500s | 512.259.1035
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
Rita Snyder of Keller Williams Realty and Aida Perez of HighDef Realty take notes on Williamson County’s hot spots while attending the WCREALTORS Mid-Year Forecast event.
Buy Photo: RL_080416_C.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Freehold Communities Texas Development Manager Matt D. Matthews discusses Headwaters’ development phases, milestones and plans with Drees Custom Homes, Trendmaker Homes and David Weekley Homes at the Headwaters Builders’ Luncheon. Buy Photo: RL_080516_A.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Danielle Lipari-Mareth, left, and Chelsea Timmons, right, both of Pacesetter Homes, and Kandis Rushing of Crescent Communities get ready to kick off the HBA Sales and Marketing Council Million Dollar Club Awards & Cocktail Hour. Danielle and Chelsea chaired the committee and did the lion's share of the work. Kandis is the SMC President and VP of Communications on the HBA Board of Directors.
Submitted Photo
HIGHPOINTE · AUSTIN
Tommy Coats · tcoats@mybuffington.com · Cell 512.750.7276 201 Honeybee Lane 113 Swallowtail Drive 197 Swallowtail Drive
San Gabriel-B Pecos-C Lavaca-B
3,609 2,637 2,731
1589 Cool Springs · 78737 · 512.382.0629
2Story/5Bed/3.5Bath/3Gar 1Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/3Gar 1Story/4Bed/3Bath/3Gar
$570,320 $447,990 $423,570
NOW NOW NOW
6877493 8035870 2720111
BRIDGES of BEAR CREEK · AUSTIN
2216 Williston Loop · 78748 · 512.292.6500 Christine Gauna · cgauna@mybuffington.com · Cell 512.554.4800 2124 Williston Loop 2204 Williston Loop 2208 Williston Loop 2300 Williston Loop 2309 Williston Loop 2313 Williston Loop 2224 Williston Loop 13017 Bismark Drive
Comal-C Trinity-C Comal-B Colorado-D Red River-B Trinity-F Trinity-E Colorado-C
2,019 1,855 2,085 2,568 2,948 1,880 1,826 2,593
2Story/4Bed/3.5Bath/2.5Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2.5Gar 1Story/4Bed/3Bath/2.5Gar 2Story/4Bed/3.5Bath/2.5Gar 2Story/4Bed/3.5Bath/2.5Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2.5Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2.5Gar 2Story/4Bed/3.5Bath/2.5Gar
$427,180 $409,750 $421,245 $450,610 $457,390 $394,990 $385,990 $443,920
DEC DEC NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW
4349692 3997349 8827351 9510906 9873421 1835838 9580788
ADDISON · AUSTIN
5508 Gooding Drive · 78744 · 737.703.5595 Thomas Van Lith · tvanlith@mybuffington.com · Cell 512.484.8677 Alfredo Flores · aflores@mybuffington.com · Cell 512.775.0404 5313 Ingersoll Lane 8020 Izetta Lane 8016 Annalise Drive 8024 Annalise Drive 5101 Bonnevile Bend 5105 Bonnevile Bend 5109 Bonnevile Bend 5117 Bonneville Bend 5317 Bonneville Bend 5409 Bonneville Bend 5521 Bonneville Bend
Pebble Beach-C Pebble Beach-A Turnberry-C Hazeltine-C Caldwell-C Houston-B Parker-C Sawgrass-B Muirfield-B Muirfield-B Muirfield-C
2,155 2,155 1,976 1,851 1,778 1,908 2,720 2,110 1,881 1,756 1,773
2Story/4Bed/3.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/4Bed/3.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/3Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2Gar 2Story/4Bed/3.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar
$277,830 $292,370 $277,940 $277,860 $277,150 $288,240 $323,670 $280,770 $280,660 $274,030 $269,090
Austin’s Leading Local Homebuilder
NOW AUG OCT NOW OCT OCT OCT NOW OCT NOV OCT
1839970 6904692 6293990 1928140 9563462 2773457 3185333 6974507 5436686 6865496
BLANCO VISTA · SAN MARCOS
318 Leather Oak Loop · 78666 · 512.395.2040 Nancy Fernandez-Romero · nfromero@mybuffington.com · Cell 512.230.2503 Rob Lewis · rlewis@mybuffington.com · Cell 512.797.5539 110 Leather Oak Loop 125 Leather Oak Loop 133 Leather Oak Loop 206 Leather Oak Loop 245 Leather Oak Loop 301 Leather Oak Loop 116 Sawtooth Drive 117 Sawtooth Drive 120 Sawtooth Drive 125 Sawtooth Drive 204 Sawtooth Drive 205 Sawtooth Drive 212 Sawtooth Drive 3238 Jacob Lane 3230 Jacob Lane
Sterling-A Houston-B Parker-C Houston-B Parker-B Sterling-B Sterling-B Connally-E Caldwell-B Parker-C Timberlake-C Houston-A Caldwell-C Caldwell-C Houston-B
2,441 1,975 2,747 1,975 2,747 2,417 2,417 1,938 1,812 2,747 2,027 1,908 1,772 1,812 1,908
2Story/4Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2Gar 2Story/4Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2Gar 2Story/4Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/4Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/4Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 1Story/4Bed/2Bath/2Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 1Story/4Bed/2Bath/3Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2Gar
$279,280 $272,500 $299,700 $272,150 $294,890 $281,040 $279,480 $268,660 $254,600 $295,990 $276,010 $272,040 $258,780 $265,580 $282,060
NOW OCT OCT NOV SEPT NOV NOW NOV NOW AUG SEPT OCT OCT NOW NOV
4264412 8562544 3426066 6355406 8700435 8869511 9083956 7406076 9474919
4378587
SOUTHPARK MEADOWS · AUSTIN
9700 Sawyer Fay Lane · 78748 · 512.280.1931 Forrest Eiland · feiland@mybuffington.com · 512.585.9061 Bob Cutshall · rcutshall@mybuffington.com · Cell 512.217.7989 9432 Hunter Lane 9436 Hunter Lane 9437 Hunter Lane 9504 Hunter Lane 9404 Hunter Lane 9400 Hunter Lane 9508 Hunter Lane 9521 Hunter Lane 9525 Hunter Lane 9516 Alex Lane 9328 Alex Lane 9341 Alex Lane
Sawgrass-C Hazeltine-C Oakmont-C Sawgrass-C Turnberry-C Muirfield-C Turnberry-D Turnberry-D Muirfield-D Trinity-B Muirfield-D Comal-B
2,135 1,893 1,751 2,135 2,018 1,797 1,973 1,993 1,797 1,828 1,897 2,019
2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/4Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 1Story/3Bed/2Bath/2Gar 2Story/3Bed/2.5Bath/2Gar 1Story/4Bed/3Bath/2.5Gar
$318,750 $317,240 $299,080 $317,390 $315,880 $308,660 $319,320 $318,110 $305,760 $337,300 $307,600 $358,950
NOW OCT AUG NOW OCT OCT OCT NOV OCT OCT NOV NOV
8057843 1757662 9217388 9850391 5556104 8250235 7144589 7411232 9270177 4479099
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
RL austin
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
www.myRealtyLine.com
August 2016
Money is available to help your clients buy a home The NeighborhoodLIFT® event is coming to Austin.1 Homebuyers can get the information they need to become a homeowner for the first — or next time. And see if they qualify for down payment assistance — up to $7,500 — toward the purchase of a home in the limits of Travis, Bastrop, or Hays County.2 Additional opportunities available for eligible military, veterans, and surviving spouses.
New buyers could mean new business for you
You can be a part of the NeighborhoodLIFT program by encouraging your clients to attend and uploading your listings to our Affordable Home Tour. Homes will be featured online and in a printed listing guide at the event. Hurry and upload your listings today at austin.affordablehometour.com/register. All listings must be: – Located within the limits of Travis, Bastrop, or Hays County – Priced under $250,000 – Uploaded by the end of the day on Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Dates: August 26 – 27, 2016 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Location: Renaissance Austin Hotel, Rio Grande Exhibit Hall 9721 Arboretum Boulevard, Austin, TX 78759
Homebuyers can get more information and register at: wellsfargo.com/liftregistration or call 844-281-1400 The NeighborhoodLIFT program delivers down payment assistance and financial education to homebuyers to support sustainable homeownership and advance the stability of your neighborhoods. 1. The NeighborhoodLIFT program is a collaboration of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Foundation, and NeighborWorks® America, an independent nonprofit organization. 2. Down payment assistance grants range from $2,500 to $7,500 based on the amount the borrower is able to contribute. Combined income for all borrowers on the loan cannot exceed the program income limits, adjusted for household size. Down payment assistance grants cannot be used to purchase bank-owned properties managed by Wells Fargo Premier Asset Services. The first mortgage can be financed by any NeighborhoodLIFT program-approved lender. This information is for real estate, legal, and financial professionals only and is not intended for distribution to consumers. © 2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801. 107941-4-AUS 8/16 MLR 5/16 ECG-2893801
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
Buy Photo: RL_080516_B.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Ashley Denton of McGuyer Homebuilders, Inc. and Wes Morris of Wilshire Homes attend the HBA Sales & Marketing Council Million Dollar Club Awards Cocktail Hour to meet new friends and celebrate the achievements of new home sales consultants.
Buy Photo: RL_080416_A.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Chief economist at A&M Real Estate Center Dr. Jim Gaines presents a mid-year forecast at WCREALTORS’ office in Round Rock. WCREALTORS Executive Director Marge Phillips thanks him for presenting to the group.
Buy Photo: RL_080116_D.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Buy Photo: RL_071016_D.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Doug Tuxhorn of Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS and Ajay Rai of JB Goodwin, REALTORS take notes while attending the free MCE course hosted by KB Home at its model home in Forest Creek.
Nick Pronsky of Legacy Mutual Mortgage tells REALTORS at the WCREALTORS Broker Breakfast the benefits of working with his company. Legacy Mutual Mortgage was one of the sponsors of the event.
Buy Photo: RL_070916_E.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Buy Photo: RL_080316_B.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Summer Swope and Jason Klam, both of Reliant Title, are excited to welcome folks to the company’s new Round Rock office where they are ready to serve Williamson County more conveniently.
Newland Communities celebrates Top REALTORS like Jaymes Willoughby, Tana Campbell and Donna McKay, all of Keller Williams Realty, at its Top REALTOR Mixer at St. Genevieve Rock Rose.
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.â„¢
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
Mark McDowell, center, of Cornerstone Home Lending, tells Michael Ringel, left, and Keith Pearson, right, both of Ashton Woods, how impressed he is with “The Studio” by Ashton Woods.
Buy Photo: RL_071216_D.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
In this business, the phrase, “you learn something new everyday,” is not just a reality, it’s a necessity. Jon and CJ Pfau, both of Pfau and Company, attend WCREALTORS’ Broker Breakfast at the WCREALTORS headquarters in Round Rock.
Buy Photo: RL_071116_K.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Grill master Dave Snowberger of Keller Williams Realty makes his famous snow burgers in July at the WCREALTORS Battle of the Burgers event that raised money for TREPAC.
Buy Photo: RL_071016_A.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
DHI MORTGAGE WELCOMES
SHIRLEY SEARS “I welcome the opportunity of working with you and helping you achieve your dreams of homeownership.”
Shirley Sears
Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #1464584
ESTABLISHED. EXPERIENCED. LOCAL. WESTLAKE OFFICE
www.dhimortgage.com
4301 Westbank, Bldg B, Suite 110, Austin, TX 78746
Call Shirley today!
512-257-5691
(512) 691-7668
Jennifer Pospisil VP/Branch Manager Senior Escrow Officer
Susan Outon
Senior Escrow Officer
Barbie Robinson Escrow Assistant
10700 Pecan Park Blvd., Suite 120 Austin, TX 78750 Direct: 512-257-5691 Cell: 512-934-3555 SMSears@dhimortgage.com
Lisa Calderon-Walls Escrow Assistant
Nicole Brady Escrow Assistant
www.chicagotitleaustin.com
Financing offered by DHI Mortgage Company, Ltd. Branch NMLS #38686. 10700 Pecan Park Blvd., Suite 120, Austin, TX 78750. Company NMLS #14622. For information on DHI Mortgage licensing, please visit www.dhimortgage.com/otherpages/licensing. Provided for informational purposes only. This is not a commitment to lend. Not all borrowers will qualify. REV: 06/27/16 / EXP: 06/27/17
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Women's Council of REALTORS®
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President ‘s Column By Ruby Johnson • 2016 President
ily, community and clients! As a liaison from Austin WCR and serving on the ABoR Leadership Management Team
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Committee, you can serve your clients by being knowledgeable in many different aspects of our community. RL
r e t a w Edge
! g n i n e p O d
Gran
Hot real estate market brings challenges
s the 2016 president of Austin Women’s Council of REALTORS (WCR) and serving on several committees at Austin Board of REALTORS (ABoR) along with living and being a REALTOR in the Austin area, one can see the growing pains and the challenges that go hand-in-hand with the population growth in Central Texas. Not only are residents and visitors subjected to the traffic snarls on a daily basis, but affordable housing and affordable rental property is an everyday challenge as well. Our water supply is another issue we face. Central Texas was blessed with much rain a few months ago and our waterways filled up again, but don’t think that solved the problem. It is extremely important that we continue to conserve water. Jo Karr Tedder, president of the Central Texas Water Coalition recently held a presentation on “Preserving The Highland Lakes” at the Austin WCR June Business Resource Luncheon. Her focus is on protecting the Highland Lakes, drinking water, addressing the economic impact of the drought and water policies on businesses
August 2016
and residents. She explained that even though we have water now, that we should still be concerned about drought and that other entities buy water from our water supply. For Austin to continue to be a desirable place to live and work, infrastructure improvements are a must! The City of Austin and TxDOT continue to work on plans to improve our roadways and other public transportation needs. Prices of buying a home or leasing a property are constantly on the rise along with property taxes in Central Texas. Apartment complexes and new home developments are being constructed all over Central Texas to help accommodate the number of families moving to the area on a daily basis, but as mentioned there’s a price that comes with that. As we all know, Central Texas is experiencing “Growing Pains.” What can you do? Join a committee at ABoR or the Williamson County Association of REALTORS, support TREPAC and support property rights, attend your local City Hall Meetings, Chamber of Commerce and HOA Meetings in your subdivision. Be involved, be educated and make a difference for your fam-
WHERE 13701 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cedar Park, TX 78613 WHEN Saturday, August 20th | 12pm - 4pm MODEL HOME TOUR! FOOD TRUCK! DRINKS!
Join us for the grand opening of Edgewater, Cedar Park’s newest gated community! Edgewater will feature 1,595 to 3,102 sq. ft. homes with a new style of architecture. Attendees have a chance to win a weekend getaway for two!
Gated Community From The $270s Rich Daugherty 512.337.4631 | RichD@brohnhomes.com Attend for a chance to win a
Yeti cooler or Alaskan cruise
Continuing Education Programs (CE)
18-Hour CE Program
18-Hour CE Program
Texas Complete with Broker Responsibility Sep 8 - 9
Strategies for Career Excellence Sep 8 - 9
119
119
$
Thursday: 8:30 am - 6:50 pm Friday: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
$80 for 8 hours TREC Legal Update I & II only
This course is an 18-hour course designed to meet all TREC Continuing Education requirements, and covers a myriad of topics, including:
Thursday: 8:30 am - 6:50 pm Friday: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
• TREC Legal Update 1 & 2 • Success Strategies
Included in this 18-hour program: • NEW How to Write and Understand a Policies and Procedures Manual • How to Operate a Brokerage Firm • Records Organization and Retention • 8-hour TREC Legal Update I & II
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18-Hour Programs Include 8 Hours of TREC Legal Updates I & II
• Technology Update • Texaplex, published book by David Winans
Farm & Ranch Real Estate Sep 7 - 8
119
$
Wednesday: 8:30 am - 6:50 pm Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
$80 for 8 hours TREC Legal Update I & II only
This course is our second commercial real estate option that meets all the requirements for CE credit and includes:
$80 for 8 hours TREC Legal Update I & II only
18-Hour Commercial/Farm & Ranch Programs Also Available Online
Real Estate
99
$
• TREC Legal Update 1 & 2 • Farm and ranch contracts • Mineral rights
Loan Origination
Home Inspection
Appraisal
• Environmental issues concerning ranch land • Land and water rights
Business Etiquette
Austin/Round Rock Campus Round Rock Crossing Plaza 3203 S I-35 Ste 520 Round Rock, TX 78664 Located at I-35 & 45 Toll Road
ChampionsSchool.com/Austin | 512-244-3545
Open to the Public; TREC #0005; Broker Responsibility #27767; Legal I #29622; Farm & Ranch: #29949; Legal II #29623; Texaplex #30042; Contracts #29904; Strategies for Career Excellence #29975;
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
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The Reliant Title team celebrates the grand opening of its new Round Rock office. REALTORS, come on down!
Buy Photo: RL_070916_I.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Jennifer Garza of Realty Austin and Mission Mortgage Senior Loan Officer Trent Jackson enjoy the view at a Mission Mortgage networking event at ABoR's headquarters on Spicewood Springs Road..
Submitted Photo
Khanh Tran, center, of KB Home thanks Tim and Theresa Seibold, both of Seibold Properties, for joining them at the KB Home Agent Mixer at the Dogwood Rock Rose. Buy Photo: RL_080316_C.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Buy Photo: RL_080216_C.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Crystal Smith, right, of Chesmar Homes catches up with Faith Laciste of JB Goodwin REALTORS and Ellen Outlaw of Reilly REALTORS at the Newland Communities Top REALTOR Mixer at St. Genevieve Rock Rose in The Domain.
Legacy Mutual Mortgage is Proud to Welcome Kevin Ginsburg as our National Sales Manager Kevin Ginsburg has been in the mortgage industry for nearly 20 years. Prior to joining Legacy, Kevin held several production management positions since beginning his career in origination in 1998. Kevin’s dedication to providing top-notch customer service, both externally to our clients and business partners and internally to our loan originators, aligns with and will serve to complement Legacy’s CORE VALUES: Do the right thing. | Do your personal best. | Show people you care.
Kevin Ginsburg
National Sales Manager - NMLS#218826 Kevin.Ginsburg@legacymutual.com 10801 N. Mo-Pac Expy., Bldg. 2, Ste. #140 Austin, TX 78759 C: (512)632-7971 Copyright © 2016 Legacy Mutual Mortgage. All rights reserved. Legacy Mutual Mortgage is a division of Crockett National Bank and is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS# 278675. Legacy Mutual Mortgage is not responsible for any inaccuracies or changes pertaining to Ardent Real Estate Services and their services or transactions. All offers are subject to credit approval. Not all persons will qualify. All statements made are subject to change without prior written notice. Please see your Legacy Loan Officer for current offers, rates and programs.
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
Mission Mortgage A S S O C I AT E S I N P R O G R E S S - A d v e r t i s e r P r o f i l e b y K a t i e B r o w n
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elebrating it’s 30th year in business, Mission Mortgage of Texas started in 1986 as a small broker. Over the
past three decades, the company has evolved into a full-service mortgage banker—providing its customers with service from the loan application all the way through closing. Today, Mission Mortgage has two locations in the Austin market and two production offices in the Houston market. The company is also exploring expansion opportunities into
efficient manner. Mission Mortgage, like a big bank, controls the loan process from start to finish. That’s how we can guarantee to process and close your loan in 30 days.” This is just one example of Mission Mortgage’s commitment to excellent service— whether the team is assisting first-time homebuyers or high-end buyers building custom luxury homes. “We make it extremely simple for our customers,” McCoy says. “Mission is committed to a highly interactive process.
www.myRealtyLine.com array of online tools and features. “While we offer one-on-one time with borrowers, we realize many more people also now want access to a quick online process from the comfort of their own home or office,” McCoy says. “Our new website and mobile app gives you easy access to the application.” However, it’s not only Mission Mortgage’s customers who recognize the company’s commitment to quality service. In the 2015-16 Austin Business Journal “Book of Lists”, Mission Mortgage of Texas was ranked the No. 8 Mortgage Business and No. 21 on the list of top Women-Owned Businesses, the only mortgage business in the Top 25. As President and Owner of Mission Mortgage, McCoy oversees the day-to-day operations of the company and works directly with the different branches, loan officers and inves-
the San Antonio market.
August 2016
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Leigh Ann McCoy, President
“Giving back to the community is very important to the company,” McCoy says. “The Mission staff actively delivers meals twice
“We are a locally owned company with the
a week with Meals on Wheels. We also sup-
resources of a national lender,” says Leigh Ann
port Habitat for Humanity every year. Mission
McCoy, president of Mission Mortgage of Texas. “We provide processing, underwriting, closing and funding services inside our company, allowing us to complete your transaction with the fewest delays.” To celebrate its 30-year anniversary, Mission Mortgage has made a pledge to mortgage
We will process and close your loan in 30 days. We stand by that.
looks forward to providing many more years of service to the community.” Above all, Mission’s Mortgage’s devotion to its customers has remained the company’s first priority throughout its 30-year history. “At the end of the day, it’s all about customer service at Mission Mortgage,” McCoy says. “Mission
applicants and the REALTORS representing
Mortgage is a family environment. We know
them. “We offer a 30-Day Guarantee to bor-
Austin and we know the mortgage business.
rowers”, McCoy says. “We will process and close your loan in 30 days. We stand by that.” McCoy adds, “In today’s lending environment, it’s critical that borrowers choose a lender that will close their loan in a timely and
Customers can visit us in-person, and they can also work online for maximum time efficiency.” To adapt to the evolving needs of its customer base, Mission Mortgage provides an
tors. With more than 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry in Austin, McCoy says she’s proud of the connections and opportunities she’s been able to make through Mission Mortgage.
Our experience and knowledge makes for a more meaningful business relationship with borrowers, Realtors and homebuilders. It’s been key to our success and longevity in the market.” RL
The Canyon View Event Center is the perfect home for the holidays.
Plan ahead and save! Contact us now and save on rentals in November and December. CanyonView.com | 512-533-4900 | Events@CanyonView.com | Located in ABoR Headquarters
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Reilly Realtors have their Summer Quarterly Meeting with Chicago Title.
Submitted Photo
Andrea Kurtz and Beth Acton, both of First American Title, do a little networking while attending the WCREALTORS MidYear Forecast with Texas A&M Real Estate Center’s Dr. Jim Gaines.
Buy Photo: RL_070916_H.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com Buy Photo: RL_080416_F.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Summer Pavliska and Steve Fohl, both of Reliant Title, invite REALTORS to experience the great service Reliant Title offers — now with a convenient new office in Round Rock.
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August 2016 Front Page: Continued
moving here mostly from other parts of the state, like Harris, Fort Bend and Bell counties and hoping to land a lucrative job and buy an affordable home in a safe neighborhood. Another 80 will arrive tomorrow, and then another 80 the day after that. That’s 240 more vehicles on MoPac and I-35 that will make everyone’s commute that much longer and less tolerable. And then there’s Austin’s public transportation problem. Specifically, addressing the metro area’s lacking rail infrastructure is mostly on the backburner, especially so soon after the ride-share debacle this past May. “Rail has always been on the table,” says Guthrie. “But we won’t see anything on the ballot this year.”
Over-crowded Schools As new residents jam the roads with more vehicles, new residents are also causing schools to burst at the seams, which leaves districts and taxpayers to lobby for more schools. This past spring, the Statesman reported that the Austin school district was seeing a decline in enrollment – because of families that left the city for more affordable communities like those in Hays County. This area, which includes San Marcos, Dripping Springs, Buda, and Kyle, has experienced a 76 percent increase in student enrollment over the past decade. The district is in the planning stages now for its third high school. And master-planned communities north and south of the city have new school construction pre-written into their community plans. Anticipating adding thousands of new families to towns that have only accommodated a
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thousand or so townspeople, multi-acre communities have partnered with the local ISD to build new facilities when the area's current schools are at capacity.
austin
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
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P. O. Box 81366 • Austin, Texas 78708-1366 (512) 821-1900 www.myRealtyLine.com E-mail: info@myRealtyLine.com
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Overall Challenges Deciding to live in Round Rock or San Marcos does not necessarily solve everyone’s cost-of-living problem. “What a lot of people do not consider are the “all-in” costs of home ownership,” says Guthrie. Buying a home and paying property taxes outside of Austin may be more affordable for now, but the commute may be longer, traffic congestion worse, and then there’s the increased cost of a longer commute (i.e. gas, vehicle maintenance, and more).
Publisher: Doren L. Carver doren@myRealtyLine.com
Associate Publisher: Tawanna K. Carver tawanna@myRealtyLine.com
Managing Editor: Naomi Bludworth naomi@myRealtyLine.com
Contributing Editor: Linda McNabb
Contributing Writers: Riki Markowitz, Katie Brown, Naomi Bludworth
Contributing Photographers: Doren L. Carver, Don Rogers - Austin
Columnists: Aaron Farmer, Shavonne Martin, Wes Wigginton, Ruby Johnson
Population Growth Advantages There may be a lot of challenges involved with living in one of the fastest growing metro areas in the U.S. But the truth is, residents here know it’s worth it. Otherwise, those 80 new residents would be heading to numbers two or three on the list of “Best Places to Live,” like Fayetteville, AR and Raleigh-Durham, NC, or even numbers nine or 10, San Francisco and San Jose. Obviously those cities don’t have what Austin is known for: a reputation for being unique (or “weird”), combined with the ability to attract established and start-up tech businesses, and a place where liberals and conservatives cohabitate peacefully. Finally, you can be downtown at noon and hiking in the stunningly gorgeous Hill Country 15 minutes later – well, unless there’s traffic.
Submission Guidelines: Submit photos, press releases and calendar items to naomi@myrealtyline.com. All photos must be at least 300 dpi and include a caption with first/last name and company affiliation. Press releases must be fewer than 300 words. Non-advertisers submitting calendar items will be charged $25 per submission. All submissions must be received at least seven calendar days prior to ad copy deadlines published at www.myrealtyline.com/blog/advertise.html. Submission items will be included as space allows. Realty Line Austin is published monthly by Caxton Publications, Inc.© as a non-subscription publication for the more than 8,000 members of the Austin Board of REALTORS®(ABoR), the more than 1,500 members of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS® (WCREALTORS) and the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin. Realty Line Austin is printed on recycled paper. Realty Line Austin is a proud member of the Austin Board of REALTORS®, the Williamson County Association of REALTORS®, the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin and is a honorary member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS. Realty Line Austin is not responsible for opinions or facts expressed by non-staff writers or for errors and any by-products in advertising or editorial copy. REALTOR® is a registered trademark. The word REALTOR® sometimes appears in this publication without the registered trademark symbol (®) for the purpose of saving space. Wherever the word REALTOR® appears in this publication, the registered trademark should be assumed.
PrimeLending Capital City Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, & Jumbo to name only a few loan products!
Candy Buzan Branch Manager The Candy Buzan Team
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Two Great Locations! © 2016 PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company (NMLS: 13649) is a wholly owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender TX V121013. 1450002 (Hyzak), NMLS 268025 (Clark), NMLS 179666 (Kennedy), NMLS 180066 (Driskell), NMLS 180854 (Savage), NMLS 151263 (Leaman), NMLS 225339 (Bailey), NMLS 177299 (Stern), 208244 (Biehler).
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August 2016
R E A DY F O R M OV E - I N ! 8 B E A U T I F U L H O M E S AVA I L A B L E I N B E LT E R R A
Get the best price for your clients now on eight gorgeous move-in ready homes from Trendmaker Homes. Each one designed and built with Trendmaker’s higher standards from the start. Call our New Homes Specialist to schedule a VIP tour
NUS *
at 512.575.4714!
! O 1% B ISSION CO M
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650 Brentwood Dr. $549,638
632 Brentwood Dr. $583,898
645 Brentwood Dr. $559,149
618 Brentwood Dr. $624,501
631 Brentwood Dr. $529,839
588 Brentwood Dr. $586,681
659 Brentwood Dr. $598,576
602 Brentwood Dr. $621,843
4 Beds | 3.5 Baths 3,372 sq.ft. | 4 4-car garage 1-story | Plan 790F Move-in ready!
4 Beds | 3.5 Baths 3,382 sq.ft. | 3+ car garage 1-story | Plan 752F Move-in ready!
4 Beds | 3.5 Baths 3,456 sq.ft. | 3+ car garage 1-story | Plan 721F Available August.
4 Beds | 3.5 Baths 3,462 sq.ft. | 2-car garage 1-story | Plan 818M Available September.
4 Beds | 3.5 Baths 3,635 sq.ft. | 3-car garage 2-story | Plan 845M Available August.
4 Beds | 3.5 Baths 3,807 sq.ft. | 2-car garage 2-story | Plan 844M Available August.
4 Beds | 3.5 Baths 3,974 sq.ft. | 3-car garage 2-story | Plan 849M Available August.
5 Beds | 4.5 Baths 4,026 sq.ft. | 3-car garage 2-story | Plan 840M Available August.
Coming Soon to Crystal Falls and Headwaters.
www.trendmakerhomes.com • 375 Brentwood Dr. • Austin, Texas 78737 * Offer applies to contracts written and accepted between now and Sept. 30, 2016. Home must close and fund to receive bonus. Offer cannot be combined with any other bonus selling to agent (BTSA) or any current offer. Realtor is responsible for taxes and will receive a 1099. Offer is redeemable after the close and funding of home. Realtor must be registered as client’s Realtor of Record at time of initial visit and is not valid on previously negotiated or written contracts. Floorplans, square footage, specifications, prices, features and available options may vary by elevation and/or community and are subject to change without prior notice.
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Real Estate News & Notes HBA of Greater Austin's Professional Women in Building award two college scholarships
Professional Women in Building (PWIB) of the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin announced the winners of the two Sherry L. Livingston Memorial Scholarships. The two recipients are James Kirkpatrick, son of Jennifer Wall of BMC Building Materials, and John O’Grady, son
of Vaike O’Grady of Newland Communities. Each of the students received a $1,000 scholarship made out to the school of their choice. PWIB presented the scholarship awards Tuesday, June 28th at Mimi's Cafe at Arbor Walk. RL
David Weekly Homes teams up with trade partners to build micro homes David Weekley Homes hosted a build project benefiting Mobile Loaves & Fishes: Community First! Village, an organization that provides affordable, permanent housing and supportive community for the disabled, chronically homeless in Central Texas. More than 50 Weekley team members joined together with trade partners to build two micro homes for the organization. The project involved about $25,000 in materials and labor, along with more than 100 volunteer hours to
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build these new homes. “We are grateful and honored by the support and service that the David Weekley Homes team has provided to Mobile Loaves & Fishes and our Community First! Village,” said Alan Graham, founder and CEO of Mobile Loaves & Fishes.“Because of their generosity and assistance, we've been able to continue lifting our homeless neighbors up off the streets, and move them into an awesome place to call home.” RL
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
Kevin Ginsberg joins Legacy Mutual Mortgage as national sales manager Kevin Ginsburg joined Legacy Mutual Mortgage as National Sales Manager on June 28, 2016. Ginsburg brings more than 18 years of industry experience to Legacy Mutual Mortgage. As National Sales Manager, Ginsburg will keep Legacy Mutual Mortgage on track to meet all sales goals and will provide support to all loan officers across the company’s branches in Texas, Colorado and Tennessee. “It is my pleasure to welcome Kevin Ginsburg to the Legacy family,” says Dan Diepenhorst, President of Legacy Mutual Mortgage. “Ginsburg’s background and extensive experience is necessary for us to continue to grow successfully and maintain our high level of customer service, internally and externally, that Legacy is known for.” Ginsburg developed his passion for helping clients accomplish their dream of home ownership when he began his mortgage lending career for a home builder in Austin, TX. Ginsburg has held several production management positions over his 18-year career in the industry. Growing sales through relationships with Realtors and builders and working for individual originators, teams and branches
remains Ginsburg’s passion and focus. Based out of Austin, TX, Ginsburg will be able to help Legacy Mutual Mortgage grow a stronger presence nationally. Ginsburg will continue Legacy Mutual Mortgage’s dedication to helping loan officers find the right loan —with the best rates, terms and costs—for potential homebuyers. As a company, Legacy Mutual Mortgage has built a strong reputation as an outstanding mortgage lender, serving the home loan needs of real estate professionals, builders and individual homebuyers. Legacy Mutual Mortgage is a full service mortgage loan company with an experienced staff offering expertise in every area of home and commercial lending, from purchase to refinance to construction lending. Legacy Mutual Mortgage provides access to a full range of mortgage sources and all of our lending specialists are dedicated to providing the best service to home buyers. Ginsburg will be a great addition to the Legacy Family. Kevin is a graduate of Texas A&M University and is married with two children. He resides in Austin, Texas. RL
Submission Guidelines: Submit photos, press releases and calendar items to naomi@myrealtyline.com. All photos must be at least 300 dpi and include a caption with first/last name, company affiliation and a short description. Press releases must be fewer than 300 words and are subject to editing for brevity. Calendar items are free to advertisers and $25 per submission for others. All submissions must be received at lexqast seven calendar days prior to ad copy deadlines published at www.myrealtyline.com/advertise.html. Submission items will be included as space allows.
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Freehold Communities breaks ground on Headwaters Representatives from the three homebuilders in phase one of Headwaters, a new master planned community in Dripping Springs developed by Freehold Communities™, celebrated the groundbreaking of model home construction (pictured from left): Julie Swartz, Connie Hentosh and Judd Brook, Drees Custom Homes; Savannah Carter, Suzanne Maddalon and Matt D. Matthews, Freehold Communities; Jeff Apra, David Weekley
Homes; Deidre Flores and Candace Sparks, CCMC; Susan Leszczynski and Thomas Serhus, Trendmaker Homes; John Perrin and Pat Harkins, David Weekley Homes. Located 20 miles west of Austin, phase one of the 1,035-acre development will feature 209 home sites, all of which will be adjacent to open spaces with the beautiful Texas Hill Country landscape as a backdrop. RL
Teravista posts 46 percent sales increase for first half of 2016
Teravista, an award-winning 1,550-acre master-planned community in Williamson County, has posted a 46 percent sales increase for the first half of 2016, compared to the same period in 2015. A total of 163 new homes were sold in Teravista from January through June, compared to 112 for the first six months of 2015. Teravista sales have thrived in 2016 thanks to a wide variety of home offerings priced below $300,000. Top-selling builder D.R. Horton contributed 40 sales year to date in the Waterleaf neighborhood. Centerra Homes and Chesmar Homes feature Craftsman-inspired homes in the new neighborhood of Pearl Cove. All three offer home plans starting in the $230,000s. Centerra and Chesmar opened fully furnished model homes in Teravista this spring, as part of a new model row featuring additional model homes by Chesmar Homes, Lennar, Perry Homes, and Wes Peoples Homes. (CalAtlantic Homes and a second Chesmar model will open this fall.) The new model location, accessed via Westinghouse Road, is located next to Teravista Lake Park, which features
tennis and pickleball. The new neighborhoods are located in the Georgetown ISD, and children attend the brand-new Carver Elementary School within the Teravista community. Teravista also broadened its appeal to different groups of homebuyers this year, introducing a new model home showcasing lowmaintenance garden homes by Wes Peoples, appealing to empty nesters and young professionals. Lennar opened a new model in its NextGen collection in Teravista, featuring a “home within a home” design aimed at multigenerational families and other dual living situations. The last neighborhood on the Teravista Golf Course, Fairway Estates, has a limited number of homesites remaining to serve mature families and empty nesters. Overall, new homes in Teravista are priced from the mid $200,000s to $700,000s and up. Teravista is owned by a joint venture of Newland Communities and its partner, North American Sekisui House (NASH). Newland is the largest private developer of master-planned mixed-use communities in the United States, with more than 45 years of community development experience and with more than 40 communities currently under development in 14 states. NASH is the U.S. business operations unit and a full subsidiary of Sekisui House Ltd., Japan’s largest homebuilder and a leading diversified developer since 1960. For more information, please visit www. teravista.com. RL
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The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing schedules Austin training class Real estate agents will have the opportunity to attend The Institute’s Luxury Home Sales and Marketing training session and gain insights into working successfully in today’s ever-changing real estate market. As an added bonus, attendees will have the opportunity to receive Texas Continuing Education (MCE) credit as well as elective credit toward the National Association of REALTORS’ Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation. The course is open to licensed real estate agents from any brokerage firm in or outside of Texas. The training course takes place Sept. 22-23 in Austin. Details on the program’s location and registration are available at www.LuxuryHomeMarketing.com/Austin Attendees who complete this two-day course will become members of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing®, and are eligible to earn the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist® (CLHMS) designation, a prestigious luxury-specific professional designation that reflects the agent has proven, documented performance within the luxury residential market. Tami Simms, Institute trainer, will conduct the training. “The concepts and principles delivered during the course of the two days give attendees the tools they need to be successful in providing exceptional service to buyers and sellers of upper tier properties,” says Simms.
“Whether an agent is new to the business or seasoned, this course shares practical ideas that allow every attendee to build their competencies, and in doing so, to maximize their success,” adds Simms. The two-day course includes information on luxury residential trends, demographics of the luxury buyers and sellers, special competencies required to find and serve the affluent, and exclusive research information on how to work with the key categories of the wealthy. “We have just opened registration for this course and would suggest that agents register quickly. This is such a popular course that in the past, agents have been turned away due to room capacity,” said John A. Hay III, managing partner of The Hay Legal Group PLLC, a fee attorney office for Independence Title Company. The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing is the premier training and membership organization serving real estate professionals who work in the luxury home market internationally. For more information, visit www. LuxuryHomeMarketing.com and www. LuxuryInsights.com RL
Trendmaker Homes announces its Austin market debut with the grand opening of new model at Belterra
Trendmaker Homes, a member of the TRI Pointe Group, announced today its grand opening at Belterra, a 1,600-acre master-planned community in southwest Austin. As Trendmaker’s first development in the Central Texas market, the builder is offering 38 single-family homes on 80-foot home sites within the San Saba neighborhood of Belterra in Hays County. With prices starting from the $560,000s, sales are currently underway with one model home Santa Rita Ranch in Williamson County celebrates record sales now available for touring daily. “We are excited to be a part of this awardwinning development by Crescent Communities and to offer our unique style of homes and features for the booming Austin housing market,” said Terry Shuffler, vice president and general manager of Trendmaker Homes’ Austin division. “New residents will enjoy the convenience of having Austin nearby but will also experience majestic views, natural wildlife and the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country.” Santa Rita Ranch is having a record year. The developer celebrated 114 sales in the community at Trendmaker’s home selections include eight its recent Developer/Builder meeting. The group is pictured here with a special "114 sales" cake. RL floor plans with three elevations each, ranging
in size from 3,397 square feet to 3,974 square feet. Targeting move-up family and emptynester buyer groups, residents will enjoy oneand two-story homes with a minimum of four bathrooms, three to four bedrooms, up to three-car garages, casual dining areas that open into kitchens, game room and study, hidden storage areas, covered patios and optional outdoor kitchens. As part of Trendmaker’s LivingSmart® program, every home is designed and independently certified to exceed local energy codes and enhanced with money-saving, energy-efficient features throughout. Named the Austin Business Journal’s 2015 Master-Planned Community of the Year, Belterra offers more than 400 acres of open space and more than six miles of native and landscaped trails. Located a few miles east of Dripping Springs, Texas, the “Gateway to the Hill Country,” the homes are accessible by US 290 Highway West, about 25 miles southwest of downtown Austin. While Belterra is Trendmaker Homes’ first acquisition and grand opening in the Austin market, the company continues to strengthen its presence in the city and surrounding communities. In February 2016, the builder announced its second acquisition in Austin at Crystal Falls, which includes 29 lots for single-family homes. Additionally, Trendmaker is in the process of securing additional lots at Headwaters, a 1,035-acre development in Dripping Springs, Texas. RL
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
Kay Hernandez of Mission Mortgage, Mary Fields of Mary Fields Realty, Blain England of Blain England Partners and Mission Mortgage Senior Loan officer Debbie Bailey-Glenn attend a Mission Mortgage networking event at ABoR Headquarters on Spicewood Springs Road. Submitted Photo
Chelsea Brown, left, of KB Home, shows Vicki Jones Jennings of Keller Williams Realty that the builder has paid more than $4,600,000 in REALTOR commissions. KB Home loves REALTORS!
Buy Photo: RL_080216_B.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
Vaike O’Grady, left, and Jodi Blynn, right, both of Newland Communities thank Sijo Vadakkan of Trinity Realty for making their jobs easier by selling so many homes in communities Newland develops. Go Sijo! Buy Photo: RL_070616_C.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com Buy Photo: RL_080316_D.jpg at www.myrealtyline.com
WCREALTORS President Shavonne Martin, left, of Keller Williams Realty collects donations for the Association’s Operation I Can Food Drive for area food pantries. Members collected over 27,000 lbs. of food.