All Blog Entries by Crystal Olenbush

Homeowners should be aware of the tax deductions allowed by the IRS resulting from the loan origination process.  This blog post highlights some of the appropriate deductions you should discuss with your tax advisor.

Points are sometimes referred to as “loan discounts” or “loan origination fees” and they represent money which the buyer must pay to the lender.  Points are not usually included in the total loan amount and are usually paid by the buyer in cash at closing.  One point equals 1% of the total mortgage amount.  If the total amount of the loan is $350,000, one point on a loan of that size would be $3,500.  The amount the buyer pays for points can be deducted in full in the year they are paid.

Most of us live in several different homes over our

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Resort style condo with Panoramic Views!  This unit would make a great second home or vacation rental.  The condo is walking distance to Lake Travis, the Beach Club restaurant, a neighborhood marina, hiking trails, fitness center, and multiple swimming pools and hot tubs!  This condo unit is new and has never been lived in - priced to sell at $335k!

New listing - Check out this all brick one story home in Circle C!  The home has lots of ceramic tile and a spacious open floor plan.  Great neighborhood close to everything.   Will not last long at $259k!

For the first time Texans can vote online for a new license plate design.

From Monday, February 4, until the following Monday, February 11, Texans can vote for one of four new license plate designs or to keep the current general-issue plate.

All of the plates feature the state name on the top and “The Lone Star State” on the bottom.  The plate designs were created by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

“We’re excited that the internet makes it possible for Texans to help choose the next general-issue license plate,” said Rebecca Davio, director of Vehicle Titles and Registration, the TxDOT division that oversees the manufacturing of the state’s license plates.

Even if Texans choose to keep the current plate design, they will see

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Our company has just sold a wonderful hilltop home in Northwest Austin.  The property sold for over 1.8 million which is the highest sales price ever in MLS area "1A"!!  Crystal Guthrie handled the transaction and represented the builder.

The beautiful new home features breathtaking panoramic views.  The 3 story home has 6 bedrooms and 6.5 baths and includes an elevator!  Crystal sold the property in only 86 days, well below the market average for this type of home.
















  
           





Crystal Guthrie is a top producer at Cantera Real Estate, Inc., and she would love to help you sell your luxury property.  Give her a call at (512) 422-3452














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This topic comes up again and again in real estate and mortgage offices.  Buyers get into trouble by changing jobs or buying new cars during the home buying process.  Many times they no longer qualify for the mortgage they were originally approved for.  This is a big problem if they have not closed on the property yet!

In order to be approved for a mortgage, the lender requires you provide certain information to the underwriter detailing your assets.  These include savings and checking account bank statements, copies of IRS forms, proof of Certificates of Deposit, paycheck stubs if you have an employer or business records if you are self employed. 

The bank or mortgage company needs this information to ascertain the source of your down payment. 

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We have a new listing in Forest Creek!  This former model home has many upgrades.  The home has been meticulously maintained and is move-in ready!  The exterior is limestone with brick accents, and the interior is gorgeous.  The property has 4 Bedrooms and 2 Baths, hardwood and tile flooring, island kitchen, sprinkler system, and a great covered patio with steps to the backyard.  Call 512-344-6000 to schedule a showing!

3902 Blue Monster Cove / MLS 4140147 / $229,900

 
You have decided it’s time to sell your home and move on to one that is bigger (or smaller) or in a better neighborhood.  Maybe you are relocating to a new city.  You know where you want to go, but now you have to sell your home to make your move. 

Asking the right price for your home is very important!  Some sellers believe they will price their home high and if it does not sell, they feel they can always drop the price.  This is not a sound idea!  When a home is placed on the market for some time and does not sell at the initial asking price and then has to be dropped to become more in line with similar homes, it is no longer considered a “hot property” and is often passed over by real estate agents and buyers.  Of course, you want to sell at the

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Foreclosures have been a hot topic in the news lately.  We have all heard the stories about homeowners who have Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) and are now unable to cope with the pending increases in their monthly mortgage payments.  In many parts of the nation the number of foreclosures has risen sharply in the past year.  The Austin market has been mildly affected by this.  Foreclosures are actually down in Austin, but they are up in Round Rock (a suburb city north of Austin.)   

Many people have asked about the process of a foreclosure.  It starts when a borrower is unable to make payments on his mortgage loan to the lending institution or bank.  The lender then files a notice of public default.  The foreclosure process allows the lender to

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There are many good reasons why someone may wish to refinance their mortgage loan.  One reason to consider refinancing could be the incentive to switch from an adjustable rate product to a fixed rate loan.  Another reason is that borrowers may wish to use a "cash out" refinance loan that allows the homeowner to access the equity in their home to use for various purposes (like paying off credit cards or funding a college education.)

Of course the most common reason for mortgage refinancing has to do with interest rates.  Mortgages interest rates always fluctuate up and down, and when rates are lower than your current rate it is always worth consideration.  You will need to determine the upfront refinance costs versus the savings of the lower rate.  You…