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.

5517 Agatha Circle in The Statesman

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My listing at 5517 Agatha Circle has been spotlighted in the Austin Statesman. Here is a link to the article.  This stunning home is a head turner due to its modern 3-story design.  The home fits right into it’s community of modern homes, which is called Agave.  Agave was originally referred to as 969, which is what Martin Luther King Boulevard transitions into as you head further east.

Over 12 architects contribute to the modern floorplans, colors and details of this community. Keven Stewart was the architect who designed 5517 Agatha Circle.  The first floor includes 2 bedrooms, and one full bath with polished concrete floors.  Make you way up the bamboo wood staircase to find a living area, eat-in kitchen and utility room with plenty of extra storage space.  The floor also feature a half bath and outdoor deck.  The third level of the house includes a master bedroom, master bath and flex room.  There is also a large deck off of the master bedroom.

5517 Agatha Circle is ideal for someone really looking to make a statement.  It is finished with green details like silestone counters, a tankless water heater, low V.O.C paint and Energy Star rated appliances.

Listing # 6640723

The Agave Community is nestled within a hillside in east Austin.  It is about 3 minutes to 183, 6.5 miles from the University of Texas and less than 10 miles to downtown Austin.

Like a G6

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The Gulfstream G650 jet is the fastest civil airplane in the world.  The Federal Aviation administration is set to certify it to fly at 704 mph or mach .925 in the next year.  Once you are under contract to buy home, the time starts going by – like a G6.  The option period is typically 7 days long and it starts ticking the minute the offer becomes a contract.  So, time is of the essence.

The better educated a buyer is before the option period begins, the smoother the time goes by.  Understanding the loan program you are qualifying for, choosing a home inspector, and having liquid funds available for option and earnest money fees are just a few of the things that add stress and take time. 

Any amendments made to the contract need to be agreed upon by midnight of the last day of the option period.  If the Seller has not signed the amendment by midnight on the last day of the option period, the buyer has 2 choices.  The buyer either accepts the property based on the initial terms and conditions, or must terminate contract in order to get their earnest money.

It’s no fun waiting until the last hours of an option period to wait for either party to decide what to do.  The best advice I can give is to be prepared before you find a home. Don’t waste days during your option period to prepare.  Planning ahead lets you take off like a G6 and allows time to educate yourself on the home, without feeling rushed.

Call First: Go!

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When going on a listing appointment, one of the things I discuss with my Sellers are showing instructions. Showing instructions are entered into the listing database, so that agents understand what they need to do to gain access to a house. Instructions can include anything from the need to make an appointment with the listing agent, to simply showing up.

Most Sellers think that Buyers plan ahead to see homes, so they always think they are going to have time to prepare for a showing. More often then not, that is simply not true. Buyers do plan ahead to buy a home. They talk to me about where they want to live and what they are looking for in a home. Buyers often make an appointment with me in advance to view homes, but often don’t know what they want to see until the last minute. Everyone always wants to see what new inventory might come up, so some homes are scheduled ahead of time, but others are often chosen at the last minute, which may alter the overall itinerary and change appointment times.

Convenience is Key

Understand, Buyers’ schedules are often not as flexible as you might think. I often have clients that will have a babysitter watch the children, so they can view some homes with me for a few hours. Other times, buyers are only in town for a day or two and need to see as many homes as possible in a small window of time.

Sellers can’t sell what Buyers can’t see, so flexibility is key to getting a house sold. The easier it is to show, the more Buyers will have the opportunity to see the home. When I am on a listing appointment, we talk about how to we are going to manage the dogs, and how the morning routine might change. Beds need to be made, sinks need to be cleaned and laundry needs to be put away. This way, if a call comes in as the day progresses, no one panics. With Buyers you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

The happy medium that seems to work best with my clients is Call First, then Go as a showing instruction. It gives my clients a head up that someone is coming, but offers the flexibility agents often need to show it.

Austin Neighborhood Spotlights

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What’s going on in a neighborhood near you? I have selected some random neighborhoods in Austin and cities surrounding it, to provide some current real estate market data. If there is an area or neighborhood you would like me to spotlight – just let me know.

Overall, the Austin market is going strong into 2011 strong. Neighborhoods averaging 3 months or less are considered to be seller’s markets, because there is a demand to live in them. Neighborhoods averaging 4 to 6 months are considered neutral markets. Six months or more time on the market is considered to be buyer’s markets. The exceptions to this rule: luxury properties over $800,000, simply due to less buyers and new homes under construction where the houses are actively marketed before or during building.

Austin Homes for Sale

Hyde Park (Central Austin)
Number of Active Homes on the Market: 10
Average Days on Market: 124
Median Home Price: $ 323,500

Jester Estates (Northwest Austin)
Number of Active Homes on the Market: 8
Average Days on Market: 127
Median Home Price: $ 423,700

Rob Roy (West Austin)
Number of Active Homes on the Market: 11
Average Days on Market: 202
Median Home Price: $ 1,250,000

Onion Creek (South Austin)
Number of Active Homes on the Market: 30
Average Days on Market: 142
Median Home Price: $ 310,950

Plum Creek (Kyle)
Number of Active Homes on the Market: 24
Average Days on Market: 71
Median Home Price: $ 143,825

Doreen’s Favorite Things

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Don’t get too excited here.  Try and control yourself, we don’t have medics standing by. I’m not Oprah, so I don’t have anything to offer you for free, except advice.  When it comes to real estate though, I do have a list of favorite things.  These are products that I have found over time that work well in regard to cleaning, staging and prepping a home for sale.  Not all of them are pricey; in fact you may already have a few of them.  I mention many of them in my listing presentations as I walk around a home to see what seller’s might need to do, to show their home in its best light. Here is a list my favorite things and why they made the list.  They are in no particular order.

Drumroll please………………………..

Glade Vanilla Scented Plug-Ins

The Vanilla and Lilac scent is ok too.  They give a nice warm undertone to a home.  Seller’s have a tendency to make a home smell too fragrant.  Buyers just want a home to smell clean, floral scents are often over powering.

Dyson Vacuum Cleaners

I am not going to get model specific, because I don’t think it matters.  I have pets and have a tendency to kill my vacuum cleaner every 2 – 3 years.  The Dyson picks up pet hair others leave behind.  It is great for picking up after the kids as well.

Candles

Candles are a great staging tool, because they work in every room of your home.  Try putting 3 together on a shelf, a dresser or centerpiece on a table.  They give a home a warm feeling even when they are not lit.

Area Rugs

Buy a couple to help divide a large room up, and give smaller areas more definition.

Shoe Boxes

How many of you have a closet with empty show boxes?  Shoe boxes are a great way to store items you don’t necessarily want potential buyers to see when viewing your home.

Bamboo

Bamboo lives a long time, just in water.  It’s a great plant to add to a room even if you don’t have a green thumb.  Try putting 3 stalks together in a clear vase with pebbles or glass beads.

Duvet Covers

Let’s face it, comforters can be pricey.  Duvet covers are a great way to use the same comforter when you change the décor of a room.  Or, if you need a new comforter you can save money and buy any pattern you want, because no one will see it with a duvet.

Kaboom

I use Kaboom on everything including my carpet.  I advise you test an area before trying this.

Books

Books are another great staging tool that works in every room of a home.

IKEA

IKEA is a great store if you are looking to re-do a room, add extra storage or if you simply want to finish a room with items like bookshelves.