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        <title>Blog | West Austin Luxury Homes</title>
        <link>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/</link>
        <description>Real Estate Information for West Austin Luxury Homes</description>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/curated-magazine---compass-luxury-homes.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/curated-magazine---compass-luxury-homes.html</link>
        <author>charla.housson@compass.com (Charla Housson)</author>
        <title>Curated Magazine - Compass Luxury Homes</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Explore luxury home listings with the latest release of the Curated Magazine, prepared by Compass to showcase beautiful homes from across the country. Compass Luxury continues to grow and redefine what it means to lead in high-end real estate. Just as the fall season transforms the trees around us, the landscape of luxury is constantly evolving, shaped by shifting buyer desires, global market trends, and the boundless creativity of the agents who bring these remarkable properties to life.



Click on the link below to view the flipbook version of the Curated Magazine.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/best-halloween-and-fall-events-in-austin.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/best-halloween-and-fall-events-in-austin.html</link>
        <author>charla.housson@compass.com (Charla Housson)</author>
        <title>Best Halloween and Fall Events in Austin</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Austin Halloween and Fall Events 2025


Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light TrailStroll through glowing scenes from the beloved film at the Wildflower Center, featuring dazzling lights, music, and photo ops with Jack, Sally, and friends.


Fear Fair at Sign BarA spooky maze full of jump scares and eerie effects, followed by themed cocktails in a fun outdoor setting.


Halloween Bazaar (Ruiz Branch Library)A free, family event with games, crafts, face painting, and costumed fun for all ages.


Screamo Night: Slasher Costume PartyA horror-themed emo dance party at Swan Dive — costumes encouraged, adults only.


Spooky Silent Disco (The Belmont)Dance under the glow with wireless headphones and multiple DJs. 21+ event.


“All Grown Up” Halloween Party (Wyndham Garden Austin)A stylish, adults-only costume party with music, drinks, and Halloween flair.


House of TormentAustin’s most famous haunted house returns with multiple attractions, escape rooms, and a Vampire Queen’s lair.


Pumpkin Nights (Pioneer Farms)Walk among 7,500 glowing pumpkins in themed lands, with live entertainment, carving, and food trucks. Great for families.


Boo at the Zoo (Austin Zoo)Dress up and enjoy the zoo after dark with a spooky train ride, haunted house, and family fun.


Haunted ATX ToursClimb aboard a hearse or spooky van for a guided tour of Austin’s most haunted landmarks.


Scream Hollow Wicked Halloween ParkExplore five haunted attractions, live music, food, and a Vampire Bar in a massive forest setting.



Click on the link below for the complete list (with weblinks) of fun Halloween activities for the whole family

 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:45:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/things-to-do-in-austin-in-october-2025.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/things-to-do-in-austin-in-october-2025.html</link>
        <author>charla.housson@compass.com (Charla Housson)</author>
        <title>Things To Do In Austin in October 2025</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
October has tons of local and internationally-recognized events that make Austin the wonderful city that it is One of the highlights of the month is is the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas, where fans can experience three days of racing, live concerts, and festival fun. The weekend schedule features practice sessions, sprint racing, qualifying, and Sunday’s main Grand Prix, with entertainment that includes performances by Kygo, Garth Brooks, and Turnpike Troubadours, plus food trucks, fan zones, and interactive exhibits.



Click on the link below for all of the fun events for the month of October

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    <pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 07:51:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/compass-national-real-estate-insightsaugust-2025.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/compass-national-real-estate-insightsaugust-2025.html</link>
        <author>charla.housson@compass.com (Charla Housson)</author>
        <title>Compass National Real Estate Insights_August 2025</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
 


Compared to 1 year ago, the U.S. median existing-house sales price ticked up .3 in July 2025, while the median condo/co-op price declined 1.2. The number of active listings increased slightly from June and 16 from July 2024, while sales volume dropped slightly both month over month and year over year. Nationally, the market remains relatively subdued, effectively hungover from the political/economic volatility and uncertainty prevailing in Q2, but conditions and price changes vary by region. Most areas see a seasonal slowdown in summer, though big second-home markets often buck this trend.


58 of sales went into contract within 1 month of coming on the market (vs. 62 in July 2024); 21 sold above asking price (vs. 24 last year); and median time-to-offer-acceptance was 28 days, up 4 days from July 2024. Cash purchases accounted for approximately 31 of transactions; 28 of sales were to first-time buyers; 6 were for vacation use; and the percentage of “distressed” sales remained very low at 2. The average number of offers for sold homes was 2.1 (vs. 2.7 last year), while the number of price reductions rose 22 year over year to its highest month-of-July count since 2018. Over the past 3 months, 6 of contracts were cancelled before close of escrow and 13 saw delays in closing. 


As of August 20th, mortgage rates, at slightly over 6.5, are at their lowest since October, but many analysts believe a reduction to the 6 range is needed to significantly boost buyer demand. Stock markets remain close to all-time highs, a big positive for more affluent real estate markets. The last inflation reading was unchanged at 2.7, but the more recent Producer Price Index saw its largest monthly increase in over 3 years. The Fed kept their benchmark rate unchanged, but consensus opinion is predicting a drop in September: Much depends on the next inflation report. “Overall, consumers are no longer bracing for the worst-case scenario for the economy feared in April...however, [they] continue to expect both inflation and unemployment to deteriorate in the future.&quot; (University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers).


Click on the link below for the full report.


 

 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 14 Sep 2025 16:26:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/austin-housing-market-reportjuly-2025.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/austin-housing-market-reportjuly-2025.html</link>
        <author>charla.housson@compass.com (Charla Housson)</author>
        <title>Austin Housing Market Report_July 2025</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Affordability is a key factor in Austin's housing market. The median home price is $435,000, which is 3.3 lower than last year, making it easier for people to buy homes. Pending contracts have increased by 15.3 compared to last year, showing that buyers are taking advantage of better conditions. There is now a 6.1-month supply of homes, the highest since 2011 in the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos area. Homes are staying on the market for about 60 days, giving buyers more choices and flexibility, with affordability driving much of the activity. 


 Click on the link below for the full report for July 2025.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:24:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/compass-three-phased-marketing-strategy.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/compass-three-phased-marketing-strategy.html</link>
        <author>charla.housson@compass.com (Charla Housson)</author>
        <title>Compass 3-Phased Marketing Strategy</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
In today’s competitive market, access to inventory is everything. With Compass, you get a head start on your home search by accessing exclusive listings before they are visible on any other website – giving you the best chance to find and secure your perfect home


Most buyers start their search on public websites, but they only see a fraction of available homes. By working with me, you’ll gain access to properties other buyers won’t see, including:


Compass Private Exclusives


Off-market listings shared only within our network of Compass agents and serious buyers like you.


Compass Coming Soons


Listings that are only available on compass.com and not listed on any other website. This early access allows you to express interest, schedule viewings, and even make offers before buyers searching elsewhere.


Launch On Public Sites


Armed with valuable feedback and maximum demand from agents and buyers, we’re positioned to launch your home on the MLS and third-party sites with the best possible outcome.


Click on the link below for more details on the benefits of the Compass 3-phased marketing strategy.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:02:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/austin-housing-market-reportjune-2025.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/austin-housing-market-reportjune-2025.html</link>
        <author>charla.housson@compass.com (Charla Housson)</author>
        <title>Austin Housing Market Report_June 2025</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
The lead story on the Austin housing market continues to the elevated supply of homes with active listings reaching 15,360, an 18.2 increase year-over-year. The median home price held steady at $449K  in June, showing no change from this time last year and no change from last month. Overall, the market Pace has slowed down slightly with homes averaging 72 days on the market in June, 15 days more than May and 8 days more than June 2024.


 Click on the link below for the full report for June 2025.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2025 17:23:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/things-to-do-in-austin-in-july-2025.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/things-to-do-in-austin-in-july-2025.html</link>
        <author>charla.housson@compass.com (Charla Housson)</author>
        <title>Things To Do In Austin in July 2025</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
For soccer fans, the not-to-be-missed event this month is the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 23 at the iconic Q2 Stadium. This annual  MLS event will be a friendly match between the top players from across Major League Soccer hosting the professional soccer team from Mexico, LIGA MX. This year's All-Star game will be the first time that is ever been hosted in Austin. For everyone else, there are still many opportunities for summer fun in Austin, including the Hot Summer Nights summer music festival, featuring three days of free live music and art throughout the Red River Cultural District in downtown Austin.  For more activities in July and more details, please see the link below.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:43:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/compass-national-real-estate-insightsmay-2025.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/compass-national-real-estate-insightsmay-2025.html</link>
        <author>charla.housson@compass.com (Charla Housson)</author>
        <title>Compass National Real Estate Insights_May 2025</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Ongoing volatility in political/economic conditions took some of the wind out of the sails of the spring real estate market, usually the most dynamic of the year. Uncertainty regarding the economy and possible implications for personal circumstances understandably made a proportion of buyers and sellers more hesitant about moving forward with one of the largest financial transactions of their lives. Still, while sales in most markets slowed year over year, the change was not profound and may readjust with new macroeconomic developments. 


Note that virtually all of May’s closed sales—the basis for most of the market data featured in this report—were negotiated before the May 12 reversal of China-tariff policies, which triggered an enormous recovery in the stock market, and significant rebound in consumer confidence (but which still remained very low by historical standards). The latest inflation reading remained subdued, but concerns continue regarding the possible impact of tariffs. Interest rates have been stable for the past 2 months, but in the absence of a meaningful decline did not provide the hoped-for boost to buyer demand. The Fed once again left their benchmark rate unchanged.


Compared to 1 year ago, median sales prices for houses and condos/co-ops in April rose slightly by 1.3 and .7 respectively. Active listings rose 6 from April and 20 year over year, and months-supply-of-inventory—a comparison of demand vs. supply—hit its highest reading in 6+ years. Sales volume climbed 11.5 from April but was 4 lower than a year ago. 60 of sales went into contract within 1 month of coming on the market, and 28 sold above asking price. Cash purchases accounted for 27 of sales; price reductions hit a 6-year high; and over the past 3 months, 6 of contracts were cancelled before close of escrow and 13 saw delays in closing. The median time-on-market to offer acceptance was 27 days—faster than in April, but slower than the 24 days in May 2024. Distressed-property sales ticked up to a still very low 3.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:46:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/austin-housing-market-reportmay-2025.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.westaustinluxuryhomes.com/blog/austin-housing-market-reportmay-2025.html</link>
        <author>charla.housson@compass.com (Charla Housson)</author>
        <title>Austin Housing Market Report_May 2025</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
In May, Austin's housing market saw a shift with stable prices at $449K and nearly 15,000 active listings. Homes sold faster, averaging 57 days on the market, 19 days quicker than in April. Pending sales rose by 16.1 from April 2024, indicating active buyers. The increased inventory and stable prices create a healthier market for both buyers and sellers. Compass CEO Robert Reffkin highlighted on CNBC, &quot;It's a better time to be a buyer than last year, with more available listings.&quot;


 


Click on the link below for the full report for May 2025.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
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