HOME TIPS! : Seal Your Walls!

A simple home tip that may save you money and energy this winter.

We're all looking for ways to improve the energy-efficiency of our homes to help the environment and lower our utility bills in the process. Thankfully in Texas, basements are rare, so it's one less place you have to expect drafts to emanate. However, your home may have spots where air penetrates through the walls causing a draft and a change in temperature inside your home. This will likely occur in the areas where holes have been cut out of the walls to install plugs, switches, and canned lights. If you have ever removed these during cold weather, you have probably noticed some cold air pouring out.

You may reduce air leakage by using a tube of high quality caulk or a spray foam can to seal around the area where the electrical box meets the drywall. There are also alternative recessed lighting cans or fixtures that you can install which provide a tighter seal to keep the cool (or hot) temperatures out. This simple process will potentially save you energy this winter season!

December Stats & End of Year Wrap Up Numbers!

December 2014 

• 2,283 – Single-family homes sold, 14 percent more than December 2013.
• $246,530 – Median price for single-family homes, 10 percent more than December 2013.
• 55 – Average number of days single-family homes were on market, 3 days more than Dec. 2013.
• 5,077 – Active single-family home listings on the market, 12 percent more than December 2013.
• 2.2 – Months of inventory of single-family homes, 0.2 month more than December 2013.
• $710,200,206 – Total dollar volume of single-family homes sold, 21 percent more than Dec. 2013.

2014 Year-End Totals 

• 27,768 – Single-family homes sold, two percent more than 2013.
• $242,500 – Median price for single-family homes, eight percent more than 2013.
• 47 – Average number of days that single-family homes spent on the market, 3 days fewer than 2013.
• $8,607,385,376 – Total dollar volume of single-family homes sold, nine percent more than 2013.  

Released January 2015 by The Austin Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

Austin Ranked #2 Best Real Estate Investment Market

According to Inman News and Realtor.com, Austin, Texas ranked high in the latest top 10 investment markets.  Coming in at #2 on the list, outranked by only Tucson, Arizona, this is just one more achievement in Austin's long list of recent high survey rankings.

Built from Realtor.com data updated through February 2012, the report put Austin as the second highest current real estate markets to invest in. The top 10 list was built by analyzing the housing inventories, price trends and unemployment rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 146 markets Realtor.com tracks.

Austin, Texas with a median list price of $229,500, boasted a 12 percent year-over-year increase, and low relative unemployment (6.3 percent as of December 2011). Kansas City, Baltimore, and Forth Worth round out the Top 5. Click on the link below for more details on the top 10 list:

http://www.inman.com/news/2012/03/23/top-10-markets-invest-in

To See More of Austin's Rankings and Achievements:

http://www.i-am-real-estate.com/austin-rankings-c23311.html

2012 Austin Housing Market Forecast: Positive Trend to Continue

According to the Fourth Annual Housing Forecast held by the Austin Board of Realtors and Home Builders Association, the housing market in Austin will continue to see improvement in 2012. Austin’s housing market saw growth in 2011 and that trend is expected to continue in 2012. 

Austin’s job growth, increasing population and tightening rental market should result in higher demand for housing in Austin and surrounding areas, according to Eldon Rude with Metrostudy.  

Texas experienced a 2.2% increase in job growth when comparing November 2010 to November 2011. One out of seven jobs created in the US have been in Texas. As a result, Texas consumer confidence is much higher than the overall south central region of the nation. The Austin/Round Rock/San Marcos MSA saw a 1.2% increase in job growth year over year which meant 9,600 new jobs. 

Texas had over 63,000 housing permits pulled for new construction in 2011. This is double the amount of the next highest state, California with over 33,000 new housing permits.  For 2012, Eldon Rude expects new home production in the Austin region to increase for the second straight year. There were 6,115 new home “starts” in the Austin region in 2011 which represents a nearly five percent increase in starts from 2010. The starts barely exceeded closings so inventory is declining....which is a good sign. Demand must be met by supply so builders must start building to meet that demand.  

Home starts in 2011 were up over 2010 levels in every price range except under $150,000, with the strongest increases in the move-up price points between $200,000 and $300,000.  

A factor that might limit new home starts in 2012, especially in more high demand areas, is a lack of developed lots to accommodate new home construction. Weather and water resources are also major concerns for homebuilders. 

According to 2010 and 2011 migration patterns, Texas nets more people moving into the state versus moving out. The IRS information census shows a strong population growth trend in the Austin MSA over the past 10 years.   

In 2011 the Austin MSA population was approximately 1.763 million. By 2020, Eldon Rude with Metrostudy predicts a population of approximately 2.304 million. This growth of 540,000 in population is equivalent to 31% total growth which is 3.4% per year. At 60% home ownership the result is 13,333 new homes per year in Austin. 

The upcoming Presidential election should generate confidence that the economy will improve, reflecting in many home buyer's decision to purchase. Due to continued job growth, a strong rental market and strong inward migration, we should experience a housing market that continues to improve in 2012.

Austin Achieves YET ANOTHER Ranking! #2 in Country for JOBS!!

Ajilon Professional Staffing, a leader in recruiting and project consulting, has just released their list of the 10 best cities for finding employment in the United States. Guess who ranked #2? AUSTIN, TEXAS of course! The only city surpassing Austin for the top spot is Minneapolis-St. Paul. This ranking only adds to the massive pile that Austin has achieved in the past few years. Austin has become a staple of resilience in an national economic crisis with the ability to keep unemployment low by generating new jobs and featuring a variety of available employment fields.

Ajilon Professional Staffing had this to say regarding Austin: "Austin, Texas came in second place on the list as a result of the city’s low cost of living and diverse talent pool. Austin’s robust educational community also contributed to boosting job growth in the market. Home to several major universities, including the University of Texas, local businesses have a vast pool of well-educated recent graduates to choose from for local employment opportunities in Austin."

As a man who's job it is to sell Austin, these rankings definitely make my job easier. I've lived all over the country, even living abroad, and I've travelled the vast majority of the United States and if there is a city that has it ALL, it's Austin. Night life, outdoor recreation, festivals, culture, lake fun, parks, low-cost of living, outstanding property values, job market, events, live music, and friendliness of the people... Austin is without a doubt one of the BEST places to live in the United States.

If you're interested in Austin, TX real estate and purchasing your piece of this great city, contact me at the numbers on the sidebar. I'd be happy to help! View my own personal compilation of Austin's rankings over just the past 3 years here:

http://www.i-am-real-estate.com/austin-rankings-c23311.html

Remodeling Projects That Pay Off

Some interesting numbers have just come out for those who are interested in doing some remodeling to their homes. According to the 2009-2010 Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report, exterior projects add more value than interior ones. Here are some numbers specific to the West South Central Region of the United States (Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma). Keep in mind that these are averages and that the rates of return can be effected greatly by location, neighborhood, scope of project, and quality of materials used.

239%

Percentage of cost recouped by replacing an entry door with new steel unit, the highest return of any project in the report.

69.2%

Percentage of cost recouped by adding a 16' x 20' composite deck.

81.1%

Percentage of cost recouped by adding a 16' x 20' foot wood deck.

97.7%

Percentage of cost recouped by converting an attic to a bedroom, the highest return of any interior project.

61.3%

Estimated return from adding a master suite, the most expensive project in the report with one of the lowest rates of return.

For more remodeling project numbers go here: http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/national.aspx

Austin and Texas DOMINATE Economic Recovery Rankings!

According to a report by the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program, Austin was the highest-ranked U.S. city for recovery from the recession. Not only that, Austin ranked #26 in the entire world for economic recovery! Not bad. Austin pride in full effect.

The study by the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program ranks 150 cities: 50 in the United States, 50 in Europe, and 50 other cities scattered from the rest of the world. The fastest recovering cities are outside of the United States, with only Austin, Texas as the only U.S. city inside of the top 30 in the world. The fastest recovering cities, in order, are Istanbul, Turkey; Shenzen, China; Lima, Peru; Singapore; and Shanghai, China.

The report found that income and job growth in the metro areas are performing better than their nation's average. Large cities are leading the global recovery from the 2007-2009 recession. The report examined incomes and employment back to 1993 and ranks the metros in three segments: pre-recession (1993-2007), recession (2007-2009), and recovery (2009-2010).

When looking at the list, it is easy to see why Texans are so content. Four Texas metropolitan areas - Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio - took command of the top 15 U.S. Cities list. Dallas ranked #4 (#39 in world), San Antonio #11 (#51 in world), and Houston ranked #15 (#61 in world) in the U.S.

YAY TEXAS!

www.I-Am-Real-Estate.com HAS BEEN LAUNCHED!

Today is the day. September 1st, 2010 marks the official launch day of my website www.I-Am-Real-Estate.com. This incredibly detailed real estate website has now been launched after 4 months of work practically everyday. My wife has been neglected, my social life drained, legs and brain cramping, all for the consumer. That's right. I sacrifice for you. 

This website was designed with the consumer in mind. It's goal was to become the most comprehensive real estate website in the Austin metro area and I think I've done it. The website's purpose is to make you more knowledgeable when looking to buy or sell a home. In a way it's like when the apes in 2001: A Space Odyssey started stroking that smooth obelisk (my website) and suddenly they were smarter and could do things they couldn't before! It's kind of like that except in a good way, not that you'll go around killing each other with bones and screaming at each other. Oh, and I'm definitely not referencing you all as apes. You're all way ahead of apes. My site is just a tool, so it's more like the bones that you strike each other with because it gives you an advantage over the next guy. Ok, nevermind. Horrible analogy.

The point I'm attempting to make is that my site is user-friendly. The site features detailed a detailed page on over 150 communities in the Austin (broken down by segment), Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Hutto, Leander, and Georgetown areas. Each page has pictures of that community, pertinent links, and a list of active homes for sale in that community. You can search the MLS and the site actually has up-to-date listings, no more searching on Trulia or Zillow and finding out the home sold 3 months ago!

I have a FREE iPhone and iPad Home Search App that will allow you to search for active listings anywhere in our area and provide pictures, descriptions, and allow you to contact me by email or phone directly with the push of a button for more info.

There is also Buyer/Seller tools that will walk you through the process that can be complicating or overwhelming for some. There is also a Financing Roadmap that will walk you through the steps of that process. Also, a Client Concierge, Austin's rankings in the news, Social Media outlets, Relocation Austin Major Employer Guide, and more!

So, I invite you to check out www.I-Am-Real-Estate.com I put an immense amount of work into it and I would be honored if you would make it your Real Estate tool of choice. Feedback and constructive criticism is welcome!

JUST LISTED in SPRINGBROOK!

Just listed at 1607 Copperhead Cove Round Rock, TX 78664 is this fantastic gem in Springbrook! Many improvements and updates including travertine tile fireplace, updated counters, recent roof, updated fixtures, dark wood mirrors and cabinets, travertine tiled master and accented tile shower! The home has excellent curb appeal with 3-sided masonry! Located on a cute, quiet cul-de-sac with academically "recognized" schools within walking distance! Refrigerator and shed convey with sale! Gorgeous mature trees, full sprinkler system, water softener, and the list goes on! A home in this condition, with these upgrades and features, for this price is RARE! This one won't last long. Priced to sell at the unbelievable price of $149,990!

See More of This Home and Search for Others at www.I-Am-Real-Estate.com

The Most Comprehensive Real Estate Website in Austin

SALES TAX FREE WEEKEND!

Prepare to get the rest of those school supplies bought up and your children's new outfits purchased as August 20-22 is Texas' annual tax holiday! Certain items bought during these three days are exempt from paying any sales tax offering a slight discount to some important purchases for kids going back to school.

Clothing

The law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Not an amazing savings, but just a little break on things you have to buy anyways. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt. The exemption during the sales tax holiday includes backpacks with wheels, provided they can also be worn like a traditional backpack.... a pack on the back.

The exemption does not include items that are reasonably defined as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bag, purses or framed backpacks. Ten or fewer backpacks can be purchased tax-free at one time without providing exemption certificate to the seller.

School Supplies

The 81st Texas Legislature passed HB 1801 (2009) expanding the list of items qualifying for exemption from Texas state and local sales and use taxes during the annual sales tax holiday. Effective this year, in addition to clothes, footwear, and backpacks, Texas families also get a sales tax break on most school supplies priced under $100 for use by a student in an elementary or secondary school.

The following is an all-inclusive list of qualifying school supplies (if priced less than $100):
• - Binders          - Book bags          -Calculators          -Cellophane tape
• - Blackboard chalk          - Compasses          - Composition books
• - Crayons          - Erasers          - Folders (expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila)
• - Glue, paste and paste sticks          - Highlighters         - Index cards
• - Index card boxes         - Legal pads          - Lunch boxes          - Markers
• - Notebooks          - Paper (variety of types)          - Pencil sharpeners 

 - Pencil boxes (other school supply boxes)          - Pencils & Pens
• - Protractors          - Rulers         - Scissors         - Writing tablets

Other TAX-FREE items:
• Baby clothes
• Backpacks for use by elementary and secondary students
• Belts with attached buckles
• Boots - cowboy, hiking
• Caps/hats - baseball, fishing, golf, knitted
• Coats and wraps
• Diapers - adult and baby
• Dresses
• Gloves (generally)
• Gym suits and uniforms
• Hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts
• Hosiery
• Jackets
• Jeans
• Jerseys - baseball and football
• Jogging apparel
• Neckwear and ties
• Pajamas
• Pants and trousers
• Raincoats and ponchos
• Robes
• Shirts
• Shoes - sandals, slippers, sneakers, tennis, walking
• Socks (including athletic)
• Shorts
• Suits, slacks, and jackets
• Sweatshirts
• Sweat suits
• Sweaters
• Swimsuits
• Underclothes
• Work clothes and uniforms

Extended List of Clothing & Footwear

Frequently Asked Questions

More Info: Window on State Government