Ever since November, we've been busier at our company than we have been in years. November was my best sales/income month since 2007, and it appears as though February will be even better.
I'm hopeful that the market in Austin will continue its upward trend this year (and beyond). Typically, we don't see this much buying activity in the winter. Even since I can remember, the market begins to pick up in February. Instead, I find myself with multiple daily appointments with clients. I've hired a handful of new agents at Austin Texas Homes, LLC, and I'm looking to expand further this year.
I guess it just plain feels good to be truly busy again, with buyers and sellers both. I sense that there's a lot of pent-up demand for housing, as many people waited on the sidelines or chose to rent while waiting for other properties to sell. Our market took longer to turn south than most areas of the country, and it seems like it's rebounding earlier as well (at least I hope that's the case).
Having been through a couple of downturns in my career, especially with this particular rough patch, I feel more prepared to handle the good times. If/when I get back to the income level I had in 2006, I am confident that our family will be able to save (and likely give away) a good deal of money. At a company level, I am prepared to invest more in our marketing and brand-building going forward.
After meeting recently with my business partner, we identified three strategies that I think could take our real estate business to an entirely new level. I can't share any of them here, however, since they're just too darn good and creative. :)
What's your market like right now? I've heard anecdotal evidence that other markets are also improving. What do you see?
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Congrats on having an awesome November in 2010 and I hope that your February will be even better. I live in State College, PA aka Penn State University. Personally work was slow during what I call the Bermuda triangle(thanksgiving, christmas and new years) but as of last week mortage applications for purchases have picked up and refiance applications have slowed down.
Good evening Jason,
You are right..Austin is alive and buyers are breaking loose to make up for holding back! I'm looking forward to a great 2011!! We are off to a great start in the first quarter!
Market slowed down a little bit, but it's starting to come back up. I'm glad that you're so busy! :)
Jason, I hope you are right. January has been a good month for me too. I've only seen the down turn; it will be nice to experience the upwards market.
Jason, that's awesome news, but wow... you sure left us hanging on those three strategies!
Jason, we're experiencing lots of activities, too. It started at the tail end of the 3rd quarter of 2010; 4th quarter was awesome (at least for me!) and January shows no signs of slowing down. One buyer transaction closed today; another set for next week; I have 2 listings coming up--one on the MLS in a week's time, one when the elderly owner decides where her next place will be; and I'm working with 6 buyers in various stages of the buying process. At least one of those buyers will be making an offer on a property on Tuesday.
High tech employers in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco are hiring; consumer mood is high!
I'm glad November rocked, and I'm glad you are moving into February at such a strong pace.
I'm excited, tomorrow I finally get to inspect a house that is not vacant and that isn't being sold in some tragic circumstance -- this is the first time in 2011. Everything else this year has been a foreclosure. Maybe that is a sign things are improving locally.
Jason - excellent news for you and the Austin market. I have to say we are seeing some similar trends, and some morgtage brokers and inspectors are saying the same thing. Not sure yet is if is the pent up demand after the holiday or a more enduring trend. Time will tell.
Jeff
Hi Jason,
Congrats on your accomplishments. Let's keep it going!
Cheers from Lake Tahoe,
~Grace Yee
Jason, we are extremely busy. There is a definite up tick in our market as well. Real estate companies are hiring way more new agents than in the last few years. The market is finally turning!
Hi Jason...We are excited. My broker mentioned the other day that our pending contract drawer is filling up. We're a pretty small company so that is really good news.
Now, I can hardly believe that you will not share your three innovative strategies with your Lake Anna Mama.
Kate
Jason...it's rough. We had a banner year last year. We measured this January with Jan of 2010 and it was the same. SHOCKER! Needless to say, I think that bodes well for us. I like your tithing mentality dude! Good stuff! Here's to 2011!
Good morning Jason,
I find myself to be busier earlier than what I have been for the past two or three years. I am hoping that this is a good sign of things to come.
Nice to hear the Austin market is doing well. Here in the Midwest, we never saw huge appreciation during the great years, but things did turn for the worse and the recovery has been very slow. I believe just the fact that things have stabilized is making people a little more comfortable with moving forward because there are indeed a lot of folks on the sidelines. If you won't share your 3 strategies, how about just 1?
Jason, I have seen other areas that did not fall right away, didn't fall as deep and are now recovering first. Recovery will spread...hopefully soon.
Great news Jason. We're starting to feel an uptick here in the Triangle too. Here's to a fabulous year to come my friend!!
Hi Jason. Sales in Tampa Bay are up 6.6% since December 2009... though prices are down.