Archive for December, 2007
Looking for a foreclosure / HUD home in Austin, Tx?
December 19th, 2007 Categories: Austin Area News, Austin Area State Parks, Austin Real Estate News, Dripping Springs Real Estate News
WHAT IS A HUD HOME?
In 1934, The United states government started a department called the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and later became part of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The FHA loan program has two objectives. The first is to allow individuals to purchase a home with a small down payment. The second objective is to protect the lender in case the buyer defaults on a mortgage.
FHA is an insurance policy given to the lender to protect them in case the buyer defaults on the mortgage, premium of this policy is paid by the buyer that is called Mortgage Premium Insurance (MPI).
HUD homes are properties with FHA loans that have gone through the foreclosure process. The bank which owned the FHA insured loan on that property completes the foreclosure process and will take over the property. The bank surrenders the property to the FHA and gets reimbursement for the loan. FHA then turns the property over to HUD and HUD acts as a liquidator for FDHA.
We are seeing new foreclosures hit the market weekly and great deals are to be had!
HOW DO I FIND A HUD HOME?
Finding the right HUD home can have you walking into instant equity. Call Jeremy K. Frost today! REALTOR & Real Estate Blogster 512-636-2746
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Time to winterize your lawn in Dripping Springs Texas
December 17th, 2007 Categories: Austin Area News, Dripping Springs Area News, Dripping Springs Real Estate News, Sawyer Ranch, Sunset Canyon
I am sure by now you have cranked up the heat, stoked the fireplace or turned on the furnace. Of course you want your home to be ready for the winter season. Which brings we to the question…is your lawn ready for the winter?
Here are a few helpful hints that will keep your lawn looking great this winter season.
- December is a prime time for lawn fertilizing; if you have problems with moss, choose a fertilizer that includes moss control.
- Help grass keep its health over the winter: Don’t walk on it if it’s frozen.
- Precipitation will take care of the moisture needs of most plants, but do check those that might be missing out on moisture because they’re located under eaves or evergreens; they may die if they get too parched.
- To keep carrots, parsley, leeks, potatoes and parsnips into the winter, give them a layer of nice straw mulch now.
- In ultra-cold weather, tender plants and early-flowering plants such as camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons and daphne will need some extra help. Put a few stakes around their perimeter, then drape a cloth covering such as burlap or flannel over each plant without touching its leaves. Remove as soon as weather lightens up.
- If you applied dormant spray in November, give plants and deciduous trees a second application this month; then when you first notice new buds popping out — typically in late January or early February — apply the third and last winter coat
- Tune up your lawn mower: Run the engine dry, drain and replace the oil, and replace the air filter; if blades need sharpening or other repairs are needed, take your mower to the shop during this slow season.
- Disconnect nozzles from hoses, and hoses from their spigots, then stretch them out to drain all water before storing them, preferably under cover, for the winter.
- Put pipe wrap or other protection around your outdoor spigots to prevent freezing.
- Straighten up your utility area or garden shed for a fresh start in the spring; store pesticides and other hazardous materials in a locked cupboard out of reach of children.
Your home is your biggest investment and your lawn & landscaping make up a big portion of that investment so take care of it!
Jeremy K. Frost REALTOR & Real Estate Blogster 512-636-2746
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Holiday Events in Austin Texas
December 10th, 2007 Categories: Austin Area News
Okay your are done picking that perfect tree and untangling that medicine ball sized Christmas light bundle. Now you have a little extra time to warm up the hot chocolate, slip on the winter apparel, and check out some of Austin’s Holiday Events.
Whole Foods Market (Now - January 1st) 525 N Lamar Blvd, Austin Tx. Enjoy the city’s only outdoor ice rink from 10am ro 10pm throughout December atop the Austin-born organic grocery store.
Trail of Lights Zilker Park (Now - December 23rd) Originally known as Yule Fest, this annual event began in 1965 as a holiday gift from the park to the City of Austin. The festival includes a spectacular mile-long display of 38 lighted scenes, the age-old yule log and an entertainment stage.
Austin Syphony’s Christmas Sing-Along (December 11th) Riverbend Centre - 4114 N Capital of Texas Hwy. The Austin Symphony presents its annual, free Christmas Sing-Along concert along with the Chorus Austin and a guest quartet. Santa Claus will show up to do a little guest conducting himself. All the Christmas favorites are included. “Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “Joy to the World” and many more.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (December 14th - 24th 11am - 11pm) Featuring 24 musical performances on the Capital Metro Music Stage, a full bar, good food, local and regional fine artists & craftspeople. You may just find the perfect gift that will have you dancing in the aisles.
Jingle Bell 5K (December 16th) ~ kids ‘ K starts at 8:40am. 5K starts at 9am) Join In for the 22nd annual Jingle bell 5K. This certified run/walk provides a fun and unique holiday experience. Come enjoy live music, refreshments, photos with Santa, a costume contest, and so much more!
See you out and about this holiday season Austin…I will save you some eggnog!
Jeremy K. Frost REALTOR & Real Estate Blogster 512-636-2746
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IS IT REALLY WINTER? Check out the beautiful weather in Dripping Springs, Tx!
December 5th, 2007 Categories: Dripping Springs Real Estate News
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Thinking of selling your home…leave it to the professionals!
December 3rd, 2007 Categories: Austin Real Estate News, Dripping Springs Real Estate News, Sawyer Ranch, Sunset Canyon
When you make the decision to sell your home, you are under no obligation to hire a Realtor to help you with the sale. Nonetheless, most people prefer to hire a Realtor in order to better protect themselves. And, it also puts them in a better position to successfully sell the home in a short amount of time.
When you hire a Realtor, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge that can help keep you out of trouble and will help provide for a smooth transaction. Here are just a few things your Realtor knows that you probably do not.
The Federal Fair Housing Act
According to the Federal Fair Housing Act, you cannot discriminate against someone when selling a home. The act defines seven different classes of people who are protected against discrimination. These include:
- race
- color
- national origin
- sex
- religion
- handicap
- familial status
If you do not enlist in the help of a Realtor, you put yourself at risk of violating this act if you refuse to sell your home to an interested buyer who may be in a protected class. In addition, you might even accidentally violate these laws without realizing it. For example, there are certain words that cannot be included in your advertisements for your home because they are in violation of the Fair Housing Laws. Some of these words include:
- bachelor apartment
- children welcome
- couples
- gentleman’s farm
- golden agers
- handicapped
- integrated
- married
- mature
- mother-in-law quarters
- professional
- seniors
- singles only
- sports-minded
As you can see, some of these terms seem perfectly innocent. Therefore, it is a good idea to get the help of a Realtor so you can tap into his or her knowledge and experience in order to stay out of trouble.
State Real Estate Laws
Although there are similarities in real estate laws from one state to the next, each state has its own set of rules that must be followed. If you do not understand these laws, or are unaware of these laws, you can inadvertently break the law when selling your home. In addition, by not being fully aware of your seller’s rights, you might actually lose out on money during the transaction.
Taking Advantage of Connections
Aside from legal matters, a Realtor simply has a vast number of connections making it possible to sell a home more quickly and for a higher asking price. Similarly, because people come to Realtors when searching for homes, you are able to tap into a much larger market of interested buyers when you get the help of a Realtor.
Because a Realtor has experience with selling homes, he or she can also provide you with tips to help increase the market value of your home and to make the process go by more quickly. For example, small things such as painting a room a different color can go a long way when it comes to increasing the appeal of the home. By taking advantage of the Realtor’s expertise, you just might have a much more profitable selling experience.
Looking to sell your home?
Call me Jeremy K. Frost for a No Obligation Market Analysis and Market Snapshot.
512-636-2746
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