Need to make some Memorial Day plans? Austin is full of creative ways to spend your long weekend! Here are a few ideas:
1. Spend time on Lady Bird Lake!! This is one of the best ways to cool off during the hot Texas summer. Live Love Paddle, The Rowing Dock, and Greenbelt Outdoors are just a few of the many spots to rent paddleboards or kayaks. You can also rent a boat or join a group cruise tour on the lake! Some of the tours run at sunset so the weather is cooler. The South Congress Bridge bats take off for their nightly flight every night at sunset. Memorial Day Weekend on Lady Bird...
The Commodore Perry Estate is one of the hottest new spots in Austin right now. The stunning historic mansion serves as a hotel and a membership club. Since opening last June, the exquisite estate has only allowed hotel guests and private members. Now, a new eatery called Lutie’s Garden Restaurant just opened to the public and it is all the craze.
Two admired Austin chefs have marked their return back to Austin from San Francisco. When the chef duo was asked to join the restaurant project, they knew they couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Bradley Nicholson & Susana Querejazu have brought...
The beautiful Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is only about an hour and a half away from downtown Austin. On your drive, you will see views of the exquisite scenery of the Texas Hill Country. Bluebonnets, the Texas state flowers, are in full bloom this time of year. They are especially prominent in the Hill Country areas. These gorgeous little flowers attract visitors from all over the country each springtime.
When you arrive at Enchanted Rock some of the things you can do are hike, backpack, camp, rock climb, picnic, geocache, and stargaze. There are more than 11 miles of stunning trails to hike. The massive pink granite dome rises above Central Texas showcasing magnificent views of the Hill Country. Aside from the dome, the scenery, rock formations; the legends...
Austin is known for its stunning scenery and its plethora of exciting things to do! One of the most popular attractions definitely includes the bats! People visit from all over to see these bats. From March until September, Mexican free-tailed bats fly from the South Congress Bridge every night at sunset. Nearly one and a half million bats in Austin call the South Congress Bridge home during this time period. At sunset, they emerge from underneath the bridge for their nightly feeding and aerial show. They eat about 20-30 thousand pounds of insects on each night flight. The show lasts about 60 minutes. It is truly a bat-tacular sight.
Hundreds of spectators line the bridge every night for this unique experience This is a perfect activity to walk to after dinner at one of the excellent South Congress restaurants. You can also easily access the South...
1. These are wildflowers. Where and when they’ll show up is something that changes from year to year. A place that had a thick carpet last year isn’t guaranteed a repeat performance. Weather plays a big factor in when, where and how bluebonnets bloom.
2. When you get word of a good bluebonnet spot, don’t wait. A few days can make a difference in the quality of the blooms. Word gets around about nice thick patches and if you wait too long, the flowers will have been trampled by little feet and won’t be as fresh.
3. Get out of the cities. While we’ve scouted out some known spots where these flowers pop up every year, you’re not going to find them growing out of the sidewalk in downtown Austin. Parks, lakes and backroads...
“Although the winter storms slowed activity in February, this does not indicate a market slowdown. We’re still very much in a sellers’ market,” This according to Susan Horton, 2021 ABoR president, said. “Across the region, a high quantity of offers, cash offers, and requests to waive appraisals or option fees are increasingly commonplace. Transaction contracts are complex with negotiations that require the expertise of a REALTOR® to navigate.”
The year over year statistics show the continued boom. The median sales price in the Austin area is up 22% this month at $395,000. The homes closed are at 2,389, which is down 8%. This is mainly due to the snowstorm. Homes spent half the time on the market at an average of only 31 days. Pending sales, new listings, and active listings are all down which all adds up to decreased...
Culhane Premier Properties is proud to announce that it has joined eXp Realty! eXp is one of the fastest growing real estate companies in the country and we are very excited to harness the power of this amazing brand and expand our client’s opportunities.
Our Owner and Broker Associate, Shawn Culhane said, “After over 10 years as an independent brokerage, we have finally found a partner that will elevate our clients’ and agents’ success without sacrificing our commitment to service and client care.”
Mike Weigand, our Team Leader and Broker Associate says, “Everyone here at Culhane is very excited to become one of the largest eXp teams in Texas. As the largest eXp team in Austin, we are looking forward to continuing to create...
Want to feel like you’re on vacation in your own city? A trip to the LINE hotel on East Cesar Chavez could be a wonderful option. There are three amazing restaurants to choose from with swanky atmospheres. P6 is one of the most popular restaurants with a cool lounge area and one of the most beautiful views of Lady Bird Lake. Being immersed in the bright and colorful decor, you will feel an instant mood boost and all of your worries will fade away. They have excellent cuisine options and craft cocktails.
Chase Daniel
If you would like to make a staycation out of the glamorous LINE hotel, the accommodations are incredible and hard to pass up. Their saltwater infinity pool overlooks the Congress Avenue bridge...
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2020 brought out everyone's creative side. Being stuck inside makes you really notice the improvements that you want to make to your home. Renovations will not only make your residence more appealing but if you are looking to sell, the value of your home will increase greatly. A great starting place for this could be power washing the exterior of your home, upgrading your landscaping, swapping out your cabinetry for a more modern look, installing new light fixtures, and more!
Some updates will take more time and effort. Some bigger projects you could consider might be removing carpets and adding wood floors, finishing your basement, replacing a dated garage door, installing a fire pit, building a patio, and the list...
The annual World Golf Championship Dell Match starts this week, March 24-28, 2021. They are offering admission at a limited capacity. After the 2020 match was canceled last year, everyone is very eager for this year. It is going to be a great time on the stunning Austin Country Club golf course. March is one of the most perfect weather months in Austin. Some of the players to look out for this year are Jon Rahm (ranked at number 3) from Spain, Justin Thomas (ranked at number 2) from the USA, and of course Dustin Johnson (ranked at number 1) from the USA. Golf lovers from all over the country travel to attend the Dell match for the beautiful course, time with friends and family, and most importantly the incredible golf talent. Whether...
It was just a typical fishing day on the beautiful Lake Travis when a 15-year-old boy set a new record for Lake Travis fishing. Trace Jansen of Buda, TX lucked out when he caught a massive 15.32-pound bass. “It was crazy. It's almost unreal. I never thought I would catch a fish that big in my life,” Trace told MySanAntonio.com.
See New Lake Travis Waterfront Listings
The previous record on Lake Travis was set at 13 pounds in 1993. Jansen joins a group of Texas Anglers who have caught bass weighing 13 pounds or more this year. These bass have been donated live to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This is for its long-running Toyota ShareLunker selective-breeding program that began in 1986.
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With the crazy year we’ve had, we all deserve a getaway. However with covid rates still fairly high, some places have remained closed and there are a number of travel restrictions in place currently. A fun option to add to your travel ideas could be a luxurious staycation in our own amazing city! The W Austin offers discounted rates for Texas residents at their stylish and entertaining hotel. Some other swanky hotels that you could consider for your staycation include the Fairmont Austin, the LINE hotel, and the Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection. There is also a chic new bed and breakfast called Adina Austin. Learn more about these Staycations here.
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The South by Southwest Film Festival is almost here! And it's all virtual!! This year the incredible SXSW team is introducing a SXSW Digital Experience, March 16-20th. They are offering Conference sessions, Music Festival showcases, keynotes, Film Festival screenings, world-class networking, and the unexpected discoveries that are always a part of SXSW. This is a perfect way to experience this thrilling event from the comfort of your own home.
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Find out how the top 15 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale.
Homes sales jump 23.9% in January
Impact from winter storms likely to increase housing demand
AUSTIN, Texas - Austin-Round Rock MSA home sales jumped 23.9% to 2,523 sales in January, according to the latest Central Texas Housing Market Report by the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR).
“The last week has shown us, once again, that our homes are more important than ever,” Susan Horton, 2021 ABoR president, said. “Austin REALTORS® are...
Valentine’s Treat - Ultimate Chocolate Mousse - YUM!
To celebrate chocolate in its most delectable guises, we asked some of the best cooks—Julia Child, James Beard, Maida Heatter, and more—to share their favorite chocolate recipes. Craig Claiborne, who was the New York Times restaurant critic and one of the top food journalists at the time, shared his remarkable chocolate mousse, which could be reliably whipped up without tremendous effort. In his original headnote for the recipe, Claiborne says, “once in a rare while, I discover a formula for a dish that seems the ultimate, the definitive, the ne plus ultra. I am convinced that the finest chocolate mousse creation ever whipped up in my kitchen is the one printed here. As if you didn’t know, mousse means foam in French. This mousse is...
Commodore Perry Estate is a treasured Austin landmark, re-envisioned with modern glamour. The picturesque grounds offer a welcoming 10-acre setting in the heart of the city.
Set walking distance from UT, Austin’s newest luxury boutique hotel is set on nearly 10 secluded acres in the heart of Downtown Austin. Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, is a treasured Austin landmark re-envisioned with modern glamour. 54 bespoke guest rooms and suites are surrounded by manicured gardens. Connect with friends, new and old, over craft cocktails and locally-inspired fare at Lutie’s -- named for estate matriarch Lutie Perry. This glamorous social hub and exquisite architectural jewel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
Austin-Round Rock MSA closes year with record-breaking $17B housing market
“The Central Texas housing market is incredibly competitive and moving at lightning speed right now,” Susan Horton, 2021 ABoR president said. “The complexity of a home sale is at an all-time high as it has become commonplace for homes to receive multiple offers well over list price. Whether you’re a homebuyer or a home seller, it is more important than ever to work with a REALTOR® who deeply understands your local area and can navigate the near-zero inventory market on your behalf.”
“The Austin-area real estate market is experiencing extraordinarily high demand fueled by years of high population growth and employment gains, lifestyle changes following the...
DIY Salt Dough Ornaments
Bring a classic Christmas craft to your home this season! Salt dough ornaments have been a holiday family favorite for decades. The simple-to-make dough uses 3 non-toxic ingredients that make it great for tiny elves or pets that may be helping. Bring out your family’s creative side with different design options such us a hand-print memory, cookie-cutter shapes, or Christmas tree garlands. Customize your ornaments with paint and glitter to finish off the look. Follow the directions below or click the link to get started!
Ingredients:
As far back as the early 1800’s, families all over the world have put out their stockings to be filled for Christmas morning. The tradition is said to be inspired by the legend of St. Nicholas, a widowed husband who slid down the chimney of his poor neighbor’s home and placed gold coins in their freshly washed “socks” that were hanging to dry by the fireplace. It was a way for St. Nick to give back to his community and fill the void of his first Christmas without his family which has continued to inspire others to give back during the holidays for centuries to come!
Stockings were traditionally filled with items such as coins, oranges, candy canes, and small toys. As time went on, the stocking stuffing tradition persisted and the gifts inside continue to evolve with the times. There are...
