Austin TX Real Estate - Hill Country Austin Lakeway Homes for Sale: December 2011

Just how low are rates right now?  They are so low, you can buy more house today with the lowest payments ever in history!  I was talking with one of my buyers a couple of days ago. She's very concerned about mortgage payment. We've had the same discussion three times, and we go in circles. She's thinking about settling for a house today that is very cheap, and then getting a "better" house in 3-5 years.

Each time it's, "Rates are below 4% today. We don't know what rates will do in 3-5 years. What if you are only able to buy the same price point house at that time because rates increase so much, the payments are out of your reach?"  Each time, I get an "Ahhh, I understand..."

Here's a personal example that made my jaw hit the floor.  The very first house I bought at age 24 had a loan amount of $134k. Since I was self employed, my interest rate was 7%.  At today's rate of 3.75%, to keep the same payment that I received back then, I could have a loan amount of $192,500 today!

That's crazy!  I'm thinking, what would a 24 year old do with a $200k house?  The average prices in the area are under $200k. That means I would be able to afford a house above the "average".

I thought those numbers were astonishing!!  It boggles my mind to think how much the interest rate plays in what people can afford. With the same example above, at a 5% interest rate, I could get a loan amount of $166k and have the same payment.  $166k is a considerably different house in a very "different" neighborhood than $192,500 and definitely $134k.

1% here and there makes a huge difference! If you're thinking from the get-go that you'll just buy a "better" house later, think about how much that could cost you if you're able to actually afford that better house now.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.

* Interest Rates Effect How Much Home You Can Afford * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Austin TX real estate makes National news on Fox Business. They didn't just talk about Austin for 30 seconds and then move on. They actually talked about Austin for a good couple of minutes and gave some great information.



Highlights:

• Texas is sucking people in from all over the country
• One of the best run cities in one of the best run states
• Tight government
• Unemployment is low
• Cost of Living is low
• Music scene is hot

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.

* Hill Country Galleria - Bee Cave Austin TX - Pictures with Santa * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Did you miss the official lighting of the Zilker Holiday Tree? Don't fret! It's lit every night at 6pm though December 31. This is a big Austin tradition and even though the trail of lights is gone, the tree still stands.

And if you still need to get some holiday shopping done, local vendors are on site.

Interesting facts about the Zilker Tree:

• 155 feet tall
• 380 feet wide
• 39 streamers each holding 81 lights = 3309 lights
• double star on top is 10 feet point to point

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.

* Austin TX - Zilker Tree Lighting * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

One of North West Austin's highly sought after communities, Canyon Creek, is selling like hotcakes during this Fall and Winter season.  Last month, I wrote about Canyon Creek homes selling at an average of 100.1% of asking price.  Here's some more information about Homes for Sale in Canyon Creek...

On average, September and October are pretty slow months across the country because school just started and people who are looking to get their kids into new schools for the year already bought new homes. And then with the change of time (not including the Mountain time zone), it gets darker earlier which is a psychological thing for many people, and they don't go out looking at houses.

With that said, Canyon Creek has been having a fabulous Fall and Winter season.  From September 1 through the end of November, there were 19 homes that sold! WOW!  They sold for an average of $314k in 53 days on the market. When you look at the median days on market, they were only for sale for 39 days! That tells me that many new listings sold right away, and a few that were sitting on the market finally found their new owners.

Beyond 19 already closing, there are currently 8 under contract, and they'll probably close before the end of the year, we'll have to wait and see.  When you  look at all that data, and also notice that there are only 7 homes for sale in Canyon Creek right now, they might start having a supply and demand issue, which will bring prices up. Home owners are going to love that!

If you're looking to buy or sell in the Canyon Creek area in NW Austin, please don't hesitate to contact me today!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.

* Canyon Creek - NW Austin TX - Homes for Sale * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Are you planning on making any homemade goodies for the Holidays this year?  Whole Foods is having a "Chocolate 101: Hands on Cooking Class" on December 21 from 6:30-9pm. This sounds so yummy!!

They'll be making lots of chocolate treats that you can easily make at home like cakes, truffles, and even ganache.  Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are on the list!!  Did I already say, "YUMMY!!"

The location is 525 N Lamar Blvd - Austin TX - 78703.
culinary.center@wholefoods.com - 512-542-2340.

Have fun, and if I don't make it, please send me some yummy goodies!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.

* Whole Foods - Chocolate 101 - Hands on Cooking Class - December 21 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Have you not had time to get your pictures with Santa?  Santa is still at the Hill Country Galleria on a daily basis through Christmas Eve at 6pm.  Check out the schedule below.

**graphic courtesy of the Hill Country Galleria's website.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Hill Country Galleria - Bee Cave Austin TX - Pictures with Santa * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

The community of Spillman Ranch, more commonly known as Falconhead, has shown some fairly good sales this year. The community is almost completed with just a couple of inventory homes from one builder left.  Look at the sales data from about September through November of 2010 vs 2011.

In 2010, homes were selling, for the most part, in under 60 days.  After that, there was a gap in sales and homes stayed on the market over 120 days and selling less of their asking price.

Compared to the same period in 2011, priced well and showing well, properties sold within the first 30 days.  After that, properties did lack between the 30-60 day period, but were more consistent from 60 days+.

This tells me that in 2010, people were more afraid to buy in the fall and winter months, but in 2011, with record low mortgage rates, people are out there buying, and sellers are selling, and it's a good time!

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Falconhead area of Bee Cave, Austin TX, please don't hesitate to contact me today!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.  For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Spillman Ranch - Falconhead - Bee Cave Austin TX- Market Report * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

'Tis the Season for high school football playoffs... Lake Travis High School in Lake Travis ISD has made it to the State Championships! 

They have already accomplished a 4-peat and are currently in the "Drive for Five".

Lake Travis will be playing Waco Midway on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 8pm in Dallas at the Cowboys' new stadium for the 4A Division I Championship!

Go Cavs!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.  For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* 453 Shelf Rock - Rim Rock - Driftwood TX - Home for Sale $450,000 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

We had an ActiveRain Meetup in Austin today. It was/is a very drury, raining day, so I'm sure that kept many people away.

We had 5 people there, and one on the phone in spirit as he wrong a contract for a client.

We caught up on some local real estate office gossip and compared notes on who everyone knows... I actually like smaller groups so there is only one conversation going on at a time instead of having to pick and choose which conversation to be a part of.

Thanks for coming Dorie, Gwynn, Lainie, and Russell!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.  For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* ActiveRain Meetup in Austin * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is now underway in its 36th year. It opened yesterday and runs through December 24th at the Palmer Events Center in the heart of Austin TX.

What's the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar? It's an arts and craft show with local artists and artisans selling everything from gifts to high-end pieces of art.  In addition to the art, there's live and local music talent on stage every night. If all your shopping is done, but want to get out and hear some music, support the local artists.

You can visit the Armadillo Christmas Bizaar's website for further information and history. The Bizaar is open daily from 11am-11pm.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate

and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* 453 Shelf Rock - Rim Rock - Driftwood TX - Home for Sale $450,000 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

ActiveRain is doing another round of Meetups for everyone in the Austin area to get together and network.  I expect more of a turn-out this time! 

I've only heard from about 3-4 people.  Where are all the Austin people? I know it's a rainy day, but let's have a good turn out!

We're going to try the new Hat Creek Burger at 360 and Bee Caves Rd. I heard they've got great burgers and fries.

The bribe is that AR will be handing out bonus points just for making an appearance.

We'll see you there on Thursday, December 15 for lunch at 11:30-1:30pm.

5902 Bee Caves Rd
Austin, TX 78746

** graphic courtesy of Hat Creek's website.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* ActiveRain Meetup - Austin TX - December 15 - Hat Creek Burger - TODAY * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Landon turned really grumpy at our photo shoot, so Alyssa and I started tickling him so he would at least smile, if not laugh... he ended up looking at us like we were crazy and we captured a great moment.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Wordless Wednesday - Photo Shoot * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

I have been a REALTOR® for more than 11 years now. If I told you that I sold a house to every buyer I worked with, I would be lying. There are many reasons why a buyer doesn't end up buying with me, and the biggest reason is that some buyers just like to rent. They like to know if something goes wrong, they can call the landlord or management company and have it taken care of.  We call those people, "the eternal renter".

There have been a handful that went another direction for other reasons, like personality conflicts. If someone tells you they get along with everyone, they're lying!  We all have different personalities, and there is nothing wrong with not getting along with everyone. If everyone always agreed on everything, life would be boring.

There is one particular client that I sometimes wish I didn't let go. I was working up in Dallas at the time, and they were relocating to the area. They wanted to be in a price point that I had never worked before, up to $500k, so I was very excited to work with them! I was drooling over the potential commission since my average sales price at that time was just below $200k.

The wife was here in town with her two teenage boys, but the husband was not. That meant I had to show her houses and then later show him after she narrowed things down. This never works, and it didn't work this time either.  She wanted one thing and he wanted something else. They couldn't get on the same page. He was writing offers just for the sake of writing offers. They were low offers and they were on houses she didn't like. She didn't understand why he couldn't like any of the houses she liked.  She would get very upset.

After working with them for about 4 months and writing at least 10 offers, I finally told him that if he actually wanted to buy a house, he needed to have an actual conversation with his wife. I told him they were on two completely different pages of two completely different books.  He didn't understand.  I decided to be very blunt with him. I told him he was treating his wife horribly and he needed to be less overbearing and controlling, and actually listen to what she was saying.  I also told him that I wished him luck because I was not going to be working with them any longer.

He got very quiet.  He thanked me for my candor and that was that... so I thought...

A couple of days later, I got a phone call from Mr. Buyer.  He apologized for his behavior.  He asked me if I would work with them again. I asked a few qualifying questions to which he failed the answers to, so I stuck to my guns and said no.  He offered me a $1000 retainer fee to where I would get to keep it if they didn't buy a house within a specified period of time. I turned it down. We talked for over 30 minutes.  He literally begged me to work with them again.  I just couldn't. 

A few months later, I received a call from his wife. She thanked me for talking with her husband. She said that whatever I said to him must have worked because after several more months of looking at houses (with a different agent), he finally bought a house she loved.  She said they went through so many offers that she had basically given up finding a house and was very unhappy every time he suggested they look at more houses.

Am I disappointed that I didn't get that commission?  Sure, it would be silly to say I wasn't disappointed.  Am I disappointed that I didn't get to sell them their house when they finally bought one? No, not at all.  I canceled so many plans to work with these buyers. I even canceled a trip out of town because the husband just had to see this one house and that was the only time he could fly in for a couple of more weeks. I busted my hump for these guys, but they just weren't serious buyers. It took several more months and several more low-ball offers to get them to be serious, and that's not time I would have had patience for, and I have a lot of patience when it comes to helping my buyers buy a house they love.

This is a true story and it happened back in 2004. It's 7 years later and the conversation with both the husband and wife go through my head at least once a month. I replay the conversation, and I sometimes change the conversation to where I say yes to working with them... and then I play out the scenario in my head... I get frustrated every time, so it's good to know that I believe I made the right decision to not work with these buyers.

It's not all about the commission with me. It's about helping people who want my help, and even though the wife really wanted my help, the husband wasn't on board.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate

and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* The Buyer that Got Away * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Austin TX hits another top 10 list. This one is ranking #8 for Best Business Communities according to MarketWatch.

Here is the criteria used:

1. Per-capital sales volume, based on revenue of S&P 500 companies in a metro area, divided by the population.
2. Per-capita sales for Fortune 500 companies in the area.
3. Per-capita sales for Forbes Private Companies in the area.
4. Number of Russell 2000 companies per capita in a metro area. (For those cities with no S&P, Fortune 500, Forbes or Russell companies, the largest metro area with a zero total in those categories finishes last.)
5. Census Bureau data from 2009 — the most recent available — measuring the number of companies, annual payroll and number of employees, all per capita, in a metro area.
6. Census Bureau data measuring economic output in the military sector per capita for 2009.
7. Census Bureau data measuring economic output in the leisure and hospitality sector per capita for 2009. Data is most recent available.

Under the general heading of economic stability, the categories are:

1. Population growth, from Census Bureau data, 2000 to 2010.
2. Per capita metro economic output, from Bureau of Economic Analysis data, 2010.
3. Growth in economic output, from Bureau of Economic Analysis data, 2007 to 2010.
4. Personal income growth, from Bureau of Economic Analysis data, 2000 to 2010.
5. Personal income growth, from Bureau of Economic Analysis data, 2009 to 2010.
6. Unemployment rates, from Bureau of Labor Statistics data, for August 2011
7. Cumulative metro unemployment rates, from Bureau of Labor Statistics data, for August 2003, August 2007 and August 2011.
8. Job growth measured against population growth from Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, 2005 to 2010.

Well, Austin has definitely had population AND job growth in the past few years, so I can imagine why they are rated so high.  I'm actually surprised they aren't rated higher since Texas has added almost 800,000 jobs to the economy while no other state has even hit 100,000. Of those jobs in Texas, a large portion have been in Austin with the addition of many companies opening here or moving here like Google, Facebook, and Ebay.  Formula 1 is on track and will bring so many more people, even if just vacation people.

Here is the actual article from MarketWatch.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* 453 Shelf Rock - Rim Rock - Driftwood TX - Home for Sale $450,000 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Short Sale potential at The Island on Lake Travis condominiums in Lago Vista TX.

Great unit, completely updated and what a fantastic VIEW!

The Balcony is large with great entertainment possibilities. Overlooking the Pedernales River and Pace Bend Park and Bee Creek in Spicewood. How relaxing your morning coffe or evening beverage could be.

This is a one bedroom unit on the First Floor with Hardwood floors, granite counters, and black appliances - stove, microwave, & dishwasher. Plantation Shutters bring a lot of style to this unit. 

There are several things to do around the complex like picnic at the tables overlooking the water or play Tennis at the courts overlooking the water or sit and read in the courtyard or swim in the indoor or outdoor pools or anything you can think of. Granted, the private boat dock is currently closed as the launching cove is dry, but the main section is alive with water.

The unit is currently furnished and the Seller will sell everything including dishes, glasses, sheets, and movies. Great place to move right in, or use as a Furnished Rental property.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate

and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Island on Lake Travis - Lago Vista TX - Short Sale - First Floor Unit with a View * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

The 2011 NAR profile of Home Buyers and Sellers came out with some very interesting information, and I've been taking it all in. Something that caught my attention is that only 60% of buyers worked with their own Buyer's Agent.  With all the NAR advertising and Marketing about how Buyers should contact a local Realtor in their area, I'm surprised the number is so low.

The rest of the stats is that 89% used a Real Estate Agent or Broker.  So, out of 89%, only 60% of them used their own representation.  40% of them used the listing agent?  That seems wrong.  That's almost like saying every 2-3 listings I sell, I'll get to double end the deal, but that's not what happens. In my 11+ years, I've double ended a deal about 6-7 times. That's less than one every other year.

Some brokerages won't even allow their agent to double end a deal, which I think is "silly", but to each their own. This isn't about whether or not you believe an agent should represent both sides. This is about how only 60% of 89% felt it was necessary to obtain their own representation.

How can we get that number to increase? Is it NAR's responsibility to continue to educate the public? Is it the individual market's responsibility? Is it the responsibility of the main Brokerages across the country?

I just can't imagine that 40% of the buyers out there aren't using agents to buy their homes.

Before someone says that the 40% must be trusting builders or going FSBO, those numbers are accounted for already.  To make up the additional 11% on top of the 89%, NAR reports that 7% bought directly from a builder and 4% bought directly from the home owner.  That still leaves 40% of the 89% not using an agent...

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate

and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* NAR Reports only 60% of Buyers Use a Buyer's Agent * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

We just had 3 consequetive days of rain.  Good, right? Yes, very good, as we're in a horrible drought here in Austin TX.  However, I'm very disappointed. Before the rain started, we were at 626.36 feet in Lake Travis. Three days later, we're only at 626.74 feet.

I expected it to be up a heck of a lot more than that. We're trying to move up from the third lowest water levels in history. I know the ground needs a lot of water, and much of it got soaked in, but I expected more run-off and also more of the water flowing down from the NorthWest areas.

Maybe as the grounds get more saturated, there will still be more run-off, but at this time, the rain has stopped for the rest of the week's forcast.

Here's a picture of Lake Travis just a couple of months ago, before the water was completely gone in this cove...

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate

and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Rain in Austin TX - Lake Travis Water Levels not Really Changed* was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Austin TX ranks second on the Top 10 Cities of How America Spends on Electronics.  That's a lot of stereo equipment and computer stuff... but Austin is known for their technology sector.

On average, Austin TX is spending $78.50 a month on electronics behind San Jose CA spending $91.08.  The US Average is a mere $48.00 a month. YIKES!

What I find interesting, as you look at the chart, is that Single Males with no kids spend more than Married Couples with no Kids. Is this because when guys are single they don't care about how they spend their money, but when they get married, they're more consious about it because of the potential "nagging wife"?

I also find it interesting that except for the over 65 group, as someone gets older, they spend more on electronics. I would have thought that was different, but I'm in the group of people who could really careless about so much electronic stuff and only have what I have because my Engineer husband is here in Austin TX.

**graphic courtesy of Money.Bundle.com.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Austin TX Spends Second Most on Electronics * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

ActiveRain is doing another round of Meetups for everyone in the Austin area to get together and network.  I expect more of a turn-out this time! We will be celebrating the year and sharing new ideas for next year!

We're going to try the new Hat Creek Burger at 360 and Bee Caves Rd. I heard they've got great burgers and fries.

The bribe is that AR will be handing out bonus points just for making an appearance.

We'll see you there on Thursday, December 15 for lunch at 11:30-1:30pm.

5902 Bee Caves Rd
Austin, TX 78746

** graphic courtesy of Hat Creek's website.

December 2011 Market Reports Challenge. Last Month for bonus points...

If you haven't heard about the challenge, read about it here.

Please post ONLY your Market Reports on this post and not questions about the challenge.

Since I'm making this a public post so we can all get further SEO juice with all the link backs to the different posts about the different markets, it's unnecessary for the consumer to read other remarks, unless you're specifically complimenting someone's market or report or have something to say about their market or report. I will delete them if they are not needed to be seen by the public. You can post questions on the post link above talking about the challenge. Post all your reports together in one comment so we are not hunting through the comments looking for three or more from any particular person, and they must be posted by the end of the month.

Remember, to earn points, and I'll reiterate this each and every month, you MUST add your own commentary to your reports which means your own opinions and thoughts about your market or the subdivision or whatever your topic is. No plain charts and numbers. And your posts MUST be Public. Become a Rainmaker if you're not.

If you are a consumer reading this, we hope you enjoy reading about the different areas and realize that real estate is "Local" and NOT "National".

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate

and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

For real time Austin TX listings,click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* December 2011 Market Reports Challenge * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.