realtyline_april_09

—Associates In—PROGRESS

Taxes are always on people’s minds when Aprilrolls around, so it’s the perfect time to educatepotential first-time buyers about an improved andextended tax credit that could generate savings thatare substantial enough to help turn them into abuyer instead of a looker.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Actallows a qualified "first-time" buyer—defined as anindividual who has not owned a home during thepast three years—to receive a federal tax credit of 10percent of the cost of their principal residence, up toa maximum credit of $8,000. Buyers receive a taxcredit on their personal income tax return in the cal-endar year following the year of closing on theirhome or they may be able to amend their current2008 return.

“I have at least two loans in which I am sure thetax credit was the deciding factor in getting thebuyer off the fence,” says Beth Lozano ofCornerstone Mortgage. “These people would havequalified regardless, but the tax credit helped themto decide to do it now rather than “someday.”’

Unlike the previously available tax credit, themodified version does not require homebuyers to

repay the credit as long as they retain ownership ofthe home, as their primary residence, for threeyears. This incentive is also retroactive coveringhomes purchased and closed afterJan. 1, 2009 and continuesthrough Nov. 30 of thisyear.

Kevin Roy ofERA BettingerREALTORS saysR E A L T O R Sshould in effectbecome cheer-leaders for thenew tax creditbecause by doing sothey will help them-selves as well as theirbuyers.

“The more we promote the posi-tives in our word and action, the faster theeconomy will recover,” he says. “Sitting back likeChicken Little expecting the sky to fall is not helpinganyone. For those who qualify, 2009 is proving to be

a unique and compellingopportunity to purchase ahome.”

Lozano says she isalready seeing a differ-ence but thinks the realestate industry will seeeven more impact asmore people begin to hearabout the credit.

“I don’t believe thatthe consumer trulyunderstands what atremendous opportunitythis is,” she says. “I am

doing what I can to spread the word about the cred-it and my loan applications are definitely up. It’shard to say if the increase in applications is due to

the tax credit or the historically lowinterest rates.”

As more buyers bene-fit and start reaping

the savings, theywill becomecheerleaders ofthe credit aswell, as evi-denced by a sit-

uation Roye n c o u n t e r e d

recently.“I was speaking

with a lady in the check-out line and upon seeing

that I was a REALTOR®, shebragged about how she had just purchased a

new home and received a check back after filing thisyear’s taxes. She then asked why more people arenot taking advantage of the plan and I noted that it'sprobably because people don't understand it.”

The credit can become confusing because thereare many factors to take into consideration. Thereare full credits and partial credits and decisionsabout which year to claim the tax credit. Foranswers, Lozano recommends that REALTORS refertheir clients to www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com.But once the stipulations are understood, it is clearthat the tax credit has a huge potential to create apositive impact on the industry.

"This temporary tax credit provides one moresound reason for first-time buyers to take advantageof today's attractive interest rates and ample inven-tory of homes, as well as save on their federal taxes,"Roy says. "The benefits are significant.”

Presorted StandardU.S. Postage

PAIDAustin, Texas

Paid Permit #715

APRIL 2009 • VOL. 13 • ISSUE 12

P.O. Box 81366Austin, Texas 78708-1366

Don’t forget: You can visit us online 24/7 at www.realtylineonline.com

Enjoyable. Entertaining. It’s all About You.

First-time Homeowners Reap Benefits From $8,000 Tax Credit

APRIL 23WCR’s 3rd Annual Diversity Bake-offABoR Auditorium - 11 a.m.

MAY 1TREPAC Golf TournamentFalconhead Golf Club - 10 a.m.

MAY 2HBA MAX AwardsPhillips Event Center - 6 to 10 p.m.

MAY 18AMBA Spring Golf EventGreat Hills Country Club - 10 a.m.

MAY 23-JUNE 7HBA’s Annual Parade of HomesMueller Development

JUNE 11ABoR Foundation Tour of HomesBarton Creek Community

JULY 25WCAoR Green Expo 2009Dell Diamond - All Day Event

Upcoming Events:Golf...golf... and more fabulous golf!Tuesday, June 2

WCR Golf Tournamentat Star Ranch

2500 FM 685 in Hutto

Shotgun start @ 1 p.m.$99 ENTRY FEE

Includes 18 holes of golf, fajita dinner,30-day membership, cart, and an extra

round of golf to be used anytime this year!

Monday, May 18

AMBA Spring Golf Eventat Great Hills C.C.

5914 Lost Horizon Drive

Shotgun start @ noon*$165 ENTRY FEE

Includes green fee, cart, range balls, lunch,beverages, dinner and gratuities*$175 after April 17 registration deadline

Friday, May 1

TREPAC Golf Tourney at Falconhead Golf Club

15201 Falconhead Blvd

Shotgun start @ noon$99 ENTRY FEE

Includes lunch, 18 holes of play,dinner and a goodie bag

www.realtylineonline.com Realty Line of Austin April 20092

All photos, press releases or articlesubmissions can be sent to

E-mail: [email protected]

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 8,500 membersof the Austin Board of REALTORS (ABoR), the more than 1,100 membersof the Williamson County Association of REALTORS (WCAoR) and theHome Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin.

©Caxton Publications, Inc. dba Realty Line of Austin is an active mem-ber of the Austin Board of REALTORS, the Williamson CountyAssociation of REALTORS and is a honorary member of the Women’sCouncil of REALTORS. Caxton Publications, Inc. dba Realty Line ofAustin is not responsible for opinions or facts expressed by non-staff writ-ers or for errors and any by-products in advertising or editorial copy.REALTOR® is a registered trademark. The word REALTOR® sometimesappears in this publication without the registered trademark symbol (®),for the purpose of saving space. Wherever the word REALTOR appearsin this publication, the registered trademark should be assumed.

P. O. Box 81366, Austin, Texas 78708Office: 821-1900

www.realtylineonline.comREALTORS enjoy a luncheon at the Pacesetter Homes model in Greenridge following theRound Rock east property tour. Among those in attendance were David Pavliska, KarenParker, J. Rene Ward and David Durham.

Doren L. CarverPUBLISHER

Tawanna K. CarverMANAGING EDITOR

Linda McNabbCONTRIBUTING

EDITOR/WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER

COLUMNISTS

Jay Gohil - ABoR ChairmanWes Peoples - HBA President

Barbara Wigginton - WCAoR PresidentMark Hairston - Mortgage IQ

ABoR Announces Endorsements for2009 City Council Candidates

When you head to the polls for the general election on May 9, 2009, vote with your indus-try in mind. After carefully researching the City Council candidates, ABoR has finalized itsendorsements for the Austin City Council candidates. Endorsements are based on each can-didate’s experience in local government, comprehension of private property rights andexpressed or demonstrated support of REALTOR® interests in Central Texas.

Carole Keeton Strayhorn has received ABoR’s endorsement for Mayor of Austin. Learn moreabout Strayhorn at http://www.caroleforaustin.com/. In the race for Place 1, ABoR supports new-comer Chris Riley. Visit his Web site at http://www.chrisforaustin.com/. Incumbent MikeMartinez received ABoR’s endorsement for the Place 2 race. Learn more about Martinez’s platformat http://www.martinezforaustin.com/. ABoR endorses Dr. Bill Spellman for re-election to thePlace 5 seat on the Austin City Council. Information about Spellman is available athttp://www.utexas.edu/lbj/faculty/william-spelman/. Councilmember Sheryl Cole is ABoR’spick for the Place 6 race. Details on Cole’s campaign can be found at http://keepsherylcole.com/.

ABoR strongly encourages members to not only vote for these candidates, but to volun-teer with their campaigns, as well. By making the REALTOR® voice heard in local politics,you can ensure the continued success of your industry in the Austin area.

NEWS NOTESSNIPPETS:

• COLDWELL BANKER UNITEDREALTORS Northwest office, lead byVanessa Bivens, was named #1office in Closed Adjusted GrossCommission Income in Texas at theInternational Business Conferenceheld in San Antonio, Tx.• FALCON POINTE, TERAVISTA FORGEahead with new models by broad-ening their product offerings. Bothcommunities welcome new builders.Falcon Pointe welcomes DR Hortonand Lennar Homes. Teravista wel-comes Buffington Signature Homes.• US FEDERAL JUDGE LEE YEAKEL HAShanded down his ruling in a lawsuitalleging violation of the federal FairHousing Act by the City of Kyle. TheNational Association for theAdvancement of Colored People(NAACP), the HBA of Greater Austinand the National Association ofHome Builders (NAHB) filed the suit in2005 contesting the city's new devel-opment regulations and buildingcodes that were enacted in 2003.However, Judge Yeakel ruled infavor of the City of Kyle. The HBA and NAHB will meet soon todiscuss next steps.• STREETMAN HOMES NAMEDNational Association of HomeBuilders Green Building Award finalistfor a green home located at theMueller redevelopment project inCentral Austin.• KATHYRN BECHTOL WAS RECENTLYfeatured in a real estate successstory, “Controlling Fate” in the AustinBusiness Journal. To read full article:http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2009/03/09/focus1.html.

April 2009 Realty Line of Austin www.realtylineonline.com 3

estate transaction. Learn how to better serve your clients byunderstanding the appraisal process and the valuation tech-niques used by Central Texas taxing authorities at the ABoRAcademy’s new course, “Fight the Tax Appraisal and Win.”

The four-hour course will be held on Tuesday, May 19from 1 to 5 p.m. and carries four hours of MandatoryContinuing Education (MCE) credit (TREC approval pend-ing). Registration cost for the course is $49 for ABoR membersor $60 for non-members and includes a 177-page booklet co-written by course instructor Gordon Gorychka. Registeronline at www.abor.com/courses.

Get Connected with ABoR’s Learning CommunitiesLooking for a way to increase your industry knowledge and connect with other

Austin REALTORS®? ABoR has the answer. Our new online LearningCommunities let you share information and ideas with other ABoR members.These member-only forums touch on a number of specialized topics, allowing youto discuss your industry in a private and professional setting.

Access the Learning Communities by clicking the “Learning Communities” linkin the My Account section of Abor.com or through the Quick Links section locat-ed in the lower left corner of the Abor.com homepage. Log in before May 1 andyou will be registered for a chance to win a $75 gift certificate to the Roaring ForkSteakhouse!

Central Texas Housing Market Receives National AttentionWith all the dire forecasts being issued for the national housing sector, it is

comforting to know that the Austin-area real estate market continues to hold itsvalue. In fact, three major news publications recently recognized the strength andresilience of our local market:

• Austin ranked 13th in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) survey ofcities with the most Energy Star-certified buildings. Three other Texas cities,Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio, landed in the top 25.

• Round Rock was named the seventh best place to live in the United States ina recent poll by Money magazine. The city was chosen due to its affordable homeprices, superior schools and proximity to the Dell headquarters.

• Builder Magazine cited Austin as the second-healthiest housing market for2009. The strong local job market, population growth and presence of theUniversity of Texas were deciding factors in Austin’s selection.

By Jay Gohil • Jay Gohil Realty2009 Chairman • Austin Board of REALTORS

On Tuesday, March 31, REALTORS® from across the state of Texas joined forces forREALTOR® Day at the Capitol. By taking the time to meet with their representatives,these dedicated real estate professionals helped protect their industry and the rights ofprivate property owners across the state.

Over 50 ABoR members took part in the Hill Visit, discussing important topics such asreal estate transfer taxes, appraisal reform and eminent domain with their elected repre-sentatives. We offer our sincere thanks to all who attended the Hill Visit. Your presence atthe Capitol shows legislators that REALTORS® comprise a strong voting bloc in Texaspolitics and helps to ensure that when REALTORS® speak, elected officials listen.

I encourage you to participate in our Association’s political action endeavors and toinvest in TREPAC. For more information on protecting your industry, visithttp://www.abor.com/gov_affairs/home.cfm.

Last Chance to Register for Town Hall MeetingTime is running out to reserve your spot at the ABoR Town Hall Meeting. The

event will be held on Thursday, April 30 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the ABoRAuditorium, located at 10900 Stonelake Blvd., Ste. 100. The Town Hall Meeting isan excellent opportunity for you to connect with other ABoR members and boostyour industry knowledge.

Gerald Klassen, research analyst with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M Universitywill discuss shifting trends in the mortgage industry and how those changes could affectyour business. The Town Hall Meeting is free to all ABoR members, but advance reserva-tions are required. To RSVP to this event, visithttps://www.abor.com/events/townhallspring.cfm. For more information on the TownHall Meeting, contact ABoR’s Education Department at 454-7636 or [email protected].

Be Prepared When the Tax Man ComethProperty appraisals can be one of the most frustrating and confusing aspects of a real

2009 Capitol Hill visitwas a Success

ABoR CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN


ABoR chairman Jay Gohil, Diane Kennedy of Coldwell Banker United REALTORSand David Pruitt of David M. Pruitt REALTORS attend an early morning candidateforum at ABoR to see what mayoral candidates have to say about Austin real estate.

Jerry Stein,owner/broker ofBuyer’s IncentiveReal EstateCompany, delivers acampaign sign toDebra Holloway ofGracy Title for theirconference room.Jerry is running formayor of Lakeway.

Clowning around atthe Keller WilliamsRealty WilliamsonCounty MarketCenter awards wereKim Whitlock andBruce Rodden,both of KellerWilliams Realty.

Thank you, Janet,

Janet ThomasDirect: 533-1326

for finding us the perfect loan program. Becauseof your time and dedication, you made thequalifying process a stress-free buying experience.

Janet’s commitment to superiorcustomer service is what sets herabove her counterparts. She walkseach customer through the process,answering every question, meetingevery need. Her experience enablesher to explain the process to themost experienced buyer ora first-timer.

She makes it simple andeasy for everyone.

12554 Riata Vista Circle • First Floor • Austin, TX 78727dhimortgage.com • hbc.dhimortgage.com

Gavin St. Louis of Buyers House Realty stops at the last house to make sure heis qualified for the grand prize. Ursula Whitworth of Meritage Homes stamps hiscard at the “Hats Off” REALTOR progressive luncheon.

Give Realty donates$3,500 to HillC o u n t r yConservancy. Thecompany’s businessmodel includesdonating 25 percentof their commissionback to a nonprofitorganization of theirclient’s choosing.Robin LeTourneauand Laurie Loew,both of Give Realty,Lori Erickson,home buyer, andGeorge Coferexecutive director ofHill CountryConservancy.

Demetria Simonovic of Highland Homes welcomes Brad Schaible of Schaible Realty and SandyBoeser of Divine Auditions to the weekly property tour coordinated by Texas American Title.

6 www.realtylineonline.com Realty Line of Austin April 2009

7April 2009 Realty Line of Austin www.realtylineonline.com

NEWS NOTES SNIPPETS:

• UNLOCK THOUSANDS WITH TAYLOR MORRISON’S “THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM”REALTOR promotion. Now through June 30 the “Keys to the Kingdom” REALTORpromotion offers you additional commissions and more. The top Real EstateAgent in each division will win an all expense paid vacation to a Florida resortand have the chance to be one of ten people in the running to win huge cashprizes, including the $25,000 Grand Prize! Don’t Forget to Remind Your Clients toEnter to Win the Dream Home... If your client is the lucky winner of our 2009Dream Home Giveaway, not only will we build their dream home, but they willalso be invited to stay in the Disneyland® Resort — a place to celebrate all oflife's special moments. See advertisement on page 15.• STRASBURG SPEAKS AT RE/MAX INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION RE/MAX of Texas’ Chuck Strasburg, regional director/strategic growth, who isresponsible for RE/MAX expansion across central, south, and west Texas, justreturned from speaking at the annual RE/MAX International Conventionin Nevada, where he addressed a gathering of RE/MAX representativesfrom around the world on industry growth. Recording the 2nd highestnumber of RE/MAX franchise sales in North America during 2008,Strasburg led a panel of speakers educating regional representativesfrom among the 70+ countries in which RE/MAX operates. “There’s a lotof media focus on the problems in the real estate industry nationally,”noted Strasburg, a resident of Horseshoe Bay, “but rarely do we seegood news reported, such as the fact that in most of Texas we enjoystable home prices, locally favorable employment numbers, and lend-ing institutions very responsive to credit-worthy mortgage applicants.” A 30-yearveteran of real estate sales, brokerage operation, and development, Strasburg isconfident that any uncertainties in the present Texas market will work themselvesout in due time.• TERESE PEABODY AND BRUCE TURBOW, BOTH OF STANBERRY & ASSOCIATESreceives NAR’s Green Designation, the only green real estate professional des-ignation recognized by NAR.• CAROLYN ABBOTT OF REALTY EXECUTIVES EXCELLENCE IN CEDAR PARK WASrecently presented with the Chairman's award and Executive Club award byRealty Executives International. The Chairman's Award is presented to the topExecutive in each franchise and the Executive Club Award is presentedto the Executive Sales associates, also known as "Executives," at RealtyExecutives average approximately 13 years of real estate experience,nearly twice the national average. "We are proud to honor Carolynwith this award because it exemplifies a commitment to exceptionalcustomer service and outstanding sales performance," Rector said.• JOE STEWART OF JOHN HORTON REALTY WAS ELECTED BY THE BOARD of Directors to be the 2010 Secretary/Treasurer at February’s Mid-WinterMeeting for the Texas Association of REALTORS, Joe appreciates all thesupport from the membership.

Strasburg

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated.

Does Brand Really Matter?Ask this $6.5 Million Dollar Producer

To learn more, visit

Already an investor, Alex Stross became licensed and began selling real estate in 2006 with a

regionally franchised company. Seeking more control over his business, he moved to RE/MAX in

2007, where his production more than doubled, to approximately $6.5 Million last year.

“My old company micro-managed their agents, and wanted to dictate

what you could or couldn’t do. At RE/MAX my office is there to help

when I need it, and otherwise allows me to pursue my own goals.

The RE/MAX name recognition is practically universal, which is

a great business boost because consumers know that RE/MAX

agents are generally of a higher caliber.”

Make sure your company works as hard as you do.

www.remaxtexas.com/TopTen

,orr,estveady an inAlr

hiseancegionally frr

ode his prwher,077,20

y m“My old compan

ou could orwhat y

oss became lAlex Str,

Seeking m.yed compan

e than doduction mor

ed their ao-managmicr

At RE/Mt docouldn’

an selicensed and beg

er his vol oe contrmor

eximatoo apprtubled,

o ed tantand wents,ag

ey office is therMAX m

0e in 20eal estatelling r

oed tv he mobusiness,

eaely $6.5 Million last y

dictat

o het

06 with a

o RE/MAX in

.arr.

ou could or what y

and when I need it,

The RE/MAX name

eat business boa gr

allyenere gents arag

At RE/M.t docouldn

ws me otherwise allo

acticaecognition is prr

oost because consume

”.y of a higher caliberr.

e y office is therMAX m

own gy oo pursue mt

h is whicersal,ally univ

w that RE/MAXers kno

o het

als.

s

X

nrno learTTo

e,, n morre visit

p y

ewned and Operated.

Stewart

Kevin Ginsberg of United Lending, Julianna Brock of Powertraining and Kristin Carroll ofSente Mortgage are pleased about the increased traffic for lending. They were attending theAMBA luncheon.

Huge crowd of real estate professionals get ready to board buses to the MuellerDevelopment, where the ABoR Foundation hosted a property tour.


Becky Hopkins of Austin Title and Barb Cooper of Coldwell Banker United REAL-TORS keep up with happenings at the Women’s Council of REALTORS by attend-ing a recent luncheon.

Ringmaster AvisWukasch presentsSuzie Gole as a topcircus performer atthe Keller WilliamsRealty WilliamsonCounty MarketCenter awardsluncheon. Suzie wasthe #1 individualGCI, total units, totalclosed volume.

Mark Hairston of Mortgage IQ provides a more personal instruction at each of his MCE classes.Lominta Loving Loftis of Pacesetter Properties recently attended the “Insiders Guide to Credit Ratingand Restoration” class held at Cover 3. See page 17 for more classes available.

Andrew Smith, Joe Brown and Kenton Brown, all with Sente Mortgage, arrive forlunch at the Austin Mortgage Bankers Association meeting but think about veeringtoward the golf course on this beautiful Austin day.

Louise Peach of JBGoodwin REAL-TORS poses for anew headshot forher business cards,flyers and websitewhile attending aluncheon at a KBHome model atSpring Trails.

Realty Executives attend the regional meeting with Bill Powers, president and CEO of RealtyExecutives of Texas, at Marie Callender’s Restaurant.



Your catalyst to success in 2009!

Our sales executives are dedicated to you, the individual, as a liaison to our title services

Echelon750-4052

Denise Moody 6th & Lamar

422-5248

100 Congress

656-7093Georgetown

426-8020

Holly SchulerRound Rock

913-9089

100 Congress921-5073

Cedar Park423-9419

Audrey GavinDavenport 360

944-6871

Bob Roberts 100 Congress

775-5111

Lake Travis 826-6666

Buda/Kyle 658-6475

Dripping Springs

922-9532

Suzanne Jacobs Spicewood Springs

656-7094Echelon

853-0146South Mopac

997-8707

Kenneth OsbornSouth Mopac

577-6454

www.gracytitle.com/onlineorders.htm

Our online orders


Kaira Kelleher and Sarah Jacobs (bottom row) join Lori Hartman and Adam Haile(top row) on the stairs at the grand opening of the Buffington Signature Homesmodel in Teravista. All are with JB Goodwin REALTORS.

AMBA presidentEddie Rinehart ofTreaty OakMortgage discussesindustry news withAndy Barnes ofUniversal Mortgageat the AMBA month-ly luncheon atAustin CountryClub.

Jennifer Entnerand Jim Goldrick,both of TexasAmerican Title,make sure therewas plenty of break-fast edibles beforethe Cedar Parkproperty tour whichgathers at the com-pany’s office onD i s c o v e r yBoulevard in CedarPark.

View or Purchase the pics

you see in Realty Line at

www.realtylineonline.com

Is Proud to Announce new Members of theKeller Williams Family and the

new Keller Williams-Georgetown office.Joining an already Great Family of

Keller Williams agents in Georgetown.

Ronnie Bleeker Derwood Crocker Lena Lansdale Larry Black Pat Crowley

Russell Phillips Judi Shanklin Megan Turnipseed Rosemary Seaback Rhonda Carnley

Dana Wood Georgia Bagley Fred Disch Clare Easley

823 S. Austin Avenue, Georgetown, Tx 78626512-868-1771 or 512-930-SOLD (7653)

Avis Wukasch, Operating Principal 512-635-0628

housing is not available for inspection, sale or rental; attempt-ing to persuade owners to sell or rent because a certain protect-ed class, usually minorities, is “coming,” this practice is calledblockbusting; or deny anyone access to or membership in afacility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related tothe sale or rental of housing.

There are also guidelines that apply to mortgage lending if abuyer is trying to purchase a house. The Fair Housing Act makes itillegal to: refuse to make a mortgage loan; refuse to provide infor-mation regarding loans; impose different terms or conditions on aloan, such as different interest rates, points or fees; discriminate in appraising property; refuse topurchase a loan; or set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan.

What an agent can do?The following is a general list of what a landlord, owner or real estate agent can do when it comes

to renting, leasing or purchasing a home. These are all reasonable measures to ensure protection forthe owner, bank, landlord and you. You can require a credit check and proof the buyer has incometo afford the apartment/home; require documentation of the necessity for reserved parking or aservice or therapy animal; require the buyer to pay for modifications to a rented apartment/homeand require them to return the unit to its original state when they move out; require the names of allpeople who will be living in the unit and the ages of anyone named as a lessee; require that childrenand pets—including service animals—be properly supervised when outside the unit; require a rea-sonable security deposit, consistent with other tenants or local standards; require that all tenants—including children—respect the rights of other tenants and comply with all community regulations;rent to the best-qualified tenant; refuse to rent to a tenant who would pose a threat to other tenantsbecause of illegal drug abuse or severe mental illness; refuse to rent to tenants engaged in illegalactivity; exercise much more selectivity—even "discriminating" by the above definitions—whenrenting a unit in a two-, three-, or four-unit building a landlord or owner occupies.

2009 Statewide advertising and public relations campaign With so many misperceptions created by national news media about the real estate mar-

ket, we're taking matters into our own hands by telling the public what's really going onwith Texas real estate. The statewide campaign is based on the latest facts and figures fromright here in Texas, while stressing that Texas REALTORS® are the experts to contact forlocal real estate information.

The campaign includes radio ads airing statewide, billboards, and an online presence.You can extend the reach of this campaign in a number of ways. Campaign materials areavailable on the Texas Association of REALTORS® website, www.TexasRealtors.com.


By Barbara Wigginton • Realty Executives Excellence2009 President • Williamson County Association of REALTORS

Consider this scenario: You are a homebuyer and you see a house you like so you call theagent to make an appointment to show it to you. When you show up and he sees you, his atti-tude changes. The agent apologizes and tells you the unit is no longer available, and they don’thave any others. Perhaps you are blind or disabled and have a service dog. When you meet withthe landlord, she tells you she’s sorry, but the complex you’re interested in is pet-free.

Unfortunately, these are just two examples of housing discrimination that occur everyday in the United States. Did you know that there are federal, state, and local laws that pro-tect specific groups of people against housing discrimination?

Fair housing month is an important reminder to all of us that federal law prohibits dis-crimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status or disability isillegal. Local laws may add to, but not take away from the type of protected classes.

What is fair housing?Many people don’t realize just how extensive fair housing is and the area it covers. "Fair

housing" refers to those laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in any activityrelating to the sale or rental of housing, in the availability of financing or other related trans-actions, or in the provision of housing-related services. Established as Title VIII of the CivilRights Act of 1968, the Fair Housing Act ensures the accessibility of housing to peopleregardless of certain racial, cultural or physical factors. The Fair Housing Act covers mosthousing. In some circumstances, the act exempts owner-occupied buildings with no morethan four units, single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker, and hous-ing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members.

What’s prohibited?To those who fall into one of the seven protected categories, the act offers protection

against: Refusing to rent or sell housing; refusing to negotiate for housing; making housingunavailable; denying a dwelling; setting different terms, conditions or privileges for sale orrental of a dwelling; providing different housing services or facilities; falsely asserting that

April is NationalFair Housing Month

WCAoR PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Would $8000 cash motivate you? The Mortgage Industry is strife with changes. We are experiencing stringent income and employment guidelines, and ever-changing credit score requirements, all of which are proving to be challenges in our current market. In addition, some lenders are experiencing liquidity issues, making it nearly impossible to close the deals they bring in. However, through these challenges there is significant optimism.

The opportunities to come out of this market include: The $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit, Great home bargains from distressed sales, and historically low interest rates. Not to mention, you live in Austin, Texas! Need there be more? Let’s break it down.

$8,000 Tax Credit: Most first time home buyers will qualify for the $8,000 tax credit through December 1st. Many people hear the words “tax credit” and their eyes kind of glaze over... but it is cash money! It’s an $8,000 incentiveto buy a house. We may never see this again.

Try us, we’ll get them closed!

8303 Mopac, Suite A-201 - Austin, Texas 78759512.592.5400 - unitedlendingusa.com

Michael Newman of Realty Executives talks with Bill Powers, president andCEO of Realty Executives of Texas, about the great opportunities happening inTexas. They were at the regional meeting at Marie Callender’s Restaurant.

Past ABoRChairman SocarChatmon-Thomasof Elegant Estatesby Austin takesnotes at the candi-date forum at theAustin Board ofREALTORS.

CC Cooper, center, of Presidential Mortgage presents a mortgage and credit update to REALTORSwho attended the Ash Creek Homes luncheon. Sherri Felding of Felding Design, Denny Holt of HoltRealty, Jack Goodman of Keller Williams Realty and Diane Schouten of Ash Creek Homes.


The Perfect Fit for Your Clients’ Home Purchase Needs

In this busy refi nance market, rely on Harper Ray’s Ultimate

Lending Group to consistently prioritize your clients’ purchase

transactions and deliver on-time closings. Call Harper today

for more information on her services.

Harper Ray Senior Loan Offi cerDirect: 512.314.7333Fax: 512.233.0715 [email protected]

www.HarperRay.com


Sell More HomesEarn A Key To Win!

April 2 - June 30, 2009

REP.TAYLORMORRISON.COM

$2,000 $3,000$1,000

First Tier:$1,000 Bonus

Sell ONE home and take the first

step toward Taylor Morrison’s

TOP TIER Status.

Great Job!

Second Tier:$2,000 Bonus

Sell TWO homes and you are

well on your way to making it to

Taylor Morrison’s TOP TIER Status.

You’re Almost There!

Top Tier:$3,000 Bonus

Sell THREE homes by June 30, 2009

and you will qualify for TOP TIER Status,

entitling you to a $3,000 bonus

for every home you sell

for the remainder of 2009.

Unlock Thousands In Cash!

Keys to the Kingdom offers you bonus dollars and more.

The top Real Estate Agent in each division will win an all

expense paid vacation to a Florida resort and have the

chance to be one of the ten people in the running to win

huge cash prizes, including the $25,000 Grand Prize!

Your Tier Status is Saved!

Start off Taylor Morrison’s Keys to the Kingdom program

at the same tier status you ended Pyramid Payday! Your

sales dollars will start back at zero, but you’ll be that much

closer to Top Tier Status and a $3,000 bonus on every

home you sell through the remainder of 2009.

Rep.TaylorMorrison.com

Register Today at

REP.TAYLORMORRISON.COM

*Certain restrictions apply. Visit REP.TAYLORMORRISON.COM for official rules. Prices, plans programs and availability subject to change without notice. ©2009 TM Homes of Texas, Inc. All rights reserved.

The top Real

Keys to the K

Unlock T

Estate Agent in each

fers you bKingdom of

Thousands In

h division will win an

and moonus dollars

n Cash!

all

e. or

our TieYYo

huge cash pri

chance to be

expense paid

The top Real

er Status is S

izes, including the $2

one of the ten peopl

vacation to a Florida

Estate Agent in each

Saved!

25,000 Grand Prize!

le in the running to w

esort and have thea r

h division will win an

win

e

all

odRegister TTo

ay at

home you sel

op closer to TTo

sales dollars w

at the same ti

aylof TTaStart of

emaindough the rl thr

Tier Status and a $3

owill start back at zer

ier status you ended

s Keys toor Morrison’

der of 2009.

3,000 bonus on every

o, but you’ll be that m

oPyramid Payday! YYo

ograpro the Kingdom

A

E

Se

y

much

our

am

April 2 - June 30

on A Key TToEar

e Hell Morre

0, 2009

o Win!

Homes

First

ier:TTi

Second

ier:d TTi

op TTTo

ier:TTi

A.TTAREPP.Great

REP TIOT

ad TTastep towar

Sell ONE home a

$1,000

SYLAAYt Job!

ORMORRIS Status.R

saylor Morrison’

and take the first

0 Bonus

OMSou’re Alm

Cy

YYo

Ts aylor Morrison’OM

TSON.C

Ta

well on your way

Sell TWO home

$2,000

ost There!

Status.REP TIOT

y to making it to

ees and you ar

Bonus

emaindfor the rre

for every hom

entitling you to a

and you will qualify fo

EE homes bRSell TH

$3,000 B

der of 2009.

me you sell

$3,000 bonus

Status,REI TPr TO

by June 30, 2009

Bonus

OYLAAY.TTAREPP.

hasubject to cain rest*Cert

ORMORRISON

TM Hom09ange without notice. ©20YLORMORAAYTTAVisit REPP..rictions apply

OM.C

ed.vAll rights reserxas, Inc.eTTees of rices, ules. Pficial ror ofRISON.COM f

yailabilitvplans programs and a

Erin Cook ofN e w l a n dCommunities wel-comes more than100 REALTORS tothe grand openingof two model homesat Falcon PointeResidence Club.

Neal Barnes ofRealty World, NealBarnes &Associates andSheila Hawkins-Bucklew ofHawkins-BucklewI n t e r n a t i o n a lREALTORS wait inthe line with over350 attendees forthe bus to take themto the hanger at theM u e l l e rDevelopment prop-erty tour hosted bythe ABoRFoundation.





The Tale of Cindy TREPACBy Socar Chatmon-Thomas, Elegant Estates

by Auction, A PLR Company2008 Chairman - Austin Board of REALTORS

Once upon a time in a kingdom called Austin,there lived a beautiful, spunky Princess namedCindy TREPAC. She lived happily in the kingdomof Austin for many years.

One day the evil King Will decided to man-date that all of the subjects in the kingdom hadto upgrade their homes prior to selling them!King Will’s court jesters read the decry…”Hear ye…hear ye…hear ye…byorder of King Will…all subjects in the Kingdom of Austin must perform energyefficiency upgrades prior to selling their homes, that is all!”

Cindy TREPAC and the townspeople were appalled! They could notbelieve that the evil King could actually do this! What will they do? Poor CindyTREPAC was so distraught because she knew that all of her friends had notgiven to TREPAC and she had no idea how she’d be able to defeat the evilKing. That night, she went to sleep and in her dream, the TREPAC Fairy GoodMother appeared and instructed her to contact her state and national IssuesMobilization funds for help!

Soooooo, the next morning Cindy TREPAC remembered her dream. Shewas kinda afraid to follow through because she had never spoken to theNational leaders before, but she knew the townspeople were depending onher. Later that day, she donned her best princess dress and went to talk to thenational leaders in the Issues Mobilizations Group. Cindy spoke passionatelyfor a few minutes and after hearing her plea, the leaders decided to give her$75,000 to help her fight the evil King.

Cindy returned home and with the help of the state leaders Cindy TREPAClaunched a media campaign including Web sites likewww.keepaustinaffordable.com, radio, TV and print ads too! The campaignwas successful that Cindy TREPAC defeated King Will and his energyupgrades. He did not WIN! The Kingdom of Austin was saved, the townspeo-ple were excited and they lived happily ever after…for now!

— The End —The moral of this story is this: If Cindy’s friends don’t continue to invest in

TREPAC, she will not have enough funds to protect the townspeople in theKingdom of Austin! Please, I hope you decide to invest in TREPAC today…it’sthe best protection money can buy!

New NAR Green Designees are encouraged to work withNAHB CGP builders when possible. Since its introduction fourmonths ago, more than 500 Realtors® have achieved the GreenDesignation. There are now more than 2,500 CGPs nationwide.Since the start of 2008, the HBA of Greater Austin alone hasdesignated more than 40 of our own members with the newNAHB CGP designation.

With this new NAR Green Designation, the NAHB commu-nity now has a team member that truly adds value to a greenhome project. It is believed that NAR Green Designees havethe necessary resources and green industry relationships - coupled with a strong under-standing of the green and non-green consumer - to effectively market green projects.

NAR said in a recent press release that the increasing rate of green-based codes andbuilding regulations, coupled with strong consumer interest in green buildings and homes,will certainly translate to a future where sustainable design considerations play a role inmost real estate transactions.

By Wes Peoples • WP Investments2008-2009 President • Home Builders Association of Greater Austin

Seeking to attract home buyers interested in the potential cost savings and health bene-fits of green homes, brokers were among the first in the housing industry to embrace theNational Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Certified Green Professional (CGP) edu-cational designation.

The Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin has long supported greenbuilding, starting with our involvement in Austin Energy’s Energy Star program that waspioneered in the mid 1980’s (now known as Austin Energy Green Building). HBA PastPresident and longtime member Ray Tonjes, Ray Tonjes Builder, Inc. was one of the firstEnergy Star builders in the region. The HBA recently teamed up with Austin Energy oncemore in a partnership to offer extensive green building education to industry professionalsin a 12-week program called “Green Boots on the Ground.” With more than 60 hours of con-tinuing education on all things green building, this program is designed to inform buildersand trade contractors on what “green” is, how it is implemented in the field and much,much more. Class participants receive a green builder certificate at the close of the programoffered jointly by the HBA of Greater Austin and Austin Energy Green Building. We inviteeach and every REALTOR® and other industry professionals to participate in this program.There is still time to glean a lot of knowledge from this ongoing series. For more informa-tion and to register, visit www.AustinHomeBuilders.com (navigate to the HBA calendar inthe members section—log-in not required).

While educating home builders on green building is important, it’s also important thatthose whom we rely on to sell our newly built green homes (i.e. Realtors®) are alsoinformed on the various facets of green building and design. Under the new Realtors® pro-gram, designees are trained to become "a positive force for creating sustainable and ener-gy-efficient communities," according to the NAR Green REsource Council, which adminis-ters the designation.

I whole heartedly agree with NAHB’s Green Building Subcommittee Chairman EricBorsting when he said promoting green practices among Realtors® brings our industry onestep closer to transforming the market for green and increasing consumer awareness.

NAR sees enthusiastic response toits new “Green Designation” program

HBA PRESIDENT’S COLUMN


Course Date Time Location

Mortgages 2009...Back to the Future

Course #03-00-090-7486

TUES4/21

1-4 pm

Lunch atNoon

Austin Title 3603600 N. Capital of Texas

Hwy., #110

ComeEarly for

FREElunch

0 Down...Around “A” Town“VA/USDA Loans”

Course #03-00-090-7417

TUES4/23

12-3 pm

Lunch at11 am

Gracy Title - Buda155 Cimarron Park

Loop, #C

ComeEarly for

FREElunch

Insiders Guide toCredit Scoring/Resoration

Course #03-00-011-7715

THURS4/30

2-5 pm Cover 32700 W Anderson Lane

#202www.cover-3.com

Stayafter forHAPPYHOUR!

FHA is the Way

Course #03-00-070-7190

THURS5/7

9 am-12 pm

Lunch atNoon


Hwy., #110

Stayafter for

FREElunch

Mortgages 2009...Back to the Future

Course #03-00-090-7486

TUES5/12

12-3 pm

Lunch at11 am


Hwy., #110

ComeEarly for

FREElunch

RSVP [email protected] EARLY - LIMITED SEATING

InstructorMark Hairston

Certified Mortgage PlannerProvider #0606Direct 789-6967

[email protected]

Earn 3 MCE credits at one ofour upcoming valuable seminars.

$25 per 3-hour Seminar

“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

Colette Fitzgerald ofKB Home tellsSharon Easter of LeeEaster Inc. and GaryHoffarth of AustinAdvantage RealEstate about the 3%REALTOR commis-sion on all Built-to-Order homes whilethey await their turnto have their businessphoto taken at anopen house held atSpring Trails.

Larry Schuller of Meritage Homes and Alisha Austin of Century 21 RipleyRealty wear their funny hats so they can get a door prize at the “Hats Off” REAL-TOR progressive luncheon at Parkside at Mayfield Ranch.

Colette Fitzgeraldof KB Home intro-duces herself toRobert Wright, left,of R.L. WrightREALTORS andWarren Marshall ofJohn Horton Realtyat the monthlyWomen’s Council ofR E A LT O R S n e t -working luncheon.KB Home was aluncheon sponsor.

Co-owner Fazil Malik helps cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Flying J in Jarrell, with helpfrom County Judge Dan Gattis, Mayor Troy Clawson and co-owner Frank Malik.



A New Era In Mortgage Banking

www.landmtg.com

Partner with the Right Lender

About Land Mortgage

8300 N. MOPAC • Suite 225 • Austin, TX • 78759 • 512.335.5300 • Mortgage Banker No. 43954

Since 2003 Land Mortgage has grown the right way - great people, sound principles. We

execute the fundamentals and exceed expectations for our clients everyday. By simply

doing what we do best - close & fund loans - our experienced team of professionals ensure

your business stays on track. Together we will take your business to the next level. To learn

more call today.

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.

LA

ND

M O R T G A

GE

4 3 9 5 4

Ranked # 4 by ABJ

2008 Residential

Mortgage CompaniesTo Thrive in a Changing Market

g

g

Gail McClanahan, Tony Ewing and Sonja Benyoussef, all of JB GoodwinREALTORS, arrive at the historical hanger still left at the old airport at MuellerDevelopment. The ABoR Foundation hosted a property tour there.

Highland Lakes RealEstate shows theirexcitement afterwinning first place atthe Lago Vista Chilicookoff. SandiTitus, Rose Land,Ashley Sisemore,Gena Hammonds,Gene Hammonds,Lisa Sizemore,Karen Schodde,Clara Hammondsand JerryMatthews.

Rudi Rosengartenof PacesetterHomes takes amoment at theWomen’s Council ofREALTORS to tellLaura Nye ofStanberry &Associates aboutone of the compa-ny’s new modelhomes.






After 24 years as a mortgage professional here in Austin, one area that repeatedly comesup with both the real estate community and consumer is the subject of credit scoring andhow it affects loan underwriting. With all of the drastic changes over the past two years inloan products, the issue of credit is more important now than ever.

Simply put, a credit score is a three-digit number based on a borrower's bill-paying his-tory, debt profile and statistical information about other borrowers that lenders use to deter-mine the likelihood of certain credit behaviors, including whether you will pay on time.

The score that mortgage lenders use in loan underwriting is called a FICO score. This isthe model developed by Fair Isaac & Co. Credit (FICO) back in the late 1950’s. Since then,scoring has become widely accepted by lenders as a reliable means of credit evaluation. Acredit score attempts to condense a borrower’s credit history into a single number. Creditscores are calculated by using scoring models and mathematical tables that assign points fordifferent pieces of information which best predict future credit performance.

There are three FICO scores computed by data provided by each of the three bureaus.The three major credit bureaus in the United States are:

• Equifax: 800-685-1111, Web site: www.equifax.com • Experian: 888-397-3742, Web site www.experian.com • Trans Union: 800-916-8800, Web site: www.transunion.com Your Credit score is based on the final number of individual ratings in five categories: • 35% of your score is derived from payment history• 30% of your score is derived from outstanding balances on accounts• 15% of your score is derived form length of credit history• 10% of your score is derived from types of credit you carry• 10% of your score is derived for frequency of credit inquiriesSo, how can I increase my score? While it is difficult to increase your score over the short

run, here are some tips to increase your score over a period of time.• Pay your bills on time. Late payments and collections can have a serious impact on

your overall score. • Do not apply for credit frequently. Having a large number of inquiries on your credit

report can have a negative impact on your score. • Reduce your credit-card balances to 30% of the credit limit. If you are "maxed" out on

your credit cards, this will affect your credit score negatively. • If you have limited credit, obtain additional credit. Not having sufficient credit can also

negatively impact your score.

By Mark Hairston • Mortgage IQ

What’s your Score?

MORTAGE COMMENTARY

Joetta Houghton of Keller Williams Realty rides with Kelli Roch, Alex Marek andSandy Rios, all of Gaston and Sheehan Realty, to the model homes that wereunveiled during the grand opening at Falcon Pointe hosted by Newland Communities.

April Downey, right, introduces Jill Menchaca to friends and colleagues at theAustin Mortgage Bankers Association luncheon. It was Jill’s first visit to thegroup. Both are with Independence Title.

Bill Evans of AustinReal Pros was theinstructor for theReal EstateReality— PropertyManagement andLeasing MCE classheld at ABoRrecently.

Tommi Young Larrison of Coldwell Banker United REALTORS takes her friend and always prospec-tive client Nina Moore out to tour the new builders at Mayfield Ranch.


designed to assist peopleimprove their creditworthi-ness and to help prepareindividuals and families forthe homeowner experience.

“We are committed to100% customer satisfaction.This is a commitment we takevery seriously,” Haywoodsays. “We believe in constantcommunication and a ‘nosurprises’ approach to loanprocessing.”

Because of the company’sgrowing reputation for quali-ty, it enjoys an impressivenumber of repeat customersand referrals from real estateprofessionals.

“We’re excited to offer ourservices to an increasingnumber of clients and cus-tomers,” Haywood says. “Tohelp us continually improveour service to our customers, we ask their opinion at the end of the transaction.We ask them to rate us on courtesy, knowledge, reliability, responsiveness andquality of communication.

“We take these scores very seriously in our effort to provide superior customerservice to every client. We are pleased to report that 97 percent of our customerssurveyed say they would refer us to a friend or family member.”

In addition to helping customers, DHI Mortgage assists the real estate commu-nity by offering a two-hour class, “Mortgage Industry Updates and How TheyApply to Real Estate,” which is worth two elective MCE credits. The company alsois active in industry professional organizations and is involved in discussion anddebate about industry standards and best practices.

“We don’t just want to earn your business, we also want to earn your confi-dence,” Haywood says. “We want to create such a high level of trust in our serv-ice that you couldn’t even imagine doing business anywhere else.”

Today, more than ever, is it imperative for REALTORS to help their buyerschoose a stable lender when purchasing a home. DHI Mortgage is a wise choice,as it is part of the DR Horton family.

“Our customers enjoy the confidence of working with a professional, customerfocused team that enjoys the stability of being part of a Fortune 500 Company,”says Pat Haywood, Branch Sales Manager. “We plan to be in business for a verylong time. We plan to be here when other lenders have long gone away.”

Started as a family business in 1978, DR Horton expanded its operations in 1996to include mortgage and title services. Prior to becoming a part of the DR Hortonfamily, DHI Mortgage was well known in the Austin community as Miltex andthen CH Mortgage. DR Horton has operations in 77 markets and 27 states acrossthe United States. DHI Mortgage provides conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, downpayment assistance programs, and first and second lien financing.

“We are a full service lender, which means we have the ability to operate as amortgage company or a broker,” Haywood says. “Our vast experience allows us tooriginate purchases of new construction, resale properties, foreclosures and refi-nances.”

In Austin, DHI Mortgage consists of five experienced loan officers who are sup-ported by three managers, seven processors and one loan officer assistant.

“Many of the professionals that work for DHI have built their careers with thiscompany,” Haywood says. “We are committed to performing our jobs with thehighest level of integrity and honesty. This can only be achieved in a work envi-ronment that attracts, retains and develops honest, independent thinking andhighly motivated teammates into an accountable, decision-making team.”

The company also aims to create customers for life through consistently provid-ing an unexpected level of care and service to the client. One service DHIMortgage offers is The Homebuyer ’s Club, a complimentary in-house service

Pat HaywoodBranch Sales Manager

By Linda McNabbCONTRIBUTING WRITER

ASSOCIATES IN PROGRESS

DHI Mortgage


REALTOR David Buttross and Carol Keeton Strayhorn face off at the candidateforum at the Austin Board of REALTORS. Both are running for mayor of Austin.

Gena Hammondsof Highland LakesReal Estate shakesher maraca at theLago Vista ChiliCookoff, where thecompany took firstplace.

Yvette Evans, right,presents LeighHilliard with theEagle award at theKeller WilliamsRealty WilliamsonCounty MarketCenter awardsluncheon.






Homes from the $250’s to $3+ millionWelcome Center: 512-266-5833 or 800-783-4640

For more information, visit www.steinerranch.com

Mother and son team Theresa Seibold and Tim Seibold of SieboldProperties check out the model home at Parkside at Mayfield Ranch, whereMeritage Homes hosted the “Hats Off” REALTOR progressive luncheon.

Jim Gillespie, pres-ident and CEO ofColdwell BankerReal Estate, AlexPerriello, president,Realogy FranchiseGroup and RichardSmith, presidentand CEO ofColdwell BankerUnited REALTORSsign a 10-year fran-chise renewal.

More than 350 real estate professionals have lunch under the old airport hanger at the MuellerDevelopment, where the ABoR Foundation hosted a property tour.


granite countertops, and oak, maple,and cherry cabinets, ceramic tile andhardwood floors, and much more. Someof the included architectural featuresare ceramic tile in the entry, upgradedcarpet includ-ed as stan-dard, laundryrooms locat-ed on the

same level as the master suite, coveredterraces, high ceilings and roundedsheetrock corners.

“Some feature Juliet balconies whichare fantastic in the spring and fall inTexas,” Meinhardt says. “The option of adual zone cooling system keeps all livingareas comfortable.”

Established by Garrett Martin andJohn Swanson, friends and colleagueswho have more than 30 years of com-bined home building and development

experience, Cornerstone Communitiesoperates on simple principles—qualitycraftsmanship, exceptional customer

service andthe notionthat everyoneshould be ableto achieve theA m e r i c a n

dream of home ownership. “The founders and employees are

committed to providing quality commu-nities in incredible locations with timelessarchitecture, passionate customer serviceand uncompromising values,” Meinhardtsays. “Through innovated developmentstrategies, efficiency in construction andemployee dedication and experience,Cornerstone Communities will continueto make the American dream of homeownership a pleasant and rewardingexperience for customers.”

By Linda McNabbCONTRIBUTING WRITER

ASSOCIATES IN PROGRESS

Own your home and your weekends. That’s what REALTORS can tell clients they willget to do when they purchase a condominium at Pecan Park Place, an exclusive gateddevelopment by Cornerstone Communities in Northwest Austin.

“After a long week at the office, the last thing people want to come home to is a yardto mow and a list of chores,” says Morgan Meinhardt, project coordinator. “CornerstoneCommunities takes care of that for you in our low-maintenance homes.”

The low monthly homeowner association fee covers all landscaping, hazard insurance,trash pickup and exterior maintenance. Unlike many condos, these are detached units soowners enjoy all the benefits of single-family home without the upkeep. Plus, everyonehas access to the private community pool.

“It’s like owning a pool and not having to maintain it,” Meinhardt says. “There is alsoa hot tub and a pool house with changing rooms and a natural gas grill for entertaining.Also in their new spare time, owners can enjoy a private walking trail throughout the com-munity that is inside the gated area.”

Just off Highway 183 near Lakeline Mall, Pecan Park Place also has superb access toHighway 45 and Interstate 35, making great shopping and entertainment areas like TheDomain and The Arboretum just a jaunt away.

“The location is amazing,” Meinhardt says. “Movie theaters and fitness centers arejust around the corner. Dell is just 10 minutes away. You can get anywhere quick andit is in the award winning Round Rock school district.”

When finished, the community will be home to 145 single- family homes with pricesstarting in the $190s. Buyers can choose from six different plans designed by award win-ning local architect Kipp Flores. They range from 1,596 to 1,787 square feet, all with threeunique elevations, for a total of 18 different looks, which will give the neighborhood archi-tectural variety. All feature two and three bedrooms with a loft area and two car garages.

Designer selections available to new buyers include tank-less water heaters,

Pecan Park Place


Candy Buzan797-5580

Max Leaman293-1239

Kim Nielsen825-2347

Melissa Driskell964-1864

Terrie Doggett415-0212

Rhonda Neeley560-3429

Mary Kennedy750-7834

Brian Patschke565-5852

Trudy Savage965-5017

Mark Hoffman785-3279

Shannon Smith560-4590

Tretha Harris601-613-9269

NOT PICTURED: Michael Ray, 784-8488 • Terry Weber, 554-4013

Elizabeth James of the Texas Association of REALTORS, Sandy Bednar of DistinctAustin Properties and Earl Hairston, ABoR’s governmental affairs director, find outwhat the potential viewpoints the mayoral candidates have on Austin housing at thecandidate forum at ABoR.

Laura Boggess ofJB Goodwin REAL-TORS gets a quickreview of availableinventory fromJ o s h u aWashabaugh of KBHome before aluncheon at SpringTrails. Attendeesalso got to have aphoto session forbusiness cards.

Kindra Zepeda ofIndependence Title,Tiffany Peters ofMoreland Propertiesand Sarah FreehillRooney ofIndependence Titleget ready to jumpaboard the bus onits way to MuellerDevelopment wherethe ABoRFoundation hosteda property tour.






DON’T IGNORE THE SIGNS!DON’T IGNORE THE SIGNS!

For directions, hours and information, visit us online at

MeritageHomes.comor call (512) 627-9619

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. 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 Prestige Lending Services, Ltd. $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. Square footage references are approximate only. Photographs are representative of a Meritage Homes design, but not necessarily offered at the advertised communities.

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 home.

Plus generous realtor incentives on selected homes make it a win-win situation. Don’t miss out! Bring your clients to one of

our 33 Austin area neighborhoods today before many of these special savings opportunities are in your rear view mirror.

HUTTO

MANOR

PFLUGERVILLE

DOWNTOWNDOWNTOWNDOWNTOWN

KYLE

BUDA

OAKHILL

BEE CAVE

LAKEWAY

CEDARCEDARPARKPARKCEDARPARK

ROUNDROCK

Monterey Homes

Meritage Homes

Legacy HomesMAP NOTTO SCALE

N


Chris Dodd and Charlene Mosso, both of Buffington Signature Homes, congratu-late Dan Kurka of New Home Solutions Realty for winning a 42-inch LCD televisionat the grand opening of the company’s model in Teravista.

Nalle CustomHomes interior fea-tures make quite astatement. To findout more aboutNalle CustomHomes, see page18.

Anita Farrell ofKeller WilliamsRealty and SoniaGuardado of JBGoodwin REAL-TORS meet andgreet members asthey arrive at theWomen’s Council ofREALTORS meetingat the ABoR audito-rium.

SAVINGS?What would you do with the

Some companies are addingthe words “bailout” and “stimulus”

to its advertisements in order todraw attention, while at the

same time offering the sameproduct at its original price.

At REALTY WORLD̶Neal Barnes & Associates we have actually cut all of ourcommission structures by 50%. Our 100% commission plan in now $3000/yearand is one of the favorites. However, you may like our 80/20 split up to $4500and then the reminder of your contracts for the year at 100% commission. Wehave cut our plans because at REALTY WORLD, our goal is your success.

REALTY WORLD is one of the top recognized national franchises. Its commis-sion structures are hard to beat. With national advertising, lead generation and marketing systems, free yard signs and business cards, annual bonuses up to$10,000, and a life time income recruiting program, you owe it to yourself totake a good look at REALTY WORLD.

For more details̶ Call for yourappointment today.

[512] 773-77447800 Shoal Creek Blvd, #100N

Austin, TX 78757

“The Right Agent Makes All The Difference In The World”


Allison Dady and Jennifer Korba, both of JB Goodwin REALTORS, head back tothe tour busses for the remainder of the Mueller Development tour.

Spring Brings

512-241-7122

GREAT NEW LOW INTEREST RATES!3.99% for Market Homes and4.25% for To-Be-Built Homes

Spring Brings Lower Interest Rates... at Drees Custom Homes! Our realtor and buyer stimulus plan was created for the Austin market to help your

buyer understand that now is the time to buy a new home. Along with great interest rates, Drees Custom Homes is also offering great new home

pricing on available move in now market homes as well as beautiful custom to-be-builts in Austin’s most sought after communities.

Call or come buy any model home and ask our Market Home Managers for details.

30 Year Fixed*

INTEREST RATE

Offers effective for a limited time and available on firm, non-contingent purchase agreements on select market homes only. Offered through First Equity Mortgage, Equal Housing Lender. 3.99% 30-year fixed conventional financing (4.456% APR based upon a 90% LTV). Maximum loan amount $417,000 with a 10% down payment. Requires 1.0% origination fee paid by borrower. Financing terms based upon select homes in Austin and Dallas, TX. Terms in other cities may vary. Contracts must be written between April 6, 2009 and May 31, 2009 and must close within 60 days of loan application. Subject to minimum credit score of 720 and underwriting approval. Prices, programs and rates are subject to change or withdrawal without notice. Other restrictions may apply.

FIRST EQUITYMORTGAGEO F O H I O

Sp

S

BB

G

NEWNEWTT EAGREAAT3.99% for

RETERESNNL IW LOMarket Homer Market Home

TES!TES!AAATRRTST es andes and

wSpring Brings Lo

er understandbuyye

ailabvvapricing on a

Call or come buy

wer Interest Rates... at Drees

w is the time to buyd that no

w market home in novveble mo

y model home and ask oy an

s Custom Homes! Our realt

Along with gy a new home.

mes as well as beautiful cus

our Market Home Managers

4.25% for

er stimulus plan tor and buyye

ates, Drees Cugreat interest rra

s ustin’’sAstom to-be-builts in

s for details.

o-Be-Built HTTor

ustin mAas created for the wwa

ustom Homes is also offering

most sought after communi

Homes

our market to help yyo

g great new home

ities.

Call or come buy

e for a limited tivOffers effectiirst Equ. Offered through Fonly

APR based upon a 90(4.456%wy borroorigination fee paid b

acts mus. Contraryy vcities maloan application. Subject to m

wahange or withdrsubject to c

512

y model home and ask oy an

hcailable on firm, non-contingent purvme and a. 3.99% 30uity Mortgage, Equal Housing Lender

TV). Maximum loan amount $417,000 with0% Linancing terms based upon select homes in. Fwer

y 31,April 6, 2009 and Mast be written betweenminimum credit score of 720 and underwriting ap

.y applyal without notice. Other restrictions maw

2-241-7122

our Market Home Managers

hase agreements on select market homes entional financingvear fixed con-yyment. Requires 1.0% wn pah a 10% do

erms in otherTTeTX.ustin and Dallas, An ys of , 2009 and must close within 60 da

ates areams and ral. Prices, progrvppro MO

F

s for details.

EOIHOF

GAGTROMYTIUQETSRIF

Doug Scott ofP r e s i d e n t i a lMortgage, BobAlmand of IBCEquity and MikeCarroll of GMACcheck members inat the AustinMortgage BankersAssociation lunch-eon at the AustinCountry Club.

Bobbie Adorno andMary Smith, both ofKeller WilliamsRealty, find a greatspot to take a breakin the new modelhome at the “HatsOff” REALTOR pro-gressive luncheonhosted by MeritageHomes at Parksideat Mayfield Ranch.


The BACK PAGE

ABoR Chairman of the Board Jay Gohil and ABoR Foundation chair Carol Medley Parkergreet guest speaker Mayor Will Wynn at the Mueller Development tour.

Team Leader Avis Wukasch (back right, wearing top hat) rounds out her circus act at theKeller Williams Realty Williamson County office awards luncheon.

Edgar Gonzalez of Dominion United Realty and Will Davis of Will Davis Realty get anoverview of Falcon Pointe and what is to come at the model home grand opening.

Shannon Fitzpatrick and Patricia Fitzpatrick, both of Amelia Bullock REALTORS, maketheir way to Patricia’s listing at 141 Plum Creek in Anderson Mill West, which was on theweekly property tour.

The mayoral candidate forum at the Austin Board of REALTORS draws a who’s who in theindustry to hear points of view on Austin real estate.

Mary Mealy, Bill Powers, Marie Dang-Schwartz and Michael Neuman take a momentto catch up at the regional meeting of Realty Executives at Marie Callender’s Restaurant.

realtyline_april_09

Documents

tothe tax credit

federal tax credit

available tax credit

sure thetax credit

toa maximum credit

thenew tax creditbecause

personal income tax

people dont