- Downtown Austin
You wake up everyday to news of how the economy is slow and a declining job growth…but, will 2012 be the year that the housing market will turn around?
According to a Statesman article from this past November, the sales of existing homes in the Central Texas region rose about 11 percent in that month. According to data from the Board of Realtors, 1,358 homes were sold in November, compared with 1,225 in November 2010.
November already seems to be an improvement over November of 2010 since the average of days on the market was 83 days, seven days less than those sold in November 2010.
Compare November to this past December and it could be said that the market is turning around.
This past month, sales of existing homes were up 11 percent in December compared with the same month in 2010. According to data from the Board of Realtors gathered by the Statesman, homes spent an average of 89 days on the market in December, nine days fewer than the prior December.
It may be to early to assume that the real estate market is improving but the data for home sales for the Central Texas area shows that in this area it is improving.
With Austin’s apartment market among the healthiest in the nation, it is no surprise that housing market has also improved compared to 2010. Thanks to the Austin’s job and population growth and limited number of apartment units under construction, the apartment market has been in great demand.
For help in finding the perfect new home, contact Habitat Hunters Real Estate Services at (512) 482-8651 or visit us at www.habitathunters.com. We will take care of all your residential and commercial needs.
January 29th, 2012
With the holiday season already set in full motion, it’s easy to overlook many things…like savings.
You may find yourself spending on gifts for loved ones and amazing feasts, but here are a few tips to help you save on those things that you can control.
We give you a mix of energy-saving tips and tips to keep you safe over the holidays.
1) Use power strips!
This way, when not in use, you can turn off those electronics with the click of a button. Remember, plugged in items are silent energy suckers…they keep using energy even while you’re away.
2) Open shades and curtains.
So the time of cold fronts has arrived, you want to keep the heater on at all times but you fear what your energy bill will look like next month. We’re all on the same boat!
Open up those shades during the day when the sun is out and lower the temperature so the heater won’t be on overdrive.
But as soon as the sun goes down, close the shades! This helps prevent the heat from escaping.
Which takes me to my next tip…
3) Lower the temperature!
Set your thermostat to 70 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night when no one is home. No one loves to come home to an igloo but you also don’t want to unnecessarily waste energy.
4) Lights out when you go to bed
This year, you put a lot of time and effort into decorating the most amazing tree on the block. You love it so much that you want people to be able to see those lights when they drive by your home. Not a good idea. Turn off those holiday lights because a) it’s a waste of energy and b) it’s a fire hazard if you’re using a natural tree. (This tip includes those outdoor holiday lights, turn them off!)
Only keep those lights on whenever you can supervise your tree.
Turn off the lights & keep an eye on that fireplace!
5) Test those smoke alarms
It is recommended that everyone test their smoke alarms once a month. (But of course, we don’t need to remind you since you already do this, right?)
This tip is especially important during the holidays because of the many fire hazards around your home like fireplaces, burning candles, and Christmas trees.
6) Consider replacing older strings of holiday lights with more energy efficient light emitting diodes, LEDs.
LEDs present no fire hazard and save up to 80-90 percent of your decorative lighting energy costs. Enough said!
7) Turn off bath fans
It may not be something you think about often but turned on bath fans are an easy way for heat to escape.
8) Consider converting the wood-burning fireplace to energy-efficient natural gas.
Traditional masonry fireplaces are nice to look at but they draw the heat from your home up the chimney. What a waste! Plus, they are only 10 to 25 percent efficient.
Natural gas on the other hand, burns cleaner and is up to 80 percent efficient! What’s better is that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of wood, cleaning ashes and smoke
9) If you have pets, watch out for holiday plants!
Keep those holidays plants away from me, please!
Mistletoe, holly, Christmas trees, poinsettias and lilies all vary on toxic level but they are still not good for pets. Depending on which one your pet ingests, they can cause nausea or vomiting, kidney failure, convulsions, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or excessive salivation. In extreme cases, some can cause your pet to go into a coma or death.
After the holidays, if you’re considering leasing or purchasing a new home, contact Habitat Hunters Real Estate Services at (512) 482-8651 or visit us at www.habitathunters.com. We will take care of all your residential and commercial needs.
December 7th, 2011
We all look at our home as the center of our universe. A home is where you spend most of your time, do most of your living and create families. No one blames us for wanting to take pride in it and make it as beautiful as can be.
Of course, we are regular people with regular budgets. This makes it hard sometimes to keep our homes up-to date with the latest celebrity fashions.
Well don’t you fret…
With the help of MSN’s ‘Hot new-home trends for 2011‘, we have gathered our top 3 most functional tips that anyone can work with to keep a home trendy for 2011.
1) ‘Smaller’ is in
Downsize. Reduce. Save.
Three of the most overused yet important words of the year. 2011 is all about minimizing costs and conserving.
- ‘Smaller’ is in
Don’t believe us? The median size of new U.S. homes fell from 2,277 square feet in 2007 to 2,135 square feet in 2009, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
So if you already have a small home, great! Work with it.
If you’re home is big, there is no point in moving for the sake of being trendy. The key to small and large homes is to work with the space you already have.
For those in the small department, a great tip is to get rid of the clutter. Find pieces of furniture that no longer work well in your home and have no use for and get rid of them. You can choose to recycle or even make a little extra cash by holding a garage sale.
The extra cash can go to projects such as installing quality faucets, high-end appliances and even granite countertops which are still in demand for homes.
2) Front porches
Oh the days of the front porch. It not only serves as a gathering spot to relax and feel the breeze but it also adds home value. An extra bonus is that it looks pretty.
So for those looking for a new home improvement project that will make your home stand out, try adding a porch.
If you already have one, try adding a porch swing. Paint your front door a vibrant color to instantly add a curb appeal. Or make use of your gardening skills to make simple improvements.
White, long porch
Add a vibrant color
3) We’ve heard it before, ‘green‘ is the new ‘black‘
Energy efficiency. No need to explain.
There are many ways to make your home energy ‘friendly’. Some are an investment and others are as simple as heading to your local home improvement store and picking it up.
You can purchase CFL lighbultbs or Energy Star certified appliances.
But the most popular one that ends up saving in the long run is installing insulation in the walls and ceiling that have a higher R-value. By using higher insulating products, you can ultimately cut down energy usage thus cutting down on cost.
Not to mention, it keeps your home warm in the winter by preventing heat from escaping.
There you have it. It’s not too late to make your home a better place for you and the environment.
For help in finding the perfect new home, contact Habitat Hunters Real Estate Services at (512) 482-8651 or visit us at www.habitathunters.com. We will take care of all your residential and commercial needs.
September 26th, 2011
For years, couples have struggled with the snoring issue. No one likes to lose sleep. Sleep is an important part of the recuperation process. We just can’t live without it.
So when we are losing sleep because our partner is sawing logs on the other side, the most logical thing we do is migrate to the couch. Than the couch turns into another issue because no one wants to sleep on that thing. It’s cramped and uncomfortable.
Well the next time you are in the market for a house, plan on making that spare room into a ‘snore room’. (Already have a spare room? The guest room? Use it!)
Celebrities have always been known as trendsetters but this time they’ve taken it to another level…or to another room.
It is reported by the Telegraph, that shortly after they married, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes would sleep in separate bedrooms because of his snoring.
Cruise, is said to have turned the guest bedroom into a snore room so that he could sleep.
These ‘snore rooms’ can come with many different features. Soundproof walls can be installed or fish tanks. The fish tank is a genius idea because not only does the noise drown out the snoring, it is also used to soothe the sleeper.
Yes, this may sound like a crazy idea but not everyone finds it to be that way. Senior citizens are also following this trend.
According to Today MSNBC, “Builders specializing in communities for “active seniors” over 55…are offering new home designs featuring snore rooms.”
It’s a shame that we didn’t come up with this idea sooner. For centuries, couples have had to deal with this issue. Snore rooms should’ve been invented into homes a long time ago.
So if you’re having trouble sleeping because of snoring, consider turning that guest bedroom into one of these rooms. It’s better than losing sleep or sleeping on the couch.
Leave us some tips on how to avoid losing sleep without disturbing your partner. Have you been using the ‘snore room’ idea for a while?
Are you in the market for a new home and thing you’d like to have a ‘snore room’?
For help in finding the perfect new home, contact Habitat Hunters Real Estate Services at (512) 482-8651 or visit us at www.habitathunters.com. We will take care of all your residential and commercial needs.
August 15th, 2011
You don’t have to hear about it in the news to know that it’s hot outside. Yes, it’s hot. Very hot!
Over and over again you hear about people across the nation struggling with this heat. You’re from Texas so triple-digit temperatures no longer surprise you. In fact, you’re used to it. You can no longer tell the difference between it being 107 or 114 outside.
He's not the only one trying to stay cool this summer
We all have enough on our plate trying to stay cool. The last thing we need to worry about is that dreaded energy bill that comes at the end of the month.
So here we have compiled a few tips on how to cut down costs on your electricity bill this summer. Most are pretty simple and the best part is that you will not have to sacrifice sweat and comfort in order to save.
1) Appliance Vampires- this is a term used for those appliances that suck energy, even when they aren’t in use. We are not suggesting that you go around unplugging everything in your home. (That would become annoying pretty quickly!) Just unplug those small things that are not in use all day like that laptop charger, phone charger, hair dryer, hair iron, etc. You get the idea.
2) Wash laundry in cold water. When you use hot water, you are using up energy to heat that water. Skip this and save. If your clothes requires hot water than substitute for warm water.
3) Wash and dry full loads. Why do 7 loads of laundry if you can cut it down to 4 loads?
This also applies to your dishwasher.
* BONUS, skip the heated dry setting on your dishwasher. Instead, let the dishes dry on their own or towel dry them.
4) Take out the lint from your dryer! When your dryer is full of lint, this blocks the heat and so your clothes will not dry. Always check for lint after each load.
5) If you can avoid using the dryer, do it. Try hang-drying your clothes outside. The sun will not charge you to dry but your electricity company will.
6) Dry towels and heavy cottons separately from those lighter fabrics. Trust me, a combination of heavy and lights will only require you to add more drying time. No good.
7) Turn off the lights when not in the room! I know a few people that leave lights on because they will go back to that room in a few minutes. That’s a waste! Get into the habit of turning off the lights and TV when you leave the room.
8 ) Set the temperature as high as you can, as long as you are comfortable.
9) Close those blinds and curtains. Sun light may brighten the room but it also heats it, canceling out the work of your AC.
10) Install window films, as well as following step 9.
11) Do not blast the AC when you come indoors. Many times, I feel that I need to blast the AC once I come home from a run because I want to cool down ASAP. This does not work. It just causes your AC to work more and waste more. Try cooling down with a glass of water or taking a cold shower.
12) Plant a tree near your home! Plant on the sides of the home that receive the most sunlight, preferably the west and south side. This will provide shade and less heat coming into your home.
Bonus, trees are pretty and according to the Arbor Day site, when you plant a tree on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less.
Plus, they absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen!
13) Use your microwave! It’s quicker and more convenient, minus the hot kitchen. Or make a sandiwich. This requires no energy. (Great excuse not to cook tonight!)
14) Use your laptop rather than your desktop. Laptops consume about 15-45 watts, far less than desktops (they use anywhere from 65-250).
15) Use your programmable thermostat! ( Don’t have one, get one!) According to HandyMan, “Setting your cooling system four to six degrees warmer when you’re away at work or on vacation and automatically lowering it to 78 degrees when you’re home can cut 5 to 20 percent off your energy bill.”
16) Use the sleep mode on your laptop/desktop. Make life easier on yourself by setting it up automatically whenever it is idle for more than 5 minutes.
17) Use fluorescent bulbs. Yes, they are a little more expensive but they’re an investment because they last longer and use less energy than regular light bulbs.
Share with us a few of your tips on how you are cutting down energy costs around your home. We appreciate comments.
Need more tips? Check out the articles that we used:
The Family Handyman
DavidMakesCents.com
10Money.com
Quick and Simple
August 8th, 2011
The 2011 Mid-Year Housing Forecast is here!
The worst may not be over but there are many reasons for optimism.
Texas is ranked as one of the Fastest Growing States, with the population growing with over 4 million new residents between 2000-2010.
You will find information on how different groups such as Baby Boomers and Generation Y feel about the housing market and economy.
Download the attached PDF for more data on how the housing market is doing:
2011 Mid Year Housing Forecast
July 19th, 2011
With Austin projected to grow by more than 6,000 residents between this month and August, many may ask, “Why has everyone gone to Austin?
A possible reason could be that the Lone Star State was just ranked the Top State for Business by Chief Report. An honor like this is enough to tempt anyone who is looking to start a business. As the saying goes, “I wasn’t born in Texas but I got here as soon as I could”.
So when making the move to Texas, the obvious choice for relocation is Austin.
Austin has a lot to offer its current and incoming residents. Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, this city stays true to its title. Every year, SXSW and Austin City Limits (ACL) attract thousands of tourists from around the country and around the world. On top of this, fellow residents get to enjoy many outdoor options that include the parks and trails around the city, Barton Springs, Lake Travis and Lake Austin.
Other forms of entertainment include Austin’s museums, local restaurants and its most famous attraction, 6th Street.
With Dell headquartered here and Facebook and Google recently opening offices in the area, Austin is a great option for those looking to break into the technology industry. If that doesn’t convince you, take it from Under30ceo.com, who ranked Austin as the #3 Top City for Young Entrepreneurs. With technology constantly changing, this hot city is not slowing down.
…and slowing down it will not. The Rice University Kinder Institute released a report yesterday naming Austin the 11th fastest growing city in the U.S.
Need more reasons to visit or move to the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’? A recent report by Forbes called Austin, America’s #1 ‘Boom Town’. It praised the city for its two-year employment and population growth.
So if you happen to be looking for a new beginning, Austin is your only option. Come grow in a city that is still growing!
For help in finding the perfect home in the Austin area, call Habitat Hunters, Inc. at (512) 482-8651, located just blocks from the University of Texas-Austin at 503 W. 30th and found online at www.habitathunters.com. We will be glad to assist with your needs to buy, sell or lease residential or commercial properties.
July 14th, 2011
Clients consider whether to downsize their homes for a variety of reasons. Below, I outline many of the factors that make downsizing a good choice for many. Most of the reasons are financial in nature but certainly not all.
DISPOSABLE INCOME INCREASES: If you can reduce your monthly housing fixed expenses by moving into a smaller house or condo, likely you will more cash at the end of the month to spend on other items
NO MORTGAGE: By moving into a smaller or lower priced home, you may be able to pay with cash or at a minimum have a smaller mortgage obligation.
REDUCED PROPERTY TAXES & INSURANCE: Smaller usually means a less expensive tax appraisal leading to a lower tax bill and since there is less to insure a savings there as well.
DECREASED UTILITY BILLS: A smaller home is great protection against higher utility costs. For example, you will no longer have to pay to heat and cool extra rooms. Of course, you will also want to consider having an energy audit to test the efficiency of your new house or condo as size is not the only factor when looking at utility bills.
LIFESTYLE: Fewer rooms mean less cleaning. A smaller (or no) yard means less yard work. Thus, you may be left with more time to do the things that you would rather do. Sounds like a great way to take a bite out of stress and hit the walking trail or the movies!
To learn more about downsizing or anything related to real estate in the Austin, Texas area, contact licensed Texas attorney, REALTOR and CPA Jeffrey S. Plotkin, VP of Habitat Hunters, Inc., Jeffrey may be reached at 512-517-4327, via e-mail at Plotkin@habitathunters.com or by mail at 503 W 30th St., Austin, TX 78705, www.habitathunters.com.
April 14th, 2011
Have you just relocated to Austin or are you currently renting in the area? You should ask yourself, is buying a residence the right thing for me to do? You might want to think about some of the following:
Having a mortgage can build equity. In most mortgage arrangements, each month you will make a payment. Some of that payment will be applied to reduce your principal balance. The hope is that when you go to sell your home at a later time, the balance will be reduced and you will get to walk away from the closing table with proceeds.
Potential Appreciation. Appreciation and potential equity addressed above go hand in hand. The economy has experienced up and down cycles and may continue to. However, many believe that overtime most real estate does appreciate. When you rent you have no chance of appreciation at all, and you are actually helping to make someone else’s monthly payment.
Tax Benefits. Under current US federal tax law, homeowners are given very favorable treatment. Simply stated, in most all cases, your home mortgage interest is deductible if you itemize on your tax return. Since mortgage interest, especially on a newly acquired home, makes up the largest percent of your monthly payment, this leads to a great tax shelter and break. If the interest deduction is not enough, the real estate property taxes you pay on your principal residence are deductible on your federal tax return as well.
Pride of Ownership. Imagine pulling into your driveway and looking at your most prized asset! It also means that you don’t have to worry about painting walls or making improvements to someone else’s property. Most feel that owning gives you the feeling of making an investment in your future, and helps to provide stability for you.
To discuss any of the topics above, feel free to contact Jeff Plotkin, a Texas REALTOR, attorney and CPA. Jeff Plotkin, is VP of Habitat Hunters REALTORS of Austin. Jeff may be reached at plotkin@habitathunters.com or 512-517-4327. Please visit www.habitathunters.com to learn more.
April 12th, 2011
Austin, Texas is the capital of Texas and a great growing cultural center. However, the Austin, Texas area is also home to many higher education centers such as the University of Texas, Texas State, St. Edwards, Concordia and Austin Community College, among others. For the reasons below, the college population makes Austin a great place to consider investing in.
1.) Rentals Already Leased -Rentals already leased? Many rental properties that one purchases in a college community are already populated with tenants. This means that the initial cost of getting the property rented or having it set vacant (for a month or two) is NOTHING! The only catch for the new property owner is to make sure that the tenant is a good one; that’s easy enough as we can ask for copies of lease applications, credit checks, any letters of guaranty and other documentation used for the initial approval.
2.) Money to Spare – University towns are full of money; government and parent money. Many students have plenty of loan money and seemingly almost always pay rent on time. As an added bonus, one can locate their rentals near some of the private universities in the Austin area, thus tapping into the government’s money as well as wealthy parents that prefer to send their students to the best educational institutes. Moreover, since students cannot typically qualify for many rentals on their own, you get the added benefit of having parents or family member serves as lease guarantors.
3.) Easy to find Tenants – Most often, there are plenty of tenants to fill your vacancies. Of course, many colleges house students on campus, they never come close to housing all of them in the Austin area. Moreover, most upperclassmen don’t want to be in the dorms. Thus, juniors, seniors, and graduate students often represent much of the tenant base and they tend to be more responsible.
For help in finding the perfect rental investment in the Austin, TX area, call Jeffrey Plotkin, REALTOR, attorney and CPA at 512-517-4327 or by e-mail at Plotkin@habitathunters.com. Jeffrey Plotkin is VP of Habitat Hunters, Inc., located just blocks from the University of Texas-Austin at 503 W. 30th and found online at www.habitathunters.com.
April 7th, 2011
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