As of today, Austin‘s Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 is on!  Since 2006, the festival has celebrated underground and progressive musicians as well as comedians.  The jam-packed schedule includes some of the best underground musicians in the country.  Here’s just a taste of what you can expect on the four stages:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011
TV Torso (12:30pm)
Car Stereo Wars (1:25pm)
Mind Spiders (1:30pm)
Black Milk (2:45pm)
Anarchy Championship Wrestling (2:20pm)
D Generation (4:10pm)
Dating Game (4:10pm)
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears (5:35pm)
Reggie Watts (7:15pm)
Murder City Devils (7:20pm)
Public Enemy (8:30pm)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011
Manejo Beto (12:10pm)
Shapes Have Fangs (12:55pm)
Louis Katz (1:25pm)
T Bird and the Beaks (2:05pm)
Death Grips (2:30pm)
The Joy Formidable (3:15pm)
Dead Horse (3:50pm)
Turquoise Jeep (4:45pm)
Cold Cave (5:20pm)
Wham City Comedy Tour (6:15pm)
The Damned (8:45pm)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011
Soul Khan (12:30pm)
What the Hell Magic Stunt Show (12:45pm)
Le Butcherettes (1:20pm)
New Movement Comedy (2:15pm)
Page & Stephen’s Fun Wedding (3:35pm)
Zero Boys (3:40pm)
The Budos Band (4:10pm)
Veggie Hot Dog Eating Contest (5:25pm)
Henry Rollins (7pm)
Trash Talk (8pm)
Blonde Redhead (8:45pm)

And those are just a few of the daytime acts.  Fun Fun Fun Fest Nites brings in even more entertainment every single evening around the downtown Austin area.  For a complete rundown of the schedule of events so you don’t miss out, please visit the Austin Fun Fun Fun Fest website.  Tickets are still available for single days ($55 each) or 3-day passes ($135 each).  All ages are welcome to the festival.  Kids ages five and under are free.

A few basic rules apply.  Do not bring any instruments, weapons (including knives of any size), blankets, chains (including chains on wallets), outside food or beverages, camelpacks, chairs, video or audio recording devices, stuffed animals, real animals, tents, Bota bags, professional cameras, flags or drugs/drug paraphernalia.  There will be absolutely no refunds or exchanges allowed.  On the positive side, you can bring a medium backpack, hat, sunblock, sunglasses, cigarettes, lighters, cell phones, strollers, non-professional digital or film cameras, disposable cameras, fanny packs, strollers and small beach towels.  We want to make this fun for everyone, so please follow these guidelines of dos and don’ts.

Get ready to enjoy some of the best underground musicians and comedians around because Austin‘s Fun Fun Fun Fest is officially on!  It’s easy to see why Austin is celebrated across the country for its music scene.

Shay Hargus, your Austin real estate specialist

OCTOBER 22, 2011
Halloween Howl – Austin Nature and Science Center (301 Nature Center Dr), 5:30pm.  Tickets are $4 per person.

OCTOBER 23, 2011
Halloween Children’s Concert – Michael & Susan Dell Hall (701 W Riverside Dr), 2pm.  Dress up your entire family and head to the Michael & Susan Dell Hall to listen to fun Halloween symphony music.  It’s visually stiimulating as well!  Tickets are just $12 per person.

OCTOBER 28, 2011
The Dinner Detective Austin Halloween – Courtyard by Marriott Convention Center (300 E 4th St), 7pm.  A Halloween twist on the classic murder mystery dinner theater.  You must be 18 or older to participate.  Tickets begin at $59.95.  For more info and to purchase tickets, please call 800-421-7305.

Halloweekend Pub Crawl Austin – Coyote Ugly (501 E 6th St), 5pm-11pm.  Dress up in your favorite costume, bring your photo ID and enjoy special drink prices at some of Austin’s best bars.  For tonight, enjoy $1 domestic drafts, $2 domestic bottles and $3 well drinks.  Register at Coyote Ugly beginning at 5pm.

Shot in the Dark – Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces St), 9pm.  Join in on Texas’ biggest annual Halloween Party.  You can purchase your tickets at AustinMusicHall.com.

OCTOBER 29, 2011
Evil Destiny Halloween Party – The Madison (307 W 5th St), 10pm-2am.  Doors open at 9:30pm.  Enjoy drink specials, dance music from DJ OG Sprocket and participate in the costume contest.  Winners of the Sexiest Costume and Best Costume will receive $100 each.  There is no cover.  Must be 21 or older to enter.  For more info, please call 512-293-9669.

Halloweekend Pub Crawl Austin – Coyote Ugly (501 E 6th St), 4pm-11pm.  Dress up in your favorite costume, bring your photo ID and enjoy special drink prices at some of Austin’s best bars.  For tonight, enjoy $1 domestic drafts, $2 domestic bottles and $3 well drinks.  Register at Coyote Ugly beginning at 4pm.

OCTOBER 30, 2011
Halloween Pirate Grog Party – Polo Area of Zilker Park (900 Guadalupe St), 12pm-5pm.  Dress like a pirate or any other character you wish.  If you don’t have a costume, you can borrow one at the party.  Make crafts, play games, enjoy a sing-along and take your picture with a real pirate.  Tickets are just $10 each.  For more info, please call 512-323-5004.  Space is limited so call today.

OCTOBER 31, 2011
3rd Annual Austin Facial Hair Club Halloween Boat Party – LCRA Jack Miller Building (3700 Lake Austin Blvd), 7pm-11pm.  Halloween fun on Lake Austin.  Tickets are just $25 in advance and $30 at the door.  Boats will leave the LCRA Jack Miller Building promptly at 8pm.  So, don’t be late.  To purchase tickets, please visit their website.

If you enjoy dressing up and having fun, there are plenty of Halloween events in Austin to choose from.  Whatever you decide to do, please make sure you enjoy yourself in a safe and sane manner.  Happy Halloween!

Shay Hargus, your Austin real estate specialist

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a weekend warrior or a beginner looking to support the cause however you can, there’s a course that will fit your skills.  The 5K run/walk through downtown Austin will be held bright and early on the morning of Saturday, October 15th, taking you along South Congress Avenue.  On Sunday, participants can gear up for the 20, 45, 65 or 90 mile bike rides.  You choose which level you’re most comfortable with.  After the ride on Sunday, everyone gets to celebrate at the Ride Post Event Party.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Friday - Mellow Johnny’s will host a Street Festival (400-600 block of Nueces) to kick things off from 12pm to 7pm.  All walkers, runners and riders will be able to pick up their bibs and packets at that time.  From 7pm to 10pm, Gibson Bar (1109 Lamar Blvd) will play host to Happy Hour with Austin Cycle Camp and Livestrong.  There will be a silent auction benefitting the Livestrong Foundation as well as food and drink specials.

Saturday - Participants in the 5K Run/Walk can pick up their bibs and packet info in the RunTex Riverside parking lot beginning at 7am.  The start of the Run/Walk takes place at 8am at the South 1st St Bridge over Lady Bird Lake.  The Street Festival continues from 9am to 1pm on the 400-600 block of Nueces Street.

Sunday – Participants in the cycling portion of the weekend who haven’t yet done so can pick up their bibs and info packets at the Roger Hanks Parkway in Dripping Springs beginning at 7am.  This is where the start of the bike ride is.  Each participant’s ride course is dependent on which distance you are planning to attempt: 20 mile, 45 mile, 65 mile or 90 mile.  Of course, all of this culminates with the Ride Post Event Party.  There will be food, a massage tent for riders, a Kids Zone and a beer tent for the grown-ups.

Last year, 5500 participants were able to raise more than $3.1 million for cancer research.  This year, Team Livestrong is hoping to even surpass that.  Registration continues through October 16th.  It is a $35 registration fee for the Run/Walk, $50 for the bike ride or $75 to participate in both.  You can sign up here.  If you can’t be in Austin in person, you can always be a virtual participant and donate online as well.

The Team Livestrong Challenge Austin takes place October 14-16, 2011.  Help support a very worthy cause by participating.  Live happy, live healthy, Livestrong.

Shay Hargus, your Austin real estate specialist

Storage is near the top of just about every Austin buyer’s list of wants and needs in a home.  No matter how much storage the inside of the house has, there just never seems to be enough.  The garage is the perfect place for spillover.  Shelving units and storage cabinets in the garage need to be showcased to buyers.  To get boxes off the floors, consider adding loft-type storage that comes down from the ceiling.  It’s like adding a small attic to your garage and makes the perfect place to store those seasonal items you only use occasionally.

Garages tend to be very dark places.  If the only thing lighting up your garage is a single lightbulb, go to your local home improvement store and purchase some long fluorescent light strips.  They aren’t expensive and can make a world of difference to a buyer.

A garage door should be seen and not heard.  If your garage makes loud groaning sounds or creaks and squeeks when it is opening and closing, it may just need some oil.  If that doesn’t work, have it inspected to make sure it isn’t in need of repair or replacement.  The questionable workings of a garage door are NOT music to an Austin buyer‘s ears.

Now is the time to finally finish the walls and ceiling of your Austin home’s garage.  It was great that you put up the wall board to make the framing disappear.  But, complete the project by adding a bit of paint over top.  A finished garage makes a much better impression on a buyer than an unfinished one and may even help bring in a higher offer.  Even if your walls are already finished, you may want to consider adding a fresh coat of paint to brighten it up a bit.  Garages can get pretty dingy.  A new coat of paint can make it appear brand new and well kept.

Finally, garages can get dirty.  Inevitably, something gets spilled and leaves a huge, ugly stain.  That’s why you should consider coating your garage floor with an epoxy resin, throwing down some rubber mats or adding some sturdy tile.  Any of these will make cleanup easy and looks better to an Austin buyer than the nasty stained floor.

When it comes time to place your Austin home on the market, simply remember that garages sell homes, too.  Buyers look in every nook and cranny of a home they are considering purchasing.  That includes the garage.  Just like the master bedroom and kitchen can make or break a home sale, the garage is quickly becoming a factor in the buying equation.  So, take a little extra time and care when staging your home to sell and include the garage.  You’ll be glad you did.

Shay Hargus, your Austin real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Active Rain blog here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/2510707/garages-sell-homes-too.

While there are plenty of other things to do, the live music is what drives people to both this annual festival and even Austin in general.  We do love our music!  This year’s amazing lineup includes: Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, Kanye West, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Arcade Fire, Ray LaMontagne and Cee Lo.  And those are just some of the main headliners.  For a complete list of who is playing and when, please visit the Austin City Limits’ website.

Zilker Park is comprised of 46 acres and the 2011 Austin City Limits Festival covers it all.  When you need a break from the music, grab a bite to eat.  There’s more than the usual festival junk food here, though.  You wouldn’t expect anything less from an event held in Austin, would you?  There’s something to tickle the tastebud of even the most fickle foodies.  Enjoy everything from pizza to TexMex to creole cooking to the best of southwest flavors and more.  These are just some of the Austin restaurants represented at the festival:

• Aquarelle Restaurant & Wine Bar
• Austin’s Pizza
• Bess Bistro on Pecan
• Freebirds World Burrito
• Garrido’s
• Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
• Tim Love’s Love Shack
• Mandola’s Italian Market
• Mangia Pizza
• Maudie’s
• Odd Duck Farm to Trailer
• Olivia
• P Terry’s Burger Stand
• Pureheart
• The Salt Lick
• Stubb’s BBQ
• The Mighty Cone
• The Best Wurst
• Torchy’s Tacos
• Wahoo’s Fish Taco

There are plenty of other refreshments to cool you down as well.  Fresh lemonade, homemade ice cream, ice cream sandwiches and that southern staple…sweet tea.  Your tastebuds won’t know what hit them.

The Dell Lounge offers festival goers the chance to see what’s happening all over the festival from the live You Tube feed on their video wall and gamers can charge their handheld devices in air conditioned comfort.  Take a photo at the photo booth and post it online right away as well as any videos you take at the event so everyone can see what’s happening.  The Honda Zone offers the chance to win a 2012 Civic Si Coupe.  Take advantage of the American Airlines’ bag and chair check to stow your stuff when you don’t need it (like sunscreen, portable chairs, etc).  That way, you don’t have to lug it around with you all day.

The kids aren’t left out, though.  Austin Kiddie Limits offers live entertainment as well as fun arts and crafts activities to enjoy.  Kids 10 and under get in absolutely free when they are accompanied by an adult.  There’s a Hip Hop workshop, color puzzle, School of Rock workshop, sandy fun at Zilker Beach, DrumZone, action painting and much, much more.  Healthy snacks and yummy lemonade are available to keep the kids’ tummies full, too.

The 2011 Austin City Limits Festival highlights the very best that Austin real estate has to offer.  Great food, amazing music and good family fun is what living here in Austin is all about.  Come and see for yourself!

Shay Hargus, your Austin real estate specialist

Originally posted on my blog here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/2487310/2011-austin-city-limits-festival.

Since violations of these restrictions will result in both warnings and citations being issued, it’s probably a good idea to find out exactly what the Stage 2 restrictions are.  These restrictions pertain specifically to all City of Austin Water Utility customers.

• Watering of your Austin home’s landscaping is restricted to just one day a week.  Single-family homes with odd numbered addressees are allowed to water on Saturdays only, while evenly numbered addresses are allowed to water on Sundays.  For multi-family residences and commercial facilities, odd addresses are allowed to water on Tuesdays only and even numbered addressses can only water on Fridays.  If you have an automatic sprinkler system, you must set it to water on your designated day before 10am only.  If you have a sprinkler that you attach to the end of your garden hose or use a soaker hose, you are allowed to water before 10am or after 7pm on your designated day.
• Watering by hand is allowed at any time.
• You may wash your vehicle at your Austin home as long as it is before 10am.
• Charity car washes will no longer be allowed.
• Outdoor fountains must be turned off at all times during the Stage 2 restrictions except to allow for aeration of water life.
• Automatic fill valves cannot be used for pools and ponds.
• Water will only be provided upon request at restaurants.
• Watering driveways, parking areas, sidewalks or other paved areas (such as patios, etc) will no longer be allowed.

If you find an Austin resident in violation of any of these water restrictions, please report them to 3-1-1.  We need to make sure everyone stays on board with these restrictions or even more stringent enforcements will come into place.  Please keep these rules in mind when the City of Austin begins mandatory water restrictions on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. 

Shay Hargus, your Austin real estate specialist

Step #1 – Add It Up
You need to know exactly how much debt you owe before you can formulate any plan to tackle it.  So, gather all your monthly statements for credit cards, car loans, second loans, department store cards, etc.  Itemize each debt to show how much you owe, what your monthly statement is and what the interest rate is.

Close accounts for cards you no longer use that charge an annual fee.  You may want to keep accounts open for cards that don’t have an annual fee because this will actually help you debt-to-income ratio.  Closing a credit account can be tricky, though, because your credit score will take a hit when you do close an account.  So, close one at a time over the period of several months.  Then, make sure that you get a letter from the creditor stating that it was your choice to close it.  The credit reporting agencies see a closed account as a bad thing but look more favorably upon an account that was closed by the user instead of the creditor.  After you’ve closed the last account, pull your credit report from all three agencies (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian).  If it doesn’t show that you have closed the account yourself, send the agency a copy of the letter from your creditor stating that you were the one to initiate the closing.  Also, keep copies of these letters on file in case there is a question when it comes time to apply for a mortgage loan.  You may not need them, but it’s a good idea to have them.

You will want to tackle the highest interest rated credit account first.  Once you pay off that account, apply what you were paying to the next highest interest credit account on your list.  Keep doing this until all your debt is paid off.  For example, your minimum on an account is $40 and you pay $75 per month.  You have another account that you are paying the minimum of $30 on.  Once you pay off the first card, add that $75 to the $30 you normally pay per month on the second card.  Continue to do so until your cards are all paid off.  You will pay off your cards sooner without spending more in your budget.

Step #2 – Be Accountable
Create a journal (either on your computer or a notebook) to record every purchase you make.  That includes the daily lattes, lunches, gas, magazines and even that pack of gum.  Everytime you spend money, record what was bought and how much it cost.  Continue to do so for a month to get a realistic picture of how much money you spend.  This will also help you find where money leaks are and where expenses can be cut.

Step #3 – Create a Budget
It’s not a fun thing, but creating a budget will help you focus on your goal of paying down your debt and buying an Austin home.  List all necessary expenses (groceries, utilities, etc).  Once those are paid for, determine how much money is needed for your debts.  You can still have fun, but you may need to channel some of your “fun” money to paying down your debt.  There are plenty of fantastic programs that you can find online that will help you create a budget if you are unsure how to begin.

Step #4 – Stick to the Plan
Once you have decided on a budget, stick to it.  It can be easy to stray if you don’t stay disciplined.  Decide how much money you will spend on movies, eating out, entertainment, etc. and don’t stray from it.  Once you’ve reached your limit, you’ll have to wait until the next month to do more.

Once you know how to pay down your debt, you can begin to prepare to purchase your Austin dream home.  When you’re ready to do that, contact me.  I’ll be happy to show you around!

Shay Hargus, your Austin real estate specialist

Recently, Austin claimed the top spot as the nation’s next boom town, according to Forbes magazine.

The focus of Forbes’ study was the local job market, the migration of educated people to the area, the ability to start and continue a business, population growth, family makeup (number of children per household) and places to settle.  Austin continues to shine as a fantastic place to live.  The job market is one of the best in the US.  The influx of college graduates, families with young children and immigrants has helped propel it to the third fastest growing city in the entire country.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you will get swallowed up in the hustle and bustle of a “big city”.  With Austin living, you can still maintain a small town feel in a big city atmosphere.  Austinites know how to have a good time as well as raise a family.  Austin’s diverse cultural elements are another reason so many people flock here year after year. 

In addition to Austin, three other big Texas cities ranked in the top 10: San Antonio (#4), Houston (#5) and Dallas (#7).  Of course, this isn’t news to Austin’s citizens.  We’ve known how great Austin is for years now.  It’s just nice that a magazine as prestigious as Forbes would recognize such a thing.  If you want to see why Austin has claimed the top spot as the nation’s next boom town yourself, contact me today.  I’d be happy to give you a tour of Austin homes for sale.  I’m sure I can find the perfect place for you to set down roots and take advantage of all that Austin has to offer.

Shay Hargus, your Austin real estate specialist

Pack It Up and Put It Away - Clutter can be a major distraction for buyers.  They need to be able to see themselves living in your Austin home.  That’s hard to do when your collection of spoons from the 50 United States, assorted crystal tchotchkes and various other knick-knacks are everywhere.  Pack up all non-essential decorations, books, personal photos, etc. and store them neatly away in the garage.  Better yet, rent a storage unit for a short time to keep the extra boxes in.  Buyers won’t want to see a cluttered garage anymore than a cluttered home.  You’re going to need to pack these things up eventually to move anyway.  The cost of a storage unit for a month is much less than having your unsold home sit on the market for months.

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub - Don’t underestimate the power of a good cleaning.  Sure, clean dishes and laundry are nice.  But don’t just stop at the surface stuff.  Deep clean the carpets to get rid of stains and everyday traffic that has built up.  If your carpets are really worn out, you may even have to replace them.  Take down the drapes and have them cleaned as well.  Wash all the windows inside and out to let the outdoor light shine throughout your Austin home.  Clean the tile grout in the kitchen and bathroom, where dirt can build up and make tiles look dingy.  Not only will a thorough cleaning make your Austin home more attractive, but it will help get rid of or, at the very least, seriously diminish particularly tough smells, such as cigarette smoke and pet odors.

Fix It – Now is definitely the time to make those long overdue little fixes around your Austin home.  This includes loose trim, ripped window screens, wobbly doorknobs, broken hinges, leaky faucets, sliding closet doors that are coming off their tracks, etc.  What may seem like a minor repair to you can make a potential buyer wonder what larger things you haven’t taken care of. 

Create an Ambiance – Fresh cut flowers from your garden add a splash of color and won’t cost you a dime.  Keep all rooms lit up well, including the garage, laundry room and even the closets.  You want people to be able to see what they are buying.  Lightly scented candles or room fresheners can also set a welcoming tone.  Have soothing music playing softly in the background whenever potential buyers are sizing up your Austin home.  In the summertime, keep your home at a cool temperature.  In the winter, warm it up.  Whatever the season, you want your guests to be comfortable.

A Neutral Stance – Those dark red walls may have been just the touch of drama you felt your home needed, but it can be a turnoff for some buyers.  Using neutral tones creates a blank canvas that potential buyers can use to place themselves in your environment.

Home staging is an important step in selling a property.  These are just a few ways you can set the stage to sell your Austin home.  Let me know if you need help buying or selling your Austin real estate.

Shay Hargus, your Austin real estate specialist

Take a Step Back – The very first thing you need to do is to take a moment, walk across the street, turn around and take an honest look at the front of your home.  If you were a potential buyer, would you stop to see what’s behind the front door or would you continue on to another, more inviting home down the street?  Take note of the things that stand out the most (shrubbery, paint, stains, toys, etc).  If your house just needs a bit of a tidying up, that just makes it easier.  But, it may take a little more than that.

Landscaping – You’re busy with your daily life as well as the additional stresses of trying to sell your home.  So, sometimes, the lawn gets neglected.  Keep it watered properly (but not over-watered) and mowed.  When mowing, don’t cut the lawn too short or you could hurt it and hinder future growth.  Pull up any weeds, trim the bushes and get rid of dead plants.  If you have empty flower boxes you always intended to plant flowers in, do it.  Otherwise, get rid of them.

Litter – The kids’ bikes and outdoor toys need to be put on the side of the home, in the garage or out back in the shed.  With trash cans, the “out of sight. out of mind” rule is a good one to follow.  Make sure to keep the trash cans away from any windows or doorways, though, so the smell won’t waft inside when someone is considering your Austin home for their own.

Entryway – Placing a couple of potted plants, a hanging plant or two and/or your flower boxes (with newly planted flowers) in the front entryway welcomes visitors.  A new welcome mat is an inexpensive way to say “come on in” as well.  Freshen up the paint on your exterior light fixture or replace it altogether if it’s worn out.  The same goes for the mailbox, if it is located here.

Driveway and Sidewalks – Stains are unsightly and can put off a potential buyer as well.  Your local hardware or home and garden center may have something to get rid of those stubborn oil and rust stains.  If the stains are particularly bad, you may want to resurface the driveway completely.  This may sound radical, but the money you put into your home now will translate into even more money in the sale of it.  Overgrown brush and stains on sidewalks can be a turn off for potential buyers.  Keep them clean and clear.

Outdoor Living Spaces – Many of today’s buyers are looking for outdoor living space as well as indoor living space because it makes the home feel like there is actually more livable area, even when the outdoor space can only be used seasonally.  Clean up the patio furniture.  Give the area a good power washing to get rid of any mossy buildup.  You may even want to dress up the area as if you’re getting ready to have a barbecue with friends to give potential buyers an idea of what they can do with the space.

Pictures – The internet is typically the first place a buyer goes to check out Austin real estate.  So, you will need photos to let them know what the home looks like.  But, don’t just use the interior shots.  Make sure to include exteriors of the front and back to give them a complete look at what your home has to offer.

When it comes time to selling your Austin home, buyers will judge a book by its cover.  Give your story a happy ending by following the above tips.  If you need help selling your home or are looking to purchase one in the Austin area, please feel free to contact me.

Shay Hargus, your Austin real estate specialist