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Austin, TX Real Estate News

By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
(Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899)
Join Rebecca Kemp with Coldwell Banker for an exclusive Open House from 11 am - 1pm Saturday, April 27th, showcasing my condo listing at 8200 Nelly Dr. #130 in Neely's Canyon, in the heart of NW Hills.  This two-story condominium complex features unparalleled views of the picturesque hill country, canyons, panoramic landscapes, majestic trees, greenbelts, all in a tranquil wooded surrounding. Rebecca is ready to take you on a tour of this charming 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo. If you can't make it reach out to Rebecca at 443-994-3524 to schedule a private preview.This comfy condo exudes a sense of spaciousness and openness, accentuated by its high living room ceiling opening to a covered patio, affording breathtaking views of the lush canopy of trees and canyon below, all without the hassle...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
(Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899)
Like so many across the world, we are celebrating Earth Day at our office building, “Plaza One” at the Arboretum from 9 am - 11am. This annual event held today on April 22, 2024 demonstrates support for environmental protection. Vendors will be on hand to accept recycled items.This year the theme for World Earth day centers on Planet vs. Plastics to bring thoughtfulness to the serious issue of plastic pollution and how it harms our environment. World Earth Day is both a grim reminder of the work that must be done and also a celebration for the progress we have made when it comes to climate change efforts. It’s amazing to me the wide range of events coordinated globally by 1 billion people in more than 193 countries!Check out Earth.org to become more informed. Their vision proclamation i...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
(Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899)
Yesterday Beckett’s team, the Smurfs played despite a storm that was descending on Austin. The temperature fell to 60 degrees, the wind picked up; and at first started drizzling. With 30 minutes left in the game it started raining, the field became muddy, and the balls were slick so they called the game! Beckett took first base because she accidently was hit by a ball from the pitcher! It happens, the wind was up.Hudson and I huddled under a blanket and thank goodness he brought it! The good news is they all played well and hung in there until the game was called! It’s all just part of sports, you learn to persevere!“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”  Lou Holtz
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
(Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899)
Many ask the question, do home sellers and home buyers really use real estate agents? Well the numbers are in! The overwhelming majority of home buyers and sellers choose to work with a real estate agent. Why is that? Real estate agents help consumers successfully navigate one of life’s most expensive and impactful transactions—providing invaluable advocacy, support, and expertise.Sellers need an agent who can market their property to the widest range of buyers available and work tireless in their best interest. A buyer broker is needed for success in a transaction with their fiduciary responsibility aligned with the buyer. Fair Housing is important and both sides need representation to be in compliance for a home purchase transaction.Prioritizing my client’s needs is my utmost commitme...
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
According to an article released on Forbes.com yesterday, Austin, Texas was named #1 on its list of cities around the U.S. with "Best Bang for the Buck".  Not surprisingly, Texas managed to capture three of the top four spots, with San Antonio and Houston placing third and fourth, respectively.  Dallas was 7th on the list. The picture to the right shows one of the least affordable areas of town, frankly, but it's a cool shot, and it gives some idea of the natural beauty that we have here. So what did they use to determine this list? Job Growth Projections Inflation Rank Median Income/Cost of Living Index Rank Gas Prices Rank Median House Price/Median Household Income Rank   Austin placed first for job growth, and was in the top ten for every category except for inflation. Here's one gre...
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By Betina Foreman, Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY
(WJK Realty)
Single Stream Recycling debuts in Austin Texas The new Single Stream recycling program will allow customers to combine: glass, recyclable paper, plastic all into one container. This new program also allows you to recycle more types of items. The program has debuted earlier this month, October 2008, in some parts of Austin. It will continue to expand across the city until all areas are served by the Single Stream Program. The City of Austin expects the program to be city-wide by the end on the year. The familiar small blue recycling bins will no longer be used and the City of Austin garbage/recycling crews will deliver the new 90-gallon recycling carts to their residential customers. The schedule will be a little different than we are used to. Recycling collection will only happen every ...
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By Betina Foreman, Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY
(WJK Realty)
Many of you probably have a phone book that was dropped on your doorstep last year. Maybe you even have a stack of old ones in the garage. Normally the recyclers won't take them because of the glue in the binding. So they sit there collecting dust, unless you throw them in the trash, then they live in the landfill for the next thirty years more or less. I just wanted to share a wonderful link with all of you. http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/  Here is a way to reduce paper in the landfill and save a few million trees. Stop the delivery of the paper phone books to your home. Most of us have a computer and use it to search for phone numbers or addresses. So do you really need a new huge paper book each year to help you with this task? I think not. Just say no to the huge paper book and...
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By Russell Lewis, Broker,CLHMS,GRI
(Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate)
Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him.  Booker T. Washington I am incredibly fortunate that approximately 70% of my business this year will arrive through personal referrals from friends, family, past clients and agents with whom I have done business in the past. This number varies over the years, higher some years and lower others but is always a reliable and consistent source of business. My referral business is built on one primary factor; TRUST. "Referrals are the highest form of compliment I can receive from a past client" - I see this written on the backs of business cards, beneath signatures, and repeated endlessly at closings. For me, this is not just an empty platitude, it must be backed up with reliabil...
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By Robin Scott, Broker, REALTOR® - Austin Texas
(Robin Scott, REALTOR®)
Forbes Magazine has ranked Austin number 1 in several different categories over the years. After all, this is a great place to live. Most recently Forbes has ranked Austin number in in "the place where you can get the most bang for your bucks." The analysis was based on job growth and cost of living. Plus this is still a great place to buy and home. 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 robin @robinscottrealtor.com Austin, Texas Homes for Sale. Robin Scott, BROKER Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.  
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By Robin Scott, Broker, REALTOR® - Austin Texas
(Robin Scott, REALTOR®)
Recently, I helped a couple from Michigan relocate to Austin and they purchased a home in a new subdivision with community mailboxes. It's a great concept for the post office because the mail carrier can drive to a universal location, deliver the mail and move on. Very efficient. My buyers were concerned because in the area they came from, community mailboxes were being pried open and robbed. I was shocked. I had not heard of such a thing and assured them that that didn't happen here. But it did. Last night on the evening news, there was as a story about a south Austin neighborhood whose community mailboxes had been robbed. What next? 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 emai...
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By Robin Scott, Broker, REALTOR® - Austin Texas
(Robin Scott, REALTOR®)
And this is not the first such case in Austin. Sellers: Please be safety conscious. In 2001 a woman who had her home for sale in the Great Hills, Austin neighborhood was strangled to death by a man who knocked on her door and asked if he could come in and see the house. IF THEY AREN'T ACCOMPANIED BY AN AGENT, DON'T LET THEM IN. In addition, this same man had previously strangled 4 other women with the same rouse. One of them had survived to identify him. I don't recall why he was not in prison when the Great Hills murder happened but I do remember the eerie feeling when I toured the home a year later on a property tour. Most recently, a woman in Austin was assaulted and robbed by a man whom she admitted to her home under the same circumstances. Her home was for sale. He knocked on the d...
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
When I first started here on ActiveRain last August, I was hoping to become well-known enough to garner referrals from agents and brokers in other markets around the state and across the country.  What I never bargained on was the chance that I could get referrals from other brokers right here in Austin. That changed for me recently. Back in early August, I met Russell Lewis in person for the first time.  He called me to ask if I would have 15 minutes to spend with him at my office to answer some questions he had about ActiveRain.  Two or three HOURS later, he and I wrapped up our meeting having become fast friends.  I will readily admit that until 2007 I considered other agents to be "the competition" here in Austin for the most part.  That, too, has changed, since I have made some ter...
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
According to Business Week magazine, East Austin is one of the very best possible places to purchase a home in the United States.  This one even managed to surprise me, and I have been selling homes in the Austin area since 1997.  In the article they published a couple of weeks ago, Business Week made an interesting point: home prices tend to skyrocket in areas where artists buy and rent first.  In other words, when artists flock to an area, it is generally because the prices are affordable (hence the term "starving artist", right?).  After they have been there awhile, cool businesses sprout up to serve the artist community, then everyone wants to live there because it has become artsy.  Make sense?  It did to me. When I first started selling real estate, east Austin was an area that mo...
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
I want to thank my friend Robin Scott for writing a post about Frugal Media yesterday.  I even asked if I could steal her photos for this post, and she agreed.  She is friends with the owners of this terrific new store, and since I am an admitted book addict, I was compelled to go check it out since I was in the area.  Yes, I really was in the area, so it didn't even require a special trip.  I don't have many vices, but books are something difficult for me to resist.  I had to run an errand, and I was dressed pretty casually (okay, VERY casually), but this is Austin, so who cares, right? I was very pleased with what I found when I arrived.  I was warmly greeted by two of the workers (one of whom turned out to be the co-owner, Erik Franks).  I met the other owner and CEO, Rob Canuelle, a...
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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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