E-RAE REALTY
  • HOME
  • BUY
  • SELL
  • INVEST
  • EXPLORE
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • BUY
  • SELL
  • INVEST
  • EXPLORE
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT

Fun Holiday Events to Check Out in Austin

12/7/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Are you looking for some fun and festive holiday activities to enjoy this year? We've got you covered! From ice skating to light shows, our list has something for everyone to enjoy. Happy Holidays!

Trail of Lights: If there’s one event that makes you think of Christmas in the ATX, it’s the Trail of Lights.  This year it’s drive through only due to covid restrictions, but you can still experience the glory of over two million lights from the comfort of your car. Drive through the glowing tunnels and sing along to classic holiday hits. Don’t miss out on the 57th annual Trail of Lights, it’s an amazing family event that will leave everyone in awe. PS. the Zilker Tree is open for pedestrians, so you can still spin to your heart's content!

Rooftop Rink at Whole Foods: Bundle up and hit the ice on top of the world! This is perfect for a family outing, girls night out, or even a sweethearts date night out on the town. This event takes place on the rooftop of the WholeFoods flagship store. Beverages and treats are also available to make the experience that much more great! 

Santa’s Ranch: Looking for a little road trip to experience some holiday cheer?  Head down to New Braunfels and check out Santa’s Ranch. Here you can sip and snack on some homemade holiday treats while you drive through the gorgeous roads and experience a Christmas sight like no other. This light exhibit stretches over a mile long! Don’t forget to grab some beautiful souvenirs to take home before you leave. 

Ballet Austin’s: The Nutcracker: We all know the tale of The Nutcracker and the beautiful melody of “the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies” and this year, you can experience all of the magic LIVE at Ballet Austin! You absolutely have to see these sets and costumes in person. You are sure to be in for a breathtaking performance. 

North Pole Flyer: Have you ever wished you could hop aboard the Polar Express?  Well, this rail may not be headed to the North Pole, but you can let your imagination wander as you enjoy this 2 hour ride with snacks, holiday drinks, and visits from special guests like Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will be Christmas carols as well as story time and lots of laughs. If you’re looking for an exciting holiday event for a little one in your life, this is it.

Ice Skating at Dreamland: Sip on some hot cocoa and enjoy the holiday fun with all of your loved ones while ice skating at Dreamland. There is also mini-golf and pickle ball if you aren’t the best ice skater, but who cares? Get up and make a fool of yourself and let your inner child come out to play.

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar: From December 17th-19th, you can experience live music, local art, shopping from local businesses, and a bar! Honestly, What more could you ask for? This is a guaranteed great holiday experience for the entire family, or a date night out.

Mozart’s Light Show: The annual light show at Mozart’s coffee roasters is an event not to be missed.  Where else can watch a legendary Christmas light display reflecting off Lake Austin?  Mozart’s Light Show also has a wide variety of snacks and beverages available to enjoy while you view the spectacle. This year, they’re offering a hybrid format where you can either reserve a table for a small fee or get a complimentary ticket for the standing section. Unfortunately, tables for the show dates before x-mas are sold out, but there are tables available between Christmas and New Years. Additionally, there are plenty of tickets left for the standing section.​

0 Comments

The Scariest Things You Can Find During a Home Inspection

9/30/2021

2 Comments

 
Picture
It’s always a good idea to get a home inspection before you purchase a home.  While home inspections are not all encompassing, they will illuminate areas of concern within a property.  An inspector will carefully assess all major components of a home, and highlight areas in need of repair in a detailed report.  Truth be told, at first glance, almost all inspection reports appear scary.  An inspector points out every defect, area of potential concern, and potential pitiful with a given home.  Many of these deficiencies are not something to be worried about, but a few items may haunt you forever if you decide to move forward with the purchase.

Foundation Issues
Here in central Texas, it is not uncommon to see homes with foundation issues.  I still remember a home I showed many years ago in East Austin that I nicknamed “The Topsy-Turvy” house.  Walking through it made me feel like I was in one of those carnival attractions with disorienting mirrors everywhere.  Foundation settling is normal, but when a home has significantly differential elevations in can be a major issue.  Foundation repairs are expensive, oftentimes requiring a low five figure to repair.  But, that’s not the only thing.  When you repair the foundation, you will likely have to fix everything above it too.  Tiled floors crack, drywall will need to be replaced, cabinets and molding may shift.  You get the idea.  A foundation issue is something that could haunt you for years.

Roof Deficiencies
Roofs generally last a few decades.  Obviously that depends on the type of roof and how well it is maintained, but something that is supposed to last for that long comes with a high ticket price.  If a roof is in substantial disrepair, it can be a major source of concern.  There may be water damage in the interior of the home, and with water damage comes potential for a slew of other concerns.  Pests, mold, and termites all are more likely when they have a life source.  A roof replacement is something you may be able to negotiate being covered by the seller’s home owner’s insurance policy, but even if you are able to negotiate a new roof make sure the faulty room didn’t already cause other issues.

Antiquated Electrical Systems
Old wiring in a home can be a true horror if not properly corrected.  Homes built prior to the 1940s have what’s known as knob and tube wiring.  Knob and tube wiring only has a hot wire and a neutral wire.  There is no neutral wire, and connections were not made in junction boxes.  These are all potential fire risks.  Aluminum wiring was widely used throughout the 60s and 70s and is common in many Austin homes.  It poses its own fire risk with aluminum to other metal connections creating electrical resistance making the wiring hotter when in use.  With hourly rates for most electricians starting in the hundreds, you can see how repairing these issues can quickly add up to a major drain on your pocketbook.

Ultimately, even the scariest of items identified during an inspection may not be reason to walk-away from a home purchase.  However, it’s important you understand these risks and comprehend the likely financial costs to fix the defects. A home with numerous problems can still be a good investment if you can purchase it for the right price.
2 Comments

New Laws Help Protect Texas Homeowners Against HOAs

9/28/2021

6 Comments

 
Picture
For many years I have heard horror stories from clients in regards to home owner’s associations.  Most frequently, it comes from individuals who are simply perplexed by the excessive fees such associations can charge for merely delivering required paperwork.  When you purchase a property that is located in a community with a home owner’s association (HOA) you need an official copy of the HOA documents and a resale certificate.  These documents tell you the rules for the community, what the HOA fees cover, the HOA’s financials, and if the seller is delinquent on any HOA dues.  Obviously, all of these things are important documents to look over if you are planning to purchase in the community.  However, the fees associations demand for such documents are sometimes downright highway robbery.

Passed earlier this year, Senate Bill 1588 helps mitigate these concerns.  Effective September 1st, HOAs are barred from charging inordinate fees for subdivision information statements and resale certificates.  The bill placed a cap of $375 on the cost for subdivision information statements, and limited HOAs to charging a max of $75 for a resale certificate.  This is a huge win, as I have seen HOAs charging thousands for these simple documents in the past.
​
In addition to setting caps on the amount HOAs can charge for these resale documents, the legislation also included a few other safeguards aimed at protecting Texans.  The bill does the following:


  • requires HOAs with at least 60 lots or a management company to maintain a website with HOA documents available to property owners
  • protects property owners from negative credit reporting in regards to HOA fee disputes
  • bars HOAs from prohibiting certain pool enclosures, religious displays, or home security features
  • requires HOAs to provide timely notice to members about upcoming meetings
  • requires HOAs to solicit multiple bids for jobs in excess of $50,000


While these changes are certainly appreciated among industry professionals and consumers, the new legislation has one major pitfall.  This legislation is wonderful for those residing in or purchasing a home in a community with a property owner’s association, but it does not protect anyone who lives in a condo association.  With the increasing costs of land in central Texas, more and more builders are creating single family homes that live and act like a house, but are technically condos.  These homeowners as well as traditional condo owners are still susceptible to exorbitant charges from condo associations.

Do you have questions about buying or selling in an area with a home owner’s association in the greater Austin area?  Contact me today.
6 Comments

Our Favorite Austin Area Wineries and Breweries

8/31/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
When is the right time to sip on some wine and beer? The correct answer is ALL THE TIME! Hey, It’s 5:00 somewhere, right?

Austin is full of amazing and unique wineries and breweries. You can spend forever exploring the many options that we have in an around Austin. I’ve gathered some of my favorite spots to visit when I need a good sip. Hopefully you’ve had the pleasure of enjoying a few of these spots as well. If not, what are you waiting for?

Wimberley Valley Winery: Don't let the name fool you, this winery is located in Driftwood. Wimberley Valley Winery offers a diverse food and wine menu. For $18, you can experience their tasting which includes sampling five delicious selections. They also have a wine club that you can join which offers special perks for you to enjoy with your friends. The food menu offers everything from pizza to burgers and even tots. Yum! Get the girls together or bring your boys to this little slice of heaven.

Jester King Brewery:  Just west of town on over 160 acres, this local favorite has plenty of space to offer more than just a refreshing beverage.  In addition to serving up cold brews, they also have an inn where you can spend the night, an event center, a farm, and restaurant. Jester King prides itself on using mostly all of their own farm grown ingredients. If you visit and end up falling in love with this place, you’re in luck! Because they host many weddings and large events here. I told you, its a beautiful place. Don’t take my word for it though, go visit for yourself.​

The Austin Winery: Located in an industrial section of South Austin, this urban winery offers an adorable atmosphere to sit and sip on some delicious wines. Maybe you’re a red drinker, or maybe you’re more of a white wine person. Whatever your choice, There is surely something for you here. The tasting room serves 3 half glass pours of your choice of wine, and the staff gives you a rundown of what you’ll be tasting. They also offer snack trays to feed your appetite.

St. Elmos Brewery: Adjacent to the Austin Winery, St. Elmos offers unique beer options from Pineapple Pale Ale to Hop Water and so much more. They have a large outdoor space where you will also find their delicious food truck, Spicy Boys.  Here you can enjoy mouth watering chicken sandwiches, nugs, curry, and more. Drop by and get your drink on while you chow down!

Austin Beerworks: Located in North Austin, this brewery offers a large variety of delicious beers such as Bloodwork Orange and Megaflora. Locals know the “A” logo and the vibrant colored cans. Austin Beerworks has a very low gluten count in their beers also, which makes for a great option if you have a gluten intolerance. There is also some great food to be enjoyed while you chug down your beer. Head on over to this colorful brewery today. You won’t be sorry!

Dutchman Family Winery: Known for their saying “100% Texas grapes, 100% Texas wine”, Dutchman Family Winery is also located in Driftwood.  Shaded by large beautiful trees and embellished with gorgeous chandeliers, the aesthetic alone is a great reason to take a visit to Dutchman. They regularly feature live music and host events such as painting and movie nights. You can also become a member of their wine club and try all of the exquisite wines that your body can handle.

The Austin Beer Garden Brewery: Known as The ABGB to locals, this South Austin brewery offers a great mix of beers, wines, and ciders. You’ll find a drink to satisfy everyone of your friends. They also offer live music of all genres, and food that will make your taste buds so happy! Their food menu has pizza, sandwiches, salads, desserts, and more. Sip on some award winning beers while you dance to the live music and chow down on some food from their large menu.


Meanwhile Brewing: Located in South Austin, Meanwhile Brewing offers an experience for more than just your average beer drinker. You can also find coffees, wine, cocktails, and plenty of food trucks. This brewery often hosts live music to enjoy too. There is also a private event venue and soccer field. Sounds pretty cool, right? Well, Get your ass over there and let your fun side come out to play!

Have you been to any of these fantastic places? What are some of your favorite spots?
0 Comments

What the Latest Stats From the 2020 Census Tell Us About Austin

8/25/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Slowly but surely, the 2020 US Census data from 2020 is being released.  Although these stats are not perfect, they were obtained during the pandemic after all, they do give us some insights as to what’s happening in the ATX.  There weren’t too many surprises, spoiler alert: the greater Austin area is growing rapidly in case you hadn’t noticed.  But, the official count for the City of Austin population did fall slightly shorter than expected with an estimated 961,855 people residing in the capital of the lone star state. Officially, this makes Austin the 11th most populous city in the United States.


While the population for residents within the city limits has increased slightly over 20% over the past ten years, many of you may be thinking “that’s it”.  I know, that number feels low to me too, and the truth is, the population of Austin as we know it is about way more than just those living in the city limits.  Residents of Sunset Valley, Westlake Hills, Pfluggerville, Leander and many other adjacent areas make up what we think of as Austinites.  According to the latest census stats the Austin-Round Rock metro area is the fastest growing metro area in Texas.


At the county level, we saw significant increases in population levels throughout Central Texas.  Hays County which encompasses Dripping Springs, Buda, Kyle, San Marcos and Kimberly was the fastest growing county in the state.  Since 2010, Hays saw more than a 50% increase in residents over the past ten years with the population now nearly a quarter of a million people.  In Travis County, the census showed a population of 1,290,188 people for 2020 and Williamson County is home to over 600,000 people. Together, these stats show what everyone who’s ever sat in traffic on I-35 knows is true - there are way more than one million Austinites.
0 Comments

June Real Estate Stats Show Preliminary Signs of Market Stabilization

7/19/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
For months on end, it's seemed as if there was no end in sight for the incredibly competitive Austin real estate market. In fact, just looking at the latest numbers it still appears that way.  Last month, the greater Austin area saw an all-time high median sales price of $482,364; Simultaneously 4,369 homes were sold, a record number of home sales compared to any previous June numbers. 

Yet, these numbers don't show the full picture. Real estate stats are always lagging indicators.  In general, it usually takes at least 30 days for a home to go from hitting the market to sold.  Thus, the sales data for June is based on homes that hit the market in May.  In the past month, we have started to see an increase in listings.  It's not crazy, but it is impactful.  In the City of Austin, we saw 2,044 new residential listings in June compared to 1,724 in May. 

An increase in supply is good news for prospective home buyers.  This means more homes to choose from, and less competition.  This subtle increase is exciting; yet we are still very far from a balanced market.  You can still expect to see multiple offers.  However, you may only be competing with a handful of other buyers compared to the double digit number of offers we frequently saw on homes over the past 6 months.  As you might expect, the premium paid over ask price is simultaneously beginning to decrease. 

All of these indicators show that pricing is starting to stabilize but that doesn't mean home prices are going down. Home prices are likely to continue to stay at these elevated levels.  That being said, I do foresee a return to the normal cyclical pattern for real estate sales in the Austin metro area.  Over the past year, there was no normal slow down for the winter.  In fact, the median sales price in the MSA stayed the same or increased month after month.  In the future, I see a return of spring being the peak selling season- when buyers can expect the most inventory and sellers can expect to sell for the highest price.

That being said, here are the latest Austin area market stats:


City of Austin:
Compared to June of 2020
  • Median sales prices are up 42%
  • Single family homes sold are up 16%
  • Average days on market are 13 days

Greater Austin Area (AKA Austin Round Rock MSA):
Compared to June of 2020
  • Median sales prices are up 43%
  • Single family homes sold are up 8%
  • Average days on market are 13 days

Curious to know what's happening in your specific neighborhood? Contact me with any questions you may have. I’d love to hear from you!
0 Comments

The Difference Between a Home’s Appraised Value, Assessed Value, and Market Value

7/13/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
There are quite a few different ways to determine a property’s value.  As a real estate broker, I most often determine a fair asking price or listing price based on the relevant comparable sales.  Other entities such as the county tax assessor may also use the sales comparison approach to determine a given home’s value; yet, our valuations may be vastly different.  That’s because the different types of valuations are ultimately defined by the entity evaluating the property’s worth.  

Appraised value is a term used to describe the lender’s valuation of a given property.  When you buy a home with a loan, the lender needs to determine what the value of the home is in order to limit their risk.  The lender orders an appraisal of the subject property once a buyer is under-contract on a property, but before the closing date. The appraiser then compiles a report known as an appraisal.  The report is most commonly performed using the sales comparison approach in which the appraiser identifies three to six similar properties that have sold recently in the area, and then makes adjustments to these properties in order to determine the subject property’s appraised value.  Occasionally, the appraiser may use a different approach such as the cost approach or the income approach to determine the appraised value.  The cost approach uses current construction costs combined with depreciation to determine the appraised value while the income approach uses rental revenue to determine the appraised value.  The sales comparison approach is most-commonly used in residential real estate, and if you are purchasing a new home or refinancing an existing one, the end result of this analysis is a determination of appraised value. Ultimately, the appraised value is what the lender determines your home is worth.

The assessed value of a home is what a county tax assessor determines a home is worth for the purpose of levying property taxes. Oftentimes, I will have buyers looking at a home’s assessed value as an indication of a fair asking price.  However, the assessed value is rarely the same as the market value.  The assessed value is determined annually by the county and market value can change weekly.  Additionally, the assessed value is usually determined from a computer.  Looking at similar size homes on the same street only tells half the picture.  Just because your neighbor’s home is worth $600K doesn’t mean yours is too.  What if your neighbor’s home has solid gold toilets and italian marble while you're still rocking lime green linoleum?  The county tax assessor likely has no idea that your home isn’t worth as much as your neighbor’s. Unless you say something and step up to protest your assessed value, the county will continue to value your home at the rate they think is correct.  Texas is also a non-disclosure state which means that home sale values are not public information. They do rely on information gathered from real estate syndication sites like Zillow to determine the asking price for a home. They also know when a home is sold, they just don’t necessarily know the exact sales price. Thus, the assessed value is the county tax assessor’s best guess as to what your home is worth. 

The market value of a property is what a buyer is willing to pay for a property and a seller is willing to sell a property for in an open market.  The market value of a property is oftentimes quite different from the assessed value, and may even be vastly different from the appraised value for a given property. Recently, in the Austin real estate market we have seen widespread waiving of appraisal contingencies by prospective buyers. When a buyer does this, they are saying that even if the lender determines the appraised value is lower than the contracted sales price they will proceed with the sale and bring additional cash to the table in order to close at the contracted price.  Thus, the market value is higher than the appraised value.  Alternatively, you could have a home that appraised for a value that is higher than what buyers are willing to pay. The market value is simply what a buyer is willing to pay for a given property.  

When you are trying to determine an appropriate asking price to list your home for sale for or trying to figure out how much money you should offer on a home you need to think about all of these values. However, the market value is ultimately the value that will be the most important.
0 Comments

Thinking about buying a Short Term Rental in the Austin Area?  Here's Your Complete Breakdown on the Rules and Regulations for Operating a Vacation Rental in Central Texas

7/2/2021

49 Comments

 
Picture
Austin and the surrounding areas are booming right now and more and more people are coming to visit each day to get a little piece of this amazing city. Perhaps you are one of these people and you decided you like Austin so much you want to buy a home here that you can use from time to time and then rent out while you're not here.  That's a great plan, but in order to make your dream a reality, you need a thorough understanding of the rules and regulations regarding short term rentals (STRs).  They vary immensely throughout central Texas, and the success or legality of your investment property rests on understanding these various rules. 

No matter where you are looking to purchase, it's important to understand that STRs are generally classified as rentals less than 30 days.  If you are planning to rent your home out monthly or for even longer durations there are far less rules.  If you are planning to use your property as a vacation rental where guests stay for a few days or weeks, this post is for you!

Texas leaves short term rental oversight to the local government.  Thus, STR rules, regulations or ordinances are predominantly created by local municipalities.  If a property is located in an unincorporated area or an extraterritorial jurisdiction, it's highly unlikely that there will be municipal regulations since there is no city that has the authority to regulate the area.

Within the city limits of Austin, the regulations regarding short term rentals are pretty strict.  They have a comprehensive permitting process and caps on the number of short term rentals allowed.  In fact, in the City of Austin, it's almost impossible to get a permit to operate a short term rental for a single family home if it's not your primary residence.

However, a plethora of nearby Austin suburbs have no STR rules at all, and there are unincorporated areas that aren't subject to any municipal oversight!  Dive into the list below to know what the regulations are like throughout central Texas.

Austin: 
  • the City of Austin breaks down short term rentals into three types, to learn all about these classifications, check out this previous post
  • STR Type 1  permits can be issued for single family homes where the owner has a homestead exemption on the subject property. These permits are used when you live in the home, and want to rent out the entire home from time to time, OR if you only want to rent out part of the home ie. a room or guest house on the property.
  • no permits are being issued for STRs for single family, investor-owned homes (Type 2) EXCEPT in the following zoning districts: Central Business District (CBD), Downtown Mixed Use (DMU), Planned Unit Development (PUD), General-Retail - Mixed Use (GR-MU), Commercial Services - Mixed Use (CS-MU), Commercial Services - Vertical Mixed Use (CS-V), General Retail - Vertical Mixed Use (GR-V) BUT you must be 1,000 feet from another Type 2
  • STR permits are being issued for Type 3, multifamily properties i.e. condos. There are caps on the number of STRs allowed in each condo building. If the condo is located in a residentially zoned area the maximum number of units that can have a Type 3 permit is 3% of the total units in the condo building. For condos located in commercially zoned areas, the max number of STR permits is 25% of total units.
  • ​Link to more info on COA regulations

Bee Cave:
  • no restrictions on STRs

Boerne:
  • Permit required for properties in the city limits and Boerne ETJ
  • Link to full ordinance

Buda:
  • permit required
  • ​must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning that the unit and property do not have any outstanding issues related to taxes or building, electrical, plumbing, fire, health, housing, police, planning, noise, or code enforcement provisions
  • must provide proof of insurance and payment of hotel occupancy tax annually
  • ​Full details on page 51 of Buda’s Unified Development Code

Cedar Park:
  • no restrictions on STRs

Dripping Springs:
  • no restrictions on STRs

Driftwood:
  • Driftwood is an unincorporated area, thus there are no restrictions on STRs

Fredericksburg:
  • permit required
  • STR's allowed in some zoning districts but not all, short term rental use is based on property zoning and type of STR i.e owner occupied, non-owner occupied, accessory building, etc. link to zoning map
  • Properties that received a STR Permit prior to April 1, 2022 are considered “Legal Non-Conforming” uses and allowed to operate conditioned upon conformity with Section 5.401 and Section 6.110, Continuance of a Nonconforming Use
  • Generally, permits may be transfered to new owners, a new owner must submit a transfer of permit application
  • Click here to view the UPDATED complete STR ordinance

Georgetown:
  • no restrictions on STRs

Horseshoe Bay:
  • No regulations yet, but a short term rental ordinance was discussed at the council meeting in November 2022
  • no restrictions on STRs within Horseshoe Bay Property Owners’ Association
  • some properties are in additional HOAs and those may restrict STR use

Johnson City:
  • permits required for properties located in the city limits or ETJ
  • Link to complete ordinance

Jonestown:
  • ​STRs are only permitted in the STR Overlay District
  • events are not permitted on site
  • residence may not house more than 15 people at a time
  • Link to more details

Kyle:
  • no restrictions on STRs

Lago Vista:
  • must apply for an STR permit if the property is located in any of the following zoning districts: R-1, R-O, RR-A, R-2
  • link to zoning map
  • STRs must have two parking spots per dwelling, no street parking
  • Link to more details

Lakeway:
  • maximum of 25 single family homes can be used as STRs
  • currently, there is a 2 year waiting list to get a permit
  • there's no limit for permits for condos
  • Link to STR map

Leander:
  • According to city officials, vacation rentals are currently classified as hotels within the City of Leander. You will need to ensure that you have the correct zoning (General Commercial) before operating a vacation rental. Because these are considered a commercial business, the rental would be subject to commercial building standards and permits.
  • The City of Leander constitutes a short term rental as anything less than 6 months.
  • Leander is generally unfriendly towards STRs.

Lockhart:
  • STR registration required for all properties located in a residential zoning district
  • No more than 2 adults per bedroom permitted
  • Link to full Lockhart STR ordinance

Marble Falls:
  • In January of 2021, Marble Falls adopted a short term rental ordinance. This ordinance requires all STR operators to obtain a permit from the city in order to operate as a vacation rental. In order to obtain a permit, owners must demonstrate proof of liability insurance, document payment of hotel occupancy tax, and pass a life safety inspection among other requirements.
  • The complete rules can be found here

New Braunfels:
  • short term rentals are not allowed in any residential zoning districts
  • ​a special use permit must be obtained for all properties located in non-residential zoning districts, except those located in the following zoning districts: C-4, C-4A, and C-4B
  • short-term rentals are not allowed in the floodway
  • annual life safety inspections are required
  • ​maximum occupancy of two adults per sleeping area, plus an additional two occupants
  • ​a minimum of one off-street parking space, not including the garage, must be provided per sleeping area
  • Link to complete ordinance

Pflugerville:
  • no regulations, but lots of HOAS with rules regarding STRs​

Point Venture:
  • STRS permitted in most sections except they're not allowed in Section 3-1
  • permit is required
  • owners must provide guests with important operation information such as emergency contacts, location of water shut off, parking requirements, trash collection, etc.
  • view the complete STR ordinance for Point Venture

Rollingwood:
  • STRs prohibited
  • no rentals less than 30 days

Round Rock:
  • no restrictions on STRs

San Marcos:
  • Home Share Rental Registration required
  • ​Proof that the premises is the primary residence of the applicant, including at least two of the following: motor vehicle registration, driver's license, Texas State Identification card, voter registration, tax documents, or utility bill
  • Only permits one STR/owner in city limits
  • Occupancy limits
  • Required safety features
  • Link to more details

Sunrise Beach:
  • not permitted

Sunset Valley:
  • permit required
  • no limitations based on owner-occupancy
  • Link to full Sunset Valley Short Term Rental Requirements

Spicewood:
  • no restrictions on STRs​

The Hills:
  • no restrictions on STRs​
  • There are extensive HOA rules you must follow.  Link to more details.

Volente:
  • must apply for a short term rental conditional use permit
  • maximum number of guests is 2 people, over the age of 16, per bedroom +3
  • $150 permit fee, permit is non-transferable with a sale
  • Village of Volente short term rental ordinance

Westlake Hills:
  • The following criteria pertains to properties zoned R-1, R-2, and R-3
  • ​only a homestead owner may apply for a short-term rental special use permit, but may do so for the homestead or another property owned by the homestead owner
  • only one permit will be issued per homestead, regardless of whether the permit is for the homestead or another property owned by the homestead owner
  • essentially you must own a primary residence in Westlake in order to get an STR permit, but if you own two homes in Westlake, you can get a permit for the one you don't live in
  • a guesthouse can not be used as a short term rental
  • Link to more details and link to Westlake Hills STR map

Wimberly:
To obtain a permit to operate a bed & breakfast or vacation rental, an applicant must go through the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process and receive an approved permit.
The CUP process includes:
  • complete Application
  • application Fee (non-refundable)
  • the city notifies those within 200’ of your application, publishes in the local newspaper and posts a sign on the subject tract
  • Planning & Zoning hearing for recommendation and City Council hearing for ultimate decision
Per state & local statute, if 20% of property owners within 200' oppose the application a super majority vote of the City Council (4 out of 5)  is required for CUP approval.



​*****We do our best to provide accurate information; however, these rules and regulations are constantly evolving.  Make sure to confirm current rules with the local governing bodies. This post was last updated on 12/5/2022



Interested in purchasing a property to use as a short term rental in the Austin area?

We can help you navigate the various rules and regulations, identify options that will make the most sense for your unique situation and guide you in determining which properties will yield the highest returns. 

Schedule a Meeting
Picture
49 Comments

Fun Events in Austin for the 4th of July Weekend

7/2/2021

1 Comment

 
Happy 4th of July weekend! Need some fun and exciting ideas to celebrate this year in the ATX? We've rounded up a view great options to check out if you don't already have plans for this holiday weekend.
Picture
Live Fireworks and a Movie at Doc’s Drive in Theater:
With FIREWORKS before the movie, live music, as well as a wide variety of food and drinks, Doc's Drive in is a great option for anyone looking to have a good time!  They will have two simultaneous showings on both the 3rd and the 4th.  You can catch The Sandlot on Screen 1 or Independence Day on Screen 2. 

July 3rd and 4th
Live Music 7-9PM
Live Fireworks Show 9pm
Movies 9:30pm


1540 Satterwhite Road
Buda, TX 78610

Get more information and buy your tickets HERE

4th of July Blues, Brews, & BBQ with The Larry Harris Band:
No cover, all ages are welcome, and dog friendly.  Celebrate the 4th of July with live music, BBQ food, and some refreshing draft beers at Oakwood BBQ & Beer Garden.

July 4th from 11AM-8PM

307 E. Braker Lane
Austin, TX 78753
​
Get more information HERE.
Picture
HEB Austin Symphony July 4th Concert and Fireworks:
Enjoy spectacular fireworks and some live music from the Austin Symphony at this free event.

Sunday, July 4th at 8:00 pm

900 W Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704

More information HERE.

​Red, White, and Boom 4th of July Festival:
​Visit Typhoon Texas for wild water rides, live music, contests, fireworks, and a hot air balloon ride.

July 2nd, 3rd and 4th 10:30 am - 7:00 pm
​
18500 Texas 130 Service Road
Pflugerville, TX 78660
​
Purchase tickets HERE.
Picture
1 Comment

May Real Estate Market Stats Show Austin Market Continues To Rise And Break Records

6/30/2021

0 Comments

 
​The greater Austin area continues to break records in the month of May. Austin saw an all time high for median home prices for any month on record. The recorded median single family home value for the entire greater Austin area last month topped the charts at a whopping $465,000.

We are at a challenging time currently. There is simply not enough land in Austin to meet buyer demand. As businesses come in, so do residents and this is causing single family home prices to sky rocket. Austin is now experiencing a critical shortage of inventory and we must think about new ways to expand and creative policies to increase our housing supply over the long run.
Picture

​Residential home sales in the Austin Round-Rock MSA aka the entire greater Austin area have seen an increase of 48% year over year to 3,976 sales for the month of May. As you may imagine, the median sales price also jumped 42.2% year over year. That is a full $100k higher than in January of this year. Monthly housing inventory decreased 1.5 months to 0.5 months of inventory. This is critically low; a balanced market has 6 months of inventory.

In May, active listings dropped 70.9% year over year to 1,739 listings, this shows how quickly homes are going under contract. Homes spent an average of 16 days on market last month across the MSA. However, keep in mind this is an average. A lot of homes spent far fewer days on market. 
​
Increases in Median Home Sales Price per County:
City of Austin - 34.9% year over year to $566,500
Travis County - 41% year over year to $550,000
Williamson County - 50% year over year to $435,000
Hays County - 42.5% year over year to $380,000
Bastrop County - 24% year over year to $321,250
Caldwell County - 26.9% year over year to $239,900

Curious to know what’s happening in your zip code? Contact me for more information!
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    BLOG

    Sharing Austin real estate updates, home owner tips, & more.

    Archives

    February 2023
    November 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    Categories

    All
    ADUs
    Attractions & Events
    Buying A Home
    Condos
    Design
    Development
    Home Maintenance
    Investments
    Lake Austin
    Market Updates
    Neighborhoods
    Selling
    Short Term Rentals
    Westlake

All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. 
​Please Note:  Texas law requires licensed agents to provide this Information About Brokerage Services

​
Licensed agents are also required to provide:  Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice