Category Archives: Home Buying

Hot Rods Hit SoCo

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Last weekend, South Congress Avenue was once again transported back in time for the 10th Annual Lonestar Round Up.  The event brings visitors from all over world, and hot rods, classic and custom cars from all over the country.

The SoCo area in Austin, already exuding a 50’s vibe, becomes a hot spot as car enthusiasts line the streets to view the cars and take in some live music.

SoCo Real Estate Market

Let’s take a look around the SoCo area of South Congress, which will include the Travis Heights and Bouldin areas.

The picture shows a ½ mile radius setting Doc’s Bar & Grill and Jo’s in the middle.  There are currently 14 homes for sale.  Available houses for purchase in this area range in age from 90 years to newly built.  List prices range from a $299,000 for a tear down/needs TLC, to $717,500 for new construction.  Average time on the market, is currently 77 days.

I support local Austin, after all I think it’s only neighborly.

  

Eanes ISD: The Tale of 3 Cities

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Available homes in the City of West Lake Hills

The Eanes Independent School District is currently comprised of 9 schools in the West Lake Hills area.  The Eanes district is known for its consistent exemplary status, which is the highest designation awarded in the State of Texas.   When most people think of Eanes, they think of the City of West Lake Hills.  The City of West Lake Hills is indeed in the Eanes district, as well as the City of Rollingwood, but an even larger portion of the district is in the City of Austin.

Currently, there are 224 single family houses for sale in Eanes ISD.  The City of West Lake Hills has 25 within the city limits, and the City of Austin has the remaining 199.  There are only 29 condos available for purchase in Eanes ISD and all are in Austin. (see maps to see general areas, I can only put 100 homes on a map, which is why there are 2 for the City of Austin.)

Looking by zip code?  There are 70 homes in Eanes ISD available for purchase in the 78733 zip code and 154 in 78746.  All of zip code 78733 is in the City of Austin which is on the west side of 360 (Capital of Texas Highway).

first 100 Available homes in Eanes in the City of Austin

Why haven’t I mentioned the City of Rollingwood?  Rollingwood is very small, so the inventory of available properties is always low.  I typically recommend buyers widen their search to include the City of West Lake Hills, if they are considering Rollingwood.

When considering looking in Eanes ISD, it is important to consider location to points of interest and distance to work.  As you can see from the pictures it covers a bit of ground which can mean an extra 20 minutes in commuting time depending on your destination.

second 100 available homes in Eanes in the City of Austin

Zilker Kite Festival

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The Zilker Park Kite Festival celebrated its 83rd year Sunday with little wind, but plenty of fun.  The South Austin event has the honor of being the longest continuous kite festival in the United States.  Thousands turned out for a beautiful day at the park, which proves to be yet another reminder of the wonderful city we live in.

Let’s take a look at the Zilker Park area real estate market, for those who live close enough to walk or bike to the park.

Local Austin Market Data

There are 82 houses actively for sale within a 1.5 mile radius of Zilker Park, which includes part of 4 different market areas.  All of the homes are in the City of Austin, with the exception of one which is in the City of Westlake Hills.  List prices range from $225,000 to $8.9 million.  The median time these homes have been on the market is 52 days and the median price is $537,400.

The same 1.5 mile radius has 114 condominiums actively available for purchase.  That number includes everything designated as a condo, whether it a duplex style, or tower like Spring Condominiums.  Active list prices here range anywhere from $124,900 to $4.9 million.  The median time on the market for a condo in the 1.5 mile radius surrounding Zilker Park is currently 59 days.

Zilker Park is located at 2100 Barton Springs Road and encompasses 351 acres.

Livestrong Austin Marathon

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All eyes were on Austin this weekend as 20,000 runners from all over the world came to participate in the 20th anniversary of the Livestrong Austin Marathon. The event is one of the largest in the country and pacers were available to qualify for the Boston Marathon which is set at 3 hours and 30 minutes. It’s a wonderful event and reminder of the health conscious city we live in.
The 26.2 mile course included historic and scenic areas of Austin like Congress Avenue, Hyde Park and the UT Campus.

Let’s take a look at the housing market along the route:

Austin Real Estate Market Data

Downtown
There are currently 3 houses and 100 condos for sale in downtown Austin. The houses range in price from $585,000 to $2.8 million. The active condos available for purchase range from $105,000 to $5.3 million.

University of Texas
In the UT area, buyers will currently find 20 houses and 120 condos actively on the market for purchase. The houses range from $230,000 to $1.35 million. Condos in the University of Texas area are currently listed between $79,900 and $459,000.

Central Austin
Central Austin (north and south of Lady Bird Lake), encompasses a few different market areas and is the largest covered in this article. There are currently 162 condos for sale in central Austin ranging from $44,500 to $1.1 million. There are 374 houses for sale ranging from $119,000 to $8.9 million.

Home Buyer Tax Credit Still Available for Military

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Remind your friends and family in Austin, or anywhere in the United States that qualified veterans and other members of the military have until April 20, 2011 to take advantage of the tax credit incentive.  That’s right; members of the Foreign Service, uniformed service and other federal employees of the intelligence community serving outside of the United States have until April 30, 2011 to be under contract and will need to close by June 30, 2011. 

Individuals must have served outside of the United States on qualified official extended duty for at least 90 days between December 31, 2008 and May 1, 2010.  If married, only one spouse needed to serve during those dates to qualify.

There is an $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers and a $6,500 tax credit for repeat home buyers.

“Qualified service member” is defined as a member of the uniformed services of the U.S military, a member of the Foreign Service of the United States, or an employee of the intelligence community.

“Official extended duty” is defined as any period of extended duty outside of the United States for duration of at least 90 days during the period beginning after December 31, 2008 and ending before May 1, 2010.

Contact your local lender for more details.

By the Numbers

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How many homes are for sale in Austin, in a community near you?  What are the median list prices?  What are the current average days on the market?  Let’s explore some random subdivisions and condominium communities to look at some current market data.  Note these numbers are by specific subdivision name, not by area.  So there may be more homes available in the neighborhood’s area.  When buyers are looking in a general area, like Travis Heights or Tarrytown, I typically set up a map search.  Older neighborhoods are made up of many micro-subdivisions as the land was and is developed.  The list below will give you an overall idea of what to expect in terms of available inventory price points.

Jester Estate, Crestview, Onion Creek and more….

Jester Estate
Number of homes for sale                       12        
Median List Price                                   $440,750          
Average Active Days on the Market         120

Circle C Ranch
Number of homes for sale                       24                    
Median List Price                                   $316,500
Average Active Days on the Market         57

Parkside at Slaughter Creek
Number of homes for sale                       11
Median List Price                                   $207,900
Average Active Days on the Market         110

Crestview
Number of homes for sale                       16
Median List Price                                   $249,389
Average Active Days on the Market         141

Agave
Number of homes for sale                       6
Median List Price                                   $238,700
Average Active Days on the Market         129

Travis Heights
Number of homes for sale                       9
Median List Price                                   $599,000
Average Active Days on the Market         149

Western Oaks
Number of homes for sale                       25
Median List Price                                   $246,500
Average Active Days on the Market         98

Onion Creek
Number of homes for sale                       32
Median List Price                                   $308,000
Average Active Days on the Market         145

360 Condominiums
Number of homes for sale                       17
Median List Price                                   $339,900
Average Active Days on the Market         117

Spring Condominiums
Number of homes for sale                       3
Median List Price                                   $403,000
Average Active Days on the Market         70

Some Restrictions May Apply

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Let’s take a minute to talk about fences. Fences can certainly add data points to a home, and help it sell faster. They keep your pets and children in. They keep neighborhood pets and children out. Fences can provide privacy as well. Privacy is generally determined by material and height; which you don’t always have control over. City restrictions will determine height limits and may require a permit. Home Owners Associations will have restrictions as well, which may include allowed materials. For example, Granada Oaks requires stone and wrought iron and Plum Creek requires white picket fences.

When looking at houses keep fences in mind, so you can research what you would like to do in the future, before you purchase.