September is Time for Leaves, Lawns, Gardens & HVACs [[+]] Austin Area Real Estate Market Shows Normal Price Growth and Increasing Inventory, Continued Housing Stabilization: Chuck Farr’s September 2022 “Talking Real Estate” ENewsletter

Hello again, homeowners, tenants, prospective buyers, and real-estate investors! Even real estate agents take a vacation now and then, so I’m getting a late start on the September issue after a memorable trip to the mountains and American Revolutionary War battlefields of New England.

In the news,the Austin Board of Realtors says that in August, “active listings in the five-county area skyrocketed 170.2%, causing housing inventory to reach 2.9 months – the highest inventory level since September 2018.

News reports all over the country are filled with stories of rising crime. Homeowners and business owners alike are concerned and looking for better ways to safeguard their properties and lives. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of options available on the market; from full-service security companies to DIY smart home systems, there is a solution available for every budget.

Following a few simple strategies can help protect you and your belongings from theft and crime.

· Install a Security System – Security systems are one of the most effective ways to protect your home. Many systems include motion detection video surveillance as well as two-way communication.

· Be Unpredictable – Burglars love routine. Using smart home devices, it’s easy

Buying a new home is exciting and confusing. There are a lot of steps to buying a home, and people have questions. These are the most common questions home buyers have, and the answers.

1. How do I get started? – The first step is to speak with a lender and get a pre-approval. This will tell you, and potential sellers, how much you can afford.

2. How long does it take to close on a home?– Typically, it takes about 30-45 days once contracts are signed to complete the lending, appraisal, and inspection processes.

3. What does my agent do?– A buyer’s agent will negotiate terms and manage the closing process from start to finish.

4. How much do I pay for a buyer’s agent?– Nothing. The seller’s agent gives the buyer’s agent a portion of their

Dark-sky ordinances are popping up across the country. The movement started when a few amateur astronomers realized that urban lights were blotting out the stars, causing a disruption in sleep for both wildlife and humans alike. This nocturnal light pollution hurts the environment and affects the feeding, mating, and living patterns of local wildlife.

To combat this effect, more and more communities are adopting dark-sky ordinances designed to limit the negative impact of artificial light. Compliance with the dark-sky regulations is the responsibility of not just the city, but homeowners within those zones as well, all designed to illuminate skyglow.

Skyglow is the reflection of light caused by the saturation of artificial light. It’s the orange

August is Time for Lawn & Garden Survival and HEAT Management [[+]] Austin Area Real Estate Market Continues to Normalize as Price Growth Slows, Inventory Rises: Chuck Farr’s August 2022 “Talking Real Estate” ENewsletter

Hello again, homeowners, tenants, prospective buyers, and real-estate investors! In the news,the Austin Board of Realtors says that in July, “median price grew by only 8% year over year to $515,000, a record for the month of July but the first time home price growth has been in the single digits since June 2020. The region’s housing inventory reached 2.7 months — the highest level of inventory since November 2018.” Remember that historical guidelines tell us that 6 months of inventory indicate a “balanced” market—so we are still

Events This Week:

Shipwrecked At The Texas Spirit Theater

Learn about the historic voyage, consequences, and ground-breaking successes that changed the course of Texas History by checking out the La Belle exhibition and Shiprwrecked, a 26 minute multi-sensory film.

Where: The Bullock Museum located at 1800 Congress Ave., Austin

Click here to learn more and get tickets

Screen On The Green Presents: Luca

Enjoy the Screen On The Green Series every first Saturday of the month! Arrive early around 6:00 pm to reserve a good spot on the green for this outdoor movie. This month will feature Luca.

Where: 111 Congress Ave., Austin

Click here for more information

Live Music Series

Virtual interior designer/home stager Stuccco.com compiled a wish list from numerous online sources that experts say homebuyers want in 2022. Many popular features aren’t what home sellers may think. Before you upgrade your home to sell, consider these top five homebuyer preferences:

• Laundry rooms 
• Exterior lighting 
• Ceiling fans 
• Patios  
• Walk-in pantries 

Laundry rooms. Homebuyers don’t want to go down to the basement to do laundry, so make room somewhere on the first floor. Include a built-in table for sorting, room for a steamer and drip-dry area.

Well-lit outdoor living spaces. Homebuyers want exterior lighting (87%), patio (82%) and a front porch (81%), a rear porch (75%) or a deck (75%). Landscape lighting adds a

Events This Week:

Music in the Park Pfeaturing Jesse Stratton Band

Come see the Jesse Stratton Band this Friday for Music In The Park Friday August 26th from 7:30 - 9:30 pm. Admission is free.

Where: Pfluger Park, located at 515 City Park Rd, Pflugerville, Tx 78660

Click here for more information.

Pat Green at Margarita Salsa Fest

Head to Buda Amphitheater for a day filled with your top 3 favorite things: margaritas, salsa and live music! Saturday August 27th from 11:00 am - 11:00 pm.

Where: Buda Amphitheater & City Park, located at 204 San Antonio Street Buda, TX, 78610

Click here to purchase tickets.

Austin Bat Fest

Watch as an incredible 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed

Baby boomers have reached retirement age. This generation is healthier and more active than their predecessors and many want to age in a home of their own. Many of these potential home buyers have fixed incomes and with soaring home prices, they are unable to qualify for a new home when they are ready to downsize. This is where a Family Opportunity Mortgage can help.

A Family Opportunity Mortgage is backed by Fannie Mae and allows you to purchase a home for your elderly parents if they cannot qualify on their own, at the same favorable down payment and interest rates as a primary residence. This is a significant advantage over loan programs for second home or investment properties.

The terms of the loan program are simple. The borrower needs a

August is typically the hottest month of the year making it an ideal time to be outside for fresh air and sunshine, but mosquitoes and other flying biting stinging insects can take the fun out of it. You want to enjoy your outdoor spaces, so what can you do? Here are some fun facts and tips about these pests.

In studying how wind affects mosquitoes, researchers found that mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide which humans and pets emit. When you turn on a fan to blow on you, it disperses the concentration of carbon monoxide, which is why fans are such a good deterrent for mosquitoes.

Male mosquitoes like nectar, not humans, but the females seek blood to nourish their eggs, using receptors and vision for cues such as body heat, perspiration