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Real Estate Agent
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Whether I'm sharing a life lesson, explaining the real estate market, or helping someone find their next home, my goal is always the same, to educate, encourage, and serve. Reach out: 512-750-6899
Cell: 512-750-6899
Office: dillard@reloaustin.com
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Real Estate Agent
Donna Harris
Austin TX real estate changes everyday.Whether you're buying or selling, I'll be with you every step of the way! Austin, Lakeway, BeeCave, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Barton Creek & everywhere in between.
Office: (512) 592-7127
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Austin, TX Real Estate News

By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
Every once in a while, someone comes along who reminds you just how special the ActiveRain community really is.Today, I want to give a HUGE shout out to Craig Daniels!In August, Craig took some much-deserved time away for some offline time, travel, and a little R&R. And yet, he still took the time to help me with something I absolutely could NOT have figured out on my own, changing my ActiveRain signature to reflect my transition from the Coldwell Banker corporate office to my new Coldwell Banker franchise here in Austin.And when I say helped me, I mean he REALLY helped me! Craig recreated my signature concept, finalized the mockup, and then created the HTML code for me to copy and paste into my updated blog signature. He even made sure it would be readable on mobile devices, which is e...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
“At the end of the day, it isn't where I came from. Maybe home is somewhere I'm going and I've never been before.” ....... Warsan ShireLabor Day seems like the perfect time to think about where we’re going, not just where we’ve been.We spend so much of our lives working toward something. A career. A family. A dream. A new chapter. We work hard, overcome challenges, celebrate milestones and sometimes wonder when we’ll finally arrive at that place where everything feels just right.But maybe home isn’t a place we eventually reach.Maybe home is a feeling.It’s that feeling of belonging. Of being comfortable in your own skin. Of knowing you are enough exactly as you are and that you don't have to constantly prove your worth.And maybe some of the most important work we do isn't the work that c...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
El Arroyo stands as an iconic Austin gem, renowned for crafting the finest hand-squeezed margaritas and serving up delectable Black Angus beef tacos, among a plethora of other Tex-Mex delights, since 1975!Situated at the corner of West 5th and Campbell, this local favorite boasts a quirky marquee that captures attention. Daily, the billboard transforms with a fresh pun, spanning the spectrum of wit and humor, making it a delightful fixture at the heart of Austin's culinary scene. The laughter doesn't stop there, they share these puns on Instagram, drawing in admirers like our very own Kathy Streib, and Debe Maxwell, CRS, is also in on the fun. In a world where a daily chuckle is a necessity, following El Arroyo's Instagram for the latest pun is a shared joy.Wishing you endless smiles! H...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
What If Your Life Was Your Best Lead Generation Strategy?There are so many lead generation models out there.Prospecting.Cold calling.Open houses.Social media.Farming.The latest “proven” system that promises to fill your pipeline with new clients.And I understand why we’re always looking for the next new client.But after all these years in real estate, I’ve discovered something that works pretty well for me:Do more of what I love.Spend time with my sphere.Stay connected with past clients.Enjoy lunch or coffee with friends and colleagues.Get involved in my community.Write. Share. Learn. Show up.And, most importantly, do things that genuinely bring me joy.I’ve started thinking about my “why” and my “how I want to live my life” almost the same way I think about tracking my GCI.We’re so good...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
There’s something about Labor Day that makes me want to slow down for a minute and appreciate the people behind all the things that make our lives work.The teachers who show up every morning ready, to make a difference.The nurses, doctors, and first responders who care for us when we need them. The small business owners who pour their hearts into what they do.The builders, tradespeople, service workers, farmers, drivers, office workers, and so many others who keep our communities moving.And all of us who, in our own way, contribute something to the world around us.Labor Day is a reminder that work matters, but so does taking a little time to step away from it. After all, sometimes the best thing we can do is close the laptop, put down the phone, fire up the grill, get into the pool, tak...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
Austin’s newest luxury hot spot just opened, and talk about making an entrance! 🌿🏙️The brand-new 1 Hotel Austin opened this weekend in the Waterline, Austin’s tallest building, and the timing couldn’t have been better. With the first UT home football game of the season happening, it looks like plenty of people wanted to be among the first to check it out!Located on the first 16 floors of the 74-story Waterline tower in the Rainey Street District, 1 Hotel Austin brings a whole new level of luxury,  literally, to the Austin skyline.And this isn’t your ordinary hotel. 🌿There’s an apiary, a rooftop pool, a spa and several restaurants, including Watr, a Japanese-inspired rooftop restaurant and bar right alongside the pool. Down in the lobby, Alteño Austin offers another dining option, while ...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
El Arroyo stands as an iconic Austin gem, renowned for crafting the finest hand-squeezed margaritas and serving up delectable Black Angus beef tacos, among a plethora of other Tex-Mex delights, since 1975!Situated at the corner of West 5th and Campbell, this local favorite boasts a quirky marquee that captures attention. Daily, the billboard transforms with a fresh pun, spanning the spectrum of wit and humor, making it a delightful fixture at the heart of Austin's culinary scene. The laughter doesn't stop there, they share these puns on Instagram, drawing in admirers like our very own Kathy Streib, and Debe Maxwell, CRS, is also in on the fun. In a world where a daily chuckle is a necessity, following El Arroyo's Instagram for the latest pun is a shared joy.Wishing you endless smiles! H...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
Wednesday Market MattersHelping You Understand What the Numbers Mean.Looking Beyond the Numbers“The headline tells one story. The numbers tell another.”One of the questions I’m asked most often is:“Dorie…how’s the market?”My answer is usually the same.“It depends on which numbers you’re looking at.”Headlines are designed to grab our attention.Statistics help us understand what’s really happening.That’s why each month I like to step back from the headlines and take a closer look at what’s happening right here in Canyon Creek.Because real estate is local, and our local market can tell a very different story than the headlines about Austin as a whole.August at a Glance:A few things stood out to me when I looked at August's numbers.🏡 Home sales decreased 50%, with 2 homes selling compared t...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
I recently attended the Austin PT50 Education Symposium, and one of the speakers made a comment that really resonated with me.She talked about “building a bigger table,” creating a place where people feel they belong, where their contributions are recognized, and where there is room for everyone to participate.It got me thinking about real estate.We often look at the scoreboard, the number of transactions, sales volume, listings, and closings, and it can be easy to forget just how many people are sitting around that table helping make each transaction successful.There’s the other agent. The title company. The lender. The inspector. The contractors and repair people. And, of course, the clients who put their trust in us.Most of us have had mentors along the way, people who opened a door ...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
“Honesty is the best policy.”I’ve been working with some buyers recently who heard through the grapevine about a home that had been under contract, but the buyer terminated after the inspection uncovered several repair issues, including a roof that needed to be replaced. The sellers were not willing to negotiate.And that got me thinking about something every seller should remember:Real estate is a very small world.Agents talk to other agents. Buyers talk to their friends, family and neighbors. And when a transaction falls apart, people often want to know why.Maybe the seller feels strongly that they shouldn’t have to negotiate. Maybe they believe their home is worth what they are asking and the buyer should accept it as-is. And, sometimes, that may be a perfectly reasonable position.But...
Comments 15
By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
El Arroyo stands as an iconic Austin gem, renowned for crafting the finest hand-squeezed margaritas and serving up delectable Black Angus beef tacos, among a plethora of other Tex-Mex delights, since 1975!Situated at the corner of West 5th and Campbell, this local favorite boasts a quirky marquee that captures attention. Daily, the billboard transforms with a fresh pun, spanning the spectrum of wit and humor, making it a delightful fixture at the heart of Austin's culinary scene. The laughter doesn't stop there, they share these puns on Instagram, drawing in admirers like our very own Kathy Streib, and Debe Maxwell, CRS, is also in on the fun. In a world where a daily chuckle is a necessity, following El Arroyo's Instagram for the latest pun is a shared joy.Wishing you endless smiles! H...
Comments 12
By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
I look forward to the annual Austin PT50 15X30 Education Symposium every year, and I wouldn’t think of missing it! This year’s event, held Wednesday, August 25 at the Commons Event Center at UT Austin, was another winner.I loved the new location, the conveniently paid parking, and especially the auditorium-style seating. Everyone had a great view of the stage, which meant I could focus on listening, learning, and taking plenty of notes!So, what exactly is 15X30 PT50?The concept is simple…but definitely not easy! Eight top industry experts take the stage, each presenting 15 slides that automatically advance every 30 seconds. That gives each speaker just 7½ minutes to share their most important ideas, insights and takeaways. Talk about making every second count!And this year’s speakers de...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
If you’ve lived in Austin for a while, you probably know about our famous Congress Avenue Bridge bats. And if you’re new to Austin, you may have wondered why thousands of people gather downtown at sunset to watch… bats! 😂Starting Wednesday, August 26, there’s a new reason to check them out. Bat City is bringing an interactive experience to the old Statesman bat-viewing area, giving visitors something fun to explore while they wait for the evening flight.You can learn bat facts, watch short videos featuring “Bootsy the Bat,” play trivia and even take part in a bat-themed scavenger hunt. It’s bilingual, too!And here’s a fact worth knowing: Texas bats provide an estimated $1.4 billion a year in agricultural benefits by helping control insects and reduce crop damage and pesticide use. Plus,...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
Recently, I was reading through some of the testimonials I've received while updating my website, and I came across one from Ruthie and Ronnie Robinson.Their words took me back to the sale of their home on Cinnabar Trail.They had lived there for nearly 30 years.They had raised their family there.Their home wasn't simply a property they were putting on the market.It was a chapter of their lives.They wrote:“Selling it was far more than a transaction; it was an emotional life moment.”That sentence stayed with me.Because after 35 years in real estate, I've learned that every home sale has a story behind it.Sometimes it's a young couple buying their first home.Sometimes it's a family moving because their children have grown.Sometimes it's a new opportunity, a move closer to family, or the be...
Comments 15
By inboundREM Market Updates
(InboundREM)
Finding Homes Near Top Rated Schools in North AustinFor buyers researching homes near top rated schools in North Austin, school assignment often becomes one part of a broader property search that also includes commute times, home style, neighborhood layout, and access to everyday services. North Austin includes residential areas served by more than one public school district, so buyers should verify the assigned elementary, middle, and high school for every property under consideration rather than relying only on a neighborhood name.School boundaries can also change over time, which makes address-specific verification important before making a purchase decision. A local realtor can help buyers compare properties based on location and confirmed zoning information while keeping the focus ...
Comments 2
By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”…. George EliotWhatever your age, don’t rush through your days.Don’t pack your calendar so full that you fall into bed exhausted, only to wake up and do it all over again. There is a difference between being busy and being present.For much of my life, I was always racing ahead, crossing things off lists, proving myself, planning for tomorrow, and thinking about what came next. I thought accomplishment meant getting more done.Now, I’m learning something different.I’m learning to slow down enough to actually be here.To savor an ordinary Tuesday. To appreciate a conversation that lasts a little longer than expected. To be grateful for clients and colleagues who have become part of my journey. To treasure family and friends. To notice th...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
El Arroyo stands as an iconic Austin gem, renowned for crafting the finest hand-squeezed margaritas and serving up delectable Black Angus beef tacos, among a plethora of other Tex-Mex delights, since 1975!Situated at the corner of West 5th and Campbell, this local favorite boasts a quirky marquee that captures attention. Daily, the billboard transforms with a fresh pun, spanning the spectrum of wit and humor, making it a delightful fixture at the heart of Austin's culinary scene. The laughter doesn't stop there, they share these puns on Instagram, drawing in admirers like our very own Kathy Streib, and Debe Maxwell, CRS, is also in on the fun. In a world where a daily chuckle is a necessity, following El Arroyo's Instagram for the latest pun is a shared joy.Wishing you endless smiles! H...
Comments 14
By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
Soft Enough to Negotiate. Fast Enough to Require Action.Helping You Understand What the Numbers Mean.Looking Beyond the Numbers ~ “The headline tells one story. The numbers tell another.”One of the things I've learned after years of watching real estate markets is that a single number rarely tells the whole story.And July's 2026 Central Texas housing numbers are a perfect example.At first glance, the market may appear softer than it was a few years ago. Buyers have more negotiating room, and sellers can no longer simply put a sign in the yard and expect multiple offers.But look a little closer...Buyers have more leverage today, but great opportunities still favor those who are prepared to recognize them and act.Here's what the July numbers are telling us across the Central Texas Housing...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
If you’ve noticed more friends talking about farmers’ markets lately, you’re not imagining it.With the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak making many of us think a little more carefully about where our fresh produce comes from, some Austin-area shoppers are turning to local farmers’ markets for their weekend grocery runs.And honestly… there are worse Saturday morning traditions! ☀️🍅Farmers’ markets offer something I’ve always loved about Austin, the opportunity to meet the people who grow and make our food, learn where it comes from, and support local farmers and small businesses along the way.That said, buying local doesn’t automatically mean produce is free from foodborne illness. Cyclospora is a parasite that can spread through contaminated food, and health officials have linked some ca...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”— Joseph CampbellLife is filled with beginnings and endings, but so much of life happens in the space in between.We grow. We change. We meet challenges, build relationships, discover new interests and find opportunities that can take us in directions we never expected.And sometimes, we get stalled because we're holding on too tightly to the life we thought we were supposed to have.Letting go isn't always easy. We may have invested years, hopes and dreams into a particular path. But sometimes the very thing we're reluctant to release is what keeps us from seeing what could come next.Life brings us new seasons, and with them, new possibilities. Sometimes we must close one chapter, not becaus...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
A year in photos. A lifetime of becoming uniquely you. 💖How can it possibly be that our Beckett is turning 12?Every August 16th brings back a flood of memories, especially that summer day in 2014 when you made your debut, while your big brother Hudson was home with strep throat! And just like that, our family became a little brighter, a little busier, and a whole lot more fun. 😊Every year, I look forward to creating your birthday collage, a tradition inspired by Sharon Tara. Twelve photos…twelve months…twelve little glimpses of the girl you are becoming. And what a joy it is to look back and see not only how much you've grown, but who you are becoming along the way.You are independent, smart, determined, and confident. An athlete who knows how to compete, a leader who isn't afraid to st...
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, Educating. Encouraging. Serving.
(Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899)
El Arroyo stands as an iconic Austin gem, renowned for crafting the finest hand-squeezed margaritas and serving up delectable Black Angus beef tacos, among a plethora of other Tex-Mex delights, since 1975!Situated at the corner of West 5th and Campbell, this local favorite boasts a quirky marquee that captures attention. Daily, the billboard transforms with a fresh pun, spanning the spectrum of wit and humor, making it a delightful fixture at the heart of Austin's culinary scene. The laughter doesn't stop there, they share these puns on Instagram, drawing in admirers like our very own Kathy Streib, and Debe Maxwell, CRS, is also in on the fun. In a world where a daily chuckle is a necessity, following El Arroyo's Instagram for the latest pun is a shared joy.Wishing you endless smiles! H...
Comments 17
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