Author Archives: Lynette
2016 homes sales up, prices lower in Four Points
Four Points subdivisions in this report are Comanche Trail, Grandview Hills/Parke, River Place, Steiner Ranch and Westminster Glen. Data used is the median value.
Bartlett Real Estate compiled data from the Multiple Listing Service from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2016. This report uses median price, sold price per square foot (SP/Sqft), days or cumulative days on market, and June sales and inventory.
By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News
Four Points home sales have experienced solid growth for the first half of 2016 while prices are slightly lower compared to the same period last year.
“(Local) home unit sales were up 15.15 percent, while the median price remained at $485,000 versus $497,000 last year,” said Tom Radack, owner Bartlett Real Estate, Keller Williams Realty.
Stronger growth continues to be limited as a result of less available inventory, but days-on-market decreased from 63 to 58, from the same period last year, he said.
“Although demand is still strong, prices here are stabilizing, as a whole. However, location and desirable features still play an important role in what a buyer is willing to pay,” Radack said.
The majority of the homes that sold in Four Points were those less than $600,000, with the bulk of those being priced at less than $450,000.
“Buyers are watching closely at the prices they are seeing and the conditions of the home,” Radack said. “Homes on the market today, should have any appreciated value already priced into the home.”
Steiner Stars swim 2016 recap
The Steiner Ranch Stars is made up of the Red and Blue teams which combined have more than 500 swimmers ages 5-17. This year the annual Star Wars meet was on June 30 where the two teams raced against each other.
The Steiner Ranch Stars swim team completed its 2016 season earlier this month and sent 185 qualified swimmers to the Northwest Swim Circuit invitational meet at Texas A&M University on July 10.
The invitational meet is put on by the NWSC for all 16 teams in the circuit, swimmers must have a qualifying time to be able to participate.
Local teen competes at Olympic swim trials
Steiner swimmer Kendall Shields, in the top lane, competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials recently in two events, the women’s 100 and 200 meter backstroke.
By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News
Steiner swimmer Kendall Shields competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha from June 26 through July 3 in two events, the women’s 100 and 200 meter backstroke, and it was an unforgettable experience.
Though Shields did not place in the top four to qualify for the U.S. Olympic swimming team, she also did not expect to at the young age of 15. The event was thrilling for her nonetheless and an opportunity to swim with and learn from the best swimmers in the country.
“Anyone who is anyone in the swimming world was at the meet, so I got to warm up with, see and even chat with some of the Olympians,” said Shields. “I talked to (four time Olympic gold medalist) Missy Franklin a little because I had met her at a previous meet… It was super cool to watch (other swimmers) go through their pre-race and warm up routines as well to see how they handle success and disappointment away from the cameras.”
Competing at this level came with perks.
Zimmerman stays neutral on $720 million transportation bond
Place 6 Austin City Council member Don Zimmerman is not promoting or opposing the $720 million transportation bond at this point.
By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News
Place 6 Austin City Council member Don Zimmerman said he thinks there are both pros and cons with the $720 million transportation bond that Austin residents will vote on in November.
“I’m not promoting the bond but I’m not opposing the bond either,” Zimmerman said.
He said he is not opposing it because it contains a substantial amount of money that would be earmarked for district 6 transportation improvements.
“We do have $30 million dedicated to district 6 congestion relief if it passes,” he said.
One of the projects that could be funded is the RM 2222 bypass project that would provide relief for the RM 620/ RM 2222 intersection.
“CAMPO is ready to include this in their plan, subject to funding. If this bond passes in November, there will be money to push that project forward,” Zimmerman said. “There’s also some matching TxDOT money as well.”