Rattan Creek in Austin

This is a view of one of the playgrounds. I live in an area of northwest Austin which was originally called Milwood (and still so in the tax records) but has been renamed Rattan Creek because that is the name of the creek that runs through it, the neighborhood association and the park.

It is located just across the Travis county line in Williamson County and is not really in the coty of Austin but in a Municipal Utility District (MUD.) (See my next post about what a MUD is.) Rattan Creek is between Parmer and US183 and McNeil and Anderson Mill.

The location is great because we are close to major employers like Apple, Freescale, Paypal and more. We are between Gateway/Arboretum or The Domain and Lakeline Mall. Generally, without traffic 20-25 minutes to downtown and with traffic 30-35 minutes.

There are TWO parks. One runs up the greenbelt with Rattan Creek and has a crushed granite hike/bike all the way to the area with the playground, tennis, year-round heated pool, basketball, soccer fields and volleyball. There is even a Williamson County sub-station a community center there. The other has a great playground, covered picnic/party area, soccer and also a hike and bike.
The schools are in the Round Rock ISD. Pond Springs Elementary, Jollyville Elementary, Deer Park Middle School, McNeil High School. You can check the link for information but to my knowledge the schools are highly rated.

Rattan Creek does not have a mandatory HOA but the volunteer HOA provides a newsletter very month with information on neighborhood events, there is an architectural control committee, a Web site, a book club and now even a neighborhood social site where neighbors can share information.
We built our house in 1990! I can't believe we have been here so long but it's just such a great place to live we can't find a reason to leave.

If you would like to live in Rattan Creek too, call or email me. I'd can show you around and help you buy a house. If you want to sell your house in Rattan Creek, I'm an expert on marketing the area.

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

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Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

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We'll See What the Judge Has to Say

The seller decided she was angry at her REALTOR and refused to come to closing! What? Yes, she didn't come to closing.

She signed a legally binding contract. Oh, did I mention she was going to net over $60,000, that it was in deplorable condition and she didn't even live there.

It was hard to find a home in the neighborhood my buyer wanted at a price he could afford and he was willing to accept a house that didn't even have a ceiling in one of the bedrooms. Now he has paid for the earnest money which see probably would also refuse to release, the option fee, the inspection, the appraisal and the survey. He wants this house.

The attorney filed, the seller was served and now we are past the deadline the seller was given to respond. The $60,000 will be diminished by court costs and attorney's fees. Too bad for her. It's been unfair and hard for my buyer too. The contract to sell says in bold type that it is a legally binding agreement. Don't sign if you aren't serious.

FOLLOWUP: the result of the first lawsuit was that the Judge awarded the house to the buyer with damages and she had to pay his attorney fees and court costs but the seller didn't show for the court date. The Judge held her in contempt and issued a warrant for her arrest. The buyer was allowed to take possession of the property which he did. Of course the buyer couldn't be found and we couldn't get a payoff from the mortgage company, close and issue title to the buyer so a second lawsuit compelling to sign was filed. She didn't show for that either so the judge allowed all the paperwork to be changed to the buyers name and we closed. The proceeds are being held by the court for the seller to collect minus court fees. If the buyer ever contacts the title company, they will direct her on how to claim her money.


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

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Find your home's value
Buying or selling? Hire an experienced professional. Call Robin Scott, Broker at 512.589.7988.

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Rent vs Buy and More

My June enewsletter is out discussing rent vs buy. It's full of great information this month and every month. If you aren't receiving this newsletter and would like to, send me an email request to be added to the contact list.

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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I Just Fired a Buyer

Many consumers don't seem to understand that REALTORS are not non-profit organizations and some I've encountered actually believe REALTORS get paid through the company they work for with a salary. No so. We don't get paid to tour, we get paid to close transactions. Hey consumers, would you work for free?

Over the years I've had clients tour so many homes I've wondered if they were ever going to buy and at some point a REALTOR must decide if it's best to cut your loses and terminate the client relationship or keep showing property and hope they will eventually close a transaction.

Because of my many years experience, I sometimes get an intuitive feeling that a buyer can't make a commitment and won't make a cammitment. That doesn't mean that 5 years down the road they won't buy, but the diminishing return on investment of time and expenses is not acceptable.

One hundred homes are too many showings. So, I just terminated a buyer relationship. He felt justified in looking at so many homes and I felt justified in letting him go. I hated to do it because you don't want to create any bad feelings and always wonder if that was the right decision but I'll get over that and a sense of relief will creep in when he is replaced with a committed buyer and that appointment is this afternoon.

Best of luck to terminated buyer and the REALTOR who replaces me. I must move on to a profitable relationship.

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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Austin Energy Recycles Refrigerators

Austin Energy has a great program and perhaps your city does too. In Austin, Austin Energy will pay you $50 for an old, standard size refrigerator (14-27 cubic feet) in working condition. Limit 2 per customer. Next to heating, cooling and water heaters, the refrigerator is a huge energy guzzler. According to an article recently posted in the Austin Energy newsletter, 15 year old refrigerators use about twice the electricity as a new energy efficient model.

So you can earn $50 towards the cost of a new refrigerator, cut your energy costs, conserve energy and Austin Energy is able to recycle 98% of the parts!

For free pick up and to find out about your rebate call 1-800-452-8685.

My New and First Grandson

This is Callan Scott Bayerdorffer. Isn't he sweet! That's what his big sister Mia says.

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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Tips on Moving

The contract is finalized and you have about 4 weeks before you close and move.

Moving can be a daunting task. Especially if you've lived in the same place for a long time. Where do you start? Here is a plan to help you through the process. 

1st step: Get organized. 

• Notify necessary people such as friends, family, a landlord, the post office, utility companies, or anyone who delivers to the house like the newspaper. 
• Select a moving company and schedule your move.

2nd step: Take Inventory

• Decide what you will move, throw away, donate or garage sale.
• Clear out everything you don't intend to move with you.

3rd step: Start Packing

• Start by packing things you won't need in the next couple of weeks such as out of season clothes, holiday fare, knick-knacks.
• Label boxes with contents and room location.

4th step: Finish Packing

•  Set aside valuables like jewelry, bills to be paid, receipts you may need, banking, and medication.
• Clean your home as you would want a home cleaned for your move in.

5th step: Moving on

• Make a final walk-through to make sure nothing has been overlooked in closets or cabinets.
• Turn off the lights and lock the doors. You are done.
•  
• 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!
  
  
  
  
   

New Area Code for Austin

As of June 1, 2013, Austin will get a new area code! 737.
So moving forward all phone numbers for the Austin area will require dailing a 10 digit number which will include either the existing 512 or new 737 area code. All automatic dailing numbers like FAX, alarm systems, auto dialing and contacts lists will need to be updated.
Your current phone number will not change nor will numbers like 911, 311 or 411.Questions about the new Austin area code?
Austin American Statesman

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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What Will Sell Your House

According to information from a NAHB Survey - What Home Buyers Really Want, 2012 shows the average home size in 2011 was 2,480 sq.ft.
And what are the top amenities that influenced a buyers decision to buy?
65% Living space and the number of rooms
39% Energy efficiency
35% An insulated ans sealed home
33% Location, location, location
31% Ease of maintenance
25% Upgraded appliances and windows

If you are planning to sell your home, you can't rebuild it or change it's location but pay attention to the list below because if you could improve your home with any out of the list below, you can improve your chances of selling your house at an optimum. Here are the top 10 HOTEST trends:
1. Energy Star rated appliances
2. A Laundry room
3. A high energy rating for the whole house
4. An exhaust fan in the bathroom
5. Exterior lighting
6. A linen closet in the bathroom
7. Energy efficiency windows
8. Ceiling fans
9. Storage in the garage
10. An eating area in the kitchen

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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