I am excited to announce that Karen recently earned her Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) designation.  For years, she has been assisting me with our seller clients who are looking to better position their home for sale through creative staging methods.  Now that she has added this designation to her real estate license, we are better positioned to help sellers in the future.

Since most parts of Austin are in a buyers’ market at the moment, it is more important than ever to position listings in the top third with regard to condition and price.  If you know someone who needs staging advice, please give us a call.

We live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.  We believe that all are created equal and that our Creator has given us all the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  We live in the land of opportunity.  We are a generous nation, quick to help those in need.  We are a mix of many cultures.  Our land has plenty.  Our country is beautiful from sea to shining sea.

Happy Birthday America.  Stay strong.  Stay indivisible.  Maintain your liberties.  Practice justice.  God bless you.

ABoR has now upgraded MLS to allow up to 25 photos.  I tried this on a new listing of mine and it sold in 3 days!  Karen took the photos for me and followed a strategy of taking photos in order of a buyer walkthrough, followed by some choice detail shots, and finishing with a closeup of the front door address.  Her artsy touch, coupled with the sellers ability to maximize presentation, gave prospective buyers a complete picture of the property before they even arrived.  Thank you ABoR!

2009 Pflugerville 5K champs

I’m proud of my wife for coming in 1st female at this last weekend’s Pflugerville 5K.  She set a personal best clocking 18.09 for the 3.1 mile stretch.  Attached is a photo of her and the 1st place male finisher, Michael Budde.  I took it at the finish line after the race with my cell phone.

My friend Tommy and I attended the 5th Annual People’s Gallery Exhibition last night at Austin City Hall.  The opening welcomed the public to view the latest installation of artwork showcasing Austin area artists.  I had never been inside city hall before, and here are my thoughts:

1)  City Hall architecture.  The building beautifully captures natural light in the main atrium and provides a great variety of spaces to feature art work.  The process of discovering art around every nook and corner is a large part of the fun.  I especially enjoyed the south-facing outdoor balconies.  From these vantage points, I enjoyed an Austin sunset over Town Lake.  I could see dogs frollicking at Auditorium shores, rowers on the water, and runners kicking it in as they approach Mile Zero.  The sheep sculptures on level 3 are a special treat.

2)  Variety of Artwork.  Austin has become quite the artist’s and art-lover’s city.  There is still a strong bohemian slant featuring the traditional folk-art type work around town; however, more and more I am seeing great examples of forward-thinking, political, abstracts, mixed-media and photo-realistic fine art.  I am no art expert by any means, but what I saw at the City Hall opening seemed to be an accurate reflection of the societal changes Old Austinites have witnessed over the last ten years.  I think our art scene is starting to give Houston a run for its money.

3)  The people.  I love how Austin continues to feel small to me.  A big reason for this is that I always see the same people around town.  Sure there are alot of new faces, but the same people seem to surface again and again.  Maybe its because we have nowhere else to go (or nowhere else we want to go).  After all, I-35 is gridlocked from Slaughter to Braker, Mopac is crawling at the pace of a 7-hour marathoner, and the Town Lake Running Trail has temporarily become a Town Lake Dodge and Dislodge Trail, at least if you are stuck in the 3-mile loop.

Ever since the buzz about green living came about, I’ve had this idea that I wanted to work with a buyer client who loves to cycle.  With decent bike lanes, a healthy lifestyle, urban living choices, and our beloved town lake (Lady Bird Lake), Austin is a great city to find a home that meets the needs of a cycling enthusiast.

My wife and I live a stone’s throw from Town Lake, near mile marker 5 1/2.  It would be so great if I could find a client, preferably someone who rents near downtown, that would be interested in finding a home near town lake so that they can enjoy Austin’s outdoors and urban lifestyle.  As part of our buyer representation agreement, we would agree that 100% of our real estate purchase process would employ bicycle transportation.  What a great way to see if prospective houses and neighborhoods are truly bike-friendly!

We would tour homes on our bicycles, check out different neighborhoods and business hotspots, and ride by the schools and other points of interest until we found the perfect home (with a good place to park the bikes of course!).  Once we were under contract, we would do any inspections, appraisals, contractor meetings, and subsequent visits on our bicycles.  Then, the morning of our closing, we would meetup at Mellow Johnny’s and get some coffee, ride to the title company, and seal the deal!

After my client is all settled in, we could have a big housewarming party and have all the guests come over on their bikes.  The cake would have a big bicycle on it.

The whole process would truly be a “green experience”.  Zero emissions.  Good for the environment.  And a salute to Austin’s healthy lifestyle.

Any takers???

I did not attend the Perryman economic forecast yesterday, but I do have some thoughts on aspects of the forecast reported on KXAN.

1)  “Area’s economy will get worse before it gets better.”  I agree generally.  I talk to business owners around town all the time.  Times are pretty tough, and lower revenues lead to lower profits lead to lower spending which is a negative cycle.  People are tight with their money right now.  I think once it is clear that the investment markets globally have carved out a bottom, the collective psyche will start to change.  Austin will bounce back alot faster than other places, I think.  Buying local keeps money home, which should exponentially speed recovery.

2)  By 2013, Perryman “expects to see improvements in the housing market.”  Are you crazy???  I don’t think it will take that long.  We have seen a considerable drop in transactions in Q4 and a slight softness in pricing values; however, talk to any experienced Realtor, lender or title company and they will all tell you that the new year has brought a renewed level of activity in the real estate business.  Homes that have sat for almost a year are starting to sell, and others are getting showings and interest.  The pent-up demand buyers that are waiting for a bottom might miss out because history tells us when markets turn, they turn fast.

3)  “Austin’s personality is key to its growth and economic potential”.  100% agree.  That’s why I stay here.  Austin is one-of-a-kind.  People are still moving here every day.  I meet 10X the number of people moving in as moving out.  The real estate business is in the forefront of those trends.  Just like the UHaul companies.  The successful home sellers in this market are also realizing this truth.  Their home and neighborhood’s personality is key to maximizing their sales price (and chances of getting sold).

Happy New Year friends!  It is so exciting and refreshing to start anew each year.  Each year brings the possibilities of hope and promise, and it is a great time to think of change for the better.

I often advise clients on house matching, or finding the best house for their personal situation at that point in their life.  Many people will buy a house based on previous needs or perceived future needs, and will live for years in a suboptimal comfort because they didn’t think things through on what they really need.  They may be living in a house that is too small for a growing family, or a house thats too big for a small family or single person (have you ever met someone who has an upstairs that they haven’t entered in months?).  Now may be the time for you to consider if your house matches your situation.  With most of Austin moving toward a buyer’s market, it might make sense to snag a good deal on a home that is a good match!

Here are some questions to ask:

1)  Do I use all the space I have right now or do I find myself shopping for furniture and decorations just to fill it?

2)  Do I have to drive long distances to visit the stores and other venues I frequent?

3)  Is there too much for me to maintain in my current home?

4)  Do I enjoy the social fabric of my local neighborhood or do I find that I am somewhat of a misfit?

A home that is a good match helps eliminate stress, provide enjoyment, more time, and efficient use of money and resources.  I wish you the best in 2009!

This year I am thankful for many things.  I am thankful for:

* My family.  Although they are scattered all over the U.S., my mom and sisters and brother are a blessing to me.  We don’t see each other as often as we’d like, but I know they are always there for me.  They have each been blessed with happiness and success.  Mom has many friends and remains very active in her church.  She doesn’t look any bit of her 70 years and is in good health.  My two sisters are great moms and I can’t believe how quickly my nieces and nephews have grown.  Adrian graduated from Duke’s Global Executive MBA and is set to marry his lovely bride next month.  I am so thankful that he has done so well in work and his personal life.  And my in-laws who add so much to my life.  Having them in Austin is a blessing and I cherish the time we get to spend together throughout the year.  Their support and faith in me are a big part of my continued success.

* My wife, Karen.  She is my superhero.  I am grateful for her many talents, her endurance, and her dedication.  She is my creative force, my strength through hard times, my balance.  Without her I would be an overweight workaholic living in a pigsty.  She has had a tremendous year in her art career, creating some of the most beautiful work I have seen.  I am spoiled by the beauty adorning our home and am enjoying the public’s response to her latest works.

* This great city Austin.  Despite its rapid growth and influx of newcomers, it retains its small world feel.  The people who make it great.  Its heart and soul, town lake.  Its lifestyle of health, smiles, and active living.  The entrepreneurs who drive toward its future.  The neighborhoods, businesses, clubs, churches, schools and other entities who bring people together and weave a complex fabric we all jointly wear.

* My friends and past clients who have generously referred me new business.  I am the luckiest man in real estate to have you.  Thank you for your trust, friendship, and faith in my abilities.  Your referrals are the foundation of my business, and I appreciate it very much.

I hope this Thanksgiving you have some time to reflect on the many blessings we enjoy.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

East Austin was hopping with art enthusiasts this last weekend visiting the East Austin Studio Tour.  In addition to the artists, visitors were greeted with a more than normal quantity of real estate for sale signs.  The last few years have seen explosive growth in East Austin.  Prices have appreciated considerably, new developments have propped up, investors have rehabilitated pockets throughout, and the whole area has experienced in influx of newcomers giving the area a diversity unlike any other part of Austin.

However, as most of the country has seen a rise and fall of real estate prices and sales activity, Austin as a whole has remained relatively stable.  If there is any exception at all, it will be East Austin.  Prices are once again returning to levels that makes sense as inventory levels have continued to rise.  Area 5 for example currently sits at over 10 months of inventory, according to the latest MLS statistics published by Alamo Title Company.  If you look at just Area 5 homes in the 300K to 399K range, there are almost 2 1/2 years of inventory available on the market.  Sellers sitting with vacant homes are looking at all their options including massive price drops, additional incentives, and even leasing until the market turns.  All this as buyers are having a harder time getting easy financing.

This makes for an unprecedented opportunity for buyers looking for a great location, a diverse neighborhood experience, and great value for their money.  I have been staying up to date with new construction opportunities, condo projects, and all the resale/rehab homes available.  There are some great deals out there.  Unlike other central Austin neighborhoods, East Central Austin is a strong buyer’s market.

If you know someone who is looking to buy in the East Austin area, now is a great time.  Give me a call.  I’d love to help you find the same kind of deals I’ve helped others find.