Fine Austin Living / Austin Texas Real Estate

New Austin Homes Wooed By Solar Energy Company

toddsmith — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:46:14 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin real estate & community information

Builders of new Austin homes are being wooed by a solar energy company. In an effort to draw builders to utilize their solar energy systems a company called Greenbelt Solar is offering huge incentives for new construction on Austin homes. The company is not only providing free training on the installation of their solar systems, but also an exceptional offer to buyers of new Austin homes using their technology. Buyers of Austin homes that implement Greenbelt Solar’s systems are promised 72% off their electric bills for the next 25 years!

Green building and zero energy homes are proven to sell faster than traditional homes and the incentives to build green are great for Austin real estate, including builders, buyers, and realtors. It has been reported that Austin real estate has turned into a sellers market, which means more new construction on the horizon. Austin homes which offer a significantly decreased utility bill are certainly going to catch the eye of a potential buyer.

Click here to read “Greenbelt Solar Offers Austin Home Buyers 72% Discount on Electric Bills Over the Next 25 Years via New Solar Builder Program for Austin Master-Planned Communities and Custom Green Home Builders” from Market Watch.

Contact the Fine Austin Living Team today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.

Austin Real Estate, New Homes On Horizon

toddsmith — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:26:25 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin Real Estate

New homes are on the horizon for the Austin real estate market. A sign of changing times is the fact that new construction is being planned in and around Austin Texas, which helps cement the fact that the Central Texas area is indeed experiencing a stable economy. New construction around the nation came to a screeching halt when the recession hit and the housing bubble burst, and while housing starts were reported as better than expected for the month of April, new construction is hardly booming in most areas of the country.

A headline in The Statesman this past weekend read “After dry spell, area’s real estate development pipeline is flowing again”. The article pointed out that building has been strong for apartment building during the past couple of years but that now other areas are picking up as well. One of the other building segments picking up speed is the building of Austin homes, which is great news for our local market. Financing has been one main ingredient holding developers back and financing appears to be loosening a bit.

Contact us today to learn more about current market conditions with regards to Austin real estate. We are experiencing a great deal of optimism these days and would love the opportunity to help you find the Austin property that best suits your needs.

Click here to read “After dry spell, area’s real estate development pipeline is flowing again” from The Statesman.

Austin Texas, A “Best” City For Graduates

toddsmith — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:05:25 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin real estate & community information

Austin Texas has once again been named a “best” city for college graduates. Every year CNBC compiles a list titled “10 Best Cities for New Graduates” and Austin is on the list, as are two other Texas cities, Houston and Dallas. CNBC examines job markets, unemployment levels, the rental market, cost of living, and income among other details to create its list.

This year’s list notes a low unemployment level for Austin Texas, at 6%, a high score for affordability, 95.5, and a median annual income of $47,340. Of course Austin also has a great quality of life encompassing a healthy lifestyle, wonderful climate, and fun nightlife as well.

The continuing success of the Central Texas area is helping Austin real estate. More Austin homes are selling than a year ago and even prices are edging up. The availability of jobs and low unemployment levels are creating confidence in our area, which is clearly aiding our real estate recovery.

Please contact us today to learn more about current market conditions with regards to Austin real estate. We can provide access to all Austin homes currently listed for sale and can help you get to know why so many people are relocating to our city.

Click here to visit the CNBC article “10 Best Cities for New Graduates”.

Austin Real Estate Benefits From Exceptional Affordability Levels

toddsmith — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:24:50 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin Real Estate

Austin real estate benefits from exceptional affordability levels. While local news has been tooting the horn for Austin real estate, sales improving and prices increasing, affordability levels are still greatly in favor of buyers. Mortgage rates have remained at historic lows and buyers of Austin real estate who are lucky enough to acquire these low rates will save a great deal of money over the lifetime of their loans.

Affordability with regards to Austin real estate involves 3 factors: home prices, income, and mortgage rates. A recent article from REALTOR Magazine reads “Housing Affordability Reaches Records”, indicating the exceptional affordability levels that are currently available around the nation. Of course here in Austin we are luckier than most because of the low cost of living and the fact that we have a much lower unemployment level than the majority of the US.

Contact us today to learn more about current market conditions with regards to Austin real estate. We can help you take advantage of exceptional affordability levels and take the opportunity to buy a home that meets your needs.

Click here to read “Housing Affordability Reaches Records”.

Austin Texas Leads List As Top City For Jobs

toddsmith — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:03:53 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin real estate & community information

Austin Texas leads a recently published list as a top city for jobs. Forbes Magazine is a nationally and internationally respected magazine which, among other things, continues to publish annual reports and lists of all facets of our economy. A list published last week was titled “The Best Big Cities For Jobs” and it comes as no surprise to us here in Central Texas that Austin was number one on the list.

The Forbes lists was created from data on employment compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, covering the time period of November 2000 through January 2012. Texas took top honors on the list, with Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos as # 1 Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown # 2, Fort Worth-Arlington # 4, and Dallas-Plano-Irving # 6. Texas is an energy rich state dedicated to creating jobs, proven through these results.

Austin Texas is continually making headlines for low unemployment, great education, and its ability to attract new business among other things. Relocating to Austin is continually more attractive as it anchors itself with a solid local economy. Contact us today to learn more about Austin real estate and all that Central Texas has to offer.

Click here to visit the Forbes slideshow “The Best Big Cities For Jobs”.

Austin Real Estate, A Sellers’ Market

toddsmith — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:38:14 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin real estate

Austin real estate is showing signs of a sellers’ market. Real estate markets around the US should be so lucky, as they struggle with abundant inventories and low sales volume. Austin real estate on the other hand appears to be thriving, with prices up from a year ago and inventories below balanced levels. A balanced, or even, Austin real estate market exists when there is an inventory of 6 months. The current inventory of Austin homes is just over 4 1/4 months.

Austin real estate is tightly linked to low unemployment levels in the area. Austin Texas has been noted as a top city in which to buy real estate because of the city’s ability to attract business and therefore create jobs, a very important aspect of economic recovery. The current state of the market in Central Texas is a relief to home owners who are in a position to sell.

Contact us today to learn more about selling Austin real estate. We can provide you with current market information and help you get to know what is involved with selling an Austin home today.

Click here to read “Austin sees tighter home sales market in Q1” from Austin Business Journal.

Austin Texas, Best Tacos

toddsmith — Sat, 05 May 2012 10:21:43 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin real estate & community information

Austin Texas, known for having a wide variety of spectacular fare, is home to some of the best tacos in the US. Who doesn’t love a good taco? Hard shell, soft shell, corn or flour, stuff it with fish, chicken, beef or pork, a variety of delicious salsas, and whatever topping you see fit and you have a fabulous, mouthwatering meal or snack. Epicurious, one of our country’s top websites for foodies, recently published an article titled “The 10 Best Tacos in America” and Austin Texas was on the list for one of our best taco strongholds, Tacodeli.

Tacodeli has 3 locations in the Austin area, offering some fantastic and now renowned tacos. Epicurious noted a special sauce (an emulsified green Doña sauce) and a pork belly taco among the favorite menu items from Tacodeli, but also added it was tough to pick a favorite. Food is definitely a highlight of living in Austin Texas, and if you love tacos this could very well be the city you were destined to live in!

Contact us today to learn more about living in Austin. It is a great time to buy Austin real estate, while rates still hover near historic lows. Let us help you locate your dream home and get to know Austin at the same time.

Click here to read “The 10 Best Tacos in America” from Epicurious.

Austin Real Estate Performance Remains Positive

toddsmith — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:33:36 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin real estate

Austin real estate performance remains positive, as does the outlook for the entire state. Data collected recently shows a decrease in inventory, an upswing in sales, and increasing prices for Austin real estate. An article from PR Newswire today shows that Texas as a state has seen the same trends with regards to real estate.

The first quarter of 2012 showed a marked improvement for Texas real estate compared with the first quarter of 2011. Home sales were up over 10%, which is a solid showing in a shaky national recovery. Texas continues to show its strength in jobs and real estate.

Austin Texas benefits greatly from being the capital city of a strong state. Headlines lately have run the gamut, touting Austin as a top city in which to invest in real estate, a city attracting business, and a city with low unemployment. Contact us today to learn more about Austin real estate. While the market is improving it is still a great time to be a buyer, with rates hovering near historic lows.

Click here to read “Increases in home sales volume, price indicate momentum for Texas real estate in 2012” from PR Newswire.

Austin Texas, Great Place for College Graduates

toddsmith — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:06:21 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin real estate & community information

Austin Texas is a great place for college graduates. It’s true, Austin has made yet another list, pointing out its strength as a top city for college graduates. “Best Cities For New College Grads” was published by Forbes in early March and Austin Texas is on the list, touting low unemployment and a high mean wage. New college graduates are facing tougher challenges than ever these days and finding a job is a top priority which is leading many to cities where business is booming and jobs are available.

Austin Texas has recently been noted as the fastest growing city, and one which is not only able to attract large companies but maintain an unemployment level far below the national average. Another key component for recent college graduates is affordability. Austin Texas is an affordable city in which to live, much more so than cities like New York and San Francisco, which makes a paycheck stretch far further. Let’s not forget that Austin is an extremely fun city as well, with an exceptional quality of life thanks to our climate and a nightlife to match.

Contact us today to learn more about relocating to Austin. We can help you get to know our unique Central Texas area and can provide access to all Austin real estate currently listed for sale.

Click here to read “Best Cities For New College Grads” from Forbes.

Austin Texas, Fastest-Growing City

toddsmith — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:40:49 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin real estate & community information

Austin Texas ranked number one on a recent Forbes list titles “America’s Fastest-Growing Cities”. Austin Texas is pointed out as a city that is attracting business, and big business at that. Three large companies that are situated in Austin were pointed out in the article: Whole Foods, Apple, and Progressive Insurance.

In addition to holding the ability to draw big business Austin Texas is also seen as an affordable city in which to live. Austin homes are far more affordable than in many metropolitan areas. As the Central Texas area lives up to its nickname of the Silicon Valley of the South it becomes more and more popular for relocating because of its low cost of living and how reasonable real estate is.

The Forbes article points out that Austin real estate is moving, with homes often receiving multiple offers and selling for listing price if not higher. This is no doubt making many areas of our nation green with envy as their real estate markets continue to struggle along.

Contact us today to learn more about living in Austin Texas. We can help you get to know Central Texas and provide access to all Austin real estate currently listed for sale.

Click here to read the full article “America’s Fastest-Growing Cities” from Forbes.