jennifermartinrealtor.com
Broker Associate | Twelve Rivers Realty
I'm not your typical Realtor. I'm honest and candid. If you need a quick real estate brain or a strong dose of honesty, you’re in the right place. I take pride in being approachable and friendly, and the novel approach of actually giving you what you want -
Real answers to questions you’re probably wondering right now. Pair that with award winning sales performance, and you've got a recipe for success.
Million in Sold Volume
Homes Sold
Happy Clients
Top Agent Nominee
Top 50 Agent
Professional Award Winner
Real Estate Agents based on number of sales
Life is full of surprises, and choosing to move, full or part time to Austin to be near your family may be one of them!
With the colleges, jobs and lovely lifestyle that Austin boasts, its no wonder that many short term relocations turn into new lives as Austonians!
Austin has historically been a very young city, but the number of retirees or soon to be retirees moving in to be near their kids and grandkids is one of the most rapidly growing populations here!
By understanding you, your motivation, and timeframe we can create the right strategy for you and your unique situation.
Choosing your neighborhood based on your lifestyle is the best way to make sure you love your new home! Where you choose to live in Austin will directly influence your experience in the city. With a diverse population and a variety of lifestyle settings, you have options. And while we’ll explain a few great neighborhoods in Austin, it’s always best to feel them out prior to making a decision. Every online guide might say, “Move downtown, it’s hot, hip, and bustling!” but you might be ready for a slower, riverfront life in nearby Dripping Springs or Wimberley. Deciding on the setting: City vs Suburbs, large development vs more private and unique homesteads, condo vs home… these are the first big decisions to make, then I’ll help you narrow down from there.
There’s no denying it, Downtown Austin is in. The city life features a new and eclectic music scene, 19th-century architectural landmarks, and modern museums. This is where you’ll feel Austin’s heartbeat, pulsing to the rhythm of Southern Blues. The traffic in this urban Austin neighborhood is heavy, the creatives are everywhere, and there’s always something to do. If you’re a city dweller used to the “fast lane,” Austin speeds with a grace unlike Los Angeles and New York City. It’s fast, but the unique southern charm makes it feel a bit more wholesome.
https://jennifermartinrealtor.com/neighborhoods/mueller
A modern development located near East Austin, this town is only 4 miles from the epicenter (downtown). It’s an eco-conscious community surrounded by lake parks, nature, and a few chains and local retailers. It’s quieter, and most of the homes and buildings are brand-new developments. Perhaps the greatest charm of Mueller is that it feels like a little gem folded in its own world, yet it’s stone’s throw from Downtown Austin.
https://jennifermartinrealtor.com/neighborhoods/south-central
This Austin neighborhood is still close to the city, yet comes with all of the joys of the great outdoors. Barton Hills has an urban vibe to it yet still boasts a peaceful environment for its residents. Here, you can enjoy many outdoor activities thanks to the many biking trails and Zilker Park. And for those hotter days that Austin can be known for, you can take a dip in Barton Springs Pool which is located in Zilker Park. Filled with lush greenery and many tall trees, this is a perfect place for those who like to revel in nature.
https://jennifermartinrealtor.com/neighborhoods/zilker
Abundant greenery and a thriving nightlife meet in Zilker, a central Austin neighborhood. Close to Barton Springs, this neighborhood gives you prime access to Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park—which is prime real estate on hot Texas days!
Even though Zilker is just a few minutes from downtown Austin, you won’t need to leave just to find things to do. This area has unique restaurants, bars, and an ever-changing lineup of events, all within the neighborhood limits.
https://jennifermartinrealtor.com/neighborhoods/dripping-springs
Just west of Austin, Dripping Springs is one of the fastest growing suburbs of Austin. If you are looking for the "coolness" of Austin, but the small town Texas luxury feel, Dripping Springs is without a doubt the place for you.
https://jennifermartinrealtor.com/neighborhoods/southwest-austin
Southwest Austin encompasses some older, established neighborhoods and many newer developments. It has become an increasingly sought-after living area. As Austin's population continues to grow, the southwest is one of the areas that is growing fast to accommodate new arrivals. Here you'll find large residential neighborhoods and leading master-planned communities with newer houses, parks, hiking trails, and plenty of green space, as well as top schools. Southwest Austin also has the advantage of being relatively close to downtown, to shopping and parks in Barton Creek, and to the lakes.
This neighborhood is home to trendy shops, bars, and restaurants with no shortage of things to do. And being in close proximity central Austin, South Lamar is just a short drive away to Downtown and many parks and hiking trails, making it the perfect balance for those that want a bit of both.
Considered Austin’s “second Downtown”, this area is relatively new to northwest Austin. The Domain is an ideal location for anyone that wants a bit of the hustle and bustle of a city. Filled with a sense of luxury, this location hosts many retail shops, restaurants, and businesses. In the Domain, you’re also located quite close to public transportation making it an ideal location if you plan to work near the area.
The reality is that there are tons of neighborhoods in Austin that might suit your fancy. It boils down to your wants and budget. Does city life inspire you? Or do you want to live by the rolling hills of Texas?
If you’re coming from somewhere that doesn’t experience the seasons, you’re in for a change. If you hail from somewhere that embraces the seasons, living in Austin probably won’t shock you. The reality is that it’s Texas. Texas gets hot. The summers can jump above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the winter lows linger around 40 degrees. For instance:
Winter – Hovers around 50 degrees, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s
Spring – Hovers around 65 degrees, with highs in the 80s
Summer – Hovers around 70 degrees, with highs above 100
Fall – Hovers around 70 degrees, with lows around 50
Austin residents love the summer. They go to parks, take walks, visit Austin Lake, and the city keeps moving—cutting through the heat with ice-cold drinks, great vibes, and outdoor activities.
A note on “cedar fever” – Cedar fever, you say? What is that? If you’re sensitive to pollen allergies, December to March brings a spike in pollen. This is due to the Ashe juniper tree, which grows abundantly in central Texas.
Prepare for the climate, prepare for cedar fever, pack shorts—pack sweaters, and you’ll be ready for the climate of the Austin area.
You’re ready. You’re prepared. You’re excited. But what to do on your first day in Austin? According to a local musician, Tameca Jones, this is the perfect itinerary:
1. Start with a beer or coffee at Cosmic Coffee and Beer Garden: A massive patio, great seating, and wonderful drinks, this place is part of an Austinite’s religion. They have a koi pond, chicken coop, and even a waterfall. Reflect on the journey ahead and embrace your new city.
2. Check out some grooves: Hit Waterloo Records, a store that’s been in Austin since the 80s, and browse their massive selection of CDs and vinyl. Grab a poster for your new home and take in the creative.
3. Lady Bird Lake: You’ve had your coffee, stimulated your creativity, and now it’s time to go see Austin. Lady Bird Lake sports a 10-mile hike and a gorgeous bike trail that offers some of the best vantage points in Austin. You can go down the lake in a kayak, ride a bike, walk, or paddleboard.
4. Soul on Soco: Austin is often called the live music capital of the world, so after your magical day, head over to The Continental Club Gallery and go listen to live music and have a drink. From blues, funk, to soul, the Continental is a local’s dream.
Once you have an decided on a neighborood, I have systems in place to make sure your purchase goes smoothly and we get you to the closing table on time.
These are some of the major milestones we will guide you through.
You can be here some, but need to travel back and forth a bit? I’ve got you covered. I can handle remote showings, inspector meetings and be your “boots on the ground” as you prepare to move.
Need movers? Contractors? Quotes on landscaping/roofing/insurance? I have lists of each that you can choose from. I can meet at your new property to give contractors access to get work going while you are out of town.
The buyers will conduct a final walkthrough of your property to ensure it is in the same condition as the day we went under contract.
Once all conditions have been met, we will be “clear to close” and the buyer’s lender & the title company will balance the final numbers. We will review these numbers with you and provide all of the information you need to prepare for your closing.
We will be with you at the title company on your closing day to help answer any questions.
Depending on whether you are financing or paying cash, you may be able to sign your closing documents remotely. I’ll be there to review them with you before hand, so you’ll have your questions answered.
AUSTIN AREA/NEIGHBORHOOD CHOICEIf you are selling the home in your current city, you may decide to use a bridge loan for your Austin purchase. These loans are low fee, but allow you to buy before you sell, eliminating contingencies and stress.
I’ve worked with a number of relocation clients that have utilized the equity from their current home to finance their new home. This is especially simple if you currently have $0 mortgage.
Often, retirees will use cash or will use a self directed IRA to invest in their Austin Real Estate purchase. I can connect you with the best professionals to talkthrough this option.
We study past sales for homes in your area and areas similar to yours. Having a clear understanding of true market value is the first step in establishing your list price.
We contact pending listings in your area that we feel are comparable to get an idea of their contract price and the market activity they received.
We study active listings to see what homes we’ll be competing against once we are on the market. Buyers tend to compare your home to these homes.
We will look at your desired house to consider the value in its current condition Updated kitchens, renovated rooms - things like these all factor into the final price.
Real estate is hyper local and we pride ourselves on keeping our finger on the pulse of the market. We take time to truly understand the current market conditions to build a complete pricing strategy and achieve the highest value for your home.
A buyer’s market occurs when supply exceeds demand. Typically, sellers will drop their asking prices to gain an advantage in the market.
A seller’s market arises when demand exceeds supply. Since there are fewer homes available, sellers are at an advantage.
Supply and demand are about the same. Sellers usually accept reasonable offers, while homes generally sit on the market for an average or typical length of time.
NEGOTIATION FINANCING NEEDS CLOSINGOur first offer? Accepted. Jen simplified everything and helped coordinate every aspect: She worked tirelessly on our behalf, took our late-night calls, and she still responds to my confused texts weeks later. I can't recommend her enough!
Christopher D.
I want to utilize the type of Realtor® who has my best interests as her focus. I cannot rate her highly enough. She is fantastic, she'll help you fnd your perfect home, and keep you sane and realistic during this process even though it sometimes feels crazy. Thank you, Jen!
Olivia M.
I'm looking forward to putting my expertise to work for you. With trusted experience and unparalleled client service, I am here for you every step of the way.
Get assistance in determining current property value, crafting a competitive offer, writing and negotiating a contract, and much more. Contact Jen today.
