South Austin Texas Real Estate blog: August 2009

Keller Williams is based in Austin Texas and has many many fine offices throughout the World.  Every year the KW staff at the International Office here in Austin work hard to bring about a convention full of fun and learning.  Intensive training, mini tech training and lots more than I could tell you about.

Welcome to Austin, this week we are still entrapped in the record breaking heat wave with no rain in sight.  What that means is its 103 - 101 everyday and out night time lows are about 75.  Inside the Convention Center it will be cool.  But outside its awful.  If you are from a much milder climate please be advised to leave most jackets and coats at home. 

Also, today is the beginning of Stage 2 water shortage and conservation.  Unless you ask for water at a restaurant it will not be automatically served.  We have been in a drought for many months and our lakes are low so not quite as picturesque as normal.

Be sure to take a walk by Lady Bird Lake, it runs through downtown and the walking trails are very accessible. 

Welcome to Austin, its a lively city, much to do, much to see and its like no other part of Texas!  It is not the cactus and tumbleweeds of the Old Western movies, Austin is green and thriving.  Enjoy yourself!  Come back often and soon!

Austin Water shortage has entered Stage 2 shortage measurements.  Beginnning today, Monday, August 24,2009... the CIty of Austin is kicking into a higher gear for water conservation.  here are the new rules and there will be NO WARNINGS of violations, there will be a $400 Fine for the first offense.

To read further information follow this link to the City of Austin website.

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/stage2.htm

Stage 2 Water Use Restrictions  

                   The City Manager has determined that Stage 2 Water Restrictions will go into effect on Monday, August 24, 2009. These restrictions will be in effect until further notice.

In Stage 2, the following additional restrictions apply to the use of potable water:

• Outdoor irrigation is prohibited except on assigned days at designated times (see once-per-week schedule below)
• Golf fairway irrigation is limited to assigned days before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
• Golf tee and green irrigation is limited to every other day
• Vehicle washing is limited to designated days and times, with a hand-held bucket or a positive shut-off nozzle on a hose*
• A person may not conduct or participate in a charity car wash
• The use of outdoor ornamental fountains is prohibited except to provide aeration for aquatic life
• A person may not fill, refill, or add water to an indoor fountain
• No automatic fill valves are allowed for pools or ponds
• Washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, patios or other paved surfaces is prohibited*
• A restaurant may not serve water to a customer unless requested by the customer

*Exceptions are made for washing necessary to protect public health, safety or welfare

This is a crazy shopping weekend in Texas, its Tax Free weekend so the stores are really ringing up sales, the aisles are crowded and the parking lots are a mess.  In all the humanity out and moving today I saw a real random act of kindness and it truthfully does restore my faith in young folks.

Costco, the cafe part, tables were knee deep in kids, overturned cups, hot dogs and no where to sit, my grandson found us a table as I was grabbing our cold drinks to go with the yummy pizza that is always thick with cheese and fresh at the Costco cafe (not to mention cheap)  so we had just sat down.

The tables are 3 in a row and we were in the middle row, nearest the wall an older lady was in a motorized chair going by, she hit two tables in her journey, it seemed she did not have good control of the chair/cart.  I watched and soon she had made a lap half around the area and was on the other outside, where she stopped, then hit another table, this one empty.  I told my grandson, this poor older lady may need some help.  She was sitting in the chair/cart very dazed looking but about 3 feet from the empty table,  about this time a young couple, they looked like college students approached the lady and of course I could not hear what they were saying but the young man, lifted the lady out of the chair, onto the her feet, steadied her and helped her to the empty table... then he lifted the chair up and scooted it to the table, the young lady went and got the older lady a drink and some napkins..  they shook her hand and left.

This was a wonderful thing to witness, I am sure my grandson who is 11 will remember how the older lady was smiling when the young couple left.  Shortly after a middle aged lady showed up with food for two and sat with the older lady.  America is a great place to live.  I am blessed to still be able to walk to my own table, to get my own food, but its nice to believe if I were unable someone would be kind enough to help me.

Living in Texas we still see many of the "old ways"  and I am believing those values are upheld everyday in all parts of America.

Keeping up with the various areas here in Austin which is very diverse from neighborhood to neighborhood we can still get a glimpse of what is going on overall.   These statistics are from just one neighborhood, Villages at Western Oaks, and from June 1, 3009 to current, August 21,2009.   When its all tossed together it is just figures, but to see the LP (list price) versus SP (sold price)  that will give the story.

Market Analysis Report

If you wish to have more information about your specific neighborhood for the purpose of selling your home, or wish to contact a great Realtor ® to buy a new residence, call me and lets chat about your goals, Gail Tassey, Sky Realty Austin, 512-217-9482    http://www.austincomeshome.com

Information from the Austin Board of Realtors website, August 21,2009.  Looking to buy a home in South Austin, Village of Western Oaks, Westcreek, Circle C, or sell your home, call me.

Good news for Austin Texas, residential home sales for the month of July 2009 have reached the level of July 2008 sustaining a slight 2% decrease from last year.  While much of the rest of the USA is still mired in the depths of devaluing homes we seem to be a bright spot.   Here is the information directly from the Austin Board of Realtors announcing the good news.

August 20, 2009 - According to the July 2009 Multiple Listing Service report by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, the volume of Austin-area home sales reached 2008 levels for the first time this year.

 In July 2009, 2,069 homes were sold, statistically unchanged from the 2,068 homes sold in July 2008. The median home price for Austin in July 2009 was $191,500, a two percent decrease from the same month the prior year.

 "The sales volume momentum in Austin continues, now reaching 2008 levels. That's good news, but I think it's even better news that we've achieved that increase while maintaining a steady median home price," said Jay Gohil, chairman of the Austin Board of REALTORS®. "Throughout 2009, the median price has fluctuated only slightly compared to 2008.  Looking back further, prices have remained above 2007 levels, one of the most lucrative years of the last decade in Austin real estate. That long-term price stability, particularly in the face of market fluctuations, bodes well for Austin's future."

 July 2009 Statistics

• $508,810,549 was the dollar volume of single-family properties sold   $191,500 was the median price, a two percent decrease from one year ago   2,069 was the number of homes sold, unchanged from July 2008

The Austin Board of REALTORS® is a non-profit, voluntary organization representing more than 8,000 licensed REALTORS® in Central Texas.  

Looking for a home in South Austin Texas?  Real estate in Austin is still a good value, call me and lets chat about your Real Estate Goals..  Gail Tassey, Realtor, Sky Realty Austin, 512-217-9482 http://www.austincomeshome.com

Texas Bridge Loans for the $8000 Tax Credit still exists.  The State of Texas has funded a pool of $5 Million dollars to be used by eligible FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS who qualify for the $8000 Tax Credit to be able to use up to $7,000 for a down payment.

This is great news for those just shy of enough to make the down payment and closing costs.  The bridge loan will be in the form of a 2nd lien, and repayable in 90 days.  That way the First Time HOme Buyer has time to file and receive the eligible funds back from the IRS.  If the funds are not received within the 90 days the loan then becomes on a predetermined payment plan.

Definitely a way that Texas is trying to help the FIRST TIME HOME BUYER get into the home of their choice.  Remember there are limitations on income and home price and a FIRST TIME HOME BUYER is one who has not owned a home within the past 3 years. 

This offer won't last long so call today to get qualified for the Texas Bridge Loan and find your great new home while the money lasts, remember it's first come first served and the $8000 Tax Credit is for a limited time, it is set to end November 30,2009.  Your home must be a closed purchase on that date, but I do not know if the Texas Bridge Loan will last that long.

I work with qualified lenders that will help you get the preapproval process done so we can go look where you want to live, South Austin real estate has great communities, Village of Western Oaks? Cherry Creek? Shady Hollow? Westcreek?  just to name a few.  Call me for more information.  Gail Tassey, Realtor, Sky Realty Austin, 512-217-9482 

http://www.austincomeshome.com

59 days and counting in this Texas heat.  I will tell ya, we are all dragging around like a dog with it's tongue hanging out.  Today was day 59 of 100 degrees or more of heat this summer. 

The job of a Realtor is to show homes, rain, wind, snow ( I heard that one, I have no personal knowledge)  during sunny days or mild.  We have clients, clients want to see homes, or want us to see their home.  Listing agents and buyers agents alike, we are out there getting the job done.

This is mid August, referred to as the dog days of August, because we are dog tired, it takes a lot less to tire you out when you are dragging yourself around in 100 degree heat.  Trying to smile while the sweat trickles down your back and your showing the backyard, what could be an oasis but is not, its dead or dying and brown and crunches beneath your feet.  But you keep on describing the paradise to be. The lofty shady trees, the lush grass, the koi pond perhaps. 

This time next month, surely we will have had some rain, and the heat will be almost disappeared until next year.  Hopefully we won't have two record setting years in a row, this had been the hottest since the mid 1920's... so surely it won't be repeated soon.  

Maybe I will awaken tomorrow to the sound of raindrops?  Oh one can dream. 

So you want to be an expert, some folks say that if you call yourself an expert you are one.  Some folks say it's an earned title.  A learned one.   There are neighborhood specialist, specialist in the medical field, and literature and many more than I have not enough words to write about.

I have always shied away from calling myself a "neighborhood specialist"  because it was stated by a past Chairman of our local board that designation will put you higher in accountability than any other Realtor® working in the area.  You have decreed you are a specialist, you have more knowledge than others, you are expected to know when the next event or local change will occur.

All that legalese aside though, recently I have found another way to be an expert, things we all do like  thoroughly know the area, preview the homes, read the neighborhood association newsletters, know the folks around and the shopkeepers, and bit by bit you have become an expert on the neighborhood.  Any MLS member can look up stats, that doesn't make one a neigbhorhood expert,  all of the things above do. 

With more and more folks beginning their search on the Internet become a specialist at being found, use the tools we have such as: websites, facebook, active rain, twitter, all the good techniques you learn here at Active Rain and elsewhere.  When a buyer or seller calls you have the knowledge to answer the questions, that is a neighborhood expert.

Serving South Austin Texas and surrounding areas, helping home buyers and home sellers realize their real estate goals.  Call me when you are ready for real help.  Gail Tassey, Realtor, Sky Realty Austin, 512-217-9482 or http://www.austincomeshome.com

Where did Summertime go? $8000 Tax Credit alert!!   Summer is waning, the days are getting shorter, school is starting in many parts of the country, here school will be in full swing next week.  Where is summer?  The trip to the beach was too short, the drive to the mountains, in whatever way you escaped this summer it is time to get back to the everyday, the humdrum.

OK, summer isn't really over, not yet, not until Labor Day, and that is 2 weeks away, plus its still 103 degrees here.  Well, folks, Labor Day is going to slip past us real fast, and the heat will ease up and it's Football Season again. 

Did you mean to get a new home this summer?  Get part of that $8000 Tax Credit for yourself and your family?  Its not too late if you start to take action now.  The IRS definition of a FIRST TIME HOME BUYER is some who has not owned a home in the past 3 years.  There are a few other qualifications like, single income of under $75,000 or double income of under $150,000 and the home must be purchased  by November 20,2009.  

Here in South Austin the homes are plentiful, lovely, something for any family, from $100,000 to $400,000.  Schools within walking distance.  Tree lined streets and neighborhood parks abound.  I love that part about living in Austin Texas, any where you can find a comfortable home.  Did you need abig backyard for swings and dogs and kids?  A condo with no maintenance?  Whatever your desires we can probably find it here in Austin.

Neighborhoods like Tanglewood Forest, Cherry Creek, Hillcrest, Oak at Twin Creek, Circle C, Vintage Place, Shady Hollow, Western Trails, Covered Bridge, Westcreek, Villages at Western Oaks, Legend Oaks, Bridges of Bear Creek, Onion Creek, Travis Country or Travis Country West,  just to mention a few great neighborhood with awesome schools.

It really truly is time to get serious about finding your new home, get your share of the $8000 Tax Credit!  Start your home search now and call me, I can help YOU.  Gail Tassey, Realtor®, 512-217-9482 visit my website to start your home search. http://www.austincomeshome.com

Tech Tuneup Coming soon... Aug 21st  Round Rock Texas

Tech Tuneup this year is August 21st, a great expo of things we can all learn from,  come check it out, could be the best $15.00 you spend on your business all year!