More Kudos for Austin, Texas

Texas was named the top state in the nation for 2012 by Business Facilities. This esteemed title is the result of an economic upswing that places the state above the rest of the country. With this in mind, it is easy to see why Austin homes have hit a six-year-high in sales. Not only will new residents be able to enjoy everything that the Austin area has to offer, but they will also find it much easier to land a financially rewarding career.

Forbes recently announced that Austin is the fastest growing city in the country for the third year in a row. Austin ended 2012 with an unemployment rate that is almost 4 percent lower than the national average and the city expects to see an additional job growth rate of 2.7 percent during 2013. With job prospects like these, it is no wonder that new home builders are continuously busy in Austin. The city also provides a great opportunity for people who like to invest in real estate, due to its robust home appreciation rate of 2.74 percent.

If you are interested in living outside of Austin, the nearby city of Leander is expected to benefit from the planning, development and construction of 10,000 new homes during 2013. This area provides residents with all of the perks of living near a major city and the community is expected to experience a large population increase by 2019.

Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts has been working with the Cedar Park City Council for three years to bring a new water park to the Austin area. Although the initial plans stalled after the developers left the project, the city and Schlitterbahn are still committed to moving forward. If these plans become a reality, residents of the Austin area will receive both a new source of entertainment and another boost to the area’s economy. After all, amusement parks have the tendency to attract tourists and this will create a ripple effect that will cause several of the local businesses to need additional employees. Even if the water park never comes to fruition, however, it is an example of the innovative thinking that has helped the Austin area become so successful. Therefore, it is a given that something positive will be done with the land that is currently earmarked for the water park.

Your Austin home search will provide you with many different options. The city and the surrounding areas have a wide variety of different neighborhoods to choose from and there’s also a solid mixture of previously owned homes and projects that have just been completed by new home builders. As a result, it’s possible to find Austin homes that will suit almost any price range and our professional team at Buffington Homes will be delighted to help you narrow down your options.

Read Full Post »

Westcreek – The Reserve: Buffington’s Newest Subdivision

Developed by Buffington Homes, one of the most respected homebuilders in Austin, Westcreek – The Reserve offers a splendid selection of affordable homes surrounded by a wealth of amenities.

Buffington’s newest community, Westcreek – The Reserve features lovely Austin-area homes that are visually attractive, energy-efficient, professionally designed and expertly constructed.

With floor plans starting at 1,384 square feet and ranging upward to well over 2,000 square feet, the homes at Westcreek – The Reserve offer buyers plenty of enticing components.

Interior features include ceramic tile at the entry, marble vanity tops in the master bath and laminate countertops in the kitchen. Each home also features a professionally landscaped yard.

Built on high-quality, post-tension reinforced slabs, the homes come with a 10-year structural warranty for buyers’ peace of mind.

Residents of Westcreek – The Reserve enjoy access to a community center that features a luxurious Junior Olympic-size swimming pool, a tennis court complex and a children’s play area.

Golf enthusiasts living in the community have extremely convenient access to Blackhawk Golf Club, with other courses such as Forest Creek, Star Ranch and Teravista nearby. The area also offers easy access to superb shopping and dining destinations.

Westcreek – The Reserve is located 13 miles northeast of downtown Austin just off of Kelly Lane, east of Toll Road 45/130, in Pflugerville, Texas. This makes it an ideal location for commuting to Austin for business or entertainment opportunities.

Named by Forbes magazine as one of the fastest growing suburban cities in the U.S. and honored by Money magazine with a place on the prestigious “Best Places to Live” list, Pflugerville combines a dynamic business and retail environment, unparalleled community spirit and a great family-oriented lifestyle.

Pflugerville is home to nearly 50,000 residents who appreciate the area’s excellent school district, its safe and friendly neighborhoods, its picturesque trail system and its wide selection of recreational activities. Pflugerville’s leaders are committed to the environment, with plans to develop the city’s Renewable Energy Business Park and the 720-acre Pflugerville Solar Farm.

Read Full Post »

From the City to the Suburbs

When the new Millenium rolled around, there was a revival of urban life, dominated by young professionals moving into the big cities. However, those same young professionals and others are leaving the city behind in favor of suburban life.

Why Suburbia?

The previous influx of people into the cities sparked the construction of new housing, new attractions, and new city services. With all of this development, why are so many people now leaving the big city?

Many of the young people who flocked to the city are no longer young individuals. Instead, they are members of young families looking for safe and sturdy homes in which to raise children. Many families thrive in the big cities, but some families simply prefer a suburban setting.

Despite the development of new housing, living in the big city is rarely a small expense. Generally speaking, it is more expensive to buy or rent property in a large city setting.

Suburban Life is No Easy Choice

Despite the huge motivators of family and the cost of living, there are some huge considerations that can make leaving the city less attractive. Here are a few examples:

•    Commutes can be dreadful within the city, but trying to commute into the city can be dreadful. Additionally, public transportation options are usually less extensive in the suburbs.
•    Some utilities can be more expensive in a single-family home.
•    Depending on the particular city or suburb, the choice of schools might be more limited in the suburban area.
•    Like schools, access to some businesses and services can be more limited in the suburbs.

Some of the other concerns about suburban life are detailed in a post in the New York Times.

Is There a Compromise?

Is there a middle ground between big city life and a suburban home? Relatively young cities are catering to the need for a happy medium between the big city and the sturdy suburb. According to the U.S. Census statistics published at New Geography, Texas cities like Austin managed growth in the traditional city area and the suburbs. An Austin home search reveals many new communities that are outside the traditional limits, but within reach of many city-grade luxuries and the city itself. Many Austin home builders have recently focused their energies on the construction of homes within these communities.

Read Full Post »

Highpointe and Mesa Verde Situated in the Dripping Springs School District

If you have been visiting homes in Austin, Texas, you probably have a number of things that are important to you. You may need a certain number of bedrooms or a large backyard. If you have children, you’re probably looking for a family-friendly neighborhood, within a stellar school system. While this may seem like a tall order, you can shorten your Austin home search by visiting the new homes at Highpointe and Mesa Verde. These are two new communities by Buffington Homes that are conveniently situated in the highly desirable Dripping Springs School District.

The Dripping Springs Independent School District is comprised of three elementary schools, one middle school and a high school and it serves nearly 5,000 students. Recently, all three elementary schools received exemplary ratings for academic achievement from the Texas Education Agency. The middle school and high school were similarly recognized. The district boasts a graduation rate of 99 percent and it is the only district in the surrounding area that was recognized by the College Board and awarded a spot on its Advanced Placement Honor Roll. With nearly 93 percent of its graduates going on to pursue higher education, the Dripping Springs High School was recognized by several publications as one of the top high schools in the United States. In fact, two of its students were National Merit Finalists in 2012. Additionally, most of the students are involved in sports, music, drama, art and other extracurricular activities. Also, students from all of the district’s schools have earned awards and recognition in several different areas.

One of the reasons that the Dripping Springs School District enjoys such a high success rate is that there is an incredibly high level of parental involvement in all of the schools. Parents who live in the beautiful areas of Highpointe and Mesa Verde take pride in their homes and communities and they want to ensure that their children receive the best possible education. Buffington Homes is proud to be one of the new home builders in the Dripping Springs School District.

Read Full Post »

Stonewall Ranch: Experience the Beauty of the Hill Country in a Buffington Home

Central Texas boasts a great expanse of green known as the Texas Hill Country. As the capital city continues to break out of its limits, the towns of North Austin are growing by leaps and bounds. One such city is Liberty Hill, home to one of the newest developments of Austin homes, Stonewall Ranch.

Many Texans are finding Liberty Hill to be a perfect place to raise a family. With its excellent school system and its proximity to all the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, it’s no wonder that new homebuilders are flocking to this growing little city that lies just about 30 minutes northwest of Austin.

One of the draws of living close to a large metropolitan area is being able to find quality jobs while still coming home to peace and quiet. That is what you’ll get from a home in Stonewall Ranch. You’ll enjoy fabulous views of the Hill Country, in addition to quality amenities like a community swimming pool, picnic area, and playground.

The real estate market is bouncing back nicely all over Texas, and new homes for sale in the Austin area are becoming more plentiful. That means you have more choices of what type of home to buy and where to relocate.

According to CNN Money, cities in Williamson County, Texas are among some of the fastest growing in the country due to the fact that they offer large businesses such as Dell Computers some great tax incentives to move to the area. While Liberty Hill is not mentioned in this article, its proximity to the other cities mentioned gives it the advantage of equally healthy growth in the coming years.

So what makes Liberty Hill a good choice? For starters, it is a small town. That means you’re going to find a lot of friendly people who will welcome you with open arms. It means quaint establishments such as the Dahlia Café, a local eatery serving up not only home-cooked meals, but some of the best live music in the Hill Country. It means you’ll become a part of a growing and inviting community and best of all, the homes in Stonewall Ranch are competitively priced, so getting in now assures you are making a good, solid real estate investment.

Buffington Homes Stonewall Ranch: http://www.mybuffington.com/community.asp?CommunityID=17

Read Full Post »

Efficient Ways to Keep Your Home Warm in the Winter

It’s a big misconception that the only way to keep your home nice and warm is to have your heater running full blast and constantly pumping out warmth. Luckily there are alternatives for keeping your home warm in the winter. Check out these simple ways to help your home stay warm during the colder season:

1. Ventilation fans in your bathrooms and kitchen can remove heat from a room and have the potential to empty the heat from  your home in a matter of hours. Be sure to use them sparingly and don’t forget to turn them off when they aren’t needed.

2. If you have a water heater in your basement or other location that is inadequately insulated, wrap it in an insulation blanket to keep it running efficiently.

3. Opening your blinds or rolling back the curtains to let the sun in are great ways to utilize natural heat and light. Doing so while lowering the thermostat can help preserve energy, which will in turn save you money.

4. Curtains made of heavy material/fabric can help contain the heat within a room by trapping it. So switch out those lighter fabrics for heavy fabrics and close the curtains at night when your heater is on.

5. Outside taps generally go unused during the winter, so shut them off to prevent the internal and external freezing of your plumbing—this also saves on your energy consumption and water bill.

6. Insulating your windows and weather stripping your doors during the winter is another great tip. This prevents drafts and possible air leaks.

7. Everyone loves a good fire in the winter and it’s a great source for warmth. Be sure to check your fireplace for possible leaks and hazards before using it.

Not all new homes in Austin are created equal, some manufacturers and designers take efficiency into consideration when building or drafting their construction ideas. Buffington Homes is a local Austin home builder that takes efficiency into consideration long before the construction process begins.

Read Full Post »

Austin Fares Well in Tech Industry

Before flocking to Silicon Valley, up-and-coming software engineers and other tech-savvy workers should turn their sights to Austin. The capital of our state is quickly emerging as a major player in the tech industry. Demand for highly skilled tech professionals such as software developers is growing stronger by the day, so people who have the right skills will be able to find jobs quickly. When paired with the fact that California is increasingly being viewed as a hostile business environment, it’s easy to see why Austin is emerging as one of the top spots for jobs in the tech industry.

Great Features Draw Tech Companies to Austin

Although Silicon Valley has dominated the tech industry for decades, California’s high corporate taxes, property taxes, income taxes and sales taxes are causing the state to fall out of favor with many businesses. Austin is a natural choice for companies ranging from start-ups to huge corporations. Our state has developed a reputation for going out of its way to draw in new businesses—Governor Rick Perry even offered special incentives to lure Facebook to Texas, which prompted the social media giant to set up a branch here.

Austin: A Prime Location for Developers, Engineers and Other Tech Professionals

As the location of the University of Texas, Austin boasts a highly educated population. In fact, approximately 38% of Austin residents have bachelor’s degrees. Cost of living in the area is reasonable compared to many other parts of the U.S., so it’s a great place for young professionals to start out in life. Home builders in Austin are continually developing new neighborhoods and communities, so there are always plenty of Austin homes available in many different price ranges.

More Talent Needed

The one issue that Austin has had of late, at least in terms of the tech industry, is having enough qualified professionals to fill openings. The city continues to be overshadowed by places like Silicon Valley, but that is starting to change. As more tech companies set up shop in Austin, buzz will continue to grow. It won’t be long before there are more than enough professionals to fill those jobs, so the time to act is now. People who are looking for rewarding and challenging positions in the tech industry should set their sights on Austin. They won’t be disappointed.

Visit the following links for more info:

• http://www.statesman.com/news/technology/austin-battles-shortage-in-high-end-software-eng-1/nRhtz/
• http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/austin-nyc-silicon-valley/story?id=11480847#.UM-e_6z5Jdh

Read Full Post »

Prepare Your Austin Home for Winter

The mild weather is one reason why so many people choose to buy homes for sale in Austin, and winter tends to pose few challenges to homeowners. Unlike other areas in the country that experience sub-zero temperatures and substantial snow fall, temperatures in Austin tend to hover around 45 degrees all winter with only a few days dropping below freezing.

Nevertheless, Austin homes can and do benefit from winter preparations to improve your HVAC efficiency and reduce the chance of damage to your pipes on an especially cold night. People in mild climates often overlook basic wintertime maintenance for their homes, and this can cause problems if a cold front moves through. Instead, stay on the safe side and prepare your Austin home for the winter.

Here are a few tips for protecting your home from freezing and improving the efficiency of your HVAC system:

• Reverse your ceiling fans. Fans have winter and summer modes, and the winter mode will force warm air back down through the house so you don’t lose heat through the ceiling.
• Check your windows for cracks and gaps. Fill in any gaps around the window with caulking to prevent hot air from escaping and cold air from creeping in.
• Inspect your pipes for cracks and leaks and protect them from freezing. Be sure to seal up gaps around the pipes with caulk and wrap the pipes themselves in foam insulation. This will prevent your pipes from bursting if temperatures drop below freezing.
• Have your HVAC system inspected and cleaned. Blowing dust from the vents and replacing filters will make the system more efficient to save you money during the cooler months.
• If you don’t already have one, consider purchasing a programmable thermostat that will keep the house cooler while you’re at work rather than wasting heat on an empty house.

Following these simple tips will help protect your home from damage during cold winter nights and will help save money on heating throughout the winter. The best part of preparing your home for winter, though, is that many of these tips will work in reverse for the summer. By removing leaks and gaps from your home now, you can save time in protecting your home from hot Austin summers later in the year.

Read Full Post »

Homebuilder Confidence Rises

Austin homes are selling quickly, and homebuilders are confident that the demand for new homes will remain steady. October marks the sixth consecutive month of improving market conditions. Experts say that sales haven’t returned to the numbers seen pre-recession, but they are better than they have been for many years.

The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) and Wells Fargo recently issued their housing market index (HMI) for October. The HMI score for current sales conditions increased by one point. This brings the adjusted index up to 41. According to this data, sales conditions are more favorable than they have been since 2006.

This is great news for homebuilders and the economy, but experts say that any sales index below 50 isn’t ideal. The housing market index is based on opinions from national builder surveys. The current index shows that most builders perceive the current market as poor rather than good. However, six-month projections show that the index could increase to an even more favorable level.

Lender restrictions are one of the reasons why the national index hasn’t increased sooner. The credit crunch is limiting how much funds homebuilders have to invest in projects, and it’s preventing many willing buyers from securing the funding they need. However, these national numbers are below that of Austin’s local average, and buyers are looking. Homebuilders not only in Austin but across the nation say that they are receiving much more foot traffic than they were last year.

The Austin Board of Realtors found that homes for sale in Austin are flying quickly off the market and are selling for higher prices. The organization found that sales have been increasing for 16 consecutive months, which has depleted the inventory to the lowest point in 10 years.

One advertising agency in Austin is launching a national campaign promoting new homes as a better option for homebuyers across the country. With considerable growth and positive predictions, new home sales in 2013 should be off to a good start. This continued increase in home sales proves that the economy is showing encouraging signs of growth.

Read Full Post »

How Will Formula 1 Affect Austin in the Long Run?

Austin hosting F1 is “sort of like Mayberry having the Super Bowl,” joked Lee Leffingwell, Mayor of Austin. So what does that mean for the “Live Music Capital of the World?” Formula 1 is popular on an international level, which means economic growth is inevitable and where there is money there are jobs. Job growth is what every metropolitan area in the United States is craving, so the city’s population may continue to multiply.

To put the economic impact that Formula 1 will have on Austin into perspective, let’s look at the facts around its effect on its past attempts in the states. Indianapolis Motor Speedway played host to F1 racing from 2000 to 2007. Fred Nation, the spokesman for Indianapolis Motor Speedway, estimated that Indianapolis hosted crowds of 90,000 to 225,000 and contributed roughly $270 million to the area. With an estimated 280,000 in attendance for SXSW with $167 million for the nine day festival in 2011, Formula 1 is expected to rival these lucrative events, bringing financial opportunity for existing and future businesses. For further insight, take a look at the Austin American Statesman article on Formula 1’s presence in Austin.

With economic growth contributing to the inevitable population growth, this means good things for homeowners, buyers and sellers. Homeowners who intend to use their Austin homes for profit will be able to rent rooms or homes during F1 facility events. The job market that may result from investors and inevitable business ventures will mean an active home builders investing in property and building homes for the inevitable population growth. Check out Independence Title’s perspective.

Looking to move to the Austin area? Use mybuffington.com to narrow down your options when searching for your Austin home. As Austin’s leading homebuilder, Buffington Homes can help you find your own comfortable corner, taking you a step closer to achieving your dream.

Read Full Post »