Taylor Shults, Realtor®, GRI

Trivia Nights Around Austin

Last night I experienced my first ever Trivia Night at a local bar here in Austin; Third Base at 6th and MoPac downtown. I had no idea what to expect, but it was a pretty good time. There are about 7 rounds (10 questions each) all on different topics. Some of our topics included:

• TV Shows
• Reality TV Shows
• Books and Authors
• Music
• Austin Venues
• Austin Trivia
  

The bar has specials on drinks if you are in the Trivia Game seating area so you can dine, drink, and get your trivia gaming on all in one!

While it was a fun time, me and my partner came in last place. :( Not because we don't know anything, but because we don't know everything. All the other teams had between 6 and 12 people per team! Needless to say, we were outnumbered unfortunately. Also, I would recommend not making jokes at the hosts' expense.

IE: The tipsy female hostesses (that were drinking way too much for being on the job!) asked the Bonus Question "What Reality TV show would we be best on?" Most people tried sucking up for the extra points by recommending they would be great on America's Next Top Model, and Paris Hilton's BFF.

My partner and I recommended: Charm School.

Come on, it was a joke! Can't we have a laugh? I mean, we are at a Trivia Night, on Reality TV, at a bar, being offered $1 shots for bonus points. I think it was clear that after that, they weren't on our side.

Even though we came in last place and didn't win the gift card, we still had a great time. I would highly recommend checking out a Trivia Night near you!

Check out this link: Pub and Bar Trivia Spots in Austin for more locations!

Austin Events in February, 2010

Here is the list of events that I make every month to email out to my database. I encourage everyone to get out there and have some fun. I have friends flying in from two different states to run in the Austin Marathon, so I'm very excited for that event to come on the weekend of Valentines Day!!

There is also the Carnaval Brasilerio that is a Mardi Gras celebration at our convention center. I still have yet to try this out, but have heard that it's a blast. The State Fair and Rodeo is of course a great time as well, and I highly recommend checking that one out too.

Hope everyone has a Fabulous February!!

Austin Offers Down Payment Assistance for First Time Home Buyers!

The Down Payment Assistance program offers qualified first time home buyers an opportunity to obtain an interest free loan to purchase a home within the Austin city limits.

The City of Austin website explains the two options for this assistance program:

• Standard DPA: Up to $10,000 in a deferred, forgivable, 0% interest loan for 10 years. Up to $1,000 additional for borrowers in a Mortgage Credit Certificate Program, and up to $4,999 for people with disabilities. The loan is forgiven if the borrower remains in the home ten (10) years without transferring title. Otherwise the loan is due and payable if the borrower sells, leases, transfers title, refinances, gets a home equity loan, or pays off the first lien within ten (10) years.
• (NEW) Shared Equity DPA: Up to $40,000 in a deferred,0%-interest loan for 30 years. Borrowers must pay back the DPA loan plus a percentage of their equity (that is the same percentage as AHFC's contribution) when the borrower sells, leases, refinances, gets a home equity loan, pays off the first lien, or otherwise transfers title within 30 years. When selling the home, the borrower agrees to give AHFC the chance to purchase the house at market rate ("right of first refusal").

To be eligible for this assistance, the Austinite must be a legal permanent resident and qualify as a median income household.

Check out this .PDF from the City of Austin on Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Down Payment Assistance program to see if you qualify!

South Austin Homes For Sale

Two new listings came on market today in the South Austin area with Peggy West Properties. They are listed below. For any showing requests, feel free to email me with an available time to view or to request more homes in the area.

4439 Bremner Dr
Austin, TX 78749
$212,000

This home offers

• 1,500 square feet
• Tile floors
• 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms
• Bonus room

4410 E Hove Loop
Austin, TX 78749
$219,900

Home Offers:

• Over 1,755 square feet
  
• 3 bedrooms/ 2 bathrooms
• No carpet: tile and laminate throughout
• Arched entry halls

If you want to see other homes for sale in Austin or surrounding areas,

email me your preferred area and price range!