It's true. You can acclimate to the heat in Austin. And this year it is hot! We have had over 45 days of 100 degrees or more and broken the record for the average summer high. That is when you average all the daily temperatures for the summer thus far, the total is the highest in history.
But don't let that prevent you from relocating to this great city. It's not always that hot. According to weather statistics we only had 2 days at or over 100 degrees last summer but I can't remember it getting over 96 degrees.
I relocate a lot of people to our area and one of the questions I get asked a lot is what kind of weather conditions we have and if there are tornadoes. I've lived in Austin for 20 years and here's my experience:
RAIN - We either have too much or not enough. The storms are huge but don't worry about it no matter how the news media tries to scare you with the weather reports. Don't play golf if it's lightening. Low water crossings flood. Our slogan is "turn around, don't drown." Sometimes lakefront property floods. The average neighborhood is unlikely to flood. The MLS sheets have an entry to alert you if a home is in a flood plain so you don't have to buy in one. The rain keeps our lawns green and the lakes full.
SNOW - I think it snows about once every 10 years. We do often have one good ice storm in a winter. It has been know to shut down the city. Northerners laugh at us because we don't drive on ice. Keep in mind we don't have snow tires or experience since it's a once a year happening. it's a good opportunity for the kids to get a day off school and maybe you can get a day off work.
DROUGHT - Yes we have that. Almost every summer. There are scheduled watering days for your lawn. The lake levels go down and they come back up. If you are not a farmer there will be little impact.
HURRICANES - We are pretty far from the coast. There has been some wind damage from hurricanes but nothing like living on the coast.
TORNADOES - Often there are tornado watches or warnings. The only tornado I can remember was about 10 years ago in a community named Jarrell which is north of Austin. I live near the northern boarder and still don't know where Jarrell is because it's too far north for my real estate connections.
HAIL - Yes, we have that. I've seen the results of large hail storms with ripped trees, down fences, roofing company signs in yards and dented cars but I've never had more than pea-sized hail hit my house in the 18 years I've owned it.
TEMPERATURE - It's hot in the summer and warm most of the rest of the year. We do have freezing temperatures from time to time. It seems like summer is 9 months and winter from December through February. If you like outdoor activities, this is a great place to be. Most of the time the weather is great enough to be outdoors and there are is always something going on.
This is my experience. Send me yours.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Austin Smart Consumer
If you are relocating to the Austin area or are a current resident but need resources for doctors, dentists, accountants, painters and more, visit Austin Smart Consumer which is a great resource for services and I'm a featured business this week. Look for my photo on the left side. Click and read my advice column and view video interviews. I have one for real estate in general, home buying and home selling. 
Monday, August 11, 2008
AUSTIN ENTERTAINMENT AND NEWS
All about Austin
Austin restaurants
Zachery Scott Theater
The Austin Ballet
Austin American Statesman
Austin Chronicle
Austin Business Journal
Austin City Guide
Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau
Austin Entrtainment
Texas Football
UT Performing Arts Center
Paramount Theatre and State Theatre Companies
Austin Children's Museum
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Austin Museum of Art
The Blanton Museum of Art
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library
Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
I want to be your REALTOR. To find out more about how I can help you, visit my Web site at http:www/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.
Like us on facebook!
Austin restaurants
Zachery Scott Theater
The Austin Ballet
Austin American Statesman
Austin Chronicle
Austin Business Journal
Austin City Guide
Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau
Austin Entrtainment
Texas Football
UT Performing Arts Center
Paramount Theatre and State Theatre Companies
Austin Children's Museum
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Austin Museum of Art
The Blanton Museum of Art
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library
Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
I want to be your REALTOR. To find out more about how I can help you, visit my Web site at http:www/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.
Like us on facebook!
I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE IT AWAY
This is something I hear from almost every seller. It generally means that they have an amount in mind that they think their home is worth and they don't want to sell it for less. Of course not. However, what is the reality of the situation?
Usually the seller has no idea what extra upgrades or improved conditions other homes in the neighborhood have and believe their home to be nicer than all the others. Sometimes they are but to price a home right - price it to sell, you must be sure.
When you hire a REALTOR, that agent should provide you with a comparative market analysis of your home comparing it to sold homes of similar age, size, condition and in proximity to yours. Looking at the numbers and charts may not be enough to help you make the best decision. If you and the REALTOR are not in agreement over the numbers, ask your agent to show you active listings which represent your competition. This will help you with an informed decision.
If your objective is to sell your home, it needs to be priced at a point where you will get offers. Over pricing a home will reduce the number of showings and the opportunity to find that right buyer. The National Association of Realtors surveys show that if a home is priced right it will sell faster and for more money than if it's over priced.
Remember, you have hired a REALTOR. He/she is an experienced expert. The REALTOR doesn't determine the price, the market determines the price. Use the information your REALTOR has and work with him/her to determine a marketable price to get your house sold.
If you are interested in selling a house in the greater Austin area, I want to be your REALTOR. I'm a Certified Residential Specialist and a Seller's Representative Specialist. To find out more about how I can help you, visit my Web site at http://www.robinscottrealtor.com and contact me at 512.589.7988 or 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.
Like us on facebook!
Usually the seller has no idea what extra upgrades or improved conditions other homes in the neighborhood have and believe their home to be nicer than all the others. Sometimes they are but to price a home right - price it to sell, you must be sure.
When you hire a REALTOR, that agent should provide you with a comparative market analysis of your home comparing it to sold homes of similar age, size, condition and in proximity to yours. Looking at the numbers and charts may not be enough to help you make the best decision. If you and the REALTOR are not in agreement over the numbers, ask your agent to show you active listings which represent your competition. This will help you with an informed decision.
If your objective is to sell your home, it needs to be priced at a point where you will get offers. Over pricing a home will reduce the number of showings and the opportunity to find that right buyer. The National Association of Realtors surveys show that if a home is priced right it will sell faster and for more money than if it's over priced.
Remember, you have hired a REALTOR. He/she is an experienced expert. The REALTOR doesn't determine the price, the market determines the price. Use the information your REALTOR has and work with him/her to determine a marketable price to get your house sold.
If you are interested in selling a house in the greater Austin area, I want to be your REALTOR. I'm a Certified Residential Specialist and a Seller's Representative Specialist. To find out more about how I can help you, visit my Web site at http://www.robinscottrealtor.com and contact me at 512.589.7988 or 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.
Like us on facebook!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
IN THE CONTRACT OFFER, WHAT ARE PRORATIONS
The paragraph addressing prorations is to notify the home buyer and home seller that fees related to the home which are paid for a period of time during which both parties may be in ownership will be prorated and split at closing. For instance, property taxes and homeowner association (HOA) fees.
In Texas, the property taxes are paid at the end of the year so the prorated amount is figured from January 1 through the day of closing and debited from the sellers proceeds and credited to the buyer so that at the end of the year the buyer can pay the full tax bill. The HOA fees may have been paid in advance by the seller so the buyer will be debited from the day after closing through the paid period and the seller would be credited the balance.
If you are interested in buying or selling a home, I want to be your REALTOR. To find out more about how I can help you visit my Web site at http:www.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.
Like us on facebook!
In Texas, the property taxes are paid at the end of the year so the prorated amount is figured from January 1 through the day of closing and debited from the sellers proceeds and credited to the buyer so that at the end of the year the buyer can pay the full tax bill. The HOA fees may have been paid in advance by the seller so the buyer will be debited from the day after closing through the paid period and the seller would be credited the balance.
If you are interested in buying or selling a home, I want to be your REALTOR. To find out more about how I can help you visit my Web site at http:www.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.
Like us on facebook!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
5 THINGS TO IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE
Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:
1. Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.
2. How much you owe. If you owe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it’s a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits.
3. The length of your credit history. In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer's oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit for some time, according to Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years.
4. How much new credit you have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay them promptly.
5. The types of credit you use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit — installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example.
For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score.
I want to be your REALTOR®. To find out more about how I can help you visit my Web site at http://www.robincottrealtor.com and contact me at 512.589.7988 or 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.
Like us on facebook!
1. Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.
2. How much you owe. If you owe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it’s a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits.
3. The length of your credit history. In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer's oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit for some time, according to Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years.
4. How much new credit you have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay them promptly.
5. The types of credit you use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit — installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example.
For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score.
I want to be your REALTOR®. To find out more about how I can help you visit my Web site at http://www.robincottrealtor.com and contact me at 512.589.7988 or 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.
Like us on facebook!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
REALTORS ARE GREAT RESOURCES
Yesterday a past client called to ask for two things. First a comparative market analysis (CMA) of his home and second a referral to a tile installer.
It was easy to generate at CMA and usually I do this once a year for my clients without being asked but this homeowner hadn't been in his home a full year. The good news was that the value of his home had not declined since purchase. Your REALTOR® is the best resource for finding the market value of your home and neighborhood because they are familiar with your property and have a better understanding of the area where Web sites are generic and lifting flyers in your area only gives you an idea of asking price not selling price.
A tile installer was not on my list of vendors but I was easily able to get 10 referrals from REALTORS® in my network. For my clients, I compile a list of all kinds of vendors or can get names for whatever my clients need from lawn service to job inquires.
When you are looking for someone in an industry, be sure to remember your REALTOR® has vast resources.
If you know anyone interested in buying or selling a home in the Austin area, I want to be your REALTOR®. Visit my Web site for more information on how I can help you or to search for properties http://www.robinscottrealtor.com Please call or email 512.589.7988 or robin@robinscottrealtor.com. If you know someone who is looking for a REALTOR® outside the Austin area I can referr them to a reputable agent in their area.
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!
It was easy to generate at CMA and usually I do this once a year for my clients without being asked but this homeowner hadn't been in his home a full year. The good news was that the value of his home had not declined since purchase. Your REALTOR® is the best resource for finding the market value of your home and neighborhood because they are familiar with your property and have a better understanding of the area where Web sites are generic and lifting flyers in your area only gives you an idea of asking price not selling price.
A tile installer was not on my list of vendors but I was easily able to get 10 referrals from REALTORS® in my network. For my clients, I compile a list of all kinds of vendors or can get names for whatever my clients need from lawn service to job inquires.
When you are looking for someone in an industry, be sure to remember your REALTOR® has vast resources.
If you know anyone interested in buying or selling a home in the Austin area, I want to be your REALTOR®. Visit my Web site for more information on how I can help you or to search for properties http://www.robinscottrealtor.com Please call or email 512.589.7988 or robin@robinscottrealtor.com. If you know someone who is looking for a REALTOR® outside the Austin area I can referr them to a reputable agent in their area.
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!
Monday, August 4, 2008
SEPTEMBER EVENTS IN AUSTIN
There are always many fun things to do in Austin so mark your calendar. Here some things in September:
Austin Salsa Music Festival with music and dancing from Puerto Rico. 512.251.8122 http://www.prfdance.org
Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival - Sept. 3-7. This features films by and about gays and lesbians with various venues. 512.302.9889 http://www.afliff.org
Diez y Seis Celebration - Sept. 15-16. the 29th anniversary celebration with music and a car show at fiesta Gardens. http://www.diezyseis.org
Old Pecan Street Fall Arts Festival - Sept 20-21. Up and down 6th Street (once named Pecan Street) is live music, arts and crafts vendors and entertainment for children as well. 512.443.6179 http://www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com
Austin City Limits Music Festival - Sept 26-28. This is one of the two major musical annual events featuring bands from all over the country performing for three days. There will also be food and arts and crafts. It's at Zilker Park, 2100 Barton springs Rd. http://www.aclfest.com
Stay cool, drink water and have fun!
Austin Salsa Music Festival with music and dancing from Puerto Rico. 512.251.8122 http://www.prfdance.org
Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival - Sept. 3-7. This features films by and about gays and lesbians with various venues. 512.302.9889 http://www.afliff.org
Diez y Seis Celebration - Sept. 15-16. the 29th anniversary celebration with music and a car show at fiesta Gardens. http://www.diezyseis.org
Old Pecan Street Fall Arts Festival - Sept 20-21. Up and down 6th Street (once named Pecan Street) is live music, arts and crafts vendors and entertainment for children as well. 512.443.6179 http://www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com
Austin City Limits Music Festival - Sept 26-28. This is one of the two major musical annual events featuring bands from all over the country performing for three days. There will also be food and arts and crafts. It's at Zilker Park, 2100 Barton springs Rd. http://www.aclfest.com
Stay cool, drink water and have fun!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
SELLER'S REPRESENTATIVE SPECIALIST (SRS)
If you are interested in selling a house in the greater Austin area, I want to be your REALTOR®. I'm a Seller's Representative Specialist, an Accredited Buyer's Representative and a Certified Residential Specialist. Visit my Web site at http://www.robinscottrealtor.com or contact me at robin@robinscottrealtor.com or 512.589.7988. If you are outside the Austin area, I can refer you to qualified REALTORS® through my REALTOR® network.
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!
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