August 2011 Housing Trends Newsletter

Friends, the August 2011 edition of our popular Housing Trends Newsletter is now available for viewing. We've had some interesting ups and downs in the markets this summer - and it's important for you to know that this is a GREAT time to purchase real estate. When you combine the historic low interest rates with the outstanding selection of new and resale homes available in our market today - you can really benefit from the turbulence we have experienced for the past several years.

Who do you know that deserves our help buying or selling real estate in Austin and the surrounding areas? Please, don't keep us a secret!

Pear in the air!

Ok it's time for a cheesy REALTOR® recipe post. I love pears and I love Costco, so when I saw this in the Costco Connection magazine I figured it should be shared. Download the article here.

Enjoy!

Top 10 IRS Tax Tips for Home Sellers

When our clients are looking to sell their home we are often asked about the tax implications of the sale. While we always explain that we are prohibited from giving tax advice because it is outside the scope of our license, we also always work to be the source of the source of helpful information, and advise them to talk with one of our strategic alliance partners that is equipped to provide the professional advice they need.

That said, here's a great article highlighting the IRS' Top 10 Tax Tips for Home Sellers. Check it out here, and remember when you have friends and loved ones that are looking to buy or sell homes in Austin or the surrounding areas, please pick up your phone and call us - because you want them to be taken care of, don't you?

Top QR code reader apps

Lots of folks have been asking us what qr reader apps we recommend. Each of us at the company has a favorite, some of us are on the iOS platform and others on android. Our answer is usually "I personally use ______________" but encourage you to put your google goggles on and search for "best qr reader for (whatever phone they have)" and see what comes up.

Thanks to Inman News, here's an article with the Top 10 QR Code Readers for iOS devices. Check out the article and let us know what you think. AND, if you're aware of a similar list for android and *gasp* Blackberry, let us know!

By the way, when you run into someone that can use our help buying and selling real estate in the Austin area, please don't keep us a secret!

Austin Road Cycling Guide

Biking down the roads in Austin might not be your idea of fun during these 100+ degree days, but cooler temps will be here soon and you might decide this is something you'd like to try. Check out this great Austin Road Cycling Guide put together by our friends over at Gracy Title.

July Housing Trends Newsletter now available!

Check out the latest installment of our Housing Trends Newsletter here. Full of information and tips to help you be successful in today's real estate market.

Know someone wanting to buy or sell property in or near Austin? Please, don't keep us a secret!

The June Housing Trends Newsletter is here!

Check out the June edition of our Housing Trends Newsletter here! When you begin to think about buying or selling real estate, remember it is in your best interest to hire a qualified real estate professional. Pick up the phone and give us a call right away!

It's true!

We have been noticing a big shift in the rental market here in Austin for the past several months. Lease inventory is down significantly, landlords and property managers are becoming more and more difficult to work with and less willing to pay agents for bringing tenants, and the good lease properties are flying off the market.

Check out this article for a national perspective on this changing market. Typically when we see this shift in the leasing market we begin to see a positive shift in the sales market. The biggest challenge at this time is that buyers are having a very difficult time getting financing.

Do you know someone that is tired of making someone else's dreams come true by paying rent? Put them in touch with us and let's see what kind of progress we can make in helping their dreams of home ownership come true! Please, don't keep us a secret!

Another reason consumers need REALTORS®

It has been said that the internet would make it so REALTORS® are no longer needed. We learn every day that this simply isn't the case. The unfortunate part of this lesson, is that it usually comes at the expense of the public.

When there is a professional REALTOR® involved in a real estate transaction, whether it be a sale or a lease, you have a real person who is looking out for your best interest. As powerful as it is, the internet is just the internet. It doesn't care about your interests, your finances, your safety, or anything else having to do with you.

Check out this article from The Des Moines Register. The information posted on the internet was used to scam these folks out of nearly $2,000 dollars and could have resulted in even more problems for both the home owners and the family that wanted to least the home.

Stories like this make me consider eliminating all listing syndication from our company listings (listing syndication pushes our listings to dozens of real estate related websites). Yes the syndication gives "more exposure" for the listing, but I can tell you that in the six years of my real estate practice, not a single listing has sold because of this "exposure" - in fact, the "exposure" probably exposes our clients to scams like the one in the article.

If people would rely on the professionals, many of these scams would be avoided.

When you or someone you care about is about to buy, sell or lease a home, help them get the professional service they deserve by getting your phone out and putting them in touch with us right away. Because, they deserve to be taken care of, don't they?

The Texas Energy Star Sales Tax holiday is THIS weekend!

Just in from the Comptrollers Office:

Texas' fourth-annual ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday this Memorial Day weekend is a great time to purchase new energy efficient appliances without paying state or local sales taxes on qualifying items.

"When you buy an appliance that is ENERGY STAR rated, you will not only save the sales tax, you will also save on your monthly utility bills by reducing your water and energy use," Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said.

Grow Your Energy Savings The ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday begins on Saturday, May 28, at 12:01 a.m. and ends on Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day) at 11:59 p.m. The tax savings apply to the following appliances and household equipment bearing the ENERGY STAR label: central or room air conditioners priced at $6,000 or less, refrigerators priced at $2,000 or less, ceiling fans, compact fluorescent light bulbs; clothes washers, dishwashers, dehumidifiers and *programmable thermostats.

More information and frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the tax holiday are available at www.texaspowerfulsmart.org. For exemption information on associated fees, please see Delivery and Installation Charge FAQs.

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy for products that meet strict energy efficiency guidelines. Qualifying products display the ENERGY STAR logo on the appliance, the packaging or the Energy Guide label. Clothes dryers are not included in the sales tax holiday because they use similar amounts of energy; therefore, the program does not label clothes dryers. For details on products, visit www.energystar.gov.

* ENERGY STAR specification of programmable thermostats was suspended on December 31, 2009; however, any existing stock of ENERGY STAR labeled programmable thermostats offered for sale by retailers is still eligible for the exemption.

A pet friendly house

Our client care coordinator, Grady, asked that we share this great article from REALTOR® magazine with 4 steps to a pet-friendly house. As a special bonus, there is a side panel in the article having to do with REALTORS® favorite staging accessories.

With the local temps already in the triple digits, Grady wants to remind everyone to keep their pets cool and well hydrated, and to NEVER leave them unattended in the car!

The May 2011 Housing Trends Report

The May 2011 Housing Trends Report is now available for your review. Check out the report here - and remember - when you talk with someone you like that needs help buying or selling real estate (ANYWHERE!), think of us first, pick up your cell phone, and give us a call!

Uncommon ways to increase your credit score

The all important credit score - it's always changing and the scoring methods are always being adjusted a bit. It's always great to have a few tips on how to increase your score - and this article has 5 uncommon ways that you can increase yours.

Check out the article here - and when it's time to consider buying a home, think of us first, pick up your phone, and call us!

Mean what you say when you make an offer on a property!

You can probably think back to your childhood and remember an adult or mentor or friend telling you that you should mean what you say. That adage rings true when it comes to writing offers on real estate, too.

Often times buyers (and sellers for that matter) request special options be put into an offer, if X then Y, etc. Although TREC's Broker-Lawyer committee has worked very hard to make the special provisions section of the contract smaller and smaller, agents are still trying to stick something in there to modify the terms of the promulgated contract form. You may wonder what the big deal is... this article from bankrate.com does a great job in illustrating why this portion of our forms continues to get smaller. The article also helps better understand how, if you must use this section, to best protect yourself so that your intent is clear and enforceable.

What's the best way to protect yourself in a transaction? Hire a quality real estate professional to represent your interests. You know where to find us!

The 2011 cost vs value report

One of the most frequent questions we get from consumers has to do with the return on investments for improvements made to their property. It's always a great question - and pretty easy to answer with this report. Check it out before you decide to make any major changes to your home. AND, remember to consider using our strategic alliance partners to do the work - contact us for details!

We're looking for an intern!

Cardani Group, REALTORS® has an exciting internship opportunity for a local student.

Know a fun, talented and dependable student looking for great work experience this summer? Send this info on to them!

Cardani Group, REALTORS® is a boutique real estate company specializing in outstanding client representation in residential real estate transactions. We are a fun, energetic, creative group of professionals who believe in giving back to the community and being leaders in our industry.

We are seeking an intern to produce video content for our website. The intern will be responsible for all pre- and post-production for in-house video projects. We want our projects to be polished, exciting, and informative.

Job Description

The ideal intern will be able to work with us to create a shared vision of the scope of these video projects, then independently plan the implementation and follow them through to completion. The projects include client testimonials, agent promotions, and buyer/seller training clips that will be used to support our client education programs.

The intern will gain experience:

-independently planning and following through with the production of videos
-taking both still photos and video of our agents and clients at company events, seminars, and off-site locations
-editing raw footage into a professional, high quality finished products
-establishing and organizing an in-house video clip library for clients, agents, events and seminars
-posting finished video and photos to various sites such as facebook, youtube, blogs, etc.
-pitching ideas for video content that increase visibility and credibility of our agents and our brand
-setting goals for project completion (and meeting those goals!)

Job Requirements

To perform successfully during this internship, the ideal intern:

-is working toward completion of their degree
-has competent editing and technical skills
-has competence using iMovie and associated audio and video editing programs
-has competence of camera operation and audio techniques using consumer level hardware
-is highly creative and willing to work toward creating amazing content for consumers
-is an exceptional organizer
-is highly motivated with an ability to juggle multiple projects
-maintains a reasonably professional appearance
-relates to clients and agents with a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the projects
-has the ability to get to our office at 37th & Guadalupe

Application Instructions

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a letter (or video!) highlighting your skills and tell us what makes you the ideal person for this opportunity.

You may submit your materials to us at intern(at)cardanigroup(dot)com or by mailing to Cardani Group, REALTORS®, 3701 Guadalupe Street Suite 105, Austin TX 78705.

Questions? Send an email to the above address or give us a call at 512(dash)436(dash)0335.

While there is no direct compensation for this internship, you will be exposed to many facets of small business ownership, be part of a cohesive and fun team, and have multiple individuals that will go out of their way to help you find work and serve as a reference for you in your educational and professional endeavors.

Choosing a paint color

The other day a friend introduced me to Hulu....an online service that allows me to watch most of the programming that I want to see, only on my own schedule. As I was checking out some of the programming options available, I ran across a channel called "Howdini" and found it to be pretty interesting. You can check out the howdini website here.

One of the things that homeowners often ask us is how to go about choosing paint colors for their home. Normally the discussion is something like "how do I choose colors with so many options" with the answer being "well a great place to start is with the room sample brochures at Home Depot and Lowes." Now we can share a great video for our clients to use as a resource! Check it out below.



How to choose paint colors for your home

Remember, when it is time to buy or sell, the professionals at Cardani Group, REALTORS® are here to help. We can also hook you up with discount coupons for Lowes, saving you some money on paint (or whatever else you'd like to purchase there!).

Please, don't keep us a secret!

They way it is supposed to be...

If you've talked with anyone involved in real estate lately, you've probably heard two consistent messages. The first is that business is tough these days. The second is that everything takes longer and a lot more effort than it used to.

Now, I'm not saying we shouldn't put effort in to our business. After all, we're in a service profession and the more effort we put in, typically the better service we provide for our clients. The difference these days is that we're working harder on things that shouldn't be difficult, and due to whatever it may be, ARE difficult.

As you can imagine, when things are difficult, people often start to get more difficult to work with. Clients get frustrated. Agents get frustrated. It's easy to be short and snippy with each other. But that never helps anything.

Difficult transactions are the new norm, and unfortunately along with that often comes turbulent communication and adversary relationships with cooperating agents.

This past Friday...we closed one of the most pleasant transactions in the past several years. I represented the seller. An outstanding professional with another firm represented the buyer. Both of our clients were well represented. We came to terms quickly and relatively easily. The agreement was truly a win-win for both parties.

Then the turbulence began. Not with our clients or between agents, but with the process. An appraiser that made statements that created issues the other agent and I had to combat. A lender that missed deadlines and created new obstacles. Every statement and obstacle created an increase in time and an increase in cost.

You might be wondering why I titled this "the way it is supposed to be" by now... Here's why. The cooperating agent and I worked together to overcome all these obstacles. Never a short word, never a terse moment. We worked together to represent our clients and help pilot them through the turbulence. I can't even begin to explain how fun it is to business this way. Although it is unfortunate that this type of experience is so rare, the good thing is that when you find yourself in the middle of a good experience, you often take a step back and think to yourself "wow, this is REALLY GREAT"... I know I did that several times and I'm confident that the cooperating agent did the same thing.

March Housing Trends Newsletter

Friends - the latest version of our Housing Trends newsletter is available for online viewing.

Check out the latest housing statistics for our area, and see the latest real estate news. Remember, when it comes to buying and selling real estate in the central Texas area, you deserve the professional assistance of one of the fine REALTORS® at Cardani Group, REALTORS®.

A lesson in customer service

Has anyone else noticed that companies are loosing sight of what "customer service" really means?

Today I started looking for prices for high speed internet at a condo I'm about to rent. As I was digging around through the time warner cable website, I noticed that there is a "Live Chat Support" feature. I thought this would be a great way to see what the prices are for various packages at the specific address. I mean, it would be GREAT to see the prices listed online, but apparently that's not a model people are using anymore - they require you to call or chat with them.

So before you can start the chat session, you are required to put in your name, email address, and SERVICE address (street, city, state and zip). Once that information is complete, you can hit "chat start session"...

Here's the transcript of what happened next....

Pete: Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable Online Customer Service, my name is Pete. May I have your complete name please?
Chad_: Hi Pete
Pete: Hello.
Chad_: Chad Cardani
Pete: Thank you for providing your name. How may I assist you today?
Chad_: I'm looking for high speed prices at 88XX TXXXXXXD (I put in the full address, just not wanting to post that here for the world to see. And remember, I already gave them this information)
Pete: I understand that you would like to have information on the high speed Road Runner Internet services at your desired location. Is that correct?
Chad_: Yes
Pete: Sure, I will be glad to assist you with that.
Pete: Thank you for choosing us and showing your interest in our services.
Pete: May I have your complete address along with Zip code?
Chad_: 88XX TXXXXXXD, austin tx 787XX
Pete: Thank you for providing your address.
Pete: Can you tell me little more about your internet needs so that I may provide you with specific detailed information?
Chad_: seriously? HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Chad_: what speeds and what prices, that's all I need to know
Pete: Let me check for you please.
Pete: Do you like to download pictures, movies or videos?
Chad_: what speeds are available at what price. I'll decide what I m willing to pay
Pete: Are you looking for super fast speeds to allow for gaming?
Chad_: what speeds are available at what prices. please don't ask me another question.
Pete: Sure, I would be more than happy to assist you with that. \
Pete: Please accept my apologies for the miscommunication.
Pete: Sure, I would be more than happy to assist you with that.
Pete: Road Runner Turbo Internet is priced at $39.98 plus taxes and fees per month. The package comes with an download speed of 15 Mbps and an upload speed of 2 Mbps. It includes a modem and an outlet.
Pete: Since you mentioned that you are interested in our special high speed Internet, I do believe Road Runner Turbo would be the best match for you.
Pete: Road Runner Turbo Internet is our fastest Road Runner ever - giving you the speed you need for a super fast web experience. PowerBoost is an exclusive technology that may give you an extra burst of speed when downloading big files.
Pete: Our Road Runner Internet provides true high speed connectivity, up to 100 times faster than dial up. Also, it provides you with the ability to have several computers online at once and you can use our wireless router as well.
Chad_: are you a live person, Pete?
Pete: You can place your order online by visiting https://order.timewarnercable.com/Serviceability.aspx
Pete: Sure, You are chatting with a real person.
Pete: So, are you signing up for the Road Runner Internet?
Chad_: you're giving me one option. what other options are there
Pete: Road Runner Extreme Internet is priced at $49.99 plus taxes and fees per month. The package comes with an download speed of 20 Mbps and an upload speed of 2 Mbps. It includes a modem and an outlet.
Pete: Road Runner Standard Internet is priced at $29.99 plus taxes and fees per month. The package comes with download speed of 7 Mbps and an upload speed of 512 Kbps. It includes a modem and an outlet.
Chad_: pete are you a real person or a computer?
Pete: I would like to inform you that you are chatting with a real person.
Chad_: great, thank you. Is the $29.99/mo the lowest priced service option?
Chad_: Also Pete, where are you located?
Pete:
I would like to inform you that it is the best and cheapest package at your desired location which is available online.
Chad_: are there cheaper ones available if I call?
Pete: I would like to inform you that it is the best and cheapest package at your desired location which is available online and you can get it by visiting above provided link.
Pete: I would like to inform you that we are located in India.
Pete: If you have just another moment, I would like to ask a question or two about your situation to see whether we can make your service even more enjoyable. Will that be alright?
Chad_: Ahh...thank you. No, I don't wish to do business with a company that is outsourcing jobs to other countries. Thank you for your help.
Pete: Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience caused.
Pete: We can assure you that Time Warner Cable will provide you with best quality of services at reasonable price.
Chad_: Have a nice day, Pete. I appreciate your help.
Pete: Is there anything else I may assist you with?
Chad_: no thank you
Pete: Thank you for contacting Time Warner Cable Online Customer Service. Have a nice day.

Having a seat at the table...

There comes a time when professionals want to make contributions to their profession. I think that's a great thing. In fact, I think professionals who are leaders in their profession have an OBLIGATION to participate and contribute to the profession. That is one of the reasons I became involved at the Austin Board of REALTORS, and one of the reasons that I require agents at our company to contribute in some fashion to the local association.

That said...it can be frustrating. I remember the very first class I took at our local association... there was an "out of control" room monitor that thought we were getting too loud during a time in the class that we were doing group work. Now, the instructor had no issues...but this monitor...she kept honking a bike horn. You know - the goofy old fashioned bike horns?? She honked that thing at us...adults... WTF?? After a few hours of this, I was almost beside myself and marched in to the education directors office. She was on her way to the classroom to investigate because a couple other class members beat me to it.

When I went back to share the experience with my broker at the time....we discussed my options. I could sit on the outside and complain....or I could "infiltrate and destroy"....or, work to make things better.

Now, a few years later, I can pick up the phone and call ABoR, ask for the person I need to speak with, and get answers/opinions/advice nearly instantly. They know who I am. They know who my agents are. And they know we work very hard to improve our industry through our contributions to the board. They know we are their advocates. And they know we expect them to be our advocates.

But here's the deal....this has been an ongoing process. You don't get to be a "newcomer" and immediately be the chairman of the board. You have to pay your dues...contribute down at the bottom before you can contribute or influence anything at the top. Is this the way it should be? I don't think so. But that doesn't matter. That's the way it is.

So...to my colleagues out there wanting to influence change...please get involved. WE NEED YOU. We need your opinion, advice, ideas, and contributions. Please be patient...change takes a long time. I'm not saying that it is ideal, but I'm saying that's the way the game is. You want to be heard? Contribute. You want to make changes? Contribute. You want to have a seat at the table? Contribute. Just do it. And you have to start at the bottom, just like all the rest of us did.

When you DO decide to contribute, you WILL be heard. You'll be asked to participate in special task forces and work groups. You'll learn why things are the way they are, and how to influence change. You'll have connections with people at other brokerages and other associations. Your business will improve.

Want to participate? Shoot me a note or give me a call and I'll do everything I can to assist. So will any agent that is at Cardani Group. That's just how we roll....

On the fence about selling your home? Our friends over at KCM Blog have put together a great article illustrating why NOW IS THE TIME to get your home listed. Check out the article here, and give us a call so we can help you navigate through the process!

Housing Trends

Friends - the latest version of our Housing Trends newsletter is available for online viewing.

Check out the latest housing statistics for our area, and see the latest real estate news. Remember, when it comes to buying and selling real estate in the central Texas area, you deserve the professional assistance of one of the fine REALTORS® at Cardani Group, REALTORS®.

My first public rant of 2011

Ok -this has been on my mind for a while now, but the phone call I just received reminded me how goofy this situation is.

When we list a house for sale or lease, we put the property along with all the required information on the MLS. This allows other agents to find the property that may work for the clients they are working with. Additionally, some of the data we put in the system is then syndicated to affiliated websites that consumers can use to search for homes as well. The biggest here in Austin is Austin Home Search, however many people here and across the country turn to realtor.com as their search provider of choice. After all, it is REALTOR.com - affiliated with the National Association of REALTORS and therefore with all of us who are REALTORS.

Realtor.com relies on the agents, who pay a good chunk of change to belong to the local/state/national associations as well as subscribe to their local MLS, to provide them with all of the data that is contained on the website. So...we are PAYING to subscribe to the MLS, and that information is in turn GIVEN to realtor.com.

All of that is fine with me. Here's where I have a problem.

Realtor.com THEN turns around and attempts to sell us, the people who GIVE THEM ALL THE INFORMATION THAT MAKES THEIR SITE USEFUL AND VALUABLE, an "enhanced listing service" that puts the agents contact info on the "ad" containing the information on the listing. The listing that we the REALTOR secured...and GAVE to realtor.com.

Sure, you don't have to pay for enhanced listings....heck, you don't even have to allow a listing to be syndicated to any of these websites. But it certainly would not be in our clients best interest for us to make that decision.

Here's what happens. If one of my agents does not pay for this special level of service, the phone number that shows up on the consumer website is MY phone number. Now granted, all of the listings at our company technically belong to me as the broker, however, the individual agent secured the listing, knows the client, knows the property, and is best equipped to answer question about said property. Why then, would it be appropriate to publish MY number as the contact number, when the broker has a very limited amount of detail information on the property??

I think it is completely wrong for realtor.com, who has a useful site only because we as agents GIVE them the information, to then turn around and say well, yes you GAVE us the info, but we're not going to give you anything - you are actually going to have to pay us in order for a buyer to get contact information for you instead of your broker.

It's just wrong. It is wrong to treat the agents that way. It is wrong to put the brokers in that position. And it is WRONG WRONG WRONG to create a situation, routinely and by policy, that creates a cumbersome environment for the public as well as one that makes the brokers look like they are uninformed.

So there ya go....that's my first public rant of 2011.

Today's a rockin' day!