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Showing posts with label relocation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label relocation. Show all posts
Friday, December 27, 2013
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
December - The month of reflections and celebrations
Whatever your belief, whatever your
heritage
December is a significant and important month
for a lot of people all over the world.
* some of these days float from year to year but for 2013 here are major celebrations that people all over the world will be celebrating in December of 2013.
1-5 - Hanukkah* (Jewish) Actually began on Thanksgiving day and runs through 12/5/2013
6 - St. Nicholas Day (International)
8 - Bodhi Day - Buddha's Enlightenment (Buddhist)
12 - Virgin of Guadalupe (Mexico)
13 - Santa Lucia Day (Sweden)
16-25 - Las Posadas (Mexico)
21 - Yule
25 - Christmas (Christian, Roman
Catholic, International) 1-5 - Hanukkah* (Jewish) Actually began on Thanksgiving day and runs through 12/5/2013
6 - St. Nicholas Day (International)
8 - Bodhi Day - Buddha's Enlightenment (Buddhist)
12 - Virgin of Guadalupe (Mexico)
13 - Santa Lucia Day (Sweden)
16-25 - Las Posadas (Mexico)
21 - Yule
26 - Boxing Day (Canada, United Kingdom)
26 - Jan 1 - Kwanzaa (African-American)
I wish that everyone will take advantage of these days in their community to lean respect, admiration and perhaps become inspired by all of these traditions as they are celebrated in your communities. Embrace these events, ask questions and wish the celebrants well.
All of these special days tell a story and
the tradition associated with each one needs to be preserved for all
generations, today's and tomorrow's..
May you all have a healthy, happy holiday
season and be safe in your travels.
Regards,Bob Kenney, Realtor
Austin Texas
Mobile: 512-922-4922
** Apologies for any celebrations not mentioned in the above list. If you know of a special day I did not include please forward the information to me and I will update this information!
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
I am thinking of moving to Austin, TX. Where do I stat!
Great question Jen,
Thank you for contacting me. If you are moving to Austin why of course you want to call me! 512-922-4922 is my mobile.
This is an important question no matter where you are relocating to. why? because you are not only choosing a Realtor to assist you in getting set up in a new place but you are also choosing a partner in the transaction. Your Realtor of choice should be keeping your best interest in mind at all times, guarding your privacy and giving you the time you need to make the best decision. This will help reduce the ever present stress involved with any move and also helps manage your valuable time.
If you find someone that will send you listings and tell you to drive by the listings when you are in town and call them if you want to see anything you may want to reconsider engaging them for your search. This is a true scenario I have seen times and in my opinion is not the sign of someone that is going to spend a lot of time representing your best interest.
1st thing you need to do is contact a licensed Realtor so that you can discuss your goals relative to a move into the Austin area.
If you know a trusted Realtor/Broker in your home town ask them if they have a recommendation of a broker. Now of course this might single that you are moving so their ears may perk up a bit so make sure you have a plan of action on your current housing situation. Also be aware that if this Realtor/Broker refers you to the right agent they may be receiving a referral fee from the agent on the other side. It is OK because this is a professional courtesy and should in no way affect the services you are going to receive by the new agent. It also makes asking for the referral a little easier because some folks think it may be an imposition to ask. don't let it be Realtors love the opportunity to refer a client to a new market even though they may be a little sad you are leaving!
Why is it important to choose the right Realtor? because they will become a partner in your search for your property. If you find someone that will send you listings and tell you to drive by the listings when you are in town and call them if you want to see anything you may want to reconsider engaging them for your search. This actually happens and is not the sign of someone that is going to spend a lot of time representing your best interest.
There are a few ways you can find the right agent. You can search the commercial real estate sites like Trulia and Zillow but I will caution you not to go solely on the recommendations of "neighborhood experts" or "top producers" on these sites. These are usually paid positions that the agents have invested in to get to the top exposure and more leads. It does not always mean they are the experts in the areas they appear in. They aren't cheap either and this is a testament to consumer trust in "if it says they are the expert than they must be the expert".
The key to all of the social media platform based Realtors is you need to take additional steps once you have identified an individual. When I have a vendor/client I want to know more about I start with a Google or Bing search. This usually produces additional web exposure on the individual. Including Linked in, personal web sites, yelp reviews etc..
All successful realtors will be able to provide you with references of previous clients so make sure you ask and follow through contacting these references. Like job applications you want to make sure the references are real (one good indication about the agents character!) and gives you a chance to ask the reference about things you find important when working with agent. for instance:" Were they professional", "helpful and honest in opinions", "dedicated", "trustworthy" whatever criteria you are looking for in a representative.
Jen I hope this helps you with the beginning of your thought process. Wherever you end up moving I wish you the best and hope all of your transactions are successful ones.
Holiday wishes for everyone
Bob Kenney, Realtor
VP Turnquist Partners Realtors
Mobile/Text 512-922-4922
Thank you for contacting me. If you are moving to Austin why of course you want to call me! 512-922-4922 is my mobile.
This is an important question no matter where you are relocating to. why? because you are not only choosing a Realtor to assist you in getting set up in a new place but you are also choosing a partner in the transaction. Your Realtor of choice should be keeping your best interest in mind at all times, guarding your privacy and giving you the time you need to make the best decision. This will help reduce the ever present stress involved with any move and also helps manage your valuable time.
If you find someone that will send you listings and tell you to drive by the listings when you are in town and call them if you want to see anything you may want to reconsider engaging them for your search. This is a true scenario I have seen times and in my opinion is not the sign of someone that is going to spend a lot of time representing your best interest.
1st thing you need to do is contact a licensed Realtor so that you can discuss your goals relative to a move into the Austin area.
If you know a trusted Realtor/Broker in your home town ask them if they have a recommendation of a broker. Now of course this might single that you are moving so their ears may perk up a bit so make sure you have a plan of action on your current housing situation. Also be aware that if this Realtor/Broker refers you to the right agent they may be receiving a referral fee from the agent on the other side. It is OK because this is a professional courtesy and should in no way affect the services you are going to receive by the new agent. It also makes asking for the referral a little easier because some folks think it may be an imposition to ask. don't let it be Realtors love the opportunity to refer a client to a new market even though they may be a little sad you are leaving!
Why is it important to choose the right Realtor? because they will become a partner in your search for your property. If you find someone that will send you listings and tell you to drive by the listings when you are in town and call them if you want to see anything you may want to reconsider engaging them for your search. This actually happens and is not the sign of someone that is going to spend a lot of time representing your best interest.
There are a few ways you can find the right agent. You can search the commercial real estate sites like Trulia and Zillow but I will caution you not to go solely on the recommendations of "neighborhood experts" or "top producers" on these sites. These are usually paid positions that the agents have invested in to get to the top exposure and more leads. It does not always mean they are the experts in the areas they appear in. They aren't cheap either and this is a testament to consumer trust in "if it says they are the expert than they must be the expert".
The key to all of the social media platform based Realtors is you need to take additional steps once you have identified an individual. When I have a vendor/client I want to know more about I start with a Google or Bing search. This usually produces additional web exposure on the individual. Including Linked in, personal web sites, yelp reviews etc..
All successful realtors will be able to provide you with references of previous clients so make sure you ask and follow through contacting these references. Like job applications you want to make sure the references are real (one good indication about the agents character!) and gives you a chance to ask the reference about things you find important when working with agent. for instance:" Were they professional", "helpful and honest in opinions", "dedicated", "trustworthy" whatever criteria you are looking for in a representative.
Jen I hope this helps you with the beginning of your thought process. Wherever you end up moving I wish you the best and hope all of your transactions are successful ones.
Holiday wishes for everyone
Bob Kenney, Realtor
VP Turnquist Partners Realtors
Mobile/Text 512-922-4922
Monday, December 23, 2013
Texas Education Accountability Rating System
The Texas education system uses an accountability Rating systems for all public schools in the state.
In a lot of cases families moving to the state will want to know what the performance levels of the public schools in a given geographic area are. Austin like most metropolitan areas, is comprised of several independent school districts (ISD 's). In my earlier post I touched on funding through property taxes for the education system.
The link below is to the Texas education agency. The link will bring you to a page of the latest 2013 school ratings for all public schools in Texas. There is also information on how the ratings are calculated.
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2013/index.html
For a quick district report you can click on this link : Scroll to the district of interest http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2013/statelist.pdf
You can get more information by accessing the reports on the left.
The goal of the system is to evenly compare individual campus performance on an apples to apples basis. This is a great tool for a family trying to narrow down possible areas of relocation.
The following ISD's serve the greater Austin area:
Austin ISD
Westlake ISD
Lake Travis ISD
Leander/Cedar park ISD
Round rock ISD
Dripping springs ISD
Hays ISD
Georgetown ISD
Pflugerville ISD
You can see other area ISD's on the map below.
Map courtesy of Austin Chamber of commerce
As always if you have any questions please feel free to email me @ rkenney51@gmail.com or call/text 512-922-4922
In a lot of cases families moving to the state will want to know what the performance levels of the public schools in a given geographic area are. Austin like most metropolitan areas, is comprised of several independent school districts (ISD 's). In my earlier post I touched on funding through property taxes for the education system.
The link below is to the Texas education agency. The link will bring you to a page of the latest 2013 school ratings for all public schools in Texas. There is also information on how the ratings are calculated.
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2013/index.html
For a quick district report you can click on this link : Scroll to the district of interest http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2013/statelist.pdf
You can get more information by accessing the reports on the left.
The goal of the system is to evenly compare individual campus performance on an apples to apples basis. This is a great tool for a family trying to narrow down possible areas of relocation.
The following ISD's serve the greater Austin area:
Austin ISD
Westlake ISD
Lake Travis ISD
Leander/Cedar park ISD
Round rock ISD
Dripping springs ISD
Hays ISD
Georgetown ISD
Pflugerville ISD
You can see other area ISD's on the map below.
Map courtesy of Austin Chamber of commerce
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Relocating to Austin TX?
If you or someone you know is thinking about relocation to Austin TX. I encourage your inquiries!
I am a transplant to the Austin area from Massachusetts and have been in Austin for 15 years and selling Real-estate in the Central Texas area for 12 years.
I have extensive relocation experience both listing houses and representing buyers who are relocation to the area. I have the following designations for relocation education: GMS, CRP as well as my GREEN designation in effort to become more aware and proactive in social preservation.
Austin is a unique place even w/in the boarders of Texas. We are central to most of Texas main destination cities and boast "hill country" and 'Lakes region" that have been entertaining Texans, as well as visitors from other parts of the world, for generations.
There is a lot of different things that bring people to Austin (not in ranked order)
1) Capital of Texas
2) Music and social life style
3) F-1 racing at its best
4) Lakes and recreation
5) Easy relaxed lifestyle
6) Affordability
7) Climate
8) Education
9) Employment
10) Location
Austin is a great place to be relocation. it has a vast and varied real estate market affording newcomers with all ranges of budgets. several of the school systems (or Independent school districts ISD's as they are known in Texas) are a welcome change to a lot of transferees.
Taxes - in Texas we do not have a state income tax :)!! However we do have 2 other taxes :(
A) Sales tax - state mandated at 6.25% with a 2% taxing authority discretion. In most cases you will find the sales tax to be 8.25%
B) Property Tax - This can be a shocker if you are not aware of it but you have to look at the whole picture.
Tax % rates vary according to the taxing districts (usually based on what county you are in) I have seen rates between 1.8% to 3% based on 100% valuation of a properties value. Texas does offer a Homestead for your main residence as well as other exemptions and they are all covered in the link below.
These Taxes are made up of several components but majority of the tax is used to funds education with in that taxing jurisdiction.
When you consider that most other areas of the country have a similar property tax structure for education and services like ems, fire and police and an Income tax on top of it you really are a little better off but the 1st tax bill can be alarming if you are not expecting it.
I have included a link to the Texas 2013 Property tax guide for fuller explanation
State of Taxes property tax guide 2013
This is the 1st blog of this newly entitled site. I encourage questions, corrections, opinions and commentary. Please share my contact information with anyone looking for an unbiased assessment of the Austin and central Texas area.
Bob Kenney
Mobile: 512-922-4922
email: rkenney51@gmail.com
I am a transplant to the Austin area from Massachusetts and have been in Austin for 15 years and selling Real-estate in the Central Texas area for 12 years.
I have extensive relocation experience both listing houses and representing buyers who are relocation to the area. I have the following designations for relocation education: GMS, CRP as well as my GREEN designation in effort to become more aware and proactive in social preservation.
Austin is a unique place even w/in the boarders of Texas. We are central to most of Texas main destination cities and boast "hill country" and 'Lakes region" that have been entertaining Texans, as well as visitors from other parts of the world, for generations.
There is a lot of different things that bring people to Austin (not in ranked order)
1) Capital of Texas
2) Music and social life style
3) F-1 racing at its best
4) Lakes and recreation
5) Easy relaxed lifestyle
6) Affordability
7) Climate
8) Education
9) Employment
10) Location
Austin is a great place to be relocation. it has a vast and varied real estate market affording newcomers with all ranges of budgets. several of the school systems (or Independent school districts ISD's as they are known in Texas) are a welcome change to a lot of transferees.
Taxes - in Texas we do not have a state income tax :)!! However we do have 2 other taxes :(
A) Sales tax - state mandated at 6.25% with a 2% taxing authority discretion. In most cases you will find the sales tax to be 8.25%
B) Property Tax - This can be a shocker if you are not aware of it but you have to look at the whole picture.
Tax % rates vary according to the taxing districts (usually based on what county you are in) I have seen rates between 1.8% to 3% based on 100% valuation of a properties value. Texas does offer a Homestead for your main residence as well as other exemptions and they are all covered in the link below.
These Taxes are made up of several components but majority of the tax is used to funds education with in that taxing jurisdiction.
When you consider that most other areas of the country have a similar property tax structure for education and services like ems, fire and police and an Income tax on top of it you really are a little better off but the 1st tax bill can be alarming if you are not expecting it.
I have included a link to the Texas 2013 Property tax guide for fuller explanation
State of Taxes property tax guide 2013
This is the 1st blog of this newly entitled site. I encourage questions, corrections, opinions and commentary. Please share my contact information with anyone looking for an unbiased assessment of the Austin and central Texas area.
Bob Kenney
Mobile: 512-922-4922
email: rkenney51@gmail.com
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