The 2009 Austin City Limits Festival has hit Austin this weekend, October 2-4, 2009. This 3-day festival is a celebration of the musical talents of artists from all genres, including country, R&B, alternative, gospel and more. This year, the jam-packed lineup of 130 bands includes: Kings of Leon, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, John Legend and Asleep at the Wheel on Friday, the Dave Matthews Band, the Levon Helm Band, Ghostland Observatory, Mos Def and Eek-a-Mouse on Saturday and Pearl Jam, Ben Harper, Toadies, B-52s and the Arctic Monkeys on Sunday. That's just the tip of the iceberg of talent, though. For a complete rundown of the show schedules, please visit the Austin City Limits Festival website.
Some quick tips to make your festival experience better:
1. Prepare for the warm Austin weather. Drink lots of water. Water fountains will be available throughout Zilker Park. Put lots of sunscreen on and re-apply often. Cooling fans will also be available at Mr. Mister, Sister Mister and Zilker Beach. But, you might want to bring your umbrella as well in case rain makes an appearance suddenly.
2. Transportation to and from Zilker Park is limited. There will be no parking available around the festival grounds. These are your options:
3. Recycle and win. Several eco-friendly activities will be taking place before and during the ACL Festival. Participation is not only fun but can reap awards, like a collectible ACL t-shirt or a chance to win a 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid.
4. Attend an autograph session. For more info on who is signing and when, please visit the ACL website.
5. Check out the ACL Festival's FAQ section to see what you are allowed to bring and what should be left at home.
For more information on what's happening at the festival and when, please visit the Austin City Limits website. To find out how you can make Austin your home, please contact me. I'm always happy to help.
Austin home sales continue their upward trend. The number of homes sold has increased steadily each month since the beginning of the year. We are still below the numbers sold in 2008, but, like the rest of the nation, the Austin real estate market seems to be on the rebound.
The Austin market has been sluggish. However, home prices have held fairly steady. Compared to June of 2008, the median sales price of $199,000 remains the median price in June 2009. Competitively priced homes are still selling in less than 90 days, with many selling within 30 days of entering the market.
Now is an excellent time for buyers to enter the market:
* Interest rates are great
Currently, the interest rate is 5.22%, which is decreased from the interest rates I reported in my June 5th blog. Interest rates rose to a high of 6% in June before they began to go back down. How long will the lower interest rates last? It seems no one really knows for sure. Just be aware that interest rates can rise at any time and quickly, as they did in the month of June.
* Home values remain strong
Austin home values have remained farily stable throughout the national real estate crisis.
* Home inventory remains high
Currently, the Austin area has a large supply of homes on the market, giving buyers a wide selection of homes to chose from in their particular price range. In addition, a large supply of homes keeps Austin home prices competitive and gives the buyer a slight edge when negotiating an offer.
* First-Time Buyers Tax Credit
Anyone who has not owned a home in the past three years is elibigle for a Federal $8,000 Tax Credit. The time to take advantage of the tax credit is quickly running out. The purchased Austin property must close escrow on or before November 30. If you wait too long or the escrow does not close before the deadline, you will lose the tax credit. The tax credit is free money. If you remain in the home for over three years, you do not have to repay it. If you do not need the entire amount of the tax credit, the remainder will be issued
* Austin First-Time Buyers Down Payment Assistance
The City of Austin offers first-time home buyers a zero interest loan up to $10,000 when you live in the home for 10 years. There is also a program which will assist first-time buyers with an interest-free loan up to $40,000 when you live in the home for 30 years.
Happy Fourth of July, everyone! A s you know, it has been another dry year and the danger of fire is ever present. Instead of doing the backyard fireworks at home, I would like to suggest that you attend one of the biggest fireworks shows in the state of Texas. Over 100,000 people are expected at the 33rd Annual Austin Symphony Orchestra Concert and Fireworks Show at Auditorium Shores today. The orchestra will begin their performance at 8:30 pm. The fireworks show will begin about 9:30 pm. Along with the sparkling fireworks, you will hear the boom of live canons.
If you are planning to drive to the event, then it is best to park north of Lady Bird Lake. For parking information, tips and maps, visit the Austin Symphony website. You can make your Fourth of July green by riding your bike or taking the CapMetro or riding the Dillo. Be safe and have fun!
Watch video of last year's Concert and Fireworks here
Shay Hargus, your Austin real estate expert!
All good things good to an end it seems. And the low-low 4% interest rates have ended. According to the experts, there is little hope that they will return.
For the past three months interest rates have remained under the 5% mark. Just a few short weeks ago, homeowners seeking a refinance, and buyers could get a mortgage loan with an interest rate around the 4.75% mark. Last week the national average was 4.91%. This week interest rates have shot up to 5.39% (as reported by Freddie Mac)! This is the highest interest increase in six months.
According to Yahoo Real Estate today's rate is 5.396%. However, according to ReatyTimes.com the average rate is 4.91%. Either way, today's rates indicate interest rates for home mortgages are on the rise.
Austin homeowners, it is important that you understand how higher interest rates effect you. There are some negatives and a very great positive reaction when interest rates go up.
Negative Reactions:
Positive Reaction:
When interest rates rise, home purchase activity goes up because buyers want to buy before the rates increase further
Austin home buyers, it is important that you understand how higher interest rates effect you
A higher interest rate costs you ten of thousands of dollars (in interest paid) over a long period of time (30-year mortgage).
Austin home buyers, if you are considering purchasing a home in 2009, get off the fence. There are great reasons to buy now, including the one time (and for this year only), tax credit. By the way, there have been changes to the tax credit which will allow you to use it as a down payment or to pay closing costs when using FHA financing. I will be posting a blog on the benefits of how buying now can save you a lot of money.
Austin homeowner, if you are considering refinancing your home loan, get off the fence. The higher the interest rate the less sense it makes to refinance. I will be posting a blog on the benefits of refinancing in a future blog.
Attention Austin homeowners. I will be posting a blog on the benefits of refinancing. It may not be too late!
Attention Austin buyers, I will be posting a blog on the benefits of how buying now can save you a lot of money.
WOW! It's May already and time, once again, for the Old Pecan Street Festival on 6th Street. Artisans from all over the nation will be at the festival displaying their arts and crafts. In addition to the displays, there will be art classes where you can bring out the artisan in you.
Children (6 to 12) can also explore their talents at the Kids' Art Tent. Activities will be led by Austinite artist Lindsey Bailey. Lindsey will direct the children in creating colorful arts and craft designs which they can take home. The Kids' Art Tent is free to all participants. Capital One is sponsoring the Kids Art Tent as a means to educate Austin's youth and to introduce them to the world of art.
In case your feet may be feeling a little artistic after hearing all the great live music being presented on five stages, you can satisfy their need to express themselves at the free dance classes.
The Old Pecan Street Festival will be honoring the art of filmmaking at the PowerFlicker Short Film Showcase. Texas filmmakers will be presenting a collection of animated, comedy, documentary and narrative films from 3-6 pm on Saturday only as part of the festivities taking place in Austin.
The festival will also be presenting game booths, grilling demonstrations, a petting zoo for kids and a carnival for kids of all ages.
The Old Pecan Street Festival will be very green this year. It is not only honoring and encouraging the arts, but is also honoring and encouraging green living. There is no better way to encourage something than by practical application. A new element to the festival this year will be an Environmental Fair. The Environmental Fair will feature environmentally-friendly artists, educational workshops, organic foods, drinks and locally bottled spring water. Stop by the Transit Makeover booth to receive a free 7-Day bus pass. Transit Makeover will also have their new hybrid bus on display for everyone to check out. Your free bus pass will entitle you to a free drawing for Esther's Follies tickets. To enter the drawing, you will need to stop by one of the information booths.
One negative side to any festival is its debris. But, that will not be the case at the Old Pecan Street Festival. They have made a real effort to keep trash to a minimum with an aggressive recycling program. When looking to dispose of your trash, be sure to look at the signs above the trash containers. The signs will indicate what type of trash should be disposed of in each particular container, so that it may be recycled properly.
By the way, those of you who are not aware of Austin's history: the Old Pecan Street Festival is held on 6th Street because 6th Street was originally Pecan Street in the early days of Austin. The festival was named Old Pecan Street to honor Austin's early days. The Old Pecan Street Festival has been an Austin tradition for over 30 years and entrance to the festival is still free.
Remax Realtor specializing in the sale of Homes, Condos, Luxury Homes, Investment Properties. Working extensively with with both local buyers, investors and buyers relocating to Austin, Texas.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
