Austin’s popularity seems to grow every day. Whether it’s our food, nature trails, career opportunities, or local music, Austin boasts a magnetism that’s impossible to deny.

In fact, U.S. News announced recently that Austin is the number 1 place to live in 2018!

Since over 62,000 new residents are expected to move to the city just in 2018, the rest of the country seems to agree with U.S. News’ conclusion.

As many might suspect, all our popularity puts Austin real estate in high--and growing--demand. Austin homes appreciated by 7.2% over the course of the last year.

If you’re in the market to invest in Austin real estate, here are some hot locations you might consider:

Central East Austin

Living in Central East Austin means calling…

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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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jb goodwin austin real estate agent analyzing stats

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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“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 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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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...”…

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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…

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Austin has grown into a sprawling, innovative place. It is a magnet for many young people wanting to jumpstart their careers, raise their kids in a healthy and fun place, and foster an enjoyable lifestyle in one of America’s most popular cities.

With a thriving job market, regular accolades from top media outlets across the country, and rich culture and cuisine, Austin attracts new residents every day from across the country. As some have put it, Austin is where young people go to retire.

Among the many praises Austin receives, it has been recognized as a choice city to invest in real estate. It turns out that year-round temperate weather, great academic institutions, and local incentives for business development can really attract many people…

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Austin, Texas wears many different hats. Live Music Capital. Home of SXSW. Filming location of Richard Linklater’s early films. Namesake of the “Keep Austin Weird” slogan. Up-and-coming tech hub.

But more recently, Austin has come to be defined by its young, entrepreneurial base that celebrates the increase in women-owned businesses across the city. This fact has never been more clear than when you talk to the women who are starting and running successful businesses in Austin. Their energy is apparent, and the optimism is almost tangible.

“Austin is perfect for growing a business,” says Page Vandiver, founder of Simply Heaven Design. “There's a unique blend of creativity that allows people to think flexibly and dream for the future. There are…

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Have you ever wondered about the best time of year to buy a home in Central Texas?

It may come as a surprise to many homeowners in Central Texas that there are huge financial advantages to buying or selling during specific months, or seasons, in Central Texas. After all, it’s not like Texans endure harsh winters like those living further north in the United States.

It’s easier to understand why a location with regular, drastic temperature fluctuations sees real estate prices rise and fall significantly throughout a year. Given the choice of buying in the frigid cold of northern winter or during its temperate summer, most families would spend considerably less money for a home if they’re willing to endure house hunting in the cold. Depending on the…

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