Business in Austin Texas looks good, especially if you look at Inc. Magazine’s latest list of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies.  Thirteen companies from Austin Texas made the list of 500 companies in America that are growing rapidly.  Austin Texas has been receiving quite a bit of recognition lately as a recession-proof city and a city that is maintaining better than average jobless numbers.  Seeing how businesses are growing in the Texas capital is evident in the list put out by Inc.

The 13 companies in Austin are:

• BancVue (No. 117) 2,170 percent growth

• Q2eBanking (No. 124) 2,048.2 percent growth
• CLEAResult Consulting (No. 144) 1,860.1 percent growth
• Smiley Media (No. 175) 1,610.9 percent growth
• Kinnser Software (No. 215) 1,372.9 percent growth
• Consero (No. 321) 922 percent growth
• BabyEarth (No. 349) 842 percent growth
• uShip Inc. (No. 378) 790.8 percent growth
• Bird’s Barbershop (No. 382) 787.9 percent growth
• Dexter Field Services (No. 406) 728.1 percent growth
• Charity Dynamics (No. 429) 694.9 percent growth
• All Web Leads (No. 441) 677.4
• Arrow Glass + Mirror (No. 462) 649 percent growth

Texas had a total of 52 companies on the list.  Click here to see the list in its entirety.

Relocating to Austin is an appealing move for those who are looking to work for a thriving business and live in a city which has a lot to offer.  Please contact me today if you would like to learn more about Austin real estate.

Contact Todd Smith 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.

Austin Texas has been named the number one city for the next decade.  Kiplinger magazine recently created a list of ten cities for the next decade.  Austin Texas tops the list titled “10 Best Cities for the Next Decade”.  Austin is seen as a city that has thrived despite the recession, reinventing itself as needed but sticking true to its roots as a place that fosters new ideas and creativity.

What makes Austin unique and sets it apart is its ability to change and adapt with the times, if not get ahead of the times by being innovative and thinking “outside the box”.  Austin has the ability to attract small businesses and smart people.  In addition Austin remains a fun city with a unique personality that draws to it both people and business.

Recently Austin has proven itself as a recession-proof city and clearly the city is being noticed.  As the number one city for the next decade relocating to Austin has never been more attractive.  Contact me today to learn more about the city and the real estate opportunities that exist here.

Click here to read the article and complete list of “10 Best Cities for the Next Decade” from Kiplinger magazine.

Contact Todd Smith 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.

Lakeway is a beautiful community that appeals to both families as well as single homeowners of all ages. It was begun as a vacation destination but today enjoys tremendous growth.  The community is made up of middle class families as well as wealthy retirees.  The diversity of this area is one of the reasons that it is one of the most desirable places to live in central Texas.

The main attraction of this neighborhood is the sparkling waters of Lake Travis but the strong economy is also a strong draw.  Residents enjoy employment in  computer, software and manufacturing industries as well as education and medical fields.

Lakeway offers unique amenities to the community.  Local attractions include Lake Travis, miles of walking trails, local park areas, water features and a skate park.  There are also nearby shopping centers offering a variety of retailers and restaurants.  The City of Austin is just a few miles away with nightlife and world-class entertainment options.

The condos at Grove Condominiums in South Austin evoke a storybook feel.  This new condominium complex located in the 78704 neighborhood offers unique architecture reminiscent of the houses of the 1920s and 30s. These residences embrace an English Tudor style and the legendary homes of California’s Carmel coast. 

These lovely residences perched on a little cove on South Fourth Street includes luxurious features such as romantic stone fireplaces, private alcoves, and arched entryways.  These condominiums have no shared walls but are connected by a breezeway.

The interior details have a vintage feel, such as rubbed bronze fixtures, copper washes on the ironwork, ceramic beadboard in the bathroom and many of the interior walls are gently curved.  The condos also enjoy secluded rooftop patios that feel like an open-air tree house.

These unique, three-bedroom, 2.5 bathrooms in Grove Condominiums start in the upper $500s

Barton Place is a wonderful new project that offers so much to its residents. Located conveniently to everything in Austin including the Austin Nature & Science Center, Zach Scott Theater, Long Center for the Performing Arts, the Zilker Botanical Garden, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the University of Texas, the Texas Capitol,the warehouse district and Restaurant Row.

outdoor enthusiasts will love the direct access they have to the popular Town Lake walking and biking trail as well as the beautifully landscaped courtyard, community garden and  the rooftop terraces of Barton Place,.  Dog-lovers will enjoy the pet recreation area a perfect place to play a game of fetch with your four-legged friend.

The community offers an outdoor and indoor yoga studio, sports storage, lap pool, lounge area, fire pit and outdoor grill, fitness center and controlled-access parking garage and an elegant dining room.

Central Austin is looking at a 14-mile light-rail system.  The rail would run from the airport  to downtown, through the University of Texas and on to the new Mueller development that lies to the east.

This plan was instigated by the City Council, who hired ROMA Design Group to produce it at a cost of $250,000. The proposal, which will likely cost hundreds of millions of dollars is being analyzed for viability.  At the moment it is not clear who will pay for it.

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization board will have the final say.  If the examination takes place quickly and the CAMPO board gives the nod, the light-rail proposal could be put before voters in November.  Although many are hopeful that this may happen there are many complicated questions that need to be answered about costs and benefits of the project.

This new community developed by Pulte Homes offers a new level of luxury living in Austin.  This community offers breathtaking views a gorgeous, sparkling lake and an easy convenient commute to downtown Austin.  Residents enjoy 5 miles of lovely nature trails that wind through the community of HighPointe, a great way to stroll through the neighborhood and enjoy the natural beauty of the neighborhood.

High Pointe offers privacy, exceptional amenities and a strong sense of community.  Residents enjoy privacy and security within the gated community. There is also a two-story fitness center, men’s and women locker rooms, showers, lighted tennis courts, sports courts, soccer fields, four separate  swimming pools, children’s pool and lap pools.

The community enjoys seven neighborhood parks, a lovely park pavilion as well a outdoor grills and fire pit perfect for friend and family get-togethers.

HighPointe is located within the award-winning Dripping Springs Independent School District and offers excellent educational opportunities for family’s with children.

HighPointe offers so much to its residents and really raises the bar of luxury Austin living.

Here is a list of routine maintenance that will need to be done to your home annually to keep it functioning smoothly and to contain any problems before they get out of hand.

Most of these tasks are very simple, but it is important to stay on top of them.

Change out filters. Most heating and air conditioning systems  will need their filters change annually.

Do not let dust and dirt accumulate, it can ruin the finish on blinds, cabinets, countertops, floors, sinks, tubs walls, tile, carpeting and other surfaces.  if it does accumulate, make sure you remove it with a cleanser that will not scratch or harm the finishes.

Clean out gutters and downspout of leaves, dirt and other objects.  By doing this you will prolong the life of your gutters, siding and other exterior surfaces.

Keep in mind that you will receive a warranty from the builder but if you do not perform this necessary maintenance you may void your warranty. For example, if your roof develops a leak due to faulty workmanship that will be covered, but if the leak developed because you have never cleaned out your gutters and they have backed up creating a leak than you will be covering the repairs yourself.

Barton Place offers open living space and spacious floorplans. Large master suites, beautiful terraces and elegant, sophisticated design are signature trademarks of this exceptional residential development.  Units offer unique, one of a kind features like wine storage and warming drawers. Barton Place includes  one, two and three bedroom designs.  Each unit enjoys wood flooring in the kitchen, dining and living room. The beautiful, gourmet kitchens are appointed with fine, European kitchen appliances, granite counter tops, large, oversized windows, frame less glass showers with travertine tile,Quartz counter tops in the baths and sophisticated, wall mounted bath faucets.

Barton Place offers elegant living dominated by breathtaking river views.  Residents enjoy a great array of amenities such as a professionally landscaped courtyard with lap pool , lounge area, fire pit and grill.  There is also organized yoga, running, biking, walking and fitness centers as well as an incredible rooftop terrace, community garden and a secure parking garage

Property values of Travis, Hays and Williamson counties are expected to increase in 2008.  Many residents will begin receiving appraisal notices in the mail.

The Travis Central Appraisal District is finalizing  proposed values of residential, office and retail properties in the county. In Travis county the average home value is up 11.5 percent from last year.  Therefore a house valued at $256,058.00 in 2007 is now worth $285,511.00.  In the city of Austin, the average home value is up 12.55 percent. In 2007 the average Austin home cost $237,055.00, today it costs $266,807.00.

Some counties such as Lago Vista and Marble Falls are seeing even greater appreciation. People are very excited to move to the Austin area, there is a lot of commercial, retail and residential growth in this region.

Properties are valued as of January 1st.

This is a strong sign of the region’s economic health.