Open House - May 26th - Gracywoods

There are just a handful of properties that back up to Walnut Creek as their greenbelt.  This property, 12039 Lincolnshire Dr is one of them.  The owners have taken great care to prepare this property for sale and it a real gem in the area.

Greenbelt View from Main Level

It's a 4 bedroom 2.5 Bath, all rooms are on second floor.  The kitchen cabinets and counter top have be replaced.  All the bathroom counter tops & tile have been resurfaced.  The first floor is tile/wood laminate and stairs/second floor has carpet except in bathrooms.  Each bedroom is well proportion and have a walk in closet.

We will be holding the property as an open house on Saturday, May 26th from Noon to 4pm.    Will be raffling a Nook Smart Touch at the end of the day.

Preliminary MLS Data - April 2012

Preliminary April 2012 Data: 
Units for Sale: (compared to April 2011)

• New listings are up 1.86%.
• Pendings are up 27.40%.
• Solds increased by 5.76%

 As for Average Prices:

• The "New Listings" average list price is up 4.74% to $336,915.  In April 2011 the average list price was $321,670. 
• Sold average sales prices increased less than 1% to $270,952.  For April 2011 it was $270,571.  

Did you know...that we had 11,315 active listings during the same week in 2011?  Today there is 8,756 active listings!  That is a 22.62% decrease from 2011.

HGTV's Property Brothers - Coming to Austin with New Show!

Update:  I get a lot of calls from this post.  Please note it is dated May 2012.  This particular event wrapped last year.   Also, I am a local Austin Realtor and not affiliated with the show.  If you would like more current Real Estate News, please follow this link to my new blog

HGTV is currently filming the premier season of "Buying and Selling" and, are in search of great couples and families in Austin who would be interested in getting a FREE RENO and being on TV!

This new show, called "Buying and Selling", is the Property Brothers' new project, and is all about people in the Austin area who are trying to sell their home. Each 1 hr episode will feature a different home/family, and follow the house selling and buying process from start to finish.

The Property Brothers will advise the couple/family on the small reno's/changes needed to increase the value and appeal of the property (and pay for them!), their team of professional designers and renovators will DO the actual reno's, and then the Property Brothers will assist in the actual SELLING of the house.  Once the sale is made, and during the renovation process, the “Brothers” will help to find the best NEW home on the market for the featured family.

HGTV are looking for people that have a great story - we want to find couples / families that have a strong reason for moving: closer commute to work, need more space for growing family, to be near better schools, extra room for home office etc. As well, families MUST be moving within the Austin area, and wanting to do so before August 2012.

Ideal selling price is roughly $150,000 - $400,000, and sized anywhere from 1,400 – 2,300 sq ft.  We're looking for those homes that need just an extra bit of "lipstick make-over" before they can be listed, and that will show nicely for the big "REVEAL".

Contact me if you or someone you know wants to be a apart of the show.

RealtyTrac - Renter Alerts

While doing research on foreclosures in the area on RealtyTrac, I came across a useful tool for renters.  It allows you to put in an address to see if it is in foreclosure.  Which can be helpful for renters to know if their landlord is really making those mortgage payments.

I can't say if its 100% accurate but it is a tool for renters sidestep a possible eviction through no default of their own.

Bella Vista - Cedar Park

This is a new project that I am working on for my blog, I will be visiting the neighborhoods of Cedar Park on a regular basis.  The video will be a drive through of the neighborhood along with MLS (Multiple Listing Statistics.  Enjoy.

Preliminary MLS Data - March 2012

Units for Sale: (compared to March 2011)
New listings are down 7.90%.
Pendings are up 19.39%.
Solds increased by 16.46%

As for Average Prices:
The "New Listings" average list price is up 3.66% to $342,713.  In March 2011 the average list price was $330,627.

Sold average sales prices increased 6.14% to $258,863.  For March 2011 it was $243,878.

What does this mean?  We are seeing a steady number of buyers coming to the market, but listings are not coming on the market at the same pace as last year.  The homes that are ready to sell and price right are selling quick.

February 2012 - MLS Update

Austin continues to see an promising trend on home sales.

Units for Sale: (compared to February 2011)

New listings are up 9.15%.

Pendings are up 28.61%.

Solds increased by 11.98%

As for Average Prices:

The "New Listings" average list price is up 5.84% to $326,993.  In February 2011 the average list price was $308,936. 

Sold average sales prices increased 4.26% to $251,134.  For February 2011 it was $240,864.