Archive for the 'Austin Real Estate News' Category
How Do I Better My Chances To Win A Texas Property Tax Protest?
July 29th, 2010 Categories: Austin Real Estate News
The first step to protesting property taxes is to file a written protest before the deadline (generally May 31 or 30 days after the appraisal district mailed a notice of appraised value).
Once the written protest is filed, the property owner will have the opportunity to go before the Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is a group of citizens appointed by the appraisal district;s board of directors who are authorized to resolve disputes between taxpayers and the appraisal district. the ARB listens to evidence from both the property owner/taxpayer and the county then ultimately determines whether the appraisal district has acted properly.
Be organized, stick to relevant facts, and keep your presentation simple and straightforward during the ARB hearing. The ARB is required to base it’s decisions on evidence. Evidence the ARB may consider persuasive includes the following:
*Defects not mentioned in the district’s survey (cracked foundation, inadequate plumbing, etc…) - take photos and or get supporting statements from builders, contractors, appraisers, or even Realtors (like yours truly)
*Incorrect measurements (lot size, square footage, etc…) - locate deed recorded surveys, or blue prints and take photos to prove inaccuracy.
*Comparison properties - is there a big difference between the appraised value of your home and the others like it in your area? If yes, legitimate comparison sales may demonstrate that your property was not treated equally. (Once again contacting a local Realtor like Jeremy K. Frost could help in this process)
*Hire professionals - a property owner may consider hiring an independent appraiser or even an attorney if the amount in question is significant.
The ARB will provide at least 15 days notice of the hearing date. (most hearings are done May - August). The taxpayer will also receive a copy of ARB procedures and “Texas Property Taxes : Taxpayers rights and Responsibilities” which will explain the hearing process in more detail. Check out the detailed information published by the Texas Comptroller’s Office to learn more about protesting property taxes.
As your local real estate expert I am always happy to help friends and neighbors within the community. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns.
Thanks!
Jeremy K. Frost ~ REALTOR
512.636.2746
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Free Austin Home Search
July 7th, 2010 Categories: Austin Real Estate News
Looking for property in or around Austin?
Have properties that match your needs perfectly e-mailed directly to you.
Complete property profiles with pictures, virtual tours, mapping system, and so much more.
Visit www.FreeAutomatedHomeSearch.com now!!!
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Life In Belterra…
June 30th, 2010 Categories: Austin Real Estate News
Belterra “Life Wide Open” allows community members to connect with nature and the 1600 acres of serene, surrounding hill country. Belterra is a master planned community offering hundreds of beautiful greenbelt acreage, a pristine pool, a recreation center, pedestrian underpasses, plenty of parks, playgrounds and hike/bike trails.
This community is located in the exemplary Dripping Springs Independent School District but still has an Austin address. Now one can live a hill country lifestyle with all of the luxuries of the city with a spectacular home built in this community!
Learn more about one of Austin’s finest communities at www.LifeInBelterra.com or contact:
Jeremy K. Frost today for current construction prices, floor plans and other available homes at (512) 636-2746.
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Free Central Texas Home Values!
June 22nd, 2010 Categories: Austin Real Estate News
For most people their home is their single greatest investment.
Do you know your homes current value? Get a FREE CMA today!
A Comparative Market Analysis is a free service that I provide to homeowners in order to give them a good idea of the estimated value on their home.
A CMA is a detailed report that compares properties of the same attributes and parameters. To give you a more accurate analysis, viewing the home is imperative but this quick CMA should give you a good idea of what is going on in the current real estate market.
Check out www.AnalysisOnTheHouse.com
Or feel free to contact me, Jeremy K. Frost directly at (512) 636-2746 with any questions, comments or concerns.
I look forward to assisting you with all of your real estate needs!
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Search the Austin MLS For FREE!!!
June 17th, 2010 Categories: Austin Real Estate News
This is hands down the easiest way to look for Austin area homes on the Internet!
Step 1. Go to www.FreeAutomatedHomeSearch.com
Step 2. Simply fill out the the form with your search criteria
Step 3. Sit back and wait for great properties to be e mailed directly to you!
Every listing in the Austin area Multiple Listing System.
Full property descriptions, pictures, virtual tours, and so much more!
What are you waiting for? It’s just that easy…and it’s FREE!!!
WWW.FREEAUTOMATEDHOMESEARCH.COM
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Free Austin Home Search
June 14th, 2010 Categories: Austin Real Estate News
Looking for property in or around Austin?
Have properties that match your needs perfectly e-mailed directly to you for FREE!!!
This system contains every property currently on the market. (Austin Board of Realtors)
Complete property profiles with pictures, virtual tours, mapping system, and so much more.
Visit www.FreeAutomatedHomeSearch.com now!!!
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28 Ways to Stage Your Home
June 11th, 2010 Categories: Austin Real Estate News
28 Ways to Stage Your Home
By Stephanie Andre
Homeowners looking to sell need to make sure their homes are as prepared as possible. Home staging is key toward that preparation.
Below are 28 key ways to stage a home:
1. Less is more - remove enough so that there is some empty space in closets, on shelves, and in cabinets.
2. Remove or hide all small kitchen appliances.
3. Remove all refrigerator art, family pictures, school schedules, magnets, calendars, etc.
4. Pack up all personal photos.
5. Remove personal necessity items from bathroom and enclosed showers… shampoo, toothpaste, hairbrushes, dirty towels, etc.
6. Remove and store seasonal clothes from closets.
7. Rent a storage space. Remove all visible storage boxes from closets and garage.
8. Remove unneeded furniture to make rooms look larger.
9. Remove dated or worn furnishings and accessories. Display only updated new looking items.
10. Remember the rule, “One will do”. When accessorizing surfaces, remember that for staging purposes one item is better than two or more. One vase or clock on a fireplace mantle shows off your home better that two or three items.
11. Use mirrors generously. A mirror at the end of a long hallway makes the home look larger and relieves any cramped feeling. A mirror opposite the bathroom vanity pushes walls back and makes small bathrooms larger.
12. Paint the interior of the house and the front door.
13. Repair, paint, or wash all exterior walls, doors, and trim.
14. Power-wash exterior concrete and other hardscape to unify surface color. It will make these areas look bigger.
15. Replace worn, stained carpeting and cracked floor tiles. Be sure that any remaining carpet, drapery or upholstery holds absolutely no odors.
16. Wash the windows, inside and out. Remove unnecessary screening.
17. Arrange a minimum number of towels in bathroom racks and put out fresh soap.
18. Inside, use fresh flowers in vases. Decorate outside with planters and potted plants.
19. Remove some furniture to open up the rooms. A good rule of thumb, consider eliminating half of all furniture and accessories.
20. Decorate the patio or deck with flowerpots and enough furniture to show that it is usable living space.
21. Furnish covered porches with small outdoor tables and chairs to turn them into obvious living spaces.
22. Landscape. Keep perspective in mind. From the house, looking out, plants and vertical elements should diminish in size as they retreat from the house. This elongates sightlines and visually moves property boundaries further from the house.
23. Air the home by opening windows and doors.
24. No drips! Repair all plumbing, faucets, running toilets.
25. Clean or repair/replace worn caulking around tubs, sinks, counter tops.
26. Deep-clean entire house, oven, fireplace, garage, etc.
27. Enhance fireplace firebox with candles or decorative logs.
28. Replace or supplement existing furniture and accessories with rentals From Brook Furniture Rental to achieve a desired appearance.
This blog was brought to you by:
Jeremy K. Frost ~ REALTOR
“For ALL your real estate needs”
512-636-2746
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Amazing Move Up Program!!!
May 14th, 2010 Categories: Austin Real Estate News
IS YOUR HOUSE TO SMALL??? CALL MR MOVE UP TODAY!!!
The Move-up Program is a guaranteed savings in real estate commissions when you list your current residence and purchase a new home with Jeremy K. Frost representing you as your REALTOR.
Jeremy’s Move-up Program is designed to ensure a smoother transaction with less cost to you, on both the buying and selling sides of the transactions. In actuality, a rebate is performed at the time of the closing/funding on both your old and new homes. This offer could be received in the form of non-taxable closing costs or any other method acceptable and within the guidelines of the Texas Real Estate Commission. When buying and selling a home, it can be one of the most trying experiences. With Jeremy K. Frost’s Move-up Program, this will ease some of the hassle plus you will still receive the same professional experience and superior marketing. It’s worth the call!
How Does It Work? It’s Simple…
Step 1: Call Jeremy K. Frost at (512) 636-2746 to discuss how you can save with his Move-up Program.
Step 2: Meet with Jeremy to go over the program’s fantastic elements.
Step 3: List your current home with Jeremy K. Frost of the Keller Williams Realty “Steele Action” Team.
Step 4: Allow Jeremy to assist you in locating your next new home.
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TOP 10 TAX CREDITS!!!
April 25th, 2010 Categories: Austin Real Estate News, Dripping Springs Area News
Although the Home Buyers Tax Credits expire on April 30, 2010, there are still other tax credits out there…
1. Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit - The rehabilitation credit applies to costs you incur for rehabilitation and reconstruction of certain buildings. Rehabilitation includes renovation, restoration, and reconstruction. It does not include enlargement or new construction.
2. First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit – This expires April 30, 2010. Up to $8,000 (10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000). As long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010, to close.
3. Move-up Home Buyer Tax Credit – This expires April 30, 2010. Up to $6,500 (10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $6,500) As long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010, to close.
4. Energy Star Tax Credit* - Must be an existing home & your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify. 30% of cost up to $1,500. Expires: December 31, 2010. Includes Biomass Stoves, Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC), Insulation & Weather stripping (Spray foam in a can designed to air seal, Caulk designed to air seal, House wrap), Roofs (Metal & Asphalt), Water Heaters (non-solar), Windows & Doors.
5. Energy Star Tax Credit* - Existing homes & new construction qualify. Both principal residences and second homes qualify. Rentals do not qualify. 30% of cost with no upper limit. Expires: December 31, 2016. Includes Geothermal Heat Pumps, Small Wind Turbines (Residential), Solar Energy Systems.
6. Energy Star Tax Credit* - Existing homes & new construction qualify. Must be your principal residence. Rentals and second homes do not qualify. 30% of the cost, up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity. Expires: December 31, 2016. Fuel Cells (Residential Fuel Cell and Microturbine System).
7. Low Income Housing Tax Credit - Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) reduces the tax liability of property owners and investors who agree to provide low-income housing for up to 40 years.
8. Real Estate Tax Credit for Persons Age 65 and Older - If you are age 65 or older on the last day of the tax year, you are allowed a higher standard deduction for that year.
9. Property Tax Deduction for Non-Itemizers - A new law passed in 2008 lets you increase your standard deduction by the amount of real property tax you could have claimed if you did itemize — up to $500 ($1,000 on a joint return).
10. State-specific Tax Credits – State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
* Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index
This blog was brought to you by Jeremy K. Frost ~ REALTOR
“For ALL your Real Estate Needs”
Jeremy@FrostFinds.com 512-636-2746
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Belterra Open House This Weekend!
March 22nd, 2010 Categories: Austin Real Estate News
OPEN SUNDAY MARCH 28th from 1pm - 4pm NOW LISTED at $349,900!!!
NEW CARPET - FRESH PAINT - BE$T DEAL IN TOWN!!!!
Extraordinary 1-Story Desirable Newmark Plan*Perfect for Entertaining or Family Living*Walking Distance to Excellent School*Finished 2 Car Garage w/Raised Flex Space*Large Living w/Fireplace, Double Crown Molding & Built-ins*Fabulous Island Kitchen w/Granite Opens to Both Living & Game Rooms*Spacious Mstr Suite*Study/5th Bdrm*Temprature Control Wine Closet*Extended Laundry w/Sinks, Counters & Cabs*Tons of Storage*Big Back Patio Plumbed for Outdoor Kit/Grill Plus Pre-wired for Hot Tub*Fantastic Community w/Amenities
- Neighborhood: Belterra Ph 01 Sec 08
- Type: Single Family Residential for Sale
- Floors: Single Story
- Parking/Garage: 2
- Bedrooms: 5
- Baths: 3
- Half Baths: 1
- Square Feet: 3474
- Year Built: 2004
- School District: DSISD
- Construction: Mason, Frame, Brick Veneer, Composite Shingle
- Utilities: Cooling: Central
For more photos and a virtual tour visit : http://palphotoart.com/321abbey/
Community website: www.Belterra.com
For more information or a personal tour please contact:
Jeremy K. Frost ~ REALTOR
Jeremy@FrostFinds.com (512)636-2746
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