Spurred by the 2008 U.S. recession, thousands of Californians have been making the decision to relocate to Austin, TX.

So what's going on?

California has long been the dream location for many. Picture year-round warm weather, gorgeous sandy beaches, endless blue skies, and that notorious laid-back attitude. It's hard to believe that anyone would want to move away from such a luxurious location.

The reality of the situation is that many Californians are realizing that this picturesque dream is just that; a dream.

California is becoming an increasingly difficult place to live and work. Well...relative to Austin at least.

The cost of living continues to grow, housing prices are astronomical, and though the active lifestyle, food industry,

Why Move to Texas?

Texas has become one of the most popular places for relocation in the United States, according to The Fiscal Times. Our state is home to sprawling cities, temperate weather, and an ethos that is still punctuated by the independence and adventure of Louis L’Amour novels and John Wayne films.

On their way to their new Texas homes, families drive through the dips and winds of the Texas Hill Country, passing horses and farms, city lights and towers. Texas is still a place where independence and new beginnings draw families from across the country to experience fresh starts that are filled with adventure.

No matter the city you choose, finding a new home in Texas is thrilling. It also comes with a handful of challenges.

We

Take a look at the latest leasing report for April 2018, coming to you from the JB Goodwin Team!

Attention property owners! With supply down and demand up, it's still an incredible time to lease out that space. There are approximately 200 available units across the city, with occupancy sitting at around 93%. Keep in mind, if you are lookning to fill your rental space, we can find a tenant an average of 3 days sooner!

Key stats to look out for:

• Total leases are up 4%
• Home leases are level
• Property leases are down 7%
• Single-family homes leases are down 7%

Join us as we examine the latest developments in the Austin real estate market, using stats direct from the Austin MLS®. You can see the entire market trends for the month of March in the infographic below!

The median price of a home in the city is up slightly at $295,300, compared to $304,500 this same time last year. Demand remains level with supply on the rise. Despite an increase of 500 units over last year, overall supply remains at a low 2.4 months.

Key stats to look out for:

• 7,194 units have been sold, up 1.2% from last year
• 6,600 units are currently on the market, up 17% from last year

Have you heard the news… Austin is growing?

Local news station KXAN is now reporting that 27 new construction projects are currently in the works in downtown Austin alone!

According to KXAN, this includes:

• Six new high rises on Cesar Chavez, including a 46-story skyscraper overlooking Republic Square
• Along Waller Creek: A medical research facility that’s part of the Dell Seton Medical Complex and a 5,000-seat amphitheater at Waterloo Park
• Eight new hotels, including a 32-story tower off Cesar Chavez featuring a hotel and apartments, a new Marriott west of the Austin Convention Center and a 42-room boutique hotel in east Austin

They are even reporting that a new condo on Rainey Street is being budgeted at a cool BILLION

Joining a homeowners’ association can be an added perk of living in certain communities. In essence, a homeowners’ association allows a community to agree to share the costs of the extra benefits of living in said community.

HOAs are common in gated neighborhoods with special accommodations like a pool, tennis courts, regular lawn service, and more. They can also afford greater security and fund neighborhood maintenance problems that may arise.

With shared community amenities, a local body to keep the neighborhood uniform and safe, and a community fund to help with issues around the neighborhood, HOAs provide a kind of safety umbrella for neighborhood members.

HOAs can make a neighborhood more pleasant and liveable by allowing for shared

Check out the latest leasing report for March 2019 direct from the Austin MLS®, courtesy of JBGoodwin REALTORS®.

Supply is down at just 200 available units across the city. It's a great time to lease out your space with demand up 3% so far in 2019. Rental prices remain level however.

Here's a breakdown of the key stats to look out for:

• Total leases are up 3%
• Home leases are up 2%
• Property leases are down 7%
• Single-family homes leases are down 2%

Remember, your friends at JB Goodwin can fill your rental property 4 days faster than the average Austin real estate agent.

What's going on in the Austin real estate market? We're glad you asked. Check out the latest JB Goodwin sold comparison report direct from the MLS® below!

Total units sold stands at 4,136, up a marginal 1.3% over this same time last year. Inventory is also up 17% over last year, with a total of 6,600 units currently on the market! Despite this increase, overall inventory remains comparatively low at just a 2.3 month's supply.

Key stats to look out for:

• Demand remains level
• The median price of homes sold so far this year is $293,400

The best home renovations are those that pay for themselves after the home is sold.

Of course, the changes you make to your home don’t have to be strategic in this way. You can renovate aspects of your property just for you. Though adding a pool doesn’t usually pay for itself upon resale, thousands of homeowners do it every year because they love swimming.

But, for those interested in renovating outdoors with resale return on investment (ROI) in mind, this article is for you.

The value-add can be considered from two angles. The first and most obvious angle: certain renovations can literally increase the resale value of your home. This means the value a renovation adds to a house will fully (or mostly) be covered upon resale.

The other

Are you ready to have some fun?

Whether you’re doing the organizing or just along for the ride, the biggest events of the year take planning! To help you get ready, here are some of the most popular gatherings around the San Antonio and Austin area for the rest of 2019:

Rodeo Austin

March 15th – 30th

Ya’ll been to a rodeo? Austin puts its spin on the time-honored festivities of ropin’ and ridin’, with the live music and delicious BBQ you’d expect to accompany such an event. “Where Weird Meets Western.”

For more information, visit: https://rodeoaustin.com/

ABC Austin Kitefest

March 31st

After 90 years and counting, the Austin Kitefest proves that old school fun hasn’t lost its luster – no matter how realistic those new video