home for rent: October 2021 Austin home price update - 10/07/21 03:02 PM

 
Dear friends and clients,
Fall is here, and as the weather cools, so does our real estate market. We’re very much still in a seller’s market, but the incredible rate of appreciation we’ve been experiencing has started to slow as of late. Home prices are still rising, albeit a bit more slowly. Despite the increase in new inventory, houses are still selling in under a month.
The National Association of Realtors sees the surge in home prices that we’ve experienced over the last year as an anomaly that was driven by pent-up demand due to the pandemic and low interest rates. Now that … (2 comments)

home for rent: Mortgage rates and the cooling market - 09/23/21 01:30 PM

 
Dear friends and clients,
As we turn the page on summer and head into fall, it looks like our real estate market may be starting to cool. Our white-hot market has been driven by low supply and high demand, but more inventory entering the market has changed the picture.
The overall inventory of unsold homes increased 7.3% from June to July. Although we probably won’t see a buyer’s market anytime soon, Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtors chief economist, admits, “There has been a turn in the market from super heated to still very strong.” He went on to say, “We see … (1 comments)

home for rent: September 2021 home price update - 09/08/21 01:34 PM

 
Dear friends and clients,
The real estate market may be cooling, but only slightly. Recent statistics show new listings increased by 4% in the four weeks ending July 4 compared to last year, and they increased 3% compared to this time in 2019. This is the first time new listings data has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
If you’re worried you missed the sellers’ boat, don’t worry. Tim Ellis of Redfin Media says, “The market frenzy of 2021 has cooled somewhat, but home sellers are still very much in the driver’s seat in the housing market today.” We can see this in our rising prices. … (1 comments)

home for rent: Mortgage rates and our economy - 08/19/21 10:59 AM

 
Friends and Clients --
Mortgage rates have again done the incredible by dropping close to their recent records lows. Rates have fallen partly due to the government's announcement that they’re ending a widely-loathed fee. The Federal Housing Finance Agency is abandoning its 0.5% fee on refinances. Zillow economist Matthew Speakman said the fee "artificially increased the average mortgage rate."
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is currently at 2.78%, which is cheaper than it’s been since February 18, when the average was 2.81%. The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages also dropped from 2.22% to 2.12%.
The recent decline in rates is also partly due … (1 comments)

home for rent: August 2021 home price update - 08/06/21 10:30 AM

 
Friends and Clients --
Home price growth has accelerated in the past year as buyers frantically competed for a limited number of houses on the market. Prices continue to increase and break records as strong demand collides with low supply. Sales of new and existing homes have declined somewhat in the past few months, mainly due to those sky-high prices.
Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer at Bleakley Advisory Group said, “We have a major affordability issue, especially for the first-time buyer, that is only partly mitigated by low mortgage rates.” About half of houses sold are still closing above the original listing … (2 comments)

home for rent: July 2021 Home Price Update - 07/07/21 03:17 PM

 
Friends and Clients --
The real estate market remains hot for sellers as we approach the midpoint of summer. Prices are rising, and home seller expectations are sky-high. 24% of home sellers expect to get more than their asking price when all is said and done.
Additionally, 53% of sellers expect that they’ll at least get their asking price once they put a home on the market, according to a recent survey by Realtor.com. Why do prices continue to rise, and how much longer will this trend last? These three key points tell the story.
1. Pending home sales have surged. According to a … (0 comments)

home for rent: [WEBINAR] How to sell your house over asking price. - 06/14/21 10:40 AM

I'm doing a LIVE Seller Workshop. Join me from the comfort of your sofa this Tuesday, June 29th at 7PM ! 
 
 
 
 
Does This Sound Like You?
- Was Covid-19 making you nervous about selling this year?
- Would you like to know if there should be any repairs made prior to a home inspection??
- Have you accumulated years of "stuff" that you don't know what to do with?
- Would you like to learn how to prepare your home to attract today's buyers so it can sell quickly?
- Do you want to learn how to get top dollar in today's market by using the best-proven pricing and marketing strategies?
- Interested in … (1 comments)

home for rent: I’m giving away a free Traeger Tailgater Grill - 06/08/21 02:50 PM

 
Clients and friends,
I want to give back and create some excitement for my friends and clients who subscribe to my emails. Thank you for reading these and staying on my list.
I'm giving away a free Traeger Tailgater Grill! The prize is valued at $469.99 They are not affiliated with, sponsoring, endorsing, or administering this giveaway.
 
To win the prize, simply call me at 737-529-8599 by July, 2nd 2021 between the hours of 9AM and 5PM. Leave your name and contact information on my voicemail to enter yourself in the drawing. That’s it!
You can also write me at marketing@wattersinternational.com to enter for … (0 comments)

home for rent: [WEBINAR] How to sell your house over asking price - 06/01/21 08:23 AM

I'm doing a LIVE Seller Workshop. Join me from the comfort of your sofa this Wednesday June 2nd at 7PM ! 
 
 
 
 
Does This Sound Like You?
- Was Covid-19 making you nervous about selling this year?
- Would you like to know if there should be any repairs made prior to a home inspection??
- Have you accumulated years of "stuff" that you don't know what to do with?
- Would you like to learn how to prepare your home to attract today's buyers so it can sell quickly?
- Do you want to learn how to get top dollar in today's market by using the best-proven pricing and marketing strategies?
- Interested in … (0 comments)

home for rent: How to prepare for a bidding war - 06/01/21 08:07 AM

 
Friends and Clients --
In our current crazy real estate market, inventory is low, competition is fierce, and other buyers can be ruthless. Bidding wars are becoming more and more common, and buyers can easily get caught in a multiple-offer situation.
First, when dealing with bidding wars, it’s best if you can set your emotions aside. It’s easy to see a home, fall too in love with it, then be greatly disappointed if you aren’t the winning bid.
To succeed in this market, you need to get your finances in order, research neighborhoods you’re interested in, and choose a real estate agent long before … (2 comments)

home for rent: Questions to ask before buying a home - 04/28/21 02:25 PM

 
Friends and Clients --
If you’ve been following our real estate market, you know the story: inventory is low, prices are skyrocketing, buyers are overpaying for homes, and sellers are reaping the benefits.
The numbers from February tell us this is the strongest seller’s market since 2006. According to Redfin, the national average of home prices rose 14.4% year over year to $336,200, closed sales rose 5%, and pending sales rose 21%. Furthermore, new listings fell 16%—the second-largest decline on record since Redfin’s data began in 2012.
This means competition among buyers is fierce out there. If you’re thinking of buying a home … (1 comments)

home for rent: Spring 2021 Austin home price update - 04/13/21 09:52 AM

 
Friends and Clients --
You’re getting this email because I helped you buy or sell a home here in the greater Austin area, you inquired about real estate, or you’re a friend or family member.
Thank you for opening this!
I want to let you know the Austin real estate market is the most active I’ve ever seen. 
This isn’t a 2008-2009 bubble, either – loan standards are high right now. This is true buyer demand.
Last year there were 6,349 active homes for sale here, now there are only 1,310. That’s crazy.
I just helped a buyer secure a 2.9% 30-year loan, too. Interest rates … (1 comments)

home for rent: February 2021 home price update - 02/10/21 02:22 PM

 
Friends and Clients --
The real estate market has continued to soar in the early weeks of 2021. Prices are still climbing, but how much higher can they go?
Your window of opportunity in this market could be shrinking soon, so here’s what you need to know about what’s going on in our market right now:
1. Mortgage demand has dropped slightly.
Sharp gains in home prices and a slight rise in interest rates combined to weaken demand for mortgages in mid-January.
Although mortgage applications fell by 4%, they’re still 16% higher than they were at this time last year. The average loan size has also … (2 comments)

home for rent: How has 2020 changed home buying and selling? - 01/28/21 01:39 PM

 
Friends and Clients --
First, happy New Year!
We've finally put 2020 behind us. However, in the real estate market, some of the changes we saw in 2020 are sticking with us, and that might be a good thing. Here's are the details:
1. New preferences
These days, people are looking for space and affordability. That's driving the trend away from big cities and into the suburbs.
According to the National Association of Realtors, homebuyers in the largest cities were spending more time checking out suburban listings than homes near the city center.
Asking prices have also increased faster in the suburbs.
It's not just location … (2 comments)

home for rent: January 2021 home price update - 01/12/21 11:58 AM

 
Friends and Clients --
The real estate market continues to surge ahead. However, clouds might be forming on the horizon for sellers. Let me give you the details:
1. Ultra-low mortgage rates
Throughout 2020, the popular 30-year fixed mortgage rate set 15 new record lows.
It ended 2020 just one basis point higher than the latest record low and currently stands at 2.86%, a full percentage point lower than one year ago.
These ultra-low mortgage rates are driving an increase in demand. Unfortunately, sales are restricted due to...
2. Record-low inventory
There were just 1.28 million homes available for sale at the end of November, the last month … (1 comments)

home for rent: We Wish You A Merry Christmas! - 12/22/20 02:03 PM

 
Friends,
Merry Christmas!
We hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.
We just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continued support throughout the years. We wouldn’t be where we are today without your help!
It truly brings us joy to help you make your real estate dreams a reality. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you in any way we can.
In the meantime, have a very Merry Christmas!
Wishing you all the best,
 
Have a great day,
Watters International
 
 
 
          
                           Looking to buy a home? … (0 comments)

home for rent: December 2020 home price update - 12/10/20 07:49 AM

 
Friends and Clients --
The recent surge in the real estate market has now offset the spring market losses.
This means it's a great moment for anybody thinking of selling a home. However, it's uncertain how long this will last. Let me give you the details:
1. Never-before-seen price levels
Sales of existing homes in October soared well past expectations, rising 4.3% compared with September and 26.6% annually.
More impressively, home prices jumped 7% in September year over year. That's the largest annual gain in six years. Prices are now nearly 23% higher than their last peak in 2006.
So what's behind this surge?
2. Record-low supply
There's an … (2 comments)

home for rent: October 2020 home price update - 10/05/20 07:23 AM

 
Friends and Clients --
The housing market has continued its booming recovery, and sellers continue to benefit.
But things might be changing soon. Let me give you the details:
1. Demand still outpaces supply by a lot
This August, sales of existing homes rose 10.5% compared to the same time last year. This is the fastest sales pace since December 2006, before the Great Recession.
The only thing that's holding sales back is a lack of homes on the market.
Inventory of homes for sale is down 18.6% annually to a three-month supply. For reference, the last time that sales were this robust, the supply of homes … (1 comments)

home for rent: Mortgage rates keep dropping, but should you go for it? - 09/17/20 08:38 AM

 
Friends and Clients --
We've set a new record. In fact, we've set a bunch of them. Let me explain.
Throughout 2020, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate hit a new low eight separate times.
The most recent record happened only a few weeks ago when we reached a never-before-seen 2.88%.
Could rates continue to drop? If you are looking to buy or refinance your mortgage, should you wait to scoop up an even better deal in the months to come?
In theory, rates could indeed continue to go lower—all the way down to 0%.
That's never been seen here in the U.S. However, it's a current reality … (2 comments)

home for rent: September 2020 Austin home price update - 09/03/20 09:45 AM

 
Friends and Clients --
The real estate market is making up for lost time, but things might change soon.
1. A surge in sales and record prices
This spring, home sales slowed to a crawl due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, this summer, the market has come roaring back.
Sales of existing homes surged 24.7% in July compared to June (the last months for which we have full data). That's the biggest gain in sales since the National Association of Realtors started tracking these numbers in 1968.
Home prices are also rising. The median home price reached a record high this July, both in absolute terms and … (6 comments)

 
Christopher Watters, Austin Realtor (512-829-8000) (Watters International Realty)

Christopher Watters

Austin Realtor (512-829-8000)

Austin, TX

More about me…

Watters International Realty

Address: 8240 N Mopac Expy, Suite 110, Austin, TX, 78759

Office: (512) 829-8000

Your certified expert wether buyer or selling in Austin. Search homes and Austin Real Estate for sale. What's your home worth? Find out now - Austin Home Values.





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