 | KGSR'S UNPLUGGED AT THE GROVE Apr 12 - Sep 27, 2008 7:30 @ Shady Grove Cafe (1624 Barton Springs Rd. Additional parking on Toomey Rd. Join acoustic musicians under the stars (weather permitting) each Thursday at Shady Grove for “Unplugged at the Grove". Upcoming performances include: Derailers, The Belleville Outfit and Eliza Gilkyson, to name a few. Get the schedule: www.theshadygrove.com/unplug.html. |
 | THE 2ND ANNUAL AUSTIN ICE CREAM FESTIVAL Saturday, August 9th 10:00 am - 7:00 pm @ Waterloo Park (12th and Red River) A great family event (you can even bring your dog), the Austin Ice Cream Festival will include games, activities, contests, live entertainment and of course, ICE CREAM! Enter the ice cream eating contest, homemade ice cream making contest or the popsicle stick sculpture contest (among others) to help raise money for local charities. Or, just eat ice cream and enjoy the festivities. The entry fee for adults is only $2 and children under 12 attend free. Learn more: www.icecreamfestival.org. |
 | IS AUSTIN RECESSION PROOF? Despite a national downturn parts of the Southeast and Western United States are booming. A recent Forbes Best Places article sites economically and culturally vibrant Austin as America's Fastest-Growing Metro (of the 100 largest U.S. metros). The study is based on economic growth predictions and Austin, with an estimated 32% GMP growth from 2007- 2012 and an expected population increase of 15% by 2012, tops the list! View the full article. |
 | WHY NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO "MOVE-UP" I've been studying market trends and I've recently realized that this is a unique time in the Austin market, an opportunity which should be taken advantage of! While the news continuously reports the mortgage meltdown one fact is getting lost in the shuffle: interest rates continue to be at historical lows. Despite the changes in the mortgage industry and the uncertainty in the stock market, financially qualified people can still get very good interest rates. While money is incredibly cheap right now, don't expect that to last long. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said that U.S. inflation "is too high", a pretty good indicator that interest rates will soon rise. At the same time, prices in Austin have temporarily flat-lined, much to the advantage of buyers. However, with Austin's expected population growth in the coming years, we expect prices to begin climbing again soon and return to the appreciation rates of the last five years. If you have lived in your house for three years or more, you have gained significant equity that can be used toward a home that more appropriately suits your current needs and desired lifestyle.  With Austin's economic growth expected to continue, interest rates at historical lows, Austin home prices stabilized, and some home equity, we are in a unique window of opportunity. To respond to this "perfect storm" of market trends, I have decided to put together a Move-up Program for my clients. Work with me to sell your current home and to buy a new one, and I will rebate 1% of my commission to you at closing. Give me a call if you are interested and we can discuss the program and how I can help you take advantage of the market to get more for your money. |
If you are considering buying/selling a home or know someone else who is, let me know, I'd love to help! I can be reached at: 512.470.8923 or brettsmith@cbunited.com.
Sincerely,
