The generosity of the residents of Wells Branch shone bright when Tammy received over 105 pairs of donated shoes.  Our community was responsible for donating almost 30% of the total number of shoes collected for needy people around the world.

In November and December, Horizon Realty sponsored a shoe drive to benefit Soles 4 Souls,  a charity that collects gently used and new shoes and distributes these shoes to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. For some children and adults, this is the first pair of shoes they have ever owned. 

During the 2011 Horizon Realty shoe drive, over 354 pairs of shoes were donated.  With 105 of those 354 pairs, Wells Branch residents were responsible for donating almost 30% of the total number of shoes collected.

Since 2005, Soles4Souls has delivered over 16 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes. The shoes have been distributed to people in over 127 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal, Peru, Iraq and many more.  

Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Thank you so much Wells Branch!  We really appreciate you helping Horizon Realty and Soles 4 Souls "Changing the World, One Pair at a Time."  Many in need around the world will benefit from your generosity during this shoe drive.  

Special thanks to Matt at the Wells Branch Recreation Center, Laurie DeLeon from Horizon Realty, and Debby Thompson for helping to make this happen.

 

 

Tammy is a licensed Realtor with Horizon Realty in Austin, Texas. An Austin resident since 1978, she's part of a Mother/Daughter Realtor team with over 31 years of combined experience. Tammy & Judy are experts at marketing and staging homes for top dollar. They specialize in the Wells Branch subdivision in North Austin and have helped Buyers, Sellers, and Investors in all parts of the city and surrounding areas.  You can reach Tammy at tammy@familypair.com or (512) 773-3214 or visit her site at http://www.familypair.com/.  

 

Horizon Realty is sponsoring a shoe drive to benefit Soles 4 Souls,  a charity that collects gently used and new shoes and distributes these shoes to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. For some children and adults, this is the first pair of shoes they have ever owned.  

 

Last year residents of my neighborhood, Wells Branch, donated almost 1/3 of the total shoes Horizon Realty collected during this drive. So this year I am helping with the shoe drive by placing a collection box at the Wells Branch Recreation Center, located at 3000 Shoreline Dr.   Since 2005, Soles4Souls has delivered over 16 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes. The shoes have been distributed to people in over 127 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal, Peru, Iraq and many more. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.

What types of shoes are accepted?

They accept all types of shoes including athletic, sandals, heels, boots, flip flops, dance and more (as long as they are gently worn or new)

Where do I drop off the shoes?

Just take them to the Wells Branch Recreation Center located at 3000 Shoreline Drive. There is a box in the front office on the left.

Wells Branch Recreation Center Hours:

Monday – Friday	6 am – 10 pm
Saturday	1 pm – 8 pm
Sunday	1 pm – 8 pm

Shoes may also be donated at Horizon Realty's office during business hours, located at 9606 Mopac Suite#150.

How long will the shoe drive run?

The Wells Branch Recreation Center will accept shoes through Sun, Nov. 27^th. The Horizon Realty office will accept through Dec 1st. Please donate as many pairs as you can!

Special thanks to Matt at the Wells Branch Recreation Center, Laurie DeLeon from Horizon Realty, and Debby Thompson for helping to make this happen.

 

Tammy is a licensed Realtor with Horizon Realty in Austin, Texas. An Austin resident since 1978, she's part of a Mother/Daughter Realtor team with over 31 years of combined experience. Tammy & Judy are experts at marketing and staging homes for top dollar. They specialize in the Wells Branch subdivision in North Austin and have helped Buyers, Sellers, and Investors in all parts of the city and surrounding areas.  You can reach Tammy at tammy@familypair.com or (512) 773-3214 or visit her site at http://www.familypair.com/.  

 

 

 

Recent statistics show less than 10% of 2010 home sales were For Sale By Owner.  And the number of annual FSBO home sales has been steadily decreasing. An analysis of buyer and seller data collected annually shows a fairly dramatic drop in for-sale-by-owner transactions over the last two decades. In 1991, 19% of sellers, or almost one in five, sold their home as a FSBO, and 77% retained the help of an agent. In 2010, fewer than 10% sold as a FSBO and 88%, or almost 9 in 10 sellers, worked with an agent. That’s a 14% increase in favor of real estate agents over that 19-year period.

On prices, the data suggests deals involving agents fetch quite a bit more: $199,300 typically versus $140,000. While FSBO Sellers think they are saving money on commission, they actually end up netting a lower sales price and ultimately losing money.  The FSBO site founder's property was not priced accurately.  After listing with an Agent, his home's list price increased and successfully sold at a higher asking price.

An incredible amount of time, marketing, and real estate expertise goes into selling a home.  If even a For Sale By Owner expert fails at selling his home FSBO, it is a clear example for the rest of us of how rarely For Sale By Owner works. 

Sources: Wall Street Journal, National Association of Realtors (NAR)

 

Tammy is a licensed Realtor with Horizon Realty in Austin, Texas. An Austin resident since 1978, she's part of a Mother/Daughter Realtor team with over 31 years of combined experience. Tammy & Judy are experts at marketing and staging homes for top dollar. They specialize in the Wells Branch subdivision in North Austin and have helped Buyers, Sellers, and Investors in all parts of the city and surrounding areas.  You can reach Tammy at tammy@familypair.com or (512) 773-3214 or visit her site at http://www.familypair.com/.  

 

 

This region of Texas has clay soils which are very expansive. These soils have the ability to shrink to a low volume when very dry and swell to a large volume when wet. During exceptionally dry periods – such as the drought conditions Austin is experiencing – the soil shrinks and the ground surface recedes and pulls away from the foundation walls.

 

Many homeowners are cutting back or eliminating their yard-watering water usage. Saving water is a good thing that we fully recommend. But if you own or rent a home with a slab foundation, a foundation watering maintenance program is essential. Stay aware of the mandatory water restrictions which will go into effect on Sept. 6^th for Austin water customers. 

HOW TO EFFECTIVELY WATER YOUR SLAB FOUNDATION

The best way to water the soil around the structure is with a flat green watering hose that emits a fine spray. The spray should be turned to a height of about 6 to 8 inches. Place the hose 18 to 24 inches from the structure but always outbound of a shrub. Watering between a shrub and a structure will encourage root growth toward the structure. Never water next to the structure, because it can cause serious damage if the soil is pulled away due to lack of moisture. The hose should be left on for a period of 4 to 5 hours. Clay can only accept about 1/16 inch of water an hour.  A quick watering session is not effective and the watering must be on low for a long period.

It is not necessary to water the entire perimeter the same day, however you should water every day until the process is complete. If the soil has pulled away from the slab and the house has seen neglect, you may wish to do this every week for a few weeks. Then, according to the weather, you can adjust the frequency to meet the needs, possibly once or twice a month. It is just as important to be sure that the soil has no low spots that allow water to pond next to the structure, that the lot has adequate drainage and that you have no plumbing leaks. Too much moisture in one area will cause undesirable swelling of the soil.

Don't forget the sides of the house. Most homeowners water the front and back more often than the sides. That soil must have the same attention as the other areas. In addition, large trees & shrubs in close proximity to the structure may make it difficult to maintain even moisture, since they absorb large amounts of water, or may artificially support structure during periods of normal movement.  They might cause some differential movement that will show up in the structure, though this is rare. The goal is uniform expansion of the soil around and under the structure.

Things to watch for that may indicate foundation movement include:

• Diagonal cracks above or below windows and door openings; cracks of uniform width are commonly shrinkage cracks and don't indicate expansive soil activity
• Inability to open or close doors or doors out of alignment
• Obvious floor slopes: feeling of walking up or downhill as you walk across a room
• Cracking exterior brick
• Separation of expansion joints
• Cracking or waving of floor finishes, most often visible in linoleum or ceramic tiles
• Separation of walls from ceilings or floors

 

Do I need to water a pier & beam foundation?

A pier & beam structure should not undergo a regular concentrated watering program such as those used with slab homes. Under normal conditions the center of the house is as dry as the perimeter. 

Austin desperately needs rain and we do not want to break any more major records during this drought: 

• August 2011 was the hottest August ever recorded in Austin
• The average daily high temperature in August 2011 was an astounding 104.8° and it was the hottest month in Austin’s history with an average temperature of 91.6°
• The summer of 2011 is the hottest summer ever recorded in Austin. From June 1 – August 31, the average temperature was 89.5°  
• 78 days of 100°+ temperatures  (all-time Austin record)

 

Sources: Bob Peterson, Texas Licensed Home Inspector http://www.precisioninspection.net/, http://www.foundationwatering.com/, KVUE http://www.kvue.com/, City of Austin http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/water/

 

Tammy is a licensed Realtor with Horizon Realty in Austin, Texas. An Austin resident since 1978, she's part of a Mother/Daughter Realtor team with over 31 years of combined experience. Tammy & Judy are experts at marketing and staging homes for top dollar. They specialize in the Wells Branch subdivision in North Austin and have helped Buyers, Sellers, and Investors in all parts of the city and surrounding areas.  You can reach Tammy at tammy@familypair.com or (512) 773-3214 or visit her site at http://www.familypair.com/.  

 

Tammy is a licensed Realtor with Horizon Realty in Austin, Texas. An Austin resident since 1978, she's part of a Mother/Daughter Realtor team with over 31 years of combined experience. Tammy & Judy are experts at marketing and staging homes for top dollar. They specialize in the Wells Branch subdivision in North Austin and have helped Buyers, Sellers, and Investors in all parts of the city and surrounding areas.  You can reach Tammy at tammy@familypair.com or (512) 773-3214 or visit her site at http://www.familypair.com/.  

 

Sources: Bloomberg, Marie Funston -Austin Mortgage Advisor, Freddie Mac, http://www.bankrate.com/

 

As the mother of a 7 and 10 year old, I am always looking for ways to avoid “Mom, I’m bored!” over the summer. The following list highlights some of our favorite boredom-busters as well as places I have always wanted to visit. I live in Wells Branch in North Austin, so you’ll notice some of my places will be closer to those who live North.  Look for the FREE! to find all fun events that don’t cost anything. If you have a great event to add, please leave a comment on this blog.

1. FREE!  See the Austin bats emerge from under Congress Ave. bridge. One of the coolest sights to see is the 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerging from their roosts under the Congress Avenue Bridge. I’m embarrassed to admit I have lived here since 1978 and never seen this. Late July through mid-August is the best time to see impressive flights, as new born pups first begin to forage with their mothers. The bats generally emerge before dark, but may fly late if conditions are not favorable, http://www.batcon.org/.
2. Watch a movie at the IMAX theater at Bob Bullock museum, featuring Austin's only IMAX Theatre. This 400-seat, state-of-the-art theatre makes your ticket really worth the price and 3D movies really do jump out at you. They play both special documentaries and feature films playing in the regular theater, http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/.
3. FREE! Make reading more fun for your kids. My son’s 2^nd grade teacher warned all kids on the last day of school that if they didn’t read over the summer, they would lose up to ½ grade’s worth of reading comprehension. As parents we know it’s important to read but sometimes finding the right book or subject to interest your child is a challenge. Wells Branch has an excellent community library which hosts a children’s summer reading program with prizes. Half Price Books awards gift cards to kids for summer reading and Barnes & Noble rewards them with free books (just visit to pick up a log). The following sites (recommended by the Wells Branch Children’s Librarian) help you find the best page-turners and award winners for your child: 
   • http://www.readkiddoread.com/
   • http://www.kidsreads.com/  
   • http://www.guysread.com/
   • http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/
     awardsgrants/notalists/ncb/index.cfm
4. Take a day trip to visit Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg. I have a vivid memory of climbing this rock with my husband when we stayed there (before kids) at a bed and breakfast. It was really fun and even kids can do it. Enchanted Rock was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1970 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome that rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States. The park reaches capacity (in terms of parking) and frequently closes on weekends (sometimes as early as 11 a.m.) http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/enchanted_rock.
5. FREE! Watch a free movie. You don’t have to pay to see a movie this summer! Take advantage of all the free showings including the new “Movies in the Park” at Katherine Fleischer Park.  July 9^th is “Shrek Ever After” & August 13^th is “Tangled” (that is an excellent movie so would not miss it!). Pre-movie activities start at 8pm with the movies starting at twilight. Concessions will be available. Other places that hold free movies include: Alamo Drafthouse (daily at 11:00am) http://drafthouse.com/series/summer_kids_camp/austin or Republic Square Movies in the Park, 422 Guadalupe, Free movies start at dusk. http://www.austinparks.org/moviesinthepark.html
6. Take a day trip to the Mayborn Planetarium & Space Center in Killeen. With a full-dome planetarium and laser light and star shows, this trip is a must for any child interested in space (and even those who aren’t). It has a full 60-foot dome. Experience a unique and artistic mix of light, color and sound with 3D laser light shows set to music. Affordable ticket prices. http://www.starsatnight.org/.
7. Cool off at the Rock ‘N River Round Rock water park.  My family discovered this gem a few years ago which is a great alternative to the pricey and crowded Schlitterbahn. It is located just by the Dell Diamond on Highway 79 (turn left there & follow the road). With 2 slides, a lazy river, and multiple pools for young children, it’s a good deal at under $5 per ticket. You can also bring in your own cooler and snacks. http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/pools.
8. Zip along the zip line at Cypress Valley Canopy Tours. You will fly through the canopy of old cypress trees sometimes as high as 100 feet up. One child flies for free, ages 10 to 17, accompanied by one parent Tuesday and Thursday during the summer. This is definitely a splurge at $75 per ticket and only ages 10 – 17 are allowed. It is located in Spicewood, Texas, just 30 miles west of downtown Austin. http://cypressvalleycanopytours.com/.
9. FREE! Relax at a natural outdoor amphitheater while you enjoy a music or dance show at Zilker Hillside Theater. The theater is located in Zilker Park across the parking lot from Barton Springs swimming pool. The stage is located in a natural amphitheater under a stand of 100 year old pecan trees. "Footloose, the Musical" is playing free from July 8th - August 13th. Shows may include music or dance, with the kids free to roam around or dance to the tunes. You can bring a cooler & snacks. http://www.zilker.org/.
10. Relish 70 degree temperatures at Natural Bridge Caverns in New Braunfels. Only about a 45 minute drive from Austin (70 miles), this cavern is one of the largest in the state of Texas, making it a top attraction. They also have an outdoor climbing tower and zip lines to give your kids some extra fun & exercise. Plus the extra bonus is that you will stay cool at an average temperature of only 70 degrees, a welcome respite during Austin's 90 -100 degree summer temperatures. http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/.
11. FREE! Splash around at the Brushy Creek Lake park. This park was named "Best Place to Play in a Fountain" by the Austin Chronicle. Let your kids run around the splash pad while water shoots up at them. They also have a playground, picnic tables, lake, and hike/bike trails.  Located at 3300 Brushy Creek Road near the intersection of Parmer & Brushy Creek Rd. http://www.ci.cedar-park.tx.us/cp/pr_bclp.aspx.
12. Play some games and indulge in the buffet at Gatti-Land in Round Rock.   My kids also really like Main Event, but I enjoy the tasty all-you-can-eat pizza and pasta buffet. Kids can play arcade games to win prizes.  Don’t miss the bumper cars. On Mondays Moms eat free and Wednesdays kids eat free. http://www.gattiland-rr.com/.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please verify information before heading out. All information listed here is subject to change.

Tammy is a licensed Realtor with Horizon Realty in Austin, Texas. An Austin resident since 1978, she's part of a Mother/Daughter Realtor team with over 31 years of combined experience. Tammy & Judy are experts at marketing and staging homes for top dollar. They specialize in the Wells Branch subdivision in North Austin and have helped Buyers, Sellers, and Investors in all parts of the city and surrounding areas.  You can reach Tammy at tammy@familypair.com or (512) 773-3214 or visit her site at http://www.familypair.com/.  

 

 

Top 10 Tips For Protesting Your Property Taxes

As the famous quote by Benjamin Franklin goes, "the only things certain in life are death and taxes.” In Texas, during the months of April and May property owners start receiving those dreaded notices from the tax appraisal districts. The appraised value set each year determines the amount of annual property tax owed (the appraised value for a homestead property cannot increase more than 10% per year). The property tax is the largest source of funding for local services in Texas; property taxes pay for public schools, city streets, police, fire protection and many other services. 

One of your most important rights as a Texas taxpayer is your right to protest to the appraisal review board (ARB).   The ARB is a group of citizens authorized to resolve disputes between taxpayers and the appraisal district. The ARB must base its decisions on evidence. It hears evidence from both the taxpayer and the chief appraiser. ARB hearings begin around May 1 and should complete most hearings by July 20. In the largest counties, this deadline may be later. ARB meetings are open to the public.

Here are some tips for a successful tax protest:

1. Mail your protest form as late as possible but still by the deadline. Why? You can do research on any similar properties on your street and nearby streets to see their appraised values. If any of them have had successful tax protests, their appraised values will be lowered. You can bring this data in as evidence, especially for homes of similar square footage. If you have a very early hearing date you won’t be able to gather this important evidence since few hearings will have occurred. To do research on properties, simply plug in addresses to http://www.traviscad.org/tcad_search.php?mode=situs&kind=real for Travis County or http://www.wcad.org/PropSearch.html for Williamson County.

• On your protest form under step 3, check boxes for "property is over value" and "property value is unequal compared to other properties. 
• Do not fill in anything under step 4. Leave it completely blank and for sure do not fill in anything for question "what do you think your property value is?"
• On step 5, check "yes" for you want ARB to send in copy of its hearing procedures & write in "request evidence packet & sales comp grid" (see #4 below).

2. Be polite and calm. No one is happy about higher taxes, however angry or rude behavior at your hearing will not help. Being friendly and polite will always get you farther.

3. Recognize that January 1^st is the official property valuation date.  Homes that sold closest to this date are most significant to the appraisal district; the further you go from this date, the less valid.

4. Request the “sales comp grid”: sold homes the appraisal district used to determine your home’s value. At least 14 days before your hearing, you should receive any information the chief appraiser plans to introduce at the hearing. When you mail in your protest form, write “mail me my sales comp grid” prominently on the form. In addition, you should receive a copy of Taxpayers Rights, Remedies & Responsibilites (read it, as it contains a lot of helpful info!).  

5. Ask your Realtor to poke holes in the “sales comp grid” data.  Once you receive your sales comp grid, we can help review it to find any reasons why the sold homes used might have higher value than your home. For example, there could be a home with a pool or major kitchen remodel that your home does not have. 

6. Use pictures as evidence. Help the person who helps you by providing evidence showing the condition of your property. If you are trying to prove your home is in worse condition than the other sold homes and value should be lowered, it will really help to have photos to back up your claims. Remember the condition of your home on Jan 1^st is most important.

7. Bring in lower-priced sold home comps, but only within your geographic grid; ask your Realtor for help.  Your Realtor can likely find homes that sold for lower prices than the homes used by the appraisal district. Many people who fail in their tax protests bring in sold homes outside their sales comp grid area. The appraisal district goes a very short distance from your home and stays very close in square footage (normally not higher than 25% up or down) in comparables. They also stay very close in year built.

8. Purchased a home last year? Use your HUD settlement statement as evidence to lower your appraised value if the purchase price was lower than the current year's appraised value. You have a very easy protest if your sold price from last year was lower than the current tax year's appraised value. All you need to do is mail a copy of the HUD statement and it is generally lowered to that amount without any hearing (ask your Realtor for a copy if you can’t find it).

9. Hire a professional. Too busy or just don’t feel like you have the skills to be successful? You can hire an expert to handle your protest. They will charge a fee, but Tax Tiger only charges you if they get your value lowered. Visit http://www.taxtiger.com/ for more information.

10. Don’t give up and continue to protest every year. Every time you protest, you have a chance to get your value lowered and pay less taxes. Even if you are not successful this time, don’t give up and give it a try next year. Ask a lot of questions at your hearing and try to learn as much as possible about how to succeed at the process. I have been successful for the past 3 years and have found all tax employees to be extremely helpful and friendly.

Property Tax Resources: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/index.html

Property Taxpayers Bill of Rights: http://window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/bill_of_rights.html

 

Sources: http://www.traviscad.org/ (Travis Central Appraisal District) *  http://www.taxtiger.com/ * Texas Property Tax Code * Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/index.html

Tammy is a licensed Realtor with Horizon Realty in Austin, Texas. An Austin resident since 1978, she's part of a Mother/Daughter Realtor team with over 31 years of combined experience. Tammy & Judy are experts at marketing and staging homes for top dollar. They specialize in the Wells Branch subdivision in North Austin and have helped Buyers, Sellers, and Investors in all parts of the city and surrounding areas.  You can reach Tammy at tammy@familypair.com or (512) 773-3214 or visit her site at http://www.familypair.com/.  

1916 SHAKER TRAIL

Modern and move-in ready corner lot gem that feels like new construction, this home has over $11K in upgrades!  Centrally located in the popular Pioneer Crossing subdivision in North Austin at 1916 Shaker Trail, Austin, TX, 78754 for $159,900.  It has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 living, 1 dining, and 1617 square feet per TCAD.

With sleek crown molding and designer paint colors, this home has been stylishly decorated for a modern feel.  It has hard tile in the living, dining, kitchen, and both bathrooms.  Enjoy the large open kitchen with tile backsplash and flooring, and built-in microwave. 

The spacious living room features a stunning tiled fireplace, ceiling fan and architechtural details showcasing the quality Morrison construction.  

 

 

 

Pride of ownership shines throughout this home with updated light fixtures and faucets, energy-efficient ceiling fans and programmable thermostat, and blooming front yard landscaping.

 

The large master bedroom has soaring ceilings with a huge walk-in closet. The sunny master bathroom painted in a soothing color boasts a window, separate shower, and updated light fixture and faucet.

The desirable corner lot location boasts a full (front and backyard) sprinkler system. Unwind on your oversize back patio, which was built facing East to take advantage of afternoon and evening shade.  

 

 

 

 

 

The easy exterior maintenance continues with 3-sides brick.  Plus the attractive privacy fence was recently stained. Another bonus of this location is that you're walking distance to the neighborhood pool, playground and hike/bike trails.  And with quick and convenient access to major roads, you're near major employers Dell, Samsung, Applied Materials, National Instruments, IBM & more!

To view the complete virtual tour of this property and get additional pictures and property info, please click the link below:

http://www.familypair.com/default.asp?f=listing_details&listingid=246644&listingtype=1

We would be happy to set up a personalized showing for you at your convenience. So please contact us at tammy@familypair.com or judy@familypair.com today!

 

Tammy is a licensed Realtor with Horizon Realty in Austin, Texas. An Austin resident since 1978, she's part of a Mother/Daughter Realtor team with over 31 years of combined experience. Tammy & Judy are experts at marketing and staging homes for top dollar. They specialize in the Wells Branch subdivision in North Austin and have helped Buyers, Sellers, and Investors in all parts of the city and surrounding areas.  You can reach Tammy at tammy@familypair.com or (512) 773-3214 or visit her site at http://www.familypair.com/. 

Should Know 

 

 

1.     Do I need to have 20% down in order to buy a house?

Not at all! There are several low down-payment options available to qualified buyers that will enable you to buy a house with as little as 3% down. There is also a USDA loan program that offers $0 down for certain properties located outside Austin city limits.

 

2.     What types of loans are available for first-time homebuyers and what are the down-payment requirements?

FHA is the most popular loan program for first-time homebuyers, because it requires only 3.5% down and allows for the money to come from a gift. FHA is also more flexible when it comes to having limited or no credit history.

 

3.     What are my options if I have credit issues?

The best thing to do may be to wait until you have 12 months of positive credit history on your report. If you have a lot of errors on your credit report, you could also consider working with a credit repair company to remove the errors, but these companies typically charge several hundred dollars to work on your behalf. 

 

4.     What if I have little or no credit history at all?

No credit does not mean bad credit! Even if you have no credit history, you may still qualify for a mortgage as long as you can provide alternative credit references that show you’ve been paying your bills on time for the past year. Examples include cell phone bills, insurance, utilities, and rent.

 

5.     Is now the ideal time to take advantage of low interest rates?

Absolutely! Rates are still hovering near historical lows, so take advantage before they go back up! You will save yourself hundreds of dollars each month and increase your buying power.

For example, you could save over $150/mo on a $200,000 mortgage with a 4.75% 30-yr fixed interest rate versus the average 6% interest rate that we may start to see in 2012. That’s a savings of over $56,000 over the life of the loan!

 

6.     Can self-employed buyers still get a loan nowadays?

Absolutely! Loans are still readily available as long as you can document your income. Self-employed individuals are typically required to supply tax returns reflecting their income for the past two years.

 

7.     I just recently started a new job. How long would I have to wait before qualifying for a loan?

Talk with a lender for specific requirements, but you may be able to qualify for a mortgage with as little as 30 days in the new job as long as you can prove stable income.

 

8.     I don’t have too much cash available. Can I still get a loan?

There are numerous loan options available to buyers with little/no money. FHA allows the 3.5% down-payment to be gifted to you, and USDA requires no down-payment at all. For those in the military, a VA loan is also a $0 down option. 

Sellers are also allowed to contribute 3-6% towards closing costs so that you are able to go to closing with nothing out-of-pocket.

Additionally, there are also various bond programs that you can apply for in order to obtain government assistance for down-payment and/or closing costs. There are restrictions and specific requirements for these programs, so ask your Realtor or lender for more information.

 

9.     What type of paperwork do lenders typically require for mortgage approval?

The two main items lenders will verify are 1) income and 2) assets. 

To verify your income, lenders will typically ask for 30-day pay stubs and the last two years’ W2s and/or tax returns.

For assets, you may be asked to provide 1-3 months of account statements to show what funds you have available for closing. Examples of assets include bank accounts, stock/investment accounts, and retirement (IRA/401K) accounts.

 

10. With the uncertainty in the economy, is now really the time to buy?

It’s all about your comfort level, so there are many things to factor when considering a home purchase. However, from a cost standpoint, there is no better time than the present, since both Central Texas prices and mortgage rates are expected to continue going up. So, you may qualify for less and pay more as each year passes.

 

Article courtesy of: Marie Funston, Senior Mortgage Advisor,

(512) 750-7270, Marie@austinmortgageadvisor.com

 

Tammy is a licensed Realtor with Horizon Realty in Austin, Texas.  An Austin resident since 1978, she's part of a Mother/Daughter Realtor team with over 31 years of combined experience. Tammy & Judy are experts at marketing and staging homes for top dollar. They specialize in the Wells Branch subdivision in North Austin and have helped Buyers, Sellers, and Investors in all parts of the city and surrounding areas.  You can reach Tammy at tammy@familypair.com or (512) 773-3214 or visit her site at http://www.familypair.com/.  

 

 

A remodeled and well-maintained beauty: this home has over $39K in upgrades!  Located in the convenient and popular Wells Branch subdivision in North Austin at 14310 Richard Walker Blvd, Austin, TX, 78728 for $158,900. 

This move-in ready home home has 3 beds, 2 baths, 2 dining, 1 living with 1461 sq ft per TCAD.  A super location just a few steps to the neighborhood hike/bike trails.  Those trails take you a short walk to Wells Branch's largest community pool, park, tennis courts, soccer fields, sand volleyball, and playground complex (Katherine Fleischer Park) (see pics below):

 

 

The owners have meticulously maintained and upgraded the home:

• New appliances for the kitchen (2011 dishwasher and stove)
• Fresh neutral interior paint throughout 
• Recent HVAC system and exterior paint
• New carpet in 2011 in all bedrooms, living & dining room 
• Gutters added in 2009 for easy exterior maintenance
• Full yard sprinkler system
• Updated light fixtures
• Ceiling fans in every bedroom

 

 

Additionally the home boasts soaring ceilings and architectural details giving it a modern and open feel.  The flexible formal living room could be your office or playroom.  And the dramatic brick fireplace in the living room will keep you cozy during the winter months. 

 

You are walking distance to the "Recognized" rated Northwest Elementary school.  You can even take hike/bike trails for the entire walk and avoid cars and busy streets (via an underground walkway taking you below Wells Branch Pkwy to keep kids safe).  This property is located in the "Recognized" Pflugerville ISD with students attending Westview middle school and Connally high school.  

Welcome to your backyard oasis full of blooming landscaping and stylish stone pathways.

Relax on the glorious screened-in porch while you bask in the warmth from the skylight and enjoy breezes from the ceiling fan while you sway on your swinging bench. Don't forget your glass of wine!    

 

 

To view the complete virtual tour of this property and get additional pictures and property info, please click the link below:

http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=711502

We would be happy to set up a personalized showing for you at your convenience. So please contact us at tammy@familypair.com or judy@familypair.com today!

 

Tammy is a licensed Realtor with Horizon Realty in Austin, Texas. She has lived in Wells Branch since 1999 and has 2 children attending Wells Branch public schools.  An Austin resident since 1978, she's part of a Mother/Daughter Realtor team with over 31 years of combined experience. Tammy & Judy are experts at marketing and staging homes for top dollar. They specialize in the Wells Branch subdivision in North Austin and have helped Buyers, Sellers, and Investors in all parts of the city and surrounding areas.  You can reach Tammy at tammy@familypair.com or (512) 773-3214 or visit her site at http://www.familypair.com/.