Still on my green kick
Over the last few months, I’ve been focused (obsessed some might say) with how the real estate and construction industry could be greener. I tend to take deep dives into things that interest me, and this is no exception.
Plenty of people around me have been joking about this obsession. My cousin Joy climbed into my car recently and saw “The Regenerative Real Estate Podcast” previewed on my carplay screen and said “Just Isabel things” and laughed.
Chris is quietly watching while I call insulation people and solar panel people and regenerative landscape designers… oh and that gutter person I had come over and quote us for a rain barrel. I’m not sure which of these I’ll actually pursue, but I’m learning a lot.
For example, I’ve learned that windows are basically impossible to get right now, so if we want to make an energy efficient improvement immediately, insulation is a better route. Also, adding insulation can improve energy efficiency of a home by 30% or more. It’s also possible that insulation is more… shall we say, insulating than new windows. The opinion on whether windows or insulation makes a bigger impact seems to depend on whether someone is trying to sell you windows or insulation, but neither here nor there. Adding insulation to an older home is not nearly as difficult as I expected. They drill small holes through your exterior, pipe in a bunch of expanding foam, then cap the holes. I real expected that to be a bigger operation. We were quoted about $7,000 for walls and attic. My friend Bobby said he just did it for more like $1,500. Welcome to home improvement.
Before I move on, I’ll drop in two sustainable household products I’ve bought recently that I’m loving.
Sibling candle company: Reuse your old candle vessels, and make new candles easily using just the package they send and your microwave. The packaging is all sustainable too. They say “If you can make a cup of coffee, you can make a Siblings candle.” I ordered the Peony Honeysuckle and Amber and I love it.
Who Gives a Crap toilet paper and paper towels: Made from sustainably sources bamboo, a certified B corporation and 50% of profits donated to better sanitation in the developing world. Yes, they’re pricier than rolls from HEB or Costco but I’ve decided to be more conscious of “voting with my dollars” as they say and encouraging change I care about through product choices.
What’s Tony Doing
As a mom, I’m obviously obsessed with what Tony’s up to but I wouldn’t expect many other people to care, aside from our families. But for some reason I keep hearing from some of you “keep the Tony pics and news coming.” So I’ll oblige.
This month, Tony has really ramped up his independence, and started throwing serious fits. He’s very adamant about what he wants and doesn’t want, and although I don’t speak babble, he does a decent job of making his feelings known by screaming, screeching, yelling babble sentences and laying down face down on the floor. Also throwing things and smacking me in the head with his baby monitor. I remind myself, via the mommy blogs, that this is normal and also is a sign of cognitive development. Fine, but it’s still annoying… when it’s not hilarious. Actually, it’s usually both.
Speaking of laying face down on the floor, we were in the airport in Tulsa with him this month, headed back from seeing my family. And he laid belly down on the floor and started sucking on it. He also tried to suck on a floor outlet and lost it when I stopped him from doing so. Evidence here.
By the way, for more quality content like this, follow me on Instagram! @isabel.affinito
Market Update
We have the numbers back from December, overall sales were down from December of 2020 but only slightly. Total sales volume was up 8.83% over 2019. It came as no surprise that appreciation rates were 20-30%. Which is unreal!
We are predicting for 2022 to be in-between “normal” (as in what the market looked like in 2019) and “insane” (2020-2021). January has started strong with lots of activity including lines out the door for showings and multiple offer situations are in full swing.
If you’re a buyer, do not let that discourage you. If you are thinking about buying but waiting for the market to “cool down”, it may not ever cool down. We anticipate prices to continue to rise (maybe not 20-30%) but we do not expect prices to trend downward anytime soon. Starting the process now will put you ahead of the game before more and more demand is introduced into the spring market.
If you’re a seller, Austin is currently what is called a “Seller’s Market”. A Seller’s Market occurs when there is less than 3 months of inventory in a market. We have less than one month of inventory currently. You are in a great position to reap the benefits if you’re ready to sell. It is important to note, even though it is a Seller’s Market, the market is sensitive to price. If you don’t price your home appropriately you could leave money on the table.
Reach out to us if you’d like to schedule a Pricing Analysis on your home!
Contracts and Closings
269 Purple Heart Drive, Mustang Ridge, TX 78610
Morgan was so excited to work with Cheska and Makoto purchase their first home. After touring several new home communities, Cheska and Makoto fell in love with a newbuild in the Sunfield Community in Buda. We are especially excited for these clients, because they went under contract in March, they will reap the benefit of the large appreciation that occurred year over year. Congratulations Cheska and Makoto!
920 Hermitage Dr Austin, TX 78753
Cindy and Gabrielle worked with Brittney and Eshel as they made an out of state move to Austin. They were able to tour homes virtually. When they came down to tour in person they found “the one”! Thankfully they were able to close just in time for New Years Eve. Congratulations Brittney and Esthel, welcome to Austin!
6340 Earlyway Drive Austin, TX 78749
Isabel and Gabrielle worked with Matthew and Maddie to purchase their first home. Earlyway was the second home they toured and had a gut feeling it was perfect for them! This was a special transaction as Matthew is Isabel’s cousin. Thank you for trusting our team with this important milestone, Matthew and Maddie!
Have a great January and we will see you next month!
