Doreen Zelma | Support Local Austin

Author Archive for Doreen Zelma

Custom Home Search

December 21st, 2011

The more detailed the criteria I use to find a home, the lower the number of search results. However, I do have to use some criteria when looking like a zip code or MLS area. The Austin MLS system will only allow me to pull 100 properties for any given property search. It is rare though that I do not have enough criteria to narrow the search to less than 100. After all, everyone typically has some criteria whether it’s a neighborhood, school district and of course – price.

For those who really want to narrow the field down further, I can get very specific in terms of how I search for a property. Understand, I may be lucky to find one property if the criteria are too narrow, but the flexibility in how I search for properties is available for those looking for something really specific.

Search for a Home in the Greater Austin area

Here is a list of some unique criteria I can use when searching for a property:

Elementary School
Master bedroom located on the first floor
Number of stairs to enter a house
Fireplace
Fractional ownership (time share)
Year built
Pool
Duplex, triplex or fourplex
Building materials (i.e. all sides masonry)
Media Room
Modified for wheel chair
Area amenities (i.e. club house, jogging path, lake privileges
Flooring
Type of utilities
City view
No backyard grass

There are too many criteria to list. The intent is give you some idea of how detailed I can get. One thing to note is that not all agents add as much detail as they can to a listing. If an agent does not add that a property has a view of downtown, for example, the system is not going to pull it if your criteria include only city view properties. There are fields that, as Realtors, we have to fill when entering a listing, while others are voluntary.

Categories Buying a home
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Home for the Holidays

by Doreen Zelma

December 16th, 2011

I wrote an article a couple of weeks ago about why sellers should keep their homes on the market during the holiday season. There are advantages for buyers as well during the holidays for those who can find some extra few hours in their shopping schedule. One thing buyers have going for them is that there are less people shopping for homes.

Fewer buyers mean fewer offers to sellers. I’ve talked before about wants and needs. Some owners need to sell now, they don’t just want to sell. Many people make job changes this time of year which nowadays, may mean moving to a different state. Sellers are often more flexible this time of year with price because they don’t have the buyer traffic they would have other times of the year – there is simply less demand. Investors know this, which is why I work with more investors this time of year than any other.

Interest rates are also very low right now, which gives you more buying power. You can qualify to spend more on a house when interest rates are low, than you can when they start to go up. Why? Lenders look at debt to income ratio when deciding to approve a buyer for a loan. Debt includes existing data like student loans and car payments, but the principle and interest on your proposed home purchase will also be a factor. The more you spend on interest the lower your principle payment on the house will need to be to meet the criteria of debt to income.

Real Estate Traffic

Ironically, another advantage this time of year for buyers is time. People often take off a few days between Christmas and New Years. When shopping for presents has ended, people often find they have extra time to look for a house without the stress of spending the day at work. In fact the busiest day to search for a home on-line is December 26th, the day after Christmas.

Happy Holidays to You,

Doreen

Categories Buying a home
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Downtown Austin Condo Data

by Doreen Zelma

December 8th, 2011

Austin Downtown Districts

What’s moving Downtown and how are other hot condo areas doing? I have selected specific condominiums and popular areas in Central Austin to offer some data points. Downtown Austin and the surrounding areas offer great varieties in unit sizes, amentities and styles. There are low rises and hi-rise living options in a variety of price points. The large variety of locations, styles and price points offer truely something for everyone.

The data below is specific to condominium homes.

If there is an area you want me to spotlight -please let me know.

Central Austin Condo Market Data

All Downtown Condos
Number of Active Houses on the Market:         81
Average Days on Market:                             109
Median List Price:                                 $ 399,900

Spring Condominiums (Downtown)
Number of Active Houses on the Market:        10
Average Days on Market:                                 85
Median List Price:                                 $ 408,500

360 Condominiums (Downtown)
Number of Active Houses on the Market:          6
Average Days on Market:                                  51
Median List Price:                                $ 387,000

W Residences (Downtown)
Number of Active Houses on the Market:             9
Average Days on Market:                                138
Median List Price:                              $ 1,149,000

Milago Condomniums (Downtown)
Number of Active Houses on the Market:            5
Average Days on Market:                                   85
Median List Price:                                  $ 339,000

All Condos in zip code 78704
(South of Downtown: SoCo / Zilker area)
Number of Active Houses on the Market:          65
Average Days on Market:                                    96
Median List Price:                                   $ 250,000

All University of Texas Condos
Number of Active Houses on the Market:            44
Average Days on Market:                                  143
Median List Price:                                  $ 208,750

All condos in zip code 78703
(West of Downtown: Tarrytown area)
Number of Active Houses on the Market:            45
Average Days on Market:                                   102
Median List Price:                                     $ 370,000

Categories Buying a home, Downtown Condos
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Deck the Halls

by Doreen Zelma

November 30th, 2011

‘Tis the season for shopping, baking, cooking, cleaning and maybe a little pepper spray in your eye. With all of the added things to find time for during the holidays, selling a home can seem an additional job we may not have time for. There are benefits though to selling during the holiday season and certainly things to be mindful of.

Austin Winter Real Estate Market

The holiday season is also the start of colder weather. In other parts of the country snow can really impact winter home sales. Fortunately, for the Austin Real Estate market snow and ice days are little and far between. Buyers can generally shop year round though it may be hard to find the time.

Only the must-see homes on the hot list make the cut this time of year. There are fewer buyers this time of year and with little time, those coming out to see a house are serious shoppers. Sellers will get less traffic but those that come out want or need to buy — now.

A decorated house brings warmth and whimsy to the décor which makes people feel good. Decorations help set the stage for your home. One of my sellers’ biggest challenges for selling a home is keeping it clean. Houses are generally cleaner this time of year because we clean anyway when friend and family are coming to visit.

Houses smell better this time of year as well. The real Christmas tree, those fresh baked cookies and gingerbread room deodorizers make buyers feel good when they come see your home.

There are many sellers that will take their house off the market between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I always encourage by sellers to keep their houses on the market. Serious buyers will miss your home if it is not for sale.

Categories Selling a home
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