What’s A Blog? Check This Out…

March 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The Groovy Details on Austin Blogging…

Why do you need to know what a blog is?

Because! We’re a small business too and we like to share the love! We want to feature your blog and Small Austin business. Just drop me a personal email and let me know about your Local Austin Small business, a little about what makes it so fantastic, and I’ll bring you into our spotlight!

Posted by Benn, Single Pointe CEO | Filed Under Blog, Other Stuff 

Austin Rents On Their Way UP

March 24, 2008 | 2 Comments

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It’s true.

What I am seeing, Rents, from neighborhood to neighborhood in Austin, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and Round Rock in North and Northwest Austin seem to be heading upwards for the first time in a long time. Single family home rates have been stuck in a paradigm for several years, forcing property investors to eat a large chunk of the mortgage payment- but giving renters easy rent. Not anymore. Demand is up for single family homes causing days on the market to curb sharply all over.

What! Why?

Renters should expect increases in rent at renewal and initial application because the supply side is just not there. Due to the slowdown in new construction, and investments over the past 6-8 months the reaction is high demand for what little is left.

Outlook…

There are several factors over the next few months that will tell if this is an anomaly or if higher rental prices are here to stay. My guess is rents are not coming down anytime in the near future. My suggestion is to either buy, or sign longer leases at your lower rate. With interest rates as low as they are and softening lines of credit for first home buyers this may be your best opportunity of the year.

I’ll keep you posted!

Posted by Benn, Single Pointe CEO | Filed Under Austin News, Blog 

Austin Home Buyer - What’s My Job?

March 19, 2008 | 1 Comment

360 Condominium Green Building Features brought to you by Single Pointe Realty in Austin

There is a deep misconception that because you have an agent that you really aren’t part of the process. This is absolutely not true. Your job, although made easy with the help of a great agent, is what makes the process work.

An Austin Home Buyer makes the final decisions, the agent’s job is to present and/or create the options you use to make those decisions. But there’s more to the buyer’s job than that…

For example, the buyer manages the documents! Documents required by the loan are time sensitive. Once in contract, you only have so much time to complete your file to be sent to the lender. Another responsibility of a buyer is to make sure the information presented is true and correct. Often at the time of the initial application, there are holes and blanks you’re aware of - for example, you may not have your dates of employment at your fingertips. It would be your job at the time of meeting with the lender by phone on in person to bring those dates current on the application.

Whether it’s the inspection, documentation of facts, walk-throughs, or making a decision, the buyer’s job is key, and time is almost always a factor.

The most important function is communication. Many times, the agent will put you and the processor together by phone or email to close time gaps in the process. It is here that often things can get into a snafu. It is very important that you’re communicating with your agent the things the processor is requesting. Many times the agent may have a solution for you that can save you hours or days anguish. The agent is often experienced with the types of requests a lender may make and may be able to assist you in obtaining documents more quickly that won’t slow down the march to closing.

I hope this helps you in understanding that a process to close on your Austin home is just that- a process. Not knowing the process is understandable and forgivable- simply follow the game plan and your Austin Home Purchase will be a smashing success!

Posted by Benn, Single Pointe CEO | Filed Under Blog, Buying 

Austinite You Should Know- Francesca Montoya

March 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment

hair stylistIn every person’s life, there are three people you should know- (1) a Realtor (duh), (2) a spiritual advisor and (3) a stylist. Obviously, my Realtor of choice is at Single Pointe Realty, my spiritual advisor is Father Elmer and my stylist is today’s “Austinite You Should Know,” Francesca Montoya.

I am a die hard Francesca fan and if you’ve met me in person, you probably already know that- I have never raved about a service quite so highly. I have this naturally mousy, dish-water brown hair that is stringy, but Francesca makes me look like a superstar blonde! I get compliments on my hair everywhere I go which sound silly, but it really adds to my quality of life!

Francesca has an awesome memory about personal details I share with her in the chair (you know by profession, we expect her to be part psychiatrist!) and she always makes it fun! You would expect someone of her calibre to be at a six star salon (and I know she will be any day now), but she has worked her way up to running a local Regis salon, so prices are ridiculously reasonable (don’t act like you weren’t going to ask)!

Okay, enough gushing from me, let’s talk to Francesca.

What is the best part of your job?

Honestly, Wow that is a hard .. I love the looks on clients faces when they see how different and beautiful they can look and feel with a little change of color or a new cut.

What makes you better than most in your profession?

I wouldn’t say better..If I see a new trick that another stylist can do I’m not afraid to ask” Can you show me that ?” The fact that I actually love what I do makes me appreciate my job more! I take the time to realize its the clients hair and not mine all they want is a professional opinion and a honest answer.

Why do you practice in Austin instead of other cities?

Well moving to Austin was a split decision one morning. I never thought I would stay here this long. I’ve met a lot of great people here friends, clients, I have a great job, I would never think of moving away from them!!!

Why should readers come see you?

You would have to ask one of my clients (Lani). If you feel like you need a change, just a trim, or the picture of a celebrity hairstyle you are dying to have, or just a shampoo venting session I’m here!

Name a quirk of yours and a guilty pleasure…

My guilty pleasure is a $6.00 cup of Starbucks coffee!

If you are already a client of Francesca’s, let us know in the comments what you think! If you aren’t yet a client, go set up your appointment right now at 512.918.9223.

Posted by Lani, Asset Director | Filed Under Austin People, Blog 

Dear Home Searchers! (An Open Letter)

March 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The truth… Weekly UN-Hotties

I showed 3 homes in one of Austin’s most beautiful subdivisions yesterday. I’ll admit, I was excited to tour this neighborhood (as always)- an Austin neighborhood with grandeur, that Austin neighborhood is Avery Ranch.

I want you to know that I’ve never been more ashamed in my entire life entering all three of these homes. Why? Because they weren’t ready to be shown.

…It Hurts

For starters they smelled like ass. Dirty and tattered carpet, dents in the walls, grungy paint, and completely unkempt. All I could say to my clients was how absolutely sorry I was for the experience.

In fairness to the listing agents, they are at the mercy of the spending power of the home owner to clean up and repair such a mess, but that is when it boils down to good old fashioned truth- it just isn’t ready for market.

A home should look and smell like a home, not a kennel.

Utter Disappointment

So, with much despair I say- I’m sorry you had to experience that. I wished I had my camera, or I’d be sharing the horrible images we witnessed yesterday, but maybe that would just be rude. Normally, I would preview such homes, but time does not always allow for such a luxury- you pray that the owners have some sense of pride, especially in a neighborhood such as that.

I would never allow my home sellers to lower themselves in that way, I would never let you go to market in a losing position. Why was it a losing position? Because my home shoppers were too good to live in your home- so we search on.

Posted by Benn, Single Pointe CEO | Filed Under Blog, Selling 

Interactive Austin Real Estate Q&A (The Local Answer)

March 15, 2008 | 1 Comment

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Austin Home Buyers & Sellers

We’ve reformated the Single Pointe forum to the interactive Q&A format we’ve always dreamed of. When we introduced forums here origionally, we had dreamed of a place for you to ask, and we answered. It seemed that in various places on the internet our local Austin buyers and sellers would ask a question only to have someone in California answer. How in the world would you know? They don’t, they simply get points by typing something. If it’s the right answer, great, otherwise they’ll never have to meet you!

The Fix

Go hardcore local Austin Q&A where at least if we don’t know the answer we can go locally and get it. No point rating system guiding our answers- just good old fashioned Austin Real Estate Answers with a super modern twist.

Join the Austin Real Estate Discussion

It is absolutely time. We’re crazy about real estate and know you are too, so dive-in! Yes, that means you!

Posted by Benn, Single Pointe CEO | Filed Under About Austin, Blog 

Trials & Error - MySQL (Austin Blog Frustration) Sadness

March 15, 2008 | 2 Comments

Where’s My Austin Real Estate Blog?

In case you haven’t noticed the blog over the past month just sort of stopped. It wasn’t because we weren’t into writing, or that we had forgotten you. It was really simply that we were stuck between a rock and hard place with the database that keeps the sp site floating.

After searching for an answer, we’ve found one and your Austin real estate blog is born again. You’ll be seeing some major changes around here over the next several weeks as we make improvements to the way we manage your Austin blog.

Thanks for being so patient and thanks for the emails of concern. We really appreciate it.

Posted by Benn, Single Pointe CEO | Filed Under Blog, Other Stuff