Alan In Austin: November 2007

Survey: Austin high on most-desirable list

Austin Business Journal

Austin is among the top ten cities in the country viewed as most desireable for relocation, according to a recent study.

The study, "Talent Markets: The Importance of Location in the Competition for Human Capital," named Austin the sixth most desireable city for relocation out of more than 30 cities examined in the United States.

San Diego, San Francisco and New York were the top three most desireable cities for relocation in the study's survey, but the three least preferred cities also included New York at number one, along with Detroit and Los Angeles."

Central Texas Commercial property continues to be a hot commodity. If you are looking commercial in the Central Texas area, let me help you find what works best for you, your company and employees.

Villita West Office Condo Villita West Office Condo 3660 Stoneridge Road Suite Austin, TX 78746 Price: $664,692 Building Size: 2,702 SF Space Available: 0 SF   Floors: This attractive office condo was formerly used as a pediatricians office. It is one of a 10 bldg condo project in the gated, Villita office complex. The landscaped site is covered with an abundance of oak trees. There are winding walks. The complex swimming pool is directly across this office.

 Round Rock Texas has a booming new community in one of the fastest growing areas in Central Texas. Teravista is a Newland Community with family emphasis. The Round Rock Schools are some of the best in the Country. If you want to learn more about Teravista go to www.teravista.com

Round Rock ISD

Teravista is located in the highly acclaimed Round Rock Independent School District, widely considered to be one of the best school districts in the area. Campuses in the district are designed according to a "neighborhood school" concept that seeks to create smaller than typical schools, in order to provide each child with a personalized learning experience. Thanks to this and other innovative educational philosophies, Round Rock ISD students score well above state and national averages on standardized tests and college entrance exams.

The students in Teravista attend Union Hill Elementary, Hopewell Middle School and Stony Point High School. Round Rock Independent School District recently chose Teravista as the next site for a new Elementary campus. The doors to the onsite Elementary School will open to students in the Fall of '08.

Located just across the street from Teravista is the new Round Rock Higher Education Center, which combines the resources of Texas State University-San Marcos, Austin Community College and Temple College to offer associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs in a wide variety of subject areas.

 WHAT COULD I BE MISSING?

You almost hate to turn on the News or read the paper as it relates to Real Estate these days. The negative news has out weighed the positive for sometime now. As a Realtor, I wonder could we be misssing something. Perhaps an opportunity to teach ecomnomics 101. Would you rather hold a promisary note or a real piece of property?

 Several years ago when I was in my early 20's a man gave me a quick economic lesson. He encouraged me to invest my promisory notes (dollars) in real property, gold, silver and real estate. He called Silver the poor mans gold and made sure he invested in it weekly.

I started investing in silver buying a little at a time for about 5 to 6 dollars an ounce, but I really got interested in Real Estate.

The dollar is now worth half what it was when I was in my 20's and for the first time in memory the canadian dollar is out preforming the US dollar. Most Americans are not even able to keep up with the loss of value of the dollar. In order to do that one would need to invest in something that outpaces the annual promisary note losses.

Real Estate has traditionally done just that. Pass the word.

 WHAT COULD I BE MISSING?

You almost hate to turn on the News or read the paper as it relates to Real Estate these days. The negative news has out weighed the positive for sometime now. As a Realtor, I wonder could we be misssing something. Perhaps an opportunity to teach ecomnomics 101. Would you rather hold a promisary note or a real piece of property?

 Several years ago when I was in my early 20's a man gave me a quick economic lesson. He encouraged me to invest my promisory notes (dollars) in real property, gold, silver and real estate. He called Silver the poor mans gold and made sure he invested in it weekly.

I started investing in silver buying a little at a time for about 5 to 6 dollars an ounce, but I really got interested in Real Estate.

The dollar is now worth half what it was when I was in my 20's and for the first time in memory the canadian dollar is out preforming the US dollar. Most Americans are not even able to keep up with the loss of value of the dollar. In order to do that one would need to invest in something that outpaces the annual promisary note losses.

Real Estate has traditionally done just that. Pass the word.

A calendar of events in the Central Texas area. Click on the Highlights to find out more information. Come for a Visit and you will stay for a lifetime.

Gem Capers 2007
November 30, 2007 to December 2, 2007
Gem & Mineral show with more than 30 vendors, mineral specimens, jewelry, beads, fossils, lapidary equipment.

Austin Health Freedom Expo
November 30, 2007 to December 2, 2007
The Health Freedom Expo returns to Austin with an outstanding line-up of many local, national and international speakers, dynamic workshops and seminars, and also showcases a diverse group of alternative and natural healthcare exhibitors.

State Capitol Tree Lighting
December 1, 2007
Start your holidays downtown with the annual Holiday Sing-Along, Capitol Tree Lighting and Congress Ave. Stroll brought to you by the Downtown Austin Alliance and KUT 90.5 FM. At 6 pm vocalist John Aielli, host of KUT's music program, will lead the audience in singing traditional carols.

At 7 pm, the Capitol Tree will be lit and revelers will begin making their way down Congress Avenue to enjoy shopping and entertainment along the Main Street of Texas. Festivities continue along Congress Avenue with entertainment, and merchants remain open late.

This free event is sponsored by the Downtown Austin Alliance and KUT-FM 90.5. Non-perishable food and monetary donations will be collected to benefit Caritas of Austin.

Holiday Art Festival
December 1, 2007 to December 2, 2007
Bring your family and friends to the 22nd annual Holiday Art Festival on the beautiful, historic grounds of AMOA-Laguna Gloria. The festival features over 60 regional artists selling high quality works in a wide range of media including ceramics, wood, painting, fiber, sculpture, photography, jewelry, glass, and prints, as well as special items from the Museum Store.

Gruene Town Lighting
December 1, 2007
Enjoy the town lighting at 6:00pm on Saturday when Cowboy Kringle rides into town on horseback.

Gruene Christmas Market Days & Photos with Cowboy Kringle
December 1, 2007 to December 2, 2007
Nearly 100 vendors offer Christmas gifts, uniquely crafted items, and packaged Texas foods. Perfect for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

Whole Foods Market Ice Rink
December 1, 2007 to December 30, 2007
Even in Texas, it wouldn't be the holiday season without ice skating on the Whole Foods Market Ice Rink.

Holiday Art Festival
December 1, 2007 to December 2, 2007
Austin Museum of Art-Laguna Gloria Holiday Art Festival
Purchase original art: ceramics, paintings, jewelry, photography, furniture, handbags, and more.

Thomas Viloteau - classical guitarist
December 1, 2007
Thomas Viloteau, classical guitarist from France, performs at the Northwest Hills United Methodist Church on December 1 at 8pm.
Viloteau is the most recent winner of the most prestigious international guitar competition.

Tickets: $35