The Heart of Austin

Austin Tops List of Best Places to Live for Young People

Once again Austin is at the top of the list. This time Austin hails as the most popular spot in the country for young people to live. What draws the young and talented to our vibrant city? Take a look and see.

CNN reports on the reasons Austin attracts top talent.

Austin's Economy Still Hot

Austin's economy is still cooking because of all of the diversity we have in our market. Check out this 2 minute CNN video that shows why we are still hot when others are not!

If you have always wanted to live where there is lots of life, action and character, Austin is your destination.  Everyone does their part to Keep Austin Weird, the city's slogo.

Real Estate’s Perfect Storm Raining Opportunity for Home Buyers

 

This is the perfect storm in real estate. Low interest rates + lower home values = the perfect time to buy!

If you are considering buying a home and you don’t do it by the end of April, it will be like missing the 33% upswing in the stock market over the last year. Let me explain…

This chart shows the wide open gap between home prices and interest rates and the long term value of home ownership. Home values are down right now and so are interest rates. This is the place where dreams come true. It represents the overwhelming buying power of your dollar right now. More home for less money. More bang for your buck.  And, it also shows the long term investment potential for home ownership.

Lastly, the government has its checkbook out for purchases made by April 30 and that close by June 30. Uncle Sam will pay you for buying a home. Depending on your situation and qualifications, that check can range from $6,500-$8,000!

If you’re interested in talking about buying real estate as a primary residence or for an investment, give us a call now to get the ball rolling!  Time is running out to cash in big.

 

 

Brykerwoods Fringe Open House 12-2 Today

Come see this fabulous home at 1903 W. 36th Street today between noon and 2:00 when we will be holding it open for you to experience. Recent construction with all of the bells and whistles you would find in an upscale home in Tarrytown and with a fantastic location close to Mopac and Jefferson Square, this home is a real gem.  Some of the best features are the open floor plan with gourmet kitchen and commercial grade stainless appliances, center island with seating, glass front cabinetry and room to cook and entertain. The kitchen is open to the living room and convenient to the formal dining room. If you office at home, the huge home office with French doors and built in desk and closet with shelving make this an ideal spot to run a company or family. The back patio has a romantic fireplace, built in countertop and wetbar. Enter the two car garage from the alley way through an electric gate. Lots of great restaurants and shopping nearby ad to the bliss! Don't miss it! Take Mopac to 35th Street then turn north on Jackson and right on 36th Street. For more information www.1902West36th.com

Your host today will be Katy Duggan, the newest member of our Star team at West Austin Properties. Contact Katy at 512-826-4316 or Katy@WestAustin.com to see this home or any other in the area.

Brookside at Wells Branch: Affordable and Fun

One of the best kept secrets in the Austin housing market is a little area of white stone homes built by Newmark Homes just about 10 years ago called Brookside at Wells Branch. Very affordable and located between Mopac and IH 35, this little subdivision is just north of Wells Branch Parkway. Turn north on Wellsport when you see the sign for the public library just a few blocks away. The homes in this newer section of Wells Branch were some of the first in the city to be built with "green" in mind.

Residents enjoy miles of hiking trails and bike paths, a wonderful neighborhood park with swimming pool, play ground, tennis courts, community center, an old pioneer cabin and fishing at Mill's Pond. The homeowners celebrate the holidays with a Fourth of July Parade, Valentine Covered Dish Supper, story time at the library and Fishing Day at the Pond. It is a great place to enjoy time with the family or meet the neighbors. My daughter lived in a darling little house there for several years and thoroughly enjoyed living in the neighborhood where she could walk her little dog Tilly and enjoy the park with her roommate. This year, they are planning a St. Patrick's Day Parade.

We currently have one of these wonderful homes listed for sale, the only one in the neighborhood. It is located in the back of a culdesac at 14512 Regent's Walk. The home is listed for $199,900 and features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 living areas and a formal dining room.  The recently updated kitchen has silestone counters and lots of cabinet space, a breakfast bar and sleek appliances. Open to the family room, the kitchen and breakfast room overlook a perfectly sized backyard for those who want to enjoy a low maintenance life style. Buyers still have just over a month and a half to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit for new home buyers, and this home qualifies for the program.

For more information on this neighborhood, the real estate market in Austin or to find out what your home is worth, call Patrick Birdsong or Laura Duggan. We are ready to help at www.westaustin.com