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H-E-B giving raise to hourly employees through April 12
As H-E-B employees work to keep up with customers flocking to its stores amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Texas grocery store chain announced March 20 the company is giving many of its hourly employees a raise. Hourly employees who work at H-E-B’s store, manufacturing, warehouse and transportation departments will receive a $2 per hour raise that is effective March 16 through April 12, the store announced. It’s all in an effort to recognize the employees’ hard work and commitment to their customers and communities. “Texans rely on H-E-B and we rely on our great Partners. We understand it is our responsibility to provide essential services to our customers during a time when so many…
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Property Tax Protest, 2017
Taxes, Taxes & More Taxes “The thing generally raised on city land is taxes.” -Charles Dudley Warner 2017 is the year we should all be protesting our property tax assessments. While 2016 was a record breaking year for home sales in the metro area, annual home sales growth slid from 5% to 1% and price growth from 8% to 6%. Yet, it’s almost a certainty that your notice of appraised value shows increases of 10%+. That tells me it’s time to review your tax assessment carefully with your favorite Realtor. You have probably received advertisements from companies offering to help you protest the value. While some of these services can be of value to those with little time,…
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1Q17 Market Watch
How’s that real estate market, you ask? 1Q17 single family units sold were 0.5% higher compared to 1Q16. This is a clear continuation of the market slowdown we noted previously, but make no mistake, we are still on pace to beat last year’s numbers. Even if it’s just by 0.5%What continues to raise my eyebrow is the interest rate increases over the last 9 months. Consider the graph above that shows the interest rate fluctuation for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage over the last 5 years. If you are considering a home purchase, think about this: A July 2016 homebuyer had an average interest rate of 3.41%, an average price of $353K, and a monthly principal and interest (PI) payment of $1,560. Today,…
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Board of Realtor Stats vs MLS Data – Jan 2017
The Austin Board of Realtors (ABOR) just released their report on January home sales. As we wait for all the media to report the data, I think it’s a fun exercise to check that data. The graphic below illustrates the difference in ABOR’s data and that which you can find in Matrix (the software Realtors use to list properties and to find opportunities for prospective home buyers). The top of the graphic is ABOR’s data. The bottom shows screenshots of the MLS data found in Matrix. Of note, demand, represented in the ABOR graphic is up 7% while Matrix shows a 4.4% increase. Supply represented in the graphic by months of…
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Looking Ahead To The 2017 Housing Market
Looking ahead to the 2017 Housing Market Blame it on the election cycle, the climbing interest rates or affordability, and I’ve heard it all, the central Texas housing rate of growth very clearly slowed in 2016 compared to previous years. The good news is that the Austin metro area had another record breaking year with home values and sales. Though the housing market traditionally slows every presidential election year, I wouldn’t blame the second half of last year being slower than the previous three years solely on the election. The normalization of our market in 2016, meaning a less aggressive rate of growth, will likely continue – though check out the…
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For Buyers: Saved By The Bell
FOR BUYERS: SAVED BY THE BELL You may have heard the rumors that spring is the best time to buy a home. But if everyone is abiding by that advice, what does that mean for you? Sometimes it helps to go against the current and do things on your own timeline. Here are some compelling reasons why you may want to wait until after the school bell rings to start shopping around for a new home. Winter spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I will make sure that I find you your dream home. I look forward to working with you! 4 Reasons to…
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Consider This: Fall Season Is Home Buyer Season
Consider this Fall season is buyer season! Last week we closed a first time home buyer who purchased a remodeled 3 bed, 2.5 bath home in south Austin, north of Slaughter, for only $233,500. That buyer only brought $8,000 to the table (earnest money, downpayment, inspection and appraisal) and left with a 3.5% interest rate and $1600 monthly payment. Still think Austin isn’t affordable? This graph shows the number of sales and the percentage of original list price sellers received by month in 2015. Consider that though the sales numbers dip in the fall, buyers very clearly have negotiation strength as sellers discount more during this time of year. The low rates and increase in seller concessions…
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For Buyers: Fad Or Fixture
FOR BUYERS: FAD OR FIXTURE? Just like with scrunchies, acid wash jeans, and neon jazzercise gear, all fads come and go. In-demand home features vary based on the year, and 2016 homebuyers have a particular expectation of what they’d like to see in their dream house. Are any of these features on your list? As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), I can help you find a home that exceeds your expectations. Please let me know if you have any questions! 7 Features Home Buyers Want Most. Copyright © 2015 Thomson Reuters.
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For Buyers: House Hunting With Help
Here is a collection of .gifs that demonstrate some fun and useful tips that will come in handy for buying a home. You’ll notice that #1 on the list is “pick the right agent.” As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), I am the buyer’s advocate and I promise to help you through every step of the home buying process. Please let me know if you have any questions! 12 Realtors Share Crazy-Helpful Advice For House-Hunting. © 2016 BuzzFeed, Inc.
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E-file your 2016 Property Tax Protest Today!
Today is the last day to e-file your protest to your 2016 Tax Notice of Value. My advice, everyone should do this. It only takes about 5 minutes. You can still protest your notice of value by mail through the 31st. File yours electronically, now, here!
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