Ki Gray
Escapeso Austin Texas Real Estate is a real estate team working in the Austin Real Estate market.
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Articles by Ki Gray
November 16, 2009
Are you preparing to buy a home for the first time? Or have you closed on a number of homes in the past and are preparing to buy your next home? Regardless, you'll want to keep in mind the steps necessary to successfully navigate the preparations for buying that next home.
Initially, you'll wan...
November 16, 2009
Having the bank seize your home is nobody's idea of a good time. A word that was hardly part of the American vernacular two years ago, foreclosure is all too common these days. While the number of homes in some state of foreclosure is decreasing each month, the fact is that foreclosures across the...
November 16, 2009
After an exceptionally hot, dry summer, the rain has finally come to Central Texas. Just how much rain will it take to alleviate the current drought conditions? Considering this is the worst drought Central Texas has experienced since the 1950s, the answer to that is difficult to quantify. Don't ...
November 16, 2009
While the expectation has been that mortgage rates would start to rise they have fallen for the last 2 weeks. This week the 30 year rate fell from 4.98 to 4.91 (last week it fell from 5.03 to 4.98). Besides October 8th its the lowest rate we have seen since the start of the summer. So how does 4....
November 06, 2009
The fact is that the financial meltdown, now widely known as the Great Recession, started on Wall Street. It is also a fact that the meltdown quickly reverberated off the pavement of Main Street in the form of foreclosures and job losses. These things are clear. What is harder to understand is wh...
November 06, 2009
There are a plethora of historic homes existing in the U.S. today. Some are noted for their connection to our heritage as a nation. Others are famous for their association to crime, criminals and movie stars. And, of course, you've got literary greats, real estate tycoons, media moguls, publish g...
November 06, 2009
This is the conundrum of doing good things for the environment: How do you embrace green energy without the old technology providers becoming broke and obsolete in the process? That is the dilemma faced by the City of Austin and Austin Energy as they try to promote solar energy.
Austin Energy b...
November 06, 2009
After rising steadily for the last 3 weeks mortgage rates fell back down this week. The 30 year rate fell from 5.03 to 4.98. The 15 year rate fell from 4.46 to 4.40. The 5 and 1 year arm fell from 4.42 to 4.35 and 4.57 to 4.47 respectively. This looks like more of a hiccup as mortgage rates stea...
November 02, 2009
The Great Recession is not the great American equalizer after all. It's been widely reported recently that this recession hit middle and low income families the hardest, while the wealthy have continued to prosper. It may be chic to save and everyone brags about coupon clipping, but the idea that ...
November 02, 2009
Austin is well known for the South By Southwest Music and Media Conference and Festival each spring and the Austin City Limits Music Festival each fall. But music isn't the only thing putting Austin on the map. Austin also hosts the Texas Book Festival and the Austin Film Festival and Conference...
November 02, 2009
So are sub 5.0 rates gone forever? The short answer is probably yes. While rates might briefly fall below 5 in the next month for the most part the era of sub 5.0 rates is over. Mortgage rates rose for the third straight week. The thirty year rate rose from 5.00 to 5.03. The 15 year rate rose f...
October 25, 2009
If you are having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments, you're not alone. If you are three months or more behind in your mortgage payments, then you are one in an estimated 3 million or more who are currently in one state or another of default.
In this situation, however, what are your...
October 25, 2009
Austin is one of 79 metro areas across the country to be officially out of the recession, according to Moody's. Although the state of Texas is still considered to be suffering the constraints of the recession, Austin and seven other Texas cities have been given the all clear. This determination wa...
October 25, 2009
The 30 year rate rose again this week rising from 4.92 to 5.00. Now in the last two weeks 30 year mortgage rates have risen from 4.87 to 5.00. Most of the other major mortgage products rose as well. The 15 year rate rose from 4.37 to 4.43. Both the 5 year arm rising from 4.38 to 4.40 and the 1 y...
October 16, 2009
It is hard to believe just two years ago in October the Dow Jones industrial set a record high of 14,164. According to the Associated Press, just one year after that it was at 8,451 in mid October 2008. Today the Dow is around 9,800. Stocks have rallied recently on signs that retail sales are im...
October 16, 2009
One of the reasons given over and over for the slow recovery from this recession is the amount of debt so many Americans are buried under. The soaring house values of just two years ago made people feel rich and the financial future looked promising. The future look so promising, in fact, that peo...
October 16, 2009
Home building costs can often be a challenge to control when you've got so many variables in the building or remodeling project. You can avoid overages or, at least, keep them at a minimum if you are armed with some valuable advice.
When planning your build, pad your budget with a 15 percent...
October 16, 2009
After falling for the last 6 weeks mortgage rates started to rise this week. The 30 year rate rose from 4.87 to 4.92. The 15 year mortgage rose from 4.33 to 4.37. Both arms rose as well with the 5 year arm rising from 4.35 to 4.38 and the 1 year arm rising from 4.53 to 4.60. Below are mortgage r...
October 07, 2009
In need of a loan to buy a house, make repairs on your home or buy a house and make repairs on a home? Are you thinking you might not qualify, though, so you've not started the process? You just might be surprised. The federal government currently has a variety of 18 federal mortgage assistance p...
October 07, 2009
No matter what profession you are in, you will be impacted by real estate in some form or another. Whether you own, rent or sub-let, your life is impacted by real estate and the professionals or individuals that sell, manage or own it.
With that in mind, it would make sense that you just might b...
October 07, 2009
Now that long hot summer is over, it's time to reset the thermostat. While there are still plenty of warm days ahead--one of the great things about living in Austin--we hopefully won't be breaking any heat records. Cooler weather means resetting the thermostat, which saves both energy and money.
...
October 07, 2009
Mortgage Rates Fell yet again this week. The 30 year fell from 5.04 to 4.94. This marks the 5th week in a row where mortgage rates have either fallen or held steady. For the most part rates have been slowly falling. In fact this week accounts for half of the total fall in the last five weeks. S...
September 30, 2009
While Congress debates healthcare reform, there is no debating the results of recent studies on Americans' health. In the last few weeks studies have shown that Americans are not living as long as they should be, our health continues to be undermined by our bad habits and new cases of Alzheimer's a...
September 30, 2009
Foreclosure City has created the perfect storm in many major cities in the U.S. - the perfect storm for investors to find great real estate deals, that is.
Large inventories, low interest rates and homeowners hungry to sell all make certain cities ideal for picking an affordable home or two. Bef...
September 30, 2009
Marshalls are preparing to put Madoff's mansions on the market, and victims of his ponzi scheme are hoping to cash in big time. Based on court records, the FBI is revving up to sell an estimated $30 million in real estate and property, all of which will go to his victims. The three homes on the wa...
September 30, 2009
Mortgage rates remained steady this week. The 30 year again was at 5.04 which is a low for the summer. The other mortgage products remained relatively stable this week except for the 1 year arm which fell from 4.58 to 4.52. Below are rates for the last few weeks. As we can see overall for the l...
September 22, 2009
Mortgage rates have now dropped for 3 weeks in a row. We are not seeing a lot of movement. 30 year rates have only dropped from 5.14 to 5.04 in the last 3 weeks. What is interesting is that rates are dropping at all. Most of the news have focused on how inflation is pending for the US because of...
September 22, 2009
News articles throughout the U.S. headline stories about indictments for mortgage fraud. Although you may think you could never be scammed, you should think again.
Above-average, intelligent, middle-class professionals have been duped as well as the average Joe. Almost no one is beyond the long...
September 22, 2009
Here are some eye-opening statistics: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, yard trimmings and food waste account for 23 percent of the U.S. waste stream. That means things that break down quite well naturally, like grass clippings and apple cores, are sitting in landfills creating tons...
September 22, 2009
Although the rich and famous are rich and famous, it doesn't mean that they are impervious to the popping of the real estate bubble. Many have succumbed to real estate woes as of late.
Ed McMahon had tabloids a talking when his real estate troubles became front page news last year. The now dece...
September 15, 2009
The Associated Press reported recently that a new government survey indicates that the recession is over. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and analysts across the country say that the economy is showing growth again. However, what no one can predict is how deeply the so called Great Recession...
September 14, 2009
Whether moving across town or across the country, there is no denying that while going into a new home is exciting, it can also be a stressful and time-consuming endeavor. Hiring a moving company to pack, load and unpack on the other end certainly makes things easier, but still requires a certain a...
September 14, 2009
There were some expectations that mortgage rates would fall this week. Instead rates not only did not rise but fell slightly this week. The 30 year rate fell from 5.08 to 5.07 hitting a new low for the summer. The 15 year rate fell from 4.54 to 4.50. The 5 year arm fell from 4.59 to 4.51 while t...
September 14, 2009
The South First Street area has become a vibrant community lately, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists, since it is so densely packed with new establishments and businesses. The area is very unique and quirky; many of the businesses cater to the music industry and other artistic types.
The...
September 07, 2009
Mortgage rates fell again this week reaching a 3 month low. The 30 year mortgage rate is now lower than it was 6 months ago. It's interesting to note that rates are lower than they were ago months ago. Six months ago the rates were more newsworthy because at the time they were all time lows. Si...
September 07, 2009
The Austin Convention Center is a huge, sprawling convention complex in the heart of downtown Austin, and the facility can host just about any gathering, from sports events to conventions, garden shows, car shows, sales of every imaginable kind, and political gatherings, among others. The Center is ...
September 07, 2009
Most of us have them in our homes. They still innocently line the shelves of grocery and home improvement stores by the thousands. But all that will change by the year 2012. As reported by NBC Nightly News recently, Europe is in the process of phasing out incandescent light bulbs and America will...
September 07, 2009
This year has been very dry, so the water is slightly stagnant, and at such times, it is best not to swallow the water or swim with any open cuts, since all too frequently the visiting dogs use the stream for their personal business, but the swimming hole is very family-friendly and many Barton Hill...
August 29, 2009
The recent headlines have trumpeted a rebound in the American housing market. According to the Associated Press, July's 7.2 percent increase in home sales was the biggest month-to-month jump in the last ten years. But before breathing a sigh of relief and checking Zillow for increased home values,...
August 29, 2009
In March of this year, the Obama Administration authorized a new federal program to help stabilize the housing industry. The feds poured a mere $75 billion into the Making Home Affordable (MHA) mortgage program intended to avert further foreclosures, assist responsible home owners in retaining thei...
August 29, 2009
During the Texas Revolution, around the year 1812, Santiago Del Valle made his way to central Texas and settled with his family on a large piece of land granted to him by the Mexican government in the area now known as Del Valle. Del Valle is 7 miles southeast of Austin and the community is currentl...
August 29, 2009
For the most part mortgage rates held steady this week after dropping sharply last week. The 30 year rate rose slightly from 5.12 to 5.14 after dropping from 5.29 the week before. The 15 year rate rose from 4.56 to 4.58. The 1 year arm held steady at 4.69 and the 5 year rate (the only mortgage pr...
August 25, 2009
State and local governments across the nation are gearing up to spend federal stimulus funds. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) birthed the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) that provides federal stimulus dollars to assist neighborhoods hardest hit by the home forecl...
August 25, 2009
Mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest point since May 28, 2009. Whether May 28, 2009 is the summer is open to some debate. The summer solstice usually is considered the technical beginning of summer which occurred on June 21st this year. Some consider Memorial Day the beginning of summer wh...
August 25, 2009
Everyone has felt some of the impact of slumping real estate prices over the past two and a half years, from homeowners trying to tap into shrinking equity to commercial property investors seeing smaller returns and greater vacancies. As 2009 reaches the halfway mark, however, the case for real esta...
August 25, 2009
With real estate vacancies on the rise and new construction having taken a sharp downturn, many cities across the nation are coming up with some clever and creative methods to entice new building construction into their respective areas.
Although home sale numbers may be resurrecting in some citi...
August 14, 2009
News headlines throughout major U.S. cities note record-high commercial vacancies, along with a decrease in the asking price for commercial rental space. As was predicted by several major real estate statisticians earlier this year, the next real estate bubble to burst is commercial properties.
...
August 14, 2009
Mortgage rates rose again this week. This is the third time in the last 4 weeks that mortgage rates have risen. Why are mortgage rates rising? There are numerous factors at play but generally once the economy recovers it's expected that inflation, and mortgage rates, should rise. The last month ...
August 14, 2009
South Lamar has become more and more popular for pedestrians, bicyclists, shoppers, and other visitors, and a stroll down the boulevard can include every imaginable activity and meal or drink. New additions to the "SoLa" scene include the Black Sheep Pub and a couple of other new eateries and pubs, ...
August 14, 2009
Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS) has been used by lenders nationwide to track mortgages via the system's database. Lenders who are members of the program are represented in the enforcement of a promissory note secured by a mortgage. A U.S. Bankruptcy Judge in Nevada ruled earlier thi...
August 08, 2009
From sea to shining sea, lenders struggle with costly mortgage fraud. Although, the fraud itself is not new, a recent FBI report reveals that the numbers are mounting and the methods used by scammers are becoming more, well, creative.
From 2007 to 2008, the FBI's annual report showed that the ...
August 08, 2009
Hutto, Texas is a small community located seven miles east of Round Rock and northeast of Austin, Texas. The current population of Hutto is estimated at around 17k residents, and Hutto has been a very fast-growing city since the construction of State Highway 130, also called the Trans-Texas Corridor...
August 08, 2009
The saying "No news is good news" might be applicable with the recent trend with mortgage rates. For the last 2 or 3 weeks for the most part rates have stayed pretty much unchanged. The reason why this could be considered good news is that the economy and stock market seem to be improving. There ...
August 08, 2009
Clarksville, which is a historic neighborhood in central-west Austin, has a hidden jewel few people know about: the "Dog Park", as it has been known for years. Clarksville is a very eclectic community in the central Austin real estate market, in fact some would say eccentric, but very unique, and th...
August 03, 2009
Although we are not seeing too much movement it looks like mortgage rates are starting to trend upward. It's interesting to note that the stock market had its strongest July in several years. Once the economy has a full recovery there are some predictions that inflation will spike and mortgage rat...
August 03, 2009
Imagine being able to save the environment and the car industry all in one fell swoop. Imagine being able to give that effort a catchy name and get it quickly through Congress, too. "Cash for Clunkers" is the latest inception from the Obama administration to help the struggling economy, the ailing...
August 03, 2009
Austin area home sales are down from a year ago, but prices are holding steady. There are many factors making now a good time to buy: low interest rates, tax incentives for first time buyers and cooperative sellers. As consumers change their spending habits, houses are once again being seen as a l...
August 03, 2009
Innumerous lawsuits are filed in U.S. courts every year. Many are settled out of court for astronomical amounts, others do or don't award the plaintiff at the end of the trial and still others are dismissed for lack of evidence. Making the top five of those filed against U.S. companies are as foll...
July 25, 2009
The Federal Reserve has determined that household net worth--all the things of value a person has like houses and checking accounts--dropped nine percent in the last three months. This is the biggest quarterly decline in over fifty years. Things seem bad for the average American these days, but ni...
July 25, 2009
This is the time of year when Austin's residents head down to Auditorium Shores for a full, Texan Cowboy Breakfast with all the fixings, the prelude to the Star of Texas Rodeo. Every spring, during the first weekend of March, many Austinites head to the shores of Lady Bird Lake to get a belly full o...
July 25, 2009
It's not the Bahamas, but Texas State Parks can offer surprisingly enjoyable getaways for a fantastic price. The Hill Country offers a bevy of beautiful state parks within a two hour drive. Whether it's a day of picnicking and fishing or a full-fledged camping trip, there are over a dozen state pa...
July 25, 2009
The 5 Year arm dropped from 4.83 to 4.74 this week reaching a low for the year. What is interesting is that we have moved back to a normal state when comparing the 4 major mortgage products to each other. Earlier this year the 5 year arm fell below the 30 year fixed rate which is highly unusual. ...
July 18, 2009
There is a provision in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that allows first time home buyers the ability to receive a credit on their taxes of up to $7,500 for purchasing a home. There is also a provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that expands this tax credit...
July 18, 2009
Austin, Texas, is widely known as the "Live Music Capitol of the World", and proudly so. But excellent live music isn't the only thing Austin has to offer. Here are just five of the many reasons to visit the coolest city in Texas.
1. Live Music
From dive bars and clubs to honky-tonks and Austin ...
July 18, 2009
The small city of Blanco, Texas is frequently referred to as both the Gateway to the Hill Country and the Lavender Capital of Texas, and with such colorful descriptions, the town is sure to be a pleasant place to visit or settle down. Blanco is 45 miles west of Austin and about 45 miles northwest of...
July 18, 2009
Mortgage rates continue to fall this week. The 30 year rate fell from 5.32 to 5.20. While this is not lower than the rates we saw a few months ago this is lower than any recorded rate before the start of 2009. The 15 year rate fell as well dropping from 4.69 to 4.63. In the last 5 weeks rates ha...
July 11, 2009
As the worst recession since World War II closes in on the two year mark, less people are losing their jobs, but unemployment is still rising. People who do have jobs are working fewer hours for less pay. According to the Associated Press, the national unemployment rate is 9.5 percent, the highest...
July 11, 2009
Under the canopy of trees seen from the highways and just out of sight along the busy streets are some of Austin's hidden treasures, and the city is about to add another one. This fall ground will be broken for phase 1 of a new hike and bike trail to be called the Walk for a Day trail. This approx...
July 11, 2009
Spring is the perfect time of year to discover the small city of Burnet, Texas, which was named the Bluebonnet Capital of Texas by the 67th legislature. The small city is 48 miles northwest of Austin and one mile west of the divide between the Colorado and Brazos River watersheds, in the hills of ce...
July 11, 2009
The 30 year mortgage rate fell from 5.32 to 5.20 this week. This marks the fourth week in a row where the 30 year rate has fallen. The rate is not at the all time lows we saw earlier this year. To put it in perspective that 30 year mortgage rate is currently 5.20 and the most recent high was 5.59...
July 04, 2009
The Hancock Neighborhood of North Central Austin is a historic area just north of the University of Texas Campus and downtown Austin. The Hancock Neighborhood is very close to historic Hyde Park, and some of the streets and borders of the two neighborhoods overlap or are adjacent to each other. The ...
July 04, 2009
Austin takes its trees pretty seriously. This spring the Austin City Council considered rules for how developers can both treat existing trees on a property and quotas for planting future trees. This effort comes through the city's Watershed Protection Department and would represent the first majo...
July 04, 2009
It may seem a little crazy to go hiking in the hot Texas summer, but if you can stand the heat the summer months can be a perfect time to visit an iconic Austin spot without any crowds. Even though it is 780 feet above sea level, the climb up to the top of Mount Bonnell is not a serious hike, espec...
July 04, 2009
Mortgage Rates fell this week with the 30 year rate dropping from 5.42 to 5.32. They have fallen .27 points from their recent high of 5.59 reached on June 11, 2009. Rates are still up from the all time low of 4.78 they reached on April 30, 2009. Except for the 1 year arm the other major rates dro...
June 27, 2009
Perhaps it's all those years of summer vacations from school, or maybe the heat just makes it harder to focus on work. Whatever it is, there seems to be an inherent need to have some fun during the summer months. Here are some ideas for having an entertaining Austin summer without blowing the budg...
June 27, 2009
After falling from 5.59 to 5.38 the previous week it looks like mortgage rates for the most part held steady this week. Of the four major mortgage products two fell and two rose. But for all four the movement was minimal. Thirty year mortgage rates rose from 5.38 to 5.42 and the 5 year arm rose f...
June 27, 2009
The national savings rate is up to a 15-year high and more Americans are getting serious about getting out of debt, rather than spending beyond their means. When staring down a pile of debt that includes mortgage, credit cards and school loans, the question becomes: Where to begin?
One way to pa...
June 19, 2009
Somewhere, somehow 600,000 jobs are going to be created and/or saved by the end of summer. In fact, the White House announced recently that 150,000 jobs have been saved in the last few months. Maybe it was yours; maybe it was mine. The problem is that all this job saving is a little difficult to ...
June 19, 2009
Your bedroom should be a reflection of coziness and comfort, which can mean a variety of things based upon preference and style. People also want bedrooms to be crisp and clean, as a general rule, in addition to coziness. One way to marry the two concepts is to focus on the lines of the room and e...
June 19, 2009
Austin is a big, beautiful city; there is no doubt about that. But, there are several small towns within 50 miles of Austin that are filled with charm and beauty. Whether you want to get out of the city for a weekend or move to a smaller town.
Smithville is a small town in Bastrop County, about...
June 19, 2009
So for the previous two weeks we saw sizable gains in mortgage rates. Between May 28th and June 11th 30 year mortgage rates jumped from 4.91 to 5.59. This week we saw rates drop down to 5.38. Although we are still above what we were at two weeks ago it's nice to see mortgage rates moving back dow...
June 12, 2009
Last week mortgage rates moved up rapidly, moving up from 4.91 to 5.29. This week mortgage rates again jumped up .3 points going from 5.29 to 5.59. On May 21st rates were sitting at 4.82 which was a 40 year low. Now just a few weeks later rates are at 5.59. This is the highest we have seen rates...
June 12, 2009
It is hard to imagine Sixth Street as anything other than the bar-lined street which has attracted bar-hopping young people for decades. But Pecan Street, as it was originally named, got its start in the 1800s as the main thoroughfare into town for farmers and others going into the city for reasons...
June 12, 2009
If a trip to visit the famous vineyards of Napa Valley, California isn't in the budget this summer, try a scenic drive through some local wine country. Central Texas offers a number of locally produced wines, from the nationally recognized to smaller family owned operations.
A trip down Highway ...
June 12, 2009
Is the recession near the end? Is the American economy on its way to recovery? The answer is probably yes. That's good news, right? Not so fast, say some economic analysts. And they mean, literally, that the stock market may be rebounding a little too quickly.
According to a recent report at...
June 04, 2009
A bill will soon become law that curtails certain practices of the credit card companies. The irony is that banks were told this month to raise more capital, then Congress decides to impede one of the banking industries more lucrative businesses. That is not to say that banks should be allowed to ...
June 04, 2009
While the Austin City Council is not giving home sellers a break this year, the federal government is coming through with some tax breaks for the energy-conscious homeowner. For 2009 only, homeowners can get certain tax credits for making energy efficient improvements on a primary residence.
Wha...
June 04, 2009
Nowadays people are spending upwards of $10,000 on a total bathroom remodel. Homeowners are opting for more spacious and ornate bathrooms complete with natural stone floors and multiple showerheads. But, if your budget can't quite handle the expense of a jetted tub or marble shower, there are plenty...
June 04, 2009
Mortgage Rates spiked up this week. The 30 year rate jumped from 4.91 to 5.29. This is the highest we have seen mortgage rates all year. Last week mortgage rates moved from 4.82 to 4.91 last week. What is interesting is that in two weeks mortgage rates have moved from near all time lows (the all...
May 27, 2009
The term "cap-and-trade" is heard a lot these days when discussing global warming and environmental policy. What exactly is cap-and-trade? Well, it's the government giving companies an allowance (the cap) on pollution by setting CO2 emission standards. Companies that stay under the cap can sell (...
May 27, 2009
"We said that big banks can no longer take advantage of hardworking Americans," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said of the recent legislation that will restrict rate hikes and late fees charged by credit card companies. But some out there argue that credit card holders are just as culpa...
May 27, 2009
Sun City is a retirement community located in Georgetown. It is not the normal retirement home or community. This community offers its residents small town charm, but just minutes from Austin. Sun City was also recently named one of the nations top retirement communities by Retirement Places Rate...
May 27, 2009
There was not much movement in most of the major mortgage products this week. The 30 year rate dropped from 4.86 to 4.82. This is only slightly above the 4.78 all time low that was reached a few weeks ago. The 15 year rate dropped from 4.52 to 4.50. There was some interesting movement with the 5...
May 21, 2009
These days it seems like bank is a four-letter word and bonus-getting bankers are bad guys, as evil as any comic book villain. All the hullaballoo about the banks passing the government "stress test" makes the average American want to say, "Who cares?"
Well, unfortunately we all have a stake the...
May 21, 2009
If Abraham Lincoln's house can go green, anyone's can. President Lincoln's Cottage, his family's summer retreat during the Civil War, has been completely renovated during preparation for the compound just a few miles from the White House to be opened as a national monument. But it wasn't done as j...
May 21, 2009
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke predicted that the economy will improve before the end of 2009, but the country just might not notice it. Bernanke recently told Congress that he believes the economy is nearing the bottom and will start a gradual rise by the end of this year. According to the...
May 21, 2009
Mortgage rates rose slightly this week. The lowest rates we have seen in the last 50 years came just 2 weeks ago when 30 year mortgage rates hit 4.78. Since then rates have risen slightly to 4.86. Although off of record lows mortgage rates are still very low by historical standards. The 15 year ...
May 14, 2009
Curb appeal is the equivalent to your perceived first impression. If you were a salesman, would it be advisable to give a "dead fish" handshake to a brand new customer? Absolutely not- the same goes for your home. You want potential buyers to be ready to get out of the car and look inside your ho...
May 14, 2009
Hidden in the midst of the hike and bike trails that lead through Zilker Park is an Austin jewel: the Austin Science and Nature Center. The nature center offers many educational and interesting features, including interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, science trails with recorded information at e...
May 08, 2009
Campaign posters and early voting signs have proliferated along the roads like wildflowers lately as Austin prepares to elect a new mayor and city council. Voter turnout for municipal elections across the country is typically low and Austin is no exception. Despite being known as a city for politi...
May 08, 2009
Probate is a term that you've probably heard before in passing when someone has lost a loved one. Although, the term may be familiar, the actual process that applies may be unfamiliar. There is a lot of detail to the mystery of the probate process; however, it is not so difficult that the average ...
May 08, 2009
After moving down for the last 3 weeks mortgage rates finally started to move up. The 30 year rate jumped from 4.78 (equaling the all time low) to 4.84. This is the highest the 30 year rate has been since April 9th. The other 3 major mortgage rates rose this week as well. The 15 year rate moved...
May 02, 2009
Some creative accounting, a Congress reluctant to offer any more help and the "stress test results" may squash a big comeback by the banking industry. The stock market is bouncing up and down as investors seem jittery about the banking industry, despite several major banks reporting first-quarter p...
May 02, 2009
Texans have been doing it for centuries; camping! There is nothing like the great outdoors, wide open spaces, camp fire, tent, roasting marshmallows.
Camping can be the time of your life, or it can be a nightmare; especially in the Texas heat.
Don't get discouraged, or let the Texas heat keep y...
May 02, 2009
The "Pecan Street Festival" has been a part of Austin for 31 years. The festival hosts over 250 arts and crafts venders, musical and performing artists. There are also art classes, dance classes, a scholarship competition, a petting zoo and a carnival.
The Pecan Street festival is scheduled f...
May 01, 2009
The 30 year mortgage rate hit its all time low this week falling from 4.80 to 4.78. This matches the previous all time low that was reached just a few weeks ago on April 2, 2009. For the last month mortgage rates have been hovering a little below 5 percent. The 15 year fixed mortgage rate held st...
April 27, 2009
Estate planning empowers you and your family to carry out your wishes during and after your death. There are a lot of steps in the process to complete an estate plan. Before you do anything, though, you need to determine who you want to get what from your estate, and who will handle all those matt...
April 27, 2009
The Austin area added about 3,300 jobs between March 2008 and March 2009, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. That's the good news. The bad news is that the local unemployment rate has gone from 3.8 percent in March 2008 to 6.2 percent this past March. Austin is not immune to the recessio...
April 27, 2009
Summer is just around the corner and school will soon be out for summer vacation. Many Americans will be planning vacations and things to do with their families. If you are one of the millions facing a tight budget, don't despair, there are affordable things to do with your family this summer.
...
April 27, 2009
Mortgage rates moved down slightly this week. Even though rates didn't move much this week we are still sitting just a hair above all time lows thanks to the drop from last week. This week the 30 year rate dropped from 4.82 to 4.80. The all time low was reached earlier this month when 30 year rat...
April 20, 2009
A short sale is when a lender agrees to take less than the principle due on your home to release you from the debt obligation. In today's real estate market, many cities are experiencing financial hardship. Financial hardship leads to bankruptcy and foreclosure. Bankruptcy and foreclosure often l...
April 20, 2009
Have you done all you can to settle your debts, but do not have enough income to cover all the debts? Maybe you lost your job, like 90% of the most other individuals who file for bankruptcy. The creditors keep coming at you for collection. They call day and night. One has even begun court procee...
April 20, 2009
There are some conspicuous gaps along the store fronts of South Congress Avenue. Looking for Loft Furniture or Cowboy Cool on Second Street? Both these shops have closed in recent months. Thinking of stopping into long-time clothing shop Flipnotics on Barton Springs Road? Think again.
America...
April 20, 2009
Mortgage rates dropped this week from 4.87 to 4.82. They did not drop below the all time low of 4.78 that they hit two weeks ago. For the last month, for the most part, we have not seen a lot of movement and instead have just seen the 30 year mortgage rate just bouncing around near all time lows. ...
April 15, 2009
Is the glass half full or half empty? Or maybe that analogy doesn't work in this economy because people really just want to know if we've reached the bottom of this bitter drink of bad banks, busted housing markets and layoffs. The answer seems as hard to come by as a good analogy.
However, th...
April 15, 2009
Today's homeowners have a myriad of options to choose from when it comes to pool selection. The above ground pool remains one of the cheapest construction options available and one of the easiest to build, but it also remains one of the less durable designs and over the years has become less attrac...
April 15, 2009
There is a large research facility in northwest Austin that is part of the University of Texas System called the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, and the site is nine miles north of the main U.T. campus just north of the Domain. This facility is on the cutting edge of new technology but not very well-kn...
April 15, 2009
Just because the economy has tanked and has put Americans on tight budgets, does not mean that you can't entertain your family. You just need to know how to do it on a tighter budget. Here are a few tips on how to keep your family happy and still have fun, even if you are trying to save a few buck...
April 10, 2009
When the rain starts to fall, the downspouts are there to whisk away the threat of leaks and damage to your home. They provide a fundamental service to your home that can minimize the risk of damage to basements, crawl spaces and even foundation shifts. Faulty gutter and drainage systems can also ...
April 09, 2009
Last week mortgage rates hit all time lows with the 30 year mortgage rate reaching 4.78. This week the 30 year rates moved up a little to 4.87. While this is a decent one week rise we are looking at rates that are probably still in the bottom 10 for all time lowest rates. The only other viable mo...
April 09, 2009
Sadler believes Texas is at a crucial crossroad right now when it comes to wind energy. Texas has ample wind resources, as well as lawmakers willing to craft new energy policies in regard to harvesting the potential of wind energy. Combine all this with the Obama administration's stimulus package ...
April 09, 2009
Now that America is deeply into the business of bailing out banks and big companies, it may be pointless to ponder the feasibility of it. But as Associated Press reporters put it in a recent article, "What if the government got out of the bailout business?" All those outraged Americans who picket ...
April 05, 2009
The stock market rally has many economists hopeful that the end of the recession is near, but the recent unemployment numbers may have dashed those hopes. According to Associated Press reports, the nation's unemployment rate jumped to 8.5 percent in March, the highest in 26 years. "It's an ugly re...
April 05, 2009
Summer is the perfect time to combine your green thumb with a green lifestyle. We've all heard about going green at work and at home, but did you know that you can go green in your yard too?
Home owners can save time, money and improve the appearance and the health of their lawn and garden.
...
April 05, 2009
It is getting harder and harder to makes ends meet these days, especially with our economy in the state that it is in. Families are cutting their spending in as many places as they can whether it is planning a less expensive vacation, not going on vacation or just simply cutting back on everything....
April 05, 2009
Mortgage Rates were already at all time lows last week. This week they fell further. The 30 year rate fell from 4.85 to 4.78. The 15 year rate fell as well going from 4.58 to 4.52. The difference between the 30 year fixed and the 15 year fixed is the smallest it has been in some time. Since th...
March 28, 2009
The term "toxic assets" is tossed around quite a bit these days, especially now that the Treasury Department has announced plans to buy up U.S. banks' bad assets to the tune of $1 trillion dollars (more on that in a minute). Terms like toxic assets have become common place, like the terms mortgage ...
March 28, 2009
Yes, it is a buyers market these days, but a recession can make finding a home and getting a loan a little trickier. Home inventories are down, but so are prices and mortgage rates. Navigating the perks and pitfalls of buying a home in these financially uncertain times can take a little finesse.
...
March 28, 2009
Following the release of the government's plan to buy toxic debt from banks mortgage rates fell to new all time lows. The 30 year rate fell from 4.98 to 4.85 this week. This is .11 points below the previous all time low of 4.96 that was reached on January 15, 2009. Below are the 7 lowest rates on...
March 24, 2009
It seems Texas has arrived to the recession fashionably late, the question now is how long will we stay? The current economic woes began to be felt in some parts of the nation at the end of 2007, the official beginning of this recession. Texas began to feel the squeeze at the end of 2008, a full y...
March 24, 2009
You have worked hard to maintain your home and ensure that repairs were completed. It's not been that long since everything received a fresh coat of paint and everything else appears to be in good shape ... but is it, really?!
Use the checklist below to ensure that you are ready to sell your hom...
March 24, 2009
One of the most interesting and beautiful places to visit in the Austin area is called Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, which is located near Zilker Park on Robert E. Lee in southwest-central Austin, across from the softball fields and Barton Springs. Umlauf Garden and Museum was named for conte...
March 24, 2009
30 year mortgage rates dropped below 5% for the second time this year. It was also the second lowest rates posted by Freddie Mac in the last 40 years (the lowest being 4 weeks ago). Rates hit 4.98 this week close to the all time low of 4.96 that was reached on January 15, 2009. The other major mo...
March 20, 2009
CNN's Ali Velshi and Erica Fink recently did a comparison of what they considered to be five key measures of the economy. Using what they call the "CNN Real Feel Economic Index," they looked at jobs, personal income, personal savings, industrial production, and home prices.
According to Velshi a...
March 20, 2009
Austin has a plethora of Irish-themed restaurants and pubs, and the yearly St. Patrick's Day celebrations at most of them are sure to bring a twinkle to your eye and a bounce to your step!
Fado and Mother Egan's are two popular Irish pubs that promise authentic cuisine and various other Irish-t...
March 20, 2009
Summer is quickly approaching and school will soon be out. Many families are trying to find an affordable vacation or decide if they can afford a vacation.
Just because our economy is slipping does not mean your family will have to go without a family vacation this year. Here are a few tips a...
March 15, 2009
President Obama signed the $410 billion federal budget this week, calling the bill "imperfect" for the billions in earmarks it included. Earmarks, those expensive pet-projects of lawmakers that get tucked into big bills, are something Obama promised to do away with during his campaign for the presi...
March 15, 2009
With spring just around the corner, many Texans will be getting spring fever and will begin to til the land preparing for a garden. Having a garden is not only fun, it can be handy during hard economic times.
Growing your own vegetables and fruits not only cost less, but they taste much better...
March 15, 2009
30 Year Mortgage Rates dropped from 5.15 to 5.03. With the exception of the weeks of January 8th, 2009 and January 15th 2009 this is the lowest rates have been in over 40 years. The other 3 major mortgage products dropped as well with 15 year arms moving down from 4.72 to 4.64, 5 year arms going f...
March 15, 2009
There's an old television program that aired in the 1960's called Hogan's Heroes. Sgt. Schultz (John Banner) was one of the main characters. His constant exclamation throughout his tenure on this show was, "I know nothing!" Is that where you are in regards to how to buy a home without a down paym...
March 09, 2009
Mortgage Rates moved up slightly this week. The 30 year rate moved up the most going from 5.07 to 5.15. The other three major mortgage products (15 year fixed, 5 year ARM and 1 year ARM) all moved up less the .05 points. What is interesting is this makes the other mortgage products all more viabl...
March 09, 2009
With the global economy struggling to stabilize and millions of people losing their jobs, the overall outlook of many Americans and people around the world has taken a bit of a nose dive. This isn't surprising, as loss of income obviously leads to increased stress, which can cause a whole host of me...
March 09, 2009
Believe it or not, the first thing a potential buyer looks at in a home is the outside. If they do not like what they see, more than likely they are not going to consider looking on the inside or even purchasing the home.
Most buyers cannot or will not visualize changes, so it is up to the home ...
March 09, 2009
There has been talk in recent weeks about the possibility of the U.S. government nationalizing some struggling banks, like Bank of America or Citigroup. While Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said that is not the government's plan, political pundits and economic analysts aren't so sure.
...
March 03, 2009
Mortgage rates held even this week. For a recent history of rates we saw rates reach an all time low of 4.96 on January 15th. After that rates jumped up to 5.25 on February 5th. Since then rates have come down. 30 year rates are now at 5.07 so just a little above their previous lows. We have ra...
March 03, 2009
Refinancing your home is likened to buying your home again but homeowners often choose to do so when the option of a lower interest rate is available. Refinancing can also help you build equity faster. When contemplating whether or not to refinance, it is important to compare the interest rates of...
March 03, 2009
What makes a neighborhood walkable? Streets and roads that are accessible for everyone; and have wheelchair ramps, lots of benches with shade and sidewalks on all streets.
Walkable neighborhoods have well designed streets that everyone can use, including bicyclists, pedestrians of all ages and ...
March 03, 2009
Okay, so, the economy's down and you're feeling down because of it. You had planned on putting your home up for sale by now. You're discouraged, though, because on your street alone you see three other homes for sale. How can you compete, you wonder, with so many other homes on the market?
Don't...
February 27, 2009
$787 billion is a nearly unfathomable number. What does it really mean and where it all that money going? According to the official American Recovery and Reinvestment Act website (www.recovery.gov), the money is broken down in the following manner:
$288 billion - Tax relief
$144 billion - Stat...
February 26, 2009
The best place to start in making your yard more eco-friendly is to rethink the landscaping. The good news is that spring is just around the corner and rethinking your landscaping at this time means you don't have to sacrifice the attractiveness of your lawn. The first step of rethinking your lawn...
February 26, 2009
With spring break just a few weeks away, families are planning their vacations. Since the economy is not very stable, many families are planning their spring break close to home.
San Antonio is the number one vacation spot in Texas. The city has many things to do and see. The Alamo, river walk...
February 21, 2009
Mortgage rates fell for the second week in a row. 30 year rates fell to a 40 year low to start the year dropping down to 4.96 on January 15th. After that rates rose up to 5.25. Now rates have fallen back to almost reach their previous lows. In fact this is the lowest rates have been in 40 year w...
February 21, 2009
While foreclosure is the last thing a homeowner wants to face, it is an unfortunate reality of our current economic environment. However, by understanding what leads to foreclosure and the process that ensues, you may be in a better situation to act and avoid problems. The United States Department ...
February 21, 2009
Colorado has stegosaurus and Wyoming has triceratops. And for the last eleven years the official Texas state dinosaur was the pleurocoelus, a 20 ton plant-eater. But last month, State Rep. Charles Geren of Fort Worth filed a resolution to change the name from pleurocoelus to paluxysaurus jonesi.
...
February 21, 2009
Maybe it was the stern talking to they took from Congress this past week that put the big banks into a charitable mood. J.P. Morgan Chase, Citigroup and Bank of America have all agreed to freeze foreclosures while the Obama administration works out plans to help bolster the floundering housing mark...
February 16, 2009
Mortgage rates came down a little this week. We are still not back down to the levels we saw two weeks ago. 30 year rates fell from 5.25 to 5.16. This is a little higher than the 5.10 we saw two weeks ago and .2 points higher than the 4.96 we saw 4 weeks ago. But to put this all in perspective i...
February 16, 2009
Every Saturday morning Austinites gather in two different places for one purpose: to buy fresh, locally grown produce and specially made treats. Shopping at the grocery store these days can be a joyless experience. Prices seem to change on a weekly basis. Customers seem humorless and determined a...
February 16, 2009
Is the worst still to come? That is the $789 billion dollar question. Or in the case of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, the 2.5 trillion dollar question. Despite Congress getting ready to vote on the stimulus bill compromise, the Treasury Department getting back to work on the banking system...
February 16, 2009
According to burglary experts Matt Johnston and Jon Douglas Rainey, hosts of It Takes a Thief, most homes are cased from the outside. Seasoned thieves know what to look for and focus on being able to get in and out of a home quickly, quietly and without being seen. There are a variety of affordable ...
February 12, 2009
Ever wonder why so many restaurants paint their walls red? Or why hospitals stereotypically have drab shades of tan or green? Whether we realize it or not, everyone reacts to color in a psychological and physiological way. And while not everyone reacts exactly the same, some generalized understandi...
February 12, 2009
Director Mike Judge, along with many of the cast members, descended on Austin this weekend for the 10th Anniversary showing of their cult-classic late nineties workplace comedy, "Office Space" Austin's own historic Paramount Theater played host to the movie mogul and his cast members including just ...
February 12, 2009
The much anticipated speech was given; it was the details that were missing. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was expected in his speech this week to give the nitty gitty particulars about how the Obama administration will spend the rest of the money from the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act...
February 07, 2009
The luxury jet Citigroup wanted to purchase made the news, as did the $35,000 commode and billions in bonuses credited to Merrill Lynch CEO, John Thain. What is less clear is exactly what effect the nearly $350 billion in bailout funds rushed into the banking system last October has had on the econ...
February 07, 2009
Recent headlines suggest that home sales could be on the rise in some parts of the country, particularly in the South and Midwest. While analyst are being cautious not to sound too optimistic, the number of pending sales in December was up 6.3 percent according to the National Association of Realto...
February 07, 2009
South by Southwest; it is an Austin thing! It all started back in 1987 as "Austin Battle of the Bands, SXSW." Austin has been the home of this festival that showcases musicians, film makers and media from all over the country. SXSW is one of the largest music festivals in the United States. This ...
February 07, 2009
After falling for the last 2 months 30 year mortgage rates jumped up this week. The 30 year mortgage went from 5.10 to 5.25. This is the highest we have seen December 11, 2008. The 15 year mortgage moved up as well from 4.80 to 4.92. Below are rates for the last few weeks.
Feb 05, 2008
30-y...
February 03, 2009
The Austin Friends of Traditional Music promise to erase our winter duldrums with this year's Mid-Winter Festival. The festival includes an impressive performance roster as well as workshops in Irish fiddle, Appalachian clogging, bluegrass vocal harmonies, jug band music, and more.
The festiva...
February 03, 2009
It is easy to drive right by the entrance to Travis Country on Southwest Parkway. The well-maintained sign bearing the image of the Alamo hero William Barrett Travis on the edge of Republic of Texas Drive is unobtrusive. Those zooming west on the parkway after exiting Mopac don't know that they ar...
February 03, 2009
Each year on February 14th candy and cards, gifts and flowers are exchanged between loved ones. Who was Saint Valentine, and why do we celebrate this day? It has always been a mystery, but February has always been a month for love and romance.
Valentines Day as we know it, contains a visible ...
January 30, 2009
What makes one home sale go quickly while other homes linger on the market for months? The answer is usually price. Determining a home's worth is a tough question these days. For many, it is difficult to reconcile what their home is worth today versus what it was valued at just two years ago. How...
January 30, 2009
As Valentine's Day fast approaches, anxious paramours turn their attention to how best to express their affection. And of course, the preferred language for this expression is chocolate. Locating the perfect chocolate in Austin, Texas isn't actually as arduous as you might imagine. And if the city...
January 30, 2009
Just 45 minutes from Austin, nestled in the heart of Texas, is the Horseshoe Bay Resort. The resort is a "members only" resort, but guests of Horseshoe Bay Marriott and The Waters at Horseshoe Bay receive a temporary membership allowing visitors access to all the wonderful amenities during their st...
January 30, 2009
Mortgage rates for the most part held steady this week. The 30 year rate dropped from 5.12 to 5.10. Rates are still at historic lows. The rates for the last month have all been below anything we have seen in the last 40 years since we started tracking weekly mortgage rates. The 15 year rate held...
January 26, 2009
Standing on South Congress Avenue on a Saturday afternoon it doesn't look like the country is experiencing a deep recession. The shoppers streaming in and out of places like Uncommon Objects and Cici's Market don't come out empty-handed. There is not a parking place or bare spot on the sidewalk to...
January 26, 2009
Located just 47 miles northwest of Austin, Marble Falls is in the middle of the Highland Lakes area, the largest chain of lakes in Texas which are Lake Marble Falls, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis. With a population of 7,200 it is a beautiful little town.
Surrounded by ro...
January 26, 2009
Deep in the heart of Texas, in the middle of the Hill Country, is the quaint little German community of Fredericksburg. With a population of just under 10,000, this town is one of the most visited in the Hill Country.
With beautiful rolling hills, blooming flowers, antiques and bed and breakfast...
January 26, 2009
All good things must come to an end. After 12 weeks of falling rates interest rates went up this week. The 30 year rate went back above 5 jumping from 4.96 to 5.12. Below are rates from the last few weeks and October 30 which was when rates first started to fall.
Jan 22, 2008
30-yr 5.12 15-y...
January 22, 2009
San Marcos is known as the "gateway to the hill country." It is a beautiful community that has a lot to offer its visitors as well as its residents. Located on Interstate 35 just about an hour south of Austin, San Marcos is easily accessed.
San Marcos is the home of Texas State University, wh...
January 22, 2009
Over 2 million people are expected to be in Washington D.C. to watch in person as the 44th President of the United States is sworn in on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. If the bone chilling weather doesn't keep the crowds down, it will be the most people ever to attend a presidential inauguration. That,...
January 22, 2009
Two lovely neighborhoods can be found in Austin just north of 35th Street and west of MoPac Blvd., called jointly the Highland Park-West Balcones neighborhood, as they are usually considered to be one residential area now. The other two boundaries are Mount Bonnell Road and R.R. 2222, with Bull Cree...
January 17, 2009
On these cold January mornings the warm pursuits of summer seem very far away. It may not be pool weather yet, but January is the perfect month to start gardening. With a little planning now and a small amount of monthly yard maintenance, this summer can yield an enjoyable array of flowers and veg...
January 17, 2009
Just north of San Marcos, on R.M. 12 sits the beautiful picturesque little village of Wimberley, Texas. With a population just over 5,000 this little village is the perfect spot to retire or visit.
Wimberley is an old town, established in the 1800's and has lots of interesting history. Wimber...
January 17, 2009
"The Gateway to the Texas Hill Country," Dripping Springs has rolling hills, rock bottom creeks, and beautiful wild life. Dripping Springs is located about 30 miles west of Austin on Highway 290. It is a quite little town of about 1,500 people.
Dripping Springs was named after a natural spring,...
January 17, 2009
This is getting just ridiculous. This is now the 12th week in a row where mortgage rates have fallen. Ok one small caveat to that this is the 12th week where the 30 year mortgage rate has fallen. But in the current environment the 30 year mortgage rate is almost the only mortgage product that mat...
January 14, 2009
Chances are you've made some new resolutions to start the New Year with. If you are like most Americans, you will probably break those resolutions before the end of the month!
Here are a few tips on how to keep those resolutions and make the New Year a success!
1. Be realistic. The best w...
January 14, 2009
Bastrop is a wonderful "little" city to live in. Nestled in the middle of the "Lost Pines" it makes a beautiful place to live and it is convenient to Austin- Bergstrom Airport, Austin and is growing by leaps and bounds! Since 2000, the population has jumped by more than 42% and the cost of living ...
January 14, 2009
Oil, like cotton or coffee, is traded on the commodities future market, usually having minimal effect on the average American. This type of trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange was started more than a century ago as a way for farmers to determine the future worth of unharvested crops. But th...
January 10, 2009
The outlook is grim and the solution is costly. President-elect Barack Obama didn't have much in the way of positive news to give on the American economy in his recent speech at George Mason University. "In short, a bad situation could become dramatically worse," he said as he outlined the numbers...
January 10, 2009
Located in the northern extremes of Austin, the Wells Branch neighborhood is a vibrant community established in 1982. The residential area is quiet and serene, while being in close proximity to the crown jewel of North Austin - the new Domain shopping center. Wells Branch Parkway is one of the main...
January 10, 2009
The holiday cheer has been packed away for another year and now it's back to the daily grind. Everyone is resolute to watch the waistline and the wallet, none of which sounds like much fun. Here's a quick guide to entertaining, inexpensive monthly outings in Austin to spread a little cheer through...
January 10, 2009
This is now the 11th week in a row where 30 mortgage rates have fallen. It also marks the 4th week where mortgage rates have hit new 40 year record lows. In this market the 30 year mortgage product has become by far the most used mortgage product. This is because the other mortgage rates offer ra...
January 05, 2009
Making a bold, life-changing resolution always sounds good on January 1, but is often hard to keep as the year goes on. Goals made just a few days ago, on New Year's Eve, may already feel a little daunting. Sprinkling those promises made to oneself with a little moderation may help bring them down ...
January 05, 2009
There is always somewhere interesting to visit in and around the Austin area. If you are looking for a day trip somewhere nearby to entertain your family, then Austin and the surrounding area is the place to be!
Inner Space Caverns
Just up the road in Georgeto...
January 05, 2009
So rates fell slightly this week. This marks the 10th week in a row rates have fallen. This is also the 3rd week where the the 30 year mortgage rate (the most popular mortgage product) has hit new 30 year lows. The 30 year rate fell from 5.14 to 5.10. The 5 year arm rose from 5.49 to 5.57. As l...
December 31, 2008
Historically speaking, the answer to the rent or buy question is that usually it's smarter to buy a house. These are not usual times. The true answer to that question, of course, depends on the individual situation. There are some factors to consider when making this important decision.
Some...
December 31, 2008
One of Austin's most elite neighborhoods lies just west of Mopac, in the heart of Austin. Bordered by Lake Austin to the west, Mopac to the east, Lake Austin Boulevard to the south and 35th street to the north, the Tarrytown neighborhood holds some of the most desirable homes in the Austin real est...
December 31, 2008
Cascade Caverns is the only cavern in Texas that has a 100 foot underground waterfall, and it is in our own back yard! Located in the hill country, in a little town named Boerne, take exit #543 off of Interstate Highway 10 to Cascade Caverns Road, just minutes from San Antonio.
This cavern is an...
December 27, 2008
What once was an airport is now an inner city place to live and work. The Robert Mueller airport opened for business in 1936. It served Austin and surrounding cities for 63 years before being closed down.
With Austin continuously growing, it was only logical to develop Mueller into something ...
December 27, 2008
Here are some simple ideas for decorating and gifts that should help you glide into an enjoyable holiday.
Effortless touches can look extravagant without much fuss. Tea lights put into clean jars and bottles with colorful ribbon tied around the top can make a lovely and inexpensive table centerp...
December 27, 2008
Mortgage Rates fell again this week. This is the ninth week in a row were rates have fallen. Last week mortgage rates were already at 50 year lows. The 30 Year mortgage rate fell from 5.19 to 5.14. This is not a huge fall. The significant point this week is that they basically stayed down at hi...
December 21, 2008
Mortgage rates are down to rates we have no seen in 50 years. Since the early 1970s when we have good data for mortgage rates these are the lowest rates we have seen.
1) December 2008 5.19
2) June 2003 5.23
3) March 2004 5.45
4) May 2003 5.48
Before this rates were at current levels in the...
December 21, 2008
In our economy it is a fact that many children and families will do without this year. It is a sad fact, but there is something that can be done. Donating to a local charity is a way to help a family in need this Christmas season.
Goodwill
You are hel...
December 21, 2008
The economic news continues to herald even more horrible times up ahead. If only January were here, already! If President-elect Barack Obama manages to pull off the public works improvements he is proposing, maybe blue skies are on the horizon.
On January 6, Obama laid out his expansive plan ...
December 16, 2008
Foreclosure, a word rarely heard in the media before 2007, is now a term used almost daily in the news. Millions of Americans are losing their homes as the country falls deeper into recession. The bailout enacted by congress in October has done little to stop the flow of foreclosures, which are up ...
December 16, 2008
Leander is the name of one of the small communities in the northwestern area of central Texas near Lake Travis and the Highland Lakes. Leander was actually originally called Bagdad, and it was established on July 17th, 1882. The community was first established around 1845 after the original settlers...
December 16, 2008
The holidays are a time for celebration, but it can be a stressful time, too. Decking the halls and all the other preparations for the festivities can start to feel less than jolly. Take a little break this season from the gift buying and tree decorating to enjoy some local holiday merriment.
T...
December 12, 2008
Last week 30 year rates were at 5.53. At that point those were the 5th lowest rates we have seen in the last 30 years. This week we saw rates drop again to 5.47. Now rates are third lowest we have seen in the last 30 years. Below are the dates and mortgage rates. Below are the four lowest rates ...
December 12, 2008
Jonestown is a small community on the north shore of Lake Travis where inhabitants can enjoy all of the advantages of small town living but still be a short drive from a large metropolitan area such as Austin. Jonestown also offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Hill Country as well as...
December 12, 2008
Nothing can be more beautiful than Christmas at a state park, and there are plenty in and around the Austin area. Visiting a state park at Christmas time is a spectacular site. It's wide open space with lots of holiday lights and the fresh air of the great outdoors!
Bastrop State Park, just dow...
December 12, 2008
There is a plan in the works to lower the rate on 30-year home mortgages to 4.5 percent, a number not seen in decades for home loans. The plan by the Treasury Department to help the hurting housing industry would be accomplished through purchasing mortgage-backed securities from Fannie Mae and Fred...
December 08, 2008
If it seems a little unusual that President-elect Barack Obama is holding daily press conferences and lining up legislation to be signed his first days in office that's because this is a presidential transition like no other. Perhaps it is indicative of the economic crisis, but the handing off of t...
December 08, 2008
There are several places families can go to hear and sing along to your favorite Christmas songs and see beautiful lights and celebrate Christmas in Austin.
The Austin Symphony has a wonder free concert every year. This year it is "Ring-a-ling, hear them ring, soon it will be Christmas Day." Ea...
December 08, 2008
Rollingwood is a small city three miles west of downtown Austin, with a population of around 1400 residents at the time of the 2000 census. There were about 489 households reported in Rollingwood at the time of the recent census, and 413 families called Rollingwood home during the census of 2000 as ...
December 08, 2008
Mortgage rates experienced a historic drop this month. 30 Year rates fell from 5.97 to 5.53. This is the lowest rates have been since January 2008. But I think this understates how low mortgage rates are this week so I did a little research. Since 1974 rates have been lower than today's rates on...
December 04, 2008
The holidays are a time of togetherness, a time for friends and family to catch up and enjoy each others' company. It's no wonder meals are a central focus of the holiday schedule what better way to get people together than over a delicious meal? But preparing the perfect holiday feast doesn't requi...
December 04, 2008
Buda is a thriving small community southwest of Austin in the Texas Hill country. Buda was settled in 1881, and originally named Du Pre, but in 1887, the town changed its name when the residents realized there was another Du Pre, Texas. The town was founded on the route of the International-Great No...
December 04, 2008
Every year, people around the world promise themselves, next year will be different. They make commitments to improve their lives, end bad habits, and generally be better people. From losing weight to quitting smoking to spending more time with their families, people resolve to make big changes at t...
November 30, 2008
For the month of October we saw rates bouncing up and down pretty wildly. For the month of November we have not seen any large one week changes but a steady trend downward. The 30 year mortgage rate has moved down for the last 4 weeks. For the most part the other three major mortgage products hav...
November 30, 2008
What a magical time of the year, Christmas! Young and old enjoy this wonderful celebration. What can make it all more magical? How about the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, everyone can find something magical at the display.
This year the Trail of Lights will begin on December 14th and run unt...
November 30, 2008
When operating on a tight budget, it's hard to justify technically unnecessary purchases and pursuits, like redecorating a perfectly good living room, or buying a new pair of stilettos. But you don't have to overhaul your entire living space in order to spruce it up and create the desired effect of ...
November 25, 2008
Austin's KUT radio station is a public radio station that lives up to its mission "to be the most trusted radio source for news and music in Central Texas." Owned and operated by the University of Texas at Austin, KUT focuses on broadcasting mostly locally-produced music programming and news, as wel...
November 25, 2008
News of the economy is inescapable these days and most of it is bad news. The economy dominates the headlines, the evening news and our daily conversations. Sorting out what all the terms mean and what they have to do with your individual bottom line can be difficult. Here is a quick rundown of s...
November 21, 2008
The financial markets hit some choppy waters this week. With successive drops of 427 and 445 points the Dow ended down substantially for the week.
For some positive news this marks the third week in a row where mortgage rates went down. The wild swings we saw earlier in mortgage rates have fo...
November 21, 2008
The For Sale sign is in the front yard. The house is clean and the lawn is mowed. Everything seems ready for prospective buyers to walk in and fall in love with your home. An offer for your asking price is imminent. That is the way it is supposed to work, but many sellers will attest to the fact...
November 21, 2008
As the cost of living rises each year and the economy seems to be heading south, there are more and more people and families who have very little money. It seems that families who seemed to be making ends meet are now living from paycheck to paycheck.
The first thing you should do is plan a bud...
November 21, 2008
The holiday season is a wonderful time in central Texas, as leaves turn and the burning heat of summer gives way to cool, brisk mornings and cold, sunny afternoons. Cold weather clothing replaces shorts and flip flops and fire places come to life for a few special months it's a beautiful time to be ...
November 16, 2008
Mortgage rates for most of the major mortgage products fell again this week. Although the drop was not as substantial as last week it is still nice to see rates come down this week. The 30 year mortgage rate fell from 6.20 to 6.14. The small movement this week marked a departure from the wild swi...
November 16, 2008
Zilker Metropolitan Park is perhaps the brightest jewel in Austin's golden crown of parks and other outdoor venues. It is 351 acres of endless amusements for all ages and interests. There is something for every season of the year, from the Trail of Lights at Christmas to a dip in the cool waters o...
November 16, 2008
Budgeting and financial planning are the cornerstones of responsible money management. Not only that, but they are vital in developing a workable plan for the future, and can even reduce stress. While many people shy away from the accountability and responsibility required to create and maintain an ...
November 16, 2008
Austin's booming economy has always been a draw for restaurateurs and bar owners, offering tantalizing new opportunities and a constant desire for something new and different. The latest craze to hit the hip Texas capitol is wine bars "both older, established places that have been around for years, ...
November 10, 2008
San Marcos, Texas, which is 29 miles south of Austin and 47 miles northwest of San Antonio, is a beautiful, small city with a rich history. The San Marcos area is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited site in the Northern Hemisphere, although the descendants of today's residents settled...
November 10, 2008
The Fed cut the fed funds rate at the end of October. The rate was dropped from 1.5% to 1%. This is the lowest the rate has been since 2003. Following the cut we saw drops in all the major mortgage products. The 30 year dropped from 6.46 to 6.2. The largest drop was in the 15 year mortgage whi...
November 10, 2008
Johnson City is a Texas Hill Country town 48 miles west of Austin and 60 miles north of San Antonio. Johnson City is 25 miles south of the Highland Lakes community of Marble Falls and 30 miles east of Fredericksburg, so Johnson City is very centrally located and easily accessible from two large metr...
November 10, 2008
With gas prices and a failing economy, families are not able to travel across the country to vacation as much as they used to. Instead of driving to Walt Disney World, why not try vacationing in our own backyard, Austin style.
Austin and the surrounding area has many wonderful, family oriented v...
November 07, 2008
Round Rock, Texas was founded around the year 1851 on the banks of a local creek called Brushy Creek, and the city was named for a large, circular rock which was situated in the middle of the creek. Wagon Wheel tracks can still be seen on the rock today, and the rock was in the middle of a low water...
November 07, 2008
These days a stroll through the Zilker Botanical Gardens could lead to an encounter with a small herd of Bambiraptors, dinosaurs with feathered wings similar to a turkey. The word "raptor" means thief and these little creatures, named after the Disney character, were known to steal the babies of ot...
November 07, 2008
Unlike childhood birthday parties of yesteryear, which revolved around a birthday cake and a small gathering of mostly family and a friend or two, today's parties require a bit more. Generally, all of your child's acquaintances from school are invited to the party, which should at the very least hav...
November 04, 2008
Early voting began on Monday, October 20th and ran until Friday, October 31st. Travis County alone is expected to see nearly 450,000 people take advantage of casting their ballot early.
In the last presidential election, about 62% of registered voters in Travis County voted early. At the time...
November 04, 2008
Dripping Springs is a small city in Hays County which is located 21 miles west of Austin. In the census of 2000, Dripping Springs reported a population of 1,548 inhabitants and 554 households, and among them 418 families. The population density of Dripping Springs was 468.07 people per square mile ...
November 03, 2008
The bad news about the economy is inescapable these days. Consumer confidence is at an all time low and it's easier to follow a tennis match than keep up with the daily rise and fall of the stock market. Even though everyone is carefully watching the bottom line, life does go on.
For those looki...
November 03, 2008
Pflugerville is the name of a very rapidly expanding small city northeast of Austin, and there are many opportunities in the city of Pflugerville. The city was originally named for the Henry Pfluger family in 1849, and the city was first expanded after a dam was constructed in the 1850s on the Gille...
November 03, 2008
This marks the third week in a row that mortgage rates have moved in one direction or another by more than .4 points. This is highly unusual. For some perspective for the 12 weeks from March 20th to June 5 mortgage rates held steady between 5.85 and 6.09. At this point mortgage rates are highly ...
October 29, 2008
It's been years since the red imported fire ant first made an appearance, and the situation is still not entirely under control. Now a new species has arrived. They are known as `crazy raspberry ants' and they are concentrated in 8 counties in and around Houston. The ants have been in Texas since 20...
October 29, 2008
Georgetown, Texas was established in 1848 by George Washington Glasscock on a fork in the San Gabriel River. Glasscock donated the fertile land, replete with numerous sources of clean, clear water, and the city became the seat of Williamson County. Until the mid-1800s, the area had primarily been in...
October 29, 2008
Trying to come up with things to do with out of town visitors in the height of summer? The Austin area offers a wide variety of activities to entertain even the most difficult audience. During the summer months, your primary goal will be trying to stay cool, and Austin and the surrounding area off...
October 24, 2008
Over the last year the US, once flying high, has fallen and face planted into a somewhat ugly recession. For people with steady jobs the fear is of course the dreaded pink slip. But as long as they can keep their jobs their paychecks in most cases will remain the same. For small business owners a...
October 24, 2008
So I imagine many people are breathing a sigh of relief this week. Last week mortgage rates made one of the largest one week jumps in the last 20 years. 30 year rates rose from 5.94 to 6.46 for over a half point increase. I thought that rates would drop this week since typically after a large mov...
October 18, 2008
Recently the news has been dominated by developments with the 700 billion dollar bailout package, and rightfully so. 700 billion is an astronomical sum of money. The first problem is that the 700 billion dollar bailout adds a huge amount of money to the national debt. Not only that, some have hin...
October 18, 2008
During the 1800s, the neighborhood now known as Rosedale was farm and dairy land, and even later, in the early 1900s, the area was used primarily for plant nurseries and florist shops, and remnants of those days remain. This lovely area, which retains the look of abundant growth, is still heavily co...
October 18, 2008
Most visitors to Austin notice the unusual streetlights strategically located throughout the city known as the moonlight towers, but most are not aware of the history of the towers. Probably the most well known of the moonlight towers is the one in Zilker Park which is used every year to represent a...
October 18, 2008
This week 30 year mortgage rates rose over half a point. This is the largest one week increase this year. It's interesting that the rate increases happened after the bailout was passed by the government. Although this is not a sign the bailout will fail its not a positive sign of its future effec...
October 13, 2008
Mortgage interest rates moved down this week. 30 Year rates feel back below 6 dropping from 6.10 last week to 5.94. 15 Year rates all fell quite a bit going from 5.78 last week to 5.63 this week. Below are rates for the major mortgage products for the last few weeks.
October 9, 2008
30-yr 5.9...
October 13, 2008
Travis Heights is one of the most eclectic neighborhoods in Austin, and has a rich history. The neighborhood was originally an exclusive suburb south of the Colorado River, now known as Lady Bird Lake, and the neighborhood was established in 1913 by the Newning and Swisher families, along with Gener...
October 13, 2008
Marble Falls is a small city on the shores of the Colorado River in the Texas Hill Country. The city was founded in 1887 by General Adam R. Johnson, and incorporated in May of 1907. Marble Falls is located 47 miles northwest of Austin and 85 miles north of San Antonio, so it is centrally located and...
October 13, 2008
Manor is the name of a small city east of Austin, and this small community has many noteworthy attractions. The city was settled in 1872 when it was named after its first postmaster, James Manor. Manor currently has an approximate population of 5,500, a figure which was derived from the number of ut...
October 09, 2008
As living costs (along with seemingly every other cost these days) continue to climb, many people are finding their budgets getting tighter and tighter, and are looking for ways to cut their necessary costs each month. Things like electricity, rent and grocery bills can't go unpaid, but there are wa...
October 09, 2008
Most of the inhabitants in Mustang Ridge are of Mexican-American descent, and there are also a large percentage of residents who claim German or Irish ancestry, and many other ethnicities comprise the remainder of various ethnicities among the other inhabitants of the small community.
Mustang Ridg...
October 09, 2008
Budgeting and living within your means is often perceived as a difficult, daunting task. In reality, there are plenty of simple ways to trim your budget all they require is a little time and effort.
1. Pack your lunch.
Instead of spending upwards of $40 - $50 a week eating out, take your lunch...
October 04, 2008
The general arguments concerning the bailout have gone something along the lines of
Anti Bailout : "The taxpayers should not have to foot a 700 billion dollar bill to bail out Wall Street"
Pro Bailout : "But if taxpayers do not bail out Wall Street the economy will fall apart and those same ta...
October 04, 2008
Austin, Texas, is well known for its exceptional restaurants, catering to all tastes, budgets and timeframes. If you're looking for some specific culinary treat at any given time, odds are, you'll find it here. The reputation is well earned, and new establishments tend to thrive in this colorful, va...
October 04, 2008
Relationships and dating are hard enough without any added stress, but in difficult economic times, it's hard to avoid the added pressure of wooing your partner on a minimal budget. New couples are the hardest hit, as it may seem too soon to forego a night out on the town in favor of dinner and a mo...
October 04, 2008
In a week of historic changes in the US financial markets mortgage interest rates held pretty much even across the board. With the market making the largest one day drop in decades and also one of the largest one day gains in a long time to mention nothing of the historic 700 billion dollar bailout...
September 28, 2008
For the two weeks after the government takeover of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae we saw a historic drop in mortgage interest rates. In fact it was the largest two week drop since 1995. This was after rates had been gradually falling for the previous two months on rumors of the takeover. After the dr...
September 28, 2008
The historic community of Gruene, Texas was founded by German immigrants Ernst and Antoinette Gruene in 1849. The Gruene family, including their two sons had immigrated to New Braunfels in 1845, but land was scarce, so Ernst Gruene moved his family down the river and built them a home in the German ...
September 28, 2008
Halloween in Austin, Texas is one of the most popular nights of the year for revelers in the downtown area, especially 6th Street. Every year, throngs of people, old and young alike, dress up in their scariest, wackiest, or most unusual costumes, some home-made, some from expensive costume shops, an...
September 28, 2008
Every year, people spend tens of thousands of dollars on a single day the wedding day. From outrageous venues to opulent gowns, to gourmet food and free-flowing champagne, the average wedding costs anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000, if not much, much more. But for many couples, the events of the ...
September 23, 2008
Sticking to a budget is hard enough, but malls, outlets and grocery stores don't make it any easier; with countless promotions, sales, and strategically-placed impulse-buy items, it's easy to get sidetracked and overspend. Willpower and discipline are great tools to combat overspending, but many peo...
September 23, 2008
Austin, Texas, has always boasted a highly active populace, and is often listed among the nation's healthiest and most active cities. Cycling plays a huge role in this fitness-focused city, with an abundance of resources available to cyclists of every age and experience level. Austin's unique landsc...
September 23, 2008
Lockhart is one of the most historic communities in Texas, the city was established by Byrd Lockhart in the 1800s. Lockhart, who was an assistant surveyor for Green DeWitt, built roads with his own finances, and requested a land grant on Plum Creek in return, which he farmed even though he lived in ...
September 20, 2008
If you are looking for direction on what to plant in that achingly empty plot outside your front door and the thought of watering every day has you retreating to your living room sofa before you can say soil-prep you will not have to look any further.
The City of Austin has excellent recommendati...
September 20, 2008
One of the most attractive parts about life in Austin is our ability to be outdoors almost the entire year round. Austin's restaurants reflect this outdoorsy aesthetic, with many of them providing attractive and fun al fresco dining. Here are some of the best patios to be found around Austin.
Old...
September 20, 2008
The holiday season is a time for friends, family, togetherness and fun. It's easy to get carried away when stocking up for the holidays from gifts, to food, to party favors and decorations, there are a seemingly endless array of ways to spend money in the name of the holiday season. In fact, the hol...
September 20, 2008
If you have been hoping interest rates would drop your prayers have been answered. Interest rates plummeted over half a point last week falling from 6.35 to 5.78. The last time mortgage interest rates fell this fast this quickly was the beginning of 1995 when rates fell from 8.32 to 7.57. Rates h...
September 15, 2008
Conserving resources electricity, water, money is an important step toward leading a sustainable lifestyle (both personally and environmentally). People strive daily to save money, and yet many do not make the connection between resources and finances forgetting that electric bills and water bills m...
September 15, 2008
The Texas Governor's Mansion, which is located a block southwest of the Texas State Capitol Building in downtown Austin, is the most historic home in the Austin real estate market and the longest continuously inhabited executive residence west of the Mississippi River. Built in 1856, the Governor's ...
September 15, 2008
The Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary is home to over 100 different species of animals, and there are over 300 animals living at the zoo. The zoo is located west of Austin on Rawhide Trail, which can be found by turning off of Highway 290 West shortly after its intersection with Highway 71 West, onto ...
September 12, 2008
I have been tracking mortgage interest rates for the last few months. Its always more interesting when there are drastic changes. This week we saw some of the largest changes we have seen this year. This is of course in response to the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac takeover. The 30 year mortgage ra...
September 12, 2008
The Bryker Woods neighborhood in Austin is actually a collection of small housing developments and subdivisions, and the earliest known residents settled in the area around 1886, thus it is a very historic neighborhood, located in west central Austin. The neighborhood is roughly bordered by 35th Str...
September 12, 2008
To many children, a birthday is the single most important day of the year. And to many parents, it's a day of both celebration and stress, as they strive to make their child's special day a memorable event. Crafting a fun, unique party for your son or daughter isn't always easy especially if you're ...
September 12, 2008
So it has been a week since the feds came in and took over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. While it will obviously take some time to know the long term repercussions I wanted to look at some of the immediate reactions to the move.
First let's look at the reaction from the media and the general publi...
September 07, 2008
St. Edward's University in South Austin was established in the late 1800s when Mrs. Mary Doyle bequeathed her 498 acre South Austin farm to the Catholic Church and Father Edward Sorin of the Congregation of the Holy Cross for the formation of an institution of higher learning. Father Sorin was also ...
September 07, 2008
Austin is home to many things: live music, the University of Texas, the state capital; but many people don't realize Austin is also home to the nation's largest urban bat community-and it's right downtown. More than 750,000 Mexican Free-Tail bats make their home under the beams of the Congress Avenu...
September 07, 2008
This was the sixth week in a row were 30 Year mortgage rates fell or held steady. In the last 6 weeks 30 year notes have fallen from 6.63 to 6.35. This was preceded by a sudden jump in interest rates in July where 30 year mortgage interest rates rose from 6.26 to 6.63 between July 17th and July 24...
September 07, 2008
So on Friday it was leaked that the government is taking over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. On Sunday it was official. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have now been taken over by the federal government. But what does it mean for the real estate market, mortgage interest rates, and the US economy.
Fir...
September 04, 2008
Mortgage interest rates moved down again this week. This marks the fifth week in a row where 30 Year mortgage rates have either fallen or held steady. This is of course good news for people looking to buy a house. This is also good news for the real estate market. A few weeks ago a weakened real...
September 04, 2008
One of the coolest neighborhoods in the Austin real estate market has to be a cute little neighborhood called Travis Heights. Featuring historic houses, charming shopping streets, great restaurants, and an unbeatable central location, this area is one of the most sought-after in Austin. The streets ...
September 04, 2008
Mount Bonnell is one of the most historic as well as highest parks in the Austin area, and has been a popular spot for hikers, nature lovers and campers since the mid-1800s. The "mount" for which the park is named is a natural limestone formation and the park is also called Covert Park and is situat...
September 04, 2008
Everyone's favorite slogan, "Keep Austin Weird," certainly applies to this unique and funky museum. Heavily slanted towards music, the South Austin Museum of Pop Culture aims to preserve and exhibit art and artifacts that reflect Austin's influence on the larger realm of popular culture. Located on ...
September 01, 2008
In 1990, Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was the primary military facility in the Travis County area, was considered as a site for possible closure, at which time it was also considered as a possible site for a new international airport, since Robert Mueller Airport was no longer big enough to suppo...
September 01, 2008
Every year, during the sweltering late summer months, bands from across the country converge on Austin, Texas for one weekend of music, food and hot, sweaty fun. Thousands upon thousands of people, young and old, flock to Austin each year for the massive music event that is the Austin City Limits Mu...
September 01, 2008
Austin, Texas, is well known for its high rate of resident activity. In fact, Austin is often rated among the healthiest and most-active cities in America. With a wealth of outdoor activities to choose from (parks, lakes, and hiking trails abound) Austinites have access to an almost indefinite numbe...
August 28, 2008
Many Americans are foregoing luxury expenses like high car payments, vacations, and gym memberships in order to combat the struggling economy and rising costs of everyday expenses like food, gasoline, and other essentials. Fast food restaurants are beefing up their value menus in attempts to lure bu...
August 28, 2008
With living costs rising at a seemingly constant rate, simple, everyday expenses are getting more and more difficult to accommodate, and many people are finding their budgets getting tighter than ever. While there are plenty of areas people can trim their budgets, such as spending on entertainment o...
August 28, 2008
Mortgage interest rates moved down slightly this week. This was a good sign since it was not preceded by any rate cuts from the FED. The 30 year mortgage rate fell from 6.52 to 6.47 and the 15 year mortgage rate fell from 6.07 to 6.00. For arms the 5 year rate fell from 6.02 to 5.99. The 1 year ...
August 28, 2008
Considered by many to be one of the premier nightlife spots in the country, Austin, Texas boasts a high-energy bar scene and entertainment district, and the moniker, "The Live Music Capital of the World." In addition to the literally hundreds of bars, clubs and restaurants that make up Austin's down...
August 23, 2008
Ten women go whizzing past wearing wild fishnet hoses. Their colorful get-ups also include helmets and kneepads and flying scarves and the skates on which they are racing around the oval track.
Elbows fly, legs lock, bodies go careening and sliding along the masonite track. Occasionally two sha...
August 23, 2008
Staging a home can end up being a valuable tool in selling the house. Not only can it assist in selling a house, but it can also help the seller get top dollar.
The amount of staging needed varies wildly from a small scale de-cluttering of a home to hiring staging professionals to the tune of ...
August 23, 2008
It takes unimaginable amounts of energy to power the United States, and the needs is constantly growing. As global warming and fuel crises gain more and more public attention, people everywhere are now looking for ways to live a greener lifestyle. But this doesn't mean rebuilding your home to run on...
August 19, 2008
Sticking to a budget can be extremely difficult particularly if your finances are tight and you aren't inclined to be particularly organized or disciplined. Never fear, even those of us who aren't prone to budgeting can do it successfully, so long as we know how to stay on track. True, that's easier...
August 19, 2008
Interested in seeing a movie in Austin? If you're not going to see it at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, you are truly missing out. One of the city's beloved Austin originals, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas (or simply the Drafthouse, as many Austinite's call it) have been around since the late 1990s, whe...
August 19, 2008
For the second week in a row 30 year mortgage rates held steady at 6.52. 15 year mortgages last week moved from 6.07 to 6.1. The week they returned to 6.07. So basically the fixed rates are holding steady. 5 Year Arms fell from 6.05 to 6.02 and 1 Year Arms fell from 5.22 to 5.18. So they didn't...
August 19, 2008
Known previously as Town Lake, Lady Bird Lake is actually the portion of the Colorado River that runs through the center of Austin, dammed on either end to create a peaceful waterway with plenty of boating opportunities. The Town Lake Corridor, surrounding the water, is full of hike and bike trails,...
August 15, 2008
Held every spring, the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival is a celebration of the rapidly expanding food and wine culture to be found in Central Texas. This 501(c)4 non-profit organization was founded in 1986, and their annual festivals have become one of the hottest tickets in town. Held ove...
August 15, 2008
Responsible budgeting and money management are skills everyone needs to learn as is the discipline required to put these skills into action. Many people find it difficult to stick to a budget; oftentimes, this is because the budget they created is not realistic. Regardless of the economic climate, i...
August 15, 2008
Austin is steeped in history, from the days of the Republic of Texas, through the establishment of Austin as the Capitol of the State of Texas. Downtown Austin is full of old, historic buildings, many of which are said to be haunted by a multitude of ghosts. Austin Ghost Tours has meticulously resea...
August 12, 2008
One of the more recent developments in the Austin real estate market are the multitude of loft condominiums springing up smack-right in the middle of downtown. This new push towards urban living reflects an interest in a pedestrian-oriented community, optimal for those who work in Austin's business ...
August 11, 2008
Although Austin's weather can make Christmas seem like the 4th of July, a sure-fire way to get into the spirit is to visit the annual Trail of Lights Festival. A holiday tradition for decades, this dazzling display of holiday decorations and lights is mounted in Zilker Park in Austin Texas every Dec...
August 11, 2008
Mortgage interest rates were virtually unchanged this week. The 30 Year rate stayed even at 6.52. The 15 year rate moved up a little from 6.07 to 6.10 and the 5 year arm moved down from 6.07 to 6.05. The only rate that moved much was the one year are which fell from 5.27 to 5.22. The one year Ar...
August 11, 2008
Texas BBQ is legendary – slow smoked meats served with or without sauce, with our without sides. Although Llano, Lockhart and Taylor boast the most storied BBQ joints in the state, Austin holds its own with some incredible BBQ options. Whether holding to the bottom line of Texas BBQ, beef brisket, o...
August 07, 2008
The residential neighborhood around Barton Springs which is now called Barton Hills is one of the earliest settlements in the Austin area, and the community was originally a small town itself. This unique neighborhood is so old that dinosaur footprints dating back millions of years have been found o...
August 07, 2008
Austin is full of originals from people to music to landmarks, this town has a personality all its own. Some things are bound to come and go. With any growing city, turnover is common in business (particularly locally-owned and operated establishments), but some businesses manage not only to survive...
August 07, 2008
Rising gas prices along with general increases in cost of living across the board are forcing many people to tighten their budgets and cut excess spending. In order to maintain a certain standard of living, people everywhere are looking for new ways to stretch their paychecks and make ends meet. Whi...
August 04, 2008
Anyone who has been in Texas for very long has heard someone say, "If you don't like Texas weather, just wait a minute."
Austin and the surrounding Hill Country enjoy some of the most temperate weather in Texas. Summers are hot, winters are mild and spring and fall months are typically quite ple...
August 04, 2008
One of the most beautiful and popular art museums in the Austin Area is the Laguna Gloria Art Museum, which is an Italian style villa that was originally the home of Henry and Clara Driscoll Sevier, and is situated on the shores of Lake Austin in the west-central Austin area.
The original home ...
August 04, 2008
Before we talk about what happened with mortgage rates this week lets do a quick recap of what happened last week. Last week mortgage interest rates made a sudden jump over the previous week. For the entire month of June and July 30 year mortgage interest rates only fluctuated from 6.09 to 6.45. ...
August 01, 2008
With the recent push towards local, sustainable eating, Austin residents are lucky to claim quite a few local farms. Many of these farmers bring their freshly harvested produce in to town periodically as part of one of the farmer's markets located throughout the city. Not just produce, Austin's farm...
August 01, 2008
The Blanton Museum of Art is a part of the College of Fine arts in The University of Texas at Austin, with a permanent collection of substantial range and depth. It is the principal art museum in Austin, with collections and exhibits on a par with art museums throughout the country. Positioning itse...
August 01, 2008
One of the most unique and interesting attractions in and around the capitol city are the different excursions offered by the Austin Steam Train Association. With vintage engines and passenger cars, riders are transported to a different time and place, enjoying three levels of travel style - coach c...
July 29, 2008
Make a list. This seems like a pointless task, but it will definitely be worth it. Make a list of everything that needs to be done, when it needs to be completed, by whom, and who the contacts are. It will help to simplify and distress some of the moving process
Clean out everything. Sort thr...
July 29, 2008
Austinites are known for enjoying the local flavor that thrives in Austin. With a plethora of cool local restaurants in Austin the food scene can at times seem to rival Austin's music scene. Hula Hut located in central Austin is one of the restaurants that contributes to this. It has been an Aust...
July 29, 2008
You have visitors in town, or your a visitor to Austin yourself, and you have no idea where to eat that isn't just one of the typical chain restaurants you can find anywhere. If you're looking for a so called Austin institution, Shady Grove might be a good choice. It is a restaurant that reflects ...
July 29, 2008
After falling for most of the month of July Mortgage interest rates jumped up. And not only did they move up they jumped to the highest levels we have seen in 2008. 30 Year rates jumped from 6.26 to 6.63 last week. To put that in perspective for the entire month of May mortgage rates fluctuated b...
July 23, 2008
The Mexic-Arte Museum is the Official Mexican and Mexican-American Fine Art Museum of Texas, as designated by the state legislature. Although focused primarily on the arts from Mexico, their scope includes Latin America as well as Latino arts, both contemporary and ancient, as well as Chicano art. I...
July 23, 2008
Planning a vacation can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be: being well prepared can make a big difference, and a little forethought can go a long way. Follow these simple tips to plan a great trip on your terms.
Plan ahead
The overwhelming number of vacation possibilities available in the ...
July 23, 2008
Austin's amazing population of 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats is one of the most unique aspects of an already exceptionally unique city. Austin's love affair with those delightful little bug-eaters is epic, and is celebrated every year with a bat-tastic festival held right on the Congress Stre...
July 19, 2008
For the second week in a row mortgage rates have fallen. For those that don't read my updates regularly I wanted to give a short background on what rates have been doing. From the end of April to the beginning of June 30 year mortgage rates hovered around 6 percent. Then during the month of June ...
July 19, 2008
Entertaining friends and family in your home is a much bigger undertaking than many people realize. While it may seem like a more "low key" option than going out, in reality there are a lot of things that go into a successful dinner party it's no wonder that a host can easily get carried away and sp...
July 19, 2008
Elgin is a small city which is located 23 miles east of Austin and 17 miles north of Bastrop, and Elgin is also known as the Sausage Capital of Texas! Elgin covers an area of 4.7 square miles, and in the census of 2000, the city reported a population of 5,700 inhabitants. There were 1869 households ...
July 17, 2008
Allandale is the name of a lovely neighborhood in central Austin, although the area was originally considered to be northwest Austin, before Austin´s expansion into a large metropolitan area. Allandale recently celebrated its 35th anniversary as an active central Austin community, and the Alla...
July 17, 2008
One of Austin's most sought-after neighborhoods, Clarksville offers a close-knit neighborhood feel in a European style, pedestrian-friendly setting. With small privately-owned markets and delicious restaurants all a stone's throw away, Clarksville residents happily enjoy the best Austin has to offer...
July 17, 2008
Austin, Texas, is well known for its nightlife, but there is plenty to do during daylight hours, too. With a wide variety of museums and cultural centers catering to most every interest, Austin provides visitors and residents alike with countless options for cultural outings. Here is a closer look a...
July 13, 2008
There is a cafe and coffee shop circuit in every city that serves as the office for many freelancers, entrepreneurs and off-site workers. You´ve seen them. They are typing away at their laptops with the focused precision of a brain surgeon. When they come up for air they often are ready for their th...
July 13, 2008
Regardless of whether it's across the country or across town, moving is a stressful, expensive and time-consuming event. It requires extensive planning, organization, and a lot of physical activity. While there is no easy way to move house, there are several things you can do to simplify the process...
July 13, 2008
So what has been going on in the world of finance and mortgages? Certainly the biggest news was the fall of IndyMac. Last week we heard that IndyMac had stopped giving out new mortgage loans and was going to concentrate on simply servicing the existing loans in its portfolio. Apparently this was ...
July 11, 2008
What do music, chili peppers, bamboo, wine, watermelon, ice cream and Eeyore the donkey from Winnie the Pooh have in common?
They all have festivals devoted to them in Austin or nearby towns. In fact, there are so many festivals of all kinds in the Austin area that it is difficult to keep track ...
July 11, 2008
Austin, Texas, is known for a lot of things. It's the Live Music Capital of the World, the home of the UT Longhorns, and the capitol seat of the Lone Star State. To those who live and play here full time, it's also widely regarded as one of the most active cities in the country. From hiking and biki...
July 11, 2008
After a rather neutral start in 2008, the real estate market for residential homes in Austin has increased its inventory of homes for sale, according to statistics from the Austin MLS. This is happening despite a continuation of one of the highest metropolitan growth rates in the country and a stro...
July 07, 2008
802 San Marcos Street, Austin, TX 78702 // (512) 472-8180
The French Legation Museum provides a uniquely historic experience. Both a historic site and a house museum, the story behind the establishment of the museum is fascinating, and helps to illuminate a way of life experienced by the residents ...
July 07, 2008
Labor Day weekend in Austin this year promises every imaginable kind of activity, with something for everyone, young and old, in the works. Some choices for end of summer fun locally include Texas Longhorn events, the Austin Bat Fest, and a day of yoga, among other celebrations. If you´re a sp...
July 07, 2008
Charming pockets of single family homes are studded throughout this hidden gem of a neighborhood, and although certain parts of the area are given over to apartment complexes, duplexes and fourplexes, this is an overlooked area with enormous potential. Bounded by I35 to the west, Ben White to the so...
July 02, 2008
Austin is a great restaurant town, and one of the best ways to explore all the different possibilities is to take advantage of the many great happy hours. Some of the city's finest establishments offer drink specials, discounted appetizers, and a great atmosphere to sample their fare without committ...
July 02, 2008
After rising drastically last week fixed mortgage interest rates moved up slightly this week. 30 Year notes moved from 6.42 to 6.45 and 15 Year notes moved from 6.02 to 6.04. ARMS on the other hand rose a decent amount. 5 Year Arms rose from 5.89 to 5.99 while 1 Year Arms rose from 5.19 to 5.27. ...
July 01, 2008
One of the most beautiful and unique attractions Austin has is Hamilton Pool Preserve, located just a half an hour out of the city, in the gorgeous Hill Country. The historic swimming area and its surrounding grounds were designated a preserve by the Travis County Commissioner's Court in 1990, and t...
July 01, 2008
One of the most quintessentially "weird" Austin festivals, Eeyore´s Birthday party was first held in 1963, and hasn´t missed a year since. A costume party, festival, fund-raiser and all around good time, this annual event is marked by games and contests, and lots of drumming. Although a ...
June 26, 2008
If music festivals such as South by Southwest and the Austin City Limits festival are testament to the city´s reputation as the Live Music Capitol of the World, the Texas Book Festival is proof positive that Austin is a hotbed of creativity in the literary world as well. Founded by Laura Bush ...
June 26, 2008
Austin is home to one of the best metropolitan parks in the state. With sand volleyball courts, a nine-hole disc golf course, soccer and rugby fields, and two enormous multi-use fields for the sports enthusiasts, Zilker Park is also home to Barton Springs pool, the Zilker Zephyr train, botanical ga...
June 24, 2008
Up up and away. Mortgage interest rates continue on their upward trajectory. 30 Year mortgage rates went from 6.32 to 6.42. 15 year notes rose from 5.93 to 6.02 and 5 year arms rose almost 20 basis point going from 5.7 to 5.89. 1 Year arms rose this week from 5.09 to 5.19. But unlike the other ...
June 24, 2008
Every year, Austin is descended upon by thousands of music, film, and web industry professionals, artists, and fans, all attending the annual South by Southwest Festival. Although it started as a local music festival, as it now enters its third decade, SXSW has become one of the premier industry con...
June 24, 2008
Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World. One of the best parts about having that distinction is that even if you aren´t necessarily into the club scene, you can still hear live music at restaurants throughout the city. Whether you feel like hearing Cajun, blues, country, Latin o...
June 20, 2008
Texas wildflowers are celebrated throughout the state of Texas thanks to the efforts of the late former first lady Lady Bird Johnson, and Austin is home to the institution she helped created, named in her honor. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a unique attraction, paying homage to the wom...
June 20, 2008
For decades, bumper stickers have adorned cars all over central Austin, proudly proclaiming "78704 – More Than just a Zip Code." The South Austin lifestyle originated there, but as Austin real estate prices rose, and fancy restaurants and shops re-energized South Congress, a migration of hip-ness be...
June 17, 2008
Pemberton Heights is the name of a beautiful and historic area of Old West Austin, centrally located and convenient to downtown, the University of Texas campus, and the State Capitol complex, as well as easily accessible by the MoPac Expressway, also known as Loop One. The gateway to Pemberton Heigh...
June 17, 2008
Pemberton Heights is the name of a beautiful and historic area of Old West Austin, centrally located and convenient to downtown, the University of Texas campus, and the State Capitol complex, as well as easily accessible by the MoPac Expressway, also known as Loop One. The gateway to Pemberton Heigh...
June 14, 2008
Do you love the beauty and color of flowers but cringe at the thought of the maintenance required for their upkeep? If your colorful blooms have a tendency to turn brown and crunchy from neglect in the hot Austin sun, there may be some flowers made just for you. Flora native or adapted to the Aust...
June 14, 2008
After several weeks of staying relatively flat mortgage interest rates jumped up this week. 30 Year mortgage went from 6.09 to 6.32. 15 Year Mortgage moved from 5.65 to 5.93. 5 Year rates went from 5.51 to 5.70. The only rate that was somewhat stable was 1 Year Arms which went up from 5.06 to 5....
June 11, 2008
As the Austin real estate market expands in all directions, areas we used to think of as "way out there" are not only seeming closer, but are getting their own infrastructure. Maple Run in Southwest Austin is just one of those areas. Located south of William Cannon, north of Slaughter, west of Bro...
June 11, 2008
There are some home renovations that really should be left to a professional. Finding a good contractor that is trustworthy and dependable can sometimes be a challenge, but with some preparation it can be done.
Before accepting to work with a contractor, ask for a list of references. Ideally, t...
June 10, 2008
One of the challenges we faced as new parents was what to do on those nights when you just need to go out and grab a quick bite – no time to plan for a sitter or make reservations. Nothing in the fridge, too tired to slice and dice, or an all too common scenario in our household: "Wait, I thought YO...
June 10, 2008
With almost two decades under its belt, the Austin Hot Sauce Festival is a time-honored tradition featuring some of the most defining characteristics of life in Austin: hot sauce, hot weather, live music, great food and a fantastic way to give back to the community.
A major fundraiser for the Cap...
June 07, 2008
The Austin Museum of Art is truly a museum for the casual and creative Austinite. With two locations and loads of interesting exhibits and programs, AMOA is a great cultural destination for students, adults, and even parents and caregivers of young children.
The downtown location is a sleek and ...
June 07, 2008
One of the most unique and celebrated attractions in Austin is a naturally occurring phenomenon and costs absolutely nothing to enjoy. The 1.5 million Mexican Free-tailed bats that live under the Congress Street Bridge from March to October emerge at dusk in a breathtaking display. This nightly (alm...
June 07, 2008
Rates on 15 and 30 Year Fixed loans have been pretty stable the last month. In contrast mortgage rates on 5 and 1 year ARMs have been falling. 1 Year ARMs fell from 5.22 to 5.06 this week. This is the lowest 1 Year Arms have been since early March. Its a little weird considering banks are losing...
June 06, 2008
The average home spends a whopping $1500 annually on energy costs—an energy bottom line that is much bigger than it needs to be, because a significant portion of that energy is wasted and lost. The good news is, changing just a few simple things around your house can make a big difference and...
June 06, 2008
Travis Heights is a centrally located neighborhood in one of Austin´s most esteemed zip codes, 78704. The neighborhood´s proximity to downtown and Lady Bird Lake makes it a desirable place to live, and the new Emma Long Center for the Performing Arts is just a couple of blocks north o...
June 05, 2008
A fireplace is meant to be the centerpiece of your living space, the heart of your home. Sometimes, however, this focal point is less than impressive and more than lacking in the drama factor. If your fireplace is bland, plain or simply unattractive, a quick color change can do wonders. The secre...
June 05, 2008
Canopy. That´s a great word and a comforting thought when shade is what you need on a hot day. When it´s canopy provided by trees, the word and the comfort loom refreshingly larger in the mind of any summer sun-smitten shade seeker. No man made shade offers quite the appeal of the dar...
June 02, 2008
Independence Day is quickly approaching, and there are many ways to celebrate the birth of our country in Austin and the surrounding area. There are numerous fireworks displays as well as performances by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, and other musical events in different locales in the county area....
June 02, 2008
Two areas of Austin which are also very historic are the Tarrytown neighborhood and the Deep Eddy neighborhood, and these two areas are adjacent to each other with Tarrytown being slightly farther north than Deep Eddy. These areas are situated in western Travis County, adjacent to Lake Austin, which...
June 02, 2008
Though the heat of the summer in Austin can be a real drain on exercising or any outdoor activity, the city is blessed with several public pools in which to cool off.
Probably the most well known pool to Austinites, and those visiting, is Barton Springs Pool located near the Barton Hills neighb...
May 30, 2008
One of the most cost effective ways to renovate your home is to "do-it-yourself." From sanding and painting to digging and planting, there are many projects that a determined homeowner can accomplish. There are some jobs, however, that are better left to the professionals. These jobs are too heav...
May 29, 2008
During Austin´s warm spring and summer months, Zilker park puts on a wide array of activities for the entire family to enjoy.
Every year in March, the Zilker Kite Festival is held, bringing thousands of spectators with almost an equal number of kites, to the park. In 2008, the Zilker Kit...
May 29, 2008
The term "Keep Austin Weird" has become overly used, and some would say Austin´s "weirdness" is growing increasingly hard to find, with the mass influx of those from other areas bringing their normality to town. Luckily with events like Spamarama, the shrine known as the Cathedral of Junk, an...
May 23, 2008
When Austin´s airport moved to its current location at the old Bergstrom Air Force base, the Robert Mueller airport became 711 acres of land just east of Interstate 35 ripe for developing. The city of Austin, along with the Catellus Development group, have created a master plan that includes ...
May 23, 2008
There is no shortage of beautiful scenery and greenbelts in the Austin area, where there seems to be a walking trail around every corner, and a park around every bend. One of the more unusual of these is Champion Park in Round Rock. It has a little of everything, from a kid-approved playground to ...
May 21, 2008
Are your pictures too high? Too low? Are there extra nail holes behind those family pictures on your wall from when you tried to "eyeball" it?
If you don´t have the faintest idea how high a picture should be hung on the wall, or know anything about grouping pictures or designing an arra...
May 21, 2008
An area of Austin which is currently undergoing revitalization is the old Mueller Airport area, near the intersection of Manor Road and Airport Boulevard in East Central Austin. This location offers residents and visitors alike many interesting opportunities. Housing is very affordable in the area, ...
May 17, 2008
Just east of IH-35, in the center of Austin, lies an area that is becoming a popular destination for Austinites looking for a central location that doesn´t come with the price tag one would pay in other centrally located areas. They also don´t lose any of the historic charm or lack of s...
May 17, 2008
You would probably have to have been living on a remote desert island for the better part of two years to not see any signs of the slowdown in the economy of the United States. Since August of 2007, the real estate market has been reeling from plummeting house prices, due primarily to increasing def...
May 17, 2008
All investments depend on making returns, which in turn are affected by macro cycles such as the Great Depression or the dot-com boom. When a market is receding, it makes more sense for long-term, stability-seeking investors to look elsewhere upon first glance. However, in the case of the housing ma...
May 11, 2008
Many people consider home renovating to be an inside affair, but there are also many exterior renovations that can help beautify a home and encourage spending more time outdoors. Like interior renovations, with the proper planning, and research, fixing up the exterior of a home and its surroundings...
May 11, 2008
On May 2nd, The Federal Reserve issued a statement about the crisis in liquidity which has bottlenecked global growth for several months. Since last August, banks have written down $300 billion in sub-prime related securities, but the IMF has predicted that the eventual cost will exceed $1 trillion....
May 09, 2008
You packed. You moved. You unpacked. Now all those boxes are sitting there, empty, taking up space, getting in your way. Moving boxes are great—when you´re moving—but afterward, the only purpose they seem to serve is filling up the trashcan. There are a few alternatives to a l...
May 09, 2008
With over 50,000 students there are numerous entertainment venues around the University of Texas. Austin is frequently referred to as the live music capital of Texas. And although when people talk about the music scene in Austin they usually think of downtown the campus area also reflects this say...
May 06, 2008
In recent months, the US real estate market has seen its fair share of turbulent weather as house prices continue to fall. While the Federal Reserve has taken significant steps towards making lending cheaper, interest rates remain artificially high as the troubled financial sector continues record w...
May 06, 2008
Putting in a flowerbed is a great way to add a splash of color and charm to your lawn, and turn an ordinary yard into a place to stop and smell the roses. All it takes is a little dirt work and a weekend afternoon, and you´ll be ready to plant azaleas and daisies to your heart´s content...
May 04, 2008
The headlines this month have been taken by the most insidious of America's vices: black gold. Oil futures are now projected to exceed $100 a barrel until 2016, and continue to sit comfortably near the $115-120 a barrel mark. Many different causes have been blamed for rising prices at the pump, rang...
May 02, 2008
On April 30th, the Federal Reserve announced a cut in their main interest rate by 25 basis points, to 2% from 2.25%. This is the seventh such cut by the US central bank since the beginning of the credit crunch some eight months ago, totaling 3.25% in cuts to the key rate that banks charge each other...
May 02, 2008
Central Austin is filled with pre-war homes commonly referred to as bungalows, and are sought after by many for their charm, coziness and attention to detail.
The word "bungalow" comes from the Indian word "bangla", which used to refer to homes built in a Bengal style. "Bangla" were cottages wit...
April 29, 2008
When thinking about the economic slowdown now gripping the United States, one might think of the naked emperor of yore, who could not realize his condition until told by a child. By the time analysts and the White House recognize the extent of the credit crisis, its effects will probably not be noti...
April 29, 2008
One of the most popular areas of a house to renovate is the bathroom. There are many different ways to renovate a bathroom, from small surface changes to completely gutting the room. With some forethought and elbow grease, there are renovating techniques the do-it-yourselfer can accomplish, while ...
April 27, 2008
Several cities across the US are noted for their progressive city governments and citizenry in regards to environmental issues. Known as "green cities", they not only initiate and practice policies that promote clean air and water, but often promote other programs and practices such as alternative ...
April 24, 2008
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the five largest universities in the country, and currently nearly fifty thousand students attend the university, which is home to the U.T. Longhorns. Most of the students live in the U. T. campus area, which encompasses an area from Interstate 35, which r...
April 24, 2008
There is more live music going on in Austin, Texas on any given night than there is in any other city in the world. That´s why the city has put a trademark on it´s slogan "Live Music Capital of the World."
There are hundreds of live music venues in the city and its immediate environs...
April 23, 2008
Austin enjoys the self-promoted but well-deserved reputation as live music capital of the world. In recent years, the city has decided to put its money where its mouth is to ensure that it stays that way. One of the most innovative and socially progressive ways it is doing that is by providing a...
April 22, 2008
Austin has many colorful neighborhoods and shopping venues, but most inhabitants of the city will tell you that Austin is divided into two distinct areas: South Austin, and North Austin. The Colorado River runs directly through the central part of the city, encircling the downtown business district ...
April 20, 2008
In Greek mythology, the hydra was a beast that, when one of its many heads were severed, would grow new heads in their place. The sub-prime mortgage crisis has developed in a similar fashion, initially appearing to be constrained to a sector of unworthy credit borrowers who likely didn't have the fi...
April 17, 2008
Just north of Hyde Park, with approximately 1400 homes, lies the neighborhood of North Loop. Also referred to as "Northfield", the North Loop neighborhood boundaries are 51st street, Lamar Boulevard, Airport Boulevard, and Koenig Lane.
Like many of Austin´s central neighborhoods, Nor...
April 17, 2008
Several homes, especially centrally located homes, have hardwood flooring. A pristine hardwood floor is beautiful, but to restore one back to its original 60 year old elegance, the floor will need to be refinished.
Refinishing hardwood floors can be a challenging job for the do-it-yourselfer...
April 15, 2008
This week, a storm of bad news gave markets cold feet, resulting in Friday's 250-point loss. While this pattern of volatility has been the status quo for stock exchanges worldwide for the better part of the year-to-date, another factor has caused at least as many difficulties for a much larger perce...
April 14, 2008
The West Austin area of Clarksville was originally a freedman´s colony for slaves freed after the Civil War. Clarksville now has a very diverse population, and this diversity is reflected in the various nationalities of the residents. There is an excellent public grade school in Clarksville, n...
April 11, 2008
Though the housing bubble deflated about two years ago, its true effects are only now beginning to emerge. In late 2006, when the economy first began to show signs of weakness in the housing market, most economists predicted that a recession was very unlikely, and that any downturn in real estate pr...
April 10, 2008
Austin, Texas is home to many different attractions with great food, shopping, and entertainment venues. Many think of Sixth Street as Austin's premiere hotspot, but there are several other interesting yet relatively overlooked areas in town. One of the most popular and diverse places in Austin for ...
April 10, 2008
Many modern homes and condos are going up left and right in Austin, with local design and build companies behind the new residences. It is hard to pinpoint exactly why modern design is becoming so popular, but several factors possibly play a role.
One of the reasons Austin draws so many people...
April 08, 2008
While many timbres, like those which come from bowed strings and woodwinds, are readily recreated with synthesizers, percussive instruments are some of the most tricky to create convincing emulations of. Piano and harpsichord are most easily dealt with through sampled instruments, but the enharmonic...
April 08, 2008
Some streets lead to wherever it is you want to go. Some lead to surprises both bad and good. Some streets are destinations in themselves, stretches of thoroughfare where the journey itself is all that matters.
South First Street between Riverside and St. Elmo´s is one of those streets, o...
April 06, 2008
One of the most timely and costly home improvement projects any homeowner can take on is a kitchen makeover. Whether a homeowner desperately needs a kitchen revamp, or is tired of the dated look of the kitchen, there are several options to freshen up the area.
The easiest fix for a sparkling new...
April 04, 2008
On March 31st, the Treasury Department announced a new plan to help the troubled financial sector weather the sub-prime mortgage storm. This new system replaces some agencies while redrawing the jurisdictions of existing authorities like the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Reserve...
April 03, 2008
There are many decisions when buying a home. One of them is what kind of loan product to use. With interest rates, payment terms and points it can be a little overwhelming. In this article we are going to compare and contrast two popular loan products the 30 Year and the 15 Year Loan. Here is a ...
April 02, 2008
In the past I used to tell people to look at different mortgage rates for different loan products and determine what was best for them. If they were planning on moving soon a 5 Year ARM might work. If they planned on staying on the house longer they might consider a 30 Year Loan. I don't say this...
March 31, 2008
During an up market everyone is rushing into the real estate market and during a down market everyone is running scared. But if we remember markets go up and down. And generally in 10 years people that bought during a down market frequently are happier with the appreciation on their home than peop...
March 29, 2008
With East Austin´s affordable housing prices and close proximity to downtown, it´s long been a hub for Austin´s musicians and artists. Over the years the different artists in East Austin started to work and collaborate with each other. Over time this has turned into an event call...
March 28, 2008
More times than I can remember I had a buyer interested in a property think that I would be thrilled when I found out they didn't have a buyers agents. I'm not excited. In fact I would prefer that they had a buyers´ agent. Here are the reasons why:
1) Liability - There is more liability for m...
March 26, 2008
For a long time, Austin has been considered the "Third Coast" in the film industry, with more filmmakers on the rise in Austin, and more Hollywood types coming to Austin to shoot their movies.
One of the biggest proponents of the up and coming filmmakers is UT´s Radio-Television-Film de...
March 26, 2008
On March 14th, Bear Stearns, the fifth-largest investment bank in the United States, entered a period of insolvency. As growing lack of confidence in the firm's subprime exposure grew, other banks eventually refused to lend to the stricken company, which has existed for over 85 years. Were Bear Stea...
March 24, 2008
Many of the historic buildings in Austin are either privately owned, have been turned into modern-day businesses, or are open to the public in the form of museums. Luckily for those looking to actually live in such a building, even if for just one night, both the Driskill hotel and the Stephen F. A...
March 23, 2008
In the past when the Federal Reserve cut the discount rate it translated into lower mortgage interest rates for home buyers. This was a convenient way for the Federal Reserve to stimulate the economy during economic slowdowns. By making it easier for people to get loans more cash was pushed into t...
March 21, 2008
As the sub-prime mortgage crisis continues to unfold, new figures emerge from the Mortgage Banker's Association: A record .83. That means that, in three months, almost one out of one hundred homeowners have been foreclosed on. Because of America's size and diverse population, the statistics are some...
March 21, 2008
During the subprime crisis we saw the advent of numerous bizarre loan products. In general the new loan products were designed to get people into houses they could not normally afford. As people started to default on their mortgages banks realized many of these loan products were not a good idea. ...
March 19, 2008
The recent government-sponsored bailout of Bear Stearns, one of the top five lenders in the United States, has shocked traders and left investors cold. Despite the chilly reaction on Wall Street, secretly many are breathing a sigh of relief. While Bear Stearns was mismanaged from its upper echelon...
March 19, 2008
Two months ago the Democrats were looking at numerous positive signals for their chances in the November election. First the polls of a generic Democrat versus a generic Republican showed Democrats leading by a spread of over 10 points. The leader of the Democratic field, Barack Obama, enjoyed a s...
March 17, 2008
What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time Bear Stearns had a high flying stock price of $150 a share and a market valuation of 20 Billion. Having been founded in 1923 they were considered one of Wall Streets most venerable investment houses.
Going back to 2005 Bear Stearns was se...
March 16, 2008
Lying just west of IH-35 and south of Riverside Drive is one of Austin´s most appealing neighborhoods, Travis Heights. Its rolling hills and winding roads have long been a haven for a diverse culture, with a mixture of housing to match: perfectly kept bungalows, a few large estates and smat...
March 13, 2008
Modern housing is on the rise in Austin, making it easier for the modernist to move into a brand new home, instead of waiting for a mid century A.D. Stenger to come on the market. Six miles east on Martin Luther King Blvd, the Agave residential development is finishing up its first round of homes. ...
March 14, 2008
Just north of Austin´s urban center lies the Crestview neighborhood, bordered by Anderson Lane to the north, Justin Lane to the south, North Lamar Boulevard to the east and Burnet Road to the west. In 1948, developer A.B. Beddow began building the Crestview homes on what was originally an old...
March 13, 2008
Real Estate buyers are usually highly focused on the purchase price of a property. This is a legitimate concern. The purchase price is one of the most important considerations in a real estate transaction. But at the same time home buyers too frequently treat interest rates as a secondary concern...
March 12, 2008
Though many in Austin consider themselves to be health conscious, there are still moments in each of their lives when a good hamburger sounds delicious. Austin is home to many burger joints, and some have been around for over half a century.
Hut's Hamburgers has been around since 1939. Home...
March 12, 2008
In 1987, South by Southwest started as a weekend long music festival run by a handful of people, and today has grown into a 10 day long music, film and interactive festival with a full time, year round staff, and 1500 volunteers. The number of musical acts has increased ten fold, and attendance has...
March 08, 2008
The South by Southwest Music Festival has been running strong, and getting stronger, since it originated in 1987. Austin considers itself the live music capital of the world, and though cities would like to battle that claim, musicians and music industry types clamor to the capital of Texas every M...
March 08, 2008
With the different varieties and styles of live theaters in Austin, a night at the theater could be wild and rambunctious, or a beautiful and classy affair. On the east side of town, one can find small, arty theaters such as the Salvage Vanguard, while downtown patrons can take in the ballet, or a ...
March 06, 2008
While Austin is known for its warm sunny weather, there are those few months where every year, when the temperature drops, it begins to get cold and we watch our heating bills rise. During the winter season, nearly two-thirds or your electricity (or gas) bill is devoted to heating spaces, often dur...
March 06, 2008
Recent elections have rarely been as heated as the '08 race for the Democratic nomination between freshman Illinois Senator Barack Obama and New York Senator Hillary Clinton. From the televised bickering of their national debates to the recent jabs over NAFTA, the fight has hung on tiny margins seve...
March 03, 2008
Analog synthesizers have regained some degree of popularity in recent years, as electronic dance music has become more widespread and successful. Although analog technology has become replaced by cheaper digital modeling technology with more features, the goal of VA (virtual analog) synthesis is to ...
March 03, 2008
The 2nd Street District in downtown Austin has grown rapidly, and Austin is reaping the benefits. Besides the nightlife bar scene of 6th Street, and a smattering of shops on Congress Avenue, downtown Austin lacked a hub for shopping, eating, and entertainment that the 2nd Street District is now pro...
February 29, 2008
Since 1970, BookPeople has been offering a wide variety of literary works to magazine browsers and rare book collectors and all those in between. With a built-in coffee shop, and lots of comfortable seating nooks scattered throughout the store, BookPeople promotes a relaxed atmosphere that will inv...
February 29, 2008
Perhaps the most common home repair is fixing a hole in the wall. When I was young, my grandfather would baby sit my brothers and I while mom and dad were of earning a living. What our parents called child care, my grandfather interpreted as napping and most afternoons we had the run of the house....
February 25, 2008
Austin prides itself on many things, and having independent retailers around town would be one. Amy´s Ice Cream got its start in Austin back in 1984, and currently is one of Austin´s pride and joys.
Amy Simmons got the ice cream bug while attending college at Tufts University in Medford, Mas...
February 23, 2008
The Presidential candidates for the 2008 election are setting records for primary voter turnout and, especially in the Democratic wing, trying hard to differentiate themselves to discouraged voters with a myriad of sound-byte barrages. Whether the Democratic candidate chosen to run for President is ...
February 23, 2008
In 2001, what started as an idea at the smoky 6th street club Casino El Camino, quickly gained steam among like-minded women of Austin, and the roller derby was reborn. Though many of those who started up the comeback hadn´t skated for decades, the gung ho spirit spawned one of Austin´...
February 19, 2008
In a time when even Clear Channel is being bought by another radio conglomerate, commercial radio is becoming less regionally distinct, with a handful of radio announcers beaming their voices across the country from one central location, and losing all local flavor in the process. Luckily for Austi...
February 19, 2008
In Austin, Texas, just north of one of the largest universities in the US, lies the neighborhood many refer to solely as North Campus. This should be a small indicator of exactly how much Austin's culture and prosperity is influenced by the University of Texas. This area is home to an incredible amo...
February 16, 2008
On February 14th, a manufactured day devoted to romantic love, Wall Street wasn't interested or feeling any good vibes: The Dow, as well as most of the other major stock markets around the world, finished down on recession fears. Why so spooked? For one, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke elected...
February 16, 2008
Austin is a dog loving town. Along with the dog friendly restaurants, and dog related businesses, Austin is home to several dog parks. While San Antonio and Ft. Worth offer one dog park each, and Houston and Dallas have two, Austin boasts twelve official dog parks in the city limits.
Just below...
February 13, 2008
One of Austin´s oldest areas is the Old West Austin neighborhood of Clarksville. Its central location, between Lady Bird Lake and Enfield, and Lamar and Mopac, makes it highly popular with those looking to live in town, without having to go the downtown condo route.
Where Clarksville s...
February 11, 2008
Though Austin is known for being the live music capital of the world, and home to the Texas government, today Austin´s art scene is on the rise with different art collectives and galleries popping up around town. Many of these studios are manned by recent graduates of UT´s studio arts p...
February 08, 2008
Austin has been known for its individuality for decades. Though the chain stores and restaurants are slowly creeping their way in from the edges of Austin´s sprawl, still many independently owned shops blanket the heart of the city. Coffee shops in Austin truly capture the essence of what th...
February 07, 2008
Just a few miles from downtown Austin, bordered by Westover on the south, 35th street on the north, Shoal Creek on the east and Mopac on the west, lies the old Austin neighborhood of Bryker Woods.
Though the neighborhood was named in the 1930s, the origins of the area go back as far as 1886...
February 06, 2008
The US appears to poised on the very brink of recession. Investors are reacting as news of a contraction within the service sector for the first time in five years, an FBI investigation into predatory lending, and increasing unemployment statistics, has sent shock waves of panic through stock market...
February 04, 2008
Nestled in central Austin between Airport Boulevard and Manor Road lies the quiet yet vibrant neighborhood of French Place. Austin has always been renowned for its individual personality, and while its expansion continues to dilute that sentiment over the years, these quaint houses with ample yards ...
February 04, 2008
You´ve just moved into a wonderful new home and you cannot wait to start making it your own. One of the easiest home improvements the first time home owner may encounter is installing new cabinets. While the thought of such a major addition to a room may at first seem daunting to all of us w...
February 03, 2008
Tucked away off the bustling restaurant row on Barton Springs road, and just west of Lamar Boulevard, lies a conglomerate of little neighborhoods that make up Austin´s Barton Hills community.
The area where Barton Hills is currently located holds some of Austin´s oldest historical f...
January 30, 2008
One of the most overlooked and powerful tools for creating percussion sounds in this modern age of soft samplers, emulators, and other sophisticated tools is the humble subtractive analog synthesizer. Learning how to generate exciting drum sounds also takes a lot of the mystery out of creating other...
January 28, 2008
In recent months, the sub-prime crisis has reached unforeseen heights, infiltrating banks and financial institutions worldwide and causing many to report multi-billion losses due to the risky investments going sour. While the underlying economy of the US appears to be relatively robust, and the doll...
January 25, 2008
In the last week, many encouraging signs have been on the economic radar: The Bush administration has stated that a consensus has been reached about the impending $145 billion economic stimulus package, the Federal Reserve has cut their most important interest rate by the largest margin in a quarter...
January 25, 2008
As the sub-prime mortgage scandal continues to play out badly for many US companies, more and more questions have been raised as to whether the impact of a slowdown in one area will translate into a nationwide, or even global, recession. Growth prospects within the US are limited for this year by th...
January 23, 2008
On January 22nd, the Federal Reserve cut their most important interest rate for the fourth time in the past six months, in an attempt to stem the widespread sentiment that the US is in, or headed for recession. Their cut comes at a strange time, because they were rumored, nay, expected, to deliver t...
January 21, 2008
On the eastern edge of the Edward´s plateau lies one of Austin´s greatest treasures: the Barton Creek Greenbelt. After millions of years, the runoff of rainwater carved a canyon into the plateau, and created one of Austin´s treasures.
The most popular of Austin´s greenbel...
January 18, 2008
The Austin real estate has numerous submarket. Escapeso Reality can help you navigate and explore the market starting with their online search of the Austin MLS. You can also research the market using their Austin real estate blog.
January 18, 2008
If you are looking for Austin Texas real estate Escapeso Realty can help you in your search. Their site has a free search for Austin homes and analysis can be found on their blog about Austin real estate.
January 16, 2008
Ki works as a real estate consulant helping buyers interested in Austin real estate. You can research the market on his Austin real estate blog or start your Austin home search online using the Austin MLS.
January 14, 2008
If you are interested in purchasing Austin Texas real estate ki can help assist you in your search. His site has a search of Austin homes and he provides a blog about Austin real estate to help people keep up with market developments.
January 14, 2008
If you are researching the Austin real estate market for a home or condo Ki can help you in your search. His site allows users to perform a Austin mls search online as well as keep up with the market with his real estate blog.
January 11, 2008
Austin has long been a home for friendly folk- friendly to each other, friendly to animals, and friendly to the environment. What used to be considered as only the concerns of hippies and the bohemian sect, environmentalism is now at the forefront of commercial and residential design, and "green" b...
January 09, 2008
As Election Day approaches, one of the most publicized presidential races of the past several decades has captivated the minds of people around the world and set records for participation in the US democratic primary system. As the first woman to run as a mainstream candidate for president, New York...
January 08, 2008
In recent months, fallout from the sub-prime mortgage scandal has been estimated in the hundreds of billions, up from figures of $100 billion maximum from the Federal Reserve only three months ago. While the Fed has, in an unprecedented move, cut interest rates three consecutive times in as many mon...
January 05, 2008
The recent sub-prime crisis is unlike any faced by the financial system before in one dubious distinction: Its effects are exacerbated by globalization to an unprecedented degree. Recent developments help illustrate exactly how this credit crunch can be differentiated from others, such as the saving...
January 03, 2008
The vast majority of true rock and roll and blues artists have grown up and lived on the poor side of town. Today, the same rings true, as many of Austin's local musicians can be found just east of IH-35, where the streets are a little tougher and the rent a little easier to pay. It makes sense th...
January 02, 2008
Everywhere you look in Austin it seems there is filming going on. From huge blockbuster movies like The Alamo and Miss Congeniality to network television series like Friday Night Lights, Austin has become a favorite location for directors and producers nationwide to create some of our favorite movi...
January 01, 2008
Though AD Stenger wasn’t as prolific as Joseph Eichler, or as well known as Frank Lloyd Wright, he built some of Austin’s most unique homes that are now considered mid-century modern.
Arthur Dallas Stenger first began building homes in the 1940s in Austin, mostly on Arthur Lane in the Barton Hi...
December 29, 2007
Feng shui can help you examine whether the landscaping of a home is good for ch'i (energy). The most ideal layout allows for energy flow, as well as providing an increased sense of space and movement throughout your home, although these principles apply equally well to your office or any other plac...
December 28, 2007
One of Austin's most exciting and lively strips is South Congress Avenue, which hosts dozens of interesting restaurants, bars, and shops.
Home Slice has often been rated "Austin's Best Pizza" by the Austin Chronicle, and the title is well-deserved. This restaurant, which sells "New York style p...
December 25, 2007
Austin is a great place for families. All year round the city is full of events that cater to its citizens young and old. One of the most popular destinations is First Thursdays on South Congress Avenue where once a month the shops stay open late and the entire street becomes a pedestrian friendly...
December 24, 2007
Pemberton Heights is one of the centrally located neighborhoods located in the central Austin real estate market.
High upon the bluffs overlooking Pease park, sits one of Austin’s exclusive, and somewhat overlooked, neighborhood, Pemberton Heights. The Austin Development Company created Pemberto...
December 23, 2007
In recent days, the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, and the Swiss National Bank have teamed up to auction $110 billion off to world money markets in order to ease the recent liquidity crisis. But what is liquidity? Why should banks auction off mon...
December 20, 2007
As a result of the recent sub-prime mortgage scandal, the Federal Reserve has taken many actions to avoid a global credit crisis, which it now aims to further mitigate through tightening the standards that lenders use to determine whether a potential borrower is eligible to receive a mortgage loan....
December 17, 2007
Looking for something fun in Austin to do this New Year’s? Tired of late night drunken parties? Perhaps looking something a bit more kid and family friendly? Why not check out First Night Austin?
Every December 31st the streets of downtown Austin Texas are transformed into a free performance ...
December 15, 2007
Every March, thousands of music lovers and industry insiders flock to Austin to party, network, and discover the next great band at the annual South by Southwest Music Festival. The weeklong music blowout has been packing them in since it was founded in 1987. Austin was chosen as the site for the ...
December 12, 2007
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Dec. 11th on hopes that the credit crisis would be tempered from 4.5% to 4.25%. Markets were on the upswing up until the cut was announced because many investors were under the impression that the central bank, under pressure from all sectors of the economy ...
December 10, 2007
Johnson’s Austin roots run deep. His great-great-grandfather immigrated to Austin in the 1850s from Sweden, and his family still remains. After several years of working with carpenters and a fine woodworker, Johnson has gained the knowledge and experience to create fine heirloom pieces with all th...
December 10, 2007
Not many new businesses open their doors and become an immediate Austin success, but the Alamo Drafthouse is an exception to the rule. In 1997, Tim and Karrie League opened the Alamo Drafthouse in a downtown Austin warehouse building that was being used as a parking garage, playing mostly second ru...
December 10, 2007
Since 1982, Waterloo Records has been providing Austin with music for all tastes. Winning “Best Record Store” in the Austin Chronicle Reader’s Poll since its inception explains why Waterloo Records still stands when many other record stores have fallen.
John Kunz partnered with Louis Karp to ...
December 06, 2007
The greenback has been slipping against the euro, the Chinese Yuan, and the pound for the past nine months or so, reaching record lows amidst a global credit crunch and plummeting real estate prices. What does this mean for US growth? According to the Federal Reserve, projected economic growth will ...
December 04, 2007
The White House has recently unveiled a plan to help mitigate the wave of foreclosures that have recently swept the US as reports continue to predict that an even greater number (some estimate as much as 2 million) of Americans are likely to default within the next year. This plan involves the majo...
December 02, 2007
The University of Texas, with its flagship campus in Austin, is one of the original eight “Public Ivys,” according to Richard Moll. Moll coined the phrase in his 1985 book, Public Ivys: A Guide to America’s Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities. The phrase has since come to include m...
November 29, 2007
Like most towns during the holiday season, Austin brings out their festive lights. However, there are two areas in town known for displaying an awesome array of lights- 37th Street, and the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park.
Starting back in the early 80s, neighbors on 37th Street in Hyde Park ...
November 28, 2007
Imagine a neighborhood of adorable medium houses seated comfortably on shady streets lined with trees. But then splash a rainbow across the entire area. That could get you close to what the Hyde Park neighborhood in central Austin is like. This old part of town has a lot of history, and was one of A...
November 24, 2007
Native tribes, such as the Apache, Comanches, and Tonkawa first roamed and sometimes took camp in the bend in the Colorado River now known as Austin. The first Europeans arrived in the area in the 1830s and created the town of Waterloo. As legend has it, the tribes and the Europeans conflicted sev...
November 21, 2007
Anyone who lives in Austin knows why the city council adopted the slogan “live music capital of the world” in 1991. For those just visiting, the city offers many opportunities to find out.
The famed music scene of Austin began in the 60s and 70s at the Vulcan Gas Company. Musicians played count...
November 21, 2007
More often than not, developers of both commercial and residential areas immediately bulldoze over our native Prickly Pear Cactus. Often mistaken as a weed, this gravely misunderstood wonder has much to offer the Austin area homeowner and community. Say if on your property there was something that ...
November 16, 2007
Austin is one of America's hot list cities. The housing is affordable. The landscape is pretty with rolling hills to the west and fields to the east. The weather is pleasant in the spring, fall, and winter, with summer being bearable, even welcomed by heat-lovers. The music, art, and film scenes...
November 16, 2007
As many Americans continue to default on their mortgages at record levels, other markets throughout the world are becoming extremely volatile. Most of the defaults were exacerbated by the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes over the past two years, which were done in order to stem infla...
November 09, 2007
When I am looking for real estate what makes my mouth water. Huge cathedral ceilings? Updated kitchens? Recessed lighting? Nope. I love big lots. The bigger the lot the more I get excited. Why do I love big lots.
Over time large lots tend to appreciate faster. In real estate one of the ca...
November 06, 2007
When getting your home ready to sell, you could invest in all kinds of services and upgrades but it is tough to know what really will pay off. These are some guidelines to help you know start thinking like a Buyer and see what will help sell your home. In the end, each real estate market and neigh...
November 04, 2007
As the sub prime mortgage debacle continues to play out across the United States, the Federal Reserve has opted to cut interest rates by half a percentage point, from 5.25. This cut makes all loans relatively cheaper, thereby encouraging a pantheon of economic activity to increase, hopefully in the ...
November 01, 2007
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s a good idea to keep track of some of the fun and creepy events coming up in Austin, Texas. The good news is that most of them are inexpensive and fun for the whole family.
The Bats
The bats are a popular Austin attraction from May until October ever...
October 30, 2007
Festivals have been steadily gaining popularity all over the world in recent years, and the larger ones have expanded tremendously. However, as a result of the high ticket prices and relatively remote locations, a few oppurtunistic entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the backlash against the inacc...
October 24, 2007
A common mistake of investors is the way they evaluate a potential investment properties. Below is the process I have seen first time investors use.
Step One : Look at Cashflow
What is step two? Their is no step two. Basically if the property has good cashflow they move forward. What are ...
October 24, 2007
One cannot possibly spend time in Austin, Texas without hearing its motto repeated countless times: “Keep Austin Weird.” The phrase, which was coined by an Austin Community College librarian who uttered it while calling in to a radio show, spread like wildfire and was picked up and used by the Aust...
October 24, 2007
Change is the norm in today’s busy life and in our real estate market in Austin, Texas change can be fast, unexpected, and daunting. So, what happens when an unplanned or a strategic change requires your reconsideration of your current location of your current residence? How do you deal with the pot...
October 17, 2007
Austin, Texas is no longer a hidden destination buried in travel books. It is projected to grow in population by about 30 of the Austin population has college degrees compared to the US average of 27.0 have graduate degrees compared to the US average of 9.9%. A lot of this has to do with the Unive...
October 17, 2007
There is a lot of talk about getting your first house. Its part of the American Dream to get a house and maybe get a dog named Rover. But maybe someones first house should instead be a duplex. Why would I propose such a thing. Is it possible I am a secret russian spy that hates American pie. No...
October 06, 2007
I read a post recently where a real estate agent was posting about whether they should leave the real estate profession. The market had slowed in their area and their income stream had decreased rapidly. They worried that if the market didn't pick up soon, they would have difficulty making mortgage ...
October 01, 2007
Smile. Look them in the eye. Don’t cross your arms. Don’t get too close. Use their body language. Don’t blink too much.
Everyone has something to say about how you present yourself. But sometimes I wonder if we can go to far.
I wonder if they don’t sometimes wonder if the guy looking them d...
October 01, 2007
Establishing a good price to offer on the home you have selected is a big step in reaching the goal of actually buying the right home for you. Your Realtor has helped you select the right Lender for your portfolio and has also worked with you ((to)) select a good neighborhood and to understand the c...
September 24, 2007
As we learn more about the sub-prime "melt-down" of 2007, the selection of a good lender is apparent in its importance as a key step to success. A new home buyer must pay careful attention to this selection and a good REALTOR will facilitate the process and add to your success. Your realtor can prov...
September 24, 2007
As the old saying goes, the three most important facts for selecting the right neighborhood are location, location, location. So, what about location? It is indeed a very important fact in the selection of your new home because a really nice, attractive, affordable home in the wrong neighborhood can...
September 18, 2007
What do you know about Feng Shui? If you’re like most people, you probably are not even sure if I spelled it right just now. Maybe you picture an old man doing the world’s slowest kung fu at dawn (that’s Tai Chi, totally different.) Feng shui is a sorta guidebook about the placement and architect...
September 16, 2007
When you decide to buy a home, getting the best possible loan is important. It can save you thousands of dollars. How you can keep your monthly mortgage payments down? These are the different components of the loan that can affect your monthly mortgage payments.
1. Down Payment:
The down pa...
September 16, 2007
Recently people have been interested in a lot of the more exotic loan programs from no interest loans to negative amortization. There has been some negatives associated with these loans with the changes in the mortgage industry. So I wanted to take some time to talk about the almost forgotten 15 y...
September 15, 2007
I don’t know if you’ve noticed— it’s certainly hard to miss— but the landscape around Austin is changing. As is the skyline. As is the... well, the feel of the city. The flavor.
Some Austinites are not excited about the changes going on. The corporations moving in, the family-owned and operate...
September 10, 2007
I hear from a lot of people we work with that they initially did not want to deal with Realtors when purchasing a property because they can sometimes be pushy or just a pain to deal with. This can be true, as it would be with any position that is involved in sales transactions, but if you find the ...
September 10, 2007
Negotiating can be tough. It is more an art of applying techniques to each unique transaction rather than cut and dry responses. With home sales, each home has a person behind it with emotions that can be triggered either positively or negatively. Whether I am the agent for the buying or selling ...
September 03, 2007
When you decide to buy a house, one of the first tasks is to talk to a couple lenders and choose which lender & loan is best for you. With all the loan variables, it's tough to compare one lender to another. In this blog, we'll go through each of the loan variables. In Part I, we will discuss the ...
September 03, 2007
Most real estate purchases are bought with loans so getting a good faith estimate and pre-approval letter from your lender helps the process start off on the right foot. The good faith estimate, or GFE for short, is required by law to be provided by lenders when you are seeking a loan. It lists ou...
August 30, 2007
Does anyone remember Leona Helmsley? She wasn't exactly the most beloved woman in the world. After getting indicted for tax evasion, an employee quoted her as saying "Only the little people pay taxes." Kind of makes you all warm and fuzzy.
Anyway while she apparently didn't like "little peop...
August 22, 2007
Lets start off with a little back story. Countrywide spent the real estate boom times growing to be the largest mortgage company in the United States. They had very lax restrictions on who they gave loans to. Consequently now that people are worried about homeowners not paying their loans, invest...
August 14, 2007
So there has been a lot of talk about the mortgage crisis over the last week. I wanted to write a short summary of what is going on.
Earlier this summer, we had changes in sub-prime lending. Basically before the changes, if someone could wander into a mortgage office, they could probably qual...
August 14, 2007
When people call me, typically one of the first requests they make is for a house in a "nice" neighborhood. And this makes sense to want a neighborhood that is safe and enjoyable. But there are some benefits to buying real estate in the rough part of town or on the wrong side of the tracks. This a...
August 14, 2007
Myth #1: They have big hair.
Fact: Though occasionally realtors do have big hair, most are regular people who get up in the morning just like you do, and go to work just like you do. Many realtors, in fact, are going bald due to stress related hair loss. Same with the fancy dagger-shaped manicure...
July 22, 2007
When you are looking at buying a residence one of your considerations is whether to buy a home or a condo. This article looks through a few of the issues you should consider before making your decision.
Animals:
While you may love the views from your new downtown condo, little Rover might be ...
July 22, 2007
There's a lot of talk in real estate about green building lately, but the phrase is still a little vague. Here's a guide to understanding a few key terms, so you can investigate whether or not a potential home is truly eco-friendly.
Insulation and Building:
Many new buildings are being insulate...
July 21, 2007
A common question that Buyers ask is how long a house is on the market. If it is too long, interest is lost quickly. It is a natural reaction to not be interested in something that no one else is interested in. The natural assumption is that there must be something majorly wrong with the home. But t...
July 21, 2007
People always ask me if this is a good time to buy real estate. Or they ask me if now is a bad time to buy real estate. I have the same answer for both questions: I don't know. More importantly, I don't care.
Don’t get me wrong—if you’re buying a property and plan to flip it in a few month...
July 21, 2007
When you’re thinking about investing in an apartment that’s been renovated into a condo, there are several things to look for. A conversion isn’t as simple as it may seem on the surface—a lot of work (or lack there of) goes into making a place that was once leased out into a permanent home.
1) Co...
July 17, 2007
There have been a lot of books and late night infomercials on how to become rich through real estate. Apparently, you can become rich overnight. Neat. But, no one has really written a good guide on how to go bankrupt. Sure everyone is doing it, but how can you get in on the action.
First of...
July 17, 2007
Picking a real estate agent to list your home, one of your most valuable assets, is difficult. This article contains a list of 8 things to look for and avoid when picking your real estate agent.
1 *Agents that are rude. Sellers often pick these agents under the mistaken impression that it will ...
July 17, 2007
Gentrification comes from the root of the word for “gentleness”, which isn’t quite what we think of when we imagine ripping down quaint old homes and displacing lower income families.
But what about when the old homes aren’t quaint so much as decrepit? And what about when your city has nowhere t...
July 15, 2007
Like many financial decisions their are pros and cons of moving into the real estate market. This article examines the pros and cons of owning real estate.
Pro: It goes up.
While other investments tend to fluctuate, real estate, especially in desirable areas, usually becomes more and more valua...
July 09, 2007
Some people choose to use a real estate agent and some people choose to go it alone. One thing I have noticed over the years is that a number of seasoned investors looking in a new city will seek out a good agent while novice investors will frequently go it alone. I have even had a number of suc...
June 27, 2007
Downtown Austin is growing faster than ever. Well, maybe not ever, but more than in the last 14 years I have lived here. The city council and the community in gereral is pushing for growing the downtown into a live-work area with high density, shops downstairs, and living upstairs. The term is "m...
April 03, 2007
When you are buying your first rental property and becoming a landlord, there is lots to learn. How do I find tenants? What should I charge for rent? Should I update the places to get more rent? How do I tell the tenants they are late on rent?
I have read a lot about how you have rule with an iro...
September 04, 2006
People talk about running the numbers before buying an investment property, but what are the numbers and how do you get accurate numbers? Running the wrong numbers can make the difference of making $500 or losing $1000 per month. In this article we will go through the costs and factors to consider t...
September 03, 2006
A lot of people ask for advice on how to sell their homes. There is the standard good advice... You can hire a professional stager to make your home be on the level of a model home. You can retile you bathroom or install granite in your kitchen to have a little more upgrades than the one down t...