What I am thankful for

This year I am thankful for many things.  I am thankful for:

* My family.  Although they are scattered all over the U.S., my mom and sisters and brother are a blessing to me.  We don’t see each other as often as we’d like, but I know they are always there for me.  They have each been blessed with happiness and success.  Mom has many friends and remains very active in her church.  She doesn’t look any bit of her 70 years and is in good health.  My two sisters are great moms and I can’t believe how quickly my nieces and nephews have grown.  Adrian graduated from Duke’s Global Executive MBA and is set to marry his lovely bride next month.  I am so thankful that he has done so well in work and his personal life.  And my in-laws who add so much to my life.  Having them in Austin is a blessing and I cherish the time we get to spend together throughout the year.  Their support and faith in me are a big part of my continued success.

* My wife, Karen.  She is my superhero.  I am grateful for her many talents, her endurance, and her dedication.  She is my creative force, my strength through hard times, my balance.  Without her I would be an overweight workaholic living in a pigsty.  She has had a tremendous year in her art career, creating some of the most beautiful work I have seen.  I am spoiled by the beauty adorning our home and am enjoying the public’s response to her latest works.

* This great city Austin.  Despite its rapid growth and influx of newcomers, it retains its small world feel.  The people who make it great.  Its heart and soul, town lake.  Its lifestyle of health, smiles, and active living.  The entrepreneurs who drive toward its future.  The neighborhoods, businesses, clubs, churches, schools and other entities who bring people together and weave a complex fabric we all jointly wear.

* My friends and past clients who have generously referred me new business.  I am the luckiest man in real estate to have you.  Thank you for your trust, friendship, and faith in my abilities.  Your referrals are the foundation of my business, and I appreciate it very much.

I hope this Thanksgiving you have some time to reflect on the many blessings we enjoy.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

East Austin Buyer’s Market

East Austin was hopping with art enthusiasts this last weekend visiting the East Austin Studio Tour.  In addition to the artists, visitors were greeted with a more than normal quantity of real estate for sale signs.  The last few years have seen explosive growth in East Austin.  Prices have appreciated considerably, new developments have propped up, investors have rehabilitated pockets throughout, and the whole area has experienced in influx of newcomers giving the area a diversity unlike any other part of Austin.

However, as most of the country has seen a rise and fall of real estate prices and sales activity, Austin as a whole has remained relatively stable.  If there is any exception at all, it will be East Austin.  Prices are once again returning to levels that makes sense as inventory levels have continued to rise.  Area 5 for example currently sits at over 10 months of inventory, according to the latest MLS statistics published by Alamo Title Company.  If you look at just Area 5 homes in the 300K to 399K range, there are almost 2 1/2 years of inventory available on the market.  Sellers sitting with vacant homes are looking at all their options including massive price drops, additional incentives, and even leasing until the market turns.  All this as buyers are having a harder time getting easy financing.

This makes for an unprecedented opportunity for buyers looking for a great location, a diverse neighborhood experience, and great value for their money.  I have been staying up to date with new construction opportunities, condo projects, and all the resale/rehab homes available.  There are some great deals out there.  Unlike other central Austin neighborhoods, East Central Austin is a strong buyer’s market.

If you know someone who is looking to buy in the East Austin area, now is a great time.  Give me a call.  I’d love to help you find the same kind of deals I’ve helped others find.

Karen Saenz Studio #2 Stop on E.A.S.T.

Over 150 artists with open studios this weekend in East Austin.  Karen is stop #2 (www.eastaustinstudiotour.com) and is part of a recommended short list of other top artists. 

While attending yesterday, I spoke to a number of people about real estate.  Here is a snippet of some of the topics that came up:

1) Yes, we bought Karen’s Studio at Lowe’s.  It was a 12 x 24 garden shed shell originally.  We added doors, windows, sheetrock, electricity, stained glass, insulation, A/C, and finish out.  Come see it.

2) That is Martin Jr High behind our house.  No, I don’t usually see kids exercising out there.  I don’t think Texas schools require real Physical Education anymore.  So basically we have a big open field behind our house.

3) There are alot of really good deals for buyers right now on the east side.  A mix of fixer uppers, new construction, and moderately cared for homes.  If you want character, proximity to downtown, diversity of peoples and culture, and to be on the East Austin Studio Tour, then now is a good time to buy.

4) The best way to visit studios is by bicycle.  It gives you an opportunity to get around quickly while still allowing for a full breathing in of the types of homes available. 

If you missed this year, plan to attend next years.  Thank you City of Austin for supporting artists on the east side!

Albert Saenz receives Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) Designation

I am proud to announce that yesterday I received my Certified Negotiation Expert Designation for Real Estate Professionals.  This designation is currently held by less than 5% of Realtors nationwide and enables top agents to better negotiate successful outcomes for clients.

This type of expertise will definitely come in handy during these uncertain economic times.  In addition to the top training provided at Keller Williams Realty and through our Realtor-affiliated organizations, I am excited to offer my clients the benefits of my new CNE designation.  Whether you are looking to sell your home or buy a new one, don’t forget to ask about how a custom negotiation plan would work for you.

Karen Saenz Studio to sponsor Run for the Water

I am pleased to announce that my lovely wife has joined an esteemed group of sponsors for this year’s Keller Williams Realty Run for the Water, benefiting the Gazelle Foundation. 

Karen Saenz Studio has signed on as a Bronze Sponsor for the 10-miler to be held on Sunday, Nov 9, 2008 in downtown Austin.  In preparation for this sponsorship, Karen has created a new logo for her studio.  See all logos at www.runforthewater.com

Karen and I are both excited to participate in this year’s Keller Williams Realty Run for the Water.  We support Gilbert Tuhabonye and the Gazelle Foundation in their ongoing efforts to make the world a better place.

The Riverside “Boardwalk”

Karen and I attended the public input meeting last night and learned alot about proposed plans for the Town Lake extension on E Riverside (aka, the “Boardwalk”).  The city has approved funds to create a design for this and is currently taking public input.  Please fill out the online survey and be sure to enter your comments in the blank section.

The land owners along town lake on the South east side have varying opinions on the design as they feel they are the most impacted.  However, anyone living close to Town Lake who uses the trail often will definitely want to provide input for the benefit of the general community.  This is our chance to impact an implementation which will affect Austin for generations to come.

Please click on the link below and give your input.  The project managers, engineers and other subcontractors we spoke to last night were very informative.  It was a great setting as Karen and I were part of only about 20 members of the public that showed up.  Please give me a ring if you want to discuss or have specific questions.  Otherwise, please give your input directly to the city planners:

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/boardwalk/brdwlk_survey.cfm

Town Lake Trail Extension

City of Austin is soliciting public input on extending the part of town lake trail currently connected by sidewalks and the dangerous I-35 intersection crossing.  How great will it be for walkers, runners and bike riders when the trail will be a complete, uninterrupted 10-mile loop! 

A public meeting will be held tonight at city offices at 6.30pm.  Please contact me for latest information on this exciting change!

Welcome Randal Pitts as Keller Williams preferred partner

I recently had the opportunity to sell a home that was professionally inspected by Randal Pitts (www.homeinspectionsaustin.net).  Randal is uniquely positioned to provide buyers with high quality inspections.  His background in the various disciplines of home construction enable him to provide excellent advice on potential problem areas and recommended repairs.  He is also very concerned about the environment, and can make recommendations on how to improve a home’s energy efficiency. 

As a result of our meeting, I invited Randal to become a Keller Williams Austin SWMC preferred partner.  He will be listed as a preferred service provider in our monthly magazine distributed to hundreds of locations around Greater Austin.  Randal will also have the opportunity to meet other Keller Williams agents through exclusive office events, meetings, and referral opportunities.  Please join me in welcoming Randal to our preferred partner program.  To find Randal and other service providers recommended by Keller Williams Austin, please pick up a KW Magazine at any local HEB or shoot me an email and I can arrange to get you a copy.

Karen Saenz and “Team Amazon” win division in Zilker Relays

I am a proud husband this morning after attending the Zilker Relays in downtown Austin last night.  Karen and her team of tall and fast ladies claimed their Open Women division title.  Each member of the four-person “Team Amazon” blazed through their 2.44 mile leg in under 15 minutes,  with a sub-one hour total time for the team.  They beat out 20 other teams in their all-women division and shared the spotlight with other team division winners which included running giants like Bernard Manirakiza and Chris Kimbrough.  For complete results of the race, visit Run-Far results.  I posted Karen’s team results below:

1    Team Amazon                               100       F/31      4      58:51.6     6:02/M    9.760
            Karen Saenz, Caroline Newman, Vanessa Kelly, Anna Seals                   
                                                      Lap   1      14:34.6     5:58/M    2.440
                                                      Lap   2      14:54.0     6:06/M    4.880
                                                      Lap   3      14:52.9     6:06/M    7.320
                                                      Lap   4      14:30.0     5:57/M    9.760

The Zilker Relays is one of the uniquely Austin events which brings together Austin’s active community and serves as a kickoff to a Labor Day weekend full of Austin-area events.

Improved access out of East Austin!

I am excited to hear that the city is finally making Cesar Chavez two-way through town.  Before today, getting from the Holly St area to Mopac/Westlake involved either taking 6th street, a complicated combination of Cesar Chavez/2nd Street, or another mix of Riverside and Barton Springs Rd.

As East Austin becomes more mainstream, access continues to improve.  Making Cesar Chavez a two-way thoroughfare will help bottlenecks at many intersections on current alternate routes, greatly improve traffic flow through downtown, create another crosstown opportunity between Mopac and I-35, and provide the growing East Austin community with better access to West Austin and the Central Business district.

Personally for me, it is going to give me a better commute to the Keller Williams office which helps me better serve my clients.  Kudos to the city for this latest move!