#1 Georgetown/Sun City Texas Real Estate Team!

All the rain and cooler weather have been wonderful these past few days.  Thank goodness we haven't had to worry about high temperatures and drought this summer! 

 All of us in Sun City are still abiding by the assigned watering days, but things are really wonderful here this summer.  Sun City is definitely the place to be right now.  Flowers are everywhere and everything is so green and pretty.  Houses around the nation may not be selling, but here in Georgetown business is booming.  There has never been a better time to list your home or relocate here. 

Summertime in Sun City is always filled with lots of grandchildren and happy but tired grandparents.  Don't you wish you were here with us right this minute?  We look forward to you visiting us soon.   

 We hope everyone is enjoying a safe, happy Memorial Day weekend!  We have had a wonderful week visiting family in Alabama and Dallas...

I hope we can all stop today and remember what this holiday is all about.  So many of our men and women who are serving their country and keeping us safe are the ones who should be taking the day off, enjoying time with their families.  They have all given so much so we can enjoy our freedom. 

If you're at home today in Sun City, be sure to watch the "Thanks to the Troops" video on Ch 79 at 3 pm and 7 pm.

If you're in Austin today, go to American Legion post 76 just off Lake Austin Blvd.  There will be comments from the mayor and a military fly over at that ceremony.

 No matter where you are, please remember to stop today and remember WHY we are enjoying a holiday, and WHO made it possible for us to do so.  I know so many in Sun City have served their country and have family serving it now - to you we say God Bless, and THANK YOU!

Gene & Renee

 We're giving away $100 Gift Card to the Escape at the Red Poppy Festival this weekend!  Come by and register at our booth accross from the visitor's center.

 We will also be driving the car for the 3rd year in a row in the parade - watch for us and Minnie Mouse walking along side it!

For more information on the Red Poppy Festival, go to http://poppy.georgetown.org/

See ya there !

We were lucky enough to be at Kiwanis this week and hear Mel Pendland, President of the Georgetown TX Chamber of Commerce, speak.   Some noteable facts about our beloved city, Georgetown:

Our unemployment rate is only 7.2% - which he feels is actually lower due to folks living here but being unemployed from their job in Austin.  He said to watch for this number to be even lower by 3rd quarter 2010.   Since 2003, we have added 7,000 new jobs to our city, with the average wage being $20/hr!

Alot of our new business growth is from the manufacturing and life science fields - in other words some of the higher skilled hourly jobs. 

We have added 1 MILLION new square footage of industrial commercial space to the city since January, 2008.

We are excited about the new census - city leaders feel we are around the 50,000 mark, and Mel thinks we might hit closer to 53,000-55,000.  By 2040, the projection for Georgetown is 350,000!

There are currently 345,000 people within a 20 mile radius of downtown.  With this in mind, it's no wonder that is some prime real estate going for around $26/sq ft. 

We currently have 28% parks/greenspace in our city, with approx. 9 miles in hike and bike trails. 

Georgetown has averaged 200 people moving in here PER MONTH for the last several years.  The current inventory of homes has gone from 12 months to 9. 

The Rivery Project is still alive and we should be hearing and seeing more activity regarding this project in the near future.  They are currently searching for a Hotel anchor for this project.

Other projects he hinted at to be on the lookout for:  Gateway Project, Three Forks, Sommerset Hills, and Goodwater.  Once some of these projects come to fruition, we will have around 28,000 platted lots in the city of Georgetown!

As far as the "lull" in the local real estate market (of which there has not been that much of one, in our modest opinion!) the good thing is when things slow down, infrastructure has a chance to catch up.

There is so much more to brag about regarding Georgetown, but don't take our word for it!  Here's a great website to visit or send anyone to who is thinking in investing in our city:

http://invest.georgetown.org/

 We loved this city before that meeting, but it was such a pleasure to hear all the things that are going right for us in this beautiful part of Texas.  We're proud to call Georgetown, Texas HOME!

Gene and Renee

Word around the media is that the new census will say we are now 50,000 strong in Georgetown, TX!  Hard to believe, since we were around 28,000 the last time the census was taken in 2000.  Only 30 short years ago, we were at 10,000. 

We, of course, love to see the numbers increase for several reasons.  Not only are we in the perfect business for folks looking to move to our great city, but 50,000 can be a magical number when it comes to receiving funding and being able to make some of our own decisions regarding little things like traffic signals.  We can synchronize our own, thanks anyway, TXDOT !

We encourage everyone to be watching for their census survey forms, which we understand will be mailed out next week.  In 2000, our response rate as a city was 73% - not real bad but could be better!

Follow this link to read  "the rest of the story...." !

http://news.georgetown.org/2010/03/10/census-count-in-georgetown-could-hit-50000/

Stand up and be counted!!

Gene and Renee

We are passing along the interesting information below that came from our friend Elizabeth Romo at Willow Bend Mortgage in Plano:

Trends of The Baby Boomers

A survey showed three key differences between the concerns of 55- to 64-year-old homeowners compared to those of homeowners 65 and older: Younger homeowners were more interested in technology, older homeowners had a strong preference for a single-story floor plan or at least one with a first-floor master and younger homeowners were more eager for home maintenance and repair services, vs. older homeowners, who were more focused on healthcare and transportation The survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders and the MetLife Mature Market Institute showed that both age groups want easy access to services that free up their time and help them live in a secure environment. Growth in housing for older people has slowed as a result of the overall slowdown in new home construction. This is likely to cause a shortage just as this housing is most in demand, points out Paul Emrath, vice president for housing policy research for the home builders.

Source: National Association of Home Builders and the MetLife Mature Market Institute

Thanks Elizabeth!  Keep it coming!

Have you ever wondered what there is to DO in Sun City?  Sure, there is a wonderful Community Center with a beautiful library, computers to use, pool tables, and big screen TV's.  Of course there are the 3 golf courses, swimming pools, fitness center, tennis courts, for those who enjoy those activities.  But what about other ways to get to know people?  Take a look at all the clubs in Sun City - we'll bet you find one where you'll fit right in!

Sun City TX list of clubs and interest groups

Well, we have to admit, we've been trying to do our part!

Click on link to see how Williamson county is ranked #1 as the healthiest county in Texas.  It contains interesting statistics with regards to obesity, smoking, binge drinking, violent crime, and air pollution, among others. 

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/texas/williamson

We're not sure what the stock market did last week, only because we were too busy keeping up with the housing market!  Somebody, somewhere, opened up the coffers for housing and boy are we enjoying the activity it has generated.  Oddly enough, we had quite a bit of much needed rain come into the area as well...!!

We have put three homes in the 500K range under contract this month.  One was sold within the first month of listing it!  The central location and all the beautiful updates made it an easy sell. The other had been on the market for a while, but also had beautiful updates and a good location.  Just had to wait for the perfect buyer!

In addition to these pending sales, we have 7-8 others in the 200K range that have gone under contract  or closed in the last month or so.  Two of them sold before they were even in MLS! 

Let us know if you are thinking of buying or selling in the Georgetown or Sun City, TX area.  We would be happy to come and preview your home and answer any questions you may have regarding getting it ready for the market.  Don't wait if you're ready to buy or sell - things are happening NOW!

Visit our website at www.TeamJantzen.com to see the latest listings or get to know us better...we look forward to working with you!

 www.tourfactory.com/499150

Cimarron Hills/Jack Nicklaus Golf Course, 2 story w/4bedroom & 3.5 bath. Master Suite, 21' x 21' apprx; master bath jetted tub and beautiful walk-in shower. Great storage in master closet with built-ins.  Kitchen boasts granite countertops, large gourmet island, archways, double ovens, wine cooler/rack. Greatroom with stone fireplace and mantle; library with built-ins & closet on main level. Second floor has family room w/2 bedrooms, Jack n Jill bath. Fenced yard, 23 trees!  Casita/Guest House has bedroom and bath.  Must see! 

Call Gene or Renee Jantzen at 512-818-8181 for a private showing.