Each year 'round this time the Austin Area Food Bank hosts "The Empty Bowl Project" here in Austin. This year it will be held at the MACC - here's a map to the new location.
This is a super cool idea. Local potters have donated hundreds - maybe even thousands of hand made bowls. Each unique and different - just like all of us. Some of them may even be "special" - just like...well, you know.
Here's a short video that tells a bit more about the event. You'll notice that our very own Bill Evans is a major sponsor. Cool huh!
So for 15 bucks you buy this cool bowl, then get it filled with soup from one of Austin's fancy schmancy restaurants. All the proceeds benefit the Austin Area Food Bank - and that's a really big deal right now.
What a great way to have some fun and support a good cause.
Sounds fun, huh! Give some friends a call and get them to join you at the Empty Bowl Project THIS SUNDAY. I'll see you there!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Austin's Energy Efficiency Ordinance
For all of you asking me for updates on the City of Austin's Energy Efficiency Ordinance - here ya go.....
As you know, Mayor Will Winn charged the City Council with mandating energy efficiency upgrades to be required before a home in the city can be sold. Our friends at the Austin Board of Realtors, alone with the Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee (TREPAC) have worked very hard to make sure that such an ordinance be positive rather than prohibitive. You can see more about the history of this endeavor by looking at the Keep Austin Affordable website.
The City Council has recently approved the draft ordinance - and it looks very very different from the original suggestions that were tossed out. Homeowners in Austin should be very happy with the outcome. You can view the actual ordinance by clicking this link. As with most city ordinances, the verbiage is extremely broad and leaves a ton of opportunity for various interpretations. These change are slated to take effect June 1, 2009. Clearly there is much more work to be done - so keep your eyes peeled.
Bottom line is that upgrades will be voluntary. Homeowners WILL be required to have an energy audit and disclose the results of that audit on the MLS listing along with the regular Sellers Disclosure. This will be a small investment for sellers, but beats the heck out of being required to bring properties up to a specific code.
Where are the opportunities here, you may ask? Get the audit done NOW and start working toward completing some of the recommendations. Some of this is work you can complete on your own. Some will require professional assistance. When your house compares more favorable than your neighbors house, that will be a good thing. Remember the city has low/no interest loans available for energy upgrades - as do many of the banks and credit unions in town. Austin Energy also has lots of rebates to help offset the cost.
One additional important note. As written today, the ordinance applies ONLY to properties that are in the Austin City Limits, AND are served by Austin Energy. If you are outside the Austin City Limits, OR are not served by Austin Energy - you have a get out of jail free card. However - this is still a great way to set your house apart from those you will be competing with when it comes time to sell.... Then there's that whole global warming thing....
As you know, Mayor Will Winn charged the City Council with mandating energy efficiency upgrades to be required before a home in the city can be sold. Our friends at the Austin Board of Realtors, alone with the Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee (TREPAC) have worked very hard to make sure that such an ordinance be positive rather than prohibitive. You can see more about the history of this endeavor by looking at the Keep Austin Affordable website.
The City Council has recently approved the draft ordinance - and it looks very very different from the original suggestions that were tossed out. Homeowners in Austin should be very happy with the outcome. You can view the actual ordinance by clicking this link. As with most city ordinances, the verbiage is extremely broad and leaves a ton of opportunity for various interpretations. These change are slated to take effect June 1, 2009. Clearly there is much more work to be done - so keep your eyes peeled.
Bottom line is that upgrades will be voluntary. Homeowners WILL be required to have an energy audit and disclose the results of that audit on the MLS listing along with the regular Sellers Disclosure. This will be a small investment for sellers, but beats the heck out of being required to bring properties up to a specific code.
Where are the opportunities here, you may ask? Get the audit done NOW and start working toward completing some of the recommendations. Some of this is work you can complete on your own. Some will require professional assistance. When your house compares more favorable than your neighbors house, that will be a good thing. Remember the city has low/no interest loans available for energy upgrades - as do many of the banks and credit unions in town. Austin Energy also has lots of rebates to help offset the cost.
One additional important note. As written today, the ordinance applies ONLY to properties that are in the Austin City Limits, AND are served by Austin Energy. If you are outside the Austin City Limits, OR are not served by Austin Energy - you have a get out of jail free card. However - this is still a great way to set your house apart from those you will be competing with when it comes time to sell.... Then there's that whole global warming thing....
Gift cards are great except when....
The stores are closing!
There have been lots of warnings rolling around the interwebs concerning gift cards this year. Seems as more and more stores are closing, there is real potential that your gift cards may be unusable.
The following companies have all started to shutter some of their stores, some have even filed for bankruptcy and will be "gone forever" very soon: Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer, Cache, Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines, Talbots, J. Jill, Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, foot locker, Wickies, Bombay Company, Zales, Piercing Pagoda, Disney Store, Home Depot, CompUSA, Macy's, Movie Gallery, Pacific Sunwear, Pep Boys, Sprint/Nextel, JCPenney, Lowes, Office Depot, Ethan Allen, Wilsons, Sharper Image, KB Toys, Dillards, Linens and Things.
Now there are a lot of companies here....not all of them are going completely away. Some are just shutting down a few stores. Some ARE going completely away. And the list is most likely not 100% complete.
So a few suggestions for gift giving. If you are set on giving a gift card, consider a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card. Also, remember to read the fine print concerning the fees associated with the cards, and know when the funds expire.
In the spirit of "Change"....consider something totally different for your gift giving. Do you make something your friends really dig? For example, our friend Claire makes some awesome home made salad dressing. We're looking forward to a big bottle at Christmas. Talk with your investment rep (let me know if you need a referral) about an investment you can make on behalf of someone. Maybe this is the year to give to charity. One year, each member of my family contributed 20 bucks, and we adopted a family. That was pretty rewarding. As our society continues to change, I challenge you to take a look at yourself and ask how you can change in a way that will help both yourself and those around us.
Happy Holidays! ;)
There have been lots of warnings rolling around the interwebs concerning gift cards this year. Seems as more and more stores are closing, there is real potential that your gift cards may be unusable.
The following companies have all started to shutter some of their stores, some have even filed for bankruptcy and will be "gone forever" very soon: Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer, Cache, Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines, Talbots, J. Jill, Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, foot locker, Wickies, Bombay Company, Zales, Piercing Pagoda, Disney Store, Home Depot, CompUSA, Macy's, Movie Gallery, Pacific Sunwear, Pep Boys, Sprint/Nextel, JCPenney, Lowes, Office Depot, Ethan Allen, Wilsons, Sharper Image, KB Toys, Dillards, Linens and Things.
Now there are a lot of companies here....not all of them are going completely away. Some are just shutting down a few stores. Some ARE going completely away. And the list is most likely not 100% complete.
So a few suggestions for gift giving. If you are set on giving a gift card, consider a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card. Also, remember to read the fine print concerning the fees associated with the cards, and know when the funds expire.
In the spirit of "Change"....consider something totally different for your gift giving. Do you make something your friends really dig? For example, our friend Claire makes some awesome home made salad dressing. We're looking forward to a big bottle at Christmas. Talk with your investment rep (let me know if you need a referral) about an investment you can make on behalf of someone. Maybe this is the year to give to charity. One year, each member of my family contributed 20 bucks, and we adopted a family. That was pretty rewarding. As our society continues to change, I challenge you to take a look at yourself and ask how you can change in a way that will help both yourself and those around us.
Happy Holidays! ;)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Yum!
This seems more like a post for summer...but I have the information NOW so here we go!
This is from our friends at Men's Health. You know the traditional trail mix (M&M's, peanuts, raisins) is a great little snack that hits the spot? Here is a protein packed version to try out...
1 cup popped popcorn
1/2 cup pretzel sticks
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1/2 cup walnut halves
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dries apricots, chopped
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup beef jerky, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
In small bowl, combine spices and mix well. In a larger bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and mix well. In a large zip-top bag, combine the nut and spice mixture. Toss to coat.
Maybe this would be a great stocking stuff? Or just a belly stuffer......
This is from our friends at Men's Health. You know the traditional trail mix (M&M's, peanuts, raisins) is a great little snack that hits the spot? Here is a protein packed version to try out...
1 cup popped popcorn
1/2 cup pretzel sticks
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1/2 cup walnut halves
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dries apricots, chopped
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup beef jerky, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
In small bowl, combine spices and mix well. In a larger bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and mix well. In a large zip-top bag, combine the nut and spice mixture. Toss to coat.
Maybe this would be a great stocking stuff? Or just a belly stuffer......
Thursday, November 6, 2008
New Programs for Austin and Central TX Homebuyers
There are some great options for you if you're thinking about buying your first home. Many of you have been asking me for some details on what is out there and how it can help you. These are just three of the options currently available. Give me a call to discuss and we can take a look at how to best position you for a purchase.
The City of Austin offers assistance to first-time homebuyers through the Austin Housing Finance Corporation's mortgage credit certificate program. To qualify, buyers must purchase a single-family home condo or townhouse within the Austin city limits with a maximum sale price of $210,375. The program offers a tax credit proportional to the total value of the mortgage and may be used in conjunction with the city's Down Payment Assistance program. For more information, visit the city site.
Homebuyers living outside Austin city limits but within Travis County can receive assistance through the Travis County Housing Finance Corporation. The fund helps low and moderate income homebuyers cover down payment and closing costs with over $8,000 in two forgivable no-interest loans. Homebuyers using this assistance must complete an eight-hour course presented by Consumer Credit Counseling (think of it like you're getting paid $1,000 an hour!). Visit this site for additional details.
Combine these options with the new Federal Tax Credit (up to $7,500) to help make your dream of home ownership a reality. Remember - when you are paying rent you are making someone else's dreams come true. When you are paying a mortgage you are actively creating your own personal long term wealth!
Whether this is your first home purchase or you are a seasoned buyer - working with a qualified Real Estate Consultant and Mortgage Consultant is extremely important. Give me a call to talk about this "new world" market and how to position yourself to be a beneficiary!
The City of Austin offers assistance to first-time homebuyers through the Austin Housing Finance Corporation's mortgage credit certificate program. To qualify, buyers must purchase a single-family home condo or townhouse within the Austin city limits with a maximum sale price of $210,375. The program offers a tax credit proportional to the total value of the mortgage and may be used in conjunction with the city's Down Payment Assistance program. For more information, visit the city site.
Homebuyers living outside Austin city limits but within Travis County can receive assistance through the Travis County Housing Finance Corporation. The fund helps low and moderate income homebuyers cover down payment and closing costs with over $8,000 in two forgivable no-interest loans. Homebuyers using this assistance must complete an eight-hour course presented by Consumer Credit Counseling (think of it like you're getting paid $1,000 an hour!). Visit this site for additional details.
Combine these options with the new Federal Tax Credit (up to $7,500) to help make your dream of home ownership a reality. Remember - when you are paying rent you are making someone else's dreams come true. When you are paying a mortgage you are actively creating your own personal long term wealth!
Whether this is your first home purchase or you are a seasoned buyer - working with a qualified Real Estate Consultant and Mortgage Consultant is extremely important. Give me a call to talk about this "new world" market and how to position yourself to be a beneficiary!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Today is a big day...
It's voting day. For any of you who have not voted yet - today is the last day to make your personal wishes heard. Don't know where to go to cast your vote? Check out this great Google site that I found on Craigslist this morning while enjoying a cup of freshly brewed Keurig coffee.
You know the other thing I'm looking forward to? No more of those politically related emails that my family has been sending! There are a few things in life that I think should remain private - and politics is one. When you have very strong feelings about XYZ, and then you get emails from family members that are very much against what you believe - it is really hard to maintain respect. Often times I start to read the emails and I think HOW AM I RELATED TO THESE PEOPLE???
Really....enough with the emails!
Regardless of who you vote for, change IS on the way. Hopefully whatever needs to happen for our country to rebound from where it is will happen. It's a long shot to think any one candidate can fix all of our problems - but let's hope at least a few of the bigger issues (in my opinion, health care, education, and the economy) get some positive momentum.
So again - if you haven't done it yet - just go do it. Regardless of your party or your persuasion or you family values - go vote!
You know the other thing I'm looking forward to? No more of those politically related emails that my family has been sending! There are a few things in life that I think should remain private - and politics is one. When you have very strong feelings about XYZ, and then you get emails from family members that are very much against what you believe - it is really hard to maintain respect. Often times I start to read the emails and I think HOW AM I RELATED TO THESE PEOPLE???
Really....enough with the emails!
Regardless of who you vote for, change IS on the way. Hopefully whatever needs to happen for our country to rebound from where it is will happen. It's a long shot to think any one candidate can fix all of our problems - but let's hope at least a few of the bigger issues (in my opinion, health care, education, and the economy) get some positive momentum.
So again - if you haven't done it yet - just go do it. Regardless of your party or your persuasion or you family values - go vote!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Good times....
You know when you're just "there"....and you realize you're in the right place and things are good? That's pretty cool, huh.
So today I was getting ready to head in to my new office. Everyone there is cool, fun, welcoming, etc. It's really quite a nice change.
Just before I hopped in the shower I decided to do one quick email check...and there was an email from one of the brokers. The email asked who would be available TODAY for a fun office Halloween lunch.... on them.
So most of the gang met at Julio's in Hyde Park for a nice afternoon lunch...some great mexican food, a little sangria, and great friendship. Good stuff!
So today I was getting ready to head in to my new office. Everyone there is cool, fun, welcoming, etc. It's really quite a nice change.
Just before I hopped in the shower I decided to do one quick email check...and there was an email from one of the brokers. The email asked who would be available TODAY for a fun office Halloween lunch.... on them.
So most of the gang met at Julio's in Hyde Park for a nice afternoon lunch...some great mexican food, a little sangria, and great friendship. Good stuff!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
YUM....COFFEE
If you and I have ever talked about coffee, I've mentioned the magic of the Keurig brewer.
Today I ran across something that makes it even MORE magic....a way to reuse the kcups many times without the hassle of the "mykcup" system.
Reuse your Keurig K-Cups!
Today I ran across something that makes it even MORE magic....a way to reuse the kcups many times without the hassle of the "mykcup" system.
Reuse your Keurig K-Cups!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
A funny....
Rick's aunt sent this....kinda made me chuckle...
The sense of freshness...
A new supermarket opened in Topeka, Ks. It has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.
When you pass the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and you experience the scent of fresh cut hay.
In the meat department there is the aroma of charcoal grilled steaks with onions.
When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle, And the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying.
The bread department features the tantalizing smell of fresh baked bread & cookies.
I don't buy toilet paper there anymore....
The sense of freshness...
A new supermarket opened in Topeka, Ks. It has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.
When you pass the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and you experience the scent of fresh cut hay.
In the meat department there is the aroma of charcoal grilled steaks with onions.
When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle, And the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying.
The bread department features the tantalizing smell of fresh baked bread & cookies.
I don't buy toilet paper there anymore....
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
New beginnings
Last Friday evening I had the priveledge of joining my client Julie at her new home in South Austin for a traditional Native American smudging.
While I had never participated in one before, I had an idea what it was about. Little did I know how special, even powerful, such an event was.
Julie was surrounded by friends and loved ones as she opened the door to this new life endeavor. The smudging involved incense and positive energy - shared by all on Julie's behalf. We "opened" the house for Julie's new beginning there.... Toward the end, Julie recited this affirmation:
What a beautiful moment!
While I had never participated in one before, I had an idea what it was about. Little did I know how special, even powerful, such an event was.
Julie was surrounded by friends and loved ones as she opened the door to this new life endeavor. The smudging involved incense and positive energy - shared by all on Julie's behalf. We "opened" the house for Julie's new beginning there.... Toward the end, Julie recited this affirmation:
I have set into motion a creative processWhen I departed, Julie had the biggest smile on her face...surrounded by people who only wish her all the best and will do anything to help her achieve her dreams....
I called to me a building, a house
I found it easily
I found it at a fair price
My ideal house is made ready for me
This creative process now is up to me
To turn this house into a sacred space
The home of my dreams
I am prepared to make many happy memories in this space
I am ready to enjoy many good times in this home
I make this home a haven of comfort, serenity,
security and joy for many years to come
As I will it, so it is, and so shall be!
What a beautiful moment!
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