October 2021 by RealtyLine

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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 6 | OCTOBER 2021

written by RIKI MARKOWITZ

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Let ’s Get Social

Spooky, Haunted or Local Legend? Texas prides itself on being businessfriendly. Companies large and small are attracted to the Friendship state thanks to legislators’ aversion to bogging businesses down with onerous regulations. So it’s no surprise that some real estate professionals in Texas are unfamiliar with the term “stigmatized property.” The phrase, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), is defined as “a property that has been psychologically impacted by an event which occurred, or was suspected to have occurred, on the property.” The subtext NAR is getting at here is that if you have a client who

suspects their home is haunted, Texas law does not require that information to be disclosed to potential buyers. Most states actually do not require sellers to reveal if they believe their house is haunted. But there are some spooky details that homeowners must disclose, such as if a murder took place in the home — even if the crime occured under previous ownership. And if someone suffered a mortal injury in relation to the condition of the house, that too must be disclosed. But as far as suicides and other untimely deaths, according to section 5.008 of Texas’ property code, neither

ORGANIZATION

Advertiser Video

If a new house hits the market in Austin, and you have a hunch that spirits from some bygone era refuse to pack-up and go, would you still show it to clients? Surveys indicate that most people are OK with buying a haunted house. In a 2020 Halloween survey by REALTOR.com, 62 percent of respondents said they probably wouldn’t consider living in a house that was — or rumored to be — haunted. That said, the same survey

RL ADVERTISER

Wednesday, Oct. 27 October Networking Happy Hour

ASSOCIATION

[continues on page 16]

Wednesday, Nov. 3 TREC Contracts - The Transaction Lifeline + Best Practices

Wednesday, Nov. 10 Big Texas Sporting Clay Shootout

Trifecta / 360 Tower / 360 Nueces Street #30

Heritage Title / 2500 Bee Caves, Bldg 3, STE 110

Austin Gun Club / 2901 CR 206, Lampasas

We will have door prizes from our sponsors and a drink ticket for each guest. Bring a friend, coworker, and your favorite networking buddy! FREE for REALTORS, $10 for everyone else Be sure to RSVP! Please support our 2021 Charity Partner, CLICK HERE Central Texas Food Bank, by joining our events and learn more about how to get involved.

The purpose of this course is to continue to reinforce the importance of understanding and knowing how to complete TREC’s promulgated contracts and selected addenda. The course takes the licensee CLICK briefly through the fundamentals of HERE contracts and concludes with in-depth discussion of all the contract paragraphs.

HBA’s annual Sporting Clay Shootout brings many of our builder members out for a fun-filled day of shooting, food and prizes. This event sells out teams well in advance every year, with an average of 200 attendees. The casual atmosphere CLICK HE presents ample opportunity for REGISTRE relationship-building, offering added ER value to these sponsorships.

Austin Young Real Estate Professionals (AYREP)

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a seller or seller’s agent has a duty to release information involving a death by suicide or mishap, as long as it had nothing to do with the property or the condition of the property.

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Michelle Sankey Escrow Officer

Gaye Pierce Executive Vice President

Jacqueline Elkins Escrow Officer

Laura Harrington Business Development

Cathy Bade Branch Manager, Escrow Officer

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Our Lake Travis team is delighted to announce the arrival of Jacqueline Elkins, Escrow Officer. She is an outstanding addition to our crew and we are thrilled to have her on board! Stewart Title of Austin, LLC Lake Travis – 620 1313 Ranch Rd. 620 S., Ste. 101 Lakeway, TX 78734 512.263.5651 stewart.com/austin © 2021 Stewart. All rights reserved.

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Austin Board of REALTORS®

Breaking Down Technology Barriers ABoR has several opportunities on the horizon to empower you to finish the year strong! Learn more about the Association, discover emerging tech trends and enter to win a dream vacation getaway.

November 4: ThinkUp LIVE + Annual Meeting

SUSAN HORTON

2021 PRESIDENT

Get ready for a double feature during ABoR’s final ThinkUp LIVE installment of 2021! ABoR CEO Emily Chenevert and CMO Kelea Youngblood are back and excited to bring you live takeaways and answer member questions during the event. We’ll be kicking things off with our Annual Meeting, where yours truly and CEO Emily Chenevert will deliver a State of the Association that celebrates all the accomplishments and happenings at ABoR and ACTRIS in 2021, as well as a glimpse of what you can expect in the year ahead. If you’re a business owner, it’s time to step into a new era and start thinking more open-mindedly about tech tools and innovations. We will dive into these new tech trends during ThinkUp LIVE with a Tech Talk from Jeff Turner, partner of KTK Partners (Tangilla), International Speaker, Entrepreneur in Residence for Second Century Ventures and a Strategic Advisor to multiple real estate technology startups around the world. Major advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning aren’t just on the horizon in our industry – they’re already here! Get an eye-opening tour of the latest and greatest innovations in the real estate space and hear a forecast of what’s just over the horizon. Following Jeff’s program, we’ll hear rapid-fire pitches from three up-and-coming tech companies that are making waves in the real estate industry. As a launch partner for the National Association of REALTORS®’s REACH Program, ABoR is now bringing you

OCT 20-NOV 19 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

REGISTER HERE NOW! the opportunity to be the first to hear about and weigh in on emerging innovations in real estate! For our first REACH pitch session at ThinkUp LIVE, we’ve enlisted several up-and-coming companies from the, a tech partnership for emerging companies, small real estate businesses, and entrepreneurs to get the word out about their brand and help agents like you! This is the perfect opportunity to hear about the game-changing technology trends emerging in real estate right now and see how you can utilize these companies in your own career. ABoR will round out ThinkUp LIVE by announcing the winner of the ABoR Foundation’s 2021 Vacation Raffle. See the vacation packages available and learn how you can purchase your tickets below! We’ll see you at the final ThinkUp LIVE event of 2021 on November 4 from 1:00-2:30 p.m.! Register now online at ABoR.com/ThinkUp.

Win a Vacation While Supporting the ABoR Foundation The ABoR Foundation focuses on housing, education and disaster relief work to solve the most pressing issues in our Central Texas community. When disasters strike, we mobilize support from

membership to contribute hundreds of hands-on hours and tens of thousands of dollars to help those in need. Since 1978, the ABoR Foundation has invested in hundreds of initiatives that have paid dividends to the Central Texas area in the form of happier people, healthier communities and new opportunities for our fellow Texans. You can support the ABoR Foundation by purchasing a raffle ticket in our 2021 Vacation Raffle. A member favorite, the ABoR Foundation Raffle allows the winner to choose between one four incredible vacation packages, including: • Around the World Choice Vacation • Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive Stay • Tuscany Culinary Escape • Disney World Family Adventure Buy one ticket for $50 or five for $200 (1 FREE ticket!) by November 1 for a chance to win one of the dream getaways! And if you’re not comfortable traveling yet, don’t worry! You have up to two years to claim your vacation package! Visit ABoR.com/ Raffle for full details on vacation packages and how to buy your ticket.

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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

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Women’s Council of REALTORS, Austin Network

Representing a Buyer or Seller of a Stigmatized Property When I’m driving around town, even traveling and visiting new places, I often find myself thinking “How would I market that feature?” or “How would I advise a buyer?”

LORRIE KENNEDY

2021 INTERIM PRESIDENT

Halloween brings a completely new twist to that thought. Have you ever googled a search for local haunted houses? Some of them are occupied homes, which means it is highly likely in the next five to 10 years the owner could consider selling it. “How would I market that?!” Although stigmatized homes can come from many different sources, the most obvious one is stories of hauntings which cause a house to sit vacant for decades while the stories become more fantastical generation after generation. The chances of most REALTORS stumbling across a transaction with such a reputative house would be rare. This time of the year, it is entertaining to consider how one might represent the seller or buyer in a transaction of that sort! What if the seller believes there is paranormal or even a demonic activity in the house? Even though it is not required, Kerri Lewis discussed this topic at length in her article “Death and Disclosure: License Holders’ Legal and Ethical Responsibilities,” and asked readers to consider the following statistics: • 45 percent of Americans believe ghosts and demons exist. • 43 percent of U.S. adults think ghosts can haunt people or places.

perhaps focusing on the local community and neighborhood. Conversations with the seller to set and understand expectations at every level will be detrimental to a successful transaction. Seller and seller’s agent have no duty to disclose a death from natural causes, suicide or an accident unrelated to the property’s condition. How do you handle a listing where there was a suicide? For some buyers, these facts would be a deal-breaker, which may be cultural or religious-based beliefs. The astute agent is aware that neighbors will tell the story. Texas law makes it clear that REALTORS and their clients do not have a duty to disclose any facts which are “unrelated to the condition of the

• 36 percent of Americans say they have personally felt the presence of a spirit or ghost.

property.” While we aren’t required to disclose such facts, our businesses

• 13 percent of Americans say they have communicated directly with a ghost or spirit.

of the highest integrity that our reputations are built.

These statistic suggest that almost half of homebuyers may consider perceived paranormal or demonic activity a deciding factor in their decision to purchase a home. Kerri Lewis also reminded readers that murder is a death which is

required to be disclosed. A house that has become locally famous because of a brutal crime would likely require more creative marketing strategies,

OCT 20-NOV 19 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

are based on our local reputations, and it is only by proving ourselves to be How will a particular buyer react to the information? What is the seller’s position on disclosing? Representing the seller means keeping their confidentiality in the highest regard. This is a delicate issue to be handled with the greatest sensitivity. Many times, it becomes an ethical question. In my view, disclosure is the best practice.

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Williamson County Association of REALTORS

Did You Know the Board Membership and MLS Services Are Two Different Things? In the state of Texas, you only need to belong to one Board. However, you can choose to subscribe to as many MLS systems as you choose if your broker is also a subscriber.

KRISTON WOOD

2021 PRESIDENT

There are key differences between Board Membership and MLS Services. For instance, Board membership provides you with resources such as member services, professional development, networking opportunities with fellow peers within the real estate industry and the ability to volunteer within your association’s various committees. Multiple Listing Services, or MLS provides access to shared data that helps you serve your clients specific needs while simultaneously allowing you to be compensated while doing so. The Williamson County Association of REALTORS® has partnered with the Central Texas MLS, a Regional Shareholder Multiple Listing Service that spans across 15 counties within Central Texas. There are many benefits to subscribing to a Regional MLS Service. Some of the highlights are expanding your reach by giving you greater exposure, amplifying your referral base and syndication. Your listing will syndicate to over 75 locations while using CTXMLS. Choosing to become a Board member of an Association of REALTORS® is an important decision and are many factors to consider when choosing the right Board for you. One question to ask yourself should be “what is the most convenient option to me?” Location, location, location! When choosing a board, you should take into consideration your place of living and your place of work. Choose the one that is in the most convenient proximity to your specific location. Your local Board of REALTORS® provides you with so many amenities like continuing education, committee participation and a great REALTOR® store. You should make sure that the commute does not take a negative toll on your overall Board experience. The Williamson County Association of REALTORS® is setting the

P.A.C.E. by promoting, advocating, connecting and educating our members to help unlock the world of real estate so that we can help enable them to be the best REALTORS® that they can be. We are in the process of wrapping up another amazing year of events here at WCREALTORS and are getting excited as we are starting to plan out next year’s events. On Thursday, Oct. 14, we are kicking off our pre-gamer to the 2022 SuperBowl of Builders with a Pub Crawl on the Georgetown Square. We have two charitable events going on throughout November. Starting on Nov. 1, we are kicking off the Treats for Troops Candy Drive. Bring us your leftover halloween candy to WCREALTORS to be donated to Soldier’s Angels throughout the month of November. Last year, the community donated over 800 pounds of candy for this great drive, let’s make it more this year! Also, in November we are hosting our first annual Deck the Halls Christmas Tree Auction & Toy Drive. Stop by the association from Nov. 12-19 and enjoy a cup of cocoa while immersing in a Winter Wonderland. We will have decorated themed tree’s set up throughout the auditorium for you to bid on. Bring a toy for admission. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local families in need this holiday season. Rolling into December, we have our 2021 Installation & Awards Ceremony on Dec. 2 at Kalahari Resort & Conventions. Travel back in time for the 1980s prom-themed celebration. Finally, on Dec. 16 we will be having a TREPAC Christmas Movie night here at the association. Join us for a fun-filled time to put yourself and your family in the holiday spirit.

2021 REALTOR INCENTIVE ready to come with a close, we are eager to hit the ground running and We are so excited to be heading into the holiday’s here at the Wil-

liamson County Association of REALTORS®. As another year is getting make 2022 an unforgettable one.

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CAPTURING REAL MOMENTS IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1995

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

Experienced BILL STALEY

Vice President of Lending p: 512.992.1457 m: 512.383.6639 bill.staley@southstarbank.com NMLS# 1188720

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TREC #3304 / TDA #37603

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Serving Austin, Central Texas and Surrounding Areas Since 1989 State of Texas Certified Real Estate Inspector

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Attention Brokers We want your new agent news! Email us their bio & photo and we will publish it in RealtyLine. editor@ myrealtyline.com SV Real Estate welcomes Zepeda to its firm SV Real Estate is pleased to welcome JACOB ZEPEDA to its team! Jacob is a new agent who is eager to assist clients with their home buying, selling and leasing needs. He’s got deep roots in Leander and is a great addition. jacob@svretx.com • (512) 299-7936

showed that 13 percent of respondents believe they currently cohabitate with ghosts and more than half of those folks were aware of the spirits before they moved in. In Austin, where housing inventory has been hitting record lows year after year since the state’s rocket-fast recovery from the Great Recession, a few ghosts are not going to dissuade motivated buyers. That much, you can bet on. As far as we know, there are no haunted houses on the market right now. Of course, even if there were, the current owners wouldn’t be obligated to disclose that information. But we did find a few other properties in the area where apparitions are rumored to haunt. If you’re brave, you could stop by one of these spots for some coffee and maybe meet some long-gone Austinites.

Littlefield Home / 302 W 24th St, Austin This house, which is on the US National Register of Historic Places, looks like it’s from the set of the 60’s era TV show, The Munsters. It’s believed that the ghost of Alice Littlefield wanders the Victorian home on gloomy, dark nights. Depending on which story you believe, Alice, who was wed to a rich businessman and UT benefactor, was either agoraphobic or locked inside for years on end. Visitors to the Littlefield mansion say the house has cold spots and feels haunted. There have been claims of seeing a woman’s face looking through the windows and hearing footsteps in the hallways. Some visitors reported hearing agonizing high-pitched screams, too.

The Pearl / 1809 Pearl St, Austin If you’re a fan of the 1990s film Slacker, then you may recognize this building. But most recently it was a boutique hotel. The late 1800s property was home to District Judge Charles A. Wilcox and his family. After they moved out, the house fell into disrepair and was abandoned for decades. A few years ago new owners decided to renovate the house and a plumber

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OCT 20-NOV 19 2021 | REALTYLINE.US

claimed to have seen an apparition in a white dress carrying two baby boys. The Inn’s owner, Jill Bickford, has a feeling that the spirit is Stella, the Judge’s wife. While Bickford has never seen Stella with her own eyes, she does say the spirit is very mischievous. A few years ago Bickford was tidying a bathroom and after stepping away for a few minutes, she returned to find the towels in disarray. Another time, Stella wouldn’t let a guest lock the door to his room.

The Confederate Woman’s Home / 3710 Cedar St., Austin The Confederate Woman’s Home was constructed to provide shelter for the destitute orphans and elderly widows and wives of Confederate soldiers (today it’s AGE of Central Texas). More than half a century after the last occupants moved out or died, workers at the 113-year-old building reported seeing at least four ghosts on the grounds. Two female phantoms have been spotted in what was an upstairs parlor and a ghoulish boy and girl have been seen playing alone — one near the parlor and the other downstairs. Jeanine Plumb, owner of Austin Ghost Tours and author of Haunted Austin, wrote about guests hearing the screams of children and abandoned toys littering the floor.

Faust Hotel / 240 S Seguin Ave, New Braunfels The Faust Hotel in New Braunfels was doomed from dayone. In the years following World War I, the townspeople of New Braunfels wanted to build a hotel to attract out-of-towners. So a local businessman, Walter Faust Sr., was hired for the job. When the stock market crashed at the end of October 1929, the Traveler’s Hotel had only been open for two weeks. Years later, the name was changed to the Faust Hotel and it is believed that Walt still roams the halls of his prized hotel. Guests have reported feeling cold spots while catching a glimpse of a ghost wearing a long trench coat and black hat inspecting the dining room. Staff members have seen the elevator head to other floors when no one was calling and a bartender saw glasses fall from shelves for absolutely no reason.

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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.

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