/RealtyLine_June_09 by RealtyLine

Kendra Todd Brings Real Estate Star Power to Austin on June 26 Don’t miss your chance to meet Kendra Todd, real estate expert and host of HGTV’s popular program, “My House is Worth What?” from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, June 26 at the Doubletree Hotel Austin, located at 6505 IH35 North. ABoR members have the exclusive opportunity to attend a free two-hour meet-and-greet session with Todd prior to Saturday’s consumer-oriented “Here and Now” summit, hosted by ABoR and Austinhomesearch.com. This premier educational event will promote Central Texas housing opportunities and the value of Austin-area real estate. Jim Gaines, research economist for the Texas A&M Real Estate Center, will also be on hand to chat with members at the meetand-greet session. Light appetizers and a cash bar will be provided. Space is limited, so advance reservations are required. Secure

your spot at https://www.abor.com/events/MeetGreet.cfm today. Please note that this event is open only to current ABoR members. In addition to hosting a nationally syndicated television program, Kendra Todd is also the managing broker of the real estate firm the Kendra Todd Group. Her first book, “Risk and Grow Rich,” met with great success and she has been featured in several national news publications, including “Forbes,” “USA Today” and “The Wall Street Journal.” Todd was also the first woman to win Donald Trump’s reality show The Apprentice. For more information on the Kendra Todd session or the “Here and Now” summit, contact the ABoR Marketing Department at homeownership@abor.com or 454-7636.

Upcoming Events: JUNE 17 CRS Quarterly Meeting Westwood Country Club - 11:30 a.m.

JUNE 18 NAPMW 15th Annual Bottle Auction Holiday Inn Northwest - 5:30 p.m.

JUNE 18 HBA’s SMC Breakfast HBA Office - 8 a.m.

JUNE 25 WCR Monthly Networking Meeting ABoR Auditorium - 11 a.m.

JULY 3 Realty Line’s Office is Closed

JULY 25 WCAoR Green Expo 2009 Dell Diamond - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

AUGUST 5 AMBA Monthly Meeting Austin Country Club - 11:30 a.m.

—Associates In— PROGRESS JUNE 2009 • VOL. 14 • ISSUE 2

Enjoyable. Entertaining. It’s all About You.

See, touch and learn about eco-friendly homes me what I can do to make them better.’” Green Expo 2009 is designed to help change the pubCONTRIBUTING WRITER lic’s perception of environmentalism. Companies large REALTORS who want buyers to think to turn to and small have been invited to showcase what they are them for expert advice when determining which doing to reduce their respective carbon footprint; conhome is more energy efficient or has better indoor sumers will have hands-on experiences with eco-friendair quality can arm themselves with the right tools ly alternatives to everyday products and services. by attending the Green Expo next month. “It is critical for REALTORS today to become Hosted by the Williamson County Association of knowledgeable about green features in today’s new REALTORS, the Expo will be held from 10 a.m. until homes, and about ways that buyers of existing homes 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 25 at the Dell Diamond in can make their homes more energy efficient and Round Rock. Admission is $5 for adults and free for healthier places to live and raise their families,” children under 12. Saxon says. “Homeowners have already demonstrat“REALTORS today have to be actively acquiring ed their desire to learn more about how to save knowledge all the time,” says Reba Saxon, of Keller money on the home they already own, and to make it Williams Realty and spokesperson for the Expo. “It a healthier environment. This expo will offer prodused to be that clients would call and say ‘I want to ucts, services, and education about how they can do buy a house, can you find one for me?’ and we that.” would look up houses for them on the MLS and The EXPO will be abundant with opportunities to show them until they bought one. Now clients call see, touch, and learn about the products, designs, and and say ‘I've found these six houses I want to see on ideas so it will be important to use the day well. Saxon the internet. I need for you to compare them for me says to be sure to put the classes on the “don’t miss” list. in terms of energy efficiency and indoor air, or tell “We have a lot of development-style homes in the Williamson County region, on 50-70' wide Presorted Standard lots,” she says. “Many of U.S. Postage PAID them are in the 5-10 year Austin, Texas old range, when homePaid Permit #715 owners start thinking P.O. Box 81366 about remodeling and Austin, Texas 78708-1366 making changes. To learn how to xeriscape a 60' lot to save time and water while increasing the beauty around you would be fantastic. Learning about new types of roofDon’t forget: You can visit us online 24/7 at www.realtylineonline.com ing, water heaters, Top 10

By Linda McNabb

home remodels are all great classes and panels that will be available through the day, as well as a pediatric allergist to talk about healthy environments. I think the statistic is 25 percent of kids have asthma today. Where else could you go to learn about changes you could make to make your interior air cleaner?” E v e n Green Expo WWW.GREENEXPO2009.COM 2009 itself is Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. environDell Diamond in Round Rock mentally friendly, uti- ADMISSION: $5 for Adults; 12 and under free lizing ecofriendly printing, recycled signs, compostable banners, and recycled paper used for programs and posters. Recycle bins will be placed throughout the event to reduce the amount of refuse going to landfills. Every plate, fork spoon, knife, cup, bowl, napkin, coffee stirrer and sample cup is 100% biodegradable and will be collected with all food scraps to be composted. E-waste receptacles are available to participants’ for recycling and reuse of their electronic devices. Premier sponsors of the event are Oncor, BMC West powered by Home Energy Solutions and Sherwin Williams. Other sponsors include KB Home and Ink Images in Georgetown. All of the Williamson County Chambers of Commerce, Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, and Leander are helping with promotion, along with Your Local City. The scholarship foundation is holding a raffle for an Energy Star washer and dryer, an electric lawn mower, and solar attic fan and proceeds Continued on page 2

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NEWS NOTES SNIPPETS:

• TAYLOR MORRISON ANNOUNCES Hem Ramachandran of Hem Ramachandran, REALTOR and Maralee Schmidt of Avalar at Steiner Ranch are officially qualified and are going to Disneyland for a chance to win cash prizes, including the $25,000 grand prize. They participated in Taylor Morrison’s Pyramid Payday REALTOR promotion. • MAGGIE MIGNERY JOINS Prominent Title’s team as a Senior Business Development representative. She has served in variMignery ous positions within the title industry for over 16 years. Maggie can be reached at 917-3252 or by email at mmignery@ptaustin.com. • SOLLUNA BUILDERS WON THE 2009 MAX Award for Best Green Home-Custom Builder. The award was presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin. The winning home also earned a five-star rating— the highest possible— from the Austin Energy Green Building Program.

Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

will be awarded to a middle school xeriscaping projGREEN EXPO 2009: Continued from Front Page ect next year. The Expo is also an opportunity to recy-

cle cell phones, ink cartridges, take advantage of bulk paper shredding, and committee members are working to have hybrid cars to test drive. Children attending the Expo will be entertained by a magician, build birdhouses, and gardening projects. “We are making sure that everything is housing related,” Saxon says “There will be no footbaths that turn black, lotions or potions, or hot tubs. Everything will be good ideas that people can use.” Saxon says the idea for the Expo started smaller but quickly grew into a larger event based on the community’s response and thanks to the help from WCAoR staff members Marge Phillips, Jackie Woodfin and Mike Burton. “Plus our diligent committee, who has dragged lunches in weekly to squeeze in meetings so that we can get all this done in a compressed time frame,” Saxon says. DiAnne Acuna is the committee chair, and other members include Gwen Kingery, Rita Snyder, Roger Cheatham, Rose Costas, Shelley Evans, Stacey Hurley and Education Committee Chair Cindi McIntyre. To prepare for the EXPO, REALTORS can use the e-mail ready flyers that WCAoR has provided and start sending them to clients. “Send them out to all of your client list, your affiliates, and your friends and neighbors,” Saxon says. “This is going to be a fun event. Some REALTORS have already inquired about buying admission tickets in bulk to give away to their clients, or raffle tickets to offer in a contest in a neighborhood to get e-mail addresses from their farm area.”

A PUBLICATION OF © CAXTON PUBLICATIONS, INC.

Realty Line of Austin is published monthly by ©Caxton Publications, Inc., as a non-subscription publication for the more than 8,000 members of the Austin Board of REALTORS (ABoR), the more than 1,100 members of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS (WCAoR) and the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin. © Caxton Publications, Inc. dba Realty Line of Austin is an active member of the Austin Board of REALTORS, the Williamson County Association of REALTORS and is a honorary member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS. Caxton Publications, Inc. dba Realty Line of Austin 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 (®), for the purpose of saving space. Wherever the word REALTOR appears in this publication, the registered trademark should be assumed.

Doren L. Carver PUBLISHER Tawanna K. Carver MANAGING EDITOR

Linda McNabb CONTRIBUTING EDITOR/WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER

COLUMNISTS Jay Gohil - ABoR Chairman Marie Dang-Schwartz - WCR President Wes Peoples - HBA President Barbara Wigginton - WCAoR President David Tandy - Gracy Title

Austin’s mayoral-elect, Lee Leffingwell, second from right, gets ready to moderate a panel discussion on health care at the CTCAR luncheon at Austin Country Club. From left: Grace Young, director; Joe McCullough, CTCAR executive director; Joe Linsalata, president; and John Doucet, director.

All photos, press releases or article submissions can be sent to realtyline@austin.rr.com

P. O. Box 81366, Austin, Texas 78708 Office: (512) 821-1900 www.realtylineonline.com

June 2009

ABoR CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN

Last Call for Leadership Applications By Jay Gohil • Jay Gohil Realty

2009 Chairman • Austin Board of REALTORS

Deadline for submitting your applications for leadership positions with ABoR and the Texas Association of REALTORS® (TAR) is Tuesday, June 30. Applications are available online at https://www.abor.com/leadership/abor_leadership_form.cfm. ABoR seeks applications for five Directors, one Chairman-elect and one Secretary/Treasurer. Incoming ABoR Directors will hold three-year terms beginning in 2010, while the Chairman-elect and Secretary/Treasurer will each hold one-year terms beginning in 2010. Review the prerequisites for these positions in Article XI, Sections 1, 3 and 5 of the ABoR Bylaws, available online at www.abor.com/about_abor/bylaws.pdf. Openings for TAR leadership include four Directors and one Regional Vice President. TAR Directors will hold three-year terms beginning in 2010, while the Regional Vice President will hold a two-year term beginning in 2011. Visit http://texasrealtors.com/web/2/16/bylaws.pdf to view TAR’s leadership requirements, located in Article V, Section III of the TAR Bylaws. All applicants must be primary or secondary members of ABoR. For more information on the leadership positions, contact ABoR’s Executive Department at 454-7636 or executive@abor.com. MLS Access Goes Tokenless Beginning this summer, ACTRIS participants will have a convenient new way to access MLXchange. The SafeMLS tokens currently required to log on to the MLS system will be replaced by a tokenless authentication system. The system, powered by patent-pending keystroke dynamics, offers a uniquely accurate and transparent way to identify subscribers. While the improved login system will make it easier for subscribers to access MLXchange, it maintains the integrity of MLS content. To simplify the transition to a tokenless logon, subscribers will not be required

Realty Line of Austin

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to return their SafeMLS tokens or visit the ABoR offices. Watch for more information as it becomes available on the MLXchange login screen.

ABoR Answers Your Energy Efficiency Ordinance Questions With the City of Austin’s Energy Efficiency Ordinance now underway, your clients will look to you for information on complying. To assist you in meeting your clients’ needs, ABoR has added a new Green Real Estate page to Abor.com that offers a wealth of information. Visit www.abor.com/about_abor/GreenRealEstate.cfm to download ABoR’s eight-page Guide to the City of Austin’s Energy Efficiency Ordinance. One this page you will also find the Energy Audit disclosure form which you can attach to the Seller ’s Disclosure Notice; a list of exemptions to the ordinance; and further resources for understanding and communicating the importance of green real estate. For answers to your Energy Efficiency Ordinance questions, contact ABoR’s Government Affairs Department at 454-7636 or government@abor.com. Double Your Listing’s Exposure with New Image Policy Nothing attracts clients to a listing like photographs. To help you better showcase your properties, ABoR has increased the limit on digital listings to 25 photos per listing. Each image can be supplemented with a label and a description of up to 250 characters. All images will be displayed on consumer-facing sites, including Realtor.com and Austinhomeserach.com.

TREC Updates License Renewal Process Attention Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) licensees: if you have already fulfilled the commission’s fingerprint requirement, be aware that you will incur an additional fee for a subsequent background check when renewing your license. Licensees who were fingerprinted for a 2008 renewal, application or late renewal, and whose current license expiration is March 31, 2009 or thereafter, must pay the renewal fee and a background check fee, currently $19.25, to renew the license. TREC licenses will expire if the correct renewal and background check fees are not received in a timely manner. For more on this policy, visit www.trec.state.tx.us/licenses/default.asp and select your license type under the “Requirements for Renewing Your License” heading.

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Allison Craig of Gracy Title welcomes guests Greg Petrosewicz, left, of RE/MAX Capital City and Jason Heffron of Juice Homes, to the seminar on the new ordinance requiring energy audits and disclosures.

Candace Smith, far right, installs the new officers for the National Association of Professional Mortgage Women. From left: Connie Smith, director; Linda Preece, recording secretary; Matthew Posey, treasurer; Robin Stanfield, vice president of communications; Jason Garza, vice president of service and resources; Barbara Kennedy, vice president of education; Laura Vallejo, president-elect; and Ginny Miller, president.

Ian Boyd, right, of Newland Communities, accepts a MAX award from HBA president Wes Peoples for Best Sales Brochure and Best Television Ad by a developer at the annual awards gala.

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June 2009

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The KB Kronicle JUNE 4, 2009

KBHOME.COM

KB Home would like to recognize the following Realtors for their outstanding performance and partnership –We appreciate you!

512-651-8059

Thank you Realtors! All of us at KB Home would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all the Realtors who sold a KB Home, visited one of our communities and/or attended a KB Home event last month.

Tim Thornton Zip Realty

Chris Gregory Chris Gregory Real Estate Group

Brandy Whitecotton Synterra Property Group, Inc.

Sara Mariani Abbas Realty Austin

Steve Homer, Keller Williams Realty, and Brandon Ullrich, KB Home, visit before the Leander Property Tour sponsored by KB Home.

Rey Vasquez Gold Realty

Brigitte Mueller Century 21 First Place

Thom Lemon Telco Realtors

Gareth Ellzey Century 21 First Place

Colette Fitzgerald, KB Home, enjoys lunch with Carolina Aceituno, Keller Williams Realty, at the monthly NAHREP luncheon which KB Home sponsored.

Spotlight Home of the Month: June 4 - WCAOR Monthly Lunch Sponsor June 9 - Realty Executives Monthly Sales Meeting Sponsor June 10 - Goldwasser Lunch & Learn Sponsor June 23 - ABOR Affordable Housing Class sponsor June 24 - Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Lunch & Learn Sponsor July 25 - WCAOR Green Expo Major Sponsor August - KW Cedar Park MC Grand Opening Sponsor

Looking for a sponsor for an upcoming event or meeting? Or need a venue to hold a meeting or class? KB Home welcomes the opportunity to partner with you, our valued Realtor community! Please contact our Broker/Realtor Liaison, Colette Fitzgerald, at 512-294-1781 or cfitzgerald@kbhome.com to discuss upcoming events and opportunities.

17 new-home communities to choose from. 130 TOLL

16 Temple

Williams Dr

Leander

ter hwes Sout Blvd

NORTH

Wildwood Dr

Georgetown

SOUTH AUSTIN

CEDAR PARK

PFLUGERVILLE

1 El Camino Real 1,109–2,837 sq. ft. (512) 262-2117

6 Meadows at Berdoll 7 Berdoll Farms $80s • 1,106–2,962 sq. ft. (512) 247-6174 12901 Perconte, Del Valle, TX 78617

11 Silverado Ranch $140s • 1,376–5,211 sq. ft. (512) 260-5805 2130 Golden Arrow, Cedar Park, TX 78613

15 Spring Trails High $140s • 1,411–4,200 sq. ft. (512) 990-5304 18425 Stargazer Way, Pflugerville, TX 78660

8 The Enclave at Circle C High $200s • 2,226–3,332 sq. ft. (512) 432-0107 11325 Bastogne Loop, Austin, TX 78739

12 Westwood $110s • 1,202–2,962 sq. ft. (512) 528-1371 2005 Woodway, Leander, TX 78641

9 Enclave Estates at Circle C High $300s • 3,169–5,211 sq. ft. (512) 432-0107 11325 Bastogne Loop, Austin, TX 78739

GEORGETOWN

2243 Lo o

1460

183

1431 3406 Vista Ridge Blvd

Champions Dr

Sunny Brook

Wood Way

SAN MARCOS

Rd Creek Brushy

North Park Dr

79 Round Rock

183A TOLL

Gattis School Rd

Lake Travis

45 TOLL

Red Bud Blvd

620

n W. Parme r L

TOLL

Cedar Park

Pflugerville

1 1825

2222

17 Burnet Rd

Lake Austin

685

130 TOLL

Elgin

Austin

360

Oak Hill

290 290 71

Nuckols Crossing

St. Elmo Stassney

4 FM 15

3 2

Kyle

Alum Rock Dr

FM 973

Salt Spring Dr

William Can non Slaughter

Ross Rd

Escarpment

Bluff Springs

9 10 8

7 6

Pearce Lane

183

FM 15

0 130 TOLL

San Marcos

KYLE 2 Waterleaf $90s • 1,109–3,728 sq. ft. (512) 262-2117 591 Gina Drive, Kyle, TX 78640 3 Plum Creek $110s • 974–2,000 sq. ft. (512) 268-0780 1039 Powell, Kyle, TX 78640

SOUTH AUSTIN 4 Oak at Twin Creeks Low $200s • 1,903–5,211 sq. ft. (512) 292-3652 305 Island Oak Drive, Austin, TX 78748 5 McKinney Heights High $80s • 1,090–2,561 sq. ft. (512) 282-0014 6521 Alum Rock Drive, Austin, TX 78744

10 Fairway Estates at Circle C Mid $400s • 3,015–5,368 sq. ft. (512) 432-0103 7536 Harlow Drive, Austin, TX 78739

LEANDER

13 University Park $100s • 1,109–3,728 sq. ft. (512) 863-8363 1917 Ashberry Trail, Georgetown, TX 78626

TAYLOR

TEMPLE 16 Village of Sage Meadows High $90s • 1,376–3,728 sq. ft. (254) 780-9037 720 Moonshadow, Temple, TX 76502

NORTH AUSTIN 17 Lakes at Northtown High $140s • 1,376–3,728 sq. ft. (512) 670-0217 14309 Lake Victor, Pflugerville, TX 78660

14 Summerfield Low $100s • 1,087–5,211 sq. ft. (512) 365-3262 818 Estes Park, Taylor, TX 76574

If you would like to receive weekly updates from KB Home with our current inventory list, Realtor bonuses, and upcoming events, please email our Broker/Realtor Liaison, Colette Fitzgerald at cfitzgerald@kbhome.com.

14213 Naruna Way • 1,729 sq.ft. Lakes at Northtown in North Austin This Home Features: 1,729 sq.ft., with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. This home has a nice open floorplan with 4 sides brick with a covered patio on a lot with nothing behind. Other features include laminate flooring, huge secondary rooms, 42” cabinets and rounded corners. For more information contact our Sales Team at (512) 670-0217.

Lakes at Northtown Community Information • 1,516 sq.ft.- 3,728 sq.ft. • 3 models • 1 & 2 story homes • 3-5 bedrooms • 14 floorplans •10-Year Limited Warranty • New community park with playscape and picnic area • Energy Star Certified homes

www.realtylineonline.com

Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Stanberry & Associates recently conducted a 5K Scholarship/Fun Run and raised enough money for two $1,000 scholarships. Front row: Marilyn Fisher and Laura Nye. Back row: Paula Gold, Theresa Tibbs, Debbie Slazer and Bill Stanberry.

HBA president-elect Steve Zbranek of Zbranek Custom Homes enjoys celebrating the accomplishments of the building industry with his wife Sue Zbranek at the MAX Awards.

Juliana Brock of Power Training catches up with Rick Baron of Hometrust Mortgage at the AMBA golf tournament.

June 2009

Realty Line of Austin

HBA PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

www.realtylineonline.com

Country and/or Lake Travis can be seen from almost every room in the home. Offered at $675,000, this gorgeous hilltop home on a secluded cul-de-sac in Rough Hollow comes with an abundance of community amenities. Just a fiveminute walk or golf cart ride away you’ll have access to Rough Hollow’s Yacht Club and Marina By Wes Peoples • WP Investments with a swimming pool, amenity center, workout 2008-2009 President • Home Builders Association of Greater Austin facility and soon to open restaurant and bar. The Situated in the heart of Austin’s Hill Country in a neighborhood along community is also part of the distinguished Lake the edge of Lake Travis, you’ll find 104 Aruba Court in Rough Hollow. Built Travis Independent School District with Serene Hills Elementary, Hudson by luxury home builder Monterey Homes, this home is one of the last Bend Middle School and Lake Travis High School all serving the Rough Hollow community. The brand new homes built by the company still available campus of Serene Hills just opened in in the community of The Enclave at August 2008 and has a student popuRough Hollow – where roughing it has lation of just over 540 students. certainly been redefined. Hudson Bend Middle School has a The home’s 4,012 square feet with four modest enrollment of just under 700 bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms students and Lake Travis High is both spacious and cozy. Upon entering School has just under 2,000 students the foyer you’ll notice vaulted ceilings, a and an average SAT score of just wide-open family room, and quaint forunder 1,200. mal dining area. The home includes fabuAsk your Realtor about taking a lous hardwood floors in most areas on the tour of the 104 Aruba Court—this first floor with upgraded tile and carpet in could be your chance to purchase a the master suite and upstairs. new home that’s perfect for you, Loaded with upgrades, this home your family and your lifestyle. includes top-of-the-line GE appliances For more information, visit and granite countertops in the kitchen. www.AustinHomeBuilders.com or Granite countertops are also included in contact Ryan Rogers at (512) 413the master bath and butler pantry. You’ll The Enclave at Rough Hollow 9456. also find custom built-ins in the study and 104 Aruba Court • 4,012 square feet • 4 bedrooms • 3 1/2 baths To learn more about how to choose family rooms, a whirlpool bath standard in the master suite with antique nickel hardware and a built-in furniture a builder or buy a new home, visit the Home Builder ’s Association of Greater Austin’s Web site at www.AustinHomeBuilders.com; then click on vanity in the powder bathroom. Backing to its very own greenbelt, serene treetop views of the Texas Hill consumer resources.

HBA Offers Luxury Home with Lake and Hill Country Views

How about a Cool

RICK SIRLES has 49 years in real estate; has owned RE/MAX Lake Travis since 1982, and sold millions in property long before the Internet. Although a skeptic, he decided to learn about the Lead Generation technology on remax.com, the world’s most advertised, most visited real estate company Website. Over the next month Rick collected 30 consecutive leads that have yet to pan out. His 31st lead turned out to be a $700,000 buyer from California. Rick closed it for a cool $20,000+ commission, and the buyer is an investor looking for more property.

more deals

Learn how you can do several a per year by attending the next FREE RE/MAX POWER START class in Austin on August 5th. Register by writing whitney@remaxtexas.com Each office independently owned and operated.

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

WCR PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

A Message From Your President Marie Dang-Schwartz • Realty Executives Austin Written by Ali Valentine, chairman, WCR Fashion Show Committee

Dear WCR members and friends, The summer is here and I hope you have planned a wonderful vacation for you and your family. On Tuesday, June 16, we will have Bunko night for our members. If you are interested in playing, please contact Jenny Newman at 426-7865 to sign up. Seating is limited to the first 40 participants, so RSVP now to play! TREC Commissioner Avis Wukasch, broker, Keller Williams Realty in Round Rock will speak at our June meeting. Join us on Thursday, June 25, as Commissioner Wukasch will present “How to Stay Out of Trouble.” Commissioner Wukasch will also update us on laws that TREC is imposing on Texas REALTORS. Our organization is so proud to have Commissioner Wukasch and we hope to see you at the luncheon program too. Our Chapter Election will be held at our July luncheon on Thursday, July 23. Please mark your calendar, and come out to vote for your favorite candidates. To be eligible to vote at the election, please make sure your membership status is still active with the National Women’s Council of REALTORS. Contact Cheryl Jenkins, WCR membership Chair, and she will guide you on how to update your membership. Cheryl can be reached via e-mail at Cheryl@ckjrealty.com. The WCR Fashion Show will also be included at our July luncheon. This year’s event is themed “So You Think You Can Model” and is sure to be a huge event. Your participation is sure to make this fantastic event even better. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ali Valentine for accepting the job of chairing the Fashion Show event. Ali has shown her support of our organization by working as our Fashion chair for two years in a row and we are very appreciative of her expertise and talents. If you would like to know more about the Women’s Council of REALTORS, please go to our Web site at www.austinwcr.org Have a wonderful month and I hope to see you at our events.

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So You Think You Can Model? by Ali Valentine, chairman, WCR Fashion Show Committee I am so excited to be the Chairperson of the WCR Fashion Show committee again this year. It’s been amazing to work with a dedicated group of volunteer members such as Mary Mealy, Becky Hopkins, Chris Rodriguez, Susanna Boyer, Rosa Prevost, Susan Brown, Rocky Hardie, Todd Lessig, and Cheryl Jenkins to name just a few. We are going to create a spectacular show for you. Although many would agree that last year was a great event, I think you're going to enjoy this one even more. During the July luncheon, WCR will present "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN MODEL: A Fashion Contest where anything goes.” The models this year will create their own look from their closet wardrobes to the WCR runway. The models will "walk the walk" and let the panel of judges decide who should walk away with the $500 first place prize. Models will be judged for outfit, personality and walk by our prestigious panel of judges. Simon Cowell’s got nothing on us! The Models will receive great prizes, advertisement and exposure, not to mention professional make up and a hairstylist to complete their look. Each model will appear in the WCR program, on the WCR Web site, Facebook, and Runway with a the final panel interview which will make them the center of attraction and bring exposure to their business! Interested in being a model? The cost is only $100. Another great opportunity for those business partners and affiliates that want to thank their favorite REALTOR is by sponsoring them in the show. This way you both benefit from the advertisement and exposure while only one of you walks the Runway. Please join us at what is going to be a fabulous event and show your support for WCR. It is a remarkable organization and has truly changed my life in too many ways to mention. It really should be called Wonderful Caring REALTORS. Please take this opportunity to join WCR as a member. Visit the WCR Web site at www.austinwcr.org. To sign up as a model or to sponsor a model, please e-mail Ali Valentine at avalentine@nhspro.com.

Buster Spillar of Spillar Oldmixon Advisors Realty joins Buzz Olsen, REALTOR, in a quest to win the Austin Board of REALTORS golf tournament.

Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

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REP.TAYLORMORRISON.COM

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

HBA president Wes Peoples presents the Best Onsite Sales Person award to Dan Arnot of Meritage Homes at the MAX Awards.

Betty Landreth and Dawna Cekuta, both of Amelia Bullock REALTORS, join Susan Conti, of Coldwell Banker United REALTORS, and Dee Shultz of Keller Williams Realty at the Elite 25 luncheon hosted by Gracy Title.

Kent Riddle of JB Goodwin REALTORS prepares to send one all the way to Florida during the Austin Board of REALTORS annual golf tournament held at Falconhead Golf Course.

Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

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Keeping up at a Williamson County pace! Moving at the speed of the fastest growing county in Central Texas

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Austin area RE/MAX agents attend the Power Start class to learn how to utilize the company’s web site for lead generation. Rick Sirles, coowner of RE/MAX Lake Travis, just closed a $750,000 deal on a free lead from the site.

Past-president Juliana Brock of Power Training enjoys the NAPMW awards banquet with past-president Jeanne Evans and her husband David Evans.

Janel Havel, Connie Hentosh and Lyn Blankholm, all of Highland Homes, welcome Charlie Henson of Highland Lakes Real Estate to the builder’s new model at Santaluz in Steiner Ranch.

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At REALTY WORLD-Neal Barnes & Associates we have actually cut all of our commission structures by 50%. Our 100% commission plan is now $3000/year ($250/month) and is one of the favorites. However, you may like our 80/20 split up to $4500 (you also may want to look at our 70/30 up to $4000 and our 60/40 up to $3500) and then the remainder of your contracts for the year at 100% commission. We have cut our plans because at REALTY WORLD, our goal is your success. REALTY WORLD is one of the top recognized national franchises. REALTY WORLD Neal Barnes & Associates has commission structures that are hard to beat. With national advertising, lead generation and marketing systems, real estate training & education, free yard signs and business cards, annual bonuses up to $10,000, and a life time income recruiting program, you owe it to yourself to take a good look at REALTY WORLD.

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

WCAoR PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

How to Stand Out in Real the Estate Profession By Barbara Wigginton • Realty Executives Excellence

2009 President • Williamson County Association of REALTORS

How does your marketing plan help you stand out among your competition? Telling your prospects that you are better than anyone else is an empty promise. You need to show them. To do that, you actually have to do something better or different than everyone else, and it has to be something tangible. The Williamson County Association of REALTORS, WCAoR, is offering some great ways to do just that. This summer we will be holding two designation classes that can help you raise the bar and set yourself apart from your competition. On June 23-24 you have the opportunity to earn your ASP, Accredited Staging Professional, designation. REALTORS have long said that buying a home is an emotional decision. The ASP instructs you not only how to stage a home and sell in less time, but also how to convince your sellers that it is the right thing to do and how home staging helps you sell homes faster for more money. In the two-day ASP Designation, learn to: • Effectively communicate the benefits of staging to your sellers; • Create a more powerful listing presentation; • Learn key staging sayings; • Understand the criteria of Home Staging and learn proven staging ideas and tips; • Learn how to work with ASP Stagers; • Create a more value added service and make more money in Real Estate. On July 20, WCAoR is offering the NAR Green Designation. Green is becoming more and more prevalent in our lives. You see something about “GREEN” dozens of times a day. The two-day designation course includes: • Green Building concepts, principles and practices; • Marketing to the green consumer; • The financial advantages of properties that are eco-friendly and energy efficient; • The significance of LEED, Energy Star and other rating systems; • Green living: energy efficiency and air quality;

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• Regulatory issues, zoning and building codes as they relate to sustainability; • Advising clients seeking qualified "green" professionals; • Sustainable communities and land planning; • Greening your business. Contact the WCAoR office at 255-6211 or visit the Web site at www.wcaor.org to find out more about the ASP Designation or the NAR Green Designation. To add to the excitement of learning about “GREEN,” the WCAoR Scholarship Foundation has begun selling tickets for its fundraising raffle. Tickets are $5 each and you’ll be enter into a chance to win one of three prizes: 1. First prize – Sears Kenmore Energy Star Washer and Dryer, with bases; 2. Second prize – Sears Electric Lawn Mower; 3. Attic Fan from BMC West. Tickets are available for purchase at the WCAoR office at 123 East Old Settlers’ Blvd. Drawing will be held at the Green Expo held at the Dell Diamond on July 25, 2009 at 6 p.m. Winner need not be present to win. To get more information or purchase your tickets for the raffle, please call the office at 255-6211 or visit our Web site www.greenexpo2009 to learn more about the “GREEN EXPO.”

Eddie Garza de Haro, left, of DHI Mortgage, and Toby Rocha, right, of Coldwell Banker United REALTORS are pleased to see Tom Sauceda of Wells Fargo back at the NAHREP luncheon at Cool River Café.

Why do business with us? rt.

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Paula Moore and Becky Hopkins, both sales representatives at Austin Title, stand with David Bell of All Points Surveying, during one of the many classes Austin Title hosts each month.

Barb Cooper of Coldwell Banker United REALTORS gets some face time with U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison while attending the NAR mid-year conference in Washington, D.C.

Jason Klam of First American Title and Sheri Brummett of Coldwell Banker United REALTORS wait for the rest of their team members to arrive to join them at the Austin Mortgage Bankers Association tournament at the Great Hills Country Club.

Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

www.realtylineonline.com

A Horizon Realty happy hour at Cru in The Domain brings together Judy DeWitt, Joe Brown of Sente Mortgage, Marianne Scudder, Donna Simmons of Gracy Title and Tammy DeWitt. Judy, Marianne and Tammy are all with Horizon Realty.

AYREP president Sumina Bhatti of Keller Williams Realty and AYREP secretary Lili Dominy of Quick Assist Services welcome guests to the o r g a n i z a t i o n ’s happy hour at Parkside on Sixth Street.

Candace Smith of WR Starkey Mortgage watches Ginny Miller sign the note promising to serve as president of the National Association of Professional Mortgage Women for the next year.

Earn 3 MCE credits at one of our upcoming valuable seminars. RSVP Janis@TexasMortgageIQ.com REGISTER EARLY - LIMITED SEATING

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Mortgages 2009… Back to the Future

WED 6/17

10:30am-2pm

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WED 6/24

2-5pm

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0 Down...Around “A” Town Understanding USDA & VA Loans Course #03-00-090-7417

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FHA is the Way Insiders guide to FHA

FRI 7/10

Happy Hour to follow

9am-12pm Free Lunch

Course #03-00-070-7190 Insiders Guide to Credit Scoring/Restoration Course #03-00-011-7715

THURS 7/16

2-5pm Happy Hour to follow

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“I would give your credit scoring class a 10! I think this course is a MUST!” — Vickie Boozer, CRS, GRI, ABR, e-Pro, REALM Professionals

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Realty Line of Austin

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Realty Line of Austin

SPECIAL GUEST COLUMN

June 2009

S.A.F.E., NMLS— What Does it Mean? By Juliana Brock • Power Training The Mortgage Industry recently underwent massive changes. With the passage of the Secure and Fair Enforcement Act, S.A.F.E., the Mortgage Banker, Credit Union and other origination entities will be required to obtain a “unique identifier number,” be licensed and part of a national database. Effective, July 1, 2005, licensing for all was mandated. All originators will be required to complete 20 hours of S.A.F.E. approved education (or a state alternative), pass a background check, fingerprint check, and take and pass a test. The Loan Originator will be required to enter information into a database known as the National Mortgage Licensing System and Registration (NMLS) which will include the Loan Officer’s employment history, license expiration and any adjudicated cases. This will mean that your buyers can research Loan Officers through NMLS before making a lender decision. Title companies will be required to check the “unique identifier” number supplied on the loan application before the loan is funded which could cause delays when first implemented, but should go smoothly thereafter. Mortgage Bankers must satisfy the requirements of S.A.F.E. by April 2, 2010 and Mortgage Brokers and Licensed Loan Officers will be required to go into the NMLS by July 1, 2010. The NMLS database will go a long way to prevent fraudsters from moving from state to state without detection. In addition, it will prevent Loan Originators that have been unable to obtain or maintain a state license from going to work with a non-licensed entity and thus avoiding detection. In other words, it makes it easier for law enforcement agencies to track fraudsters and keep those from getting through the system that shouldn’t.

Doug Scott, AMBA vice president, Xavier Benitez, AMBA golf chairman and Eddie Rinehart, AMBA president, order up a perfect day for the organization’s golf tournament at Great Hills Country Club.

Debbie Ates, far left, of Wilshire Homes hosts a Cinco de Mayo party in her model home at The Commons at Rowe Lane.

Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

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The Right Lending Partner Every transaction is unique and to have your business grow you need a strategic partner who can handle any situation. Since 2003 Land Mortgage has grown the right way - great people, sound principles. We execute the fundamentals and exceed expectations everyday. By simply doing what we do best - close & fund loans - our experienced team of professionals ensure your business stays on track. To learn more call today.

About Land Mortgage We are a local mortgage bank with competitive loan programs, reasonable closing costs, and a full range of in-house services. There are no surprises here. We communicate every step of the way to ensure everyone is up-to-date on where financing stands for the transaction. As your preferred lender, we allow you to confidently do what you do best - Sell more homes. A New Era In Mortgage Banking www.landmtg.com 8300 N. MOPAC • Suite 225 • Austin, TX • 78759 • 512.335.5300 • Mortgage Banker No. 43954

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Jean Tandy along with husband, David Tandy of Gracy Title, share a table with Adrianna Gutierrez and Lichelle Nanninga, both also with Gracy Title, at the HBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MAX Awards.

Cindy Tuttle of United Lending and Tawanna Carver of Realty Line enjoy the beautiful outdoor weather at Great Hills Country Club where the Austin Mortgage Bankers Association held its annual golf tournament.

Tangela Bailey shows Basil Vergato how much her daughter, August, has grown in recent months. Both of Horizon Realty, they enjoyed a happy hour their company organized at Cru in The Domain.

June 2009

Realty Line of Austin

ASSOCIATES IN PROGRESS

CRS Austin By Linda McNabb

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

One thing REALTORS® can do for themselves during slow times is to seek further education, so right now may be one of the best times to consider becoming a Certified Residential Specialist. “Being a member puts you on the cutting edge instead of behind the curve,” says CRS Austin Regional Director, Sherri Teepen of Keller Williams Realty Round Rock. “Knowledge is power. No matter how much education you have, you can always learn something new.” The organization began in the 1970s to raise professionalism in the real estate industry. It soon became a great way to build a referral network of people throughout the world who were at the same level of education and professionalism – “the cream of the crop” – that represents less than five percent of REALTORS®. “It makes us seem like an elite club but that’s not true,” Teepen says. “We open our doors to anyone who is willing to help the real estate industry become a concierge type service. We want to provide a 5-star hotel type of service to every client.” Another reason to become a Certified Residential Specialist is that CRS members tend to earn better than three times more than the average REALTOR®. “It comes back to the skill level,” Teepen says. “Someone who invests in their education will do a better job. They will market real estate better and use the latest technologies to accomplish the goal.” Even if REALTORS® aren’t pursuing their Certified Residential Specialist designation, they will find the classes useful due to the high quality of presenters and material, Teepen says. “The CRS classes I have attended have been far and away the best classes I have taken,” she says. “The caliber of the instructors is exemplary and they have real practical experience. It’s not just theoretical. It makes a huge difference.” Another type of education the organization offers in Austin comes in the form of luncheons it hosts every other month that feature prominent policymakers who know firsthand what is happening in many of the facets that affect real estate. “At those meetings we impart information to our members that they can’t get the skinny on anywhere else,” Teepen says. “We recently had Charles Porter talk to us about the new energy efficiency audits and the dynamics and politics behind them. In June we’ll have Charles Betts from the Downtown Alliance. We’ve also heard from Mayor Will Wynn and Troy Kimmel. We have had some really incredible speakers give us

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the inside scoop on a variety of topics.” The Austin CRS Region also was responsible for bringing dynamic educator Howard Brinton, the national president of the Council of Residential Specialists, and creator of the STAR POWER® University program, to town for a statewide attended program. The event drew chartered buses from many other Regions and Chapters. In addition, the local CRS Region is involved with “Chapter with a Heart,” a unique project across the nation that allows each Chapter complete freedom to focus their efforts on any humanitarian project. Community projects give the Chapter and its members positive goodwill and pride knowing that they have helped and Sherri Teepen given back to the community. CRS Austin Regional Director Over the years, the Austin CRS Region membership has contributed thousands of dollars and hours of time and energy to the children in and around Austin by supporting Any Baby Can, a homegrown local charity which provides services and programs for pregnant teens and first time moms, children with mild and severe developmental delays and children with chronic diseases and disabilities. In addition, the organization has supported The Austin Children’s Museum, The Austin Children’s Hospital, Haley’s Basket and provided school supplies and raised immunization awareness for children in the Austin area. CRS members also reached out to fellow REALTORS® in the Galveston, Beaumont and Houston areas who were affected by Hurricane Ike by providing funds to pay membership dues. The Austin Region of CRS was named Region of the Year for 2008 for those efforts. “We do give back in a big way,” Teepen says. “And we take care of our own as well as others.” CRS meetings are open to members as well as people who are considered “Friends of CRS,” such as mortgage brokers, builders, inspectors, carpet suppliers and those in insurance. “We highly valued the people who highly value our business,” Teepen says. Teepen says it is economic times like these that make CRS members shine. And it is no wonder that many of them are icons of the industry – top local brokers and leaders of state and national real estate organizations. “CRS members are persistent, consistent and forward thinking,” she says. “When times get tough, the tough get going.” To learn more about upcoming classes (Sept. 10-11 at the Williamson County Association of REALTORS® & Oct. 26-27 at the Austin Board of REALTORS®) or about becoming a CRS, visit www.austincrs.com.

candy Buzan 797-5580

Max Leaman 293-1239

Kim Nielsen 825-2347

Melissa driskell 964-1864

Mary Kennedy 750-7834

Brian patschke 565-5852

trudy Savage 965-5017

Mark Hoﬀman 785-3279

terrie doggett 415-0212

rhonda Neeley 560-3429

Shannon Smith 560-4590 Not pictured: Michael ray, 784-8488 • terry Weber, 554-4013

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Realty Line of Austin

How’s This for A Water Feature?

June 2009

COMMENTARY

Title Company Concerns Regarding Option Fees By David Tandy • Gracy Title

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME AND GET A FREE POOL! Wilshire Homes teams up with Anthony & Sylvan Pool and Spas, among America's largest builders of customdesigned in ground swimming pools, to make this great offer! (In Select Austin Communities)

Receive a free swimming pool or up to $25,000 in options and upgrades when you purchase a home between April 1, 2009 and July 31, 2009 in Highpointe Plantinum Heights, Sonoma Discovery Series or Build on Your Lot Signature Series.

Often title companies are asked to assist in the delivery of the Option Fee to the seller or the listing agent. In looking out for the best interests of the agents and parties to the contract, the title company should refuse to accept possession of the Option Fee check, which should always be made payable to the Seller. By accepting possession of the check, the title company is effectively committing to fulfill the duties and obligations of the Buyer to deliver the check to the Seller. The risk to the Buyer is that the Option Fee check is not delivered within the required two (2) days and an option period is not created, resulting in a binding contract on the buyer (and seller) and therefore depriving the buyer of an unrestricted right to terminate the contract during the option period. Under paragraph 23 “Termination Option” of the TREC contracts, the buyer is obligated to deliver the Fee for the option term to the seller within two (2) days (including holidays and weekends) after the effective date of the contract. As consideration of the Option Fee, the Buyer is granted an unrestricted right to terminate the contract within the number of days agreed upon by the buyer and seller (usually 7 to 10 days). The contract further states that “if Buyer fails to pay the Option Fee to Seller [emphasis added], within the time prescribed [two days],” then the Termination Option paragraph is removed from the contract and the Buyer does not have an unrestricted right to cancel the contract. Further, if the Buyer does not have other contingencies (such as financing) that would allow the Buyer to terminate the contract, then, if the Buyer attempted to cancel the contract, the Buyer would immediately be subject to at least loss of the Earnest Money under the Default provisions under Paragraph 15 which state “If Buyer fails to comply with this contract, Buyer will be in default, and Seller may (a) enforce specific performance, seek such other relief as may be provided by law, or both, or (b) terminate this contract and receive the earnest money as liquidated damages, thereby releasing both parties from this contract.” If the Contract, Earnest Money and Option Fee are mailed to the title company or delivered by a delivery service late on Friday (both of which happen all too frequently), it is virtually impossible for the title company to then successfully deliver the Option Fee to the Seller or Seller’s Agent within the prescribed two days. Because the window of time to successfully create the option period is so short, Buyers and/or their Agents should personally insure delivery of the Option Fee to the Seller or the Seller’s Agent. In fact, many brokers have provided specific letters of instruction to title companies prohibiting the title company from accepting the Option Fee or attempting delivery to the Seller. As a licensee charged with fiduciary responsibilities, proper creation of the option period is a critical responsibility of a Buyer’s Agent. In the event an option period is not properly created under the terms of the contract, the Buyer’s Agent would have several concerns regarding potential liability with the parties to the contract and TREC.

For More Information Please Contact:

1 Sonoma 512-341-9769 2 BOYL 512-502-2050 3 Highpointe 512-894-0502

www.Wilshire-Homes.com

Contract must be accepted and signed between April 1, 2009 and July 31, 2009. See Pool Specifications Sheet for more details and information. Not valid with any other offers. This program can be terminated at any time without notice. See your New Home Consultant for more details. Allowance varies by community.

David Reed of CD Reed Mortgage and Sonny Allen of Integrity Mortgage and Steve Builta of Hometrust Mortgage get ready to offer cool beverages on the course at the AMBA golf tournament at Great Hills Country Club.

June 2009

Realty Line of Austin

www.realtylineonline.com

Get a $500 Visa Gift Card for every new home you sell between now and June 30, 2009.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 500 reasons to move your clients to Falcon Pointe during the SURE TO MOVE YOU EVENT, which features a special collection of beautiful new homes ready for move-in right now. There are plenty of reasons for your clients to love Falcon Pointe, such as three onsite schools from kindergarten to 12th grade, a Residents Club with pool, an activities director and a community of families waiting for them.

Act now so you and your clients can take advantage of the SURE TO MOVE YOU EVENT* /FXMZ SFEVDFE IPNF QSJDFT t /P NPOUIMZ )0" GFFT GPS B ZFBS MJNJUFE UJNF 'FEFSBM UBY DSFEJU GPS RVBMJmFE mSTU UJNF IPNFCVZFST *ODSFEJCMZ MPX JOUFSFTU SBUFT t ')" MPBO XJUI POMZ EPXO )PNFT CZ %3 )PSUPO t -FOOBS t .FSJUBHF

Find the new home that moves your clients at GBMDPO QPJOUF DPN/NPWFUIFN Travel east from SH35 on SH45 to Kelly Lane exit in Pflugerville. Newland Communities is a privately owned company that creates residential and urban mixed-use communities in 14 states from coast-to-coast. We believe it is our responsibility to create enduring, healthier communities for people to live life in ways that matter most to them. www.newlandcommunities.com *Any participating real estate salesperson must provide Newland written consent from his/her broker approving salespersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation and receipt of Visa Gift Card prior to its award. Visa Gift Card is subject to certain terms and conditions imposed by Visa/issuer. Program valid for new home contracts in Falcon Pointe signed between May 15 and June 30, 2009, and close escrow by December 31, 2009. $500 gift card paid upon closing. Newland Communities reserves the right to discontinue this promotion at any time. Contact a Falcon Pointe builder sales office to obtain a copy of the Terms & Conditions for this promotion. The builder incentives described in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sure to Move You Eventâ&#x20AC;? are offered only by certain participating builders to homebuyers executing new homes sales contracts between May 15 - June 30, 2009 and closed by December 31, 2009 in the Falcon Pointe community and are sponsored exclusively by such builders, who are solely responsible for the content and operation of the builder incentives offered in the promotion. Newland has neither any affiliation nor any obligations or liabilities relating to the builder incentives offered in the Promotion. Information regarding tax credits, interest rates, and FHA loans are provided for general guidance only, and no representation or warranty is made that you will quality for a tax credit, interest rates and FHA loans as described above. The information provided does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial, investment, or other professional, advice, services or consulting of any kind. Please consult with your qualified real estate, financial, accounting, and legal advisors regarding your specific circumstances and your purchase. Must sign a new home contract in Falcon Pointe between May 15 and June 30, 2009, and close escrow by December 31, 2009, to be eligible for the HOA dues paid for one year. HOA dues paid upon verification of eligibility and closing and funding of the new home. Contact a Falcon Pointe builder sales office to obtain a copy of the Terms & Conditions for this promotion, or visit our website at www.falcon-pointe.com/movethem. Void where prohibited. This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate in Falcon Pointe or to residents of Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Oregon, or in any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. Homes within the Falcon Pointe community are constructed and sold by builders not affiliated with Newland Communities or Newland Communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; affiliated companies. All square footage is approximate. Prices, specifications and details are subject to change without notice. ÂŠ 2009 Newland Communities. All rights reserved.

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Greg Hammonds, guest, and Jim Erdelac of RE/MAX River City thanked Tommy Holmes of Independence Title for hosting the charity golf tournament at Crystal Falls Golf Club.

Mark Hairston, standing center, of Mortgage IQ, welcomes REALTORS to his MCE class, “The Insiders Guide to Credit Scoring.” Seated: Jon Kasner of Kasner & Associates and Sheryl Maniet of Research Brokers. Standing: Deborah Schernik of Exit Realty, Kelli Fields of Research Brokers and Jim Schlegel of Avalar Team Austin. NAHREP president Ron Urias recognizes Colette Fitzgerald of KB Home for sponsoring the organization’s monthly luncheon at Cool River Café.

June 2009

ASSOCIATES IN PROGRESS

Mortgage IQ By Linda McNabb

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The name Mortgage IQ hints at the cornerstone of this newly formed, locally owned company: education. Mark Hairston and Janis Cowman Arteaga started the company less than one year ago but already have taught classes to hundreds of agents. “Get Smart with Mortgage IQ,” is our tagline, Hairston says. “We teach classes once or twice every week offering agents intelligent mortgage solutions. It is the foundation of our business.” Hairston and Arteaga, who individually have 24 years experience in the mortgage industry in Austin, decided to reach out to REALTORS to keep them up to speed in the ever volatile mortgage industry. “We want to empower REALTORS and our own clients,” he says. “There seemed to be a lack of knowledge because the industry has changed dramatically in recent years and we knew we could help.” Hairston says he believes his company is the only one in Austin that is licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission to offer MCE classes. Mortgage IQ offers a menu of free, three-hour classes that address such topics as credit repair, dealing with investors, creating publicity and the many types of loan products available. He has also been active on the educational committee at the Austin Board of REALTORS. Hairston says he enjoys teaching and is pleased with the warm welcome his company has received so far. “There has been a great response,” he says. “We have taught more than 300 hundred agents this year and they keep inviting us back for more.” The company’s commitment to REALTORS is also evident by the fact that Mortgage IQ almost exclusively handles purchases rather than refinancing. “A lot of lenders are inundated with refinances right now,” Hairston says. “Ninety five percent of our time is spent with buyers and REALTORS on home purchases. We want to make sure that our efforts are focused on the real estate community because we realize that REALTORS want lenders who can take care of them and are not distracted.” In addition to Mark and Janis, the Mortgage IQ team consists of two processors and

Realty Line of Austin

www.realtylineonline.com

there is a b r a n c h office in C o r p u s Christi. The company is l o c a l l y owned but is part of a larger financial company so that it can pull on huge financ i a l resources. “Many companies don’t have the money to fund their loans Mark Hairston due to warehouse line restrictions,” www.texasmortgageiq.com Hairston says. “We are able to offer a complete portfolio of products and have strong, secure warehouse relationships. Everything we service and close is underwritten in Austin, which allows us to ensure professional and timely funding.” One product that Mortgage IQ offers that was only previously available to builders is the ability to have a seller pay principal and interest for a buyer for six months. Hairston says it is a good alternative to lowering the price of a home. “It is a creative financing tool,” he says. “Sellers like it because it is something they can offer to a buyer and buyers like it because they can feel it in their pocket immediately.” Hairston says he enjoys the teaching aspects of his job as it allows him to become a learner also. “By creating courses and teaching, it forces you to explore and learn more,” he says. “I like expanding my knowledge base.” Mortgage IQ is eager to help REALTORS benefit from an exceptionally opportune market by helping to qualify their buyers and get them into a home of their own. “With low interest rates and great inventory, it is a wonderful time to buy a home,” he says. “I have not seen anything like this since the late 80s and it is an even better time now. In fact, I am selling my house right now so I can buy another one.”

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

HBA executive vice president Harry Savio welcomes Janet Hobbs and Carter Hobbs of Hobbs Ink to the MAX Awards.

Scott Kennedy of K e n n e d y Investments joins John Horton Realtyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s John Horton, ABoR chairman elect, at the town hall meeting in the ABoR auditorium.

Dustin King of RE/MAX Round Rock gets set to make a great drive at Falconhead Golf Course, where ABoR held its annual tournament.

June 2009

Realty Line of Austin

www.realtylineonline.com

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Homes from the $250’s to $3+ million Welcome Center: 512-266-5833 or 800-783-4640 For more information, visit www.steinerranch.com %XLOGHUV 7D\ORU 0RUULVRQ 'UHHV &XVWRP +RPHV +LJKODQG +RPHV 0RQWHUH\ +RPHV 'DYLG :HHNOH\ 3DUWQHUV LQ %XLOGLQJ &XVWRP +RPHV $I¿QLW\ +RPHV 5DQG\ 5ROOR +RPHV (FKHORQ +RPHV ,QIRUPDWLRQ FRQWDLQHG ZLWKLQ WKLV DGYHUWLVHPHQW LV FRUUHFW DW WLPH RI SXEOLFDWLRQ DQG VXEMHFW WR FKDQJH ,Q RUGHU WR UHFHLYH JLIW FDUG 5HDOWRU PXVW DFFRPSDQ\ SURVSHFW LQWR WKH :HOFRPH &HQWHU RQ ¿UVW YLVLW

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Leslie Brvenik of Austin Title and Hollis Deen of Advantage One Mortgage get ready to hit the green at Great Hills Country Club where the Austin Mortgage Bankers Association held its annual golf tournament.

Kim Gayer and Wayner Gayer, both of Beyond the Move Realty get a front row seat at the Norris Conference Center, where Gracy Title coordinated a seminar about energy audits. More than 200 REALTORS attended the event. CTCAR president-elect Brian Pitman of Independence Title welcomes John Doucet of Doucet and Associates to the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s luncheon which featured a panel discussion about solutions to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health care crisis.

The number one real estate radio show in town is coming to the number one radio station in town ON JUNE 20TH 590 KLBJ AM Saturdays at Noon David McMillan - United Lending 512.592.5444 direct 512.917.8658 cell TheMcMillanTeam.com

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

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DON’T IGNORE THE SIGNS! Tax Credits up to

FREE CREDIT REPAIR

Assistance with Closing Costs

HISTORICALLY

LOW RATES

Lease Buyout

Job Loss Protection

Now is the time for your clients to buy! Now is the time for your clients to buy!

All signs indicate there’s never been a more opportune time for your clients to buy a new Meritage, Legacy or Monterey Don’tt miss out! Bring your clients to on one of our Austin area neighborhoods today before many of home. Don opportunities are in your rear view mirror. these special savings oppo

HUTTO CEDAR PARK

ROUND ROCK

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For directions, hours and information, visit us online at

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N Meritage Homes MAP NOT TO SCALE

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Promotion available for a limited time only. Prices, rates, terms, programs and availability subject to change or revocation without prior notice or obligation. Offers and availability, including amount, duration and particular home/plan, vary. Cannot be combined with any other promotion or incentives unless approved by Meritage Management. Job Loss Protection Program is not a commitment to lend. Loans subject to underwriting, credit, and property approval. Loan products and coverage terms and limits may vary by state. Not all borrowers will qualify. Maximum benefit of up to $2,500 per month for up to six months, subject to involuntary unemployment insurance policy terms, restrictions, and conditions, vesting and waiting periods, claim filing requirements, and certificate of coverage issuance. Valid for eligible buyers only and does not apply to self-employed or 1099 contracts. Other restrictions may apply. Terms, policy, and programs may be changed or cancelled at any time without notice. Assistance with closing costs is available with allocated Meritage Money through their preferred lender affiliate. $8,000 Federal tax credit available to qualified first-time homebuyers. Limitations apply. Please see your tax advisor for details or visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com. Lease buyouts are available to qualified buyers and vary depending on lease amount, duration and other applicable lease terms. Certain restrictions apply. See sales agent for details. Free Credit Repair program is available to help educate and inform you about credit related issues. Such information is not intended to serve as legal advice. We do not promise or guarantee your credit score will be increased or restored. Other restrictions may apply to programs. Please see sales agent for details. Broker Co-op paid at closing; Broker MUST accompany buyer on 1st sales office visit. Photographs are representative of a Meritage Homes design, but not necessarily offered at the advertised communities.

www.realtylineonline.com

Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Tiffany Harris accepts many awards during the evening on behalf of Meritage Homes including one for Best Billboard. HBA president Wes Peoples presented the awards.

Donna Simmons of Gracy Title confers with Larry Molinare, chairman of the board, and Michelle Piperi, vice president and director of marketing, at the seminar the company organized to help REALTORS understand the new requirements regarding energy audits. AYREP marketing representative Alisa LeBlanc of North American Title is pleased to see Chris Jacob of Keller Williams Realty at the Austin Young Real Estate Professionals happy hour.

June 2009

Realty Line of Austin

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Chad Peevy of Grassroots Monthly visits with Laura Torp, Jessica Wright and Laurie Nunnallee, all of First American Title, at the AYREP happy hour. First American Title was one of the event sponsors.

Nicole Cooke of S c h m o o z e Networking gives Becky Hopkins of Austin Title one of her new business cards at the Austin Young Real Estate Professionals happy hour at Parkside downtown.

Joe Thweatt of Land Mortgage and Richie Rodriquez of Hometrust Mortgage get warmed up on the driving range before the shotgun start at the AMBA golf tournament at Great Hills Country Club.

Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

www.realtylineonline.com

Put their dreams on course.

Get a $500 Visa Gift Card bonus for every new home you sell between now and June 30, 2009. Make extra money while saving your clients some serious green during The PUT THEIR DREAMS ON COURSE sale. Right now there are added incentives available for your buyers on a special collection of move-in ready homes with award-winning amenities such as the Residents Club, The Teravista Golf Club, miles of walking trails and a real community atmosphere sure to make your clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;lives take a huge upswing.

Act now to PUT THEIR DREAMS ON COURSE* Â&#x2021;Â&#x2122;Â&#x17D;Â&#x203A; Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Â&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2021; Â&#x2019;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â? Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021; Í&#x201A;Í&#x2022;Í&#x203A;Í&#x201D;Â&#x2022; Č&#x2C6; Â&#x2018; Â?Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x17D;Â&#x203A; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D; Â&#x192; Â&#x203A;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D; 12 free rounds of golf for your client at the Teravista Golf Club Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;ÇŚÂ&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021; Â&#x201E;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; Č&#x2C6; Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â&#x201E;Â&#x17D;Â&#x203A; Â&#x17D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122; Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013; Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; FHA loan with only 3.5% down

teravista.com

Í&#x201A;Í&#x153;ÇĄÍ&#x201D;Í&#x201D;Í&#x201D; Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;ÇŚÂ&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D; Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x161; Â&#x2026;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D; Â&#x201C;Â&#x2014;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Ć¤Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Ć¤Â&#x201D;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;ÇŚÂ&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021; Â&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2014;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2022;

Get the ball rolling for your clients at teravista.com/500 Newland Communities is a privately owned company that creates residential and urban mixed-use communities in 14 states from coast-to-coast. We believe it is our responsibility to create enduring, healthier communities for people to live life in ways that matter most to them. www.newlandcommunities.com

*The builder incentives described in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Put Your Dreams On Courseâ&#x20AC;? are offered only by certain participating builders to homebuyers executing new homes sales contracts between May 29 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; June 30, 2009 and closed by March 31, 2010 in the Teravista community and are sponsored exclusively by such builders, who are solely responsible for the content and operation of the builder incentives offered in the promotion. Newland has neither any affiliation nor any obligations or liabilities relating to the builder incentives offered in the Promotion. Information regarding tax credits, interest rates, and FHA loans are provided for general guidance only, and no representation or warranty is made that you will quality for a tax credit, interest rates and FHA loans as described above. The information provided does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial, investment, or other professional, advice, services or consulting of any kind. Please consult with your qualified real estate, financial, accounting, and legal advisors regarding your specific circumstances and your purchase. Must sign a new home contract in Teravista between May 29 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; June 30, 2009, and close escrow by March 31, 2010, to be eligible for the HOA dues paid for one year and golf rounds at the Teravista Golf Club. Golf rounds will be delivered and HOA dues paid upon verification of eligibility and closing and funding of the new home. Contact a Teravista builder sales office to obtain a copy of the Terms & Conditions for this promotion, or visit our website at www.teravista.com/500. Void where prohibited. This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate in Teravista or to residents of Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Oregon, or in any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. Homes within the Teravista community are constructed and sold by builders not affiliated with Newland Communities or Newland Communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; affiliated companies. Prices, specifications and details are subject to change without notice. ÂŠ2009 Newland Communities. All rights reserved.

www.realtylineonline.com

Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Owner/broker Christine Choate mingles with Karen Montero and Tami Corbitt, all of Horizon Realty, at the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happy hour at Cru in The Domain.

Holland Wiler and Jeff Quilici, both of Wiler and Associates, attend the CTCAR luncheon at Austin Country Club where they learned information about health care reform.

Douglas Craig of WCAoR checks his e-mail before winding down at the Austin Young Real Estate Professionals happy hour at Parkside.

Why Choose

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

www.realtylineonline.com

Cindy Day, Robin Stanfield, Ramona Kelley, Margarita Posey and Matthew Posey, all with Land Mortgage, invite Rachelle Rowan, standing left, of Stone Water Mortgage and Pamela Olowu, standing third from left, of Colonial Bank, to sit with them at their table during the NAPMW Installation and Awards banquet.

W a y n e Richardson, center, of Highland Homes welcomes Jeff Darey and Tish Fenley-Darey, both of JB Goodwin REALTORS, to the new model at Santaluz in Steiner Ranch.

Kara McGregor and Eric Phillips, both of Independence Title, keep up with the number of players on each team at the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first annual charity golf tournament at Crystal Falls Golf Club.

Creeks,Glens, FFalls alls and Ranches... Ranches... DREES HAS NORTH AUSTIN COVERED Spectacular Homes and Low Rates in North Austinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premiere Communities New Lo Lower wer Interest Rates... at Drees Custom Homes! Our realtor and buy buyer er stimulus plan was was created for the Austin A ustin market to help yyour our buy buyer er understand that no now w is the time to buy a new home. Along with great interest rrates, ates, Drees Custom Homes is also offering great new home pricing on aavailable vailable move move in now now market homes in North A Austinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ustinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ss most sought after communities. Call or come buy an ustinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; any y model home and ask our Market Home Managers for details.

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s Berr Berry y Cr Creek eek | The The Reserve Reserve - FFrom rom the $380â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $380â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s s Crystal FFalls alls | T he Highlands - FFrom rom the $250â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Crystal The $250â&#x20AC;&#x2122;ss s Hidden Glen - From From the $340â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Hidden $340â&#x20AC;&#x2122;ss s Walsh Ranch Ranch - From From the $330â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $330â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s s Walsh s The Ranch Ranch At Brush y Cr eek - FFrom rom the $360â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s The Brushy Creek $360â&#x20AC;&#x2122;ss s Avery Ranc h | Brookside - FFrom rom the $350â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s Avery Ranch $350â&#x20AC;&#x2122;ss

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Realty Line of Austin

June 2009

Melinda Carroll, second from left, of First American Title host REALTORS for an MCE ethics class at Rough Hollow in Lakeway where Linda Randall, third from left, was the instructor.

Meritage Homes wins the prestigious Grand MAX A w a r d - Vo l u m e Builder at the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin awards gala. Tom Grant and Bill McCalla, accept the eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top recognition from HBA president Wes Peoples. Linda Knowles-Katz of Land Mortgage congratulates her friend Linda Preece of WR Starkey Mortgage for being installed as one of the new officers of the National Association of Professional Mortgage Women (NAPMW).

Earl Hairston, ABoRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government affairs director, discusses the importance of TREPAC at the town hall meeting.

Gracy Title CEO David Tandy, center, tells Bill Evans and Carrie York, both of Austin Real Pros, that they are at the right place to learn information about energy audits. The title company organized the seminar at the Norris Conference Center. Chad Overhauser of Land Mortgage and David McMillan of United Lending joke around at the AMBA golf tournament. Land Mortgage was one of the event sponsors.