Filed under: Real Estate
Home Owner’s Associations get mixed reviews. Some of my clients insist they don’t want to live in a neighborhood with an HOA due to past experience. Other clients like the fact that the HOA can help maintain the value of the neighborhood by enforcing rules about lawns, home additions and other things that can affect the value of the homes in a neighborhood. An HOA’s most important role is to maintain the amenities within the neighborhood – the pool, tennis courts, parks, community center, entrance and common area landscaping. So why, with such an important role, are so many people against HOAs? I think it boils down to the loss of some degree of freedom when you live in a neighborhood with an HOA. You may not be able to choose a unique paint color for the exterior of your house, build a mother-in-law house on your property, or have more than four dogs due to the HOA. One of my clients wasn’t able to park his work vehicle at his house. For most of us, the rules are fine and we abide by them, but over time, things change, and sometimes rules set in place many years ago seem to have less relevance in today’s world. I also believe that over time, some HOAs begin to feel a sense of power and control, and may at times go beyond their rights and responsibilities. When this happens, it’s time for the HOA Board to do a self-assessment and see if there’s room for improvement. In addition, homeowners who feel a change is needed are encouraged to get involved. That’s the best way to make change!
Vikki Goodwin
REALTOR®, GRI, SRS
EcoBroker®
Homes ATX
512-426-9090 cell
www.vikkigoodwin.com
Filed under: Real Estate | Tags: Austin, Austin homes, Austin real estate, condo, Real Estate
Right now there are 671 properties in the MLS for sale for $100K or less, out of a total of about 11,500 properties. Of those, only 196 are in the city of Austin, and of those, only 63 are single family homes, primarily in East Austin. Another 119 properties for sale for $100K or less in Austin are condos, mostly built in the 1980’s or earlier, all over Austin. So, for those buyers on a tight budget, but wanting to stay in Austin, their best bet might be a condo. A condo under $100K might be ideal for a young professional, first-time buyer (and this year, the first-time buyer can apply for the $8000 tax credit). And if that professional doesn’t want to be disturbed by barking dogs, the Fox Hollow complex could be just right with it’s “no dog” rule. Fox Hollow is located in Northwest Austin near Balcones Country Club, just off 183. This convenient location has one unit available for $92,900. This first floor unit has recently been remodeled and is clean and move-in ready. The same floor plan is available in a less updated state for $110K – in the same complex. Besides being a great location in NW Austin, these condos feed into excellent schools – Spicewood Elementary, Canyon Vista Middle and Westwood High School.
Filed under: Green Homes, Real Estate | Tags: Austin, Austin homes, Austin real estate, green built homes, Green Homes, Real Estate
Every year the Home Builders Association holds a Parade of Homes which benefits local charities. This year the Parade is being held May 23-June 7 at Mueller (pronounced Miller), the subdivision built where the old airport used to be. Proceeds will benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Austin Children’s Center and Austin Children’s Museum. It costs $15 to walk through the five homes on Camacho Street. These homes are all priced around $1M, and showcase the talents of five local custom builders.
In past years, I’ve worked at the Parades as a greeter and builder representative. This year I simply attended the Parade as a guest. It was a lot of fun to walk through these homes and see what green features they’ve incorporated. The City of Austin has strongly encouraged all builders, not just for the Parade homes, but for all homes in the subdivision, to be green. Four of the Parade homes have received the highest green rating the City of Austin awards, a 5-star rating.
My favorite house is the one by Streetman Homes. It takes advantage of the view of the park and pond across the street from several rooms in the house, including the formal dining room and the master suite. It also has a really cool third floor which they call the “sunset floor”, from which you can see downtown skyline. This floor is intended for sipping drinks at sunset! Even the sink is shaped like a martini glass. Another of my favorite features is the water fountain in the yard. Besides the yard, the home has two covered patios, a covered balcony off the master suite, and the covered but un-airconditioned sunset floor. The decorating is flamboyant and unique, not your everyday home, but fun and idea-inspiring!
What I enjoy about going to these Parades is seeing new trends and new materials. Two of the homes incorporate an entertaining area in the garage, which I know may be hard to imagine, but seeing it shows a clever use of space. These homes are on very small lots, so the builders had to be creative in making plenty of outdoor living space. One builder put a garden on the second floor, which is neat, but may not be so practical (how do you mow a second floor lawn?).
All of the homes on the Parade are available for purchase, as are other, less expensive homes in Mueller. Other homes in Mueller are selling for $239K and up.
Vikki Goodwin
REALTOR®, GRI, SRS
EcoBroker®
Homes ATX
512-426-9090 cell
www.vikkigoodwin.com
