PJ's Odd Real Estate Joke on Optimizing For Sale Signs

In the City of Lakeway, the city pays code enforcers to monitor that appropriate signage is used when a home is for sale. Example, for Open Houses, one can only have a sign that says "Open House" and an arrow plus a business card must be stapled on the sign. Nonetheless, realtors are only allowed to have an Open House on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. If your Open House sign is in violation, they either take the sign down and they try to track you down and pay you a visit and they give you a warning. Then after the first offense, you can get fined. Yes, I have had to learn the hard way and get many unexpected visits from the code enforcers.

When a property is for sale in Lakeway, you are not allowed a for sale sign, not even one. Just an informational box with flyers are allowed in front of the home. In my frustration, I have come up with this 'optimized' home for sale joke.

March 2009 - Residential Sales Statistics

Once again, residential sales in Austin have dropped 31% in March 2009 compared to last March (using units sold). In Lakeway, specifically all homes under Lake Travis ISD, residential sales are down 17% compared to last March. Though these numbers don't sound so great, looking at the charts below, we are at an upward trend for the season as we approach spring/summer when sales are usually higher. Hope this trend continues to grow upwards as the interest rates continue to stay low (currently 4.875% 30 year fixed).

This information has been obtained from the Austin Board of Realtors and has not been verified.

PJ's Odd Real Estate Joke on Easter Egg Hunting

This is the second year I am organizing an Easter Egg Hunt in my community, Ridge at Alta Vista. Last year, we had over 1,000 eggs and about 200 children plus a special appearance from the Easter Bunny. This year, we have at least 1,300 eggs and the Easter Bunny will also be coming. We anticipate to have about 200 children again. As your realtor, I always want to make sure that I protect your interest. Enjoy and Happy Easter! (Double click on the photo to enlarge)