Flatrock Springs Development in Marble Falls Receives Final Approval

December 22, 2010


December 22, 2010

The Marble Falls City Council unanimously approved the development to move forward. Located at the NW corner of TX 71 and US Hwy 281, the project is expected to have about 2500 homes and 700,000 sqft of retail, commercial and office space. Residential options will include single family homes, town homes and apartments.



Developers have indicated that they will leave open space and include nature trails.

Austin 4th Safest Large Metro according to Study

Study Ranks the Most Secure Places to Live in the U.S.

Top Stories from Austin, Texas last week

Stay Informed:  What’s in the News in the greater Austin Area of the Central Texas Hill Country

“Texas Among Top Hiring States in 1Q, Report Says” from AustinBusiness Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2010/12/06/texas-among-top-hiring-states-in-1q.html?ed=2010-12-06&s=article_du&ana=e_du_pub
 
“Texas’s Unemployment Tax Rate on Rise in 2011” from Austin Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2010/12/08/texas-unemployment-tax-rate-on-rise.html?ed=2010-12-08&s=article_du&ana=e_du_pub


“Austin Tech Workers 12th Highest Paid in U.S.” from AustinBusiness Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2010/12/08/austin-tech-workers-12th-highest-paid.html?ed=2010-12-08&s=article_du&ana=e_du_pub
 
“Austin’s Barton Creek Resort No. 4 Golf Course in U.S.” from Austin Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2010/12/07/austins-barton-creek-no-4-golf.html?ed=2010-12-07&s=article_du&ana=e_du_pub

Austin Real Estate Sales Stats for October 2010

October 2010 MLS data for many Texas cities (current as of Nov. 29, 2010) are available on the Real Estate Center website.(From RECON publication, Real Estate Center Online News 11.30.10

 Sales  Change from Last Year    Median Price   Change from Last Year  Months' Inventory
1331            down 32%             $195,000           up 9%                         6.5

Sales are down but prices are creeping up - might be a good time to sell a home in the Austin area..... and there are still many bargains out there if you are thinking of buying a new home in the greater Austin area.  Interest rates are still SUPER low. 

Sue Ellett
Broker-Associate
512-422-7182 

Texas in Positive Territory in spite of House Price Declines Hitting Most States

House Price Declines Hitting Most States

Texas is in Great Shape relative to most other areas of the country - if you are thinking of buying or selling, now might be the time.

To view properties (FREE Service) in the Austin, TX or Highland Lakes areas, visit our website at www.ParagonPropertyGroup.com
or email me to get a FREE Market Analysis or your home's value.

Sue Ellett
Broker-Associate
Coldwell Banker United Realtors

Should I Buy or Rent a Home in Austin, Texas?

To Buy or Not to Buy – Should I Buy or Rent a Home?

Buying a home is not for everyone in every area nor is renting. Obviously consideration needs to be made on both a personal and market location basis.

The National Association of Realtors recently published results from it’s 8^th Annual Housing Opportunity Pulse Survey which indicates that nearly 8 our of 10 Americans still believe that buying a home is a good financial decision. 77 percent believe strongly or not so strongly, 68 percent strongly so. More than 68% believe that now is a good time to buy a home.

Here in Austin, we have fared better than in many regions of the country. A recent article in Newsweek ranked Austin as one of four Texas cities in its list of the 10 cities best situated for economic recovery. It described Texas as the “Number 1 destination for job-seeking Americans, thanks to a hearty energy sector and a strong spirit of entrepreneurism.”

With respect to housing, projections are that the Austin area will have increasing rental rates over the next year(s), which will make homeownership more attractive to many. Marcus & Milchap reported in November that area apartment vacancies are expected to fall with relatively few projects coming online. Developers report bringing about 2900 new units on line this year versus an annual average of about 4300 per year for the last five years. Rising demand and reduced supply is expected to push rental rates up about 3% in the near future.

In addition, the number of spec homes being built has decreased dramatically over previous years. The combination of these two reductions in conjunction with new job creation will likely create some reduction in housing availability. So far, we have had about 23,000 new jobs created this year and it is anticipated that we will continue to have net job increases over the next several years. The Milken Institute’s October 2010 Report – Best Performing Cities-2010: Where America’s Jobs are Created & Sustained lists Austin as #2

Fiserv Inc forecasts average single-family home prices to fall another 7.1 percent during the next 12 months in the US, though less than 1 percent in Austin. Continued home price declines are expected in markets that have been hurt most by the housing crisis. In Austin, however, we are fortunate to have many popular areas or popular price points that have remained fairly stable or had recent increases in values, not decreases.

Very low interest rates, tax deductions and even a small or neutral average appreciation, combined with relative market stability, potential increased rental rates and decreased rental availability and current home affordability mean that home ownership may make sense particularly for those planning to stay in a home for 3-5 years, at least in the greater Austin area.

For those who stay in their home and pay it off, there are obvious benefits since they will no longer be making mortgage payments - just taxes, insurance and maintenance. For those looking toward their future retirement, continued home ownership can be the right thing.

For many, there are psychological advantages to owning - personally I just prefer to be my own landlord, so to speak. I have the flexibility to do what I like and no matter what, I have to have a place to live. If I have to pay for a place to live anyway, I'd rather have the control myself and not rely upon a landlord to maintain the property properly and in a timely fashion or to keep a fair rental rate indefinitely.

Most investment advisors will tell you that you need to hold your investments in stocks or bonds over a longer time period. There will be ups and downs in the market, but over time, their goal is to make you money over that time period. Selling at any given time during that period may net you a loss or a profit. If your investment goes up 20%, have you really “made” money? I say “no”, unless you actually sell the investment. You could own that investment for 10 years and it could go up and down over time, but you really only “make” that gain (or loss) when it is sold.

The same could be said for owning a home or other real estate. Many markets have experienced substantial ups and now substantial downs. Over time, if you view your home in the same way as you might view your stocks and bonds, chances are you will experience a positive gain over time. The difficulty for many right now is how long that time period is and can you wait it out. One positive in the Austin area is that we generally have experienced a less dramatic downward market swing and are now trending positively in many categories.

If you know that you are going to have to move again in 2 years or think you may lose your job in the near future, it may not be prudent to buy, but if you plan on staying in your home 5 years or more, particularly if buying now while prices are affordable, it may well be the right thing for you to do.

To buy or rent - it’s a very personal decision, largely based on your own circumstances and locale. For some, renting is the way to go for now. For others, now may be the best time to buy and take advantage of low interest rates and affordable home prices, particularly here in the Austin area.

Most Americans believe buying a home a good Decision

Majority of Americans: Buying a Home Is a Good Decision

Great Article!

Foreclosed Development Sweetwater SOLD to new Owner

Read more about the 1000 acre Sweetwater property located on Hwy 71 in the Lake Travis School District.

Article

9 Tips for Attracting Visitors to Your Vacation Home

9 Tips for Attracting Off-Season Guests to Your Vacation Home | RISMedia (click link for article)

If you don't already own a second/vacation home and think that you would like to....visit our website at www.ParagonPropertyGroup.com and check out our area. There are many lakes and resort-type areas and opportunities here in the Austin and Texas Hill Country Area. There are 7 lakes in the Highland Lakes chain, all in close proximity plus rivers and so much more.

Buy a vacation home right here in the Central Texas Hill Country - it's a great place to live, work, play and invest!

Contact us at 866-693-7741 for a free Relocation Package or to get automatic email listings sent to you.

November 2010 Calendar of Events - Austin, TX

Enjoy all there is to do this month! And, Happy Thanksgiving!

November Calendar of Events - Austin, Texas Aarea

Austin #1 In Jobs in the Nation - for fifth month in a row.

Austin is a great place to Live, Work, Play and Invest! Here is yet another sign that Austin is the MOVE-TO location! Contact us for a free relocation package 866-693-7741

Austin, the 42nd largest job market, consistently outperforms all other metros. Based on state and national numbers, Austin grew 2.3% year-over-year by creating 17,300 jobs in the last 12 months (or 5% of all jobs created in the U.S.)

Other key points:
§ Total Austin non-farm jobs peaked in November 2008 with 783,400. September 2010 total jobs of 771,200 are only 12,200 off of our peak.
§ At our current trend rate, Austin could be back to its peak employment by May 2011
§ 22 of the 50 largest Metros are now experiencing positive job growth
§ Austin’s 2.3% growth rate compares to 1.0% for Dallas, 0.9% for Fort Worth, 0.7% for San Antonio and 0.1% for Houston
§ Texas jobs have grown 4 months in a row. The state added 166,600 jobs or 1.6% increase.
§ Nationally, 321,000 jobs (0.2%) have been added over the last 12 months. This is the third month of year-over-year growth, following 26 straight months of negative growth.

Link to Chamber Article: http://austinchamber.com/LiveWork/Economic/report.html

Central Texas Economy in Perspective
By Beverly Kerr, Chamber Vice President of Research
October 26, 2010 edition

For the fifth month in a row, Austin takes first place in a ranking of the 50 largest metros based on the percent increase in payroll jobs over the preceding 12 months. (source - US Burea of Labor Statistics)

Friday’s release of September 2010 payroll jobs numbers by the Texas Workforce Commission and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics saw Austin sustain growth over 2% year-over-year seen in the previous two releases of this data. Austin has added 17,300 jobs, or 2.3%, over the last 12 months. Job growth is now positive in 22 of the 50 largest metros. (source - Texas Workforce Commission, Current Employment Statistics)

Jobs in Austin are also up from August to September, by 2,700 in the not seasonally adjusted series, however, on a seasonally adjusted basis, the change is slightly negative, by -0.1% or 600 jobs. On the seasonally adjusted basis, Texas jobs are essentially unchanged and the national jobs total also registers a -0.1% drop in September. (Source - Texas Workforce Commission, Current Employment Statistics)

Job losses in this recession peaked at 24,400 (-3.1%) in September of 2009, year-over-year, but steadily narrowed thereafter and reverted to positive, by 0.4%, in April. With Austin’s nonfarm payroll jobs totaling 771,200 in September, the metro remains 12,200 (-1.6%) off the November 2008 peak of 783,400 jobs. If we were to sustain just a 2.3% year-over-year growth rate over the coming months, it would take until May 2011 to surmount Austin’s previous peak for nonfarm payroll jobs.

Austin’s aggregate job gain for September of 17,300 or 2.3% compares to 20,200 or 1.0% for Dallas, 7,800 or 0.9% for Fort Worth, 3,300 or 0.1% for Houston, and 5,800 or 0.7% for San Antonio. September is Texas’ fifth instance in a row of year-over-year job growth. The state added 166,600 jobs or 1.6%. Nationally, 321,000 jobs (0.2%) have been added over the last 12 months. This is the third month of year-over-year growth, following 26 straight months of negative growth. The national year-over-year deficit had been steadily narrowing since September. (Source - Texas Workforce Commission, Current Employment Statistics)

In Austin, four industries lost jobs and seven industries added jobs in the last 12 months (and one industry remained unchanged). The industries that see positive growth are manufacturing, financial activities, professional/business services, education/health services, leisure/hospitality, other services, and government. The most robust gainer in both numbers and rate of growth was leisure/hospitality with 10,100 new jobs, or 12.2%. Three other private industries (professional/business services, education/health services, and other services) also enjoyed above average growth.

Most months in this recession, we’ve attributed the highest job losses and rates of loss to manufacturing and construction/natural resources, but that is not the case in September. The two goods-producing industries combined lost only 400 jobs (-0.5%) in the last 12 months (a small 200-job gain one helping to offset 600 jobs lost in the other. Of the three service-providing industries with negative growth, retail lost the greatest number, 1,900 jobs (-2.3%) and information lost at the greatest rate, -3.1% (600 jobs). Private service-providing industries, with both gainers and losers, have seen a net gain of 14,700 jobs (2.9%) over the last 12 months, while government has seen a gain of 3,000 jobs (1.8%). (Source - Texas Workforce Commission, Current Employment Statistics)

Statewide, jobs in both manufacturing and construction/natural resources are up from one year ago—the former by 2.9% and the latter by 2.0%. Texas has been adding manufacturing jobs each month since February. Steady manufacturing job losses began in the summer of 2008 and the state remains 87,400 jobs or 9.4% below June of 2008. Construction/natural resources has also been adding jobs since February but jobs in the industry remain nearly 124,800 or 13.6% below their fall 2008 peak.

Texas’ largest gains occurred in professional/business services (3.9%) and education/healthcare (3.5%). As in Austin, the greatest rate of loss was in information, which is down by 7.3%. Nationally, the best gains were also in professional/business services and education/health services (2.1% and 2.0% respectively), and the greatest drop was 2.3% in both construction/natural resources and information.
We also now have September unemployment (and labor force and employment) numbers for Texas, local areas in Texas, and the U.S. However, the federal release of this data for all U.S. metros, that we sometimes do a ranking of, will not be available until Wednesday, November 3. (In August, Austin had the fourth lowest rate of unemployment among the 50 largest metros.)

Unemployment numbers for September show Austin’s performance relative to the state and other major Texas metros being sustained. In September, Austin is at 6.8%, while the other major metros range from 7.2% in San Antonio to 8.2% in Houston. The rates are 7.9% in Dallas and Fort Worth. The national rate is 9.2%. Austin’s rate one year ago was 7.2% and Dallas and Fort Worth’s rates are 3 to 4 points below last September. Houston and San Antonio’s rates are at or about the level of a year ago. Texas rate, now 7.9%, was 8.1% this time last year. (Source-Texas Workforce Commission, Current Employment Statistics)

On a seasonally adjusted basis, Austin’s September unemployment rate is also 6.8%, down from 7.0% in August. Texas’ other major metros seasonally adjusted rates are also each down by two to three points from August. The state’s rate is 8.1%, down from August’s 8.3%. The seasonally adjusted national rate is 9.6%, unchanged from August.
With Austin’s unemployment rate reduced over one year ago, the number unemployed has is also dropped. In September 2009, Austin’s unemployed was 64,329, and has now dropped to 61,923. There are 6,560 fewer unemployed in Austin now compared to the peak reached in January. Civilian labor force (employed plus unemployed) increased by 23,903 or 2.7% in the last 12 months and persons employed increased by 26,309 or 3.2%. Texas is also showing growth in employed (1.3%) as well as labor force (1.6%). Nationally, both civilian labor force and employed are above the levels of a year ago by 0.2% and 0.5% respectively. (Source-Texas Workforce Commission, Current Employment Statistics)

Information Supplied by
Lisa Altamirano
Sales Executive

2010 Best Places to Work!
Lake Travis

cell: 512.826.6666 | office: 512.261.7819 x2211 | fax: 512.261.7829

What's So Great About Austin, the Highland Lakes & the Central Texas Hill Country.

The Central Texas Hill Country is an amazing place in which to Live, Work, Play and Invest!

With our exceptional and convenient location between three other major Texas Cities ~ Houston, San Antonio & Dallas ~ you will find that the Austin and Highland Lakes area is not only rich in history, it also offers some of the most stunning scenery in Texas. World-Class Barbeque, Music Venues (we are the Music Capital of Texas!), Great Restaurants, many Fairs & Festivals, quaint small towns, a stable, diverse & growing economy, job creation, plus affordable real estate, the Austin area is a wonderful place to call home. Top that with our many beautiful lakes & rivers, hilly terrain, many golf courses, tennis facilities & other recreational activities plus a relatively mild climate, you will love living here!

Whether you are single, have a family or a partner, are retiring, just starting out, or buying a second home, the Austin area has so much to offer. Lake homes, luxury homes, ranches, condominiums, lots, multifamily, commercial property, golf course homes and more - there is something for everyone in the Highland Lakes and Austin areas.

Area Lakes & Rivers

The Austin/Highland Lakes area offers a wealth of rivers & lake that provide stunning vistas, wonderful home sites and many recreational opportunities. The Pedernales & Colorado Rivers, Lake Austin, Lake Travis, Lake Marble Falls, Lake LBJ, Inks Lake and Lake Buchanan are all located within a one hour drive from Central Austin – where else can you live and have so many wonderful options??!!

Vacation & Second Homes

Many people purchase second homes that they plan to move or retire to at a later date. This is a great option as it allows you to purchase your home at today's prices and use it for vacations in the meantime. Others become Winter Texans! Spend your winters here in Texas and your summer at another location - it breaks up your year and you get the very best of weather to enjoy. Many Winter Texan owners also rent or lease out their properties when they are not in residence. Because this is a popular vacation & second home area, it's easy to do. Horseshoe Bay on Lake LBJ is a highly desired resort location in our area.

Central Texas Weather

Our weather tends to be mild in winter. We rarely wear coats around here! Once in a while we will get a light dusting of winter snow or ice, but even if we do, a couple of days later it will be 60 or 70 degrees again. One thing that we have lots of here in Central Texas is sunshine - our golden days make life feel bright! Summers are hot and range in temperature from about 85 degrees to over 100 degrees occasionally, but for the most part, we stay in the low 90's during the hotter parts of summer. However, we are very fortunate here in the Texas Hill Country because of our many lakes, our evenings tend to be cooler and most evenings it is comfortable enough to sit outside and serve dinner on your patio. Those hill & lake breezes really make a difference.

Health Care

Central Texas offers excellent healthcare facilities with several more currently under construction or in the development phase. Plus, we are within easy driving distance of all the wonderful facilities that Houston & San Antonio have to offer.

Communities

Austin and the surrounding Hill Country Lakes & Towns offer many possibilities in a diverse group of communities and locales. While there are several communities that cater specifically to the 55 & over buyer, such as Sun City in Georgetown, there are many more possibilities that will offer a more mixed group of residents including singles, families, empty nesters, and, of course, second home owners. Golf course or lake communities, in-town lofts, quiet subdivisions, town home or condominium complexes, acreage tracts or ranches, you will have no trouble finding the perfect home.

Welcome to Austin & the Central Texas Hill Country

What are you waiting for? Contact us for a FREE Relocation Package, search for listings and area information on our website at www.ParagonPropertyGroup.com or sign up for FREE Listing Updates.

2010 Best Performing Cities where Jobs are Created & Sustained

Best-Performing Cities 2010: Where Jobs Are Created and Sustained

Texas metros dominated the 2010 rankings, eclipsing even last year’s stellar performance. Lone Star State metros occupied 11 of the top 25 positions among the 200 largest metros in the country and five of the top 10. For the second year running, the same two Texas cities claimed the top two spots, except Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood edged past Austin–Round Rock to take first among the 200 largest metros. Another way to highlight Texas’ dominance is that just two of the state’s 13 metros didn’t make the top 25, with the lowest-ranking metro coming in at 57th overall.

The 2010 top performers (with 2009 rankings) among the 200 largest metros are:

Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX (2)
Austin-Round Rock, TX (1)
Huntsville, AL (8)
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX (4)
Kennewick-Richland-Pasco, WA (n.a.)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (25)
Raleigh-Cary, NC (10)
Anchorage, AK (40)
El Paso, TX (14)
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX (5)

Excerpt from report regarding Austin: “Although employment fell in 2009, Austin’s unemployment rate peaked at 7.3 percent, roughly 3 percentage points less than the national figure. Austin’s relatively low cost of doing business for a leading knowledge-based economy hub, combined with a favorable business climate and access to an educated workforce, makes it a very attractive location to start or expand a business. Austin’s net population increased by 32,000 in 2009, according to the Census Bureau, compared with a peak of 48,000 in 2006. Austin hopes to encourage more high-tech services, recognizing that hardware and chip makers will create fewer jobs in the future. That said, Samsung intends to add a production line in Austin that will employ 500 workers to make logic chips, demonstrating that Austin remains a key center of U.S. chip manufacturing and will attract new incremental capacity in the future. On the high-tech service side, one recent success is Apple’s acquisition of Intrinsity Inc., which designed key parts of a chip for Apple’s iPad. Intrinsity had around 100 employees at the time of the acquisition, but it is likely that Apple will make additional investments and add more employees. Apple already has around 2,500 employees in central Texas. Many other high-tech service firms such as Google and Facebook are adding employees in Austin.”

Thanks to Lisa Altimirano at Gracy Title, Austin for providing this article.

Call us at 866-693-7741 if you are thinking to moving to the Austin or Highland Lakes areas, we'll be happy to provide you with a FREE Relocation Package. Go to our website for Free Real Estate Searches. www.ParagonPropertyGroup.com

Join us to Just Say "BOO" to Cancer at our Fundraiser - Oct 27th

Buy Raffle Tickets Online at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/ColdwellCares if you would like to purchase a raffle ticket (you do not have to be present to win). Just put $10.00 in the “Enter Amount” field (or any $10 increment) and put a note in the “Send a personal note to the person you are donating to” field that you would like to purchase a raffle ticket(s).



Join us on October 27th 4-8pm at the Bee Caves Twin Liquors for an evening of fun, wine & beer sampling and hors d'oeuvres. Lots of fun - Slipada Jewelry Rep - Get started on your holiday shopping!, Silent Auction Items and Raffle Tickets for three great trips plus a $500 Gift Card.

Call for more information 866-693-7741

Ribbon Cutting for Start of New Bridge Construction in Marble Falls

2pm October 25th - River City Grill - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Bridge Construction in Marble Falls

6 Reasons to Buy a Vacation Home Now

Read this article about buying a vacation home. The Central Texas Hill Country is a wonderful place to visit, relax and enjoy, and invest. Whether its an downtown Austin Condo, a villa on Escondido Golf Course, a Lake LBJ lakefront home, a Lake Travis View home or condo, we've got a wonderful lifestyle and plenty to keep you as busy as you like!

For Your Clients: 6 Reasons Why It\'s Smart to Buy a Vacation Rental Home

Contact us if you would like more information about investing in the Highland Lakes or Austin/Lake Travis Areas. We'll be happy to send you a complementary Relocation Package.

www.ParagonPropertyGroup.com

Sue Ellett, Broker-Associate
Paragon Property Group
Coldwell Banker United Realtors

It's a Great Time to Buy or Sell a Home - Cash Back Bonuses to Buyers and Sellers

The Central Texas Hill Country is a GREAT Place to Live, Work, Play and Invest
and now, you may be able to get CASH BACK at closing when Buying or Selling.

Thinking of purchasing or selling a home in the Greater Austin or Highland Lakes areas (Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay, Lake LBJ, Burnet...)?

We may be able to offer you CASH BACK at closing whether you are
BUYING OR SELLING.

First Responders, Medical Personnel, Educators
and
Military & Former Military

may be eligible for this CASH BACK program. Contact us to find out if can participate.

If you are looking in other areas, let us know and we'll be happy to refer you to an agent in that area and be sure you receive a FREE Relocation Package. Many programs are available in other locations too.

Special Loan Programs may be available also.

Also, Homebuyers - USDA Loans (100% financing) and BOND 77 Downpayment Assistance may be available as well.

Email Sue@elletts.net or call 866-693-7741 for more information on how you can benefit and receive CASH BACK or a great loan when you are Buying or Selling a Home. (Cash back is paid to buyer or seller after closing)

Visit our Website for more information.

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Fannie, Freddie Offering Hard-to-Beat Deals

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Fannie, Freddie Offering Hard-to-Beat Deals

Check this out - if you are thinking of buying property in the Austin and Highland Lakes areas, give us a call....

Paragon Property Group
Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
www.paragonpropertygroup.com
866-693-7741

Texas foreclosures half of national average - Austin Business Journal

Texas foreclosures half of national average - Austin Business Journal

Pricing has remained stronger as have sales, in the Austin region, especially in certain areas and price segments.

It's a great place to live, work, play and invest!

Texas Hill Country may be America’s best-kept secret for wine production - San Antonio Business Journal

Texas Hill Country may be America’s best-kept secret for wine production - San Antonio Business Journal


Come check it out! Lots of wineries in our area - we can send you a list! Contact Brooke@brookelemond.com to get yours.

Sue Ellett
Broker-Associate
Paragon Property Group
Coldwell Banker United Realtors
866-693-7741

October Events & Festivals in the Hill Country

Oktoberfest, Fredericksburg 10/1-3

German food, bier tent, live oompah music, arts and crafts. oktoberfestinfbg.com

Oktober Fiesta, Luckenbach 10/2

A celebration of both German and Mexican cultures, with live music and fun. luckenbachtexas.com

Hill Country Lavender Festival, Johnson City, 10/1-3

Celebrating the last harvest of the season with plein-air artists, an art stroll and wild-game dinner. lavender-landscapes.com

Wurstfest, New Braunfels, 10/29-11/7

German food, beer, Bavarian and Alpine entertainment, Kinderhalle for kids. wurstfest.com

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*October 24th 11-4pm at the HIll Country Galleria - 2 events:

The third annual Rolling Sculpture Car Show (www.rollingsculpturecarshow.com) plus,

Dogadillo’s 4th Annual Howl’oween event benefiting local animal rescue groups. It's a fun, free, dog- and family-friendly event & features the ever-popular pet costume contest along with animal rescue groups, local vendors, dog agility demonstrations, bands, activities for small children and the entire family. Visit www.dogadillo.com for more info.

======================

Don't forget to attend the BIA 2010 Parade Conservation Home Tour the first three weekends of October. $10 admission covers all 3 weekends, presented by Scott & White Healthcare. Homes are located in Marble Falls, Kingsland and Burnet.

And, remember, if you want to buy or sell real estate, call US!

October 8 - 6th Annual Texas Fall Fest & Wine Auction - Lakeside Pavilion in Marble Falls. 630-930pm $40/person benefiting CASA - wine chef packages, jewelry, art & more!

Austin among most increasingly popular desinations - Austin Business Journal

Austin among most increasingly popular desinations - Austin Business Journal

Check it out!

Austin 9th highest population rise in U.S. - Austin Business Journal

Austin 9th highest population rise in U.S. - Austin Business Journal

Austin second best college town, study says - Austin Business Journal

Austin second best college town, study says - Austin Business Journal

Scott & White eyes 116 acres for Marble Falls hospital - Austin Business Journal

Scott & White eyes 116 acres for Marble Falls hospital - Austin Business Journal

Great News - Scott & White Moves Forward in Marble Falls!

Announced today - this is great news for the Highland Lakes area - new jobs will be coming along with new residents. This is a wonderful growth opportunity.

November 19th Christmas Light Up Parade in Marble Falls

Come to Marble Falls on November 19th for the Christmas Light Up Parade which starts on Main Street and culminates in Johnson park at the Walkway of Lights location.

Start your holidays off right!

Austin 9th highest population rise in U.S. - Austin Business Journal

Austin 9th highest population rise in U.S. - Austin Business Journal

Spanish Oaks, Rocky Creek Ranch sold - Austin Business Journal

Spanish Oaks, Rocky Creek Ranch sold - Austin Business Journal

NW Austin/Lake Travis area subdivisions

Report: Austin among least stressed in U.S. - Austin Business Journal

Report: Austin among least stressed in U.S. - Austin Business Journal

We know it's a great place to live, work, play and invest - that's way many people are making their way to live in the Austin/Central Texas Hill Country areas.

Call or email us for a free Relocation package and check out our website at www.ParagonPropertyGroup.com for more area information and Real Estate available for sale.

We can help you buy your new home, acreage, second home or investment property here in this amazing locale!

Sue Ellett 512-422-7182

Main Street Market Days in Marble Falls - Sept 11th

Over 100 Vendors on Main Street in Marble Falls - come check it out - crafts, art, food, jewelry and more.

Don't Forget to Renew your Texas Hunting & Fishing License

Don't forget to renew your hunting and fishing license which expired August 31. You can renew online at the TPWD web site.

TPWD: General License Information

www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Grape Stomp Anyone??

Check out the following Hill Country area "Grape Stomps"


August 28
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Fall Creek Vineyards Toasts 21st Annual Grape Stomp Tradition - Eat, Drink and be Lucy ! Winery tours, Live music, and more /  325/379-5361 www.fcv.com   /1820 CR  2221/222 off Hwy 29 at Tow, Tx
 
August 28 - 29
*  10th Annual Grape Stomp at Texas Hills Vineyard/ 830/868-2321
www.texashillsvineyard.com
*  13th Annual Grape Stomp at Becker Vineyards www.beckervineyards.com  
 

LakeTravis ISD in land deals for up to six new schools | beecavebee.com

LTISD in land deals for up to six new schools | beecavebee.com

New School chooses Lakeway for its third location - after London and New York | beecavebee.com

New School chooses Lakeway for its third location - after London and New York | beecavebee.com

Abercorn International School will offer the International Baccalaureate Program for Primary Years and will offer Spanish and Chinese from the earliest ages....

Another great reason to choose the Lakeway/Lake Travis area to live....contact us about all of your Real Estate needs, whether buying or selling throughout the Highland Lakes and Austin areas.

2010/2011 Area School Calendars & Information

Thanks to Gracy Title for providing this great information!

Visit our website for even more real estate and area information.

http://gracytitle.com/e-flyer/8x8/SchoolCalendars/lisa.html

		Austin: Calendar │ Supplies Bastrop: Calendar │ Supplies Del Valle: Calendar │ Supplies Dripping Springs: Calendar │ Supplies Eanes: Calendar │ Supplies Elgin: Calendar │ Supplies Georgetown: Calendar │ Supplies Hays: Calendar │ Supplies Hutto: Calendar │ Supplies Lago Vista: Calendar │ Supplies Lake Travis: Calendar │ Supplies		Leander: Calendar │ Supplies Liberty Hill: Calendar │ Supplies Lockhart: Calendar │ Supplies Luling: Calendar │ Supplies Manor: Calendar │ Supplies Marble Falls: Calendar │ Supplies Pflugerville: Calendar │ Supplies Round Rock: Calendar │ Supplies San Marcos: Calendar │ Supplies Taylor: Calendar │ Supplies Wimberley: Calendar │ Supplies
	August 14th - 2010 Back to School Bash August 20th - 22nd - Back to School Sales Tax Weekend
				Lisa Altamirano Sales Executive Direct 826.6666 lisa.altamirano@gracytitle.com

Happenings in Bee Cave

Whole Foods announced it will open in the Hill Country Galleria in late 2011 or early 2012.

Plus 3 new restaurants are coming...

To be located near Dillard's, two new themed establishments from the same company will be opening by December:

Guy Harvey's Tropical Island Grill will feature works from Harvey himself and a fish centered menu.

Wyland's Ocean Blue is a combo lounge, upscale restaurant and art gallery featuring Wyland's highly recognizable ocean art and a surf and turf style menu.

Opening in September in the old Fish City Grill space near Iron Cactus, this Argentinian style cafe promises authentic local cuisine.

As always, visit our website www.ParagonPropertyGroup.com for even more area news and Real Estate information.

Marble Falls - Drag Fest

Drag Fest is almost here. The annual boat races on Lake Marble Falls draws crowds every year. This year's festivities will take place from August 13-15th.

Austin 10th fastest-growing exporter in U.S. - Austin Business Journal

Austin 10th fastest-growing exporter in U.S. - Austin Business Journal

Austin rates again!

Austn - one of the Top 10 Places to Retire!

Thinking of moving to our area? Contact us for more information about living in Austin, the Lake Travis area or in the Highland Lakes at Lake LBJ, Horseshoe Bay or Marble Falls. We'll be happy to send you a complimentary relocation package. Let us know what you are looking for and we can forward you listings that may meet your needs.

Sue Ellett, Broker-Associate
Paragon Property Group
Coldwell Banker United Realtors
512-422-7182
sue@elletts.net


Out of 100 most popular retirement towns for 2010, Austin ranks number 5! The cultural and other activities associated with The University of Texas is a major draw. Our cosmopolitan and high-tech, quirky soul is another. Plus, we has a relatively low cost of living.





The top 10 places to retire

Plus two bonus towns for you to consider

By Robert Powell, MarketWatch

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Where do you want to live in retirement? Most folks age in place. But there are those who spend their golden years in dreamy locales. Where are those places?

Well, the 100 most popular retirement towns for 2010 are -- no surprise -- mostly located in the Sun Belt states, according to TopRetirements.com. In fact, 68 of the 100 top positions were occupied by warm-climate towns. Florida dominated the list, taking 23 of the spots, followed by North Carolina (11) and South Carolina (8). /conga/personal-finance/retirement_seo.html 60531

But there are 25 new towns on the list, according to John Brady, editor of the second edition of 100 Best Retirement Towns. Some of the 25 new cities on the list include Boulder, Colo., Eugene Ore., Santa Fe N.M., Chattanooga Tenn., Cheyenne Wyo., Portland, Maine, Smyrna Del., and Cape Coral, Fla.

According to Brady, the 100 most popular retirement towns list is compiled by calculating the 100 towns with the most online visits of the 450 cities reviewed at Topretirements.com. The list is essentially a popularity contest; it reflects the towns that site visitors are the most interested in for retirement.

"One thing is clear," Brady said of the trends he's noticed in this year's list. "The Sun Belt is so dominant because people are interested in retiring to where it's warm." In addition, he said this year's list is dominated by college towns. People are looking for place to retire where they have access to intellectually challenging activities.

That said, the towns with the most online visits include:

Asheville, N.C. Asheville is a long-time favorite, said Brady. Part of its ongoing appeal is its climate (it's mild year round); its location (it's in the Blue Ridge Mountains; there's water everywhere for fishing and boating, and its downtown is walkable and dynamic); its housing stock (there's a wide range of upscale housing opportunities for seniors). What's not so special is that Asheville gets crowded in the summer and overdevelopment is coming.
Sarasota, Fla. According to Brady, Sarasota is the cultural capital of Florida. Part of its appeal is that is has one of Florida's best downtowns, a downtown that includes an impressive array of cultural facilities such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. On the downside, there are a lot of tourists and traffic in winter, and summers are hot. Of note, the Ringling Brothers located the winter quarters of their circus in Sarasota.
Prescott, Ariz. An old mining town, Brady says retirees choose this location for its warm climate and interesting setting. The town, which borders the Prescott National Forest, features 525 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and Whiskey Row. On the downside, there are a lot of tourists. At an elevation of 5,400 feet, the winters are colder here than the rest of Arizona. Plus, there are watering restrictions, according to TopRetirements.com.
Paris, Tenn. According to Brady, retirees come to Paris, which is roughly equidistant from Nashville and Memphis, because they like living near one of the largest manmade lakes in the world. "People go there to fish and relax," said Brady of Paris. (By way of background, the city also claims to have the world's largest fish fry.) Plus, Paris has a low cost of living compared with other retirement hot spots. The median sales price of a home here in 2009 was well below $100,000. On the downside, big city amenities are two hours away.
Austin, Texas. Austin is becoming a popular retirement community for a variety of reasons, according to TopRetirements.com. The University of Texas and its array of cultural and other activities is perhaps the biggest draw for Austin, its cosmopolitan and high-tech, quirky soul is another reason. Plus, it has a relatively low cost of living, said Brady. On the downside, the summers are hot and humid and the city might be too big and fast-paced for those seeking peace and quiet.
Green Valley, Ariz. According to Brady, Green Valley, which is 20 miles south of Tuscon, has one of the largest active adult communities in the world. The average age, by the way, is 72. Consider: It has nine golf courses; two recreation centers with over 126,000 square feet of facilities; countless swimming pools and spas; numerous tennis courts, fitness centers, and classes; and every type of crafts and clubs. "There are so many things going on there," he said. "There's something for everyone." On the downside, it's a bit remote. In fact, it's just 40 miles north of the border of Mexico. "... so close that there have been a few scenes with federales and desperados running through Green Valley," reports TopRetirements.com.
Winston-Salem, N.C. Why Winston-Salem is the seventh most visited place on the TopRetirements.com's Web site is a bit of a mystery to Brady. To be sure, there's culture (Reynolda Gardens and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art) and a downtown that features the Wachovia Center. And the cost of living is low ($120,000 is the average home price). But on the downside, Brady's Web site reports that development is proceeding very quickly, with attendant traffic. And some young professionals say there is not enough to do in the Twin Cities. Plus, crime is a concern in Winston-Salem.
Beaufort, S.C. Beaufort is a terrific place to love, not far from Hilton Head and Savannah, said Brady. What's special about this city? It's a charming old town in the Sea Island. It's won tons of awards, including "Best Small Southern Town," "Small Town Arts" and "Best Fishing Town." It has plenty of golf courses. The city has 304 acres designated as a National Historic Landmark. And the winters are mild. What's not so special, according to TopRetirements.com: It can be over run by tourists in season Not for people in the fast lane.
San Diego. To Brady, San Diego has the "most perfect weather in the country." Its scenery, climate (there's only 10 inches of rain on average per year), and lifestyle (the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Gas Lamp District and Torrey Pines Golf Course) are second to none and appeal to active adults 55+, reports TopRetirements.com. On the downside, it's expensive and the traffic -- well, it is California.
Ft. Myers, Fla. Now that the housing market has crashed, Ft. Myers has become a less expensive place in which to retire. The median selling price at the end of 2009 was $98,000, reports Brady. What else is so special about Ft. Myers? Well, there's the beach, a charming old downtown area, the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter estates, world-class shopping. golf and fishing; and something for everybody. Plus, it's the spring training home for Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. On the downside: Oppressively hot, humid summers; traffic; way too much development, now in a bust cycle; too many strip malls.

According to Brady, there are two other cities/towns that retirees might want to consider from the top 100 list. Those include Portland, Maine, which if you don't mind winters is an up and coming retirement spot, and Smyrna Del., which is a small, former farming town of about 8,000 in north central Delaware midway between Wilmington and the oceanside community of Lewes. The latter town has plenty of active adult communities, beaches and land, and an attractive tax structure.

Learn more about TopRetirement.com's list at this Web site.

Robert Powell is the editor of Retirement Weekly. Learn more about Retirement Weekly at this Web site .

Robert Powell has been a journalist covering personal finance issues for more than 20 years, writing and editing for publications such as The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and Mutual Fund Market News.

Austin 5th best city for college grads - Austin Business Journal

Austin 5th best city for college grads - Austin Business Journal

Another great kudo for the Austin area!

Thinking of moving to the Austin or Highland Lakes areas of the Central Texas Hill Country? Call us for all your relocation and real estate needs.

Sue Ellett, Broker-Associate
Coldwell Banker United Realtors
512-422-7182

Austin picked as top entrepreneurial center in U.S. - Austin Business Journal

Austin picked as top entrepreneurial center in U.S. - Austin Business Journal

Austin does it again! Thinking of moving to the Austin/Highland Lakes area in the Central Texas Hill Country? It's a great place to live, work, play and invest.

Call us for all of your real estate and relocation needs.

Sue Ellett, Broker-Associate
Coldwell Banker United Realtors
512-422-7182

Summit Rock Golf Course at Skywater Update

Sodding has begun at Summit Rock Golf Course in Skywater at Horseshoe Bay. The course plans to open in Spring, 2011.

Thinking of moving to Horseshoe Bay? Give us a call to check out lots, golf course lots or homes available to buy in the Horseshoe Bay and Skywater area. The Central Texas Hill Country is a great place to live,work,plat and invest!

Sue Ellett, Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker United Realtors
512-422-7182

What's Happening -Austin & the Highland Lakes - July 2010

SPORTS

7/3, 7:30 am
Nelson Scholarship 5K
Georgetown
http://www.nelsontennisfoundation.net

7/3, 8 am
Lago Vista Firecracker 5k
Lago Vista
http://lagovistajuly4.org

7/4, 8 am
Freedom 5000
Austin
http://www.runtex.com/web/2-2602.asp

7/10, 8 am
Brown Santa Christmas in July 5K and Kids K
Leander
http://wilco.sharepointsite.com/PIO/Santa/default.aspx

7/10, doors @ 6:30
The Next Generation! Half Boxing,
Half Mma And All Action!
There will be live performances by Patrice Wilson and local musicians The Ben Burgess Band!
Austin Music Hall
http://www.austinmusichall.com

Roller Derby
7/10 - Cherry Bombs vs. Hellcats
7/24 - Holy Rollers vs. Rhinestone Cowgirls
Austin Convention Center
http://www.txrd.com/schedule.php

7/11, 8 am
Couples Triathlon
Austin
http://www.couplestri.com




7/17, 8 am
Vern’s No Frills 5k - Race #16
Georgetown
http://www.runtex.com/web/2-3132.asp

7/18, 7 am
Marble Falls Triathlon
Marble Falls
http://www.marblefallstri.com

7/24, 7 pm
Capt’n Karl’s Run: The Lake - 60K, 30K & 10K
Burnet
http://www.tejastrails.com/CaptKarl.html

7/24, 7 am
Cougar Country Classic 5k
Austin
http://www.redlicoriceevents.com/events/Cougar_Country_
Classic_5k_2010.html

Round Rock Express Schedule
Minorleagues Baseball
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/schedule/
index.jsp?sid=t102

Austin Aztex Soccer Games
Visit web site for schedule
http://www.austinaztex.com/schedule/calendar

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

7/1, 6 pm
First Thursday
Congress Avenue Bridge, Austin
http://events.austin360.com/austin-tx/events/show/
117037745-first-thursday

7/2-3, 6 pm
Livestock/Rodeo
Veterans Park, Wimberley
http://www.visitwimberley.com/rodeo

7/9 - 8/14
Thursdays - Sundays • approx. 8:30 pm [at dusk]
52th Annual Zilker Summer Musical
Zilker Hillside Theatre, Austin
http://www.zilker.org

7/16
4th Annual Tech Tune Up
Austin Community College’s
Cypress Creek Campus
http://www.wcaor.org

7/17, 8 am
Cedar Chopper BBQ Cook-off
Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park
http://www.cedarparkchamber.org

7/23-24
Gourmet Chili Pepper & Salsa Festival
Wildseed Farms 7 miles east of Fredericksburg
http://www.wildseedfarms.com/events.html

7/23, 6 pm – 8 pm
Special Needs Luau
Dancing, food, photos and prizes for those with special
needs, ages 15 and older
Georgetown Community Center
http://www.parks.georgetown.org

ART AND CULTURE

Wednesdays in July, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Children’s Day Art Park
For just 50 cents per child, kids and adults can experience
the magic of the arts at Children’s Day Art Park
7/7 - Lucas Miller
7/14 - Jon Emory and the Teddy Bear Picnic (Bring your bear!)
7/21– Beto y los Fairlanes
7/28 – Biscuit Brothers
Symphony Square Amphitheatre, Austin
http://www.austinsymphony.org

7/10, 7:15 pm
Canadian Brass
Bass Concert Hall, Austin
http://www.texasperformingarts.org/event/canadianbrass

7/11, 7/18 & 7/25, 7:30 pm
Hartman Foundation Concerts in the Park
Long Center for the Performing Arts, Austin
http://www.austinsymphony.org/tickets/events/hartman-
foundation-concerts-in-the-park/

7/17, 10 pm
Battle of the Sexes Improv Showdown
Two teams of improvisers, divided along gender lines,
will go head-to-head at
The Long Center
The Hideout Theatre, Austin
http://www.thelongcenter.org

6/18 - 7/11
“The Queen of Bingo”
The Georgetown Palace Theatre
810 S. Austin Ave, Georgetown
Fri. and Sat. 7:30 pm, Sun. 2 pm
http://www.georgetownpalace.com

7/23-25, Check website for schedule
The Peddler Show
Perfect Street of Shops, Cedar Park
http://www.cedarparkcenter.com/events/events

MUSIC

7/1, doors @ 8 pm
Led Zeppelin 2 – The Live Experience
La Zona Rosa
http://www.lazonarosa.com

7/6 , doors @ 8 pm
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
La Zona Rosa
http://www.lazonarosa.com

7/18 & - 8/18, 7:30 pm
Free Concert Series
Blues On The Green
Zilker Park, Austin
http://www.kgsr.com/other/blues

7/19, 7 pm
Silversun Pickups
Stubb’s Bar-B-Q and Waller Creek Amphitheatre
Austin
http://www.stubbsaustin.com

7/23, 8 pm
Wisin & Yandel
Frank Erwin Center, Austin
http://www.uterwincenter.com

Every Wednesday
98.1 KVET’s FREE Texas Music Series
Hill’s Cafe, South Austin
http://www.texasmusicseries.com/main.html







information provided by Gravy Title, Lisa Altimarano

Senior Adult Organizations & Information for Central Texas

Great Resource for Mature Adults in our Central Texas (Austin & the Highland Lakes) areas.

Click here to read about Senior Adult Organizations, Interest Groups, and
Helpful Services in your area

And don't forget, contact us if we can assist you with buying or selling in our area. We look forward to helping you!

866-693-7741

Austin - 1 of the 10 Most Recession Proof Cities according to Metro Monitor - Brookings Institute

Thinking of buying a home in Austin? Thinking of moving to the Austin area? Here's one more reason to move to Austin.... It's a wonderful place to live, work play & invest!

Contact us for a FREE relocation package from Paragon Property Group, Coldwell Banker United Realtors(r) 866-693-7741 or contact me at suemellett@yahoo.com

Daily Real Estate News | June 28, 2010 |

10 Most Recession-Proof U.S. Cities
The most recession-proof cities didn’t see home prices surge in the first place, says the MetroMonitor, a quarterly report released by Brookings Institute's Metropolitan Policy Program.

MetroMonitor identified 21 large metro areas that have enjoyed robust economies and stable labor and housing markets in the last few years.

"Most of these cities have some general characteristics in common," says Howard Weil, author of the report and a fellow at the Metropolitan Policy Program. "They didn't experience huge housing bubbles followed by a crash, and their economies weren't rooted in the auto industry."

The top 10 stable cities identified by MetroMonitor are:

1. Albany, N.Y.
2. Augusta, Ga.
3. Austin, Texas
4. Baton Rouge, La.
5. Buffalo, N.Y.
6. Columbia, S.C.
7. Dallas
8. Des Moines, Iowa
9. El Paso, Texas
10. Honolulu

Source: CNNMoney.com, Hibah Yousuf (06/24/2010)

New Restaurant in Bee Caves Opens - Los Cucos

Located in the former El Arroyo restaurant, Los Cucos features a Happy Hour and can be visited at http://www.loscucos.com

Austin #1 in Forbes Article

Another great Milestone for Austin from Forbes: Austin anks high in many lists of cities on economic vitality, quality of life and other factors. The city adds another No. 1 ranking to its collection, thanks to Forbes magazine, which says Austin has the fastest-growing economy among 100 large metro areas.

According to Forbes, Austin's gross domestic product will grow 32 percent from 2007 to 2012, with a 15 percent population growth.

Factors were at play: a strong tech employment base, a steady stream of talent from the University of Texas, and a thriving music and film industry to bolster the city's reputation as a haven for creative types.

Austin and the Central Texas Hill Country are a great place to Live, Work, Play & Invest! Contact us for more information about Austin area Real Estate or for a FREE Relocation Package.

Sue Ellett, Broker-Associate
Paragon Property Group Team
Coldwell Banker United Realtors
512-422-7182

Austin foreclosures down 14% from April, up year over year - Austin Business Journal

Austin foreclosures down 14% from April, up year over year - Austin Business Journal

Central Texas Business Journal: June 6, 2010 - Austin Business Journal

Scott & White expands in Round Rock.

Central Texas Business Journal: June 6, 2010 - Austin Business Journal

Samsung: $3.6B, 500 jobs for Austin - Austin Business Journal

Great News for Austin area jobs/real estate.

Samsung: $3.6B, 500 jobs for Austin - Austin Business Journal

Report: Austin home prices will increase Q1, 2011 - Austin Business Journal:

Report: Austin home prices will increase Q1, 2011 - Austin Business Journal:

Read this article, but remember that interest rates are increasing also and that can suppress home sales since buying power may be lower. Now is probably the best time ever to buy a home in our area of Austin and the Highland Lakes in the Central Texas Hill Country.

Sue Ellett, Broker-Associate
Paragon Property Group
Coldwell Banker United Realtors
866-693-7741

Now Open or Soon to Open in Bee Cave

http://www.beecavebee.com/images/stories/openings100319.png

Click above for more information about new businesses in the Bee Cave area....

Things to Do in The Central Texas Hill Country - Upcoming Events at Spicewood Vineyard

Spicewood Vineyards announce a special Easter Sunday lunch and their Annual Pig Roast on the 10th.

Easter Sunday Luncheon:

We are excited to announce that we have teamed up with Chef Taylor Hall to present a special Easter luncheon and wine pairing on Sunday April 4th at 1.00 p.m. The menu will consist of four courses. First, we will serve a mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette, poached pears, herbed chevre and candied pecans. Second course will be a seafood appetizer of shrimp and grits with a jalapeno cream sauce, crispy bacon and roasted garlic. The entree will be a choice of roasted beef tenderloin with a bordelaise sauce, or roasted lamb chops with a red wine au jus. Both entrees will be accompanied by black truffle-parmesan mashed potatoes and asparagus (please make entree choice when placing your ticket order). There will be lavender crusted lemon tartlets with raspberry syrup and fresh berries for dessert. Each course will be wonderfully paired with one of our wines, and for our Estate Sauvignon Blanc fans out there this will be your first chance to sample the 2008 vintage. The price is $75.00 per ticket. Please call the vineyard to reserve tickets for this limited seating luncheon at 830-693-5328.

3rd Annual Spicewood Vineyards Pig Roast:

Tickets are now on sale for our 3rd Annual Pig Roast. It is just around the corner on Saturday April 10, 2010, Join us for a 6 p.m. start with dinner being served around 7.00 p.m. Tickets sold out quickly last year so call us with credit card info a.s.a.p. at 830-693-5328 (there will be no reservations without the credit card info). The price is $30.00 per person or $55 per couple if purchased prior to March 26, 2010 and after that date, if any tickets remain they will be $35.00 each. A great pit roasted pig dinner will be served with all the fixin's. Each couple will receive a bottle of wine (2 glasses per single ticket) and live music will be accompanying the evening.

Articles about Austin - Good News for our Area

Facebook Marks Fourth Win for Austin Chamber Economic Development Efforts in 2010


Last week, the Austin City Council approved economic incentives paving the way for Facebook to officially move forward with plans to develop operations in Austin. In their first major U.S. expansion out of current headquarters Palo Alto, CA, Facebook plans to create 200 jobs for Central Texans with the location of an online sales and operations office.


“We are delighted to formally announce that Facebook will open an online sales and operations office in Austin,” said Grady Burnett, Director of Global Online Sales and Operations at Facebook. “The area’s world-class educational system and talented workforce give us the means to quickly establish a strong outfit. We also want Facebook employees to have a high quality-of-life by being part of a vibrant, dynamic environment and Austin offers all of that and more. We look forward to building our team here in Austin and enjoying all the wonderful things the city has to offer.”


The Austin Chamber worked confidentially with Facebook during their search to find a location for their expansion, encouraging the diversification of the Austin metro economy. Opportunity Austin, the Austin Chamber’s economic development initiative to expand efforts to attract businesses in industries that complement the area’s workforce, such as clean energy, life sciences and digital media, has remained an important factor in Austin’s success with economic growth and development initiatives


Source: Austin Chamber of Commerce



Nominate Austin for Google’s “Fiber in Communities”


Google is on the hunt for dynamic cities to locate their experimental, ultra high-speed fiber network pilot project. The Austin Chamber, along with the Austin community, is responding in a big way, spreading the word for individuals and community organizations to make their voice heard. We know Austin has the ideal business and creative climate, the high-tech credentials and tech-savvy culture to host this transformative initiative, but what we need to do now is make sure Google understands that Austin is the ideal community!


What we need is for you - either as an individual or as a community group - to complete the "community application" by visiting www.biggigaustin.org and clicking the nominate Austin link before March 26. It's easy! Note: You must have a Google e-mail address to nominate Austin. This advanced network will provide households up to a hundred times the speed of ordinary broadband internet access, enabling a new generation of online applications and services.


Build community support by joining the Facebook group and Twitter feed, take a look at the interactive map and the YouTube channel, see what other people are writing about biggig and submit your own ideas online. Help us show Google why Austin is ready for the Big Gig!


Source: Austin Chamber of Commerce

Central Texas Economy In Perspective
By Beverly Kerr, Chamber Vice President of Research



Year-to-date data on sales tax allocations to local governments, that is, total dollars returned to a local sales taxing city, county, special purpose district or transit authority by the Texas Comptroller for their local sales tax collection, are showing distinct improvements in the Austin area compared to other parts of the state. Of Texas 20 largest cities, with data through March 2010, Round Rock has seen the greatest increase over 2009, with 3.53%, followed by Austin, with 3.34%. Only 4 other cities in the top 20 also saw positive growth. In aggregate, sales tax allocations for all cities across Texas are down 7.90%.


The metro’s four largest sales and use tax jurisdictions all saw total allocations for 2009 below those of 2008: -3.2% for San Marcos, -9.8% for the Austin Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), -10.6% for Austin, and -12.4% for Round Rock.


Cities in Travis County are seeing a mix of positive and negative growth, but in aggregate, sales tax allocations are up 2.92% year-over-year for cities in the county. Austin accounts for 87% of the sales tax allocations to cities in the county. Among the other larger cities (in terms of size of sales tax allocations), Pflugerville is up 10.99%, Bee Cave is up 1.44%, while Sunset Valley is down 4.36%. Williamson County’s cities are positive in aggregate, driven by Round Rock which accounts for 64% of city allocations, by 1.01%. The next two most significant cities are Georgetown which is down by just a fraction of a percent, 0.05%, and Cedar Park, which is down by 8.75%.


The Austin MTA is the metro’s largest sales tax jurisdiction in terms of total sales tax allocations ($36.3 million year-to-date) and it is also up compared to the first three months of 2009, but just by 0.08%. However, none of Texas’ other MTAs saw positive growth for the period.


After Austin MTA, Austin, and Round Rock, San Marcos is the region’s next largest jurisdiction for sales tax allocations and it is down slightly, by 0.50%. In aggregate, Hays’ County’s cities are down by 0.09%. Caldwell County’s cities are down by 5.05%. Bastrop is up 6.64% and in aggregate the cities in Bastrop County are up 3.86%.

Three of our counties, Bastrop, Caldwell, and Hays, also collect sales tax. Across the state, county sales tax allocations are down 14.26%, however in this metro, Hays’ allocations are up 0.90% and Bastrop’s up 1.29%, while Caldwell’s are down by 9.04%


The Texas Comptroller publishes this data in two forms useful for a range of analysis: Sales Tax Allocation Comparison Summary Reports provide current month and year-to-date comparisons of sales and use tax payments for all tax jurisdictions for the current and previous year and Allocation Historical Reports provide time series of annual and monthly numbers back to 1987 for all taxing jurisdictions. The Comptroller also publishes wider ranging up-to-date economic outlook and key economic indicators data for Texas.

Austin breaks ground on $200M flyover - Austin Business Journal:

Austin breaks ground on $200M flyover - Austin Business Journal:

New Manor Expressway will be a 6.2-mile tollway and will stretch from US 183 to Parmer Ln., just west of Manor.

Facebook may open 200-person Austin office - Austin Business Journal:

Facebook may open 200-person Austin office - Austin Business Journal:

Just another indication that Austin is still in growth mode and it's where people and companies want to be.

Thinking of moving here? We'll be happy to send you a relocation package and information about our area from Lake Buchanan all the way down to downtown Austin - we've got it covered.

Paragon Property Group 866-693-7741

www.ParagonPropertyGroup.com

Hill Country Galleria has new owners

The Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave has been purchased by You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">REIT Management & Research. Chicago-based REIT purchased the mall at a bankruptcy auction in February.

They have chosen Weitzman's commercial retail division to handle leasing for them.

Hill Country Galleria is anchored by You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Dillard’s department store, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Dick’s Sporting Goods, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Cinemark and You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Barnes & Noble Booksellers. The center also houses national retailers, including You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Banana Republic, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Chico’s, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Jos. A. Bank, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Victoria’s Secret, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Ann Taylor, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">American Eagle, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Bath & Body Works, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Iron Cactus, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Mimi’s Café, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Panera Bread, You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Which Wich and You can watch up to ten companies at a time.

" height="13" width="13">Pei Wei.

The Galleria's trade area contains more than 199,000 people within a 10-mile radius. The area’s average household income is approximately $120,000.

The Hill Country Galleria totals 632,438 square feet of retail space and is located at the intersection of Bee Cave Parkway, F.M. 620 and State Highway 71.

For more information about our area or if looking to buy or sale a home in this West Austin area, visit our website at www.ParagonPropertyGroup.com

or, call us at 866-693-7741

Lake LBJ Home on Quiet Cove - Freshly Painted - Great Short-Term Rental Property Too!

Ready to buy a lake home? Summer will be here before you know it..... This great Lake LBJ home is situated on a quiet cove in a cul-de-sac location and is freshly painted inside and out. This home would be a wonderful short-term rental too if you are thinking of offsetting your costs that way, too.

Move-in Ready with a Boat Slip and Jet Ski Ramps and a huge outdoor deck for enjoying life outdoors in this wonderful location on the controlled level lake in the Central Texas Hill Country

What are you waiting for???

Visit our website at www.ParagonPropertyGroup.com for more area information and this property.

Buying or Selling a Lake Home in the Highland Lakes area? Contact Paragon Property Group at 866-693-7741 for more information on how we can help you find your dream home or sell your current home