If you've been to a football game at The University of Texas this year, it's hard to miss the advertisement for the new Texas Gameday  Center coming over godzillatron.  For those longhorn fans who don't know, or <i>somehow</i> missed the ad, the Texas Gameday Center project includes the renovation of the 51 units in the Windsong Apartments to luxury condominiums as well as a 136 unit luxury condominium hotel located at Dean Keaton and Red Rive, just across from the practice fields.  The units at Texas Gameday Center will range from studios to 3 bedrooms, from 350 square feet to 2,000 square feet and the pricing is expected to be from $160,000 to $1,000,000.  The renovation of the Windsong should be complete by the start of the 2007 season.  The new building is expected to be ready by Fall 2008.  I read that it will include a clubroom for 'tailgating' before games (although I'm not sure how they are going to fit all of those grills and pop-up tents in the there - kidding, of course).  Two more smaller projects are planned for Lubbock and College Station.

If you are interested in more information on the Texas Gameday Center or would like buyer's representation, please email me or call me at 512.698.3525 and I will be happy to assist you.

Speaking of The University of Texas, it looks like Augie Garrido has put his condominium in the Nokonah up for sale.  The asking price?  $1.15 million.  The interior was designed by Dick Clark and the furnishings are included. 

I've been working recently on my Neighborhood Guide so that the West Elm Properties website can help people get to know the neighborhoods in Austin a little better as they try to decide which neighborhood feels 'right' to them.  Many factors go into that thought process, including schools, area amenities, geographic considerations, pricing, home styles, tax rates and utilities, among other things so this is what I have attempted to capture on each neighborhood page in a clear, concise manner.  The first MLS area I undertook was area 1N, which, geographically runs between 2222, 360, Parmer and McNeil/Spicewood Springs (basically).  Within this MLS area I found 30 distinct neighborhoods.  Many of these neighborhoods are typically grouped in with the larger neighborhood - say, Sierra Vista with Great Hills or Walnut Crossing with Milwood - but I found that there are enough distinct differences that each deserved its own page, so that buyers can really hone in on what specific neighborhoods they really prefer.

It's quite been quite the undertaking working up the statistics and information for these pages, and I still have to add some 'representative home' photos for several of the neighborhoods, but it has actually been a good exercise in understanding as well.  My hope is that you, as buyers and sellers and homeowners in the Austin area, will find them very useful.  If you live in one of these neighborhoods and would like to add any information, or you see something that is no longer accurate, please feel free to email me and I would be happy to make the change.

My next venture with the Neighborhood section will be to write-up some of the larger neighborhoods in other MLS areas.  If there is a neighborhood you would like to see more information regarding please feel free to contact me on that as well and I would be happy to work up that information.  I'm guessing that if someone emails me asking me for information on a neighborhood, there are probably 10 others who are interested who didn't email, so it helps me meet my mission statement goals.  Eventually I this site will have a cross reference ability where if you want to see what neighborhoods feed to a certain elementary school you can click on the school link.  For example, when the Laurel Mountain Elementary page is there you will be able to see that Barrington Oaks, Canyon Mesa, The Dominion at Great Hills, Great Hills, Spicewood Hills, Westhill Estates and Yaupon Terrace feed to Laurel Mountain Elementary in MLS area 1N (Additionally you would see that The Bend and sections of Spicewood Estates go to Laurel Mountain Elementary as well).

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make this site more useful for you.  My goal is to serve you and make this website a great reference for your home buying, selling and owning needs.

Have a great weekend!

jb

On this Friday the 13th of October I'm going to venture off the real estate subject matter.

Heather forwarded this video/story on to me from Texas Country Reporter, which is a show in Texas that covers all sorts of human interest and other uniquely Texas type stories.  This particular segment is a great little story about a dog name Skidboot.  There's not much I can say that the story doesn't say itself.  It's just one of those stories that brings a smile to your face.

A friend of mine was asking the, admittedly silly, question as to whether butterflies were overrunning Austin.  I actually haven't noticed them too much but he wrote that he had to roll up his window during lunch to keep them from flying in his car.  During the course of the discussion there were two reasons raised:  1. the smailler, snout-nosed butterflies left their natural habitat in search of water due to the drought;  2. the flight path of the monarch to their wintering site in the transvolcanic range in Mexico.  Apparently these Monarchs migrate 2,500 miles (the only insect that can fly that far) to their destination in Mexico, the Oyamel fir trees.  That's pretty amazing and I guess Austin must be in the flight path.

One last item - not Austin or Texas related but something I want to note.  CBGB in NYC will have it's last show in the current famed location on Sunday, October 15.  The last time I was in New York I was able to visit the club and now I'm especially glad I did.  It kind of brings similar feelings as passing of local music landmarks such as Liberty  Lunch and Steamboat  1874.  I hate seeing any of these places become a part of 'history' and victims of what comes under the label of 'progress'.  If I remember correctly, both CBGB and Steamboat were a result of landlord/rent increse issues.  CBGB has stated that they will reopen in a new location and might even also open in another city (cities) but the musical history of the place is in the Bowery (can they take the walls with them?).  Steamboat tried to make a go of it when they got kicked out by the higher rental offer from the carpetbaggers, errrr, new tenant, by setting up in a location off of Riverside Drive, but it just wasn't the same.  I actually played the 'new' Steamboat a couple weeks before it closed for good.  Liberty Lunch was kicked out by so that the city could build a new city hall.  In the spirit of Halloween I'll end this paragraph with this thought - boooooooooooo.

A few articles for your reading enjoyment on the Monday night...

Development 'The Falls at Lake Travis' in Lago Vista online - It looks like within 6 months a new development, under the name 'The Falls of Lake Travis' will begin construction.  The plan is for 510 homes and townhomes between $300,000 to more than $1,000,000 on 315 acres in Lago Vista.  In my opinion, it seems like an ambitious project for Lago Vista.  Lago Vista, while beautiful and on the water, does suffer from accessibility.  There is one main road to Lago Vista from the Austin area - a very windy stretch of 1431.  Most of the people I know who have lived in Lago Vista said that after a while they just couldn't take the commute anymore and moved back to the Austin area.  Much of the trade-off that you got for your longer commute was a more affordable house on the lake or in the hills overlooking the lake - not a bad trade-off if you couldn't foot the bill to live on the south side of Lake Travis (in the Lakeway, Spicewood, Briarcliff area) or off Volente or on Lake Austin.  With the price tag for many of these homes it will certainly raise the average home price in the Lago area.  It will be interesting to see how the market responds.  IIt is certainly possible that with more people tele-commuting and working at home that 'where' you work will become less important.  I also think that Lago is great for people who no longer have to work and want to be a ways out from the city, but still within a scenic 45 minute-hour drive.  One of the interesting things to think is that if there were a bridge that traversed Lake Travis from the Lakeway area to Lago Vista the lake north area would have massive development.

The Spring Condominiums locked up $70M financing for construction which should begin in early 2007 and is scheduled for completion in late 2008.  The Spring Condos will be a 41-story, 260-unit project with street level retail.  Prices are expected to range between $200,000 to $400,000.  It's really remarkable the Austin skyline has changed in the recent years and with several large buildings slated for construction it will be interesting to see it continue to develop.  On a related note, Royal Blue Grocery opened this past week becoming downtown's first neighborhood grocery store.  Well, at least the first downtown neighborhood grocery store in a long, long time.  Probably not a bad idea to have a little grocery available with staples (a loaf of bread, a container of milk and a stick of butter) with downtown's burgeoning population.

And the last note, and of special personal interest to me, Southpark Meadows is up for sale.  The former concert venue, now giant generic commerical retail center isn't completely finished yet, but the JCPenny store opens next week with Borders Books, SuperTarget and a Cinemark movie theater on the way.  Currently tenants include Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby and Bed, Bath and Beyond*.  The reason this is of special interest to me is because of the past of Southpark Meadows.  I saw quite a few concerts there, most recently (but still nearly 10 years ago) a muddy lollapalooza and such bands as Live, Blues Traveler and BNL.  I remember a friend down from Dallas during that muddy, rainy concert saying 'This is what's so great about Austin - it's pouring rain, there's mud everywhere and yet everybody is just out here having a great time.  If this was in Dallas they would have called it off'.  I hope as the places go away Austin doesn't lose its identity and just become a city with a big-box retail center on every corner.

*PS

As a complete aside, everytime I hear the words Bed, Bath and Beyond the following line from the movie Old School rolls through my head:

Frank: I told my wife I wouldn't drink tonight. Besides, I got a big day tomorrow. You guys have a great time.
College Student: A big day? Doing what?
Frank: Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time.

Ahhhhh, time for the Austin City Limits Music Festival.  The great music.  The good times.  The massive crowds walking from parking far, far away to stand in sweltering heat while dirt swirls around.  Just kidding!  That was last year.  I've heard there has been a concerted effort to 'green up' Zilker so that there will not be the dirt/dust issues that caused issues last year.  Of course last year we were baked crispy by the 110 degree weather.  This year it's milder (to us locals, in the 90s is milder!).  You also have to hand it to the organizers of ACL as every year they do a great job of analyzing and taking care of issues from prior years.

There is definitely a different feel to the lineup this year as compared to last year.  Austin had what amounted to a 3 day British invasion of sorts in 2005.  Additionally, many of the other bands who came were from other countries.  I think I saw a few of the melt.  Black crushed velvet pants and a heavy long sleeve shirt don't do well in an Austin summer.  It was a great time though and the music was absolutely fantastic.

This year ACL has a much more local feel.  In some ways it actually reminds me of the music of the old Austin Aqua Festivals.  Man, those were good times growing up.  Skipper pins.  Czech night.  The Thunderbirds at Aero Fest (held in conjunction with Aqua Fest at Bergstrom AFB, now Austin's airport).  It was great to be a kid during AquaFest's hayday of the late 70s through the mid 80s.  Then the 90s came and AquaFest started changing its identity - bringing in more 'name' acts and doing away with a lot of the quirkly things that made it what it was.

Looking over the schedule for ACL this year you can see the change in direction.  Trish Murphy, Sara Hickman, Del Castillo, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Los Lonely Boys - and that's just Friday after 6PM.  Of course you have Willie Nelson headlining on Saturday, a complete throwback to AquaFest.  Even many of the non-local acts are more related to the roots-rock and blues that Austin is famous for. 

My picks, in no particular order - Muse, The Tragically Hip, The Raconteurs, The Shins, Thievery Corporation, The Flaming Lips, Guster, Gomez, John Mayer, Sparklehorse, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, Calexico, Ben Kweller, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Nada Surf, The Stills and, of course, Patrice Pike.  There are several local bands that I would recommend as well, but a good idea for the ACL Fest is to lock down who you really want to see, figure out which stages they are on and when, and then as you pass stages from one destination to another just stop and listen to the various stages as you go.  More than anything though, it's good not to get too tied in to a schedule.  If you leave yourself open to hearing new music, you just might discover some great music!

If you are looking for something to do in Austin this weekend, try on the second annual BatFest for size.

Austin is famous for it's bats - the over 1.5 million Mexican free-tails that make the underside of the Congress Avenue bridge home.  It's the largest urban bat population in North America and you can catch it from April to October.  I've been out there on several occasions over the years, it really is a spectacle to see.  As dusk falls, the first bats start coming out from underneath the bridge.  Within a minute or two the trickle has turned into a flood of little, dark spots darting through the sky in an almost wave-like motion.  Every time I've been the wave heads east initially, following Town Lake for a stretch, before turning back and heading west.  It is certainly one of those things you should do at least once if you are in Austin during those months.

BatFest is this weekend, September 2 & 3, and should include more than 150 arts, craft and food booths, musical performances as well as bat education and, well, watching.  There is also a contest in which local hotel bars compete to make the best Batini using Tito's Handmade Vodka (local product, award winning).

Sunday's I try to do a little catch up reading from the Statesman website to see if there are any articles of interest that I missed during the week.

Here are a couple related to the ever-growing Austin market and real estate:

Cedar Park's first major retail center to open next year - If Cedar Park were a stock, and I was a stock analyst, I would have Cedar Park rated a strong buy right now.  Value priced, hit pretty good during our 'downturn' of 2000-2004, and poised with all sorts of positive signs showing its about to starting a nice ride up.  I have quite a few thoughts here, but I have to save some of them for my clients.

Last big development in Sunset Valley - Homes and retail.  Gee, starting to see a trend here in the Austin area!  Sunset Valley has seen tremendous growth over the past decade, including substantial retail development.  It's located in Southwest Austin near the Brodie and 290W area.  As the article mentions, there are only 475 residents actually in Sunset Valley (which is its own incorporated area), but there are more than 91,500 people living within 3 miles of Sunset Valley.  If you live in Southwest Austin, possibly in Legend Oaks, Western Oaks or Travis Country, and you need one of the big box retailers, chances are you can find them at that corner of Brodie and 290W.

First apartments for Mueller - Personally, this will be one of the more interesting projects to see take place over the next few years - the building on the old Robert Mueller (pronounced Miller, just so you know).  I've been getting quite a few clients who have been interested in the areas surrounding the old airport, such as University Hills and Vintage Hills, and its really starting to develop a cool, funky, yet affordable, vibe.  There are some very solid pockets within University Hills and Vintage Hills and the age of the houses is such that it's fairly similar to those areas running just north of Hyde Park, such as Allandale, Crestview and Skyview, but a little more affordable.  The mixed use plan for the old airport, hopefully, will add to the funky vibe.

Gas prices drive up Realtor's costs - Hmmmm, you probably don't care about this one as much as I do, do you? Ha ha.  I will say this though - this was the second thought (the cost of gas) I had after an experience this afternoon.  I had someone call last night on a listing I have in Round Rock and I set an appointment with them today at 2:30 to show them the home, on behalf of my seller.  I arrived at 2:25 and waiting until 2:55.  I left a message for the caller, and I want to believe the best of people, but after I had rearranged my day, thus missing out on a few hours with my family, and spent about $6 in gas getting there and back, it was a gentle reminder of how much I appreciate simple considerations, the fantastic referrals from my clients and friends, and how I need to continue to pre-screen.  So much of my business is from referrals from my past clients that there is an inate sense of trust right from the start and I know that I tend to carry that over to people who aren't referrals.

If you'd like more information about any of the areas that I have mentioned, or are mentioned in the articles, including Cedar Park, Sunset Valley, Legend Oaks, Western Oaks, Travis Country, University Hills, Vintage Hills, Hyde Park, Allandale, Crestview and Skyview, please feel free to contact me directly at Brink@WestElmProperties.com or you can use the contact page here!

I have to admit, I have been watching Rockstar Supernova.  Being a musician and having my own band I love to watch other musicians to see what I can learn from them.  Sometimes we call it stealing but I think we all have influences.  The other reason, the main reason, I have been following this year's version of Rockstar is because of Patrice Pike.  I tuned in originally just to find out who the 'band' would be this year only to see Patrice's face flash across the screen.  I turned to my wife and said, 'I think that was Patrice Pike!'  Sure enough, it was.

I have some of Patrice's cds from previous incarnations including the Sister7 days and more recently the Patrice Pike & The Black Box Rebellion and have always enjoyed her music.  I've also been fortunate enough to catch a few of her shows.  She's a fantastic live performer - I'm not sure that ever came completely through on the Rockstar Supernova show.

Tonight was her last night on the show but it was good to see her go out blazing with her new song last night:  'Beautiful Thing' .  I always dig her lyrics, and 'Beautiful Thing' definitely had some nice hooks and great vocal melodies.  I found myself humming today and it took me a second to realize what I was singing.

Official Site of Patrice Pike - You can find more about her new album here.

Patrice's My Space - There is a version of 'Beautiful Thing' on the site, as well as some older songs.

Hopefully this new exposure from Rockstar Supernova, and the new cd, will take her to new heights.  You go get em Patrice.  You've made Austin proud.

(as an aside - I also actually have a real estate/Patrice Pike story - kind of off topic.  I was at a house off South Congress one time that a client had under contract.  I had finished up with my client and was looking at something on the home when up walked Patrice.  She asked how much they were asking for the home, I told her and that my client had it under contract.  I remember I blanked on her name, though I did say - Sister7 - but I felt a little silly.  She was super cool about everything though. lol)

If you ever tried to grow plants in Texas, you know it can be a challenge to get a colorful yet hardy group going without some background knowledge.  One of the best places to start is the Grow Green book called "Native and Adapted Landscape Plants: an earthwise guide for Central Texas".  This fantastic reference guide is available for free within the City of Austin and should have a maximum price of $1 outside of Austin. 

Quoting the Grow Green website, "Grow Green is a comprehensive landscaping program that provides Austin area homeowners with earth-wise solutions to their yard care problems. It offers more than 20 fact sheets on general landscaping tips, native and adapted plants, and pest and disease problems. Fact sheets can be found on this site or at one of more than 50 participating nurseries in or near Austin"

I highly recommend this guide for use anytime you are thinking about undertaking a gardening or landscaping project in Central Texas.  I have found it invaluable with my own yard projects, and it tends to make it really look like I know what I am doing since my plants are thriving.  Fortunately for me, the wonderful thing about these plants being native is that they can, almost, survive without me or, in some cases, in spite of me!  Additionally, they reduce the amount of water I need to use for my yard so it really is a win-win deal.

The website for Grow Green has a searchable database, with photos, that you can access if you cannot lay your hands on the book. 

Grow Green

It looks like they are trying to squeeze two more lanes onto Mopac.  The tentative solution is scheduled to be out in December.

Statesman article here...

Not only will it be interesting to see how all of this will happen, but I imagine it will also create quite the traffic snarl considering how integral Mopac is to the commute of so many.

Of course I've been in Austin for 30 years now and can still remember when 183 was a two lane road so I've seen plenty of the road building/expansion over the years.  This expansion of Mopac though will be a different beast considering the limited amount of space they will have to work with to add these lanes.