Austin Tree Lightings & Outdoor Ice Skating

November 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Whole Foods Roof Skating

Whole Foods Downtown will open “Skating on the Plaza,” its annual rooftop ice-skating rink, this Friday. The outdoor rink will operate between 10am and 9pm on most days through January 11th. Tickets for all ages include skate rentals and are $10 (purchase them at Guest Services up to an hour before each session). There are 11 daily 50-minute skating sessions starting on the hour. More information is available via their hotline at (512) 542-2260.

Austin Tree Lightings

Sunday December 7th, the lighting ceremony for the Zilker Tree (aka the Moontower) will begin at 6pm and is free to the public. Each year, there are performers, carolers and often our favorite mayor, Will Wynn. We suggest getting there early (map is here) for parking and enjoying carolers and vendors selling sweets. We go every year and bring home made hot chocolate and our dog, it’s great fun to spin under the tree and get barfy!

The Zilker Tree is 155 feet tall and is composed of 39 streamers, each holding 81 multicolored, 25 watt bulbs, totaling 3,309 lights. At the top of the tree, a double star measures 10 feet from point to point and displays 150 frosted bulbs. At its circumference, the tree measures 380 feet and the diameter is 120 feet. The tree will illuminate Austin’s skyline until New Year’s Eve, December 31st.

Saturday, December 6th will be the lighting of the big huge tree in front of Macy’s at the Domain (map is here) and guess what? Jordin Sparks will be performing and there will be fireworks, how cool is that!?! It starts at 6pm but we’ll probably show up early to do some shopping and get a hot Starbuck’s (or an amazing drinking chocolate at Vivo Chocolato) and to get parking behind Joe DiMaggio’s so we’re by an exit and won’t get in a clogged traffic line.

Posted by Lani, Asset Director | Filed Under Austin Events, Austin Real Estate Blog 

Affordable Downtown Austin Condos

November 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Affordable Downtown Austin Condos for sale

New York Times Praises Downtown Austin

Recently, the New York Times featured Downtown Austin as a prime spot for people seeking second homes due to the live music scene in Austin, the natural beauty and amazing deals to be had on the up and coming highrises lining our streets. Many people are moving downtown to get rid of their commute or simply to be part of the scene. The deals mentioned in the article are in a specific price range (and can definitely be beat), so here are some examples of hot downtown deals found on gosinglepointe.com that are affordable and currently available to those who want to be able to walk to Lady Bird Lake, Whole Foods or maybe the Velveeta Room:

Downtown Condo with Capitol View- $122,700

Condo at 18th & Lavaca- $139,900

Remodeled Condo in Clarksville- $155,200

Condo Remodel Near UT Law School- $159,000

Brand New Penthouse on 5th Street- $229,900

Posted by Lani, Asset Director | Filed Under Austin News, Austin Real Estate Blog, Buying 

Austin Apartment Data

November 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment

austin apartments for rent

Remember Why Apartment Data is Important?

Earlier this year, we went over why Austin apartment rent data is important, remember? It’s “because the real estate market rises and falls on the merits of many many little tiny puzzle pieces that fit together to make a whole ranging from apartment rentals, home sales, industrial and commercial space to land.”

So How’s Austin Doing?

This piece of the real estate puzzle brings mixed news- occupancy rates have decreased from 94% in September 2007 to 90.3% in September 2008 while the trend of prices rising regardless of occupancy rates continues as the average monthly rent in Austin increased from $822 to $854, a 3.7 percent jump.

The increased number of new units that have come online this fall as well as some home sellers choosing to rent their homes and become landlords is changing the rental environment in Austin.

Posted by Lani, Asset Director | Filed Under Austin News, Austin Real Estate Blog, Market Conditions