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Austin, TX Real Estate News

By Sarah Sutfin
(Keller Williams/Bartlett RE Group)
Have you notice the flurry of activity around the Four Points/River North area lately?  Concordia University is finally here...welcome students and faculty! Concordia University moved from its downtown location to a 385 acre campus formerly owned by Schlumberger, a French oil field services company.  Their grand opening and Campus Dedication will be held on Sunday, October 26th, from 1:30 pm to 6 pm.  The public is welcome to come tour the campus and join the celebration.   Concordia is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod although they are quick to point out that all faiths are welcome.  The university began in 1926 as a high school and grew into a junior college in 1951.  By 1980 it was four-year college and in 1995 Concordia became a university.  Today, Concordia offers...
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By Donna Harris, Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator
(Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com)
Here's another example of why it doesn't usually pay to use a discount broker just to save their fee.  I have some clients whom I sold a house to a few years ago.  For the past couple of years, they've been wanting to sell and buy something with a pool.  We finally accomplished that last month. When it came time to list their home, I treated them like any other seller.  I went over and presented the new comps since I would run them every few months since they couldn't decide to sell or not.  I also showed them all my updated marketing information including the free trip I offer to the buyers and their agents upon a successful close. Since they were repeat clients and I already sold them their new home, I offered them a small discount as my way of saying "Thank you". I had staged the hom...
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By South Austin Real Estate Blog
(Sky Realty South Austin)
I just heard on the local morning news over at KEYE-TV, that the mega tech company GOOGLE is having an OPEN HOUSE Today.  They are showing up at the Scarborough Building and are employing 100 engineers and support staff. Welcome GOOGLE to "Silicon Hills".  A tag that Austin Texas has earned over the years with many silicon chip makers moving here, AMD, MOTOROLA, SAMSUNG, INTEL, and many I don't know but who help to make up our local economy.   Austin has a growing economy because of its diverse and varied industries and jobs.  We have a large music (Austin City Limits) and entertainment sector, (Last week I was driving thru the Onion Creek Golf Community and another film company was setting up shop)  the computer fields to include dot.commers, medical fields with the New Dell Childrens ...
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By Stephanie Zellous (512) 971-4875, Stephanie Zellous
(Keller Williams Realty)
  Travis Country is one of Austin's most popular neighborhoods. With an average home price of $326,935 (based on sales from 8/1/2008-10/14/2008), and three well rated public schools, plus three parks and a pool and tennis court Travis Country offers you the good life.   Travis Country located in Southwest Austin 7.2 miles away from Downtown, which you can access via Loop 1/ MoPac. Shopping and dining is within 1.5 miles, The Hill Country Galleria is located within 10 miles.   Schools Ratings: Oak Hill Elementary: Recognized Clint Small Middle School: Recognized Austin High School: Acceptable Private Schools: Regents School St Andrews Episcopal   Check here often for details on Open Houses and Deal Alerts in this neighborhood.
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By Robert English
(Texas Mortgage Concepts)
Pre-qualification is the first step in obtaining mortgage financing. A potential borrower answers a few questions to provide the loan consultant with a quick snapshot of the borrower's income, existing debt, accumulated savings and whether or not there is a co-borrower. Signature(s) allow the loan consultant to run a credit report and begin to determine what loans are good candidates for this particular client. However, there are literally thousands of loan programs available. It is important for the loan professional to know the long-term financial objectives of the prospective homeowner. Pre-approval is a written documentation that proves the borrower has full support of a lender. It means the form 1003 Uniform Residential Loan Application has been completed and reviewed by an underw...
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By Garreth Wilcock, Sherlock Homes Frisco
(Sherlock Homes Frisco)
What do you think the better listing price is for a home in the $400,000 range? Vote here! I did some research into Austin MLS data and found some interesting results. Read more Austin home pricing strategies
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By Scott Carson, The Note Guy
(WeCloseNotes.com Inc)
What to Invest In? I often get asked by other investors (often very new or green investors) what do I invest in or buy in the Awesome real estate market that is available in Austin, Texas. Well, that is not an easy or one sentence answer especially in this market. With the Austin real estate market avoiding the dramatic hits that have hit the East and West Coasts with property values decreasing, we've been lucky enough to still see a steady appreciation of values ranging from 5-10% in areas. While we haven't been immune from the rash of foreclosures like a lot of the other areas of the country, at least most of our foreclosures are at or below in value making them ideal deals for short sales or equity deals. Along with the foreclosures, Austin was home to one of the best rehab and flip ...
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By Debbie Barrera, Your Austin Texas Connection
(REALTY AUSTIN-Austin, TX www.RealtyAustin.com)
My 2006 VW Passat was running low on gas a few days ago and I passed a station on Cesar Chavez In East Austin that said $2.79 and and I was like, wow, I'm going to fill up there, however, time was slipping away so I decided to come back another time. And lo and behold, 2 days later it's now $2.59!! The Major Brand Gas store is a big yellow building with American flags on top of it. I waited in line about 7 minutes for my turn in line (there were quite a few cars already there) and then it was my turn. It felt so good to spend less than $45 to fill my tank, when just months ago I was spending over $60 of my hard earned cash. The VW is great on gas mileage, it gets about 26-33 MPG. Take note of this website www.austingasprices.com and check your neighborhood for the cheapest gas. I posted...
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By Garreth Wilcock, Sherlock Homes Frisco
(Sherlock Homes Frisco)
Mueller Austin home sales may see a boost in these turbulent economic times due to the local emergency. The local emergency room that is. Dell's Children's Medical Center of Central Texas is one of the employers at the mixed-use development - it has a 32-acre campus in the Northwest Quadrant of the old airport redevelopment, part of the potential 4.2m sqft of non-residential real estate. The hospital announced an expansion of its Emergency Department by ten beds, bringing the total to 44 beds. Along with the new beds come new physicians and nurses according to the press release. The Mueller Home Depot is also opening the doors to its new store at Mueller on October 30th. Jobs are being created at Mueller as businesses move in or grow. Job growth means more demand for residential real es...
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By Garreth Wilcock, Sherlock Homes Frisco
(Sherlock Homes Frisco)
Foreclosure homes in Austin: as economic news runs rampant, investors are looking to the foreclosure market in Austin to find deals. There are many misconceptions which  separate the curious dabblers from those prepared to take advantage of discounted Austin real estate. In this blog I'll look at the basics of the Travis County Foreclosure Auctions - What, Where and When. What is available at the foreclosure auctions? Homes that are being foreclosed upon due to unpaid taxes, or liens in default. There are a mass of sites promising foreclosure lists, but I don't rely on any of them for up to date information. Preparation and research are key to making any progress at the auction. Read more about foreclosure homes in Austin Texas... Garreth Wilcock is a real estate consultant at Keller Wi...
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By Garreth Wilcock, Sherlock Homes Frisco
(Sherlock Homes Frisco)
Central Austin real estate is not a homogenous market, and it's important to consider local factors when pricing a home that you want to sell, or when analyzing the market value of a home that you are considering buying. Investors are keen to know what the trends are in a specific area. Many may say it's a great time to buy due to the following factors: Low (although volatile!) mortgage rates. For more information and analysis of local mortgage rates, check out John Schutze's Austin mortgage blog. Around 20% less sales in Greater Austin than last year and rising inventory. Increased pressure on homeowners with unfavourable loans to sell It pays to heed the area that you're looking at. The Austin Board of Realtors splits up Austin into MLS areas for analysis and reporting purposes, and I...
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By Garreth Wilcock, Sherlock Homes Frisco
(Sherlock Homes Frisco)
What's a good way to find out what life in a new development is like? Ask a resident! Imagine you're thinking of buying a home in a community like Agave in Austin. As a Realtor® serving the Agave community, I can give some input, but what I advise is to drive the area at different times, and get out and meet your prospective new neighbors. For those out of town, I have gathered some neighbor blogs: In this two part series on living in Agave Austin homes, I present some blogs.   Read more about Agave Homes in Austin...   Garreth Wilcock is a Realtor® who can expertly represent buyers of Agave Homes in Austin. He specializes in Central and East Austin Real Estate. Call 512 694 8873 if you want to learn more or contact Garreth. At his website you can search the Austin MLS.
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By Robin Scott, Broker, REALTOR® - Austin Texas
(Robin Scott, REALTOR®)
With upscale cuisine. Recently I wrote about my friends who opened a used book store on North Lamar in Austin - Frugal Media. So now I want to tell you about the restaurant my son-in-law's sister opened in South Austin - Olivia. Named after their adorable daughter, Olivia, James and Cristina Holmeshave opened a beautiful restaurant with an exotic menu created by Chef James himself. Olivia is located at 2043 South Lamar so stop in for dinner and tell Christina that Robin Scott sent you. It's really good and worth the drive if you are coming from Frugal Media. This is for you Jason.      If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home, I want to be your REALTOR. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 512.589.7988 or ...
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By Betina Foreman, Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY
(WJK Realty)
Location, Location, Location! This great house in Travis Country is for sale and its just minutes from everything! The home has a grand two story entry which has art niches facing the formal living and dining. The floor plan is open and flows well for entertaining. Huge gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops. Oversized master suite with high coffered ceiling and a morning kitchen. The garage is finished out with epoxy floors and full of cabinets. Pleas join me this Sunday from 1-4pm. If you need directions please call my cell 512-771-6318 or scroll below photos. Sincerely, Betina               Driving Directions: Southwest Parkway to Travis Country West turn Right, to Fort Benton turn Right,  go to Medicine Creek and turn Left. If you are in the market for a new home and are not pres...
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By Russell Lewis, Broker,CLHMS,GRI
(Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate)
The final installment of the Architecture at the Umlauf Series season is coming and will take place Thursday, November 6th. The monthly series was founded and is produced by two of my associates at AvenueOne properties; Scott Harvey and Carla Umlauf (granddaughter of the esteemed sculptor) and is sponsored by our firm, AvenueOne Properties. The lectures take place at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and the series is now wrapping up its highly successful second season.  Mell Lawrence, FAIA is the featured speaker. There is a minimal charge of $5.00 for the event but is free to museum members. Thanks again for your continued interest and support!  
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By Krisstina Wise
(The GoodLife Team)
there continues to be a lot of negative commentary in the media about the state of our economy and the national housing 'crisis'. i thought it would be a good time to interject some grounded facts about the austin market and economy. I would also like to re-iterate something we say regularly on our main blog - real estate is local. don't allow yourself to be swayed by negative statistics about what is happening on a national level. as you will see from the facts below, the austin economy and real estate market are still strong and there has never been a better time to buy. 1. interest rates are highly attractive, hanging at 6% or below. more importantly, the national economic news and situation is causing interest rates to fluctuate radically. in the last month they have gone from 6.75%...
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
I get asked this question quite a bit.  It comes from friends, acquaintances, clients, potential buyers, sellers, random strangers (well, maybe those those as much).  Everyone wants to know how the market is doing. Last night, while I was at church, I was speaking to three people who seemed enthralled with my response to the following: "Jason, how's business for you?  Is it pretty tough right now?" First, let me explain that I can't bring myself to use an easy canned response with the current economic climate.  When things were truly great, I said so.  Now that things are....well, less great, I have a far longer answer, and it goes something like this: The market here is okay, but it's not as strong as it was two or three years ago.  We are still making a good living, but not as much mo...
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By Sam Wigginton
(Sam Wigginton)
Having been in the real estate industry for close to twenty years I have seen many ups and downs in this business. One thing I can say that has worked is real estate investments. My Father bought his 1st home for $1500. and put it on some land that cost him $150. per acre. He probably spent another $3000. renovating the house he bought and it still stands today.  My first home cost $42000. and had a garage apartmant with it that leased for $200. per month and my payment $352. per month.  This home was walking distance to all the schools and grocery stores. Wow how thngs have changed.  The one thing that has not changed is the price of homes has continuously gone up.  If i would have bought 5 homes in 1972 and kept them rented and used the profit to keep an account for repairs and rental...
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By Robin Scott, Broker, REALTOR® - Austin Texas
(Robin Scott, REALTOR®)
1. Get at least three written estimates. 2. Check references. If possible, view earlier jobs the contractor completed. 3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints. 4. Be sure the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled. 5. Make as small of a down payment as possible so you won’t lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job and he has the incentive to finish. 6. Be sure that the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses and insurance. 7. Check that the contract states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it isn’t. Also, remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it. 8. Ask if the contractor’s workers will do the en...
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By Robin Scott, Broker, REALTOR® - Austin Texas
(Robin Scott, REALTOR®)
FrugalMedia is the largest on-line used bookstore and owned by my friends Rob Canuelle and Erik Franks. They have a fantastic system and if you have bought used books on-line you have probably purchased from FrugalMedia. They have sold over 800,000 items on-line in the last 5 years. Now they have opened a retail store on Austin at 5400 N.Lamar. In addition to the great selection of used books, my husband John's paintings decorate the walls. The Austin American Statesman published an article about FrigalMedia you may find of interest. If you are in the Austin area, swing by and say hello to Rob and Erik. If you don't live in the Austin area, you may want to visit FrugalMedia on line.Below are photos from the Grand Opening Party.
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