Dee Copeland, Principal Broker

(Note: this was a satirical article reprinted by the Austin Statesman that points. Read comments for further discussion.)

Today's Spotlight focuses on the proposed condominium project, Towering Towers II, which is being developed by Baulsy Bros Builders LLC, based in Miami. The proposed 100-story towers will become the tallest in the state and include 2,361 units.

Towering Towers II, will include a number of ‘Green' features, including no-flush" toilets that will pipe residents' waste products directly into a holding tank below the building which can then be recycled and used as fertilizer by the Austin Parks Department. Each unit will have solar-powered coffee makers and reusable canvas grocery shopping bags inscribed with "Keep Austin Weird."

As innovative and environmentally friendly as these buildings will be, two concerns arise.

The first is the demolition of our historic State Capital and the second is whether downtown Austin need yet another condominium project.

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Today's spotlight is on controversial Park Place Village, a 10-acre gated RV site for 150-175 "chronically homeless" individuals.

The 99-year ground lease for the city-owned land in East Austin was approved by council to help fight homelessness.

Opposing East Austin residents faced an uphill battle at this week's city council meeting. Reporters said hundreds of homeless Austinites and their supporters packed council chambers to ensure approval for the 3-year project. Park Place Village residents would rent the RVs and cottages for $100 to $375 a month, including electricity, water and TV services.

Three Major Reasons Why East Austin Opposed Park Place Village

Continue reading "Spotlight: Park Place Village Homeless RV Park in East Austin Creates Criticism, Praise"

Austin is consistently one of America's top places to live, causing demand for housing to remain steady in most areas of the city.

As the Greater Austin metro area grows, we face rising home prices. Austin and other Texas cities are among the few in the nation to continue to appreciate while we face a recession.

We face tough questions every day. Their answer will affect our children and future generations.

Top Housing Issues in Austin

1. How can we create walkable, sustainable communities as the population increases?

2. How far should we take density if we want to remain livable?

3. How can we keep our city affordable, not just for low income wage earners, but for the working class, students, artists, musicians and young professionals.

What is affordable Austin real estate? An "affordable" home in Austin is about $160-180k with payments around $1300 to $1500 per month. This can get you a 3 bed, 2 bath, 1200-1700 square-foot home with a 2-car garage.

Continue reading "Is Affordable Austin Real Estate Just a Pipe Dream?"

Empty Nesters are moving to cities like Austin and Las Vegas in droves, keeping the local economy afloat during the current recession while growing housing demand.

Empty Nesters are couples whose children no longer live at home. They're often members of the Baby Boomer generation, between 55 and 64 years of age. Baby Boomers have made huge impacts on health care and real estate due to the fact that there's going to be about 78 Million of them.

Both Empty Nesters and Boomers are mobile and unafraid of change. In their lifetimes, they experienced America sending a man to the moon, the advent of the television and internet, and huge swings in retirement planning.

Top Three Reasons Why Empty Nesters and Baby Boomers are Hot for Austin Real Estate

Continue reading "Three Reasons Why Austin is Among Top U.S. Real Estate For Empty Nesters, Boomers"

This week's spotlight focuses on the $85M mixed-use project breaking ground in Northwest Austin.

The Villagio will be located at RR 620 between US Hwy 183 and TX Hwy 71 minutes from Lake Travis. This project is sizable, with 29 acres of retail, office and luxury residences, all with an Italian style.

· 117,310 SF Retail/Restaurant space

· 31,800 SF Professional Office space

Who will live, work and shop at the Villagio Austin?

Continue reading "Spotlight: $85M 'Villagio' Brings Mixed-Use Luxury to Northwest Austin"