On the Grid and Off the Grid

More and more I have people asking me about community restrictions relating to solar and wind energy products. These are the things of today's present future (it is happening now!), and there are many ways to conserve energy and save money. Here is a very good resource from our US Department of Energy.

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

If you want to talk about specific communities, green homes or how to save money by being a little greener--give me a call.

NW Austin becoming new Austin "Up Town"

If you have not been out to The Domain lately to shop for a new Louis Vuitton hand-bag, have drinks with friends, or have a relaxing dinner out with your significant other--you might not have realized that NW Austin is quickly becoming Austin's Uptown community.

It does not take a genius to figure out that downtown Austin can not possibly be all things to all people as Austin continues to grow. And as our city's growth happens, other communities in Austin are starting to take on lives of their own. Independent. Unique. And magnetic to our interests and life styles.

Get out this week and see what is happening for yourself, and you will see that this is a growth project in the making. (Click on the title of this article to read more about The Domain).

1/3 of the story

If you are reading this Blog about Austin...Thank you.
If you are watching my videos on YouTube...Thank you.
If you are following me on Twitter...Thank you.


And if you are only watching, or reading or following one part of the story--well, you may be missing out on some interesting bits about what is happening in our city. Here and now. Feel free to take in all three of the dimensions of the publication. And when you are watching, tweeting, or reading--give me a shout out to tell me what you think. Like it. Hate it. Maybe you want to add to the story. I would love to hear from you. And if you want to start researching homes and communities, be sure to link to me on ZipRealty.com. Just click on the link: "Begin Working with Tim". And we can get the ball rolling.

You can also keep track of me on FaceBook. It is certainly the more personal side of my life and travels--but if you are interested in knowing more about your Realtor, please--be my guest.

Austin's Quality of Life

I have lived in San Diego, Houston, Austin, Memphis, Hong Kong, Singapore and traveled to more than 30 countries in world during the past 25 years, and I believe that Austin has one of the highest qualities of life standard of almost any city in the world--in my humble opinion.

Quality of Life is not something that we talk about much any more. I am not sure why that is, but I think it is a over-sight of our present time. It used to be that a great emphasis was put on a community's Quality of Living. While I am sure there are many different ideas that come along with the concept of a high standard for Quality of Living, here are my thoughts about how Austin fits the paradigm of truly a great place to live. 

• Think of Austin as a large-small city or a small-large city. Either way, you get some of the benefits from both sides of the coin here.
  

• Austin has one of the lowest reported crime rates in the nation--a factor that can not be underestimated, especially if you are coming from an area of high crime.

• Austin has traffic, but the rush hour congestion is not nearly as bad as many large cities, and with the new toll ways, and passenger rail (coming!), transportation in Austin is infinitely better than many cities where I have lived or traveled over the years.
  

• Education in Austin is among the best in the nation. Whether you are concerned with K-12 or area colleges, Austin has some of the best universities in the country, Top 100 recognized High Schools, and a host of exemplary and recognized feeder schools from which to choose. 
  

• Austin offers recreation such as: nationally recognized live music, water sports, almost year-around golf, quick access to the coast and international travel. And many other venues to re-create. 
  

• People. Austin is a population that is diverse, well educated, and tolerant. Diversity is a hallmark of culture and our community, and you can see it in every aspect of our culture. 
  

• Austin has jobs--something that we will not soon take for granted. While our job market is fairly diverse, we have strong foundations in High Tech, Education, Health Care and Government. But people come to Austin for more than just great jobs.
  

• Cost of Living in our fair city is pretty darn good. Compare cities in the nation where people really want to live, and ask yourself, "Where can I buy a home for under $200,000 and live 20 mins from downtown?" The answer will be "Not many places on the planet." Of course, you can also own a beautiful home between $1M - $14M in Austin. We have a lot more $MM homes in Austin than many people realize. Again, adding to our diversity.
  

• Persons of stature. Austin is a very low key city, and because of this fact, we attract individuals of celebrity and stature who can come to Austin, relax and be themselves--without having to worry about harassment and the paparazzi or busy bodies.
  

• Scenery. We are fortunate here in having a multitude of beautiful natural surroundings. First, the Texas Hill Country starts in Austin. Views for miles, greenbelts and preserve land. The rivers and lakes of Austin make for wonderful views and places to play. And the Texas Wine Vineyards are just an hour away. So much scenery to enjoy.
  

• Sports. Sitting in the middle of the Dallas/Houston/San Antonio triangle, Austin has access to all the professional sports programs you might want to enjoy, and of course, if you live in Austin, you are automatically a UT fan. Hook 'Em horns.
  

• Food. Texans like to eat. And we like to cook. Austin has food, but if you haven't figured it out yet, we don't make a production of our eating establishments. Sometimes you have to do some research to find the best places to eat.
  

Well, the list does go on, but you can see that I am a part of the Virtual Welcoming Committee for the city. It does not pay much, but living in Austin is pay-enough.

Austin: 1.7M people and growing!

In September of 2009, the census report for the Greater Austin area reported that Austin grew during the past 9 years from 1.25M to 1.73M people.

	Population
	Apr 2000	Sept 2009
City of Austin	656,562	782,967
Extra Territorial Jurisdiction	128,925	181,861
Travis County	812,280	1,023,470
Austin--Round Rock MSA	1,249,763	1,733,745

 

The Austin region continues to experience intense development, growth and area redevelopment. Geographically, Austin continues to "re-invent itself" every few years. Although there is an enormous amount of residential development currently underway within the urban and downtown Austin areas, the thousands of new housing "units" being created will be a drop in the bucket of total residential units to be created in the coming years to accomodate a projected growth nearing 3 million people during the next 20-30 years. Smart growth, energy utilization, transportation, education, technology and health care seem to have long term foundations in our community--giving Austin a strong projected economic diversity. 

In the end, Austin’s quality of life is its biggest economic development engine, and the city’s diverse demographics and economics serve to support and enrich its quality of life. Austin is a city of natural beauty and attraction with a special gravitational pull on people of all sort of backgrounds, nationalities, socioeconomics, political beliefs, religious cultures, and an abundant willingness to live and let live.  

iPhone and Mobile App for House Hunting

Have you ever driven by a home that had a "For Sale" sign and wondered "How much is that house?...I wonder if it looks as nice on the inside as it does on the outside?" Well, this iPhone application may be the answer to your prayers. Now you can have more information at your finger tips than ever imagined.

ZipRealty has introduced a Free iPhone application enabling Mobile House-Hunting in Austin, Texas. Now you can receive detailed information on all MLS listings, view interior home photos, and get home prices--while driving around in your car.

Make no mistake about it--this application does not replace me--your local Austin Realtor. But it is another example of how Zip technology, information and a great Realtor can make your life easier, and put you one step closer to your new home purchase. 

Take a look at the kind of information that this iPhone application can provide to you and then give me a call so that we can discuss your specific home needs. 

iPhone Application demo.

My contact information.

Austin's Iconic Flamingos

Austin is filled with colorful stories and history. One of the ever-changing and fun icons in Austin can be found at the corner of Bee Caves and Capitol of Texas Highway (360). This Austin institution is the Pots and Plants Garden Center. But many of us just know it as the corner where Austin's Flamingos roost. Now these are not your everyday run-of-the-mill flamingos--these birds are story tellers. If there is something going on in the city, you will know it from the color and the posture of the birds at this infamous intersection. If it is a holiday, you will know which holiday it is from the color of the birds, but then sometimes you have to know who is doing what in Austin, to understand the story line.

If you see a field of yellow Flamingos and one riding a bike, you can be assured that Lance is back on the road in parts unknown of France. And if you see half of the field in UT Orange, and half of the field in Maroon--lying down flat out on the ground, you can assume that the Aggies have either met their demise or will meet their Texas revivals in the coming week. If it is a holiday,expect to see colors emerge to celebrate the season or the event.

So, if you have not been by to see this fun bit of local color, drive by today and have a smile--cutesy of Austin's own--Pots and Plants Garden Center.