Jkagent's Weblog

Here is a link to my weekly "REAL ESTATE NEWS CHANNEL":For the week of 2/18/2008

jkagent — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:12:00 +0000

Here is a link to my weekly “REAL ESTATE NEWS CHANNEL”:
Click Here
This week’s segments are full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.
Some of the topics covered this week are:
Real Estate Outlook – The Bush Administration ratcheted up its efforts to keep financially-stressed homeowners out of foreclosure this week with a surprise move.Mortgage Moment – Jan Demas asks the question “If You Find a Mistake on your Credit Report, is it there Forever?”Market Condition – Our local market expert for Essex County, realtor Jim Armstrong, reports that activity has increased in the 1st quarter of 2008.Ask the Expert – “I’m set to buy my first house. I just got my inspection. But then my very handy Dad came and visited and found a major issue with the plumbing that the inspector missed. Can I use my Dad’s expertise as grounds for asking for more money?” Video of the Week – This week’s amazing video.
You can also tour my latest listing as well as view some of my personal favorites.
I hope you enjoy this week’s show. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me.

Sincerely,Jeff Kessler
Save up to 5% on a new home in Texas see http://www.rebateontexashomes.com for more details.
J.

Realtors® Designations and what that means to you, the client.

jkagent — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:09:00 +0000

Sometimes you will see an agents name with a designation or two at the end of their name. i.e. Jeff Kessler ABR,GRI
These designation show the dedication the agent has to his or her real estate profession. I personally got my designations in my first year. I wanted to learn as much as I could. This is a very difficult profession as most agents will fail within their first 5 years. I have been around 10 years and going strong. This is what my two designations mean to you.
Accredited Buyer RepresentativeThe Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate BUYER’S AGENT Council (“REBAC”) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.Over 31,000 REALTORS® hold the ABR® designation. REBAC (Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council) REBAC is geared towards real estate brokers and agents who want to integrate buyer agency services into their day-to-day operations so that they can provide a full menu of services to both buyers and sellers. You can contact REBAC by calling Customer Service at 1-800-648-6224, e-mailing rebac@realtors.org or visiting their Web site at http://www.rebac.net/Graduate, REALTOR® InstituteMembers involved in residential real estate who want a solid base of information for their practice will want to participate in the REALTOR® Institute program and earn the GRI designation. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Request Fax-on-Demand* Document #9, or contact your State REALTOR ® Association for course dates and locations. A listing of the State REALTOR® Associations is available at http://www.realtor.org/griclear.nsf?opendatabase
I am always here to answer any questions you may have about real estate in Texas. Please send me an email or comment on anything you may have a question about.
Good luck in all your Real Estate endeavors.
J.
Get up to 5% cash back on a new home in Texas,
http://www.rebateontexashomes.com/

Buying a Condominium in Austin?

jkagent — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:06:00 +0000

Currently there are over 30 or so Condo projects being built in Austin, Texas. I work with all new Condominium and new home builders throughout Texas. Currently at the 360 Condominium project they are giving new buyers a $5,000 dollar allowance towards upgrade to your new home. Great news, yes. This is just a very small example of the incentives out there, so contact me for more information.
If you use my when you purchase from this builder or any other builder in Texas I will give you up to 5% cash back at closing. See my website http://www.rebateontexashomes.com for all the information you need. You can also use this program if you are buying a new home as well. Call or email me with any real estate questions you may have. If I can’t answer them I will try my best to hunt down the answer.
If you are not currently buying and know someone who is please have them contact me.
Have a great day,
Jeff Kessler ABR,GRI

Identity theft is a serious crime!!!

jkagent — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:05:00 +0000

Your identity can be stolen at any time. This can destroy your credit and ruin your name. It can also cost you a lot of time and money to get it straightened out.
Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Don’t use password that are obvious.Like your last name, SSN or some variation of those. Use a password generator that can really help
Do ever click links that solicate from email.This is a big problem nowadays. You can get e-mails from the “IRS”, “Lottery wins” and even old Uncle “Fritz” that died in Zimbabwe. Be very suspicious of banks. Go directly to their site and never click the link in the e-mail.
Don’t give out personal info.Especially over a cell phone. Crooks have hackers that can pick up the conversation. Even cordless phones can be broken into. They do use radio waves.
Protect you SSN.This is a big one. It is harder nowadays with your SSN being used as identification. That needs to halt or more id’s will be stolen. Don’t put your SSN on your checks or carry your card with you.
Shred everything.I shred everything that comes to me that has my name or address on it. I had my identity stolen and this is how it could have happened. Here is a story for you. I was picking up some trash around my house and I found a bill for this lady. It had all her info on it. I wanted to call her and tell her, but just decided to shred it for her. Thank goodness I don’t steal.
Keep your info somewhere safe.Keep password and all you documents in a saftey deposit box or in a safe.
These are just some examples. I know there are a lot more out there. If you have any ideas let me know.
Have a great day and don’t forget to protect yourself.
J.
Up to 5% cash back on a new home in Texas. See www.rebateontexashomes.com for more details

Saving money on a new home in Texas. Get up to 5% cash back.

jkagent — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:03:00 +0000

Get a rebate back from your agent is legal in Texas. To read more please see The Texas Real Estate Commission’s webite.
How does this program work? Almost all New Home builders in Texas will pay a Real Estate commission to a licensed real estate broker. As an Agent in Texas I can Share this commission with you, the buyer, and give it back to you as a Cash Back Rebate.Most people do not understand that the price of a new home is the same regardless of whether you have an agent or not. This is how I can offer you this service for FREE and give back to you, thousands of dollars! If the builder is paying 3 % you get 2% Cash BACKIf the builder is paying 4 % you get 3% CASH BACK If the builder is paying 5 % you get 4% CASH BACK If the builder is paying 6 % or above you get 5% CASH BACKBuilders pay over 3% all the time. Especially in todays market.
This ad is intended for clients that are not currently registered with a broker. If you have a current Buyers Representation Agreement signed with another TEXAS REAL ESTATE AGENT, please contact your agent or Broker.
Jeff Kessler is a LICENSED AGENT IN TEXAS. His license is held with Austin Homes realty in Texas. License number is 457133
I am always here to answer any questions you may have about real estate in Texas. Please send me an email or comment on anything you may have a question about.
Good luck in all your Real Estate endeavors.
J.
Get up to 5% cash back on a new home in Texas,
http://www.rebateontexashomes.com

GreenChoice is back in Austin(renewable energy) Come sign up and help save the earth.

jkagent — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:25:00 +0000

IT’S BACK. You can now subscribe as of January 14, 2008, Austin Energy again offers GreenChoice to the public.
The GreenChoice charge of 5.5 cents per kWh is fixed until December 31, 2022. It replaces Austin Energy’s fuel charge of 3.65 cents per kWh. The average residential customer consuming about 1,000 kWh per month will pay about $18.50 more per month for GreenChoice power
Austin Energy already has 665 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) in subscriptions makingGreenChoice the nation’s most successful utility-sponsored green power program. GreenChoice® electricity comes from clean, renewable sources.
http://austinenergy.com/Energy%20Efficiency/Programs/Green%20Choice/index.htm
How awesome is this? Just another way to keep the earth green.
J.
Remember if you would like a rebate on a new home in Texas see my website at http://www.rebateontexashomes.com/ for more info on how to get up to 5% cash back. Just another great rebate program

Austin is issuing the first electric vehicle rebates

jkagent — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:20:00 +0000

In April of 07 Austin Energy and the Central Texas Clean Cities started to offer a rebate to help customers who purchase all electric vehicles.
These include cars, bicycles and scooters. My friend took advantage of the program and saved about $100 bucks on a brand new scooter.
If you buy an all electric vehicle you get $250 bucks back and on a bike you get $50.
You can go to www.cityofaustin.org/cleancities to get an application and find out more.
Don’t forget this is just one program there are so many more out there that can help you save a lot of money on that next new vehicle.
Have a great day.
Jeff Kessler
Remember if you would like a rebate on a new home in Texas see my website at http://www.rebateontexashomes.com for more info on how to get up to 5% cash back. Just another great rebate program.

Trail of Lights Festival in Austin Texas

jkagent — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:01:00 +0000

Trail of Lights Festival in Austin Texas

The Trail of Lights Festival is an annual Austin holiday tradition and celebration held in Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd. The festival, originally known as Yule Fest, began in 1965 by Mrs. Alden Mabel Davis and then Parks and Recreation Director, Beverly Sheffield, as a holiday gift from the Parks and Recreation Department to the citizens of Austin and visitors. The first display, “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, was set up in Zilker Park. This display still holds a prominent location on the Trail this year and has become a big part of the deep tradition of the Trail.
To read more please go to Trail Of Lights Festival for more information.

If you want to buy a new home and would like to get a great deal with up to 5% cash back at closing please see my website for more information at http://rebateontexashomes.com/
J.

Trail of Lights Festival in Austin Texas

jkagent — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:01:00 +0000

Trail of Lights Festival in Austin Texas

If you want to buy a new home and would like to get a great deal with up to 5% cash back at closing please see my website for more information at http://rebateontexashomes.com/
J.

My Weekly Newsletter

jkagent — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:15:34 +0000

They have a great show about Austin, Texas and how they are doing better than most markets in the States.

Enjoy,

Here is a link to my weekly “REAL ESTATE NEWS CHANNEL”:

Click Here

This week’s segments are full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.

Some of the topics covered this week are:

Real Estate Outlook – If the latest forecast survey of top economists by the Wall Street Journal is any guide, the outlook for the national economy — and even real estate — is the most positive it’s been in months.
Mortgage Moment – Jan Demas discusses “Is financing a Condo the same as financing a Single Family Home?”
Market Conditions – Austin, TX.; Las Vegas, NV. & Rancho Mirage, CA.
Ask the Expert – “Is it a discriminatory practice to run background &/or credit checks on potential purchasers & use such information to select a purchaser?”
Video of the Week – This week’s amazing video.

You can also tour my latest listing as well as view some of my personal favorites.

I hope you enjoy this week’s show. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me.

Sincerely,
Jeff Kessler

Remember if you are buying a home in Texas and would like to get up to 5% cash back then please check out my website at http://rebateontexashomes.com/