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Open House - Rancho Siena

This weekend on Sunday 3/10/2013, from 1-5 pm, an Open House Tour  is open to the public at Rancho Siena.   This  Georgetown community is one of D.R. Horton newest master planned community.  The community features wooded and hill country view homesites.  

With almost 20 home plans to choose from you will find your next home, here at Rancho Siena.

The home tour includes 6 complete homes along with the model home located at 109 Adorno Lane, Georgetown TX 78628.   Take Ronald Reagan Blvd. (Parmer Lane) North approximately 2.5 miles past RR 2243.  Make a right on Via de Sienna Blvd.  Make a left on Adorno Lane.  Model homes are on the left.

See you there!

October Update - Austin Real Estate

Austin continues to see improvements in the housing market.  Sold listings are up nearly 40% in volume over last year.  Year to year comparisons on all months see gains over prior year.   With interest rates in the low 3% it is an incredible time to make that first purchase or make that move up.

Home Sales Continue to Show Increases in Austin Area

July 2012 Multiple Listing Service Data:

Units for Sale: (compared to July 2011)
New listings are up 9.67%.
Pendings are up 18.66%.
Solds increased by 24.35%

As for Average Prices:
The "New Listings" average list price is up 2.65% to $304,219.  In July 2011 the average list price was $296,359.

Sold average sales prices increased 7.58% to $276,822.  For July 2011 it was $257,322.

Did you know...that we had 10,720 active listings during the same week in 2011?  Today we have 8,941 active listings!  That is a 16.60% decrease from 2011.

Will Homes Near Balcones National Wildlife Refuges Raise in Home Value?

A new peer-reviewed national study, released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, shows that in urban areas across three regions of the country owning a home near a national wildlife refuge increases home value and helps support the surrounding community’s tax base.

According to the study, conducted by economic researchers at North Carolina State University, homes located within half a mile of a refuge and within eight miles of an urban center were found to have higher home values of roughly:

• Seven to nine percent in the Southeast;
• Four to five percent in the Northeast; and
• Three to six percent in the California/Nevada region

While this data doesn't specifically include the Midwest, Soutwest, Central Mountains & Northwest, because refuges in these areas tend to be located further from urban centers.  However, there are homes near the Balcones NWR that may benefit from this survey during the home selling process.

MLS Monthly Review - May 2012

Preliminary May 2012 Data:

Units for Sale: (compared to May 2011)
New listings are up 4.32%.
Pendings are up 18.85%.
Solds increased by 18.98%

As for Average Prices:

The "New Listings" average list price is up 1.14% to $330,674.  In May 2011 the average list price was $326,947.

Sold average sales prices increased 2.24% to $270,090.  For May 2011 it was $264,169.


Did you know...that we had 11,454 active listings during the same week in 2011?  Today there are 9,009 active listings!  That is a 21.35% decrease from 2011.


What does this mean?  Demand is slowing building.  For some areas of Austin, sellers are having the benefit multiple buyers submitted offers to buy their property.  This creates an auction effect, driving up the sales price of the home.  We are seeing this more and more in the Austin area.


Do you have a questions about listing your home for sale or how to purchase a property?  Please contact me.

Top Ways to Get Your Down Payment

The most common issue for a first time buyer usually seems to be…"How do I get the money needed for down payment on a home purchase":

1. Get A Gift – With FHA, the buyer can get a give from a relative for the down payment and closing costs. 
2. Down Payment Bridal Wedding Registry – Gives a couple an opportunity to received wedding “gifts” through a dedicated bank account to collect down payment funds for a new home
3. 401K Loan – You can borrow the money from yourself, in most cases this loan will not count against your qualifying debt to income rations and as a first time home buyer the most 401K programs will allow for this transaction,
4. Life Insurance – If you have whole life policy you can either borrow against it or cash it in.  
5. Secured Loan -  If you have an asset that is free and clear such as a vehicle you may be able to get a secured loan against the value of the asset.
6. DPA – Several government entities offer down payment assistance programs for first tie home buyers
7. Sale of Personal Property - With verification of value and bill of sale, the funds form the sale of personal property can be used for the down payment.
8. Human Resources – Some employers offer down payment assistance as a benefit to the employees.  These awards are eligible for down payment through FHA financing.
9. Tax Refund – A buyer can use this years tax refund to become a homeowner.  A copy of this years tax return and a copy of the refund check or bank statement showing the amount of the refund on the deposit is all that is required.
10. Second Job – Even though we may not be able to use this income to qualify the borrow if the borrower has not had the job for 2 years, the cash earned from the second nob can be used for the down payment.
11. Savings/Budgeting – Cutting back on extras along with anyone of the abve mentioned ideas will get you into a home faster.

There are some many reason why now is the best time to purchase your first home.  Please contact me to find out more.