thehipzip

Cool House + Great Neighborhood = Your new home!

2009-04-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

Austin is the #1 "Bang for the Buck" American City!

2008-10-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

Read the whole story here!

1009 South Center Street Unit 1 - SOLD!!!!!!

2008-10-10T15:28:00.001-07:00

1009 South Center Street Unit 1 - SOLD!!!!!!

This new construction modern KRDB designed home in south Austin features concrete & hardwood flooring throughout, open living spaces, contemporary furnishings, stainless steel appliances & more! South Center #1 also features a private drive, private patios & courtyard, tile showers, wall sized sliding glass doors throughout, two master suites, built in closet shelving, center island in kitchen, & backs to a lush bamboo forested greenbelt. The spaciousness created by the open floor plan and large number of carefully oriented windows invites guests to explore every detail of this captivating development, while being immersed in natural light & greenbelt views. This is another great example of why KRDB has received numerous architectural awards & citations! Call me today for a showing!

Open House! 3700 Garden Villa Unit 2, 78704

2008-10-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

*OPEN HOUSE 1-3 THIS SUNDAY (10/12)*

This new construction modern KRDB designed home in south Austin features concrete & bamboo flooring throughout, open living spaces, contemporary furnishings, stainless steel appliances & more! Garden Villa #2 also features a private drive, private patios & courtyard, tile showers, wall sized sliding glass doors throughout, two master suites, built in closet shelving, center island in kitchen, & backs to a lush bamboo forested greenbelt. The spaciousness created by the open floor plan and large number of carefully oriented windows invites guests to explore every detail of this captivating development, while being immersed in natural light & greenbelt views. This is another great example of why KRDB has received numerous architectural awards & citations! Call me today for a showing!

Stephanie HunterO: 512-448-4400C: 512-632-3064
mailto:512-632-3064stephanie@greenmangorealestate.com

902 South Center Street Austin 78704

2008-09-24T22:05:00.001-07:00

Great lot for sale in Austin's Hippest Zip!

All paperwork filed with the City of Austin.

Ready to Build!

$274,500

Contact Steve Wright
512.970.6437

Lucky 13

2008-09-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

SustainLane has just published their 2008 list of greenest US cities.

Austin is ranked #13!

Please read more here.

Austin is better than ever!

2008-09-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

Even in a tougher economy Austin is still outperforming many other areas of the country in job creation and other economic markers.

The Austin-Round Rock region ranks 4th among the country’s largest metropolitan areas on the Milken Institute and Greenstreet Real Estate Partners’ 2008 Best Performing Cities list. That’s a dramatic improvement from Austin’s 20th place ranking on last year’s list. The list ranks cities according to a series of matrices such as job creation and salary and technology growth.

Provo-Orem, Utah; Raleigh-Cary, N.C.; and Salt Lake City, Utah, were the top ranked cities on the list, in that order.

Among other Texas metro areas, the McAllen-Edinburgh-Mission region ranked No. 7 on the list followed by Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood at No. 13, San Antonio at No. 15, Houston at No. 16, and Dallas at No. 23.

To see the full rankings, click here.

Now is the time to buy your dream home, here are a couple of the cooler ones:

3700 Garden Villa #2

2008-08-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

This new construction modern KRDB designed home in south Austin features concrete & bamboo flooring throughout, open living spaces, contemporary furnishings, stainless steel appliances & more! Garden Villa #2 also features a private drive, private patios & courtyard, tile showers, wall sized sliding glass doors throughout, two master suites, built in closet shelving, center island in kitchen, & backs to a lush bamboo forested greenbelt. The spaciousness created by the open floor plan and large number of carefully oriented windows invites guests to explore every detail of this captivating development, while being immersed in natural light & greenbelt views. This is another great example of why KRDB has received numerous architectural awards & citations! Available for immediate move-in. Call Ronnie @ 512-694-3699.

3700 Garden Villa #1 -- FOR LEASE $2500 -- LEASED!

2008-08-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

This new construction modern KRDB designed home in south Austin features concrete throughout, open living spaces, contemporary furnishings, stainless steel appliances & more! Garden Villa #1 also features a private drive, private patios & courtyard, tile showers, wall sized sliding glass doors throughout, built in closet shelving, and a center island in the kitchen. The spaciousness created by the open floor plan and large number of carefully oriented windows invites guests to explore every detail of this captivating development, while being immersed in natural light. This is another great example of why KRDB has received numerous architectural awards & citations! Available for immediate move-in. Call Ronnie @ 512-694-3699 for a showing!

1009 South Center Street #1

2008-08-02T07:35:00.000-07:00

This new construction modern KRDB designed home in south Austin features concrete & hardwood flooring throughout, open living spaces, contemporary furnishings, stainless steel appliances & more! South Center #1 also features a private drive, private patios & courtyard, tile showers, wall sized sliding glass doors throughout, two master suites, built in closet shelving, center island in kitchen, & backs to a lush bamboo forested greenbelt. The spaciousness created by the open floor plan and large number of carefully oriented windows invites guests to explore every detail of this captivating development, while being immersed in natural light & greenbelt views. This is another great example of why KRDB has received numerous architectural awards & citations! Available upon approval. Call Ronnie @ 512-694-3699.

1009 South Center Street #2 -- $1700/Month -- LEASED

2008-08-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

This new construction modern KRDB designed home in south Austin features concrete & hardwood flooring throughout, open living spaces, contemporary furnishings, stainless steel appliances & more! South Center #2 also features a private drive, private patios & courtyard, tile showers, wall sized sliding glass doors throughout, built in closet shelving, center island in kitchen, & backs to a lush bamboo forested greenbelt. The spaciousness created by the open floor plan and large number of carefully oriented windows invites guests to explore every detail of this captivating development, while being immersed in natural light & greenbelt views. This is another great example of why KRDB has received numerous architectural awards & citations! Available upon approval. Call Ronnie @ 512-694-3699.

Austin: Recession-Proof!

2008-07-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

2010 Jones Road Unit A --- LEASED!

2008-07-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

2 Bedrooms, 2 Bath duplex with an office on greenbelt near Central Market South. This is a two story duplex with a balcony on each floor overlooking a greenbelt creek in back. Interior has been remodeled and includes a fireplace, washer dryer connections, dishwasher, kitchen appliances, contemporary lighting, ceiling fans, wood floors, and more. Has open floor plan with kitchen open to dining room and living room. Exterior offers a large additional 3rd deck overlooking the creek, a fenced-in yard, storage closets, and covered parking. Rent is $1250/month, requires a $900 deposit. Pets OK, but require an additional $250 pet deposit each. $25 application fee. Owners are local and easy going...not a large corporation. Address is 2010A Jones Rd. eMail this address if you would like to set up an appointment to see this property in person: jonesrd@juddgilbert.com

Pictures: 2010 Jones Road Unit A

2010 Jones Road Unit B --- LEASED!!!

2008-07-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

2 Bedrooms, 2 Bath duplex on greenbelt near Central Market South. This is a two story duplex with a balcony on each floor overlooking a greenbelt creek in back. Open floor plan with kitchen open to dining room and living room. Interior has been remodeled and includes a fireplace, washer dryer connections, dishwasher, kitchen appliances, contemporary lighting, ceiling fans, wood floors, and more. Rent is $1000/month, requires a $900 deposit. Pets OK, but require an additional $250 pet deposit. $25 application fee. Owners are local...not a large corporation. Address is 2010B Jones Rd.

Please eMail if you would like to set up an appointment to see this property in person: bjonesrd@juddgilbert.com

Pictures: 2010 Jones Road Unit B

Top 25 Appreciating U.S. Markets

2008-06-27T14:43:00.001-07:00

In Austin, where the high-tech business has drawn a youth culture of working class professionals, the market still shows many signs of strength and should sustain that growth through the year. The state’s capital will see relatively healthy home sales carry it through what will be an otherwise tough year in many housing markets.

Austin will witness appreciation of 4.0%, mainly because of first time home buyers who want to get into their first home. This highly white-collar town will carry itself strongly through the credit crisis storm.

Cool Interactive Map of Austin Home/Land Values

2008-06-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

The Austin American Statesman has a very cool interactive map with which you can map the increased values of land and real property. Here's an example of the growth in the 78704 area:

Incredible Contemporary Renovation in NW Hills -- SOLD!

2008-06-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

The views are amazing from the veranda overlooking the canyon and your own private wildlife refuge! This completely modern home is featured on HGTV for its stunning remodel. The homeowners and their architect have acheived a sophisticated design that is contemporary, warm and lush causing you to relax the moment you enter. The superb amenities in this home are unexpected in this price range and represent what we feel is the best value on the market in North West Hills.

Contemporary Condo Downtown 1 Block from Town Lake

2008-06-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous free standing condo home in the Holly Street neighborhood just east of downtown is one block from Town Lake, Festival Beach and the 12 miles of Hike and Bike trails surrounding Town Lake. It features a large 2 car garage, spacious upper level deck under the tall trees, a very private back yard, spiral staircase, wood floors and black granite counter tops in the kitchen. There are Crema Marfil tops on the vanities in the 2 gorgeous full baths and a glass basin pedistal sink in the downstairs powder room.

4207 Shoalwood Avenue Unit B -- LEASED!

2008-06-26T22:55:00.000-07:00

4207 Shoalwood Avenue Unit A -- LEASED!

2008-06-26T22:53:00.000-07:00

1009 South Center Street Unit 2

2008-06-26T22:50:00.000-07:00

1009 South Center Street Unit 1

2008-06-26T22:48:00.000-07:00

3700 Garden Villa Lane Unit 2

2008-06-26T22:46:00.000-07:00

3700 Garden Villa Lane Unit 1

2008-06-26T22:35:00.000-07:00

Austin Ranked #1 on Forbes "Fastest Growing Metros 2008"

2008-02-05T14:45:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2008!

2007-12-31T17:40:00.001-08:00

Study: Austin homes prices up 8.6%

2007-12-26T18:42:00.000-08:00

Home prices in Texas -- especially in Austin -- have defied the overall downward trend seen in other U.S. housing markets, according to a study by First American LoanPerformance.

In the Austin market, home prices increased 8.62 percent over the 12-month period ending in October. Other Texas markets included in the study's top 30 statistical areas include Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, which increased 3.92 percent; Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, up 4.52 percent; and San Antonio, with a 7.89 percent increase.

LoanPerformance Home Price Index reports 12-month home price changes by the top 30 core-based statistical areas as of October 2007.

Home prices fell in 21 states over the past year, according to the index, which provides monthly home price indices and median sales prices covering 7,451 ZIP codes, 956 core-based statistic areas, and 662 counties in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

"The real estate market continues to exhibit ongoing declines in a number of key residential property markets," says Damien Weldon, vice president, collateral and prepayment analytics for First American LoanPerformance. "The overall picture continues to be mixed, however."

The LoanPerformance HPI incorporates more than 30 years of repeat sales transactions, representing more than 45 million observations, sourced from the property information database owned by its parent company, First American CoreLogic Inc.

First American LoanPerformance is a subsidiary of First American CoreLogic, and a member of The First American Corp. (NYSE:FAF) family of companies.

On a related note, for the 10th month in a row home prices across the U.S. dropped, according to a different study.

The record 6.7 percent monthly drop in the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index was the largest drop since April 1991. The index tracks prices of existing single-family homes in 10 metropolitan areas compared to a year earlier.

A broader index of 20 metro areas fell 6.1 percent. Among the 20 metropolitan areas used in the broader index, 11 posted record monthly declines and all 20 declined in October compared to September.

In the year-over-year comparison, Miami posted the largest decline among the 20 markets with prices -- down 12.4 percent in October compared with the same month last year. Tampa, Fla., was the second-worst performing city with declines of 11.8 percent. Besides those two cities, Phoenix, Detroit, Las Vegas and San Diego also posted double-digit year-over-year declines.

Only three areas included in the study -- Charlotte, N.C., Portland, Ore., and Seattle -- posted year-over-year home price appreciation in October. Charlotte posted the largest gain at 4.3 percent.

Austin housing market a bargain

2007-12-25T20:14:00.000-08:00

Austin housing market a bargain

Texas homes are some of the most undervalued in the nation, report says.
Austin American-Statesman; Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Austin and other Texas housing markets are among the most undervalued in the nation, according to a new analysis of data by Global Insight Inc. and National City Corp.

The companies looked at prices in 333 metro areas in the third quarter of 2007. Such reports are considered important indicators of potential decline and growth in specific cities.

In calculating valuations, the companies used a complex statistical model that included prices, interest rates, household incomes, population density and any historical premiums or discounts for each market. The percentage of over- and undervaluations is intended to reflect where a housing market's price should be.

In Austin, and in Texas overall, recent rapid increases in home prices never occurred, so the state has avoided the real estate bubble that has plagued coastal areas.

If a city's housing is over- or undervalued by up to 14 percent, it is still considered within a fair market range. Anything outside that range means a considerable over- or undervaluation.

For instance, Austin, at -9.1 percent, is in the fair market range, while Dallas, at -28.1 percent, is considered undervalued.

The writers of the report, "House Prices in America," caution about overinterpreting the data. For instance, though homes in Bend, Ore., are overvalued by 70 percent, that does not necessarily mean prices in that city are expected to fall that much in the near future.

Miniature World

2007-11-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

East Austin Studio Tour This Weekend: November 17th & 18th 2007

2007-11-16T11:33:00.001-08:00

East Austin Studio Tour 2007

Another great reason to live in Austin...

2007-11-11T10:35:00.000-08:00

Greenling Organic Delivery was founded by organic-loving folks who know a flavorful, pesticide-free apple when they taste one. They also know the importance of buying local, healing the environment, and creating a sustainable society.

Alan Barber Presents "Sixman, Texas"

2007-11-10T11:16:00.000-08:00

Alan Barber has been working on this film as long as I've know him...it's truly a labor of love.

Across Texas, small communities are struggling to keep their schools and towns alive. For one, the bell has tolled as they graduate their last class, ending generations of local pride and continuity. For another, a Cinderella football season promises to keep hope alive...

New teas at Cafe Caffeine!

2007-11-04T20:27:00.000-08:00

We've got two more cool, local vendors at Cafe Caffeine: Texas Medicinals and Zhi Tea.

Both have created exceptional organic teas that you have to taste to believe...even smelling them puts you in a good mood...lol.

Come in give them a try!

It's time for Tessa's tale to be told!

2007-11-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

In 1999 I was scheduled to speak in front of a group of educators in Austin Texas about creating fantastic presentations. Like most people, I was nervous and didn't sleep well the night before the presentation. In the pre-dawn hours I had a dream about a little girl who was scared of making a presentation and how she overcame that fear. After I awoke, I wrote the dream down and saw that it was a pretty cool little story.

Five years later, in 2004, I met a very talented artist named Margaret Burns. At the time we met she was pregnant with her first child and excited about bringing a little girl into the world. About 6 months after Mia was born, Margaret noticed the lack of books with the kind of messaging that she wanted to share with Mia as she grew older. I told her about my heroine, Tessa, and she became inspired to illustrate the story.

Fast forward to 2007. Margaret has another incredible daughter named Clara and our book is written, illustrated and ready to be brought to the world. We estimate that it will take $5000 to create the final press-ready proofs and develop a website from which Tessa can tell her first tale....with many more adventures to come!

I have created a Fundable project so that Tessa's tale can be told.

Margaret and I would appreciate you checking it out...and contributing if you can!

Thanks,

Ruth

Bill Meets Willie!

2007-09-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

Cafe Caffeine's good friend Bill Stidham created this painting of Willie Nelson as part of his Sacred Heart series. A big CONGRATULATIONS to him for having it signed personally. Check out his site to see the whole series.

Show your Love to the World!

2007-09-02T11:42:00.000-07:00

We have set up our first store! Now you can tell the whole world where you go to get your own hot cup of cool: CafeCaffeined.

If you haven't had a chance to visit in person yet...

2007-09-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

...we'll bring it to you! Local entreprewhizzes Tony Morfin and Joe Kogut contacted us recently and offered to create a video of a bit of the life at Cafe Caffeine. Their brainchild, VideoSomething, is a creative online advertising community and directory featuring professional as well as user generated video clips for local businesses and classified listings.

Please check out this video made by the fine folks at VideoSomething:

Experience Cafe Caffeine

Ruth

An Exercise in Forgiveness

2007-08-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

An Exercise in Forgiveness

I like this exercise from Francis Campone. It's available as a podcast on the website.

You must forgive yourself first.

Say: "I forgive myself for everything I have done that I was not happy with."

3x/3xday

1x=body
1x=mind
1x=spirit

within 3 months it will be out of your consciousness and then you can open up to forgive others in the same way.

Forgive instantly so you can move on and live in the moment more easily.

Austin Ice Cream Festival!!!

2007-08-17T10:33:00.001-07:00

Join NadaMoo! , Maine Root Beer and a whole lotta other cool folks at the Austin Ice Cream Festival tomorrow in Waterloo Park. You can read all about it in their blog too!

FREE ICE CREAM...RAIN OR SHINE!!!

Paco Ahlgren: DISCIPLINE

2007-08-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

Check out Paco's new book DISCIPLINE!

Friday Fun!

2007-08-10T10:31:00.001-07:00

TYPE IN a command and see what happens... sit, roll over, down, stand, sing, dance, shake, fetch, play dead etc. and...it's also very cute if you type in a command that's not recognized...!!

Make sure you type in "Kiss" too, but do it last.

I Do Dog Tricks