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Austin Ranks #1 in 10 Best Cities
Friday, May 28th, 2010 at 2:37pm. 97 Views, 0 Comments.
10 Best Cities for the Next Decade
May 25th, 2010
They're prosperous, innovative, and they'll generate plenty of jobs, too.
We live in challenging times. Unemployment remains high, and the U.S. lead in technology and science is slipping as many foreign countries gain ground. But some U.S. cities, though slowed by the Great Recession, still thrive by lifting good old American innovation to new levels. And that will help put more Americans back to work and keep our international edge.
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Formula One Coming to Austin
Friday, May 28th, 2010 at 2:35pm. 110 Views, 0 Comments.
Formula One has just announced that Austin has been selected as their host city until 2021. The location of the future track has not been selected, but a facility will be built to hold the event. The race is expected to draw an international crowd and infuse the local economy with hundreds of millions of dollars. It is expected that every hotel room from Temple to San Antonio will be booked during the event.
This is very exciting news for Austin!
6 Tips to Successfully Stage Your Home For Sale
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 at 1:25pm. 147 Views, 0 Comments.
1. Staging forces you to think like a buyer – When you are working to stage your client’s home to be put on the market, you’ll be looking at the home as if you were a buyer. Gaining this perspective will help you in many ways when preparing a home to be listed.
2. Staging forces you to organize and de-clutter – Clearing shelves, closets and cabinets is a big part of the home staging process. It also helps with the moving process because sellers can pack items away as they are getting rid of the clutter.
3. Staging increases the likelihood of a sale – When you are selling a home, you need to do everything you can to increase the changes of selling the home. A successfully staged home gives your seller an extra edge in selling their home quickly.
4. Staging…
First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended Until 2010
Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 1:29pm. 263 Views, 0 Comments.
The Homebuyers Tax Credit jumped its last hurdle yesterday, as both the House and the Senate have passed the bill and it now awaits President Obama's signature, expected today or tomorrow. And while we have been expecting this to happen for some time and with all the changing details, let's go over the actual Bill. For First Time Homebuyers or those who have not owned a home within 3 years, the tax credit remains at $8,000, with income restrictions maxing out at $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for couples. Current Homeowners - those defined as having owned a home for five or the previous eight years - can now also take advantage of a credit, with the slightly lesser amount of $6,500, with the income restrictions the same as described above. To qualify…
Landscaper in Southwest Austin, Loved My Results
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 12:09am. 296 Views, 0 Comments.
We just had new stonework done to our flowerbeds at our home in Southwest Austin. We had to immediately find a good landscaper to complete the job. After meeting with several people, and going over plans and prices, one stood out from the group. She is Jodi Phillips with Morningstar Landscaping. She made the process easy and effortless, and came up with a reasonable budget.
I was impressed with her because whe did not try to overprice the job, like many others did. She showed up on time, and was quick to email with the bid. When we came home to see the results, we were so happy!
I think that she works all over Austin, our job was in Southwest Austin, but she travels to all areas.
Give her a call at 512-527-4050
Her website is…
Central Texas Market Bottoming Out?
Friday, October 9th, 2009 at 12:47pm. 362 Views, 0 Comments.
AUSTIN (Austin American-Statesman) – Central Texas' new-home market might be bottoming out, according to Residential Strategies Inc. and its third-quarter starts and closings figures, released Thursday.
Third quarter home starts were down 5.4 percent from the same quarter last year to 2,239 but up 17 percent from second quarter 2009.
"This is a positive sign and perhaps a signal that the successive quarterly decline in activity may be coming to an end," said Ted Wilson, a partner with Residential Stategies.
Big Savings on Fine Dining in Austin
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at 1:21am. 147 Views, 0 Comments.
Restaurant Savings
My grandmother used to say, "The food always tastes better when someone else is cooking it." Maybe that's why I love my grandmother's cooking so much.
I'm guessing that's also why so many of us like to eat out. Between work and family obligations, deciding what to make for dinner seems more like a chore some days. It is the reason we decided to tackle tonight's subject of ways to save money and still eat out.
Great way to save $$$ on Dining Out in Austin
Check out www.Restaurant.com
There is a great selection of restaurants where you can buy $25 certificates for $10. That means that you can enjoy a $75 dinner out for just $30. What a deal! I'm so happy that I found it.
Bon appetit!
Austin Energy Rebates to Save Money Fall 2009
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at 1:11am. 225 Views, 0 Comments.
The Cash for Clunkers program just ended, but may get a chance to take advantage of another round of rebates this fall--this time by replacing your old appliances.
Part of the stimulus package Congress approved earlier this year included $300 million for the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate program.
By buying a new energy efficient appliance you could get a rebate worth between $50 to $200. Here's a list of the appliance categories that will qualify:
· central air conditioners
· heat pumps (air source and geothermal)
· boilers
· furnaces (oil and gas)
· room air conditioners
· clothes washers
· dishwashers
· freezers
· refrigerators
• water heaters.
The program is expected to take effect sometime in November.
Remember Austin Energy…
Austin Home Sales Level Out
Friday, August 21st, 2009 at 2:41pm. 125 Views, 0 Comments.
Austin area home sales level out By Shonda Novak | Thursday, August 20, 2009, 11:22 AM Existing home sales in Central Texas were flat last month, the first time in more than two years that they were not lower than the same month a year earlier. The Austin Board of Realtors reported that there were 2,069 sales last month, and 2,068 in July 2008. In a sign of a stabilizing market, the year-over-year percentage decline had been shrinking in recent months, after a string of double-digit percentage drops. Pending sales were down 2 percent, while the number of listings was down 8 percent from a year ago. Homes are taking longer to sell, an average of 75 days, up 17 percent from a year ago. July’s median home price was $191,500, down 2 percent from July 2008.…
November 30th Deadline on 2009 Tax Credit for Buyers: What does it mean for Home Sellers?
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 at 6:53pm. 86 Views, 0 Comments.
With the $8,000 tax credit scheduled to end Nov. 30, the number of home buyers looking to take advantage of the credit (as well as the historically low prices and low interest rates) could possibly increase as the year winds down, especially as we start seeing glimmers of an economic upturn for the real estate market. If you’ve been waiting for the right window of opportunity to put your home on the market, this might be the time. I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to call me or email me any time. For more information on the Tax Credit, visit http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/faq.php.
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Austin Ranks #1 in 10 Best Cities
10 Best Cities for the Next Decade By the Editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine May 25th, 2010... Read MoreFormula One Coming to Austin
Formula One has just announced that Austin has been selected as their host city until 2021. The location of the... Read More6 Tips to Successfully Stage Your Home For Sale
1. Staging forces you to think like a buyer – When you are working to stage your client’s home to be put o... Read More