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Austin, TX Real Estate News

By Jeff Kessler, Broker,CLHMS,GRI
(Austin Homes, Realtors www.OwnAustin.com)
The long-standing Travis County Farmers' Market on Burnet Road will be closing by the end of the month, and along with it will go Brentwood Tavern, a popular restaurant and live music venue.Sad to see this go.  Things are always changing and hopefully this new project will work.  This new project sounds interesting.   Let me know what you think.   Here is the link.  http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/10/19/1019farmers.html  J. If you are buying a new home in Texas and would like to save money and get cash back please view my web site for more information.  http://rebateontexashomes.com/   Thank you,
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By South Austin Real Estate Blog
(Sky Realty South Austin)
On the local news the past day or so has been tidbits about the Giant GOOGLE moving some offices to Austin Tx, this first appeared earlier this year and was quasi-qualified by GOOGLE by posting job openings for an Engineering Team Manager for Austin. Per the Austin Business Journal June 6,2007.Well, SILICON HILLS (Austin) is happy to have more SILICON VALLEY ( California) come join us in all this good  good weather, cheap (a relative word) Real Estate and reasonable employment costs, plus a huge engineering department at University of Texas here at the 40acres downtown.  So, IF GOOGLE moves some offices here, will the HOMETOWN KIDS (me me me)  get better placement on their SEO?    HEY GOOGLE I SELL HOUSES IN AUSTIN TEXAS... GIVE ME A CALL.512-217-9482
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
Last night, I took my family to EZ's Restaurant on North Lamar about a block north of 38th Street, just across the street from the H-E-B Central Market shopping area.  This is a fun restaurant for the whole family, and the kids actually liked it so much, they asked if we could return again today.  Not today, but probably soon.   The menu at EZ's consists of distinctly "American" cuisine -  burgers,sandwiches, salads, pizzas, kid's meals, and a couple of plate dinners.  It evokes thoughts of an old-fashioned diner with a soda fountain.  Bright pastel colors and black and white checkered tiles set the mood as fun and family friendly.  It has also been named "Best Restaurant in Austin" a couple of times in the Austin Chronicle's annual "Best of Austin" reader poll.  The crowd was actually ...
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By Ki Gray, Austin Real Estate
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 every year, but Halloween is obviously the most appropriate time to go check them out. The underside of the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin is home to North America’s largest urban bat colony, with these creatures of the night numbering close to 1.5 million. Every evening at dusk the bats fly out from the bridge in search of food, and people gather around, waiting and watching for a glimpse. The Day of the Dead Parade La Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday celebrat...
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
As part of my continuing series of articles demonstrating how affordable and exciting the Austin real estate market really is, I focus my gaze today on properties in the $700,000 range (or a little less).  Come walk with me, won't you? This Beautiful House on 3.75 acres provides more than ample privacy! One-of-a-kind home just 10 minutes from downtown Austin!  5 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms.Features a salt water pool & spa, master down with extra large bathroom & closet, granite countertops, pecan cabinets, 3-car garage.  3875 s.f. - built in 2002.  Live the dream!  Offered at just $699,900.     This gorgeous Lake Pointe home features 5407 square feet of elegance.  Located just seconds from the newly opened Hill Country Galleria shopping center (which is actually in the middle of its gran...
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By Ki Gray, Austin Real Estate
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 University. Many students who come to Austin for school end up not wanting to leave their beloved city. So, you run into a lot of waiters and book store cashiers with college degrees refusing to leave. The University is just north of the Capital of Texas, which is pretty much the opposite vibe of UT. UT has the young, huge crowd of kids finding themselves, and the state government has all the politically driven players pushing ahead in their careers. This government component of Austin provides the ...
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
   As a real estate broker in Austin, I have found that there are a few questions that typically surface when I am speaking with someone who is looking to relocate to this area.  I thought it might be a good idea to address some of these head-on, in an effort to educate.  Also, I wanted to touch on some of the reasons that I call Austin home.   Property Tax: Yes, real estate property taxes are high here in Austin, but we have no state income tax in Texas.  Property taxes are used to fund our school districts, city and county governments, water districts (sometimes), and more.  The tax rates range from about 2.5% to just over 3%.  Austin proper is currently taxed at 2.5254%.  Our clients who have moved from areas with a state income tax in place have said that  their overall tax burden t...
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By Alan Kirkpatrick, Alan in Austin
(Austin Texas Homes)
   Went downtown the other day just to get out of the house. What a great City Austin is to give you free WIFI in the downtown area. I sat in a comfortable place near the capitol building and soaked in the sites while I answered emai and contacted clients.  As the sun begin to set the capitol lights came on but the people traffic stayed steady and so I kept working and watching. What a wonderful place to live and work. The sights and sounds of downtown are really something to behold.           Just click and listen for yourself.   The live music is diverse and of the highest quality. Just drive downtown with your car windows rolled down and you can hear everykind of music you can imagine played by some of the finest musicians.
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While Austin seemed to escape most of the slowdown that affected other parts of the country over the last year Austin is feeling the changes in the credit markets. The amount of sales in September 2007 was 1824 or falling 22 percent from the sales in 2006 of 2341. The amount of inventory also increased 22 percent. On one hand the amount of inventory last year was incredibly slow but its still a sign we would rather not see. It looks like East Austin is seeing larger inventory increases than most areas. If we break out the increases in inventory by area we see. Suburbs +21% Central Austin West +18% Central Austin East +62% It looks like East Austin is seeing large inventory increases because investors are pulling out and the total amount of homes in East Austin has increased due to rapi...
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By Alan Kirkpatrick, Alan in Austin
(Austin Texas Homes)
South stands out for home valueBuyers seeking a bargain should evaluate housing affordability, the potential for appreciation and an area's underlying economy.By Maya Roney, BusinessWeek You may have heard that now is the time to buy real estate -- if you can afford to. As contrarians point out, demand is weak, sales are slow and inventory is high. Homeowners and home builders are slashing prices desperately, and savvy investors are snatching up cheap foreclosure properties. The real-estate market is teeming with bargain-priced homes, just waiting for that next lucky buyer to come along. Or so it seems. Most experts agree the era of home flipping is over and believe homes should be looked at foremost as shelter and secondarily as a long-term investment. But, as always, there are some ar...
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By Suzanne Gantner, GRI, E-Pro, SRES, SRS, ABR, CNE, REDS, CPS, WCS
(Realty Texas)
Written by Suzanne Gantner, GRI, Sky Realty, Austin, TxIf you have never been to Austin, Tx. you need to make it a destination. Here is 10 good reasons to visit or move here.Austin ranks as the 4th Best City overall Standard of Living by Expansion Mgmt, June 2006Austin ranks as the 3rd Smartest City in the Country by Bizjournals.com, June 2006Austin ranked28th in Best Places for Business and Careers by Forbes, May 2006Austin ranks 2nd in the 50 Best Places to Live by Men's Journal, Mar. 2006Austin ranks 2nd among the 10 Best Places to live judging on financial, educational and quality of life criteria by Money magazine, July 2006Austin makes the cut as one of the 50 Fabulous Gay Friendly Places to live by Gregory A. Kompes, Dec. 2005Austin ranks 10th in the Top 10 Healthiest Cities in A...
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
One year ago this month, I began assisting through my church with an outreach program to disadvantaged kids in east Austin called Project Intercept.  As a major football fan myself, I can relate to the concept of an interception, believe me.  Project Intercept seeks to break the cycle of poverty by providing kids with positive adult role models and an environment of acceptance and support.  The kids that I work with live in the Coronado Hills goverment housing project.  I wrote a little about my experiences in a previous blog here:Giving of your time, talents, and treasures  Once a month, I help out by picking up a group of school-age kids (age 6-12) and transporting them to an afternoon of games, songs, and Bible study.  Today we had our gathering, so I headed out at around 10AM to get...
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By Alan Kirkpatrick, Alan in Austin
(Austin Texas Homes)
Circle C - Fairway Estates Austin TX NOW OPEN!! Circle C Ranch is an upscale, master- planned community, located in the rolling hills of southwest Austin, just west of Mopac at Slaughter Lane. Homeowners may select from 12 luxury floor plans in the Fairway Estates, KB Home's exclusive gated community with large tree-covered and golf course homesites. Amenities include a swim center, Circle C Golf Club with an 18-hole championship course, Circle C Tennis Club, a 3 mile veloway for rollerblading and cycling, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 500 acres of parkland, two elementary schools, and a child development center. The all new Escarpment Village retail center recently opened with a 93,000 square foot HEB, and an environmentally friendly Starbucks with a green (living) roof. Real Es...
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By Bee Ramanand
Behrens Ranch is an exceptional master planned community situated just north of Austin in the acclaimed Round Rock Independent School District. This 100 year old cattle ranch is Texas Hill Country living at its finest. Behrens Ranch features some of Austin's most prestigious builders that have set a unique image for each neighborhood within the community. No matter what your age or interest, Behrens Ranch is the ideal place for recreation, relaxation, and friendship among fellow neighbors. Located just 2-miles West of IH-35 off FM 3406. Behrens Ranch features an array of Austin's finest homebuilders committed to providing you with high quality and excellence.
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By Deb Dahlberg - Rowland, Deb Sells Texas!
(Stanberry Realtors)
I just learned  about  Mr. Wittman and thought I would share his information with you.  He is a local Austin  architect who has done some wonderful projects, one of which is a fabulous home in Westlake Hills  (just a few miles from downtown Austin)  called SOARING WINDS.  The home is  stunning and you can see a picture of it on his website at www.winnwittman.com  where you can learn more about Mr. Wittman and his projects.  I have been told that Soaring Winds has some green build components to it.  The insulation in the house is made from recycled newspaper,  there is a window film on the windows that blocks much of the UV / sunlight - heat from the house.  It has a natural air flow system that vents thru a stairwell moving air up and out, and  a rain water collection system.  I have no...
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By Alan Kirkpatrick, Alan in Austin
(Austin Texas Homes)
  House rolls out!Posted September 11th, 2007 by The Team After months of toiling indoors, we finally gave birth to our 15 ton baby and rolled the BLOOMhouse out onto the tarmac. Now for an event like this - we needed some help - so we asked our neighbors - and called out the National Guard. Unfortunately, their truck was too big. So the nice guys next door at FilmFleet helped us roll the house out. With a flat-nosed big rig attached to the front, I can't help but make the Optimus Prime comparison. This home will sit in one of the tredest communities in downtown Austin you can check it out at www.muelleraustin.com Should be fun to go take a look at. Even better to learn how to use Solar energy in our everyday lives.
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By Michelle Cherry
(Cherry Partners LLC)
Austin Film Festival October 11, 2007 to October 18, 2007 Recognized as one of the top film festivals in the country.3rd Annual Austin Haunted Forest Trail Of Fears October 11, 2007 to October 31, 2007 Goblins In The Garden- October 28, 2007 There are pleny of spooky surprises & special treats for the entire family. Visit the children's Little House where the little ones can explore our Mad Scientist's Laboratory & complete fun craft activities.  
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By Steve Crossland, Austin TX Real Estate
(Crossland Real Estate)
When I was a small boy, 9 years old, my family was traveling on summer vacation and we stopped at a campground that had a huge pool with a high dive. It was 1972. There were a ton of older kids lined up to jump and dive off the high dive into the pool. I had never made such a leap but wanted to try, so I put on my swim trunks and got in line.After reaching the top of the board, and walking to the end, it looked much higher than it had from the ground. I became scared and didn't want to do it anymore. I turned to head back down the ladder, but the other kids were lined all the way up the ladder, waiting. The next kid in line, a fat red-cheeked bully-looking type, stood at the top staring me down. He said, matter of fact, "you can't go back, you have to jump". I was paralyzed and frighten...
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By Michelle Cherry
(Cherry Partners LLC)
Almost every day when I run into someone that knows me as a Real Estate Broker in Austin, the same questions come up. How is the market doing and do you think now is a good time to sell a home? My answer is always the same. Austin is still strong and even though our home sales are down from the previous record breaking years, our average prices are not really falling. When you have had the record breaking years of home sales in Austin that we have for the last few, it is only logical that everything going on nationally and in the mortgage industry is going to affect our market here. One difference with our strong market over the last few years is we have not seen some of the outrageous percentage increases in average sales prices that a lot of markets experienced. Austin real estate has...
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By Alan Kirkpatrick, Alan in Austin
(Austin Texas Homes)
  DINNER - DRINKS - MOVIES - EVENTSAlamo Lake CreekAustin, Tx13729 Research BlvdLake Creek Shopping Center183 & Lake Creek ParkwayAlamo South LamarAustin, Tx1120 South LamarAlamo VillageAustin, Tx2700 W Anderson LaneVillage Shopping Center! Alamo Drafthouse At the RitzAustin, Tx320 E. 6th St! In the Heart of Downtown Austin you must visit The legendary Alamo Draft House. You can grab a bite to eat and see a great movie right in the same place. It is a great place to have fun and experience downtown. Dinner. drinks and movie plus great service and southern hospitality. Bring your friends and bring a date. Bring your check book you may want to Buy a Home while you are here. You can check the listings above to see what is playing and decide which one you want to go too.
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