Texas Realty Blog

Proposed RV Park For Homeless Put On Hold

Many east Austin neighbors are resting easier now that plans for an R.V. park for the homeless has been put on hold. City Council member Mike Martinez heard the neighbors’ opinions and promptly asked city leaders to table to project for at least a year.

Among the many issues presented by upset citizens at an informational meeting about the park was the opinion that the deal had been “backdoored,” leaving neighbors in the dark about the plans. The project aimed to provide mobile homes and manufactured housing on city-owned land – an 11-acre property off Harold Court in east Austin – in partnership with Mobile Loaves and Fishes Habitat on Wheels program.

So – where are the homeless of Austin to go? Martinez says he will remain committed through the next year to finding a place for the homeless. Whether or not they end up with housing on city property remains to be seen, but in all likelihood the subject of the RV park will not come up again for at least a year.

Austin TX One Of Nation’s Best Cities For Building Wealth

It seems like every time we open a newspaper or magazine, Austin is being ranked among the “best” of something.  This time, Salary.com has named Austin the 13th out of 69 cities in America for building wealth.  Texas was well-represented in the survey, with Plano earning the #1 spot!

Austin TX Real Estate Still A Sound Investment

Amid rumblings of a national recession and general real estate "slump," many experts still believe that investing in Austin TX real estate is a safe, stable investment.  According to the Austin American-Statesman, however, this could mean more difficult times for builders as new home buyers expect better deals because of the plummeting market.

What Affordable Housing Problem?!

With all the talk in Central Texas lately about creating more affordable housing, I thought it might be fun to take a look at one property in particular that will surely give the average sales price around Austin a noticeable bump up once it sells (if it sells, that is!).

Listed at $16.9 million, the Miller Ranch in Blanco County – about eight miles outside Johnson City - is the most expensive property for sale in all of Central Texas.  The ranch is in select company - according to the Austin Board of Realtors, it is also one of only eight properties listed over $10M in Central Texas. 

Modular Homes – A Greener Alternative to Traditional Construction

The modular homes built by Discovery Custom Homes have won award after award for their unique design and innovative construction.  Modular homes are less expensive than traditionally built homes, can be constructed more quickly, and are more customizable than your average home.  But did you know they also offer advantages for the environment?

San Antonio and Houston Named Solar America Cities

Last year, Austin was named one of a handful of Solar America Cities.  More of Texas will soon be relying on the power of the sun, as San Antonio and Houston were just named among twelve new Solar America Cities for 2008.

Through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar America Cities partnership, San Antonio and Houston will be working to accelerate the adoption of solar energy technologies for a cleaner, more secure energy future.  The cities’ solar partnerships (non-profit agencies, universities, solar companies, etc.) have committed to developing a sustainable solar infrastructure that removes barriers and encourages the adoption of solar energy by its residents and businesses, and increases the number of solar installations in the city. San Antonio and Houston will follow in Austin’s footsteps by taking a comprehensive, city-wide approach that lays the foundation for a viable solar market and provides a model for other cities to follow.