JBGoodwin REALTORS® - Austin & San Antonio Real Estate Blog

Austin Real Estate MLS Leasing Statistics - May 2018

Supply remains level while demand continues to grow by 7.5% in 2018, with prices remaining level from 2017.

Total leases are up across most property types, with home leases up 10% compared to the first four months on 2017.

Here are a few of the key statistics to pay attention to:

• Total leases are up 7.5%
• Property leases are up 2%
• Leases of single-family homes remained relatively level
• The median price per square foot of both apartments & single-family homes remained more or less level

Steady growth is the name of the game in Austin's tight leasing market. Overall statistics remained consistently level across the board, with modest growth in several key areas.

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What is Escrow & How Does It Work?

The process of buying your first home brings with it a handful of new terms and phrases to learn.

By researching or asking your Austin or San Antonio real estate agent what each new term means, you can set yourself up for success and achieve a more informed understanding of the home buying and selling process.

Among the many words you may soon encounter, “escrow” is one you’ll want to know. While the term is used across a handful of financial industries, this article will solely define escrow in relation to the real estate industry.

What Does Escrow Mean?

When a person refers to money (or something else of high value) as being “in escrow”, they mean that their value-item is being held by an unbiased third party to ensure a fair transaction…

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Austin Real Estate MLS Statistics - March 2018

Hot off the press! The March 2018 real estate statistics for Austin are in!

The median house price has now surpassed 2017 totals, with total units sold up 7.7% compared to last year. Inventory, while remaining quite low, has increased to 2.2 months from 2.0 months compared to February's stats.

The real estate market in Austin continues to take off with home values soaring to new heights.

Market highlights:

• Total units sold are up 3%
• Total inventory is down 2.8% compared to last year
• Over 7000 units have been sold since the beginning of 2018!

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5 Luxury Neighborhoods in San Antonio

San Antonio is one of the most populous cities in the United States and home to some of the most luxurious houses and condos in Texas.

San Antonio contains some of Texas’ most famous attractions--the Botanical Gardens, Natural Bridge Caverns, Pearl District, Six Flags, the Alamo, and the Riverwalk, just to name a few.

The city is also home to world-class cuisine. Local restaurants and breweries are loved by residents and visitors alike.

It is home to some of the most popular golf courses and country clubs in Texas, including some that are even alongside affluent San Antonio luxury homes.

If you are in the market for luxurious San Antonio real estate, here are 5 neighborhoods worth your attention:

The Dominion

This master-planned…

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Austin Real Estate MLS Leasing Statistics - April 2018

Statistics have remained remarkably level across the board, with apartment occupancy remaining above 90%.

Supply is up with 200 new properties added to the market, with demand remaining more or less level.

Here are a few of the key statistics to pay attention to:

• Total home leases increased by 4%
• Total property leases increased by 9%
• Total single-family home leases increased by 6%
• The median price per square foot for apartments, etc. dropped by 6 cents
• The median price per square foot for single-family homes remained steady

The main takeaway is that the leasing market throughout Austin remains extremely healthy, with steady growth seen in many different segments.

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Austin Real Estate MLS Statistics - February 2018

The results are in! Let's take a look at the February 2018 real estate statistics for Austin.

After some gains over last month, the average cost of sold homes still lags behind 2017, with $291,000 compared to $293,200. Inventory continues to hold steady at a low 2 months of available inventory.

We are only two months into the year and the trend of continued median home prices is sure to continue.

Other highlights:

• Total units sold is up 2% from 2017
• 6% more units were sold in February, compared to 2017
• Inventory is down 1%, compared to February 2017

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Potential Pitfalls Of Buying A Foreclosure (And How to Avoid Them)

“A dollar saved is a dollar earned,” wrote Benjamin Franklin. On the surface, Franklin’s famous adage offers simple advice: frugality is a form of financial investment.

But go just a little deeper, and the saying encourages us to discern between good discounts and misleading ones. Whatever the venture, an investor owes it to him or herself to take all risks into honest consideration before putting any money on the table.

Real estate is one of the most common forms of investment. It can be done through several methods, including buy-and-hold, property leasing, and house-flipping, among others. In recent years, shows like Fixer Upper on HGTV have popularized house flipping. This method involves purchasing a (low-cost) foreclosed property, performing all…

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Austin Real Estate MLS Statistics - January 2018

January 2018 real estate statistics for Austin are in. It looks like Austin can expect continued real estate appreciation, despite a few dips in average home sale costs from the same month last year.

The average cost of sold homes in January dropped from $293,200 in 2017 to $289,500 this year. However, December 2017 sales were up 11% from the previous year, emphasizing the continued average growth of home values in the area.

Other highlights:

• Inventory is up 3% from last January
• Total units sold is up 9% from last year
• Inventory is still down from 2010's supply highs

Want to learn more about the Austin real estate market? Get in touch with the JB Goodwin team today!

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Why Austin Is One of America’s Most Instagrammable Cities

Austin regularly competes for the top spot in national polls. It has become one of the most talked-about cities in the country, and for good reason!

Between its local support for entrepreneurs, employment and educational opportunities, world-class cuisine, and overall day to day fun, there are few cities that compare to the quality of life in Austin.

With so much to talk about, it’s no surprise that the city is also a notable place for adding some character to your Instagram feed.

There are some cities where looking like a tourist just comes second-nature. With so many great spots to snap an artistic photo, Austin is one of those places. #NoFilter

If you’re new to the area, or just looking for some awesome places for your Insta-feed, here are a few…

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Home Inspections 101: Everything A First-time Homebuyer Should Know

You finally found the perfect Central Texas home.

The house checks all your boxes: it is the right style and size, has an entertaining kitchen, and even boasts an awesome master bedroom. To make things even better, your offer was accepted by the homeowner. Congratulations!

You’re one step closer to owning your first home.

The next step in your home buying journey is the home inspection. The job of a home inspector is to provide interested homebuyers an unbiased report about the utility and safety of the home they are preparing to purchase.

While a home inspection is not required, it is highly recommended. A home inspector gives you the chance to understand a property through the trained scrutiny of someone whose job it is to notice problems, risks, and…

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