Austin & Round Rock did it again! Another blockbuster ranking! This time reported by Milken Institute and Greenstreet Real Estate Partners on September 16. According to their report, Austin-Round Rock region ranks 4th place among the 2008 Best Performing Cities! The components for establishing ranking of large cities for this report include job, wage, salary and technology growth. Having lived here for 26 years, it's easy for me to see why the Austin area consistently ranks high on the list of best places to live for so many reasons! View full report here:  2008 Best Cities   09/17/2008

I am often asked by new investors to share with them the "Magic Key" to real estate investing for beginners.  Well I hate to burst bubbles, but that Magic Key doesn't exist in my book of tricks.  If it did, I certainly still would NOT be working as an investor's agent in the real estate business (that is a pretty obvious statement to most people!).  In fact, we all know that getting rich quick is only used to describe "Ponzi" schemes that only take money from you and use it to line someone else's pocket. The real key to real estate investing for beginners is simply the fact that investing is not speculating, and speculating is not investing!  When you invest in anything especially real estate you need a plan - a beginners plan for real estate investing (or for any investment vehicle rea... 09/16/2008

When I'm assisting buyers looking for Round Rock homes, I love the opportunity of introducing them to Teravista - an award winning master-planned community. The drive alone through this beautiful sprawling community is enough to make most anyone want Teravista to be their next home. Teravista is an energetic community that offers a unique lifestyle for all it's residents. From neighborhood pockets and cul-de-sacs to greenbelt lots and golf course views, there's a perfect place here for everyone. The beauty of Teravista is that nothing is left out. Here you'll enjoy some of the best that amenities have to offer including-        Resident Clubhouse 18 hole Teravista Golf Club Fitness Room Playgrounds in Various Locations of the Community 2 Beautiful Community Pools Picnic & Barbeque Area... 09/15/2008

There are many reasons for YOU to use a REALTOR! WE DON'T COST A PENNY-Nada, Zip, Zilch! It cost you nothing and may save you money. Plus their vast amount of knowledge and experience is a must have in this type of market. Think of us as consultants not SALES people.  Our job is to assist, guide and protect your interests.  Would you agree that using a Free Professional would be of sound judgement and a wise business decision.  I personally move multiple transactions per month in this territory.  I know of future projects in the Round Rock Real Estate Market, land usage, possible rezoning, and building processes.  We are YOUR Personal Representative A buyer Representative works solely for YOU and has no legal or other responsibilities to the seller. When working with a buyer Representat... 09/15/2008

Round Rock citizens will have their first opportunity to provide input on the design of the new city hall building at a come-and-go event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Allen R. Baca Center. A formal presentation will be given at 6 p.m. Round Rock Communications Director Will Hampton said the new city hall will be an approximately 24,000 sq. ft. and the expected completion date is October 10th 2010 or 10-10-10. This new city hall will be a great new edition to Round Rock.  The community will be given the opportunity to voice their opinion on the possible design.  The public will also get some of the details budget, layout and other various forms of detail. The budget for the new city hall building is $7.8 million and will be paid for by bond money approved by voters in 2001. ... 09/15/2008

Here's a peek at recently unveiled plans for the first phase of Austin Community College Round Rock campus. This phase will include five buildings with over 250,000 sq. ft that will accommodate 5,000 students. Three more buildings could be added later, bringing the capacity to 11,500 students - making it the largest of all ACC campus branches Groundbreaking of the $119 million project will take place spring 2009, and classes are scheduled to begin in fall 2010. Located on 62 acres of land south of University Blvd, the campus will offer a 10-mile walking area within the campus, with vehicle traffic and the parking spaces shifted outside the area. Phase One construction will include the following buildings and programs: • health sciences, a three-story building with classrooms, science l... 09/15/2008

If your feeling inspired to learn how to skateboard or already a skateboard junkie, you might want to check out the newest skateboard park in Round Rock, Texas. Opened in July 2007, the 14,000 sq.ft skatepark features a sculpted concrete bowl and numerous street elements, including ledges, rails and platforms. It looks like an empty pool from the top but you really need to stand at the bottom of the ten-foot bowl to appreciate it for what it is. At a cost of $390,000, the park was designed and built by Gridline Skate park Construction, a national leader in skateboard parks. The skatepark has areas for riders of all skill levels and can accommodate several people at one time. An area is built on the side for people to watch the skaters inside the park. Where:  Located at 1600 Gattis Sch... 09/14/2008

Recieved this email from one of my mortgage loan officers today!  Wow!  We haven't seen rates like this since 2004/5.  Perhaps it is time to refi or move up - Also builders have many great offers going at the moment!  If you have been waiting, perhaps its time to start looking and get serious!  Call our offices for the best deals in re-sales or new homes! 09/12/2008

As the hurricane appoaches, many people find it helpful to keep a close "eye" on Ike and make sure where he is headed at any given time.  Looks like tonight and in the morning we may have some wind and rain here north of Austin, but the bulk of the storm appears to be headed east of us.  Click on the picture to see an excellent resource for following Hurricane Ike.  Have a safe weekend! 09/12/2008

Note the chart above that identifies the absorbtion rate of the market currently in this neighborhood.  Presently the market remains fairly balanced with a slight tilt towars the sellers side, but seems to be shifting presently more strongly towards the sellers side.  You can expect that all things perfect, a home in Mayfield Ranch will take approximately 75-90 days to sell in the current market.  Through the first eight months of this year, Mayfield Ranch home sales have been up over previous years as follows:                  Homes Sold        Difference2008 (adj)    512007            47                   Up by 8%2006            46                   Up by 10%2005            46                   Up by 10% The real estate market throughout most of Round Rock is slower this year due to m... 09/07/2008

Note the chart above that identifies the absorbtion rate of the market currently in this neighborhood.  Presently the market remains fairly balanced with a slight tilt towars the buyers side, but seems to be shifting presently strongly towards the buyers side.  You can expect that all things perfect, a home in Brushy Creek North will take approximately 45-60 days to sell in the current market.  Through the first eight months of this year, Brushy Creek North home sales have been up slowing over previous years as follows:                  Homes Sold        Difference2008 (adj)    142007            19                   Down by 41%2006            13                   Up by 4%2005            15                   Down by 4% The real estate market throughout most of Round Rock is slower this ... 09/07/2008

Note the chart above that identifies the absorbtion rate of the market currently in this neighborhood.  Presently the market remains fairly balanced with a slight tilt towars the sellers side.  You can expect that all things perfect, a home in Brushy Creek will take approximately 60-90 days to sell in the current market.  Through the first eight months of this year, Brushy Creek home sales have been up solidly over previous years as follows:                  Homes Sold        Difference2008 (adj)    562007            36                   Up by 35%2006            43                   Up by 23%2005            20                   Up by 33% The real estate market throughout most of Round Rock is slower this year due to many factors: A slower economy. An election year. Dell layoffs. etc. I... 09/07/2008

Through the first eight months of this year, Behrens Ranch home sales have been up over previous years as follows:                  Homes Sold        Difference2008 (adj)    682007            54                   Up by 20%2006            65                   Up by 4%2005            52                   Up by 23% The real estate market throughout most of Round Rock is slower this year due to many factors: A slower economy. An election year. Dell layoffs. etc. If you need to sell or lease/manage a home in Behrens Ranch we can help!  The good news is that Behrens Ranch remains in high demand and homes are selling there in an average of 76 days on the market.  That is better than most other areas in Round Rock at this time.  We would love to discuss the current value of your home, the pote... 09/05/2008

Through the first eight months of this year, Hidden Glen home sales have been up over previous years as follows:                  Homes Sold        Difference2008 (adj)    592007            48                   Up by 18%2006            50                   Up by 15%2005            38                   Up by 35% The real estate market throughout most of Round Rock is slower this year due to many factors: A slower economy. An election year. Dell layoffs. etc. If you need to sell or lease/manage a home in Hidden Glen we can help!  The good news is that Hidden Glen remains in high demand and homes are selling there in an average of 76 days on the market.  That is better than most other areas in Round Rock at this time.  We would love to discuss the current value of your home, the potential... 09/05/2008

Through the first eight months of this year, Stone Oak and Preserve at Stone Oak home sales have been down over previous years as follows:            Homes Sold        Difference2007    106                   Down by 8%2006    114                   Down by 14% The point is that the market throughout Round Rock is slower this year due to many factors: A slower economy. An election year. Dell layoffs. etc. If you need to sell or lease/manage a home in Stone Oak there are many critical issues to understand in order to make it happen.  We can assist you with these issues and would like to point out that some homes in Round Rock are still selling quickly and receiving multiple offers that can push the sales price ABOVE list price.  We would love to discuss the current value of your home, the... 09/05/2008

Through the first eight months of this year, Wood Glen home sales have been down over previous years as follows: Year        Sold     Difference2007       29        Down by 45%2006       31        Down by 55%2005       40        Down by 100%2004       26        Down by 30%2003       36        Down by 80% Also note that it is taking longer market times for the average home to sell here than in the past.  The point is that the market throughout Round Rock is slower this year due to many factors: A slower economy. An election year. Dell layoffs. etc. If you need to sell a home in Wood Glen there are many critical issues to understand in order to sell. We can assist you with these issues and would like to point out that some homes in Round Rock are still selling quickly and receiving multi... 09/04/2008

In the past, HUD offered a fixed price policy for FHA financing, but those policies have changed recently due to the high volume of foreclosures experienced in the recent past.  As of last year, HUD decided that they would modify the way that FHA fees are charged to be more "risk-based" in nature.  The idea is that borrowers who have clean credit and appear to be less of a risk with get the best rates in mortgage insurance and fees.  Although the interest rates are fixed for any borrower, the cost of credit will vary in MIP and fees.  This policy was set to start initially on January 1st of this year, then the dates evetually slipped back to July.  Now with the new Housing Bill voted into law in late July, a moratorium was placed for one year on this policy. So - as a buyer - if you int... 09/02/2008

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH the taste of a good cup of Coffee!         If you love coffee you have to come visit Round Rock! Let me show you some why more people are discovering the charm, beauty and affordability of Round Rock living.   If you are in the market to buy or sell or lease, I would love to help you and as a way of saying thanks for letting me help you find your Round Rock Home I want to give you a FREE pound of Starbucks Coffee.           Just email me at roundrockhomes@gmail.com 09/01/2008

On August 1, the Texas Education Agency released Texas school rating reports based on test scores and data compiled at the close of the 2007-2008 school year. The report details the state agency's ratings of exemplary, recognized, academically acceptable and academically unacceptable schools. In addition to individual ratings for campuses around the state, the agency also rates the school districts. Overall, the Central Texas districts saw an increase in the number of exemplary campuses from 2007 - According to the list, 43 school districts and 996 schools earned exemplary ratings. Last year, 27 districts and 643 schools received the top rating. An Exemplary rating means all student groups on the campus or in the district had a 90 percent or higher passing rate on all subject areas of t... 08/30/2008

My readers know that I often pontificate on the reasons why property investing makes sense for the average person and family. For instance, recently I have penned: Why You Should Buy Properties, Not Consumables Balance Your Investment Portfolio With Real Estate... Buy and Hold Real Estate Investing in Texas Investment in Texas Can Help You Retire Early! Its Time to Invest In Real Estate... Conservatively! And many others! The point of this article is to teach a concept of investing that is rarely understood by John Q. Public.  If you purchase your home and trade out every two years, you can start a series of investments that can make you very wealthy in cash flow within 10-20 years.  You simply set policy that you NEVER sell any property that you own.  You rent it after you finish livin... 08/30/2008