Blue Skies Here | Central Texas

Is Your Moving Company Licensed?

When you're getting ready to hire a moving company - make sure they're not illegal...  What looks like a deal might result in you losing your possessions.  Here is the site to check out companies: 

http://www.txdmv.gov/

 

When you think Central Texas Real Estate...THINK KIERSTY!

www.ThinkKiersty.com

 

Austin Home Sales Up 16 Percent

from the Austin Board of Realtors – Sales of existing single-family homes
in the Capital City were up 16 percent last month from a year ago, reports the
Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR).

According to MLS data released today by ABoR, 1,283 homes were sold in
February 2012, while the median price was $195,000, 3 percent more than the same
time last year.

“For nine months in a row, Austin has seen year-over-year increases in sales
volume," said ABoR Chair Leonard Guerrero. "In addition, we also saw a modest
increase in the median home price in February 2012, which could indicate more
competition among buyers for a shrinking inventory of homes.”

The local market had 4.2 months of inventory last month, 1.5 months less than
February 2011. The market had 9 percent more new listings, 20 percent fewer
active listings and 25 percent more pending sales than a year ago. On average,
homes spent 86 days on the market, 12 days less than February 2011.

Austin Home Sales UP 10%!

AUSTIN (Austin Board of Realtors) – Sales of existing single-family homes in Austin last month were up 10 percent over January 2011, according to the MLS report released today by the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR).

Data showed 1,051 existing homes were sold in the area in January 2012. During the same period, the median price was $176,550, 7 percent less than a year ago.

The Austin market had 4.1 months of inventory last month, or 1.4 months less than the previous year. The figure, unchanged from December 2011, marks the lowest inventory level the Austin market has seen since the organization began tracking the statistic in January 2009.

"It is encouraging to see last year’s momentum continue into the new year," said ABoR Chairman Leonard Guerrero. "January marks the eighth straight month in which the volume of home sales in Austin has outpaced the previous year and the inventory of homes has decreased.”

 

When you Think Central Texas Real Estate...THINK KIERSTY!

Top Producing Realtor at Williamson County's #1 Brokerage

http://www.ThinkKiersty.com

 

 

Remember, real estate is a business | Inman News

Thought this was an interesting perspective on information/listing aggregation.  With the plethora of real estate sites that distribute information - where a seller's information lands and is presented can be misleading - and not in everyone's best interests.  As a listing agent I work very hard to present each of my client's homes in the best possible manner - however, there are times when the data is not presented accurately through syndication which ends up reflecting poorly on seller, agent - and resulting in the buyer feeling mislead.

Remember, real estate is a business | Inman News.

 

Kiersty Lombar

Keller Williams Realty

www.ThinkKiersty.com

 

Home Sale or Purchase Tax Deductions

If you bought or sold a home this year - there are some tax deductions you should be aware of! And if you bought or sold with me - I will send you the settlement documents you need to take advantage.

To give you an overview - here is a document from the IRS http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p530.pdf. Of course, always best to check with your tax consultant to ensure accuracy!

Common Home Maintenance Questions...ANSWERED!

I just heard about a site with some VERY useful information for homeowners and renters... Maintenance questions, estimates on repairs and renovations, FAQs. The sponsor is an inspection company - so, keep that in mind. However, these are the folks who should know the code and the most common issues encountered. Hope it's helpful!

http://www.livingwithmyhome.com/know-your-home-101.aspx

 

When you think Central Texas real estate...THINK KIERSTY!

Kiersty Lombar | Keller Williams Realty | Top Producing Austin Metro Realtor

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION TIME

Time for tax savings! For those of you who've not yet filed your Homestead Exemption - or just purchased your new home in 2011 and need to file - it's easy. You don't need some outside company to do it. Just follow the steps, fill out the form, and send it in.

There are some requirements you need to be aware of:

1. You must own your home on January 1. (If you are over 65,and/or
disabled the January 1 ownership and residency are not required.)

2. You must use the home as your principal residence on January 1.

3. You must show proof of residency (copy of Driver's License and copy of vehicle registration. If you do not own a vehicle... Click here for information)

 

Here are the links - let me know if you have questions:

• Travis County: http://www.traviscountytax.org/pdfs/070716ExForm.pdf
• Williamson County: http://www.wcad.org/Appraisal/PublicAccess/Forms/PublicServices/HomesteadExemptionApplication.pdf
• Hayes County: http://www.hayscad.com/PA/forms/homestead.pdf

When you think Central Texas real estate...THINK KIERSTY! www.ThinkKiersty.com

 

Austin Area Top Market to Watch in 2012

According to Trulia's chief economist - smart cities are hot for real estate this year. And they think there's no city better than Austin! Take a look: http://www.businessinsider.com/5-real-estate-markets-to-watch-in-2012-2011-12

When you think Central Texas Real Estate...Think Kiersty! www.ThinkKiersty.com

Austin Real Estate Forecast for 2012

Austin's Real Estate Market Analysis

Mark Sprague is a noted and respected expert on the real estate, financial industry and the Austin market, in particular. He is also the Director of Information Capital for independence Title, and we are fortunate to have access to his expertise and opinions. Yesterday, Mark was asked for his views on the local Resale numbers from Austin Board of Realtors.

The local real estate market turned from the bottom over a year and a half ago. But it was a slow turn, only lately has it begun to showing stronger levels of interest primarily in resale’s. Other portions of the local real estate market (commercial on almost all channels) have also begun to show strength. Is it back to 05 /06 numbers? No, but stronger showing than the last 3 years.

Is it time to buy? Absolutely! Those that have been shopping will tell you that below $500K the market is very tight in Travis County. The home (that’s priced correctly) you look at today, will not be there tomorrow.


Surrounding county markets ( particularly where production homebuilding was strong 04 through 06 continue to see resistance due to foreclosure values). On a larger scale, there has been over 2500 potential developed lots being negotiated or sold over the last 30 days. A strong indicator of the vitality and interest in this market.

What will 2012 bring? With unemployment continuing to drop locally as well as regionally, rental housing continuing to
tighten, for sale residential as well as commercial markets tightening it should be a better year. I hope that history will show that 2011/12 mirror when the local market turned after the last major recession in 92/93.

What has held Austin back has been the national housing market.

Austin, San Antonio and Houston have made the turn regionally. D/FW continues to struggle
so we are not ‘out of the woods’ yet.

(Click Here) for the Austin American Statesman article.

Austin Home Sales Continue to Go...UP!

According to the Texas Real Estate Center - Texas continues to outperform the rest of the nation in home sales. And the Austin Metro is at the top! The US average shows a 1.4 percent increase - Austin shows at 21% increase. It's worth noting while the number of transactions is up, the median price is down 2% overall.

	Sales	Change from Last Year	Median Price	Change from Last Year	Months' Inventory
Austin	1,616	up 21%	$188,700	down 2%	5.1