Should you choose a family relative or friend as your Realtor?

Recently, I heard a story where an agent found out that a brother put his house in the market and the Seller did not hire nor tell the agent relative.  After a small family event, the Seller did not mention anything to the relative nor did the agent.  I am going to tell you that the agent is hurt about this decision and the relationship between the two has been compromised.  My question to the Seller is WHY?  What is going thru the mind of the Seller that he cannot be upfront to his own family member about this.  Why did the Seller remain to make it a secret?  Did he think that the family member was not going to find out?  Did the Seller feel that the family member was not good enough to hire them as their Realtor?

In the same token, I want to ask you if you had a friend who was a Realtor, would you do the same?  Would you tell your friend that you were going to use a non-friend or another friend to sell or buy a house?  Would you keep it a secret to your Realtor friend?  Would you bother telling your friend about it?  After all, we are on the MLS often enough to notice if your home was for sale.

Let me tell you from a perspective of a Realtor. 

I can understand that friends don't want to do business with friends.  It makes sense BUT it would only be fair that you approach your Realtor friend that you intend to sell your house and not use a friend PERIOD.  A good Realtor friend should understand without questioning the friend's decision.  I have a friend who has told me this and I supported this decision.  That person in my opinion, is someone who was honest and valued our friendship.

A Realtor friend who runs a successful real estate business should at ALL times have the opportunity to earn your business PERIOD.  You have heard your Realtor friend talk about their sales; you've read their successes in social media like Facebook; you should trust your friend to be able to do business with them.  After all, how many times did you ask your friend for real estate advice?  How many times did you consider selling your house and confiding this idea to your friend? How many times did you ask your friend for a name of a contractor, a plumber, an electrician? How many times did you ask your friend to pull comparables for you to protest your taxes?  How many times did you think of moving and you asked your Realtor friend to show you a house he/she saw online? If you trust your friend enough for advice and your friend has been there for you for all your real estate needs, your Realtor friend DESERVES to be the FIRST person you interview when it comes to selling your home.

A professional Realtor should treat the transaction as a business like no other.  The friend will be treated as a client and in most cases, better than a client.  This is the time for the Realtor to step-up and shine given the circumstance since you know that you need your friend to rave about you in front of your common circle of friends after the transaction is over.

Do not at any case ask your Realtor friend to discount the commission because you are friends.  This is a business transaction, there should be no special favors.  The Realtor has to spend the same amount of marketing, time and effort as a regular transaction.  If the Realtor volunteers that they want to give you a discount, so be it, but one should not ask.  Our commission is our bread and butter.  This is how we earn to pay our bills, to pay for our gas, our dues, mortgage just like how you or your spouse has to go to work to earn a paycheck.  A friend would know this because your Realtor friend may have confided to you about their financials, etc.

The business transaction works both ways.  If the Seller is self employed or works for a service industry, (whether it be a dry cleaning business, car sales, mortgage, professional cleaning, landscaping, restaurant owner, etc.) you would expect your Realtor friend to support you by sending business and referrals your way.  Reciprocate by giving your Realtor friend your business.

In this business, I have seen this relationship to be one way, the lack of reciprocity, the lack of loyalty.  Do not at any cost let this happen between you and your Realtor friend.  I think its time you heard what its like to be on the other side of the table.  Perhaps the relationship isn't a good friendship after all.

Think about it.  All we are asking is your honesty and the opportunity to earn your business.  Don't be selfish.  Friendship is a two way street.  You'll feel better about yourself in the long run.

Apartment leases in West Austin

I received this email today from an Apartment Complex in Bee Caves. Check out the rates in this flyer: 3 bedrooms for 2,415; 2 bedrooms for $1,537 and one bedroom for $982. WHOA!

As housing becomes on demand, apartment rates go up.  Why throw away money to lease an apartment and pay more than a house? You don't build equity in a lease,  no mortgage tax deduction and plus no enjoyment in home ownership.  Talk to a loan officer and speak about getting prequalified. That's the first step. Next is call me so we can find a home in your budget. If you are wanting to stay on a certain monthly mortgage payment I can get help figure out how much money you need to buy.

Its time to get out of apartment renting life and move you to home ownership.

Scorpion-zilla sighting

Oh dear. Look what I found today in my office after I showed real estate property in Spicewood.  Its a Scorpion-zilla, the size of Earth,  that has a sting as painful as the IRS check I wrote yesterday, on tax day. Looks like someone needs to come and spray the outside. Scorpions are a familiar TX critter (sigh).

Blue bonnets at Pacebend Park

I was showing property in Spicewood today, when I decided to take a detour to check out these famous blue bonnets. They wouldn't allow me to get past the gate without a County Permit or pay $10 for a day use, so I decided to take a photo by the sign instead.  I just love the vibrant colors of our TX wildflowers. Now back to work :(

Top Individual Producer

Pearl Jones has been named #18 Top Individual Producer for Keller Williams Realty Lake Travis. Thank you friends,  family and clients for trusting me with your home. Looking for an agent?  Pick me, someone with alot of experience and one of the best Realtors in Austin.

Texas Blue bonnets

I have a Texas blue bonnet in my garden! Ok its just one but hey I have a blue bonnet! Blue bonnet is Texas' National flower and in spring they bloom. They bloom beautifully like weeds and several places have fields of them. Who knows maybe next year the seeds will spread and I'll have 2. But its a start.
I have a stick pointing to the blue bonnet in case you need to zoom in. The model pooch is Wilson,  the family Golden Doodle, and we just came back from our hill country walk.

Outstanding Achievement

Pearl Jones is a Silver Medal Winner for her 2014 production at Keller Williams Realty in Lake Travis Market Center. She is one of the Top Individual Producers. When it comes time to buy or sell your home, pick the best. The one who does real estate as a full time job.

Recommended Phone App for Searching Homes

Do you know someone moving to Austin and want to know which phone APP to use to search Austin Real Estate? Use my APP. Ask them to go follow this link http://app.kw.com/KWGJZA20 for instructions OR
Using App Store or Google Place, search for "Keller Williams Realty", once you down load the app, put this code "KWGJZA20" or search for my name "Pearl Jones". It works like any other Home Finder App but BETTER! Thank you!

File your Homestead Exemption forms Before April 30th Deadline

If you purchased your property in Texas last year, 2014 and it is your primary home.  You can file a Homestead Exemption to save money on your taxes.  Visit your County's Appraisal District site for the appropriate form and deadline.  Call me at (512)786-7355 if you have any questions or help in locating that site.

Testimonial from a Rough Hollow client

Love my clients who give me such a great compliment.  This is from a repeat client.  Thank you Chris.  It was a pleasure to help you.

I would recommend Pearl Jones with the highest degree of satisfaction. She is a consummate professional who understands the unique differences in the West/SW Austin real estate market. Pearl did a wonderful job in listing and selling my home in Rough Hollow. She was also key in the purchase and construction of my first home along with helping me locate and purchase my current home here in Rough Hollow.

Chris G., Rough Hollow, Lakeway, TX

WHAT TO KNOW Before Buying or Selling a Home (Austin Edition)

My book is finally out.  Local Einsteins has shipped my book, that I co-authored, WHAT TO KNOW Before Buying or Selling a Home in Austin, TX.  I wrote the chapter on Bee Cave, Lakeway and Hudson Bend.  It was so awesome to be a part of this book.
If you are moving to Austin and want to narrow down your Austin area, this is a great book to assist you.  If you are living in Austin and are thinking of selling, this is also a great book for you.  For your free copy, call me at (512)786-7355.  Call now as I only have limited copies, otherwise, you will have to purchase your copy on Amazon.com.

New Military Relocation Professional Designation

Guess who recently received their Military Relocation Professional?  I did!  With our military personnel coming home from being stationed overseas, I am here to help you! Thank you for your service!  I also have a wonderful lender that I work with for VA loans.  Please contact me if you are one of our brave heroes and ready to buy a home.  It is my turn to serve you!

March 2015 Austin Real Estate Statistics

I admit, I have been slacking off posting my market statistics.  Life and work got very busy but I will try harder.
Here's March number for the entire Austin.  In March 2015, residential sales units were DOWN only 1% compared to March 2014.  Wow!  That's not bad.  In Lake Travis ISD, sales were UP a whopping 18% compared to last March.  That is awesome, isn't it?  That tells me, its a SELLER's market out there.  Our inventory is low and now is the time to sell.  Call me for a FREE market analysis today at (512)786-7355.

1st Quarter Statistics for Ridge at Alta Vista and Enclave at Alta Vista, Lakeway

1st Quarter statistics for Ridge at Alta Vista and Enclave at Alta Vista has been calculated.  If you are thinking of buying or selling in this beautiful neighborhood in Lakeway, please call me.  I may also have a pocket listing in the hood.