Robin Scott - Broker CRS ABR SRS Austin Texas REALTOR®

Is the real estate market taking a positive swing in Austin? I think so. I've noticed increased activity. The active listing count is only around 9,500 and my listing at 12707 Margit in Milwood sold in 3 days!

12707 Margit in Milwood, Austin, Texas

If you are planning on selling your house, call me. I'm a Seller's Representative Specialist and I can sell you house fast

Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. Amelia Bullock Realtors. 512.589.7988.

Have you ever given much thought about the color of your roof? I remember the first time I chose a roof color, It made no difference to me because I had never really paid any attention to how a roof looked. I advanced to understanding the esthetics of a roof color and now have an ecological and economic perspective as well.

At one time my nieghbor and I would compare electric bills (air conditioning being the biggest draw on our electric energy) because they seemed high to us, but mine was always higher than hers and she had a bigger house and more kids going in and out the door. The only conclusion we could draw from that was that her roof was a much lighter color.

The Secretary of Energy and nobel prize winning physicist Steven Chu said that painting all the roofs of all the buildings in the world white would significantly reduce global warming.

When my roof was damaged by hail and I had an opportunity to replace it, I chose a light color. Not white, but light tan. The roof went on at the end of July and with August temperatures in the 100's every day, I was concerned about my how my need for air conditioning would effect my electric bill. Surprise! My bill was $30 less than the previous month. Yes, $30 less.

Some neighborhood associations have restrictions about the kind and color of roof you may use so check with them before replacing your roof. If your HOA's choice is not energy efficient, it may be a good time to attend HOA meetings and lobby for change.

Keep cool and if you are planning to buy or sell a house, I want to be your REALTOR. If you don't live in the Austin area, I can find a reputable REALTOR for you in your area.

Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. Amelia Bullock Realtors. 512.589.7988.

Below are some facts an figures that show how Texas is weathering the economic recession better than many other places around the country:

Percentage of jobs lost in Texas between June 2008 and June 2009 2.6%
Percentage of jobs lost in the US during the same time period 4.2%

Increase in Texas unemployment rate between June 2008 and June 2009 2.7%
Increase in US unemployment for same time period 3.9%

Median single family home in Texas in 2003 $154,700
Median single family home in Texas in 2009 $155,000

Source: Real Estate Center of Texas A&M University

In Mid- September the City of Austin will approve the fiscal year 2010 budget and the plan is to raise the property taxes and water bills to adjust for the projected deficit of about $31 million. The property tax rate will adjust to the highest it can without voter approval - 42.09 cents per $100 of property value.

According to the Trqavis Central Appraisal district the average value of a home in Austin has increased 4.9%!

Other charge increases include raising the water and watewater about $3.78 a month and charging 65 cents a month more for the 90- gallon garbage cans

The city’s revenue comes from:
47% Austin Energy
16% Water Utility
15% Other
13% Property taxes
5% Sales and other taxes
4% Aviation
Total anticipated revenue $2.65 billion

How the city spends money:
37% Austin Energy - city owned electric utility
22% General Fund - city services like police, fire, emergency service, parks
19% Debt Service - managing debt from bonds
14% Other
8% Water Utility - water treatment, capital improvements
Total proposed budget $2.75 billion

Sources: Impact Community Newspaper

Parlez-vous français? Je suis d'apprentissage. Marcia, mon ami m'a invité à un pique-nique dans la cour du Musée Blanton avec les plans que nous ne parlait le français. Elle et Cecil a très bien parlé et j'ai écouté. J'ai effectivement entendu la plupart de ce que l'ont dit mais il était trop intimidé pour parler beaucoup moi-même. J'ai eu beaucoup de plaisir et toujours du plaisir à apprendre quelque chose de nouveau. (Thank you google Translator.)

Do you speak french? I'm learning. My friend Marcia invited me to a picnic in the Blanton Museum courtyard with plans that we would only speak French. She and Cecil spoke very well and i listened. I actually understood most of what the were saying but was too intimidated to speak much myself. I had a great time and always enjoy learning something new.