I have awful neighbors! Have you ever heard anyone say that? Have you ever experienced what it is like to have a bad neighbor?

 I know people who have sold their house and moved because of such circumstances. When you look for a house do you do anything to protect yourself from such an eventuality?

Here is my list of things to do before you buy a house to help you reduce the chance of having a bad neighbor.

1. One evening knock on the door of your prospective neighbors and tell them you™re thinking of buying the house that™s for sale, talk to them, are they nice?
2. Look over the fence at the neighbors back yards, are they a mess? They™re likely to remain so.
3. Ask your Realtor to check if any of the houses are rental properties.
4. Are the gardens and houses well cared for?
5. Are there any junk cars or RV™s cluttering up the driveways?
6. What is the neighborhood like on weekends? Is it noisy at night?
7. Do the surrounding neighbors have dogs and do any of them bark all the time?
8. On garbage day is everything bagged and tidy?
9. Check out www.rottenneighbors.com
10. Be respectful of your neighbors and behave with them as you would like them to behave with you.

Forbes Magazine has ranked the top 10 cities in the country that are most œrecession proof. They are:

Custom home built to the highest specifications by master builder Tom Pitt in 2004. This home was designed specifically to meet the needs of two working professionals and their family.

¢ Listed at $695,000 this home offers 5757 Sq. Ft. of living space comprising 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, 2 studies, exercise room, very large game room and much more.
¢ Sought after green belt lot of over 1/3 acre at the end of a cul-de-sac.
¢ Flexible plan allowing for multiple possibilities.
¢ Two master bedrooms on the ground floor. The first is adjoined by an exercise room and an office with built-in wall to wall shelves and desk space. The second has a kitchenette and was originally designed with the possibility of using it alternatively as a media room.
¢ Four other large bedrooms, one down and three up give ample space.
¢ The playroom doubles as a large library.
¢ Tandem three car garage

For more photos and details  go to www.1507 BamfieldCv.com

COPY OF THE NEWSLETTER I SENT  TO MY CLIENTS IN APRIL 2008

In a sign of the region™s relative economic health, homeowners in Travis, Hays and Williamson counties can expect to see increases in their 2008 property appraisals, appraisers say.

Although Austin and the surrounding areas have experienced fallout from the national housing troubles and the tighter mortgage lending practices, the value of the typical house has continued to go up partially due to employment growth.   East Austin is seeing a surge of new residential construction and redevelopment primarily due to its low prices and proximity to downtown and UT.

State law does cap the rate at which most homes can increase in taxable value.   Taxes on residences with a homestead exemption can rise no more than 10% per year.   The Travis Central Appraisal District is finalizing its proposed values for all real property in the county, including residential, office and retail properties.    Countywide, the average home value is up 11.5%, to $285,511 compared to $256,058 in 2007.   In the City of Austin, the average home value is $266,807, up 12.55% from $237,055 in 2007.    Residents in five Travis County school districts could see double-digit increases on average on their property valuations.   Residents in the Eanes ISD could see the steepest rise, up 15.52%, followed by Round Rock ISD, up 12.57%, Austin ISD, up 12.22%, Lago Vista ISD, up 12.14% and Lake Travis ISD, up 10.9%.    In Williamson County, 2008 residential property values will climb about 6% on average countywide according to chief appraiser Bill Carroll.   On the commercial side, office, retail, and industrial property values are projected to rise about 9% on average.  In Hays County, residential property owners can expect to see single-digit increases per chief appraiser David Valle.   The Kyle area is seeing a lot of commercial, retail and residential growth.  The increase in property values does not necessarily mean an increase in taxes.   Individual taxing authorities – school districts, cities, and counties –   can raise or lower their rates, depending on budget needs.   The tax rates are usually set in the fall.  

 More Information on appraisals

To protest: Deadline is June 1 or 30 days after receiving the appraisal notices, whichever comes last.Information contributed by: Chief appraisers Patrick Brown, Bill Carroll and David Valle

In Travis County: For information on filing a protest, call 834-9138 or go to www.traviscad.org  In Williamson County: For information, call 930-3787 or go to www.wcad.org  In Hays County: For information, call 512-268-2522 or go to www.hayscad.com

If you have a question about real estate please post it, I will be happy to answer it!

Welcome to Iain Munn’s Blog! This blog was started with the object of  providing you with valuable information, tips, and general insights into the real estate market in Austin.