Real Estate News

Tim Dowling

Tim Dowling has been awarded the Seniors Real Estate Specialist Designation (SRES)

By earning the SRES® designation, I demonstrated an understanding that the 50 plus demographic has very specialized needs when it comes to purchasing and selling property.

How Can a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® Help Me?    The last link really gives a great run down of the overall scope of eduction and knowledge.  The best part is that the SRES organization continually provides me with new and ever changing resources and information. 

Feel free to call me anytime to set up a time to talk about your situation or a member of your family.  Every situation is unique as families go through lifestyle changes.  My mission is to listen and understand your needs and wants and then work with you to meet those goals. 

Downsizing, up-sizing, traveling, time shares on ocean vessels, mortgage options – the options are growing all the time.  Do what is right for you or in the case of your family, look at what is right for them!!

Feel free to email me at Info@btmrealty.com  or call the office at (512) 291-4880

Tim Dowling

760 Middle Creek – Whispering Hollow Subdivision – Reduction in Price and 3k in closing costs

 

The perfect family home located in the highly acclaimed Hays ISD. 

Motivated to sell!!!!  Price Reduction plus 3k being offered to go towards buyer’s closing costs.  HURRY!!! You still have a little time left to get the $8,000 tax incentive and you might qualify for the USDA zero money down program.  Are you looking for great neighborhood that feeds into an exemplary elementary school for your kids or due to the positive resale potential?  If so, this home in Whispering Hollow is for you.  The neighborhood is located just west of Austin.  Buda is highly desirable due the ability to get more home for your money, great schools and smaller town community feel.  The elementary that Whispering Hollow feeds into is Elm Grove Elementary, which is rated as exemplary and also rated in recent study as the # 6 elementary school in Central Texas.

The community which includes Buda and Kyle have been going through explosive growth and in the last few years they have built the Hays Family YMCA, an HEB Plus and just opened a new Seton Family Hospital.

What this all means for you even if you don’t have kids is you will be growing equity and if you do have kids you will not only be growing equity, but your children will be in a great school system.

760 Middle Creek is priced at a modest $219,700 and is in pristine condition.  The houses floor plan is one of the most popular in the neighborhood.  It is a one story, 2169 sq. foot (according to the appraiser) 4 bedroom, 2 bath house.  Currently, one of the bedrooms is being used as a study but it can easily converted back to bedroom if you so choose.  The floor plan is very spacious and open feeling and the massive gourmet kitchen opens up to the living room.  The house would be perfect for entertaining, raising a family or just your private sanctuary from it all. 

List of upgrades includes:

Built-in appliances (stainless),Kitchen island, Raised panel upgrade (all cabinets), Bullnose edge on countertops (kitchen), Sprinkler system outlet in garage, Recessed can lighting in kitchen, Moisture Guard carpet pad, Larger tile in kitchen & breakfast nook, Fireplace, Garage door opener w/remotes, Brushed nickel faucet in kitchen, Brushed nickel faucets in master bath, Additional crown molding in living room, kitchen, and breakfast nook, Full sod, Upgraded light fixture package, 5′ patio extension, Tub, shower pan, & counters in master bath are cultured marble, Elongated commode in master bath, Two-tone walls/ceilings (white ceilings), Bedroom Study or 4^th bedroom, Brushed nickel shower frame in master bath, Obscure/raindrop/velvex shower glass in master bath, Box out window in breakfast nook, Tile bathroom surround (tubs/showers) in both bathrooms (diagonal in master bath)

I picked out a few pictures of the home to show in this blog, to look at many more listings or get additional information  go to our listing page.

Tim Dowling

5201 Great Divide – Homestead Subdivision

Million Dollar View without the Million Dollar price tag!

5201 Great Divide is an exceptional Mediterranean style home located on the top of hill, which makes for some incredible views.  You will enjoy relaxing on your back covered patio throughout the day looking at the scenery or just enjoying the privacy.  The roof is tiled and has a radiant barrier which means for you there will be no repairs after hailstorms and you will be living in an energy efficient home saving you money to do the things you want.  Walls of windows greet you when you walk into the home.  The windows provide such great natural light that you will not need to turn on your lights except at night or during a rainstorm.

The house sits on over 1.3 acres and has over 3,334 square foot, according to the tax assessor, and has 4 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, 2 dining rooms and an office.  The house is ready for the biggest of families or just someone looking for lots of room.

I picked out a few pictures of the home to show in this blog, to look at many more go to our listing page. 

Tim Dowling

Did you know that the state of Texas has a section in the tax code that prevents you from being taxed out of the house if you so want to use it?  That is right if your 65 or older, you can defer your property taxes.  If your on a limited budget or just can’t meet your yearly property tax bill, you can defer the payments to a later day.  How does it work?  First you can click on this next link and go through a couple of pages of questions and answers  - Texas Property TaxBack TM   The link leads to Ehlers and Ehlers out of Houston and they have done a real nice job going into great detail about the code, the history along with the question and answer section.

The actual code can be read at Windows at State Government.

In my own words, here is the run down.  The section of the Texas Tax Code that covers this is Section 33.06 and it is titled Deferred Collection of Taxes on residential Homestead of Elderly or Disabled People.  If you or your spouse is over 65 and your having a hard time paying your bills or cutting back on your necessary medications or not providing yourself adequate meals on a daily basis, you have an answer.  Let us say that you pay $2,400 a year in property taxes and you have been in the house for 20 years and it is paid off and the house is worth $200,000, the house does not have to be paid off this is just the example, you could have an extra $200 a month to spend on essentials.  How it would work is you file the form(click the last link for the actual form) and read through, sign and return to the appraisal district that your home is located within.  I recommend talking to a CPA or attorney to understand how it would work and the appraisal district to see if you qualify.  I am not positive what the exact financial qualifer is, but if your barely making it, you will most likely qualify. 

How long do you defer the taxes?  You can defer them until all the way until you sell and no longer occupy the property.  The deferral payment is due 181 days after you leave the property and the proceeds of your home will pay this amount off.  Using the example above, if you were in the house for another 20 years the cost would have been $48,000 out of your pocket.  Now let us give the worst case scenario – You pass away and now the family will be selling the house.  The process is simple, there is a tax lien on the house and when the family sells the $48,000 is deducted by closing attorney or title company.  Left over is $152,000 that goes into your estate.  Why don’t more people take advantage of this code?  In my opinion, they just don’t know about it. 

Why starve or cut back on needed medications if there is an alternative?

Tim Dowling

Elm Grove Elementary and Buda, what a combination.
Elm Grove has been ranked #6 just one more reason to love living in Buda.  I have only lived in Buda for a little over 3 years, but I can tell you that both my family and I love it.  You get to enjoy a small town feel and yet be only minutes from Austin. 

Events like the Weiner Dog Festival (check out this video to get an idea what it is all about), the Fine Art Festival  and Firefest truly define our area.  If you’re looking for quality place to live at a reasonable price (comparably, the median price in Buda according to Altos Research this week is $200,522) this might be the spot for you.  As I see it, Buda is an ideal setting for a family or just someone wanting to slow down a tad.