Comments on: How does your Austin lawn look in the 100+ degree drought? http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/ Austin Real Estate Blog Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:40:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Marsha Thompson http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-97356 Marsha Thompson Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:09:57 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-97356 I suggest that you go back to them now at the end of this horrendously long hot summer and find out how they kept the lawn green and growing. These people are in for a rude awakening if they think that all lawns in Austin are pristine every summer. If they want perfectly green, tell them to put in painted rocks or astro-turf. I suggest that you go back to them now at the end of this horrendously long hot summer and find out how they kept the lawn green and growing. These people are in for a rude awakening if they think that all lawns in Austin are pristine every summer. If they want perfectly green, tell them to put in painted rocks or astro-turf.

]]> By: Steve Crossland http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-91182 Steve Crossland Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:33:28 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-91182 Hi Ronnie, We don't wish bad "karma" on the buyer or the yard. That said, $650 will be plenty to cure any long term deficiencies in the lawn that might remain heading into fall. Steve Hi Ronnie,

We don’t wish bad “karma” on the buyer or the yard. That said, $650 will be plenty to cure any long term deficiencies in the lawn that might remain heading into fall.

Steve

]]> By: Ronnie Bredahl http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-91128 Ronnie Bredahl Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:23:38 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-91128 The grass looks awesome given Austin has already enjoyed over 40 days of 100+ degree weather. As Realtors, we are fortunate to be able to pick our clientele, however, we can not always choose the other party. If karma prevails, the buyer will over fertilize throughout August and fry his new sod. The grass looks awesome given Austin has already enjoyed over 40 days of 100+ degree weather. As Realtors, we are fortunate to be able to pick our clientele, however, we can not always choose the other party. If karma prevails, the buyer will over fertilize throughout August and fry his new sod.

]]> By: HOA Manager Charleston http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-90431 HOA Manager Charleston Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:21:04 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-90431 Great idea for a blog. There are some great topics to discuss in there. I'll be sure to check back! Great idea for a blog. There are some great topics to discuss in there. I’ll be sure to check back!

]]> By: Mikel Eggert http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-90018 Mikel Eggert Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:03:36 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-90018 The watering restrictions do not include hand watering - those that truly want a green lawn during the hot months in Austin can easily hand water for a few minutes a night to keep their lawn green. Also, $600 for 1 1/2 pallets of sod installation is outrageous! We normally charge $350 for 2 pallets. The watering restrictions do not include hand watering – those that truly want a green lawn during the hot months in Austin can easily hand water for a few minutes a night to keep their lawn green. Also, $600 for 1 1/2 pallets of sod installation is outrageous! We normally charge $350 for 2 pallets.

]]> By: nebby http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-89269 nebby Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:14:53 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-89269 Before I read your later comment Steve I was thinking "I bet they heard the HOA is a pain in the ass in that neighborhood". Can't say I really blame them about that. When an HOA goes bad it is a frightening thing to behold. It also struck me that it looked like the watering system was malfunctioning. Those brown spots should not be there if you are watering with a yard wide system capable of keeping the rest of the yard green. To the person ready to turn them in to the water gestapo: get a life. The watering restriction are time based not quantity. There is no need to break any laws to keep a lawn green. Before I read your later comment Steve I was thinking “I bet they heard the HOA is a pain in the ass in that neighborhood”. Can’t say I really blame them about that. When an HOA goes bad it is a frightening thing to behold. It also struck me that it looked like the watering system was malfunctioning. Those brown spots should not be there if you are watering with a yard wide system capable of keeping the rest of the yard green.

To the person ready to turn them in to the water gestapo: get a life. The watering restriction are time based not quantity. There is no need to break any laws to keep a lawn green.

]]> By: Alex http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-89106 Alex Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:46:53 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-89106 I'll bet the realtor and the buyers were YANKEES! I’ll bet the realtor and the buyers were YANKEES!

]]> By: Austin Blog Posts Week of July 5th 2009 | Republic of Austin http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-88493 Austin Blog Posts Week of July 5th 2009 | Republic of Austin Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:32:56 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-88493 [...] city raise the cost of water. And Crossland Realtors tells the story of a particularly pesky buyer who claimed the summer-green lawn was dead.  SimpleGestures reminds us that it’s the poorest among us who need water to [...] [...] city raise the cost of water. And Crossland Realtors tells the story of a particularly pesky buyer who claimed the summer-green lawn was dead.  SimpleGestures reminds us that it’s the poorest among us who need water to [...]

]]> By: Sylvia Crossland http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-88323 Sylvia Crossland Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:40:27 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-88323 Actually the buyers are from another neighborhood in Austin. They heard the HOA in this neighborhood was very particular about lawns and they worried excessively. They were also upset that the sprinklers were not running at the proper setting at some point, but that was corrected. There has never been any letter from the home owners association saying it was in violation, and when I drove around the neighborhood there were many lawns that looked much worse. We had several continuous days of 100+ degrees and our June was said to be the "hotest on record". Actually the buyers are from another neighborhood in Austin. They heard the HOA in this neighborhood was very particular about lawns and they worried excessively. They were also upset that the sprinklers were not running at the proper setting at some point, but that was corrected. There has never been any letter from the home owners association saying it was in violation, and when I drove around the neighborhood there were many lawns that looked much worse. We had several continuous days of 100+ degrees and our June was said to be the “hotest on record”.

]]> By: Angie http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-88209 Angie Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:56:02 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-88209 The problem I see with this scenario is the buyer threatening to sue. Given the condition of the lawn seen in the photos, I consider this threat tantamount to blackmail. At the very least, it is unethical. My husband and I have witnessed a lot of unethical behavior lately. In fact, our experience in buying a home in Austin has been so awful, we've decided to put our move on permanent hold. I guess I'll blame all this crazy behavior on the bad economy...desperate people acting out. On another note, I am surprised these people are moving from California. The natural lawns out here go dormant in the summer (meaning, brown), and moreover, lawns in general are kind of frowned upon because they demand too much water...a lot of people just let them go during the summer because county water restrictions, which are very common, don't allow for much watering anyway. So it just seems a bit ridiculous to me for a Californian to get so upset over a few brown spots on a summer lawn, during a drought. Give me a break. The problem I see with this scenario is the buyer threatening to sue. Given the condition of the lawn seen in the photos, I consider this threat tantamount to blackmail. At the very least, it is unethical.

My husband and I have witnessed a lot of unethical behavior lately. In fact, our experience in buying a home in Austin has been so awful, we’ve decided to put our move on permanent hold. I guess I’ll blame all this crazy behavior on the bad economy…desperate people acting out.

On another note, I am surprised these people are moving from California. The natural lawns out here go dormant in the summer (meaning, brown), and moreover, lawns in general are kind of frowned upon because they demand too much water…a lot of people just let them go during the summer because county water restrictions, which are very common, don’t allow for much watering anyway. So it just seems a bit ridiculous to me for a Californian to get so upset over a few brown spots on a summer lawn, during a drought. Give me a break.

]]> By: anon http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-87689 anon Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:43:35 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-87689 The lawn doesn't look that bad. I'd bet that they loosely estimated the total amount of grass to replace, assuming that it might get worse before it's replaced. A smart person would probably wait until next spring for new sod anyways. I assume your seller was one of the following: 1. was using this as a rental property (yard not fully fenced) 2. was unable to move to Austin 3. moved back to cali? The lawn doesn’t look that bad. I’d bet that they loosely estimated the total amount of grass to replace, assuming that it might get worse before it’s replaced. A smart person would probably wait until next spring for new sod anyways.

I assume your seller was one of the following:
1. was using this as a rental property (yard not fully fenced)
2. was unable to move to Austin
3. moved back to cali?

]]> By: Julie http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-87594 Julie Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:08:22 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-87594 The ironic thing is that the "overgrown" yard is a bit long *because* it was being watered! Were it not, the entire yard would be brown. Its current state is a clear indication that it's being tended. I work pretty hard on my yard, and it looks almost exactly like this. With the temps we've been having, there's almost no way to prevent little burned spots. AND, if I can go on a bit, keeping the yard long, and not mowing it too short, when you do mow is good gardening! It's better for the grass, the soil, the helpful critters that live in the yard, etc. What a mess. I'm so sorry to hear when things like this happen. The ironic thing is that the “overgrown” yard is a bit long *because* it was being watered! Were it not, the entire yard would be brown. Its current state is a clear indication that it’s being tended. I work pretty hard on my yard, and it looks almost exactly like this. With the temps we’ve been having, there’s almost no way to prevent little burned spots.

AND, if I can go on a bit, keeping the yard long, and not mowing it too short, when you do mow is good gardening! It’s better for the grass, the soil, the helpful critters that live in the yard, etc.

What a mess. I’m so sorry to hear when things like this happen.

]]> By: Steve Crossland http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-87573 Steve Crossland Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:42:02 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-87573 > were these buyers from out of state or local? Do you know why they believe that 600 sq. ft. of the lawn needed to be replaced? Don't know. Never could get an answer as to how they were coming up with 600 sqft. > Oh that is ridiculous!! Agreed! > I wish you would share the name of the other realtor. Can't do that. > I too would be interested in catching up with the future view of this lawn. Please keep us posted. > how you would feel if you find that they never actually replace the grass? Well, since I don't think it needs replacing I'd feel like they made a rational decision not to do so. > My own lawn doesn’t look that good! Mine neither. Thanks for the feedback and reality check. I needed to make sure I wasn't missing something. Steve > were these buyers from out of state or local? Do you know why they believe that 600 sq. ft. of the lawn needed to be replaced?

Don’t know. Never could get an answer as to how they were coming up with 600 sqft.

> Oh that is ridiculous!!
Agreed!

> I wish you would share the name of the other realtor.

Can’t do that.

> I too would be interested in catching up with the future view of this lawn. Please keep us posted.

> how you would feel if you find that they never actually replace the grass?

Well, since I don’t think it needs replacing I’d feel like they made a rational decision not to do so.

> My own lawn doesn’t look that good!

Mine neither.

Thanks for the feedback and reality check. I needed to make sure I wasn’t missing something.

Steve

]]> By: Mel http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-87560 Mel Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:59:23 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-87560 I'm glad that these people aren't my neighbors and that there's little chance of them becoming my neighbors since I live where the lawns have been brown for months in this record-breaking critical drought. However, I'd love to know the address so that I could report them breaking watering restrictions which they are bound to have to do to keep the lawn greener than is shown in your photos. Such selfish waste of our shared resources at a time when central Texas is the most drought stricken area of the country is sickening. I’m glad that these people aren’t my neighbors and that there’s little chance of them becoming my neighbors since I live where the lawns have been brown for months in this record-breaking critical drought.

However, I’d love to know the address so that I could report them breaking watering restrictions which they are bound to have to do to keep the lawn greener than is shown in your photos.

Such selfish waste of our shared resources at a time when central Texas is the most drought stricken area of the country is sickening.

]]> By: Sam Chapman http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-87545 Sam Chapman Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:28:31 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-87545 Sounds like the buyers and their agent are idiots. My own lawn doesn't look that good! Sounds like the buyers and their agent are idiots. My own lawn doesn’t look that good!

]]> By: Alan http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-87519 Alan Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:11:59 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-87519 Yeah, that seems like a bit much. Just curious, Steve, how you would feel if you find that they never actually replace the grass?? Do you see that fairly often where buyers ask for money to fix a specific thing, but then never fix it?? It honestly sounds like a strong arm ploy to try to extract every last dollar from the seller (or in this case, you and Sylvia). Unfortunately, you were dealing at a disadvantage in this dispute (out of town seller and all). I probably would have done the same thing on the deal. But, I would also try to pursue the issue further with the other Realtor. I am an investor/flipper (not a real estate agent/broker) and in general do not have a good opinion of most realtors. It seems like the vast majority are incompetent, there are quite a few that are unethical, and then there are a very few that are good to work with. It sounds like this realtor was either incompetent (got played by the buyers) or unethical (knew exactly what he/she was doing). Of course, we have not heard the other side of the story. There could be reasons for them to do this, but we are hard pressed to come up with any. Love the blog. Keep it up. Yeah, that seems like a bit much. Just curious, Steve, how you would feel if you find that they never actually replace the grass?? Do you see that fairly often where buyers ask for money to fix a specific thing, but then never fix it?? It honestly sounds like a strong arm ploy to try to extract every last dollar from the seller (or in this case, you and Sylvia). Unfortunately, you were dealing at a disadvantage in this dispute (out of town seller and all). I probably would have done the same thing on the deal. But, I would also try to pursue the issue further with the other Realtor.

I am an investor/flipper (not a real estate agent/broker) and in general do not have a good opinion of most realtors. It seems like the vast majority are incompetent, there are quite a few that are unethical, and then there are a very few that are good to work with. It sounds like this realtor was either incompetent (got played by the buyers) or unethical (knew exactly what he/she was doing). Of course, we have not heard the other side of the story. There could be reasons for them to do this, but we are hard pressed to come up with any.

Love the blog. Keep it up.

]]> By: Apartments Barcelona http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-87473 Apartments Barcelona Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:06:53 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-87473 I too would be interested in catching up with the future view of this lawn. Please keep us posted :) I too would be interested in catching up with the future view of this lawn. Please keep us posted :)

]]> By: Julia http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-87444 Julia Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:59:02 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-87444 PS - Please follow up with this in late August of 2010 with pictures of the same yard for comparison. I'll bet you it's in worse condition then. PS – Please follow up with this in late August of 2010 with pictures of the same yard for comparison. I’ll bet you it’s in worse condition then.

]]> By: Julia http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-87443 Julia Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:57:33 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-87443 Oh that is ridiculous!! In this day and age, we should be more accepting of more natural yards. Lets think about doing things that are *truly* green.... like not mowing your grass with a high polluting machine every other week. Like not using important water resources on ensuring every blade of grass is a bright green color. HOA's can be quite a pain. I'm so glad I don't live in a neighborhood with an HOA. I'm even happier that I am living in Austin and those picky snobby aggravating people are not my neighbors. I wish you would share the name of the other realtor. :) However, I imagine you would not. You are quite professional in this post. This is very admirable considering the aggravation you surely feel. Julia Oh that is ridiculous!! In this day and age, we should be more accepting of more natural yards. Lets think about doing things that are *truly* green…. like not mowing your grass with a high polluting machine every other week. Like not using important water resources on ensuring every blade of grass is a bright green color.

HOA’s can be quite a pain. I’m so glad I don’t live in a neighborhood with an HOA. I’m even happier that I am living in Austin and those picky snobby aggravating people are not my neighbors.

I wish you would share the name of the other realtor. :)

However, I imagine you would not. You are quite professional in this post. This is very admirable considering the aggravation you surely feel.

Julia

]]> By: Sam http://crosslandteam.com/blog/2009/07/04/how-does-your-austin-lawn-look-in-the-100-degree-drought/#comment-87390 Sam Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:56:34 +0000 http://crosslandteam.com/?p=1131#comment-87390 Hello Steve, I not sure I would have handled this situation differently from how you and Sylvia handled the situation. I concur that this was an unreasonable circumstance. I would neither report to an HOA or file a lawsuit (a wee bit extreme) on the above noted lawn, based on the photos. You never mentioned that the property was under a HOA violation, lien, or sanction? Could it be because there was no such action? Just maybe the lawn meets HOA compliance? I'd politely request a letter from the HOA to make a determination based on the photos. I'm no attorney, but was the grass in the same condition when the buyer's agent initially showed it to their principle and upon date of final review (closing)? If there was a difference then the property may not have been delivered in the condition under which it was contracted to be purchased by the buyer then they may have some basis for argument. Your lawn guy may be considered an expert witness if this issue were to go to court. Regarding the other two lawn bids? Did you receive a copy to verify the estimated amount and confirm how they determined or arrived at the 600 sq. ft. area and $650? Also offering to settle for any reason may be seen as an admission of fault in a court (if it went to court). I do agree that your actions to protect your seller from legal issues and continue the sell make sense, but a court may see it differently. Perhaps it's just me, but I do not go around telling people I'm going to sue them. That just invites a potential counter, preemptive, or offers preparation against my law suit. Unless of course they were bluffing to extract a result. However, one must take such statements seriously. I'm wondering if the buyer's agent was permitted to disclose that his principles were in fact in discussions with an attorney? The lawn looks more than fine for the Austin area climate, based on the photos, but I'm no expert. Just curious were these buyers from out of state or local? Do you know why they believe that 600 sq. ft. of the lawn needed to be replaced? The only difference I think I would have made would be to ask, "Really? What is the attorney's name and number in case it is needed." My reasons for handling this situation in a similar or same fashion: 1) It's not worth going to court if I can spend $650 to stay out of court for both seller and myself. 2) It does my seller no favor if I kill the sale. How about consulting an attorney for future sales to include a provision that grass is affected by the climate and may not be in same condition on closing date throughout the summer in Texas? Not sure if that would work though. Let me know what you think? -Sam Hello Steve,

I not sure I would have handled this situation differently from how you and Sylvia handled the situation. I concur that this was an unreasonable circumstance. I would neither report to an HOA or file a lawsuit (a wee bit extreme) on the above noted lawn, based on the photos. You never mentioned that the property was under a HOA violation, lien, or sanction? Could it be because there was no such action? Just maybe the lawn meets HOA compliance? I’d politely request a letter from the HOA to make a determination based on the photos.

I’m no attorney, but was the grass in the same condition when the buyer’s agent initially showed it to their principle and upon date of final review (closing)? If there was a difference then the property may not have been delivered in the condition under which it was contracted to be purchased by the buyer then they may have some basis for argument.

Your lawn guy may be considered an expert witness if this issue were to go to court. Regarding the other two lawn bids? Did you receive a copy to verify the estimated amount and confirm how they determined or arrived at the 600 sq. ft. area and $650? Also offering to settle for any reason may be seen as an admission of fault in a court (if it went to court). I do agree that your actions to protect your seller from legal issues and continue the sell make sense, but a court may see it differently.

Perhaps it’s just me, but I do not go around telling people I’m going to sue them. That just invites a potential counter, preemptive, or offers preparation against my law suit. Unless of course they were bluffing to extract a result. However, one must take such statements seriously. I’m wondering if the buyer’s agent was permitted to disclose that his principles were in fact in discussions with an attorney?

The lawn looks more than fine for the Austin area climate, based on the photos, but I’m no expert. Just curious were these buyers from out of state or local? Do you know why they believe that 600 sq. ft. of the lawn needed to be replaced?

The only difference I think I would have made would be to ask, “Really? What is the attorney’s name and number in case it is needed.” My reasons for handling this situation in a similar or same fashion: 1) It’s not worth going to court if I can spend $650 to stay out of court for both seller and myself. 2) It does my seller no favor if I kill the sale.

How about consulting an attorney for future sales to include a provision that grass is affected by the climate and may not be in same condition on closing date throughout the summer in Texas? Not sure if that would work though.

Let me know what you think?

-Sam

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