Here’s some background on popular Travis Heights, one of South Austin’s oldest neighborhoods. Making a drive through the area a pleasure to the eyes with its lush mature landscaping, charm and history.

Located south of the Colorado River and tucked between Interstate 35 and South Congress Avenue and in the 78704 zip code, Travis Heights is a desirable address among professionals who are looking for a quiet neighborhood close to downtown.

Development of Travis Heights started in the late 1880s. It was an ideal place for a "country mansion" away from downtown. At that time, the only way across to cross the Colorado River was by ferry, making the Travis Heights location extremely desirable. However, few mansions were ever built.

In the 1920s, real estate developer, Travis Heights, built smaller homes with carriage houses and detached garages, which today have been turned into much desired apartments. There is an ongoing battle between developers and residents who wish to preserver the integrity of the neighborhood. Many of the older homes have been torn down in recent years for ‘McMansions, which are usually bigger than the older 1920s homes.  

Reasons To Buy Travis Heights Real Estate (more…)

Popularity: 75% [?]

By DeeinAustin™

A surprise announcement by Dell, Inc. earlier this week sent the Austin real estate community into shock. Dell plans to close it’s North Austin manufacturing facility, cutting almost 800-900 jobs in early 2009. Globally, the company will remove up to 10% of it’s workforce, about 8800 jobs, saving up to $3 billion.

Readers asked me to cover the topic. Specific questions:

"How will the closing of Dell’s North Austin manufacturing plant affect Austin real estate values?"

"Is this an indication that Austin is set for a real estate bust?"

These are good questions, but there are no easy answers. The purpose of this article is to start dialogs and create a basis for discussion.

Austin Real Estate Stats Since the Tech Bust of 2000 

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Popularity: 13% [?]

By DeeinAustin™

Last month, I reported that home sales in North and South Austin were doing well despite a down market from last year. At that time, previously "hot" areas such as Central East Austin and the South Congress area (78704) were suffering. Those trends continued in February.

View the Slideshow for the latest Austin real estate market statistics, based on February MLS data from the Austin Board of REALTORS®. Click to Download the February Update (copywritten).

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AUSTIN REAL ESTATE MARKET SUMMARY- FEBRUARY 2008

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Popularity: 7% [?]

By DeeinAustin™

Spring is the time of year that real estate really heats up and 2008 is no exception for Austin real estate.  What’s different this year? A phenomena that I call "Boomerang" Home Buyers. Boomerang Buyers have a big effect on new construction and resale homes in Central Austin.

IS YOUR FRIEND MOVING BACK TO AUSTIN?  THEY MAY BE A BOOMERANG

• Boomerangs are 30-somethings who left Austin to pursue a career, Ivy-league or out-of-state university, or other endeavor.
• They now have a small family or career change and want to come back.
• They usually have 20-40% CASH to put down.
• They like the Austin climate, friendly nature, unique atmosphere, family values, and lower cost of living.
• They’d settled in Seattle, Chicago, Michigan, Iowa, Los Angeles, New York, and other international cities, so often have eclectic taste.

Simply put, Boomerang Buyers want to be closer to the friends, family, and city they now miss.

BOOMERANG BUYERS WILL DOMINATE CENTRAL AUSTIN HOME TRENDS IN 2008

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Popularity: 13% [?]

by DeeinAustin™

Someone help me out here. Why do people prefer to buy when the market is "hot" i.e. a seller’s market? Then, when sellers are motivated to sell quickly and at better prices, they shy away because it’s a "buyer’s market".

I ask because buyers now have a problem. North & South Austin real estate is hot. In fact, February has been a stellar month for the Austin real estate agents who hung in there through the slump of Fall and Winter 2007.

VIEW THE AUSTIN MARKET UPDATE SLIDESHOW BELOW OR (DOWNLOAD) 

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ADVICE FOR INVESTORS AND SELLERS STUCK WITH HOMES IN PREVIOUS "HOT" AREAS

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Popularity: 8% [?]

by DeeinAustin™

Austin real estate was poise for a Super Bowl-style win in 2007, but the year proved to be humbling after the mortgage market fumble last summer.

SEE THE  8-YEAR AUSTIN REAL ESTATE MARKET PLAY-BY-PLAY (From 1999 to 2007)

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• Austin homes sales during the first few quarters in 2007 were selling in under 30-60 days. Buyer confidence was high.
• The Texas mortgage market tanked in June. The result: many buyers and investors who wanted loans simply could not get them.
• Loans for new construction, land, stated-income, sub-prime borrowers and low-down payments were at a stand-still for a few months Fall ‘07.

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Popularity: 7% [?]