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• HBA/ABoR 2017 Housing Forecast • 2017 ABoR Installation & 2016 Industry Awards Banquet • 2017 Parade of Homes Luxury on the Horizon VIP REALTOR Event • and much, much more!
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FEBRUARY 2017 • VOLUME 21 • ISSUE 10
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THE
PENINSULA AT
ROUGH HOLLOW
A PRIVATE LAKESTYLE NEIGHBORHOOD
ON ROUGH HOLLOW
Housing forecast experts say adaptable concept is trending By Riki Markowitz
A
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t the 2017 Greater Austin Housing Forecast conference, roughly 700 homebuilders and real estate industry professionals had an opportunity to get updates on real estate analytics, finance, and trends. Speakers at the conference shared some great news. Eldon Rude, a Principal from 360º Real Estate Analytics, declared that it is going to be a
good year in the Austin housing market. A senior real estate finance lecturer from University of Texas, Dr. Greg Hallman, said that employment growth in the state is higher than national rates and, since 2006, there has been a 25 percent increase in employment numbers. In light of this welcomed data, Colleen Sharp, vice president at Kantar Futures, a global consumer foresights consultancy, pointed out crucial changes in home buying and building trends. Design concepts are evolving at the speed of light and technology solutions come and go even faster. The word that should be on every real estate professional’s mind right now is adaptability.
Trend updates Sharp focused on three primary trends at the conference: technology, changing demographics, and “Big Tent Branding,” an idea that brands can create community among disparate consumer segments.
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Technology According to Sharp, the proliferation of digital devices are altering how we think and use technology. Edjuan Bailey, vice president at Brookfield Residential, agrees that homes are more connected than ever. And for that reason, builders at Blanco Vista and Kissing Tree in
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Consumer trends expert Colleen Sharp of Kantar Futures says homebuyers are opting for smaller homes in neighborhoods that offer green space areas like this Dog Park in Newland Communities' Rancho Sienna.
Realty Texas, LLC 2000 South Interstate 35, Suite E-1 tionTX in community the San Marcos vicinity, Easton Park and Ad-Rock, Round 78681 activities and also building
dison closer to the city, and Retreat at Dripping shared spaces for neighbors to socialize, whethSprings, are determined to continue looking to er that means a communal barbecue, a place for Residential Brokerage Serving Buyers, Sellers, Tenants, the future. “We make sure our houses can ac- block parties, community gardening and more. surrounding areas. cess anything coming down the pike,” says BaiNicolle Ramia, marketing director at NewWant to join our Realty Texas family? We are decisively ley. “For example, 10 years ago noneEstate of us had land Communities, says, “residents absolutelyof bu firm focused on our consumer’s experience an iPhone and now, we can’t live without one. ” love to unplug and enjoy analog amenities model is acquiring seasoned and the recognized profession expertise thrive! Our is “we Another tech innovation that and Brookfield andnecessary activities wetooffer. ” There aremoto dog trails, fit- alwa is starting to offer at one of its communities is ness classes, and lots of opportunity for socialRealtyTexas.com info@realtytexas.com Amazon Echo, a device that responds to verbal izing. This spring, Rabbit Hill Park at Teravista Facebook.com/RealtyTexasLLC commands and questions. Consumers can ask is opening a water park and Dinosaur Dig – a Alexa, the voice of Echo, for the weather and place for kids to experience a lifelike archeologito stream anything from a smartphone, tablet, cal dig. or computer. The device can build and operate a smart home by integrating with automation Changing culture hubs like Wink and SmartThings. The hands“Significant cultural changes are happening free device can even help host a trivia party, plus as a result of demographic shifts in society,” says dozens of other fun and convenient features. Sharp. “We’re seeing a blurring of the boundarAccording to Bailey, “The connected home is ies of identity and lifestyle, impacting how we one of the biggest trends we’re seeing.” define and society’s openness to what it means Something that hasn’t changed that much is to be ethnic, and decisions around marriage, that people still desire face-to-face interaction having children, staying single or LGBTQ.” with neighbors. That said, communities are now Sharp says that society today, especially in and working with community coordinators to proFront Page: Continued on page 28 vide fresh ideas for ways to encourage participa-
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Features of the Month Column: ABoR—ABoR South is moving to Manchaca Road.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 3 Column: WCREALTORS—Giving back to the community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 7 Special Feature: Builder breathes new life into established community. . . . . . . . . . . .pg. 8 Column: HBA—2017 Parade of Homes Builder Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 15 Column: AREAA—Happy Lunar New Year from AREAA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 21 Associates in Progress: Select Title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 25 Column: WCR—Inspiring brilliance, designing lives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 29 Upcoming Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg. 30