Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Texas metros ranked as healthiest markets for 2011

Builder Magazine ranked six Texas metros in top spots on their 2011 Builder Healthy Markets Index, which evaluates markets on economic metrics such as home prices, employment, and income. Texas claimed more spots than any other state in the top 20 healthiest markets. The study ranked Austin-Round Rock, Houston-Sugarland-Baytown, San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, and El Paso at two, seven, 10, 12 and 15, respectively. Read each market’s description at Builder Magazine.

Owners who turn houses into short-term vacation rentals – like during SXSW – do it to keep homes they love

Owners who turn houses into short-term vacation rentals – like during SXSW – do it to keep homes they love

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Austin Real Estate Report

Austin area home sales volume up 14 percent in January compared to 2010

Austin Board of REALTORS® releases January 2011 real estate statistics

AUSTIN, Texas – February 21, 2011 - Sales of single-family Austin homes were 14 percent higher in January 2011 than January 2010 with 975 homes sold, according to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) report released today by the Austin Board of REALTORS®.

In the same time period, the median price in Austin was $190,000, up six percent from January 2010; and Austin homes spent an average of 93 days on the market, 11 percent longer than January 2010. In addition, new listings were down 14 percent in January 2011 compared to January 2010 and active listings were down five percent, indicating a decreasing inventory of homes.

"The latest figures show that we are seeing the economic recovery continue in Austin," said Judith Bundschuh, Chairman of the Austin Board of REALTORS®.

Chairman Bundschuh continued, "Looking at these results, sellers should be encouraged that demand and prices are strong, but they should expect to be patient to achieve full value. Buyers should know that fewer listings combined with increased demand could mean they will encounter more competition for properties."

January 2011 Statistics

$245,504,025 – Total dollar volume of single–family properties sold, 16 percent more than January 2010.

$190,000 – Median price for single–family homes, six percent more than January 2010.

975 – Single–family homes sold, 14 percent more than January 2010.

93 – Days on market, 11 percent longer than January 2010.

2,403 – New single–family home listings on the market, 14 percent less than January 2010.

8,144 – Active single–family home listings on the market, five percent less than January 2010.

1,410 – Pending sales for single–family homes, unchanged from January 2010.

Monday, February 28, 2011

TEXAS HOME SALES, MEDIAN PRICES UP

COLLEGE STATION (Real Estate Center) – Some 10,628 existing single-family homes were sold in Texas last month, according to the most recent Multiple Listing Services (MLS) data compiled by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. That's a 2 percent increase over a year ago.

The median price was also up 2 percent from January 2010, at $139,100. There was a 7.3-month inventory.

January 2011 MLS data for many Texas cities (current as of today) are available on the Center's website. Here is a sampling:

SalesChange from
Last Year
Median
Price
Change from
Last Year
Months'
Inventory
Amarillo122up 14%$122,700down 6%6.9
Austin1,066up 8%$186,300up 6%5.6

Corpus
Christi

175up 11%$128,500up 2%9.8
Dallas2,043down 8%$150,100up 7%6.4
El Paso339up 34%$127,900down 2%6.6
Fort
Worth
407down 12%$105,000up 2%6.8
Harlingen56down 20%$76,000down 11%unavailable
Houston3,085up 8%$136,600down 4%7.4
Lubbock135down 3%$110,000up 2%7
Odessa50up 56%$136,700up 16%4
San Angelo63up 7%$118,900up 40%6.3
San Antonio951up 11%$143,900up 4%7.7
Temple-
Belton
77down 9%$125,000up 19%8.1
Tyler143down 11%$120,600down 13%12.6
Wichita
Falls
80down 10%$90,000up 3%7.8
Texas10,628up 2%$139,100up 2%7.3

2011 Summer Camps

It's that time of year again! A comprehensive listing of Austin and San Antonio area camps. Happy Camping!

To get the list, click HERE.