Happy Easter (+ Property Tax Season)!

Pastel and speckled Easter eggs in a straw-filled bowl on weathered blue boards with blossoms and feathers.

It’s an unusual holiday weekend to say the least. This weekend we’ll be dying Easter eggs and egg hunting and eating a big meal together to continue family traditions. Maybe it’s because of what we’re all experiencing with this pandemic and also because my birthday is Monday, I find myself especially introspective this week. Even though we’re amidst so much tragedy, I see an opportunity to reflect and bring more intentionality to our everyday lives.

What is MOST important to me?

WHO do I want to BE for myself, my family and my community?

What things can I DO and SAY that make a difference for others?

How can I be grateful for EVERYTHING in my life no matter how I feel about it?

What questions are you sitting with at this time that are meaningful to you?

I’d love to connect with you and have been enjoying seeing so many of you on Zoom. Please reach out anytime, whether it be a real estate concern or just to catch up!

Market Update

Spring park with flowering trees, people on the lawn, and a downtown skyline.

Are you wondering how the Austin real estate market is holding up? Are you expecting prices to drop? You may be in for a surprise.

I have been watching listings everyday since this crisis began. Did you know that for almost every new home listed, there is one that has gone pending? We had one month of inventory in Austin going into this situation, which is a very strong sellers’ market. (A balanced market is 6 months of inventory.) The demand has kept up even with the challenges we have showing homes in light of COVID-19. We are doing lots of virtual showings and accommodating buyers in every way we can. Some of our sellers have chosen to wait a few months to list and some of them chose to move forward. We are still seeing lots of showings and multiple offers on homes priced appropriately.

What this means is that prices are not being negatively affected. In fact, with the delays builders are experiencing and sellers on hold, inventory is even more limited. Reduced supply along with the anticipated increase in demand when the crisis is behind us points to more of the same for Austin. My prediction is that prices could go higher in a few months as a result. Low mortgage interest rates (close to 3%) is a stronger influence right now than uncertainty in the stock market.

Property Taxes

Property tax values are out! You can search your property on the website or watch your mailbox for your appraisal notice.

Travis Central Appraisal District

Hays Central Appraisal District

Williamson Central Appraisal District

Please reach out to me if you want

advice on whether or not you should protest before the May 15th deadline.

Austin Community

Did you know that 100% of all Compass transactions result in a donation to local causes nationwide through a program called Compass Cares? Ellevé directs our donations to the Stand with Austin Fund, which helps the individuals and small businesses most negatively impacted by the cancellation of SXSW and the

Covid-19 closures. Join us in supporting this important cause! Donate here.

Have you noticed stuffed animals in window frames around town?

Families stuck at home are playing

a game that some refer to as a “bear hunt.” It’s similar to a scavenger hunt: the “hunters” try to spot as many stuffed animals as they can find. You might want to give it a try. It's a blast!

Find tips for bear hunting here.

Stone house window with a party-hat teddy bear and gift on the sill, framed by red flowers.

Would you like to hear more about what is happening with the Austin real estate market and with mortgages right now?

Listen here to The John and Lauren Show from last week and tune in at 6:00PM tonight on 590AM or 99.7 FM!

Design Distraction

Whimsical white house with rounded walls and oval windows nestled among tall forest trees.

Keeping Austin Weird: Bloom House

Tucked away in the Westlake Hills neighborhood of Austin, Texas, sits Bloom House—a home literally like no other. The saying “Keep Austin Weird” is almost an understatement for this organically-shaped work of architecture, with its fully curvilinear design intended to connect its inhabitants to the nature that surrounds it. Designed by architect + visionary Charles Harker, construction of the home began in 1973 and was completed in 1984, with an award of merit from the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects that same year. I bet you've never seen anything like it! I actually got to visit in person many years ago. Take a look here.

Living room with vaulted white ceiling, tan sectional, built-in shelves, and a lit fireplace.

West Elm Video Conference Backgrounds

Whether you’re looking to up your game for WFH meetings or show off for friends at a virtual happy hour, West Elm has pulled images of beautiful real homes that feature their modern furniture and home décor. Scroll through to download your favorites here.

Featured Listing

Furnished living room with beige armchairs, a glass coffee table, and large windows overlooking leafy trees.

507 Honeycomb Ridge

Westwood

4 Bed | 3.5 Bath

Smiling woman with curly gray hair in a blue blouse beside a wooden garden trellis.

Lauren LeBlanc

Broker Associate, Ellevé Property Group
(512) 921-5678
[email protected]

The information contained herein does not purport to be complete nor, necessarily, accurate and should be independently verified; nor does it represent or constitute a legal analysis or financial advice. All of the financial projections and/or conclusions are provided for illustration purposes only. Compass and its agents disclaim any and all liability for representations and warranties, express or implied, contained in, or for omissions from, the information contained herein or any other written or oral communication transmitted or made available to the recipient. This represents an estimated sale price for this property. It is not the same as an opinion of value in an appraisal developed by a licensed appraiser under the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

Happy Easter (+ Property Tax Season)!

Work With Us