It has been a little while since I did any desktop publishing, so I might be a little rusty but I'm sure I'll get back up to speed quickly. I used to update my LiveJournal all the time, but that time in my life is nearing a decade ago!
I suppose I might start by telling you a bit about myself and what I plan to accomplish with this blog, and what I hope to offer you, the reader.
Growing Up a Native Austinite
I am in the middle of my 25th year here as a native Central-Austinite, and my 5th year of being in real estate. The majority of my life has been spent within the confines of IH-35, Oltorf, 360, and 2222. I currently reside in Clarksville and love it! I've always had a passion for Austin. As a young girl I enjoyed my life here but I didn't quite know how good I had it compared with other cities in the world. Thankfully, my parents also had an interest in travel so they graciously carted me along with them all over America and more, imparting me with a healthy dose of perspective and gratitude that I was lucky enough to live in a place like Austin. Thus, when graduation day came at McCallum High School Fine Arts Academy, I was more than happy to submit only one college application: The University of Texas at Austin.
Many of my cohort of fellow graduates expressed excitement over "getting out of here." They anxiously applied and went off to colleges and universities all over the country, seeking somewhere better. It wasn't more than a year before many of them discovered the grass wasn't greener, and some of them joined me at UT in time, haha! They had grown to appreciate what so many already knew: Austin is one of the best!
Getting Involved in Real Estate for the First Time
While in school working on a degree in Psychology, I began assisting my boyfriend at the time in the day to day operations in his business: residential remodeling. It wasn't long before I was intrinsically involved and the business evolved into custom construction. As the business grew into residential real estate development, I was called upon due to my creative eye and extensive computer skills to design a second story addition to a home. I bought the CAD software ChiefArchitect and with much training and coaching from the training videos, a trusted architect and structural engineer, and collaboration with the builder, I came out with my first set of plans. The plans were brought into reality in Travis Heights, where the house remains today with happy new owners.
Residential Real Estate Development, and My Time Designing Homes
Although I was still in college full time, my career as a designer of custom luxury homes took off. From major additions we moved into brand new construction in Travis Heights, Tarrytown, and Pemberton Heights. All in all from the end of 2006 to the end of 2009 I designed, permitted, and helped manage the construction of 2 second story additions, 1 major addition/remodel, and 5 new luxury homes. I graduated from UT in 2008 with my degree in Psychology in the middle of that.
Unfortunately, the housing market crashed in the middle of that too. We held our torch for as long as we could, but eventually our business and our projects went the same way as so many others at the time.
Lily Aleksander, REALTOR®
Towards the end of that period I became a REALTOR® to list the homes I designed! Although that didn't quite pan out as expected, I have since leveraged my abilities in residential real estate and a native Austinite to become an expert in Austin's most desired areas. Since then I have joined Austin City Living and I am proud to be a part of the elite team there, not mention it's Austin's Best Place to Work 2010!
I live, love, work, and play in Central Austin. The areas in which my expertise shines the best are Downtown, Tarrytown, Clarksville, Pemberton Heights, Campus, Travis Heights, South Lamar, East Austin, Hyde Park, Crestview, Balcones Woods, and Westlake. These areas are closest to me because my school, work, and/or residence has once been located in each one of those neighborhoods. In addition to the housing options there, I also am acquainted with the retail, business, and recreation opportunities, making me a great resource if you are interested in relocating to one of these areas! Another one of my areas of expertise is the downtown condo market.
YOU
You see, dear reader, you and your housing needs are my number one priority. I could probably brag all day about my skills and abilities, but that's not what's really important here- you are. I would love nothing more than the opportunity to show you how hard I will work for you to get the highest price for your home or find you the best deal on your purchase or lease.
What I can offer you with this blog are the latest details about the market in Austin and what's great about living here in general. I will share the pertinent details you need to know as a buyer or seller, landlord or renter about what houses and condos are going for lately. I will showcase what I believe to be the best deals for buying or renting are as soon as they show up on the market- or sometimes even before! Nothing makes me happier than matching a buyer or renter with their perfect property the day it becomes available, because everyone knows the best deals in Central Austin don't last more than a week at most, if not just hours. I will also share information about Austin in general, such as interesting news and events.
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to bringing you the content you want to see!
Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/LilyREALTOR
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