Alan In Austin: June 2009

Did you know? Chuck Norris sleeps with a pillow under his GUN.

How many Realtors does it take to sell a Gnome?  

A three legged dog in the old west walks into a salloon filled with cowboys. He hops up on the bar and announces.

"I am looking for the man who shot my Paw!"

THAT'S ALL FOLKS.

NEED HELP IN NAVIGATING THAT PROMOTIONAL LANGUAGE IN THE LISTING...

Since listing agents represent the seller, they sometimes tend to be a little... "creative" in the wording of home descriptions they are selling. We thought it would be helpful to include our interpretation of alternative possible meanings to some commonly used phrases listing agents might use:

"No neighbors behind" -- Probably backs to a busy street. Check a map before you schedule a viewing.

"Light and Bright" -- Window coverings not included.

"Low Maintenance" -- No yard.

"Immaculately maintained" -- The orange countertops and green shag carpet are still in excellent shape.

"Mountain View" -- You MIGHT be able to see some mountains from one of the rooms if you press your cheek to a window and look west, or climb on the roof.

"GREAT Mountain View" -- You should be able to see mountains from one or two rooms � hopefully either the master bedroom or the living room.

"Panoramic (or fabulous, terrific, amazing, or insert similar adjective) mountain view!" -- This home should have some great views. (If mountain views are what you are after, you might not want to bother with a showing unless you see a comment something like this.)

"Secluded setting" -- You'll spend in gas what you save in mortgage payment.

"Price reduced" -- Even if it was a big price reduction, that still doesn't mean it's a good deal. (That's where a buyer agent can step in and help you determine if it's a good deal.)


"Only 15 minutes to downtown" -- Sure � if you're Mario Andretti on a closed course. A more likely commute would be 20 to 25 minutes ;-)

"Backs to open area" -- Beware � You might be staring at the backside of a shopping mall someday if you buy this place. (Otherwise, the description would have read "Backs to OPEN SPACE")

Backs to "OPEN SPACE" -- Open space can't usually be developed, so the property should always back to open space, and your odds of having something built behind that property should be minimal.

"Charming" or "Cozy" -- The 2nd bedroom serves as your closet.

"Needs TLC" or "Needs a little work" -- Probably needs a LOT of work.

"Bring your handyman" -- This house probably needs a MAJOR renovation. (Otherwise, they would have just said "Needs TLC" ;-)

"Carpet allowance" -- Seller will pay to replace the avocado green shag carpet.

"Pet free" -- This doesn't necessarily mean pets aren't allowed; just that the present owners don't have pets.

"Sale contingent upon seller finding replacement home" -- The seller may accept your offer, but beware � if they get a better offer and they don't find a replacement home, the seller could terminate your contract and take the better offer. (Talk to us about this � our agents have got better ways of getting around this without putting you at risk.)

"In-law apartment" -- This can be considered a "non-conforming duplex" which is a great way to get a duplex without having to pay for it. Basement might be used as a rental to subsidize your mortgage payment.

"Seller will pay $3000 towards a rate buydown with a full price offer" -- Don't be fooled by this. This simply means that the seller will give $3000 towards making your payment more affordable for a year or two, but don't pay full price just because of a buydown... We can help you analyze the real value of the property, and whether or not taking such an offer is worthwhile.

"And much, much more..." -- Nothing else comes to mind about this home.

We would love the opportunity to help you "read between the lines" on the next home you buy. Don't forget that our services to you as a buyer are absolutely free!

alan Kirkpatrick, Realtor

Austin Texas Homes LLC.

office/cell 512-709-3336

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB Austin Homes

NOW is an excellent time to be buying property! We have not seen market discounts like this maybe ever at least since mankind moved from a cave to a log cabin. Ha.

If you are renting but want to buy before the November deadline on the government 8000 tax credit expires, there is still time but you need to act.

email me at: roundrockhomes@gmail.com

Where do you get the cash for a down payment? There are opportunities out there from zero down to 3.5%.

If you have an IRA the government will allow you to use a portion of that as a down payment on a home. How about borrowing from a family member until you get your portion of the tax credit back.

Many will wait until late October or early November to get serious about buying. Imagine how busy lending institutions and mortgage brokers will be then.

If you would like to see some current listings in the Austin Texas area email or call me.

Hope you had a Great Fathers Day! I know I am a little behind in wishing it for you. Over the years I have gotten my fair share of ugly ties for Fathers day but never from my kids or wife. As many of you know I was in full time ministry for 26 years. You guessed it my congregation members were the ones who presented me with some interesting ties including an American Flag one with a bald eagle in the middle. Great for the 4th of July! Ha.

This Fathers day my son got me a cool Tech gift. It has been the source of great enjoyment. What is it? He purchased it at Fry's Electronics. It is a personal fan that plugs into my computers USB port. It is flexible so I can point it toward me while I blog away and stay cool! Ha. He also got a keyboard light that plugs up the same way and illuminates the keyboard so that while we are watching a movie I can email in the dark and not bother others. How cools is that. As I type this post I am enjoying my fan!!!

Eric Bakos

Sidelined: Eric Bakos, who suffered burns on 65 percent of his body in December, joins his former Stony Point teammates at the spring football game. Bakos had hoped to play football and basketball as a senior but can't do either.

"The heat was just so intense. Everything was just fire," Misty Bakos said. "The patio. The front door. The railing of stairs we needed to get down."

Eric Bakos - called by Stony Point football coach Craig Chessher "one of the best maneuvering athletes on the field" - made it through the opening without suffering any burns, but then a fiery piece of debris caught hold of his leg and sent him sprawling, bare-chested, onto the baking concrete.

Read the entire story: http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/2009/06/28/0628bakos.html

TEXAS (Austin Business Journal)
Texas stands out as the top state for business, according to Directorship magazine.

Texas "has a pro-business tax climate that ranks third, a low cost of living, a relatively solid economy and a litigation environment that ranks tenth on our list," the magazine reported. "Texas also ranks first in the number of Fortune 500 companies located there."

Major corporate relocations and expansions such as Comerica's move to Dallas and Caterpillar's new plant in Seguin were highlighted as reasons for Texas' ranking.

Directorship evaluated states' overall economies, tax climates, cost of living and education to determine rankings.

If you are looking for a business friendly place to move your business or company let me help you re-locate in Central Texas.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE!

THE PEOPLE: are so warm and friendly. It is easy to make friends in Round Rock!

THE LOCATION!

Just 15 to 20 minutes from Downtown Austin. There is plenty to do in Round Rock, great shopping, food, or recreation of all kinds and it is a short distance form the famed 6th street of downtown Austin Texas. The Round Rock Premium Outlets provide some of the great shopping, Round Rock Higher Education center features: Texas State, Austin Community College and soon a Residence college for Texas A&M.

THE DONUTS! Round Rock Donuts is a must experience. Get them fresh early in the morning you will be spoiled for life.

Learn more about Round Rock Texas:

alan Kirkpatrick, Realtor

roundrockhomes@gmail.com

WEB http://alanmaz.actris.mlxchange.com/

What fun! I am burnt to a crisp. It was me who suggested that we take the 4 hour trip rather than the two hour one but no regrets it was a blast.

We went to the Guadalupe River near San Marcos Texas. We took our niece who is visiting from out of state. The kids all had a great time. There were two pick up points on the river where you could exit and a bus would ferry you back to the starting point.

It is an inexpensive way to have great family time and to see nature up close. We saw water turtles, birds of all kinds and fortunately no snakes. ha.

 A PICTURE IS WORTH MORE...   Click on the Airplane to see more!

Check your calnedor for May of 2010! If you are thinking about a big move and Austin is on your short list you will want to be on this trip.

fOR DETAILED INFO click: Keep Austin Weird 

Just notify us that you want more information on how to see Austin up close.

    GET ABOARD EARLY!!

1. Get your research done ahead of time. An apartment locater (like me) can help you do your home work in advance of a visit. Why would this be important? You will be offered your very best deal the first time you walk in the door! Most apartment complexes train their staff to offer their best deals right up front. They do not want you shopping them around the area. They want you to sign a lease and move in. I can send you all the pictures and information you will need to make a decision in the event you get an offer you can't refuse.

2. See what other people say about the complex. When I send my clients information on a complex they are interested in, I send them the comments left by previous tenants in the complex. Examples of what you might find out about a complex from others are:

-"There is not enough parking spaces"

-"Maintenance is too slow to respond to problems"

-"Everyone in the front office is very helpful and See's that my needs are taken care of as soon as I ask"

3. Determine up front what is most important to you. There are some beautiful complexes throughout Austin and they offer a variety of amenities. You can have free Internet, your own garage, covered parking, access to spectacular pools, game rooms, workout centers and meeting rooms. Be realistic, how much do you need and what will you use.

Ready to look? alanmaz1@earthlink.net or call 512-709-3336