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Your credit report and credit score makes huge differences in your life, and in your finances. If you have a great credit score, your home, car, insurance, and more will cost you thousands less because you are deemed “credit worthy.” If you have poor credit, you can be denied a home loan, refinance, and even auto insurance. Yet, most people have absolutely no idea what is necessary to improve their own credit score to accomplish their goals. If you follow these tips, you are sure to see y... Read Full Post

New home communities are more popular than ever! With good reason – new home builders are using popular, open floor-plans, including appliances, sod, and blinds, and helping make it easier than ever to get into a new home with little or no money. New home transactions typically seem a lot easier, as well. If a buyer chose to, they could get through a new home transaction without contacting anyone except the on-site sales agent! However, this would open you up to HUGE losses. Take these simp... Read Full Post

As a real estate broker, I meet plenty of people at dinner parties who, when the subject comes up, mention that they are real estate investors. The conversation will go on for a bit, and I typically classify the person in question as either a true investor, or a real estate “investor.” True investors typically have a number of transactions under their belt, realize that they’re still learning, and are open to any insight I can provide – and I am always open to their insight. The real ... Read Full Post

4) Lack of Proper Funding If you've taken the time to create your business plan, than you should definitely have your budget, but I can't stress enough the importance of having and following your budget. However, the budget alone doesn't address the important aspect of funding. 90% of all small businesses fail due to lack of funding. Typically, new agents will want to have 3 months of reserves in savings before taking the leap into full time agency. However, money in the bank isn't the only w... Read Full Post

Every time I talk to someone about my business and career, it always comes up that "they've thought about getting into real estate" or know someone who has. With so many people thinking about getting into real estate, and getting into real estate - why aren't there more successful Realtors in the world? Well, there's only so much business to go around, so there can only be so many Real Estate Agents in the world. I feel, however, that the inherent nature of the business, and how different it ... Read Full Post

We all have, and have heard the horror stories, “I found a __________ (Realtor, Mortgage Broker, Inspector, Insurance Agent, Inspector, Plumber, etc…) and he/she was so inept that the experience was AWFUL! Best case, the situations end with a lot of frustration. Worst case, working with a poor business-person can cost a lot of money. As a small business owner, I always ask two questions: 1) What did they do wrong? (Everyone always has LOTS to say about this) & 2) How did you find this... Read Full Post

I got my start in the real estate business about four years ago - when the market in Austin, Texas could be described as "bad," "on the decline," "busting," or worse!!! We preferred to describe it as a "buyer's market." This way, it made the real estate buyer feel privileged - not foolish. At that time, when I was lucky enough to find someone willing to risk the "buyer's market," we'd search high and low for weeks to find the perfect home - and then the question would come, "How low do you th... Read Full Post

Cat Mountain in Austin, Texas is located just north off 2222, & 2 miles West of Mopac (Loop 1). Cat Mountain real estate offers homes & villas that began construction in the late 70's, and it was continuously developed through the 80's & 90's. Cat Mountain real estate offers phenomenal views of Lake Austin - the 360 bridge is prominently featured from many homes' windows. The villas are priced in the low $300's & the homes are priced from the $400's - with an average sold pric... Read Full Post

Purchasing a home is a big step, and a big decision. The average person spends around 1/3 of their income on their home. The home that you choose has a big impact on your life, and can have a big impact on your finances, as well. It always surprises me when Buyers attempt to “go at it alone” because of the possibility of mistakes. A good Buyer’s Agent is invaluable to a Buyer, and can be the difference between a wonderful transaction, and a nightmare. 1) Full Access to the MLS The Multi... Read Full Post

People with great credit scores have earned them for a reason – they have always borrowed money, and paid it back on time. There’s really no trick to what they’ve done, and there is no one action that will help you get a great credit score. When someone asks me how to earn a good credit score, I tell them to look at the spending habits of those with great scores, and to develop the same habits. Here are the 7 habits of people with great credit scores. 1) Never Pay Cash People with great... Read Full Post