Real estate is a business that many don’t realize can be made very simple for a buyer or seller by selecting the right person to represent you. Sounds like over simplification? It isn’t in the least. Real estate is a very involved process that includes knowledge of local and state laws alongside any applicable federal [...]
Real estate is a business that many don’t realize can be made very simple for a buyer or seller by selecting the right person to represent you. Sounds like over simplification? It isn’t in the least. Real estate is a very involved process that includes knowledge of local and state laws alongside any applicable federal information. This means that as a buyer or seller you have a significant amount of research to do, particularly if you are considering approaching a home purchase or sale on your own. To make things work in your favor, it is beneficial for you to have all of the facts or the right person to help you through the process.
The best lessons are learned from experience. Thus your more valuable ally is an experienced real estate broker who can show you their success record. This is the cornerstone for a successful real estate sale. It is this experience that will set a real estate agent apart from the crowd. In Austin, there are a plethora of realtors who have been working in real estate for 3 or more years, part time, and only a few who have been successfully working and selling homes full time. Obviously the person with the full time record will have the success rate you are looking for.
The next crucial fact is that your agent or broker should also be communicative. If you encounter a situation that requires attention you should feel comfortable calling them. There should be no reason for a lack of communication, even when standard office hours have passed. Having a person you can develop a solid and open basis of communication will enable you to understand every step of the home selling or buying process.
Your best solution would be to contact someone like Affinity Properties to represent you and aid you to your success.
Several years back real estate fraud was a major issue. This is often resulting in some form of mortgage fraud equaling potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. This can be anything from falsified paystubs to elaborate schemes that include titles being altered to reflect a person other than the mortgage holder as the owner. This [...]
Several years back real estate fraud was a major issue. This is often resulting in some form of mortgage fraud equaling potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. This can be anything from falsified paystubs to elaborate schemes that include titles being altered to reflect a person other than the mortgage holder as the owner. This means the loan company does not have a record to track for the property. In the end this causes thousands of dollars in restitution and real estate costs.
There are many ways the local and federal government has established to prevent real estate fraud. None matter if you don’t know what the indicators are, or report it when and if you cross it. Here are the four most common forms of mortgage fraud to watch for:
• Appraisal Fraud: when a property value is misrepresented to achieve an inappropriate result.
• Flipping or double flip: This is when a home is purchased at value or under and rapidly resold to a new buyer, generally within 30 days or less, for a significant price hike. This can be as low as 30 percent and up to 50 more than they originally paid. When this is done, the first loan is generally concealed from the final buyer. That first loan generally defaults.
• Identity Theft: This can be as obvious as taking someone’s identification and applying for and getting a loan as that alias to something simple as an appraiser using the name of another person to add or alter value to a home. Typically this kind of fraud is not discovered until long after the loan paper has been finalized.
• Straw Buyers or Faux Buyers: This one is perplexing. A person or company offers an incentive to another person to purchase a home using their information to obtain the mortgage, however they title the mortgage and home title to a third party or themselves. In the end, the loan is written for one person, but held by another.
With the down-turn of the economy and the highest unemployment figures in decades, many people are becoming more aggressive in finding new employment. Others people are retraining for a new way of life. Some discerning people are taking a new approach, investing in their futures. We highlighted some facts to consider.
In a real estate climate [...]
With the down-turn of the economy and the highest unemployment figures in decades, many people are becoming more aggressive in finding new employment. Others people are retraining for a new way of life. Some discerning people are taking a new approach, investing in their futures. We highlighted some facts to consider.
In a real estate climate of plummeting housing prices and the rising number of foreclosures, individuals with a good line of credit, a little bit of cash, a discerning eye, and nerves of steel, can start a new life and their own business.
Now is the time to invest, and Austin is the place to invest in.
Opening any business in a normal economy is a very risky business in itself, and the odds of surviving in business within the first five years are precarious at best. But consider the current climate where you have the most valued “tools” and the prices of your product can shake out “diamonds in the ruff” are at rock bottom prices. This would probably make the chances of surviving your first five years a little better. Also consider that most people entering the Real Estate market now have only one way to go, up! There is also the possibility of finding and purchasing the home of your dreams, over and over again. These are the positives of this Real Estate climate.
However, plunging head first into Real Estate, or any business, is not advisable. Even if you have all of the most valued tools available to you, it is always a good idea to work with a trustworthy, knowledgeable realtor, banker, and home inspectors. Contacting and depending on your qualified real estate agent will enable you to find the best prices and the best houses for your investment.
Downtown Austin thrives in the midst of unbelievable development and opportunity. In the midst of this growth and development comes continuous controversy. The business district’s historical locations are being lost through the development. At present, not one structure in downtown Austin has been submitted to receive historical protection or landmark status. Also confusing, not one [...]
Downtown Austin thrives in the midst of unbelievable development and opportunity. In the midst of this growth and development comes continuous controversy. The business district’s historical locations are being lost through the development. At present, not one structure in downtown Austin has been submitted to receive historical protection or landmark status. Also confusing, not one of the local or national historic registers have listed the area, in part or in whole, as a location of value. One instance of upcoming development that should alarm local Austin historians is the latest permit acquired by the Gables Republic Park, a 16 level apartment community. This demolition permit allows the builder to partially demolish the 1913 Nabisco warehouse. Over the last 15 years the site was home for the Ginger Man Company.
Austin’s local Preserve District Council has advanced some constructive thoughts together with proposals to save a minimum part of Downtown Austin. The proposal prepared by the ROMA Design Group and HR & A advisers has created a momentous and lively debate among property owners and local organizations such as the Downtown Austin New Alliance and the Heritage Society of Austin. Also voicing their opinion actively is the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association, the city of Austin’s design and planning commissions and Central Texas Chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism. ROMA’s suggestions were presented in public on July 23. Thus far, this issue is actively debated, as many of the supporters of the concept do not care for specific ideas. Those specific items can be found here: www.cityofaustin.org/downtown . Members will supply guidelines and direction. A vote may occur directing a draft of the density bonus and all applicable ordinances including specific warehouse district rules.
There will be a great deal of deliberation regarding how to balance historic conservation at the same permitting needed development. Before the council votes on the proposal, and prior to determining exactly what will be required, the neighborhood will call for their own view on the issue to be heard.
We watched the market plummet, and for the first time in so many decades, witnessed the fall of enormous banking systems and mortgage lenders. We have also seen an unprecedented taxpayer bail-out for the financial industry. As an example to their counterparts, the Federal Housing Administration has demonstrated the fundamental knowledge to modify and stabilize [...]
We watched the market plummet, and for the first time in so many decades, witnessed the fall of enormous banking systems and mortgage lenders. We have also seen an unprecedented taxpayer bail-out for the financial industry. As an example to their counterparts, the Federal Housing Administration has demonstrated the fundamental knowledge to modify and stabilize the real estate lending market. As a result of that knowledge, the Federal Housing Administration did not require the taxpayer bail-out that was necessary to the survival of the major banking systems and mortgage lending companies.
The Federal Housing Administration revealed their plan to amend credit policy to guard taxpayers and manage risk. The FHA will set precedence by employing a Chief Risk Officer. According to Commissioner Dave Stevens, the position will fulfill the critical task of relieving taxpayers of mortgage liability. Mortgage Brokers will address changes in appraisal requirements, underscore independent appraisers, and encourage geographic competency.
Homeowners’ continue to carry the financial burden in the current climate of a weak real-estate market. Mortgage Lenders offer a variety of products but have not been able to prevent homeowners from being forced into a mortgage that is now underwater. Contrary to most Mortgage Lenders, the Federal Housing Administration has remained in the black, and has maintained capital. The FHA has weathered the storm and elevated financial options for consumers.
If you are selling your home you have no doubt heard the term ‘curb appeal’; your landscaping is the cornerstone of that curb appeal. With the right look your home can be both appealing and cost effective. Although you have several options for your landscaping, the best choices come from home. Texas is full [...]
If you are selling your home you have no doubt heard the term ‘curb appeal’; your landscaping is the cornerstone of that curb appeal. With the right look your home can be both appealing and cost effective. Although you have several options for your landscaping, the best choices come from home. Texas is full of beautiful options that will enthrall your mind and delight your budget. Some of the options available are considered to be succulent. This becomes advantageous for drought and budget.
Lantana is a wonderful trailing flowering plant for central Texas.
Texas has endured both a drought and flood, so the right planets can make a big difference. The succulence that most people think about are cactus, however they are not the only plants that require less water. There are some beautiful flowering options that will thrive in your Austin, Texas landscape.
One good flowering option is the Snap Dragon, a simply beautiful cluster of color and life for any Texas home. The Snap Dragon does not require excessive amounts of water and it survives in both heat and cold well. Agave plant is another nice, decorative plant that fairs well in drought and can add beauty to your home. Placed well, the Agave can complement the entire property. There is also the common Cactus plants that grow throughout the western part of the United States, Texas included.
At the midyear housing forecast meeting of the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, Mark Sprague, the Austin partner for housing market tracker Residential Strategies, Inc., said that the lack of new lots being developed in central Texas, along with the continued slowdown in homebuilding through 2009 is going to create a shortage of new [...]
At the midyear housing forecast meeting of the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, Mark Sprague, the Austin partner for housing market tracker Residential Strategies, Inc., said that the lack of new lots being developed in central Texas, along with the continued slowdown in homebuilding through 2009 is going to create a shortage of new homes and an increase in home prices in the near future.
With mortgage rates at historic lows and the $8000 federal tax credit for first-time home buyers, the inventory of homes available is declining. Even as builders have picked up the pace of new developments, they still lag 2008 by about 35%.
A little more than half of the homes constructed in 2006 were built in 2008, about 50% more than the estimate for 2009. Even as home builders look to gear up for a recovering economy, tighter credit and the up to two years it can take get a new development approved point to builders not being able to meet the demand when the economy does turn around and the housing market rebounds.
Sprague pointed out that the market appears to be stabilizing and now is a good time to get prepared for the turnaround. It would appear there is a high demand for houses in the under $200,000 price range. At the same time the luxury market will lag behind the overall market with starts of homes priced over $300,000 off 50% from a year ago. Although the annual pace of home starts is down in all price ranges, the most significant declines continue to be at the higher price points.
The National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set requirements and standards that all states are legally bound to adhere to, in the Clean Air Act. These are designed to reduce green house emissions from cars, and other modes of transportation. Texas, like every other state, is permitted to set up their own method of [...]
The National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set requirements and standards that all states are legally bound to adhere to, in the Clean Air Act. These are designed to reduce green house emissions from cars, and other modes of transportation. Texas, like every other state, is permitted to set up their own method of enforcement and focal areas. Annually the EPA will take time to evaluate a state and their policies to make sure they are in line with the anticipated task.
After review this year, the EPA has determined that Texas does not reach the predetermined goals, making numerous violations. The worst offenders are Dallas and Houston which have never fallen within clean air standards. Currently Austin metro area is teetering on the edge of those standards. By regulating vehicle emissions in Travis and Williamson counties, Austin was able to avoid federal clean air management. This year it does not look good, as the requirements have become more stringent. This just means that Texas needs to clear the air on what can and can’t be done to keep it clean.
Currently as a result of this year’s evaluations, Texas officials are working with the EPA to ascertain how to approach this situation and how to maximize efforts to minimize noxious gases in the air. In this effort more than 30 new proposals have been made for the management of emissions from cars and vehicles to businesses and energy factories.
