DON'T BUY THE MOST EXPENSIVE HOME IN A NEIGHBORHOOD

Have you heard this one before? It's true. Lower valued homes can pull down the prices and higher priced homes can pull them up. If you have the nicest home in an area, all the others will pull down your homes value. If you're somewhere in the middle, the nicer properties will pull yours up. Buyer's tend to prefer a moderate home in a nicer neighborhood than a high-quality home in a lesser-quality neighborhood.

FOR A FREE COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS ON YOUR AUSTIN AREA HOME, CALL ROBIN AT 512.589.7988 OR EMAIL:robin@robinscottrealtor.com

Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.
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AUSTIN INTERIOR DECORATOR

If you're looking for an interior decorator for consulting, shopping or remodeling Molly Scott is the one to call. Visit her Web site at http://www.mollyinteriors.com



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ADVICE ON SELLING A HOME

In Austin, Texas there are too many homes on the market which look good for a buyer to consider a home that is not move-in ready. Unless you are looking for an investor, your home must appeal to a buyer as a place he/she wants to live. It also must appeal to the REALTOR® who is looking at the photos in MLS and deciding which homes to show.

As a REALTOR®, I scrutinize those photos. It's hot out there and gas is expensive. I don't want to waste my buyers time or mine looking at homes that don't cut it. Clean, repair, remove and stage! And clean again.

P.S. No longer will a carpet allowance do. Replace them.

3/2.5/2 HOUSE FOR LEASE - AVAILABLE DEC.1

$1095/month. Cozy Milwood home in great family neighborhood, close to blue ribbon Pond Springs Elementry, park and pool. This house has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and some special features which provide character such as tile in entry & kitchen, curved walls, plant shelves, fireplace, cathedral ceiling and a deck in the back yard. 1400 sq.ft. RRISD. A must see! Call Robin/owner agent at 512-589-7988 or emailrobin@robinscottrealtor.com

TOP 10 REASONS AUSTIN RANKS AS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

October 2007

1st among US cities in 4th Annual Mayors Challenge by Management Magazine

2nd among Top 10 Big Cities by cnn.money.com, 2006

3rd of America’s Most Innovative Cities by the Wall Street Journal

4th Best city in Overall Standard of Living by Expansion Magazine

Top 5 “Smart Places to Live” by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

6th in Top 10 Cities for Walking by Prevention Magazine, 2006

Among the Coolest Cities for Young Professionals by Kiplinger.com, 2005

8th in America’s Cleanest Cities by Reader’s Digest, 2005

9th in Top 10 Hot Cities for Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur.com, 2005

10th in Top 10 Healthiest Cities in America by Sperling, 2006

Homes sellers are also homebuyers. If you are in the Austin, Texas area and are planing to sell and/or buy a house, contact me for a FREE home market analysis and marketing plan or help finding and purchasing your new home. Robin Scott, REALTOR® 512.589.7988 or robinscottrealtor@gmail.com

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.

Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

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LANDSCAPING TIPS FOR SELLERS

Curb appeal can make all the difference when a buyer drives up so here are a few ideas:

• Trees have a lot of appeal and cut down on energy costs. When Kiplinger published the 25 best ways to invest $1,000, buying a big tree was at the top of the list. Remove dead trees and be sure to prune your trees so they look their best.
• If you don't have any trees in the front, plant one. You can probably find a small one for around $100.
• Add some attractive plants around the front and maybe a large potted bloomer in the porch.

FOR A FREE COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS ON YOUR AUSTIN AREA HOME, CALL ROBIN AT 512.589.7988 OR EMAIL:robin@robinscottrealtor.com

Homes sellers are also homebuyers. If you are in the Austin, Texas area and are planing to sell and/or buy a house, contact me for a FREE home market analysis and marketing plan or help finding and purchasing your new home. Robin Scott, REALTOR® 512.589.7988 or robinscottrealtor@gmail.com

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.

Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

Like us on facebook!

GARDEN HOME FOR SALE - $125,000

UPDATE:SOLD It's in a quiet neighborhood close to shopping and major employers off Parmer near McNeil. Some of the special features of this 2/1.5/1 include a small yard, deck, refrigerator, ceiling fans, fireplace and internet connections. 920 sq.ft. Built in 1986. For more information call Robin/agent at 512.589.7988 or email robin@robinscottrealtor.com

Homes sellers are also homebuyers. If you are in the Austin, Texas area and are planing to sell and/or buy a house, contact me for a FREE home market analysis and marketing plan or help finding and purchasing your new home. Robin Scott, REALTOR® 512.589.7988 or robinscottrealtor@gmail.com

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.

Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

Like us on facebook!

NOVEMBER 2007 EVENTS CALENDAR

Texas Book Festival
Nov. 3-4 at The Capitol
http:www.texasbookfestival.org

Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival
Nov. 3 10-10
http://www.austinpowwow.org

Austin Celtic Festival
Nov. 3 & 4
http://www.austincelitcs.org/festival

A Christmas Affair
Nov. 14-18
http:www.jlaustin.org

Chuy's Children Giving to Children Parade
Nov. 24
http://www.chuysparade.com

Homes sellers are also homebuyers. If you are in the Austin, Texas area and are planing to sell and/or buy a house, contact me for a FREE home market analysis and marketing plan or help finding and purchasing your new home. Robin Scott, REALTOR® 512.589.7988 or robinscottrealtor@gmail.com

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.

Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

Like us on facebook!

HOW TO BROADEN THE APPEAL OF YOUR HOME

Here are a few tips:
• Make a list of things that would appeal to you as a buyer like fresh paint and do what you can.
• Use a rooms features, such as a fireplace, to capture a buyer’s attention.
• Remove extra furniture so the spaces fell larger.
• Remove personal things like refrigerator magnets and collectibles.
• Clear surfaces in bedrooms and bathrooms so they are less personal.
• Consider hiring a professional to improve visual appeal. The fee charged by a “stager” can be worth it if the changes bring a quicker offer or a higher sales price.

Homes sellers are also homebuyers. If you are in the Austin, Texas area and are planing to sell and/or buy a house, contact me for a FREE home market analysis and marketing plan or help finding and purchasing your new home. Robin Scott, REALTOR® 512.589.7988 or robinscottrealtor@gmail.com

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.

Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

Like us on facebook!

THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION in TEXAS

The January after you purchase a home, you may apply for a homestead exemption.

It will reduce your property taxes by about 12%.

I always mail them to my new buyers in January but you may go on the county appraisal Web site and print one out. You may get mail from companies offering to do this for you for a small fee but it doesn't cost you anything but the stamp and the application is easy to understand - name address & signature.

Homes sellers are also homebuyers. If you are in the Austin, Texas area and are planing to sell and/or buy a house, contact me for a FREE home market analysis and marketing plan or help finding and purchasing your new home. Robin Scott, REALTOR® 512.589.7988 or robinscottrealtor@gmail.com

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.

Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

Like us on facebook!

Understanding Home Ownership and Capital Gains Tax

If you have lived in your home for 2 of the last five years of home ownership, you may not have to pay any capital gains tax. For single homeowners the limit is $250,000 of gain and for married homeowners the limit is $500,000.

The gain is the difference between what you paid for the home and what you sold it for.

If you have any other questions related to residential real estate, call or email Robin at 512.589.7988 or robin@robinscottrealtor.com

Homes sellers are also homebuyers. If you are in the Austin, Texas area and are planing to sell and/or buy a house, contact me for a FREE home market analysis and marketing plan or help finding and purchasing your new home. Robin Scott, REALTOR® 512.589.7988 or robinscottrealtor@gmail.com

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.

Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

Like us on facebook!

FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS

For a Free consultation on how the home buying process works give me a call. I work with many first-time home buyers and can explain the process & procedures, what your expenses will be, help you understand & acquire financing and answer your questions. Robin Scott 512.589.7988 or robin@robinscottrealtor.com. Also visit my Web site at http://www.robinscottrealtor.com for free reports on buying and selling real estate.

Homes sellers are also homebuyers. If you are in the Austin, Texas area and are planing to sell and/or buy a house, contact me for a FREE home market analysis and marketing plan or help finding and purchasing your new home. Robin Scott, REALTOR® 512.589.7988 or robinscottrealtor@gmail.com

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.

Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

Like us on facebook!

4 BEDROOM HOUSE FOR LEASE

UPDATE: This home did lease and in 2013 it was SOLD.

This 4 bedroom, 3 bath 3-car garage home is in a super location only 30 minutes to downtown Austin in planned community with park and pool. Davis Springs is north on Parmer past 620. The home features 3 living areas and 2 dining areas for family or entertaining. Other special features include high ceilings, lots of windows, fireplace, stainless appliances and more. 2844 sq.ft. Looks as though it was never lived in. Asking $2200/mo. Round Rock ISD. Contact me at 512.589.7988 or robin@robinscottrealtor.com or visit my Web site at http://www.robinscottrealtor.com

Homes sellers are also homebuyers. If you are in the Austin, Texas area and are planing to sell and/or buy a house, contact me for a FREE home market analysis and marketing plan or help finding and purchasing your new home. Robin Scott, REALTOR® 512.589.7988 or robinscottrealtor@gmail.com

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.

Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

Like us on facebook!

AUSTIN AREA MARKET STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 2007

Home Sales Down 10%
Listings Up 21%
Prices Up 6%
Pending Sales Down 24%

What does this mean? Sales have slowed but prices are up. We still have a srong market but things have slowed down. Since there is so much inventory, if you're planning to sell be sure your house looks good and your price is right.

Homes sellers are also homebuyers. If you are in the Austin, Texas area and are planing to sell and/or buy a house, contact me for a FREE home market analysis and marketing plan or help finding and purchasing your new home. Robin Scott, REALTOR® 512.589.7988 or robinscottrealtor@gmail.com

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.

Search for homes through Austin MLS
Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

Like us on facebook!