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        <title>JBGoodwin REALTORS® - Austin &amp; San Antonio Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/2017-12/</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/austin-real-estate-mls-leasing-statistics-december-2017.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/austin-real-estate-mls-leasing-statistics-december-2017.html</link>
        <author>macastro@jbgoodwin.com (Mary Ann Castro)</author>
        <title>Austin Real Estate &amp; MLS Leasing Statistics - December 2017</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Well, December 2017 was another wild ride according to the Austin Leasing Statistics.


Between June 2013 and June 2017, the number of apartments that are occupied has dropped four percent exactly. But this is almost definitely because of additional supply coming on to the market.


In fact, between 2016 and 2017, the market saw 600 more units become available for lease, which must have been like music to those searching for a lease as their number grew by a whopping 9, which was more than double of 2016’s numbers. The trend for those who listed their leasehold property with JB Goodwin REALTORS continued too, with a JB Goodwin property being occupied and closed four days faster than the average property on the MLS.


See more of the Austin Leasing Statistics for December below and contact the experts at JB Goodwin when you want to lease your property quickly.

 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 22 Dec 2017 11:45:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/best-4-cities-for-retiring-in-texas.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/best-4-cities-for-retiring-in-texas.html</link>
        <title>Best 4 Cities for Retiring in Texas</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



Texas is a goliath state that encompasses more area than many nations. You can start driving from one side of the state, and can continue for 10+ hours to still find yourself looking at Texas cacti, cities, and farms.


Within this vast state, we boast both beaches and mountains, rolling hills and agrarian farmland. We are the home to a diverse breadth of flora and fauna, as well as headquarters to some of the most recognized corporations in the world. It is no surprise, then, that our state has caught some attention.


There are many incentives to living in Texas, and families from across the country have noticed and are responding by moving here. According to data from GenFKD, “The statistics reveal Texas is the new hottest state to live in...” The report is based on a study that says more people are moving to Texas now than to any other state


Fortunately, we have ample space. As you’ve heard, everything is bigger in Texas, including the factors that motivate people to move here. Texas has a low cost of living, year-round temperate weather, and plenty of activities to experience and places to explore.


Texas is also a growing hub for retirees. Wealthy families from across the country love moving to the warmth and local hospitality. There is a lot that goes into determining whether a city is great for retirement. For one thing, it should be pleasant. It should also offer amenities like good healthcare, reasonable retiree taxes, a strong job market, and an overall happiness level greater than that of other cities.


This made us wonder, where are the wealthy retirees ending up? Recently, U.S. News &amp; World Report published the top 100 cities for those retiring in the United States. We were proud to discover that 4 of the top 10 cities are right here in Texas


Here are those four cities, listed in the order they were ranked, beginning with the top choice:


San Antonio


San Antonio was ranked 3 of the whole United States as a place to retire. With affordable real estate, a proud and famous local history, and diverse entertainment that includes theme parks and museums, residents know they live somewhere special.


Of course, retirees can also sit down to world-class cuisine at one of any number of the areas eclectic restaurants. For those who enjoy the occasional afternoon on the greens, there are plenty of golf clubs and courses worth your attention.


El Paso


Coming in at 5, El Paso has a lower cost of living than the national average. Not far from the Texas and Mexico border, residents can expect an abundance of authentic Mexican cuisine. Also, the city takes great pride in their delicious Texas steaks.


The El Paso job market is strong, and “job opportunities can be found in a number of fields, from government to health care,” reports Alexis Garcia, a local from El Paso.


As a city with a growing cycling community, retirees can take in some sun and engage a healthy lifestyle by commuting through El Paso’s metro and residential areas. And for anyone interested in more adventurous exercise, the Franklin Mountains State Park might be worth your hike.


McAllen


This Texas/Mexico border town has caught the attention of many retirees. With a thriving economy, McAllen also enjoys a low cost of living, relative to most of the United States, and even many cities in Texas. It is a comfortable location where people from across the country can move to when they want to enjoy a quiet, peaceful retirement.


McAllen is probably the quietest city on our list, but remains rich with wholesome entertainment, including museums, restaurants, and live performance venues and theaters.


And with Mexico just down the road, international vacations are just a short car ride away


Austin


Austin is one of the most popular cities in Texas, and ranked 9 on U.S. News and World Report’s chart. As the Texas capital, it is also a hub for mouth-watering food, world-renowned live music, and lays a social and fiscal welcome mat out for new businesses. Austin leaves no dull moment to be found.


Retirees in Austin also enjoy the rapidly appreciating real estate market. Home values are on the climb. And since Austin regularly appears at the 1 spot in “Best City” rankings, there will always be a well deserved sense of city pride knowing that the rest of the United States loves your home as much as you do.


Are you looking for a place to retire in Texas? Let JB Goodwin help you settle down. With offices in San Antonio and Austin, we would love to answer any of your home buying questions, introduce you to quiet retirement homes and communities, and tell you more about the incentives of retiring in some of Texas’ most wonderful and beautiful cities. Contact one of our agents today.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 19 Dec 2017 12:06:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/is-amazon-setting-up-their-second-headquarters-in-austin.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/is-amazon-setting-up-their-second-headquarters-in-austin.html</link>
        <title>Is Amazon Setting Up Their Second Headquarters In Austin?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
An exciting question has flooded much of the local tech and business news in Austin lately: Will Amazon set up its second headquarters – Amazon HQ2 – in Austin, Texas?



According to trusted data-driven sources like Moody’s Analytics, which predicts Austin as the most likely place for Amazon’s new location, Austinites have room for confidence.


When Amazon announced the imminent construction of HQ2, their statement was left open-ended. Instead of declaring a location, Amazon’s announcement came in the form of a request for cities to volunteer their metro areas to Amazon’s decision makers.


As you’d expect, cities across North America threw their hands in the air, volunteering diverse metro-areas with hopes of seizing Jeff Bezos’ attention. Amazon now has a pool of prospective locations to choose from as the team considers where to begin construction for HQ2’s location.If Amazon’s corporate success and fame weren’t enough to grab the public’s attention, the opening lines of their request did the trick:


“Amazon HQ2 will be Amazon’s second headquarters in North America. We expect to invest over $5 billion in construction and grow this second headquarters to include as many as 50,000 high-paying jobs – it will be a full equal to our current campus in Seattle. In addition to Amazon’s direct hiring and investment, construction and ongoing operation of Amazon HQ2 is expected to create tens of thousands of additional jobs and tens of billions of dollars in additional investment in the surrounding community.”


Among other incentives, Amazon also pointed to its long track record of community involvement, investment in local environmental sustainability, and empowerment for local entrepreneurs and small business owners.


Major cities across the U.S. collectively salivated, it’s safe to say. Stonecrest, GA, for example, promised that if Amazon chooses their city as its new headquarters, then Stonecrest will officially change its name to – you guessed it – Amazon


Austin isn’t that desperate, but our enthusiasm is also no secret. And according to Moody’s data, our city proves the most likely candidate for Amazon HQ2.


Here’s some of what Moody Analytics considered to predict Austin as Amazon’s most likely location-candidate:


Local talent


Amazon’s request posited a need for “strong local and regional talent—particularly in software development and related fields.”


It’s no surprise that Austin has been a leader in the tech industry. With so many tech giants – Apple, HomeAway, Dell – present with large offices or headquarters in the area, it’s easy to see why Amazon might also consider the 512-area code a good fit. The city has become a magnet for tech and business talent.


Not to mention, top university like the University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, and Saint Edward's University mean Amazon will have ample opportunity to pick from the best and brightest as they graduate into various fields.


A strong business environment


Amazon also requested an advantageous business setting. It needs “a stable and business-friendly environment to continue hiring and innovating on behalf of our customers.”


Austin’s business sector bodes well for Amazon. With Texas’ many business incentives and Austin’s economic growth taken into consideration, there is no place that better fits Amazon’s innovative needs.


And Amazon already maintains a recent and popular presence in the Austin area. Since Jeff Bezos’ recent purchase of Whole Foods Inc., which is headquartered on 6th street in Austin, locals have reaped lower prices at one of the area’s most popular grocery stores.


Quality of life


It’s not enough to have access to a strong work force. Amazon wants a location that fosters a good life for its future HQ2 team. And since Austin frequently ranks 1 in national magazine articles about the best place to live, one could say that Austin is a prime location for Amazon’s HQ2.


If you’re going to find happiness, experience well-being, maintain a healthy lifestyle, enjoy diverse cuisine, and have a roaring good time, Austin is the place for you.


Are you a business owner considering moving your headquarters to the Austin area? A JB Goodwin agent can help you find the optimal commercial property for your business to buy or rent. With startups, established business, and a booming academic sector, Austin is a strategic place for your business to hit the ground running. Let one of our agents help you find the right office for your team.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 08 Dec 2017 15:43:00 -0600</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/why-texas-is-so-attractive-for-inter-state-migration.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.jbgoodwin.com/blog/why-texas-is-so-attractive-for-inter-state-migration.html</link>
        <title>Why Texas is so Attractive for Inter-State Migration</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

More people are moving to Texas than any other state in the country. According to U.S. Census data, Texas added more than 6 million people from 2000 to 2010. Overwhelmingly, net domestic migrants are moving to Texas from California, but as Jeff Salamon points out, Californians are not more likely to move to Texas than other inter-state migrants—since the population of California is so large, there are simply more Californians coming in than say, Louisianans or South Dakotans. Growth is strong across the largest metropolitan areas in Texas, making these large areas highly attractive to migrants from all over the United States. Americans are moving to Texas.


But why are people relocating to Texas from other states?


According to a Fiscal Notes blog on the Texas Comptroller website, “According to the Tax Foundation, Texas has the nation’s fifth-lowest state and local tax burden, and recently Chief Executive Magazine named Texas the ‘Best State for Business’ for the 13th year in a row.” CEOs see Texas as a top location to host their businesses.


In Texas, growth is strong and constant, a security which further boosts our economy.


In addition to strong favor among top executives, Texas has no state income tax—certainly a boon for tax-burdened residents of other states. In their blog, Kevin McPherson and Bruce Wright also add that Texas’ population has been growing at twice the rate of the US for the past century based on decennial census rates, a trend that continues. As they note, “In the 2010-2016 period, Texas led all states in net domestic migration, with nearly 867,000 new residents.”


What is it about Texas that’s so appealing?


McPherson and Wright note that Texas is distinguished for its “natural resources and central location in the country, adjacent to the sea and on a national border,” that “have helped create and sustain competitive advantages in transportation, energy, wholesale and retail trade and more.” Residents of other states are drawn to Texas for myriad reasons, but most notably because Texas has historically been geographically situated for success, job growth, and friendly income tax policies that have drawn business growth and relocation. “[By] August 2017, Texas added more jobs (nearly 299,000) than any other state. Recent arrivals include the North American headquarters of Toyota and Kubota Tractor, both formerly based in California. In 2017, Site Selection magazine awarded Texas its Governor’s Cup, citing 642 projects expanding or creating new corporate facilities in the state.”


Relocating to Austin or Relocating to San Antonio


According to a report released by the Texas Association of Realtors, Bexar County comes in at 2 for the largest inflow of people from out-of-state, followed by Travis County at 6. First on the list (by a whopping margin) is Harris County, which boasts Houston. Relocating to Austin or San Antonio is popular for many types of people, but the breakdown by city is particularly interesting: Among out-of-state migrants to Austin – Round Rock metropolitan area, the largest demographics (in order of magnitude) were from the metro areas of Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Phoenix. For the San Antonio metropolitan area, out-of-state migrants hailed from the metro areas of Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Phoenix, Chicago, and lastly New York City. This data reflects many things, but most notably, it shows the connection of these large Texas metropolises to many of the largest and economically robust cities in America.


The flow between these cities show the clout that both Austin and San Antonio hold for job seekers relocating to Central Texas.


Strong job growth, low unemployment, a favorable tax climate, the influx of new headquarters, including perhaps the second Amazon headquarters in Austin. All this without mentioning the great culture, food scene, and natural attractions of Central Texas. From beautiful State Parks for family camping to a host of world-class museums, to a thriving food truck scene with every kind of cuisine imaginable, Central Texas is a family-friendly place to live.


Relocating to Austin or San Antonio has never been more appealing Are you looking to relocate to Central Texas? If so, reach out to a JB Goodwin agent today. We’re here to help answer your questions, locate fantastic properties, and work with you to find the best choice for you in Central Texas. Reach out today
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 08 Dec 2017 15:43:00 -0600</pubDate>
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