Austin, TX

Is Austin TX Going Through a Real Estate Recovery or Not?

03-13-12

Donna Harris, REALTOR® & ASP - Hill Country Austin Lakeway Homes

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Office: (512) 592-7127

Is there a Real Estate Recovery going on in Austin TX? As I've said many times, Austin never saw a big boom like other parts of the country. Because of this, there wasn't/isn't much to recover from. Currently, Austin TX is seeing very low inventory, but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of buyers out there wanting to buy a house. To an extent, in many communities throughout Austin and its suburbs, there is a supply and demand issue going on.

And what happens with Supply and Demand? As supply goes down, and demand goes up, prices go up. Prices aren't necessarily going up, however, sellers are able to sell pretty darn close to their asking prices. In many neighborhoods where I do regular market reports, houses are selling at 97-98% of asking price. That means, sellers price their homes competitively with the comparable sales, and it leaves very little room for a buyer to come in and offer a lower price.

Here is a Nationwide graphic provided by ActiveRain that tells a little more.

Real estate recovery or not infographic by Activerain

As you can see, it says that Austin is ranked #2 in the Top Ten Real Estate Markets, based on consumer confidence. However, if you look below, you'll see that Austin is actually tied for #1 with Ft Myers-Naples. Austin should have been listed first for alphabetical reasons, but maybe as the decimal point goes out, Ft Myers might have had the edge.

Real estate recovery or not infographic by Activerain

With looking at the map, you can see that Texas as a whole is doing quite nicely. 4 of the top 10 cities are all in Texas, including Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston. Again, none of these areas had a "bubble". Texas is known for it's steady market. Most neighborhoods see 1-3% appreciation year over year. That also means that you can't buy a house and sell it two years later and except to "make a profit". On average, with typical closing costs on the sale of a home, it takes living in a house four years before breaking even. Some neighborhoods don't fair as well as others and it could take 6-7 years to break even. It all depends on the type of neighborhood and the area of town as there are always higher sought-after areas no matter where you move.

To summarize, the Austin Texas Real Estate Market is doing very well, and it's holding its own compared to significantly larger metro-areas across the country. We are seeing record amounts of relocation into the area, and we're just trying to keep up with the demand. For the question of "Real Estate Recovery or Not", I would say it's definitely a Real Estate Recovery!

**Further analysis of the Real Estate Recovery or Not.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, CedarPark, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **
** Platinum Top 50 Finalist 2011 out of almost 9000 agents in Austin TX**
** Five-Star Professional 2011 **
** RE/MAX 100% Club **

Copyright© 2012 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Is Austin TX Going Through a Real Estate Recovery or Not? * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

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TAP Management Austin TX Reviews Oil and Gas Prospects in South Texas

03-12-12

Alan & Michele Kirkpatrick

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Office: (512) 709-3336

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

AUSTIN, Texas, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- TAP Management Austin TX reviews various oil and gas prospects throughout the South-Central regions of Texas and is continuing to increase its position in the area. By strengthening ties with oil and gas industry personnel, TAP continues to increase its pursuit of potential production and acreage acquisitions throughout South Texas. TAP will continue to expand its rapid company growth by maintaining and growing its relationships with geophysicists, geologists, operators, and other exploration and production companies in and around South-Central Texas.

Geophysical prospecting measures the properties of earth's subsurface materials and detects irregular patterns that may be caused by the existence of oil or gas. In the exploration of hydrocarbons, the most common method of geophysical exploration is seismic reflection, which TAP has utilized to developed production in two states. This technique is similar to echolocation and sonar.

The exploration and production of domestic oil continues to become an increasingly important discussion. Today, an extremely high percentage of the oil the nation consumes is purchased from foreign countries. Increasing production in the United States has the potential to create thousands of jobs in a country that is currently struggling with an elevated rate of unemployment. Over the last few decades, the United States has discovered that it has much more oil and natural gas than originally expected, with the state of Texas being one of the country's largest producing assets. The avid manner in which TAP Management Austin TX reviews oil and gas prospects has been a key factor in its success.

About TAP Management

TAP has been building a portfolio of oil and natural gas production since its founding in 2005. It identifies specific targets in oil and gas fields that meet its risk/reward criteria.

TAP began executing this strategy by drilling new gas wells in South Texas using three-dimensional seismic technology. It now employs a broad range of tactics to produce oil and gas including purchasing existing production, utilizing forced pooling, and expanding its use of 3D seismic.

Today, TAP has producing assets in the South Texas, Gulf Coast, Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions.

For more information on TAP Management, Inc. visit www.texog.com

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Keep Austin Weird Homes has just CLOSED another Short Sale in Texas with CHASE

03-12-12

Theresa Bastian

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Mobile: (512) 297-3442

Keep Austin Weird Homes, Austin, TX short sale Agents closed another Austin Short Sale, saving the Texas Homeowner from Foreclosure.

Keep Austin Weird Homes, an Austin, TX Short Sale Specialist Team, known for their Austin Real Estate experience in Short Sales, has just closed another Short Sale in Texas.

The property, located on MARSHALL STREET in WILDHORSE CREEK, in Elgin, TX was listed with Rodney Campbell of Keep Austin Weird Homes with Keller Williams Realty Southwest Austin.

The process was not easy, but with strong negotiating skills, tenacious problem solving, and a comprehensive marketing process, Campbell achieved the difficult approval needed to close the home. The ELGIN home took a total of 115 days from contract to close. Although the banks are working on their timelines and speeding up the short sale process, Campbell says this is a common length of time for a short sale to close.

This was a Chase FHA short sale in Texas and based on FHA guidelines, no deficiency will be pursued against the seller. The original list price was $79,500 and it closed at $75,500. Keep Austin Weird Homes was even able to negotiate with the bank to pay $2,000 in closing costs to the FHA buyer and $750 in moving costs to the seller!

"There are no promises or guarantees in a Texas short sale as to whether the lender(s) will approve the short sale or forgive the debt, but Short Sales offer an alternative to the damaging effects of a Texas foreclosure" says Theresa Bastian, listing partner with Keep Austin Weird Homes. "A short sale is a complicated process for all parties involved. There are more details involved than what the average agent or homeowner is aware of. Make sure to consult a Texas Short Sale Specialist with a proven history of success with short sales like Keep Austin Weird Homes.”

SHORT SALES are an alternative to a foreclosure. When the borrower can no longer make the mortgage payments as agreed, he or she is faced with many decisions. One is to allow the lender to foreclose. Another is to get the lender to agree to accept a payoff of less than the balance owing on the loan. The entire team at Keep Austin Weird Homes has earned the Certified Distressed Property Specialist Designation in order to successfully work with homeowners facing short sales.

Homeowners who are facing Texas foreclosure can request that Keep Austin Weird Homes consult with them about their needs. CALL 512-297-3442 FOR CONFIDENTIAL SHORT SALE HELP NOW!

FROM THE CHASE WEBSITE:

Chase - Know Your Options

No matter what your individual situation is, you may have multiple options. Whether your want to stay in your home or sell it, we may be able to help.

You do have options
Here's a quick look at several of the options available. We'll work with you individually to see which might work for you.

Repayment Plan: if you've experienced a temporary reduction in income or financial hardship, but are getting your finances back in order, this option lets you pay off the delinquency over a period of time by making your monthly payment plus a portion of the delinquent amount, each month.

Loan Modification: Chase has recently enhanced and expanded its Modification Programs to include a wide array of hardship situations like layoffs, job loss or short-term income reductions, and permanent hardships like death of a spouse, disability, divorce, or severe medical situations. With these newly expanded and enhanced programs, we may be able to modify or change the term of your loan, the interest rate, and in some cases, principal balance, to reduce the monthly payment to an amount you can afford.

Short Refinance: other residential lenders in your area may be able to help you obtain a third-party loan to payoff your loan with us for less than the full amount owed and give you a fresh start.

Partial Claims-for FHA Loans Only: Chase may be able to work with you to obtain a one-time payment from the FHA Insurance fund to bring your mortgage current.

Pre-Foreclosure Sale (Short Sale): if you believe that you will continue to have trouble paying your mortgage, selling your property now may be your best choice. If so, Chase may accept less than the amount we are owed. Plus, you can control the timing and terms under which you move.

Deed-in-lieu of Foreclosure: essentially a transfer of property to the lender for possible forgiveness of the entire debt. The advantages are that Chase may waive any amount you still owe if the property is subsequently sold for a loss, and you avoid having a completed foreclosure in your credit history. Although a deed in lieu may be noted on your credit bureau record.

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Have You Made These Mistakes On Your Income Taxes?

03-12-12

Jason Peebles, Broker Associate

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Office: (512) 505-8020 x315

Mobile: (512) 970-7320

As we all know it's that time of year again when we are busily gathering documents in order to file our taxes. Some of us are dreading the task while others are eager to get their taxes filed so they can receive their refund check. Many homeowners know the tax benefits from simply owning their own home and while many of us take those advantages year after year, sometimes we make mistakes. Not a good thing to do on your taxes!

The good people at the National Association of Realtors® have come up with 10 Easy Mistakes Homeowners Make On Their Taxes. Simple things as deducting the wrong year for property taxes or forgetting to deduct private mortgage insurance. Did you utilize the first time tax credit and forget to deduct that credit? This credit for most of us has come and gone, but for a select group (mostly military and government employees) that credit was extended.

Take a look at the article and see if you too have perhaps forgotten, or missed, some deductions. When in doubt, always contact a qualified CPA or tax advisor as everyone's situation is different. While you are there, browse the Houselogic website for tons of great articles from the National Association of Realtors®.

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PRICE REDUCED $100k!!! Greenshores on Lake Austin Luxury Home Backing to Greenbelt on 1.03 Acres w/Pool & Spa, 7112 Greenshores Drive #3, Austin, TX 78730, Kristee Leonard 512-695-5144

03-11-12

Kristee Leonard, Broker, GRI, SFR, 512-695-5144

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Office: (512) 695-5144

Mobile: (512) 695-5144
Secondary: (512) 431-8591

Sheree & Kristee Leonard | The Leaders Realty, LLC | (512) 695-5144

7112 Greenshores Dr, Austin, TX

GREENSHORES ON LAKE AUSTIN LUXURY HOME BACKING TO GREENBELT W/POOL & SPA ON 1.03 ACRES

5BR/5+2BA Single Family House

offered at $1,649,000

Year Built	2009
Sq Footage	6,461
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	5 full, 2 partial
Floors	2
Parking	3 Car garage
Lot Size	1.03 acres
HOA/Maint	$63 per month

DESCRIPTION

Old World, Spanish estate boasting with opulence on over an acre, greenbelt lot with outdoor kitchen, casita, pool and hot tub. The majestic, grand entry makes a statement for the exquisite, architectural details that await you inside. Not one detail has been overlooked in this masterpiece from wood beamed ceilings, cantera columns, arched hallways and high-end appliances to imported, custom tile. The outdoor living area is an entertainer's dream with sliding doors that open the family room to the outdoors.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Fireplace
- High/Vaulted ceiling	- Walk-in closet	- Hardwood floor
- Tile floor	- Family room	- Bonus/Rec room
- Office/Den	- Dining room	- Breakfast nook
- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven
- Microwave	- Granite countertop	- Stainless steel appliances
- Attic	- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio
- Yard	- Swimming pool	- Jacuzzi/Whirlpool

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Lake

- Playground

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Backs to Greenbelt

- 1 1/4 Inch Thick Handmade Imported Terracotta Tile In Various Patterns

- 25 Ft. Ceilings w/Hand Scraped Wood Beams

- 15 Ft. Groin Ceiling in Formal Dining

- Wolf 48 In. Dual Fuel Range w/6 Burners

- Wine Room w/Sub-Zero Wine Fridge, Built-In Wine Rack, & Plumbed for Ice Maker

- Built-in Dining Hutch Imported from Spain

- Outdoor Covered Patio w/Wolf Grill, 2 Drawer Kitchen Aid Fridge, Fireplace, and Flat Screen TV

- Heated Pool w/Water Feature & Spa

- Casita (One Bedroom/One Bathroom)

- Built-in Wall Bookcase, Cabinets & Drawers in Study

- Exercise Room Off Master Bathroom w/TV & Cable Connections

- Designed by John Vanquard, Vanguard Studio

- Hard Finishes Selected By Designer, Ron Malott

- 3 Car Garage w/Storage Room

- Irrigation System

- Stucco Finish w/Custom Glaze on Exterior of Main House & Casita

- Cantera Stone Arched Entry w/Hand Painted Tile Inlay Imported from Mexico

- Imported Cantera Columns

- Imported Barrel Tile Roof

- Custom Paint Finish on Gutters

- Lights in the Slab of Driveway

- Custom Gas Lanterns

- Cantera Stone Arch at Front Door Entrance

- Custom Arched 9 ft. x 12 ft. Wood Front Door w/Custom Iron Accents and Hardware

- Hand Painted Tile Imported from Mexico

- Cantera Iron Railing on Balcony

- Copper Chimney Shrouds

- Wood JELD-WEN Windows

- Security Cameras Monitor Front Door & Pool/Casita

- Mosquito Nix System Installed Around Entire Backyard Parameter

- Custom Wood Corbels

- Surround Sound & Touch Screen Audio System

- Gallery Walkways w/Custom Chandeliers & Painted Wood Ceilings w/Hand Hewn Wood Beams

- 2 Bosch Dishwashers

- Tankless Hot Water Heater

- 4 Beds, 4 Baths, & 2 Half Baths in Main House

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Exterior Front	Front Entrance
Kitchen	Kitchen
Kitchen Opens to Family	Breakfast Room
Family Room	Dining Room
Dining Room	Dining Room & Wine Room
Study	Master Bedroom
Master Bathroom	Outdoor Living Area
Casita Exterior	Casita Bedroom
Casita Bathroom	Pool & Spa