Upcoming Events:
Score Big on the Green at the Annual TREPAC Golf Tournament
J
oin the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) on May 3
ticket to the awards dinner for $20.
for the annual Texas Real Estate Political Action Commit-
The tournament will begin with check-in and practice at 11
tee (TREPAC) golf tournament at the Avery Ranch Golf
a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Advertising opportu-
Club located at 10500 Avery Club Drive, Austin, TX 78717. With
nities ranging from $200 to $1,000 are also available.
a registration fee of only $99 per player, this event is a great way
Last year’s tournament successfully raised more than $12,000
to show your support for TREPAC while enjoying a round of golf.
for TREPAC. Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in this
Registration for the tournament is now underway. Each reg-
year’s event by registering today. Registration forms can be found
istration fee includes 18 holes of golf, lunch, golf cart, entry to the
online at http://www.abor.com/events/golf.cfm.
awards dinner and two drink tickets. Late registration for the
For more information and questions, contact Christina Ortiz
tournament begins Apr. 26 and concludes Apr. 30. The late regis-
in ABoR’s Government Affairs Department by phone at 454-7636,
tration fee is $110 per player. If golf isn’t your sport, purchase a
ext. 1501 or by e-mail at government@abor.com. [RL]
March 17 NAHREP Monthly Luncheon Cool River Cafe - 11 a.m. March 18 WCAoR Luncheon Wingate Hotel/Conference Ctr. - 11:30 a.m. March 24 8th Annual St. Patti’s Day Golf Tournament Forest Creek Golf Club - 11:30 a.m. Power Luncheon with Sente Mortgage 901 S. Mopac, Bldg. IV, Suite 125 - Noon HBA Monthly Builder/Associate Mixer Architectural Granite and Marble - 5 p.m. AYREP’s Bowling and Networking Happy Hour The Highball Bowling - 6 to 7:45 p.m. March 25 WCR Monthly Luncheon ABoR Auditorium - 11 a.m. March 27 WCAoR: Every Drop Counts Blood Drive 123. E. Old Settler’s Blvd. - 11 a.m.
—Associates—
In Progress March 2010 • Vol. 14 • Issue 11
enjoyable. entertaining. It’s all about you.
New Home Trends Reported; View Them On HBA’s Tour By Linda McNabb
Austin Division, says their clients are seeking outdoor space,
water-saving toilets use an average of 39,000 fewer gallons of
more bathrooms upstairs and larger kitchens. Buyers must also
water annually for a family of four. That's enough for a lifetime
uyers who are looking for smaller homes and possi-
be looking for storage, as Kearns says she sees many are seeking
of drinking water for three people, said Shane Judd, senior mar-
bly lower prices should be pleased this year. Mem-
three-car
bers of the National Association of Home Builders
garages, a
(NAHB) who were polled at the International Builders Show
feature
say they will do one or the other, maybe both, in 2010.
once found
B
“Austin buyers today are looking for a well-designed,
only
in
energy efficient home,” says Colette Fitzgerald of KB
higher-end
Home. “In the past, large square footage was important,
homes.
but now buyers are looking for well-designed usable space,
Perhaps
Homebuyer Trends in 2010 Items “more likely” to be found in new homes in 2010
items homebuyers will “least likely” find in new homes this year
keting manager of water conservation for Kohler. As for aesthet-
1. walk-in closeT in masTer bedroom
1. ouTdoor kiTcHen
ics, stainless steel
2. separaTe laundry room
2. ouTdoor fireplace
is still a very pop-
3. insulaTed fronT door
3. sun room
4. greaT room
4. buTler’s panTry
ular option for appliances,
and
with some flex-space included that can be used for what-
the biggest
ever their specific needs are (i.e. office, media room, game
influence
5. low-e windows
5. media room
are mostly neutral
room, nursery, formal dining room, etc.).”
comes from
6. linen closeT
6. desk in kiTcHen
colors.
Builders were given a list of 40 features and asked which
utility costs.
ones they were likely to include in new homes this year, and it
"Builders
quickly became clear what is hot. Luckily, it appears to reflect what local buyers desire as well. “The must haves are open great rooms with the kitchen
floors and walls “Darker
‘espresso’ colored
7. programmable THermosTaT
7. Two-sTory foyer
will focus
8. energy-efficienT appliances and ligHTing
8. 8-fT ceiling on firsT floor
hot item now,”
heavily on
9. separaTe sHower and Tub in masTer baTHroom
9. mulTiple sHower Heads in masTer
Fitzgerald
10. bigger baTHrooms
“Also darker, dis-
energy-sav-
10. nine-fooT ceilings on firsT floor
says
open to the family room, energy efficient features, and separate
ing
tub and shower in the master bathroom,” Fitzgerald says.
tures," says Rose Quint, assistant vice president for NAHB's
flooring is very popular.” Drees Custom Homes is seeing a
Survey Research Economics and Housing Policy Group.
trend toward darker walls as well, Kearns says.
Nancy Kearns, sales manager of Drees Custom Homes
fea-
cabinets are a very
tressed
"Things we thought were consumer
P. O. Box 81366 Austin, Texas 78708-1366
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Austin, Texas Paid Permit #715
necessities—such
Buyers are expressing a preference for no carpet, or carpet
as
only in the bedrooms. “It gets too difficult to maintain in the
granite countertops in the
high traffic areas,” Fitzgerald says. “Plus many people have
kitchen or home offices—are not
pets and/or allergies, which causes them to prefer no carpet.”
on the list."
Fitzgerald says she thinks formal living rooms are the fea-
Also on the chopping block
ture that will be gone in the next decade. “Our culture has
this year are energy-guzzlers
evolved and there is not much of a need for formal living rooms
like the high-ceiling entryways.
anymore,” she says. “It is typically wasted space.”
Builders hope nine-foot ceilings will give the buyer a feeling of more square footage, which has been reduced.
You can visit us online 24/7 at www.realtylineonline.com
wood
Exterior trends include lots of style and design appeal, with mixed materials such as stucco and stone or brick. One of the best places to check out the latest trends is the New Home Tour sponsored by the Home Builders Association
Buyers will be looking for
of Greater Austin from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Apr. 10-11 and
ways to save money in bath-
Apr. 17-18 at scattered sites throughout West and Northwest
rooms as well. For example,
Austin. For more information, visit www.hbaaustin.com. [RL]