Buying a House is Easy! (If you do these things...)

The last thing in the world that anyone thinks would be easy is buying a house.  Believe me, I've seen people go through some really difficult buying experiences.  And while I do everything in my power to make my things go smoothly for my buyers, there is only so much I can do.  The rest of what goes on is largely up to them.

Here are a few simple things that you can do to make buying your next house a fun and easy deal:

1. Get your financial house in order.  If you need help with this, ask for it.  Ask your REALTOR, your mortgage broker, your personal banker, and your spouse, partner or cobuyer if there is one.  There are a myriad of things that you will want to do - as well as many that you shouldn't do - when preparing to purchase a house.  The gist of it will be pay your bills on time, lower your balances, don't open or close new accounts and don't make any major purchases.  Pull your credit reports for free HERE and dispute any errors.
2. Get a PREAPPROVAL letter.  There is absolutely no point AT ALL to look at houses with a REALTOR until you have this.  Most agents will not make an offer, or entertain one, that does not have an accompanying preapproval letter.  So why tour homes, find one that you love, and then have to take two steps back before you can make an offer?  It's just like putting your shoes on before you pick out your socks.  Senseless.

3. Figure out where you want to live.  A REALTOR can't do this for you.  Seriously.  We can get you information about the communities, schools, etc. but we can't tell you if you are going to like it or not.  Nothing freaks an agent out more than having to throw darts blindfolded at a map to figure out where you are going to spend the coming years. 
4. Once you narrow down the area, really get to business.  Get in your car (or on your bike!) and explore the neighborhoods themselves.  Here's the thing - components of a house can be changed.  You can paint, retile the bathroom, relandscape the yard, etc.  You can't realistically relocate it.  So my point is, find an area that you can be happy with and THEN look for the house that you can learn to love.  Location truly is everything.  Location, location, location.  But doing your homework before you head out with a REALTOR will put you ahead of the game.
5. When you get inside the homes, learn to look past the cosmetic issues.  Don't fall in love with a house because it has a dishwasher or because of the red wall in the dining room.  Any house can have those things with a little work.  Look for a layout that works for your lifestyle, room size, storage capacity, lot characteristics, etc.  These are the things that you really can't change, and those are the ones that matter.
6. Listen to what your REALTOR is saying.  There has to be a relationship of trust, or it just won't work out well.  When you find a home that you think you would want to make an offer on, make sure that your REALTOR does the research to determine what a REASONABLE price is.  And remember that while it is our job to get you the home at the best price we can, that making an unreasonable offer in an attempt to lowball the seller can completely backfire on you.  Pay creedance your REALTORs opinion on where your offer needs to be. 
7. Look at things in context.  If you and a seller are in negotiations, and you stall out over $1-2,000 difference - get real.  You are likely not going to stay in the home for the life of the mortgage.  So in reality, you are negotiating for a monthly payment.  When you break it down to monthly payments, we are probably talking about less than $15.  Do you want to lose your dream home over $15?  Do you want to start the process all over again for one less outing to Taco Bell each month?  I hope that you wouldn't.

8. Read everything.  Read everything that your REALTOR sends you.  Everything that the mortgage broker or bank sends you.  The title company.  The home inspector.  EVERYTHING.  Don't show up to closing and learn that your monthly payment is $300 more than you thought because you didn't read the Good Faith Estimate.  This is your house and you need to be completely involved.

I'm sure I could think of 100 more things, but these are the biggies.  Do these things, and I can promise you that your experience will be easier that if you don't.  Remember what a big step this is, and give it the attention it deserves!  Good luck!

If Austin had Cob Houses...

...I would totally buy one. Actually, I'd be happy to build my own if someone would work out all the zoning and permitting issues for me and supervise me.  

It could be like a "build your own pizza" restaurant for future homeowners. Some brilliant developer could buy a tract of land, divy it up to crazy green people like me who aren't afraid to get a little dirty, and just make sure we didn't screw anything up. (Hmmm, should I be telling you this, or looking for a venture capitalist?)

And cob houses would be ideal:

• The materials are cheap - clay, sand and straw.
• They are surprisingly durable.
• They won't burn.
• Bugs won't eat them.
• It doesn't take a rocket scientist to "cob".
• They were "green" long before Barbara Mandrell was country.

There are workshops that teach people everything from how to lay an earthen floor to working with earthbags or straw bale materials and everything in between.  I saw an 8-day class for $600 +/- where I'm pretty sure they cover it all. 

Yeah, I know they aren't for everyone.  I don't think that Austin, TX is going to become the Cob Capital of the World.  Most people aren't into building their own house and are going to keep the big spec builders in business for the forseeable future.  As for me, I'll be waiting on the day I can move into my cute cob cottage with a sweet little thatched roof.  I'll let you know when I'm done!

Shelley Rowton, REALTOR 

RE/MAX River City
(512) 507-5779

What's Going On

So, this blogging thing really takes discipline - and I have failed miserably! But there is always an opportunity for redemption, and I am going to take this one. Look for regular updates coming from this blog - mostly about how "Green" affects real estate and you, but also about Austin, TX real estate in general.

Quickly, to catch up, Austin real estate continues to buck national trends. The number of listings in down, pending sales are up, as are sales (from the same time last year). As for myself, I have seen a definite increase in interested buyers and realistic sellers. Once Central Texas tuned out the national "sky is falling" stories, it became abundantly clear that we would continue on our path of steady growth.

All is well. Really. Austin continues to grow in both jobs and population, and the Federal "First-Time Buyer" Tax Credit has spurred hesitant buyers into the market. If you are thinking of selling, there really is no better time than the present!

Back on Track!

Well, it's been a while....but I'm back to the blog with a renewed energy and sense of purpose. I am convinced that the greening of our industry, as well as other parts of our lives, is all-important. There are so many exciting developments and alternatives for traditional fuels and modes of thought on our horizon and I want to explore them all - as well as the ways that they are impacting others as they are put to real use.

Just yesterday, I read a great article about the transition of prisons to green practices, and what a savings it was producing, not to mention the impact on the lives of the incarcerated. Here's the link:

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-science/20081101/Green.Prisons/

Just a few of examples of how prisons were utilizing green practices:

• Installation of solar panels ultimately producing enough electricity to power 4100 homes,
• Pickle barrels turned into rainwater cisterns,
• Recycling of "prison blues" into products such as diaper bags,
• Modified washing machines to reuse rinse water.

My question to you is this - if prisons are recognizing the benefits of eco-friendly practices, shouldn't we?

Go Green, Save Green!

One of the major reasons homeowners hesitate to improve their home is the fear that they won't recoup that investment when it is time to sell. I can change that! Since I know the value of improvements, especially energy efficient ones, I will rebate your expenditures up to $750 when you allow me to sell your home.

These improvements make my job easier, so I am happy to provide this rebate to my wonderful sellers. Call me when you are ready to sell, and I can give you the details. Just be sure to save your receipts, and then give me a call!

Once we sell your home, you will receive your rebate. Then, if you allow me to help you find a new house, I will give you a $500 Home Depot gift card to upgrade your new home.

You can't lose!

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NORTHWEST • $224,900 • 3+ BR
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