July 2019 Issue by RealtyLine

austin

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F E AT U R E D

NORTHGATE RANCH

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F E AT U R E D

EMPIRE COMMUNITIES

OPINION

BUDA AFFORDABILITY

Capturing REAL moments in real estate since 1995

JULY 2019 • VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 3

Anticipation for new regulations targeting real estate teams falls flat By Riki Markowitz Last October, Inman News published an article titled, “NAR warns government may crack down on real estate teams.” It attracted a lot of attention, for good reason. Several states had recently passed rules regulating real estate team names. It was controversial — some arguing the new regulations will provide clarity to consumers while others claiming that it wasn’t a big enough problem in the first place. But the threat that more crackdowns are coming is ominous.

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

Real estate teams by the numbers First, it’s helpful to understand what real estate teams are and how prominent they are. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) has a membership of 1.3 million REALTORS. Last year, the organization surveyed nearly 3,400 members and published a report called “2018 Teams Survey.” They defined real estate teams as consisting of two members to 16 or more (29 percent of teams had two members; 20 percent had six to 10 members). Finally, most team members hold a real estate license. Why real estate teams in Texas might be concerned with crackdowns According to NAR, real estate teams are

very popular right now and “becom[ing] a fixture of the contemporary real estate environment.” As a result, industry regulators will be watching. A NAR press release reports, “In recent years, 24 states have statutes or formal regulations in place that address real estate teams.” NAR

doesn’t say which states, but we can safely assume that Texas is on that list. New advertising rules were passed just last May regulating team names, specifically how a name can appear on signs and ads. There was no exemption for teams that had already been operating with a now-banned name. They were required

to register a new business name. It was a stressful time for teams here in Texas, and not just for those who had to scramble to register a new name and then also change letterhead, signs, ads, flyers, etc. But in a few short months, Texas’ 86th state legislative session would be in session. If there were going to be a crackdown on teams, or the industry, those bills would become law by June 2019. Since Texas has a very short regular legislative season — 140 days — and lawmakers only meet on odd numbered years, sessions are a busy time for legislators, but it’s also an extraordinarily hectic time for industry watchdogs. It’s their job to keep an eye on every single piece of legislation that could affect REALTORS in the state. It was difficult to predict what 2019 would be like for several reasons, but a big one was that power in the House — and the Senate, to a smaller degree — shifted more than

Falls Flat continued on page 28

45 YEARS

LARRY MOLINARE Stewart Title of Austin, LLC 901 S. MoPac Expy. Bldg III, Ste. 100 Austin, TX 78746 (512) 472-9231 stewart.com/austin/barton-oaks

He’s never ridden a horse to work or needed a suit armor to establish his point of view. In the realm of real estate he’s proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that the pen is mightier than the sword. He’s a local treasure to our associates as the first line of defense in his role as an underwriter and legal advisor. As a leader in the title industry, he’s a key figure who has helped forge the vision of our great city using dignity and composure with each transaction that’s crossed his path over an astonishing span of 45 years. All that he’s become professionally can only be dwarfed by his larger than life character and humble desire to treat others with a servant’s heart. It is with great honor that we pay tribute to our friend as he’s reached this astounding career benchmark. “WE LOVE YOU LARRY!”

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LENNAR 1

BELLINGHAM MEADOWS 7509 Antrim Trail, Austin, TX 78754

MADSEN RANCH 1205 Chad Lane, Round Rock, TX 78665

BRADSHAW CROSSING 10416 Premier Park, Austin, TX 78747

MALONE PARK 10201 Buster Crabbe Drive Austin, TX 78748

BRYSON 2108 Abelia Lane, Leander, TX 78641

ORCHARD RIDGE 105 Wind Flower Lane, Liberty Hill, TX 78628

CARMEL CREEK 206 Simmental Loop, Hutto, TX 78634

RANCHO SIENNA 317 Rancho Sienna Loop, Georgetown, TX 78628

CARNEROS RANCH 204 Tinto Street, Leander, TX 78641

SANTA RITA 113 Civita Road, Leander, TX 78641

COLORADO CROSSING 3808 Breckenridge Drive Austin, TX 78744

SONTERRA 101 Circle Way, Jarrell, TX 76537

COMMONS AT ROWE LN 20812 Windmill Ranch Ave, Pflugerville, TX 78660

STILLWATER 812 Big Rocky Bend Georgetown, TX 78628

COOL SPRINGS 113 Juniper Springs Road, Kyle, TX 78640

STONEFIELD 466 Red Morganite Trail, Buda, TX 78610

CRESCENT BLUFF 1213 Horizon View Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628

20 SUN CHASE 15512 Cottage Orchid, Del Valle, TX 78617 21

THE COLONY 119 Esparza Drive, Bastrop, TX 78602

22 AVAÑA 70’s 12508 Padua Drive, Austin, TX 78739

OAKS AT SAN GABRIEL 1221 Terrace View Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628

23 AVAÑA 50’s & 60’s 6325 Antigo Lane, Austin, TX 78739

30 PALMERA RIDGE 2517 Carretera Drive, Leander, TX 78641

24 CRESCENT BLUFF 1209 Horizon View Dr., Georgetown, TX 78628

PARTEN 396 Cistern Way, Austin, TX 78738

25 EAST VILLAGE 4306 Flameleaf Sumac, Bee Cave, TX 78738

ROUGH HOLLOW THE VINEYARDS 105 Beneteau Drive, Lakeway, TX 78738

THE RANCH AT BRUSHY CREEK 75’S 4103 Brady Ridge Drive, Cedar Park, TX 78613

10 ENCLAVE AT ESTANCIA 12400 Morelia Way, Austin, TX 78748 11 HUTTO HIGHLANDS 610 Carol Drive, Hutto, TX 78634

Village Builders

26 GREYROCK RIDGE 5409 Allamanda Drive, Austin, TX 78739 27 LEGACY TRAILS 550 Goodnight Trail, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Homes from the $100s-$700s

28 LOS SENDEROS AT SERENE HILLS 602 Sweet Grass Lane, Lakeway, TX 78738

34 THE RESERVE AT CABALLO RANCH 103 CR 180, Unit 84, Cedar Park, TX 78684

CalAtlantic Homes 35 MUELLER 4401 Berkman, Austin,TX 78723

Lennar.com/Austin I 512-489-6838 All maps are not to scale, and are for relative location purposes only. Price subject to change without notice. Visit Lennar.com or see a Lennar New Home Consultant for further details and disclaimers. This is not an offer in states where prior registration is required. Void where prohibited by law. Copyright © 2018 Lennar Corporation. Lennar, the Lennar logo, the Village Builders logo are U.S. registered service marks or service marks of Lennar Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. Date 04/2019 LNAUS242 May

Coming Soon 36 Siena

38 The Retreat at Steiner

37 Stoney Ridge

39 Whisper

REAL | PEOPLE Podcast 101, Branding & Marketing Yourself class: Mike Sharman of Freedom 512 Real Estate Group and Lisa Sharman of Benchmark Mortgage

RL Advertising Partner: Benchmark Mortgage

JB Goodwin, REALTORS Annual Company Picnic: Famous six-foot banana split

AYREP Networking Happy Hour: Members Daisy Vaught and Kristen Booth

Marketing Luxury Home Class: Michelle Piperi of Texas National Title and Amanda Butterfield RL Advertising Partner: Texas National Title

VA Training for Real Estate Professionals Class: Cynthia Jackson of Keller Williams Realty RL Advertising Partner: Veterans United Home Loans

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Coming Soon Something great is just around the corner. We’re excited to announce that brand new communities—with new homes, new streets, new everything—are coming soon to the Austin area. Stay tuned to see how you can own a home that’s as unique as you are. Join the interest lists now. Northridge Park in Austin 1,491–2,881 sq. ft., 3–6 bdrms., 2–4 baths Springdale Rd. and Old Manor Rd., Austin, TX 78724 • 888-524-6637

Oakmont in Georgetown 1,491–3,125 sq. ft., 3–6 bdrms., 2–4 baths 105 Kyndals Meadow Cove, Georgetown, TX 78628 • 512-688-5800

Sundance Crossing in Del Valle 1,353–2,898 sq. ft., 3–5 bdrms., 2–4 baths Ross Rd. and Heine Farm Rd., Del Valle, TX 78617 • 888-524-6637

Village at Northtown in Pflugerville 1,353–2,898 sq. ft., 3–5 bdrms., 2–4 baths Heatherwilde Blvd. and Wells Branch Pkwy., Pflugerville, TX 78660 • 888-524-6637

Willow Trace in Austin 1,516–2,898 sq. ft., 3–5 bdrms., 2–4 baths Burnet Rd. and Shoreline Dr., Austin, TX 78728 • 888-524-6637

888-KB-HOMES | kbhome.com Broker Cooperation Welcome. ©2019 KB Home (KBH). Placement on interest list does not guarantee qualification for a loan, lot location or purchase of a KB home. 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. Photo may display decorator items/furnishings not available for purchase and may not represent lowest-priced homes. See sales counselor for details. AUS-225296

REAL | LEADERS

AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS®

How ABoR is Priming the

Next Generation

KEVIN SCANLAN 2019 PRESIDENT

When it comes to professional development, the Austin Board of REALTORS means business. With over 120 classes offered through the ABoR Academy, we recognize that education is key to strengthening the future of Central Texas. In an effort to expand career opportunities for high school students preparing to enter the workforce, ABoR is partnering with the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to cultivate the next generation of Central Texas REALTORS. Beginning next year, Akins High School students will be able to complete all necessary coursework to take their real estate exam upon turning 18 as well as graduate with their high school diploma and an associate degree in business. This is one of several career-specific programs offered by Akins High School and the first real estate training program of its kind in the country. The curriculum itself is designed to provide career coaching and sales training, as well as a working knowledge of ethical business practices. Students will have the advantage of launching their respective career paths soon after moving their tassels from right to left. “There’s a disconnect now between the skill sets kids are coming out of high school and college with and what the workplaces require,” says AISD Associate Superintendent Craig Shapiro. With that in mind, ABoR hopes to bridge that gap by supporting AISD students looking

to hit the ground running upon graduation, regardless of whether their career path is in real estate or a related profession. Our aim is to motivate and help more students to pursue higher education and accomplish their individual goals by ensuring that students have every opportunity to excel in their careers. ABoR has been an AISD strategic partner since 2018 and regularly hosts the Austin ISD + ABoR Tour of Schools. These tours give REALTORS the chance to visit Austin schools and see firsthand what they have to offer. Since local schools are often one of the most important factors that homebuyers consider when purchasing a new home, the tour is a great resource for agents wanting to familiarize themselves with the various districtoffered programs throughout the city. In the wake of major budget shortfalls and declining enrollment, due in part to the State of Texas’s recapture fund, Austin ISD is considering the consolidation of some of its

schools. Last month, AISD released its 2019 Reinvention Planning Map, which divides the district into five distinct regions. The decision on what changes will be made will be largely based on the district’s intent to renovate older campuses, as well as proximal distance to local neighborhoods. Fortunately for Austin homeowners, recently approved school finance reform will alleviate

the strain of property taxes, reducing recapture by 47 percent in the next two years. Entitled House Bill 3, legislators were also able to increase education funding from 38 percent to 45 percent. While it’s a short-term solution, House Bill 3 sets a positive precedent for future school finance reform. In the meantime, however, ABoR aspires to mitigate concerns for consolidation through its partnership with AISD.

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REAL | PEOPLE

Dripping Springs Race to Brunch 5K: Ryan Pace of Drees Custom Homes

New Model Home Bus Tour: Melissa Seelig, Monica Acosta and Audrey Serenil, all of Sky Realty. RL Advertising Partner: Caliterra

WCR Austin Build Your Army Learning Luncheon: Bethany Hammonds of JB Goodwin, REALTORS and Rick Gonzales of Rigel Realty. RL Advertising Partners: Drees Custom Homes and Caliterra

VA Training for Real Estate Professionals Class: Nathaniel Hellman of Jerry Fullerton Realty

AYREP Networking Happy Hour: Christine Scoggins, AYREP co-chair and Rhys Malen

RL Advertising Partner: Veterans United Home Loans

WE DO IT ALL

IN REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL. LUXURY. COMMERCIAL. And we are doing it – WORLDWIDE. We are RE/MAX®. joinremax. com

REAL | PEOPLE

Austin Mortgage Bankers Association Luncheon: Dorothy Erminger, Michael Scott and Karen Elliott

AYREP Networking Happy Hour: Jonathan Richards of Pure Gold Realty and AYREP Sponsorship CoChair Chantel Floyd of eXp Realty

Williamson County Association of REALTORS 10-year Building Celebration: Tonnaga and Steve Marcyes of Realty Texas.

Marketing Luxury Home Class RL Advertising Partner: Texas National Title

WCREALTORS New Home Construction Specialist Designation Class: Kari Lichman of RE/ MAX Capital City and Candy Griffin of Sphere Realty

MODELS NOW OPEN!

1-ACRE COUNTRY MATURED HOMESITES 3-CAR GARAGES AVAILABLE LIBERTY PORCH GATHERING CENTER COMING SOON ACCLAIMED LIBERTY HILL SCHOOLS

NEW HOMES FROM THE $450s

CR 214

Graphics, photographs and maps shown are representational only and should not be relied upon as depictions of existing or proposed community improvements. Final development may differ from these representations. Subject to change without notice.

512-434-0532 NORTHGATERANCH.COM

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New Georgetown Office

Stop By and Visit!

Emily Morris,Escrow Officer Emily.Morris@austintitle.com 512-519-2900 Office

Betsey Albrecht,Escrow Officer Betsey.Albrecht@austintitle.com 512-519-2900 Office

Jessica Jansen Dowdy,Escrow Assistant 512-591-2898 Office Jessica.Dowdy@austintitle.com Lisa Hanstrom,Escrow Assistant 512-591-2897 Office Lisa.Hanstrom@austintitle.com

113 West 9th Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626 512-591-2900 Office / www.austintitle.com 9

REAL | LEADERS

WILLIAMSON COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

BIG Changes

Your Local VA Loan Experts

are on the Horizon

Chad Bowman  U.S. Marine Veteran Branch Manager, NMLS 191475

Learn about your VA benefits today! (512) 646-0800 AustinVALoans.com 3415 Greystone Drive, Suite 301, Austin, TX 78731. Veterans United Home Loans is a VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. NMLS # 1907 (nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Licensed by the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, Mortgage Company License #1907; 77193 Servicer License - Corporate (Missouri) Office:Texas-SML Residential Mortgage Loan Servicer Registration #1907.

1310 S 1st Street, Suite 100, Austin TX 78704 512-458-3730 ofc / 512-458-3736 fax info@austinrealpros.com www.austinrealpros.com

WORLD PEACE through Property Management • • • • • • •

You receive first month’s management fee for your referral Your clients are returned when it’s time for you to sell their property Your client gets a professional team to care for their investment Over 60 years of combined experience in real estate Refer your clients to a company you’ve come to know and trust Commercial, Apartment, and HOA Management Services Ask us about our parallel marketing program

Sales • Leasing • Property Management Agents! We have great opportunities to advance your career. Give us a call today!

512-458-3730

Central Texas and Williamson County continue to feel the benefit of a strong housing and employment market. With it being mid-year, I hope your business is harnessing these benefits because we sure are at Williamson County Association of REALTORS. We’ve got some big things coming online in July that will make a positive impact in your business. First off, we are pleased to announce our “All Access” member benefit. As a member of WCREALTORS and an MLS subscriber to CTXMLS you will benefit from over 40+ FREE CE hours of continuing education provided at the Association. You don’t have to re-read. That’s 40+ hours of FREE CE education. WCREALTORS is committed to investing in its members and subscribers so they are successful. This is an investment of over $250,000 WCREALTORS is putting into our members and subscribers. The next announcement is we are allowing our CTXMLS subscribers to have the power of flexibility. Meaning, our CTXMLS subscribers can now choose how they would like to be billed for their service. Starting in July, as a CTXMLS CYNDI BELL subscriber, you can choose to have your MLS billed to you 2019 PRESIDENT on a monthly basis or remain on the bi-yearly schedule. You choose! These are just a few of the of the ways WCREALTORS is working to help agents be successful by providing financial flexibility to grow their business. And don’t forget beginning Aug. 3, the association will offer the second round of Pre-licensing and Pre-Broker courses through our Educate Three-Sixty program. If you have a new agent just getting into the industry or you are ready to become a broker, we’ve got you covered. In June, we introduced another new benefit for our members through a partnership with Homease, a REALTOR app that connects vetted contractors with REALTORS. It is a source of connection for you and your clients. Our members can download the Homease app, through the App Store or Google Play. Lastly, our annual Food Drive has begun and will run through Thursday, July 18. Thank you to our Community Service committee for their commitment to serve and put this event on each year. The food will be distributed to Williamson County food pantries. Since inception, WCREALTORS has donated over 60,000 pounds of food and our goal is to distribute 10,000 pounds of food to local food pantries that really need it in the summer months. There are a lot of changes happening here at WCREALTORS. All the changes are focused on bringing value to our members and to set each of you up for success. We have a lot going on — next time you need a sign, a lock box or a cup of coffee, stop by and find out about all the benefits of calling WCREALTORS home.

With your support we can reach our goal to deliver 10,000 pounds of food to local food pantries now through July 18

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THE ADVENTURE STARTS HERE GRAND OPENING AUGUST 2019

Just a short drive south of Austin, 6 Creeks is Kyle’s first new master-planned community where beauty and serenity meet fun and adventure. Your clients can explore miles of scenic nature trails and greenbelts, or go camping in the nearby Hill Country. Trendmaker Homes’ thoughtfully designed floor plans offer a fresh, contemporary look with personalized touches to suit your clients’ needs—all from the mid $200Ks. Plus, you can rest assured Trendmaker’s team of home buying experts will help guide your clients every step of the way, so getting into their dream home is easier than ever. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to get your clients into a brand new home at 6 Creeks.

CONTACT OUR NEW HOME SPECIALIST, JENNIFER HICKMAN, AT (512) 416-9109 TO LEARN MORE!

COMING SOON TO 6 CREEKS IN KYLE The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. Stated dimensions, square footage and acreage are approximate and should not be used as a representation of any home’s or homesite’s precise or actual size, location or orientation. There is no guarantee that any particular homesite or home will be available. A Broker/Agent must register their client in person on client’s first visit at each community for a Broker/Agent to receive a commission or referral fee, if available. Any photographs or renderings used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. No warranty or guarantee is made regarding any particular area public school/school district or that any particular public school/school district will service any given community. Schools/school districts may change over time. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of TRI Pointe Group, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. © 2019 Trendmaker Homes, Inc., a member of the TRI Pointe Group. All rights reserved.

TrendmakerHomes.com

REAL | PEOPLE JB Goodwin, REALTORS Annual Picnic: Brian and wife, Bethany Hammonds, of JB Goodwin, REALTORS

AYREP Networking Happy Hour: Mengya Liu of RE/ MAX 1, Chelsea Sweatman and Greg Davis along with pooch, Mini, the Frenchie Closer Helping the Austin Food Bank Fight Hunger: Stephanie Marek of Austin Title RL Advertising Partner: Austin Title

Women's Council of REALTORS Building Your Army Learning Luncheon

ABJ's Best Places to Work: 4th Place Winner, Pure Gold Realty

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C lose on a custom Acreage Home in ClearWater Ranch and receive a $1,000 VISA Gift Card. It’s pure “Mad Money” and our way of saying THANKS for making ClearWater Ranch the #1 Acreage Estate Community in Liberty Hill.

› › › › › ›

Exemplary Rated Liberty Hill Schools Three Model Homes Open Daily From The Developers Of The #1 Master Plan in Austin – Crystal Falls Unparalleled Value, More Home, More Room Low $400s-$600s, Immediate Move-In homes Custom Homes From Drees, Giddens and Sitterle

CR 200

29 1431

183A 183

Austin

REAL | LEADERS

HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF GREATER AUSTIN

The Building Industry is in

Critical Need of New Workers

BECKY COLLINS 2019 PRESIDENT

Workforce Development. It’s a term we have all been hearing for several years. But what exactly is it and what does it mean for the real estate and building industries? One definition, according to Wikipedia, is an American approach to economic development that attempts to enhance a region’s economic stability and prosperity by focusing on people rather than businesses. In simpler terms, it is industry recruitment and retention.

ELEVATE Sales IMAGINE WHAT YOU WILL ACHIEVE WITH A SALES COACH

To schedule your complimentary consultation call

JIM SANDER

512.308.6580 www.jimsanderswc.com 14

This is critical to the construction industry due to the high demands for labor and the dwindling candidate pool for our trades to hire from. During the Great Recession, it was reported that 40 percent of the workforce was eliminated between April 2006 and January 2011. That equates to 2.3 million jobs. And most of those people have yet to return to the industry. Ross Britton, the HBA of Greater Austin’s Chair of the Workforce Development Committee, gave us this example at a recent board meeting. At a regional conference for HVAC, in Houston the nation’s 4th largest city, there were only 42 in attendance at a continuing education class. Of those 42 people, three were in their late 40s and the rest were in their 50s, 60s and 70s. And no one was in their 20s or 30s. What will this do in 10, 15, 20 years to the supply and demand for our labor? The above statistics are cause for concern. In Austin, we are seeing major growth, higher demand for housing and affordability, and no signs of slowing down. To keep up with this demand, we need to find a way to bring new people into the industry and to retain those currently working in building through professional development and continuing education. The HBA realized that this was critical for our members and created our Workforce Development Committee in 2018. Our Workforce Development Committee is dedicated to bringing awareness to the is-

sue. One way they are accomplishing this is by bridging the chasm with the school guidance counselors and teachers so they can share the career opportunities to the students in the middle schools and high schools, as well as with the parents. Ross recently shared that the Parent Paradigm Shift will have a tremendous impact on our youth’s interest in careers in construction. This shift posits that: if parents have more knowledge of the opportunities outside of a traditional four-year college, many will encourage their kids to pursue a career in construction that provides them with great opportunities and a career that they enjoy (without the debt that many college degrees come with). The committee hopes to build upon the dreams/career visions of the youth and share with them a road map to success through play, education and mentoring. Ross and the committee have been busy building relationships with the school districts and companies such as Goodwill and Skill Point Alliance and is excited to host our first career fair in October. The group is also working on developing a website dedicated to career opportunities within the building industry where employers can post jobs and look for candidates, while those interested in careers can find information on different trades, pay information, etc. Anyone interested in bringing awareness to this issue is invited to attend one our Workforce Development Committee meetings which occur the first Thursday of even numbered months. Awareness is paramount to progress. We can change the trajectory of our workforce with a simple conversation. Let the young people in your life and community know about your successes and your career path. Sharing your passion of the industry can ignite that spark in others.

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Lower Rates & Close In 14 Days!

You’re invited to stop by our new office! A new space for our clients and realtor friends to meet us in person! Find us at 3403 Glenview Ave if you’re ever in the area or need to discuss business!

Let us know how we can help you! Arien & Texas Loan Experts are available for first time home-buyer seminars, realtor education and more! Call us at (512) 699-8306 or visit BowersockTeam.com

Exclusive 5-min Loan Application only at TexasLoanExperts.com Texas Loan Experts | 3403 Glenview Avenue Austin, TX 78703 Corporate Office: The Home Loan Expert, LLC 1600 S. Brentwood Blvd. Ste 700 St. Louis, MO NMLS #1326241

REAL | PEOPLE

Thrive at Five Happy Hour: Sheri Brummett of Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS, Kim Correa of North American Title, Tina Kennedy and Marnie Colehour, both of Austin Homescapes Realty. RL Advertising Partner: North American Title

JB Goodwin, REALTORS Annual Company Picnic: Ben Wilson, J.B. Goodwin and Mark Murrell with daughter, June

AAREB Realist Group Builder Bonanza: Robert L. Wright of RL Wright, REALTORS and AAREB pastpresident and ABoR President Kevin Scanlan of All City Real Estate

Mastering Your Real Estate Facebook Page Class: Nergis Scott of Keller Williams Realty and Kimberly Jones of Benchmark Mortgage RL Advertising Partner: Benchmark Mortgage

WHY WAIT TO EARN MORE? Make the most of your sales. With Drees Custom Homes, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll start earning 5% commission with your second closing.*

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*On first sale, Realtors are enrolled in the Earn More rewards program and can take advantage of the Relocation Reimbursement or additional bonuses if available, in addition to the standard 3% commission. On subsequent sales, Realtors must choose from the Earn More 5% commission, Relocation Reimbursement, or additional bonus, if available. Program begins April 1, 2019 and runs through March 31, 2020. All bonuses, including Earn More rewards, will be paid on the settlement statement at closing. Realtor must have written authorization from their Broker and a completed W-9 form to be paid by any other method. Earn More rewards applies to individual Realtor sales only, no team sales. Programs subject to change or termination without notice. ÂŠ2018 The Drees Company. All rights reserved. 200392 7/19

J ULY 2019 | M Y R E A LT Y L I N E . C OM

MODELS OPEN DAILY! LaCimaTX.com

512-337-6093 104 TULIP GARDEN TRL

117 TULIP GARDEN TRAIL

ADDRESS

516 ACADEMY OAKS

NOW

FLOORPLAN

SQ FT

STORY

BR/BA/GAR

MLS #

104 TULIP GARDEN TRL

$325,000

ASHERTON

2,113

3/2/2

MLS 5407732

117 TULIP GARDEN TRAIL

$315,000

CALDWELL

1,884

3/2/2

MLS 2195753

516 ACADEMY OAKS DR

$379,990

CALVERT

2,535

4/3/3

MLS 7967757

512-834-9294 105 EMERALD GARDEN

117 EMERALD GARDEN

ADDRESS

136 EMERALD GARDEN

NOW

FLOORPLAN

SQ FT

STORY

BR/BA/GAR

MLS #

105 EMERALD GARDEN

$371,567

DORCHESTER

2,229

4/3/3

MLS 9229451

117 EMERALD GARDEN

$355,944

RICHMOND

2,613

4/3/2

MLS 3773139

136 EMERALD GARDEN

$332,536

AMBERLEY

2056

4/3/2

MLS 375227

512-686-4507 SF MODEL HOME

504 ACADEMY OAKS DR

ADDRESS

508 ACADEMY OAKS DR

NOW

FLOORPLAN

SQ FT

STORY

BR/BA/GAR

MLS #

504 ACADEMY OAKS DR

$382,990

HENDERSON II

2,588

4/3/2.5

MLS 1909357

508 ACADEMY OAKS DR

$399,490

PARMER

2,873

4/3.5/3

MLS 7386533

512-337-6093

512-834-9294

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PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

REAL | LEADERS

WOMEN'S COUNCIL OF REALTORSÂŽ

MOVE at M/I Homes

WCR Austin Membership Has Value!

Real

Women's Council members value their membership! Our members tell us, "Belonging to Women's Council gives you a sense of professional pride and satisfaction. Women's Council membership provides you with skills and information to deal with a changing business environment." I invite you to take a fresh look at our exclusive Member Savings Center at www. wcr.org, so you don't miss out on any of our new vendors for 2019! Did you know you can get a rock-bottom price on Sam's Club membership? Also, it's summertime so don't miss discounted tickets for theme parks, shows, and other events. Additionally, there are discounts on office supplies, car rentals, hotels and plenty more. Women's Council of Austin just finished our annual Relaxing Event at Ron King Salon at the Four Seasons. Make sure to mark your calendars for next summer. We also just offered Legal I and Legal II, free to Women's Council members which included lunch and a happy hour after the class. We are very excited to have John Harrell coming to speak from 12-1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23 at Maggiano's. Mark your calendars now, as you do not want to miss

this event. Harrell is a bestselling author, manages a successful business, writes a daily inspirational blog and is an engaging public speaker. John encourages his audiences to pursue their true calling and not to trade their potential for the security of a paycheck. Be on the lookout for even more great classes and free CE JENNIFER LISH credits, up2019 PRESIDENT dates from city officials, mixers, and fundraisers. Our goal is to continue increasing our membership and build strong leaders in our community and industry. Go to our Facebook page at Women's Council of REALTORS Austin (@ WCRAustin) to sign up for classes, meetings and events. For more information contact us at Lishjennifer@gmail.com or klp@kerriparker.realtor.

July Business Meeting John Harrell, speaker

July 23rd 12 to 1:30 pm

Maggiano's Little Italy at The Domain 18

J ULY 2019 | M Y R E A LT Y L I N E . C OM

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Materials are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. All rights in these materials are reserved. All products and company names marked as trademarked (™) or registered (®) are trademarks of their respective holders. Copying, reproduction and distribution of materials without prior written consent of Deerbrooke is strictly prohibited. All information, plans, and pricing are subject to change without notice. This information does not represent a speciﬁc offer of sale or solicitation to purchase property within Deerbrooke. Models do not reﬂect racial preference. *Closing timeline may vary due to buyer or seller factors. A Randolph Todd Development and Crown Community Development. $1000 Visa gift card subject to changes or cancellations at any time without notice. Rules and restrictions apply.

REAL | PEOPLE Your advertisement will appear in the Print Version of the publication and will be seen by readers as soon as the publication is published each month.

The Digital Version, featuring your advertisement, reaches our readership two days earlier than the Printed Version. This means readers can quickly search through the pages online sooner. In addition, your advertisement will have a live link to your website so you receive inquiries direct from our readership.

Contents Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995™

APRIL 2019 • VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 11

> SUPER BOWL OF BUILDERS WCREALTORS

> MARDI GRAS CASINO FUNDRAISER Keller Williams Realty Round Rock

> AGENT MIXER AT THE DOGWOOD KB Home

> MASTERMIND NEW HOME SALES CLASS

M/I Homes

> PROMOTE YOUR LISTINGS ONLINE Stewart Title

> HOME LOANS FOR VETERANS CE CLASS Veterans United Home Loans

With your support ABoR Foundation thrives By Riki Markowitz

t’s hard to believe that the Austin Board of REALTORS (ABoR) Foundation originated more than four decades ago in 1978. From day one, the organization’s primary focus was to connect Central Texas REALTORS to the community by supporting causes associated with education, housing and disaster relief. In fact, the scholarship fund is one of the Foundation’s most popular and longest-running programs. More than 300 scholarships have been awarded since the Foundation’s inception and more $300,000 in scholar-

ships have been awarded in the last six years. In 2014, ABoR’s board of directors introduced a key organizational change — they made the community relations committee part of the Foundation. “It provided a way to expand the Foundation’s scope of core activities,” says Theresa Brown, the 2019 chair of ABoR Foundation. The Foundation partners with several community organizations and sponsors at least two major projects per year. To get an idea how members participated last year, here is a brief rundown: • Scholarships, valued at nearly $60,000, were awarded to 23 high school students enrolling

•

in college in Texas, plus two alumni recipients. Volunteers participated in a home repair day on a home occupied by an East Austin senior. To help housebound seniors and adults with disabilities cope with Central Texas’ unrelenting summer temperatures, members donated money and fans. The Summer Fan Drive is an annual event for the community’s most at-risk individuals. The previous year, ABoR Foundation presented Family Eldercare with a $7,500 check and more than 100 fans.

•

More than 180 volunteers built a home for a deserving Austin resident, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Thanks to 2018’s Holiday Blitz Build, an art teacher was presented with the keys to her own brand new home. Additional initiatives went toward ending homelessness in Austin and an annual awards presentation — “Most Worthy Citizen.” The yearly ceremony celebrates a Central Texas citizen who has made a meaningful impact on the community.

slamming. RealtyLine has spoken with industry insiders who say

ADVERTISING

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

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

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April 2019

Partner in Progress

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2019 SURVEY RESULTS PRINT READERSHIP Occasionally (14.54%)

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now offers 70 plus designations, certifications, learnDana Tuggle, vice president ing tracks and courses and has plans for additional roll outs. Even the experienced agent and team can re-engage with new and improved training opportunities that will help them get back to basics and deploy successful tactics to improve their business.” RE/MAX agents are well-known for their expertise and experience and average more sales than other agents. “Every transaction is unique and RE/MAX agents worldwide sell more real estate than any other brand,” Tuggle says. “A productive agent may be more in touch with the market and can help you identify properties, schedule showings to walk you through the home and help you negotiate. Going through the process of buying a home without professional guidance can lead to costly problems later.” In addition to helping clients buy properties, RE/MAX is equally as knowledgeable at selling homes. “When buyers are ready to sell their home, they want to do it quickly,” Tuggle says. “That is the time to call an experienced RE/MAX agent who will help them get the most out of their most-prized investment. RE/MAX agents can answer all their questions including what their home is worth and how quickly their home will sell.” As one of the most recognized real estate businesses in the world, the RE/MAX team has built a reputation amongst home buyers and sellers for a quality, stress-free experience. “When you walk among top producers, feeling inspired to grow your business is only natural,” Tuggle says. “RE/MAX offices are busy, dynamic environments where real estate professionals truly shine. At RE/MAX, we are a business that builds businesses through tools, training and technology. For 46 years, the quality of RE/MAX agents has built the No. 1 name in real estate.” RL

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» Direct-mailed monthly to more than 14k brokers/REALTORS and professionals directly related to the real estate industry » Digital Version e-mail list is more than 10k registered subscribers » Family-owned and locally operated since 1995 » Affiliate memberships: Austin Board of REALTORS®, Williamson County Association of REALTORS®, Home Builders Association of Greater Austin and a proud honorary member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® » Major Investor, Sterling level TREPAC investor

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WEEKLY AVERAGES: 5.9k post reach 2.6k post engagements 2.5k+ video views 44 new followers

producers, feeling inspired to grow

Tiffany Amore and Larry Carter, both of Highland Homes, remind REALTORS that when they sell at least two Highland homes between January 1 and September 2, 2019, prizes will be won! Check out more details about the company's "Pop Those Prizes" promotion on page 22.

Build a home

in a closing, your fee actually gets smaller and smaller. Some clients have no problem pulling the rug out from under an agent's feet

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ince 1973, RE/MAX agents have been working tirelessly to help homebuyers find homes that match their lifestyles. RE/MAX has a network of over 125,000 productive real estate agents and is growing with a 4.4 percent total agent count increase in 2018. “Our network of agents specializes in both residential and commercial in more than 110 countries and territories around the world,” says Dana Tuggle, vice president of RE/MAX’s central region. “The RE/MAX mission is to be the worldwide real estate leader, achieving our goals by helping others achieve theirs. Everybody wins.” While the company has expanded internationally throughout the course of its history, RE/ MAX has a strong local presence, with multiple offices in and around the surrounding Austin area. Through these locations and agents, RE/MAX works with an array of clients, from young professionals to families to active seniors. “Each year, RE/MAX agents help hundreds of thousands of families — across multiple generations — buy or sell a home,” Tuggle says. “Buying a home is personal, and what works for one family or individual won’t work for the next. Having an experienced agent who performs multiple transactions each year can be beneficial. Our job is to guide you through the home buying process — whether this is your first time buying a home or your fifth.” RE/MAX’s success is directly connected to the quality agents and franchises that have enabled the company to grow and evolve. “Joining RE/MAX allows brokers and agents entrepreneurial independence, opportunities to keep more of what you earn and extra time to enjoy life.” Tuggle says. “One of our core values at RE/MAX is to be ‘customer obsessed,’ which means constantly thinking about how to better serve our franchisees. As times change, so have the needs of our brokerages.” To adapt to the changing needs of the industry and its agents, RE/MAX has invested in a variety of areas. Within the past year, RE/MAX acquired an award-winning real estate web development and software firm, booj, as well as restructured our service model to better serve its network of agents worldwide. In January 2019, RE/MAX announced a new service model that

guide doesn’t always seem very judicious. It’s hard to fire a client

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Holly Schuler of Texas National Title has a ton of fun with friends and clients like Kiersty Lombar of Keller Williams Realty at the Round Rock Market Center's Mardi Gras Casino Night Fundraiser. They were helping to raise money for the company's Cause, Care & Relief program that aids agents when they are hit with an emergency.

said

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With inventories so low, selling new homes is a "must." That's why Diane Vanlandingham of Keller Williams Realty, Stephanie Fischer of JP & Associates, Marilyn Williams of eXp Realty, Carol Polito of Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS and Cecilia Hoyle of Better Homes and Gardens HomeCity attended a new home sales masterminds class hosted by M/I Homes.

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April 2019

Wine and cheese? Yes please! Darlene Hello of John Horton Realty and Darrell W. Reiley of Austin Preferred Properties partook in the wine and cheese while they met new people at the Stewart Title social sponsored by KB Home.

driving around town showing properties, giving frequent updates on your work, plus the cost of gas and wear and tear on your car, even if the relationship ends

the career is not exactly “worse”

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

P. O. Box 81366, Austin, Texas 78708

career, no less, many agents allow bad behaviors to go on entirely too long. After spending dozens of hours on schooling and training, and maybe even working more than

than other service jobs. “Abusive The Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee (TREPAC) works to protect the livelihood and future earnings potential of Central Texas REALTORS®.

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Your ad also appears on our Interactive Publisher, an online archive

By Riki Markowitz

Important words that can set you free! RealtyLine's publisher Doren Carver, far right, and Associate Publisher Tawanna Verock, second from left, contributes to TREPAC as a Major Investor, Sterling R level. Bill Evans of Austin Real Pros and Tami Baker of Blue Line Realty accepted the contribution on behalf of TREPAC.

THRIVES: Continued on page 20

YOU'RE OUTTA HERE!

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A Least 6x a Year (5.87%)

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REALTOR FOCUS AREAS Lago Vista (8.43%)

$125-250K (12.36%)

North Austin (56.46%)

Other (7.02%)

Central Austin (11.80%)

Hays Co. (11.80%) Over $500K-1.5M (13.48%)

South Austin (29.21%) $250-500K (73.03%)

East Austin (16.29%)

Williamson County (51.97%)

West Austin (24.44%)

Doren Carver • (512) 514-3141 • advertise@myrealtyline.com • www.myrealtyline.com

Immediate Results Workshop - The Habits of Top Producers: Jim Sander of Southwest Consulting with J. René Walker, broker, Angela Gardner, Tuesday Joiner and Jacyln Smith, all of Best Agents in Texas

North American Title's Round Rock Office Remodel Grand Opening: David Pavliska of RE/ MAX Round Rock and Pam Carver, wife of RealtyLine's Doren Carver

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*All qualified sales must be original Scott Felder Homes (“SFH”) contracts written between January 1, 2019 and November 30, 2019. Sell ONE home and you’re enrolled in SFH’s Co-Broker Loyalty Program! Sell TWO homes between 1/1/19 and 11/30/19 and qualify for a 1% bonus on your 2nd SFH closing. Sell THREE homes between 1/1/19 and 11/30/19 and qualify for a 2% bonus, entitling you to a 5% total commission on your third, and all subsequent closings for the remainder of 2019! Bonus Percentage will be dictated by order of closing: 3% upon first closing, 4% upon 2nd closing, and 5% upon third closing and thereafter between 1/1/2019 and 12/31/2019. All bonuses will be noted on the Closing Disclosure (“CD”) and will be paid at closing. Payments of commissions and bonuses will only be made to actively licensed Texas Brokers. Broker’s commission cannot be used to reduce the price of the home and is only valid if Broker accompanies and registers its client on the first visit to any SFH Austin Division Community during the bonus promotion period AND Broker’s client enters into a new sales agreement for an eligible available home during the bonus promotion period. Bonus paid to Broker upon client’s successful closing and funding and is based on the ORIGINAL contract price as stated in the Sales Agreement, excluding any Seller incentives, subsequent change orders, re-writes, or upgrades. While commission bonuses cannot be used to reduce sales price, Broker may elect to waive participation in the 3%-4%-5% bonus program and apply its Broker bonus, in all or part, towards purchaser’s closing costs. May not be combined with any other Broker bonuses or offers. No team sales: only individual selling agent may qualify. Broker is responsible for all applicable taxes. Please see a SFH Sales Associate for complete details.

J ULY 2019 | M Y R E A LT Y L I N E . C OM

REAL | STORIES

Randolph Todd Development

NORTHGATE RANCH

ocated in Liberty Hill, Northgate Ranch is a master planned community that was started in 2017 by Randolph Todd Development. The first phase included 164 one-acre lots, and the entire project will include over 900 acres of home sizes and lots that accommodate a variety of price points and buyer types. “Right now, we have our one-acre lots with three fantastic builders, including Giddens Homes, Drees Custom Homes and Hill Country Artisan Homes,” says Randy Rollo, Co-founder of Randolph Todd Development. “We are in the process of developing our next set of one-acre homesites. This will be a long project so we have plenty of room for growth.” Northgate Ranch is located less than 45 minutes from

Downtown Austin, 10 minutes from Leander, and 20 minutes from the Domain. The community offers residents a tranquil, country feel, all within proximity to city life and shopping. To obtain the country feel, Northgate Ranch has a variety of home styles and designs that fit the landscape. “The homes have a ranch and Hill Country style with stone and stucco options and many exteriors to choose from,” says Erika Ramon, marketing director for Randolph Todd Development. “These homes will feel more ranch style, but all of our builders have incorporated modern twist to fit what our buyers are looking for. All three of our current builders offer options to customize and they specialize in custom homes as well.” In addition to the variety of home styles, Northgate Ranch’s spacious one-acre lots provide residents with privacy and large lot sizes, all within a neighborhood that promotes a strong sense of community. “Our homes really fit anyone who is looking to be in Liberty Hill and live in a larger home with a large lot,” Rollo says. “A one-acre lot is quite big for new home construction and master plan developments. Additionally, Northgate is all about neighbors knowing one another and spending time together. If anyone is looking for a sense of community, this is the place to be.” Rollo says the development’s focus on community stems from the book, “The Turquoise Table,” by Austin author Kristen Schnell. “This community is built around the sense of com-

munity,” he says. “Our signature color is turquoise because of the book, which talks about knowing your neighbors and getting together on your front porch. This is a RANDY ROLLO community where neighbors will CO-FOUNDER become friends and watch out for each other. It’s a place we always wish for, but rarely find in our society now a days.” To promote this community feel, Northgate Ranch has developed a community center for residents to enjoy together. “Currently, our Amenity Center, called The Liberty Porch, will be an open-air pavilion type of gathering place that can accommodate a Texas hot summer day or a cold one,” Ramon says. “The Liberty Porch will have gathering spaces and games so that neighbors can commune together, drink a cold one and enjoy conversation under the tall oak trees on a Texas evening.” For homebuyers interested in spacious homes and lot sizes in a neighborhood that promotes connecting with others, Northgate Ranch has a lot to offer. “It’s the place we all dream about,” Rollo says. “Knowing our neighbors, kids playing in the streets, a small town feel and big back yards — Northgate Ranch has it all.” For more information, visit Northgateranch.com or call 512-434-0532.

Hometrust Mortgage has been helping people buy, refinance and construct homes in the Austin area for 32 years. We offer a full array of home mortgage products and your loan is processed and underwritten locally. Contact Hometrust Mortgage today for a free consultation or to get started on your home purchase or refinance.

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REAL | PEOPLE

AAREB Realist Group Builder Bonanza: Inelda R. Brown of International Realty Brokers, Chelsea Brown of KB Home and Doren Carver of RealtyLine

VA Training for Real Estate Professionals Class: Chad Bowman, branch manager, with Veterans United Home Loans

Podcast 101, Branding & Marketing Yourself class: Cord Shiflet of Moreland Properties RL Advertising Partner: Benchmark Mortgage

RL Advertising Partner: Veterans United Home Loans RL Advertising Partner: KB Home

AYREP Networking Happy Hour: Eric Johnson and Tex Meazell, both of Keller Williams Realty and Laurie Engle of Realty Austin

CTAMP Gutter Gang Gala Bowling Event: Member Kinta Wendt RL Advertising Partner: Keller Williams Realty

Women's Council of REALTORS Build Your Army Learning Luncheon: Cheryl Scully and Betsey Albrecht, both of Austin Title RL Advertising Partner: Austin Title

LiveOak on Spicewood Springs 1st homes complete in June. Model opens this month.

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Only 9 luxurious custom townhomes remain! 4323 Spicewood Springs Road, 78759 is NW Austin’s premiere lock & leave lifestyle with private backyards, greenbelt views & designer upgrades. First floor masters, spacious living areas with convenient access to shopping, dining and retail. Priced from the $490’s. For a private tour, call (512) 994-4151. Special offers on select units now. *Prices, terms, specifications, and availability are subject to change without notice. Subject to rules and regulations of the City of Austin. See Sales Associate for details.

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J ULY 2019 | M Y R E A LT Y L I N E . C OM

REAL | PEOPLE

Podcast 101, Branding & Marketing Yourself class: Radio DJ/ Presenter Sandy McIlree and David McMillan of Benchmark Mortgage RL Advertising Partner: Benchmark Mortgage

WCREALTORS 10-year Building Celebration: Kim Dale of Texas Realty, WCREALTORS Executive Director Bryan Hutchinson and his wife, Karen.

Thrive at Five Happy Hour: Christina Isaac of North American Title RL Advertising Partner: Austin Title

New Model Home Bus Tour: Diana Johnson of Keller Williams Realty and Lorna Dibkey of Texas One Star Realty

CTAMP Gutter Gang Gala Bowling Event: Nancy Baier, Gabbie Breckenridge, Becky Barlow, Chris and Gina Creach

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Helping Fight Hunger at the Austin Food Bank: Hannah Myers of Austin Title

J ULY 2019 | M Y R E A LT Y L I N E . C OM

REAL | STORIES

EMPIRE COMMUNITIES

For more than 25 years, Empire Communities has been building in integrated, masterplanned communities throughout North America. Founded in 1993, Empire Communities is an industry leader, having built more than 12,000 new homes and high-rise condos across Southwestern Ontario, Canada and Texas. “Our homebuyers choose to live in an Empire home because we build exceptional homes and communities,” says Alyssa Siers, senior marketing manager for Empire Communities,

Our style of homes within Austin cater to a mixture of homebuyers, including first-time homebuyers, move-up buyers and empty nesters.” as Texas Hill Country, Modern Farmhouse and Traditional Neighborhood Development style homes. It’s extremely important for us to help customers through the entire process, which is why we have a Design Center for buyers to choose from a variety of selections available and are customizable.” Empire Communities homes are also built with high-efficiency standards, including installing Media Air Filters for better indoor air quality and using LED bulbs, which give less heat and better light. “Our homes include high efficient HVAC equipment, plumbing fixtures and Rain Bird Sprinkler Heads,” Siers says. “By using less electricity and water and creating healthier indoor environments, we build homes that provide lasting value.”

Maximize Brand Visibility:

Reserve ad space in the publication Your advertisement will appear in the Print Version of the publication and will be seen by readers as soon as the publication is published each month. Contents Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995™

APRIL 2019 • VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 11

> SUPER BOWL OF BUILDERS WCREALTORS

> MARDI GRAS CASINO FUNDRAISER Keller Williams Realty Round Rock

> AGENT MIXER AT THE DOGWOOD KB Home

M/I Homes

> PROMOTE YOUR LISTINGS ONLINE Stewart Title

> HOME LOANS FOR VETERANS CE CLASS Veterans United Home Loans

With your support ABoR Foundation thrives By Riki Markowitz

•

Your ad will appear automatically in the full Digital Version so readers have instant and constant access to all the content The Digital Version, featuring your advertisement, reaches our readership two days earlier than the Printed Version. This means readers can quickly search through the pages online sooner. In addition, your advertisement will have a live link to your website so you receive inquiries direct from our readership. 24

www.myRealtyLine.com

April 2019

austin

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

RL Advertising Partner: Highland Homes

Real estate can be a rough industry. You can’t say it’s like

dates on your work, plus the cost of gas and wear and tear on your

ing, and maybe even working

car, even if the relationship ends

one

until real

the career is not exactly “worse”

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

estate can firing every client who

“It’s an industry that is univer-

has r ude

made you

estate agent, she’s had to fire a few clients over the course of her

RL Advertising Partner: M/I Homes

RL Advertising Partner: Texas National Title Download Photo: RL_031719_AL.jpg for FREE at myrealtyline.com

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

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April 2019

RE/MAX Texas by KATIE AGNESS

hand, you can keep investing your

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focuses on training and professional development. “We know that agents who are learning-based are more successful and RE/MAX University provides unified learning experiences with a focus on education that empowers the network,” Tuggle says. “RU now offers 70 plus designations, certifications, learnDana Tuggle, vice president ing tracks and courses and has plans for additional roll outs. Even the experienced agent and team can re-engage with new and improved training opportunities that will help them get back to basics and deploy successful tactics to improve their business.” RE/MAX agents are well-known for their expertise and experience and average more sales than other agents. “Every transaction is unique and RE/MAX agents worldwide sell more real estate than any other brand,” Tuggle says. “A productive agent may be more in touch with the market and can help you identify properties, schedule showings to walk you through the home and help you negotiate. Going through the process of buying a home without professional guidance can lead to costly problems later.” In addition to helping clients buy properties, RE/MAX is equally as knowledgeable at selling homes. “When buyers are ready to sell their home, they want to do it quickly,” Tuggle says. “That is the time to call an experienced RE/MAX agent who will help them get the most out of their most-prized investment. RE/MAX agents can answer all their questions including what their home is worth and how quickly their home will sell.” As one of the most recognized real estate businesses in the world, the RE/MAX team has built a reputation amongst home buyers and sellers for a quality, stress-free experience. “When you walk among top producers, feeling inspired to grow your business is only natural,” Tuggle says. “RE/MAX offices are busy, dynamic environments where real estate professionals truly shine. At RE/MAX, we are a business that builds businesses through tools, training and technology. For 46 years, the quality of RE/MAX agents has built the No. 1 name in real estate.” RL

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Doren Carver • (512) 514-3141 • advertise@myrealtyline.com • www.myrealtyline.com

CONTENT RANKING Photographs (Ranked #2)

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

more than

slamming. RealtyLine has spoken

than other service jobs. “Abusive The Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee (TREPAC) works to protect the livelihood and future earnings potential of Central Texas REALTORS®.

driving around town showing properties, giving frequent up-

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who oversees marketing for the Austin and San Antonio markets. “We offer stability to our customers and have a local team that helps them through the entire process.” Empire Communities entered into the Austin and San Antonio markets in July 2018 through the acquisition of Centerra Homes. Currently, Empire is located in Austin-area developments such as Blackhawk in Pflugerville, Lakeside at Lake Georgetown, Goodnight Ranch in South Austin, Mueller in Austin, Plum Creek in Kyle, Santa Rita Ranch in Liberty Hill/Georgetown, Siena in Round Rock, Sweetwater in West Austin, Bellingham Meadows in Austin, Double Eagle Ranch in Cedar Creek and Summit in Round Rock. “Additionally, we have plans to expand

austin

In addition to providing value through home efficiency offerings, Empire Communities ensures all homes are structurally stable, green and high-quality. “At Empire Communities, we build our homes with trusses, offering additional stability and structure,” Siers says. “We also have a Quality Assurance Department that walks through the home in multiple stages, which improves our quality and reduces warranty issues post-closing.” Over the past 25 years, Empire Communities has received over 100 industry awards, including six Builder of the Year Awards, 14 Green Builder of the Year Awards and 20 Green Awards. In 2018, Empire was proud to be the recipient of five coveted trophies at Houston’s Best PRISM Awards, being recognized in categories such as Product Design and Interior Merchandising for Model Homes. Most recently, Empire Communities was named a finalist for eight entries at the 2019 TAB Star Awards and one of three finalists to be considered for the Grand Award, Medium Volume Builder. For homebuyers in the greater Austin area, Empire Community’s long-standing history coupled with its commitment to building quality products has enabled it to become one of the area’s premier homebuilders. “At Empire Communities, we bring stability to our customers,” Siers says. “In the Austin market, almost every employee is local to Austin, which is rare for a Texas homebuilder. We operate in and manage the local Austin market with over 150 years of combined experience.”

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“

back into the Leander market, along with other projects in Pflugerville, Manor and San Marcos,” Siers says. To cater to an array of homebuyers and their preferred styles, Empire Communities offers an assortment of options — from location to floorplan to design. “Our style of homes within Austin caters to a mixture of homebuyers, including first-time homebuyers, move-up buyers and empty nesters,” Siers says. “When it comes to design, Empire offers a mixture of styles such

by Katie Agness

A Least 6x a Year (5.87%)

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REALTOR SALES RANGE Over 1.5M (1.1v

Event Listings (Ranked #3) Press Releases (Ranked #5)

REALTOR FOCUS AREAS Lago Vista (8.43%)

$125-250K (12.36%)

Other (7.02%) Hays Co. (11.80%)

Over $500K-1.5M (13.48%)

North Austin (56.46%) Central Austin (11.80%) South Austin (29.21%)

$250-500K (73.03%)

Williamson County (51.97%)

East Austin (16.29%) West Austin (24.44%)

REAL | NEWS

SNIPPETS INDUSTRY

The Home Builders Association of Greater Austin (HBA) announces that Carrie L. Ciliberto, Esq. has been hired as the next Chief Executive Officer for the HBA. Most recently, Carrie was the Chief Executive Officer for the Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts, Inc. (ASM). Prior to running ASM, she was the Senior Director and Counsel of Contracts and Construction Law for The Associated General Contractors of America, Inc., a national association with more than 32,000 members. Preceding her career in the non-profit world, Carrie was the founder and principal of Ciliberto & Associates LLC, a Colorado law firm. Prior to her legal career, she was in advertising and marketing.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices continues its expansion at this time to the United Arab Emirates with the opening of BHHS Gulf Properties in Dubai. The company is lead by Dr. Ihsan Hussein Al Marzouqi, Chairman and CEO Phil Sheridan along with 30 professionals and support staff. A second office is planned for next year in Abu Dhabi. RE/MAX Capital City is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. Founded in 1994 by Broker/Owner Jeff Osborne, RE/MAX Capital City has grown to become one of the largest, most successful RE/MAX brokerages in the greater Austin area. Santa Rita Ranch swept the recent Home Builders Association of Greater Austin (HBA) Sales and Marketing Excellence (MAX) Awards, winning seven awards — including Developer of the Year and Master-Planned Community of the Year.

Stewart Title hires Laura Harrington as its newest Sales Executive. Raised in Cincinnati, Laura has called Austin home since 1998. Upon her arrival in Austin, she immediately began working in the real estate industry as the market manager for a prominent custom homebuilder. Year after year, she consistently received top awards and honors for her outstanding achievements and sales performance.

Stewart Title hires Michelle Boggs as Escrow Officer in its Cedar Park office. Michelle first entered the real estate industry in the late 90s, managing a large office and supporting over 70 agents in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. A former marathon runner, Michelle starts her day at 4 a.m. and hits the gym every morning before work.

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J ULY 2019 | M Y R E A LT Y L I N E . C OM

REAL | PEOPLE

JB Goodwin, REALTORS Annual Company Picnic: J.B. Goodwin and Becky Hopkins of Austin Title

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Central Texas Association of Mortgage Professionals (CTAMP) Gutter Gang Gala Bowling Event

{ our small but

Falls Flat continued from front page it has in recent years. Regardless, lawmakers were expecting a sober session with a focus on “bread and butter issues,” including the economy, jobs, healthcare, education and infrastructure. Regulation crackdowns in Texas So, were there any surprises — any imminent real estate team crackdowns? Bryan Hutchinson, Williamson County Association of REALTORS (WCREALTORS) association executive, provides a big, reassuring, “not here!” More specifically, he said “one of the great things about Texas is that we’re very pro-business.” While brokers and agents — and various other real estate team members — are busy with their day-to-day work, folks like Hutchinson at WCREALTORS, Jaime Lee at Texas REALTORS, and Christine Anderson at TREC — just to name a few — are monitoring everything happening in the legislature. “At the state and local level, we spend thousands of hours watching what happens,” says Hutchinson. “Last legislative session, more than 7,000 bills were filed. As an association, we monitored close to 3,000.” And that brings up an interesting point. While real estate teams saw the new advertising law as added regulations, lawmakers didn’t necessarily see it that way. Legislators say it was an effort to protect consumers. And when there’s a decision to pass consumer protection legislation, it often starts with complaints filed at the state level. Presumably, there was enough confusion regarding the different roles brokers and agents occupy that consumers needed clarification in the form of protections so that the onus isn’t solely on them to differentiate between those acting in good faith and those who bend the rules

(or just plain break them). Texas is safe from crackdowns right now One thing that keeps TREC, ABoR, WCREALTORS and others busy during the legislative session is tracking bills from the point they’re initially filed, if they make it out of committee, and then if they reach the floor for a vote. And it doesn’t end there. Bills can be amended. Also, the words “real estate” or even REALTOR, more specifically, don't necessarily need to appear in a bill for that legislation to have a positive or negative impact on the real estate industry. Bills in categories like infrastructure, transportation, jobs and even disaster relief can have far reaching implications for many different industries, including real estate. So, between January and June, people like Lee and Hutchinson, and dozens of their colleagues and coworkers, read bills, riders, and amendments looking for any little thing that could change how REALTORS on the ground conduct business. One big goal, says Anderson, is to “carefully consider innovation and to quickly correct inequities.” What real estate team members can do? If it comes as a surprise how much work goes into being a legislative watchdog, it shouldn’t. That just means that Texas’s pro-business policies are working in your favor. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention. New regulations typically mean added fees, more paperwork, or any number of additional inconveniences. In order to follow what’s happening in the real estate industry at the legislative level, real estate teams (as well as independent REALTORS) need to stay up-to-date on industry news. REALTOR Dillar Schwartz with The Seely Group, says that she was introduced to the underbelly of real estate laws a few years ago and she was blown away by how much she didn’t know. “It’s up to each of us to know what’s happening in the industry,” says Schwartz. “But if you’re on a team, there’s a tendency to be in a position where you’re spoon fed some of this important information.” The good news is that there are several ways to keep up: take continuing education classes, network with colleagues, sign up for updates from industry associations or volunteer with ABoR or WCREALTORS. Both organizations have government affairs committees that put members in a position to monitor any potential changes. And you’ll likely be happy to know that REALTORS had a great legislative session. According to Lee, Craig Potts, REALTOR® real estate advocates worked very hard The Potts Cares Team on educating legislators on issues re(512) 586-4843 garding agents, brokers and consumcraig@pottscares.com ers. “We were really busy,” says Lee, “but feel very good about it.”

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RealtyLine is published monthly by Caxton Publications, Inc.™ as a non-subscription publication for the more than 14k+ 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 BuildersAssociation (HBA) of GreaterAustin. 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. 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 Scanlan • Cyndi Bell Becky Collins • Jennifer Lish • James Feagin SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Submit photos, press releases and calendar items to naomi@myrealtyline.com. All images must be 300 dpi and include a caption with first/last name and company affiliation. Press releases must be fewer than 300 words. All submissions must be received at least seven calendar days before ad copy deadlines. Submission items will be included as space allows.

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J ULY 2019 | M Y R E A LT Y L I N E . C OM

REAL | PEOPLE

Helping Fight Hunger at the Austin Food Bank: Stephanie Marek, Hannah Myers, Becky Hopkins and Betsey Albrecht of Austin Title RL Advertising Partner: Austin Title AYREP Networking Happy Hour: Kristen Booth, Membership co-chairs Ori Chimino and Audry Olsen

JB Goodwin, REALTORS Annual Company Picnic: Dave Kapur, Teresa Wallace and Michael Leseten

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J ULY 2019 | M Y R E A LT Y L I N E . C OM

REAL | OPINIONS

to thrive

Buda Must Maintain Affordability As Buda and all of Hays County experience unprecedented growth, I commend the City and government leaders who are taking a proactive and strategic approach to thoughtfully develop the area and continue to tackle the challenges that arise with a booming economy. Buda’s strategic location along I-35 and State Highway 45, just 15 minutes south of downtown Austin, is one reason it has more than doubled its population in the last 10 years. Its leaders have also worked hard to maintain its small-town charm and provide ample employment opportunities in a diverse range of industries all while offering a great quality of life and a low cost of living. But as Buda grows, it must learn from the mistakes of larger metropolitan areas. To keep Buda thriving and continue to attract businesses and a highly-educated work force, it must maintain affordable housing options while still providing a higher quality of life. The current median home price in Buda is $253,977 and the

JAMES FEAGIN

Scarborough Lane Development Developer for Sunfield

By the Numbers Buda Homebuyer Stats

Lazy River Amenity Center Now Open!

live bright side on the

MEDIAN HOME PRICE

average median household income is $96,314. The distance between these two numbers must decrease as Buda grows toward build out. So, how do we do that? The key is to get residential real estate developers on board who want to better the community, improve the lifestyles of the people who live and work here and generate positive economic impact. There are still large, undeveloped tracts of land along the I-35 corridor and there is a way to develop master-planned communities with quality builders and an array of lifestyle amenities while keeping prices affordable. This is a win-win for the city as it looks to recruit more businesses and commercial development. Businesses want to see that there is available workforce housing and residents benefit from commercial development through reduced property taxes. I’m excited about Buda’s future and look forward to seeing how the city expands and grows into its own over the next 20 years.

$253,977 $96,314

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Just 15 minutes south of downtown Austin, Sunﬁeld oﬀers homeowners a break from the daily grind. Enjoy the miles of hike and bike trails, catch and release ponds, the dog park or our two Amazing Amenity Centers including Swimming Pools, a New Lazy River and plenty of shade!

master-planned living south of austin from $190s CASTLEROCK • CENTEX • CHESMAR HOMES GEHAN HOMES • PULTE HOMES • WILLIAM LYON HOMES

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Sunfieldtx.com 31

REAL | PEOPLE VA Training for Real Estate Professionals Class: Branch Manager Chad Bowman of Veterans United Home Loans

RL Advertising Partner: Veterans United Home Loans

New Model Home Bus Tour: Mae Parrish of Damron Group, REALTORS RL Advertising Partner: Caliterra

WCREALTORS 10-year Building Celebration: Craig Potts, handling Zoey, and Monica Kelly, both of the Potts Cares Team Realty.

JB Goodwin, REALTORS Annual Company Picnic: Salmi Niemand and Elizabeth Venter, both of JB Goodwin, REALTORS

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Mastering Your Real Estate Facebook Page Class: Karen McCarty and Mary Anne Lachowsky, both of Keller Williams Realty RL Advertising Partner: Benchmark Mortgage

NORTH AMERIC AN TITLE COMPANY

is pleased to introduce

MELIA GARDNER | Business Consultant Melia brings more than 20 years’ experience in both real estate and title insurance to her position as Business Consultant for North American Title’s Round Rock Branch. She began working as a real estate agent in 1998 and for the past seven years, has served as a Business Development Representative for a Texas-based title company.

megardner@nat.com 512.970.6158 ®

Melia is completely committed to her customers and loves helping them to take their business to new heights. She is ready to partner with you and assist you with all your closings.

Please join us in welcoming her to the North American Title Team!

ROUND ROCK BRANCH

NATC.Austin

1 Chisholm Trail | Suite 3100 | Round Rock, TX 78681 512.255.6550 | FAX: 512.255.9384 visit: nat.com/Texas ©2019 States Title Holding, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. | TX 19-15288 R 05.26.19

J ULY 2019 | M Y R E A LT Y L I N E . C OM

PERFECTING THE HOMEBUYING EXPERIENCE SINCE 1993 Empire Communities is one of North America’s largest integrated master-planned community homebuilders, having built over 20,000 homes to date. With over 25 years’ experience in homebuilding, we recently entered the Austin market through our acquisition of Centerra Homes. Since 1993, we have been committed to building inspiring new places to live with functional home designs and quality finishes for every style and budget. We’re excited to work with talented and knowledgeable Austin Realtors to find their clients the perfect Empire home.

See where we build and get to know us better at empireinaustin.com

REAL | NEWS

SNIPPETS INDUSTRY

Empire Communities expands to Blanco Vista in San Marcos. The builder will have homes priced from the $270,000s to the $320,000s in the community which is located west of Interstate 35 along the Blanco River. Seven Empire floor plans are available with sizes ranging from 1,554 square feet to 2,430 square feet. Empire has 55 50-foot homesites in Blanco Vista. A model home has just started construction and should be open in September. Blanco Vista is situated along 575 acres of riverfront land in northern San Marcos. Residents enjoy a junior Olympic-sized pool, a splash pad, trails and fully stocked fishing pond. The Five Mile Dam Park backs up to the Blanco River and offers two areas for play and relaxation. Blanco Vista is served by schools in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, including Blanco Vista Elementary located on-site.

Sunfield, a 2,400-acre new home development located just south of Austin, announced the grand opening of its Lazy River Amenity Center. The 1,000-foot lazy river winds through the 10+ acre amenity center, which also features a lagoon pool with waterfalls and an activity pool. The new amenity center includes over 25,000 square feet of pool deck, 15,000 square feet of shade structures, picnic tables, open air pavilions, family grill stations and a large amount of green space with full access to Wi-Fi. LaRessa Neuman, of Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS, hosted her second annual Chill & Peel fundraising event and raised $4,000 for Hounds for Heroes; a non-profit that provides service dogs for veterans.

After 35 years of educating real estate professionals, real estate icon and Champions School of Real Estate founder Rita Santamaria knows that high-achieving agents rarely share their hard-earned secrets to career success. But real estate professionals looking to learn from the best can now reach to Rita’s new book, "Successful Tendencies of Real Estate Champions," to find the invaluable knowledge, life lessons and best practices a year of interviews with multi-million-dollar, top-producing agents in Texas revealed. "Successful Tendencies of Real Estate Champions" can be purchased for $14.95 at Champions School of Real Estate campuses and on its website (http://bit.ly/storecbook). For more information about "Successful Tendencies of Real Estate Champions" or Champions School of Real Estate," please contact Karla Lárraga by e-mail at Karla@ChampionsSchool.com or by phone at 972-867-4100.

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J ULY 2019 | M Y R E A LT Y L I N E . C OM

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REAL | PEOPLE

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CTAMP Gutter Gang Gala Bowling Event

RL Advertising Partner: Veterans United Home Loans New Model Home Bus Tour

Women's Council of REALTORS Build Your Army Learning Luncheon

Thrive at Five Happy Hour RL Advertising Partner: North American Title

RL Advertising Partner: Veterans United Home Loans

WCREALTORS 10-year Building Celebration