Austin Texas Real Estate Blog

God took home a giant among men early this morning. 

My friend, David Wilder, whom I have written about extensively here on my blog, passed away around 4:15 am.  I just found out this evening. 

Although I have been aware of his prognosis for a few weeks, it still hit me pretty hard.  As is always the case when someone leaves us, I keep running through a series of memories that seem to have left a more lasting impact.

I remember riding in the car with David when I was about 25 years old, and he suddenly turned to me and asked, "What was the most important day of your life?".  I knew what he was angling for, since I had accepted Jesus as my savior in 1991.  I said something like, "I could say my wedding day, but I think I know what you're saying."  This, of course, was before I had kids, so that didn't even enter the picture at the time.

Basically, most of my strongest memories are of David being the life of the party, or of him openly sharing his faith with others.

He taught my son a series of funny handshakes that we still use, along with teaching all of us "The Birthday Song" a few years ago.  Brandon actually requested this song at his birthday in December.  David mentioned that the key is to get a group clapping in unison...."This....is....your...birthday song.  It isn't very long."  That's it.

I remember the time that I was supposed to meet David at the Asian buffet restaurant that he seemed to love.  I showed up a little early (not common for me) and I was waiting outside for him to arrive, when I saw a guy that I hadn't seen in years waiting beside me.  "Hey, Alan!  How's it going?"  "Good, how are you?  I am meeting David Wilder here for lunch."  David had accidentally double-booked his lunch!  Of course, with his ever-present good-natured charm, he played it off while laughing, "Yeah, I thought you guys might want to see each other again." 

He was the greatest encourager that I have had the pleasure of knowing.  When I first met him at church, I was working as a restaurant manager in 1995.  Last year, he said, "Look at you and how far you have come.  You were working at Souper Salad when we met.  Now, you are a successful broker and you own your own company."  As I have indicated, this type of talk was not uncommon for him.  I can only hope to have a fraction of his ability in this arena.

You always knew when David was in the room, primarily because he was pretty boisterous and his voice resonated really well.  I attended a 50th birthday party about four years ago that he organized for our previous pastor, and David had written a long and funny poem which he read aloud that night.  He didn't have a microphone, but nobody missed a word.  When he lost his ability to speak a few months ago, it struck me as especially cruel. 

David was born and raised in the Boston area and he was the oldest of seven kids.  He lived in Texas for over 20 years, but he never fully lost his northern accent or the accompanying demeanor (sometimes).  He was not afraid to challenge others in a friendly way, and he never lost an opportunity to share Jesus with anyone he met.  I have honestly never met anyone like him, and I probably never will again.

I had the opportunity to see him again twice recently, after I wrote my last post about him a couple of weeks ago.  The first time, I spent about four hours at his house, talking to him and to Jan.  More than once, he just seemed to want to hold my hand.  I prayed a number of times, and I got the chance (thankfully) to tell him that he was my hero.  When he finished his first round of cancer treatments last year, we got into the habit of saying "I love you" to each other when we were parting ways.  Before his surgery in November, those were the last words that I ever heard him utter, which seems particularly fitting.

This man was like my big brother (I am an only child), mentor, teacher, encourager, and a very, very dear friend.  In many ways, it is harder to lose him than it was to lose my own father almost three years ago.  With my father, I mourned for a relationship that I didn't have.  With David, I am mourning the loss of something very tangible - a loving and loyal friendship.

If I had any doubt in my mind about David's eternal destination, it would be harder, but I truly know that he is celebrating now.  It doesn't make it easy for those of us left behind, but it is comforting and I have never been more sure about anything.  The hospice nurse told Jan that she had never seen anyone this young (49 years old) go so peacefully. 

For those of us who knew and loved him, this is no surprise.  I am reminded of a quote that I read in a book years ago, and I can easily apply it here: Death for David was just like passing through a door into another room.  We had lunch last year, and he told me that he was not afraid to die, but he was afraid to hurt.  After many months of hurting, I am happy that he is out of pain forever.

They are planning a "life celebration" next Saturday rather than a traditional funeral.  I know he would like that.  I haven't seen or heard from Jan yet, but we will try to see her tomorrow if possible. 

If you are interested in reading the entire journey that I have documented, here are my previous posts about David, some of which include info about my mother-in-law, who is actually doing quite a bit better, in case you are curious.  I will write about her again sometime soon.

My Friend David

Update on my mother-in-law Jackie and my friend David

Another update on Jackie and David

Update on David and Jackie - The Power of Prayer

Trying to help my friend David somehow - Please read!

This is the hardest post that I have ever written - An Update on my friend David

We Visited My Friend David on Thursday - Here Are My Thoughts

I wanted to publicly thank everyone who has donated money to David and Jan over the past few weeks.  If you are still interested in donating, I know that there is certainly a need for money, more than ever until Jan can get back to work.  I also told David a couple of weeks about the outpouring of support and that I was sharing my faith with a lot of strangers, and he was truly happy to hear this, too. 

The details about how to donate money for Jan Wilder are in this previous post:

Trying to help my friend David somehow - Please read!

Thank you to those of you who have been supportive during the past few months.  Your friendship is like gold.  If this is the first that you have heard about this topic, thanks for reading this long post.  Take care and God bless you all.

EDITED: I felt strongly led to include this link to a song called "Lifesong" by Casting Crowns, as it really exemplifies the way that David lived his life, and I hope to do the same: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA8BxgQ6rN8.  Take a few minutes to listen if you have time.

Today, FORTUNE Magazine released its list of the Top 100 places to live and launch a new business.  Coming in at # 2 on the list in a town about 15 minutes from my home, and the location of my alma mater, Southwestern University.  Georgetown, Texas, with a current population of about 38,000 and located about 30 minutes north of downtown Austin, ranked so well on this particular list for several reasons:

• Business friendly tax structure
• Entrepreneurial camaraderie
• Scenic suburb of Austin
• Relatively low water and electricity rates
• Property taxes are among the lowest in the region

Having lived in Georgetown for a few years (although it was awhile back), I am familiar with the charms that this town offers, including a terrific town square that looks like it came straight out of "Back to the Future", the beautiful San Gabriel River, and the charming Victorian gingerbread homes that are in the historic district.  Although I have never lived in a historic home like these, the allure of a wraparound porch is enticing, especially during hot Texas summers.

The article also notes the biking trails around Lake Georgetown, along with five golf courses (and many more nearby), wineries, and locally-owned restaurants.  Speaking of the restaurants, I would like to suggest one of my favorites, which is also owned by a client of mine.  Laurie's Too, just north of the town square at 612 Main Street, is a quaint bistro with homestyle cooking and some of the best dessert that I have ever encountered.  You have to try their "1886 cake" if given the opportunity.  But I digress...

Georgetown is also in the process of building a convention center which is supposed to open in 2009.  This will add another element to the up-and-coming business climate. 

If you are considering relocating to the Georgetown / Austin area, feel free to call me anytime at 512-796-7653 (cell) or email Jason@austintexashomes.com.  I hope to hear from you soon!

I have written previously about my involvement with an outreach program focused on a housing project in east Austin.  A few months back, one of my friends had approached me with an idea.  He wanted to start a tutoring and literacy program for the kids in that area that we had been dealing with over the past year or two.  Yesterday, I was able to participate in this fledgling program, which is now a reality. 

The kids in the housing project that we know range from 5-15 years old.  Once, when I first started helping there, we asked some of the kids to read aloud from a simple program, and there were several of the older kids who simply could not read at all.  Coming from a home with several early readers and as a lover of words, this strikes me as tragic, although I know it is not really that rare.

I arrived yesterday at 5:30pm, and I was there until around 7:00.  I first worked with a six-year old girl who looks almost exactly like Dora the Explorer from the TV show.  I have seen her for about a year and a half, because she and her nine-year old brother have regularly attended our monthly events through the church.  In fact, he was one of the first kids that I met when I started in the fall of 2006. 

I helped her with her homework, which was really just a few simple math and reading worksheets.  She is really very sharp, and she breezed through the pages.  I assumed that she would want to leave, but then she asked with much anticipation, "Can we read now?"

There was a box of garage sale kids' books that my friend had brought, and we read through two of them.  She read the small words, and I helped with the bigger words when she got stuck.  After that, she drew a beautiful picture with a rainbow and clouds and wrote, "I love you Dad and Mom."  I realize that this sounds really normal, but her mom has been missing since December and no one knows at this point if she is even alive. 

I met her mom a number of times, and I know that she struggled with drug addiction.  It is unclear if she abandoned her family, or if foul play was involved somehow.  Their dad now cares for their three children, who just happen to be the exact same age as my own children - 9, 6, and 2.  I can't imagine how he must feel now.   That used to be the only two-parent household in the entire complex, since it is pretty much exclusively single moms.

I worked with two other kids last night, one of whom I know quite well.  I am planning to go through our hundreds of books and find a boxful to bring with me next time.  Overall, I think it went very smoothly and I hope we can make it a permanent program.  The parents are certainly supportive of our efforts, so that's the crux of the issue.

Some of the kids have talked to me about what they want to do when they grow up - one of my favorites told me that he wants to be a lawyer.  Another one wants to be a nurse.  I would love nothing better than to see this happen.

During my real estate career, which began in January 1997, I have spoken with literally hundreds of people on the phone prior to their visits to Austin.  Often, I speak with them several times and begin to develop an image of them in my head.  Sometimes, I am dead-on accurate, but many times I am terribly wrong, and they look nothing like I expected.  Perhaps I might have pictured a tall, younger man, and an older, portly gentleman shows up to look at homes instead.

I have joked with many of my clients that they have an unfair advantage if we choose to meet in a public place, because they have seen my picture already on my website, and I actually somewhat resemble that picture, believe it or not.  It's the same one on my AR profile, and it is about a year old now.

In an interesting twist on this theme, I have made dozens of online friends here in the Rain.  In this case, I have read many of their posts, so they have a "voice" of sorts in my head already.  I have seen their photo(s), so I already have a good idea of what they look like.  Here on AR, however, the  voice on the phone is the last piece of the puzzle, rather than the first piece, as it is with my clients.

I have had the pleasure of speaking with several dozen ActiveRain friends during my tenure here, which began in early August of 2007.  Many of them sound exactly as I would have anticipated, while others sound nothing at all like I would have thought.  Many of them question me about where I am originally from, since I don't sound "Texan" enough to them.  I find this funny, since I have never lived outside of this great state.  I will admit that I got accustomed to saying "you guys" instead of "y'all" for awhile because of my many out-of-state clients, so I have consciously adding "y'all" back into my vernacular so that my kids will hear it sometimes.  No, I am not kidding.

I was born and raised in Dallas (not a suburb, but Dallas proper).  I moved to the Austin area almost exactly 20 years ago to go to Southwestern University in nearby Georgetown.  I met my wife in Austin in 1991 (she is also a native Texan, from San Antonio), and we chose to make Austin our permanent home.  Well, Pflugerville, to be more exact.

When I was 16, I worked as a grocery sacker in Waxahachie, Texas.  My mom had remarried, so I lived there for my last two years of high school.  Waxahachie is located about 30 minutes south of Dallas, and it was a very small town back in the mid 80's.  Many times, people there would assume from my lack of a proper Texas accent that I was from somewhere "up north", and I would kid with them, "I am from up north.  About 30 minutes north, to be exact."  I guess I was pretty much a smart aleck, but I got a lot of tips with my "charm" back then.

If I have peaked your curiosity at all, maybe you should give me a call sometime and see if you think my voice matches my face and my online persona.  You might (or might not) be surprised.   I will even tell you my theory on Texas accents when you call.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for reading!  I hope you guys have a terrific and productive week!  Actually, I hope y'all have a terrific and productive week.

If you are looking for some fun things to check out in Austin, Texas without spending a lot of money, you might want to check out this list that I compiled with my wife.  As a father of three young children, I am always looking to maximize our fun without breaking the bank.  Enjoy!

Mount Bonnell - This is one of the highest points in Austin, and it is open to the public.  Since you have to climb a mega-staircase to get to the top, it's great for exercise, has a great view for miles, makes a great romantic picnic spot, and... it's free!  It overlooks Lake Austin and some of the gorgeous waterfront estate homes.

Barton Springs Pool - Free during colder weather, when there are no lifeguards, but still very cheap during the summer.  This natural spring swimming pool has a constant year-round temperature of 68 degrees. Brrr!  I haven't been there to swim in years, but it is definitely invigorating.

UT Tower - Closed for many years after the 1961 Charles Whitman shooting incident, the tower's observation deck is now open again to the public.

Governor's Mansion - Visit the Governor of Texas' home for free.  Why not?

LBJ Library - This top-notch facility is on the University of Texas campus.  A library with documents from Lyndon Baines Johnson's presidency, plus a museum of many interesting and beautiful artifacts of LBJ and Lady Bird's lives.

Zilker Park - The playscapes, fields, Botanical Garden, and parking at Zilker are free.  The train is not.  The Umlauf Sculpture Garden charges a small fee for people over 6 years old, but the cost is more for tours or workshops.  This is considered Austin's version of Central Park, since it is located next to downtown.  This is home to the annual Trail of Lights during the Christmas season, and it also plays hosts to concerts and events with some regularity.

Lake Travis - Try swimming or fishing in Lake Travis for fun. There are lots of options here - sailing, jetskis, speedboat rentals, Volente Beach, and more.

Feeding Ducks at the Arboretum - Go to the Arboretum shopping center, and climb on the fun cow sculptures (made of stone.)  Then, take some stale bread down the small, stone path that goes down to the pond, so you can feed the ducks.  Our kids love this particular adventure!

Tour the State Capitol - Don't forget to bring some unsalted nuts for the squirrels and stale bread for the pigeons on the grounds of the capitol building.  Go inside for a tour of the classically designed building, including paintings of past governors.  Here, you can also see the legislature room where Texas laws are made.

Bicycling

Congress Avenue Bats - Yes, you read that right.  Austin is home to the largest bat colony in North America, and they live underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge.  Right before dusk, go to the bridge and wait.  They start coming out slowly at first, then begin flooding out.  It looks like a smoke trail going off into the distance.  The bats' squeaking is very high, but you can hear it.  I would recommend that you stand above the bridge, not under it.  There are also boat tours offered to take advantage of this event.

Austin Farmer's Market - From their website:  "There are plentiful prepared foods, farm products turned into jams, salsas and honey, and hand-made crafts. Chef's demos, children's activities, and live local musicians make supporting local growers fun!"  Check the link above for times, location, and parking details.

If you are considering buying or selling a home in the Austin, Texas area, give me a call anytime.  I would love the chance to help.  I can be reached via cell at 512-796-7653 or email at jason@austintexashomes.com.  My primary Austin Texas real estate website is www.austintexashomes.com.

I have intended to write about this topic for several months, and today I stumbled across it on my "blog topics" list.  There's no time like the present, right?

As the broker and owner of my company, I have seen a number of agents leave over the years.  Sometimes, the feeling is mutual and I think they are really saving me the trouble of doing it for them.  Other times, I am sad to see them go.  Either way, I often wonder why some agents feel the need to sneak out rather than calling me or speaking to me face-to-face. 

I have never once exploded in anger at the office for ANY reason - I just don't find it to be productive.  I have never made anyone feel uncomfortable for leaving when they speak with me directly about it.  Additionally, I haven't ever tried to talk anyone out of leaving, because I figure by the time they speak to me, the decision has already been made.

So, I am left to wonder why certain agents have felt the need to leave without a word, note, or phone call.  Recently, we had a small issue with our corporate license that required a trip to the TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission) to fix.  During the visit, we realized that one of "our" agents was no longer our agent at all.  He had moved his license without notifying us in any way.  I had another girl who left me a note on my desk, and one who sent me an email.  On another occasion, I had a lady who left with no notice or notification whatsoever.  To this day, I haven't heard from her, although I know she is still actively practicing real estate here in Austin. 

I have coined my own term for this over time.  When agents leave in this manner, they are not just burning the bridge.  They are "blowing up the bridge" entirely, much like in this video. 

For those who have left on good terms, I always tell them that the door is open should they wish to return, simply because they took the time to speak with me.  Because of this policy, I have had two of them return, one in the past week. 

When I left my previous broker, who is much like a surrogate father to me, I had a tough time telling him, but I did it in person.  We had eight years of history together, and it never crossed my mind to do it any other way. 

I realize that we are all self-employed independent contractors, but it seems as though simple respect and courtesy should come into play.  I am more than fair with the agents who work with me, and I truly care about all of them as people.  I am also not driven strictly by money, and this is reflected in the way that I train, support and befriend my agents.  You can ask anyone about this, even those who have left. 

Am I wrong to expect agents to leave in a halfway dignified manner?

For any agents who may be reading this, if you are considering leaving your current company, I would beseech you to be upfront when you go, rather than skulking away into the night.  You will feel better for it.  Sometimes, this may require you to take a "big boy" or "big girl" pill, but it is simply the right thing to do. 

However, I must also admit that if an agent is willing to leave on these terms, I am almost certainly better off without them, because they are likely to treat their clients even worse.

Thanks for letting me vent a little bit on this topic.

Austin Texas is known as the "Live Music Capital of the World", and it seems to be well-deserving of this title.  With Sixth Street, the South by Southwest Music Festival, and the popular "Austin City Limits" TV show, our town is definitely at the forefront of the live music scene nationally.

Because of the sheer number of musical venues in and around Austin, ranging in size from amphitheaters to small "hole-in-the-wall" places, it would be difficult to include every single venue in one article.  With that in mind, I want to attempt to give you a cross-section and a taste of what to expect when it comes to the vibrant local live music available.

South by Southwest Music Festival - This huge annual event showcases literally hundreds of musical acts from around the globe on over eighty stages in downtown Austin. During the day, conference registrants do business in the SXSW Trade Show in the Austin Convention Center and partake of a full agenda of informative, provocative panel discussions featuring hundreds of internationally-known speakers.

Sixth Street  - In the very heart of downtown Austin, Sixth Street is home to local revelers as well as visitors who are looking for Austin's biggest party.  Once known as Pecan Street, 6^th Street has many buildings which date back to the early 1900's or even the late 1800's in some cases.  Live music here runs the gamut from jazz, blues, and country to rock, hip-hop, and derivations of these and other genres.  Among the many bars here, you will also find just about every kind of food that you could want. 

Antone's - 213 W. 5^th Street - Founded by Clifford Antone in 1975, this club served as the launching point for several big-name acts, including Stevie Ray Vaughn (see statue above) and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, who were actually the house band for many years.  This is still one of the best places in town to enjoy live blues and rock.  As their website proclaims, "All Ages Welcome".

Esther's Follies  - 525 E. Sixth Street - This comedy-music troupe has been entertaining Austin audiences for over 25 years now.  From my own personal visits to Esther's, I can say from experience that no one is safe and nothing is sacred here.  Their shows typically include some political satire, perhaps a bit of magic, and some hilarious comedic bits. 

Austin Music Hall - 208 Nueces - This venue is used for concerts, special events, and national touring comedians.  It was renovated in 2007 and re-opened last fall.  Recent acts include the Cure, Ray Romano, and the Moody Blues.

The Backyard - 13101 Highway 71 West - This casual amphitheater in the Bee Caves area is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country in a natural, open-air setting enveloped in the shade of 400-year-old live oaks.  Seats about 5,000 fans.  Named "Best Open Air Venue" and "Best Place to Hear Live Music" by local publications.

The Broken Spoke - 3201 South Lamar - Known to many as the "Best Honky Tonk in Texas", the Broken Spoke first opened its doors in 1964.  Many of the best-known acts in country music have played here over the years, and according to their website, "Willie still stops in for chicken fried steak". 

Cactus Café - Located on the University of Texas campus in the Texas Union Building, the Cactus Cafe is one of Austin's great acoustic music traditions. The Cactus is an intimate live music performance venue, and since the Cafe opened in February 1979, it has acquired a national reputation, showcasing the top local, regional, national and international acoustic music acts on the circuit today.

Cedar Street Courtyard - 208 W. 4^th Street - This is an urban indoor/outdoor martini nightclub located in the heart of the Warehouse District in downtown Austin, TX.  You can kick back at one of the indoor lounge areas inside or grab a cool beverage and hit the courtyard to enjoy live music from local acts seven nights a week.

The Continental Club - 1315 S. Congress - Located in the thriving heart of "SoCo" (South Congress entertainment and shopping area), this is the granddaddy of Austin live music, having opened in 1957.  It has established a national reputation as one of the premiere clubs in town.

Elephant Room - 315 Congress - This cool club was named one of the top 50 jazz venues in the country.  Enough said.  Check it out if you have the chance.

Emo's - 603 Red River - Located at the corner of Sixth Street and Red River, Emo's sports two stages (one inside, one outside).  If you are looking for a wild and fun rock experience, this may be the solution.

Frank Erwin Center - 1701 Red River - This is currently the largest capacity indoor facility for live music in Austin, and the destination for most national touring bands, with a seating capacity of about 16,000.  

Speakeasy - 412D Congress Ave. - This unique club comes complete with a back alley entrance, just like the speakeasies of old.  This is a cool, two-level club with live music most night out of the week.  The upper level is a rooftop bar with a great panoramic view of downtown Austin (read: romantic and fun).

La Zona Rosa - 412 W. 4^th Street - Live music along with Tex-Mex cuisine make this one of Austin coolest hangouts.  Two stages.  Comfortable atmosphere - great sound and lighting.  Often attracts nationally known acts such as Joss Stone and Gavin DeGraw.

Stubb's - 801 Red River - By day, Stubb's is regionally known for its fantastic barbeque.  By night, it hosts local and national musical acts at the Waller Creek Amphitheater.  If you stop by, make sure you pick up a bottle of their famous BBQ sauce, too!

As you can see, there is a wide array of locales and styles of music to enjoy during your time in Austin, whether you are just visiting or if you are a full-time resident.  If you are looking to make a move to our great city, please give me a call anytime at 512-796-7653 or email jason@austintexashomes.com.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.  Our Austin real estate website is at www.austintexashomes.com.

Some of the most consistent appreciation for home prices in Austin has occurred in the central Austin area.  Austin has a bus system through Capital Metro, but no subways or other public transit system, so convenience is critical for many buyers, including many who office downtown or in one of the centrally-located hospitals. At Austin Texas Homes, LLC, we can't tell you where you should live, but we certainly can give you an idea of what the price ranges for a few of the better-known central Austin neighborhoods.

Some of the older, more prestigious neighborhoods in central Austin include Tarrytown, Hyde Park, Enfield, Clarksville, SoCo, Bryker Woods, and Travis Heights. These neighborhoods have the charm of the "old guard," and have the benefit of being right in the thick of Austin life.

Tarrytown is home to many of Austin's "movers and shakers."  It's about 10 minutes west of downtown Austin.  Currently, homes in Tarrytown range from about $600K to about 1.5 million.

Hyde Park is located just north of the University of Texas. A lot of younger families have been attracted to this area, because of its proximity to parks, Central Market, and the tree-lined streets. You can expect to pay from the high $200K range to the $600K range for a home in this area.

Enfield is a hip area just west of downtown which contains a wide range of property values, starting in the $400K range, and going all the way up to several million dollars. Because of this eclectic mix, an individual street in Enfield may contain properties with dissimilar values, which adds to its diverse charm.

Clarksville is a small historic area on the western edge of downtown Austin just east of Mopac (Loop 1) bounded by 6th Street & 10th Street, West Lynn, and Waterston.  Residents here can walk to several restaurants, including El Arroyo, Cafe Caprice, Cafe Josie, and the Castle Hill Cafe.  Also, there are a number of small art galleries in the neighborhood.  Expect prices starting in the $300K range.

SoCo, which is short for "South Congress", has seen much renovation and revitalization since the year 2000 or so. "First Thursday" of each month is a regular event held on South Congress, wherein stores stay open until 10 PM and there are various activities through the evening. The SoCo shopping area could be described as "funky" or "retro." For a home in this hip and trendy area of town, you can expect to pay between $275K and $500K.

Bryker Woods was originally developed in the 1930's, and it contains many quaint cottage homes.  It is located just east of Mopac near 35th Street, and it's part of the Old West Austin historic district.  Tree-lined streets and convenience to Seton Hospital, Bailey Park, and Pease Park are some of the advantages.  Homes here begin in the $300K range, up to around $750-800K.

Travis Heights is located on the southern edge of downtown. Families and singles of all ages are attracted to this popular area because of the quaint, renovated feel it has. The many trees and convenient location of this neighborhood are additional selling points. Home prices in this area range from $300K to $700K.

If you are looking to buy a home in central or downtown Austin (or anywhere in the general Austin, Texas area, for that matter), give me a call or email me anytime.  I look forward to helping you find the right home!  Thanks!  Jason Crouch, Broker/Owner, Austin Texas Homes, LLC  

512-796-7653 (cell)

jason@austintexashomes.com

I remember learning about marketing and advertising during several of my college courses, and brand loyalty is a concept straight from Marketing 101.  If you are unfamiliar with the term, in retail it describes the fact that some buyers never waver from their decision about which detergent to buy, or which toothpaste.  Some people consistently use the same brand for these purchases, so they are "brand loyal". 

About three years ago, I met with a dynamic guy who had been running his own carpet-cleaning business, and he was looking to get into real estate.  This freshly-licensed young man had been referred to me by a dear friend, and I was more than happy to give him a chance. 

During our meeting, he mentioned that he was meeting with several companies, which I consider to be normal these days.  In the end, his decision was between our company and a "big name" brokerage which shall remain nameless for the purposes of this post. 

I was offering an exceptional deal for this person, but he was convinced that going with the national name would help to ramp up his business faster.  The other company has a fine reputation locally, but they were not offering anything that would assist a new licensee to increase his/her business.  I had leads by the bucketful from our websites, and I was willing to train him one-on-one (as I do with all of our new agents).  Additionally, he would have zero out-of-pocket expenses other than the commission split.  None of these amenities would exist at the other brokerage.

When he called to tell me of his decision to work elsewhere, I told him that I was impressed that he called, and I also expressed my frank disappointment in a (somewhat) gentle way.

While I could understand his logic, I did tell him that he would probably regret not accepting the offer to work with us, since the other company wasn't offering to help him in any perceivable way.  I also told him that I thought he would understand after he had been in business for 6-12 months.  I left the door open if he changed his mind later.  I never heard back from him, and he is no longer in real estate.  I truly think he could have been a big success given the RIGHT opportunity.

I know that I can't speak for other markets around the country, but here in Austin, buyers and sellers typically don't care a whole lot about the company name.  They are much more concerned with the service and/or exposure that you are able to provide as an agent.  In that way, I would say that the vast majority of people here are "agent loyal", and they are more concerned about the level of individual service that they receive rather than the company name on the sign or business card. 

I realize that this is not the case across the board, and that there is a small percentage of prospects who want to work with a specific company.  This has always been an interesting phenomenon to me, since all of the individual offices are run by different people, and the service experience is far from consistent.  Unlike McDonald's or Crest toothpaste, you really don't know what you are getting just by choosing a specific real estate "brand". 

This is strictly my opinion.  I have been in the real estate business full-time for over 11 years, and I have only come across a small handful of clients who seemed to care about the name of my company.  Actually, many of my clients never even think to ask which company I work for until they are holding my card or watching me put a sign in the yard.

Thanks for your time!

This past Sunday, after church, I was talking with a friend of mine for awhile, and my wife and kids were at the church playground.  My wife later related a brief story to me that I thought was hysterical and I wanted to share it here.

My son, who is barely nine, is a very big kid (just over 5 feet tall, wearing a men's size 9 shoe), but he is still really just a little boy inside.  His little sisters were playing on the playground, and he was pestering me a little bit because he was bored and hungry.  Since I wasn't ready to leave yet, he finally gave up and started playing on the playground, which is really set up for preschoolers and toddlers. 

He went up (stepped over) the small ladder on the Little Tikes plastic playscape (similar to the one pictured to the right), then went under the little hole which leads to the slide and sat down.  At this point, he was sitting at the top of the slide and his feet were about six inches from the ground at the bottom.

His reaction was priceless and perhaps better when delivered "live":

"Um.........whee?"

I could totally relate, since I was always the tallest kid in class myself.   

Group photo day?  I'll just go to the back and stand in the middle. 

Sit ‘N' Spin?  How about "Sit ‘N' Slowly Turn and Scrape"?

Monkey bars?  Let's call it "walking along in the gravel while touching the bars along the top".

I won't even start on swings, see-saws, and other playground amenities that are really made for the very small. 

On a completely unrelated note (nice segue, right?), my wife and I had a date night the other night and we were discussing what we must sound like to our kids when we are talking about pop culture or any other non-kid-related issues:

ME: Did you see the bearded boring man who blah blah blah economy blah news blah election?

PAM: I heard that the Britney was with the baby and the man! 

TOGETHER: HAHAHAHAHA!

ME: The new computer thing is really wow!  Blah Hillary Clinton blah.

PAM: Did you pick up the card at the pharmacy blah blah?

ME: No, it was your turn to pick up the blah this time.

PAM: Fine.  I also need to set up an appointment to .................."

At that point, their ability to hear ceases altogether, and the words become a mindless drone in the background, or perhaps we sound like Charlie Brown's parents on the classic "Peanuts" shows ("Wa Waa wa wah wah wah").  

And I have the nerve to wonder why they don't usually respond the first time when I speak to them.

Thanks for reading!