I haven't ever tried to use my blog in quite this manner, but I will be interested to see what kind of response this brings.
The house next door to us is on the market now. I sold it for the previous owners about two years ago, and an out-of-state investor purchased it. With the relatively high rent that he was charging for the place, I thought that would help to ensure that we would get a decent neighbor.
I was wrong.
Without going into great detail, let's just say that I'm happy it is for sale now, rather than for rent. The last tenants didn't speak to us ONCE, even though they lived there for 15 months. Before that, the tenant 
admitted to me openly that they were racist. Yes, really. I think you can see the reason that I am trying to promote and sell this place quickly.
The picture to the right was taken a couple of years ago when I had it listed.
I haven't had a chance to check it out inside yet since it just came back on the market, but it's a nice home, with almost 2700 square feet, red brick, large cul-de-sac lot, covered patio, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and it's priced $45,000 under the current tax assessment, at just $190,000! The home was built in 2002 by Ryland Homes.
We live in the Meadows of Blackhawk community in Pflugerville, about 1.5 miles from the intersection of the toll roads (45 and 130). It's a very short walk to a nice community pool/playground area.
So, here is my offer to you, if you are reading this post:
- If you are an agent and you send me the buyer for this home, I will pay you 50% of my commission if they purchase it and I serve as their agent for the transaction.
- If you are reading this and you think you would like to be our neighbor and you buy this home yourself, I will credit 50% of my commission to your closing costs. This would be about a $2850 savings.
We have been praying for good neighbors for awhile now. My kids would love to have other kids to play with, rather than absentee tenants who do not maintain anything. Frankly, the yard needs a bit of work. It doesn't look as appealing as the photo, although it could easily be made to look that way with a bit of attention.
A LITTLE ABOUT US: We are a Christian homeschooling family with four kids, ages 10, 8, 3, and 3 months (the oldest is a boy, and we have three girls). We are supremely easy to get along with, and we love where we live. My wife is a stay-at-home mom and has done that for eight years now. She has a degree in Education - she is certified to teach English and Biology. I am a somewhat rabid fan of the Dallas Cowboys, and I am very actively involved in starting a new Presbyterian church in Georgetown, about 15-20 minutes away.
ABOUT OUR IDEAL NEIGHBORS: Friendly and easygoing, mainly. If you think we would be a good match, you're probably right.
For more specific details or to set up a time to take a look, please call me at 512-796-7653 (cell) or email me at jason@austintexashomes.com. Thanks!
If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me elsewhere or subscribe via email?
If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. If you're interested in social media training, visit 210 Consulting. Thanks!
Hi!
Hi Mike!
Jason,
Wow this must be a first! Please keep us updated on what transpires with what you are offering. Talk about ingenious ways to get a neighbor..I can't wait to see your results!
Dorie - I thought it was time to get creative. I'll let you know if anything good comes of it. I need to start cross-promoting it on Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Now that's a different form of advertising! Unfortunately, unless you already know the people really well anybody can say anything. Many people seems like the ideal person until you really get to know them and they start showing their true colors. :) But I digress, I do hope your next set of neighbors will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.
Chanda panda
Creative way to reach out, I hope you get great neighbors our of this. Good luck!
Chanda - Understood, but I was pretty surprised when the previous tenant told me, "I'm not racist, but my husband is." That was during their move-in!
Michael - Thanks! We'll see what happens with it.
Jason: Funny how shameless you are in finding your new neighbors. Wish I lived in your area. I'd love to be your neighbor.
Chris Ann - Truthfully, it's been two LONG years for us. We are ready for nice people! Thanks for your kind remarks.
Jason,
When SFR was my primary thing, we use to call in all direction around new listing asking "do you know anuone you'd like for a neighbor?" Got allot of business, but only once came up with a neighborhood buyer.
I wouldn't want to pick my neighbors, simply because I've had such good neighbors by pure chance! There was one exception but they came around when I saved his life late one night pointing a broom stick.
Good luck!
Bill
WHat a concept! Pick your neighbors! I like it! That would be grand to have some nice new neighbors with children to play with yours! Good luck!
Bill - I envy you for having had such good neighbors - the last two years have been....less enjoyable for us. Hope you're doing well!
How did you save someone's life? That sounds like quite a story.
Kristin - Thanks! I thought it was probably time to try something different. I also want to redeem myself with my other neighbors!
Hi Jason... Nothing like putting your money where your mouth is. Good idea. I am anxious to see if it works as well. I used to live in the Austin area... Just curious...what are the home owner taxes in your neighborhood?
Keep us informed. Hey...if anyone up there ever needs a log home to build on their property...make sure you send them my way. I can build anywhere! (We also pay realtors!)
Claire
www.southlandloghomes.com
Jason, you never cease to amaze! The best of luck to you in finding the right fit! Maybe the wife and kids should have some input also. Let each of them (except the baby of course) list what they are looking for in a neighbor/playmate etc! That would really add some spice to your search for the perfect neighbors!
Claire - If it works, I guarantee that I will proclaim it from the rooftops! The taxes are relatively high in Austin, and in our area. The current tax rate is about 2.89%. As you know already, we don't have any state income tax in Texas.
Debbie - Thanks very much! We actually did talk to the kids about that last night when we were praying about the "perfect" neighbors. I can't divulge everything that we would prefer, for obvious reasons. I appreciate your remarks and the compliment!
Jason~
If I had the money to spread, I would bye it for vacationing in a heart beat. Looks like a great home, and I have always wanted to move to Texas. The best part being the football, and the fried turkey drumsticks. MMHHM :) Good luck!
-Lisa
Hey Jason,
This is a GREAT marketing idea! I suspect you will find some wonderful new neighbors. The price is absolutely stunning by CA standards. I would consider buying it, except for that Cowboys thing. :)
It wouldn't surprise me one bit for this to work to find you some wonderful neighbors! In fact, from the informaton you provided about your family as well as the house, I wouldn't be surprised for potential buyers to be lined up down the block!
I so wish I had folks in the area to refer you to on this one.
Well done with this blog Jason!
I hope it all works out in the end for you.
LISA - I understand. Football season is right around the corner, after all. :)
BRUCE - I thought it was worth trying - I haven't seen anyone attempt this before. I can live next to fans from other teams, but they might not want to live next to me, right? :)
JANNA - I sincerely hope it works! It's worth the attempt, eh? Thanks for your comments.
CRAIG - Send me some nice people to live next door! Thanks for the compliment.
This is classic! "but if you think we would be a good match, you're probably right"- so basically your perception is the same as everyone elses? I think I'm sane, therefore I am.
This is a novel idea and I always enjoy reading your posts so we will send the power of positive thought your way and hope your new neighbors aren't Redskin fans.
And from a Tucsonans perspective, 2700 square feet for $190,000 (plus a beautiful lawn) looks like a screaming deal.
Jason, Since I live only a few doors away do I get a vote in who moves in? I can't believe the price. I believe that is the Ryland, Overton model (my house is the same plan). We paid $230,000 in 2001. Yikes.
Patrick - I don't think I am all that sane, for what it's worth. Glad to hear you liked this idea.
Anonymous commenter neighbor - The price seems really low to me also. I guess they want to sell it fast. Feel free to vote - you can email me if you like. :)
I am guessing that the "anonymous" comment is Sherry?
Dude, if I hadn't already just bought a home (and I wasn't in Canada), I'D be your neighbour in a shot! :)
Novel approach - hope it works out for you.
Danny - Thanks very much for saying that. I would love to have a Scottish neighbor! I sincerely hope this brings some interested buyers.
Jason, this is a fun post of course and will test the power of blogging with real estate if you can drive an ideal neighbor to live right next door to you. Good luck, and if I know of anyone heading that way I will send them to you... It's amazing someone was proud to admit they were racist. Funny world sometimes.
Hey, Jason! That's a beautiful house and a fabulous offer! Good luck.
Jason,
Brenda and I were in our second home, we came home one night and the people next door were arguing with a young man blocking their way. I got Brenda and the baby inside and opened our bedroom window facing the argument. It was getting bad. I was hunting for the keys to my guns when the woman next door shouted knife! I looked up and the man sliced my neighbor's leather jacket from one shoulder to his waist on the other side!
Still with out a gun I grabbed a broom and rammed it through the screen making allot of noise! As I shouldered the broom I shouted drop the knife or I'll shoot! (Something like that, I was a Marine.) He did and we spent 4 hours explaining to the police why I didn't shoot. 3 days in court where he was found guilty, he had a 30 page"rap sheet" then the judge let him go if he'd promise to leave Portgage/Kalamazoo. He killed a man 18 months later in Battle Creek.
It was the last time we lived with out an accessible loaded gun! Both my kids learned to shoot by 5, you can't have curious kids and loaded guns so we ended the curiosity early just as our parents did so many years before!
The neighbor and I were now friends, he gave me cause to regret smashing that screen, from time to time.
Bill
Jason - You had me until you said you were a Cowboys fan. GO REDSKINS!
But seriously, good luck on finding the right neighbor. We had a less-than-savory neighbor in our Germantown, Maryland neighborhood and it made living there very unpleasant towards the end. We sure appreciate the nice neighbors where we live now in the Carson Valley.
JC ! How cool is this idea !!!
... and what a great story it will be when you find someone to buy it through your ActiveRain post !!!
I think you may have started a new revolution of Post themes !!!!
Good luck mate !!!!
Sheldon :o)
You are way cool and funny to boot! I have always believed in the power of prayer but never applied it to my neighborhood which reminds me that maybe I should indeed. Great post and good luck on the new neighbor! Did I tell you about the horrible neighbor i had across the street? And the worst part was I sold him the house, what a happy day for all of us when he finally moved...
Pretty house, great price, does it back to a golf course? LOL
So that's how you get good neighbors...lol. I thought it was through State Farm or something...kidding. I do have decent neighbors but in my former home I too prayed for good neighbors when it went up on the market. Praise the Lord, they were. Do keep us posted or we could just all show up on your doorstep <smile>.
When can I we close :) - man that is cheap - the same house here would be at least twice as much. ~Rita
Good luck with that Jason. Having good neighbors is wonderful! I hope you find the ideal person.
Jason, how cool is that! Blog for neighbors and see what happens, Maybe you should start adding the photos of the rest of the neighbors also then it will be like Facebook moved to reality. We have a wonderful neighborhood also, Everybody waving all of the time and smiling. It's especially nice when they wave with all of the fingers on their hands exposed. Good Luck with the hunt!
Jason.
Neat approach. Keep us posted on how it is going.
I dind't know where you were going with this at the beginning. But I like the way you are use the social networking tools.
I have a couple of ideas.
-Post the address so all of us could send a copy of this post to owners.
-Figure out how you, your extended family/friends could purchase the house..then you could rent for awhile and then put it on the market at a later date. It sounds like a really good buy.
-Put a sign in your yard..."Would you like to be our neighbor?"
Loved talking with you today. Good luck on finding the family lucky enough to live next door to you!
Jason - I often advertise to folks, especially in the neighborhood, to pick their new neighbor but this is a new venue. Will be interesting to see how it works. Amazing price for a house that size - here in some communities you are looking at over 3-4X the price. Any comments from the listing agent? :)
Jeff
Good luck with it Jason - hope you get a good neighbor with new friends for your kids, too.
@Bill - that is quite a story.
Well, I always tell my clients that they're buying their neighbors when we look at houses. Never heard of someone trying to sell the house next door to pick their neighbors! good luck
:0 I remember a post you did on "those" neighbors.
WHAT a call to action....:)
How are the cops. A mr. Gates from up east is looking for a new place.
Jason - I would move next door to you in a Texas-two-step. btw... that house, in my area, would be about $900,000 - $1,200,000
Certainly a creative move on your part...Good Luck!
Jason,
What a blog. Man, I wish you get a really good neighbor for you ad your kids. What a clever blog!
Interesting concept Jason -- with your SEO, it's hard to say how someone may find about this home, esp. with the incentives you are offering. Keep us posted if you are successful, a huge kudo for AR if it does.
I'm going to keep my ear to the ground... I have a few friends in TX... And none of them are racists.
Jason...I know you are trying hard for a new neighbor...BE CAREFUL how you approach it. Of course I don't think I need to tell you that. Good luck!
Our best friends live behind us. We hope they will move when we do. The people beside us don't want to talk to us. Not sure what the problem is.
NICE house!
I'm an AZ girl but if I know of anyone cool to be your neighbor, I'll holler! :)
Very creative and a nice way to bring attention to the need for a new neighbor - talk about a welcome to the neighborhood gift!! God, please send the Crouch family some wonderful neighbors - they are overdue!!!
Best of luck to you. A good neighborhood doesn't always insure a great neighbor, eh?
Best of luck finding wonderful neighbors!!!
They sure make life so much more fun.
Love my neighbors. Hope they never move!
Did you ever think it was you with the issue? Seriously - just kidding. I was telling my wife today she should go next door and bring the little ones swimming. She was invited for "Mommy and kids" swimming. She doesn't want to go because she thinks they are all snobs (maybe so) BUT it is why I was pushing her to go - people need a different/better example. After all, maybe they think SHE is a snob for not going. I'm going to say a prayer for you and your new neighbors. Wishing you the best Jason!!
Very nice life. I did not know you were answering the "Call". That's great.
I hope you get some great neighbors, I got some a while back, and they are doozies! Up all hours of the night enjoying their pool, from sun up until the wee hours of the morning...I'm now ready to move!
Jason, our kids are the same ages, except you are missing a 5 year old somewhere in there! I think all neighbors should do this!
Jason - if this works then it's a cool testament to the power of blogging - or, actually would it be the power of 50% of your commission? :) Good luck in finding the perfect neighbors. I don't know why, but something tells me there's going to be a good news post in the near future!
Jason: Nice home.. Hope you get a contract soon.. please keep us posted.
Great job, Jason! Yes, we can sell homes with social media!
Jason,
I hope you find new neighbors with kids your children's age. It's nice for kids to have neighbors to play with.
I hadn't thought about advertising a listing this way, Jason, but kuddos to you. I hope it works out well. Although I'm your neighbor to the north in Tulsa, I don't currently have any Buyers looking in Austin. But, I'll start digging around now! :=)
They may be racist but at least their honest ;-) I'll keep my ears open and mention it at the office tomorrow
Hi Jason. That is an ingenious way to find a buyer and have others possibly find one for you. Hope you find a nice neighbor eventually.
Before I commit with the move, would share pictures from the inside as well? :)
Jason, Maybe you can choose your nieghbors. Good luck with the effort and I hope you find a perfect match!
Morning Jason, very creative advertisement, I'll be waiting for the follow up on this one. Good luck!
Absolutely awesome idea! I'd love to be your neighbor, but the Pacific Northwest is cooler (usually) the plains of Texas. I'll be following this closely to see how this works! Good luck and I know you'll find the best neighbors ever!
Good luck on selling the house - The place looks beautiful & that's a darn good price!!
Wow! I wish houses like that were priced similarly here! Hopefully you will find a new neighbor who is actually neighborly!
When mailing just listed cards or letters I use the "pick your neighbors" phrase. Especially in a condo building where neighbors are literally a few feet away
I did pick my neighbors and I love it. It is a great feeling to know you get along with your neighbors. I have good ones on either side of me. Hope you are as lucky!
I l ike this approach! I will have to remember that! I sold the house behind my parents home several years ago. When it went on the market they called me and asked me to find them some good neighbors! Believe it or not, I sold it! Great people. Unfortunately, they moved away a couple of years ago and while the new owners keep the home nicely, they are LOUD!!!!!!! You say you are a rabid Cowboys fan...you may want to get your rabies shots before football season starts! LOL! Best to you and your family in getting great new neighbors!
Jason:
Hi! What a great approach. So did the current owner list with the agent who sold it to them? Let's hope you get a live-in owner this time. You could always put them on rottenneighbors.com. :-)
Hi Jason! Now that I've had time to digest this post--a couple of ideas come to mind (which I'm certain that you've already thought of)! :
1. Advertise the address (with permission of the listing broker, of course)
2. Advertise the neighborhood WITH the address
3. Advertise the neighborhood, address & CITY
4. Write a 'testimonial' about what you love about your neighborhood--cookouts, cul-de-sac parties, etc.
5. SHOW/preview the home to someone and write about the amenities and what you think of the home---how would you 'live' in it--"The sunroom would be the perfect office for a work-from-home owner..." You get the drift.
Five more posts about your neighbors home should move you RIGHT to the top of Google and garner some attention from potential buyers. Share your passion for the area and it will be attractive to the RIGHT buyer!
GOOD LUCK and let us know how it works out!
Neighbors make a huge difference in how much you enjoy your house. I wish you the best of luck. If I bump into anyone buying in TX, I'll send them your way.
I've never seen a listing post featured - cool.............and I can't believe the price - unbelieveable!
Looks like a very nice house...You can be sure if I have a buyer heading to TX this will be on the list. Good luck. Oh, you would not want me as your neighbor...just ask any of my current neighbors. Hey, maybe hey will buy it for me if I move!
Jason, make sure you keep us up-to-date on this one....
Will Jason find the neighbors only dreams are made of?
Stay tuned to find out....
:P Chanda panda
Jason,
I am a licensed agent out of state. I read your posts regarding a referral. Are you willing to pay a 50% referral for a buyer?
Please respond by email to: tomplyler@cox.net
Hi Jason, I see it's been awhile ago that you posted this. You sound like dream neighbors. Have the home sold yet?
Hi Jason, I see it's been awhile ago that you posted this. You sound like dream neighbors. Have the home sold yet?