Downtown Austin Condo Review – The Belair lofts, 41 Waller and Willow Branch Lofts

Saturday, June 7th, 2008
My line up for showings this weekend…Click here to search for downtown Austin Condos click here

The Belair – Type: New Modern. Near Downtown +7 Appreciation +8, Proximity to UT +6, Deal potential +8.5, Proximity to coolness +9, Features +9, Green features +7.

Waller 41 – Type: “Cool Type” Condo conversion. Near Downtown +9 Appreciation +10, Proximity to UT +8, Deal potential +8, Proximity to coolness +7.5, Features +8, Green features +5 .

Willow Branch Lofts – Type: Live work. Near Downtown +8.5 Appreciation +9.5, Proximity to UT +9.5, Deal potential +10, Proximity to coolness – 9, Features – 7, Green features +8


If you are open to a couple of new selections:

Akoya – Type: “Cool Type” Condo conversion. Near Downtown +7 Appreciation +9.5, Proximity to UT +6, Deal potential +8, Proximity to coolness +9, Features +9, Green features +10.

1907 Chicon, Austin, TX 78702 Type: 3-2 new home. Near Downtown +8.5 Appreciation +9.5, Proximity to UT +9.5, Deal potential +9, Proximity to coolness +9, Features +7, Green features +7.

Castle Hill Terraces – Type: Old Money neigborhood Condo conversion. Near Downtown +9.5 Appreciation +9, Proximity to UT +9.5, Deal potential +9, Proximity to coolness +10, Features +8, Green features +7.

East End Flats – 2931 E. 12th Street, Austin, TX 78702 – East Austin condos near downtown

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008

Located in hip East Austin, the East End Flats popped up on my radar recently and I can’t wait to get and take some pictures.

What’s cool cool about it? It’s next to the new commuter rail, has 3 commercial units and the build outs are pretty nice.

What I don’t like… The neighborhood.

6th and Brushy – 601 Brushy, Austin, TX 78702 – East Austin condos 1 block from downtown.

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008



A mixed-use community with 24 residential units and retail spaces below with 6th street frontage. Situated in an artistic, eclectic area, 6th & Brushy offers high-end designer finishes, open floor plans, floor to ceiling windows to provide tons of natural light and fantastic downtown views.

Project includes:
• 11-foot ceilings with walls of windows
• Stainless steel appliances
• Walk-in closets
• Custom hardwood cabinetry
• Duravit lavatories & Dornbracht fixtures
• Silestone countertops
• Sealed concrete floors
• Street level retail/commercial
• On UT and downtown bus lines
• Free City of Austin Downtown Wi-Fi Wireless!
· A short walk to Austin Light Rail station (opens 2008)

Perry Henderson 900 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701 512.791.7462 eFax 512.233.5230 http://www.livewelldowntown.com/

Pre-Construction Condos: How the Process Works in downtown Austin

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008


When you buy a home that’s not built yet, there can be setbacks before you move in. Here are steps to buying a pre-construction condo

Pre-construction condos are units that have been proposed by a developer, but have not yet been built. When you purchase a pre-construction unit, you are putting money down before construction begins. Buying a pre-construction condominium can be a great opportunity, but you should proceed with caution. Because you are buying into something that does not yet exist, there is greater potential for unforeseen problems and setbacks before you move into your home. By understanding the risks and planning carefully, you can avoid complications and come out a winner.

Advantages
The main advantage to buying into a condominium development before construction starts is that you often get a lower price than if you buy when construction is complete. The reason for this is that developers typically need pre-construction sales of 50 percent to 90 percent of the units in a development before they can borrow funds to begin construction. Pre-construction condos can also get you in on the ground floor of an investment that will appreciate. The market value of pre-construction units generally increases during the one to three years it takes to build a development, so your unit may be worth more than you’ve paid for it before you set foot in the place. In addition, you can often choose from a variety of finishes and flooring options, allowing you to customize your home.

How the process works
There are several steps to buying a pre-construction condo. They can vary from developer to developer, but the basic components are:

1. Reservation agreement You give a deposit (usually between $5,000 and $10,000) to reserve the unit and set the price (although the builder can reserve the right to change the price in the contract). The deposit is held in escrow and you can cancel the agreement at any time with a full refund.

2. Condominium documents When a development is approved for construction, the developer submits condominium documents (including budgets, association rules, unit descriptions, materials and other important information) for approval by the state. Once the documents are approved, they are sent to you for review. Read them carefully to make sure that you will be comfortable living by the association rules.

3. Right of rescission Once you receive the condominium documents, you have a 15-day period to decide whether you would like to proceed into a binding contract. If you don’t, you can exercise your right of rescission and withdraw with a full refund.

4. Hard contract If you don’t withdraw, you’ll provide the balance of the required down payment, usually 15 to 20 percent of the purchase price, and sign a binding contract agreeing to purchase the condominium. You generally have seven days after that to cancel. This is your last chance to walk away with no penalty.

5. Closing When construction is nearly finished, the developer will issue you a Certificate of Occupancy. A closing date is set when you will hand over the balance of the purchase price and sign the final documents. If all goes according to plan, your closing will coincide with your move-in date, and you will be ready to enjoy your new home.

The Boulevard condos, 1200 Grove Ave, Austin, TX 78741 – Riverside downtown Austin condos in East Austin

Sunday, March 9th, 2008

These are really cute. A 1-br will go for $140K and a 2-Br will sell for $160K. The area is a little rough but this part is better than most and in a redevelopment zone.
Check out the latest condo prices at my web site here.

Perry Henderson and the Live Well Team, we find property that fits your lifestyle.

Projects offered exclusively by the Live Well Team:
Star Riverside Waterfront modern contemporary in the heart of downtown Austin http://www.starriversideaustin/

Revolution Riverside Waterfront contemporary with a unique Austin vibe http://www.revolutionriverside.com/

Willow Branch Lofts Totally functional live – work spaces that are kinda cool, eco-friendly and $5 cab ride to downtown http://www.willowbranchlofts.com/

Forest Creek Condominiums Luxury golf course living near Dell http://www.austincondos.net/

819 E. 9th Street, Austin, TX 78702 – Skyline lofts are a great buy in the downtown Austin condo market

Thursday, February 21st, 2008

New Austin Condo developer InterUrban Group is building this really cool project called Skyline Lofts. Skyline is close to Town Lake, the Capitol, University of Texas campus, Sixth Street, the warehouse district, Whole Foods and even to the Austin airport. At Skyline, you’re in the heart of Austin’s film, art, and music scene, in a neighborhood bustling with Eastside energy and diversity. It also has some of the best views of downtown Austin. Those views are really really nice, but i think Star Riverside is a little better because it is on the waterfront.
I know the developers personally and have acess to pre-construction reservations…

2 picture snapshot of the 21C and Star Riverside

Saturday, December 29th, 2007


I just pulled these 4 photos together to show you how to make sense of this condo craze going on.These are two condo projects in downtown Austin that have a “vibe”; 21C and Star Riverside. Personally, I’d live at both of them because they are both service focused.

This is what you get at 21C
Location: Prime location in heart of the city.

Austin Lifestyle: Contemporary – Creative

Kitchens look something like this:

And the bathrooms look something like this:

At Star Riverside

Location: Rare contemporary condos with both city and lake views. Valuable redevelopment zone.

Austin Lifestyle: Modern contemporary – Zen.

Kitchens look something like this:


And the bathrooms look something like this:

Both are simliarly priced and a 2 bedroom will probably be in the low to mid $400’s.

Sneak peak at the 21C Museum Lofts

Wednesday, December 19th, 2007

Here are some snapshots of the new 21C sales center. The vibe is cool and contemporary art. I just asked them to approve our $5000 down payment program too.

If this is the type of property you like and have an interest in selling downtown cool lifestlye, we have 5900 luxury buyer leads to distribute to new agents on January 1 from a $8700 lead gen campaign. I hope this is one the projects we can include on the promotion.





Prices at Agave are up….

Wednesday, December 19th, 2007




Prices have gone up considerably…still a great buy thought for the design and energy efficiency. Most homes will run approximately 300,000 or more. Just an update. And there is no negotiation room because of the buzz…However, Fiore is about to start right next to Agave and has a 5 star green rating. They will start at 275,000.

$5000 for down payment

Wednesday, December 19th, 2007

Sellers are dropping prices on Austin condos. Spend 5 minutes and check out The Belair. Undervalued, a motivated seller and under $200K gets you a totally functional living space that’s kinda cool and green.

If you need an extra $5000 towards the purchase price, drop an offer with me and I’ll personally put it toward a down payment of any condo at the Belair.