Go Second Homes.com http://www.gosecondhomes.com Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:05:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Rejuvenating Hill Country Resort http://www.gosecondhomes.com/texas-hill-country/rejuvenating-hill-country-resort/ http://www.gosecondhomes.com/texas-hill-country/rejuvenating-hill-country-resort/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:05:15 +0000 Anita http://www.gosecondhomes.com/?p=11779 You guessed it! Yes, Darryl and I are out in front of you seeking and searching for more interesting places in the Texas Hill Country. We discovered Canyon of the Eagles near Burnett Texas. What a glorious weekend we had just hanging out by the campfire, hiking, watching the Eagles and their young, the wildflowers popping up, and everywhere we hiked was a “kodak moment!”

Canyon of the Eagles is truly a destination for tranquility and beauty. There are 14 miles of trails for hiking from wildlife, wildflowers, lakeside lowlands or breath taking vistas. The astonishing diversity of the Hill Country is yours to explore where the possibilities are endless and there is no traffic in sight. Canyon of the Eagles is truly a spectacular way to rejuvenate your spirit.

Please visit there website for more information at: http://www.canyonoftheeagles.com/hill-country-nature-park

]]> http://www.gosecondhomes.com/texas-hill-country/rejuvenating-hill-country-resort/feed/ 0 January Austin Market Statistics http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/january-austin-market-statistics/ http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/january-austin-market-statistics/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:56:23 +0000 Cindi http://www.gosecondhomes.com/?p=11775 As Realtors, we still keep getting good news we want to pass on,
graph

Austin-area home sales volume up 10 percent in January compared to 2011

Austin Board of REALTORS® releases real estate statistics for January

 

AUSTIN, Texas – February 21, 2012 – According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) report released today by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, 1,051 single-family homes were sold in the Austin area in January 2012, which is 10 percent more than January 2011. During the same time period, the median price for Austin-area homes was $176,550, seven percent less than the same month of the prior year.

Leonard Guerrero, Chairman of the Austin Board of REALTORS®, commented, “It is encouraging to see last year’s momentum continue into the New Year. 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.”

Austin-area homes spent an average of 85 days on the market in January 2012, eight days less than the same month of the prior year. Compared to January 2011, the Austin market also featured six percent fewer new listings, 19 percent fewer active listings and 16 percent more pending sales in January 2012.

The Austin market had 4.1 months of inventory in January 2012, or 1.4 months less than January 2011. 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.

January 2012 Statistics

    • 1,051 – Single-family homes sold, 10 percent more than January 2011.

 

    • $176,550 – Median price for single-family homes, seven percent less than January 2011.

 

    • 85 – Average number of days that single-family homes spent on the market, eight days less than January 2011.

 

    • 2,266 – New single-family home listings on the market, six percent less than January 2011.

 

    • 6,557 – Active single-family home listings on the market, 19 percent less than January 2011.

 

    • 1,638 – Pending sales for single-family homes, 16 percent more than January 2011.

 

    • 4.1 – Months of inventory* of single-family homes, 1.4 months less than January 2011.

 

  • $236,043,039 – Total dollar volume of single-family properties sold, one percent less than January 2011.

The following sections describe trends in other sectors of the Austin real estate market.

Townhouses & Condominiums
The volume of townhouses and condominiums (condos) purchased in the Austin area in January 2012 was 121, which is 27 percent more than January 2011. In the same time period, the median price for condos was $159,500, four percent more than January 2011. When compared to the same month of the prior year, these properties spent seven percent longer on the market, or an average of 107 days, in January 2012.

Leasing
In January 2012, 1,129 properties were leased in the Austin area, which is five percent less than January 2011. During the same time period, the median price for Austin-area leases was $1,250, nine percent higher than the same month of the prior year.

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The Austin Board of REALTORS® is a non-profit, voluntary organization representing more than 8,500 licensed REALTORS® in Central Texas. Visit AustinHomeSearch.com, a public resource on Austin real estate, for the latest news on the local housing market. For more information, please contact Angela Brutsché at 512-454-7636.
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* The inventory of homes for a market can be measured in months, which is defined as the number of active listings divided by the average sales per month of the prior 12 months.

Cindi Darragh-Leech

Co/Owner, Assosiate Broker, CNE, E-Pro

512.715.2695

 

 

 
]]> http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/january-austin-market-statistics/feed/ 0 Real Estate Market Data, Austin Area http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/real-estate-market-data-austin-area/ http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/real-estate-market-data-austin-area/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:15:08 +0000 Cindi http://www.gosecondhomes.com/?p=11766 US Commerce Department  New Housing Data

GOOD  NEWS for Single Family housing, housing sales have increased by 1.5% nationally in January 2012, this is a gradual but consistent growth.  Housing starts have increased for 9 consecutive months nationally and is approaching the 700,000 mark for the first time since October  2008.  NAHB Chief Economist David Crow says this shows  a solid recovery in the housing markets.

Single Family  housing permits have increased slowly since April 2010 by .9%, a total of 445,000 units, multifamily permits shows a greater strength in January of 55%, edging up from 231,000 units from 191,000, showing a new wave of rental demands.

The South posted the largest gain with 18.3% increase, the West and Northwest posted a 11.9%  and 7.9 increase respectively.  The Midwest posted a  40.7% decrease which partially offset the dramatic gain from last month.

Single Family new housing permits showed in January the South  had a 10.1% increase, the Northease shows 4.2% increase but the Midwest declined 3.7%and the West a decline of 18.2% in permits.

CNN Money says home buying is more affordable than it has been in the last 20 years thanks to decline in home prices and rock bottom mortgage rates.  According to CNN Money, 75.9% of all new and existing homes sold during the 3 months ending December 31,2010 could have been comfortably purchased by the national median income level of $64,200.00.

Mortgages are still available and obtainable.  Mortgages are still difficult  to get with the overly restrictive lending conditions but they are at the lowest interest rate  of 3.875%. Second Homes and vacation home mortgage rates are as favorable as the primary single family mortgage rates.

The Austin and surrounding area are still in much demand, great schools, new hospitals, great shopping plus all the lakes and golf courses makes  Lakeway, Spicewood, Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay  and great place to live.

Contact Cindi Darragh-Leech

Avalar Austin Real Estate

512.715.2695

Cindi@avalaraustin.com

]]> http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/real-estate-market-data-austin-area/feed/ 0 Lake Travis Events – 2012 http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/lake-travis-events-2012/ http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/lake-travis-events-2012/#comments Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:38:35 +0000 MichaelBrown http://www.gosecondhomes.com/?p=11740 Lake Travis, Texas

Lake Travis Events – 2012



 

]]> http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/lake-travis-events-2012/feed/ 0 Port Aransas Events – 2012 http://www.gosecondhomes.com/porta/port-aransas-events-2012/ http://www.gosecondhomes.com/porta/port-aransas-events-2012/#comments Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:18:39 +0000 MichaelBrown http://www.gosecondhomes.com/?p=11735 Port Aransas, Texas

Port Aransas Events – 2012



 

 

 

]]> http://www.gosecondhomes.com/porta/port-aransas-events-2012/feed/ 0 Rockport-Fulton Events – 2012 http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/rockport-fulton-chamber-of-commerce-events-2012/ http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/rockport-fulton-chamber-of-commerce-events-2012/#comments Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:43:00 +0000 MichaelBrown http://www.gosecondhomes.com/?p=11722 Rockport, Texas

Rockport-Fulton Events – 2012



 

 

 

]]> http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/rockport-fulton-chamber-of-commerce-events-2012/feed/ 0 Lakeway medical center campus takes shape http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/lakeway-medical-center-campus-takes-shape/ http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/lakeway-medical-center-campus-takes-shape/#comments Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:54:00 +0000 MichaelBrown http://www.gosecondhomes.com/?p=11716 Lakeway, Texas

  

Senior living facilities and apartments part of updated plan presented to City Council

http://impactnews.com/articles/lakeway-medical-center-campus-takes-shape

  

For more information About Lakeway, contact:

  

Kay DaSilva
Kay@AvalarAustin.com
512-426-1599

  

]]> http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/lakeway-medical-center-campus-takes-shape/feed/ 0 Rockport offers fun choices !!! http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/rockport-offers-fun-choices/ http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/rockport-offers-fun-choices/#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:37:50 +0000 MichaelBrown http://www.gosecondhomes.com/?p=11549 Rockport, Texas

Play golf or fish the surrounding bays? Whether you are in Rockport for a weekend or a lifetime you are faced with this delightful daily decision, “Today shall I play golf or shall I fish?” The quaint, nearly undiscovered, fishing village of Rockport and its charming neighbor Fulton is nestled among a canopy of wind swept coastal oaks which rarely gives way to the gentle southeast breezes. Right in the heart of Rockport can be found a golfer’s playground located in Rockport Country Club (RCC). RCC offers an alternative to city life and a great escape from the noise and demands of a city. For golfing enthusiasts, RCC offers a challenging 18 hole golf course designed by Bill Core and Jimmy Demeret as consultant. The fairways and contoured roughs are beautifully bordered by mature coastal oaks where deer roam openly and various species of waterfowl lay claim to sixty-five acres of ponds and lakes throughout the course . This luxury development centers around a modern clubhouse which houses a professionally stocked pro-shop, spacious locker rooms, private party and card rooms. Also available is an Olympic size swimming pool and four lighted tennis courts as well as a fitness center.

Fishermen living in Rockport Country Club are only minutes away from spectacular salt- water fishing. Copano and Aransas Bay are easily assessed and provide a natural habitat for redfish, flounder, trout, shrimp, crab and oysters. Fishing can be enjoyed on the shorelines, from piers and jetties, or from the pleasure of your own boat, which many residents possess. The blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico for deep-sea fishing is easily reached by either private or charter boats.

Rockport has it all and many folks are becoming increasingly aware of its charm and potential. Magazines recognize it a s a place to live and retire. Truly a wonderful place to be and perhaps best of all is the discovery that charming and affordable country club homes can still be found, both on and off the beautiful golf course fairways. Even a few golf course lots remain but are quickly disappearing. Comfortable homes, in the very desirable mid sizes, are available new and for resale in the 200-300K$ price range. Condominium options also exist in several developments surrounding the country club fairways. Many with a golf course view.

As a local realtor with over 5 years experience as well as a current resident of the Country Club, I believe I can offer a potential buyer, and future RCC resident, a solid feel of the local real estate market, aspects of life in the country club, and an in-depth knowledge of all the properties in the Rockport Country Club development.

 

For more information About Rockport, contact:

Diane Smith
Diane@ShorelineTexas.com
361-463-3445

]]> http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/rockport-offers-fun-choices/feed/ 1 HUD protected classes, no discrimination http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/hud-protected-classes-no-discrimination/ http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/hud-protected-classes-no-discrimination/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:12:40 +0000 Cindi http://www.gosecondhomes.com/?p=11540 Beware of the new ruling that sexual orientation and gender identity will now be added to the No Discrimination, Fair Housing Regulations.  All home sellers, investment home owners should keep this in mind.

Two groups now protected by HUD rules

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Texas Association of REALTORS®

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced new regulations effective March 5 that prohibit discrimination in HUD programs based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

HUD programs are already subject to the Fair Housing Act, and this rule adds these new protections without amending the act; the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, and national origin.

In 2011, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics was amended to prohibit housing discrimination based on sexual orientation in addition to the seven classes named in the Fair Housing Act. NAR’s Diversity Committee will discuss revising the Code to mirror the new HUD rules at the Midyear Meetings in Washington, D.C., this spring.

Read more about the rule as well as the rule’s full language on HUD’s Web site.

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/press/press_releases_media_advisories/2012/HUDNo.12-014

]]> http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/hud-protected-classes-no-discrimination/feed/ 0 The Bluffs in Steiner Ranch http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/the-bluffs-in-steiner-ranch/ http://www.gosecondhomes.com/blog/the-bluffs-in-steiner-ranch/#comments Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:40:00 +0000 MichaelBrown http://www.gosecondhomes.com/?p=11467 Austin, Texas


Are you looking to build a new home in Steiner Ranch? There are a few areas with lots still available to build. The Bluffs is one of them. It is located about 4 miles from the entrance of Quinlan and 620. The Bluffs have 13 view lots still remaining. These are +/-1 acre lots ranging from $167,000 to $296,000. The views here are breathtaking. The Bluffs are a perfect place to build your dream home.

 

  

For more information About Steiner Ranch, contact:

  

Rhonda Durrill
Rhonda@AvalarAustin.com
512-994-8400

  

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