Should you refinance?

Have you been thinking about refinancing your mortgage? Been wondering how much you might save? Check out this great mortgage savings calculator for a glimpse at what refinancing may mean to you.

Now may be the time to refinance. It may also be the time to consider selling your home and moving to a home that better meets your needs. Give us a call - we can share what is happening in your area, and refer you to our fantastic mortgage partners for more detailed information on what a refinance might look like for your situation.

Remember your pets this holiday

This is a special request from our client care coordinator, Grady. Grady wants to make sure all of our clients, friends and colleagues remember that human food isn't good for dogs - and asks that we remind all of you to remind all of your guests to please not feed the pets any human food - not even a tiny little bit. And let's be honest, can you argue with such a cute little guy??

Check out this list of foods and plants that are toxic to pets. Thanks to our friend Marilyn Nichols at Happy Puppy Tutoring for sharing. Contact us for Marilyn's contact information or check it out at the bottom of the linked article.

And remember - just because something isn't on the list does not mean that it is safe!

Wishing all of you and all of yours a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

More funds available for appliance upgrades....

Reminder: The purchase period for the Texas Appliance Mail-In Rebate Program will begin on December 20, 2010.

Additional Funds Added to Mail-In Appliance Rebate Program

The Texas Comptroller's office is adding more money to the upcoming ENERGY STAR® appliance mail-in rebate program to allow more Texans to take advantage of rebates. An additional $8.5 million is being added to the initial $10 million. The money is from unused public sector energy efficiency funds transferred from the State Energy Program to the rebate program. All funds are part of the federal stimulus program. Consumers can start buying appliances on December 20 and, after installation, mail in a completed rebate application form and a copy of the receipt to apply for the rebates. The mail-in rebate program will remain open until the available funds are distributed.

Application Form is Now Available

The application form for the Texas Appliance Mail-In Rebate Program is now available. Consumers can begin to purchase eligible ENERGY STAR® appliances on or after December 20, 2010. An application form is not required at the time of purchase, but is needed at the time of installation for disposal or recycling information.

PDF icon Application Form for Texas Appliance Mail-In Rebate Program (PDF, 240KB)


Helpful Information

You may also want to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for basic information on the new program. You can also view easy steps to follow if you plan to participate in the program. Or download a printable version of the "How to Apply" Flyer (PDF, 187KB).

Let's get rid of the riff raff......

Every once in a while I think of a way to change things for the better. I actually had this thought last night - it was random but the more I thought about it the more I liked it. And then this morning I had coffee with my buddy Tony, one of the most respectable, honorable real estate brokers I know. Tony and I have similar philosophies on giving back to the profession and come from a "colleague" perspective verses a "competitor" perspective.

So here's the deal. It's too easy to get a real estate license. If you have a thousand bucks and a few days, you can take the classes you need to satisfy the TREC educational requirements and sit for the exam. And the exam? It's not hard. At all.

This setup has allowed a ton of people to become licensed to help people buy and sell real estate. But it's kind of like Spandex...just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD.

Because it is so easy to get a license, we often hear people say "oh, I don't like my job so I am going to become a REALTOR" or "oh, I got fired so I'm going to...."

Today Tony told me a story he had heard....this agent went out to meet with the seller of a 750,000 home. The seller said "I'll have to be honest with you, I don't work, and I'm thinking I should just go get my license and sell my own place, and save the commission."

Thankfully this seller was smart enough to know, that just because someone has a license to do something, it does not guarantee that they are good at it.

But anway, enough of that. The bottom line is - there are too many agents, too many part time agents, too many BAD agents. So here's my solution.

Let's increase renewal fees to $5000 per year. Yes, five THOUSAND dollars per year. Now before you have a total tizzy, let me finish.

The base charge for renewals would be $5250 bucks. Plus satisfaction of stringent educational requirements (I'll save my thoughts on the status of quality education for another post). And, for every transaction you have completed in the past 12 months, you get $1000 credit, up to a total of $5000 in credit.

So in the end, if you are actually DOING real estate, the renewal is reasonable. If you are just "playing" in the field - it's not so reasonable. My theory is this - such a change would force licensees to either be GOOD at what they do (demonstrated by doing it over and over and providing quality service), or they simply could not afford to continue to renew their licenses.

That's Plan A. Plan B is similar, only it would require the sponsoring broker to pay an exorbetant fee for each licensee they sponsor. So if the people they're sponsoring are not producing, they'd have no incentive to sponsor them. And again, with verifiable production and no claims, there could be a credit system for the brokers as well. This would eliminate the "Hang your license with me for $100 a month and don't bother me and I won't bother you" type of brokerages.

Or Plan C....do both.

Those are my 2 cents for the day.......

Action or reaction

You've seen me post some messages from my friend George Kahn on this blog - and today I can't help but share the one he sent out this morning. George has a way of knowing just what I need to hear on a pretty consistent basis...

In Newton's Third Law, action and reaction are interchangeable; the distinction between action and reaction is purely arbitrary.
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

But in life, there is a definite difference between my actions and my reactions.
Today I choose action.
I could easily spend the day
reacting to what is given me
holding grudges,
getting mad at something that someone has done to me.

I would rather take the first step,
be pro-active
moving forward
There is an excitement in taking the first step
a sense that
I have the ability to make a difference
in my own life
as well as for others.

Contact my for George's email address and get yourself added to the Passion Party mail list!

TAR to allow anonymous Ethics Complaints

This just in from my morning Texas Association of REALTORS email!

Podcast: Why anonymous ethics complaints will be allowed
Listen now to find out how the new professional standards citation policy—which streamlines complaint resolution as well as allowing anonymous complaints—will elevate the ethical standards of Texas REALTORS®. Also, get details about how your experience, income, business practices, and more compare to your colleagues.


Now I'm not really excited about the "anonymous" part of the new complaint process. I think if people want to file a complaint, they should have backbone enough to sign their name to it, but I DO support the other changes that come with the change, and here's why.

The current process, although fantastic for major complaints from consumers and other REALTORS®, requires that the complainant spend an incredible amount of time dealing with the whole process. What ends up happening is if we as Texas REALTORS® are not personally impacted by the improper actions of another Texas REALTOR, we do nothing in terms of working to "right the wrong" for the rest of the folks.

Why? Because it takes too much time. We are currently required to submit the complaint, substantiate the complaint, then sit in an actual hearing to submit the complaint to a panel (I'm way over simplifying here but you get the point). So, if one of our colleagues in the field is doing something that violates our REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and we have already (hopefully) called them or emailed them letting them know that there's a violation going on, we have to spend hours trying to get the person to comply. That's hours away from what we do to make money - helping people buy and sell Real Estate.

I'm not saying that our actions are right. I'm saying that's what we do. Unless we or our clients have a personal financial impact from the wrong doings of another REALTOR®, we often don't take the time to work to correct the issue.

And it's not that there are no issues. Give me thirty seconds on Craigslist and I can give you a list of violations. But am I going to spend time trying to correct each wrong? Absolutely not. And here's why.

Agent training is a broker responsibility. As a broker, I am responsible for the actions of my agents. If I am made aware of an issue, I guarantee you that it will be corrected immediately. I also guarantee you that if one of my agents is contacted by another REALTOR® and made aware of an issue, they will correct it immediately on their own, without my prompting. Why? Because they know that is what is expected of them.

Austin, and I'm sure many other cities, have a few brokerages that appear to write their own rules. Or maybe they just have no idea that there ARE rules. These companies and their agents do pretty much whatever they want to do. They may or may not be made aware of any problems, and if they are, they may or may not do anything about it. It is my opinion that some brokers, both large and small, have no interest or desire to make sure their agents are following the license law or our REALTOR® Code of Ethics. They either don't care, or more likely, have no idea that there is a violation because they don't know the license law or Code of Ethics themselves.

SO....that's why I think anonymous complaints are fantastic. Consumers and agents can submit a complaint and know that it will be addressed without the consumer or agent having to spend their own time doing it.

*Steps off soap box*

Give what you can - with Passion

Very enlightened words from my friend and colleague in the mortgage business, George Kahn.

As we move through life
from survival to significance
the big change is in what we give.

When I was young I thought that I had to build wealth before I could give.
Then I realized that I could do service, and give my time to things I cared about.

Giving time can be the greatest gift
It actually doesn't matter what, or how much you give.
If you give what you can, with passion
you can change the world.

"We make a living with what we get,
but we make a life with what we give."
- Winston Churchill

George Kahn

Contact me for George's contact info. Do you want to be included in his daily Passion Party? Shoot me a note and I'll get you connected!

What's going on in the local housing market?

The latest edition of our Housing Trends newsletter is now available for online viewing.

Remember, we can help you with your sale, purchase, property management and apartment locating needs. Please, don't keep us a secret!

Bathroom Remodels Becoming More Popular

Two questions we are often asked by clients is "what room should I remodel first" and "how much return will I get on my remodel investment"?

Most home owners choose to remodel the kitchen first - but as we are monitoring trends, we are seeing that more and more owners are starting with the bathroom.

Check out this article for more on the current trend. And remember, when you need a referral for quality contractors, please get in touch with us and we can assist.

Please don't keep us a secret!

Texas cities hold top four job-growth spots

This just in from the Austin Business Journal: Austin and the three other major Texas markets registered the nation’s strongest employment gains during the past five years, according to figures released Wednesday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Austin came in No. 3 with 56,100 new private-sector jobs created between June 2005 and June 2010. Houston topped the list with 129,800 new private-sector jobs followed by Dallas, with 71,300 jobs created. San Antonio ranked No. 4, with a gain of 32,600 positions during the same time period.

Los Angeles posted the nation’s sharpest decline since 2005, losing 376,400 private-sector positions. Other big drops were reported in Detroit (down 328,800 in five years), Chicago (down 253,000) and Miami-Ft. Lauderdale (down 165,800).

Eighty-four major markets suffered declines in private-sector employment during the half-decade; only 16 finished on the upside.

The news was a bit better for the short term, with 24 markets enjoying increases between June 2009 and June 2010.

Austin had the biggest one-year gain, up 8,400 private-sector jobs. Dallas ranked third, with 4,800 private-sector jobs created between June 2009 and June 2010.

Chicago had the biggest one-year drop, down 83,400 jobs.

Read more in the Austin Business Journal.

Celebrating life

Today I had a random thought about my friend Ginger from grad school. Ginger was diagnosed with ALS several years ago and has been documenting tidbits about her journey in a blog. The blog helps us know what's going on in her life. Occasionally we chat on yahoo messenger - the same way we used to chat online when we were in grad school. Ginger just turned 36.

Some things never change - even when there are all kinds of forces in the works. Ginger always smiles, and always has a way to make those near and far smile and laugh. We had so many fun times back then - she truly is one of those people who can always bring a smile to your face - even when she's ticked off and wants to smack you.

Today I thought about her. It was random. I wondered....how the heck is Ginger - it's been a while since we've chatted.

Today Ginger stepped into the next phase of her journey.

I wonder where that random thought came from. Why did I think about her today out of the blue. Was it her saying see you later (she refused to say goodbye)?

As I sit here with tears, I know Ginger would prefer that I smile, and do something nice for someone else, and celebrate her life and all that is good. So I will do that.

So Ginger, I promise I will get past the tears. I will celebrate your life and live mine in a way you'd be proud of.

THANK YOU for all that you are, and all that you have brought to those of us fortunate enough to know you.

Free Birthday Stuff

This year I have adopted something I learned from a few friends. One has birthday week, another birthday month, and a third has birthday season. I'm starting with Birthday Week.

To celebrate - I want to share this list of free birthday stuff with you. A friend originally got this list off of Craigslist a few years ago, and we have added to it since then. I have no idea who started the list - but hope that you'll pass this on AND send me other items that you think should be included.

Enjoy!

Note:
It's best to call the Manager of the location that's nearest you to confirm that they still honor the specail. ALSO ***Always*** tip you wait staff even if the meal is free. ***

The General List: Some are in Austin, some are not.

ALFY'S PIZZA - free mini pizza
ALL-AMERICAN CAFE - free dessert
APPLEBEES - free dessert
AUSTIN GRILL - Register First - free meal
AUTO ZONE - Free Oil Change
BAKERS SQUARE - free pie
BANDIDO'S - free entry
BANJARA INDIAN CUISINE - free meal
BASKIN ROBBINS - free ice cream treat
BEACHES RESTAURANT - free meal
BENIHANA'S JAPANESE RESTAURANT - free dinner WITH 3 other paying guests
BENNIGANS - free dessert + song
BERN'S - free meal
BILL KNAPP'S - gives adults a % discount equal to age; plus a free bday cake (w/purchase of a meal) during the week of your B-day
BLACK BRISKEE - free meal
BOB'S BIG BOY - free hot fudge ice cream
BUFFALO WILD WINGS (BW3) - free dozen hot wings
BURGER KING - free kids meal to all kids club members
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - Register First - free kids meal during the month of their birthday
Canolli Joe’s – Sign up online and get a free birthday lunch plus a free buffet just for signing up!
CAPTAIN DIZZY'S CAR WASH - free car wash
CARROWS - free cake
CATTLEMEN'S - free dessert and cowboy hat
CHARLIE BROWNS RESTAURANTS - free meal for "Handshake Club" members
CHARLIE'S SEAFOOD - free meal
CHEVY'S - free dessert and sombrero
CHILI'S - free song
CHIPS N GIGGLES - free meal
CLAIM JUMPER - Free Dessert
CROWN THEATRES - Buy One Movie Ticket, Get One Free
CRAZY BUFFET - free meal
DAVE AND BUSTERS - $5 game card credit
DENNY'S - free meal (said to be only kids under 10 now)
DESPARADOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT - free meal
DOCKSIDE RESTAURANT - free meal
DUKE'S CHOWDER HOUSE - b1g1 coupons (register first). FREE dinner for your birthday!
EINSTEIN'S - free meal
EL CHICOS - free dessert
ERNIE'S STEAKHOUSE - free meal
FAMOUS DAVE'S BARBEQUE - free meal (w/advance signup)
FUDDRUCKERS - free burger
FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB - free cake (party of 5 min.; 2 drink min.)
GLORIA’S (Domain) – free chocolate flan
GOLDEN CORRAL - free meal to birthday Club members (not just kids!) during month of birthday
GRILLFISH - free meal
HANA JAPAN - free meal
HARD ROCK CAFE - free dessert
HOMETOWN BUFFET - free birthday cake
HOULIHAN'S RESTAURANT - free entree
HOLLYWOOD VIDEO - one free video rental
HOOTERS - free song + tshirt
HOSS'S STEAK HOUSE AND RESTAURANT - free cake + song
IHOP- free meal
JOE'S CRAB SHACK - free cake
JT WHEATFIELDS - free coupon in phone book
KING BUFFET - free meal
Krispy Kreme- Free Dozen Donuts of your choice - Contact the Manager and tell them it's your birthday. (not Round Rock)
LADONNA - free meal
LE ROUGHE - has a thong club that gives you a 20.00 gift certificate for anything in the store. Lube, toys, clothing, what ever tickles your fancy.
LOMBARDI'S IN BALLARD - Register First - free meal w/another during month of birthday
LOTUS - free meal
LUTHERS BBQ - free stuff (varies) for "Great Rewards" members
MACARONI GRILL - free dessert + OPERA-style "Happy birthday" song
MAGGIANOS - $10 Off purchase of $20 (sign up in advance), (Domain) free dessert
MARIE CALENDERS - free dessert
MAX AND ERMA - free $5 dessert
MEXICAN VILLAGE - free meal
MOONIES DINER - free meal
MUCKLESHOOT CASINO - free sushi dinner + player's club points
NEWICK'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS - free entry
NITTY GRITTY - free drink + souvenir glass
OKAYAMA RESTAURANT - free meal
OLD SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE - free meal
OLIVE GARDEN - cake (some say free, most say $$)
ONAMI - free dinner WITH 3 other people paying
OUTBACK - free dessert + song
PANCAKE HOUSE - free entry
PAPPA'S RESTAURANTS - free dessert
PARADISO'S - free meal
PERKIN'S - free stack of pancakes
PF CHANGS - free cake or cheesecake
PIZZA EXPRESS - free meal
PONCHO'S - free meal, dessert & picture
PROVINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - free $10.99 meal and ice cream dessert
Radisson - free entree in their 12th floor restaurant
REAL SEAFOOD COMPANY - free meal and dessert
RED LOBSTER - free slice of cake + song
RED ROBINS - Register First - free burger coupon / discount coupon
RICE & COMPANY - free meal for Robinson Rewards Club members
ROCK BOTTOM - free appetizer for Mug Club members
ROUND TABLE - free personal pizza
SCALINI'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - up to 10.95 off pasta specialties
SHEPARD'S BUFFET - free dinner buffet w/3 other paid customers
STEAK AND ALE - free mini choco cake
STEAK-N-SHAKE - free dinner for "birthday club" kids
TACO BELL - free combo meal of your choice
TERRA TOYS - gives a free toy, even to Adults. You get to Pull it from this really cool Treasure Chest.
TGI FRIDAYS - Free birthday Dessert
THE 99 - free meal
THE BARNSIDER'S/DEPOT RESTAURANTS - 1/2 off meal + cake & song
THE LOFT - free meal
THE PALM - 3lb lobster (must be a member/register first)
THE PARADISO - free entry + sombrero & song
THE VINE TAVERN - free meal
TODAI SEAFOOD BUFFET - Free Meal or voucher for Meal Next Visit
TONY ROMA'S - free dessert, free meal
UP THE CREEK - free meal and dessert
VACCARO'S ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP - free dessert and drink
WENDY'S - free kids meal to all kids club members
Z' TEJAS - Register First - $15 coupon for the month of your birthday
ZIO'S - free dessert

12 Moving Tips For A Simple and Stress-Free Move

RISMEDIA, July 13, 2010—(MCT)—Packing your belongings and moving is often fraught with high emotions and involves a to-do list a mile long. So, it’s tempting to give only passing attention to hiring a mover and the related incidental costs. That could be a mistake—for your wallet and your peace of mind. Moving can be quite expensive. A typical full-service interstate move costs about $4,300, while the same in-state move might cost about $2,500, according to the American Moving & Storage Association. And while the moving industry has many fine companies, it is notorious for fraud and dirty tactics by so-called rogue movers.

Here are 12 tips to make your move simple and avoid the hassle.

Choose a type of move: You have three basic choices: do-it-yourself, full service and a relatively new hybrid of the two. Going it alone is the cheapest alternative, costing the rental price of a truck, gasoline, packing materials and, perhaps, pizza and beer for friends you rope into helping. With full-service moves, moving within a state is charged by the hour, while moving across state lines is charged by weight and mileage.

With a hybrid move, a mover will drop off a large container at your home for you to pack. The mover will then load the container onto a truck, drive the belongings to your new location and drop off the container for you to unload. Because you’re doing the manual labor of packing and unpacking, it’s far less costly than a full-service move.

Hire a quality mover: If you hire help, get at least three price quotes and do your homework before selecting a mover. Seek recommendations by talking with family and friends, even your Facebook circle. Investigate a company’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org), Yelp.com and possibly the paid-membership site Angie’s List (angieslist.com). Check a company’s complaint history at the federal government site, ProtectYourMove.gov.

“People think a good reputation equals expensive, but that’s not true,” said Laura McHolm, co-founder of NorthStar Moving in Los Angeles. “You don’t get a good reputation by overcharging people.”

Look for two things when hiring a moving company: A full-service mover should visit your home in person, not give a quote over the phone or online, and should provide a written estimate, experts say.

Declutter: No matter what type of move you’re making, taking less stuff is cheaper and less hassle. Set up a staging area, perhaps in a garage, with various piles, such as throw out, recycle, donate and sell.

For many items, use the rule of thumb, ‘If you haven’t used it in a year, you probably don’t need it.’

Be flexible: Like airline fares, moving rates depend on when you book. The busiest time for movers, and thus the most expensive time for consumers, is summer weekends near the 15th and 30th of the month.

If you have time flexibility, ask what rates would be for different days or seasons. If you have extreme flexibility, ask about moving standby: waiting until the mover has extra space and needs to fill a truck.

Save on boxes: Buying new boxes from a moving company is the most expensive choice. To save some money on packing materials, ask if you can buy used boxes from your moving company.

Cheaper yet is finding free boxes, ideally from somebody who just moved. Ask your real estate agent to connect you with other clients who recently moved or look on Craigslist.org. Specialty boxes, such as wardrobe boxes, might be cheaper to purchase at a do-it-yourself moving store, such as U-Haul, than from your mover.

Save on packing materials: If you’re packing your belongings yourself, fill suitcases, laundry baskets and plastic containers with unbreakable items. Use pillows, scarves and towels to wrap fragile belongings.

Mail books: If you have a large collection of books, pack them yourself and ship them at the postal media mail rate as it might be cheaper than paying a mover—a 70-pound box would cost less than $30.

Consider consolidation: For long-distance moves, ask about consolidating your stuff on a truck with other people’s as most homeowners can’t fill a full-size moving van. You might have to be flexible on delivery dates and times, but consolidation can be cheaper.

Insure it: Check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy to determine whether it provides coverage for your belongings while in transit. If not, you’ll probably want more than the basic free valuation coverage a full-service mover provides. The standard valuation is 60 cents per pound per item. That means breaking a 10-pound, $1,000 stereo system would net you $6. You’ll want full replacement-value insurance, which reimburses you what it will cost to replace broken items. But don’t necessarily buy that insurance from the moving company. Moving insurance is likely cheaper from a third party, but be aware that you probably cannot get insurance on boxes you packed yourself.

Be prepared: Plot out where furniture and boxes will go before moving day arrives. The less time movers spend rearranging, the less expensive it will be.

In urban areas, reserve a space or two in front of your new home for the moving truck by parking your own vehicle there ahead of time. If the movers have to park too far away to unload, you could incur a ‘long carry’ surcharge.

Stake your claim: If you’re moving for a job, negotiate the best relocation package you can. Unreimbursed expenses might be tax-deductible. For details, see Publication 521 Moving Expenses at IRS.gov.

Tip: Tipping each mover $3-$5 per hour is customary, said Stephen Coady, marketing manager for Gentle Giant Moving Co. in Somerville, Mass.

Summer grillin' ideas

You've probably heard of Eat This Not That from Men's Health or maybe seen the book at Costco or Target. Each morning I get an Eat This Not That email with tips for better eating - and the tips are usually easy to implement (although if I could REMEMBER all the tips that would be a different story).


The installment today had a link to an article at Women's Health and a story about kabobs, including four recipes for quick, easy and healthy grillin.

With the beautiful days we've been having - why not fire up the grill and enjoy these great recipes??

The Ups and Downs of the Market

Many of you have heard me speak highly of Steve Crosslands blog - he's one to watch here in Austin.

Steve wrote a great article about how the government's policies can influence the local real estate markets.

Check out the blog here.

Tips to Make Your House a Home

RISMEDIA, June 21, 2010—After getting the keys to their new homes, many first-time home buyers are excited about finally having the opportunity to personalize and furnish their new house. From coffee tables to lamps to lawnmowers, many previous renters leap into homeownership quickly realizing they need to do a lot of shopping to truly make their house a home.

“Whether you’ve been living in an apartment with roommates or at your parents’ house, many first-time home buyers do not think about all the items they need – and want – when moving into a house,” said Janice Jones, national vice president of merchandising for Centex. “With a little advance planning and budgeting, you won’t break the bank to make your new home a reflection of your personal style and showcase your pride of homeownership.”

A typical home buyer spends $7,400 on average on their home, with more than half of that spent in the first year after purchase, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

While many first-time home buyers may not have accounted for this level of spending, Jones offers advice on what types of items to purchase to not only properly maintain and live in the home, but also more importantly, items that help new homeowners feel like their house is a place to call home.

Furnishings
Many first-time home buyers no longer want their parents’ hand-me downs or their childhood bedroom set. From sofas to dining room sets to mattresses, many first-time home buyers take the opportunity to upgrade their furniture when moving into their new home. According to an NAHB study, furnishings take the biggest chunk of the budget, with home buyers spending about $5,300 on furnishings during the first year after buying a home. The biggest ticket item for all households is bedroom furnishings, including mattresses, followed by sofas.

Window coverings and linens
The median square footage of homes bought by first-time buyers is 1,500. So, you can only imagine the number of windows that need to be covered to ensure privacy and security in a home. According to Jones, many home buyers don’t account for this in their budget. Additionally, with the ability to now paint and decorate each room, new homeowners find that they want to purchase new bedroom and bathroom linens.

Garden tools
Since a first-time home buyer is likely to move into their home from an apartment, unless you plan on hiring a gardener, you’ll need to purchase a few basic gardening tools, including a lawnmower, garden hose, sprinkler and a shovel (for winter weather).

Flat screen TV
Let’s face it: many home buyers shop for their new home while taking into a consideration how a new, large, flat-screen television set will be situated in their new living space. So, it’s not a surprise that a hot item on the list is purchasing an entertainment system.

However, you’ll also need the basic appliances in your new home: a refrigerator, stove, and a washer/dryer. While many existing homes usually come with appliances, a home buyer needs to take inventory as to whether or not they will need to purchase these big ticket items before they purchase their new bedroom set.

Basic tool kit
Every home needs a well-stocked tool box. Many home improvement stores have sets you can purchase, but make sure it includes a hammer, screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, a tape measure and a staple gun.

“My biggest piece of advice for new home buyers is to be creative and tackle this room by room,” said Jones. “For example, after outfitting your home with the necessary items—like appliances and window coverings—move on to the kitchen and family room spaces. This area is the heart of your home where everyone gathers.

“Look for great values on the items you need that will be utilized most. Take your time and get the feel of how you want to use each space for both function and enjoyment. This strategy allows homeowners to stage their purchases and add new furnishings as the budget allows. Decorating your new home should be fun and a reflection of your personal style.”

The truest version of myself

You've seen the words of my friend George Kahn in this blog before. Each day he sends out a "Passion Party" email with a positive, thought provoking message, and the message for today is no exception. Read....and think....and see what you can do to live these words today...and maybe even tomorrow too!

George writes:

Today I will be authentic
not mean or angry,
but true to my beliefs, spirit and character.
I will live by my highest standards
and offer to help.
I will not be petty or vulgar,
because that is not my truest self.
I will look for the humanity in others
and build their confidence and capabilities
by being my most authentic self.

George Kahn
Email: gkahn (at) mortgcap *dot* com

Green gadgets to keep you charged this summer

Wow this is pretty stinkin cool. Anyone have experience with something like these cool gadgets?

Your outdoor gadgets used to be limited by their battery life - but no longer. These solar-powered chargers will let you play in the sun with the knowledge that you'll never be out of touch. Heather Clancy tells you how to keep charged this summer. Better Energy Systems claims its Solio Classic-i works with more than 3,200 devices for its almost 1 million customers. It costs $79.99.

See the full article here.

Architecture Coach: The Right Way to Display Artwork

This just in from REALTOR® Magazine...

Artwork can add a personalized, finishing touch to any room, but too much can distract buyers from a home's architectural pluses.
By Barbara Ballinger | July 2010

Properly displayed and tasteful artwork can instantly bring life to an otherwise dull room. Whether home owners have painted or papered their walls, most want to hang some artwork on them, perhaps by displaying fine paintings, prints, or photographs, or more casual, affordable pieces from nature, travels, or favorite magazines.

"Any room looks better with some art," says saleswoman Barb St. Amant, ABR, with Harry Norman, REALTORS®, in Atlanta.

However, any artwork display should involve careful selection in choosing the right mat, frame, backing, or container, as well as determining the best location to hang the art, including how high or low it should be on a wall and whether it stands alone or as part of a group, designers say.

“Too many people hang art randomly, like they’re throwing stuff at a dartboard,” says Cambridge, Mass.–based designer Heidi Pribell. “Urge collectors to have their art form a pattern — in a grid, vertical stack, or horizontal line, or if alone relate to a piece of furniture or architectural feature.”

You can help buyers and sellers understand the impact art can make — for their own enjoyment as well as how to use it to impress buyers — with some of the following tips, from choosing what to display to how to hang it on the wall.

What to Display

Forget the notion that art has to have a fancy pedigree or exorbitant costs. Anything a home owner loves is suitable, from a museum-quality painting to child’s drawings.

Here are some other suggestions for what to display:


* The power of black and white. Designer and stager Linda Bettencourt of Center Stage in San Francisco suggests using black and white photographs, which can be framed in inexpensive frames.

* Go big. Atlanta-based designer Brian Patrick Flynn thinks one enlarged photo — as big as 20’ wide by 12’ tall — offers a huge wow. “By making the wall the star, you don’t necessarily need many other elements to complete it,” he says.

* Mirror, mirror on the walls. Pribell loves mirrors. “They offer great feng shui and bring in light and reflection. You can never have too many,” she says.

* Unique collections. Get clients to think outside the box. A childhood collection of Pez dispensers or snow globes can even become artistically encased assemblages if displayed properly.

Choosing the Proper Frame

The style, width, material, and color of picture frames are personal choices, says Chicago-area designer Mary Lou Kalmus of Designing Edge, who likes to frame works in a grouping that has the same or similar motifs.

* Don’t match too much. Sharla Kidder, president of Biddington’s Inc., an art information site, prefers different “but not too different” frames — maybe a series in the same color range. Also, designers say, don’t match a frame to the room’s décor too much; let it stand on its own.

* Complement the era. Pribell favors a style that reflects the period in the artwork, such as a 19th century “exhibition” frame for a 19th century painting. Many contemporary paintings and other works look good with a more minimal frame so that they float within, adds Kidder.

* Bring out the art with a mat. Bettencourt likes mats in ivory or white with 3-inch borders on the sides and top and a slightly wider 4-inch border on the bottom.

* Decide between glass or acrylic. “Glass is cheaper, easier to clean, and more resistant to scratches,” says Kidder. But it’s also “heavier, more breakable, sensitive to variations in temperature, and highly reflective so it often creates a glare,” she says.

How to Display It

How you display the artwork on the walls can make a big difference, too. Consider the following.

Solo or in a grouping. The size of the work usually determines this decision. A large piece can stand alone; smaller works may look visually stronger if grouped, particularly if they reflect a similar style, subject matter, or frame, says Kalmus.

Kalmus recommends first laying out a grouping on the floor to form a composition. When mounting, Kidder likes spacing of 4 to 5 inches between works, depending on how many there are and the wall’s size. She also recommends using a measuring tape and level for accuracy.

How high, low, or close together. The size of the works, height of furniture, and ceiling height need to be weighed. A good guideline is to have the center of a work or the center of the grouping at eye level to the person who is living there.

If the artwork is above a sofa, there should be enough room so that people don't bump their heads on it. Art arranged along a stairway should march up the stairs, says Kalmus.

Artwork Tips When Selling a Home

When selling a home, the number of works displayed and how they’re showcased may differ from when they’re just hung for personal enjoyment. To avoid distracting buyers, art needs to play a secondary role to the lead: the home’s architecture and significant features, such as a fireplace.

Here’s some guidance to offer your clients:

* Less is more. Don’t fill every wall with artwork, Bettencourt advises. Instead, “put one great piece in an entry, over a sideboard, or above a fireplace,” she says.
* No leaning. Even though it’s considered quite chic, avoid leaning artwork against a wall, since there’s a risk of it being knocked over.
* Use art as a solution. “Spaced along a long hallway, art can break it up so it doesn’t resemble a bowling alley, or can cover ugly electrical panels,” Bettencourt says.
* Draw inspiration. Encourage clients to look in magazines and books for more solutions. For example, Rooms to Inspire in the City (Rizzoli, 2010) by Annie Kelly provides many helpful images.

Summer Home Maintenance Tips

by Carla L. Davis


Summer is a season full of many activities. Pool-side barbecues, family vacations, and children's backyard campouts are just a few. But there's another activity that sometimes gets overlooked, and that is summer home maintenance.

This season presents some prime opportunities to make sure your home is in good working order. Let's examine a few areas you should add to your activity list.

1. Decks: Even the most well-constructed deck will need to be looked over for loose nails and screws, as well as warping or rotting wood. Replace any pieces that pose a safety risk. For easy cleaning, consider using a power washer. This will get rid of the dirt and grime that naturally collects throughout the year on decks.

2. Roof. Roofs require semi-annual inspections. Wind storms, hail, and regular old wear and tear mean you need to visually inspect your roof each year. Clean debris from your roof and look for missing and loose singles. Trim back branches that overhang onto the roof. And be sure your gutter is still free of debris.

3. Water Heaters. Your tank should be drained once a year. This will help with sediment build-up that is inevitable with water heater use. By draining the water heater you can add years to its lifespan.

4. Change air filters. Filters do their job well, and as such, they need changed often. Filters are part of what keeps your home protected from pollutants and allergens. And since they are inexpensive and easy to change, there is not reason not to add this task to your summer activity list.

5. Recreation. Pools are a popular destination during the summer months. Take this time to be sure that tiles and grout are in good repair, or that linings are free from holes in the case of above ground pools. Check your pool's chemistry often. That means twice a week during the summer. And don't forget to clean the pool skimmers often to make sure you get the best circulation, a must for any healthy pool.

Have fun this summer, and remember to give your home a little TLC.

Published: June 14, 2010

See the full article here.

Ever thought about a 15 year mortgage?

The newest edition of our Housing Trends Newsletter has a great interview discussing 15 year mortgages - check it out along with the other great information!

6 Backyard Improvement Ideas to Add More Value to Your Home

Here's a great article courtesy of RISMedia - A Real Estate news organization.

If you’re like most homeowners, there is never a shortage of options when it comes to projects around the house. But studies have shown that some of the highest return on household improvements can come from those on the outside, not the inside.

A primary reason is that outside investments can produce curb appeal, which is especially important if you are planning to sell your home. Those same improvements can enhance the enjoyment factor if you and your family plan to stay in your home.

For example, one national industry resource—the National Association of Realtors, reported recently their experience shows a new wood deck produces the second highest return on home improvement investment of any common addition, remodel or replacement project.

However projects don’t have to be big to add value or enjoyment, according to Jimmy Rane, president of Great Southern Wood Preserving, a leading producer of pressure-treated lumber products and maker of YellaWood brand products.

The following popular outside improvement projects will increase the curb appeal or value of a home:

Adirondack chairs—Uniquely-American classic outdoor furniture is made entirely of wood and has a straight back and seat, which are set at a slant to sit comfortably on a hillside or mountain incline, but still be comfortable at any angle.

Gazebo—A gazebo can be freestanding or attached to a garden wall, roofed and open on all sizes to provide shade or shelter.

Planters and window boxes—Planters have become popular because they are both functional and ornamental. Additionally, some can be moved frequently to account for seasonal weather or just to create a change in scenery.

Picnic table—Picnic tables go well on a patio or a deck, but equally as well on the grass or under a tree in the yard. A traditional picnic table is all in one piece so that it wears well without a lot of maintenance.

Trellis—A trellis can function as a unique sun screen or it can be the framework for an outdoor hanging garden. Building it with pressure treated lumber can add life by minimizing rotting and other threats.

Trash can corral or compost bin—While many outdoor projects tend to be cosmetic in nature, here are two ideas that are both practical and pretty. With a trash can corral, you can hide unsightly trash cans and with a compost bin, you can reduce your own carbon footprint in a way that doesn’t take away from the visual appeal of the place.

For more information, visit the Great Southern Wood website.

Another note from my friend George

You've seen a few of George's Passion Party writings here before - and this is another great one. (Well, he sends great messages every morning, but this one just "fit" for me today).

This morning I had an appointment to have my tires rotated at 7 a.m. - they said it would take about 30 minutes. Well at 8:30 I was on my way - not because there were problems, it just took a while....and a few things popped up - nail in one of the tires that needed repaired, inspection sticker that was expired, etc.

On the way home I was listening to NPR. I haven't been paying too much attention to the news for the past three months - because I really don't like hearing what the news has to say. And for the most part, the only impact the news has on me is that it gets me riled up or makes me feel down. Today was no different - a story about the oil spill and the birds covered in oil being cleaned with a concentrated solution of Dawn dish soap (you know - it breaks up grease, takes it out of your way) - could we clean up the ocean by dumping some Dawn in there too?? Anyway...it made me sad. Then I thought about the oil companines and oil prices and record profits and on and on and on. Yuck.

Anyway.....this being my first email check of the day, a great message from George that I wanted to share.

Would you like to be added to the daily "Passion Party"??? Just shoot George a note - contact info below.

Life is frustrating right now.
There is so much trouble in the world
News is bad
The world is broke.
Business feels like it is a Race To The Bottom
Products keep getting cheaper, not better
and we gather together
at the edge of our landfill
to throw out all our stuff
because things are just not worth fixing.

Today I do not need to fix the world
I just need to fix what is in front of me.
What isn't working?
Why isn't it working?
Is it worth fixing?
What can I do to "re-frame" the problem?
Is it something I can have control over?
If so, I will work on that part of the problem.
Otherwise, it is
just more idle chatter
more noise in a noisy world.


George Kahn
Email: gkahn@mortgcap.com

"I'm not a set of keys"

One of our fantastic agents forwarded this blog entry over to me today. She and I had a discussion yesterday about how some folks call us on listings and want us to show them the property, but do not want to meet with us or give us any information about themselves. It's not that we want their life story, we're simply trying to determine if meeting them is a good use of our time. Often the question we get is "well isn't it in the best interest of your seller to show me the house?" and the true answer is "no, not necessarily."

You see, if the caller isn't qualified to buy the house, it's a waste of everybody's time. It also allows a "stranger" access to a house...they can see what's in there, who's in there, etc. What if that caller really just wants to scope out the TV or appliances? Is THAT in the best interest of our seller? No.

Anyway, here's the blog entry, courtesy of Lori Liveston from Waltham, MA:

I'm a buyer's agent not a set of keys, and yup, there's a difference.

Let me start off by saying, I'm not a high pressure sales person. It is not my intention to talk you in to purchasing a home you don't want so I can pick up my check. It IS my intention to make sure that we don't waste each other's time.

Requesting a meeting prior to showing you properties isn't just because "I'm a people person."

This meeting is to explain the home buying process to you: Even if you have done your homework (and it's great if you have!), there is information that comes with my experience and you might just find it valuable. This meeting is also to do what we call a "need assessment": This is where we talk about your needs and wants in a home, your timeline for purchasing, your price range and anything else that's important to you in the purchase of your new home. This meeting is to go over important disclosures that I am legally obligated to provide you with: At this meeting I will present you with the Agency Disclosure that I am obligated by law to provide you with. This is a two page document (In Texas it is one page) that explains the different types of agency that can be provided to individuals in a real estate transaction. I will also present you with a disclosure that explains the home inspection process (which can be daunting, particularly for first time home buyers) and the different types of inspections offered.

While the internet is an invaluable tool in finding the homes you want to see, I can help!

As a local real estate professional, I have probably been inside some of these houses already. Which means, that I can tell you why there are no pictures of the third bedroom (because it's an 8x8 cell with no light and a pet stained carpet that you are only going to be able to use for storage). Because I understand the type of financing you will be using, I know this foreclosure property isn't worth looking at (because it will never qualify for FHA financing.... and since we sat down together to go over your financing needs, I already know you are going FHA).

Presenting you with a buyer agency agreement doesn't mean that I want to trap you into working with me and then stop working hard to keep you as a client.

The buyer agency form is a commitment from BOTH OF US. It commits me to represent you and find you a property, and it commits you to not use another agent in purchasing a property. We can make this commitment for as long or short a period of time as you like. Does it help me out to know that you are serious about purchasing a home and that my time isn't wasted? Sure. Exclusive agreements have been used by on the seller's side for a long time, because we recognize that in order to sell a house in the quickest amount of time and with the best terms possible, that requires a commitment from both the seller and their agent. The same principals apply to the buying side of the transaction.

Bottom line, I don't want to work with you if you don't want to work with me.

Let's face it, you are going to be spending your free time with me looking at homes, that's a pretty big deal and I don't want to be a part of it if I am not going to improve that process for you.

Memorial Day

To all who have served, are serving and will serve - thank you!

5 Tips to Save Money for First-Time Home Buyers

RISMEDIA, May 25, 2010—Those who missed taking advantage of the first-time buyer tax credit but who are still planning the purchase of their first home, continue to have a wealth of opportunities in today’s marketplace. A few smart steps can save first-time buyers thousands of dollars. Here is a look at some of the ways how:

1. Don’t buy if you don’t plan to stay
If you can’t commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner – even in a rising market. When prices are falling, it’s an even worse proposition.

2. Start by shoring up your credit
Since you probably will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover.

3. Choose carefully between points and rate
When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points- a portion of the interest that you pay at closing- in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you stay in the house for a long time- say three to five years or more- it’s usually a better deal to take the points. The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run.

4. Hire a home inspector
A home inspector can let you know if you’re about to buy a lemon of a house or warn you about potential problems. At best, you can move into the house confident that it’s in good shape; at worst, the inspector’s report can let you back out of the deal if the house has major, unexpected problems. Most typically, the home inspection can allow you to negotiate the home price to account for necessary repairs.

5. Get professional help
Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, most new buyers (and many more experienced ones) are better off using a professional agent. Look for an exclusive buyer agent, if possible, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.

6. Bonus Tip: Be patient
Buying a home is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetime. The key to avoiding buyer’s remorse is to be completely comfortable before signing on the dotted line.

Know somebody that could benefit from even more professional advice when it comes to buying and selling Real Estate? Please, don't keep us a secret!

Kiplinger: Best Cities 2010: Austin, Texas

This just in from Kiplinger:

Everything may be bigger in Texas, but Austin’s genius is nurturing the power of small. Just ask Rob Neville, who wants to develop his biotech firm, Savara Pharmaceuticals, into a major player in the field of inhaled-drug therapy. The firm started in Kansas, but Neville transplanted it to Austin because the city is arguably the country’s best crucible for small business.

Read the full article here.

Who do you know that needs our help buying and selling real estate in the Best City?? Please, don't keep us a secret!

Interested in the State of the Markets?

Then check out the latest edition of our Housing Trends Newsletter.

Each month, our Housing Trends Newsletter is full of market information along with tips and tricks to help you benefit from the market as it is today.

Questions about what you see and hear? Be sure to give us a call, and remember, we can help the people you care about buy and sell real estate in Austin and the surrounding areas, so please, don't keep us a secret!

Austin is on the lists again....

And it's more than one list this time!

RISMEDIA, May 5, 2010—The three most important things to remember when moving and buying a new home are: location, location, location. As potential home buyers start looking for new homes, RelocateAmerica.com, a leading website in providing relocating consumers access to resources for their upcoming relocation, has released its 13th annual list of “America’s Top Places to Live for 2010.”

The “Top Places to Live” list features several breakout categories such as the Top 10 Recovery Cities, Retirement Cities, ‘Earth Friendly’ Cities, Recreation Cities and Small Towns.

New for this year, the Top 10 Recovery Cities focused on areas poised for swift economic recovery. Many of these communities did not see the massive real estate bubble that formed in other areas and have a more diverse economy.

To be considered for the list, a community is nominated at RelocateAmerica.com. From the thousands of submissions, RelocateAmerica.com’s editorial team reviews the nominations and selects the top places to live, as well as the Top 10 for each smaller category, based on interviews with local leaders; feedback from residents; and economic, environmental, education, crime, employment and housing data for the past year.

“Given the tough economic times our nation is facing, home buyers have re-evaluated their priorities and are looking to relocate to communities that offer plenty of perks, but minimal hassle and cost,” said Peter Meyers, Vice President, Research and Content Development, at RelocateAmerica.com. “While some cities are facing a road to recovery that could take years, others are poised for a quick rebound – and already have seen growth. We wanted to highlight those cities that are on the road back to economic health.”

Top 10 Overall Cities:

1. Huntsville, AL
2. Washington, DC
3. Austin, TX
4. San Diego, CA
5. San Antonio, TX
6. Tulsa, OK
7. Charlotte, NC
8. Raleigh, NC
9. Boulder, CO
10. Minneapolis, MN

Top 10 Recovery Cities:

1. Huntsville, AL
2. Austin, TX
3. Las Cruces, NM
4. Washington, DC
5. San Antonio, TX
6. McAllen, TX
7. Billings, MT
8. Albuquerque, NM
9. Everett, WA
10. Boulder, CO

Top 10 Retirement Cities:

1. Ashville, NC
2. Bella Vista, AR
3. Green Valley, AZ
4. Sarasota, FL
5. Prescott, AZ
6. Tampa, FL
7. Greenville, SC
8. San Antonio, TX
9. Hot Springs Village, AR
10. Colorado Springs, CO

Top 10 ‘Earth Friendly’ Cities:

1. Portland, OR
2. Boston, MA
3. Madison, WI
4. Boulder, CO
5. Austin, TX
6. Chicago, IL
7. Minneapolis, MN
8. Fort Worth, TX
9. Ann Arbor, MI
10. Huntsville, AL

Top 10 Recreation Cities:

1. Boulder, CO
2. Santa Cruz, CA
3. Flagstaff, AZ
4. St. George, UT
5. Ithaca, NY
6. Corvallis, OR
7. Salt Lake City, UT
8. Stevens Point, WI
9. Wilmington, NC
10. Portland, OR

Top 10 Small Towns (<40K pop.):

1. Grinnell, IA
2. St. Augustine, FL
3. Fairhope, AL
4. Stillwater, MN
5. Summit, NJ
6. Ashland, OR
7. Batavia, IL
8. Ithaca, NY
9. Peachtree City, GA
10. Trumbull, CT

For more information, visit www.RelocateAmerica.com.

My birthday is on July 21.....

And this is on my list...

In one of the recent issues of MacWorld there was a story about the Book Book from Twelve South (www.twelvesouth.com). This is a super cool case for a macbook - they have models for the 13 inch macbook and the 15 inch macbook pro (if you're taking notes, please note I need the one for the 15 inch macbook pro - classic black or red is fine, you can choose!).

The cover makes your laptop look like a fancy old book. This makes me think about the other product I'd really like - maybe it exists and I just haven't found it? I would love to be able to purchase simlar covers for actual books....so when you look at the book shelf it is lined with beautiful leather bound books (I don't even care if it is leather, just want it to look like it). Seems like it would be easy to have a few basic sizes available that you could just stick your ugly paperback book in and presto, a really pretty book.

ANYWAY, check out the Twelve South website and let me know what you think. And again - my birthday is July 21... ;)

10 worst ice cream treats in America

I've been really trying to better my diet over the past several weeks. Occasionally I have a huge craving for ice cream. Often it has something to do with peanut butter or peanut butter cup.

This story was in my inbox today from Men's Health, so I thought I'd share with you. The link at the very bottom of the page will take you to the full article.

Ice cream is as American as apple pie (it's no wonder the two so often go hand-in-hand). Unfortunately, so is obesity—a 2009 report found that overweight and obesity rates remained steady or increased in every single state of the nation. The good news is that you can help fight this epidemic without sacrificing life's small indulgent pleasures. Learn how to indulge more often but with less damage—read The 10 Worst Ice Cream Treats in America. Avoid them, and choose their equally delicious—but much healthier—counterparts, and you'll be able to indulge AND lose weight!

See the entire Men's Health article here.

5 Costly Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make

Here's a great set of pointers from CNNMoney's Les Christie. These are great things to remember - we work very hard to educate our clients, and every bit of reinforcement we can get helps.

Here's what Christie has to say:

Buying a first home can be a daunting experience. Here are five common and costly mistakes that novice home buyers make:

1. Ignoring the costs of having a low credit score. Lower-score borrowers pay thousands of dollars in increased interest rates over the life of the loan. (We can refer you to our strategic alliance partners that can help you bring your scores up, resulting in huge savings - ask us how!)

2. Muddying the waters by shopping for other things before closing. Lenders continue to check credit scores right up until the time of closing. Too much shopping could cause the lender to take back the loan.

3. Scrimping on an inspection. Being surprised by the need for expensive repairs can be financially devastating. (We always recommend an inspection. In fact, if a client chooses not to have a property inspected by a qualified inspector, we ask that they sign a waiver indicating that they have been advised otherwise and wish to skip this step.)

4. Buying without contingencies. Buyers should give themselves an out if the inspection turns up problems or the bank raises the interest rates. (In Texas, our option contract takes care of this for us. Normally we can negotiate a 7-10 day option period for $100-200 - a real steal for an unrestricted right to terminate. When we're representing sellers, we work to get a $300-500 fee for those same 7-10 days.)

5. No money for insurance. Insurance can be surprisingly pricey. Buyers who don’t budget for it can face a nasty surprise. (Again, we will refer you to several of our strategic alliance partners that can help save you tons of money on your insurance premiums.)

Source: CNNMoney.com, Les Christie (04/19/2010)

I've been looking for a computer desk...

Ok not really, but - this is kind of cool.

Meet the Victorian Organ Command Desk. Bruce Rosenbaum of Massachusetts home restoration firm ModVic literally pulled out all the stops when he built this baroque computer desk out of a demolished church's 19th century organ. He gutted the pump and innards, replacing them with three monitors, a 3GHz AMD Phenom II X4 945 processor running Windows 7 Ultimate, 3GB of RAM, a 1TB HD, and lots of other goodies including a Webcam, printer, scanner, and iPhone dock. The organ pipes were placed upside-down for effect.

Check out April's Housing Trends Newsletter

Check out the latest edition of our Housing Trends Newsletter for the most current information on the local and national real estate markets.

Have some questions? Be sure to give us a call or send an email!

By the way, who do you know that could use our help buying, selling, leasing or managing a property? Please, don't keep us a secret!

6 power foods.....

Men's Health shares six superfoods that we should be eating. I'm not there 100% on some of these - but thought you might enjoy reading what they have to say...

Celery

This water-loaded vegetable has a rep for being all crunch and no nutrition. But ditch that mindset: Celery contains stealth nutrients that heal.

Why it's healthy: "My patients who eat four sticks of celery a day have seen modest reductions in their blood pressure—about 6 points systolic and 3 points diastolic," says Mark Houston, M. D., director of the Hypertension Institute at St. Thomas Hospital, in Nashville. It's possible that phytochemicals in celery, called phthalides, are responsible for this health boon. These compounds relax muscle tissue in artery walls and increase bloodflow, according to nutritionist Jonny Bowden, Ph. D., author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth. And beyond the benefits to your BP, celery also fills you up—with hardly any calories.

How to eat it: Try this low-carbohydrate, protein-packed recipe for a perfect snack any time of day.

In a bowl, mix a 4.5-ounce can of low-sodium tuna (rinsed and drained), 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup of finely chopped onion, 1/4 cup of finely chopped apple, 2 tablespoons of fat-free mayonnaise, and some fresh ground pepper. Then spoon the mixture into celery stalks. (Think tuna salad on a log.) Makes 2 servings

Per serving: 114 calories, 15 grams protein, 12 grams carbohydrates (3 grams fiber), 1 gram fat

Seaweed

While this algae is a popular health food in Japan, it rarely makes it into U. S. homes.

Why it's healthy: There are four classes of seaweeds—green, brown, red, and blue-green—and they're all packed with healthful nutrients. "Seaweeds are a great plant source of calcium," says nutritionist Alan Aragon, M.S. They're also loaded with potassium, which is essential for maintaining healthy blood-pressure levels. "Low potassium and high sodium intake can cause high blood pressure," Bowden says. "Most people know to limit sodium, but another way to combat the problem is to take in more potassium."

How to eat it: In sushi, of course. You can also buy sheets of dried seaweed at Asian groceries, specialty health stores, or online at edenfoods.com. Use a coffee grinder to grind the sheets into a powder. Then use the powder as a healthy salt substitute that's great for seasoning salads and soups

Hemp Seeds

Despite the Cannabis classification, these seeds aren't for smoking. But they may provide medicinal benefits.

Why they're healthy: "Hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke," says Cassandra Forsythe, Ph. D., a nutrition researcher at the University of Connecticut. What's more, a 1-ounce serving of the seeds provides 11 grams of protein—but not the kind of incomplete protein found in most plant sources. Hemp seeds provide all the essential amino acids, meaning the protein they contain is comparable to that found in meat, eggs, and dairy.

How to eat them: Toss 2 tablespoons of the seeds into your oatmeal or stir-fry. Or add them to your postworkout shake for an extra dose of muscle-building protein.

Scallops

Perhaps these mollusks are considered guilty by association, since they often appear in decadent restaurant meals that are overloaded with calories. (But then again, so does asparagus.)

Why they're healthy: Scallops are more than 80 percent protein. "One 3-ounce serving provides 20 grams of protein and just 95 calories," says Bowden. They're also a good source of both magnesium and potassium. (Clams and oysters provide similar benefits.)

How to eat them: Sear the scallops: It's a fast and easy way to prepare this seafood.

Purchase fresh, dry-packed scallops (not the "wet-packed" kind) and place them on a large plate or cookie sheet. While you preheat a skillet on medium high, pat the scallops dry with a paper towel and season the exposed sides with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. When the skillet is hot, add a tablespoon of olive oil to it. Being careful not to overcrowd, lay the scallops in the skillet, seasoned-side down, and then season the top sides.

Sear the scallops until the bottoms are caramelized (about 2 minutes), and then flip them to sear for another 1 to 2 minutes, depending on size and thickness. Now they're ready to eat. Pair the scallops with sauteed vegetables, or place them on a bed of brown rice.

Dark Meat

Sure, dark meat has more fat than white meat does, but have you ever considered what the actual difference is? Once you do, Thanksgiving won't be the only time you "call the drumstick."

Why it's healthy: "The extra fat in dark turkey or chicken meat raises your levels of cholecystokinin (CCK), a hormone that makes you feel fuller, longer," says Aragon. The benefit: You'll be less likely to overeat in the hours that follow your meal. What about your cholesterol? Only a third of the fat in a turkey drumstick is the saturated kind, according to the USDA food database. (The other two-thirds are heart-healthy unsaturated fats.) What's more, 86 percent of that saturated fat either has no impact on cholesterol, or raises HDL (good) cholesterol more than LDL (bad) cholesterol—a result that actually lowers your heart-disease risk.

As for calories, an ounce of dark turkey meat contains just 8 more calories than an ounce of white meat.

How to eat it: Just enjoy, but be conscious of your total portion sizes. A good rule of thumb: Limit yourself to 8 ounces or less at any one sitting, which provides up to 423 calories. Eat that with a big serving of vegetables, and you'll have a flavorful fat-loss meal.

Lentils

It's no surprise that these hearty legumes are good for you. But when was the last time you ate any?

Why they're healthy: Boiled lentils have about 16 grams of belly-filling fiber in every cup. Cooked lentils also contain 27 percent more folate per cup than cooked spinach does. And if you eat colored lentils—black, orange, red—there are compounds in the seed hulls that contain disease-fighting antioxidants, says Raymond Glahn, Ph. D., a research physiologist with Cornell University.

How to eat them: Use lentils as a bed for chicken, fish, or beef—they make a great substitute for rice or pasta.

Pour 4 cups of chicken stock into a large pot. Add 1 cup of red or brown lentils and a half cup each of onion and carrot chunks, along with 3 teaspoons of minced garlic. Bring everything to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the lentils until they're tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the lentils from the heat, add a splash of red-wine vinegar, and serve.

Read more on the Mens Health website.

10 Home Buying Mistakes

Buying a home is perhaps the most arduous, expensive and, ultimately, valuable acquisition you'll ever complete

Just one mistake could mean disaster -- perhaps the worst mistake you'll ever make.

In order to avoid titanic trip ups during such a trying transaction, RealEstate.com suggests buyers get to know the most common home buying blunders.

To know them is to avoid them.

Going solo Buying a house is a complex transaction. It should be a team effort. You'll need a real estate agent, lender, inspector, insurer, perhaps a lawyer and other team members to help you through each step of the way. Team build before you start the search.

Love at first sight If you believe in fairy tales you probably shouldn't be buying a home. You won't live happily ever after if you emote your way through the home buying process. Your home should fit your real needs, not your yen for drama. Buy a home that fits your budget and your lifestyle. Be sure the home is in a community and neighborhood you desire. Visit neighborhoods several times before you buy to check out schools, noise and traffic patterns.

'Loanless' shopping Being pre-qualified gives you a general idea of how much you can afford to borrow. It's better to be pre-approved for a given loan. Sellers will take you more seriously. You'll stay on budget.

Overbuying Home buyers buying more than they could truly afford, in part, led to the collapse of the housing market. Buy more than you can afford and your dream home will become the same nightmare. Analyze all your monthly costs including debts, food, transportation, entertainment, and savings. Your total monthly debts, including your mortgage, should not exceed 36 percent of your income before taxes. Don't forget to budget closing costs (often two to five percent of the home's purchase price), plus moving, redecorating and maintenance. Look ahead and allow for increases in ongoing expenses such as utilities and taxes.

Misplaced trust You are engaged in what's likely your most valuable acquisition ever. It's a business transaction. Ask family, friends, co-workers, professionals and others you trust for referrals, but don't take their word for it. Vet your team members.

Accepting oral agreements Get it in writing. The rate lock, the home inspection, disclosures, the contract. Always. Should a dispute arise, you've got the details documented.

Skipping the fine print Understand what's really in any document before picking up a pen. Get documents in advance, take time to read them and ask questions. Get copies of your mortgage and closing papers a few days ahead of closing.

Forgetting or betting on resale Avoid buying a home that costs 50 percent more than neighboring homes. Reconsider buying the most expensive home on the block. Neighbors' lower home values will weaken yours. Buy intending to flip your investment only to have the market fail means when it's time to sell your price may not cover your costs.


Making an unconditional offer Protect yourself with these contingencies:

• Mortgage financing. You may be preapproved but is the house? A formal appraisal confirms -- or not -- that there is sufficient value in the home to warrant the loan. If the house appraises lower than the sales price, the loan may be declined.

• Inspection. Never buy an existing or new home without a thorough home inspection. Walk through the home with the inspector to learn more about the house and any concerns he or she may have.

• Insurance. Confirm you can get adequate insurance coverage. In some areas, or following certain disasters, it can be difficult to get types of hazard insurance.

by Broderick Perkins; from the Real Estate Buyers Agent Council Hotsheet

Did you miss the TX Appliance Rebate? Check out these options...

If you are like me and you tried and tried and tried to make it through the on-line rebate registration process only to find out there were no more funds left, the good news is there are some other options. The City of Austin and the federal government have some ongoing programs that provide funds to qualifying energy efficient appliances.

The City of Austin has multiple energy rebates available for some appliances as well as rebates for efficient toilets.

Mark your calendars for the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday on May 29-31, 2010.

Check into Federal tax credits for energy efficient purchases.

The US Department of Energy also has information on tax credits available.

Mobile search now available from Cardani Group, REALTORS®

Have you ever been driving around town and noticed a house you'd like to know more about? Gone are the days of having to call the number on the sign, or remember the address of the house for when you get home.

Just download our new mobile app and you'll have real time access to listing information. The app is currently available for iphone/ipod touch/ipad - and we will have both blackberry and android versions available soon.

Just click the icon below, or search for "IDX" in the app store. Once the app is installed, put in the 6438 code and you'll have access to the most up to date listing information available. Pretty slick, eh?

Who do you know that needs our help buying or selling Real Estate in the Austin area? Please - don't keep us a secret!

6438

The April edition of our monthly newsletter is now available!

Our April newsletter is now available for download.

Nowadays millions of people are sending billions of text messages. Texting is great fun and can be a great way to save time, but it can also be hard on your hands, wrists and arms. Check out the article on page three to help avoid “Blackberry thumb.”

If you’re a fan of poetry – and especially if you’re not – April is the perfect time to get acquainted (or renew your acquaintance) with this literary genre. Read more about National Poetry Month on page four.

Enjoy the newsletter! As always, if you have any friends or neighbors who are looking for a better way to buy a home or get their home sold, think of us first and be sure to give us a call.

One of the reasons I love my profession

Just in from the mailbox today and was pleasantly surprised by this sweet card from some clients. It is always nice to get something like this - and it's even more special when it is a surprise and comes from folks you really enjoy.

Thank you Sheila and Gabe! So happy to have you in our real estate family!

The chance for FREE MONEY is ending soon!