Tag Archives: Austin Real Estate Market

Halloween Treats in Austin 2015

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Photo courtesy of elissamariecreative.com

Zombies, Stormtroopers and Minions unite! Halloween in Austin is always a big day for kiddos and the young at heart.  This year it is going to be huge.  Not only is Halloween on a Saturday, but Comic Con in Austin will also be taking place as well.  Drivers need to be extra careful of bands of pedestrians like a zombie horde in The Walking Dead.

Trick-or-Treating in Austin

If you watch The Walking Dead, a band of survivors are currently living in the Alexandria Safe Zone, which is an ideal representation of a community for trick-or-treating.  The homes are situated on a low-traffic street and set within close proximity to one another, not unlike Austin neighborhoods such as Circle C, Legend Oaks, Cherry Creek, Barton Hills, Crestview, Tarrytown and Plum Creek in Kyle.  Halloween is all about time management.  Kids look for the most houses they can visit in the least amount of time.

Austin Events

In addition to candy collecting, night owls will be enjoying an evening parade in East Austin and the annual Zombie Ball downtown.

If you are: a pedestrian — stay safe, a driver — stay alert or home living in a zombie prone community — have candy.

Austin is for Lovers

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Austin City Limits Music FestivalFall is one of the most diverse seasons in Austin for entertainment. Lovers of art, music, books, food, beer and even fast cars will find an event happening now and in the weeks to come.

Austin Events

Here is a list of some October/November Austin events.
For a complete list, go to: http://www.austintexas.org/visit/events/october-november/

Austin City Limits Music Festival
10/2/15 – 10/4/15 and 10/9/15 to 10/11/15
www.aclfestival.com

Texas Book Festival
10/17/15-10/18/15
www.texasbookfestival.org

Oktoberfest
10/17/15
www.germantexans.org/festivals

Formula 1 Grand Prix
10/23-10/25/15
www.circuitoftheamericas.com/f1

Austin Film Festival
10/29-11/5/2015
www.austinfilmfestival.com

Wizard World Comic Con
10/30-10/31/15
www.wizardworld.com/home-austin.html

Texas Monthly BBQ Festival
11/1/15
www.texasmonthly.com/bbqfestival

Fun Fun Fun Fest
11/6-11/8/15
www.funfunfunfest.com

Wurstfest
11/6-11/15/15
www.wurstfest.com

U.S. Vintage Racing National Championships
11/7-11/8/15
www.circuitoftheamericas.com/vintage

Ironman 70.3 Austin
11/8/15
www.ironman.com

East Austin Studio Tour
11/14-11/15/15, 11/21-11/22/15
http://east.bigmedium.org/

Turkey Trot
11/26/15
www.thundercloud.com/turkey-trot

Downtown Austin Market Data

Want to live in the heart of it all?
Here is today’s median data for active and pending single-family houses within 1 mile of downtown Austin:
Median List Price: $953,116
Median Size: 3 bedrooms / 3 baths at 2,459 square feet
Median Year Built: 1941

Median data for active and pending condos within downtown Austin:
Median List Price: $416,000
Median Size: 1 bedrooms / 1 baths at 852 square feet
Median Year Built: 2008

Akoya Austin 78704 Condo For Sale

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Akoya condominiums offer a bit of Caribbean flare in the heart of Austin’s 78704 zip code. St. Barts inspired & designed by award-winning architect Michael Hsu: for sale 2200 Dickson Drive, unit 125 is located near trendy 78704 SoLa area eateries, shops & hot spots.  Austin’s eclectic 78704 zip code offers an ideal balance of living in a suburban area while enjoying the convenience of an urban lifestyle.

SoLa district in Austin 78704

Austin’s 78704 zip code is home to hot spots like Zilker Park, the ZACH Topfer Theatre, the Long Center and Lady Bird Hike & Bike Trail. 2200 Dickson Drive, Unit 125 is located in the SoLA district of 78704, where South Lamar Boulevard local favorites include The Broken Spoke, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and a variety of retail and eateries.

For Sale:  2200 Dickson Drive, Unit 125 Austin, TX 78704 in Akoya Condominiums

Akoya condominium green built community end unit nestled in the corner with covered entry for added shade. Features: Silestone kitchen counters (2014) & Glass tile back splash, Bamboo floors, Granite counter in bath, wired for surround sound & Google Fiber, track and recessed lighting and walk-in closet.

Resort-style courtyard, in-ground pool, outdoor grilling station, shower and patio.

  • 72 Walk Score
  • 83 Bike Score
  • Gated Entry

Unit 125 in Akoya Floor Plan:

  • 1 bedroom/1 bath
  • 640 sq. ft (per tax record)
  • first floor location

Combination LG washer/dryer (2011) conveys with refrigerator.

MLS# 8194093

Real Estate in the Rain

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My client’s foundation was poured just before May’s rain days began

I think Mother Nature got a bit confused last month.  April showers are supposed to bring May flowers – not the other way around.  May, after all, is prom season, graduation season, wedding season and to many, the start of home buying season.  For many, May is simply the busy season which often requires a lot of planning and with all of this rain – re-planning. Lake Travis is now almost 70% full, which is good news, but as we well know it came at a cost to many with so much rain in so little time.

Home Shopping in the Rain

Looking for a house to buy in the rain creates opportunity for some buyers and disadvantage for others.  My advice varies based on the mindset of my client, the property description and what the must-have feature is.

Safety First

If I know that even in the rain, my buyer will right an offer – I advise that to go see it.  I am talking about light rain days like we experienced in early May, not the Memorial weekend storms.  In addition, if you are not familiar with an area, it is best to wait for a sunny day.  The threat of flooding in some areas is common even with very little rain, so if you don’t know an area well – it’s best to stay home.

Austin Real Estate Rain or Shine

On a typical rainy day, if my buyer is all about the kitchen and the yard is simply a place to let the dog out – we should go look at houses.  If we looking at an Austin condo – we should go see it as well. There are not very many outside features in a condominium you cannot see from a window, especially if it is located in downtown Austin.  If my buyer needs to see the condition of the exterior of the house or needs to walk the yard prior to making a decision – we should not go look.  The Austin market does not cater to looky-loos.  With so little inventory – the market is not waiting for good weather either.

Austin Weather

The weather can be very different when driving from North Austin to South Austin or vice versa.  Austin weather can also change very quickly.  There are weather apps you can download to watch the local radar on your phone.  Whether you look at houses in rain or shine, it is best to look when you are a ready, willing and able buyer.  If you are not willing to write an offer in the rain then wait.  The sun will be out tomorrow and if it is meant to be – the house will be waiting for you.

Stay safe, stay dry and donate to those in need.

It’s Always Spring In Austin

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photo by S. Nascimento

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S. Nascimento

The notion that spring is the prime real estate season to buy and sell a home in Austin has not proven itself to be true in the last few years. There is so little inventory in the greater Austin area that fall buyers are becoming winter buyers, winter buyers are being pushed into the spring season and so-on. New buyers are entering the market all of the time and because existing buyers have not purchased a house yet, they don’t leave the market. In a balanced market buyers and sellers are flowing in and out of the market as inventory constantly turns over. The inventory of buyers right now, largely outweighs the inventory of homes.

Multiple Offers in Austin

When a house for sale receives multiple offers, there can only be one buyer. That buyer is not only relieved that the search is over, but truly feels like a winner. The rest of the buyers go back into the market pool and wait for the next home to try again. The lack of inventory has created an influx of buyers that stay in the market while new buyers are entering it. I get emailed lists of buyer needs daily from agents looking for homes for active buyers. They have seen everything available and are waiting for new choices.

Moving to Austin

There are some areas of Austin that will get an even bigger boost of buyers this spring and summer along with a little more inventory, because some buyers and sellers are driven to move based on the school year calendar.  Additional inventory would have to radically outweigh the number of buyers, which most likely will not happen. The seller’s market in Austin will continue to be a year round event until a change in economic conditions forces a shift.

Austin is a Global Market for Buyers

In real estate, we talk about the perfect marriage of price, condition and location to sell a home. When all 3 factors are in line with one another, buyers will come and a home will sell. Buyers are coming from all over the world to Austin because it offers the perfect marriage of price, condition and location for those who wish to call it home. When it comes to real estate, it is always spring in Austin.

Get Your Home Sold

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IMG_2346Listing appointments are more than just about the paperwork, market data and pricing.  I tour the home with a buyer’s eyes pointing out things along the way that have often been there for so long the owner doesn’t even see them anymore.

My suggestions start from the street, not inside the house.  I tell sellers all of the time that I want the house to look ‘light, bright and happy.’ I want buyers to feel good when they visit one of my listings from the moment they pull up to the house.

Here are some tips to get your home show ready or maybe just a little happier:

Creating Curb Appeal

•Replace dead plants with flowers
•Place garbage bins and recycling containers on the side of the house or in the garage. Doing so increases curb appeal and aids in parking in front of the house.
•Put the garden hose away when not in use.  Buyers don’t want to be walking over it to get to the front door.
•Paint your mail box and door knocker (if rusting) with some metallic paint.
•Replace the door mat.
•Hose off the front of the house, if needed (you can power wash but just be prepared to paint)
•Clean the gutters
•Rake and sweep dead leaves

Buyers are guests too.  Make the house clean enough for company.

♦The #1 thing I want owners to do when I list a house is clean.  When buyers see a 1970’s kitchen that is spotless, they comment on how clean it is.  It’s a blank canvas that can be updated someday and is considered usable the way it is.  When the same Buyers see a modern kitchen, that is dirty, it is a turn off.  It’s funny how the brain works, it doesn’t say “I can clean this”, like you would think; instead it says “I could never cook in here”.  If you don’t like to clean, hire someone – it is money well spent.

♦De-clutter kitchen counter tops by moving vitamins, medicine, knives and every appliance that is not essential into a cabinet or storage bin.  The more you remove from the counter — the bigger and cleaner it will look.  In the bathroom, find a new home for the toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrush and makeup.  Clutter becomes visual noise for buyers.

♦Organize kitchen drawers, pantries, shelves and closets.  Buyers will be looking in them.

Pride of Ownership

How a seller presents a home to a buyer says a lot about how they have taken care of it. A clean, organized home shows pride of ownership which gives the buyer a bit of confidence in terms of its overall condition.

Austin Garden Homes

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Cottages at Northwoods

Cottages at Northwoods at Avery Ranch

A client is in the process of building a garden home in Northwest Austin in the Cottages at Northwoods. Garden home communities in Austin are a very popular alternative to traditional condominium and suburban living. Whether referred to as a village, enclave or garden home in Austin, the look and expectation are the same. The community consists of +/- 40 single family detached homes that ooze with the charm of traditional architectural styles including bungalows, cottages, and even French quarter. These are master planned communities all the way down to the landscaping and fencing choices.

Single family houses in a condominium regime

Garden home communities typically have one main entrance and are often designed with a circular drive with lot sizes typically much smaller than average (about an 1/8 of an acre). These communities are typically developed as a condominium regime and therefore have a mandatory Home Owners Association (HOA). A condominium regime is not platted out with individual lots that have metes and bounds with individual surveys. Like with a traditional condo, you have a percentage of ownership interest in the land and may even have shared utility lines like water.

Austin Garden Home Communities

Not all garden homes are in a condominium regime, but managed by an HOA like the Village at Kinney Court in South Central Austin. Depending on how the community is designed will determine what elements are ‘common’ and therefore managed by the HOA, who will ultimately set the fees.

At the end of the day, the structure and operation of these communities does not detract from their  appeal. The attraction lies in the location, which is often not far from an urban setting, little or no lawn maintenance, a cozy community feeling and the grace of yesteryear.