Round Rock Named 7th Best Place in US
September 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Round Rock in Top Ten
According to CNNMoney.com’s “Best Places to Live 2008,” Round Rock ranks 7th in the nation among small cities in which to live, the only city in Texas to win a mention. Round Rock is appealing on many levels from affordable housing, the Round Rock Independent School District, booming retail and commercial real estate, a new Tollway which goes directly into Austin, and Dell’s Headquarters in the city. Round Rock is home to a branch of Texas State University, the Round Rock Express baseball team, the awesome IKEA and Prime Outlets.
The median home price is $193,931, job growth has risen just over 45 percent between 2000 and 2007, and family purchasing power is at $101,381. Take a peek at the available homes in Round Rock by clicking here and on the left, search for Round Rock’s primary zip code “78664″ and click around to see houses for sale and their pictures!
Austin Lending, Zero Down & Home Buyers
September 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The lending world is changing
As you may or may not have noticed, the credit market is in trouble- as we speak, lending guidelines are changing by the minute, depending on the loan program. But never fear; when it all boils down, what you’re left with is this simple truth- lenders lend.
What you should know
The days of zero down home loans isn’t over completely, there are still down payment assistance programs available, but timing is crucial. Depending on what you’re buying, you will need to pre-qualify now more than ever before you even begin the process of serious home searching.
The state and local governments still have grants available and have increased the income guidelines right along with FHA increasing the loan limits on homes. This means that Austin home buyers still in the market for zero down loans can still buy, however, the money for grants is limited and can virtually vanish overnight. What we’ll need to do is get you pre-qualified and get your file in line for the grant. Our lenders will advise us on how to time your transaction. So with a little pre-planning, zero down is still a possibility. The alternative is that if you are going to go for a FHA or Conventional loan, you should be prepared to make a down payment- we can advise you of the amount at the time of your pre-qualification.
The Credit Score Facts
Under certain loan programs, we can still approve Austin home buyers up to certain limits with a 580 score or better. Anyone with less than a 620 FICO score may pay a slightly higher interest rate, but not always- absolutely no late payments over the past 12 months are being approved at this time even with letters of explanation, but we expect this to soften over the next few months. We’ll update you as situations in lending change.
This information pertains to Texas
The information we’re providing you here today is designed for buyers in the Austin and Texas markets and is not for the national audience. In your state, you should seek out council from your local Realtor or mortgage lender. If you need guidance, please feel free to call me, I’m happy to refer you out- I personally know lenders and fantastic agents all over the country that will be happy to help you in your market.
Closing dates
This one is a real pain in the rear and bugs us more than the lending guidelines changing, and the reason is that the anxiety a home buyer faces trying to get to closing can really be stressful for all parties. What we’re telling our home buyers is that all dates are soft but only to a point. Our Austin lenders are professionals from start to finish and know how to lean on the process as well as when they shouldn’t. When applying for large sums of money, we have to remember that the underwriter really needs to do their due diligence and we’re seeing closing dates exceeding 30 to 45 days. We’ve not seen anything residential take more than 60 days unless the file was really complicated which is a small percentage of transactions for our lenders- like I said, we work with the finest in the country.
Going it alone
I must warn all home buyers working this alone or home sellers selling on their own and working with unrepresented buyers. Beware. Do your homework, study everything you’re signing, and proceed cautiously when anyone is selling you anything simple about the complex market we’re in right now. Rent-to-own home products are popping up all over in place of mortgages in an effort to bypass lending as well as loan products that prey on the unsuspecting. Please take great care in going it alone- the sharks are out in full force.
A note to Austin home sellers
Sellers are asking nearly every day if the credit market will create buyer problems and the answer is yes and no. Obviously, lending is a little more complicated, but the buyers in our market today are well qualified and cooperation with these buyers is a must, as with less lending packages creating incentive to buy for all buyers, there are a few less buyers in the Austin market. So, all offers should be considered seriously.
In Conclusion- should I buy now?
If I were in the market for a home right now in Austin, I would buy a home. Interest rates are down again, FHA fee reductions and retooling, home prices are steady, price reductions by motivated sellers are abundant- the Austin market seems calm and cool waiting on the rest of the country to figure things out.
We’re always ready to help you navigate Austin’s real estate market, with a no pressure policy, a friendly support team, and great Austin mortgage lenders- you’re in great hands.
Austin Texas MLS Statistics For August
September 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
What Does This Mean?
- Active Listings 2008: 10,348
- Active Listings 2007: 9,819
- Homes Sold 2008: 1,992
- Homes Sold 2007: 2,497
- Median Sales Price 2008: $195,000
- Median Sales Price 2007: $191,250
- Average Sales Price 2008: $261,799
- Average Sales Price 2007: $259,686
Let’s start with “Active Listings.” These are all the houses on the market for the Austin MLS in the month of August. The number has increased over the last year and the competition among sellers in some areas is tighter. This is good news for buyers because not only is there a greater variety of options, negotiation power is greater when supply is up.
I know that all sounds like bad news for sellers and good news for buyers but sellers are getting more for their homes as seen in the median price and average price increase over the last 12 months.
The number of homes sold has decreased but housing experts in Austin are not panicked because according to Austin Board of Realtors Chairman Socar Chatmon-Thomas, “our city’s job market receives high marks for its consistency, which in turn drives more people to move here. A robust labor pool and an expanding population are key to maintaining a healthy housing industry.”
Austin Real Estate Market
If you want to follow the Austin Real Estate market trends and conditions in more detail, check out the UNZipped section on the sidebar (here are the past few months):
- Austin MLS Stats UNZipped- August
- Austin MLS Stats UNZipped- July
- Austin MLS Stats UNZipped- June
- Austin MLS Stats UNZipped- May
Travis County Property Tax Hike? Maybe…
August 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Who likes high taxes?
Not me! But it’s not up to me, it’s up to the collective residents of Travis County as to whether or not City Council will be hiking the property tax rates from an average of $927.02 annually to $988.36 based on *this* year’s current rate. Remember though that your individual taxes will fluctuate with changes in value to your property.
Where will the money go?
According to the Statesman,
The increase would pay mainly for a new county criminal court, increased fuel costs, a 3 percent pay raise for most county employees and 31 corrections officers to staff a new detention building at the Del Valle Correctional Complex.
Umm, I’m not sure about that…
If this sounds really good to you, go support City Council! Or if this sounds awful to you, voice your opinion to them on Thursday August 21, 2008 at 6:00PM and Thursday August 28, 2008 at 6:00PM at the Austin City Council Chambers at 301 West 2nd Street.
Austin Named Top City for Hispanics
August 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
In the August issue of Hispanic Magazine, Austin is listed as one of the Top Ten Cities for Hispanics. This is the seventh year our city has been included on the list, which remarks on the importance of education to our city, the moderate cost of living here, and Austin’s dedication to the environment. The magazine also says that our fair city has earned “a reputation as a place that not only supports artists, but where artists can make a living at their craft.”
Filling out the list are Albuquerque, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Miami, San Diego, Tucson, and our neighbor to the south, San Antonio. Factors the magazine considered in their listing included representation of Hispanics in local government, a city’s obesity rate/overall state of health, and whether a city’s diverse and welcoming community included a high number of Latinos.
President and CEO of Austin’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Bob Lander, responded positively to our city’s inclusion on the list, saying, “We are proud that Austin is once again recognized as one of the best cities in the nation for Hispanics to live and work . . . Our world-class cultural attractions and diverse population continue to draw attention to Austin, bolster our reputation as a premier travel destination, and enhance the local experience for residents and visitors alike.”
Austin-San Antonio Commuter Rail?
August 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment
According to the Austin American Statesman,
“Building a 145-mile-long freight rail bypass around Austin and San Antonio at a cost of $2.4 billion, making commuter rail possible between the cities, would generate about $1.4 billion in public benefits over 20 years, a study to be released today says. That $2.4 billion, however, does not include the estimated $600 million cost of building passenger rail between Austin and San Antonio, or the $41 million annual operating costs estimated by the agency charged with running such a line. And at this point, no matter the public benefit, it remains unclear how either the state or Central Texas governments will raise the money for the freight line bypass or the commuter line.
This would have a negative impact on our city financially if we are stuck paying for it (which probably won’t fly after the Tollway debacle) but could positively impact our economy and where we will see more subdivisions pop up. Bridging the gap between San Antonio and Austin has been coming for years, just drive down IH-35 to see the massive growth between our cities, but we’ll see if the State sees a need to inject itself into the natural progression of growth.
Green Roofs Drastically Reduce Energy Bills
August 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
image courtesy of thingermejig
According to KXAN News Austin,
Researchers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center have completed the first study comparing the effectiveness of different types of green, vegetated roofs against traditional roofs. The study compared green roofs created by six different manufacturers to find out how much they cooled a building’s interior and how much rainwater they captured.
The lead investigator in the study, Dr. Mark Simmons, said not all green roofs are created equal, and that some do not capture rainwater and prevent it from reaching the ground.
The most interesting part of the study to me was that the study revealed a building’s A/C bill can be reduced up to 21% in comparison to traditional black tar rooftops. Depending on the size of a home, office or industrial building, that is a heavy chunk of dough that can’t be overlooked. Many people think the “green” movement is silly but rarely does anyone think “hey, I hate money and I want to get rid of as much as I possibly can.”
During one 91 degree day, a black top box with no air conditioning reached 129 degrees inside, compared to 97 to 100 degrees inside the green roof box.
So if money or the environment aren’t enough for you, perhaps comfort is. I don’t think it’s realistic that our city go rip off their roofs and put in green roofs but I do think it’s reasonable that new home builders trend toward green roofs as a start toward more environmentally sensitive building practices that will help homeowners save money AND remain comfortable.
Austin Named 2nd Best Homebuying City in US
August 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
image courtesy of lwf
According to Forbes Magazine, Austin ranks second nationally in the Ten Best Cities to Buy a Home while fellow Texas cities Houston ranked first, San Antonio fifth and Dallas sixth.
Forbes examined the country’s 40 largest metropolitan areas, culling vacancy and home price information from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Association of Realtors.
It’s no surprise to us on the ground that Austin’s so hot for homebuying and in the midst of continuing bad news nationally, the scene on the homefront is looking great!
$1.3 Billion Gas Pipeline to Texas
August 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment
original image courtesy of cinto2
As a follow-up to yesterday’s article regarding wind power coming to Texas, we learned that other changes are coming to the energy industry in Texas (according to the Houston Business Journal):
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved a $1.34 billion natural gas pipeline project, which will be owned and operated by the joint venture firm Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC.
The 500-mile pipeline system will pump natural gas extracted from highly prized shale deposits in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
The first 40 miles of the system will begin in Lamar County, and are expected to be in service by the end of October. The entire first phase will be complete by February.
This summer has brought about a change in the attitude of policy makers and industry shakers and we anticipate there to be more changes on the way. The belts will losen up in light of energy prices and I suppose we’ll pay a few dollars more (to get the energy to our cities) in order to pay a few dollars less.
Wind Power- a New Texas Reality?
August 3, 2008 | 1 Comment
photo courtesy of warrenski
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
The state’s Public Utility Commission yesterday put Texas on course to spend $4.8 billion on power lines needed to carry electricity from wind farms in the Panhandle and High Plains to the state’s urban centers.
Getting wind power from turbines to consumers has been problematic because of insufficient transmission lines running from the remote wind farms. The project would allow hundreds and possibly thousands of miles of power lines to be added. However, officials say it would be at least five years before the lines would be ready to handle electricity.
The costs would be covered by customers served by ERCOT, the Texas power-grid operator. Customers would pay an estimated $4 monthly fee for several years.
Texas leads the nation in wind-energy production, and the utility commission’s move, which still faces one more procedural hurdle, would put the state’s output ahead of the combined production of the other 14 states producing wind energy.
I’m still curious about the wind farm projects on the Texas coastline- we all see the massive turbine propelors on big rigs rolling down IH-35 and when we visited Corpus Christi last week, we saw the raw parts taking up city blocks, simply waiting to be installed. I don’t know anything about this project but heard it was held up by the State which wasn’t approving the wind farms due to the environmental impact.
Whether it’s true or not, it seems that with the northwestern and southeasternmost parts of Texas being fueled by wind power, our entire state should have great alternative energy coverage sooner than later. I don’t personally mind an additional few bucks on my bill if it means alleviating fuel consumption, how about you??
Starbucks Closings in Austin
July 19, 2008 | 1 Comment
Starbucks’ National Closings
The recent news of Starbucks’ announcement of shutting the lights off in 600 of their stores across America has spooked many and buzz about it has echoed across the Internet. For years, many real estate speculators have looked to the deep pockets of companies like Starbucks’ research divisions for selecting store sites as indications of viable economic growth. Economists have watched their coffee prices as indicators of local economic success much commodities like gas, metals and others. With these store closings, people even locally are saying that it’s the armageddon. False.
Starbucks’ Texas Closings
According to Starbucks, Texas will be experiencing 57 store closures, two of which are in Austin (1007 South Congress and 5000 W. Slaughter) both nearby newly constructed Starbucks locations. To put that in perspective in the national scope, Texas only accounts for 9.5% of all closings and Austin only accounts for 0.3% of the closings nationally.
The Impact on Austin
How does this impact Austin? It doesn’t… that’s a tiny little blip; businesses open and close here every day, so for those measuring Austin’s economy based on coffee houses and prices, we’re still lookin’ pretty good (not to mention that within a mile of my personal home, two new Starbucks have had their grand openings in the past months).
original image courtesy of ak37
Radical City Council Mandates Followup
June 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Dear Friend:
Over the last several months, you may have heard talk about a proposed City plan for achieving improved energy efficiency in existing homes. Some have called it the “point of sale” ordinance, or even the “green home tax.” There’s been a lot of confusion and misunderstanding on this issue, so I want to try to set the record straight. I hope that you will take a moment to read this.
As you know, we face a rapidly changing energy future. If you like what’s happening with gas prices right now, then you’re going to love what happens with the cost of electricity over the next few years. Make no mistake: powering our homes and buildings is going to get more expensive, perhaps dramatically. Right now, we have an opportunity to get in front of it.
This matters to you whether you know it or not, because we all share in the cost of wasted electricity. It forces us to make expensive power purchases on the energy markets during the heat of summer, and brings us closer to the day when we would need to build expensive new power plants. This drives up electric rates for everyone, not just those who are wasting energy.
Anticipating these problems, the City Council established an inclusive 28-member Task Force to study and make recommendations on ways to achieve better energy efficiency in Austin homes, rental properties and commercial buildings. This Task Force has not made any recommendations yet, but their draft concept is a far cry from some of the characterizations of it that I’ve heard.
To be clear, we’re still many months and a lot of public process away from considering anything, but if the Task Force’s draft concept were adopted today, here’s what it would NOT do:
1) It would NOT impose a tax on selling your home.
2) It would NOT require people to make energy efficiency upgrades before they could sell their home.
3) It would NOT require people to pass an energy efficiency inspection or get a “certificate of compliance” before they could sell their home.
4) It would NOT force people to buy expensive items like new air conditioners or new windows.
5) It would NOT cause burdensome delays to home sales.
If the Task Force’s draft concept were adopted today, here’s what it WOULD do:
1) It WOULD require sellers to get an inexpensive energy audit and provide that information to prospective homebuyers.
Sellers wouldn’t have to make upgrades, and they wouldn’t have to pass an inspection - they would just have to let buyers know what kind of efficiency condition the house is in. The idea of requiring “audit and disclosure” was recommended by the Austin Board of Realtors (as represented on the Task Force), and I think it’s a good one. Information is the first step to making smart energy choices, and buyers deserve to know what they’re getting into when they make the biggest investment that most people will ever make in their lives.
2) It WOULD encourage people to VOLUNTARILY participate in a program to achieve basic efficiency upgrades, if a house needs it.
The Task Force is discussing a VOLUNTARY program. Under a voluntary program, “low-hanging fruit” like weather stripping and duct sealing would be prioritized, and spending caps would be proposed. All of Austin Energy’s rebates and incentives would be available, including their low-interest loan program. As such, basic energy efficiency strategies would be self-financing - that is, the savings on utility bills would outweigh the cost of the upgrades, which would actually put money into the pockets of homeowners, make home ownership more affordable and secure, and put homeownership in reach of more people.
3) It WOULD set voluntary participation targets and track whether we’re meeting our goals over the next few years.
If Austin realtors do what they’ve committed to do as part of the Task Force and become full partners in this process - and if the City and Austin Energy does what we’ve committed to do and make this an easy, seamless process - I have no doubt we’ll meet our goals. But if we’re falling short, we’ll need to recognize that and try a different approach. Under the Task Force draft concept, the basic efficiency program could become mandatory if the voluntary program wasn’t working.
These ideas are still open to a lot of discussion and debate, but I think we’re starting from a good place. If everyone works together in a spirit of good faith and cooperation, I know we can develop solutions that will actually make our homes more affordable, keep electric rates lower for the entire community and put us on strong footing as we enter a shifting energy economy.
I appreciate your interest in this issue and look forward to hearing your input.
Sincerely,
Will Wynn
Austin Mayor
Essentially, the goal is to have an inspection that simply reveals/discloses energy efficiency of a home at the time of sale. That is a LOT easier to swallow than radical terms proposed in recent times!
original image courtesy of bullcreek on flickr.com
Austin Condos Benefit Low-Income Residents
May 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
According to the Statesman:
Profits from a local condo project will fund new affordable housing and help low-income homeowners fix up their homes. The 62-unit Chestnut Commons at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Miriam Ave. is expected to bring in about $1.2 million for affordable housing projects, including $250,000 earmarked for home renovations in the Chestnut neighborhood.
Landowner Tom Meredith donated 30 acres to the Austin Community Foundation (ACF), which then sold it to developers Terry Mitchell and David Mahn. The two developers agreed to donate a portion of the profits from the condo sales to the ACF for affordable housing efforts in central east Austin.
Some Austinites are opposed to the downtown condo developments popping up all over the skyline which is forcing developers to find a synergy with the residents of Austin to continue their forward movement. This approach of the land seller bargaining to benefit the city is smart and we hope it becomes a trend.
Allstate Insurance Settlement
May 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Because Allstate is one of our state’s largest homeowner’s insurance carriers, this news likely affects you. According to the Statesman:
A $71.3 million settlement between Allstate Insurance Co. and state regulators could affect up to 700,000 Texas homeowners.
After several years of tangling with regulators who claimed Allstate’s rates were unjustifiably high, the insurance company has settled on an agreement that includes:
- $37 million in refunds for new and renewal policies written by Allstate Texas Lloyds between Dec. 1, 2004, and April 23, 2006;
- a 3 percent rate cut for new and renewal policies written for a year starting June 2. Policyholders will get a 3 percent credit covering Aug. 20, 2007, through June 1; and
- a freeze on premiums from June 2, 2008, to June 1, 2009. However, that provision gives Allstate an out if there are “extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances.”
If you are a current Allstate client, your agent can best tell you what the next step is in either a rebate, rate cut or premium freeze.
Film Industry Shifts to Austin
April 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
With a great deal of work on behalf of the film community in Austin, our city has become the LA/NY alternative for the filming industry. There are countless reasons, but the most important have to do with the local film societies and the University of Texas’ efforts not only to compete head to head with famous film schools such as NYU and UCLA but to create alternatives to the UT program and bring film screenings and festivals to our city.
Although the Film/Act/Live Villa Muse development stalled in Austin due to the City Council’s red tape and heel-dragging (and despite local objections to the Council’s move), they are entertaining a move to a city as near Austin as possible. We will continue to see projects like Villa Muse come to fruition here because it would be insane NOT to capitalize on this shift from the east and west coasts to Austin as the popularity of filming here increases because:
- Austin labor is less expensive than on the coasts.
- There is no state income tax in Texas.
- Austin isn’t dominated by unions like the coasts.
- Rental space and costs for location shots are much lower.
- The landscape here looks like California and is a great replacement for filming.
- The talent pool is fresh here.
- Austin is a hotbed for Indie filming as well as the Indie culture.
So, what does this mean to Austin real estate?
- We should see a diversification in our workforce to include the film industry.
- This means Austin has yet another reason that it is attractive for residential relocation.
- I suspect Austin will eventually be the location of many film professionals’ “second home.”
- This will likely create a trickling surge of demand for the condo high rise and Hyde Park homes in the higher price brackets.
- Depending on where the most dense area becomes for filming, Austin will have an injection of Hollywood/New York culture… we should be seeing more Starbucks and Seattle’s Best coming to that area.
- Despite the South Park episode where a city is torn apart by film festivals, I think Austin will become home to more and more prestigious festivals resembling Cannes Film Festival.
Austin is a diverse, growing city and it is no surprise that it is so attractive to the east and west coasters, especially for their businesses.
Radical Austin City Council Mandates
April 9, 2008 | 12 Comments
Austin, it’s time to get involved because the City of Austin has proposed two radical mandates that will make selling your home incredibly difficult.
- Single family homeowners will be required to obtain a license from the city of Austin prior to selling their homes.
- Also, they’re proposing to mandate energy efficiency retrofits for all types of properties in Austin, including single family owner-occupied homes prior to the sale of any single family owner-occupied home, a certificate of compliance proving the required efficiency retrofits have been done must be done prior to closing.
On Thursday, April 10, Austin REALTORS® are sponsoring a City Council Candidates’ Forum and lunch for industry professionals. We will be in attendance to express our strong opinions on the proposed ordinances. If you have any thoughts you’d like us to share with the City Council on your behalf, leave your concerns in the comments and we’ll be sure to make them public.
What this means to Austin homeowners
(according to the Austin Board of Realtors)
- Without a Certificate of Compliance filed of record prior to closing or at point of sale, a single family home cannot be legally sold in Austin.
- Delays in the time from escrow of a purchase agreement to closing due to the compliance and inspection process could exceed, by days or weeks, the typical 30 to 45 day time frame in a sales transaction today.
- Immediately upon the effective date of the ordinance, the city will have to implement methods and processes to meet the demand created by the sale of some 25,000 homes per year. That’s 25,000 inspections, assuming the first inspection results in the issuance of a certificate of compliance. City inspectors say that at least 50% of all inspections result in a subsequent inspection to correct problems found. That’s an additional 12,500 inspections, at a minimum, or some 37,500 new inspections in a typical year to determine if single family owner-occupied properties comply with the new proposed ordinance. Who will pay?
- Homeowners will bear the expense of retrofits to obtain the certificate of compliance. These expenses will vary from home to home, but the range could be anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 per home.
- Expect delays in acquiring another home as homeowners scramble to comply with the new ordinance, especially if that homeowner needs to sell his or her existing home prior to closing on a new one.
Austin, think about what you’d like to say to the City Council and if you don’t think you’ll have the chance to have face time with them, we will be printing the comments to this article and taking them with us, so speak up!
Austin Rents On Their Way UP
March 24, 2008 | 2 Comments
It’s true.
What I am seeing, Rents, from neighborhood to neighborhood in Austin, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and Round Rock in North and Northwest Austin seem to be heading upwards for the first time in a long time. Single family home rates have been stuck in a paradigm for several years, forcing property investors to eat a large chunk of the mortgage payment- but giving renters easy rent. Not anymore. Demand is up for single family homes causing days on the market to curb sharply all over.
What! Why?
Renters should expect increases in rent at renewal and initial application because the supply side is just not there. Due to the slowdown in new construction, and investments over the past 6-8 months the reaction is high demand for what little is left.
Outlook…
There are several factors over the next few months that will tell if this is an anomaly or if higher rental prices are here to stay. My guess is rents are not coming down anytime in the near future. My suggestion is to either buy, or sign longer leases at your lower rate. With interest rates as low as they are and softening lines of credit for first home buyers this may be your best opportunity of the year.
I’ll keep you posted!
Vote to Awesome-ify Texas License Plates
February 4, 2008 | 2 Comments
You have 7 days to vote on the future of the Texas License Plates and while no design is overly awesome, they’re mostly better than what we have now. Have y’all ever noticed that plates now have 7 digits? I guess we ran out of 6 digit options, huh? In any event, TXDOT has put up a poll on their website to vote for the new plates. Pictured here is the one I voted for because there are no stupid space shuttle or bluebonnets, and I’m pretty sure that they stole the Lone Star Beer logo.
Which will YOU vote for and why???
Austin Named Fastest Growing City in America
February 1, 2008 | 2 Comments
Attention investors, buyers and sellers- Austin is in the spotlight today! Forbes named Austin the #1 Fastest Growing Large Metro in America. The total GMP growth projected for 2007-2012 at 32.05%- nearly TEN PERCENT HIGHER than the #2 Fastest Growing! No city even cut a close second to the explosive growth of Austin!
According to Forbes:
The self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World” is booming, thanks in large part to Austin’s high-tech industry (key employers include Dell, IBM and Apple) and the University of Texas, which provides the area with a steady stream of engineering talent. In addition to music, the city also has a thriving film industry. Its projected gross domestic product growth by 2012 is second only to Mobile, Ala., and first among the largest 100 metro areas in the country. Metro area Austin’s population is expected to grow nearly 15% by 2012.
This is great news as the economic indicators look great for Austin- we expect many more to relocate to Austin for countless reasons we’ve previously highlighted and are already flooded with investors taking advantage of lowered interest rates. Where do you fit in to the growth of Austin?
photo credit: onefivedoor (check him out!)
Austin Is The Place To Live- Shopping Showcase
January 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Shopping for real estate in Austin isn’t the only thing that’s hot here, Austin is famous for the amazingly diverse shopping options! Travel + Leisure magazine rated Austin the #4 best city for Vintage shopping- we suggest the SoCo district or the north and south ends of The Drag for the best vintage shopping. LA isnt’ where it’s happening, y’all!
Austin also ranks in the Top 25 for the following:
1. Antinque shopping- many of the suburbs offer amazing, hidden antique shops worth the weekend drive!
2. Shoe shopping- although it’s a chain store, I looove shopping for shoes at Nordstrom’s. For people who aren’t in their 20s and can’t wear 6″ wedge heels, Karavel shoes offers great comfort shoes that are actually in style.
3. Home design- there are endless home design stores in Austin and we love shopping, especially around the downtown Whole Foods area.
4. Luxury boutiques- you have to visit Davenport Village if you don’t want to show up at the party in the same dress she’s wearing!
5. Flea markets- I’ve heard they’re all over. Do you know of a good one? Let us know!
Austin is a place of diverse shopping meeting all of your needs ranging from a crazy hippie hat to a coture gown or even strange As Seen On TV items at the flea market. Where do you like to shop?
Photo credit: onefivedoor
Williamson County “Top 10 Best Districts for the Buck”
January 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Williamson County Schools Rank Highly
Forbes magazine studied school districts by county in every single county in America. Not only did Williamson county stand outin Texas, it was among the Top 10 Best in the Nation! Williamson county comprises of Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock and Georgetown, all suburbs just north of the Austin metropolitan area where Forbes has affirmed what we already know- the education system here is unparalleled and is a great deal for the money.
According to Forbes:
With property taxes rising across the country, we took a look at per-pupil spending in public schools and weighed it against student performance–college entrance exam scores (SAT or ACT, depending on which is more common in the state), exam participation rates and graduation rates.
For those who don’t live here yet, Texas is a property tax state which is how our schools are funded (well, we also have the lotto, but that’s another article for another day). While tax rates vary, Williamson county enjoys a relatively low tax rate and is growing rapidly. There are new homes being built every day ranging from DR Horton’s garden homes to custom golf course mansions in Williamson county. That means that whether you’re buying your first home or you’re upgrading to a new home, the school districts are a bargain, even stacked up against every county in the nation!
photo: Rob Gonyea
Austin Real Estate is the Best Bargain in America
January 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
According to Business Week, Austin real estate is the best bargain in America. Who does this matter to?
Austinites
Good news Austinites- Austin’s real estate values have consistently beaten the doom and gloom national forecasts. Our diverse job market, our progressive economic development devision and our endless natural attractions create a desireable location for those relocating. Many people that relocate from Austin move to another part of Austin, so our city retains a massive portion of our residents.
Investors
National investors have been eyeballing Austin for years and those who have not yet seen the benefit of what a bargain real estate is here are flocking. Once upon a time, I hated the idea of California money funnelling into Austin, but with the tightening in the lending industry, the people who no longer qualify to buy a home still deserve to rent a beautiful property (sidenote: do-it-yourself investors smell the deals here and pump money in without any sort of plan, but with guidance, those same investors will very nicely cushion their long term results).
Job Seekers
Austin continues to have impressive job growth and when people face the choice between a snowy climate, an astronomically priced housing market or (say it with me now) Austin, the choice is easy. Natural beauty, great deals, steady value increases and unparalleled social life make the choice for most transfers.
So, if you live here already or plan on moving, real estate here is an awesome value- congrats, Austin!
photo credit: onefivedoor on flickr
Austin Is The Place To Live- Public Spaces
January 4, 2008 | 2 Comments
What makes Austin Travel & Leisure Magazine’s 4th best city for public parks and spaces? Hmmm… let’s see… Zilker Park, Town Lake jogging trails, The Veloway, Lake Travis, Lake Austin (aka Lady Bird Lake), Barton Springs, Krause Springs, Blue Hole, 6th Street, Barton Creek Greenbelt trails, Bull Creek, endless museums (Blanton, Texas History, etc), The Drag, Fiesta Gardens, Republic Square and more! Austin is full of cool places to go that are public, free, fun AND gorgeous!
Who else made the cut?
1. Portland
2. Minneapolis/ St. Paul
3. Chicago
4. Austin
5. San Francisco
6. Seattle
7. Denver
8. Washington, D.C.
9. San Diego
10. Boston
See the full list HERE!
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Other ways Austin is the most awesome city in the world:
The PEOPLE!
Hot Vacation Spot
Underground Arts Scene
Cleanliness
Peace & Quiet
FOOD!
Night Life
Affordability***
Environmental Awareness
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photo credit: onefivedoor
Austin Is The Place To Live- People Showcase
January 3, 2008 | 1 Comment
Anyone can tell you all about landmarks, shopping and subdivisions that make their city great, but how many cities can brag about being recognized for the population? How attractive, fun and intelligent they are? Oh, that’s right- AUSTIN can! Travel & Leisure Magazine rated America’s cities for their various attributes and here’s how we rank nationally:
| Athletic/active | Number 4 in America | |
| Attractive | Number 4 in America | |
| Diverse | Number 12 in America | |
| Friendly | Number 5 in America | |
| Fun | Number 2 in America | |
| Intelligent | Number 7 in America | |
| People (Overall) | Number 2 in America | |
| Stylish | Number 8 in America | |
| Worldly | Number 9 in America |
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Austinites are stylish (ranging from vintage wear to modern SoCo designs), worldly (frequent travelers who shop at Oakville Grocery), and don’t forget attractive (don’t act like that’s not important to you!). The national consensus is that Austinites are cool!
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Other ways Austin is the most awesome city in the world:
Hot Vacation Spot
Underground Arts Scene
Cleanliness
Peace & Quiet
FOOD!
Night Life
Affordability***
Environmental Awareness
Austin Is The Place To Live- Vacation Showcase
December 31, 2007 | 2 Comments
It’s hard for those of us who live in Austin to see why it’s such a hot vacation spot. What’s amazing about Austin being such a cool place to visit is that so many people come for a quick trip and never go home- probably like you, right? Austin ranks in the Top 20 in all of Travel & Leisure Magazines’ vacation countdowns. Check it out:
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Email this article to your friends and family who haven’t moved here yet- they’ll get the hint! 
Have them stay in one of Austin’s HOTTEST HOTELS when they come to visit- that’ll convince them!
Other ways Austin is the most awesome city in the world:
Underground Arts Scene
Cleanliness
Peace & Quiet
FOOD!
Night Life
Affordability***
Environmental Awareness
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