Author Archives: Doreen Zelma, REALTOR

About Doreen Zelma, REALTOR

Doreen Zelma, Broker Associate, GRI, CLRA with Sky Realty, serving the Austin Round Rock MSA and Central Texas for 17 years.

3355 County Road 279 Leander TX 78641

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3355 County Road 279 Leander

Leander Home For Sale:  Country setting, 3355 County Road 279 Leander Texas on 5+ acres w/ horse barn & garage/workshop for the auto enthusiast. Home features mother in-law plan, all good-sized rooms; one bedroom would work well as an office. Granite in kitchen, large wood burning fireplace in living room, 2 central heating and air conditioning units, 2 hot water heaters, main roof replaced (’14), energy efficient windows (’13) and horse stalls.

3355 County Road 279 Leander Texas sits on 5+ acres w/ Horse Barn & Garage/Workshop

  • 3-Bay Workshop includes: paint bay, small office, storage & extra bath.
  • Horse Barn with stalls for 4 horses
  • Single Story Home
  • Metal Roofs on Outbuildings
  • Ceiling Fans
  • Vaulted Ceiling in Living Room
  • Covered Decks
  • 3-sides masonry and stained wood siding on main house
  • Exterior wood siding re-stained (2016)
  • Exterior wood railings painted (2016)
  • Main house septic drain field (2014)

Take a Virtual Tour of 3355 County Road 279, Leander, Texas 78641

The main house has 4 spacious bedrooms, 2.5 baths with 2,893 square feet of living space (appraiser). Other details include covered patio, 2-car carport, parking pad & dog run. Fenced yard. No Carpet. No home owners association. 5 miles to HEB Plus, MetroRail, 183/183A.

MLS# 5750957

Spring Events in Austin Texas

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photo by S. Nascimento

Austin Texas:   always a constant source of entertainment, education and a platform for just about anything, but spring time certainly kicks things up a notch.

March Highlights in Austin

The City becomes a global showcase for technology, music, film and even kites. Honorable mentions include President Obama’s keynote, his trip to Torchy’s Tacos, the First Lady’s visit and a record high of 92 degrees. Highlights for the month include the South by Southwest (R) film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences, the Zilker Park Kite Festival, Rodeo Austin and St. Patrick’s Day at Fado. Last years SXSW (R) festival alone generated a total economic impact of $317.2 million. It is the single most profitable event for the City’s hospitality industry.

Attention Getting Austin hits 2 Million Residents

It was also spring break in Central Texas, so if you left town – you missed the traffic as well as the tie fighter.  Austin’s consistent global spotlight reflects the booming real estate market.  Plenty of people come for a visit for work or vacation and then don’t want to leave.  The U.S. Census Bureau just reported growth in the Austin-Round Rock metro area from 1,943,465 in July 2014  to 2,000,860 in July 2015.

For every event I mentioned, there were 2 that I didn’t. Let’s just say adults and children alike were a little sleepy last week from springing ahead along with being back to the daily grind.

Moving to Austin Texas

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austonianMoving to Austin Texas? Pay Austin a visit even if you are moving back or have vacationed here in the past, especially if the plan is to buy a home. Buying a house in Austin Texas,  requires a bit of a refresher course. Austin has changed greatly over the last decade and is continuing to evolve. The skyline alone has expanded quite a bit with skyscrapers now eclipsing the Frost Bank.

The landscape, population and job growth in Austin Texas are taking turns outpacing one another for the last five years. Growth lends itself to convenience in some ways, adding greater variety in local eateries, retail stores and entertainment venues. The inconvenience comes with the reality that it is going to take you longer to get from point A to point B. Yes, Austin is experiencing growing pains, and its residents along with it.

Tips on Moving to Austin Texas

The new Austin has small town charm with an urban twist. The mindset of thinking local used to just apply to Austin based businesses, but now it is also about neighborhood convenience. The Austin Real Estate market is seeing an increase in both residential and commercial development to meet local needs.  The mixed-use concept has paved the way for neighborhoods to be self-contained. Neighborhood amenities have become a more desirable and more of a necessity. In a way, the bigger Austin gets, the more intimate it has become. Residents are interacting more within their community not only through local websites like Nextdoor, but also by shopping closer to home because traffic has increased.  Residents are opting for smaller flight paths when and where they can.

Moving Back to Austin Texas

The advice I give clients who have left Austin and plan to move back is to explore it like you have never lived here before. Moving back is more like moving to Austin for the first time. The old watering hole may have moved locations or you may discover a new favorite. Influences moving to Austin Texas from both coasts like Shake Shack and In-N-Out Burger offer a taste home for some. Others may discover a location that was once not on the short list, has now become trendy, sought after, part of town. The joy of moving to Austin is in the discovery just like it was the first time.

 

Austin Home Sales Predictions for 2016

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New yearsThe market is on the move with no signs of slowing down as we settle into 2016 and look at Austin home sales. The Fed did raise interest rates as expected. With the economy well on the mend, additional upticks are on the horizon as interest rates slowly drift to normal levels. The interest rate always affects the housing market because it taps into buying power. Interest is part of the monthly mortgage payment. Higher rates mean a higher payment, which affects debt-to-income ratio.

Austin Home Sales Predictions 2016 and Housing Demand

Historically, rising interest rates generally decrease home prices because buyers can afford less; but it can also create an immediate demand. Buyers want to lock into mortgages when they know rates will be increasing.

In Austin, the demand for housing was already high without the rate increase. I expect increasing rates will only create more motivation to buy a home.

Realtor.com says Austin-Round Rock will be the fifth most sought out city for 25- to 34-year-olds looking to purchase a home.

As long as the demand is high and inventory is low, housing prices in Austin will continue to rise.  There is currently about 2.6 months of single-family home inventory in Austin for sale.

Holiday Wish List

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holiday pic As we say goodbye to November, the holiday season is officially upon us, though honestly it feels like it started right after Halloween this year. ‘Tis the season to make lists and there are lots of them. A list to tell you what needs to be done after work, on the weekend and even at lunch. On top of that, we manage a calendar this time of year probably more than any other, which could contain a list was well reminding us where we need to be and when.

Wish list when searching for homes

Some items on our list are mandatory, while others are considered luxury items. Certainly they would be nice to have, but you will certainly find a way to survive without them. When buying a home, your wish list is no different. Like any list, your must-have features need to be at the top. Add too many items and you are either custom building or not buying anything. In the beginning, I suggest my clients start with items like location, price, size range and number of bedrooms. From there, we look at the inventory and modify. Maybe excluding an item like a pool, for example, if that is a deal breaker. It is better to just add a few items and see how many homes meet the existing criteria before adding more.

Homes for Sale in Austin

The Austin Real Estate Market inventory is very low. The goal is to find enough properties to have choices. After consulting with a client, if I can find 15 or more properties that meet the must-have list, then I know we are in the realm of matching expectations and goals. If the search is only pulling 5 houses, it may be because the search location is small or it is not a common floor plan in that area and price point. Like any list, the smaller your must-have criteria list is – the greater your chance of getting through it will be.

The Best Time to Sell a Home in Austin

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Cottages at NorthwoodsIt’s that time of year again when homeowners start to question whether to sell now or wait. The answer lies in the advantage for each individual seller.  If the goal is to sell for the highest price, that number is determined by what the market will bare.  Remember the real estate market when you are selling is centered around the price, condition and location of the home in question. 

Where Homes are Selling in the Austin

The only thing that matters is how the market specific to that home is moving.  If there are a lot of similiar homes currently on the market (competition), then it may best to wait.  If there is hardly any inventory out there, you are in a good position to sell now.  Waiting for more competition to hit the market doesn’t make much sense when you ideally want scarcity.

The Holiday Season has Ready, Willing and Able Buyers in Austin for Ready and Willing Sellers

The holiday season is upon us and if that means to a potential seller that friends and family are coming every weekend making it hard to show the house – wait until January.  After all, it is hard to sell a home that can’t be shown. If a seller is not ready and willing to sell a home, it is best not to introduce potential buyers to it prematurely.

The Best Time to Sell a Home in Austin

We don’t have magic potion to predict the future.  What a specific real estate market is going to look like for any particular seller in January or even April is dependent on what the competition looks like at that particular time.  The market now, combined with the owner’s willingness to show it during the holidays, will help determine whether it is the right time to sell.

Home Sold in Shiloh l South Austin 78745

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Shiloh Austin, TXJust sold in the Shiloh neighborhood in South Austin. Sweet single story charmer on a tree lined street lets the sunshine in. Great layout offers: Large living room with fireplace, plenty of  cabinetry and sprawling granite counters in kitchen, separate dining area, with access to outdoor deck and fenced in backyard.

2716 Cameron Loop, Austin Texas 78745

2716 Cameron Loop features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 2 car-garage. Extra details
include silestone counters in baths, laminate and tile flooring throughout along
with surround sound.

Shiloh South Austin 78745

2716 Cameron Loop was built in 1982 and is just under 1,400 square feet. 2716
Cameron Loop is located zip code 78745, in the popular South Austin neighborhood
called Shiloh, with a park located across the street.