Jan
28
More jobs for Austin as Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc. looks to move it’s headquarters here
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, General Information, First Time Home Buyers, Tax Credit, Austin Real Estate, North Austin Real Estate, Texas Real Estate, Downtown Austin, Wealth Building, Ryan Kucera, Jeremy Bartlett, Balcones and Spicewood Estates, City of Austin
Jan
17
Free Mulch at Zilker Park, Austin, TX
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, Regional News, Austin, Austin Parks, Austin Real Estate, North Austin Real Estate, Austin Home Maintenance, Texas Real Estate, Downtown Austin, Wealth Building, Ryan Kucera, Balcones and Spicewood Estates, City of Austin
Free Mulch at Zilker Park, Austin, TX
If your looking to do some improvements outside, this is the weekend to do it. Many people will have a three day weekend due to Martin Luther King day on Monday. The weather has warmed up in Austin and it is a great time to be outside.
If you want free mulch the city of Austin has recycled the Christmas trees and provided free mulch at Zilker Park.
See the photo below of the giant mulch.
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Phone: 512-589-7308
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Email: ryan@austinrealestateeye.com
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Jan
15
File your Travis County, Williamson County and Hays County Homestead Exemption
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, General Information, Tax Credit, Austin Real Estate, North Austin Real Estate, Austin Home Maintenance, Texas Real Estate, Downtown Austin, Wealth Building, Ryan Kucera, Balcones and Spicewood Estates, City of Austin
It is time for all new homeowners to file their Application for Homestead Exemption.
Remember, they can file between January 1 and April 30.
In an effort to help make your jobeasier, here are the links for the Travis, Williamson,
and Hays county Homestead Exemption forms.
Travis County Williamson County Hays County
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Jan
15
RealtyTrac predicts over three million foreclosures in 2010.
Yesterday on NPR I heard there were over 2.4 million foreclosures in 2009.
This year in 2010 RealtyTrac is predicting over 3 million foreclosures.
Search Austin Foreclosures on the Austin Real Estate Eye website.
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For additional information, contact Ryan Kucera
Phone: 512-589-7308
Fax: 512-616-4108
Email: ryan@austinrealestateeye.com
Website: http://www.austinrealestateeye.com
Jan
13
January 2010 update: This Month in Real Estate
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, General Information, Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, Tax Credit, Ask a REALTOR, North Austin Real Estate, Texas Real Estate, Market Statistics, Wealth Building, Ryan Kucera, Jeremy Bartlett, Balcones and Spicewood Estates, Mortgage Rates
Here is the January 2010 edition of This Month in Real Estate
The Tax credit and Mortgage Rates are still the hot topics!
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For additional information, contact Ryan Kucera
Phone: 512-589-7308
Fax: 512-616-4108
Email: ryan@austinrealestateeye.com
Website: http://www.austinrealestateeye.com
Jan
11
With an estimated 32% GMP growth from 2007-2012, Austin, Texas Tops all Metros
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, Regional News, Austin, Job Growth, Austin Real Estate, North Austin Real Estate, Texas Real Estate, Downtown Austin, Market Statistics, Wealth Building, Ryan Kucera, City of Austin
In the late 80’s and early 90’s in Austin, job growth stopped, real estate values dropped and people left town. Probably because of the severity of that recession, Austin has faired much better this time. Home prices did not increase more than could be supported by median family incomes. Thanks to Texas’s home equity laws, consumers could not borrow against their home appreciation nearly as easily as homeowners in other states – which helped keep home prices stable and consumer debt manageable. If you don’t have a bubble then you don’t have a bust. While most other major real estate markets have seen home prices drop by as much as 50% and experienced high unemployment, Austin’s median home price has been stable or seen only a small drop. Job losses have been slight.
Now, Forbes and Moody’s Economy.com projects Austin’s economy will grow by 32% over the five year period from 2007 to 2012. Not only is Austin’s economy growing, but it’s growth rate is nearly 50% higher than #2 ranked Fort Myers, Florida. Equally important to Austin’s economic growth is Austin’s population growth which is expected to grow by an amazing 15%.
“To compile our list, we looked at all of the country’s 363 metropolitan areas, defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a geographic region with a “core urban area” of at least 50,000 people. Because many small metro areas are high growth–and because we wanted to show growth in large cities as well–we split the group into two classes: the largest 100 metro areas (with at least 528,000 people) and everyone else. We use projections run for us by Moody’s Economy.com to show growth in GMP between 2007-2012.
Of course, if one looks at economic growth in the country’s largest 100 metros, the usual suspects jump to the top of the list. With an estimated 32% GMP growth from 2007-2012, Austin, Texas, is the winner for big metros. Atlanta, Seattle, Orlando, Houston and San Jose, Calif., also appear high on the list. What do they all have in common? They’re tech hubs with proximity to universities and a healthy increase in population. Austin’s population, for example, is expected to increase by nearly 15% by 2012, according to Moody’s Economy.com forecasts.”
Full Article: http://www.forbes.com/2008/01/30/economy-cities-alabama-biz-cx_bw_0130econcities.html
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Fax: 512-616-4108
Email: ryan@austinrealestateeye.com
Website: http://www.austinrealestateeye.com
Dec
31
Prediction: Mortgage Rates on the rise for early 2010
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, Marketing Reports, Ask a REALTOR, Austin Real Estate, North Austin Real Estate, Texas Real Estate, Wealth Building, Balcones and Spicewood Estates, Balcones and Spicewood
Lock your rates in while you can Mortgage Rates are going up!
Interest rates are going up! Lock in quick:…
Balcones Villiage and Spicewood Estates Mortgage Real Estate Rates
Dec
30
POLAR BEAR SWIM in Barton Springs Pool
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, For Realty Professionals, General Information
Start the new year with a POLAR BEAR SWIM in Barton Springs Pool
New Year’s Day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the annual Polar Bear Splash at Barton Springs.
We’ll also be celebrating Austin Councilmember Laura Morrison’s birthday with cake, coffee, and our newest Polar Bear T-shirts.
Cheers and Best wishes for the New Year!!
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Fax: 512-616-4108
Email: ryan@austinrealestateeye.com
Website: http://www.austinrealestateeye.com
Dec
30
Austin Area Events for New Years and January 2010
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, For Realty Professionals, Regional News, Austin, Austin Real Estate, North Austin Real Estate, Downtown Austin, Balcones and Spicewood Estates, City of Austin
| Sport1/1 Resolution Run 2010 (5K) Round Rock www.resolutionrun2010.org/Home_Page.php 1/7 1/10 1/24/10 1/29, 7 pm UT Basketball Men’s/Women’s Theatre/Culture Long Center 1/15-16, 8 pm Music Stubb’s 1/9, Doors @ 9pm 1/20, Doors @ 9pm 1/22, Doors @ 9pm 1/23, Doors @ 9pm 1/30, Doors @ 9pm |
One World Theatre 1/17, 6:00 pm & 8:30 pm Jesse Cook Rumba flamenco1/22, 7:00 pm & 9:30 pm David Benoit smooth jazz 1/29, 7:00 pm & 9:30 pm Emo’s 1/21, Doors @ 8 pm 1/23, Doors @ 7 pm 1/27, Doors @ 6pm 1/31, Doors @ 9 pm Other 12/31 1/14-17 1/15-16 1/18 Search all Balcones Homes For Sale For additional information, contact Ryan Kucera |
Dec
18
Austin and Round Rock Area Real Estate Market fair the best in foreclosure crisis
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, General Information, Austin Real Estate, Texas Real Estate, Market Statistics, City of Austin
Cities Where Housing Is on the Mend No cities have totally avoided the foreclosure crisis, but some were able to sidestep the worst of it. These markets are now recovering quickly.
The recovery is swiftest in those areas that didn’t have as much of a housing price run up to begin with, either because the economy in those areas has stayed healthy or the economy has been limited for decades and residents have adapted or left.
To identify places where the recovery has begun, Forbes magazine examined the number of loans that were foreclosed in the 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas. Then it calculated the percentage of loans that are descending further into delinquency vs. those that are improving. The lower the deterioration ratio, the higher the ranking.
Here are the cities that fared best by that measurement and are recovering the most quickly:
1. Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa.
2. Austin-Round Rock, Texas
3. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah
4. Buffalo, N.Y.
5. Knoxville, Tenn.
6. Raleigh, N.C.
7. San Antonio, Texas
8. Syracuse, N.Y.
9. Salt Lake City, Utah
(Tied)
10. Moline, Ill.
10. St. Louis
10. Wichita, Kan.
10. Rochester, N.Y.
Source: Forbes, Francesca Levy (12/09/2009)
Dec
16
Visit the Tax Assessor - Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, Bell and Hays County
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, General Information, Austin Real Estate
The Travis, Williamson, and Bastrop County assessor’s office just posted 2009-2010 tax assessments and taxes. You can view your property by going to the link below and putting in your address.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about how to use the site or if you have any questions about your new assessment value.
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Dec
15
Zillow developes search for Rentals…
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, General Information, Austin Real Estate, North Austin Real Estate, Austin Home Maintenance, Texas Real Estate, Downtown Austin, Wealth Building, Ryan Kucera, Balcones and Spicewood Estates, City of Austin, Mortgage Rates
So Zillow just developed it search for rentals, as you may or may not have known… You can search for a rental on www.AustinRealEstateEye.com any time. You can even save searches. Zillow continues to try and keep up with what our team has offered for a long time. So come ask for your homes value or a market update. Even including mortgage rates…North Austin Texas Mortgage Rates.
We will happily share the data with our clients and customers.
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| For additional information, contact Ryan Kucera Phone: 512-589-7308 Fax: 512-616-4108 Email: ryan@austinrealestateeye.com Website: http://www.austinrealestateeye.com |
Dec
15
Free Native Plants tomorrow in Balcones Preserve
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, For Realty Professionals, Regional News, First Time Home Buyers, North Austin Real Estate, Texas Real Estate, Wealth Building, Ryan Kucera, Balcones and Spicewood Estates, Balcones, City of Austin
From http://austineconetwork.com/content/making-lemonade-saving-plants-wtp4-location:
Hi potential plant rescuers,
The City of Austin has scheduled a series of three plant rescue dates for December 2009 with an alternate rain date also. The dates are December 10, 12 and 16 with a rain date of December 18th in case one of the days is rained out. The rescue times are approximately from 10 AM to 2 PM. Volunteers will be needed to help with sign in and supervision each of these dates so please let Dale and Pat know if you can staff a table or help direct traffic for an hour or two.
The site is at the location for the Water Treatment Plant #4. The City of Austin is sponsoring this rescue with the assistance of several groups. The property is fenced off so you will not be able to visit the site except on the designated dates. As with our other plant rescues, please dig some plants for the city before digging for yourself. The city will only provide pots for plants that go into preserves and park areas. Therefore, you must bring your own pots or containers for plants you intend to keep.
Release forms will be available on site and everybody must sign BEFORE he/she can begin digging. The city staff person in charge on site will be:
John Chenoweth, Field Biologist
Balcones Canyonlands Preserve
City of Austin
Dec
15
Rich Dad Poor Dad Seminar in Austin, TX
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, For Realty Professionals, General Information, Ask a REALTOR, Austin Real Estate, Wealth Building
The Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Dad Poor Dad seminar will be in austin the next 3 days. It is a free event. You will learn several ways to build wealth and get a free CD. I dont know who is giving the seminar, it is not Robert Kiyosaki, but will still be a great semiar. So if you have time check it out. Let me know what ways you learned to develop more wealth.
| Tuesday December 15 |
The Doubletree Hotel |
| Wednesday December 16 |
The Hilton Airport Hotel |
| Thursday December 17 |
The Wingate by Wyndham Hotel and Conference Center |
Dec
14
Appliances and Failure and customer service
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, For Realty Professionals, General Information
The home appliance repairman was out at my house this week. He talked to be about all the different brands of appliances and their failure percentages of units.
LG: 1% Failure
Samsung: 2-3%
Kitchen Aid: 4-6%
GE, Maytag and Whirlpool: 8-10%
I dont have the study he read to confirm this. But he was excited to say it. I would recomend checking with some of the consumer reports magazines before buying any model. I just thought I would share.
Dec
9
What is an HO6 Insurance Policy? And does your Condo HOA carry that coverage?
Posted by Ryan Kucera under For Buyers, For Sellers, For Realty Professionals, General Information, Austin Real Estate, North Austin Real Estate, Texas Real Estate, Downtown Austin, Wealth Building, Ryan Kucera, City of Austin
What is an HO6 Insurance Policy? And does your Condo HOA carry that coverage?
Unfortunately, not all condominiums carry insurance to cover the interior of a condominium unit should the unit be destroyed by a disaster. Their insurance will pay to rebuild the exterior walls but may not include the interior improvements (such as electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, kitchen cabinets, carpets, etc.) should the building be destroyed. If the association insurance does not include an H06 endorsement, the individual unit owner is required by many lenders to carry separate “Walls In” coverage (this is more than just personal property coverage but generally includes this also).
Today’s Newest Austin Condos For Sale
Dec
8
Austin Real Estate Market November 2009 Stats
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Buyers, For Sellers, Regional News, Austin, First Time Home Buyers, Tax Credit, Austin Real Estate, North Austin Real Estate, Texas Real Estate, Market Statistics, Jeremy Bartlett, Balcones and Spicewood Estates, City of Austin
|
The Austin Market November Update: Sold residential units are down 11.38% compared to the same week last year. How are we doing on sales prices? To get the full picture, check out our web site for latest sold data.
|
| The Week in Review |
| Units for Sale:
Nov. 22 - Nov. 28, 2009 (compared to the same week in 2008) New listings down this week 3.56% Pendings are up this week 11.42% Solds are down 11.38% As for Average Prices: Nov. 22 - Nov. 28, 2009 Sold average sales prices increased 12.26% to $244,317. In 2008 it was $217,630 for the same week.
|
| The Month In Review |
|
Preliminary October 2009 Data: November Data Coming Soon! Units for Sale: (compared to October 2008) Pendings are up 37.78%. Solds increased by 29.37% As for Average Prices: The “New Listings” average list price is down 15.68% to $276,975. In October 2008 the average list price was $328,479. Sold average sales prices decreased 2.04% to $234,521. For October 2008 it was $239,401.
|
| Did You Know…? |
|
That we had 11,377 active listings during the same week in 2008? Today there is 10,234 active listings! That is 10.05% decrease from last year. |
Dec
7
Mortgage Rates hit 30 year low.
It was reported on google by the associated press that Mortgage Rates hit a 30 year low last week.
Rates hit 4.71 percent. That is the lowest since Freddy Mac has started tracking rates. The previous low was 4.78 percent. Set last April 30th.
The rates are so low due to the federal goverment pumping $1.25 trillion into mortgage backed securities.
Contact me if you need more info on mortgage rates!
North Austin Texas Mortgage Rates
Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hPHFMSZDHZNqzg3uDQ1tvmGdoq4wD9CBV34G0
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| For additional information, contact Ryan Kucera Phone: 512-589-7308 Fax: 512-616-4108 Email: ryan@austinrealestateeye.com Website: http://www.austinrealestateeye.com |
Dec
7
Tax Credit details and This Month in Real Estate for December 2009
Posted by Ryan Kucera under For Buyers, For Sellers, Marketing Reports, First Time Home Buyers, Tax Credit, Ask a REALTOR, Austin Real Estate, North Austin Real Estate, Texas Real Estate, Properties, Market Statistics, Wealth Building, Ryan Kucera, Jeremy Bartlett, Tax Appraisal, Balcones and Spicewood Estates, City of Austin, Mortgage Rates, Balcones and Spicewood
The big news this month is the extention of the Tax credit.
Congress gave final approval Thursday for an additional $24 billion to help the jobless and support the housing market. According to the Washington Post article below, there are three main provisions to the bill being sent to the President to sign:
1) Unemployment Benefits. The bill would prolong benefits for at least 14 weeks for people out of work. The jobless in more than two dozen states where unemployment rates exceed 8.5 percent would receive up to 20 additional weeks of benefits. With more than 15 million Americans unemployed, a third of whom have been out of work for more than six months, benefits for more than 1 million people would have ended without the extension, according to the National Employment Law Project, a nonpartisan group that tracks the issue. 2) Housing Tax Credit. Under the housing program, people buying a home for the first time in three years would receive an $8,000 tax credit if they sign a contract by April 30 and close by June 30. The timing is more flexible for military families who have been deployed overseas for 90 days or more in 2008 or 2009. They would have until April 30, 2011, to sign a contract. Homeowners who are buying a new primary residence would be eligible for a $6,500 tax credit beginning Dec. 1 if they owned their home for five consecutive years in the previous eight. To qualify, the home must be no more than $800,000. The program also restricts eligibility to individuals who make no more than $125,000 annually and couples who make no more than $225,000. Anyone who collects the tax credit but sells the home within three years of buying it must return the refund. The housing program is estimated to cost $10.8 billion.
3) Tax Refunds for Business Losses. Another provision allows businesses that had operating losses in 2008 and 2009 to seek refunds for taxes paid on profits over the past five years. The hope is that those refunds will allow businesses more flexibility to retain employees or make new investments to bolster the economy in the future.
Dec
7
Top 5 Home improvement Projects for Sellers Based on Cost and ROI
Posted by Austin Real Estate Eye under For Sellers, General Information, Austin Real Estate, North Austin Real Estate, Austin Home Maintenance, Texas Real Estate, Best Buys, Market Statistics, Wealth Building, Ryan Kucera, Tax Appraisal, Balcones and Spicewood Estates, City of Austin
Austin, Want to know what the most cost effective, Top 5 Home improvement Projects for Sellers Based on Cost and ROI?
If your thinking that big remodel is just wat you need to improve your homes value, know that it will help.
But in the research below you will see these 5 small things have the bigest impact!
According to the HomeGain survey, the top five home improvements that Realtors recommend to home sellers based on cost and return on investment (from highest to lowest ROI) are:
1. Cleaning and de-cluttering ($200 cost / $1,700 price increase / 872% ROI)
2. Home staging ($300 cost / $1,780 price increase / 586% ROI)
3. Lightening and brightening ($230 cost / $1,300 price increase / 572% ROI)
4. Landscaping ($320 cost / $1,500 price increase / 473% ROI)
5. Repairing plumbing ($385 cost / $1,250 price increase / 327% ROI)
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