Austin, TX

HIGH PRAISES FOR AUSTIN TITLE...Spicewood Springs

02-13-12

Alan & Michele Kirkpatrick

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Office: (512) 709-3336

Mobile: (512) 709-3336
Secondary: (512) 791-7276

Jody Wiltsey

AVP / Escrow Officer

3708 Spicewood Springs Rd #100 Austin, TX 78759

512.346.4020 office
512.297.6871 mobile
512.651.9172 fax

www.austintitle.com

Just closed with Austin Title and Jody was my Escrow officer. From beginning to close one of the best experiences of my life as a Realtor. At the closing table Jody took time to talk with my clients, answer questions and then to extend a 2 minute commercial for my business. The entire staff are very warm and friendly and extremely professional.

I whole heartedly reccomend Austin Title Spicewood Springs and Jody in particular.

Give them a call you will love working with this team!!!

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Austin Warehouse Space

02-13-12

Steve Shire

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Office: (512) 947-5896

Mobile: (512) 947-5896

Austin Warehouse Space

Austin's warehouse space market has been moving upward going into 2012 and seems to be continuing to do so, however smaller spaces seem to be in higher demand than larger warehouse space requirements for tenants. Warehouse space comes in several options for tenants with the cheapest being Bulk warehouse storage space.

Bulk warehouse space can go as low as the 25 cents per square foot per month , however the average leasing rates for bulk warehouse space is in the mid 40 cent to mid 50 cent range gross. Warehouse Dock

Some of the office warehouse space depending on where a tenant is looking in Austin can command a very aggressive rate. It also depends on the vacancy that is currently running within an industrial business park. Recently, we came across approximately 4500 square feet of warehouse space for a client at a rate of 43 cents a foot per month plus NNN expenses of 20 cents. This represented a first year rate only with a bump thereafter. Being that the warehouse space was a Class B type space, it was well priced at a leasing rate that is very aggressive.

Flex warehouse space is currently running around 65 cents per square foot per month on average with a trend that is moving upward in leasing rates. A challenge that comes up quite often is when the tenant wants to lease a warehouse space with a short term, short terms are less than 3 years. When you are looking to lease a warehouse space with a shorter term, the leverage in the negotiation gets watered down quite a bit.

Short term leases for warehouse space usually end up in a take it as is scenario , meaning you have to be pretty lucky to find a warehouse property that fits your needs exactly when it comes to layout considerations.

Leasing rates for warehouse space are running as low as $5.40/ square foot per year and move up to $12.00 per square foot per year. Layout considerations for warehouse space that include access for 18 wheelers for the tenant on a space that is below 5000 square feet are very hard to find and if you are able to find these warehouse properties , you should pull the trigger. Building requirements today make it hard for a builder to build a small footprint warehouse with a dock high door access.

Shire Commercial specializes in helping buyers and tenants find the warehouse space that meets their requirements , there are also creative ways we have found to help you negotiate a lease or purchase that works for you. To find out more about warehouse space in the Austin area visit our website at www.Industrial-Austin.com.

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Buy a Home versus Renting a Home in Austin, Texas

02-13-12

Sue Ellett-Marble Falls & Austin,Texas Lakes

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Office: (866) 693-7741

Mobile: (512) 422-7182

So you have been renting a home in Austin for a while. Are you wondering if it might not be better to buy a home in the Austin area instead, particularly with interest rates so low?

Did you know that the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) offers grants of up to 5% for Home Sweet Home Photos downpayment & closing cost assistance for first time buyers who qualify?

Did you know that USDA offers 100% loans for financing a home?

Did you know that we have programs for Military, Retired Military, Educators, First Responders and Healthcare workers for CASH BACK BONUSES when buying or selling a home?

Did you know that if you are currently paying $1200/month for rent, you could potentially purchase a home worth $150,000 with 3.5% down ($5,600 - FHA loan) and that your monthly payment including your monthly principal & interest (at 4%) & PMI($80/mo est)(Private Mortgage Insurance) plus your taxes (assumes 2.5% rate) and insurance (estimated at $1200) could be only $1183.56/mo.

That is less than you are paying for rent and does not include any tax savings that you can receive from your Federal Income Taxes.

$150,000 House
2.5% Tax Rate
4% Mortgage Interest Rate
$1200/mo insurance (estimated)
$80/mo PMI (estimated)

= $1183.56/month (estimated)

Qualifications for TSAHC Programs

A Professional Educator: Defined as a full time Classroom Teacher, Teacher Aide, School Librarian, School Nurse or School Counselor employed by a public school district in the state of Texas; or a full time faculty member * of either an undergraduate or graduate professional nursing or allied health program in the State of Texas; or
A Texas Hero: Defined as a full time, paid Firefighter, Emergency Medical Services Personnel, Peace Officer, Corrections Officer, Juvenile Corrections Officer, County Jailer, or a Public Security Officer working in the State of Texas (click here for detailed Texas Hero definitions), or
An individual at or below 80% of the Area Median Family Income (AMFI) - In the Austin-Round Rock MSA, counties of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, & Williamson.

Income Limits for a Income Limits for a Purchase Price Limits
Home Sweet Texas Professional Educator or for any Borrower*
Borrower** Texas Hero Borrower** (non-targeted areas)
Family
Size Any Size Family 1-2 3-4

$60,720 $75,900 $87,285 $263,164

*Purchase Price Limits effective May 15, 2011.
**Income Limits effective December 1, 2011.

Information is estimated and will vary based upon your loan and the home you choose.

If you are renting a home or apartment in Austin, contact us for more information. We work with Lenders who are familiar with this program and can help get you pre-qualified. First Time Home Buyers, ask for our FREE First Time Home Buyer Guide.

We are Texas Affordable Home Certified Specialists.

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Great Backyard Bird Count...Be a Participant!

02-13-12

Gwynn Teal Carpenter- Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

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Office: (512) 467-6191

Mobile: (512) 657-4390

Great Backyard Bird Count...Be a Participant!

Birds are a delight! On any given day I can observe finches, cardinals, blue jays, hummingbirds, painted buntings, doves and other species hanging in the trees or visiting the watering bowl on my balcony. Watching these birds will lower my blood pressure, bring a smile to my face and peace in my heart!

February 17-20, the annual four day event that can turn anyone into a birder by participating in THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT (www.bird-source.org/gbbc) is starting this Friday.

Thousands of volunteers all over the United States and Canada will participate. The number and types of birds will be counted near their homes. Why do we do this? Researchers will use the results to monitor species that might be in trouble. Birds can't advocate on their own behalf for us to protect our environment - their home!

If you have internet access you can keep tabs on what is being reported in your own town.... or anywhere else in the USA and Canada.

Do you love birds? Can you identify birds? Want to be a birder for a weekend? This event will make for a perfect outing with family, friends or solo. It's free, fun and easy....it takes as little as 15 minutes on one day. Helps the birds...be a BIRD COUNTER!

bird

Event sponsors: Audubon Society, Bird Studies Canada (Etudes D'Oiseaux), Cornell University Lab of Ornithology.

Call Gwynn Teal Carpenter, Broker of Home and Hearth Realty (512-467-6191) to locate an Austin Texas home with birds living in the trees close by!

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Tim's 4 Pts Real Estate Bullet Points: Thru Jan '12

02-12-12

Tim Moncrief - Austin

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Office: (512) 418-1435

Mobile: (512) 576-7344
Secondary: (512) 576-7344

Four Points (River North) Area Market Bullet Points

February 2012

· Closings were down about 30% from last January. This is a bit misleading as Jan and Feb, last year, were abnormally great months. (see chart)

· Inventory is as low as it has been since 2006 (see chart)

· Steiner Ranch continues to be the driving community in the area with higher price point communities trailing

· The number of showings for homes in all price ranges was substantially up from last year and was on par for showings of late spring. MOREOVER, we are getting calls from agents with buyers requesting to see homes that have yet to hit the market. This is something we have not seen since before the market fell. We shall see if this turns into February to spring sales. (extremely encouraging)

· We have seen stability in the market since late November, corresponding to the stock market. As noted previously, our area market tends to mirror the stock market.

· With abnormally low inventory and abnormally high traffic, the atmosphere for a strong spring is extremely encouraging…..

CLICK HERE for River North (Four Points) Area Market Report

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