Austin TX Real Estate - Hill Country Austin Lakeway Homes for Sale

Making a List and Checking it Twice

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:33:05 -0500

I was never a list writer. I could always tell myself what needed to get done, and my memory was awesome, and I hardly forgot a thing... Enter kids...

These days, my memory is shot! I even write a list for the grocery store. But get this, even with the list, I still forget some things on the list!! Not sure how my eyes miss those things...

I hardly write a list for my day to day business stuff. I know what I need to do each day and I get it done. I've been very busy the past couple of months, hence my absence in blogging (bad bad me), so this morning, I wrote a list.

I actually accomplished everything on the list, and then had time left over to write this blog post! Amazing what a simple list can help you accomplish. Maybe I'll write more lists... though I do like to test my memory and keep it sharp so I don't grow old...

I made my list, I checked it twice, and it was all done...

**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.

* Making a List and Checking it Twice * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Senna Hills Homes for Sale - Austin TX - 30% Sales Increase for 2011

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:47:18 -0500

Austin TX Real Estate is doing well, and there is no exception in Senna Hills, just West of Austin. Senna Hills is in Travis County, outside any city limits, and feeds into the Exemplary schools of Eanes ISD.

Back in September 2011, I wrote a Market Report for Senna Hills that analyzed the year to date activity up to that time and compared it to 2010. The market report below is going to analyze all of 2011 with all of 2010, and you'll be happily surprised with the results.

Here are two pie graphs showing the differences in the Days on the Market for 2010 vs 2011. (please note that only the blue and red represent the same time period and you can't just compare the colors, but look at the legend - technology...)

As you can see, about the same percentage of homes for sale sold in under 30 days. The biggest difference is that in 2010, 20.8% of homes sold between 31-90 days whereas in 2011, 38.8% of homes sold during this same time frame. This means that less homes took longer than 120 days to sell in 2011. Great news!

Below are bar graphs that show the average sales price to the asking price.

I would definitely give an opinion that home owners have become more realistic on their pricing. Back in 2010, the homes that sold the faster were selling at a mere 92.9% of asking price. In 2011, the houses in under 30 days sold for more than 98% of asking price!! Again, GREAT NEWS for Senna Hills!!

In 2010, there were 24 closed sales in Senna Hills. In 2011, there were 31 closed sales. That's a sales increase of 30%. More great news for Senna Hills home owners! In Senna Hills in 2009, properties weren't moving very well because home owners were unrealistic with their pricing. Things have turned around.

It's also important to note that in both 2011 and 2010, not a single sale was a foreclosure!! That's huge news!! People think foreclosures are everywhere, because they watch the National News, but in actuality, they're not.

Across the board, the sales were "better" in 2011 vs 2010 for the home owners in Senna Hills Austin TX.

If you're looking to buy or sell in the Senna Hills neighborhood, or any other surrounding areas of Austin, please contact me today and we can evaluate the sales data in every detail other agents won't give you.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

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

* Senna Hills Homes for Sale - Austin TX - 30% Sales Increase for 2011 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Wordless Wednesday - Brotherly and Sisterly Love

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:44:56 -0500

Brotherly and Sisterly Love... so darn cute...

**Are You Packed Yet?**

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

* Wordless Wednesday - Brotherly and Sisterly Love * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Lake Pointe Gated and Custom Sections - Bee Cave Austin TX - Market Report 2010 vs 2011

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:41:05 -0500

Did you know that Lake Pointe in Bee Cave has a Gated section as well as a Custom Home Section? It does, I have just never included those areas in my market reports in the past! If you drive down Resaca, the main street in Lake Pointe, it dead-ends right into the Gated Section called The Pointe. Right immediately before the gates, on the left, is a Custom section where there are actually still lots available to build whatever house you want to build.

Those houses are a different breed of house in a different price point, so I did not include either section in my analysis last week of Lake Pointe - Bee Cave Austin TX - Market Report 2010 vs 2011. Instead, I'm writing its own analysis as the area stands on its own. Many of these homes have tremendous views of hill country and Lake Austin.

Here are two charts, one for 2010 and one for 2011, showing the sales activity for each respective year.

In 2010, Lake Pointe's Gated and Custom section had 13 sales with 0 foreclosures. In 2011, there were 16 sales and 3 foreclosures. Does that make 2010 a better year because there weren't any foreclosures? Or does that make 2011 a better year because there were more sales?

In 2010, houses that sold in under 30 days were selling at 97.14% of asking price, whereas they sold for 98.87% of asking price in 2011. Those are high numbers for both years, but for 2011 to be selling at almost 99%, that's awesome!! Again, 2011 had 3 foreclosures, so it skews some of the data, but I feel the "under 30 days" activity is very telling.

If you're looking to buy or sell in the Lake Pointe area, or any other Bee Cave or Austin TX area, please 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

* Lake Pointe Gated and Custom Sections - Bee Cave Austin TX - Market Report 2010 vs 2011 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

January 2012 Market Reports Challenge

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:10:25 -0500

January 2012 Market Reports Challenge. Absolutely Last Month for bonus points... 1500, not 3000.

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.
* January 2012 Market Reports Challenge * wass first published on donnahomesblog.com.

PT50 Finalist Donna Harris Releases the Austin Rocks Video - Texas Surpasses All other States with Job and Economic Growth

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:01:28 -0500

The "Austin Rocks" video is now available for viewing. This is also a "Texas Rocks" video as it starts off by showing all the great things about Texas and how Texas has surpassed the rest of the Country with job and economic growth.

If you're a fan of Texas, please reblog or "share" this video with all your social media outlets to get the word out.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

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

* PT50 Finalist Donna Harris Releases the Austin Rocks Video - Texas Surpasses All other States with Job and Economic Growth * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Lake Travis High School Parade of Champions - Hill Country Galleria

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:09:32 -0500

The Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave TX hosted the Lake Travis High School Parade of Champions on Saturday. It was a lot of fun. There was Elmo, free popcorn, free chocolate cake, and the kids even caught little footballs and volleyballs that were thrown from the cars, boats and trucks!

Here's another list of all the awards Lake Travis has won this year:
Lake Travis Football - 5 Straight state championships
Lake Travis Girls Volleyball - 2 straight State Championships
Lake Travis Men's Golf - State Championship
Lake Travis Women's Golf - Runner Up at State
Lake Travis Tennis - Runner Up at State
Lake Travis March Band - State Finalist
Many 2011 National Merit Scholarship Honorees

**Are You Packed Yet?**

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

* Lake Travis High School Parade of Champions - Hill Country Galleria * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Speechless Sunday - Authentically Sour!!

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:54:03 -0500

**Are You Packed Yet?**

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

* Speechless Sunday - Authentically Sour!! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Lake Pointe - Bee Cave Austin TX - Market Report 2010 vs 2011

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:47:49 -0500

Lake Pointe in Bee Cave Austin TX has some great year-end sales for 2011. People always ask if the real estate market is getting "better". What does "better" mean? It's very subjective...

I decided to pull up sales data in Lake Pointe for all of 2010 to compare it to all the sales data for 2011. For full disclosure, the charts and data below do NOT include the custom section in the back nor the gated section of Lake Pointe.

Here is the data for the Days on the Market:

The big blue sections in both charts show the amount of homes that sold in under 30 days. Did you know a "Buyer's Market" is recognized when the average is 6+ months on the market? In both years, the 1 month mark showed quite a bit of activity. This past year 2011, over 52% of sales were in under 1 month. I think that shows a "better" market than a mere (sarcastic) 38% selling in under a month in 2010. Not a "buyer's market"...

In 2010, there were 50 sales with 0 foreclosures. In 2011, there were 44 sales and 2 foreclosures. If you look at these numbers, you think 2010 was a "better" year, and 2011 was worse... but now combine this information with the above information. Less sales in 2011, but they sold faster... have you read between the lines yet??

Supply and Demand! Supply and Demand happens when you have more buyers for the available inventory...

Now, take that information and look at the below charts:

In 2010, the 38% of houses that sold in under 30 days sold for about 97.7% of asking price. The 52% of houses that sold in Lake Pointe in under 30 days in 2011 sold for about 98.6% of asking price. Is that "better"? In 2011, houses that sat on the market more than 120+ days were getting 97.3% of asking price, whereas houses in 2010 that sat for sale on the market for over 120+ days received a mere 95.9% of asking price. Is that "better"?

Better is a subjective term. Houses for sale in Lake Pointe did a fantastic job in 2010, and 2011 continued the trends that 2010 set. So, yes, real estate in Lake Pointe Bee Cave Austin TX is doing "better" than 2010, but either way, it's been a fairly strong market! If supply and demand does become an issue, we're going to see some great appreciation in 2012!

If you're looking to buy or sell in the Lake Pointe or surrounding Austin areas, please call 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

* Lake Pointe - Bee Cave Austin TX - Market Report 2010 vs 2011 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Lake Travis High School Parade of Champions - Hill Country Galleria - Elmo - January 7 2012

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:26:40 -0500

I know where I'll probably be this Saturday, January 7, 2012!!

Since the Lake Travis Football team won their 5th straight state Championship, the Lake Travis Girls' Volleyball team won their second in a row State Championship, the Boys Golf Team won State Champion, the Girls' Golf Team were the runner-up, the Lake Travis Tennis Team were state runner-up, in addition to the State Finalist Lake Travis Cavalier March Band and 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program Honorees... the city is having a Parade of Champions for the Red and Black!!

WOW! That's a lot of excellence in such a great school district! I'm honored to be a part of this Lake Travis community and look forward to my kids attending the Lake Travis schools.

The actual Parade of Champions starts at 5pm. Prior to that, Elmo will be at the Learning Express Toys from 4-5pm and there will also be live music at the Hill Country Galleria Amphitheater. Sounds like a fun time for all ages!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

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

* Lake Travis High School Parade of Champions - Hill Country Galleria - Elmo - January 7 2012 * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Surpassed 2011 Goals - Set 2012 Goals Higher

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:14:54 -0500

Have you set your 2012 Projection Goals yet? What? You work without goals in mind? How do you know if you're doing well or not? I'm a numbers person, so I'm always looking at my projections. It's in a simple Excel Spreadsheet, nothing fancy. It's a running spreadsheet from the year I started, back in 2000.

When I look back at my projections for 2011 and my actual production, I'm blown away! I surpassed my goals by a lot! I don't usually set low goals, and I wouldn't say my goals were low, but since I didn't reach my potential in 2010, I over compensated for what I thought the market would do.

I only closed 2 transactions more than my projections. That's not far off at all. Where I overcompensated was the amount people would be spending for their homes. This is where I fell into the trap that many people do, and I listened to the National News for a brief instance. Many times, the National News was stating how people were going to be buying smaller homes and spending less on their homes, so I estimated, I projected a much lower volume.

Because of listening to National News instead of what was happening locally, I surpassed my projection by 52%. I actually had my highest volume year, ever...

I only listened to the National News about price point, but as you read above, I surpassed my projection on transaction count by 2. I projected an increase from 2010, and that definitely happened. My volume increased 205% from 2010 to 2011. Since rates were (are) so low, people were spending more because they could, because it was cheap money to borrow.

Overall, my 2011 was an awesome year! I just completed my projections for 2012. I have my transaction count increased by 3 with my total volume staying about the same. Why did I do that? Because I'm currently working with 4 buyers that are in a significantly lower price point than my average in 2011, so I compensated for those that I hope to already have under my belt in the next month or so.

If you don't have your goals set for 2012 yet, you better get moving. If you don't keep a spreadsheet, at least write a note by your computer so you can see it everyday and know what to aim for.

**Are You Packed Yet?**

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

* Surpassed 2011 Goals - Set 2012 Goals Higher * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Interest Rates Effect How Much Home You Can Afford

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:03:08 -0500

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

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

December’s Season of Celebrations & Sharing - ActiveRain Meetup - Austin TX - December 15 - Hat Creek Burger

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:00:10 -0500

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’s Season of Celebrations & Sharing - Armadillo Christmas Bazaar - Palmer Events Center - Austin TX

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:53:42 -0500

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

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.

December’s Season of Celebrations & Sharing - Lake Travis High School Football - Lakeway TX - State Championship Bound

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:46:32 -0500

'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

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