Why Use a REALTOR

Many consumers consider selling their home directly but eventually turn to REALTORS®. Smart home sellers realize they need the expertise in pricing their home, making connections with REALTORS® working with buyers, arranging and staffing open houses, and coordinating with other professionals in the sales process.

Only about half of all real estate agents are REALTORS® - the top half, in our not-so-humble opinion. REALTORS® work independently, for small agencies, or for large brokerages. They help people buy and sell residential or commercial properties, vacation homes, and land; they conduct appraisals; they operate in the United States and in other countries; some specialize in auctions; and others are buyer's representatives.


REALTORS® Are Experts

Eighty-five percent of sellers were assisted by a real estate agent when selling their home, according to NAR Research, and 79 percent of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker.


Why Use a REALTOR®?

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Here are 12 ways a REALTOR® will make your home buying or selling experience better.
http://bit.ly/gQC37B


REALTORS® Are Part of the Community

REALTORS® Work to End Housing Discrimination - during April, which is Fair Housing Month, and all year long. REALTORS® are active members of their communities.


REALTORS® Protect You

Only REALTORS® Follow a Code of Ethics
To be a member of NAR and a REALTOR®, a real estate agent must abide by a set of professional principles and serve clients fairly. Learn how the Code of Ethics affects everyday real estate practices.
http://bit.ly/gFJlBM


National Association of Realtors
www.Realtor.org

105 Anderson St., Hutto, TX | Powered by Postlets

Check out this cute 3 bed/2.5 bath home in Hutto, TX for only $104,571. Large back yard, lots of storage/closets, upstairs loft/game room, area pool/playground, walk to schools, convenient to major shopping, sporting and other events, city parks, and more!
105 Anderson St, Hutto, TX

Austin is One of Top Cities for Young Adults

In her article, Kiplinger.com's Caitlin Dewey names Austin in the top 10 list of cities for young adults. The article states that they began their research using the same criteria used for their Best Cities for the Next Decade and added criteria from there. They used things like percentage of people under 35, cost of living, rental costs, culture, nightlife, and time spent in traffic to narrow down the list.

The article states the reason for Austin making the list as, "Austin has the fourth-lowest jobless rate among cities with populations of one million or more. Living costs fall below the national norm. It doesn't hurt that this is the capital of Texas and home to eight colleges and universities, including the University of Texas. Austin's cultural scene is exceptional, with two giant music festivals each year, a vibrant nightlife, and eclectic, up-and-coming neighborhoods, There’s certainly more than enough here to keep a recent grad busy."

The cities that made the list are:
Austin, TX Lansing, MI
Charlotte, NC New York, NY
Chicago, IL Portland, OR
Houston, TX Salt Lake City, UT
Kansas City, MO Washington, DC

To read the whole article: Kiplinger_Top Ten Cities for Young Adults

VA Loans, Texas Vet Program - Are you curious?

Have you served in our armed forces? Don't know if you qualify for a VA loan? Think you can only use VA once? There is a lot of misinformation out there about VA. Don't let that misinformation keep you from getting a great deal on a loan.

Some benefits of VA Loans:
* 100% financing for loans up to $417,000
* assumable loans
* no mortgage insurance

Who qualifies for VA:
* anyone who has served active duty - not only active duty during war time
- there are many exceptions to time requirements, so never assume
you do not qualify
* unmarried widows of veterans
* those planning to owner-occupy the home they are purchasing

Have you heard of the Texas Vet program? Did you know you can buy land or a house in the city and even get a home improvement loan through the Texas Vet program? Did you know you could pay 0% interest while deployed?

Who is a Texas Vet?
* home of record is Texas
* has lived in Texas 12+ months
* active duty in Texas and has changed residency to Texas

I have just added a VA Loan Specialist to my team. If you are thinking about buying a house, and want to know more about VA, call us. We can help.
512-636-6882
Lisa@BestOfTexasRealEstate.com

The City of Austin will PAY YOU to Landscape

On July 1, 2010 Austin Water Conservation launched a Landscape Incentive program in an effort to encourage homeowners to convert water-needy, grassy areas into less thirsty native landscaping or permeable hardscapes. The rebate require homeowners to convert at least 500 square feet of grass must be converted and rebate amounts vary depending on whether or not the converted area is irrigated.

For more details: Landscape Conversion Incentive