Congratulations New Home Buyers

I forgot to take a picture and still wanted to wish all the best to Lacreshia and Ben for the purchase of a home in Pflugerville. These first-time homebuyers experienced an entire transaction without any problems. Congratulations Lacreshia and Ben! Enjoy many years in your new home.

Austin Real Estate eNewsletter

The May issue of the Austin Real Estate News from Robin Scott is out! If you would like to receive this enewsletter, send your request to robin@robinscottrealtor.com

Signing a Buyer's Representation Agreement

Accredited Buyer’s Representation

Most REALTORS earn their living by representing buyers and sellers in property transactions. While commission rates and/or terms vary from one property to another, there’s no question about which agent is representing the seller - the one whose 
sign is in the yard.
     Problems can surface on the buyer’s side if a buyer does not make it clear who is representing the buyer. This is why it’s in everyone’s best interest for the buyer to select an agent before shopping for a home and formalize the relationship with a signed buyer representation agreement.
    Agency relationships are based on mutual consent, so if your buyer’s representative isn’t living up to expectations, the buyer can cancel the agreement.  Also, taking time to discuss shared expectations at the beginning of your relationship is the surest way to avoid misunderstandings and form a strong partnership. ABR - Accredited Buyer’s Representation

Austin Market Statistics for May Made Simple

From February to March 2012

Homes Sold: 1,852- UP 44%

Median Sales Price: $200,000 - UP 2.5% 


Days on Market: 84 - DOWN 2.5

Active Listings: 7,274 - UP 6%

Source: Austin Board of Realtors

Improve Your Homes Energy Efficiency

ENERGY EFFICIENCY WITH WINDOWS
By replacing your windows with ENERGY STAR® windows, you save on energy bills; helping to keep heat inside during the winter and outside during the summer. These windows may have two or more panes of glass, warm-edge spacers between the window panes, improved framing materials, and Low-E coating(s), microscopically thin metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on windows to reduce radiative heat flow.

Austin Ranks in Top 10 for Green Cities

According to an article published 
by Move, Inc, Austin is one of the 
greenest cities with 205 parks, 14 
nature preserves and 25 greenbelts. 
Plus Austin plans to meet 20 % of it’s energy needs with renewable 
energy and energy efficiency by 2020. County laws protect the region’s natural watershed, it features a recycling center that dates back to 1970, a dozen outdoor farmer’s markets, city buses that offer free rides on “high ozone” days and a "pay-as-you-throw" trash collection program.

Digging in Your Yard Could Be Hazardous

Use caution before you dig in your yard to plant a tree or build a pool. You could strike a water line or cut a cable. In Texas, you can call 811 to have you lines marked so when you dig, it will be a safe dig. Water and wastewater are not required to be a member of Texas811 so you may have to call those utilities independently, however, Texas811 will apprise you if that is necessary.

Austin - The Red Line Runs on Weekends

Others may laugh, I know I occasionally do, at the mass transit system in Austin. There is a bus line which doesn't run to the outer communities, there is a trolley that runs downtown only, a shuttle for the University of Texas and after many years on the drawing board, two years ago the city opened the Red Line which is a train running from northern Leander through part of east Austin and downtown. It's not much but it's something. It's a start.
The biggest complaint I have heard is that it doesn't run on the weekends when people want to get downtown for all the dining and entertainment there. Now the Red Line runs Friday until midnight and Saturday from 4PM to midnight as well!

Cancer FREE 5 Year Anniversary!

2012 is a year of great significance in my life. I turned 60, it's our 40th year wedding anniversary and my 5th year Cancer FREE! Five years is the term in which you are considered Cancer free and I made it. At the end of 2006, when I was diagnosed, it seemed 5 years was a long way into the future but time goes by fast and here I am - a survivor.

Ladies, be sure to do your monthly exams and annual mamograms and best wishes to all of you.