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Austin, TX Real Estate News

By Jude Galligan
(Downtown Austin Blog)
originally posted at Downtown Austin Blog Patagonia is a welcome addition to Downtown Austin This past weekend, Downtown Austin’s newest retailer, Patagonia, officially opened its doors.  Located at 316 Congress Ave (map), Patagonia is a milestone in the revitalization of Congress Ave by bringing 7,000 square feet of outdoor clothing that Austinites seem to love.  I make an effort to support businesses that make Downtown a better neighborhood.  So, even though you might be spending less this holiday season, you should consider making the effort to spend that money at local small businesses and businesses that are revitalizing downtown. According to the Statesman article, the store has shower facilities and bike accommodations for employees, supporting alternative commuting strategies a...
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I was reading a real estate publication the other day, and it had a little blurb about commercial brokerage.  Naturally, I was immediately drawn to it, as the majority of real estate writings tend to focus on the residential side of the business.  In the rather short blurb it said that commercial agents often cut their commissions in the negotation process in order to get a deal closed.   I have never done this, and I haven't talked to anyone who has specifically mentioned that they have (of course maybe we wouldn't want to admit to it).  That being said, there was a deal I worked earlier in the year where the other agent and I discussed using some of our commission dollars to fund some improvements in order to appease all parties.  Fortunately, it didn't come down to that.    I'm curio...
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By Robin Scott, Broker, REALTOR® - Austin Texas
(Robin Scott, REALTOR®)
According to a new survey by Consumer Reports, most buyers and sellers were satisfied with the service they received from a real estate agent.71% of sellers say they were very or completely satisfied with their real estate agent.86% of home sellers who had their homes listed with an agent did sell their homes.90% of listed homes that sold, the days on market were 6 months or less.66% of buyer's had a real estate agent and on average paid less than asking price. I'm an agent that would like to make a positive difference for you. If you are planning to buy or sell a home in the greater Austin area, please call me at 512.589.7988.Robin Scott, Broker. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist.
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By Russell Lewis, Broker,CLHMS,GRI
(Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate)
This morning I had the pleasure of attending another fun and slightly "weird" Austin event involving local restaurant, Mangia Pizza's attempt to break the Guinness Book of Records, "Longest line of pizzas in the world". Along with my wife, Margaret and daughter Mattie we headed to Zilker Park to hopefully be a part of history. The event was held in conjunction with Meals on Wheels and More to celebrate the  20th anniversary of Mangia Pizza opening for business here in Austin, Texas. If successful, the company would break a world record and after the event, Meals on Wheels would deliver the pizzas to The Salvation Army to feed the homeless!                     On Wednesday of this week, I received an email from one of my best pals in the world who is kind of a Big-Shot with the Mangia P...
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By Steve Crossland, Austin TX Real Estate
(Crossland Real Estate)
The number of residential single family home sales in Austin took a 28% dip for Oct 2008 compared to a year ago. The number of "Not Solds" (expired or withdrawn) took a big jump also, to 59% of all listings that departed the Austin MLS in October. These are grim numbers, but the remaining metrics that we track are again holding up pretty well nonetheless. In short, fewer homes are selling, but the ones that do sell are fetching prices near or or above last year's sales. Most sales currently are for homes selling below $200K. Let's look at the breakdown:  · Number of homes sold is down 28% (was down 14% last month) from 1,717 Oct 2007 to 1,227 Oct 2008. Last month (Sept) saw a decrease in the slowing of sales, but this month (Oct) headed back the other way again. I think the remainder of...
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By Ki Gray, Austin Real Estate
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 of the spring-fed pool on a steamy summer day. It can be hard to pick a spot to begin exploring, but Barton Springs Pool is probably the best known attraction in the park. The three-acre pool is an average sixty-eight degrees year around. The grassy hills sloping down to the pool's edge offer shady spots to put down a blanket for a day of swimming and picnicking with family and friends. The underground spring that feeds the Barton Springs Pool is part of Barton Creek, which winds its way to join...
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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, and newer, funkier alternatives are drawing in crowds like never before. This trend is particularly noticeable in Austin's popular downtown warehouse district, where several new wine bars and restaurants have cropped up in the past year, and have found success and popularity among Austin's young professionals and older patrons alike. But downtown isn't the only place you'll find excellent wine and gourmet food. Neighborhoods like Hyde Park and North Austin's Domain are home to their own wine-...
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originally posted at Downtown Austin Blog photo courtesy of www.shipmentoffail.com The most interesting presentation about parking in the history of the world (pdf). (Okay, this is about parking so it’s dry as your grandmothers turkey.  But, in the world of parking, this is a home run presentation.  I’ve heard from DANA board members that Patrick Siegman, the guy who wrote the presentation, is an amazing speaker on the topic of parking and new urbanism.) I’ll help out… below are three major reforms that could be applied to Downtown Austin parking. 1. Charge fair-market prices for curb parking 2. Spend the resulting revenue to pay for neighborhood public improvements 3. Remove the requirements for off-street parking Over the past 48 hours there’s been lots of discussion over at Austin Co...
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By Robin Scott, Broker, REALTOR® - Austin Texas
(Robin Scott, REALTOR®)
AUSTIN AREA MARKET STATISTIC SIMPLIFIED. Statistics from SEPTEMBER 2008 Compared to SEPTEMBER 2007 Homes Sold 1,670 - down 8% Median Sales Price $182,600 - unchanged Active Listings 10,217 - up 2% Average Days on Market 71 - up 18% source: Austin Board of Realtors If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home, I want to be your REALTOR. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 512.589.7988 or robin @robinscottrealtor.com Austin, Texas Homes for Sale. Robin Scott, BROKER Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. 512.589.7988.  
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By Robin Scott, Broker, REALTOR® - Austin Texas
(Robin Scott, REALTOR®)
This morning was the STEPOUT WALK TO FIGHT DIABETES for the American Diabetes Association and my client and now friend Maureen wanted to volunteer because there is diabetes in her family so I offered to volunteer with her. I've been too busy to read the volunteer information so I waited until yesterday to find out that we had to be across town by 6am. Plus a cold front came in last night with high winds. At 4:30 I was up and getting ready to go. Maureen and I met in a parking lot at 5:30 and we made it to Fiesta Gardens in southeast Austin by 6am. I had never been to that park before and it was a wonderful  park on Lady Bird Lake. When we got there it was dark and colder than we expected or were dressed for. Much colder. I'm guessing with the blustery winds the chill factor may have bee...
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By Robin Scott, Broker, REALTOR® - Austin Texas
(Robin Scott, REALTOR®)
LEASED! Cute and clean 2-story condo in a gated community with easy access to shopping, medical, employers, on the UT shuttle route and only 15 minutes to downtown Austin. Downstairs is a large living/dining area open to the kitchen which includes refrigerator and full-size washer & dryer. plus a private patio. Upstairs is a loft bedroom, bath and walk-in closet. Private patio and community pool. Owner/agent. If you are interested in finding out more about Austin, living in Austin, real estate or buying or selling a home, I want to be your REALTOR. Call or email to find out how I can help you. 512.589.7988 or robin @robinscottrealtor.com Austin, Texas Homes for Sale. Robin Scott, BROKER Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Speciali...
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By Stephanie Zellous (512) 971-4875, Stephanie Zellous
(Keller Williams Realty)
Parkside at Slaughter Creek is a medium sized neighborhood consisting of 459 homes and is located just north of Onion Creek in SE Austin, TX.  The average list price $222,154. Schools are Blazier Elementary, Paredes Middle School and Akins High. Akins and Paredes have a rating of acceptable, Blazier is new and has not yet been rated. Click here to verify. Located within 20 minutes of Downtown Austin your commute will be a breeze, don't want to take the freeway? Try one of the two alternate routes; Congress Ave, S 1st St. The new Southpark Meadows shopping center is located within five minutes so shopping and dining are a breeze. Gasoline usually is cheaper in this area! That is a real plus! Amenities include a park with playground and hike/bike trails, perfect for you and friends and f...
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By Tricia Jumonville, Texas REALTOR , Agent With Horse Sense
(Bradfield Properties)
If, like me, you're all about the food, and consider the kitchen to be the center of the home, you'll want to stop in at some of these "foodie" events in Central Texas in late November and December. Hairson Creek Farm's Annual Open Farm and Potluck.  Farm Tour, Music (bring your own instrument), food (bring a potluck dish). Saturday, November 15. The Austin Empty Bowl Project. Help raise funds for the Austin Area Food Bank's Kids Cafe Program while enjoying good soup and purchasing beautiful bowls, for yourself or for Christmas presents.  We still use the ones we bought many years ago at the first event.  Well worth attending. Saturday, November 23. Edible Austin Eat Local Week. Eat local, support your purveyors of local foods, and raise funds for Urban Roots, to boot!  Sunday, December...
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1,700 realtors from around the state recently gathered in Austin for the annual "Realty Round Up" tradeshow and almost everyone had positive things to say about the current housing market.  Hosted by the Austin Board of Realtors, an estimated 800 attendees filling the ballroom of the Austin Convention Center.  The event included a speech by the renowned real estate expert, Dr. Mark Dotzour, who responded to real estate predictions that housing prices will depreciate in the upcoming year. Experts forecast the median home price would decline between 5 and 10 percent, but the chief economist for the Texas A&M Real Estate Center not only rebuked the prediction, he boldly stated that now is, in fact, a great time to buy. Dotzour argued that the recession is already halfway through, and he ex...
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By Julie Nelson, Smart real estate.
(eXp Realty)
A definite first.  We were about to write an offer Friday morning on a house my buyers were very excited about.  My buyers are also very expectant, as in the baby is due this week.  As you may guess from the title, that Friday appointment did not happen as contractions take precedence over real estate.  We learned that the sellers of this particular house were out of town for the weekend camping in west TX so offers would not be presented until Monday.  We also learned that they already had one offer in and thought it would be up to 3 (including ours) by the end of the weekend.   I explained the situation to Dad-to-be and told we would either need to write the offer this weekend or this was not the house for them.  Dad-to-be said this was definitely the house for them and we would figur...
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By Julie Nelson, Smart real estate.
(eXp Realty)
If you are in the process of buying a home and have chosen to purchase (or the sellers are providing for you - even better) a home warranty, then we would like to help you assess your options. Remember that a home warranty is not the end-all to home repair or home headaches as they do not always help you or apply when you need it the most, but for most folks it's a nice little insurance policy to have in your back pocket. We recommend that you go online and look for a chart outlining the coverage options and compare. Here are the basics in no particular order: American Home Shieldwww.ahswarranty.com1-800-735-4663ServicePlus Package: $415CoveragePlus Package: $391*Trade Service Call Fee: $60 per repair visit,or cost of actual service, which ever is cheaper Everything Residentialwww.every...
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By Jude Galligan
(Downtown Austin Blog)
originally posted at Downtown Austin Blog Footage of the A4 floor plan. For more information contact Jude Galligan, Downtown Austin Realtor/Locator @ (512) 226-3414 The Legacy On The Lake is located across the street from Milago Condominiums. The club room is one of the best I've seen in any Downtown Austin condo or apartment building. I advise my clients that have dogs and/or are interested in outdoor activities to look at the Rainey Street district. The trails are in your back yard and you can drop a kayak into the water less than 50 paces away.
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By Jude Galligan
(Downtown Austin Blog)
originally posted at Downtown Austin Blog I received an email last week that the new Legacy On The Lake residences were open for business, ready to lease, and offering tours of the building. This would be a good opportunity to preview a building that seems to have been under construction forever. So, I grabbed my camcorder and headed over. Located at 43 Rainey street, the Legacy is the third building, along with the Shore and Milago, to join the Rainey Street neighborhood in the past three years. With 31 floors, the Legacy towers over the lake. The views are what you would expect at that height - amazing. Common Area
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By Jude Galligan
(Downtown Austin Blog)
On the morning of January 8th, 2007 something strange happened on Congress Ave. Birds fell out of the sky. Literally. I remember hearing this news and thinking to myself "is this how it's going to end?" According to Texas A&M these birds fell victim to parasites and a sudden drop in temperature. The good news is the world did not end. The bad news is that mother nature only claimed a handful of these birds - Grackles. They're loud, aggressive, and poo everywhere. If you've ever been to Whole Foods and decided to enjoy your meal al fresco, a Grackle likely pulled up a chair at your table, looked you dead in the eye, and told you who's in charge without every saying another word but 'caw caw'. I live on the 4th floor of my condo, so my windows meet the tree tops. It's a stunning view, rea...
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By Garreth Wilcock, Sherlock Homes Frisco
(Sherlock Homes Frisco)
Mike Eckert is a fellow Austin Realtor® and used to be a volunteer fire chief in Manor. He told me this story about how his dog saved his parents’ life last week. I learned this valuable lesson on the prevention of house fires . . . Read more to find out how exercising can prevent a house fire. Garreth Wilcock is a REALTOR® in Austin, Texas. He specializes in Central East Austin Real Estate, and enjoys working with first time homebuyers. You can search homes in the Austin MLS by map at his website.
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