The Retirement Community of Sun City Texas - 05/27/09 10:40 PM
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 Rated, a guidebook for seniors wanting to relocate upon retirement.

Its location is excellent, and has extremely affordable cost of living and tax advantages. Currently Sun City has about 5,500 homes and plans to expand to 7,500 homes by 2012-2013.

Most of the homes in Sun City range in price beginning … (3 comments)

The Price of Clean Air - 05/27/09 10:36 PM
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 (the trade) their leftover allowances to companies that go over the pollution standards. It sounds like a win-win, but cap-and-trade has its opponents.

In recent weeks the Environmental Protection Agency has declared carbon dioxide as dangerous to public health, and in all likelihood will move to regulate CO2 emission under the Clean Air Act. With … (1 comments)

A Look At Credit Cards : The Psychology of Plastic - 05/27/09 10:31 PM
"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 culpable. It seems there is a fine line between who is really to blame: the companies that provide the easy credit with high penalties or the consumers that take easy credit and ignore the possible penalties.

Just how did credit cards become so ubiquitous in the American financial landscape? A recent … (2 comments)

Mortgage Rates Hover Near All Time Lows - 05/27/09 10:25 PM
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 and 1 year arm. The 5 year arm dropped from 4.82 to 4.79. At the same time the 1 year arm rose from 4.71 to 4.82. This is the first time the 1 year arm has been above the 5 year arm. Regardless both … (2 comments)

Getting Back To "Boring Banking" - 05/21/09 11:05 AM
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 these days in how the banking industry is faring, and not just because our tax dollars have funded billion dollar bailouts. The health of the banking industry is a direct reflection on the health of the economy, and we all pay the price or reap the benefits to a degree.
… (10 comments)

Thoughts on the Economy: Hope is Great, Real Proof is Better - 05/21/09 01:34 AM
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 Associated Press, the Federal Reserve Chairman tempered this hopeful news with a prediction that there would also be "further sizable job losses" in the coming months.

The most recent sign that the economy may be a little less dismal these days was the latest report of the services … (1 comments)

Even Lincoln is Going Green - 05/21/09 01:14 AM
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 just any restoration of an old house, it was kept as green as possible.

To that end, Time magazine recently reported that renovators kept 98 percent of the existing structures and used recycled material for the rest. The buildings earned a gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, thus proving … (0 comments)

Easter in Austin Texas - 05/21/09 01:05 AM
April 12 millions of Christians will be celebrating Easter. After church service, many children will be on the hunt for colorful Easter eggs. Just how did the Easter Bunny appear in the Easter holiday?

The Easter Bunny hides painted eggs in the garden for children to find. It all began with the German and Dutch immigrants. The Easter Bunny was known as the Easter Hare. The name changed from "Hare" to "Rabbit" and this is how the name "Easter Bunny" came to be.

Spring is a new time of birth and both eggs and rabbits are symbols … (1 comments)

Mortgage Rates Start to Rise - 05/21/09 01:02 AM
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 rate held mostly steady sitting at 4.52 but .04 points above its all time lows.

While the 15 and 30 year dropped both the 5 and 1 year arm fell this week. The 5 year arm fell from 4.90 to 4.82. The 1 year arm dropped … (0 comments)

Easy Home Improvement ideas to Add Value to your Home - 05/14/09 04:00 AM
With spring and summer just around the corner, home owners may want to spruce up their home. Whether you want to add value to your home to sell it or just to update your home for your own pleasure, here are a few low cost ideas that anyone can do.

Custom details can add dollars and character to your home. If you want to do a face life on a room, instead of crown molding, try using wainscoting instead. It is less expensive to use and comes in a variety of styles and you can easily install it yourself!
… (3 comments)

The Austin Science and Nature Center - 05/14/09 03:56 AM
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 each stop, and a live wildlife collection.

The center also is home to the Discovery Labs, which include seven mini-labs that explore the study of mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology, and geology, and there are collections of butterflies, bats, and bones along with the labs and other displays. There is also an authentic Texas cave to explore, … (0 comments)

What the Pro's Know- Top 3 Remodeling Tips - 05/14/09 03:49 AM
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 home. As beautiful as your home may be, if the outside is not appealing, it will be very difficult to sell the inside of your home. Even if your home is not on the market, you must be conscience of curb appeal. It can make your … (2 comments)

Finding A Neighborhood that Fits - 05/09/09 12:34 AM
Starting the search for a new home can be both exciting and a little daunting. Whether Austin has been home-base for years or a brand new place, deciding which neighborhood to buy a house in can be a big decision. If you could live anywhere, where would you go?

Generally speaking, the house hunt is restricted by factors such as price and commute. But that is only the start. Some other things to consider are schools, crime rate, taxes, traffic, and proximity to shopping or parks. The list of things to mull over when looking for the right neighborhood can … (4 comments)

Family Law: What Is the Probate Process? - 05/09/09 12:32 AM
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 bear can't understand when explained in simplified terms.

Probate refers to a court proceeding related to the settlement of a person's estate after death. The decedent's outstanding debts are settled. Legal title to all property is sold and/or formally passes from the decedent to the appropriate … (2 comments)

What Exactly Is the Mayor's Job? - 05/09/09 12:29 AM
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 politics, Austin voter turnout for the mayoral and city council races is usually around ten percent.

So, just how important is the mayor in a city that also has a city manager? The easiest way to explain the difference between the two is that the mayor is a political office and the … (0 comments)

Mortgage Rates Start to Move Up - 05/09/09 12:18 AM
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 up slightly from 4.48 to 4.51. The 5 year arm moved from 4.80 to 4.90 pushing it farther above the 30 year rate. It's been sometime since the 5 year arm was below the 30 year fixed rate. It looks like the 5 … (0 comments)

Banks Still Going Bust? - 05/02/09 12:20 AM
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 profits. Wells Fargo, Inc., Citigroup and Bank of America all reported better than expected earnings for the first part of the year.

Those booming bottom lines from banks are being questioned though. The New York Times financial columnist Paul Krugman warned Americans to stay skeptical as banks maneuvered their numbers. "The biggest positive … (4 comments)

Pecan Street Festival - 05/02/09 12:16 AM
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 for Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd. All the fun starts at 11:00 am each day and runs until 10:00 pm on Saturday and 8:00 pm on Sunday.

The festival will have five stages with some of the most eclectic performances around. Tommy Tutone is scheduled to open the … (0 comments)

Mortgage Rates Hit All Time Lows - 05/02/09 12:10 AM
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 steady for the second week at 4.48. While this is low for the 15 year rate the difference between the 30 year rate and the 15 year rate is lower than usual. Therefore, the 15 year rate should be seeing less activity than normal. … (1 comments)

Tips on Camping in Texas - 05/02/09 12:00 AM
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 you and your family from enjoying the great wilderness. If you play it smart, you can keep cool, even in Texas.

The first thing you should do is choose the right campsite. You should try to find a site that has trees that can provide shade in the … (5 comments)

 

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