Happy new year! It’s hard to believe that we’re already almost halfway through January. I hope that you had an enjoyable and restful holiday season with friends and family.
We are fortunate to have had another great year here at Blairfield Realty. In 2014, we had 76 closings and an average closing price of $443,000, and we added a new realtor, Ashley Sarver, to our team. We also significantly grew Blairfield Property Management—on offshoot of Blairfield Realty designed to offer homeowners the benefit of owning rental property without the accompanying stress and daily responsibility that often comes with it.
While the December statistics aren’t in yet, if the November MLS Report is any indication, we’re in for another busy year in Austin real estate. In November 2014, Austin home sales and the median selling price were the highest ever recorded for November. Blairfield Realty has already started 2015 strong, and I forecast another early start to this year’s selling season.
People often ask me what we can expect in the Austin housing market this year. One thing is certain: Austin remains on the lists of the hottest cities in the U.S. for its job prospects and lifestyle. With people continuing to move to the city in droves, and the new Dell Medical School under construction and scheduled to admit its first class in 2016, the demand for both real estate and rental housing remains high. Housing inventory remains tight, even with the 9% increase in new listings in November 2014 compared to November 2013. The average number of days on the market is still low, and sellers continue to be in the driver’s seat. As for housing prices, even if they level off some, I certainly don’t see them decreasing.
What about trends? The East side and central neighborhoods are still highly sought after, but with the traffic and higher property taxes that accompany central city living, I have also noticed more homeowners choosing to move farther south in order to escape these hassles and be able to afford larger and newer homes for their money. The area just south of Ben White, for example, offers convenience and lower average selling prices.
One of our goals this year is to keep in touch with you more often through our blog, so please check back often for news, tips and fun stuff happening around town. Thank you for placing your trust in Blairfield Realty; we look forward to working with you in 2015!
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