Happy New Year!

Wishing You and Yours
all the best in 2009!

Weekly messages.....

Many of you already know that each week I sent out an email....last year they focused on building "wealth"....whatever wealth is for you.

This year the theme is happiness.

If you would like to receive the messages each week, shoot me an email and let me know. Also feel free to let your friends know that this is available, I'll happily add them as well.

Here's a sample message....

Happiness is your birthright....

It's not just for the few, for the worthy, for the "righteous". Happiness is for all of us, like the air that we breathe.

Stop for a moment. Feel the air going in and out of your lungs. We take the air for granted, and so we should. It does not have to be deserved, earned or worked for. It is yours. You are entitled to it.

It's the same with happiness. You may have been talked in to thinking that happiness is conditional (I'll be happy when I get X, Y or Z), but it isn't.

What would happen if you suddenly begin to realize that happiness is your birthright?

I need some clean jokes.....

Can you help me out? I'm talking stuff like....What do you call a guy at your door with no arms or legs.....Matt.... Stuff I can use in a class setting. I realize the one about the no arms/no legs guy is borderline offensive...and that's exactly why I need some good stuff...

Send your favorites to chad at chadcardani dot com (or click the link on the contact page of my website)....Whoever sends the best joke will get one of my famous South Austin People gift baskets.

Show me what'ya got!

Have you ever googled yourself?

I promise....I'm not talking about anything you have to hide from your parents....well, unless you've done something you're not terribly proud of and it has made it to the internet.

Every once in a while I type my name in google just to see what comes up. I get a chuckle out of some of the results that go all the way back to my college days.

Most recently I was surprised to see a youtube video of me at the By Referral Only Main Event in Dallas last February. It was my second Main Event and I was asked to talk about how being a member had changed my business and my life. One of the things they have a hard time finding people to talk about is called "Fabulous First Impressions" - what kinds of things my clients experience when they come to my office for the first time.



So, here's the scoop! For any of you who haven't experienced world-class service before, this is just the beginning of what to expect. Be sure to note that this all took place when I was at my former brokerage so the video directions are different now. And remember, I always have time to help you, your friends, your coworkers and your family buy and sell real estate in Austin and the surrounding areas. Please don't keep me a secret!

Who's in?

It's rolling around again....you know, that time of year when we set resolutions and promise ourselves to make changes in our lives. I don't know about you, but I'm really good at coming up with great ideas, all things that would be very positive....and then doing nothing about them.

Sometimes the reason these grand ideas fail is because while I've developed the _idea_ I haven't developed a plan for implementation. Other times it is because I get started, and then get discouraged....too much pain, too much expense, too LAZY (I'm sure that laziness is the biggest culprit).

But here's the deal. We're really in a different world right now. There are so many things happening around us that are completely out of our control, that if you're not careful, can really drag you down. Have you noticed in those weekly messages I've been sending about building wealth (look forward to the 2009 messages - Instant Happiness) that there is really one main theme....that is...what you focus on increases.

So here we go...2009 is right around the corner....and I'm tired of letting things I have no control over have such an impact on me. Basically, I'm going to work to be more happy and positive. And I'm going to do THAT by doing a few other things I know I should do and I simply don't.

Here are some of the things I'm going to incorporate into my life to help reach that main goal...

- get up earlier, go to the office earlier, and accomplish very specific things each day at the office before I allow myself to "play"
- spend more time studying and practicing systems available to me from By Referral Only
- get better at asking all of you for the referrals of the people you know and like that can benefit from my help buying and selling homes
- eat less food - still the stuff I like, just less of it
- avoid sugars even more than I already do
- write some great scripts and build my video library both for clients and students
- write at least one more course to teach at the Austin Board of REALTORS
- get myself prepared to participate in a triathlon (it'll start with a 5k and a bike ride) I'm gonna start here...

So...anyone one to join me in any of this? I've found that if there are a couple people in your life (they don't have to be close, just have the ability to communicate via telephone or email or blogging) that will participate with you. In fact, your goals don't have to be anything like my goals....we just need to help hold one another accountable by sharing what we've done.

This all gets under way in....

Why By Referral Only (and why do I blog)

Or...why do I blog, and why By Referral Only....

As many of you know I've been doing some teaching again - and I love it. Many of my the people in my classes are newer agents, just getting started in the business. During most of the breaks, people ask me how I built my business, what I think the new trend are, etc. We often discuss "social marketing" ....twitter, blogger, facebook, etc.

The discussions almost always include these two questions..."why do you do it" and "does it make you money". My response is "I do it so that people that already know me, like me and trust me can send people they already know, like and trust to my website so that those people can start to know, like and trust ME. THAT, in turn, will increase the chances that folks will ask for my help as they buy and sell real estate in Austin and the surrounding areas.

So for all of you who have had these discussions with me in class, and all of you who I have had these discussions with in other settings, there is a video I want to share. This came to me from a friend in the By Referral Only network.

Wishing you a very
Merry Christmas!

A visit to the Texas Capital

Our friend Stan suggested we visit the State Capital today.....I haven't been there for a long time and I don't think my parents have ever been there - although they're confident they have for some reason.

The capital is really a magnificent building. Because the legislature is not in session, were were able to see a few places that we would not have normally been able to visit, including the speakers Chambers and a few private reception areas.

I kept my eyes peeled for Patrick Rose but unfortunately we didn't run in to him. I thought about going to his office but didn't want to seem like a stalker.

If you haven't been there, I would recommend visiting during the holidays. Of course much of the beauty of the building is there all the time, so it is really always a good time to visit. If you're interested, you can see the photos we took today. You'll notice many of them are formatted for HD Widescreen - I was going to make a slide show and put it to music and all that stuff...but then as I was cropping photos and stuff there were a few pictures that wouldn't fit that format without loosing a bunch of the important details....so there ya go....



The visitors center has some online information to check out before you leave to assist in planning.

Happy Holidays from.....

Iowa State University????

Today I received a cool e-card from the President of Iowa State University (I'm guessing it came from his people, he's probably got other things going on...wouldn't you agree?). Now, while I was working at TX State University I heard so many people say "Oh the campus is SO beautiful...." and I'd think to myself "WTF??" Maybe it is school spirit that makes everyone think their campus is the most beautiful, their program is the most magnificant, their faculty are the best at what they do, blah blah blah....or it could just be human nature.

ANYWAY, this link will take you to a cute e-card that will show highlight some of the cool things that make Iowa State what it is.... You'll see the campanile, Beardshear Hall, and hear the choir. The card is just something fun I wanted to share with you since I haven't been on here all that much since my parents arrived last Saturday. (The visit is going well, in case you're wondering.)

Till next time - enjoy the people and things around you!

My Money, My Home, My Future

This press release just came to me via the Real Estate Buyers Agent Council (REBAC) - the organization that holds my Accredited Buyers Representative designation. There is some interesting stuff on the website - click the link and it will open in a new window...

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today launched a new, comprehensive website to assist Americans with improving financial literacy, sustaining healthy homeownership and achieving financial security. The My Money, My Home, My Future website provides a range of interactive resources to inform users about the importance of financial literacy, including a Self-Assessment Tool, online games and informative classes.

"It is imperative that Americans are better educated about their finances and understand what it takes to be a responsible homeowner," said HUD Secretary Steve Preston. "The resources on the website allow families to plan ahead to make smart choices about their finances and homebuying decisions."

The new site provides a wide-range of information about all avenues needed to be successful on the road to greater financial education, including:

-Building a Financial Foundation;
-Sustaining Healthy Homeownership; and
-Achieving Financial Security.

One of the most unique features of this website is the Self-Assessment Tool. The Self-Assessment Tool provides an extensive guide to help users learn more about personalized options for purchasing and/or refinancing their home. Users will be prompted to answer a few questions. Based on the answers given, the Self-Assessment Tool lists numerous links to visit on-line to learn more about the necessary and correct steps to own a home, refinance a home, enhance their financial skills, and much more.

Some of the other links on My Money, My Home, My Future give detailed information about:

-9 Steps to Buying a Home
-Housing Counselors and Lenders
-Banking, Credit and Building Wealth
-Foreclosure Process and Alternatives
-Refinancing Loans and FHA Insured Loans

This new site is also located on www.HUD.gov and www.FHA.gov both in easy to find locations on the main web pages.

The pictures are finally ready to share!

This is my first crack at a video. I'm totally excited about the Austin Real Pros background - it looks great. We'll work on the audio for next time.

Following my thank you video you can see all the shots we have from the Client Appreciation Party. If you see any you'd like just send me an email and I'll send them right over. Enjoy the beautiful voice of Lisa Tingle as you watch the pics....and remember to check out www.lisatingle.com for her show schedule.

Enjoy!

Fun Holiday Stuff

Y'all probably already know we've been gearing up for my parents to visit from Iowa. They'll be here for two weeks. I've been spending some time thinking about things to do for entertainment....they have to be interesting, inexpensive, and places that two old people can navigate.....

Now they've already been to Zach's Rockin' Christmas party and really enjoyed it. I'm thinking maybe this year we'll see the Santaland Diaries?

Mom has been to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar....and we'll do that again. This year it will be at the Austin Convention Center from 11 to 11 on December 12-24th.

Did you know there is also a Keep Austin Bizarre bizarre at the Palmer Events Center?? It happens December 12-23 from 11 to 11 as well.

Of course there is also the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. Can you believe I have never been there? I'm going to be sure that my mom brings her handicapped tag so we can get parking near the entrance - I'm not sure either of my parents can walk that far!

Every year we spend at least one afternoon making candy and cookies to share with the neighbors - we'll for sure be doing that again. And both of my parents enjoy "down time" at Canyon Lake, so we'll be spending about three days there. My dad really likes the River Walk in San Antonio so we'll probably head there from Canyon Lake one afternoon.

I'd love to hear other ideas from all of you.....send them to chad@chadcardani.com and I'll be sure and add them to the blog for others to see as well!

What's that!?!?

It's SNOW!

So last night we had our friend Lisa Tingle over for dinner. Her birthday is today so we had a cake and all that stuff, along with some steaks on the grill and a salad with famous Claire Hyder dressing.

We were watching a movie....and head this noise....looked outside and it had started raining. Texas rain - so it was pouring. When the movie was over we were sitting around talking and Milhouse came in from outside and I saw this white stuff on him....and I thought to myself...what the !?!?

It was SNOW! We looked outside and huge snowflakes - I mean I haven't seen snowflakes this large since I've lived in Texas more than maybe two times. It was beautiful. And today, there is snow on our roofs.... I know for those of you in other parts of the country this isn't really even "snow" and you're probably also aware that by noon it will be gone and tomorrow it is supposed to be in the 70's...but still....we have SNOW!

So a funny thing about lunch yesterday. As we (I, some folks from here, and our new friends from the NAR offices in DC and Chicago) were enjoying the mid 70's temps with sun on the patio at ABoR, I said this is fall in Texas...savor it..it lasts about 15 minutes. They looked at my very confused, and we explained that "fall" is usually very fast here. What a great way to illustrate what I meant!

An interesting couple of days...

Today and yesterday were pretty interesting days. I spent the day at the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) taking the first ever NAR Green Designation course. By first ever I mean this was the first time it had been taught to anyone other than the instructors. It is also the first National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) sustainable living designation course.

Part of the fun came from the people that were in the class. Because I had another engagement at the board earlier in the day, I wasn't able to get my favorite seat in the regular classroom - the one just inside the door and near the coffee maker.

Anyway, as I was looking for a place to sit (it was a full house) I ended up clear across the room in one of the last available seats. When people started sitting down so the course could begin, I realized I was sitting at a table full of NAR executives.

To make a long story short, I spent the two days learning about sustainable living, green design, and how to best serve clients looking to buy and sell properties with green features. Along the way, I was able to get to know all of these people....

Deb Waldman, Texas Association of REALTORS® Director of Professional Development
Steve Brown, NAR Vice President
James Helsel, NAR Treasurer
Katie Stouffs, NAR Vice President
Denise Marx, NAR Vice President
Charles McMillen, NAR President
Ron Phipps, NAR First Vice President

Among the NAR and TAR leaders were several familiar faces from our local board - from up and coming leaders all the way to the 2008 ABoR President of the Board.

Cool stuff, huh! I am hopeful that these relationships will lead to additional opportunities to learn and contribute in the organizations. These relationships also assist me in providing top notch client representation to you and those you choose to refer to me.

Any questions about the green designation or sustainable real estate practices? Shoot me an email or give me a call and let's talk!

Create your own "bail out"

Credit scores are more important now than ever before. Regardless of what you think about the Wall Street bailout and the US automakers begging for money so they can make more cars that nobody wants, there are some great ways you can create your own "bail out" when it comes to your personal credit score.

It is important to understand what your FICO score is comprised of. FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) uses information from your credit reports to create a score, or grade. The range is from 300 to 850. The information on the reports gets "weighed" as follows:

35% Payment History. (paying on time, applies to any bills such as mortgage, car loan, credit cards, home equity loans, but NOT to utility bills, unless they go in to collection.

30% Amounts Current Owed. This compares the amount of credit you have available with the amount of credit you are using. If you have $30,000 available and are using $25,000, your score will be more negatively impacted than if you were only using $5,000.

15% Length of Credit History. The longer you have an account open, the less of a credit risk you tend to be, which is great for your FICO score.

10% Newly opened accounts and credit inquiries. Folks with newly opened accounts tend to be riskier, and a credit inquiry indicates that someone is looking at your report and that you're shopping for new credit. It won't lower your score if you married spouse opens an account at Nordstrom, but it will affect their account, and could result in higher interest rates on other credit accounts held jointly....like a mortgage.

How to improve your score? It's really pretty simple...

• Pay off your debt
• Make payments on time - even if you can only pay the minimum
• Fix any errors (credit reports should have information on how to accomplish this)
• Make automatic payments
• Pread your credit out - it's better to have small balances on a few cards than it is to have one big balance on one card. HOWEVER - don't go open new credit accounts to spread the balances around - this only applies to accounts you already have!

For more tips, it is wise to speak with a qualified financial advisor....perhaps our strategic alliance partner Amy Krause at www.amykrause.com

And, remember the post from a few weeks ago on holiday gift giving?? Avoid the temptation to charge presents!

4.75% mortgages???

Lots of news lately in terms of mortgage rates. Many of you have been calling asking me what the real deal is....so here is what we understand now. Remember, things are changing nearly every day, so some of these details may change slightly or even be eliminated with completely different things being added.

The low rate would only be available to those purchasing a home, not for refinancing.

Loan limits will be the maximum amount for conforming loans, $417,000 in Texas.

The government hopes that this plan will increase the demand for homes and stabilize housing prices, both key components for improving the current economic situation.

Home buyers who have not owned a home in the last 3 years may also be eligible for a $3,750 tax credit ($7,500 for a couple) if they purchase a home before July 31, 2009.

Although it is aimed at purchasers, the increased demand for mortgage-backed securities may cause mortgage rates in general to drop. That, in turn, would enable many homeowners to refinance into lower rate loans.

With 30-year fixed rates for loans of $417,000 or less dropping significantly this week, refinancing may make sense for homeowners with rates of 6.25% or higher. We will be glad to run a quick analysis of potential savings.

Remember there is a compelling reason to get a property under contract before the end of 2008 - and that is FHA required down payment (not a gift, no special programs, you must have this amount of cash available) will change from 3% to 3.5% on January 1, 2009. This is a difference of about $1000 out of pocket on a $200,000 home.

Friends, remember that I always have time to assist the friends, family and coworkers that you like, when it comes to buying and selling real estate. The next time you're talking to someone that can use my help, give me a call.

A quick holiday recipe to share....

Our friend Susan started an email recipe exchange a few weeks ago....and this recipe came to my inbox this morning. As I was reading it I was thinking it would be something quick and fun to share with my parents when they come down for christmas (they arrive next SATURDAY!?!?).

Quick and Easy Brisket

One large brisket (the uncooked kind you trim the fat off yourself)
1-2 bay leaves
2 cans pepsi
Toms Louisiana Creole Seasoning
4-6 small or 3 large onions

Directions
Preheat oven to 400
Slice onions and spread in bottom of pan
Trim excess fat off brisket (but leave some for juice and tenderness)
Place brisket on top of onions
Sprinkle seasoning over top of brisket to thoroughly cover
(If you want your brisket to have more kick, cover both sides)
Pour 2 cans of pepsi over brisket
Add bay leaves
Cook uncovered on 400 for 35-45 minutes
Cover and seal tightly with foil
Lower oven temp to 325 for an hour
Cook for an additional 2-4 hours on 250
*the longer you cook, the better your brisket will be

Officially Welcomed

When folks first move to Austin there are a few things that just have to be done before you are officially a resident.... something at Zach Scott, the Zilker Festival of Lights, check out a moon tower, enjoy catfish at the Manchaca Fire Hall, see the bats at Town Lake (yes, TOWN LAKE), have a burger at Hut's, and stuff yourself at The Salt Lick. Oh ya, registering to vote and all that stuff too... ;)

Erin and Mark moved here from Florida a couple months ago. My friend Lynn referred them to me and we found a fantastic place for them to rent while they're getting their feet wet here. Last month they attended my annual client party and got to experience the Manchaca Fire Hall.

Today, we headed to The Salt Lick. Mark admitted that although he makes a great brisket, the brisket at The Salt Lick was the best he has ever had. Then he moved on to the ribs. We had a great time and everyone left satisfied....ok...stuffed.

Oprah's Holiday Music

We were watching the Oprah show the other day, and she was gearing up for the holidays. One of the fun things she did on the show was give away copies of her Holiday Hits 2008 CD. For those of use who weren't in the audience, she made all of the recordings available for 48 hours at her website.

All of the songs that Oprah was sharing are now available for you to download on my public mac.com site. You can view the public folder by clicking this link or going to http://public.me.com/texaschad

If downloading the music and burning it to CD are a little beyond your computing abilities, just bring a blank CD by my office and I'll burn a copy for you.

I'll keep the link live until I run out of bandwidth or someone makes me take it down. :) If any of you have the ability to share the music with friends via another download site, please help reduce the bandwidth from my site by saving on your site and passing the download link on to more of your friends.

Enjoy!

Those cool little booklets

So many people are asking me how I make those "cool little booklets" that you receive in the mail periodically. It's actually a fun process for me and serves as a kind of creative outlet.

First I compile the information through a custom search template that I have set up in our MLS system. After spending a couple hours with the MLS trainer, it's now set up so with just a few clicks I can create a report custom to your property.

Next, I print the material on our fantastic multifunction copier. It's so smart it shoots the whole booklet out at once - cover pages and all.

Finally, I punch and bind the booklet with my handy booklet maker from www.mybinding.com

Now, when I was looking for this booklet maker I was a little freaked out because there were so many options and so many places to buy. When I called the great folks at mybinding.com they asked a few questions, and helped me identify the right machine for my needs now, and in the future. Great people. Great prices, too.

If you're looking to do something similar, check them out at www.mybinding.com - you'll be very happy with their service and products.

If I do XYZ to my house, how much more would it be worth.....

Many of you have asked me this question recently. Often times when markets start to slow, folks decide that it is better to go ahead and make a few improvements to their existing house versus selling, with the intent of recapturing that investment when the market sways more in favor of sellers.

Recently, an averages report was released showing about how much jobs cost to complete, what the resale value is, and what percentage of the costs are recouped at sale. Remember that these are averages, based on 4,500 respondents across the country.

The chart to the right shows both national average and regional results. It is important to note that the data is based on retail pricing. If you are handy and doing the work yourself, the results will swing a little more in your favor.

Keep this information in mind as you are determining what to do with your current property. This information is also helpful when buyers are comparing properties for purchase.

Remember that I am here to assist you, your friends and your family that you choose to refer to me when it comes to buying and selling Real Estate.

Tips on using credit cards this holiday season

This just in from our Strategic Alliance Partner Amy Krause with Mortgages Direct. This is a good read with lots of great information. Pay particular attention to the paragraph "Leave Home Without It"!

Save on Your Credit Score this Holiday Season

With the economy slowing and holidays just around the corner, many consumers may be looking to credit cards to help them get through the heavy shopping season. While that may be a good short-term solution, you want to make sure you don't overlook the long-term impact on your credit rating. After all, the actions you take today could hang over your head for years to come--and may make it tough for you to get the home loan or car loan you want in the future.

To help you make sure you manage your credit cards--and your credit score--during the upcoming holiday spending season, follow these steps:

Double-check your card limits. Many credit card companies today have started lowering credit limits. That means you have less credit available, but it also may mean that your credit score is about to take a hit. That's because approximately 30% of your credit score is based on the amount you owe in relation to your available credit. So, if a credit card company cuts back your limit, you may find that you're suddenly almost maxed out. That's not a good sign for your long-term credit score rating.

Ask, pay down, or move around. If some of your credit limits have changed or are nearly maxed out, you can take a few steps to help alleviate the problem. First, consider simply asking for a higher limit to your card...not necessarily to use up with spending, but to allow more unused credit line to be available and therefore boost your credit score. You can also pay more money to the cards that are near the credit limit, if you can. Or, if you have cards with little to no remaining credit line, transfer some of the larger balances onto the cards with lower balances. That'll give you a more... well... balanced financial picture.

Leave home without it. One of the best tips for the holiday season is to: make a budget, identify specific items, and then leave home without your credit card. Instead, bring just enough cash to purchase the items on your list. That will help you resist the urge to impulse buy, and keep your credit card balances lower.

Pick a card... not just any card. If you can't bring cash, make a credit card plan. Identify specific items that you'll pay for on specific cards. By making a plan and spreading your purchases to different cards, you won't overspend and you won't risk running up one or two cards that are near the credit limit, which will hurt your credit rating.

Resist card offers at the counter. Retailers are famous for offering "savings" when you open a credit card. But those savings often don't outweigh the long- and short-term negatives. For one thing, opening a new account--or multiple accounts in a short period of time--can negatively impact your credit score. In addition, consumers often spend more than planned when a new card is suddenly available. So this holiday season, resist the temptation.

Stay active. If you have older cards that you don't use, make sure you keep them active. For one thing, some of those older cards help establish a longer history of positive credit. For another, the available credit on those older cards can help keep your credit score higher because it improves your overall debt-to-credit ratio. To keep those cards active, make sure you charge one or two items on them throughout the year... like, say, when you go shopping for the holidays. Then, pay them off when the bill comes in.

Always pay on time. Your payment record is a very large part of your credit score, so it's crucial that you have an idea how your holiday shopping will impact your credit card bills and that you make a plan to pay those bills on time. If you have trouble for any reason, contact your card companies right away to work out a plan that helps you pay down your debt... and save your credit rating from a huge hit.

Austin one of Top 10 Most Promising Housing Markets

This just in from our friends at the National Association of REALTORS®. This is great news for Austin.

Housing Predictor, which provides housing forecasts in 250 markets, has identified 10 markets where the regional economies are healthy and have strong potential for increasing prosperity. These housing markets have bucked the national trend in 2008 and avoided the subprime crisis, the consultancy says. Whatever the future holds for the housing market as a whole, Housing Predictor forecasts that these cities will continue to see steady, dependable growth. Top cities and the percentage sales prices have increased so far in 2008.

Biloxi, Miss., 4.9 percent
Salem, Ore., 4.7 percent
Bismarck, N.D., 4.6 percent
Spokane, Wash., 4.4 percent
Yakima, Wash., 4.1 percent
Austin, Texas, 4.0 percent
Grand Junction, Colo., 4.0 percent
Fargo, N.D., 4.0 percent
Mobile, Ala., 3.9 percent
Albuquerque, N.M., 3.5 percent

Source: Housing Predictor (11/15/08) / NAR Daily Real Estate News

Remember - when you are talking to someone who mentions they are looking to buy or sell Real Estate in Austin or the surrounding areas - give me a call so we can show them what world-class service is all about!

Mmmmm....empty bowls?!?!?

Each year 'round this time the Austin Area Food Bank hosts "The Empty Bowl Project" here in Austin. This year it will be held at the MACC - here's a map to the new location.

This is a super cool idea. Local potters have donated hundreds - maybe even thousands of hand made bowls. Each unique and different - just like all of us. Some of them may even be "special" - just like...well, you know.

Here's a short video that tells a bit more about the event. You'll notice that our very own Bill Evans is a major sponsor. Cool huh!

So for 15 bucks you buy this cool bowl, then get it filled with soup from one of Austin's fancy schmancy restaurants. All the proceeds benefit the Austin Area Food Bank - and that's a really big deal right now.

What a great way to have some fun and support a good cause.

Sounds fun, huh! Give some friends a call and get them to join you at the Empty Bowl Project THIS SUNDAY. I'll see you there!

Austin's Energy Efficiency Ordinance

For all of you asking me for updates on the City of Austin's Energy Efficiency Ordinance - here ya go.....

As you know, Mayor Will Winn charged the City Council with mandating energy efficiency upgrades to be required before a home in the city can be sold. Our friends at the Austin Board of Realtors, alone with the Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee (TREPAC) have worked very hard to make sure that such an ordinance be positive rather than prohibitive. You can see more about the history of this endeavor by looking at the Keep Austin Affordable website.

The City Council has recently approved the draft ordinance - and it looks very very different from the original suggestions that were tossed out. Homeowners in Austin should be very happy with the outcome. You can view the actual ordinance by clicking this link. As with most city ordinances, the verbiage is extremely broad and leaves a ton of opportunity for various interpretations. These change are slated to take effect June 1, 2009. Clearly there is much more work to be done - so keep your eyes peeled.

Bottom line is that upgrades will be voluntary. Homeowners WILL be required to have an energy audit and disclose the results of that audit on the MLS listing along with the regular Sellers Disclosure. This will be a small investment for sellers, but beats the heck out of being required to bring properties up to a specific code.

Where are the opportunities here, you may ask? Get the audit done NOW and start working toward completing some of the recommendations. Some of this is work you can complete on your own. Some will require professional assistance. When your house compares more favorable than your neighbors house, that will be a good thing. Remember the city has low/no interest loans available for energy upgrades - as do many of the banks and credit unions in town. Austin Energy also has lots of rebates to help offset the cost.

One additional important note. As written today, the ordinance applies ONLY to properties that are in the Austin City Limits, AND are served by Austin Energy. If you are outside the Austin City Limits, OR are not served by Austin Energy - you have a get out of jail free card. However - this is still a great way to set your house apart from those you will be competing with when it comes time to sell.... Then there's that whole global warming thing....

Gift cards are great except when....

The stores are closing!

There have been lots of warnings rolling around the interwebs concerning gift cards this year. Seems as more and more stores are closing, there is real potential that your gift cards may be unusable.

The following companies have all started to shutter some of their stores, some have even filed for bankruptcy and will be "gone forever" very soon: Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer, Cache, Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines, Talbots, J. Jill, Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, foot locker, Wickies, Bombay Company, Zales, Piercing Pagoda, Disney Store, Home Depot, CompUSA, Macy's, Movie Gallery, Pacific Sunwear, Pep Boys, Sprint/Nextel, JCPenney, Lowes, Office Depot, Ethan Allen, Wilsons, Sharper Image, KB Toys, Dillards, Linens and Things.

Now there are a lot of companies here....not all of them are going completely away. Some are just shutting down a few stores. Some ARE going completely away. And the list is most likely not 100% complete.

So a few suggestions for gift giving. If you are set on giving a gift card, consider a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card. Also, remember to read the fine print concerning the fees associated with the cards, and know when the funds expire.

In the spirit of "Change"....consider something totally different for your gift giving. Do you make something your friends really dig? For example, our friend Claire makes some awesome home made salad dressing. We're looking forward to a big bottle at Christmas. Talk with your investment rep (let me know if you need a referral) about an investment you can make on behalf of someone. Maybe this is the year to give to charity. One year, each member of my family contributed 20 bucks, and we adopted a family. That was pretty rewarding. As our society continues to change, I challenge you to take a look at yourself and ask how you can change in a way that will help both yourself and those around us.

Happy Holidays! ;)

Yum!

This seems more like a post for summer...but I have the information NOW so here we go!

This is from our friends at Men's Health. You know the traditional trail mix (M&M's, peanuts, raisins) is a great little snack that hits the spot? Here is a protein packed version to try out...

1 cup popped popcorn
1/2 cup pretzel sticks
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1/2 cup walnut halves
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dries apricots, chopped
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup beef jerky, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

In small bowl, combine spices and mix well. In a larger bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and mix well. In a large zip-top bag, combine the nut and spice mixture. Toss to coat.

Maybe this would be a great stocking stuff? Or just a belly stuffer......

New Programs for Austin and Central TX Homebuyers

There are some great options for you if you're thinking about buying your first home. Many of you have been asking me for some details on what is out there and how it can help you. These are just three of the options currently available. Give me a call to discuss and we can take a look at how to best position you for a purchase.

The City of Austin offers assistance to first-time homebuyers through the Austin Housing Finance Corporation's mortgage credit certificate program. To qualify, buyers must purchase a single-family home condo or townhouse within the Austin city limits with a maximum sale price of $210,375. The program offers a tax credit proportional to the total value of the mortgage and may be used in conjunction with the city's Down Payment Assistance program. For more information, visit the city site.

Homebuyers living outside Austin city limits but within Travis County can receive assistance through the Travis County Housing Finance Corporation. The fund helps low and moderate income homebuyers cover down payment and closing costs with over $8,000 in two forgivable no-interest loans. Homebuyers using this assistance must complete an eight-hour course presented by Consumer Credit Counseling (think of it like you're getting paid $1,000 an hour!). Visit this site for additional details.

Combine these options with the new Federal Tax Credit (up to $7,500) to help make your dream of home ownership a reality. Remember - when you are paying rent you are making someone else's dreams come true. When you are paying a mortgage you are actively creating your own personal long term wealth!

Whether this is your first home purchase or you are a seasoned buyer - working with a qualified Real Estate Consultant and Mortgage Consultant is extremely important. Give me a call to talk about this "new world" market and how to position yourself to be a beneficiary!

Today is a big day...

It's voting day. For any of you who have not voted yet - today is the last day to make your personal wishes heard. Don't know where to go to cast your vote? Check out this great Google site that I found on Craigslist this morning while enjoying a cup of freshly brewed Keurig coffee.

You know the other thing I'm looking forward to? No more of those politically related emails that my family has been sending! There are a few things in life that I think should remain private - and politics is one. When you have very strong feelings about XYZ, and then you get emails from family members that are very much against what you believe - it is really hard to maintain respect. Often times I start to read the emails and I think HOW AM I RELATED TO THESE PEOPLE???

Really....enough with the emails!

Regardless of who you vote for, change IS on the way. Hopefully whatever needs to happen for our country to rebound from where it is will happen. It's a long shot to think any one candidate can fix all of our problems - but let's hope at least a few of the bigger issues (in my opinion, health care, education, and the economy) get some positive momentum.

So again - if you haven't done it yet - just go do it. Regardless of your party or your persuasion or you family values - go vote!

Good times....

You know when you're just "there"....and you realize you're in the right place and things are good? That's pretty cool, huh.

So today I was getting ready to head in to my new office. Everyone there is cool, fun, welcoming, etc. It's really quite a nice change.

Just before I hopped in the shower I decided to do one quick email check...and there was an email from one of the brokers. The email asked who would be available TODAY for a fun office Halloween lunch.... on them.

So most of the gang met at Julio's in Hyde Park for a nice afternoon lunch...some great mexican food, a little sangria, and great friendship. Good stuff!

YUM....COFFEE

If you and I have ever talked about coffee, I've mentioned the magic of the Keurig brewer.

Today I ran across something that makes it even MORE magic....a way to reuse the kcups many times without the hassle of the "mykcup" system.

Reuse your Keurig K-Cups!

A funny....

Rick's aunt sent this....kinda made me chuckle...

The sense of freshness...

A new supermarket opened in Topeka, Ks. It has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.

When you pass the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and you experience the scent of fresh cut hay.

In the meat department there is the aroma of charcoal grilled steaks with onions.

When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle, And the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying.

The bread department features the tantalizing smell of fresh baked bread & cookies.

I don't buy toilet paper there anymore....

New beginnings

Last Friday evening I had the priveledge of joining my client Julie at her new home in South Austin for a traditional Native American smudging.

While I had never participated in one before, I had an idea what it was about. Little did I know how special, even powerful, such an event was.

Julie was surrounded by friends and loved ones as she opened the door to this new life endeavor. The smudging involved incense and positive energy - shared by all on Julie's behalf. We "opened" the house for Julie's new beginning there.... Toward the end, Julie recited this affirmation:

I have set into motion a creative process
I called to me a building, a house
I found it easily
I found it at a fair price
My ideal house is made ready for me
This creative process now is up to me
To turn this house into a sacred space
The home of my dreams
I am prepared to make many happy memories in this space
I am ready to enjoy many good times in this home
I make this home a haven of comfort, serenity,
security and joy for many years to come
As I will it, so it is, and so shall be!

When I departed, Julie had the biggest smile on her face...surrounded by people who only wish her all the best and will do anything to help her achieve her dreams....

What a beautiful moment!

Your old yearbook....

Sometimes the only thing you can do is have a little fun. Check out yearboook yourself and see what you can do. Maybe you can use the photos for a family holiday card?

;)

Another political thread....well, kinda

This is as close to political commentary that I'll get on my blog.

On the way in to the office this morning a local radio host was talking about the baby name generator. I had no idea what that was. Fired up my computer and there was an email with a link to the generator.

Check out the site to see what your baby name would be... ;)

Surviving ACL

The largest outdoor music event in the world happens right here in Austin in just a few weeks. Recently Austin Monthly published a great ACL Survival Guide. If you've been to the event before you may have figured much of this out already - if not, give it a glance to help make your experience the best it can be.

Click here to download the guide. I'll keep this up until Austin Monthly makes me take it down. If you want a hard copy and can not print from the downloaded PDF, send me an email and I'll have a copy waiting for you at my office.

Let's hope these cooler temps are here during the event!

At least people still have a sense of humor....

This is great....sad news...but great video. Watch just past the 40 second mark...

The best way to spend a Sunday afternoon

Sometimes in life the things that make you happiest are really pretty simple....



This is, hands down, the best way to spend a Sunday (or any other) afternoon!

Good news for Austin Real Estate...

Many of you have asked about the rumored "due on sale" green upgrades that our mayor has proposed.

The idea behind his proposal is admirable. The implementation is critical. Austin Board of REALTORS® has a group working to help make sure that the final outcome is positive both for the environment AND for folks buying and selling homes here in town.

The text below is from a recent mailing and I wanted to share it with you....

Central Texas REALTORS® enjoyed an important first round success on the City of Austin Point of Sale issue.

Wednesday, September 10th marked the final meeting of the City of Austin’s Energy Efficiency & Retrofit Task Force. The 28-member body overwhelmingly opposed mandatory retrofits for existing homes and was unanimously in favor of a program that closely resembles a proposal made by the Austin Board of REALTORS® in May. It includes required energy audits, disclosure of audit findings and general education. It excludes any mandatory upgrades or retrofits.

This is a marked digression from programs the task force was crafting before the REALTOR® alternative was offered, which a recent economic impact study by AgResearch showed would have cost Austin’s economy $80 million. We applaud the work of the members of the task force and look forward to working with the City of Austin to create a successful voluntary program. The report will see several boards and commissions for review before going to City Council for a final vote later this Fall. Stay tuned for more about how you can tell the Austin City Council that you, like the majority of the task force and 70% of the Austin community, believe in education and incentives to achieve our energy savings goals.

Do you ever wonder....

Why people do some of the things they do?

Now I'm not going to get into politics and wonder WHERE these people come from or WHAT ON EARTH they're thinking... :)

So one thing I've noticed a lot lately has to do with agents sending faxes. Now, in real estate, there's a lot of paperwork. Multiple page contracts back and forth with signatures and initials and changes and all that. It used to be that I always wondered why, by the time we got the stinkin contracts completed, they were about 1/4 the size they started.

In a recent class I learned that if you have someone tell you that the fax you just sent them is small, you can fix it by selecting the "fine" or "better" setting on the fax machine. This normally only needs to be done on home machines or those that are not designed for very high use. More robust machines automatically send the fax full size even at their lowest resolution.

So I'm over that....I understand WHY, and can help people fix the problem on their end, assuming they're willing to take my feedback in the way in which it is intended...which doesn't always happen. ;)

My new question is...WHY do people send faxes upside down? Now this is just a step above sending it with the wrong side up. As in, faxing 20 pages of the BACK of what you intended to send. I'm talking about taking the stack of paper, and putting it in the machine upside down. So that when we receive the fax electronically, each and every page comes up on our computer screen...you guessed it...upside down. ??? WHY?

Here's my solution. Let's ALL switch to an electronic signature system - no more faxing back and forth, loosing resolution each time. Let's jump on the green wave and eliminate the paper waste and go completely electronic. It's legal. It's inexpensive. It's easy to archive. And you just can't sent the stuff upside down.

Are ya with me???

One of my favorite things about fall....

Besides the cooler temps.....

PUMPKIN SPICE COFFEE!

Click here - kcups please!

;)

Learning lessons....

Have you ever noticed that after we leave "school"....we REALLY start to learn stuff?

It also seems like those lessons are often painful or costly. Or both.

What's that about?

Now, thankfully I'm not thinking about this because I've recently learned something. Actually my recent learning has been fairly cheap and painless! I like that. I'm thinking about a client. This person decided to work with someone that was recommended to them by a friend/relative/etc. Things seemed to be ok....until just yesterday. We learned that there was a financial issue that really can't be corrected at this point. It really sucks. It's not a HUGE deal...but it's the principle of the thing.

I'm doing my best to try and fix this issue that has been given to us. It looks like we're getting close to making it right - but I'm not sure we're going to get there 100%.

All you can do is your best....right??

S^TC

Friends over for dinner tonight...Matt and Claire. We had a nice spaghetti dinner and a "Claire Salad"....we've never quite figured out what Claire does when she makes salads, but they're always so amazingly good I can't even describe it.

ANYWAY. After dinner we ended up watching the Stand Up To Cancer special. I cried the whole time it was on. Apparently I still have some pent up _something_ from my own two bouts with cancer. Although I beat it, there's always that question in my head - if I have a sore throat, or a headache, or my arm hurts, or whatever....there's that little voice inside the wonders if I have cancer again.

Now it's not like every day I'm leaving in fear. Every day I DO make conscious decisions about what I eat/breath/put on my skin/ etc in terms of what it could potential mean to my future health. Do other people do that too???

It's amazing how many people are touched by the big C. I don't talk politics much so I won't even go into how much money we aren't spending on cancer research because it's diverted other places.

www.standup2cancer.org

Think about donating. Even a few bucks can make a difference. Do it for the people you love, and the people that love you. Let's end this!

Changes in the air...change IS in the air....

It's funny.....when you have a lot of things rolling through your own brain, you are slow to pick up on the changes around you. In the past several weeks I've had some fairly weighty issues rolling around my head.....and as I'm trying to sort through them I've missed a few things...

This morning as I'm checking emails and planning the day, Grady is curled up beside me looking as cute as ever. I looked outside and realized that not only is it getting a bit darker a bit earlier, but it's getting just a little more late in the morning before the sun really kicks in.

Go with me on the train of thought here.....darker earlier.....lighter later....fall coming......COOLER TEMPS!?!?!? Keep your fingers crossed!

Why you shouldn't buy a ford...

Aside from the American car companies being slow to respond to the changing automobile market and failing to produce fuel efficient cars, or even interesting and exciting cars, here's the best reason NOT to buy a Ford.

Have you heard one of their commercials lately? Great deals huh. Here's the problem. The volume on the commercials is so incredibly high and out of control obnoxious that even my 90% deaf dad can hear them.

Seriously Ford - what the @)(#$*&$?????? Do you really think the best way to sell a car is to have your commercials twice as loud as all the rest so they literally scare people in their own living rooms?

It's just hot.....

I'm a heat weenie. Yes I admit it. It's not really that big of a deal, except for high electric bills.

Then there's the week of 100+ degree heat. I mean come on - enough is enough.

All week I've been thinking I'm just a big weenie - until tonight we were watching the news and apparently three people have died in Texas along - with several more across the midwest. How crazy is that?

An interesting take on things....

Times are certainly changing. Yesterday I was working on my newsletter and added some information on the local market statistics. It's ugly. Higher number of listings, more days on market, prices beginning to fall. We have 6+ months supply in nearly every category - and over a years supply in homes over 350,000. Ouch.

So last night I headed to Pok-e-Joes to pick up bbq for dinner. I was originally headed to Rudy's but at the last minute changed my mind - so I ended up taking the back road up past Toys R Us, Second Looks, and an assortment of other stores and resturaunts. You know what I noticed? There wasn't hardly anybody out shopping or eating. I'm talking almost like a ghost town. 10 people in Pok-e-Joes and 5 of them employees. Maybe a dozen cars in the parking lot.

Is it just me, or are times changing?

On the way home I heard a great song that I really liked - All Summer Long by Kid Rock.



When I got home I hopped on iTunes to download it - only couldn't find it? When I did a google search I learned that Kid Rock doesn't do iTunes, or any other pay service. You can download his music for free and he encourages it. With a little more reserach, I found this interesting Kid Rock PSA - Steal Everything. Certainly gives us something to think about....

08's first hurricane

Well.....that was easy! Not so much for South Padre and some of the rest of the Texas Gulf Coast - but hurricane Dolly wasn't all that. In fact, she was nice enough to bring some much needed rain to the area....so I'm gonna send her a Starbucks gift card as thanks when I find the address. :)

Seriously though...we needed rain really bad and thankfully we got a bit. Now we'll be green again for a few days - and humid as heck. Gotta make some money for Austin Energy, right?

Not much new to report. Dinner with friends on the farm this weekend... Low key weekend at home other than that. A bike ride maybe? Who knows......

Dinner with friends

Funny how easy it is to forget to write about fun stuff in your blog! Over the 4th Rick and I went to visit his sister and brother in law in Wisconsin. We had a fantastic time! Although flying has lost it's glamor, once we actually arrived at the Appleton, WI airport we had tons of fun. Ricks sister, Dawn, and her husband Mike, are very fun, kind, cool people. We spent a night in their beautiful Victorian farm house, then headed to their lake house for the remainder of our stay. It worked out great since Rick's mom, brother, sister in-law and their two kids stayed on the farm.

Being back in the midwest was refreshing in many ways. Back "home" if you will. That and the temps were in the mid 70's compared to our 100+ degree days!

So tonight Rick and I had our friends Woody and Martin over for dinner. BBQ'd chicken breasts on the grill, summer squash and zucchini with asiago cheese and a great salad with Claire's famous dressing. YUM.

Neither Woody nor Martin had played any of the new gaming systems....Rick and I have way too many toys so we shared. We started with a few games of guitar hero on the PS3, then moved to mariocart on the wii. Good times.

Baby Grady is crashed out on the couch next to me as Rick and Woody are playing mario cart...check out the cute pics.... ;)

Fun conversations...

Recently I had the opportunity to reconnect with someone from my home town. Diane, the mother of a friend I used to work a the local health center with, is perhaps the top real estate agent in Boone, IA where I grew up.

As my parents and are are discussing (negotiating? debating?) their potential move to Austin, we're at the point where we need a good idea of what they can get for their house. Like many people, this is their largest asset, and it is scary for them to consider selling it.

So after talking with a few friends in the area I decided Diane was the best person to call. She and I had a fantastic conversation, it was very cool to reconnect and learn just a bit about what's been going on with her for the past 10 years since I left Iowa.

Here's my challenge to you: think about someone from your past, and give them a call. You'll enjoy the outcome!

Why we do what we do...

Do you find yourself thinking....WHY did I do that? Or repeating something that you've done over and over...maybe in a job or a relationship? Ever wonder why you do what you do?

Click on the title above to hear a great talk by Tony Robbins. It'll make you think.....

A trip to the lake....

Grady and I just got back from a short 2 day trip to our condo on Canyon Lake. It's always great to get out of town for a while!

Traditionally, we have a frozen stuffed crust pizza and a salad on our first night, then eat the cold pizza in the morning for leftovers. To spice things up a bit, I made a banana shake and we sat on the balcony and watched the sun set - the photo above is from about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2008. Very pretty and relaxing.

Grady went in to San Marcos and spent the day at the spa. He always comes back looking so cute. I had lunch with an old friend of mine at a San Marcos favorite - Herberts Taco Hut.

I made the obligatory trip to the outlet mall and went by Tommy Bahama's store. "Buy 5 items and get 50% off your entire purchase!" the employees shouted as people walked in. Normally I can't find 5 things I'd want to pay Tommy Bahama prices for...but on this trip I was able to get 4 fantastic panel back shirts and a great pair of shorts.

Today I'm back at the office wrapping up some loose ends and looking at next months marketing. I've also been spending a few brain waves thinking about really kicking it in on the Systemized Touchpoints business and potentially picking up a tanning salon in San Marcos. We'll see...I need to sell some more houses first!

That said, when you're talking to your friends and loved ones and they mention they're looking for a home, think of me first and put us in touch with one another!

Prioritizing....

Do you remember the first time you thought how great it was to be able to do multiple things at once - or multi-task? I remember being in college thinking I was a hot-shot because I could "multi-task" - when being intereviewed for campus leadership positions it was a huge buzz word - one I used and one I heard.

My coach Scott Gordon and I have had a few conversations about this whole multi-tasking stuff. Joe Stumpf, likely the best real estate trainer in the country, also has a lot to say about multi-tasking. The main point...it's really not good. When we've got a bunch of stuff on our plate and we're trying to do a little on one project and a little on the other projects, it leads to poor quality and slower results.

So what should we do? Prioritize. What's the most important thing to accomplish RIGHT NOW - the highest and best use of your time and brain waves. Sometimes I have a really hard time figuring that out. When it is choose between activity A and activity B, it's easy. When I have a list of 12 things - it's not quite that easy.

The other day Scott shared a great tool with me - the Prioritizer.

http://prioritizer.idea-sandbox.com/

Click on the link or put the URL above in your browser, then put in your list of activities or chores. Click next. You'll go through several questions, and end up with a prioritized list.

Cool stuff. I hope it's as helpful to you as it has been to me.

Lake Conroe

It has been a few years since I've spent the day on the lake....man do I miss it. Rick and I went to Spring, TX to visit one of his patients, who has a boat on Lake Conroe. We drove up Saturday, hit the lake about 3 and stayed until about 7:30.

While we were driving around I noticed some buildings that looked like Silverleaf Resorts Presidential units....we drove over and sure enough, there was Silverleaf's Piney Shores resort. Hopefully next time we go we'll stay at the resort and have a little more lake time, with an easy retreat from the sun to re-energize.

We arrived back in Austin around 1 today....one of the things I had forgotten was how much energy the lake/sun can suck out of you. Now that I've had my three hour nap, vacuumed and dusted, folded laundry and run the dishwasher....it's time to think about dinner.

Cheddars? Red Lobster? Chili's? Applebees? I really want a cheap nasty buffet but Rick is a weenie and won't go to any with me.....so if any of you reading are up for a buffet visit - let me know...mexican, chinese, american, doesn't matter...LET'S EAT.

Which reminds me of a book I want to check out, called The Cardio Free Diet. I'll let you know if I actually read it... ;)

Meet the parents.....

Many of you know I moved here in 1999 to get someplace where it doesn't snow. At the time I had several job offers, the Texas State offer was the only one that would get me away from snow. And I chuckled when people told me that when it does snow here, everything else stops. That's actually pretty cool inmy opinion....

The biggest concern I had about moving to Texas was leaving my family. I knew I'd mostly miss my mom and dad, but I also have aunts and uncles and cousins and neices and nephews and brothers and sisters there. Times were going to be different for sure but I figured part of "becoming a man" included making things work on my own.

Now I'm working on trying to convince my parents to move here. Mom is having her second knee replaced in July, and would be down here right now if she could. Dad is just plain old getting old, and really doesn't need the commitment of a house and yard to take care of. While mom is ready to go now, dad isn't quite so sure. Yesterday he told me that he's lived in IA for 70+ years and he wasn't sure he could make that big of change. Honestly that would be kinda scarey. But I reminded him of all the places that are just a few blocks from the house they'd be living in - that seemed to help some. Then I told him I'd give him my TomTom so he could push "home" wherever he was and it would bring him back home.

Thinking of having my parents close again is kind of exciting. When Rick and I move to our new house we'll have the place we're currently in available for them. I like knowing that they will be here - we can have dinner once or twice a week, go to some of the fun activities that Austin has to offer, have family holidays without airfare, etc. Should be fun. Now....help me out.....mentally focus on my dad agreeing to sell everything he owns and leave everything he knows... ;)

Exciting News

Yes, I admit it, I am an education junkie. I love to learn stuff. All kinds of stuff. I also like to share stuff I know with others, and learn from them.

One of my very favorite past experiences was teaching University Seminar and Educational Psychology at Texas State University. I consistently received extremely high evaluations, and always had a great time. I loved it when I walked in to a class of students annoyed because they were "forced" to take a "stupid class" and after a few class sessions, they were having a great time and getting some real value from the course.

This week, I received approval from the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) to teach Mandatory Continuing Education (MCE) courses. At the end of this month I'll attend a full day workshop at the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M in College Station. Once complete, I will be authorized to teach Legal and Ethics courses for both new and experienced agents.

I'm pretty stoked about this....I love to teach, I love to meet people, I love to learn from people, and I enjoy spending time making a difference.

Once the course at A&M is complete, I'll be working on approval for additional courses....marketing, business building, agency, contracts, principals, etc. Then, I'll be working toward certification from the Texas Association of REALTORS® to teach the GRI series and Quickstart. Very exciting times!

Look for me in a classroom near you!

What happened to April!?!?!?

Funny isn't it....it's now May 2! Is time speeding up?

So you've got to check out the new Cheddars in South Austin. It's good. The people there smile. If they goof, they make it right. Very nice.

Today I was in San Marcos, showing properties. It's really quite amazing how much the area has changed in the past few years. When I first moved here in 1999 there was a distinct gap between Austin, Buda, Kyle and San Marcos. Today, there's barely any way to tell that you're "in between" towns is when you run into the sign that you're entering the next town. Wild, huh?

The Blogoal (Blog Goal - fancy huh!) for May is at least one entry a week. Watch for'em!

what happened to March?

You know this blogging thing is kind of like working out for me. I like the blog, and I like to share information and stories with people.... and I'll do it and enjoy it ...then take a "small break"....much like I do with my exercise program.

Sometimes the small breaks are a little larger than I really want them to be. What can I say?

As the great Scott Gordon says - progress not perfection. So here we go...back on track!

Last week I spent a few days in Dallas, Texas at the Hyatt Regency - the one with the big lighted ball next to it. It was my second "Main Event" conference as a part of the By Referral Only network. The three day conference was great - time to catch up with folks I met last year in San Diego, time to evaluate where I'm at and where I want to go, and time to be thankful for where I am today.

So, watch the blog...it is my intention to have more regular news, more information about Austin and why I love living here, and more information about why I'm one of the happiest guys I know. And yes, I'll continue to have some interesting real estate related information.

One last updat - today was the 4th Annual Crawfish Boil, hosted by my friends Blanca and Tres....and what a fantastic day for an outdoor gathering. As always, fun was had by all. Thanks to everyone there for the laughs, and a special thank you to Blanca and Tres for coordinating the festivities.

When the truth comes out

So I got a phone call today from one of my clients. She recently sold her house here in Austin and moved to Houston to be closer to family. She really liked the way she was taken care of in the sale of her home here, and she emailed last week to see if I could help her find both an agent and a mortgage broker to assist her in Houston.

As I do with all my clients, I referred her to Amy Krause, my strategic alliance partner and my own personal financial consultant. During their first phone conversation though, my client was concerned about the "brokerage fee" that Amy discussed with her. My client said she had never had to pay an upfront fee to get a mortgage before.

You know, when we do this type of work every day, we use words that we think everyone knows and understands, however when an instance like this comes up, it serves as a reminder that people don't always understand what we are talking about.

When mortgage brokers work on our behalf, they get paid in the form of a "brokerage fee"...this is what the bank pays the broker for hooking someone up with a mortgage. A 1% origination fee is pretty standard. So in the case of a $150,000 mortgage, the origination fee would be $1500.

Now that seems like a lot of money when you're thinking this will come out of your pocket. Thankfully though, the brokerage fee is something that happens at closing through the HUD and doesn't usually come directly out of your pocket.

My client wanted to know why she would have to pay this fee, when there are "deals" out there that preach ZERO ORIGINATION, ZERO FEES. This is important so I thought it would be great to explain here.

When you go with a zero fee loan, your interest rate will ALWAYS be higher than what you can get if you're paying a 1% origination fee. Remember the mortgage broker has to get paid someplace.... when they're charging an origination fee, you know up front what they charge is. When you do a zero fee loan, you know that the bank is going to pay the broker some amount for selling this loan. Unfortunately you rarely find out what the amount is.

So let's look at this. The loan set up with a 1% origination fee looks like this: $150,000 financed, 6% interest, 30 years. The total payments on this loan, assuming that you'd be paying the entire loan off, would be $323,757.28. Remember this loan "costs" you $1500 for the origination fee.

In the "no fee" setup, the mortgage company will give you a slightly higher interest rate. Let's say it's just 1/4% higher. Not much higher, right? Look at it over 30 years.... $150,000 financed, 6.25% interest, 30 years. The total payments on this loan, assuming that you'd be paying the entire loan off, would be $332,487.29. Now this loan doesn't "cost" you anything.... but when you look at the increased interest over the term, it is actually $8730.01 more than the first setup.

Would most people know this? Probably not. Would most mortgage brokers explain how they make money if they don't charge an origination fee? Probably not.

The bottom line is this....it's very important to make sure you are working with qualified Real Estate and Mortgage Consultants! If you think something is odd or just doesn't make sense to you, it's important to know that someone will give you a real, honest answer.

The next time you find yourself wondering....be sure to give us a call!

Bad Fences, Bad Neighbors

Mr. Rogers sang "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" and asked "won't you be my neighbor?" Unfortunately, we rarely get to pick who lives next door. If such a selection process were possible, there would indeed be something to sing about and fewer crazy stories.

Anyone who has owned a home for just a few months probably has a story to tell about the neighbors.

My parents once had a neighbor who owned a racing car - a dragster to be precise. He tinkered with it when he got home after work, and just about bedtime he tested the engine - over and over. That car would shake pictures off the wall.

Unruly children, barking dogs, wild parties, loud vehicles, litter, blocked views, parked cars. The points of conflict are numerous.

"I have a very bad neighbor problem," complains a homeowner on the Internet. "I live next door to Freddie Kruger. He is seven years old, throws rocks at us and cusses all the time. My mother asked his mother to make him stop, and she cussed my mother out."

Some of you may have seen the website posted by the Georgia homeowner unhappy over the antics of his unconventional neighbor. You can view all the gory details and some photos at "Redneck Neighbor."

The antics described on the website involve businesspeople who drive nice cars and live in new homes in a nice neighborhood. Unfortunately, one of them apparently doesn't care too much about homeownership. The conflict began in 1997 and includes the neighbor's "midnight requisition" of building materials from the home being built next door. The hot bricks were used to enclose the mail box at the street and to line a flower bed.

In the months that followed, JD#8, short for John Doe number 8, the pseudonym given the subject of the website, builds a chickenwire fence. First it encloses a Rottweiler trying to get in the Guinness Book of Records for most nights of continuous barking. Later, the fence encloses chickens and geese. The pigs come later.

When the neighbor from hell buys a new lawnmower, he can't wait to cut his lawn. Much to the chagrin of those who live nearby, he does the first cut at midnight. When the neighbors complain, he explains he was just taking it for a test run.

Taking photos of your neighbor and posting them on a website may not be a good idea. In some states that might constitute stalking.

The problem with neighbors is that we really aren't neighborly at all. How many of the people on your street do you know? I don't mean just their names, but where they work, the names of their children, their hobbies. Knowing who is old, sick or having troubles might explain the "strange" behavior you observe.

So how do you deal with bad neighbors? When the problems arise, try talking. One irate homewoner on the internet was contacting lawyers because he believed his neighbor was putting up a fence in the wrong place. But he had never talked to the fence builder.

If neighbors are noisy, try asking them to tone it down. In their enthusiasm over their new lawnmower, they might not realize that the neighbors had turned in before midnight. Some guys that live on my street will go to the neighbors before thowing a party and tell them to let them know if they get too loud.

Be calm. Shouting and yelling accomplish little except perhaps to get other neighbors shouting and yelling. Hostility usually breeds more hostility.

Consider the possibility that you are the problem. In that case, an apology might defuse the situation. Try a peace offering. If you raise vegetables or flowers, share them with the neighbor. Even if you are not at fault, it can't hurt to try a lets-start-over comromise.

When the nice person approach fails, you can always play the lawyer trump card. But when the police have returned to the station, the courts have had their say, and your lawyer is vacationing in Tahiti, you will still be living near the same neighbor.

Which brings us to the final solution. Move. Of course, with moving you run the risk of getting new neighbors who make you long for the old neighborhood.

For the record, I have wonderful neighbors. And, if you think you need to move, be sure to give me a call... ;)

Effective dates

A few folks have asked me to explain what "effective date" of a contract is and when it actually begins. The most complete and clearcut answer is available from the Texas Association of REALTORS® and is as follows:

The final date of acceptance is the date on which the contract becomes binding between the parties. It is the date that both buyer and seller have agreed to all terms of the contract and have executed the contract. Four elements must be satisfied for final acceptance to take place:
The final contract must be in writing (typically satisfied when negotiations are made using promulgated forms).
The buyer and seller must sign the final contract, including the initialing of any handwritten changes to the initially drafted offer, if applicable.
Acceptance must be unequivocal.
The last party to accept must communicate acceptance back to the other party or the other party’s agent, if applicable.
The effective date is the date when the last element (communication back) is made after the other three elements are satisfied. One reason that communicating acceptance back to the other party is mandated is so that the other party will know when the contract performance requirements or periods for performance begin.

Real Estate Funnies

Every profession has humorous moments. Real Estate is no exception. While not all are cause for a belly laugh, all are at least good for a smile. Here are some examples.

A week aft er a for-sale sign went up in front of one house, another appeared two doors down. The neighbor in the middle said he was thinking of putting a sign up, too. It would read "Was it something we said?"

The guy who decided to sell his own house obviously wasn't a proofreader. Or maybe the sign he put up in his front yard wasn't a mistake after all. It read "for sale by ower."

Sign on REALTORS® marquee "We have LOTS to be thankful for."

Real estate agents have to be prepared for anything. Sometimes they fall victim to Mother Nature. Sometimes they are victims of their own oversights.

While showing a buyer a home, the real estate agent was certain of a sale. The buyer loved the house. When they went outside to look at the yard, howeverthe wind whipped the door shut, locking them out. The agetn's keys were inside, and it began to pour rain. The agent jiggled the doorknobs and checked for open windows.

Finally, they found an open window; the agent crawled in, and retrieved the keys. Driving back to the office, the agent asked how the prospect liked the house.

"I liked it but would never buy it," she said. "It's too easy to break into."

Then there was the new agent who was showing homes to the minister and his wife. After several hours, only two houses remained, and nothing had tickled the couple's fancy. The agent knocked on the door. No one answered. She used the lock-box key to enter the house.

Suddenly a young man came hurrying out of the bedroom, pulling up his pants. He asked why there were three strangers standing in his hallway. It seems he and his new bride had just returned from their honeymoon, and they knew nothing of the scheduled showing. The befuddled agent husteled the reverend and his wife back to the car.

That's when the agent realized she had listed both the newlywed's home and the home next door, the one they were supposed to visit. Both homes had identical for-sale signs. Luckily for the agent, the minister and his wife had a good sense of humor!

Selling it yourself? Think again!

For every homebuyer, there is a seller. And for every seller, there is someone who has, if even briefly, thought about selling his or her own real estate. In the real estate field, property listed by owners is referred to as a "Fizz-bo" the pronunciation of the acronym FSBO, standing for "for sale by owner." Clearly, owners can and do sell their own property. There are internet sites offering all kinds of tips and suggestions designed to help you sell your home. I even offer a free home sellers kit that contains items that can assist. But hints to sellers on how to spruce up a home to help it sell are usually good ideas for every seller - even those who elect to use a professional real estate agent. The fact that the do-it-yourself sites feel it necessary to have articles on contingencies, credit scoring, lock in in low interest rates, buy downs and home inspections speaks volumes about the need for a professional to handle your transaction. Sellers deny themselves the benefit of using a real estate professional because they want to "save" money. If selling it yourself is such a good idea, why are FSBO transactions only 16% of national home listings nationwide? The National Association of REALTORS® announced an advertising campaign recently in which they hope to persuade FSBOs to use a REALTOR®. You can see the video by clicking the link at the end of this article. The FSBO spot illustrates the convenience and expertise REALTORS® bring to complex real estate transactions. It makes side-by-side comparisons between selling a home with and without REALTOR® expertise and lets viewers draw their own conclusions about which method is preferable. Despite the sellers markets in many locales and predictions the internet would diminish the role of agents, a recent NAR study found only 16% of homes were sold directly by owners in 1999, even fewer than the 18% in 1997. Also, the survey revealed the median selling price of a home sold directly to an owner was $113,000 while the median sales price of a home sold using an agent was $129,000. Sure you say, but those homes that sold for $113,000 didn't have any commissions to pay. Well, even at a high commission, those homes sold for $120,000 vs. the 113,000. That's $7,000 in your pocket - or a super nice flat panel tv for your new home! Often times agents offer a move-up program that can save you even more. What's even more telling, however, is that of those homeowners who did successfully sell their home without a professionals help, 50% vowed they would never do it again. they cited these issues: -arranging for appraisals and inspections -understanding and filing paperwork -helping buyers obtain financing and -having time to do it all Again, it should be emphasized that it is possible to save commission costs by selling a home on your own or using discount firms. You must understand, however, the trade-offs involved. Namely, you deny yourself access to someone trained in real estate terminology and practices, which can be most advantageous. Experienced real estate agents are able to provide up-to-date reports on comparable sales in your neighborhood. Because they work in the local market daily, they have a much better understanding of what is happening there and what financing options are available. If the agent is a REALTOR®, they can provide more exposure, via the MLS, than most homeowners can obtain on their own. In most cases, it takes less time to use a licensed real estate professional to sell your home. If you do elect to use a licensed real estate agent, how do you know which one to pick? See my FAQ's for some questions to ask and things to consider. Any good real estate broker keeps their clients' interest in mind at all times, provides frequent status reports and has a clear understanding of the housing market as it is today. To maximize exposure and minimize problems, enlist the services of a broker. Your peace of mind and a great deal of money are at stake. With professional assistance, the home-selling process can be much easier! See the NAR video here: http://www.realtor.org/pac.nsf/video?OpenForm&Database=pacmediaV.nsf&FileName=XNWN-0604.asf