Give Your Fireplace a Face Lift

Many newer homes in Steiner Ranch and other Austin communities by various builders come with white plaster fireplaces. They are nice and neutral, and are actually quite elegant.

But like many homeowners, you might be looking for ways to update your home interiors with the new year.

I wanted to share an easy way to transform the look of your white plaster fireplace. As you can see from these shared photos, it can really warm up the room (pun intended).


BEFORE:

AFTER:

First, the fireplace is painted. It can be the same color as the wall, slightly different shades of the wall (like this one shown), or a completely different color. And then it is glazed. The little pockets or indentations are accented for a very textured appearance.

Contact me for a local painter to transform your fireplace!

As a full-time residential Realtor, I am here to help you buy and sell. Please contact me: (512) 568-0483, rosasjen@earthlink.net

Austin Housing Sales UP in November 2011

I love reporting good news, particularly about beautiful Austin, TX. And even more specifically about Austin real estate.

For the sixth consecutive month, the volume of Austin homes sales has increased and the inventory of available homes has decreased.

As the Austin Board of Realtors reported today, 1,358 single-family homes were sold in the Austin area in November 2011.

√This is 11 percent higher than November one year ago.

√In the same time period, the median sales price for Austin area homes was UP three percent at $189,300 compared to November 2010.

√In November, the Austin market had 4.5 months of inventory, 1.4 less than November of last year.

√Homes sold faster too -- homes sold after an average of 83 days on the market in November -- which is seven days less than last November.

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE:

http://www.abor.com/news_media/press_releases/2011/p23_11.cfm

2012 holds strong promise for greater Austin area housing. The strength of the local economy, low unemployment, and continued population growth, add up to demand for homes.

As a full-time Realtor here in Austin, I am here to help. Please contact me for more information on buying and selling residential real estate: Jenny Rosas, (512)568-0483, rosasjen@earthlink.net.

Introducing a Neighborhood Association for Steiner Ranch

I had the opportunity to attend the first meeting to form the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association this week.

Residents of Steiner Ranch have recognized the need to be "one voice representing thousands of voices" as the community and surrounding areas grow. The main objective is to ensure and maintain a better quality of life and to address priority issues including safety, schools and traffic as development expands.

The Neighborhood Association is separate of the Homeowners Association (HOA).

Some facts:

•The NA is completely voluntary. No mandatory dues or membership.

•The NA is recognized by the city of Austin. It has already been formally documented by the city.

•The NA will include residents of non-HOA Steiner areas including the neighborhoods down by Lake Austin, down Quinlan Park, as well as apartment residents, etc.

•Many Austin communities (many of them smaller than Steiner Ranch) have formal neighborhood associations including Long Canyon, Milwood, Grandview Hills and Jester, to name a few.

•Traditionally NAs help identify challenges and concerns, support change and improvement efforts, represent the neighborhood as a whole to elected officials and find resources to make the area a better place to live.

The Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association is working on the fast track to get off the ground ASAP. A board of directors will be chosen, by-laws will be established, and membership enrollment will begin. I will report when the January meeting is set.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS.

A WEB SITE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED:
www.steinerranchna.org


http://www.steinerranchna.org/

Please feel free to contact me directly: Jenny Rosas, residential Realtor and Steiner Ranch resident: rosasjen@earthlink.net, (512) 568-0483.

The Power of Austin Housing Market

Housing is a great job creator.

Think about it. When homes are built and sold, or simply when houses are bought and sold, there are many people "working" behind the scenes to make it all happen. And people working equates to a stronger economy.

Austin is a prime example of a market, even during the nation's economic downturn, that has remained stable, flat at worst. And leading economists are saying, "flat is the new up."

Markets like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Riverside/San Bernadino and other California cities and counties, would love to be flat.

What factors contributed to the stability of Central Texas during the downtown?

•Stricter home equity lending laws in Texas than other states.
•A diverse local economy.
•Continued job and population growth (see my previous post on this specifically)
•More plentiful supply of land and lots

Also, Texas has a different mind-set towards home ownership. Traditionally, Texans do not look at residential real estate like a stock commodity or something to trade quickly. As a state, Texas was founded on the rights of the homeowner and purchases are made by decisions of where a resident wants to raise a family or retire or lay down roots.

This is not just a nice sentiment, but is reality. I advise my buyer clients to "buy what you like, buy where you want to live" in Austin. The end result is pretty positive.

For more Austin real estate information, whether buying or selling, I am here to assist you: Jenny Rosas, rosasjen@earthlink.net, 512-568-0483