Filed under: Austin News and Events, Austin Sustainable Living, Austin Texas, Austin Texas News, Austin Texas Real Estate, Real Estate News, Real Estate Tips and Advice, Texas, Visit Austin | Tags: Austin Homeowners
All good things good to an end it seems. And the low-low 4% interest rates have ended. According to the experts, there is little hope that they will return.
For the past three months interest rates have remained under the 5% mark. Just a few short weeks ago, homeowners seeking a refinance, and buyers could get a mortgage loan with an interest rate around the 4.75% mark. Last week the national average was 4.91%. This week interest rates have shot up to 5.39% (as reported by Freddie Mac)! This is the highest interest increase in six months.
According to Yahoo Real Estate today’s rate is 5.396%. However, according to ReatyTimes.com the average rate is 4.91%. Either way, today’s rates indicate interest rates for home mortgages are on the rise.
Austin homeowners, it is important that you understand how higher interest rates effect you. There are some negatives and a very great positive reaction when interest rates go up.
Negative Reactions:
When interest rates rise, even slightly, less buyers qualify
When interest rates rise, buyers do not buy because of higher mortgage payments, which make renting more affordable
When interest rates rise, a home refinance is less likely to be beneficial
Positive Reaction:
When interest rates rise, home purchase activity goes up because buyers want to buy before the rates increase further
Austin home buyers, it is important that you understand how higher interest rates effect you
A higher interest rate results in a higher mortgage payment
A higher interest rate results in less buying power
A higher interest rate can keep you from qualifying for a mortgage loan
A higher interest rate costs you ten of thousands of dollars (in interest paid) over a long period of time (30-year mortgage)
Austin home buyers if you are considering purchasing a home in 2009, get off the fence. There are great reasons to buy now, including the one time (and for this year only), tax credit. By the way, there have been changes to the tax credit which will allow you to use it as a down payment or to pay closing costs when using FHA financing. I will be posting a blog on the benefits of how buying now can save you a lot of money.
Austin homeowner if you are considering refinancing your home loan, get off the fence. The higher the interest rate the less sense it makes to refinance. I will be posting a blog on the benefits of refinancing in a future blog.
Attention Austin homeowners. I will be posting a blog on the benefits of refinancing. It may not be too late!
Attention Austin buyers, I will be posting a blog on the benefits of how buying now can save you a lot of money.
Filed under: Austin Green Living, Austin News and Events, Austin Texas, Austin Texas News, Austin Texas Real Estate, Visit Austin | Tags: Austin, Austin TX, Austin Wildlife Habitat Program, Habitat for Wildlife, Schoolyard Habitat, Wildlife-Friendly Garden
In January, I wrote a blog letting you know about Austin’s Habitat for Wildlife program. Today, I want to tell you that the goal of that plan has been accomplished. The City of Austin has officially been named by the National Wildlife Federation as a community wildlife habitat. On March 12th, the City of Austin was awarded its Community Wildlife Habitat certification. The certification grants Austin the honor of being the largest metropolitan city in the nation and the first city in Texas to be certified by the National Wildlife Federation. The honor was received due to the participation of over 900 homes, 15 businesses, 14 parks, 25 schools and four churches that created habitats for Austin’s wildlife
Austin has accomplished its goal to be certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat, but not its goal to create even more wildlife spaces within the city. You can still participate in Austin’s Wildlife Habitat program. A wildlife space can be something as simple as a birdbath. You will be surprised at the rewards you will receive when giving little creatures a little space. In addition, you can receive your very own wildlife certification.
Congratulations, Austin! And a BIG high-five to all participants who have made Austin a Community Wildlife Habitat.
Shay Hargus, Austin Avenue Real Estate Company
P.S. Make your home stand out with an official Certified Wildlife Habitat sign in your yard.
Read More:
Austin’s Habitat for Wildlife
Wildlife Austin
How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden
Creating A Schoolyard Habitats
Filed under: Austin News and Events, Austin Texas, Austin Texas News, Texas, Things to do in Austin, Visit Austin | Tags: Austin, Austin events, Austin Film and Music Festival, Austin music, Austin TX, South By Southwest, SXSW
The South By Southwest 2009 Festival, more commonly known as SXSW, begins today in Austin, TX. This is one of Austin’s biggest events of the year. Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the world and there will be more music than usual until March 22nd, when the festival ends. Austin’s Film and Music Festival Art will be presenting nearly 2,000 musical acts of all genres. A great opportunity to hear new “up and coming bands and musicians”. SXSW also explores the art of independent filmmaking and interactive media.
SXSW began as a small musical festival 23 years ago. It is now one of the largest media events in the nation. The Austin Art and Music Festival (SXSW) offers discussions on the newest trends and showcases all of the best of independent films and music talent. It is not too late to register for this awesome event. Registration is being offered online until Monday (March 16th). Wear your comfy shoes because the events take place in various locations in downtown Austin.
SXSW will also be celebrated throughout the city with great music at local bars and restaurants. SXSW is an exciting and fun-filled time in Austin. The energy created by the event is indescribable, so be sure to get out there and ENJOY!
Shay Hargus, Austin Real Estate
For all the SXSW details: http://www.sxsw.com/home.
Filed under: Austin Green Living, Austin News and Events, Austin Sustainable Living, Austin Texas, Austin Texas News, Uncategorized | Tags: Austin, Austin awards, Austin news, Austin TX, Austin water, Austin water program, clean water
Last May (2008), I wrote a blog about Austin’s great water. At that time, Austin ranked #2 by Forbes.com for the nation’s cleanest water. Austin’s Clean Water Program (ACWP) was honored again by a higher power, the Environmental Protection Agency. Austin’s Clean Water Program was named one of the best infrastructure programs not only in the United States but also in the entire continent of North America. The International Right of Way Association has declared Austin’s Clean Water Program to be one of the best in North America’s history.
Austin’s $400 million Clean Water Program’s infrastructure projects were ranked in the #8 position on the list of the Top Ten of best projects in the last 75 years. Austin invested an approximate $15 million dollars to create over 100 projects to protect and improve Austin’s water.
So, Austinites, let’s all make a toast to the great City of Austin and its Clean Water Program with a tall drink of water straight from the tap. Water, another great reason to live in Austin, Texas! Read the story:
Filed under: Austin News and Events, Austin Texas, Austin Texas News, Things to do in Austin, Uncategorized | Tags: Austin, Austin programs, Austin TX, Breakthrough Austin, college programs, grade school programs, university of texas
Austin sixth graders who would like to go to college should check out the opportunity provided by Breakthrough Austin. Breakthrough Austin is offering families a free program to which provides high-potential students a pathway to attain their college aspirations. The Breakthrough Austin program is limited to those who qualify as a low-income family and whose sixth grader would be the first-generation to graduate college in their family.
Students and their families must be willing to make a six year commitment to the program. Breakthrough Austin provides college counseling, tutoring and special summer classes at the University of Texas. Students will also participate in several activities during the normal school year. Breakthrough Austin currently has 240 students enrolled in the program and they are looking for the next 45 students. Applications must be submitted no later than March 1, 2009.
For information on how to apply or to make a donation, you can visit the Breakthrough website at: http://www.breakthroughaustin.org/students/how_to_apply.html or call the Breakthrough Austin offices at 692-9444, ext. 21. You may also apply in person at 1605A E. Seventh Street.
Filed under: Austin Green Living, Austin News and Events, Austin Texas, Austin Texas News, Things to do in Austin, Visit Austin | Tags: Audubon International, Austin, Austin golf, austin golf course, Austin golf courses, Austin TX, golf, golf country club, golf course, golf courses, private golf
Golf courses are known for their beautifully manicured green lawns and pristine landscaping. Some golfers would have it no other way. However, there is a new wave of golf courses emerging as not only excellent courses but as environmentally friendly as well. The Hills Country Club of Lakeway in Austin is just one of 13 golf courses in the State of Texas to earn Audubon International certification as cooperative sanctuaries. The Barton Creek Country Club located in Travis County also holds certifications by Audubon International.
From its inception, Barton Creek Country Club made water quality a priority. The course was designed and constructed to prevent runoff from the course into the Edwards Aquifer. The Tierra Verde course implements the uses of natural fertilizers such as corn gluten and poultry manure. Courses which receive Audubon International certification must meet criteria for protecting water quality to the surrounding area, water conservation, minimizing chemical fertilizers, providing wildlife sanctuaries and promote environmental education.
Austin is a city which believes in and promotes sustainable living and its golf courses are no exception. Three of Austin’s golf courses, maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department, have joined the Audubon International Sanctuary Program. The participating public golf courses are the Jimmy Clay Course, Koy Kizer and Morris Williams. Three of Austin’s private country clubs: the Austin Country Club, the Blacones Country Club and the Onion Creek Country Club have also joined the sanctuary program.
Water consumption is a large environmental factor when maintaining golf course landscaping. In response to this environmental concern, Austin golf courses are changing their watering habits. Many courses are now using reclaimed wastewater as opposed to potable water. Hancock is the only golf courses maintained by the city which, as yet, has not been switched over to using reclaimed wastewater. That course is scheduled to switch to treated wastewater next year.
Filed under: Austin Green Living, Austin News and Events, Austin Sustainable Living, Austin Texas, Austin Texas News, Austin Texas Real Estate, Texas
As I have mentioned in previous blogs, Austin is a city with a green living vision. I am proud to announce that both the Dell Children’s’ Medical Center and The Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Lone Star Austin campus have been awarded high honors by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design (LEED) rating system.
Dell Chrildren’s Medical Center was awarded the highly coveted platinum rating. The platinum rating is the highest award to be granted by the LEED rating system. The AMD – Lone Star campus located in Austin was awarded a gold rating, the second highest.
The platinum ratings make the Dell Children’s Medical Center the greenest hospital in the world and the first hospital to be recognized for its design and implementation of green living standards. The gold award received by AMD – Lone Star Austin campus is makes it one of the greenest corporate centers in the world.
The LEED Green Building Rating System is the national and worldwide benchmark for environmentally friendly building standards which include design, construction and operation. LEED rates buildings on the materials which improve energy efficiency.
The Dell Children’s Medical Center and the AMD – Lone Star Austin campus display not only their own commitment to sustainable living but to Austin ’s vision of becoming a sustainable city.
Filed under: Austin News and Events, Austin Texas, Austin Texas News, Austin Texas Real Estate, Texas
The City of Austin has established a program in which homes in the city can be habitats for Austin ’s wildlife.
There are no tax benefits or discounts to be had. As a matter of fact, there is a $15 application fee to be certified as a wildlife habitat but the benefits to your quality of life are priceless.
The City of Austin would like to be named by the National Wildlife Federation as a community wildlife habitat. There are already 900 homes that are participating in the program and have already been certified by the City of Austin as wildlife habitats. Schools and businesses are also eligible to become certified wildlife habitats.
A certifiable habitat must provide water and food supply as well as shelter for the little critters. In addition, you must follow sustainable garden principles. Sustainable gardening includes such things as water-wise plants, mulching and composting.
You do not have to own acreage or have a large yard to become a habitat
Eastern Screech Owl - Photo: Austin Parks and Recreation
for wildlife; almost any yard space will do. Most backyards already have the features required to become a certified wildlife habitat. Water saving plants, flowers, plants with berries, trees, bushes and even bird baths found in many yards can be the start of your own wildlife habitat.
A watering source can be a bird bath, a fountain, a pond or a small hole with rocks which fill-up with rainwater. Living spaces for wildlife can be shrubs, bird houses or a small brush pile (a great home for little foxes). Berry and pollen producing plants can be food sources.
Not only do you make a home for Austin ’s little critters, you will also reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to Austin ’s green living lifestyle. Maintaining a habitat is probably easier than a formal yard. They require less watering, mowing, pesticides and upkeep while bringing nature into your everyday life.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and your habitat doesn’t need to be either. By adding water-wise plants, a diversity of shrubs, bushes, flowers or trees, just one plant-at-a-time, will improve the quality of your yard.
Habitats allow you a simple way to return to simpler times in a busy and complicated world. You can enjoy the chirps of sparrows, view the glory of the cardinal, watch a owl teach her young to fly, hear the croak of a toad or see little creatures scurry all in your own little corner of the world.
Related Sites:
Filed under: Austin Texas, Austin Texas News, Things to do in Austin, Visit Austin | Tags: Austin, holiday, lights, pioneer farms, trail of lights, zilker
Austin is a happy place any time of year but the holidays are really special here. Below you will find some Happy Holiday happenings to brighten up your days:
Congress Avenue: The Holiday lights will be all ablaze along 
Congress Avenue on Saturday (December 6). The City of Austin is going green this year. All the lights on Congress Avenue are new eco-friendly LED lights. The new LED lights use about 85% less energy than the old incandescent lights of the past. The new lights have the added benefit of being able to glow in several colors with blinking and fading features. So that everyone can enjoy the lights special features without any obstruction, there will be no garland this year.
The Zilker Tree Lighting: The Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at Zilker Park on Saturday (December 6) at 6 p.m. hosted by the Austin Energy and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. The Zilker Tree stands 155 feet tall and is topped by an 10 foot star. It is quite a sight to behold. Be sure to look for the Blue Santa tent. Blue Santa will be there to visit with children and to accept donations of unwrapped toys for Austin ’s needy children 12 years and under.
Candlelight Christmas Tours: (December 5 – 13) will be held at the Pioneer Farm. Here you can truly enjoy an old-fashioned (19th century style) Christmas. There will be entertainment, games, crafts and much more. You can hear stories around the fire at the German Immigrant’s cabin, string popcorn at the kitchen table and sing Christmas carols in the Homestead Parlor. On December 13th, only you can experience an 1860’s Christmas at the Commercial Cotton Farm. Special entertainment is scheduled on Saturday and Sunday evenings for the next three weekends.
Make You Own Holiday Ornaments at the Wells Branch Community Library on Sunday (1 p.m.). There is a fee of $11 and all children under 8 must have an adult with them. This is a great way to spend some quality family time as well as create some very special memories.
Hop n Shop: (December 11, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) You will be able to board (not ride) a Capital Metro light rail train car at the “Hop ‘n Shop” being held at the Brush Square . A ‘Dillo will be decked in Christmas garb and lights. This event will feature music and merchant booths to promote the Austin downtown area as a shopping alternative and to remind everyone of the changes to the Dill routes and schedules. It’s also a great way to promote the new train service, Capital Metro, arriving soon.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar: (December 12 – 24) An Austin favorite is the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. It is a great place to find a unique gift or a piece of fine art for those on your shopping list. The bazaar also features live entertainment. The Armadillo Bazaar is held at the Austin Convention Center opening each day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Trail of Lights: (December 14 – 23). The Austin ’s famous Trail of Lights is recognized as one of the top ten holiday light displays in the nation. The trail features 41 lighted scenes. The display route is 1.25 miles long. As you walk along the trail, you can enjoy hot chocolate and yule log fires in two different locations. There will be a holiday train for those who prefer to ride the trail. The Trail of Lights also offers a wide variety of entertainment on two different stages. Train rides, food booths, entertainment and fabulous lights all in one place nightly from 7 – 10 p.m.
No holiday season would be complete without a performance of the Nutcracker, Texas ‘ longest running production now in its 46th year. Ballet Austin will be performing in the new Performing Arts Center December 6 – 23. Each performance will feature a very special Mother Ginger who will be played by a different local celebrity.
Rockin’ Christmas Party is another Austin tradition and will be performed once again at the Zackary Scott Theatre . The Zachary Scott Theatre offers several holiday shows including the popular Holiday Heroes for children 7 years of age and younger.
The Biscuit Brother’s will be performing a special holiday show at Pioneer Farms’ Sprinkle Corner on Friday, December 19th. The Biscuit Brothers film their Emmy Award winning TV series for PBS at Pioneer Farms. In addition to the performance, there will be cookies, hot chocolate and hayrides.
The traditional favorites “A Wonderful Life” and ”White Christmas” will be shown on the big screen at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday, December 7 and 12. The Paramount will be hosting several other holiday performances as well.
Well, if your holiday calendar was not already full, it should be now. Have fun everyone and don’t forget to spin! Spinning under the Zilker tree while looking up at the lights is a unique Austin tradition.
Shay
Filed under: Austin Texas, Austin Texas News, Austin Texas Real Estate, Real Estate News, Real Estate Tips and Advice, Texas, Uncategorized | Tags: affordable places, austin housing market, Austin Texas, austins residential market, city of austin, housing market study
On November 3, the City of Austin launched an online, comprehensive housing market study so they can better understand the needs and characteristics of Austin ’s residential market. This is a much needed study for the Austin housing market. Through the next two decades, the survey will focus on affordability needs. The study is being conducted by BBC Research and Consulting firm who specializes in housing market evaluations, and is being overseen by the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office.
BBC Research and Consulting firm is a leading expert in the housing market supply and demand modeling, 
housing needs studies for special needs populations, and affordable housing needs assessments. The online study is just one of many components in the process. Other components will include stakeholder focus groups that will assist in identifying solutions to the housing issues in Austin , telephone surveys that target a specific number of Austin residents to better understand what their housing needs are, and public meetings, which will be held from November 17 through November 20. The public meetings will be held to gather perception of Austin ’s housing needs as well as the city’s housing preferences. The public meetings will also let you share recommendations for better housing needs.
The housing market studies results will assist Austin ’s decision maker’s in the public, private and nonprofit sectors to contribute resources and make investments to help guide redevelopment and development of more affordable housing throughout the City of Austin .
Austin, Texas is not only a great place to live, it will soon be one of the most affordable places to live.
Related Links:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/housing/
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/housing/publications.htm
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/housing/downloads/08survey_eng_flyer.pdf
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/housing/downloads/08examen_espanol_folleto.pdf
Questions: aggeler@bbcresearch.com
