Special offer

Austin, TX Real Estate News

By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
(Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899)
Yesterday Beckett (#4) was ready to “play ball” with her Smurf’s team game at 9 am at the NAO (North Austin Optimist ) fields in Austin! A perfect day with blue sky, sun and a breeze! I love going to her games and supporting her interests! I was so proud of the girls as they are really playing well together. Practicing their plays, fielding, pitching and hitting really paid off in yesterday’s game! They were on fire and beat their opponent easily. Their excitement was evident with their cheering from the dugout during the game.The coach is one of the teammates mom and she played softball for Harvard! Hudson always comes to the games to support his sister. I looked around as he wasn’t sitting by me anymore....look where I found him! He had a bird's view by home plate! “Keep your eye on ...
Comments 16
By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
(Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899)
The perfect buyer fell in love with Unit #130 and knew instantly it was the sanctuary, centrally located in NW Hills, she was looking for and immediately pictured herself living in a tranquil treehouse retreat. She was looking for a serene ambiance wrapped by towering, majestic trees and was thrilled when she found it!Two bedrooms and two baths, was exactly what she was looking for and was impressed how this comfy condo exuded a sense of spaciousness and openness. Tall ceilings were a must and lots of windows so she kept checking off her list of must haves as she toured the home.She’s a cook so the kitchen with its roomy space to move around was another box she could check off. She especially liked how the kitchen seamlessly integrates with the living area, an inviting atmosphere perfec...
Comments 13
By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
(Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899)
I baked some French bread yesterday, as I’ll need loaves for a few dinners I’m planning for some friends and wanted to have the bread made.There is a wonderful neighbor couple down the way, he is struggling with Parkinson’s and dementia and can be a handful. They have a sweet little dog and she is blessed with a green thumb. Her gardens, all around her house are such a treat to enjoy! I’ve been meaning to pop in and thought now would be a good time and I would take a freshly baked, half of loaf of French bread to them. I’m so glad I did! It was good to see them and she showed me all around her gardens and we visited on their new deck. When I left she said I’d like you to take a rose from one of my prized rose bushes! Then she cut fresh mint form a huge patch growing among her flowers! S...
Comments 12
By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
(Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899)
Last Monday on April 8th, 2024 the whole country was obsessed with the solar eclipse! I’ve read many posts where school classes, businesses, the general public and just about everyone took time to witness this phenomenon. What an opportunity! The next one won’t be visible until 2044. The general consensus was it was utterly amazing!Canyon Creek Elementary (The Comets) took full advantage of the teaching moment for its students and I was thrilled to hear the excitement they witnessed.“We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.”Thich Nhat Hanh  
Comments 8
By Ki Gray, Austin Real Estate
So I love parks. And being in Austin I am not alone. Alot of people in Austin enjoy the wide number of parks scattered throughout Austin. Working in the Austin Real Estate market is nice because when people ask if their home is near a park the answer is usually yes because there are parks all over Austin. Anyway we are getting a new park in central Austin. Its a little surprising because most of the real estate that has been recently designated as parks has been on the outskirts of Austin. The park is 21 acres and is near the Long Center for the Performing Arts. So it might be nice to go to an event at the Long Center and then go hang out at the Park afterwards. Below is a picture of the park. Apparently the park has a set of fountains that get lighted up at night. Ki Gray is a realtor ...
Comments 2
People moving to Austin need our help, fellow agents.  They need a dose of reality.  What everybody reads in the press makes many out of town buyers think that real estate market in Austin are the same as markets the press writes about.  In other words, they think home sales are soft and that everything is overpriced.  The result?  Lowball offers that insult sellers.  This isn't true everywhere, but it is in many areas and is especially true on areas west of downtown.  So what we need to do is let people know that Austin is still appreciating.  They need to really understand the comps we show them and then make realistic offers.The second thing buyers need to know is that they really should't make an offer without proof of ability to pay if it is a cash purchase or a letter of pre-appro...
Comments 2
By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
My family and I have been attending CrossPointe Church in north Austin since early 2005.  My wife had attended their church-wide garage sale the previous year, and when we began to look for a new church home, we decided to pay CrossPointe a visit because she remembered how nice the people were.  We felt strongly led by the Lord to leave our previous church, and we were welcomed with open arms into this new family.  They feature a contemporary worship service with some classic hymns thrown in to mix it up a bit.  The kids are happy with their children's programs and we are very close to our "impact group", which is a small group that meets at our house every Sunday evening.  The three other couples in our group have become very close friends as we share our struggles and our triumphs tog...
Comments 6
By Alan Kirkpatrick, Alan in Austin
(Austin Texas Homes)
      There are some who believe what is happening in Austin, Texas is a type of mini mee! Southern California giving birth to a Texas baby silicon valley, movie making, live music clone. It is still too early to tell for sure but there are some interesting things happening in and around Austin that have SoCal connections... http://www.villamuse.com/ For years the Southern California Real Estate market has defied the national trends. The market could rise and fall all over the country but in California it just seemed to rise. Now that even California is experiencing a slow down it is interesting that Austin is not. SALES SIZZLE IN CAPITOL CITYAUSTIN (Austin Business Journal - 6/22/07)Area home sales last month increased for the second month in a row.Marking a record for May, single-fami...
Comments 26
 Some Good advice about Termites Termites love moisture, and Austin has a lot of moisture so don't encourage them to visit. Maintain it properly Keep moisture and termite food away from the house: *Maintain that exterior grade to drain away from the house; even if you change your landscaping. * Clear sticks, branches, leaves, and other items. * Fill depressions that might hold water. This will keep water flowing away from the house (and it will minimize the mosquito problem). * Adjust landscaping sprinklers to ensure that the house is not being watered along with your lawn and garden. * Make sure splash blocks are in place at downspouts, that the splash blocks are in good condition, and that they still direct water away from the house. * See if there is leakage at your hose bib (outdoor...
Comments 0
By Alan Kirkpatrick, Alan in Austin
(Austin Texas Homes)
  In every job there are those annoying questions you get ask daily about a hundred times or so it seems. When I worked for BOSE we had a surround sound system that had four speakers that you could fit in your hands. To top it off the sound quality would blow you away. These small speakers would almost disappear in the room. You would think that in itself would have been enough to make buyers happy. But each day we would be asked this question: "Do you have it in Wireless?"   We would hear that question everyday. At first I would give an elaborate answer as to why we did not have wireless speakers such as: all speakers need to have power in order to operate so there would be a need to either plug them in or have batteries in them to keep them powered. I would explain that BOSE was worki...
Comments 11
By Jessica Bruehl
(JKB Realty Group)
  10 Most Overpriced MarketsForbes magazine has calculated what it considers the most overpriced U.S. housing markets by estimating a "price-to-earnings" (P/E) ratio for each of the 40 largest metro areas.Just like the P/E of a stock, this value attempts to measure the price a home owner would pay for $1 of return. It was figured by dividing each market's median home price by annual rents minus taxes and insurance. The average P/E for the 40 markets is 28.The magazine also incorporated a second metric. It calculated an affordability score based on how many residents pulling down a median income could afford to buy a property, assuming a 6 percent mortgage rate.Based on these metrics, here are the 10 most overpriced cities and the 10 least overpriced: Most Overpriced Markets San Diego Mi...
Comments 6
The following sold stats are for Townhomes, condo and garden homes in the Lakewood Subdivision for the first six months of 2007. These stats are based on sales sold through the Austin MLS.All information is deemed reliable, buyer or seller must verify
Comments 1
By Funmi Nwokolo, Realtor - FunmiAndTheCity.com
(Keller Williams Realty ®)
As a Chi-town transplant to Austin, I really have a great appreciation of the beauty that is present in this great city of Austin Texas. In one of my previous blogs, I talked about the new lake in Pflugerville.  This time, I'd like to highlight another Austin-Area Gem :).  This one is called Mount Bonnel.  It's a mountain off of FM 2222 made entirely of limestone that is over 200 feet above sea-level, that looks down to Lake Austin.  It's been around for centuries, but was only dedicated as a park in the 1930's or so.   Mount Bonnel absolutely breathtaking view of Lake Austin, a man-made lake actually (which is fed from the Colorado River).  This is one of the places, where high-end homes are present in high-volumes in Austin.  But for those of us who don't have a home down there off of...
Comments 0
By Alan Kirkpatrick, Alan in Austin
(Austin Texas Homes)
        How do you deal with Rejection? If you are like me you probably don't do so well with it. I would like to believe that it is just business and I do not need to take it personally but in fact I have lain awake many a night replaying how I might have handled the situation differently and then they would have loved me. They would have thrown a parade in my honor and distributed my business cards to every person in their little black books. Alas. it was only a dream and I am still dejected because I was rejected. I always admired the people who seemed to be untouched by rejection. Almost as if they welcomed it. A door slams in their face and the turn undaunted and move to the next door. I have a sister in law like this. It is impossible to hurt her feelings. I wonder at times if she...
Comments 4
By Funmi Nwokolo, Realtor - FunmiAndTheCity.com
(Keller Williams Realty ®)
 Bob Barnes, president and chief executive of International Bank of Commerce in Austin, said he foresees the market remaining healthy for the next couple of years, based in large part on strong job growth.Ryan Sweet, an economist with Moody's Economy.com says, Austin's housing prices, though relatively high for Texas, have never gotten out of whack as they did on the East and West coasts, he said, and the Austin economy is strong. "The Austin market seems to be a different animal from the rest of the country," he said.Some Quotes from an article I read today from the Austin Statesman We are currently experiencing a condo building boom down here in Central Texas, but more importantly than that, we are still in good shape when it comes to Real Estate here in Austin, as I showed you in th...
Comments 0
By Mary "B" Battaglia, GRI, CRS - Austin Real Estate - Austin Texas Real Estate agent
(Coldwell Banker United (referrals welcome!))
Review of the overall Austin market:-         Compared to the first 7 months of last year, the number of single-family homes dropped slightly by 2%.  The average sales price increased 6% to $250,316.-         The total number of residential listings is up 4%.-         The months of inventory in the Austin market has increased slightly to 4.7 months, which indicates a balanced market, but one which is beginning to favor buyers.-         The average days on the market for single-family homes are 60, which is continuing a downward trend.-         According to the latest Bank of America survey, Austin is uniquely the brightest spot on the U.S. housing map of the 25 largest housing markets.  Also, Forbes Magazine recently named Austin as the #1 city for business and careers - a wonderful dis...
Comments 0
By Jeff Kessler, Broker,CLHMS,GRI
(Austin Homes, Realtors www.OwnAustin.com)
Looks like the kids are off to schools here in Austin Texas.  I have a great calender for AISD. http://www.austintitle.com/eflyers/schoolcalendars/AISD-AT.PDF Just print this page and put it on your refriderator.  I hope that you and yours have a great school year and if you ever have any questions please email or call me for all you real estate needs.J.http://realtyatx.com  As always if you are buying a new home in Texas and want 5% cash back see my website below at.http://rebateontexashomes.com 
Comments 0
By Ronnie Bredahl
(Austin Referral Realty)
Austin is the fourth largest city in Texas (behind Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio) and the 16th largest city in the United States. The City of Austin has a population of roughly 700,000 residents.  The Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Area had 1,513,565 people as of 2006. Austin has very liberal city government while Texas tends to be very conservative. The eastern part of Austin is relatively flat and consists of grassy plains, while western parts of the city are very scenic with lakes, greenbelts and rolling limestone hills which make up the edge of the Texas Hill Country. Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of The World.” Most of the music industry revolves around 6th Street (Entertainment District) where the many bars host local talents as well as nationally known acts.  Aus...
Comments 1
By Bee Ramanand
Buda is a relaxing, friendly town &  a great place to live, work, and visit. Minutes from downtown Austin, Buda is the perfect home for those looking for the charm of small town life without giving up access to the benefits of metropolitan areas. Enjoy the small town pleasures in Buda without giving up on the nightlife, shopping, and job opportunities in the city of Austin.  Located between the State Capitol of Austin and the Alamo City of San Antonio Buda, on Interstate Highway 35 seventeen miles south of camping, and even cliff-diving for brave souls. The Hill Country is recognized across the state of Texas downtown Austin in eastern Hays County. Fans of the outdoors will love living in Buda. With easy access to the various rivers, hills, lakes, falls, and parks of the Hill Country, ...
Comments 1
By Sky Realty
(Sky Realty)
The following stats are for single family homes sold through the Austin MLS during the the first six onths of 2007, for Lakewood.All information deemed reliable, buyer or seller must verify
Comments 0
The following stats are for single family homes sold through the Austin MLS during the Month of July 2007, for Jester Estates.All information deemed reliable, buyer or seller must verify
Comments 0
By Sky Realty
(Sky Realty)
The Lakewood Subdivision is a real jewel in my opinion. It is nestled in the Bull Creek Valley at the base of Jester Hill. The neighborhood association offers a great Activity center, including Tennis, Playgrounds and a swimming pool for children and adults. Just a few minutes north of the 360 Bridge Lakewood is convenient to Lake Austin, a great boating lake. A few minutes south of the Arboretum and Gateway Shopping centers Lakewood is ideally positioned, for families large and small.
Comments 1
By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
What makes a great Realtor?  Is it a hard-core pushy salesperson?  Probably not.   I have been in real estate now for about eleven years, and I have seen literally dozens of agents enter the business, both at my previous company and now within the company that I own and operate.  I am always intrigued by which agents "make it" and which ones simply don't.  I have trained 30+ agents so far.   When I am interviewing a potential agent, there are a few things that go through my mind, but the first (and perhaps the most obvious) thing I ask myself is: "Do I like this person?"  I don't mean "can we be best friends?", but is this person inherently likeable?  If not, why continue any further?  I haven't had to fire many agents (only two in three years), but one of them really grated on my nerve...
Comments 172
Tons of downtown Austin residential/retail/office high-rises are going up and more are planned over the next few years.  What will the skyline look like if they all actually get built?  Check out this rendering:  http://www.austinfitmagazine.com/skyline/.
Comments 4
Explore Austin, TX
Austin, TX Real Estate Professionals