Laura Ivy Blessing

I love my company! For many reasons, I love working for Keller Williams. Yet, I am proudest when I hear about how KW gives back to the community. Here are two great reasons to choose a KW agent for your next real estate transaction.

1. KW is the title sponsor the for Run for the Water. This week at our team meeting, Gilbert came to speak to us about his event and to raise awareness and money to help build water wells for tribes in Africa. He explained just how much a water well can change lives in Africa. KW does a great job of keeping all of it's agents inspired and grateful for life and business. Listen to this man's story on YouTube.com and sign up for this great event!

2. KW is the largest donor every year the Capital Area Food Bank. October 9th from 9am - 1pm. KW will be collecting food from almost every neighborhood street in Austin and the surrounding areas. Drop off is at Riverbend Church.

Only the largest and best real estate company in the area and give back to the community in this capacity! Thank you for working with me or other KW agents for these causes and for choosing KW as your #1 Real Estate Company in Austin!

For those FHA buyers that are monthly payment sensitive (which what buyers aren't today!), keep in mind a deadline in which FHA will make changes that will make your monthly payment go up.

On October 4th, FHA Mortgage Insurance upfront premium and monthly premiums will change. Here is a comparison of the current and future scenarios to help you grasp the difference and how it will effect your monthly payment.

Current FHA Scenario (30 Year Fixed)

-Upfront Premium 2.25%, Monthly Premium .55%

$200,000 Purchase Price

$197,342 Loan Amount
$1,474.90 PITI Payment
$90.27 Monthly Mortgage Insurance Premium

$1,565.17 TOTAL MONTHLY PAYMENT

New FHA Scenario (30 year fixed)

-Upfront Premium 1.00%, Monthly Premium .90% (.85% with 5% down)

$200,000 Purchase Price

$194,930 Loan Amount
$1,462.68 PITI Payment
$143.69 Monthly Mortgage Insurance Premium

$1,606.37 TOTAL MONTHLY PAYMENT

That means a $41.20 increase in a monthly payment on a $200,000 home.

Call me today for more info or if you want to purchase a home before these changes take place. Again the date is October 4th.

Thank you United Lending for the numbers. Thank you Francesco Marino for the image.

Laura Ivy Blessing blogs about the Austin known and lesser known happenings with a splash of real estate savvy for today's buyers and sellers. Please call her today to consult and advise you through your next real estate transaction.

I did some research for a client the other day that I thought would be great to include in my blog.

Here is the average sales price and average $/SF for a subdivision in NW Austin (Click here for google map for location). From looking at the numbers, this subdivision appears to have a strong appreciation potential for the years to come. Milwood is also in a great location (15-20 minute drive to downtown Austin with no traffic) and the prices of this subdivision are still affordable when you consider some of the prices of more centrally located homes.

Milwood Subdvision statistics for 1-Story Homes

Year Average Sales Price Average $/SF

2000 $119,391 $ 83.29

2005 $138,286 $ 94.78

2009 $175,319 $117.98

To put this in perspective, if you bought a 1-story home in Milwood in 2000 at the average $/SF and then sold it today at the average $/SF, you could gross nearly $60,000 in profit or equity.

I am thankful everyday to wake up in Austin, TX! We have one of the best markets in the country. I know there are many people losing money in real estate and other investments. Call me today and let me show you how to make money in real estate while leveraging a basic need, a roof over your head.

Thank you JScreationzs for the image.

I'm sure if you are a first time buyer or in the market for a home, there isn't a day that goes by in which you don't hear about how low the interest rates are today (and how they WILL go up in the future, it's just a matter of WHEN).

Today I want to give you perspective on how low interest rates translate into more buying power and lower monthly payments.

Just how low are rates today? Well, 30-year fixed rate mortgage rates are around 5% (today, last I checked, 4.8%). Last year rates were as high as 6.5%. Around 1995, rates were around 9%. And if you compared interest rates to a horror movie, the early eighties would be like The Shining with rates reaching as high as 18% (All looking and no buying makes Jack a dull boy).

If you want a loan payment around $800, at 5% you can afford $149,025. At 6.5%, your buying power at $126,569. That same monthly payment at 9% and you will be borrowing less than $100,000.

Looking for a home in the $200,000 range? At 5% your monthly payment will be $1,074. Add $62 to that payment for each 0.5% raise in rates.

Buyers, with the interest rates low and home prices low as well, there is no reason not to get out there and find your dream home! Call me today.

Laura Ivy Blessing blogs about the Austin known and lesser known happenings with a splash of real estate savvy for today's buyers and sellers. Please call her today to consult and advise you through your next real estate transaction.

Source: Texas Realtor Magazine and Thank you JScreationzs for the image.

Every body has got one of those horror stories... the movers were 4 hours late, they scratched your priceless antique or maybe you felt unsafe with the prison-like mongrels throwing your precious things around.

I heard a story the other day about a couple that received bed bugs from the movers dirty truck and another about a stolen television. Yikes!

I've have never had a good moving company to recommend to clients until now and I am so excited to blog about Heavenly Care Moving Services.

This company used to specialize in moving senior citizens, the founder Benny Latino started the company after he heard of the elderly getting taken advantage of in Austin. Now the company does residential and commercial moving for everyone.

The company strives for 100% customer satisfaction (they will call to get your feedback after your move). Heavenly Care also includes a 100% Replacement for damaged items (without any extra insurance charge).

Voted Best in Austin by the Austin Chronicle the last 3 years.

Call me for a 15% off discount coupon on your next move.

Give them a call today and please come back and add to this blog about your experience. I know you will be in good hands!

Heavenly Care Moving

(512) 340-0551

Laura Ivy Blessing blogs about the Austin known and lesser known happenings with a splash of real estate savvy for today's buyers and sellers. Please call her today to consult and advise you through your next real estate transaction.

Thank you Danilo Rizzuti for the image.