Fine Austin Living / Austin Texas Real Estate

Low Unemployment A Draw for Relocation to Austin Texas

toddsmith — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:47:33 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin Real Estate

There is no doubt that low unemployment is a draw for relocation to Austin Texas. The state capital has been extremely proactive in attracting new business and new jobs and has continued to have an unemployment rate significantly lower than the national average. In December the unemployment rate in Austin Texas was 6.3%.

The recession has brought about a change in priorities for people across the US, people are no longer moving to areas because of their desirable location but because of the ability to make a living. Austin Texas has a number of things going for it. In addition to low unemployment our unique city has an attractive quality of life and a reasonable cost of living.

Contact us today to learn more about relocating to Austin Texas. We have access to all Austin real estate that is currently on the market and can help you get to know why Austin is such a successful city. Austin has a great deal to offer its residents, let us show you around.

Click here to read “Austin area, state see jobless rates edge down in December” from The Statesman.

Contact the Fine Austin Living Team today for up to date information about Austin Texas real estate as well as free access to the Austin Texas MLS and all properties currently for sale in the Austin area.

MBA in Austin Texas, A Top Worldwide

toddsmith — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:14:25 +0000

An MBA acquired in Austin Texas stands out as a top worldwide. Recently a list was compiled of top MBA programs, not just in the United States but around the globe, and the Executive MBA available at the University of Texas in Austin was determined to be the 9th best in the world. This accolade is a feather in Austin’s cap, as the area continues to draw some of the brightest and most ambitious to further their business educations.

Education in Austin is superb, from basic education to college and beyond. While Austin Texas continues to be recognized for its low unemployment and its ability to attract business, the ability to provide excellent education will continue to enhance Austin real estate values.

Living in Austin means exposure to great schools. Contact us today to learn more about Austin real estate. We can help you locate a home that suits your needs and help you get to know the different educational opportunities within each community.

Click here to read “Texas Executive MBA Hits Top 10 Globally, Excellent Value”.

Austin Texas Real Estate, Looking Good

toddsmith — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:33:08 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin Real Estate

Things are looking good for Austin real estate, which means that things are looking good in Austin Texas. A recent Forbes Magazine article titled “Cities Where Real Estate is Ripe for a Rebound” suggests that there are a few cities that are not only poised for a rebound but a few are actually rebounding as we speak. It is no surprise that Austin Texas is on this list.

All of the positive news about Austin’s economy, low unemployment, and ability to attract new business mean that things are good here, and when things are good real estate picks up. Austin real estate is benefiting from a low unemployment rate, currently at 6.6% and far lower than the nation’s average. In addition home prices seem to be leveling out, having dropped roughly 2% over the past year.

A rebound for Austin real estate is great news. Contact us today to learn more about local market conditions and let our team use its knowledge and experience to work for you.

Click here to read “Cities Where Real Estate is Ripe for a Rebound”.

Austin Expanding Solar Use

toddsmith — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:47:53 +0000

Austin Real Estate and Fine Austin Living

Austin Texas is expanding its ability to use solar energy by implementing the largest solar farm in the state. It has become more and more clear over the past decade how importance of finding alternative power sources and solar makes sense for sunny locales like Austin.

The most recent solar addition to Austin is a solar farm that is just under 400 acres in size. This amazing project will be able to provide energy to more than 135,000 homes and is owned by SunEdison. Austin Energy has a 25 year agreement to purchase the solar energy and achieve its goal of utilizing renewable energy.

Solar energy is but one more way that the Austin area is diversifying its economy. The solar energy farm is not only providing an alternative power source but it is also creating jobs. Click here to learn more about the solar farm.

Contact us today to learn more about living in Austin Texas. Austin offers a unique city in which to live as well as an area of the nation which is cultivating job creation. We have access to all Austin real estate that is currently listed for sale, as well as valuable information to help you get to know the Central Texas area better.

Music in Austin Texas, Urban Concert Will Do Good

toddsmith — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:26:13 +0000

Fine Austin Living, Austin Real Estate and community information

Country music fans in Austin Texas should consider attending the Keith Urban concert which will do a good deed by raising money to combat a deadly children’s illness known as Batten disease. The concert will take palce on February 10th and is titled “Date Night with Keith Urban”. Funds raised at Urban’s concert will go to the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation, a foundation dedicated to curing the childhood disease as well as promoting the screening test for the disease. Austin Texas will be the country star’s first performance since having surgery on his vocal chords in the Fall of 2011.

Austin Texas has a thriving music scene, and used as a platform to raise money for a plethora of worthy causes. The drought of last summer created a fundraising concert that was well-attended and able to raise a great deal of money for victims of the fires caused by the dryness.

Living in Austin Texas provides exposure to a variety of music. Contact us today to learn more about living in Central Texas. We can help you get to know Austin and different communities that make up our unique area. We can provide access to all Austin real estate that is currently listed for sale and so much more.

Click here for more information on “Date Night with Keith Urban”.

Austin, Texas by the Numbers: Who ELSE thinks we’re an awesome place?

toddsmith — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:57:10 +0000

Austin, TX rocks!

Everyone, not just Austinites, knows Austin is one of the best cities in the world. Want to see who else is talking about us? Here’s proof.

No. 1 Boom town in America, Forbes Magazine

No. 1 City for starting over, thedailybeast.com

No. 1 Place to live in the U.S., relocateamerica.com

No. 1 City in resident satisfaction, ETC Institute

No. 1 City for young adults starting careers, American City Business Journal

No. 1 Best golf city in America, golf.com

No. 1 Funniest city, thedailybest.com

No. 1 City in the U.S. for job growth, gracytitle.com

No. 2 Best city for families, Parenting Magazine

No. 2 Market to watch in 2012, Urban Land Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers

No. 2 Best place for dating in the U.S., vavoom.com

No. 2 City for young Latino Americans to live, work and play, Mun2

No. 2 IT startup hot spot, PayScale, Inc

No. 3 Best airport in America and 5^th best in the world, Airports Council International

No. 4 Best city for single women, CBS Money Watch

No. 4 Best job market in the U.S., Forbes

No. 4 Best city for college grads, thedailybeast.com

No. 5 U.S. city with the healthiest employment outlook, Manpower Employment Outlook Survey

No. 5 Place with good jobs and cheap housing, investopedia.com

No. 5 American city for iPad hot spots, Men’s Health

No. 5 Most moved to city in the U. S., U-Haul

No. 7 Best place for business, Forbes

No. 8 Most socially networked city, Men’s Health

No. 8 Best beer city, Travel + Leisure

No. 10 Greenest U.S. city, Mother Nature Network

No. 10 Social media college: University of Texas, studentadvisor.com

Austin Real Estate, Rentals Are Hot

toddsmith — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:37:26 +0000

Austin Real Estate, Fine Austin Living

Austin real estate is currently benefiting from the fact that rentals are hot. Let’s face it the city of Austin itself is red hot right now, noted as a place with jobs is making it a desirable place to live. Apartments are filling up, which is great for landlords. In addition to having rental units full, the demand is helping to push rents higher, also good for landlords in Austin.

Austin real estate is benefiting from the city’s success and there couldn’t be a better time to invest in rental properties. Whether you are renting out an apartment, condo, or home, there is a market to find renters these days which adds to the investment opportunities in Central Texas. Investing in Austin real estate is different from investing in the stock market because a real estate investment has an opportunity to pay for itself over time, something stocks rarely do.

Please contact us today to learn more about investing in Austin real estate. Low interest rates are adding to affordability levels, and rental demand is adding to the desire to invest.

Click here to read “Area’s apartment market still sizzling” from The Statesman.

Austin Texas, Great Food

toddsmith — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 10:49:52 +0000

Fine Austin Living for all your Austin real estate & community information

Austin Texas is the home of great food, in addition to great fun. Known as a city of festivals, Austin is on the map for music yet one of the city’s lesser known, but equally great, attributes is food. From food trucks to BBQ and everything in between and beyond, Austin Texas is rapidly becoming known for its fare.

Among a few of Austin’s accolades in recent years, as far as food goes, are that the city is home to a best burger and a best new restaurant. In addition to the amazing restaurants in Austin, the variety available from the city’s food trucks is both diverse and exceptional. In its diversity Austin Texas is being noticed by food critics from across the United States.

The appreciation of food is important to many relocating to Austin, as dining and discussing food can be a way of life. Luckily the food offerings in Austin will not disappoint.

If you are considering relocating to Austin Texas give us a call today. We have access to all Austin real estate that is currently listed for sale and can help you get to know where Austin’s most unique eateries are located!

Click here to read a recent article from Newsday, “Visiting Austin for the food”, which highlights Austin’s dining options.

Austin Real Estate, Office Market Upbeat

toddsmith — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:31:14 +0000

There is more positive news for Austin real estate, the office market is upbeat. Numbers at the end of the year showed good occupancy rates for the Austin area as well as a slight increase in rents. As Austin has gained recent attention for having a positive outlook for the New Year with regards to real estate, the news for office space only adds to the overall optimism here in Central Texas.

Low vacancy rates in Austin Texas are a sure sign that the business climate is getting healthier. Employment is expected to continue to improve in Austin in 2012, which will in turn have a positive effect on real estate. As companies continue to expand and more new business comes to Austin the office market should continue on its positive path.

Employment and real estate are tightly connected and Austin real estate continues to benefit from a bright employment picture. Please contact us today to learn more about Austin real estate and put our knowledge to work for you.

Click here to read “Austin-area office market ends 2011 with vacancies down, rents up” from The Statesman.

Austin Community Buzz: Turn Your Cell Phones Into Cash

toddsmith — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:35:37 +0000

Fine Austin Living / Austin Real Estate

The current Austin community buzz is that you can turn your cell phones into cash. Let’s face it, most of us have old cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, or you name it lying around. Austin Texas has quickly become known as a technology hub of the south and with electronics becoming outdated so quickly these days many of us replace cell phones annually. We might as well make something off of the old when we trade up to the latest and greatest!

If you are cleaning out the drawers in your Austin home, finding out what your old equipment is worth is easy, it can be as simple as visiting a website or going to your nearest Target. Here are a few places to start:

Visit Gazelle.com where you can get cash for your used equipment if you choose the prepaid shipping option.
Visit a Walmart store (but call first to make sure the store you are headed to participates in a buy-back program for electronics. You won’t receive cash but you will receive the next best thing: a Walmart gift card.
Like Gazelle.com, NextWorth.com will give you cash for your device when you use the prepaid shipping option.
Visit a Target (again, call ahead to make sure your Austin Target is participating) and like Walmart you will receive a Target gift-card payment.
Best Buy will take products in the store or online and offers store credit.
Apple.com/Recycling will offer you a quote for Apple devices.

It is important to remember that whenever you are recycling a device you should delete any and all personal information from it. Other options for getting rid of old items include donating them and recycling them. Starting the New Year off on a green foot in Austin Texas is a great idea!

At Fine Austin Living we care about Austin real estate as well as the community. It is our goal to conduct successful real estate transactions and help our clients get to know Austin inside and out.