For Sale in Popular Milwood Neighborhood

In Milwood 7708 Earp Way, Austin, Texas. With a Pottery Barn look, this home has appealing style. It's a 2-story, white stone 3/2.5/2 with a master downstairs. Special features include laminate floors, recent roof, recent carpet upstairs, sprinkler system front and back, security system and an intercom. Community park, pool, tennis and close to major employers like Dell, Apple, IBM and Freescale and halfway between Lakeline Mall and the Arboretum or Domain Shopping Centers. Round Rock School District. 2009 sq.ft. CAD. $210,000











For more information visit my Web site at http://www.robinscottrealtor.com and see the virtual tour. Select "featured properties" or call me at 512.589.7988.

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New Addition to the Family - Our Granddaughter!

My daughter just had a baby girl - Mia Rose. Isn't she beautiful. It's our first grandchild. Everyone is doing well and I'm trying to squeeze real estate into the mix. She's only a few days old in this photo.





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3 REASONS THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOUSE

YES! This week I've met with three different potential first-time homebuyers. They all seem to feel insecure about whether it's a good time to buy and if it's a risk they want to take. That's understandable after the chaos that has struck the real estate industry.

The good news in the Austin area is that our market has not suffered as much as other areas and according to everything I've read, we a poised to make a market come back before most of the other markets as well. In May we had under 10,000 homes for sale which is less than in year 2000.

3 REASONS TO BUY A HOME

1. To have control over your own environment. To be able to paint a room, have a yard for your pets or kids, be further from your neighbor than a thin wall and be able to control your monthly living expenses.

2. For the income tax deduction. Your mortgage payment is comprised of your principal, interest, taxes and insurance payments combined. Most of the cost of your mortgage will be the interest you pay on the loan and your property taxes. Those two expenses are deductible from your income for the purposes of paying your income taxes. That should be enough reason to own a home but there is more.

3. To build equity. Yes, I know that some people were caught owning more than their home was worth and that's unfortunate. Done correctly that can largely be avoided.The two biggest ways to assure your homes value is to make a reasonable downpayment and plan to keep your house for 5-10 years. Over time the market dips and always returns to a higher position.

3 REASONS THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO BUY

1. Home prices. Home prices have gone down over the last couple of years and are expected to rise again. Buy now while they are low.

2. Interest rates. Interest rates have been historically low. Take advantage of low interest rates.

3. First-time homebuyer $8,000 tax credit. If this applies to you, this is a huge advantage. You must be a first-time homebuyer and the deadline is December 1.

If you live in the greater Austin area and are considering buying a home, I'd love the opportunity to meet with you and help you decide if this is a good time for you or how to achieve your goal of home ownership.

Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. Amelia Bullock Realtors. 512.589.7988.

Protest Taxes in Williamson County

This year I got a bee in my bonnet and decided to protest taxes on all my properties and my daughters as well. We all know that the market has plummeted although not as much in Central Texas as other places across the country. I figured it was worth my efforts to try to reduce my tax liabilities so I started by filing a written protest. The counties (Travis and Williamson) sent me adjusted property values that were lower than the original value and appointment dates to come speak with them if I wasn't in agreement.

Last week I went to the informal hearing at Williamson County Appraisal District to protest the taxes on my homestead and my experience was different than the one I had in Travis County. I was told that the improved features in homes was not included in the tax appraisals.Only exterior improvements like pools, decks, etc could increase or decrease the property value. If the homes in the comparatives that the county used had interior upgrades that my home did not, that information could not be used to lower my taxes. Although the county appraiser was willing to use the comparatives from homes that I wanted included in the analysis, the plan was to use 5 homes as compatibles and I had only brought 3 so they chose 2 of their own. The county appraiser didn't agree with me about my reduced value but he did agree to reduce my value even further than offered in the written proposal. I was satisfied so I accepted.

The following day I was back at Williamson County Appraisal District to protest the taxes on my daughters home. I thought I had it made because since her home is right next door to mine, similar size, upgrades, same age and same builder; it made sense that the price per square foot should be the same. The appraiser said "no." Since my daughters house is 75 sq.ft and only 75 sq.ft. smaller, I was told that the price would be higher per square foot.

I went to the formal hearing before the review board to argue my point.

The review board is comprised of three private citizens who have been chosen to hear the protests. I sat at a table opposite the three and next to a representative of the county. I explained my reasoning, the county representative explained hers, the review board determined the value county appraiser has assessed was correct and that was the end of that.

It was worth the effort to get the taxes reduced. They did agree to reduce my daughters taxes further than the original proposal. They just didn't agree to reduce them to the same as mine.

So far I have successfully reduced the taxes on my investment property in Travis County, my home in Williamson County and my daughters home in Williamson County.

Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. Amelia Bullock Realtors. 512.589.7988.

Another Successful Closing - Shirley

Something that makes my day is when I can help someone find their dream home. My buyer, Shirley was relocating to the Austin area for work and wasn't sure she could quickly find a home that would satisfy her needs. After listening to her describe her dream home, I was able to present her with a few options. She chose a new build that was only 15 minutes from work and a straight shot down the highway to her sisters or up the highway to her sons home in Dallas. We were able to negotiate a great price for the home plus the builder agreed to rip up the carpeting in the dining and living rooms and put in hardwood at no extra expense.

Congratulations Shirley and Welcome Home

If you are looking for a REALTOR who will really listen to you and can find what you are looking for, giive me a call. I want to be your REALTOR.

Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. Amelia Bullock Realtors. 512.589.7988.

Fall Fun in Austin

It's hot out there but that doesn't stop dedicated Austinites from enjoying the many fun things to do in the Austin area.

Some of the Annual events coming up on the calendar include:

The Hot Sauce Festival on August 30th in Waterloo Park at 403 E. 15th St. There are more than 350 hot sauce entries to sample. If you think you like spicy, this is your opportunity to prove it. 512.454.5755.

Old Pecan Street Festival September 26-27 on east 6th St. (formally Old Pecan Street.) This festival has been in the spring and fall for decades. There is live music (we are the live music capital of the world,) arts and crafts vendors and a children's carnival. It's fun for everyone. Where sunscreen and come enjoy the fun. 512.469.6060.

Austin City Limits Music Festival know as ACL is October 2-4 is an international event with bands from across the county and the world plus food and arts and crafts. It's held at Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd. and you must acquire your tickets asap if you would like to attend. For a lineup of who's performing (famous and nonfamous alike) visit the Web site.

Austin Film Festival is also an international event with a conference October 22-25 and the festival October 22-29. There will be celebrities in town for this event and the premier of many independent films. 512.478.4795 or 800.310.3378.

Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. Amelia Bullock Realtors. 512.589.7988.

Calling Texas Home

According to the Pew Research Center, more that three-quarters of adults born in Texas still live there making it the number one "sticky" state.

Other interesting facts show that Alaska only has a 28% retention of original residents.

Nevada attracts 86% of it's population from other states.

Only 19% of the population of New York are relocation.

And California which has a reputation for attracting people is 28th on the list of state that actually do.

Search for homes through Austin MLS
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Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

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For Sale or Lease - Open House July 19, 2-4

COME MEET ME AND SEE THIS GREAT HOUSE. Sunday, July 19th. 2-4. If you live in the Austin area, I'd love to meet you and show you this awesome house I have listed for sale or lease.

Location, location, location. This is a great opportunity to live in one of the hottest & coolest areas is Austin in a new home - no rehabbing for you. Just move in and enjoy being walking distance to Central Market, 10 minutes to the medical center and 15 minutes to downtown Austin, Zilker Park and all the special events that take place. This is a new 3-story home with tons of upgrades: handscraped wood floors in living area, tile in baths, Silestone countertops throughout, stainless appliances, custom doors, crown molding, 6" baseboards, designer colors and fixtures, sprinkler system and more in a 1512 sq.ft. house with 2 master bedrooms - one on each floor. For sale at $369,999 and for lease at $1,999/mo.

Visit http://www.robinscottrealtor.com for a virtual tour.
Search for homes through Austin MLS
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Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

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Shooting for the Moon - Placing the US Flag on the Moon

Planting the US Flag on the Moon - That's Some Real Estate!

It's the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon. Do you remember where you were? Many of you may not have been a conception but I remember that afternoon very clearly as the astronaut Neil Armstrong planted the United States flag firmly in the soil of the MOON.

I was sitting in my grandmothers den watching the event unfold on the evening news ( live TV had not been introduced at that time) and annoyed that my friend was late picking me up. It was the summer before my senior year in highschool and my parents had moved to Houston. I was angry that I would miss my senior year with the friends I had known all my life and asked to stay with my grandparents for the summer. That evening I had been invited to a slumber party and couldn't have cared less about the historic event unfolding on the TV and yet I remember it all very clearly.

Several years ago I was privileged to hear Neil Armstrong speak. It was at a Brian Buffini event in Las Vegas. Were you there? Five thousand REALTORS were. The entire event was a great experience and my first time to Las Vegas which was spectacular fun but I went just to hear Neil Armstrong. This time I was prepared to pay attention. Apparently he didn't do public speaking until that time when Brian Buffini convinced him to. He seemed an incredibly humble man for someone who was a space pioneer and it was well worth the trip to see him and hear him speak. Did you know that Apollo 11 went to the moon and back with a 65k computer! That's all!

Search for homes through Austin MLS
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Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

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