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May 2009

May. 27, 2009 - The Retirement Community of Sun City Texas

Sun City is a retirement community located in Georgetown. It is not the normal retirement home or community. This community offers its residents small town charm, but just minutes from Austin. Sun City was also recently named one of the nations top retirement communities by Retirement Places Rated, a guidebook for seniors wanting to relocate upon retirement.

Its location is excellent, and has extremely affordable cost of living and tax advantages. Currently Sun City has about 5,500 homes and plans to expand to 7,500 homes by 2012-2013.

Most of the homes in Sun City range in price beginning around $100,000- up to $500,000. The sizes vary, but average size is between 1300 square feet to 2800 square feet.

Sun City has many amenities for active seniors to enjoy upon their retirement; tennis courts, three championship golf courses, swimming pools, miles of walking trails and much more.

Sun City also has a community center for residents. The Village Center spans an amazing 86,000 square feet, and is home to many indoor amenities such as art classes, a woodshop which is equipped with all the tools and machinery needed to build something simple or something more complex.

There is also a 5,000 square foot open air legacy pavilion, called Legacy Hills Pavilion. This pavilion over looks Berry Creek Lake and is where many neighborhood gatherings happen. There are many hiking trails in the area and the views and scenery make it very popular.

There is also a computer lab and over 30 clubs. Residents can play dominos, crochet, play bingo or just sit back and visit with other residents. The community also has its own lifestyle director to help residents adjust to their new life, whether they just moved to Sun City or if they have been here for awhile and just never had time for activities.

Sun City also has its own restaurant, Sparky's. It is perfect for residents who are too busy to cook or just want to grab a quick bite to eat without having to drive far.

For residents who are concerned with health issues and transportation the community has nearby medical facilities such as Scott & White Medical Clinic and Georgetown Hospital. Transportation is provided by CARTS, and provides curb side service on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The community also has many parks for residents to enjoy, with plenty of places to sit and have a picnic or just enjoy the Texas scenery.

Sun City is for adults age 55 and over, and is an alternative to living in a retirement home or living alone in a neighborhood. Sun City gives its residents the security they need, while living an active lifestyle.
For seniors who are not sure if Sun City is right for them, they also have a two night weekend getaway. Potential residents can visit the community and see if it is something they would enjoy, without the pressure to move in.

Ki's office is in Central Austin. He also has a website devoted to Austin real estate. There is a search of Austin homes for sale as well as information on the Sun City Texas real estate.
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May. 27, 2009 - A Look At Credit Cards : The Psychology of Plastic

"We said that big banks can no longer take advantage of hardworking Americans," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said of the recent legislation that will restrict rate hikes and late fees charged by credit card companies. But some out there argue that credit card holders are just as culpable. It seems there is a fine line between who is really to blame: the companies that provide the easy credit with high penalties or the consumers that take easy credit and ignore the possible penalties.

Just how did credit cards become so ubiquitous in the American financial landscape? A recent article in Time magazine noted that credit cards have been around since the 1920s. Service stations, hotels and restaurants began offering credit cards when Americans began venturing out in their cars to a world beyond the convenience of their local banks. By the 1950s, over 20,000 Americans carried the Diners Club card in their wallets. That success was followed by American Express and Bank of America, which both began offering credit cards in 1958.

Flash forward 50 years and Americans are predicted to be in credit card default to the tune of $75 billion this year. It seems psychology had a little to do with that, after all no one forced Americans to obtain credit cards and then charge on them beyond their means. No, it seems that the perceived irresistibly of not actually paying now is hard to refuse.

A study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology showed that people can be quite irrational when it comes to credit. The study by Drazen Prelec and Duncan Simester showed that people don't perceive credit and cash in the same way and will pay twice as much for something, in this case basketball tickets, purchased with credit. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have estimated that the typical cardholder pays an extra $200 a year in interest on a credit card balance while keeping a large amount of cash in savings or checking.

It seems people happily ignore the fine print in those multiple-page credit card bills that come every month and focus instead on the minimum amount due, which is printed in large bold numbers. While the new credit card laws may offer consumer protection from the credit card companies, perhaps it is protection from the innate urge to whip out the plastic now and pay later that is the real culprit.

Here are a few tips on how to be smarter about credit cards:
1. Look over credit card bills carefully. Taking a few minutes to look at the fine print can save a cardholder money in the long run. While the new credit card legislation stipulates that lenders must say how much time it would take and how much money in interest would be paid if only the minimum monthly payments are made, it will be several months before that disclosure shows up on bills. In the meantime, consumers should do the math and make purchases with the long-term costs in mind.

2. Credit cards make it easy to track spending, so consumers should pay close attention to what goes on the bill every month. It doesn't make sense to carry a balance on lattes and lunch when paying cash for those items would save money in the long run.

3. Get a credit report and make sure the facts are correct. Credit scores determine not only a consumer's credit worthiness, but also the interest rate that will be paid on loans.

4. Make an effort to pay off credit balances, starting with those carrying the high interest rates. By paying a little extra each month, cardholders can chip away at debt and improve credit scores. However, financial planners warn consumers not to close accounts once they are paid off. A long history of good credit with many accounts is what credit scores are based on.


Ki works as a realtor in Central Austin. He maintains a website focused on Austin Texas real estate. The site allows future owners to search the Austin MLS as well as read stats and analysis on his real estate blog.
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May. 27, 2009 - Mortgage Rates Hover Near All Time Lows

There was not much movement in most of the major mortgage products this week. The 30 year rate dropped from 4.86 to 4.82. This is only slightly above the 4.78 all time low that was reached a few weeks ago. The 15 year rate dropped from 4.52 to 4.50. There was some interesting movement with the 5 and 1 year arm. The 5 year arm dropped from 4.82 to 4.79. At the same time the 1 year arm rose from 4.71 to 4.82. This is the first time the 1 year arm has been above the 5 year arm. Regardless both rates are pointless because they are at or near the same rates for a 30 year arm; therefore there is no reason to get an arm instead of a 30 year mortgage in the current market. Below are mortgage rates for the last few weeks and from 6 months ago on November 20, 2008.

May 21, 2009
30-yr 4.82 15-yr 4.50 5-yr ARM 4.79 1-yr ARM 4.82

May 14, 2009
30-yr 4.86 15-yr 4.52 5-yr ARM 4.82 1-yr ARM 4.71

May 07, 2009
30-yr 4.84 15-yr 4.51 5-yr ARM 4.90 1-yr ARM 4.78

Apr 30, 2009
30-yr 4.78 15-yr 4.48 5-yr ARM 4.80 1-yr ARM 4.77

Nov 20, 2008
30-yr 6.04 15-yr 5.73 5-yr ARM 5.87 1-yr ARM 5.29

As we can see rates have not experienced much movement in the last month. They have continued to hover around all time lows for the month of May. They remain substantially lower than what we saw 6 months ago. In addition to rates we always like to look at actual mortgage payments. We took today's rates and translated them into a mortgage payment for a 200k mortgage. We did the same thing with rates from last week and rates from November 20, 2008.

May 21
30-yr $1051.74
15-yr $1529.98
5-yr ARM $1048.12
1-yr ARM $1051.74

May 14
30-yr $1056.59
15-yr $1532.03
5-yr ARM $1051.74
1-yr ARM $1038.47

Nov 20
30-yr $1204.24
15-yr $1658.67
5-yr ARM $1182.43
1-yr ARM $1109.36

A mortgage payment this week is slightly lower than what it would have been last month. This is nothing compared to the saving one would get compared to 6 months ago. For a 200k house a mortgage payment is $152.50 less a month now than it would have been on November 20, 2008 for a drop of 12.66%. This is often forgotten when the media talks about home prices being down 15% to 20%. After one factors in mortgage rates along with falling house prices the actual payments could be down over 30%.

So what do we expect to happen over the next few months? As long as the economy stays week mortgage rates will probably continue to hover around just under 5%. Once the economy starts to recover the general expectation is that rates should start to rise. It's hard to know how high mortgage rates will go once the economy recovers. Estimates have ranged from 10% to 18%. Most of this will depend on how quickly the economy recovers and if the FED moves quickly enough to changes policies from boosting the economy to slowing inflation.


Ki lives in Austin Texas. He website provides a free Austin home search. He also provides a mortgage calculator widget along with a few other mortgage widgets that show updated information on mortgage rates.
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May. 27, 2009 - The Price of Clean Air

The term "cap-and-trade" is heard a lot these days when discussing global warming and environmental policy. What exactly is cap-and-trade? Well, it's the government giving companies an allowance (the cap) on pollution by setting CO2 emission standards. Companies that stay under the cap can sell (the trade) their leftover allowances to companies that go over the pollution standards. It sounds like a win-win, but cap-and-trade has its opponents.

In recent weeks the Environmental Protection Agency has declared carbon dioxide as dangerous to public health, and in all likelihood will move to regulate CO2 emission under the Clean Air Act. With that in mind, U.S. Reps. Henry Waxman of California and Edward Markey of Massachusetts have drafted a bill that would establish a U.S. greenhouse gas policy.

The Waxman-Markey bill, also known as The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, would use cap-and-trade to set CO2 standards across the nation. The ultimate goal of the bill is to reduce the number of available allowances each year in order to achieve an 83 percent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050. That's an impressive goal.

It's also a goal that many deem too expensive, especially in the midst of a recession. Some house Republicans have put the price per household as high $3000 a year to comply with the Waxman-Markey bill. A recent post on a Wall Street Journal blog stated that the EPA puts the cost at less than $150 per household each year. "According to Lisa Jackson's number-crunching crew at EPA, households would pay between $98 and $140 a year through 2050 for overhauling the country's energy landscape. Economy-wide, the impacts also seem pretty modest. It will take until 2030 for the national GDP to reach $22.6 trillion; if cap-and-trade is passed, that will just take three months longer."

The other concern is how the so called pollution allowances are set by the government. University of North Texas professor Bernard L. Weinstein stated in a recent Austin-American Statesman column that the government could either auction off the allowances or allocate them with a set standard. Weinstein believes that auctioning off the allowances to the highest bidder will put undo financial pressure on companies and consumers alike. He is a proponent of a cap-and-trade system with the government allocating allowances, at least initially.

The other concern with cap-and-trade is that it allows some companies, and thus some parts of the country, to continue to be big polluters. While overall air quality standards may be met, poor air quality could still exist in some parts of the nation. This seems incredibly unfair, not to mention unhealthy, to cap-and-trade opponents.

So what does all of this mean for Texas? Well, it could mean more money and even jobs for the state. While Governor Rick Perry remains staunchly against cap-and-trade policies, saying it will hurt the Texas economy, others point to the opportunity for Texas companies to be at the forefront of these clean air policies. New policies often require new technology and Austin is a perfect place for that technology to be developed.

Ki has an office in central Austin. His website has general information about Austin real estate. His website provides a graphical search of the Austin MLS. He also writes about Austin Texas real estate news and statistics on his blog.
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May. 21, 2009 - Even Lincoln is Going Green

If Abraham Lincoln's house can go green, anyone's can. President Lincoln's Cottage, his family's summer retreat during the Civil War, has been completely renovated during preparation for the compound just a few miles from the White House to be opened as a national monument. But it wasn't done as just any restoration of an old house, it was kept as green as possible.

To that end, Time magazine recently reported that renovators kept 98 percent of the existing structures and used recycled material for the rest. The buildings earned a gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, thus proving that going green doesn't mean it has to be a completely new house. In fact, greening an existing home is far more environmentally viable.

The Austin real estate market ranks in the top ten nationwide for building green homes. According to a recent Austin-American Statesman article, more than 20 percent of the homes built in Austin are rated green by Austin Energy's Green Building Program. And that's not expensive homes. "One of the interesting things that's happening in Austin is, early on back in the 1990s, everybody assumed green building green renovations would be for high-end custom homes, but now probably about 90 percent of what we rate are built by production builders. In most places, it's the custom builders doing green, but here, the production builders have really adopted green. And that is something that's unique to Austin," said Richard Morgan, manager of Austin Energy's program.

Of course not everyone is going to go out and buy a newly built green home. While a new home is more energy efficient than an older home, those who own an older home don't have to give up on being green. As reported in Time, homes built before 2000 generally use 50 percent more energy per square foot, largely do to all the heating and cooling that escapes through the multitude of tiny cracks and crevices in older homes. A good place to start being green, as well as saving some green, is by getting out the caulking gun.

If it's time to replace any bathroom fixtures, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a WaterSense certification system, which can help consumers choose toilets and other products with better water efficiency. The Energy Star program helps consumers choose energy-efficient appliances and other products.

Both green building and green renovations have the potential to create thousands of jobs. The Obama administration included $8 billion in the stimulus package for weatherization of low income homes. That will only scratch the surface of covering the costs for greening a homes across the country. The National Trust is working with members of Congress to create legislation that would offer rebates and incentives for things like installing better insulation or energy efficient windows.

However, if you don't want to wait on Congress, there are small things homeowners can do now to make houses more energy efficient. A good place to start is a home energy audit. The website energysavers offers do-it-yourself tips.

In Austin, Ki works with buyers interested in the Austin real estate market. He helps them with a search function of the Austin MLS on his website. The site also features general information about Austin real estate along with a real estate blog
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May. 21, 2009 - Easter in Austin Texas

April 12 millions of Christians will be celebrating Easter. After church service, many children will be on the hunt for colorful Easter eggs. Just how did the Easter Bunny appear in the Easter holiday?

The Easter Bunny hides painted eggs in the garden for children to find. It all began with the German and Dutch immigrants. The Easter Bunny was known as the Easter Hare. The name changed from "Hare" to "Rabbit" and this is how the name "Easter Bunny" came to be.

Spring is a new time of birth and both eggs and rabbits are symbols of new life. Rabbits, because this is when they are seen the most. Eggs are symbols because that is what they contain.

Many families celebrate Easter the same way. They prepare eggs for the children to hunt. The most popular way is to hard boil the egg and then decorate them with food coloring.

There are also plastic eggs that you can open and fill with candy. It has become a popular tradition. There are ways to make the plastic eggs a bit more exciting. Instead of placing candy inside the eggs, try customizing the eggs.

Easter egg hunts have been geared for small children, but anyone can enjoy an Easter egg hunt. Try filling plastic eggs with things you know each family member likes. You can put anything into plastic eggs. If someone in your family enjoys the movies, place movie tickets into the eggs. Loose change is always a good idea too. You can even create a basket full of plastic eggs with gifts inside the eggs for a specific person. This way, you know this person finds the correct eggs.

There are many different ideas on the Easter hunt. Just be creative and have fun.

Many hotels and resorts have planned Easter celebrations for their guests as well. Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop hosts an Easter egg hunt for the community; you do not have to be a registered guest to enjoy this celebration.

The Stephen F Austin Hotel has special packages for Easter weekend as well. Visitors can enjoy Easter brunch and many other amenities at the hotel.

There are many places families can go to enjoy and celebrate Easter. One place is Bastrop State Park. The park is open to the public and has shaded picnic areas available. There are also over night camping sites available for guests.

There are many ways to celebrate Easter in Austin. Whether you choose to dine out with your family or just stay home for a quiet Easter lunch, Austin has many choices available.

The hill country has many vacation homes and bed and breakfast's available for guests to enjoy. You can spend a quiet afternoon watching the wildlife from your front porch while the kids hunt eggs in the yard.

What ever it is you decide to do this Easter, Austin has variety and beauty. Take the time to spend with your family and enjoy what Austin has.


Ki has lived in Austin since college. He now runs a company focused on helping buyers searching for Austin real estate. His site has a comprehensive list of properties in the Austin MLS along with information on River Place Austin Texas.
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May. 21, 2009 - Thoughts on the Economy: Hope is Great, Real Proof is Better

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke predicted that the economy will improve before the end of 2009, but the country just might not notice it. Bernanke recently told Congress that he believes the economy is nearing the bottom and will start a gradual rise by the end of this year. According to the Associated Press, the Federal Reserve Chairman tempered this hopeful news with a prediction that there would also be "further sizable job losses" in the coming months.

The most recent sign that the economy may be a little less dismal these days was the latest report of the services sector index, which seems to indicate that the pace of the decline was slowing some in April. With over half the country working in service sector jobs like hotels, retail, education and health care, this is an important indicator for the health of the economy. According to the AP, at 43.7 in April the services index is still far below the healthy reading of 50, but better than the 40.8 reading in March.

However, not everyone agrees with Bernanke's positive prediction. "The most you can say is that there are scattered signs that things are getting worse more slowly -- that the economy isn't plunging quite as fast as it was," says financial columnist Paul Krugman. In a recent New York Times column, he listed four reasons not to jump for joy quite yet when it comes to the economy.

First, Krugman notes that industrial production is down to a ten year low and the housing sector remains very weak as foreclosures continue to mount. Next, he is highly suspicious of the banking industries recent "profitable" first quarter. Krugman believes that the banks are just rearranging furniture in the same rundown houses and few real improvements in the financial sector have been made. He also doubts the government's soon-to-be-announced stress test results are going to make things any clearer.

Krugman's last two caveats are that the bottom is impossible to predict and the ride up is a bumpy one. He pointed to the fact that during the Great Depression there were unexpected twists and turns on the way to the bottom and believing in a recovery too soon may actually lengthen the duration of this recession. Even once the economy does recover jobs will be the last thing to bounce back.

That is the one point where Krugman and Bernanke agree. The fed chairman agreed with many economists' predictions that the April unemployment rate will be higher than March's twenty-five year high of 8.5 percent. In the last eighteen months the recession has gobbled up 5.1 million jobs, according to the AP. The national unemployment rate "could remain high for a time, even after economic growth resumes," Bernanke said.

Krugman and other economic analysts hope that the Obama administration will not drop the ball on its economic recovery efforts. Just believing in a recovery is not enough to bring one about, unfortunately. The sentiment seems to be that optimism is great, but well crafted policy is better.


Ki organized a website focusing on Austin real estate. His site allows future owners to search listings from the Austin MLS he also provides information on mortgage rates trends.
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May. 20, 2009 - Mortgage Rates Start to Rise

Mortgage rates rose slightly this week. The lowest rates we have seen in the last 50 years came just 2 weeks ago when 30 year mortgage rates hit 4.78. Since then rates have risen slightly to 4.86. Although off of record lows mortgage rates are still very low by historical standards. The 15 year rate held mostly steady sitting at 4.52 but .04 points above its all time lows.

While the 15 and 30 year dropped both the 5 and 1 year arm fell this week. The 5 year arm fell from 4.90 to 4.82. The 1 year arm dropped to a 4 year low falling from 4.78 to 4.71. In spite of this arms still seem to be a bad choice because they are not that much lower than the 30 year rate. In addition, it's expected that rates will be higher in 5 years so it's better to lock in for a longer period of time at current mortgage rates. Below are rates for the different mortgage products for the last few weeks along with rates from November 13, 2008 (6 months ago).

May 14, 2009
30-yr 4.86 15-yr 4.52 5-yr ARM 4.82 1-yr ARM 4.71

May 07, 2009
30-yr 4.84 15-yr 4.51 5-yr ARM 4.90 1-yr ARM 4.78

Apr 30, 2009
30-yr 4.78 15-yr 4.48 5-yr ARM 4.80 1-yr ARM 4.77

Apr 23, 2009
30-yr 4.80 15-yr 4.48 5-yr ARM 4.85 1-yr ARM 4.82

Nov 13, 2008
30-yr 6.14 15-yr 5.81 5-yr ARM 5.98 1-yr ARM 5.33

In addition to rates we always like to look at actual mortgage payments. Using a mortgage calculator we determined payments for a 200k mortgage based on mortgage rates for different dates.

May 14
30-yr $1056.59
15-yr $1532.03
5-yr ARM $1051.74
1-yr ARM $1038.47

May 07
30-yr $1054.17
15-yr $1531
5-yr ARM $1061.45
1-yr ARM $1046.91

Nov 13
30-yr $1217.16
15-yr $1667.25
5-yr ARM $1196.53
1-yr ARM $1114.33

As we can see mortgage payments would be slightly higher today compared to a week ago. But they are substantially lower than 6 months ago. For a 200k mortgage payments would be $160.57 less today or 13.19 percent less.

So what is our advice for people looking for a house in the next few months? First of all I would start talking to mortgage brokers or potential banks as soon as possible. Although rates are low banks are still pretty skittish about giving out loans. This means that banks are not giving out loans over minor problems with people's credit reports. Therefore it's best to find out if there are any problems in one's credit report as soon as possible so they can be fixed.

It's also a good idea to lock in rates if you have found a suitable property. Moving forward there is more of a risk of rates rising significantly than falling. This is partially because rates don't have much more room to fall. The government has been working to keep rates down but it's unclear how much longer than can keep rates this low. As we talked about earlier there is no real reason to consider 5 and 1 year arms the little savings they offer do not seem like a worthwhile tradeoff compared to the chance to lock in at mortgage rates that are near all time lows.

Ki works in Austin Texas. He runs a site covering the Austin Texas real estate market. His site also provides webmasters a free mortgage calculator and a mortgage widget that shows updated mortgage rates.
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May. 20, 2009 - Getting Back To "Boring Banking"

These days it seems like bank is a four-letter word and bonus-getting bankers are bad guys, as evil as any comic book villain. All the hullaballoo about the banks passing the government "stress test" makes the average American want to say, "Who cares?"

Well, unfortunately we all have a stake these days in how the banking industry is faring, and not just because our tax dollars have funded billion dollar bailouts. The health of the banking industry is a direct reflection on the health of the economy, and we all pay the price or reap the benefits to a degree.

The stress test given to 19 of the country's biggest banks was conducted by the Federal Reserve to indicate the solvency and future viability of the various banks. Overall, the results were more positive than negative. Bank of America was told that it would need an additional $33.9 billion in capital to weather any future economic storms. Banks are likely to raise the needed capital through asset sales, future earnings, as well as raising capital from private investors.

In fact, the Associated Press reported that "10 of the nation's 19 largest banks need a total of about $75 billion in new capital to withstand losses if the recession worsened. The Federal Reserve's findings show the financial system, like the overall economy, is healing but not yet healed."

While it wasn't great news, it wasn't exactly bad news. In the days since the test results were announced, and even as early news leaked about the government findings, the stock market has continued to slowly climb. Investors seem to be tentatively sticking their heads up from the foxholes as some smoke clears from the battlefields of this recession.

But in many ways it also means the battle rages on for the average American. Banks in need of raising money will likely find ways to get some of those funds out of the little guy through higher fees on bank accounts and credit cards, as well as interest rate hikes. In theory, the stress test results are supposed to reassure everyone and thus get credit flowing. The banks that "passed" the test, like JPMorgan Chase & Co. and American Express Co., will hopefully be more willing to extend credit than they have in the past year.

Or as Justin Fox put it recently in his "The Curious Capitalist" column for Time magazine, it's time for banks to get back to "boring" banking. He contends that the current financial mess was caused by so called shadow banks that got away from well established banking practices and instead engaged in "bad mortgage loans, collateralized debt obligations and all manner of other lunkheaded lending decisions."

What's left of the banking industry now are the stalwart, FDIC insured banks that have earned money the boring way for decades. Fox contends that the rise of other financial institutions, like investment banks, hedge funds and banks focused solely on mortgage loans, took business away from the banks. Eventually banks like Citigroup and many others began to get into shadow banking to compete with companies like Goldman Sachs. The rest is painful history. It may take some time, and we will all certainly continue to pay the price for all that shadowy prosperity of the past, but banks are hopefully on the road to a boring recovery. Boring is good news for the little guy.

Ki's spent several years working in the Austin real estate market as an investor, now it is his business as an Austin realtor. His website has information and stats on Austin real estate as well as a search of Austin homes for sale for buyers interested in the market. He also provides free html mortgage calculator code on his site.
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May. 13, 2009 - The Austin Science and Nature Center

Hidden in the midst of the hike and bike trails that lead through Zilker Park is an Austin jewel: the Austin Science and Nature Center. The nature center offers many educational and interesting features, including interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, science trails with recorded information at each stop, and a live wildlife collection.

The center also is home to the Discovery Labs, which include seven mini-labs that explore the study of mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology, and geology, and there are collections of butterflies, bats, and bones along with the labs and other displays. There is also an authentic Texas cave to explore, and eco-detective kits for children and young adults to study and make conclusions based on evidence they obtain while on the trails regarding the different sciences and ecologies in and around the center, reinforcing the participant's learning abilities and critical thought processes while having fun.

There is also a Small Wonders exhibit with different insects, reptiles, bugs, and other small creatures, and the live wildlife exhibit features over fifty different types of wild animal life native to the central Texas area, including a large collection of owls, hawks, eagles, a red fox, a wolf, an alligator, and many other species, some with their young.

In the summer, there are many different camps held at the center for kids with emphasis on marine life, biology, and other scientific disciplines, and a breakfast with the birds series for younger children too. Currently, there is an interactive exhibit called the Naturalist Workshop and Trade Counter where children and young adults can study, view, experiment and trade among themselves the different rocks, bones, shells, fossils, and other interesting flora and fauna that they find, including microscopes and reference materials for their use, and staff members to assist and monitor them while they study.

An interesting feature which was fairly recently added to the center is the dino-pit where a simulated dinosaur environment has been set up for study of fossils, and other pre-historic finds, such as ancient bones, fossilized leaves and the like. Another very educational facility at the complex is the Beverly Sheffield Education Center which is housed in the old bathhouse at Barton Springs Pool, named for one of the first lifeguards at Barton Springs who went on to become the first director of the Austin Parks and Wildlife Department years later. Mr. Sheffield remained active at the center even after retiring from the city position, and he was commemorated for his many years of service and outstanding contributions to the Science and Nature Center and the Zilker Park area as well.

One of the most educational and interactive exhibits at the center studies the Barton springs ecology system along with the Edwards Aquifer and its many distinctive features, and the exhibit is called the Splash into the Edwards Aquifer. This exhibit also includes the study of conservation and the interactive exhibits include real life phenomena, live specimens, and working models so youngsters can study ways to contribute to the environment that relates to their community and lives.

The Austin Science and Nature Center is located at 301 Nature Center Drive, and the center is open most days until shortly after sunset, so if you want to see some really creepy crawly things, and find out how they work, where they live, and many other interesting bits of nature-related information, be sure to visit the center soon!

Ki graduated from UT, and stayed in Austin to work. He has a buyer focused website on Austin Texas real estate. There is a searchable database of the Austin MLS. He also writes a blog focusing on Austin real estate with statistics and market commentary.
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May. 13, 2009 - What the Pro's Know- Top 3 Remodeling Tips

Curb appeal is the equivalent to your perceived first impression. If you were a salesman, would it be advisable to give a "dead fish" handshake to a brand new customer? Absolutely not- the same goes for your home. You want potential buyers to be ready to get out of the car and look inside your home. As beautiful as your home may be, if the outside is not appealing, it will be very difficult to sell the inside of your home. Even if your home is not on the market, you must be conscience of curb appeal. It can make your home feel welcoming and truly a place that you and your family members want to come home to. If you're looking to boost curb appeal, try focusing on the following things:

Siding and roof- Is it in need of repair or a power-washing? Consider renting a power washer for the weekend and giving the outside of your home a good cleaning. Make sure your temperatures are above freezing before embarking on this task to ensure you don't do more harm than good.

Landscaping- Does it match your home or is it outdated? Are your trees and shrubs overgrown and covering the beauty of your home? If you are unsure, it may be a good idea to see the advice of a professional landscaper to get ideas and an estimate of how to update and improve your landscaping.

Windows, Doors and Shutters- Are you windows, doors and shutters in good condition and free from cracks and damage? If they are in need of an upgrade, consider energy efficient windows and doors, especially if you are considering selling your home. These are important features to energy conscience home buyers.

Porch- Is your porch welcoming, clean and clutter free? Ensure your porch reflects the comfort and style of your home by not stacking or storing junk on the porch and making it a welcoming and beautiful retreat.

When it comes to your kitchen, this is generally one of the first rooms a prospective buyers looks at. Modern kitchens function as the life of the home, which is much different from the kitchens of the past. No longer are kitchens tucked away and isolated- they are now as much as an entertaining area and gathering place as they are an area for cooking. Even if your home layout does not promote this type of feeling, there are things you can do to make it feel welcoming and modern. Consider adding a fresh coat of paint to the room to revive and liven the environment. Ensure that the paint and décor selected complements the kitchen cabinets so as to not detract from the room. Also, do a little bit of clean up work and remove as much clutter and items from your countertops as possible. Finally, take a look at the floor. Is your flooring in good shape, free of marks and chips, or does it need a little TLC?

If you can only make one update to your kitchen, focus on the most important: your cabinets. The cabinetry sets the tone for your kitchen, so an update to these can instantly revitalize the entire room. If you can't afford cabinet replacement, consider re-staining, re-facing or repainting your cabinets, all of which are more cost friendly options to total replacement. And, don't forget to update the hardware on the cabinets to complete the look of your new kitchen.

Finally, your bathrooms, even in spite of their small size, pack a lot of punch. They are the most frequently used room in your home by guests, so it is important that it is a welcoming and clean environment. Fortunately, in light of its typically low square footage, bathrooms are quickly and readily updated. They are also very important to prospective buyers. Some things to consider in a bathroom update are storage space, lighting, cabinetry and fixtures. Ensure all of these items are updated, clean and not in need of repair. It is also important to ensure these elements do not reflect a dingy feeling. You want to make sure it does not feel old, worn out and dingy- focus on fresh and updated.


Ki lives in the Austin area and has worked in the Austin real estate market for almost 10 years. He created a website for future owners to research Austin TX real estate. His site also has information on mortgage rates and a graphical Austin MLS search.
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May. 13, 2009 - Easy Home Improvement ideas to Add Value to your Home

With spring and summer just around the corner, home owners may want to spruce up their home. Whether you want to add value to your home to sell it or just to update your home for your own pleasure, here are a few low cost ideas that anyone can do.

Custom details can add dollars and character to your home. If you want to do a face life on a room, instead of crown molding, try using wainscoting instead. It is less expensive to use and comes in a variety of styles and you can easily install it yourself!

Ceramic tiles can add color and style to any bathroom, kitchen or fireplace. They are easily available and come in a variety of styles, color and prices. Mix and match tiles to create a special look or choose a color scheme to match existing colors in a room.

Changing light fixtures can change the appearance to a room. You can be as creative as you like. It can be as simple as buying a different lamp cover to changing the fixture over the dining room table. There are many different styles available. Just be sure to turn off all power before changing light fixtures.

Install carpet into a master suite instead of hardwood. You can do it yourself if you have the right tools, or you can have it installed by a professional, it all depends on what you are willing to spend. If this is too extreme, you can opt for an area rug instead. They come in many sizes and styles and they can add style and warmth to any room.

Pay attention to color! Color can be a homeowner's cheapest and most powerful tool. Choosing the right color can change to atmosphere to any room. Choosing the wrong color can be devastating! In this day and age of technology, there are many websites available where you can upload a picture of any room and try different color schemes.

Create multi-functional spaces. Don't just use your washroom for laundry; you can create a multi-functional space by adding something simple like a work-bench or a sewing table. Having open shelves can also keep the room from feeling cramped.

Add a patio to your home. Building a patio not only adds value to your home, but gives the homeowner a place for relaxation. This can be done yourself and is fairly easy. Begin by choosing your location. A small patio can be built in a couple of weekends. There are many ways to build a patio. Choose your brick, or pavers. Once you have decided on a pattern, you can prepare the site. Mark and square up the perimeters with stakes and string. Remove sod and excavate to a depth equaling the thickness of the brick and the sand combined.

You can lay dark plastic or thick asphalt roofing felt over the ground to prevent weeds from growing up through the bricks.

With a little imagination, you can add value and style to your home.


Ki has a comprehensive website focusing on Austin real estate. Buyers can search the Austin MLS for homes as well as searching for Austin commercial real estate.
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May. 8, 2009 - Finding A Neighborhood that Fits

Starting the search for a new home can be both exciting and a little daunting. Whether Austin has been home-base for years or a brand new place, deciding which neighborhood to buy a house in can be a big decision. If you could live anywhere, where would you go?

Generally speaking, the house hunt is restricted by factors such as price and commute. But that is only the start. Some other things to consider are schools, crime rate, taxes, traffic, and proximity to shopping or parks. The list of things to mull over when looking for the right neighborhood can get quite long.

Spending some time compiling a list of the most desirable aspects of a neighborhood--a dream neighborhood--is a good place to start. Thinking of the smallest details like sidewalks or bigger particulars like typical lot size can help narrow the list before the house hunt actually begins.

Here is a typical list of neighborhood specifics for a family relocating to a new area:
- In a good school district.
- Sidewalks and running trails throughout the neighborhood.
- Close to parks and pools.
- Reasonable neighborhood association fees.
- Reasonable taxes.
- Low crime rate.
- Within a ten minute commute to work.
- Close to shops and restaurants.
- Away from busy streets or main thoroughfares.
- Other families in the neighborhood.

This is just a sample of attributes a family may desire in a neighborhood. The list would look completely different for a young professional who may want the flexibility to bike to work or live closer to the entertainment district. The important thing is to come up with a few neighborhoods to focus on for the house hunt.

After compiling a list, spend some time driving and walking though the neighborhoods of choice. What might look good on paper may be a different story in reality. Even if a neighborhood looks nice and peaceful on a Saturday afternoon, the morning commute traffic could be awful on a Monday. Do some investigating by driving through the neighborhood at different times of day as well as different days of the week.

Getting out of the car and walking around a neighborhood can also be very enlightening. People tend to notice different things when on foot that can't be seen from the street. Also, don't be afraid to ask people's opinions around the neighborhood. While it's probably not a good idea to go knock on doors, talking to someone out watering the garden is the perfect way to get some insider information.

Next, head to the computer and search for information on the neighborhood through newspaper archives and other resources. The more information at hand the more informed one can be on the big decision of where to live. Also, look at neighborhood desirability by talking to your real estate agent about the stability of prices and how long houses tend to stay on the market in particular neighborhoods.

Perhaps the most important thing is to be flexible and keep and open mind. After all, settling in a new neighborhood is a big decision but also an exciting one.


Ki moved to Austin for school. After graduation, he got interested in the real estate. His website has information about Austin Texas real estate. It allows future owners to search the Austin MLS or read his blog with updated statistics on the Austin real estate market.
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May. 8, 2009 - Family Law: What Is the Probate Process?

Probate is a term that you've probably heard before in passing when someone has lost a loved one. Although, the term may be familiar, the actual process that applies may be unfamiliar. There is a lot of detail to the mystery of the probate process; however, it is not so difficult that the average bear can't understand when explained in simplified terms.

Probate refers to a court proceeding related to the settlement of a person's estate after death. The decedent's outstanding debts are settled. Legal title to all property is sold and/or formally passes from the decedent to the appropriate heirs and beneficiaries. A personal representative, executor or user will be assigned to conduct the affairs of the estate, depending upon the provisions of the will.

The process can be somewhat lengthy and complex. It is typical protocol to initiate the probate process via an estate attorney. Below are most of the steps included in the probate process:

* The executor, user or personal representative will hire an estate attorney to file a Petition for Probate of Will and Appointment of Executor. The probate case will be opened in the county in which the decedent lived prior to death. The petition will be filed with the clerk of the Probate Division of the county court. A copy of the death certificate will be presented with the petition.

* A date will be set to formally appoint the person named in the will as the user or executor of the estate. The executor is presented on the appointed date, the court inspects the will, issues an order to admit the will to probate and formally appoints the executor. The county probate clerk then records the will.

* Once admitted to probate, the will becomes a public record, along with subsequent filings submitted to the court. The filings are available to be viewed by anyone. Most states require public notice regarding the probate proceeding via publication in applicable newspapers.

* Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary are issued to enable the legally appointed executor or user to conduct the affairs of the decedent's estate.

* The user or executor conducts a full inventory of the estate, to include all debts, assets and monies owed to the decedent. Assets may include money loaned, a final paycheck, retirement accounts, life insurance policies or other forms of payment due.

* The executor or user will pay debts of the estate ongoing until the probate process is completed and all property is disbursed.

* After all estate debt and expenses have been paid, the executor distributes the personal property as directed in the will. Real estate can only be sold or transferred after a specified waiting period determined by state probate law. After the waiting period is over or expires, the executor then distributes the remainder of the decedent's assets or property.

* The executor is required to file a final accounting of the estate with the probate court clerk.

* Depending on the state law, the executor may be required to place ads in the newspaper to notify the public that the estate will be closed before the court will allow the estate to be finalized and closed.

Ki lives and works in Austin Texas. After graduating from the University of Texas he began working in the Austin real estate market. His site has a search of the Austin MLS along with information about mortgage rates.
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May. 8, 2009 - Mortgage Rates Start to Move Up

After moving down for the last 3 weeks mortgage rates finally started to move up. The 30 year rate jumped from 4.78 (equaling the all time low) to 4.84. This is the highest the 30 year rate has been since April 9th. The other 3 major mortgage rates rose this week as well. The 15 year rate moved up slightly from 4.48 to 4.51. The 5 year arm moved from 4.80 to 4.90 pushing it farther above the 30 year rate. It's been sometime since the 5 year arm was below the 30 year fixed rate. It looks like the 5 year ARM is becoming more of a relic for the conventional residential buyer. The 1 year arm kept mostly steady rising from 4.77 to 4.78. Below are rates for the major mortgage products for the last few weeks. We also looked at rates from November 6, 2008 (6 months ago).

May 07, 2009
30-yr 4.84 15-yr 4.51 5-yr ARM 4.90 1-yr ARM 4.78

Apr 30, 2009
30-yr 4.78 15-yr 4.48 5-yr ARM 4.80 1-yr ARM 4.77

Apr 23, 2009
30-yr 4.80 15-yr 4.48 5-yr ARM 4.85 1-yr ARM 4.82

Apr 16, 2009
30-yr 4.82 15-yr 4.48 5-yr ARM 4.88 1-yr ARM 4.91

Apr 09, 2009
30-yr 4.87 15-yr 4.54 5-yr ARM 4.93 1-yr ARM 4.83

Nov 06, 2008
30-yr 6.20 15-yr 5.88 5-yr ARM 6.19 1-yr ARM 5.25

In addition to mortgage rates we always like to look at mortgage payments. We took today's rates and converted them into a mortgage for a 200k loan. We did the same thing with rates from last week and rates from November 6th, 2008.

May 07
30-yr $1054.17
15-yr $1531
5-yr ARM $1061.45
1-yr ARM $1046.91

Apr 30
30-yr $1046.91
15-yr $1527.94
5-yr ARM $1049.33
1-yr ARM $1045.7

Nov 06
30-yr $1224.93
15-yr $1674.77
5-yr ARM $1223.64
1-yr ARM $1104.4

Compared to last week a mortgage payment on a 200k loan would be $7.26 higher a month. This pales in comparison to the difference between today's payment and what the payment would be on the same loan 6 months ago. Compared to November 6, 2008 monthly payments today are $170.76 less or down 13.94 percent.

It's hard to know how much longer 30 year mortgage rates will stay below 5 percent. Last week the government auction of 30 year bonds was met with a cool reception. If the US is not able to auction off its increasing debt we should start to see higher mortgage rates. Add this to the general perception that inflation is coming because of the massive stimulus plans that have been enacted along with an improving economy its unlikely mortgage rates will stay this low much longer.

Although some are seeing signs of improvement in the economy lenders have remained extremely strict in their lending practices. People that would have easily obtained a loan at most times in the last 20 years are being routinely denied. Therefore if you are considering getting a loan in the next few months it's important to start researching your credit score and talking to different banks or mortgage brokers early on in the home buying process.


Ki created a site escapesomewhere.com that has information on the Austin market. It also has a mortgage rates widget and a free mortgage calculator.
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May. 8, 2009 - What Exactly Is the Mayor's Job?

Campaign posters and early voting signs have proliferated along the roads like wildflowers lately as Austin prepares to elect a new mayor and city council. Voter turnout for municipal elections across the country is typically low and Austin is no exception. Despite being known as a city for politics, Austin voter turnout for the mayoral and city council races is usually around ten percent.

So, just how important is the mayor in a city that also has a city manager? The easiest way to explain the difference between the two is that the mayor is a political office and the city manager is a municipal employee, albeit an important one. According to a report by the Texas City Management Association, "The mayor and city council provide policy and political leadership for the city. However, the city manager will be responsible for implementing policy."

It is the job of the city manager to supervise department heads, prepare the budget, and coordinate departments. What then is the mayor's job?
According to the City of Austin website, the capital city practices a Council-Management form of government, as do most large cities across the country. This makes the position of the mayor largely a ceremonial one, along with being the presiding officer over the city council.
The elected mayor and the six-member city council are responsible for establishing policy through passing local ordinances, voting appropriations and creating an overall vision for the city. Will Wynn has served two terms as the 50th mayor of Austin with a vision of a strong downtown.

What are the visions of Austin held by the mayoral candidates vying to take Wynn's place? With a wide range of backgrounds and ages, the five candidates each have a unique take on the issues facing our growing city. According to Community Impact newspapers, native Austinite Lee Leffingwell would bring his military and airline pilot experience to "maintain the unique things about Austin through historic preservation." Leffingwell is also a supporter of small local businesses as a means of economic growth.

Former Austin Mayor (1977-1983) Carole Keeton Strayhorn seems focused on fiscal responsibility and transportation issues. Current council member Brewster McCracken would like to move over to the position of mayor with a vision of Austin's future as a clean energy city. He emphasizes economic growth and neighborhood improvements.

The two political newcomers to the mayoral race are David Buttross, a local businessman, and Josiah Ingalls, who works at Hilton Austin as a housekeeper. Both candidates would like to see the city reign in spending, while Buttross also has an emphasis on better support and training for municipal services like fire and police. Ingalls would like to see Austin held accountable for how it spends every penny of the budget. Also, four of the six city council places are up for election.

Fresh on the heels of the high-voter turnout of the November presidential election, most Austinites know exactly where to go to vote and may still have their voter registration card handy. It only takes a few minutes to vote, as the lines aren't likely to be long in Saturday's municipal elections. The city manager may bear the responsibility of the city's day-to-day operations, however it is the mayor and city council who craft the policies of Austin's future. And it's the voter who bears the responsibility for deciding just exactly who that mayor and council will be.


Ki's works in the Austin real estate market. His website has a search of Austin homes. It also has information on Austin real estate and Cedar Park.
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May. 2, 2009 - Banks Still Going Bust?

Some creative accounting, a Congress reluctant to offer any more help and the "stress test results" may squash a big comeback by the banking industry. The stock market is bouncing up and down as investors seem jittery about the banking industry, despite several major banks reporting first-quarter profits. Wells Fargo, Inc., Citigroup and Bank of America all reported better than expected earnings for the first part of the year.

Those booming bottom lines from banks are being questioned though. The New York Times financial columnist Paul Krugman warned Americans to stay skeptical as banks maneuvered their numbers. "The biggest positive news in recent days has come from banks, which have been announcing surprisingly good earnings. But some of those earnings reports look a little...funny." For example, Krugman noted that Goldman Sachs changed its definition of "quarter."

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner revealed recently that of the $700 billion in government bailout money dedicated to rescuing the U.S. financial markets, only $109.6 billion remains. While the Treasury Department said they expect the fund to receive about $25 billion in the next year as companies repay their loans, Congress seemed a little confused on the return taxpayers were getting on this massive investment. The numbers breakdown as follows, according to the Associated Press:

$355.4 billion - committed under the Bush administration to help bolster AIG, Citigroup, Bank of America, GM, and Chrysler among other companies.

$30 billion - additional funds given to AIG under the Obama administration.

$5 billion - additional funds to automakers under the Obama administration.

$200 billion - disbursed to more than $500 banks.

With all that money flowing to the banks, the Federal Reserve's "stress test" results of 19 major banks should be stellar, right? The results will not be publicly revealed until May 4, but early indications don't look promising.

According to the AP, "Federal Reserve officials told reporters Friday that all 19 banks that underwent stress tests will be required to keep an extra buffer of capital reserves beyond what is required now in case losses continue to mount. That would mean some banks will likely have to raise additional cash."

One way the government proposes that banks could raise more capital would be for the Fed to convert its stake in the banks from preferred shares to common shares, which have voting rights. Many analysts say this smacks of the dreaded nationalizing of banks. However, Congress seems very reluctant to loosen the purse strings any further for the financial industry, especially amid the American public's anger over bonuses and other bank excesses.

The next couple of weeks will be critical for the banking industry as they scramble to improve scores ahead of the Fed's public announcement of the stress tests results. For all the bailout money banks have received credit remains tight for American consumers and businesses and lending is still way down.

In other financial news, despite better than expected numbers for consumer confidence in April, the economy is shrinking at an alarming rate. According to a recent AP report, the economy shrank 6.1 percent in the first quarter of this year as companies continue to cut spending and shed workers.


Ki has worked in the Austin real estate for the last 5 years. His website has a searchable directory of homes in the Austin MLS along with general information on the Austin real estate market. He also has statistics on Round Rock Austin.
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May. 2, 2009 - Mortgage Rates Hit All Time Lows

The 30 year mortgage rate hit its all time low this week falling from 4.80 to 4.78. This matches the previous all time low that was reached just a few weeks ago on April 2, 2009. For the last month mortgage rates have been hovering a little below 5 percent. The 15 year fixed mortgage rate held steady for the second week at 4.48. While this is low for the 15 year rate the difference between the 30 year rate and the 15 year rate is lower than usual. Therefore, the 15 year rate should be seeing less activity than normal. The 5 and 1 year arm both dropped this week. Since they are currently the same as the 30 year rate they are seeing almost no activity. Below are mortgage rates for the major mortgage products for the last few weeks.


Apr 30, 2009
30-yr 4.78 15-yr 4.48 5-yr ARM 4.80 1-yr ARM 4.77

Apr 23, 2009
30-yr 4.80 15-yr 4.48 5-yr ARM 4.85 1-yr ARM 4.82

Apr 16, 2009
30-yr 4.82 15-yr 4.48 5-yr ARM 4.88 1-yr ARM 4.91

Apr 09, 2009
30-yr 4.87 15-yr 4.54 5-yr ARM 4.93 1-yr ARM 4.83

Apr 02, 2009
30-yr 4.78 15-yr 4.52 5-yr ARM 4.92 1-yr ARM 4.75


As we can see mortgage rates have been relatively stable for the last month. The 30 year rate has stayed within a range of .11 points. Moving forward its certainly possible rates could continue to hover in this range. The government is doing everything it can to keep rates low. Since rates are already at all time lows it's unlikely they have that much farther to fall. So we could continue to see rates hovering between 4.5 and 5.0 for the next month or so.

In addition to mortgage rates we like to look at actual mortgage payments. We translated today's rates in mortgage payments for a 200k house. We did the same thing with rates from April 23rd, 2009 and rates from 6 months ago on October 30th, 2008.

Apr 30
30-yr $1046.91
15-yr $1527.94
5-yr ARM $1049.33
1-yr ARM $1045.7

Apr 23
30-yr $1049.33
15-yr $1527.94
5-yr ARM $1055.38
1-yr ARM $1051.74

Oct 30
30-yr $1258.87
15-yr $1708.31
5-yr ARM $1245.77
1-yr ARM $1120.56

Since rates have been relatively stable recently we are not seeing much of a difference from last week. But if we look back 6 months ago we see substantial savings. For a 200k mortgage one would pay $211.96 less a month today for a drop of 16.83 percent. People often underestimate the importance of mortgage rates when buying a home. While a lot has been made of the fact that prices have fallen by 5 percent in some areas people have at times paid less attention to mortgage rates even though their drop has resulted in mortgage payments that are 15 percent lower.

So what is our advice to people looking for a home? First off talk to a bank or mortgage banker early on in the process of searching for a home. Banks are more stringent about giving out loans than they have been in the past. If you find a problem in your credit report early on in the process you have more time to fix it and still get a decent rate. Additionally, if you are denied by one bank you have time to search around for a lending institution that is more likely to give you a loan. Our other advice is to pay attention to mortgage rates over prices. While its unlikely prices will go up quickly in the next few months the same thing cannot be said about mortgage rates. Mortgage rates have fallen quickly in the last 6 months but they could rise just as quickly this summer.


Ki moved to Austin to attend college. His website provides information about real estate in Austin. His site also provides a mortgage widget and mortgage calculator code
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May. 1, 2009 - Tips on Camping in Texas

Texans have been doing it for centuries; camping! There is nothing like the great outdoors, wide open spaces, camp fire, tent, roasting marshmallows.
Camping can be the time of your life, or it can be a nightmare; especially in the Texas heat.

Don't get discouraged, or let the Texas heat keep you and your family from enjoying the great wilderness. If you play it smart, you can keep cool, even in Texas.

The first thing you should do is choose the right campsite. You should try to find a site that has trees that can provide shade in the day light. If your tent is cooler during the day, then the nights won't be so miserable. Also try to choose a site that is near water and is out of the path of high winds.

Once you have selected your site, try covering your tent, picnic area, ECT. with a tarp. Basically all you are doing is covering the entire site with additional shade. Not only will it help keep your site cooler, it will also protect your site from rain.

A tent can get very hot and humid inside. If possible, try to avoid staying inside the tent during the day time hours. Try leaving the windows unzipped during the day. This will allow air flow through the tent helping it to stay cool.

Drink plenty of water. It is important to stay hydrated no matter where you are, whether it is in Texas camping or in Alaska skiing. Water is the best option. Alcohol and caffeine will actually dehydrate your body, so stay away from them as much as possible. It is also important to drink lots of water during the day, not just when you are thirsty or hot. Keeping your body hydrated will help you stay cooler when it is hot.

When out in the Texas climate, it is important to dress properly. Try wearing cotton and always wear light colored clothing. Cotton breathes and lighter clothing reflects the light.

Try to avoid strenuous exercise or activity during the hottest part of the day, usually between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm. If you have a hike planned, try to start early in the morning so you can be finished earlier. Be sure to take plenty of breaks and enjoy the beautiful Texas scenery.

Always carry a towel or bandana with you. You can wet down the towel or bandana and wrap it around your head or your wrist if you get over heated.

Don't let the Texas temperatures scare you and your family away from a fun camping trip. Use common sense and follow the rules at the site you choose and you're sure to have a memorable camping trip.

There are many state parks in and around the Austin area. Many have public restrooms with showers available, just in case you don't like to rough it too much. Take the time and research and find the park that fits your family.


Ki wants to help buyers find Austin real estate. He maintains a searchable Austin MLS directory on his website. He has worked in real estate for almost a decade. His site also provides information about Westlake Hills.
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May. 1, 2009 - Pecan Street Festival

The "Pecan Street Festival" has been a part of Austin for 31 years. The festival hosts over 250 arts and crafts venders, musical and performing artists. There are also art classes, dance classes, a scholarship competition, a petting zoo and a carnival.

The Pecan Street festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd. All the fun starts at 11:00 am each day and runs until 10:00 pm on Saturday and 8:00 pm on Sunday.

The festival will have five stages with some of the most eclectic performances around. Tommy Tutone is scheduled to open the festival on Saturday night.

The Pecan Street Festival is a bi-annual event. The first festival is in the spring, and then there is another festival held on September 26th and 27th. Both festivals bring an estimated $43 million to the Austin economy.

The shows benefit local charities and is the primary fund raiser for the Old Pecan Street Association; an organization established to preserve 6th street.

When the street were first laid out for Austin the north-south streets were given the names of Texas rivers in the order in which they appeared on the Texas map; the east-west streets were given names of trees. Later these streets were replaced with numbers. This is how Pecan Street became 6th street.

Austin is known as being different and "weird" and this festival is just as diverse and weird as Austin. All kinds of people from all over the region and country flock to this festival. The admission is free and everyone is welcome.

The festival is located on 6th street, which is also the heart of live music and is why Austin is known as the "Live music capital of the world."

6th street is lined with historical houses and commercial buildings that were built as far back as the late 1800's. Many of the old buildings now house numerous bars and host many live music venues, art galleries and restaurants and cafe's. Many are landmarks and have interesting history behind them. 6th street is a very beautiful street and has many pecan trees lining the road on both sides. Many people flock to the famous street to listen to live music and see bands or just to say they've been to 6th street!

The Pecan Street Festival will also have many other venues besides music and arts and crafts. Austinites love to eat, and there will be plenty of food booths to choose from. Everything from "fair" food like turkey legs and funnel cakes to hot dogs and hamburgers, they've even added something new this year, there will be healthy food available for those who are conscious of their diet and health.

Another famous treat is ice cream. There will be venders serving various flavors of ice cream, so be sure to take time to sample some of your favorite flavors and keep cool.

If you live in Austin or are just traveling through, it is worth your while to stop by the Pecan Street festival. It is an "Austin" thing and is one way to keep Austin weird.


Ki works with Austin real estate buyers. On the site, buyers can search Austin MLS or read about the Austin real estate market. His site also has a real estate blog with updated statistics.
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A general blog about real estate with random tips and observations.

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