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: , ,

Rates on 30- year mortgages fall below 4%- Again!

November 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

People, 30 year mortgage interest rates have fallen below 4% again.  If you are waiting for the bottom of the Austin real estate market, you probably won’t find it.  Most people don’t know the bottom has hit until it has already past. 

I think that home prices will increase over the next year, especially in the popular areas like Crestview, Travis Heights, Tarrytown, Bouldin, Allendale, Hyde Park, etc.  I also think home prices will increase in Circle C, Avery Ranch, Steiner Ranch, and some of the other large communities.

I just did some quick math on a 30 year FHA loan.  This is a rough estimate, and you need to talk to a lender about actual numbers… I happen to know some lenders that can help.  BUT, let’s image you purchase a home in Austin for $280,000 (that’s about the average price). Let’s pretend you get an FHA loan for 30 years with 3.5% down payment and 4% interest rate, you would have a rough payment (principle, interest, taxes, and insurance) of $2303 per month.  Doing the same math at 5% interest rate, it would roughly be $2465.  That’s a savings of $162 per month or $1944 per year or $58,320 over the life of the loan.  So I ask, What are you waiting for?!

Those people that want to sell their homes can make up losses on price by buying low at a low interest rate.  Call Bob at 512-699-0786

Filed Under: Blog, Buying, Investing, Market Conditions, Real Estate 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: , ,

Low Interest Rates

August 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I was on BankRate.com today to check out the interest rates on 30 year mortgages, and they seem to be even lower than they have been.  The site quoted 4.42% on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage.  I know people are still nervous about buying and selling real estate, but it just seems silly to me.  Of course, there are exceptions, but Austin has a great real estate market.  Austin has a great job market compared to the rest of the nation. 

It’s time to sell your home and move up or move down or move all around.  Call me to get started.  Bob 512-699-0786

Filed Under: Blog, Buying, Investing, Market Conditions, Selling Tagged With:

Downtown Austin Condos

May 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Austin American Statesman reported that the W Hotel and Residences in downtown Austin has had some success in condos sold.  Many people have been speculating for several years about the popularity of downtown Austin condos and whether or not they will succeed.

 

The W Hotel and Residences has reported that 40 of its 159 condos have sold while another 46 units are under contract.  These numbers do not coincide with what we have heard directly from them.  We have shown a lot of condos in downtown Austin and in other areas of Austin;  The W condos are the most rock and roll we’ve seen thus far!  If you are interested in scheduling an appointment to view the W or any of the others, the Austonian, the 555, the Four Seasons, the 360, or Milago, call Bob at 512-699-0786

Filed Under: Blog, Buying, Downtown & Central, Listings By Area, Market Conditions Tagged With: , , ,

Tax Benefits of Buying a Home

January 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Austin's Real Estate Go To TeamNot only is it a great time to buy a home or condo in Austin, you also get Tax benefits for buying/owning a home.  Austin’s Real Estate Go To Team suggests you talk to your tax professional about your situation, but here are some hints:

  1.  According to the IRS you can deduct the interest that you pay on your loan.  This also includes being able to deduct discount points and loan origination fees.  Can you deduct part of your rent???? Not likely
  2. It’s also possible to deduct interest charged on a loan that you use to purchase or improve your homestead or principal residence. 
  3. You are not required to pay capital gains taxes in certain situations.  As a married couple, you can earn up to $500,000 on the sale of a home or $250,000 on the sale of a home as a single person without having to pay capital gains.  The major requirement is that you have lived in the home as your principal residence for 2 out of the last 5 years.
Filed Under: Blog, Buying, Real Estate Tagged With: ,

Austin Awards 2010 Recap

December 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Austin's Real Estate Go To Team

Austin’s Go To Team is always happy to discuss real estate in Austin.  It’s one of our favorie things to do.  We also like to talk about what a great city Austin is to live, work and play.  Here is a list that we compiled to show the different awards and ranking for our fair city.  It’s a great time to buy real estate in Austin, Texas.  If you own a home, by another for an investment.  It’s also an amazing time to purchase a multi-family investment property.  You can always check out foreclosures on our web site!  2011 is time to get off the fence and buy property.  Austin’s Go To Team is here to make the transaction as smooth as possible.

#4 best place to visit in U.S. (Lonely Planet, December 2010)

One of the 10 Cities Best Situated for Economic Recovery (Newsweek, November 2010)

One of America’s 10 Most Affordable Cities (Forbes, November 2010)

7th Smartest City in America (The Daily Beast, October 2010)

Highly ranked among 50 U.S. Real Estate Markets to Watch (PricewaterhouseCoopers, October 2010)

2nd on the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing cities 2010: Where America’s

Jobs Are Created & Sustained (Milken Institute, October 2010)

6th Smartest City in America (CNNMoney.com, October 2010)

9th Best Graduate Program for Entrepreneurs (University of Texas at Austin) (Entrepreneur, October 2010)

12th Best Executive MBA Program (University of Texas at Austin) (Wall Street Journal, September 2010)

One of Top 10 Fall Hotspots (Travelocity, September 2010)

Among 10 metros Where You can Buy a Home for Less than $800 a month (U.S. News, September 2010)

Among America’s Most Recession Proof Cities (CNNMoney.com, September 2010)

#2 Mid-Size Metro College Destination (American Institute for Economic Research,September 2010)

In Top 100 Cities of the Global Innovation Economy (Innovation-cities.com, September 2010)

Among Least Stressed Cities in U.S. (Portfolio.com, September 2010)

7th Most Favorable Place to Look for Work (The Conference Board, September 2010)

Among Top 20 Brainiest Cities in America (The Daily Beast, August 2010)

Top U.S. Entrepreneurial Center (Entrepreneur, August 2010)

Among America’s Best Music Cities (Travel+Leisure, August 2010)

#5 for higher education excellence (University of Texas at Austin) (Washington Monthly, August 2010)

#1 Quality of Life Metro Ranking (Business Facilities, August 2010)

#1 for Renewable Energy Availability (Business Facilities, August 2010)

#2 Greenest Metro (Business Facilities, August 2010)

#3 Top City for Young Entrepreneurs (Under30CEO, August 2010)

Top City for Young Adults (Kiplinger, July 2010)

#2 Biotech Hub (Business Facilities, July 2010)

10th Fastest-Growing Exporter in U.S. (Brookings Institute, July 2010)

5th Best City for New College Grads (Bloomberg Businessweek, July 2010)

ABIA selected as one of America’s Best Airports (Travel+Leisure, July 2010)

Round Rock among 10 Best Towns for Families (Family Circle, July 2010)

#1 Best City for the Next Decade (Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, July 2010)

One of America’s Recovery Capitals (Forbes, June 2010)

One of America’s Most Recession-Proof Cities (CNN, June 2010)

One of America’s Best Cities for Young Professionals (Forbes, June 2010)

Top City Beating the Recession (The Huffington Post, June 2010)

14 area high schools rank in the top 6% nationally (Newsweek, June 2010)

#2 Most Innovative City in America (Forbes, May 2010)

Among America’s Fittest Cities (American College of Sports Medicine, May 2010)

Among Top 10 for Best Quality of Life (Portfolio.com, May 2010)

#3 Dog Friendly City (DogFriendly.com, May 2010)

Among Cleanest Air Cities (American Lung Association, April 2010)

Best Big City for Jobs (Forbes, April 2010)

Among Top 10 Best Places to Live (Relocate America, April 2010)

Among Top 10 Best Places for Business & Careers (Forbes, April 2010)

Top 10 Destination in National Migration Trend Report (U-Haul, April 2010)

3rd among 20 Cities That Are Having an Awesome Recovery (BusinessInsider, March 2010)

One of 21 Top Time-Saving Cities (RealSimple, March 2010)

Tied for #1 City Where the Recession is Easing (Forbes, March 2010)

3rd Best City for Singles (Travel+Leisure, March 2010)

Healthiest Housing Market for 2010 (Builder, February 2010)

Williamson, Travis, & Hays Counties are Healthiest in Texas  (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation & The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, February 2010)

Best Local Music Scene (Budget Travel, February 2010)

Ranks low for Rate of Home Foreclosures (RealtyTrac, January 2010)

Most Conducive to Creation & Development of Small Businesses (Portfolio.com, January 2010)

5th Best City to Live, Work, & Make Movies (MovieMaker, January 2010)

#2 Best Place to Retire & Row in the U.S. (RowingandSculling.com, January 2010)

Best City to Invest in Commercial Real Estate (Grubb & Ellis, January 2010)

9th Easiest City to Find a Job (Juju.com, January 2010)

Filed Under: Austin Living, Blog, Buying, Real Estate