ABoR Foundation to Award $10,000 in Scholarships
TheAustin Board of REALTORS Foundation will award ten $1,000 scholarships this spring to deserving graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue any course of study at any college or university in Texas. To be eligible for consideration the student must reside in one of the following counties: Travis, Williamson, Lee, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Blanco or Burnet. Students are required to submit an official high school transcript and attendance record with their completed scholarship application. These materials must be mailed or hand-delivered to the ABoR
office no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18. Neither faxed nor late applications will be accepted. In reviewing applications, the ABoR Scholarship Committee will consider both financial need and academic merit. The committee will select candidates for a personal interview that will be held on Friday, April 18. Students may download applications at www.abor.com/news_media/pdf/2008scholarship.pdf. Completed applications should be mailed or hand-delivered to: Attn: Rita Barousse, Education Department, ABoR, 10900 Stonelake Blvd., Ste. 100, Austin, Texas 78759.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
FEBRUARY 20 CRS Quarterly Luncheon Westwood Country Club - 11:30 a.m. FEBRUARY 21 NAHREP Monthly Meeting Holiday Inn Downtown - 11:30 a.m. FEBRUARY 21 Portrait Homes REALTOR Luncheon Buttercup Creek - 11:30 a.m. MARCH 6 ABoR TREPAC Bowling Tournament 300 Austin - 11:30 to 4:30 p.m. MARCH 19 St. Patti’s Day Golf Tournament Forest Creek Golf Course - 10:30 a.m. MARCH 20 HBA Crawfish Boil REALTOR/Builder Mixer HBA office - 6 to 10 p.m.
GREAT REASONS TO LOOK INSIDE… Associates In Progress
DR Horton Homes, page 31 Breed & Associates, page 25
Agent Spotlight
FEBRUARY 2008 • VOL. 12 • ISSUE 10
Enjoyable. Entertaining. It’s all About You.
Dee Shultz, page 29
WCAoR President in the Spotlight Gary Cocanougher, page 37
Hidden appliances, pet showers among ‘08 trends Indoor/outdoor living spaces have been popular for awhile, but now we’re talking about CONTRIBUTING WRITER bringing the “indoors out” with actual custom What are you, and your clients, looking for kitchens, weather-proof sculpture and wall art, now—what’s hot—and what’s not? Starting with heated floors, fireplaces, office area, and the the obvious, everyone wants information, and overall space sized to accommodate more tradieveryone wants value (or the perception of tional furniture (furniture that will withstand the value). And this means knowing the market. As elements) rather than the typical “porch” furnifor what’s on the market, whether new construc- ture. If you are a “pet person” you’ll want the latest tion, renovation or remodel, more buyers are asking about a home’s “carbon footprint.” Is a in pet pampering—a dedicated pet shower area home “green?” Is it built with earth-friendly and drying area complete with hairdryer materials? Is there a rainwater collection system? and shelves for soap, shampoo and conIs the home energy-friendly and efficient, does it ditioner and towel racks. The pet draw on recycled materials, and do the appli- (we’re mostly talking about the ances and mechanical systems reduce the need dog) steps, or is led, into the for fossil fuels? Buyers want the answers to these tile shower base (so the owner doesn’t have to questions to be “yes.” Segue to appliances, and buyers want them lift Rover in), and is concealed. Not just matching panels and cabi- bathed with the hand nets, but concealed behind sliding doors, draw- held shower. The well-thought out ers or hinged panels. Kitchens are becoming pet shower will also have a bench for the owner, more non-traditional, more of a “living and to avoid leaning over during bath time. On a simpler note, laundry rooms in the masentertaining space,” so as a result, less functionter suite as well as rooms to store luggage are on al looking. the rise, while the bowls above the counter (bathPresorted Standard U.S. Postage room sinks) are on the PAID way out. Bright colors, Austin, Texas Paid Permit #715 oversized mantels, tumbled stone fireplaces, P.O. Box 81366 and meditation rooms Austin, Texas 78708-1366 are in. Upscale, air conditioned garages complete with storage systems and refrigerator are in. Spiral staircases are out. As for surface Don’t forget: You can visit us online 24/7 at www.realtylineonline.com finishes, glass tile is in,
By Melinda Seifert
for counters and even some floors, mixed with weathered metal, recycled wood, slate, terra cotta and concrete. Bamboo floors are out and hardwood laminate flooring is following. Then there’s the master bath. Not just luxurious, but a true destination with functional areas—such as a soaking room; wireless internet; flat-panel, wall-mounted TV’s; a small serving bar stocked with juice, water, snacks; and a separate area for yoga, pilates, or exercise equipment—and
another flat-panel, wall-mounted TV. To go with all of this, the home will need to be controlled with hand-held devices, to open and close blinds, operate the thermostats, adjust the lights, adjust the volume, and change the channel. Now, you have to ask, can you afford it, because there’s a new trend in how you pay for what you get, as well. It’s the down payment, and more and more, underwriters are looking for what they call “substance” from potential home buyers. This means they’re looking at income, savings, and credit scores. And this sort of gets back to looking for information and value, knowing the market, and knowing the difference between true value and the perception of value. Trend or not.