The housing market is improving for 2012!!

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Happy New Year and welcome to 2012!  Finally we are starting to see some improvements in the national housing market.  I was listening to the radio this morning and heard that more and more jobs are being created so fewer and fewer people are unemployed.  This also means that more people can afford to stay in their homes and not go into foreclosure.  It also means that more people can afford to purchase homes…. see how it’s all coming together!?

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has also released numbers that indicate that for the second month in a row pending home sales are up.  Builders are starting to build more and home prices are stabilizing.  What does this mean for you?  Each real estate transaction is different, especially in Austin.  Call me to discuss your real estate plans for 2012 or even 2013.

Filed Under: Austin Living, Blog, Buying, Market Conditions, Real Estate, Selling Tagged With: , ,

Formula 1 is a Go… Again.

December 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I’m sure you have heard that Formula 1 is coming to Austin.  Then a week or two ago, Formula 1 was in jeopardy.  Well, now it’s a go!   So if you have a business that would benefit from the success of Formula 1, you should be happy to know that the first race will be in 2012.

My real estate business in Austin can possibly benefit from the race since it will bring money to the area.  This money will come in the form of travel, hotels, food, and real estate.  Austin will be exposed to an international fan base, and some of those fans may decide to purchase real estate in Austin or the surrounding areas. 

Downtown condos and hotels in Austin will be attractive places to stay since they are in the middle of the entertainment district and not too far from the race site.  Homeaway.com and VRBO.com are popular Austin businesses that will benefit from people renting vacation properties.  The race is on.

Filed Under: Austin Living, Blog Tagged With: ,

Austin New Homes

October 17, 2011 By 10 Comments

The Austin real estate market has started to slow a little now that school is back.  This means that it may take a little longer to sell your home, but what a great time to shop for a new home in Austin! 

It can take 4-6 month or more to build a new home in the Austin area.  If you have a difficult plan, lot, or design, it can take even longer.  Before you build, you should do a little research on the builder you choose.  Of course, I can help you do that!  Some of the larger builders in Austin are Meritage Homes, KB Homes, Drees Homes, Gehan Homes (local to Texas) , David Weekley (local to Texas), Scott Felder Homes (local to Austin), Buffington Homes (local to Austin), and many others. 

In order to find your builder, you should decide which area you would like, how much you would like to spend, and what amenities are important.  Give Bob a call at 512-699-0786 to discuss your new home in Austin!

Filed Under: Austin Living, Buying, Real Estate Tagged With: ,

New Homes in Austin

August 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Did you know that you can use a Realtor when buying a new home.  In fact, I know a lot of good information when it comes to buying a home from a builder.  The onsite sales person at a new home development works for the builder.  This means that their best interest is for the builder, not for the buyer.

As a buyer’s representative, I can help you pick the best options, negotiate the best terms, and find the best neighborhood for you.

Some of the new home developments in Austin include Circle C, Meridian, Bridges of Bear Creek, and Lantana in South Austin.  New homes in west Austin are in Falconhead, Steiner Ranch, and Rough Hollow while new homes in North Austin, Cedar Park, and Leander  include Avery Ranch, Crystal Falls and the Ranch at Brushy Creek.

Call me to learn more about these new home developments and the process of buying new!  Bob 699-0786

Filed Under: Blog, Buying, North Austin, Northwest Austin & Cedar Park, South Austin, South Austin, West Austin Tagged With: , ,

Austin Schools

May 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Austin American Statesman has indicated that Austin schools will receive 13.8 million dollars from the Federal Education Jobs Fund.  The lack of funding has been a big deal.  Driving around Zilker and Barton Hills in South Austin, you can find home owners with signs that encourage saving the local Austin schools.  In fact, I had a house listed in Barton Hills that would have been affected by the closing of schools.

While the school board was able to save the schools, they were not able to save the teachers.  Hopefully, this money will be used wisely to hire back the teachers.  Remember that schools are part of the community and help or hinder real estate in Austin.  Good schools typically help the real estate prices in the area.  While poor schools typically hinder the real estate market. 

Surrounding districts also will receive funds:  Round Rock, Leander, and Pflugerville.

Filed Under: Austin Living, Blog Tagged With: ,

Water and Austin Population Growth

April 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) recently received a permit that allows them to build reservoirs in Colorado, Wharton, and Matagorda counties according to the Austin American Statesman.  Central Texas’ population is growing, so more homes are being built in Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Lakeway, etc.  This means that more families and more homes will need more water. 

Luckily, we are aware of the importance of water conservation and many builders in the area are adding green features to homes.  If you are thinking of buying a home in Austin or remodeling, ask for green features.  Feel free to call Bob at 512-699-0786 for a list of builders and/or contractors that can help!

Filed Under: Austin Living, Blog Tagged With: ,

Waller Creek and Downtown Improvements

April 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Downtown Austin has seen many changes in the past 5 years, but there is more downtown development on the horizon.  The Waller Creek District Master Plan was approved by the City of Austin last year, and they approved the $49.5 million budget this year.

The money will be spent not only to improve the appearance of Waller Creek, but also to reduce flooding and erosion in the area.  The initial objective is to build a tunnel that leads from Waterlook Park and continues to Lady Bird Lake.  Once complete, real estate developers and investors will feel more confident in building retail and residences in the area.  The area will develop into a new community.

I’m sure that residents at the Sabine Condos will be happy about the improvements as well as some of the other neighbors;  Moonshine Restaurant, Four Seasons Residences, Red River bars and clubs, Iron Works BBQ, etc.  

Downtown Austin real estate will continue to evolve and expand.  New condos and residences will continue to pop up.  Let’s remember why we love Austin and help preserve some of that too!

Filed Under: Austin Living, Blog, Downtown & Central Tagged With: , ,

Hutto ground breaking

April 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Austin real estate continues to grow and more homes are being built in Hutto just east of Round Rock.  Green Haven Ranch is a new subdivision in Hutto with one acre home sites being developed.  Not only that, but they are also ‘green building’ deed restricted.  This is great news for Hutto real estate and for the environment!  If you are interested in green building and green living, give me a call!

Filed Under: Blog, Hutto, North Austin Tagged With: ,