Client “Steering” Is Not Only Unethical, It’s Against FHA Housing Laws by RealtyLine

AUGUST 2020

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VOLUME 25 • ISSUE 4

Client “Steering” Is Not Only Unethical, It’s Against FHA Housing Laws Austin Inspection Services

written by RIKI MARKOWITZ

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When the Fair Housing Act (FHA) was passed in 1968 at the height of the Civil Rights movement, it was landmark legislation that aspired to guarantee equal housing opportunity regardless of race, religion, sex, color and nationality. In 1988, with the support of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), the law was amended to include families with children and the disabled. Today, every REALTOR in the state of Texas pledges to uphold the principles contained in the REALTORS Code of Ethics, within

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which is enshrined the Fair Housing Act. With these standards ﬁrmly in place for decades, it’s hard to imagine how a real estate professional could violate any anti-discrimination law. But what we’ve found is that even experienced REALTORS need an occa-

sional FHA refresher. That’s because most agents, at some point in their career, face scenarios that can be construed as illegal or unethical. And the penalty or punishment for violating fair housing laws, whether it’s a first or repeated offense, can be harsh. According to Texas REALTORS, disciplinary actions range from a fine to suspension or termination of NAR membership. When fair housing laws were adopted by NAR, the purpose was to eliminate discrimination. It removed barriers to housing for a large percentage of Americans, especially for disadvantaged populations. And to this day, Texas REALTORS prioritizes educating members about fair housing laws. But even with safeguards in place, agents can still find themselves on one type of ethical slippery slope or another. Consider one benignsounding question. In a blog post, Texas REALTORS asked members, “How often do clients ask you about whether a property is located in a good school district?” The implication is that most agents have fielded this question at some point in their career. And if you’ve ever answered it, you may be guilty of having steered your client away from considering living in a particular neighborhood. That could qualify as an ethical or fair housing violation. Texas REALTORS writes, “Fair housing laws prohibit you from steering clients, whether toward a particular area or away from that area.” If the decision [Steering continues on page 12]

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WILLIAMSON COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Back to School — How to Answer School Questions Safely KRISTON WOOD

2020 PRESIDENT

Well, it is that time of year … back to school. Most of us have heard, been a part of or know someone who is deciding about schooling options for the 2020-2021 year. While searching for the perfect home, the school district is often top priority for many people for a myriad of reasons. “What is the best school?” or “where are the best schools?” are questions often on the minds of people moving to the Williamson County area. As REALTORS® we have to be mindful of our Code of Ethics and Fair Housing Act commitment, which does not allow us to “steer” a client in one direction. There are few ways you can help your clients find the answers they seek to help them determine what school districts will be a good fit for their needs without violating the Code of Ethics. Be objective. Provide your clients with objective information on public schools (or even private schools). There are a plethora of websites and school listings you can provide your clients. The Texas Education Agency (https://tea.texas.gov/) is a great place to send your clients so they can review school report cards and accountability reports. Each school district has its own website, full of informative data that can assist someone in choosing a school district. Ratings do not always paint a picture of what a school has to offer; the teacher, the student or the community are also factors, so encourage your clients to do their own research for this reason, as this is a very personal decision. Get to know the schools. As a real estate professional you can build relationships with local school leaders. Many times, school districts will have community open houses or broadcast their school board meetings; these are both great ways to learn about the schools. Having these relationships are important so you can know when and where new schools are being built. In addition, at Williamson County Realtors® we do our best to incorporate school updates into our event programming, such as our bus tours. Encourage variety – When finding their home, offer your clients a variety of options in different school districts or at the very least in different school zones. Be sure to remind your clients that school zoning can change. Independence Day Drive-By Lunch: Amanda Aaron of SouthStar Bank

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[Steering continued from front page] to steer that client was based on race, age, number of children or another protected category, it more than likely was an FHA violation. REALTORS learn about the FHA and real estate Code of Ethics during their training, but some experts believe that too many licensed agents are unclear about what to do when faced with a potential violation. Also, close calls, like when a client asks about good school districts, do occur frequently enough that it can dull an agent’s sensitivity to discrimination-tainted language. There’s no doubt that over time some REALTORS become more lax, or even careless, about discussing topics or answering questions they know they should avoid. And in most cases, clients are unaware they’re even in housing-law violation territory.

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The big FHA violations are really easy to identify and avoid. Over the past few years, a majority of the complaints the Department of Justice filed against brokers, agents and landlords describe blatant sexual harassment, race discrimination and discrimination against families with children. What you won’t see are all the subtle ways that REALTORS risk violating housing laws, which affects every real estate professional to some degree. The agents and brokers we spoke to said that at least once a year a client will ask to see properties in a good school district. According to Texas REALTORS, when an agent gives his or her opinion about a school district it “could be construed as influencing clients’ housing choice based on demographic information.” In other words, taking the client to see homes in school districts that the agent deems “good,” could be considered an FHA violation. The maximum amount a license holder can be fined for a first-time violation is $16,000. Texas REALTORS published an article that explains how agents should assist clients who ask about “good schools.” Rather than giving an opinion — even if it’s based on a newspaper article or a television news segment — agents should suggest that the client conduct their own research. At websites like the Texas Education Agency (https://tea.texas.gov) and GreatSchools. org, parents can get information about any school in any zip code in the country. They can see reports on student performance, school performance and quality, and school district data.

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Some of the agents we spoke to said that today’s buyers are very savvy. Before a client even contacts a REALTOR for the ﬁrst time, they typically know what neighborhoods they want to see properties in, which means they have already researched districts and have decided what public, private or charter schools they want their kids attending or not attending. But even for clients who lean on agents for information about demographics, more often than not, they’re grateful to learn about sources for conducting their own research. When it comes to those near-FHA violations, it’s not really fair to lay all the blame on clients’ shoulders. There are a lot of reasons why a REALTOR would answer those types of questions, like the one about good school districts, and inadvertently steer the homebuyer in one direction or another. The agents we spoke to said that they just don’t get that speciﬁc question very often. So when it does pop up, the REALTOR’s biggest mistake is answering without giving the question more scrutiny. Even if the answer was the name of a school district that U.S. News & World Report recently included in a “Best High School Rankings” article doesn’t clear that agent of wrongdoing. One Houston-based real estate professional thinks she knows how agents can better avoid violating the FHA and NAR Code of Ethics. Last year, Texas REALTOR magazine asked Zelda Cain, why some REALTORS are not as informed about fair housing laws as they should be. The real estate instructor said “agents don’t see the value in that topic.” Cain went on to say that “fair housing education is offered, but there are too many empty chairs in those classrooms.”

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THE RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE COUNCIL

Back to School —Ethical Guidelines When Clients Ask “What Are The Best School Districts?”

SUSANNA BOYER

2020 DIRECTOR

In this day and age that we are living in, you can never be too careful about spewing out “so called facts” about anything to anybody. We, as REALTORS® need to be very aware of fair housing and how it (discrimination) could come into play here. When it comes to best school districts for the most important younger people in our customers/client’s lives (now or in the future), we need to point them in the right direction to ﬁnd the information they are looking for. What would you say? As for me and most other REALTORS® that hold the highly regarded CRS designation, we give them resources to check out. We supply links to articles and sites that have research on the area so they can read it for themselves. We never want to be the source of information but will be the source of the source! This way we are not held liable for the information.

One of the best sites for Central Texas School rankings is https://texasschoolguide.org/central-texas/. CHILDREN AT RISK (C@R) reviewed 488 public and public charter schools across Central Texas. They calculate school rankings and assign grades (A-F) to analyze the current quality of public education in the Greater Austin area, identify trends and spotlight schools going above and beyond expectations. Their Central Texas regional rankings include schools in Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. Another very good site is https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-schooldistricts/s/texas/. “The 2020 Best School Districts ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with test scores, college data and ratings collected from millions of Niche users.” This site gives the district grades on several diﬀerent criteria, as well as personal reviews from parents, teachers and others. The third site I will share is https://www.schooldigger.com/go/TX/districtrank. aspx. “Schooldigger calculates school rankings based on STAAR Reading,

STAAR Mathematics, STAAR Writing and STAAR Science test scores released by the Texas Education Agency. These rankings were last updated on July 16, 2019 and are based on the most recent test scores available. Sources of data include the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education and the Texas Education Agency.

UPCOMING EVENTS Central Texas RRC/CRS — ZOOM — Sept. 10 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Speaker: LORI LEVY, vice president of Legal Affairs/General Counsel for Texas REALTORS® presents “HOT TOPICS.” The link on RealtyLine’s digital issue will be available on August 20 The registration link for the following courses, all with maintenance credit, hosted by Texas RRC/CRS is: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkduGurT4tGdOaMRLqlk79Vlv1F6HKSnCl Thursday, Aug. 20 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. ALEXIS BOLIN presents “Writing and Negotiating Winning Offers” ____________ Thursday, Sept. 17 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. ABBY VASSEK presents “Level Up!” Get the Tools to Level up Your Sales Styles in 2020 ____________ Thursday, Oct. 15 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. AMBER JOY, Influential Agent presents “5 Things to Add to Your Marketing Strategy” ____________ Thursday, Nov. 19 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. BRITT FAIR (owner) presents Fair Texas Title -”Real Estate Faircast 2021” ____________ Thursday, December 17 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. MARK PORTER of CRS presents “Technology Tips” ____________

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WCRealtors Food Drive DropOﬀ: Kim Dale of Realty Texas

Lennar Tiny Home: Kelsey Layton and Melissa Daly, both of HomeAid, at Community First! Village by Mobile Loaves and Fishes Tiny Home community

Independence Day Drive-By Lunch: John Varner, Trip Ray, Amanda Aaron and Mick Donohoe all of SouthStar Bank

Austin’s Trusted Builder For most builders, their mortgage companies are raising the minimum credit score for new home buyers. Not with us! Through our partnership with our trusted lender, we have not increased the minimum credit score for FHA, VA, or USDA loans. In addition, we still have many down payment assistance programs, including possible zero down programs.

CONTACT OUR SALES CONSULTANTS TO SEE WHAT PROGRAM WORKS FOR YOU!

SalesPromo@BrohnHomes.com 512-598-4541 • BrohnHomes.com/Lending

Brohn Homes reserves the right to make changes to pricing, floor plans, specifications, features, dimensions, elevations, and incentives without prior notice. Stated dimensions and square footages are approximate and should not be used as representation of the home’s precise or actual size. Copyright © 2020 Clayton Properties Group, Inc. DBA Brohn Homes. Available with financing through CMG Financial. CMG Financial is a registered trade name of CMG Mortgage, Inc., NMLS# 1820 in most, but not all states. CMG Mortgage, Inc. is an equal opportunity lender, Registered Mortgage Banker with the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending. To verify our complete list of state licenses, please visit www.cmgfi.com/corporate/licensing and www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. All loans subject to credit approval. Cannot combine closing cost or down payment assistance with 580 credit score. Conventional Payment example: If you choose a $250,000, 30 year loan at a fixed rate of 3.3% (APR 3.5%), with a loan-to-value of 80%, you would make 360 payments of $1,122.61. Payment stated does not include taxes and insurance, which will result in a higher payment.

AU G U ST 2020 | M YR EALTYL I NE .COM

ScottFelderHomes.com

Get the

New homes from the $200s-$600s

Up to

$10,000

IN CLOSING COSTS**

Skip the Rest!

On To-Be-Built and Inventory Homes Your clients can skip the hassle of shopping around for a new home, without skipping on QUALITY with Scott Felder Homes! As a FIFTEEN TIME Home Builder of the Year, we offer high quality construction and award-winning home designs, all located in exceptional new home communities.

Receive a 1% bonus

Receive a 3% commission

Receive a 2% bonus

in addition to your 3% commission on your second closing!*

on your first closing.

in addition to your 3% commission on your third and subsequent closings!*

*All qualified sales must be original Scott Felder Homes (“SFH”) contracts written between January 2, 2020 and November 30, 2020. Sell ONE home and you’re enrolled in SFH’s Co-Broker Loyalty Program! Sell TWO homes between 1/2/20 and 11/30/20 and qualify for a 1% bonus on your 2nd SFH closing. Sell THREE homes between 1/2/20 and 11/30/20 and qualify for a 2% bonus, entitling you to a 5% total commission on your third, and all subsequent closings for the remainder of 2020! 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 1/2/2020 and 12/31/2020. 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. **Closing Cost Offer valid on new home contracts through Scott Felder Homes in Austin executed between August 10, 2020 – August 31, 2020 at full price offers. Value of offer is unique to the community, plan and homesite selected. Purchaser must finance through Southern Lending Services, LTD and close at Prosperity Title Company. Discount points, buy-downs, MIP/PMI, VA Funding Fee and pre-paids are not included in closing costs paid by seller. Terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notification and offers cannot be combined with any other offer or incentive.

North American Title is

STANDING

STRONG WITH Y0U

We are crafting solutions to drive transactions forward with your safety and convenience at the forefront. ®

NORTH AUSTIN BRANCH 5608 Parkcrest Drive | Suite 150 Austin, TX 78731

512.302.3892

ROUND ROCK BRANCH 1 Chisholm Trail | Suite 3100 Round Rock, TX 78681

512.255.6550

REAL | SOCIAL

Be Seen In RealtyLine.... All you have to do is send us a screenshot of your social post and we’ll do the rest. Send to tawanna@myrealtyline.com!

new

Luxury Garden Homes

Gated community • Lushly wooded Hill Country setting • From the $400s See ﬂoor plans on interactive map

BunkerRanch.com/garden-homes 512–945–3206 • 170 Bunker Ranch Blvd. at Hwy 290W 18

REAL | STORIES

AU G U ST 2020 | M YR EALTYL I NE .COM

Keller Williams Realty Written by Katie Agness

Founded in Austin in 1983, Keller Williams has grown to become the largest single brand real estate company in the world. Keller Williams is the highest selling company in both units and volume throughout the United States, including Austin which sold over $5 billion in 2019. However, even through immense growth and an ever-changing market, Keller Williams has remained dedicated to the professional growth of its agents, as well as its market share.

MELANIE KENNEMANN

EXECUTIVE TEAM LEADER

North Market Center

“I love being aﬃliated to a company that was built by agents, for agents. That’s the true meaning of an agent-centric brokerage,” says Melanie Kennemann, was most recently named Executive Team Leader of Keller Williams Austin North. “I really love the entrepreneurial minds of the Keller Williams real estate agents, and how the company encourages all agents to become the best versions of themselves. It’s the perfect environment for agents who thrive around other big thinkers.” Diane Johnson, Executive Team Leader of Austin Southwest Market Center, agrees saying, “I wouldn’t choose to be aﬃliated with any company other than Keller Williams Realty. We have remained privately held, which enables us to be nimble and focus on initiatives that are always agent-centric, not Wall Street centric.”

While the company has always remained dedicated to education and training for its employees, Keller Williams recently shifted its focus toward providing more competitive incentives for its consumers. Over the past few years, Keller Williams has launched initiatives such Zero Plus Mortgage, saving consumers over $137 million since launch, and Keller Oﬀers, a tool that helps consumers make educated decision-making through the buying process. “We are just at the tip of the iceberg with what’s to come,” says Kennemann. In addition to developing new technology and initiatives for consumers, Keller Williams has launched multiple tools for its own agents. “We empower our agents to compete in this market by providing them with technology and tools such as a powerful end-to-end tech platform, a personally branded app, world-class training and consulting services, models and systems to run businesses with leverage and rewarding proﬁt

margins,” Johnson says. Even as the real estate marked has been faced with challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Keller Williams team has been steadfast in adapting to the shifting market and new safety protocols. “It’s amazing to see real estate agents’ resilience and ability to pivot, adjusting when the world changes,” Kennemann says. “When COVID-19 hit, agents were forced to find immediate solutions to problems they’d never faced before. It was super impressive and inspiring to see, and now, months in, it’s like they have their new normal. Inventory is still tight, buyer demand is still high, and agents are still finding creative ways to move forward.” During a time when many companies were faced with laying off employees or reducing salaries, Keller Williams responded by permanently lowering its agents’ splits and caps. “It’s amazing to see your company stand behind you, even in uncertain times,” Johnson says. “Oddly enough, the pandemic has empowered Keller Williams to bring more services, resources and support to the agents, and our engagement level has also escalated.” In addition to upholding an agent-centric approach and adapting to changing markets, Keller Williams is also known for its culture and community impact. “Locally, we are very involved with Community First! Village, building homes for the homeless in Austin. We also host an annual food drive, donating more than 60,000 meals this year,” Johnson says. “Every May, Keller Williams offices across the world participate in RED Day (Renew, Energize, Donate), and we shut down our offices for the day for volunteering.” For agents interested in joining the Keller Williams team, Kennemann says you can expect to find a collaborative, talented group of colleagues and leadership. “There is so much talent at Keller Williams and a lot of behindthe-scenes work happening, which makes me really excited about the future of the company here in Austin and beyond,” she says. “I love Keller William’s collaborative spirit, and how our agents feel like they have ownership over their careers. Our people care about the real estate industry and clients they serve — our agents are everything.”

DIANE JOHNSON EXECUTIVE TEAM LEADER

Southwest Market Center

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

www.HomeTrust.com

Richie Rodriguez Bradley Rife Branch Manager NMLS #222698 rrodriguez@ hometrust.com

Bryson Reid

Hometrust Mortgage Company, NMLS# 149932

Lynn Edgar

Catherine Darwin

NMLS #221487 NMLS #1411621 NMLS #221412 NMLS #1606718 brife@ breid@ ledgar@ cdarwin@ hometrust.com hometrust.com hometrust.com hometrust.com

(512) 450-1222 | 4301 Westbank Dr. Escalade B Suite 150 Austin, TX 78746

NORTHWEST OFFICE

WESTLAKE OFFICE

Two Locations to Serve You

Ashley Matthews Scott Sewell Branch Manager NMLS #1185441 amatthews@ hometrust.com

Anila Cardyn

Brooke Payne Angela Dean

Regional Prod. Mgr. NMLS #1160250 NMLS #977110 NMLS #1557358 NMLS #211987 acardyn@ bpayne@ adean@ hometrust.com hometrust.com hometrust.com ssewell@ hometrust.com

(737) 209-6740 | 7804 Bell Mountain Drive, Suite 101 Austin, TX 78730

REAL | SOCIAL

Teacher’s Appreciation Program

John Schutze would like to say “Thank You” to a remarkable group of people who are often overlooked for the outstanding work they do in our schools and in our communities.

Any Education Professional who closes a new home purchase or refinance loan will receive a $500 Target Gift Card to help pay for classroom supplies.

John Schutze REGIONAL DIRECTOR NMLS #208548

(512) 775-6820

John@TexasLoanExperts.com

Exclusive 5-min Loan Application only at JohnSchutze.com Texas Loan Experts | 10000 Research Blvd, Suite 252 Austin, Texas 78759 Corporate Office: The Home Loan Expert, LLC 1600 S. Brentwood Blvd. Ste 700 St. Louis, MO NMLS #1326241

REAL | STORIES

AU G U ST 2020 | M YR EALTYL I NE .COM

Succession Title Written by Katie Agness Providing residential and commercial title and escrow services, Succession Title has presence throughout Central Texas, including Leander, Austin and San Antonio markets. Dedicated to providing a quality customer experience, the Succession Title team goes above and beyond to ensure everyone involved has a successful closing. “At Succession Title, we are relationship based,” says Melia Gardner, Vice President of Sales. “All title agencies say they have great customer service, which is something all companies in this industry should be expected to offer. We’re different because we make it a great customer experience, every time, from start to finish.” Gardner says it’s not uncommon for her and her team to call a REALTOR the day before a closing to see if there is anything specific they can do to make the upcoming closing more comfortable or enjoyable for the buyers or sellers. “We always try to cater to the REALTOR’S clients’ needs,” she says.

MELIA GARDNER

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

“Whether it’s a ﬁrst-time buyer, someone purchasing a $50,000 lot or the buyer of a $5 million property, we’re prepared to do whatever it takes, such as bringing in specialty foods or entertaining pets or children who come with a client.”

A woman-owned business, Succession Title was founded by Mandy Smith, who has nearly 17 years of success and experience in the title industry in Central Texas. “We are woman-owned and not corporate-owned, which is unique for the title industry,” Gardner says. “I think it’s very empowering to women out there, and because we aren’t owned by a large corporation, we don’t have to go through all of the red tape other agencies do, allowing us to be more creative, quick-acting and fully cater to

Now you have serious ‘buying power’

our clients’ needs.” Because Succession Title works with an array of clients, it is prepared to adapt to its clients’ preferences to make the transaction as easy as possible. “To cater to the millennials, we are on the cutting edge of technology and offer digital tools and resources,” Gardner says. “Similarly, we also recognize that others may not be as user-friendly with computers or online tools and prefer more traditional methods.” In addition to her experience in the title business, Gardner been a REALTOR for more than two decades. Throughout her career, she has prioritized building strong relationships with her clients and partners, becoming close friends with most of them. “I hear over and over again from REALTORS how much they appreciate the relationship they develop with me and others at Succession Title,” she says. “We don’t see our clients as another dollar in the pocket or take them for granted.” Having lived in Pflugerville since she was five years old, Gardner is also eager to be a resource for clients and others in the industry. “Because I’ve lived in the area for so long, I know a lot of people and businesses, so I’m often giving recommendations for REALTORS to pass along to their clients, whether they need a CPA or a house cleaner,” she says.

KIM CORREA

ESCROW OFFICER/ BRANCH MANAGER

When working with Succession Title, Gardner says REALTORS can always expect a higher level of expertise and experience. “We are creative problem-solvers, and we always strive to make sure the REALTOR’s clients have an enjoyable closing,” she says. “At Succession Title, we are relationship builders, and my job is to get the transaction done right.”

NEXT MOVE with Taylor Morrison is a set of online tools that put you in control of your homebuying journey. Purchase your dream home by September 30, 2020, and we’ll pick up the closing costs.* THE TOOLS TO MAKE YOUR NEXT MOVE

SAVE ON CLOSING COSTS*

Virtual Tours

Arrange a video-guided tour with one of our sales agents.

Self-Guided Tours

Experience the freedom and convenience of DIY home tours.

Home Reservations

Browse for the home you love and then click to reserve it.

taylormorrison.com/make-moves *All Closing Costs Limited Time Incentive (the “Promotion”) valid on new home contracts entered into as of 8/1/20-9/30/20 (“Promotion Period”) and applies to all eligible Showcase/Move-in Ready homes that close on or before 12/18/20, if (1) qualified buyer of an Eligible Home chooses Closing Agent selected only by Seller and finances with Seller’s affiliated lender, Taylor Morrison Home Funding, LLC, NMLS #149227 (“Affiliated Lender”) and (2) satisfies all other closing date and eligibility criteria (each, an “Eligible Home”). All Closing Cost Promotion includes both the Standard Closing Cost contributions and the Additional Closing Costs provided in the Purchase Agreement to buyers using Affiliated Lender, as well as the Title Company selected only through Seller. Seller will pay all closing costs at closing excluding discount points, pre-paid items, HOA Dues, Capital Contribution and Transfer/Disclosure Fee which total contributions will vary depending on the Eligible Home selected and other restrictions described below. Total closing cost contribution subject to Seller’s contribution limitations based on mortgage program. Buyer must pre-apply with Affiliated Lender before submitting offer to qualify for the Promotion. Buyer is not required to finance through Affiliated Lender or to use such Closing Agent selected by Seller to purchase a home; however, Buyer must use both settlement services to receive the Promotion. All loans are subject to underwriting and loan qualification of the lender. Services not available in all states. Rates, terms and conditions offered are subject to change without notice. All information (including, but not limited to prices, views, availability, incentives, school assignments and ratings, floor plans, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change or delay without notice. Additional licensing or other financing details regarding Affiliated Lender may be found at www.taylormorrison.com/home-financing. All homes subject to prior sale. Please see a Taylor Morrison Community Sales Manager or visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional disclaimers, licensing information or other details (as applicable). Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by all applicable state and federal laws. Affiliated Lender is licensed in the following states: AZ #0916681; CA: DBO #4131114; CO: #347943; FL: MLD72; GA #45542 (branch located at 4400 North Point Parkway, Ste. 220, Alpharetta, GA 30022), NV: #5111 (branch located at 885 Tahoe Blvd, Suite 2, Incline Village, Nevada 89451 ph #916-500-1225); NC: #L-166652; OR: #ML-5888; SC: #149227; TX: #1040362, 336785, and 885815 (branch located at 2929 Briarpark Dr., Ste. 400A, Houston, TX 77042), WA: #CL-149227. Additional license information available at NMLS Consumer Access: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. ©August 2020, Taylor Morrison, Inc. All rights reserved. 07/31/20 2404

REAL | NEWS

SNIPPETS

M/I Homes Hills at Estancia Now Selling

BUILDER NEW COMMUNITIES _____________

BROHN HOMES ANNOUNCES NEW HOMES IN THREE CENTRAL TEXAS COMMUNITIES More than 300 new Austin-area homes starting from the $200,000s and $300,000s available at Pecan Park, Bar W Ranch, and Cross Creek. Brohn Homes, an affiliate of Clayton Properties Group, is offering more than 300 new homes across three communities in central Texas — Pecan Park, Bar W Ranch, and Cross Creek. All are located within easy access of Austin and other major metropolitan centers. “We are thrilled to bring three new communities to the central Texas area that are conveniently located and feature beautiful designs,” says Aaron Boenig, co-president of Brohn Homes. “Our communities offer amenities to match a buyer’s lifestyle, such as easy access to popular local attractions, and our homes are built with innovative designs and quality craftsmanship at unparalleled value.” Pecan Park, located in Bastrop, Texas, sits near the intersection of three highways providing access to Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Brohn Homes at Pecan Park start in the low $200,000s, range from 1,450 to 2,168 square feet in size, and offer access to a pool and hiking and bike trails along the Colorado River.

PECAN PARK

BAR W RANCH

Bar W Ranch, situated within a quick drive to Austin in Leander, Texas, oﬀers over a mile of riverfront property alongside neighborhood parks and biking trails. Brohn Homes in the community start in the $250,000s and range from 1,596 to 3,899 square feet in size.

And your clients will love M/I Homes’ newest community, just south of Downtown Austin! • Now selling just minutes away at our Bear Creek Crossing Model Home • Located off the frontage road of I-35, right before 45 Toll Road • Minutes from Downtown Austin and Buda • New home designs! Starting in the low $300s • Hays CISD Find out the latest updates at mihomes.com/Estancia or contact us at 512.253.7338

CROSS CREEK Cross Creek, located in Cedar Park, Texas, near a major tech employment hub, features Brohn Homes starting in the $330,000s and ranging from 1,573 to 2,695 square feet in size. Standard features include large center granite kitchen islands, oversized primary closets, vaulted ceilings, and a “lock and leave” lifestyle oﬀering with full lawn service and sprinkler systems.

AU G U ST 2020 | M YR EALTYL I NE .COM

REAL | LEADERS

EVANS TALKS TREPAC... As much as our lives have changed this year, many things have remained the same. One thing that remains the same is that, when you see my name, you probably think I am going to talk with you about TREPAC, and I am, I just can’t help myself! The mission of TREPAC/Texas REALTORS® Political Action Committee is to

TAR TREPAC First-Vice Chair 2020

Texas REALTORS® volunteer leaders have been busy drafting the association’s public policy priorities for the 87th Texas Legislature.

raise and disburse funds to promote homeownership, protect real property

BILL EVANS

There are lots of things already in the works locally and statewide when the 2021 legislative session convenes in January.

rights and increase political awareness. Okay, that takes care of some of the legal stuﬀ. There will be more later. Right now, let’s talk about your business and my business, and something near and dear to all our hearts: Real Estate. Real estate was deemed essential in Texas almost immediately once the pandemic hit our state in March. Being in this position of great responsibility didn’t just happen overnight. We have worked for decades demonstrating to state leaders the strong role REALTORS® play as economic drivers and protectors of homeownership.

Here are some things to be watching for: Property Taxes: Property tax issues are still problematic for many of us, and the balance between assessed valuations and tax rates will be a top-of-mind issue in the coming session. HOA Issues: Texas REALTORS® supports efforts to reform laws governing homeowner’s associations to ensure HOA operations are transparent and resident friendly. This is likely to be a hot topic in 2021. TREPAC and RPAC are constantly working for you, your clients and your customers, making sure our elected officials are aware of the issues you think are important and making sure you have a voice in decisions affecting your business.

Efforts by the National Association of REALTORS® resulted in federal legislation that made it possible for brokerages to apply for loans and for independent contractors to apply for unemployment assistance — for the first time ever. Your trade association is one of the largest, most powerful and influential grassroots lobbying groups in the state. REALTORS® are better informed about legislative issues and vote in greater numbers than members of other trade associations. We understand the direct re-

Thanks, and by the way, here are some dates for you to know… The TREPAC Run, Walk, Ride to the Finish Line is taking place from Aug. 1521. It’s a virtual race, so you won’t be asked to break a sweat! Check with your board or broker and go to TREPAC.com/5K. Texas REALTORS® #ShapingTexas Conference, Aug. 31-Sept. 3. Free registration for this virtual event at TexasRealEstate.com/conference.

lationship between politics, policy and real estate. That’s a fact, that’s who we R! TREPAC (state level) and RPAC (federal level) ensure that issues important to property owners and REALTORS® remain priorities and that we have a place at the table when it is time for decisions to be made.

Is Your Time Valuable? If you answered yes then you need our stress-free Property Management Services. Why waste another minute? Let’s get rolling!

Succession Title

We’ll meet you at the closing table...

Yours or Ours!

10 Reasons Why We’re Not The Average Management Company. MELIA GARDNER VP of Sales

KIM CORREA Branch Manager/ Escrow Officer

ALICIA TEAGUE Escrow Assistant

We will create an experience worth remembering with our organized process and team work that is helpful and accommodating for both buyers and sellers. CURBSIDE AND MOBILE CLOSING SERVICES ALSO AVAILABLE! 706 Leander Drive, Suite 504 • Leander, Texas 78641

(512) 986-5036 www.successiontitle.com

1. Customer Service Standards 2. Tenant Selection, Tenant Evictions and our Guarantees 3. In-House Maintenance Personnel 4. Quick Tenant Services = High Tenant Retention Rates = Better ROI 5. Unique Money Back Guarantees 6. Detailed Monthly Statements 7. The Ratio of Employees to Properties 8. Examining Operating Costs 9. Properly Insured for Your Protection 10. Property Condition Surveys and Properly Maintained Properties TREC #460192 For complete details, click here

(512) 327-4451

rollingwoodmanagement.com

MICHAEL FRANCIS

BROKER, INSTRUCTOR, MPM®, RMP®, TRLS, TRPM

MONEY-BACK GUARANTEES

AU G U ST 2020 | M YR EALTYL I NE .COM

Rancho Sienna GEORGETOWN, TX

Light. Bright. Just Right.

At Rancho Sienna, your clients can enjoy our newest model homes and floor plans — all in a spectacular hill country setting. Miles of scenic trails. Open floor plans with big windows to bring nature inside. Carefully crafted homes and smaller-footprint homesites. An on-site elementary school. Minutes from shopping, dining and commuter routes. Need we go on? N E W S E C T I O N N O W O P E N — P R I C E D F R O M T H E LO W $ 3 0 0 s .

C O N TAC T O U R N E W H O M E S P E C I A L I S T, J E N N H I C K M A N , AT ( 5 1 2 ) 4 1 6 - 9 1 0 9 TO L E A R N M O R E !

The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, and available locations are subject to change without notice. Stated dimensions and square footage are approximate and should not be used as a representation of the home’s precise or actual size. Please see the actual purchase agreement for additional information, disclosures, and disclaimers relating to a home and its features. Any photographs or renderings in these materials are for illustrative purposes only. Marketing promotions/incentives may be subject to conditions or restrictions. You must visit a Trendmaker Model Home to purchase a home. Please consult a New Home Advisor for specific price and other information for each community. A Broker/Agent must register their client in person on client’s first visit at each community for a Broker/Agent to receive a commission. Our name and logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of TRI Pointe Group, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. © 2020 Trendmaker Homes, Inc.

TrendmakerHomes.com

REAL | PEOPLE

WCRealtors Food Drive Drop-Oï¬&#x20AC;: Cheryl Scully and Stephanie Marek of Austin Title

Assurance Financial: Michael Landers and Kim Ghanem

Independence Day Drive-By Lunch: Adrian Alvara of SouthStar Bank and son, Seth Shipp.

AU G U ST 2020 | M YR EALTYL I NE .COM

AU G U ST 2020 | MYRE ALTYLI NE .CO M

Independence Day Drive-By Lunch: Seth Shipp and parents, Will Shipp and Adrian Alvara; and Amanda Aaron, all of SouthStar Bank

WCRealtors Food Drive DropOﬀ: Dee Dee Rayﬁeld, Leisa Ormsbee and Kim Dale, all of Realty Texas; Hope Wells of Stanberry Realtors and Sonia Guardado of Magnolia Realty

4th of July Giveaway WInner: Leigh Hilliard of Keller Williams Realty

WALLS CAN’T TALK

1111 N. IH 35, Suite 102 Round Rock, Texas 78664 (512) 273-7767

Brian Meyerdirk License #5248

Call the experts before you buy.

TREC #3304 / TDA #37603

• 5 Inspectors • 1 Engineer on staff • Same day/next day • Residential • Commercial • Multi-family • New Construction • Investors • Lenders • Consulting • Phase Inspections • Pre-listing • FHA • HUD • Construction Management • Mediation/Arbitration and More!

NEED EXTRA FLEXIBILITY? SOUTHWESTERN TITLE AGENCY offers mobile and online services to buyers and sellers that are unable to meet at our office.

CURBSIDE CLOSINGS, E-CLOSINGS AND REMOTE NOTARIES FOR ADDED CONVENIENCE.

512-418-6165 info@austininspectionservices.com

Serving Austin, Central Texas and Surrounding Areas Since 1989

State of Texas Certified Real Estate Inspector

JENNIFER RHODES

LORI WILLIAMS

SHEILA BALAGIA

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES

Escrow Officer

Business Development

Office Manager/Escrow Officer

jrhodes@swtatx.com

lori@swtatx.com

sbalagia@swtatx.com