Minimum Service Brokerage

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) which was created to protect the consumer and regulates real estate licensees in Texas has ruled on a minimum amount of services which a minimum service brokerage (real estate brokers who offer a very low commission charge) must deliver.

Under 22 TAC 535.156 the real estate licensee must:
* submit all offers to the seller
* convey all known information which could affect the principle's (client's) decisions
* deal fairly and honestly with all parties and owes a duty of fiduciary to her principal
* convey accurate information

If the minimum service broker has an exclusive agency relationship, he may not instruct the buyers agent to negotiate directly with the seller nor may the buyer's agent negotiate directly with the seller.
In addition, the minimum service broker must:
* answer the clients questions related to the offer
* keep the client informed of material information
* present offers

Although a minimum service agent has a duty to provide a minimum amount of service, a real estate transaction can become a complicated affair and usually involves negotiating from beginning all the way to closing. It's a smart idea to have a professional on your side; looking out for your best interests. Although you may have bought and sold property before and can read information online, a REALTOR who has helped purchase and sell hundreds of properties can help you with negotiating, with processes and with the complications which arise during a real estate transaction.

I want to be your REALTOR. If you are thinking of selling a house, give me a call. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about the seller's disclosure or other matters involving selling a home. 512. 589.7988.

If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home in Austin, I want to be your REALTOR. And I appreciate your referrals as well. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 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!

Milwood Neighborhood Becomes Rattan Creek

)

The beautiful section of the Milwood residential development which surrounds Rattan Creek and Rattan Creek Park is planning to change the signs at the entrance to the neighborhood to "Rattan Creek" to distinguish it from the rest of Milwood. In the future, I'll post blogs related to this neighborhood under Rattan Creek.

This Milwood Rattan Creek has been my neighborhood for over 20 years and I love living here. If you have a home to sell or would like to buy a home in this area, close to downtown, tons of shopping, a great parks system and excellent schools, give me a call. I want to be your REALTOR.



RelocateAmerica.com ranked Austin Ranked Among Best Cities to Relocate
“Austin was ranked the third best city to move to in the United States, according to a RelocateAmerica.com report. The relocating resources website listed Austin just behind Huntsville, Ala. and Washington D.C. for overall best place to move.” - Austin American-Statesman

If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home in Austin, I want to be your REALTOR. And I appreciate your referrals as well. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 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!

Another Successful Closing - Congrats to Molly and Bryan

This 3/2/2 house with an attached 2/1 apartment Just SOLD! Listed at $625,000 in Clarksville neighborhood of Austin's popular downtown area. Congratulations and thanks to Molly and Bryan.

RelocateAmerica.com ranked Austin Ranked Among Best Cities to Relocate
“Austin was ranked the third best city to move to in the United States, according to a RelocateAmerica.com report. The relocating resources website listed Austin just behind Huntsville, Ala. and Washington D.C. for overall best place to move.” - Austin American-Statesman

If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home in Austin, I want to be your REALTOR. And I appreciate your referrals as well. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 512.589.7988 or robin @robinscottrealtor.com

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

Information About Brokerage Services - Texas

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has written the form below and requires all Texas real estate agents to present this information at the first substantial conversation they have with a prospective client or customer. If you are planning to work with an agent, be sure to get a copy of this form "Information About Brokerage Service." It is not a commitment. Just a disclosure of information. You will be asked to sign it as evidence it was presented to you because TREC does audit offices to make sure they are using this form.


RelocateAmerica.com ranked Austin Ranked Among Best Cities to Relocate
“Austin was ranked the third best city to move to in the United States, according to a RelocateAmerica.com report. The relocating resources website listed Austin just behind Huntsville, Ala. and Washington D.C. for overall best place to move.” - Austin American-Statesman

If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home in Austin, I want to be your REALTOR. And I appreciate your referrals as well. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 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!

My Real Estate Investing Strategies - entry 7

Oh my! Make ready for an investment property. We want it to be nice so the tenant will be happy, stay longer and complain less when we raise the rent next year. The house cleaner has been working on cleaning for two days because there was so much grime. She actually had to remove the light fixtures from the ceiling fan and soap them in Krud Kutter. If you have never heard of Krud Kutter, pick up a bottle at your Home Depot. It's hands down the best product to clean grease off anything.

Most of the tile is in and the plumber came to relocate the shower drain, control and head so that we could turn the crummy tub into a walk-in shower. He ran into some difficulty I didn't understand when a worn out part broke off while removing it. Hopefully, he'll be back this evening to finish up.

Once it's all done, I'll post photos. This morning, I picked out the tile for the shower and found I can pay for it and leave it for the contractor to pick up so my husband and I don't have to transport it. We are doing everything on the cheap by purchasing materials on our own but still want it to be nice.

RelocateAmerica.com ranked Austin Ranked Among Best Cities to Relocate
“Austin was ranked the third best city to move to in the United States, according to a RelocateAmerica.com report. The relocating resources website listed Austin just behind Huntsville, Ala. and Washington D.C. for overall best place to move.” - Austin American-Statesman

If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home in Austin, I want to be your REALTOR. And I appreciate your referrals as well. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 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!

Client or Customer - Agency Relationship

It's really important to understand the difference between being a REALTOR's client vs a customer. 

A customer is a person who is NOT represented by the agent. You may still receive information and assistance and the agent must treat you fairly and honestly but the agent does NOT represent you which means they represent the other party.

A client is a person who has agreed to representation by an agent and enjoys all the benefits of representation.

So how does one become represented? Simply by signing a representation agreement. For home sellers that would be a listing agreement. Important: In Texas, if you are a home buyer who has not signed a representation agreement with an agent, the agent is representing the seller, NOT YOU. If you have engaged the services of a REALTOR and not been presented with a representation agreement or refused to sign a representation agreement, that REALTOR represents the seller by default.

Services a real estate customer can expect:
• information about properties
• disclosure of none defects
• preparation of contract offers
• assistance with coordination of inspections
• assistance in locating and obtaining financing
• coordination in problem solving and facilitating closing
Additional services which a client can expect:
• advice on what the market value of a property is and how much to offer
• disclosure of the price the seller might take
• information on the sellers motivation and urgency to sell
• information of previous offers
• owes you a feduciary responsibility
• advice on negotiating strategies

Remember, if you are expecting representation, be sure to get the agreement in writing.

RelocateAmerica.com ranked Austin Ranked Among Best Cities to Relocate
“Austin was ranked the third best city to move to in the United States, according to a RelocateAmerica.com report. The relocating resources website listed Austin just behind Huntsville, Ala. and Washington D.C. for overall best place to move.” - Austin American-Statesman

If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home in Austin, I want to be your REALTOR. And I appreciate your referrals as well. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 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!

My Real Estate Investing Strategies - entry 6

This morning I met my friend Patti Stevens from Carpet Supply at the house to get a price on carpeting. I'd love to put in wood floors but keeping in mind this is a rental property and carpet is less expensive to install, maintain and replace, I choose carpet for the areas not tiled - a neutral color.

Speaking of tile, The tile installers have started laying the tile. I was in the entry and guest bath. It's very exciting to see it down.


RelocateAmerica.com ranked Austin Ranked Among Best Cities to Relocate
“Austin was ranked the third best city to move to in the United States, according to a RelocateAmerica.com report. The relocating resources website listed Austin just behind Huntsville, Ala. and Washington D.C. for overall best place to move.” - Austin American-Statesman

2014 UPDATE:  The market value of this property is now 3 times what we paid for it 15 years ago! That's a great return on investment.

If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home in Austin, I want to be your REALTOR. And I appreciate your referrals as well. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 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!

My Real Estate Investing Strategies - entry 5

This afternoon I went by the house to see what progress was made by the installer. When you have contractors working on a property, it's important to check on them to make sure everything is right before it becomes expensive to fix or change.

Martin had removed all the old flooring and the tub. I was very excited. All is going well so far.


RelocateAmerica.com ranked Austin Ranked Among Best Cities to Relocate
“Austin was ranked the third best city to move to in the United States, according to a RelocateAmerica.com report. The relocating resources website listed Austin just behind Huntsville, Ala. and Washington D.C. for overall best place to move.” - Austin American-Statesman

If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home in Austin, I want to be your REALTOR. And I appreciate your referrals as well. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 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!

My Real Estate Inveting Strategies - entry 4

Our first project for the make-ready and improvement of this rental is to put tile in the entry, kitchen, both bathrooms and replace the crummy fiberglass tub with a crack in the master with a tiled walk-in shower. I believe that improving the property makes it easier to lease, keep leased and to raise the rent. I'm really excited to see the results.

After research and consideration, I decided to use a neutral 13 x 13 inch tile for the floor, the same time in a 6 x 6 inch for the walls of the shower and a small 1 x 1 inch tile for the floor of the shower. The tile has been purchased.

My tile installer is also a tenant at another property. He did a beautiful job when he tiled my house so if you live in Austin and need a tile installer, I'll happily recommend him. Today Martin started working on installing the tile. Tile installer Martin Cerda at 512.696.1275.

RelocateAmerica.com ranked Austin Ranked Among Best Cities to Relocate
 
“Austin was ranked the third best city to move to in the United States, according to a RelocateAmerica.com report. The relocating resources website listed Austin just behind Huntsville, Ala. and Washington D.C. for overall best place to move.” - Austin American-Statesman

If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home in Austin, I want to be your REALTOR. And I appreciate your referrals as well. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 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!