Cool Austin Texas Real Estate Blog

One of our agents just listed a home on just over an acre of land in the Round Rock area.  This is minutes to Dell, Prime Outlets Shopping, toll roads and more.  This is a phenomenal price and it will likely not last very long.

Features: 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHS, 2 DINING AREAS, 1650 s.f. PER THE LOCAL TAX RECORDS.  IT WAS BUILT IN 1978 AND THE LOT HAS HUGE SHADE TREES. 

STONE HEARTH*RECENT:INT+EXT PAINT/ROOF/DOUBLE DOORS OPEN TO MASTER RETREAT*APPROXIMATELY 11'X22' COVERED PATIO w/DECKS/BUILT-IN SEATING/ARBOR AREA*WORKSHOP W/POWER/GARAGE DOOR/WINDOWS/WORK BENCHES!

For more information or to schedule an appointment to view this property, please call Jason Crouch at 512-796-7653 or email jason@austintexashomes.com.  If you would like to search all properties in the Austin MLS, please visit our Austin Texas Real Estate site at www.austintexashomes.com.

When I am on a listing appointment with someone that I haven't met before, I try to glean as much information as possible about the sellers while they are showing me around the property.  I like to hone my skills of observation each time.  Here are a couple of tips that have worked well for me over the years.

What types of books are on their bookshelves (assuming they have them)?  Maybe they are huge Stephen King fans or maybe they are do-it-yourself fanatics.  Perhaps all of their books are sci-fi novels, or maybe they have 20 Bibles.  Whatever the case, you can tell a LOT about people by what they choose to read, or at least to display. 

You can probably figure out how they voted in the last election, what their strongly held beliefs are, and whether they are big readers.  I actually like to look at bookcases when I am looking through a home during a listing appointment.  Later, when we are discussing the market analysis, I can mention casually that "I noticed you have that book by ______ about _______".  If I have read it, we have an instant connection.  If I haven't, but I am interested, I will ask for a brief review from them.  You can use the same technique with movies or with CD's in their collection.

What is on their fridge?  Is it photos of their kids?  Photos of them?  Menus from favorite restaurants?  Vendors that they have used?  Whatever the case, you can learn about their values by looking here.  Obviously, I am not advocating that you alter your priorities to suit the situation like a chameleon, but it's perfectly fine to look for things you might have in common with them.

What is on the walls?  Often, you will see something that you can latch onto and talk about (interesting artwork, sports memorabilia, their wedding picture, etc.).  Pay attention and you will reap the benefit.  Maybe you share a love of the same sports team or artist. 

If you want to score a few extra points, take note of some small repair or cosmetic item in need of work, then bring it up casually during your discussion with them.  It's not to put them on the defensive, but rather to show that you know this business and you understand what it takes to get it sold.  Don't ever be afraid to be upfront and honest about de-cluttering or cleaning the home.  Top agents understand this - that's why they are top agents! 

I personally love getting homes professionally staged.  If you can find one in the sellers' budget (or in yours, depending on how you decide to handle it), I would highly encourage this.  I have several recent stories that I can share regarding the success of staging and how it directly affected the sale.  If the home is already in pristine condition, just get it listed and sold!

Do you have any tips that you would like to share?

Copyright 2007   Austin Texas Real Estate

What makes a great Realtor?  Is it a hard-core pushy salesperson?  Probably not.

I have been in real estate now for about eleven years, and I have seen literally dozens of agents enter the business, both at my previous company and now within the company that I own and operate.  I am always intrigued by which agents "make it" and which ones simply don't.  I have trained 30+ agents so far.

When I am interviewing a potential agent, there are a few things that go through my mind, but the first (and perhaps the most obvious) thing I ask myself is: "Do I like this person?"  I don't mean "can we be best friends?", but is this person inherently likeable?  If not, why continue any further?  I haven't had to fire many agents (only two in three years), but one of them really grated on my nerves. 

Next, do I perceive this person to be trustworthy and honest?  I am not talking about whether they would steal my wallet (although if I felt that way I suppose the interview would end pretty quickly), but whether or not I would believe them if they were assisting me with a home purchase or sale.  Having integrity is something that seems to be in shorter supply these days, so an honest agent will be able to reap the benefits of a happy client base over the long haul. 

Are they friendly and laid-back?  Do they seem to have a good (or at least a serviceable) sense of humor?  I can't count the number of times in my career that I was able to defuse a potentially volatile situation with a dose of humor.  I hesitate to admit this, but I even have two or three jokes that I use at every closing, if the setup is appropriate.

Another important characteristic is confidence, which can help someone overcome an awful lot, although without the first two items, you are pretty much dead in the water, at least in my opinion.  If you are not comfortable in your own skin, chances are that you will not succeed in real estate. 

Does this agent have the ability and desire to work hard?  I don't mean grueling long hours - I am talking about the basics of real estate for as far back as any of us can remember: developing relationships, making phone calls, "closing" someone on a transaction, etc.

One thing that I have begun to look for as a broker is someone with a good built-in sphere of influence.  Perhaps they know everyone at church or they coach a team for their kids.  Maybe they have lived in the area a long time and they were in sales in a different field.  Or, maybe they are an experienced agent and they just need to inform their clients about their move to a new company.  I have come to value the ability to network over many other "sales" skills now.

Another skill (which is not really easy to test during an interview) that seems to help is having a relatively thick skin.  Real estate probably is not the right business for someone who is overly sensitive to rejection.  I don't know that I have a thick skin by nature as I am pretty sensitive myself, but time and trials have forced me to learn not to take things too personally.

Lastly, does this candidate seem at least reasonably intelligent?  I am sure that we have all had experiences with "that moron" handling the other side of the deal.   I don't want that person working for me!  There are enough potential liabilities lurking out there without taking a risk on hiring someone who is clearly dull. 

These are a few of the things I look for when I am hiring.  I would love to hear more input, as this is not meant to be an exhaustive list.  Sound off!   What other qualities does it take to make it in this unique business?

Copyright 2007   Austin Texas Real Estate

We have a new listing in Round Rock in the Settlers Park area.  It is priced at $259,999, and it features 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths with 2591 s.f. per the tax records, all on one level.  It was constructed in 2005.  It is four sides stone with a 3-car garage and a huge covered patio in the back.  Interior features include 42" maple cabinets, rounded corners, niches, Corian countertops, stainless steel appliances,  upgraded light fixtures, crown molding, and more. 

It is a terrific functional floorplan with a study/flex room between two of the secondary bedrooms and a very large master suite and bathroom.  The back yard is a nice size, as it sits on an 80' x 130' lot.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to view this home in person, please call Jason Crouch at 512-796-7653 or email jason@austintexashomes.com.  You can also visit our Austin Texas Real Estate website at www.austintexashomes.com to search all available listings in the Austin area.

Copyright 2007   Round Rock Real Estate

As a resident of Blackhawk in Pflugerville (just outside Austin to the north), I wanted to tout some of the advantages of living in this subdivision.  I have sold 15 homes here since I moved in almost five years ago, and it seems to be in much heavier demand these days, and prices are on the rise.  Blackhawk is a golf course community with lots of amenities, including tennis, several community pools, clubhouse, basketball court, walking trails, sand volleyball court, playgrounds, and more.

Here are some photos of the most recent amenity center, which opened last year:

Prices are on the way up with the advent of two new toll roads that connect within a mile of the neighborhood (SH-130 and 45).  This has dramatically improved commute times from Blackhawk to all parts of Austin.  The approximate time to downtown is now about 20-25 minutes during non-rush hours times.

Currently, there is a huge shopping center underway about a half mile from the entrance to the Fairways of Blackhawk.  Stone Hill Town Center will include a new theater, Home Depot, JC Penney, Best Buy, and much more.  All in all, there will be over one million square feet of shopping and entertainment.

Current prices range from $160's to the $360's.  This is a great time to purchase in the Blackhawk area, which includes the Fairways of Blackhawk, Meadows of Blackhawk, Park at Blackhawk, and Lakeside at Blackhawk.

If you would like to learn more about this area, please give Jason Crouch a call at 512-796-7653 (cell) or email jason@austintexashomes.com.  You can also visit our Austin Real Estate website at www.austintexashomes.com to search the Austin area MLS, which has 1000's of homes for sale.

Copyright 2007    Austin Texas Real Estate

I had posted this topic on another blog awhile back, and I had it on my mind today while we were out shopping. 

Once, about a year ago, I was riding with my son in the car, and he suddenly said, "Dad - I am carsick." 

Uh oh.  Obviously, I hit the brakes and began to slow in anticipation of stopping the car.  I said, "Do you feel sick to your stomach?"

He said, "No, I meant I'm homesick."  He meant that he was sick of being in the car. 

I thought it was interested how different the definitions are for these two words.  "Homesick" means you really want to go home, but "carsick" means you might soon throw up. 

Speaking of which....

Not too long ago, we were travelling back to Austin after visiting my mom in Dallas.  We stopped at one of those combination Subway-Burger King-Shell station places to use the restroom and get a snack.  As I was getting my kids out of the van, my son was climbing out.  He looked behind me and said:

"Uh oh.  It looks like somebody lost their lunch."  I was worried that I might have stepped in something, so I turned to look, and just behind me and to my left, there was a brown paper lunch bag with a soda can sitting next to it.  He LITERALLY meant that someone may have set their lunch there on the parking lot and forgot it.  Obviously, I had something different in mind altogether. 

It's funny how literal kids' minds are sometimes, and how we as adults have so many unusual phrases and sayings that we use without a second thought. 

Copyright 2007   Austin Texas Real Estate

One of my agents just listed a home in central Austin in the Hyde Park area.  It is located on a corner lot just across the street from the Hancock Golf Course, about one mile from Seton Hospital and the medical district, and minutes from downtown Austin.  The asking price is $665,000, and it features three bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 2300 s.f. per owner, with a separate self-contained apartment which could be rented out.  There is a screened-in sunroom in the front of the home which overlooks the golf course.  Wood floors, spacious kitchen.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment to view this home, please contact Jason Crouch at 512-796-7653 (cell) or email jason@austintexashomes.com.  Visit our Austin Real Estate website at http://www.austintexashomes.com/ to see all of our listings and to search 1000's of homes for sale in the area.

Copyright 2007  Austin Texas Real Estate

This home is currently listed at $825,000, and it has never been lived in.  It features approximately 4300 s.f. on a 1+ acre lot in west Austin.  It is located in arguably the best school district in town, which is Eanes ISD (Westlake area).  The home has 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a gameroom PLUS bonus playroom upstairs, large master suite downstairs, granite counters, cherry cabinets, stainless appliances, Jacuzzi-type tub, dual staircases, formal living and dining, tons of storage, and more! 

Bella Lago is a community situated on Lake Austin, and there is a private homeowners' waterfront park with gated access.  Additionally, there is a community pool which is walking distance from this home.  This subdivision also offers a short commute to downtown Austin (about 20 minutes without traffic).

f you have any questions, or if you would like to set up a showing, please contact Jason Crouch at 512-796-7653 (cell) or by email at jason@austintexashomes.com.

Floorplan    Area Info    Virtual Tour

Priced at just $235,000, this 2004 custom home is 1963 s.f. per the tax records.  It features 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, wood floors, large kitchen, stained glass, clawfoot tub, and more.  The exterior includes a riding arena, split pastures, barn, private backyard, and terrific views all within a gated community!  Please call Jason Crouch at 512-796-7653 or email jason@austintexashomes.com for more information or to request a showing.

I have come to realize that giving of my time, money and effort in order to help others is the most rewarding and most important thing that we can do in our lives.  I have been assisting a lady in a government housing project that I met through a church outreach program back in November.  She is a single mom with four kids ranging from 7 to 14 years old, and when we originally met, she had no job, no phone, and no car.  We were going around asking people to fill out a wish list for themselves and their kids for Christmas gifts.  For her daughter, she put "Bed" on the form, and for herself, "Job".  I quickly realized that this was true need staring me in the face, so I went back to speak with her some more. 

She was on the verge of being evicted (keep in mind that there aren't too many places to go if you get evicted from the projects).  I didn't really have a lot of extra money to spare during the holiday season, but we paid to catch up her rent through the end of last year.  I am not bragging or prideful about this - I really just think it is the type of thing that we are all called to do by the Lord.  The cool part of the story is that she had NO idea where this money would come from, and her daughter (who was involved in our kid's program) told her that they should pray about it.  The next day, my wife and I showed up on her doorstep ready and willing to help.  It was really cool to realize how God used us to answer this woman's prayers, and it started to strengthen her faith as well.

Believe it or not, she was being charged $100/month by the City of Austin for an ACCIDENTAL fire that had occurred in her previous unit, causing about $8,000 in damage.  Her rent was only $119/month, so they were in essence doubling her rent.  I couldn't believe that they wouldn't have an insurance policy for this.  We got her in touch with Legal Aid, and they were able to get this wiped off for her.  In fact, the management office had made so many bookkeeping errors, that her current rent is $11/month.  Talk about an answered prayer!

One of the biggest needs she had was transportation in order to get a new social security card, birth certificate, and driver's license (all of which were lost in the fire), so I spent several days helping with this as well.  We also helped her to get a bus pass for six months.  Even though she has quite a few family members in the area, they are not much better off than she is - her mom has helped on a couple of occasions, especially with child care.

She has had a series of jobs over the past year, but nothing terrific as of yet.  She just started another new job this week, and I am hopeful that it will pan out for her.  I helped her to get a job interview a few months ago, but the manager seemed to be racist and wouldn't give her a chance, even though he was actively hiring a lot of people and we had a recommendation from one of the regional managers who is a friend of our family.

She has become my friend, and we sincerely want to help her succeed and make it out of the projects at some point.  God has richly blessed me and my family and whenever I spend time with this lady, I realize that I have NO reason to complain about anything.  We speak at least once a week on average, and I really feel invested in her life now, as does my wife.

I guess the moral of this story is to count your blessings and keep in mind that God calls us to "Love your neighbor as yourself."  This is a high mandate, but it is a rewarding one as well, when you can actively impact someone for the better.  God bless you if you read this entire thing - I just wanted to share it.