It's no secret that the Austin area real estate market has exploded over the past 5 years, especially since the pandemic. Bastrop, a once rural town east of Austin and a halfway marker to Houston, is no exception to this unprecedented growth. With its proximity to Austin and more accessible pricing, real estate has rapidly grown. Such growth has caught the eye of major production companies and as of December of 2021, Bastrop has green lit the #bastrop552 project.  The owner of the Bastrop 552 project said the development will eventually have 486,000 square feet of studio space, 300,000 square feet of warehouse/mill space and 200,000 square feet of office space. The site will be located at 1240 Lovers Lane, near the Colorado River. The 546 acre film studio project is estimated to complet... 01/10/2022

🎉 20 Years in Real Estate! 🍾January 4, 2002 I sat down as a newly licensed agent in my cubicle @jbgoodwinaustin with my laptop, a pen and notebook ready for a new chapter in real estate. I didn't know what I didn't know, and can tell you I've come a long way since those early days (especially with the help of some very special mentors who know their impact on my growth over the years).💪 20 years in now, nearly 700 transactions and over $220M in sales, I'm feeling like this career might stick (also, I’m thankful to have been part of Juice Real Estate over half this time). Thank you for your support, encouragement and trust over the years. It's been an amazing ride that has allowed me to forge valuable / lifelong relationships with clients, agents and business partners across the board. I... 01/07/2022

My mom was a Home Economics Teacher and taught her students how to bake French bread, other breads, rolls, pies, cakes, cookies. She taught how to make simple, nutritious meals by following the basic food groups, how to plan meals, and tips on running a household economically. The curriculum was practical and so many students benefitted from her classes.I still bake French bread from her "Fleischmann Booklet" on yeast baking breads and rolls (I only use Fleischmann yeast to this day). My family loves the fresh long, slender loaves of “crusty bread” and my granddaughters, Hailey and Maggie, wanted to learn how to be able to bake fresh bread. I decided it was time to make time to pass the torch.Over the Christmas Holiday we planned an afternoon to bake and I’m so proud of these two! It is... 01/06/2022

      I’m so glad to live in Austin Texas! We lead the nation in population in-migration, robust job growth and economic expansion. We are in the best position to handle the challenges facing us with COVID regulations, supply change issues, affordability, unemployment etc. In Addition to the UPTOWN ATX project there are 5 other Austin developments coming on-line in 2022.2021 has been full of challenges and I’ve decided my motto for 2022 is “Lead by graciousness and understanding.” Tallying the numbers for 2021 showed our home sales for the year increased 21% compared to 2019! Our inventory is at record lows. Expect our Canyon Creek market to continue the trajectory we experienced in 2021. Buyers understand the house they look at today, will either be gone or more expensive tomorrow. The... 01/05/2022

   Fourth quarter home sales are down by 38% but inventory played the biggest factor. It’s hard to produce record home sales with so few homes on the market.The good news is the average sold price increased by 29%!  Buyers purchased smaller homes (2,774 square feet average) thus the price per square foot shot up 45%! The end of fourth quarter showed an uptick in activity by those focused buyers looking for a home with less competition. Many tried to beat the looming increase in interest rates and the rush of the anticipated spring market.The days on market in fourth quarter decreased by 58%!  We have less than a month’s inventory of homes folks and buyers are looking for fresh, well presented properties!Canyon Creek Fourth Quarter 2021There are 2 Active homes found on December 31, 2021 ... 01/04/2022

Beautiful Beckett has developed her own ideas on what she wants to wear. As I’ve discovered she is a very tactile gal....she likes to touch and feel the fabric before committing to any garment (keep in mind she is 7 years old).      We’ve all given up on making clothing purchases for this young lady because it will usually result in a return! This year for Christmas I gave her a coupon for a shopping spree after Christmas with Nana (mommy included). Inside the box there was hard, cold cash to spend!This past Sunday time was set for lunch at Doc B’s Restaurant at the Domain and then on to shopping at Nordstrom’s, Zara’s and Macy’s (Beckett’s choices).Beckett counted out her money and took charge for paying for her well thought out purchases. This gal has no problem controlling her destin... 01/04/2022

  We noticed an uptick in activity in December as savvy buyers stayed in the hunt for new opportunities with less competition. While many sellers and buyers were busy shopping, traveling to see family, attending family and company parties, others found by keeping their eyes open during the hustle and bustle they scored a home! Many buyers want to get a jump on looming, higher interest rates in 2022 and the Spring rush, therefore are ready and qualified to pounce on new listings! The future looks bright in 2022 Austin Real Estate; especially with the announcement of the construction of Uptown ATX. It will eventually feature nearly 7 million square feet of offices, apartments, stores, and hotel space, as well as a new MetroRail station. The site is already home to IBM’s campus. This close... 01/03/2022

 Looking ahead to 2022 with a renewed sense of hope and new beginnings, I wish you joy, health and happiness. I’m grateful for my family, friends, colleagues, clients and all of you at Active Rain! Bring on 2022….. Whether you’re seeking exciting new opportunities, a change of scenery, my wish is for you to follow your dreams! “The only worse than starting something and failing…is not starting something.”  Seth Godin    01/01/2022

💥 J U S T S O L D💥 It’s exciting to close out a phenomenal #2021 with the sale of this #compassconceirge home. By using the equity in their home, my sellers were able to make necessary and strategic upgrades to their home and close at top dollar. Thanks to my seller’s trust in the process and faith in Compass Concierge Services  we were able to not only get this home under contract in ONE weekend, but we received multiple offers - all over asking.I am thankful for my clients who put trust in me to let this vision unfold. We are lucky to be able to work with such awesome and trusting clients, and work at a brokerage with premiere, cutting edge tools that ultimately benefit our clients.If you're curious about @CompassConcierge , what your home is worth, or want more info - comment below 📩... 12/31/2021

2021 was a very eventful year with many ups and downs. I am thankful and grateful for all the good moments with family, friends, clients and colleagues. Cheers to a kinder 2022 with love and understanding leading the way!  “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” Michael Altshuler “Be so busy loving your life that you have no room for hate, regret or fear.”  Unknown  12/31/2021

Visiting the Austin Trail of Lights and then on for a spin under the Zilker Park Tree, is a must during the holidays in Austin. It’s an iconic tradition our family loves. The last two years we haven’t been able to walk the Trail of lights but can drive through which is second best!         The Zilker Park Tree has a circular base with a 120-foot diameter and a 10-foot wide double star made up of 150 frosted bulbs that sit at the top! It’s155-feet-tall with a total of 3,309 lights, including 39 streamers, each holding 81 multicolored, 245 watt LED bulbs. It’s pretty spectacular and so magical twirling under the tree!It’s open for visitation from, November 27, 2021 through January 1, 2022 from 6 pm to 10 pm. Car Passes are needed to drive the Trails. No reservation to head over to the Zil... 12/18/2021

Our family is enjoying so many fun holiday activities this year! Recently we went to brunch before Beautiful Beckett, her mom and I went to see the Nutcracker at the Long Center in Austin.        There was a jolly Santa who Handsome Hudson and Beautiful Beckett made fast friends. Hudson asked him how old he was and he quickly replied: “I was around when your parents were little kids!” Santa asked them if they thought his beard was real. They moved in closer for a look and he said “feel it!” They quickly reached out and I loved the face he made and exclaimed “Ouch!” Santa asked Hudson if his parents had been good this year? He covered his eyes and said: "I guess so."“May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve.”   Unknown 12/17/2021

Carol Williams and Andrea Bedard challenged the ActiveRain community in their December Challenge: 'Tis the Season for Miracles & Scares to “spread some joy and share a Christmas season miracle.”I’ve been pondering a post on "one thing" I’d like to scare away or free myself as I’m entering 2022. I’ve been racking my brain as I’m in a good place this holiday season! Looking back on 2021 both in business and personally it’s been a busy and productive year. I’ve found I enjoy more free time with family and friends and I want the same to continue in 2022. Recently I attended the Annual Awards PT50 breakfast. All the speakers were good but when I heard Vanessa Lindsley, with Austin Title, give her acceptance speech for winner of the Business Development Representative for the year, her messag... 12/11/2021

The perfect home for the holidays!   Tastefully updated Midtown home with fresh interior paint / flooring (LVP) just completed. Move in ready, this home offers BIG opportunities for someone to place their personal touches on a property in one of the hottest areas of Austin. Enjoy multiple living spaces awash in natural light for gathering and entertaining flexibility. Partial remodel of kitchen that peers into back living room. Well proportioned bedrooms. Huge bonus, current owners replaced cast iron drain lines and central heat/air system in the last few years.   Backyard shed has electricity and ethernet run to it with window unit and was used as hobby space by current owners.   Don't miss this end of year opportunity before it's gone!   (Bird Bird Biscuit)(Little Deli + Pizza) (Gala... 12/09/2021

The weather cooperated for the Canyon Creek Elementary PTA "Holiday Fair!" Residents as well as students and their parents welcomed this much anticipated outdoor event, late Friday afternoon, the first week-end in December 2021! It was so good to see the smiles, hear the laughter and enjoy the smells of holiday treats.               Karen Ogle, Anna Thurin and Allie Knavel, welcomed the community at the entrance.          It was so good to see the fire trucks, an amazing bouncy house, The Cold Cookie Co. truck, so many craft and art booths, vendors selling cakes, cookies, bird houses, jewelry...great gift ideas for the holidays.      Mary Weir, the Art teacher at Canyon Creek Elementary, was front and center volunteering at the craft tables with an assortment of  Christmas craft ideas s... 12/04/2021

Just like the majority of Austin, CANYON CREEK’S incline in home price is not as steep as in the spring, but inventory is low and homes are selling! There are only 3 Active listings on the market in Canyon Creek at this time (all three over priced homes have been on the market an average of 69 days and have making price adjustments)! The future looks bright in 2022 Austin Real Estate, especially with the announcement Tesla is making Austin its headquarters.   November Home Sales are down 60% over 2020 November Sales. We are still undergoing low inventory (slightly more than spring) and plenty of buyer demand even with the holidays upon us. Buyers have more options in certain communities, and the market feels fluid with buyers having more time to decide to make an offer rather than in ho... 12/03/2021

I smile because you lived and grateful for all the memories you left behind. My eyes see all your care and devotion you bestowed on me and our family. My heart is full because of the love we shared.“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  Maya Angelou  11/30/2021

One of my favorite holidays is Thanksgiving. It is a time to slow down, look around, and see all the wonderful things around us to be thankful for - whether that's everyday things like running around Town Lake or some of the year's accomplishments (this will be a record setting year for me business wise) or special moments (like coaching my kids teams). One of the things I'm most thankful for this year is time with family. A huge silver lining of the pandemic was getting to see my kiddos more and make some lasting memories. As the world has *thankfully* started to open back up, I find myself cherishing those moments with family maybe even more than pre-pandemic.We snuck in a quick road trip before the big holiday tomorrow, and relaxed at a quiet lake house outside of Austin. My mother, ... 11/24/2021

I’m feeling blessed the Junior League of Austin Christmas Affair is back this year!! The in-person event this year was so much fun! This year’s theme is “Dashing through the Snow” and returned to the Palmer Events Center located at 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin.Austin has undergone many changes since I moved here in 1981. The only constant for Austin is “change” but the qualities our city cherishes: compassion, generosity and creativity never change. Every dollar raised during the five-day event provides much-needed funding for the Junior Leagues signature programs and community non-profit partnerships. The annual event hosts over 200 retail merchants from across the country and attracts over 25,000 patrons.  The 2021 Christmas Affair is presented by Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships... 11/18/2021

It's hard to believe that Compass Real Estate has been around for TEN years! As a devoted Austinite, I am honored that they chose my hometown to commemorate this achievement by hosting the national annual retreat here in Austin. Those of you from around here may have noticed a surge of Compass toting, swag-wearing agents crawling all over downtown these past few days. And if you are an early riser or runner and lover of Taco Deli Freakin Vegan or Jess Special like me, then it's highly likely you caught us hosting our out-of-state friends at this morning's Runners of Compass 5 mile run!Texas is not only the Lone Star State, but it also means "friendship." So in true Texas form, I, along with fellow Compass agent, Lilly Rockwell, hosted our new friends on a 5 mile run around Lady Bird Lak... 11/17/2021