Austin area news
-
Median price of a home in Austin is now $624,000
AUSTIN, Texas — The latest housing report from the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) shows that in March, the median price of a home in Austin rose 22.4% to $624,000 – an all-time record for the city. Last month, ABoR said home sales in Austin decreased 6.3% to 1,048 sales in March, new listings decreased 7.5% to 1,316 listings, active listings rose 20.3% to 533 listings and pending sales dropped by 18.7% to 1,128 pending sales. Monthly housing inventory increased 0.1 months year-over-year to 0.5 months of inventory. “Rising home prices along with nationwide inflation and rising interest rates can seed caution in the market, so it’s important to remember that we are still…
-
Once the last resort for buyers, realtors say ‘everyone wants to be in Pflugerville’
In 2013, Texas Monthly writer John Spong asked the burning question on every long-term Austinite’s mind: Is Austin still Austin when it’s overrun by tech bros and rich hipsters (sometimes indistinguishable, but alas). In his story, titled “All Grown Up,” he pulls up to the Liberty, at the time the gold standard for East Side dives. His group is immediately tagged as interlopers. “Hey, yuppies, why don’t you get in your BMW and drive back to Pflugerville!” a young punk yells at Spong and his pals. Almost a decade ago, the Eastside dive bar was easily spottable from either side of East Sixth Street but is now crunched and hidden between condos. It’s…
-
Austin ranks among top luxury real estate markets with soaring 550% sales volume increase
Austin’s luxury real estate market is booming but after an especially fruitful year, the capital city is joining the big leagues for high-priced homes. According to a study comparing industry-wide sales activity done by real estate agency Compass, Austin saw a 450% increase in $10 million-plus real estate transactions from 2020-2021, placing it among the 30 highest-value markets in the U.S. With 11 total transactions totaling $189 million, the sales volume in Austin jumped 562% since 2020, putting the city markedly higher than major cities like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Jersey Shore, New Jersey; Long Island, New York, and Washington D.C. Dallas was the only other Texas city to be included on the…
-
$500 million Southeast Austin project calls for 4,000 homes, condos and apartments
A $500 million development that calls for more than 2,500 houses, 1,500 multifamily units and commercial space is in the works for fast-growing Southeast Austin The developer is Houston-based Hines, an international real estate firm. Its partners are Vancouver-based Trez Capital, based in, Dallas-Fort Woth-based Caravel Ventures and Tokyo-based Sumitomo Forestry. The project — which is being called Mirador — will be developed at a cost of more than $500 million, according to Hines executives. The company said financing is in place, but did not provide additional details. The Hines-led development group said this week that it has closed on the sale of the 1,400-acre site for the project. The property is bounded in…
-
A 2021 guide to holiday lights in and around Central Texas
Tis the season for Christmas in Central Texas and one thing that makes this time of year more enjoyable is holiday lights! If you haven’t gone hunting for Christmas lights yet, in this article I will offer you several locations that you can visit in Central Texas to see some awesome light displays. Where To Find Holiday Lights In Central Texas Austin Trail of Lights: This iconic holiday staple returns for its 57th year and second year as a drive-thru event to light up Zilker Park with over two million lights. Stay warm in your car and cruise through light displays of every shape and size. Open nightly from Nov. 27 through Dec. 31…
-
Best restaurant patios in Austin
With COVID-19 hospitalizations continuing to climb and ICU beds and ventilators in short supply, some people are retreating to dining behavior from last year. Every restaurant I’ve visited requires staff to continue to wear masks, and many are recommending, if not yet requiring, diners wear masks when not eating and drinking at their tables. And a recent poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed more than half of Americans favor mask mandates for dining at restaurants. Such a mandate is illegal in Texas. I, like many diners I’ve spoken with, am once again eating almost exclusively on patios. Good news: There are a lot of great patios at Austin…
-
Southwest Airlines Announces Largest Schedule Ever from Austin beginning March 2022
AUSTIN, Texas – Marking its 44th year in the Texas capital this week, Southwest Airlines, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s (AUS) largest carrier, has announced that it will bring even more air service to Austin starting in March. The airline will increase service by more than 20 flights per day, offering nonstop service between Austin and 46 destinations on up to 105 departures a day. “With today’s major investment, we’ve designed a schedule specifically focused on bringing key nonstop routes and adding additional frequencies on already served routes for Austin’s business and leisure travelers,” said Dave Harvey, Southwest’s Vice President of Southwest Business and the airline’s Executive Ambassador to Austin. “We thank…
-
Best neighborhoods to stay in Austin and still be close to the action
Are you planning on relocating to the Austin Texas area? If so, you’re in good company because the Austin area continues to be one the top relocation destinations in the United States that attracts people from all over the world. In this article, we will provide you with more information about Austin Texas neighborhoods so that you can get a good idea of which one will be right for you. Downtown Downtown is the hardworking hub of the city. Here you’ll find the sprawling state capitol complex and a cluster of museums and hotels catering to politicians, business travelers and convention-goers. But downtown plays hard too. The neighborhood is chock-full…
-
Austin-area housing market stays hot, sets January records
Continuing the Austin-area housing market’s hot streak, home sales and the median price paid for those homes set records for a January, according to new data from the Austin Board of Realtors. Low mortgage interest rates, high demand and a shortage of homes continue to fuel the market and drive prices higher, experts and real estate agents say. Sales of single-family homes, townhomes and condos soared almost 24% in January, with 2,523 homes changing hands, a record volume for the month. Half of the houses sold for more than $365,000 and half sold for less, a January record for the median price and an increase of nearly 20% over January 2020’s median. Things To Do Before…
-
Governor Abbott announces virtual music conference
AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott announced a virtual, one-day music conference to be held in Texas. The Second Annual Texas Sounds and Cities conference will be held on Monday, November 16 starting at 11 a.m. The conference will be co-hosted by the Texas Music Office and Hear Fort Worth, and it will bring together music lovers to discuss the future of music in Texas. “Music is a big part of the Texas brand,” said Governor Abbott. “As our focus is on safely and strategically revitalizing all aspects of the Lone Star State—work, school, entertainment, and culture—Texas is committed to working alongside community leaders to ensure they have the knowledge and…
