Robin's Nest

7521 Windrush Dr. Austin 78729. Milwood is my neighborhood and my previous blog entry was about how great a place it is to live. This house is on my street and backs to the greenbelt/hike&bike that runs from the park all the way to the end of the neighborhood. It's a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage. The builder, Milburn, designed it to have a living/dining combination with a kitchen, breakfast, familyroom but the owner has utilized the entire living/dining for the livingroom and the familyroom for the diningroom. There is tile throughout the downstairs and it's been freshly painted. Lots of windows opern to the backyard which has a great deck and view of the greenbelt. All of the bathrooms have been updated. I think the neighbors are great! About 1900 sq.ft. Asking only $200,000! Pictures to come. If you're interested call me for more information or to see it. Robin 512.589.7988 or visit my Web site http://www.robinscottrealtor.com. Photos to come.

I live in Milwood just north of McNeil between 183 and Parmer Ln. The neighborhood was built in the late 80's through the '90's so although it was once considered far out it's now relatively close in. There is an incredible park system that includes a beautiful park area with huge Oak trees, picnic areas, community pool, playground, tennis, soccer fields, basketball courts plus a hike and bike. Currently a clubhouse is being built. The elementary school, Pond Springs, is highly rated. It's easily accessible to 183 and from Parmer to 620 or MoPac, halfway between Lakeline Mall and the Arboretum/Gateway Shopping areas with many great restaurants in close proximity and only 30 minutes to downtown plus close to major employers like Freescale, Apple, Dell, IBM and more. I challenge anyone to find a neighborhood this close to downtown with these kinds of amenities for a similar price per sq.ft. The average 2000 sq.ft. home would sell in the low $200's but to search for something in particular visit http://www.robinscottrealtor.com and select "search for Properties" to see homes in the Milwood subdivision zip code 78729.

I want to be your REALTOR®. Robin Scott, Broker. Certified Residential Specialist, Seller's Representative Specialist.

On Tuesdays tourfactory, the photography company I use for my listings sends me and my sellers a report on the number of hits their online advertising has received. It's a great measuring tool that helps me keep informed of market conditions of a property and keeps the seller up to date on what's going on too. The report pulls the numbers from MLS, my site, company site, realtor.com, trula, zillow, google, austinhomesearch.com and 12 misc. sites to which I post. It shows how many hits a day, a week and which photos are being viewed.

When you use my services, I use a professional photography company to photograph your house, I post your ad where the buyers are looking - online and you get a weekly activity report emailed to you.

I want to be your REALTOR®. Robin Scott, Broker. Certified Residential Specialist, Seller's Representative Specialist.

Did you know that the Austin City Council is considering an ordinance that would require  you to install energy efficient upgrades to your home before you can sell your property? This mandate would require homeowners to obtain a “Certificate of Compliance” from the City of Austin before homeowners can sell their homes.

The City’s proposal includes a “point of sale” requirement that could potentially cost homeowners thousands of dollars. REALTORS ® support energy efficiency, but we oppose this ordinance because it limits homeownership opportunities for Austin’s citizens. Instead, we encourage responsible environmental protection through educational programs and incentives, such as rebates, that assist and encourage voluntary conservation in our great city.    

The city’s Energy Efficiency Retrofit Task Force is currently determining specific  guidelines for the proposed ordinance through Resolution No. 20071213-064. The  resolution clearly states that mandates will be enacted at the property “point of sale,” meaning upgrades would be required before homes can be sold. The Austin City  Council will vote on whether or not to enact the task force recommendations this summer.    

Here’s what you can do. Spread this message to others. Visit <A HREF="http://www.KeepAustinAffordable.org">Keep Austin Affordable</A> and share this information with neighbors, friends, family, and anyone else who will listen!        

At least twice a week I visit my mother who lives in assisted living. She has Alzethimers but still remembers what she deems important like when I'm coming and how to get around the grocery store. She likes to go out but usually can't remember having been somewhere before although she often fakes it by saying "I remember being here before." And sometimes she's right. Usually we just go to the grocery store to pick up coffee, orange juice and snack foods and twice a month she wants to get her nails done.She has had beautiful nails all her life and takes great pride in them. Sometimes we sit outside at Central Market which is a great place to watch people. Once I took her to the symphony but she doesn't remember. Last weekend we went to Houston for the day to visit her sister-in-laws but she doesn't remember that either.

For Mother's Day we are going out for lunch like almost everyone else. She likes Chinese food best. And for dinner, my daughter is taking me out.

I hope you have a great Mother's Day!

Yes! We never take a vacation but we couldn't pass this up. A researcher in France has organized a tribute to my husbands' Uncle who died in WWII defending France so we are taking the opportunity to visit Paris and have fun as well as attend the 3 days of ceremonies.

My husbands father and 3 brothers were all in the service during WWII and since two of them were killed, the history and personal events had always been a primary topic of conversation in his home so this is an especially important moment for the family.

What happened was that Fred was flying a mission over a railyard near Lamans. Fred was pointman in formation and he turned one way and another pilot turned the other. They collided and unfortunately Fred was killed but the other pilot survived and lived until recently just 20 minutes from us in Georgetown, Texas. His sister and nephew will also be there.

Fred was only 23 and had at one time been buried there as the unknown American soldier. My father-in-law was the keeper of Fred artifacts and since he passed away 15 years ago, my husband, John, has held his fight book and other effects. John has been corresponding with Mr. Emory from France for two years while all the data was compiled and now we've been invited to come to the commemorative event at the end of this month.

When I return, I'll post photos. A bientot!

Fun and interesting. Check it out!

 B-Scene at the Blanton Museum of Art 6-11PM June 6

http://www.blantonmuseum.org 512.471.7324

Republic of Texas Biker Rally on Congress Ave
http://www.rotrally.com
 
Texas Greek Festival at Laguna Gloria , 3809 West 35th St
http://www.texasgreek festival.com
 
Juneteenth Freedom Festival at Rosewood Recreation Center
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/park/juneevents.htm 512.472.6838   

For more information on community events visity my Web site at http://www.robinscottrealtor.com and select the community information button.

The compilation of statistics from Austin Board of Realtors compares a month to the same month of the previous year. Clearly there is a lot of inventory on the market and sales have slowed. Some areas are more active than others. To find out how your area is doing, contact me. My company has an exclusive contract with a company that charts market trends for any area in our MLS system.

Statistics from March Compared to 2007
Homes Sold 1,832, down 21%
Median Sales Price $186,680, up 5%
Active Listings 9,638 up from 7,7776
Average Days on Market  73

source: Austin Board of Realtors

Robin Scott, Broker. Certified Residential Specialist.

1. Start saving. Ideally, you should have 3-20 percent of the purchase price saved as a down payment. And factor in closing costs which average 3 percent of the home price.

2. Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.

3. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.

4. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of neighborhoods you’d like to live in, taking into account items such as schools and commute.

5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure it is accurate and to correct any errors immediately.

6. Get preapproved. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to preapprove you for a loan. Such as W-2 forms, recent pay stubs, account numbers, and copies of bank or credit union statements.

7. Calculate the costs of homeownership. This should include property taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities, and association fees, if applicable.

8. Contact a REALTOR®. Find an experienced REALTOR® who can help guide you through the process.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, I want to be your REALTOR®.

Robin Scott, Broker. Certified Residential Specialist.

In 1908 a group of state board of real estate brokers organized to form a national association that later became known as the National Association of REALTORS• for the purpose promoting ethics in the industry and eliminating the "riffraff."

Most people don't know that not all real estate agents are REALTORS•. To be a REALTORS• you must be a member of the National Association of REALTORS• which swears to a higher level of ethics and holds it's members accountable.

I want to be your REALTOR®. Robin Scott, Broker. Certified Residential Specialist