Starbucks Closings in Austin
July 19, 2008 | Leave a 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
Austinite in Need of Help
July 1, 2008 | 1 Comment
Originally posted on RERevealed.com:
I just got off the phone with a friend who needs your help. Like right now. Karyn Ford is in her early twenties here in Austin and she and her friend Bridget Novak are single moms living in 2 bedroom homes. Recently, they have taken voluntary placement from Child Protective Services and because it’s voluntary, they do not receive any financial assistance. Between them, their families have grown to include one handicapped 14 year old, a 5 year old, 8 year old and an infant. Their needs are great, ranging from gas, food, clothes, entertainment to school supplies. Bridget’s car overheats on the way to the store up the street and isn’t big enough to fit the children!
Their focus is to provide a safe and healthy environment for the kiddos but they are humbly asking for help.
Ways we ask you to help:
(1) HEB Gift Cards for gas and groceries
(2) Target Gift Cards for clothes
(3) Simon Gift Cards for everything
(don’t get discouraged if any of these make you log in… remember, you’re helping a friend)
If you’d like to ship these or simply mail a check, please please do so:
Karyn Ford
417 Fantail Loop Unit A
Lakeway, TX 78734
We all read about “help” needed every day, but today’s hits much closer to home- my friend Karyn needs your help now! Karyn was one of the first to message me when my brother (who she was friends with) died last fall and the most vivid thing I remember about her is her smile and her selflessness which clearly have not changed over time. If you have $0 to share, please pause to pray for the well being of everyone involved.
We sincerely thank you!
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
This Week In Austin [Pictures]
June 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment
What happened this week around Austin? Let’s let photos speak a thousand words (and I’ll add 1,001-1,050)!
Creepy Vendetta Guy
Someone dressed up as the creepy guy from “V is Vendetta” held protest signs on the capitol grounds and I don’t get it. But we give him a gold star for wearing full V garb in this hot weather!
image courtesy of satanoid
The End of Concordia
Concordia University has moved their campuses north of Austin to the old Schlumberger site on 620 and the old campus is now being demolished as seen in this week’s image.
image courtesy of cote
Wind Surfing on Lake Travis
This week has been breezy and hot, perfect for wind surfing on Lake Travis. This photo was taken at Bob Wentz Park (aka the “public side” of Windy Point).
image courtesy of John
Waiting for Bats
Austin is famous for the largest bat colony in America (perhaps the world?) that comes out to feed every night from under Congress bridge, filling the sky with a cloud of zippy black bird-looking bats. Sitting below in the Austin American-Statesman lawn or up above the bridge on the sidewalk, it’s a lot of fun to take the kiddos to see the mass exodus for nightly feedings.
image courtesy of Dan
Doggie
This dog played in the park. That’s news-worthy, right? No? Well, here’s a ridiculously cute dog playing in Austin anyhow.
image courtesy of blog dot jam
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.
A Night on the Town
May 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Austin is a fun place to live and there is so much to do… there is so much more to buying a home and selecting an area of town you want to settle down in than the interior of a single home. Austin is chock full of hot restaurants and entertainment, and here are some shots of what we did tonight:
Hut’s Hamburgers
Hut’s Hamburgers has been famous for Austin’s best burgers for many years. My grandparents used to enjoy Hut’s and it’s still one of my father’s favorite restaurant as it is ours. Not only does it have a lot of great memories attached to it, they offer a bajillion types are of burgers. Would it be un-kosher to order chicken fried steak? I almost did!
It took a long time for us (well, me) to decide on what to order, but here’s what we settled on… it looks super gross but it is SO good and the burgers are still ridiculously inexpensive!
Oooh, we snagged a shot of some of Hut’s vintage signage. I love how fun their ads were, even back then!
Around Hut’s
There is a lot to do pretty much within arm’s reach of Hut’s, and by do, I mean eat (which is pretty much my favorite thing to do)… here are a few:
Next Up: Whole Food’s
Downtown, Whole Foods continues to sucker us in. Their outdoor nursery is gorgeous and the vignettes inside the market with extremely artistic displays and products that seem unreal in how creatively they are presented. If you haven’t been, just go- you won’t regret it! We love enjoying walking with our mini-basket up and down every aisle discovering new products!
Around Whole Foods
Whole Foods is smack dab in the middle of one of the most quickly growing blocks of the city. Cranes are abundant as are cool bars, restaurants and businesses, check it out:
GSD&M Idea City is home of some of the brightest marketing minds in the world. And even if it wasn’t, their building is really sexy. I hear that the interior is even more impressive; I’ll have to sneak in sometime…
Book People, across from Whole Foods is one of the nation’s largest independent booksellers. There are frequently readings, author book signings, music and events here to entertain one and all (and if you end up there in between functions, there are a trillion nooks and crannies to discover here)!
Even the back of Anthropologie’s retail store is gorgeous. Attached to Book People, this clothier is one of Austin’s newer additions (with one at Hill Country Galleria also).
Below is my terrible shot of The Tiniest Bar in Texas. It’s literally just that tiny green shack where you get your beer and then head out to that patio. Tonight, a great Cory Morrow-sounding guitarist was groovin’ on the outdoor patio. On Friday nights, this place gets packed and people end up in the street because there are only so many places to stand!
Caddy corner to Whole Foods, this among other condo high rises are popping up. It will be nice for the new residents here to be so close to the bar and shopping action!
You’re welcome to join us next time we zip around town! Burgers, organic groceries, lollygaggin’ (yeah, that’s a word) around the city and of course drinking at least ONE Starbuck’s drink. Gotta love Austin!
Austin Through A Photographer’s Lense
May 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This week, Dean (aka onefivedoor) took a series of aerial shots of the city of Austin and we wanted to share them with you. Not only do they have artistic merit but give you an awesome point of view of Austin that you probably have not seen before!
Zilker Park
The Capitol & Downtown
Lake Austin
Little Pieces of Austin
May 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Recently, we moved to a new home in Pflugerville and we absolutely love it. I have lived in Austin my whole life and had never been to downtown Pflugerville (just up the street from the new place)- it seems like everyone smiles, says ma’am and sir and even driving is a friendly experience.
Case in point, there is a regular lemonade stand in our subdivision- talk about a blast from the past! We got all nostalgic passing by. These kiddos are serious business too, there’s almost always someone pulled over to buy 25 cent lemonade! This is just a little piece of how it feels to live in Austin:
3927 Lord Byron Drive
May 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment
With a Diamond Brite pool/spa, grand oaks, an elevated rear patio and back yard overlooking a green on the Forest Creek Golf Course, the stage is set for this luxurious home.
Inside, you will enjoy granite countertops, travertine tile, bay windows, a full guest suite, game room and two story living room. Forest Creek is one of the most desirable areas in Round Rock and priced at only $329,900 we anticipate this home will not be on the market for long!
2718 Costa Azul Cove
May 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home in Lakeline Ranch is a HOT deal! On the border of Cedar Park/Leander, this home is in one of the area’s up and coming subdivisions- you’ll love it here.
This layout is very open and is perfect for entertaining- the landscape is gorgeous, natural lighting is plentiful and the secondary bedrooms are generously sized. At $173,900 you’ll be hard pressed to find a better deal here and although it is staged beautifully, it is vacant and ready for move-in so get movin’ today! Check out http://2718CostaAzul.com for more info.
Searching Austin Homes- A Snap at gosinglepointe.com
May 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Say NO to Circle Searching!
We whipped up this neat screencast to show off a few of our cool Austin home search features. Enjoy!
It isn’t always easy being the best or satisfying our Austin home finders, but this is a pretty sweet search tool. Just Try it!
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.
Why Resale Is Hot
April 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Today, I just wanted to note that the Austin home resale market is hot not only because Texas hosts more Fortune 500 companies than any other state, it is ALSO because Austin caters also to the startup industry better (in my opinion) than almost any city in America.
With people making it big with their startups and others having been recruited from other states to work at the larger corporations here, Austin is in a good place. Other areas have to rely on the move-up buyer or the first-time buyer to buy their homes for sale, but Austin attracts an extremely diverse buyer pool that matches the extremely diverse workforce.
For example, our last three calls while writing this article were either from abroad or other states relocating in the technical field. Now that’s sayin’ something!
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!
What ARE those things?
April 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
One of the most common questions Austinites get from people moving here are, “what are those things?” as the less-than-shy black birds swarm anywhere serving Mexican food on a patio or offering power lines outside a mall. “What ARE you?” people from outside of Austin shout at the sky. Never fear- despite what locals may tell you (they’re mythical creatures that grant wishes or that they are rats with wings), they are just the common grackle bird, related to the crow.
Grackles are harmless and friendly and they really just want your snacks. So, make a friend and feed a bird- we promise that there are a thousand of their friends hiding in wait, just hoping you’ll be the sucker who throws them a tortilla chip. Can you say grackle party??
What’s A Blog? Check This Out…
March 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Groovy Details on Austin Blogging…
Why do you need to know what a blog is?
Because! We’re a small business too and we like to share the love! We want to feature your blog and Small Austin business. Just drop me a personal email and let me know about your Local Austin Small business, a little about what makes it so fantastic, and I’ll bring you into our spotlight!
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!
Austin Home Buyer - What’s My Job?
March 19, 2008 | 1 Comment
There is a deep misconception that because you have an agent that you really aren’t part of the process. This is absolutely not true. Your job, although made easy with the help of a great agent, is what makes the process work.
An Austin Home Buyer makes the final decisions, the agent’s job is to present and/or create the options you use to make those decisions. But there’s more to the buyer’s job than that…
For example, the buyer manages the documents! Documents required by the loan are time sensitive. Once in contract, you only have so much time to complete your file to be sent to the lender. Another responsibility of a buyer is to make sure the information presented is true and correct. Often at the time of the initial application, there are holes and blanks you’re aware of - for example, you may not have your dates of employment at your fingertips. It would be your job at the time of meeting with the lender by phone on in person to bring those dates current on the application.
Whether it’s the inspection, documentation of facts, walk-throughs, or making a decision, the buyer’s job is key, and time is almost always a factor.
The most important function is communication. Many times, the agent will put you and the processor together by phone or email to close time gaps in the process. It is here that often things can get into a snafu. It is very important that you’re communicating with your agent the things the processor is requesting. Many times the agent may have a solution for you that can save you hours or days anguish. The agent is often experienced with the types of requests a lender may make and may be able to assist you in obtaining documents more quickly that won’t slow down the march to closing.
I hope this helps you in understanding that a process to close on your Austin home is just that- a process. Not knowing the process is understandable and forgivable- simply follow the game plan and your Austin Home Purchase will be a smashing success!
Austinite You Should Know- Francesca Montoya
March 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
In every person’s life, there are three people you should know- (1) a Realtor (duh), (2) a spiritual advisor and (3) a stylist. Obviously, my Realtor of choice is at Single Pointe Realty, my spiritual advisor is Father Elmer and my stylist is today’s “Austinite You Should Know,” Francesca Montoya.
I am a die hard Francesca fan and if you’ve met me in person, you probably already know that- I have never raved about a service quite so highly. I have this naturally mousy, dish-water brown hair that is stringy, but Francesca makes me look like a superstar blonde! I get compliments on my hair everywhere I go which sound silly, but it really adds to my quality of life!
Francesca has an awesome memory about personal details I share with her in the chair (you know by profession, we expect her to be part psychiatrist!) and she always makes it fun! You would expect someone of her calibre to be at a six star salon (and I know she will be any day now), but she has worked her way up to running a local Regis salon, so prices are ridiculously reasonable (don’t act like you weren’t going to ask)!
Okay, enough gushing from me, let’s talk to Francesca.
What is the best part of your job?
Honestly, Wow that is a hard .. I love the looks on clients faces when they see how different and beautiful they can look and feel with a little change of color or a new cut.
What makes you better than most in your profession?
I wouldn’t say better..If I see a new trick that another stylist can do I’m not afraid to ask” Can you show me that ?” The fact that I actually love what I do makes me appreciate my job more! I take the time to realize its the clients hair and not mine all they want is a professional opinion and a honest answer.
Why do you practice in Austin instead of other cities?
Well moving to Austin was a split decision one morning. I never thought I would stay here this long. I’ve met a lot of great people here friends, clients, I have a great job, I would never think of moving away from them!!!
Why should readers come see you?
You would have to ask one of my clients (Lani). If you feel like you need a change, just a trim, or the picture of a celebrity hairstyle you are dying to have, or just a shampoo venting session I’m here!
Name a quirk of yours and a guilty pleasure…
My guilty pleasure is a $6.00 cup of Starbucks coffee!
If you are already a client of Francesca’s, let us know in the comments what you think! If you aren’t yet a client, go set up your appointment right now at 512.918.9223.
Dear Home Searchers! (An Open Letter)
March 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The truth… Weekly UN-Hotties
I showed 3 homes in one of Austin’s most beautiful subdivisions yesterday. I’ll admit, I was excited to tour this neighborhood (as always)- an Austin neighborhood with grandeur, that Austin neighborhood is Avery Ranch.
I want you to know that I’ve never been more ashamed in my entire life entering all three of these homes. Why? Because they weren’t ready to be shown.
…It Hurts
For starters they smelled like ass. Dirty and tattered carpet, dents in the walls, grungy paint, and completely unkempt. All I could say to my clients was how absolutely sorry I was for the experience.
In fairness to the listing agents, they are at the mercy of the spending power of the home owner to clean up and repair such a mess, but that is when it boils down to good old fashioned truth- it just isn’t ready for market.
A home should look and smell like a home, not a kennel.
Utter Disappointment
So, with much despair I say- I’m sorry you had to experience that. I wished I had my camera, or I’d be sharing the horrible images we witnessed yesterday, but maybe that would just be rude. Normally, I would preview such homes, but time does not always allow for such a luxury- you pray that the owners have some sense of pride, especially in a neighborhood such as that.
I would never allow my home sellers to lower themselves in that way, I would never let you go to market in a losing position. Why was it a losing position? Because my home shoppers were too good to live in your home- so we search on.
Interactive Austin Real Estate Q&A (The Local Answer)
March 15, 2008 | 1 Comment
Austin Home Buyers & Sellers
We’ve reformated the Single Pointe forum to the interactive Q&A format we’ve always dreamed of. When we introduced forums here origionally, we had dreamed of a place for you to ask, and we answered. It seemed that in various places on the internet our local Austin buyers and sellers would ask a question only to have someone in California answer. How in the world would you know? They don’t, they simply get points by typing something. If it’s the right answer, great, otherwise they’ll never have to meet you!
The Fix
Go hardcore local Austin Q&A where at least if we don’t know the answer we can go locally and get it. No point rating system guiding our answers- just good old fashioned Austin Real Estate Answers with a super modern twist.
Join the Austin Real Estate Discussion
It is absolutely time. We’re crazy about real estate and know you are too, so dive-in! Yes, that means you!
Trials & Error - MySQL (Austin Blog Frustration) Sadness
March 15, 2008 | 2 Comments
Where’s My Austin Real Estate Blog?
In case you haven’t noticed the blog over the past month just sort of stopped. It wasn’t because we weren’t into writing, or that we had forgotten you. It was really simply that we were stuck between a rock and hard place with the database that keeps the sp site floating.
After searching for an answer, we’ve found one and your Austin real estate blog is born again. You’ll be seeing some major changes around here over the next several weeks as we make improvements to the way we manage your Austin blog.
Thanks for being so patient and thanks for the emails of concern. We really appreciate it.
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???
Twin Creeks’ Best Kept Secret [Rentals!]
February 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment
We all know Twin Creeks as the upscale golf community in Cedar Park. It’s a zip down the hill to the lake and a zip over to Anderson Mill, getting you to 183 in a snap. Until recently, I thought Twin Creeks was completed, but the back of the subdivision has just open and the views are amazing- you should take a drive back there!
The best kept secret about this neighborhood is that there are new luxury condos butting up to the country club that are available for rent- seriously! If downtown loft living isn’t your scene because you have a dog, a sweet set of golf clubs, the need for trees or don’t like elevators, parking garages or small spaces, then this is your answer! We have sold several of these luxury two-story condos and we now have two that are for lease and we don’t anticipate they’ll be available for long.
The Twin Creeks Condo Down-Low
Condo #701 is a 1530sf (per builder) brand NEW 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, 2 car garage with a loft/study. My favorite part of this particular condo is that it has this incredible two story living room with windows on both floors, and the upstairs loft looks over into the first floor- you have to see it! The home has awesome upgrades and even comes with a stainless steel appliance package. It’s a great bargain for the buck and move-in specials are still available! This home even has its own website- check it out!!! [2930GrandOaksLoop.com]
Twin Creeks Condo Amenities include a fitness center access, pilates/dance/yoga studio, both of which have scheduled classes you can take, the children’s center, teen’s center, water park style junior olympic pool and soon to be built tennis courts. This neighborhood is great for jogging and walking the dog and it’s a stone’s throw to the golf course which offers reasonable rates for annual membership.
Also available is Condo #502 which is also NEW, 1749sf (per builder), 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, 2 car garage. I love that this condo has this massive landing upstairs, big enough for a computer desk or reading area and has all roll-out windows upstairs- no more shoving windows up and down! You’ll love the granite counters, stainless steel appliances, berber carpet, upgraded cabinetry with adjustable shelves, open dining room, massive foyer and even a fenced patio. Check out the video tour below!
We know now that you’ve seen these, you’ll want to take a tour and we would *love* to show you. We’re a no pressure shop, so don’t be nervous to call or email us. If you already have a Realtor, send them the link to this article- they have access to these condos too!
Recently Written
- Starbucks Closings in Austin
- Austinite in Need of Help
- Radical City Council Mandates Followup
- This Week In Austin [Pictures]
- Austin Condos Benefit Low-Income Residents
Read What Our Fans Say
We've gone beyond in our rethinking of real estate & our fans are noticing! You don't have to take our word for it- see what our fans are saying!
National Real Estate
Selling Your Home
We're a powerful tool to use in the selling of your Austin Home- Get all the facts you need, right now.
Austin Q&A
You have questions & we want to provide options. Give our Austin Real Estate forum a whirl.
Why not Subscribe?
Subscribe to RSS
and get updates directly to your browser's feed reader. This removes any danger of you ever being emailed by us for any reason unless you so directly choose.Austin Keywords
- 78641
- About Austin
- Austin Events
- Austin News
- Austin People
- Blog
- Buying
- First Time Buyers
- Human Interest
- humor
- Investing
- Market Conditions
- Microfinance
- New Construction
- Other Stuff
- RE Practice
- Selling
- Single Pointe Updates
- Video
- Weekly Hottie
- Zillow
Feed Yourself
Relocating? Our Friends
- AZ- Jonathan Dalton
- AZ- Kelley Koehler
- CA- Andy Kaufman
- CA- Vicki Moore
- CO- Mariana Wagner
- FL- Ines Hegedus-Garcia
- GA- April Groves
- MI- Maureen Francis
- MN- Teresa Boardman
- VA- Daniel Rothamel
Nacho Blogger Award
Communities
-
Coming Soon!