Austin area Investments -- Where to invest

Investors have returned to Austin during the past 12+ months. Why? While virtually every US city that went through "the bubble" of inflated and unjustified home prices and then experienced "their bubble burst" (and the reality of real market value), the Austin area as a whole did not participate--in either the ballooning of prices or the dramatic overnight fall of home values. Our numbers over the past 20 years have been very consistent, steady, up and to the right.

Buying investment properties are a little different than buying a home to live in. Investors need a plan, a financial model to measure return on their investment, and a strategy. I work with investors who have a clear investment strategy. An investor needs to know where they are going to get their money, how much over 20% they plan to put down, how much they are going to need to remodel or repair their new property, and they also need to know how and when they plan to exit the market (Exit Strategy). They know when they plan to sell. It could change--but they have a plan.


Then there is the question of tenants and leasing. How quickly can you lease the house? When is the best time to lease a given home in a given community. Is your investment for short-term cash flow (the money you make when mortgage and expenses are paid), or for long term appreciation. Very seldom is it both, though I know a few communities that I believe have some of both to offer these days.


If you were hoping that I would tell you in this article which communities you should shop for investments--just give me a call and let's talk. It is never quite that simple, and I can't give away all of my secrets for free on my blog. I can tell you that I just sold an investment home to a client in an area of Greater Austin that is seeing very steady growth, and property values have remained strong--even during the worst of recent years. My client closed on Friday. Worked on the house on Saturday and Sunday, after putting a "For Lease" sign in the yard. Monday morning the new tenants were moving in...Amazing! Not all stories end this way, but if you have a plan, and you work the plan hard with a smart Realtor, you might have a similar story to tell (I have several investors in this area that have a similar story as well).


If you need a Realtor ® to help you with your Austin area investments, I would be honored to assist you in your home purchase, search or selling your Austin area home.

tT

Tim Thornton, Realtor ®
Top Producer 2010, 2009, 2008
Century Club member
Zip Realty, Inc.
Austin, Texas
(512) 914.4665