houses: Round Rock, Texas - 11/07/08 12:00 AM
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
(0 comments)
|
houses: Mortgage Is Not a Bad Word: Steps to Getting a Home Loan in the Credit Crunch - 11/03/08 01:05 AM
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
(1 comments)
|
houses: The Fallout From the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Takeover - 09/12/08 04:26 AM
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
(4 comments)
|
houses: Mortgage Interest Rates Plummet after Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Takeover - 09/12/08 03:56 AM
I have been tracking mortgage 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
(1 comments)
|
houses: Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac Takeover: What Does It Mean? - 09/08/08 12:33 AM
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
(13 comments)
|
houses: Allandale Neighborhood - 07/17/08 07:12 AM
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 Allandale Neighborhood Association has been a presence in
(0 comments)
|
houses: How To Minimize The Stress Of Moving - 07/13/08 03:30 AM
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 and reduce
(2 comments)
|
houses: Southeast Austin - 78741 - 07/07/08 09:49 PM
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 south, Riverside
(0 comments)
|
houses: Texas Friendly Flowers - 06/14/08 02:09 AM
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
(2 comments)
|
houses: Neighborhood Profiles – Southwest Austin - 06/12/08 12:54 AM
As the Austin Texas 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,
(0 comments)
|
houses: Easy Ways To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient - 06/06/08 02:34 AM
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
(2 comments)
|
houses: Changing The Look Of A Fireplace - 06/04/08 02:01 AM
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
(4 comments)
|
houses: The Tarrytown and Deep Eddy Areas of West Austin - 06/02/08 11:07 PM
Two beautiful 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 is
(0 comments)
|
houses: Removing Countertops - 05/30/08 11:05 PM
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 heavy, too labor
(1 comments)
|
houses: Mueller - Austin's Largest Urban Development Project - 05/23/08 04:29 AM
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 a variety
(1 comments)
|
houses: Home Improvement Tips : Bathroom Renovations - 04/29/08 05:17 AM
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 saving money at the
(3 comments)
|
houses: Credit Crunch: Light at the End of the Tunnel - 04/29/08 05:06 AM
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
(2 comments)
|
houses: How to Refinish Hardwood Floors - 04/17/08 05:14 AM
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, but with some preparation and
(1 comments)
|
houses: Remodeling A Kitchen : A How To Guide - 04/06/08 01:28 AM
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
(1 comments)
|
houses: Benefits of Buying Real Estate in a Down Market - 03/31/08 10:16 PM
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
(0 comments)
|