SnyderHomes – Texas Lone Star Realty Blog

I just did a search of Homes on the Austin Multiple Listing service and find there are approximately 8,264 homes for sale of which about 3%  or 273 are foreclosures.

Curently, there are 168 properties for sale in the zip code 78620 ranging in price from $74,900 to $5,200,000 offering great opportunities.

There are 8 homes pending.

There are 22 homes pending taking backups.

Finally, since January 1, 2008, 40 properties have sold ranging from $43,000 to $1,300,000.

The average of the 40 is 2150 square feet, $131 per square foot, and average sold price of $283,613.

 Tary Snyder,

Broker, Texas Lone Star Realty

Despite the negative talk about the housing and credit markets, nearly two-thirds of Americans believe now is an ideal time to buy a home, according to a recent study commissioned by Beazer Homes, one of the country’s top-10 home builders. And, some 24 percent said they plan to buy a new home in the next two years. Of those who said purchasing a new home was on the horizon, 24 percent called themselves first-time buyers, while 28 percent have owned three or more homes in their lifetime. According to Martin Hernandez, corporate vice president of sales for Beazer Homes, a rich supply of housing and low interest rates are contributing to the “smart time to buy” sentiment. “Savvy consumers realize housing is a cyclical industry. In the current market, buyers can take their pick of quality homes with a variety of options, upgrades and incentives,” said Hernandez. In fact, given the current supply of homes for sale and special incentives available in many parts of the country, 65 percent of survey respondents agree that this “truly a buyer’s market.” And, 39 percent believe that tentative buyers who are waiting for home prices to go lower risk “missing out on one of the greatest home-buying markets in recent history.” “If you find the right home at the right price, you should buy it because we don’t know when the trend will shift,” advised Hernandez. Too many choices can be daunting, not only for first time homebuyers, but for those who are downsizing or looking for a vacation or second home. Hernandez recommends doing a little homework first to be sure you get exactly what you want. Here are his tips on how to look for a home in today’s housing market.

Start online. The Internet is a great resource and 80 percent of buyers begin their real estate shopping online. One in four people found the home they wanted online in 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors latest research. Most online sites allow you to narrow down your search by state, targeted subdivision and price, as well as take virtual tours and get driving directions.

Make a list. You know how many bedrooms and baths are important, but what about other bells and whistles like a gourmet kitchen, walk-in closets or flex space? “The neighborhood, schools, shopping and parks also frequently appear at the top of the list,” said Hernandez. “It all comes back to location. Location is still top-of-mind in a buyer’s eyes and remains important when you consider resale.”

New vs. resale. Your list should include whether you plan to spend time on maintenance or improvements, an answer that will help you decide whether to buy a newly constructed home or a resale. In the current market, a newly constructed home is likely to be a much better value for homebuyers when compared with the purchase of a resale home. Benefits to purchasing a newly constructed home include updated floor plans, better warranties, energy-efficient systems, and, in many instances, the ability to personalize certain features like flooring, countertops and paint colors. Additionally, a new home does not require the costly remodeling updates that can accompany the purchase of a re-sale home, Hernandez said.

Get pre-approved. Pre-approval means you receive a loan commitment for up to a certain amount from your lender, based upon their review of your credit and finances. Because pre-approval gives you a dollar amount to consider, it allows you to narrow your search to only the homes that you can afford. If you have been saving for a down payment on your mortgage, you’re not alone. The Beazer survey revealed that 24 percent of respondents are currently putting aside money for a down payment on a new home. Your options. When looking for a pre-construction home, depending upon your builder, you will have personalized choices to consider, including what type of flooring, countertops, appliance finish and organizational features will go into building your new home. Discuss these with your builder and be sure to stay within your budget. Beazer Homes surveyed 548 adults nationwide, Jan. 4-7, 2008, between the ages of 25 to 72 with a minimum annual household income of $40,000. The margin of error was ± 3 percent. Beazer Homes operates in 19 states.