FHA Loan Limits
FHA loan limits vary by county. You may search FHA loan limits database found on HUD’s website: https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hicostlook.cfm. We highly recommend you use a knowledgeable loan officer who will discuss your loan options and if FHA is one of those choices, makes you aware of the county loan limits before you submit an offer on a particular home.
Austin Investment Property
What if you could be alerted any time a property hit the market at a price per square foot signficantly under norm for the size and neighborhood the home is located in? We have created just such an alert for various areas of Austin in order to better serve our investor clients and even those looking to find a great deal on their next home. If you would like to be added to our alert list either for all of Austin or specific neighborhoods, please email jill@mysolis.com. Foreclosure and short-sale (pre-foreclosure) alerts are also available, although we feel the price per square foot alerts are a more reliable indication that the home may be a good buy. Admittedly, what makes a property a smart investment amounts to much more than price per square foot, but you have to start somewhere.
Austin Ranks 5th in Best Places to Retire
Austin continues to get noticed! This time on topretirements.com who compiles a list annually of the 100 best places to retire. The 2010 results are in, and Austin has moved from the #9 to the #5 spot! A complete list as well as an in depth look at why each town achieved the rank it did can be found at: www.topretirements.com/Home.html
Domain Phase II Opens Friday
So what will phase II of the Domain include? According to Simon Property Group:
* Dick’s Sporting Goods
* Gold Class Cinema
* Dillard’s
* American Eagle Outfitters
* Aeropostale
* Bath & Body Works
* Buckle
* Bui-yah-kah
* Charming Charlie
* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
* Express
* Finish Line
* The Limited
* Maggiano’s
* Payless Shoes
* Shasa Collections
* Stride Rite
* Sushi Zushi
* VANS
* Yogurt Planet
* Zumiez
Plus a 340-room Westin with 14,000 sqft of meeting space will begin accepting reservations March 11th. Simon Property Group will celebrate the opening of phase II with a fashion show on March 26-27th and an Easter egg hunt on April 3rd.
Final phase of the Domain? Coming 2012 or 2013 and includes a Whole Foods and Nordstroms. For more, read the Austin Business Journal article, or visit the Domain website.
Modern Downtown Loft
UPDATE: PROPERTY PENDING-ACCEPTING BACK-UP OFFERS AS OF 3.12.10
Take the complete virtual tour: www.bestofthetowers.com
In the heart of downtown Austin and steps from Lady Bird Lake, this luxurious condo features 1,459 square feet of city views and timeless design for only $318K. The ash wood floors, granite counters, stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliances, travertine tile, and glass seamless shower speak to the home’s understated elegance. While the Low-E windows with double-paned inserts, 2005 A/C with 10 yr. transferable warranty, Rain Soft reverse osmosis water filtration system, custom solar & blackout shades, Phantom retractable screening, and Elfa closet organization speaks to its function and practicality. Additionally the homeowners enjoy 2 reserved parking spaces (1 covered, 1 uncovered), 24-hour conceirge, fitness center, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
2 Bedrooms & 2 Bathrooms
Showings: Jill Crecelius, 512-567-5998, jill@mysolis.com
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Sabine Auction Results
Today’s auction, attended by 200+ people, had a charged atmosphere. Thirty-one condos were sold in a little over an hour, with places going anywhere from 178% to 221% of the starting bid (based on the winning bid amount – before the 4% premium was added). Here are the details:
1 BEDROOMS
Unit…..Sqft…..High Bid……$/Sqft
510……682……$160K…….~$235
610……682……$161K…….~$236
303……693……$166K…….~$240
502……755……$186K…….~$246
504……728……$185K…….~$254
910……682……$174K…….~$255
904……728……$186K…….~$255
704……728……$188K…….~$258
1004….728……$190K…….~$261
802……755……$198K…….~$262
703……695……$190K…….~$273
1 BEDROOM + STUDY
Unit…..Sqft…..High Bid……$/Sqft
508……951……$181K…….~$190
808……951……$191K…….~$201
308……925……$186K…….~$201
409……918……$186K…….~$203
909……918……$188K…….~$205
1008….951…..$203K…….~$213
2 BEDROOMS
Unit……Sqft……High Bid……$/Sqft
907……1426……$253K…….~$177
1007….1426……$258K…….~$181
305……1462……$266K…….~$182
605……1467……$276K…….~$188
707……1426……$269K…….~$189
805……1460……$298K…….~$204
401……1461……$307K…….~$210
501……1461……$315K…….~$216
801……1461……$343K…….~$235
1001….1419……$351K…….~$247
For further information, see previous post: http://mysolis.com/2010/02/08/auction/
200-Person Facebook Office Coming to Austin?
Although nothing is definite, Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, said “Facebook continues to grow and Austin, with its deep talent pool, would allow us to hire the high-caliber employees we need to properly serve the people, advertisers and developers that rely on our service”. Headquarted out of Palo Alto, CA, Facebook currently employs 1,200 people with outsiders estimating their annual revenue at $500 million. Besides Austin’s talented work force, Facebook may also be attracted to $1.3 million in incentives from the state of Texas. Governor Rick Perry’s office has indicated that Facebook would be investing $3.1 million for this expansion into to Texas, an expansion that would create 200 jobs over the next four years. Sounds like a win-win to us! We’ll continue to watch how this develops. Read the Austin Business Journal article.
Sabine on Fifth Registration Deadline Today
If you plan on participating in Sunday’s auction at Sabine on Fifth, make sure you register by 5 pm today. We’ll be there and are extremely interested to see what the condos go for. If you missed our blog with lots of information on the auction, you can view it here: http://mysolis.com/2010/02/08/auction/ or call us at 512-567-5998.
Census Bureau Jobs – Austin
Census Bureau expects to hire up to 3,000 temporary workers for Travis County. Work schedules are flexible and pay ranges from $8-$24 per hour. To apply, call 1-866-861-2010 to schedule a basic employment test. For more information visit: www.2010censusjobs.gov
Schlitterbahn, Austin-Cedar Park
New Braunfels-based Schlitterbahn owners together with Volente Beach Waterpark owner are bringing a 96-acre water resort to Cedar Park located near Parmer and 1431. That is twice the size of the New Braunfels Schlitterbahn and is estimated to cost $360 million. Phase 1 which includes a 16-acre water park and skydiving simulator is set to open May 2012. Phases 2 & 3 include a tree house inspired 230-room hotel, 35,000 sqft of retail space, 30,000 sqft conference center, and a river walk – shops and dining built along a man-made river. This work is set to start within 2 years of phase 1 opening. The final phase includes an additional 125,000 sqft of retail space and expansion of one or more attractions and is set to open within 2 years of the completion of phases 2 & 3. The Schlitterbahn water resort is expected to create 1,200 permanent jobs and bring $2.5 billion to the city of Cedar Park over 30 years. Increased traffic and noise were signficant factors in the planning of the project. For renderings, map, and more information, read the article in the Statesman.
