Upswing Continues in Austin’s Job Market

Between a significant increase in available jobs and a steady boost in the prices of homes in the city, the past year has been a positive one for Austin. The city has steadily climbed the ladder of Forbes Magazine’s list of the best large cities in the United States for jobs. In the past two years, Austin has fluctuated between first and fifth place for the best city for jobs.

The booming Austin job market has attracted people from across the country. A boost in the number of people currently involved in an Austin home search may be attributed to the number of people who have decided to move to the city after hearing news of the opportunities that are available. While an influx of new residents has triggered an upward trend in the prices of Austin homes, buyers can now enjoy an expanded market. Homes for sale in Austin, TX are available in all price ranges to fit the budget of anyone hoping to relocate to the area to embark on a new career.

The fields enjoying the biggest increase in available opportunities in Austin include hospitality and information technology. Individuals with experience in retail, education and healthcare can also expect to find abundant openings in the area. Visit Realty Austin to read more about the growing job market.

Now is the best time to seriously consider taking advantage of job openings and relocating to Austin. While home prices are on the rise, the availability of homes in a variety of price ranges puts home ownership within the reach of new residents.

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Home Prices See a Rise in Austin!

Following news that the price of Austin homes is up nearly 7% from July 2011, homeowners who have considered selling their homes are urged to take advantage of the trend. The rise in prices means that homeowners who have held out on selling and moving on can feel more confident in their ability to get the best price for their house.

While an increase in the selling price of homes is sure to benefit sellers, there are also positive points for prospective buyers who are undergoing an Austin home search. Higher prices mean that more sellers are encouraged to put their homes on the market. Buyers are now presented with more choices in all price ranges, so buyers who could not find the perfect home for their needs before are more likely to find a dream home now.

Prices may be on the rise, but the average price point of homes in Austin still keeps homes in the area within reach of buyers. Predictions about the future of the home market in Austin project that sellers will enjoy a continued increase in prices, so buyers are encouraged to start hunting for a home now to take advantage of prices that remain competitive and the large volume of properties to view. Visit KUT News to find out more about Austin housing trends as reported by CoreLogic.

Buyers who continue to struggle with finding the right home may want to consider new home builders in Austin. A new construction gives future homeowners the opportunity to customize their home and incorporate all of the features they want.

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Beyond the Obvious: Why Are Local Builders Better?

Ranch at Brushy Creek Home — Click photo for sale info

Buying or building a home is a complicated process for anyone. There are a number of homes for sale in Austin, TX that vary in price and location, and this can make narrowing the option difficult. One way to improve your chances of gaining the best quality home is to stick with local business. A locally established and operated builder offers perks that are not in the contracts or floor plans.

Some of these perks are well-known. Greener living is becoming increasingly important. Efficient use of area resources and less transportation of building materials makes locally-based building an environmentally friendly choice. There are also community benefits; local businesses create more jobs for the area and provide more opportunity for growth. It’s easy to check a local builder’s work for style and quality—finished projects can be quickly accessed. It’s also easier to talk to other homebuyers about their experiences with the builder. They probably won’t be far away.

Getting specialized expertise is a great perk that many people don’t think about. While all good builders understand the principles of their work, those who have lived and worked in an area for years have hands-on experience with the local climate and its effects on the building process. Weather patterns, humidity levels, temperatures and geographic variables can affect the long-term stability of building materials and construction techniques. Contractors who know the unique Texas environment also know how to optimize Austin homes for safety, strength and longevity.

As the clear leader among new home builders in Austin, Buffington Homes has provided more than four decades of exceptional service. Put our home-grown Texas talent and pride into your Austin home search, and enjoy the professionalism, personalized attention and support that the community has trusted for generations.

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Hot Areas for Austin Home Sales

The market for Austin homes is experiencing a substantial upswing, with an improving local job market and the enduring popularity of Texas’ capital city helping to drive property sales throughout the region.

Local real estate experts say that the Austin homes market has received a big boost from the 13,200 private-sector jobs that were added to the region in 2011. The desire of current homeowners in Austin to upgrade to more luxurious homes has also contributed to the robust health of the market.

The hottest areas for Austin home sales include perennially popular neighborhoods in the city’s south and southwest sections, such as the Buffington Homes community of Southpark Meadows. Many homes here are being snatched up quickly by buyers shortly after sellers place them on the market. If you are an aspiring homeowner just beginning your Austin home search, you might want to begin in one of these family-friendly communities filled with splendid homes and homesites.

Desirable Austin neighborhoods such as the Buffington Homes communities of Mesa Verde at Belterra and The Views Belterra have also seen a surge in home sales, primarily driven by buyers seeking homes in excellent locations that are also great places to raise a family. The homes in these areas offer plenty of open space as well as parks, trails, playgrounds and a pristine swimming pool.

The distinguished homes in the Bridges of Bear Creek community in south Austin are appealing to homebuyers drawn to the lively entertainment, shopping and parks nearby. Bridges of Bear Creek will also offer new sections soon, excellent for buyers who have their mind set on customizing.

Regardless of where your Austin home search leads, you can always rely on the team at Buffington Homes, a premier Austin custom homebuilder for more than 40 years. A dedication to quality and flawless customer service makes Buffington Homes the leading custom homebuilder in Austin.

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The Advantages of Newly Constructed Homes in Austin

If you are just beginning your Austin home search, it pays to explore the benefits of purchasing a new home versus buying a resale home on the local market. The easiest way to think about the benefits of newly constructed homes is in terms of building codes and how they have become stricter over the last decade. Builders today like Buffington Homes are building with safer, greener, and more energy-efficient materials. These changes are the result of both tighter government regulations and consumer demands.

New home builders realize that people who are pre-qualified for a home mortgage have many options regarding a real estate purchase. A prospective homeowner can choose from different builders in a local area or they may seek a real estate agent. That’s why new home builders tend to offer consumers many options in terms of floor plans and custom upgrades. The real question is, where can you get the best-suited home for your money?

By working with a custom new home builder in Austin that specializes in tailoring homes, you are more likely to receive a home that meets your family’s needs now and in the future—without the need for extensive remodeling. Communicating your needs to your home builder will assure that you and your family will receive the best accommodations imaginable.

Newly built homes use the latest building techniques, making them a wise investment for both long-term and resale value. You can enjoy many years in a new home before worrying about repairs and other costs such as upgrading appliances, repainting the exterior, and installing a new roof. Older resale homes typically require frequent and often expensive repairs.

Before you purchase or build a home in Austin, check out our latest designs at Buffington Homes. It is our pleasure to assist prospective homebuyers with their diverse needs.

 

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Beautifying Austin Homes: Keep Your Plants Healthy with Mulch

The sight of an Austin home with a colorful flower bed brimming with blooms is one of the pleasures of summer, providing a beautiful view as well as a habitat for butterflies, ladybugs and even birds. However, keeping a flower garden blooming and free from weeds and pests takes a lot of effort, especially when the hot summer sun depletes the soil of moisture and the nutrients it carries. One of the best ways to keep a flower garden looking fresh and manicured is to add a layer of mulch to the soil around the plants in order to keep weeds out and moisture in.

Mulch can be either organic or inorganic, and both types offer distinct advantages. Inorganic mulch is frequently made of recycled materials, like rubber tires that have been finely shredded, and provides a soft surface for frequently trafficked areas, as well as play areas. In a flower bed or garden, inorganic mulch can be an effective deterrent against weeds and help retain moisture, but one of its prime benefits is that it is unattractive to pests like slugs, snails, grubs and rodents that like to make their homes in the soft, natural fibers of organic mulch.

Although inorganic mulch does help keep moisture in the underlying soil, the mulch itself typically drains better than organic materials, which makes inorganic a wider choice in areas that receive a lot of moisture, or where mold or mildew is a problem. Inorganic mulch is typically more expensive, but it also lasts longer and needs replacement and replenishment less often, which can save money in the long term. Among homeowners, organic mulch is generally the more popular option due to its lower initial cost.

Organic mulch can be made of a variety of materials, including wood and bark, straw, peat moss, and other plant material, and even newspaper. Different types of mulch have different characteristics, including coarseness and color, allowing the homeowner to match the mulch to the look he or she wants to achieve. Organic mulch also improves and enriches the soil as it breaks down, improving your garden beds over time. Due to dry Texas soil and hot summers, gardens and flower beds surrounding homes in Austin can benefit from the use of organic mulch because of its ability to retain moisture and improve soil quality.  

Both types of mulch help your garden bloom better, reducing the need for watering and weeding and leaving you more time to enjoy your bountiful garden.

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Decorative Painting Tips and Techniques for Your Austin Home

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to sell or you simply want to spruce up your home in Austin, it’s good to know that adding character to a home doesn’t have to be time-consuming or terribly expensive. Popular painting techniques, such as a cloud faux-finish, color washing and positive and negative painting methods can add character and interest to Austin homes.

Cloud Faux-Finish

Using latex paint, coat the walls in a light blue color and let dry. Soak a natural sponge in clean water and squeeze out as much excess as possible. Dip one side of the sponge in a blue-gray color, dabbing lightly on a towel to remove any excess paint. Dab the sponge along the wall in an oval or round pattern creating the cloud effect. While the paint is still wet, blend the edges by dipping the sponge in the light blue wall color again and sponging softly to create a natural look. This will give your wall the appearance of a big, Texas sky.  

Color Washing

Pour a light and a dark latex paint into separate containers. Wet a natural sponge in clean water and wring out. Dip the sponge in the surface color of your choice until drenched, wring out excess paint and apply to surface in a wiping motion. When tacky, dampen a clean sponge with water, dip into the contrasting paint color and apply to the wall in a sweeping motion. Using the clean side of the same sponge, remove excess wall color to create an aged effect.

Negative and Positive Painting

For positive applications, soak a rolled rag, cheesecloth or natural sponge in clean water and wring out until damp. Dip in a paint color of your choice and apply using light strokes to create interesting patterns and shapes. For negative applications, paint manageable sections of walls in a color of your choice. While the wall color is still wet, use a rolled rag, cheesecloth or sponge, dampened with clean water to lightly remove applied paint. This will add depth and texture to your walls.

If you’re seeking to purchase a home from a new home builder in Austin, you will generally receive neutral walls that work well as a clean slate. That way, you can customize your colors and make your house feel like a home. Applying these simple and affordable techniques will add charm and style to your Austin home.
 

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Buffington Homes wants to pay your interest for a year!

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