Townhomes & Leasing

from Austin Board of Realtors;

Townhouses & Condominiums
The volume of townhouses and condominiums (condos) purchased in the Austin area in December 2011 was 157, which is 17 percent more than December 2010. In the same time period, the median price for condos was $179,900, unchanged from December 2010. When compared to the same month of the prior year, these properties spent three more days on the market, or an average of 92 days.
Over the course of 2011, 1,970 Austin condos were sold, which is one percent more than 2010; the median price was $167,750, or six percent more than 2010; and condos spent an average of 94 days on the market, 10 days longer than 2010.

Leasing
In December 2011, 1,030 properties were leased in Austin, which is eight percent less than December 2010. The median price for Austin-area leases was up nine percent at $1,250 when compared to the same month of the prior year. In all of 2011, a total of 15,948 properties were leased in Austin, which is three percent more than 2010, and the median lease price was $1,250, or four percent more than 2010.

don't "shift" on yourself

market could be changing with lower inventory and higher sales demand. For example there are only 4 total listings on the market in Village Western Oaks. If buyers wait they will could find themselves paying 10-15 percent more very soon. While it could be too early to tell what is really going on this point is spot on; in 2011 our market inventory shrunk 20-25 percent across the entire area!
With all that has been going on and continues to go on in our global economy, time on the market should decrease. Buyers need to be prepared and at the very least know that when they see "it" don't wait! Have clarity in your housing goals and have your lender letter ready.