Austin Real Estate Blog

When you move out of a home to a new residence, there are several things you need to do in order to prepare the home you are moving from.  Unless the new owners are going to be moving in as soon as you move out, one of the things you will need to do is prepare the house for being empty.  For example, you need to make sure all of the water is turned off in the home and that all of your appliances are turned off.

Since the home will be left alone for a period of time, you also need to make sure all of the windows and doors are locked before you leave.  Although there are likely no belongings inside of the home, you still need to keep it securely locked up in order to prevent vandalism or other damage to occur to the home.

Of course, there are things you…

If you love to shop, you will be thrilled to learn about the many malls and other shopping opportunities that are available in the Austin area.  Not only are there many great stores to shop at, there are entire streets and blocks that are filled with great boutiques and shopping opportunities.

The Domain

If you are looking for high-end specialty stores, The Domain is the answer.  Here, you will find stores such as Tiffany and Co, Neiman Marcus, and Louis Vuitton.

The Arboretum

The Arboretum offers a number of specialty stores and restaurants, all of which are centered around a Saks Fifth Avenue.  Gateway Market, which is home to several large chain stores, is also located near the Arboretum.

Barton Creek Square

Barton Creek Square is home…

If you are looking for reasons to consider moving to the Austin area, you won’t have to look very far.  In fact, the city has received a number of awards and recognition throughout the years for a wide variety of reasons.

Finding a Job in Austin

One of Austin’s strengths is the availability of jobs in the area.  In fact, the Forbes website recognized Austin as the third best place to get a job in 2008.  This is partially due to the fact that it is a great city for new businesses to start up operation.  This was demonstrated in 2007 when MoodysEconomy.com named the city the best place for business in the United States.  In 2006, Expansion Magazine also named the Best Place to Live for Future Business Locations and Entrepreneur.com listed it as the 9th

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As a taxpayer in Texas, you certainly want to save as much money as possible.  After all, you don’t want to have to pay money in taxes if you don’t have to!  At the same time, in order to reduce the amount of money you have to pay on property taxes, it is important to work within the parameters of the law.

There are four different types of home exemptions that you can apply for as a property owner in Texas.  These apply to your primary residence and they include…

    * School taxes
    * County taxes
    * Optional exemptions
    * Age 65 or older

Understanding these exemptions and how they work is important so you can take full advantage of the benefits they offer.

School Taxes

School tax exemptions are available to all homeowners and qualifying for one is quite

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Since you will most likely need a loan in order to purchase your dream home, you might want to consider getting pre-qualified beforehand.  By getting pre-qualified for your home loan, the lender will be able to verify whether or not your credit is solid as well as the price range you can comfortably pay for a home.  In addition to these perks, there are several other benefits to getting pre-qualified for a loan.

Save Time and Rest Easy

One of the perks to getting pre-qualified for a loan is the fact that you have a clear idea of how much you can afford and you can rest easy knowing that you will be able to acquire a loan once you find the perfect home.  In addition, since you know how much you can truly afford for the home, you won’t waste time

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Just Listed!  Take a look at this gorgeous home situated on the greenbelt in Travis Country.  Beautiful inside and out!  It includes a hot tub and covered deck surrounded by mature landscaping.  The exterior was recently painted and the kitchen has been updated.

To schedule a viewing contact Laurie Loew at 512-344-6000!

A visit to Austin will provide you with a number of entertainment opportunities.  From theme parks to caverns, from family-friendly activities to fun for adults, there is plenty to do and see in the Austin area.

Austin Duck Adventures

Austin Duck Adventures take guests on a 75 minute narrated tour of the land and the lake with te help of its amphibious vehicles.  These vehicles even take a trip through downtown Austin.

Austin Ghost Tours

Austin Ghost Tours take guests along a walking tour through downtown Austin.  Offered on Saturday and Sunday nightes throughout the year, this guided tour tells of all of the Austin “haunts.”  Reservations are required to join this tour.

Austin Nature and Science Center

The Austin Nature and Science Center is a…

When purchasing or selling property in the state of Texas, there are two key laws that you must be aware of:  Community Property Laws and the Homestead Law in Texas.  Becoming knowledgeable about these laws is important in order to keep yourself protected.

Community Property Laws

According to Community Property Laws, any property that is acquired during a marriage is the property of both partners.  The only exception to this rule is if either spouse has property that is defined as “separate property.”  In order to be considered separate property, the property has to have been claimed by one of the spouses before the marriage.  Or, if it is acquired after marriage, it can be considered separate property if it is acquired as “by gift, devise or descent.”

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Do you love art?  If so, you will be thrilled by all of the art opportunities available in the Austin area.  Here is a look at just some of what Austin has to offer.

23rd Street Artists Market

The 23rd Street Artists Market is an open-air crafts market that is located across from the University of Texas.  This market showcases unique handicrafts and is open every day from 8:00 in the morning until 10:00 at night.

Art on 5th

Art on 5th showcases a variety of originally pieces as well as contemporary fine art prints. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 in the morning to 6:00 at night.

Arthouse

Arthouse strives to promote appreciate of local contemporary artists. In addition to its exhibits, Arthouse

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When you move to close on the home you are considering buying, there are many different inspections that the home will need to undergo before the purchase can be finalized.  While all of these inspections serve to help keep you better protected, they also protect the mortgage lender because it helps to insure that the home is a good investment that is worthy of a loan.  Therefore, you will likely be required to have these inspections completed before the lender will allow you to close on the deal.

Testing for Asbestos

If your home has been recently constructed, asbestos testing won’t be necessary because it was no longer used in homes after its dangers were recognized.  If you are purchasing an older home, however, you will have to have it inspected

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