Austin Named #2 Best City to Buy in the US

Texas did well on their list.  We came in right behind Houston, and right ahead of SA.  Here’s what they had to say about Austin:

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July 30, 2008

Here’s some additional good news: My company conducted a recent survey that studied which states have the best business climate (we specialize in economic development). We reached out to CEO’s, business decision makers and location advisors. In a nutshell, TEXAS RANKED #1 followed by North Carolina and Georgia. Texas was ranked on top due to its tax climate, workforce and pro business environment. Would love to hear your thoughts on this…feel free to check it out: http://www.aboutdci.com/WinningStrategies.aspx.

August 3, 2008

Congratulations to Austin.
I have friends and clients in and around and they would say their city should have been #1. I can say that a large percentage of applications to my firm do come from TX. Volume is way down from most states but Texas and the South are still pretty busy.

MasterPlan Capital LLC
Private Commercial Mortgage Loans

August 3, 2008

Hey Eric, I hope all is well in Austin. Do you think that Austin will continue to see appreciation of the next few years? What do you see the rental market doing? What is the Texas property tax rate? Trying to figure out if it really is a good place to invest for long term. Always looking for new frontiers :-)

August 5, 2008

Yes Jeff, it is a good place to invest for long term. I think austin has a brilliant future in the coming years..no doubt about that!

August 5, 2008

Hey Travel blogs,

Are you Eric’s personal mouth piece or just a spammer trying to get a link? I asked Eric about investing in Austin since he is the realtor in Austin. Are you an agent in Austin?

Eric, You can respond here or send me an email. Either is OK :-)

August 5, 2008

Hey Jeff –

I think that prices will be relatively flat for the next year, but our rental market is extremely good for investors. Our local economy is smoking hot, and w/ around 1/3 of the buyers out of the market due to the mortgage industry, rent has gone up considerably.

How’s Hawaii treating you?

August 5, 2008

Hawaii is great! Market has slowed down a bit like other parts of the country and prices are adjusting. Sales are going well for us though. Just trying to figure out where a good place might be to invest. Thanks for getting back. What is the Texas property tax rate?

August 5, 2008

JDT,
you have done a pretty good job with your research. Everyone sleeps on NC except large corporations and personally i like it. Don’t tell anyone else :).

August 5, 2008

@Jeff –

It’s ~2.5 – 2.8% in the suburbs, and ~2.0-2.3% in the city. There’s a nice residential township called Bee Cave that dropped their tax rate to 1.9%.

August 6, 2008

Bee Cave probably dropped the property tax rate because of additional tax revenue from the 500,000 square foot Shops at the Galleria and the Hill Country Galleria Mall. Over time, those will generate huge returns for the city.

August 6, 2008

That’s exactly why they did it. As soon as those shops came in, the tax rate dropped.

August 6, 2008

Thanks for the follow up Eric. That definately helps me with my research!

August 7, 2008

Hi Eric,

I was just recently visiting another blog that had made mention of you leading in April for the contest “The Greatest Real Estate Agent In The World.” The post also mentioned that the contest ended in May. I was curious who officially won.

Oh, I also thought I would rub in the fact that the Houston Housing Market beat out Austin in your report. Go Houston! Finally the city is starting to get some respect. Including heading Kiplingers report stating that Houston is the number one city for 2008. But, I have to say you guys do have the hills and real lakes.

James

I went to the university of Texas at Austin. Talk about a fun city. The music, the lake, the rolling hills, the hiking, and the views. No wonder the real estate market is doing so well there.

September 10, 2008

San Francisco, my hometown, took top honors as the hardest drinking town. The ratio of number of places to get a drink to inhabitants is staggering.
Never been to Austin, would love to get there one day.

September 10, 2008

@Louis –

I think you’re mistaken, my friend. Austin is the hardest drinking town in the US according to Forbes. :)

These “ratings” articles are always a blast. Where did you see the rating for SF?

September 10, 2008

Eric
It was of course in the San Francisco chronicle or examiner-I saw it in the hard copy of the paper recently. I will try to pull the link.

September 10, 2008

Congrats Eric and people of Austin,

I am sure that the award is will deserved as I have heard many many wonderful things about Austin TX.

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