austin mls: Travis Heights - 09/04/08 04:00 AM
One of the coolest neighborhoods in the Austin real estate market has to be a cute little neighborhood called Travis Heights. Featuring historic houses, charming shopping streets, great restaurants, and an unbeatable central location, this area is one of the most sought-after in Austin. The streets ramble and roll, curving over … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Austin, Texas: A Cyclist's Paradise - 09/01/08 02:55 AM
Austin, Texas, is well known for its high rate of resident activity. In fact, Austin is often rated among the healthiest and most-active cities in America. With a wealth of outdoor activities to choose from (parks, lakes, and hiking trails abound) Austinites have access to an almost indefinite number of options … (1 comments)
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austin mls: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport - 09/01/08 02:45 AM
In 1990, Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was the primary military facility in the Travis County area, was considered as a site for possible closure, at which time it was also considered as a possible site for a new international airport, since Robert Mueller Airport was no longer big enough to … (1 comments)
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austin mls: MLS - THE SCOOP - 08/28/08 09:37 AM
MLS or Multiple Listing Service is much more than a database of homes for sale through real estate brokers.
MLS is an organization managed by an association of REALTORS® and paid for by dues from member REALTORS®. It's purpose is for REALTORS® to cooperate and share information for the benefit of … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Texas Real Estate - 08/13/08 03:19 PM
The downturn plaguing many housing markets across the country has not reached Austin, and experts do not expect a slump any time soon. Strong economic growth and an appealing quality of life combine to make real estate in Austin an attractive investment. Unlike other popular locations, however, property in Austin remains … (0 comments)
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austin mls: The Barton Hills Neighborhood - 08/07/08 01:07 AM
The residential neighborhood around Barton Springs which is now called Barton Hills is one of the earliest settlements in the Austin area, and the community was originally a small town itself. This unique neighborhood is so old that dinosaur footprints dating back millions of years have been found on the banks … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Weather; A Study in Contrast - 08/04/08 03:55 AM
Anyone who has been in Texas for very long has heard someone say, "If you don't like Texas weather, just wait a minute."
Austin and the surrounding Hill Country enjoy some of the most temperate weather in Texas. Summers are hot, winters are mild and spring and fall months are … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Steam Train - 08/01/08 04:23 AM
One of the most unique and interesting attractions in and around the capitol city are the different excursions offered by the Austin Steam Train Association. With vintage engines and passenger cars, riders are transported to a different time and place, enjoying three levels of travel style - coach class, excursion class, … (0 comments)
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austin mls: How to Plan a Stress-Free Vacation - 08/01/08 04:20 AM
Planning a vacation can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be: being well prepared can make a big difference, and a little forethought can go a long way. Follow these simple tips to plan a great trip on your terms.
Plan ahead
The overwhelming number of vacation possibilities available … (5 comments)
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austin mls: Farmer's Markets - 08/01/08 01:24 AM
With the recent push towards local, sustainable eating, Austin residents are lucky to claim quite a few local farms. Many of these farmers bring their freshly harvested produce in to town periodically as part of one of the farmer's markets located throughout the city. Not just produce, Austin's farmers markets also … (1 comments)
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austin mls: 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)
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austin mls: Austin Restaurant Spotlight: Clarksville and West Lynn St. - 07/17/08 06:39 AM
One of Austin's most sought-after neighborhoods, Clarksville offers a close-knit neighborhood feel in a European style, pedestrian-friendly setting. With small privately-owned markets and delicious restaurants all a stone's throw away, Clarksville residents happily enjoy the best Austin has to offer.
And while Clarksville is home to a number of distinctive … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Real Estate Market Steady - 07/11/08 02:49 AM
After a rather neutral start in 2008, the real estate market for residential homes in Austin has increased its inventory of homes for sale, according to statistics from the Austin MLS. This is happening despite a continuation of one of the highest metropolitan growth rates in the country and a strong … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Outdoor Fun In Austin, Texas - 07/11/08 02:40 AM
Austin, Texas, is known for a lot of things. It's the Live Music Capital of the World, the home of the UT Longhorns, and the capitol seat of the Lone Star State. To those who live and play here full time, it's also widely regarded as one of the most active … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Labor Day Weekend in Austin - 07/07/08 09:54 PM
Labor Day weekend in Austin this year promises every imaginable kind of activity, with something for everyone, young and old, in the works. Some choices for end of summer fun locally include Texas Longhorn events, the Austin Bat Fest, and a day of yoga, among other celebrations. If you’re a sports … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Mortgage Interest Rates Continue to Move Up - 07/02/08 02:00 PM
After rising drastically last week fixed mortgage interest rates moved up slightly this week. 30 Year notes moved from 6.42 to 6.45 and 15 Year notes moved from 6.02 to 6.04. ARMS on the other hand rose a decent amount. 5 Year Arms rose from 5.89 to 5.99 while … (2 comments)
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austin mls: South By Southwest - 06/24/08 04:51 AM
Every year, Austin is descended upon by thousands of music, film, and web industry professionals, artists, and fans, all attending the annual South by Southwest Festival. Although it started as a local music festival, as it now enters its third decade, SXSW has become one of the premier industry conferences, and … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Mortgage Interest Rates: Up Up And Away - 06/24/08 04:13 AM
Up up and away. Mortgage interest rates continue on their upward trajectory. 30 Year mortgage rates went from 6.32 to 6.42. 15 year notes rose from 5.93 to 6.02 and 5 year arms rose almost 20 basis point going from 5.7 to 5.89. 1 Year arms rose this week … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Mortgage Interest Rates Jump Up - 06/14/08 02:02 AM
After several weeks of staying relatively flat mortgage interest rates jumped up this week. 30 Year mortgage went from 6.09 to 6.32. 15 Year Mortgage moved from 5.65 to 5.93. 5 Year rates went from 5.51 to 5.70. The only rate that was somewhat stable was 1 Year Arms … (4 comments)
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austin mls: 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)
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austin mls: The Travis Heights Neighborhood of Central Austin - 06/09/08 01:45 AM
Travis Heights is a centrally located neighborhood in one of Austin’s most esteemed zip codes, 78704. The neighborhood’s proximity to downtown and Lady Bird Lake makes it a desirable place to live, and the new Emma Long Center for the Performing Arts is just a couple of blocks north of the … (0 comments)
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austin mls: What Is Going On With Mortgage Rates This Week - 06/07/08 02:33 AM
Rates on 15 and 30 Year Fixed loans were pretty much stable this week. Rates on 5 and 1 year ARMs both fell. With 1 Year ARMs falling from 5.22 to 5.06. This is the lowest 1 Year Arms have been since early March. Its a little wierd considering … (6 comments)
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austin mls: The Hidden/Green City - 06/04/08 04:08 AM
Canopy. That’s a great word and a comforting thought when shade is what you need on a hot day. When it’s canopy provided by trees, the word and the comfort loom refreshingly larger in the mind of any summer sun-smitten shade seeker. No man made shade offers quite the appeal of … (1 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Texas Websites that can help - 05/27/08 05:17 PM
I have lived in Austin now for almost 20 years, but I was thinking about the types of things that I would like to learn if I were moving to a new area of the country. Many of these have already been covered in my online relocation … (14 comments)
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austin mls: Central East Austin - 05/21/08 03:07 AM
Just east of IH-35, in the center of Austin, lies an area that is becoming a popular destination for Austinites looking for a central location that doesn’t come with the price tag one would pay in other centrally located areas. They also don’t lose any of the historic charm or lack … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Exterior Renovations - 05/11/08 11:47 PM
Many people consider home renovating to be an inside affair, but there are also many exterior renovations that can help beautify a home and encourage spending more time outdoors. Like interior renovations, with the proper planning, and research, fixing up the exterior of a home and its surroundings can be accomplished … (0 comments)
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austin mls: What To Do With Your Unneeded Moving Boxes - 05/08/08 03:11 AM
You packed. You moved. You unpacked. Now all those boxes are sitting there, empty, taking up space, getting in your way. Moving boxes are great—when you’re moving—but afterward, the only purpose they seem to serve is filling up the trashcan. There are a few alternatives to a landfill, however, so before … (5 comments)
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austin mls: Putting In A Flowerbed - 05/06/08 03:56 AM
Putting in a flowerbed is a great way to add a splash of color and charm to your lawn, and turn an ordinary yard into a place to stop and smell the roses. All it takes is a little dirt work and a weekend afternoon, and you’ll be ready to plant … (3 comments)
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austin mls: Real Estate: Where's The Bottom? - 05/06/08 03:49 AM
In recent months, the US real estate market has seen its fair share of turbulent weather as house prices continue to fall. While the Federal Reserve has taken significant steps towards making lending cheaper, interest rates remain artificially high as the troubled financial sector continues record write-downs. So far, only a … (2 comments)
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austin mls: March Statistics for the Austin Real Estate Market - 04/30/08 06:20 AM
The stats for the Austin market are out. So what is going on. Basically the same thing as we have been seeing for several months. The Austin market is doing worse than last year. Basically it slowed down in September when the subprime issues surfaced. But the Austin market … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Profiles in Green City Programs: Austin Texas - 04/27/08 02:26 AM
Several cities across the US are noted for their progressive city governments and citizenry in regards to environmental issues. Known as “green cities”, they not only initiate and practice policies that promote clean air and water, but often promote other programs and practices such as alternative energy systems and construction methods. … (0 comments)
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austin mls: The Culture of South Austin - 04/22/08 12:34 AM
Austin has many colorful neighborhoods and shopping venues, but most inhabitants of the city will tell you that Austin is divided into two distinct areas: South Austin, and North Austin. The Colorado River runs directly through the central part of the city, encircling the downtown business district on its southern perimeter, … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Neighborhood: North Loop - 04/17/08 06:24 AM
Just north of Hyde Park, with approximately 1400 homes, lies the neighborhood of North Loop. Also referred to as “Northfield”, the North Loop neighborhood boundaries are 51st street, Lamar Boulevard, Airport Boulevard, and Koenig Lane.
Like many of Austin’s central neighborhoods, North Loop got its start once soldiers began returning … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Neighborhood Profiles : Travis Heights - 03/16/08 06:46 AM
Lying just west of IH-35 and south of Riverside Drive is one of Austin’s most appealing neighborhoods, Travis Heights. Its rolling hills and winding roads have long been a haven for a diverse culture, with a mixture of housing to match: perfectly kept bungalows, a few large estates and smattering of … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Real Estate Profiles : Crestview Austin Homes - 03/14/08 12:34 AM
Just north of Austin's urban center lies the Crestview neighborhood, bordered by Anderson Lane to the north, Justin Lane to the south, North Lamar Boulevard to the east and Burnet Road to the west. In 1948, developer A.B. Beddow began building the Crestview homes on what was originally an old cotton … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Agave Development in Austin Real Estate - 03/13/08 10:06 PM
Modern housing is on the rise in Austin, making it easier for the modernist to move into a brand new home, instead of waiting for a mid century A.D. Stenger to come on the market. Six miles east on Martin Luther King Blvd, the Agave residential development is finishing up its … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Any other markets using MLS Exchange for MLS??? - 03/08/08 08:41 PM
If your board is using the MLS Exchange I would appreciate any comments you may have. We have been on system since November and they are-still struggling to get it right at our expense! Main response is that we all need more training on the high tech program.
Wish they had just … (2 comments)
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austin mls: January Stats for the Austin Real Estate Market - 03/04/08 08:55 PM
The January stats are out for the Austin real estate market. While the market is doing better than most real estate markets in the US it is down from what we were seeing this summer. Below is a chart showing the stats for the last few years.
In January … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Profiles: 2nd Street District in Downtown Austin - 03/03/08 10:36 PM
The 2nd Street District in downtown Austin has grown rapidly, and Austin is reaping the benefits. Besides the nightlife bar scene of 6th Street, and a smattering of shops on Congress Avenue, downtown Austin lacked a hub for shopping, eating, and entertainment that the 2nd Street District is now providing with … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Austin MLS Listings - 02/20/08 11:50 AM
As the average days on market in the Austin MLS seems to be creeping upwards slightly, many properties still sell within a matter of days of being listed. Before the seller even signs the listing agreement, most brokers know if the property is going to fly off the shelf quickly. Through … (0 comments)
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austin mls: What Can We Learn From Bob Barker? The Price MUST Be Right! - 02/08/08 07:01 PM
When I was a kid, I watched a lot of gameshows, particularly when I was home sick from school. One of my favorites was "The Price is Right". With its over-excited audience, this program has an enthusiasm that is contagious, which is one reason why it has lasted so long (it … (46 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Neighborhoods: French Place - 02/04/08 10:38 PM
Nestled in central Austin between Airport Boulevard and Manor Road lies the quiet yet vibrant neighborhood of French Place. Austin has always been renowned for its individual personality, and while its expansion continues to dilute that sentiment over the years, these quaint houses with ample yards exemplify the type of house … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Neighborhoods: Barton Hills - 02/02/08 01:47 AM
Tucked away off the bustling restaurant row on Barton Springs road, and just west of Lamar Boulevard, lies a conglomerate of little neighborhoods that make up Austin's Barton Hills community.
The area where Barton Hills is currently located holds some of Austin's oldest historical features. In the early 1990s, dinosaur … (0 comments)
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austin mls: US Recession Inevitable? - 01/25/08 01:08 AM
As the sub-prime mortgage scandal continues to play out badly for many US companies, more and more questions have been raised as to whether the impact of a slowdown in one area will translate into a nationwide, or even global, recession. Growth prospects within the US are limited for this year … (1 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Board of Realtors - Austin MLS - 01/24/08 05:28 PM
The Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) is taking a strong stance against Austin MLS members using the term "Austin MLS" on their web sites. This creates a competitive advantage for web sites that are not associated with, nor abide by, the rules of the Austin MLS drawn up by the ABoR … (4 comments)
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austin mls: A Guide to Austin's Greenbelts - 01/21/08 06:36 PM
On the eastern edge of the Edward’s plateau lies one of Austin’s greatest treasures: the Barton Creek Greenbelt. After millions of years, the runoff of rainwater carved a canyon into the plateau, and created one of Austin’s treasures.
The most popular of Austin’s greenbelts, the Barton Creek greenbelt is just … (1 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Neighborhood Profile: Hyde Park - 01/18/08 04:53 PM
One of Austin's oldest and most loved neighborhoods in Austin is Hyde Park. Located in Central Austin just north of The University of Texas, Hyde Park is over 100 years old. Founded in 1891 by the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Land and Town Company, the neighborhood was designed and marketed as … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Profiles in Green Building: The Austin Real Estate Market - 01/14/08 11:42 PM
Austin has long been a home for friendly folk- friendly to each other, friendly to animals, and friendly to the environment. What used to be considered as only the concerns of hippies and the bohemian sect, environmentalism is now at the forefront of commercial and residential design, and "green" businesses are … (1 comments)
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austin mls: North Austin Home for Sale - 1104 Neans Drive - $164,900 - 01/12/08 07:25 PM
I just listed a home today for some clients who are looking to move closer to work. It's located at 1104 Neans Drive. The home features over 2400 s.f. per the tax records, all on one level. It sits on a large .38 acre lot near Lamar and Braker. The listing … (3 comments)
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austin mls: Profiles in Green Building: The Austin Real Estate Market - 01/11/08 04:12 PM
Austin has long been a home for friendly folk- friendly to each other, friendly to animals, and friendly to the environment. What used to be considered as only the concerns of hippies and the bohemian sect, environmentalism is now at the forefront of commercial and residential design, and "green" businesses are … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Why Liquidity is Important in the Current Mortgage Crisis? - 12/21/07 08:17 PM
In recent days, the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, and the Swiss National Bank have teamed up to auction $110 billion off to world money markets in order to ease the recent liquidity crisis. But what is liquidity? Why should banks auction … (1 comments)
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austin mls: Fed Restrictions Should Further Weaken the Real Estate Market - 12/19/07 04:59 PM
As a result of the recent sub-prime mortgage scandal, the Federal Reserve has taken many actions to avoid a global credit crisis, which it now aims to further mitigate through tightening the standards that lenders use to determine whether a potential borrower is eligible to receive a mortgage loan. Chairman Ben … (3 comments)
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austin mls: National and State MLS Consolidation - Is Your Local MLS a leader or follower? - 12/02/07 11:02 PM
In an effort to become more efficient, local MLSs are merging to form Mega-MLSs. Small steps have been made over the past couple of decades to combine local MLSs into Regional MLSs. Connecticut is leading the way to form Statewide MLS integration and sparking interest from other curios states such as … (1 comments)
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austin mls: Austin Real Estate Market Statistics for October 2007 - 11/21/07 03:15 PM
The statistics for the Austin Real Estate market are out. Although the general Austin economy is strong the real estate market continues to be slower due to the credit crisis that is affecting the country. The number of listings in the Austin MLS is up 19% compared to last year … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Is Another Fed Cut Inevitable? - 11/15/07 06:12 PM
As many Americans continue to default on their mortgages at record levels, other markets throughout the world are becoming extremely volatile. Most of the defaults were exacerbated by the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes over the past two years, which were done in order to stem inflation and keep the … (1 comments)
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austin mls: What Can I Buy in the Austin Area for $600,000? - 10/17/07 01:15 PM
As part of my ongoing series demonstrating the desirability and affordability of the Austin, Texas real estate market, this week I focus on properties in the $600,000 range:
This Custom designed 2 story red brick home sits on wooded and private 5-acre tract! Wood floors, crown molding, high ceilings, large rooms, 2 … (55 comments)
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austin mls: Feng Shui in Real Estate - The Location and Lot - 09/16/07 01:02 PM
What do you know about Feng Shui? If you’re like most people, you probably are not even sure if I spelled it right just now. Maybe you picture an old man doing the world’s slowest kung fu at dawn (that’s Tai Chi, totally different.) Feng shui is a sorta guidebook about … (1 comments)
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austin mls: Austin's Identity Crisis for downtown Austin Real Estate - 09/14/07 10:51 PM
I don’t know if you’ve noticed— it’s certainly hard to miss— but the landscape around Austin is changing. As is the skyline. As is the... well, the feel of the city. The flavor.
Some Austinites are not excited about the changes going on. The corporations moving in, the family-owned and … (0 comments)
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austin mls: Why Use a Realtor? - 09/08/07 10:45 PM
I hear from a lot of people we work with that they initially did not want to deal with Realtors when purchasing a property because they can sometimes be pushy or just a pain to deal with. This can be true, as it would be with any position that is involved … (3 comments)
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austin mls: What to Look for in a Real Estate Loan - Part 2 - 09/03/07 03:55 AM
In Part I, of What to Look for in a Real Estate Loan, we discussed the components of the loan that do not require lenders' quotes. The following components of the loan, including interest rate, points, and closing costs can get pretty involved and you will probably need to discuss the … (3 comments)
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austin mls: What to Look for in a Real Estate Loan - 09/02/07 09:05 PM
When you decide to buy a house, one of the first tasks is to talk to a couple lenders and choose which lender & loan is best for you. With all the loan variables, it's tough to compare one lender to another. In this blog, we'll go through each of the … (0 comments)
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austin mls: The Mortgage Crisis and the Austin Real Estate Market - 08/14/07 04:31 PM
So there has been a lot of talk about the mortgage crisis over the last week. I wanted to write a short summary of what is going on.
Earlier this summer, we had changes in sub-prime lending. Basically before the changes, if someone could wander into a mortgage office, they … (0 comments)
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austin mls: The Benefits of Buying Real Estate in a Bad Neighborhood - 08/07/07 06:12 PM
When people call me, typically one of the first requests they make is for a house in a "nice" neighborhood. And this makes sense to want a neighborhood that is safe and enjoyable. But there are some benefits to buying real estate in the rough part of town or on the … (3 comments)
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austin mls: Finding your Maximum House Price - 07/17/07 02:28 PM
When someone decides to buy a house, one of the first tasks is to talk to a lender and determine the maximum loan they can get. The max loan will determine the cap on real estate prices for that the buyer. There’s lots of calculators out there that will help determine … (3 comments)
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austin mls: Now is not a good or bad time to buy Real Estate - 07/15/07 04:26 PM
People always ask me if this is a good time to buy real estate. Or they ask me if now is a bad time to buy real estate. I have the same answer for both questions: I don't know. More importantly, I don't care.
Don’t get me wrong—if you’re buying … (0 comments)
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