Austin Real Estate

Forgetting the MLS Key Really Stinks

January 24, 2012

No doubt every Austin Realtor has forgotten – or almost forgotten the electronic MLS key when showing a property. That really stinks when it happens. Me and Sylvia are still old school and carry around these horrible devices. The alternative would be to use an iPhone app that requires a small infrared stick that plugs [...]

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Austin Real Estate Market Update – Dec 2011 End of Year Stats

January 18, 2012

The Austin real estate market did about what we expected in 2011, which wasn’t much. Basically treading water with some slight improvements, but nothing that represents a notable shift in market activity. Instead, it looks like momentum is building for a breakout year of increased activity and rising prices either in 2012 or 2013. Let’s [...]

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Seller Should Pay at Least Token Repair Amount

January 6, 2012

We recently had a transaction where the seller refused to negotiate any repair adjustments. None at all. This is actually not completely unusual, but most of our buyers do receive at least a small amount to offset repair and condition issues that were revealed by the inspection and not disclosed on the Seller’s Disclosure form. [...]

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Fitting Into Your Smaller Austin Home

November 29, 2011

Sylvia and I recently installed new hardwood floors in our entire home. Bedrooms, closets, kitchen, hallway, etc. Everywhere except the laundry room and 2 bathrooms, which received new tile the month before. The process of doing this in an occupied home required a packing and moving of stuff not dissimilar to actually moving. Every part [...]

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Where is Westlake, or is it West Lake Hills?

November 23, 2011

Where exactly is “Westlake” in Austin? Well, it depends on which boundaries you use. In the broadest sense, “Westlake” is considered to be those areas which attend Westlake High School, or those areas within the Eanes ISD boundaries, as shown on this map. So, in general terms, the area west of Austin known as “Westlake” [...]

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Austin Real Estate Market Update – October 2011 Stats

November 13, 2011

Below are the Austin housing market stats for October 2011 and year to date. Austin Sales Market Update – October 2011 Homes only (condos, duplexes, etc. not included) compiled from Austin MLS data Sep 2011 Oct 2011 Oct 2010 Yr % Change # Sold 1601 1346 1202 11.98% Avg List $262,989 $267,793 $278,846 -3.96% Med [...]

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Austin Fence Dramas – Dealing With Unreasonable Neighbors

September 29, 2011

Most homes in Austin have fenced back yards. Most fences are built on the property line. The standard wood fence lasts about 8-15 years before it needs replacing (less if it’s a cheap starter home fence). Usually, when replacement is needed, reasonable neighbors work it out and get it done, sharing materials and labor in a way [...]

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How Much is a Dollar Worth to You? It Depends

September 18, 2011

Last year I made (saved) $120 by spending 3 minutes on the telephone. All I did was call Sheraton Hotel in Seattle and say “I’d like to convert my reservation to the internet rate“. A couple of minutes later it was done. No fuss about it. I then paid $30 less per night during our [...]

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Keith Richards, Harry Potter and the Austin Home Buyer

July 22, 2011

I recently read the autobiography Keith Richard’s Life. In it, Keith Richards, of Rolling Stones fame of course, talks about becoming a songwriter and how it changed his perspective on life. It caused him to more closely observe people and how they behave. To more closely listen to comments and phrases people use, always keeping [...]

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Austin Housing Market Update – Midyear 2011

July 4, 2011

Homes values in Austin are trending up overall. This graph shown below can be deceptive though, because market activity is highly localized within pockets and neighborhoods. Let’s have a look and I’ll discuss further below. It’s impoortant to understand what a graph like this is and what it isn’t. It’s not an indicator of the [...]

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