Texas real estate

Thoroughly researching the target real estate market that you wish to invest in is such an obvious and simple first step to people who have real estate market experience, however sadly it is not properly undertaken by many investors and first home buyers and can be their downfall. It is my experience that real estate investment is, all things considered, an easier investment option than buying shares or other such investments and provides more consistent long term returns on your initial capital.

Keep in mind however that you must pay close attention to changing market and global economic trends or you could end up in trouble. You must also be in it for the long haul, unless you have the financial capacity to develop, renovate or flip houses!

Before you even consider approaching a real estate agent with an offer to purchase either a residential or commercial property you should have identified and studied the market trends in your target market. This includes ringing around the local real estate agents asking numerous questions from a variety of perspectives to make sure you get the full picture.

For instance, a sales agent is interested in the commission they will receive and will be more than willing to point out all of the selling points of the property or particular suburbs in order to close the sale. On the other hand, if you make similar enquiries of a rental agent, they are more likely to inform you of the rental demand, expected rental income, area specific landlord obligations and the suburbs and areas which are offer the most consistent investment returns. You should also enquire as to your obligations as a landlord, and what services they can offer, in the event you intend to tenant the property immediately.

If you are considering purchasing commercial property you should also apply this enquiry tactic with all real estate agents, brokers and insurers to ensure that you will get the best real estate deals and the best value financial protection on your investment. It is a good idea to be very specific with the lenders about the particular property when seeking advice as some areas may be subject to flooding, heritage listing or other restrictions which make them more of an insurance liability. Commercial real estate may be a higher risk investment option but if you do your research well, you should be able to determine which commercial properties are most in demand and consistently tenanted within your target market.

The most consistent real estate markets in terms of market value and rental returns, at least when it comes to residential investment property, seem to be those located within close proximity to beaches and tourist areas and which are also easily accessible by public transport. It is also a very smart decision to ensure that there are schools or hospitals nearby, as this will also increase the demand and rental value of your property.

You can decide for yourself whether to follow the mantra of buying the worst house in the best street. This to be a decision which should be made relevant to each person’s particular circumstances and the particular real estate property you are considering.

By: Caitlan Natalier

A lot of factors should be considered to come up with the right decision. One must be very careful as buying a house is something that one cannot hastily decide on, it should be something worth all the big money you have to give out to acquire it, notwithstanding the fact that where one’s house is built is where one will spend most of his life if not his lifetime. It should therefore be one place where you will feel most comfortable and be able to live conveniently.

Leander Texas Real Estate is one worth considering. Leander, located in Williamson County in Texas is a beautiful and scenic place, which is also called the gateway to Texas Hill country as it lies within the heart of central Texas. It is a continually progressing city as evidenced by its increasing number of fantastic recreational facilities. Golf courses abound designed with an environment of natural beauty. Indeed, Leander would be a very good choice to establish residence; one will feel at home on the first day of stay whether temporarily or permanently. If its conveniences do not suffice, Leander is very close to Austin, just about 5 miles and very accessible. Its proximity to the city of Austin is actually a plus factor in considering residing in Leander, a place with not so expensive houses but has a lot to offer to residents.

Leander Texas Real Estate also boasts of quality and prime school systems and quite a number of high-earning employment options that make it truly an ideal site for anyone to set roots for his family. Everything such as schools, hospitals, the airport, commercial centers and the like are within a short distance from anywhere where residential houses are, be it simple homes or executive-type homes. The city, which is close to Austin, can provide a home for new house buyers, movers from anywhere or the rich-and-famous just wanting to invest on beautiful and expensive vistas. For nature lovers, the city has beautiful clear lakes and stunning rolling hills where one can see turkeys and deer’s running around freely, giving such a wonderful sight and view of mother nature.

Leander City continues to prosper and looking at how its community grows truly makes it quite an attractive and ideal place of abode for people looking for a dream place to establish and raise a family. Indeed a great choice where to own a piece of real estate that one can be proud of.

By: Wally Wilson

If you’re a basketball fan in Austin, Texas, you’re in luck. The Austin Toros are a minor league basketball team located in Austin. They play their home games at the Austin Convention Center. Although they’ve only been located in Austin for the past four years, this team has quickly become one of the best forms of entertainment in the city.

The Austin Toros originally started as the Columbus Riverdragons from Columbus, Georgia. The franchise was awarded to Austin in mid 2005. By August, the new name of “the Toros” was revealed along with the official colors – red, blue and gold. Recently the team was acquired by the San Antonio Spurs and the team colors were changed to silver and black to mimic the Spurs’ colors. They became the second Development League team to be purchased by an NBA team.

On February 22, 2007, the Toros head coach Dennis Johnson had a heart attack and died shortly after a work out with the players. An interim coach was used for the rest of the season and then Quin Synder became the head coach for the following 2007-2008 season.

The Toros are part of the NBA Development League also known as the NBA D-League. This league is the NBA’s official minor league system. It is used as a place to develop talent to move up into the majors. The Toros are part of the Western conference along with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, Bakersfield Jam, Idaho Stampede, Los Angeles D-Fenders, Reno Bighorns, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Tulsa 66ers and the Utah Flash.

The 2009-2010 season will run through April 3rd, 2010 with 25 home games in the season. Tickets are available through the official Toro website in many different forms. Season ticket holders get tickets for every home game with reserved seating, discounted parking, playoff priority tickets and 10% off of all merchandise. Group tickets can also be purchased at a discount for church groups, youth groups, clubs and more groups. Groups can also arrange for a visit from the mascot “Toro the Bull” and recognition over the loudspeakers. Individual game tickets go on sale each October.

Attending a Toros game is a great way to see future NBA stars in the minor leagues. For example, five players from the 2007-2008 Championship season were asked to participate in NBA training camps and advancing to the major leagues.

In addition to providing entertainment to Austin residents, the Toros also take part in local charity events. In October 2009, the Toros will team with Southwest Key Programs to sponsor the Fore the Kids Golf Classic to take place on October 19th at the Grey Rock Golf Club. The tournament will start at 1:30 pm and will be followed by dinner, awards and a live auction. The Toros staff, mascot and dance team will be part of the days’ events.

Austin residents can catch a game at the Austin Convention Center. Get your tickets from the website or by calling the convention center directly.

By: Joe Cline

-A lien is a legal recorded claim against a property. The claim encumbers the property as a means to collect money owed, such as a mortgage, property taxes, or an unpaid debt owed to a contractor who performed work on the property. There are other reasons liens are recorded against a property.

-Equitable lien. When a property is held as collateral and the parties agree in a document, that the property is used to secure the debt.

-General liens. These liens all real estate and personal property. Court ordered judgments, probate actions, and IRS taxes fall under this category.

-Judgment lien. This is the result of an action by a party or government agency through a court of law to collect payment on a claim.

-Involuntary lien. State statues create real estate property taxes. These taxes are a claim against the property and the property owner assumes the statue when purchasing a home. Unpaid taxes can result in a specific involuntary lien.

-Specific liens. Special assessments and mechanics liens fall into this category. Unpaid contractors from home repair and remodeling projects can file a specific lien. Homeowner associations and local governing bodies can issue special assessments for repairs and improvements. Failure to pay these special assessments can result in lien being placed against a property.

-Voluntary lien. When you have a mortgage and voluntarily agree that the mortgage lien is security for the lender in case you default on a mortgage loan.

By: Mark Nash

University Park, Texas is a 3.72 acre neighborhood that is a enclosed by the big city. It is known as the leading residential destination for singles and families who want to lease or buy real estate properties. This one of a kind college town is just five miles away from Dallas’ downtown area. It I also the humble home of the Southern Methodist

University which helps form the neighborhood’s social and active scholarly community life. The neighborhood is best known as a Dallas suburb where residents dwell for the comfort of a serene and convenient life.

There are so many amazing things to do and see in University Park. Primarily, real estate here is exemplary with considerable buying opportunities. Prime downtown access and attractive architectural home that come in Spanish colonial styles are some of the features that attract many newcomers and property buyers. The communities of in this neighborhood are made up of islands of residential seclusion in the Dallas metropolis. Real estate here is comprised of wonderful suburban homes that bring it a welcoming aura. Single family homes here may be rather costly but comes with glamorous and simple styles along with common marble floors and wood decks.

Amenities of estates here include the swimming pools, fireplaces, up to date security system, game rooms, numerous car garages, and astonishing landscaping. Moreover, there are also townhouses and condominiums in University Park.

Prices usually begin at two hundred thousand dollars for listings in communities like Crestpark condominium areas. There are also other condo communities which maybe expensive at four hundred thousand dollars to six hundred thousand dollars for French and Mediterranean style units.

University Park stands out as an ideal location for families, retirees, and even young professionals who are looking to buy or lease a home or property. This suburb is most favored for its ease of access to the city’s nearby facilities and the neighborhood is without doubt safe and secure with a strong economic base.

University Park has ultimate access to cultural venues as well as educational facilities. The great thing about the neighborhood is that residents have convenient access to Morton H. Myerson Center where the Dallas Symphony and Opera headquarters. Apart from this, there are many recreational centers located near the area including shopping centers, art galleries, and restaurants.

The community is indeed a perfect pace to hone a family or retire gracefully. Its upscale homes, high spirited communities, and exceptional education opportunities are some of the reasons why many prefer to relocate here

By: Brent R Jones

Whether you’ve lived in Austin, Texas, for years or are looking to relocate, one thing is for sure: Each neighborhood has its own personality and charm. However, regardless of which neighborhood you’re in, there’s a common trend among architectural home styles throughout the city.

Which home style is right for you? Take a look at the most popular home styles in Austin and the characteristics – both interior and exterior – that make each of them unique.

Tuscan Style

Tuscan-style homes, as their name implies, are reminiscent of those found in Tuscany, Italy. This elegant and sophisticated style is marked with characteristics such as a stucco exterior, arched windows, and tiled roofs. Other popular features are decorative iron railings and a center courtyard. This type of home is popular in the Lake Travis and Hill Country areas of Austin.

Spanish Style

This style of home is modeled after those found in Spain, and blends Mediterranean style with the rich history of the country. It has features like a stucco exterior and low-pitched barrel tile roof, as well as exposed wooden beams, accent towers, and decorative wood and iron.

Contemporary

Becoming increasingly popular over the last years, contemporary homes focus on an open-air feel. From the outside, they’re very clean and simple with minimal decoration. The inside is created primarily from stainless steel, glass and wood. Common features in a contemporary home include arched windows, skylights and exposed beams. As you stroll through the city’s neighborhoods, you’ll find these contemporary homes are located amongst older homes, as many have been renovated to reflect a contemporary style. This is perhaps most evident in the Barton Springs/Bouldin Creek neighborhoods.

Craftsman

Craftsman style homes originated in the late 1800s and were created with an emphasis on handmade features. Their functional design pairs with elegant touches like exposed rafters, built-in cabinets, and large outdoor porches. This type of home is known for an efficient use of space and the use of natural materials. Similar to the contemporary home style, older homes are being renovated to reflect this style and are scattered throughout many of the city’s neighborhoods.

Mediterranean Style

Mediterranean-style homes are reminiscent of those found near the Mediterranean Sea in countries like Spain and Italy. The home usually boasts an open design with many small balconies, a stucco exterior, and tiled roof. Similar to Tuscan style, it’s common to find them with arched windows and an outdoor courtyard. Austin’s Bee Cave area boasts several gorgeous Mediterranean Style homes.

With so many styles to choose from, it’s important to also consider the surrounding neighborhood and all it has to offer, as well as each home’s unique characteristics and what will best fit you and your family.

By: Brian Talley

Twenty one things off the top of my head that make Wimberley unlike anywhere else in Texas.

1) Blanco River- it meanders through the town and all around. swimming, kayaking,and hanging out are recommended.If you want to spend the weekend find a b and B on the river and enjoy.

2) the hills- they surround the Wimberley valley and offer spectacular views from above and below.

3) the Corral theatre- an outdoor walk-in movie theatre. much like the old drive in’s but you sit in old rockers, under the stars. nothing better on a summer night.it has been here for decades.Bring a cold bottle of wine if you like.You know when its time for the movie, always at dusk.

4) Market Days- Second largest outdoor market in texas with over 400 vendors. First saturday of the month March through December.You have never seen so much stuff from junk to arts and crafts. Come early if you are a serious looker.Seriously this is a lot of fun. I rarely miss one.

5) Jacobs Well – Where cypress Creek originates. eight divers through the years have gone down and never come back. favorite place for the local kids to swim for years. cold and refreshing.Discovered in 1850′s by Wimberley settlers but the Comanche knew of it long before.

6) Susanna’s Kitchen – located in a church where locals like Alejandro Escoveda, Willis Alan Ramsey and Ray Wylie Hubbard bless us to small, intimate concerts when they are not doing the Letterman or Leno shows. Smoke and alcohol free. Enjoy tamales, pie and coffee.

7) Blue Hole – beautiful swimming spot on cypress creek with huge Cypress trees lining the bank. Great place to have a picnic and swing off the ropes into the cool, clear water.

Shakespeare Under The Stars – The only acredited high school shakespeare program in America, kids come from all over the state to participate in everything from costume design to set building and of course acting. July 27 – August 9 at the outdoor Emilyann theatre

9) Mt. Baldie – 219 steps to he top. Incredible views of the Wimberley Valley and beyond. Catch a sunset. Bring water and sneakers and of course your camera.

10) Wimberley square – Lots of really unique items.Check out the Blue Willow and have a beer at Inoz. It is hard to survive in this town if you are not unique.I know.. all tourist towns have a square but hey how many folks live in a tourist town ?

11) Wimberley Pie Company – Man o man you have never seen so many pies. In fourteen years I have sampled most of them. Try the cherry but then again just choose your favorite, they are all delicious.

12) Cypress Creek – When you cross over the bridge at the square..that is cypress Creek. Absolutely beautiful. Probably the most photographed spot in Wimberley.

13) Gourmet Tamale Kitchen – Without a doubt the healthiest, best tasting tamales I have ever eaten. I once saw a woman from Ohio fill a cooler to ship back home.

14) Wimberley Pie Social – In April. Serious pie competition with locals vieing for the blue ribbon. It is a hoot.great small town atmosphere without the huge crowds.

15) Wimberley Brewing Company – Opened in Feb. of 09 by former San Francisco 49erand longtime Wimberlyite Bruce Collie. They make their own and they meet Reinheitsgebot (the German brewing brewing purity laws).If you love beer do not miss this stop.

16) Butterfly Days – Third saturday in April. Watch the release of hundreds of butterfly’s to help populate their new home in Wimberley. Lots of fun things for the kids like face painting, games, entertainers and you should see the joy on their faces. This is a really unique event.Bring the children or grand kids.

17) Wimberley Glass Works – you talk about some beautiful works of art. They have demonstrations throughout the day where you can watch them blow glass. very cool.

18) Spring – As in wildflowers,Bluebonnets,Texas Paintbrush,Indian Blanket,Greenthread, Winecup and on and on. Come to Wimberley in the spring it is beautiful.

19) Austin – Oh yes, Wimberley is so close to my favorite city. forty minutes down a country road and your watching the Longhorns play ball, eating at a great restaurant or enjoying a concert. Teas’s finest hill country town right next door to it’s most celebrated city.

20) Salt Lick BBQ – OK so technically that would be Driftwood but you are just 10 minutes away from some of the best BBQ in America.

21) November through March – Sixty something degrees and the sun is usually shining. The climate is better nowhere else this time of year. What more needs to be said.

By: Steve Hysinger

Modern housing is on the rise in Austin, making it easier for the modernist to move into a brand new home, instead of waiting for a mid century A.D. Stenger to come on the market. Six miles east on Martin Luther King Blvd, the Agave residential development is finishing up its first round of homes. Touted as “Austin’s premier contemporary residential development,” all of Agave’s 160 homes will be built with a modern flair.

Agave is actually the third phase of Sendero Hills, with the first two set up for low to middle income homeowners, with Agave geared towards the middle class. In so doing, Agave has qualified for the city’s S.M.A.R.T. (Safe, Mixed-income, Accessible, Reasonably-priced, Transit-oriented) housing policy, which includes meeting the city’s Green Building standards, and energy efficiency for their customers, with amenities such as low E windows and tankless hot water heaters.

Possibly the biggest draw for homeowners to the Agave Development is the chance to own a home designed and built by some of the city’s top Architects, without having to pay top dollar for the exact same house in the heart of the city. The list of architects includes Emily Little who has recently won the Austin Chronicle’s Readers’ Poll for “Best Architect”, and has been designing and preserving some of Austin’s best structures for the last twenty years. Also, KRDB has a set of homes going up after quickly becoming one of the hottest design/build firms in the city, with their Cedar Avenue houses gracing the cover of Dwell Magazine. The Casa Bella Architects have been in business since 1989, and also have their hat in the ring, after many environmentally friendly, and beautifully modern buildings, such as the award-winning Ullrich WaterTreatment Plant, and Austin’s soon-to-come recycling center.

Though the concrete and cedar siding homes, with their bamboo floors, European designed kitchens, and CAT-5 telephone wiring are large draws for some new homeowners, Agave is not without its downsides. Though relatively close to downtown, there aren’t many amenities along MLK, such as a grocery store. And though East Austin is in a state of transition, low-income housing still makes up most of the region, and to some spending $300,000 on a home in the area may be a gamble. For those families with young children, the public schools would also be a concern, with the elementary schools not ranking as high as other parts of the city. And though each home will be professionally landscaped by Floribunda, the development is void of large, mature trees.

Vincia Development, who created Agave, is about to begin a new project called Fiore just down the road from Agave. Fiore should be a fine compliment to Agave, as it will be the nation’s first 5 star-rated green community. For those Austinites looking for cutting edge architecture, and an environmentally sound community, head East.

By: Ki Gray

Condominium is a form of ownership of real estate. In this type of ownership the owner has individual title to the air space inside the unit, plus an undivided interest in the buildings and land.

Condominium ownership is guided by a set of declarations that are written at the time of creation of the development. This document outlines how the condo will be governed and maintained. The Texas Real Estate Commission contract allows the buyer to receive a copy of the condo documents, and have a certain period of time to review them. The buyer may decline the contract without penalty if he is not satisfied, after reading the documents.

If you are considering a duplex condo, here are seven questions to ask during your document review period:

1. Condominiums usually have an elected board of directors who take charge of scheduling maintenance, paying common bills, and handling any disputes that arise. Of course, in a duplex condo there are only two owners. This creates some special questions on how the governing board will be structured. Will there be a representative from each unit on the board? Check to be sure this is written in the condo documents.

2. Usually, duplex condo owners do not want to incur the expense of a management company. They often handle any common area repairs, insurance and landscaping between themselves. It is important to check whether the declaration requires a third party manager, or allows management be handled by the two owners.

3. How will the two parties resolve a disagreement? In a large condo project, the board may be able to look at how a particular issue has been handled in the past. Or, it may take a vote on a rule interpretation. However, in a two party association, previous decisions may have been made according to the preferences of the two owners. This may not give you as much guidance as you need to handle a difficult issue. Do the condo declarations say how a voting deadlock will be handled?

4. Will there be dues collected for a common budget? In small, two-unit condos, it is possible that there will not be a common budget for the project. Each owner may be required to handle all maintenance of the portion of the building and land that he occupies or uses. If this is the case, how will major structural repairs be handled, should they arise?

5. If dues are collected for a common budget, are you clear on how repairs and maintenance will be divided between the individual owners and the common budget? It may be that the common budget covers all exterior parts of the building, decks, pools, sidewalks, and driveways of both units. Or, the individual owners may be responsible for certain kinds of exterior maintenance of their units. Find out how these responsibilities are divided!

6. Have you considered the possibility that you and the other owner may have very different views on maintenance of the building and grounds? What about differences in temperament and lifestyle? One may be fastidious about painting and upkeep, and the other may let his unit get into bad shape.

7. Does the condo declaration provide for a way, such as mediation or arbitration, to resolve difficult issues that cannot be settled between the two owners?

If you do not feel comfortable analyzing the condo documents yourself, hire a real estate attorney to review them with you before proceeding with your purchase. Do not look to the seller, Realtors, home inspector, lender, or well meaning friends to interpret condo documents. This is not their field of expertise! Ask a lot of questions before proceeding with your purchase. A clear understanding of your obligations and potential problems in the ownership of a two-unit condo will lead to a more satisfying purchase.

By: Roselind Hejl

Perhaps the first consideration or concern when searching for a house to buy is the presence of important services within the community you desire to live in. Schools, existing businesses, even shopping malls or department stores, amusement parks or recreation centers, local community events venues are just some of the premises you might want to look into when scouting for homes, say, Arlington homes for sale for example.

Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. It had an estimated population of 380,084 (Census, 2010), making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex. Located east of downtown Forth Worth and west of downtown Dallas, the city borders Kennedale, Grand Prairie, Mansfield and Fort Worth, and surrounds the smaller communities of Dalworthington Gardens and Pantego.

Schools
The city is home to The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), the Southeast Campus of Tarrant County College, and Arlington Baptist College. The University of Phoenix and Texas Tech University also have a presence in Arlington near Interstate 20. The UT at Arlington is the third largest institution of the University of Texas System, and is also said to be the premiere research university, with Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate Degree programs in a variety of fields. Programs being offered here include engineering, architecture, nursing, public affairs, fine arts, and business. The business program ranks among the top ten in terms of the successful accounting graduates passing the certified public accountant exam. On the other hand, the Arlington Independent School District serves the public schools in almost all of Arlington and part of Grand Prairie. It also serves all of Pantego and Dalworthington Gardens. Mansfield Independent School District and Kennedale Independent School District are the other two districts that serve parts of Arlington and surrounding areas.

Local Economy
Of course you also want to reside in the area where businesses thrive. If businesses are booming, chances are the employment rate is stable, too. Apart from UT at Arlington’s contribution to the local economy, countless of companies as well make Arlington, Texas their home. Arlington has a large, well-educated and diverse workforce. Over 50 percent of the city’s population is between the ages of 18 and 44. Texas is second only to California in the level of high-tech employment.

Attractions
Apart from the notable Texas Rangers’ Ballpark in Arlington, Cowboys Stadium, the city also boasts of the International Bowling Campus which houses the United States Bowling Congress, International Bowling Museum and the International Bowling Hall of Fame. The community is also the home of the renowned Six Flags Over Texas, a nation-wide theme park that includes 34 kiddie-rides and other family-oriented attractions.

Be it said, your home is your sanctuary, but you and your kids would also want “alternative” venues for relaxation, fun, and where you can spend bonding moments together, besides your home of course. Also, the presence of nearby hospitals, police stations, clinics and fire departments are necessities in a given community; and these should be checked as well in the area where you’ll be living in next.

By: Joshua Corpuz