• Number of Homes | Reasons to Buy | What the Agents Say |

    Round Rock Homes for Sale - Real Estate Guide

    A guide to Round Rock real estate, homes for sale, local school information and more. This article was written by a long-time resident of Round Rock.

    Are you thinking about buying a home in Round Rock, Texas? If so, you're not alone. According to the US Census Bureau, Round Rock was the second-fastest growing city in 2009, with a population increase of 8.2%. The only city with a higher rate of growth was New Orleans, Louisiana, and much of their growth was related to the influx of residents who left during Hurricane Katrina.

    Round Rock in Brushy Creek
    Image: The round rock in Brushy Creek, for which the city is named.

    So, as it seems, Round Rock real estate is very much in demand. And that's exactly what we're going to talk about this article -- Round Rock homes for sale, current market trends, and other items of interest for future residents.

    Number of Homes for Sale in Round Rock

    Round Rock did not experience a real estate bubble the way many cities did over the last few years. Home price appreciation in the area could best be described as slow but steady. As a result, the city avoided the kind of foreclosure crisis that affected so many cities across America. Sure, there are currently some foreclosure homes available in the Round Rock area, but nothing like the amount you see in places like Southern California and Detroit.

    As of March 2010:

    • Realtor.com currently shows 1,079 homes for sale in Round Rock (excluding neighboring cities).
    • Trulia.com shows 1,924 homes currently listed for sale.
    • According to RealtyTrac.com, there are 238 bank-owned properties in the city.

    What does all of this mean for home buyers? It means that while there are certainly enough homes available in the Round Rock area, there's also a good deal of competition. If the inventory of homes stays where it is, the rapid population growth will only make things more competitive.

    In other words, the demand will continue to increase while the supply remains pretty much the same. This will have a positive effect on home values over the next few years, and it will also increase the amount of competition for future Round Rock home buyers. So the difference between buying in 2010 versus 2011 could be significant. Prices will likely be higher in 2011, and there will be fewer homes available.

    Reasons to Buy a Home in Round Rock

    People are attracted to an area for different reasons. What I see as an advantage might be a disadvantage to you, and vice versa. With that said, there are plenty of reasons to buy a home in Round Rock, Texas. Here are some good examples:

    1. Excellent home values. As we discussed earlier, the Round Rock real estate market has experienced relative stability, compared to the rest of the nation. Home prices have risen slowly, so you can get a lot of house for the money.
    2. Stable economy. In March 2010, Forbes magazine published a "top-ten" list of cities where the recession is easing. The Austin / Round Rock metro area tied for first place on their list (along with the Washington DC). Factors that contributed to the ranking include the strength of housing markets, job growth, median sales price for single-family homes, GDP and more.
    3. Media nods. In 2008, Round Rock was ranked #7 on Money magazine's list of best places to live. The editors cited affordable housing, excellent schools and a growing economy, among other things. The city has appeared on similar lists for several other magazines.
    4. Health care options. The Round Rock area is fast becoming the "medical corridor" of the Central United States. There are more first-rate medical centers in and around the city than just about anywhere else in the country. The latest development -- a medical research and technology center is planned for construction in 2010.
    5. Short drive to Austin. The Live Music Capital of the World (Austin, Texas), is a short drive to the south. If you don't want to drive, you'll be happy to know that the new MetroRail linking Cedar Park and Austin is up and running!
    6. Climate. Sure, it can get pretty warm here in mid-summer. But there's a lot to be said for being active outdoors all year long. That's what you get when you live in Central Texas. Winters in Round Rock are short and relatively mild. Snow and ice are rare occurrences. If you like spending time outside, this is the place for you.
    7. More entertainment options. Round Rock used to be a sleepy farming / ranching town. But the rapid growth of the area has changed everything, including the number of entertainment venues. There are several new movie theaters in the city, and a Schlitterbahn waterpark will soon be built in neighboring Cedar Park.
    8. Family friendly. For a city to be considered family-friendly, it must offer great schools and neighborhoods, plenty of activities, and a low crime rate. Round Rock delivers in all of these areas. The city's crime rate is much lower than the national average. According to a national study in 2007, the Austin-Round Rock metro area was ranked No. 5 in the United States among the Best Cities for Relocating Families.
    9. Good schools. According to the 2008 ratings from the Texas Education Agency, the Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD) ranks among the best in the state. Several new schools have been built over the last few years, featuring state-of-the-art facilities.
    10. Shopping venues. The Round Rock Premium Outlets opened in 2009, giving residents another choice for shopping. There are 125 outlet stores in this mall, including Ann Taylor, Nike, Ralph Lauren, J. Crew and more.

    What the Local Agents are Saying

    We have queried some real estate agents in Round Rock, Texas, to see what they have to say about the area. You'll find their comments below.

    • "One of America's Safest Cities. For the fifth consecutive year, Round Rock ranks among the top 20 safest cities in the country, and No. 4 safest among cities greater than 100,000 population." -Walter Rock, www.rockproperties.com
    • More agent comments coming soon

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