I, along with thousands of others, was glued to the computer screen beginning at 9pm last night after receiving an email from 10-term Congressman Ron Paul’s office to “tune in for a special announcement.” What came next was another amazing speech by Ron Paul, who has never lobbied and always sticks to his principles. He is one of the most intelligent people that I have ever met and his message is much more than becoming President. His message is about saving America and restoring our country to the prosperous nation that we should be. His genius ideas and firmly grounded principles make him stick to his guns. He voted against the patriot act and has never once voted for the war.

Yes, the media has both ignored and poked fun at him, but you need to hear his message. The speech he gave last night is sure to go down in history. I am passionate about his message and please, take a look for yourself.

Ron Paul has moved on from his pursuit of the White House in order to take an activists role to spread the revolution. He asks us to learn more about his ideas and philosophies and support candidates that support the freedoms that this country was founded on and who will keep our country from occupying foreign nations. Seriously, watch this speech!

Links:
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/
Ron Paul Sheech June 12, 2008

Tags: austin, money by Aria
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Frugal tips for the busy person

Does your checking account pay you interest?  If not, take a lunch break and open a free interest-bearing checking account.  Nearly every bank is offering one.

Use banking software like Quicken or Microsoft Money to keep track of your expenses and scheduled payments (explained soon!) and have it installed on a safe computer that is convenient to you.  Be sure to keep up with it.

Don’t pay your mortgage late, but look at the dates.  Often mortgages are “due on the first” and “late on the 15th”.  Check and see what your mortgage company’s policy is.  It is often printed on your statement.  They usually don’t report late payments until they are 30+ days late.  Using this example, that means that they’d prefer you paid it by the first, but you have until the 15th to pay without any penalty.  This is a feature because mortgage companies know that life is full of circumstances beyond your control, so be careful with this tip.  Instead of paying by the first, schedule your payment online with a date that is more comfortable for you, say the 10th but make sure your money is in the bank by the 1st.  Now, from the 1st through the 10th, you will earn interest in your mortgage payment.  If you don’t, the mortgage company will!  In Quicken or other banking software, enter the payment with the paid date as the scheduled date.

Don’t stop there, schedule all of your payments.  Say your credit card payment is due on the 14th.  Instead of sending a payment now, schedule it online to pay on the 14th or earlier.  You will be getting the interest on your own money and won’t have to worry about remembering these deadlines

Once you get the hang of this system, it’s pretty handy.  Just be careful as you’re learning it.  You may be able to schedule all of your bills on just one day a week and not have to worry about it for the rest of the week!  I love using technology to make my life easier and to free up time for things that I enjoy like my friends & family, my pets, my clients, and of course blogging!

Tags: money, mortgage by Aria
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Renters have a different view of real estate economy than homeowners.

Source: PEW Research Center

It seems that renters are much more pessimistic about rising home prices. I’m not sure of the participants in this study were planning on buying a home in the near future, but this study does show something interesting about how you see the market when you own property versus when your at the mercy of a landlord.

More renters believe home prices are rising.

Are they pessimistic about their buying power? They may be feeling left out of the prosperity homeowners found during the boom years leading up to our current conditions.

Renters aren’t worried about the housing economy.

Renters expect prices to climb more than homeowners do. So why aren’t they buying? First-time home-buyers are seeing harder times with mortgage woes. It takes some patience and hard work to get a home loan, and perhaps renters aren’t willing to go through with it.

Americans are not optimistic about the economy.

Source: PEW Research Center

Yet this study is extremely interesting. We saw some of the greatest appreciations in Austin real estate in 2006. Many people sold out to collect their equity while late-comers created a building and flipping surge, especially in central Austin real estate. 2007 was much slower than 2006, especially in the last two quarters. Yet, the number of those who believe the economy is in poor shape has not increased as dramatically as I would expect. I think this shows how pessimistic people are about the economy anyway. We live in a fairly prosperous country and Austin has a steady growth rate which leads to steady real estate prices, yet I would expect similar numbers on a local study based on the fears and questions I receive.

Is this thing on?

I still wonder if anyone can actually hear me. Don’t be afraid to buy. We are currently in a RARE buyer’s market here in the Austin real estate market and at the same time, interest rates are at HISTORIC lows. I’m shopping for real estate in Austin now so don’t blame me if you don’t get in on this buyer’s market! Get your head out of that national news paper, turn off CNN, and get real. We’ve seen studies showing that people think the bottom is falling out of the American economy for years and it hasn’t. In fact, the primary reason for the housing slowdown and the buyer’s market here in Austin is the attitudes of people, not actual economic fact. Now that sellers are getting real, take a chance and think about investing in Austin’s real estate market. I’ll show you how!

Tags: austin real estate, buyers, development, economy, finance, hot market, housing, market, market statistics, money, mortgage, real estate, statistics by Aria
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Although Austin isn’t seeing the horror of many other markets (like southern California), the nervousness and hesitation of Austin’s buyers still has us in a buyer’s market.  So in a buyer’s market, what should you do differently, as a seller?

One of the best things a seller can do in any market is detach from your house completely.  This is your most important strategy in a buyer’s market as well.  We know you have more than money invested in your house.  It’s been home to you in the best and worst of times, and you’ve worked hard to improve it and make it the best that it can be.  But in these times, you need to be objective and detach from the house to make it not your home, but a place someone else wants to live.

Don’t take it personally.  Any offer is good.  If you get an offer, it means you beat out your neighbors no matter how low or complicated it may be.  You may not be able to accept the offer, especially if it has a ton of strings attached, but don’t take it personally if you get a low offer.  The buyers chose your house over all the others — keep that in mind.  It could be low for a number of reasons, but it’s not because they don’t think the house is great.  Sure, they will likely make a great deal of changes, but not until it’s their home.  Many buyers who have previously been priced out of the home of their dreams are fishing for a great deal from someone who needs to move on.  You may be in this situation or you may not be, but always remember, any offer is a good offer.  Even low offers open a dialog of negotiations that can result in a sale.  You can always have your agent draft a counteroffer.

Don’t over-price thinking that it leaves you room to negotiate.  Over-pricing puts your house in a pool with other houses that are likely larger with more features so which house in the price range would you pick?  Always put yourself in the buyer’s shoes.  Sellers who over-price end up in a cycle of reductions to actually get their homes sold several headaches later.  Save yourself the stress, it’s worth it.  Price reasonably and competitively to get your house sold more quickly than the competition.  You will be making fewer payments which saves you money even if you don’t actually see the savings.

Be patient with your buyers.  Loans are tough right now and under-writers are struggling to approve many who could have received a loan for almost nothing down not too long ago.  Even pre-approved buyers can be sent through seemingly endless waits for final approval.  Your buyers want to buy a house; it’s an emotional time for them as well.  Don’t panic over financing.  Wait it out.  The deal may not work out, but financing is really out of your control as a seller.

Sellers in Austin may have had it easy a few years ago, but times have changed.  You can still sell your home if you get your house completely ready for sale, price it competitively, detach emotionally, and don’t take it all personally.

Tags: austin real estate, facts, hot market, housing, money, seller, sellers by Aria
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It’s quick and easy to find out! Visit Real Estate Financing or use this calculator!

Tags: austin real estate, finance, hot market, housing, info, loans, market, money, mortgage by Aria
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I’m at it with my numbers again! While I was logged into MLS to update my listings, I decided to do a quick search for the most expensive home sale for 2008 to date (as of 4/14/2008). With so much unfounded real estate panic floating around, wouldn’t the rich and famous be weary of making a home purchase right now? Of course not! Those in the know are taking full advantage of this buyer’s market before it turns. And at the rising rate of multiple offers that my office has seen this year, another seller’s market could be just around the corner. Of course, I still recommend buying if you need to move closer to work or find a larger home for your growing family, not as an investor unless you are really up for it. Like buying stocks, real estate goes up and down and it’s best to be in it for the long hall.

Anyway, the most expensive home sold so far this year was listed at $3,800,000 in Northwest Travis County. The sales price was under asking, but I don’t believe in revealing those details! This home was one of two homes to sell for over $3 million so far this year.

5 homes have sold for $2,000,000 to 2,999,999 and 37 have sold from $1,000,000 to $1,999,999 this year alone in the 4.5 months we’ve had so far.

According to my ABOR MLS search, 4858 homes total have sold so far this year by Austin’s Realtors.

Tags: austin real estate, buyers, economy, estates, hot market, housing, info, luxury, market, money, sales, seller, sellers, statistics by Aria
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Some months it’s hard to even make the basic mortgage payment, but smart homeowners are learning that paying even just a bit of extra principal each month can lead to big rewards.

In a recent Scott Burns Commentary, a reader wrote in for advice on a loan he had already been paying down for three years, saving 17 years of interest payments. Yes, it actually works! Check out The Motley Fool for calculators that can help you with your plans.

Don’t give up! This is the advice Mr. Burns gives his reader. Continue paying down that mortgage, and you will have more money for paying off other debts and your retirement later.

Your monthly payment isn’t set in stone. Even paying an additional $100 per month can greatly reduce the interest you spend and how long you have to make those monthly payments.

Good luck!

Tags: finance, money, mortgage, planning, princical, real estate, retirement by Aria
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