From the Gas Buddy website, here are current gas price maps:

Shailesh Ghimire at the AgentGenius blog recently speculated that the high gas prices would in turn cause rates to go up too.  His logic is simple:  the more money we send over to the middle east, the worse our rate of inflation.  In the long-term, that means our rates will go up.  Inflation causes the price of Mortgage-Backed Securities to rise so loans cost more to consumers.  Here’s yet another reason to buy now if you’ve been in the fence.

Tags: economy, investing, loans 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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When times are tough, it’s time to think outside of the box. The same is true for investing. While it is difficult (if not impossible) to find a lucrative rental property in central Austin right now, and the idea of cashing out of an investment may seem like a poor idea until sales pick back up. It’s time for some creativity in investing.

One less-known way to invest in Austin real estate is to invest with a builder. Basically, you purchase a lot and/or put the construction note in your name. Then the builder does all the work. In this climate, builders need capital while they sit on lot inventory and often even large spec home inventory. The profit split can be amazing and you can just sit back and wait for the home to be sold (aka payday). Of course, you still need to do your research. Builders in Austin are a dime a dozen these days — everyone wanted to get in on the boom in 2002 and 2006. See how long a builder has been in business and ask about success other investors have had. It’s a good idea to see if they will let you contact any previous investors as a reference.

Want more information? I’d be glad to point you in the right direction, so feel free to email me. After growing up in a real estate family in Austin, I’ve learned a few tricks myself.

Builders like Corias Homes, Inc. currently have investment opportunities available and have stood the test of time and work with only the best lots. Currently, Corias has a lot inventory available for investors:

• 8900 Calera Drive in Barton Creek just off the Fazio Canyon’s Golf Course
• 9407 Angelwylde Drive off Patterson Road in Westlake, a 7 acre estate lot
• 3107 Westlake Drive is a new 2 or 3 lot subdivision with Lake Austin Waterfront
• A 1 acre “interior Westlake” property will soon be available, email for details

The process is a simple one for the right investors, someone who can sit back and relax while their investment grows with the structure. I am happy to help anyone who would like more information as I have experience in this process!

Aria Schoenfelt
ariakristen@gmail.com
(512) 771-1776

Tags: investing by Aria
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