Hiring a REALTOR

Yes, even REALTORS hire REALTORS. If you follow my blog, you may remember that I recently posted a townhouse in Houston for sale. The property belongs to a family member who was moved to a nursing home and I took responsibility for getting it ready to sell and selling it. While I was in the make ready stage (getting it cleaned out, painted, repaired and recarpeted,) I posted it under my name for sale on multiple Web sites. Now that we are almost ready, I hired a Houston REALTOR. Posting under my own brokerage was a lot like for-sale-by-owner because I don't have the ability to place the property in the Houston MLS, I'm not familiar with the Houston market and I don't have an objective perspective as much as I tried. Did you know that 9 out of 10 for-sale-by-owners eventually list with a REALTOR? Well, I did.

A few years ago, I used my REALTOR connections to find a REALTOR for a client I had relocating to the Houston area. My client thought she was great and I thought she was great too. She has kept up with me for years and I really appreciate that so when it was time, I called Ruth Ann and she has been on top of it all. She provided me with comparatives so I could make an informed decision on price, a net sheet so I would know what expenses to expect and she even had a handyman who could take care of finishing details for me. It was such a relief to have a professional take over.
If you are plan to buy or sell in the greater Austin area, I want to be your REALTOR. If you plan to buy or sell somewhere else, allow me to find a reputable REALTOR for you. I know how to be the REALTOR you are looking for and what to look for in a REALTOR for you.

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, REALTOR. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988 or robin@robinscottrealtor.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!

Tile Installer in Austin

This is my tile installer - Martin Cerda. He's been installing tile for 30 years and this week he installed tile in all three of my bathrooms.

I've been waiting years to get tile in the bathrooms but I was waiting for the stars to align and finally made the commitment to do it.

Martin advised me on what kind of tile to buy and where to purchase for the quality/price combination in which I was looking.

It was so easy! My husband and I picked out the tile and purchased it. Martin and his assistant came on the scheduled day at the scheduled time and completed the job quickly and well.

If you are in the Austin area and need a tile installer call Martin Cerda at 512-300-7453.

If you are interested in buying or selling a house, call ME. I want to be your REALTOR. Call 512-589-7988 for information on how I may help you or to schedule an appointment.

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

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!

Choosing a Granite for Resale Value

I love it when my clients keep in touch and it's even better when they ask for my advice because it shows they value my expertise.

Recently a homebuyer asked me which granite choice (tan or black) would be the best for resale value. And my best advice was to choose what would make them the happiest in their home. Color choices are personal but I've never heard a buyer complain about the granite. Usually when you sell your home, the home buyer will be someone with similar taste to the home seller. That's why they like the house.

View 2009-10 Cost Vs. Value Report. Data courtesy of Remodeling Magazine
top low-cost home improvement ideas:
1. Clean out your kitchen cabinets
2. Add or update tile
3. Add a breakfast bar
4. Install granite tile
5. Freshen up bathrooms by replacing old fixtures
6. Repaint
7. Add a room
8. Spruce up cabinet fronts
9. Update lighting
10. Tech up garage
Source: RealtorMag

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, REALTOR. Certified Residential Specialist. Call 512.589.7988.

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 REALTOR Looking for a Home Buyer

Real estate is an ever changing animal. For the last couple of years, most of my business has been buyers. Now I find myself with 4 listings ( homes for sale) and no buyers. I like having balance with both buyers and sellers because it helps me stay plugged in to what the consumer wants and that makes it possible to give the best advice and direction to my clients.

I need a buyer. So, if you are interested in buying a home in the greater Austin area, I'd love to hear from you. I want to be your REALTOR. I'm a Certified Residential Specialist and an Accredited Buyer's Representative. Call me to find out how I can help you.

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

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!

Visit This Open House Sunday

Come to the Open House on July 25, Sunday from 2 - 4. 612 Highland Ave in the Downtown/Clarksville area of Austin. Walking distance to restaurants, shopping, schools and parks.

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, REALTOR. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988 or robin@robinscottrealtor.com

Clarksville/downtown Austin Area Home for Sale with Attached Apartment

MLS# 6337789. This is a great opportunity to live in the Clarksville/downtown area of Austin. It's located 1/2 block from W 6th Street between Lamar and West Lynn; steps from Matthews Elementary and West Austin Park (playscape and tree-shaded dog area). A short walk takes you to Whole Foods, restaurants, Austin High School and even Zilker Park. Visit http://www.walkscore.com/score/612-Highland-Ave-78703 to see what's available nearby.

This is a two-story home built in 1927 with many unique features. It has a ground-floor apartment with separate side entrance and a full walk-out to the backyard.

The main house has a living/dining area with wood floors, vaulted ceiling, fireplace, built-ins, 2 bedrooms with wood floors and a bath downstairs. A large kitchen opens onto a beautiful deck. The upper level is a master bedroom loft with a bath and laundry/closet.

The apartment is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath with whirlpool spa and cute, cute, cute. Great for rental income or guests. Full architectural plans are available for an addition to the main house and apartment, and expansion of the master suite area.

In addition there is a lovely fenced yard and a 2-car garage that opens onto the alley.

Reduced - $650,000.

Below are photos of attached apartment:

Austin, Texas. Robin Scott, REALTOR. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988 or robin@robinscottrealtor.com

Home Buying - Congratulation Sue and Frank

This morning we had a double closing. Sue and Frank signed papers on the closing sale of their home and then the closing purchase of a new home. Now they are moving into a new home. Easy!

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

Sold - 9520 Palmbrook

Selling homes in Austin. In Avery Ranch on the golf course, this 4/3.5/3 home was listing for $465,000.

Congratulations Sue and Frank.

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

Buy a Safe Home

Was Your Home Once a Meth Lab? In Austin, our seller's disclosure actually has a question asking if the home was once a meth lab. If you were running a meth lab out of your home would you admit it? If you bought a home that was once a meth lab would you admit that you knew about it?

Sometimes it's hard for the seller to understand or figure out how to correctly fill out the seller's disclosure and I've seen a lot of innocent errors. Recently, a buyer client of mine received a disclosure where that box was checked "yes." It was an obvious error but the buyer wanted confirmation from the sellers. He did buy the house and we joke about the meth lab.

According to a recent article in "The Residential Specialist," the publication I receive as a member of Certified Residential Specialist, it's no laughing matter. I feel confident my buyer's house was never a meth lab but apparently meth labs are a growing problem in homes in the United States and in some parts of the country two out of 100 homes were once meth labs and it's not just in the seedy side of town but across the board economically. From low- income to luxury properties, homes are being turned into meth labs.

The consequences for the buyer is that it is a huge health risk. The process of "cooking" meth creates vapors and gases that permeate the homes walls, HVAC system and flooring and may linger for years. The process is also highly combustible.

Warning signs of contamination include burned countertops and a strong smell similar to cat urine.Burn pits or dead spots in the grass may indicate where the chemicals were dumped. Garbage containing cold medication, lithium batteries, empty containers of anifreeze, paint thinner or drain opener may also be a sign.

Prior to buying a home you may suspect of illegal activity, you can contact local law enforcement to find out if there have been any reported problems, talk to the neighbors and if necessary you may hire a reputable inspection company.

Buy a safe home and be safe.

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

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!

Round Rock Home for Sale

http://www.tourfactory.com/634295

Location, location, location! Close to the new Seton Medical Center, other major employers, the Round Rock outlet mall and more.

This is a charming 1-story home with a mother-in-law floor plan built in 1998 with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a 2-car garage. Special features include a covered patio, fireplace and open floorplan with island kitchen. Featuring fresh paint in and out, recent carpet, plus it comes with
refrigerator, washer and dryer. 1709 sq. ft. on a corner lot.
Asking price $158,000. http://www.tourfactory.com/634295

Austin Home for Sale - Clarksville/downtown area

This is a great opportunity to live in the Clarksville/downtown area of Austin. It's located 1/2 block from 6th Street between Lamar and West Lynn. You can walk to Whole Foods, restaurants, shopping and even Zilker Parlk. Visit http://www.walkscore.com to see all the places available. There is an elementary 2 blocks away as well as a dog park and a neighborhood park.

This is a 2-story home built in 1929 with many unique features. Built on the side of a hill, it also has a small

apartment that is accessible from the side of the house with a full walk-out to the backyard.

The main house is about 1450 sq.ft. CAD but it is actually larger inside because the county appraisal doesn't count areas with a ceiling height below 6' such as closet and laundry room. On the first floor is a living/dining area with wood floors, high ceiling, fireplace, and built-ins, large kitchen that opens onto a beautiful deck, 2 bedrooms with wood floors and a bath. The upper level is a master bedroom loft with a bath and laundry/closet.

The apartment is 1220 sq.ft. CAD with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath and cute, cute, cute. Great for guests, older children or to lease out.

In addition there is a lovely fenced yard and a 2-car garage that opens onto the alley.

Asking price $765,000.