Competing Offers on Houses in Austin

What's a buyer to do?

Yes, it's true. I had sent the offer to my buyers so they could sign the offer and as we were on the phone discussing it, the other REALTOR called to say she had another offer coming in. Wow! Did I see that coming? Yes I did.

The house my buyers have their heart set on is owned by a REALTOR and in the popular community of Avery Ranch. When it comes to selling a house, a REALTOR knows what he/she is doing. This house was very clean, beautifully staged and priced RIGHT. It had only been on the market 5 days.

What did my buyers decide to do? There is no way you can predict how the other buyers will respond. Upon hearing there is another offer, they may decide not to get involved in a "biding war." However, they may offer full price or higher. We decided to increase our offer. Wish us luck.

Oh, and by the way, this is the second time in 3 months I've experienced competing offers. Do you think there is a change in the market?

And, I want to be your REALTOR®! If there is any information you would like regarding relocating to the Austin area, let me know. You can contact me at robin@robinscottrealtor.com, 512.589.7988 or just comment on this blog entry.

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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Texas Bluebonnets

It's wild flower season in Texas. The Bluebonnets cover large expanses of land and are the Texas State flower. Many people from Texas believe it is against the law to pick a Bluebonnet but that is not true. The law is against stopping on the state highway to pick Bluebonnets.

Lady Bird Johnson loved Texas and was responsible for many wonderful things our state has to offer and especially in the Austin area. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to educating people about the environmental necessity, economic value, and natural beauty of native plants. Anytime is a great time to visit the Center but now is when the wildflowers are abundant.

And, I want to be your REALTOR®! If there is any information you would like regarding relocating to the Austin area, let me know. You can contact me at robin@robinscottrealtor.com, 512.589.7988 or just comment on this blog entry.

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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Repercussions of the Short Sale

Mike said it best in a recent blog about about the financial responsibility of purchasing a house and the consequences of a short sale. It may be too late for some but moving forward, remember when you purchase a house you are signing legally binding agreements. Make sure you can honor them.

Via Mike Sher (Real Estate One):

Often, sellers think that sending house keys to bank will satisfy their obligation. It will not. When the borrower closed their loan they signed two documents; first, "A Note" which is a promise to pay and second "The Mortgage" offering the home as collateral.

These are two different documents; the loan is a promise to pay the FULL AMOUNT owed or amounts if you have multiple notes/loans. The MORTGAGE, allows the bank to seize the asset, BUT it does not allow forgiveness if the asset is worth less then the note. The bank can and most likely will at some date try to collect the difference. They can hire collection companies, attorneys and even garnish wages. The bank can also 1099 you for the charge off and put a foreclosure on your credit record.

So to walk away is just a short term solution to a much larger problem, a band-aid for a bullet wound. Before your client puts those keys in an envelope, have them seek legal advice and review the many other options like Short Sales, Loan Modification, Repayment Plans and/or Deed in Lieu.

Reblogged with permission

Tips for a Greener Home

Here are some quick, easy and inexpensive ways to make your home greener.

1. Look for the Energy Star. The federal government has a program that rates the energy efficiency of products. Choosing these products may lead to a significant savings in energy and expenses.

2. Switch to CFL. Compact florescent light bulbs (CFL) use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Replacing incandescent bulbs with CFL wherever possible will make a huge difference. Yes, I know they cost more but we replaced all of our bulbs and our electric bill went down $50 a month. It was well worth it.

3. Reduce the flow. Switching to low-flow or adjustable flow showerheads and low flow toilets will reduce the amount of water you use plus the cost of heating the water. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth. there is no reason for it to run.

4. Turn off the power strip. Did you know that even when an electronic device is turned off it is still using energy? If you plug your electronic devices into a powerstrip with a master switch you can turn off the master switch when you sleep or are out of town and save about 15% of your household electricity.

5. Turn it down. By turning your water heater to 120 degrees F you will cut your water-heating energy consumption. Try it and see if it works for you.

6. Seal it up. Cool air and heat may be escaping from cracks around your windows, doors and even the electrical outlets. It's inexpensive to seal it up with chalk, spray foam or weather stripping and will cut your energy usage and costs as well as save you money.
Enjoy the benefits of these energy and costs saving tips. Go green and benefit!

And, I want to be your REALTOR®! If there is any information you would like regarding relocating to the Austin area, let me know. You can contact me at robin@robinscottrealtor.com, 512.589.7988 or just comment on this blog entry.

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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Remodeling and Home Improvement

You should be happy in your own home so if you want to update, upgrade, remodel, add on or redecorate, enjoy the results.

 It's sometimes necessary to make improvements if you are planning on selling a house so that you will be competitive in the market. When it comes to making decisions about which improvements to make, you should consult a REALTOR because REALTORS are in the market place every day and know what buyers want and what they will pay.

According to a study by Remodeling magazine, exterior home projects bring the biggest return on investment.
80% of costs are recovered on wood deck additions and siding replacement
76% were recovered on window replacements
76% were recovered on major mid-range kitchen remodels
79.5% were recovered on minor kitchen remodels
74.4% were recovered on mid-range bathroom remodels

Home offices, Sunroom additions and backup power generators were the least profitable.

And, I want to be your REALTOR®! If there is any information you would like regarding relocating to the Austin area, let me know. You can contact me at robin@robinscottrealtor.com, 512.589.7988 or just comment on this blog entry.

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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A Place Called Home

Did you know that 4 in 10 people have never left the town in which they were born? According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, most people move for economic opportunity and those that don't make their choice based on family and other connections.
3/4 of college graduates move at least once.
38% of Americans surveyed don't call their current habitat home
26% consider "home" the place where they were born
22% call home the place where they currently live
18% call home the place they lived the longest
15% call home where their family originated
4% call home where they went to high school
57% have never lived in another state
37% have never lived in another town

And, I want to be your REALTOR®! If there is any information you would like regarding relocating to the Austin area, let me know. You can contact me at robin@robinscottrealtor.com, 512.589.7988 or just comment on this blog entry.

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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What Home Buyers and Sellers are Thinking

The 2008 Texas Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® is based on 510 responses from Texas buyers who purchased between July 2007 and June 2008 and from those buyers who had also sold a home revealed some very interesting information about homebuyers and sellers in Texas.

32 is the average age of first-time homebuyers
$69,200 is the median income of first-time homebuyers
16% of homebuyers are single women
7% of homebuyers are single men
66% of homebuyers said they would definitely use the same agent again
44% said that commuting costs were very important
89% were born in the United States
81% said their real estate agent was a useful source of information
68% of buyers interviewed one agent
28% said that an agent's honesty and trustworthiness was the most important factor in their choice
28% of sselelrs were in their home 3 years or less
33% of buyers found their home through their agent
63% of for-sale-by-owner sellers said they would use an agent the next time
8% of sales in Texas were short sales

And, I want to be your REALTOR®! If there is any information you would like regarding relocating to the Austin area, let me know. You can contact me at robin@robinscottrealtor.com, 512.589.7988 or just comment on this blog entry.

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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TESTIMONIALS

“My husband and I really enjoyed working with Robin to sell our first home in 2004. She is very professional and knowledgeable about the many aspects of the real estate market. We have sought her advice many times since working with her initially in 2004. We have recommended Robin numerous times to friends and family and never hear anything but thanks and praise!” October 24, 2008

Top qualities: Personable , Expert , High Integrity

Emily King hired Robin as a Real Estate Agent in 2004

“Robin is a excellent real estate agent that I can't recommend enough. She is professional, honest, deeply understanding and personable. She has helped me through the process of real estate ownership and is currently my property manager for a rental home I own. I have referred her many times to clients, friends and family and they have all been more than happy with the services that she has provided for them.” July 3, 2008

Top qualities: Great Results , Expert , High Integrity

Molly Scott hired Robin as a Real Estate Agent in 2005 , and hired Robin more than once

“Robin gave me excellent suggestions on how to best position my house when it went on the market. She used various marketing tools so it was on many websites and listings with fantastic pictures! She also helped me sort through several offers so I made the best decision for me. She gives you a level of personal service that is hard to find elsewhere.” June 16, 2008

Top qualities: Great Results , Expert , High Integrity

Lauren Grossman hired Robin as a Real Estate Agent in 2007

“Robin has always been expert, reliable, helpful and knowledgeable about the market in a great asset to our family.” June 9, 2008

Top qualities: Personable , Expert , High Integrity

Monty Henson hired Robin as a Real Estate Agent in 2003 and hired Robin more than once

“Robin Scott is an exceptional Realtor. Robin will do whatever it takes to enhance a property's appeal to make it stand out above the competition! She knows what it takes to prepare a home for sale. She is sharp, professional and takes a personal interest in her client's home.”  

March 10, 2008

Honning Susan , Owner , Texas Staged Homes worked directly with Robin at Amelia Bullock Realtors

“I've met Robin through various home buying transactions for people I know, and have found that she does a great job of supporting her clients in marketing their homes or helping to buy a new home. She has strong marketing and promotional skills, and is one of the best agents I've seen in communicating with clients and potential buyers or sellers.”