ShareTop Tips for FSBO Sellers Selling your house as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO) doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think, but it’s not for everyone.  Here are some tips if you decide to go the FSBO route when selling your own home. 1) Make Sure Your Home is Priced Right.  The first two weeks are the most critical; it’s when buyer’s interest levels will peak. If you are interested in a FREE evaluation of your current home to determine its current value, we’d be happy to provide you with an Instant Home Valuation of your property or a more detailed report at your request. 2) Be Ready for Unexpected Showings. Potential buyers have their own schedule and it likely won’t match with yours.  You will have agents and their clients wanting to see your home at any time of day or evening. 3) Market Your Home to Get the Most Exposure! It really does take more than just putting a sign in the yard to sell a home.  Take advantage of the internet-Craigslist and websites that cater to FSBOs, e-flyers, consider print advertising and direct mail, hold open houses, and post flyers on public bulletin boards at the grocery store, gym, and workplace. 4) Think… >>

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ShareAustin Home Sales Set June Record It’s definitely a hot real estate market in Austin and the summer is continuing to heat things up with record sales in June!  According to the lastest MLS report released by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, Austin-area home sales reached an all-time high for the month of June with an increase of 13 percent of the year before with almost 3,000 homes single-family homes sold! It certainly helped to have a rise in inventory with six percent more homes on the market in June than the previous year.  Housing development has was a driving force in the housing market with the final Q2-2014 data from Metrostudy showing that home starts in the Austin area have increased eight percent year-over-year to 9,782 homes. Austin Real Estate Market Statistics June 2014 2,997 – Single-family homes sold, 13 percent more than June 2013. $252,520 – Median price for single-family homes, seven percent more than June 2013. $326,998 – Average price for single-family homes, eight percent more than June 2013 39 – Average number of days single-family homes spent on the market, four days fewer than June 2013. 3,701 – New single-family home listings on the market, two percent more than June 2013. 6,426 – Active single-family home listings on the market, six percent more… >>

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ShareThings To Do In Austin In August 2014 Middle of summer has hit and school has been out for some time now…have you hit a bump in keeping the kids occupied? Here are some great things happening in August around Austin and the Hill Country to hold you over till school starts! NINJA WARRIOR WORKSHOP August 2, 2014 Don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet Drew Drechsel, NBC’s Ninja Warrior’s most popular contestant for this one of a kind workshop at BAM Academy. You’ll be training for one of the world’s most challenging physical gauntlets including the salmon ladder, warped wall, quintuple steps and more surprises. MARBLE FALLS LAKEFEST August 8-10, 2014 23rd year that the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce transforms Lake Marble Falls into a liquid quarter-mile “racetrack” and the banks of the lake into a wild three-day boat race party. There will be plenty of food, drinks, merchandise and vendors to visit between races. AUSTIN ICE CREAM FESTIVAL August 9, 2014 The Annual Austin Ice Cream Festival is fun for the whole family. Games, activities, contests, live entertainment and of course, ice cream, will keep you cool and happy. PLUCKERS WING BAR SECOND ANNUAL WING-EATING CONTEST August 15, 2014 Pluckers is hosting their second annual Wing-Eating Contest. Ten percent of… >>

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ShareThings To Do In Houston In August 2014 We are in the middle of summer and school has been out for some time now. Are the kids getting bored? Have you run out of ideas to keep them entertained? Here are some great things you can do around Houston in August to get you over the hump until school starts again! HUNTER’S EXTRAVAGANZA August 1-3, 2014 The Grandaddy of all Texas hunting shows is back at Reliant Center in 2014! Try out the latest deer hunting equipment, hunting accessories, hunting clothing, rifles, knives, archery and other exciting hunting gear! HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL August 1-3, 2014 The Houston International Jazz Festival presents the most exciting Jazz artists from around the world, bringing a diverse mix of styles to Houston. It has established its place among notable events as thousands of loyal fans turn out the first week-end of each August. Enjoy the Battle of The Brass Bands and the SJW All-stars. MESSINA HOF WINERY AND RESORT HARVEST FESTIVAL August 1-23, 2014 Gather and stomp grapes, enjoy wine tasting classes and dine on vineyard cuisine at Messina Hof’s 37th Annual Harvest Festival. BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP KAYAK TOURS August 2, 2014 Come experience the heart of Houston while gliding down its flowing… >>

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ShareReasons to Move to Austin TX Once you move to Austin, you may never want to leave!  Recent reports have 110 people moving here every day and CNN has noted that Austin is the fastest growing city in the U.S.  So why are so many people of different backgrounds and ages relocating to the Capital City?  There are quite a few reasons to move to Austin TX and here are a few! JOBS!  The booming tech industry has been great for our city.  Dell, Samsung, Apple and Google are some top companies just to name a few.  Along with a strong job market and unemployment below the national average, Austin is great for small and big business alike.  In fact, Austin topped the list for the 10 Best U.S. Cities for Job Seekers in 2014 by MNN.com. LOW COST OF LIVING! If you look at major cities across the nation, most residents in the Austin-metro area can achieve a high standard of living for less money here than any other comparative city.  Forbes ranked Austin third in The 25 Best Places to Retire in 2014 with cost of living playing a factor in the data. OUTDOOR LIVING! Austin boasts some of the most beautiful scenery and green spaces of any… >>

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ShareAustin Real Estate Market Update July 2014 According to the latest MLS report from the Austin Board of REALTORS®, monthly housing inventory in July increased on a year-over-year basis for the first time in three years as more listings entered the market.  Residential single-family home sales did dip in July, dropping 3 percent compared with the same month last year.  However, the median and average prices for homes sold increased and Austin continues to be one of the top real estate markets in the country.     July 2014 Austin Area Market Statistics 2,944 – Single-family homes sold, three percent less than July 2013. $250,000 – Median price for single-family homes, nine percent more than July 2013. $318,854 – Average price for single-family homes, seven percent more than July 2013. 39 - Average number of days single-family homes spent on the market, two days fewer than July 2013. 3,788 – New single-family home listings on the market, eight percent more than July 2013. 6,859 – Active single-family home listings on the market, 12 percent more than July 2013. 2,660 – Pending sales for single-family homes, four percent less than July 2013. 3.0 – Months of inventory* of single-family homes, 0.2 months more than July 2013. $938,706,176 – Total dollar volume of single-family properties sold, four percent more than July 2013. ABOR… >>

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ShareBudget-Friendly Kitchen Makeover If you’re looking for a kitchen remodel that can increase the quality of life for the cook in your life while still be budget friendly,  consider updating your kitchen cabinetry.  It’s usually the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel, often eating up about half of the total budget but if done right you can do a budget-friendly kitchen makeover the right way! To overcome this, one of my favorite options for quality, affordable kitchen cabinets is Craig’s List!  Believe it or not, there are almost always good quality kitchen cabinets for sale on Craig’s List at a fraction of what it would cost to buy new.  People often remodel simply for a new look.  The cabinets they are getting rid of can be in excellent condition and still incredibly valuable. I’ve done four full-scale kitchen remodels using solid wood (no particle board!) cabinets found on Craig’s List.  It is my experience that if you’re patient and you check Craig’s List daily, within a month (and usually sooner) you’ll come across a steal on some really great cabinets.  But be discriminating – there are cruddy cabinets for sale on Craig’s List as well. There are a few caveats: The layout of your kitchen is never the same exact… >>

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ShareThings To Do In Austin In September 2014 School is back in session but that doesn’t have to stop you from going out and enjoying all that Austin has to offer.  Football season is upon us, but if you can’t make it to the game, here are some great activities in Austin and The Hill Country you could check out! TRI-ROCK AUSTIN TRIATALON September 1, 2014 In the heart of downtown Austin this urban setting provides a swim start at the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue with a swim course in Lady Bird Lake, fast and closed bike course with stunning views over the Congress Street Bridge and finishes with a run along the Auditorium Shores running path. This is a destination event with a triathlon scene that rocks like no other. FREE DAY OF YOGA September 1, 2014 All day long, participating studios across the Austin area offer free classes as an opportunity for people of every age and fitness level. ULTIMATE FIELD DAY September 6, 2014 Bring your A-game to Mueller Lake Park on Saturday, September 6th for a day of challenges in basketball, football, soccer, rock climbing, and much, much more! The evening will round out with live music from some of your local favorites with food and… >>

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ShareThings To Do In Houston in September 2014 School is back in session and football season is upon us, but that doesn’t have to stop you from going out and enjoying all that Houston has to offer! There are some fun activities taking place this month, check one out, it’s a great way to take your mind off the heat! HOUSTON BRAZILIAN FESTIVAL September 6, 2014 Every September the Brazilian Arts Foundation organizes and hosts the Houston Brazilian Festival. With live music, performances, food and more, bringing visitors from around the world. All shows are family-friendly, and kids can stay busy with educational booths, games and interactive demonstrations. BIG TEXAS TRAIN SHOW September 6-7, 2014 Over 100,000 sq. ft. of model trains, railroad museum and club exhibits, and vendors over two big days at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Family fun for all ages! OKTOBERFEST HOUSTON September 13, 2014 Oktoberfest Houston is a celebration of German food, music, dancing, games and, of course, beer. HOUSTON GUN COLLECTORS & ANTIQUES SHOW September 20-21, 2014 Public gun show with exhibits, including modern rifles, pistols, shot guns, gun cases, U bags, gun sights, scopes, stocks, finishing materials and parts. ODDBALL COMEDY & CURIOSITY FESTIVAL September 20, 2014 At the Woodlands Pavilion. With… >>

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Top Apps for Your Phone or Tablet

If you have a smart phone or tablet, you probably use it to play games, browse websites, look up the weather, and more! Apps are easy to download and often FREE! We’ve compiled a list of some top apps for your phone …

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