The role of your real estate agent has evolved with technology. The majority of buyers welcome the use of the internet in searching for properties. I would like to point out some of the important duties your agent should provide in today's market.
-Refined property search using detailed criteria.
-Help you determine the best communities to consider based on your needs.
-Provide area information such as schools, taxing entities, utility services and special considerations based on the area, such as lake water quality for waterfront.
-Helping you determine a fair price and decide on the many options included in a contract.
-Facilitate the process of making and negotiating an offer utilizing the State of Texas approved contracts and addendums. There are over 100 documents and proper use of all the pertinent forms is critical to help protect the buyer.
-Coordinate a transaction from start to finish including assisting you with inspections, surveys, Property Owner's Associations, mortgage lenders, appraisers and title companies.
-Be a source for finding the source of any information you are seeking.
-Bring a business minded attitude to the sometimes emotional aspects of buying a home.
5 Waterfront Parks in Area
• lot / land - 
MLS® $7,500 - Lake LBJ View Lot
Sunrise Beach Village, Llano County - Nice lot in highly desirable Sunrise Beach. Lowest priced in town as of listing. In area of nice homes with potential for good lake view, especially with a multi-level home. 5 waterfront parks in area with boat ramps, fishing piers, covered dining, bathrooms and protected swimming areas. No HOA or POA fees. Pictures include lakeview from the street of this lot and the waterfront parks.
Property information
I'm sure you have heard about the $8000 tax credit for first time home buyers being extended through April 30, 2010. But, did you know there is also a credit available for existing home owners? There are multiple guidelines to these credits, but they are readily available to a very large portion of buyers. Please visit this site to learn more:
http://www.century21.com/buyingadvice/buying101/homebuyertaxcredit.jsp
Llano County was reported last fall as the 4th fastest growing County in the State of Texas. While this is good news economically, the area remains primarily rural and not heavily populated.
The center of Lake LBJ is the primary county line between Burnet and Llano counties. So, much of Llano county's population is surrounding lake LBJ. Llano County is also known as the Deer Capital of Texas and has many beautiful ranch properties. The largest cities include the premier resort community of Horseshoe Bay, Kingsland and the City of Llano.
The diversity of the county is strong from country club living, lake cabins and estates to true ranch and farm life. Well known Enchanted Rock State Park is among the many natural highlights of the area. Many beautiful golf courses are in the area as well.
Llano County is about one hour from Austin and one and a half hours from San Antonio. Many of the homes in the area are secondary/vacation homes for residents in these large cities.
Check out Llano County and you are almost certain to find something with great appeal!
Hopefully you have found the Highland Lakes MLS Market Stats posted on my homepage helpful.
We have seen an interesting trend since the market decline began in late 2007. Homes are selling remarkably better than lots or land. When the market was strong, the number of residential lots was very close to the number of homes sold. This was true for waterfront lots as well.
There are likely many reasons for this trend including difficulty getting financing for raw land. The Ranch and Acreage sector has been hit hard in the number of sales decline as well. There are far fewer developers and individuals active in the buying, building, and selling trade. Historically land holds value well and prices have not decreased nearly as much as those for homes.
The good news for existing home sellers is their competition with new homes is greatly decreased. Lots and acreage are likely to recover slowly just as the overall economic market improves slowly.
Are you a home seller? Please consider visiting with me about listing your property.
Only 18% of properties listed in 2009 sold in the Highland Lakes area. I sold well over 60% of my listings.
I will market your property with an intense focus on technology and the internet. In addition to placing your listing on over 30 of the most used websites for property searches, I partner with 100 local agents to share listings on each other's websites. This program is by far the largest partnership in the area.
I encourage you to check with multiple agents, but please make sure I am one of the calls. Please see my Testimonials page to hear from my many satisfied clients.
I have blogged about this previously, but the point is worth making, again.
Historically low interest rates are coming to an end soon. Market data and business news continue to indicate interest rates will rise as much as 1% by the end of March.
You can save many thousands of dollars with a lower interest rate. That and today's lower prices combine for the best time to buy in decades.
Primary drivers for the increase in rates are improving market conditions and the end of Federal programs. Federal programs intended to keep rates low are scheduled to end in the first quarter.
Don't miss out. If you are one of the lucky folks able to buy rate now, you will be laughing far in to the future about the great interest rate you have!
Also, if you have been on the fence about possibly refinancing your current property, now is the time to act quickly.
The real estate business is extremely competitive.Customers are gold in today's market and should be treated with great care. Obtaining listings is important, but a serious buyer is what everyone is looking for.........
I make it my policy to never pressure clients. I am here to offer service and advice as much as possible. But, I recognize the purchase of property is stressful enough without any type of sales push. You deserve not to be hassled!
When a buyer is ready, they will clearly let me know. I will be ready and waiting to assist them through the purchase experience.
Clients are intelligent and able to make their own decisions. My advice and opinion will always be available.
Here are my suggested steps if you are ready to enter this buyer's market:
- Find the right agent - No surprise, I suggest myself.
- Use calculators, such as those on my website, to help determine your budget. The current low interest rates likely allow you to afford more than you thought.
- Get pre-qualified with a lender. It is free and easy. Any offer to purchase should include a pre-qualified letter. I recommend using lenders local to the area as they know about any special conditions and have good access to local appraisers.
- Search for property using the multiple tools available online. You'll find great search options on my website.
- Tell your agent what you want and let them search the MLS. The MLS tools are much more detailed than consumer online tools.
- Make an appointment to view homes in person. Talk to your agent about the area extensively.
- Learn more about the area using tools like my Area Information page.
- Don't be afraid to make an offer. These are non-binding when structured properly and are the only way to find out the real price a seller will accept.
As you know, most of the real estate news is about the tough housing market and mortgage lending issues. The economic conditions have caused insurance companies to become more stringent than in the past when considering home policies.
It is imperative you check into insuring a property while in your option period, or before you are locked into a hard contract. Insurance companies are performing more due diligence than in the past and have become more picky about whether or not they will insure a home.
In the Highland Lakes area many communities do not have fire hydrants, which can be a reason for denying a policy. I recently had an insurance company deny a policy because a water heater was not installed with the correct overflow plumbing.
In the past you could call most companies and create a new policy over the phone. There are still multiple providers. Just make sure you check into a policy on a specific property well in advance of closing to avoid surprises.
I will always recommend a home and pest inspection when helping a buyer. Home inspections should be conducted even on new constuction. There are always flaws.
While critical, the general inspection process is challenging. Inspectors are licensed and regulated by the state. Inspectors measure any house against the most current set of codes issued by the regulatory board. That means a house built in 1970 will be inspected just like a house built in 2009. And, of course, the older home is likely to have many issues versus current codes.
You must expect a lengthy report of "potential" issues when you have an inspection. The inspector is just doing their job. But, you must also realize no home is perfect and many recommendations are just that, recommendations. Keep in mind, the house is likely to have been lived in as is for many years without problems.
As a buyer, you have the right to negotiate any types of repairs. I am not suggesting you should accept a property as is. What I am suggesting is that you expect some issues and take it from there. Be reasonable and focus on the real problems.
I always recommend my buyers try and focus on 3-4 issues they want repaired that are the most significant or costly. You must factor in the age and condition of the house as well as the price you are paying. It may be a good deal to take it as is or it may make sense that many items legitimately need to be addressed.
Always get a qualified inspector and feel free to ask their advice about which issues are the most significant.
Your Own Private Peninsula!
• lot / land - MLS® $996,000 - Constant level Lake LBJ
Sunrise Beach Village, Llano County - One of a kind, fantastic WIDE OPEN WATERFRONT on Culdesac with water on three sides. The main view is East looking at the morning sun across the lake. The secondary view is also a wide open water view looking Northeast toward Lookout Mountain. One of the best lots on prestigious Lake LBJ.
Sunrise Beach is a highly desirable community perfectly situated on constant level Lake LBJ. Beautiful and unique custom homes on the peninsula of Jody's Landing provide a perfect setting.
Property information
Please know these are purely my opinion.
2010 will see a steady, but very slow recovery in the housing market. We will continue to see above average foreclosures, but new home starts and resales should remain at or a little above 2009 levels.
I predict existing home resales will also see a slight uptick.
Interest rates will slowly rise, but remain at historically low levels and offer thousands in finance savings.
The best deals regarding price and interest rates will be in the first half of 2010.
The buyer's market will remain in place throughout 2010, with sellers gaining some momentum towards recovery.
Financing will remain tight and continue to require significant down payments. Appraisals will be strict in light of the recent past.
It will be a great time to buy and advantageous to sell depending on your situation.
Working with a qualified and well-informed real estate agent will be as important as ever given these challenges.
I have included great tools on my website for buyer searches. Century 21 provides an award winning MLS search that includes every listing available. Those listings are all on Realtor.com, which is a great tool as well. My partners and I share hundreds of listings that are featured on my site. And, I have a foreclosure search tool.
How do you hunt for homes? I would love to hear from you. The internet makes it so easy.
However, I would really like to do some of the work for you. By using the MLS system directly I have tons of search criteria not available to the general public. I also have access to confidential information including important details and sold pricing.
I know many folks prefer to work independently, but I would be glad to assist in your search and can bring you the properties that best meet your needs quickly. Never a charge or any pressure from me. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance.
Happy New Year!
Interest rates for a typical 30-year mortgage are predicted to reach 6% in 2010. That along with continued signs of recovery in homes sales signal the beginning of the end of this buyer's market. This has been and continues to be one of the best times in history to purchase property. Reduced prices and interest rates combine for thousands and thousands of dollars in savings.
If you have been on the fence about a potential purchase, now is the time to act. The buyer's market will not end suddenly, but the signs for an end in the foreseeable future are present.
The best buys on and around Lake LBJ have moved well this fall, which historically is a slow time of year. Sales were actually increasing in the fall versus spring and summer. The buyers that take action in the early part of 2010 are likely to get the best deals.