November 2021 by RealtyLine

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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 7 | NOVEMBER 2021

Texas’ Property Taxes: Legislative Changes, Important Dates

written by RIKI MARKOWITZ

Ask any homeowner — or REALTOR — in Texas and most will say that the state is known for having some of the highest property taxes in the country. That might be stretching the truth a bit, but taxes here are still extremely burdensome.

Presorted Standard U.S.. Postage PAID Austin, Texas Paid Permit #715

Depending on the formula you use, Texas ranks 36th in highest property taxes in the country (Tax Foundation) and 30th for overall tax burden (Wallethub), which includes property, income and sales taxes. While the middle of the pack isn’t the worst place to be, it’s certainly not a great position either. And there’s evidence that the property tax burden for Texas homeowners is getting worse. Between 2018 and 2021, the state slid four spots on the Tax Foundation’s property tax structure rankings. Texas is a state that prides itself on its business-friendly policies. For example, there are no income taxes for workers or corpora-

tions. And while property taxes weigh heavily for most homeowners, there are actually no state property taxes. According to the Texas

Comptroller office, the state does not set tax rates or collect taxes. All property taxes and rates are set, collected, disputed and settled by local governments. So the friendliness extended to businesses seems to be working. Just look at some of the companies that recently moved or

announced a move to Texas, including Tesla and Apple. At the same time, does all this friendliness come with a price? Say, higher property taxes? That does seem to be the case. The thing is, despite homeowners’ protestations to reduce their skyrocketing tax bills, the money that counties need to operate on a day-to-day basis has to come from somewhere. Again, according to the state comptroller office, “The local property tax is the largest single funding source for community service. Your local property taxes help to pay for your public schools, city streets, county roads, police departments, fire protection and many other vital programs.” The good news is that money raised from these taxes stays local. State government [continues on page 16]

ORGANIZATION

RL ADVERTISER

CLICK FOR ALL VIDEOS

RL ADVERTISER

ASSOCIATION

Thursday, Dec. 16 Ugly Sweater Party

Tuesday, Dec. 14 FREE CLASS - Title 101

Wednesday, Dec. 1 Installation & President’s Reception

Austin Young Real Estate Professionals (AYREP) / Oskar Blues Brewery / 10420 Metric Blvd, #150

Stewart Title / 900 Quest Parkway, Suite B, Cedar Park, Tx 78613

Phillips Event Center / 8140 Exchange Blvd.

Join AYREP and our 2021 Sponsors for the final event of the year with your favorite local real estate professionals! Bring out your tackiest sweaters, our sponsors will be giving out prizes CLICK for best outfits. A drink ticket will be HERE provided for each guest.

RSVP

$10 PER PERSON

1 to 2:30 p.m.

NOW!

Come learn what the Stewart Title - Cedar Park Escrow Officers can do for you on your next closing. This intimate training will be held on Tuesday, November 9, beginning at 1:00 pm. We will cover what we do from contract to close, what’s title insurance, how to read a survey, CLICK HERE understanding a title commitment, and a review of the closing disclosure.

FRE

IN-PERSON

1 to 2:30 p.m.

CLASSE !

Join us for a social happy hour followed by the installation of the 2022 Board. The Installation and President’s Reception celebrates 2021’s accomplishments and ushers in the new Board of Directors and Board President Scott Turner for 2022. This event provides an opportunity to meet new business contacts, recognize members who CLICK HE have gone above and beyond with a REGISTRE President’s Award, and honor the 2021 ER Board of Directors.

NOW!

5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Laura Harrington Business Development 512.549.9830 laura.harrington@stewart.com

Shaunna Terry Business Development 512.516.1773 shaunna.terry@stewart.com

Kathryn McCurry Business Development 512.230.7040 kathryn.mccurry@stewart.com

NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

STARTING IN THE MID

300s

NOW SELLING IN VISTA VERA GEORGETOWN, TEXAS AVAILABLE

ADDRESS

PLAN ELEV.

SQ. FT.

BED/BATH

PRICE

Late 2021/Early 2022

1015 Vista View Dr 0801

3-C

1616

3 Bed/2.5 Bath

$380,000

Late 2021/Early 2022

1015 Vista View Dr 0802

3-C

1616

3 Bed/2.5 Bath

$380,000

Late 2021/Early 2022

1015 Vista View Dr 0901

3-B

1616

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$381,000

Late 2021/Early 2022

1015 Vista View Dr 0902

3-B

1616

3 Bed/2.5 Bath

$381,000

Late 2021

1015 Vista View Dr 2001

2-C

1615

3 Bed/2.5 Bath

$374,000

Late 2021

1015 Vista View Dr 2002

2-C

1615

3 Bed/2.5 Bath

$374,000

Late 2021

1015 Vista View Dr 2101

2-B

1615

3 Bed/2.5 Bath

$374,000

Late 2021

1015 Vista View Dr 2102

2-B

1615

3 Bed/2.5 Bath

$374,000

Late 2021/Early 2022

1015 Vista View Dr 1401

2-A

1615

3 Bed/2.5 Bath

$374,000

Late 2021/Early 2022

1015 Vista View Dr 1402

2-A

1615

3 Bed/2.5 Bath

$374,000

Late 2021/Early 2022

1015 Vista View Dr 1501

2-C

1615

3 Bed/2.5 Bath

$374,000

Late 2021/Early 2022

1015 Vista View Dr 1502

2-C

1615

3 Bed/2.5 Bath

$374,000

For more information contact:

For a 5 min loan approval contact:

Debbie Ates

Arien Bowersock

512-801-3543

512-699-8306

Area Sales Manager

dates@homesbyavi.com

Texas Loan Experts - The Bowersock Team

arien@thehomeloanexpert.com

www.homesbyavi.com Please Note: in our continuing effort to exceed our buyer’s expectations, specifications and materials may change without notice. This marketing handout is for information only and is not part of a legal contract or agreement. See your AVI Homes representative for data. Effective 9/22/21

NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

Austin Board of REALTORS®

SUSAN HORTON

2021 PRESIDENT

ACTRIS MLS Has Made Headlines Again! In October, ACTRIS joined First Multiple Listing Service in Atlanta, Heartland MLS in Kansas City, and Miami REALTORS® in an exciting collaboration to form MLS Technology Holdings, which has wholly acquired Remine. Remine partners with MLSs and Associations across North America to deliver modern real estate technology that creates transparency in the real estate transaction and inspires trust between the real estate agents and consumers they serve. Not only will MLS Technology Holdings and Remine give us a voice to help develop MLS technology of the future, but I believe this move encompasses every one of our ACTRIS strategic visions. Let’s talk about how this collaboration will open the door for future real estate technology, give you a seat at the table in that process, and ultimately benefit your business.

Deliver Unparalleled Market Data This endeavor hedges against the growing uncertainty in our industry and enables us to continue delivering unparalleled market data with a voice in the process. Remine is known for its property intelligence platform that combines MLS data, public records and predictive analytics in an advanced map-based interface that can help agents find new business opportunities. As co-owners of Remine, ACTRIS subscribers will now have a front-row seat to help us further develop this already incredible platform, with multiple opportunities to share feedback and ideas for the MLS you want to see. Stay tuned for opportunities to provide feedback for Remine’s MLS products next year.

Expand Strategically If the collaboration and acquisition wasn’t impressive enough, ACTRIS and ABoR CEO Emily Chenevert has been named Chair of the MLS Technology Holdings, LLC Board of Directors, which is comprised of seasoned executives with over 120 years of collective experience in real

NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

estate technology and investments. We have the best and brightest industry experts dedicated to keeping you empowered in the real estate transaction. Through this endeavor, we are strategically expanding our knowledge and influence across the real estate industry to pave the way for MLSs of the future.

Embrace Innovation We strongly believe in having a stake in the development of emerging real estate technologies. and bold investments are not new to us. We have previously invested in MLS Grid and are a pilot association for the rollout of NAR’s local REACH Program. The decision to become a partner in MLS Technology Holdings and invest in Remine will continue to grow our footprint as a progressive organization that leads the way for technology innovation. With this investment in Remine, we are placing ourselves at the forefront of emerging MLS solutions and reducing our dependency on vendors to develop the right solutions for you, your business, and the consumers you serve.

Champion Operational Agility It’s long-since been our vision to offer multiple MLS front ends of choice and opportunities like this put us one step closer toward our goal. We believe in championing operational agility to deliver technological solutions that improve you and your clients’ experience. By having a hand in the technological side of our industry, we

are opening ourselves up to a unique perspective and opportunity to allow for an agile, rapid response to industry trends and demands. This collaboration of technology built by MLSs, for MLSs, has made waves across the industry, and not only are we setting a new standard for our operations, but we our positioning ourselves as an influencer to many other associations and MLSs across the country. While we are very excited about this development, we are committed to maintaining the same high-quality MLS services and support ACTRIS subscribers currently receive. ACTRIS will not be involved in day-to-day operations of Remine, and there won’t be any disruption to our existing MLS solutions. Not to mention, ACTRIS recently onboarded a robust team of MLS experts to help you make the most of the MLS products and benefits you receive as a subscriber. If you’re not already using Remine Pro, we encourage you to take advantage of this incredible business tool. As we look toward this bright and exciting future, your voice and speaking up for the real estate technology you need is more important than ever before.

CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

Austin-Area KB Home Communities Find the right home that’s uniquely built for you.

Austin

Georgetown

Kyle

EastVillage From the $360s

Berry Springs From the $300s

Stagecoach Crossing From the $360s

• 1,360–3,475 sq. ft. • 3–6 bdrms., 2–4 baths • Community pond, pool, parks and hiking/biking trails

• 1,315–2,586 sq. ft. • 3–5 bdrms., 2–4 baths • Community park with playscape, basketball court and garden

• 1,491–3,475 sq. ft. • 3–6 bdrms., 2–4 baths • Community park, playground, basketball court and walking paths

4805 Delancey Dr., Manor, TX 78653 512-766-1600

1104 Loganberry Dr. Georgetown, TX 78626 737-738-5100

141 Jarbridge Dr., Kyle, TX 78640 512-256-7701

Maple Creek From the $320s

Manor

McKinney Crossing From the $350s • 1,491–3,475 sq. ft. • 3–6 bdrms., 2–4 baths • Planned community park with playscapes and a basketball court 7803 Tranquil Glade Dr., Austin, TX 78744 512-767-1460

Villas at McKinney Crossing From the $330s • 1,315–2,586 sq. ft. • 3–5 bdrms., 2–3.5 baths • Close to McKinney Falls State Park 7803 Song Sparrow Dr., Austin, TX 78744 737-910-2100

Belton West Canyon Trails From the $250s • 1,246–2,755 sq. ft. • 3–6 bdrms., 2–4 baths • Close to Belton ISD schools 1314 Ayham Trails, Belton, TX 76513 254-831-9671

Elgin Eagles Landing From the $350s

• 1,360–2,898 sq. ft. • 3–5 bdrms., 2–3.5 baths • Highly desirable Georgetown ISD 106 Sweet Autumn Dr. Georgetown, TX 78626 737-253-8484

Retreat at San Gabriel Call for Pricing Coming Soon

• 1,271–2,968 sq. ft. • 3–5 bdrms., 2–3.5 baths • Near historic Georgetown Square Hwy. 29 and Vista Heights Dr. Georgetown, TX 78628 512-488-0704

Presidential Meadows From the $270s • 1,315–2,708 sq. ft. • 3–6 bdrms., 2–3.5 baths • Master-planned community with on-site elementary school 13620 James Garfield, Manor, TX 78653 512-278-8181

Round Rock Salerno From the $320s • 1,360–3,475 sq. ft. • 3–6 bdrms., 2–5 baths • Planned community pool and park 3805 Tufino Ln., Round Rock, TX 78665 512-488-0704

Jarrell Sonterra From the $220s • 1,042–2,898 sq. ft. • 2–5 bdrms., 2–3.5 baths • Master-planned community with a pool, clubhouse, basketball court, parks and trails 85 Hematite Ln., Jarrell, TX 76537 512-598-0023

KB Home Design Studio – Austin 10800 Pecan Park Blvd., Ste. 110 Austin, TX 78750 512-721-3550

Coming Soon

• 1,246–2,412 sq. ft. • 3–5 bdrms., 2–3.5 baths • Near Elgin ISD schools County Line Rd. and Golden Eagle Way Elgin, TX 78621 512-488-0704

Schedule an appointment with a home finding specialist today at 512-488-0704.

888-KB-HOMES | kbhome.com Broker Cooperation Welcome. ©2021 KB Home (KBH). Payment of Broker Co-op requires Broker or agent to call in to register client before first visit to community and comply with Broker Co-op Agreement. Plans, pricing, financing, terms, availability and specifications subject to change/prior sale without notice and may vary by neighborhood, lot location and home series. Buyer responsible for all taxes, insurance and other fees. Sq. footage is approximate. HOA applies. Future development of planned amenities is subject to change and not guaranteed. See sales counselor for details. AUS-437351

NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

Women’s Council of REALTORS, Austin Network

Austin Achieves Network Certification for 2021-2022 Austin Network has obtained the Women’s Council Network Certification, a program that recognizes and rewards the most active local and state networks that achieve five key benchmarks of network excellence and exceeds basic charter requirements per its national affiliation and provides outstanding member service. “While nearly 240 networks serve our business leaders nationwide, just over half meet rigorous standards to be certified by the national organization” said Pamela Banks, 2021 national president, adding that “its especially noteworthy to obtain the certification in a year of a continued pandemic that puts national’s

strict benchmarks even more challenging, and positioning this network well in this year and the year to come”. The certification program ensures that members receive quality service in benchmarks related to member services, leadership development, administration and governance, communications, recruitment and retention. While networks keep a charter with national by meeting baseline criteria, only certified networks are recognized as networks of excellence that meet or exceed rigorous benchmarks.

LORRIE KENNEDY

2021 INTERIM PRESIDENT

LOCAL NEWS

Whole Foods developing $20M distribution center

City council approves new upgrade to ABIA

MANOR — Whole Foods Market Inc. is developing a 132,942-sf distribution center at 9917 Hill Ln.

AUSTIN — On Thursday, the Austin City Council approved a resolution spending more money on the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).

The center will include distribution and warehouse space, an administrative area, refrigeration and an outdoor area for members. Construction begins in early January 2022 and will finish in March 2023.

NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

At the recent meeting, council members approved spending no more than $1.5 million to install a new security checkpoint. The new checkpoint would add three screening lines.

Austin-area home prices up 33% compared to same time last year According to a new third-quarter report from Texas Realtors, the median home price for single-family homes in Austin has increased nearly 33% compared to this time last year. Austin-Round Rock has the state’s highest median price, according to the report.

CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

NEW Model Homes! rF eedom e R alty Texas Grand Opening: Amanda e K eley and Christina o R berto both of rF eedom e R alty Texas

Texas o R se e F stival: rF ed Andrews u K per Sothebys’ International e R alty, m E eline Birdwell and Kay Andrews u K per Sothebys’ International e R alty

at M/I Homes

These gorgeous new communities have brand new models to tour. See the newest trends in home designs and tour available inventory homes.

of of

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The Colony in Bastrop ISD from the low $300s – NOW OPEN! Cascades at Onion Creek in Austin ISD from the mid $400s OPENING SOON!

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o L rrie e K nnedy’s Birthday Bash: o L rrie e K nnedy of Classic e R alty

NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

Williamson County Association of REALTORS

Develop A Business Plan For A Successful New Year As 2021 is winding down and we are officially making our way into the holidays, it is important to keep in mind that 2022 is right around the corner. As we prepare for the new year, Williamson County Association of REALTORS® is developing its strategic business plan for 2022.

KRISTON WOOD

2021 PRESIDENT

In any business, it is important to have both a big picture long-term strategic plan, as well as a smallerpicture yearly business plan. REALTORS® are no exception. The best time to embark on writing a business plan for your business is whenever you can benefit from establishing more focus or direction, making a new year the perfect time to establish goals. Creating an annual business plan helps to narrow down the long-term vision of your business into smaller stepping stones. By doing this, you can ensure that you meet your goals for your real estate business. Breaking down your strategic plan into a smaller yearly business plan not only helps your ideas succeed, but also you lay out the groundwork for accomplishing both your short-term and long-term goals and objectives. Although the idea of creating a real estate business plan or even a yearly business plan for your business can be daunting, it is important to keep in mind that there is no room for procrastination on something so important. The earlier you start planning for next year the better. A good business plan provides enough direction for each entity of the business to be able to support your goals for your company. The National Association of REALTORS® has a great resource on how to create a business plan for yourself that lays out the groundwork to make the task less daunting. NAR’s 7 Essential Components of a real estate business plan include: clearly defining a business statement that shows your purpose and the benefit you provide, completing a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats) analysis, setting specific short-term and long-term goals

for yourself, creating a strategic plan to accomplish your goals, setting a time frame for each goal, define your target audience and market, and lastly, creating specific systems and processes to achieve your goals. The whole plan outline from Nar can be found at nar.realtor/writing-a-business-plan. As you can see, the planning of a stellar yearly business plan for 2022 is of the utmost importance, therefore our 2021 Executive Officers and Board of Directors have been hard at work over the past few months establishing a business plan for WCREALTORS.

2021 REALTOR INCENTIVE

We are so excited to install our 2022 Executive Officers and Board of Directors on Thursday, December 2, at Kalahari Resort and Conventions. We are ready to go back to the ‘80s for a night of celebration as we recognize our leadership and those who are recipients of our Industry Awards.

2021 2021 REALTOR INCENTIVE REALTOR INCENTIVE

RECEIVE YOUR REGULAR COMMISSION UP TO ON YOUR FIRST CLOSING

RECEIVE A BONUS IN ADDITION TO YOUR REGULAR COMMISSION FOR YOUR SECOND CLOSING

RECEIVE A BONUS IN ADDITION TO YOUR REGULAR COMMISSION FOR YOUR THIRD & SUBSEQUENT CLOSINGS

Inventory available NOW

AUS

RECEIVE A BONUS IN ADDITION RECEIVE A BONUS No bidding. No wait list. No escalation clause.

RECEIVE YOUR REGULAR COMMISSION UP TO RECEIVE YOUR REGULAR ON YOUR FIRST CLOSING COMMISSION UP TO ON YOUR FIRST CLOSING

TO YOUR REGULAR COMMISSION RECEIVE A BONUS IN ADDITION FOR YOUR SECOND CLOSING TO YOUR REGULAR COMMISSION FOR YOUR SECOND CLOSING

IN ADDITION TO YOUR RECEIVE A BONUS REGULAR COMMISSION FOR YOUR IN ADDITION TO YOUR THIRD & SUBSEQUENT CLOSINGS REGULAR COMMISSION FOR YOUR THIRD & SUBSEQUENT CLOSINGS

For further explanation on this program, ask your Sales Counselor for the 3,4,5 Realtor Bonus terms and conditions. Qualified sales must be original contracts wri en between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. For further explanation on this program, ask your Sales Counselor for the 3,4,5 Realtor Bonus terms and conditions. Qualified sales must be original contracts wri en between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.

AUS AUS

NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

ROUND ROCK OFFICE 810 HESTERS CROSSING, SUITE 155, ROUND ROCK, TEXAS 78681

Your Next Closing Will Be In Our Beautifully Renovated Office! Our Round Rock Team Believes in relationships, not transactions. We pledge to handle every detail of your real estate closing with respect and thoroughness, as if it were our own. We are invested in our hometown and its people. Experience the difference it makes to close with us!

Veronica Harrison Monica Saldana AVP/Branch Manager/Escrow Officer Escrow Officer Veronica.Harrison@austintitle.com Monica.Saldana@austintitle.com 512-244-2266 Office 512-244-2266 Office

Betsey Albrecht Escrow Officer Betsey.Albrecht@austintitle.com 512-244-2266 Office

Cheryl Scully AVP/Business Development Cheryl.Scully@austintitle.com 512-632-5136 Mobile

Stephanie Marek Business Development Stephanie.Marek@austintitle.com 512-771-1861 Mobile

Lee Ann Ray Business Development LRay@austintitle.com 512-994-9080 Mobile

WWW.AUSTINTITLE.COM NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

SouthtS ar Bank Real Estate Sumit: fo Austin Title; tbo h fo Cole dw ll Banker Realty; and fo SouthtS ar Bank ,

CIM Real Estate Sumit: and

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Sales Price % Down First Loan Term Rate APR*

Right @ Home Fixed Rate

FHA REG Fixed Rate

$415,000 0.00% $415,000 30 Years 3.750% 3.803%

$415,000

$0 $3,353 $3,593 $6,946

Down Payment Prepaids/Impounds

Talk to us about refinancing your current mortgage at a lower rate.

$415,000

CONV Fixed Rate $415,000

3.50%

3.00%

5.00%

10.00%

$407,483

$402,550

$394,250

$373,500

30 Years

3.125%

3.000%

4.202%

4.034%

3.633%

3.434%

$14,525

$12,450

$20,750

$14,525

$3,153

$3,353

CASH TO CLOSE Closing Costs

LOVE THE HOME YOU’RE IN NOW BUT WANT A LOWER MONTHLY PAYMENT?

CONV Fixed Rate

TOTAL $ REQUIRED

$3,353

$3,302

$3,450

$3,440

$3,414

$20,980

$19,253

$27,543

$48,267

$1,746

$1,697

$1,662

$1,575

$891

$1,010

$916

$800

$2,636

$2,707

$2,578

$2,375

HOUSING EXPENSE First Loan P&I Taxes, Ins & MI TOTAL MONTHLY PMT

$1,922 $607 $2,529

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate

Mick Donohoe

John Varner

NMLS 298987

NMLS 1615725

512-789-0350 512-687-0668 mick.donohoe@bxs.com

512-828-2900 512-687-0663 john.varner@bxs.com

Mortgage Loan Officer

11149 Research Blvd., Suite 290 Austin TX 78759

Information is subject to change without notice. This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend.

NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

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SOMETHING FOR ALL OF YOUR BUYERS

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New communities, new sections and new move-in ready homes are now selling throughout Greater Austin! Schedule a tour today for you and your clients.

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COMMUNITIES NOW SELLING From the $260s - $500s+

visit us online

With new inventory available, your clients’ Brohn home is closer than you think. List price is the for sale price. No auction and no bidding.

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RealtyLine is published monthly by Caxton Publications, Inc.™ as a non-subscription publication for the more than 16k+ members of the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR), the more than 1,800+ members of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS® (WCREALTORS) and the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin. RealtyLine is a proud member of ABoR, WCREALTORS, HBA and an honorary member of WCR Austin Chapter. We are equally proud to be a Major Investor in TREPAC (2019, 2020). RealtyLine is not responsible for opinions or facts expressed by non-staff writers or for errors and any by-products in advertising or editorial copy. REALTOR® is a registered trademark. The word REALTOR® sometimes appears in this publication without the registered trademark symbol (®) to save space. Wherever the word REALTOR® appears in this publication, the registered trademark should be assumed.

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contributors Riki Markowitz, Katie Agness, Kevin Ginsburg 2021 Presidents Susan Horton, Austin Board of REALTORS® Chad Durham, Home Builders Association of Greater Austin Kriston Wood, Williamson County Association of REALTORS® Lorrie Kennedy, Women’s Council of REALTORS®

3% % COMMISSION

4% % COMMISSION

5% %

PARTNER STATUS FIRST CLOSING

AMBASSADOR STATUS SECOND CLOSING

ELITE STATUS THIRD CLOSING

COMMISSION

For More Realtor Information:

512-643-5400

•

BrohnHomesAgents.com

Real Estate Agent Bonus Program available only when your client closes on a home in a participating Brohn Homes community pursuant to a contract your client signs and executes on or between 1/1/21 and 12/31/21. Bonus will be dictated by order of closing: 3% upon first closing, 4% upon second closing, and 5% upon third closing and thereafter on contracts written by 12/31/21. All bonuses will be paid at closing. Payments of total commissions and bonuses will only be made to actively licensed Texas brokers. Bonus paid to Broker upon client’s successful closing and funding and is based on the original contract price as stated in the Purchase Agreement, excluding any Seller incentives, subsequent change orders, re-writes, or upgrades. Broker is responsible for all applicable taxes. Since seller reserves the right to modify or discontinue this program at any time without notice, please call the applicable sales center in advance to confirm that the program is still in place. Bonus/commission offer not valid for Purchase Agreements signed by buyer prior to publication of this advertisement. Commission cannot be used with any other special offers. May not be combined with any other broker bonuses or offers. Please see a Brohn Homes Sales Consultant for complete details. Clayton Properties Group, Inc. Formerly known and Qualified to do business in Texas as CMH Parks Inc. DBA Brohn Homes reserves the right to make changes to pricing, floor plans, specifications, features, dimensions, elevations, and incentives without prior notice. Stated dimensions and square footages are approximate and should not be used as representation of the home’s precise or actual size. Copyright © 2020 Clayton Properties Group, Inc. Formerly known and Qualified to do business in Texas as CMH Parks Inc. DBA Brohn Homes.

NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

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NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

BNT OF TEXAS

Welcomes LORI SMITH! GEORGETOWN OFFICE 215 W. University Ave. Georgetown, TX 78628 o: 512.501.6284 | f: 888.587.9053 WWW.BNTTEXAS.COM

LORI SMITH Branch Manager & Sr. Escrow Officer losmith@bostonnationaltitle.com NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

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Your trusted title team wishes you and yours a restful and happy day of

Thanksgiving.

REALTORS® deserve a trustworthy partner who understands their needs. When you work with Southwestern Title Agency, your job is easier. REALTORS® enjoy: One single point of contact Full-service on every transaction Timely and accurate title commitments Superior communication Knowledgeable, professional staff Contract upload capability or drop off To learn more about how Southwestern Title Agency can simplify your closings, simply contact us.

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SHEILA BALAGIA Office Mgr/Escrow Officer SHEILA@SWTATX.COM

JENNIFER RHODES Escrow Officer JRHODES@SWTATX.COM

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CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

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[Property Taxes continues on front page]

doesn’t get a dime of it. Right now, there is some relief on the horizon for homeowners — and REALTORS. During the 87th Legislative Session, which recently concluded after a third special session that extended several weeks into autumn, property tax relief was one of Governor Greg Abbott’s agenda items. Senator Paul Bettencourt of Houston authored a bill to allow new homeowners to file for the homestead exemption in the year they purchase property rather than waiting for the following January. The law passed both chambers unanimously and will go into effect immediately for the 2022 tax year. Jaime Lee, director of advocacy communications at Texas REALTORS, says the agency testified in support of the legislation. “It will offer homeowners a way to lower their property’s taxable value and save on their property taxes.” In the third special session, the Legislature approved another property tax relief bill — also authored by Sen. Bettencourt. This one will increase the homestead exemption for school districts, from $25,000 to $40,000. However, this piece of legislation still needs approval by voters, which will happen in May. According to Lee, “the homestead exemption is provided in the Texas Constitution, and changing that document requires a vote — that’s why it’s on the ballot.” If it passes, the state surplus will make up the difference in revenue for school districts. And once that happens, homeowners will see a savings of about $176 per year on their property tax bills. While not a lot, it’s something. Expanding the homestead exemption also passed unanimously through both chambers.

Dates Homeowners Should Know Now that the good news is out of the way, the due date for property taxes is fast approaching. Bills arrived in mailboxes at

the beginning of October and homeowners have until January 31 to pay up. Those who can’t pay, or need more time, should inquire about a tax deferral. According to the Travis County tax assessor-collector office, “a deferral allows homeowners to postpone paying their property taxes for as long as they live in that residence.” Applicants may qualify if one or more homeowners is disabled or is 65 or older. Without a deferral, delinquent balances will start accruing penalties and interest starting February 1. And if bills are still unpaid by July 1, local taxing authorities can start imposing even more penalties for legal costs. At the start of the year, while most homeowners are paying off their property tax bill from the previous year, appraisal districts are gearing up to appraise property values for the next, from January 1 through to April 30. During this time, appraisal districts are also processing exemption applications. During April and May, appraisal value notices are mailed and once they’re received, homeowners have 30 days to appeal. If an owner believes the value assigned to their property by the county is higher than the current market value, they should file an appeal. According to Realty Austin, “When people don’t appeal, the taxing authority accepts that their value is correct which affects all homeowners in a given area.” So by appealing, homeowners help keep residential real estate valuations down to earth — or at least in line with market value. Protest forms can be downloaded from one’s county appraisal district office. Over the past few years, surveys have shown that reducing property taxes is one of the top three concerns for homeowners in Texas. So it’s nice to know that in a year some folks may describe as turbulent in terms of the economy, politics, and the environment, at least something is going our way.

Manzanilla Joins Compass Austin as Managing Director AUSTIN — Compass, the real estate technology company is pleased to announce that Romeo Manzanilla has joined the Austin leadership team as Managing Director. Manzanilla is a well-known fixture of the Austin real estate market and the immediate past-president of the Austin Board of REALTORS (ABoR). He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of REALTORS (TAR) and beginning Manzanilla in 2022 will also serve on the Board of Directors of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). “The real estate industry is quickly evolving and Compass offers the innovative tools and solutions that Austin agents need to compete and win in this historically hot hous-

NOV 20 - DEC 19, 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

ing market,” said Manzanilla. “I’m excited to begin this next chapter of my career and look forward to empowering Compass agents to provide an unparalleled client experience.” An active ABoR member since 2006, Manzanilla brings vast experience and leadership skills to the rapidly growing Compass team in Austin. Manzanilla will serve as an expert resource for the company’s local agents and will be instrumental to business growth as Compass continues to scale in Austin and beyond. “Romeo Manzanilla brings so much experience to the table and will be an incredible resource for Compass agents in Austin,” said Rachel Hocevar, Compass regional president for Texas. “In addition to his real estate acumen, Romeo is renowned for being a true professional and having great character. We are thrilled to welcome him to our team.”

CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

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CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

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CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

FEATURE STORY | Partners In Profile

BancorpSouth Mortgage With an array of mortgage solutions and products, BancorpSouth Mortgage has become a go-to lender for commercial and residential mortgage loans of varying levels of complexity. Backed by a full-service bank, BancorpSouth Mortgage operates with the power of a large bank but with local processors and closers who understand the Austin market. “We work with all types of commercial and residential mortgage clients because we can do all types of loans,” says John Varner, mortgage loan officer. “One of the things that sets us apart is our range of products, including portfolio loans, first time buyer loans, special loans for doctors, high net-worth loans, home equity loans, refinancing and many more.”

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products, pricing and processes. “At BancorpSouth mortgage, we have a great team of people, wide range of products, competitive pricing, and strong processes,” Varner says. “We are all really seasoned and know what we’re doing. Because of these 4 p’s, realtors often come to us because we are able to tackle the tougher deals. After seeing how well we handle them, they start

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individual companies, but plan to offer to the public soon. Varner adds that because of Austin’s hot real estate market, they’ve seen an uptick in some loan types. “We have seen a lot more construction lending due to a lack of inventory in the market,” he says. “Because we have a lot of flexibility with our products, we also offer purchase and renovation loans as the same time for homebuyers looking to tackle a home remodel.”

We work with all types of commercial and residential mortgage clients ... we can do all types of loans, say Varner.

“BancorpSouth mortgage also has some products that our competitors don’t, such as competitive land financing and 100-percent condo financing,” says Mick Donohoe, mortgage loan officer. Serving the Greater Austin area, BancorpSouth Mortgage has two loan Varner production offices in the city, as well as 35 bank branches throughout central Texas. “Our local footprint allows us to run like an old school mortgage company with local processors and closers, but we have the backing and power of a big bank,” Varner says. When it comes to success, BancorpSouth strives to always remain committed to “the four p’s,” which stand for people,

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working with us regularly on all types of deals.” Donohoe and Varner, who each have over 20 years of mortgage experience, have become experts in upholding BancorpSouth’s commitment to excellent people, products, pricing and processes. “We have become known as the go-to loan officers if something can’t get done,” says Donohoe. “Ultimately, we are solution providers. If we have a customer who isn’t able to get a loan done successfully, we are able to tell them how to do it or where to go.” As changes arise the mortgage world and Austin communities, BancorpSouth has been quick to adapt. “We’ve seen how impactful social media marketing is for realtors and developed a variety of courses to help them increase their reach and top of funnel” Donohoe says. “We currently offer private classes for

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When choosing a mortgage lender, BancorpSouth has become a go-to choice because of their flexible portfolio of products and processes that ensure a clean, easy transaction, no matter how difficult or complex. “Not only does our team have the expertise and knowledge, but we also have the portfolio piece which differentiates us from many other lenders across town. Because of this, I’m constantly getting business from other lenders,” Donohoe says.

Varner agrees saying, “Our flexible portfolio gives us the ability to offer a variety of products, so other loan officers come to us for help completing a loan. In addition, we are always communicating and available to talk to our clients, and our processes are butter smooth. We want to get things done efficiently, which is why we send non-notarized closing documents ahead of time to speed up the closing process time. It’s all of the little things that add up to a smooth transaction.”

Donohoe

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s e v i f h g i H Big Win

CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

For the

Team!

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

thank you

To Our Amazing Staff, Who Voted For Us Yo Be A

Top Workplace In

2021

No other Austin title company has been awarded this honor every year for the last five years.

To learn more about how to work with or close with us, visit:

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