Did you know that you can make money off of your old electronics? Several online services offer quick quotes for these outdated items. If you agree to the price, you request a prepaid shipping container, send the device for examination, receive confirmation of your initial quote, and wait for payment. To expedite the process, some services have partnered with retailers to offer in-store evaluations and payments. Here are a few examples:

• Gazelle.com offers cash for your device when you use the prepaid shipping option. You can also visit participating Walmart stores for a faster trade-in; however, your payment will be a Walmart gift card.
• NextWorth.com gives you cash for your device when you use the prepaid shipping option. Or you can visit a participating Target store for an in-person trade and Target gift-card payment.
• BestBuy.com offers store credit only, regardless if you ship your device or visit a store.
• Apple.com/Recycling offers quotes for Apple devices. You must ship the device, and your only payment option is an Apple gift card.

These services also offer recycling and donation options for your item. If you can wait several weeks, you’ll often get a higher price using the shipping option—not to mention cash instead of store credit. And be sure to remove any personal data from your device before you trade it in.

If you bought or sold a home this year - there are some tax deductions you should be aware of! And if you bought or sold with me - I will send you the settlement documents you need to take advantage.

To give you an overview - here is a document from the IRS http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p530.pdf. Of course, always best to check with your tax consultant to ensure accuracy!

This is good news for many that travel the busy (and getting busier) Highway 195 in Georgetown. I am currently marketing a property at 1020 Highway 195 (unrestricted) - and this announcement only enhances the site's appeal. For full details, please check out the article from Community Impact News. http://impactnews.com/articles/hwy.-195-expansion-project-receives-final-environmental-clearance

I just heard about a site with some VERY useful information for homeowners and renters... Maintenance questions, estimates on repairs and renovations, FAQs. The sponsor is an inspection company - so, keep that in mind. However, these are the folks who should know the code and the most common issues encountered. Hope it's helpful!

http://www.livingwithmyhome.com/know-your-home-101.aspx

When you think Central Texas real estate...THINK KIERSTY!

Kiersty Lombar | Keller Williams Realty | Top Producing Austin Metro Realtor

For anyone who's been to California and Trader Joe's, this is good news:

http://www.bizjournals.com/mobile/austin/blog/morning_call/2012/01/grocery-chain-trader-joes-coming-to.html?ed=2012-01-14&s=article_du&ana=e_du_wknd

Time for tax savings! For those of you who've not yet filed your Homestead Exemption - or just purchased your new home in 2011 and need to file - it's easy. You don't need some outside company to do it. Just follow the steps, fill out the form, and send it in.

There are some requirements you need to be aware of:

1. You must own your home on January 1. (If you are over 65,and/or
disabled the January 1 ownership and residency are not required.)

2. You must use the home as your principal residence on January 1.

3. You must show proof of residency (copy of Driver's License and copy of vehicle registration. If you do not own a vehicle... Click here for information)

Here are the links - let me know if you have questions:

• Travis County: http://www.traviscountytax.org/pdfs/070716ExForm.pdf
• Williamson County: http://www.wcad.org/Appraisal/PublicAccess/Forms/PublicServices/HomesteadExemptionApplication.pdf
• Hayes County: http://www.hayscad.com/PA/forms/homestead.pdf

When you think Central Texas real estate...THINK KIERSTY! www.ThinkKiersty.com

According to Trulia's chief economist - smart cities are hot for real estate this year. And they think there's no city better than Austin! Take a look: http://www.businessinsider.com/5-real-estate-markets-to-watch-in-2012-2011-12

When you think Central Texas Real Estate...Think Kiersty! www.ThinkKiersty.com

Austin's Real Estate Market Analysis

Mark Sprague is a noted and respected expert on the real estate, financial industry and the Austin market, in particular. He is also the Director of Information Capital for independence Title, and we are fortunate to have access to his expertise and opinions. Yesterday, Mark was asked for his views on the local Resale numbers from Austin Board of Realtors.

The local real estate market turned from the bottom over a year and a half ago. But it was a slow turn, only lately has it begun to showing stronger levels of interest primarily in resale’s. Other portions of the local real estate market (commercial on almost all channels) have also begun to show strength. Is it back to 05 /06 numbers? No, but stronger showing than the last 3 years.

Is it time to buy? Absolutely! Those that have been shopping will tell you that below $500K the market is very tight in Travis County. The home (that’s priced correctly) you look at today, will not be there tomorrow.


Surrounding county markets ( particularly where production homebuilding was strong 04 through 06 continue to see resistance due to foreclosure values). On a larger scale, there has been over 2500 potential developed lots being negotiated or sold over the last 30 days. A strong indicator of the vitality and interest in this market.

What will 2012 bring? With unemployment continuing to drop locally as well as regionally, rental housing continuing to
tighten, for sale residential as well as commercial markets tightening it should be a better year. I hope that history will show that 2011/12 mirror when the local market turned after the last major recession in 92/93.

What has held Austin back has been the national housing market.

Austin, San Antonio and Houston have made the turn regionally. D/FW continues to struggle
so we are not ‘out of the woods’ yet.

(Click Here) for the Austin American Statesman article.