Austin is consistently mentioned as one of the few places in the country where home values in general are expected to continue to appreciate on a rate of 4%. It is true that there is a higher number of homes on the market than the previous year and that days on the market have increased slightly. That being said homes sales numbers continue more forward. The market does lean towards being a buyers market at present, but sellers could expect to break even as they should see a gain on a purchase where they might lose on a sell.

Builders inventory has dropped dramatically as the ones who are still in business have drastically reduced their inventory by attaching significant incentives to buyers to get their inventory reduced.

That translates into good news for existing home sales.

Here is a link to ABOR Stats that shows the reduction in numbers across the board. Remember, we have to put these numbers in context with the rest of the country and our own previous numbers.

https://www.abor.com/news_media/statistics/reports/Nov08_indicators.pdf

While tight times have sent many part Realtors looking for work, those of us who make a living practicing our trade stand firm and move on making the necessary changes to adapt to the environment.

Stay Strong and Keep on Living!

Williamson County Still High Growth Rate

The Texas State Data Center recently released population estimates for all cities and counties in Texas.
According to the report, the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area, including Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell counties, grew by 39,000 residents from Jan. 1, 2007 to Jan. 1, 2008 - a growth rate of 2.5 percent. This was slower than 2006's 4.4 percent growth, but the second-highest rate in 2007 among 25 MSAs in Texas.
The TSDC also estimated Williamson County ranked fifth among Texas counties with the highest percentage of population change in 2007. The county added 21,482 residents last year, adding to its status as the county with the second-highest growth rate in Texas since 2000. -Texas State Data Center

Area Market Statistics

Home Sales Stabilize in Austin Area

October 20, 2008 - Central Texas home sales remain steady, according to the latest Multiple Listing Service (MLS) report from the Austin Board of REALTORS®. The median price for single family homes in September remained unchanged from one year ago, while the number of homes sold inched closer to 2007 sales totals.

The 1,670 homes sold in September reflect an eight percent decline from one year ago. These sales contributed $406,955,620 to the local economy, down 11 percent from 2007. Meanwhile, the median price for single family homes showed no change from last September, remaining at $182,600.

Active listings for September rose two percent from one year ago to 10,217, while pending sales dropped ten percent to 1,520 and new listings fell 11 percent to 2,617. The average amount of time these properties sat on the market rose 18 percent from 2007 to 71 days.

“National economic troubles and limited access to credit continue to impact the local housing industry,” says ABoR Chairman Socar Chatmon-Thomas. “However, Austin’s economy has avoided many of the ups and downs experienced by other parts of the U.S., and our city is poised to remain on the forefront of the country’s economic turnaround.”

September 2008 – Single Family Homes

• 1,670 was the number of homes sold, down 8 percent from one year ago
• $182,600 was the median price, unchanged from September 2007
• $406,955,620 was the total dollar volume of properties sold, down 11 percent from last year

My friend Kim contacted me and found this pup who needs a home. If anyone would like to adopt this beautiful brown baby, he looks like he would be a great family dog and protector!

Yep, the neighborhood is a buzz with folks looking for a good deal on something they want. Some of our neighbors are out in force clearing out the stuff they never use and others are not.

I find it a bit awkward haggling over stuff that I want to get rid of and yet still have some sensibility about giving it away. Funny huh! Carol on the other hand, enjoys the back and forth and more than that she likes to make a little money and come waive it in my face. I usually brush it off and then let her buy me dinner at Chuy's or somewhere good.

A nice side effect of the neighborhood garage sale is that the house I have for sale next door gets plenty of exposure. Garage sale days have always been good times for my listings. As a matter of fact it's being shown right now. That's good news! It's a beautiful day, The Horns are about to beat Missouri, and we are working.

That is reaffirming. Anyway, that's about what is happening in Behrens Ranch today. Oh, there are claims of wild hogs and now even claims of a cougar. I find that very hard to believe, but as always I try to maintain an open mind. I was thinking of posting that I saw a Polar Bear, but I guess that might be pushing it.

The only other thing I would mention is that there is an upside to the chaos in the economy. The builders in the neighborhood are no longer starting new builds without a contract in place. That means a drop in the inventory and a little less competition from the builders for the existing homes. Things are still moving even if at a slightly slower pace.

Ok, that's it. Gotta go read Gary Keller's new book "Shift." After the first chapter there is a lot of the obvious, so I am hoping there will be some info to stoke the fire and rekindle my creativity, marketing, interest, and stamina.

Have a great day and HOOK'EM HORNS!

Here are some tips to think about when trying to conserve energy at home.

1. Stop air leaks with caulking, sealing, or weather stripping. Check on all windows, doors, outlets or switch plates on exterior walls.

2. Maintain the heating system. Heating can account for half the average family's energy bill. Make sure heater or heat pump receives maintenance every year. The cost will be re-couped in better performance throughout year.

3. Get a programmable thermostat. A programable thermostat can also help in cutting the heating bills and oooling bills.

4. Seal & insulate heating ducts. If your system is losing its warmed or cooled air before it reaches the registerit will cost you money in wasted energy expenses.

5. Insulate everything. By insulating the attic, ceilings, exterior walls and windows, basement walls, floors, and crawlspaces.

6. Close fireplace dampers when not in use. Reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox. You can also open the nearest window a small bit and close doors to the room, and also lower thermostat setting to 50-55ºF

7. Let the sun shine in. Let the sun in by opening curtains on south facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.

8. Cut back on the hot water. Water heating accountspart of a homes energy use. Cut back on water heating costs by lowering the water heater’s thermostat setting. Each 10ºF reduction can save between 3-5 percent in energy costs. Also insulate the hot water heater and hot water pipes.

9. Install storm windows and Energy Star qualified windows. Storm windows reduce heat loss and storm windows with low-e coating that reflect heat back into the room during the winter months save even more energy. Look for the Energy Star label to maximize savings. Can’t afford new windows just now? Tape clear plastic sheeting to the inside of window frames.

10. Save with little labels. When replacing appliances, light bulbs, electronics, or heating and cooling systems with Energy Star labeled products. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in place of comparable incandescent bulbs.

Pst comments with any additional tips to saving energy.