Central Texas February 2020 Housing Stats

The Austin Board of Realtors® (ABoR) has posted the February market statistics for the Central Texas area. Included below are highlights for Austin-Round Rock MSA, and Williamson County.

Despite the looming arrival of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to Texas in late February, the month still concluded with strong results.

• With interest rates on the decline – even into March – the Austin-Round Rock MSA saw showed a 6.8% increase in residential home sales and a 12.8% increase in median sales price to $327,140.
• In Williamson County home sales increased 4.7% and the median price for residential homes increased by 6.8% to $293,600.

Just like local service and retail business, the real estate market has pivoted during this momental time.

My Keller Williams Cedar Park Market Center went 100% virtual in early March. While many Realtors® like myself work remotely, adjustments to the service we provide can include:

• Many title companies have modified their closing procedures to be mindful of CDC and WHO guidelines.
• ABoR discourages Realtors® from hosting Open Houses and the Open House field online has been turned off (you shouldn’t find Open Houses listed).
• We lean on technology to help connect home buyers and sellers. Expanded visual libraries, interactive floor plans and virtual tours will help give buyers greater insight.
• For fellow Realtors, ABoR offices, events, and classes are closed through April 30, 2020. Some Realtor® classes have gone virtual.

If you’re considering buying or selling, the short answer is yes! Austin’s economy and housing market could be well positioned to minimize the potentially negative impact of COVID-19, Mark Sprague, state director of information capital for Independence Title, said. Contact me and lets address any concerns and how we can keep your goals and current market conditions working together!

While it’s been challenging not being as socially mobile as I’m used to, staying at home has reminded me of the special things. *Even more* home cooked meals, more time with the family, less time on the road and an appreciation for my friends, family, and neighbors who have been showering me with funny memes, idea-sharing to keep the neighborhood kids still exploring and the arrival of spring here in Central Texas.

Stay happy and healthy!

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaulReider.KW.com

Free Real Estate App:
If you’re home hunting, download my free and powerful Keller Williams real estate app – it’s chock-full of features!

• Text
  “KWCP11X”
  to 87778 to download
• Or visit this link with more details and to download http://bit.ly/kw-mobile-app

Please Note:
All property information in this post is deemed reliable but it is not guaranteed. I can help you validate any concerns or discrepancies!

Dallas Fort Worth Real Estate

DFW Real Estate

As an Austin-based Realtor many of my friends are surprised to learn that I can also help them with their real estate needs in the DFW metro area as well. In fact, Dallas was my home for 20 years so my experience and connections are well-rooted throughout the Dallas area.

If you or anyone you know needs assistance connecting to a reputable residential realtor in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex please let me know – I have a small, trusted handful of experts throughout the metroplex who will be delighted to help you with selling and or buying your home. And you won’t pay me a penny for the connection!

Simply call or send me an email and let me know a little more about your situation and I’ll be able to point you in the right direction.

Have fun with your upcoming home adventure!

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512.222.3302
Web: JoePaul.KWRealty.com

How To Challenge Your Property Taxes

Austin Then ~
An old photo from Home Style Austin archives taken from the top of  UT’s Tower shortly after it was completed in 1937.

Austin Now ~ From home to drone – a pretty aerial view of the dramatic change in Austin’s skyline in about 80 years, visually speaking to Austin’s amazing growth. 

Boomtown, Texas

It should come as no surprise that the Austin area housing market is on fire with supply sorely struggling to keep up with demand. With 110-150 new people moving to the region per day – an average of over 40,000 people each year – in 2 years the Austin metro area is projected to top 2 million strong.

With the recent KVUE.com news release that Travis County property appraisals increased 15%, I’ve been fielding questions from my clients with concerns about rising taxes and what it means to their bottom line.

While most folks want their homes to appreciate in value, this can also impact their property taxes. Many area home owners are confronting sticker shock with recent property appraisal increases that can easily equate to thousands of dollars. Williamson County residents – your appraisal assessment has risen an average of 10%.

A Challenging Question

Did you know it’s your right to protest your property taxes?

Before you challenge your county, do your due diligence and double check the tax appraiser’s assessment. Check the facts and details about your home such as size, age and condition. Compare it to other homes in your neighborhood to determine its value position on the scale with others. One way you can do this is to research online appraisal information for homes around you. Tax appraisals are made available online – Travis County residents can find theirs here and Williamson County residents here.

Another way to “save” on your expenses is to make sure you’ve filed your homestead exemption, which is a big component of tax savings! If you’ve filed a Homestead exemption, the appraisal district can not increase your assessed or taxable value more than 10% of the taxable value from the prior year.

While I read the deadline for filing property tax protests in Williamson County is June 1st (online forms are here) and in Travis County it’s June 2nd (online forms are here) I noticed the county websites suggest having your protest form postmarked by May 31st.

I hope this information is helpful!

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512.222.3302
Web: JoePaul.KWRealty.com