Kopa Real Estate Blog - Eric Peterson

Meet Rocky

Rocky is 1 year and 10 months, mixed breed, black, and weighs 39 lbs. Rocky is a lot of fun! He's shy with strangers at first but he warms up quickly. He's always up for an adventure and loves to play and have a good time. Rocky has lots of energy and enjoys chasing balls. If you're an active person with room for a happy, exuberant dog in your life, Rocky would love to meet you! Rocky is ready for a forever home - he is neutered, up-to-date on his shots, micro-chipped and full of love!

Rocky is currently available to adopt at the Texas Humane Heroes in Leander, TX.

Leander Adoption Center
10930 E. Crystal Falls Parkway Leander, Texas 78641
(512) 260-3602
https://humaneheroes.org/

If you are interested in adopting Rocky, Kopa Real Estate…

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A ‘Buyer’ in Hand is Worth Two in the Bush

In today’s highly competitive seller’s market where there are more buyers than there are homes for them to buy, some sellers may feel like the ball is in their court.

And they would be right when it comes to choosing which offer to accept, the closing date, or even which improvements they are willing to make to their house prior to selling.

One thing to remember though, is that there is always a line that shouldn’t be crossed.

Interest rates can change, financing might not go through, the appraisal might not come back at the price that you have agreed to. These are all opportunities to work with your buyer to make sure that the sale still happens.

You may think that, because buyer demand is so high right now, you can choose to make your…

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May 2017 Central Texas Housing Market Report

Single-family home sales volume experienced strong gains across the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in May, while home sales dollar volume topped $1.2 billion and set an all-time high for sales dollar volume, according to the May 2017 Central Texas Housing Market Report released today by the Austin Board of REALTORS®

Brandy Guthrie, 2017 President of the Austin Board of REALTORS­®, commented, “Housing is the backbone of our region’s economy and the heart of our communities. Housing demand continues to be at an all-time high in and around Austin, indicated by steady growth in home sales and prices, listing activity and housing inventory. The concurrent gains in listing activity and inventory, in particular, are a positive sign…

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Remove Your Escrow Account After 1 Year

I’ve been in the mortgage or real estate business for 20 years and never knew this was possible. When buying a home if you have a 20% down payment you can pay your taxes and insurance yourself. However the mortgage company will usually charge you a one time upfront fee of .25%. For a $300,000 loan that is $750.

What I’ve recently learned is after making 12 payments you can request to have your escrow account refunded to you and pay your taxes and insurance yourself. So far I have not heard any mortgage companies charging to remove the escrow account but you should check with your own lender to be sure.

Paying your taxes and insurance isn’t for everyone but for people who can save the money instead of spending it there are advantages. Just make…

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Friends Don’t Let Friends Give Bad Real Estate Advice

One of the most difficult parts of my job is dealing with the advice from friends/family/co-workers. Occasionally I think it would be easier if I only worked with unemployed orphans with no friends.

Sometimes friends give advice because they genuinely want to help. Sometimes they give advice to make them feel important. Sometimes it's because they don't want you to do better than them. Like any Armchair Quarterback the advantage friends have is they are unencumbered with the need to be right.

I sold this house last week. 5 years ago I was working with a woman who has a young daughter and she was under contract for a home in the same neighborhood with the same floor plan. A great home within walking distance of a 10 rated elementary school for…

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Avery Ranch Fireworks 2019

Join us for the Avery Ranch Annual Independence Day Celebration on July 3rd, 2019.

The fireworks show originates from the golf course at 10500 Avery Club Dr Austin, TX 78717 starting around 9:00 PM. The fireworks show typically lasts 20-25 minutes.

Avery Ranch #1 Listing Agent

The best location to view the Avery Ranch Fireworks show is from the Avery Ranch Main Amenity Center (the large pool in the Morningside section of the neighborhood) located at 10121 Morgan Creek Dr (corner of Avery Ranch Blvd and Morgan Creek Dr).

The fireworks can be seen from inside the pool area or from the surrounding park.

• Where: Best viewing area is from the Avery Ranch Main Amenity Center at 10121 Morgan Creek Dr
• When: Fireworks begin…

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Selling Your Home? Get Your AC Serviced

When a home is inspected the inspector checks what’s called the differential. This is the difference in the temperature between the return and supply. 

Your AC can feel like it’s working perfectly but the differential can be outside of the inspector’s tolerance possibly indicating a problem. On the inspection report there will be a notation that “AC unit is not functioning properly. Recommend a licensed HVAC company inspect the system.”

If your home is over 5 years old and you’re selling your home to a first time homebuyer that can be enough to cause a panic. Worst case you may be opening yourself up to having an inspection done by a HVAC company that also sells systems and may be more likely to recommend a new HVAC unit.

Perhaps the differential…

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Do You Know the Cost of Waiting? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

• The “Cost of Waiting to Buy” is defined as the additional funds it would take to buy a home if prices and interest rates were to increase over a period of time.
• Freddie Mac predicts that interest rates will increase to 4.8% by this time next year, while home prices are predicted to appreciate by 4.9% according to CoreLogic.
• Waiting until next year to buy could cost you thousands of dollars a year for the life of your mortgage!

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How Big Is A House?

Something that surprises many homebuyers is there is nothing in our contracts that states the size of a home you are buying.

Home sizes are usually quoted using a 3rd party measurement. The Realtor listing the home will say the home is 3,000 square feet and then state the source of that measurement, usually the tax appraisal office. The tax office appraisal is not always accurate. Even two experienced appraisers may come up with different measurements.

Your mortgage company will have the home measured by an appraiser. Because the home measurement isn’t part of the contract if the mortgage company appraiser measurement comes in smaller than expected that doesn’t give you the right to terminate your contract.

This is an interesting article talking…

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How A Leaseback Can Make Your Move Easier

Would you like to move up to a larger home but you’re afraid of having to move twice?

Something that may help your situation is called a leaseback. A leaseback allows you to stay in your home for a period of time after closing, making your move to a new home easier.

We have become very experienced in helping our clients negotiate leasebacks. Currently we have 4 seller clients who we helped negotiate a lease back for as part of their sale.

Here’s how a leaseback works…

Along with the standard contract there is a 2 page addendum that allows for the seller to remain in the home after closing as a tenant. The buyer becomes the landlord.

This is a very simple form that spells out how long the seller can remain in the home along with a rental…

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