The citywide shelter-in-place order that extends over the next few weeks has labeled restaurants as an essential service.

Many restaurants that had never offered takeout service before have pivoted to the new model. While many people will naturally turn to places from which they’ve always ordered takeout (burgers, pizzas, tacos and drive-thrus being the most likely), now is a good time to order from locally owned restaurants that you might not normally consider for takeout.

I understand that some people have serious concerns about takeout, and I address those in the accompanying precautions information. I am not telling you to order takeout; you should do what makes you most comfortable.

I also realize...

It’s rough out there for parents. 

They are starting their third week of everyone being home from school because of the coronavirus pandemic... and last weekend the Austin Parks and Recreation Department closed playgrounds, basketball courts, skate parks, pavilions, tennis courts, and exercise equipment at its parks.

The trails and green spaces remain open.

The Austin Parks Foundation is trying to help by bringing its Little Hummingbird Society program to the virtual world. You can find activity booklets, games and coloring sheets that encourage exploring nature at austinparks.org/little-hummingbird-society/.

These are all activities that you...

2020 Is Predicted to be Another Record Breaking Year

Below is an excerpt of the Austin Board of Realtors February Press Release

Compared to January 2019, residential home sales in the Austin area increased 8.5% to 1,947 sales, and the median price increased 4.8% to $308,000, setting a record for the month of January. Housing inventory–which fell to 1.6 months–was driven to critically low levels across the [area] due to drops in both new and active listings. At the same time, increases in pending sales activity in January could signal further declines in inventory in the year ahead amidst strong housing demand.

Romeo Manzanilla, 2020 ABoR president, said. “We expect to see a significant increase in activity in the spring, when market activity...

It. Is. Time. To. Refinance.

According to a report by CNBC, mortgage rates were nearing 8 year lows in late February as Coronavirus fears pushed down the stock market and the 10-year Treasury yield.  The 10-year yield is generally a driver on mortgage rates and we are seeing that prove true over the past few weeks.

As a result, refinance applications are up 165% according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. We are seeing many of our past clients take advantage of these amazing rates and taking out some equity to pay off high interest credit cards, do some home remodeling or even paying for college.

If you have been thinking “maybe I should refinance,” the answer is YES and the time is NOW.

Give a call to the good folks over at Lendplicity Mortgage at 512-387-7880...

The emerald pools look like something from a classic painting 

Pack up your bags and gas up the car. A fabulous natural getaway awaits you. Full of shimmering water and colorful hiking trails, Garner State Park continually dazzles visitors. A scenic, three hour drive southwest of Austin will lead you to a tranquil oasis. You’ll want to visit this riverfront state park time and time again. 

Nearly three miles of the gorgeous Frio River runs through this land, and it was meant to be enjoyed. Visitors can wade in the crystalline waters and canoe across the streams. Avid fishers love searching for their next big catch

read full article...

How to pick kitchen paint colors

1. Find Color Clues: If you’re not sure what shade will stand out best, Andrea Magno, Color and Design Expert at Benjamin Moore, suggests taking a hint from palettes already in place, from countertops to backsplashes. “Look to the colors used in fixed materials such as stone (marble, granite, quartz), tiles, flooring, and even appliances,” she tells us. This can help the look come together more easily. 

2. Nod to Nature: Another great color inspiration? Mother Nature. If you’re puzzled over what colors go together best, take a gander at the great outdoors. For example, the blues, greens, sandy whites, and driftwood grays of the seashore naturally...

These pro-approved paint colors will help you transform any room into a more productive workspace.

Never underestimate the impact the right wall paint can have in a home office. Not only is it an easy way to refresh an outdated space, but the right paint hue could help increase productivity—after all, some paint colors are believed to have positive psychological effects. Studies even ...

Pretty soon Austin my have their own "Empire State Building".

The topper on Austin’s tallest building will soon add to the array of light displays illuminating the city’s skyline.

Developers are in the process of ironing out the final touches, but “in the coming weeks” residents can expect to see the crown of the “Jenga tower” like they’ve never seen it before, CultureMap Austin reports.

At 58 stories and 685 feet, the Independent, also called the “Jenga tower,” is currently Austin’s tallest building. Upon completion, the appearance of the tower’s crown was so hotly contested that one Austinite founded and led a campaign to...

Austin is set to open some great new restaurants this year! Everything from sushi, pizza, coffee, an ice cream shop, a grill - there's something for everyone!

Support our city that we all love and go and check them out!

https://www.austin360.com/entertainmentlife/20191230/new-austin-restaurants-coming-in-2020

Culhane Premier Properties was proud to be part of two record setting transactions in 2019.  402 Spiller Lane is a property with some of the most amazing city views in all of Austin.  The unique West Lake Hills location allowed for 180-degree unobstructed views of the city skyline which resulted in a price per square foot record for that area.  Brad Emerson in our office represented the seller while Jeff Brown also in our office represented the buyer.

Another record-breaking view property was 8137 Lake Mountain Lane which was the highest...

INGREDIENTS: 

Cookies - 

• 1 stick softened butter
• ½ cu confectioners’ sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1¼ cu all-purpose flour

Chocolate icing - 

• 3 oz baking chocolate
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2¾ cu powered sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 6 tbsp half & half

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Beat together 1 stick of the butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla on medium-high speed until smooth (about 2 minutes). Beat in the flour. Using a small spoon, scoop out about 1 tablespoon, then roll the dough into balls, and place 1-inch apart on a baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, remove from oven, and...

This holiday season, Culhane Premier Properties is happy to help our dear friends at Jail to Jobs by collecting clothing for their participants.  The Jail to Jobs program empowers youthful offenders across the state through encouragement and practical tools to get them moving towards a positive future. Their job training program has placed nearly 50 participants into full time jobs so far in 2019 and they recently partnered with the city of Round Rock by contributing nearly 500 hours of work for the city.

Jail to Jobs is an amazing example of positivity in our community but they can’t succeed without the generosity of those that care.  Our clothing donation is focused on these new or gently used items:

• Work Coats
• Work Gloves
• Warm Hats
• Socks
...

Veterans currently in VA loans are eligible for an exclusive program designed to make refinancing as easy as possible. The VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan or IRRRL takes the hassle out of the standard refinancing process making it easier to lower your rate or transition to a fixed-rate mortgage.

Key benefits of a VA IRRRL

• No appraisal or minimum credit score required
• No income or employment verification
• No origination fees
• Monthly mortgage insurance or PMI is not required

There are minimal restrictions on the VA IRRRL and rates are still extremely low so now is a great time to get started on a refinance.

Lendplicity Mortgage specializes in VA IRRRLs offering great rates,...

October 2019 was a record breaker for the Austin area according to  the Austin Board of REALTORS® latest Central Texas Housing Market Report. The report shows that an average of 100 people per day move to our area which has resulted in continued  double-digit percent increase in home sales.  The median price of a single-family home in Austin area rose 7.4% in October to $327,500 and home sales increased 16.8% while both active listings and inventory decreased year over year. To get a full overview of what’s going on in your area, contact us today for a free market evaluation.

APPLE SPICE HARVEST COOKIES - RECIPE FROM BETTY CROCKER

INGREDIENTS:
1⁄2 cup butter, softened
2⁄3 cup white sugar
2⁄3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1⁄4 cup apple juice
2 1⁄4 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup apple, peeled, and chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts

FROSTING: 
1⁄4 cup butter, softened
3 cups icing sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-4 tablespoons apple juice

Set oven to 375 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl cream butter and both sugars together. Beat in the...

On September 17th, the Austin Board of REALTOR®’s reported that the median home price in the Austin-Round Rock metro area rose by 2% to $326,500. Similarly the number of homes sold in August increased 5.8% to 3,189.  Conversely, new listings and active listing decreased in August by 7.1% and 9.3% respectively.  This combination resulted in a decrease in the monthly housing inventory to 2.7 months.  What does this mean to you? Now is a great time to be a seller.  Low inventory and low interest rates are bringing buyers to the table quickly.  To get a full overview of what’s going on in your area,...

IF YOUR MORTGAGE WAS ORIGINATED IN 2018, THEN IT MIGHT BE TIME TO CONSIDER A REFINANCE. 

According to new data, 80% of mortgages from last year carry an interest rate at least 0.75% higher than today’s prevailing rate (3.49%, according to Freddie Mac).

But 2018-borrowers aren’t the only homeowners who could benefit from today’s low-rate environment. Data from property analytics firm Black Knight shows that pre-2004 mortgagees could also save big. Nearly all of this cohort could shave 1.75% off their interest rate or more with a refinance.

In total, Black Knight says more than half of American homeowners with a mortgage have a rate at least 75 basis...

While Austin is known for all of the delicious food, living in Austin means that you are going to be eating barbeque on the regular. It’s actually home to some of the best BBQ in the state and even in the country. It continues to grow as more and more barbeque joints open up and the competition for the best flavors increases every year.

Right now you could easily find 20 BBQ restaurants in the city that outperform the rest and that is just narrowing it down to 20. You’ll see new restaurants and food trucks opening up regularly and it’s the favorite dish for a local Austinite.  Take a look at a few of the top choices of BBQ in Austin that you’ll want to check out and compare to find your new favorite!

Franklin Barbecue – 900 E. 11^th Street, Austin

Over in East Austin...

Are you worried about the upcoming negotiations that will take place when it’s time to buy your new home in San Antonio? Having an agent behind you that knows what they are doing is going to be a real asset to you as you not only locate a home that suits your family but also as you try to peg down that home and strike up a deal with the seller.

Bidding wars sometimes take effect when you have a seller’s market and the inventory is lower than the number of buyers that inevitably fight over the current options. When you’ve found your dream home, you don’t want to be left scrambling to try to win over a seller. Take a look at some strategies you can use that will be effective if you find yourself in a bidding war for your dream home in San Antonio.

OFFER TO PAY IN ALL CASH

Another strategy you could try is to offer to pay for the home as a cash deal. Since cash...