Blog Entries

Taxpayers' Rights, Remedies and Responsibilities

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:00:00 +0100

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has an excellent brochure available online that lays out taxpayers' rights and responsibilities regarding property taxes. The brochure includes basic information on the property tax system, how to save on property taxes, how to save on agricultural land taxes, filing for exemptions, and how to file a protest, among other things. To view the brochure, visit the Comptroller's Web site at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/proptax/remedy08/.

Keller Williams tops in customer satisfaction

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:00:00 +0100

J.D. Power and Associates Reports:
Among Home Buyers, Keller Williams Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction
With Real Estate Companies, While Prudential Ranks Highest Among Home Sellers in Inaugural Study

Despite Popularity of Online Home Buying and Selling Tools,
Real Estate Agents are Key to Customer Satisfaction

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 23 July 2008 - Keller Williams ranks highest among real estate companies in satisfying home buyers, while Prudential r [...]

Study says Texas still top state for business

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:00:00 +0100

from the Austin Business Journal

The business climate in Texas is the best in the nation, according to a study by marketing company Development Counsellors International.

In the poll of 281 corporate executives across the country, 40.8 percent of participants say Texas had the most favorable business climate -- an accolade the Lone Star State has held since 1999.

Executives cited a strong labor market, low operating costs and a pro-business climate as factors in their deci [...]

Nation looks to Texas' resiliency

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:00:00 +0100

Relatively stable housing market, high energy costs and weak dollar all benefiting state

Dallas Business Journal - by Lyssa Jenkens Contributing writer

What is going on in Texas? We hear that question a lot lately. The business community in this country and abroad wonders how the Texas economy continues to grow as the nation struggles under the weight of declining housing markets, rising energy prices and the falling dollar.

Texas has added nearly 85,000 net new jobs s [...]

Builders Can Use New Tax Credit to Help Spur Home Sales

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:00:00 +0100

Prospective first-time home buyers who have been sitting on the fence now have a significant financial incentive to explore the opportunities available in today's housing market.

H.R. 3221, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 - which has just been passed by the Congress and now is on its way to President Bush for his signature - allows first-time home buyers to take a $7,500 tax credit from the purchase of a single-family home, townhome or condominium apartment.

< [...]

Austin - a great place for college grads

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:00:00 +0100

Forbes.com recently ranked Austin as the third best city for recent college graduates, behind Houston and Dallas. The magazine looked at factors such as starting salaries, low cost of living and the booming tech industry.

Check out the full article at http://www.forbes.com/2008/06/26/cities-grads-best-forbeslife-cx_ae_0626realestate.html.

Steve Gardner Comments on City's Retrofit Proposal

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Thu, 08 May 2008 06:00:00 +0100

FROM THE DESK OF STEVE GARDNER

I want you to be informed about a new city-mandated "point of sale" requirement that will financially affect you when you sell or buy a house. The city is planning to pass an ordinance that will make it mandatory for your house to be energy retrofitted before you can close the sale. We are all in agreement that we need to keep Austin beautiful and affordable at the same time. The mayor is proposing this program to conserve energ [...]

How much would it cost to rebuild your home at today's prices?

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:00:00 +0100

How much would it cost to rebuild your home at today's prices?

Consider this...
You're talking with your insurance agent, who explains the coverage available under your homeowners policy. You're surprised to find out that the estimated replacement cost of your home is different from its purchase value. Why? Here is an explanation.

Purchase price vs. replacement cost

The appraisal industry bases its valuations on the availability of comparables to select th [...]

Steve Gardner and David McMillan with Austin City Officials

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:00:00 +0100

Steve and David discuss the city's proposal to retrofit Austin homes at point of sale on AM1370 - Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 1pm. Joining them on the show will be members from the Austin City Council, Mayor Will Wynn, and representatives from the Austin Board of Realtors.

Please post your comments on this topic! All comments will be printed and sent to every Austin City Council Person.

This is an excerpt of an email from ABOR:

The City of Austin is introducing an ordi [...]

The Gardner Group Loves the Austin Area

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:00:00 +0100

Each of our agents lives, works and plays in Austin, and as a local real estate professional, each agent is ready to answer all your questions on Austin living. If you look around on the Internet, you will see Austin is consistently rated a great place to live. The city combines passionate artists, prominent politicians, cutting-edge business and new college students every year. It was rated here as one of the ‘Smartest' cities back in 2006, and Austin continues to attract new business, [...]

About the Gardner Team

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:00:00 +0100

The Gardner Group is a team that has a very diverse background. Steve and Brandon Gardner have years of experience in real estate and have brought together a team that has a passion for real estate and a commitment to great personal service. But each agent has a unique personality and story that brought them to The Gardner Group. Visit Our Agents page and learn more about the person who can help you fulfill your real estate goals today.

Welcome!

hokgardner@grandecom.net — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:00:00 +0100

Welcome to The Gardner Group's new site. Please take a look around and contact us at (512) 327-9790 if you need anything. You can learn more about The Gardner Group here on the site and view agent profiles in the Our Agents section.

If you are house-hunting click on Search Austin Homes, and let us know if we can help you with your search.

Just browsing or doing research on Austin? Check out the Information Center or contact one of our agents for more information on schools and t [...]