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        <title>JBGoodwin REALTORS® - Austin &amp; San Antonio Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/2015-04/</link>
        <description>Stay up to date on the latest Austin, San Antonio, and Central Texas real estate trends with JBGoodwin's real estate blog.</description>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/homes-for-sale-in-the-domain-austins-2nd-downtown.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/homes-for-sale-in-the-domain-austins-2nd-downtown.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>Homes For Sale in The Domain: Austin's 2nd Downtown</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard about The Domain, one of Austin's most ambitious multi-use projects. Once completed, this mega complex will span a whopping 303 acres, offering a combination of commercial and residential real estate. No longer will Austinites have to commute to downtown to work and play. The Domain will offer all of that, and more.


Shopping in The Domain


On top of designer outlets like Michael Kors, Raulph Lauren and BCBG Max Azria, The Domain will be home to department stores like Neiman Marcus and Macy's Department Store. So far, 70 boutiques, retailers and specialty stores are leasing space, and plenty more are to follow.


Other notables include:




Apple Store


Dillard's


Forever 21


Tesla Motors


Victoria's Secret


McCormick &amp; Schmicks


H&amp;M


Louis Vuitton


MAC Cosmetics


Southern Thread


Starbucks Coffee


The Westin: Austin at the Domain




The Residences at The Domain


One of the most exciting aspects of The Domain is its residential housing complex: The Residences at The Domain. This luxury complex offers a mix of 1-2 bedroom units ranging in square footage from 498 to 1,721.





Residents can choose from three different floor plans, each of which features high-end amenities like private balconies, floor to ceiling windows, gourmet kitchens and granite counter tops. Hardwood flooring is located throughout each unit. Everything you'd expect from a luxury apartment in Downtown Austin is available at The Domain.


Amenities at The Domain


Residents can also take advantage of a variety of great shared amenities. Stay in shape at the private fitness club, or take a refreshing dip in the resort-style pool. De-stress at one of four Zen gardens or give into your inner geek with access to high-speed WiFi. Residents also have access to a guest suite, covered parking and bicycle storage. Pet lovers don't have to worry about pesky pet restrictions, as the Residences at The Domain are pet-friendly.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2015 15:58:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/house-hunting-tips-from-the-experts.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/house-hunting-tips-from-the-experts.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>House Hunting Tips from the Experts</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ The Central Texas housing market has been on fire in recent years, making for a highly competitive arena for new homebuyers. In a situation like this, a little bit of insider info can go a long way. It can mean the difference between scoring the home of your dreams, or missing out on a potential winner.We're here to helpWe scoured the web for the best house hunting tips we could find from industry leaders. Armed with these tips, you'll have a competitive edge on your house hunt in a sellers market.

Build Your Dream Team Before You Start Viewing


It's a proven fact that the first home offer is typically the most successful offer, which is why it's important for buyers to have a team of professionals behind them before they start viewing homes. On top of a knowledgeable real estate agent, you'll need to secure a qualified lender, an experienced attorney, and a certified home inspector. Success in a sellers market is all about speed. The sooner you can have the home inspected, your financing approved, and your legal paperwork filed, the better your odds in beating your competitors to the punch.-David Yocum, agent with Redfin (Chicago)


Hit the Ground Running


When house hunting, don't rely on online listings sites. While they are a great resource, online listings are only telling you part of the story. Although it may seem old fashioned, attending an open house is the best way to gauge a home's potential. Seeing a house in person reveals potential issues that may not be very apparent or disclosed in the listing details. It also gives you a chance to connect with the seller, which can give you a huge advantage over the competition. -Richard Seaton, Vice President of TTR Sotherby's International Realty (Washington D.C)


Get Insider Neighborhood Info


A home is only as valuable as the neighborhood it belongs to. That's why it's critical to do your research before putting in an offer. Neighbors are a wealth of information, but how do you approach them for it? Kate Shields of MORe (real estate company based in Illinois) suggests doing some stealth research by attending a garage sale in the area. Casually ask the homeowner about the community as you shop. If there are no garage sales scheduled, look for neighbors watering their lawns. More often than not, they are happy to gush (or rant) about their neighborhood. Another great house hunting tip? Visit your potential property at night to gauge noise pollution and street safety.


Be a Likable Buyer


Sellers are more likely to accept an offer by someone he/she likes. Ryan J. Halset, a Seattle agent recommends looking for a shared area of interest. When you are viewing the home, take cues from personal belongings to find a connection with the seller. Then, when you are placing an offer, include a personalized cover letter stating how the home will be perfect for you. Be genuine, and you'll increase the odds in your favor, if there are multiple offers on the table. 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2015 14:34:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/7-questions-to-ask-at-your-next-open-house.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/7-questions-to-ask-at-your-next-open-house.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>7 Questions to Ask at Your Next Open House</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ Open houses can be a great way to jump start your home search. Many homebuyers however, fail to capitalize on the opportunity. Savvy homebuyers know to come armed with a number of open house questions to ask the seller’s agent. By being proactive, you can identify potential issues early on, and make an educated decision on your home purchase without wasting your precious time on a dud. Find out if a potential home is right for you by getting the answers to these important open house questions.

How many offers are on the table?

The number of bids on a home can give you insight into the desirability of a home. If the home has lots of bids, you may have to rethink your bidding strategy. If the home isn't getting any offers, it's worth it to know the reasons behind its unpopularity. Pay attention to the seller's body language.  Is the seller seem too eager about showing the home? Trust your intuition and dig deeper if you suspect any hidden issues. 

Was the price adjusted?

Has the listing price changed since you first viewed the house online? While your agent can tell you the pricing history of the home, it is up to you to ask the seller’s agent why. Maybe the seller had to adjust for a home issue or perhaps they are on a moving deadline. If the price has been reduced a number of times, you may have a motivated seller on your hands.

Why are the sellers moving?

The most obvious answer may be that they are simply relocating, but it's worth finding out the reasons behind the move. Perhaps the sellers are downsizing, or inherited the home. However, if they are moving because of noisy neighbors, high crime rates or poor schools, these are things you'll want to know about as a potential buyer.

How long has the home been on the market?

Has the home been listed for a long time? This is a sign that a home could be overpriced or has some issues that are worth mentioning. Are there major problems with the home that the seller is not addressing? Asking the reason behind this can provide you with a lot of insight on hidden issues or reasons outside of the condition of the home.

When Was the House Last Updated?

This is a great question to ask any seller's agent because it gives you insight into the maintenance history of the home. While it's easy to tell if appliances are brand new or if the walls have been recently painted, it's harder to determine a roof's age or changes to the electrical and plumbing systems. Nice updated features allow you to get more for your buck, as you won't have to worry about tackling them in the near future.

What is the Cost of Utilities?

This is an important question many homebuyers forget to ask during an open house. You do not want to spend $600 to heat a small house because energy efficiency is something the home is lacking.  Be sure to price out your monthly utilities into your budget, or risk a big surprise when the bills start piling in.

What is the Neighborhood Like?

Open houses are a great place to find out more about a potential neighborhood. How are the neighbors? Are the schools well regarded? Are the streets safe? Are the plenty or nearby amenities? These are all important things that factor into a good home purchase. If the neighborhood sounds too good to be true, ask around the neighborhood for a second opinion. Sometimes a seller will tell you what you want to hear versus the truth.  ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2015 15:41:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/austin-real-estate-roundup-march-april-2015.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/austin-real-estate-roundup-march-april-2015.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>Austin Real Estate Roundup: March-April 2015</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Stay connected with the latest Austin real estate news. See what's happening in Austin and stay ahead of the game in this increasingly competitive market. Courtesy of JBGoodwin REALTORS®. This month we feature stories on Austin's record setting February, Santa Rita Ranch, and a local developer breaking ground in San Antonio.


Americans Love Big Hot Suburbs, The Atlantic


Texas led the nation in population growth in 2013 according to new Census data released in March. According to the numbers, &quot;the cities with the highest levels of net domestic migration since 2010 are Houston, Dallas, Austin, Phoenix, Denver and San Antonio.&quot; On the other hand, some of America's largest cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles are seeing consistent population declines. Poor job prospects, higher housing prices, and colder climates have baby boomers on the move to warmer cities in the Sun Belt.


Census data also revealed that Austin, was the lone metropolitan area (with a population of over 1 million) to see a 3 increase in population in 2013.


Santa Rita Ranch celebrates grand opening, American Statesman


Austin's latest master-planned community will be unveiled this month. Santa Rita Ranch. Starting on April 18th through May 31st, homebuyers can get a sneak preview of the brand new development, along with nine fully-furnished model homes to explore. The homes featured at Santa Rita Ranch will be equipped with energy efficient design, smart technology, and gas heat.


Santa Rita Ranch also hopes to wow potential residents with the prospect of deluxe amenities like a private resort center. The resident-only facility will house a Junior Olympic-sized pool, a pair of 17 foot water slides, and a 8,000 square foot deck. 


The grand opening celebration will also have homebuyers buzzing with excitement. Along with live music and games, some of Austin's most-beloved BBQ trucks will be on hand serving up all manner of smoky delights.


Austin-based developer taps into fast-growing San Antonio market, Austin Business Journal


Live Oak-Gottesman LLC, an Austin-based developer will be throwing their hat into the booming San Antonio real estate market in 2015. Like Austin, San Antonio is in the midst of an economic boom, which has resulted in a steady rise population and incomes. Live Oak is slated to start construction of a seven-story commercial building in July near the Medical Center area of town. The $8.7 million office building is due to open in 2016. Though its use has not been confirmed, it will most likely serve at medical office space, due to the building's strategic location.


Live Oak was also chosen as the master developer for a 1,200-acre redevelopment initiative in Southeast San Antonio named Brooks City-Base.


Local home sales, median price hit monthly records, American Statesman


The Austin real estate market continues to set records in 2015. New data from the Austin Board of Realtors reveals that &quot;Austin-area home sales and median homes prices hit all-time highs for the month of February.&quot; The median price for a home in Austin hit a record-breaking $248,640, which is 8 percent higher than the same period last year. 


What did this mean for homebuyers? The vast majority of single-family homes (70 percent) in Austin were priced at $200,000 or higher. Most of these homes were also being sold outside of Austin city limits, which says homebuyers are leaning towards Austin suburbs. The high demand for homes, paired with a shrinking supply is responsible for the city's red hot housing market.


Subscribe to the JBGoodwin REALTORS® BlogSign up with JBGoodwin REALTORS® to stay up to date with all things real estate in Central Texas, delivered right to your inbox. For more information on the housing market in Austin or San Antonio metro areas, contact us online.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2015 16:16:00 -0500</pubDate>
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