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SOLD - Charming Family Home in Pemberton Heights

SOLD - 2903 Oakhurst - Tammy Koen, 512.917.3439. Charming family home in Pemberton Heights on desirable street.

Austin continues to lead the nation in economic strength

Austin is once again the top-rated market in the On Numbers Economic Index.

Texas' capital region is No. 1 in May's index, marking its fourth straight month atop the standings.

The On Numbers Economic Index measures the relative vitality of 102 major markets with populations of more than 500,000.

Austin has occupied first place for five of the past six months. The only exception was January, when Oklahoma City briefly slipped into the top spot.

Several factors have helped Austin retain its stranglehold on the national lead. Among them:

Strong job growth. The number of private-sector jobs in the Austin area has ballooned by 11.0 percent since 2008. No other market has grown faster than 7.3 percent.

Low unemployment. Only 12 major markets have jobless rates below 5.5 percent. Austin is at 5.3 percent.

Healthy paychecks. Weekly earnings for private-sector workers have grown 7.6 percent in Austin during the past 12 months. That's the ninth-largest increase among the 102 markets.

Retail strength. Employment in Austin's retail sector has grown by 8.2 percent in five years. Only Little Rock, Ark. (up 10.7 percent) has done better.

Stable home values. The typical home has declined in value since 2008 in 92 of the 102 markets. Among the exceptions is Austin (up 4.7 percent).

Source: Austin Business Journal

Austin homes selling quick — really quick

Austin homes are selling within six weeks on average, according to a new report released Tuesday by the Austin Board of Realtors. The volume of home sales — $794.2 million in April — increased for the 23rd consecutive month. April had the most home sales in Austin since 2004. Townhouse and condo sales also experienced a rapid uptick.

Here’s some other statistics for April from the report:

•2,563 homes sold, 32 percent more than a year ago.

•The median price was $227,250, 8 percent more than a year ago.

•The average number of days on the market was 50, 19 days fewer than a year ago.

•There were 2,976 pending sales, 20 percent more than a year ago.

•250 townhouses and condos were sold in April, 31 percent more than a year ago.

•The median price for a townhouse or condo was $201,250, 17 percent more than a year ago.

•The average number of days on the market was 41, 47 percent less than a year ago.

•1,273 properties were leased, 14 percent more than a year ago.

•The median price for a lease was $1,400 a month, 8 percent more than a year ago.

Source: Austin Business Journal

How you can help tornado victims in Moore, Oklahoma

A massive tornado ripped through neighborhoods in Moore, Oklahoma, near Oklahoma City, this week. Houses have been destroyed, as well as two elementary schools. At least 24 people were killed, including at least seven children, and those numbers were expected to climb.

Below is a list of ways you can help the victims of this tragedy. If you would like to add to this list, email information to web@kvue.com.

Local/Texas help:

• Red Cross: Text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation to victims.
• Salvation Army: Call 1-800-ARMY. You can also donate online here or text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation.
• Austin Disaster Relief Network: Go here to donate.
• The Blood Center of Central Texas. Go here to learn how you can donate blood.
• Feeding America: Call 1-800-910-5524, or donate online here.
• United Methodist Committee on Relief: Support relief efforts with a gift here (100% of the donation will be given directly to US Disaster Response). Relief kits are also appreciated here.

BY KVUE NEWS 

Austin-area home sales up 32 percent, hit nine-year high for April

AUSTIN, Texas – May 21, 2013 – According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) report released today by the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR), the volume of Austin-area home sales continues to rise as April became the 23rd straight month of year-over-year sales volume increases, and April saw its most home sales since 2004.

According to the report, 2,563 single-family homes were sold in the Austin area in April 2013, which is 32 percent more than April 2012. On average, homes spent 50 days on the market, which is a decrease of 19 days from one year prior.

Cathy Coneway, 2013 Chairman of the Austin Board of REALTORS­®, explained, “On average, Austin-area homes are now selling in only six weeks. Buyers should think hard about the type of home, features and amenities they’re looking for and then be prepared to move quickly once they find a home that fits that description.”

The total dollar volume of single-family properties sold was $794,158,365, or 52 percent higher. The market also featured 10 percent more new listings, 25 percent fewer active listings and 20 percent more pending sales in April 2013 compared to the prior year.

In April 2013, the median price for Austin-area homes increased eight percent more than the same month last year to $227,250. Additionally, the market featured 2.7 months of inventory in April 2013, which is 1.3 months less than April 2012.

“It’s good to see a 10 percent increase in new home listings,” Coneway adds. “As Austin-area home sales continue to increase and the time homes spend on the market continues to shorten, it is integral that our housing supply also increases to meet this surging demand.” 

April 2013 Statistics

• 2,563 – Single-family homes sold, 32 percent more than April 2012.
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• $227,250 – Median price for single-family homes, eight percent more than April 2012.
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• 50 – Average number of days single-family homes spent on the market, 19 days fewer than April 2012.
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• 3,561 – New single-family home listings on the market, 10 percent more than April 2012.
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• 5,488 – Active single-family home listings on the market, 25 percent fewer than April 2012.
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• 2,976 – Pending sales for single-family homes, 20 percent more than April 2012.
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• 2.7 – Months of inventory* of single-family homes, 1.3 months less than April 2012.
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• $794,158,365 – Total dollar volume of single-family properties sold, 52 percent more than April 2012.

Source: Austin Board of Realtors