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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)
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 ...
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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...
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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...
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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  
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By Paul D'Arcy
(AustinTowers.net)
In April, Hyatt introduced a new boutique-style luxury hotel brand called Andaz. The first hotels, they announced, would be placed in world's most important "international cross-road" cities. And so far, three such locations have been announced. First was London. Second was midtown Manhattan. And the third location to be announced is— believe it or not — Austin, Texas. The 210-room hotel is slated to open in 2010 as part of a $750M development on 32 acres formerly occupied by Concordia University. The site is located between I-35 and Red River near 32nd street. On top of the hotel will also sit 150 condo units ranging in size from 800 to 2,700 square feet. The building will be 182 feet tall and condo units will start at around $400,000 or a whopping $500 / SF for a non-downtown locatio...
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By Paul D'Arcy
(AustinTowers.net)
Today, The Frost Bank Tower looms across the Austin skyline with a singular presence. While it may look like the world's largest nose hair trimmer, it stands 120 feet taller than any other building in the city of Austin. Of the top ten tallest buildings in Austin, only three -- Frost, 300 W 6th, and the Hilton -- were built in the last decade. One of today's ten tallest buildings – the Texas State Capital — was completed nearly 120 years ago in 1888. Speaking of the Capital, Austin must be one of the largest cities in the U.S. to have a four-story building in it's top ten! Between the Capital (#10), the Dobie (#5), and the UT Tower (#12), many of the tallest buildings have been around for a long-time: Ten Tallest Buildings in Austin - 2007 1. 515 Feet - Frost Bank Tower 2. 395 Feet - O...
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By Paul D'Arcy
(AustinTowers.net)
Between the credit crisis, skyrocketing construction costs, and the slowing real estate market, we didn't expect to see anymore downtown condo projects for a while. Today, however, we were surprised to learn of another downtown condo project announcement. Austin's Fortis development today announced a new 20-story 200-unit condo tower to be developed on West avenue between 8th and 9th. While virtually no other details have been announced, the public details are enough to generate public opposition to the project. As the project is in a low rise area just north of sixth street, the project pushes the frontier of high-rise development. The issue is that the location is zoned for buildings as tall as 60 feet -- far less than the 250 foot height of the proposed condo tower. This decision may...
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By Paul D'Arcy
(AustinTowers.net)
While the mortgage lending crisis seems to be easing, jumbo mortgage rates remain significantly higher than they were just two months ago. During this period, many projects have announced stellar sales and reservations of new units brought on the market during this awkward period. So what's the deal? Is the Austin market so strong that people keep on buying as rates go up? Is everyone in town paying in cash? Is there really demand for another 136 buildings? The answer is no. In reality, some of the buildings have made the reservation process so painless that with $5,000 or $10,000 and a dream you can reserve a unit. If interest rates rise, contractual provisions may allow you out of the contract. If you can't get financing, you get your money back. In fact, at some buildings, the depos...
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By Paul D'Arcy
(AustinTowers.net)
Condo fees fund the daily operations and maintenance of most condo buildings. They cover security, landscaping, cleaning of common area, common area energy use, maintenance, and other key building functions. With this posting, we are publishing the condo fees of two new ultra-luxury projects, The W Hotel & Residences and the Four Seasons Residences, for the first time. Our previous analysis has noted that he prices in the new buildings that we have looked at are surprisingly constant -- they have varied from $0.28 / SF / Month to $0.40 / month -- an amazingly tight range. With these two new projects, this is no longer the case. According to our research, the condo or home owner association fees at both buildings are set at $0.61 per month -- 50% higher than any other building we have r...
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By Paul D'Arcy
(AustinTowers.net)
The Austin residential rental market -- the whole thing, not just downtown -- has been very strong throughout 2007. Throughout the first half of the year, both rents and occupancies increased significantly. For example the mid-year citywide occupancy rate was 96.8 percent, up 2 percentage points from December. Despite the strong rental market, plans for hundreds of planned downtown rental units have recently been abandoned to make way for condos. At the both the Four Seasons Residences and the Monarch, no rental units remain even though hundreds were originally planned. The Monarch, in fact, was originally proposed as an all-rental project before switching to an all-condo design during construction. (Update: This week, they actually reversed this decision.) What is driving the change? ...
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
As part of my ongoing series of posts about Austin and the affordability and desirability of its real estate market, this week I am focusing on homes in the $800,000 -$900,000 range.  Take a look...This immaculate custom home has 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home with almost 4300 square feet, 3 living areas, and a 3-car garage.  Features high ceilings, travertine and wood floors, chef's kitchen, granite countertops, stainless appliances, and a view from every window of the house!  Salt water pool.  Offered at just $869,000!            This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home sits on a 0.60 acre lot in upscale Barton Creek in west Austin.  Beautiful Itallian country style with views of protected greenbelt. Cantera doors, granite, stainless appliances. Entertainment cabinetry, silk drapes, 2 fireplaces! Gent...
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By Jessica Bruehl
(JKB Realty Group)
You just read that Austin is a top pick in the US for bargain buyers.  You know Austin is beautiful, affordable, primed for job growth and housing market appreciation, so what are you waiting for?  Prices to drop?  More money to increase your down payment?  Don't wait!  See what you are losing on the attached spreadsheet.  Rental prices are high and, according to local economists, predicted to go up another 12% in 2008.  Interest rates are still at historical lows.  Build equity and stop giving your money away to Uncle Sam and your landlord.  Call or email me today and I'll tell you what properties and areas are on my "Deal of the Week" list.  Also, check out our website so you can personally search the MLS like a REALTOR® or sign up for our daily automatic property searches.  Happy Rea...
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By Steve Aubin
(Sand Castles Realty)
Since I am the owner of several investment homes I can assist you with finding these types of properties. Also I am looking for feedback from other owners as to how the rents are shaping up. Have you been able to increase your monthly portfolio through rent increases? It seems to me that because of the home price increase that rental rates should also be increasing. Keep me posted, thanks
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By South Austin Real Estate Blog
(Sky Realty South Austin)
Just released by Prominent Title this week are the October 2007 Stats for South and West Austin, TX                                                         SOUTHWEST AREA #Listed      Sold       Average Age     Average DOM                List Price                           Sale Price    332        93           11                    59                    $131,000- $1,690,000           $110,000- $515,000                                                            WEST   113        16            17                   59                    $166,100- $7,500,000           $165,000- $1,875,000                                                            WESTLAKE   234        27            16                   86                      $139,000- $13,000,000        $218,000- $2,137,500               ...
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By Steve Aubin
(Sand Castles Realty)
The real estate market in Austin must be strong why else would one of the Americas publicly traded real estate companies, open an office in Austin just to handle new development. According to business news they plan to purhcase tracts for a new office and industrial development and may already be close to signing a deal for one property in the Austin market. It has been quoted by one of the senior staff that he sees tremendous opportunity in Austin's strong economic forecast. So why wait, get in on the one of the hottest real estate markets in the countty. Contact me today!
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By Steve Aubin
(Sand Castles Realty)
The Austin business journal in September of 2007 states that after a relatively quiet period in the Austin commercial real estate sector, Austin is experiencing a pickup in activity. During the 3rd quarter approximately 245,000 square feet of office space was leased -- a marked jump from 36,000 of square feet during the previous quarter. The up-tick has developers and real estate agents many of whom are involved with the approximately 2 million of new office space breathing sighs of relief. Rents also appear to be going up noticeably.Austin Texas Real Estate specializes in commercial and land development, Please contact them today at. Technorati Profile
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Tax Relief for Already Troubled Homeowners?Whenever real estate is sold, whether in a standard transaction, a short sale or a foreclosure auction, there were potential consequences for the seller.  The seller may still have owed taxes to Uncle Sam.The U.S. House of Representatives voted early in October to give tax relief to already troubled homeowners.The Mortgage Cancellation Tax Relief Act, H.R. 3648, directs the IRS to stop counting as income any mortgage debt forgiven by lenders during a workout or after a Short Sale.Considering all the homeowners who could face loan repayment problems, the relief would come at a welcome time.The bill would tweak capital gains tax rules on the sale of second homes, to offset the approximately 2$ billion in revenue the federal government expects to ...
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By Jennifer Hart
(Sky Realty)
It is that time again where we can enjoy eating as much as we like, right?  I look forward to taking a break and being with my family.  We are planning on driving to my home state of Louisiana for Thanksgiving.  The last head count for family on T-Day was 50ish.  What a time and feast we all will have, especially my children, they love to be with their Cajun cousins and eat Grandma's wonderful cooking.I hesitate to take a break from Real Estate.  It is supposed to be a slow time of year for the real estate market.  I find myself busy with buyers and am having a hard time leaving Austin, TX for four days.  I know we all need a break, right?  So, don't forget to take a break, eat lots and enjoy your time with your family.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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By Steve Aubin
(Sand Castles Realty)
New Prime real estate home sites in the new and private Rob Roy West. Large custom homes sites still available. Contact us today soon before the 3 remaining sites are gone. Check out the web site links for more information. Make Rob Roy West in Bee Caves of Austin TX your dream home site. Contact us today Austin real Estate Technorati Profile
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
  I have been working from home most days lately, which is a real blessing in my opinion.  I could go to the office, but many days my work involves catching up on emails and perhaps a few phone calls (and blogging, too, of course).  As a result, I often get my writing inspriration by watching or playing with my children or from some conversation with my wife.      Tonight, I noticed that my six-year old daughter was in the upstairs bathroom playing in the sink area, since I can see that room from the place where I typically blog.  She was kind of quiet, so I went to see what she was doing.  As I approached, she was energetically smearing lathered up soap all over the counter.  She looked like a master artist, perhaps Pollock?  I asked her if she was planning to clean it up, and she said...
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By Dee Copeland, Principal Broker
(Copeland Group Realty)
Here's a quick rundown of where the Downtown Austin condos are in the development and sales process. So who is buying all of these condos? ANSWER: Downtown condo buyers are typically young professionals and empty nesters in any city. Boomers often buy second homes here to be near their grandchildren attending (or who graduated from) the University of Texas.Here's the Downtown Austin Condo update from April Downey at Independence Title. There are 4,000 condominium units currently permitted in downtown Austin. The completion cycle is anywhere between 2 ½ - 4 years from start to finish. 800 units per year will be available downtown (apt/condo), compared to 25,000 housing starts/year on average in Austin.  Projects slated for completion in 2008:360 Condominiums has 430 units, 7 still availa...
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By Dee Copeland, Principal Broker
(Copeland Group Realty)
National volume home builder, Lennar, may be on the brinks of financial failure. According to sources, they posted a loss of $514 million in the third quarter. Bad news on the local front is that they're already pulling out of what seemed like successful projects. We previously reported their upcoming Reserve at Southpark Meadows Subdivision in South Austin, but it looks like they've already sold all of their lots to another builder. The selling of the lots is good news to residents because it at least shows the Reserve at Southpark Meadows will move forward. Originally, home prices were to start in the 280s-300s. THE TIMELINE OF LENNAR'S QUARTERLY PROFIT WOES March 2007 Lennar posted a 73% decline in profits.The builder said net income sank to $68.6 million, or 43 cents a share in the ...
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By Steve Aubin
(Sand Castles Realty)
A lot of growth is taking place in the Oakhill part of Austin. With the new galleria mall only 4 miles away I am sure home values will continue to rise. If you are seaching for home in this part of Austin please don't hesitate to contact me about your next Austin home or investment. Your Next Austin Home
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By Ki Gray, Austin Real Estate
Austin is one of America's hot list cities. The housing is affordable. The landscape is pretty with rolling hills to the west and fields to the east. The weather is pleasant in the spring, fall, and winter, with summer being bearable, even welcomed by heat-lovers. The music, art, and film scenes are thriving and growing with new festivals like Austin City Limits and those established like the worldwide conference South By Southwest, otherwise known as SXSW. There's something for everyone from rockabilly to folk music and cycling clubs to marathon teams. So, in short, it's a cool place to hang your hat. But what are the facts? Let's talk about some of Austin's numbers regarding education, jobs, and other random numbers. 39.1 have graduate degrees. A large part of this is that one of the ...
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