Archive for November, 2007
5 Tips to picking a GREAT Home Builder!
November 30th, 2007 Categories: Austin Real Estate News, Dripping Springs Real Estate News, Sawyer Ranch, Sunset Canyon
When you decide to build a home rather than to buy a home you most likely intend to get the job done with the help of contractor. Unfortunately some contractors have earned a somewhat bad reputation because some have failed to live up to the buyer’s expectations .In order to keep yourself from being disappointed by your contractor, it is important that you follow these simple tips.
Tip 1: Realtors know the process
The single best way to select a contractor is to ask your Realtor. No one knows the ins and outs of the home construction like a Realtor. Whether it be purchasing the lot, negotiations, or obtaining financing, a Realtor can save you time and $$$.
Tip 2: Ask Your Friends and Family
If your friends or family members have worked with a contractor who did a good job for them, you should put that contractor high on your list. The more recently the friend or family member hired a contract to work on their home the better. After all, if a contractor just did a great job a few months ago, he or she is likely to still be able to provide the same level of service.
Tip 3: Check References
Of course, you may not know anyone who has recently purchased real estate. If this is the case, you won’t have much of a starting point when choosing a contractor. Therefore, it is essential to check the references provided by the contractor. Ideally, you should check into references for finished jobs as well as for jobs in progress. This way, you can check out real estate in varying levels of completion in order to determine the quality of the work.
Before you buy the services of a contractor, you should also talk with some of the references. Ask the references important questions, such as:
- How well did the contractor stay on schedule?
- How happy were you with your real estate when the job was completed?
- Did you feel as if the contractor listened to you when you ran into a problem?
- Were your concerns easily resolved?
Talking with past clients is an excellent way to get an idea of the type of work the contractor does as well as his level of commitment to customer satisfaction.
Tip 4: Check the Contractor’s License
If you are going to buy the services of a contractor, you certainly want someone who is properly educated. Before you sign a contract and buy materials for the job, check with your state’s Contractor’s State License Board. By checking with the board, you can confirm whether the contractor is licensed and you can also find out the contractor’s areas of specialty.
When checking on licensing, ask the contractor for his or her pocket license as well as another form of identification. Then, check the license against the other form of identification in order to make sure the names match up. Because it is illegal for a contractor to use another contractor’s license, a reputable contractor will have matching identification.
Tip 5: Make Sure the Contractor is Insured
As the buyer, you shouldn’t be expected to buy insurance to cover the job. Rather, the contractor should have insurance in place. Check to make sure the contractor is insured against property damage, worker’s compensation and personal liability. Ask for a copy of the certificate of insurance to verify coverage, as this will protect you if something goes wrong while on the job.
Deciding to buy real estate in order to build your own home can be an exciting time in your life. Make sure you do your homework before selecting a contractor in order to prevent your dream from turning into a nightmare.
Thinking of building a new home?
Contact me Jeremy K. Frost 512-636-2746
~ REALTOR & New Construction Specialist
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Austin tops the Today’s Show list of the 4 HOTTEST places to live!
November 30th, 2007 Categories: Austin Area News, Austin Real Estate News
How to spot the next neighborhood
It’s a great day in this business when our city is considered America’s Up & Coming hottest place to live and invest! Dripping Springs is only 15 minutes from the Hottest Place to live!
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Dripping Springs Real Estate Market is STRONG in the Buyer’s Market!
November 30th, 2007 Categories: Dripping Springs Real Estate News
According to this chart, our Dripping Springs market is STRONG in the Buyer’s Market. With SEVERAL months of inventory available, buyers should find ample choice.
The higher priced homes are averaging 125 days on market where the lower priced homes are averaging around 70 days on market. The median average for days on market in Dripping Springs, Texas is 98 days.
Please call Sandra Steele and the rest of our Real Estate professionals at @512-426-5657, www.theRealEstateBlogster.com
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Median Inventory of Properties for Sale in Dripping Springs, Tx
November 28th, 2007 Categories: Dripping Springs Real Estate News
Since September, inventory has been relatively steady around these levels in recent weeks. As of today, there are 197 properties for sale in Dripping Springs. The average asking price has remained steady at $143 per sq. ft. While those statistics have remained steady, the median asking price is on the downward trend and the average days on market is pushing upward. Knowing this, we are in what is called a COLD! Buyers market.
A Buyers market means - IT’S TIME TO BUY REAL ESTATE! Brrrrrrr!
Please call Sandra Steele and the rest of our Real Estate professionals at @512-426-5657, www.theRealEstateBlogster.com
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Top 7 New Home Buying Mistakes
November 27th, 2007 Categories: Austin Area News, Austin Real Estate News, Dripping Springs Area News, Dripping Springs Real Estate News, Sawyer Ranch, Sunset Canyon
Buying a new home is great! You get to choose where your home will be built, add a sunroom here, third garage bay there and before you know it you are moving into your dream home. With all the options to choose from it is very easy to overlook crucial elements to your new home buying experience that could cost you greatly in both time and money.
1. Choosing upgrades with the lowest resale value or too many upgrades, period.
This is truly the most common mistake made by new home buyers who don’t consider the resale value of their home in the future. When buying a new home be sure to stick with the essential upgrades like two sinks in the master bathroom, high quality cabinetry and above all else, top quality padding under the carpeted areas.
2. Not examining your lot choice thoroughly enough.
A recent United Feature Syndicate by Lew Sichelman highlights some very important aspects to choosing a lot for your new home to be built on. Among them are: terrain, noting that people psychologically feel more secure looking down at the street rather than up, location and lot shape which can affect your surroundings including the possibility of facing the rear of a neighbor’s home.
3. Finding communities first, vitals second.
When you are buying a home you have to shop differently than you would if you were buying a car or shopping for clothes. To save yourself much heartache and frustration, be sure to hammer out your lifestyle requirements before even searching for a community to build a home in. For example, if you commute to New York City and have school age children you would want to find a school district that you approve of in an area with multiple mass transit options (train, bus, highway) and then locate new home communities within close proximity to both.
4. Overlooking the “inspection” clause in builder contracts.
A dirty little secret in the new home industry is the fact that some builders, national builders included, send out contracts with a clause stating that they don’t allow home inspections by an independent, third party home inspector until after you close on and own the home. They offer to do a walkthrough of the home with you before you close but chances are, unless you are a licensed home inspector with many years of experience, you won’t notice any red flags beyond the superficial.
5. Not using a buyer agent.
When looking for a new home, be sure to find a buyer agent who specializes in new homes. There are numerous important steps when buying a new home that a new home buyer agent will be prepared to work with such as price negotiation, lot choice, researching future development around the community and the pros and cons of building materials your builder will use in the construction of your new home. At present, the buyer agent’s services are paid for out of the builder’s marketing budget.
6. Using the builder endorsed financing company out of convenience.
Many large builders have their own in-house financing company and they often offer incentives on their products by tying in the use of the incentives to financing through their in-house lender. In some instances you will find that the builder’s in-house lender financing and incentives will cost you more money in the long run than if you had financed your purchase through an outside lender. Rule of thumb: Always check your financing options with the builder’s in-house lender, a mortgage broker and a loan officer for a direct lender before committing.
7. Believing everything you read in advertisements.
If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always verify everything you read in real estate advertisements including newspaper ads and the community’s standard features list. Aside from the obvious typographical errors that occur I have also seen blatant false advertising. For example, I have seen new home community literature advertising the community’s short “less than an hour” drive to New York City despite the fact that it would take at least 90 minutes on a good day from that community.
Buying a new home is a wonderful, dazzling experience that will cater to your every need. By using reasonable care and professional guidance you will enjoy many great years in your new home and reap substantial rewards from your diligent buying efforts when selling your home in the future
New construction is my specialty and our MOVE UP PROGRAM is a great way to take advantage of The Steele Action Team’s superior marketing and professionalism.
Jeremy K. Frost ~ REALTOR & Real Estate Blogster 512-636-2746
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CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, OH NO, WHAT DO I BUY AUNT MYRTLE?
November 25th, 2007 Categories: Dripping Springs Area News, Sunset Canyon
I have a great idea, how about some beautiful pottery from Sunset Canyon Pottery located in Dripping Springs, Texas.
Aunt Myrtle WILL LOVE it.
Sunset Canyon Pottery is located in the wonderful subdivision of Sunset Canyon in Dripping Springs, Texas just minutes from Austin and an hour away from San Antonio and the wonderful riverwalk. Stop on by on your way to visit the wonderful array of Christmas lights in the Texas Hill Country this season.
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NO BIKINIS, OH MY! NOT in Dripping Springs, Tx today, It’s basketball season!
November 24th, 2007 Categories: Dripping Springs Area News, Dripping Springs School News
It’s the beginning of basketball season and our Dripping Springs Middle School girls won their first game. HURRAH! We are very proud of our Lady Tigers!
Since I can’t wear my BIKINI today, I am stuck inside perusing the Internet and found a great video on how to dribble a ball that I want to share with you on this cold day in Dripping Springs.
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Lets talk turkey at Austin’s 8 best spots for Thanksgiving day dinner!
November 20th, 2007 Categories: Austin Area News, Austin Real Estate News
It’s turkey time in the capitol city of Austin, Texas. The question this year is not traditional or fried, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, or even pecan or pumpkin pie?
No this year this year the question is where to go, and with Jeremy’s list of favorite restaurants open for Thanksgiving you may find yourself putting down the mixer and picking up your car keys!!!
The Driskill Grill 604 Brazos St, Austin, TX
Lavish buffet brunch and a multi-course fixed-price dinner. Brunch is $58 for adults (including champagne) and $24 for kids. Dinner is $75 per person, with reservation times from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
Hudson’s On the Bend 3509 Ranch Rd 620 N, Austin, TX
Set in an old cottage and nestled in a bend of the Colorado River, this place makes for the perfect Thanksgiving feast.
Green Pastures 811 W Live Oak St, Austin, TX
Reservations for the Southern luncheon buffet from 11am to 2pm fill quickly. Adults pay $45 for a four-course meal.
Cafe at The Fours seasons Hotel in Austin 98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX
The scrumptuous holiday buffet (adults $68, children $20) runs from 11am to 8pm. Additional seating available in ballroom (11am-5pm). $58 adults, $20 children.
Kerby Lane Cafe 2700 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
Open on Thanksgiving with two special options. Order turkey with mashed potatoes, stuffing and green beans or a veggie meal with baked acorn squash as the main course. Each meal is $12.95
Threadgill’s 6416 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
Take the fam to this famed institution for turkey and dressing throughout the holiday season. Open 10:30am to 10pm on Thanksgiving.
Main Street Grill 118 E Main Ave, Round Rock, TX
Roll into Round Rock for traditional turkey, slow-cooked prime rib or other choices at lovely, upscale spot. Adults $23.95; children $7.95. Serving 11am to 5pm.
The Bakehouse5404 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX
For yummy turkey with all the trimmings, let these meat specialists prepare your meal from 10am-midnight Thanksgiving.
No slaving over a hot stove, no burnt turkey, and best of all no dishes!
Now that’s something to be THANKFUL for!
Jeremy K. Frost ~ REALTOR & Real Estate Blogster 512-636-2746
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Dripping Springs Texas…at your fingertips!
November 19th, 2007 Categories: Dripping Springs Area News, Dripping Springs Real Estate News
Dripping Springs, Texas is a place unlike any other. This gorgeous town is often referred to as “The gateway to the Hill Country” and one drive down Highway 290 will show you why.
Here is the Steele Action Team’s helpful links to Dripping Springs…
still can’t find what your looking for?
Call me directly and I will be glad to help…
Jeremy K. Frost ~ REALTOR & Real Esate Blogster 512-636-2746
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Fabulous Home in Gated Community in Dripping Springs, Tx
November 17th, 2007 Categories: Dripping Springs Real Estate News
Gorgeous Texas Style Custom Home on 2.58 Acres!
Please call Sandra Steele 512-829-2042 for a showing of this home in Dripping Springs, Tx.
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