Luxe Austin Homes

"Home prices begin to come down in pandemic boomtowns like Austin, Tampa"

Yahoo! Finance writes, "Real estate prices surged nationwide when the pandemic hit. Bidding wars, all-cash offers, and contingency removals became commonplace.

Now, the tide has turned in some markets.

Home prices in some large US cities declined in April, according to mortgage data company ICE Mortgage (ICE). San Antonio and Austin in Texas, and Tampa, Florida — among the most popular cities during the pandemic — saw the biggest monthly price declines.

The shift comes as these markets recalibrate: Homesellers and house builders are adding more listings, just as fewer Americans are relocating there.

“The key differentiator we're seeing in terms of growing inventory levels in Florida and Texas is a rise in sellers' willingness to list their…

243 Views, 0 Comments

"Four Seasons preps amazing piece of Austin for resort-style residences"

CutureMap Austin writes, "One of the most scenic pieces of real estate in Austin is in an area many locals would never have visited. High up in the hills above Lake Austin, it's accessible by a switchback road tucked into 2,000 acres of protected land beyond some existing residences and offices. Soon, residents will also be able to travel by air-conditioned funicular — a European cable car — transforming this escape 380 feet above the lake into a quasi-alpine retreat: the Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin.

The Four Seasons and and Austin Capital Partners have taken their time to get every detail right before breaking ground on the 100,000 square feet of private amenities. In 2021, the Four Seasons unveiled the plans (with slightly…

271 Views, 0 Comments

"What is Austin, TX Known For? 10 Things to Love About This City"

Redfin.com writes, "Austin, TX is a city that defies expectations and embraces its own distinct identity. From its vibrant music scene to its eclectic food culture, Austin is a melting pot of creativity and innovation. As you wander through its streets, you’ll discover why it’s considered one of the best places to live in Texas. If this sounds like somewhere you might want to live, read on to find out what else Austin is known for.

1. Live music scene

Austin is celebrated as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” This title is supported by the city’s flourishing music scene, boasting over 250 live music venues. Iconic venues such as the Continental Club and Antone’s host performances nightly. Additionally, the city’s annual music…

295 Views, 0 Comments

"Is it a buyer's or seller's market? Neither — but it's moving toward buyers finally"

Austin Business Journal shares, "The Austin-area housing market has reached a stalemate between buyers and sellers — and that's allowing much-needed inventory to catch up and prices to hold steady.

A few years ago it was common for some parts of Central Texas to have a week or two of housing stock. Home inventory in May was clocked at 4.9 months — 1.5 months more than a year ago. It's a level of inventory that hasn’t been seen in 13 years, according to the Unlock MLS report on the Austin Board of Realtors website. Housing experts often say six months of inventory is representative of a healthy market.

“The good news is that we are moving toward a more sustainable level of inventory, which will provide price stability for sellers and more choices for…

242 Views, 0 Comments

"New real estate report shows big spike in active Austin home listings"

CultureMap Austin writes, "Potential homebuyers on the prowl for a house in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown area have a lot more inventory to choose from than usual. Active listings rose to over 12,000 residential properties in May, according to the latest real estate report from Unlock MLS and the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR).

The spike in active listings is a 37.7 percent year-over-year increase from May 2023, the report said, with more than 5,200 new home listings added last month in a 16.3 percent increase from this time last year. Median prices for homes in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA dipped to $459,450 in May after they reached nearly $470,000 in April.

This glut of available housing allows buyers a greater level of…

264 Views, 0 Comments

"AUSTIN SEES RENT REDUCTIONS AND SLOWING APARTMENT CONSTRUCTION AMID REAL ESTATE MARKET SHIFTS"

Hoodline Austin writes, "As rents across Austin experience an unexpected dip, the city is witnessing a shift, where rent decreases have ushered in a slowed momentum for new apartment constructions, revealed data from Realtor.com and insights from local experts. Rents in Austin have seen a near 10% reduction from May 2023 to May 2024, with average rent for small to medium apartments at $1,400, while the national median stood at $1,700, as noted by KVUE.

After a substantial uptick in rental prices, due in part to an influx of residents and low pandemic-era interest rates, construction boomed, yet this surge is tapering off as building costs increase alongside interest rates and market profitability becomes less certain, a situation underscored by a…

282 Views, 0 Comments

"A key housing metric just fell to its lowest point ever"

Austin Business Journal writes, "The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment — a gauge of how good buyers feel about the housing market — fell to its lowest number since the agency began measuring it in 2010.

In May, just 14% of consumers surveyed by the agency said it was a good time to buy a home, down from 20% in April. Those who said it was a bad time to buy increased to 86%. 

Even seller optimism slipped, dropping from 67% who believed it was a good time to sell in April to 64% in May. The growing pessimism comes even as about 20% of those surveyed said their household income was higher than it was a year ago. 

The declining sentiments are yet another factor weighing on the housing market, which is fueling an affordability crisis in many…

260 Views, 0 Comments

"Work to start this fall on Four Seasons neighborhood on Lake Austin"

Austin Business Journal writes, "First there was the hotel. Then the condo tower next to the hotel. Soon, there will likely be an entire neighborhood here with the esteemed Four Seasons brand — 179 residences and nine villas in all on top of hills but with access to the lake via a funicular. Construction may begin soon.

Turnbridge Equities, a real estate investment and development firm responsible for major Austin projects such as Music Lane and the CitizenM hotel, has joined Austin Capital Partners and Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts as a development partner for the upcoming Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin, a luxury housing development on Bridge Point Parkway with views of Pennybacker Bridge, the West Austin hills and the downtown…

278 Views, 0 Comments

"Local leaders discuss housing affordability, supply in Austin"

Community Impact Austin shares, "Area leaders are continuing to look for creative ways to increase housing supply and create sustainable housing options in Austin, such as changing development codes and spearheading efforts to grow the local workforce.

Amplify Credit Union hosted its second annual Central Texas Affordability Summit on May 23 with Amplify members; Mayor Kirk Watson; and a panel featuring Heather Donahue of MOD Architecture and Design; Jeremy Striffler, director of real estate and asset management at Austin ISD; and Hannah Rangel of the Downtown Austin Alliance.

The gist

Watson said the city has undertaken a number of initiatives to address its housing supply and affordability. In December, City Council approved the first phase of the Home…

296 Views, 0 Comments

"More than 1K new homes on tap for fast-growing Georgetown"

Austin Business Journal writes, "Georgetown, recently crowned the fastest-growing U.S. city of over 50,000 people for the third year in a row, is getting a new housing development encompassing more than 300 acres.

The Georgetown City Council on May 28 approved the creation of a municipal utility district for Ragsdale Ranch, a housing development that would see more than 1,000 homes rise just a few miles north of Liberty Hill's Santa Rita Ranch — itself one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the metro.

Ragsdale Ranch is being developed by HK Ragsdale LLC, according to the meeting agenda, with Paul Kuo listed as the developer contact. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is a managing partner at HK Real Estate Development, a San…

246 Views, 0 Comments