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Austin, TX Real Estate News

By Ki Gray, Austin Real Estate
There are several places families can go to hear and sing along to your favorite Christmas songs and see beautiful lights and celebrate Christmas in Austin. The Austin Symphony has a wonder free concert every year. This year it is "Ring-a-ling, hear them ring, soon it will be Christmas Day." Each December the symphony conducts a free Christmas concert for the public. This year it is being held at the Riverbend centre, and is being conducted by Carlton Dillard. This year's line up will include Frosty the Snowman, Dr. Suess' The Grinch, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and no Christmas celebration would be complete without the big man himself, Santa! There will be lots of fun and singing! What is Christmas without "The Nutcracker?" Everyone loves this beautiful production of sugarplums and ...
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By Russell Lewis, Broker,CLHMS,GRI
(Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate)
On the first Thursday of nearly every month, I meet a small group of people and make a short drive to the town of Lockhart, "The Barbecue Capital of Texas". The crowd varies in size month to month depending on who can make it. Today's group includes the founding members; Dave Bieser, who is kind of a "Big Shot" with Time Warner and Randy Merritt, a successful commercial real estate broker with whom I do business and share referrals along with me and our friend Kelly. When I say "Capital", it is no exaggeration as the town of 5,000 boasts four of the top BBQ establishments in the State of Texas. An estimated 5,000 people visit each week or around 250,000 people a year eat BBQ in Lockhart. Of course when you mention BBQ in Texas, you will always spark a debate on the merits of who serves ...
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By Betina Foreman, Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY
(WJK Realty)
Are you looking for some hioliday fun this season? I know where you should go to have a good time! Check out the list of a bunch of holiday events that are happening in the Austin area.I promise you will have a good time if youattend any of these events!  Throughout December: The 37th Street Neighborhood Lights.  A famous Austin neighborhood street known for its outstanding display of lights. Walking through is suggested as the traffic is very bad. Lights are typically on until the day after Christmas.37th St. at Guadalupe 1st and 2nd weekend in December: Main Street in Bethlehem.  Burnet towns-people and street vendors recreate Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Jesus6 pm - 9 pm on Main Street, Burnet TX Dec. 3rd to 24th Blue Genie Art BazaarOver 80 local and regional artists displa...
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By Kathy De La Cruz, Realtor®, ABR, CRS, SRES
(RE/MAX Austin Associates)
   These are a few pictures from the Gehan Open House I had a couple of weeks ago! We were able to open 3 gorgeous houses to the public, all with different floor plans. There was one incredibly spacious 2 story home with a master closet the size of the study!! There were also 2 other one story homes that were totally different floor plans, but both extremely efficient and homey! I was very impressed by the quality of the Gehan homes. They do those extra special little touches, such as rounded corners, that make such a big difference in the home. My open house was very successful, yeilding around 10 prospects!   Austin Texas Real Estate    
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By Julie Nelson, Smart real estate.
(eXp Realty)
Austin Condo Review:  Brazos Place Lofts Snapshot & Observations   Brazos Place Lofts 8th & Brazos - 800 Brazos Brazos Place Lofts is a luxury condo conversion in the heart of downtown.  Built in 1948, it was the Commodore Perry Hotel and was converted from hotel to office (1984) and to condo in 2007.  Location:  close to the Capital, some north or west facing have a Capital view, east has a view of the Omni Hotel and an historic church.  The views are very urban (lots of downtown office space).  Not to be confused with the Brazos Lofts on E. 5th which is a low-rise 1930's radiator shop / cab company conversion (how's that for a colorful past?). Features:  open living, polished concrete floors, finished ceilings, private rooftop terraces. Amenities:  well-equipped fitness facilitly, val...
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By Julie Nelson, Smart real estate.
(eXp Realty)
Festive Events to Brighten your Holiday Spirit In the Hill Country   Nov. 28th - Jan. 12th: Ice Skating on the Plaza Mon. - Sun. 10am - 9 pm, Whole Foods Market Outdoor Skating Rink, 525 N. Lamar, Austin   Nov. 28th - Jan. 4th: "Rockin' Christmas Party" A show that will get you in the Christmas spirit with singing & dancing. Zachary Scott Theater, 1510 Toomey Rd, Austin - www.zachtheater.org   Nov. 28th - Jan. 11th: "The Santaland Diaries"  A wickedly funny holiday comedy by David Sedaris Zachary Scott Theater, 1510 Toomey Rd, Austin - www.zachtheather.org   Throughout December: The 37th Street Neighborhood Lights A famous Austin neighborhood street known for its outstanding display of lights. 37th St. at Guadalupe, Austin   1st & 2nd weekend in December: Main Street in Bethlehem Burnet...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
(Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899)
  Along Hwy 360 (just past Spicewood Springs Road), down Red Bud Trail near Tom Miller Dam and probably other locations in Austin, enjoy watching anonymous people decorate ordinary cedar trees growing wild by the road.  Some trees are carefully adorned with tinsel, garland & ornaments.  Others are decorated less than perfectly.  These people are made up of families some with small children, couples and groups of friends.  All of them are taking time to dress these less than desired cedar trees for the rest of us to add a chuckle of joy as we pass by to see their masterpieces.  It's the idea of someone taking the time for others to enjoy  with no thought of compensation, reward or even a donation box! This is so Austin!  Even with the chaotic lives we lead, people's worry about the econ...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
(Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899)
  Remember Frosty the Snowman?  Well, there is a new GREEN FORM Frosty in Austin at The Gables ( an apartment complex high on the hill) just before you exit Hwy 360 to enter Hwy 2222. Check out the bale of hay with Frosty The Snowman painted on the end!  Only in Austin would someone be creative enough to turn a bale of hay into objects de art!  Watch out Pots and Plants Westlake ~ your cow birds may take second place. Frosty sports what looks like a black top hat with two eyes and buttons that surely look like coal and twigs looking like arms!  He isn't running through the streets but through the countryside full of cactus and the bright Texas sun won't melt this Frosty! This is another "So Austin" idea that touches a soft spot in my heart!  It's a true example of creating something un...
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Remodeling Projects With the Highest Returns For the second year in a row, REALTORS® report that exterior remodeling projects return the most money as a percentage of cost, as detailed in the 2008 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report. On a national level, wood deck additions and all types of siding replacements-upscale fiber cement, midrange vinyl, and upscale foam-backed vinyl-returned more than 80 percent of project costs upon resale. Of these, the most profitable project was upscale fiber cement siding, which recouped 86.7 percent of costs, followed by wood decks at 81.8 percent, midrange vinyl siding at 80.7 percent, and upscale foam-backed vinyl siding at 80.4 percent. The 2008 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report compares construction costs with resale values for 30 midrange and upscale r...
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By Liz Moras Migic, Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor
Oh this is an old post - but for some reason I came back and read it and it made me smile.  It's been a year since I posted on A/R - I think it's time for me to come back.  I miss you guys! For some reason I always thought that Texans wore cowboy hats and cowboy boots?  Well I hate to break it to ya 'all.......but they don't!                                                                       Unless Austin is an anomaly-  Frankly I can't say th at I saw a single cowboy - drat......lol.....And although they say that Austin is seriously ' weird.' and that they like to keep it that way......... So for those that missed Blog Entry: Some Think its Wacky and Weird - Where am I? - Update - I'm in Austin, Texas this is a semi-sequel!      I didn't see anything weird........ok....well maybe th...
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By Jeff Kessler, Broker,CLHMS,GRI
(Austin Homes, Realtors www.OwnAustin.com)
Downtown Austin Emerging Projects Downtown Austin,Texas is really changing its look and is becoming a interesting place to live. If you are looking to move downtown Austin please consider hiring me as your agent. I give you full service at a reduced price.    Remember if you are buying a Home or Condo anywhere in Central Texas you can receive up to 50% of of my commission back to you at closing. http://www.CentralTexasHomeRebates.com
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By Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
(Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
I already did this meme one time (tagged thrice), then I got tagged with it SEVEN more times, so I decided to do it once again.  I'm sorry that I don't remember every person that tagged me, and I pretty much never tag anyone else with these anymore. THE RULES (just in case you've been under a rock lately) 1. Grab the nearest book.2. Open the book to page 56.3. Find the fifth sentence.4. Post the text of the next two to five sentences.5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one. Pick the Closest.6. Tag five people to do the same *The one book that this can not be is the Bible* -still don't understand that one I didn't plan it this way, but both the book in my previous meme and this one are basically addressing the same topic.  To be completely upfront, thi...
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By TIM MONCRIEF, Over 2,000 homes sold…..
(Tim Monciref)
With spending going completely out of control for several presidencies and mushrooming in the past year, we will now see spending going to areas where we can not comprehend.  Obviously the dollar will end up losing any strength for, at least, the next 4 years.  So weather or not the spending programs have an effect, the dollar will falter.  Many of my clients are now looking to buy abroad in areas where the dollar still has some strength, such as Mexico, Costa Rica and countries in South America.  It is interesting how capitalism can find a positive when there is nothing but negative around us.  Find areas where you can take advantage of the upcoming weaker dollar and you will end up wealthy........   Consider to open the
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By TIM MONCRIEF, Over 2,000 homes sold…..
(Tim Monciref)
See your vendors????????? Most of us have a list of contact for our customers in case they need a painter, carpenter, housekeeper, inspector.....etc, BUT, do you actively promote this on your website?  If not why?  Homeowners want referrals on people that can help them with their home.  You have a source, so why keep it from them; or said in another way, why not have the source at their finger tips. Start a small 3 month marketing campaign to get the word out....either by ad, by postcard, or by emailing your database.  Note that you are constantly updating your vendor list of the top in their trade so that you can better service your homeowner's needs.  Give them a bit of help and tell them to put your website as one of their "favorites" for services needed. At the third month (or befor...
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By TIM MONCRIEF, Over 2,000 homes sold…..
(Tim Monciref)
FARMING??????? Change your thoughts on your concept of FARMING a community.  We know that postcards and postcards are or have become cost ineffective.  We have sense been focusing on internet activities to reach our sphere or farm.  Bear in mind, that is all great, but we need to b careful that we are not giving up the farm for the internet as the majority of our business comes from our personal contact, not our non-personal contacts.  So what do we do without paying an arm and a leg. COMMUNITY SERVICE Look at all your neighborhood activities and see what is going on in your community and either just show up or be a participant in the community activity.  Just showing is totally free.  Sponsoring a portion of the activity is very low....and you may have a co sponsor to go in with you.  ...
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By TIM MONCRIEF, Over 2,000 homes sold…..
(Tim Monciref)
Here is a tad too long blog about a man that changed my life....a blind man.....a Realtor....a broker.... who most likely is out performing any agent reading this.  I believe the length of the post will be worth your while. This Post is an older post was FEATURED by AR from a link from this Saturdays, January 24th, 2010 post: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1452137/a-negotiations-book-by-a-blind-real-estate-broker-that-will-change-your-life-  READ THE ABOVE LINKED POST as his message & his  book that he wrote WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!!   M Y   I N S P I R A T I O N, Joseph Klatt, Klatt Realty, www.klattrealty.com After reading, CLICK ABOVE to meet Dr. Joe Klatt So you think you are down and out.....the world is falling apart.....can't sell a home......can't find a buyer.....ready to thro...
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By TIM MONCRIEF, Over 2,000 homes sold…..
(Tim Monciref)
 P O D C A S T I N G :   I T   W O R K S Here is an excerpt from MLBROADAST.com where owner Michael Price (AR MEMBER) tells why I know that Podcasting is the most effective means of getting top GOOGLE rankings. for very little cost...with AR as a second avenue. Featured Client - The Bartlett Real Estate Group, Austin, Texas The Bartlett Real Estate Groupin Austin Texas is one of Keller Williams top producing teams in the world. Back in 2006 we met with the owners while they were undergoing an evaluation of new marketing tools. The Bartlett Group is an exceptional example of a brokerage that understands the importance of a web marketing strategy that exists outside of the traditional realm of distribution. The aggressive use of video podcasting on hundreds of listings has earned them a s...
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By TIM MONCRIEF, Over 2,000 homes sold…..
(Tim Monciref)
N o r t h w e s t     A u s t i n :   W H Y ? In the scenic Texas Hill Country of Northwest Austin you'll find such exclusive communities as Steiner Ranch and River Place. Neighborhoods like Westminster Glen Estates and Long Canyon feature homes on lots of at least one acre in size. There are country clubs and recreational activities available to suit every taste, and many of the neighborhoods in Northwest Austin are only 15 - 20 minutes from downtown. The city of Cedar Park is also located in this area, as is the city of Leander. Cedar Park is nestled between the Texas Hill Country and the Austin metro area and offers convenient access to Georgetown, Round Rock and Lake Travis. Leander is just 5 miles north of Austin and offers housing options from affordable to executive.Northwest Aus...
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By John Dunham, N Central Austin
(Juice RE Group at Compass)
Out side the city limits at time of development over 50 years ago, today The Brentwood neighborhood is considered by many to be part of Austin's urban core.  Bordered by Justin Lane to the North, 45th St to the South, North Lamar Boulevard to the East and Burnet Road to the West.  What was originally an old cotton field and dairy land, is home to tree lined streets and a vibrant community. Many returning GIs bought homes after the war to start families.  These ‘bungalow' style homes were 2 and 3 bedrooms, usually sharing 1 bathroom, averaging 1100 - 1200 square feet in size.  Owners were required to pay to have paved streets or sidewalks in the front of their homes. If someone couldn't afford to pay, that spot was left unpaved.  By the mid 1950s a handful of churches had been establishe...
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By TIM MONCRIEF, Over 2,000 homes sold…..
(Tim Monciref)
S T E I N E R   R A N C H    T H E   L A N D   B E T W E E N   2   L A K E S Austin's Steiner Ranch is a breathtakingly beautiful community located near Lake Travis and Lake Austin. You're just minutes from downtown, 10 golf courses, eight boat launches, 19 marinas, 15 public parks, Lakeline Mall and the Arboretum. The University of Texas Golf Club sprawls over 275 acres of Steiner Ranch. Additionally, there is a new HEB shopping center less than 5 minutes away.                                                                             CLICK BELOW FOR VIRTUAL          The Cortana Nature Preserve is a 1700 acre protected habitat area between Steiner Ranch and River Place incorporated with the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (or BCP). The BCP was created to protect eight federally listed e...
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