Texas real estate

Highland Hills, Texas is located between 2222 and Far West, in MLS area 1A. This superb community offers wonderfully maintained and designed properties, clean streets, and a real sense of close community. Highland Hills is perfect for homebuyers hoping to raise a family or for house buyers looking for great living and close access to amazing career opportunities.

Just 5 minutes by car from the shopping, dining, and career options that downtown Austin offers, Highland Hills is within easy access of Lake Austin, which is only a 5 minute commute away. Beautiful Lake Travis is only a 15 minute drive away and The Arboretum can be reached by car in just 5 minutes. While Highland Hills shelters you from the crime and congestion of an urban center, it offers you all the convenience of living within easy reach of a world-class city.

In addition to a superlative location, Highland Hills offers excellent amenities and attractions right in the community. Meandering tree-lined streets and gorgeous views enhance evening and afternoon strolls while nearby green spaces house herds of deer that wander into the community. Well designed right in prime Texas hill country, Highland Hills offers stunning views of Cat Mountain and offers a quality of living you have to experience to believe.

Nestled among the hills of Highland Hills, home buyers enjoy beautiful homes that were built between the 1950s and 1990s. These properties feature unusually large lots for the period they were built in. With mature lots and plenty of space to enjoy the famous Highland Hills views, the duplexes and single family homes in this area are a great value. In addition, some condos are being developed from the duplexes in the area, offering home buyers yet another option. Some duplexes are also being sold as attached homes. The rising property prices in the area have led to these additional choices for buyers. Increasing property values have also lead many current homeowners to remodel, creating even more value for buyers.

By: Eric Bramlett

Mayfield Ranch Real Estate

If you want excellent modern living in a lush natural environment, consider the master-planned community of Mayfield Ranch. This carefully designed community offers more than 700 beautiful homes that are all nestled in a prime location that offers equally easy access to urban amenities and natural beauty. Whether you want to get away from it all or be at the center of everything you need, Mayfield Ranch real estate is an excellent choice.

Residents of Mayfield Ranch have access to nearby green spaces and to nearby employers. A future amenity center and pool center will offer plenty of recreation opportunity. Just step outside the community and you will find plenty to see and do. The enormous 800-acre Williamson County Park is near the community. This incredible park boasts an endangered species preserve, pristine walking trails, wildlife, rare plants, eleven soccer fields, tennis courts, and much more.

Mayfield Ranch Location

Located only 2.8 miles from I-35, Mayfield Ranch is in an ideal location On Mayfield Ranch Boulevard, directly off FM 1431, Mayfield Ranch makes commuting to nearby major employers – including such prestigious employers as IBM, Dell Computers, Westinghouse, Farmer’s Regional Office, Motorola, Cisco Systems, Abbott Labs, 3M, and Sun Microsystems — simple. At the same time, the community is a world away from the noise and pollution of the big city.

Homeowners in Mayfield Ranch enjoy knowing that they are part of the prestigious Round Rock Independent School District and the Leander Independent School District, both of which provide recognized schools that consistently receive high rakings. Homeowners also enjoy all the benefits of an active Home Owners Association, which protects property values and a highs standard of living in the area.

Benefits of Living in Mayfield Ranch

Thanks to the great Mayfield Ranch location, homeowners in this community have easy access to great restaurants, amenities, and shopping experiences. Residents can dine at one of the many restaurants in the area, including Maggie Moos, Red Hot & Blue, Rock Fish Restaurant, Schlotzsky’s, and the many popular franchise restaurants in the area. The HEB on Parmer takes care of many grocery needs while the nearby La Frontera shopping mall and Lakeline Mall provide a plethora of stores for hours of shopping adventure.

Weekends are relaxing and fun at Mayfield Ranch, thanks to the many recreational opportunities in the area. Golfers will love knowing that there are a number of golf options in the region, including the Avery Ranch Golf Course, the Blackhawk Golf Course, the Teravista Golf Club, and the Forest Creek Golf Course. A number of parks, including Old Settler’s Park and Round Rock Gardens, offer great opportunities for leisurely strolls or picnics. If you want to stay active, a number of local gyms feature the latest amenities and equipment.

The Mayfield Ranch Lifestyle

Mayfield Ranch is overseen by a professional management company, Southwest Management Services, and residents of the community have a direct impact on community life through the homeowner’s association. Every Mayfield Ranch homeowner can join one of the Homeowner’s Association’s many committees, which include the Architectural Control Committee, Recreation Committee, Pool Committee, Publications Committee, and Safety and Maintenance Committee. Getting involved in this friendly community is a great way to make a difference while also making new friends.

A number of builders offer stunning homes in the Mayfield Ranch community, and this allows homebuyers to select from a number of house styles and price ranges. For example, Meritage Homes of Texas offers beautiful Mayfield Ranch homes that feature modern accents with more traditional styling. Perfect for comfortable living and cosmopolitan entertaining, these homes start in the $230 000 to the $270 000 range. Newmark Homes is offering warm, contemporary homes in the area. These properties begin in the $190 000 price range. Imagination Homes by David Weekly is also offering Mayfield Ranch properties. These homes begin in the $200 000s and square footage begins in the 1900s, although homes with 3000+ square feet of space are also available from this builder. DR Horton is building homes in Mayfield Ranch that start in the $270 000 to the $350 000 price range. These single family homes are spacious and contemporary in design. Standard Pacific Homes has homes available starting from the $160 000 to the $210 000 range. These homes offer stylish European designs and detailing that is sure to please. Grand Haven Homes is building single family residences in the $250 000 to the $400 000 range. Whether you want a family home or a more spacious house, these properties offer good amenities and lovely design details.

If You Are Ready to Move In – Useful Phone Numbers

Electricity: Perdernales Electric Company — 331-9926

Gas: Atmos — 800-460-3030

Sewer, water, and trash: — City of Round Rock — 218-5460

Telephone: SBC — 800-464-7928

Cable: Time Warner Cable — 531-7853

By: Eric Bramlett

As a real estate broker, I often meet self-identified real estate investors. When I speak to these people, I usually find that they are either true investors or real estate “investors.” The difference is that the real estate “investor” often has never actually bought an investment property. They often downplay the difficulties of real estate investment, and they generally are very eager to peddle their “expert knowledge.” The true investor is usually experienced and is privy to a few basic facts:

1) It’s not TV
“Flip This House” is great television – but is about as realistic as “Sponge Bob Square Pants.” “Flip This House” will show you a tidy $150,000 profit wrapped up in a 30 minute episode because viewers want to see the money and not the work involved. Real investing is very lucrative, but investors also spend years honing skills and market knowledge that lets them find properties under market value.

2) Walk before you run.
Too many investors start with high-risk properties, which is a little like deciding to run a marathon when you’re a couch potato. In both cases, you’re likely to get hurt. New investors need to start small and learn to minimize risk while lowering variable costs. For example, new investors are better off buying a property that’s already rented out to credit-worthy, long-term tenants. For a first time rehab project, buy the house as your home or build in at least 6 months of carrying costs. Once you have made a few deals, you will have the experience for bigger investments.

3) Investment is Long Term
Many new investors assume that they can make quick money by flipping houses, but unless you make 1031 exchange work for you, flipping results in short term capital gains only. Savvy investors focus on income producing properties. They purchase property in a market that seems likely to appreciate, hire a property management company, and let checks come in monthly for several years. The passive income lets them earn consistently while property value rises.

4) Use a Realtor Wisely.
Research realtors until you find one who not only works with investors but makes good investments themselves. Don’t make the mistake that many new “investors” make by going after the agent’s commission. You want a realtor to be on your side.

5) Work With a Business Plan.
All successful professionals and companies have business plans – and you should, too. Determine what properties you are interested in, how much money you can make, how much money a property will cost to buy and maintain and decide your business goals. Work on paper, coming up with every possible expense and writing down how to minimize risks or any problems that may crop up. Once you have a plan, don’t waver from it.

6) Take Action!
You can’t make money if you don’t invest. Once you have your business plan and you see a property that looks like a good deal, take out an option period. In Texas, you can get a 10 day option period for $100 in many cases, which gives you plenty of time to research and snap up a great opportunity.

7) Talk Yourself Out of the Deal
Once you have contracted a property that fits your business plan, play devil’s advocate. Working on paper, come up with everything that could go wrong and what you can do if something negative does happen. If there are negatives that you can’t mitigate, walk away. You want a property that will make you money no matter what, so that if the worst does happen you won’t be ruined.

Not everyone claiming to be a real estate “investor” actually is one. Following these simple steps and learning from successful investors can make you one of the few who do and not the many that merely talk.

By: Eric Bramlett

The University of Texas, with its flagship campus in Austin, is one of the original eight “Public Ivys,” according to Richard Moll. Moll coined the phrase in his 1985 book, Public Ivys: A Guide to America’s Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities. The phrase has since come to include many more universities who offer an Ivy League education at a public university price.

UT earned such a distinction by providing a quality education for undergraduates since it opened its doors in 1883. As far back as 1839, the government of Texas set aside 40 acres of real estate in Austin for the purpose of starting a public university. They named the area College Hill. Construction did not begin until 1881, when Austin was officially made the main campus for the new university. By this time, Texas A&M had already beaten it to being the first university in Texas. Unfortunately, one of the most memorable points in the history of the University of Texas was when Charles Whitman barricaded himself and a rifle at the top of the Main Building Tower in 1966. He shot and killed 14 people.

Today, UT is one of the largest universities in the U.S. Enrollment reaches nearly 50,000 each year and the sprawling campus covers 350 acres near downtown Austin. Students and the public have access to seven museums and 17 libraries with over eight million volumes. Among its collections, the university owns one of only 21 copies of the Gutenberg Bible and the first photograph ever taken, created by Nicephore Niepce.

In terms of academics, UT consistently ranks very high. U.S. News and World Report ranks UT the 44th best university in the country and the 12th best public university. Many of its individual programs rank highly as well. For instance, the engineering school ranks in the top ten and the business school, fifth.

In athletics, UT also excels. Football is king in Texas and the UT Longhorns are consistently one of the best teams in the country. In 2005 won the NCAA national championship in Football. UT has also traditionally been successful in baseball, basketball, and swimming and diving. All large universities have their rivalries and for the Longhorns, its Texas A&M. The Longhorns and the Aggies have the third-longest running rivalry in the U.S.

In its long and distinguished history, UT has produced many successful graduates. Farrah Fawcett, Janis Joplin, Renee Zellweger, Roger Clemens, David Geffen, and many other famous people graduated from UT Austin.

The University of Texas along with the state capitol offers a steady economic base to the city of Austin that is able to stabilize Austin as other industries in Austin ebb and flow. For instance during the tech downturn in 2000/2001 which affected many cities in the United States part of the brunt of the economic downturn was mitigated by the employment base of University of Texas and the state capitol.

UT is an integral part of the city of Austin. Residents enjoy the atmosphere of prestigious athletics and academics that the school adds to their city.

By: Ki Gray

One of the current trends in real estate that has gained enormous popularity in recent years is the concept of the luxury community. These planned communities incorporate many of the most desirable and necessary aspects of a traditional community into a smaller more self-contained development. Sometimes referred to as master planned communities, these developments are springing up all over the country and homeowners are falling in love with the planned community concept.

The proliferation of these communities has created a thriving real estate market in Texas. This has made Texas one of the premier locations for these stunningly beautiful and well-organized luxury communities. The climate and weather in The Lone Star State made it an ideal place to relocate to, especially if you are one who enjoys an active lifestyle as Texas is overflowing with excellent recreational options. Many of these communities fall within Texas’s scenic Hill Country which features stunning vistas of rolling hills and crystal clear lakes. It is hard to imagine a more beautiful backdrop for homes and properties.

There are communities in Texas designed for every imaginable lifestyle from family oriented to 55+ retirement communities, all featuring the excellent amenities and lifestyle choices that has become synonymous with the master planned community concept. Many of these developments feature extensive recreational facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, some feature incorporated golf courses, and the lake front communities feature excellent docking and marina facilities. These communities offer a complete lifestyle that is not lacking in any area, come and explore what luxury communities in Texas have to offer.

By: Darlene Bauer

Does the thought of pursuing social media marketing send dreaded feelings of ultimate transparency through your mind? You are not alone. Many entrepreneurs have shied away from social media for fear of partaking in an uncomfortable level of transparency. However, I would like to challenge some of those fear-based notions and help you realize the power that social media marketing can bring to your real estate investing business and brand.

While many professionals fear that social media will “expose” them at an unwanted level, the truth is you have control over how much information you make available to your target market. Once you understand this, the potential you have at your fingertips is astounding.

Currently with over 500 Million users and growing, Facebook has far surpassed a website filled with college kids sharing party pictures and weekend plans. Some of the most influential brands, including Fortune 100 companies, realize the power that this new medium of communication offers. They are taking it “to the bank,” and you can do exactly the same for your real estate investing business.

Here are 3 simple ways you can capitalize on the power of Social Media using Facebook:

1. Create a Facebook Business Page

A Facebook business page is different than a personal Facebook “profile.” Whereas the purpose of a personal Facebook “profile” is strictly personal, Facebook offers “pages” specifically designed to assist businesses in cultivating a following and sharing content. It is free to set up a Facebook business page, and you can create one in less than 30 minutes.

2. Start a Facebook “Social Ads” Campaign

Facebook Social Ads are similar to Google Pay-Per-Click ads, but much easier to set up. Facebook Social Ads allow you to target individuals based on age, location, employer, college, interests, connections, languages and more. The targeting features that social ads offer is nothing short of amazing. For example, you can set up ads that target individuals between the ages of 40-45 with a masters degree in psychology who graduated from h

Harvard, like fine wine, BMW’s, and live in your zip code. Why is this so powerful? You are only spending money to advertise to individuals who fit your target market exactly. This means “more bang for your advertising buck.”

3. Share Valuable Content

The art of successful selling includes establishing credibility with your target market. One of the fastest ways to establish expert status within a niche is to educate your audience. For example, you can create a free report that includes tips for home buyers / sellers. You can then share this report on your Facebook Business Page, and also mention the free report in your Facebook Social Ads as an incentive to drive traffic to your Facebook Business Page.

Speaking from experience, I understand that jumping into Social Media Marketing may seem uncomfortable at first. However, the benefits far outweigh any hesitation you may have.

By: Tyson Dudley

What does it take to become a successful real estate agent and maintain that status?

With all the real estate agents in the troubled market right now, it’s not surprising that new agents often don’t last and brokers are finding it difficult to keep them. Although brokerages can assist new and existing agents in developing and honing their selling skills, there is one common trait to which all successful real estate agents attribute their success – the need to close the sale, and in record time.

It’s amazing how many people think that being a real estate agent is for slackers. Often the thought is that it takes very little time, very little energy and a lot of financial investment. Financial investment is necessary in the form of training and membership fees; however, time and energy invested strategically is critical to closing a sale in record time.

Once you take the necessary classes, pay the required membership fees and begin honing your selling skills, what can you do that will set you apart from all the rest?

With that question in mind, we decided to present it to professionals in the industry. They provided some interesting answers.

1. Presentation Is 80% of the Sale –
* The first impression is critical to your obtaining the sale. It may be your only opportunity for you to make a good one.
* If a seller is interviewing agents and you are one of them, do not ever attend an appointment without thoroughly researching the market prior to the appointment. Do an appropriate comparative market analysis (CMA) making sure that you select sold homes with similar square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms and amenities in the same subdivision, if at all possible. Print off the basis for your CMA and have it ready to provide to the seller. Presenting the information in a folder with your agency’s name and your business cards in it is something that will remind them of you long after your appointment with them.
* On the day of your appointment with a seller, make sure you have already Googled the address and are able to find it and be on time.
* Another aesthetic critical to your presentation is appearing confident and comfortable in promoting yourself in the interview without being overt or arrogant.
* Keeping your cool with abrasive sellers is important. Whether you’re meeting the seller for the first time or keeping in touch along the way after signing with the seller, you’ll want to always keep your cool when dealing with the seller. Keep in mind, there are some sellers that you will never be able to please no matter how hard you try. Do your best, keep your cool, and your reputation will precede you.

2. The Price Is Right –
* You need to make a careful analysis of the CMA in order to determine an appropriate listing price.
* Remember that the first two weeks a home is listed is the most critical. Studies have proven that a large percentage of homes that sell are viewed by buyers in the first two weeks the home was listed.
* The longer a home sits on the market, the longer it will take for it to sell, even if the selling price is lowered. Often agents have automatic MLS searches set up that notify them of new listings. If you list a home for your seller that is ignored due to the price within the first two weeks, it will most likely not ever be viewed by those who ignored it the first time around.

3. Communication, the Remaining 20% –
* From what professionals say, communication is the other 20 percent of the formula once you gain a seller’s or buyer’s confidence enough to sign with you.
* The number one complaint among sellers and buyers is that they do not receive adequate communication from the real estate agents with which they’ve signed.
* Set the expectation at the onset to communicate regularly with your client, once a week is the suggested interval to update with sellers, and stick to it. Buyers need more communication once an offer has been submitted for a particular property.
* Do not fail to contact your client as agreed or when new information is available even if you do not have any new information to report.

Although there are an abundance of other important aspects you’ll want to consider, if you’ll incorporate the previous three, you’ll be off to a good start at becoming a successful and memorable real estate agent.

By: Ki Gray