Sales in Kerr County are finally on their way back up. The total real estate market is only at 52% of the market height in 2007 but is up 11% from last year. The average sales price increased slightly from $181,742 to $183,095.

It is our feeling that the market has not recovered as much as in adjoining Kendall County because there have been fewer “deeply discounted” properties. With so much on the market, buyers are looking for “deals.” If a property doesn’t “shine” next to its competition and truly feel like a “deal,” savvy buyers will pass for the next more appealing property. The moral: Property pricing is more important than ever!

Regardless, we are encouraged by the turn in the trend. We’d love to talk with you about YOUR real estate needs. Give us a call at 830-995-2511.

September sales were just about even from last year providing some hope that sales decreases may have begun to “bottom out.”

There are SOOO many properties on the market right now providing year end opportunities for investors with cash and home buyers “READY” to move.  We’d love to help you find what YOU are looking for. Give us a call at 830-995-2511.

On the other hand, residential sales are down so far this year. As I quickly look through the residential sales so far in 2010 (14 so far compared to 16 last year during the same time period), I am reminded that many of them were at deep discounts from original list price. The average list price to sales price ratio was 88.4%

As for the outlook for THE ENTIRE HILL COUNTRY for the balance of the year, here are some things to consider:

Tax rates are set to increase next year. Current land owners: This year may be an opportune time to realize gains on real estate at lower tax rates.

There is currently a “glut” of residential properties on the market.  Since there is so much competition, homes that are “average” just aren’t selling.  Prices are being reduced time and time again in order to get market attention. As such, we believe that by end of year there will be some great “buys” on homes that need a little TLC.

We’d love to serve you whatever your real estate needs are.  We work from Leon Springs to Mountain Home, Bandera to Johnson City.  Give us a call!

Not surprisingly, real estates sales were down in the Kerrville area during 2009. There were 442 sales in 2009 totalling $80.013 Million as compared with 512 totalling $99.687 Million in 2008.  Average days on market increased from 174 days in 2008 to 188 in 2009 and Average List/Sold Price declined from 94.33% in 2008 to 92.33% in 2009.  Overall, the market was down 20% for the year … No surprise given the economic slowdown last year.

The number of total sales for June & July was up by 7; however, days on market increased  from 138 to 200 from July, 2008 to July, 2009 reflecting increased inventories.  Pending sales as of August 3, 2009, total just over $11.2 million.

We watch the Boerne market daily.  If you have something specific that you are interested, we’d love to help you find what you are looking for.

Recently, we were contacted by a gentlemen.  He had previously been in contact with a listing agent on a property, tried to make an offer, but did not get the property as there were competing bids.   The moral of the story (as he found out) is that Buyers need their own representation.  It eliminates conflicts of interest and it provides you, the buyer, with the best market information possible.

Our goal is to EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS BY GIVING YOU ABOVE & BEYOND SERVICE.

We’d love to visit with you.  Call us at 830-995-2511.

However, during the last several weeks we’ve seen a number of new properties come on the market.  Be sure and check our MLS Search engine to find out about those properties.

One recent buyer client told us that we provided them with the BEST experience that they EVER had with a real estate agent!  Our goal is to EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS WITH ABOVE & BEYOND SERVICE!

Our offices are located in Comfort but we sell from San Antonio to Kerrville, from Bandera to Fredericksburg.    Give us a call. We’d love to help!  830-995-2511.

It would seem that the Kerr County market is continuing to adapt to the changing, slower market as we take a closer look at other available data.  List/Sales Price decreased from 95% in July, 2008 to 93% in July, 2009 meaning that buyers are still getting better deals, overall.  Inventory, which as been very high (there were 1121 Active listings as of July 31, 2009 as compared with 923 a year earlier) is finally seeing some improvement.  Days on market, a number that tells us how long it takes an average property to sell, decreased from 168 in July, 2008 to 152 in July, 2009.

Our Motto is “Connecting Buyers & Sellers for a Win/Win Result”.  We work hard to bring YOU the results you want!  Ask us , we’ll tell you how!  We can be reached at 830-995-2511.

There have been some statistics showing encouragement of late … particularly, the stock market that has been leveling out, consumer confidence is rising, and interest rates are continuing to be very low.

Most people in real estate will tell you that there has been a significant increase in traffic this last month.  Real Estate sales normally begin to increase in the month of May as Summer is traditionally the high season for moving.

In Kerr County, there were 35 sales totaling $5,676,350 during the month of May as compared with 59 sales totaling $11,879,775 during the same period last year.  Still significantly down; however, encouraging from the previous months.

For the year so far, here’s the data for Kerr County:

170 units sold totaling just over $33 million as compared with $273 units totaling $53.8 million. That’s 103 Units down for a total of just over $20 million!  WOW!  That’s quite an impact on the overall economy and particularly those in real estate.

We remain encouraged though.  Things are looking up!  As of June 2, There are currently 70 Listings totaling $15.7 Million in Kerr County listed as pending or active with a contingency.

People are learning to accept our new market conditions.  Prices are being lowered!  People are getting creative!  We’re all working harder! Real Estate always comes back around!!!

With every obstacle is an opportunity for a change for the better!  We’re doing our best to work smarter for our clients! And, as you can see, we are actively watching the real estate market so that we can provide YOU with the best information. Give us a call 830-995-2511 for more information and to find out how we can help you with your purchase or sale in the Hill Country.  We are members of the San Antonio, Kerrville & Gillespie MLS services and so can help you anywhere in that market area!

I guess the surprise is due to the increased number of properties under contract (5 currently).  It is likely that next month’s figures will be much better.  Also, there are several Comfort properties listed only in the Kerrville MLS.  None have sold to my knowledge; however, at least one is under contract.

The other interesting piece of data that I found for Comfort:

There are 202 Units of Real Estate currently on the market with a total market value (e.g., list price) of $73 Million.

Pretty significant for a little community of just over 5,000, huh?

If you’d like to add to or substract from that number, we’d love to help you!  We’re your source for real estate & community information for Comfort and the surrounding area! Give us a call 830-995-2511.

The Texas Hill Country real estate market, while still doing better than the national market, is experiencing a similar decline as that of Wall Street.  Kerrville, Texas Real Estate Sales in January & February 2009 totaled just $7.67 million, equivalent to just 46.7% of  last year’s sales.

It is commonly understood that in an unstable environment, “Big Ticket Items” get hit the worste.  People delay purchases … especially big ones until they feel more certain about the future. Real Estate certainly is one of the “Big Ticket Items” that is suffering in the current economic environment.

What will it take to create a more certain future?  I imagine just time.  In our opinion, the real estate market, like the stock  market, was due a “correction.”  People get caught up in the frenzy and make unwise decisions … not based on fundamentals.  The good side to a correction is people start making sensible decisions about how they spend their money. And, the ones that don’t OVERREACT can seize opportunities.  When the market is down, deals can be found more easily!

The good news is that, historically, real estate has been one of the best places to invest money in uncertain times.  Real estate is a “real” asset … meaning it is a tangible, real asset … It can’t be taken away … It’s not just on paper!

We believe that it is time for many who have lost money in the stock market to consider investing in real estate.

The Texas Hill Country is still one of the best places in the country to invest.  Tourism and retail sales are still strong.

Our encouragement to you is:  Live fully and yet wisely!  And keep the long term perspective!

We’d love to help you find your Hill Country dream home! Give us a call at 830-995-2511.