Tag Archives: Selling a home

Looking to sell a home in Austin? Doreen Zelma is a real estate professional ready to help. Doreen is a seasoned listing agent and offers only best marketing in Austin.

Tarrytown Austin 78703

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Tarry Town is located in Central Austin.  Tarry Town is an ideal neighborhood for people who seek a convenient location to central attractions like the downtown area and Zilker Park.  Tarry Town also offers local access to Lake Austin, popular eateries along Lake Austin and a local golf course.

Tarry Town, Tarrytown and Tarrytown Oaks Location

There are 3 subdivisions that area commonly referred to as Tarry Town, simply because they neighbor one another and are located in the same area.  All Tarry Town subdivisions are located just north of Enfield Road, West of the MoPac Expressway and East of Lake Austin.  Tarrytown, Tarrytown and Tarrytown Oaks are all located within the 78703 zip code.

Homes for Sale in the Tarrytown Area

Homes in Tarrytown vary in style and include everything from bungalow, traditional and mid-century modern. The variety of home styles is part of the appeal in this neighborhood.  Tarry Town doesn’t have a cookie cutter feeling, like some neighborhoods have. Homes for Sale in Tarry Town, Tarrytown and Tarry Town Oaks can be viewed on my Tarrytown page.

Tarry Town, Tarrytown and Tarry Town Oaks Austin Market Data

There are 8 active single family houses for sale right now. There are 11 pending houses and 8 homes have sold in the last 90 days.  The average price of an active single family house in Tarrytown, Tarrytown Oaks and Tarry Town is $711,600.  The average size of a home is 2,488 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths.

The Tarrytown area is comprised of many micro subdivisions not mentioned here. New subdivisions were created as the area developed.   One of the largest is Brown Herman.  My advice to anyone looking in the area is to have a customized map search created, this way nothing will be missed.

Buying a Home from the Inside Out

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My first house was built in 1939 and had asbestos siding, knob and tube electric wiring and a converted coal furnace that was the size of a small space craft.  When I had my home inspection, my inspector told me everything was working just fine and that there was no need to change anything.  The only thing I ultimately replaced 7 years later, was the furnace.  It wasn’t broken and never gave me a problem, but I just had the money to upgrade it to something more efficient – and smaller.

Austin Homes for Sale

There are some upgrades that we need to do and others that would fall into the ‘nice to do’ category.  I often try to put perspective on this when the home inspection comes back on a house. The dilemma on how to move forward often comes when buyers feel that a major system, like the furnace is old.  The main question Austin home buyers to ask and to be mindful of is whether or not the system has reached its end of life.  If in all probability a furnace is coughing up its last breathe of hot air, my buyers need to consider the cost of a replacement during their option period, because we may want to go back to the sellers and talk about the cost.  Sellers don’t always know a lot about their house before it is inspected, so this is often new information they need to consider.

Selling a Home in Austin

[Helpful tip to Sellers:  if you are worried about the condition of your home before a buyer’s inspection –
have your house pre-inspected before it goes on the market.]

On the flip-side, it is important to remember functionality.  Building codes change over time, as new and improved ways of doing things are discovered.  That doesn’t mean the existing system isn’t doing the job, just because standards have changed.  For buyers to think a Seller should make a concession because there is a better way of doing something now, is not realistic.  Sure, it would be more efficient to have a two zone HV/AC system on a two story house, but to expect a seller to pay for that is not realistic.  Again, is the system functioning properly?  There is always a new and improved way to do something and there always will be, but to expect a 1969 home to be upgraded to 2012 standards is not realistic.  If you want a new home, then I will sell you a new home.

Don’t get me wrong, upgrades are a Seller and Buyer’s best friend.  Houses that have been updated sell for more money, simply because they have more appeal.  A buyer feels confident that they should not need to worry about replacing something for a while, which is then something they don’t need to budget for in the future.  A house that has updated systems shows pride of ownership from the inside – it’s not just the aesthetics that attract a buyer.

My latest Central Austin Real Estate listing is a great example of pride of ownership from the inside – out.  Yes, the house looks great, but the added appeal comes from the fact that just about every system in the house has been replaced in the last 6 years – even the water heater.  The owners got into the habit of replacing things as needed, which is of course what we all strive to do.  5905 Paseo Del Toro is located in Central Austin just North of 2222 in the Highland Hills/Northwest Hills area of Austin.         5905 Paseo Del Toro details

5905 Paseo Del Toro Central Austin 78731

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5909 Paseo Del Toro Austin Texas 78731

5905 Paseo Del Toro is a Central Austin beauty combines casual style with modern sophistication.  Ideal floor plan w/master suite & additional bedroom on main level – perfect for office or guests. Large eat-in kitchen w/stainless steel appliances.  

5905 Paseo Del Toro, Austin TX 78731 – see website for more information

5905 Paseo Del Toro features:  2 floor-to-ceiling Limestone stone fireplaces, built-ins, hardwood floors on first floor, crown molding, modern master bath with glass tile backsplash, glass cabinets in kitchen, wood blinds, ceiling fans in all rooms. Updated: HV/AC (SEER <14), Water Heater, Roof, Lighting, Convection Oven range. 

5905 Paseo Del Toro Austin, TX 78731 link on You Tube

Location:  Highland Hills / Northwest Hills Area, commuters dream – easy access to downtown, lake, eateries, daycare, cleaners, hike & bike trails and dog parks.  No HOA!

Year Built:  1980

Bedrooms:  4 (master and additional bedroom on main)

Baths:  2.5

Square Footage:  2,127 sq. ft. (per appraiser)

Exterior:  Front Porch, 3-sides masonry, nice backyard deck

List Price:  $399,999

Subdivisions by the Numbers

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How many Austin homes are for sale in a subdivision near you?  What are the median list prices?  Let’s explore some random Austin subdivisions look at the numbers.  Note these numbers are by specific subdivision name, not by area. There may be more homes available nearby.  When buyers are looking in a general area, like Tarrytown or Travis Heights, I typically set up a map search.  Older neighborhoods are made up of many micro-subdivisions as the land was and is developed.  The subdivision list below is random.  It will give you an overall idea of what to expect in terms of available inventory.  If there is a particular subdivision or neighborhood you would like me to highlight in the future, please ask.

Austin Market Data

Crestview
Number of homes for sale                       13        
Median List Price                                   $264,900          
Where in Austin?                                   Central

Rob Roy on theLake
Number of homes for sale                       6         
Median List Price                                   $2,924,500       
Where in Austin?                                   West

Tarrytown
Number of homes for sale                       7         
Median List Price                                   $789,000
Where in Austin?                                   Central

Legend Oaks
Number of homes for sale                       9
Median List Price                                   $259,900
Where in Austin?                                   Southwest

Shady Hollow
Number of homes for sale                       9
Median List Price                                   $304,990
Where in Austin?                                   Southwest

Senna Hills
Number of homes for sale                       4         
Median List Price                                   $532,188          
Where in Austin?                                   West

Great Hills
Number of homes for sale                       11
Median List Price                                   $525,000
Where in Austin?                                   Northwest

Highland Park
Number of homes for sale                       11
Median List Price                                   $589,000
Where in Austin?                                   Central

Jester Estates
Number of homes for sale                       7
Median List Price                                   $457,000
Where in Austin?                                   Northwest

Mueller
Number of homes for sale                       6
Median List Price                                   $746,716
Where in Austin?                                    East

Crossing at Onion Creek
Number of homes for sale                       11
Median List Price                                   $160,000
Where in Austin?                                    Southeast

 

 

Deck the Halls

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‘Tis the season for shopping, baking, cooking, cleaning and maybe a little pepper spray in your eye. With all of the added things to find time for during the holidays, selling a home can seem an additional job we may not have time for. There are benefits though to selling during the holiday season and certainly things to be mindful of.

Austin Winter Real Estate Market

The holiday season is also the start of colder weather. In other parts of the country snow can really impact winter home sales. Fortunately, for the Austin real estate market snow and ice days are little and far between. Buyers can generally shop year round though it may be hard to find the time.

Only the must-see homes on the hot list make the cut this time of year. There are fewer buyers this time of year and with little time, those coming out to see a house are serious shoppers. Sellers will get less traffic but those that come out want or need to buy — now.

A decorated house brings warmth and whimsy to the décor which makes people feel good. Decorations help set the stage for your home. One of my sellers’ biggest challenges for selling a home is keeping it clean. Houses are generally cleaner this time of year because we clean anyway when friend and family are coming to visit.

Houses smell better this time of year as well. The real Christmas tree, those fresh baked cookies and gingerbread room deodorizers make buyers feel good when they come see your home.

There are many sellers that will take their house off the market between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I always encourage by sellers to keep their houses on the market. Serious buyers will miss your home if it is not for sale.

Austin Real Estate Market Data

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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.

The data below is specific to single family homes. If there is an area you want me to spotlight -please let me know.

Austin Market Spotlights

Legend Oaks (Southwest Austin)
Number of Active Houses on the Market: 10
Average Days on Market: 45
Median List Price: $ 266,025

Cherry Creek (South Austin)
Number of Active Houses on the Market: 16
Average Days on Market: 98
Median List Price: $ 184,970

Plum Creek (Kyle)
Number of Active Houses on the Market: 25
Average Days on Market: 89
Median List Price: $ 179,250

City of West Lake Hills
Number of Active Houses on the Market: 27
Average Days on Market: 122
Median List Price: $ 1,295,000

Barton Creek West (West Austin)
Number of Active Houses on the Market: 3
Average Days on Market: 60
Median List Price: $ 585,000

Cat Mountain (North Austin)
Number of Active Houses on the Market: 7
Average Days on Market: 85
Median List Price: $ 450,000

Bouldin (Central Austin)
Number of Active Houses on the Market: 6
Average Days on Market: 79
Median List Price: $ 447,000

Travis Heights (Central Austin)
Number of Active Houses on the Market: 17
Average Days on Market: 99
Median List Price: $  575,000

Austin Market Spotlights

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I have selected subdivisions in the greater Austin area and listed their current real estate market data.   My selection is based on the communities I have visited over the last 3 weeks.  This also happens to be my 100th blog post!

The data below is specific to single family houses, unless otherwise indicated.  If there is an area you want me to spotlight -please let me know.

Tarry Town  (Central)
Number of Active Houses on the Market:                      16

Average Days on Market:                                              81

Median List Price: $                                                  $606,500

Elliott Ranch (Buda)
Number of Active Houses on the Market:                     12

Average Days on Market:                                            99

Median List Price: $                                                 $432,400

Whispering Hollow  (Buda) Still Developing
Number of Active Houses on the Market:                     17

Average Days on Market:                                            59

Median List Price:                                                    $218,835                                              

Garlic Creek (Buda) Sill Developing
Number of Active Houses on the Market:                   16

Average Days on Market :                                         76

Median List Price:                                                   $199,106          

Austins Colony (East)
Number of Active Houses on the Market:                  18

Average Days on Market:                                          86

Median List Price:                                                   $109,950                                  

Pemberton Heights (Central)
Number of Active Houses on the Market:                    6

Average Days on Market:                                          71

Median List Price: $                                           $1,535,750

Towers of Town Lake (Downtown Condominium Community)

Number of Active Condos on the Market:                   9

Average Days on Market:                                         74

Median List Price:                                                    $289,500