Renters have a different view of real estate economy than homeowners.

Source: PEW Research Center

It seems that renters are much more pessimistic about rising home prices. I’m not sure of the participants in this study were planning on buying a home in the near future, but this study does show something interesting about how you see the market when you own property versus when your at the mercy of a landlord.

More renters believe home prices are rising.

Are they pessimistic about their buying power? They may be feeling left out of the prosperity homeowners found during the boom years leading up to our current conditions.

Renters aren’t worried about the housing economy.

Renters expect prices to climb more than homeowners do. So why aren’t they buying? First-time home-buyers are seeing harder times with mortgage woes. It takes some patience and hard work to get a home loan, and perhaps renters aren’t willing to go through with it.

Americans are not optimistic about the economy.

Source: PEW Research Center

Yet this study is extremely interesting. We saw some of the greatest appreciations in Austin real estate in 2006. Many people sold out to collect their equity while late-comers created a building and flipping surge, especially in central Austin real estate. 2007 was much slower than 2006, especially in the last two quarters. Yet, the number of those who believe the economy is in poor shape has not increased as dramatically as I would expect. I think this shows how pessimistic people are about the economy anyway. We live in a fairly prosperous country and Austin has a steady growth rate which leads to steady real estate prices, yet I would expect similar numbers on a local study based on the fears and questions I receive.

Is this thing on?

I still wonder if anyone can actually hear me. Don’t be afraid to buy. We are currently in a RARE buyer’s market here in the Austin real estate market and at the same time, interest rates are at HISTORIC lows. I’m shopping for real estate in Austin now so don’t blame me if you don’t get in on this buyer’s market! Get your head out of that national news paper, turn off CNN, and get real. We’ve seen studies showing that people think the bottom is falling out of the American economy for years and it hasn’t. In fact, the primary reason for the housing slowdown and the buyer’s market here in Austin is the attitudes of people, not actual economic fact. Now that sellers are getting real, take a chance and think about investing in Austin’s real estate market. I’ll show you how!

Tags: austin real estate, buyers, development, economy, finance, hot market, housing, market, market statistics, money, mortgage, real estate, statistics by Aria
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This Memorial Day will be a sales tax Holiday for energy efficient products. Think of the back-to-school tax free weekend only for your home.

Austin real estate is going to keep getting better with green choices.  “Going Green” means making environmentally conscious purchases when you need to purchase something.  Buying something because it’s green is counter-productive.

“If you’ve been thinking about finally buying those energy efficient light
bulbs, purchasing a programmable thermostat, or actually replacing the
refrigerator, dishwasher or air conditioner with a cleaner more efficient
one, memorial day weekend is the time to do it. You’ll save money, while helping to reduce energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions,” noted Lone Star Chapter Conservation Director Cyrus Reed.

But are there any downfalls? For instance, what happens to all of the old appliances when they are replaced? This ECO-Consumerism drives me nuts sometimes. While I appreciate what this piece of legislation is trying to do, I can’t see throwing out so many appliances that work for shiny new ones. How is this in the spirit of “going green”?

I say if you have an appliance that you were thinking of replacing anyway, use this tax holiday to save yourself some money while supporting the environment by making an eco-conscious choice on something you were going to purchase anyway. Don’t throw that 4-year-old dishwasher in the landfill for the upgraded model, but do replace that 30-year-old A/C unit that’s on the fritz.

Stock up on light bulbs for when your current ones burn out. If you’re going to replace working bulbs, do it only in rooms you have lit very often, perhaps your family room or study. Why toss out all of those perfectly good bulbs from the bathroom that you zip in and out of?

If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, I say go for one. I’ll make an exception here because they save so much energy!

Take advantage of this city incentive if you have been waiting to stock up on bulbs or replace a dying appliance, but remember to recycle your old appliances whenever possible and don’t bother with upgrades that don’t make sense!

And check out this link on eco-consumerism. Monbiot has expressed my concerns beautifully!

Tags: austin, carbon footprint, economy, energy star, environment, green, green energy, hot market, housing, nature conservancy, real estate by Aria
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Although Austin isn’t seeing the horror of many other markets (like southern California), the nervousness and hesitation of Austin’s buyers still has us in a buyer’s market.  So in a buyer’s market, what should you do differently, as a seller?

One of the best things a seller can do in any market is detach from your house completely.  This is your most important strategy in a buyer’s market as well.  We know you have more than money invested in your house.  It’s been home to you in the best and worst of times, and you’ve worked hard to improve it and make it the best that it can be.  But in these times, you need to be objective and detach from the house to make it not your home, but a place someone else wants to live.

Don’t take it personally.  Any offer is good.  If you get an offer, it means you beat out your neighbors no matter how low or complicated it may be.  You may not be able to accept the offer, especially if it has a ton of strings attached, but don’t take it personally if you get a low offer.  The buyers chose your house over all the others — keep that in mind.  It could be low for a number of reasons, but it’s not because they don’t think the house is great.  Sure, they will likely make a great deal of changes, but not until it’s their home.  Many buyers who have previously been priced out of the home of their dreams are fishing for a great deal from someone who needs to move on.  You may be in this situation or you may not be, but always remember, any offer is a good offer.  Even low offers open a dialog of negotiations that can result in a sale.  You can always have your agent draft a counteroffer.

Don’t over-price thinking that it leaves you room to negotiate.  Over-pricing puts your house in a pool with other houses that are likely larger with more features so which house in the price range would you pick?  Always put yourself in the buyer’s shoes.  Sellers who over-price end up in a cycle of reductions to actually get their homes sold several headaches later.  Save yourself the stress, it’s worth it.  Price reasonably and competitively to get your house sold more quickly than the competition.  You will be making fewer payments which saves you money even if you don’t actually see the savings.

Be patient with your buyers.  Loans are tough right now and under-writers are struggling to approve many who could have received a loan for almost nothing down not too long ago.  Even pre-approved buyers can be sent through seemingly endless waits for final approval.  Your buyers want to buy a house; it’s an emotional time for them as well.  Don’t panic over financing.  Wait it out.  The deal may not work out, but financing is really out of your control as a seller.

Sellers in Austin may have had it easy a few years ago, but times have changed.  You can still sell your home if you get your house completely ready for sale, price it competitively, detach emotionally, and don’t take it all personally.

Tags: austin real estate, facts, hot market, housing, money, seller, sellers by Aria
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Forbe’s has just announced the top-10 most recession-proof cities and two central Texas cities made the top 3!  #2 was San Antonio and #3 was Austin.

1. Oklahoma City, OK - Falling unemployment rates, strong housing market, and growing agriculture make OKC a great buy.
2. San Antonio, TX - Growing industry, undervalued but climbing prices on homes, and new businesses keep San Antonio on the rise.
3. Austin, Texas - The median home price is up 6.4%, unemployment is down to 3.6% from 3.8%, and out economic growth continues.  We no longer depend on one or two main companies ( like Dell) to survive.  We have a bustling business sector.

I still don’t recommend playing the housing market like the stock market unless you are dedicated to being an investor, but I would like to show you yet another bit of proof that the housing bubble is absent in Austin.  Don’t stress over your home’s value!  You can make a great deal of wealth in real estate if you can learn to take everything you hear with a grain of salt.  Investing and moving every few years can build a great deal of wealth, but is not for everyone.

Just rest assured that Austin is an amazing city that is keeping your home’s value in a steady state of growth.  Think of it as a Blue-chip stock rather than a Tech Stock!

Tags: austin, austin real estate, economy, financial planing, hot market, housing by Aria
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It’s quick and easy to find out! Visit Real Estate Financing or use this calculator!

Tags: austin real estate, finance, hot market, housing, info, loans, market, money, mortgage by Aria
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My Live Austin Real Estate Web Channel has been Updated!

You will always find it at: http://liveaustinrealestate.com/live

I’m always searching for great content and with my new MacBook, I’m looking into giving information about my listings on there as well. This is a brand new media and concept, is there anything you’d like to see? Do you have any great videos (YouTube counts) that you’d like to see added?

The feed should load below:

Tags: facts, green, green energy, hot market, housing, info, web 2.0 by Aria
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Real Estate Investors are:

• Smart
• Creative
• Ambitious
• Goal-Oriented
• Practical
• Efficient
• Networked
• Logical

I love investors because like me, they make decisions based on logic and numbers, not emotion.  They are creative wealth-builders who won’t retire poor.  They are business-minded, practical people with a forward-thinking mentality.  Investors love other investors, and I love connecting them.  Some of the greatest projects I’ve worked on were Joint Venture investment projects.

Austin is a great place to invest in real estate.  Investing in Austin is easy; a no-brainer.  Where else can you find such consistent growth?  Where else can you find such a beautiful and unique city that can’t help but attract more and more businesses and people?

I tried the stock market in 1999 and today my stocks are worth the same as they were then.  I make my first real estate investment in Austin in 2002 and let’s just say it worked out well for me.  Real estate is something I grew up with, know, and understand.  I love investing in it myself and sharing opportunities I find with other smart people.

Tags: austin, austin real estate, development, economy, hot market, housing, investing by Aria
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