Search Properties in Austin by School District

Last week a visitor commented that there were no websites to search via School District!  Come to think of it, when I moved to Austin, TX, schools were an important factor to me, hence, I needed to search for homes via School District while I lived out of state.  I have found a great property search tool to find homes in a specific School District.  The information here in from my MLS and uptodate!

Here are a few links for your convenience. 

To search for properties in Eanes School District.
To search for properties in Lake Travis School District.
To search for properties in other school districts in Austin.

Hope this helps, your comments are important to me so please post them!

How to block that Western Austin Sun

Okay, face it, we live in Austin, TX and we get probably 325 days of sunshine a year.  The sun is unavoidable. Do you have a home that has the backyard facing West and it's unbearable to sit in your family room (which also faces west) due to the sun?  What if you have a home where the buyer's most common objection is that the backyard faces West?  Or the buyer's want to enjoy the deck but it's too hot?  The SOLUTION is Build A Pergola!  The pergola on this home blocked much of the sun exposure in the family room.  It's amazing!  Not only that, the family can enjoy the top part of the deck where it is also shaded!  As you can see, the time the photo was taken, the sun was beating on the house at a good time.  Look at how much shade the pergola contributed in the top part.
So next time you've found a home that meets all or most of your criteria, don't let the western exposure of the back of the home stop you from making an offer!  There is  usually a solution but explore building a pergola before you give up!
Speaking of solutions, I always have a solution to an objection so if you want a great home seller come the time you list your home, call me!

Find SHORT SALES in Austin, TX

I've been getting alot of emails and phone calls asking where do I find short sales in Austin?  I've been working on finding a good site to search short sale properties and finally.  This is a property search tool where it Searches live date from my Austin MLS and only see Short Sales! I have verified that my short sales are in this link so here it is.

It is very important that you have a buyers agent to represent you who knows how short sales work.  So please give me a call when you find that awesome short sale deal online.

4 Muirfield Greens, Lakeway - SHORT SALE

Someone is going to get a great deal on this Short Sale.  The lienholder has approved the price of  $218K or $99.63/sq ft! The average price per sq ft home SOLD in this community since March of this year was $123.98/sq ft. This home has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage PLUS and OFFICE and a LOFT and a Formal Dining Room.  Home comes with a family room with fireplace, breakfast area and a large kitchen.  Home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac and has a very nice backyard fenced for privacy.  This is in the St. Andrews Section of Lakeway.  This was a great opportunity for a family who wants to be in the Lake Travis ISD or someone who wants to downsize or for investment.  We anticipate to close on this deal next week.

I have other short sale listings, so select the link to view what other great deals are out there.  If you wish to search for short sales, go to this site to see all short sale listings in the Austin area.

FREE Real Estate Investment Seminar in Lakeway

Are you tired of your CD earning a 2% interest rate?  Are you tired of keeping an eye of the stock market and nervous of the volatility of your stock?  Leases are up 20% and Interest rates are still low.  What does this mean to you?  You need to come to this FREE Real Estate Investment Seminar on Wed, Nov 17th at 7 pm to find out why IT'S TIME TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE.

WHEN:  Wed, 11/17 7-8 pm
WHERE: Keller Williams Real Estate office - 1921 Lohmans Crossing, Ste 100, Lakeway
RSVP: (512)786-7355 to Reserve your seat

Enclave/Ridge at Alta Vista Community Food Drive was a success!

Ridge at Alta Vista and Enclave at Alta Vista residents of Lakeway came together on 10/5 to donate 120 bags of food!  Last year, we collected 104 bags.  Many bags were filled with canned goods.  All bags were brought to Riverbend Church on Saturday, 10/6, where Capitol Area Food Bank took the food for distribution.  Thank you so much neighbors for making this a huge success.

When I arrived at Riverbend Church, I was saddened to see that the 2 tractor trailers were only have full of crates.  The spokesperson said that the response has been alot lower this year BUT the demand for food has increased!  I can understand as many people are jobless but I am so thankful for all the people who have still donated food.

Keller Williams Lakes Travis 2nd Annual Halloween Carnival

What a huge success!!! Over 400 kids attended our 2nd Annual Halloween Carnival which occurred last night Thursday, 10/28 at our Lohman's Crossing, Lakeway office.  We had over 40 booths, a Spook House (hosted by Lakeway Police), Costume contest and parade, and Fire Dancers.  It was a FREE event and it was a blast.  Did you see me at my booth?  I hosted the colored hairspray booth, I called PJ's Punk Rockers.  Besch Insurance Agency helped me spray paint the kiddos hairs!  Well, here's a photo one of our staff took of me.  If you made it, post a comment please.

Austin, TX's Housing Market for September

I usually see a quiet market during school openings and thereafter.  After all, we are getting into the winter months.

In September, residential units sold in Central Texas have DECREASED a whopping 43% compared to last September.  In Lake Travis ISD which includes Lakeway, Bee Caves and Spicewood, residential units sold have DECREASED only 7% compared to last September.

Now that the Attorney General released earlier this month his demand letter to the banks which resulted to a freeze in foreclosures, I wonder what October sales would look like.  It seems that we have a challenge each month in the housing market but the interest rates seems to be dropping.  A builder in Austin is offering 3.875% fixed rate conventional loan financing for 30 years!  WOW!

So if you are still on the fence about buying, you have got to be kidding me, there are so many deals to be made.  Give me a call and let's talk!