Realty Line October 2018 Issue by RealtyLine

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995™

in this issue… • KB Home REALTOR Safety Class • WCREALTORS Salsa Contest • Highland Homes Grand Opening at Wildhorse Ranch • Advanced Marketing Strategies w/ Mark Hairston • & much, much more! TM

OCTOBER 2018 • VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 6

REALTOR safety can hinge on whether you can spot the predator By Riki Markowitz

Visit us online 24/7 at www.myRealtyLine.com

P. O. Box 81366, Austin, Texas 78708

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n 2010, San Antonio REALTOR Janice Tisdale was having a typical workday and an appointment with a potential buyer and, supposedly, his banker. The house was in an upscale neighborhood with a $750,000 price tag. Instead of a walking away with a commission, Tisdale barely escaped with her life.

Unfortunately, this is a very common fear for real estate professionals. As one may easily assume, REALTORS are ripe for being a crime victim since one of the main components of the job is meeting with strangers in empty homes. Over the past few years, app developers have created all sorts of tools agents can use to help ensure their safety. Self-defense schools advertise martial arts classes for agents, and agents even appear on local news programs touting the importance of carrying weapons from Tasers to pepper spray and guns. And still, just 12 percent of female and 25 percent of male REALTORS say they carry a gun, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). Yet the numbers of crime and potential crime victims do not seem to budge much and the fear of becoming a victim is as high as ever. The key to REALTOR safety is much more behavioral than buffing up or carrying a weapon. After all, if you need to put someone in a headlock or aim your taser, you’re already deeply in danger. The crop of apps that have debuted over the past few years can be similarly as impotent. The possible outcomes when an agent taps an alarm button on their smartphone alerting co-workers or law en-

Featured Event Oct. 25 & Nov. 1 Parade of Homes™ REALTOR Days

forcement that something is off are 1: Help will arrive in, hopefully, 10 to 30 minutes, or 2: When someone does arrive, your quirky but non-violent client fires you (and maybe even tells his network about the incident). Thanks to the extensive research of repeat violent offenders, including interviews conducted by Lee Goldstein, CEO of Real Safe Agent, we know a lot more about potential attackers. For instance, we know that this type of crime is not impulsive. Not only do perpetrators plan their crimes with precision, but they also get away with many offenses before they get caught. Even after a run-in or two with law enforcement, the standards for placing someone

on a criminal database can be high — at least from the point of view of potential victims. A study of nearly 1,900 undetected and selfreported sexual assault predators found that most “raped more than once” and were also likely to commit other violent offenses. “Repeat rapists each committed an average of six rapes and/or attempted rapes,” plus 14 violent acts. According to Goldstein, one individual he interviewed committed rape 23 times before he was arrested for the first time. To be clear, the violent predators featured in a lot of the research out there do not only target real estate agents. Anecdotally, however,

Front Page: Continued on page 20

Features of the Month Column: ABoR—ABoR is Busy this Fall Working for YOU! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 3 Column: WCREALTORS—Building Strong Respectful REALTOR Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 7 Column: HBA—What Makes Up the Cost of Building a New Home? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 12 Column: Women's Council of REALTORS—REALTOR Safety: Don't Get Caught Off Guard. . . . . . . pg. 18 Column: RRC—Texas Bucks National Trend for Increased E&O Insurance Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 22 Associates in Progress: Freedom 512 Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 25 Expert Commentary: What's In a Credit Score? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 28 Expert Commentary: Impair vs. Empower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 32 Upcoming Events & Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 33 News & Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 34

October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

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Austin Board of REALTORS®

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

President’s Column By Steve Crorey • 2018 President

ABoR is busy this fall working for YOU!

he fall and winter seasons are typically a slower time for Central Texas REALTORS, but the opposite is true at ABoR for the rest of 2018. With many several big developments coming to ABoR in the next few months, now more than ever is the time for you to stay plugged in and engaged in your association.

Two exciting announcements As you’re reading this, ABoR will have just announced our 2019 ABoR board of directors. Thank you to all ABoR members who voted in our member election. Our 2019 officers will be announced following the November 7 board of directors meeting. Get to know your incoming board members at ABoR.com/ Election. In addition, any day now we’ll be announcing our 2018 ABoR industry awards finalists. Stay tuned to ABoR communications for more, but until then mark your calendars for our Industry Awards & Installation on December 7, where the winners will be announced!

Stay engaged in your industry Vote! Election day is November 7 The 2018 Election is jam-packed with decisions that will impact Central Texas for years to come. On your ballot, you’ll see statewide races for governor and senator all the way down to local races for Austin City Council, bonds and charter amendments. Need a refresher before you vote? Not to worry! ABoR has created a handy voter guide detailing our supported candidates and issues. Learn more and download a printable voter guide at ABoR.com/VoterGuide. Vote in our Bylaws Election November 12-17 We are currently in the middle of a 30day comment period for proposed revisions to the ABoR bylaws. Throughout 2018, your board of directors and the executive department worked closely with legal counsel to undertake a thorough review and revision of the ABoR bylaws. The proposed revisions, which are designed to better align our bylaws with

www.myRealtyLine.com current Texas nonprofit law and reflect how ABoR’s membership and management are organized, will be subject to a member-wide vote November 12-17. Until then, I invite you to share your feedback as well as any questions you have about the proposed revisions in our engage portal, ABoR.com/Engage. You can also review the proposed bylaws changes in detail and learn more about the upcoming member vote at ABoR.com/Bylaws. Apply to serve on an ABoR committee In my 30 plus years in real estate, nothing has benefited my career more than serving on ABoR committees. By volunteering on an ABoR committee, you get to learn more about how ABoR operates and makes decisions that impact your industry, advocate for your peers and your business and make valuable new connections that will bolster your career. I want to personally invite you to step up and respond to our 2019 committee call. Our 2019 Committee Call will take place in

November. Learn more and apply at ABoR. com/CommitteeCall. Attend ABoR’s Industry Awards and Installation on Dec. 7 Toast to the end of 2018 and our industry’s best and brightest at ABoR’s 2018 Industry Awards & Installation on Friday, Dec. 7 at the JW Marriott Austin Downtown. This can’t miss event is a true celebration of our members and everything you do for our industry. Join me in honoring our 2018 ABoR industry award winners and our 2019 ABoR board of directors. Registration details will be announced soon at ABoR.com/Celebration. As always, you can contact the ABoR board of directors at board@abor.com with any comments, questions or concerns, and don’t forget to follow me on Facebook (@2018ABoRPresident) for need-to-know association news, calls for action and monthly president’s corner videos. Have a safe rest of the month and a Happy Halloween! RL

MORE AT ABOR.COM

Events & Education Nov. 6: Election Day Nov. 7: ABoR Board of Directors Meeting Nov. 22 – 24: ABoR Offices Closed for Thanksgiving Oct. 23: Leasing Workshop: The TAR Lease Application – ABoR HQ (No CE) Oct. 24: Seller Representative Specialist Designation – ABoR HQ (TREC #31833) Oct. 24: How to Future Proof Your Career in a Globally Shifting World – ABoR HQ (TREC #32891)

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October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

Because they like it hot, hot, hot, Janet Thompson, Katherine Cook, Summer Crown and Angela Dean, all of DHI Mortgage, take samples from around the room at the WCREALTORS salsa contest held at The Wolf Den Amenity Center at Wolf Ranch in Georgetown. The community borders the San Gabriel River and offers homes from the $300s.

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If they can't entice you with bowling to raise money for an organization that helps the real estate industry continue to thrive, there's always the legendary enchiladas! Paul and Mary Kay Parker of Blueline REALTORS got to kill two birds with one stone at the ABoR annual Bowling for TREPAC event at Dart Bowl in Austin. Download Photo: RL_100118_BO.JPG for FREE at www.myrealtyline.com

While hosting WCREALTORS' Morning Mimosas and Debates at Heritage at Vizcaya in Round Rock, James McNulty of Taylor Morrison shows off the amenities like the heated swimming pool to Job Hammond of Dash Realty, Julie Floyd of Latigo Stone, Trinity Gonzales of EXP Realty and Lyndsay Villa of EXP Realty.

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Morgan Pool and Jimma Hicks, both of JB Goodwin REALTORS, and Mona Breeze of Independence Title welcome guests to the Austin Young Real Estate Professionals Top Producer Panel program where agents discussed overcoming hurdles in the first five years of business.

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

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October 2018

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October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

Patricia Perez of DHI Mortgage lights up a room with her winning personality, making it easy for her to meet new people at the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA) social mixer at Chez Zee.

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Mark Hairston, right, brings industry pros like Terry Milligan and Edwina LeBlanc-King of Keller Williams Realty together to learn advanced mortgage strategies.

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"We like bowling balls and we can not lie!" Dave Floyd of Floyd Real Estate and Jacob Youngblood of Texas Dream REALTORS have got this in the bag! Strike it rich for TREPAC? No problem! The two took part in the Austin Board of REALTORS' annual Bowling for TREPAC fundraising event to strike out bad legislation!

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Williamson County Assoc. of REALTORS®

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

President’s Column By Victoria Reviel • 2018 President

WCREALTORS is developing strong and respectful REALTOR relationships!

e all know we should play nice in the REALTOR sandbox, but there are some who feel the need to win at any cost. The Texas Association of REALTORS tells us to have respect for the public and property but how about respecting our peers? Texas REALTORS Respect for Your Peers: 1. Identify your REALTOR and professional status in all contacts with other REALTORS. 2. Respond to other agents' calls, texts and emails promptly and courteously. 3. Be aware that large electronic files with attachments may be a burden on recipients. 4. Notify the listing broker if there appears to be inaccurate information on the listing. 5. Share relevant information about a property, including the presence of pets, security systems and whether sellers will be present during the showing. 6. Show courtesy, trust and respect to other real estate professionals. 7. Avoid the inappropriate use of endear-

ments or other denigrating languages. 8. Do not prospect at other REALTORS’ open houses or similar events. 9. Carefully replace keys in the lockbox after showings. 10. Mutual respect is essential to be successful in the business. 11. Real estate is a reputation business. What you do today may affect your reputation and your business for years to come. So how about putting yourself in your peer’s shoes for a moment and remember death, divorce, disease and sometimes just having a bad day does not just happen to our clients, it also, unfortunately, affects your fellow REALTORS. So let’s all remember when you get ready to blow your top with the other REALTOR — stop and think if this is the way you want to do business or the way you want to be known in your industry. Do you really want to hurt this other person whether it is verbally or financially? Take a moment and think. You never know what is happening in the lives of

MY WHY? i

www.myRealtyLine.com

October 2018

your fellow REALTORS. I believe that each one of us holds the key to a door of hope for someone — perhaps in ways — we've never before considered. As members of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS, 2,000 agents strong, your role as a WCREALTORS leader is to be mindful of the choices you make every day

and contribute to raising the professionalism in the real estate industry. In conclusion, remember to follow the National Association Code of Ethics, be kind to each other, always play fair, keep the doors of communication open, be careful not to let the door slam shut on friendly relations and cooperate with your fellow REALTORS. RL

Event & Education Schedule October 2018

November 2018

23 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange Lunch & Learn 23 Advanced Matrix CTXMLS 25 Luxury Bus Tour 26 Pricing Strategies CMA 26 Legal Update 2 29 Ready, Set, Live - How to Become a Transparent Agent 30 Business Planning for REALTORS

6 7 14 15

Intro to Matrix GRI Marketing 4-Day Class Facebook for Business Pages Make Open House a Hit!

www.wcaor.org Christine Chau of Texas Urban Realty networks with colleagues at the Asian Real Estate Association Networking Happy Hour. Joining her were David Letourneau, Shelton Green of Colonial Mortgage and Philip Chang of DASH Realty.

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October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.â&#x201E;˘

Bill Evans of Austin Real Pros and 2018 TREPAC Chair Holly Massingill of Keller Williams Realty encourages all industry professionals to donate to support the fight against bad legislation. Make your donation today!

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Tony Thompson, center, founded the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA) with the mission to increase the engagement of minorities and women in the mortgage banking industry. He talked to Wendy Wilson and Elizabeth Miller, both of DHI Mortgage, about how the organization can benefit them. Download Photo: RL_100118_K.JPG for FREE at www.myrealtyline.com

Nancy Baier of Willow Bend Mortgage and Michele Sherwood of Keller Williams Realty believe this is the winning salsa recipe â&#x20AC;&#x201D; so good, they might have to fight over who gets to take it home! WCREALTORS hosted the salsa contest event to raise money for TREPAC. With the legislative session looming, have you made your contribution yet?

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Kevin Scawthorn of Scott Felder Homes maps out the sites still available in Cypress Forest in Kyle with Allison Pflaum of Keller Williams Realty. Scott Felder Homes offers 55' and 85' lots in the community with homes priced from the upper $200s.

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.â&#x201E;¢

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

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October 2018

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October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

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Katie Jackson of Realty Austin and Lewis Brownlow of Shoal Creek Home Inspectors welcome attendee at the AYREP monthly mixer at The Local Post.

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Chad Bowman of Veterans United Home Loans is a true philanthropist! That's why we're not surprised to see him raising money for TREPAC at the annual Austin Board of REALTORS Bowling for TREPAC event at Dart Bowl.

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Kevin Scanlan of All City Real Estate and Cord Shiflet of Moreland Properties catch up on business matters before taking part as panelists on the Austin Young Real Estate Professionals' Top Producer Panel.

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

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October 2018

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Prices, plans, features, promotions and completion dates are subject to change without notice. Square footage is approximate. Certain restrictions apply. Offer not valid on River Oaks Homes or in Mueller or Goodnight Ranch. *Discounts vary per community. **Lender and closing cost contribution only apply if buyer uses Michael Nasserfar at Movement Mortgage or Zoe Ann Heep at Benchmark Mortgage and Marilee Verdesca at Bedrock Title. $5,000 bonus applies to quick move in homes that can close by 12/31/18. $2,500 bonus on to-be-built homes or quick move in homes that can close by 3/31/19. If home is complete, home must close within 30 days of sale date. If the home is not complete, it must close within 30 days of completion. See sales consultant for complete details. E. & O.E. October 2018.

October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

Home Builders Assoc. of Greater Austin

President’s Column By Lee Whitaker • 2018 President

The cost make-up of building a new home in the Austin metro area

primary focus at the HBA of Greater Austin is housing affordability. Our builders care about delivering quality housing at a cost the market can support. However, with prices rising in our area, many people wonder what goes into the cost of a new construction home. Last year, our National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) asked more than 4,250 homebuilders to provide data on home building costs for an average single-family home. They found the average price for a single-family home nationally was $427,000. The same size house, sold within a 60-mile radius between San Marcos to Georgetown, costs an average of $375,000. Of course, one of the leading causes of Central Texas’s rising housing costs is demand, which I am sure we all have experienced in our day-to-day here in the real estate industry. The Austin area recently ranked No. 1 in terms of where people were moving around the country. All of those transplants, coupled with large numbers of millennials entering the housing market and a limited housing inven-

tory, and you have a recipe for affordability issues. Demand is just one factor impacting the price of a home. For one thing, land costs are getting more expensive. According to recent research from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, 20.4 percent of a home’s price in the state is land cost. Since 2000, the land price index for single-family homes in the U.S. increased 95 percent; but Texas has seen a 122 percent increase and economists don’t see the momentum in Austin’s housing prices slowing until at least 2020. Builders’ operating expenses have also risen as builders across the country have been dealing with a construction labor shortage for the past several years. In Texas, the shortfall was exacerbated by Hurricane Harvey hitting Houston in 2017. A new study by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) found that 80 percent of construction firms in this region have a severe worker shortage. Ninety-nine percent of firms said hiring laborers would continue to be a problem into 2019. These jobs include pipelayers, electricians,

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

roofers and truck drivers. Firms are increasing pay, benefits and giving incentives which are then getting passed down to the homebuyer as an increased cost to build the home. A worker shortage leads to construction delays, which also increases building costs. In Central Texas, there is a shortage of qualified laborers, even with the cities and inspection departments, and demand for new starts keeps rising. As an example, over the past five years in Austin, there has been a 70 percent increase in residential electrical inspections. Last May, a City of Austin audit revealed a backlog of nearly 500 inspection work orders and the department confirmed that city inspectors are overwhelmed with their workload. With a backlog, builders must wait on inspections to proceed and stopping work for a few days causes construction logjams and further delays with trades down the line. The resulting fees and work extensions can add thousands of dollars to homebuilding costs. Unfortunately, the rising costs mean some homebuyers are priced out. We have reported before that with each $1,000 increase in the median home price here in the Austin MSA, 1,220 families are priced out. What goes into the cost of a building a home? Essentially, everything. It’s the tangible — land, foundation, floors, walls, and a roof — to the intangible — labor, taxes, profit margins. Ultimately, there is one factor that determines the estimated price of a new home more than almost anything: location. Each housing market is local, and a great way to learn more about the Austin area market is to talk with the builders! The Parade of Homes™ offers an excellent opportunity to hear directly from a few build-

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

ers with (new) builder guided tours at the event. Visit www.paradeofhomesaustin.com for more details.

Don’t Forget - VIP REALTOR Days! New this year, REALTORS are exclusively invited to attend on Thursdays, October 25 and November 1, when the tour is not open to the general public. Like in past years, REALTORS will use their business card as their ticket to attend free of charge. The HBA is partnering with the Austin Board of REALTORS, the Williamson County Association of REALTORS, Women’s Council of REALTORS and Platinum Top 50 REALTORS to make these new VIP REALTOR Days a can’t-miss event. The Parade of Homes will be open on REALTOR Days from 2 to 7 p.m. Sign up at www.ParadeofHomesAustin.com and like our Facebook page at Facebook.com/greateraustinparadeofhomes to get the latest updates. The Parade of Homes will be open to the general public Fridays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 19 to November 4. Tickets are on sale now. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.ParadeofHomesAustin.com. RL

TIME OF YOUR LIFE BLACKBURN BUILDS HOMES FOR EVERY SEASON OF LIFE DIAMOND OAKS A gated luxury new home community in the heart of Round Rock 512-341-9212 THE GARDENS AT MAYFIELD A secluded and gated luxury home community in Round Rock 512-733-2222 THE CROSSING AT WELLS BRANCH A new North Austin community just 15 minutes from Downtown 512-989-9977 TRAILS AT BLACKHAWKS Gated boutique community coming spring 2019! VISIT BLACKBURNCOMMUNITIES.COM

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October 2018

Mark Hairston’s Recommended Reading List

Business

Marketing & Sales

Personal Development

Spirituality & Religion

The Speed of Trust Stephen M.R. Covey

Permission Marketing Seth Godin

The 12 Rules for Life Jordon Peterson

Mere Christianity

The One Thing

Guerrilla Marketing

The Four Agreements

The Wisdom Jesus

Start with Why

Getting to Yes

The Slight Edge Jeff Olson

William Paul Young

Think and Grow Rich

Positioning

The Traveler’s Gift

A New Earth

Crushing It

The 7 Levels of Communication

Chicken Soup for the Soul

The Interior Castle

The War of Art

The Divine Conspiracy

As a Man Thinketh

Beyond the Road Less Traveled

Take Charge of Your Life

Wild at Heart

The Aladdin Factor

Seat of the Soul

The New Psycho-Cybernetics

The 3 Philosophies of Life

How Successfull People Think

The Imitation of Christ

Magic of Thinking Big

Putting on the Mind of Christ

Blink

Conversations with GOD

Keller / Papasan

Jay Conrad Levinson

Simon Simek

Roger Fisher

Napoleon Hill

Reis/Trout

Gary Vaynerchuk

Michael Mayer

The E Myth, Revisited

The Conversion Code

Michael Gerber

Who Moved My Cheese? Spencer Johnson

The Go-Giver Bob Burg

The Tipping Point Malcolm Gladwell

Crucial Conversations

Patterson/Greeny/McMillan

Tribes

Chris Smith

Selling the Invisible Harry Beckwith

Building a Story Brand Donald Miller

Dotcom Secrets Russell Brunson

Raving Fans

Blanchard/Bowles

Never Eat Alone

Seth Godin

Essentialism

Keith Ferrazzi

Greg McKeown

Miracle Morning

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Influence

Stephen Covey

Hal Elrod

Robert Cialdini

Don Miguel Ruiz

Andy Andrews

Canfield/Hansen Steven Pressfield James Allen Jim Rohm

Canfield/Hansen Matlz/Kennedy John Maxwell

David Schwartz

Malcolm Gladwell

C.S. Lewis

Cynthia Bourgeault

The Shack

Eckhart Tolle

Teresa of Avila

Dallas Willard M. Scott Peck

John Eldridge Gary Zukav Peter Kreeft

Thomas ‘A Kempis Jim Marion

Neale Donald Walsh

When You Want It Done Right the First Time! Mark Hairston

Senior Loan Officer (NMLS#221417)

512-789-6967 MarkHairston.com

October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

WCR President Carol Hardy, second from right, along with Christy Gessler, left, of Freedom 512 Real Estate, Jon Roseberry of Texas National Title, Ruby Johnson of Freedom 512 Real Estate, and Katie Deason and Audra Vasek, both of Texas National Title, are ready to learn about how health and wellness affect their business at the monthly meeting.

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

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Pitching in to support TREPAC is "how we roll." The Independence Title crew turns out to raise money ahead of the next legislative session that goes into session in January 2019.

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When you need expert help with any mortgage issue Mark Hairston, center, and his team can save the day. Mark recently hosted an Advanced Mortgage Strategies class.

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Felisha Nwoko of Austin Title turns the tables on Round Rock Police Officer Angelo Marmarinos after learning some tips on how to stay safe when out in the field. The program was hosted by KB Home at its model home in Forest Grove in Round Rock.

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October 2018

OCTOBER 19 – NOVEMBER 4, 2018

unique designs and the latest trends four luxury new custom homes

by innovative products and workshops

Join us for our VIP Realtor Days ParadeofHomesAustin.com

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Realtors® get in FREE with your Business Card Guided Tours

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Realtor CE Classes

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Refreshments

Join the Parade of Homes in Mirabella at Travisso, a luxury home community in Leander overlooking opulent views of Central Texas’ hill country.

October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Teamwork makes the dream work! There's no better team than ABoR President Steve Crorey and ABoR CEO Emily Chenevert. The duo has worked hard to bring the organization to a whole new level in 2018. They celebrated a successful Bowling for TREPAC event at Dart Bowl.

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Allison Hoyser Forester of CityScape Property Group and Kelly Bondrehle of Keller Williams Realty are ready to learn how to grow their business! They attended the Austin Young Real Estate Professional's Top Producer Panel at ABoR Headquarters.

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With hearts of gold, Tina Romero and Chad Goldwasser of Pure Gold Realty, bring the real estate community together once again for the company's annual Rock 'N Restock concert benefiting the Central Texas Food Bank and Black Fret, a local charity the supports the music industry in Austin.

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October 2018

October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Women's Council of REALTORS

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

President’s Column By Carol Hardy • 2018 President

REALTOR Safety: Don't get caught off guard!

Stranger danger! Wait, what? We've taught our children and heard teachers say it, but in our business, everyone is a potential customer/client. We have to balance between caution, care and concern for our business and clients. There are all kinds of common sense things we can do to protect ourselves, apps to download that track where we are for others and licenses to carry, but you have to practice them. By practice, I mean use common sense when you meet someone for the first time, use an app to help share your location and safely practice on a target with your weapon or stun gun. Knowing how to use wasp spray or yelling no to a person and doing it are two different things. In our profession, you can never be too safe. Take advantage of safety courses taught specifically for REALTORS. You can always learn new techniques, take heed of creative cautionary tips and avoid complacency or becoming too comfortable or thinking you know it all and can defend yourself because of Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson in your purse or boot. Practice the points so many have said:

Don’t lead into a house, follow the client. Don’t walk into a room, stay in the hall and let the client walk into the room. Don’t park your car where someone can block in your car. Take a picture of the license if you meet someone off-site – or a picture of their car/license. Have someone call you after a few minutes while showing property and have a signal word for trouble. There are all kinds of ways to make sure you do all you can to keep yourself safe. I leave you with my biggest suggestion: listen to your gut! If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it! There is no transaction in the world worth risking your safety. Be smart! RL

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Financing offered by DHI Mortgage Company, Ltd. Branch NMLS #38686. 10700 Pecan Park Blvd., Suite 120, Austin, TX 78750. Company NMLS #14622. For information on DHI Mortgage licensing, please visit www.dhimortgage.com/licensing. Provided for informational purposes only. This is not a commitment to lend. Not all borrowers will qualify. REV: 09/19/18 | EXP: 09/19/19

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

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October 2018

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October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Front Page: Continued REALTORS are very easy marks for a variety of reasons. For one thing, agents are often alone in empty houses or can be lured to an empty home without the request sounding suspicious or creepy. Also, as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy, many REALTORS have social media sites that give predators much of the information they need to court and engage endless numbers of potential victims. And because these offenders are very good at acting charismatic, then friendly people, like real estate agents, can be easy to dupe. So knowing what you’re up against, what can you do to stay safe? NAR has a list of 56 tips which is a great place to start. “When you have a new client, ask him/her to stop by your office and complete a Prospect Identification Form and photocopy their driver’s license.” Also, be sure your public social media accounts are thoroughly professional and your personal accounts are viewable only to friends and family. Goldstein urges agents to post a straightforward, professional headshot rather than personal photos and reveal very little personal information about yourself. Many agents will list hobbies on their bios. But rather than saying that you enjoy trips to Disneyland with your husband and three daughters, keep it simple and vague. Say that you enjoy travel, gardening and working out. When you give out specific details, predators use that to manipulate you into revealing even more information. Remember that if you mention where you went to high school, it’s easy enough for a stranger to track down a few names and trick you into thinking you have friends in common. Unfortunately, the characteristics that many speakers on crime-prevention circuits will tell you to avoid are not necessarily the predators that tend to ambush REALTORS in an empty home. For example, they’re not hardon-their-luck drug addicts or young and impulsive crooks that want your money and jewelry. Violent predators are in this line of work for the feeling of control and power. The best way to prevent becoming a victim is the one

thing real estate agents can’t do: refuse to be alone with strangers. It doesn’t help that a percentage of clients always just seem “off,” or strange, especially when you’re actively looking for red flags. Here are some ways to be safe when you’re alone with clients: • Always keep the person within sight and in front of you. Invite him to enter a room ahead of you while you trail behind. Try not to turn your back to the client. • Observe his language and word choices. Predators are manipulative and can even be demanding. Instead of asking if you would show the bedroom, he may say, “take me to see the bedroom.” • Don’t comply with strange requests. If the client wants a lift or wants to give you a lift — for any reason — simply offer to call him a car. According to NAR, agents should always take their own car to a showing. • Have an exit strategy. One of the most popular is the emergency phone call. Say, “I’m sorry, I need to take a private call outside. Please take your time.” He doesn’t believe you? That’s not your concern. Just leave the house — and drive away if you’re that uncomfortable. • While you’re at a showing, don’t park your car in a way that can get you blocked in. The WAV Group did a Real Estate Victimization Study in 2017 and found that “about one in 20 study respondents have been a victim of crime while selling or leasing real estate.” Nearly 20 percent said when they were in situations where they felt uncomfortable or unsafe, they stayed put because they didn’t want to risk losing the sale. Marilyn Wilson, a founding partner at the WAV Group, said that more than half of the agents surveyed said they want safety support from their broker or association — more than lead generation, online marketing and transaction management. But only 48 percent of agents say they’ve taken a REALTOR safety course. If these numbers show anything, it’s that there’s no shortage of odd characters out there. Being safe starts with identifying those strangers with the potential to cause harm. RL

P. O. Box 81366 • Austin, Texas 78708-1366 (512) 514-3141 www.myRealtyLine.com E-mail: naomi@myRealtyLine.com

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Publisher: Associate Publisher: Doren L. Carver Tawanna K. Verock doren@myRealtyLine.com tawanna@myRealtyLine.com Managing Editor: Contributing Editors: Naomi Bludworth Linda McNabb naomi@myRealtyLine.com Caroline Carver Contributing Writers: Contributing Photographers: Riki Markowitz, Katie Agness, Doren L. Carver Naomi Bludworth Melanie Mitchell

Advertising Sales: Doren Carver - (512) 514-3141 doren@myRealtyLine.com

Columnists: Steve Crorey, Victoria Reviel, Lee Whitaker, Carol Hardy, Mary Lynne Gibbs, Harold Copher, Jr., Wayne Morgan

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

S ubmit photos, press releases and calendar items to naomi@myrealtyline.com. All images must be at least 300 dpi and include a caption with first/last name and company affiliation. Press releases must be fewer than 300 words. Non-advertisers submitting calendar items will be charged $25 per submission. All submissions must be received at least seven calendar days before ad copy deadlines. Submission items will be included as space allows. RealtyLine is published monthly by Caxton Publications, Inc.© as a non-subscription publication for the more than 12,000 members of the Austin Board of REALTORS®(ABoR), the more than 1,800 members of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS® (WCREALTORS) and the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin. RealtyLine is a proud member of the Austin Board of REALTORS®, the Williamson County Association of REALTORS®, the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin and is an honorary member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS. 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.

512-244-3545 www.ChampionsSchool.com/Austin Performance Management Network Designation An Official REALTOR® Designation

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• 8-Hour TREC Legal Update I & II

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October 2018

JOIN US FOR OUR

FALL TRAIL ‘N TREAT EVENT! OCTOBER 25 TH | 4 PM - 7 PM 929 DEER RIM ROAD, LEANDER, TX 78641

DEERBROOKE — Leander’s newest master-planned community will host its first Trail ‘n Treat Event on Oct. 25 celebrating the fall season and grand opening of the community’s walking trails. This is a family-friendly event with plenty of free activities for all ages. Join us from 4 pm - 7 pm and bring family and friends to enjoy:

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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. *$500 Gift Card Giveaway may not be combined with any other offer or promotions. Valid registration accepted at community, homebuilder locations only. Offer expires June, 30, 2018. A Randolph Todd Development.

Texas Central RRC Residential Real Estate Council

Director's Column By Mary Lynne Gibbs • 2018 Director

October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

Texas bucks the national trend in increased E&O insurance claims for brokers

rrors and omissions insurance claims are rising in the nation, yet Texas is not seeing an increase in these kinds of professional liability issues. Why? At our most recent RRC luncheon, TREC Chair Avis Wukasch told a packed house that one E&O insurance provider believes it is because brokers in Texas must meet stricter educational and regulatory requirements. Avis recently appointed me and eight others across Texas to the Broker Responsibility Working Group (BRWG) which will allow us to make sure Texas remains a leader in broker accountability. We are in charge with reviewing broker licensing requirements, minimum competency requirements, broker mentorship programs, minimum service requirements in relation to service fees and temporary out of state registrations for commercial transactions. It is my honor to be appointed to this vital group for the second time. While most people in real estate are responsible, there are a few crummy people out there who make it imperative that we clean up the profession. I remember one case of a

broker who was taking rental payments for a veteran serving in Iraq but was not depositing the money for him. The veteran got a notice of foreclosure after he was deployed. Another broker was in a nursing home and others individuals could not be located. “Over the years, the work of this group has resulted in a greater experience required to become a broker, a mandatory Broker Responsibility CE course for brokers who sponsor sales agents, TREC Rule 535.2 on Broker Responsibility and more consumer-friendly language for the Information About Brokerage Services Notice,” says Kerri Lewis, general counsel for the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). “All of these improvements strengthen the professionalism of the industry and better serve consumers of real estate services in Texas.” If you have an interest in improving broker standards, consider putting the Broker Responsibility Course offered by TREC on your goal sheet for next year. Whether you are a sales agent or a broker who supervises sales agents, there is so much valuable content that

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benefits our profession. Have you ever thought about getting your broker license? The Broker Responsibility Course is a great course to take before doing so and it would help you to determine if becoming a broker something that you would truly like to be involved with, especially if you are considering leading a team. Instructors are now revising the course, so I recommend that you take it beginning in Jan-

SAYS WELCOME TO JEFF TENNEY NMLS ID 998737

LOAN OFFICER AUSTIN, TEXAS

WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE HIM ABOARD! Contact Jeff today to find out how he can help you.

512.517.7941 or jtenney@s1lending.com Synergy One Lending Synergy One Lending Inc. NMLS 1025894. 3131 Camino Del Rio N 190, San Diego, CA 92108. Texas Mortgage Banker Registration 1025894.

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

uary 2019. Another option is to sign up for the 9-day cruise to the Panama Canal in February. I will be teaching the course and you'll receive six hours of CE elective credit. Let's work together to make sure brokers ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including proper training and supervision of sponsored agents. RL

Residential Real Estate Council Events Please like us on Facebook:

Texas Central RRC - Residential Real Estate Council is our page that highlights our upcoming events.

18 October

18-19 October

25 October

31 October

CRS Designation

SYNERGY ONE LENDING

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Central Texas RRC/CRS Happy Hour (2 free drinks & appetizers) 4 to 6 PM, St. Genevieve, 11500 Rock Rose Ave., Domain RSVP: Gay Puckett, gay@gaypuckett.com Effective Buyer Sales Strategies with Jackie Leavenworth, CRS 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM; Ebby Halliday REALTORS Education & Mkt Center 4447 Sigma Road, Dallas, Texas 75244 Member Rate: $249, Non-Member Rate: $275 7 Things Successful Agents Do Differently: A Proven Business System with Mary Miner CRS; 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM; Class cost: $99 San Antonio Board of REALTORS, 9110 IH 10 West, San Antonio, 78230 Elite Pro Summit, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. $249 Lunch and a reception are included in the fee NAR Conference - Boston, Massachusetts

If you are interested in obtaining your CRS designation contact Mary Lynne Gibbs for more information: austinluxurybroker@gmail.com or 512-431-2403.

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

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October 2018

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. ›

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October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

Showing some love for the music scene, the real estate community and the benefiting charities, Wyatt Giles of Paradigm Title Group and Tony Cubbage of SouthStar Bank, are ready for some fun at the annual Pure Gold Realty Rock 'N Restock concert held at The Belmont. Download Photo: RL_100118_BD.JPG for FREE at www.myrealtyline.com

Bill Morris of RE/MAX Capital City and Christina Isaac of North American Title are eager to learn some tips from some of the best REALTORS in the Austin area. They both attended the AYREP Top Producer Panel.

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If you have clients looking in the Kyle area, Allie Wasilko, Kevin Scawthorn and Liz Don Carlos, all of Scott Felder Homes, invite you to see what they have going on in Cypress Forest where their homes start in the upper $200s and several houses are ready for quick move-in now!

Best Download Photo: RL_100418_AJ.JPG for FREE at www.myrealtyline.com

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WCR Austin President Carol Hardy of Century 21 Hellmann Stribling and Jon Roseberry of Texas National Title take part in the lively "Morning Mimosas and Debates," presented by WCREALTORS and hosted at Heritage at Vizcaya in Round Rock.

D E MA N D

THE

Count on NORTH AMERICAN TITLE for a smooth closing and top-flight customer service. Visit One of Our Great Locations Today NORTH AUSTIN 5608 Parkcrest Drive Suite 150 Austin, TX 78731 t: 512.302.3892

PALOMA 13620 N FM 620 Bldg A, Suite 175 Austin, TX 78717 t: 512.249.0576

ROUND ROCK 1 Chisholm Trail Suite 3100 Round Rock, TX 78681 t: 512.255.6550

www.facebook.com/Austin.nat www.nat.com/Texas Like Clockwork ®

©2018 North American Title Group, LLC and its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. North American Title Group, LLC and its subsidiaries are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. North American Title Company and related design and Like Clockwork are registered Service Marks of North American Title Group, LLC or its corporate parent. | TX 18-18-13901 R 10.1.18

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

RL austin

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

www.myRealtyLine.com

October 2018

tions and answers all questions. Our team

512 Freedom Real Estate

has experience in all areas of the real estate industry and has developed highly respected reputations in the Austin market. Whether it’s a first home, investment property, renovation or commercial site, Freedom 512 gives

A S S O C I AT E S I N P R O G R E S S - A d v e r t i s e r P r o f i l e b y K a t i e A g n e s s

ocused on creating a positive real estate experience, Freedom 512 Real Estate Group provides residential, leasing and

commercial services throughout Austin and Williamson County. Founded in spring 2018,

flight to real estate dreams.”

ents some of the best possible resources and market knowledge that they can obtain. We strictly adhere to the Code of Ethics and follow those principles in all things we do.” While buying or selling a home can be a

Freedom 512 has been helping homebuyers

In addition to open communication and dedication from the Freedom 512 team, clients will experience the group’s exceptional customer service, extending beyond the real estate transaction. “We provide outstanding service for a tenant to find a home or lease,

find their dream homes and achieve the lifestyle they’ve been looking seeking. “We started with 17 trusted, successful

Christy Gessler, Broker/Owner

As a broker, my number one job is to be sure that my agents are equipped, trained and expected to perform at high levels for our clients.

REALTORS with the intention of offering independent contractors the ability to run their business in a supported, ethical environment,” says Christy Gessler, REALTOR and broker/owner for Freedom 512 Real Estate Group. “Our team has a diverse background knowledge of the Central Texas real estate market. We trust in the expertise and experience we give to clients, and work to provide them with the freedom to find their dream homes.”

tion to our craft.” Gessler, who has been in the real estate industry for 15 years and worked for two large brokerage firms for the majority of her career, saw an opportunity and advantage to owning and running a smaller brokerage firm. “I see a distinct shift to smaller, independent brokerages, and I truly think the reason for this is relationships,” she says. “Our profession is based on relationships, both with your clients and with your broker and fellow agents. In

Today, the Freedom 512 has grown to 24

many large operations that dynamic is very

agents who specialize in providing brokerage and some leasing services. “As a broker,

hard, if not impossible, to achieve long-term.

my number one job is to be sure that my

stressful experience, the Freedom 512 group

but then we place them in our client care pro-

I feel that brokerages moving forward have

agents are equipped, trained and expected

strives to make the process seamless and en-

gram to allow them the opportunity to grow

to place their emphasis on tools and systems

to perform at high levels for our clients,”

joyable through dedication and a network of

into home ownership,” Gessler says. “All of

that focus on the client because when the cli-

says Gessler, who manages the Freedom 512

expertise. “We provide transparent commu-

my agents follow the Brian Buffini system for

ent's goals are reached, naturally an agent's

team. “With my backing, my agents offer cli-

nication and work persistently to find solu-

client care, community service, and dedica-

goals are also achieved.” RL

3 4 5

Receive a 3% commission on your first closing.

Receive a 1% bonus in addition to your 3% commission on your second closing!*

Receive a 2% bonus in addition to your 3% commission on your third and subsequent closings!*

Get that Felder Feeling when you sell a new Scott Felder Home! With the Scott Felder Homes 2018 Realtor Loyalty Program, your buyers will quickly embrace our “Choose It. Love It. Live It.” promotion that allows them to enjoy the best we have to offer. CHOOSE from a variety of excellent new home locations and prices. LOVE all our award-winning home designs and interior options. And they LIVE in a home built just for them that will provide value for years to come.

C H O O SE I T. L O V E I T. L I V E I T.

ScottFelderHomes.com New homes from the $200s-$600s

*All qualified sales must be original Scott Felder Homes (“SFH”) contracts written between January 1, 2018 and November 30, 2018. Sell ONE home and you’re enrolled in SFH’s Co-Broker Loyalty Program! Sell TWO homes between 1/1/18 and 11/30/18 and qualify for a 1% bonus on your 2nd SFH closing. Sell THREE homes between 1/1/18 and 11/30/18 and qualify for a 2% bonus, entitling you to a 5% total commission on your third, and all subsequent closings for the remainder of 2018! 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 1/1/2018 and 12/31/2018. 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.

October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

RL austin

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

Chad Goldwasser of Pure Gold Realty loves Realty Line and Rock 'N Roll! With a big heart, he turned his love for music into a charity benefit concert for Texas Capital Area Food Bank. The concert also benefited Black Fret's mission to fund local musical acts for all of Austin to enjoy! Rock on Chad, RealtyLine loves you too!

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To show their support for local first responders, SouthStar Bank invites local police to its Leander branch every first Friday of the month for an appreciation breakfast. Senior VP and Branch Executive Alexis Michael, SouthStar Bank Customer Service Rep Roseanne Fisher and Leander Police Officer J. Kostecka enjoyed a recent gathering. Download Photo: RL_100218_I.JPG for FREE at www.myrealtyline.com

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Todd Hays of Highland Homes welcomes REALTORS and guests to the homebuilder's beautiful new model home at Wildhorse Ranch in Manor - just off Parmer Lane near Toll 130. The model includes four bedrooms and three bathrooms in 2,200 square feet.

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

• • • • • • •

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HGTV's Abbey Vasek brainstorms with the RE/MAX Capital City team on ideas to create more curb appeal. The program was hosted by Blackburn Communities and Independence Title to help REALTORS be more successful when selling new listings. In attendance were Sherry Hindmarsh, Jill Marsh, Cyathia Maguire and Megan Bradshaw.

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

512-458-3730

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

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Capital Area Real Estate (CARE) Founder Craig Potts of Keller Williams Realty and Cheryl Lytle of SWBC Mortgage share with guests attending the meeting the organization's mission to serve the community.

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.â&#x201E;¢

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

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October 2018

Who wil be r 2018 top-seling

RANCH REALTOR of e year

& WIN A GRAND PRIZE TRIP TO ITALY?!

LEARN MORE AT SANTARITARANCHAUSTIN.COM/REALTORS

DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR

By Home Builders Association of Greater Austin

COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR By the Austin Business Journal

COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR

By Home Builders Association of Greater Austin

BEST OF THE BEST AMENITIES By the Austin American Statesman

October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com Experts Speak Out

austin

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

Commentary By Harold Copher, Jr. Willow Bend Mortgage

What's your credit score?

often find myself answering questions regarding credit scores. Much like today’s political discussions, I don’t always enjoy them, and I am sometimes at a loss justifying the correlation between history and score. I think most of us know that credit scores were developed and are used to provide a way to measure a potential borrower’s creditworthiness. The Fair-Isaac Company, founded in the mid-1950’s, introduced the first FICO credit bureau risk score in 1981. Exponential growth began in 1995 when Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae recommended the use of the FICO credit score model in analyzing risk for residential mortgage loans. In the late 1990’s, both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae began relying on algorithm based, automated underwriting systems to approve or deny loan submissions. You may recognize their names — Fannie Mae’s DU or Desktop Underwriting and Freddie Mac’s LP or Loan Prospector systems. Each agency’s system is based on its respective underwriting guidelines, which analyzes the borrower’s credit history, capacity and collateral to approve or

deny loan eligibility. Procedurally, the information provided by the borrower(s) on the standardized residential loan application is uploaded into the DU or LP system, along with credit report data, and “eligible” or “ineligible” DU findings or LP renderings are provided for the proposed transaction. Eligible means the data submitted meets the loan guidelines, pending receipt and manual review of the documentation provided by the borrower(s) to support the information provided on the application. Today, virtually all loan submissions underwritten through an automated system. FICO credit scores are a vital component in determining eligibility and to set risk-based pricing in both the DU and LP systems. Most clients assume their credit score will be the same regardless of who orders the credit report. The reality is that the FICO score can vary depending on the type of credit applied for and whom you choose as a lender. If you obtain your credit score through most of the free credit report websites that offer a score, it is likely not a FICO credit score. Most of those

sites are using what is known as the VantageScore or Vantage credit score. The Fair Credit Reporting Act was amended in 2003 to require each of the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) to provide a free credit report once a year to every consumer that requested one. The purpose of the amendment was to allow consumers a way to ensure their reported credit information is correct, and to guard against identity theft. A short time later, the three credit reporting agencies formed a joint venture entity, whose goal was to develop a credit scoring algorithm to compete with the better known FICO score. I’m guessing that providing a credit score along with the free credit report and not paying for the FICO score was discussed. The rollout version of VantageScore in 2006 was the result of that collaboration. Although the initial version was on a different scale than FICO, the most recent revisions have a 300 to 850 scale, just like the FICO scoring model. The initial use and primary market for the alternative credit scores were as an “educational credit score.” A consumer monitor-

Melanie Kennemann

Diane Johnson

Team Leader

Operating Principal

512-330-1059

512-732-3803

melanie@kwaustin.com

dianejohnson@kw.com

ing their “financial health” would see similar patterns for improvement or deterioration of their FICO and Vantage score based on the same credit-related activity. Almost all mortgage lenders require FICO scores, as opposed to the alternative VantageScore model, and use the Residential Mortgage Credit Report (RMCR) product. The RMCR provides additional information useful to underwriting a mortgage; including legal records, residence and employment history, along with the FICO score calculated using one of several available FICO scoring platforms. Yes, there is more than one FICO scoring platform available to lenders. For mortgage lending, “your FICO score” is the middle of the three bureau FICO scores included with the RMCR product. If you are applying for a credit card or an installment loan, “your credit score” is likely a single bureau score from the FICO bank card, FICO auto score, or maybe even the VantageScore product lines. That’s a big part of why “your credit score” is not always the same. RL

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

www.myRealtyLine.com

October 2018

LOVE

NEW BUILDERS • NEW MODELS

NEW INCENTIVES Welcome to MorningStar, where the

LIBERTY HILL ISD

living is easy. For a limited time, we’re

POOLS & PARKS Download Photo: RL_100118_BM.JPG for FREE at www.myrealtyline.com

Kindra Zepeda of Independence Title is ready to "strike it rich" for TREPAC at the annual Austin Board of REALTORS TREPAC Bowling tournament. The PAC raises money to support the real estate industry, and with the legislative session just around the corner, everyone is pitching in.

offering all buyers 3

EASY ACCESS NATURAL GAS DOG PARK FISHING POND

years of paid HOA dues plus another $1,000 bonus for Veterans/Active Duty. Best of all, most of our builders offer paid closing costs. Visit today to find your new home and see

NATURE TRAILS

how easy Morningstar is to love!

$500 bonus nting t o ag e n t s r e p r e s e

m e m b e r s o f t h e m i l i ta ry

MORNINGSTAR

Download Photo: RL_100218_L.JPG for FREE at www.myrealtyline.com

What's one way to build referral business? Trade business cards with your fellow REALTORS when attending events like this grand opening at Wildhorse Ranch in Manor where Highland Homes recently debuted its new model home. The builder is offering homes starting in the $300s just a short drive from Austin. Milton J. Matus of Matus Properties, Inc. and Donald Harrell of Century 21 Real Estate made their way through the model before brunch.

LivingMorningstar.com

HOMES FROM THE LOW $200 s TO $500 s

MERITAGE HOMES | KB HOME | GFO Home WESTIN HOMES | SARATOGA HOMES VINTAGE ESTATE HOMES | CAROTHERS EXECUTIVE HOMES

101 Ridgeview Court, Georgetown, TX 78628 512-843-8839

Robert L. Wright of R.L. Wright REALTORS thanks Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion for attending the National Association of Real Estate Broker's (NAHREB) Lunch and Learn program which addressed affordable housing in the Austin area.

RONA

Download Photo: RL_100218_V.JPG for FREE at www.myrealtyline.com

KAU F

N LOOP MA

AGAN LD RE

MorningStar and its affiliated management company Associa are offering three years paid Homeowner Association Dues on homes that are purchased between 9/15/18 to 10/31/18. See HOA manager for details. For the life of the project, MA Partners, LLC, the developer of MorningStar will provide all registered active duty and/or veteran military personnel with a one-time $1,000 home improvement bonus when they purchase a new home at MorningStar. Realtors who represent a registered active duty and/or veteran military personnel that purchases a new home in MorningStar will receive a one-time $500 bonus. These bonuses do not apply to resale homes. Bonuses will be paid after the home closes. Restrictions apply. Subject to change and withdrawal without notice.

October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

austin

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

SouthStar Bank invites you to its Leander branch every First Friday to show some love for first responders at a special monthly appreciation breakfast the bank hosts.

Download Photo: RL_100418_AD.JPG for FREE at www.myrealtyline.com

Andrew Thurston of Austin Capital Mortgage introduces the Top Producer panelists presenting tips for success to those attending the AYREP Top Producer Panel program. Panelists included Yvette Boatwright of Realty Austin, Jason Edwards of JB Goodwin REALTORS, Cord Shiflet of Moreland Properties, Rosie Hayer of Keller Williams Realty and Kevin Scanlan of All City Realty.

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Tiffany Amore and Kristy Karacz, both of Highland Homes, welcome dozens of REALTORS to tour the new model home in Wildhorse Ranch in Manor where the builder recently hosted a grand opening and brunch, especially for REALTORS.

Download Photo: RL_100118_CA.JPG for FREE at www.myrealtyline.com

Jennifer Frizzell of Stone Oak Management and Carol Whisenant of On Center Street Realty are loving the two model homes Scott Felder Homes has open in Cypress Forest, a master-planned community in Kyle that includes a swimming pool, sprayscape and pavilion.

Download Photo: RL_100218_F.JPG for FREE at www.myrealtyline.com

DO BOTH SIDES OF YOUR BUSINESS WORK? Our October “Skills for Success” event: Two Sides of the Business.

Each side must function seamlessly and compliment the other to create “WOW!” And Customers for life. The event is from 10:00AM to Noon on October 24th. Free lunch provided with a live Q&A from Noon to 1:00PM The first 20 people to register for the live event will receive a FREE autographed copy of Wayne's book How to Get Rich in Real Estate... and Have a Life!

October CE Specials:

18-hour CE “The Principles of Business” Oct 18 & 19th $99

• Making the mental shift from employee to business owner • Learn why the few make the most and how to become one of them

The Real Estate Business Blueprint® October 25th • $39

• Learn the six components of a business and the definition and goal of each component • Learn how to develop a high-performance team • 4-Hour TREC approved CE course #34642. Can be used for CE & Broker’s License credit BONUS! An autographed copy of Wayne’s book signed in class! Courses provided by The Real Estate Business School (Provider #701045/ #10071)

THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS SCHOOL Get Your License Learn to Use it!

REALTY ROUND UP 2018 GIVEAWAY

Stop by our booth at Realty Round Up for your chance to win

FREE

CE course for life!

512.453.0900 buildmyrebusiness.com

092818_TC_RH_RealtyLineAd_FullPage_f.pdf 1 Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™ austin

10/3/18

10:49 AM TM

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

www.myRealtyLine.com

STA R T

October 2018

AT FREE EVENT

OCT 27TH 12 - 4 PM 903 HIGHLANDS BOULEVARD

REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 3 PM

Bring Your Clients to Tour Up to 9 Model Homes & Enjoy

FREE German-inspired treats, drinks and family-fun. Learn More at RoughHollowLakeway.com/Oktoberfest

AVAILABLE HOMES ON LAKE TRAVIS FROM THE $300s TO $3 MILLION+

PRICE

ADDRESS

BED / BATH

SQ. FT.

FLOORS

EST. COMPLETION

BUILDER

$412,115

134 Cartwheel Bend

3 / 2.5

1,702

October

Village Builders

$435,890

123 Cartwheel Bend

4 / 3.5

2,395

December

Village Builders

$461,753

130 Cartwheel Bend

3 / 2.5

1,708

November

Village Builders

$463,774

222 Sumalt Gap Way

4 / 2.5

2,299

October

Brookfield Residential

$479,900

302 Gulfton Street

3/2

2,232

December

Drees Homes

$488,639

230 Sumalt Gap Way

4 / 3.5

2,852

NOW

Brookfield Residential

$489,900

226 Sumalt Gap Way

3/2

2,271

October

Drees Homes

$495,190

504 Summer Wilson Cove

3 / 2.5

2,365

NOW

Coventry Homes

$510,640

220 Sumalt Gap Way

4 / 3.5

3,120

October

Brookfield Residential

$519,979

103 Majestic Arroyo Way

3 / 3.5

2,241

NOW

Brookfield Residential

$529,653

304 Baldovino Skyway

4 / 3.5

3,249

NOW

Brookfield Residential

$530,168

101 Majestic Arroyo Way

3 / 3.5

2,526

NOW

Brookfield Residential

3/3

$534,806

105 Majestic Arroyo Way

2,463

NOW

Brookfield Residential

$544,603

628 Anfield Circle

4 / 3.5

3,132

NOW

Century Communities

$546,460

215 Sumalt Gap Way

4 / 3.5

2,313

NOW

Brookfield Residential

$549,000

115 Grant Cannon Lane

4/3

3,154

NOW

Coventry Homes

$549,900

224 Sumalt Gap Way

4 / 4.5

2,900

NOW

Drees Homes

$549,900

234 Sumalt Gap Way

4/4

2,922

November

Drees Homes

$550,167

217 Sumalt Gap Way

5 / 3.5

3,079

December

Brookfield Residential

$591,095

406 San Donato Drive

4 / 3.5

3,451

November

Westin Homes

$676,406

210 Coopers Crown Lane

5 / 3.5

3,387

NOW

Brookfield Residential

$791,492

202 Bisset Court

4/3

3,001

November

Wes Peoples Homes

$835,900

114 Bisset Court

4/3

3,067

October

Wes Peoples Homes

$899,000

514 Woodside Terrace

4 / 4.5

4,848

September

Drees Homes

$969,900

511 Woodside Terrace

5 / 5.5

4,514

November

Drees Homes

VIEW OUR FULL INVENTORY & DISCOVER ALL 22 NEIGHBORHOODS AT ROUGHHOLLOWLAKEWAY.COM Welcome Center Open Daily • 512.872.4304

Developed by Legend Communities. Exclusive sales and marketing by Legacy International Resort Properties. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits of value, if any, of this property.

092917_TC_RH_RealtyLineAd_FullPage.indd 1

10/3/17 2:53 PM

October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com Experts Speak Out

Commentary By Wayne Morgan Real Estate Business School

Empower vs. Impair

’ve seen the movie “A Beautiful Mind” once. The movie, based on the unauthorized biography of Nobel Prize-winning economist and mathematician John Forbes Nash, Jr., who created a concept called Nash equilibrium. Take a team of two or more players. The team is in Nash equilibrium if each player is making the best decision that he or she can, taking into account the decisions of the other players. Nash equilibrium has been used to study, e.g., whether people will take risks to achieve a cooperative outcome. A coordination game “stag hunt” was used as an analogy for social cooperation. The bottom line is that people gain the most benefit if they cooperate and implicitly trust one another to act in a manner corresponding with cooperation. In business, when you start building a pie, you get a pie. When you put a team together, you still get a pie. But, a bigger one! Most people live in “want,” “lack,” “limitation,” and “need.” They are full of negativity and say that one can’t do this and can’t do that. What it tells me is that they don’t know how to

build a bigger pie; they don’t know how to put a team together; they don’t know how to collaborate and cooperate. I rarely use absolutes like “all,” “every,” or “never,” but I will use one now — no one succeeds alone. The question is, “When you will go build that team?” Now think about what you do when it comes to getting things done. Do you impair yourself or empower yourself? If you don’t want to be left behind, always ask yourself, “Am I impairing or empowering myself? Do I impair or empower others?” Mentally, do I impair or empower? Physically, do I impair or empower? What do you put into your body; emotionally, spiritually, financially? Take the mental aspect of impair vs. empower. When you go home, what goes into your head? Do you watch mindless, thoughtless TV? How does your body feel when you watch that stuff? Does it feel weaker or stronger? Are you putting things into your mind that impair you or empower you? Turn off the TV. Spend at least 30 minutes a day read-

RL austin

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

ing something worthwhile. Read books about successful people; you can feel your body becoming empowered! What about physically? Do you fill your body with drugs, alcohol and greasy, fatty, sugar-laden foods that impair you or things that empower you? What about the other categories? If you spend time empowering yourself, you become more powerful. You can get more done. Now you can empower others. That’s why you have to be careful who is on your team, who your friends are and who are your colleagues. When people from your surroundings or your team tell you what you want to achieve is impossible — get rid of them. You don’t want to be impaired. You want to be empowered. If I tell you my dreams or my goals and you tell me they are impossible, you are no longer part of my world. The other four aspects of the impair vs. empower question are physical aspect, spiritual aspect, emotional aspect and financial aspect. So if you think that focusing on one of the aspects will get you where you want to be, don’t mislead yourself: one won’t work without the other. Let’s go back to the subject of cooperation. Unfortunately, in school we were taught that cooperation is cheating: study by yourself, take the test on your own. But the truth is that cooperation and collaboration is the key to success. It’s called synergy. You can see that during a football game. Do you know how many coaches a football team has? Now, how many coaches do you have? Can you put your ego aside and ask someone to coach you? Are you getting empowered or staying impaired? Another subject I focus on is leverage or doing more with less. And one of the ways to accomplish that is with your team. Now think

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

about impair vs. empower again. Do you impair or empower people on your team? Do you stop them from winning or do you encourage them to win? Do you help them to win? Is their win your win? Is it okay for the people around you to win? If you don’t empower the team, then you get stuck being there. In other words, if you can’t leverage out your job to someone else, then you have that job for eternity. I know that employees that work for me will come and I know that one day they will go. My goal is that when they leave, they leave more empowered than when they came. My job is not to impair them; my job is to empower them. Same goes for your partners: business and life. If you are in a relationship where you need each other, it creates major dysfunctionality. I, personally, don’t want to be needed. Moreover, I don’t want to be in a situation when I need someone. The partners have to be together because they want to be together. It’s when humans start doing what they are pre-disposed to do: co-creating, which is the highest form of human evolution. You get together with another person or group of people and cooperate; you co-create something where before nothing existed. Find a partner who empowers you; not impairs. Find or create a group that empowers, not impairs. Now, next time you are about to do something, ask yourself this question before you do it, “Will it impair or empower me?” And remember to always be empowering yourself. And others. Then watch as things and people around you grow, flourish, prosper and become more and more empowered. Now, let’s go out there and make it a better world. RL

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Events & Education Networking & Other Events Thursday, Oct. 18 Central Texas RRC: Networking Happy Hour St. Genevieve, 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 RJF Team Cares: 3rd annual Poker & Purses Fundraiser Round Rock Sports Center, 6:15-10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24 Chicago Title: Westlake Office Grand Opening 4301 Westbank Drive, Building A, Suite 100, 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24 WCR Austin: Annual Bras 4 a Cause Fundraiser Come and Take It Live, 6:30-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 WCREALTORS: Get Clued In Luxury Home Bus Tour WCREALTORS Office, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 Deerbrooke: Fall Trail 'N Treat Event 929 Deer Rim Road, Leander, 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 & Nov. 1 HBA: Parade of Homes™ REALTOR Days Travisso, 2-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 & Sunday, Oct. 28 AIA: Home Tour Various, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 HBA: Golf Classic River Place Country Club, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Monthly Association Meetings Wednesday, Nov. 7 AMBA: Monthly Meeting Austin Country Club, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Continuing Education Classes Thursday, Oct. 18 M/I Homes: Advertising, Branding & Lead Generation on Social Media White Oak Preserve, 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 Real Estate Rodeo Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 Stewart Title: Business Planning for REALTORS WCREALTORS Office, 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 Independence Title: VLB-VA Boot Camp Class Independence Title Arboretum, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 Champions School - Military Relocation Pro Designation Round Rock Campus, 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.

See details and much more at myRealtyLine.com

www.myRealtyLine.com

October 2018

October 2018 www.myRealtyLine.com

austin

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995.™

Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

Real Estate News & Notes The Classen Realty Group joins Classic Realty

The Classen Realty Group, made up of Mitchell Classen and Dréa Smith, has joined forces with Classic Realty. Mitchell Classen is a licensed REALTOR and has lived in Maxwell, TX (nearby Lockhart) for the past 14 years and works along the entire Austin/San Antonio Corridor. The unprecedented growth in the Hays County Region has led Mitchell to expand from a solo agent to the formation of the Classen Realty Group, powered by Classic Realty. Mitchell primarily works with sellers in marketing, negotiating and selling their property to net the greatest return. Additionally, he works with buyers and investors in locating their ideal home or income-producing property. He is an active member of the National Association of REALTORS and the Texas Association of REALTORS. Mitchell graduated from Texas

State University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science and Management and a minor in Business Administration. Having spent the past five years in the construction industry and establishing his own real estate investment firm, Classen Properties, Mitchell brings a unique set of experience, contacts and resources to serve his clients in all facets of real estate. Dréa Smith is also a licensed REALTOR and part of the Classen Realty Group. She services the Central Texas area from New Braunfels to Georgetown as the premier buyer’s agent with the Classen Realty Group. In addition to graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, she holds a Master of Science in Geology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dréa is GREEN-Designated and passionate about the environment. Through this national designation, she assists clients in understanding the advantages and savings that can result from green living. Having been an exploration geologist in her former career, she understands the foundational geology in Central Texas and how it affects homes and businesses. She is a licensed easement individual and has negotiated pipeline easements for major oil field operators. Taking those experiences with her, she is relentless in representing the best interest of her clients. RL

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Tracy Trevino Laghrey and Kristi Richards, both of Better Homes & Gardens Home City, admire the stunning cabinets in the Scott Felder Homes model in Cypress Forrest, a community in Kyle. With Scott Felder Homes, floor plans can be customized and upgrades are available to help buyers personalize their space.

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The Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin breaks ground on its latest Benefit Home. The Benefit Home is a house built almost entirely of donated materials and labor and when sold will benefit HomeAid Austin — an organization that helps house Austin's homeless. The new home is being built in Sweetwater in Bee Cave by Chesmar Homes.

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Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995

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