Alan In Austin

AUSTIN CITY LIVING PART 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOP 30

 

EDUCATION

  • The University of Texas ranks 45th in academic reputation among the top national universities and 13th among the public schools, in the 2012 survey of undergraduate programs by U.S. News & World Report magazine (2012)

  • At the graduate level, 43 University of Texas programs rank in the top 10 nationally and 51 others rank in the top 25 in the 2012 survey of undergraduate programs by U.S. News & World Report magazine (2012)

    FOOD / ENTERTAINMENT

  • Austin is a Cooking Light Best Cities Awards Winner - Ranked among the top 20 American cities that best fit the Cooking Light philosophy to eatsmart,befit,andlivewell. CookingLight.com(June2011)

  • 8th best vegetarian-friendly large city with honorable mention to Austin as the birthplace of the first Whole Foods market and to many of the other vegan and vegetarian dining options available. www.helpinganimals.com/Travel-Vegcities.asp

  • Austin ranked number 2 among the Top 10 College Towns for Film Geeks: Movie Cities for Film Fans due to the diverse filming locations, a huge pool of crew and talent, and rich Indie movie fan culture. Campus Corner.com

  • Voted among the 10 Best Golf Cities by a reader’s poll in combination with Golf Magazine and the National Golf Foundation. Golf.com (June 2011)

  • Austin is listed among Forbes’ best weekend vacation cities. The article references Austin’s bustling live music performances as well as having “one of the country’s hottest food scenes.”
    Forbes Magazine (Oct. 2011)

  • Austin is number 7 among the top 10 emerging restaurant markets in the U.S, according to a survey by
    QSR magazine and Pitney Bowes Business Insight (Jan. 2011)

  • Austin ranked number 10 among the Best Nightlife Scenes in the USA. USNews Online (2011)

    LIFESTYLE / ENVIRONMENT

  • Austin placed 2nd in the Top Eco-Friendly Cities in the United States because of its solar power manufacturing and the park and greenspace dedication. Wanderfly.com (Aug. 2011)

  • Austin has earned its 11th place ranking among America’s Best Bike cities for its segregated bike lanes, municipal bike racks, bike boulevards, smart savvy bike shops, and support for a vibrant and diverse bike culture. Bicycling.com (2011)

  • Austin ranks 12th among the 50 best places to live in America. Criteria included social and dining scenes, education stats, and overall qualityoflife. BusinessweekandBloomberg(Sept.2011)

  • Austin ranked Number 4 on the 2011 Best Places for Military Retirement with high scores for federal employment, military skill- based jobs, accessible housing, and no state tax on military retirement pay. Military.com (Nov. 2011)

  • Austin was named the second best place for dating in the nation using data such as: available singles, fun things to do, and affordability. The publication called Austin a “hip oasis hidden in the heart of Texas”. Vavoom.com (Feb. 2011)

  • Austin is officially a top pet vacation spot according to a listing of cities with pet-accommodating transportation, parks, attractions, stores, and dining. DogFriendly.com (July 2011)

  • AustinwasplacedamongtheTop10CitiesforSingleWomen.Austin is profiled as a place for a high-energy lifestyle with countless professional andpersonalopportunities. singlemindedwomen.com(June2011)

  • Austin placed among best U.S. cities for working mothers due to positive scores in the following categories: women’s earnings, cost of living, physicians, and low violent crime. ForbesWoman (Oct. 2011).

  • Austin ranked number 14 of the Fittest out of 100 in The Fattest and Fittest US Cities of 2011. Ranks based on a survey of most and least active cities in America. Menshealth.com (July 2011)

  • Austin is ranked number 1 among RelocateAmerica’s Top 100 Places to Live in 2011. Factors such as employment, education, community leadership, overall quality of life, and economic stability are strongly considered for this category.

    relocateamerica.com (Aug. 2011)

  • Austin placed among the10 Best Places to Buy a Home in 2011 based on positive indicators like job growth, affordability, dining, and overall beauty. Walletpop, MSNBC.com (Jan. 2011)

  • According to a recent study, Austin is the 4th most social media savvy city in the U.S. Social networks studied include Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, Friendster, Flickr, LiveJournal, hi5 and Flixster. Huffington Post online (May 2011)

  • Austin placed 3rd in the “Youngest Cities” ranking. The list is based on how youthful residents feel, not their actual age. Cities where residents report lots of exercise and little smoking topped the list. Real Age.com (April 2011)

     

 

 

 

 

Alan Kirkpatrick

Realtor Austin Texas HomesLLC.

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB http://alankirkpatrick.actris.mlxchange.com/

 

 

Never too busy for your Referrals


0 commentsAlan & Michele Kirkpatrick • January 22 2012 09:47PM

AUSTIN TEXAS CITY LIVING!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOP 30

 

ECONOMY

ForbescallsAustinAmerica’sNumber1“boomtown”, basedonrecent U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics growth and demographicdata. ForbesMagazine(July2011)

Austin was ranked the 5th U.S. city with the most healthy employment outlook. According to the survey, job prospects appear to be the strongest in financial activities, manufacturing, wholesale / retail, government, and professional / business services. bizjournals.com (Sept. 2011)

Austin placed among America’s 20 Geekiest Cities, based upon the high percentage of workers with jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Forbes Online (Aug. 2011)

Austinwaspickedasthenation’smostprogressiveandproactive entrepreneurial centers. Entrepreneur.com (July 2011)

Austin is ranked number 10 among America’s 20 Can-Do Capitals,

based on sustainability, livability, transportation, infrastructure, and business development. Newsweek Online (Sept. 2011)

Austin is being called the best place to start a career. Offering the widest range of opportunities for men and women getting started in their careers. Researchers compiled the rankings from various U.S. Census Bureau data. bizjournals.com (June 2011)

Austin leads the nation in small-business vitality. Austin is the U.S. market that is most conducive to the creation and development of small businesses, according to the latest rankings.
The Business Journals online (April 2011)

Austin was named in the list of the 10 Most Popular Cities for College Grad migration, based on 2010 Census information. Yahoo Finance Online (Jan. 2011) 

 

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

 

 

Alan Kirkpatrick

Realtor Austin Texas HomesLLC.

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB http://alankirkpatrick.actris.mlxchange.com/

 

 

Never too busy for your Referrals


0 commentsAlan & Michele Kirkpatrick • January 20 2012 11:42AM

Another beautiful day in Austin Texas!

Austin Texas has a motto: Keep Austin Weird! We all work very hard to keep that motto true to life! 

Austin is a great place to live, work and raise your family. As word has gotten out about the great economy thousands have been exploring Austin. 

If you would like more information on Austin Texas Living contact us and we will send you FREE home listings, job listings and other great information on Austin the LIVE MUSIC CAPITOL! 

 

 

 

 

 

Help us Keep Austin Weird and FUN!

 

 

Alan Kirkpatrick

Realtor Austin Texas HomesLLC.

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB http://alankirkpatrick.actris.mlxchange.com/

 

 

Never too busy for your Referrals


0 commentsAlan & Michele Kirkpatrick • January 17 2012 01:21PM

GREAT HOME OWNERS NEWS FOR AUSTIN TEXAS

The article below is great news for homeowners in the Austin area as well as new home buyers. With housing starts comes appreciation in value. Now is a great time to get the home of your dreams. Invest in your family, let us show you how and where. 

Area home starts could jump as much as 10% in 2012, expert says

By Shonda Novak

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

New home construction is expected to increase in 2012 for the second straight year, with the number of starts projected to rise 5 to 10 percent over last year's level, a housing expert said Thursday.

Eldon Rude , director of the Austin market for Metrostudy , delivered his projection at the fourth annual housing forecast hosted by the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin and the Austin Board of Realtors. The forecast covers Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell counties.

Alan Kirkpatrick

Realtor Austin Texas HomesLLC.

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB http://alankirkpatrick.actris.mlxchange.com/

 

 

Never too busy for your Referrals


2 commentsAlan & Michele Kirkpatrick • January 13 2012 12:34PM

Cedar Park a great place to live and very close to Austin Texas!

 

 

Cedar Park, Texas is one of the fastest growing cities in Texas. Folks are friendly. Businesses are thriving. Residents are happy to call Cedar Park 'home'. There is so much going on around here that tourists are calling Cedar Park a favorite vacation spot. We have shopping, concerts, sports, parks, caves, concerts... You name it, it's here.

Cedar Park wasn't always such a 'happening' place, though. This city was founded by a handful of courageous - and determined - pioneers. They endured countless hardships and challenges to build the city we know as Cedar Park. Though the times have changed, that pioneering spirit has been passed on to us through remnants of history.

Alan Kirkpatrick

Realtor Austin Texas HomesLLC.

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB http://alankirkpatrick.actris.mlxchange.com/

 

 

Never too busy for your Referrals


0 commentsAlan & Michele Kirkpatrick • January 13 2012 09:31AM

THE REAL QUESTION WHEN SELLING IN A DOWN MARKET.

DAY 25

Meeting with potential client to review portfolio. Followup with Title, Home builder, clients in process. 

 

 

 

Across America home prices have declined in some fashion over the past 3 years. While markets vary and some are experiencing a rebound, many sellers are faced with a difficult question. Should I sell now or wait our the market over the next several years? 

This post is for everyone but primarily intended for those who own Real Estate with little or no mortgage. There are some who are in the position where they own the real estate they hold out right or have a very small mortgage. They may be hesitating to sell hoping the market will return to its highs and they can cash in at the top. The problem with that thinking is you are missing out on an incredible buying market right now. The real question we may want to ask ourselves is not "Should I seel now or wait for the market to go up?"

 

We should ask this question "Is the money tied up in my real estate asset working at it's higest and best for me now?" 


The answer is probably not. I am speaking from personal experience. We have a real estate asset in another state that is depressed in value. However by selling this asset and bringing the money into our current market in Austin, we can appreciate our real estate holdings and cash flow. 

Can your investment in Real Estate you currently own be put to work in a better market place? Contact us and we will help you evalute what you have and see what you can do in Austin Texas.

Alan Kirkpatrick

Realtor Austin Texas HomesLLC.

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB http://alankirkpatrick.actris.mlxchange.com/

 

 

Never too busy for your Referrals


6 commentsAlan & Michele Kirkpatrick • January 06 2012 09:19PM

FINDING YOUR DESIGN IN AN AUSTIN HOME

Day 17: Conducting research for 2 clients one moving to the area from out of state the other local looking for the right opportunity. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craftsman style homes were extremely popular in the U.S. from the 1920s through the 1940s. The American Craftsman style is based on the British arts and crafts movement, which was introduced by William Morris in the 1860s.  The movement was characterized by originality, simplicity of form, local natural materials, and the visibility of handicraft.  It first became popular in the United States in the early 20th century.  Home designers began to implement the style in their design of middle class homes, which were rapidly expanding at the time.  Craftsman bungalow style homes became the symbol of the American Craftsman movement in the 1930s and remain popular to this day.


You can find these kinds of home in Austin along with many other designs. So what is your Design?

Alan Kirkpatrick

Realtor Austin Texas HomesLLC.

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB http://alankirkpatrick.actris.mlxchange.com/

 

 

Never too busy for your Referrals


2 commentsAlan & Michele Kirkpatrick • January 03 2012 05:07PM

HOMES SELL QUICKLY WHEN...

 

 

Price it right from the get-go

The old-school strategy of real estate sellers crossing their arms and holding out for a better offer will be brushed off by most homebuyers. Consider that of the homes that took four months or more to sell in the past year, almost half of their owners accepted less than 90 percent of the asking price, according to the National Association of Realtors. For a gauge, have your agent produce the latest comparable sales including short sales and foreclosures as well as a recent summary of sales prices versus original list prices. But be wary that such information doesn't reflect the homes that failed to sell.

In order to price right it is important to have real time data. A Realtor can give you accurate pictures of what is happening in your immediate area on solds. Priced right a home will sell quickly. 

Alan Kirkpatrick

Realtor Austin Texas HomesLLC.

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB http://alankirkpatrick.actris.mlxchange.com/

 

 

Never too busy for your Referrals


3 commentsAlan & Michele Kirkpatrick • December 31 2011 01:43AM

AUSTIN TEXAS HISTORY

 

 

A little History on AUSTIN TEXAS

Our story as Texas capital began in the mid 1800s. The time brought tremendous growth to the tiny settlement formerly known as Waterloo that had been carved out of the wilderness. The 1850s saw the first building boom with the construction of the first permanent, limestone Capitol building (1853), as well as the Governor’s Mansion (1856). A second building boom occurred in the 1870s with the arrival of the railroad in 1871. After a fire destroyed the limestone Capitol, the current granite Capitol was built and, after seven years, opened in 1888. At 302 feet high, it stands 14 ½ feet taller than the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. and is the largest of the nation’s statehouses.

The late 1880s also served as another boom period in Austin. The area’s settler population, originally comprised of immigrants from Germany, Sweden and Mexico, quickly grew. An impressive skyline began to take shape. The spectacular Driskill Hotel opened, which remains one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. And Austin became a college town, with the founding of the University of Texas at Austin.

Austin’s population historically doubles every 20 years. And much of the city's most recent growth is a result of a technology boom. For the past two decades, Austin has made history as a leader in both technology and creativity. From the launch of Dell, a Fortune 500 company, to the growth of Austin as a music and film center, Austin is on the move. And gaining attention worldwide as a hub for education, business, health, green living and as a welcoming community.

Alan Kirkpatrick

Realtor Austin Texas HomesLLC.

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB http://alankirkpatrick.actris.mlxchange.com/

 

 

Never too busy for your Referrals


2 commentsAlan & Michele Kirkpatrick • December 30 2011 06:22PM

ROUND ROCK CELEBRATES ON NEW YEARS EVE

New Year's Eve Celebration at Bella Notte
 
 
Time:   7:30 PM - 11:45 PM
Date: 12/31/2011  
Location: Bella Notte on Main
201 E. Main St., Round Rock, Texas  78664 (Map)
Cost: $80
 

Ring in the New Year in Downtown Round Rock. Bella Notte on Main will hold a New Year's Eve Celebration beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31.

The evening will feature music, dining, and fun.

Live music and open bar begin at 7:30 p.m. A dinner buffet will be served from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. A full jazz ensemble will begin at 9:30 p.m. with a champagne toast at midnight.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. Buy tickets

Alan Kirkpatrick

Realtor Austin Texas HomesLLC.

alanmaz1@earthlink.net

WEB http://alankirkpatrick.actris.mlxchange.com/

 

 

Never too busy for your Referrals


0 commentsAlan & Michele Kirkpatrick • December 30 2011 06:11PM