Kopa Real Estate Blog - Eric Peterson

Be Kind, Not Nice: The Hard Truths Every Home Seller Needs to Hear

In real estate, there's a difference between being nice and being kind. “Nice” is telling you what you want to hear. “Kind” is telling you what you need to hear—even if it stings a little. If you’re thinking of selling your home, let me offer you something better than politeness: honesty, grounded in years of experience.

1. Your Home Is Not Special (To Buyers)

I say this with deep respect: your home holds sentimental value—for you. To buyers, it’s just one of many options. That wallpaper you love? The shelf where your kid took their first steps? The quirky vintage tiles you insisted on keeping? They’re not selling points. In fact, they might be the reason a buyer passes.

Being kind means telling you upfront: depersonalize and neutralize. Your…

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Realtor Commission Settlement One Year Later

It’s been a year since the Realtor commission settlement was announced and 7 months since it went into effect. So, what’s changed?

From a buyer standpoint, buyers and their agent should have some type of written agreement prior to viewing homes. It’s important to note that buyers can always visit our Open Houses or contact us about any of our listings without signing any agreement.

One intention of the settlement was for buyers and their agent to have a compensation agreement regardless of who is going to pay for that compensation. In my opinion that makes sense. From there the only question is who is going to pay, buyer or seller.

From a seller or listing agent side things get more complicated because in Texas we still have two ways to handle…

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April 2025 Avery Ranch Garage Sale

When is the next Avery Ranch garage sale? The next garage sale is scheduled for Saturday April 12, 2025 starting at 7AM.

Avery Ranch is destination master planned community in northwest Austin. With 4,000 homes in the neighborhood chances are you have a friend or colleague who lives in Avery Ranch.

We have been Avery Ranch homeowners since 2007. People love living in Avery Ranch because of the amenities such as 5 swimming pools, lighted tennis courts and pickleball courts, playgrounds, neighborhood events, the Avery Ranch Golf Club and proximity to the Brushy Creek Hike and Bike Trail.

Students in Avery Ranch attend award winning schools including Sommer Elementary and England Elementary in Round Rock ISD and Rutledge Elementary in Leander…

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So You’re Ready To Downsize...Now What?

Downsizing from a larger home into a smaller one is a major event in itself, and it often comes on the heels of a massive life change—like a child going off to college, retirement, a change in health or mobility, or a tragedy like the loss of a spouse. These disruptions tend to overshadow what would otherwise be an exciting, even liberating move. It can feel overwhelming before you even meet with an agent.

But it doesn’t have to be. I can’t guarantee it’ll be painless, but it’s never as gargantuan a feat as sellers make it out to be in their heads. I’ve helped many people successfully downsize, and once they’re moved in to their new home they often say they wish they’d done it sooner. If you’re considering downsizing, here are some strategies…

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Success Story - Avoiding Mickey Mouse Buyers

My girls love Mickey Mouse. But most of my clients are no-nonsense people and they don’t want to deal with Mickey Mouse buyers. 

In this area the number of homes that go under contract and then have the contract cancelled is at an all-time high. Last year we closed every home that went under contract. Only one cancelled but those buyers came back to buy the house so it was like getting divorced and marrying your ex again. 

One of the reasons our track record is so good is we don’t push our clients into bad deals. What you as a seller has to be careful about is 74% of real estate agents didn’t sell a home last year. You don’t want to hire an agent who needs you to sell your home more than you do. You’re likely to get pushed into accepting a…

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Reasons Why I'm Optimistic

Fannie Mae Housing Forecast: December 2024

There are two reasons I’m optimistic about real estate this year. 

First, the number of homes for sale around the country is increasing rapidly. So many people have told me they want to move but there are no homes for sale where they want to go. 

That’s no longer the case as many states are seeing more homes for sale than pre-pandemic levels. 

What that means is it is much easier to buy a home in places like Colorado, Florida, Tennessee and Florida. We have even had clients be able to buy a home in other states contingent on selling their home here before we put their home on the market. Contact me if you need a referral to a great agent anywhere in the country. 

The second reason I am…

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Tips to Make Your Move Easier On Your Pets

They say you attract what you are, and I suppose that explains why we have so many animal lovers; we are animal lovers, too.

Moving can be hard on everyone involved. Adults, kids, and yes…even your pets! While your pet may not understand exactly what is going on, they can sense the stress (good or bad) that the whole family is experiencing. Add to that the fact that animals are creatures of habit and do not like changes to their usual routine, and you can understand why they become so confused. They also become quite anxious when all of a sudden, they see their human family busily throwing everything around them into boxes.

Naturally, we always want to keep our pets happy and healthy because we love them…but we also want to lessen the chances of…

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5 Things To Think About Before Renting Your Home In 2024

When it’s time to move you might think about renting your home Because we sell so many homes that were turned into rental properties, we’ve gathered insight into some of the things homeowners don’t think about before converting an owner occupied home into a rental property.

Do You Want To Be A Landlord?

I’m always willing to help anyone I’m always willing to help anyone look at the rent vs sell figures so you can make the best decision for yourself. But before we get that far I will ask you if you really want to be a landlord and if you didn’t own the home would you buy it as an investment property.

I will also ask “Do you like working with people? What will you do when the rent is late? Would you be willing to evict someone? How will you…

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Why Are So Many Contracts Being Cancelled?

A record number of real estate contracts were canceled in July.

This year we had 2 contracts terminated, but in both cases, the buyers came back around and we put the deal together. I suppose that was like getting divorced, finding out you can’t do any better, and then getting re-married to your ex.

I’m going to consider us undefeated this year. Don’t jinx us!

Why are so many contracts being canceled? There are several reasons…

1. Buyers are taking in more and more information and getting advice from their family and friends.

• I heard a story from a home seller that their home was under contract. Then the buyers’ parents came to visit and told the buyers they shouldn’t buy the home. The buyers cancelled the contract.
• Given all the…

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Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

I’m not talking about the classic 80’s song from the London band The Clash.

Instead, this is a question I get asked by homeowners 2-3 times per week. For the most part it’s not a real estate question, but I thought I would share some of the things I would think about if I were asking that question myself.

The Part That Is A Real Estate Question

If you ask me if you should stay or go, I think what you’re really asking is if you decide to move today and sell your home will you miss out on a huge home price appreciation that’s coming right around the corner.

It’s understandable to have some anxiety about that because who would want to miss out on you home being worth 20% more next year?

Nobody would like to…

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