The more detailed the criteria I use to find a home, the lower the number of search results. However, I do have to use some criteria when looking like a zip code or MLS area. The Austin MLS system will only allow me to pull 100 properties for any given property search. It is rare though that I do not have enough criteria to narrow the search to less than 100. After all, everyone typically has some criteria whether it’s a neighborhood, school district and of course – price.
For those who really want to narrow the field down further, I can get very specific in terms of how I search for a property. Understand, I may be lucky to find one property if the criteria are too narrow, but the flexibility in how I search for properties is available for those looking for something really specific.
Search for a Home in the Greater Austin area
Here is a list of some unique criteria I can use when searching for a property:
- Elementary School
- Master bedroom located on the first floor
- Number of stairs to enter a house
- Fireplace
- Fractional ownership (time share)
- Year built
- Pool
- Duplex, triplex or fourplex
- Building materials (i.e. all sides masonry)
- Media Room
- Modified for wheel chair
- Area amenities (i.e. club house, jogging path, lake privileges
- Flooring
- Type of utilities
- City view
- No backyard grass
There are too many criteria to list. The intent is give you some idea of how detailed I can get. One thing to note is that not all agents add as much detail as they can to a listing. If an agent does not add that a property has a view of downtown, for example, the system is not going to pull it if your criteria include only city view properties. There are fields that, as Realtors, we have to fill when entering a listing, while others are voluntary.
I wrote an article a couple of weeks ago about why sellers should keep their homes on the market during the holiday season. There are advantages for buyers as well during the holidays for those who can find some extra few hours in their shopping schedule. One thing buyers have going for them is that there are less people shopping for homes.
I have selected randam subdivisions in the greater Austin area and listed their current real estate market data. Average Days on Market below 3 months are considered Seller’s markets, because homes are moving quickly. Neighborhoods with homes on the market between 3 and 6 months are considered neutral.
As in life, there are things that we want in our next house and things that we need. The ‘need’ makes life more comfortable in the present. The ‘want’ is a goal we would like to acheive someday. Needs and wants change as our lifestyles and conditions change. They are two separate things and are two separate lists when looking for a house. On the need list I expect to see things like the number of bedrooms, baths, location and garage space. The items on the need and want lists are interchangeable. You can add any item on either list because the need is a “must-have” and a want is a “nice-to-have” – it’s the goal. 
On September 1st changes were made to the proof of residency requirements for homeowners applying for property tax homestead exemption. Under the new law all applicants must show a copy of their Texas Driver’s license or state ID card and vehicle registration receipt. All of the documents must show the same address as the property they are seeking exemption for. 