Sunday, July 13, 2014

July 2014 Newsletter ~ Austin, Lake Travis & the Highland Lakes

July 2014 Newsletter ~ Austin, Lake Travis & the Highland Lakes



Get out and enjoy all there is in the Central Texas Hill Country this July - News, Events and Information.



July Newsletter~Austin/Lake Travis/Highland Lakes
GENERAL NEWS & INFORMATION/PARAGON PROPERTY GROUP TEAM
Ah, the lazy days of summer......And, the Central Texas Hill Country is a great place to spend them!  
Lake LBJ at sunrise beach sunset Summer fun is here and there is no better place than on our Highland Lakes.  The 7 lakes in the chain span from Lake Buchanan down to Lady Bird Johnson Lake with Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls, Lake Travis and Lake Austin in between.  If you enjoy boating, jet skiing, fishing, swimming, wakeboarding, waterskiing or just lazing in a hammock and enjoying the breeze with a tall, cool glass of iced tea, there is a lot to love about our area.  
Each lake has it's own character and beauty and it's fun to visit them all.  Or visit some of the nearby attractions that each lake has to offer.  On Lake Travis, check out the Oasis for a sunset cocktail, a lunch date or stroll through the shops.   Lake Austin has the hike and bike trail, a super way to spend an morning or an evening.  People watching is part of the fun!   
Remember, that if we can help you with any of your real estate needs, whether buying or selling, give us a call.  Referrals are one of the greatest compliments we can receive and we'd love to assist your friends, family or colleagues and offer them care, service and attention while they buy or sell their home or other property.  In areas outside of the Central Texas Hill Country, we have an awesome network and can refer them to a professional agent just about anywhere on the globe!  
“it's a smile, it's a kiss, it's a sip of wine ... it's summertime!” 
― Kenny Chesney
“it's a smile, it's a kiss, it's a sip of wine ... it's summertime!” ― Kenny Chesney
Travel safely and enjoy! 
Sue, Brooke, Stacey, Nattlie, Karen and Brooke
HIGHLAND LAKES AREA NEWS ~ MARBLE FALLS, HORSESHOE BAY, BURNET, MEADOWLAKES & MORE
  • Marble Falls Rodeo - July 18-19 8pm-11pm. Charlie Taylor Arena
  • Burnet Farmers Market - July 19 9am-1pm.  Burnet County Courthouse Square
  • Marble Falls - LakeFest 2014August 8-10, marks the 23rd year that the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce transforms Lake Marble Falls into a liquid quarter-mile “racetrack” and the banks of the lake into a wild three-day boat race party. It was named Lucas Oil’s Event of the Year in 2012, for both a well put on event but also for the highest boat registration next to World Finals!
  • Marble Falls Lakeside Pool - Spring/Summer 2014 Hours of Operation, Regular Season hours of operation will run from June 6 to August 24, 2014.
  • Mackenzie White, a 2012 Marble Falls High graduate, is the 2014-2015 Texas Tech Masked Rider. After a lengthy process, she was chosen as the 53rd Masked Rider and on April 18 took the reigns where she made her first run as the Masked Rider.
          AUSTIN, LAKE TRAVIS, LAKEWAY AND MORE ~ IN THE NEWS
          • July 14-20thMegaphone Marathons, Austin. The comedy event of the summer! Hosted by The New Movement, this week-long event features improve groups, stand up, workshops, intensives, and shows.
          • July 19thBurbz Fest, Austin. Held at Little Woodrow’s, this music festival features local bands and artists. Food trailers, games and a craft beer garden are all on site.
          • July 19thChili and Chillin’, Fredericksburg. Several wineries along the Hill Country’s “Wine Road 290” collaborate with area restaurants. No overall event fee, but the individual venues may charge their standard wine-tasting fees.
          • August 9th, Austin Ice Cream Festival, Austin. This annual event is held at Fiesta Gardens and is fun for the entire family. Games, activities, contests, and of course, ice cream!
          • Now Open – Austin’s Pizza, Austin. Opened a new location at 705 N. Cuernavaca Drive, and features pizza, salads, Mediterranean cuisine and craft beer.
          • Now Open – Frozy’s Shaved Ice, Austin. Opened a new seasonal shaved ice trailer adjacent to the Kolache Factory at 6901 North RR 620. The company has two other trailers in the Westlake and Bee Cave areas.
          • Now Open – Sundancer Grill, Austin. Located at the Sail & Ski Yacht Club at 16410 Stewart Road, this restaurant features salads, burgers and sandwiches.
          • Now Open – Learn and Laugh Preschool, Bee Cave. This school accepts children from birth to age 8 and is located at 11715 Bee Caves Road, Suite 100.
          • Coming Soon – Delaware Sub Shop, Austin. Restaurant that features Philly cheesesteaks and Italian sub sandwiches will open this month at 7212 West Hwy 71.
          • Moving – La Barbecue, Austin. This upscale barbecue restaurant is moving from East Sixth Street to the “upscale” food trailer park at 900 East Cesar Chavez. The old location will close on August 3rd and the new location will open on August 6th.
          • South Austin restaurant is named one of the top neighborhood gems in the U.S. , from Culture Digest
          • After cancellations, Fun Fun Fun Fest adds two headlinersfrom Culture Digest

                  Saturday, July 5, 2014

                  First Time Homebuyer in Texas? Get a free booklet to help you through the process.

                  Now, first time Texas Homebuyers have a resource to help them through the process of buying their first home!


                  • Credit Information 
                  • Lending Information 
                  • Searching for a Home
                  • Making an Offer
                  • Getting Inspections 
                  • Closing on the Home
                  • Moving In!
                  Contact us today for your FREE booklet and get started on buying your first home in the Austin and Central Texas Hill Country today! 


                  Contact us at Paragon Property Group 

                  Tuesday, March 4, 2014

                  VA Loan Compromise Sale - Short-Sale, VA-style

                  VA Loan Compromise Sale - Short-Sale, VA-style



                  VA homeonwers who are underwater - there may be an option for you to "short-sale" your homeUS Flagwithin VA guidelines.  There are specific rules and processes, but it can be done.   We all know that "stuff" happens and the VA knows it too.   Here in theAustin and Highland Lakes areas of Central Texas, our home sales are very active in many areas and in many price points, but if you purchased your home at a market high, you may still be in a negative equity position.   
                  Contact us for more information about your home's market analysis - you may not need a VA Compromise Sale, but if you do, here are some guidelines: 
                  VA Compromise Sale Conditions
                  1.  Seller has financial hardship
                  2.  Property must be sold at fair market value (offers lower than the appraised value may not be considered) 
                  3.  Closing costs must be reasonable 
                  4.  Must be less costly for the government than a foreclosure 
                  5.  Lender must be willing to write off debt above maximum VA loan guaranty
                  6.  There can be no second liens or other liens on the property. 
                  7.  There is an offer/sales contract on the property.  
                  Possible Qualifying hardships
                  1  Employlment changes
                  2. Permananet Change of Station (PCS) (this is the most common issue)
                  3. Decrease in Income
                  4.  Major Medical Expenses
                  5.  Death in the Family
                  Non-Qualifying Situations
                  1.  A decision to move to a different neighborhood or area or to move-up or downsize.
                  2.  Reduction in property values in an area without a qualifying hardship 
                  3.  If you have adequate assets to cover the gap  
                  Prior to lisitng your home for sale, if you know that you may need to use a VA Compromise Sale, you shoudl contact your mortgage servicer to find out their process.    
                  This may impact your VA loan entitlement.  The benefit may still be availalbe but may reduce the amount of your VA loan entitlemet.
                  Application Requirements   
                  1.  Contact signed by all parties with the following language "Offer contingent on approval of a VA Compromise Sale"  
                  2.  Good Faith Estimate from a Title Company relating to this sale
                  3.  Letter of Request to the Loan Servicer
                  4.  Financial Data and Supporting Documentation (this includes a signed Financial Statement)
                  5.  VA Compromose Sale Agreement Applicaiton 
                  Additional Requirements will include a current appraisal and a full title review.
                  A VA Compromise Sale will generally take longer than a typical home sale.   The VA cannot pay any more than the original loan guaranty. 
                  Let us know how we can help with your Central Texas Home Sale - Contact us for a free Market Analysis to determine your Austin or Highland Lakes are home's value. 
                  Special Note:   Loans originated on or before December 31, 1989, the servicer is required to write off any amount over the maximum guarantee. 

                  Sunday, March 2, 2014

                  The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Home Buyers

                  The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Home Buyers



                  This is a re-post of an article written with some great information for Home Buyers.

                  Tuesday, February 4, 2014

                  February 2014 Calendar of Events~Austin & Central Texas Things to Do!

                  February 2014 Calendar of Events~Austin & Central Texas Things to Do!



                  It's February in Central Texas!  It's amazing how many great events and things to do we have here in our area - so get out and enjoy all that Austin and the Central Texas Hill Country have to offer.   Festivals, Expos, Hockey, the Austin Maraton, Concerts and, of course, Valentines Day, so fall is love with Austin all over again... !   
                  The Central Texas Hill Country is an amazing place to live, work, play and invest! 
                  Enjoy!
                  february 2014 things to do/calendar of events austin and central texas
                  FEBRUARY 2014 calendar of events things to do austin and central texas

                  Saturday, February 1, 2014

                  Texas Teacher Home Buyer & Seller Cash Back Rebates, Down Payment Assistance & Home Loans

                  Helping Texas Teachers and Education Personnel to Buy or Sell a home in the greater Austin orTeacher books, pencilsHighland Lakes areas of Central Texas has a special place in our hearts.  We are committed to helping those who are in the education profession to have an opportunity to own their own homes using available programs and cash rebates.  

                  Did you know that Texas offers their Teachers Downpayment Assistance Grants for up to 5% of the purchase price of a home, along with special loan packages?   What a great opportunity to be able to purchase your own home and not have the burden of saving a big chunk of money to do so!!  It's Texas' way of thanking their many teachers, who may not be able to otherwise purchase a home, by placing it more easily within their reach.  

                  In addition, we offer Teachers a Home Buying or Selling CASH BACK Rebate, paid after closing when they Buy or Sell a home (And, Education Personnel qualify too - you don't have to be a teacher for this program!)  It's our way of helping our Educators when they are purchasing or selling here in the greater Austin and Highland Lakes areas.  

                  Contact us for more information about how you, or someone you know, as a Texas Teacher, Classroom Aide, Administrator or other Educator may qualify for a Cash Back Rebate when you buy or sell a home here in the greater Austin area, or may be eligible for special Loan Programs or Downpayment Assistance to purchase your own home.  

                  Thank you, Texas Teachers & Education Personnel for the job you do every day in your service to us all! 


                  photo by Kozzi 

                  - See more at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/4316584/texas-teacher-home-loans-downpayment-assistance-rebates-buy-a-home#sthash.urxZchlI.dpuf

                  Wednesday, February 15, 2012

                  Why is Austin’s Apartment Occupancy at 95 Percent?

                  Why is Austin’s Apartment Occupancy at 95 Percent?

                  It may be a better time to buy in the Austin area. Contact us for more information on available properties and getting pre-qualified to buy a home. 1st Time Homebuyer? Ask for a FREE First Time Home Buyers Guide. TSAHC currently has downpayment assistance funds. Do you qualify??

                  Cash Back Rebates for Educators, First Responders and Healthcare professionals. Ask us how you can get your rebate when buying or selling a home in the Austin area.