Ki Gray - Austin Real Estate

Every Saturday morning Austinites gather in two different places for one purpose: to buy fresh, locally grown produce and specially made treats. Shopping at the grocery store these days can be a joyless experience. Prices seem to change on a weekly basis. Customers seem humorless and determined as they shuffle around with their carts, sticking to the list in hand. Spending a Saturday morning at a farmers market can bring some pleasure back to the food shopping experience.

A farmers market certainly won't have everything on a regular grocery shopping list, but it can be a fun way to pick up a few healthy things to eat. Typical things found at a Texas farmers market year around are onions, herbs, pecans, baked goods and various seasonal fruits and vegetables. Of course, with this being Austin there is music to be found at the local farmers markets.

The Sunset Valley Farmers Market takes place every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The parking lot of the Tony Burger Center, located on the eastbound side of Highway 290, is bustling with booths and shoppers. The market features local growers of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, plants, flowers, herbs and even artisan cheese makers. Local ranchers also bring chicken, beef, lamb, goat, and pork. There is even bison and gulf harvested shrimp available sometimes.

With Spring around the corner, look for fresh asparagus, strawberries and blackberries. The Sunset Valley Farmers Market advertises itself as a weekly celebration. "It is fun for the whole family, too! Rain or shine, we're always celebrating our weekly, open-air market with fresh foods, live music, kids entertainment, specialty events, festivals, a cafe for breakfast or lunch, and a great community vibe," says their website.

Another popular local farmers market is the Austin Farmers Market, located on the corner of Fourth and Guadalupe in downtown. This is also an open-air Saturday market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This market started in 2002 as a project of Sustainable Food Center. It was a collaboration of many members of the community with help from a City of Austin feasibility study grant.

As it was described in a recent Austin-American Statesman column, the Austin Farmers Market "provides so much more than Fredericksburg peaches from the Davis Orchard and Mark and Matt Seiler's Maine Root Fresh Brewed Tap Root Beer from their organic brewery in East Austin, though these are obviously righteously good and good for you even without a fulfilling communal experience."

It is the community of farmers intersecting with the Austin community at large that may be the biggest attraction of this market. Young and old are attracted to the opportunity to purchase a few fresh item, taste some local goodies or try something new. Even just strolling through and taking in the goings-on is perfectly acceptable. A band plays while children romp and shoppers roam, creating a fun mixture of sights and sounds. It is a completely different atmosphere than the local grocery store, that's for sure.
Ki works in Austin, Texas. Austin real estate is easily searchable on Ki's website. He provides a search of the Austin MLS along with a blog covering Austin Texas real estate stats and market updates.

Director Mike Judge, along with many of the cast members, descended on Austin this weekend for the 10th Anniversary showing of their cult-classic late nineties workplace comedy, "Office Space" Austin's own historic Paramount Theater played host to the movie mogul and his cast members including just about everyone except Ron Livingston and Jennifer Aniston. Fans lined up well in advance of the 8:00 p.m. curtain time, and the excitement was palpable.

For many, "Office Space" has become a classic the highly quotable script and oddball characters earned roars of laughter throughout the showing, as whole lines of the film were drowned out by the laughter and enthusiasm of the hundreds of fans in attendance.

John C. McGinley, perhaps best known for his long-running role as Dr. Cox on "Scrubs" was one of the many cast members in attendance. McGinley expressed amazement and appreciation for the warm reception of fans, admitting he hadn't seen the film in its entirety since the original screening he attended back when it debuted in 1999. Director Mike Judge quipped that the screaming masses in the Paramount Theater on Sunday night rivaled the film's entire opening weekend attendance.

For a film that was all but a box office failure, "Office Space" has garnered a devoted cult following in the decade since its release. A champion of the disenfranchised, disinterested world of young professionals, the relevance and occupational indifference at the heart of the film ring truer today than even a decade ago. One moviegoer asked Mike Judge, during the question and answer portion of the event, following the film, "What is your message for the young people just entering the job market?" Muffled laughter followed, as did a shouted response from somewhere in the audience: "Don't do it!"

Judge himself admitted he began his professional career in an environment similar to the one he created so humorously in the film's fictional software company, Initech. With a degree in physics, Judge found himself in a professional role most closely mirrored by that of the film's mumbling hero, Milton Waddams (interestingly enough, this character was also the focus of his first animated short). When asked how he transitioned from physics to the film industry, Judge shrugged and responded that he did some animations and sent them out, and the rest was history.

Coordinated in conjunction with Austin's own Fantastic Fest, the event was a huge success. While tickets were first made available only to Fantastic Fest and SXSW ticket holders, ticket sales were subsequently opened to the public, and sold out faster than you could say Swingline. Special VIP tickets were also available, which included entrance to an after party featuring movie themed appetizers like pizza shooters, shrimp poppers and extreme fajitas, complimentary pieces of flare, and even a red Swingline stapler an extra special addition, as the now-infamous red staplers were manufactured exclusively for the film, and never sold commercially. With SXSW fast approaching, more not-to-be-missed events are in the works at the Paramount and throughout Austin.


Ki developed a website to provide potential buyers with a searchable database of homes in the Austin MLS. The site includes comprehensive information on Austin real estate and commercial real estate in Austin.

Recent headlines suggest that home sales could be on the rise in some parts of the country, particularly in the South and Midwest. While analyst are being cautious not to sound too optimistic, the number of pending sales in December was up 6.3 percent according to the National Association of Realtors. This increase was largely credited to falling prices along with lower mortgage rates.

Austin home prices are actually on the rise, according to the most recent housing statistics from Yahoo. The median price for a home in Austin is currently $299,000, a 3.1 percent increase over January. While this may not be good news for bargain hunters, it was a positive sign that the housing market is still doing well in Central Texas.

Zillow shows that overall home values in the Austin area were down 3.6 percent at the end of last year, a sudden change after a steady climb in prices over the last three years. The stock market collapse last fall caused home values across the country to plunge in November and December of 2008. This was also the case in Austin, making the numbers in the local housing market look dire for the first time in years.

In other parts of the country the numbers at the end of last year were much worse. Boston home values were down 9.6 percent, while Santa Barbara, CA values were down 21.5 percent. While the housing crisis has been felt across the nation, the pain has certainly been deeper is some cities.

Lower new home starts and less inventory on the market both contribute to the better numbers in housing markets across the country. A recent Associated Press article noted that pending home sales were up in the South and Midwest, but fell 2-4 percent in other parts of the country. Finding the good news in the economy all depends on where one looks.

The vote this week to give a tax break to home buyers should be good news across the country. The new bill would provide a tax credit of 10 percent of the value of a residence, up to $15,000. This is an increase over the current $7,500 credit, which applied only to first time buyers. This amendment to the economic stimulus package being hammered out in Congress would apply to any home buyer of a primary residence this year. The hope is that this tax incentive will encourage banks to make loans thus stimulating the housing market with new buyers.

According to Senator Isakson, R-GA, who pushed hard for the tax credit, it will help the housing industry and the economy. A statement on Isakson's website says, "In the mid-1970s, America faced a similar housing crisis when a period of easy credit and loose underwriting flooded the market with new construction. Interest rates rose, the economy slowed and America was left with a three-year supply of vacant homes. Congress responded by passing a $2,000 tax credit for anyone purchasing a new home for their principal residence. Isakson believes the results were clear and swift as home values stabilized, housing inventory dropped and the market recovered." All of this can only be good news for the Austin housing market.


Ki works, and lives, in Austin, Texas. He converted a hobby investing in real estate into a business. His site covers the Austin real estate market. It has a graphical Austin home search along with a blog that has updated statistics on the Austin Texas real estate market.

South by Southwest; it is an Austin thing! It all started back in 1987 as "Austin Battle of the Bands, SXSW." Austin has been the home of this festival that showcases musicians, film makers and media from all over the country. SXSW is one of the largest music festivals in the United States. This festival is the highest revenue producing special event in Austin, pumping an estimated $110 million last year.

Beginning on March 13, 2009, Downtown Austin will be flooded with musicians and film makers from all over the world. There will be over eighty stages for performers to show their talents. It is estimated that there will be over 1,800 musical acts from all genres; most of the conferences will take place at the Austin Convention Center.

In 1994 South by Southwest added film and interactive conferences and since then has become one of the world's premier film festivals, focusing on new directing talent.

Although the convention center will be hosting most of the conference, there will be many venues within walking distance.

South by Southwest helps the Austin economy by bringing in such a large amount of revenue. Much of this revenue is from visitors booking hotel rooms, eating in Austin's restaurants and spending money on souvenirs and the convention itself.

For visitors who would rather not stay in hotels, Austin has several neighborhoods around the downtown area that have rental homes available for the SXSW festival.

Travis Heights is a historical neighborhood is tucked between Interstate 35 and South Congress Avenue and is one of the most sought out neighborhoods for professionals who work downtown. Most of the homes were built in the 1920's and many of these older homes have carriage houses and detached garages that have been turned into apartments. It is also ideal for renters who want easy access to the festival.

Hyde Park is a neighborhood that is located in central Austin. The neighborhood was developed in 1974. There approximately 2,000 homes in the neighborhood, which is within 38th Street, 51st Street, Guadeloupe, Duval, and Red River. This neighborhood has many amenities and is a historic neighborhood. Visitors to SXSW may be able to find families renting rooms or homes for the festival.

Austin has many neighborhoods within walking distance of downtown. Many homes are available for rent by the night or by the week. There are charming arts and crafts homes that were built in the mid 1920's that have been completely updated and are fully furnished with modern day style. Many of these homes are pet friendly too.

There are several restaurants within walking distance from these neighborhoods as well, making everything very accessible for the conference.

These neighborhoods are within walking distance from downtown. Whether you decide to take in the night life during SXSW or just decide to sit on the front porch and listen to all the music, Austin has something for everyone.

Visitors for this years South by Southwest conference can enjoy the downtown life, Austin style.


Ki created a website, which allows anyone looking for Austin real estate to search for free. They can investigate homes in the Austin MLS based on self-selected criteria. His office is located in Central Austin. His site provides updated statistics on Austin Texas real estate and Round Rock Texas real estate.

It is easy to drive right by the entrance to Travis Country on Southwest Parkway. The well-maintained sign bearing the image of the Alamo hero William Barrett Travis on the edge of Republic of Texas Drive is unobtrusive. Those zooming west on the parkway after exiting Mopac don't know that they are passing right by one of the best kept secrets in Austin.

This neighborhood of tree-lined streets offers a wide array of architectural styles. The shady yards along Travis Country Circle are nicely landscaped. Families ride by on bicycles or joggers give a friendly wave as they pass. Kids of all ages are playing in yards or swinging on ropes from the strong branches of the towering Live Oaks. Squirrels and birds dart from yard to yard, as friends and neighbors chat by their mailboxes.

Calling itself "Austin's first environmentally planned neighborhood," building started in the early 1970s in this woodsy area just west of the Barton Creek Greenbelt. In fact, it can be a fun day of hiking from the neighborhood, through the greenbelt all the way to Zilker Park. Building continued through the early 2000s, creating a unique blend of home styles.

House prices generally range from the upper-200s to the mid-400s. There are modest two bedroom homes all the way to newer five bedroom homes. Although many of the interiors have been remodeled over the years, the homes in the original section of Travis Country still retain their charm with serene courtyards at the entrances and attractive stonework. There are both single and two-story homes, expansive open floor plans to cozy bungalows, making it a perfect neighborhood for those from all walks of life.

The active homeowners association, with a staffed office and grounds crew, maintains the two parks in the neighborhood. There are pools, tennis courts, basketball courts and playgrounds at both parks. The Blue Valley Park, the larger of the two, has a duck pond which is home to an intrepid flock of ducks and a goose. Walking trails criss-cross the neighborhood, offering great places for exploration with children and dogs. Those new to Travis Country won't lack for something to do. It is easy to get involved with a monthly newsletter, swim teams, tennis lessons and regular social events.

There are good public schools, like Oak Hill Elementary just a short drive away. Students from this quiet, family neighborhood also attend O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School. It is convenient to many private schools as well, like the Regents School, which is located along the western edge of the neighborhood, and St. Andrews Upper School.

The next time you are zipping down Southwest Parkway, take a moment to make the turn at Republic of Texas Drive. You will find that Travis Country is more than just a pleasant neighborhood conveniently located to both downtown and the Hill Country, restaurants and shopping. It is a great place to start a family, raise kids or even retire. Residents of Travis Country will easily find a niche, make friends and enjoy one of Austin's best kept secrets.


Ki serves as a realtor in Austin Texas. His business offers a searchable database of the Austin MLS. The site has information for potential buyers on Austin real estate and Travis Country real estate.