Congratulations!

Tammy Templin

Congratulations to agents Dawn McKim-Garcia, Scott Grant, Jacquelyn Foreman, Debbie Sheppard-Thrush and Tammy Templin! They have been named 2011 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agents by Texas Monthly and FIVE STAR Professionals!

Dawn McKim

FIVE STAR Professionals surveyed all Austin, San Antonio and Central Texas residents who purchased a home at more $100,000 between Feburary 2009 and August 2010, as well as a selection of Texas Monthly subscribers and mortgage and title companies. Agents were rated based on customer service, communitcation, their ability to find the right home, integrity, negotiation, their marketing of the home, market knowledge, closing preparation and overall satisfaction. From the top-rated agents, a panel of industry experts including realty company executives, professional and trade association officers and others directly realted to the housing industry reviewed the list and submitted their own input.

Scott Grant

These agents are now part of a highly select list, representing the top 3% of agents based on overall customer satifcation. You can see the entire list in the June issue of Texas Monthly.



Debbie Thrush



You can contact Dawn by e-mail at dawn@dawnmckim.com or by phone at 512-300-1187.

Tammy can be reached at ttemplin@cbunited.com or by phone at 512-796-5559.

Scott is available at sgrant@cbunited.com or by phone at 512-294-4318.

You can contact Jacquelyn at jforeman@cbunited.com or by phone at 512-554-8298.

Debbie can be reached at drsheppard@cbunited.com or by phone at 512-658-9653.

Jacquelyn Foreman

Congratulations everyone!

Tech Tip: Symbols Using Your Alt or Options Key

I’ve had some requests to do some “back to basics” type Tech Tips – in particular, how do I make that handy ® sign that is used after Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS®??

If you’re using a PC, use of the ALT key and the number pad can create all kinds of symbols. Memorizing the necessary number combinations can save you a lot of time over inserting symbols individually. You simply hold down the ALT key and type the numbers in using the number pad, and then release the ALT key. Make sure your Number Lock is on!!

Using a Mac, you will hold down the OPTIONS key and press down the appropriate letter or number combination.

Here are four of the more useful Symbol combinations for both PC and Mac:

REGISTERED TRADEMARK (®) –

-        PC: ALT + 0174

-        Mac: Option + R

TRADEMARK (™) –

-        PC: ALT + 0153

-        Mac: Option + 2

COPYRIGHT (©) –

-        PC: ALT + 0169

-        Mac: Option + G

E with ACUTE ACCENT (é) –

            - PC: ALT + 0233

            - Mac: Option + e

Check out this link for even more options for PC and this website for more on Mac accent and symbol codes.

Talking Points!

Here are some Austin-centric news stories to carry you through the weekend:

City proposes $1 million study of I-35 in Austin | kvue.com Austin  -- Wish they would pay ME that million dollars to tell them it’s awful!

Austin to Become NFC Test City – This interesting new technology would have us paying for things using just our cell phones.

Austin dog owners celebrate Take Your Dog to Work Day | kvue.com Austin – Wish some of our agents had brought their pets up to the office for a visit!!

 

Austin, Tex., a Good Place for Small Businesses - NYTimes.com – The American City Business Journals has listed Austin as the NUMBER ONE city for small business two years in a row.

And if you’re looking for something to do tonight in the area, The Market at Steiner Ranch will be having a FREE food and wine tasting party from 5pm to 8pm.

Fourth of July Announcement from the City of Lakeway

The City of Lakeway put out the following bulletin regarding the late afternoon/evening of Monday July 4^th.

“Severe drought conditions and extreme fire danger has prompted Travis County Fire Marshall to decline all fireworks permits for now.  So sorry, folks, no fireworks this year.  As a result the City of Lakeway has  canceled the evening festivities at City Park,including shuttle service.  However, a revamped program, much like an old fashioned block party, only better, will replace it.  The evenings entertainment begins at 5 p.m. on Trophy Drive  and Highlands Blvd.., (surrounding the Swim Center),  featuring the exciting sounds of Duck Soup, under a marquee tent with festoon lights, a dance floor and tables and chairs, playing your favorite rock n' roll, country, jazzy blues and more. (Feel free to bring your own chairs, if preferred.)  This is a great chance to grab your partner and dance the night away.”

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Thanks to Jacquie Banks for the heads up!

Tell me about a great book you've read recently.

Since I don’t have TV per se I do read a lot. I like Fantasy, Mysteries, and Science Fiction the most. I finished “Elantris”  by Brandon Sanderson recently. Very unusual fantasy but he is a great writer and totally draws you into the story which has lots of twists and turns. He was selected by Robert Jordan to finish the epic series “The Wheel of Time”. He has done a masterful job in completing this series which has spanned 20 some years. He is a master at description and dialog and makes you feel like you are present, part of the story. I have thoroughly enjoyed all his writings and have been reading through all his published works! Highly recommend the read!

 - Scott Grant

I am almost 100 pages into Redford which is an authorized biography of Robert Redford.  I am continually amazed at the number of commonalities in our lives so far (apart from the Hollywood aspect) and the difficulties he and his family endured.

Also, the biographer’s use of certain words mandates that I keep a dictionary close by so I can annotate their meanings in the margins of the page.  Fugacious, for instance, “passing away quickly, evanescent, withering”.

- Jacquie Banks

What's your favorite thing about Austin?

My favorite thing about Austin is the beauty of the hill country terrain. Moving to the south from California was a concern as I loved the mountains and we have gorgeous hills with beautiful views here in Austin. For so many of my buyers, the view is a huge part of the home buying decision process. – Don Fry

My favorite thing about Austin is that it is so unique. There is so much to do, and so many interesting people. I also love the live music scene and the wealth of musical talent. – Nancy LaBarbiera (Read Nancy’s latest music review, of local musician Bob Schneider, at www.themusicinitiative.com!!)

Being the Redneck Barbie that I am this is an easy question. My favorite thing about Austin is living in the country, And Shopping at the Domain or the Hill Country Gallaria! – Sherry Grasman

Best thing about Austin is that it has all the feel of a big city without being one. Everything is so laid back.  You can go to the nicest restaurants and see someone in shorts or in a suit and neither are totally out of place.  The music scene rocks and of course…The LONGHORNS!! – Bryan Kelley

In addition to working with those folks who already know how great the Austin community is, I have the privilege of introducing the area to clients who are relocating to Austin.  I’m constantly asked what I like most and least about Austin.  One of the things I like the most is the SCENE.  Austin is a scene and if you have five minutes, check out Bijoy Goswami's video, Austin Scene to see what I’m talking about. – Stacey Nelson

Free Event!! 11th Annual Father's Day Antique Automobile Show

Steve Witt, the president of Centex Tin Lizzies Model-T Club and agent here at CBU Lake Travis, will be at the 11th Annual Father's Day Antique Automobile Show THIS SUNDAY, June 19th, from noon to 4pm.

Sponserd by RoadRelics.org, the show will be located at the intersection of 51st and North Lamar, with more than 350 antique automobiles anticipated to be displayed! And the best part? Admission is FREE!!

You can register your own antique car (1986 or older) and find more information about the show at the RoadRelics website, RoadRelics.org.

Meet Bryan Kelley!

Bryan grew up in El Paso, playing tennis competitively and traveling throughout the US and Europe playing for the United States. A graduate of Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado, Bryan moved back to Austin in 1997 after attending the University of Texas in 89/90. Bryan loves the lake, kids, Longhorn sports, surfing and other water sports, and anything outdoors! He is very committed to Lake Hills Church and supports the Center for Child Protection, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the American Cancer Society. Real estate is truly in his blood - his father was a developer who encouraged him to work in commerical real estate while he lived in El Paso. His sister, who also works for a local real estate company, got him back into the business.

What impressed me more about Bryan is how active he is in charity. He has held 10 years of fundraisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and raised over $300,000 at the events combined! His support of the American Cancer Society is particularly personal, as his mother is a 2 time cancer survivor, his father a cancer surviver and his brother-in-law, as well! AMAZING!

Bryan is also the owner of Johnny Fins Floatin Bar & Grill at the Hurst Harbor Marina. He also hosts a blog at Austin, Lake Travis Style.

The Rhyming REALTOR's Take on Austin

Check out Jacquie's new video! She shows some of her favorite places in Austin and the surrounding area.

GUEST BLOG: I Wanna Be A Beauty Queen!

Well, I am getting a little personal with this post. For those that don’t know me personally, I make references to Barbie A LOT. I love Barbie. She is a beautiful, hard-working woman who has worn many hats. I strive to be like that. She would also win any beauty contest even at 50. I believe that men and women alike love to look at pretty things. Whether it is a human being or a pretty home, IT’S ALL A BEAUTY CONTEST.

Let’s really look at a beauty contest.

A beauty contest is a competition based mainly on physical beauty of its contestants (active listings in your neighborhood). Although such contests often incorporate personality, talent and criteria. Winners of beauty contest are often called “BEAUTY QUEENS”

Is your property at BEAUTY QUEEN status? Before you hit the stage get all the little things finished. Patch the cracks, Paint the trim, Oil the squeaks, and fix the screens, just to name a few.

Find a friend or professional that you will want to hear the truth from. Better yet, get a pre-sale inspection. A professional inspection can identify problems that could throw a sale. Know the problems in advance and get them fixed. If there are no major problems than publicize that to the nervous buyer. It shows that you have nothing to hide.

Clean, Clean, Clean! You should be able to eat off the floors.

Also, banish the smells. Things that look pretty usually smell pretty.

Appeal to the senses. A home that Looks Pretty, Smells Pretty, and Feels Pretty that is the “BEAUTY QUEEN”.
Your home being a “BEAUTY QUEEN” equals your home “SOLD”!

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The above blog was written by one of our agents, Sherry Grasman. You can more of her blogs at Sherry Grasman Sells Austin.

Talking Points for June 10th

Here's some Austin-centric news that caught my attention this week! Let me know you thoughts on any of the stories in the comments.

Austin beginning to compete with other Texas cities for wealthy immigrants from Mexico

No public fireworks show in Austin due to drought

Austin ISD Will Close for a Week in July to Save Energy

Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse Uses Angry Voicemail For “Don’t Text” Warning

Volunteer medic. Poet. Wine enthusiast. Santa.

These are only a few of the answers I received when I started asking the agents at the Lake Travis branch of Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® to tell me who they are away from the office. As a former student of history, I am fascinated with the collecting and telling of stories, and I do believe that the agents at this office have some great ones to share!

I only recently began working at this office, and while I knew that the agents had been very welcoming and friendly, I was still surprised at some of their unique hobbies and histories. I’ve had great conversations with them and I hope to share those with the readers of this blog over the next couple months.

- Megan