Own a House, but considering to Move-Up?

Since the turn in the market place I have had several people ask me if now is a good time to Move-Up into a new home. Here's what I think: Keep in Mind- Austin's real estate market hasn't been hit nearly as hard as the National Real Estate Market. We are still experiencing a pretty good market. With that being said here goes:

One- now is a fantastic time to buy. The market is still low- and there are some great "deals" to be had out there. If you are thinking of buying a new place- now is the time to do it. To view homes currently on the market www.austinhomesearch.com or www.Realtor.com these are the most accurate Real Estate websites out there.


What do you do with your current place?

Keep it as a rental property is option one. However new lending laws make this more difficult as you have to put 20% down on your next place, and have to have 6 months reserves in the bank for your new and old property. If you can do this, it would be the best option- and then sell your house in 2-3 years when the market is back up.

Most people are not interested in becoming a landlord, so the second option is selling now. Yes the market is lower, so you are going to get less than you would have 6 months ago or even in 2 yrs. But think of it this way: it's equal. You're selling your house for less, but you're buying a new one for less. In 2 or so years when you are able to sell your house for more, the price you buy your next place will be higher as well.

There really is not a straight forward- here's what you should do answer. What I do know is this: The lending market will change with more reform and regulations (most likely for the worst and then in 2 years get better) after the election/new pres is in office. This will greatly effect what you can buy.

My opinion is you should either consider moving sooner than later (close before April) or plan on waiting out the market changes with lending- which will work itself out in a couple of years.

To view homes available now you can visit: www.AustinHomeSearch.com or www.Realtor.com these are great places to get an idea of what your current home would sell for, and what you can expect to pay for your new home.

For more information on buying and selling homes in Austin contact TriBella Realty www.TriBellaRealty.com

Think Green In Austin this Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I'm sure all of us are busy with holiday arrangements- from shopping, planning menus, and making travel arrangements. It's during these holiday months that we as consumers generate the most trash. I'm sure during this time of year, what we do with our trash is the furthest from our minds. My challenge for this holiday season is finding the best ways to recycle our used products here in Austin.

On October 3rd Austin's new Single Stream Curbsie Recycling Program began, and is in the process of delivering the new recycle carts to replace your old 15 gallon bins over the next 3 to 4 months. However, you can start recycling NOW under the new program without the new carts.

Did you know? Plastic shopping bags/laundry bags/Newspaper Bags are NOT recyclable in the NEW Single Stream Curbside Recycling Program in Austin (the new 90 gallon carts similar to your trash carts) http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/recycling.htm provided by the city of Austin? You have to go to take these bags to a grocery store like HEB to recycle.



RECYCLING -What can you recycle in Austin's "Single Stream Recycling"

Paper: newspaper, office paper, junk mail, catalogs/mailers, softcover books, cereal /soft drink boxes, other product packaging boxes likeMac-n-cheese, cake mix, saline solution (called cartonboard), corrugatedcardboard, cylindrical oatmeal containers

Aluminum: veggie and soup cans, coffee cans (labels lefton OK), soda cans

Glass: Jars and bottles

Metal: Cans (release all pressure): shaving cream, mouse, aerosolspray cans

Plastics: Check the number on the plastics to determine if it can be recycled. See below what each number stands for, or what type of product you can find it on.

#1. (Polyethylene terephthalate - PETE) Soft drink and water bottles,plastic beer bottles, mouthwash bottles, peanut butter jars, salad dressingcontainers, ovenable film, and frozen/microwavable pre-prepared food trays

#2. (High-density polyethylene - HDPE) Liquid detergents and bleach, milkjugs, personal care products like shampoo, lotion, rubbing alcohol, waterand juice containers, yogurt cups, margarine tubs, cereal box liners

#3. (Polyvinyl chloride - PVC) , Clear food packaging, plastic pipes,shower curtains, medical tubing, vinyl dashboards, baby bottle nipples

#4. (Low-density polyethylene - LDPE). Wrapping films, sandwich bags,Ziploc baggies, bread / tortilla bags, rice and dried beans, squeezablebottles like mustard and honey, dried fruit bags, cotton ball bags, pottingsoil /fertilizer bags, toilet paper / paper towel wrap

#5. (Polypropylene - PP) Tupperware, disposable Gladware, ketchup bottles,yogurt cups, margarine tubs, medicine bottles, plastic product lids, orange/ black flower pots, large storage containers/ bins with lids

#6. (Polystyrene - PS) Disposable utensils, insulation, CD cases, aspirin/vitamin bottles, cups/plates and picnic-ware

#7. (Unique combinations of plastics 1-6) These are usually hard orflexible-but-strong plastics. Three- and five-gallon reusable waterbottles, some citrus juice and ketchup bottles, clear baby food containers,spinach and salad mix bags

What CANNOT be recycled with Single Stream Recycling?

Plastic grocery / produce bags

Styrofoam cups, egg cartons, meat trays, take out containers

Pizza boxes

Broken glass / window glass

Electronics- how to recycle http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/computer.htm

Refridgerators- how to recycle http://www.austinenergy.com/Energy%20Efficiency/Programs/Refrigerator%20Recycling/index.htm

For more information on this and other Home and Austin Real Estate Related Topics check back with TriBella Realty or visit our website: www.TriBellaRealty.com