At Home in Austin, TX Real Estate Blog

Go To Raincamp & Get More than your feet wet!

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:00:19 -0800

I was lucky enough to be among the many happy Rainers to attend Raincamp Dallas this week, and despite the sunny weather there, which had indeed melted away their recent snow, I came away from the experienced soaked to the bone in ActiveRain and loved every minute of it! True confession, after spending some time away from the ActiveRain family this past year, dealing with multiple family emergencies, attempting to hone my craft and learn more about technology, I almost didn't go to this event. After all, like many, my life is a bit complicated right now, and there is so much to do, that I could have easily justified spending my time in other ways. What was I thinking?? As if being woken from a dream with a bucket of rain in my face, I snapped out of the grind I had been stagnating in, registered for camp, grabbed an office mate, and headed to Dallas, to put an end to the drought that had so obviously taken hold of my mind. Thank Goodness I came to my senses! What awaited me in Dallas was even more than I could have hoped for. Despite some technical difficulties that kept a good deal of us from having Internet access most the day, Raincamp Dallas , was in my opinion, a huge success! For me personally, this means that I got what I expected or more, for what I gave. The location was central, the event hall, technical difficulties aside, was quite nice, and had ample amenities as well. But the true magic, the quenching if you will, was the event itself, which was as you might expect, outstanding! Add to that, the opportunity to meet & swap thoughts with some of my AR & Blogging Hero's, and it's easy to see why I found myself singing in the rain all the way back home to Austin! Ben Kinney was our main host of the day. Ben blew in like a whirlwind, and kept us stirred up all day with more information in a few hours than I have received in multiple days at other technology workshops costing much more! Bob Stewart played thunder to Ben's lightning, and like the mingling of a couple of mixed pressure systems, a near perfect storm was created by this dynamic duo! There were many guest to be sure, but my favorites had to be AR Ambassador & Rock Star Jason Crouch, and my other Technology Hero of these times Brad Andersohn, who was so very gracious in our meeting, as well as being his usual incredibly helpful self! When my head wasn't blowing up from questions that were being answered, and ideas being born and hurriedly scribbled down for future implementation, I grabbed the chance to connect to those around me, mingling with other rain drops, gathering in puddles all around, planning our next storms, and networking for future business. All this in the friendliest, most overwhelmingly supportive and helpful environment one could ever hope for. When all was said and done, it truly was like a storm had washed over me, cleaning out the cobwebs of uncertainty and procrastination, and filling me with a fresh sense of purpose and pride. The Active Rain storm had passed, but the benefits of that incredible day of showers will be evident for me in blog blooms and other finery for years to come. Thinking about going to Raincamp? Don't hesitate!! From one rain drop to another - we truly are better when we work together, and it is ALWAYS a great day to play in the rain! Thanks ActiveRain!

How To Feel Really Good & This week you can do it for Free!

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:06:35 -0800

It started as a Valentines day gift - to me you see. I am one of the luckiest REALTORS alive, as I not only get to live in the fabulous city of Austin Texas, but, I get to sell real estate in and around the fabulous area known as Central Texas as well. While we did see a bit of a downturn this year in volume, we are doing a heck of a lot better than a lot of places when it comes to "the recovery". With all the hustle and bustle that comes with the busy life of a successful REALTOR, my partner thoughtfully gave me a massage for Valentines day with Jodi at Touch of Life Family Wellness Center. While it obviously took me just a bit to get around to my treat, it was not only worth it, it was the start of a love affair of sorts (a big thanks to my partner!). After experiencing a long overdue deep tissue massage with Jodi, I had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Tim Stranahan, who has owned and operated Touch of Life for the past fifteen years. Dr. Tim, along with his wonderful assistants Cathy and Molly convinced me that feeling better could be fun and convenient, and affordable too. Imagine that - The attraction was growing! True to their word, Dr Tim came up with a plan to put my body back into a more natural positioning, while Cathy turned me into mush on the traction table, and Molly made it all make sense (they take lots of insurance). All that in a serene and peaceful, lavender scented atmosphere, that unwinds you in a matter of minutes. Two weeks in, not only do my back, hips, and neck feel much better, but my allergies are greatly improved as well. Yahoo!! Wonder what they can do for you? Touch Of Life Family Wellness Center is not your typical chiropractic clinic, and Dr. Tim and the ladies are not typical either, they are outstanding! Offering a variety of services aimed at alleviating your issues and improving your overall health, these fine folks have the perfect combination of skill, professionalism, and service, with just the right amount of Austin awesome. I'm guessing I won't be going that long letting the daily grind of being a busy REALTOR get to my body ever again. You don't have to take my word for it though, to celebrate 15 years in the Austin community Dr. Tim and the Touch of Life staff are offering their chiropractic services free of charge, to the community that has supported them, their family, friends, co-workers, and the like. That includes you! The dates are Monday March 2nd - Thursday March 5th, 9:30am - 12:30 and 3:00 - 6:00pm, the address is 4214 Medical Parkway (43rd & Burnet), and you can reach them at 512-458-9200 for appointments. Yes you heard me - Free of charge! Go every day if you like! What's not to love about that? I must warn you though, you may find yourself addicted to this great place, as feeling good never felt so good! Give them a try, and tell them Stevie sent you! Your body will Love you for it!

Reflecting is fine, but don't miss the train!

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:55:42 -0800

Note: This is an article I wrote for the front page of my news letter this month - prior to Mr. Obamas announcing his train ride. It is a bit longer than most posts, but a worthy post I believe, and I include it here today as a tribute to President Elect Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., and to all of us really. May this be just the beginning of a really great ride into a new day! When looking back over the year 2008, a giant whooshing, clattering sound, akin to a runaway train, fills my ears, waters my eyes, and rattles my brain. While it is temporarily painful, and some of the residuals are certain to linger a bit longer, I know that the "train" will eventually move on, the dust will once again settle, the whooshing and rattling will become distant, and my eyes will again be clear. I will hear the whistle blow in the distance, and again take comfort in the sound, instead of feeling run over by the train, or like there is simply no light at the end of its tunnel. I know this, and trust it to be true, because this is how it has always happened. The ebb and flow of the business cycle may seem more prominent this round, and indeed the numbers bare witness to the fact that it is indeed a unique time in this history of ours. However, unique as it may be, one can still hear the clickety clack of the train on its track, as it makes yet another round and we know that the train will pass this way again. Will it slow down, let us get on, let us get off, take us on a pleasure trip through a scenic area, will it stay on a runaway course for a bit longer, and most importantly perhaps, will it somehow manage to stay on its tracks? Those are all good questions that deserve good answers. While I am not certain all the answers will come as quickly as we would like, I am certain that answers are coming. We have been down these tracks before, and we will go down them again. May be going in a bit different direction, in a newer model train, but the tracks are familiar all the same. What has probably become obvious to most folks by now is that we are entering a new era, an era that will be marked by the change that it brings, and the change that it inspires. As we embark upon this new era, it would behoove us all to take a moment to pause and reflect upon the momentousness of it all. While it is easy to focus on the economic crisis in its multiple forms of course, as financing obviously feeds so many needs, however, there are many other factors as well. The problems that have plagued our past, held us back, and nearly tied us down to the proverbial tracks are still with us of course. Health care, job growth, education issues, justice system issues, energy policy, foreign policy, and of course a war on two fronts, makes the job in front of the new Commander in Chief seem almost insurmountable. You can bet he can hear the train! None the less, our new leader to be has shown grace and composure as he prepares to take the wheel of this runaway train, and ease it down the tracks towards a more reasonable future path, so that all of us may find the ride a bit more pleasant than the one we have been on of late. Bravo I say! I for one admire anyone who would take on the task of driving this massive train of ours - any day! Particularly if they have a keen eye on the future, with respect to the past, as it would seem that our incoming President does. Just as we have come together as a nation, exercised our rights, and chosen a leader of a different kind for the first time, so has he brought his staff together, chosen wisely, and placed before us those that will help drive our train into this new era. But the journey is a long one, and there are many station stops to be made along the way. All hands will be needed on this journey, yours and mine included. While generally we are very giving peoples, our "buziness" has taken some of us away from helping others, and that should change. We are in this together, and we need to get out of it together, or as they say, divided we fall. Let's hope it's not on the tracks, I hear there's a huge train headed this way! If we are to enjoy the ride and the scenery again, and truly have a chance for everyone to have a turn at the wheel, as well as a turn at the sleeper car, we must participate. We must find our faith, believe in hope, vote our conscious, participate in the process, and put forth our best efforts towards every good cause that we can, smartly, and with all good measure. We must get on the train! Sure, I know, it's scary, we are all busy, and we are not too sure where the train is going.That's life! It's a journey! Without the journey, you just have journeys end, and I don't know about you, but I am not ready for my journey to end yet! So here's to 2009 and beyond! I have resolved to do all that I can, to help in any way that I can, and that includes helping you. It also includes helping others wherever I find a cause and can find a way. It is, after all, one of the biggest reasons we are here. Aside from that, it makes me feel pretty darned good to make somebody else's day even a little bit better. Speaking of better, if you live in Austin, Texas you are living in one of the best places in the country! Sure I am somewhat biased, but I am actually talking about by the numbers. We are lucky enough to have some of the lowest unemployment in the country, as well as plenty of good paying jobs coming into the area. New housing starts are down, but appreciation is still up, and sales numbers for re-sale homes have started to trend upwards recently as well. Austin continues to show up on a lot of "Top" list in business and living surveys, and it's hard to shake a stick at 70+ degrees in January! All of this said, I am reaching out to all of you now, as we move forward, into this new era, together, tickets in hand! Even if the ride gets a bit bumpy, we can find a way to enjoy it and make the most of it. Better yet, we can put forth the effort worthy of us and this momentous occasion with great pride and enthusiasm - Together! Hear that whistle? It's going to be a great day!

Tax Time - Already?!

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:01:16 -0800

As the Thanksgiving holiday descends upon us, and the end of the year holidays quickly folllow, it is time to turn our thoughts once again to one of two definetes in life, Taxes! No, Stevie, say it ain't true! Alas My friends, if you are wise, and have any time at all to "get organized", now is the time to start pulling it all together in preparation for your 2008 tax filings. Not being a CPA, and not wanting to get too far out of range of what I am competent in, I am simply going to pass on a few tips that have been passed on to me by my own CPA. There are at least seven tax law changes that may increase your benefits this year, which may take some of the sting out of your planning,a nd may even move you to get started on it now, while your advisor still has time to answer questions. If you were a first time home buyer of a principle residence between April of 2008 and the end of the year, or plan to purchase during the first half of 2009 yoiu may be entitled to a $7500 refundable tax credit. Annual income matters on this one, and you shoiuld look at the rules closely or ocnsult with your tax preparer on how to take this credit appropriately. There is also an additonal standard deduction for property taxes for 2008, and only 2008, There are a couple of ways to configyre this one, and some may help to maximize your gains over the next 2 years so choose wisely, and again, consult your tax advisor. If you wanted to turn your vacation property into your principal residence now is the time, otherwise you may risk losing the eligible home-sale exclusion that has been beneficial up till now. Starting in 2008 capital gains and qualified dividends are tax free to the extent that your income would be taxed in 10 or 15% tax brackets if it were ordinary income. This break is tied to taxable and not adjusted gross income, so year end charitable donatons or itemized deductions can raise eligibility for tax free capital gains. Get a new car this year or planning on it? If you claim your car for business driving , there is a significant "bonus depreciation" for 2008 only. With the big three in tripple trouble there are a lot of great deals that could make this bonus go a long way! The Kiddie Tax, again dealing with capital gains, has risen form 17 to as high as 23. As I don't use this, I don't understand it well enough to go any further than that, but, your tax man does! Last on the list, Stimulus payments. Mine was short, maybe yours was too? If so, you have another shot at getting your 2008 income in line (under $75k single, 150k jointly) for getting the most form your stimulus paymernt. As I said folks, not a CPA, tax preparer, or even a book keeper, just wanted to make you aware of the changes, and give you some things to keep in mind while making your preparations. For more, contact your professional or the IRS at www.irs.gov

To Stage or Not To Stage? That is the question.

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:02:34 -0800

Listen up sellers, as I am sure your agent has told you before, look with a buyers eyes! A clean, clutter free home is not only more attractive, but, as statistics show, like the ones from Home Staging Resource to name one, it will usually sell quicker and for more money. Now the question is, how do you get there from, well, wherever you are? Home staging could be the answer for you! So what is home staging? Home stagers offer a selection of services ranging from the basic organization and clutter removal, to redecorating an entire house, as well as creating directions or guides for folks to utilize in straightening out their own spaces. The cost is based on the size of the home, and the services provided, and can range form approximately $450 - $2500 or more for a serious makeover. This is about where you start asking the WIIFM, or What's in it for me question. Is it worth it? According to the Home Staging Resource Center, folks that spent around $500 on their staging saw the increased profits form their homes between $1900- $2500, and they tended to spend fewer days on the market as well as suffer fewer price negotiations. In today's market, this could be a definite plus! When looking for a Home Stager for your home, consult with your REALTOR. They probably have some experience with somebody you can start your interviews with. Also, look for a stager that has been certified by one of the reputable organizations that educate these professionals, such as Property Staging Consultants(PSC), Interior Redesign Industry (IRIS), or Accredited Staging Professionals(ASP).Membership in these organizations is not required, however, much like your real estate agent, having an accredited designation from a reputable program indicates a desire for higher learning and the ethical practice of business. As with any contractor, don't be shy about checking references, most stagers worth their names will bring these along with them when they interview, if they don't , ASK for them! As a REALTOR, I can give you tips all day. For example - Purge. Pare down your possessions leaving room on all book shelves and in all closets for that roomy effect. Empty the kitchen counters and cupboards of anything you don't use daily or weekly. Put away most, if not all personal photos, and any knick knacks etc. smaller than a grapefruit should be stored for the duration as well. Arrange for pets and all their trappings to be as "invisible" as possible. Of course, detailed cleaning of the home, appliances and woodwork, as well as the exterior of the home, yard and garage are on the top of the list, as curb appeal is quite important. Don't forget to "set the scene" before you leave for a showing, with soft music, soft or neutral odors, and plenty of light to show off your space. Yes, tips are all good and fine, and appreciated. However, in today's market, you may find you need a little something extra to give your self that competitive edge. This is where the home stager comes in. The home stager is that extra set of eyes, that objective opinion with a flair, that can take any room, even an empty one, and make it say "welcome home". Yes, I said empty room. What about that empty house you ask? Speak with a home stager today! You will be amazed at how homey they can make that empty space feel, and if you were out there buying, which home would you want, the cold, empty, impersonal one, or the one that said "welcome, come in"? Stagers will work with what you have, adding perhaps a few items of their own, and some even have associations with other vendors that may even allow them to provide furnishings to an empty place for better appeal. Better appeal, equals better opportunity, which could lead to quicker sales and more money! Change is here, and staging is part of it. In today's home selling environment, home owners need to use any and all tools at their disposal to get the job done. Think of home stagers as another important member of your successful real estate team, and you are likely to come out ahead of the pack when it comes time to sell.

Don't Get Credit Crunched - Know How You Score!

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:25:48 -0800

There's a lot of news these days about the credit crunch and how it happened. Makes you wonder if some of those businesses had to go through the checks that consumers go through, especially post crunch, if they would be able to borrow at all. That being said, I still get lots of questions about credit and how it is scored. To try to clear things up just a bit, I thought I would do a little fact / myth post, to help folks understand how the powers that be score folks like you and me. First things first. Credit is generally determined by your FICO score, which is a mathematical evaluation of your credit history that helps lenders and creditors access you as a credit risk. There are three major credit reporting agencies that participate in this task, but, they all use information compiled by Fair Isaac Corporation, thus the name FICO. The three major credit reporting agencies using this system are Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, and while they use similar forms, and essentially do the same thing, the scores between them can vary by 50 points or more, so it is always a good idea to check all three, and all lenders and most other creditors do. There are some myths that abound about credit scores, and if you are not careful, believing them can actually cause you and your credit some pretty hefty harm. For example, many people think you have only one score. As I have stated above, three companies, three scores. A lender may combine them and give you a combined score, but, you actually have scores from each separate company, and as stated, they can be quite different, as can the mistakes on each report. A higher salary WILL NOT boost your credit score! A fat salary is certainly nice to have, and net worth and income may be a factor in being granted credit, but, they are not figured into your FICO score. Closing credit cards WILL NOT increase your credit score. They will still show up on your report, and be considered in your score, believe it or not. However, lower credit card balances, especially balances below 70% of the allowed balance can be very beneficial to your FICO score. Protected statuses are NOT considered in figuring your credit score. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits anyone using gender, race, age, nationality, or marital status for determining credit. It wasn't always this way, but we are really glad it is now! Last, but certainly not least, checking your own credit WILL NOT lower your credit score. Almost anyone else checking it WILL, but you checking your own score will not lower it. As a matter of fact, you can do it as many times as you want , and should at least yearly, via a legitimate scoring organization such as www.myFICO.com. I definitely encourage you on this one, as the number of cases of identity theft, in the "hard" world and on the web are on the rise, and checking your credit report regularly is not only prudent, but, it could help you be just a bit more conscious of your budget, and your safety!

Where to vote - Exercise your right, privilege, duty

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:35:56 -0800

The time has come and the stakes may have never been higher. By all accounts thus far, turnout may never have been higher either. Don’t let that fool you, and Do Not use that as an excuse to not honor the privilege & duty you have to make your voice heard, and register your choices in your local, national, and of course presidential elections. Vote! On a national level, and here locally, more than half the registered voters have already heeded the call, and performed their civic duty in advance of the expected wave of last minute voters. Need to know where and how? Here’s a little help for those of you in the counties closest to home: Travis County Williamson County Hays County

Another awesome Austin weekend

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:11:52 -0800

We are quite spoiled here in the capital city of Texas. Certainly we have attained near superstar status for our multiple music and media festivals, and we have a ton of cultural happenings of all flavors at our beautiful new Long Center. Add to that the literally dozens of Live Theaters, and the multitude of things indoors and out, that happen every day of the week, and one's head is soon spinning with choices to make. Take this weekend for example. We started off Friday, Halloween, with the longstanding parade of revelers on 6th street. This fun fest has morphed a bit over the years, but still draws thousands of costumed partiers from all around, in attire that at times truly amuses and amazes, to strut their stuff for all to see, rain or shine! A new addition to this year's Halloween traditions is a local retailer's celebration of Dia de Los Muertos, complete with fireworks in October! Moving on to Saturday, while we anxiously anticipated the big UT vs. Texas Tech game, we again had multiple options to keep us occupied. As usual, the choices were too many to list, however, my two favorites are oldie but goodies. First up, an event big enough it needs two days to say it all. The Texas Book Festival celebrated its 14th year this year, taking place again on the lovely spread of land that is our state capital grounds. Started by our current first lady Laura Bush, this festival brings together a host of authors, local, national, and international, to show off their latest goods, and give anyone around the opportunity to ask questions about whatever is on their minds. With the year we have been having, you can bet it was an interesting event. Saving the best for last, at least on my list, The 17th Annual Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival. I am happy to say I have attended most of them, and am moved in some way every time I go. The grand entry itself is enough to transport you to another place and time, and the story telling and flute playing are not just a beautiful thing to behold, but also an important link in continuing the proud traditions of these original Americans. Sunday was about work, but when you live in the greatest city in America, even work is a good time! Whether it's having brunch with clients who have become friends or vice versa, preparing relocation information for new friends, referred by other client friends, or previewing commercial properties on a beautiful day for clients from out of state who need warehouse space to expand to, even a Sunday's worth of work can be enjoyable. The family dog can go along for the ride, as mine usually does And despite that loss to Tech, our first of the season, and the fact that once again, there was far too much to do, it was indeed another awesome weekend in Austin, Texas!

Agents of change

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:58:15 -0700

The time is upon us for perhaps one of the most important and significant elections of our lifetimes. The issues are many, and most are of such a serious nature that ranking their priority is at best difficult. Voter turnout is expected to be quite heavy, and early turnout is showing this to be true thus far. Hence, in an effort to encourage everyone to get out, voice their opinion, help turn the tide, and VOTE - I have included links to the early voting information for Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties. Feel free to forward to friends, families, foes and whomever, just do it! No excuses - say it loud, say it proud, And VOTE! Together WE CAN, WE MUST, make a difference! As always, thanks for your time, and thanks for reading At Home in Austin, TX! Travis County Early Voting Sites Hays County Early Voting Sites Williamson County Early Voting Sites

Market Trend Hits Home

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:26:56 -0700

There it was today, after many months of waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop, the Austin American Statesman reported on its front page that as the number of sales were down for an unprecedented fifteenth month in a row in Austin, the median price for houses had also come up flat. Indeed, for the first time in an almost four-year streak of ever-increasing median AND average sales prices, median sales price stayed unchanged from last September, while the average sales price increases have slowed greatly as well. According to The Austin Board of REALTORS® latest MLS listing report, “October 20, 2008 - Central Texas home sales remain steady, The median price for single-family homes in September remained unchanged from one year ago, while the number of homes sold inched closer to 2007 sales totals.” According to that same report, although we are starting to see sales pick up just a bit, almost even with where we were last year at this time, we are seeing something else that has not happened in our area for quite a few years. Prices are moving down, adjusting from a 2007 average of $252,844 last September to $243,686 this year. While many have seen this coming for some time now, it is good to note that when it did come, it reached the Central Texas area much later than most of the rest of the country, and the percentage drop is relatively small in comparison to what is happening on a national scale. It is good to note too, that the expected drop here is not likely to be as severe as much of the country has experienced, with speculation in the 8% or less range for the lower-end homes, up to 10-12% for the mid- to higher-end listings. While this could be viewed in both positive and negative terms, it is our job as REALTORS to communicate with our clients what it means to them. What it appears to mean at this point, is that we will see sales prices “officially” start to drop in Austin and Central Texas. That being said, buyers will be looking for a good deal on their dollar, and should be entering the market again, especially by the Spring selling season, despite a predicted edging up of mortgage rates. This is a great time to get those buyers out – early if possible – to try using the $7500 tax credit, as it expires in June of 2009. Used right, it can truly benefit those first-time buyers who need help the most. For sellers, the bad news is that our historically upward-moving prices are now going to be trending downwards, hopefully not more than 10% or so. However, balance that with the good news of buyers returning to the fold, thereby giving them a better opportunity to sell quicker, and you can still be the hero for them. Make sure you get them to price the property realistically, and make sure it still “shines” and you can position them and yourself to ride the incoming wave of recovery to a positive outcome for all.

Alphabetizing links

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:08:04 -0700

I was wondering if there was a way to alphabatize hyperlinks. As of now they appear on my blog in the order that I entered them, but I would like to put them in alphabetical order. Any suggestions? Thanks. Stevie K. Bear

Yes - Now is the Time to Invest in Austin

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:10:48 -0700

The time has come again for The Austin Chronicles “Best of 2008” edition. As I peruse the pages paying homage to some of my new favorites like Hotel San Jose, and Adult Swim Guadalupe, and of course give a nod to a couple of my old stand by faves like The Shady Grove, and Home Slice Pizza, it is easy for me to remember why I love this fine city I have called home for nearly three decades now. What has become less easy these days is convincing our otherwise generally eager and intelligent population that Austin is not only still a great place to live and work, but a terrific place to invest in as well. Yes indeed, according to the most recent Milken/ Greenstreet Best Performing Cites report, Austin has been lucky enough to escape the economic downturns and housing debacles that have preceded this most recent disastrous economic plunge that the entire world now seems to be embroiled in. Nonetheless, the news of the past two weeks has finally chipped away at the confidence the citizens in our city have been clinging to. In fact, the citizenry of Austin seems to have embraced the recent turn of the tide, and seems to be going with the downward spiraling flow now, instead of against it, as we are so apt and proud to do. All this, despite news from folks like Business Week, who published an article just last month proclaiming Austin as the second fastest selling city in the nation for real estate, or more local proclamations from the Austin Business Journal about strong job growth, current and future projections that have most of the rest of the country green with envy. Now I don’t want anyone to get the idea that I am hiding under a rock, and that I somehow don’t understand the dynamics that are at work here, or how those very things might be scaring the heck out of all good people, Austinite or not. However, I also hate to see things in my city going sideways, when it is way too obvious that it is fear driving it in that direction, rather than fact. Should we all be concerned and be a bit more conservative and better prepared for what our leaders have led us into this time? Certainly, but we should never let what if, stand in the way of what is. What is in Austin Texas, is a great way of life, in a terrific town, with more than your average amount of home grown businesses, and a robust and growing job environment. Yes, we have more houses on the market than ever before, but that means more opportunity! Granted they are taking a few days longer to sell, but we are still the second fastest selling city in the US. Couple that with our outstanding job growth , and there really isn’t any reason NOT to invest in Austin real estate. Median and average sales prices are still up, and appreciation continues to climb. A word about real estate appreciation - it has historically outperformed the stock market, even in good times! Oh, and a word to those of you worried about losing your assets in your IRAs or 401K’s , you can use those to purchase real estate assets without there being a taxing occurrence on withdrawal, or upon re-deposit of the profits – TRUE! ALL the lenders I have done business with in the past 10 years or more are still alive and well and doing business here in Austin Texas today. The best time to buy, is when the markets are down, hold for a few years, like any investment, and sell in 5-10 when we are riding high again; hard to lose with that plan, especially here in Austin. I never have. Still not ready to buy that home or investment property? Then break out that Chronicle, and support some of the best our town has to offer. They could use your help, and let’s face it, we could all use their good times! Have a great weekend and HOOK ‘EM HORNS beat Mizzou!! Thank you for your time and thank you for reading my blog – At Home in Austin, Texas.