in this issue…
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995™
• WCAoR Golf Tournament • Austin Title Open House • Rough Hollow’s Highlands Village Ground Breaking • and much, much more!
Associates in Progress
100%
Commissions Page 15
page 25
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JULY 2011 • VOLUME 16 • ISSUE 3
www.privatelablerealty.com
Selling Quality of Life, Why Your Buyers Want to Live Here
Upcoming Events
have many choices, not only in the home or area they choose, but also the lifestyle.
Thursday, July 21 TREPAC REALTOR Night with Round Rock Express - Dell Diamond - 5 p.m.
By Stacy Stroud
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P. O. Box 81366, Austin, Texas 78708
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ustin has one of the healthiest real estate markets in the country, and it’s easy to see why. Our city consistently ranks among US cities with the highest quality of life, and has even been named “Best City for the Next Decade” by Kiplinger Personal Finance. A recent study by Portfolio.com/ bizjournals cited, among other factors, our strong population growth, well-rounded economy, healthy job market, impressive housing stocks and moderate cost of living as its basis for ranking Austin as having the ninth best quality of life in the US. Austin buyers
Selling the City: Get the Facts While it’s safe to say that the word is out about Austin being a great place to live, it’s helpful to have a handful of the latest stats handy to seal the deal with clients who are considering relocating. Here are a few of our favorite reasons to call Austin home:
Healthy Job Market Even in the down economy, unemployment in the Austin area has remained steadily below state and national rates. Meanwhile our wages have grown faster than anywhere else in the state. Austin ranked as 2010’s best city for job growth on Monster.com, thanks to its “favorable business environment, growing clean energy and technology initiatives, and collaboration between university and business researchers.” Austin is also an entrepreneurfriendly city, with more than 40,000 small businesses in Central Texas.
Healthy Population Living in Austin could be good for your health. Last year, Austin ranked No. 10 on the American College of Sports Medicine’s American Fitness Index. With its large number of parks, nearby hill country and young, active population, our city was also ranked the second most walking city in America several years ago by Prevention magazine, with seven percent of Austinites walking to work. Austin is also set to experience some healthy growth. Population is up 32 percent since 2000, and predicted to grow to three million by 2030, which is good news for the housing market in the long term despite recent decreases in sales volume. “Our real estate values have continued to appreciate, which indicates long–term strength in Austin’s real estate market,” said Judith Bundschuh, Chairman of the Austin Board of Realtors.
The Cool Factor Sadly, no, we don’t mean the weather— though the abundance of sunny days is a plus. No matter who you are or what your interests are, there’s always something to do or appreciate in Austin. With over 100 music venues, Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” The city is home to two of the largest music festivals in the US, Austin City Limits Music Festival and South by Southwest. The Mother Nature Network has named Austin as one of the nation’s 10 greenest cities for its Climate Protection Program, a plan to go carbon-neutral by 2020, and because Austin Energy is the largest provider of renewable energy in the US. The city’s culture is defined by its eclecticism, and that goes for the neighborhoods as well. Wherever you roam with your clients, from funky SoCo to lively downtown with its growing development, up to homey Hyde Park or down south to Circle C, there’s a perfect neighborhood for every personality or family type.
Selling Austin’s Communities The lifestyles of Austinites are as diverse as the city itself, so once you have an idea of the general area your client needs to work and wants to live, it’s time to find out how they like to play. Do they have young children? What are their hobbies? Do they spend a lot of time at home and enjoy privacy, or do they like to get out into the community and mix it up with other families? These days, with gas prices on the rise and a growing population jamming up MoPac and I-35, many Austinites prefer to close the distance between work and play. For young professionals and singles, mixeduse developments like The Domain combine residential, commercial and retail development in an urban setting.
Wednesday, July 20 NAHREP Monthly Luncheon Cool River Café - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
HBA Builder/Association Networking Social - HBA - 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 CCIM Networking Social TBD - 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 28 WCR Business Resource Meeting Cool River Café - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, August 11 Capital Title Grand Opening Austin Office - 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, August 15 CRS Monthly Meeting Westwood Country Club - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. More at www.myRealtyLine.com Master-planned communities are becoming more popular with homeowners of all ages. Unlike the traditional subdivision, these neighborhoods are focused on community, with a blend of housing styles, recreational activities, and amenities. The concept is to return residential development to the way neighborhoods used to be before suburban sprawl and a new focus on the automobile created the subdivision. The main difference between master-planned communities and traditional subdivision developments is that most master-planned communities include schools, parks, pools, restaurants, shops and green spaces throughout, reducing the need to drive very far for the things you need. What do your clients like to do on the weekends? What is their focus in life? Vaike O’Grady
Front Page: Continued on pg. 12
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Austin Board of REALTORS®
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Chairman’s Column By Judith Bundschuh • 2011 Chairman
Last Chance to Join a Committee August 1
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ou have an opportunity to actively influence the direction of the real estate industry. Our association is currently seeking real estate leaders to help effectively guide ABoR committees throughout the 2012 year. Consider signing up for one of 14 committees to get involved and further your professional growth. Volunteering is a great way to make your voice heard and get exposed to powerful networking opportunities. Be sure to register soon, because the Aug. 1 deadline is approaching. Submit your committee request at www.abor.com/volunteer. To learn more about committees, contact Vicki Harris in ABoR’s Executive Department at 454-7636 or executive@abor.com. 2011 Member Survey: Participate for the Chance to Win ABoR will conduct a 2011 Member Survey lead by Loyalty Research later this year to learn how we can increase the value of your membership. Your feedback is vital to successfully assess our organization, so I urge
you to participate. Share your membership experience for the chance to win one of 100 prizes ranging from free MLS service for six months to free gift cards. Here at ABoR, we strongly value your input about how we are serving our members. In our 2009 survey, members specified the need for increased membership value, the accessibility of top-notch customer service and the availability of an easy-to-use MLS system. Since then, ABoR focused on improving your membership experience. In addition to diligently working with MLS vendor CoreLogic MarketLinx to resolve system issues, we also worked to supply more MLS services including mobile MLS options, ListHub listing syndication and Fusion. We enhanced your services by creating a Tech Hotline, adding MLS courses in south Austin and on Saturdays to accommodate busy schedules, introducing complimentary office training visits, and adding short term parking. Participate in the 2011 Member Survey to make a difference in your organization. Keep an eye open for ABoR’s Loyalty Research
www.myRealtyLine.com survey later this summer. Texas REALTORS® Convention & Trade Expo Hosted in Austin The 2011 Texas REALTORS Convention and Trade Expo will be in Austin this year. Enjoy a host of informative education courses, business meetings, special events, and more without ever leaving town. The annual Convention and Trade Expo is a great place for you to continue your professional education and network with your fellow REALTORS. The four day event will be primarily hosted at the Austin Convention Center, located at 500 E .Cesar Chavez St., Austin, Texas 78701, while some events are scheduled at the Hilton Hotel and various local restaurants. The event is split between three sections including the business/ governance meetings, the trade expo, and the convention. 2011 Texas REALTORS Convention and Trade Expo Schedule: • Sept. 9–11: Business/Governance Meetings • Sept. 12: Trade Expo • Sept. 13–14: Convention View the full Business Meetings or Convention and Trade Expo schedule by visiting www.texasrealtors.com/TopLevel/ Events/Registration.cfm. ABoR will help sponsor two events at this year’s REALTORS Convention and Trade Expo. Join us as we celebrate past ABoR Chairman Joe Stewart as he is installed at the Best of Texas: Chairman’s Installation dinner and reception on at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11. ABoR will also help support the Convention Welcome Reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12 at Sholz Garten, located at 1607 San Jacinto, Austin, Texas 78701. You don’t want to miss this exciting event.
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Register today for the 2011 REALTORS Convention and Trade Expo by visiting www.texasrealtors.com/TopLevel/Events/ Convention.cfm. 2011 Realty Round Up Scheduled: Flashback to the 80s The 30th Annual Realty Round Up trade show, Flashback to the 80s, is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, 2011. We are gearing up for a great show, which is expected to bring more than 1,500 real estate professionals. You can expect a showcase of a vast array of valuable products and services specific to our industry. Additionally, Realty Round Up is a fabulous place for companies to network with REALTORS and advertise in communications that reach more than 8,000 ABoR members, with out breaking the bank. Reserve your booth today at www.abor. com/roundup. To speak with a representative, contact Gina Willemsen at 454-7636, ext. 1601 or at roundup@abor.com. ABoR Academy Educational Course Listings: July 18: Technology 103: Putting Technology to Work for You July 18: What’s New and How Do I Use It July 21: MLX System Customization (South Austin Training Center) July 21: ListHub Internet Marketing Seminar for Brokers July 21: Seize the Power of Your MLS Subscription (S. Austin Training Center) July 21: ListHub Internet Marketing Seminar for Agents July 22: Lunch and Learn July 27: Seize the Power of Your MLS Subscription RL
There is already enough competition in your industry...you deserve a unified company to help you stand out among the rest. Experience your team of professionals at First American Title Austin! Sales Team L to R: Michele Vannostran, Erin Harrell, Kelley Murphy, Fran Pullin, Heidi Schoonover First American Title Insurance Company makes no express or implied warranty respecting the information presented and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.
©2011 First American Financial Corporation. All rights reserved. | NYSE:FAF
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Hoping to win a Mercedez Benz at the ABoR Foundation 2011 Mercedez Raffle Event and Drawing are Tiffany Isaacs, Stacy Mock and Samantha Conkey, all of Capital Title, with Jana Birdwell and Ryan Rogers, both of Coldwell Banker United REALTORS. Buy photo: RL_052111_A.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
AYREP president Alisa LeBlanc, second from right, thanks her coworkers for helping to sponsor the happy hour at The Park at The Domain.
Buy photo: RL_070311_D.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
Jody Wiltsey, center, of Austin Title welcomes Matt Shaw, left, of One Percent Realty and guest Abe Rothbaum to the corporate video showing at the title company’s Spicewood Springs office.
Buy photo: RL_070111_D.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com Buy photo: RL_070211_E.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
Rose Marie Sandlin of Reta Kays REALTOR wins a door prize at the combined mixer that WCR and NAPMW held at Monte Vista, a West Austin condo complex.
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The KB Kronicle JULY 6, 2011
KBHOME.COM
KB Home Appreciates YOU!
512-651-8059
(Above) Sami Dinhoble, with Expertise Realty, enjoys lunch at the KB Home Crystal Crossing Realtor Sneak Peek event held in June. Crystal Crossing, (Above) Gareth Ellzey, Century 21 HSK & Assoc., and Alex Cantu, EXIT-Options KB Home’s newest community located in Leander is Realty, enjoy a tour of Parkside at Harris Branch, a new KB Home community in the now open! Sami was one of the VISA gift card door Harris Branch neighborhood. prize winners.
CRYSTAL CROSSING IN LEANDER • NOW OPEN FROM THE $150S
• 3 model homes • 18 oor plans • 1,376 to 3,728 square feet • 1- and 2-story homes • 3-6 bedrooms • 2-4 bathrooms • 2-car garage • Planned community park with walking trail, playscape and pavilion • Leander ISD Take toll road 183-A north, turn left on Crystal Falls Parkway to community on the right. Or, take Hwy 183 (Bell Street) north, turn right on Crystal Falls Parkway to community on left. (512) 653-1290 Need a sponsor for an upcoming meeting or event? Need a space to hold your next meeting, class, or event? KB Home is always looking for opportunities to work together with our local Realtor partners. Please contact Colette Fitzgerald, KB Home Broker/Realtor Liaison at cfitzgerald@kbhome.com, 512-651-8059, for more information!
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Tinha Oden and Sharron Murray, both of Grand Haven Homes, talk about the builder’s prospects in the Rough Hollow community in Lakeway. The two attended a ground breaking of a new water-themed amenity center in the development.
Buy photo: RL_071011_B.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Diana Proud of Avalar Austin enjoys her granddaughter Baby Zoe while she visits with fellow agent Gerald Thibodeaux.
Buy photo: RL_070611_D.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Corrin King, Dusty King and Glenn King, all of RE/MAX Round Rock make up the first place winning team at the WCAoR annual golf tournament.
Buy photo: RL_071111_C.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
From listing your property to customer appointments, you live by the clock. Your title insurance company should too. At North American Title, we’ve kept pace with real estate professionals for over 50 years. Our experienced closing specialists are time zones ahead of the competition. When it’s time to close, set your clock to North American Title.
Bette Gould Cook
Marketing Director North/Central Austin 512.965.9856
Downtown Austin
Corporate Office 823 Congress Ave., #1400 Austin, Texas 78701 512.482.0851
Gwen Johansen V. P. Marketing Downtown 512.539.7746
Austin Research
12301 Research Blvd. Bldg. 4, Suite 120 Austin, Texas 78759 512.249.0576
Tiesa Hollaway
Marketing Director Round Rock 512.964.8950
North Austin
5608 Parkcrest Drive Suite 150 Austin, Texas 78731 512.302.3892
www.nat.com
Round Rock
1Chisholm Trail Suite 3100 Round Rock,Texas 78681 512.255.6550
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Williamson County Assoc. of REALTORS®
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President’s Column By Victoria Reviel • 2011 President
Williamson County is Changing and Growing Fast!
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illiamson County has been the site of human habitation for at least 11,200 years, spreads 1,135 square miles of land with several vibrant and rapidly growing cities. The county seat is located in beautiful Georgetown which is home to the Williamson County Court House, recently renovated in 2006 and 2007. Located in the center of the square in Georgetown, this magnificent building is surrounded by a wealth of history, shopping and dining. The County was founded in 1848 and is named in honor of Robert McAlpin Williamson (18061859), a community leader and veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto. The 2010 U.S. Census population for Williamson County was 422,679. In 2009, the population was 410,686, a 57.7 percent increase to the 2010 figure. The population is expected to grow to 695,777 by 2020; about 93 people per day. The county’s housing market never bubbled and that has left home prices very reasonable. The median price home sold in the metro area during the first three months
of 2010 was $171,223, according to the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. One of the biggest factors driving Williamson County growth is Dell, headquartered in Round Rock, the county’s biggest town and one of Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live.” Dell helped to change Round Rock from a bedroom community to the flourishing, vibrant city we see today; a place where people work and live. Retail is the second most significant business group in the county, with retail such as IKEA, the Premium Outlet Mall, 1890 Ranch Cedar Park, La Frontera and Wolf Ranch. The great news is more and more companies are calling Williamson County home and this is where REALTORS provide value to clients. With 93 people a day moving into Williamson County, this is a large group of people who are looking for homes, apartments, condos, Sun City and other retirement communities as well as various other types of living spaces. These individuals want you to know what’s happening, where it’s happening
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within Williamson County. In addition, there is a Farm and Ranch meeting every fourth Thursday. Links to the various chambers, real estate information, schools, and property taxes, can all be found on our website. Williamson County is where it’s happening and your clients expect you to be informed, so visit our website today, take a drive (bus trips coming soon), stroll around any of the beautiful downtowns, Georgetown Square, visit the rock in Round Rock, take in a game at Dell Diamond, attend an event at the Cedar Park Center, take the train from Leander to your favorite eating place in Austin, or try a new restaurant in Taylor or Hutto. The most important part of selling is to know what you are selling. Become a Williamson County specialist and you will be able to find your clients the Williamson County lifestyle they desire. RL
and if it meets their lifestyle expectations. The Williamson County Association of REALTORS (WCAoR) is here to assist you with growing not only your real estate expertise but becoming more knowledgeable and involved with Williamson County. Dr. James P. Gaines, Research Economist from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University recently visited WCAoR and gave an economic presentation about the next 20 years growth in Williamson County. The presentation is posted for you to view at www.wcaor.org. In this presentation you will see many slides projecting the growth of Williamson County and Texas. This information will provide value to your clients by helping them with their home buying or selling decisions. There are many property tours held throughout the county, events to attend and homes and communities to learn about
Looking for some technology skills to help promote your lifestyle knowledge? Find it at the 5th Annual Tech Tune-Up. Come and learn about creating videos, all about Google, Cloud Computing, Fusion, QR Codes, Mobile Marketing, iSmart, and MANY more!. There will be over 70 hours of training available, networking and prizes. Mark your calendar.
Friday, July 22: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details at www.wcaor.org
HappyStarts Hour Later Here RE/ MAX agents like to kick back as much as anyone. As a matter of fact, we’re famous for having a good time! But our associates have more than enough business to keep them busy until closing time.
Is it...
If you’d like a later, happier, more satisfied & rewarding end-of-the-day routine, learn more about RE/MAX; and see why our agents are happy all the time!
n
ww w.remaxtexas.com /le a dst re e t Each office is independently owned and operated.
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the unmatched advertisin technology? Lead-Generation? training? consumer trust?
YES!
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Jazz Lough of Champions School of Real Estate welcomes Bill Roquemore of Prestige Realty and Laura Nye of Stanberry and Associates to the CRS Quarterly Meeting at the Westwood Country Club. Champions School of Real Estate helped sponsor the event. Buy photo: RL_070911_A.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Lyly Fisher of Fisher and Company Real Estate and Becky Hopkins of Austin Title talk about the potential benefits of Formula One racing at the Women’s Council of REALTORS monthly meeting at Cool River Café.
Buy photo: RL_070811_E.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Colette Fitzgerald, second from left, and Tricia Ghosh, right, both of KB Home, welcome James Ware of Citywide Realty and Gareth Ellzey of Century 21 First Place to the builder’s VIP Grand Opening of its newest community at Parkside at Harris Branch.
Buy photo: RL_061611_C.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Buy photo: RL_070411_B.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Guest speaker and NAPMW President-Elect Candice Smith of WR Starkey Mortgage welcomes everyone to the National Association of Professional Mortgage Women Installation Dinner at Maggiano’s at the Domain.
Texas American Title Company
Sit back and relax. You are in good hands!
Your Williamson County Team! Summer Pavliska Account Executive Cell: 512-577-5166
Cedar Park Office 715 Discovery Blvd. Suite 205 Cedar Park, TX 78613 Office: 512-259-5950
Jim Goldrick Account Executive Cell: 512-699-5750
Round Rock Office 1001 S. Mays Suite 103 Round Rock TX 78664 Office: 512-255-1550
Please join Keller Williams Realty as we support families in Joplin, Missouri with our continuing fundraising efforts and caring hearts! For more information please contact Tony Brodie at tonybrodie@kw.com or 637-8425
www.txa mti tl e.com 12515-8 Research Blvd., Suite 100
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Austin, Texas 78759
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Becky Hopkins of Austin Title joins WCR president Cheryl Jenkins of Realty Executives, past NAPMW president Laura Rosales of Capital Title and Jim Smith of The Property Management Co. at the WCR/NAPMW mixer at Monte Vista. Buy photo: RL_070111_A.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals Officers and Directors Oliva Lerma, Nicole TorresCook, Bonnie Barrera, Donna Thomas, Angelin Ibarra Wells, Laura Caffey and Jason Garza celebrate the group’s 10th Anniversary Celebration. Buy photo: RL_061211_E.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Leslie Brvenik of Austin Title, right, welcomes Jazz Lough of Champions School of Real Estate to the title company’s open house. Buy photo: RL_070311_G.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
Tammy Milton of Above and Beyond Travel, Emily Matthews of Capital City Sotheby’s International and Scott Robarts of Keller Williams Realty get a good laugh at the photos they took at the photo book during the AYREP mixer.
Buy photo: RL_070211_A.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
Austin Area Market Update 30-Year Residential Mortgage Rates
5.80%
2009
2010
2011
5.60%
5.40%
Partnerships Built on Trust 5.20%
5.00%
4.80%
4.60%
4.40%
4.20%
4.00%
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
For more information, please contact one of our sales executives. www.gracytitle.com
Nov
Dec
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easy, convenient access to your files on the go Doing business with Gracy Title is even easier with the Stewart My Files application, a mobile extension of Stewart OnlineTM. This app was previously only accessible to iphone & ipad users.
Today, the Android version of Stewart My Files is here!
View and email documents Check file status Review transaction details Communicate directly with other transaction parties
Download Stewart My Files for free and see how our enhanced mobile transaction solution offers Gracy clients a better closing experience. For more details on this & other available apps visit: www.gracytitle.com/tools/mobile-apps Download by searching “Stewart My Files” in the Android Market, or in iTunes for iOS devices. Stewart My Files and Stewart Online technology provided by PropertyInfo Corp., a Stewart company. Services may vary from state to state. © 2010 Stewart. All rights reserved
Partnerships Built on Trust
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Front Page: Continued Becky Hopkins, Rudy Hopkins, Denise Draun, Jenny Newman, Leslie Brvenik and Laura Rosales, all of Austin Title, celebrate with dozens of friends and associates at the company’s Open House at its Spicewood Springs office. Buy photo: RL_070211_H.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
Congratulations to all of the ABoR Leadership Academy Graduates. The group of professionals were honored at the ABoR Leadership Academy Graduation ceremony in the ABoR auditorium.
Buy photo: RL_070511_R.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
AYREP’s sponsorship co-chair David Schneider, right, of Goldwasser Real Estate is pleased to see that Kelvin Glover of Keller Williams Realty and Debbie Fontenette of Keller Williams Realty found a cool spot inside at the The Park at The Domain during the organization’s mid-year snapshot mixer. Buy photo: RL_070311_H.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
with Newland Communities (developer of Teravista in Round Rock and Falcon Pointe in Pflugerville) noticed common characteristics of Austinites who enjoy living in masterplanned neighborhoods. The first is a need for balance. These are busy folks who value their time and need conveniences to balance their lives. Having restaurants, schools and amenities located within the community means they don’t have to leave once they get there. The second common characteristic is a focus on success in all areas of their lives, including their children’s lives. “Our goal is to offer as much as possible in our community to help homeowners achieve success—amenities geared towards a balanced, healthy, successful life, and activities that foster connection and a sense of belonging,” O’Grady said. For example, both Falcon Pointe and Teravista employ full time activities personnel to plan and schedule events such as parades, cook-offs, and even a 5k race, all geared toward bringing people together and encouraging friendship and interconnectedness. Falcon Pointe’s “Sisterhood of the Traveling Husbands” club was started by busy moms to help each other with chores, hang out by the pool, and enjoy dinner and movies together. And in the same community, the “Popsicle Moms” group gives parents a chance to touch base after school while their kids cool off with their friends. About 25-30 percent of homebuyers in Newland Communities’ developments are relocating buyers, but the rest are Austinites who are committed to staying in the area. Many times, a life change (such as a marriage, children, divorce, or career change) will trigger the choice to move to a community. Communities with a golf course and club are often a big draw for empty nesters, according to Kay de Silva of Avalar Realty. Teravista is popular with golfers and non-golfers alike— people tend to like living near open green spaces. For clients who have children, Circle C Ranch (near Slaughter Lane) is highly acclaimed, as is Belterra near Dripping Springs. Belterra features 13 parks across the 1,600 acre community, with hike and bike trails, pools, playscapes and exemplary-rated Dripping Springs ISD schools within walking distance. For clients who enjoy the lakefront lifestyle, Rough Hollow in Lakeway features a lazy river, golf, tennis, hiking, flying, scuba diving, skiing, upscale restaurants, and plenty of activities for all ages. For Mary Lynne Gibbs of Keller Williams Lake Travis, Rough Hollow’s huge Fourth of July parade with its procession of convertibles, fireworks and waving flags brings back fond memories of living in a patriotic small town when she was young and her father, retired from the Air Force, ran the old Lakeway country store. The parade showcases over 100 floats, and Rachel Willis, the first REALTOR in all of Lakeway, joins the procession in a golf cart. “Events like the Fourth of July parade at Rough Hollow bring people together with a sense of community,” said Gibbs. “With Rough Hollow, you’ve got access to the small town feel and big city living, if you choose it.” Within all of the master-planned communities in Austin, choices abound. Buyers can choose from custom and semicustom homes by several builder/developers, each developing their own sections of the neighborhood, resulting in a variety of building
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styles, floor plans, lot sizes, and landscaping styles and pricing options. Most communities are eager to build lasting relationships with REALTORS and host multiple events to help agents get to know the developments—for instance, Teravista’s “9 and Wine”, a wine tasting and mixer for REALTORS held on the golf course. Get to know the master-planned communities in the Austin area, and you’ll be introducing your clients to more than their next home—you’re selling a complete lifestyle. RL
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P. O. Box 81366 • Austin, Texas 78708-1366 (512) 821-1900 www.myRealtyLine.com E-mail: info@myRealtyLine.com 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: Stacy Stroud, Linda McNabb, Naomi Bludworth Contributing Photographers: Doren L. Carver, Linda McNabb, Naomi Bludworth Columnists: Judith Bundschuh, Hank Smith, Kay DaSilva, Victoria Reviel, David Tandy, Vaike O’Grady, Marc Witmer, Cheryl Jenkins 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/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 1,100 members of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS® (WCAoR) 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® 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.
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Chad Goldwasser of Goldwasser Real Estate and Dee Shulz of Keller Williams Realty cross each other’s fingers that either one of them win the Mercedez-Benz and trip for Germany up for grabs at the ABoR Foundation’s Raffle event. Buy photo: RL_071211_C.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Wow, 10 years and counting! Patricia Wagner of DHI Mortgage celebrates NAHREP’s anniversary with Bonnie Barrera of Independence Title at Cool River Café.
Buy photo: RL_061211_I.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Laurie Nunnallee, Samantha Conkey and Rachel Templeton, all of Capital Title support the Capital Area Food Bank with Greg Cooper of Goldwasser Real Estate, right, Greg Cooper, front, and Matt Conkey at the Rock and Restock event. Buy photo: RL_070611_A.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Jay Pearce works on his short game during the WCAoR annual “Mad About Plaid” golf tournament.
Submitted Photo
The Welcome Party Continues t t o Sc
United Lending is excited to welcome Scott Dill to our team. Scott brings 12 years of mortgage lending experience that enables him to help clients obtain the best financing solutions in today’s complex lending environment. Welcome, Scott!
Meet the entire United Lending team online at UnitedLendingUSA.com Scott Dill,
LOAN ORIGINATOR
512-689-5342 scott.dill@unitedlendingusa.com www.scottdill.com
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July 2011
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
HigHland Homes
Realtor Rewards
2 or More Sales = Big Bonus!
sell one Home
sell TWo Homes
sell THRee Homes
Receive 3% commission on your first closing
Receive a 1% bonus on your Highland Homes Visa Reward Card in addition to your 3% commission!*
Receive a 2% bonus on your third and subsequent closings in addition to your 3% commission!*
New Program members will be mailed a Visa card, while existing members will have bonuses credited on their current card 10 to 14 business days after their second closing. Your Highland Homes Visa Reward Card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.
1
Belterra The Views From the $230s 512-432-0200
2
The Ranch at Brushy Creek
7
From the $600s 512-266-7117
From the $330s 512-310-7911
Crystal Falls
Commons at Rowe lane From the $150s
9
From the low $200s 512-260-8333 LAKE GEORGETOWN
Rocky Creek LIBERTY HILL
From the $330s 512-303-0112
Can I get a patent on this? Zane Parker of Apartment Deal finds a new use for the front load washing machine. He attended the VIP Grand Opening event at KB Home’s newest community at Parkside at Harris Branch.
arbor Place
8
From the $210s 512-260-2222 6
Buy photo: RL_070411_D.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
From the $250s 512-255-4454
Whitestone oaks
5
Belterra aspen Hills and mesa Verde Hills From the low $300s 183 512-301-9110
3
steiner Ranch
4
512-251-8900
35 29
29
29
95
GEORGETOWN 1460
TAYLOR
2243
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Whitestone Blvd.
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9 Commons Parkway
Road Gat tis School rimes A.W.G
Buy photo: RL_070811_C.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Rowe Lane
45
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45
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TO LL
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Kiffen Deleon, Michele Vanndstran and Erin Harrell, all of First American Title, learn all about Formula One racing and the potential boon to the economy. The Women’s Council of Realtors discussed the event at its monthly meeting at Cool River Café.
1
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AUSTIN Town Lake
Park way
Scenic Brook
290 1826
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71
1 290
130
TO LL
. Ben White Blvd Austin
ABIA Bergstrom
71
Int’l Airport
1 2
*All qualified sales must be original contracts written between January 1, 2011 and35December 31, 2011. For any Realtor incentive or bonus program offered by Highland Homes it is a condition of eligibility to receive payment that the Realtors not offer to rebate or contribute any portion of a bonus or a commission to a home buyer or any other person who is not a licensed Texas Realtor. The company has sole discretion in determining whether this eligibility requirement is met for each sale. We only recognize one Realtor name per sale. CREEDMOOR 45SE TO LL
Buy photo: RL_070911_E.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Becky Griner, Barbara Bittner and Jane Chopp, all of Coldwell Banker United REALTORS, get ready to enjoy lunch at the CRS quarterly luncheon at the Westwood Country Club.
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
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Excited about the new amenity center about to be built in the Rough Hollow community in Lakeway, Dave DeOme, Lakeway Mayor, developer Haythem Dawlett of Legend Communities and Steve Yetts of Crescent Resources show off the master plan. Submitted Photo
Mortgage professional Dina Schiaffs tries to “calk her way out” of the hot sun with Ben Morgan of Coldwell Banker United REALTORS at the Williamson County Association of REALTORS Habitat for Humanity building project.
Buy photo: RL_070711_G.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Congratulations to Alisa LeBlanc on her hard work in putting together the ABoR Foundation MercedesBenz Raffle event. She celebrated with her new fiancé Jason Stubbs. Buy photo: RL_070611_B.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Showing off her new pro golf flip flops is Regina Michael of M.E. Gene Johnson REALTORS. Regina knows how to take it easy during her warm up at the WCAoR annual golf tournament.
Buy photo: RL_071211_B.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
ROCKY CREEK
in Hill NOW OPEN Drees Drees’newesst newest community communityis isthe theultimate ultimate in Hill Country living…quiet, quiet,secluded, secluded, views miles heavilyCountry living... views forfor miles andand heavilytreed homesitesininone oneofofwest WestAustin’s Austin’most s most sought treed homesites sought afterafter locations. RockyCreek Creekisissure suretotobe be“The” “The” place placetotolive. live. locations. Rocky Reserve you homesite today! Reserve your homesite today! Call Today (512) 264-2444 Call Today, (512) 264-2444 Jon Blance cell (512) 947-3005 jblance@dreeshomes.com Mike TvinnereiM cell (512) 970-7701 mtvinnereim@dreeshomes.com
www.DreesHomes.com
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HBA of Greater Austin
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President’s Column By Hank Smith • 2011 President
Poll Shows Americans Still Place High Value on Home Ownership
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new poll shows that Americans still consider owning a home essential to the American dream. That message is one that local, state and national policy makers would be wise to keep in mind in the coming election season. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) commissioned the poll that reached two thousand likely voters, asking them about home ownership and housing policy. The results could not be clearer. Despite the ups and downs of the housing market (and whether or not they currently own a home), voters overwhelmingly indicated that they place a high value on homeownership as a core achievement in their lives. Of the poll respondents who are current home owners, 95 percent said they are happy with their decision to own a home. Almost three-quarters of respondents who do not now own a home said it is a goal of theirs to eventually buy one. Equally telling, voters rated the
importance of homeownership just as highly as the importance of being successful at their job or being able to pay for a family member’s education. The bottom line? Homeownership is still a central goal for most Americans. It’s an undeniably deep emotional attachment that politicians cannot ignore when trying to address budget issues by cutting housing incentives in the tax code (such as the mortgage interest deduction) or adding more regulations like strict tree preservation rules and energy code changes that increase home cost, affecting a family’s ability to qualify for a mortgage. Poll respondents also said they considered owning a home their best investment, more than their retirement savings program or stock market investments. Nearly 75 percent agreed that owning a home is worth facing the potential ups and downs of the market. Non-owners identified saving enough money for a down payment and closing costs as the number one barrier keeping them from homeownership, more than
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July 2011
uncertainty in the job market or concerns that the value of their home may drop below the purchase price. Yet several regulatory requirements could make that barrier even tougher for the typical American family to overcome in the future. Elected officials must put themselves in the shoes of the average American and see that excessive down payment requirements, a reduction in housing tax incentives and additional burdensome rules and regulations will keep homeownership out of reach for most first-time home buyers and many middle-class households. Many groups like the HBA work hard to educate elected officials about policies
that can negatively and positively affect housing. Another local group trying to make strides for housing affordability and home ownership is HousingWorks Austin. The HBA was among the 82 local leaders who took a tour of affordable housing in Austin last month hosted by HousingWorks Austin. The group is a non-profit organization trying to keep local homes affordable through research, education and public policy change. Policy makers would be wise to work with such groups to help keep the dream of homeownership alive and well. For more information about the HBA, visit AustinHomeBuilders.com Facebook and LinkedIn. RL
Buy photo: RL_071211_D.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
ABoR Chairman of the Board Judith Bundschuh and Laura Pagnozzi of Independence Title get ready for the big announcement of who will win the shiny new Mercedez-Benz and trip to Germany at the ABoR Foundation Mercedes Giveaway Raffle event.
Buy Photos + Find Events + View Archives
www.myRealtyLine.com
PRIMELENDING
GREAT RATES LOW FEES COMMUNICATION
CALL (512) 238-7888
Mark Hoffman Amanda Stewart Misty Lynch Sr. Loan Officer
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Candy Buzan
Max Leaman
Kim Nielsen
Amy Oehler
Branch Manager Sr. Loan Officer
Branch Manager Sr. Loan Officer
Sr. Loan Officer
Sr. Loan Officer
Trudy Savage
Mary Kennedy
Sr. Loan Officer
Sr. Loan Officer
Eiric Smith Jori Stern Sr. Loan Officer
17
Sr. Loan Officer
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Sherri Eckert
Sr. Loan Officer
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CALL NOW (512) 238-7888 810 Hester’s Crossing, STE 150 | Round Rock, Texas 78681 © 2011 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company (NMLS #: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in TX. Texas Regulated Loan License-license #7293. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. NMLS #: Buzan 179412, Leaman 151263, Nielsen 180307, Oehler 225339, Smith 176530, Savage 180854, Kennedy 179666, Driskell 180066, Clark 268025, Hoffman 171464, Stewart 292478, Lynch 280093, Pechal 178433, East 177149, Stern 177299, 176942 Eckert 357516.
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
Joy Stokes and Laura Rosales, both of Austin Title, take on “potty patrol” detail at the Williamson County Association of REALTORS 22nd annual “Mad About Plaid” Golf Tournament.
Buy photo: RL_070611_L.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Haythem Dawlett of Legend Communities and Philip Jalufka of Legacy International Resort Properties are pleased to see a good turnout at their ground breaking ceremony for Highland Village at the Rough Hollow master planned community. The new water-themed amenity center will offer a welcome center, village green, pavilions/ open-air market place, splash pad, rapid river water slide, children’s zero depth entry pool and grotto pool.
Buy photo: RL_070211_B.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
Jerry Hunter, right, tells Gareth Ellzey of Century 21 HSK and Associates that he has recently joined Goldwasser Real Estate. They were enjoying a social at Austin Title.
Buy photo: RL_071011_C.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
RATES ARE NEAR RECORD LOWS! Call me today to see if you pre-qualify for a lower interest rate and start saving money today! Buy photo: RL_071211_K.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Not too shabby! Cathy Coneway, ABoR Foundation Chair hands Bill Evans of Austin Real Pro’s a five-night stay in Cancun, Mexico. “Gracias mi amiga!”
MELISSA WATTS Mortgage Loan Originator
(512) 636-7957 mdwatts@dhimortgage.com NMLS #210593
Provided for informational purposes only. This is not a commitment to lend; not all borrowers and/or properties will qualify. DHI Mortgage Company, LTD, 12554 Riata Vista Circle, First Floor, Austin, TX 78727. NMLS #38686. For information on DHIM licensing and regulation, please visit www.dhimortgage.com/NationalDisclosure.html.
NMLS #14622 Buy photo: RL_061311_C.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
Laurie Nunnallee of First American Title joins Mark Ayersman and Mindy Trammell at The Ivy, where AYREP held a recent happy hour in South Austin.
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
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July 2011 Women’s Council of REALTORS®
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President’s Column By Cheryl Jenkins • 2011 President
austin
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
Upcoming WCR Events • August 4 – Waterfront White Linen Party and Basket Auction Abel’s on the Lake • September 7 – Networking and Referral Systems PMN Course • October 4 – Bras 4 A Cause Maggiano’s Italian Restaurant A portion of the proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Resource Center. Get your tickets now, this will be a SOLD OUT event.
Austin, What a Great Place to Live and Work
T
he Women’s Council of REALTORS has an enormous referral network. Many referrals come to WCR members from other WCR members, both from REALTORS and affiliates. Statistics show that the percentage of members who referred business to another member two or more times in the past year is 40 percent and the annual value of WCR-to-WCR commissions on average last year was $19,040. Having had personal experience with the power of the WCR Referral Network, I can bear witness that it works. As these buyer referrals move into the area, the question is often asked, why Austin? Of course, some are moving because of a job transfer or retiring and some are choosing Austin because of its family friendly atmosphere. Based on a 2010 study by Kiplinger Magazine, Austin is the number one “Best City for the Next Decade.” What does this mean for the real estate industry? It means that as REALTORS and real estate related businesses, we must be prepared to serve the
needs of our clients. We must stay on top of trends in a rapidly evolving marketplace and realize how industry involvement can give you the competitive edge. To support our local Women’s Council members, we are hosting the Networking and Referral Systems course on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Between networking and referrals are the relationships we build and manage. The goal of this course is to provide you with the information and tools needed to make the transition from a salesperson making cold calls to a professional, knowledgeable consultant with a steady stream of advocates and referrals. This course also counts as an elective for NAR’s Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) certification. This is FREE to all Austin WCR members. For non-member pricing please visit www. AustinWCR.org. Colin Powell once said “There is no secret to success; it is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” Let’s get prepared for more referrals coming to Austin. RL
Details at www.AustinWCR.org
Property Tours at www.myRealtyLine.com
Buy photo: RL_071211_J.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Well, it’s not a Mercedes, but we’ll take it! Marge and Warren Marshall of John Horton Realty are presented with a new flat screen TV by ABoR Foundation Chair Cathy Coneway of Stanberry and Associates.
Stronger Than Ever! Experienced lenders ready to assist you in meeting your financial goals!
Buy photo: RL_071411_E.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Having recently been named by the Austin Business Journal as one of Austin’s Top 25 Mortgage Producers for the fifth consecutive year and with the strong backing of an FDIC-insured billion dollar bank, Independent Bank Mortgage is proud to say that we are “stronger than ever!”
Excited about the new Lago Vista location, Independence Title Branch Manager Rita Parker, front left, cuts the ribbon with her ceremonial scissors while Chairman and CEO Jay Southworth holds the ribbon tight. Company representatives celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting with friends.
Today, Independent Bank Mortgage provides the same level of highly personalized customer service you are accustomed to thanks to a highly experienced staff of six loan officers, whose combined experience totals over 80 years of knowledge and expertise. If purchasing a home or refinancing an existing mortgage are part of your plans this year, contact us today and let our experience work for you!
3500 Jefferson, Suite 208 | Austin, TX 78731 | 512.617.3633 info@independent-bankmortgage.com | independent-bankmortgage.com
Submitted Photo
Realty Executives’ Michael Neuman and Roman Esparza award RE/MAX’s Kathy De La Cruz with the company’s Realty Round Up Grand Prize, a seven day trip to South Padre.
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Lisa Nauert of Avalar Real Estate and her husband Dan relax with friends and family at the Avalar Austin Summer Social at the Steiner Ranch Lake Club.
Buy photo: RL_071111_A.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Raising money for TREPAC is a full time job and Christy Gessler of RE/MAX Capital City and Avis Wukasch of Keller Williams Realty take their job seriously! The two sell cupcakes for the cause at the Williamson County Association of REALTORS June luncheon.
Buy photo: RL_070611_H.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Stacy Rider of Keller Williams Realty and Victoria Reviel, WCAoR president show off the sparkling wine to be served to participating golfers at the WCAoR annual golf tournament.
Buy photo: RL_071311_D.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
WheN you puRchaSe befoRe July 31, 2011
Win a Trip to Hyatt® Lost Pines Resort Register at any of our local communities for your chance to WIN an all expenses paid Golf and Spa getaway. E n T E R bE f oRE J uLy 2 2 , 2 011
taylormorrison.com/greatplace/austin Design options and savings may vary by community. See a Sales Associate for details. Limited time offer for qualified purchases between July 5, 2011 and July 31, 2011 on accepted to-be- built purchases. May not be combined with other offers. Offer for qualified customers utilizing Taylor Morrison Home Funding, LLC, TX License: #149227. Services not available in all states. Rates, terms and conditions offered are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to underwriting and loan qualification of the lender. Additional licensing or other details, including special financing incentives (as applicable), may be found at www.taylormorrison.com/finance. Maximum seller contribution not to exceed LTV/lender guidelines. Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. Visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional disclaimers. No purchase necessary to enter or win sweepstakes. Sweepstakes offered to legal residents of the United States and D.C., age 18 or over at time of entry. Prize valued at approximately $1,000. For complete sweepstakes rules, visit any Austin area Taylor Morrison community. © July, 2011, Taylor Morrison of Texas, Inc. Hyatt ® is a registered trademark and is not affiliated with a co-sponsor of or responsible for either the promotion or the sweepstakes. All rights reserved.
LY PECIAL JUHOME S
W NE
With 50% off design center options, you can be in a great place too.
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
Director ‘s Column By Kay DaSilva • 2011 Director
WCAoR President Victorial Reviel visits with Michelle Jones of Realty Austin about her new REALTOR safety app for iPhone and Android called Real Alert. The two caught up at the WCAoR June Luncheon on REALTOR Safety.
Buy photo: RL_071311_C.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Sandra Titus of Highland Lakes Real Estate congratulates Ann Carson and Jay Southworth, both of Independence Title, on the opening of the company’s Lago Vista location.
Buy photo: RL_071411_C.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
I
Tips on Selling Quality of Life in Austin, Texas
am so blessed to be able to boast that I am a native Austinite. I was born at Seton hospital and raised a University of Texas Longhorn. I truly love Austin and therefore, truly love to sell Austin. One of the best parts of my career is getting to introduce people our beautiful city and help them as they relocate to my hometown. One of my favorite real estate experiences was when I was working with a company to relocate their employees to Austin. The president of the company told me there was one key guy he absolutely had to have here. My challenge was that the key employee’s wife was a “California girl” and was very opposed to the move. Early in their first trip to look at homes, I took them out to Johnny Finn’s (the floating restaurant on Lake Travis) for lunch. She fell in love with the area lakes. Long story short, she fell in love with Austin. They accepted the job and made the move. A few years later, he moved back to California but she stayed here. It seems that once anyone experiences Austin, they want to live here. In fact, Austin ranks high in almost every top ten list for desirable places to live. We boast top ranking in such diverse categories as “Best Place for
Business and Careers” and “Live Music Capital of the World” to “Best City for Relocating Families” and “Best Cities for Singles.” Austin has earned a reputation as one of the best places to live in the nation. Some of the reasons quoted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce are: • Affordable and diverse neighborhoods, from urban lofts to hill country estates • A great climate made for outdoor enjoyment and recreation nearly year round • Many professional and amateur sports venues and events • More fine restaurants and clubs per capita than any other U.S. city • A lush environment highlighted by parks, lakes and trails • A creative culture that supports the arts, music and the theater • Year-round festivals and celebrations for people of all ages • Some of the nation’s highest rated public school districts Austin is home to a wonderfully diverse, educated and friendly population so most of us ask ourselves, “what’s not to love, besides the summertime heat?” RL
Superior Service ~ Backed by Local Top Producers ~ You’ve Come To Rely On. Starkey Mortgage (WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP) is an independently owned correspondent mortgage bank specializing in conventional and government home loans. In-house processing, underwriting and funding
Buy photo: RL_071511_G.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
allow us to simplify and expedite the approval process.
Luckiest REALTOR of the year Melanie Kennemann of Keller Williams Realty claims her big prize. She was the big winner of the Mercedez-Benz and trip to Germany in the ABoR Foundation 2011 Raffle.
Janet Widmer
Loan Officer / NMLSR # 232054 512-619-9050 jwidmer@starkeymtg.com 807 Las Cimas Parkway Suite 150 Austin, Texas 78746 www.StarkeyMortgage.com WR Starkey Mortgage, LLP NMLSR #2146. This is not a guarantee of financing. All borrowers must meet certain underwriting guidelines and credit criteria. Rules and Regulations may apply.
Buy photo: RL_061211_F.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Stephanie Powell of Champion School of Real Estate, Joe Stewart of Joe Stewart REALTORS and Debra Waldman of the Texas Association of REALTORS get together to help celebrate the NAHREP’s 10th Anniversary.
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July 2011
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GRAND HAVEN HOMES
Realtors,
Reward Yourself with Grand Haven Homes’
Gr and Rewards
3%
Sell ONE Home
Receive 3% commission on your first closing.
4%
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Receive a 1% bonus on your Grand Haven Homes Visa Rewards Card in addition to your 3% commission!*
Receive a 2% bonus on your third and subsequent closings in addition to your 3% commission!*
Relocation Reimbursement Progr am Grand Haven Homes will reimburse agents up to 30% of the standard 3% commission. Cannot be combined with other offers. See a Grand Haven Homes sales professional for details.
Our Communities: • Rough Hollow • Silver Oak
Visit us online at www.GrandHavenHomes.net • Avalon • Paloma Lake
• Behrens Ranch • Mayfield Ranch
• Cap Rock at Crystal Falls • Ranch at Brushy Creek
* Must hold an active license with TREC in order to qualify for Grand Rewards. Bonuses and commissions considered earned when homes close and fund. Program members will receive bonuses on the Grand Rewards Visa gift card after closing. Your Grand Rewards card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. See Sales Professional for details. We reserve the right to modify specifications, prices and/or plans without notice or prior obligation. All square footages are approximate. All renderings are artist’s concept. Consult sales professional for further details.
July 2011
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TREC board member Bill Jones, third from right, thanks CRS board members Les Sherman of Austin Real Estate Partners, Hellena Frazier of JB Goodwin REALTORS, Kay DaSilva of Avalar Austin, Risé Johns and Sherri Teepen, both of Keller Williams Realty, for inviting him to speak to the group. Buy photo: RL_070911_M.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Jim Smith of the Property Management Co., Robert Wright of Robert Wright REALTORS and Terry Godbold of Reliable Property Management stick around to talk with Earl Hairston of the Austin Board of REALTORS after the ABoR Leadership Academy Graduation. Buy photo: RL_070511_W.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Laura Rosales, past NAPMW president welcomes incoming NAPMW President Michelle Goldberg at the group’s annual installation dinner. The event was held at Maggiano’s at the Domain. Buy photo: RL_070711_A.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Leisa Ormsbee of JB Goodwin REALTORS tries her best to get more paint on the house than herself. She signed up to help at the Williamson County Association of REALTORS Habitat for Humanity building project.
Buy photo: RL_061611_F.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
One-Time Close Construction Loans
So You’re Building a Home (Congratulations!) If you decided the only home worthy of your welcome mat is one you build yourself, ViewPoint Mortgage is ready to assist you in financing your dream home!
Consult your loan officer for current rates and terms and conditions. Normal credit standards apply. 10/20/10
11130 Jollyville Road, Suite 302 Austin, Texas 78759-4819 512-323-0224
512-694-8178
Ben Morton Vice President, Loan Officer
512-689-2564
doug.scott@ViewPointMortgage.com
Dierk McWilliams Vice President, Loan Officer
ben.morton@ViewPointMortgage.com
dierk.mcwilliams@ViewPointMortgage.com
CONTACT YOUR VIEWPOINT MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL TODAY FOR MORE DETAILS.
Doug Scott Senior Vice President, Area Manager
512-971-2233
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Affordable Home Protection Services 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 S t a c y S t r o u d
A
ffordable Home Protection Services provides home warranties and repair services throughout the state. The company originated in 2007 and has been headquartered in Austin since 2009. AHPS proudly maintains an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau, and is locally owned. With a skilled team of in-house technicians, their own service vans and complete control over work schedules, AHPS can focus on prompt response times and superior customer service. AHPS goes above and beyond for agents and their clients. Real estate agents, brokers, and escrow officers can place an order for a buyer’s warranty or a free 180-day seller’s warranty. For buyers, AHPS offers a service unique to the market: during the 10-day option period, the buyer can e-mail their inspection report to AHPS, and within 24-hours receive an itemized bid for all of the repairs needed. This free service gives the buyer and seller a third party pricing that they can use to negotiate repair escrow and close their deal. “I’ve been involved in hundreds of transactions,” said Bruce Craig, General Manager. “So I know the frustration that REALTORS deal with when negotiating repairs. This service makes the process painless for both the buyer and their agent.” In an industry rife with smoke and mirrors, AHPS prides itself on straightforward,
5%
honest service and a very competitive product offering. Only one local call is needed to take care of customers’ needs; there are no long hold times, no routing to a call center and no waiting all day for a call back. “We live here too, so we understand and respond to the unique needs of our Central Texas customers,” said Laquita King, Sales Manager. In other words, if an air conditioner goes out, AHPS understands that triple-digit heat with no A/C constitutes an emergency and requires a prompt response. AHPS’s service includes features that surpass the offerings of most home warranty companies, such as re-key and roof leak repair. Even the standard service plan (starting at $350) includes organic pest control, and all plans include the option to pay monthly instead of a flat fee. All service plans offer a 13-month warranty for the price of 12 months, plus free seller’s coverage that’s actually free. AHPS owns and operates Affordable Air Conditioning and Plumbing to help customers insure the safety, reliability, performance and efficiency of their appliances. Air conditioning and heating systems need to be tuned up and professionally cleaned at least once per year to insure safe operation and to run efficiently to cool and heat the home. Proper maintenance helps prevent breakdowns which means less inconvenience to families. As a policy, AHPS is environmentally
Garden Homes from the $160’s 512-215-3424 Larry Carter 512-633-1007 11400 West Parmer Lane, Cedar Park
Garden Homes from the $180’s 512-804-2605 • Susan Brubaker 512-577-0465 7233 Manchaca Rd., South Austin
Townhomes from the $130’s Lisa Sherwood 512-630-5755 11249 Lost Maples Trail, South Austin
...will replace your cli-
ent’s A/C system, water heater or any other appliance with ENERGY STAR and high-efficiency 13 SEER-rated products at no extra charge. warranty provides protection to all parties involved in the sale and peace of mind for both the buyer and the seller, as well as the agent and broker. It promotes the seller’s property and protects them from potential service issues. After going through a closing, no one wants to spend hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars repairing or replacing appliances. Your buyer, knowing that there is a home warranty in place, is more confident to go through with the transaction. Inspiring confidence and trust is at the core of AHPS’s business, and buyers who purchase an AHPS home warranty can be assured that their investment is protected and that they can count on convenient coverage for their appliances for a safer, more efficient and comfortable home. RL
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a nd a h ands- o n e xperience
f or y ou and y our c lients. Now more than ever, MileStone offers a personal touch sure to impress you and your clients. Every time you bring a new client to see a MileStone Community, you’ll each receive a gift card for a relaxing massage at Massage Envy. Helping your clients find the perfect home in the perfect community never felt better. So what are you waiting for? Visit a MileStone Community TODAY!
30 Invent+ Homeory to Clo s 90 Dase in ys
The Pinnacle Collection
Greenbelt Homes from the $200’s 512-264-0900 Mark Lee 512-567-3669 5200 Cypress Ranch Blvd, Spicewood
www.MyMileStone.com
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conscious and continually adds new green offerings. An AHPS home warranty will replace your client’s A/C system, water heater or any other appliance with ENERGY STAR and high-efficiency 13 SEER-rated products at no extra charge. Not only are ENERGY STAR products 20 to 30 percent more efficient than traditional appliances (for instance, if your client’s water heater goes out, AHPS will replace it with a tankless, on-demand water heater—up to a $2,000 value and $50 per month in energy savings), but homeowners can also apply for the city rebates and tax credits, potentially making money on their appliance replacement. For every warranty contract sold, the company makes a donation to a nonprofit organization whose goal is to help save the planet. AHPS is dedicated to educating agents and their buyers. Essentially, a home warranty is a residential service contract for one year that covers service or replacement to the major operating systems and appliances in the home that fail due to normal wear and tear. The company regularly offers free on-demand Home Warranty 101 classes to REALTORS at the time and place most convenient to the agent. These on-demand classes (breakfast or lunch included) train agents on the specifics of what a home warranty is and how it can benefit buyers and sellers. While it isn’t an insurance policy, a home
On all 30+ milestone inventory homes
Townhomes from the $130’s 512-215-5220 Kyle Duran 512-658-0266 • Carrie Cass 512-300-8992 1900 Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park
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5% available only on inventory homes; must close within 30 days. One massage offer per qualified customer, please. Other restrictions apply. See sales consultant for details.
Free Massage at Massage Envy
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Nat’l Assoc. of Residential Prop. Mgrs.
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
Director ‘s Column By Marc Witmer • 2011 Chapter President
JB Goodwin REALTORS’ Crystal College and her new husband Sam kick back and enjoy the Barbeque at the annual company picnic.
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Austin NARPM Chapter Raises over $2000 for Habitat For Humanity
n May, the Austin Chapter had a Bowl-AThon to raise money for the Austin Area Habitat for Humanity. The members and affiliates formed teams and solicited their owners and clients for donations. The event was not only fun, but a great way to raise a large donation for Habitat. In addition, the Austin Chapter also put their shoulders to the wheel of community involvement by participating in a work day for Habitat. Several members and affiliates gathered on June 11 to put siding onto a home and paint the exterior in 100 plus degree summer weather. The Austin Chapter will be going back to the same property later in the fall to replace the roof as well on a follow-up work day. After the fundraiser and
Submitted Photo
Karen Parker of Mike Parker and Company and David Tandy of Gracy Title keep up their energy with a boxed lunch at the Williamson County Association of REALTORS 22nd Annual “Mad About Plaid” Golf Tournament.
the workday, board members Marc Witmer and Leola Lamb went to the Habitat headquarters and were given a tour by the full time staff. The checks for the accumulated amount of $2173.68 were presented to the work day group leaders. The Austin Chapter donates money every year to some charity, but this year, we wanted to do something special for the community. Time and interaction is priceless in our busy lives, and getting to personally help someone is rewarding for the “giver” as much as the “receiver.” The crew leader commented that the NARPM volunteers were very good workers and required much less training. As property managers, fixing things on properties is what we do. RL
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RELIABLE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC. 512-732-8388
1-877-776-1444 Toll Free
512-327-3283 Fax
Arboretum Branch 9442 N. Capital of TX Hwy, Blg 1, Ste 650
We specialize in REALTOR referrals
(512) 450-1222 Steve Builta Martin Ochs Branch Manager Mortgage Planner
When a Realtor refers an investor to Reliable Property Management we will pay a referral fee equal to 3 months management fee or $300, whichever is more. We designed a custom property management system to effectively track all details of the investment and, we keep the referring Realtor informed. The referring Realtor can list the property when the investor sells.
Property Management is the most litigious area of Real Estate With the Texas Real Estate Commission changing, as Broker or a Realtor: 1. Do you know all of the landlord/tenant laws as stated in the Texas Property Code (TPC)? 2. Do you have a consistent screening policy that meets all legal obligations? 3. Do you have the time to perform a thorough, written moveout survey and a detailed deposit settlement as detailed in the TPC? 4. Can you effectively confront and negotiate with tenants and enforce the terms of the rental agreement? 5. Do you know how to handle HOA violations, broken leases, abandoned property, evictions and collections? 6. Do you have the appropriate insurance (E&O and liability) for not only your company but your investor? 7. Do you have reliable and insured vendors? WE RELIEVE YOU OF THE DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES IN ORDER THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE TO BE A SUCCESSFUL REALTOR/BROKER.
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Terry Godbold MPM® RMP® ARM® GRI® TRLP® www.LandlordAustin.com ReliableTeamHomes.com
Kat Carter Mortgage Banker
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Lisa Forte Loan Officer
Lynn Edgar Mortgage Consultant
Kimberly Altier Rosemary Jennings Sr. Loan Officer Loan Officer Westlake Branch 950 Westbank Drive, Suite 104
(512) 615-6499 Bradley Rife Cindy Fenley Branch Manager Senior Loan Originator
Hometrust Mortgage Company
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Best Served Chilled. Rough Hollow, the 1,787-acre lakefront community located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, is redefining the word rough. Here, that word means lake living, resort-caliber amenities and thoughtfully crafted homes by awardwinning builders. It also means cocktails at The Grille overlooking Lake Travis. Stop by the Welcome Center to tour our models, view renderings of our new Highland Village water-themed amenity now under construction and find out for yourself why our residents love The Rough Life.
Homes from the $280’s
Custom Homes from the $600’s
Lakefront Villas from the $500’s
Lifestyle Included
www.roughhollowlakeway.com 512.617.1776 Developed by Legend Communities in partnership with Crescent Resources. Exclusively marketed by Legacy International Resort Properties. Obtain the Property Report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits of value, if any, of this property.
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Event sponsor Leslie Cantu of TREPAC and AYREP’s marketing chair Brandon Alderete of TAR have fun in the photo booth at AYREP’s mixer at The Park at the Domain.
Buy photo: RL_070311_A.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
Vicki Garritano tells Tina Mallach of Keller Williams Realty that she recently joined the Austin Title team. They were on hand at the title company’s Spicewood Springs office to see the new corporate video that includes firsthand comments about why it’s a great place to work.
Buy photo: RL_061611_L.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com Buy photo: RL_070211_I.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
Michelle Goldberg, incoming NAPMW president, makes her acceptance speech at the installation dinner.
Service Second to None
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CALL TODAY!
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August Power Lunch Thursday, August 11th 12 Noon – 1PM
Service Second to None
Great service is about exceeding expectations. But if you don’t know what your clients want from you, how can you take it to the next level? In this seminar, you’ll learn what to ask, how to ask and when to ask — so you can stay ahead of your client’s expectations. You’ll also learn to identify those clients for whom you are not a match, so you can protect your reputation.
For more information on any of our Power Sessions and to register visit:
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www.SenteMortgage.com
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• Order the day you take the • Free yard sign to let listing to ensure immediate potential buyers know the protection for your clients home is covered by AHPS Home Warranty • Home with home warranties increase their sales price up • Make sure and advertise to 3% on average. “AHPS Home Warranty Included” in your MLS listing. • Sellers coverage can help avoid closing delays should a system or appliance failure occur
Register today for Sente’s
Click on Real Estate Power Lunches at the bottom of our homepage or call 512-637-9900
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Commentary By David Tandy • Gracy Title
Mobile Apps for Real Estate
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he world of Mobile Apps in Austin got a strong endorsement last month when the Isis joint venture named Austin as the second city that will pilot its mobile commerce mobile wallet. The Isis joint venture, comprised of Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile was formed to create a service to help them capture more of the growing mobile payment market, which was $5.2 billion in 2009 and is predicted to be $56.7 billion by the year 2015. The Isis Joint venture was attracted to Austin because 24.7 percent of its population is between the ages of 25 and 34 and residents under 18 years of age represent 22.2 percent of the population. Of even greater interest to them as that the 2009 census estimate showed 43.9 percent of the population has a bachelor’s degree which is high considering 22.2 percent of the population is too young for college. So, in keeping with Austin’s high tech and early adopter demographics, here’s a review of the latest apps being used by agents. Real Alert It – Real Alert It includes an
alarm that sounds off with the tap of a finger and two taps will automatically call 911. Another button maps out nearby hospitals and gives you directions to the closest one. Michelle Jones, local Austin REALTOR and her husband created this App to help create a safety solution for real estate agents showing homes in situations where they have concerns. Keynote for the iPad – Keynote, Apple’s version of PowerPoint, has been completely redesigned for the iPad. It makes creating effective presentations, complete with animated charts and transitions as simple as touching and tapping. This is a great solution for listing presentations. Open Home Pro – This iPad app makes old-fashioned open house sign-in sheets a thing of the past. You or your prospect can easily input their name, e-mail address and home details they are interested in, and Open Home Pro automatically saves the data. The app will also automatically e-mail thank you notes and send any replies to your e-mail. Evernote – Evernote helps you remember
www.myRealtyLine.com anything and everything that happens in your daily life. Notes, ideas, snapshots, recordings – put them all into Evernote and instantly access them from your phone or computer. Every note can sync with PCs, phones and iPads. Lowes REALTOR – A benefit of NAR, this program is free from www. LowesREALTORBenefits.com and allows REALTORS to send free direct mail or email campaigns with 10 percent off coupons to clients with their firm and headshot branding. iQualify Pro – This app can help you quickly find out how much house your clients can afford. Based on your client’s income information, loan information and your preferred lender requirements, iQualify Pro will calculate the maximum loan amount and purchase price. Net Sheet Apps – There are several apps available that allow agents to create a seller’s or buyer’s net sheet showing the projected net proceeds of a transaction. The results can be emailed to the client. AroundMe – AroundMe identifies your current location and shows you what businesses are around you. This app is great for introducing a client to a potential new neighborhood. Users can also call up any spot that is found through the search function or save the contact information for later use. Transaction Management Systems –
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This app allows you to access your real estate transaction information processed by a title company. You and your clients can view and e-mail documents, check file status, review transaction details and communicate directly with other transaction parties anywhere. Scanner Pro – Scanner Pro from Readdle lets you scan and store multi-page documents (such as contracts, inspection reports and more) with your iPhone and email or upload to Dropbox. It even integrates with Evernote. Dropbox – This app lets you bring your photos, documents and videos anywhere. Started working on a listing package at the office but want to finish it at home? Save it to Dropbox and it will automatically be accessible from wherever you are. Crime Reports – This real-time app allows you to search the National Crime Map for information about crimes near a specific home, school or neighborhood, sorted by incident type and customizable date range. Sketches/Sketches 2 – This app enables you to take a photo, of a property for example, then mark it up (add arrows and notes) write on the photo and send it to your clients. Suburb Scout – Suburb Scout allows you to search for possible nuisances in the area of a potential home purchase. Includes sewage plants, airports, nuclear plants, landfills, prisons and railroad crossings. RL
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JB Goodwin REALTORS’ most seasoned agent Wanda Stewart helps herself to the first spoonful of the company’s famous 30 foot banana split at the annual company picnic.
Submitted Photo
Allison Ullrich, second from left, and Kheili Hiller of The Kucera Companies, learn about internet marketing from Geoff Frink, left, and John Sturdivant, second from right, at the AYREP happy hour at The Ivy.
Buy photo: RL_061311_J.jpg at www.myRealtyLine.com
Sarah Brennan of 98th Meridian and Celia Roberts of Coldwell Banker United REALTORS show everyone how it’s done as they cut up trim for the exterior of this Habitat home during the Williamson County Association of REALTORS Habitat for Humanity building project.
Buy photo: RL_071111_D.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com Buy photo: RL_070711_F.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
SWBC welcomes back... Kathleen Condry A seasoned mortgage veteran with 13 years of experience and a commitment to excellent service.
kcondry@swbc.com 512-658-7436
The Komm Team Linda Komm, VP
Rhona Bogie
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866-766-5252 512-531-1800 swbcmortgage.com Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Construction, HELOC
Isn’t he just the cutest? Kay DaSilva of Avalar Austin is all smiles as she shows off grandson Ryan at the company’s Summer Social at the Steiner Ranch Lake Club.
Putting a Face on Real Estate since11995.™ ITCgtown070611.pdf 7/6/11
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Independence Title Georgetown/Liberty Hill Sharon Kennedy, CESA Georgetown Escrow Officer
Georgetown Office 1103 Rivery Blvd. Bldg. 1, #110 Georgetown, TX
You need an answer. And it’s a really hard question. Keep Independence Title on speed dial. All better.
Georgetown Phone 512/931-2126
Kandy Nichols Georgetown Escrow Officer
We look forward to taking a special interest in you and your business.
Wende Wood, CESA Georgetown Escrow Officer
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You need to impress your client with your detailed knowledge of Central Texas: features, attractions, schools, taxing authorities, etc. www.IndependenceTitle.com Enough said.
Liberty Hill Office 101 Jonathan Dr. Suite 2 Liberty Hill, TX
Locally Owned Locally Operated
"Knowledgeable, efficient, and providing simply the BEST customer service." – Janie Hunter Austin Homes Realty
Jacque Smith Business Development
Austin Business Journal’s Number 1 Title Company
Dusti Herman
Liberty Hill Branch Manager Escrow Officer
Liberty Hill Phone 512/515-0110
We live here, work here and invest here.
Independence Title Explore
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Alyssa King, Frank Ortega and Vanessa Nunez, all of VOX Real Estate get a bite to eat at KB Home’s VIP Grand Opening event at its newest community at Parkside at Harris Branch.
Buy photo: RL_070411_C.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Ryan Rogers of Coldwell Banker United REALTORS and Kaye Byland Blount of Moreland Properties catch up at the Ground Breaking of Highland Village at the Rough Hollow master planned community in Lakeway. Highland Village is a new waterthemed amenity center. Buy photo: RL_070911_I.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Buy photo: RL_071011_A.JPG at www.myRealtyLine.com
Stuffed with food and loaded with information, Bill Morris of RE/MAX Capital City gets ready to head out the door after listening to a government update at the CRS Quarterly Meeting given by TREC board member Bill Jones.
Winner! congratulations to
Melanie Keeneman
thank you sponsors! Mercedes Raffle
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2011-2012 ABoR Foundation Directors
Cathy Coneway, Chairman, Carol Parker, Laura Pagnozzi, Dee Shultz, Susan Horton, Leonard Guerrero, & Carol Dochen
All proceeds from this raffle will benefit the abor foundation – a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization that distributes scholarships to Central Texas area graduating High School Seniors.
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community you live in, it’s difficult to have a good quality of life if you’re not happy with By Vaike O’Grady • Newland Communities your home or builder. Therefore, it’s critical for MPC developers to do their due diligence and select homebuilders based on customer service, construction quality and financial stability. Beyond that, developers often work closely with builders to fine-tune the floor plans, features and pricing they offer. Amenities. This is the area where developers have the chance to make the most direct impact on quality of life. Some developers have a winning strategy of completing major amenities early in the life of an MPC, so the first buyers have immediate and tangible evidence of the quality of life they can expect. So before we talk about how to sell quality Depending on the project specifics, amenities of life, let’s first dissect what it really means, like golf courses, water parks, community along with how to identify it when you see it. centers and greenbelt trails enhance quality of Sticking to the most common buyer profile – life by providing recreation and visual beauty. the buyer seeking a new home in a suburban Peace of mind. This is another intangible development – how is quality of life defined? but very real ingredient in quality of life – and We can turn to marketing research for answers. it’s also a major advantage offered by MPCs. Schools. Ask 10 homebuyers, and the It’s hard to relax and enjoy your new home if vast majority of them will say schools are a you’re worried about potentially incompatible top priority, even if they don’t currently have development in the future. A detailed master school-age children. Public education is so plan – especially from a developer with a long central to the lives of most people, it’s in some track record – helps eliminate a lot of anxiety. ways the most fundamental building block for Connectedness. Most of us yearn to be quality of life. For MPCs, the first important part of something greater, and in fact that’s decision is the developer’s decision to locate the project within a strong school district, followed by the decision to identify potential school sites in the master plan. While developers have little control over a district’s decisions + of where to locate new campuses or how to draw attendance zones, smart developers work closely with districts to facilitate the location of campuses within their MPCs. Builders. No matter how great the
Before Selling “Quality of Life” You Must First Create It
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n the context of new homes and communities, “quality of life” can mean different things to different people. For some, there’s no better quality of life than living in a high-rise or condo that offers incredible views and zero maintenance. For others, quality of life might boil down to a very closein location near downtown, or isolated country acreage at the other extreme. For the vast majority of the new-home market, however, “quality of life” is most closely associated with the range of amenities and protections that can best be provided by largescale master-planned communities (MPCs). This doesn’t just include the traditional profile of families with young children, as today’s MPCs appeal to a broad range of buyers, from young professionals to empty nesters. If an MPC has the right mix of ingredients, then quality of life virtually sells itself. But like the term “custom home” “quality of life” is one of those marketing catch-phrases that has been ballyhooed and tossed around to the point it has almost lost its meaning.
the very essence of community. Smart MPC developers help to jump start community spirit not only with physical amenities where residents can come together, but also through neighborhood networks (aka Intranets). More ingredients include community activities directors and seasonal events residents can look forward to. Selling it. Now that we’ve identified a few key ingredients in quality of life, how do you sell it? Community information centers are one of the most obvious ways in which developers strive to sell quality of life, whether they are traditional information centers or innovations like outdoor information centers. Bringing all or most of the builder models together in a centralized model home village also helps sell quality of life through a coordinated presentation. Virtually every other component of the marketing mix can be used to sell quality of life, from on-site signage and advertising, to website and social media outreach. Finally, one of the most important ways to sell quality of life is to keep REALTORS informed. Homebuyers overwhelmingly look to REALTORS for advice on their most important purchase and the way to keep REALTORS knowledgeable on your product is through honest, ongoing communication, as well as recognition and appreciation for their hard work. RL
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Real Estate News & Notes Falcon Pointe Groundbreaking is for the Dogs Breaking ground for a new park that will include the City of Pflugerville’s first public dog park, the Newland Communities team turned out with their four-legged family members to launch development of Falcon Pointe Bark Park and Gardens. Located in Newland Communities’ Falcon Pointe master-planned community, the new 2.5acre city park will feature separate areas for small and large dogs, a community peach orchard, demonstration gardens and a purple martin village. Newland Communities’ Vice President and General Manager Bill Meyer showed up with Bocephus, a French bulldog; Marketing Director Vaike O’Grady with Lea, a Chinese Crested; and Senior Project Manager
Rainer Ficken with Gerty, an English Mastiff. More information on Falcon Pointe Bark Park and the adjacent gardens is available at www.falconpointetx.com. RL
Flashback to the 80s at the 30th Annual Realty Round Up Exhibit Space Available for Annual Real Estate Tradeshow Take your business to the next level at the Austin Board of REALTORS’ (ABoR) annual trade show, Realty Round Up. The event is set for Wednesday, Oct. 26 at the Austin Convention Center, located at 500 East Cesar Chavez Street. As the largest real estate-oriented tradeshow in Central Texas, Realty Round Up provides businesses and individuals with a unique opportunity to market their products and services directly to real estate professionals. With booth prices starting as low as $400, exhibiting at Realty Round Up is a costeffective way for you to reach your target audience. To receive the best price for your exhibit space, sign up by June 30. After June 30, prices will increase by $75. Booth space is assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Ensure you get your booth of choice by reserving your spot today. In addition to the available exhibit space,
partnership and advertising opportunities can help you take your Realty Round Up experience to the next level. Partnership opportunities range from $300 to $2,500. This year’s event program has been revamped and will feature exhibitor information, highlight education offerings and more. The event program also contains a limited number of advertising spaces. Costing $250 each, there are only 30 advertisement spaces available within the program. Ready to take action? Visit www.abor. com/roundup for show details, including which booths are available. You will find the Exhibitor Prospectus and contract on the website, as well as partnership and advertiser information in the “Forms & FAQ” Section. Contact Gina Willemsen, Trade Show Coordinator, by phone at 454-7636 ext. 1601 or by e-mail at roundup@abor.com for more information. RL
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NAHREP President Oliva Lerma collects all her notes to highlight the group’s special guest at the 10th Anniversary Celebration at Cool River Café.
Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS Congratulates MillionDollar-A-Month Members The Lake Travis office of Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® would like to congratulate our Million-Dollar-A-Month Club Members for the month of May 2011: • Sue Ellett: $1,377,000 in Listings Taken • Jacquelyn Foreman : $1,508,000 Business Written and $1,065,650 Business Closed
• Dawn McKim-Garcia: $1,025,000 Business Written • Tammy Templin: $1,085,000 in Listings Taken To qualify for this distinction, the agent must transact an excess of $1,000,000 in one or more of the following categories: Listings Taken, Business Written, or Business Closed. RL
RE/MAX Austin Skyline Welcomes Jeanne Butterfield RE/MAX Austin Skyline is pleased to announce the association of industry veteran Jeanne Butterfield, ABR, CRS, GRI. Jeanne is currently a Director with the Texas Association of REALTORS (TAR) and
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Austin Board of REALTORS Interim CEO Benny McMahan congratulates Terry Godbold of Reliable Property Management for completing the ABoR Leadership Academy.
the Austin Board of REALTORS (ABoR) and is a former President of the Women’s Council of REALTORS (WCR). RL
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Lynda Conway and Bettye Turner, both of the Turner Team at JB Goodwin REALTORS wait patiently at the CRS Quarterly Meeting to hear a government affairs update from TREC board member Bill Jones.
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
RL austin
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
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July 2011
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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™
RL austin
TM
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
www.myRealtyLine.com
July 2011
36
Lakeway Mayor Dave DeOme, Steve Yetts of Crescent Resources, Philip Jalufka of Legacy International Resort Properties, Haythem Dawlett of Legend Communities, Judd Brook of Rough Hollow and Larry Claybough Rough Hollow celebrate the ground breaking of Highland Village, a new water-themed amenity center in the Rough Hollow community in Lakeway.
Submitted Photo
JB Goodwin REALTORS enjoy a company picnic together by the lake. Pictured are Allison Eklund, David Huffaker, Andrea Griffin (and guest) and Shyla Hankinson (and guest).
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Mary Miner of Nextage Lincoln Ray Realty slaps on a fresh coat of paint to a home for Habitat for Humanity. WCAoR put a group of members to work for the charity in Round Rock.