Posts made by author 'Eric Recktenwald'

If you look at the national Real Estate Market and averages for 51 of the major metropolitan areas the year-over-year comparison taken without the context of the volatility of the last 12 months looks like a tiny linear shift. In January 2022 the inventory was low and the market was still being fueled by post-pandemic demand and historically low-interest rates. The rising inventory reflected in this Housing Report does not really explain where that came from but the majority was from two sources. New construction contracts that failed to close because of dramatically higher rates pushed buyer ability to qualify to a new low and right out of contracts for properties that were in construction. Another issue was iBuyer inventory that fell grossly short of anticipated appreciation again caused by the inability of Buyers to keep up with and qualify at the new interest rates. I look for this inventory growth to slow down in our area because these properties are clearing our market as builders and iBuyer communities have been making huge concessions. In addition, with a record number of homes that were withdrawn from the market in Q4 2022, there is still a reasonable balance in resale inventory and that normally represents a stable future for prices and reducing volatility in pricing and percentage differential between listed and closed prices.

Today home Buyers and Sellers are faced with more complexities than ever before.  Soaring values not only make it difficult for competing Buyers, overbidding on homes can lead to unforeseen obstacles too, like short appraisals and a dearth of suitable homes as a replacement. As market conditions, ebb and flow and the power shift turns from Buyer to Seller and back and forth, it pays to have representation that has been through these market shifts before. I jokingly tell people I have been at it since I was a "baby" but with thirty-plus years of experience, it has been a long time! My team and I have developed the systems, knowledge, and connections you need to help you get the most out of your next real estate transaction. Call me today and let me show you how we can put our experience to work for you. Visit me on the web at

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As the Senior Demographic reaches a higher equity position on their homeownership, reverse mortgages are seeing a renewed interest.  The new rules and options available may save you thousands in monthly mortgage payments. Check out this great article from Rusty Adams, Attorney for the Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M 

Texas A&M Article on Reverse Mortgages

NOT SO FAST!  According to data recently collected and published by Realtor.com the indicators are showing that Renting a home today in Austin and many other cities around the nation may actually be more affordable than purchasing! While this may look like a smart move for the short run it does not necessarily mean that things work out better for you in the long run.  While there may be some short-term advantages the long-term effect of this can be the exact opposite!  

The current "core inflation" rate reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has risen by more than 100% in 2021 and renting a property means that a tenant has little insulation from these increases while the homeowner in a fixed mortgage situation has the advantage of a growing asset and fixed living expenses outside of property tax increases. Therefore one of the best moves anyone can make in times of...

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Over the past decade, home prices around the Austin metro area have nearly doubled and in some areas even more.  Still, people worry and want to know what happens now?

The proverbial and most often asked question  "How is the Real Estate Market"? is now supplemented with how is COVID-19 affecting the market?


The good news for most is that despite the current situation, the Real Estate market is staying very strong! Especially for residential single-family homes.  The Average Days on the...

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