Luxe Austin Homes

"Growing number of seven-figure cities have typical home values above $1M"

Austin Business Journal writes, "Nestled amid the palm trees of Jupiter Island, Florida, is a three-bedroom, five-bathroom house with a pool on a half-acre lot.

The 2,798-square-foot house, only steps to the beach and offering ocean views, is currently listed on the market for $5.1 million. As of the time of publication, it's the cheapest house for sale on Jupiter Island, which boasts the highest median home value in America, according to Zillow Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ZG).

The typical home value on Jupiter Island reached $9.98 million in February 2024, according to Zillow, beating out the exclusive neighborhoods of Golden Beach, Florida; Hunts Point, Washington; and Atherton, California.

While certain cities and neighborhoods have always seen…

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"Is Austin's housing market overvalued? At least by one measure, the answer is yes"

Austin Business Journal writes, "Home prices in Austin are eclipsing the median buying power of local residents.

That's according to data from First American Financial Corp., which found the housing markets in at least half of the nation's major metro areas are overvalued compared to local buying power.

Home prices have soared nationally over the past decade — especially during the pandemic — and that's driving a significant affordability crisis in many regions. High interest rates and a sustained lack of inventory aren't helping matters.

Local buying power in Austin is $434,663, according to the data. Unfortunately for those in the market for a new home, the median sale price of a house in Austin was clocked at $466,867. That's about a…

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"Austin takes steps to ensure low-income residents can capitalize on zoning changes"

Austin Business Journal writes, "The new resolution, passed at the May 30 City Council meeting, tasks the city manager with identifying ways to improve access to the HOME program for low- and moderate-income households and expanding educational resources and technical help to households at risk of displacement due to gentrification. East Austin, where racial minorities were pushed about 100 years ago and gentrification concerns are top of mind, is likely to be a focus — though residents across the region have felt the effects of rising property values and urbanization.

Low-income households are those that earn 80% or less of the median family income, according to the Austin Housing Department. As of June 2023, 80% MFI for a three-person household…

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"New micro home neighborhood could help with affordability"

Austin Business Journal shares, "A development of over 200 “micro homes” is coming to San Marcos soon. 

Earlier this month, Casata broke ground on what will be a community of 210 tiny homes ranging from 500 to 800 square feet. Casata CEO Aaron Levy said this will be the largest community of micro homes in the region and potentially in the U.S. 

The community, which is about three miles north of San Marcos, will have several dog parks, six acres of trails and park space, a pool, a gym and much more. Levy said people will likely move into the new neighborhood in summer 2025.

Our partners at KXAN News have more here on Casata's micro-home project.

In 2021, the Austin Business Journal reported on plans by Casata, an Austin-based startup,…

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"Affluent House Hunters in Austin, Texas, Are Finding an Opportunity—and ‘Even a Deal’"

Mansion Global writes, "Once the poster child for the pandemic housing boom, Austin, Texas, is seeing some of the nation’s steepest price declines for luxury homes, coupled with a growing supply of listings.

Luxury house hunters are now facing less competition and far more choice than even a year ago, marking an opportunity to buy before demand overwhelms supply again. There were 20% more luxury listings on the market in the greater metro area in the first quarter than a year ago, according to data from Realtor.com, which defines luxury as the top 10% of the market by listing price. 

“I have not seen this much great inventory in Austin in a long time, even since before the pandemic,” said luxury real estate agent Kumara Wilcoxon of Kuper…

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"UT Austin planning 'Texas-sized party' for first-ever SEC event"

KVUE AUSTIN, Texas — "It's almost time, Longhorn fans! The University of Texas at Austin is just about a month away from leaving the Big 12 behind and joining the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

To celebrate, UT and Texas Athletics have planned a free, all-day event on Sunday, June 30, from 1 to 10 p.m. across the Forty Acres. 

"UT's move to the Southeastern Conference is an extraordinary moment for Texas Athletics, Longhorn Nation and our entire University. It is only fitting that we celebrate this occasion with a Texas-sized party on the Forty Acres, open to all," UT President Jay Hartzell said.

The "SEC Celebration" will include interactive games and activities starting at 2 p.m., including a Ferris wheel, a giant slide and more.…

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"Georgetown is fastest-growing city of its size for third-straight year"

Austin Business Journal writes, "For the third-straight year, Georgetown is the fastest-growing city of at least 50,000 people by percent change, according to an analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Other Austin-area cities weren't far behind.

Georgetown's population reached 96,312 last year, according to newly released city-level data for the 12-month period spanning July 2022 to July 2023. That represents a gain of roughly 9,250 people from the year before — the eighth most in the country among cities of any size based on numeric gains.

An analysis of the data also shows that the city north of Austin grew 10.6% year-over-year, making it the fastest-growing city of at least 50,000 people. Kyle, south of Austin, ranked No. 2 with a 9%…

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"The 'lock-in' effect is hitting homebuyers. It may get worse."

Austin Business Journal shares, "Americans expect high mortgage rates to rise even more in the coming years, a perspective that could further dampen the housing market.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s SCE Housing Survey found Americans expect mortgage rates to climb from just under the 7% they are now to 8.7% a year from now and 9.7% in three years — the highest recorded since the agency started asking Americans that question in 2014.

The pessimism around mortgage rates comes as the Federal Reserve has held off on cutting interest rates after spending much of 2022 raising them to curb inflation. Some officials have said the likelihood of the Fed raising rates again is low, and the housing industry is holding its breath on what future…

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"Austin is back on the rise in latest 'best places to live' ranking"

Austin Business Journal shares, "Austin is back in the top 10 on a highly regarded list it once dominated: U.S. News & World Report's analysis of the 150 "best places to live." It was in a bit of a freefall on the list since 2020.

The leap to No. 9 this year from No. 40 in 2023 stems partly from new methodology in how the list is prepared. The ranking this year focused solely on cities, whereas entire metro areas were ranked in previous years — a change that resulted in significant churn throughout the list.

In addition, strength of local job markets weighed more heavily this year than last year. The ranking compares cities on a variety of factors — such as job market, quality of life and value, which includes housing affordability — but they're…

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"Home sales up in Northwest Austin in April"

Community Impact Austin writes, "The real estate market for the North-Northwest Austin area experienced more home sales in April year over year, according to data from the Austin Board of Realtors.

Zooming in

For the first time since January, the 78729 ZIP code saw a positive percentage increase in home sales year over year. Meanwhile, home sales in the 78750 ZIP code have consistently seen at least double-digit percentage growth year over year since February.

The only ZIP code in the area that experienced a percentage decrease in the number of homes sold year over year in April was 78758, although the number of homes still increased month over month, going from 26 in March to 28 in April.

Although growth was nearly unanimous across the…

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